Sustainable Ventura's Podcast

Beginning February 2017, the City of Ventura presents NEW Gardening Classes consisting of seminars and workshops once a month on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Environmental Specialist Haili Matsukawa shares information about this popular series, which is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC with an RSVP. To find out more about the 2017 Gardening Classes and to REGISTER to reserve your place for classes and workshops, visit: VenturaWater.net and navigate to the Gardening Classes Icon.

Help keep stormwater clean this winter, and consider planting more native plants; these are plants that have adapted to the local geography, and climate of the area. They tend to need less care, require little or no irrigation or fertilizer, are resistant to local pests and disease, and provide habitat for native wildlife species. In this Sustainable Ventura PODCAST, City of Ventura Environmental Services Supervisor Todd Hunsdorfer shares some great TIPS on how you can be proactive in reducing storm drain and stormwater pollution! The California Native Plant Society has an easy to use guide to help you make the right native plant choices, click here. Also visit: VenturaCountyGardening.com Visit: SustainableVentura.TV

In this segment of Pure Water Radio by Ventura Water host Maryann Ridini Spencer speaks with Craig Jones, Ventura Water Management Analyst II, about preparing for water emergencies during times of El Niño and other natural disasters. For more information on water preparedness, CLICK LINKS BELOW: CityofVentura.net VenturaWater.net Ventura Water's Disaster Preparedness Brochure (PDF) ReadyVenturaCounty.org VC Alert Sign Up

The 5th Annual Water: Take 1 Online Short Film Festival, presented by Ventura Water, is an important initiative that highlights our relationship with water:  How we look at it, how we use it and how we share it.  In this PureWaterRadio PODCAST host Maryann Ridini Spencer speaks with Rachael Shapiro, Project Manager for Water: Take 1 about the submission process, the types of films filmmakers can submit, filmmaker awards ($1500 Grand Jury Prize and other awards) and more! Filmmakers interested in submitting their water-themed films, 5 minutes or less in any genre, should do so at watertake1.com by Friday, December 16th, 2016, 11:59 PM (PST).  Audience voting is encouraged until Monday, January 16, 2017, 11:59 (PST). Also visit:  watertake1.com, venturawater.net and venturawater.org Read more at http://purewaterradio.libsyn.com/#mEk2T1bWIYtWeDru.99

It's a well-proven fact that teaching children from a young age about the environment and how to be more green and sustainable helps them to develop positive patterns that stick with them for life. Each and every person can make a difference in the sustainability of their community and on this PODCAST, City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability Specialist Tobie Mitchell shares some cool green back-to-school tips!  Visit:  SustainableVentura.TV and CityofVentura.net/GreenSchool

This past July 2016, Ventura City Council granted a 10-year franchise renewal agreement to EJ Harrison & Sons, Inc., for the collection, sweeping, diversion, and disposal of solid waste, and collection and transport for processing of organic waste and recyclable materials. To date, EJ Harrison & Sons, in conjunction with Gold Coast Recycling and Agromin, in partnership with the City of Ventura, have helped the city achieve a solid waste landfill diversion rate of over 70%. In this Sustainable Ventura News PODCAST, City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Tobie Mitchell talks about some of the new enhanced services that apply to existing residential, commercial and City Services. Visit:  SustainableVentura.TV and CityofVentura.net/Environmental

City of Ventura residents, Get Your FREE Sustainability Kit - The City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability Division in partnership with the Ventura Water Department are offering Sustainability Kits to city residents to help increase recycling and assist residents with conserving energy, water, natural resources, and even save some money.  The kit includes either a tote to carry recyclables to the bin outside, or a 10 gallon kitchen recycling bin, a reusable shopping bag, reusable produce bag, water bottle, BPA free plastic drinking cup (for Ventura tap water!), a refillable homemade cleaner bottle with recipes, grease can lid, dish scraper, compact fluorescent light bulb, a hose nozzle, and water saving devices for the home. In this segment of Sustainable Ventura News, host Maryann Ridini Spencer talks with City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Tobie Mitchell. Get Your Sustainability Kits, click here! Visit:  SustainableVentura.TV and CityofVentura.net/Environmental

Becoming a GREEN Business is SMART Business.  In this Sustainable Ventura News POCAST Host Maryann Ridini Spencer speaks with City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Lars Davenport about "How to become a City of Ventura Green Certified Business."  For more information on becoming Green Certified, visit:  SustainableVentura.TV and SEARCH "Green Certified Business" and "Green Business."  

Everyone loves a clean house, but not everyone loves the process of cleaning a house! Household cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals that can potentially irritate our skin, burn our eyes, or contribute to long-term health consequences. In this Sustainable Ventura News PODCAST City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Tobie Mitchell shares some important tips to clean your home in a healthy, safe, and environmentally-friendly way. HELPFUL GREEN LINKS: DIY Green Cleaning Ideas, Click Here. Environmental Working Group's Guide to Healthy Cleaning:  EWG.org EPA Safer Choice Standard: epa.gov/saferchoice Green Seal: greenseal.org EcoLogo: industries.ul.com/environment Each month, the City of Ventura opens its Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center, where city residents can bring up to 15 gallons of liquid chemicals. The Center is open the third Saturday of the month (except December). Because of the popularity of this event, we ask that you call the City to make a reservation at 805-652-4525 an

Sustainable Ventura News talks to City of Ventura Public Works Supervisor Chris Palmieri about preparing for El Niño. Chris shares some great tips as well as information on the FREE sandbags available to City of Ventura residents. For more information on FREE sandbags, CLICK HERE. Visit:  SustainableVentura.TV

LISTEN to this short RADIO COMMERCIAL find out more about Ventura Water's "Hey Ventura, What's Your Shower Song?" campaign to find out about how you could WIN a COOL PRIZE!  Visit Ventura Water's Facebook page at, facebook.com/venturawater and post your favorite shower song!  Help SAVE WATER and have FUN! To watch the Sustainable Ventura Video News Story on "Hey Ventura, What's Your Shower Song?" CLICK HERE.

You're Invited to take the City of Ventura's FOOD WASTE PREVENTION CHALLENGE! In this Sustainable Ventura News PODCAST, City of Ventura Environmental Specialists Courtney Lindberg and Tobie Mitchell talk to show host, Maryann Ridini Spencer, about the City of Ventura's Food Waste Preventional Challenge taking place from May 18-July, 12, 2015. Whether it's sour milk, mushy bananas, moldy bread, or soggy restaurant leftovers, chances are we have all wasted some food this week.  You're not alone.  The sad truth is 40% of all food in the United States goes uneaten.  Meanwhile, 1 in 6 Americans lack a secure supply of food to their tables. You're invited to join the City of Ventura on an 8-week challenge to DO SOMETHING about wasted food.  All residents are welcome to particiipate.  We will provide you with the tools you need to be successful.  You just need to bring your enthusiasm and commitment! During the Challenge, we'll measure how much food waste your household throws away, the

According to a recent article in the Washington Post, Americans throw away nearly $170 billion dollars of food every year.  That's an astounding figure when nearly 50 million Americans live with the reality of food insecurity. Why is this happening?  What can be done about it? How does food waste impact our water supply? Greenhouse gas emissions? In this Sustainable Ventura Podcst, City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Jill Santos talks to Sustainable Ventura's Maryann Ridini Spencer who helps shed some light on this critical issue.  Jill also shares helpful green tips and green living ideas. UPCOMING EVENT:  On Friday, April 24 from 6-9pm at Ventura's Bell Arts Factory, 432 Ventura Avenue, Environmentalist Rob Greenfield will screen his documentary focusing on how to prevent food waste and other green topics. Visit:  SustainableVentura.TV

Beginning Saturday, March 7, 2015 from 10:00am-11:30am, Ventura Water, The City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability Division, Ewing Irrigation and Green Thumb International/Ventura, present FREE Water Wise Classes. Water wise classes, which are FREE and open to the public, will be held 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. March 7: Water Wise Gardens (Sanjon) – Rethink the traditional American lawn when you learn about gorgeous turf alternatives and native, climate appropriate plants. In this class, you

If you haven't already recognized the "new normal" California landscape, shifting from resource intensive, turf-centric landscapes to something truly "green," such as an Ocean Friendly or Native Garden, there are a number of things  you can do to drought-proof your landscape and make it mores sustainable.  In this PODCAST, Sustainable Ventura News' Maryann Ridini Spencer talks to City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Jill Santos about water wise gardens.  Visit:  SustainableVentura.TV and CityofVentura.net/water/landscape

  Thinking “Green” when it comes to renovation and building is a thoughtful approach to how everyday decisions impact the sustainability of our environment, economy and community.  One way of thinking green is to reuse and repurpose building materials and home accessories and appliances.  Habitat for Humanity ReStores, nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers, do just that. Sustainable Ventura News' Maryann Ridini Spencer talks with guests Steve Dwyer, Habitat’s executive director, City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Tobie Mitchell and David Harrison, Sales Manager with E.J. Harrison & Sons.  Visit:  HabitatVentura.org, SustainableVentura.TV, CityofVentura.net/Environmental and EJHarrison.com

    Homeowners interested in going solar should contact:  Jefferson Litton (805) 963-0583 x105 or register at SolarizeVentura.org      When you turn on a light, work at the computer, watch television, or blend up your favorite fruit smoothie, you may not think about the fact that all these tasks require energy.  The production and flow of energy to your home and work place requires complex infrastructure that requires ongoing maintenance. Over time, this upkeep of energy systems and operations translates into cost increases on your energy bill.      Moving forward, how can you possibly ensure your electricity costs will stay the same or even decrease over time?  There’s a simple, affordable solution.       On April 17, 2014, underneath the solar panels at Patagonia’s downtown Ventura headquarters, Community Environmental Council’s (CEC) in partnership with the City of Ventura announced the new &

On Thursday, October 24, 2013, SustainableVentura.TV went on location to the "Haunting at the Harbor Business Tabletop Expo" presented by the Ventura Chamber of Commerce.  The event, held from 4:30pm to 7:30pm at the Four Point Sheraton Ventura Harbor Resort, featured 59 exhibitors, food vendors, raffle prizzes and three hours of fun, networking and mingling.  The City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability and Ventura Water both had booths at the event and were promoting a number of green and sustainable practices. Visit:  SustainableVentura.TV

On Saturday, October 12, 2013,   from 10am-11:30am, Ventura Water, Aqua-flo and Green Thumb Nursery presented the second in a series of six Water Wise classes.  The topic for the day was “How to employ Ocean Friendly Garden principles of CPR- Conservation, Permeability and Retention." Ocean Friendly Gardens is a trademark of Surfrider Foundation and OFGs, as they’re also known, are beautiful, easy-to-maintain, and serve as vehicles to assist in the prevention of stormwater pollution. Laura Bauer, BauerFineGardening.com, gave a talk and presented an informative slide show that took the audience through the concepts of an Ocean Friendly Garden, how it works, as well some examples of beautiful native plants.  SustainableVentura.TV spoke to some of the attendees who took the class.  For more information on Green Events, visit:  SustainableVentura.TV.  

On August 14, 2013, Ventura Chamber of Commerce's Green Task Force and Friends of the Channel Coast State Parks presented a FREE Green Drinks Event from 5-7:00pm at San Buenaventura State Beach. Sustainable Ventura's Maryann Ridini Spencer talked to attendees.    For more information on Green Drinks and upcoming Green Events, visit: SustainableVentura.TV