Jan. 19--The Women's Business Council Southwest will celebrate its accomplishments in 2008 and name award winners at a gala Tuesday at the Meyerson Symphony Center.

Council president Debbie Hurst points out that the four-state Southwest region of Women Business Enterprises generated more than $3.95 billion to the economy last year.

"The average revenue for a WBCS member in 2008 was $8.34 million, a 33 percent increase over 2007," she said. "This is quite an accomplishment compared to the negative business news being published today."

The region consists of Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.

Registration begins at 5 p.m., followed by dinner and music at 5:30, the awards program at 7 and a dessert reception at 8:30.

Major underwriters include:

$7,500: Texas Instruments Inc., the title sponsor.

$5,000: Alcatel-Lucent, BNSF Railway Co., Energy Future Holdings Corp., Frito-Lay Inc. and J.C. Penney Co.

$3,000: ICON Information Consultants.

$1,000: Bent Tree Florist, Business Interiors, CFj Manufacturing, Taber Estes Thorne & Carr, TransSynergy and the Warrior Group.

Tickets are $60 online or $75 on site. Call Flo Cox at 817-299-0566, ext. 203, or e-mail fcox@wbcsouthwest.org.

Soup at NorthPark

NorthPark Center is introducing a fundraiser called the SouperBowl Challenge, a series of events taking place from today through Sunday.

The events include an amateur soup-making competition with live judging at NorthPark by celebrity chef Dean Fearing, cooking demonstrations and tasting opportunities.

Vehicles provided by Sewell Automotive Cos. will be located throughout the shopping center and decked out for themed tailgate parties.

The Soup de Soup ...Chef de Chef from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday will feature 50 professional chefs who will be making soups and side dishes for sampling.

With the purchase of each $10 ticket, patrons will be able to sample five different chef stations of their choice.

Participating chefs are from Abacus, Bolla at the Stoneleigh Hotel, Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House, Capital Grille, the Mansion Restaurant at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek and more.

All NorthPark restaurants are participating as well, including Bistro N, Caffe and Ristorante Cibus by Lombardi, Corner Bakery Cafe, Kona Grill, La Duni Latin Kitchen and Coffee Studio, Luna de Noche Tex-Mex Grill, Maggiano's Little Italy, McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, NM Cafe & Burger Bar, P.F. Chang's China Bistro and T.G.I. Friday's.

All proceeds from the event will benefit Dallas Junior Forum charities, including Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, Dallas Children's Advocacy Center, Juliette Fowler Homes, Hope's Door and other nonprofits.

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