Photo: Heritage Auctions

Every once in a while, I kick around on Dallas’ Heritage Auctions site, secretly pining from items that I have no use for/ my bank account can’t support. This is one of those items.

I spent my childhood like most boys born in the 80s: mimicking the every moves of Calvin Whateverhislastnameis. I bought every book, and literally almost cried when Bill Watterson hung up his pen.

But, if you’re like me, a $14,000 bid  for the original watercolor for the 1989-1990 Calvin and Hobbes calendar is not feasible. In fact, it would be so irresponsible that my soon-to-be wife would quickly become my never-to-be wife. That said, the People offices are at 750 N. St. Paul Street, Dallas, TX, 75201. We’re on the 21st floor, and we always accept gifts.

Humor me for a moment as I put on my gossip columnist hat and entertain a little rumor. It’s not often that I get a phone call where someone dishes out dirt — that’s the kind of stuff I generally have to dig up myself.

Most commonly, phone calls and emails come flooding in about games won, galas well danced, and other joyous occasions. But yesterday, I got a call about the Junior Symphony Ball that included such memorable and visceral descriptions as “walking through vomit in cowboy boots,” “drunk fest,” and “complete orgy.” The caller, whose daughter attended the Jan. 28 ball, said chaperones turn a blind eye to alcohol and drug use, and that the event has been declining in decorum for years.

This all falls in stark contrast to the JSB that Michelle Duncan, co-chair of the event, attended.

“The things she’s attesting to are really not correct,” Duncan said.

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Rachel Stienke, Christine Brunner, Randee Ruiz, Dr. Skip Moran, Katherine Selby

Last week, the Armstrong Bradfield Preschool Association donated a record $78,000, split evenly between the two elementary schools. The funds were acquired through the association’s largest annual fundraiser, the Holiday Home Tour.

A pair of fashion-conscious Greenhill sophomores — Maddie Crick of University Park and Virginia Dollins of Preston Hollow — have organized a fashion show called Winter Wonderland that will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday in Greenhill’s Montgomery Library. The girls have secured sponsorships from a number of Park Cities businesses — including The Impeccable Pig, Tootsies, and Melanie Gayle — and Neiman Marcus gift bags will be given to the first 50 people in attendance. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students, with all proceeds going to The Family Place.

Junior Symphony Ball chairmen work on invitations.

Attention, high school students: Today is the deadline to buy tickets for the Junior Symphony Ball, featuring the Casey Donahew Band. The event is scheduled from 8 to midnight on Jan. 28 at the (gulp) Palladium Ballroom. Tickets are $75, and the funds raised allow special-needs students to attend Dallas Symphony Orchestra concerts at no charge. Over the last four years, the Junior Symphony Ball has raised close to $200,000. To buy tickets, email Karen Reeder at reeder.karenm@gmail.com.

Every day, newspapers are filled with articles about violence, crime, and general upheaval. While those stories are undoubtedly newsworthy, I gather from the disdain the American public shows for the media that you’d like to see more positive stories grace our pages.

We hear you.

Park Cities People would like to recognize the person who donated the most time, energy, and resources in 2011 as its People Person of the Year. However, we need your help. Let us know who you think deserves our inaugural volunteerism award by nominating someone right now. Winners will be announced in our Feb. 3 edition.

While us fine People people are in our offices cranking out this week’s paper, there are plenty of folks out there with the day off. And they should spend it volunteering.

Anyone have any volunteer opportunities in the Park Cities or nearby? Throw ‘em up in the comments. And, no, “helping me clean my garage” doesn’t count. I don’t think that’s what Dr. King was talking about.

You  know what’s cuter than pictures of adorable children? Pictures of adorable children who need you. On Sunday, Heart Gallery will be on display at Highland Park United Methodist Church. The exhibit features photos of children in North Texas foster care who are looking for “a forever family.”

Santa Claus sings with the Lads and Lassies during Highland Park's tree-lighting ceremony. (Photo: Christina Barany)

Two weeks ago, we published a letter from Highland Park Mayor Bill Seay, who was soliciting donations to the town’s Employee Christmas Fund. Morning News reporter Matthew Haag decided to look into how many donations were coming in. According to his report, the fund had $9,000 as of yesterday. There was twice as much money last year; as recently as 2007, the fund topped $31,000.

Richard Branson

So, Sir Richard Branson will keynote the 22nd annual “A Conversation With a Living Legend” luncheon Jan. 4 at the Hilton Anatole, where he’ll be interviewed by former CNN reporter Miles O’Brien and — I hope, I hope — perhaps mention the whole space-tourism thing.

Which leads me to this. Virgin Galactic, Branson’s space-travel agency, has a smattering of “accredited space agents” around the U.S. and the world. Two of the five such agents in Texas — Andrew Rocchio at Strong Travel Services and Rudi Steele, of Rudi Steele Travel — are Dallas-based, in University Park and Highland Park, respectively.

Cool, right?

(Right.)