BARAK AT NA'AMAT DINNER
Rafael Barak, deputy chief of mission at the Israeli Embassy in the United States, will be the guest speaker for the Spiritual Adoption/Scholarship Dinner of NA'AMAT USA, Pittsburgh Council, starting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Beth Shalom Congregation, 5915 Beacon St., Squirrel Hill.
Barak, a career diplomat at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1977, was chief coordinator for negotiations with the Palestinians from 1993 until 1995.
The dinner will honor James Roddey, Allegheny County executive, and his wife, Elin. Tickets are $25.
Details: (412) 521-5253.
NUTCRACKER BALL
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's sixth annual Nutcracker Ball, starting at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Omni William Penn Hotel, 530 William Penn Place, Downtown. Dress is black tie.
Cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m., during which there will be a jewelry auction by Orr's Jewelers, a silent auction for a guitar autographed by pop star Sting. A strolling Victorian Quartet and characters from the Nutcracker will be mingling with the crowd.
At 7:30 p.m., artists in the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will perform selections from the theater's current repertoire. Dinner will follow, as will dancing to music by the Special Effect Orchestra.
Tickets are $275. Proceeds benefit Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.
Details: (412) 454-9125.
RED CROSS BENEFIT
The 2001 American Red Cross Benefit, "A Celebration of the American Spirit," begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Westin Convention Center Hotel. Downtown. Dress is black tie.
U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum will be the evening's honorary chairman. Cocktails and dinner will be served, followed by dancing.
TIckets are $225. Proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross.
Details: (412) 263-3127.
COURAGEOUS WOMAN AWARD DINNER
Mom's House Inc. will hold the Sixth Annual Courageous Woman Award Dinner, starting at 6 p.m. Friday at the Westin Convention Center and Hotel, Downtown.
The recipient of this year's Courageous Woman Award is Suzie McConnell Serio, a retired WNBA basketball player, Olympic medalist, coach of girl's basketball at Oakland Catholic High School and mother of four children.
Peggy Finnegan of WPXI-TV will emcee the event, and Tom Usher, president and chief executive officer of USX Corp., will chair the event with his wife, Sandy.
Tickets are $80 to $100, or $750 for tables of 10. Proceeds will benefit support child-care programs for low-income single parents at Mom's House.
Details: (412) 321-4447.
EVENING OF PROMISE
The board of trustees at Pittsburgh Mercy Foundation has planned "An Evening of Promise," beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Omni William Penn Hotel, 530 William Penn Place, Downtown.
"Keeping the Promise" refers to the promise made by the Sisters of Mercy when they established Pittsburgh's first hospital, Mercy Hospital, in 1847 - to provide health care for all people in need, regardless of their ability to afford it.
Mercy will recognize the newest members of the McAuley Society, benefactors contributing to Mercy's mission.
The evening begins with a wine tasting, silent auction and a live auction featuring a trip for two to California's Napa Valley. Dinner begins at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $250. Proceeds benefit the Pittsburgh Mercy Health System.
Details: (412) 232-7504.
NIGHT AT THE FIGHTS
The National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, Western Pennsylvania Chapter, plans a second Night at the Fights, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Omni William Penn Hotel.
The event consists of a reception, dinner and amateur boxing matches. IBF Lightweight Champion Paul Spadafora and other sports dignitaries will attend. There also will be a silent auction of sports memorabilia and a raffle for a 2001 Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycle.
Tickets range from $100 per person to $2,500 for tables of 10. Proceeds benefit the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.
Details: (412) 928-8303.
40 UNDER 40
The Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project and WQED's Pittsburgh Magazine will hold the Third Annual "Pittsburgh's 40 under 40," starting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the WQED Studios, 4802 Fifth Ave., Oakland.
"40 Under 40" honors 40 talented individuals younger than 40 who are making an impact on the Pittsburgh region's development.
This year's mix of winners was chosen by representatives of the business, high-tech, arts, education and media communities in Pittsburgh.
Music will come from local ska band the B-3's for the festivities, which will be part of a special edition of WQED's "On Q Magazine," airing that night at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $40.
Details: (412) 338-2133.
SCHOLARSHIP DINNER DANCE
The Duquesne University Women's Advisory Board Music Scholarship Dinner Dance will begin with cocktails at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Duquesne Club, 325 Sixth Ave., Downtown.
This year's scholarship award winner is Emily Doerfel, a soprano who will perform for the event attendees. Tickets are $125. Proceeds benefit the university's Mary Pappert School of Music.
Details: (412) 881-2949.
Send benefit news to Social Calendar, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, D.L. Clark Building, 503 Martindale St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Fax: (412) 320-7966. Or e-mail tribliving@tribweb.com.
