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Press Release
September 3, 2008
CONTACT:
Elizabeth Stampe, Communications Dir., estampe@greenbelt.org, (415) 543-6771 x307
Lopa Pal, Major Gifts Associate, lpal@greenbelt.org, (415) 543-6771 x302
Greenbelt Alliance 50th Anniversary
Serves Up a Taste of the Greenbelt
Local vintners and farmers team up with top-notch chefs;
As the sun sets over San Francisco Bay and the surrounding golden hills, celebrate a half-century of Bay Area land conservation
What: Greenbelt Alliance 50th Anniversary Celebration ww.greenbelt.org/50_years.html
Celebrate the legacy of one of the region's oldest conservation groups, whose grassroots activism and regional thinking have helped shape the way the Bay Area looks today. Greenbelt Alliance's big-picture approach promotes sustainable urban development—smart growth—as well as land conservation. This unique approach is more important than ever in a time of high gas prices and a changing climate.
At the event, enjoy sunset over the Bay at the San Francisco Presidio while sampling
an outdoor "Taste of the Greenbelt," with cuisine from the Bay Area's best restaurants and fresh food from local farms, with fine wines from local vineyards.
The celebration will also include an indoor buffet of local, organic hors-d'oeuvres and a multimedia presentation celebrating the Bay Area’s beauty and vitality. Complimentary round-trip biodiesel shuttle service from the Powell Street BART/Muni Station and bike valet parking are available.
When: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Where: Herbst International Exhibition Hall, San Francisco Presidio
Why: For 50 years, Greenbelt Alliance has been the San Francisco Bay Area’s advocate for protecting open spaces and creating vibrant places.
A few highlights:
- Founded in 1958 as People for Open Space in the living room of Bay Area housing and conservation activist Dorothy Erskine, Greenbelt Alliance’s first victory saved the hills surrounding the East Bay’s San Pablo Reservoir.
- Since then, Greenbelt Alliance has helped to protect over 1.1 million acres of open space permanently. It has helped pass city and county policies that protect well over 1 million more acres of farmland and natural areas.
- Greenbelt Alliance has endorsed the creation of over 60,000 homes in existing Bay Area cities, instead of out on the greenbelt. These model developments include homes people can afford, close to jobs, services, and good public transportation, offering a sustainable way for the region to grow.
- Today, Greenbelt Alliance has offices in six cities around the region. Its award-winning research, regional vision, and grassroots local action encourage smart growth to create a greener, better Bay Area.
Who: Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi and Assemblyman Mark Leno are expected to speak, and Mayor Gavin Newsom is invited. Assemblyman Leno will present a proclamation recognizing Greenbelt Alliance’s contributions to the Bay Area and California.
Featured restaurants and farms:
At outdoor tasting tables:
Betelnut Restaurant, San Francisco & Brentwood's Knoll Farms
San Mateo's Flea Street Cafe & Menlo Park’s Webb Ranch
Cafe Rouge, Berkeley
Brentwood’s Frog Hollow Farm
At the indoor buffet:
Wild Thyme Events & organic farms of Sonoma County
Featured wineries:
Alderbrook Winery
Benziger Family Winery
Cakebread Cellars
Charles Creek Vineyard
De Loach Vineyards
Franciscan
Frog's Leap Vineyard
Katherine Kennedy Winery
Laurel Glen Vineyard
Ravenswood Winery
Schramsberg Vineyards
Silver Oak Cellars
Steelhead Wines
Volker Eisele Family Estate
Tickets: $50 - Greenbelt Alliance Members
$75 - General Admission (includes a one-year membership to Greenbelt Alliance) Children under 12: Free
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For 50 years, Greenbelt Alliance has been the San Francisco Bay Area's advocate for open spaces and vibrant places, with offices in San Francisco, San Jose, Walnut Creek, San Rafael, and Santa Rosa. www.greenbelt.org
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