Mayor's Ball to include artwork auction
By Angela Greiner Community Reporter

Angela Chouinard shows her artwork to Linda Ossing, cochair of this year's Mayor's Charity Ball. Additional student artwork will be on display at the Marlborough Middle School Friday April 4. PHOTO/CAROL HARRIS

Marlborough - The Mayor's Ball will be anything but stuffy this year, with activities like getting an air-brushed tattoo and picking up your favorite student's artwork during the silent auction. The ball, which has been a city tradition for nearly 50 years, is held every other year as part of the newly elected mayor's inaugural ceremonies. This year's date is Saturday April 5. The place is the Best Western Royal Plaza.

 

This year, art students from the Marlborough school district have donated pieces of their own artwork for the silent auction. Attorney Greg Mitrakes, the chair of the entertainment committee for this year's event, said that it was a pleasure to be able to use students' artwork for such a great cause.

The proceeds from the ball are the prime funding source for the Mayor's Charity Relief Fund, which began in 1960. The Charity Relief Fund is used to offset some of the growing demands on the local human Services Department for Marlborough residents. The charity has helped over 300 individuals and local organizations since 2002, including families suffering from extreme family situations, households in need of help with rent and utilities, and special community service projects.

Tickets are still available for the ball. Prices are $35 per person or $350 for a table of 10. They can be purchased through the mayor's office.

"There is going to be something for everyone," Mitrakes said.

With everyone in the community welcome to the event, Mitrakes is hopeful that some new faces will attend because the event is an opportunity to have fun and support a great charity.

"You do not need to bring a group of friends because you will see friends there," he said. "It's … a great opportunity to make friends."

The event will feature an array of activities from dancing to tattooing. Tom Hallgren, a local tattoo artist who has volunteered his time, will feature custom air-brush tattoos.

The event will also include a silent auction, balloon sale and 50/50 raffle. Some of the more coveted auction items include a 2007 World Series ball signed by David Ortiz, Celtics play-off tickets, and an in-home catered Italian dinner for eight.

Mitrakes himself has attended a catered dinner won at another silent auction.

"It was the best time," he said. "You get to have dinner with your friends in your own home and meet the chefs and learn about the wine and the food."

The dinner that is up for auction will be prepared by chefs from Allora and complemented with wine donated from Mitrakes's personal wine collection.

The ball will also feature a buffet-style sampling of some of the finest recipes from the city's best restaurants, including Kennedy's and Allora.