Roberto Arriola, founding president of the Emerald Eagle Scholar Program, arranges his future at The Emerald Ball.

Now and then I am reassured that the next generation will progress in new ways that will improve society.

It happened again on a recent Saturday night when I attended the University of North Texas’ Emerald Ball (www.unt.edu), held this year at Dallas’ Belo Mansion. Established in 2007, The Emerald Ball supports UNT’s Emerald Eagle Scholars Program. The program helps outstanding UNT students, most first-generation college students in their families.

After the UNT Jazz Repertory Ensemble entertained and we dined on beef tenderloin, we heard from some of those students. Wow, is what I can say. One is graduating in three-and-a-half years. One studied French at The Sorbonne in Paris. One hopes to go to law school.

UNT president, Dr. V. Lane Rawlins also spoke about the connections between our democracy and public education, a connection I think is at the foundation of this country. He talked about investing in these students being an investment in the future. A worthy investment, if you ask me.

These UNT students were all pointed toward success. My table mate, Emerald Eagle Scholar Miguel Robinson, will graduate with a master’s and already has secured a spot with one of the big accounting firms.  Miguel, well-dressed with impeccable manners, will make a wonderful ambassador for both UNT and that accounting firm, too.

All kinds of plans were on these students’ minds. One scholar, Roberto Arriola, ensured he brought the right young woman with him into his future. As all of us in that ballroom watched, he popped “the” question to his girlfriend. You can see it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyO5Kj0tDp4

Happy ending it was. Amanda Hattoon agreed to be a part of Roberto’s future, and Dr. Rawlins brought the bride-to-be with him to the stage just to make sure she wasn’t feeling too much pressure.

“There’s no one I’d rather marry than that boy over there,” Amanda said, pointing to her new fiance.

And we all applauded the hope, the happiness, the success and the intelligence in the ballroom that night.

Texas Motor Speedway’s Speedway Club again will be the site for the annual Garden Of Roses Fashion Show, set for March 26 with the theme “Masquerade of Style.”

Proceeds from this event benefit the Greater Keller Women’s Club Foundation. The foundation annually awards grants and scholarships to charitable organizations and students in the Northeast Tarrant County area.

The day will feature a silent auction, live auction, raffle, drawings, luncheon and Dillard’s fashion show. Serving as mistress of ceremonies will be Ginger Allen, and Rick Stacy will act as auctioneer. Doors open at 10 am with lunch beginning at noon. Ticket price is $60 and may be purchased by emailing tickets@gwkc.org.

Last year’s fashion show and luncheon drew more than 500 attendees, raising more than $77,200. For more information about the event, the foundation or the Greater Keller Women’s Club, visit www.gkwc.org.

The Greater Keller Women’s Club Foundation, Inc.,  was established in 1996, and to date has issued more than $650,000 in grants to area charities and  non-profit organizations. In addition, each year scholarships are presented to graduating seniors at each of the Keller high schools.

Start Date: 2011-04-29

Location: Granbury, TX

End Date: 2011-04-30
URL: Click here

Date: 2011-03-24

Location: Arlington Hilton Hotel

Start Time: 6:30 pm
Description: R.S.V.P to Valerie Salter at 817-546-6040, ext. 246 or vsalter@safehaventc.org

Date: 2011-06-13

Location: Trophy Club Country Club

Description: Annual tournament to benefit Metroport Meals on Wheels.

The band Breckenridge will entertain March 26 at the Gone to Texas Gala.

DALLAS _ Dallas Heritage Village will host its 7^th Annual Gone To Texas Gala, the largest fundraiser for Dallas Heritage Village, at 7 p.m. March 26 at Eddie Deen’s Ranch, 944 South Lamar St. 

 The annual event provides funds for hands-on history programs for area school children and tourists at the museum, located at Old City Park.  Annually, more than 25,000 school children participate in education programs at Dallas Heritage Village each year. 

“Leave your tux at home, grab your boots and enjoy an evening of big Texas fun for a good cause,” said Don Baynham, event chair and chairman-elect of the board at Dallas Heritage Village.   “We’ll have a Texas-style feast form Eddie Deen, boot scootin’ music by local Breckenridge Band and line dancing lessons from Millennium Dancers.” 

The evening will also include silent and live auctions, featuring a set of four tickets to game three of the World Series plus jewelry from Bachendorf’s and trips to San Miguel Allende, New Orleans, and Santa Fe.

“Gone To Texas” is named in honor of the 19th century Southerners who moved to a land of better opportunity.  Upon departure, they marked their front doors with “GTT” to announce they had gone to Texas.

Ticket prices start at $175 and are available for purchase online at www.dallasheritagevillage.org or by contacting Nancy Farina at 214-421-8468.   Underwriting opportunities are available from $3,500 to $15,000.   Tickets should be purchased by March 18, an they will not be sold at the door.

Dallas Heritage Village depicts life in Dallas from 1840 to 1910 with its 38 historic structures, including a log cabin, a Victorian Main Street and an 1861 farmstead. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.  For more information about the museum, go to http://wwwdallasheritagevillage.org or call 214-421-5141.

Don Baynham will trade his tuxedo for western wear when he chairs the Gone to Texas Gala.

While the world waits to see what England’s Kate Middleton will wear for her April wedding to Prince William, Dallas boasts its own bridal excitement.

Rosa Clará Group, featuring  gowns for sophisticated, princess-like brides, has opened its flagship United States store in Dallas. 

Located at 3205 Knox Street in Dallas’ uptown neighborhood, the boutique was designed by Purser Lee. The shop was created using materials such as back painted glass, Italian tile and clear cases among a black-and-white color scheme.

The new Dallas shop will feature wedding gowns from the collections Rosa Clara, Two by Rosa Clara, Christian Lacroix and Jesus del Pozo. Both bridesmaids dresses and cocktail dresses created by Two by Rosa clara and Luna Fiesta will be offered in five different colors. Also dresses from Two by Rosa Clara will be available for mothers of the bride. To accessorize, Rosa Clara will sell veils, brooches, shoes, belts, jackets and lingerie.

Appointments are encouraged and can be made by calling the store at 214-432-9034 or by emailing dallas@rosaclara.es.   Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday by appointment.

Tiers of ruffles adorn the skirt of this sassy design. A dramatic train accents this sleek gown.

Date: 2011-04-29

Location: Texas Wild Section of Fort Worth Zoo

Start Time: 6:30 pm
End Time: 10:00 pm

URL: Click here
Description: Family fun, including magicians, jugglers and music by King Creole. Advance tickets are $40 for adults and $15 for children ages 3-12. Register online at www.thewarmplace.org or call 817-870-2272.

Date: 2011-02-26

Location: River Ranch, Fort Worth

URL: Click here
Description: Fundraiser sponsored by Northside Inter-Church Agency featuring food tastings, silent auction and dancing.

Date: 2011-03-09

Location: Omni Fort Worth Hotel

URL: Click here
Description: 13th annual event hosted by Women\’s Policy Forum, this year featuring Erma Johnson Hadley, chancellor of Tarrant County College.