Category Archives: News and Notes

Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance launches kWh Countdown Program

The Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance, in partnership with the Community Environmental Council, are launching their newest pilot program, kWh Countdown, funded by the California Energy Commission.

kWh Countdown offers two services for businesses located in the cities of Thousand Oaks, Ventura, and Moorpark:

Free energy benchmarking to all business that enroll

A limited number of comprehensive energy audits to businesses that demonstrate a willingness to invest in energy efficiency projects.

“kWh Countdown is designed to help businesses save money on utility bills and invest in energy efficiency projects with confidence,” said Sue Hughes, VCREA’s Executive Director. “Business owners often bypass cost-saving energy efficiency projects because of uncertain payback periods or lack of technical expertise. kWh Countdown aims to reduce the uncertainty surrounding energy efficiency projects by clearly explaining the benefits of energy efficiency.”

Selected companies will receive free American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers level II energy audits, valued at over $5,000 each. These energy audits provide businesses with a detailed analysis of potential energy efficiency projects, including payback periods, funding sources, and packages of projects that best align with the individual company’s goals and objectives. Due to the cost of providing such a high-level assessment, a limited number of these audits will be conducted. Auditing services will be completed by TRC, Inc. a Southern California-based energy company that was selected through a competitive Request for Proposal process.

Companies that are not selected to receive free high-level energy audits will still receive a benchmarking analysis. Benchmarking uses an online platform called ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® to compare a building’s energy usage to that of similar buildings. This evaluation provides businesses insight to their energy usage and helps identify opportunities for energy conservation. Additionally, commercial buildings over 50,000 square feet with no residential accounts are mandated to be benchmarked by Assembly Bill 802. kWh Countdown helps buildings owners meet this benchmarking requirement.

If your business would like to participate in the program, visit www.kwhcountdown.org and fill out an online application or contact Heather Allen at [email protected].

Housing Authority receiving $1 Million from Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco

The Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (HACSB) has partnered with Montecito Bank & Trust to win over $1 million in new funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco’s (FHLBank San Francisco) Affordable Housing Program (AHP). These funds will support the financing of HACSB’s future development sites at Willett Ranch and Rancho Verde in the City of Ventura. Since 1990, FHLBank San Francisco has provided over $1 Billion in grants to support affordable rental and homeownership opportunities for lower-income households. FHLBank San Francisco announced the awards through its 2018 AHP program on June 26, 2018, funding more than 65.9 Million for seventy projects in seven states, including these two HACSB development projects.

HACSB is proud to continue receiving funds through this program, which prior to this year’s award has already infused over $2.4 million into other HACSB developments. This year’s projects represent critical housing developments to support vulnerable Ventura households. Willett Ranch will create 50 new, affordable housing units for low- and very low-income seniors in Westside Ventura. Case management and financial literacy education will be available to residents to help them maintain housing stability. Part of a larger planned residential community, the complex offers three neighborhood parks, pedestrian friendly streets, and architecture styles that incorporate elements that promote social interaction. Willett Ranch received an award of $750,000 in this year’s competition.

Rancho Verde Apartments will create 24 new affordable housing for low- and very low-income farmworkers and their families in East Ventura. A new 4-acre public park will be located across the street and residents will also benefit from onsite amenities such as a community building, garden, courtyard, barbeques, and picnic area. The project is designed to meet LEED for Homes Gold standards, with solar energy production and a greywater system designed to meet 100% of the property’s irrigation needs. This project, which is also recipient of USDA Rural Development funds, received an award of $276,000 from FHLBank San Francisco.

HACSB’s Chief Executive Officer Denise Wise said, “This Housing Authority partnership with Montecito Bank & Trust contributes significantly to our efforts to provide affordable housing in an increasing costly Ventura rental market. These AHP funds will assist our community in housing agricultural workers and provide seniors a comfortable, affordable home for years to come.”

The HACSB is the largest residential landlord in the City of Ventura, with 376 public housing units, more than 1,500 Section 8 vouchers, and over 450 non-profit affordable rental units. The agency is actively working to increase the supply of affordable housing and to improve the quality of life for hundreds more of the low-income residents throughout the City of Ventura.

Upcoming events for the Museum of Ventura County

MUNCH = Music + Lunch. Grab lunch and head over to the Museum, every Thursday between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., for music by local musicians and free entry to the galleries. July 19 features music by Santa Barbara Trombone Society. Feel free to tip the musicians! The museum is located at 100 E. Main St.

Opening Day – Vaquero Campfires at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula. Opening day activities for the Vaquero Campfires exhibit, Saturday, July 28, from noon to 3 p.m., will feature a junior calf roping station, rawhide riatas weaving stations, Buckaroo crafts table and chuck wagon style grub by Santa Paula’s famous Santa Paula. Hillgrillies BBQ. The Vaquero Campfires exhibit is a nostalgic look back at the eye-catching displays of silver-studded saddles, hand-woven rawhide ropes and antique bits and spurs that were unique to the Vaquero lifestyle and traditions. The exhibit will be on display July 28 to November 25 at the Agriculture Museum, 926 Railroad Avenue,

Do you know a hero?

The Ventura Police Community Foundation Executive Board of Directors is pleased to announce the first annual 2018 Heroes Among Us Gala which will be held on November 3, 2018 at the historic San Buenaventura Mission.

The event will recognize community members or groups, who through their personal or professional life, have displayed selflessness, dedication and compassion, making a positive impact in the City of Ventura.

Proceeds from the event will provide important support for the Ventura Police Community Foundation in fostering and funding programs and initiatives that strengthen community safety.

Nominations for community heroes accepted until July 31, 2018. Community members are invited to nominate a hero by submitting an online nomination form or downloading the form for submission by mail.

Individual guest tickets are $100. Tickets may be reserved today by calling 805-339-4317, emailing [email protected] or online at www.venturapolicefoundation.org.

The mission of the Ventura Police Community Foundation is to foster and support programs and initiatives that strengthen a safe community and enhance the quality of life in Ventura.

ThomasFireHelp expands to help survivors of fire

As the reports of the June 6th Holiday Fire surfaced, the ThomasFireHelp.org team was already hard at work to connect those in need to those who had help to give. Within hours of the fire’s start, the ThomasFireHelp team had expanded the platform once designed to meet the needs for the Thomas Fire and Montecito Mudslide survivors to now serve the needs of our Goleta neighbors.

Since the Thomas Fire and Montecito Mudslide, ThomasFireHelp has continued to be a key leader in long term recovery efforts in the region. In an effort to expand their capacity to support and advocate for survivors, ThomasFireHelp has enriched their community partnerships and their recovery network now includes faith-based and service organizations. With these vital community collaborations in place, ThomasFireHelp was able to quickly deploy their innovative platform to assist residents affected by the Holiday Fire.

To date, ThomasFireHelp has had over 22,000 page views on ThomasFireHelp.org and saw posts on the ThomasFireHelp Facebook page reach 11,000 and nearly 13,000 people on critical days after the Thomas Fire and Montecito Slide, respectively. ThomasFireHelp with the use of their online platform, social media outreach and community partnerships works on the grassroots level to match help with need, solving problems on a one-on-one scale and picking up those who fell through the cracks.

“ThomasFireHelp was born out of the immediate and desperate needs of people in the Ventura and Santa Barbara communities facing disasters of unprecedented scale and destruction. No one knew where to go or what to do, and everyone wanted to help. That was our simple beginning we became the ‘Craigslist’ of recovery, building a web-based platform connecting those in need with those who had resources to give”, stated Emily Barany, co-founder of ThomasFireHelp.

The site offers everything from supplies and housing to services and volunteers. Following the closure of the 101 Highway after the Montecito Slide, ThomasFireHelp organized the Montecito Airlift, which deployed 64 volunteer pilots to transport doctors and medical patients, all of whom urgently needed to get across the mud when the 101 was closed for nearly two weeks. 117 passengers were transported as far north as Palo Alto and as far south as San Diego.

“The Thomas Fire and Montecito Mudslide disasters have devastated our community and more than 6 months later, survivors are still trying to find the support they need to get back on their feet” said Peter Zierhut, Vice President of Haas Automation, a local employer with a history of community support. He continued, “For that reason, the Gene Haas Foundation is announcing a challenge grant of $25,000 to ThomasFireHelp, allowing them to continue their work of connecting those affected by the disasters with the services they need. We’re proud to be a part of the good work being done by this hard working organization. As new disasters strike, innovative models like ThomasFireHelp will be integral to the recovery of the region. ThomasFireHelp is poised to be international leader in recovery assistance and The Gene Haas Foundation is proud to be part of the effort.”

The grant ensures that, for every dollar raised from the community, the Gene Haas Foundation will match that amount, up to $25,000.

Coastal Commission allows residential use

After finally getting approval from the Coastal Commission to allow residential use (2008-10 and again 2012-14) and obtaining local permits, grading has started on the large “triangle lot” residential project. This development (off of Sanjon on the location of the former Crabshack Restaurant) will link Ventura to the beach and includes a new bluff-top public promenade with an overlook area fronting onto the Freeway.

The 231-unit multi-family residential apartment project is on approximately 11 acres. The project includes 137 one-bedroom units, 91 two-bedroom units, and 3 three-bedroom units.

Additionally, a 20,000 square foot publicly accessible park space is to be developed at the western edge of the project site adjacent to the Southern terminus of Ash Street. The project will have a new two-lane street with public parking available. Sidewalks are located on both sides of the street for pedestrian access.

Railroad fences in midtown Ventura being removed

Railroad fences in midtown Ventura (this one along Vista Del Mar Drive) are being removed after Union Pacific dropped its application to legally install them. Nearly six years after first putting them up without a permit, Union Pacific Railroad has withdrawn its application to legally install the fences separating its trains from the midtown Ventura neighborhood.

Although illegal to cross the tracks, they are frequently used by midtown residents to access the beach. The California Coastal Commission and Ventura eventually cited Union Pacific because the railroad needed a permit for the installation and the height.

Please be careful if you cross – and be especially careful of the Amtrak trains that are extremely quiet.

Ventura City Council Adopts Fireworks Social Host Ordinance

The Ventura City Council adopted a Fireworks Social Host Ordinance during its regular meeting on June 18, 2018.  Under the new ordinance, any homeowner, renter, or person in charge of a residence or other private property who knows or should know of the sale, use, and/or possession of any fireworks on private property are subject to a civil penalty levied by the City of Ventura.

The Social Host is responsible for the sale, use, and/or possession of fireworks on their property by anyone on their property. The ordinance pertains to any person who hosts, organizes, supervises, officiates, conducts, or accepts responsibility for a gathering on private property.

Violators in the city of Ventura can be reported online, by emailing video of the alleged use of fireworks to the Ventura Police Department.  The Ventura Police will be sending out more information on the reporting process in the next week.

“Illegal fireworks are a safety issue,” said Police Chief Ken Corney.  “The new ordinance provides another disincentive to use illegal fireworks.” Ventura police and fire departments will be patrolling neighborhoods throughout the city of Ventura on July 4th to keep citizens and their property safe and enforce the City’s ordinances.

“Put the community first,” said Fire Chief David Endaya.  “Extreme drought conditions and tinder-dry brush are dangerous. I am asking every resident and visitor in Ventura to keep our city safe and be considerate of your neighbors. Do not use fireworks.”

For more information visit https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/1345/Celebrate-July-4th-Safely.

The shed from River Haven

Proudly standing in front of the shed that they built is the gang from the NAWIC. Photo by Michael Gordon

The shed that is now at River Haven was built at the Career Education Center (CEC) at the Camarillo Airport by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Ventura County Chapter. It was loaded and hauled to River Haven by McCarty and Sons Towing, who generously donated their time.

Even though some material was donated and privately funded NAWIC is hoping to continue to receive monetary donations to the Ventura NAWIC chapter to help reimburse for the cost of the materials. The entire camp costs, including tool kits, safety supplies, and camp t-shirts (all for the girls keep) as well as materials and equipment was around $7,000.

The Ventura County Chapter organizes and sponsors a girl’s construction camp one week during the summer each year to teach young ladies the basics of construction, including safety, material handling, hand and power tool operation and heavy equipment operation. They learn other important life lessons along the way such as responsibility, team work and self confidence among others.

The past three camps have included middle school aged girls, while the original camps were for high school ages only. This year 21 girls participated, 8 of them being 12 year old middle schoolers, about 6 being of high school ages and the balance being 13 and 14 year olds. They were mentored by five full time adult instructors and three camp administrators.

The lead instructor, Daniel Bell, is the Construction Technology teacher at Thousand Oaks High School and is also a general building contractor. They were fortunate enough to have Yvan Jose of Oxnard, who just graduated from ACE Charter High School this year, be a mentor for most of the week. He was leaving to compete in the national competition of Skills USA in Louisville, KY, as the California state Skills USA champ. This young man, right here in our own backyard, was representing not just Ventura County but all of California in this prestigious construction skills competition.

NAWIC Ventura has been running the camps since 2010. Each year the curriculum or project has been different. This is there second tiny home, the first being a fancy custom trailer mounted unit that ended up being a tiny home movement teaching model that travels the US.

NAWIC, established in 1955 by a group of women in the Fort Worth, TX area, is a non-profit organization whose core purpose is to enhance the success of women in the construction industry.

This donation is a result of a group of women from Sandusky, Ohio

The Women of Jewelia presented a check to Turning Point. Photo by Bill Green

At the ribbon-cutting for the new metal shed/homes, that replaced the original domes at River Haven some of The Women of Jewelia (WOJ) Jone Pence, Dale Muegenburg, Tina Osborne, Roz Warner, and Patti Channer presented a check to Jason Meeks from Turning Point for money that was donated by Jenny & Bruce Zembra from Sandusky,Ohio. They also recognized Island Packers for donating trips to the Islands for the Sandusky 6.

The Women of Jewelia were first on board over 10 years ago to donate a dome when River Haven was created. As one of the original sponsors of a dome they chose to contribute to the new Tuff Sheds because “What we do matters, What we share grows.”

This donation is a result of a group of women from Sandusky, Ohio the Best Cellars Book Club, who in 2015 replicated the Women of Jewelia’s NY Times best-selling book, The Necklace: Thirteen Women and the Experiment that Transformed their Lives.

A chain of events in Sandusky followed when last September (2017) two of the Women of Jewelia, Jone Pence and Dale Muegenburg were invited to represent all of the WOJ at a gala fund raiser “Diamonds for Hope” benefiting the Firelands Regional Medical Center-Seidman Cancer Research. The WOJ donated an auction item to the fund raiser, 5 nights at an ocean front house, golfing at the Saticoy Country Club, day trip to Anacapa Island by Island Packers and dinner at home served by them.