August 2013   
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Gala Event Benefits Forever Friends Golden Retriever Rescue

 

Golden Garden Party Mastro's Steakhouse is presenting a "Golden Garden Party" to benefit Forever Friends Golden Retriever Rescue. The event is Sunday, Sept. 29 from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at a beautiful Westlake Village estate, and tickets are now available.


Special off-menu food will be provided by Mastro's Steakhouse and Executive Chef Adrian Giese, with olive oil, vinegar and spirits tasting by Vom Fass. Sommeliers Russ and Marie Meek will pour premium wines, and gelato will be served by Bulgarini. Guests will enjoy live jazz entertainment and many exciting silent auction items and raffle prizes. Silent auction items include a helicopter trip, thousands of dollars in jewelry and cooking lessons from a renowned chef, among other great prizes. 


Forever Friends Golden Retriever Rescue is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that helps Golden Retrievers in need, including those that have been abandoned, neglected, abused or have lost their homes. Since the rescue's incorporation in 2009, Forever Friends Golden Retriever Rescue has taken in and placed more than 300 Goldens in new homes. Other services provided include fostering Goldens while homes are being sought, rescuing them from overcrowded shelters and providing professional training or medical care. 


Tickets are $100 each before Sept. 1 and $125 after. To buy tickets online or for more information, please visit  www.gardenparty.ffgrrescue.org or www.ffgrrescue.org. You can also mail a check with information regarding your reservation to Forever Friends Golden Retriever Rescue, P.O. Box 1129, Moorpark, CA 93020.

Water: Take 1 Film Wave Rolling In 

 

Ventura Water Take 1 postcard New entries are rolling in almost daily to the Water: Take 1 Online Short Film Contest as the September 3 deadline nears. Filmmakers from across the globe are encouraged to submit short films of less than five minutes in any genre (drama, documentary, comedy, animation, sci-fi or experimental) that address the topic of water. Projects can be submitted immediately and uploaded at no cost at www.watertake1.com.  

 

One of 10 finalists will be awarded the Grand Prize of $1,500 (sponsored by Patagonia), as selected by a distinguished jury of environmental and entertainment professionals. In addition, a film shot in and around the City of Ventura will receive the NEW Ventura Vision Award (sponsored by the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel) and will win a profile interview in an upcoming episode of Sustainable Ventura TV, a local show broadcast to more than 20,000 homes, as well as location and permitting assistance on their next home-grown film. 

 

Other awards and prizes to be presented at the Awards Celebration hosted by Brooks Institute of Photography on November 14 are the Audience Choice Award (sponsored by E.J. Harrison & Sons) and an iPad2, and the Best Student Short Film Award (sponsored by Carollo Engineers and Kennedy/Jenks Consultants) and a Go Pro Camera.  

 

Visit www.watertake1.com to watch and vote for your favorite film (voting goes through Oct. 1) because your vote will decide the Audience Choice winner. Generate some buzz by clicking a film's orange "Share" button to encourage your family and friends to watch and vote as well. One vote is allowed per computer.

Sign Up Today for Free Water-Wise Gardening Classes 

 

Water Wise flier Ventura Water has partnered with Green Thumb Nursery and Aqua-Flo Supply to bring Ventura Water customers a series of free, practical, hands-on gardening classes to help property owners start small with big changes to their landscapes.  


Scheduled for Saturdays from 10-11:30 a.m. at various Ventura locations, the classes are designed to promote efficient water use and climate-appropriate plants, which also helps protect local water quality and reduce green waste. Register online today for classes at cityofventura.net/water/landscape or call (805) 652-4501. Here are the classes happening this year:


Sept. 14 ~ SoCal Bloomers ~ Green Thumb Nursery

Discover colorful, climate-appropriate plants to incorporate beautifully into your landscape.


Oct. 12 ~ Ocean Friendly Gardens ~ City Sanjon Maintenance Yard

Learn how to employ Ocean Friendly Garden principles of Conservation, Permeability and Retention (CPR).


Nov. 9 ~ Urban Gold ~ City Sanjon Maintenance Yard


Hosted by Aqua-Flo Supply, expand your knowledge about the water-holding capacity and biology of soil, including creating healthy compost, compost teas and natural humates that improve the vitality of soil.

Dan Lyon is Named Partner of
NY Life's Oxnard Office
 

 

Dan Lyon

Dan Lyon, a leader in the Ventura County business community for 20 years, has been named partner of the Central Coast General Office of New York Life Insurance Company in Oxnard. 

 

"Being named a partner in a Fortune 100 company like New York Life is a tremendous accomplishment in the business world," said Jane Choi, a New York Life managing partner. "Dan Lyon's duties will include recruiting new agents; training, developing and retaining agents; and assisting in the overall operation of the office."

 

Lyon has worked at New York Life's Central Coast general office in Oxnard for the past three years in various capacities, including as an agent and financial services professional. He has been recognized as Annuity Champion of the Year, 2012; Guaranteed Income Elite Status, 2012; and Long Term Care Insurance Champion 2011. 

 

Currently a board member of the Ventura Family YMCA, Lyon is a former chairman of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce; former chairman of the Ventura Parks and Recreation Commission; former district governor of Lions Clubs International District 4-A3; former president of the Ventura Downtown Lions Club; and former president of the Ventura Packers Youth Football. Lyon also was honored with an International President's Commendation for Lions Clubs International in 2009.

Alert Communications Earns
No. 1 Ranking in the Nation 
 

 

alert communications logo

Alert Communications of Ventura received two prestigious awards at the Association of TeleServices International's 2013 convention in Kansas City in June, including ranking No. 1 for the National Call Center Award of Distinction.


The Call Center Award of Distinction is a tool used to measure the skills of professional Call Center Agents throughout North America and the UK. 


After six months of testing, an independent panel of judges scores call-handling skills for "enhanced service" applications, focusing attention on customer relationship management, courtesy, etiquette and the use of proper call techniques, as well as response time and accuracy.


The company also earned ATSI's National Call Center Award of Excellence for the ninth consecutive year.


For more information about Alert Communications, call (800) 785-9756 or visit www.alertcommunications.com.

Food Waste Pilot Project Continues to Grow 

 

food waste decal Since Harrison Industries and strategic partner Agromin launched their pilot commercial food waste program in April 2012, about 1,300 tons of biodegradable food scraps have been diverted from local landfills. That's a lot of fruit and vegetable skins, unused dairy products and meat fat!

 

The food waste Harrison trucks collect from a number of local businesses are transported to Agromin, which employs a Covered Aerated Static Pile System to mix the food waste with yard waste to create alternative fuels and enriched compost. These products save water, help reduce soil erosion and reduce the use of non-organic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides - making our air and water cleaner.

 

The food waste program has another environmental benefit associated with landfill avoidance: When food is disposed in a landfill, it rots and becomes a significant source of methane - a potent greenhouse gas with 21 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. Landfills are a major source of human-related methane in the United States, accounting for more than 20 percent of all methane emissions.

 

Albertsons supermarkets in Ventura, Camarillo and Carpinteria were Harrison's first commercial customers to join the food waste program. Since then, over 50 businesses have joined and the number -- from restaurants and supermarkets to hospitals and schools - is steadily growing.

 

For more information, call Donald Sealund, food waste coordinator for Harrison Industries, at 647-1414, ext. 4318.

Issue: 49
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Press Releases Get the Word Out About Your Business
     

Many business owners don't feel they have anything going on in their companies that would interest the community or local media, but that's just not true.

 
One thing we all can agree on is that there is something new happening in businesses every day. New employees, personnel changes, promotions, new equipment and new services as well as
milestones, anniversaries and awards - these are just some of the things that business owners take for granted or overlook as opportunities to get their business and services into the news media.

 

Press releases are an inexpensive way to promote your company while adding credibility and awareness. Press releases get your name out to the community while also giving people a chance to learn a little more about who you are and what you do.

 

Our professional writers at Whisenhunt Communications are experts at crafting press releases. All previously have worked at the Ventura County Star and other publications, so we know what editors seek in press releases. We also send them to local radio and television stations, area Chambers of Commerce and national trade publications as well as post them on our website and Facebook page to give the news our clients have to share with the public as wide exposure as possible. You can have a copy to email to your business associates, contacts and friends as well.

 

Contact Whisenhunt Communications at 659-1464 for more information on press releases and other means to promote your business.

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Client News In This Issue
Forever Friends Golden Retriever Rescue
Ventura Water
Ventura Water
Dan Lyon
Alert Communications
Harrison
Check Out WC's
Website


Visit Whisenhunt Communications' Website www.whizcomm.biz.

Whisenhunt Communications new website

Read about the company and its team of media and graphics experts.

Founded in 1990, Whisenhunt Communications specializes in helping businesses, school districts, governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations reach targeted audiences.

The firm's many diverse clients make enormous contributions to the community and the public relations firm has been instrumental in helping them accomplish their goals.

All Whisenhunt associates have extensive experience with print and digital media. 
Stan Whisenhunt
Whisenhunt Communications