THE SILVER BALL, the Arthritis Foundation of Eastern Missouri’s annual fundraiser, is celebrating its 30th year at a black tie event Saturday, Dec. 4 at the downtown Four Seasons Hotel. 

This year the Leon Neuman Distinguished Service Award, which is presented annually, will go to Richard P. and Linda Sher, who have served as co-chairs of the event for six years. As astounding fundraisers, the Shers will have topped the $1 million mark upon completion of this year’s ball.  Their goal for this year’s event is $205,000, which will go to the Arthritis Foundation’s programs of advocacy and research of a disease that now affects nearly 50 million Americans. Your attendance at the Silver Ball will help them meet their goal.  A silent auction and cocktails will begin at 6 p.m., with dinner and a live auction at 8, followed by music and dancing until midnight.  For ticket information call Jan at 314-991-9333, ext 1308.

DELIVER A SMILE is a program created by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.  In December, the Society will deliver gifts to 125 people living with MS in our community. “These folks tend to be socially isolated, either living in a long-term care facility or homebound, so the program is designed to both give them a small gift that they can use, as well as provide a visitor to brighten their day,” explained Dan Friedman, Director of Communications of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Gateway Area Chapter. “The most popular item requested this year has been Walmart gift cards but any retailer cards such as Target or Schnucks as well as cash donations would be helpful for the program.”

Volunteers are needed to help make deliveries and donations of gift items and especially to deliver a smile. Should you want to volunteer or donate to the program, call the National MS Society at 314-781-9020 or 800 344-4867.  MS, I am told, stops people from moving.  The national MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t. It addresses the challenges of each person affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, collaborating with MS organizations around the world, and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.

DO YOU KNOW women who make a difference in the greater St. Louis region through their volunteer efforts? If so, consider nominating that person for an annual Women of Achievement Award, which has recognized women for the past 55 years who have a record of volunteer leadership. Those selected will be honored at the 2011 Achievement Awards Luncheon May 10 at the Ritz-Carlton.  To nominate a candidate, go to www.woasl.org and complete the nomination form or download the form and mail it. The deadline for submission of nominations is January 14.

THIRD DEGREE GLASS FACTORY, St. Louis’ largest public-access glass art education center, is a fascinating place to watch and learn about glass art and to purchase it at its center at 5200 Delmar Boulevard.   Now Third Degree is headed west to open a gallery store in the Chesterfield Mall. If you need more information call Anne Murphy at 314-367-4257 ext. 205.

STEVE ROSS, the Crown Prince of cabaret singers, likes St. Louis enough to spend the Thanksgiving weekend here and to perform at the Kranzberg Arts Center in Grand Center.  We will get a first look at “Rhythm and Romance,” the revised show he will perform for three weeks at the Algonquin Hotel in New York. There will be two performances here, Friday, Nov. 26 and Saturday, Nov. 27, both at 8 p.m. Ross has been performing for four decades at venues like the Ritz in London, the Crillion in Paris and the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, where his repertoire includes the music of Cole Porter, Rogers and Hart, Steven Sondheim and other sophisticated composers. For tickets call 314-725-4200 ext 10.