Volume 11, Number 3

Fall 2009

Forum on Water Draws a Crowd

Robert Glennon, nationally-known author of the book Unquenchable: Americas Water Crisis and What To Do About It, and Tim Quinn Executive Director of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) were the featured keynote speakers at the Great Valley Centers Sacramento Valley Forum, a daylong annual event focusing on issues in Californias Sacramento Valley. The event, which was the 10th annual Forum, was held on October 28, 2009 at the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico. This years Forum, titled Water, More than a Peripheral Issue, was attended by over 175 business and community leaders, governmental officials, farmers, environmentalists and individuals who have an interest in the future of the region. The Forum provided attendees with an opportunity to learn about issues currently relevant to water use, including conservation and economics in the 10-county Sacramento Valley Region and beyond. The Sacramento Valleys water supply nourishes our region and the rest of the state and we cannot conserve our way out of this problem, said David Hosley, Great Valley Centers president. By bringing people and interests from the Sacramento Valley together to present about the many complexities of this issue, we can establish a dialogue for positive change.

Glennon, a professor of law and public policy at Robert Glennon gives his keynote address to the the University of Arizona, audience at The Big Room at the Sierra Nevada Brewery reviewed the signs of the report Envisioning Futures and the water crisis since 2007 and Bay-Delta Conservation Plan. listed more than 16 different actions or reforms he supported, including Panel sessions throughout the metering water usage and pointing day discussed Sacramento River to many cities in the Central Valley flows, risks and management; that do not require residents to pay current research on the affects for the amount of water they use. of climate change, precipitation and conveyance; infrastructure Additionally Tim Quinn opened the innovations that make greater program by stating that Californias conservation possible; and the water crisis is like nothing anyone economics of water, recreation and has ever seen in the history of the tourism in the Sacramento River state. He mentioned that many Valley. groups of committed people are working to guide the state in a new The complete program for the direction, including the Delta Blue day and speakers powerpoint Ribbon Task Force, and important presentations are now available at information is now available, such www.greatvalley.org/svforum. as the Public Policy Institutes 2007

Presidents Message: Building Momentum For A Regional Vision

It isnt a continuous line of ascent, but there are examples all over the Central Valley of people thinking about a region, moving beyond the place Great Valley Center President David Hosley they live to a broader view that embraces their neighbors, a part of the Valley, or even all of its seven million residents. In the Sacramento region, which has gotten pretty good at taking a regional approach to challenges, there have been a half dozen initiatives since 2002. It started with a six-county land use and transportation blueprint and has moved on to flood management, economic development, and now growing a culture of philanthropy and volunteering from the foothills to the Delta. Leaders there have built a habit of going annually to places that have similar challenges to that of the Capital region to see what approaches might be used back home. And this year a handful of community organizations put on an internal study mission to see both the good and the bad issues surrounding the areas growth. The California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valleys conference last month was sold out, and the good news was shared that a state grant for work force development will help keep the momentum going for the largest and most ambitious economic development effort in the Central Valley. In the northern part of the Sacramento Valley, an idea for a regional collaboration for technical assistance in transportation and land use is on its way to becoming a reality. Shasta and Butte are both coming to completion on blueprints, and while their approaches have been different, theres a sense that a broader vision for the North State is slowly emerging. Not all signs of thinking and acting as a cohesive Valley are multi-county efforts. Sometimes building blocks come in smaller sizes. The Modesto Chamber of Commerce sponsored its first State of the Region this fall. It, too, was sold out as four mayors from Stanislaus County discussed the future of one of the most economically disadvantaged counties in the Valley. We have come to believe that we should work together, one of them said in reference to the cities in the county. When theres more togetherness at the local level, theres a much greater chance to come together on regional priorities as well.

Check it out at www.greatvalley.org

Shop at the GVC Store Our Valley-promoting items are available for purchase online. Check out one of our most popular items: a color changing coffee cup, which is dark blue when cold, and turns white with a beautiful Central Valley scene when hot liquid is poured into it. Download publications for free While visiting our website you can download our newest publication Assessing the Region via Indicators: The Economy (third edition), and while youre at it take a look at some of our outstanding past publications as well. Learn about our Health Initiative We are partnering with the California HealthCare Foundation to engage the public in a dialogue on issues that impact community health the Central Valley. Check out highlights and videos from past events and find out what events are coming up. Find Out Other Ways to Connect to the Great Valley Center Just head to our homepage to link to other ways we are connecting with people and keeping you in touch with whats happening in the Valley. You could become a fan on Facebook, check out our photo stream on Flickr, get linked with us on Linkedin, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our Youtube video feed, or read about whats happening on our Great Valley News Blog.

Report on the Economy Released

This fall the Great Valley Center released its newest report: Assessing the Region via Indicators:The Economy (third edition). The report is part of the State of the Great Central Valley series, an ongoing regional initiative tracking conditions in one of Californias fastest growing regions: the 19-county Great Central Valley. The report tracks economic indicators as they relate to population, income and housing; business vitality; agriculture; transportation; commerce and mobility; and federal and nonprofit spending. The report provides valuable comparative information at the county, subregional, regional, and state levels. The report is available at www.greatvalley.org.

Training Elected Officials for Success

Great Valley Leadership Institute, Class X
In the fast-changing Central Valley, leaders need to make wise decisions about our communities, resources and infrastructure. The Great Valley Leadership Institute (GVLI) equips elected officials with the skills, knowledge, and inspiration they need to guide the Valley to the best possible future. This years Institute took place earlier this fall at Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp, CA. This year 18 members of school boards, city councils and county boards of supervisors participated in the four-and-a-half-day program that allows elected officials the opportunity to spend time with expert faculty on topics such as community building, effective negotiations, thinking ethically, creating coalitions, and working with the media. This years GVLI program was underwritten by the California State Association of Counties, League of California Cities, Comcast, and Southern California Edison.

Gus & Velmas Column

Dear Gus and Velma, I am making my grocery list for the upcoming holidays and somebody told me it would be better if I got organic produce and meat, but somebody else told me it would be better if I got local produce and meat. Should I buy organic or local for my holiday feasts? Health Nutty Dear Nutty, Velma: The local or organic decision can be tricky and there can be lots to think about. Gus: What do you mean lots to think about? All there is to think about is how big does the turkey need to be and is there enough gravy for the potatoes. Velma: If people think beyond their plate and about the impact food can have on their community and the environment, they might realize the foods they choose is having unintended consequences. Gus: I do think about the impact beyond my plate! I like to think about the impact on my taste buds and my tummy. Velma: Very funny Gus! But seriously, taste is something a consumer can consider in their choices. Gus: Okay, then which one is better? Velma: Better is really up to the individual, who will have to make that decision based on their priorities and preferences. And people dont necessarily have to pick one, there are a lot of choices and often that includes produce and meat that is organic and local..

Funding Briefs
Three Grants For Digital Literacy The Great Valley Center is receiving three grants this fall to promote digital literacy in the Central Valley. The California Consumer Protection Foundation is funding a program in Tulare County to provide technical assistance to local businesses and nonprofit organizations. The AT&T Foundation is supporting the Digital Connectors program in Pixley that trains teens to repair computers and install software. The grant also funds a feasibility study to determine if the Digital Connectors model might be effective in the northern part of the Sacramento Valley. A third grant is coming from the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, as part of a larger grant to the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, to provide instruction in computer technology that will lead to work for job seekers or promotions with current employers in three sites in the San Joaquin Valley. Pixley will be one of the sites and the other two are to be determined by the end of the year. Renewable Energy Capacity Building The Great Valley Center has completed a capacity grant, thanks to the Citi Foundation. This series of trainings on energy sources and consumption has expanded the energy knowledge base within the organization. The program was completed with an ecotour of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Better Leaders, Stronger Communities GVC staff as they get ready to learn about Paramount Farming Company has the environmental resources of the Delta served as the principal program sponsor for GVCs Institute for the Development of Emerging Area Leaders (IDEAL) for the past three years. The Great Valley Center appreciates their continued support and commitment to develop and invest in our Valleys emerging leaders.

Carol Tomlinson-Keasey

(October 15, 1942 - October 10, 2009)

A tribute by Great Valley Center President Emeritus Carol Whiteside

Carol Tomlinson-Keasey spearheaded the multi-year effort to establish the 10th University of California campus in Merced and served as its founding chancellor from 1999 to 2006. During her tenure as chancellor, Tomlinson-Keasey worked with then Great Valley Center President Carol Whiteside to formalize an agreement making the Great Valley Center a part of UC Merced. She was a remarkable woman with several degrees, publications and books to her credit. Carol Tomlinson-Keasey had all the credentials to be a fine Chancellor, but she had other qualities that set her apart. Though she knew little about the San Joaquin Valley when she first came to Merced, she quickly learned about the people and the enormous capacity and opportunities of the region. Her understanding of the unmet potential of the under-represented and underserved Valley quickly turned into a passion to build a world class university that would serve the region and its students. She envisioned a World Cultures Institute that would encompass the Valleys diversity; a Sierra Nevada Institute that would study natural resources in one of the worlds greatest outdoor laboratories; and a Medical School that would have an immeasurable impact on the community health of the region. And to make this vision possible she brought together experts in energy and nanotechnology, and the natural sciences and humanities, building the foundation for this great new institution for the Valley. Carol also had time to meet with young aspiring students. Before the campus was even open, she wanted students to envision UC Merced as their university. She held a competition for Valley students to choose the campus mascot and awarded free tuition to the winner. GVC provided a grant for books for the winners first year. When I went to Washington D.C. to Congress, to call attention to the needs of the Valley, Carol T.K. came with me to help tell the story. Carol and I attended meetings together and introduced each other on the podium. She was a colleague, a partner and a friend. Carol T.K. and I talked about the complementary missions of GVC and UC Merced in the region, with the UC providing a large and powerful institutional base and GVC providing an existing in-depth understanding of the region and already established connections with leaders in multiple sectors. It was an historic decision that UC Merced and the Great Valley Center would come together in partnership to have a greater impact on the region. We lost Carol Tomlinson-Keasey last month. She was proud of the campus that she established for the Valley; she was proud of the students who came to the campus so many the first in their families to attend a university. And she was proud of the growing strength and potential of the GVC/UC Merced partnership that we began. Carol Tomlinson-Keasey was my friend. I feel a deep personal sadness on her passing, but I take some pleasure knowing what a great legacy she built here in the Valley.

MODESTO 201 Needham Street Modesto, CA 95354 Phone (209) 522-5103 Fax (209) 522-5116 CHICO 630 Salem Street Suite 110 Chico, CA 95928 Phone (530) 321-0817 Fax (530) 343-2696 BAKERSFIELD 2000 K Street, Suite 300 Bakersfield, CA 93301 Phone (661) 861-7962 Fax (661) 861-7952 Email: info@greatvalley.org www.greatvalley.org The mission of the Great Valley Center is to support activities and organizations that benefit the economic, social and environmental well-being of Californias Central Valley in partnership with the University of California, Merced.