David vs. Goliath

Wow, talk about a tough draw! TMA vs. the Met! The MET may be well known, but our Toledo Museum of Art is wonderful! Simple to vote by clicking on the link below if you want to.

The TMA made it through the last round of voting - now we're up against the Met (in NYC)! Please do what you did before - vote, and pass this on to everyone in order for them to vote for the TMA! Votes are due by 5pm this Sunday.

Popular art world blogger and critic Tyler Green has launched an "America's Favorite Museum" contest with the top 64 Museums in the country going up against one another NCAA bracket style. TMA was ranked as the #32 Museum in the country by Green and his panel of experts.

Round two of the contest is currently underway and it's a David vs. Goliath scenario: Toledo vs. the Met. Let's show the art world we have the most loyal museum fans by voting here: http://blogs.artinfo.com/modernartnotes/. The competition runs through Sunday at 5 p.m. Please forward this to everyone you know. Remember, this is a contest to see who is most beloved, not who is the biggest or has the most comprehensive collection.

Upcoming Wine & Food Events

A multitude of culinary demonstrations, wine tastings, authentic tastes are happening this summer and you don't need to travel far. So if you are staying local this summer and looking for different things to do that focus on food and wine then this post is for you my fellow foodie friend!

August 6th - 'Rock n Roar' at the Toledo Zoo - Enjoy (4) stages of live music by local musicians, cash bar and grill stations. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

August 12th - 27th Annual Rib Off - Enjoy award winning ribs and various complimentary sides at the Lucas County Fair Grounds. Entertainment includes: Peter Frampton and George Thorogood. www.nwohioriboff.com

August 13th - Hawaiian Getaway - Head to Maumee Bay State Park for activities that include a luau, pig roast and dancing.

August 14th - Summer Harvest Gourmet Gala - St. Francis Campus will feature locally grown produce paired with wine from Ohio Vintners. 6pm-9pm and tickets are $75 visit www.felc.sfctiffin.org

August 27th - German- American Festival - Enjoy music, German-American food, entertainment and parade located in Oak Shade Grove, Oregon www.gafsociety.org/fest.htm


WEEKLY TASTINGS:
1) Aficionado Wine & Cigars holds weekly wine and beer tastings on Wednesdays from 5-8pm www.aficionadowineandcigars.com

2) Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion holds weekly wine tastings on Fridays from 7-9pm and costs $15/members and $20/non-members www.toledomuseum.org

3) Walt Churchill's Market (Maumee location) holds wine tastings every Saturday from 12 -5pm and costs $7-$12

If you know of other food and wine festivals/tastings and would like to add to this list please comment. Would love to hear from you!

Favors

It can be hard to come up with unique favors for any event you are hosting. While doing an event in Chicago for a home decor company I meet the designer of SODA, Amy Allison. Amy created SODA which is a collection of various items which she hand draws whimsical creatures and nature scenes. The original designs are sketched onto ceramic mugs, letterpress cards, plaques, etc...What caught my eye were the charms. The charms can be customized to a specific event such as a wedding or attached to a hostess gift to make it more personalized.

In the photo is an example of a charm used at a wedding with the bride and groom's initial and wedding date.

You can check out more of Amy's creations on her site on Etsy.com - http://www.etsy.com/shop/SodabyAmy