This Week
Friday
8th Annual Akron Wine Opener — 7 p.m. at the Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St. Wine tasting stations, music, silent auction, and wine “cellar” raffle. $65, $110 VIP tickets include a 6 p.m. pre-event wine tasting. Proceeds benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. To reserve tickets, call 216-475-2873 or go to http://northernoh.cff.org/akronwine.
Saturday
Victim Assistance Program Annual Mardi Gras Gala — 6 p.m. at Todaro’s Party Center, 1820 Akron-Peninsula Road, Akron. Open bar, dinner, band, dancing, auctions and more. $95 per person. For reservations, call 330-376-0040, ext. 201 or go to www.victimsassistanceprogram.org.
McKinley Presidential Library & Museum Inaugural Ball — at the University Center at Kent State Stark, 6000 Frank Ave. NW, Jackson Township. Area look-alikes will be asked to dress as former presidents and first ladies. www.mckinleymuseum.org.
Volunteers
AseraCare Hospice — Is looking for volunteers to help in the Akron/Cleveland areas. Volunteers provide support to terminally ill patients and their family members. Online and individualized training is provided. To find out more, contact Jefferey Palmer, AseraCare Hospice volunteer coordinator, 866-894-1933 or email jefferey.palmer@aseracare.com.
Hospice of the Western Reserve — Is holding volunteer training classes from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 9 and 16 at the Hospice of the Western Reserve, 150 Springside Drive, Suite A-100, Fairlawn. To register and for more information, call Mary McGowan at 800-707-8922, ext. 6881, or go to www.hospicewr.org/volunteer.
Compassionate Care Hospice — The Akron office is accepting applications for its next training class for Hospice Volunteers. Volunteers can be friendly visitors, run errands or provide respite for patients in their homes. Compassionate Care is also recruiting volunteers for its Pet Visitation Program. For more information, contact the volunteer coordinator at 330-666-5242.
Big Brothers & Sisters of Portage County — Is seeking adults who want to make a difference in a child’s life. Volunteers are asked to spend 12 hours a month with a little brother or little sister doing things they both enjoy. 330-296-6655, www.bbsportage.com.
Plan Ahead
6th Annual Art and Ale — 6-9 p.m. March 8 at the Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St. An evening offering guests the opportunity to drink beers from Ohio brew makers and eat food from regional food purveyors. Tickets are $50, $40 for members. All tickets are $50 at the door. For tickets and information, call 330-376-9185 or go to www.akronartmuseum.org.
Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital Association 7th Annual Black Tie Gala “A Parisian Soiree” — 6 p.m. March 9 at the Galaxy Restaurant, 201 Park Center Drive, Wadsworth. Featuring hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, fine wines, and dinner. Music will be performed by Redlines. Tickets are $125 per person or $250 per couple. For more information, call Erin Dickey at 330-331-1168 or email edickey@wrhhs.org.
Women’s Endowment Fund’s “For Women, Forever” Annual Dinner — 5:30 p.m. March 13 at Quaker Square Center, 135 S. Broadway, Akron. Fawn Germer, author, journalist and leadership speaker, will present the keynote address. Tickets start at $75 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 330-376-8522 or go to www.regonline.com/forwomenforever.
Portage Lakes Girls Fastpitch Softball (PLGFS) Casino Bus Trip Fundraiser — March 16 to the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh. Bus will depart and return to Coventry Township where parking will be available. Tickets are $35. For tickets or more information, call Julie Petrie at 330-786-7092 or Chastity Swain at 330-687-6405.
Send information about social and charity events to The Scene, c/o Lynne Sherwin, Features Department, Akron Beacon Journal, P.O. Box 640, Akron, OH 44309. Or email lsherwin@thebeaconjournal.com with ‘‘The Scene’’ in the subject line. Event notices should be sent at least two weeks in advance. Merits of all organizations have not been investigated by the Beacon Journal, so potential donors should verify the worthiness of a cause before committing.