The 14th annual Share Our Strength - Taste of the Nation was held at Loews Philadelphia Hotel on Tuesday, June 5th. People came to eat, drink and support local organizations that combat hunger and poverty, including: Philabundance, the Committee to End Homelessness and MANNA. Sixty local restaurants, wineries, micro-breweries and coffee houses supplied some fabulous eats and refreshing quaffs while guests enjoyed the sounds of the City Rhythm Orchestra. 100% of ticket proceeds will be used to fight hunger and poverty.

The Anti-Defamation League of Philadelphia presented its Torch of Liberty Award to Philadelphia Police Commissioner John Timoney on Tuesday, June, 5th at the Crystal Tea Room in the Wanamaker Building. The award is presented to those who, in the words of the ADL, " Faithful to the American heritage of humanitarian values, give of themselves in public service, nurturing the community and working to secure its future." Timoney has been Police Commissioner since March, 1998.

Fox Chase Cancer Center held their 2001 Garden Party and Country Buffet at the Douglas Pearson's beautiful riverfront estate in Solebury on the 24th of June. The auction, which included items like Caribbean cruises, resort stays, a week at the shore, and four bottles of rare California wine, raised funds for research at the FCCC. Over 300 people strolled over the grounds by the swirling river on what was a truly perfect summer day – a few wispy clouds, 75 degrees, having an elegant lunch – what could be better?

Mayor John Street, along with co-chairs Bonnie Grant, Lana Felton-Ghee and executive director Karen Leslie-Garrison put on a big bash to celebrate City Hall's 100th Anniversary on Saturday, June 23rd. Philadelphia's City Hall is the largest in the nation, built in the style of the French Second Empire, with 88 million bricks! Fourteen of the nearly 700 rooms played host to as many radio stations who decorated the rooms with themes like "Sounds of the 80's", "76ers Tribute", and "Our Sinatra." As people traipsed from room to room and floor to floor, Party Central hosted a string of singers in the Mayor's Reception Room, as well as delicious desserts, including a giant cake shaped like City Hall.

The nation's oldest zoo, our very own and very well-loved Philadelphia Zoo, held its 27th annual Zoobilee on Thursday, June 14. This year, the Zoo was transformed into an Australian Wallaby Walkabout. A Philadelphia tradition, the Zoobilee is the Zoo's oldest and largest fundraiser. Over 3500 people attended what is one of the favorites of the social calendar year. This wild and wooly party looked as though it might be a damp one but the early and unwelcome shower blew right over. People headed out from down under and packed the walkways and tents, chatting and enjoying the wonderful food and drinks. One of the most festive events of the season, this party carried on until the workweek-wee hour of 11 pm or so, with revelers packing the dance floors.