TASTE BUDS GOOD FOOD FOR GOOD CAUSE AT EVENT.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

SAUGUS - People seemed to be practicing for a balancing act as they walked about from one food vendor to another, balancing heaping plates of food at the 13th annual Taste of the Town fund-raiser Sunday.

The event gave people a chance to indulge in a variety of foods from local restaurants while helping raise money for the Santa Clarita Child and Family Center.

``Everything is yummy!'' said Kelly Miller, who was eating ravioli, stuffed shrimp and chopped salad from three plates while her 4-year-old son Riley chomped on a piece of watermelon.

Miller drove all the way from Sunland with her son and husband for the event. ``It makes it even better that it's for a cause,'' she said.

The Santa Clarita Child and Family Center - the only nonprofit community mental health clinic in the Santa Clarita Valley - brought together 30 local restaurants and caterers to serve their foods, wines and beers at the Rio Vista Conservatory Garden in the Castaic Lake Water Agency from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

People were milling about sampling everything from barbecue at the Barbeque Club booth to desserts from Clarice's Cake and Candy Supply, seemingly oblivious to the scorching heat, as live music played in the garden.

``We love it!'' said Tina Hughson, who lives in Saugus and has been coming to the fund-raiser for the past four years. She raved about the L.A. Trends caterers booth and their potato martini bar - mashed potatoes served in a martini glass with a choice of toppings like caramelized onions and sun-dried tomatoes.

Hughson said she likes the event because she gets a chance to sample the foods of different restaurants in the area that she otherwise may not have heard of.

``The good part is being able to check out the different community restaurants and wine distributors,'' she said. ``We learn more about our community. ... And, the gardens here are beautiful!''

A few of the local restaurants that participated were Sisley, El Trocadero Steakhouse, Cuba, Tandoori Grill and NYB Gourmet Wraps.

The tickets cost $60 in advance and $65 at the door. Last year, more than 1,000 people attended the event, raising more than $65,000 to support the programs at the center. Event coordinators said they expected about the same number of people this year.

The event also raised money with silent and live auctions of baskets filled with products as varied as books to allergy medication. There were even free massages available for those who wanted to get rid of a little stress.

The Child and Family Center provides prevention and intervention services, diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic services for children, teens, adults and families who live in the Santa Clarita Valley.

They help children with emotional, learning and behavioral problems, especially children and youths who are suicidal, in trouble with the law or their schools, or who have been abused. The center provides counseling services with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, marriage, family and child counselors, teachers and interns on staff.

Karen Groves, special events coordinator for the fund-raiser, said that a great deal of time and effort went into the planning, which involved the majority of the community.

``We're so blessed to have the support of the community,'' Groves said. ``We couldn't do it without them.''

Many of the attendees said it was very important to them that they were supporting a good cause.

``It's a great event, and it's great to be able to support the center,'' Hughson said, ``or else we wouldn't come here.''

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) This year's Taste of the Town fund-raiser drew hundreds to Saugus on Sunday eager to sample area restaurant fare.

(2 -- color) Cassandra Farley with Route 66 serves Taste of the Town diners Sunday beside a cutout of James Dean. The event benefited the Santa Clarita Child and Family Center.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News