Steak & Stetson event will benefit Special Olympics kids

Aug. 06--Cowgirls and cowboys are invited to mosey on out to the beautiful Circle R Ranch in Flower Mound on Sept. 9 for a boot-scootin' good time at the Steak & Stetson party hosted by Special Olympics of Greater Fort Worth.

The ranch offers the perfect party setting with its open pasture, rolling hills, wooded trails and fabulous party venue, where guests can meet and mingle with friends and community leaders and enjoy a yummy steak dinner, live entertainment, casino gaming, silent and live auctions, and dancing until midnight.

"Anyone who goes to the Steak & Stetsons event will be inspired," said Highland Village Police Chief Doug Reim who is chairing the party for the third year. Reim says he loves being involved in the fundraiser because he enjoys the great feeling of bringing joy and happiness to special needs kids, especially in these times where people face a lot of negative things in a world filled with tough realities.

"My involvement with special needs kids over the years has opened my eyes to the amazing contributions they can make to our society," Reim said.

A casino will offer all the popular games and some stellar prizes for those smiled upon by Lady Luck. And talk about party favors -- one lucky winner will actually take home a poker table from the event.

Auction swag includes trips to Banff and to New York with tickets to a Broadway show, cool autographed memorabilia, hotel stays and more. Prepare for a big moment when a live steer is auctioned to the highest bidder. A lively game of heads or tails will give the last one standing an impressive prize.

Soulful Texas singer-songwriter Jake Pyeatt will perform a concert sure to be a highlight of the evening. The audience will love the talented musician's guitar strumming to accompany his latest country song releases.

"Steak & Stetsons has grown steadily and we expect 300 guests this year," said Reim. "You walk around the event and all you see are people smiling and really getting something out of being there. It is so uplifting, and it makes you feel good."

Co-chairs of the event are Flower Mound Chief of Police Andy Kancel and Lewisville Chief of Police Russell Kerbow. State Rep. Tan Parker and Congressman Michael Burgess are honorary chairs.

Tickets are $150 (the amount it costs to put a Special Olympics athlete through a year's worth of competitions and programs). The proceeds from the evening will support trainings and competitions for over 3,800 local Special Olympics Texas athletes from 10 counties in the Greater Fort Worth area.

Purchase tickets online at http://www.sotx.org/steakandstetson or call Alex Thieroff at 817-284-0074.

School districts host back-to-school and health fairs

Before the first bell rings, families across the area need to arm their kids with school supplies and make sure they have immunizations, physicals and even haircuts to start the year off right. Many districts are hosting festive and fun events where supplies will be handed out, along with offering a wide array of needed services. Here's a look at just a few:

Refresh BISD Aug. 19

School supplies, backpacks, free haircuts and sports physicals are just a few of the things that attendees at the Refresh BISD event will encounter. Intended only for families that are eligible for free and reduced lunch, the event will offer staggered times for various schools to attend to enable a more efficient and enjoyable experience.

At 9 a.m.North Richland Middle, Holiday Heights, Mullendore, Major Cheney and Snow Heights students will be admitted. Next at 10 a.m.Foster Village, Spicer and Smithfield families will enter the event. Families from Richland Middle, Richland Elementary, Binion and Carrie F. Thomas will be admitted at 11 a.m. The last group at noon is Haltom Middle and Francisco Elementary.

Elementary students will receive free backpacks. All attendees will enjoy food, music, exhibits, field games and bounce houses. More fun is planned with arts and crafts, face painting and carnival games. Register at www.RefreshBISD.com or call Diann at 817-581-4900.

Fort Worth Chef will host #Packtoschool drive thru Aug. 15

Last year Fort Worth Chef Heather Hogan Holt of Café Modern wanted to help at-risk kids prepare for the first day of school by asking her Facebook friends to donate school supplies. The results of her casual request were far more successful than she dreamed, and Chef Holt is repeating the drive -- #Packtoschool -- again this year.

The goal of Chef Holt's second year for this grassroots campaign is to collect donations of new, empty backpacks. However, additional supplies such as glue, scissors, markers, rulers, pencils and spirals are also welcome. She is again partnering with Tarrant County non-profit Communities in Schools to distribute the gifts from her drive.

"#PACKTOSCHOOL is aimed to celebrate and prepare the more than 4,000 students in 8 school districts that will be served by CIS-GTC in the coming year, including two in the struggling Las Vegas Trail area -- Western Hills Elementary and Western Hills Primary -- as well as Van Zandt Guinn Elementary," writes CIS spokeswoman Julie Hatch Fairley.

Pitching in to help again this year is Holt's friend from the hospitality community Charles Flach who owns The Virgin Olive Oiler at 416 Commerce St. in Sundance Square. Donors may drop backpacks and supplies at Flach's location or at the Communities in Schools of Greater Tarrant County offices located at 6707 Brentwood Stair Road, Suite 510.

The drive is now underway and runs through Aug. 15 (which includes the chance to score good deals during tax-free weekend). Cash donations can be made online at www.cistarrant.org/donate or call 817-446-5454 with questions.

Arlington ISD Back to School Kickoff set for August 12

More than 10,000 Arlington students will benefit from the AISD Back to School Kickoff set for Aug. 12 from 8 a.m. to noon at AT&T Stadium. Pre-registration is necessary, and attendees should be students that qualify for the free or reduced-price meal program.

This is the third year for the event, where students will receive a backpack filled with school supplies appropriate to their grade levels and be able to get immunizations, dental and vision screenings, and haircuts.

More than 100 exhibits will be set up to give parents information on after-school care and other community resources. Kids will love the chance to meet Dallas Cowboys mascot Rowdy and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

"To see so many organizations and volunteers come together for the benefit of our students is truly heartwarming," said AISD Superintendent Marcelo Cavazos. "I know that the backpacks, supplies and resources our students and their parents will receive at the event will help them start the school year on the right foot. Having confident students translates into a successful year."

The event is hosted by the Arlington ISD and co-hosted by the Arlington NAACP, Junior League of Arlington, Churches of Arlington, and The Gene and Jerry Jones Family North Texas Youth Education Town. The Gene and Jerry Jones Family Arlington Youth Foundation donated a $50,000 grant, as well as the use of AT&T Stadium for the event.

To register or donate, visit www.aisd.net/kickoff.

Mansfield ISD hosts Back-to-School Bash Aug. 12

Officials hope to give away 6,000 backpacks filled with school supplies at the annual Back-to-School Bash at the MISD Center on Aug. 12 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the MISD Center for the Performing Arts located at 1110 W. Debbie Lane.

All MISD families and others from the community are invited to attend this official school year kickoff and enjoy a day of family fun.

Among the free services that may be provided are sports physicals, immunizations, eye exams and glasses, haircuts, dental sealants and other resources. Uninsured parents should bring their children's shot records to receive free immunizations.

Scores of vendors and community groups will be on hand to answer questions about their services and to hand out information. Don't worry about being hungry because food trucks will be on hand with a variety of offerings. Each school campus will have an exhibit where they can visit with families. Entertainment by students will keep guests engaged throughout the event.

Free shuttle service will be offered at the tennis courts of Legacy High School and Summit High School from 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. due to construction in the area. Direct inquiries to MISD Communications Department at 817-299-6345 or info@misdmail.org.

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