Ventura County Community Foundation is accepting donations for Mountain Fire relief, with 100% of funds aiding local residents and nonprofits.
In response to the Mountain Fire, the County of Ventura and Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) have launched an emergency relief fund to aid those most impacted by the wildfire. Donations can be made to the Ventura County Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund at vccf.org/donate, with all proceeds supporting community members and local nonprofits on the front lines of relief and recovery.
The wildfire, which began on November 6 near Moorpark, quickly expanded to over 20,500 acres due to strong Santa Ana winds. The Ventura County Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund will ensure that 100% of contributions are directed toward immediate and essential relief efforts. VCCF has previously coordinated millions in relief for fires like the Thomas, Hill, and Woolsey fires, ensuring impactful and meaningful support reaches those most affected. As the Mountain Fire’s status evolves, VCCF will continue to work closely with government and nonprofit partners to respond effectively to community needs.
“Through this fund, our community has a vital lifeline for those impacted by the wildfire,” said Ventura County CEO Dr. Sevet Johnson. “This fund exemplifies our county’s commitment to provide swift and direct support to individuals and nonprofit organizations on the front lines.”
VCCF also encourages everyone to stay informed and prioritize safety. For updates on evacuation zones and shelter information, visit vcemergency.com or call (805) 465-6650.
“Ventura County’s resilience and generosity have always been stronger than the devastation of wildfires,” said VCCF Board Member Leah Lacayo. “We’re grateful to the County and first responders for their dedication. VCCF stands ready to help our community during these times of need.”
About Ventura County Community Foundation
Since 1987, VCCF has connected philanthropic resources with community needs, ensuring donor legacies are protected and directed to critical areas. By managing charitable capital, VCCF supports scholarships, grants, and initiatives that strengthen Ventura County for future generations. Learn more at vccf.org.
Clynk photo by Sarah Sarah Szanton. Similar recycling systems by Clynk are already in use, like this one in Maine.
by David Goldstein, VCPWA/IWMD
An unexpected problem arose in California’s way to a better recycling future. Buyback centers disappeared.
Those who recycle only through their curbside programs may not have noticed, but many people need their California Redemption Value (CRV) money back, and many more see convenient buyback recycling as a matter of basic fairness. The five to ten cents we pay per bottle or can was not meant to be a tax; it is supposed to be available as a payment for consumers who choose to sell back their recyclables. Where recycling works well and recycling centers compete for business, customers might even receive additional payment for scrap value.
However, since the passage of California’s “bottle bill,” AB 2020 in 1986, a lot has changed. One major change is that supermarkets are more sensitive to the complaints of neighbors and less tolerant of the litter, odor, and clientele associated, sometimes unfairly, with operations that sort recyclables on site and pay people in cash.
A new technology provides hope recycling centers can overcome these problems and be welcomed back to supermarket parking lots and perhaps even to community centers and the parking lots of government buildings. The new technology involves machines guided by artificial intelligence which count and sort recyclables dropped off in mixed bags, attribute the appropriate CRV payment to the person who dropped off the material, and credit the consumer’s electronic account.
Customers attach identifying tags to bags, which they drop off in secure, sealed structures or temporary, staffed trailers. Companies then pick up the bags, transport them to processing locations, and use the artificial intelligence vision technology to identify CRV material, sort, and credit the payment to accounts matching the tags.
The entire footprint for either the temporary, day use buyback trailers or the solar powered drop-off structures is little more than one parking place, but for now, supermarkets and other traditional locations for recycling buyback are still suspicious. Prospective site owners have been reluctant to sign up for the new recycling initiative.
ExoXP image courtesy of recycletek Rendering of Recycletek’s AI-guided buyback trailer, designed to streamline and modernize CRV recycling.
To spur the process, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, CalRecycle, awarded grants to companies trying to set up these new recycling buyback sites in a variety of locations under-served by buyback recycling, including Ventura County. One of those companies is CRV Recycle Center, Inc, which has conventional buyback centers in Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks, and plans to partner with Recycletek, a provider of the new recycling technology, for multiple winners of CalRecycle’s Redemption Innovation Grant (RIG). Recycletek has been operating these clean and innovative centers with secure transactions in the Bay area since last year.
Conditionally awarded projects have only until November 25 to verify agreements with sites willing to host new drop off sites. Because initially proposed sites for recycling are not responding as hoped, CRV Recycle Center and its vendor, Recycletek, are seeking alternative sites within the same unserved areas proposed in their grant application. Among these alternative sites are properties owned by local governments. “Public agencies know how important can and bottle recycling is, not just for the environment and to meet State mandates, but as a public service. The people served by the city want their redemption value payment back, and it is a public service to help your constituents get this money,” said Maria Khachiyan, owner of the CRV Recycle Center locations in Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks. “That’s why we are asking cities and counties if we can use public parking lots, at city halls and community centers, for one-day-per-week drop-off recycling.”
A demonstration of the Recycletek technology will take place at the County of Ventura’s America Recycles Day event on November 15, from 8 AM to 4 PM, at the Service Building of the Ventura County Government Center. Although Recycletek will not buy back cans and bottles at this event, the public is invited to drop off electronics for recycling by another vendor to the Ventura County General Services Agency. Electronics do not include appliances nor batteries. While supplies last, attendees may receive, free of charge, two pre-filled bags of mulch per person, made by Peach Hill Soils, of Somis, and provided by the Ventura County Public Works Agency. To learn more, visit recycletek.co and www.clynk.com.
David Goldstein, Environmental Resource Analyst with the Ventura County Public Works Agency, may be reached at [email protected] or (805) 658-4312.
Enjoy free gift wrapping, family-friendly activities, and a chance to meet Santa at the Ventura Holiday Craft & Gift Festival!
The holidays are here, and so is the Ventura Holiday Craft & Gift Festival at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, inside the San Miguel and Anacapa Halls, from Friday, November 22nd to Sunday, November 24th. Festival hours are Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.
Explore handcrafted gifts, festive décor, and more at the Ventura Holiday Craft & Gift Festival, Nov. 22-24 – your one-stop shop for unique holiday treasures.
If you’re searching for unique, handmade holiday decorations or one-of-a-kind gifts not available in stores, this festival has it all. “You’ll find handcrafted ornaments, jewelry, art, home décor, and more. It’s a great chance to get into the holiday spirit,” said Show Producer Susi Engl. And don’t forget to bring the kids to meet Santa for photos on Saturday and Sunday!
With dozens of talented artists and vendors on display, there’s something for everyone. You’ll discover beautiful gifts, customizable items, specialty foods, and even bath and body products. Plus, enjoy fun activities like free Holiday Bingo, a coloring tent for all ages, and hands-on Make & Take craft sessions. For kids, there will be inflatables, movie character meet-and-greets, and, of course, the chance to snap a picture with Santa from 11 am to 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Bonus: Enjoy free gift wrapping to make your holiday shopping even easier! Admission is free, and parking is $10. For more details and free tickets, visit www.VenturaCraftFestival.com.
Come create new memories and cross everyone off your holiday shopping list!
Support SEEAG’s Ag Education: Pre-order a unique, sustainably harvested Christmas tree for November 30 pickup, with all proceeds benefiting local kids’ agricultural programs.
Sustainably harvested white and red “silver tipped” fir trees from Northern California will be available for pickup on Saturday, November 30 during “Christmas On The Ranch” at Petty Ranch (11971 Darling Rd.) in Ventura. Proceeds from the Christmas tree fundraiser will support Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) agriculture education and healthy eating programs for kids in Ventura County.
The hand-harvested trees are 6’ to 10’ tall. Trees are available for pick-up and purchase from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on November 30. Free hot cocoa and cookies will be served.
The trees were donated by Rob Paulus, a retired Cal Fire Battalion Chief, and father of SEEAG executive director Caitlin Paulus-Case, to support SEEAG and its ag-education efforts. Paulus owns a 60-acre parcel of private land that is 6,400 feet in altitude in the northern Sierra Nevada mountain range. “Growing up, it was my favorite spot on Earth,” says Paulus-Case. “The trees truly remind me of the spirit of Christmas.”
By harvesting trees from their private land, the Paulus family work to thin overgrown forest stands, reduce catastrophic fire risk, and help restore the natural environment. “The trees are harvested in late November, so they are fresher than any tree you’ll find on a typical lot. Since they aren’t grown on a tree farm, they carry the unique story of the forest in their beautiful imperfections,” says Paulus.
The cost is $200 per tree. For each tree sold, a matching $250 will be donated by SEEAG board members Steve Gill, Chris Waldron and Patrick Sheehy. “The $450 combined tree donation enables 10 local students to take part in one of our agricultural and healthy eating programs at no cost,” says Paulus-Case.
SEEAG will also donate a tree, stand, decorations and a small gift to Las Posas Elementary School in Camarillo and Citrus Glen Elementary School in Ventura. The schools will select which student will receive the donated tree and items.
Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), Ventura County’s leading affordable housing developer, today announced the upcoming retirement of its CEO, Margarita H. de Escontrias, effective January 2, 2025. Ms. Escontrias has served with distinction for over eleven years, leading CEDC in its mission to provide comprehensive housing services and community development opportunities for those most in need.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we express our deepest gratitude to Margarita for her unwavering leadership and dedication to CEDC,” said Aiza Galdo, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Under her guidance, CEDC has delivered significant impact, expanded affordable housing options and positively transformed the lives of countless individuals and families.”
Ms. Escontrias’ tenure has been marked by impactful achievements. Under Ms. Escontrias’ leadership, CEDC has made significant strides in addressing the affordable housing crisis, delivering additional affordable housing units to the community and significantly impacting the lives of the individuals and families that CEDC serves. Also raising awareness of critical housing issues, and navigating CEDC through challenges like the global pandemic, all the while strengthening the organization’s mission and expanding its reach.
To ensure a smooth transition, CEDC’s Board has appointed Victoria Brady, the current CFO, as Interim COO/CFO. Ms. Brady will officially assume the CEO role on January 1, 2025.
They currently have 24 properties for low income and farmworker families, seniors 55 and older, and those with disabilities.
Each holiday season brings joy, gatherings—and often, unnecessary waste. Discover easy ways to minimize food waste, reuse decorations, and make eco-friendly choices for a festive and sustainable celebration.
Every year, the holidays bring an abundance of food, festivities…and well, waste. Amid this year’s festive gatherings, discover how to reduce your food waste, repurpose decorations, and celebrate a zero-waste holiday season with a bit of creativity and simple swaps.
One of the easiest ways to help our environment is to eliminate food waste. Food waste has a life far beyond disposing your leftovers – did you know that landfill-bound food waste emits methane, a hazardous gas known as a climate super pollutant?
Taking only what you know you’ll eat is the best way to eliminate food waste. But, if your eyes are bigger than your stomach, read on for tips on how to reduce your food waste, and waste in general, this holiday season.
Zero Waste Gifts & Holiday Decor
Gift experiences like a pottery or cooking class, picnic, or a massage.
Gift homemade jams, chocolates, pies, fresh bread.
Gift plants and seedlings.
Use fabric, decorate butcher paper for a personalized touch, newspaper, brown packing paper and jars as gift wrap.
Participate in the City of Ventura’s Residential Food Waste Recycling Program! Free compost pails are available for Ventura residents at 336 Sanjon Road, Monday to Friday from 8:00 am -5:00 pm (closed alternating Fridays). Simply line the pail with any type of bag (plastic is ok!), tie it up, and toss it in your tan yard waste or designated food waste cart. www.cityofventura.ca.gov/264/Residential-Services
Compost delivery at Tierra Vista Elementary School.
Agromin, California’s largest organics waste recycler and manufacturer of earth-friendly soil products, has launched its “Healthy Soil Heroes,” ambassador program by partnering with five founding members. The founding members represent a diverse range of agricultural and community-focused businesses, including a native plant nursery, flower farm, community garden, agricultural education ambassadors and an edible garden design company.
“We created Healthy Soil Heroes as a way to recognize businesses and nonprofits that are promoting sustainable gardening, farming and landscaping practices,” says Bill Camarillo, Agromin’s CEO. “They are creating healthy food, beautifying landscapes and improving our planet.”
The Founding Five
Meiners Oaks Community Garden is a new 7,500-square-foot community garden located a few miles from downtown Ojai. Its grand opening is October 20. The garden is made of 38 3’x6’ raised garden beds. Community members can rent space to create their own gardens and participate in gardening-based workshops and events. Rental fees include soil, tools and water. To sign up, attend the October 20 grand opening or go to www.meinersoakscommunitygarden.com for more information.
MiniNature Reserve, a nonprofit organization based in Oxnard, began in 2021 by Diego Magaña who was inspired by the beauty of natural parks. He started a native plant nursery in his backyard, and with a team of volunteers, he planted the first of several “MiniNature Reserves” in Ventura County. These reserves are pockets of nature within an urban setting aimed at creating green spaces while providing habitats for native plants, pollinators and animals. MiniNature Reserve’s plant nursery is now at 1,500 square-foot location in Oxnard and is open to the public.
Grow With Mo, based in Ojai, is a garden design, consulting and education company specializing in edible gardens, permaculture and regenerative design. Founder Morgan (Mo) Visalli helps her clients grow vegetable gardens, healthy fruit trees, and create more ecologically friendly landscapes by using organic growing practices.
Ventura County Farm-2-School works with 12 school districts throughout Ventura County supporting over 50 school gardens. More than 30,000 students participate each year in Farm-2-School programs where students learn about nutrition, agriculture, the environment and healthy cooking. Farm-2-School also provides technical assistance and training to teachers so they can incorporate school gardens into their teaching curriculum. Its Ventura County School Food Hub, with partner Farm Cart Organics, delivers fruits and vegetables from local farms to schools so the produce can be included in daily student meals.
Killdeer Farms in West Sacramento is a small, family-owned farm that grows mostly flowers and lavender. Owners Christine and Scott Killdeer sell their flowers once a month from their five-acre farm during their harvest season. Flowers are also available through subscriptions and in bulk. They offer workshops where community members receive hands-on planting instructions and get to take home bouquets of fresh-cut flowers.
As a benefit of being a member of Healthy Soil Heroes, members receive a free supply of Agromin compost, mulch and other soil amendments plus a 15 percent off coupon code that members can share with customers and colleagues. Members, in turn, highlight their success stories using Agromin materials through their social media channels.
Healthy Soil Heroes membership applications are closed for 2024 but will open in 2025 for agricultural-related businesses and organizations. For more information, go to https://agromin.com/community or contact Cody Cain (805-850-8797, [email protected]).
The 31st District Agricultural Association Board of Directors has named Heidi Ortiz as Chief Executive Officer of the Ventura County Fairgrounds & Event Center. Ortiz has an extensive history with the Fairgrounds, having worked as an Executive Assistant to the CEO for 14 years and, most recently, as Deputy Manager. She also served as a Junior Fair Board advisor for five years. “I am both humbled and excited for this opportunity. I’m surrounded by an amazing team that will assist me in serving the Fairgrounds’ needs and the community’s interests,” said Ortiz. “The Fairgrounds has been my home away from home for almost 15 years; it’s a place I truly treasure as both an employee and as a community member.”
As CEO, Ortiz will steer the Fairgrounds into its promising future, provide leadership to staff, strengthen relationships between the Fairgrounds and the community, and work in tandem with the Board of Directors and their vision. “Working with Heidi as a Director since 2012, I have seen the hard work, dedication, and integrity Heidi brings to our Fairgrounds,” said Board President Dan Long. “Her vast knowledge of every aspect of the grounds, both during the Fair and year-round events, has shown that she is the best qualified person for this position.” The Board of Directors took the opportunity to name Ortiz as the permanent CEO in the October 22 Board Meeting.
Ortiz is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where she earned her Bachelors in Animal Science. She excelled in academics and athletics, having played four years of collegiate soccer; a two-year team captain. When she’s not at the Fairgrounds, Ortiz enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and son.
Community members and volunteers, including City Councilmember Mike Johnson and local business sponsors, team up with the Ventura Tree Alliance to plant trees at Camino Real Park, restoring Ventura’s urban canopy. Photos by Barbara Brown.
On Tuesday, October 29, from 10am to noon, neighbors, dendrophiles, park lovers and interested community members gathered for a fun, family-friendly tree planting. The Ventura Tree Alliance (VTA), the City of Ventura’s Urban Forestry team and interested stakeholders teamed up to plant thirteen trees at Camino Real Park. VTA also sponsored five additional street trees that will be planted on Telephone Road by the Government Center. Tree planting is crucial in preserving and restoring our urban canopy post the Thomas fire, drought and bark beetle losses of the last decade. Last year alone, the City lost more than 300 trees.
Volunteers included City Councilmember Mike Johnson, City of Ventura Water Commissioner Jim Ackerman, and City staff including Assistant City Manager Carlene Saxton and Ventura Parks and Recreation Director Stacey Zarazua. The City’s Urban Forestry team, led by Andy Torres and Mike Melore, dug the holes and helped place the trees for optimal survival and added shade. Companies including Airgas and West Coast Arborists also rolled up their sleeves to help out.
“It was a warm, autumnal day at Camino Real Park…perfect for planting trees” said Les Weber, District Manager for Airgas, “Tree planting is a wonderful team building experience for our crew, allowing us to come together while giving back to the community. We’re proud to contribute to a cooler, shadier future for Ventura.”
The funds for this event were provided through generous donations from the Ventura Tree Alliance Hundred Founding Donors, other charitable gifts and our community — people who see the value of trees and want to take part in making a difference; cooling the air, providing habitat, reducing water run-off, and mitigating CO2 emissions.
The Ventura Tree Alliance is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit public-benefit corporation that brings communitymembers, educators, and business professionals together to enhance the urban tree canopy in the city of Ventura.
The mission is to “plant trees to augment Ventura’s urban forest, beautifying Ventura and counteracting climate change. Our goals are to inspire, engage and support Venturans in planting and caring for trees through education, advocacy, volunteerism, and fundraising. To donate, visit VenturaTreeAlliance.com/donate.
Ventura County Executive Officer Dr. Sevet Johnson announced the appointment of Kimberlee Albers as the county’s new Homeless Solutions Director, effective November 4, 2024, following an extensive internal and external search.
“Kimberlee’s deep public and nonprofit sector experience brings a unique perspective and proven leadership to her new role,” stated Dr. Johnson. “Her dedication to innovative solutions has distinguished her as a leader in the field, and we are confident her expertise will drive transformative initiatives to reduce homelessness in Ventura County.”
Albers joins Ventura County after six years as the Homeless Assistance Program Manager for Santa Barbara County and eight years leading nonprofits focused on homelessness. A graduate of the University of California, Riverside, with a degree in Administration and Political Science, Albers expressed enthusiasm for her new role: “I’m honored to join Ventura County as Homeless Solutions Director. I look forward to working closely with the dedicated team and community partners to address homelessness and support individuals and families in need.”
The Homeless Solutions Director is a new role aimed at addressing the complex challenges of homelessness across the county. Albers will coordinate with local agencies, develop strategic programs, and work with the Ventura County Continuum of Care Alliance to foster a collaborative approach to preventing and reducing homelessness in Ventura County.
