November/December 2015

SpiceTopia Becomes a Cityof Ventura Green Certified Business
 
     When customers walk into SpiceTopia, a gourmet spice and tea store located at 576 E. Main Street in downtown Ventura, they are immediately transported by the savory aromas from the fair trade and organicspices, herbs and teas that fill the colorful store.

     "We look to source mainly organic and fair trade products because  they support the sustainability of our community, and our world," said Ashley Pope, store owner.  It's this eco-friendly attitude that led Pope to secure her business as a City of Ventura Certified Green Business. READ MORE.

Livin' Green: Get Out of the Gutter, Sweep, Don't Blow! 

     Falling leaves and grass clippings that find their way into our storm drain system can be a menace to our  community by plugging our storm drains, flooding our roads and harming our water sources. This type of debris in our storm drain system, which flows unchecked out into our oceans and rivers, also poses a threat to the health and sustainability of aquatic wildlife and our community! How do leaves and clippings cause a threat to aquatic and public health?  READ MORE. 
Curbing Food Waste at the Holidays
 
     The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) estimates more than 40 percent of groceries  ($165 billion dollars worth of food!) gets thrown away every year in the United States.  During the November and December holidays, there's also three times as more food waste than at other times during the year.

     This food waste is a shame for many reasons, first, while food is abundant in the United States, it is obviously wasted while ironically, many households struggle to put food on the table. Secondly, it takes a lot of energy and water to grow the food we waste, not to mention the greenhouse gas emissions it takes to transport and deliver the food that is wasted. Just think of how, by reducing food waste, we could collectively help conserve our precious natural resources, prevent pollution and contribute to the sustainability of our communities!  READ MORE.

4th Annual Water: Take 1 Kick Off Reception at Crowne Plaza  
 
 
     The City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability Division and Ventura Water work in collaboration with community partners on many environmental outreach programs, classes and events to help inform the public about important issues and encourage and promote community sustainability.
 
     On Wednesday, October 14, 2015, WATCH. COLLABORATE. SUSTAIN., the 4th Annual Water: Take 1 Online Short Film Contest Kick Off Event, celebrated the spirit of collaboration by bringing together members of the community, government and local businesses, with a cocktail reception held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. 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
 


VCREA LED Holiday Light Exchange  

The Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance is teaming up with participating local E-waste events to provide County residents with FREE energy saving LED light strands this holiday season.  Enjoy the festivity while saving energy and the environment! CLICK HERE. 
   
SEPTEMBER 



September 12 - FREE Water Wise Gardening Class "Right Plant, Right Place" 
 
Standing room only at the "Right Plant, Right Place" water wise class! Professional Garden Designer Lisa Burton (nbdgardens.com) wows the crowd with great information once again!


September 24 - Ventura Chamber of Commerce's "That 70's Expo"

Left to Right:  Groovy Man!  Ventura Water's Debra Martinez Ventura Water's Management Analyst II Craig Jones and Environmental Sustainability Supervisor Courtney Lindberg snap a cool pose in the Ventura Water and Environmental Sustainability Booths at "That 70's Expo" at the Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor Resort.  
 


OCTOBER

 

October 6 -  Green Drinks at Himalaya

A great time was had by attendees to the Ventura Chamber of Commerce's Green Task Force's "Green Drinks" networking event bringing together the Eco-chic, the Eco-freaks and those just wanting an Eco-peek over drinks in Ventura on Himalaya Restaurant's new patio! Stay tuned for upcoming Green Drink events, Search "Green Events" on the right sidebar @ SustainableVentura.TV



October 10 - FREE Water Wise Gardening Class "Composting & Healthy Soils with Dr. Rot"

City Educator Paul Vaksvik (aka "Dr. Rot") talks to a packed crowd about "Composting & Healthy Soils" at the FREE Water Wise Gardening Class which took place at Green Thumb Nursery.


 
 
 October 10 - StoryFest 
 
Attendees at this year's StoryFest were engaged in the Environmental Sustainability booth where they received information on a host of green practices!

 
 
  

October 14 - Water: Take 1's Kick Off Reception at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach
Environmental Specialist
Jill Santos and son Ziggy
  
A fun time was had by all at the 4th Annual Water: Take 1 Kick Off Reception, WATCH. COLLABORATE. SUSTAIN. The contest, presented by Ventura Water, is an exciting and important initiative that highlights our relationship with water: How we look at it, how we use it and how we share it. For more information and/or to submit a short film, visit:  watertake1.com 
LtoR:  Environmental Sustainability Division Supervisor Courtney Lindberg, Ventura Water's Debra Martinez and Environmental Sustainability Divsion Manager Joe Yahner
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
    
 
 



NOVEMBER  
  
FREE Water Wise Gardening Class Series - Register NOW!
 
FREE Water Wise Gardening Classes will be held once a month on Saturdays, 10:00 am to 11:30 am. Classes are designed as a series, which build on one another to help participants achieve water use reductions through conservation measures aimed are curbing water waste.   Participants gain insight into the role healthy soil plays in water conservation, how to properly set irrigation timers to maximize efficiency, which plants do well in our Mediterranean climate, and the benefits of incorporating rainwater harvesting in the design of their water wise garden.  The series hopes to encourage our community to be more water resilient and sustainable.   CLICK HERE.

November 18 - FREE Workshop "Drive Clean Ventura: Alternative Fuel Vehicles 101"

This workshop that will provide community members with information about the latest electric vehicles and other clean alternative fuel technologies. The workshop will begin with a brief presentation on the different zero-emission and alternative fuel vehicles that are currently available. After the presentation, there will be a Question & Answer session with local electric vehicle owners. Once the Q&A period wraps up, several different alternative fuel vehicles will be available for test drives. The workshop starts at 6:00 to 6:45 pm with Test Drives from 6:45 - 9:00 pm. 
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