
Thousands of animals benefit from your support. Your donation helps: fill empty bellies, mend broken bones, heal the sick, provide enrichment activities, and so much more. Thank you for all you do for the animals in our care!

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC), will host their 2022 “Our Community Promise” Annual Public Meeting on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. Register for this free informative event about housing equity and affordability at www.housingtrustfundvc.org.

Join the EDC for a free webinar on creating a 2022 social media content calendar presented by Small Business Development Center Advisor, Deborah Deras!
Who’s ready to get organized this 2022!? Let’s be honest, we all get overwhelmed by Social Media because we often wear too many hats and think we need to be on every platform. The fact is we only need to be posting on the platforms where our target market is spending their time. The best way to get organized and efficient is to create a social media calendar. Deborah has a saying: schedule it in your calendar, see it in your life and she will show you how to do it to save time, energy and make you money.

CONOMIC INCENTIVES/TAX CREDITS FOR CALIFORNIA MANUFACTURERS
Tuesday, February 15, 2022 @ 10:30 – 11:30 AM PST
This FREE webinar, co-hosted by CMTC and the CA Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), will provide practical guidance to California manufacturers on multiple economic incentives, resources, and workforce training funding to save money and foster growth:
Partial Sales & Use Tax Exemption
Workforce Training Funding (ETP)
California Competes Tax Credit
New Employment Tax Credit
Sales & Use Tax Exclusion
R&D Tax Credits
New Grants
Resources & No-Cost Assistance
There will be an opportunity for Q&A, and you are also welcome to submit questions in advance during registration.

What do our local elected officials do every day? What are the main challenges their office is facing? What skills do they need to be successful? These are just some of the questions that will be asked of County Supervisor Linda Parks, the last of six local elected officials to join League President Betsy Patterson for an informal online interview/Q&A presented by the League of Women Voters of Ventura County.

The Ventura County Civil Grand Jury is inviting the public to its annual Open House which will be held on Thursday, March 3, 2022, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
The Civil Grand Jury is a panel of 19 Ventura County citizens who conduct investigations into the effective and efficient operations of all governmental entities within the county. Investigations originate either from a public complaint or from within the Grand Jury.

Looking Ahead During Extraordinary Times
2022 Ventura County Economic Forecast
NEW DATE: Tues. March 8 | 8:30 AM
This premier networking and forecast event will include an in-depth analysis of the county’s economic performance and an assessment of its economic and demographic future, plus detailed analysis and forecasts for the U.S. and California economies.
In-person – LEARN MORE

We are THRILLED to announce that this weekend, March 19-20, Ventura County Animal Services will be holding a fee-waived St. Patrick’s Day Bunny Promotion!
Never considered adopting a bunny? Here are a few reasons to make the hop: 1) House-rabbits make EXCELLENT members of the family. 2) They’re quiet, curious, and very loving. 3) They’re litter-box trained!

The West Ventura County Business Alliance, the chamber of commerce serving Camarillo and Oxnard, is pleased to welcome Keith Freitas, Director of Airports for Ventura County, as the keynote speaker for the Business & Economic Outlook on Thursday, April 14.
Freitas is expected to discuss their economic impacts of the county-operated airports and share the latest updates. The County of Ventura Department of Airports owns and manages Camarillo Airport and Oxnard Airport.
Freitas accepted his current position in Ventura County in November 2021. He previously worked at Long Beach Municipal Airport, Mineta San Jose International Airport, and Contra Costa County, where he was the Director of Airports for 19 years.

Join us at the 10th Annual World Trade Week Event! Trade consuls from around the world, high-ranking Department of Commerce officials, local elected officials, business leaders and maritime industry experts will gather to present an important program with a special focus on environment, green technology and economics related to the marine realm.

On Thursday May 5th, approximately forty 7th-12th-grade students from Ventura Unified School District (VUSD)will be presenting their environmental business proposals to a panel of judges. Students had the option of choosing a project from 4 categories: water conservation, energy efficiency, waste reduction at their school campuses, or to inform their communities about the benefits of removing the relic Matilija Dam from the Ventura River. The event will take place at the Museum of Ventura County, in downtown Ventura, from 4 -7 pm. The keynote speaker for the event is Chipper Bro, Entrepreneur, Environmental Advocate, and professional Surfer.

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) announced (on April 7) that Housing and Community Development (HCD) Director Gustavo Velasquez will keynote the nonprofit’s signature event – Compassion Campaign 2022 on Thursday, May 12th at Maravilla Gardens in Camarillo.
“We are honored that Director Velasquez sees the work we are doing here in Ventura County to provide safe, equitable homes for all and will be sharing his perspective on the state of affordable housing in California,” said Linda Braunschweiger, CEO, Housing Trust Fund Ventura County.

Earl Warren Showgrounds is pleased to announce its second Community Engagement Forum, which will be a regularly scheduled public meeting to discuss the community’s hopes and vision for the future of the showgrounds, and to provide updates and answer questions.
Earl Warren Showgrounds leadership invites the public to join its Board President, a second board member, Earl Warren Showgrounds CEO and, if available, members of its staff to provide community feedback and to discuss relevant topics. Earl Warren Showgrounds wants to solicit public feedback for board activities and facility improvements, while providing a venue for board members to listen to stakeholders and residents to understand key issues through the lens of the community.

Friends –
We need your help and muscle! 208 Kuranda dog beds were donated by members of the public, but they arrived unassembled. Will you help build-a-bed? If so, please bring a couple of required tools: 7/16″ wrench and a Phillip’s head screwdriver. We’ll be building outdoors on our lawn, so feel free to bring a shade canopy, folding table, and chairs. No RSVP needed. Please park on the street to allow front lot space for urgent shelter business. Children are welcome, but we ask parent to use their best judgement as there will be power tools in use.
See you Saturday, May 21st between 9:00am – 12:00pm.
Thank you for your support!
Ventura County Animal Services

The Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) is celebrating the resilience of its staff with its annual educational event for National Public Works Week (NPWW) 2022. Based on the hugely successful virtual Public Works Week in 2021 when over 1,500 Ventura County students took part, this year’s event promises to be even better. On Monday, May 16th, 2022, students, faculty, and the public can access a robust curriculum featuring new video demonstrations, educational materials, and interactive projects via the VCPWA website.

Since the pandemic started, experts have warned of a mental health crisis facing American children. That is now playing out at schools across the nation—and in Santa Barbara County—in the form of increased childhood depression, anxiety, panic attacks, eating disorders, fights and thoughts of suicide.
“The pandemic has dramatically increased depression and anxiety in youth,” said Megan McClintock, Director of School Based Counseling Services for Family Service Agency (FSA). “Our organization is certainly seeing more referrals for treatment as well as an increase in severity.”

Mayor John C. Zaragoza is pleased to announce that the City of Oxnard along with the Disabled American Veterans – Chapter 24, Vietnam Veterans of Ventura County, Salvation Army, Knights of Columbus Council 750, Military Officers Association of America Ventura County Chapter and the Boy Scouts of America – Troop 231 will jointly host a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30, 2022, at Plaza Park starting at 11 a.m.

The second ever Oxnard Insect Festival returns on Saturday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to Plaza Park (500 South C St., Oxnard).
Community members are invited to see, touch, buy and even taste a variety of creepy crawlers at this free event hosted by the City of Oxnard. All youth attendees are encouraged to pick up an Insect Festival passport upon arrival and get it stamped at each booth. The first 200 youth that visit eight booths will receive a free special insect activity kit to take home!

The West Ventura County Business Alliance will host Oxnard Mayor John C. Zaragoza’s annual State of the City address on Friday, June 17. He will reflect on accomplishments from 2021, and share highlights and initiatives for 2022.
“As you can see throughout Oxnard, we are in the process of restoring many of our streets and alleys and landscape maintenance that was deferred for many years,” said Mayor Zaragoza. “I’m excited to share with the community the progress we have made with one full year of Measure E funding and our City Council’s vision to continue reinvesting in our community.
The State of the City is being held at the Courtyard by Marriott Oxnard located at 600 E. Esplanade Drive. The luncheon is open to the public and begins at 11:30 a.m.

It’s the summer season, which makes it the perfect time to travel abroad with your family and friends! To do so, it is imperative that you keep your passport up to date.
As your representative in Congress, I want to make sure that obtaining or renewing a passport is made as easy as possible. For that reason, I am hosting a Passport Fair on Saturday, July 16, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Grant R. Brimhall Library, located at 1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362.

Did you know that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has resources and programs for Veterans and the military community? If you are a transitioning or active-duty service member, National Guard or Reserve member, veteran of any era or military spouse, the SBA is here to help. Through training programs, contracting opportunities and access to capital, the SBA is here to help your business start, grow, expand or recover.
You can access the SBA’s Veteran resources through the Southern California Veteran’s Business Outreach Center! Join us on Tuesday, August 2 at 12:00pm to learn how to get started AND topics such as:
– Government Certifications
– Introduction to Government Contracting
– eCommerce 101 for Military Spouses

Demonstrate your underwater optical communications technology at FATHOMWERX Lab as part of ANTX Coastal Trident 2022!
The underwater optical communications demo day is intended to give industry and government a test tank to demonstrate and test their technology, in addition to meet Department of the Navy individuals who work in the optical communications space as part of the Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX) Coastal Trident.

The Ventura County Human Services Agency’s Veteran Services Office invites job seekers with military experience and employers to the Military and Veteran Job Fair and Expo on Saturday, August 20, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Ventura County Office of Education, 5100 Adolfo Road, Camarillo. This event is FREE for active-duty military, U.S. Veterans, military spouses, transitioning military, and members of the Guard and Reserve.

Ventura County Human Services Agency Veteran Services Office will host a Military and Veteran Job Fair and Expo on Saturday, August 20, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Ventura County Office of Education, 5100 Adolfo Road, Camarillo. This event is free for active-duty military, U.S. Veterans, military spouses, transitioning military, and members of the Guard and Reserve.
“This is the area’s largest Veteran job fair,” said Jim McHugh, Ventura County Veteran Services Officer, “and an ideal place to help Veterans find good paying jobs and to help businesses in need of leadership.”

SCORE’s Inspiring Women is a free live event to help you plan a social media strategy for your business. Whether just starting out, or struggling to generate business changing results, Social Media is a critical component of your overall marketing strategy.
Speakers and Topics:
Bridget Brady “Building Your Business with the Power of Social Media”
Social Media is ESSENTIAL to every business owner and entrepreneur.
Roughly 82% of all people are active on social media and that number continues to grow each day. These are potential clients and customers.
Whether just starting out or struggling to generate biz-changing results—Social Media is a critical component of your overall marketing strategy.
Join Bridget Brady to get fully informed on what it takes to create, launch, and implement a rock-solid strategy that cuts through the confusion and leads to social media and business success!

he City of Port Hueneme in partnership with the nonprofit REACH is hosting the Hueneme Beach Festival, Saturday and Sunday, August 27 and 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The admission is free.
The festival features live music on two stages, fair-style carnival rides and games, local vendor booths, arts and crafts, and a variety of food and drink. Carnival rides will feature kiddie, family and teen/adult options.
Live entertainment on the Main Stage includes guitarist and singer Taylor Sackson; Fleetwood Mac cover band Twisted Gypsy; classic and fresh New Orleans sounds from New Orleans Suspects; post-third wave ska band Beebs and Her Money Makers, two-time Grammy award winner The Phantom Blues Band and soul and funk The Nth Power. The Toni Young Community Stage will feature a wide variety of performances by local bands from throughout Ventura County.

FROM LOCAL TO GLOBAL: CELEBRATING DIVERSITY
August 2022 Edition: Showcasing the International Success of Rural-Based Businesses
Join U.S. Commercial Service for the seventh session of their “From Local to Global: Celebrating Diversity” event series, as they feature a dynamic panel of founders and leaders from Rural-based businesses across Southern California, who will share how they have successfully grown their businesses internationally.
Learn about the opportunities to seek out, as well as the challenges to avoid as you launch or expand your international business.
Receive information and resources that will help you chart your path to global sales and expansion success.
Wednesday August 31, 2022 @ 11:00 am
Location: Virtual (WEBEX)

Assemblymember Steve Bennett, Senator Monique Limón, and the County of Ventura, along with local water experts, will present an overview of California’s and Ventura County’s water delivery systems with a particular focus on western Ventura County. The forum will discuss the threats of the extreme drought conditions our state and region is facing, the impacts it will have on our communities and the agencies’ efforts to address these issues.

EPA’s Technical Assistance Services for Communities (TASC) program will host a meeting to discuss the Halaco Engineering Company Superfund Site in South Oxnard. This meeting will introduce TASC technical advisor Karmen King and discuss the Superfund Process and the Site’s Remedial Investigation, including the Risk Assessment. EPA staff will also be available to answer questions.

September 2022 Edition: Showcasing the International Success of Hispanic-Owned and Led Businesses
Join U.S. Commercial Service for the eighth session of their “From Local to Global: Celebrating Diversity” event series, as they feature a dynamic panel of Latino founders and leaders from Southern California-based companies, who will share how they have successfully grown their businesses internationally.
Learn about the opportunities to seek out, as well as the challenges to avoid as you launch or expand your international business.
Receive information and resources that will help you chart your path to global sales and expansion success.
Wednesday, September 28, 2022 @ 11:00 am
Location: Virtual (WEBEX)

The Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula will present Local History Happy Hour/ZOOM with John Krist from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula.
Members: $0 / $10 non-members in-person / $5 for non-members on Zoom
The Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula invites you to join us for the next installment of our popular series, Local History Happy Hour. In this series, local authors and historians will sit down with The Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director Elena Brokaw to discuss their unique perspectives on our region’s history and take questions from the audience.

Join 2nd Story Associates on Saturday, October 8th from 10 AM – 2 PM at De La Guerra Plaza for Housing Santa Barbara Day 2022.
This annual free public event is dedicated to connecting community members with local affordable housing non-profit agencies and service providers.
At the event, there will be 30+ community agencies and service providers, informative housing working shops, tenant and landlord resources, ADU resources, workforce housing information, music and entertainment, local food vendors and activities for kids and families.