Nature Center at Shaker Lakes

"If you can't beat it, eat it!"

The phrase has become the tagline for one of the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes' most popular annual events: Pestival. This cocktail reception highlights creative cuisine made from garlic mustard, an edible, invasive species pulled from our grounds each year. The 5th Annual Pestival takes place Friday, April 16, 2010, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Center, located at 2600 South Park Boulevard in Shaker Heights.

The event features delectable culinary offerings created by some of the most celebrated local chefs and independent restaurants, including Sergio Abramof of Sarava; Ben Bebenroth of Spice of Life Caterers; Brit Culey of Coquette Patisserie; Scott Kim of SaSa Matsu, John Pistone of J. Pistone; and Jonathon Sawyer of the Greenhouse Tavern!

Tickets are $40 for Nature Center members and $50 for non-members. Reservations are required. Tickets to this event sell out quickly due to its wide appeal to "foodies" and stewards of the local environment. Make your reservations early by calling the Nature Center at 216-321-5935.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, a leader in natural history and environmental education for children and adults for more than 40 years. As in the Nature Center's mission, it's our responsibility to conserve a natural area, connect people with nature and inspire environmental stewardship. Since 1971, the Nature Center has been a National Environmental Education Landmark. It has played a leading role in protecting the Doan Brook and its watershed, a geographic area reaching from Lake Erie, heading southeast through Cleveland, Cleveland Heights and ending in Shaker Heights, preserving an urban gem for thousands of residents, students and visitors.