Nick Martines

More than 125 public officials and industry leaders attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the 2014 Ultimate Homearama on Nov. 6 at the The Pinnacle in Oakland Township. When complete, the luxury homes will open for public tours in August 2014.

McLaren Macomb Healthcare Foundation's BRAvo Breast Cancer Fundraiser event was held Oct. 15 at Pennas in Sterling Heights. A portion of the proceeds will support the BRAvo for Women free mammogram program for uninsured women in Macomb County.

Yatooma's Foundation for the Kids held its 10th Annual Champions Golf Outing on Sept. 16 Orchard Lake Country Club in Orchard Lake Village.

DBusiness hosted its annual Big Heat on Sept. 9 at Tre Monti Ristorante in Troy. More than 200 guests fine cigars, gourmet cuisine, and beverages. Sponsors included: Orley Shabahang, Budd, Melone & Co., Corporate Eagle, and Franco Public Relations Group.

The 2013 Bernie Smilovitz Harvest Classic Andiamo Restaurant Group Outing, which benefited Gleaners Community Food Bank, was held on August 26 at the Detroit Golf Club. More than 300 people took part in the event. Photos by Patrick Gloria and Nick Martines

The cars were the stars at the 2013 Dream Cruise, with stops at the Forgotten Harvest Champagne Cruise, Conway MacKenzie Jax Car Wash Party, and other stops along the way. Photos by Patrick Gloria and Nick Martines

On Aug. 12, more than 400 golfers and supporters attended the Paul W. Smith Golf Classic at the Detroit Golf Club. The event, which included 18 holes of golf and a strolling dinner, raised $530,000 for Detroit PAL.

Thousands of people traveled to the Detroit River to watch Hydroplanes race at speeds near 200 miles per hour July 12-14. APBA Gold Cup, officially named the APBA Challenge Cup, is among the most prestigious of motor sport trophies, in part because it is the oldest active trophy in all of motor sports. The trophy was first awarded in 1904.

An amazing night of food on July 9 benefited two special programs; Cooking Matters and the Chef & Child Foundation. The two programs are instrumental in educating children and families about nutrition and healthy cooking on a budget.

On June 12, more than 800 people attended Men Who Cook at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. The event, a fundraiser for the Tom Groth Patient Medical Needs Fund, included several dozen culinary teams, a live auction, a raffle, and live entertainment.