|
Fine spirits, plenty of tasty cuisine and fabulous prizes were the hallmark of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley’s 9th Annual Taste of the Valley, held in the courtyard of Fillmore’s picturesque City Hall.
|
Taste of the Valley: Fine spirits,
cuisine, prizes support Boys & Girls Clubs
April 18, 2014
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Fine spirits, plenty of tasty cuisine and fabulous prizes were the hallmark of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley’s 9th Annual Taste of the Valley, held in the courtyard of Fillmore’s picturesque City Hall.
The April 5 Taste drew club supporters from Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru who enjoyed an afternoon of socializing and bidding on a Silent Auction to benefit “The Positive Place for Kids.”
“This is the best turnout I’ve ever seen,” said Nan Drake of Ventura, sharing the EJ Harrison & Sons’ table with Patty Harrison, the club’s former president of the board as well as Jenny and Ralph Harrison, last year honored with the National Boys & Girls Clubs of America Jeremiah Milbank Society Award denoting their generous support.
The Emcee was Dave Wareham, a Ventura County Sheriff Captain and Fillmore’s Police Chief, who is also a club director.
“One of the reasons I do it is the club helps keep kids off the streets,” and out of trouble with a variety of educational, sports, life skills and creative arts programs among other offerings that make the club The Positive Place for Kids.
“It’s a great club proven nationwide and anything I can do community-wise for our kids, even outside being the chief, I’m doing!”
Wareham noted the Taste of the Valley “is a true community event and it’s really grown each year. This is the largest I’ve seen... there are more restaurants, more sponsors and more people,” enjoying the afternoon of food and fun.
Former Club President Patty Harrison said she would “Always support the club... its wonderful for kids especially those that might be at risk. Wish we had more clubs for more kids!”
Nancy Nasalroad was pouring tastings of fine wines but was quick to recommend an alternate beverage for a guest who said they could not abide wine.
“They have flavored vodka,” being sampled at another table, varieties she said included “Peanut flavored vodka... can you believe that? And I hear it’s delicious!”
Dozens of restaurants offered generous tastings of their favorite menu items and before and after snacking-some even during-circled the tables holding various “must have” silent auction items.
Entertainment included a very young girl with a surprising big voice dubbed “Little Beyonce” who wowed the crowd in spite of her at times obvious stage fright, earning rousing applause and encouragement from the audience.
Club Executive Director Jan Marholin was pleased not only with the event but the weather, which at past Tastes of the Valley had featured wild winds.
“You couldn’t have asked for a more gorgeous afternoon, everybody had a good time, food and beverage was abundant, all to support the clubs and kids in the Santa Clara River Valley.”
And, Marholin noted, “The highlight of the day was the weather, no wind, it was wonderful outside... we’re very pleased with the outcome, with the causes our community supports,” the enthusiasm of the guests and sponsors as well as the record number of restaurants and beverage providers participated.
“I want to thank everyone that helped, that came, that enjoyed themselves but more importantly I want to thank whomever I can for the weather... on top of everything else, it was just a gorgeous day!”
For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley visit www.bgclubscv.org
