September/October 2014

Green Business Profile: Blue Jasmin Acupuncture & Herbs

"To practice environmental sustainability creates a positive energy that is healing not only our body and spirit, but the earth," said Krystal Pearson, L.Ac. Acupuncturist, Herbalist, and owner of Blue Jasmin Acupuncture & Herbs located in downtown Ventura.

"So much of what I'm treating in my business is in response to what people are eating as well as the environmental pollutants they're exposed to. Everyday I see first hand how important sustainability is to our health and vitality," added Pearson.

At Blue Jasmin, Pearson helps her clients achieve optimal wellness through the use of a number of Chinese therapies and modalities including acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, fire cupping, gua sha, Chinese medicinal herbs and dietary therapy. As a new City of Ventura green certified business, Blue Jasmin is also doing their part to ensure the vitality and sustainability of Ventura. READ MORE.

Green Business Profile: Crowell, Weedon & Co.

"Our clients appreciate working with a 'green' company and being sustainable is also an incredible boost to company pride and morale," said Financial Advisor John Clay, Jr., Senior Vice President and Branch Manager at Crowell, Weedon & Co.

     Founded in 1932, Crowell, Weedon & Co., is a full-service brokerage and money management firm that makes a commitment to its clients by offering top-quality, long-term investing opportunities. As a new City of Ventura green certified business, the company is now making a name for itself that more formally recognizes its longtime commitment to community.

     "We moved to Ralston Street three years ago," said Clay. "We've always practiced sustainability in one form or another, but it wasn't until we met with City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Courtney Lindberg that we became aware of exactly how we could be doing more to help the environment and our community."

     With 12 offices located throughout Southern California from Santa Barbara to Newport Beach and Carlsbad, each branch of the company has a hand in how sustainability is handled in-house. READ MORE.

Don't Let the Drought Leave You Thirsty For Relief

Most people probably know that California and several other Western states are in the midst of a severe drought. This means restaurateurs, other business operators and residents are being asked to decrease the water they use daily.

Why is it important to take action now? Because the next step could be a mandatory water reduction. Courtney Lindberg, environmental specialist for Ventura, Calif., shares what her town is doing to conserve water and what you can do, too. READ MORE.

Livin' Green: Easy Steps to Change Your Car's Oil

Here's a video that demonstrates the simple steps to follow to change your car's oil! Take used oil to any of the Certified Used Oil Recycling Centers in Ventura. To get this information on your phone, TEXT the word OIL to 39798. Message and data rates may apply. To obtain a FREE oil change kit, call (805) 652-4525.

THE NEW CALIFORNIA LANDSCAPE: Ocean Friendly Garden Case Study

"We enjoy our outdoors so much more than we did before," said Ed Wehan, Ventura homeowner and

Ocean Friendly Garden Case Study

active community member. "Transforming our 'traditional' yard for an ocean friendly garden, my wife and I discovered an amazing improvement to our quality of life. Our yard, where my wife and I now sit at the end of the day to enjoy a glass of wine, has become our sanctuary, and literally, an extension of our home. We watch the beautiful butterflies and hummingbirds that come to visit, listen to the bubbling waters in our eco-friendly, water-recycling waterfall, and appreciate and marvel at the varied colors in our native landscape habitat."

Making the decision to change out their lawn to an ocean friendly garden was a process for the Wehans. They had to seriously grapple with what they really wanted from their landscape. However, after they concluded that they wanted their outdoor space to be a more comfortable and used space, and the fact that a native garden also benefited the environment, there was no turning back.

"There's no doubt about it," said Wehan, "sprawling green lawns are major takers - environmentally and cost-wise. They use a lot of water as well as fertilizers and pesticides, and they require a tremendous amount of ongoing maintenance."

"Most people have grown up with this idea of what a lawn should be," said Wehan. "However, we don't have the same climate in Ventura as we have on the East Coast. So, when you install or try to maintain a landscape that requires a lot of water, you run into a host of issues and costs." READ MORE.

Environmental Sustainability Events

Green School Award Nominations

The 2014 Green School Award Nominations are OPEN! Let us know if your school is doing something green! We want to recognize you for your efforts. Nominate your school for either a Watershed Hero or Green School award today. Submissions due on or before October 15, 2014. For more information, visit: CityofVentura.net/GreenSchool

September 12 - 14

Visit the Environmental Sustainability and Ventura Water booths at the Central Coast Comic Con from September 12-14 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. The event is fun for the entire family! Children under 12 are FREE. For more information, visit: venturacomiccon.com

FREE Water Wise Class Series Begins September 20

Designing the New California Yard

How to Design the New

California Ocean Friendly Yard

Earlier this year, California Governor Jerry Brown announced that we are facing a historic drought and called for a reduction in water usage. In Ventura, 100% of our water comes from local sources and with low rainfall, those supplies are running low. Ventura Water asked residents for a 10% reduction in usage.

This segment of Sustainable Ventura News talks to

Jill Sarick, City of Ventura Environmental Specialist, who shares how to take out your lawn to put in the NEW California yard - an Ocean Friendly Garden.

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Water: Take 1 Third Annual Global Online Short Film Contest

for Environmentally Conscious Filmmakers

Filmmakers with water-themed short films (5 minutes or less), are invited to submit their films online at WaterTake1.com. The early submission deadline is Monday, September 15, 2014, 11:59pm PST. The Final Submission deadline is Saturday, November 1, 2014 at 11:59pm PST. To learn more about the contest, visit: WaterTake1.com. Sign up for WaterTake 1's FREE Newsletter,"News Reel".

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New Environmental Sustainability Billboards

Check out these two new Environmental Sustainability

Billboards located around town!

Shout Out to Ohana Pet Hospital for receiving a 2013 CoolCalifornia Small Business Award as a "Climate Leader" Read More. Also read this American Veterinary Medical Association JAVMA news article on Ohana entitled, "Growing A Green Practice." Read More.

Programs, News & Events

STAY CONNECTED

Rain Barrel Discount

Rain Barrel Discount program for City of Ventura residents is available through Environmental Sustainability and Ventura Water. Working in cooperation with Smith Pipe and Supply at 3060 Sherwin Avenue in Ventura, the Channel/Bushman 60-gallon rain barrel (with a retail value of $85.00), will be available for $42.00 plus tax at their store with a Rain Barrel Discount Voucher. Two rain barrel discounts are available per residential address with the voucher. READ MORE.

$85.00 Rain Barrel available for $42.00 plus tax with Discount Voucher