Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (HTF Ventura County) hosted its eighth annual educational and donor recognition fundraising event at the picturesque Maravilla Gardens in Camarillo. The $100,000 raised during the event will grow to $200,000 thanks to a 1:1 fund matching program provided by California State Proposition 1. HTF Ventura County is now halfway to its year-end goal of raising $5 million in support of developing affordable housing for Ventura County. During the evening celebration, Housing Trust Fund Ventura County also debuted its fresh new logo and color palette.

Keynote State Treasurer Fiona Ma addressed a crowd of over 200 housing advocates, business, and community leaders speaking to this year’s topic, Your Business Depends on Housing: We’re all in this together. “My vision for the State Treasurer’s Office is a proactive, solution-oriented agency that understands the dire importance of creating partnerships with the private sector,” said Treasurer Ma, who noted that she has conducted two statewide housing listening tours seeking to revamp regulations under her purview and to “ensure we help increase the production of homes in California.” Inadequate, unaffordable, and a general lack of housing for Ventura County employees, especially those in the middle- and lower-income level, is a leading factor hindering business expansion and economic growth in our community.

With increased community and business donations, HTF Ventura County can exponentially grow its revolving loan fund by leveraging State Proposition 1, the Housing Programs and Veterans’ Loans Bond, which provides a 1:1 fund matching program, up to $10 million. “Our goal is to hit $5 million by December 31st and then raise the additional $5 million in 2020,” commented Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund Ventura County. “We were thrilled to raise $200,000 between donations and Prop 1’s matching fund at this event. Paired with previous donations and funding, we are now halfway to our 2019 goal.”

A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of HTF Ventura County’s new logo. “We went through a well-crafted decision-making process to arrive at this logo,” stated Housing Trust Fund Ventura County Board Chair, Jennie Buckingham.

The Museum of Ventura County, at 100 E. Main Street is closed for renovation until September 20, 2019. There will be a re-opening on September 20th with a massive party to launch the latest exhibit, California Cool. The opening reception, California Club, will be an exciting trip back to an era of Mid-century modernism. The era-immersive experience will feature craft cocktails, live entertainment, 1950’s inspired cuisine, period costumed actors, and much more! Tickets are available now at the early-bird rate.

Free Figure Drawing at the Museum is back in full swing. The Museum’s Artist in Resident, Ryan Carr, leads this class every 2nd Tuesday of the month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Pavilion. All skill levels are welcome and some instruction is provided. This is a dry medium drawing class, so we ask that attendees refrain from watercolors or paints. Although the Museum’s Research Library and Galleries are currently closed, many events/community activities are still scheduled in the Museum’s Pavilion.

The Free 7th Annual Labor Day Vintage Tractor Fair is taking place at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula on September 2, 2019 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Performing at the Labor Day Vintage Tractor Fair is Salty Suites. Their songbook of original and traditional songs will cover bluegrass, old country, swing, and classical music with a current edge. Also performing is the Museum’s very own Haul & Oaks, featuring members of the Education department. Other family-friendly activities include pie-eating contests, bouncy houses, tractor crafts, and so much more. Many educational and preservation groups will be in attendance, including the UC Master Gardeners, The Santa Paula Bee Club, the Boys and Girls Club, etc. with a slate of free activities.

Residents are advised that phone scammers have been targeting residents impersonating Ventura Police Employees. The scammers are using the real names of police employees. The scammers are using a device that makes it appear to the victim that the phone call is coming from the Ventura Police non-emergency number of 805-650-8010. The scammer is telling residents that there is a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena that requires the victim to provide personal information. Please be advised that the Ventura Police Department does not request personal information over the phone and would not solicit this type of information.

The community is urged to be vigilant and aware of these scams so as to avoid falling victim. Never follow directions from someone on the phone that requests personal information or money.  If you believe you have been the victim of a scam in which you have suffered financial loss, contact the Ventura Police Department at 805-339-4400. If you have not suffered financial loss and you have not provided any personal information by phone please report the call to the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP or visit ftc.gov/complaint.

The community is also advised to be aware of additional phone scams that have impacted residents:

IRS Scam: The scammer says money is owed and must be paid immediately by phone.

Edison/Gas Scam: The scammer says money is owed and if not paid immediately the service will be turned off.

Jury Duty Scam: The scammer says money is owed for not showing up to jury duty and if not paid jail time will occur. 

“Can You Hear Me” Scam: Scammers are calling victims hoping to get them to say the word “yes” during the conversation that’s being recorded. The scammer will later use the recording of the victim saying yes to authorize unwanted charges on the victim’s utility or credit card account.

Text Message Phishing Scam: Scammers are using a new texting scam and spoofing banks’ phone numbers and sending text messages to customers. A spoofed phone number hides the actual number the text is coming from and displays a number from a trusted source, like your bank. The text claims that your debit card has been used to make a purchase and if you do not recognize the transaction, you need to call their fraud prevention helpline. A phone number is provided for you to call. Because the incoming text looks like it’s from your bank, people are falling for this. If you do call the number provided in the text, the fraudster will answer the phone. They will then ask you to confirm your sensitive banking details. This would allow the scammer to steal money from your account.

Grandparent Scam: A scammer poses as a grandchild and claims to be in jail and in need of money for bail. These imposters claim they are in another state or out of the country and need money wired to help bail them out of jail.

The American Red Cross of Central California has named Tony Briggs its Chief Executive Officer – a role in which he will oversee all Red Cross service delivery for 10 counties and nearly 4.5 million residents.

A native of Philadelphia, Briggs completed a successful 24-year career in the United States Navy, rising to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. His career highlights include leading 80 Sailors deployed throughout the Western Pacific in support of humanitarian actions. He was an integral member of a team who brought a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to Los Angeles, showing off the Navy’s finest to more than two million individual media impressions over a four-day period.

“I am truly honored to serve this region and have seen first-hand how resilient this community is,” Briggs said. “Through the work of our staff and volunteers, the Red Cross has been there for the community at its most trying times to provide essential comfort and care. We’re more focused than ever to help our neighbors become better prepared for disaster and I’m looking forward to leading this team of compassionate humanitarians.”

Briggs joined the Red Cross as a communications manager for blood services in Southern California where he was responsible all communications, public affairs and marketing from Santa Barbara to San Diego. In September 2015, he accepted a position as the communications director for the Desert to the Sea Region and served as a national spokesman for the Red Cross at some of its largest disaster responses including Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Hurricane Irma in Florida and the Camp Fire in California.

He earned his degree in Communications from the University of Maryland University College and holds certificates in six sigma quality improvement. He and his wife, Kelly, have been married for nearly 30 years and they are the proud parents of five and enjoy spoiling their four grandchildren.

The Red Cross Central California Region serves Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Kern, Tulare, Kings, Fresno, Madera, Mariposa and Merced counties and in the last year provided relief to nearly 900 families affected by disaster.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/centralcalifornia or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossCCR.