VENTURA, Calif. – At the request of the County Executive Office, the Board of Supervisors approved a one-time contribution of $5,000 at their February 26 meeting to the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce to support Startups Ventura County 2019.
“The County of Ventura is committed to supporting economic vitality here,” said Mike Powers, County Executive Officer. “Small business is a major driver of our economy and Startups Ventura County offers an opportunity to invest in the cultivation of new businesses in the key areas of health care, agriculture and information technology.”
Startups Ventura County is structured to help entrepreneurs develop startup concepts and launch scalable businesses through a competitive process. This year’s event will be held April 5 – 7 in Camarillo. Over the three-day competition, entrepreneurial teams will introduce their concepts; mentor with experts and advisory boards; and then present their proposed startup ideas to a panel of local CEOs, including Powers. Winning teams will win a cash prize, referrals to venture capitalists and the use of Startups Ventura County’s co-work space in Camarillo for one year.
“With all of the talented, innovative people, and the wonderful educational system and business community we have here, this kind of event has the potential to bring everyone together to start new businesses that will create a positive impact on the County’s economic vitality,” said Powers. “A vibrant startup atmosphere attracts talent, improves the existing business climate and creates new innovation and opportunity.”
This year’s event will be held April 5 – 7 at the Camarillo Public Library, 4101 Las Posas Road. For more information on the program and the event schedule, please visit: www.StartupsVenturaCounty.com.
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Thousand Oaks, CA – The Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association has cancelled the relocation of the Thousand Oaks Certified Farmers’ Market to the West Side of The Oaks Shopping Center after fire department officials deemed that the site did not meet the current safety standards for emergencies and traffic control.
Although the grand opening did take place last Thursday on March 21, officials determined after an on-site visit that the new location would not meet safety requirements. “Even though we were looking forward to this new site, we absolutely want the market to be safe and accessible,” stated Karen Schott, Operations Manager for the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association (VCCFMA). “We thank everyone who supported our “dress rehearsal” and we will continue to operate every Thursday bringing the best of California agriculture while we regroup,” she continued. “The new market hours of 12 noon to 5 p.m. did work out well and we will keep these hours when we move back to our previous location,” added Schott.
According to officials of the VCCFMA and Oaks Shopping Center, the market will return to its former site and construction will be delayed until a new farmers’ market site can be determined on the mall grounds later in the year. The Thousand Oaks Certified Market is returning to its former site in the East End Parking Lot at Wilbur Road starting on Thursday, March 28, 2019 and will be operating with its new hours of 12 noon to 5 p.m.
About the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association
The Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association a non-profit farmers’ market cooperative, serves the community of Ventura with two Certified Farmers’ Markets on Wednesdays at the Pacific View Mall from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays in Downtown Ventura from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, Sundays in Santa Clarita at the College of the Canyons from 8:30 to 12 noon, and the Thousand Oaks Farmers’ Market held Thursdays at The Oaks Shopping Center, East End Parking Lot, Wilbur Road & Oaks Mall Drive from 12 noon to 5 p.m.
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Chicago Police Supt. Johnson , Chicago Police Department
The Chicago police department is reportedly furious after the state dropped charges against actor Jussie Smollett, who allegedly staged a fake hate crime against his person.
“Empire” actor Smollett, 36, was arrested and charged in February for allegedly filing a false police report which claimed he was attacked, splattered with a chemical substance and put into a noose-like rope. The two attackers yelled, “This is MAGA country” in the Jan. 29 attack on Smollett, according to the actor.
Smollett’s attorneys announced at a Chicago courthouse Tuesday that the state had dropped all 16 charges against the actor. “There is no deal. The state dismissed the charges,” one of his attorneys, Patricia Brown Holmes, said. “We are very anxious for Jussie to get on with his career and his life, and to move forward.”
Holmes’ statements come shortly after reports that Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson is furious with the state’s dismissal of the charges against Smollett.
Sources tell CBS2 Chicago Police Supt. Johnson is “furious.”
He had no heads up this was going to happen.@cbschicago
“After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett’s volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case,” The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office said in a Tuesday statement, according to CNN.
“After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett’s volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case,” The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office said in a Tuesday statement, according to CNN.
The actor also delivered brief remarks Tuesday, thanking his family, friends and the city of Chicago for their support. He again vehemently denied the accusations made against him.
Attorneys for Empire actor Jussie Smollett announced Tuesday morning that charges alleging he filed a false report with Chicago police regarding a hate crime against himself have been dropped.
Smollett attorneys Tina Glandian and Patricia Brown Holmes said in a statement that the actor’s record “has been wiped clean.” Smollett was indicted on 16 felony counts related to making a false report that he was attacked by two men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs in downtown Chicago on January 29. Police and prosecutors have said the black and gay actor falsely reported to authorities that he was attacked because he was unhappy with his pay on the Fox show and to promote his career.
A passenger attempting to board a flight at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport reportedly stripped naked before arriving at the boarding gate, claiming that being nude makes him more aerodynamic.
The man was identified as a Moscow-area resident born in 1981, according to Fox News. He reportedly made his way through security properly clothed, stripping naked sometime before reaching the boarding gate area where he was seen waiting in line completely naked. He was attempting to board a Ural Airlines flight to Crimea.
According to a witness, the man shouted that he was naked because he was concerned about aerodynamics.
“He shouted that he was naked because clothing impairs the aerodynamics of the body. He flies with more agility when undressed,” RENTV quoted the witness saying, according to The Moscow Times.
Airport security intervened, preventing the man from boarding his flight. They put him in handcuffs and detained him in a medical room at the airport before he was transported to a hospital.
Additional footage from RENTV shows the man waiting in handcuffs on the floor of the airport.
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Many City departments will be closed Monday, April 1, 2019, in observance of Cesar E. Chavez Day. Police and Fire department personnel will be on duty to provide patrol, fire, paramedic and other emergency services for the holiday. For life-threatening emergencies, always call 9-1-1. For non emergencies call the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740. Residents are reminded that Spanish translators are available, and callers can report a crime or suspicious activity anonymously.
Residential trash collection will be delayed by one day during the week of April 1, 2019. Trash pickup will occur as follows:
● If your trash is normally picked up on Monday: Trash pickup will occur on Tuesday ● If your trash is normally picked up on Tuesday: Trash pickup will occur on Wednesday ● If your trash is normally picked up on Wednesday: Trash pickup will occur on Thursday ● If your trash is normally picked up on Thursday: Trash pickup will occur on Friday
The customer call center, (805) 385-8060, for the Environmental Resources Division of the Public Works Department will be closed for the holiday. Utility customers can pay their bills online at https://oxna-egov.aspgov.com/Click2GovCX/index.html through the automated phone system at (805) 385-7816. Residents and businesses who need to report water-related emergencies should call (805) 385-8136. For wastewater and storm water-related emergencies, call (805) 797-7598.
The City of Oxnard is a full-service general law city incorporated in 1903. Oxnard is the largest and most populous city in the County of Ventura, serving 200,000 culturally diverse residents. Read more about the City of Oxnard at www.oxnard.org. Follow us on social media at www.twitter.com/CityofOxnard (@CityofOxnard), www.facebook.com/CityofOxnard and www.vimeo.com/cityofoxnard.
City of Oxnard
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Oxnard, Calif.–The California Strawberry Festival is celebrating its 36th anniversary on May 18 and 19 with something for every strawberry lover. The two-day event that attracts visitors from throughout California takes place at Strawberry Meadows of College Park in Oxnard (3250 South Rose Avenue).
Satisfying your taste buds will be easy. Each of the festival’s 50 food vendors is required to serve at least one tasty strawberry-themed item. Festivalgoers can stick to traditional strawberry favorites such as shortcake, pies and funnel cakes or be a little daring with strawberry nachos, deep-fried strawberries, berry kabobs, strawberry tamales and strawberry chimichangas. Strawberry smoothies, beer, margaritas and daiquiris will also be served. For do-it-yourselfers, festivalgoers can build their own strawberry shortcakes at the Strawberry Shortcake Tent. They can load their bowl with as much shortcake, whipped cream and strawberries that can fit.
Many nonprofit groups are behind these tasty items. The non-profit food booths reap 100% of sales for their cause. Over the past three decades, more than $4.5 million dollars has benefitted more than 30 southland charities. Each nonprofit organization receives a stipend or grant to participate. It adds up to over $127,000 given out by the festival each year.
Strawberries and Ventura County are perfect for each other. Ideal weather and fertile soil mean strawberries are Ventura County’s number one crop—farmers grow over 350,000 tons annually (Source: Ventura County Farm Bureau). More than 1.5 million strawberries will be picked fresh from the fields and eaten during the two-day festival.
Berry Blast Off Recipe Contest: On Saturday, May 18, two finalists will battle it out in the Berry Blast Off Recipe Contest. They will have one hour to prepare their recipe entries before judges while a crowd roots them on. Contest recipes have to be original, non-baked, sweet or savory-tasting strawberry dishes. Judges score for best taste/flavor, texture, preparation ease, presentation and creative use of strawberries.
The festival will also feature live concerts and entertainment on three outdoor stages, over 200 arts and crafts booths, Strawberryland for Kids, cooking demonstrations and free strawberry themed contests for festivalgoers (including strawberry pie eating contests, strawberry relays, strawberry tart tosses, a “Berry Best Dressed Baby Contest” and “Berry Best Hat Contest”).
Official sponsors for this year’s festival include Oxnard Convention and Visitors Bureau, Southern California Acura Dealers, Stella Rosa Wines, Stella Artois and Wells Fargo.
Official media sponsors are the Ventura County Star, KTLA-TV, The Wave, KOST, K-EARTH, MyFM, Cumulus Media, Gold Coast Broadcasting and Jack FM.
Oxnard is located just 60 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara. The California Strawberry Festival free Park & Ride “Strawberry Express” shuttles from multiple convenient locations off the 101 freeway make getting there a breeze. Amtrak California offers a special family discounts (shuttles
meet the trains). Parking is also available on site for $10. General admission is $12, seniors 62 and over and active military are $8, and youth ages 5 through12 are $5. Kids 4 and under are free. The California Strawberry Festival toll free information line is 888 288-9242 or go to www.CAStrawberryFestival.org.
Strawberries are the only fruit that wear their seeds on the outside.
Strawberries aren’t true berries, like blueberries or even grapes. Technically, a berry has its seeds on the inside. And, to be über technical, each seed on a strawberry is considered by botanists to be its own separate fruit.
It takes 30 days for each strawberry to mature from flower to fruit.
Most people think the strawberry got its name because children in the nineteenth century threaded the berries into straw and offered them for sale
Within one day after they are picked, strawberries are on their way to market in refrigerated trucks.
(Source: California Strawberry Commission)
Strawberries grow year-round in California but April through August are the peak months.
According to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Americans eat an average of more than eight pounds of fresh strawberries each per year.
California farmers produce more than 85% of the fresh strawberries grown in the U.S. They grow more than 2 billion pounds of the heart-shaped fruits per year. (Source: California Strawberry Commission)
Each acre of land in California in strawberry production produces an average of 21 tons of strawberries annually. (Source: California Strawberry Commission)
32,000 acres of strawberries are planted in California each year. (Source: California Strawberry Commission)
Eight medium strawberries are only 50 calories but provide 110 percent of the daily amount of vitamin C (96mg) (Source: California Strawberry Commission)
California Strawberry Festival
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The winners of the 2019 Ventura County Science Fair were announced at an awards ceremony this evening at the VCOE Conference and Educational Services Center in Camarillo. At tonight’s ceremony, awards were presented in 14 scientific categories including microbiology, engineering and chemistry. In addition, local companies and organizations selected winners in 11 special categories. The winning entries were chosen by local science, engineering and industry professionals who volunteered their time to serve as judges.
With categories from animal sciences to physics, the Ventura County Science Fair is designed to promote and reward the achievements of our students in various scientific fields. By developing skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, students are laying the groundwork for their future success. This year’s Science Fair was held on March 22 at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks.
The Science Fair brings together students, teachers and scientists from around Ventura County to give students an awareness of the importance of science in their lives and to cultivate their interest in science careers. The Science Fair enhances students’ scientific knowledge and research skills, reinforces science content standards for California public schools and recognizes outstanding student achievement. It also motivates students to undertake and complete scientific inquiries in their special areas of interest.
Approximately 40 Ventura County Science Fair participants will advance to the California State Science Fair on April 29-30 at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Many Ventura County students have placed in the top three for their categories and some have been awarded Project of the Year at the statewide competition.
More information about the Ventura Count Science Fair is available on the VCOE website at www.vcoe.org/ScienceFair.
Photo: Ventura County Office of Education
About the Ventura County Office of Education
The Ventura County Office of Education provides a broad array of fiscal, training and technology support services to local school districts, helping to maintain and improve lifelong educational opportunities for children, educators and community members. VCOE also operates schools that serve students with severe disabilities and behavioral issues, provides career education courses, and coordinates countywide academic competitions including Mock Trial and the Ventura County Science Fair. Learn more at: www.vcoe.org.
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Simi Valley Police Department – Incident Press Release
Shortly after noon on Monday March 25, customers of the Home Depot in Simi Valley alerted employees to three young children left unattended in a vehicle in the parking lot. The employees called the Simi Valley Police Department and officers responded to check on the welfare of the children.
When officers arrived, the oldest child (a six year-old) was sobbing inconsolably. The other two children (a two year-old and a 7 month old) were left unrestrained in the car. One of the car’s windows was rolled down, but the car was uncomfortably hot even though the outdoor temperature was only in the mid-70’s. The officers also noticed that the keys to the car were in the ignition.
While the officers were conducting their investigation, the mother of the children came back to the car. Based on the dangerous conditions the officers discovered the children in, they arrested Yuzaira Reyes (24 years-old, Simi Valley) for child endangerment. The officers then contacted Child Protective Services who took the children into their care.
The Simi Valley Police Department would like to remind all those who care for young children that leaving them in a vehicle unattended is unsafe. Even in rather mild conditions, temperatures inside the car can reach dangerous levels. Also, there are numerous predicaments that could arise that children of such a young age are not prepared to handle.
We would like to thank those citizens and employees who alerted us to these children.
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