Festival-Goers Pour, Swirl, Taste for Charity
By Daniel Wolowicz camarillo@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers FUN, FOOD AND WINE—Camarillo resident Jane Weblemoe, left, Moorpark resident Eileen Anderson and Calabasas resident Maralun Countryman enjoy the offerings during last year's Casa Pacifica Wine and Food Festival at California State University Channel Islands in Camarillo. This year's festival is June 7. Proceeds will support Casa Pacifica, a crisis care and residential treatment facility for abused children in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

Epicureans and wine connoisseurs alike will find a treasure trove of samplings from California vintners and local eateries at the 16th annual Casa Pacifica Angels Wine and Food Festival at California State University Channel Islands in Camarillo on June 7.

The afternoon event will benefit Casa Pacifica, a Camarillo-based shelter for emotionally and physically abused children in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

The festival includes samples from 150 wineries, 75 restaurants and 25 microbreweries, as well as live entertainment and a silent auction.

New this year to the festival is the "Best in Fest," a cooking competition between the top restaurants on hand, adjudicated by

a panel of celebrity judges, including head

judge chef Cecilia

de Castro of Westlake Culinary Institute and Wolfgang Puck Enterprises.

Social service agencies like Casa Pacifica have been hit hard by the state budget crisis, and with more cuts looming events such as the wine festival will help nonprofits keep doors open, said Scott Volkmann, one of the festival's head organizers.

"This is a big event because it raises awareness," Volkmann said. "Yes, we raise money, but it also raises awareness of what Casa Pacifica does, and that's huge."

The wine tasting is one of the shelter's largest fundraisers. According to Casa Pacifica officials, last year's event raised nearly $200,000.

Casa Pacifica operates several therapeutic programs at its Camarillo campus and through community-based programs, serving about 450 children and families every day.

According to Vicki Murphy, director of Casa Pacifica, it costs the nonprofit $24 million a year to operate the shelter—$1 million more than last year's operating costs.

Although government funds and grants cover 90 percent of the expenses, the nonprofit must raise $2.4 million each year to fill the gap.

To help the shelter meet its operating costs, the Camarillo Acorn will donate 40 percent of the money raised during its voluntary subscription drive.

"We are so very grateful to the Acorn for all their support over the years," Murphy said. "They consistently publish a wonderful, interesting newspaper to our communities, and we thank them for choosing to support the children and families of Casa Pacifica to be the recipients of this drive."

In today's issue, Camarillo Acorn readers will find a subscription form on page 4 and a pre-addressed envelope for a voluntary subscription to the Camarillo Acorn.

The cost is $25 per year; the offer is limited to residents who already receive the newspaper.

The voluntary subscriptions will also help the Camarillo Acorn defray escalating printing and delivery costs and will ensure Camarillo receives the news coverage it deserves.

"It's a great value, and, more importantly, Casa Pacifica is one of the county's worthiest of charities," said Jim Rule, publisher of the Acorn newspapers.

Tickets for the Casa Pacifica Angels Wine and Food Festival can be purchased online at www.cpwineandfoodfestival.com or by calling (805) 484-7144. Prices are $75 for advance purchase, $90 at the door the day of the event and $200 for VIP tickets, which offer entry to the event one hour before doors open, a valet parking pass and access to the VIP lounge sponsored by the Four Seasons Hotel.