October 10, 2003

Contact: Katie Donovan, EDC: (805) 963-1622

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE CENTER HOSTS 2003 VENTURA COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL HERO AWARDS

VENTURA- Please join the Environmental Defense Center (EDC) for its 2003 Ventura County Environmental Hero Awards and Live Auction on Saturday, November 8th from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Four Points Sheraton - Garden Pavilion (1050 Schooner Dr., Ventura). The event will feature hors d'oeuvres, wine by Ojai Vineyard, a live auction, and live Latin guitar by Gilberto Gonzales. David Cohen will serve as the event Auctioneer. Proceeds will directly support the EDC's Ventura County work as a nonprofit, public interest environmental law firm to protect our Central Coast environment and quality of life.

The Environmental Defense Center is pleased to honor the following Environmental Heroes for their commitment to a sustainable and healthy environment on the Central Coast (see attached bios):

Advocate: Lee Quaintance
Corporate: Have Blue
Public Leader: Assemblymember Fran Pavley
Lifetime Achievement: John Broesamle

In addition to joining EDC in honoring these heroes, guests at the Auction will have a chance to bid on a variety of exciting live auction items, some of which are described below:

Jackson Hole, WY Majestic Getaway: Experience two days of world class skiing in Jackson Hole and spend two nights at the luxurious Teton Mountain Lodge. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Teton Mountains or explore Yellowstone National Park, just minutes away.

Sail Away: The ultimate sailing experience to Santa Cruz Island for four people on Calafia, a 42' Catalina sailboat provided by the Santa Barbara Sailing Center. This three day, two-night adventure includes sailing crew, two double kayaks for exploring sea caves and an inflatable dinghy to access the island for hiking.

Cape Cod Charm: Spend two nights at the charming and elegant Crook Jaw Inn & Antiques. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this bed and breakfast is located within walking distance of fine dining, nature trails, bookstores and galleries. If you are interested in whale watching, lighthouses or theater, this east coast island has it all.
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Individual tickets are $65 per person, of which $35 is fully tax-deductible. Please RSVP by Oct 31. For sponsorship, underwriting and advertising information, or for tickets and reservations, please call EDC at (805) 963-1622, ext. 100 or visit EDC's website at www.edcnet.org.

EDC's 2003 VENTURA COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL HEROES

Advocate: Lee Quaintance
As one of the founding members of the Beacon Foundation, Lee has been involved with seeking protection and restoration of the Ormond Beach wetlands and the creation of the program "Youth Earth Action", which teaches middle and high school students the tools for environmental advocacy in their neighborhoods. The Beacon Foundation is a grassroots non-profit environmental organization focused on coastal Ventura County.

Lifetime Achievement: John Broesamle
During his time as president of the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, John helped negotiate the organization's first land purchase, the Ojai Meadows Preserve, a sixty-acre greenbelt between the city of Ojai and the community of Meiners Oaks. The OVLC also established Cluff Vista Park in downtown Ojai and continues programs for adults and children teaching about the regional environment and the relationship between agriculture and the urban community. In 1999 John was named Ojai Citizen of the Year.

Public Leader: Assemblymember Fran Pavley
Representing Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, Pavley has a 100% conservation voting record and is a former CA Coastal Commissioner. She has introduced several key bills such as AB 740, which would place the "Clean Air, Clean Water and Coastal Protection Bond" on the March 2004 ballot to raise $2.9 billion for investment in protecting public health. She has also authored AB 847, which would direct the State Coastal Conservancy to undertake projects and programs to improve coastal water quality and protect marine resources in sensitive habitat areas such as Marine Sanctuaries.

Corporate: HaveBlue LLC
Based in Ventura, HaveBlue's technology produces renewable hydrogen from purified sea water using clean energy power sources such as solar panels, wind generators and regenerative electric drive motors. With HaveBlue's self contained systems onboard, the pollution of fossil fuel engine and power systems, in addition to the noise and odor from their operation, are eliminated. HaveBlue has teamed with the number one sailboat builder in the U.S., Catalina Yachts, to build its first full scale technology demonstrator.

MENU
The menu will feature California rolls, salmon wraps, mini quiches, spanakopita, an assortment of fresh seafood canapés and tortilla pinwheels.

ABOUT EDC
Since 1977, EDC has been serving California's Central Coast as the only nonprofit, public interest environmental law firm between Los Angeles and San Francisco. EDC provides legal, educational and advocacy support to community and environmental groups on environmental issues such as protecting water quality, preserving precious open spaces, saving species from extinction and guarding public health.

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