The Ventura City Council welcomes the public's input during a public hearing on May 5 to consider the proposed water and wastewater rate increases. The hearing is at 6 p.m. at the Council Chambers, 501 Poli St. All Ventura Water customers and property owners should have received a mailed notice in early March about the proposed rates.

Under California law, both customers and property owners have the right to protest the rates in writing by the close of the Public Hearing. No action is needed on your part if you support or accept the reasons for the rate increases. For more information about the rates, how you can protest and a Bill Calculator, visit cityofventura.net/water/rates

For the seventh year in a row, Nan Drake, director of public relations and governmental affairs for Harrison Industries, has been selected as one of the Top 50 Women in Business in the Tri-Counties by the Pacific Coast Business Times. This year, Drake also received the Editor's Pick in the award's "Science & Industry" category.

Stan Whisenhunt, owner of Whisenhunt Communications, nominated Drake for the honor. WC has provided public relations services for Harrison since 1996, working closely with Drake to produce informational and promotional materials for the Ventura-based trash hauling company and its business partners Gold Coast Recycling & Transfer Station and Agromin Premium Soil Products.

Drake was a member of the Ventura City Council when Ventura established the first citywide recycling program in the county in 1990 and remains heavily involved in Harrison's "Zero Waste" movement. All of the client cities Harrison services - Ventura, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Ojai, Fillmore and Carpinteria - as well as the unincorporated areas of Ventura County have consistently surpassed the state's strict waste diversion goals.

Sheeler Moving Among Top 25 Wheaton Movers in the Nation  

Children ages 8-18 who love the ocean are invited to sign up for the Ventura Yacht Club's Summer Sailing Camp. This long-running camp offers children and teens the opportunity to spend an entire week learning to sail small, one- and two-person boats.

One-week camp sessions run from Monday, June 16, through Friday, Aug. 15 at the  Ventura Harbor, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Students learn the basics of sailing, strategy, sportsmanship and safety from experienced instructors. They learn to rig and sail the boats and compete in short races. Campers also learn self-reliance, good decision-making skills and using sound judgment.

The cost is $200 per session for nonmembers and $175 for members. Scholarships and discounts are available to qualified campers. To receive a scholarship, VYC members must verify that the student can swim. Interested campers can demonstrate this ability on any VYC "Sailing Sunday-Funday" at Ventura Harbor in April, May or June, before the camp starts.

Interested children also can apply for a Keith Turner Sailing Scholarship, named for the late Keith Turner, a sailing enthusiast who served as a Ventura Port District Commissioner. The Ventura Port District is also funding 10 scholarships in honor of the Keith Turner Scholarship Fund for 2014.

Annie Rossi is the Junior Sailing Program coordinator. For camp details, call (805) 642-0426, email vycyouthsailing@gmail.com or visit www.vycyouthsailing.org.

'Water Wise' Watering Class
Offered May 3  by Ventura Water