MORSELS

Raise a glass for a good cause

2/16/2014

Raise a glass for a good cause

The eighth annual Glass City Beer Fest will take place from 7 to 11 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Lucas County Recreation Center in Maumee. All proceeds will be used to support the Northwest Ohio Hemophilia Foundation, which assists more than 1,000 people affected by moderate to severe bleeding disorders, and the Arc of Lucas County, which helps more than 1,200 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Forty-five microbreweries will be on site at this festive event, offering more than 200 brews to taste; food will also be available (sold separately).

General admission tickets are available at The Andersons locations for $30, and also will be available for $35 at the door. You’ll get 12 taste tickets, each of which allows for a 3-ounce sample; additional tickets will be available for $1 each or 6/$5. To attend the V.I.P. event from 6 to 7 p.m., tickets are $50 in advance or $55 at the door. For more information, go to http://glasscitybeerfest.com or call 419-724-BREW.

Escape the blahs

As a newcomer to Toledo who wants to get acquainted with the food scene, I’m excited that many of the city’s best restaurants are participating in Restaurant Week Toledo 2014, presented by Medical Mutual. Each location has developed special prix-fixe menus — lunch and dinner options priced at $10, $20, or $30 (excluding beverages, tax, and gratuity) — which will only be available from Feb. 24 through March 2. A portion of the proceeds will support Leadership Toledo, a nonprofit organization promoting leadership development for area youth and adults.

“Wipe out the blahs,” encourages Leadership Toledo’s executive director, David Schlaudecker, “and start making reservations at as many restaurants as you can fit in.”

Pierogi dinner

The Echoes of Poland Folk Song and Dance Ensemble will host its annual Pierogi Dinner on March 7 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America Hall at 5255 N. Detroit Ave. The hearty dinner costs $8 for adults and $3 for children, with a menu offering four pierogi (cheese, potato, mixed potato/cheese, or sauerkraut), a vegetable, salad, bread and butter, dessert, coffee, and punch. You can also purchase pierogi to take home, for $9 a dozen ... sigh.

Paulina Tul Ortyl, director of the ensemble, has been teaching the music, dance, and customs of Poland to young people in this area for more than 40 years. The troupe features programs for children, teens, and adults, and has traveled to Poland many times. For more information about this celebration of Polish culture and food, please contact her at 419-531-8658.

What’s for dinner?

Help your fellow readers put a fast, healthy meal on the table by sharing your favorite recipes in The Blade. Email them to food@theblade.com or mail to Dinner Tonight, The Blade, 541 N. Superior St., Toledo, OH 43660.

Be sure to include your name and phone number. Send items for Morsels to food@theblade.com.