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Most folks in Baltimore are familiar with the tragedy of Zach Sowers, a young financial analyst from Johns Hopkins who was attacked in June of 2007 by a group of teenagers.  They beat him into a coma and, nearly a year later, he died from his injuries.  The attack aroused the passions of the city, both good and bad, as debates raged over race, class, and punishment. Talk show switchboards lit up. Posts and threads flooded online forums.

And at the center of it:  Zach’s widow, Anna Cheng Sowers.  Her clashes with State’s Attorney Patricia Jessamy’s office (namely, spokeswoman Margaret Burns) over its handling of the case further exacerbated public opinion and inspired people to demand more from a broken justice system.

Today, the arguments have simmered to a slow burn, creating a soft backdrop for Anna Sowers’ newest role: health advocate.  She helped found the Zach Sowers Brain Trauma Research Fund at Johns Hopkins’ Neurological Critical Care Unit.  Its purpose is to fund research and education efforts to help people living with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

As part of the effort, an event will be held March 1 at Pazo, the trendy Fell’s Point fine dining destination.  Tickets are $75 per person and, thanks to the generosity of Pazo owners Cindy Wolf and Tony Foreman, 100% of the proceeds go directly to the fund.

If the lure of great food and great booze at a phenomenal price for a worthwhile cause doesn’t lure you, the guest list might.  Ace of Cake’s Duff Goldman.  Talk show hosts Ron Smith and Ed “The Commish” Norris.  And the original ass-kicker, Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa.

For more information, click here.Tickets are available online.  See you there.

When he’s not here, M.M. McDermott is here.  Email him at mmcdermott@getrenegade.com or follow him on Twitter.

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