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Fourth Year of Drought:
What you can do?
A Message from Ventura Water
 Since water conservation has been encouraged to be a way of life, the new Water Shortage Rates adopted by the Ventura City Council on June 8 do not establish an allocation, but rather build upon the existing tiered structure to encourage further conservation. Ventura Water customers will see a comparison on their Ventura Water utility bill in July or August. This bill will show a side-by-side comparison of what a customer used and owes with the existing three-tier structure on the right side of the bill. On the left side of the bill, the customer will see what the same usage will be charged under the new four-tier Water Shortage Rates that take effect Sept. 1. Customers can prevent having their bills go up by conserving. Ventura Water hopes that this notification will give customers time to make decisions about how much water they would like to use for the rest of the summer and fall months.
Customers will also notice on their July/August bill, the first tier has been split into two so that the new tier one, which is 0 to 6 units (one unit equals 748 gallons) is not expected to conserve at all. The customer committee who recommended this first Tier was concerned about small users who were already conserving. At the same time, the committee recognized everyone needs to conserve something in order maximize the City's diminishing supplies. Tier 2, which is 7.0 to 14 units for a single family residential customer, is expected to save but not as much as Tier 3 and Tier 4, which are primarily used for outdoor irrigation.
Since September 2014, the city has asked all customers to only irrigate two days a week and not between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. A single-family residence home uses up to 60 percent of their water outdoors. So to reach 20 percent water savings, a household can do so without going to extreme indoor restrictions.
For more conservation tips or to request a free water survey, visit www.venturawater.net or call 805-667-6500.
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Casitas MWD Issues Water Quality Report & 2015 Summer Newsletter
Whisenhunt Communications graphic artist Cindy Daily assisted the Casitas Municipal Water District with designing its summer newsletter, "Casitas Water News," and a new 2015 Water Quality report.
The newsletter contains stories about the state's historic drought; water reduction measures mandated by the state; and the Water Efficiency and Allocation Program approved by the Casitas Board on June 5, 2015, among other news for Casitas customers. The new water program implements Casitas' water demand reduction measures based on storage levels in Lake Casitas. The program also describes water demand reduction strategies and measures to address water shortage conditions, promote conservation and water efficiency, and the creation of a conservation penalty to customers wasting water. The Water Quality report is in the newsletter as well.
The newsletter also reports about a free landscaping workshop scheduled from 9 a.m. - noon on Sat., Aug. 8. If interested, RSVP to rmerckling@casitaswater.com or call (805) 649-2251, ext. 118. Workshops are held at the Oak View Park & Resource Center, 555 Mahoney Ave. in Oak View.
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'Motion By the Ocean' Run/Walk on July 25 to Benefit CMH
 There's no better time than summer to enjoy the beach while getting fit and healthy! The Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation is hosting Motion by the Ocean, a family-oriented 1K/5K/10K run/walk event to benefit the new Community Memorial Hospital. Motion by the Ocean will be held at the Promenade Park - Oceanfront in Ventura.
Registration begins at 6:30 a.m., the 10K starts at 7:30 a.m., the 5K at 9 and the 1K at 10:30. There is also a free 1K Fun Run for Kids. All races are timed and awards will be given based on age group.
This event is open to people of all abilities and ages, with an emphasis on health and families. The event also features participant awards, Ventura-area exhibitors, a health fair, and more. For more information or to register, visit www.motionbytheocean.org or call 805-667-2881. Walk-up registrants are also welcome the day of the event.
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Read the 'Harbor Views' Newsletter online at www.venturaharbor.com
 Check out what's happening this summer and fall at Ventura Harbor by reading the "Harbor Views" newsletter online at www.venturaharbor.com, published twice a year for the community by the Ventura Port District.
Whisenhunt Communications works with the Ventura Port District year-round to bring local residents and tourists alike all the news, information, happenings and activities planned for Ventura Harbor and Harbor Village.
The summer/fall 2015 issue of "Harbor Views" includes news for a great summer, including a roundup of activities and events at the harbor and Ventura Harbor Village; a story about a new fresh fish market, stores and restaurants coming this summer; and a listing of ocean-fun activities for the whole family. Read about the new Port District Harbormaster, John Higgins, and the retirement of previous Harbormaster Scott Miller. You'll also find news about a new oceans exhibit at the Channel Islands National Park visitor center and how to take a free trolley to Ventura Harbor.
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Harrison Industries Hits a High Note with Ojai Music Festival Sponsorship
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Percussionist Steve Schick directed the Ojai Music Festival, which featured many composers new to the event.
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The hills of Ojai were alive with the sound of music from June 10-14 during the 69th annual Ojai Music Festival. Held under the stars in downtown Ojai's beautiful Libbey Bowl, the ever popular festival is well-known for combining classical and experimental music, introducing audiences to new composers, and featuring world-class musicians from around the globe.
Harrison Industries, a corporate sponsor and longtime Whisenhunt Communications client, looks forward to the popular festival each June knowing that hundreds of top-notch musicians and thousands of music lovers will come together for four jam-packed days of music and celebration. This year's festival spotlighted the works of 49 composers, 34 of whom live in the Ojai Valley.
The 2015 festival director, Steven Schick, is a percussionist, conductor, author and champion of contemporary music who has previously performed at the festival numerous times. Schick's impressive resume includes premiering or commissioning more than 150 new works for percussion; teaching music as a professor at UC San Diego; serving as the music director of the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus and artistic director of the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players; and founding and directing the percussion group, red fish blue fish. Schick's talents were showcased in a solo concert on June 12 and as part of a trio that performed for a marathon four-and-a-half hours at sunrise on Sunday, June 14.
The festival opened Wednesday, June 10 with a multimedia tribute to the French composer, conductor and pianist Pierre Boulez. Boulez, who has previously served as the Ojai festival's music director a record-breaking seven times, was honored for his music as well as for the fact that he celebrated his 90th birthday last March. His music was also prominently featured in a series of three additional programs. The following afternoon, 80 musicians were stationed around the park as the audience members roamed the grounds listening to them play.
 ALSO: Harrison's regular quarterly newsletter, Trash Flash, was mailed out in mid-June to residential customers in the following cities served by Harrison: Carpinteria, Ventura, Fillmore, Ojai and the Channel Islands Beach Community Services District. If you missed the Trash Flash, visit www.ejharrison.com and look for the online version in the coming weeks. Whisenhunt Communications assists Harrison with the creation of Trash Flash.
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Enjoy Wine Tasting Cruises, Craft Beer Cruises and Dinner Cruises with Island Packers, June-October
 Reservations are available now through October 2015 from Ventura Harbor with Island Packers for Special Saturday Summer Harbor Cruises on select Saturdays through October. Food is catered by local restaurants: Milano's Italian Restaurant, Greek Mediterranean Grill & Lounge, Harbor Boatyard Café, 805 Bar & Grilled Cheese, Tacos Gourmet or Anacapa Brewing Company. Guests can choose trips that feature various musicians playing jazz, blues, rock n' roll, oldies and more.
Cruise the Ventura Harbor and the waterfront homes in the Ventura Keys aboard a 64-foot power catamaran with seating inside the lower cabin and upper cabin. Wine from local wineries is available for purchase as well as beer and non-alcoholic beverages.
 Dinner Cruises include live music, appetizer, dinner, dessert and one free beverage of choice. All trips depart at 7 p.m. and return by 9 p.m. (except the October 17 cruise, which will depart at 6:30 p.m. and return at 8 p.m.) The fare is $58 for adults, $54 for seniors 55+, and $45 for kids 12 and under. Wine Tasting Cruises include the harbor cruise from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., live music, five tastings and light appetizers. The fare is $44 for adults and $40 for seniors 55+. Craft Beer Cruises include the harbor cruise from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., live music, two drink tickets and light appetizers. The fare is $44 for adults and $40 for seniors 55+.
Finally, Saturday, July 4th Cruises cruise the coast for viewing of fireworks at 9 p.m., returning to Ventura Harbor by 10 p.m. It's $36 for adults, $33 for seniors 55+ and $25 for kids 12 and under.
For details visit www.islandpackers.com or call 805-642-1393.
Whisenhunt Communications writer Amy Bentley edited and distributed a press release on the cruises for Island Packers.
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A to Z Law Supports Law Day
in Ventura County
 The Oxnard-based law firm of Arnold LaRochelle Mathews VanConas & Zirbel LLP (A to Z Law) was proud to continue its sponsorship of the 32nd Annual Ventura County Law Day 5K Run-Walk, held Saturday June 27 and organized by the Ventura County Bar Association.
Billed as the "Flattest, Fastest 5K in the West," this annual event brings the legal community together for a 5K run and a 1-mile family Fun Run. Over the years, A to Z Law attorneys and staff members have participated as both runners and walkers, and several staffers did so again this year. Event proceeds benefit the Ventura County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Services Program.
Established in 1990, A to Z Law is one of Ventura County's most distinguished law firms, serving individuals, businesses and government agencies on a full range of business and civil law matters. Call (805) 988-9886 or visit www.atozlaw.com. Whisenhunt Communications writer Amy Bentley and graphic designer Cindy Daly assist A to Z Law with periodic website updates and press releases.
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Writer John Cressy Winning Battle With Esophagus Cancer
John Cressy of Whisenhunt Communications has been writing copy for our clients for 14 years. A six-month-long battle with esophageal cancer has sidelined him but John is back at his computer writing copy on a part-time basis.
John first experienced difficulty swallowing food late last year but initially dismissed the problem, thinking he was just eating too fast. Even after chewing his food more thoroughly and taking more time between bites, the problem progressively worsened. Over the next weeks, swallowing became more and more difficult. He finally made an appointment with his doctor and an endoscopy revealed the cancer in his esophagus.
After six weeks of radiation treatment and chemotherapy, John underwent a delicate eight-hour surgery at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center to remove the cancerous portion of his esophagus. The operation was a success and his doctors have determined that John is now cancer-free.
John has been recovering at home for the past two months and is slowly regaining his strength. He hopes to be back at full strength sometime this summer.
John is a real trooper and has maintained a positive outlook and sense of humor throughout his ordeal. Writer/editor Amy Bentley and I have been sharing writing duties for clients served by John while he has been waging his courageous battle with cancer. We are grateful that John is now doing so well. Best wishes for a continued speedy recovery go out to John from all of us at Whisenhunt Communications.
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Check Out WC's
Website
Visit Whisenhunt Communications' website www.whizcomm.biz.
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.
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