By Karen Ostlund

A little bite for charity

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 7/20/09 — Saban Free Clinic did It again! This time for the 12th year.Their traditional wine and food-tasting started in 1997 and has become the biggest “Extravaganza for the Senses” at 20′s Century Fox Studios Backlot every summer.

Over 1500 guests showed up to show their support to buy tickets and donate their time this 18th of July:
A $100 general admission or $225 for early admission with VIP lounge and valet parking.
There was wine from the world’s best vineyards and food sampling from 40 of Los Angeles most trendsetting of restaurants.
Just to mention a few: Citizen Smith, The Foundry, Chaya, California Ribs, Takami Sushi and Lawry’s.
L.A.’s Saban Free Health clinics in (8405 Beverly Blvd & 6043 Hollywood Blvd) are only run by donations, as many know. They are key to health care in the region, especially now when the economy is unsteady. The Free Clinic has been there since we were kids.
They provide healthcare to nearly 200 patients a week, where they can get medical check- up ,showers and even donations of clothes to needy patients.
The primary services they provide are treatment of chronical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, dental-mental-pediatric-laboratory services and optometry.
Many of the patients are homeless and eldery with no insurance.

Jackson before surgery

The event was presented by “New Friends of the The Saban Free Clinic”,a group of young professionals who help raise funds for the clinic and they play an important factor to put everything together.
“The Wine House” was the presenting sponsor even this year, whose President and owner Bill Knight recruited over 80 wineries for the event.A lot of the evening’s wine was donated from Napa Valley.

Mikael Jackson was once again at the limelight, this time at the silent auction with photos of his early years by
Yoram Kahana. Some of his photos with frame went for an affordable prize of $4-500.
The Food Network wanted started a new tradition at this years “Extravaganza for the Senses” by showing “live cooking demos” by their finalist of their hitshow “”The Next Food Network Star”.
The show airs every Sunday at 9pm PT and their finalist, Debbie Lee, Jamika Pessoa and Jeff Saab was present.
Jeffrey Saab was cooking his favorite “Seared Scallop tacos with Green Chile Chutney” and handed out recipes.
Besides all the sampling you-can-eat and drink you could enjoy mystics-tarot cards readers, complimentary massages and henna tattoos.
All guests that purchased raffle tickets at the final hour had the opportunity to win very fine prizes, like a trip to Bahamas, a Movado watch and a spa package at El Leon in Hollywood or Raven Spas in Silverlake.