Rivers of chocolate flow for Social Advocates

By Shari Kaplan

Rivers of chocolate will fill the Saratoga hills on April 9, during Social Advocates for Youth's (SAY) fourth annual Rivers of Chocolate Festival. An afternoon of food, drinks, entertainment, auctions and, of course, chocolate will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Road. The festival takes its theme each year from one of the world's great rivers. This year's theme highlights America's own Hudson River.

Chefs and representatives from numerous Bay Area restaurants, caterers and confectioneries converge on the winery to serve creative chocolate creations at individual tasting stations. Among the more than 25 participants are The Plumed Horse, Viaggio and Chateau La Cresta of Saratoga; Sweet Pea's of Los Gatos; The Fairmont Hotel and Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme of San Jose; Rick's Rather Rich Ice Cream of Palo Alto; Donna's Exquisite Chocolate Creations of Sunnyvale; Chez TJ, Global Village Cafe and Vivaca Grill of Mountain View; Mission Valley Coffee Roasting of Fremont; Isabella Zanger Chocolates and De Brito Chocolate Factory of Hollister; The Inn at Tres Piños of Tres Piños; and Shelley's Biscotti of Santa Cruz.

Complementing the sweets are wines and champagnes hailing from the Santa Cruz Mountains, San Jose and Morgan Hill. Hors d'oeuvres will be served. Other activities include live and silent auctions, cooking demonstrations, a culinary contest and live music.

SAY is a nonprofit organization established in 1973 to meet crisis needs of Santa Clara County children, teenagers and families. SAY's mission is to provide services that teach resiliency, self-respect, responsibility and healthy social interactions. The organization operates many programs serving all of Santa Clara County:

* Casa SAY offers temporary food, shelter, counseling and casework for runaways and homeless youths.

* Safe Place programs in various South Bay cities are the outreach arm of Casa SAY. Local businesses provide safe places for youths to go until a SAY counselor arrives.

* The Youth and Family Counseling Center offers outpatient and school-based counseling services to help divert youths from gangs and criminal activity, improve peer relations and help parents relate to their children.

* Independent Living Skills staff provide counseling, training in job skills and financial matters and support for dependents of the court, to prepare them for their independence at age 18.

* The mentoring and school liaison program is SAY's newest addition, and provides trained advocates to help young people who have problems in school. The youths also receive mentoring and encouragement to pursue their educational, social and community interests.

Admission to Rivers of Chocolate is $75 per person. For tickets, or more information, call 408.253.3540.

Sheriff's Report

Desire to succeed in academics leads to questionable strategies

Gil Solis named FHS Teacher of the Year

Villa Montalvo announces Performing Arts Series schedule

Sports Briefs

Matadors open Miguel softball tournament with wins