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Ventura Water Pure Project- First of a series

Ventura Water Pure Project presentation made to the Ventura Marina Community.

by P. Lawrie

On August 1, 2023, a presentation was made to the Ventura Marina Community regarding the Ventura Water Pure Project.  The goals were to inform the community and businesses and surrounding community about the anticipated impact of the project by building a collaborative relation through communication with concerned residents and businesses.

The team from MIMIAGA(Mimiaga Engineering Group) were introduced and each presented issues regarding the water supply and challenges with how the local supply of water is going to change and increase the amount of drinking water to the city by 20%.

The Ventura Water Pure Project is a multi-benefit water reuse program that will recover, treat, and reuse water that is currently discharged into the Santa Clara River Estuary, creating a new local drought resilient, water source that isn’t dependent on rainfall, and adding further purification to the system that is already in place. It is a 4th step in the already in place, three phase process.

Ventura is one of the largest cities in Southern California to rely solely on local water supplies. Rainfall feeds the Ventura River, Lake Casitas, and ground water basins to meet all the Ventura community needs. However, new challenges like prolonged drought and increased legal and environmental regulations have challenged Ventura’s water sources.

A decade of evaluations, studies, and piloting has allowed local leaders to consider many forward-thinking solutions to Ventura’s water problem. Ultimately this work led to the Ventura Water Pure Program.

The Water Pure Program will produce a drought-resistant water supply, and will reduce the amount of water that the city releases into the Santa Clara River estuary.

There are three steps on how Ventura Water Pure Program Project will work.

1.  Currently, wastewater from the City of Ventura is sent to the Ventura water reclamation facility, where it is treated and cleaned before it is being discharged into the Santa Clara River estuary. In the future, a portion of this water will be sent to the new Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF) for reuse.

2.  Using a scientifically proven process, the Ventura water program will treat water to drinking-water standards, creating a reliable, locally controlled high quality water source.

3. The purified water will then be injected into a local groundwater basin and later distributed to the Ventura water customers.

For over 40 years, this solution known as” palatable reuse” has been used throughout California.

The Ventura Water Pure Project includes several project components, including an Advanced Water Purification Facility, which will treat water from the Ventura water reclamation facility to drinking water standards.

An Ocean Outfall pipeline has been designed to discharge concentrate to support excess flows of tertiary treated water during rainy seasons. The Ventura Water Pure Program will allow Ventura to meet legal requirements, improve water quality, and secure a new local source of drinking water that is drought resistant.

Many communities in California, and across the nation are implementing advanced water purification systems similar to the Ventura water pure program.

Residents in the Ventura Marina and Portside Community. upon hearing the presentation had some concerns about construction regarding liquefaction, blowing dust, strong prevailing winds, noise levels and vibrations from the drilling and pipe driver process. Increased water rates are also an issue of concern.

Questions were also raised regarding Harbor crossing and traffic control. The traffic pattern will change but access to businesses and residents will be maintained. There may be some one-way traffic concerns but there will be flaggers directing traffic and access to businesses and residences.

What’s visible so far on Harbor Blvd is the parking lot on Schooner and Harbor which will be a temporary boat storage with fencing, access, and security cameras. Boats will be moved from the Derecktor Shipyard to Schooner and Harbor Blvd temporarily from the dry docks near Harbor Town.

This project is slated to begin soon after Labor Day 2023. The off shore pipeline construction will begin in Winter/Spring of 2023 and is projected to be completed by summer 2024.

Updates on the project can be found at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/OceanOutfall or by calling 805-500-8103

Ventura Police and Fire Departments partner to host community block party

Come meet a K9.

Ventura residents are invited to join the Ventura Police and Fire Departments for the Public Safety Community Block Party from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2023. This free event, hosted at the Police and Fire Headquarters at 1425 Dowell Drive, is open to the public and promises an afternoon filled with unique family-friendly activities.

“We received tremendous feedback after last year’s event and are excited to offer an inclusive space to foster positive relationships with local police officers, firefighters, and elected officials,” said Police Chief Darin Schindler. “By inviting residents into a traditionally very private facility, we hope to demystify police operations and improve trust.”

Activities at the public safety event will feature multiple K9 demonstrations, a Jaws of Life vehicle extrication, a fire extinguisher game, a hands-on CSI experience, a kid’s firefighter challenge course, child fingerprinting, station tours, coloring contests, face painting, trivia, and more.

Residents and children will also enjoy exploring patrol cars, motorcycles, fire engines, the SWAT rescue vehicle, a search and rescue helicopter, and various emergency response vehicles. Participants will learn about different safety topics and experience interactive games and demonstrations.

“This event allows us to showcase the equipment and skills we utilize daily to keep our community safe,” said Fire Chief David Endaya. “We want to empower residents with knowledge to prevent emergencies and know how to respond. Activities offered will prioritize fire prevention and personal safety, so community members of all ages leave with valuable takeaways.”

At the block party, snacks will be provided, and an array of local food trucks will provide meals available for purchase.

To learn more about the Public Safety Community Block Party, visit CityofVentura.ca.gov/BlockParty.

This event is funded by the Ventura Police Community Foundation. Learn more about the local nonprofit at VenturaPoliceFoundation.org.

Water’s Edge Restaurant hosted the first “Dine & Delight”

About 60 guests attended this exclusive event. Photos by Randy Encinas

On July 25th, Water’s Edge Restaurant hosted the first “Dine & Delight” – a private Winemaker’s Dinner, benefiting Rubicon Theatre Company, Ventura County’s leading not-for-profit professional theatre company.

The special 5-course dinner by award-winning Executive Chef Alex Montoya was expertly paired with wines from one of Napa Valley’s most celebrated vintners, Caymus Vineyards.

Chef Alex took pride in locally sourcing ingredients to provide the freshest products while supporting Ventura’s local fishermen, farmers, and ranchers. The perfect harmony of flavors elevated the dining experience, delighting wine enthusiasts and food connoisseurs alike, leaving them talking about the evening long after the final glass of wine was served. From oyster delight, sweet & sour pork belly and mango halibut aguachile to grilled Korean short rib before topping off with apple tarte tatin, diners were wowed by the expertly paired exquisite wine with each course.

About 60 guests attended this exclusive event, some Ventura locals, and some drove in from Ojai, Thousand Oaks and Santa Barbara. During the main course, guests enjoyed a live musical performance by Broadway veteran and Rubicon artist Jennifer Leigh Warren (Big River and Marie Christine on Broadway, Dark of the Moon and Lonesome Traveler at Rubicon) accompanied by Musical Director Gerald Sternbach.

This exceptional culinary event was a successful evening of exquisite flavors, delightful wine pairings, live musical entertainment, and an opportunity to support the artistic and educational programs of Rubicon. It marked Rubicon’s first of many fundraising events to come!

Guests who attended “Dine & Delight” directly contributed to the growth and success of Rubicon’s artistic and educational initiatives, enabling the theatre to continue inspiring and enriching the Ventura County community through the transformative power of theatre.

Rubicon Board President Doug Halter stated, “Guests not only savored the local culinary delights but also enjoyed musical entertainment, creating an immersive experience that celebrated the intersection of gourmet cuisine, exceptional wines, and the arts.”

Money raised for Kids & Families Together

School supplies were also collected at the event. 

On Sunday, July 16, Kids & Families Together was the beneficiary of the Pierpont Racquet Club’s  Annual Car Show & Farmers Market. A fun event with some beautiful cars on display!

The event raised $775 for Kids & Families Together and the upcoming Back-to-School Gift~Away event that will be hosted by K&FT’s Heart 2 Heart Program in mid-August. Thank to all of the club members who came out.

School supplies were also collected at the event.  A special thank you goes out to the Pierpont Racquet Club for their support!

Founded in 2000, Kids & Families Together (K&FT) has been serving foster, adoptive, kinship, and birth families throughout Ventura County. For over two decades K&FT has become the leader in providing critical services and support to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, loss, and multiple placements. K&FT is unique in that we provide education, support and strategies to connect caregivers and parents to the children in their care. We wrap our arms around the entire family to help them raise healthy, nurtured children that thrive.

Ventura Police host a “Tip- a- Cop” fundraiser to support local Special Olympics athletes

Chief Darin Schindler and officer Miguel Martinez greeting all. Photos by Richard Lieberman

by Richard Lieberman

Assistant Chief David Dickey serving up lunch.

The Ventura Police Department held an annual fundraiser Tip-A-Cop on Tuesday July 25. The annual event raises funds for local Special Olympics athletes. The event was held at Finney’s Craft House located at 494 E. Main St. Ventura.

Ventura police officers joined forces with Special Olympics athletes and Finney’s staff as guest servers. The participating officers waited on tables, mixed drinks at the bar and delivered lunch to guests at the outdoor patio. The officers collected donations from dining residents utilizing a donation envelope to diners upon checkout. The enveloped allow diners to donate directly to the Special Olympics.

Sergeant Ryan Ranosa and Officer Joshua Ming serve drinks to diners.

The Ventura County Special Olympics offers services to children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities offering training and competition in year-round programs.

“Every year we do two events the Torch Run and the Tip- a- Cop fundraiser where we serve s servers to raise money for the Special Olympics, I have been involved in this charity event for at least the past twenty years,” said Chief of Ventura police Darin Schindler.

Council members Doug Halter and Bill McReynolds (on the right ) and their friends Ilda and Abe Abrams joined the fundraiser.

Ryan Reynosa a patrol sergeant with the Ventura Police department serving for the second time at this fundraiser said, “This is the second one I planned, and Finney’s is a great location for us giving us an opportunity to bring some vehicles and dogs to show the community and introduce them to some of the stuff we are up to,”

Commander Rick Murray serving up lunch.

The event raised $5,150 in donations from diners during the four-hour duration of the event. Finney’s then kicked in with an additional 20% of proceeds for the four hours and raised the total to $6,675. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to support the Special Olympics of Ventura County and helps to support local athletes.

Cops takeover Finney’s for the Tip-a-Cop event.

 

City of Ventura earns national award for Public Works Project of the Year

Eric Berg, Principal, Pacific Coast Land Design; Stacey Zarazua, Parks Manager, City of Ventura; Phil Nelson, Public Works Director, City of Ventura; Buddy Jones, Construction Inspector, City of Ventura

The American Public Works Association (APWA) is proud to announce the City of Ventura has won APWA’s 2023 Public Works Project of the Year Award. Award winners publicly developed, owned, and maintained infrastructure projects that promote excellence in construction management and administration.

“Built in 1961, Arroyo Verde Park spans 129 acres of open space and features a large turf field area, playground, picnic area, hiking trails, and more. In 2017, the Arroyo Verde Park’s main play structure was destroyed in the Thomas Fire,” shared Public Works Director Phil Nelson. “Rather than simply rebuilding the former structure, our Parks Department sought to reimagine the space to make it the City’s first inclusive play area for children of all abilities.”

Primary playground features include structures offering social and play designs using movement and ability, uses topography as a natural playground, offers an open-ended sensory experience, music areas, native landscapes, and more.The American Public Works Association is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 30,000 members involved in the field of public works. The City of Ventura earned APWA’s 2023 Public Works Project of the Year Award in the Structures category, in the less an $5 million division. The recent July edition of the APWA Reporter, shared highlights of award winners across the nation including the Arroyo Verde Park Inclusive Playground Rebuild.

“Each year APWA receives hundreds of entries for our Project of the Year Awards. It’s always a challenging process to select the winners as so many worthy projects are submitted. The Project of the Year Awards highlights the best projects that showcase amazing collaborative efforts and vision. Congratulations to this year’s winners!” said APWA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Scott D. Grayson, CAE.

An awards and recognition ceremony will take place during the APWA Public Works Expo on Monday, August 28, in San Diego. APWA will recognize this year’s Project of the Year Award winners in a video posted to www.apwa.org on August 30.

 

Red Flag Warning For Seniors: Dehydration

“Save some for me.”

by Bob Warnagieris
[email protected]

We have all heard before – drink more water. It’s drummed into our heads by health experts, warnings in the media, and physical fitness advocates. Yet, daily, especially during the record heat days of this summer, we learn of people of all ages and stature being struck with hospitalization and death because of dehydration. However, it is seniors that are most at risk.

Older adult bodies don’t register temperature as efficiently as those of younger people. As temperatures rise our body’s primary means of reducing heat is through sweating. The heart has to work extra hard to bring our blood to the surface for this to occur. Other organs as well are seriously affected by rising heat in our bodies.

During the current heat wave, the media has been filled with stories of those who have not heeded these warnings. Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel was recently hospitalized because of dehydration which occurred as a result of a tour in the desert climate of Israel. The stories seem endless. In the USA two young women died while hiking on a hot day. A whole family was lost this summer because of heat prostration. An experienced hiker, age 75, perished in the desert near Death Valley. Outdoor workers are collapsing daily because of inadequate hydration.

In my own case, I am in excellent physical condition for my age of 88. The heat has never bothered me as it does most people, and I consume daily what I thought was enough water. However, after two hours of golf in the middle of July, where I walked the course on an especially hot day, I later became dehydrated. Yes, I carried water, but clearly did not consume enough. That, added to a diuretic taken that morning compounded my risk. I did not discover this until the following morning when I had a blood test and learned that I had suffered a deficiency in my kidney function.

We get fluids from many sources. That includes beverages, fruits, vegetables, soups and the like. However, the best source is pure water. It can be made more appealing with a squeeze of lemon, strawberries or maybe cucumber, but it’s still basically water. A general rule for the amount of water we need is 1/3 of your body weight per day. Another measure for older adults is 7.1 cups per day. This is where the often-repeated recommendation of 8 glasses day comes from. We are all different in age, physical fitness and body chemistry, so confer with you doctor as to what is best for you.

Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Report

Ocean water quality results for samples collected this week indicate

ocean water quality at the following Ventura County beach sampling location failed to meet

State standards for bacteria:

• Rincon Beach

Warning signs are currently posted and contact with ocean water should be avoided for a

minimum of 50 yards on either side of each posted sign. Warning signs will remain posted until

ocean water quality meets State standards. Any items that may have come in contact with

ocean water should be avoided. If contact occurs, wash thoroughly with soap and water.

Any shellfish on or from Ventura County beaches may have also been exposed to this

contamination and should not be eaten.

Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Program staff will continue with weekly bacteriological sampling of Ventura County beaches. Results for specific beaches are also available on the

Environmental Health Division hotline (recorded information), 805/662-6555, and on the Ocean

Water Program Web page at: www.vcrma.org/ocean-water-quality-monitoring-program