On April 19, the Pacific Coast Business Times presented Boys & Girls Club Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Patti Birmingham with a “Top 50 Women in Business” award before a full house at its awards ceremony in the Decker’s Outdoor Corporation Goleta location. Patti was selected for her unwavering commitment to providing local youth with resources to help them reach their full potential in a nurturing club environment.

Patti Birmingham, in her role as CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura manages the daily operation, fiscal management and long-term planning of the club. There are four club sites with a team of 44 staff—that provide services to 2,000 youth each year.  In her capacity as the organization’s leader, she has expanded the resource development team to include a Director of Development and a Grant Writer; started the last 3 years with a financial reserve; restructured the Board for current non-profit governing trends; set up 8 years of committed future Board Presidents and increased services to youth.

“Patti’s dedication to the youth of Ventura is second to none, said Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett.

Patti has always had a great love for kids and thought the Club would be a great place to work while she attended college in pursuit of a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  In 1989 she was hired as the Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director.   Her career path became fixed as her love for the organization deepened.  Her roles have included Fundraising Assistant, Director of Operations and CEO.  Twenty-nine years later, her passion for what she does is stronger than ever.

“The opportunity to provide positive impact on the lives of thousands of youth is what has inspired me throughout the years, and on a daily basis.”, said Patti Birmingham, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura CEO.

For 80 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura has provided a positive place for all youth, especially those who need us most, and quality programs to help them become healthy, responsible, confident and productive members of our community.

Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation’s Homebuyer and Financial Services offers free financial education services to Ventura County residents.

“Clients benefit by receiving free guidance on financial and housing goals and end up with better control of spending and savings. They will receive a personalized action plan so that they may achieve their goals quicker. They also receive additional resources suitable to their situation,” said Homebuyer and Financial Services Housing Counselor Heidi Reyes

Counseling sessions are private, one-on-one sessions with a housing counselor and include a free credit report.

Cabrillo counselors will work with clients to help them understand the importance of a positive credit report and to develop a spending and savings plan to provide the financial tools to establish, repair or maintain good credit to meet their personal goals.

“Financial counseling results in confidence in decision making for Ventura County families,” Reyes said.
Topics covered include:

• Budget and Credit Counseling
• Help with purchasing a Home
• Budget review and goal setting

To schedule an appointment today, call 659-6869 or email [email protected].

This (and other) wonderful tree carvings can be seen at Camino (there in no El) Real Park back by the doggy park. And maybe you can play with some dogs while there.

Photo by Michael Gordon

Thanks to everyone who joined in the CAPS Media Open House on May 3rd. at the CAPS Media Center. Member/Producers, students, board members and the public joined in to tour the facility, recognize award-winning producers, sit-in as DJ of the Day in the KPPQ radio control room, screen previews of Thomas Fire Stories, and learn what it takes to master the tools and techniques needed to produce television and radio programming. The engaging event was exceptionally well attended by the community with many guests surprised to learn how easy it is to become a member of CAPS Media. Anyone who lives, works or attends school in Ventura can take advantage of CAPS Media’s exceptional training and extensive resources for $25 per year. Likewise, any County non-profit org can join and include four organizational members for $75 per year.

CAPS Media’s Digital Storytelling Summer Camp is accepting reservations for a limited number of three-day sessions. Every week crew members receive hands-on instruction in the use of video cameras, audio, lighting, studio production and postproduction editing. The fast paced, activity packed camps are directed by CAPS Media professional staff aided by energetic high school interns from El Camino’s award winning ECTV media program. Digital Storytelling Summer Sessions include the teamwork and skills needed to produce comedy shows, commercials, documentaries, news reporting and more – all from the POV of the Digital Storytelling crew members. To learn more or sign up call the CAPS Media Center, 805.658.0500 or go to capsmedia.org.

The Thomas Fire Stories Project continues to discover and record fascinating and engaging first-person stories throughout the community. In the first few months CAPS Media crews have recorded dozens of captivating stories and personal accounts by fire fighters, first responders, and members of the public impacted by the fire. Everyone with a story to tell is encouraged to share their experience. Selected stories will air and stream on CAPS Television, CAPS radio (KPPQ 104.1 FM) and may be included in a comprehensive Thomas Fire documentary. All of the recordings will be added to the historic archival project at the Museum of Ventura County.

Graduation time is nearly upon us and CAPS Media will continue the tradition of recording, broadcasting and streaming graduation ceremonies for Ventura College (May 18), El Camino High School (June 8) and Foothill Technical High School (June 14).

CAPS Media’s mission is to create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media. CAPS Media manages two television channels (6 & 15) and an FM Radio channel (KPPQ 104.1FM). Membership fees are $25 per year for television and $50 per year for radio. Membership includes training and access to video and audio production and postproduction equipment. General orientation sessions are on the first Thursday of every month, videography classes are on the 2nd Thursday, video editing classes are on the 3rd Thursday and radio classes are typically on Wednesday and Thursday of the 4th week of the month. All classes begin at 6pm. For more information, go to capsmedia.org or call 658-0500.

The final results of the Breeze VERY UNOFFICIAL naming of the green pig are in. The long list of funny names sent to us by readers were submitted to a panel of Breeze staffers for review and selection. Of the names submitted over 15 received at least one vote. The winning name is HAMLET, which was submitted by Monique Robles who received 3 tickets to the Ronal Reagan Library. Congratulations Monique – you are now famous. Other names that were right behind HAMLET were PIGASSO, HAM SOLO and ALBERT EINSWINE.

And who knows, at next year’s St. Pats Parade the pig might still be named BACON. But let’s get serious, the name of an inflatable green pig is really not very important, but we had fun.

Island Packers, a Ventura institution and longtime concessioner to Channel Islands National Park, is currently celebrating its 50^th year of providing transportation, education and research support for California’s Channel Islands. Plans to mark the momentous occasion are currently underway.

Fifty years ago Bill Connally, founder of Island Packers, was inspired with a vision to share the wonders of the Channel Islands by providing excursions to these remote offshore islands.  Early dreams of starting a pack station in the High Sierra evolved into the idea of “packing people” to the Channel Islands when he bought his first vessel, a World War II vintage converted navy launch Island Packer.

To realize his vision, the fondly remembered family patriarch enlisted the help of his wife Lil and their four children. The family christened the vessel Island Packer on Mother’s Day in 1968.

Since its inception the business has always been a family tradition, currently operated by three generations. Today, Island Packers is managed by siblings Mark Connally as company president and Cherryl Connally as vice president and marketing director. Lil Connally is secretary and retired but consults the business, and Jason Wendel (Cherryl ’s son) is a boat captain. Longstanding employee-turned-partner Alex Brodie serves as fleet manager.

The experiences Island Packers offers provide opportunities for the public to learn about the islands and the local marine environment. Since 1969, they have been committed to educating school children and youth groups through their “floating classroom” field trips.

During the month of May, their anniversary month, Island Packers will offer passengers traveling during the month into contention for the “Golden Ticket.” This Grand Prize will be awarded to a lucky traveler, chosen randomly, who will win trips for 4 to all the Islands that Island Packers visits.

From May through the end of the year, Island Packers will operate a coordinated social media contest that rewards followers who post the best picture or island memory with island trips.

On select days in the fall season, Island Packers will celebrate 50 years with several $ 50 fare promotions. Day trips to Santa Cruz, Anacapa and Santa Rosa Islands, as well as “2 for $ 50” fare for Island Wildlife Cruises will be offered. Stay tuned and check our website updates for the specific dates.

For the month of November of this year, Island Packers will offer day trip discount per adult fare for Santa Rosa Island, observing 50 years with $50 fares, up to four fares per customer. Not valid for group reservations or any other discount.

To wrap up this significant year, and in appreciation of our mutual collaboration, Island Packers will offer an evening Harbor Cruise for our local business partners on Wednesday Oct. 3^rd.

Island Packers will also be hosting a charity Harbor Cruise on Saturday Oct. 12th, open to the public, and will donate all proceeds to a local charity.

Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and visit islandpackers.com for up to date listing of all trips.