Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation appoints Billy Hughes as New Director of Real Estate Development

Hughes offers extensive experience in real estate to help ensure access to quality, affordable housing.

Billy Hughes has joined Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), the largest developer of affordable homes in Ventura County, as Director of Real Estate Development. Utilizing over 30 years of experience in the real estate industry as a developer, investor and lender, Hughes will manage and oversee CEDC’s affordable housing activities, and train and supervise project management staff. He will be taking charge of project development and ensuring successful transitions of CEDC’s projects from construction to operation. Hughes has demonstrated experience with affordable housing resources and programs and an ability to work effectively with groups in the community to listen and respond to questions and concerns.

“I am delighted and honored to be joining the Cabrillo EDC Executive Management team,” said Hughes. “After 3 decades of learning and working in the real estate industry, I intend to bring my expertise and knowledge to the development of affordable housing communities that are vital to so many members of the Ventura County community.”

Before joining CEDC, Hughes was the Managing Member of Black Point Investments, LLC (BPI), where he directed the acquisition and renovation of over 3 million square feet and nearly $1 billion in historic renovations including the re-purposing of several textile mills and historic schools. Hughes was the former president at Bi-Coastal Communities which developed affordable multifamily housing throughout the southeast. Hughes successfully developed over 2000 units totaling over $300 million in affordable housing and senior housing. His work with housing and developing authorities was recognized when he was named “Developer of Choice” by the Fulton County Housing Authority.

“Cabrillo EDC was looking for someone who is committed to our values and our mission of meeting housing needs of lower income families and individuals,” said Margarita H. de Escontrias, CEO of Cabrillo EDC. “We believe that Billy Hughes’ vast experience and breadth of knowledge together with the dedication he possesses, will help us continue carrying out our meaningful and strategic work to benefit the communities we serve.”

Professional Services adds Social Media Specialist and Communications Specialist

Coverly Professional Services (CoverlyPro) begins 2023 announcing two additions to the full-service marketing and project management firm. Social Media Specialist Madison Dietrich and Communications Specialist Heriberto Rodriguez join the team as the company continues building on its successful growth.

 

Madison Dietrich has hit the ground running, seamlessly managing clients within weeks of being hired. Dietrich is a thought leader behind several client social media accounts in the veterinary, public transportation, and nonprofit arenas. As a former Marketing Manager, Dietrich brings over six years of social media, content writing, and website management experience. She also brings wide-scale event planning, managing teams of hundreds of employees and volunteers.

 

Heriberto “Heri” Rodriguez joins CoverlyPro with an educational background in philosophy, and an expertise in writing. As he says, “My lifelong passion turned lifelong profession. I write so you don’t have to.” With a knack for storytelling, Rodriguez’ written words can be found in varied client communications as he works collaboratively with clients and the media to provide thought provoking articles, press releases, web copy, and more that help tell his clients stories. Rodriguez brings a depth of experience having worked with clients such as Alaska Airlines, Original Grain, Sunday Golf, Kore Essentials, and LA Taco.

“As a business owner, I am so thankful for the work and dedication our team has put into CoverlyPro, especially in the last two challenging years. As a group, we are passionate for what we do, and I see this passion directly translating to our client’s success,” said Lynnette Coverly, CEO of Coverly Professional Services. “We really have a dream team of gifted storytellers, forward-thinking social media experts, and experienced and inventive marketing strategists. Welcoming Madison and Heri to our team was an easy decision given what they each bring in their respective areas of expertise.” CEO Lynnette Coverly is often heard saying that she is building the company she has always wanted to work for, which starts with bringing on the right employees and providing them with the flexibility, benefits, and tools to succeed. The addition of Dietrich and Rodriguez has solidified the dream team that makes CoverlyPro what it is today, while positioning the company for continued success. “I foresee growing our portfolio and our team in 2023,” Coverly added.

In 2020 as Covid took hold, CoverlyPro expanded to provide virtual events, which was met with great success. Now as the world is opening again, the company is producing and marketing in-person events leveraging the finely honed event planning and project management experience of its team. With an expertise providing marketing strategies and implementation for service-based businesses and nonprofits, the company looks to add to its roster of clients similar to Housing Trust Fund Ventura County, Gold Coast Transit District, the Museum of Ventura County, and Ohana Pet Hospital, among others.

Founded in 2010, CoverlyPro offers full-service turnkey marketing and public relations project management services, from brand development to social media management to copywriting, virtual and in-person event production, graphic design, media placement, website development, and more.

Ventura County Leadership Academy announces 2023 honorees

Non-Profit Leader of the Year – Elena Brokaw.

Six outstanding community leaders will be honored for their contributions to our community by the Ventura County Leadership Academy (VCLA) on Thursday, April 27, 2023.

· Business Leader of the Year – Bruce Stenslie, President & CEO, Economic Development Collaborative (EDC)

· Educational Leader of the Year – Dr. Julius O. Sokenu, President, Moorpark College

· Non-Profit Leader of the Year – Elena Brokaw, Executive Director, Museum of Ventura County

· Public Sector Leader of the Year – Scott Whitney, Chief Investigator, Ventura County District Attorney’s Office

· Alumna of the Year – Amanda Fagan (Cohort XXIII), Director of Planning and Sustainability, Ventura County Transportation Commission

· Founder’s Award – Herbert Gooch, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Political Science, California Lutheran University

“Ventura County is a special place, and we are so pleased we get to honor some of the people who make it special,” said Bob Harrell, VCLA Board President. “ VCLA’s mission is to connect and strengthen our community and these honorees certainly do that through their actions and their leadership. They serve our community faithfully.”

Information on sponsorship opportunities or congratulatory ads to support the VCLA’s Journey to Leadership Awards honorees can be found at www.vcleadership.org or by contacting VCLA Executive Director Pattie Braga at [email protected].

The Ventura County Leadership Academy connects and cultivates a diverse network of passionate, capable leaders through an immersion in both critical issues shaping Ventura County and opportunities for personal and professional growth. VCLA’s comprehensive program ignites awareness and inspiration, helping cohort members discover their individual pathway toward impacting. Cohort members gain a comprehensive knowledge of the issues in our community and how they connect across geography and agencies.

Remnants of the Storm

Photo by Richard Sweet, Retired REHS

Storm debris scoured from the Santa Clara River, NE of the 101 Freeway on January 10. Much of the debris is invasive, non-native Giant Cane or Arundo donax, shown here. It is a common scourge of our watersheds in southern Ventura County and is a principal target for removal in many riparian restoration projects.

Ensemble Theatre Company presents the third show of its 2022-2023 Season!

The suspenseful thriller, Selling Kabul, written by Sylvia Khoury and directed by Nike Doukas Selling Kabul begins previews on Thursday, February 2 at 7:30pm, opens on Saturday, February 4 at 8:00pm and runs through Sunday, February 19, 2023 at The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria Street in Santa Barbara.

An Off-Broadway hit and 2022 Pulitzer Prize finalist for Drama, this nail-biting story of abiding family love centers on an Afghan man, Taroon (Rishan Dhamiia), a former interpreter for the US military, in hiding from the Taliban in his sister Afiya’s (Nitya Vidyasager) home in Kabul, Afghanistan. As Taroon restlessly awaits news from the hospital on the birth of his first child, his family races to protect him from dangers lurking outside the apartment walls. Tension mounts as he plans his escape with his wife and infant child

“We’re excited to present the California premiere of this riveting and immediate drama, which puts a human face on extraordinary global events,” said ETC’s Artistic Director Jonathan Fox. “As the plot carefully unfolds with increasing suspense, audience members will find themselves on the edge of their seats. We have assembled an extraordinary cast and creative team to bring this gripping script to life.”

Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, and Sundays at 2:00pm; with added performances on Sunday, February 5 at 7:00pm; Tuesday, February 7 at 7:30pm and Saturday, February 11 at 4:00pm.

Ticket prices range from $40 – $84. Single tickets are available through the ETC box office at (805) 965-5400, or online at etcsb.org. Prices subject to change.

Tree Town

Happy New Year from the Ventura Tree Alliance! May 2023 be a year of enhancing our urban forest! Together let’s plant new trees and care for the trees all around Ventura that are stressed from drought and our urban environment. Thank you for your support in 2022!

venturatreealliance.com

As I See It

A big idea for the Ventura County Fairgrounds (Seaside Park) is being proposed, that I think is very interesting.

Let’s face it, the fairgrounds needs a new image. It has very old Quonset hut buildings that will never be up-dated and deteriorating grounds.

Many don’t realize the fairgrounds is not owned by Ventura City but by rather the 31st Agricultural District, the state agency that governs the property.

A development team is proposing a new 7,500-seat stadium for a minor league baseball team as part of its massive $319 million plan to make over the Fairgrounds. I can see it now – the “Ventura Breezers” will open their season in 2028.

The project, which is being proposed by Pacific Sports Group, includes modern convention halls, two parking garages and shops and restaurants. It would still be used to host the Ventura County Fair.

Its location would be appealing for a stadium with the beach views and train station right there and walking distance to downtown. Certainly, worth considering, it seems. What do you think of a Ventura baseball team? When I grew up in LA we had the Hollywood Stars.
Based upon the following Trump fans feel that Trump has been exonerated. This is, of course not true. If I hold up a bank on Thursday and you hold up a bank on Friday that doesn’t mean that I am not guilty. Hopefully the DOJ will equally investigate both of these situations and act in a manner appropriate to the severity of the crimes.

Classified documents were discovered at the Washington, D.C., office for President Biden’s think tank, the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, in early November as well as at one his homes recently. News broke that another group of classified documents from Biden’s time as vice president had been discovered at another location. This lead to Attorney General Merrick Garland appointing a special counsel to investigate the president’s handling of such documents.

It’s tough to repeat as champs in professional sports (injuries, etc.). Last year’s NFL champions, the LA Rams, finished this year with a 4-12 record and the NBA champs Golden State are now 23-23.

The 6-year-old student who shot and injured his teacher at a Virginia elementary school used a 9mm gun legally purchased by his mother. The student had taken the gun from his residence and put it in his backpack before bringing it to Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia.

In another incident an Indiana man is facing a felony child neglect charge after his toddler son allegedly waved a handgun in the air and pointed the weapon at his own head with his finger on the trigger. Footage of the child playing with a gun in a stairwell was captured by a neighbor’s security camera.

The parents of these kids should be prosecuted and held responsible. If the teacher had died who would be responsible for her death? Certainly not a 6-year-old.

A pair of pants being advertised on TV has a hidden phone pocket. What if you needed your phone but couldn’t find it?

CMH Auxiliary Entertains

This season a little holiday cheer seemed in order.

Usually, CMH Auxiliary members can be seen providing information at the front desk, manning the gift shop, escorting patients, and assisting staff in various ways, but there was a change in routine recently.

Forgoing the usual navy blue and white uniform and donning holiday sweaters and accessories, a contingent of the Auxiliary could be found serenading staff and patients with Christmas carols and spreading some holiday cheer on several floors of the hospital.

The music was appreciated and applauded even though singing while wearing the mandated masks was a challenge. As always, the Auxiliary strives to provide services to the staff where needed, and this season a little holiday cheer seemed in order.

Spruce up Cornucopia Gardens volunteer event

Some of the folks who helped at the Cornucopia gardens.

Last month volunteers came out to Cornucopia Community Gardens to help restore and beautify the educational garden spaces as part of Environmental Sustainability & Parks and Recreation’s Spruce Up Cornucopia Gardens Event! Volunteers mulched, cleared debris, and wiped down equipment while enjoying each other’s company, and snacks. The work accomplished by these groups and individuals will be instrumental in hosting Gardening Series classes and community enrichment to come at Cornucopia Community Gardens.

Cornucopia Community Garden is the City of Ventura’s largest community garden, with approximately 150 plots available for rent to community members. Managed by the Parks and Recreation Department, the garden attracts community members from all walks of life who come together to cultivate the land and enjoy the outdoors.