Philadelphia Magazine and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board teamed up to present the First Annual Philadelphia Wine Festival. Preceding the grand tasting on Thursday the ninth of May, internationally known winemakers hosted exclusive dinners at fine restaurants in our area on Wednesday, May eighth. The dinners were sold out as oenophiles from as far away as Los Angeles and London called in their reservations to have a chance to meet winemakers such as Laurie Hook, Renzo Cotarello, Warren Winiarski, Richard Ponzi, and Roger Trinchero.

Moore College of Art had their annual fashion show at the Wyndham Franklin on May 1st. Designer Betsy Johnson, who served as senior class critic,attended the 2002 Fashion Show. She had hosted the 13 graduating seniors at her studio in New York City and advised them throughout the year as they developed their collections, from initial sketches to patterns to finished garments.

The Wildflower Ball, to benefit the Brandywine Conservancy, was held at the Radnor Hunt clubhouse on Saturday, May, 18th. The next day the Radnor Hunt Races proceeded despite the misty, chilly weather. All proceeds from the Radnor Hunt Races directly support the Brandywine Conservancy's award-winning programs to preserve natural and cultural resources in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Northern Delaware. The Conservancy also operates the Brandywine River Museum. This Civil War era grist mill was converted into a modern museum. It is internationally known for its unparalleled collection of art by three generations of Wyeths and for its outstanding collection of American illustration, still life and landscape painting.

The Sofitel Hotel hosted a scotch whiskey tasting on Thursday, April 4th in their swanky bar, La Bourse. Several liquor companies were there, each with five to eight different kinds of scotch from different areas of the land of the kilt. Midway through, a bagpipe player piped his way through the bar, prompting the pourers to add an extra splash to our glasses. The Old Boys club was present, but so too, were some new inductees to the 80-proof club – a few young women made the scene lively and even chomped down on cigars at the bar with the old guard. Catch the next tastings every thursday in April - the 11th, 18th, and 25th.

Local jazz educator and mentor George Allen, radio personality David Dye, rapper Eve, jazz guitar legend Pat Martino, and rap artist and producer Jeff "DJ Jazzy Jeff" Townes were honored at the Philadelphia Chapter's 2nd Annual Heroes Awards on April 22nd for their contributions to the local music community. Soul singer Patti LaBelle was also presented with the first MusiCares Heart Award for her contributions in the fields of health and human services. Over 250 members of the creative community attended the event at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, which featured several tribute performances. After thePhiladelphia All-Star High School Jazz Band opened the program with their upbeat jams, artists performed some of LaBelle's biggest hits.