This month the Chamber visited Aspen Helicopters with City Manager Greg Nyhoff, Police Chief Scott Whitney, and Chamber Chair Amy Fonzo. Charlie McLaughlin was the very accommodating host. Like most business visits, we learned a lot about the work Aspen does locally and throughout the U.S. In addition to support of our ag industry, they do a lot of work for the Navy, the Department of Forestry, and offer executive charters.
As well as the numerous sizes and capacities of helicopters, they also have a fleet of fixed-wing planes. In fact, they have a plane stationed in New Jersey whose job it is to fly a 100 square mile area over the Atlantic every month to track whales. When we visited, they also had a plane in South Dakota. What we learned about the business was that they offer a variety of air services. They also employ a good number of people. Aspen has the same challenges as many other companies in that they find it quite difficult to find qualified workers. The highlight of the visit was when McLaughlin offered to take us on a tour of Oxnard from the air. It is certainly amazing to see the city from a different perspective. We flew over the beautiful Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Resort and then on to Channel Islands Harbor. We saw a ship being unloaded in the Port of Hueneme. Unfortunately, we also saw an encampment of homeless people near Ormond Beach. This certainly was a business visit to remember. The Chamber and City Manager visit a different business every month. The purpose is to make sure the city's management is in touch with our local businesses and the challenges they face. If you would like to host a future business visit, please let Chamber CEO Nancy Lindholm know. Several bills supported by the California Chamber of Commerce to encourage local governments to approve new housing projects passed the Legislature on the last day of the session and are on their way to the Governor. The bills either hold local governments accountable for meeting the housing elements of their plans or aim to combat the “not in my backyard” (NIMBY) resistance that can stall needed housing projects. Now awaiting action by the Governor are: AB 678 (Bocanegra; D-Pacoima): Promotes Local Agencies’ Compliance with the Housing Accountability Act. The bill seeks to ensure that local agencies comply with the provisions of the Act by requiring a local agency to make relevant findings if it denies a project, clarifying provisions of the Act, and imposing penalties on agencies that violate the Act. AB 1515 (Daly; D-Anaheim): Stimulates Additional Housing Production. AB 1515 encourages housing project approvals by specifying that a housing development is deemed consistent with local plans and ordinances if there is substantial evidence such that a reasonable person could conclude that the project is consistent. SB 167 (Skinner; D-Berkeley): Accountability of Local Agencies for Housing Development Project Decisions. The bill promotes accountability for decisions and approval of projects by imposing additional requirements on local agencies when disapproving or conditionally approving a project, and imposing penalties for violation of the Act. Action NeededThe CalChamber is encouraging members to contact the Governor and ask him to sign AB 678, AB 1515 and SB 167. Channel Islands Harbor will hosts its Annual Pumpkin Fun Day Oct. 29. The community is invited to join in the fun at the Channel Islands Harbor Farmers’ Market located in the north parking lot adjacent to Marine Emporium Landing, 3350 S. Harbor Blvd. Bring the whole family for a day of fun. Various events will be taking place all day, including a decorating pop-up shop where children can make Halloween hats, trick-or-treating throughout the Farmers’ Market, and a costume parade and costume contest, with special prizes given to the winners. Other activities include face painting, live music and a bounce house. The costume parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. and the costume contest will start at noon. The Farmers’ Market Pumpkin Fun Day is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Farmers Market office at 818-591-8161. Channel Islands Harbor serves as a center of recreation, boating, shopping and water sports activities. The harbor is home to three yacht clubs and nine full-service marinas that provide berths for 2,150 boats. It also hosts the Channel Islands Maritime Museum. The museum is a cultural center dedicated to the interpretation of maritime history through interactive exhibits and educational outreach. For more information visit us at www.channelislandsharbor.org. Now that our state legislators have completed their work in Sacramento for 2017, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin will address the Oxnard Chamber at its Knowledge & Networking luncheon on October 12. Attendees will hear about the tough decisions Ms. Irwin faced during a year of major issues. 2017 saw the passage of an historic transportation package (which means taxes as well as capital improvements), extension of the cap and trade program, numerous housing bills, and some controversial labor law proposals. Jacqui Irwin was first elected in 2014 to represent California’s 44th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Camarillo, Moorpark, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and the communities of Casa Conejo, Channel Islands Beach, El Rio, Lake Sherwood, Oak Park, and Santa Rosa Valley. In her first term in the Assembly, Irwin successfully authored numerous pieces of legislation into law and brought vital state funds back to her community. Through her leadership funding was allocated for the creation of the CSU Channel Island School of Engineering and for innovation centers on UC campuses to transform UC research into products. Her legislation created tax-free savings accounts for the disabled, increased the cybersecurity of state agencies, and removed barriers for military service members seeking mental health services. Assemblymember Irwin currently chairs the Veterans Affairs Committee, and is a member of the Agriculture Committee, Business & Professions Committee, Higher Education Committee, and the Privacy & Consumer Protection Committee. Assemblymember Irwin also chairs the Assembly Select Committee on Cybersecurity, and Co-chairs the National Conference of State Legislatures Task Force on Cybersecurity. These roles have allowed her to help lead national and statewide efforts to improve our cybersecurity policies. Her career in public service began on the Thousand Oaks City Council, where she was first elected in 2004. Irwin served two terms as mayor of Thousand Oaks. On the City Council she was a strong advocate for the preservation of open space and responsible development, while working tirelessly to ensure that families had a safe community. Prior to her public service, Irwin was an employee of Teledyne Systems. She also worked as an engineer at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab. She has been honored as Assemblymember of the Year by TechNet, the Woman of the Year for the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Champion for College Opportunity and Student Success by the Campaign for College Opportunity, and received the California Bear Award for her service to the California National Guard. Assemblymember Irwin holds a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from UC San Diego. While earning her degree Irwin was an All-American swimmer and competed in the national championships all four years. A proud mother of three young adults, Jacqui Irwin and her husband Jon have lived in Thousand Oaks for nearly 20 years. In addition to her work in the Assembly, Irwin has been appointed by the Assembly Speaker to serve on the Governor’s Military Council, the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, the State Public Works Board, the Inter-Agency Council on Veterans, and the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The October 12 Knowledge & Networking lunch will be held at the Residence Inn at River Ridge on Vineyard Avenue with California State University Channel Islands as our sponsor. Advance reservations are requested and are discounted for members through October 9. Log onto the Chamber's website to make a reservation or call the office at 805-983-6118. SPONSOR:
The Military Appreciation Dinner may be an annual event for the Oxnard Chamber, but it is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence for the enlisted personnel being honored. The entire affair would certainly not be possible without the support of some very generous businesses and organizations. We would like to sincerely thank the sponsors of the 20th annual Military Appreciation Dinner. Presenting Sponsors: AMS Craig, LLC California State University Channel Islands Centers for Family Health Clear Channel Outdoor Glovis America, Inc. Kaiser Permanente Marriott International Government Travel Port of Hueneme Residence Inn & Courtyard by Marriott Supporting Sponsors: DCH Auto Group Holiday Inn Express Port Hueneme Oxnard Ambassadors Oxnard College Foundation River Ridge Golf Club St. John's Regional Medical Center / Dignity Health Select Staffing Other Essential Sponsors:
Kirby Auto Group (Commemorative Wine Glass Sponsor) Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau (Awardees' Gift Sponsor) Ventura County Lodging Association (Commemorative Program Sponsor) In addition, we are grateful to Magnavino Cellars and Rancho Ventavo Cellars for donating wine for the dinner. We would also like to acknowledge Garden Acres Santa Claus (Santa to the Sea) and Bill Gallaher for sponsoring enlisted personnel to attend the event. It is truly inspirational to see how much our community embraces the local military presence and the Americans who step forward to defend our freedoms. Thank you all!! As the 2017 legislative session came to a close early Saturday morning, 24 of 27 identified job killer bills had been effectively stopped through efforts of the California Chamber of Commerce, local chambers and the business community.
Many job killer bills were the focus of rigorous debate and controversy; in fact, two new job killers were identified last week as a result of amendments added when the bills were being considered on the house floors. Below is a recap on the highest profile job killer bills that were still active in the last two weeks of the session. To Governor; Action NeededThree job killers are on the governor’s desk. The CalChamber is urging its members to contact Governor Brown and ask him to veto AB 1209, SB 33, SB 63. Below is a summary of each bill: • AB 1209 (Gonzalez Fletcher; D-San Diego) Public Shaming of Employers — Imposes new data collection mandate on California employers to collect and report data to the Secretary of State regarding the mean and median salaries of men and women in the same job title and job description, determine which employees perform “substantially similar” work, and then have that report posted on a publicly accessible website, where such employers will receive undue scrutiny and criticism for wage disparity that is not unlawful and justified by a bona fide factor. • SB 33 (Dodd; D-Napa) Discrimination Against Arbitration Agreements — Unfairly discriminates against arbitration agreements contained in consumer contracts for goods or services with a financial institution, as broadly defined, which is likely preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act and will lead to confusion and unnecessary litigation. • SB 63 (Jackson; D-Santa Barbara) Imposes New Maternity and Paternity Leave Mandate — Unduly burdens and increases costs of small employers with as few as 20 employees by requiring 12 weeks of protected employee leave for child bonding and exposes them to the threat of costly litigation. Job Killers Stopped AB 127 (Committee on Budget) was identified as a job killer on September 13 when language was added to a budget bill that threatened energy reliability by mandating the closure of the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility. CalChamber had identified AB 127 as a job killer because it would have eliminated jobs and placed regional energy reliability at risk. The bill was never taken up for a vote on the Senate Floor. SB 49 (de León; D-Los Angeles), which would have created uncertainty and increased potential litigation regarding environmental standards, was held in the Senate Rules Committee. The bill would have given broad and sweeping discretion to state agencies to adopt rules and regulations more stringent than the federal rules. SB 49 would have increased the potential for costly litigation by creating private rights of action under California law, which may be triggered when a state agency takes the foregoing discretionary action. Finally, a job killer bill that would have increased permitting fees and delayed permitting, SB 774 (Leyva; D-Chino), was held on the Assembly Floor inactive file, just days after being amended with onerous provisions. It would established the California Toxic Substances Board within the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), requiring DTSC to adopt a new fee schedule by January 1, 2019 “at a rate sufficient to reimburse the department’s costs to implement” its statutory requirements. SB 774 was tagged as a job killer because it bypassed public participation and input and would have allowed DTSC to adopt future fee schedules as “emergency” regulations when such regulations would have had significant impacts on permittees’ ability to continue to provide vital services to California communities. Cumulative Job Killer Vetoes 2017: 27 job killers identified, 3 sent to Governor Brown; 2016: 24 job killers identified, 5 sent to Governor Brown, 4 signed, and 1 vetoed; 2015: 19 job killer bills identified, 3 sent to Governor Brown, 1 signed, and 2 vetoed; 2014: 27 job killer bills identified, 2 sent to Governor, signs 2; 2013: 38 job killer bills identified, 1 sent to Governor, signs 1; 2012: 32 job killer bills identified, 6 sent to Governor, 2 vetoed; 2011: 30 job killer bills identified, 5 sent to Governor, 4 vetoed; 2010: 43 job killer bills identified, 12 sent to Governor, 10 vetoed; 2009: 33 job killer bills identified, 6 sent to Governor, 6 vetoed; 2008: 39 job killer bills identified, 10 sent to Governor, 9 vetoed; 2007: 30 job killer bills identified, 12 sent to Governor, 12 vetoed; 2006: 40 job killer bills identified, 11 sent to Governor, 9 vetoed; 2005: 45 job killer bills identified, 8 sent to Governor, 7 vetoed; 2004: 23 job killer bills identified, 10 sent to Governor, 10 vetoed; 2003: 53 job killer bills identified, 13 sent to Governor, 2 vetoed; 2002: 35 job killer bills identified, 17 sent to Governor, 5 vetoed; 2001: 12 job killer bills identified, 5 sent to Governor, 2 vetoed; 2000: No job killers identified. Of 4 bad bills identified at end of session, Governor Davis signs 2 and vetoes 2; 1999: 30 job killer bills identified, 9 sent to Governor, 3 vetoed; 1998: 64 job killer bills identified, 11 sent to Governor, 11 vetoed.; 1997: 57 job killer bills identified, 9 sent to Governor, 9 vetoed. Last week California Labor and Workforce Development Agency Secretary David M. Lanier issued the following statement that the decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) does not require employers to re-verify work authorization documents: "With the announcement to phase out the DACA program, the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency and its partner departments affirm the action does not require an immediate re-verification of work authorization documents for DACA recipients. "Any action or attempt by employers to re-investigate or re-verify work authorization documents in order to retaliate against any immigrant worker is unlawful in California. "The Labor and Workforce Development Agency will continue to work in partnership with community leaders, worker advocates and employers to make sure DACA recipients and immigrant workers know they are covered by our State's workplace protections." Employees with work-related questions or complaints may contact the Department of Industrial Relations' Call Center in English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734), and more information on wage theft and how to report violations is available through the Labor Commissioner's Wage Theft is a Crime website. I have always been a live and let live kind of person. I don't like conflicts. I prefer harmony over anarchy. Unfortunately controversy crosses my path more often than I like. Occupational hazard, I guess. I have no idea what triggered a recent dispute between the County of Ventura and the City of Oxnard regarding Channel Islands Harbor. However, it's apparent that a lot of beneficial economic development projects are caught in the crossfire. When I have friends or family from out of town visit me, my favorite thing to do is take them on an electric boat tour of Channel Islands Harbor. For too many years my guests have asked why there is a large shuttered hotel in such a beautiful location. I used to answer, "It's the economy." But that doesn't hold water any more. Now that we are on the verge of the groundbreaking for a new visitor-serving hotel, a tiff between the city and the county looks like it could derail the revitalization of the peninsula in the harbor. Fisherman's Wharf is certainly another example of the dispute between the two local governments. Here you have a site that was designated on the city's 2030 General Plan as an "Urban Village," which means residential use plus local services for the residents. When that plan was presented, the county embraced it, but the city has done everything possible to derail the project. The squabble seems to stem from who gets to approve which projects. Historically, the County has granted approvals based on its approved public works plan. Oxnard doesn't seem to like that process any longer and wants to give projects its blessing or denial. I don't know who should be the approving entity. I just know that a very good proposal to revive Fisherman's Wharf is caught up in the dispute. I am also hearing rumblings that the rebuild of the old Casa Sirena Marina Hotel may be facing permit challenges from the city. It's time to lock city and the county officials in a room with a professional mediator and come to a resolution. Administration Announces Intention to Rescind DACA Program California Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Allan Zaremberg issued a statement September 5, renewing the call for comprehensive immigration reform in light of the announcement that the federal government will rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The DACA program was created in June 2012 and allows certain undocumented immigrants who entered the county as minors to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and eligibility for a work permit. “CalChamber has been a steadfast proponent of comprehensive immigration reform because it is crucial to California’s economic future,” said Zaremberg. “The announcement by Attorney General Sessions highlights the need for comprehensive immigration reform once again and emphasizes the need for an immediate bipartisan solution to provide certain legal status for Dreamers. DACA has shown us that certainty in legal status fosters success in education, employment and job creation. It is a roadmap to achievement if we provide legal certainty for California’s more than 2.5 million undocumented residents.” California has more at risk than other states. There are nearly 800,000 workers and students enrolled in DACA in the United States. About 200,000 of those individuals are Californians. The end result of uprooting 200,000 Californians, 95% of whom are gainfully employed or enrolled in college, would create change for which the state is unprepared. “Congress must act swiftly to address this issue so we aren’t left with a problem of losing productive tax-paying jobs,” Zaremberg said. Zaremberg continued, “An important aspect of California’s economy is our booming technology industry, which relies on highly skilled talent to innovate, design, manufacture, create jobs and enable success in the global marketplace. As things stand today, California cannot find enough ‘home grown’ engineers and scientists. We need to reform our inadequate H-1B visa program. Without reform, our jobs leave for offshore locations which would not be a good outcome for the state.” Many sectors of California’s economy will benefit from immigration reform. “In addition to the technology sector, the agricultural industry would benefit from the certainty created through comprehensive immigration reform,” Zaremberg said. “We need a bipartisan solution that will provide a permanent legislative solution for Dreamers,” Zaremberg concluded. “We need to preserve California’s workforce and our ability to compete in the global economy. Comprehensive immigration reform will bring certainty to employers, employees and families.” The Collection at RiverPark serves up Mexican cuisine with opening of Los Agaves Restaurant9/12/2017
Popular Santa Barbara hotspot makes Oxnard debut The Collection at RiverPark has added popular Santa Barbara-based eatery Los Agaves Restaurant to its growing list of dining selections. The restaurant marks the leading Oxnard shopping center’s first Mexican dining spot. “With a reputation of being one of region’s go-to spots to grab a bite of authentic Mexican cuisine, we’re excited to bring this popular brand to The Collection to round out our list of diverse and delicious dining offerings,” said Stefanie Muegel, marketing director for The Collection. This newest location in Oxnard will serve the same award-winning Mexican cuisine that has made Los Agaves a favorite among foodies and families alike. Guests will enjoy authentic Mexican favorites with an innovative twist, prepared using the highest quality ingredients, and characterized by the bold flavors of Mexico. With simple and sophisticated presentation, signature dishes include Los Agaves Enchiladas featuring fresh halibut and shrimp, red pepper, onions, and topped with chipotle sauce; Chiles Nortenos stuffed with shrimp and Oaxaca cheese, topped with chipotle dressing; Sea and Earth Molcajetes with grilled nopal, panela chorizo, grilled chambray onion and avocado; or one of the many variations of their famous Ceviches. To view the full menu, please click here. The restaurant currently has four locations in Santa Barbara, Goleta and Westlake Village. “We are proud to open our doors in Oxnard and welcome the community to come taste the flavors of authentic Mexico,” said Carlos Luna, owner of Los Agaves. “At Los Agaves, we have always taken tremendous pride in being a part of the community, embracing our neighboring businesses and residents alike, and we hope to surpass expectations with our dedicated service and quality of food in our newest location for many years to come.” About Los Agaves Los Agaves celebrates the authentic flavor and foods of Mexico with an innovative twist and contemporary style. Signature dishes include Molcajetes, Chiles Norteños, Enchiladas Los Agaves, and Fajitas del Mar, among many more. All dishes are prepared fresh daily with the highest quality of ingredients, handmade salsas and tortillas. Owner Carlos Luna opened Los Agaves in Santa Barbara on Milpas Street in 2008. Nearly a decade later, Los Agaves has four locations in Santa Barbara, Goleta and Westlake Village, with a fifth location opening in Oxnard (summer 2017). All locations are open for lunch and dinner daily, Monday through Friday from 11:00 am – 9:00 pm. Breakfast is served at the Milpas location only, on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Catering services available upon request. Locations: 600 North Milpas Street (805) 564-2626, 2911; De La Vina Street (805) 682-2600; 7024 Market Place Drive (805) 968-4000, and 30750 Russell Ranch Road, Westlake Village (805) 874-0779. For more information on Los Agaves, please click here. About the Collection (TheCollectionRP.com) The Collection at RiverPark is a 750,000 square foot, open-air specialty retail center located in the heart of West Ventura County. Inspired by the beauty of the California coast, The Collection reflects the unique atmosphere of the surrounding seaside communities. The Collection is built around a town grid of retail streets, each of which has its own personality-a carefully crafted assortment of established and contemporary designer shops, distinctive dining, and signature entertainment venues. Anchors include Target, Century RiverPark 16, REI, Whole Foods Market, H&M, 24-Hour SuperSport and The Container Store. Restaurants include Yard House, Larsen’s Grill, Gen Korean BBQ, Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, Maria’s Italian Kitchen and more. Follow us on the web, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram at TheCollectionRP. FESTIVE FALL FUN-ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR PUMPKIN PATCHES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TAKES SHAPE9/5/2017
Last year’s pumpkin patch at Limoneira Ranch drew over twenty thousand people from far and wide, and this year’s patch is pushing the "Wow" factor even higher. Nestled among lemon groves, framed by mountains and country air, the 15-acre Pumpkin Patch, including a 5-acre Corn MaiZe, is family fun for all on a real farm, that has been in operation for over one hundred years. Visitors will be able to climb the towering hay pyramid, see and hold Future Farmers of America (FFA) animals, take guided tours in old fashioned hay wagon rides through the groves and enjoy festive foods and live entertainment and more. The patch features a recreated French Trebuchet (catapult) that challenges folks, for an extra charge, to hurl pumpkins at the "castle" and win prizes. And….. perfect pumpkins and gourds far and wide for sale. Super exciting this year is the newly designed 5-acre "Bee Amazed", Corn MaIze which features a bee, a flower, bee hive and Santa Paula 2017. Visitors fortunate enough to stumble onto the correct pathways may exit the MaiZe in less than 30 minutes; but the more directionally-challenged may take a couple of hours, providing a source of recreation that is fun for all ages, clean, educational and unique. Many people have watched the Santa Paula Rotary MaiZe grow by looking at images on social media. The MaiZe used at the Pumpkin Patch has been featured on CNN, National Geographic, CBS, NBC, Discovery, People Magazine and more. According to Jan Marholin, Santa Paula Rotary President, "Santa Paula’s Pumpkin Patch is a tradition, and that it just isn’t the start of the Holiday Season without it. Limoneira Ranch is "the" place to pick a perfect pumpkin, have fun and learn a little something about agriculture, whether you come with your kids, grandparents, spouse, date or school. It just seems to appeal to everyone." All proceeds from the Santa Paula Rotary Pumpkin Patch at Limoneira Ranch support local charities, civic organizations and schools. Come out and enjoy the fun! Celebrate the fall this year by visiting The Pumpkin Patch at Limoneira Ranch each weekend this October. Saturdays and Sundays in October: 7/8,14/15, 21/22, and 28/29 between 10am and 5pm. Admission is $5, children 2 and under are free. The MaIze is an additional $10.00 fee. The Pumpkin Patch is located at 12471 Foothill Rd in Santa Paula, California just across from the Olivelands School. For more information/questions please email santapaularotarypumpkins@gmail.com or visit www.pumpkinpatchatlimoneiraranch.com or call 888-522-1884. The Avalanche and The Silence New Works by Linda Arreola September 10 - November 19, 2017 Influenced by the architecture of Mesoamerica and the sleek lines of modernist design, Linda Arreola investigates geometric spatial arrangements using an elemental and minimalist sensibility. Arreloa’s explorations using geometric abstraction create what she calls spiritual structural environments. As with the experience she had upon seeing the pyramids of Teotihuacan for the first time, ‘I wantto create work that gives the viewer a perspective that connects them to a much grander whole". With this in mind and having a background in sculpture and architecture, she thinks of her paintings as built rather than rendered. Line, color and form are her elemental building blocks from which she creates these abstract environments. With this new series, The Avalanche and the Silence Arreloa is venturing into the territory of duality. It is the first time she has worked with two distinct concepts simultaneously. Though the inspiration arose out of the present day experience of our human condition, this duality signifies the hopeful reminder found in opposing positions that creates an equilibrium and ultimately fosters regeneration. OPENING RECEPTION Saturday, September 9 4-6 pm $10 / members free Reception sponsored by The Arts Collaborative Also opening: Collecting/California Latino Art Selected works of California Latino art from the Carnegie’s Collection will be shown including the 21ft History of the Chicano Movimiento by Frank Romero, recently returned from his retrospective at the Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach. Carnegie’s focus on collecting Latino Art began in 1994 with a group exhibition curated by Frank Romero. The Fall exhibits honor, but are not a part of, the Getty’s Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA ambitious exploration of Latin American and Latino Art in LA being exhibited at art institutions throughout Southern California. Location: 424 South C Street Oxnard, CA 93030 805-385-8158 Carnegieam.org Hours: Thurs - Sat 10 am - 5 pm | Sun - 1 pm - 5 pm closed holidays and between exhibits Admission: Adults $4 Students $3 Seniors $2 Children (6 and up) $1 under 6 free museum members free | free parking | @carnegieartmuse Many of you have heard me mention an “All-of-the-Above” energy portfolio as I speak about my company, California Resources Corporation, and the oil and natural gas industry. That means safely developing all our energy resources – from renewables to oil and natural gas – to support everything we do at home and at work. Just like you diversify your financial investments to maximize the return, a comprehensive energy strategy is needed to ensure that our huge demand for power is met with ample reliable, affordable and secure energy – an assortment of energy sources that includes fossil fuels, solar, wind and other means. An example of how energy diversification works was demonstrated during the eclipse that occurred on August 21st. An article was recently published by Energy In Depth, a research, education and public outreach organization, which described how grids throughout the country remained functional. The following is an excerpt from that article: Solar Eclipse Causes No Electrical Grid Issues, Thanks to Natural Gas Originally Published by Energy in Depth Solar companies and grid operators across the country spent ample time planning for last week’s solar eclipse, particularly in California and North Carolina, which dominate the country in solar output. Those efforts paid off, as consumers faced no issues, even as solar output was cut in half in California, dropping from 6,000 megawatts (MW) to 3,000 MW, and North Carolina lost 1,700 MW, due to the eclipse having totality in some locations. How did they keep the lights and air conditioning on for consumers? As Neal Kirby, spokesman for the Independent Petroleum Association of America tweeted, it was thanks to alternative energy sources like natural gas. In California, natural gas and hydropower were used to offset the extreme drop in solar. The U.S. grid’s performance is a testament to how far the solar industry has come in recent years, and to the grid operators’ ability to manage system reliability. But the real takeaway is that despite the oft-repeated activist line that the U.S. grid can run solely on renewables without traditional energy sources, an energy mix including fossil fuels is still needed on a daily basis. Americans might not see a total eclipse every day – and won’t again until 2024 – but frequent fluctuations in power from the sun and wind are very real. The eclipse put the grid in the spotlight, but the challenges the country was monitoring are issues backup sources like natural gas help mitigate on a daily basis. As Stephen Berberich, the president of California’s grid operator California ISO, told Fortune recently, natural gas will continue to be an important part of the state’s backup energy supply for renewables: “The ‘electric grid of tomorrow’ will increasingly have to deal with fluctuating power supplies from the wind and sun while incorporating quick-start gas turbines during events like the upcoming eclipse.” As natural gas and renewables increase the percentages of power they supply the grid, it is becoming even more apparent that these energy sources are complementary and will be an important and significant part of the future energy mix. To read the full article, please click here: https://energyindepth.org/national/solar-eclipse-causes-no-electrical-grid-issues-thanks-natural-gas/ The City of Oxnard realizes that your time is valuable, and they want to help make the most of it. Standing in line waiting to do City business during limited hours is no longer an acceptable option. You want to do business using your smartphone at anyplace and anytime, so the City of Oxnard is looking at new technology to become a smart city in order to better serve residents and businesses. They are seeking input from the business community. If you have acquired a permit – whether it be for major building, structure improvements, or special events – Keith Books, IT Director for the city of Oxnard, would like to hear from you. Call him at 805-385-7597 or email keith.brooks@oxnard.org and let him know how technology could improve the way you interact with the City. Let's be part of the solution!! A careful and historic compromise forged by the Legislature and the California Chamber of Commerce is under attack by legislation seeking to expand workplace litigation. AB 1209 by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) is being considered this week by the Senate Appropriations Committee. CalChamber has tagged AB 1209 a job killer. CalChamber and numerous employer organizations oppose AB 1209 because it will expose employers to significant litigation costs and create a false impression of wage discrimination or unequal pay where none exists. The bill also threatens employee privacy by inappropriately forcing the disclosure of their wages. “This takes direct aim at the 2015 compromise,” said Jennifer Barrera, CalChamber senior policy advocate. “AB 1209 thumbs the scale for plaintiffs’ litigators to ease their ability to make a pay equity case.” The current law makes plain that the standard for equal wages is “substantially similar work,” not merely the job title or description. It also carefully allocates the litigation burdens between the employee and employer. The new measure disregards this careful balance, and instead requires employers to collect statistical data on salaries of all well-paid white collar employees in selected private and nonprofit corporations. By using the smokescreen of transparency, the measure would unravel a carefully structured compromise that advanced both employee and employer interests. |