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| Camarillo Christmas Parade - December 13 | | |
Bring your chairs and blankets to line the streets of Camarillo for the Annual Christmas Parade, then stick around for holiday shopping at Santa’s Village!
Streets along the parade route will be temporarily closed during the event. Detours will be clearly marked. We appreciate your patience as we work to ensure a safe and festive parade for the whole community!
| | Santa Nights at the Ranch This Week! | | Kick off the holiday season this week at the Camarillo Ranch Foundation’s festive two-night Santa Nights celebration! Take photos with Santa, explore Santa’s Workshop in the Red Barn, enjoy Victorian carolers, browse local craft vendors, enjoy seasonal treats, and take a self-guided tour of the historic Ranch House adorned in holiday décor. | | Spark of Love Toy Drive — Donate by Dec. 10 | | |
Looking for a meaningful way to give back this holiday season? The annual Spark of Love Toy Drive is underway, and your donation can brighten a child’s holiday.
Help the Fire Departments of Ventura County bring holiday cheer to local children in need by delivering a new, unwrapped toy to Spark of Love bins:
- Camarillo City Hall, 601 Carmen Drive
- Camarillo Library, 4101 Las Posas Road
Donations at these City locations will be accepted through December 10. Prefer to give online? Click here to make a monetary donation or shop the Spark of Love registry. Gifts will be delivered directly to Toy Central.
Donation bins are also available at all Ventura County fire stations.
| | Our Camarillo General Plan 2050 | | |
The City of Camarillo has begun an update of its General Plan, a comprehensive guide for development of the community.
The General Plan update will create a clear, long-term vision to guide economic growth and new development and preserve and enhance quality of life in the future.
Public input is at the heart of this effort, and this important initiative will provide many opportunities for community members to help shape the future of Camarillo by sharing their vision. Click the link below to learn more and get involved!
| | Turning Waste Into Valuable Resources | | |
Last month, City leaders joined Agromin and E.J. Harrison & Sons for the ribbon cutting at the new Mountain View Organic Waste Processing Facility in Oxnard. Mayor Kildee presented Agromin CEO Bill Camarillo with a Certificate of Recognition for the company’s dedication to sustainability and innovation in our region.
This $20 million facility is the largest of its kind in California and the first in Southern California. It can process up to 300 tons of food waste every day, transforming it into natural gas, compost, fertilizer, and animal feed.
The facility also supports California’s SB 1383 goals, a law designed to reduce food and yard waste in landfills and thereby cut methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. By diverting organic waste from landfills, the facility helps turn what would be trash into valuable resources for the community.
Projects like this show how innovation and collaboration can strengthen local sustainability efforts and benefit our entire community. It’s an exciting step forward for Ventura County and a reminder that even small actions like properly sorting food waste at home can make a big difference.
| | Community Service Grants Presentation – Dec. 17 | | |
Attention nonprofits looking for grant funding for the 2026-27 fiscal year! The City of Camarillo will hold a Zoom presentation on December 17 at 11 a.m. for organizations interested in applying for Community Service Grants.
Grants are open to qualified organizations with a valid 501(c)(3) registration, including community services groups, nonprofits, and parent/teacher organizations. Funding is for projects and programs that directly benefit Camarillo residents.
Click the button below to get details and the Zoom link. Applications will be available on the City’s website following the event.
| | Apply Now for 2026 Las Personas Community Academy | | |
The City of Camarillo is excited to welcome back the Las Personas Community Academy, an interactive program that offers community members a closer look at how their local government works while inspiring ongoing civic involvement.
Through informative presentations and collaborative discussions, attendees will gain meaningful insight into how City decisions are made and learn practical ways to stay connected and engaged in the community.
The 2026 Academy will take place over six sessions on Monday evenings, beginning January 26 at the Camarillo Public Library. Participation is free and open to anyone 16 years or older who lives, works, or attends school in Camarillo. Space is limited, and priority will be given to youth participants.
The online application period is now open and will close when the program is full. Don’t miss your chance to join the conversation and make a difference in your community!
| | A Greener Way to Celebrate the Holidays | | |
As our community celebrates the holidays, here are some ways we can all enjoy the season while caring for the environment. Keep your holidays sustainable and waste-conscious with these practical tips:
Recycle Your Holiday Tree
Once the holidays are over, your tree can continue giving back! From December 26 through January 12, residents can place their holiday tree(s) in their organics/yard waste cart (cut into pieces) or leave the whole tree at the curb. Instead of producing methane in a landfill, your tree will be processed into mulch, benefiting local farmlands, orchards, nurseries, and home gardens.
Reduce Waste During the Holidays
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Refuse single-use items whenever possible: Skip disposable plates and utensils, and bring reusable bags while shopping.
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Reuse gift wrap and packaging: Use paper bags, newspapers, or fabric wraps that can be used year after year.
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Repair before replacing: Fix broken items before buying new ones, and choose gifts that are durable.
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Travel mindfully: Consider carpooling, combining errands, or using public transit to reduce emissions during holiday trips.
Make a Sustainable New Year’s Resolution
Pick one small change for the new year—sort waste more carefully, reduce food waste, or say no to single-use plastics. Every action counts!
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Before the Next Rain Arrives:
Keep Your Home Weather Ready
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Winter storms can bring periods of heavy rain and localized flooding. A few simple steps can help protect your home and reduce storm-related impacts.
Before the next round of storms:
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Assemble an emergency kit.
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Register your phone at VCAlert to receive emergency messages.
- Clear debris from roof gutters, downspouts, and drains.
- Inspect storm drains before and after heavy rainfall.
- Apply erosion controls to bare slopes and install barriers around your property to prevent loose woodchips, mulch, dirt, or debris from entering street gutters and clogging storm drains.
- Check your roof for leaks or damage, paying special attention to areas where separation could occur, such as around the chimney.
- Have sandbags and other flood prevention materials on hand, such as plastic sheeting, plywood, and tarps.
The City maintains, inspects, and cleans its drainage facilities, ditches, and 1,500+ storm drain inlets. Your local fire station provides sandbags to the public. For a list of fire stations, local vendors for sandbags, and additional emergency preparedness resources, visit Ready Ventura County.
Please report any clogged storm drains via CamarilloCONNECT. For more tips and information on weather preparedness, click below.
| | Trash & Recycling Services - Christmas Service Updates | | |
Christmas Pickup Schedule: There will be a one-day pickup delay for all Thursday and Friday customers during Christmas week.
Double-Trash Pickup: This year, we will again collect twice the usual amount of residential trash at no extra cost during the two weeks after Christmas.
On your regular pickup days from December 26 through January 12, you can place bagged extra trash next to your waste cart at the curb. You can also set out extra recyclables beside your recycle cart. Please remember to flatten all cardboard boxes.
Recycle Your Christmas Tree: From December 26 through January 12, residents can place their holiday tree(s) in their organics/yard waste cart (cut into pieces) or leave the whole tree at the curb. Remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, and decorations. Flocked trees are accepted.
Thank you for helping reduce waste this holiday season!
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Mon – Thurs | 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Fri – Sun | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
4101 Las Posas Road
Camarillo, California 93010
(805) 388-5222
askus@camarillolibrary.org
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December Program Highlights
Please note the library will be closed December 24-25.
Santa Storytime: Holiday Fun for Kids
Tuesday, December 2 & 9 / 5:30-7 p.m. / Community Room
Get into the holiday spirit with Santa Storytime! Bring the kids and enjoy festive stories, holiday songs and a special visit from Santa & Mrs. Claus. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season and create magical memories. Don’t forget your camera for photo opportunities with Santa! Suitable for children of all ages. No registration is required, but space is limited.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Camarillo Library.
Professional Digital Headshots
Thursday, December 11 / 12-1:30 p.m. / Community Room
Enhance your professional portfolio with a digital headshot compliments of the Russell Fischer Business Collection. Small business employees, entrepreneurs, job seekers and anyone with an online profile are welcome to drop in for this first-come, first-served event. Ventura County’s Motionshooter Photography will provide photography and editing services.
This program is sponsored by the Russell Fischer Business Collection.
De-Stress Night at the Library
Thursday, December 11 / 5:30-7 p.m. / Community Room / Adults
Does the holiday season have you feeling worn out? Join us for an evening dedicated to self-care. There will be relaxing activities such as crafts to help you recharge and quiet zones for journaling or reading. Therapy dogs from the Pleasant Valley Chapter of Love on a Leash will also be in attendance.
Jr. Entrepreneur Marketplace
Saturday, December 13 / 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. / Santa's Village, Community Center Park, 1605 E. Burnley St., Camarillo
Support local budding artists, makers and entrepreneurs while getting your holiday shopping done early. Our marketplace booths will host tweens and teens who are participating in the Jr. Entrepreneur program, which teaches young people how to take their ideas and start a small business. Discover a handmade treasure while helping local youth learn about entrepreneurship.
This program is sponsored by the Russell Fischer Business Collection.
| | City Meetings and Local Events | | | | |
City Council meetings are open to the public and can be viewed on the City's YouTube channel, on cable TV (Spectrum channel 10 and Frontier channel 29), or on the Camarillo Community Channel mobile app.
City Council meetings start @ 5 p.m. General public comment @ 5 p.m.
Meeting agendas and participation instructions at:
cityofcamarillo.org/meetinginfo
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City Meetings & Holidays
Tuesday, December 2, 6 p.m.
Planning Commission Meeting
Wednesday, December 10, 5 p.m.
City Council Meeting
Wednesday-Thursday, December 24-25
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - City Hall and Library Closed
See All Meeting Agendas
City Council and Planning Commission meetings, unless otherwise noted, are held at Camarillo City Hall, 601 Carmen Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010
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Community Events Calendar
Full calendar and event details:
cityofcamarillo.org/calendar
Camarillo Farmers Market
Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Old Town Camarillo
Saturday, December 6
Book Drive for PVSD Middle Schools
Sunday, December 7
Annual Christmas Concert
Camarillo Community Band
Hazardous Waste Drop-Off
Friday, December 12; Saturday, December 13
By Appointment Only
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The City is committed to keeping our community informed!
Follow us on Social Media for frequent news updates!
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Please send inquiries to:
CityScene Editor
601 Carmen Drive
Camarillo, CA 93010
| | City of Camarillo | 601 Carmen Drive| cityofcamarillo.org | | | | |
