Ozzy is super sweet. He wakes up each morning wondering “What can I do to make you smile today?” He loves hugs , Cemetery park play, his older sister cat and the humans in his household.
All posts by admin
Peering into the past
The fresh bread at Main and Palm might be a little stale after 70-years.
Photographed at the Museum Research Library by Patricia Schallert.
Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation appoints Billy Hughes as New Director of Real Estate Development
Billy Hughes has joined Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), the largest developer of affordable homes in Ventura County, as Director of Real Estate Development. Utilizing over 30 years of experience in the real estate industry as a developer, investor and lender, Hughes will manage and oversee CEDC’s affordable housing activities, and train and supervise project management staff. He will be taking charge of project development and ensuring successful transitions of CEDC’s projects from construction to operation. Hughes has demonstrated experience with affordable housing resources and programs and an ability to work effectively with groups in the community to listen and respond to questions and concerns.
“I am delighted and honored to be joining the Cabrillo EDC Executive Management team,” said Hughes. “After 3 decades of learning and working in the real estate industry, I intend to bring my expertise and knowledge to the development of affordable housing communities that are vital to so many members of the Ventura County community.”
Before joining CEDC, Hughes was the Managing Member of Black Point Investments, LLC (BPI), where he directed the acquisition and renovation of over 3 million square feet and nearly $1 billion in historic renovations including the re-purposing of several textile mills and historic schools. Hughes was the former president at Bi-Coastal Communities which developed affordable multifamily housing throughout the southeast. Hughes successfully developed over 2000 units totaling over $300 million in affordable housing and senior housing. His work with housing and developing authorities was recognized when he was named “Developer of Choice” by the Fulton County Housing Authority.
“Cabrillo EDC was looking for someone who is committed to our values and our mission of meeting housing needs of lower income families and individuals,” said Margarita H. de Escontrias, CEO of Cabrillo EDC. “We believe that Billy Hughes’ vast experience and breadth of knowledge together with the dedication he possesses, will help us continue carrying out our meaningful and strategic work to benefit the communities we serve.”
Olivia the owl returns to Olivas Adobe
Olivia has returned to the Olivas Adobe and has new chicks. This old photo is by Geo “Hutch” Hutchison.
Meet the Ventura County Leadership Academy Journey to Leadership 2023 Non-Profit Leader of the Year
Elena Brokaw has devoted her career to creating stronger communities.
Elena Brokaw earned her bachelor’s degree in art history at Harvard University. She has worked extensively as a cultural consultant for communities as well as organizations. As a lead consultant for the firm Jerry Allen and Associates, she completed cultural plans for the cities of Reno, Nevada, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Capitola, California. She has also facilitated public art planning processes for San Diego, California, Reno, and Minneapolis.
In her professional career, she has served as fundraising and development director for multiple organizations including the American Film Institute, was the director of the Parks and Recreation Department in Ventura, California for over a decade, and currently serves as The Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director at the Museum of Ventura County.
Elena has served on many regional boards, including Women’s Economic Ventures, Ventura County Social Justice Fund, and the Ventura College Community Foundation. She is a member of the Harvard Selection Committee and is on the faculty of the Cal Lutheran University Center for Nonprofit Leadership, providing instruction in organizational development and leadership.
Channel Islands National Park announces award to provide year-round boat transportation service
Island Packers to continue service to the islands. Photo by Kevon Bailey
The National Park Service (NPS) announced today a 10-year concession contract award to Island Packers to provide year-round boat transportation service from Ventura to Santa Cruz Island, Anacapa Island, Santa Rosa Island, San Miguel Island, and Santa Barbara Island within Channel Islands National Park.
Island Packers is a new company that will be formed from the merger of the current concession, Island Packers Corporation and Superboat Incorporated. The Island Packers Corporation has held the current concession contract since 2011. The new contract will begin on January 1, 2024.
“We are pleased to announce that Island Packers will continue to provide transportation services for park visitors to Channel Islands National Park,” said Superintendent Ethan McKinley. “Island Packers has provided excellent service to the public for over 50 years, and we look forward to another decade of safe and enjoyable visitor access to Channel Islands National Park.”
The new contract will usher in service and sustainability improvements for the concession operation. Visitors will have access to a greater variety of convenience items for sale onboard the vessels, including hats, sunscreen, lip balm, water, and pre-packaged food items, and will have the option to purchase a pre-made boxed lunch when purchasing their boat transportation ticket in advance. Under the new contract, the concessioner will be making several environmentally sustainable upgrades to vessels, including conversion of the fleet to diesel/electric hybrid transmissions with solar charged batteries.
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 424 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube
Achievement recognizes hospitals’ commitment to mentoring newly licensed nurses
SJRMC nurses from accredited nurse residency programs.
Dignity Health—St. John’s Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) and St. John’s Hospital Camarillo (SJHC) are proud to announce that the Nurse Residency Program was recently awarded accreditation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for the Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP). With this accreditation, St. John’s program is now one of 240 officially accredited nurse residency programs in the nation and the only accredited program in the Tri-County area.
PTAP sets the global standard for nurse residency programs and formally recognizes the education program and support environment provided specifically to new nursing graduates so they can achieve the highest level of professional success.
“We are incredibly proud of earning national accreditation. Just a few years ago, our team saw a need for a nurse residency program in the community and quickly mobilized to develop the comprehensive program we have today,” said Dalarie Manda, Vice President, Chief Nurse Executive at St. John’s Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Hospital Camarillo. “It’s rewarding to see our seasoned nurses provide invaluable support and guidance as the new nurses adjust to providing care at the bedside.”
The Nurse Residency Program at St. John’s provides mentorship and hands-on training for new nurse graduates and nurses transitioning to specialty and acute care. This comprehensive program is structured to include practice-based learning under the guidance of preceptors and clinical leaders, specialty core courses, and workdays focused on interprofessional education, professional development, and reflective learning.
“During a time where there is a critical need for health care workers in our community and across the nation, it is an honor to be part of a solution that is recognized not only for providing future health care workers with real-time experiences but also for supporting our existing nurses,” said Barry Wolfman, President & CEO of St. John’s Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Hospital Camarillo.
Ventura College Foundation launches fundraiser to ensure tuition costs are covered
The program covers all tuition and fees for eligible students.
The Ventura College Foundation has launched a fundraising effort to support the Ventura College Promise program. The program covers all tuition and fees for eligible students for up to two years. The foundation’s goal is to raise $40,000 by April 30.
Ventura College was the first community college in California to offer a tuition Promise program if students meet certain criteria. For students to be eligible for the current two-year tuition-free education they must be first-time incoming students who attend full-time. The Ventura College Promise served as a model for the creation of the statewide California College Promise Program in 2017.
“The funds are needed because state budget cuts caused a shortfall in Promise funding statewide in 2022,” says Anne Paul King, executive director of the Ventura College Foundation. “The foundation’s board of directors wants to be sure the funds will be there for all students who qualify.”
Since it began at Ventura College in 2007, more than $4 million in tuition costs have been covered and close to 20,000 students have been served through the Ventura College Promise. “VC Promise removes the financial barriers to a quality education that many students face and allows them to pursue rewarding careers that benefit their future, their family and our community,” says Dr. Kim Hoffmans, R.N., president of Ventura College.
To donate, go to https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/VCPromise or text VCPromise to 71777. For more information about supporting the Ventura College Foundation’s VC Promise Campaign, contact Gerry Pantoja, Director of Philanthropy, at 805-289-6158 or [email protected]. To learn about the Ventura College Foundation, go to VenturaCollegeFoundation.org.
The skies were gray, but nothing could rain on St. Patrick’s Day Parade fun.
A slight drizzle didn’t stop the parade from entertaining hundreds that lined Main St. Photos by Breeze staff
With a little luck of the Irish and huge community support, the 2023 County Ventura St. Patrick’s Day Parade went off spectacularly.
Braving cloudy skies and light showers, thousands of smiling faces showed up on the morning of Saturday, March 11, to line the parade route on Main Street in midtown Ventura. After the event, the parade planning committee wrote a letter to express their great gratitude and relief at the strong turnout despite the questionable weather.
“The theme was ‘Let’s Celebrate,’ and we did!” committee co-chairs Nan Drake, Jim Monahan and Brian Brennan said.
“We were overwhelmed that, despite the threat of rain and a wee bit of drizzle, this community event roared back in full force with families sitting under umbrellas to watch one of our best parades,” they wrote. “Yes, there was a bit of a drizzle, but we would like to personally and publicly thank every single person and family who came out to enjoy truly Irish weather on Main Street in Ventura for the 2023 County Ventura St. Patrick’s Day Parade. … It was simply sublime.”
All rejoiced as the 60-plus parade entries made their way down Main from Lincoln to Fir, with spectators cheering and basking in the diversity of a parade that included everyone from elected officials and historic local families to marching bands, dance troupes and youth groups.
The parade grand marshal this year was Ventura Elks Lodge No. 1430, celebrating its 100th anniversary! A wonderful community organization, the Elks Lodge supports local programs for veterans, youths and many others and has been the lead sponsor of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade since it began in 1984!
Parade entrants compete for awards presented by a panel of judges led this year by St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee member James Lockwood. This year’s other judges were Elks Lodge representative Rhonda Catron; Dr. Richard Rush, retired president of California State University Channel Islands; Celina Zacarias, CSUCI’s director of community and government relations; and Clint Garman, representing Ventura County Supervisor Matt LaVere.
The following are the winners of the 2023 County Ventura St. Patrick’s Day Parade:
Color Guard: Blue Knights CA XVII.
Bands: Oxnard High School Marching Swarm (high school); Cabrillo Middle School Jazz Band (junior high school); and Gold Coast Pipe Band (adult).
Families: The McGrath Family.
Clubs and Organizations: Ventura Elks Lodge No. 1430 (adult); Claddagh School of Irish Dancing (youth); and Totally Local VC and the Local Love Project (nonprofit).
Vehicles: Ventura County Model “A” Ford Club (antique); Southern California Corvairs (classic cars 1950s or later); Ventura County Corvette Club (special interest auto); Topa Topa Fly Wheelers (tractors); Bunnin Chevrolet of Santa Paula and Fillmore (individual vehicle); and J.W. Enterprises (fire truck).
Commercial/Retail: The Grape Ventura “House of Jazz and Spirits” featuring the Phoenix Big Band.
Media: Drastic by Design Productions.
Novelty: Ventura Yacht Club.
Walking Entries: Unique Diamonds Competitive Cheerleaders.
Most Irish: John and Sally McNally with Flags of Ireland.
Environmental: Agromin.
Restaurants and Pubs: Santa Cruz Market.
Government Agencies: United Stated Coast Guard.
Mayor’s Trophy: Surf Rodeo.
Best in Parade (Arnold Hubbard Perpetual Trophy): Cabrillo Middle School Jazz Band.
Museum of Ventura County accepting applications for Bonita C. McFarland Visual Arts Scholarship
Grace Morton – Ventura (one of five 2021/2022 Scholarship winners).
Museum of Ventura County is now accepting applications for its Bonita C. McFarland Visual Arts Scholarship. The scholarship fund has a total of $10,000 to be awarded to eligible applicants who are high school seniors enrolling in college courses in Fall semester of 2023 or any continuing visual arts college student who is a Ventura County resident.
Awards will be based on artistic merit and commitment as demonstrated by the application, essay, letter of recommendation, and examples of work.
Applicants will be selected by a committee consisting of members of the Museum’s Fine Arts Committee and Museum staff. Learn more at https://venturamuseum.org/bonita-c-mcfarland/
Application deadline: May 7, 2023
Review of applications: May 2023
Scholarships announced: Late May 2023