Cookbook benefits ill child

Kevin Cordasco A cookbook containing recipes from City Council members as well as businesses and restaurants in Calabasas is being sold to benefit Kevin Cordasco, an 11year-old local resident who's been fighting cancer since March.

Kevin Cordasco came to last week's City Council meeting to talk about his journey since being diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a cancer in the nervous system which causes severe bone pain.

"I've had an experience that's changed my life in the last year," Kevin said. "Thank you everybody in Calabasas. You've been a really good help and not just in Calabasas, but even all over the state and all over L.A. People have been helping me get through this."

The book holds about 450 recipes from people throughout the city.

"We wanted something representative of the whole community, people who work here and live here," said Beth Kramer, one of the organizers of the project.

"The great thing about this is that it not only raises money, but it also raises awareness of Kevin. It really shows how community can back somebody and I know that means a lot to the Cordascos," Kramer said.

FOR KEVIN- The community of Calabasas is publishing a cookbook to help a young resident fighting cancer. Mayor Pro Tem Mary Sue Maurer boasted that her cauliflower recipe may be the best in the entire book.

"The Cordascos have just been such a wonderful part of our community," Maurer said. "And the outpouring of volunteers . . . it's because of your family. You're beloved in this community."

More than 75 percent of the $20 book cost goes to Kevin's Fund, which is administered by the Talbert Family Foundation, a local nonprofit organization that helps families facing serious disease.

The Calabasas Rotary Club helped offset the cost of publishing with a donation.

Onehundred cookbooks already have been sold, but others are still available.

To order the cookbook, send an e-mail to Kramer at bethckramer@yahoo.com or call her at (818) 224-5628.