August 2015

Left to right: Mark A. Zirbel, Gary D. Arnold, Dennis LaRochelle, Kendall A. VanConas, and John M. Mathews.

A to Z Law in Oxnard Celebrates 25-Year Anniversary

The law firm of Arnold LaRochelle Mathews VanConas & Zirbel LLP (A to Z Law) is proud to celebrate its 25-year anniversary this fall.

With 12 attorneys today, A to Z Law has become one of Ventura County's most distinguished law firms, noted for its expertise and reputation. A to Z Law's experienced attorneys are longtime Ventura County residents with established ties in the region who are active in many local organizations, charities and business groups.

The firm's practice areas are: Business Law, Civil Litigation, Conservatorships & Elder Law, Environmental & Land Use, Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Administration, Probate & Trust Litigation, Real Estate, and Water & Wastewater Law.

A to Z Law is included in Martindale-Hubbell's 2015 ranking of California's Top Ranked Law Firms that have shown the highest level of ethical standards and legal ability. Attorneys and judges provide reviews of lawyers about whom they have professional knowledge for the Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings, and A to Z achieved the highest "AV Preeminent" rating.

The firm's three founding partners were Gary D. Arnold, John M. Mathews and Mark A. Zirbel, and all three remain as partners today.

When established on Sept. 1, 1990, the firm's name was Arnold, Back, Mayfield, Mathews, Wojkowski & Zirbel. Partner Dennis LaRochelle joined the firm in 2002 and Kendall A. VanConas, who was previously an associate attorney with A to Z Law, became a partner in 2007. A to Z's other attorneys are Robert N. Kwong, Susan L. McCarthy, Stuart G. Nielsen, Robert S. Krimmer, Maria L. Capritto, Melissa H. Sayer, and Dean W. Hazard.

A to Z Law is located at 300 Esplanade Dr., Suite 2100. Visit www.atozlaw.com or call 805-988-9886.

Attend the annual Humane Society of Ventura County benefit on Sunday, Sept. 27 at Boccali's Restaurant in Ojai. Call 805-646-6505 for tickets or to donate a marketplace item.

Water: Take 1 Online Film Contest Launches Sept. 14

On Sept. 14, Ventura Water launches the fourth annual Water: Take 1 online short film contest. WT1 was created to challenge how people look at water, how they use water, and how they share water. At the same time as Ventura Water pursues new, sustainable water resources, the contest allows the international community to share meaningful visual images that magnify the importance of water.

Each year Ventura Water has had international participation as well as local submissions for the contest. Through entertainment, creativity and partnerships, Water: Take 1 is looking to collaborate with other cities that would like to join this global initiative that communicates the value of water in our customers' words and images.

Submissions must address the topic of water in less than five minutes and may be in any genre: documentary, drama, comedy, animation, sci-fi or experimental.

Please visit the Water: Take 1 website - www.watertake1.com - to watch the winning film and finalists from the last year's contest.

Subscribe to Ventura Water's monthly e-newsletter, Pipeline, prepared with assistance from Whisenhunt Communications, here.

Temptations Review to Perform at CMHS Benefit on Sept. 26

The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, the former lead singer of the legendary Motown Records rhythm and blues group The Temptations, will perform at a special fundraising event at Ojai's Libbey Bowl on Saturday, Sept. 26.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. and is being co-sponsored by the Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation and Ojai Valley Community Hospital Foundation. It promises to present a high-energy performance of classic hits, including "Ball of Confusion," "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone," "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," "I Wish It Would Rain" and "My Girl." Edwards joined The Temptations in 1968 as lead singer and in 1989 was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the group which was ranked at No. 68 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of all time.

Proceeds benefit Community Memorial Health System's construction projects: the building of a new Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura and the building of a new skilled nursing facility adjacent to the Ojai Valley Community Hospital.

General admission tickets and special seating packages, some featuring a pre-concert dinner with cocktails, can be purchased online at www.cmhsatthebowl.org. For more information, call 805-667-2881.

New Ventura Water Wise Incentive Program Continues; Sign Up Now!

Ventura Residents May ALSO Qualify for Rebates from the State of California for Turf or Toilet Replacement

Ventura Water and the City of Ventura officially launched their new rebate Incentive Program on July 1, and by the end of July, 52 percent of program funds were reserved for current applicants, leaving 48 percent of funds still available.

In July, 327 Ventura residents applied for conservation rebates and submitted required documentation (most people applied online). Of the 327 residents, 257 applicants were inspected, approved and served a Notice to Proceed with their projects. More applications are pending.

Ventura Water's incentive plan focuses on more efficient irrigation devices and a turf removal and replacement incentive when property owners install a low-water alternative to water-thirsty grass. Rebates vary. Visit www.removeyourturf.com for details or call (866) 983-9232. It's easy to apply. Here's how:

Complete the application.
Read and Sign the Terms & Conditions.
- Apply online at www.removeyourturf.com, or
- You may pick up applications and Terms and Conditions at Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli St., Treasury Department Room #107 or Building and Safety Room #117, or at the City of Ventura Maintenance Yard Administration building, 336 Sanjon Road.
Include a copy of your most recent water bill. You may obtain this by visiting www.cityofventura.net/water/billview.
Make sure to submit an application for turf replacement and irrigation devices separately.
Send documents one of the following ways:

Mail to: WaterWise Consulting, 1149 S. Grand Ave., Glendora, CA 91740
Email to: removeyourturf@waterwise-consulting.com
Fax to: (626) 628-0311

State Rebates: Ventura residents can also seek rebates from new state of California incentive programs administered by the California Department of Water Resources; this includes local residents also using Ventura's rebate program. "Save Our Water" is a state conservation program currently offering financial incentives for turf removal and replacement, and the installation of high-efficiency toilets.

These financial incentives may be available to Ventura residents who also use Ventura Water's Water Wise Incentive Program.

The state's turf replacement program has a $24 million budget expected to support converting over 10 million square feet of turf, achieving approximately 20 percent of the statewide goal of replacing 50 million square feet of turf. Up to $2 per square foot of removed-and-replaced turf will be rebated up to a total of $2,000 (1,000 square feet) per household.
The state's toilet rebate program has a $6 million budget expected to support replacing 60,000 toilets statewide. Up to $100 will be rebated for the purchase and installation of one qualified, high-efficiency toilet (1.28 gallons per flush or less) per household that replaces a less-efficient toilet using more than 1.6 gallons per flush.

Check the website for qualifying products, terms and conditions by clicking here. Or: call 844-642-7410, or email turf@saveourwaterrebates.com or toilet@saveourwaterrebates.com.

Read the State's turf replacement program FAQs here.

Harrison, Franchise Clients Up to Challenges of New Recycling Law

California Gov. Jerry Brown last September signed Assembly Bill 1826, designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and create a source of green energy.

AB 1826 will take effect in three phases beginning April 1, 2016. Businesses generating eight or more tons per week of organic waste are required to arrange for organic waste recycling services. Businesses that generate four cubic yards per week of organic waste will need to comply in 2017. The final tier of businesses generating four or more cubic yards of trash each week will have to comply in 2019. AB 1826 helps implement AB 341, the 2011 landmark recycling law that established the goal of diverting at least 75 percent of California's solid waste away from landfills by 2020.

AB 1826 accomplishes this by diverting methane-gas-producing organic food and yard waste away from landfills and into programs created by Harrison and the franchise clients that recycle the waste Harrison delivers to its strategic partner, Agromin. Agromin turns the waste into renewable resources such as biofuels and nutrient-rich compost for agriculture. Organic waste is food waste; green waste (yard waste); prunings and landscape waste; nonhazardous wood waste; and food-soiled paper waste like napkins; paper cups; fast food wrappers; used pizza boxes; wax-coated cardboard; and other paper or compostable packaging.

Harrison Industries, Agromin and their franchise clients are committed to helping businesses meet the mandates of the new legislation.

Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center Joined "Clear the Shelters" Animal Adoption Event on Aug. 15

The Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center (S.P.A.R.C.) participated in a regional adoption event on Aug. 15, called, "Clear the Shelters." This event was held at shelters in Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange counties in conjunction with NBC 4 and Telemundo 52. The drive was organized by NBCUniversal-owned TV stations to raise awareness about the overpopulation of local animal shelters and to encourage people to adopt animals from their neighborhood shelter. Participating shelters, including S.P.A.R.C., offered a reduced adoption fee of just $20 per animal for approved applicants.

S.P.A.R.C. is a private, non-profit organization and the premier no-kill animal shelter in Ventura County. It is located at 705 E. Santa Barbara St. in Santa Paula and also runs the Second Chance Store & Adoption Center at 374 E. Main St. in Ventura.

Homeless animals receive humane care from S.P.A.R.C. without risk of being killed due to lack of space, illness or injury. S.P.A.R.C. relies solely on private donations. Visit www.santapaulaarc.org.

Issue: 72

Press Releases Get the Word Out in Print and Online 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 not true.

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 promote their businesses.

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

A professionally written press release also can be posted on your social media and/or blog to create even more buzz! And, to get even more mileage from it, you can have your press release made into an e-blast (with an image or your logo if you want) that you can forward by email to your associates, clients, friends and others. This helps spread the word even more.

The professional writers at Whisenhunt Communications are experts at crafting press releases. We have worked at newspapers, magazines and online publications and know what editors are looking for in press releases. We also send them to local radio and television stations, area Chambers of Commerce and national trade publications as well as on our Facebook page to share your news with the public too.

Client News In This Issue

A to Z Law

Humane Society of Ventura County

Ventura Water

Community Memorial Health System (CMHS)

Ventura Water

Harrison Industries

Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center (SPARC)

Check Out WC's
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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