Summer event calendar is hot, hot, hot!

Nancy Ankney, left, and June Edmunds during her 90th birthday celebration on Fourth of July weekend.

Nancy Ankney, left, and June Edmunds during her 90th birthday celebration on Fourth of July weekend.

Fourth of July weekend was more than just fireworks for folks who also were celebrating their birthdays. Those include Dave Kienzel, Florence Ryder, Emmy Lytle, and June Edmunds, who celebrated her 90th birthday July 5 with family. The soiree was on July 6 at the home of her son, Jim Edmunds. One her daughters, whose birthday is also July 5 -- Nancy Ankney -- was there with her husband, Duane.

From left, Domonique Glover, Geneva Rogers, Phillipe Taylor, and Condessa Croninger attended the Toledo Ballet's annual Toest!

Rain threatened the Toledo Ballet's annual Toest! A Beer & Wine Event recently at Olander Park, but the clouds parted and provided a cool breeze and a glorious rainbow for guests to enjoy from the deck overlooking the lake.

Assisting with the night were board members Gail Mirrow and husband Jay, Darren LaShelle, Bill Southern, Judy Leb, Anne Izzi, Cynthia Beekley and husband David, Stephanie Dames, Kathy Jones, and DeAnn Trobaugh.

Mingling were Cheryl and Tom Walter, Dana and Rob Loeb, Jori and Dave Jex, Randy and Annette Gardner, Erica Blake, Ellen and Dale Pittman, Lisa Mayer, and Sarah and Jim Hartley.

Jeffrey Ienna from Heidelberg Distributing Co. with Rachael Garvin, Toledo Yacht Club's summer intern, at the club's wine tasting party.

Rachael Garvin, a senior at Bowling Green State University, is a summer intern at Toledo Yacht Club. Her first experience was the annual Mills Race. Then she was on her own for a wine event she created, from setting the date and price per person to working with the wine distributor and caterer. She asked members to select their favorite red and white wines and after she tallied the scores, the top two will be available in the club's bar.

Miss Garvin has had experience with event planning via her internships at Toledo Museum of Art and Stone Ridge Golf Club in Bowling Green. She will finish her last semester in the fall at BGSU with a major in tourism, leisure, and event planning.

From left, Christopher Knapik and Kevin Boehm of Berman Wines with Chef Sam Misuira and Toledo Zoo executive director Jeff Sailer at the zoo's preview party food tasting for the upcoming FEAST with the beasts.

Reservations are being accepted for the Toledo Zoo's FEAST with the Beasts Aug. 23 at the Toledo Zoo. The first 140 replies will enjoy a night of dining al fresco on an Australian-themed menu in the Africa! Overlook of the zoo.

A tasting was held recently with Chef Sam Misuira, who is overseeing the menu, and Christopher Knapik and Kevin Boehm of Berman Wines, who are handling the wines to match each course.

Committee members include Susan Allan Block, Deborah Born, Ann Sanford, Kim Kearns, Toby Cardone, Elizabeth Foley, Susan Conda, Mary Ellen Pisanelli, and Sandra Hylant.

Tickets are $250 with $200 of that amount tax deductible. For information call 419-385-5721, extension 2091.

The Third Annual Chefs for Children to benefit ProMedica Toledo Children's Hospital and the Arts Commission is slated for Aug. 29 at the riverfront home of Barbara Steele and Alan Kimpel in Perrysburg.

It was announced during a summer soiree in the home of honorary chairmen Susan and Allan Block, chairman of Block Communications, Inc., The Blade's parent company. Event chairmen are Rita Mansour and Eric Fankhauser.

The event, formerly called Art & Autism, benefits the young artists of the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo and various programs at ProMedica Toledo Children's Hospital, including NICU, autism, and children's oncology.

Individual tickets are not for sale; however, sponsorships are, starting at $1,000, which includes two tickets. For more information call 419-291-5756.

Pints 4 Pups presented by Block Communications, Inc. and other sponsors is scheduled for July 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Table Forty 4. Participants can purchase a glass for $25 and with that glass they are entitled to a complimentary draught beer.

All proceeds benefit 4 Paws Sake canine rescue of northwest Ohio, a volunteer group that rescues, provides sanctuary, and finds homes for abandoned, stray, or neglected dogs.