Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Followers Share How They Are Saving Water

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Governor Jerry Brown issued mandatory statewide water restrictions with a mandatory 25% reduction in water use through February 2016. This 25% reduction is a statewide, aggregate goal, not a specific goal directed at individual residences. That said, we all need to do what we can to cut back water use.

In a recent drawing on the CVG Facebook page, local residents were asked what they are doing to cut back on use of water. Here's what they said:

  • No more car washes

  • Watering lawn less

  • Put in artificial grass*, flush toilets less, take shorter showers

  • Shorter showers and gave up flower bed

  • Water lawn once a week instead of twice a week

  • Stopped watering lawn...planning to change the landscape

  • Turn the water off when brushing and washing

  • Bricks in the toilet tank to reduce water per flush

  • Took out the grass

  • Rain barrel system

  • Shorter showers was mentioned numerous times

  • Washing more clothes in bigger loads

  • Put buckets out when it rains

  • Rarely wash the car

  • Using water saving shower heads

  • Showering together (hmmm)

  • Shower timers

  • Showers instead of baths

  • Take baths every other day instead of every day

  • Soaking and washing dishes with half-filled sink instead of running water

  • "If it's yellow, let it mellow...etc."

  • Got rid of lawn and installed drip system

  • Fixed all leaking faucets

  • Buckets in showers to collect water as it warms up to use outside

California American Water provides low flow shower heads like this one as, well as faucet aerators and other conservation supplies to customers.

There are a variety of water conservation rebates available for Southern California residents under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Water District.  Visit socalwatersmart.com for more information. In addition to turf replacement rebates (which due to huge demand, as of May 12th stopped taking applications...but they they indicate checking back May 26th for possible new funding, terms and conditions), rebates are available for items like properly implemented rain barrels, high-efficiency clothes washers and toilets, weather-based irrigation controllers and rotating sprinkler nozzles.

* Artificial grass: California American Water explains why artificial turf is not included in turf exhange programs. Artificial turf is not a living landscape and does not increase biodiversity of plant, animal and insect populations, provide habitat for local fauna, foster healthy soils, cool surrounding air temperatures (artificial turf can get significantly hotter than surrounding air temperatures) or sequester carbon or produce oxygen like living plant material can. Artificial turf is not water free. It must be watered periodically for cleaning and may require chemicals periodically. And because artificial turf can get very hot in direct sunlight, water may be needed to cool it for comfortable use.

The National Do Not Call Registry Can Limit Telemarketing Calls to Your Home

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The National Do Not Call Registry (the Registry) gives U.S. consumers the opportunity to limit telemarketing calls received on their personal phone numbers, such as home and cell phone numbers. Register your number(s) by visiting www.DoNotCall.gov or by calling 888.382.1222. The National Do Not Call Registry is a free service managed by the Federal Trade Commission.

Once your number has been on the Registry for 31 days, most telemarketers should not call your number. If they do continue calling, or if you have received a telemarketing call that uses a recorded message instead of a live person, you can file a complaint.

Placing your number on the Registry will stop most, but not all, telemarketing calls. Calls from or on behalf of political organizations, charities, and telephone surveyors are still permitted because they are not considered "telemarketing." However, if a third-party telemarketer calls on behalf of a charity, a consumer may ask not to receive any more calls from, or on behalf of, that specific charity. If the third-party telemarketer calls again on behalf of that charity, the telemarketer may be subject to a fine of up to $16,000.

If a call is for the sole purpose of conducting a survey, it is not covered by the Registry. However, callers purporting to take a survey, but also offering to sell goods or services, must comply with the Registry.

Debt collectors may also continue to call you whether your number is on the Regi

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Vacation House Checks Available in Cities Throughout Ventura County

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A number of cities provide free Vacation House Check services upon request to help keep your property secure while you are out of town. Here is a compilation of such services.

Thousand Oaks

The City of Thousand Oaks Volunteers in Policing organization perform vacation checks, including checking the backyard, windows, garage and doors for signs of disturbance and paying particular attention to your property while out on patrol. Request a vacation house check by calling the Thousand Oaks Community Police Resource Center with at least three days notice at 805.449.2760. Visit www.toaks.org/departments/police/citizen-resources/community-resource-centers for more information.

Camarillo

The Camarillo Police Department offers residents a vacation house watch program, scheduled by calling 805.388.5100 Monday through Friday, between 8 AM and 5 PM. cms7files.revize.com/camarilloca/Departments/Police/VACATION%20HOUSE%20CHECKS.pdf.

Simi Valley

The Simi Valley Police Department offers vacation checks to residents. Call 805.583.6938 to learn more and schedule one.

Ventura

City of Ventura residents can schedule vacation checks online at secure.coplogic.com/dors/en/crupfilingperson?dynparam=1428788603502.

Moorpark

Business owners and residents may request extra patrol of their property while they are on vacation or if they have reason to suspect being extraordinarily victimized by a crime. Moorpark Volunteers in Policing and Deputies are informed of the extra patrol locations and make an effort to check those areas for suspicious or criminal activity. If you would like an extra patrol of your property, you may submit a form at the Moorpark Police Station, located at 610 Spring Road, Moorpark.

Westlake Village

The Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station will send a patrol car or Volunteer on Patrol member by your home while you are out of town. To schedule a free vacation check, call the station at 818-878-1808 and provide your address and travel dates.

Port Hueneme

Port Hueneme Police Department Volunteers in Policing provide home vacation checks. Visit www.ci.port-hueneme.ca.us/index.aspx?nid=897 for more information.

For other cities, visit the Ventura County Sheriff's Department website at www.vcsd.org for more information.

There's of course a whole host of other things to consider to protect your home when you're out of town...locking doors and windows, asking the neighbors to keep an eye out, stopping newspaper/mail deliveries (or having someone collect them), setting automated light timers around the house and activation of home security systems come to mind.

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Assurance Wireless Offers Free Cell Phone Service to Low Income Residents

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Assurance Wireless, powered by Virgin Mobile, offers a free cell phone with monthly service that includes 250 minutes and unlimited texts to low-income individuals who qualify through the Federal Lifeline Assistance Program.

The Lifeline Assistance Program is funded by the federal Universal Service Fund, which is funded by wireless carriers, who in turn generally tag on a fee to consumers in their monthly bills.

The Lifeline Assistance program is available for only one account per household. Separate households that live at the same address are eligible, such as residents of homeless shelters and nursing homes. Residents with temporary addresses are also eligible.

As a California resident, you can qualify if you participate in certain public assistance programs or if you below certain income levels:

  • Medicaid/Medi-Cal

  • CalFresh

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (aka Food Stamps)

  • National School Lunch Program

  • California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKS)

  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)

  • Various other public assistance programs

  • Income levels falling within the following Federal poverty level guidelines (as of January 2015):

    • $25,500 for a household of 1-2

    • $29,700 for a household of 3

    • $35,900 for a household of 4

    • Add another $6,200 for each additional household member above 4

The program also allows individuals to purchase additional minutes; $5/month for each additional 250 minutes. To learn more, visit www.assurancewireless.com.

"Service Above Self" - Rotary Clubs in the Ventura County Area

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Rotary is a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million business, professional and community leaders. Members of Rotary clubs, known as Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

There are 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. The Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world.

The Rotary motto is "Service Above Self" and this shows in the local community...fundraisers, community events, supporting local charities year round.  Here are some local Rotary clubs in the vicinity of Ventura County.

Rotary Club of Calabasas

Rotary Club of Camarillo

Rotary Club of Camarillo - Sunrise

Rotary Club of Conejo Valley

Rotary Club of Fillmore

Rotary Club of Fillmore - Sun Risers

Rotary Club of Malibu

Rotary Club of Moorpark

Rotary Club of Moorpark - Morning

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CDC Highlights What You Need to Know About the Ebola Virus

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Ebola, previously known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates (such as monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). The 2014 Ebola epidemic is the largest in history. The following information about Ebola is courtesy of the CDC.

Ebola is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebolavirus. There are five identified Ebolavirus species, four of which have caused disease in humans: Zaire ebolavirus; Sudan ebolavirus; Taï Forest ebolavirus, formerly Côte d’Ivoire ebolavirus; and Bundibugyo ebolavirus. The fifth, Reston ebolavirus, has caused disease in nonhuman primates but not in humans.

Ebola is found in several African countries. The first Ebola species was discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, outbreaks have appeared sporadically in Africa.

The natural reservoir host of Ebola remains unknown. However, on the basis of available evidence and the nature of similar viruses, researchers believe that the virus is animal-borne, with bats being the most likely reservoir. Four of the five subtypes occur in an animal host native to Africa.

When an infection does occur in humans, there are several ways the virus can be spread to others. These include: direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with Ebola or contact with objects that have been contaminated with the blood or body fluids of an infected person or with infected animals

The virus in the blood and body fluids can enter another person’s body through broken skin or unprotected mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose or mouth.

During outbreaks of Ebola, the disease can spread qu

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Camarillo Health Care District Provides Quality Health and Wellness Services

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The Camarillo Health Care District ensures quality health and wellness services are available to all District residents. The District is an independent special district and public agency formed in 1969 to provide community-based healthcare services, under the statutes of the State of California Health & Safety Code.

The award-winning District is on the leading edge of community health and wellness by offering innovative programs and services, including:

The District in partnership with Food Share of Ventura County hosts a Free Produce Day on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 11am to 1pm. Open to the general public! Stop by and receive several varieties of seasonal produce each month at this event.

For more information, visit www.camhealth.com, stop by the campus at 3639 E. Las Posas Road, Suite 117, Camarillo, or call (805) 388-1952 ext. 100.