ON THE TOWN

Fashion, art, and chocolate: What's not to like?

Barb and Jen Christensen, Margo Leininger, and TSA gallery director Leslie Taylor.

From left, Richelle Watkins, Olla Danielle Goodwin, Clara Petty, and Erin Baker at the 'In Her Shoes' luncheon hosted by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. hosted the "In Her Shoes" luncheon and shower Saturday at the Toledo Club.

The event, which benefited Bethany House, a domestic violence shelter, was part of the national initiative of Alpha Kappa Alpha's Social Injustice and Human Rights Program.

The committee, headed by Olla Danielle Goodwin, came up with the theme because, as Clara Petty, president of the local AKA chapter, said: "You never know what a woman has been through 'til you have walked a mile in her shoes."

Guests were invited to purchase a gift from the registry at Target or Wal-Mart to be donated to the shelter. More than 50 items totaling more than $500 were donated. The day included lunch and shower games with prizes.

The grand finale was the shoe contest won by Latrece Seneca, who received a certificate to DSW Shoes. Fashion guru and master shopper Rhonda Sewell was runner-up.

Some of the treats at Death By Chocolate, presented by Toledo School for the Arts.

The Toledo School for the Arts hosted its annual Death by Chocolate benefit June 7 in the school's Sculpture Garden. Beautiful floral arrangements by Glendale Flowers added to the tranquil scene as the school's steel drum band, chamber winds, and big band played background tunes.

Despite the sweltering heat, guests sipped wine and nibbled decadent chocolate cupcakes by Myles Baker Street as they perused the ARTner awards -- original student art purchased and framed as a thank you "to nonprofit organizations with a like mission that TSA partners with throughout the year to enhance education of the students," said Vickie Werley, the school's development assistant. She said these relationships with organizations help fill the gap that occurs with funding issues.

Barb and Jen Christensen, Margo Leininger, and TSA gallery director Leslie Taylor.

The ARTner awards were presented to more than 20 organizations including Bowling Green State University, Owens Community College, University of Toledo, Toledo Museum of Art, 20 North Gallery, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, Scrap4Art, the Valentine Theatre, Toledo Symphony, Masterworks Chorale, Toledo Jazz Orchestra, Toledo Repertoire Theatre, Theatre League Inc., Toledo Ballet Association, Ballet Theatre of Toledo, Toledo Lucas County Public Library, Imagination Station, Toledo Zoo, Toledo Botanical Garden, Metroparks of the Toledo Area, St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Trinity Episcopal Church, and WGTE Broadcasting.

Honored was Pat McGlaughlin, wife of the late glass artist Tom McGlaughlin. Mrs. McGlaughlin started the Tom McGlaughlin Memorial Scholarship as well as a program to encourage careers in glass art by funding student opportunities to experience glass blowing and glass work outside of the school campus.

Event chairmen Carrie Serber and Carla Firestone Nowak.

The night was also an opportunity to meander into the school's Gallerie 333 to view student masterpieces and perhaps purchase a treasure or two.

Among the nearly 140 guests were Keith Burwell, Tom and Betsy Brady, Karen Merrels, and Greg and Helen Emmert.

Event chairmen Carrie Serber and Carla Firestone Nowak tended to behind-the-scenes details to make everything run smoothly.