Date:               12/29/14

Contact: Ann Springer
Business Development Manager
3639 E. Las Posas Rd., Suite E117
Camarillo, CA 93010
(805) 388-1952 ext. 143

NEWS BRIEF

For Immediate Release

Camarillo Health Care District Announces Re-Organization of Board of Directors

VENTURA COUNTY, CA., December 29, 2014– The Camarillo Health Care District is pleased to announce the selection of officers for the 2015 Board of Directors following the December planning meeting. Members of the Camarillo Health Care District Board of Directors are as follows:

Roger Brown, MBA- President

Christopher Loh, MD – Vice President

Mark Hiepler, Esq. – Clerk of the Board

Richard Loft, MD – Director

Peggy O’Neill, RN – Director

For more information regarding programs and services offered at the Camarillo Health Care District, please call (805) 388-1952.

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Lean manufacturing expert SBDC advisor Carlos Conejo conducted the training. He recently became a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, the program’s highest achievement level.

Developed by Motorola in 1986 and named for the mathematical term, Six Sigma is a program where inefficient procedures within companies are identified and eliminated and replaced with those providing increased performance.

As part of their Six Sigma certification, Bowman, Ham and Boateng created  a streamlined SBDC client intake procedure to better appraise businesses and their needs. This system, which matches advisors to the appropriate clients, is the first of its kind in the greater SBDC network and provides a more focused approach to consulting. The program’s goal is to reduce consulting hours and related costs.

“We have seen firsthand the results of Six Sigma lean manufacturing training with our SBDC clients,” said Bruce Stenslie, EDC-VC’s president and CEO.  “Having Marvin, Ray and Jason with this training will help us be more efficient so that we can assist more clients and help their businesses grow.”

Conejo was awarded his Lean Master Black Belt designation after completing a 12-week online course at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. As a Lean Master Black Belt, he trains and mentors Black Belts and Green Belts and helps to resolve issues in their Six Sigma projects.

Conejo is president of Peak Performance Seminars, Training & Consulting, and has been an SBDC consultant since 2011.

About SBDC:

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 business started.

 About EDC-VC:

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 and loan, manufacturing and international trade programs, contact Bruce Stenslie at 805-384-1800 ext. 24, or [email protected]. Or visit www.edc-vc.com.

Seems like we’ve been inundated over the past couple of years with rampant cyber theft. Target, Niemen Marcus, Yahoo and even mysterious $9.84 Credit Card charges.  Unfortunately, in the world we live in, this is most likely the norm going forward and not just a blip on the radar.

So, how can you stay protected online? While there is no way to absolutely, positively, 100% stay safe online, by taking these 9 steps, you will be as safe as possible.

1. Only Shop On Secure Websites. Before you type your credit card into a website, ensure it is secure.  Look for “https://” in the address bar of your web browser when you are checking out.

2. Avoid Financial Transactions Over Public Wi-Fi connections. You can’t guarantee that free or shared Wi-Fi access is secure. Ok to connect for browsing the web, but avoid financial transactions on these connections.

3. Use A Secure Network For Financial Transactions. Protect your computer with a firewall, Anti Virus and Anti-spyware software.

4. Setup Banking Alerts for Unusual Or Large Transactions. Ask your bank to notify you of any suspicious or large transactions.

5. Use Credit Cards Instead Of Debit Cards. Most credit cards offer better fraud protection, plus if money is stolen from a debit card, then it has already left your bank account.

6. Pick Complex Passwords. Use phrase acronyms and keyboard combinations. Never use repeat passwords or words in the dictionary for your financial accounts.

7. Never directly answer or respond to an Email from your bank. Criminals have become very adept at appearing that they are a financial institution when they are not. Never rely on links in emails to access your financial accounts.

8. Install Available Security Updates On Your Computer, Smartphone and Tablets. Many cybercrimes target known security holes on your computing devices.  Stay up to date to stay secure.

9. Check Your Bank Balances and Statements Regularly. Good ol’-fashioned visual checks on your balances and a scan of your transactions are the best practice to be sure that nothing has slipped through the cracks.

We also offer your business a FREE 15-Point Business Cyber Network Security Audit

The Ventura County Express offices received the Gold Circle for excellence and achievements in sales, recruitment, placement and customer service.
It is the second year in a row that the Ventura County Express office has prestigiously achieved the gold circle of excellence. “It is truly an honor to be recognized for these achievements,” said McMillan. “We would like to express our gratitude for the support of our community and the efforts of our staff that made this award possible.”

Nearly 1,200 Express franchisees and their staff attended the company’s annual International Leadership Conference Feb. 12 through Feb. 15. The conference featured three days of workshops, networking and training on staffing and workplace issues such as leadership, recruiting, sales and team building.

The Ventura County Express Employment Professionals franchise began operation in 2006 and serves all of Ventura County areas with temporary help and direct hire employees in a variety of fields, including administrative, commercial, and professional.

The Ventura County Express office is a franchise of Express Employment Professionals and puts people to work. In 2013, the company generated more than $2.5 billion in temporary sales and employed nearly 400,000 people. Express ranks as the largest privately held staffing company in the United States. For more information, visit oxnardca.expresspros.com.

The new bike lanes will span five miles of Pleasant Valley Road, from Las Posas Road to the Pacific Coast Highway/Rice Avenue.

Daytime single-lane closure will take effect until the project is finished. The scope of work will include road repair, slurry sealing and striping. Pavement grinding work will take place on the following days:
• March 6: Northbound Pleasant Valley Road from Fifth Street to Las Posas Road
• March 7–12: Las Posas Road to Rice Avenue

VCPWA Engineering Manager Glenn Derossett says the bike plan project will be completed by April 30, 2014.

During the opening ceremony, cancer survivors will take the first lap around the South Quad’s relay track. Later that evening, the South Quad will light up in a Luminaria Ceremony, as individually decorated paper bags containing votive candles are illuminated to honor loved ones affected by cancer.

CI’s Relay for Life is a 24-hour, overnight walk/run team relay event. Participants will camp around the relay track and participate in multiple activities. Food, games, and entertainment will keep the walkers motivated. Live music performances and Zumba will take place center stage throughout the evening and early morning. The event will conclude with a closing ceremony at noon, Saturday, Mar. 15.

All proceeds from Relay for Life go to the American Cancer Society. Over the past two years, the CSU Channel Islands Relay for Life has raised almost $60,000 for the American Cancer Society. This year, event organizers are aiming for an ambitious goal of $30,000.

Event sponsors include CSU Channel Islands, University Glen Corporation, Cronies Sports Grill, Blenders in the Grass, B Real Fitness, CI Cove Bookstore, Dippin’ Dots, Noah’s Bagels, Rocket Fizz, Shave-It, Starbucks, and Tan LA.
Complimentary event parking is limited and only available in the designated parking lot. Once on campus, follow the directional signage to event parking then follow the walking signage to the event location. Free parking is available at the Camarillo Metrolink Station/Lewis Road parking lot with bus service to and from the campus. In order to waive bus fares, riders should present their event registration confirmation when boarding the CI Vista bus, otherwise the cash-only bus fare is $1.25 each way. Buses arrive and depart from the Camarillo Metrolink Station every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday. For exact times, check the schedule at: www.goventura.org.
For more information or to sign up, visit www.relayforlife.org/csuchannelislandsca, or contact CI Relay for Life event organizer Rachael Ellison at [email protected], or Brittany Keegan at the American Cancer Society at [email protected].

The CISB was formed in 2010 in collaboration with Professor Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and founder of the Grameen Bank, and financial support from the Hilton Foundation. Part of the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics, the CISB is the first institute of its kind in the U.S. to offer a minor and certificate in social business and to employ academic research in this fast-growing and understudied field.

“We are grateful to the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation for its critical role in creating and sustaining the work of the CISB to promote social businesses that help solve the region’s most pressing social issues,” said Martin Loeffler, director of the CISB. “Today, more and more corporations and individuals are looking for ways to give back. We look forward to working with businesses, nonprofits and organizations throughout our community as we equip current and future leaders to create positive change in the world.”

Social business, as defined by Yunus, is a form of social entrepreneurship that innovatively and cost-effectively tackles the world’s most pressing social or environmental issues. Described by some as “enlightened capitalism,” social businesses promote objectives – such as alleviating poverty, hunger, sickness, education gaps, or environmental problems – that are equally as important as their financial goals. All profits are re-invested into the company to expand its positive social impact. Investors get their investments back, but receive continued returns in the form of social change, not in form of dividends.

CI’s innovative social business minor and certificate programs teach students how to use market-based principles to create social value and solve community problems. More than 70 students are currently enrolled in social business courses.

The institute also conducts research, helps community businesses and organizations convert to self-sustaining “social business-style” models, and provides consulting and incubation services for new social businesses. It is currently advising nonprofits like Neighborhoods for Learning, Segue, the Community Gardens in Oxnard, and a social business initiative in the Dominican Republic; teaching social business to high-schoolers in the Los Angeles Unified School District; and publishing the first social business college textbook outlining interdisciplinary approaches to alleviating poverty and successful social business models. The book, Social Business: Theory, Practice and Critical Perspectives, edited by CI Professor of Political Science Andrea Grove and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Extended University and International Relations, Gary Berg, was released this month.

“Social business is another tool in CSU Channel Islands’ effort to educate students for the 21st century and empower them to improve the world they will inherit,” Loeffler said. “With valued partners like the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, we are preparing the next generation of economic, social and political leaders to find solutions to our most pressing local, national, and global ills.”
For more information on CISB, visit http://socialbusiness.csuci.edu or contact CISB Director Martin Loeffler at 415-990-3973 or [email protected].

With “Guardian,” Urbauer presents a rich visual narrative set in the era of the Vikings and in a fantastical setting based on Norse mythology.  With each illustration and sketch concept, she unveils a creative process of designing a new world by turning words and ideas into illustrations.  The work showcases visual development in the early stages of storytelling through sketches of characters, environments and objects.

Limited parking is available on campus with the purchase of a $6 daily permit; follow signs to the parking permit dispensers. Free parking is available at the Camarillo Metrolink Station/Lewis Road with bus service to and from the campus.  Riders should board the CI Vista Bus to the campus; the cash-only fare is $1.25 each way. Buses arrive and depart from the Camarillo Metrolink Station every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. For exact times, check the schedule at www.goventura.org.

The Grad Wall is located in Napa Hall, Room 1154, on Ventura Street on the CI campus.  The Grad Wall is an exhibition space showcasing the works of top graduating students from CI’s Art Program.  Regular gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  For additional information, contact the CI Art Program at 805-437-2772 or email [email protected].

During March, the Thursday night Camarillo Reads films are from the 1920s and 1930s. Mar 6 – The Kid (1921) Charlie Chap¬lin; Mar 13 – Animal Crackers (1930) Marx Brothers. The movies screen every Thursday Night at 6:30 pm in the Community Room.
The Children’s Storytimes focus on Stories of Friendship and Families.

The events for March 8 through 14 are:

Saturday, Mar 8 – Living with Less: A Day during the Great Depression, from 10 am to 2 pm. Demonstrations will include the Ventura County Handweavers & Spinners plus Camarillo Quilters who will sew on a 1930’s quilt frame. Reproductions of toys of this time will be on display. David Atkins will play original Depres¬sion-era recordings from his col¬lection. Volunteers will read Depression-era picture books including “Angus and the Ducks” and “The Little Engine that Could”. There will be crafts for kids and teens based on the Something from Nothing theme.

Wednesday, Mar 12 – California State University Channel Islands Professor Julia Balen, and her students, will show parents how to recognize and un¬derstand the increasing problem of Cyberbullying. Co-sponsored by the Camarillo Council of PTA’s, Pleasant Valley School District and the Ca¬marillo Library, 6 pm.

Wednesday, Mar 12 – Taste of China Friends of the Library Tour, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. Deadline to sign up is March 4. See the Friends website.

Friday, Mar 14 – Dr. Barry Kerzin, physician to the Dalai Lama, will speak about Inner peace and Contentment from 7 to 8 pm in the Community Room of the Camarillo Public Library. Dr. Kerzin is a Buddhist monk, teacher, and former Ventura medical doctor. He has lived in Dharamsala for more than 22 years and provides medical care to many high lamas as well as poor people in India, on a charitable basis.

There are also six events during the rest of March culminating in the Sunday, March 30 visit by New York Times bestselling author Jamie Ford. The talk and book signing take place from 2 until 3:30 pm.

More than 140 copies of “Songs of Willow Frost” are available including large print, audio book, and eBook and eAudio book formats. For more information, call the Camarillo Public Library at 805-388-5222 or visit camarillolibrary.org.