The International House held their Global Gala on Saturday, March 27th at their building in West Philadelphia. International House brings together over 350 people from more than 20 different countries in a microcosm of a global village.

Angel Flight East, a collaborative of pilots who volunteer to fly sick people to and from hospitals that are located too far away for the patients to drive to, held their annual fundraiser on March 20th at the Horticultural Center in Fairmount Park. This year's theme was Angel Flight Casino Night. Want to volunteer? Go to: www.angelflighteast.org

On Saturday, March 6th the fifth annual Friends of the Red Cross's Red Ball raised over $120,000 this year for the Red Cross organization. A new venue for the popular young friends' ball - the new National Constitution Center - they hosted almost double the number of attendees. The previous four balls were held at the Union League. The change of venue was refreshing (and blissfully smoke-free, except for the balcony outside where the usual little herd huddled). As expected, there was a sea of red gowns and bowties. One woman wore the standard black dress but had red shoes, earrings, necklace, and opera-length gloves!

Starwine and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board held their Stars of Wine Dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel on March 6th. Over three days, sixty of the world's top sommeliers and wine tasters from twenty-five countries have tasted over 2,000 wines. (No, they do not swallow!)

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society opened the 2004 Flower Show at the Convention Center on Saturday, March 6th, with the annual black-tie preview gala.