To start the month of  February off right, I’d like to mention a subject near and dear to my heart. . .the upcoming Les Dames, Seattle, fundraiser on Thursday, February 25, 5:30 p.m., at the Women’s University Club in downtown Seattle.

La Dolce Vita: Celebrating the Essence of Italy will feature Cucina (an Italian-inspired antipasti feast and grappa tasting), Cultura (a humor-filled presentation by Italian culture lecturer Anne Robichaud), and Ceramica (a silent auction of more than 400 pieces of handmade Italian ceramics). With so many moving parts and bells and whistles, this promises to be one of the year’s best parties!

Tickets are $95, available online, or call (206) 276-5527 for more information. Profits from the evening benefit the Seattle Dames scholarship and community-outreach programs, which have disbursed more than $275,000 over the past 20 years.