Fans of great food, fine wine, uplifting entertainment and interesting auction items should mark Sunday, May 2 on their calendar. That's the date for the third annual Southern California Tasting & Auction - an adventure of tastes, sights and sounds at Cal Poly Pomona.

The open-air gathering will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. in the picturesque setting of the W.K. Kellogg Rose Garden and the Aratani Japanese Garden. Guests will enjoy enticing cuisine from some of Southern California's most popular dining establishments, including Panda, King's Seafood Co., McCormick & Schmick's Seafood and Green Street Restaurant. In addition, a wide selection of wines will be available, including samplings from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Geyser Peak Winery and Foster's Wine Estates. Entertainment will include campus musicians and a visit by the Arabian horse team.

The event will include both a live and a silent auction. Live auction items include vacation packages in Hawaii, France and Italy, a Michael Jackson autographed collage, a Lakers team autographed jersey and two AKC Full English Golden Retriever puppies. The more than 100 silent auction items include weekend getaways, designer items, and sports and movie memorabilia.

"It is always great when our friends and alumni visit - and this is a wonderful venue," President Michael Ortiz said. "Our students stand to benefit most."

Tickets are $90 apiece, and admission is limited to those 21 or older. Proceeds benefit Cal Poly Pomona's students with scholarships and academic enrichment opportunities.

For more information, call (909) 869-4731 or visit the website at www.polytaste.com.

(Top photo: Mark and Sara Vanis enjoy wine at the 2009 Southern California Tasting and Auction.
Bottom photo: Guests try samples from the McCormick & Schmick's booth.)