SANTA BARBARA— The Music Academy of the West recently elected two distinguished community leaders to its Board of Directors: Montecito residents Andrea Hein, a retired entertainment industry executive, and Harrison M. (Mac) Bains, Jr., a retired banking and finance executive.
Let’s all give our collective praise to our firefighters and emergency personnel, who have made significant progress fighting the Lake Fire. As of yesterday evening, the Lake Fire is now 38% contained.
The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) have lifted the Air Quality Alert in the Santa Ynez Valley. The Air Quality Watch will remain in place countywide, and air quality conditions are forecasted to be good to moderate throughout the county
A number of evacuation orders and warnings have been canceled. When returning home, it is important to exercise caution, as public safety and utility vehicles continue to perform operations in the area.
COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO – People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) and LoyalTeach recently celebrated College Signing Day and the hard work and dedication of students going on to and furthering their higher education. Highlighting scholastic achievement, three ceremonies were held along the Central Coast from Paso Robles to Carpinteria.
“The College Signing Day events were a great success this year,” said Kris Reid, Director of Education, “it was a wonderful feeling to recognize student accomplishment with nearly 200 of their friends and families.”
As Reid went onto say, “With many students having overcome socio-economic and other adversities, College Signing Day builds confidence, and equips them for their new college adventures.”
OXNARD — Hip, Hip, Hooray for Hot Summer Days! The Collection at RiverPark will be the location of various summertime events and family-friendly activities, including Kids Club, outdoor concerts and even a fan night for The Dallas Cowboys. These events are open to the community, and offer opportunities for residents to turn the coming months into a memorable summer.
SANTA BARBARA, California — Long-time Santa Barbara commercial real estate expert Gene McKnight has been named Director of Village Properties Commercial Group, a new division of the region’s largest independent real estate company, Village Properties.
McKnight has over 39 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry, focusing on investment sales, triple-net-lease properties both locally and nationwide, and tenant and landlord representation. He’s the founder and president of McKnight Commercial, a Santa Barbara-based firm specializing in brokerage and investment advisory services, and has worked with many of the region’s leading investors.
SCORE: FUND YOUR BUSINESS WITH SPONSORS, EVEN IF YOU’RE JUST STARTING OUT
July 16 @ 10:00 am
Would you like to do what you love and have someone else foot the bill? Have you ever considered corporate sponsors for your business, show, book, charity, speaking or events? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this webinar is for you! America’s most successful companies partner with sponsors. Why not you? Linda Hollander can help you. She is the author of the #1 best-selling book, Corporate Sponsorship in 3 Easy Steps, and Sponsor Concierge’s CEO. Linda has consulted with many entrepreneurs to help them profit from the incredible power of corporate sponsors and has 20 years of experience in business. Her corporate sponsors have included Microsoft, Wells Fargo, Epson, Citibank, Fed Ex, Health Net, Southwest Airlines, Bank of America, Staples, American Airlines, Walmart and IBM.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
VENTURA COUNTY — The most recent Workforce Development Board Meeting featured an election of new officers with Laura Martinez, elected as Chair, and Byron K. Ward, elected Vice Chair by their fellow Board Members.
Martinez has a strong background in Business Development, HR, and Strategic Planning across multiple business sectors, as well as having served in the US Air Force. She is the Founder & CEO of HR Force, her consulting firm specializing in HR architecture and serving as strategic partners in building HR departments from inception to alignment with organizational vision and strategic objectives.
“I am excited about the opportunities ahead for us as a team [the Workforce Development Board],” Martinez said. “Together, we can continue to make a real difference in our community by fostering economic growth, addressing workforce challenges, and creating meaningful opportunities for workforce development.”
“Valerie has been an exceptional leader on our Human Resources team for the past six years,” said City Manager Bill Ayub. “Her deep understanding of the City, our staff, and our strategic goals has been invaluable. Valerie’s dedication, expertise, and visionary approach make her the perfect fit for this role. We are thrilled to have her continue serving Ventura and look forward to the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring in her new capacity as Human Resources Director.”
View this email online EVACUATION ORDERS AND WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT FOR AREAS OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY DUE TO THE LAKE FIRE No Additional Protective Actions as of 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 Click here to access the interactive…
VENTURA — The Ventura City Council unanimously adopted a balanced $531 million operating and capital budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 following the City’s annual budget hearing at its meeting on June 25. The budget outlines significant investments to maintain and…
“City National Bank and the McCune Foundation are forward-thinking leaders in our community, and we could not sustain the work we do without their support, year after year,” said Housing Trust Fund Ventura County CEO Linda Braunschweiger. “Great investment partners are essential as we continue on the road to providing affordable housing for all.” Housing Trust Fund’s Community Impact Note provides a modest financial return for investors who in turn are helping to solve the affordable housing crisis in Ventura County, which was recently reported as the least affordable metropolitan area to live within the United States.
MOORPARK — Moorpark College is excited to announce an unveiling ceremony and Ribbon cutting for the Moorpark College Biotechnology Analytical Lab sponsored by Takeda. This lab resides within the main biotechnology Lab. This event will take place July 19, 2024, at 10 a.m.
The ceremony will include distinguished speeches by Dr. Julius Sokenu, President of Moorpark College, and Stephen Hatke, Site Head at Takeda’s Thousand Oaks facility. Additionally, attendees will hear inspiring testimonials from faculty and alumni, highlighting the transformative impact of the lab on their educational experiences.
This event celebrates the generous, four-year $250,000 sponsorship from Takeda to the Moorpark College Foundation, dedicated to enhancing resources for the college’s Biotech Program Analytical Lab.
SANTA BARBARA — The Cottage Heart & Vascular Center team at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital (SBCH) recently performed its 1,000th transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), a minimally invasive procedure used to treat aortic stenosis. With more TAVR procedures performed than any other hospital in the region, SBCH is the first hospital on the Central Coast to achieve this milestone.
TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat patients with aortic stenosis, a condition characterized by the narrowing of the heart’s aortic valve, which restricts blood flow and can cause debilitating symptoms, such as shortness of breath, lightheadedness, palpitations, chest pain, fatigue and shortened lifespan. Unlike traditional open-heart surgery, TAVR allows patients to receive a new valve with a significantly shorter recovery time, greatly enhancing patients’ quality of life.
“We are proud of our long-standing partnership with the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation and appreciate their commitment to developing meaningful enrichment programs for local youth,” said HACSB Resident Programs Supervisor, Alice Villarreal Redit. “CASA Camp exposes Housing Authority youth to historic sites throughout the County, enabling kids to increase their knowledge of local history while engaging in fun, hands-on activities.”
SCORE: FOUR KEY MARKETING STRATEGIES TO ATTRACT MORE CUSTOMERS
July 10 @ 10:30 am
In this webinar, you’ll learn SCORE’s top four strategies that can impact your Google ranking, including the importance of having your business appear in local search results and how to leverage online reviews to attract more customers. SCORE will also show you ways you can use different types of paid ad strategies to get in front of more of your targeted customers. Lastly, SCORE will touch on using social media to build your brand and create a more personalized experience for your followers. You don’t want to miss this!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
VENTURA — County Assessor Keith Taylor certified and delivered the 2024-25 Annual Assessment Roll to the County Auditor-Controller on Wednesday, June 26, ahead of his July 1st mandatory deadline.
The Annual Assessment Roll increased 4% from last year to a net total of $179.1 billion. The vast majority of assessments, however, increased no more than 2% under the provisions of Proposition 13.
Located in the City of San Luis Obispo, this new development will be comprised of 68 apartments, including studio, one, and two bedroom units. This three-story, three-building con?guration with a community room, outdoor courtyard, and playground, will serve individuals and families making at or below 60% of the Area Median Income, as well as populations with special needs. Residents will also have access to onsite property management, and service-enriched support.
OXNARD — With warm summer days ahead, the City of Oxnard encourages community members to take advantage of the many free indoor activities provided by the City’s Recreation Department to stay cool and entertained.
Visit Oxnard Public Libraries
Oxnard’s Public Libraries are the perfect spots to escape the heat. Besides a vast collection of books and reading materials, the libraries host engaging activities for all ages—children, teens, and adults alike. Discover the exciting events planned for July!
SEE MORE HERE
The Banerjee Lab’s flat and tiny field-effect transistors could pave the way for ultra-efficient computing with a platform that can bring energy requirements to within two orders of magnitude — about 100 times — with respect to the human brain.
For over 100 years, the Museum of Ventura County (MVC) has been dedicated to preserving and sharing the diverse stories of our region. We believe that these stories have the power to spark curiosity, inspire compassion, and foster connection in everyone they reach.
We ask you to consider making a donation to MVC so we can continue championing these stories. Whether that is a sustaining monthly donation or a one-time gift, we hope your donation empowers you to find agency within and beyond MVC’s doors.
Together, we can transform curiosity into action, compassion into change, and inspire a future where every individual feels empowered to share, learn, and grow.
Thank you for your support of the Museum of Ventura County. We look forward to seeing you soon!
VENTURA — Dr. Theresa Cho has been selected as the new director of the Ventura County Health Care Agency. The appointment follows a rigorous recruitment that included more than 39 applicants. Cho succeeds Barry Zimmerman who retired from the position in June.
“Dr. Cho brings a wealth of extensive experience and exceptional qualifications to her role as Director of the Health Care Agency,” stated Dr. Sevet Johnson, County Executive Officer. “Her distinguished career as a family medicine physician, coupled with her leadership across our healthcare system uniquely positions Dr. Cho to adeptly advance the mission of the agency. We are confident in her ability to lead the Health Care Agency forward in continued innovation, operational excellence, and our ongoing commitment to patient-centered care for the residents of Ventura County.”
… “By offering the local community access to a website available in both English and Spanish that monitors local air quality, the Port will be able to ensure accessibility for our diverse community,” said Celina Zacarias, President of Oxnard Harbor Commission.
“I am extremely proud to see all of the CSU’s 23 universities on Money Magazine’s ‘Best Colleges in America’ ranking,” said CSU Chancellor Mildred García. “While I am very pleased, I am also unsurprised, because the ranking’s criteria reflect the mission and core values of the CSU: authentic access, student success, social mobility, affordability, and preparing diverse students for a lifetime of prosperity, fulfillment and service.”
SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula is proud to announce the successful completion of the inaugural Santa Paula Future Leaders Academy, a 10-week program designed to provide residents and business owners with direct insight into city management, operations…
THOUSAND OAKS — The Greater Contribution in Thousand Oaks is on the move to empower women in remote villages in Uganda.
A special “Move 2 Empower” online fundraiser July 7-20 kicks off a vital mission to help provide micro loans and training to women in remote villages, so they have the tools and support needed to provide for their families.
If that sounds personal, it is. More than 31,000 micro loans have been issued since the non-profit was founded in 2006 by Thousand Oaks resident Karon Wright. Thousands of lives have been changed, and with a loan repayment rate of 98%, future generations share in each success.
Mohammed A. Hasan, founder-owner and principal engineer of the company started the business in 1984 after working for the Ventura Regional Sanitation District, and then the City of Oxnard as the head of water and wastewater utilities.
Since its inception, Hasan Consultants has served both private and public sectors in specifications, design, cost estimates,expert witness, permitting, monitoring, client consultation for water, wastewater, drainage, roads, traffic and transportation, remediation, surveying, and land development. The staff of Hasan Consultants has experience in preparing EIRs, processing environmental projects, underground tank rehab, toxicity, source control, and stormwater projects. More information about the firm is available at hasanconsultants.com. The company’s office has been at 2436 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura.
SBA: WOSB – OFFICE HOUR FOR REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFIS)
July 2 @ 8:30 am
The Women-Owned Small Business Program has a new webinar series: WOSB Office Hour for RFIs! This series is intended for applicants who have applied to the become WOSB/EDWOSB certified who have received a Request for Information (RFIs) but are unsure of how to move forward in responding to the RFI. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions in an open forum on how to respond to RFIs from members of the WOSB staff. Sessions will be held virtually every Tuesday and Thursday of each week at 11:30 am until 1:00 pm EST.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
THOUSAND OAKS — Due to abnormally high fuel moisture levels and late-season precipitation, the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) delayed the start of “Wildland Fire Season.” (On June 28), VCFD and local fire jurisdictions announce the commencement of the 2024 Fire Season for all areas of Ventura County, effective June 30th, 2024.
This declaration responds to the increasingly dry and fire-prone conditions within Ventura County. VCFD will suspend all burn permits and enhance the deployment of essential resources to combat vegetation fires …
“Danielle’s extensive experience brings a wealth of strategic insight and leadership to our County government” said Dr. Sevet Johnson, County Executive Officer. “With a proven track record in fostering organizational excellence, advancing workforce initiatives, focusing on relationship building and enhancement of leadership skills, Danielle’s skillset will invest in supporting and growing our County workforce.”
Join us for movies every Friday evening in July and August, except during Fiesta, at 8:30 p.m. Kick off the series with the classic, JAWS, on July 5th.
THOUSAND OAKS — Property owners in the jurisdiction of the Ventura County Fire Department could see lower insurance rates thanks to recognition as a Fire Risk Reduction Community by the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The fire department, which officially operates as the Ventura County Fire Protection District, was one of 50 agencies, counties and cities across the state that qualified for the designation, recognizing best practices in fire risk planning. The designation takes effect today and lasts for two years.
“Gregg’s distinguished engineering background, complemented by his profound skillset across all facets of public works and specialized disaster response experience, ensures seamless service continuity,” stated Dr. Sevet Johnson, County Executive Officer. “His appointment reinforces our commitment to advancing from a robust foundation, poised for sustained growth and excellence across our Public Works Agency. Gregg’s wealth of expertise promises to continue to elevate the level of quality service to our residents throughout the county.”
VENTURA — With the official beginning of Summer Solstice this month, visitors can now board an Island Packers vessel to experience cruises and specialty trips as part of the company’s full transportation schedule to the Channel Islands National Park, in addition to popular Summer whale watching. To book, visit www.islandpackers.com and visit https://www.venturaharborvillage.com/directory/island-packers/
Trips from Ventura Harbor are offered on select days and Island Packers, the official concessionaire to the Channel Island National Park, recommends that visitors make a reservation in advance.
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) welcomes Dan Le Guen-Schmidt, MBA, SHRM-CP, as the new Assistant Superintendent/Vice President, Human Resources. Le Guen-Schmidt joins the Vaquero team with a wealth of experience in people relations, specifically in community college settings.
“I am grateful that we cast a wide net to attract amazing talent like Dan,” said Superintendent/President Erika Endrijonas, Ph.D. “The head of human resources is an integral position that helps to build a healthier campus culture. Dan’s approach with the human resources business partner model is just what we need to take SBCC to the next level.”
OXNARD — On June 25, 2024, CAUSE, MICOP, and Lideres Campesinas — longtime farmworker rights organizations in Ventura County — brought local stakeholders and leaders together to release a new report, Healing Land, Collective Power, which laid out a vision for advancing farmworker-led cooperatives and land trusts in local agriculture.
The three organizations came together in 2022 to begin studying the potential to develop farmworker cooperatives in Ventura County. The multi-year research, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, included surveys and focus groups with farmworkers, interviews with alternative agriculture experts across the country, and a map of farmland ownership in Ventura County.
As incredible as it may seem, there was a silver lining to the pandemic that we all lived through. During that difficult time, when many of us endured a traumatic lockdown, a healthy number of Americans began to seriously consider establishing their own home-based business.
After all, we had time to study and learn how to plan for and establish a home business. People began realizing that by working for someone else, they were actually quite vulnerable to office politics and the vagaries and whims of an employer.
The VSO’s fully accredited veteran claims officers provide information, referrals, claims preparation and submission, and follow-up service to ensure that veterans, their dependents, and survivors receive the benefits to which they are entitled. All services are provided free of charge. Veterans and their family members may also meet with claims officers at field offices located in Camarillo, Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley. Veterans and family members who wish to speak with a VSO representative over the phone or make an in-person appointment may call 805-477-5155.
The Board of Trustees of MCASB invite you to celebrate the next chapter of the 48 year old institution with the announcement of our new executive leadership – Dalia Garcia and Fabián Leyva-Barragán as Co-Executive Directors.
“I extend my sincere gratitude for the exceptional service and dedication to Ventura County that is demonstrated by the extraordinary careers of these individuals,” stated 3rd District Supervisor Kelly Long, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “The progress and achievements of our County are a direct result of the tireless efforts and commitment of our employees. The opportunity to recognize publicly these achievements exemplifies the strength of our collective efforts and the invaluable contributions each of you bring to our community.”
Restaurants Care, a nonprofit program of the California Restaurant Foundation, is partnering with SoCalGas, PG&E and SDG&E to offer resilience grants to independent restaurants at the heart of our communities. To date, the Restaurants Care Resilience Fund has awarded grants to more than 2,050 California restaurants. Restaurants Care was created in 2017 as a safety-net for food and beverage workers. To learn more about their fund for food and beverage workers click here.
We are thrilled to announce PSHH’s new Wealth Warrior program, generously sponsored by the Wells Fargo Foundation! PSHH residents will join financial educator and author Linda Garcia in a free, 3-month course, covering practical knowledge and actionable tactics for long-term financial planning.
PORT OF HUENEME— The Port Hueneme Little League celebrated its closing ceremony with a grand slam, marking the end of an exciting and successful season. More than 100 residents and their families joined, at Johnson Creek Park, to cheer on their team at the championship game. In an inspirational display of skill and determination, the Port Hueneme Little League Championship game concluded with the Vanderbilt team claiming victory for the Minor/10u division and Colorado winning the Majors/12u division for the Spring 2024 Season.
“By providing career and leadership development opportunities for teens, we can help develop the next generation of skilled workforce that is essential to Ventura and Santa Barbara’s long-term economic growth,” said Midge Campbell-Thomas, president, Bank of America Ventura-Santa Barbara. “These students are truly exceptional, and the opportunity for them to work with a highly impactful local nonprofit like Habitat for Humanity along with financial education can collectively prepare them for future success.”
2024 Pacific Coast Business Times Startup Village and Innovation Awards
The School of Management demonstrated a strong presence at the 2024 Pacific Coast Business Times Startup Village and Innovation Awards. On March 28, multiple SOM startups showcased their innovative businesses, including recipients of the Dorfman Incubator Grant:
EMERYVILLE — Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: GO) (“Grocery Outlet” or the “Company”), with stories in Ventura County, launched its 14thconsecutive Independence from Hunger Food Drive to combat food insecurity on June 26. From June 26 – July 31, the campaign will collect cash donations and pre-made bags of nonperishable foods at more than 470 Grocery Outlet locations that will be distributed to local food agency partners.
Data from the United States Department of Agriculture and Feeding America shows that inflation is causing a double squeeze in communities across the nation. As prices rise, the number of Americans who get groceries at a food bank has increased to 41 million or one in six households, but the amount of donations to food banks has gone down. In the Latino community, one in five Latinos experience food insecurity and Hispanics are twice as likely to face hunger than their white neighbors.
“The reopening of the Ventura Pier marks a celebratory moment for our community. I am thankful for the swift, coordinated efforts of city staff, the County of Ventura, various state agencies, and our community partners like the Ventura Port District—Harbor Patrol, the Coastal Commission, State Parks, and Pier into the Future,” commented Ventura Mayor Joe Schroeder. “Their hard work has ensured the pier’s safety with effective emergency responses, debris clearance, and coastal mitigation efforts and helped preserve an essential piece of our local heritage. We eagerly anticipate welcoming the community back to this cherished landmark.”
OXNARD — OPAC, the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Nonprofit Corporation, is excited to announce the return of CHELITA: Art, Music and Micheladas Festival on Saturday, July 13 at Heritage Square in Downtown Oxnard. The event features a Michelada Competition with 11+ competitors vying for the title of Best Michelada (Restaurant Category), Best Michelada Mix (Artisan Vendors), and People’s Choice. The big question is: Will last year’s winner, Jalisco’s Restaurant, maintain their champion status or will they be dethroned?
CHELITA is set to transform Heritage Square into a dynamic hub of creativity, fostering an environment where art, music, interactivity, and gastronomy collide to create an unforgettable experience for attendees of all ages.
The California Labor Market Information Division released its April 2024 report on June 21, with a mix of positive and negative news for Ventura County.
On the upside, the County unemployment rate improved dramatically, from 4.2% in May all the way down to 3.7% in June. We’re on a strong four-month run of steady improvements, down from a recent high mark of 5.2% in January.
On the downside, we had a rather weak month for job creation, a net gain of only 2,600 jobs, 1,000 in Farm and 1,600 in the Nonfarm sectors. The Nonfarm gains were restricted mostly to only four sectors, Professional & Business Services up 300, Private Education & Health Services up 400, Leisure & Hospitality up 500, and Local Government—mostly Educational Services—up 400.
VENTURA — With the Fourth of July approaching, the Ventura Police Department reminds community members that all fireworks are illegal within city limits. This year, the department is implementing new technology to enhance community safety and enforce the fireworks ban.…
