Capital Diplomacy This new series highlights past and upcoming events around the Washington area that showcase how the diplomatic community lends its support for a worthy cause. Jazz at the Meridian The Meridian International Center held its 36th annual Meridian Ball on Oct. 7 to raise funds for the centerís educational and outreach programs. This yearís ball offered the usual glitz and VIP glamour, with a host of ambassadors, politicians, captains of industry and other leaders coming to the historic institution for this widely anticipated Washington social gathering. The theme of this yearís ball was ìBlack, White and Jazz,î as diplomats and others danced the night away to the sounds of American jazz classics played by Fred Starr and the Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble of New Orleans. Outside, guests mingled in the cool evening air under a romantic canopy of trees in the Meridian Centerís candlelit garden. Unlike previous balls, this yearís Meridian Ball was held on a Thursday instead of a Friday evening, but even though most people had to get up the next morning, that didnít seem to put a damper on the late-night festivities. Before heading to the Meridian Center for desserts and dancing, guests enjoyed dinner at some 30 ambassador residences across the city. The ball was co-chaired by Franki Roberts (wife of Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts), Jane Lipton Cafritz (of the Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation) and Mary L. Howell (executive vice president of Textron Inc.). The Meridian International Center works to promote international understanding through the exchange of people, ideas and the arts. Sisterly Love Bolivian Ambassador Jaime Aparicio and his wife, Pamela, hosted a reception on Oct. 14 to benefit Unidad Academica Campesina (UAC), a college for Boliviaís rural poor. Sister Mary Damon Nolan, director of the UAC, launched the college 12 years ago on a rocky mountainside with no funding. Today, the campus boasts 24 buildings and 600 students pursuing bachelor of science degrees. Many Washingtonians provided the initial financial support for the college, and the fruits of their labor were showcased when two recent graduates attended the reception. Nordic Christmas The eighth annual Norwegian Christmas at Union Station offers an array of holiday events showcasing the traditions and culture of Norway. The three-week festival begins Nov. 23 with the official seasonal opening of the Toys for Tots collection in the Washington area. Norwegian Ambassador Knut Vollebaek gives the first gift on behalf of the Royal Norwegian Embassy. The event also features the starting of the Norwegian holiday model train, one of the worldís largest model trains. On Nov. 30, Norwegian Princess M?rtha Louise flips the switch for the 8,000 lights on the 30-foot Christmas tree at Union Station. The show also includes live performances by ìWorld Idolî winner Kurt Nilsen as a preview to his free concert at the Birchmere on Dec. 2. Other featured events include traditional Norwegian holiday treats at the Taste of Norway reception on Dec. 5 and holiday shopping at the Norwegian Bazaar on Dec. 10 and 11, both at Union Station. An exhibit of photographs and artifacts from the lives of the indigenous Sami reindeer herders of Northern Norway will be on display throughout the festival. Food for Thought A symposium to commemorate World Food Day was held on Oct. 19 at the Howard University School of Law. International dignitaries, including Director of the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization Jacques Diouf, and officials from the Council on Foreign Relations were joined by ambassadors from South Africa, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. The experts addressed the World Food Day theme for 2004, ìBiodiversity for Food Security,î which focuses on ensuring that people have sustainable access to high-quality food to lead active and healthy lives. More than 840 million people remain hungry around the world and many more suffer from micronutrient deficiencies. Play Rugby The seventh annual Ambassadorís Shield rugby tournament sponsored by the New Zealand Embassy and Ambassador John Wood is being held on Nov. 7 at Hyde School in Northeast Washington to raise funds for the Hyde School Rugby program. The first match in 1997 attracted some 75 spectators. Last year, a record 800 people turned out to watch the team of New Zealanders lose for the first in the final seconds of the game to their competitors, the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union, setting the stage for an exciting rematch this year. Russian Winter Russian Ambassador Yuri V. Ushakov opened his embassy to the Studio Theatre to host their 2004 Fall Benefit on Oct. 19. The reception of vodka, wine and hors díoeuvres ushered in the theaterís ìRussian Winter Season,î which commenced with contemporary Russian playwright Oleg Bogaevís bittersweet tale ìThe Russian National Postal Serviceî (See October 2004 issue of The Washington Diplomat). Delectable Opera Neiman Marcus and the Womenís Committee of the Washington National Opera hosted ìGreat Chefs for Great Opera,î a tasting benefit for the Washington Opera, on Oct. 24. In keeping with Neiman Marcusís ìbutterflyî theme this season, costumes from the Washington Operaís production of ìMadama Butterflyî were on display, along with the $40,000 ìButterflyî installation in the rotunda of the Neiman Marcus store. Participating chefs included Jamie Leeds of 15 Ria, Jamison Blankenship of Nectar and Robert Weland of Poste (See Dining review).