December 18th, 2016 2:00 PM | Mertes Center for the Arts, Las Positas College
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The FOV Holiday Party was a joyous success with wine, and music by violinist Jim Hurley.

The party was held at Las Positas College Mertes Center for the Arts, which was fitting as we tasted wine made from the college along with wines from Rodrigue Molyneaux Winery, owned by our board member Nancy Rodrigue, and Rubino Winery, owned by Mike Callahan.  All wines were graciously donated by winemakers.  
 
Eighty members and guests came together on a beautiful winter day to celebrate the season and were treated to an afternoon of delectable appetizers and desserts provided by the board.
 
Raffle winners won wine packages: a Wente Vintage Poster and a handmade quilt.
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Proceeds from the event were donated to the Las Positas Viticulture & Enology program and Friends of Tesla Park.

The Fight to Protect it in 2016

In 2016, Friends of the Vineyards opposed the issuance of a conditional use permit for a religious facility on a parcel outside the Alameda County Urban Growth Boundary.  It is our position that the use violates County Measure D, which precludes urban land uses outside the urban growth boundary. 

Friends of the Vineyards joined with Friends of Livermore and the Sierra Club to oppose the application before the County Board of Supervisors.  Friends of the Vineyards Directors Monica DePalmo and Meredith Sarboraria attended the hearing and spoke on behalf of FOV. Despite our best efforts, the Board of Supervisors voted to approve the permit with conditions, including a requirement that a portion of the property be devoted to agricultural use. 

Friends of the Vineyards is working with the Tri-Valley Conservancy to monitor the property and ensure that the conditions are being met.  Up to now, the County Board has voted to strictly enforce Measure D, but their action has now set a precedent to allow unauthorized uses outside the urban growth boundary.  This decision may lead others to apply for exceptions to Measure D requirements.  We are very concerned about this prospect and will seek to follow this issue closely.