March/April 2015


Green Renovations 
GREEN Renovations with Arbor Construction's Rhett Jacobi 
Green Renovations with Rhett Jacobi 
 

with Arbor Construction's Rhett Jacobi 

 

     "When doing a home renovation, it's important to think sustainably and be stewards of our environment," said Rhett Jacobi, contractor, designer, and owner of Arbor Construction.  "I really enjoy working alongside a homeowner, assessing a job, and determining what materials we can salvage, reuse and/or repurpose."

 

     It's no wonder that in 'thinking green,' and with an eye for the 3 R's (reduce, reuse, recycle), that Rhett's designs are considered simple, intelligent and unique.

 

     "My passion is helping people find the balance between creating a space that fits their needs and budget, while using natural and repurposed materials that have low impact on the environment," said Jacobi.

 

     For a recent home renovation in Ojai, Rhett worked with a homeowner whose intention was to create a more open, warm, natural, and inviting living environment while being as green as possible with their renovation.  READ MORE. 

FREE Water Wise Class Series Begins
Trade out the "traditional" lawn for more sustainable landscapes

    

     "As we head into our fourth year of this drought in California, it remains critical that residents are vigilant about conserving water," said City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Jill Santos.  "The new water wise class series, which began Saturday, March 7, offers participants several ways to be more drought-resilient by increasing awareness of climate-independent sources of water on their own properties."

 

     The FREE water wise classes presented by the City of Ventura, Ventura Water, Ewing Irrigation and Green Thumb Nursery, on select Saturdays, 10:00am - 11:30am, from March through June 2015, are open to the public and will take place at the City of Ventura's Sanjon Public Works Maintenance Yard (336 Sanjon Road), or at Green Thumb Nursery (1899 South Victoria Avenue).

 

     This year's array of exciting classes presented by esteemed industry professionals, promote efficient water use in landscapes, protection of our local water supply, reduction of green waste production, and information and appreciation of climate-appropriate, native plants. Attendees also have the opportunity to mix, mingle, network, and enjoy complimentary refreshments before and after all class presentations. READ MORE. 

Got Trash?
Westside's Trash Diversion Delivers!
 
Westside Big Bellies

     This past February, the City of Ventura's Environmental Sustainability Division installed 12 new Urban Recycler trash and recycling containers  and two Big Belly trash and recycling containers on Ventura's Westside.

 

     "The Westside community reached out to us requesting trash and recycling containers," said Courtney Lindberg, City of Ventura Environmental Specialist. "To accommodate the need, the city worked with the Westside Community Council and identified specific concerns as well as locations for the new trash receptacles."  READ MORE. 


Livin' Green: Donate and Shop 
at Habitat for Humanity's ReStores
      

     Reduce, Reuse and Recycle your home appliances, fixtures, furniture, building materials and more, by donating to your local ReStore. Patronizing stores like the ReStore gives usable materials a second chance and keeps them out of the landfill.  

 

     The ReStore, which is operated by the non-profit housing organization Habitat for Humanity, sells reusable and surplus items and building materials to the public at great rates. Proceeds are used to build homes, community, and hope locally and around the world.

 

     As we close in on spring, renovations and home improvement projects will be getting into high gear. If you are a DIYer or just want to save some money on your next home improvement project, check out the ReStore.

 

     On Friday, February 20, 2015 City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Tobie Mitchell spent the afternoon volunteering at the Oxnard ReStore sorting and restocking inventory.  READ MORE. 

What's "in season" for spring? 

 

     When you eat farm to table, fresh, in season produce from your local certified farmer's market and/or local farm stands and grocery stores, you get the most nutrients from your foods because they don't have to be processed, freeze-dried or preserved with chemicals to prevent food spoilage. So, fresh = healthy.

 

      Additionally, because the produce is grown locally, it doesn't have to be transported over long distances, thus eliminating the associated pollution.

Circulating your spending dollars locally also helps contribute to a thriving local economy.

Sustainable Ventura News recently visited the Midtown Ventura Certified Farmer's Market at Pacific View Mall, (Wednesdays, 9:00am to 1:00pm), and spoke to local farmers and chefs asking, "what's in season?" READ MORE. 

Environmental Sustainability News & Events

Harvest Rainwater - Print out Your Coupon Today! 

SAVE WATER!  Install a rain barrel in your landscape and redirect downspouts into your garden. A rain barrel discount program for City of Ventura residents is now available through Environmental Sustainability and Ventura Water, while supplies last. 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 will be available for $42 plus tax at the store with Rain Barrel Discount Voucher. For more water wise tips, visit:  CityofVentura.net/water/landscape

MARCH   
Environmental Specialist Jill Santos with Lisa Burton, nbdgardens.com

March 7 - FREE Water Wise Gardening Class Series Kicks-Off with Nature By Design's Lisa Burton
On Saturday, March 7 from 10am-11:30am at the City's Sanjon Maintenance Yard in Ventura, Landscape Designer Lisa Burton  spoke to a full house about "rethining" the traditional American lawn by "re-wilding" our urban landscapes with turf alternatives and beautiful native and climate appropriate plants.  Find out more about the FREE CLASSES.


March 13 & 14 - Wild and Scenic Film Festival
 
For its sixth year, Ventura Hillside Conservancy presents SYRCL's "Wild & Scenic Film Festival," on Friday and Saturday, March 13-14, at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd, Ventura, CA 93003. Doors open at 6:00pm and attendees can mix, mingle and enjoy a variety of booths on display in the lobby as well as local brews, a raffle drawing and music by Todd Hannigan. The festival program begins at 7:00pm. READ MORE.

 

 
March 19 - Water: Take 1 Awards  
Celebrate and learn about water and conservation with a night at the movies in Ventura
 

The 2014 Water: Take 1 Awards Ceremony is FREE to the public and takes place 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at the Century 10 Downtown Movie Theater in Ventura. Tickets are not required to join the fun, but those interested in attending need to register ahead of time as seating is limited. We hope to see you there! RSVP and READ MORE.  

  

  

Friday, March 20 - Sunday, March 22 - Ventura Home and Garden Show  

  

Visit the Environmental Sustainability and Ventura Water booths at the 23rd Annual Spring Home and Garden Show March 20-22, at Seaside Park, Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 West Harbor Boulevard in Ventura.  Friday, March 20 (Noon-6pm), Saturday, March 21 (10am-6pm), Sunday, March 22 (10am-5pm). The show features great products for your landscape, garden and home. For show information call, 855-331-5999.  READ MORE. 

 

 

APRIL  

  

April 11 - FREE WATER WISE CLASS: "
Composting & Vegetable Gardening"
At Green Thumb Nursery, 10:00am-11:30am 

 

  

Find out how to create a healthy biology for your lawn in order to encourage water CPR (conservation, permeability, retention). Discover how to create a potent compost tea and the many ways to encourage beneficial insects into your garden. RSVP HERE.  

   

April 25 - Earth Day EcoFest
Exhibits*Entertainment*Food*Fun for the entire family    

   

Come visit Environmental Sustainbility and Ventura Water's booths at the Earth Day EcoFest in Promenade Park. From 10am-5:00pm, they'll be hundreds of exhibits, an education pavilion, a green auto expo and over 6,000 community members participating!  For more information, visit:  venturaearthday.org 

 

   

    Cool Green News
City of Ventura New Green Certified Businesses

Arbor Construction , Melange and  The Glassman Professional Window Washing, Inc., receive their certifications on Monday, March 16, 6pm at the City Hall Council meeting.  Congratulations! 
 
Programs, News & Events       
              
        Green Certification       Watch SV News            Free Classes               Text "Tips"        Free Sustainability Kits

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