December 2014

38th Annual Parade of Lights Sails into Ventura Harbor Dec. 12-13

Ventura Parade of Lights 2013 winner Nobody celebrates the holiday season in Southern California with as much beauty and fun as Ventura Harbor and the local boating community!

Ventura's beautiful boat parade and fireworks show sails our way this winter on Friday, Dec. 12 and Saturday, Dec. 13. The Parade of Lights is a premiere holiday event in Ventura that is highly anticipated by boaters, visitors and residents alike. Dozens of boats will dress up for the 2014 theme, "Holidays Across the World." Enjoy the fireworks show over the Harbor after the parade at 8 p.m. both nights.

Consider dining at a Harbor restaurant, shopping for holiday gifts at Harbor Village and enjoying the rides at the outdoor carnival on the Village Main Lawn. Pack up the kids and head on down to enjoy the parade, fireworks and the Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace.

Island Packers Announces
Caroling, Holiday Parties and
Whale Watching Cruises

Ventura Harbor Island Packers, the authorized boat concessioner providing service to the Channel Islands National Park, announces special holiday cruises and whale watching excursions. Advanced reservations are suggested.

One Hour Caroling Cruises: Passengers can sing along with the crew or relax and admire the decorated homes and boats in the Ventura Keys. Hot and cold beverages and items from the snack bar are available for purchase. Boats depart at 6:30 p.m. and return at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 22.

Ventura Parade of Lights: The Parade of Lights is Dec. 12 & 13. The boat departs 6:15 p.m. and returns at 8:15 p.m. Passengers can be a part of the boat parade ending with an onboard view of the fireworks display at 7:40 p.m. Also on Dec.12 is a special boat to watch the parade. It departs at 6:30 p.m. and returns at 8:30 p.m.

Private Group Holiday Parties (great for company functions): This cruise includes a buffet-style dinner, a no-host or host bar, and optional entertainment.

Whale Watching Excursions: Dec. 26 through April. Get out on the water for the gray whale migration. Regular trips are scheduled through mid-April.

For details, tickets and reservations, or to purchase gift certificates, visit www.islandpackers.com or call 642-1393. The main office is located at 1691 Spinnaker Dr., Suite 105B at Ventura Harbor Village.

Watch the Films & Vote: Water: Take 1's 2014 Audience Choice Award Voting Deadline is Dec. 15

More than 50 short films have been entered into Water: Take 1, Ventura Water's annual online film contest focused on water. Now it's your turn to watch, learn, share and vote at www.watertake1.com.

Viewers will decide which film will win the 2014 Audience Choice Award. Sponsored by Hopkins Groundwater and Brown and Caldwell, the filmmaker of the Audience Choice film will receive an iPad 2 at the 2014 WT1 Awards Ceremony on March 19, 2015 at the Century 10 Downtown Movie Theater.

Whisenhunt Communications helps Ventura Water produce a monthly e-newsletter, "Pipeline," to educate Ventura residents about water and wastewater issues. Visit http://www.cityofventura.net/water/pipeline to read the "Pipeline" e-newsletters.

SPARC Hosts "Home for the Holidays" Adoption Campaign

and Adoption Event Dec. 13

Home for the Holidays flier cat with Santa hat The Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center (SPARC) is holding a "Home For the Holidays" adoption campaign throughout the month of December 2014 to find forever homes for as many cats and dogs as possible, especially the animals which have been at the shelter the longest.

An adoption event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at SPARC's Second Chance Store in Ventura, 374 E. Main St., on Saturday, Dec. 13. The event will feature festive activities for the whole family, including photos with Santa, free holiday refreshments, a holiday raffle and a furry selection of pets available for adoption. Reality TV personality Linda Hogan and actress Brittany Curran of TV's "Chicago Fire" will be on hand to help with the adoptions. Visitors can also meet Leon, one of the "SPARC 17" dogs that were seized by police last March from a Santa Paula home where animal abuse had been suspected. Leon will meet and greet visitors.

SPARC has partnered with pet food giant Blue Buffalo's "Home 4 the Holidays" program, so all those who adopt a pet will receive a free Blue Buffalo adoption pack with coupons, food samples and information.

Visit www.facebook.com/santapaulaarc to see adoptable pets in advance. The SPARC shelter at 705 E. Santa Paula St. is open for adoptions Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.sparcsaveslives.org.

SPARC also thanks the staff and members of S aticoy Regional Golf Course for its generous holiday donation of $450. There's no better time to help a local non-profit or charity than the holiday season!

Whisenhunt Communications welcomed SPARC as a new client this year. Writer Amy Bentley helps SPARC by writing and distributing press releases.

All American Ballet's 'Nutcracker' Returns Dec. 20 and 21

Get in the holiday spirit and take in a showing of the iconic "Nutcracker" ballet at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center, 4700 Loma Vista Road in Ventura. Shows are Saturday, Dec. 20 at 2 and 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. Tickets are now available.

This year's production will highlight Ballet West principal dancer and AAB alumna Haley Henderson Smith, who performs the role of Sugar Plum Fairy. She will partner with her husband and recent Ballet West soloist Easton Smith, who will dance the role of the Prince. Ballet West is the company that was featured on TV's 2013 "Breaking Pointe" series. Haley's professional credits include dancing with world-class companies: the Royal Danish Ballet of Denmark and American Ballet Theatre of New York City. She met her husband while they were dancing principal roles at Ballet San Jose. The cast includes student dancers from All American Ballet and Santa Barbara Festival Ballet.

Whisenhunt Communications graphic artist Cindy Daly created newspaper ads for the Ventura County Star, the VC Reporter and the Ventura Breeze, a poster, a flier, a postcard and a 24-page program for the ballet.

Tickets are $30, $25, $20 and $10 for children 10 and under. Senior and group discounts are available. To order tickets, visit www.aaballet.org or call 650-6316.

A to Z Law Attorney Dennis LaRochelle Leads Statewide

Jury Trial Lawyers Association

Dennis LaRochelle, a partner in the Oxnard law firm of Arnold LaRochelle Mathews VanConas & Zirbel LLP (A to Z Law), is the new president of CAL-ABOTA, the state chapter of a national association of plaintiff and defense jury trial lawyers. The goals of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) are to preserve the right to a jury trial in civil cases (guaranteed by the 7th Amendment) and to enhance civility, integrity and dignity among litigators. Members include judges and an equal number of attorneys for plaintiffs and defendants.

ABOTA has over 7,000 members nationwide in 97 chapters. In California, CAL-ABOTA represents eight chapters with 1,700 members. LaRochelle is the first statewide president from Ventura County since the California Coast Chapter, which covers Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, was formed in 1988. His new term is for one year.

LaRochelle is a recognized leader in trial lawyer organizations. He has served as president of the Ventura County Bar Association and the Ventura County Trial Lawyers Association. LaRochelle has held the position of Master in the Ventura County Chapter of the American Inns of Court, was president of the Ventura County Bar Association Business Litigation Section, and he chaired the county Bar Association Judicial Evaluations Committee. He's also served as an arbitrator and mandatory settlement conference officer for the Ventura County Superior Court for over 25 years. LaRochelle has been awarded the highest rating of AV by Martindale-Hubbell, a national attorney rating service.

Whisenhunt Communications welcomed A to Z Law this year as a client and has worked on a number of projects including press releases, new photographs, marketing materials for attorney Robert Kwong to spread the word when he joined the firm this year, and improvements to the firm's website, www.atozlaw.com.

CMH Honored with Quality Achievement Stroke Care Award

Community Memorial Hospital has received the "Get with the Guidelines -- Stroke" Silver Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for the treatment of stroke patients.

"Get with the Guidelines Stroke" helps hospital teams provide the most up-to-date, research-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. CMH earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include aggressive use of medications and risk-reduction therapies aimed at reducing death and disability and improving the lives of stroke patients.

Read the Winter/Spring Issue of 'Harbor Views' and Learn What's Happening at Ventura Harbor

Grab your copy of the latest Ventura Breeze newspaper and learn what's happening this winter and spring at the Ventura Harbor.

The "Harbor Views" newsletter was published in the Breeze on Wednesday Dec. 10. This publication contains news about the Parade of Lights boat parade Dec. 12-13, the latest energy-efficiency upgrades at Ventura Harbor, the Junior Rangers Program at Channel Islands National Park, new sand volleyball courts for the public at Harbor Cove beach, and other news. A calendar of events on the back page keeps you up-to-date on activities at Ventura Harbor that you won't want to miss.

Whisenhunt Communications graphic designer Cindy Daly and writer/editor Amy Bentley work with Jennifer Talt-Lundin, marketing manager for the Port District and Ventura Harbor Village, to bring you all the latest news in this newsletter, which also is distributed online and on the Port District's website, www.venturaharbor.com.

Ventura Yacht Club Builds

New Docks, Hosts Major

Boating Events in 2015

The Ventura Yacht Club at Ventura Harbor continues to make capital improvements at its facilities, as well as draw large boating events to Ventura Harbor.

This fall, the club demolished four older boat docks and replaced them with two 60-foot slips and five 42-foot concrete docks, bringing the total of slips at the club to 99.

The club also announces it will host two big boat races in the summer of 2015 at Ventura Harbor.

The club will host the United States Optimist Dinghy Association's West Coast Championship (Regatta) Aug. 8-9, 2015. The Optimist is one of the most popular sailing dinghies in the world and this event will draw about 150 sailors and their families to Ventura Harbor. The public is welcome to come out and watch the races, some of which will be sailed inside the Ventura Harbor. In addition, the Ventura Yacht Club will co-host the North American Invitational, a precision navigation powerboat contest between some of the best log racers in the United States and Canada. The event will be from Sept. 9-12, 2015, in the Santa Barbara Channel.

Ventura Yacht Club Commodore Don Roy points to the two prestigious international events as examples of the club's commitment to the Ventura Harbor community.

"Hosting the NAI Log Race and the West Coast Championships provides not only our Ventura racers the opportunity to compete in top-level regattas, but it allows all the participants to experience our perfect sailing conditions and enjoy all the wonderful amenities available in our quaint harbor," Roy said.

Whisenhunt Communications assists the Port District in a number of projects including creating a newsletter twice a year and preparing and distributing press releases. Stan Whisenhunt is a longtime member of the VYC.

Learn more about Ventura Harbor's boater community, marinas, yacht clubs and annual events at www.venturaharbor.com.

Issue: 64

Make Your Holidays 'Greener'

With a little thought and planning, you can make your holidays a little "greener." We encourage everyone to try the following ideas shared by our longtime client and the recycling experts at E.J. Harrison & Sons:

Give gift certificates, tickets, memberships or services, or make a donation to a favorite charity.
Consider consumable gifts. Visit a local farmers market or growers for ideas.
Consider a compost or worm bin for the garden enthusiast.
Give gifts such as T-shirts, backpacks, hats and socks made from recycled-content materials manufactured from recycled plastic bottles, or toothbrushes made from recycled yogurt containers.
Save gas and support your local merchants by buying locally.
Wrap gifts in reusable paper or cloth bags, or be creative and use hand towels, tablecloths, napkins, fabric scraps, maps, craft paper, newspaper or old posters.
When shopping, bring reusable bags. California is banning single-use plastic grocery bags, so now is a great time to make a habit of bringing your own reusable bags.
Use LED holiday lights for safety and energy savings. Solar-powered holiday lights are also available.
For holiday parties and get-togethers, put a marked paper bag, box or special container for recycling next to a trash container for your guests' convenience.
Recycle aluminum, glass and plastic containers, metal cans, food boxes, cardboard, gift wrap (except foil or cellophane), gift boxes, greeting cards and catalogs. (No Styrofoam or plastic bags please.)
Email holiday cards.
Check with local mail centers to see if they will take boxes and packing material for reuse.
Recycle your Christmas tree in the yard waste cart after removing all decorations and stands. Large trees may need to be cut to fit into the cart.
Remember, if you receive a new cellphone, laptop, flat-screen TV or electronic gadget as a holiday gift, don't throw your old one away. Bring your old electrical waste to Gold Coast Recycling and Transfer Station, 5275 Colt Street in Ventura, for free disposal.

Happy Holidays from Whisenhunt Communications!

Recycle Your Christmas Tree

E.J. Harrison & Sons and the City of Ventura are making it easy for you to recycle your Christmas tree this season. Make it a "green" holiday!

All you need to do is remove the ornaments, hooks, lights, tinsel, bows, nails and tree stand. Cut the tree into four-foot sections and place in your yard waste barrel on your scheduled pickup day. Also, E.J. Harrison & Sons now accepts flocked Christmas trees for recycling.

Trees Harrison collects will be processed into various sizes of mulch. The material is used by the company's strategic partner, Agromin, to make several products that benefit farmlands, orchards, nurseries andgardens.

Client News In This Issue

Happy Holidays from Whisenhunt Communications

Ventura Port District

Island Packers

Ventura Water

Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center (SPARC)

All American Ballet

A to Z Law

Community Memorial Hospital

Ventura Port Distict

Ventura Yacht Club

Harrison Industries

Harrison Industries/Agromin

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