Kathy Hughes, a well-known hairdresser at Medallion Barbers at Abrams and Northwest for more than 30 years, passed away recently following a battle with cancer. Lake Highlands resident Chad Medaris says he’s sure he speaks for all of her regular customers when he says she will be missed. “She is the only person who has ever cut my son’s hair, and she’s cut mine for over 15 years,” he says. “Over the years, I have run into so many people who know and love Kathy … I think you will be surprised at how many lives she has touched.”

The eighth annual Hoops in the Highlands tournament brought in an estimated $25,000 benefiting Lake Highlands, White Rock, Wallace and Northlake elementary schools, along with Lake Highlands Junior High.

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The Metro PCS White Rock Marathon recently presented a check for $560,000 to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. The more than 3,000 participants helped raise the funds, which will help the hospital that treats, free of charge, children who need expensive medical procedures. The December 2010 marathon garnered almost $200,000 more than the previous year. Since 1997 when the hospital became the main beneficiary, the race has brought in $1.8 million to Scottish Rite.

After being open little more than a year, the Stone Elephant Bar and Grill at Skillman and Abrams closed its doors leaving nothing but the note on the door that reads, “Centro Properties Group, landlord, has retaken possession of these premises due to non-payment of rent or other violations of the lease agreement.”

Neighborhood fashion designer Carissa Brown, founder of Carissa Rose Bratique Helene (carissarose.com), which specializes in fashions for full-busted women, is a top finalist in the “Texas Next Top Designer” competition. “Most salespeople have no idea what life is like for full-busted women,” says Brown. That’s why she began in 2008 designing and producing clothes made especially for women with a narrow rib cage (28-40 back size), but with double-D and up cups. “When you have this shape, it’s tough to find woven button-up tops that fit and don’t gape, and need constant pulling and tugging and fixing in order to hide your bra.” Since then she has appeared on “Homemade Millionaire” with Kelly Ripa on TLC. Brown says she started the business as a tribute to her curvaceous mother, Helene Rose, whose motto was: “Stand tall and walk proud.”

Wildcat Automotive recently celebrated a year in business at 9660 Audelia, near Walnut Hill. In celebration, owner Rico Padilla is offering 10 percent off any automotive service to Advocate readers — just mention that you saw it here. From 1995-2000, Padilla worked at the shop that now houses Wildcat Automotive. In 2001 he bought the gas station across the street. “Then, a year and a few months ago, I bought and opened the shop I used to work at,” Padilla says. “I’ve now worked at that corner for about 16 years.”

The Store in Lake Highlands just announced that Joan Reedy, daughter of famous handbag designer Vera Bradley, will visit the boutique at Northwest Highway and Ferndale, on May 13. Call 214.553.8850 for more information.