Edward D’Angelo, executive director of the Information Center, the Family Resource Place, helps gala guest Megan Hanley of The Medical Team carry a basket of dog toys and treats she won in the center’s si-lent auction Oct. 8 at Crystal Gardens in Southgate. Looking on is Laura Kitkowski, the center’s chairman of the board. The auction, part of the organization’s 15th annual Gala Celebration, raised $50,000.
15th Information Center benefit raises $50,000
A video presentation depicting how individuals in need have been helped by the Information Center highlighted the organization’s 15th annual Gala Cele-bration and Silent Auction Oct. 8 at Crystal Gardens in Southgate.
The event raised $50,000, which will help fund the center’s services and programs.
Debbie Dingell, civic and community leader in Michigan and Washington, D.C., and national advo-cate for women and children, was master of ceremo-nies.
More than 100 items were offered at the auction. The Information Center, the Family Resource Place, is at 20500 Eureka Road, Taylor.
Spooky events will offer fun
Halloween promises to be more fun than ever this year with a multitude of special events in addition to many local community haunted houses and costume parties.
On Oct. 23-25, youngsters who visit Greenfield Village from 6:30 to 9 p.m. will walk along a path lined with 800 jack-o’-lanterns and have a chance to enjoy snacks served by costumed characters, dance along with glowing skeletons and see pirates steal treasures.
To mark the anniversary of Edgar Allen Poe’s birth, readings of his famous “The Tell-Tale Heart” are slated.
For tickets for “Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village,” $15 (children 2 and younger are free), call (313) 982-6001 or go to www.thehenryford.org.
In conjunction with the celebration, a special din-ner at the Eagle Tavern will feature locally produced fall foods and include admission to the Halloween ac-tivities. Dinner tickets, $51, are available at the above phone number and address.
Even pooches can get in on the Halloween fun by taking part in a costume contest being held in con-junction with “Legally Blonde the Musical,” currently on stage at the Fisher Theatre and continuing through Nov. 1.
At 6 p.m. Oct. 20, dogs can compete in the “Legally Blonde Howl-o-ween Costume Contest for Canines,” which offers prizes from $25 to $100 and tickets to performances of the musical.
In addition, the first 25 contestants will receive two free tickets to see the play.
Registration in advance is required by calling (248) 651-4858.
The Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts will present “Mystique Masquerade,” a charity masked ball, at 7 p.m. Oct. 30 to raise funds for improvements at the theater.
The cost for the evening, $85 ($65 presale), will include performances by burlesque artist Lily LaRue, top bands and DJs and food. For tickets, call (313) 887-8850 or go to www.maskme.org. www.TicketMaster.com.
The Michigan Opera Theatre’s Young Profes-sionals volunteers will host “Haunted in the House” from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Oct. 31 at the Detroit Opera House.
Guests are encouraged to wear costumes to compete for prizes.
Tickets are $35 general admission, and $75 VIP. The latter includes an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, a dungeon tour and valet parking. Partygoers must be 21 or older.
Proceeds will help fund the Michigan Opera Theater’s opera and dance programs and educational outreach.
For tickets or more information, call (313) 237-SING or go to www.MichiganOpera.org.
More events . . .
Oct. 20 — Cooking class, “Flavors of Fall: A Michigan Feast,” 5:30 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton; dinner with wines to follow; $120 (guests who join the group for dinner only, $75); for more information, call (248) 646-4517 or e-mail [email protected],.com, or call Colin Berens, (313) 253-4357 of e-mail [email protected]
Oct. 21, 24 — Biblical opera, Verdi’s “Nabucco;” 7:30 p.m. curtain; tickets, $29 to $121, are available by calling (313) 237-SING or online at www.MichiganOpera.org and all TicketMaster outlets.