2007 Crystal Ball

No, we’re not talking about an omnipotent orb, this is the Arthritis Foundation’s 19th annual Crystal Ball. The fundraiser, scheduled for Jan. 20 at the Jefferson Hotel, raises money for the Virginia Chapter, which seeks to prevent, control and cure arthritis — according to the Centers for Disease Control, 43 million adults reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis in 2002.

Attendees will find a gourmet dinner, cocktails and dancing. Original watercolors by event chairperson Dr. W. Baxter Perkinson Jr. will be among the items featured in the silent and live auctions.

Lawyer Jay M. Weinberg, a lawyer with Hirschler Fleischer, will be honored for his leadership in the community. The evening will also showcase Premier HealthCare Associates’ Dr. Michael J. Strachan, this year’s recipient of the Grace Branch Moore Medical Excellence Award, which is presented to physicians because of their holistic care and affection toward patients. And Virginia Commonwealth University Health System’s Dr. Lenore M. Buckley will be presented the W. Robert Irby, M.D. Award for her dedication to the Arthritis Foundation. Tickets to the Crystal Ball, which begins at 7 p.m., are $150 each; corporate sponsorships are available, too. For more information, call 359-1700, ext. 305.