On July 15, participants of the Oxnard Leadership Program explored the present and future of farming for its fifth session of the year. The day focused on providing an understanding of the current state of local agriculture, innovations in farming, packing and distribution, and how the next generation is learning about an industry that's critical to Oxnard and all of Ventura County. 

The WVCBA is thrilled to announce 10 recipients of its annual Oxnard Community & Business Awards, which will be celebrated on Thursday, August 18, at 11:30 am at the historic Heritage Square in Downtown Oxnard. 

Now in its 72nd year, the Community & Business Awards honors outstanding individuals, businesses and organizations that make Oxnard a wonderful community to live, work and do business in. Nominations are submitted by the public and reviewed by a selection committee. In addition to the nominations, the WVCBA Executive Committee selects an individual, business or organization to receive the Oxnard Trophy for bringing recognition to Oxnard and bettering the community.

Tickets for the celebratory luncheon are $75 (includes lunch) and can be purchased online at www.wvcba.org or at https://bit.ly/oxcbawards22.

The 2022 honorees are: 
​
Entrepreneur of the Year: Jose Celedon

Distinguished Citizen of the Year: Patty Paumier

Volunteer of the Year: Pedro Chavez

Young Professional of the Year: Emma Grossman

Nonprofit of the Year: Nyeland Promise

Small Business of the Year: Reardon Funeral Homes

Large Business of the Year: St. John's Regional Medical Center

Community Influencer of the Year: Visit Oxnard

Best Place to Work: Gold Coast Transit District

Oxnard Trophy: Herzog Wine Cellars & Tierra Sur Restaurant

More details about each awardee will be shared soon.

We're shining a light on Meadowlark Service League, an all-volunteer organization of local women that provides charitable donations to Ventura County nonprofits! Meadowlark Service League contributed $270K to 30 local charities and 25 college scholarships in June 2022. One of their major fundraisers is coming up on July 31 -- The Taste of Camarillo, a fun afternoon of food, drinks, boutique shopping and live entertainment at the Camarillo Ranch grounds. Vice President Gwen Speakes shares more about Meadowlark.

How and when did the organization get started?
Meadowlark has been around for 51 years.  Started by a few hard-working women raising funds for Camarillo initially and extending to Ventura County charities in recent years.

What is your mission? 
To raise funds for Ventura County local charities through our fundraising events.

What’s one thing you're known for?
All volunteer, low cost, well managed fun events, maximizing funds raised for local charities.  Reputation as a hard working group of women that seek to give back to their community with their time, financial support and talents. 

Why did the business choose Camarillo as its location?
The women in this organization live, work and thrive in this community and seek to help local non-profits.  This year we granted funds to 30 deserving charities.

​Are there any new or upcoming events?
The next event is our Taste of Camarillo Wine, Brew and Food Festival on July 31st.  Tickets are available to this fun tasting, dancing and shopping day at the Camarillo Ranch grounds at www.TasteofCamarillo.com.  The Wine Auction Gala will be on November 11th and the Charity Luncheon Tennis/Pickleball Tournament in March.  These events are critical to our meeting out fundraising goals.

How can the community help?
Join and help us continue to give back.  Attend our events.  Sponsor our events.  Contribute your service to help us in our events.

Please add any additional details or information you want readers to know. 
Meadowlark Service League contributed $270K to 30 local charities and 25 college scholarships in June 2022.  We are unique in our efforts to vet our charities well and contribute to charities that effect our local community in critical ways.  Some are small and some are major organizations.  We do not contribute to salaries and prioritize those that are volunteer organizations impacting our community in multiple ways.  We impact youth, the elderly, education, the arts, the disabled and more.  The organization has had a profound impact on our community.

CONTACT
Gwen Speakes, Vice President
meadowlarkserviceleague.org
805 630-7257
gespeakes@earthlink.net

The WVCBA recently welcomed STAGES Recovery Group in Camarillo as a new member! STAGES was inspired by the overwhelming need for affordable, accessible, and quality services for those impacted by substance use disorders. We had a wonderful time celebrating their ribbon cutting ceremony in June!​

The WVCBA recently welcomed Reardon Funeral Home in Oxnard as a new member! Reardon Funeral Home in Oxnard has been family owned and operated since 1937, and is rated as the top Funeral Home in Ventura County when it comes to affordability and customer service, according to parting.com.  

​Video is now available for those who missed Oxnard Mayor John Zaragoza's State of the City address on Friday, June 17, hosted by the WVCBA. In addition, below you will find the Mayor's answers to five questions he wasn't able to respond to during audience Q&A due to time constraints. In his address, he highlighted the city's second year of a positive budget, progress on its Five-Year Priorities, plans for funding received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and his focus on improving the gateways into Oxnard.