A happy child's smile is priceless, but making her dream come true requires some cash. So athletes and local personalities hammed it up for donations at the Make-A-Wish Foundation's 10th-annual Celebrity Waiter event on Oct. 5. The event raised $100,000, enough to grant 20 local kids with life -threatening medical conditions their special wishes. Cleveland Magazine was a sponsor of the event.

Jingle Bells

Get in the holiday spirit with the North Coast Men's Chorus "Stocking Stuffers" on Dec. 18 and 19 at Cleveland State University's Waetjen Auditorium. The all-volunteer choir's holiday performances promise to be diverse, funny and full of good cheer. Its 2004-05 concert season also includes performances of "Broadway, Our Way" in April and "A Concert with Michael Feinstein" in June. Season subscriptions are available by calling (216) 556-0590 or visiting www.ncmchorus.org. Single tickets for "Stocking Stuffers" are also available for $17. Cleveland Magazine is a season sponsor of the NCMC.

Party of the Year

Dine, dance and help support the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland at the 15th-annual "Best Party of the Year" benefit. This year's event, Dec. 3 at the Hyatt Regency Cleveland, will feature live music, martini and wine bars and an exciting new menu. Enter the raffle for a chance to win two round-trip airline tickets or the "incredible edibles tour," gift certificates worth $2,500 at Cleveland's best restaurants. Tickets are $69 each, a donation that will provide more than 276 meals for the area's hungry. The Hyatt is also offering a special $79 overnight rate for guests. Call (216) 619-8155 or visit www.hungernetwork.org for tickets. Cleveland Magazine is a sponsor of the event.

Chutes to Thrill

Now that all the amusement parks have closed for the season, what's a thrill-seeker to do? Visit the Cleveland Metroparks Chalet Recreation Area and take a ride on the toboggan chutes! The park's two chutes, the only public ones in Ohio, are open Nov. 26 through early March and refrigeration keeps them ready to go. The facility also offers fireplaces, indoor restrooms, video games and a snack bar. For information about fees, hours of operation, season passes or private rentals, please call (440) 572-9990. Cleveland Magazine is a chalet sponsor.

Graphic Appeal

Photographers, illustrators and graphic designers are just some of the talented artists who turn ideas into reality. Great Lakes Publishing Gallery Show 2005: Beyond the Printed Page will feature 48 of our most gifted artists and their works. The show will be held at ArtMetro, Cleveland's largest commercial gallery. Join us for the opening reception Jan. 21 and enjoy painting, mixed media, photography, illustration and live music. For more information, contact Carolyn Bentley at (216) 771-2833, ext. 147, or ArtMetro's Joan Perch at (216) 696-1942.

Broadway Benefit

On Dec. 7, Broadway singer Linda Eder teams up with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and the North Coast Men's Chorus for a holiday concert benefiting Transitional Housing Inc., which provides safe, economical housing for women in need. Proceeds will fund these efforts. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are available exclusively through the Severance Hall box office at (216) 231-1111. Cleveland Magazine is a sponsor of this event and will be on hand with complimentary copies of the magazine.