Many of you have read news accounts today that an investigation found the Department of Parks and Recreation hid approximately $50 million in “surplus” funds. As a long-standing partner to the parks system ourselves, California State Parks Foundation is disappointed and shocked at the revelation that funds that could have been used to help a parks system in crisis were not being used to do so. We are especially angry that this occurred at the same time CSPF and all of you have been working diligently and against tremendous odds to help temporarily keep threatened parks open.

We are angry on behalf of our members, our donors, our partners, but most importantly on behalf of the people of California. Californians have a right to expect honesty from the government systems that serve us and, in this case, the parks department let us all down.

As an independent, nonprofit organization, CSPF is committed to continuing our 43-year old mission of protecting, enhancing, and advocating for our state parks. Our parks still need our efforts, and now, more than ever. The crisis that led to closures does not go away, even with the infusion of one-time funding from the found sources. We at CSPF have already had very preliminary discussions with legislative leaders about ensuring that the millions that may be available to state parks be directed to assist with keeping parks open now and helping support enterprise activities to generate ongoing revenue for parks.

The work that we all are collectively doing to keep parks open remains vital. It will clearly be important for all of us to reinforce to our members and donors that their financial support is necessary and is producing the results they intended: to keep parks open. If anything, this funding can help augment the precious funding put on the table by funders and all of us, including, for example, being used to keep parks open more hours or days of the week than previously planned.

We know it will be challenging in the days and weeks to come, but we remain committed to our state parks and to working with all of you to ensure they remain open, accessible and enjoyable to all Californians.

Traci Verardo-Torres
Vice President, Government Affairs
____________________________
Traci Verardo-Torres
Vice President, Government Affairs
California State Parks Foundation
1510 J Street, Suite 220
Sacramento, CA 95814
TEL: 916.442.2119
FAX: 916.442.2809
www.calparks.org

Defend What’s Yours: Save State Parks

Website | Facebook | Twitter

The group, which has raised over $140,000.00 through a designated fund setup and managed by North Valley Community Foundation, has been discussing various options for continuing to implement its mission statement over the coming years.

“We’ve explored merging with an existing non-profit group, but have not been able to find a viable candidate that is in a better position to advance the mission of the Project,” said Nancy Overton, Chair of the BMCP Steering Committee. “It’s been a learning process for everyone involved. When it came right down to it, incorporating our existing group was the best option to pursue our mission in the long term.”

The terms of the donor agreement with State Parks have been negotiated. With the vote of the BMCP Steering Committee to incorporate, the group will now file its incorporation documents with the Secretary of State and conduct an initial meeting to make it official.

“We expect to be in a position to execute a contract with State Parks within the next week or two,” says Overton.

North Valley Community Foundation will continue to maintain the BMCP Designated Fund, and will pay funds to State Parks as directed by Bidwell Mansion Community Project under the terms of the negotiated donor agreement.

I’m writing you in reference to the recent news that members of Bidwell Mansion Association (BMA) will be meeting with representatives of State Parks tomorrow, April 27, 2012, to discuss the issue of the disposition of the relationship between BMA and State Parks in general and, more specifically, some $140,000.00 in funds currently in possession of BMA. Of note, and for better or worse, Bidwell Mansion Community Project (BMCP) seems to be regularly brought into this conversation, at least in the public and through the media.

As you likely know, BMCP has recently raised over $130,000.00 to support the operations of Bidwell Mansion SHP and is currently in negotiations with State Parks to subsidize operating expenses for that park unit for the 2012-2013 fiscal year. Having reached and exceeded our fundraising goals for the coming year, BMCP is transitioning its focus towards building a sustainable plan for the continued operation of Bidwell Mansion, pursuant to the second phase of BMCP’s Mission Statement.

As Chairman of the newly created Sustainability Task Force, I am in the process of working with our committee to investigate the various options for implementing this second phase of our mission. There is apparent consensus amongst our group that BMCP should either begin the process of obtaining 501(c)(3) status independently as a bona fide not-for-profit association, or seek to merge with an existing non-profit group. Of course, it is of paramount concern that we adequately represent the interests of the community that donated these funds as stakeholders in this important project.

While the BMCP Sustainability Task Force is currently in its most infantile stage, and our group is in the process of conducting due diligence as to all viable options, I believe it is fair to say at this point that a future association with BMA is a clear frontrunner on BMCP’s short list of options to meet our current goals and the overall mission of keeping Bidwell Mansion open to the public. The BMA is comprised of a number of individual volunteers with a deep passion for this historic landmark and invaluable institutional knowledge of this facility. It is my understanding through my communications with members of BMA that they are open to discussions with BMCP along these lines.

Through thick and thin, those receiving this letter have been working together for the best interests of the State of California and the North Valley community for months (or decades, as the case may be) and we have recently achieved an epic goal. We all have a lot to be proud of. I respectfully urge all of those involved in the discussions about the relationship between Bidwell Mansion Association and State Parks to keep in mind the best interests of the community and our beloved historic monument in your negotiations tomorrow.

cc: Bidwell Mansion Association, by and through Mr. Michael Magilari and BMCP/BMA Liaison, Cathie Momber
Bidwell Mansion Community Project, Executive Steering Committee
California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks), by and through Mr. Michael Fehling

In Friendship, Loyalty and Charity,

Patrick Bulmer

John Bidwell Parlor No. 21, Native Sons of the Golden West
1st Vice President • Chairman, BMCP Sustainability Task Force

Bidwell Mansion Community Project
www.savebidwellmansion.org

2 tickets: $5

5 tickets: $10

Location:

Hundreds of community members ran two miles through the park Saturday morning, raising enough funds to keep Bidwell Mansion open.

About 500 people registered and made contributions towards the Run for Bidwell Mansion event, and 350 people participated.  Runner Leann Martin said the clouds and rain could not keep the mansion supporters away.  “I think the people who were honestly going to come out and want to devote their time were going to run no matter what,” she said.  “I think the turn out was pretty good for the first time this has been organized.”

The run began in the One-Mile section of Bidwell Park and ended with a celebration in front of Bidwell Mansion.

Although this was the signature fund-raising event, efforts to save Bidwell mansion started months ago.  Last year state budget cuts threatened to close the 150-year-old building down.  The Bidwell Mansion Community Project steering committee was formed in November with the goal to raise $100,000 by April 1st and keep the mansion open for one more year.

Credit: Angelica Wedell

Committee chair Lisa Creamer-O’Donnell said donations have steadily come in from school groups, business, local organizations and the North Valley Community Foundation.  “The community support was just fabulous.  The out-pouring of love and support for this historic park is absolutely amazing, and I’m so honored to be a part of all of this,” she said.  She also pointed out sponsors on the back of the blue T-shirts who each donated at least $300 for the mansion.

With funds from the run event, the $100,000 objective was exceeded, allowing the mansion to stay open to the public for three days a week and two days for school field trips.  “The school kids want this mansion to stay open,” said organizer Debra Lucero during a speech on the mansion porch.  “And we owe it to them to do exactly that.  This is our heritage.”

“We’ve raised $100,000 in 90 days to keep a community landmark open to the public,” said Patrick Bulmer, fundraising chair and John Bidwell Parlor #21 representative.  “I’m very pleased with our results.  This is success in any way you measure it.”  He mentioned the possibility of another run event next year.  “We are immediately going to start looking into creating a sustainable plan over years two, three, and beyond.”

Most of the mansion supporters have been on tours through the property before.  After helping to raise funds and awareness on Saturday, they say they will be making return visits soon.

CHICO – The first Silent Film Festival in Chico raised $5,200 toward the $100,000 goal of the Bidwell Mansion Community Project this past weekend. A special preview was held at the Bidwell Mansion on Thursday, March 8 with 11 more films screened on Friday, March 9 and Saturday, March 10 including Alfred Hitchcock’s “Blackmail” and Cecil B. DeMille’s “Chicago.”

“We’re excited to have raised more than $5,000,” organizer Debra Lucero, executive director of Friends of the Arts, commented. “It was a big push for a small organization like our’s but we recognize the importance of preserving historical assets and wanted to highlight the effort through these silent movie treasures – which are also disappearing at a rapid rate.

David Shepard, owner of Blackhawk Films and a renowned film preservationist who was at the Chico event reported that only a small percentage of all black and white movies filmed now exist; most are lost. According to Wikipedia, “Many early motion pictures are lost because the nitrate film used in that era was extremely unstable and flammable. Additionally, many films were deliberately destroyed because they had little value in the era before home video. It has often been claimed that around 75% of silent films have been lost, though these estimates may be inaccurate due to a lack of numerical data.^[24] Major silent films presumed lost include Saved from the Titanic (1912);^[25] The Apostle, the world’s first animated feature film (1917); Cleopatra (1917);^[26] Arirang (1926); Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1927);^[27] The Great Gatsby (1926); and London After Midnight (1927). Though most lost silent films will never be recovered, some have been discovered in film archives or private collections.

Lucero said more than 650 people attended the 11 films throughout the weekend event. “People were belly-laughing or glued with such intensity to the screen. Silent films require a certain amount of concentration but the piano music makes the mental work enjoyable and fun,” Lucero added.

Sponsors of the event included Oxford Suites who donated rooms for both David Shepard, a renowned film preservationist and Frederick Hodges, one of the foremost ragtime pianists alive today. A&J Rentals provided a popcorn and hot dog machines; Chico Printing and Ellis Art & Engineering helped with the cost of the printed program. Bacio Catering provided finger foods for 50 people at the preview celebration at the Bidwell Mansion, where 33 people were treated to a cozy preview of the weekend’s event.

Special thanks also to Nancy Overton, Chair of the Bidwell Mansion Community Project’s Run for Bidwell Mansion and Maria Phillips of Avenue 9 Gallery.

FRIDAY, March 9
6 PM – $8 Laugh Show Combo – COPS with Buster Keaton; BEHIND THE SCREEN with Charlie Chaplin; WRONG AGAIN with Laurel and Hardy; LIZZIES OF THE FIELD.
8 PM – BLACKMAIL, Alfred Hitchcock’s “lost” silent version
SATURDAY, March 10
10:30 AM — V.I. Pudovkin’s STORM OVER ASIA
1 PM – THE NIGHT CRY (Rin Tin Tin’s greatest acting role) plus a Felix the Cat cartoon
3 PM – THE CANADIAN (directed by William Beaudine)
DINNER BREAK
7 PM – Cecil B. De Mille’s CHICAGO
9 PM – Lon Chaney in THE UNHOLY THREE  with D. W. Griffith short “For His Son.”
FESTIVAL DETAILS
COST: $8 Laugh Show;children 12 & under $2
$8 Per Film – $45 For All-Festival Pass
$10 at door per film – Ask about SPECIAL screening inside historic Bidwell Mansion March 8 – 40 tickets only @ $150

LOCATION: Chico Women’s Club, 592 E. 3rd St.
TICKETS: Avenue 9 Gallery, 180 E. 9th Ave., #3
Will=Call tickets with credit card payment 530-228-2860.

MORE INFORMATION: 530-228-2860

Frederick Hodges is hailed by the press as one of the best jazz and ragtime pianists in the world. He is sought after by today’s foremost orchestras, festivals, conductors, and collaborative musicians. His artistry, virtuosity and charisma have brought him to the world’s most prestigious stages.

David Shepard of Blackhawk Films is renowned world-wide for film preservation. Shepard began restoring films when he joined the American Film Institute in 1968 as one of their first staff members. In 1987, he bought the Blackhawk Films library. Shepard will run the 16mm projectors and provide commentary for the films

COST: $10 per person

Prizes will be awarded to the winners. Lots of raffle items!

For more information, please call Shar Plowman at 345-3276 or Lorraine Hibdon at 343-9222. Tickets available at the door.

And Mooney Farms, a local ag producer has donated the sun dried tomatoes for these pizza creations. The idea is to create a pizza-selling contest between students in this entrepreneurial class. These senior level CSU, Chico, students got out the cheese, onions, basil, chicken, mushroom, sun dried tomatoes, secret sauces and even hamburger to create the following special fund-raising pizzas.

Annie Bidwell Pesto Delight Team – Represented by Michael Stone of Shingle Springs and John Richardson of Castro Valley. Inspired by vegetarians in the group, the team came up with something that would appeal to those folks. I two vegetarians in the group. wanted to appeal to them. It’s got a Mediterranean flair with feta cheese. mushrooms and sundried (Mooney) tomatoes.

Bidwell “Mad”-sion Team – Representatives Chris Faridniya of El Dorado Hills and Jeremiah Daon of Mill Valley; and Matt Weiner of San Diego came up with a pizza that combines two of America’s favorite foods – hamburgers and pizza. Oh … and secret sauce. It includes chedder cheese, ground beef, sesame seeds, bacon and more!

Annie’s Crush Italian Pizza – Jenna Nece of Redlands represented this pizza-making team. The pie included all fresh ingredients – basil, pesto and chicken – a true classic!

Bidwell Greek Team – Imagine secret sauces (creamy garlic pesto) caramelized onions and more. Jon MacFarlane of Pleasanton and Daniel Malysiak of Yuba City represented this team.

Aaron Souza is the owner of Mad Dash Pizza and is partnering with Professor Bill McGowan who is the instructor for the marketing/entrepreneurial class.

Visit Mad Dash Pizza’s facebook page HERE!

Madison Bear Garden, 316 W. 2nd St., is teaming up with Marsh Jr. High School to donate $1 to Bidwell Mansion for every burger, salad or sandwich sold all day on Feb. 26.

In other Marsh news, students brought in $3,285.32 with their various activities: a Barnes & Noble Book Fair, candy sales, and literally asking folks in the streets for money. These kids are amazing. They are definitely our future.

Ty Brogden and Noah Pickering presented the Bidwell Mansion Community Project with the fruits of their labor on Wednesday night.

Thanks, Marsh Jr. High School! You rock.