Our Employees: The Secret to Our Success
Since we opened our doors at JR Bookkeeping in 2012, we’ve been passionate about the community we call home. Our founder, Juliana Ramirez, and her sister, COO Natalia, grew up in Carpinteria and both live in Oxnard. Juliana studied at Santa Barbara City College, and Natalia at Oxnard College and Cal Lutheran. Ninety-seven percent of our clients are from Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. However, community means more to us than just living and working in Ventura County. It means giving back. By providing jobs to a small staff of 10 employees (all locals, by the way), we’re helping others to live, work and invest in our community. Our Employees are Your Partners We believe that our employees are truly our greatest asset. Because of them, we’re able to provide the second-to-none service in which we take so much pride. At JR Bookkeeping, each of our clients is assigned their own personal bookkeeper. This means that every client receives one-to-one, individualized service from an expert who personally understands their unique needs and circumstances. In other words, our employees aren’t just account managers. They’re partners with you. Get Peace of Mind…and Coffee on Us! Interested in finding out how we can help your business or organization? Call us today at (805) 755-6721 and mention the Oxnard Chamber article, and we’ll set up your free consultation over coffee—and we’ll pick up the tab! Eclipse Water Sports is a mobile business. They exclusively rent Hobie Mirage Eclipse pedal boards, a product like no other water sports product. It is extremely difficult to find facilities that rent them. These pedal boards are wider than traditional paddle boards. Customers find them very easy to balance. Within 5-10 minutes they become an expert.
Visitors to Oxnard can enhance their vacation year-round with this totally unique California experience. It is great exercise and great fun. They guarantee customers will have a wonderful time. The Hobie Mirage Eclipse makes it so simple to just step off the shore and onto the water. Their most popular service is 30 min for $20 during the Winter Season. They also offer longer intervals: 60min, 90min, and 2 hours. Still need convincing? The Hobie Mirage pedal board burns 100s of calories an hour. Your entire body is engaged in the activity. Just step right on and start pedaling. Need to reduce stress? Find your center. Effortlessly pedal. Carve through the water. Every session dissolves stress and improves mental health. Bored of the same routine? Explore your favorite locations in an entirely new way. Surround yourself with nature. Pedal further. Go Faster. Now you will be able to explore the entire Channel Islands Harbor in less time. Come out and try it. Create wonderful memories with your friends and family. For more information visit their website at www.eclipsewatersports.com Email them at eclipsewatersports@gmail.com or call them at (805) 312-2985 Braveheart Brewing LLC is craft beer wholesale distributor and brand owner of their new line of central OR brewed beers that not only taste good but does good. Veteran owned and veteran brewed, Braveheart developed it’s brand in association with four national military – veteran nonprofit organizations. The brand line up consists of a POW-MIA Pilsner supporting the POW-MIA Families Foundation; a Frogman Imperial Red supporting the Seal Family Foundation, an Intrepid Hero IPA supporting the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and a Semper Fi American Wheat Ale supporting the O3XX Foundation. Braveheart goal is to raise awareness of these wonderful organizations and support them with proceeds from the sales of the Braveheart line up. Braveheart introduced its line in Bend/Redmond OR this year and the reception was better than expected. They are currently in talks with OR distributors who see how important the message and support Braveheart is providing to its non-profit associates and want to be a part of what may be the beginning of a national brand that benefits non-profits organization 24/7 through the enjoyment of craft beer. Their goal for CA is to develop interest in their brand and find a quality wholesale distributor to partner with to facilitate Braveheart’s expansion. From CA Braveheart plans are to continue it’s expansion throughout the US. From The Earth, Ventura County’s first adult-use dispensary, opened its doors to the public on the 4th of July. Operating multiple locations throughout California, From The Earth offers a large selection of products ranging from flowers, concentrates, tinctures, topicals, accessories, vape pens and edibles. Fully city and state licensed, the dispensary owner’s and employees pride themselves on the education of quality and practical application for a myriad of medicinal and recreational usages. With the understanding that shopping for cannabis can be an intimidating experience, From The Earth provides every customer with one-on-one attention from their sales associate. This one-on-one approach ensures every customer’s shopping experience is private, comfortable, educational, and of course, fun. Whether individuals are shopping for recreational or medical purposes, whether individuals are setting out on their 1st or 500th cannabis experience, when shopping at From The Earth, every experience is catered directly to meet each individual’s unique needs. Located at 2675 N. Ventura Road in Port Hueneme, the dispensary is open for business from 9 am to 9 pm daily. MWS Wire Industries was founded in 1968 in Canoga Park, California, under the name Magnet Wire Supply Company as an independent distributor of film insulated copper wire (magnet wire), engineered alloy and plated wire for manufacturers of aerospace components, computer memory devices, sensors, specialized motors, transformers, solenoids and related electromagnetic components. In 1973 MWS purchased a building in Chatsworth where it began manufacturing custom engineered wires to complement the distribution operation and in 1979 the company name was changed to MWS Wire Industries. As the business thrived a new facility was built in Westlake Village where MWS has operated the past 37 years. In that time the product line expanded with the revival of a vintage insulation formulation for electric guitar pickup wire, micro-diameter insulated wire used in ‘smart catheters’ for minimally invasive surgical procedures and a variety of engineered products used in industrial, automotive and aeronautic devices. In 2014 MWS was acquired by Elektrisola, Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer of fine gauge copper magnet wire. Last year the company purchased a 5.7 acre lot in the McInnes Ranch Business Park in Oxnard and has developed plans for a 60,000 square foot manufacturing and warehouse building projected to open in 2019. With 49 employees having an average tenure of 21 years, MWS Wire Industries looks forward to many more years of growth and success as a member of the business community in Oxnard. Additional information about MWS Wire Industries is available at www.mwswire.com The Weiser Agency is a local, family-owned, Farmers Insurance agency based in the Channel Islands Harbor. Their dedicated team takes pride in providing custom insurance solutions to protect all you love including your home, business, boat, car and overall lifestyle you have worked so hard to build. The Weiser Agency is nationally ranked within the top 1% of Farmers Insurance agencies in the country. They take pride in the work they do to protect and support thousands of business owners and families in the community through insurance solutions. They believe it's their responsibility to offer clients a customized insurance portfolio that fits their unique lifestyle, both now and in the future. For additional information call 805.984.3777 and visit their website at www.theweiseragency.com Reel Guppy Outdoors founder, Kevin Brannon saw a need for a free youth fishing program in his local community. Many kids would tell him they wished they had someone to take them fishing too, whenever he and his kids would pile into the car, fishing rods and tackle in tow. He himself had grown up with uncertainty, single parent household, low income, after his father passed away. Then it was foster homes and shelters, a modern-day Dickensian childhood. With little other opportunity, yet living just a block from Port Hueneme Pier, he would spend hours there, fishing. Required to be ever resourceful, he would recover used fishing line and hooks. With a tin can as his fishing pole, and any leftover bait he could scrounge from the pier’s cleaning tables, he was a modern-day Huck Fin. By age 9, he had worked his way aboard the local party-boats. As a “pin-head,” he helped paying passengers with their fishing, untangling lines, sacking fish and such. Out on the boats was a haven of safety and solitude, a place of security and certainty in his otherwise unstable childhood. This time imprinted a passion for fishing and the sea, an ethic valuing helping others. He carries these values to this day, and they form the heart and soul of the Reel Guppy Outdoors program. Now, some 25 years later, Brannon produces a TV show he started while attending Oxnard College. Reel Anglers Fishing Show California currently televised in California produces the Reel Guppy Outdoor. Brannon saw it as his purpose, sharing his connection with the ocean and outdoors with others, to foster in others the sense of belonging and purpose he found in fishing. With the promise of fun and adventure as bait, he fosters a sense of value in learning, self motivation, leadership and success in the young people he takes fishing. As a survivor of uncertain times, he wants to pass on the survival strategies that saved him. Brannon reinvested the blessings and rewards from his successful show toward taking as many kids as he could fit in his car, fishing. The effort blossomed. With the help of other like-minded folk, also volunteering their time and effort, he has organized over 20 youth fishing events, taking over 1,000 kids fishing. For more information visit their website - www.reelguppyoutdoors.com | 805-248-2166 Check their website for 4th weekend events as locations will vary. Although each of us must transact to live a satisfying and comfortable life, most fail the fundamentals of transaction; they cannot influence others, labor far more than they’d like, and don’t make the money they could. Most people don’t think accurately about the transactions built to satisfy their aims. They’ve never considered the architecture of these transactions and how the construction of these exchanges either allows them to live as they want—or cripples their ability to meet their aims. Transactional competence is a unique ability that offers ambitious professionals the certainty, freedom, and consistency to satisfy lofty aims. In this workshop, attendees will leave with an understanding of what a transaction is, how they work, and how to speed them up. This model begins an understanding of the architecture of any transaction and the asset and liability of our own personality and transactional behavior. Each participant will leave with a roadmap to satisfy any aim. The Vagabond Inn Oxnard, located at 1245 N Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard, CA 93030, provides a clean, comfortable stay in the heart of downtown Oxnard. The hotel offers daily complimentary continental breakfast, free parking, and free WiFi. Guests can relax and swim in the heated pool or unwind in air-conditioned guest rooms with refrigerators, microwaves, cable TV, and HBO. Spa rooms with soaking rubs are available on request.
As a very local business, the hotel sits just minutes from countless opportunities for entertainment and adventure. There’s something for everyone: the Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center is a 5 minute drive south of the hotel, outlet shopping is only 15 minutes east, and the great outdoors call in every direction. Guests of the Vagabond Inn Oxnard enjoy beautiful day trips to Channel Island Harbor, a local favorite with superb dining and annual festivals. They can also see the California coast on scenic drives to nearby Port Hueneme, Ventura, or Santa Barbara. Hot deals and discounted rates for the Vagabond Inn Oxnard can be found on VagabondInn.com. Current rates are $80 for queen bed guest rooms and $90 for double bed guest rooms. Children (under 18) stay free with parents. Occasionally, guests receive free room upgrades on check-in. Great value, friendly people – it’s how Vagabond Inn does things. On a local note, the hotel thanks Oxnard’s own Sal Mancha (City of Oxnard Planning Division) for making its amazing lobby map. First SoCal private university program starts in fall
California Lutheran University will offer a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management and tourism, the only one available from a private institution in Southern California, starting in the fall semester. Cal Lutheran’s School of Management spent two years working with more than 50 industry leaders from organizations including AmaWaterways, Westlake Village Inn, Pleasant Holidays, The Walt Disney Co., Conejo Valley Tourism Improvement District and Urbane Cafe to develop the program. Many of them stepped forward to provide more than $600,000 in seed funding for a professorship and scholarship fund. “Support from industry professionals eager to build a needed pipeline of high-quality talent for their businesses has been amazing,” said School of Management Dean Gerhard Apfelthaler. “They have helped us put together a top-notch program that will prepare students for leadership in this important and growing field.” The hospitality and tourism industry is a driving force behind the California and regional economies and is forecast to grow. Despite the importance of tourism in California, the percentage of colleges in the state offering programs in the field falls below the national average. Locally, Cal Lutheran’s program will provide a way for students in the hospitality, restaurant and tourism management, and culinary arts programs at Oxnard College, Santa Barbara City College and the Ventura County Office of Education to continue their education. Companies have already committed to more than 50 internships, which will be required of students, and study abroad opportunities are also available. Labs will give students hands-on experience with the latest reservation, conference and front desk management systems so they will have broad knowledge of the areas they may oversee as managers. Students will complete a core managerial program to develop skills in operations, finance, human resources and marketing. Company executives will present special courses and guest lectures. The curriculum will also focus on creative and critical thinking, communication and ethical leadership. The final year will cover advanced hospitality management topics and involve students in roundtable meetings with local, regional and global executives. “The hospitality industry needs well-rounded, well-educated professionals,” said Jim Cathcart, director of human resources for Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village. “I am very excited about Cal Lutheran’s program, which balances industry-specific courses, experiential learning and the liberal arts.” For more information on the program, go to callutheran.edu/hospitality. Help your business save money. Today’s economy is especially challenging for small businesses. Many are aggressively seeking ways to cut expenses and better manage operating costs. The Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance (VCREA) & Southern California Edison (SCE) understands how energy costs can impact your bottom line…that’s why we are promoting the Direct Install program. The Direct Install program is an excellent way for your business to reduce energy costs and save money. This effortless program provides qualifying businesses with FREE energy-efficient products, FREE installation and long-term energy savings. How Direct Install Works SCE has contracted with highly-skilled energy efficiency experts who will come and evaluate your small business, free of charge, to identify energy savings opportunities. With your approval, the contractor will install FREE energy-efficient replacement equipment. By replacing the less efficient equipment with new, energy-efficient technology, your business will reduce its energy use, carbon footprint and electric bill — all at no cost to you. The contractor will take 5–10 minutes to complete the energy assessment and make recommendations to improve the energy efficiency of your business. If you agree with the recommendations, the contractor will ask you to sign an Authorization Form and schedule an appointment for a convenient time to install the equipment. Installation of recommended energy-efficient equipment will take less than two hours and your business can remain open. Take the opportunity to participate this year and let us know you are interested, this program might not be back in the area for another few years. To see approximately when your Direct Install Contractor, CRI Lighting & Electrical, will be in our area, please view the enclosed Direct Install Community Calendar. Learn how other business owners lowered their energy usage with Direct Install by visiting www.sce.com/sbd then click on Direct Install. It’s really that easy. There’s no catch. Simply let us help your business use energy more efficiently, conserve precious resources and improve your bottom line. Feel free to contact us directly with questions you may have about the program. Click here for more info. Regards, VCREA Staff County of Ventura 800 S Victoria Ave #L 1940 Ventura, CA 93009 (805) 654-3874 Direct: (805) 654-3887 vcrea.admin@ventura.org www.vcenergy.org Gabriel’s House is a non-profit emergency shelter and transitional living home located in Oxnard dedicated to serving the formerly homeless women and their children of Ventura County. Since opening in 2011, Gabriel's House has provided emergency shelter and case management services to over 400 residents with over 300 (75%) of these residents moving into stable or long-term housing programs. With 20 emergency service beds and six private family rooms, Gabriel’s House can serve up to 40 women, children, and babies at one time. The City of Oxnard has recently chosen Gabriel’s House to be the site of Ventura County’s newest, expanded emergency shelter. This new multi-story unit, located immediately next to Gabriel’s House in Oxnard, will double or triple Gabriel’s House’s existing emergency shelter capacity. The cry and vision of Gabriel’s House is that no woman or child in our community should have to sleep outside. Gabriel’s House is more than a comfortably furnished home on two green acres in a quiet neighborhood with security. It is an entire community of caregivers committed to serving each individual as a person, not as a case. It is a place to call home and truly be part of a family. You can learn more about Gabriel’s House at gabriel's-house.org. Requests to learn more or to get involved with Gabriel’s House can be sent to info@tkcoxnard.org or by calling (805) 487-3445. The Economic Development Collaborative–Ventura County’s special services coordinator, Clare Briglio, has announced additional resources now available for businesses recovering from the impact of the Thomas Fire and subsequent floods and mudslides. “New federal declarations have secured additional resources for those who have suffered personal and/or business injury as a result of the Thomas Fire and subsequent mudslides and floods,” explained Briglio. “To take full advantage of these new federal resources, business owners are encouraged to follow this three-step process. For direct in-person assistance in filing with FEMA or the SBA, please visit a Disaster Recovery Center in your area. In addition, EDC-VC has compiled an online list of resources at http://edc-vc.com/disaster-recovery-services/.” To access available federal fire and flood relief resources, people should follow this three-step process: Step 1: Registration with FEMA- Clients who have been impacted by the Thomas Fire and subsequent flood and are interested in government assistance should apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. NOTE: The filing deadline to return FEMA applications for property damage is March 16, 2018. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Oct. 15, 2018. Applicants should have the following information at hand: · Social Security number. · Address of the damaged primary residence. · Description of the damage. · Information about insurance coverage. · A current contact telephone number. · An address where they can receive mail. · Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds. Step 2: Registration with the SBA for low-interest loans- Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available for businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries. This includes Economic Injury Disaster loans for businesses that may or may not have sustained any damage, but have experienced a downturn in business because of the disaster. The SBA customer service center is also available to answer questions at 1-800-659-2955. Applicants may also come in to a Local Recovery Center (LRC) for person-to-person assistance in completing their applications. For further information, visit SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Step 3: Registration with EDD for unemployment benefits- Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits are now available for workers, business owners and self-employed individuals who lost their jobs or had their work hours substantially reduced as a result of the wildfires and associated flooding, mudslides and debris flows in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Those affected are encourages to apply online at https://eapply4ui.edd.ca.gov/, by calling 1-800-300-5616 (English) 1-800-326-8937 (Spanish) or by visiting a Local Recovery Center (see locations below). Local Recovery Centers (LRC) - Two Disaster Recovery Centers are now open locally for personal and business assistance. Representatives from FEMA, SBA, OES and other agencies will be present to provide information and resources for economic and personal injury due to the Thomas Fire and subsequent floods. Locations are as follows: SANTA BARBARA Calvary Chapel 1 N Calle Cesar Chavez #21 Santa Barbara, Ca 93103 Monday-Friday 11-6:30 Saturday 10-2 pm VENTURA Ventura County Credit Union 6026 Telephone Rd Ventura, CA 93003 Monday-Wednesday 9-4pm Thursday/Friday 9-5pm Saturday 9-1 pm RESOURCES FOR FARMERS AND RANCHERS- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency has opened a temporary satellite office this week in Ventura County to help farmers and ranchers who suffered losses in the Thomas Fire apply for federal disaster recovery assistance. Agricultural Commissioner's Office 815 E. Santa Barbara St. Santa Paula, CA 93060 Hours of operation Thursday, January 18, 8 a.m. to noon Thursday, January 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, February 1, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, February 8, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, February 15, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, February 22, 10 a.m. -2 p.m. Applicants are asked to call the Santa Barbara FSA office at 805-928-9269 to schedule an appointment, but drop-ins are also welcome. The SBDC is funded by the SBA and provides professional business assistance at no cost to businesses. Participating businesses are required to follow a well-defined scope of work and report their economic successes. These SBA milestones are defined as job creation, increase in sales, capital investment, jobs retained and businesses started. EDC-VC is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as a business-to-government liaison to assist businesses in Ventura County by offering programs that enhance the economic vitality of the region. For more information about the Small Business Development Center, loan programs, manufacturing outreach and international trade program, or other services available to small businesses through EDC-VC, contact Bruce Stenslie at 805-384-1800 ext. 24 or bruce.stenslie@edc-vc.com. Or visit www.edc-vc.com. Wm. Rick Gill is a native of California and has been a resident of Ventura County for over 30 years. Rick and his wife, Nancy Covarrubias Gill, believe in supporting the community by serving in various charities and events. Rick has coached youth sports and served on their board of directors. The Gills are the proud parents of their son who graduated from St. Bonaventure High School and currently attends Cal State Fullerton. As a full time Realtor who was licensed in 2002, Rick has the knowledge and experience to guide you through the entire process of buying or selling Real Estate in Ventura County. He has an extensive background in outstanding customer service and his interpersonal skills will provide you with the best service in today’s real estate market. As a realtor, Rick’s motto is to always place his client’s interests first to provide them with the best possible service and outcomes. Rick’s favorite part of the process is handing over the keys to his first-time home buyers. Rick was immediately impressed by Comfort Real Estate Services and their demonstrated level of professionalism and service. He is confident that his clients will enjoy and benefit by working with his team and everyone at the Comfort Real Estate Services office. Rick looks forward to getting involved with Oxnard Chamber functions, networking, serving on chamber committees and community events. If you are looking to buy or sell a home or investment property, please contact Rick at 805-218-1259 or rickgillvcrealtors@gmail.com. Ventura County residents and visitors will have an opportunity to raise sails, sing sea shanties, and learn about life on a 19th-century tall ship when the Hawaiian Chieftain visits the Channel Islands Harbor in December. This one-of-a-kind tall ship based out of Grays Harbor, Washington will be docking at the Channel Islands Harbor from December 15th – 20th. The Hawaiian Chieftain, a replica of a sailing vessel that ran the trading routes in the 1800s, will be open for walk-on tours and adventure sails. A crew of 10-14 people will be on board to answer questions. Visiting this vessel, docked near the Ventura County Harbor Patrol offices, (3900 Pelican Way Oxnard, CA 93035) is a perfect way to spend a few hours at the Harbor. Here is the schedule for the Hawaiian Chieftain: For more information and reservations, call 1-800-200-5239. Please visit www.historicalseaport.org to purchase tickets.
More than 250 middle and high school girls will be participating in the second Girls STEM Day hosted by the Career Education Department of the Oxnard Union High School District. The event provides opportunities to encourage girls to pursue STEM-related careers. Over 30 female engineers, representing numerous business and industry partners, will share the excitement and relevance of careers within STEM. Industry Partners include Aera Energy, Southern California Edison, California Resources Corporation, California Aeronautical University, City of Oxnard, Jensen Design, Nusil, Urban Strategies, Ventura College, AeroComputers, and tenant commands of the Navy including NAVAIR, NAVFAC and NAVSEA. While the girls experience three workshops from female engineers in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math as they develop skills for the 21st century, their parents will be receiving information on how to encourage their daughters to pursue higher education in the STEM pipeline, an overview of the local higher education options, and how to afford college through financial aid options. The keynote speaker will be Silvia Faulstich, a Flight Test Engineer at Port Mugu, supporting Unmanned and Manned aircraft. She is a strong supporter of STEM recruitment and volunteers in many areas in her community. This event is made possible through numerous other partners, such as the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce, Richard Favor, Food Share, the Port of Hueneme, Californians for Energy Independence, Southern California Edison, CSU-Channel Islands, Oxnard College, VC STEM, and the Ventura County Civic Alliance. WHEN: December 2, 2017 ~ 8:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. WHERE: Hueneme High School, Oxnard, CA WHAT: Second Annual Girls STEM Day with Oxnard Union High School District WHO: Oxnard Middle School students and local female engineers; and Key Note Speaker Silvia Faulstich of Naval Air Warfare Center, Point Mugu CONTACT: Mary Anne Rooney, Project Director Ventura County Civic Alliance MARooney@CivicAlliance.org (805) 415-2787 About VCCA The Ventura County Civic Alliance (VCCA) is a regional collaborative of civic leaders representing a balanced mix of 3E — economic, environmental and social-equity perspectives. Its mission is to work together with our community to promote a healthy and sustainable future for Ventura County. VCCA is an initiative of the Ventura County Community Foundation. For more information about the Alliance and how to join, go online to www.CivicAlliance.org. About OUHSD The Oxnard Union High School District (OUHSD) serves Oxnard, Camarillo and Port Hueneme. Founded in 1905, the district currently operates 10 schools (seven comprehensive high schools, one continuation high school, one middle college school and one adult school). More than 300,000 residents live within district, which employs over 700 teachers and oversees the education of over 20,000 students with an annual operating budget of over $170 million. The Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau Announces New Manager ofCalifornia Welcome Center (CWC)11/21/2017
The Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce the appointment of its new California Welcome Center (CWC) Manager, Kay Faust Carter. The CWC is located at the Collection Riverpark at 2786 Seaglass Way. Carter brings a diverse background in communications, business and professional experience in the wine industry. Before joining the CWC, Carter served as a Wine Specialist and Wine Club Coordinator for the Bacchus Wine Shop in Millbrae, California where she provided customer service and management for the wine club members. Before that, she worked as an Office Coordinator at San Francisco Wine School and Business Office and Operations Analyst at The Rare Wine Company in Brisbane, California. She also held the position of Tasting Room Associate at Thomas Fogarty Winery in Woodside, California. Besides working within the wine industry, Carter also served as Director of Finance and Human Resources for Mercy High School in Burlingame, California where she managed financial and investment activity at the school while also supervising all human resource functions and overseeing the overall operation. Carter holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications/Journalism/Video from the University of Colorado and a Master of Business Administration in Management Studies/Marketing emphasis from San Francisco State University. In addition, she has an Advanced Level III certification (with merit) and Intermediate Level II certification (with distinction) from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust and recently completed the classroom portion of the Certified Specialist of Wine from the Society of Wine Educators via the San Francisco Wine School. For more information, call the Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau at 805-385-7545. About Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB) is a non-profit organization designed to increase visitor expenditures, and tourism revenue opportunities through the promotion of Oxnard as a premier travel destination. Oxnard is an easy drive up the coast from Los Angeles or from the northern portions of California. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy Oxnard’s uncrowded beaches, explore the many diverse attractions and outdoor adventures that are unique to the area. A wide variety of hotel accommodations are available ranging from mid-priced rooms to oceanfront and seaside settings. For more information, call the California Welcome Center at 805-988-0717. Ventura County’s favorite holiday event to kick off the season returns with The Collection at RiverPark’s Annual Tree Lighting Celebration on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m. in Collection Park.
Community members will enjoy The Collection as it transforms into a holiday wonderland, embellished with stunning seasonal décor, and a grand celebration to commence a bustling line-up of memorable events to keep the magic of the holidays alive throughout the season. A beautifully lit tree is the hallmark of the holiday season and guests are invited to gather for the ceremonious lighting of The Collection’s 40-foot-tall holiday tree, which will be adorned in thousands of twinkling lights and ornaments. New to this year’s event will be the addition of the Eat Drink and Be Merry VIP Garden, where guests may indulge in a selection of holiday-inspired refreshments donated by Casa Agria, Strey Cellars and 8th Devil Distributing. Sponsored by neighboring residential communities Mosaic and Tempo at RiverPark, guests are required to purchase tickets to enter; all proceeds from the Eat Drink and Be Merry VIP Garden will benefit Ventura County regional food bank, FOOD Share. Tickets to the Eat Drink and Be Merry VIP Garden may be purchased at www.TheCollectionRP.com. The evening will continue with live performances from local favorites including Julian Martinez, who famously performed on NBC’s hit reality show “The Voice;” Ventura County Ballet Company; Rubicon Theatre and more. Santa Claus will also arrive to the celebration to greet guests and head to Santa’s Beach House on Town Center Drive where he will be available for photos with visitors through Dec. 24. A spectacular fireworks and light show will cap off the evening of festivities. The Collection’s Annual Tree Lighting Celebration has been generously sponsored by Kirby Subaru of Ventura. “The Collection is proud to share this special evening with the thousands of citizens who seek a magical celebration to commemorate the start of the holiday season,” said Stefanie Muegel, Marketing Director for The Collection. “As a shopping center that loves our home community of Ventura County, we are excited to be able to host this beloved event year after year.” 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. BMI-PacWest, Inc. provides preventative heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) maintenance and project solutions for commercial and industrial customers throughout the Central Coast, as well as Oxnard, Camarillo, Ventura, and the surrounding areas. With the support of sister-company BMI Mechanical, Inc., that territory expands to include Central California and North Los Angeles County. BMI-PacWest’s solutions deliver measureable results in improved energy efficiency and system reliability, while reducing operating costs and financial risk for customers. The company provides its customers with consistency in comfort cooling and heating, equipment reliability for business processes, and custom design-build solutions for their facilities. Its programs keep properties safe, clean and comfortable. BMI-PacWest is headquartered in Santa Maria; and BMI Mechanical is headquartered in Tulare, with an additional office in Bakersfield. BMI is family-owned and operated, and is celebrating more than 107 years in business. For more information about BMI, please visit www.bmimechanical.com. All day holiday festivities to be held at Channel Islands Harbor
Channel Islands Harbor kicks off the holidays with its 52nd annual holiday Parade of Lights, scheduled from noon – 8 p.m., Dec. 9, with the parade beginning at 7 p.m. This year’s parade theme is “Fairy Tales Afloat.” Everyone is invited to enjoy a full day of holiday activities and watch festively decorated boats in the parade while listening to carolers sing holiday songs. Beginning at noon, families can play in 36 tons of snow falling at the north end of Harbor View Park, off Harbor Blvd. near Marine Emporium Landing, 3600 Harbor Blvd. Santa will be there from noon – 4 p.m. and will take pictures with families free of charge. There will also be holiday arts and crafts vendors starting at 10 a.m. Santa and his reindeer will ride through the sky at 7 p.m. to mark the beginning of the parade. The parade starts in front of Peninsula Park and heads to the Main Channel, turns at Hobie Beach, loops in front of the launch ramp, then heads back to Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club and repeats the route for a second run. The parade can be viewed from parks and walkways that line the route as well as from most Harbor restaurants. Any size boat can register for the Parade of Lights. To participate in the parade, download an entry form from www.channelislandsharbor.org. Parade participants can take part in various decorating contests and compete for awards. For more information on the Parade of Lights visit www.channelislandsharbor.org. Blossom Tea House is a local, family-owned Thai food and Boba Tea café, featuring delicious made-to-order Thai Street Food. They have a wide variety of milk tea flavors, iced tea, smoothies, and slushes, which come with boba. Blossom Tea House offers special deals and a loyalty program for customers. Stop in for the Lunch Special, which includes a main dish, cream cheese wonton, and a small Thai Tea Boba for $7.50 (lunch deal Tue-Fri 11am -3pm). Or come in for an afternoon Tea Break Special (Tue-Fri: 3pm-6pm and Sat-Sun: 2pm-5pm). Tea Break includes your choice of a small appetizer and a small tea drink for $6.50 (Tue-Fri: 3pm-6pm and Sat-Sun: 2pm-5pm). The café is located at 814 N. Ventura Road and is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00am – 9:00pm. Blossom Tea House is a take-out restaurant; however there are tables and customers are welcome to stay. Customers can conveniently call in orders for pick up at 805-553-8402 or email blossomteaoxnard@gmail.com Oxnard Chamber of Commerce to lead a ribbon-cutting ceremony
while students from area schools to enjoy the new indoor playground OXNARD, Calif., (October 17, 2017) --- Centerpoint Mall is set to open its new PlayTime Free Indoor Playground on Friday, October 27 at 11 a.m. To celebrate the opening, Centerpoint Mall is hosting Lazer Broadcasting for its 10th Annual live broadcast to raise funds for Children's Miracle Network from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Centerpoint Mall is located at 2655 Saviers Rd. Joining Centerpoint Mall officials will be Nancy Lindholm, president and CEO of the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce, to lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Also scheduled to attend are Tim Flynn, Mayor of Oxnard; Bryan McDonald, City Councilmember of Oxnard; Alyce Bosacki, Associate Executive Director at the Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau; Scott Whitney, Chief of Police of Oxnard; and Andrew Salinas, Chief of Police of Port Hueneme. Representatives are also scheduled to attend from the offices of Julia Brownley, United States Congress Member, District 26; Jacqui Irwin, California State Assembly Member, District 44; and John Zaragoza, Ventura County Supervisor. “We are grateful for the support in the Oxnard community for the opening of our new indoor playground at Centerpoint Mall,” said Tony Shooshani, managing member of Shooshani Developers and owners of Centerpoint Mall. “As the retail environment continues to change, it’s important that we still maintain a connection with our core customers and the surrounding community. We feel with the opening of the new free indoor playground we can provide a safe place where kids can play and families to shop all in the center of Oxnard.” The nearly 1,000-square-feet PlayTime Indoor Playground features a highly colorful floor design with a jungle themed pattern and river-print running through it. The area is dotted with butterflies, ladybugs, dragonflies, and colorful flowers, along with rock designs and shorelines. The PlayTime Indoor playground structure is strategically positioned in the center of the mall with a parameter of play panels measuring 40 feet long and 24 1/2 feet wide. A whimsical Monkey anchors the entrance to the playground and is the Welcome Greeter and Keeper of the Rules and Regulations. The monkey measures 5 feet long by 1 foot wide by 5 feet tall. Eight fun-filled protruding animals and obstacles are strategically positioned in the free indoor playground including: - Dueling Elephants tunnel that functions as a climber and are 11 feet long by 3 feet wide by 3 feet tall. - Jeep on Dirt tunnel that functions as a climber with seats and is 6 feet long by 4 feet wide by 2 1/2 feet tall. - Giraffe tunnel that functions as a climber and is 5 feet long by 2 feet wide by 2 feet tall. - Gorilla Over Log Crawl tunnel that functions as a climber and is 4 feet long by 4 feet wide by 3 1/2 feet tall. - Rock Waterfall tunnel that functions as a ramp and climber and is 6 1/2 feet long by 5 1/4 feet wide by 3 feet tall. - Swimming Gator that functions as a climber with its head size 2 feet long by 1 foot wide by 1/2 foot tall and its body size is 2 feet long by 1/2 foot wide by 1/2 foot tall. - Beetle that functions as a climber and is 2 feet long by 2 feet wide by 1 foot tall. - Monarch Butterfly that functions as a climber and is 3 feet long by 2 feet wide by 1 foot tall. “We’re very pleased with the design of the PlayTime playground. The kids will enjoy themselves while the parents will have an opportunity to rest and enjoy a refreshing drink or delicious meal at the nearby restaurants,” added Shooshani. For a complete list of the 49 retail stores, specialty shops and dining outlets at Centerpoint Mall, please visit Facebook: facebook.com/centerpoint. About Centerpoint Mall Centerpoint Mall is a 383,000-square-foot vibrant, mixed-use shopping center with a variety of national and local retail stores located in the center of Oxnard, California. Centerpoint Mall is the City Center of regional enclosed shopping. The broad mix of tenants consistently serves the needs of the surrounding community featuring tenants of various sizes with creative, unique, and moderately priced goods. Centerpoint Mall provides free parking in its parking lots throughout the area. For additional information, please call 805-487-1142, or Like at Facebook: facebook.com/centerpoint. ### On Saturday, October 28th, The Oxnard Downtown Improvement District will present “Halloween Haunt in the Park.” The kid-friendly thrills occur all evening from 4-7:00pm at Plaza Park in Downtown Oxnard.
Be sure to register for the free Costume Contest. Everyone wearing a costume can enter to win great prizes. Contests start at 5:30pm starting with the youngest group: 3 and under, 4-12, and 13 and above. From 4-7:00pm children can hit up the Trick-or-Treat Village. Booths created by local non-profits and businesses await trick-or-treaters with games, tricks and goodies to be gained. Additionally, there will be free activities including bounce houses, face painting, games, hands-on crafts for the kids, Halloween themed movie clips and music, and more. There is much to do at Downtown Oxnard Halloween Haunt in the Park and Costume Contest. Come out for the games and crafts, participate in the Costume Contest, win great prizes, and go "door-to-door" for the "trick-or-treating" experience within the safety of the caring community of downtown Oxnard. 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. 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. |