As Society Editor for the Katy Trail Weekly I oversee the publication's Scene Around Town feature, which shines a spotlight on nonprofit and community events each week. In this week’s May 23 issue, I’m featuring scenes from the 44th Annual Equest Blue Ribbon Gala which lit up Gilley’s with cowboy boots, big-hearted bidding, and a sold-out crowd! The event raised a record-breaking $700,000 to support Equest’s life-changing equine-assisted programs, thanks to the visionary leadership of Gala Chairs Kristin & James Hallam and Honorary Chairs The Sam and Helga Feldman Foundation and Natalie & David Taylor. From dazzling décor to bold auction moments, it was a Texas-chic night of hope, healing, and community spirit!

Also featured were scenes from Dallas CASA’s Children’s Council who hosted the annual Cherish the Children luncheon on April 11 at the Arts District Mansion, co-chaired by Lauren Rose Sands and Kathleen Thorson. Lauren, inspired by her grandmother Caroline Rose Hunt’s legacy, shared how meaningful it is to make a direct, personal impact as a CASA volunteer. Dallas CASA CEO Kathleen M. LaValle presented the Caroline Rose Hunt Award to longtime community champions Regina Montoya and Paul Coggins. Guest speaker Andrew Bridge, a former foster youth and children’s rights attorney, was interviewed by Dallas’ Cynt Marshall. He spoke powerfully about the importance of being seen, heard, and understood — something Dallas CASA volunteers provide every day.

Have an event you’d like to submit for editorial consideration? Here’s what you need to email me:

Send a minimum of 4 images for consideration. No more than 4 people in each shot.
No repeats (meaning the same person can’t be in multiple shots)
Guests need to be posed and smiling into the camera. No candids.
You must ID the people in each photo (left to right)
Tell me the name of the event and provide a brief description of the event (no more than 75 words)
Please send one event submission per email with the name of the event in the Subject line

I encourage you to pick up the latest issue of the Katy Trail Weekly complete with community news, articles by local experts, event and restaurant info, puzzles, and more for FREE each week! Where? Katy Trail Weekly proudly serves these Dallas neighborhoods: Uptown, Arts District, Highland Park, Preston Hollow, Downtown, University Park, West Village, Preston Center, Oak Lawn, Knox-Henderson, Love Field, Medical District, and more!

Scene Around Town: Equest and Dallas CASA