September 10, 2009 12:00 AM
The Arthritis Foundation Santa Barbara Branch is gearing up for its 28th annual Taste of the Town benefit, noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at Riviera Park Gardens.
Jeanne David, executive director of the local Arthritis Foundation branch, said the event will be set up in a quadrangle in covered corridors. Within the corridors will be 40 wineries and 40 restaurants offering samplings and tastings.
Live entertainment is being provided by Santa Barbara jazz musician David Tovar.
The food offered at Taste of the Town is classified as strictly gourmet, with a menu that includes red roast Kurobuta pork belly with Napa cabbage fondue; banana pudding coconut macaroons; ravioli al burro e salvia; spicy chicken; ahi tuna tartar with avocado and sesame ginger sauce topped with seaweed salad served on a crunchy wonton chip; mini cheddar with sweet potato and bacon quesadilla with caramelized onion and creme fraiche; and shredded phyllo-wrapped tiger prawns with coconut curry dipping sauce.
The Arthritis Foundation is the largest national nonprofit health organization addressing the needs of more than 46 million Americans -- 1 in 5 adults -- and 300,000 children who are diagnosed with arthritis or diseases related to arthritis.
According to the Foundation, there are 120 different forms of arthritis. A 2005 California Health Interview Survey showed there are also more than 5 million Californians diagnosed with arthritis and arthritis-related diseases, including gout, lupus and fibromyalgia -- 58,000 are located in Santa Barbara County.
In addition to the millions of people arthritis affects in California, it is the second most prevalent chronic disease among adults in the United States, next to hypertension, and affects more adults than heart disease, cancer or diabetes, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
The Arthritis Foundation helps individuals take control of their arthritis and assists in improving quality of life by offering public health and advocacy programs as well as funding vital research to find a cure.
Ms. David said that two-thirds of the people with doctor-diagnosed arthritis are under the age of 65. Nearly 80 percent of adults either have or know someone with arthritis and, nationally, the prevalence of arthritis is higher among women than men.
The goal of Taste of the Town is to raise funds for the nonprofit foundation, but Ms. David added, "throughout the event there will be some education presentations, including two local high school students who have been diagnosed and living with arthritis who will share their stories, as well as some other educational information and brochures."
Riviera Park Gardens is located at 2030 Alameda Padre Serra.
Tickets are $100 advance or $125 at the door and are available by calling 563-4685 or visiting www.tasteofthetownsantabarbara.
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