Last summer I wrote about Tokyo's upcoming wine event, the prestigious Japan International Wine Challenge, a competition that brings together the world's leading sommeliers, producers, importers and experts, giving devotees a chance to meet leaders in the world of wine and to taste some of the world's greatest vintages. Last year's event was the first to be held in Asia and its success prompted this repeat performance. Once again the setting is the Westin Hotel in Ebisu, culminating in a gala black-tie banquet with Nobu Restaurant's Nobu Matsuhisa, Turandot's Yuji Wakiya and the Westin's Jorg Richter each creating special courses to complement the wines. Guests will be served selected wines from a carefully composed list of 30 distinguished entries from the world's greatest wine-growing regions and can participate in a professional wine tasting conducted by Japan's No. 1 sommelier Hiroshi Ishida of the Otani Hotel's La Tour d'Argent. A charity auction conducted by Christies will benefit the Japan Save the Children Fund.

Tastings will be open to the public Nov. 2-3, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Some 1,500 wines from all over the world -- twice as many as last year -- have been entered in this year's competition. Tasting is, of course, limited by the number of bottles of each wine, usually two or three. For many, the chance to participate in such an international event with leading authorities on hand will be the most memorable part of the experience. Tickets for the tastings are 3,000 yen. You can pay at the door or contact the Wine Challenge office at (03) 3470-7483 or by fax, (03) 3470-7821. The banquet (Nov. 12, from 6:30 p.m.) to which the public is invited is 30,000 yen for one or 50,000 yen for two. Make your reservations through the numbers given above.

Each year there are many opportunities to contribute to worthy causes. Natural disasters hit with increasing frequency, local schools and organizations hold fundraising events, and we can give on a more individual basis when we see a specific need. Still, it is possible to give something more valuable than a check or a cash contribution: time. In today's world with many demands and extended responsibilities, you may wonder who has time to give. Yet there are many worthwhile organizations that depend on volunteers. Helping others by giving this most valuable gift can be a rewarding experience, yet even those who are willing to help can be frustrated by not knowing where they are needed or who they should contact. Now Foreign Executive Women has compiled Volunteering Directory 2000 for the Tokyo area, available to everyone at no charge except for postage. Listed are more than 70 nonprofit organizations including a wide variety of activities, among them animal welfare, crisis support, education, environment, health, human rights, refugees, social welfare and women's groups. Especially valuable are skills such as counseling, computering, editing, fundraising, research, teaching, training and translating. In some cases, just being there is enough.