THOUSAND OAKS — The Ventura County Fire Department congratulates the Woodridge Homeowners Association in Thousand Oaks, the Rancho Matilija neighborhood in Ojai and the Piru community for earning recognition from the National Fire Protection Association as Firewise USA communities.
“The risk of wildfire is ever present in Ventura County,” Fire Marshal Joe Morelli said. “We applaud these communities for doing all they can to reduce some of that risk.”
The Fall Activity Guide offers a diverse range of classes and programs for all ages, including Beginner Ceramics, a Bus Tour to see Hamilton at the Pantages Theatre, Aikido, and a collection of classes in fitness, art, aquatics, sports, pet wellness, and more.
SBA: WOMEN OWNED SMALL BUSINESS OFFICE HOUR FOR RFIS
July 25 @ 8:30 am
Do you have a Request for Information (RFI) from the WOSB Certification Review team? The Women-Owned Small Business Program is excited to announce a new webinar series: WOSB Office Hour for RFIs! This series is intended for applicants who have applied to become WOSB/EDWOSB certified and who have received a Request for Information (RFIs) from the certification review team but are unsure of how to proceed in responding to the RFI. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions in an open forum about responding to RFIs from members of the WOSB Program staff. Sessions will be held virtually every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 am.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Of the 250,000 notices mailed out, approximately 207,000 are postcard notices showing the 2% increase in value in accordance with Proposition 13. Additionally, just over 6,000 notices will notify owners if their property’s Market Value is less than the Prop 13 (Base Year) Value.
Join us at the 1st Annual Government & Disability Summit taking place September 24 – 27th here in Ventura!
We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca Cokley, the first U.S. Program Officer for Disability Rights at the Ford Foundation and a three-time Presidential Appointee under the Obama Administration. Rebecca served at the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and the White House where she oversaw diversity and inclusion efforts. Don’t miss her keynote speech at this groundbreaking event!
VENTURA — The Ventura County Probation Agency Chief Probation Officer Gina Johnson is proud to recognize National Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Services Week (Probation Services Week), which is celebrated from July 21 to July 27, 2024. During this week, the incredible probation professionals whose unwavering dedication breaks cycles, provides second chances, and transforms lives are celebrated.
SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula is proud to announce that Congresswoman Julia Brownley presented a check (July 16) for $959,752 to the City of Santa Paula. This significant funding will support the Mesa Tanks Replacement Project, a crucial initiative aimed at ensuring the city’s water infrastructure meets the highest standards of reliability and safety.
The Mesa Tanks Replacement Project is a comprehensive effort to replace two deteriorating water tanks, identified in a 2017 report by the State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water as being in poor condition. The total cost of the project is estimated at $5.5 million.
Mayor Leslie Cornejo expressed her gratitude and highlighted the importance of this project for the community. “This funding underscores our commitment to maintaining clean drinking water sources for the residents of Santa Paula,” said Mayor Cornejo. “By replacing the aging Mesa tanks with new, reinforced structures, we are not only improving our water storage capacity but also enhancing our ability to support our growing community needs and firefighting efforts.”
Effective Wednesday, July 17, 2024, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has cancelled additional Evacuation Orders and Warnings while maintaining orders and warnings in areas unsafe for the public.
Evacuation Orders and Warnings CANCELLED for:
Areas south of the fire perimeter
The following areas remain under an EVACUATION ORDER:
Area between the western fire perimeter and the Los Padres National Forest Fire Area Closure
Area east of La Brea Creek and Forest Route 10N06, south of the Los Padres National Forest boundary, and north of the Sisquoc River
The following areas are under an EVACUATION WARNING:
Area east of Kelly Canyon, north of Sisquoc River, west of La Brea Creek and Forest Route 10N06, and south of the Los Padres National Forest
PORT OF HUENEME — The Port of Hueneme is excited to support and enhance the movement of goods across the state of California and throughout the supply chain with the announcement of a $3.935 million award from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). This historic investment, known as the California Port Data Partnership, will revolutionize direct cloud-based data management and sharing amongst California’s five containerized ports to accelerate climate adaptation and resiliency, workforce development, zero-emission vehicle deployment, and increased grid support and reliability. As the nation’s preeminent global goods movement gateway, California ports are responsible for handling forty percent of all containerized imports and thirty percent of all containerized exports in the United States.
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.
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
“As we lead up to the November 5th election, the Presidential contest, of course, is the one most voters are aware of,” said Clerk-Recorder Ascencion, “but this is also the election for several local contests where people may find they personally know someone who’s running. It’s an exciting time and the Elections team enjoys helping our local candidates get their campaign filing started. We do always caution candidates, though – deadlines come up quickly so now is the time to make your appointment.”
Calling all Ventura County artists! What is your passion? Artists might produce art that IS their passion, such as painting or sculpture, but also aspects of life such as the outdoors represented in landscape paintings, car cruising, bird watching, etc. This show invites you to present works that convey your passion! This is a juried show that will award monetary prizes to the first, second, and third place winners.
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.”
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…
The grants support 36 Ventura County-based nonprofit arts and culture organizations and 62 independent artists who were selected through a highly competitive grant application process. Nearly 300 applications across the two groups were received during the application window. Grant awards range from $5,000 to $150,000 for the nonprofit organizations, and $1,000 – $4,000 for artists.
VENTURA — The Ventura Fire Department, in collaboration with the Ventura Fire Foundation, proudly invites local first responders and community members to participate in a Memorial Stair Climb on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza, located at 450 E. Harbor Boulevard.
This event commemorates a 110-story climb, mirroring the height of the World Trade Center towers, as a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who responded to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The stair climb is designed to accommodate participants of all fitness levels, allowing each individual to honor the fallen heroes at their own pace.
VENTURA — Mark your calendars! On November 5, 2024, voters in the City of Ventura’s Districts 2, 3, and 7 will head to the polls to elect three City Council members for four-year terms. This election will be held in conjunction with the Ventura County Presidential General Election, making it a pivotal day for our community.
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!
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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 National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Red Flag Warning from 6 PM Thursday to 6 AM Saturday for most mountains and Southwest Santa Barbara County, and Excessive Heat Warnings through 6 PM Wednesday (July 10) for Mountains and Interior, and through 6 PM Monday for Coastal Valleys.
Extreme temperatures and low humidity will create critical fire weather conditions and pose a health risk. Residents are urged to take precautions to protect themselves and their property and avoid heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Remember to drink water, limit time outside, find a cool place to stay indoors, and check in on your neighbors.
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.
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…
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.
Over 7,500 youth have been identified as homeless in Ventura County. The high cost of school supplies remains a challenge to low-income families during back-to-school season. Studies show that students with barriers to school readiness have increased absenteeism, developmental delays, poor literacy, and decreased emotional well-being. As a result, students who come from low-income families are 7 times more likely to drop out of school than those from families with higher incomes. With your support, we can help increase school readiness among homeless youth in our community, increase their self-esteem, and help them stay in school.
“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.”
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.
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.
“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.
“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.”
SANTA PAULA — On June 24, 2024, Santa Paula water customers were notified as a precaution to not use the tap water for drinking or cooking until further notice. This notice did not impact all water customers but particular areas of the city which were identified in the original notice.
The City of Santa Paula Water System, in conjunction with the State Water Resources Control Board, and the Ventura County Environmental Division, has determined that, through abatement of the health hazard and comprehensive testing of the water, the tap water for all Santa Paula residences is safe, including for drinking and cooking.
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.…
My heart was broken to hear of the death of one of our local youth as the result of a train strike last week. This is a horrifying accident, and as a parent, it deeply pains me to imagine the grief that this young man’s loved ones are going through right now.
The County Behavioral Wellness team is offering resources and supportfor anyone who is affected by this tragedy. The Community Wellness Team can be reached at 805-364-2750.
El Rio Will Soon Have Sidewalks: Update on Agenda Item 49
The Board unanimously approved the Ventura County Public Works Agency’s plan to move forward with the El Rio Pedestrian Improvement Project.
This project will bring sidewalks to the neighborhood, making the area safer and it will improve drainage issues for the community.
PWA will award a contract this month, with construction beginning this July.
The project is expected to be completed — by March of 2025.
VENTURA — Mary Maranville, founder and CEO of the nonprofit Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) is stepping down from the leadership role effective June 30. Maranville will become SEEAG’s major gifts grant writer. Caitlin Case, formerly SEEAG’s marketing director, has been named executive director.
Maranville started SEEAG 16 years ago. During that time, SEEAG has taught over 100,000 elementary school students in Central and Southern California about the origins of their food and healthy eating. SEEAG provides classroom learning as well as field trips to its Farm Labs at area farms. “The students I taught in 2008 are 24 years old now. My hope is, as adults, they remember their field trips and will be strong supporters of our farms and agriculture,” says Maranville.
VENTURA — The City of Ventura released the third episode of its new podcast, Ventura Voices. The latest episode features an in-depth interview with Ventura’s Economic Development Manager, Meredith Hart, and Visit Ventura’s President and CEO, Marlyss Auster. Community members can listen to the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music, or watch it on the City’s YouTube channel.
In this episode, Meredith and Marlyss are enthusiastic about returning the X Games to Ventura for a second consecutive year. They discuss the significant economic benefits this event brings to the community and highlight new features of the 2024 event, including an expanded event floor plan, musical performances, new sporting events, drone shows, a free shuttle and parking sites, plus a variety of free community events throughout Ventura.
“Thanks to the policy direction of our Council and the hard work of City staff, we’re delivering a positive, balanced budget that will continue the restoration of infrastructure such as paving our streets and alleys and investing in community services throughout Oxnard,” said Mayor John C. Zaragoza. “We’re also supporting Oxnard’s long-term financial sustainability by using one-time surplus funds to make a significant payment towards long-term debt.”
“The timing of this next phase of Westview Village is significant as it is our 75th Anniversary year and this was our first public housing project,” said Jeffrey Lambert, Chief Executive Officer, HACSB. “The success of this particular project is emblematic of our successful housing programs across the City and we are very proud of it,” said Lambert.
“I appreciate the work of our directors from across our 25 County agencies and the efforts they have put in to develop a budget to support our County and community,” stated 3rd District Supervisor Kelly Long, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Some challenging decisions were made, but we approve this budget with the greatest good for our community in mind and based on the needs to continue to support the programs that serve our residents.”
