Happy Hour Notes

Stylish Dallasites bring can-do spirit to annual luncheon kickoff

Happy Hour Notes

Stylish Dallasites bring can-do spirit to annual luncheon kickoff

Laura Reeder, Vodi Cook, Chela Moros, Annie Wang, Kay WeirPhoto by Lisa Means
Meridith Myers, Melanie MyersPhoto by Lisa Means
Darlene Ellison, Beth Thoele, Ashlee Kleinert, Tucker EnthovenPhoto by Lisa Means
Kelcey Hamilton, Beth Theole, Anne Reeder, Kristi FrancisPhoto by Lisa Means
Tootsies modelsPhoto by Lisa Means
Bianca Sterling, Dorothy Amin ModabberiPhoto by Lisa Means
Angela Jones, Chrystie Trimmell, Heidi MeierPhoto by Lisa Means
Ann Francis Jury, Missy Quintana, Dana Fay, Kristi FrancisPhoto by Lisa Means
Ashlee Kleinert, Chris Kleinert, Darlene EllisonPhoto by Lisa Means

What: Wilkinson Center Can Do! Luncheon Kickoff

Where: Tootsies

The 411: More than 60 people showed up to help Wilkinson Center kick off its fifth annual luncheon in true Dallas style at Tootsies at the Plaza at Preston Center. Led by luncheon chair Beth Thoele and underwriting chair Kristi Francis, guests mixed and mingled while enjoying a beautiful spread by Grace Cafe Catering that included cheeses, jams, and miniature sandwich bites galore. Tootsies donated 10 percent of all proceeds from the evening back to Wilkinson Center, which helps Dallas families find pathways out of poverty. The Center's annual Can Do! Luncheon is May 9 at Dallas Country Club and celebrates entrepreneurship in philanthropy. It will honor the Real Estate Council and Ashlee and Chris Kleinert, the 2017 recipients of the Can Do! Awards.

Who: Darlene Ellison, Ashlee Kleinert, Tucker Enthoven, Ann Francis Jury, Missy Quintana, Dana Fay, Laura Reeder, Vodi Cook, Chela Moros, Annie Wang, and Kay Weir

fundraisers luncheons

Matcha News

Dallas TikTok star Keith Lee crafts matcha drink for flood relief

Keith Lee hoists his special matcha drink. Instagram

The devastating floods that swept across Central Texas on July 4 are bringing out all kinds of charitable endeavors — and that includes a limited-edition beverage from Dallas' favorite TikTok food influencer Keith Lee.

Lee, a social media sensation whose online food reviews have benefited hundreds of small restaurants, is partnering with Dallas-based La La Land Cafe on a special drink: Called the La La Land X Keith Lee Latte, it's a matcha drink in which 100 percent of the proceeds will go towards Kerr County flood relief.

La La Land is the coffee chain founded in Dallas in 2019 with a mission to provide opportunities for fostering youth and individuals in need. It now has 10 locations across Dallas-Fort Worth, plus three in Houston and six in Southern California.

The new Keith Lee Latte will consist of double ceremonial matcha, with secret syrup, matcha cloud, a whole fresh strawberry, flaky salt, and matcha powder. (Lee can be seen enjoying the beverage in this video.)

Matcha is the Japanese green tea powder that has experienced a surge in popularity, appearing in everything from drinks like the matcha latte to desserts like matcha mousse.

Keith Lee Latte is a matcha drink.Instagram

Lee, who relocated to Dallas in 2024, has been on a matcha kick ever since he tried it in Chicago, which he says "led me down a rabbit hole," and it has become his trademark drink. In May, he visited seven cafes across DFW in search of the perfect matcha in town, and that included La La Land, where he ordered a matcha with almond milk.

He also has a charitable history, including a special visit he made to Taste Project in Fort Worth to donate $4,000 to support the nonprofit's mission to fight food insecurity.

The Keith Lee Latte will be available at all La La Land cafes beginning Friday July 11, for a limited time only. From July 11-27, 100 percent of all proceeds will support flood relief efforts in Kerr County - "a community in our home state that’s hurting," La La Land Cafe says.

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