This year, I figured I’d have someone stop by whose family is affected by Alzheimer’s so she can share her story and why BvB CLE is such a great cause to support.

Take it away, Ann!

Guest blogger Ann McDonald with her Team Brunette teammates at the 2012 BvB CLE

I first heard about Blondes vs. Brunettes Cleveland (BvB CLE), a flag football game that raises money for the Cleveland Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, two years ago thanks to a tweet from Amanda (truly the source for everything Cleveland).  

The fundraiser is now in its third year and I am so excited to be back again volunteering for a cause so important to my family.

Like many involved with BvB CLE, I have a personal connection to the disease. In 2008 my mom, at the age of 66, was diagnosed with Dementia.  It’s a difficult diagnosis, for many reasons, but particularly because there really is no treatment and the doctors can’t tell you what to expect.  Six years after diagnosis, my dad is now a full time caregiver for my mom, helping her with many of the tasks of daily life.

It’s not an easy thing to talk about, but that’s why fundraisers like BvB CLE that allow people to share their stories and bring more awareness to the disease are so important.

The entire event is planned by young professionals who all have a passion for bringing more awareness to the disease and raising money for the Alzheimer’s Association.

I love that a fun event can bring together people dealing with such a devastating disease.

Ypalz, the Alzheimer’s Association Cleveland Chapter’s young professionals group

This year’s BvB game will be played June 7 at Krenzler Field on Cleveland State’s campus.  As you probably guessed from the name of the event, the teams for the game will be divided based on the age-old rivalry between blondes and brunettes.  Redheads are “free agents,” permitted to play for the team of their choice.

Funds raised by the players will benefit the care, support, advocacy and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.  If you’re interested in signing up to play (women only) or coach, visit www.bvbcle.org – and hurry! Sign up for players ends May 4.

There will also be some fun events leading up to the game.  On May 9, BvB CLE will host a night of bowling at Madison Square Lanes (you can buy discounted tickets here) and on May 16, BvB players will be treated to a Pamper Night at Vanity Lab. Find out more about these events at www.facebook.com/bvbcleveland.

If you can’t make BvB CLE – check out the Young Professionalz Ypalz Facebook page for other volunteering opportunities.

Hope to see you at the game!

Ann McDonald is the Marketing Chair for BvB CLE. If you’d like to donate, please visit her fundraising page. Dog lovers should also check out her blog Dogs in the CLE.

If you’d still like to purchase tickets, head over to greatbighomeandgarden.com, use promo code CiC, and get tickets to the Great Big Home and Garden Show for only $10!

Now to change gears a bit…

Two years ago, a group of Cleveland young professionals came together to fight Alzheimer’s disease with football.

The annual BvBCLE flag football game celebrates the age-old rivalry between blondes and brunettes. However, the question in this game isn’t who has more fun, but who plays harder: the Blonde Bombshells or Blazin’ Brunettes?

I attended Cleveland’s first Blondes vs. Brunettes game in 2012 and was floored by the players’ enthusiasm — not just for the game, but also for raising awareness and money for the Cleveland chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

That first year raised $41,253, which went to support Alzheimer’s research and the free programs helping 56,000+ people affected in Northeast Ohio. To date, Blondes vs. Brunettes Cleveland Flag Football has raised more than $80,000 and is excited to make the 3rd annual event even bigger.

Cleveland’s 3rd annual Charity Powderpuff Football Game to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. Sign up at BvBCLE.org.

BvBCLE ’14 will be held on Saturday, June 7 at 11 a.m. on Cleveland State University’s Krenzler Field.

Although June may seem far away, Cleveland’s Blondes vs. Brunettes league has already been busy preparing.  And no wonder, this year’s fundraising goal is a staggering $51,000.

Player registration just opened this week. Depending on your hair color, women can now register for Team Blonde or Team Brunette. Redheads are free agents and can choose either team.

Although ladies-only play, anyone can coach, join a committee or make a donation to BvBCLE.  In fact, your donation gets you a ticket to the game.

Learn more about how you can get involved at www.BvBCLE.org.

One of my favorite Girls Days Out from last year at Jen’s wedding

UPDATE: In addition to entering my giveaway below for SPANK! at PlayhouseSquare, you can increase your chances of winning by checking out Smitten in Cleveland’s, WhyCLE’s and Life in the CLE’s giveaways going on now.

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I find that when I need to blow off steam, a Girls’ Night (or Day) Out is the best remedy – whether it’s yoga with Poise in Parma or @CLEYogi, or a Sunday of Les Mis, crafting and Downton Abbey.

If you want to make like Cyndi Lauper and have fun, I have 2 upcoming girls’ nights and a giveaway for you:

While these events are primarily geared towards women, anyone is encouraged to attend.

Battle of the Bombshells Happy Hour Kickoff
Jan. 11, 8-10pm at Around the Corner

The Battle of the Bombshells is back! Last summer the Blondes vs. Brunettes flag football fundraiser came to Cleveland for the first time and raised $41,253.00 to tackle Alzheimer’s disease.

This year’s goal is to raise $50,000, which will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association’s research, support and care efforts for more than 56,000 affected in Northeast Ohio.

And BvBCLE wants YOU!

Join them this Friday, Jan. 11 from 8-10pm at Around the Corner.  $20 gets you all you can eat and drink at their Happy Hour Kickoff.

While you’re there, learn more and sign up to participate in this year’s game. Women and men are both being recruited.

Ladies play ball (red-heads are free agents), but anyone can coach or join an event committee.

Teams Blonde and Brunette will also be competing to raise funds by raffling off a booze basket and other prizes until 10pm.

RSVP on Facebook or email sberman@alz.org. And learn more about BVBCLE’s other going ons by visiting bvbcle.org, @bvbcle and facebook.com/bvbcleveland.

SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody and Giveaway
Jan. 17-27 at the Hanna Theatre

While Fifty Shades of Grey hasn’t made it on my reading list yet, I’m a sucker for a good spoof.

SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody arrives at Cleveland’s Hanna Theatre January 17 through 27.

Described as: “the hilarious unauthorized musical satire that brings the naughty fun of the saucy best-selling book to life in one laugh-filled high-energy show. Part Chippendales, part Second City…all in one delicious package.”

On Jan. 20, you can join me, WhyCLE, Smitten in Cleveland and Life in the CLE for a special Sunday Funday at SPANK. The show starts at 3pm with pre-show cocktails beforehand.

Because I’m a firm believer in the more the merrier, I have 2 tickets and drink tickets to give away to the show:

There are 5 Easy Ways to Enter the Giveaway!
Leave a separate comment on this post for each entry.

1) For one entry, leave a comment on this post sharing what your favorite girls night out activity is. (You can just get me a bottle of wine and sushi and I’m happy.)

2) Follow @ADHicken on Twitter and leave one comment here letting me know you did.

3) If you’re a fan of Clue Into Cleveland on Facebook, leave a comment on this blog post letting me know. If you’re not yet a fan, you can become one here.

4) Twitter users can also get an extra entry each day for tweeting: “I want to see SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody. Enter @ADHicken’s Girls Day Out giveaway for your chance to win: http://wp.me/p2Ukr0-1L7”  (Each day you do this, you must leave a new comment.)

5) Subscribe to receive Clue Into Cleveland blog posts by email or via the RSS feed and leave a comment letting me know you did. This can include signing up to receive email notifications in the top-right “Subscribe” section of this page.

You have until Sunday, Jan. 13 at 11:59PM to enter. On Monday, Jan. 14, I will select a winner using Random.org and will announce their name on my blog.  Remember to leave a separate comment for each entry.

Disclosure: I was invited to host a giveaway and blog about SPANK! at PlayhouseSquare in exchange for 2 tickets to see the show. Opinions here are my own.