Fisk Building Construction Kick-Off

- 2009-07-24 17:19:25

Sperry Van Ness/McCartt and Associates and Newcrest Management LLC hosted a jazz concert and barbecue on June 26th to celebrate the kick-off of construction on the Courtyard by Marriott in the Fisk Building at 724 S. Polk Street. The new Courtyard is expected to open in the summer of 2010. Guests were entertained by Patrick Swindell and Pizzaz while eating their fill of barbecue catered by Desperado’s.

Amarillo Chamber of Commerce Summer Fiesta

- 2009-07-24 17:23:24

The 2nd annual Summer Fiesta was held on June 25th on the grounds of the Chamber. The event was sponsored by Artic Glacier, Budweiser, Chambers Electric, Coca-Cola, Coors, Glazer’s, Mayfield Paper Company, Miller Lite, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Waster Wranglers and the Chamber to provide people the opportunity to network with local business owners. Over 15 restaurants and vendors provided food and drinks. The band Global Nomads entertained guests with live music throughout the evening. (photos by Jeff Harbin, Life of Riley Photography)

Relay for Life

- 2009-07-27 10:38:03

2009 marks the 25th year of the annual Relay for Life event nationwide. The Relay gives participants the chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer and survived and remember loved ones they’ve lost. Amarillo’s Relay was held on June 12th at the Dilla Villa. Relay teams spend the night camped around the track while team members take turns walking or running around the track throughout the night. (Photos by Donna Alexander

Frontiers in Writing

- 2009-07-27 10:43:54

The Panhandle Professional Writers and Amarillo College presented this year’s conference on June 5th and 6th with a focus on writing creative nonfiction. The two-day event at Amarillo College offered workshops taught by more than a dozen Panhandle area nonfiction authors. The keynote speaker at the conference banquet was Lee Gutkind, the founding editor of Creative Nonfiction and prize-winning author or editor of more than a dozen books. (Photos by Donna Alexander)

P3 - Pedal Pint Night

- 2009-08-31 14:58:17

575 Pizzeria created Pedal Pint Night for bicycling enthusiasts who also enjoy eating pizza while drinking a pint or two. The event started in the afternoon on August 1st. Participants met at 575 Pizzeria on Civic Circle, cycled over to the Golden Light Café, met up again at Rumors on 10th Street, and finished up their ride at Crush Wine Bar & Deli on Polk Street. (Photos by Donna Alexander)

Girls Night Out

- 2009-08-31 15:03:56

H Gallery’s “Girls’ Night Out” event was held on June 18th. The event served as a fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation branch in Amarillo. Area businesses donated products and services for a raffle and the Gallery donated 100 percent of sales from raffle tickets to JDRF. More than 13 vendors promoted and sold products at the event, which also included hors d’oeuvres and live music. (Photos by Jeff Harbin, Life of Riley Photography)

United Way Kick-Off Luncheon

- 2009-10-02 08:50:12

United Way raises funds each year to support programs at local nonprofit organizations and to provide direct community services. The fundraising campaign for the local volunteer-driven organization was officially launched with a Kickoff luncheon September 9th at the Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Room. This year proved to be one of the biggest turnouts in the history of the agency with more than 800 guests in attendance.

Chuck Olson: Visual Histories Members' Preview

- 2009-10-02 08:53:57

The Amarillo Museum of Art presented a new exhibit by Pennsylvania native artist Chuck Olson. A gallery talk was given by the contemporary artist on August 28th, opening night. His work titled “Chuck Olson: Visual Histories,” includes 67 paintings created in response to Olson’s fascination with history. Objects and landscapes have been explored over the last 20 years as subjects of his work. The exhibition will hang through October 25th at the AMoA. Olson has exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the United States, Europe and Japan.

Chamber of Commerce Barbeque Cook-Off

- 2009-10-02 09:25:07

The Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual "Good Times Celebration" Barbeque Cook-Off on September 10th on Polk St. More than one hundred cooking teams offered selections of dozens of different foods such as ribs, brisket, sausage and other slow-cooked fare. Live music and friends made this a "meet and meat" event.

Center City Block Party

- 2009-10-02 09:30:43

Center City of Amarillo held its 14th annual block party on August 15th. The event is Center City’s largest fundraiser each year, but more than a dozen non-profit agencies were also represented. Festivities included live music from local bands on five different stages and booths with food, beverages and other items for sale from area businesses and non-profit agencies. Younger guests also enjoyed activities at the Children’s Area staffed with volunteers from including Amarillo Museum of Art, Golden Spread Boy Scout Council, Amarillo Flag Football, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Amarillo Kids Directory and Amarillo Youth Choirs.

Tri-State Fair and Rodeo Gala

- 2009-10-15 09:08:20

Featuring singer Billy Currington, the Texas Ford Dealers Tri-State Fair and Rodeo Gala was celebrated this year along with the finals for the Amarillo Star competition. Calvin Holland was named the winner of the vocal competition for 2009. The event was hosted at the Amarillo National Center on September 12th. The Gala is a dinner, concert and dance with proceeds benefiting the scholarship program for the Panhandle area’s high school graduates.

Opportunity School LIPS Gala

- 2009-10-15 09:13:52

The 16th annual LIPS! Gala to benefit Opportunity School was celebrated on October 1st at the Amarillo Civic Center Grand Plaza. Performers for this year’s event, themed “LIPS Goes Hollywood,” lip synced well-known songs from the silver screen. In addition to the show, the event also included “SIPS,” a pre-event cocktail party, dinner and a silent and live auction, as well as a raffle drawing for a trip for four to Disney World. Proceeds help provide educational materials, classroom instructions, bus transportation and speech therapy to children. Opportunity School is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing new opportunities to children who lack basic learning skills and enter school unprepared for academic achievement.

NFL Punt, Pass, Kick Competition

- 2009-10-15 09:25:53

Boys and girls between the ages of eight and 15 participated in the annual skills competition, Punt, Pass and Kick at Dick Bivins Stadium on September 19th. The event was open to every young person who wished to participate and compete against each other in punting, passing and place kicking. The winners of each event earn the chance to compete at a Dallas Cowboy football game. The PPK program is sponsored by the National Football League.

19th Annual Greater Amarillo Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

- 2009-10-15 09:29:22

This year’s Race for the Cure boasts the largest turnout in the history of the event locally, with over 5000 registered participants. For the 19th year, walkers and runners gathered to be a part of the largest annual foot race in Amarillo on September 26th. The Race for the Cure is an event that generates significant funds in order to support breast cancer screenings, research, treatment programs and education. In addition, cancer survivors are honored and victories celebrated at the conclusion of the walk. Various vendors and Race sponsors were on hand to pass out refreshments, free gifts, pink products and educational materials.

Amarillo Start! Heart Walk

Photos by Jeff Harbin, Life of Riley Photography - 2009-11-18 13:54:38

The American Heart Association sponsored the Amarillo Start! Heart Walk on Saturday October 17th to build awareness about achieving heart health through physical activity and a healthier lifestyle. The participants gathered at MediPark for the one and three mile non-competitive walks. This year also included a 5K competitive race. The money raised from the walk is used in the fight against both the leading and number three causes of death in American adults: heart attack and stroke.

Mad Scientist Ball

Photos by Jeff Harbin, Life of Riley Photography - 2009-11-18 13:59:47

On October 17th, the Don Harrington Discovery Center offered an evening of mayhem and fun for adults, along with live music by The Space Rockers. The event included a variety of interactive science experiments and an upscale epicurean dinner complete with spooky cocktails that billowed smoke. The attire for the evening was “Science Geek Chick.” White lab coats were provided for each guest so they’d blend in with the Discovery Center’s own mad scientists. The inaugural ball raised funds to help support the DHDC’s unique educational programs. Without a doubt, this was an unforgettable evening of monstrous fun.

Signature Chefs

Photos by Twyla Brassfield, T Photography - 2009-11-18 14:04:09

The 8th Annual Amarillo Signature Chefs Auction benefiting The March of Dimes was held on Saturday October 17th at the Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Room. This unique fundraising event displays the culinary excellence of local chefs and caterers who present their signature dishes in a tasting format. One in seven infants born in Texas are premature. The funds raised by the event benefit the work of The March of Dimes as they promote healthy babies and fight premature births.

Peppermints & Pearls Christmas Roundup

Photos by Jeff Harbin, Life of Riley Photography - 2009-11-18 14:07:37

The 29th annual Christmas Roundup was held November 6-8th at the Amarillo Civic Center. Sponsored by the Art Museum Alliance and the Symphony Guild, shoppers enjoyed three days of strolling up and down the decorated market aisles to see what vendors had on display. Buyers left with bags of holiday décor, clothing, jewelry, and art pieces, as well as food and gift items.

Texas Hunt Dinner and Auction

Photos by Donna Alexander - 2009-11-20 11:48:40

The Annual Texas Hunt Dinner and Auction hosted by Friends of the Amarillo Botanical Gardens was held on November 7th at the home of Jamie and Bobby Mansfield. The guests enjoyed a gourmet dinner of Texas beef tenderloin, quail and other wild game along with live music from Ed Montana. The proceeds from the event will benefit the operations of the Amarillo Botanical Gardens.

Inaugural Membership Tea for the Champions of Breast Health

- 2009-11-20 12:02:51

This first meeting was held Thursday, November 5th at the home of Claudette Dove. The Champions of Breast Health is a group of breast cancer survivors and other women who are interested in funding projects of the Amarillo Area Breast Health Coalition. The inaugural event raised $15,000.