Five-Year pre-development lease at Channel Islands Harbor expires
OXNARD —The Ventura County Board of Supervisors has chosen to allow the current lease at Fisherman’s Wharf, the corner of Victoria and Channel Islands, to expire on July 31, which is the end of the lease term, the office of Fifth District Supervisor John Zaragoza reported this week in a media release.
At the same time, the Board of Supervisors remains strongly committed to the redevelopment of the Fisherman’s Wharf property and is satisfied that a mixed use project is the most likely development for that corner, combining retail and rental housing.
“The Board of Supervisors is eager to move forward with a project at Fisherman’s Wharf,” said Zaragoza, board chair. “This property needs redevelopment, and we want it to happen as soon as possible. There will be opportunity for public input, as there has been in the past. As soon as the developer completes the process, we are prepared to move quickly to submit a project to the California Coastal Commission for review. We want the public to have an exciting place that they can enjoy, bring their families and friends, and enjoy being on the water.”
A new lessee will be selected by qualifications by fall of 2012.
Channel Islands Harbor serves as a center of recreation, boating, shopping and water sports activities. The harbor is home to three yacht clubs and nine full-service marinas that provide berths for 2,150 boats. It also hosts the Ventura County Maritime Museum. Located at Bluefin Circle, the museum is a cultural center dedicated to the interpretation of maritime history through interactive exhibits and educational outreach.
Youth Empowerment Program holds annual Success Ceremony
OXNARD — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme’s Youth Empowerment Program recently hosted its annual Success Ceremony, the organization reported recently in a media release. It was a night of celebration and recognition for all the participants in the program with the award of scholarships to two club members.
Michele Pettes, public affairs manager for Southern California Gas Company, presented $1,000 scholarships to San Juana Hernandez and Max Pineda. The scholarships will help offset the costs for the two club members as they transfer to four-year universities in the fall.
YEP participants received certificates of completion and special awards. Oxnard Adult School and Smart and Final were recognized with Outstanding Partner Awards.
BJ Ward, CEO for Comfort Real Estate, provided the motivational keynote speech. Panda Express sponsored the dinner.
The YEP program is funded by the Workforce Investment Board of Ventura County and has operated for 8 years. It’s geared for at-risk youth ages 16-21 who are working to overcome socio-economic barriers by providing them with job or business startup skills, and helping them stay on track to receive a high school diploma. More than 165 Oxnard and Port Hueneme youth received WIB-supported services through YEP and other programs for education, employment and life-skills training in 2012.
For more information about the YEP program, call 805-483-1118, ext. 305.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme exists to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. With three full-service clubs and 13 school program sites, the organization is one of the largest of its kind in California, serving 7,000 members annually. It’s also the first Boys & Girls Club of its kind to open in the Juvenile Justice Center. Program areas offered to youth include character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, technology and sports/fitness/recreation opportunities. For more information, visit www.positiveplace4kids.org