Crowell, Weedon & Co., a division of D.A. Davidson & Co.,  has honored Anita Jeffrey with the Branch Operations Manager “Big Picture” award. Anita Jeffrey serves as Supervisory Branch Operations Manager for the firm’s Ventura branch.

Anita Jeffrey, who joined the firm in May 2014, is honored with the “Big Picture” title which is awarded annually to a Branch Operations Manager in recognition of exceptional performance in coordinating and supervising the activities of branch operational and support staff, while also maintaining a forward-looking and inspiring approach to operations.

Crowell, Weedon & Co. (www.crowellweedon.com) is a division of D.A. Davidson & Co., and has 12 offices across Southern California.

Katie Adams didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life. She struggled in school and did not know which path to take. When she became pregnant with her daughter, she realized she needed to find a way for support her. She started to make her own essential oils and baby lotions and discovered a passion for skin care.

They started out by selling their products at booths during events and through local vendors. Recently, they opened their own store at the Ventura Harbor. Adams makes all the products herself, while her mom helps run the store.

Adams attributes her success to local nonprofit Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) and her mom, who also went through the WEV program eight years ago. WEV offers a continuum of programs aimed to help women and men start, stabilize and grow small businesses.  Adams will graduate from WEV’s Self-Employment Training (SET) course on Dec. 16th at The Montecito County Club.

According to WEV’s recent 2015 Report on Program Outcomes, WEV is showing some dramatic results in comparison with national outcomes:

• WEV clients are showing nearly double the national average for survival of women-owned businesses. An average of 80% of women-owned business who participated in WEV programs are still in business after five years – compared to a national average of 45%.

• 85% of clients in poverty at intake have moved out of poverty

• In the past five years, WEV-assisted businesses have:

– Created an estimated 1,145 new jobs and supported a total of 2,552 jobs

– Generated an estimated $6.6 million in local and state tax revenues

WEV serves over 800 women and men annually in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Since inception (1991), WEV has made almost $4 million in microloans and helped start or expand an estimated 3,000 businesses which support more than 9,000 local jobs.

Camarillo Hotel & Tourism Association has selected Ventura’s BBM&D Strategic Branding, a Southern California-based marketing and design firm, to spearhead its branding and communications. BBM&D will use marketing, public relations and social media campaigns to welcome visitors to Camarillo.

“With premier shopping, beautiful venues, scenic golf courses and unique cultural experiences, Camarillo is truly a hidden gem,” said Barbara Brown, BBM&D president. “We can’t wait to work with the Camarillo Hotel & Tourism Association on showing travelers what they can experience in the city.”

“We interviewed a number of very qualified agencies,” Camarillo Visitors & Convention Bureau Executive Director Adriana Huizar said, “BBM&D impressed us with their ability to demonstrate what makes Camarillo such a fun and unique experience for visitors. We look forward to working with their talented, creative team to make Camarillo a hub for Southern California tourism and events.”

BBM&D’s services can be viewed at bbmd-inc.com.

On Nov.6, Artisan Made gift store (315 Main) held their grand opening. 10% of all sales on Friday and Saturday (“Shop For A Cause”) went to the Turning Point Foundation. Artisan Made features artisans with handmade works from local artists.

Dr. Holsworth is holding lucky Stewart the clinic dog who was rescued one day before he was to be euthanized.

Board certified veterinary surgeon, international surgical educator and active community member, Dr. Ian Gordon Holsworth BVSc MANZCVS (Surgery), Diplomate ACVS has opened VetSurg, a veterinary surgical hospital located in the heart of Ventura’s Wellness District at 2859 Loma Vista Road. Dr. Holsworth brings over 25 years of surgical experience to the hospital, and along with his highly skilled and experienced team, is focused on improving the quality of veterinary surgical care for the Tri-counties and beyond.

The members of VetSurg have years working together servicing the referral needs of Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Kern and Los Angeles counties. The VetSurg hospital is equipped with state-of-the art surgical and imaging equipment allowing consultation, diagnostics and treatment of orthopedic, soft tissue, oncologic and neurological disorders. VetSurg also provides comprehensive overnight hospitalization for surgical patients to maintain the highest quality of patient care and to ensure no patient is left unattended following their procedure.

Dr. Holsworth, an Australian expatriate, has proudly called Ventura home for the past 12 years and lives in the Ventura midtown area close to the hospital. “Our VetSurg Team is immensely talented, well-trained, qualified and devoted to the health and well-being of our patients,” stated Dr. Ian Gordon Holsworth. “We have dedicated our professional lives to restoring the health of our dog and cat patients and have built a surgical hospital where the quality of patient care will be matched by the quality of client care. We value the support from both our clients and the local veterinarians and intend to elevate the quality of veterinary surgical care available, establishing VetSurg as the surgical hospital of excellence for the Tri-county community.”

VetSurg can be reached at 850-2180, www.VetSurg.com.

by Karen Helen Szatkowski

Established in 1981, East Ventura Animal Hospital has thrived these decades, “promoting responsible pet ownership, preventative health care and educational opportunities for their clients and employees” which is their core mission. Dr. Nancy Bohman, long with the hospital, brings her education and experience in Eastern medical therapies as an integrated option for her clients in preventative and curative veterinary care.

Dr. Nancy, with twenty years of practice, has recently been awarded the designation of Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist(CVA) and is further pursuing a certification in veterinary herbal therapies.  In acquiring the CVA designation she atteneded classes and lab work in Florida at the Chi Institute on a regular basis which demonstrates her commitment to the ancient practices.

TCVM or Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine can greatly improve the quality of life for our furry friends.  TCVM comprises acupuncture, herbal medicine and nutrition.  In many cases when a dog or cat is not improving on Western traditional therapy this can help.  Various ailments such as, severe arthritis, hip dysplasia, disk and back problems, skin disorders, autoimmune disease, kidney failure, seizures, cancer and inflammatory bowel disease can be helped.  Dr. Bohman evaluates each case as an individual, as the best way is to integrate both Western and Eastern medicine.

In speaking about her connection to Eastern medicine she frequently mentions the whole body and mind integration and how it applies to the higher animals as well as humans.  The Qi–pronounced Chee–can be talked about simply as “life force”.  This concept is spread across many cultures and can be understood as a central underlying principle in Eastern medicinal and psychological thought.

She and the hospital staff are in the process of developing a “quiet room” that will further enhance the acupuncture and other alternative therapies.  Illness and injury can move more easily to resolution, she believes, through calm and quiet handling.  The reason for these options  is the commitment to provide as much in the way of medical care for her clients as possible–traditional care or East and West unified in veterinary health care.

Dr. Bohman lives locally and has two children. Her husband is Paul Bohman, D.D.S., a local oral surgeon.  The family owns a black lab, tabby cat, chinchilla, hamster, fish and two horses.  She enjoys the ocean, skiing and horseback riding.

East Ventura Animal Hospital, 10225 Telephone Rd. 647-8430  www.EastVenturaAnimalHospital.com.