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How healthy are you? Free!
Free! Free! Health Screenings
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Entertainment provided
by KNS ROCKSTAR
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Miss Ania Murene Simpson, (l.) Miss Debutante 2012, 1st Runner-Up and Miss Cassia Cynthia Carter, Miss Debutante 2012 are both on the program for Juneteenth.
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This Saturday, June 16, BAPAC will bring together the spirit of Juneteenth, the oldest celebration for the
ending of slavery in the United States. Although the Juneteenth holiday is based on events that occurred in Texas in 1865, in Oxnard it is celebrated by people of all races, nationalities and religions. The celebration will be held at Plaza Park in downtown Oxnard.
The Community Health Fair, sponsored by Bethel AME Church in Oxnard, will be providing free health screenings. Included will be the Magic Johnson Foundation HIV/AIDS Mobile Unit, which provides free HIV/AIDS testing. The health fair also will include screening for high blood pressure, body fat, cholesterol, blood sugar, and other screenings.
Performances by:
Men of Vision • Greater Hope Boys • Gospel Duet (Lynarold Production) • Kingdom Sown • 805’s Got Talent • Sade • Tiffany Bradley • Purpose • Amber Wood • Lucy Angelo • Desiree Estrada • Lela Brown • Leeah D • Ghetto Breakers • Toon & Dots • Asia Shabazz • Loretta Mitchell • Miedo • KNS Rockstar
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Ventura County Housing Trust Fund Gets $2 Million Grant From The State
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Pictured (from r. to l.) Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett, Linda Braunschweiger, Chief Executive Officer of the Ventura County Housing Trust Fund, and Mike Powers, Ventura County Executive Officer.
(Photo Credit: Peggy Hunt)
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By Peggy Hunt
Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of the Ventura County Housing Trust Fund (VCHTF) said, “I am proud to announce that the Trust Fund has been awarded a $2,000,000 matching grant from the State of California’s Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD).”
The countywide organization members and staff hosted a reception on June 6, at The Tower Club in Oxnard from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., to thank supporters, to emphasize the importance of the fund and to solicit additional donations/funding from attendees.
“Over the last two years, VCHTF received over $1,100,000 in matching funds from cities and Ventura County and is poised to raise an additional $900,000 over the next couple of years to leverage a full $2,000,000 State matching funds bringing the total funds available to the community to $4,000,000,” said Braunschweiger. “At a time when affordable housing dollars from local, state and federal sources are being cut or reduced, this new infusion of State of California funds into Ventura County is very exciting.”
Since 2006, the VCHTF has worked to bring about a regional solution to the insufficient supply of housing that is affordable to local employees and residents throughout Ventura County. The VCHTF supports housing projects that enhance the quality of life and preserve the long-term affordability of housing as a community resource.
Kathy Long, along with Supervisor Steve Bennett, co-sponsored the County of Ventura’s support in obtaining the initial $500,000 in matching funds. “We need a trust fund. The county contributing $500,000 helped leverage millions of other dollars coming into the county. All these other sources of revenue were not going to come unless we had some initial seed money. It’s great to see our initial investment bear so much fruit,” said Bennett.
VCHTF’s Revolving Loan Fund will be issuing its first NOFA in the third quarter of 2012.
“Monies from the Housing Trust Fund will be made available to qualified developer applicants through grants and loans, and will be awarded through a Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) or Request for Proposals process to help create new and rehabilitated housing units,” stated Dawn Dyer, Chairperson of the VCHTF Board of Directors. “Priority funding will be given to projects that create homes for veterans, homeless individuals and families, transitional aged youth coming out of foster care, and farm workers.”
VCHTF is led by a diverse Board of Directors: Dawn Dyer, Chairperson, Dyer Sheehan Group, Inc.; Mary Ann Krause, AICP - Vice Chairperson, Urban Planner; Nancy Conk, Treasurer, Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation; Fred Ferro, Secretary, NIA Capital; Elisabeth Amador, City of Santa Paula; Marni Brook, Montecito Bank & Trust; Cathy Brudnicki, Ventura County Homeless & Housing Coalition; Silvia Chavez, Ventura County Office of Education; Joe Espino, Community West Bank; Loretta McCarty, Housing Authority City of Ventura; The Honorable Mike Morgan, City of Camarillo; Greg Regier, Esq., Jackson Demarco Tidus & Pechenpaugh; Stacy Swanson, Habitat for Humanity Ventura County; The Honorable Mike Tracy, City of Ventura; and Russ Watson, City of Thousand Oaks.
Proposition 1C, the Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund, was passed by California voters in 2006 which provided up to $35 million in bond proceeds for matching grants for local entities bringing investments and innovation to affordable housing.
For more information, contact VCHTF at 805-407-2455.
To view additonal photos from this event, click here.
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Dr. Irene Pinkard
Oxnard Mayor Pro Tem
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The following is an open letter to the community from Oxnard Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Irene Pinkard regarding the activities of the city to correct issues identified in the DA’s investigation of the City of Oxnard’s procedures and policies.
While the Ventura County Star continues to unearth the whys and wherefores of the DA’s investigation and subsequent report, it is important that the public knows that the City of Oxnard will continue moving forward with the corrective actions that have already been identified and will develop additional ones as necessary to ensure accuracy, accountability and transparency in City operations at all levels.
As recently as May 15, 2012, the City Council received and reviewed the draft City Council Procedures Manual on which myself and Councilman Flynn developed and refined over the past year. Council also established a 14-day comment period to receive comments on this key document from the public and Council members.
Moreover, the City Council engaged in a discussion on Ethics pertaining to Procurement Policies and Procedures. From this discussion City Council directed staff to review the City’s Procurement Policies and integrate elements highlighted during this discussion and come back at a later date with an update.
Additionally, it needs to be emphasized that the DA’s report acknowledged, at least twice, that the City had already adopted many improved processes and efficiencies.
Some examples of the numerous actions that have been undertaken include:
• Review of credit card practices within the past year, reducing the number of employees who hold City credit cards and modifying the spending limits available to each cardholder. Also, the majority of council members do not have City credit cards.
• As of February 1, 2011, the travel policy has been revised. Specifically, the City implemented a fixed per diem rate for all employees and elected officials, using federal per diem rates. Per Diem rates for all City officials and employees are in strict accordance to Federal and State regulations. There has been a significant shift in the City’s attention to fiscal oversight issues particularly as to the required documentation for City-expensed meals.
• Practices with respect to travel reimbursements have been modified and new travel expense forms have been developed specifically for staff and City council to ensure compliance with the federal government’s published reimbursement rates. The City’s Chief Financial Officer has held specialized meetings with City Officials to discuss the limitations and obligations imposed by Government Code and City resolution.
• As early as February 2011 the City provided training, by a representative of the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), on the reporting requirements on Form 700 Statement of Economic Interests.
• Within the last year, the City changed its practice concerning its bond underwriting needs. A competitive process was used to establish a diverse pool of qualified bond underwriters.
• On May 8, 2012 the City Council received a report to review the Supplemental Post-retirement Benefit and voted to terminate the $300 per month Supplemental Post-Retirement Benefit (“SPRB”).
• The City will be undertaking an RFP process to procure a qualified independent accounting firm to conduct the City’s annual audits.
The City will continue to develop/revise procedures as necessary and update residents on an ongoing basis.
City Council and Staff will strive to address all issues and concerns that have arisen from this report and move forward to provide the services and programs that our residents deserve and expect.
Dr. Irene Pinkard, Mayor Pro Tem
City of Oxnard |
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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Xi Kappa Omega Chapter Holds Reaching for the Stars Scholarship Reception
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AKA Scholarship Recipient Dominique N. Dillon (Pacifica High School). Dillon was also presented a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition signed by Congresswoman Lois Capps and a Certificate of Commend-ation from Mayor Dr. Thomas E. Holden, presented by Dr. Irene Pinkard, Mayor Pro Tem.
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OXNARD – On Saturday, June 9, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA), Xi Kappa Omega Chapter, held their annual Reaching for the Stars Scholarship Reception at the Oxnard Public Library where 20 deserving students were awarded with scholarships.
“This was a very inspiring group of students,” said Patricia Bass, Chairman, 2012 AKA Scholarship Committee. “We awarded 20 scholarships this year to a total of 11 high schools in Ventura County.”
“Today’s reception was an opportunity for us to say thank you to their parents and other family members as well as friends and to award them again [with] certificates from our county dignitaries, our legislative governing body. We had Dr. Irene Pinkard, Mayor Pro Tem, that awarded scholarships on behalf of our mayor,” Bass continued.
Michele Pettes, Public Affairs Manager, Southern California Gas Company, awarded four exceptional students with an additional $1,000 scholarship each on behalf of the Southern California Gas Company. Each recipient was also presented with gifts.
“I received two scholarships. It’s an honor to be recognized in front of my family. I worked really hard,” one graduating senior noted.
AKA 2012 Scholarship recipients included: Karah L. Lewis, Buena High School; Callie Virginia Woods, Grace Brethern High School; Betty Allen, Hueneme High School; Chass Bryan, Mitchell Shelby, Oaks Christian High School; Lexis Washington, Oak Park High School; Daylin Jamar Johnson, Taylor Thornton, Oxnard High School; Shardae Renee Anthony, Dominique N. Dillon, Frederick Nichols, Craig Anthony Patton, Taylin Danee Robinson, Sidney Rayann Walker, Pacifica High School; Kiana Gleason, Saint Bonaventure High School; Carley Briggs, Jasmine Mauss, Kalen van Staden, Thousand Oaks High School; Lauren Lila N’ Guetta, Ventura High School; and Maya Pettes, Westlake High School.
The Xi Kappa Omega Chapter members are: Kenisha Amar, Letitia Austin, Patricia Bass, Shirley Brandon, Deloris Carn, Candice Claiborne, Le’Shune Clark, Deann Coleman, Alvy Davis, LaSonya David, Mexie Duff, Dana Duffie, Robin Freeman, Juanita Hall, Sheila Harris, Mitzi Ivey, Iva Jeffreys, Tonika Jones, Stephanie Kelley, Lorraine Kelly, Rosalyn Lambert, Tamara Loray, Ruby Manor, Jennifer McDonald, Tanya McMahan, Barbara Murray, Celena Bostic Perry, Irene Pinkard, Helen Popoola, Cassondra Powell, Angela Ross, Toni Simmonds, Karla Simmonds, Lori Simpson, Bettye Sims, Angi Smith, Veola Spann, Nina Wells, Alma Williams, and Keanna Williams.
The 2012 Scholarship Committee members included: Patricia Bass, Chairman, Alvianna David, Ruby Manor, Leticia Austin, Juanita Hall, and Stephanie Kelley.
In 1982, the Xi Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was chartered in Ventura County. Since that time, its members have continued the sorority’s tradition of helping others by vigorously supporting the community through scholarships and service programs.
Refreshments were provided following the program courtesy of the Southern California Gas Company.
To view additonal photos from this event, click here. |
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By Peggy Hunt
LOS ANGELES, CA -- Answering President Obama’s Veteran Hiring Challenge, a special hiring event will be held for veterans and military spouses on Thursday, June 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Avenue.
Veterans will have the opportunity to meet with 48 veteran-friendly employers at Hiring Our Heroes/RecruitMilitary Veteran Career Fair.
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