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Holistic Chamber of Commerce welcomes new chapter

With a vision of healthy people on a healthy planet, the Holistic Chamber of Commerce (HCC) is weaving together an international movement promoting holistic, natural and sustainable products, services and solutions. To that end, the HCC has announced that holistic leaders in Ventura have a local chapter.

“Ventura is the perfect place for the Holistic Chamber of Commerce. We have a community that really values those products and services. It’s time for us to come together and show the standard of integrity and professionalism we bring to the work we do “ stated Kristie Pedersen, President of the HCC in Ventura. She’s the owner of Kristie Pedersen Coaching.

As a group associated with the international organization, the HCC – Ventura will promote and support local holistic and sustainable professionals and business owners. Meetings are currently in the planning stages so keep a look out for those. Online presence is already at http://www.HolisticChamberOfCommerce.com/ventura.

The HCC is an international organization which serves as a bridge bringing consumers together with holistic and eco-friendly options. Now with 1,500 Professional Members throughout North America, consumers have easier access to high quality health, lifestyle and business products, services and solutions.

For more information on how the Holistic Chamber of Commerce can help consumers as well as holistic practitioners, professionals and businesses, visit www.HolisticChamberOfCommerce.com.

 

Street Fair staff is looking for volunteers

Volunteers are the heart of our community, and the 4th of July Street Fair staff is always thankful for the help. The Street Fair staff is currently looking for volunteers to assist with the duties listed below for this annual event. All volunteer positions receive community hour credits if required. The deadline to volunteer is June 14.

Volunteer opportunities for the 4th of July Street Fair:

Poster distribution throughout Ventura and surrounding cities. Began June 1; this schedule can be flexible.

Street Fair booth marking on Main St., Thursday, June 28 6:15-8 am.

Assist Traffic Control on July 4, 6:30-10 am, will help vendors find their location and ensure proper booth set up. All volunteers for this assignment must be over 16 unless volunteering with an adult.

Assist Traffic Control on July 4, 4-6:30 pm, will assist with vendor traffic control as they exit. All volunteers for this assignment must be over 16 unless volunteering with an adult.

Information booth on July 4, 8-11 am, 11 am-2 pm or 2-5 pm; these shifts will answer questions, assist with decoration placement and take down. You can volunteer for all three shifts if you would like, breaks will be provided.

For more information contact Michelle Godoy-Morales at 654-7749 or [email protected].

CMH Palliative Care Department celebrates 10 years of service

The Community Memorial Hospital Palliative Care Department is proud to announce it is celebrating 10 years of service to the community this year, offering a much-needed service to patients in the hospital and local outpatients as well.

CMH began Palliative Care services in 2008 with the goal of improving patient and family participation in decisions regarding treatment options and goals of care.

Palliative Care is a special healthcare service that aims to relieve suffering and improve a person’s quality of life while maintaining their dignity. It’s not the same as Hospice, which focuses on end-of-life care for those no longer seeking treatment for a terminal illness. Palliative Care can be provided at the same time as other curative treatments and may begin early in the course of a serious or chronic illness.

A key achievement is providing Palliative Care services not only at CMH but on an outpatient basis, too. This medical service includes symptom management, goals of care discussions, completion of advance care documents, education about long-term care options, and supportive needs assessment.

The team members are involved in local, regional and national projects and organizations, and they are committed to teaching others like nurses, medical residents and social workers who will carry on this important work.

Most of the 11 team members are nationally board-certified in their respective fields to maintain quality outcomes. The CMH Palliative Care Department can be reached at 667-7975. Visit cmhshealth.org.

Ventura County Emergency Medical Services to teach Hands-Only CPR

Through June 8, Ventura County Emergency Medical Services (VCEMS) will partner with the American Heart Association (AHA) and other emergency service providers to host free Hands-Only Sidewalk CPR trainings at several locations throughout Ventura County.

CPR instructors will demonstrate the Hands-Only CPR technique in public places with the goal being to teach more people how to respond appropriately if they witness someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn the simple two-step technique, practice on mannequins and receive information on where they can go if they want to become fully CPR certified.

Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time. Nearly 300,000 out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrests occur in the U.S. each year and only 32 percent of the victims receive CPR from a layperson. Failure to act in a cardiac emergency can result in unnecessary death. By using CPR techniques immediately, the person suffering from cardiac arrest has a much higher chance of survival. An ambulance should be called right away also so that they can bring an Automated external defibrillator to the scene and help save someone’s life. Less than eight percent of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital survive, but when an effective bystander immediately administers CPR, the chance of survival more than doubles.

Introduced by the AMA in 2010, Hands-Only CPR does not require alternating chest compressions with mouth- to-mouth breathing and is intended for bystanders untrained in traditional CPR.

For more information about the free Hands-Only CPR trainings, contact VCEMS at (805) 981-5301, go to www.vchca.org/ems, or visit: http://handsonlycpr.org/.

Ventura County Govt. Ctr., Main Court Yard Plaza 800 S. Victoria Ave. June 7 and June 8,

9:00-1:30

Savannah Fuentes performs Flamenco at Working Artists Ventura

The talented Savannah Fuentes first performed Flamenco at Working Artists Ventura (WAV) in 2015 to a very eager audience. They were not disappointed. Savannah will be back to perform her elegant and provocative dancing skills again at the WAV Theater Gallery on Saturday, June 23rd at 8pm.

Savannah Fuentes, born in Seattle to parents of Puerto Rican and Irish ancestry, is one of the only touring artists in the Pacific Northwest region with strong links to Flamenco culture.

This year Savannah is accompanied by Jose Moreno with vocals and percussion, and Pedro Cortes on guitar. Both have a long-time, illustrious background in Flamenco and have performed in major cities nationwide.

On the walls of the WAV Theater Gallery will be the unique geometric works of Geoff Pocock who will be present June 23rd to meet the public. The evening promises to be a night to remember at the WAV!

Tickets are available at the door or online at, brownpapertickets.com. General admission $20. Student $12.

For more information about Savanah, visit savannah.com. About Geoff Pocock at, geoffpocock.com. WAV Theater Gallery, 175 S. Ventura Ave.

Lake Casitas Rowing Light attends Regional Championships

Lake Casitas Rowing Light attended the Regional Championships May 4-6th to secure an invite to the Nationals Championships . The men’s varsity boat got bronze medals bringing them one step closer to an attempt at a National title. Over 2000 athletes competed in this 3-day regional event from almost 40 different teams from all over California, Nevada, Arizona Utah and Hawaii. Joe Wells and Alex Legaspi, both seniors, have been training all year with one goal in mind, to make it to Nationals to represent their team and they succeeded! Alex is graduating from Ventura High School and Joe goes to Excellence in Education Academy (Private School).With their placement over the weekend they will be racing against the best in the Nation in a 2000 meter regatta on Lake Natoma June 8-10th.

For more information contact Wendy Gillett 258.8622 or [email protected]

EDC-VC receives $450,000 to help businesses impacted by Thomas Fire

The Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County recently received contributions from the Gene Haas Foundation and Pacific Western Bank to establish a loan fund in response to the Thomas fire and subsequent mudslides. The loan program is now helping businesses at a critical time as they feel the long-term strain of recovery.

The Gene Haas Foundation quickly worked with EDC-VC to establish a $200,000 loan fund for disaster assistance lending to businesses that were affected by the disasters. The loan fund was then augmented with an additional $250,000 from Pacific Western Bank. The funds are benefiting under-capitalized and disadvantaged businesses impacted by the fire that may not qualify for commercial credit.

The loan fund has helped with the initial demand for assistance and provides a significant contribution to the vitalilty of the local retail and service economy.

Businesses located in areas declared a disaster due to the Thomas Fire whose sales were impacted by the fires can submit loan applications by contacting Clare Briglio at 805-409-9159. Loans may be up to $30,000. Larger requests will be managed under separate review processes and credit considerations. Applications will be accepted through August 31, 2018.

As a matter of both business support and lending security, EDC-VC will provide borrowers with technical assistance advisors through its Small Business Development Centers who meet regularly with borrowers to provide comprehensive assistance, to monitor their progress and bolster their ability to repay the loans and remain in business.

Additional business disaster recovery services can be found online at http://edc-vc.com/disaster-recoveryservices/ or on the “Business Recovery” link on the home page of http://venturacountyrecovers.org/. For assistance, please contact EDC-VC SBDC Services Coordinator Alondra Gaytan at (805) 409-9159.

The SBDC is funded by the SBA and provides professional business assistance at no cost to businesses. Participating businesses are required to follow a well-defined scope of work and report their economic successes. These SBA milestones are defined as job creation, increase in sales, capital investment, job retention and business start-ups.

EDC-VC is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as a business-to-government liaison to assist businesses in Ventura County by offering programs that enhance the economic vitality of the region. For more information about the Small Business Development Center and loan, manufacturing and international trade programs, contact Bruce Stenslie at 805-384-1800 ext. 24, or [email protected]. Or visit www.edc-vc.com.

KHAY 100.7 receives national recognition from The Academy of Country Music

Coming from a long history of providing Ventura County with the best country music for more than 40 years, KHAY is excited to announce their nomination from the Academy of Country Music for Best Country Radio Station in a small market and winning Best On-Air Personality in a small market for morning host Dave Daniels.

“We couldn’t be more proud of what KHAY is to Ventura County, how KHAY Program Director Chris Cox has raised the bar in local radio and of Dave Daniels who has made the Morning Wake-Up Call show a great way for listeners to begin their day,” said Sommer Frisk, Regional Vice President and Oxnard/Ventura Market Manager for Cumulus Media.

“These are exciting times for KHAY,” said Frisk who also added, “Chris and his team have dedicated themselves to providing listeners with the very best country music and through community involvement and engagement, to being a part of the lives of Ventura County residents.”

Ventura Music Festival announces 2018 lineup

Each year, the Ventura Music Festival fills venues across the city with top-tier music for two weekends of multi-genre music, dance performances and world-class culture. This summer, the festival is returning with a lineup that promises to be bigger and better than ever. Headlined by genre-defying “little orchestra” Pink Martini and supported by world class acts such as celebrated guitarists John Jorgenson and “El Twanguero” Diego Garcia, the festival has something for every musical taste.

In the hands of renowned conductor and Ventura Music Festival Artistic Director Nuvi Mehta, the 2018 musical lineup:

7/12: American Gypsy Jazz featuring star guitarist John Jorgenson at the historic Olivas Adobe

7/13: Latin Grammy-winner and “fire breathing guitar hero” vocalist and composer Diego Garcia (“El Twanguero”) alongside his trio at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center

7/14: “Rollicking, multi-lingual, around-the-world musical adventure” and festival headliner Pink Martini at the Oxnard PACC

7/15: Dynamic classic music ensemble Trio Céleste at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center

7/20: Celebrated and imaginative Akropolis Reed Quintet at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center

7/21: Stunning singer-songwriter Perla Batalla will present her “Frida Kahlo song cycle”, inspired by the works of Kahlo and Diego Rivera at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center

7/22: Pas de deux series depicting the ups, downs and sideways of relationships – Malashock Dance at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center

Additionally, the festival will host a “Tea & Trumpets” at the Ventura Pierpont Inn, where guests will enjoy a four-course English tea with the Festival Brass Quintet’s hallmark wit, humor and fanfare on 7/13, as well as a free public concert with electrifying mariachi-meets-American classics ensemble Jarabe Mexicano at Mission Park in Ventura on 7/18. For times, updates and more details in the coming months, follow the festival on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

The 24th annual Ventura Music Festival will take place on July 12-15 and July 20-22, at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center, located at 4700 Loma Vista Road, unless otherwise noted above. Tickets will range in price from $25-$50 (special student rates excepted) and are available for purchase now. For more information please visit www.venturamusicfestival.org or call 648-3146.