Wolf Creek signature brews are one of the many delicious offerings at Taste of the Town.

Local restaurants, caterers and wine purveyors have joined to offer a wide variety of tantalizing fare at the 18th Annual Taste of the Town. On Sunday, May 7, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., guests will celebrate Child and Family Center's 30th birthday while sampling dishes representing the best of Santa Clarita.

This year's event will feature live entertainment combined with all of the food and beverage you can consume and promises to be the biggest and best Taste of the Town to date. Guests will dance to the music of Side Effect Motown Revue while taking part in the live and silent auctions, offering valuable trips, gift certificates and a variety of one-of-a-kind items. Guests can also take part in an opportunity drawing offering a chance to win a trip for two to Maui. With only 100 tickets available at $100 each, this is an exciting way to support the cause, with great odds of winning. You can even enjoy a glass of champagne and the chance to win a real diamond in the event's famous Diamond Drop.

With so much to eat, drink and experience, Taste of the Town is truly a day of culinary delight. Attended by over 2,000 people and raising $167,000 last year, the Center hopes to exceed that goal this time around. Taste of the Town 2006 wouldn't be a success without the generosity of its title sponsor, Valencia Acura and other incredible sponsors who make it all possible.

Of course, a food and wine tasting event couldn't be held without the generous donations of so many local restaurants and caters. Check out the sidebar for a who's-who of attendees.

Cheryl Jones, vice president of the Child and Family Center Foundation, explained that this year's event will kick off the Center's commemoration of 30 years of service. "We hope the community will join us in celebrating 30 years of changing the lives of children and families in Santa Clarita," she says.

Jones went on to explain that what makes this event all the more special is the fact that the money raised goes directly toward the Child and Family Center's many programs. From outpatient counseling, substance abuse prevention and treatment and crisis intervention to preschool/daycare programs for low income families and parenting classes, the Center strives to improve the lives of countless families within our valley.

Jones is especially proud of their school-based counseling program, which provides therapists directly to 24 local elementary, junior high and high school sites. She explains, "Our goal is to provide therapists on every campus in Santa Clarita. In this way, we recognize and treat kids' problems before they escalate, often resulting in crisis situations where they become a threat to themselves or others."

Tickets to Taste of the Town are reasonably priced at $60 per person in advance and include all food, beer and wine for the day. Umbrella table seating tickets are still available at $100 and include reserved stage-side seating. Walk-in guests are welcome with a ticket price of $70 at the door.

The event will be held at Mann Biomedical Center located at 25104 Rye Canyon Loop in Santa Clarita. There is plenty of free parking available on site.

To purchase tickets or to receive more information about Taste of the Town, contact Child and Family Center at 255-6847, extension 3018 or visit their website at www.tasteofthetownscv.com.

For more information on Child and Family Center and the programs offered, visit their website at www.childfamilycenter.org.


Participating Taste of the Town Restaurants Include...
Jill's Cake Creations
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
California Pasta Productions
Nardone's
Cavi Cucina Italiana
Wolf Creek
RSVP
Loose Goose
Salt Creek Grille
An Affaire Extraordinaire
Clarice's Cake & Candy Supplies
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
The Vines
Edible Arrangements
Mimi's Cafe
Margarita's Mexican Grill
Michele Pastry Cafe
Merci Beaucoup
LA Trends
Wine of the Month Club
Cooney Foods
Panera Bread
The Social
Charo Chicken
Trader Joe's
Maru
Roast House
South Pointe Argentine Grill
Hoshi Japanese BBQ Restaurant
Dream Dinners
Sycamore Bar & Grill
Whole Foods Market
Fresher's Lemonade
George's Bistro
Ohana Hawaiian BBQ
Final Score
Greenhouse Cafe
Wild Thyme
Spumoni
Philly's Best
Jasmine Thai BBQ
All Corked Up