'Heaven' on Earth is fundraiser site

Actor Hagman and his wife open their Ojai ranch for event to benefit KCLU

AP file photo
Larry Hagman and his wife Maj will host a celebration to honor public radio station KCLU on Saturday at their Heaven Ranch home in Ojai.

AP file photo Larry Hagman and his wife Maj will host a celebration to honor public radio station KCLU on Saturday at their Heaven Ranch home in Ojai.

'The station really serves the community.  Ventura County is fortunate to have KCLU,' listener and donor Larry Hagman says. 'Public radio is one of the jewels in America's crown and we're incredibly lucky to have our own local station right here.'

"The station really serves the community. Ventura County is fortunate to have KCLU," listener and donor Larry Hagman says. "Public radio is one of the jewels in America's crown and we're incredibly lucky to have our own local station right here."

When KCLU signed on-air in 1994, Larry and Maj Hagman made a donation during the first membership drive.

"We've been listening and donating ever since," said Larry Hagman, who played J.R. Ewing on "Dallas" and Capt. Tony Nelson on "I Dream of Jeannie."

Off-screen, he and his wife are involved in many civic and philanthropic activities, including those as KCLU listeners and donors.

"When we bought our home and expanded it, my wife, Maj, and I always intended to share our home with nonprofit organizations we support," Hagman said. "KCLU is one of our favorite local nonprofits, and we deeply believe in its mission and appreciate the way it serves the community."

With that, the Hagmans are hosting a celebration in honor of KCLU from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday at their Heaven Ranch in Ojai, where guests can roam the grounds, enjoy the view and meet other KCLU supporters.

"We were pleased to make our home available to the station for an event," Hagman said. "We're the honorary co-chairs for their capital campaign for a new studio, so I hope the event at our home brings in lots of fellow supporters and donations."

Station serves 70,000 listeners

KCLU, an award-winning National Public Radio station serving more than 70,000 listeners in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, is a community service of California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. It broadcasts in Ventura County on 88.3 FM, in Santa Barbara County on 102.3 FM and around the world online at http://www.kclu.org.

"Public radio is one of the jewels in America's crown, and we're incredibly lucky to have our own local station right here," Hagman said. "When you listen to KCLU, you get it all NPR programs and great local news and public affairs programs. I believe public radio offers the most objective and unbiased coverage out there."

The Hagmans' home is called "Heaven" for a reason, said Mary Olson of Moorpark, KCLU's general manager who is part of the original team that signed the station on the air 14 years ago.

"It's on the top of a mountain and is absolutely spectacular," said Olson, adding that the event will raise money to support KCLU's capital campaign for a new studio.

"It's a beautiful setting for a fun day with fellow public radio supporters," Olson said. "The Hagmans offered KCLU their lovely home for a fundraiser and have been listening to KCLU since it signed on the air and want to do something more to help the station."

Coverage of wildfires praised

In an era of media consolidation where local news is considered too expensive to produce, KCLU stands firm and is an oasis for thoughtful analysis and information, Larry Hagman continued. "The station really serves the community. Ventura County is fortunate to have KCLU."

For example, a few years ago when the wildfires were burning, KCLU was one of the only local stations out there providing nonstop coverage, he said.

"Other radio stations were playing pop music while KCLU was telling local residents what areas were being evacuated, where they could take their livestock and horses, where the Red Cross shelters were set up," Hagman said.

It's terrific to listen to KCLU, but we all have to pitch in to help support it, he added.

"KCLU follows the tradition of public radio, and that means it's supported by the people who listen," he said. "Ventura County is a wonderful place to live and if you're in a position to give back, I encourage you to join Maj and I at our home and support KCLU."

Tickets are $150; packages and sponsorship opportunities are available. Reservations can be made by calling KCLU at 493-3900 or online at http://www.kclu.org.

© 2008 Ventura County Star. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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