It’s not every day that a New York Times Bestselling author comes to town…

So you miiiight want to clear your calendars on March 2!

Lisa Genova, will be sharing about her touching novel, Still Alice, at Central Auditorium on March 2 at 7 p.m. Part of the 10th Annual CommunityREAD program, presented by the Findlay-Hancock County Community foundation, “Still Alice” is about a woman’s sudden decent into early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

The focus of this year’s CommunityREAD event is to encourage discussions regarding Alzheimer’s disease and its impact on relationships and careers. Certainly Alzheimer’s brings conflict and suffering. But Still Alice, in the end, is about a woman who is more than just her disease. She is still Alice. The CommunityREAD event also highlights the HancockREADS mission to promote the benefits of literacy in Hancock County.

Tickets are $5 and available at the Community Foundation, the Arts Partnership, DorAnne’s Gift & Gourmet, Friends of the Library Book Cellar, Mazza Museum, Mother Hubbard’s Learning Cupboard, Readmore’s Hallmark, Common Grounds Coffehouse, and at the door. This is the feature event of our CommunityREAD program. We hope to see you there!

About “Still Alice”
Still Alice is a compelling debut novel, written by author Lisa Genova, about a 50-year-old woman’s sudden descent into early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Alice is a psychology professor at Harvard when she starts experiencing moments of forgetting and confusion. She at first attributes these signs to normal aging, too much stress, not enough sleep, and so on. But as things get worse, she eventually sees a neurologist and learns that she has early-onset Alzheimer’s. As Alice loses her ability to rely on her own thoughts and memories and as she loses her cerebral life at Harvard where she’d placed all her worth and identity, she is forced to answer questions like “Who am I now?” and “How do I matter?” As the disease worsens and continues to steal pieces of what she’d always thought of as herself, we see her discover that she is more than what she can remember.

Lisa Genova graduated valedictorian from Bates College with a degree in Biopsychology and has a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Harvard University. She is the author of the New York Times best-selling novels Still Alice and Left Neglected. Lisa is currently writing her third novel, Love Anthony, about a boy with autism. She lives with her family on Cape Cod.

Questions? Call the Community Foundation at 419-425-1100, or visit http://community-foundation.com/.

Have you ever wanted to strut your stuff on the red carpet? Now is your chance!

Support a great cause, and don your favorite gown or bowtie and attend the Annual Hancock County Red Cross Oscar Night Gala on Saturday, February 25 at 7:00p.m. at the Findlay Inn & Conference Center. The theme for the evening is: 1929 – Relive the Magic of the First Oscars! Guests are invited to wear period attire (break out that inner gangster or fringe-wearing flapper!)

Guests will be greeted by celebrity hosts from local radio stations and cheering fans and paparazzi. The event will include a live and silent auction featuring get-aways, sports and theater tickets, items signed by celebrities such as including Al Pacino and Tom Hanks, and more, as well as food and desserts from area chefs, live entertainment, a coffee bar, and Oscar-themed cocktails.

Tickets for Oscar Night are $50 each or $85 for a couple and are available at the Hancock County Red Cross office, 125 Fair St. in Findlay, at the KeyBank branch on Tiffin Avenue and at Reineke Ford Lincoln of Findlay on Bright Road.  They are also available online at www.hancockredcross.org or by phone at 419-422-9322.

If you take a stroll around Findlay’s downtown, you might make some new friends…. Of the stick-person variety! From firefighters and coffee cups to fashionable ladies and body builders, take your time and meet them all!

Our community is preparing a new downtown plan. We need a lot of public participation, so StickAround Downtown Findlay was designed to be around downtown when YOU are. There are 22 exhibits stationed around town that ask a few questions. Your smart phone can scan a QR that will take you to a special online survey with questions for each exhibit. If you do not have a smart phone, there are 15 smart tablets available to the public use at no cost. To borrow a tablet or to arrange a guided tour call the Hancock Regional Planning Commission at 419-424-7094 or the Hancock County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 419-422-3315. We also have a paper version if you would rather stick to the old fashioned way!

Click HERE for a StickAround map and more information!

You might not consider yourself a connoisseur of the Arts, but hey – it’s never too late to start!

If your New Years resolution had anything to do with self-discovery, culture or new learning opportunities, or if you just want to get out and about and enjoy and evening of entertainment, Findlay’s winter line up of dance, theater and other performances will get you where you want to go! Check out some of these awesome local opportunities:

An Evening of Expression

January 25th, 2012 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm

“An Evening of Expression-What Alzheimer’s” will feature performances that convey the challenges of living with Alzheimer’s. The highlights include: music by The , a reading by Eric VanRenterghem, music by pianist Ann Buis, presentations by Bruce Boguski and Jim Steffen, a dance performed by Ed and Kathy Steffan, theater art by Lynn Ritter and Eric McKee, and videos featuring local people telling their story about life with Alzheimer’s.

Findlay First Edition & Pantasia

January 27th, 2012 7:30 pm – 11:00 pm

Beat the winter blues as Findlay First Edition (FFE) and Pantasia share their talents in a dynamic show filled with singing, dancing, and the sounds of the Islands!  The national award-winning FFE show choir and its accompanying instrumental ensemble, The Boingers, have been entertaining audiences for an impressive national reputation as an educational and entertaining instrumental music ensemble.  Join us for this annual event hat serves as a fundraiser to support these talented local youth.

Ballet & The Blues

February 4th, 2012 7:30 pm – 11:59 pm

The Pointe of the Evening:  An evening of innovative music and performances by professional dancers featuring a live performance by blues recording artist, Josh Garrett & The Bottomline.

The Dixie Swim Club

February 9-18, 2012

The play spans a glorious 33 years in the lives of the teammates, letting us peek in as each character changes through marriages, children, careers and tragedy. No matter what the occasion, these five best friends find hilarious laughter in every situation, and you will laugh right along with them.

Findlay Light Opera Company

February 12th, 2012 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Since 1987, the Findlay Light Opera Company has been cultivating young local talent and providing a venue for area vocalists to showcase their artistic abilities. Join our area musicians in an afternoon of musical favorites.

Guys & Dolls

February 22-26, 2012

Guys and Dolls is a musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. It is based on “The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown” and “Blood Pressure”, two short stories by Damon Runyon, and also borrows characters and plot elements from other Runyon stories, most notably “Pick the Winner”. Premiering on Broadway in 1950, the original production ran for 1200 performances and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. Enjoy this upbeat, local production at the University of Findlay!

Pair these performances with a dinner at one of our excellent local restaurants, or a stop a local shop for the perfect date, celebration or girls night out!

More information about these events and more can be found on our calendar of events.

We all get lost….

Some of us more than others *cough * my husband *cough*.

At any rate, it is always a good feeling to know where you’re headed. Luckily for you, Downtown Findlay is now home to some pretty neat new signage that will not only tell you where you are, but give you a huge list of places that you want to be.

Shopping, Dining, Arts & Culture, Services, Nightlife & Entertainment, Personal Services and Civic & Community and Parking Lot locations are now clearly marked on lovely, modern kiosks around downtown. We can tell you where to find ANYTHING!: Present for your mom? Not an issue. Hungry for lunch? No problem. Need to know where to go 5 o’ clock on a Friday? No biggie. Need the Post Office? We’ve got you covered. Buried treasure? Sure thi…. wait.

Ok, not anything. But you get the point.

So, hop in the car and head down to Downtown!

Listen to Hancock Co. CVB Director Angela Crist talk about our new signage here.

For a complete list of local shopping, dining, hotel and event information, click here for our Visitors Guide and here for our Calendar of Events.

An ocean, sunblock, bathing suits, who needs ‘em?!

“Not us!”, we proudly declare. We’ve got enough icy, snowy fun to last you all winter long…

Check out the Hancock Parks for sledding at the Findlay Reservoir, cross county skiing lessons and ski and snowshoe rental. These activities are fun for the entire family, and don’t require any experience (or athletic prowess …). You can also visit HancockParks.com for information on winter hikes and nature classes for all ages.

If you like the ice, but would rather stay inside, a trip to “The Cube” ice skating rink might be right up your alley. Open skate hours are listed here, and skate rental is available.

Finally, if you really would rather just have fun with no hat or gloves required, check out the performances and events happening in Hancock County on our Calendar of Events, visit a one of our delicious local restaurants or shops, or catch a movie at Findlay’s Carmike 12 Cinemas!

 Watch our “Now you Know” video – Winter Fun edition – for more information. And while you’re at it, check out some of our other great videos!

…but hey, if you’re heading out for a tropical vacation, we’re probably free

A swanky big-city atmosphere nestled in a small historic downtown: Alexandria’s is all about unique juxtapositions.

Industrial exposed brick and crystal chandeliers, delicate damask wall hangings and rich leather furniture, 36 beers on tap, and tapas that can change your world… they’ve got it all. The brand new microbrewery offers great live entertainment, and a brilliant menu pulled together by renowned local Chef Michael Bulkowski (owner of another favorite hot spot, Revolver).

The restaurant and bar are open Monday through Saturday, and welcomes patrons for lunch Friday and Saturday. You can also rent their beautiful ballroom for your next event. A must-see if you’re in the area, Alexandria’s is truly a diamond in the rough…and it’s meant to be that way.

132 E. Crawford Street, Findlay, OH 45840

Phone: 419-424-5750

Find them on Facebook

Mon-Turs: 4p.m.-12:00a.m.

Fri-Sat: 11:00a.m.-2:00a.m.

World English Dictionary, 10^th Edition: Foodie [foo-dee] – n, pl-ies: A person having an enthusiastic interest in the preparation and consumption of good food.

Let’s be honest – who doesn’t enjoy a great meal? Whether you consider yourself a full-blown “foodie” and adhere strictly to the official definition above, or you just love to sink your teeth into something decadent, juicy, spicy or sweet, Findlay has got you covered.

From fancy to down-home, and from drinks to desserts, there is something for everyone here. Download our Foodie Itinerary for details, or take a look at our Visitors Guide for a complete list of local dining options.

Enjoy!

There’s nothing like a beautiful, blazing Christmas tree in an old-fashioned town square. Catch a glimpse of this breathtaking sight, and enjoy an entire season of holiday festivities in historic Downtown Findlay!

Take a break from decking your halls for Findlay’s annual WinterFest celebration. The holiday fun begins at 6:00p.m. each Monday and Friday through Dec. 19th, and includes lots of free activities for the whole family.

Take a ride on a horse-drawn wagon ride down Main Street sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, and take a look a all of the windows sparkling with lights and festive decorations. Children will love Santa’s House, sponsored by Findlay Kiwanis, where they can visit with Mr. & Mrs. Claus and get some delicious treats (make sure he knows everything that is on their lists!). And, don’t forget to enjoy all of the wonderful shopping and dining that our Downtown has to offer. Grab a delightful family dinner, or a cozy, romantic meal for two. There is something for everyone!

WinterFest activities will take place every Monday and Friday from 6:00-8:00p.m., November 25-December 19.

For more information about local shops and restaurants, click here.

Ireland, Greece, Italy, France… You don’t have to travel far to find unique flavors from far off lands. Just drive downtown on November 17 for the World of Downtown Restaurant Tour!

A self-guided walking tour of 13 downtown restaurants, The event will be held from 5-9 p.m., and  is intended to promote cultural cuisine in downtown Findlay, while raising funds for United Way of Hancock County.

Each of the restaurants will provide one sample of their cuisine for each passport holder. Passports can be purchased for $20 each at Coffee Amici, 328 S. Main St and United Way’s office at 245 Stanford Pkwy. Only 300 passports will be sold.

The following restaurants will be on the tour: Findlay Elks, Wine Merchant, Logan’s Irish Pub, Coffee Amici, The Rocking U, Rosilli’s, The Gathering, The Tavern at the Inn, Greek Garden, Buggy Whip Bakery (at Red Tornado Art Gallery) Waldo Pepper’s, Joey Fratello’s, and Main Street Deli.

Sponsors of the event are Pry Professional Group, Eastman & Smith Law Firm and Bistro on Main. The event will occur rain or shine. For more information call United Way at 419-423-1432 or visit liveunitedhancockcounty.org.

http://www.visitfindlay.com/world-travel/