Miss Texas and Miss Dallas International to be at WFAA's Family First Day at the Dallas Zoo

Come join me and Miss Dallas International Kelli Ansley this Saturday October 3rd for WFAA Family First Day at The Dallas Zoo!!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
9 AM – 5 PM
Half-Priced Admission ALL DAY

650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway – Dallas
(I-35 & Marsalis Ave)

It’s your chance to check out new exhibits or old animal favorites, visit Channel 8 personalities, explore interactive centers and children’s area.


11 AM – 3 PM SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

Enjoy bounce houses, live entertainment and zoo animal talks.

Stop by Family First booth and meet Channel 8’s Rebecca Lopez, News 8 Investigative Reporter Brett Shipp, as well as News 8 reporters Monika Diaz and David Schechter.

Bring and donate old cell phones to help endangered habitats, get your family photo snapped, take the scavenger hunt challenge, pick-up child safety kits, visit with community officers and beauty queens.

All AGES ARE WELCOME!

Grab your family and friends, jump in the car or hop a ride on Dart Rail.

FAMILY FIRST SPONSORS:

Medical City Children’s Hospital
Sylvan Learning

Seniors (65 and over) – $4.50
Children (2 and under) – Free
Adults (12 - 64) - $6
Children (3 - 11) - $4.50

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/familyfirst/stories/wfaa090928_kd_ffzoo2009.1c57cf80d.html

Jade Monfils Believes that Patients Come First in the Health Care Reform Debate!!

No one should have to choose between the medical care they need and food or rent. I stand with the American Heart Association to make sure Congress puts patients first in the health care reform debate. If you agree, post your status and take action at:
www.heartsforhealthcare.org

Jade Monfils in the State Fair of Texas Parade

The State Fair of Texas is an annual fair held in Dallas, TX and has been around since 1886. Yes, 1886! It is a tradition here in Texas, and workers and students are given a day off to attend the fair. There are millions that attend each year where there are carnival rides, live music, and a huge array of our famous fried foods. In the past we have had fried coffee, fried PB&J sandwiches, and this year it looks like there is deep fried butter!! There is a parade to kick off the start of the fair which runs through downtown Dallas and I was honored to be a part of it this year! :)

The Fresh Air Fund Ends Another Successful Summer Camp!

Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer experiences in the country to more than 1.7 million New York City children from disadvantaged communities. Each year, thousands of children visit volunteer host families in 13 states and Canada through the Friendly Town Program or attend Fresh Air Fund camps. This summer was amazingly successful thanks to the generous support from all of The Fresh Air Fund volunteers and donors. With your help, next summer will be wonderful too.

2009 Summer Highlights:

- Nearly 8,000 children enjoyed their best summers yet
- 370 students participated in the Career Awareness Program
- 11 counselors-in-training spent three days on the Appalachian Trail
- 168 young people were Leaders-in-training

Thanks to host families who open up their homes for up to two weeks each summer, children growing up in New York City’s toughest neighborhoods have experienced the joys of Fresh Air vacations. More than 65% of all children are reinvited to stay with their host family, year after year. There is no such thing as a "typical" host family. If you have room in your home - and your heart - to host a child, you could be one too.

Fresh Air children are boys and girls, six to 12 years old, who reside in low-income communities in New York City and are eager to experience the simple pleasures of life outside the city. You can give a child the experience of a lifetime with your gift to The Fresh Air Fund! Whether it's a two-week trip to visit a volunteer host family, or a fun-filled and educational stay at one of our camps, these programs make for unforgettable memories – and open a world of new friendships and fresh possibilities.

Emcee for the Delores H. Hudson Foundation to Fight Ovarian Cancer

I was the emcee for the evening at Seven Senses honoring the late Delores H. Hudson. Her daughter Jacque started the foundation for her last year, shortly after her passing in February 2008. The foundation is dedicated to finding a cure of ovarian cancer. There was a silent auction, as well as a live auction of a painting being painted live! Also the guest speaker was Dr. David Miller, an accomplished doctor specializing in gynecology and oncology who spoke about the dangers of ovarian cancer as well as steps being taken to find a cure.

Here are some common facts about ovarian cancer:

- all women are at risk
- symptoms can be vague, but increase over time
- early detection increases survival rate
- a pap test DOES NOT detect ovarian cancer

Also here are some common symptoms, if they persist more than 2 weeks please talk to your doctor!

- pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort
- vague but persistent upsets (such as gas, nausea, and indigestion)
- frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection
- unexplained weight gain or loss
- pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness
- ongoing unusual fatigue
- unexpected changes in bowel habits

To learn more about the foundation visit: www.dahfoundation.org

The Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Announced!

Carolina Correa
BGCA's 2009-2010
National Youth of the Year

A seven-year member of Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket, R.I., Carolina Correa is the first Hispanic female and 63rd youth to receive the title of National Youth of the Year and will serve a one-year term as the national teen spokesperson for the 4.5 million youth served annually by Boys & Girls Clubs.

Correa recently graduated from Charles E. Shea High School, where she mentored freshmen and tutored other students. She was nominated to the City of Pawtucket’s Teen Hall of Fame, received the Rhode Island Presidential Student of the Year Award and was inducted into the National Honor Society of High School Scholars. She also graduated in the top 3 percent of her class.

At her Boys & Girls Club, the young Latina learned English, met new friends and found her niche in the aquatics program. Correa was named most valuable swimmer three times and created a program to teach the basics of swimming to inner city youth.

Correa has dedicated many hours to community service projects, including tutoring immigrants who were preparing to take the U.S. citizenship exam. An aspiring child psychologist, she now attends Assumption College in Massachusetts.

Jade Monfils at the DFW International Dinner

Last night was the DFW International dinner with 9 local mayors. Here I am with Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, a great man who is working hard at developing Dallas as an international city by creating partnerships with cities all around the world. The dinner honored the many different cultures that Dallas has to offer, considering that our city consists of 40% first and second generation immigrants. The night started out with a flag ceremony, next there were dishes served from many different cultural cuisines, and speeches from all the honorable mayors about where North Texas is headed. A great night that had so many colorful costumes to add to the festivities of the evening!

Designer Totes give 100% of proceeds to Dress for Success

This year GLAMOUR magazine is selling a limited edition collection of tote bags by up and coming designers (Jason Wu, Bensoni, Lorick, Pamela Love, and Brian Reyes) at Bloomingdale’s stores in NYC and at www.bloomingdales.com. The bags are $35 and 100% of proceeds will go to Dress for Success Worldwide. Fashion Gives Back is featured in the windows of Bloomingdale’s flagship store at 59th Street in Manhattan this weekend and in a spread in the October issue of GLAMOUR. Be sure to show your support for one of my favorite organizations that helps women on a career path to success, while lifting them out of poverty!! Visit http://www1.bloomingdales.com/search/index.ognc?SearchTarget=*&Keyword=dress+for+success to get yours!

Go Red For Women NBC TV Special Saturday 9/12!

Set your TIVO's!! This Saturday, September 12th Go Red For Women premieres its NBC TV special "Choose To Live". The second national TV special is hosted by The TODAY Show’s Hoda Kotb, and features celebrity Andie MacDowell’s personal story of heart disease. The show will focuses on choices women have made to be heart healthy, feature one of the Go Red For Women 2009 casting call finalists, well known cardiologist Dr. Susan Bennett, and nutritionist Samantha Heller. Check www.goredforwomen.org/GoRedTV for your local listings, you won't want to miss it!!

First Ever Building Inner Beauty Pageant!

I have been working with Isabel's Community Outreach Center in Plano, and was thrilled when Crissy (Isabel's daughter) started her own project in helping young girls and women of the center develop skills in self-confidence that will help bring what is on the inside and let it shine through on the outside. Miss Dallas International Kelli Ansley and I helped the ladies by each heading up a topic and teaching them. My group learned about how to get up in front of a group/audience and public speak. I also briefly went over making friends and setting goals. Kelli's group went over skin care and healthy habits. In the end there was a pageant, so that the girls could get a feel for the stage and each contestant cast their ballot on who they thought should win (the girl who showed the most inner beauty) and one winner was chosen! You can visit the Building Inner Beauty website at www.buildinginnerbeauty.com