It was another British Invasion at the recent Maryland Food Bank’s 2008 Blue Jean Ball, as more than 550 guests showed up to support a great cause — feeding Maryland’s hungry. Partygoers were greeted by “adoring fans,” as they walked down the red carpet and entered the Food Bank’s warehouse, which was transformed into a psychedelic ’60s theme, complete with go-go girls and the Beatles.

Event chairs Marty and Mary Brunk and honorary co-chairs Jim and Jan Perdue greeted all to the mod surroundings, as they entered the cocktail hour. For the sit-down dinner, all noshed on British-inspired cuisine such as Scotch eggs and potato-encrusted fried cod provided by restaurateur — and longtime supporter of the Food Bank — Steve de Castro. Politicos such as Sen. and Mrs. Ben Cardin, City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Dels. Steven DeBoy and Jim Malone, and former Gov. Robert Ehrlich were spotted getting their groove on, too. In keeping with the theme, guests danced to American English — a Beatles tribute band.

Thanks to the Blue Jean Ball, enough money was raised so that 660,000 more meals will be provided to Marylanders living at or below the federal poverty level, according to the Food Bank’s Shanna Yetman.

HEART WARMING

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Art With A Heart held its annual fundraiser — Art in the City, COM-MIX and MARVEL — recently at Geppi’s Entertainment Museum in Baltimore. It was a huge hit with more than 350 guests, and auctioneer Jonathan Melnick brought in $22,000 during the live auction. More than $80,000 was raised to support the organization’s many programs, which serve disadvantaged and vulnerable children, adolescents and adults in the Baltimore area.

JENNA WATCH

Well into her European honeymoon, soon-to-be Baltimorean Jenna Bush Hager is trying to get her palate and tum-tum used to more seafood. This Texan steak-and-tater gal is rumored to get a little queasy with some shellfish. This news could make many in this town a bit crabby.