EdUCate, the University City (UC) Foundation for Public Schools, will hold its 15th annual Taste of the Triangle Friday, April 3 from 6 to 11 p.m. at Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines in an effort to raise funds to purchase laptop computers for UC schools. The event, which usually takes place in November, has moved to the spring. This year’s Triangle tasters can try tempting morsels starting with a cocktail reception and silent auction in which bidders can choose from a variety of items, from artwork to sailing adventures, photography packages to a Border Patrol air facility tour and shooting lesson. When bidding closes, attendees can taste gourmet samples from more than 20 area restaurants while listening to local entertainment and then dancing to a DJ, said Marge Lorang, EdUCate’s publicity chair. The golf-themed event is both indoors and outdoors, complete with a putting green. EdUCate plans to raffle tickets to sink putts and other golf-themed prizes. The previous Taste of the Triangle raised funds for document camera stations, and this year, Lorang said, EdUCate aims to raise money to buy computers compatible with those stations. According to Lorang, La Jolla’s Las Patronas philanthropic organization started donating funding for UC schools’ computers. “…We just found out that we received a grant from Las Patronas for 10 computers for $13,000,” Lorang said. The cost of one laptop computer is $1,300, according to an EdUCate document. This year, in addition to the event’s fund-raising goals, organization officials said they would focus on funding laptops using “Fund an Item.” During the event, attendees can donate part or all of the money associated with purchasing a laptop, the document stated. The organization added several items to this year’s silent auction list, Lorang said. “There’s a kitchen designer from La Jolla who has donated a new kitchen remodel,” Lorang said. “She’s prescreening anyone interested in that. It’s worth about $50,000 — the minimum bid is $20,000.” Anther item new to this year’s auction list, Lorang said, is a behind-the-scenes jail tour and lunch with Sheriff Bill Kolender. Lorang said another unusual item slipped under the radar last year — a Border Patrol air facility helicopter tour with a shooting lesson. “The people who did it last year had a lot of fun,” Lorang said. “His name is Dean Williams. The tour takes about eight hours. He’s a helicopter pilot for [the Border Patrol] and he shows them around and lets them shoot a gun.” During the event, attendees can sample food from any of 21 participating restaurants, including Barolo Ristorante Italiano, Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino, Cal-a-Vie Health Spa, Donovan’s Steak and Chop House, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Forbidden Yogurt, Harry’s Bar and American Grill, Infusions of Tea, Ki Ku Ya Sushi, Kitchen 1540, La Jolla Brew House, Leucadia Pizzeria, Lorna’s Italian Kitchen, The French Gourmet, The Marine Room, The Melting Pot, Miami Grille, P.F. Chang’s, Torreyana Grill Restaurant, Via Italia Trattoria and Whole Foods Market La Jolla. Tickets are $75 in advance, $85 at the door or $40 for UC teachers and staff members. To purchase tickets or for more information, go to www.uc-educate.org, e-mail [email protected] or call event chair Brook Seerick, (858) 337-5578.