Carol Ann Owens of Riverview, also known as Carey Ann the Clown, entertains participants in the 2010 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Light the Night Walk. This year’s walk will begin at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Biddle and Elm in Wyandotte. A goal of $72,125 has been set.
By Evelyn Cairns
Local residents will step off at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 for the Downriver Light the Night Walk to help raise $72,125 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Walk registration and festivities will start at 6 pm. at Biddle and Elm in Wyandotte. Carey Ann the Clown (Carol Ann Owens of Riverview), who is spearheading the walk, and her clown caravan will entertain the crowd with skits and live music.
More than 55 teams of walkers from throughout the Downriver and Dearborn areas already have registered for the event, including Oakwood Hospital, Bank of America and Comerica Bank.
Participants will carry illuminated balloons — white for blood cancer survivors and patients, red for supporters, and gold in memory of loved ones.
Burlington Coat Factory in Taylor is selling paper balloons through Nov. 25 to raise money for the society.
Walkers can become Champions for the Cure of blood diseases by raising a minimum of $100. Champions receive T-shirts and balloons.
Owens also will host a face-painting booth for children in attendance. Other booths will include hair braiding and shaving, by Salon JoElle, and bone-marrow registration.
Assisting Owens with the walk are Karen Ranka, Barb Holbeck, Maureen Fernandez, Sandy Bettinger, Linda and Larry Bradley, Sherl Hattis and John Kontos.
For more information, call the LLS at 248-581-3941.
17th annual gala slated
More than 200 items will be up for bid at the Information Center’s 17th Annual Gala Celebration & Silent Auction fundraiser Oct. 13 at Crystal Gardens Banquet Center, 16703 Fort St., Southgate.
Jay Towers, Fresh 100.3 radio morning host and WJBK TV2 News anchor, will be master of ceremonies for the event, which will begin with a VIP reception at 6:15 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:15 p.m.
Edward D’Angelo, executive director of the Information Center, will present the organization’s Community Partner Award to the American House Foundation in recognition of the time and resources the foundation has invested Downriver.
Among the auction items are a night out for 50 people at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, passes to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s 1011-1012 classical season, sports memorabilia from the Red Wings and Pistons and a wine and dinner package for four at Andiamo.
Tickets for the benefit, which has been titled “Brighten a Life,” are $75. For reservations or additional information, call 734-282-7171.
Class planned at The Henry
“Divina Cucina: Tuscan Flavors (Olive oils & Vinegars)” is the title of a Cooking with Style class planned for 5:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at The Henry, formerly the Ritz-Carlton.
The cost, $90, includes a full dinner with wines and table-setting ideas by Leslie Jacobs of Leslie Jacobs Associates. Guests of students can join the group for dinner only for $75.
For reservations or more information, call Jacobs at 248-646-4517 or Cathy Howells at 313-253-4377 or email [email protected] or [email protected].
Save the date . . .
Oct. 12 — Downriver Council for the Arts’ Fall Lecture Series begins with an illustrated talk by Michael Farrell on the life and art of expressionist Mary Cassatt; 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Wyandotte Arts Center, 91 Chestnut; $15; for reservations or additional information, call 734-720-0671 or visit www.downriverarts.org.
Oct. 15, 16 — Glass Pumpkin Fest Show and Sale; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Glass Academy, 25331 Trowbridge, Dearborn; no admission charge; 500 pumpkins from $35 to $250 will be available; a private preview is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 13; tickets are $50; for more information, call 313-561-4527.
Oct. 16 — Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center Princess Tea Party; 1 to 3 p.m. at the Trenton Village Theatre, 2477 W. Jefferson; $5 per child; children will decorate sugar cookies and make frames for photos to be taken with Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Cinderella, Rapunzel and other costumed characters; for more information, call 734-362-8153.