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Written by the United Water Conservation District

In a proactive move on Friday, June 2, United Water Conservation District (UWCD) General Manager Mauricio E. Guardado, Jr., called for the emergency water quality release of some 15,000 acre feet (AF) from the Santa Felicia Dam's Lake Piru in an effort to combat rising nitrate levels in UWCD's wells at its El Rio facility. The announcement came during UWCD's special board meeting held at the Santa Felicia Dam, which was attended by General Managers and Board of Directors from several neighboring water districts, including Casitas Municipal Water District in Ojai, Calleguas Municipal Water District in Thousand Oaks and Camrosa Water District in Camarillo, as well as representatives from Ventura County Watershed Protection District, the Santa Clara River Watershed Committee, and legislative representatives.

"The release of 400 cfs here at Santa Felicia Dam will result in the diversion of high quality water at our Freeman Diversion facility, recharging the aquifer and, ultimately, offsetting the increasing nitrate levels in our wells at El Rio. By taking action before the situation is critical, we are confident in our ability to ensure the public's safe drinking water as we move into the dry, warm days of summer," stated Guardado in making the announcement. He was also encouraged by the participation of neighboring water districts, adding that "Through our collaborative efforts and preparation, we are able to take advantage of opportunities such as the purchase of Article 21 State Water, which helps all of us manage, protect, preserve and enhance our water resources."

The emergency water quality release coincides with the release of 10,000 AF of Article 21 State water from Castaic Lake, purchased by UWCD in April from Northern California under the California Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) State Water Article 21 program. UWCD, the special district tasked with managing, protecting, conserving and enhancing the water resources of the Santa Clara River Valley and Oxnard Plain, purchased 10,000 AF of Article 21 State water for the purpose of replenishing groundwater basins throughout the District.

The additional Article 21 water was stored at Castaic Lake for eventual release, extending the benefit of additional water recharge to all of UWCD’s basins. The release of this State Water was timed and executed at a flow rate determined to maximize benefits to all of the District’s basins, in particular, riverbed infiltration for the upper basins (Piru, Fillmore, Santa Paula) and recharge in Saticoy and El Rio facilities benefitting the Oxnard Forebay, Mound, Oxnard Plain and Pleasant Valley basins.

The release, which will continue over the next two weeks, also affords the public a rare opportunity to enjoy weekend access to whitewater kayaking below the Santa Felicia Dam in lower Piru Creek. Individuals interested in accessing lower Piru Creek on the weekends of the release period must request access 24 hours in advance by contacting Lake Piru Senior Park Services Officer Clayton Strahan at (805) 525-4431 extension 148 or by emailing him at claytons@unitedwater.org

About DWR’s State Water Project
California State Water Project (SWP or Project) is the nation's largest state-built water and power development and conveyance system. Planned, designed, constructed and now operated and maintained by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), this unique project is comprised of 34 storage facilities, reservoirs and lakes; 20 pumping plants; 4 pumping-generating plants; 5 hydroelectric power plants; and about 701 miles of open canals and pipelines, providing supplemental water to approximately 25 million Californians and about 750,000 acres of irrigated farmland. Its main purpose is to store water and distribute it to 29 urban and agricultural water suppliers in Northern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, the San Joaquin Valley, the Central Coast, and Southern California. Of the contracted water supply, 70 percent goes to urban users and 30 percent goes to agricultural users. The Project is also operated to improve water quality in the Delta, control Feather River flood waters, provide recreation, and enhance fish and wildlife.

Funds from the sale of general obligation and revenue bonds have provided about 78 percent of financing for construction of the State Water Project. Full repayment of these bond funds is being made by Project beneficiaries, rather than by the general taxpayer. Other funding sources have included tideland oil revenues, investment earnings, legislative appropriations for recreation, federal flood control payments, and water contractor advances. Currently, short-term financing is obtained by commercial paper notes which are replaced periodically by long-term revenue bonds.

Annual costs include the salaries of a diversified team of engineers, biologists, specialists in water development and power generation, hydroelectric plant technicians, and civil maintenance workers, as well as expenses (equipment, supplies etc.) required to operate and maintain SWP facilities. Annual costs also include power purchases, exchanges and sales.

The 29 water contractors repay all water supply related costs of the SWP. These represent about 94 percent of the annual costs for operation and maintenance of SWP facilities. The remaining costs are funded by the federal government for joint operation of San Luis facilities (3 percent) and State general funds for recreation and fish and wildlife enhancement (3 percent).

Contractors also repay with interest about 89 percent of SWP capital expenditures made through 1995. Repayment of the remaining 11 percent comes from the federal government for flood control (2 percent), the State general funds for recreation and fish and wildlife enhancement (5 percent), and the rest from miscellaneous sources.

All contractors pay the same rate per acre-foot for the cost of constructing and operating facilities which store and convey the SWP water supply. In addition, each contractor pays a transportation charge which covers the cost of facilities required to deliver water to its service area. Thus, the contractors more distant from the Delta pay higher transportation charges than those near the Delta. For more information on the DWR’s State Water Project, visit http://www.water.ca.gov/swp/

About United Water Conservation District (UWCD)
Since 1927, United Water Conservation District, situated in central Ventura County, has distinguished itself as a leader among water agencies by conserving and enhancing the water resources of the Santa Clara River and Oxnard Coastal Plain, while working to protect the environment's natural attributes. The District conserves runoff from all major tributaries of the Santa Clara River within its boundaries, including Piru, Hopper, Sespe, and Santa Paula Creeks. Without these efforts, much of this valuable water would simply flow out to sea.

Committed to managing the area’s water supplies through groundwater replenishment and through the construction and operation of efficient water supply and delivery systems, today the District serves as the conservator of groundwater resources that are utilized by the cities of Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Ventura, Santa Paula, and Fillmore, as well as several mutual water districts and numerous farms and individual pumpers. It also provides surface water for agricultural irrigation and provides treated drinking water to the cities of Oxnard and Port Hueneme. For more information, visit http://www.unitedwater.org

On Sunday, June 11, from 4:00-7:00 PM, Rancho Camulos Museum invites you to explore their recently restored 1920 Spanish Colonial Revival style adobe that was originally the Camulos Ranch Office and ranch manager's residence. The event will mark the grand opening of the museum's research library and reading room.

Visitors can also see a special exhibit of Camulos archival documents and artifacts and hear guest speaker Marc Appleton, author of "Ranches, Home on the Range".

This is a non fundraising event for friends of Rancho Camulos. Margaritas and munchies will be served. RSVP to 805-521-1521 / info@ranchocamulos.org. Rancho Camulos National Historic Landmark is located on Heritage Valley's historic Highway 126, one mile East of Piru, and is open for docent-led tours on Sunday's at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00. Details at www.ranchocamulos.org

Submitted by Lynda Edmonds

The Bardsdale Cemetery will hold it Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 29th at 11AM.

The Ceremony will start with a fly-over by the 805th Navion Squadron.

Featured speaker this year is Richard Diaz who was a Sergeant in the US Marine Corp and is a member of the Cemetery Board.

The Rev. Bob Hammond will give the Memorial Service and special music will be provided by the Bardsdale Methodist Youth Choir along with Cub Scout Pack 3400.

Also assisting in the ceremony will be VFW Post 9637, Boy Scout Troop 406, Cub Scout Troop 3400 and Bob Thompson. The Boy Scouts will put out the flags on Friday, May26th and they will be picked up by the Bardsdale 4H on Tuesday, May 30th.

A special thank you to Garcia Mortuary for furnishing the doves to conclude the service and to the P.E.O. for furnishing cookies.

The Board of Trustees of the Cemetery District: Scott Lee, President, Lynda Edmonds,
Secretary, Rita Rudkin, Gabriel Asenas and Dick Diaz would like to invite the community to this special event.

The role of a hospitalist will be the focus of a free seminar Community Memorial Health System is holding on Wednesday, June 7.

Christina Desai, M.D., a hospitalist physician specializing in internal medicine, will lead the discussion during the seminar to be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the eighth-floor Nichols Auditorium at Community Memorial Hospital, 147 N. Brent St.

Chances are, patients admitted to the hospital recently weren’t taken care of by their usual doctor. Instead, a doctor they didn’t know and had never seen before was in charge of their care. Dr. Desai will explain what a hospitalist is, the role the hospitalist plays in their care, and the many advantages of having one to oversee the treatment patients receive during a hospital stay.

Dr. Desai received her medical degree from Albert Einstein School of Medicine and completed her residency at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. Dr. Desai is a member of the Society of Hospital Medicine, and she is affiliated with Pacific Inpatient Physicians, the hospitalist provider for CMH.

Registration is free but reservations are required. To secure reservations visit cmhshealth.org/rsvp or call Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006.

Future Speaker Series events are: Being Mortal Free Film Screening on June 22 at the Museum of Ventura County; and the Women’s Health Symposium on June 24 at the Ventura Beach Marriott.

Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, along with the Centers for Family Health serving various communities within and located in Ventura County, California.

Back Stacks Books sponsored by the Friends of the Blanchard Community Library in Santa Paula will have the 1st Saturday book sale June 3, 2017, from 10 AM to 2 PM, featuring 1,000’s of used books from 50 cents to $2, as well as collectible books from $4 and up.

The special for June 3, 2017 is Father’s Day Specials; 50% OFF a variety of books. When you get to the sale, ask a volunteer to direct you to sale items.

Located at 119 North 8th Street, Santa Paula, enter via the north parking lot, thru the roll-up door in the back. Normal weekday hours also continue: Wed. 12-4, Thu. & Fri. 12-2.

For more information: spfotl@gmail.com.

The Humane Society of Ventura County is celebrating its 85th anniversary by holding an open house on June 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at its Ojai shelter at 402 Bryant St.

Attendees will have the opportunity to get a behind-the scenes look at the shelter, interact with animals, tour the kennels and clinic, meet the staff and learn about different different volunteer opportunities.

A variety of local artists and crafts people will have one-of-a kind items available for sale. Attendees also can enjoy refreshments, participate in an scavenger hunt and learn more about how they can make a difference in the lives of animals in need.

Humane Educator Dawn Reily will have her assortment of critters, and humane officers will be on hand to give attendees a look at the responsibilities and duties of protecting animals throughout the county.

Firefly Ceramics will have a booth, and for or a $25 donation to benefit the shelter’s new kennels, and attendees can design their tile to later become a permanent part of the structure.

Also, the shelter’s main attraction – the animals —will be available for adoption. “You never know when you are going to meet your new best friend,” said Franki Williams, the HSVC’s media and markting director.

The Humane Society of Ventura County is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1932. It does not receive federal, state or local tax dollars to operate and relies solely on private donations.

Bike to Work Week, an annual event that encourages commuters to swap their daily drive for a bike ride to work, is set to kick-off Monday, May 15, 2017. Co-sponsored by the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) and the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD), Bike to Work Week will run May 15-19 and feature prize drawings and a social media contest for participating cyclists.

“Biking to work, rather than driving alone, helps improve your health, your mood and even your finances,” said VCTC Executive Director Darren Kettle. “It’s also a very tangible step individuals can take to improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion in Ventura County. It’s a win-win proposition for the commuter, the community and the environment.”

To make the deal even sweeter, commuters who pledge to ride their bikes just once during Bike to Work Week will be entered into a drawing for one of three $100 VISA gift cards. The online pledge form is available at www.goventura.org/rideshare. VCTC will also host a separate drawing for an additional $100 gift card on Instagram. Follow @GoVCTC for details and contest entry instructions.

Bike to Work Week is part of VCTC’s ongoing efforts to improve biking in Ventura County. In April, the VCTC Board approved a Bicycle Wayfinding Plan that designates important regional bike routes and specifies design rules and signage templates to make these routes safer and easier to navigate for cyclists of all ages and ability levels.

By designating certain bike lanes as part of a regional network, the Bicycle Wayfinding Plan will allow jurisdictions to better compete for active transportation grants, bringing more funding to the County for bicycle improvements.

Those interested in exploring community bike paths can use VCTC’s Bikeways App on Apple and Android, which maps all existing bike routes in Ventura County.

About the Ventura County Transportation Commission
The Ventura County Transportation Commission is the regional transportation planning agency committed to keeping Ventura County moving. Program information is available at goventura.org.

In observance of the Memorial Day holiday, employees of Santa Clara Valley Disposal will be taking the day off on Monday, May 29. As a result, Fillmore city residential customers will have their trash, recyclables and green waste collected on Saturday, June 3, one day later than usual.

The regular Friday collection schedule will resume the following week.

For more information, call 647-1414.

Story By Joanne King
Photos by Bob Crum

"A Sense of Place", an art show at the Fillmore Historical Museum, features a retrospective of the watercolor paintings by Luanne Hebner Perez.

Her work encompasses early design and exploration of watercolor techniques influenced by many travels to study and paint with plein air masters
in Europe and in the western United States. Her landscapes and cityscapes invite the viewer to see with new appreciation each place she found to paint.

Saturday's reception was enjoyed by the artist, Luanne Perez, Claudia and Thomas Ellison, Joanne King, Susan Hopkins, Martha Gentry,
Lois Freeman-Fox, Lady Jan Faulkner, Hillary Welreter, Gary Giesseman, Bob Crum, Stuart Fox, Mary Ford, Rae Bretzing, Judy Dressler, and
Doris Nichols.

Three paintings were sold as well as several art cards. The art show and sale will be open to the public during museum hours until June 16th, 2017.