Edhat StaffThe Arthritis Foundation Central Coast has chosen two community leaders to honor for their support during the 36th Annual Taste of the Town Santa Barbara—the area’s signature culinary event featuring tastings from 80 of the finest local restaurants and Central Coast wineries, breweries and distillers; live music and impressive silent auction on Sunday, September 10, 2017, from Noon to 3 p.m. at Riviera Park, 2030 Alameda Padre Serra. All proceeds from Taste of the Town Santa Barbara support the local programs and services of the Arthritis Foundation. The 2017 Youth and Medical Honorees will be acknowledged for their volunteer service and contributions during the event.
2017 Taste of the Town Santa Barbara Youth Honoree is Lilly Trautwein, age seven, resident of Santa Barbara. At the age of two, Lilly experienced a painful, swollen knee while on a family vacation with her parents, Eric Trautwein, MD, and Rachel Trautwein, MD, who considered possible diagnoses and monitored the situation carefully. After several weeks of increasing pain when Lilly could barely walk, she was taken to Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles where a definitive diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis was made. Initial treatments included cortisone injections into her knee. When more joints and her eyes became affected, Lilly’s parents knew a more systemic approach was needed and began working with Dr. Miriam Parsa, a pediatric rheumatologist with Cottage Health in Santa Barbara. Now, Lilly’s arthritis is being well-controlled with weekly injections of a specialized medicine. She loves playing soccer, basketball, running and climbing like any other seven-year old. Many assume that children cannot have arthritis, but over 300,000 children in the U.S. have the diagnosis. Lilly and her parents want to let everyone know that kids get arthritis, too!
2017 Taste of the Town Santa Barbara Medical Honoree is James Zmolek, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with Sansum Clinic in Santa Barbara since 1990 and affiliated with Cottage Health. Dr. Zmolek graduated from UCLA Medical School and did fellowship work specializing in surgical arthritis and reconstruction at Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center. He was recognized by Castle Connolly as among the “Nation’s Top Doctors” and received the Lowman Club Orthopedic Research Award. Dr. Zee (as he is known), has served as an advisor to the Arthritis Foundation for many years. A long-time resident of Santa Barbara, he is married to Julie with two adult sons. He is an avid golfer and as part of his volunteer community outreach, hosts “Putt with a Doctor” through Cottage Center for Orthopedics.
The 2017 Taste of the Town Santa Barbara also features the 8th annual Connoisseurs’ Circle Gala Dinner on Friday, September 8, 2017, from 6:00-11:00 p.m. at Bacara Resort & Spa. The evening features a 4-course gourmet dinner by 2017 Honorary Lead Chef Mark Strausman from Freds at Barneys New York who will be pairing wines from 2017 Honorary Vintner Doug Margerum & Margerum Wine Company as well as a reception featuring ten Taste of the Town wine, beer & spirits partners on the outdoor terrace. The evening will also feature live & silent auctions followed by dancing to tunes from DJ Darla Bea. Connoisseurs’ Circle evening seating is limited so advance reservations are required.
Returning to co-chair this 36th annual Santa Barbara food & wine tradition are opal Restaurant & Bar co-owners, Tina Takaya and Richard Yates. All proceeds from Taste of the Town Santa Barbara events support the programs and services of the Arthritis Foundation. The Foundation is the only non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of 53 million people (including nearly 300,000 children) with arthritis through health education, advocacy, research, and local juvenile arthritis support. Tickets for the Connoisseurs’ Circle Gala Dinner on Friday evening are $500 per person with tables of 10 for $5,000 which includes access to the VIP lounge at Sunday’s event. Individual tickets for the Sunday afternoon Taste of the Town are $125 per person in advance and $140 at the door (if available.) All tickets are available online or by calling the Arthritis Foundation Central Coast office at 805-563-4685.
Taste of the Town Santa Barbara is pleased to acknowledge its confirmed sponsors, including Official Automotive Partner BMW Santa Barbara, along with American Riviera Bank, Montecito Bank & Trust, HUB International Insurance Services, Inc., Central Coast Home Health, Terry Ryken COMPASS, Caliber Home Loans, DASH, Bourke Wealth Management, Senior Planning Services, Archstone Foundation, Cottage Center for Orthopedics, SB Independent, Cox, KEYT News Channel 3, AA Expressive, Jill & Co. Events, You’re the Star Video, BlueStar Parking, The Berry Man, Inc., Amye Leong & Bob Price, Jeffery Baldwin & Michal Wiesbrock . A number of Taste of the Town Santa Barbara sponsorship opportunities and benefits are still available by contacting the Arthritis Foundation Central Coast office at 805-563-4685 or email Michal W. Wiesbrock, Executive Director, at mwiesbrock@arthritis.org.
ABOUT THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION
The Arthritis Foundation is the Champion of Yes. Leading the fight for the arthritis community, the Foundation helps conquer everyday battles through life-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in science and community connections. The Arthritis Foundation’s goal is to chart a winning course, guiding families in developing personalized plans for living a full life – and making each day another stride toward a cure. The Foundation also publishes Arthritis Today, the award-winning magazine that reaches 4 million readers. The Arthritis Foundation Central Coast Office serves the California counties of Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Kern.
