Blue Ribbons Mark CASAblanca Gala’s Record
CASA (Court-Appointed
Special Advocates) of Travis County recently welcomed nearly 1,000 guests to the JW Marriott for its annual CASAblanca Gala. The event raised a record-breaking $2.6 million to benefit children who have experienced abuse or neglect. In a show of support, guests donned blue ribbons in honor of child abuse prevention and awareness.
The evening began with an invitation-only VIP pre-party, followed by a cocktail hour featuring lively games and opportunities to bid on exciting silent auction items.
KEYE’s Trevor Scott served as emcee, and CASAblanca co-chairs Anna Thompson and Audrey Roman kicked off
the program as guests enjoyed dinner. A spirited live auction followed, highlighted by a special appearance from Torrence Thomas of THEBROSFRESH.
To conclude the program, Board Chair Heather Walker and CEO Emily Rudenick LeBlanc shared heartfelt remarks and underscored the impact of CASA’s work.
LeBlanc recalled, “I remember my first day at CASA. It was the night of this gala in this very room. I walked into a ballroom filled with people who didn’t just show up, they responded. I watched a community come together and give–not out of obligation, but out of genuine care for children they may never meet. That night, I knew I was part of something extraordinary.”
Guests had the chance to score big in the raffles, which featured the always-popular signature Mystery Bags and Keep Austin Festive raffle, as well as the new Enchanted Garden Raffle. Prizes included donated items from Kendra Scott and Korman Fine Jewelry, among others, along with premier Austin experiences such as a stay at Hotel Van Zandt, ACL tickets, and passes to the Austin Food & Wine Festival.
Far from winding down, the celebration continued with an after-party featuring exciting casino games and a crowd-energizing DJ. Hat Creek Burgers provided late-night bites.
For more information on CASA of Travis County, visit casatravis.org.
$2.6 Million
Our PATRON SPONSORS/SUBSCRIBERS
Around the Neighborhood: openingexpandingcelebrating
Amplify Austin Day, Austin’s I Live Here
I Give Here giving event for Central Texas nonprofits, happens March 4 and 5
Big Top Candy Shop, a favorite stop at SoCo, has opened Big Top Hyde Park at 417 E. 43rd St with an opening celebration on Jan 31 Billing itself as The Most Amazing Candy Shop the World Has Ever Known, Big Top features all the candy: specialty chocolates and fudge, bulk candies, wrapped candies, nostalgic favorites, new creations from across the globe. See bigtopcandyshop.com
ATX Open, one of only four women-only tour-level tennis tournaments in the US, comes to Westwood Country Club, 3808 W. 35th St. Feb 21 through March 1. Global tennis icon Venus Williams debuts this year at ATX Open, and returning is defending ATX Open champion Jessica Pegula as are 2025 singles and doubles finalist McCartny Kessler and UT tennis legend Peyton Stearns. Local charities supported by ATX Open include Austin Community Foundation and New Hope Animal Rescue. Tickets and info at ATXopen.com
Westbank Library at 1309 Westbank Dr features Smithsonian Museum curator emeritus Tom Crouch in an online presentation on Feb. 24 featuring the book Smithson’s Gamble: The Incredible History Behind the World’s Largest Museum. The webinar begins at 1 pm on Feb 24, with registration open now at libraryc.org/westbanklibrary
Around the Neighborhood: openingexpandingcelebrating
Kelly Frye
TBY FORREST PREECE
here are some women who enter a room, and then there are women like Kelly Frye who illuminate it.
The actress, director, and entrepreneur has long been known for a smile that could anchor a national toothpaste campaign, and in fact, it once did. But what defines her now is not simply the wattage of that smile, but the life she has built around it.
Raised in Houston in a family of storytellers, Kelly grew up surrounded by theatre and imagination. Her brother, Jason Nodler, would go on to become a celebrated playwright and the artistic director of Catastrophic Theatre, while Kelly herself took the stage early, performing with Theatre Under the Stars, studying ballet, and gliding across the ice as a competitive figure skater. Performance was not an ambition; it was a language she already spoke fluently.
At sixteen, she earned her Screen Actors Guild card in a national Titleist commercial opposite Sergio Garcia, a milestone that signaled a professional future. By her senior year of high school, after bringing down the house as comedic relief Rusty in Footloose, she knew with certainty that acting would not be a pastime. It would be her path.
She chose Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, graduating a year early with a degree in business, strategically placing herself in the heart of the industry while grounding herself in the entre-
preneurial instincts that would later serve her well. Hollywood became both her proving ground and her classroom.
Climbing the slippery slope of acting is never simple, but Kelly steadily gained traction.
One of her favorite early jobs was on Rake, the FOX remake of an Australian dramedy starring Greg Kinnear, where she played his quick-witted “sassy secretary.” While waiting to shoot a scene, she struck up a conversation with actress Kate Burton, who encouraged her with the kind of praise that can stay with an actor for years. The show ultimately did not continue, and another promising opportunity on Body of Proof ended when that series was canceled, but Frye met the inevitable setbacks of the industry with resilience and forward momentum.
To stay grounded through the unpredictability of auditions and callbacks, she kept a notebook she called her “List of Wins,” documenting moments of encouragement, progress, and small victories along the way. That mindset carried her into a breakthrough moment when she was cast as Kristy Simmons, the wife of Daniel Henney’s character on Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. When the spinoff concluded, their fictional family returned to the flagship Criminal Minds series, a full-circle moment that felt both serendipitous and earned.
Among her most recent credits are appearances on 911: Lone Star, Law and Order: SVU, and The Rookie, alongside earlier roles in series such as The Flash, NCIS, and All Rise. She also spent three seasons as Sarah Campbell on Disney’s Secrets of Sulphur Springs, a series that captivated young audiences worldwide.
Yet Kelly has never been content to inhabit just one creative lane. She recently stepped behind the camera to direct her short film Four Influencers and a Funeral, which premiered at the Austin Film Festival, bringing her sharp comedic sensibility to life in a city that has become central to her story. Directing, she says, feels like a natural evolution, a widening of the lens through which she tells stories.
tive: space. Space to create, collaborate, and build community. “Austin gave me room,” she says. “Room to breathe, to dream bigger, and bring ideas to life.”
Out of that space emerged her newest venture, the Kelly Campbell Collection, a limited edition handbag line crafted from painted artist canvases. Each piece begins as a working drop cloth in the studio of a contemporary artist, an artifact of the creative process, and is then transformed into a one-of-a-kind clutch. The result is wearable art, intimate
that reflects both her love of storytelling and her immersion in the art world alongside her husband, respected art advisor Nick Campbell.
It is Austin, however, that has become the canvas for her most expansive chapter.
After years in Los Angeles, she returned to Texas and found something transforma-
and deeply personal. Collaborating with artists, including Houston-based painter Aaron Parazette and others across Texas, Frye has created a line
Together, the couple has become fixtures in Austin’s cultural scene, hosting artist dinners through their immersive series BITE, supporting creative initiatives, and cultivating a network that feels less transactional and more familial. Their lives orbit art, conversation, and community.
Kelly has also invested deeply in the city itself. A
devoted supporter of The Trail Conservancy, she serves on the committee for its annual Twilight on the Trail gala, helping raise funds to preserve Austin’s most beloved public space. The trail is where friendships deepen, she says. It is where ideas are born, and where Austin feels like home.
In a full circle moment, she has also returned to her roots in real estate. Coming from a family steeped in development, Kelly first held her real estate license in Los Angeles and has recently obtained her Texas license. She now helps friends and clients find their dream homes, ranches, and office spaces. For her, it is less about transactions and more about stewardship, guiding people toward places where their lives and businesses can flourish. That word “home” comes up often.
Austin, she says, has given her more than opportunity. It has given her friendships that feel enduring. It has offered creative cross-pollination between film, fine art, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship. And it has allowed her to expand her career rather than narrow it.
Today, Kelly is at an intersection that feels distinctly her own: Hollywood polish meets Texas warmth, artistic ambition grounded in community. She continues to act, create, design, and build. And through it all, she carries the same luminous smile, now backed by a life as multidimensional as the roles she plays.
“My biggest wish,” she says, “is to build a life filled with art, creativity, and family. And I feel incredibly grateful that we are doing that here.”
In Austin, the light suits her.
A Home Run Night for RBI Austin’s “Now
RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) Austin, an MLB-affiliated program, held its annual benefit, Now at Bat, January 29 at the JW Marriott. The event supports RBI Austin’s mission to engage and develop inner-city youth through baseball, softball, and mentoring, empowering them to become leaders and agents of change in their communities. More than $1.15 million was raised to support local programming.
The evening’s line-up included a cocktail reception and silent and live auctions, as well as dinner and an inspirational program featuring special guest speaker Steve Sarkisian, head football coach at the University of Texas.
In addition to MLB guests and Austin community leaders, notable attendees included Taylor Jungmann, Sean Gallagher, Mark Teixeira, Brandon Puffer, Brett Baty, Brandon Belt, Wade Bowen, Hunter Feduccia, Matt Kata, Drew Stuffs, Bud Norris, Chad Qualls, Jim Schlossna-
Auction highlights included exotic getaways, sports events, and fashion and jewelry, featuring cowboy boots and pieces from Kendra Scott. A “Double Play Raffle” offered a winning combination of entertainment and luxury, including prime seating at a Houston Astros game and a gift certificate from Calvin’s Fine Jewelry.
Founder and Executive
Director Matt Price said, “We look forward to this event every year, and we are
Wonders & Worries: Celebrating 25 Years of Strengthening Families
No one plans for the conversations that come with a parent’s serious illness or injury. The ones whispered after bedtime. The ones rehearsed in a car before walking back into the house. Parents often wonder how much truth is too much—and whether silence might cause its own harm.
For 25 years, Wonders & Worries has helped families navigate those moments with compassion, honesty, and hope. Founded in Austin in 2001 by two child life specialists who recognized that children are often the overlooked patients in a family’s health crisis, the nonprofit provides free, professional support to children and teenagers ages 2–18 when a parent faces serious illness or injury.
The organization’s very
PHILANTHROPY SPOTLIGHT
first
office opened in Westlake—a meaningful beginning that remains part of its story today. That original Westlake location remains one of four sites serving families across the Austin area, a testament to the community that first embraced and supported the mission.
As Wonders & Worries marks its 25th anniversary this year, the milestone reflects both growth and deep roots. What began as a small, local response to a deeply human need has grown into a national model of care. Today, Won-
ders & Worries serves families through nine locations across the greater Austin, Houston, and San Antonio areas and reaches families nationwide through virtual programming, digital tools, and a national helpline. Over the past 25 years, more than 21,000 children and parents have been impacted by its services—always at no cost to families.
A MOTHER’S PERSPECTIVE
For Shannon, her husband’s stage 4 cancer diagnosis marked a “before” and “after” she never expected.
“As a mom, my instinct was to protect my kids from everything,” she shared. “But I quickly realized I didn’t know how to explain what was happening—or how to help them make sense of it.”
Her children noticed the hospital visits, the change in routine, and the emotional weight in their home. Like many parents, Shannon worried that saying the wrong thing could make things worse—yet saying nothing felt just as risky.
Wonders & Worries entered their lives during
that fragile time, offering her children a space designed just for them. Through guided conversations and age-appropriate activities led by Certified Child Life Specialists, they were able to ask questions, express fears, and begin to understand their father’s illness in a way that felt safe and manageable.
“It was such a relief knowing my kids had someone who understood how children process big, scary things,” Shannon said. “It helped me feel more confident as a parent, even when I was carrying so much myself.”
WHY CHILDREN’S EMOTIONAL CARE MATTERS
When illness enters a household, children absorb more than adults often realize. Worries may surface as anxiety, behavior changes, or quiet withdrawal. Without support, those feelings can follow children into adolescence and adulthood.
The West Austin community continues to play a vital role in that impact. From attending and sponsoring events such as the annual Envision Gala to volunteering, donating, or referring families in need, local supporters help ensure that no child faces a parent’s medical crisis alone.
SAFETY 1ST
Safety is our top priority. Accredited by the American Camp Association since the beginning, Camp Balcones
When her husband later passed away, the impact of that support did not end. The coping tools her children developed—and the permission they were given to ask, feel, and grieve—continued to guide them long after treatment stopped.
Wonders & Worries exists to interrupt that cycle.
By equipping parents with language and tools for honest conversations—and giving children healthy coping strategies—the organization strengthens families during some of life’s most destabilizing moments.
“When we support children through a parent’s serious illness or injury, we’re shaping how they carry that experience into the future,” said Nicole Halder, Senior Director of Development and Outreach for Central Texas. “The impact lasts far beyond the moment.” When illness or injury changes everything, the right support can help families regain their footing.
“WALLERING” AROUND IN AUSTIN’S HISTORY
Edwin Waller: Ever Ready with Pen or Rifle
Who was Edwin Waller?
Why was he important to Austin? Answer: He was in charge of preparing the city plan for the 1839 Republic of Texas capital, at the behest of President Mirabeau B. Lamar. There were many sites for the early capitals of the Republic. It moved around quite a bit. When Lamar was elected, he selected Austin, originally the hamlet of Waterloo. If you go downtown or you drive up the wide boulevard that is Congress Avenue, you are experiencing the grid system and the beautiful main thoroughfare that Waller laid out.
Before explaining Edwin Waller’s plan, let us see exactly who Waller was and what part he played in the drama of early Texas history. During his lifetime, Waller did much more than make a plan and survey lots. Like many, he had caught the “Texas Fever,” and he was in the thick of things as the Texians strove to become independent of Mexico.
Back to Edwin Waller. There’s only space to mention the high points of his story. He was born in Spotsylvania County, Virginia in 1800. He married fellow Virginian Juliet M. de Shields. They ultimately had seven children. When Waller was 31 years old, he arrived in Texas. It is the familiar tale of “moving west” from the old United States in search of better economic opportunities, like more land, or else, just “puredee” in search of adventure.
Waller initially settled in what would become Brazoria County. There he had received a league of land (4,428 acres) from the Mexican government. Up and down along the Brazos River, Oyster Creek, and the San Bernard, other early set-
tlers were beginning to make a living out of their land. They needed to ship hides, beeswax, cotton, and anything else that was saleable. Waller owned the Sabine, a vessel that could generate income by transporting people and goods to the port of Velasco and from there to New Orleans.
These were stormy times indeed in Texas. Velasco would become quite the hotbed for the Texas Revolution. Edwin Waller was in the center of it. Becoming aware of a potential revenue stream, the Mexican government decided to establish a customs port in Velasco. The Texians resented paying the customs duties. When Waller’s ship showed up in 1831, with the first load of cotton produced on the Brazos, he shared that sentiment. Irate, Waller refused to pay. He ordered the ship captain to arm the ship with cotton bales and run the blockade! For this audacious defiance, Waller was subsequently arrested by the Mexican authorities. He wasn’t jailed for very long. But the incident at Velasco became the “Boston Tea Party” for the Texas Revolution. It was widely known as the first act of
rebellion against the Mexican government.
Quick on the heels came the next flare-up — the 1832 Battle of Velasco, another example of “bold disobedience.” Predictably, Waller was a participant. The Texians were trying to sail a cannon from Anahuac to Velasco, and the Mexican commander at Fort Velasco tried to stop them. The Texians managed to carry the day, and the fort surrendered. Waller was wounded in the head, saved from severe injury only by the thickly twisted handkerchief he wore. Cannons played a big part in skirmishes in those days—remember Angelina Eberly firing a cannon to stop the state archives from being taken from Austin? Remember the “Come and Take It Cannon?” That was the small-town cannon fiercely defended by the citizens of Gonzales when the Mexicans wanted to confiscate it. You can see the “Come and Take It” flag flying all over Texas as a sign of the independent Texas spirit.
In 1833, Waller became “alcalde” (mayor) of Brazoria County, representing Columbia (now West Columbia) at the 1835 Consultation which saw representation from 11 municipalities. The Consultation resulted in the Declaration of November 7, 1835, listing the rationale for taking up arms against Mexico. It was a preliminary step to the Texas Declaration of Independence, signed four months later on March 2, 1836. Edwin Waller was one of the signatories for both documents. Edwin Waller was right there during the struggle for independence. Waller returned to his plantation and his business affairs in Brazoria County. Three years later, in 1839, he was asked by newly elected President Mirabeau B. Lamar to supervise the surveying and sale of town lots at the new capital at Austin. Waller led a team of men and got the job done promptly. That will be an entire story unto itself!
In 1840, Waller was elected Austin’s first mayor, but he didn’t serve out his full term. The reason is unknown. On August 12, 1840, he heeded the call and rode out to fight in the famous *Battle of Plum Creek near Lockhart. Here the Texas Rangers gathered to defeat the large Comanche raiding party, wearing top hats and carrying umbrellas, but lethal nonetheless. They were returning from successfully looting the trading port of Linnville, near the Texas Coast on the Lavaca River.
Around this time, the feisty Waller got into a fist fight with Albert C. Horton. The issue was a bill pending in the legislature regarding the erection of the state capitol. These old warhorses of the Revolution pulled and tugged
at each other on the temporary Capitol grounds. The entire Texan Congress came out to watch! At first appalled, President Lamar took off his hat to wave it in the air and encourage the fight. The large group of construction laborers Waller had employed got wind of it and hurried to the Capitol grounds. The altercation was concluded with neither Horton nor Waller seriously hurt.
Waller moved to Austin County to seek “rural ease and domestic comfort” and to continue farming and carrying out various business interests. He served as Chief Justice of the county from 1844 to 1856. He campaigned for lieutenant governor in 1847, unsuccessfully.
Waller wasn’t finished fighting yet. When he was 61 years old, he was a delegate to the Secession Convention in Austin. Because he had signed the Texas Declaration of Independence 25 years earlier, he was given the honor of signing
BY MARTHA HARTZOG
the Articles of Secession from the United States immediately after the president of the convention. We all know how that attempt to form yet another new nation turned out for Texas and the South. In 1873, in his honor, Waller County was created out of Austin and Grimes Counties. By then, the veterans of the Texas Revolution were being recognized, and Edwin Waller was the first president of the Texas Veterans Association. When he died in Austin on January 3, 1881, he was busy compiling names of the veterans. He was buried in the family cemetery in Waller County. However, in 1928, in recognition of his prominence in Texas history, his remains and those of his wife were reinterred in the State Cemetery in Austin. You can see his gravestone today on Patriot Hill. Let us salute Edwin Waller, feisty patriot of Texas.
In the next column, I’ll dissect Waller’s 1839 plan for the Capital of the Republic of Texas.
SOURCES
▲ Thanks to the Texas State Historical Association’s Handbook of Texas for Charles Spurlin, “Waller, Edwin Leonard,” Handbook of Texas Online, accessed December 14, 2025, https:// www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/ waller-edwin-leonard .
▲ “Edwin Waller” in Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Waller)
▲ The Portal to Texas History and its reprint of “Reminiscences of Judge Edwin Waller by P. E. Peareson,” The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 4, July 1900 - April, 1901: pp. 33-54, accessed December 14, 2025. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/ metapth101018/m1/58/?q=Edwin%20 Waller )
Youth Players “Dodge for a Cause” to Support Local Non-Profits
Wonders and Worries and the Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation recently teamed up to host a dodgeball tournament showdown at the Westlake Athletic and Community Center. More than 200 students in grades five through twelve stormed the court with dodgeballs to raise funds and promote awareness of the missions of both organizations.
“Dodge for a Cause” raised nearly $15,000.
Players and families kicked off the day with a breakfast buffet from Maudie’s and kept their energy up with lunch from Cabo Bob’s and Pluckers.
Participants were divided into junior (fifth through eighth grade) and senior (ninth through twelfth grade) divisions. Twenty-one teams, each consisting of seven to ten players, dodged, ducked, and dove in fierce competition. First-, second-, and third-place winners received medals, candy-filled trophies, and cash awards. Every participant received an event t-shirt provided by sponsors.
In addition to the on-court action, attendees participated in an exciting raffle that included Jon Hart bags, Pluckers gift cards, and cash prizes.
Laura Townsend, who is the Executive Director of the Louise H. Batz Safety Foundation, said, “Dodge for a Cause is a lot of fun, but it also does a lot of good. Our youth board of high school students helped organize the event, and their leadership really showed. Seeing our community come together to support patient safety and families facing serious illness means everything to us.”
“The outpouring of community support for the inaugural Dodge for a Cause Dodgeball Tournament, benefiting the Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation and Wonders & Worries, was more
than we could have imagined, and we are incredibly thankful,” added Brent Metschan, Executive Director of Wonders and Worries.
The mission of Wonders and Worries, founded in 2001, is to provide free, professional therapeutic support to children and teens whose parents are facing a serious illness or injury.
The Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation was founded following the death of Louise Batz from a preventable
medical error in 2009. Their mission is to empower patients, families, and healthcare providers to work together as a team to improve patient safety. They provide education, create awareness, and support efforts of advocates and organizations to eliminate preventable harm.
To find more information about Wonders and Worries, please visit wondersandworries.org.
Visit louisebatz.org to learn more about the Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation.
Austin Ridge Bible Church Opens New Campus in Westlake
By Anne DeVries
Launching an expanding presence in the community, Austin Ridge Bible Church held its first service at its newest satellite location at Westlake High School in January. The new location will be the church’s 6th campus in the Austin area, as it strives to increase attendance capacity and serve its growing membership.
Austin Ridge was initially founded as Westlake Bible Church in 1980. Since its inception, it has grown to include a membership of nearly 7,000. The church’s main campus at 9300 Bee Caves Road expanded in 2022 to include a 2,500-seat worship center.
They opened their first satellite campus, the Southwest campus, on W Hwy 71 in 2006. In response to growth in the surrounding Austin area, a Dripping Springs location was opened in 2010 at Dripping Springs Middle School, 111 Tiger Lane, Dripping Springs. A permanent new facility is currently under construction and scheduled for completion in 2027.
Services were launched for their 4th location in 2023 at Marble Falls Middle School, 1511 Pony Dr, Marble Falls, to
serve the growing Highland Lakes community. Land and design plans have been secured to build a permanent facility. In 2024, Austin Ridge purchased Great Hills Baptist Church at 10500 Jollyville Rd. The 5th Austin Ridge location, the North Hills Campus, will be under renovation shortly and is scheduled for completion in 2027.
Lead pastor Brad Thomas recently shared with Austin Ridge attendees the mission to establish yet another campus at Westlake High School, stat-
ing, “We start more campuses because we have 2.2 million people in Austin who need to encounter the living God. We start more campuses because if everyone in Austin showed up at a local church in Austin, there aren’t nearly enough seats and parking to hold all of the people in Austin who need to hear the good news.”
Their newest location at Westlake High School began holding services in January at 9:00 and 11:00 am. The campus provides live streaming from the Bee Caves Campus and will
also host Thomas and his team of pastors for live services throughout the year. Volunteers will be on hand to greet attendees, and the live music will be a part of the experience each week at Westlake High School. Guests should note that childcare will not be available at the new location initially. It is provided weekly at the Bee Caves, Southwest, Dripping Springs, and Highland Lakes during Sunday services.
Austin Ridge’s ministry
extends far beyond Sunday worship services. The church offers a wide range of opportunities, including Bible studies tailored for men and women, life groups that foster community, Bible-based children’s programming during Sunday services, dedicated groups for singles, college students, and young adults, a special-needs ministry, and more.
The church’s global outreach is coordinated through “Ridge Missions,” which includes nine distinct interna-
tional programs and many local and domestic partnerships. Various learning summits are held throughout the year at the main campus, along with Christian music performances by well-known artists. Volunteer opportunities at the Westlake High School campus are available for those who want to support the new Austin Ridge campus. Visit austinridge.org/serve for more information.
Star Ball Celebrates Life-Changing Work at Dell Children’s Medical Center
The Dell Technologies Star Ball, held January 7 at the Four Seasons Hotel, welcomed over 1,000 guests for an evening of black-tie glamour. Hosted annually by the Dell Children’s Foundation, the sold-out event celebrated the life-changing work of Dell Children’s Medical Center and raised more than $2.7 million to support the foundation’s mission of providing top-tier medical care to all children. The support from this event will help shape the future of pediatric healthcare in Central Texas for years to come.
Guests enjoyed cocktails and an elegant dinner, as well as an inspirational program highlighting the real-life impact that the medical center has had on children and families.
A moving video titled “Milah’s Story” profiled twoyear-old Milah’s serious health scare and the team of specialists who cared for her and helped her regain the ability
to walk. Her parents shared their fear as doctors worked to diagnose and treat Milah’s condition, while also expressing deep gratitude not only for the care she received, but also for the support their family felt from the entire care team.
Following the deeply personal tribute, guests enjoyed musical performances by Central Texas native and 18-year-old singer, songwriter, and guitarist Ty Myers, as well as The 12 Method.
“Thank you, truly, to everyone who supported Dell Children’s at this year’s Dell Technologies Star Ball,” said Susan Hewlitt, Executive Director of the Dell Children’s Foundation. “This night is about impact, and because of our generous community, children will be cared for, families will be supported, and hope will meet healing at Dell Children’s.”
For more information, please visit supportdellchildrens.org.
The 1900 Wealth Management Austin team, from left: Jake Allison, Matt Richter, Melissa Anderson, Ashton Motes, J. Sulester
Valentine’s Memories
— Compiled by Forrest Preece
Almost 33 years ago, after having been married for 15 years, Jonathan surprised me to tears. We were celebrating our anniversary... Jonathan got down on one knee at The Four Seasons before a packed house and asked me to marry him again, forever and ever. You could have heard a pin drop in that room! We were in a high-visibility spot! He presented me with a large diamond on my ring. You would
Our Valentine’s Day tradition began in 1987 when we set our wedding date for Feb. 7! Choosing the date precisely one week before Valentine’s Day assured catering and venue availability and made for a shockingly affordable honeymoon in Chicago (because who in their right minds would choose to honeymoon in Chicago in FEBRUARY?!?). Our wedding and subsequent anniversary celebrations have led to Valentine’s Day being all but ignored in our home because we mark our anniversary with enough aplomb to honor both dates.
— Barbara Chisholm,
have to go back to our beginnings…we had no money, I had no ring, I had no diamond for all these years. To say he surprised me is an understatement, and it’s the ring on my finger today! One of our most personal and moving moments together, and we were blessed to share it with those around us!
— Rabbi Cantor Marie Betcher, Swan Songs Board of Directors, Former APD Senior Chaplain
I met Ginger just before Valentine’s Day in 1989. I was immediately smitten. In an attempt to impress her I wrote her a Valentine’s poem. It evidently worked. I’ve written her a poem every Valentine’s Day since (and anniversaries). She keeps them. It’s still working after 36 years. The first poem is shown here.
— Michael Blair, Film writer/producer (retired)
Judy Osborn
Retired attorney
1. What’s something about you that not many people know?
I have joined a sweat lodge ceremony led by a Lakota chief; I’ve been interviewed by a Paris radio station, in French, about the death penalty; and I’m a Master Naturalist with a love of native plants. I once hung up on a Texas Supreme Court Justice who called me while I was in law school because I thought it was a prank.
2. What was your fi rst job?
Babysitting came first, then waitressing at the lunch counter of Montgomery Ward in Fort Worth. I recommend the lessons learned by starting life in the hospitality industry.
3. If you could have dinner with three people — dead or alive, at any time in history — who would they be?
Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh (to learn from), former President Obama (for the conversation), and my late husband Roger Sanchez (to treasure the moment). I think they’d be a compatible trio, too.
4. If you had to pick three musicians for a playlist, who would they be?
Eva Callaway, Willie Nelson, Led Zeppelin
BY FORREST PREECE
5. Favorite book and TV show?
For books, it’s “Independent People” by Haldor Laxness (a masterpiece of Icelandic literature) and “Human Scale” by Lawrence Wright (a sweeping, timely thriller). For TV shows, it’s “Breaking Bad” and, currently, “The Pitt” and “Landman” (so awful in a good way).
6. Most powerful movie you have seen.
“Schindler’s List”
7. Favorite place in Austin?
I treasure my home of 34 years with an acre of woods, outstanding neighbors, and my life’s best memories.
8. Favorite restaurant and watering hole
Odd Duck, Uchi, Barley Swine, and Canje have never disappointed me, and Wink Wine Bar is always fun.
9. What did you want to be when you were growing up? A teacher. Though I
became a lawyer for employers, teaching willing clients to be law-abiding businesses turned out to be the core of that profession, too.
10. Which living person do you most admire? I yearn for the elegant manners, compassionate tone, and articulate voice of former President Obama.
11. What makes you happy?
So many things! I am most at peace being in nature when I’m home or discovering unfamiliar countries when I’m not. When I walked the Camino across Spain three ago, it was the best of all worlds. And I love crafting stories to go with photos I take.
12. Best advice you ever received?
Be here now, which I first discovered in Ram Dass’s 1970 book of the same name. As he wrote: “Being in the moment, at ease with whatever comes one’s way, becomes contentment.” WHERE
actor/instructor, UT Austin