By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Oct 13, 2014 at 8:13 AM

For the eighth straight year, October is Dining Month on OnMilwaukee.com, presented by Locavore, the newest restaurant at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. All month, we're stuffed with restaurant reviews, delectable features, chef profiles and unique articles on everything food, as well as the winners of our "Best of Dining 2014."

Looking for something to do on Thursday, Oct. 16? Well, here are three options that will satisfy your taste buds while giving you the satisfaction of supporting a great cause.

Womens’ health awareness event at Boelter
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, and yet almost two-thirds (64 percent) of women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease have no previous symptoms.

That’s why Boelter Superstore, 4200 N. Port Washington Rd. has teamed up with the Cardiovascular Center Advisory Board at the Medical College of Wisconsin to present a Womens’ Health Awareness reception on Thursday, Oct. 16 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Dr. Daisy Sahoo will present "Cardiovascular Disease: The #1 Killer of Women is Just a Heartbeat Away," and Chef Daniel Jacobs from Odd Duck Restaurant will offer up a heart-healthy cooking demonstration with samples and recipe cards.

Wine and light appetizers will be served.

Tickets are $35. Make your reservation online at mcw.edu/H2H or by contacting Alyssa Molbeck at amolbeck@mcw.edu or (414) 955-5828.

All proceeds will benefit the Cardiovascular Women’s Health Program at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Yelp’s Battle at Best Place
Also on Thursday, Oct. 16, get ready to join Yelp Milwaukee and SHARP Literacy from 7 to 9 p.m. at Best Place in the Historic Pabst Brewery for a night of competition and fund-raising.

Yelp's Battle at Best Place will pit eight local chefs against one another in a friendly "Iron Chef" style competition to raise money for Milwaukee’s Sharp Literacy, an organization whose programming program aims to assist urban K5 through fifth grade students build reading, writing and researching skills through use of the visual arts.

Participating chefs include Gregory León of Amilinda, Thi Cao of Buckley's, Gil Petrovic of Engine Company 3, Joe Muench and Jacob Schick of Story Hill BKC and Maxie's, Jan Kelly of Meritage, Steve Perlstein and Jennifer Block of Simmer Milwaukee and Sean Henninger of Times Square Bistro and Pizzeria.

Drinks will include coffee cocktails from local coffee roasters, including Valentine and Stone Creek, as well as beer from Brenner Brewing Company, Lakefront Brewing Company and Milwaukee Brewing Company and custom cocktails from Great Lakes and Central Standard Distilleries.

Other highlights include desserts from Whole Foods and Sweet Tooth, a breakdancing battle, interactive Milwaukee-themed art installations, a silent auction, DJ battle and photo booth.

The Brewcity Bruisers and Visit Milwaukee's #DearMKE will also be present to add a unique Milwaukee vibe to the celebration. 

The event is open to the public. However, RSVPs are required, as well as a $10 donation at the door.

Celebrate Teachers & Teaching
Everyone has a story about a teacher who made a difference in their life. Amazing educators have challenged us to be better thinkers, dared us to change career paths in a single lecture, and inspired us to believe that, with a little hard work, a better future is possible.

But, how often do we take the time to thank them? Probably not often enough.

Fortunately, the Education Deans of Greater Milwaukee (EDGM), a collective comprised of deans from nine area higher education institutions, has instituted a celebration honoring the work of teachers in the Milwaukee area. 

The event, which takes place on Oct. 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Alverno College Conference Center, 3400 S. 43rd St., is open to the public and all who support the work of teachers are encouraged to attend.

Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. with heavy appetizers, a cash bar and a raffle-style auction. A brief awards ceremony will take place at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets, which can be purchased online, are $25 per person and include 10 tickets for a raffle-style silent auction, which includes gift cards and items donated by: Afro Fusion Cuisine, Alverno Presents, Becky’s Blissful Bakery, The Chef’s Table, Comet Café, Evolution Gastro Pong, From Milwaukee with Love, Great Lakes Distillery, Harley-Davidson Museum, Indulgence Chocolatiers, Marcus Hotels & Restaurants, Milwaukee Public Television, The Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee Food & City Tours, Nueske’s, Patricia O’Brien & Co., Present Music, Purple Door Ice Cream, Rishi Tea, The Ruby Tap, Skylight Theater, SURG Restaurants, The National Café, Transfer Pizzeria and Cafe  The Wisconsin Historical Society and Wolf Peach Restaurant.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.