Category: Business

Triunfo Water & Sanitation District Offering $15 Reduction On Monthly Water Bills

by Community Contributor • November 17, 2021 • Comments Off

ligible Triunfo Water & Sanitation District potable water customers can receive a $15 reduction on their monthly water bill.

To qualify, water customers must submit one of three documents: a copy of their Southern California Edison or Southern California Gas bill showing enrollment in the California Alternate Rates For Energy (CARE) program, a copy of the first page of their federal tax return or Form SSA 1099 if only receiving Social Security income. The document must show that the customer meets income threshold levels (i.e., $34,480 maximum for a household of one or two people).

Oxnard Harbor Commissioners Make Bold Commitment to Decarbonize Operations at the Port of Hueneme

by Community Contributor • November 16, 2021 • Comments Off

In a unanimous display of support, Oxnard Harbor District Commissioners voted on November 15, 2021, to adopt a resolution to demonstrate their commitment to decarbonizing operations at the Port of Hueneme as part of its pursuit of a zero-emission future.

“Adoption of this resolution shows our long-standing commitment to achieve zero emissions with clean energy and to reach this goal with honesty and integrity to do what is morally right for the planet,” said Jason Hodge, President of the Oxnard Harbor District.

Fallen Firefighters to be Remembered at Ventura County Memorial

by Community Contributor • November 16, 2021 • Comments Off

The fire agencies of Ventura County will honor four firefighters who lost their lives to job-related illnesses during the annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial remembrance Wednesday at 10 a.m.

The outdoor ceremony is being limited to families and invited guests of the firefighters being honored with COVID precautions in place due to the continuing pandemic. A livestream will be available on our Facebook page for others who would like to watch.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura November 15, 2021 – COVID-19 Update

by Community Contributor • November 15, 2021 • Comments Off

Our Public Health mobile team has administered over 65,000 COVID vaccine doses! Their efforts are in partnership with local organizations and are focused on areas with lower vaccination rates. We are so grateful for their continued work to help us move forward!

Northern California Fresh-Cut Silver-Tip Fir Trees Now On Sale; Proceeds Fund Ag-Education For Kids Through SEEAG

by Community Contributor • November 15, 2021 • Comments Off

Fresh-cut silver-tip fir trees from northern California will be sold on Saturday, November 27 at Petty Ranch (11971 Darling Rd., Saticoy). Tree pre-orders are now being taken for pick up on November 27 or for delivery. Proceeds will help fund ag-education and healthy eating programs for kids through Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG). The goal is to raise $20,000. November 27 tree lot hours are 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Free cookies and samples of hot cocoa and cider will be available.

Economic Development Collaborative — Free Weekly Webinar Schedule

by Community Contributor • November 15, 2021 • Comments Off

The Economic Development Collaborative encourages you to sign up for our partner’s no-cost webinars. Space is limited. Register today!

Ventura County Civic Alliance — Livable Communities Newsletter for Nov. 15, 2021

by Community Contributor • November 15, 2021 • Comments Off

The biggest project of the Ventura County Civic Alliance is our State of the Region report, which we’ve produced every two years since 2013. The 2021 edition, published on Nov. 12, will be presented at a launch event at the Ventura County Office of Education in Camarillo on Nov. 17. The 116-page report delves into 10 different areas of life in Ventura County.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Happy Veterans Day!

by Community Contributor • November 11, 2021 • Comments Off

The Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) would like to honor all who have served our country. In celebration of their service, resources for Veteran owned businesses are highlighted below.

New Bowlero Center Opens in The Collection at RiverPark with grand opening on Nov. 13

by Community Contributor • November 11, 2021 • Comments Off

Bowlero Corp, the world leader in bowling entertainment, is excited to unveil its stunning new location at The Collection in RiverPark. Bowlero’s new venue, the 43rd in the state of California, will offer the ultimate entertainment experience featuring the brand’s signature blacklight bowling, interactive arcade games, and extensive food and beverage offerings.

The state-of-the-art, 32,000 square-foot venue has been built into a sleek, one-stop entertainment destination where bowling is just the beginning. Immediately upon entry, guests will be in awe of the elevated retro-inspired interior design with intricate details like vintage light fixtures, rich Herringbone-patterned floors, and dramatic wall graphics.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Leading From the Front’ and more news

by Community Contributor • November 11, 2021 • Comments Off

Mike Fogelsonger has been named director of UC Santa Barbara’s Veterans and Military Services.

Bilingual report — Final Inspection of Ferro Channel Completes the Beardsley Watershed Project

by Community Contributor • November 11, 2021 • Comments Off

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conducted the final inspection for the construction of the Ferro Channel today as part of the on-going Beardsley Watershed project authorized through the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention (PL-566) program in 1963. The work was funded by an agreement between NRCS and the County of Ventura and carried out by Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Watershed Protection. The program was worth approximately $3M for construction and $500,000 of technical assistance. With this project completion, it will signify the last remaining structure identified in the watershed workplan. Greg Norris, State Conservation Engineer, performed the final inspection and certified that the project is complete.

“Almost 60 years of this amazing partnership supports the Beardsley watershed and I am pleased to see the tremendous amount of work that was completed to benefit agriculture and rural communities,” NRCS State Conservationist Carlos Suarez said.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura November 10, 2021 – COVID-19 Update

by Community Contributor • November 10, 2021 • Comments Off

COVID-19 Update
Since Monday, there are 302 new COVID-19 cases reported and 9,663 new tests performed. There are 35 people hospitalized, 2 in the ICU. There has been 1 additional death of a 94 year old male. Our thoughts and sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the community member.

75.8% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.
82.1% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
83.4% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.

Public Health vaccination clinics and state testing sites will be closed in observance of Veteran’s Day on Thursday, November 11, 2021. Other providers also offer testing and vaccines. More infomration: www.vcrecovers.org.

Children ages 5 and over are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. Talk to your child’s doctor or visit MyTurn.ca.gov to make an appointment.

Find a vaccine site and filter by vaccine type at www.vaccines.gov.
Get a digital copy of your vaccine record: https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/
Booster Information | Booster Questions & Answers

Reducing Wildfire Risk in Santa Barbara County — Partners Develop a Regional Priority Plan to reduce risk and improve ecosystem health

by Community Contributor • November 10, 2021 • Comments Off

As the region becomes increasingly vulnerable to fire due to extreme drought and heat conditions exacerbated by climate change, community leaders and organizations have come together to proactively address fire risk in Santa Barbara County. For over a year, a dedicated team, which included the Cachuma Resource Conservation District, LegacyWorks Group, Community Environmental Council, McGinnis Environmental and Conservation Biology Institute engaged numerous partners in the fields of fire protection, education, environmental stewardship, restoration, land management, agriculture, neighborhood associations and government leadership. Together, the partners identified fire risk reduction opportunities and developed a suite of project ideas. Nearly 200 potential projects were identified and 50 high impact opportunities were prioritized addressing:

Ventura County Arts Council — New Grant Opportunities; Teaching Artists Needed!

by Community Contributor • November 10, 2021 • Comments Off

California Venues Grant Program

Operations support for independent live event venues and producers in California affected by COVID-19. Apply by November 19.
Learn more/Apply

Santa Paula Art Museum — ‘Art About Agriculture’ Is BACK! and other upcoming events

by Community Contributor • November 10, 2021 • Comments Off

Join us for the premiere of The 13th Annual Art About Agriculture exhibition, featuring 66 fresh works of art by 61 distinct artists. Art About Agriculture is presented annually by the Ag Art Alliance to promote awareness of agriculture through art. Admission to the premiere party is free for everyone (face masks are required, but reservations are not). All of the artworks in the exhibit will be available for purchase. Art About Agriculture will be on view and online through March 6, 2022.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Managing Water Resources in a Low-to-No-Snow Future’ and more news

by Community Contributor • November 9, 2021 • Comments Off

With mountain snowpacks shrinking in the western U.S., researchers analyze when a low-to-no-snow future might arrive and the implications for water management.

United Way of Santa Barbara Board of Directors Welcomes Shari Liu Fellows

by Community Contributor • November 9, 2021 • Comments Off

United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) Board of Directors welcomes Shari Liu Fellows to their team. Shari is a professional journalist and event producer with over 20 years of experience in the luxury lifestyle and media sectors. Starting out in modeling and fashion publishing, her work has since taken her around the globe, producing and conducting thousands of events and interviews with an extensive portfolio of clientele.

Bilingual report — Oxnard City Manager Alexander Nguyen Appoints Helen Miller as Information Technology Director

by Community Contributor • November 9, 2021 • Comments Off

The City of Oxnard announces the appointment of Helen Miller as the new Information Technology (IT) Director. With more than 25 years of business-technology experience in both the public and private sector, Miller brings significant experience deploying modern technological solutions that will benefit both Oxnard community members and City employees.

“We’re excited to have recruited a talented professional who also happens to be an Oxnard resident,” said City Manager Alexander Nguyen. “We look forward to Ms. Miller modernizing the IT Department.”

Volunteers Needed for 2022 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program

by Community Contributor • November 9, 2021 • Comments Off

United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) is currently looking for volunteers for their 2022 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The VITA program is a free tax preparation service for local Santa Barbara County residents who make $67,000 or less a year.

Every year, tax returns are prepared and electronically filed by IRS-certified volunteers for qualified individuals or families. Current volunteer opportunities include tax preparers, reviewers, and greeters for UWSBC’s tax preparation locations. Self-paced trainings for IRS certification trainings are available online, with virtual trainings scheduled for January 2022.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Weekly Webinar Schedule

by Community Contributor • November 8, 2021 • Comments Off

SCORE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY: RISE UP: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE: THE CORE COMPETENCY TO SUCCESS

November 11 @ 5:00 pm

The most successful companies and individuals are the ones that adapt their culture and communication around the key elements of emotional intelligence (EI). Many experts contend that EI accounts for 80% of professional success. Join SCORE to learn more!

Two renewable energy experts join Gravity Power board

by Community Contributor • November 8, 2021 • Comments Off

Gravity Power LLC, a Santa-Barbara based company that offers low-cost, low-impact energy storage technology to the electricity industry, has welcomed two prominent energy industry experts to its board of directors.

California Energy Commission Chairman Robert (Bob) Weisenmiller and renewable energy entrepreneur Steve Taber have joined the Gravity Power board. The two will leverage their decades of combined experience in grid decarbonization to help bring Gravity Power’s revolutionary storage technology to full commercialization.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Legal Alert — Cal/Osha Emergency Temporary Standard

by Community Contributor • November 8, 2021 • Comments Off

On November 4, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced a new emergency temporary standard to protect more than 84 million workers from the spread of the coronavirus on the job. The nation’s unvaccinated workers face grave danger from workplace exposure to coronavirus, and immediate action is necessary to protect them.

Blanca Mejia Joins Family Service Agency Board of Directors

by Community Contributor • November 5, 2021 • Comments Off

Family Service Agency (FSA) of Santa Barbara County, also known as Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center and Guadalupe’s Little House By The Park, is pleased to announce the appointment of Blanca E. Mejia to its Board of Directors.

“We are thrilled Blanca has joined our board,” said Executive Director Lisa Brabo, “Our agency will benefit from her background in law and her understanding of the Santa Maria community.”

VCCCD Highlights Retiree Health Benefits and Expanded Learning Opportunities Across Ventura County

by Community Contributor • November 4, 2021 • Comments Off

Ventura County Community College District will preserve retirees’ comprehensive health benefits, while saving taxpayers $53 million, and Spanish speakers can learn English in Piru, thanks to two of the many actions recently taken by the board of trustees. The board also passed a measure to receive contract funding for workforce development.

The taxpayer savings was noted in the 2021 Actuarial Study of Retiree Health Liabilities from Total Compensation Systems, Inc., which illustrates how the recent transition of purchasing retirees’ medical benefits through California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) saves taxpayer dollars today and into the future through a substantial reduction of the District’s Net Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) liability.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — EDC Business Alert- Uplift Central Coast Coalition

by Community Contributor • November 4, 2021 • Comments Off

EDC Proudly Partners with REACH and the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP)

The Uplift Central Coast Coalition comprises 13 partners across industry, government and education and is expected to grow over time. The coalition is being overseen by the region’s three economic development organizations, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, Economic Development Collaborative and REACH, with REACH as the lead agency on the U.S. EDA Build Back Better grant application.

November 2021 Friendly Finch Friendship Center’s Monthly Newsletter

by Community Contributor • November 4, 2021 • Comments Off

Administration
Letter from Heidi
Virtual Tour of FC
Catholic Daughters
Covid Booster Update
Program
Connections Resumes Nov. 16
Halloween Party
Cycling without Age

UCSB — The Current — 35 Reasons to Laugh, Cry

by Community Contributor • November 4, 2021 • Comments Off

Theater and Dance presents 35 plays in 70 minutes.

The Collection at RiverPark offers holiday festivities for the whole family

by Community Contributor • November 4, 2021 • Comments Off

This holiday season, The Collection at RiverPark is offering a wide variety of timeless festive events and experiences for all ages and interests. Stop by for shopping, dining, entertainment and holiday merriment that lasts all season long.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update

by Community Contributor • November 3, 2021 • Comments Off

Pfizer Bio-NTech vaccine available for 5- to 11-year-olds in Ventura County

The Pfizer Bio-NTech vaccine has been approved for 5- to 11-year-olds and may be available in Ventura County beginning today. The California Department of Public Health’s vaccine appointment system, MyTurn.CA.gov, will be updated by tomorrow November 4, and that is when the Ventura County Public Health Department will begin offering the vaccine to this age group. Families are encouraged to contact their medical provider for information about the vaccine. “I welcome the authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup and California Department of Public Health of the COVID-19 vaccine for children of five years of age and older. This will protect our children and get us closer to our goal of herd immunity,” said Public Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin.

Ventura County’s Community Colleges Named Among 150 U.S. Community Colleges Eligible for 2023 Aspen Prize

by Community Contributor • November 2, 2021 • Comments Off

Ventura County’s community colleges are among 150 institutions nationwide eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges are now eligible for the 2023 prize, known as the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America’s community colleges. It recognizes colleges with robust student outcomes in equity, teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer rates and bachelor’s degree attainment and workforce success.

Only 15% of the approximately 1,000 community colleges the Aspen Institute eval uates across the U.S. are selected to contend for the esteemed honor. This is the first time that all three Ventura County Community College District colleges have been eligible for the Aspen Prize at the same time. Ventura College was previously eligible in 2017, 2019 and 2021; and Moorpark College in 2019.

Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation Call for Artists to enter 40 Years of Home Mural Contest

by Community Contributor • November 2, 2021 • Comments Off

Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (Cabrillo EDC)?is pleased to announce a call for artists to participate in its 40 Years of Home Mural contest. Founded in 1981, Cabrillo EDC’s early roots were in response to a farmworker community’s demand for secure housing. Rooted in community-building and ongoing support, their mission aims to provide comprehensive affordable housing services and community economic development activities to residents most lacking in opportunity.

The purpose of the mural is to promote awareness about the importance of developing housing that positively impacts the community’s health, education, public safety, social services and economic development – And Cabrillo EDC’s contributions over the past 40 years.

LaunchPoint Announces Commercialization of its 250 kW Motor Controller for Advanced Air Mobility

by Community Contributor • November 2, 2021 • Comments Off

Top aerospace power generation and propulsion development company, LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions, Inc., is pleased to announce the commercialization of its highest power controller to date. The highly efficient MC250 is an ultra-lightweight, bi-directional 250 kW power electronics solution capable of controlling permanent magnet motor or generator power. Applications include electric propulsion and power generation for aircraft in defense, commercial aerospace, and advanced air mobility.

Bilingual report — Renee Rakestraw Appointed as Assistant Director of Cultural and Community Services

by Community Contributor • November 2, 2021 • Comments Off

The City of Oxnard Cultural and Community Services Director Terrel Harrison announces the appointment of Renee Rakestraw as Assistant Director to the department.

Rakestraw has served the Oxnard community for over 19 years in various capacities and emerged as a leader within the department. She began her career as a Recreation Leader and later became a Recreation Coordinator before being named Recreation Supervisor in 2017. Most recently, she was appointed as the Cultural and Community Services Manager in 2019.

City of Thousand Oaks Announces Emergency Grants for Local Arts Groups

by Community Contributor • November 2, 2021 • Comments Off

The City of Thousand Oaks has made a commitment to the Arts and Culture organizations of the Thousand Oaks area by setting aside $500,000 to be used for emergency COVID-19 relief.

“Access to the arts is a critical part of a well-rounded community. We understand how much the pandemic seriously affected many arts organizations. We want to help our wonderful arts groups get back on their feet, so that our community can experience the soothing and healing beauty of the arts again” says Thousand Oaks Mayor Claudia Bill-de la Peña.

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network — Announcing a Unique Financing Option for Food Businesses

by Community Contributor • November 2, 2021 • Comments Off

Many food businesses, especially producers, have been unable to take advantage of traditional financing because there are too many barriers, the structure is too narrow, and other programs are not informed by those who apply for funding. Recognizing this regional need, SBCFAN and the Economic Development Collaborative proudly announce the Food System Resilience Loan Program, providing food businesses an equitable opportunity to access financing, address gaps in our food system, and ensure that their businesses thrive.