Pride Guide 2005 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

B-9

Summer is almost here, time for the annual GIFT Cruise

by Jim Gruzosky

Cleveland-Ah, spring has sprung and summer is just around the corner. The trees are in full leaf, the flowers and bushes are in bloom, the air is fresh with pollen and the lake water is quickly warming. Mother Nature has again set the stage for the kick-off event of summer, the 17th annual Cleveland GIFT Cruise on the Goodtime III.

Mark the calendar for Saturday, June 11. Boarding begins at 7 pm. The ship sets sail at 7:30 sharp, rain or shineor snow--for a 21⁄2 hour cruise on the Cuyahoga River and along the lake shore. Of course there will be great dance music, yet patrons will be able to escape to the top most level to enjoy good conversation or solitude with someone special or to just commune with nature while enjoying the beautiful sunset.

Watch for posters at your favorite nightclub and at the Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Cen-

ter. Tickets will be available at these establishments for $20 cash. A complete list of sales locations may be found by visiting www.clevelandgift.org and clicking on the Cruise button. A live person is also available to answer questions by calling 216-631-9811.

If the cruise has not sold out before boarding starts, tickets will be sold at the gate beginning at 6:30 pm on a first come, first served basis until full capacity is reached. Don't take the chance of missing the boat, buy your tickets early.

A contribution of $1 from each ticket sold will be made to the Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Center. Please make us write a very large check by attending and bringing all your friends.

Jim Gruzosky is the coordinator of the Gay-Lesbian Invitational Fellowship Tournament Cruise.

TWO UNIQUE HOMES FOR SALE!

7660 S. EASTLAND ROAD MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS: LIKE OWNING YOUR OWN PARK

Come home to your own little metropark setting on a tranquil stream. Custom-built, stilted, multi-level home on 1.6 scenic wooded acres. Three bedroom, two full bath, two half bath. Gourmet kitchen, master suite w/walk-in closet. Current total budget utilities $168 per month, one of the lower tax areas of the west side. Much, much more. Live in the woods in the middle of town. Must see to appreciate, one of a kind. Simply awesome home for someone looking for the structurally artistic. $394,900

19753 DEER RUN LANE STRONGSVILLE, OHIO SPRAWLING RANCH IN BEAUTIFUL CO-MOOR Massive home. Four bedrm, smallest bedroom is 16 x 14. Four full and one half bath. Five fireplaces. Master suite with dbl walk-in closets & vanities. Huge kitchen w/ fireplace. Home office, living rm, dining rm, family rm, foyer and laundry on first floor plus huge finished recreation room in basement. Nearly 5000 sq ft of finished space including finished basement. Threecar, heated garage. Beautiful deck off kitchen, wooded lot. Perfect for the buyer needing home office.

$369,900.

Center's Garden Party will be 'Sweet 16' birthday bash

by Tim Marshall

Cleveland-Summer's most outrageous event returns with the biggest birthday bash ever on Saturday, July 16 at Signature in Solon.

Garden Party: Sweet 16 is the latest installment of the popular annual summer event that benefits the Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Center's programs and services. Community members are being given a special sneak peek at this year's event and discounted early bird rates to boot. If you're on the center's mailing list, you'll receive an invitation in mid-June. Garden Party: Sweet 16 details and regular updates and online registration can be found at www.lgcsc.org.

Each year, community members enjoy a great outing celebrating the community, bidding on art or travel packages in the auctions, checking out first-rate entertainment and more. Garden Party: Sweet 16 is definitely going to be the icing on the cake.

There are three ways to register for Sweet 16. Garden Party benefactors will enjoy an extra hour of the party featuring complimentary signature martinis, bountiful hors d'oeuvres, an auction preview and a special performance by the super-hot sensational duo of Rick and Sharona. The party begins at 5:30 pm for these special attendees; admission is $115 until June 13 or $125 June 14 and later. All guests will enjoy the auctions, dinner by the former executive chef of the Baricelli Inn, performances by Rick and Sharona and a special tribute to the "birthday girl," the Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Center. Keep an eye out for special guests throughout the night.

The party begins at 6:30 pm for guests; admission is $65 until June 13 or $75 June 14 and later. Tickets are not issued for the Garden Party; names will be held at the door.

New this year at the Garden Party is the chance to reserve a table. Become a Table Coordinator and buy eight tickets and there'll be no need to rush and save seats. Tables are $540 for the early bird special until June 13, $600 after June 14. To reserve a table online, contact gptables@lgcsc.org or call 216651-5428, ext. 16 to become a table coordinator or for more details. Benefactor upgrades are available at $50 per person or $400 for the entire table.

The Garden Party raffle prize that had everybody talking last year is back. Win a trip

for two to Provence, France including air fare. Tickets are only $10 each. The winner will receive a one-week stay at the gay-owned La Mas du Petit Grava, full breakfast and cocktail hour daily and In the Footsteps of Van Gogh, an art tour for two. It's a $3,000 value. Buy tickets at www.lgcsc.org, at select TaDa! events, at the center or the night of the Garden Party. The winner need not be present. The odds are 1 in 1,500.

Signature is located at 39000 Signature Drive in Solon, and was hailed by members as the best Garden Party venue of all time. Signature has a no-denim dress code. Vegetarian food is available; please call or e-mail for the vegetarian option.

Don't miss this event-it might be the center's anniversary year, but this is definitely your party.

Tim Marshall is the communications director for the Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Center.

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