Photographs by Patrick Gloria

As a prelude to the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, the Belle Isle Conservancy hosted the Grand Prixmiere, a fundraiser, on May 31 at DTE Energy's Town Square. The event included a VIP reception, dinner, interviews with racecar drivers, and more.

On May 8, Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan, in partnership with DBusiness and News/Talk 760 WJR, held its Champions of the New Economy reception at the Quicken Loans JA Finance Park in downtown Detroit.

The Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce held its ninth Annual Public Policy Breakfast on May 14 at the Detroit Athletic Club. More than 250 guests listened to a speech by Gov. Rick Snyder, who encouraged the growth of small- and medium-sized businesses.

Oakwood Hospital's Center for Exceptional Families and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit held the Red Tie Ball: A Magical Night in Tuscany on April 27 at Joe Louis Arena. The evening included a sit-down dinner, a live auction, tours of the locker rooms, and bocce ball courts.

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 20, more than 100 people attended the Polish Garden Party, a fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit, which opened in 1979 next to the Children's Hospital of Michigan at the Detroit Medical Center.

On June 13, automotive icon Bob Lutz and business partner Gilbert Villarreal unveiled the VLP Date Wheel Watch at Simply Marcella, a boutique in Lake Orion. More than 75 people attended the event to preview the watch and the upcoming VL Destino.