CAMARILLO — The Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County announces the addition of Amy Fonzo and Ron Galaviz to its board of directors. Fonzo, manager of external relations at California Resources Corporation, brings a unique blend of leadership, strategic planning and professional experience to…
Category: Business
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Thanks its Partners with Central Coast Events
CENTRAL COAST — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing hosted two cocktail events, “Thanking Our Partners,” for its major community supporters in October. The events were held at Ventana Grill in Pismo Beach and Blush in Santa Barbara – Oct. 7 and 21, respectively –…
SBCC Career Skills Institute Partners with Local Industry to Provide Free Career Advancement Training to Employees and Job Seekers
Over 25 certificate programs deliver huge return on small investment of time SANTA BARBARA – The growing need for competitive skills in the local and global economy has placed mounting pressure on job seekers, business owners, and employees. The Career Skills Institute…
Gold Coast Health Plan Signs Contract with New Pharmacy Benefit Manager
Ventura County’s Medi-Cal Plan to Begin Partnership with OptumRx in 2017 CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) has finalized its contract with OptumRx to manage the prescription drug benefits for the Plan’s more than 207,000 members. Starting next year, the Minnesota-based…
Ferguson Case Orr Paterson Announces Two New Partners
VENTURA — Ferguson Case Orr Paterson LLP (FCOP), Ventura County’s largest law firm, is pleased to announce John Hribar and Lane Lopez as new partners. Hribar’s practice is focused on appeals and civil litigation; Lopez specializes in tax law, business…
emPower Continues Celebrating Energy Action Month Beyond October
VENTURA — With Energy Action Month in October coming to a close, emPower Central Coast is challenging the community to continue taking care of the little loose ends that together are having real consequences on home energy bills. Energy Action Month…
Small Business Development Center Expands Advisor Roster
CENTRAL COAST — The Small Business Development Center of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, which provides free one-on-one consulting to help strengthen the bottom lines of area companies, has added law attorney Virginia Fuentes as a new consultant to its…
Union Bank Grants $10,000 to Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Programs
CENTRAL COAST — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) announced it has been generously awarded a $10,000 grant from Union Bank in support of the nonprofit’s Youth Education Enhancement Program (YEEP), focusing on improving the literacy, English and math skills of student residents. Union Bank…
Jensen Design & Survey Hires Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Top Talent
CENTRAL COAST — Engineering design firms with innovative projects are always on the hunt for the best talent coming from the top schools in the state. Jensen Design & Survey, Inc. (JDS), a full-service civil engineering, surveying, planning, and construction…
Hispanic Heritage Month: One month is not enough
Too many issues and events to squeeze into one month of reflection and celebration By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 Many folks wonder why Hispanic Heritage Month is divided between September and October. Yes, at least we get a month,…
Annual Safety Awards Day Recognized by Gold Coast Transit District
OXNARD — On October 5th Gold Coast Transit District celebrated its Annual Safety Awards Day. Each year, GCTD recognizes those drivers who have achieved a track record of safe driving as well as members of the “Million Mile Club” who have…
EDC-VC’s Small Business Development Center Receives Funds for Doing What Matters for Jobs & the Economy Initiative
CENTRAL COAST — The Business & Entrepreneurship Center at Cuesta College (BEC) recently awarded $25,000 to the Economic Development Center-Ventura County’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as part of the Doing What Matters for Jobs & the Economy initiative. The funding,…
Sponsorships Available and Auction Items Needed for BGCOP’s 27th Annual Donald K. Facciano Kids Auction & Gala
OXNARD — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme is seeking the help of individuals and businesses to donate items for auction and sponsors for the upcoming 27th Annual Donald K. Facciano Kids Auction & Gala.…
Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics Receives National Award for Innovation in Care
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics was honored by BD, Direct Relief and the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) with an Innovations in Care Award at the 2016 Community Health Institute and EXPO in Chicago. Part of the…
MAC Set to Open New Location at The Collection at RiverPark
OXNARD — The Collection at RiverPark announced today that internationally renowned cosmetic brand MAC would be joining the line-up of shopping options. MAC is known for its professional grade make-up, cult following and trendsetting collaborations. Originally created for professional makeup…
A bill by State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson to help disabled veterans who work in California Schools heads to the Governor
SACRAMENTO — A bill by State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) to help disabled veterans who are transitioning from military service into a new career working in California’s public schools passed off the Assembly floor today on a bipartisan, 65-0 vote…
VCCDC Receives $35,000 From Wells Fargo To Help Women In Ventura County Achieve Homeownership & Financial Stability
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) was recently awarded a $35,000 grant by Wells Fargo to support its Mi Casa Mi Hogar (My House My Home) Program which is designed to assist a highly vulnerable population – women…
Elderly Couple Stores 50 Years of Memories in Donated PODS Container after Losing their Home
CENTRAL COAST — With 50 years of Hank and Helen Kawecki’s memories packed into boxes and stacked into their neighbor’s garage, friends of the couple knew that more room would be needed to help the couple store and move their…
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing and Duncan Group Welcomes, Bids Farewell to Board Members
SANTA BARBARA — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) and its affiliate nonprofit property management agent, The Duncan Group (TDG), would like to thank retiring board member B. Ray Gateley, as well as welcome newly elected members Paula Johnson and Menka Sethi.…
Local PODS Puts Oxnard Union High Schools Football Training Camp Fundraising in Scoring Position
OXNARD — Local PODS moving and storage may make a winning season for Oxnard Union High School’s football teams by donating containers and services for the football boosters’ yearly fundraiser at this summer’s Dallas Cowboys Training Camp in Oxnard. Two…
Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau Appoints New Executive Director
OXNARD — The Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Executive Director, Joshua Travers. Travers brings a diverse background in program management, strategic planning and community engagement to the Bureau. Over the past two…
Union Bank donation makes local ‘Tools for School’ Event possible
SANTA BARBARA — While the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) provides innovative housing and services in the community, its nonprofit affiliate, 2nd Story Associates, helps fill gaps to help local families succeed. Thanks to a generous donation…
Rabobank Donates $7,500 for Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Youth Education Program
CENTRAL COAST — Rabobank has presented Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) with a $7,500 grant in support of the nonprofit’s Youth Education Enhancement Program (YEEP), focusing on improving the literacy, English and math skills of student residents. Rabobank regularly supports nonprofit…
“Breaking News–How to Get Your Local Story Covered” – Local News Moguls Share Important Tips at July PRSA Gold Coast Chapter Meeting
CENTRAL COAST — What makes a news story pitch perfect? Local broadcast media managers focus on this and other aspects of getting stories into the news at the next PRSA Gold Coast Chapter meeting, July 27. Mark Danielson, General Manager,…
State Budget Includes $22 Million for Assemblymember Irwin’s UC Innovation Initiative
SACRAMENTO — $22 million in funding for the UC Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative proposed by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) has been included in the 2016-17 budget signed by Governor Brown. Irwin’s legislation, which has been touted as a “Job Creator”…
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) Welcomes 14 Entrepreneurs into the World of Business
SANTA BARBARA — Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) recently celebrated the accomplishments of 22 women and men who have successfully completed WEV’s Santa Maria-based Advanced Spanish Self-Employment Training (SSET) course with a graduation ceremony held at the United Domestic Workers (UDW)…
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) Welcomes 11 Entrepreneurs into the World of Business
SANTA BARBARA — Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) recently celebrated the accomplishments of 11 women and men who successfully completed WEV’s Ventura County-based Advanced Spanish Self-Employment Training (SSET) course with a graduation ceremony held at National University in Oxnard. After 14…
Bilingual report: Mohammed Hasan’s ‘Drought Is Not a Four-Letter Word’ has been translated into Spanish
VENTURA — “Drought Is Not a Four-Letter Word,” a 52-page book that describes the state’s water issues, has been translated into Spanish, according to author Mohammed A. Hasan. “Sequia: La realidad sin frontera: La guía ciudadana sobre nuevas agues” comes at an important…
Ventura County Public Works Agency announces Michaela Brown as new Director of Water and Sanitation Department
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Public Works Agency has named Michaela Brown as the Director of the Agency’s Water and Sanitation Department. Brown is scheduled to start on June 20. Brown brings more than 25 years of in-depth engineering…
Ventura County Public Works Agency Appoints J. Tabin Cosio New Central Services Director
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Public Works Agency appointed J. Tabin Cosio as Director of Central Services. Cosio replaces Janice Turner, who served the VCPWA for 35 years and retired earlier this year. As director of the Ventura County…
Jensen Design & Survey Engineering Los Angeles Rams Facilities Under Extreme Deadlines
THOUSAND OAKS — Jensen Design & Survey (JDS) announced that the engineering firm is completing the planning, survey, engineering and permitting for new temporary athletic facilities for the Los Angeles Rams football team, which is returning to Southern California and…
Women’s Economic Ventures seeking full-time bilingual program assistant
CENTRAL COAST — WEV is hiring a full-time bilingual Program Assistant to work out of its Santa Barbara OR Ventura office beginning in June. Position’s Purpose: A bilingual (English/Spanish), enthusiastic, detail-oriented and helpful individual acts as the first point of…
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Promotes Anna Vela-Villicana to Housing Specialist
CENTRAL COAST — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing is proud to announce the promotion of Anna Vela-Villicana to Housing Specialist for the Home Ownership Department. Vela-Villicana is stepping into the vital new role as PSHH continues to expand to meet the still growing demand…
Just Being Healthy in Today’s Mobile World
Just Being Healthy (JBH) will participate in the 5th annual Global Wellness Day, an international day to celebrate wellness and healthy living, by working to improve a person’s total body wellness caused by the stressors of life, and in many…
Ground Breaking Gives Potential Residents First Look at New Home
CARPINTERIA — Steadfast Carpinteria Senior, LLC and Seniority, Inc. commemorated the ground breaking of GranVida, Carpinteria’s first senior assisted living and memory care community. The new community is an amazing example of corporate responsibility as an adaptive reuse of an…
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Receives Support for Homeless Placement and Services from The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County
SANTA BARBARA — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) has received a $10,000 grant from The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County (CFSLOCO) to aid with the transition of 15 homeless families into permanent housing with support services and providing 75 households…
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Breaks Ground on Affordable Santa Barbara Apartments
SANTA BARBARA — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing broke ground on its newest 40-unit affordable housing development Jardin de las Rosas, near downtown Santa Barbara, at a June 1 ceremony. The development at 510 North Salsipuedes St. will feature a community center,…
Mental Wellness Center Welcomes Andrea Carnaghe as New Board Chair
SANTA BARBARA— The Mental Wellness Center is proud to announce Andrea Carnaghe as the organization’s new board chair. The Mental Wellness Center is a private, non-profit organization providing recovery, education, and support services for individuals affected by mental illness including…
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) Honors 78 Business Training Graduates
CENTRAL COAST — Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) celebrated the accomplishments of 78 women and men who have successfully completed WEV’s Self-Employment Training program during a ceremony held at the New Vic Theater in Santa Barbara the evening of May 17th.…
Beat the Summer Heat Without Hurting your Wallet
CENTRAL COAST — Temperatures are on the rise and summer is just around the corner. But you won’t have to keep your home’s air conditioning unit cranked up throughout the coming months just to stay cool. In fact, with a…
VCCDC Celebrates 15 Years of Changing Lives Through Homeownership
An accomplished local activist, Rodney Fernandez made it his life’s work to achieve the impossible. The Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) was founded by Rodney as a way to bring together private financing and public funding to bring homeownership…
Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care Welcomes Michelle Dahlkemper and Lailain McGrath
SANTA BARBARA — Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care (VNHC) is pleased to announce the addition of Michelle Dahlkemper as Chief Operating Officer. Dahlkemper brings sixteen years of experience as a registered nurse with extensive experience in post-acute healthcare including palliative…
33rd annual California Strawberry Festival (May 21-22) benefits local charities, students
OXNARD — The 2016 California Strawberry Festival gets underway with its 33rd seasonal celebration May 21 and 22 on 15 picturesque acres at Strawberry Meadows of College Park in Oxnard. Ranked nationwide among the top outdoor Festivals, the event boasts strawberries…
CenCal Health Presents Dignity Health with Healthcare Innovation Award for Outstanding Care and Service
SANTA BARBARA / SAN LUIS OBISPO — CenCal Health, the health care program serving low-income residents of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, presented a Healthcare Innovation Award to Dignity Health at their board meeting on May 18. The…
Women’s Economic Ventures Presents Trailblazer and Business of the Year Awards at “Empowerment is Priceless” Event
VENTURA — Nearly 300 women and men attended non-profit Women’s Economic Ventures’ (WEV) annual Empowerment is Priceless event held on May 12th at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel in Ventura. The breakfast fundraiser recognized WEV’s 2016 Trailblazer, Business of…
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Santa Barbara Client Business Expo
SANTA BARBARA — In honor of Women’s Economic Ventures’ (WEV) 25th anniversary, the Santa Barbara community gathered to support local small businesses and network at a celebratory WEV Client Business Expo. Thirty vendors—past and present WEV Loan recipients, Thrive in…
Celebrate World Trade Week on May 18
PORT HUENEME — A celebration of “World Trade Week” will be held from 11:30 a.m.to1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 18 at the Port of Hueneme, 333 Ponoma Road, Port Hueneme. Hear from the business community at this special program and luncheon.…
VCMMCC Signals Rejection of Pharmacy Benefit Manager Selection
Commissioners to be More Active in the Selection Process CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission (VCMMCC) directed staff to prepare an agenda item for an upcoming special meeting formally rejecting all current bids received for the pharmacy benefit manager…
World Affairs Leader Selected for Leadership Mission to Israel
CENTRAL COAST — The World Affairs Councils of America — California Central Coast is pleased to announce that the Chairman Emeritus and Citizen Diplomat, Michael Phillip, has been invited to participate in a Leadership Mission to Israel during the first week…
Gold Coast Health Plan Gets Green Light from State to Repay County Loan
Ventura County’s Medi-Cal Plan in Strong Financial Position CAMARILLO — As a continuing sign of its strong financial performance, Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) received approval from the state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to repay a $7.2 million line…