It doesn’t get more American than this! Brava’s Food Inc. serves up hot dogs from a mobile unit. The locally-owned business is now in its second year and is gaining notoriety for its street-vendor fare.

So, what is the “fare?” Brava’s features all-beef hot dogs, with toppings like fresh chopped veggies (tomato, cucumber, pico de gallo, guacamole, etc) as well as homemade chili. Be sure to try their specialty: a super-secret Brava Sauce. Thick cut Ossian bacon also comes on some of the hot dogs.

They say location is everything. As of right now the mobile unit stays at the intersection of Calhoun and Wayne Streets (across from Jimmy John’s on the One Summit Square plaza). The owner, Bo Gonzalez, has plans to beginning selling at Columbia Street West for the bar scene on Columbia & Harrison. Hours for lunch are usually 11am-2pm. Bar location hours are from Midnight-4am.

Look for Brava's mobile hot dog cart on downtown Fort Wayne streets!

Visitors might be curious about the origin of the business’ name. Gonzalez credits his mother for the namesake. Their favorite Spanish tapa was Patatas Bravas, which had a spicy smokey sauce that makes it.  In addition to the name, the owner says his niche lies in the gourmet toppings that adorn the hot dogs.

The Brava Sauce and chili are made with two spices imported from Spain. All veggies are fresh cut every morning, along with the guacamole. Check out their Hawaiian hot dogs, Bacon Slaw Dogs, Cheddar Fondue Dogs, and many other ones.

Gonzalez is proud to share that his business will expand with a food truck this June. In the meantime, check out their Facebook and Twitter accounts for updates.

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I’ve always been lucky enough to have a pool to go to when it was warm and sunny, but every once in a while, it’s nice to switch it up a bit and visit the local pools or spraygrounds.  Don’t you agree that it’s time for a little fun in the sun!

Stay cool in one of Fort Wayne's great pools.

The Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department has a few options when it comes to keeping cool on those hot summer days.  North Side Park, McMillen Park and Memorial Park pools all open for the season, starting June 9^th.  I suggest checking the Fort Wayne Parks and Rec’s website for hours of operation and admission fees, as they vary depending on which pool you choose. I love that all of the pools have slides; it’s like having a water park in town without driving out of town and paying the water park prices.

Fort Wayne's seven splash pad spraygrounds are free and full of fun for all ages.

Another great option is the seven spraygrounds located around Fort Wayne. The great thing about them is that they are free of charge and offer hours of entertainment for children and adults alike. I love the spraygrounds because they offer just enough water to cool off, with the option to get soaked if I decide. Spraygrounds are located at Memorial, McCormick, Waynedale, Shoaff, Buckner, Robert E. Meyers parks as well as the newest addition at Taylor’s Dream Boundless Playground in Kreager Park.  All spray grounds opened for the season on Memorial Day weekend…and did I mention they are FREE?!?!  Hours of operation, detailed park information and directions are listed on the Parks and Rec website or by clicking the links on the parks listed above.

After being trapped indoors for months, it’s time to bask in the warm summer weather! So, pack up your family (and the sunscreen) and enjoy!

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The Fort Wayne Museum of Art is a constant surprise to me. With no deep knowledge of what was in store, I have thoroughly enjoyed my last two experiences there.

In late winter I viewed the Trench Art exhibit. This amazing display of items made by soldiers during times of war from military objects included a peach pit carved into a basket by a prisoner during the Civil War. How did it survive? And the lamps made from spent shell casings were cool!

The Fort Wayne Museum of Art.

I returned with my husband to view the WWII Aviation Nose art exhibit. We also enjoyed examining the Native American artistic items with the Fort Wayne Collects: Three Viewpoints exhibit. In another hall we discovered fascinating oil paintings of Hoosier barns by Fort Wayne artist Gwen Gutwein and in another hall an exhibit of lovely Colonial furnishings, many from the 1700s. Yet another room had an attractive display of woodworks by artists using lathes.

Considering we had not planned to see anything but the nose art and ended up viewing everything in the museum, it was quite a serendipitous pleasure.

I’ll admit, we were also pleased with the cost of admission. You can’t beat $5.00 for an hour of quiet reflection and awe. Better yet, on Sundays and Thursdays the admission is free!

Now through Sunday, July 15, the FWMoA will present ‘Infinite Mirror: Images of American Identity’. Using dozens of multimedia works, this exhibit will use portraits and figures to depict circumstances and experiences of multicultural populations in present-day America.

Insider tip: for those who would like a guided tour of this exhibit, a free tour is available on June 7 at 12:15-12:45pm. Participants are invited to bring their own lunch or order a box lunch to pick up at the museum. The Museum’s staff will provide beverages and light dessert; No reservations are required unless per-ordering a box lunch. A limited number of box lunches are available from Deli 620 for only $7; please contact Amanda Martin at least two days ahead to reserve yours at 422.6467, ext 322 or martin@fwmoa.org.

Gallery Hours:
Sunday, Noon-5:00pm
Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-6pm
Thursday, 11am-8pm
Sunday & Thursday FREE Admission
Closed Mondays and holidays

Admission:
Free for FWMoA members
Adults $5.00
Students (K-College) $3.00
Family $10.00

Fort Wayne Museum of Art
311 East Main Street

For additional information, please call the Fort Wayne Museum of Art at 260.422.6467 or go visit them online.

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Baseball and beer tasting—sounds like fun, right? Grab a group of friends and come out to one (or the next two!) of the TinCaps tastings this season!

The tastings take place in the Treetops Rooftop Party Area at 6:05 p.m., prior to the start of the game. The first tasting will include a variety of delicious beers from local distributors: Five Star Distributing, AALCO Distributing and Mad Anthony Brewing Company.

An all-you-can-eat meal is part of this VIP package, with a menu including burgers, hot dogs, chicken wings, smoked ribs, grilled chicken breasts, apple crisp dessert and more. Food will be served beginning at 6:35 p.m. through the end of the seventh inning of the game.

The TinCaps beer tasting includes an all-you-can-eat meal, beer tastings from local distributors, and free memorabilia.

All fans attending the beer tasting receive a free, one-of-a-kind TinCaps pilsner glass, featuring the TinCaps’ Opening Day lineups from the past three seasons. They also have a chance to win door prizes throughout the night.

VIP tickets to the beer tasting are priced at $40. A limited number of tickets are available and all of the TinCaps’ tastings have sold out well in advance. To make reservations, call Tyler Baker at (260) 407-2802. Fans must be 21 years old or over to attend.

The remaining beer tastings will take place on June 12, and August 8.

Come and enjoy some great baseball and beer!

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Ladies, do you enjoy playing tennis or golf? What about supporting a good cause while having fun with your girlfriends?

Then round up a doubles partner or a golf team of four for the Vera Bradley Classic!

Grab a girlfriend and head to the Vera Bradley Classic!

Vera Bradley will be holding its annual Vera Bradley classic on June 1, 2012 – June 4, 2012. This amateur women’s golf and tennis charity tournament is the largest in the country.

The tournament will kick off with a two day women’s doubles tennis competition at Wildwood Racquet Club. One hundred and fifty women will be competing in the tournament playing in various divisions.

Following the conclusion of the tennis tournament, there will be a Tennis Celebration Dinner. The celebration will include a cocktail party, dinner, a featured exhibition match and a silent auction to benefit the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer.

The golf tournaments will be held on Monday, June 4^th at the Fort Wayne Country Club and Sycamore Hills Golf Club. There will be a 9-hole and 18-hole tournament that players can choose to play in. Over 400 women will participate in the day.

Monday evening there will be a Golf Celebration Dinner. The night will include a cocktail party, dinner and a silent auction.

If you want to support the Foundation, but are not a tennis player or golfer you can still get involved!  There are opportunities to volunteer at the various events happening throughout the weekend, or you can also pay to attend one of the celebration dinners.

The 2011 Vera Bradley Classic raised $945,185 over the weekend, and since the tournament was established in 1994, it has raised more than $8.2 million dollars for breast cancer research.

 Event Schedule:

Women’s Doubles Tennis Tournament
Friday, June 1, 2012 – Saturday, June 2, 2012
Wildwood Racquet Club
508 North Hadley Road

• Match Play Schedule Depends on Player Rating

Tennis Celebration Dinner
Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 6:30pm
Wildwood Racquet Club
508 North Hadley Road

Women’s 9-Hole Golf Tournament
Monday, June 4, 2012
Fort Wayne Country Club
5521 Covington Road

• Morning Tournament begins at 7:30am
• Afternoon Tournament begins at 12:00pm

Women’s 18-Hole Golf Tournament
Monday, June 4, 2012
Sycamore Hills Golf Club
11836 Covington Road
Assigned Tee Times

Golf Celebration Dinner
Monday, June 4, 2012 at 6:00pm
Sycamore Hills Golf Club
11836 Covington Road

To register your team or learn more, visit www.verabradley.org/classic

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