Events last week are proof that even in mid January, Toledo always has something fun to offer. Here are just a few samples.

MATTHEW Weston is back! Same location, different name. The former Matthew s Creative Cuisine is now the Mustard Seed Bar and Kitchen, and it was booked solid for Saturday s official opening night.

Maybe a bit more casual no longer a grand piano there the dining areas and the bar are still cozy and classy, the food is still great, and it s open 6 days week for lunch and dinner.

Artwork by locals are on the walls, including Amy Gilles, there with Todd Commisso, longtime friend who helped Mr. Weston decide on the venture and name. Mr. Weston said he named his place the Mustard Seed because during the funeral for his mother, Barbara, in July, the Gospel according to Matthew 17:20 was read.

Several familiar faces are back, including Tracey Pierce, who started with Mr. Weston in catering in 1987 before the restaurant opened in 1990; Susie Kasap, a bartender at Fifi s in 1981 when Mr. Weston waited tables, and Richard and Brook Culbertson, among others.

Longtime customers poured in all night, including Roger and Sharon Vail, Mike and Carol Haney, Allan and Jeannie Rubin, Ann Sanford and Bernie Leiter, Karen Warren, Carol Spaulding, and Jeff and Sue Smith and family. Neighbors Lori and Marty Chappuies were there: He helped design the new logo along with Jennifer Stucker. Gene and Ellie Harms, with their son and daughter-in-law Mike and Mary Pat, were celebrating the 17th birthday of their grandson, Ted.

Marsha Tanber was noshing on the Addictive Potato Latkes. Chuck and Birdie Metz preferred the Show Me Your Mussels. They met at Matthew s when he was cooking and she was having a cocktail. Pam Tillman stopped by too and was glad that the famous espresso martinis are still on the menu. Bill James, there with wife Holly, preferred the lobster bisque. Meanwhile, their son, Will, 7, was fast asleep after a tasty dinner as their 5-year-old daughter, Katy, aka Crumbcake, socialized with everyone, then politely said good-bye, nice to meet you, and shook your hand before leaving. Talk about great manners!

Mr. Weston s family was there too, including sisters and brothers-in-law Betsy and Michael Hood and Wendy and Ted Held, along with dad Pete. The restaurant has appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees, desserts, and a kids menu.

BUSINESS must be great at Salon Hazelton in Perrysburg if Karen and Greg Hazelton s river front home is any indication. They hosted a soiree It s the Party Saturday night in their home that is perfect for entertaining. The invitation was a big indication that this would be a fun party: a martini-shaped card with a cosmopolitan recipe on the back. With a fashionably late start at 8 p.m. the place didn t really start rocking until 11 p.m. or so. That s after the stretch limousine chauffeured the guests from the nearby parking lot to the front door.

What a show! It was like walking into a night club with candlelight, spotlights, sparkling disco balls, and a built-in bar. The artfully arranged white tulips and red roses made the setting exotic. To get things going, a dance demo was followed by salsa lessons. Then the place sizzled as guests let loose and danced the night away.

The beautiful food table was a feast for the eyes with flower-shaped pineapple rings and fresh strawberries. The fab feast had everything from Cuban sandwiches to Cherries Jubilee, all done by pal Diane Rogers. Assisting was sister Syd Rogers as mom Rosemarie took it easy and watched the scene.

If you wanted to make a splash, you could do so in the half moon-shaped indoor swimming pool and waterfall. Doesn t everyone have one? Nearby, a red iron, winding staircase led to the other three levels, including Mr. Hazelton s studio and an observation deck.

Taking a breather were Sharon and John Haeflinger, Patrice and Lance Craig, and Lisa Haberstock and husband Scott Jeffer.

TALK about an ice storm, or rather, a storm on the ice! A great family outing is always a trip to the Sports Arena for Storm hockey. It was no different on Saturday night as the team went up against the Dayton Bombers. It was a full house with more than 5,000 tickets sold. And there is not a bad seat in the house except, of course, the penalty box: The farthest seat from the arena is 65 feet.

Watch out for the stray pucks! It s never a dull moment. You can feast on popcorn, pizza, and more. Beer is available, but if you are seated in the family section, no alcohol is allowed. Yep, Storm hockey provides a fun, casual, yet safe and secure night of entertainment. Tickets range from $10.50 to $16. Group rates are available too, as the Advertising Club of Toledo found out. Tickets were just $12 each for the group s social night.

Seen were Gail Evans, Dan and Liz Penny, Nancy Caswell, Erin Hoffman, John and Kaiao Zureich, Kelly Frantz, Ani Geha, and Sue Hague-Rogers.

EILEEN S Wine Bar was the place to be Thursday night. Because of the great response to a wine tasting and dinner that the event had to be moved from the cozy bar to the main dining area in the Navy Bistro. Each of the five courses for dinner were paired with Penfolds wines to complement. Yummy. Heading the evening was Edward Macek of Foster sWine Estates Americas, the owner of Penfolds. Among the wine connoisseurs were Barbe Fisher and Michael and Sharon Sordyl.

THE OSCARS are Feb. 25 and the local American Red Cross is getting a jump start on its annual Night at the Oscars at Owens Community College. Meanwhile, Jaffe Jewelers hosted the third annual Prelude to the Oscars on Wednesday night.

About 100 guests and volunteers enjoyed fancy tidbits and wine all served by men, including Marlon Barbour, Brian Epstein, Chris Kozak, Jeff Gubala, Kevin Lent, and Tim Yenrick.

The all-female guests were board members and others who are members of Club Red, a just-for-ladies group that assists the Red Cross. by using their cash, time, and talents.

The event chairman was new board member Elaine Nicol of Talent Track here in Toledo. Dee Talmage is board president. In addition to schmoozing, Sophia Lustig and Jaffe Jewelers presented a Red Carpet Style Show, with models from the community, including Vicky Black, Vicki Davis, Rachel Hepner, Ann Kozak, Marsha Manahan, Jani Miller, Elaine Nicol, Chrys Peterson, Carrie Serber, Mrs. Talmage, Cindy Taylor, Gina Thompson, Cheryl Tyler-Folsom, Connie Ulmer, and Carolyn Zanville.

Evening sponsors included The Beirut and Poco Piatti and Harold Jaffe Jewelers. The Beauty Bar and Soto Salon did the models hair and makeup.

The event netted around $1,375. Tickets for the big night are $85 each. Call 419-329-2533 for more information.

Speaking of movie stars, Toledoans Rita Mansour and Lynn Beverage met a few actors while in Los Angeles this month for the premiere of Freedom Writers. Ms. Mansour s client and friend Nan Morales is one of the film s producers, and Ms. Mansour was in two scenes as a teacher.

Another great party was the Ambassador party for Share Our Strength s Taste of the Nation in the riverfront home of Becky and Dean Kasperzak, who generously provided gourmet appetizers to a crowd of nearly 50. The poster unveiled that night highlighted the organizations new goal: No Child Should Go To Bed Hungry.

Event co-chairmen include Marla Schecht, Craig Joseph, Ty Szumigala, and Terri Thompson. Chief chairmen are Mr. Kaspersak and Labib Hajjar.

Only 500 tickets will be sold, and they are $150 each for the event on April 29. Sales began at the kickoff and end March 12.

Barbara Hendel is The Blade s society editor.

Contact her at: bhendel@theblade.comor 419-724-6124.

First Published January 22, 2007, 11:27 a.m.