1st Annual Wine & Art Trail in Downtown Oxnard to Benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs After School Music Program

OXNARD, Calif.- On Sunday, April 19, 2009, Oxnard Rotary and Rotary Marina along with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oxnard and Port Hueneme's Young Professionals Network will hold its inaugural launch of Wine/Art Trail-Rediscovering Downtown Oxnard, an event benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs After-School Music Program. The event, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm will start in downtown Oxnard's Heritage Square and feature a five-stop walking tour. The trail will take you through a fun tour tasting fine local wines and food offerings while enjoying the unique artists' exhibits at each location. The tour will include Heritage Square, Rancho Ventavo Cellars, Downtown Center for the Arts, Carnegie Museum and SCIART West--Studio Channel Islands Art Center.

Committee co-chair Kate Koslosky, Oxnard Rotary President stated "I wanted to see Oxnard Rotary expand their existing wine tasting event fundraiser and create a new community project. We came up with the idea of a wine tasting event that involved the downtown Oxnard art venues and would raise money exclusively for the Boys & Girls Club Music Program. I also was excited to see the revitalization of our Club's involvement in the Boys & Girls Club since we were a co-sponsor of the inception of the club in 1953 and been a supporter since then."

The event will conclude back at Heritage Square where participants will be treated to a signature event wine glass and a performance by the "Voices of Hope" Choir and Orchestra. The performance will be followed by a raffle offering fabulous prizes. Individual tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. Tickets are available to purchase at The Boys & Girls Clubs (5th St. location), Oxnard Chamber of Commerce, Herzog Wine Cellars, and The California Welcome Center.

"Voices of Hope" Choir and Orchestra is an important after-school educational opportunity and a collaborative effort with the Rio School District and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oxnard and Port Hueneme. The performance consists of an orchestra and choir. There are currently 85students participating in each. Over 500 children have auditioned. Many students have been waiting outside the music classroom eagerly asking when they will have the opportunity to take music lessons. For at-risk youth, music education can make all the difference.

Our generous location sponsors include: Oxnard Rotary, Ventura Marina Rotary, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust and Republic Design Company. Event Sponsors include McCarthy Companies, Banco BuenaVentura, Plaza Development Partners, North American Security, Harbor Commissioner Dr. Manuel Lopez and Steve Lee. The Ventura County Winery Association members, including Old Creek Ranch Winery, Cantara Cellars, Herzog Wine Cellars, Rancho Ventavo Cellars, Bell Victorian and Stafford Premium Wines in addition to Dr. Adolfo Murillo of Alquimia Organic Tequila will be pouring at the event. Local restaurants to be featured that day include BJ's, Dominick's, Cabo Grill, Moqueca, La Dolce Vita and Domino's Pizza.