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    Put It All on Red

    Dallas YPs hit the jackpot at glittering casino-themed CASAblanca party

    Lindsey Wilson
    Feb 8, 2023 | 9:08 am

    As one of the first events of spring society season, not to mention an essential party for young professionals, CASAblanca is a guaranteed glamorous night of gambling (with fake money, of course), dancing, and donating.

    As always, proceeds from this year's sold-out event benefit Dallas CASA, which helps recruit, train, and supervise community volunteers that serve as advocates for local children in foster care. With that in mind, hundreds of YPs arrived at The Hall on Dragon ready to throw down dollars as well as dice.

    After posing for pics at the photo booth and in front of the step-and-repeat, guests could either get down to betting business or browse the sumptuous silent auction, all while sipping watermelon margaritas studded with smoking dry ice.

    Chairs Anuka Dhakal, Brooke Donelson, and Melissa Wongbust led the crowd to bust a move on the dance floor, with The Special Edition Band providing a high-energy soundtrack all night long.

    Spotted on the dance floor and at the tables were Keaton and Michelle Mai, Christina Stephenson, Mike Feather, Michael and Cristina Swartz, Melody and Maurice Tisbe, Christina Nelson, Taylor Pearson, Latisha Chaney, Nicole Streich, Emily Black, Daniel Lopez, Tara Mulvey, Lacey Spell, Carson and Lizzy May, Tyre Wilson, Juan Nevarez, Sandra Martinez, Stephanie Felton, Scott Nixon, Rowan Gilvie, Liv Murphy, Rylie Hoover, Jeff Hummel, Maddie Kress, Kenzie Radke, Lauren Goodson, Chase Davis, Jordan and Chandler Dinardo, Lindsay and Jarrod Williams, Chance and Christy Woodard, Careyann and Corey Thomas, and Madi Wheeler.

    In between shouts of "Red!" and "Blackjack!," attendees enjoyed passed appetizers and a well-stocked bar. Chefs served up veggie fried rice in traditional Chinese take-out containers, before ending the evening with take-home fried chicken biscuits.

    Extra-special guests gathered in the roped-off VIP area, sponsored by Megan and Tom Sterquell.

    All those hard-won chips translated into raffle tickets for prizes, such as a mirror ball-decorated bottle of Veuve Clicquot and a gift basket custom-made for hard-core coffee lovers.

    CASAblanca began as a way to raise awareness among young Dallas citizens of the critical role an advocate can play in the life of a child living in foster care. Dallas CASA Young Professionals is an outreach, volunteer, and fundraising arm for Dallas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). The group is open to anyone ages 21 to 40 who wants to make a difference in the lives of abused children.

    Playing cards at the VIP tables at CASAblanca 2023
      

    Photo by Ray Carlin

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    Hot to trot

    Equest Dallas patrons pony up record $700K at blue ribbon-worthy ball

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    May 9, 2025 | 1:45 pm
    Equest Blue Ribbon Gala 2025
    Photo by Tamytha Cameron
    Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

    A sold-out crowd of 570 supporters stampeded into Gilley’s Dallas on April 25 for the 44th Annual Equest Blue Ribbon Gala. The Western-chic affair, always one of the most highly anticipated galas of spring, would have a record-breaking night.

    Co-chairsKristin and James Hallam and honorary chairs The Sam and Helga Feldman Foundation and Natalie and David Taylor welcomed patrons decked out in cowboy boots and hats to Gilley's, which had been transformed into a shimmering celebration of all things Equest by event designer Steve Kemble. A “disco saddle” centerpiece even hung from the ceiling.

    Emcee Calvert Collins-Bratton welcomed the crowed with a hearty "yee haw!" Equest founder Susan Schwartz presented the Founders Award to Carol Chamberlin, whose three decades of service as volunteer, donor, and barn manager have made her an Equest organization legend. The Citation Award went to Donna and Tim Weber and their daughter Katherine, an Equest client.

    New CEO Eric Lindh took the stage to underscore Equest’s mission to provide equine-assisted learning, therapies, and counseling (much of it free of charge) to children, adults, and veterans. He shared the nonprofit's bold vision for the future, focusing on the number “22,” a call to action inspired by the 22 percent of Dallas County residents living with a disability, the 22 veterans lost to suicide daily in the U.S., and the 22 percent of Americans living with mental illness, while less than half of those receive treatment.

    His pledge to expand services to first responders struck a chord with the crowd, as did the moving testimonials from Equest clients.

    Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand urged the crowd to “Bid boldly. Bid big. Bid with heart,” and patrons did that in spades. Auctioneer Louis Murad encouraged bidders to raise paddles stridently, starting from initial $10,000 bids onward. Bidding got fast and furious live auction packages that included fabulous trips (with destinations such as France, Antigua, and Montana) and more. The most memorable moment came when a guest insisted Murad - ever the showman - auction off his own sparkling jacket. It fetched $2,000, a purchase by Tim Weber (who clearly loves a good statement piece).

    In total, the gala raised $700,000, the largest fundraising amount in Equest’s 44-year history. The Blue Ribbon Ball's proceeds go directly to equine-assisted therapies and other services provided by Equest; for more information, visit the organization's website.

    Equest Blue Ribbon Gala 2025
      

    Photo by Tamytha Cameron

    Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

    After a night of sipping, dining, and fundraising, patrons tried their luck at casino games and danced the night away to Jordan Kahn’s Manhattan Orchestra.

    Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the evening, were Donna Weitzman, Nancy Greenbach, Natalie Taylor, Therese Rourk, Anne Seanor, Courtney Conley, Maggie Spiegel, Tyler Bridges, Lea LaFortune, Lee and Paul Michaels, Ryan and Kelly Casey, Christina Eubanks, Megan Pharis, Julie Bagley, Laura Johnson, Parker and Katy Brooks, Sharon Lee Clark, Max Clark, Jordan Glasgow, Anna Gresham, Khaki Christopher, Jessie Dornak, Jeff Netzer, Lynn McBee, Sarah and Trey Pederson, Luis Araujo, Amy Green, Kayten Elder, Sila Grogan, Melissa Placet, Tayler Reiter, Danny and Tanya Rice, Tina and Michael Beasom, and hundreds more patrons and supporters.

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