Livable Communities Newsletter Vol. 11, No. 43 August 2017 Quick Links – See the Current State of the Region Report – Last Quarter’s Newsletter Join us at the Ventura County Civic Alliance! Welcome to Our Summer 2017 Livable Communities Newsletter! While…
Category: Business
Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics Celebrates National Health Center Week with Free Health Screenings and Vaccinations
National Campaign Celebrates the Key to Healthier Communities SANTA BARBARA — On Monday, August 14th Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics (SBNC) will hold a “Pop Up” Clinic where William Sansum Diabetes Center will provide free blood pressure and hemoglobin A1c screenings.…
Three Associates Promoted to Partner at Beach Cowdrey Jenkins
OXNARD — The law firm Beach Cowdrey Jenkins, LLP, has promoted three of its attorneys to the position of partner. Darryl Hottinger, Mindee Stekkinger and David Loy, who were each promoted from the position of associate, all practice in the…
Reiter Affiliated Companies and Oxnard College Co-Host Semillas Para El Éxito: Una Tarde de Aprendizaje
Photos by Anthony Sandoval from ARS Visuals See video below Local Business and Community College Collaborate To Encourage Early Planning For College and Increase Awareness of Resources Available to First Generation Students OXNARD — To help families and their children learn about…
Gold Coast Health Plan Appoints New Chief Medical Officer
Veteran Health Care Professional Selected for Medi-Cal Plan’s CMO Role CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) today announced that Dr. Nancy Wharfield has assumed the role of chief medical officer (CMO) effective immediately. Wharfield had previously served as the Plan’s associate…
Museum of Ventura County update for Aug. 10
A message from the Interim Executive Director Once again, the Museum owes you – our patrons, volunteers, members and benefactors – a debt of gratitude for your stalwart support. A crowd of about 40 Museum supporters attended the Ventura City Council…
WEV’s New League of Extraordinary Women Kickoff Unites Local Women to Strengthen Women Business Owners in Ventura County
VENTURA — Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) hosted a group of influential women leaders from Ventura County at the kick off of their new League of Extraordinary Women held at the Atmore Ranch on Tuesday, July 25th. More than 50 guests…
Museum of Ventura County: Ventura City Council to finalize Museum funding on Aug. 7
A message from the Interim Executive Director On Monday, August 7, at 6 p.m., the Ventura City Council will take action on a recommendation to approve a funding agreement that will finalize $125,000 for the Museum over the next six…
Launch a Business in One Semester at SBCC; Scheinfeld Center Enterprise Launch Course Now Enrolling
SANTA BARBARA — Anyone with a business idea can lay the groundwork for launching a business in a single semester through the Enterprise Launch course offered at the Santa Barbara City College Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Fall enrollments are…
VCCDC receives $40,000 from Wells Fargo to help families in Ventura County achieve homeownership and financial stability
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) was recently awarded a $40,000 grant by Wells Fargo Bank for its Changing Lives Through Homeownership Program which provides homebuyer education and counseling services to low-to moderate income families in Ventura and Santa Barbara…
City of Oxnard INCO Hosts Mayor’s “State of the Neighborhoods” Address on Sept. 6
OXNARD — On Wednesday, September 6, 2017, the Inter-Neighborhood Council Organization (INCO) will host a special meeting to listen to Mayor Tim Flynn give a “State of the Neighborhoods” presentation. The INCO meeting will take place at the Performing Arts Center (PACC),…
Sept. 19 — Home Buying Fair
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — Coastal Housing Partnership is hosting a Home Buying Fair designed to help local employees on their path to home ownership. Whether you are ready to buy a home, getting back into the market, or simply dreaming…
Sept. 19 — Ventura County Community Development Corporation hosts free Estate Planning Workshop
VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) will host a free educational workshop open to anyone interested in learning more about Estate Planning. This workshop is part of VCCDC’s “From House to Home” Homeowner Workshops which are designed to…
Sept. 21 — Ventura County Housing Trust to present ‘Housing Our Agricultural Workforce’ fundraiser
CAMARILLO — Non-profit affordable housing partner, Ventura County Housing Trust Fund, announces their annual fundraising event on September 21st, 5-9 pm at the Camarillo Ranch. This year’s focus is on Housing Our Agricultural Workforce. The event includes farm-to-table dinner by…
VCCCD and Santa Paula Unified School District Enter Dual Enrollment Partnership Agreement
CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) and the Santa Paula Unified School District (SPUSD) established a College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) partnership agreement under the regulations of Assembly Bill 288 (AB 288). Effective Jan. 1, 2016, AB…
Museum of Ventura County: A message from the Interim Executive Director
With deep gratitude to our community, I’m delighted to report to you that (July 25) the Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved a one-time contribution of $125,000 to help fund the Museum of Ventura County’s reorganization plan to stem a five-year…
Downtown Ventura Farmers’ Market to Close During the Ventura County Fair Parade
VENTURA — The Downtown Ventura Farmers’ Market will close during the Ventura County Fair Parade on Saturday, August 5 and will reopen again the following Saturday, August 12. The Downtown Ventura Saturday Farmers’ Market runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon…
SBCC International Business Among First to be Recognized for Advancing Student Social Mobility & Economic Outcomes
SBCC students increase earnings after participating in International Business and Trade program SANTA BARBARA – Santa Barbara City College’s International Business program earned Strong Workforce Stars recognition in the Global Trade and Logistics sector for its International Business program because students…
Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Shares a Perspective on the Effects of the Drought
VENTURA COUNTY – The California drought has taken a toll on cities and individuals and especially those in farming. Farmers with the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association share their perspective on the long-lasting drought. Greg Mitchell with Blue Ridge Honey…
CSU Trustees approve next phase of University Glen on CSUCI campus
CAMARILLO — The CSU Board of Trustees has given final approval to the next phase of the CI 2025 Vision Plan during the CSU Board of Trustees meeting held this week, giving a green light to development of 32 acres of…
CenCal Health Welcomes Nicole Bennett as Community Outreach Coordinator
SANTA BARBARA / SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTIES — CenCal Health is pleased to announce Nicole Bennett as its new Community Outreach Coordinator, covering both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. Bennett will be based in the San Luis Obispo CenCal…
American Heart Association Hires New Executive Director for Central Coast
Monica Merryman brings breadth of experience and passion for the non-profit sector SANTA BARBARA — The American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, concluded a thorough and extensive…
Volunteers Beautify Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Property in Los Osos During NeighborWorks Week
LOS OSOS — In recognition of NeighborWorks Week, held June 3-10, Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) hosted a community service day on June 9 at South Bay Apartments in Los Osos. It was one of more than 200 events nationwide that gathered…
EDC-VC Business Line: President’s Message
Click here for the entire e-newsletter President’s Message Bruce Stenslie It’s good news that increasingly we’re seeing national media and politicos as well as corporate leaders championing the value and return on investment for early child education. Consider, for example,…
Aug. 23 — El Centrito Family Learning Centers to hold Executive Director Meet & Greet / Open House
OXNARD — El Centrito Family Learning Centers will hold an Executive Director Meet & Greet / Open House at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23 at 450 S. K St., Room 111, Oxnard. Learn all about El Centrito Family Learning Centers Programs…
Aug. 24 — Bilingual report: Farmworker Fair in August– Feria Campesina en Agosto
OXNARD — FARMWORKERS! . . . JOIN US FOR THE FARMWORKER FAIR – FERIA CAMPESINA ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, FROM 1 P.M. TO 4 P.M. AT THE AMERICA’S JOB CENTER OF CALIFORNIA, 2901 NORTH VENTURA ROAD IN OXNARD. DON’T MISS THE…
26 de agosto — Invitación a la conferencia ‘Planificando un mejor futuro financiero’
OXNARD — Invitación a la conferencia “Planificando un mejor futuro financiero,” 26 de agosto, 2017, 2pm a 4pm, Consulado de Mexico, 3151 W. Fifth St., Oxnard.
Gold Coast Health Plan to Invest $1.5 Million in Ventura County Programs
Medi-Cal Plan to Fund 16 Programs that Focus on Access to Health Care, Food and Housing CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) is awarding $1.5 million in grants to organizations throughout Ventura County for programs that focus on access to…
KCLU journalist wins 3rd national award
Society of Professional Journalists honors fire story WASHINGTON, D.C. — KCLU Radio News Director Lance Orozco received a national award for excellence in journalism on Friday. Orozco picked up the 2016 National Society of Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi Award for…
Ferguson Case Orr Paterson Attorney Appointed to State Bar Committee
VENTURA — Attorney John Andersen, a partner with the law firm Ferguson Case Orr Paterson, has been appointed to the executive committee of the Trusts and Estates Section of the State Bar of California, commonly referred to as TEXCOM. Anderson is a certified specialist in estate…
Todd Broussard Joins Peoples’ Self-Help Housing as New Director of Construction
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) welcomes Todd Broussard as new Director of Construction, overseeing the entire rental development construction department. Broussard has years of construction and development management experience through employment with jurisdictions such as the City of…
Gold Coast Health Plan Partners with Camarillo Health Care District
CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) and the Camarillo Health Care District (CHCD) on June 14 announced the signing of a one-year contract to launch a pilot program geared at strengthening the commitment of both organizations to provide quality health care.…
Pacific Coast Business Times announce Latino Business Awards winners. Celebration is July 20
July 20 from 5:50-7:30 p.m. at Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR’S WINNERS: Arturo Hernandez Ventura County Community College District Danna Tejada-Baquero Cuesta College William Flores Antioch University Santa Barbara Veronica Guerrero California Lutheran University April Sanchez VCCF Scholarship…
First Santa Barbara Renovation Completed Under Funding Program to Preserve Affordable Housing for Local Families
Pearl Gardens is one of two affordable family housing properties that the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara recently completed. SANTA BARBARA — As an early adopter of a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program designed…
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Announces Cindy Magliari as New Assistant Controller
SAN LUIS OBISPO —Peoples’ Self-Help Housing is pleased to welcome Cindy Magliari as new Assistant Controller of the fiscal department. Cindy has lived and worked in the San Luis Obispo area for more than 30 years and comes to PSHH…
State Sen. Jackson, Assemblymember Limón praise decision to study cleaner alternatives to Puente Power Project
SACRAMENTO — State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) and Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) praised the recent decision by the California Energy Commission to allow the California Independent System Operator (CalISO) to study the feasibility of clean energy alternatives to the…
Santa Barbara City College launches the School of Extended Learning
Dr. Melissa V. Moreno appointed to serve as Vice President Santa Barbara City College is pleased to proceed with a reorganization of our existing noncredit and fee-based programs to better meet the needs of our community. These programs are being…
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Starts Rehabilitation on Valentine Court Affordable Senior Housing Complex
SANTA MARIA — On June 12, Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) will begin to rehabilitate Valentine Court Apartments with upgrades including energy efficiency improvements, new paint, appliances, and an expansion of the community building. Valentine Court is a 35-unit senior affordable…
Consortium Media + Public Relations announces two new team members
VENTURA — Consortium Media + Public Relations (CM+PR), a brand development agency in Ventura, has added two professionals to its team. CM+PR combines advertising, public relations, creative, web, social media and promotions in its services to a wide range of…
State Sen. Jackson honors Ventura-based Ohana Pet Hospital as Small Business of the Year
SACRAMENTO – State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) has chosen Ventura-based small business Ohana Pet Hospital as her 2017 Small Business of the Year. Ohana Pet Hospital is a veterinary hospital that specializes in medical, surgical, dental and wellness health care for…
California law firm Beach Cowdrey Owen announces name change to Beach Cowdrey Jenkins
OXNARD — Prominent California law firm Beach Cowdrey Owen, which has offices in Ventura County and Sacramento, has officially changed its name to Beach Cowdrey Jenkins, LLP, following the promotion of attorney Spencer Jenkins to named partner and partner Melinda Owen’s transition to “of counsel” to the firm. “Spencer is an aggressive, successful trial lawyer who continually excels in…
July 20 — Pacific Coast Business Times to present ‘Latino Business Awards’
SANTA BARBARA — Pacific Coast Business Times, the region’s leading business news publication, is recognizing one of the leading segments in the Tri-Counties. This special section is accompanied by an evening reception to honor the winners on Thursday, July 20 from…
Bilingual report: July 25 — Free Fair Housing Workshop Hosted by VCCDC & the Housing Rights Center
OXNARD — The Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) will be hosting a Fair Housing workshop in collaboration with the Housing Rights Center on Tuesday, July 25th at 6pm at the VCCDC Home Ownership Center located at 2231 Sturgis Road, Suite…
July 10 — State Sen. Jackson, Go-Biz to host California Competes Business Tax Credit workshop in Ventura
VENTURA — State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) will host a free workshop on Monday, July 10th to help members of the business community understand the process of applying for income tax credits designed to save money, create jobs and contribute to local…
VCCDC’s 5th annual Homeownership Fair on June 24 offers families opportunities to own a home even as home prices rise
VENTURA COUNTY — “I sat on the bench, waiting for the bus to arrive, eating my cold lunch. ‘What am I doing?’ I asked myself. I didn’t know if this was going to work. ‘Am I wasting my time?’” This was…
June 24 — VCCDC to present 5th annual Homeownership Fair in Oxnard
OXNARD — The Ventura County Community Development Corp. will present its 5th annual Homeownership Fair from 11 a.m. to3 p.m. Saturday, June 24at the Centerpoint Mall, 2655 Saviers Road, Oxnard. You are cordially invited 25+ booths with homeownership information & resources:…
EDC-VC Expands Small Business Development Center’s Roster
VENTURA COUNTY – The Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County has added four new consultants to their team of 30-plus advisors providing free one-on-one consulting to local businesses to help area companies strengthen and grow their bottom line. The new advisors include…
508 Webinar founder and recent WEV graduate Toni Funck delivers accessible webinars to the deaf and hard of hearing
VENTURA — Toni Funck launched 508 Webinar in October 2016. It wasn’t however until she signed up for Women’s Economic Ventures’ SET course that Toni really saw the potential for her online business. “I was already successfully operating my webinar business…
Hundreds of Hopeful Homebuyers Tour Nonprofit Coastal Housing Partnership’s Home Buyers Fair
Two more fairs planned for organization’s 30th Anniversary year CENTRAL COAST — Hundreds of South Coast employees came through Coastal Housing Partnership’s Home Buying Fair May 6 and found a wealth of information on making the often elusive dream of local…
Gold Coast Transit District breaks ground on new Operations and Maintenance Facility
OXNARD — Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD), Ventura County’s largest provider of public transit, broke ground Wednesday on the future home of its new Operations and Maintenance facility that will support future transit needs for thousands of riders in Ventura County.…
UCSB Chancellor Yang Speaks out on fossil fuel divestment, endorses campaign
SANTA BARBARA — On May 11 at noon in Cheadle Hall, the UCSB campus administration building, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Margaret Klawunn issued a statement on behalf of Chancellor Henry T. Yang both endorsing the fossil fuel divestment campaign, Fossil…
Local Contractors Recognized for Energy Efficient Projects
SANTA BARBARA — Four local contractors are being recognized for their dedication, professionalism and service assisting Central Coast residents in making energy-efficient upgrades to their homes. This year’s recipients of emPower Central Coast’s second annual Contractor Recognition Awards are Solarponics, CK…
Santa Barbara City College’s vocational nursing program named #5 best LVN program in California by PracticalNursing.org
Practicalnursing.org evaluated California’s 129 state-approved LVN schools, which includes community colleges, technical centers, private career training schools and vocational schools. The website’s team analyzed overall pass rates of the NCLEX-PN, the exam used by state boards that tests proficiency and knowledge…
Builders Circle Signifies Mark of Excellence for Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Partners
SANTA BARBARA — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) has created a category of recognition that distinguishes those partners who work alongside the nonprofit to ensure more affordable housing along the Central Coast. The Builders Circle is a prestigious group of contractors, designers…
Assemblymember Limón committed to protecting healthcare
By Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) Recent actions taken at the federal level around health care would have serious consequences for California. The new law could strip health care coverage from as many as 24 million Americans—4.6 million of which are…
The Annex draws local favorite, Los Angeles and San Diego brands ahead of fall debut
OXNARD — The Annex, the 16,000-square-foot public market-style space located within The Collection at RiverPark, has announced the addition of four new food concepts to join its tenant roster of microshops, boutiques and eateries ahead of its fall grand opening. New…
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Announces New Board Member Nick Tompkins
SANTA BARBARA — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing is excited to welcome Nick Tompkins as a new member to the Board of Directors. Nick is a sixth generation Central Coast native, a Fresno State University graduate, and brings more than 38 years of…
June 27 — Free workshop focus on hot energy efficiency ideas to keep homes cool
County emPower Program to Host Workshop in North County SANTA BARBARA — With temperatures heating up, the County of Santa Barbara emPower program is hosting a workshop to help homeowners achieve energy efficiency. The free workshop is 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 27…
Veteran Traffic Professional Joins Hasan Consultants
VENTURA — Richard L. Herrera, a well-known traffic expert in the greater Los Angeles and tri-counties area, has joined Hasan Consultants. He will be in charge of the Traffic and Transportation group at Hasan. Herrera just left the County of Ventura…
Two Distinguished Project Managers Join S.L. Leonard & Associates’ Team
CAMARILLO — S.L. Leonard & Associates, a project management firm based in Camarillo, has hired two very talented project managers to join its team. With more than 30 years of building experience, John Matthews joins as a senior project manager.…
Rep. Carbajal Tours Affordable Housing with Housing Authority as Federal Cuts Loom
SANTA BARBARA – With federal funding for affordable housing facing deep cuts, the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) recently gave 24th District Rep. Salud Carbajal a tour of key housing properties, programs and an overview of…
A Protein-Packed PODS® Container Fights Hunger in Ventura County on April 20
VENTURA COUNTY — On April 20th, PODS is hosting a “Peanut Butter Drive” to pack a PODS container full of the protein-rich kitchen staples and help end hunger in Ventura County. The moving and storage leader is partnering with KVTA…
Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) will host a free ‘Estate Planning’ workshop on May 30
VENTURA COUNTY – Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) will host a free educational workshop open to anyone interested in learning more about Estate Planning. This workshop is part of VCCDC’s “From House to Home” Homeowner Workshops which are designed to…
“Solarthon” Block Party on May 20 Will Install Solar Power Systems on Six Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Homes in Atascadero
ATASCADERO — On Saturday, May 20, a group of volunteers, job trainees, community leaders, and residents will install no-cost rooftop solar panel systems on six homes of the Peoples’ Self Help Housing Atascadero Triangle neighborhood as part of the Solarthon Block…
April 28 — Los Angeles consuls general from Canada and Mexico to speak about NAFTA at CSUCI
CAMARILLO — Consuls General to Canada and Mexico will give their perspectives on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) during an upcoming presentation at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI). The public is invited to “NAFTA’s Economic Progress 2017” from 10 a.m. to 3…