We are pleased to feature the participants of this year’s Taste of the Town on the cover of this issue.  
It’s easy to understand why Child & Family Center’s Taste of the Town has been voted “Best Charity Event in the SCV” two years in a row by a poll of local residents. Featuring more than 40 of Santa Clarita’s best restaurants, caterers, and wine and beer purveyors, all offering samples of their finest in the beautiful garden setting of Mann Biomedical Park, it’s always an incredibly good time for everyone.

Do yourself a favor and make plans now to join in the festivities on Sunday, May 6 from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.  Now in its 24th year, Child & Family Center’s Taste of the Town is an annual community highlight that truly puts the “fun” in fundraising with its focus on “Food, Glorious Food”.  This year’s event is presented by Bank of Santa Clarita and Aquafine Corporation.
Everyone in attendance will be treated to a “taste” of unlimited food and drink samples for the all-inclusive price of $75 or you can donate $125 for reserved seating.  Live music and entertainment, a silent auction, opportunity drawings and a champagne diamond drop will round out the exciting day.
“We are thrilled when people say our Taste of the Town just keeps getting better every year. But we completely owe its success to the wonderful support of our sponsors and the amazing participation of local food and beverage purveyors” said Lois Bauccio, Child & Family Center Foundation’s president and executive director, “This year their level of commitment has been more enthusiastic than ever – and that’s really saying something!”
“The Champagne Diamond Drop” has become a much-anticipated annual signature of Child & Family Center’s Taste of the Town.  Sponsored by Classic Designs Jewelry, owner Apo Yessayan travels to Belgium to personally hand-pick the featured one carat diamond to be given away.  To enter the drawing for this year’s shiny gem, guests can purchase a glass of champagne for $25 – and then one lucky person will win the coveted prize.
Taste of the Town attendees will also have the opportunity to enter and win a spectacular seven-day cruise on Princess Cruises to the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean or the sun-kissed Mexican Riviera.  Opportunity tickets will be offered for $100 – and only 200 total tickets will be sold. The winner will be announced at the event.
Even if you can’t attend, you can still enter to win “The Champagne Diamond Drop” and seven-day Princess cruise. Contact the Foundation office at 661-255-6847 x3018 to purchase tickets. You need not be present to win.
Performing live on stage, Child & Family Center’s Taste of the Town will welcome back platinum recording artist Mark LeVang and Friends - a talented group of musicians that completely wowed the crowd last year.  Whether it is Rock, Pop, R&B, Latin, Jazz or Funk, this one of a kind band leaves listeners in utter amazement.  
If you don’t have a sitter for the kids, there is an easy solution. For the children of parents who are attending Taste of the Town, nearby Gymnastics Unlimited is offering a free open gym.  Located at 28373 Constellation Road, Gymnastics Unlimited is within walking distance of the event venue at Mann Biomedical Park. To qualify for this special opportunity, kids must be at least 5 years of age and parents must sign a Release Form for each child, reserve a time and spot in advance and be a Taste of the Town ticket holder.  Maximum capacity is 100 kids.
My Gym has made a similar offer for children ages four and under (child must be walking). They are located at 28331 Constellation Road.
Taste of the Town is certainly a fun event – but more importantly it’s a vital annual fundraiser for Child & Family Center. The Center provides mental health and behavioral intervention services for children, teens, adults and their families. Since 1976, the Center has helped thousands of people overcome various issues.  But this year the Center is facing daunting budget cuts. So more than ever before, the monies raised are instrumental to maintain the services needed by many local children and families.
Each week more than 850 local children and adults receive treatment for depression, anger, anxiety, abuse, thoughts of suicide, and drug and alcohol addictions, among other disorders.
Child & Family Center’s Taste of the Town is both a great event and an exceptional bargain. It offers fun with friends, a date with your spouse, free childcare, and all the food and drink you want.   Plus you’re helping the people in your community who need it most.  
Tickets are available at retail locations throughout Santa Clarita.  For a list of locations or to buy tickets online, visit www.tasteofthetown.com.  For more information, please contact Cheryl Jones in the Child & Family Center Foundation office at 661-255-6847 x3018.

 

 

Participating Vendors as of Press Time Include:

• Allied Beverages, Inc.
• Anheuser Busch
• Bake You Happy
• Bella Cucina Italian Restaurant
• BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.
• Castaic Lake Water Agency
• Cielo Winery
• Clarice’s Cake & Candy Supplies
• COC Culinary Arts School
• Fireman’s Brew
• Gameday Sports Grille & Bar
• Jersey Mike’s Subs
• Jill’s Cake Creations
• Kupcake Kitchen
• Lazy Dog Café
• Lee’s Wine Bistro
• Margaritas
• Mixers Restaurant & Lounge
• Nana’s Banana Bread
• New Moon
• Olive Garden
• Persia Restaurant
• Roman Holiday,
• RSVP - The Catering Company
• Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill
• Salt Creek Grille Catering
• Schreiner’s Fine Sausages, Inc.
• SHAVE IT
• Sushiya Bar & Grill
• The Tea Gardens
• Trader Joes
• Vines Restaurant & Bar
• Vino 100
• Whole Foods Market
• Wine Warehouse
• Wokcano
• Wolf Creek Brewing Co.

Joining presenting sponsors:
• Bank of Santa Clarita
• Aquafine Corporation,
• The Magazine of Santa Clarita
• Mann Biomedical Park
• Princess Cruises
• KHTS AM 1220
• L.A. Party Rents
• The Signal Newspaper
• KCSN Radio
• Time Warner Cable
• Santa Clarita Studios
• Valencia Production Partners
• Andy Gump
• Classic Designs Jewelry
• Harold & Jacquie Petersen
• Shepard Insurance Agency
•Geotechnologies, Inc.
• Six Flags Magic Mountain
and Hurricane Harbor
• Citadel Environmental
Services, Inc.
• Gymnastics Unlimited
• My Gym
• Advantage Disposal &
Recycling Services
• Thomas Graphics
• Salon 7