by Andrew Chalk
Funny, the day started with rain but ended with one of the most interesting and unusual charity events of the year. The Audubon Society invited me to their Scissor-Tails and Cocktails Auction Fund Raiser at the Trinity River Audubon Center. I have to admit that I have never been to the extensive preserved area that they have just ten minutes from downtown Dallas. I had no idea about the spectacular building designed by Antoine Predock . I didn’t know that Texas has more species of birds than any other state. I had not walked the miles of trails through the preservation area or seen the lakes.
I didn’t even know that Bolsa has the exclusive catering contract with the Audubon Center. Yippee, because it means that patrons holding an event at the center will get the inspired and diligent cooking of Jeff Harris and Andrew Bell – two of the best chefs in town. It has to be a special event mind you, as there is no regular catering outlet on premises – at present. The major special event is weddings, which are virtually sold out for the next year. I am not surprised. We hiked in our cocktail wear (me in my new LBD) down to the Trinity River, which is a stout quarter mile from the building and, as you can see from the pictures, it is one of the most picturesque river bends you could imagine.
Starting in June, lazy river trips from loop 12 to the center (about an hour) will commence, and soon after an overnight camp site will be established.
One group that discovered the center before me was Dallas school children. Some 50,000 have been through and seen its exhibits about conservation and taken classes. On the afternoon of the scissor tails event, 240 youngsters had taken the educational program.
At the fundraiser guests snacked on food from (in the order I sampled) Jason Maddy (Oak), Chad Houser (Café Momentum) , Nathan Tate (Boulevardier), Brian Luscher (Luscher’s Post Oak Hot Tots and The Grape), Jeff Harris and Andrew Bell (Bolsa Mercado). Complemented by wine, cocktails and beer. The work of the Director, Ben Jones and other tireless workers was acknowledged and much money raised in a silent auction. One generous donor has even pitched a $100,000 matching grant against all donations before the end of June. If you donate a dollar, it automatically doubled, and that is huge.
