Food Share, Ventura County’s largest hunger-relief organization, has been honored with a multitude of prestigious awards, solidifying its position as one of the county’s leading nonprofits.

The 73rd annual Oxnard Community & Business Awards, hosted by the West Ventura County Business Alliance, recognizes remarkable individuals, businesses, and organizations. Food Share was honored with the Non Profit of the Year award for its work in tackling food insecurity within the city, exemplified by the ongoing drive-thru food distributions that take place at College Park, Oxnard. Starting in April 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic, the distributions are now in their third year and continue to draw large numbers, serving an estimated 4,000 people each week.

Commenting on the award, Monica White, Food Share’s President and CEO, said, “I’m immensely grateful that this incredible, hard-working team chooses to use their many talents here at Food Share and so happy that they feel recognized and respected for the work they do.”

Food Share is also honored to have won a 2023 Gold Viddy Award in the long-form, non-broadcast category. The international competition, which celebrates video excellence in the digital realm, recognized Food Share’s impactful video shedding light on the experiences of individuals facing food insecurity in Ventura County.

The Viddy Awards, formerly known as the Videographer Awards and administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP), is judged by professionals from the industry who seek out exceptional talent and work that sets a benchmark for excellence. The winning video was a collaborative effort with local videographers, James & Jules Branaman.

Totally Local VC is proud to announce that we will be the official hosts for the Craft Beer & Wine Garden at this year’s 2023 Ventura County Fair.

We are excited to be working with the VC Fair staff and our local breweries to help design and develop the Totally Local VC Beer & Wine Garden.  This is a great opportunity to promote local at the fair and to highlight the incredible breweries throughout our county as well as the  farmers who make beer happen!

Each year the fair sees an average of 300,000 visitors in the two-week period of the fair. This provides an incredible opportunity to showcase Ventura County’s Craft Brew industry as well as provide a nod to the farmers who grow the ingredients needed to make beer and other drinkable products.

List of participating Breweries and Distillery

Topa Topa Brewing,Institution Ale,Ventura Coast brewing,Made West,Rincon Brewing,Leashless Brewing,Tarantula Brewing,Transmission Brewing,Ojai Brewing,Seaward Brewing ,Enegren Brewing and Ventura Spirits.

Brewers from throughout Ventura County have graciously donated funds to the scholarship program.  Funds raised throughout the year and early 2024 will be used to create a scholarship fund for students who are pursuing an education and career in agriculture, culinary arts and or food science.  Totally Local VC’s goal is to raise enough funds to offer at least one scholarship for both agricultural education and one for culinary arts/food science.

Scholarships recipients will be decided by our Ag Ed Committee and awarded March 2024.

If your interested in finding out more or donating to the scholarship fund please email us at [email protected]

The Totally Local VC Craft Beer Garden will be located in the Floriculture /Landscape area

Ventura Land Trust will host a Community Roundtable on July 25th to invite input

from Ventura residents on up-and-coming nature preserve Mariano Rancho. The 1,645-acre property in the hills north of Ventura was purchased by Ventura Land Trust (VLT) in 2020 for permanent conservation, with plans to open the preserve to the public in 2025. The event will be held at Ventura’s Poinsettia Pavilion from 6-8 pm.

VLT hosted a series of presentations for Mariano Rancho in 2022 with topics on public access,

recreation, and conservation. The “Powerpoint-free” Mariano Rancho Community Roundtable will encourage dialogue between community members and a team of facilitators made up of Ventura residents, environmental experts, VLT advisors, and organization staff.

Roundtable topics include preserve name suggestions, trail design and types of recreation allowed on the preserve, conservation strategy, parking and access points, and community involvement and inclusion.

Executive Director Melissa Baffa stated “We have heard so many great stories from people about things they have experienced exploring the hills. We want people to keep making memories there for generations to come, and meetings like this are one way to make sure that happens.”

Roundtable feedback submissions can be made now through an online form on VLT’s website at

www.venturalandtrust.org/communityroundtable. RSVPs to the Mariano Rancho Community

Roundtable are encouraged.

The mission of Ventura Land Trust is to permanently protect the land, water, wildlife and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations. Founded in 2003, Ventura Land Trust believes that preserving open space and providing public access enhances the economy, quality of life, and public well-being of Ventura and surrounding communities.

Ventura Land Trust Hosts a Community Roundtable for Mariano Rancho

Ventura Land Trust will host a Community Roundtable on July 25th to invite input

from Ventura residents on up-and-coming nature preserve Mariano Rancho. The 1,645-acre property in the hills north of Ventura was purchased by Ventura Land Trust (VLT) in 2020 for permanent conservation, with plans to open the preserve to the public in 2025. The event will be held at Ventura’s Poinsettia Pavilion from 6-8 pm.

VLT hosted a series of presentations for Mariano Rancho in 2022 with topics on public access,

recreation, and conservation. The “Powerpoint-free” Mariano Rancho Community Roundtable will encourage dialogue between community members and a team of facilitators made up of Ventura residents, environmental experts, VLT advisors, and organization staff.

Roundtable topics include preserve name suggestions, trail design and types of recreation allowed on the preserve, conservation strategy, parking and access points, and community involvement and inclusion.

Executive Director Melissa Baffa stated “We have heard so many great stories from people about things they have experienced exploring the hills. We want people to keep making memories there for generations to come, and meetings like this are one way to make sure that happens.”

Roundtable feedback submissions can be made now through an online form on VLT’s website at

www.venturalandtrust.org/communityroundtable. RSVPs to the Mariano Rancho Community

Roundtable are encouraged.

The mission of Ventura Land Trust is to permanently protect the land, water, wildlife and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations. Founded in 2003, Ventura Land Trust believes that preserving open space and providing public access enhances the economy, quality of life, and public well-being of Ventura and surrounding communities.

The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC) and the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) today announced the launch of a new joint job program designed to help Ventura County residents develop the skills they need to get in-demand, high-paying jobs.

The new career program will be offered at Ventura, Moorpark, and Oxnard Colleges, and include the following opportunities:

CNC Machinist and/or CNC Operator-Certificate of Achievement (Ventura College)

Computer Networking/Information Technology (CNIT)-Certificate of Achievement (Oxnard College)

Cybersecurity Administrator or Technical Support Specialist-Certificate of Achievement (Moorpark College)

“We are excited to partner with VCCCD to offer this new program,” said Dr. Norman Albances, Assistant Director of the WDBVC. “This program is designed to help Ventura County residents develop the skills they need to get in-demand, high-paying jobs. We know that many people struggle to make ends meet and find good-paying jobs. This program will help them get the financial assistance and support they need to succeed.”

“Our partnership with the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County and the California Workforce Development Board provides additional resources to advance educational and economic growth,” said Brenda Acomb Forbes, Director of Economic and Workforce Development, VCCCD. “Our county communities’ greatly benefit from this collaboration with the goal of creating jobs of our future. While VCCCD currently offers these skills and education, this partnership allows us to further expand our work.”

As Ventura County residents apply to the program, individuals will be assigned a Career Coordinator to assist with a comprehensive range of services, including financial aid assistance, job search support, resume writing assistance, interviewing skills training, and referrals to community resources. Completing the program will also help participants further their education to get placed in high-growth careers.

The Job Connect program officially launches July 5, 2023. Please visit jobconnectvc.org to apply.

For interviews:

Please contact Sheena Kennedy with Consortium Media.

Direct 805 202 9909 or [email protected]

The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC) is a public agency connecting Ventura County residents with employment opportunities and businesses to a ready workforce. The WDBVC provides various services, at no cost, including job training, job search assistance, and apprenticeship programs.

The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) is a community college district that serves Ventura County, California. VCCCD offers a variety of academic and career programs, including associate degrees, certificates, and workforce training.

Summer is here and it’s time for national park trips across California and beyond. It is true indeed that not all those who wander are lost. Some of us prefer to spend our time hiking and camping at the national parks; disconnected from the outside world and the constant run of news and social media.

The Channel Islands National Park is a special place. If you have been lucky to spend some nights camping on one of the remote Channel Islands, you’ll understand. And if you have not yet camped out there, let’s chat about it.

The Channel Islands Park Foundation is continuing their work to make those camping memories come to life for you. It’s amazing to gaze across the channel or on a lovely summer night to enjoy the incredible display of stars.

Aera is hosting a fun(d)raiser and silent auction to support the campground and the fine work of the Channel Island Park Foundation.  To raise $10,000, learn about the campground, and share wonderful stories.

July 13, from 5.30 PM to 7 PM at the Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at Channel Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker Dr.

RSVP at eventbrite.com/e/tickets-655387109487

In a surprising turn of events, GOGO, a local startup dedicated to providing eco-friendly transportation solutions, faced a setback when two of their electric scooters were stolen in a brazen smash-and-grab incident at the Ventura Chamber of Commerce. However, GOGO refuses to let this incident deter their mission. Instead, they are turning this adversity into an opportunity for growth and resilience.

The incident took place in the early hours of Friday, July 7, when a shattered window revealed the theft of the two electric scooters. GOGO’s team was initially shocked by this unexpected blow, but they quickly rallied together to demonstrate their unwavering commitment to the community and their determination to overcome challenges.

Founder and CEO Luciano Morales expressed the team’s reaction, saying, “While we are deeply saddened by this incident, we see it as a test of our resilience and determination. Our focus has always been on providing convenient and eco-friendly transportation options for our community, and we won’t let this setback deter us from our mission.”

Rather than dwell on the negative, GOGO is using this incident as an opportunity to highlight the importance of supporting local businesses in Ventura and showcasing the spirit of entrepreneurship. They aim to inspire others by sharing their journey of resilience and their commitment to making a positive impact on the community.

Despite the setback, GOGO remains dedicated to their vision of transforming transportation in Ventura. They are actively working with local law enforcement to recover the stolen scooters and ensure the safety and security of their fleet. In the face of adversity, the team is more determined than ever to provide residents and visitors with sustainable and efficient transportation options.

GOGO invites the community to join them in this inspiring journey. By supporting local startups and championing eco-friendly initiatives, Ventura residents can contribute to the growth and vibrancy of the city.

For more information about GOGO and their mission, please visit their website at RideGOGOelectric.com or follow them on Instagram @rideGOGOelectric. Together, let us turn adversity into opportunity and build a stronger and more resilient community.