This Saturday night was The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo’s annual “Mix UP” party which has been a hit every Spring for as long as I can remember (in my relatively short time in Toledo).

There was a good deal to see, experience, and taste at this event. We walked past fire breathers and jazz onto a tantalizing spread of food, incredible art being auctioned off, dancing people, a large-scale “photo booth”, and open artist studios on the upper floors of The Secor Building in downtown.

It was a veritable who’s who of Toledo, but if you missed it no worries. Simply attend next year’s party as this weekend set a strong precedent for years to come. As in the music was fantastic. The food was totally yummy and flowing. The art exhibited on the first floor, along with the open studios upstairs, was really great. And the energy was bonkers.

The Mix UP! | Presented by the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo

Saturday afternoon we picked up R. and M. for a trip to the Chili Cook-Off at the Stranahan. This was the first cook-off D. and I have ever attended.

I didn’t get to sample all the chili’s because halfway through it I was stuffed—like so stuffed that as soon as we got home I had to nap for an hour. The chili I was able to down was great though! The event was packed with Toledoans who had “rented” their own tin trays for only $3 a pop.

The Great Chili Cook-Off was a benefit for Mobile Meals of Toledo—a fantastic local charity.

D. and I have just returned from an open house at The Greenhouse Project, a greenhouse and garden built and maintained by troubled youth in Toledo—with the assistance of volunteers and adult mentors.

Several local agencies and non-profits have culled their resources to make this project happen… plans include raised beds for vegetables, chickens in chicken coops that have already been built, a worm box and a huge composting area.

The greenhouse itself is pretty impressive. It was constructed late last year by over 30 area youths and will be filled with flowers, vegetables and fruit starting this Spring. Copy/pasted from a press release by Michael Szuberla at Toledo GROWs: “The resulting benefits to participating youth, their families, the neighborhood and greater community will include: reduced gang-related activity, the teaching of job skills, neighborhood beautification, increased availability of fresh produce, and an increase in earth stewardship values.”

The Greenhouse Project is located behind Connecting Point (1212 Cherry St.) along Lagrange Street, between Seneca and Onedia Streets.

For more information about Toledo GROWs visit their site, here.

Last month the Toledo chapter of the AIGA held a design charrette benefiting a local non-profit, MLK Kitchen for the Poor. Approximately twenty graphic design professionals gathered to create a new visual identity with accompanying print materials and website in a one-day design marathon. Everyone split into specialized groups.

Some groups focused on brand identity, while others covered copywriting, stationary and business cards, and a the rest focused on a web presence that allowed for the ease of accepting donations online. It was great to see professionals from several agencies in town gathering together for a common cause, and it’s a testament that the notion of “too many cooks in the kitchen” is not always relevant. An updated branding with supporting materials concepted and implemented in one day! Printing was donated by Homewood Press of Toledo. Amazing work… and kudos to all the participants who volunteered their time on a Saturday afternoon.

Here is the press release for the charrette.

And here is the website the AIGA produced for MLK Kitchen for the Poor.

AIGA, the professional association for design, is the place design professionals turn to first to exchange ideas and information, participate in critical analysis and research and advance education and ethical practice.

Sunday afternoon was much like today: dreary, damp and cold. But inside the Buckminster Fuller dome at The 577 Foundation it was warm, colorful and full of life.

We had signed up for a gardening class–which was very well attended. The woman leading the class mentioned an increased demand for vegetable gardening classes due to the economy. It was a helpful session with many of our questions answered, including answers to questions I wouldn’t have conceived on my own. We are hoping to improve upon our gardening efforts of last year.

After the class we wandered about the grounds a little. Oh, how I wish the Old West End Historic Board would allow us to build a dome like this in our yard. It was a welcome respite from the cold, wet weather.

577 Foundation | 577 East Front St. in Perrysburg | (419) 874-4174