The annual Best of Philly bash was held July 29th this year at Waterworks, overlooking the river and Boathouse Row. We honored our BOP winners in all five categories: food, nightlife, arts and entertainment, services, and shopping. All the happy businesses and their well-wishers showed up to crowd the patios with over 300 people. Though it was a record-breaking hot day, by the time the band, Silvertide, played it was comfortable enough to dance and scream for the hot, young rockers. The crowd cleared out after their last song around 10:30 – not bad for a Monday night.

Rain did not triumph at this year's Ball on the Square in Rittenhouse Park. People watched from benches and grassy seats with their dogs, while the $600 per couple guests made their way into the large white tent, clad in black tie for summer. While the dinner was underway, the Young Friends of Rittenhouse held a separate cocktail party nearby at Marathon on the Square, under a ceiling of burgundy and gold balloons. When the grownups had finished eating, the children were permitted to join them for dancing before bedtime. The funniest part is that the Young Friends (actually, ages 21 – 35) were outdanced by the older guests, and it happens that way every year.

This year's Zoobilee, themed "Party With the Giants," drew over 3,000 guests and raised $600,000. The star giants were Naga the Indonesian Komodo dragon measuring in at a staggering horizontal 91/2 feet, 200 pounds, and the other giant was Sixers player Dikembe Mutumbo, who was vertically as impressive. Despite a little rain, guests were ZOObilant sampling the tasty treats and open bars donated by 80 area restaurants and bars. The Zoobilee remains one of the best parties of the year in Philadelphia.

This summer, on Sunday June 9th, the Young Philadelphians, (Young Friends of the Mann Center for the Performing Arts) aged 21 to 40, gathered for mingling and music at the Mann. During the summer, when many other social groups are less active, the Young Philadelphians club comes alive, providing events all season long at The Mann—the region's only outdoor cultural arts center. The kickoff event featured a concert by Harry Connick Jr. The next event, to be held on July 31st, will showcase Art Garfunkel. Then, on September fifth, the popular Broadway show, Rent!, is the next Young Philadelphians attraction.

As if helping abused children weren't a good enough cause, The Children's Crisis Treatment Center held a fundraiser with a Cowboy theme. People came dressed Western-Style, wearing straw hats and turquoise, cowboy boots and chaps. The CCTC is committed to providing high quality, comprehensive mental health services to Philadelphia's neediest children and their families. These services address the effects of abuse, neglect, traumatic events, and other challenges to early childhood development and assist children in reaching their full potential within their homes, community and society.