July/August 2015

Buy It, Eat It, Don't Waste It!
Food Waste Prevention Tips
Food Waste Prevention Tips
Ventura's Food Waste Prevention Challenge Enters its 7th Week

Did you know?

     *That 40% of all food grown and produced in the U.S. goes uneaten.  Meanwhile, 1 in 6 Americans lack a secure supply of food to their tables?

 

     *That the average American family of 4 will toss $1600 worth of groceries away every year?

 

     *25% of all fresh water consumed is used each year to produce food that is ultimately wasted?

 

     Food waste can be curbed, if not prevented, and the City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability Division, with its "Buy It, Eat It, Don't Waste It!" Food Waste Prevention Challenge is aimed at educating residents on how they can stop the waste.  READ MORE.

Livin' Green:  Ventura Water's New Water Wise 
Turf Incentive Program
Ventura Water to launch incentive program Summer 2015

 

 

40 to 60% of average monthly water use in Ventura is used outdoor, and nearly half of that is wasted due to inefficient watering methods and faulty irrigation systems. It's been proven however, that upgrading an outdoor irrigation system can help to save as much as 30% of the water from conventional systems.

 

     With those figures in mind, on March 9, 2015, Ventura's City Council approved Ventura Water's Water Wise Incentive Plan.  The program, which launched July 1, will help customers offset costs for changing out their traditional green for more appropriate, water wise gardens and more efficient irrigation systems.

 

     "We hope this program will help to motivate customers," said Jill Santos, City of Ventura Environmental Specialist.  "Even if a property owner has already switched out their landscaping, they still may qualify for other incentives, like rainwater harvesting or a weather-based irrigation timer." READ MORE.   
GREEN BUSINESS:
Global Delivers Logistics Becomes Green Certified

    

    As a small business, working green just makes sense. Not only is there a cost savings benefit, it just really makes us feel proud that we're doing something proactive to help conserve and preserve our environment," said Sara Deutinger, Customer Care Artisan, Global Delivers Logistics.  

 

     Global Delivers Logistics is a provider of warehousing and inventory management services serving telecommunications, government and energy utility clients throughout the United States. Located in Ventura, CA and Dallas, TX, and occupying over 50,000 square feet of warehouse space, the company distributes such items as electrical and power equipment, cabling, panels, and other items related to everyday usage in products such as laptops, desktops and cell phones.

 

     "While operating green is fairly new to the company, adopting eco-friendly practices has really resonated with how we work, and the quality and detailed services we provide. If we can set a good example by doing the right thing for our company as well as the community and environment, we're all for it."  READ MORE. 

What's In Season? 

A visit with Midtown Ventura Cafe  

 

     According to Midtown Cafe's Executive Chef Jonathon Juarez, fresh produce such as heirloom tomatoes and heirloom carrots, are all in season for summer and big on the menu at Midtown Cafe!  The ingredients listed below for "Garlic Marinated Kale Salad," are not only yummy, healthy and delicious, they're purchased from local farmers and vendors and the result is a fresh, tasty dish full of flavor and loaded with vitamins!

 

     "This kale salad is one of the cafe's favorites throughout the year," said Chef Juarez.  "To keep farm to table fresh and in season, what we do is  change out  our veggie and fruit toppers to coincide with what's in season. Shopping local also helps our community, and we're all for that."  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 50-gallon rain barrel with a retail value of $96.50 will be available for $45 plus tax at the store with a Rain Barrel Discount Voucher.  For more water wise tips, visit: cityofventura.net/waterwise 


MAY 

May 12 -  Green Drinks Networking Event at Labyrinth Winery

At Green Drinks the Eco-Minded, the Eco-Chic and the Eco-Curious get to talk green business and network.  Pictured: Diane de Mailly, President, DDM Metering Systems, Inc., and Green Task Force Co-Chair at the Green Task Force's Green Drinks Event May 12 at Labyrinth Winery on Main Street in Ventura.


May 18 - Green Business Certifications

Pictured left to right:  Alison Carlson (Ava Andersen Non-Toxic Consultant), John Clay, Jr. (Financial Advisor and Senior Vice President with Crowell Weedon & Co.) and Sara Duetinger (Customer Care Artisan with Global Delivers Logistics), were named new City of Ventura Green Certified Businesses and presented with special certificates by Ventura Mayor Cheryl Heitmann at the start of the City Hall Council Meeting in the Council Chambers at Ventura City Hall. Find out more: become a Green Certified Business, visit:   cityofventura.net/bizrecycle  

Power Your Home with the Sun and Ventura's Solarize Ventura!
The Program runs until July 18
 
 

Join the 62 other Ventura homeowners who went solar last year through the Solarize Ventura program. For a limited time only, the 2015 Solarize Ventura program offers deeply discounted pricing, preselected solar contractors, and a free independent solar advisor to walk you through the entire process. Federal and State tax credits are also available to help make solar even more affordable. This program is made possible through a partnership between the City of Ventura and the Community Environmental Council. Visit Solarize Ventura to learn more about the program. Zero out your carbon footprint by combining rooftop solar with an electric vehicle.  For more information, Solarize Ventura.

  

May 28 - Chamber Business Expo "The Patriot In Us All"

 



Pictured left to right: Ventura Water's Craig Jones, Debra Martinez and City of Ventura Environmental Specialist and Green Task Force Co-Chair Courtney Lindberg in the Environmental Sustainability and Ventura Water booths at the Chamber's Spring Business Expo "The Patriot In Us All" at the Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor.

 

  

  

 

 

 

May 30 - Summerfest 2015 

  

Ventura Water and Environmental Sustainability Crew at this year's Summerfest, a family fun day filled with rides, events, activities and education.  Pictured Left to Right: Courtney Lindberg, Stephanie Janda , Debra Martinez, Paul Vaksvik, Jill Santos and Dana Bogdanich.  A good time was had by all! 

 


 



 

JUNE   

  

June 6 - Water Wise Class "Control Your Controllers"
 
A FREE Water Wise "Control Your Controllers" Class was held at the City of Ventura's Sanjon Maintenance Yard. Environmental Specialist Jill Santos (pictured right) speaks about water wise planting and how to use navigate the informative website, venturacountygardening.com. Guest speakers also talked about how to save water with your outside irrigation system. Visit: cityofventura.net/waterwise for information about other classes, programs, tips and events!!!

June 13 - Surf 'N' Suds at Ventura Harbor
 

City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability and Ventura Water both had booths at Surf 'N 'Suds in  Ventura Harbor. The event featured amazing music, delicious beers from over 45 vendors, and eats.  Pictured left to right: Courtney Lindberg, Ryan Kintz, Paul Vaksvik and Debra Martinez.







June 20 - Green and Firefighter Night and Fusion Soccer Game
at Ventura College

Environmental Sustainability Booth at the Green and Firefighter Night and Fire Foundation BBQ and Fusion Soccer Game.  The family-friendly evening with BBQ (held from 5-7pm) and 7pm Fusion Soccer Game benefited the Ventura Fire Foundation, a non-profit corporation dedicated to caring for the community and the families of those that protect it. Pictured left to right: Stephanie Janda, Courtney Lindberg, Debra Martinez and Jill Santos 
  

   

 

Cool Green Upcoming Events

 Saturday, July 4 Street Fair in downtown Ventura, READ. 
          
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 50-gallon rain barrel (with a retail value of $92.00), will be available for $45.00 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.

$92.00 Rain Barrel available for $45.00 plus tax with Discount Voucher