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In San Francisco, former printing press turned lounge Harlot was the place to be for the launch of Sake2Me, a sparkling drink that blends imported Japanese Junmai sake with exotic all-natural Asian flavors like yuzu citrus, Asian pear and green tea. Between cocktails, guests listened to music by DJ Vinnie Esperanza and nibbled on food by Sushi Groove and Oola.

Marin Brewing Company and Noonan's Bar and Grill hosted Fermenting Change: Microbreweries Battling Breast Cancer. This year's beer festival was the most successful to date, having earned over $35,000, with all proceeds going to the Charlotte Maxwell Complementary Clinic.

At the MacMurray Ranch in Healdsburg over 100 wineries and 60 chefs were on hand to treat attendees to the ultimate tasting experience at the Sonoma County Showcase Weekend of Wine and Food. Between the never-ending rows of booths, crowds gathered for the Iron Chef competition, which featured some of the wine country's top talent. After three rounds, Jeff Mall from Zin Restaurant and Wine Bar was crowned the winner. The weekend's proceeds benefit local charities.

Lytton Plaza was the place for sipping the newest release of Silver Oak Cabernet and 70 other vinos at this year's Mill Valley Wine and Gourmet Food Tasting. The event featured Marin restaurants Bungalow 44, Ora, Champagne French Bakery, Pasta Pomodoro and Small Shed Flatbreads, while the silent auction boasted a private wine tasting, magnums and more. Proceeds from this year's event support the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce.

At the annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer locals spent the weekend trekking almost 40 miles, from Golden Gate Park to Mill Valley and back and then around San Francisco, all to raise funds to fight the disease. Together more than 2,400 participants raised over $5.6 million, part of which has already been granted to local nonprofits Zero Breast Cancer and the Marin County Department of Health. Tiburon's own Heather Cooper was the top sixth individual fundraiser for the entire walk, while Team Moxi, made up of Marin locals (and Cooper), was also the top sixth team fundraiser, with over $50,000 in donations.

At the fourth annual golf fundraiser, Tee It Up to Celebrate Life, 144 players gathered for a sunny afternoon at the Sonoma Golf Club. The tournament and live auction raises money for the To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation, an all-volunteer nonprofit that raises funds and dispenses grants to Bay Area organizations offering support programs, early detection screening, and emotional and educational services for women and men living with breast cancer.

At the 19th annual Marin/Scapes: Art That Changes Lives opening night gala, which kicked off a five-day art benefit at Escalle Winery in Larkspur, artwork from over 60 prominent artists was featured. When guest weren't taking in the creative handiwork they were enjoying wine and food from E&O Trading Company, Harris' Restaurant, Sol Food Puerto Rican Cuisine, The Melting Pot, Shindigs Catering, Maria Manso World Cuisine, Delicious Inc. and Ciao Bella Gelato. The event raised more than $100,000 for Buckelew Employment Services, which provides job training, placement and coaching for adults with mental illness in Marin and Sonoma.

At the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco a day was devoted to hats when the Hospice by the Bay Foundation presented its annual Looking Good event for over 300 guests. The gathering featured a runway fashion show, luncheon, silent auction and hat contest judged by Ruth Dewson of Mrs. Dewson's Hats, film critic Jan Wahl, and Marin Magazine's Jim Wood. Hospice by the Bay president and CEO Mary Taverna thanked the guests and volunteers for their support of the gala event, which raised more than $55,000 for Hospice, saying, "I tip my hat to you."

It was a sublime evening benefit for the Ross Valley Players at the hilltop home of Marin residents Tom Ahlberg and Stephanie Saunders Ahlberg. The event featured a staged reading of Dear Liar by Jerome Kilty, which was directed by Cris Cassell and performed by Stephanie Saunders Ahlberg and Alex Ross.

In San Francisco females were out in force at the Rock-it Room launch party for Samantha Schoech and Marin native Lisa Taggart's new book The Bigger the Better, the Tighter the Sweater: 21 Funny Women on Beauty, Body Image and Other Hazards of Being Female. In addition to hilarious readings from contributors and a raffle by cosponsors Green Apple Books and Benefit Cosmetics, there was a free brow bar with eyebrow shaping and makeup touch-ups.

Also in the big city, teens from all over the country and Marin came together for a week of Young Performers International's rock camp, which culminated in a full-on rock concert at Cafe du Nord benefiting YPI's Young Musicians Program.

Back in Marin, Simpsons fans were treated to a session with Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson.