ADVISORY/Water Agencies Help Riverside Municipal Museum Break Ground On New Water-Saving Demonstration Garden.

News Editors & Environmental Writers

ADVISORY...for Tuesday (Nov. 13)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

WHAT:  At a groundbreaking ceremony, the Riverside Public Utilities
       and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California's
       Community Partnering Program will award the Riverside
       Municipal Museum a combined total of $37,500 toward the
       creation of a new conservation-friendly garden to demonstrate
       water-wise landscaping to residents and other visitors.

WHEN:  Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m.

WHERE: Riverside Municipal Museum, 3580 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside
       (Riverside County Thomas Guide page 685, H4)

WHO:   Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge, City Councilman
       Chuck Beaty, to join Riverside Public Utilities Programs
       and Services Manager LeeAnne Uhler and Metropolitan
       Director Terry Mylne, who represents the Western Municipal
       Water District on the MWD board, to present checks for
       $30,000 and $7,500, respectively, for the xeriscape project.
       Museum Director Richard R. Esparza and Steve Mains, chairman
       of the museum board, will accept the funds on behalf of
       the museum.

VISUALS:  Garden groundbreaking; schematics of xeriscape garden

BACKGROUND:  The demonstration garden will feature native plants
             and the latest in water and energy conservation
             techniques, as well as pest management methods, that
             garden visitors will be able to implement at home.
             The Orange Street side of the building will use native
             plants that relate to the museum's Local Indian
             Gallery's exhibit, extending the museum's learning
             environment beyond the building's walls.

             Metropolitan's Community Partnering Program aims to
             increase public awareness about water issues and
             policies in Southern California. The program will
             distribute $450,000 in awards and in-kind services
             during fiscal year 2001-2002.