Let's do lunch: Ben Loughry of Integra Realty Resources was noting the persistence and dedication needed by those who work from home. Mr. B knows all too well. Alone, bored, sleepy and in his PJs as he writes this, Mr. B was not in need of an office party solicitation from Carlo Capua of Z's Cafe and Catering. “No one is here and no one would come,” B said. “Understandable,” said Carlo. “Why not give it out in the Newz-E-Letter?” His it is an assorted sandwich and dessert platter for 20. All you have to do is pick it up, and voila, via chef Janet Capua, an instant office luncheon party. Make sure you demand the outer-worldly brownies. Holiday baby dolls: The prospective Ms. B doesn't keep kosher the way Mr. B does, so he's having to learn about things such as stocking stuffers. So Mr. B is going to the Velvet Box free party from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 9, which includes free drinks, free gift bags, free music, a free Blue Line caricature and free food from feasting fav All In Good Taste Catering. The operative word for Mr. B is FREE, and that means filling those stocking stuffers. You could stuff your stockings or even buy a pair or two with this $100 gift card from Velvet Box.

Vision Fort Worth's YPs heard what's in store for JPS Health Network from President and CEO Robert Earley at last Thursday's luncheon presented by Bell Helicoptor. JPS Health Network has won numerous industry awards and in February was designated as a Level I Trauma Center, making JPS the first, and only, Level I Trauma Center in Tarrant County. Pictured left to right are Elizabeth Northern, Vision FW Chair; Robert Earley, president and CEO, JPS; Kacey Cornelius,Vice Chairman, Vision FW; Rohn Olson, Director of Aircraft Subsystem Design, Bell Helicoptor. View more luncheon photos here.   Sponsored by

White knight: The blueberry yogurt from the German-based grocer is outstanding (a mini review), but too much yogurt gasses your teeth and soon you're looking like Blue's Clues. Kerre at Hulen Modern Dentistry is a very Sharpe one and has the cure for your bite's blues. Hulen Modern has a take-home teeth whitening kit that's better than Sherwin-Williams high gloss, peroxide, bleach or white-out. You'll be in the black with whiter teeth.

Honky tonk parade: Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. doesn't listen to Mr. B and joins a long list that includes Big Boss Bill, Miserly Mistress, the kids, the 13 editors, the woman trying out as a prospective Ms. B, etc. The almost-champion Texas Rangers WILL NOT be Grand Marshals for Friday's Chesapeake Energy Parade of Lights sponsored by Chase, though they will have a float. Billy and Pam Minick of Billy Bob's Texas have the honor as parademeisters, and Princess Pam is a Mr. B fav. Billy, btw, was just named 2011 Darrell K. Royal Patron Award Recipient by the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association. See you out there; the fun starts at 2 p.m

VIP - I'm lovin' it: Here's some parade news to encourage you to end your Black Friday shopping foray in downtown Fort Worth, then consider going to the parade and tree lighting ceremony as a VIP. Parade peeps Jay and Michelle managed to beat Downtown Fort Worth Inc. with their batons and snared two sets of VIP family four-packs. The VIP seating and reception area is located on Houston between 3rd and 4th streets and opens at 4:30 p.m. You'll get coffee, hot chocolate and light appetizers and be front and center when the parade begins at 6 p.m. Then it's the tree lighting and photos with Santa, who has a monthly T pass and may decide to arrive via Molly the Trolley.

Talking the talk: Texas Wesleyan's John Gonzales is one of the announcers for Friday's parade. Says this could be the start of a “long - winded career.”

Work -- I'm lovin' it: Large paper to the east recognized three Chamber members as among 100 Best Places to Work in D/FW. Freese & Nichols was numero uno mid-size company and best for ethics. Chesapeake Energy and Cook Children's were among Top 10 in large company category. Mr. B loves his job, but is now checking bottom 100 for his employer.

MDX-tra: Mac Churchill Acura got some bang for its buck during the Pacquiao fight at Dallas Cowboys Stadium earlier this month. Team Pacquiao, which included the boxer, his wife and entourage, were driving - not punch drunk -- five black Acura MDX sport utility vehicles decorated with Team Pacquiao and Mac Churchill logos. The Mac Churchill logo also was on the jacket that
Manny wore into the ring, clearly visible for Mac Churchill from his great seats.

Ear splitting: Daughter MisBehavin', the L.A. fashionista, was poking fun about Mr. B's hearing aids. (B is so vain, he probably thinks this song is about him.) When Am-Bass-Adorables visit Fort Worth Plastic Surgery Center Dec. 2 for a ribbon cutting, B will B there. He wants to ask gal pal Carlene Alton about a reverse, ear flap procedure instead of the comb-over he has been brushing to hide the hearing aids.

Chamber is dealing: Do you remember that you can offer and receive Chamber member-to-member discounts at our website? How about employee pricing for a new car at Nissan of Fort Worth? Or $25 off a cleaning from Molly Maid of Greater Fort Worth? It's free to put up a member-to-member discount; make sure you keep yours updated.                           

Double duty: Melissa Neuman, assistant GM & Sales Director for the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites SW Fort Worth I-20, also owns a nonprofit business, InsideOut; its mission is to inspire and motivate young woman to live from the inside-out.

Name change: Beginning Jan. 1, The Gus Bates Company becomes Gus Bates Insurance and Investments because of added property and casuality lines.

Pocket holder alert: Barry Salzberg is CEO of Deloitte, the largest tax/audit/consulting services firm in the world, but just by $9 million over PricewaterhouseCoopers the day he spoke during TCU's Executive Speaker Series. Salzberg says the company is successful because there is a culture in which employees are free to think and free to dissent, diversity is a reality, not a goal, and mentoring breeds leaders and success. Deloitte will finish its 750,000-square-foot “university” leadership and development center in AllianceTexas next year.

Pop tart: Karen Perkins says she doesn't want to be too cheesy, but “business at KingKorn is popping"

Did you know? Consolidated, the group that owns Silver Fox, also owns Cantina Laredo, Cool River, III Forks, El Chico, Good Eats and Lucky's.

Waste not: Scott Paper's decision to sell TP without the tube affects more than portable potty members MMG, Can Doo and Mobile Thrones. The environment saves on Scott's 17 billion tubes a year, representing 160 million pounds of trash.

Kobe beef, please: Were you wondering why Luke Walton hasn't been in many L.A. Lakers' boxscores? It's because he is running new member Horned Frog Delivery, which delivers restaurant food to your home or office.

Family business: Nick Karanges, rancher, real estate broker, cutter and brother of Business Press Vice Chair Deborah Connor, is the paper's new publisher. Also back are Shevoyd and Angie Hamilton. They are related, but not to St. Nick.

Homecoming: Parents can be greedy, too. Like most others, parent Mr. B wants daughter MisBehavin' and son NoBGood to be off his payroll, live near but not in the B Mansion, and go home after 41-minute visits. Speed Fab-Crete's David Bloxom is a luckier parent these days. Daughter and PR pro Claire Bloxom has left the evil to the east and joined Concussion, a Fort Worth advertising, marketing and public relations firm.