Kentucky Derby Day Event THIS Saturday

I wanted to let you all know that OYFP will be hosting a Kentucky Derby Day Event THIS Saturday at GLOBE. Not only is it completely fun to dress up and wear amazingly big hats, but you can win prizes as well. In typical OYFP fashion, ALL of your money will be benefiting Friday Night Supper Program. Who doesn't want to have fun and support and support Boston's homeless population as well.

Price of ticket includes:

• A Mint Julep drink
• Tea Sandwiches
• Chance to win several different prizes

We even have a photographer coming to take pictures of you and your Derby Day Flair! So come on out and support a good cause with OYFP!

Cocktails 101

Does this scene sound familiar with you?

You are heading out after work with a few friends to a new bar you haven't been to before. The waiter hands you a list of the drinks offered at this bar and you haven't heard of any of them previously. Your friends look at the menu and know exactly what they are going to get in seconds. You, on the other hand don't know what drink you prefer as you look through the short novel of all the drinks they can create for you. You don't want to be lame and ask the waiter/bartender what exactly is in each of the drinks, but you aren't sure which ones you will like. The waiter comes back and takes everyone's orders, and when it comes to you, you try the first one on the list. Several minutes pass, and the waiter comes back with all of your drinks. You take a sip of your drink, and you don't like it, you try your friends drink and love it. If only you knew what drinks were what.

If that scene sounds familiar have we got an event for you! Cocktails 101, where you can learn from the Boston Shaker how to make a Martinez, French 75 among others. Enjoy Cocktail Samples and amazing appetizers from Mantra while your at it!

PLUS ALL PROCEEDS will go to the West End House which offers life-shaping opportunities to more than 1,000 youth representing 40 countries. Learning and doing something good for you community, all in one!

Details:

Where: Mantra, 52 Temple Street

When: June 18th, 6-9pm

Benefitting: West End House

Cost: $20 in advance, $25 at the door

Sponsors: Mantra, Boston Shaker, Berkshire Mountain Distillers, Preiss Imports and Vin Divino,.

Related Posts: 80's Game Night, I love Pasta, Spirit of Service

Opinions Please!

Survey time... it should take you less than 1 minute. Who doesn't have 1 minute to spare?

This summer, OYFP Boston hope to hold a sequence of panels that address interesting issues impacting our communities and provide information on how to become involved in addressing them. Completing this survey will help OYFP achieve that goal.

CLICK HERE.

or here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=RGONqLRiul6EQwLI_2bSZfqw_3d_3d

Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions about OYFP’s Speaker Series.

While it's nice-try volunteering outside

Ah the weather I have been waiting for all week long is finally here.  Sun glorious sun, open-toed shoes, warm weather, ahhhhhh.   From what I here this weekend is going to be even warmer!  Nothing to do this weekend?  Sure you can just lay there and soak up the rays, but why not be active and help a great cause at the same time?  OYFP is teaming up with Boston Cares for their annual event Dash for a Differnence.  Think Amazing Race-volunteer style.   

Teams of two-five will participate in brief volunteer tasks at community agencies, with a healthy dose of fun and informative quests in between. All teams will be invited to celebrate the day’s successes with snacks and beer at their final stop – the Samuel Adams Celebration of Service in downtown Boston

You can still register your team too, http://www.firstgiving.com/dash2009  

If you still have Questions you can always contact Rachel Ratner, rratner@bostoncares.org or 617.422.0910 x203

The Details 

Date: Saturday, April 25th 

Time: 9 am - 2 pm 

Location: Various Boston Neighborhoods 

Partner: Boston Cares 

Related Posts: Too busy to volunteer? Happy Hour Benefit for Friday Night Supper, 

Picture of:   Dash for Difference logo

80s Game Night - April 7

If you have always dreamed of living in the 80s (minus the blatent coke consumption and over-use of hairspray), Tuesday night is your chance.

Join OYFP and the Italian Home for Children for a night of fun and games (literally)! We'll be having Connect-4 and foos-ball tournaments, so you had better bring your A game.

On the other hand, if you bring a new or slightly used game instead of your A game (or in addition to), your entrance fee of $5 to $7 will be waived, since OYFP is all about helping the children. All donated games are going to the Italian Home after we're done playing with them. And yes, the Italian Home is quite a worthy organization. It provides schooling and care for children of all ethnicities who have nowhere else to turn.

Don't forget to put on your best approximation of 80s styles! I've included a photo of the always stylin' Designing Women for some inspiration.

See you there!

Event Details
Date: Tuesday, April 7th
Time: 7 pm
Location: Our House West
1277 Commonwealth Ave
Allston, MA 02134
(617) 782-3228
Partner: Italian Home for Children
Cost: $5 Online $7 Door
Info: http://oyfp.org/BOS/events/view/171/

Related Posts: Volunteering at Lunch; Read about Fred; Volunteering: Sara's Experience; "Stay-cation" in Boston

I Love Pasta

A few things I learned at our Intro to Pasta Making class at Dave’s Fresh Pasta:

• Pasta dough needs proper kneading and resting, just like bread dough.
• Sweet potato is tasty as a ravioli filling (though when isn’t it?).
• I would never have thought about lemon pasta, but it is delicious (as I’m sure it is served, as Dave suggests, with chicken or fish).
• Fresh pasta only takes a few minutes to cook and can be frozen until ready to use.
• Dave’s Fresh Pasta is amazing!

Intro to Pasta Making Class this Tuesday

If you’re like me, the closest you’ve come to making fresh pasta is boiling the tortellini you buy at the supermarket. Despite my experience in the kitchen, stuffed pasta has always seemed intimidating and something best left to the professionals, but this doesn’t have to be the case.

If you’re looking for a new culinary adventure or just to hang out with fellow foodies while supporting a good cause, join us this Tuesday, March 24th from 6:30-9:00pm at Dave’s Fresh Pasta in Davis Square for Intro to Pasta Making: A pasta creating class benefiting the Italian Home for Children. The Italian Home for Children is a residential and day treatment facility for emotionally disturbed children of all races, nationalities and religions.

Tickets are $50 and include a pasta making class with Dave himself, after which you can taste your fresh pasta creations paired with samples of Dave’s wines.

So come cook, eat, and drink with us and hurry, there are only two tickets left!

Spirit of Service is Hiding Something

OK, so your time has freed up a bit because things are slow at work and your getting a little nervous that your job might not be there tomorrow.

Experts say the leading cause of depression and anxiety during this recession is lack of meaning. People who's schedules were jam packed now have free time and are contemplating (while procrastinating and worrying) how they should spend it. We have an answer that is both meaningful and productive...

Volunteer, serve on boards, network, make friends, get off the couch, go out for a drink after work, try a new restaurant.... you see where I'm going with this.

Come tonight to Spirit of Service from 6-9pm at M.J. O'Connor's by the Park Plaza Hotel.

Mingle with others like yourself looking to volunteer, eat, drink, and visit the tables of over 30 nonprofit organizations. Stop in or stay the whole 3 hours; bring your resume or leave it at home; wear your dancing shoes, a suit, your workout clothes --- just come!

All of the organization you see in the picture above (along with some others that will be floating around) will have volunteering opportunities in the Boston area. Some will also be looking for people to serve on their board. I'm sure at least one of these organizations will inspire you.

Too busy to volunteer?

I had the opportunity to speak to a few people at our Strikes For Shelter event on their thoughts about volunteering; what had brought them to the event, why they volunteered, or conversely (and maybe more importantly), what kept them from volunteering.

It's no surprise that volunteering in Boston isn't the strongest--new data shows that fact. So what is it that keeps people away?

Time. That's the most common lament, that we simply don't have enough time. Certainly, work, school, significant others, friends, etc. all take legitimate time from our schedule and we can't and don't want to give those things up. As one person said, "I don't have the time, but I'll make the time [for things I shouldn't be doing]." And I'm guilty as the next person in making some things priorities that probably shouldn't be--do I really need to catch the season of Top Chef? Do I really care about that obscure college basketball game? Even one opportunity I recently learned about would be a great way to start the weekend before meeting up with friends on a Friday night.

Passion. Sometimes not having an issue to rally around keeps people at bay. Truthfully, if you really want to participate in something, the barriers don't seem as big. But not being focused on one issue can also be an asset in volunteering. There are so many organizations that need help and are looking for it, so if you don't have one issue you really care about, take the opportunity to involve yourself in a broad swath of nonprofits--from tutoring students to spending time with senior citizens. Some organizations look for a long term commitment, but not all. And who knows, maybe you will find that cause that really gets you going.

Opportunities. And sometimes you have the time, and you have the desire, but volunteering still doesn't happen. For me, I've struggled finding chances to get involved even though I've made time and knew what I wanted to get involved in. There are resources however (these are just a sampling): Boston Cares is a nonprofit which coordinates willing volunteers with an assortment of projects across Boston. Idealist.org is also another resource with a ton of information and opportunities from across the nation. And of course, OYFP can be a resource to you as well: Coming up on March 5, a number of organizations will get together to network and discuss their volunteer opportunities at the Spirit of Service event. But don't forget about your friends--and don't assume that because they don't talk about volunteering, they aren't doing it. Ask around--see what people are doing and tag along. And if your immediate circle of friends isn't actively involved, ask friends of friends, people at work, and family. Chances are you'll come into contact with someone who volunteers and they will be an excellent resource for opportunities you can become a part of.

So, that's enough from me. But what about you? Are you volunteering? If so, what's gotten you involved, and what's keeping you there? And if not, what's stopping you? Is it one of the three reasons above, or is it something else? Either way, let us know by leaving a comment--we'd like to hear from you.

Have a nice weekend!

Strikes for Shelter - Bowling Event Tomorrow

I'm willing to bet it's been a good long while since you picked up a bowling ball and chucked it down the aisle...

I'm also willing to bet that in this cold Boston slump time we call winter, you've been brainstorming unique ways to get out of your house and keep your heart pumping until we see a little heat in these parts...

So, meet us at the Milky Way - a hip candle pin bowling alley in Jamaica Plain that's paired up with the tasty Bella Luna where I had a amazing Insalata di Amour not too long ago.

We'll be there 6:30-9pm this Thurs (feb.19th). Tickets are $20 and includes pizza, bowling, and shoes. Beverages will, of course, be available for purchase.

A little FYI, parking is free after 5 in the HiLo parking lot next door and taking the T to JP is not as daunting as you might think. I live out off the green line and have ventured to JP a number of times safely and easily and had a blast.

Some last tidbits:
A) This event will benefit Christopher's Haven, a place for children to live during cancer treatment.
2) The legendary Milky Way is actually moving after March. You're running out of time to get in before they move!

OYFP Works.

People volunteer for many reasons, sometimes it is to make connections, or to give back, or to learn new skills, or sometimes its just to meet new people.

I volunteer because I'm selfish.

I give my time, talents and treasures because I want better, a better community and a better neighbor.

I'm concerned with my own welfare and just as a rising tide lifts all boats, lending a hammer or an hand leads to a better community.

Its not always easy to volunteer, all too often its hard work. This is one thing we're trying to change with the Spirit of Service event on March 5.

Tonight, I'm walking the walk, I'm pitching in at Friday Night Suppers. I'll let you know how it goes.

About the picture: Built in 1897 on Boston Common, the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial depicts Colonel Shaw on horseback leading the Massachusetts 54th Regiment, the first all-volunteer black regiment in the Union army organized in a Northern state. The story of the 54th Massachusetts was made into the 1989 feature film, Glory, starring Morgan Freedman, Denzel Washington and Matthew Broderick. From: discoverblackheritage.com

An Interview with a Real Live Winner

Tuesday night's Networking Night with BostonCares and OYFP was quite a success, despite the everlasting gosh danged snow. We raised a significant sum of money (well, at least I think it was significant, I haven't yet seen the totals), thanks in large part to the Brownstone bar's and all our attendees' generosity.

Two of those attendees were rewarded handsomely for their generosity, winning the raffle price of the evening. I sat down with one to get her thoughts on the big win.

Hi Raffle Winner #2, what's your name?
Berkley, like the street except without the extra "e"

And what did you win in the raffle?
I won a free loaf of Panera bread each month for 2009!

Have you ever won a prize like that before?
Not exactly...I won a hefty gift certificate to a cool restaurant at an OYFP event a few years ago, but never a food of the month prize that keeps on giving!

What is the coolest thing you have ever won?
in 1995 I won 'front row' tickets to the River Rave concert at what was then known as 'Great Woods'...turned out they were 26th row, but still pretty awesome.

But not as cool as a loaf a bread a month and knowing that your money all went to Friday Night Suppers, right?
Of course not.

How are you planning on consuming your raffle prize?
Between a snack last night, toast for breakfast, and a hunk with soup for lunch today I am doing my best to eat the loaf I went home with! I am on a new mission to throw away ZERO food in 2009 (one day at a time) so any bread that I don't eat before it gets stale I will turn into breadcrumbs. I already have a mental list of all the Panera bread varieties I want to try.

That is a really great resolution. Not only will you save money by not throwing food away, but you'll also help our dear Mother Earth since resources won't be wasted just to go into a dump.
Yep. That's the idea.

What brought you to the BostonCares/OYFP Networking event tonight?
You, Casey :) also the promise of meeting new people and drinking a few beers to help a good cause.

Had you heard of Friday Night Supper previously?
I had not, but I want our group of friends to plan a night to volunteer (let's talk later).

Have you been to other OYFP or BostonCares events previously?
I have been to other OYFP events both social gatherings and volunteer events, but not BostonCares. Now I'm on their mailing list too, so I will probably attend more.

What are your thoughts on volunteering?
I really enjoy volunteering. In high school I was really active in that realm through my church, but I have found it difficult in adulthood to find opportunities that don't require full time commitment but allow you to feel like you are being helpful. I have recently inquired about volunteering at the Healthworks Foundation gym, hopefully they'll be able to use me once a week or so after work.

Anything else you would like to share with us?
I think most of us, especially if you are reading this blog, want to do more to 'help'. But sometimes it's hard to actually get involved. I think you should organize your friends, call up a homeless shelter and all go cook and serve dinner. It's an easy occasional commitment and you can really be helpful. There are obviously MANY other ways, but something like that is a good way to involved without a ton of commitment.

Thanks for your time, Berkley! (And I'll see you Sunday for our potluck.)

Related Posts: Happy Hour Benefit for Friday Night Supper; Find local food locally; CSAs Rock; Volunteering: Sara's Experience; Helping with a mullet; Helping a little old lady
Photo of Berkley courtesy of me, because I have known Berkley for almost 9 years. The photo of Friday Night Supper people came from the Friday Night Supper non-profit website.

Spirit of Service

Please join the free Spirit of Service networking event on Thursday, March 5th at MJ O'Connor's, next to the Boston Park Plaza Hotel.

At this free networking event ORGANIZATIONS will:
- promote their cause and upcoming volunteer opportunities.
- vet young professionals for their advisory board and various committees.
- join, encourage, and promote an era of responsibility.

At this free networking event INDIVIDUALS will:
- discover opportunities for community involvement in Boston.
- meet other individuals of integrity and selflessness who embody the Spirit of Service.
- learn what it's like to join executive boards, advisory boards & young professional committees.
- join, encourage, and promote an era of responsibility.

This Spirit of Service event is an opportunity to make a commitment to our communities, an opportunity to get engaged, and an opportunity to help solve our most critical problems.

Volunteering on Martin Luther King Day

Ok, so I chose to spend my day off not volunteering. Well, except for my normal volunteer work, which is stuff like running OYFP with Krystle and writing blog entries.

However, many OYFP executive board members (the givers that they are) have chosen to volunteer this weekend. John R is engaging in a little construction work at the Margaret Fuller House, Evan is participating in one of a mulitude of activities around Boston, and still others are spending time with kids. I suppose I'm doing my own part, what with my OYFP work and the pile of stuff from my "winter cleaning" that I'm setting aside to donate to a local group.

If you do have to work today or are intimidated by the snow, you can still give back without moving your little finger. You will have to move your index finger, however, to text "SHARE" to 20222 on your mobile device to donate $5. AT&T will match all text donations up to $100,000. Help Strength.org meet this challenge grant!

Strength.org also wants people to organize food drives in their community to help those who are going hungry right now. They're trying to end hunger --- especially hungry and malnourished kids --- and need your help. Find out more on the "End Hunger" Strength website.

You too can help! Really!

Related Posts: Yes We Can make it a day on; Looking forward to a day ON; Food Banks in Massachusetts; Helping with a mullet; Helping a little old lady

Fashion, Fun, and For a Cause

I have only one word to say about Christopher's Catwalk, FIERCE! I think we really out did ourselves with this one and I couldn't be more proud to be a member of On Your Feet Project!

After you entered the door you knew you were in for a treat. You heard he jammin' grooves of DJ Justin Fishlin which made you want to shake your thang. As you perused the scene you saw all the chic donated items for auction and raffle prizes. Seriously, who wouldn't want a sock monkey for their very own?

When you were done perusing all that OYFP had to offer you were called to the stage as the fashion show began. Jami Hollingshead started us off with some astounding vocals. She was so on key that if I didn't see it with my own eyes I would think that this was a record being played by the DJ!

Then the show started with The Velvet Fly, and the dresses were gorgeous! I am such a fan of vintage clothing so I will be sure to check out the store over on Hanover street! After the Velvet Fly, Bless By Bless Couture came on with their fashion inspired by hope, faith and love. The designs were very hot; hoodies with boy shorts, need I say more?

Next up for the runway was Oak, with handmade clothes from her Gloucester St shop. I am definitely going to have to take a road trip over there soon to get me an original outfit or two! Rounding out the show was Rick Walker's, Rock'n'Roll Cowboy attire. Cowboy boots are in right now so make sure you pop on over to Newbury street and check them out.

A big thank you to James Joseph Studio on Newbury Street for making the models' hair look Fab-u-lous and who were also kind enough to donate raffle prizes as well. Big-ups to the models, make-up artists, and photographers, as the event could not have been possible without each of their individual help.

What really touched me about the whole event is how cancer has affected so many people around us. I was taking with one of the make-up artists and she was telling me about her mom's bout with cancer and that is why she donated her time and talent to help such a worthy cause.

We may not be able to come up with the cure for cancer but we can come together as a community and show those who are currently dealing with cancer that we are here for them in their time of need. This is why we put on these great social benefit events, to show the community we care and can make a difference in someone's life today.

On behalf of OYFP I would like to thank all that donated their time, talent, and effort to make this event a huge success for everyone involved.

To see more photos of Christopher's Catwalk, click here!

Related posts: Christian - A Christopher's Haven Kid, Children Get Cancer, but you can help!, Top Ten Reasons to Go Out Thursday Night

Christian - A Christopher's Haven Kid

We don't have a recap of last night's events... yet. Hey, some of us didn't get home until 1 or 2 AM, so give us a break!

However, in the mean time we would like to share the story of Christian Meyer, one of the little boys with a brain tumor who received treatment at MGH before he died, and whose family received support from Christopher's Haven. In fact, the "best day of [Christian's] life" (as proclaimed by Christian) was the day he got to sit in the Red Sox dugout with Kevin Youkilis, whose foundation supports Christopher's Haven.

So - know that your donations last night are going to a really great foundation that will help other kids like Christian and their families while they're going through treatment, and what may be a battle for their lives.

Bowen Community Buries a "Shining Light"

Seven-year-old Christian Meyer walked out of Bowen School and looked up at a large concrete truck parked out front.

The little, blond boy grinned widely as his picture stared back down at him.

He pushed his walker to the front of a crowd of classmates who had gathered at the foot of the large machine, walking with an ease and flexibility matched only in those who had mastered their handicap.

Perched above the wheel of the truck, Christian fielded questions from the other elementary school students, much like he was conducting a press conference, his dad said later.

Christian, who was battling a tumor that kept resurfacing on his brain, knew he didn’t have much time left with his classmates. But he spoke with a sense of optimism and lightheartedness as he shared what he knew about his terminal cancer and why his picture was on the side of the truck above the words “Orphan Cancers.”

“He made everyone feel comfortable,” said his father, Doug Meyer. “And he always knew the right thing to say to put people at ease.”

Christian never made it to the second grade. He passed away at his home on Oct. 27, one month after his eighth birthday [Read More].

To read the rest of the article, please visit the Wicked Local Newton site.
Chrissie Long (author of this original article) can be reached at clong@cnc.com.

_________________________________________________________________________

To contribute to the Meyer Family Trust, send a check to c/o John Talvacchia Eckert, Seamans LLC, One International Place Boston, MA 02110 or — in honor of Christian Daniel Meyer — to c/o Massachusetts General Hospital, Pediatric Brain Tumor Fund, 165 Cambridge St., Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114.

Read the paper!

This is Casey's mom blogging at the OYFP event at Parris - the bar above Ned Devine's at Fanuel Hall. It was hard to find because I didn't know where I was going because I'm not that hip.

When I saw the great photo for this event in the G section of the Globe at 7 am as I turned towards the Bridge column, I immediately called Casey. Conveniently, her phone number was listed in the event description.

In acting before thinking, I realized that it was only 7 am, which explained why Casey sounded like she had just woken up.

"My alarm was about to go off," Casey said, I think to make me feel better.

I wanted her to see the article in the Globe.

I wanted her to buy a copy of the Globe.

I want every 20-something to buy the Globe regularly if they want the Globe to continue as a brand.

But 20-somethings don't buy newspapers, much less have time to read them. When you do, it's online, for free.

The first newspaper was started in Germany in the 1500s to report on how the government was spending tax revenue and if it was going to raise taxes! We need journalism as the fourth branch of government, to comment on our policy makers, to inform, to educate, to entertain.

The Internet is killing journalism. Newspapers used to make a killing on classifieds. It was the only way to buy and sell things and post and find jobs. Now we can do it more efficiently online.

Should newspapers go the way of General Motors, which was once the biggest company in the world? I think GM considered itself invincible and had license to build inane vehicles like the Hummer. Now they're in trouble and I have no sympathy.

Are newspapers in the same trouble? For centuries, newspapers have been the paper of record. We have relied on them as institutions to provide balanced information and commentary on our society.

--Casey's mom, a former journalist

Well, what do you think? Are newspapers in trouble? Some are certainly trying to re-invent themselves with an online presence... but are having limited success. Remember BostonNOW? Yeah... it's gone. Not because it wasn't profitable, but because the corporate parent decided it was a risk they couldn't take. So. Are newspapers going the way of the typewriter - gone, but not forgotten?

-- Casey

Related Posts: BostonNOW is no more; More News about News; Boston Globe and OYFP; We're good enough for.. (1) and (2)

Read Casey's Mom's blog about living the green life, and the mysteries of chickens at Cluck-Cluck-Here.blogspot.com.

We're good enough for... (2)

We're good enough for... the Boston Globe's trendy new "G" section.... are we good enough for you?

From top left: OYFP's John R and fashion show director Adrienne P; photo of the event in the Boston Globe's G Section.
Bottom: Catie F, one of tonight's models, holding the Boston Globe Section G.

Casey's talking about the OYFP Fashion Show Christopher's Catwalk, tonight Nov 13 from 8 PM to 11 PM. Tickets are just $20 online or $25 at the door, all proceeds go to Christopher's Haven. Online ticket sales close today at 4 PM.

Still on the fence? Read Casey's Top Ten Reasons To Go Out Thursday Night.

We're good enough for.... (1)

We're good enough for... the Boston Herald Style Calendar to pun about... are we good enough for you?
Here's a big shout-out to all the Boston area blogs and beyond who have posted about our event:

- Beantown Bloggery "Your guide to anything and everything Boston"
- New Brahmin, which "creates a much-needed home for fashion, style and shopping news in the Boston area"
- JQ Lounge, a local Boston babe's blog
- Boston Fashion, your source for all things fashion-related
- BostonCondoLoft.com, with information about Boston condos, lofts, and more
- PunkyStyle.com, the writer of which is "the girl who always knows what to wear and how to wear it"
- Bostonista, who is "23, Model Junkie, Fashion Obsessed"
- NEW: What's Up 2 Night, where you can learn about all kinds of goings on in Boston

Thank you ever so much for supporting your fellow Boston bloggers and charities.

See you Thursday night!!!

Casey's talking about the OYFP Fashion Show Christopher's Catwalk, Nov 13 from 8 PM to 11 PM. Tickets are just $20, all proceeds go to Christopher's Haven.

Related Posts: We're good enough for... (2); Children get cancer

Top Ten Reasons to Go Out Thursday Night

1. You have a chance to help kids with cancer and have fun. Contrary to popular belief, the two are not mutually exclusive.

2. No one likes a couch potato, even in french fry form. Get your butt off the couch already! Just because it's getting chilly out doesn't mean you should become a shut-in.

3. The fashions being shown range the gamut from some hawt booty shorts to classic vintage designs and trendy cowboy boots. There's a little something for everyone, including the males in the group.

4. There will be music that you'll want to move to. DJ Justin will be spinning, and we'll also have a lovely vocalist as a treat.

5. You could win something special in the raffle if you choose to buy a ticket. At the very least, if you're one of the first 100, you'll get a gift bag.

6. There will be a feast for the eyes. Besides the fashions, there will be art for you to analyze.

7. Auction up! Bid away! Feel famous! Bid on some of our prizes, including signed items by Kevin Youkalis.

8. Rum samples. Need I say more?

9. The kids with cancer are really, really cute, and really, really sick. The very least you can do is help them by donating $20 for your ticket.

10. If you're pumped up (slash tipsy) after the event, you can spend the rest of the evening at Ned Devine's dancing the night away!

11. (BONUS ROUND!) You can hang out with the dedicated OYFP members who put the event on! We're fun, we're social, we're good looking, what more could you ask for?

Those are the ten reasons I'll be at the event.. what are yours?

Get your tickets for Christopher's Catwalk online now for $20, or pay $25 at the door. The event takes place Thursday, Nov 13 from 8 PM to 11 PM at Parris, which is at the back of Ned Devine's.