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 Recent news releases from the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy. Please see our News Archive for earlier announcements from past years. Turkey Roundup Run Ventura, CA (October 2, 2008): Aloha Steakhouse presents two cross-country races, a kids' run and a family fun event in support of the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy. The 3rd Annual Aloha Turkey Roundup will take place Sunday, November 16, 2008 at Arroyo Verde Park. NfStep Events has organized the event in partnership with the Conservancy. Walkers as well as runners are welcome to this varied-terrain event, which will traverse trails, grass, and some paved roads. An 8K Run and 4K Run/Walk will begin at 9AM, followed by a Kids Run at 9:10 AM. Registration forms are available at the Conservancyfs website or on-line registration at www.active.com. The first 45 participants to register will receive 2007 Turkey Roundup coffee mugs. Pre-race packet pickup and registration will be held at Inside Track, 38 W. Main St., Ventura, California 93001 on Saturday, November 15, 2008 from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM. Race day registration begins at 8:00 AM at Arroyo Corto picnic area. Fees for the 8K and 4K are $25 for adults, $20 for youth/senior and $10 for the Kids Run, plus a $5 fee for those who register on race day. In addition to T-shirts and winner prizes, registration includes a pancake breakfast, hosted by the Aloha Steakhouse. Turkeys, donated by Sysco Foods, will be awarded to first place 8K finishers along with medals for 2nd and 3rd in each age category. All Kids Run finishers will receive medals as well as the top 10 male and female finishers in the 4K.
The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is dedicated to permanently preserving the hillsides, canyons and open space that contribute to the unique character and natural environment of the City of San Buenaventura. Contributions to the Conservancy are tax-exempt to the extent allowed by law. Further information about the Conservancy is available on our website. # # #
Expands Commitment to Sustainable Stagecraft Ventura, CA (August 25, 2008): The Sixth Annual Ventura Hillsides Music Festival will feature something more than world-class popular music: it will serve as a showcase for sustainable event management, building on the success of last year. The result will be the most environmentally-friendly music production hosted to date in the Poinsettia City. The Festival is scheduled for September 13, 2008. Inspired by her visit to the Telluride Blue Grass Festival in Colorado earlier this year, Ventura Hillsides Music Festival Director Lynn Bartosh saw ways to expand the Conservancyfs commitment to staging an event that incorporates renewable energy and festival waste reduction. gThe 2008 Festival will offer an array of green practices, all designed to encourage festival goers to reuse, recycle and compost,h says Bartosh. gWe have laid solid groundwork in previous years and this year we will take it to the next level. My ultimate goal is to produce a Festival that is zero-waste.h With last year's Festival waste diversion rate of 40%, the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy, E.J. Harrison & Sons and the City of Ventura Environmental Services staff are partnering to increase the waste diversion rate to 80%. The Festival will feature composting stations where all food waste can be composted, eliminating pounds of organic material from being disposed in our landfills. But it does not stop there. Food vendors will be encouraged to use only biodegradable plates, cups and utensils. Much of the food offered by vendors will come from sustainable suppliers. And Festival goers will be served drinks in plastic, clear cups made from polyactic acid, a material made from corn and potatoes. The cups are fully both biodegradable and compostable and contain no animal or petrochemical ingredients. In 2007, the Festival committee adopted a gban the bottleh policy which resulted in a minimization of plastic disposable water bottles. The successful program will be continued again this year. Festival-goers can bring their own refillable bottles or will be able to purchase reusable, high-quality water bottles and fill them for free at water coolers distributed throughout the venue. Water will be donated by Pure Matilija. The green-thread will weave its way into Festival apparel and merchandise. All T-shirts, totes, and caps will be made of organic cotton, and the artwork will be printed with PVC-free inks. All posters are printed on high-post consumer recyclable paper. The generators that feed the powerful sound system will be powered with bio-diesel fuel, a growingly popular alternative to gasoline made from vegetable oils. As always, concertgoers are encouraged to travel to the event on foot, bicycle, or skateboard. A bike corral will be provided for secure storage and for those traveling from far a free shuttle service is available from the Ventura College parking lot. The festival is set for Saturday, September 13, 2008, again using the natural slope of Arroyo Verde Park as a spectacular outdoor amphitheatre. The 6th annual event will feature performers Little Feat, Taj Mahal, Mason Jennings, Todd Hannigan, & the Heavy 29fs and Rey Fresco. The Festival will again afford a rare opportunity to enjoy superb live music in one of Venturafs most beautiful outdoor settings. Gates will open at 11:30 AM, to allow for full enjoyment of the food, booths, and child recreational offerings. Tickets to the 6th annual Festival are available at Salzerfs Music, Great Pacific Iron Works, Simonefs Coffee and Tea in Ventura and at the Conservancyfs website: www.venturahillsides.org. General admission is $45. Special $150 Gold Circle Seating packages are available only online at www.venturahillsides.org. Children under 6 accompanied by parents are free. The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is dedicated to permanently preserving the hillsides, canyons and open space that contribute to the unique character and natural environment of the City of San Buenaventura. Contributions to the Conservancy are tax-exempt to the extent allowed by law. Further information about the Conservancy is available on the web at www.venturahillsides.org. # # #
Local Up-and-Comers Ventura, CA (August 19, 2008): The 6th annual Ventura Hillside Music festival will feature exemplary musicianship, combined with raucous boogey-infused rockin’ party music. And concert goers will also be able to enjoy local talent in addition to the big names and renowned performers who will fill the intimate venue Saturday, September 13th, 2008 in the beautiful outdoor setting of Ventura’s Arroyo Verde Park. The fundraiser will feature Little Feat, whose cut-loose soaring roadhouse and jazz-infused ballads will get the arroyo crowd hopping. Little Feat was formed by the legendary Lowell George in 1969, and today features seven outstanding musicians keeping the groove movin.’ Their Ventura appearance is perfectly timed with the release of their 25th album Join the Band. Join features guest appearances by Jimmy Buffett, Dave Matthews, and Emmylou Harris. Material from Join the Band will guarantee to move the Hillfest audience, who will be among the first in America to join the fun. Composer and multi-instrumentalist Taj Mahal, a two-time GRAMMY® winner and one of the most influential American blues and roots artists of the past half-century, will also be featured. Taj’s work has become a never-ending exploration of the complex origins and underpinnings of American music. He has forged a four-decade career by gathering and distilling countless musical traditions from a range of geographical and cultural sources: the Mississippi Delta, the Appalachian backwoods, the African continent, the Hawaiian Islands, Europe, the Caribbean and so much more. Taj Mahal doesn’t just stand at the crossroads. He is the crossroads. He will be featuring tracks from his new release Maestro. Mason Jennings, a 32-year-old singer-songwriter from Minneapolis, is known for uplifting acoustic tunes. Friend Jack Johnson has said that Jennings’ songs “changes the way I see the world around me.” His work has won critical acclaim from around the country. His new album, In the Ever, is issued by Johnson’s Brushfire Records, and is considered his strongest work yet. On the local front, Todd Hannigan is the leader of Todd Hannigan and the Heavy 29’s and has called Ventura home since he was four. But despite the local creds, his music exhibits a multi-cultural influence garnered through an impressive world travel resume that has taken him from Ecuador to Indonesia and beyond. His rhythmic guitar playing and vocals have been compared to Cat Stevens and Nick Drake in his vocals. Rounding out the bill is another Ventura based-talent, the four-piece Rey Fresco. Their eclectic music features a harp – along with guitar and drums that support strong vocal arrangements. The quartet recently won a battle of the bands contest at downtown sports-bar Rookees, beating out 23 other entrants’ albums to prove it. Tickets to the 6th annual Festival are available at Salzer’s Music, Great Pacific Iron Works, Simone’s Coffee and Tea in Ventura and at the Conservancy’s website: www.venturahillsides.org. General admission is $45. Special $150 Gold Circle Seating packages are available only online at www.venturahillsides.org. Children under 6 accompanied by parents are FREE. The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is dedicated to permanently preserving the hillsides, canyons and open space that contribute to the unique character and natural environment of the City of San Buenaventura. Contributions to the Conservancy are tax-exempt to the extent allowed by law. Further information about the Conservancy is available on the web at www.venturahillsides.org.  Little Feat are (left to right) Bill Payne, Richie Hayward, Fred Tackett, Shaun Murphy, Paul Barrere, Sam Clayton, Kenny Gradney. The band’s new release, Join the Band, showcases the very best of their 40-year-long career. Taj Mahal playin’ cool in this sweet ’59 Chevy. The seminal musicologist has won two GRAMMYs, and has influenced countless pop music acts. Press photo from “In the Ever” when Mason and crew traveled to Patagonia, South America.# # #
Ventura, CA (August 11, 2008): Tickets are on sale for the 2008 Ventura Hillsides Music Festival to be held on Saturday, September 13, 2008. The festival is off to an extraordinary start in terms of ticket sales, having experienced one of the best Member Pre-Sale events ever on Saturday, August 2. The combination of live and online ticket sales totaled over 770, selling nearly 30% of the event's expected venue capacity in merely six hours. The Member pre-sale event also generated 46 new memberships to the land trust. Tickets to the 6th annual Festival are available at Salzer's Music, Great Pacific Iron Works, Simone's Coffee and Tea in Ventura and at the Conservancy's website: www.venturahillsides.org. General admission is $45. Special $150 Gold Circle Reserved Seating packages are available only online at www.venturahillsides.org. "We are delighted at the way our members and the greater Ventura community have embraced this event" says Gary Bednorz, Conservancy Trustee and manager of ticket sales. "The Saturday pre-sale exceeded our expectations immensely, and was second only to last year's pre-sale, which was a show that sold out in one hour once public tickets became available." The Ventura Hillsides Music Festival is set for Saturday, September 13, 2008 in spectacular Arroyo Verde Park and will feature performers Little Feat, Taj Mahal, Mason Jennings, Todd Hannigan, & the Heavy 29’s and Rey Fresco. The Festival will afford a rare opportunity to enjoy superb live music in one of Ventura’s most beautiful outdoor settings. Gates will open at 11:30 AM, to allow for full enjoyment of the food, booths, and child recreational offerings. The music begins at 1:00 PM. The Ventura land trust’s annual fundraiser has become a popular local celebration of music and conservation that raises funds and awareness for the Conservancy’s land preservation efforts. All proceeds will support the creation of the Ventura Hillside Preserve and other Ventura Hillsides Conservancy projects. The sixth annual festival features two-time Grammy winner Taj Mahal, an iconic musicologist that has influenced countless rock and roll legends. Little Feat presents the type of festive blues-infused rock that festival-goers have now long enjoyed. Mason Jennings, a 32 year-old singer-songwriter from Minneapolis, is known for uplifting studies low-fi, acoustic tunes. Friend Jack Johnson has said that Jennings’ songs “changes the way I see the world around me.” Todd Hannigan is the leader of Todd Hannigan and the Heavy 29’s, and has called Ventura home since he was four. Rounding out the bill is another Ventura based-talent, the four-piece Rey Fresco. The Ventura Hillsides Music Festival is sponsored in part by a host of community partners. Chipotle is the Festival’s Two Trees-level sponsor. They are joined by the Gold Coast Broadcasting, Time Warner, Channel Islands Harbor Marina, Patagonia, Crowne Plaza, Castoro Cellars, and Firestone Walker Fine Ales. # # #
Ventura, CA (July 16, 2008): For the sixth year in a row, the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy will present the Ventura Hillsides Music Festival on Saturday, September 13, 2008 in Arroyo Verde Park. Featured performers scheduled are Little Feat and Taj Mahal. The Ventura land trust's annual fundraiser has become a popular local celebration of music and conservation that raises funds and awareness for the Conservancy's land preservation efforts. All proceeds will support the creation of the Ventura Hillside Preserve and other VHC projects. The sixth annual festival features two-time Grammy winner Taj Mahal, an iconic musicologist that has influenced countless rock and roll legends. Little Feat presents the type of festive blues-infused rock that festival-goers have now long enjoyed. As in past years, seating for the event will be festival-style, using the contours of the grassy hill in Arroyo Verde Park as a natural amphitheatre. The Festival will afford a rare opportunity to enjoy superb live music in one of Ventura's most beautiful outdoor settings. Gates will open at 11:30 AM, to allow for full enjoyment of the food, booths, and child recreational offerings. The music begins at 1:00 PM. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, August 6, 2008 to the general public. Tickets will be available at Salzer's Music, Great Pacific Iron Works, Simone's Coffee and Tea in Ventura and at the Conservancy's website: www.venturahillsides.org. General admission is $45. Special $150 Gold Circle Seating packages will be available only online at www.venturahillsides.org. A special members-only pre-sale event will take place Saturday, August 2 at the Poinsettia Pavilion from 10 AM to 4 PM. Prospective members may join at this event. Pre-sale ticket holders will gain early entry to the festival grounds. The Ventura Hillsides Music Festival is sponsored in part by a host of community partners. Chipotle is the Festival's Two Trees-level sponsor. They are joined by the Gold Coast Broadcasting, Time Warner, Channel Islands Harbor Marina, Patagonia, Crowne Plaza, Castoro Cellars, and Firestone Walker Fine Ales. As with the 2007 Festival, the Conservancy will produce a green event: bio-diesel fueled generators, a "ban-the-bottle" policy for drinking water, and biodegradable food and drink containers. Parking will be provided at Ventura College with free shuttle buses to the concert site. Concertgoers are encouraged to carpool, walk, bicycle, or skate to this event, and to refrain from parking in residential neighborhoods near Arroyo Verde Park. Food and beverages will be available at the concert. Picnics and small coolers are welcome but glass, alcohol and pets are not permitted. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring low-back beach chairs, cushions and blankets. No cameras or recorders are permitted. The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is dedicated to permanently preserving the hillsides, canyons and open space that contribute to the unique character and natural environment of the City of San Buenaventura. Contributions to the Conservancy are tax-exempt to the extent allowed by law. # # #
Ventura, CA (June 2, 2008): The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is a membership-based land trust seeking enthusiastic volunteers to assist in implementing its mission of permanently preserving the hillsides, canyons, and open space that contribute to the natural environment and unique character of the Ventura area. Operating since 2003, the Conservancy engages volunteers in a variety of ways to strengthen our research, operations, and land stewardship functions. The land trustfs work is financially supported by memberships, grants, donations and proceeds from the Ventura Hillsides Music Festival. Volunteering provides an important way Venturans can help the Conservancy achieve its goals. The Conservancy welcomes student volunteers and youth organizations who are interested in fulfilling their community service projects in a meaningful and rewarding way. Volunteer positions are available in the following fields:
The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is dedicated to permanently preserving the hillsides, canyons and open space that contribute to the unique character and natural environment of the City of San Buenaventura. Contributions to the Conservancy are tax-exempt to the extent allowed by law. # # #
Ventura, CA (April 21, 2008): The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy has scheduled the 10th in its ongoing series of educational outreach pertaining to Ventura's open space. Hills on Wheels is an interactive family bicycle tour of the lower Ventura River valley. The ride will follow Ventura's award-winning Ventura River Trail bike path through historic urban and rural landscapes with the Ventura Hillsides as an ever-present backdrop. Hills on Wheels will take place Sunday, May 4, 2008 beginning at 2 PM. The ride will be staged from the upper Patagonia parking lot on West Main Street, just east the Ojai Freeway overpass. It will continue to historic Foster Park, whereupon riders will turn around for the downhill run back to Ventura. "Hills on Wheels" will welcome riders to visit outdoor educational presentations along the route, staffed with local experts. The stations will educate riders about how watersheds function, the importance of estuaries, and why there are public art pieces involving fake oranges spilled along the Ventura River Trail. Other trailside talks will educate participants about the history of oil in the Ventura River valley, and how Canada Larga plays a role in the migration of birds. The end-point for the ride is Foster Park, where refreshments will be waiting. The riders will then return back to the start in Ventura. The total length of the turnaround ride is 12 miles. Riders should wear bike helmets and bring drinking water. "We are looking forward to better acquainting Venturans with the Ventura River valley, and how the hillsides form its watershed," says Mindy Lawrence, education outreach event coordinator for the Conservancy. "As always, our focus for this event is on families and youth, and we welcome an opportunity to make outdoor education accessible to people of all ages." The Conservancy's 2008 Educational Outreach programs are sponsored by Rabobank, a partner with VHC since 2004. Admission to the event is free, as is parking at Patagonia. The Conservancy encourages participants to bike or carpool to the event starting point. The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is dedicated to permanently preserving the hillsides, canyons and open space that contribute to the unique character and natural environment of the City of San Buenaventura. Contributions to the Conservancy are tax-exempt to the extent allowed by law. Further information about the Conservancy is available on our website. # # #
Ventura CA, (March 26, 2008) The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy (VHC) is inviting all members and supporters to its annual membership meeting to celebrate 5 Years of conserving open space in Ventura. The land trust community will gather Sunday, April 13, 2008 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Road, Ventura, California for presentations and celebration. The meeting will provide an opportunity to learn of the progress the Conservancy has made and plans for the coming year. "VHC has made great strides this year," says VHC president Stephen Svete. "We have acquired both our first Executive Director and our first donation of open space land. Now that's worth celebrating!" The meeting will feature a special presentation on the Lower Ventura River Parkway project. The project is a collaborative effort of the Conservancy, the city of Ventura, and the Trust for Public Land, and has a goal of restoring the Ventura River to a functioning river with habitat and recreation opportunities available to people. Graduate landscape architecture students from Cal Poly Pomona's 606 Studio have been working in Ventura for several months to develop a vision for the parkway. The students will present their findings and seek public input. "The effort to create the Ventura River Parkway is very much a collaborative one-with the goal of saving one of Southern California's great coastal landscapes," says Elise Holland, Trust for Public Land project manager. The Ventura River Parkway planning project is funded by a grant from the California State Coastal Conservancy. Meeting celebrants will have an opportunity to meet Trustees of the VHC board, the Executive Director and other staff, and volunteers. Refreshments, door prizes, a celebration birthday cake and an activity for children will round out the event. Plenty of free parking is available at the Pavilion, but attendees are welcome to walk or bicycle to the event. # # #
Ventura CA, (December 26, 2007) Ventura Hillsides Conservancy has received a donation of hillside land, the first since the organization's founding in 2003. The property, measuring just under one acre in size, is a gift from Luis Dominguez of Colorado. Mr. Dominguez and his wife, Midge, were long time Ventura County residents. Since the Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public benefit corporation, Dominguez will be entitled to federal tax benefits available to land trust donors. The gift of land will transform the VHC into a land-owner and steward for the first time. The success is a direct result of ongoing Conservancy efforts to work with landowners supporting land conservation. William B. Smith, VHC Trustee who managed the transaction, sees the gift as the first of many to come. "I truly hope that this generous donation of land will inspire other landowners and community members to work with VHC to conserve Ventura's open space hillsides for future generations," said Smith. Barbara Harison, Executive Director for VHC was equally enthusiastic. This gift demonstrates that conserving land matters to Venturans. Our local land trust looks forward to building from this first land success story. It really is a testimony to the hundreds of hours of volunteer's efforts and ongoing strong membership support in our community. With this gift, we commence our efforts in earnest to save Ventura's special places." The property is comprised of an undeveloped parcel located on Cedar Place in Venturas Westside neighborhood. Largely in a natural state, the property slopes up to the boundary of Grant Park. The upland portions of the parcel provide views the length of the Ventura River valley, the Taylor Ranch foothills, and the Pacific Ocean. The property lies at the western edge of the east to west run of undeveloped hillside land. It also constitutes the southern terminus of an important wildlife movement corridor traversing the hillsides. The Conservancy will carefully evaluate opportunities for trail access to Grant Park and for habitat restoration, and plans to work closely with the immediate neighbors. # # #
Turkey Roundup Run This Sunday Ventura, CA (November 14, 2007): Aloha Steakhouse presents two cross-country races, a kids' fun run and a family fun event in support of the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy. The Turkey Roundup will take place Sunday, November 18, 2007 at Arroyo Verde Park. N'Step Events has organized the event in partnership with the Conservancy. Walkers as well as runners are welcome to this varied-terrain event, which will traverse trails, grass, and some paved roads. A 4K run/walk will begin at 8:00 AM. At 9:00 AM, an 8K run will start. A kids-only fun run will begin at 9:15 AM. Pre-registration is available at the Conservancy's website at www.venturahillsides.org. Same-day registration begins at 7:15 AM at the sign-in table at the park. In-person pre-registration will be held at Inside Track, 1410 E. Main St., Ventura, California 93001 on Saturday, November 17, 2007 from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM. Runners can pick up T-shirts and bib numbers at the store. The store will donate a portion of $20 running garment purchases to the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy if purchasers mention the Turkey Roundup event. Costs range from $10 for the kids run to $20 for the 4K and 8K runs. Same-day registrants will pay $5 additional. In addition to T-shirts and winner prizes, registration includes a pancake breakfast, hosted by the Aloha Steakhouse. Awards will be presented to the top three finishers in each age category, with turkeys awarded to first place finishers. NfStep Events is a Ventura-based athletic event organizing company. The firm initiated the popular Harbor Lights runs held at Ventura Harbor for two summers. "We are delighted to partner with N'Step for Turkey Roundup," says Mindy Lawrence, Education Outreach Coordinator for the Conservancy. "This event is a way to introduce Venturans and visitors to the some of the unique recreational opportunities that will become available in Ventura's Hillsides, such as trail running." # # #
Management Techniques Ventura, CA (September 26, 2007): The sold-out Fifth Annual Ventura Hillsides Music Festival will feature something more than world-class popular music: it will serve as a showcase for sustainable event management. The result will be the Ventura land trust’s greenest festival ever. It all starts with the generators that feed the powerful sound system. These workhorses will be powered with bio-diesel fuel, a growingly popular alternative to gasoline made from vegetable oils. Then there is the matter of human fuel. Much of the food offered by vendors will come from sustainable suppliers. Platinum Sponsor Chipotle will serve naturally-raised meats, and place food on biodegradable plates and utensils. Likewise, Jim and Rob’s Fresh Grill serves up on biodegradable plates and utensils. Regarding water, the Festival committee adopted a “ban the bottle” policy this year. Instead, concert-goers can bring their own refillable bottles or will be able to purchase reusable, high-quality water bottles and fill them for free at water coolers distributed throughout the venue. Water is donated by Pure Matilija. Otherwise, biodegradable paper cups will be available. Even the wine cups are made of corn-fiber, compostable cups. If that isn’t enough, all Festival T-shirts, totes, and caps are made of organic cotton, and the artwork is printed with PVC-free inks. All posters are printed on high-post consumer recyclable paper. Then there’s the tail-end through put: trash. Festival management is working through the City of Ventura’s environmental department to provide containers for recyclables. The haul off will take advantage of the City’s arrangement with Harrison Industries to ensure recyclables are diverted from the waste stream. As always, concertgoers are encouraged to travel to the event on foot, bicycle, or skateboard. A bike corral will be provided for secure storage. “We really went for ramping up our green practices this year,” says Lynn Bartosh, Festival Manager. “Our commitment to open space preservation and restoration is easily expanded in making sure our events and programs pay attention to sustainable techniques.” The fifth festival features Toots and the Maytals, Jack Johnson, the Robert Cray Band, and Chris Pierce. The event will be emceed Matt McAllister of KTYD. The Ventura Hillsides Music Festival is sponsored in part by a host of community partners. Kipp, Brandt, and Drummond has signed on as a Title Sponsor for 2007, and Chipotle is the Festival’s first Diamond-level sponsor. They are joined by Platinum Sponsors including the City of Ventura, the Ventura County Star, Gold Coast Broadcasting, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Patagonia, Crowne Plaza, L’Acoustics, and Rat Sound. Gold Level Sponsors include Ventura Toyota, Clif Bar, Rabobank, Channel Island Harbor Marina, Firestone Walker Fine Ales, Castoro Cellars, Horny Toad and Pure Matilija. Parking will be provided at Ventura College with free shuttle buses to the concert site. Concertgoers are asked to refrain from parking in residential neighborhoods near Arroyo Verde Park. Food and beverages will be available at the concert. Picnics and small coolers are welcome but glass, alcohol and pets are not permitted. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring low-back beach chairs, cushions and blankets. No cameras or recorders are permitted. The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is dedicated to permanently preserving the hillsides, canyons and open space that contribute to the unique character and natural environment of the City of San Buenaventura. Contributions to the Conservancy are tax-exempt to the extent allowed by law. Further information about the Conservancy is available on the web at www.venturahillsides.org. # # #
Ventura Hillsides Music Festival in Record Time Ventura, CA (August 27, 2007): The Ventura Hillsides Music Festival has sold out its 5th Annual event in record time. The Festival tickets went on sale to the general public on Saturday, August 18 at 10 AM, and all tickets were sold within 15 minutes. The Ventura land trust's annual fundraiser has become a popular local celebration of music and conservation that raises funds and awareness for the Conservancy's land preservation efforts. All proceeds will support the creation of the Ventura Hillsides Preserve and other VHC projects. The fifth annual festival takes on a decidedly international flavor for 2007 as Jamaican sensations Toots and the Maytals head the lineup. Their combination of great reggae rhythms, heartfelt vocals, and soulful gospel influence is considered unmatched. Jack Johnson returns to Hillfest 5 for the first time since the inaugural edition. Since that time, Johnson's infectious bluesy surf-infused ballads have led three albums to the top of the US charts. The Robert Cray Band is legendary among music lovers as a leader in the blues revival movement of the 1980s and 1990s. The multi-Grammy award winning artist is a welcome addition to the Hillfest stage. Los Angeles-based Chris Pierce is still a young man, but his music is often described as an old soul, and has been compared to greats like Bill Withers, Al Green and Otis Redding. "We want to thank the Ventura community for their growing support of our event and our cause," says Lynn Bartosh, volunteer project manager for Hillfest. "This festival has grown to represent the coming together of arts and conservation for the ultimate benefit of our entire region." As in past years, seating for the event will be festival-style, using the contours of the grassy hill in Arroyo Verde Park as a natural amphitheatre. The Festival will afford a rare opportunity to enjoy superb live music in one of Ventura's most beautiful outdoor settings. The City of Ventura will again host the popular children's area. Gates will open at 11:30 AM this year, to allow for full enjoyment of the food, booths, and child recreational offerings. The music begins at 1:00 PM. The Ventura Hillsides Music Festival is sponsored in part by a host of community partners. Kipp, Brandt, and Drummond has signed on as a Title Sponsor for 2007, and Chipotle is the Festival's first Diamond-level sponsor. They are joined by Platinum Sponsors including the City of Ventura, the Ventura County Star, Gold Coast Broadcasting, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Patagonia, Crowne Plaza, L'Acoustics, and Rat Sound. Gold Level Sponsors include Ventura Toyota, Clif Bar, Rabobank, Channel Island Harbor Marina, Firestone Walker Fine Ales, Castoro Cellars, Horny Toad and Pure Matilija Water. Parking will be provided at Ventura College with free shuttle buses to the concert site. Concertgoers are encouraged to carpool, walk, bicycle, or skate to this event, and to refrain from parking in residential neighborhoods near Arroyo Verde Park. Food and beverages will be available at the concert. Picnics and small coolers are welcome but glass, alcohol and pets are not permitted. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring low-back beach chairs, cushions and blankets. No cameras or recorders are permitted. The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is dedicated to permanently preserving the hillsides, canyons and open space that contribute to the unique character and natural environment of the City of San Buenaventura. Contributions to the Conservancy are tax-exempt to the extent allowed by law. Further information about the Conservancy is available on the web at www.venturahillsides.org. # # #
Ventura Hillsides Music Festival Ventura, CA (August 17, 2007): For the fifth year in a row, the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy will present the 2007 Ventura Hillsides Music Festival on Sunday, September 30, 2007 in Arroyo Verde Park. Featured performers are Toots and the Maytals, Jack Johnson, The Robert Cray Band and Chris Pierce. The Ventura land trust's annual fundraiser has become a popular local celebration of music and conservation that raises funds and awareness for the Conservancy's land preservation efforts. All proceeds will support the creation of the Ventura Hillsides Preserve and other VHC projects. The fifth annual festival takes on a decidedly international flavor for 2007, as Jamaican sensations Toots and the Maytals head the lineup. Their combination of great reggae rhythms, heartfelt vocals, and soulful gospel influence is considered unmatched. Jack Johnson returns to Hillfest 5 for the first time since the inaugural edition. Since that time, Johnson's infectious bluesy surf-infused ballads have led three albums to the top of the US charts. The Robert Cray Band is legendary among music lovers as a leader in the blues revival movement of the 1980s and 1990s. The multi-Grammy award winning artist is a welcome addition to the Hillfest stage. Los Angeles-based Chris Pierce is still a young man, but his music is often described as an old soul, and has been compared to greats like Bill Withers, Al Green and Otis Redding As in past years, seating for the event will be festival-style, using the contours of the grassy hill in Arroyo Verde Park as a natural amphitheatre. The Festival will afford a rare opportunity to enjoy superb live music in one of Ventura's most beautiful outdoor settings. The City of Ventura will again host the popular children's area featuring a climbing wall and other activities. Gates will open at 11:30 AM this year, to allow for full enjoyment of the food, booths, and child recreational offerings. The music begins at 1:00 PM. Tickets go on sale Saturday, August 18, 2007 to the general public. Tickets will be available at Salzer's Music, Great Pacific Iron Works, Simone's Coffee and Tea in Ventura and at the Conservancy's website: www.venturahillsides.org. General admission is $45. Special $150 Gold Circle Seating packages will be available only online at www.venturahillsides.org. The Ventura Hillsides Music Festival is sponsored in part by a host of community partners. Kipp, Brandt, and Drummond has signed on as a Title Sponsor for 2007, and Chipotle is the Festival's first Diamond-level sponsor. They are joined by the City of Ventura, the Ventura County Star, Gold Coast Broadcasting, Patagonia, Crowne Plaza, Ventura Toyota, Castoro Cellars, Firestone Walker Fine Ales, Horny Toad, L'Acoustics, and Rat Sound. Parking will be provided at Ventura College with free shuttle buses to the concert site. Concertgoers are encouraged to carpool, walk, bicycle, or skate to this event, and to refrain from parking in residential neighborhoods near Arroyo Verde Park. Food and beverages will be available at the concert. Picnics and small coolers are welcome but glass, alcohol and pets are not permitted. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring low-back beach chairs, cushions and blankets. No cameras or recorders are permitted. The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is dedicated to permanently preserving the hillsides, canyons and open space that contribute to the unique character and natural environment of the City of San Buenaventura. Contributions to the Conservancy are tax-exempt to the extent allowed by law. Further information about the Conservancy is available on the web at www.venturahillsides.org. # # #
Ventura, CA (May 21,2007): The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy has hired Barbara Harison as the land trust's first Executive Director. Her hiring came after a nationwide search conducted over a three month period. She began in her capacity as the group's first paid chief on May 1, 2007. Ms. Harison comes to the Conservancy from her own consulting practice, Ventura-based Harison & Associates. She has over 22 years of experience in managing public parks and recreational facilities and 14 years as a planning and management consultant. She holds an MBA degree from Pepperdine University, an MS degree in Recreation Administration from San Francisco State University, and a BA degree from San Jose State University. Before initiating her consultancy 14 years ago, she served as the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Ventura from 1986-1993. Prior to her position in Ventura, she served as Community Services Director for the City of Campbell and as Chief Recreation Supervisor for City of Millbrae. Prior to her appointment, Harison & Associates assisted VHC in managing its recent State Coastal Conservancy Grant projects: the Stewardship Plan and the Conceptual Recreation Plan. Other recent projects of the firm include the Santa Clara County Coyote Creek Parkway Funding Report and City of Oakley Dutch Slough Community Park Implementation Plan. Locally the firm assisted the City of Oxnard in securing $2 million in Prop 40 State Park bond funding for College Park. “I am honored to serve as the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy's director,” says Harison. “The enthusiasm and professionalism that this group has displayed is impressive and inspiring. With the breadth and depth of volunteer and member talent and energy available, I very much look forward to leading the organization to the next levels of success in creating a healthy and accessible open space system to serve Ventura citizens and tourists.” Barbara Harison was Project Manager for the California Parks and Recreation Society(CPRS) VIP Plan: Creating Community through people, parks and programs, for three years. During that time she authored three Creating Community with Best Practices projects and was the co-author of the CPRS Leading to Promote Health and Wellness Initiative, 2003. During her career in public administration, she gained significant experience in public collaboration through the facilitation of both community and employee groups. For over twenty (20) years she has effectively facilitated community consensus workshops, strategic planning sessions, and employee team building exercises. She has worked with citizen task forces, elected and appointed public officials, and non-profit boards. She resides in Ventura with her husband Richard. She has been a member of VHC since its founding in 2003. Barbara also serves as current Chair of the Ventura County Channel Islands Harbor Commission and is a member of the Ventura County Community College District Personnel Commission. . # # #
Ventura, CA (April 18,2007): The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy has scheduled the ninth in its ongoing series of educational outreach pertaining to Ventura's open space. “Our Big Backyard” is an exploration of the interface of urban and wildlands that many Venturans have the good fortune to experience. Numerous live animals will presented by professional handlers in this event that is targeted to all ages. Our Big Backyard will take place Sunday, May 6, 2007 between 2 PM and 4 PM. The event will take place in Arroyo Verde Park's Arroyo Corto barbeque area. Our Big Backyard will provide a close-up and personal introduction to the various animals that inhabit Ventura's hillsides. Professional wildlife naturalists will give species-specific talks related to how the animals use the environment – both natural and man-made. The experts will provide tips on how to deal with wild animals that end up in backyards, as well as how to deal with wildlife we encounter in their own habitat. Appearances by opossum, skunk, snake, salamander and hawk are scheduled. All animals are under the care of Wildlife Experiences, Inc., an Oak View non-profit. “We are looking forward to better acquainting Venturans with our animal neighbors,” says Mindy Lawrence, education outreach event coordinator for the Conservancy. “As always, our focus for this event is on families and youth, and we welcome an opportunity to make outdoor education accessible to people of all ages.” The Conservancy's 2007 Educational Outreach programs are sponsored by Mid-State Bank Foundation, a partner with VHC since 2004. Admission to the event is free, although there is a per car charge in the park on Sundays. The Conservancy encourages participants to walk, bike, or carpool to the event. The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is dedicated to permanently preserving the hillsides, canyons and open space that contribute to the unique character and natural environment of the City of San Buenaventura. Contributions to the Conservancy are tax-exempt to the extent allowed by law. # # #
Ventura, CA (February 26, 2007): The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy has scheduled its fourth Annual Membership Meeting for Sunday, March 25, 2007. The meeting will provide an opportunity for both members and others in the Ventura community to learn of the progress the land trust has made and plans for the coming year. This year, the event will take place from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3551 Foothill Road, Ventura, California. Plenty of free parking is available. The event will feature a presentation of new planning tools, the Open Space Stewardship Plan and the Conceptual Recreation Plan. These plans illustrate how the Conservancy will manage and restore open space lands within the Interest Area that it will acquire. Ventura City Manager Rick Cole will speak on the connection between smart growth and open space protection. The event will also feature visits to the Conservancy's small office at the Pavilion complex. "We look forward to sharing our progress and plans with our members and the community," says Pat Perkins, vice-president of the group. "With over 830 dues-paying members, our organization and volunteer base is growing stronger all the time." Perkins says that, in addition to reviewing plans for 2007, the meeting will provide an opportunity to meet the Board of Trustees and key project managers, and sign up for volunteer opportunities. In addition to the unveiling of the Stewardship and Recreation plans, Trustees will discuss the status of VHC's Executive Director recruitment search, a project launched in December of 2006. Refreshments and donated prizes will be available. # # #
 Stephen Svete Email: press@venturahillsides.org |
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Ventura, CA 93002
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