Parties held for arts, hearts & more

Christi Lewis and husband Marcus Lewis.

Waterville Chamber of Commerce wine event event chairmen Emily and Bob Hoorman.

Each year the Arts Commission seeks to activate an underutilized space for its annual fund-raiser. This year THE MIX: Overboard was held March 23 at the Commodore Perry Building in downtown Toledo for 650 people. The music festival atmosphere included an art auction of 30 select artists' works, food by local vendors, a basket raffle, and a chance to mingle.

Attending the event were Mary Dawson, Jeannie Hylant and Tom McHugh, Richard Rideout, Sue Hague Rogers, Frasier Phibbs, Dee and Joe Spencer, Jackie Ohlers, Jim Moore, Lori Twining, Tim Mathews, and Sandy Blackstone Carman.

An estimated $35,000 was raised. Event chairmen Mary Larkin and Sarah Skow and honorary chairmen Ian Hartten and Kate Kelley were assisted by a committee of nearly 20 people plus lots of volunteers. Among the more than 50 sponsors and donors were the Commodore Perry Apartments and Commercial Space by Monarch Investments and Management, banks, businesses, and individuals.

Members of the philanthropic, corporate, and medical communities came together for the 16th annual Toledo Heart Ball "Ignite" presented by the University of Toledo Heart and Vascular Center March 16 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Perrysburg to help raise more than $100,000 for the Toledo Heart Association.

Proceeds benefit research, education, and advocacy programs.

Christi Lewis and husband Marcus Lewis.

The evening throbbed with a heart-healthy menu, music by Forte Trio Boys and Distant Cousinz, a silent auction, and a live auction with Jason Whalen. Event chairman Dr. Samer Khouri of the University of Toledo Medical Center welcomed everyone and emcees were Kimberly Newman and Amanda St. Hilaire of WTOL-TV, Channel 11.

Jim Howell and Christi Lewis spoke of their victories over heart disease.

Among the more than 250 guests were Dr. Ameer Kabour, Marv and Nancy Robon, Dr. Paul Berlacher and wife Chris, Jim and Ina Tuschman, Ron and Linda Enser, Todd and Linda Hoyt, Ken and Tara Robinson, and Dr. Tom Schwann and wife Traci.

Sponsors included ProMedica Northwest Ohio Cardiology Consultants, Toledo Cardiology Consultants, Inc., Barkan & Robon Law, Heartland Healthcare Center, Promedica Heart and Vascular Institutes, Huntington Bank, The Blade, WTOL and Fox Toledo.

The 13th annual Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce World Wines & Waterville Area Fine Arts Auction was March 23 at Valleywood Golf Club in Swanton.

Wine from around the world was at stations throughout the night. Nearly 200 guests nibbled on tasty food and dinner as they shopped the silent and live auctions with Beth Rose.

Cathy, center right, and Bill Carroll, of Rossford, bid on a piece of artwork during The Mix to benefit the Arts Commission of Toledo. The event, attended by hundreds of people, featured live music, food, drinks, dancing and an art auction. The Mix was held at the Commodore Perry building in downtown Toledo.

Vacations, art, wines, and more were auctioned. Kevin Powell and Sarah Aubry won a clock made by Eric Rockwell. Diane Lark won a raffle for an iPad donated by TriSun Land Services, LLC.

Among the sponsors were Yark Automotive, Shawn's Irish Tavern, Robinson Curphey & O'Connell, CenturyLink, Browning Masonic Community, Per Diem Nurse Staffing, Ltd., National Payment Corporation, Paramount, Ameriprise Financial, and Fat Fish Blue.

An estimated $10,000 is the expected net to support chamber projects and the Alzheimer's Association. Event chairmen were Emily and Bob Hoorman of Senior Helpers, assisted by their committee, including board president Dave Boothe.