Turlock Journal article: IDEAL program training leaders, taking applications

By Alex Cantatore

September 23, 2009

The full article is available here on the Turlock Journal website

The Institute for the Development of Emerging Area Leaders Fellowship isn’t just another local leadership program. As developed by Modesto’s Great Valley Center, a nonprofit organization founded in 1997 on the belief that “the Valley’s social, economic and environmental future depends on a balanced approach to public policy and the development of strong, diverse leaders,” the IDEAL Fellowship looks to provide much-needed leadership development for those who want to make a difference in their communities. “The program is designed for those who see a need in their community that is going unfilled,” said Manuel Alvarado, programs manager with the Great Valley Center. “People who are truly passionate about what they want to do.”

→ Read the rest of the article here

Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley: 2009 Annual Summit

Serving the Valley. Shaping Our Future.

Friday, October 23, 2009
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
At the Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center
848 M Street, Fresno, CA 93721

Governor Schwarzenegger (invited) morning keynote speaker.
Luncheon panel: California Needs a Water Plan Now

Breakout sessions:

• A Thirsty Valley & A Regional Water Plan
• Cradle to Career: Issues in Education and Workforce
• How Blue is the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint?
• A green Light for A green Valley
• Connecting Air Quality, Energy, & the Valley's Economy
• Health Care Reform: A Prescription for Tomorrow
  

The day will conclude with A Taste of the Valley social, providing an opportunity to sample the region's best wine and produce.

→ Additional program and registration information available here

Valley Futures Forum: Valley Blueprint Implementation

Valley Blueprint Implementation
with John Wright

October 15, 2009
5:00 - 6:45 pm

Great Valley Center
201 Needham St.
Modesto, CA

Fee for the Forum: $10 (payable at the door)
For more information e-mail nuplanner@gmail.com

About the upcoming program:
Blueprints are being developed around the state by Metropolitan Planning Organizations to plan for the population growth that is anticipated in California over the next 40+ years. Blueprints are regional in scope and integrate land use, transportation and resource planning. Blueprint planning is a comprehensive undertaking that requires innovation, collaborative planning, thinking on a macro scale and a willingness to follow through to implementation.

The preferred scenario for the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Process has been chosen, but what are the next steps to implementing this plan? Join retired City of Clovis Planning Director John Wright as he provides a progress report on the implementation of the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint.

Mr. Wright has actively served on many regional committees dealing with land use, transportation, farmland preservation and air quality and has helped organize interactive settings for agency directors and valley professional planners. He is leading the San Joaquin Valley Planner’s Workgroup within the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Planning Process, and served on the Blueprint Regional Advisory Committee. He currently assists the Fresno Council of Governments in the implementation of the Valley Blueprint, including the relationship between AB 32, SB 375, and City and County General plans.

About the Valley Futures Forum (VFF):
The VFF is a dynamic conversation on development issues in the San Joaquin Valley. The forum takes place at 5:00pm on the third Thursday of each month, from January through November.

The VFF is presented by:
American Planning Association, Central Section; Building Industry Association of Central California; Congress for the New Urbanism, NorCal Chapter; Great Valley Center; Local Government Commission; Modesto Chamber of Commerce.

→ Download a flyer here

→ Visit the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint website at www.valleyblueprint.org

The Future of Cotton Farm Tour 2009

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Time: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Tour will travel through Merced and Fresno counties, starting in Los Banos

Description: Get a behind-the-scenes look at how California cotton growers are tackling the
recession, drought and other challenges and reshaping the future of this important commodity during Cotton Tour 2009 on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Sponsored by the Davis-based Sustainable Cotton Project, the daylong tour offers a close-up look at the trends and practices in conventional cotton cultivation, SCP’s Cleaner Cotton® program and organic production in Merced and Fresno counties. The tour begins in the morning in Los Banos and then heads into the cotton fields, where participants can inspect the crop before harvest, and meet with farmers before visiting a cotton gin.

→ Additional Information Sustainable Cotton Project

→ Watch the sustainable cotton video

Sacramento Valley Forum Keynote on Daily Show

Check out Sacramento Valley Forum keynote speaker Robert Glennon on the Daily Show. Glennon's new book Unquenchable: America's Water Crisis and What To Do About It examines how Americans mistakenly use water as an infinite resource and how America must make hard choices in order to deal with the current water crisis.

We are looking forward to hearing Glennon speak on October 28th in Chico. More info here: www.greatvalley.org/svforum.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Robert Glennon
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Healthcare Protests

American Leadership Forum, Great Valley Chapter

Take a look at some pictures from this year's inaugural class of the American Leadership Forum (ALF), Great Valley Chapter.

→ Learn more about the ALF Great Valley Chapter here

→ Learn more about the national ALF office here

Great Valley Center September Media Advisory

The Great Valley Center's September 2009 media advisory is now available. This monthly resource for members of the media and others in the community features information on what's happening with the Great Valley Center and throughout the Central Valley during the month.

September's advisory includes briefs on:

* Regional story ideas
* GVC and regional events during the month
* Ongoing GVC projects
* Reports, Publications, and Resources Available

→Download the September 2009 Media Advisory