Discover the Cosmos Sparkles in Spite of Showers

In spite of early evening showers, the stars were shining on Saturday night at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center. Our 20th Annual Benefit  invited guests to Discover the Cosmos and more than 300 guests did just that, greeted with sparkling out-of-this-world décor, an astronaut photo favor station and their first signature Cosmo of the night inside the Center’s planetarium.

Guests dined on an amazing array of heavy tapas from around the world by Constantino’s Market and desserts from a host of local bakeries and eateries: Delightful Bites, Fragapane, Great Scott’s, Java Bay, Kathy’s Kolacke Shop, Lucy’s Sweet Surrender, Mojo’s, Nature’s Bin, Seballos and Sweet Melissa’s. A stellar silent auction and the cool, cosmic sounds of live music trio Bob Blankenburg, David Bruns and Tom Demis rounded out the entertainment.

Benefit Committee Amanda DiBenedetto, Corryn Firis,
Marianna Orro (Co-chair), Chris Herbruck & Alison Muth (Co-chair)

Discover the Cosmos!, our nonprofit Center’s biggest fundraising event of the year, was co-chaired by Alison Muth and Marianna Orro, with committee support from Amanda DiBenedetto, Corryn Firis and Christopher Herbruck. DiBenedetto was the force behind the decorations that included silver candlelit trees adorned with crystal ornaments and thousands of twinkle lights inside and out. She also pulled together artists of all ages to interpret our Solar System in a variety of media, with 20% of the sales benefiting the Center. Firis headed up a live auction that featured more than 85 exciting packages from great getaways and sports tickets to spa treatments and an archaeological dig. Herbruck led the Board’s goal-topping underwriting efforts.

Partygoers also participated in raffles to win two Continental Airlines round trip tickets, Sterling silver Chamilia charm bracelet from Charles S. Rivchun and Sons, a “Wild for Nature” quilt handmade by Dale Pizer Williams and Viva Pizer, plus two wheelbarrows full of beer, wine and spirits donated by Center staff and Board.

The evening raises funds to support AND focuses attention on the mission of the Center -- the planetarium, live wildlife and nature and science educational programs --and is all made possible through the generosity of invidividuals and businesses who give time and financial support.

Thanks to everyone!! Check out our Facebook album for 38 additional photos of the event.

Discover Party Ready to Roll

The weather looks great for tomorrow night (clouds and sun with a high of 70 degrees!) The auction donations have rolled in with incredible new items and more packages than ever before. The decorations committee will be transforming the Center into a backyard oasis later today. If you still want to come, get your reservations in today because it will cost you $15 more per person at the door. Get late details on our Discover Annual Benefit here. See you tomorrow night!

Thank You for Supporting Survivor Mexico!

We're still totaling up the numbers, but by every measure so far, this year's Survivor Mexico Annual Benefit was a smashing success! Pictures from our South-of-the-border party and auction are posted here as well as in this week's WestLife and West Shore Sun newspapers. Check out even more photos in the Sun's online party photo album. Look for additional coverage in upcoming issues of West Shore Magazine and Currents. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the event, especially our Co-Chairs, Martha West, Marianna Orro and Alyssa Kamm, pictured with the mariachi trio and all of our generous donors and underwriters!

Florida Luxury Resort Week, Tribe Suite, Diamonds, Browns Tix Up for Grabs At Benefit

Preparations for our fiesta-themed annual benefit are heading into the homestretch and the growing collection of "el mercado" auction items is stunning this year! A week at the beautiful Saddlebrook Golf & Tennis Luxury Resort in Tampa, Florida and tickets to the November 30 Cleveland Browns Games against Indianapolis are the most recent additions to the exciting list. You can check out all the details for a few of the items on our website, but keep in mind there is much, much more that we can't fit on the web page, including salon spa packages, restaurant certificates and birthday party packages.
Silent Auction items will be out for preview in the week leading up to the event, but your best chance to put in the winning bid is to be there! Make your reservations now using our online donation form (scroll down to Annual Benefit Reservations. Tickets are $50 each or $300 for Event Patron status which includes 4 tickets.)

A few other choice items up for bid:
Cleveland Indians Luxury Suite
Cleveland Cavaliers Court Level Seats
Pittsburgh Getaway including Pirates tickets & family membership to the Carnegie Museums Vivid Diamonds and Designs $500 certificate
Walt Disney Park Hopper passes
Sarah Brightman Concert Tickets
Fly fishing trip for two (2) at Sunnybrook Trout Club near Sandusky.

See you September 13!

Silent Auction Needs You!

It's still four months away, but we're receiving some great donations for our Annual Benefit & Silent Auction! Planning is well underway now for our Survivor Mexico–themed party and auction, which will take place on September 13. (Save the date! You’re invited to the fiesta!)

We also invite you to use your talents, your hobbies, your business, your connections to support our non-profit work. Make a unique gift to our 2008 Silent Auction. Here are some ideas:

Event or Season Ticket Holder? – Donate a set of tickets to a concert, play, Cleveland Browns, etc.
Vacation Club member or Timeshare owner? – Donate your week and write off as a tax deduction
Fishing Club or Country Club member? – Donate a day fishing at the club, or a round of golf
Artist or make jewelry? – Donate one of your fine works of art
In business? – Donate your services: tax preparation, landscaping (fall clean-up), dental services (teeth whitening), or dinner prepared by a chef.

Use your imagination! We’re open to new ideas.

If your talent is shopping, you can help our classroom parents build fun theme baskets. Please consider picking up an item or two now to donate to one of the following children's basket themes:

Crazy for Critters: Look for toys, games, art kits, books and other items with a wild animal theme. Who doesn’t love creatures?

Princess: Think pink! This basket will be 100% girly girl. Possibilities include dress-up items and playthings a princess would enjoy. We did this a few years ago and it was a popular with bidders.

Creepy Crawlies: Toy insects, spiders & snakes, butterfly net, magnifying glass, bug jar, books and other toys.

Donations can be dropped off at the front desk. Items will be auctioned at our event and donors will receive recognition in our event program guide. Give Barb Caskey a ring at (440) 871-2900 ext 207 or email barbc@lensc.org with questions.

Survivor Party Highlights

Thanks to all our supporters who made last night's Survivor Africa benefit and auction a huge success. Special kudos go out to the fabulous foursome who co-chaired our event, pictured at right, from left to right, Martha West, Marianna Orro, Alyssa Kamm (holding baby 'giraffe') and Helen Hoke. Attendance was up over last year by some 40% and the auction items were more plentiful and amazing! More than 50 volunteers also gave their time to help create a great time for our safari party guests. Thanks again to everyone and save the date for next year-- September 13th! (More party pics posted by our friends at Plugged In Cleveland.)

Countdown to Survivor Africa!

With the Indians looking more and more like they'll be playoff bound, a 2008 game in a Jacobs Field luxery suite, complete with food (value:$2,600+) has been added to our huge and incredible list of silent auction items for this year's annual benefit. With less than a week to go until our Survivor Africa party, our RSVP head-count is ahead of last year's and it's not too late to add your name to the reservation list! The benefit committee continues to add fun details to evening, like a tasty fruit cream liqueur from South Africa, served up in chocolate cups.
When you look at the mouth-watering menu from Arrabiata's, starting with tasty appetizers and ending with dessert, consider the addition of a signature vodka drink to the bar menu of beer and wine, and add in the live music by Oasis, bonfire, treasure hunt and more... this has to be the best party deal in Northeast Ohio at only $50 per person! Remember though, if you wait 'til the night of the event, you'll pay $65, so call or stop by the Center and get your reservations in this week! See you Saturday night!

Icing On the Party Cake

The list of silent auction items for our September 15 benefit is growing and includes some exciting additions. A pair of exclusive floor seats to ‘witness’ the Cleveland Cavaliers play will be on the auction block, along with a Cessna flight lesson, a hot air balloon ride, 4 rounds of golf, ski rentals & lift tickets, and 2 fishing expeditions. Who wouldn’t want to have their home professionally cleaned, laugh it up at a comedy club or indulge in the full spa treatment from massage to make-up? Sports memorabilia and a cool, back-door Zoo tour are also on the long and expanding auction list.

Of course, it's not the "stuff" that really makes the night. Our annual benefit is a fun way for nature lovers to support Lake Erie Nature & Science Center's unique non-profit mission. Gathering around the bonfire, connecting with old and new friends, sharing a drink, a great meal and a dance or two ... those will be the highlights of the evening! On the other hand, if you happen to be the one to win the round-trip, Continental airfare for two or to score those floor seats to the see the Cavs play.... well... that would be icing on the cake, wouldn't it?

Save the Date!

September 15. Circle it on your calendar! You don't want to miss the Survivor Africa benefit bash at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center. Come hungry! Arrabiata's will supply the mouth watering menu. You won't go thirsty either! Beer, wine and a signiture drink will be offered at our open bar. Got your dancin' shoes ready? Oasis will be rockin' the house! Get set to bid higher! Our live auction will feature some must-have items for sports fans, art afficianados, gourmet food lovers and more! Need a vacation? Make sure you buy lots of raffle tickets for 2 round-trip Continental Airlines tickets! What to wear? Start thinking about your safari attire (there'll be a prize for the best!) All this for just $50 a ticket and you're helping support the great, non-profit work at the Center. Come by or call us today at 440-871-2900.