INDExtra

Healing power of booze

by Anna Purdy

The Healing House hosts its annual fundraiser at the Lafayette Hilton this Saturday in the form of a martini contest.

The Healing House is a support center for children ages 4-18 who are grieving the death of a loved one. Kids learn to express their feelings through art, games and interacting with other kids who are unfortunately in the same boat. Healing House is entirely funded by donations, grants and fundraisers like this one. Its continued success means kids have somewhere to heal and not feel alone.

Aug. 20 is the culmination of several weeks of the public patronizing different bars and restaurants around town and trying out their martinis, voting for the best ones. On this night the public will vote which martini from either Bonefish Grill, Zea, Blue Dog, Charley G's, Walk-On's, Jolie's, Tsunami or Pamplona will win their vote. There is another contest where a panel of judges will try the martinis and vote which one wins. The winners are crowned Lafayette's Absolut Best Martini 2011.

The party begins at 7 p.m. Band 5th Avenue will perform. There is a silent auction where more bidding can continue and the first 350 tickets sold will receive a hand-painted martini glass by local artist Erin Chance Fenstermaker. There will be food and, of course, martinis. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased here. All money raised goes toward the Healing House.