June 2009 - Upcoming Events in the Region

June 3: Developing a Successful Local Housing Trust Fund Workshop – Expert panelists will discuss critical issues about establishing a housing trust, executing a successful permanent source campaign, and the state of California housing. Radisson Conference Center, 2233 Ventura Street, Fresno, June 3, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. No charge, but advanced registration is required. To register, go to: http://frbsf.org/community/resources/2009/0603/index.html

June 3: Why Rural Matters 2009 Report – The Rural School and Community Trust will host a webinar to preview their Why Rural Matters 2009 report, due for release this fall. This report, the fifth in this series, analyzes the importance of rural education in each of the 50 states and calls attentio. This event is free for RSIN members. Fee for nonmembers is $45. Register at: www.ruraledu.org

June 9: Land Conservation Easement Celebration - Central Valley Farmland Trust will be celebrating the placement of agricultural easements on Jorgensen Ranch and Silveira Farm in Merced County. The celebration will take place at Jorgensen Ranch 30416 W. Jorgensen Road, Gustine, Ca at 10:00 a.m. For more information contact Bill Martin or Susan Hooper at the Central Valley Farmland Trust (916) 687-3178.

June 13: IDEAL Graduation – 19 emerging Central Valley leaders will complete and graduate from the Great Valley Center’s Institute for the Development of Emerging Area Leaders (IDEAL), a six-month fellowship program focused on Central Valley public policy issues. The graduation will take place at the Great Valley Center, 201 Needham Street, Modesto. Contact: Program Manager Manuel Alvarado manuel@greatvalley.org.

June 18: Valley Futures Forum – Delightful Density: Strategies for Comfort, Convenience, and Choice. Guest speaker, Dan Zack, Downtown Development Coordinator for Redwood City. Appropriate density can help with goals such as lowering household vehicle miles travelled (VMT), increasing transit viability, spurring downtown retail, and increasing cultural amenities and social opportunities. Great Valley Center, 201 Needham Street, Modesto, 5:00 pm to 6:45 pm, $10 at the door. Contact: Cindy van Empel nuplanner@gmail.com.

June 30: Pixley Digital Connectors Graduation – 10 young people from the rural Tulare County community of Pixley will be recognized for completing the Digital Connectors Program, a six-month internship program that strives to assist the community with technology related challenges inherent in small and isolated rural communities by training high school students to provide computer training and technical support for the residents of Pixley. Contact: Great Valley Center Senior Program Manager Dejeune Shelton at dejeune@greatvalley.org.