Glitzy parties added sunshine to the gray days of winter

Hendel.

Hendel.

The 11th annual Red Cross Oscar Night presented by The Andersons, Columbia Gas of Ohio, and Hollywood Casino Toledo raised a record $146,000 and sold more than 700 tickets in spite of the frigid weather.

Event chairmen Kevin Kwiatkowski and Stephanie Kuhlman enjoy the Oscar Party in the Center for Performing Arts at Owens Community College.

The event, held March 2 on the night of the Hollywood Oscar's, was at Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts and kicks off March as American Red Cross Month.

Fans and paparazzi, aka community volunteers, screamed and flashed cameras as guests strolled the red carpet into the glamorous night, stopping to mention to media what designer they wore.

PHOTO GALLERY: On The Town: 3-9

Red roses and candlelight, movie reels, and kiosks set the Hollywood style scene. Randy and the Reefsharks and Johnny Rodriguez provided tunes all night long as guests feast on delectable edibles provided gratis by more than 30 local restaurants. It was a great way to sample the best from our area chefs. Mmm, tenderloin, sushi, oysters on the half shell, crab cakes, a whole roasted pig, pastas, salads, and more all with their own unique twist plus decadent desserts and gourmet popcorn, too. The Killer Bread by Two Seasoned Chicks reminded me of the famous bread from Northwood Villa of days gone by.

Craft beer donated by Heidelberg Distributing Company was popular but there was also a full bar serviced by Labib Hajjar and his crew from Beirut Restaurant as well as long time friends including Duke and Martha Wheeler.

Raffle and auctions items including a $1,200 diamond and ruby earrings set provided by Harold Jaffe Jewelers and a chef’s dinner for 8 at Final Cut Hollywood Casino tempted many folks.

Mingling were Honorary Chairmen Bob and Kathy Chirdon of WTOL-TV, Channel 11, Tom and Lynn McCabe, Peter and Colleen Demczuk, Bob Meeker and son Rob Meeker and niece Beth Nieckarz, Frank and Sharon Unkle, Patrick and Victoria Kruse, Steve and Peggy Klepper, Lance and Dee Talmage, Ben and Peggy Brown, John and Karen Yark, David Joseph, Craig Joseph, and Denise and Tom Colturi.

Event chairmen were Stephanie Kuhlman and Kevin Kwiatkowski, who returned with his wife Judy from a Siesta Key, Fla. vacation.

For information visit redcross.org/northwestohio, or check out Facebook or Twitter at @redcrossnwo.

Shelley Roach and Suzette Kanarowski, committee chairmen of the Advertising Club of Toledo's ADDY Awards.

A star studded night was at the historic Valentine Theatre Feb. 27. It was the Advertising Club of Toledo's ADDY Awards and the venue was perfect since the theater and the local chapter, a non-profit organization of advertising and marketing professionals, are both well over a century old. The big news on this night was the announcement of the name change of the Adverting Club of Toledo to American Advertising Federation of Toledo or AAF Toledo. The new logo by Joe Pinciotti, UlrichPinciotti, was unveiled.

The American Advertising Awards (Addy's) is the industry’s premier competition "to recognize the creative spirit of excellence in the art

of advertising." Conducted annually by the AAF, the local phase is the first of a three-tier, national competition.

More than 300 of the local industry's creative types were there, dining on star quality edibles from Georgio's International Cafe. But the spotlight was on the winners.

Just like the Oscars, the show had a host, or in this case, hosts Michael Seay, SensoryMax and Jay Berschback, WTVG-TV, Channel 13. Event chairman Suzette Karanowski quoted Mark Twain with "Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising," and the show went on.

The 2014 Silver Medal Award was presented posthumously to John Gauthier for his commitment to the industry. His wife Karen Gauthier accepted the award before a standing ovation from the crowd.

Judge's Choice Award Winners were Madison Avenue Marketing Group for On Hold Marketing for Binkelman Corporation; Madhouse for 10 Year Birthday Video for Global Explorers; Melissa Wehrman Designs for Toledo Opera Advertising Campaign; and Madhouse for The Day the Lights Went Out for Global Explorers.

Best of Show AND the new People's Choice Awards went to Madhouse for 10 Year Birthday Video for Global Explorers.

Gold ADDYs went to the following agencies: Madhouse, The University of Toledo, HART, Interrupt, Eric Eggly Photography, and Melissa Wehrman Designs.

For the silver and bronze winners, sponsors and more go to aaftoledo.org.

Cher Harder, left, Julie Rittenhouse, center, and Kay Morgan, all of Sylvania, donned their masks at the Pardi Paws Mardi Gras Party to benefit the Toledo Animal Shelter.

Purple, gold, and green masks, balloons, and coins set the festive scene for Pardi Paws — Mardi Gras to benefit the Toledo Animal Shelter on Fat Tuesday at Holiday Inn French Quarter in Perrysburg. Ragtime Rick and the Chefs of Dixieland band played as the 70 attendees feasted on crab cakes, Creole deviled eggs, jambalaya, and other New Orleans cuisine. Hurricane drinks were the popular beverage. Dessert was what else but paczki and king cake. Entertainment included a silent auction, a raffle, and Sue Lovett, astrologist.

Seen at the third annual event were John Donifrio, Tim Valko and Jim Moore, Richard Heiben, Paige Brickey and Tyler Bevins , Bernie Byers, Karen Merrels, Randy Schnee, Nancy Ligibel, Dave Boudouris, Barney Stickles, Peggy Amey, and Bob Holder.

An estimated $8,500 net profit was raised for the shelter. For information go to www.toledoanimalshelter.com or call (419) 382-1130