Join the Executive Council of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix as they discover a world of flavor. Italian, Japanese, German, French. These are just a few of the ethnic flavors worth exploring. South American, Californian, and Spanish, the list is almost endless.

Food and wine styles from particular regions often complement each other. Whether you prefer gourmet delicacies or enjoy a great wine tasting, Taste 2007 will inspire your inner connoisseur to explore the different flavors offered. Who knows, you just might find a new favorite combination.

Experience the event that was named "Most Fun Outdoor Charity Event" by 944 Magazine.

Taste 2007 - The Art of Flavor
When: Sunday, April 22, 2007
           6 to 9 p.m. 

Where: Kierland Commons (northwest corner of Scottsdale Road and Greenway Parkway).

Other Taste-related events:

Champion's Dinner and Pre-Taste Celebration: A black-tie dinner and auction, Saturday, April 7, 2007, 5:30 p.m. to midnight honoring Judy and Chad Schubert. The event will take place at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa (northwest corner of Greenway Parkway and Kierland Boulevard).

Post-Taste: Sunday, April 22, 2007, 9 p.m. to midnight (following Taste 2007) at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa.

Individual tickets to Taste 2007 start at $150. Tickets to the Pre-Taste start at $500 each. Underwriting and sponsorship packages are also available.

For more information, please call (602) 954-8182 or e-mail tsokolowski@bgcmp.org

With more than 1,000 guests in attendance, "Today's Kids, Tomorrow's Stars" sponsored by Universal Technical Institute (UTI) celebrated honorary co-chairs Jerry Colangelo, Jerry Moyes, and Ed Robson and bestowed them with the Lifetime Achievement Award for their efforts to help change the lives of kids in our community and their efforts to build three new clubs in the metropolitan Phoenix area.

Honorary co-Chairs: Ed Robson, Jerry Colangelo and Jerry Moyes

"Stars" raised $1.5 million to support the programs and life-changing opportunities of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix (BGCMP). (Click here for more photos from the event.)

2007 Youth of the Year Echos Blevins

The BGCMP would like to thank UTI for its continuing support, as well as all the sponsors, donors, and underwriters who made such a successful event possible! Also, thank you to the youth of the year judging panel, youth program volunteers, and all the committees and volunteers who helped the BGCMP provide hope and opportunity to our community's children.  

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix helped celebrate an important landmark in the calendar year, National Boys & Girls Club week.

With thousands of clubs participating nationwide (there are approximately to 4,000 clubhouses across the nation) and hundreds of thousands of children attending Clubs, National Boys & Girls Club week served as a reminder of the important programs and services the Clubs provide for kids.

National Boys & Girls Club week was held from March 25-31. To kick off this week-long celebration, the BGCMP hosted a special event at the Palomino Elementary School on Saturday, March 12, at the site of the future Ed Robson Family clubhouse. The Clubs set up an "open Clubhouse" on school grounds and were joined by the Nickelodeon "Slime Across America" tour. This provided a great opportunity for the community to come out and enjoy the event and find out what the Boys & Girls Clubs has to offer.

Thanks to everyone who participated in National Boys & Girls Club week.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix recently received the “Outstanding Organization” award at the 9th Annual Women Who Care Luncheon benefiting the Cookie Company of the Phoenix Theatre.

In true Phoenix Theatre fashion, the awards ceremony took place as part of an entertaining play in which the honorees became part of the play. The BGCMP was recognized for its outstanding contributions to our Valley’s deserving youth and the level of excellence it maintains when providing services.

The award included a hand-painted ceramic plate and a men's watch, which will be available for auction at an upcoming event to benefit the kids at our Clubs.

We would like to thank the Phoenix Theatre, Cookie Company, and the Women Who Care for the honor of such recognition and for providing opportunities in the presenting arts for youth all across the Valley.

The destructive impact of methamphetamine in Arizona has been staggering. Meth devastates not only those using the drug but also their families, friends, and neighbors.

The close connection between meth and many other crimes is well established. To help fight this growing epidemic, the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs has created the MethSMART program aimed at educating kids about the dangers of meth - believed to be the most addicting drug available. As part of this program, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix held its inaugural Meth Busters conference to bring together kids from all ten of our clubs in fighting this epidemic. As part of their activities, more than 100 kids signed a mural titled "I promised to..." with their thoughts on avoiding drug use and peer pressure.

Supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix has never tasted so good!

Order your favorite pizza on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 and Papa John's will donate 20% of sales generated by Boys & Girls Clubs!

Please make sure to mention that you are ordering to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix #1

Call your PAPA today and help raise funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix while enjoying a great pizza.

(50 local Papa John's stores participating) Find your nearest store by clicking here. Please note that you must order by phone to qualify for this special program.

The listed events are samples of activities at the Clubs: 

Summer Programs Beginning
Clubs across the Phoenix and West Valley area are begriming to kick off their summer program schedules. To find your nearest Club and their hours of operations please visit our web site at www.bgcmp.org.

Tuesday, April 3, through Friday, April
Kids at the Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch will experience the Art of Nature and the Nature of Art. Kids will learn to appreciate public parks and the beauty of nature as well as how art is related to nature. This event will culminate with a trip to and tickets donated by the Desert Botanical Garden (DBG).

Friday, April 13
Members from all ten BGCMP branches will become scientists for a day as they participate in an organization-wide science fair. Kids will be teamed up depending on their grade level and will complete a science project to be judge by a panel of volunteers. The event will take place at the Louis & Elizabeth Sands Branch starting at 5:00 p.m.

April 15-21 National Volunteer Week
Every day, hundreds of volunteers throughout the Valley help those in need and inspire others through their example. National Volunteer Week serves as a reminder of the important labor that volunteers provide to our community. For more information please contact treinhofer@bgcmp.org.

April 19 Barnes & Noble Bookfair
Participate in the Barnes & Noble bookfair benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix. Simply download a voucher by clicking here. Then present this voucher on Sunday April 22 at the Barnes & Noble Kierland Commons. A percentage of the net sale will be donated to the BGCMP.

Call your local Club for more information and a complete schedule.

PRE-TASTE AND CHAMPION'S DINNER EVENT
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

TASTE 2007 "THE ART OF FLAVOR"
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Kierland Commons

POST-TASTE 2007
Sunday, April 22, 2007 (immediately after The Taste)
Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

TOMMY BAHAMA GOLF CLASSIC
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Kierland Golf Club

BE OUR GUEST
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Tri-City West/Thornwood Branch

For more info on these events, call (602) 954-8182 or visit www.bgcmp.org 

Kid of the Month Nicole Robinson with FSN Arizona's Brad Steinke

The FSN Arizona Character Counts Kid of the Month at the BGCMP's Tolleson Branch is Nicole Robinson.

Nicole is 11 years old, in the 6th grade, and enrolled in the gifted program where she earns exceptionally good grades. She has been a member of the Tolleson Branch for 5 years. Nicole is an outgoing, helpful, and friendly young girl.

Nicole is very active in the club. She has participated in many activities and programs including volleyball, basketball, kickball, cheerleading, Torch Club, ArtWeb, SMART Girls, Zoom, Camp Swift, and Los Abrigados. Nicole never hesitates when she is asked to help around the club.

This year Nicole was chosen to represent the Tolleson Branch as its Kid of the Year. Nicole is very proud of this honor and hopes to use it as a foundation for her future. She dreams of attending a good college and graduating at the top of her class. She most definitely has goals for herself and will work hard to succeed.

Congratulations to Nicole Robinson, the FSN Arizona Character Counts Kid of the Month.

The BGCMP is proud to recognize business and community leaders Kevin Miller and Eric Luoma as the volunteers of the month.

Kevin and Eric are both volunteers with the Executive Council and have been working hard to contribute to the upcoming Taste 2007 event.

Kevin is the Vice President of Arizona Real Estate Commercial Acquisitions for International Capital Partners LLC, a privately held real estate company.

Eric is Vice President of Cactus Flowers, a family owned and operated floral business serving the Valley since 1972.

Kevin and Eric were recently honored as part of the Business Journal's "Forty Under 40" list thanks to their professionalism and hard-work ethic.

Thank you, Kevin and Eric for your dedication to volunteering and helping to improve our community!