FROM THE NEWSROOM:Age hasn’t slowed Fashion Island

After a long day of soccer games and dodging those dangerous soccer balls last Saturday, my family and I did one of our regular rituals and popped over to Fashion Island for dinner.

My kids love Fashion Island. (To be fair they also love South Coast Plaza.)

But Fashion Island draws them in with their favorite restaurant, California Pizza Kitchen, the puppies at Russo’s Pet Store and, best of all, the water fountains.

Kids just can’t resist the temptation to run between the erratic bursts of water droplets that bubble out of the fountains ’round the clock.

This is a roundabout way of making sure you saw our special report on Fashion Island’s 40th birthday celebration at www.dailypilot.com/fashionisland we did Sunday.

At 40, Fashion Island has really come of age.

On Saturday night, the place was hopping with music and young crowds. A few weeks back, I was there with the family and ran into legendary UCLA Bruins coach Terry Donahue having dinner at the very same California Pizza Kitchen with his wife, Andrea. They are one of many local notables you’ll see cruising around Fashion Island.

So, happy birthday, Fashion Island. Turning 40 hasn’t slowed you down a bit.

And to my friends at South Coast Plaza, don’t worry. We know you’re having a birthday also. Look for a similar report on South Coast Plaza down the road.

Speaking of South Coast Plaza, I’d like to take this spot to mention the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce’s CM900 Wine and Food Tasting event coming up on Sept. 23 at the center’s Village Green at Bear Street and Sunflower Avenue.

This is the place to be for a taste of the grape and to sample food from several of the world-class restaurants in the South Coast Metro area.

The proceeds from the event, which costs $75 per person, go to the Assistance League of Costa Mesa, www.alnm.org, a nonprofit group that helps the needy with everything from clothing to dental care.

If you are interested in attending, visit www.costamesachamber.com.