The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has begun accepting applications for the Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP). The AMMP is one of two programs designed by CDFA to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. The program will provide $9-16 million dollars in grants to California dairy and livestock operators to implement non-digester manure management practices that reduce their methane emissions.
Earth First Construction, a California educational non-profit organization, under a grant from the CDFA is holding four Technical Assistance Workshops. These workshops will provide technical assistance with the application process and are free of charge. At the two-hour workshop participants will learn about the application process, scoring and how to submit the application through the online application tool, the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST). Applications and all supporting information must be submitted electronically using FAAST by Monday, October 2, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. PDT.

In addition to the four workshops underwritten by a grant from the CDFA and the California Strategic Growth Council, Earth First Construction is offering the Manure Solutions Seminar. This three-hour seminar includes these speakers and topics:

Jeff Weisel, Dairy Advisor, Chosen Acres, “Separating Solids and Green Bedding”

Lew Douglas, CEO, Urth Agriculture, “Microbial Solutions for Manure and Forage”

Dick Wullaert, CEO, Bioguard Industries, “Functional Water – Water that Serves a Purpose”

Ed Ober, Director, Sustainable Practices Associates, “Key Factors in Writing Successful Grants”

This Seminar will be held one time at the International Agri-Center in Tulare on September 11, 2017 from 9:00 to 12:00 pm. Door opens at 8:30 am. The seminar is registration cost is $125. However, if a participant registers for both the Technical Assistance workshop and the Seminar then the registration cost is only $50 a savings of $75. Complete details and registration available at www.ManureSolutions.org

The free of charge Technical Assistance workshop is being offered on the following dates and times:

Monday, September 11, 2:00 – 4:00 pm at the International Agri-Center, Tulare

Tuesday, September 12 at the Tulare County Library in Visalia, the workshop will be held from 9:00 am to 11:00 am; at 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

For complete details and registration visit www.ManureSolutions.org – Space is limited to 40 people at the Seminar and either 20 or 40 people at each workshop depending on the location.

NOTE – THE AMMP is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities. The cap-and-trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investment projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are made in disadvantaged and low-income communities. For more information, visit California Climate Investments.

Fillmore, CA - In observance of the Labor Day holiday, employees of Santa Clara Valley Disposal will be taking the day off on Monday, Sept. 4. As a result, Fillmore city residential customers will have their trash, recyclables and green waste collected on Saturday, Sept. 9, one day later than usual.

The regular Friday collection schedule will resume the following week.

For more information, call 647-1414.

Fillmore, CA - One Step A La Vez (OSALV) Teen Advocacy Center invites and welcomes hometown hero/MMA athlete Jose “Froggy” Estrada. As he will be conducting a motivational speech about how he overcame adversity and stayed on the right path by keeping himself busy by participating in wrestling and mixed martial arts. Froggy will also take the time to do a meet and greet with the opportunity to get an autograph and a picture. Froggy’s visit will be a part of a back to school open house at OSALV on September 1, 2017, to welcome our returning teens and hopefully to reach out to new teens interested in being a part of our center. OSALV is located at 421 Sespe Ave. in Fillmore, CA. As the event was briefly described at the beginning, the importance for a teen to have a positive role model in their lives is critical in this life stage.

Froggy understands the importance of giving back to his community and loves to lead by example to show that hard work, sacrifice, dedication, and discipline were important in the pursuit of his goals and dreams. His love for his family, friends, and beloved grandpa up in heaven in his hometown of Fillmore and all around Ventura County is the driving force that runs through his veins which motivate him to give his all in the octagon. When I interviewed “Froggy” he would always reiterate that he loved making his family and friends proud of him, which is important to him. In Froggy’s own words, he told me that he is “always down to give back to the kids” and excited “to teach them that hard work pays off”. With “Froggy’s visit to One Step A La Vez, it reinforces our center's mission and shows our community that there are people in our community that want to give back.

Our mission at OSALV is to serve the communities of Santa Clarita Valley, specifically the communities of Fillmore, Piru and Santa Paula, by providing a safe environment for 13-19-year old’s and preparing informed, empowered youth who are equipped with the tools to lead, cultivate cultural awareness, bridge the gaps of inequality and advocate for fair, just and healthy individuals and communities.

Congratulations to Gary Esquibel on being named the July 2017 Yard of the Month. He was presented with a $40 gift certificate from Otto & Sons Nursery from Ari Larson representing Fillmore Civic Pride. When thinking about their landscape Gary said “We had a desire for a drought tolerant landscape.” The plants in their yard include: Senecio blue chalk sticks, Hesperaloe Parviflora Red, Anigozanthus Big Red, Iceberg Roses white, Aloe Arboresens, Aloe Striata, pittosporum tenuifolim marjorie channon, Gulf Stream Nandina, Arbutus marina, Salvia Leucantha, Agave Attenuata and Echeveria mixed color. Gary said they “Enjoy the white and red roses and trim them for use within their home." He would like to share that “Drought tolerant landscaping is not only beautiful, but save on your monthly water bill and drought tolerant landscaping is easy to take care of.” Gary’s house is located at 630 Falcon Way in Fillmore. For more information on Fillmore Civic Pride or to nominate a front yard for Yard of the Month please contact Ari Larson 805.794.7590 or petenari55@hotmail.com

Former Coach Bruce Dempsey won the Elkins Ranch Men’s Club Super Senior’s Championship recently. The trophy plaque with his name will be on display in the Pro Shop at Elkins Ranch Golf Course as a permanent display for the Men’s Club. As a member at Elkins since 1968, Bruce has played at numerous golf courses throughout the world with his wife Jean, of 59 years! These courses include St. Andrews and courses in all 50 states. The Dempsey’s enjoy the great outdoors and companionship that this sport provides.

The role of a pathologist in healthcare will be the focus of a free ceremony Community Memorial Healthcare is holding on Wednesday, Aug. 9

MeeAe Kwon, who specializes in pathology, will lead the seminar entitled “What is My Biopsy Result?,” to be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the eighth-floor Nichols Auditorium at Community Memorial Hospital, 147 N. Brent St.

Effective treatment starts with the correct diagnosis Dr. Kwon will discuss while primary care physicians are typically on the front lines of healthcare – examining patients, ordering tests and implement treatments – they often collaborate with pathologists to interpret the results and establish the best course of action.

Pathologists are both a scientist and a physician and Dr. Kwong will tell how this combined knowledge ensures patients receive the most effective care.

Registration is free but reservations are required. To secure reservations visit cmhshealth.org/rsvp or call Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006. This event is co-sponsored by Seaview IPA.

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.

CEC Launches Solarize Ventura County
Successful group-purchase program expands to entire County

The Community Environmental Council (CEC)’s Solarize Ventura County - a community-led, group-purchasing program for residential solar electric systems will run throughout Ventura County June 12 – September 8, 2017, bringing discounted prices on high quality solar installations to Fillmore and Santa Paula residents.

The CEC’s Solarize programs have operated in Ventura County since 2012 beginning with the first Solarize Ojai Program. Since then, 162 home owners in the City of Ventura, the Ojai Valley and along Highway 126 have taken advantage of the program’s vetted installers, discounted pricing, and educational workshops. This year’s Solarize Ventura County is the first time that the program has been offered throughout the entire County. The program has the backing of Ventura County jurisdictions: Cities of Ventura, Oxnard, and Camarillo, which are co-hosting the educational workshops. Ventura County’s Regional Energy Alliance has also partnered with the Solarize Program to increase the amount of renewable energy adoption in the County. In total, CEC’s Solarize Programs that have been offered in various jurisdictions throughout the central coast have helped 524 homeowners go solar.

“The goal of our Solarize program is to make going solar more simple and affordable for homeowners,” noted CEC’s Renewable Energy Specialist, April Price. This year's two partner solar installers, California Solar Electric and Coastal Solar, will offer sizable discounts on solar installs throughout Ventura County. Price explained, “Our installer partners were selected by a committee of local experts. They studied the companies, their practices, and their equipment to make a responsible selection on behalf of Ventura County homeowners.”

Solarize Ventura 2016 participant C.Wyles shared her experience with the Solarize process, “The program was excellent for providing the confidence that I wasn't going to get taken advantage of financially or in any other respect. I particularly liked the fact that the contractor was chosen from local businesses and vetted for me. The system is up and running and I'm perfectly happy with it, and thrilled to be using fewer resources than previously.”

Solarize Ventura 2016 participant John Buccola also voiced his satisfaction with the program and its result, "We aggressively shopped for various options for our solar installation and found the Solarize program more competitive and personalized to our needs. They educated us on our options, qualified the installer and negotiated an incredible price. One year later, we are thrilled with the system - which offsets all our electrical usage. Thank you Solarize!"
Throughout the Solarize program, CEC will host free, educational workshops throughout the county to help homeowners better understand solar technologies, energy efficiency, and financing options. “The workshops are a great opportunity to learn the ins and outs of going solar - from technical aspects, to the effects on home values, to how your electric bills will shrink,” said Price. She went on to say, “We are excited to bring the benefits of the group purchase discount to the entire county- this Solarize Program has excellent pricing on high quality equipment and installs. I think that people will be surprised at how affordable it is to purchase a solar system, and to generate your own electricity.”

Anyone interested in learning about solar is encouraged to attend one of these upcoming workshops:

Thursday, July 20th, 6:00pm
Ventura City Hall, Community Meeting Room, 501 Poli Street, Ventura, CA 93001

Thursday, July 27th, 6:00pm
Oak View Park and Resource Center, 555 Mahoney Avenue, Oak View, CA 93022

Wednesday, August 2nd
6:00pm (English)
7:00pm (Español)
City of Oxnard, Community Room, 300 West Third Street, First Floor, Oxnard CA 93030

Thursday, August 17th, 6:00pm
Newbury Park Branch Library, 2331 Borchard Road, Newbury Park, California 91320
(Co-presented with the City of Thousand Oaks)

Monday, August 21st, 6:00pm
Blanchard/Santa Paula
Community Library
119 N 8th Street
Santa Paula, CA 93060

Tuesday, August 22nd, 6:00pm
Thousand Oaks library
1401 E Janss Rd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
(Co-presented with the City of Thousand Oaks)
CA 93030

Solarize Ventura County participants will also help support CEC’s mission in the community. For each homeowner that goes solar through the program, the solar installers will pay, at no additional cost to the homeowner, a small fee which helps CEC continue to offer Solarize programs in local communities.

To learn more or apply for Solarize Ventura County, homeowners can go to SolarizeVentura.org or call (805) 963-0583 x 101.

About the Community Environmental Council (CEC)
Since 1970, CEC has led the Santa Barbara region – and at times California and the nation – in creative solutions to some of the toughest environmental problems. CEC innovates and incubates real life solutions in areas with the most impact on climate change. Our programs provide pathways to clean vehicles, solar energy, resilient food systems, and reduction of single-use plastic. Find CEC on the web at www.cecsb.org and on Facebook/CECSB and Twitter/CECSB. Our mailing address is: Community Environmental Council, 26 W Anapamu, Second Floor, Santa Barbara, California 93101