Taste of the Town: A Palate-Pleasing Paradise, By Diana Sevanian, Volunteer, Child & Family Center

Slated for May 4, Taste of the Town helps support the Child & Family Center.

Picture this: Dozens of local restaurants and caterers offering delectable dishes for you to leisurely feast upon. There’s a large array of wine and beer purveyors eager to pour their finest selections. Distinctive entertainment by platinum recording artist Mark LeVang & Friends also awaits you, as does a fabulous live and silent auction, exciting raffles, and opportunity drawings for a Classic Designs Jewelry one-carat diamond, and a Princess Cruises 15-day cruise for two to the Hawaiian Islands. Further adorning this plum milieu is many hundreds of people…friends, neighbors, community leaders, all doing what our valley excels at – having a great time while supporting a worthy non-profit cause.

Taste-Logo1The scene described is none other than Taste of the Town, the Child & Family Center’s premier annual fundraiser, which will be held Sunday, May 4 from 1-5 p.m. along the park-like grounds of Mann Biomedical Park in Valencia. Proceeds from the event, which last year raised $223,000, help the non-profit organization provide mental health, behavioral, and education services to children, adults and families.

Debbie Heys, whose Child & Family Center affiliations include Foundation board membership and past Taste of the Town chair, praises “Taste” as “the best event in the Santa Clarita Valley.”

“With fabulous restaurants and caterers, beer and wine, amazing entertainment and a beautiful setting… not to mention it’s casual…I love that it’s an event that the general public enjoys,” said Heys, a mother and grandmother who faithfully attends “Taste” each year with her husband John. “It’s also fun to mingle and meet people we haven’t seen before. And it’s a great way to spread the word about the Child and Family Center.”

Tickets to the event are going fast and everyone is encouraged to get theirs now, said Joyce Carson, who is co-chairing Taste of the Town with Sandra Smith, a fellow former long-time SCV educator.

“This is really the ‘must-attend’ event of the year and has been voted the best charity event in Santa Clarita,” Carson said.

While it’s easy to get caught up in the enjoyment of Taste of the Town, it is important to remember that many children and families are helped each day by the Child and Family Center, stated Lois Bauccio, president of the Child & Family Center Foundation.

“Some see no for their future and have attempted suicide. Without help these children are more likely to have academic failure, to use and abuse drugs and alcohol, or become bullies or be bullied, or to become involved with the legal system, often leading to incarceration'” the president cautioned.

Sandra Smith shares Carson and Bauccio’s passion for the Child & Family Center, noting that the agency plays a crucial role in supporting our SCV youth and families.

“As an administrator and teacher in our local public schools, I have experienced first-hand what Child and Family Center programs do for our families in crisis,” said Smith, who worked for the Sulphur Springs School District from 1984 to 2010. “These programs and services make a difference in children’s lives every day, so they can grow to become successful productive citizens. It is our obligation as members of the SCV community to value the important role of the Child and Family Center and provide assistance in whatever way possible.”

Taste of the Town tickets are available online at www.tasteofthetownscv.com

For reserved (umbrella/table seats) call the Foundation at (661) 255-6847.

Diamond Drop opportunity raffle tickets cost $25 each and include a glass of champagne. Hawaiian Cruise opportunity raffle tickets cost $100 with only 200 tickets being sold. Winners need not be present for either raffle. Please contact the Foundation for raffle tickets or further information: (661) 255-6847.

Mann Biomedical Park is located at 25105 Rye Canyon Loop, Valencia.

On Taste of the Town Sponsors and Food-Drink Participants (Updated 4-25-14)

Taste of the Town Sponsors and Food-Drink Participants
Taste of the Town could not exist without its generous businesses and individuals. Presented by Bank of Santa Clarita and Whitening Lightning, its event sponsors also include (as of press time): Mann Biomedical Park; Evolution Interactive Group; Ruhnau Ruhnau Clarke; Santa Clarita Studios; Princess Cruises; Harold and Jacqulyn Petersen; Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles; Boston Scientific; Salon 7; Classic Designs Jewelry; Stifel Nicolaus & Company; Kevin Shannon/CBRE; Wells Fargo Bank; Andy Gump Temporary Site Services; PDC/Brady Corp Foundation; Lundgren Management; Old Republic Title Co.; Pardee Homes; Chiquita Canyon – A Water Conservation Company; Law Offices of G. Marshall Hann; Stratton and Sons Moving and Storage; Lentini Insurance & Investments; ASG – Animal Specialty Group; Santa Clarita Concessions; The KreyenhagenFamily; Shepard Insurance Co.; Santa Clarita Sunrise Rotary;Geotechnologies, Inc.; Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Company; Kaiser Permanente; City of Santa Clarita; Confidential Data Destruction Company; Julie Sturgeon, CPA; Galpin Santa Clarita; Six Flags Magic Mountain; The Magazine of Santa Clarita; élite Magazine; KHTS AM-1220; The Signal; Time Warner Cable Media; Burrtec Waste Industries Inc.; Gymnastics Unlimited; LA Party Rents; Twenty-Five Score;Thomas Graphics; American Business Machines; MV Transportation; SCVTV; BMW Valencia; AMS Fulfillment, and Frank and CharlotteKleeman, Heys Plumbing, Advanced Bionics, Robert Gore Rifkind Foundation.

You cannot serve a feast for thousands without a vast array of appetizing dishes and beverages. Thanks to the many local eateries, caterers, and wine/beer providers for making this fabulous feat a reality. Taste of the Town’s mouth-watering lineup includes: Jill’s Cake Creations; Persia Restaurant; Nothing Bundt Cakes; Wolf Creek Restaurant; Jersey Mike’s Subs; Newhall Refinery; Anheuser Busch; Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill; Pinot’s Palette; Rita’s of Santa Clarita; Vines Restaurant & Bar;Sisley Italian Kitchen; Whole Foods Market, Valencia; The Yacht Club at Channel Islands Harbor; Salt Creek Grille Catering; Fireman’s Brew; Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que; Signal Wine Club; Marston’s Restaurant; Castaic Lake Water Agency; Eat Real Café; Clarice’s Cake & Candy Supply; Rubio’s; Bake You Happy; Bella Cucina; KokolitaCakes & More; Parashars’ Indian Kitchen; Robinson Ranch; Shave-It Valencia; Lima Limon Peruvian Restaurant; Margarita’s Mexican Grill; Jeannie J’s Events; Nana’s Banana Bread; Fab Hot Dogs; Hidden Havana Cuban Café; Larsen’s Steakhouse; Embassy Suites Valencia; Henry Mayo Café; Custom Caterers; Jasmine Thai Noodle & BBQ; BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse; Organo Gold; COC Institute for Culinary Education; Reyes Winery; J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines, Allied Beverages, and Lee’s Wine Bistro.

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The Wine Pavilion, Sponsored by the Signal Wine Club:
Signal Wine Club
Nuggucciet Cellars
Magnavino Cellars
Southern Wines & Spirits

Some of the specific wines, at press time, to be poured for tastings include:

2012 Pedroncelli Winery Sauvignon Blanc

2012 Clairborne & Church “Edelzwicker” Proprietors  (White Blend)

Non-Vintage Sylvester Vineyard “Kiara” Sparkling Wine

2010 Clairborne & Church “Classic” Pinot Noir

2012 Pedroncelli Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

2009 Ballentine Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel

 

Below is a list of what wine we will be pouring for NUGGUCIET CELLARS

2009 Nuggucciet Cellars Riesling Oregon

2011 Nuggucciet Cellars Pinot Noir Oregon

2008 Nuggucciet Cellars Syrah Stanislaus County California

2012 Nuggucciet Cellars Chardonnay Lodi

2012 Nuggucciet Cellars Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley
Taste of the Vineyard:
Regal
Dark Horse
Classic
Chavez Vineyards

April 30 update: Magnavino Cellars will be serving these wines this Sunday at Taste of the Town: Trifection Blend (Grenache, Sangiovese and Petite Sirah), Old Vine Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Guilty Pleasures, a fortification of Petite Sirah!

Opportunity raffles

WIN A 15-DAY PRINCESS CRUISE TO HAWAII
Say aloha to the Hawaiian Islands with its lush tropical rainforests and towering waterfalls, pristine beaches of powdery white and volcanic black sands, the soothing sounds of ukuleles and sea turtles swimming amidst coral reefs. Princess delivers exactly what you’d want from such a carefree destination – a relaxing vacation that leaves everyday life far behind. Kick off your shoes, settle onto your very own private balcony, and watch as tropical shores appear languidly on the horizon. During your two-week-long cruise you’ll have the option of peaceful days of pure leisure or a myriad of activities and exciting places to explore. Onboard your beautiful Princess ship you’ll enjoy a wide array of pursuits including world-class dining, dazzling entertainment, fascinating enrichment classes and luxurious spa treatments, while on shore you’ll delight in beautiful beaches, shopping, watersports, regional cuisine and the colorful local culture. So come back new with Princess, where our friendly, gracious crew will make you feel at home every moment of your voyage. You may select sailings departing from Los Angeles, San Francisco or Vancouver.The prize is transferrable, so you can give it to someone as a gift! Balcony cabin Winner must book their cruise by May 4, 2015.Some restrictions apply. Only 200 tickets will be sold. Winner to be drawn May 4,2014 at Taste of the Town. Need not be present to win.To buy a ticket to win this fabulous cruise, contact the Foundation office: 661-255-6847 x3166. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the Taste of the Town.

DIAMOND DROP
Win a one-carat diamond hand-selected in Belgium by Classic Designs Jewelry.Includes a glass of champagne. Winner does not need to be present. If unable to attend the event, we will mail you a receipt and you will be automatically entered into the drawing.

*********LIVE AUCTION (please note, a painting by SparArt is coming in but Cheryl is still waiting to the info.

Relax in the Desert
One week at Marriot’s Shadow Ridge Resort in Palm Desert, September 5-12, 2014 http://www.marriott.com/

Tuscany Villa
One week in Tuscany, Italyat a luxurious vacation home. Sleeps 10 http://www.homeaway.com/

From the White House to Your House
Dinner party / cooking class in your home prepared by former White House Chef Louis Eguaras. www.presidentialchef.com

Old Hawaiian Paradise
One week in “Old Hawaii” at a private beachfront home on the island of Hawaii.

Rescue Puppies
8-week old poodle mix puppies need a good home. Puppies donated by the Dog House Rescue Foundation-Studio City and veterinary service provided by Community Veterinary Center. http://www.northhollywoodveterinary.com

Party Time
Party for 50 people poolside at a beautiful Sand Canyon estate, including dinner prepared by Persia Restaurant.

Aloha Maui
One week at a 4,000 square foot home in Maui, sleeps 12.

Host Your Own Fabulous Party
Gourmet wine pairing dinner for 8 or cocktail party for 20 in your home by the C&FC Auxiliary.