Author: Community Contributor

Ventura County Community Foundation Awards $192,556 to Ventura College Foundation To Support Ventura College’s Veterinary Technology Program

The Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) awarded $192,556 to the Ventura College Foundation to help support the Ventura College’s Veterinary Technology Program. The two-year vet program is a partnership between the Ohana Pet Hospital and the college that began in 2021 and takes place adjacent to Ventura College’s East Campus in Santa Paula.

The VCCF conducted an Animal Welfare Needs Assessment for Ventura County. This assessment showed, among other things, the need for more veterinarian professionals including qualified vet technicians in Ventura County. 

First District Supervisor Das Williams — Get Rid of Your Gasoline Bill, Fire Safety, & Eastside Neighborhood Cleanup

Join me for a Education Community Forum (on May 11) on EV incentives for residents hosted in collaboration with my office, Central Coast Community Energy(CCCE) & Community Environmental Council(CEC)

2022 Young Authors Fair & Family Literacy Celebration Announced

The Ventura County Reading Association (VCRA) announces its 43rd Annual Young Authors Fair & Family Literacy Celebration to be held at kidSTREAM Children’s Museum in Camarillo on Saturday, May 21, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The museum is located at 3100 E. Ponderosa Dr., Camarillo, CA 93010. The event is FREE and open to the public.

This special event shines a spotlight on student writing through displays of books written by children in grades PreK to 12, which they can share with families and the public. Each submission receives a gold “Young Author Participation” seal from VCRA. Young authors will be able to read books of other writers, participate in fun book-related STREAM activities, and enjoy a presentation by Kirsten Larson, author of Wood, Wire, Wings: Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane. Families with children as well as teachers who participate in the event will receive a free, autographed copy of Kirsten Larsen’s book while supplies last.

Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation Joined by Local First Responders on May 30 to Pay Tribute to Those Who Died Serving our Country

Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF) will be joined by local First Responders as they pay tribute to those who died serving our country on Monday, May 30, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. sharp at the Santa Barbara Cemetery.

Representatives of local first responders attending include: 

The California Highway Patrol, Santa Barbara Area
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office
Santa Barbara Police Department
Santa Barbara City Fire Department
Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Montecito Fire Protection District

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network — Spring Newsletter

Spring has sprung in Santa Barbara County: strawberries are at their peak and the abundance of asparagus, peas, artichokes, garlic, freshly dug potatoes, and tender greens of all kinds are hard to miss at farmers’ markets, farm stands, and local food retailers. Ridgeback shrimp and Spot prawns have joined the year-round offerings of live red abalone, sea urchin, oysters, kelp, and fish available from the nutrient-rich waters of the Santa Barbara Channel. Lamb and other recently born grazers can be found dotting the hillsides alongside their parents, protecting our region against impending wildfires and providing quality protein and fiber for our community.

United Way of Ventura County — 17th Annual Spirit Awards – Early Bird Pricing Available Now!

United Way of Ventura County is thrilled to share with you this year’s honorees for the 17th Annual Spirit Awards Gala.

Midge Campbell-Thomas, President, Bank of America Ventura/Santa Barbara, will be recognized with the Milton M. Teague Award for Outstanding Community Volunteerism.
Armand Begian, DDS, will be honored with the Douglas Shively Award for Outstanding Community Impact.
Procter & Gamble will receive the The Roy Pinkerton Award for Top Corporate Citizenship for its sixth time.

Tickets are now available to purchase for the June 4 event, where we’ll come together at the Hyatt Regency Westlake for dinner and awards to celebrate this year’s wonderful community champions.

Bilingual report — Get it Done SB! and Mi Regalo Initiatives Launched to Encourage SB Community to plan ahead by completing their Medical Advance Care Planning Forms

Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) and Mi Vida, Mi Voz (MVMV) have launched a new advance care planning initiative for both English and Spanish speakers in Santa Barbara County. Advance Care Planning is a way for people of all ages to prepare for their end of life medical wishes. An Advance Directive assists individuals in making decisions about the types of healthcare they wish to receive in the case they become very sick or injured and are not able to speak for themselves. Additionally, it allows them to select a person to make healthcare decisions in the case they are unable to make them themselves. Everyone, 18 years or older should have a completed document regardless of health condition.  

Bilingual commentary — The Tragic Loss of Native American Wisdom and Knowledge

I still remember my fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Knoll. It was her duty to follow the state tradition that had us studying the California missions. Our homework assignment was to craft a model of a mission of our choice. Mine, as I recall, was Mission San Gabriel Arcángel (Archangel), which was located not too far from my home. In class, we were taught that the “Indians” who worked at the missions were fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from the Catholic priests who taught them Spanish and converted them to Catholicism. The padres looked upon them as “children” and treated them “kindly.”

CSUCI will present honorary degrees to a global businessman and a prominent advocate for equity in education

Two champions of higher education will each be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters during the CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) 2022 Commencement ceremonies.

President Richard Yao, Ph.D. will present honorary degrees to The Trade Desk Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey T. Green and Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC) Foundation President Peter J. Taylor during the May 21 and 22 ceremonies. This year’s Commencement will consist of four in-person ceremonies taking place at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

LaunchPoint Returns to the World’s Leading International Technical Event on Vertical Flight Technology

LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions, Inc. is pleased to announce its return to the Vertical Flight Society’s (VFS) 78th Annual Forum and Technology Display, being held in Fort Worth, Texas, USA from May 10 to 12, 2022. The LaunchPoint Team is co-presenting two technical papers in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) Technical Session I on Tuesday morning, May 10. Michael Ricci, LaunchPoint’s Chief Technology Officer and co-founder is also co-instructing the VFS’s signature Short Course on Electric VTOL Technology.

Celebration of World Trade Week at the Port of Hueneme Highlights Importance of Green Tech and Blue Economy

Trade consuls from around the world, high-ranking Department of Commerce officials, local elected officials, business leaders, and maritime industry experts gathered at the Port of Hueneme to present an important program with a special focus on environment, green technology, and the economy as it relates to the marine realm.

The 10th annual World Trade Week event, “Green Tech and Blue Economy,” was held at the Port of Hueneme on May 3, 2022 and welcomed over 100 people from around the globe with an interest and involvement in international trade.

CSUCI’s Summer Taste of OLLI (June 13 through July 22) includes Finland, the electoral college, cryptocurrency and the rogue COVID-19 virus

From June 13 to July 22, lifelong students age 50 and up can explore everything from the geopolitics of Finland to the magic of Sri Lanka to Hamilton, the musical, to name only a few of the offerings in CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)’s Summer Taste of OLLI.

Each summer, OLLI—the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute—offers lifelong learners the opportunity to drop into any or all of at least two dozen different classes over a six-week period for just $15 a class.

OLLI Program Coordinator Michael Trainor explained that Summer Taste of OLLI is designed to give current and new OLLI students the chance to sample all that OLLI has to offer without the commitment of the regular six-week classes.

“This is also a time where we encourage people to try OLLI in hopes they will join us for the Fall session coming a few months later,” Trainor said.

VCCCD Names Three Finalists for Chancellor

The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) board of trustees announces its three final candidates for the position of chancellor. A nationwide search was conducted to replace Chancellor Greg Gillespie, who is retiring at the end of June. The finalists are, in alphabetical order: Cory Clasemann, Ph.D., vice president for student success, Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana; Lee Lambert, J.D., chancellor, Pima Community College District; Rick MacLennan, Ed.D., former president, Northern Idaho Community College.

“The Chancellor’s Search Committee conducted the search understanding just how critical this position is to the students and employees of the District, Moorpark College, Oxnard College and Ventura College. The board of trustees especially recognizes and appreciates the work of this hard-working committee. Their dedication to a thorough and extensive process led to three finalists for board consideration,” said Board Chair Dianne McKay.

Bilingual report — City of Oxnard Partnership With Amazon Gets Local Residents Hired

With Amazon’s new Oxnard fulfillment center officially open for business, the City of Oxnard highlights how its partnership with Amazon ensured local residents got hired.

In October 2020, when Amazon announced it was building a new fulfillment center that would create more than 1,500 new, full-time jobs with industry-leading pay and benefits, the City began to work with Amazon to notify and prepare Oxnard residents for these much needed jobs. Through this collaboration over the past year, about 60% of Amazon’s new hires at the fulfillment center are from the City of Oxnard.

Kids Club Returns to The Collection

Throughout the summer, The Collection at Riverpark will be offering a series of Kids Club events, sponsored by Sunny Smiles Dentistry for Children and Young Adults. Full of kid-friendly fun, these events will be free and open to all the community’s youngsters and their families.

The Kids Clubs will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon on the grass at Collection Park and take place on the following Wednesday mornings: June 22, July 6, July 13, July 20 and Aug. 3. 

Village Properties’ David Kim Discusses Residential Housing Trends at UCSB 2022 Economic Summit

David Kim, a local realtor and former president of the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors, offered a “boots on the ground” assessment of the region’s residential real estate market during the 2022 South County Economic Summit on Wednesday, May 4, at the Granada Theater.
Kim, who works for the Santa Barbara area’s largest independent real estate company Village Properties, was one of five guest speakers at the annual summit, organized by the University of California, Santa Barbara’s Economic Forecast Project. The Department of Economics at UCSB established the project in 1981 to provide the community with information on economic, demographic, and regional business trends in the Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo County areas.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura Update – COVID-19

(On May 2), the Consulate of Mexico in Oxnard and the County of Ventura Human Service Agency’s Farmworker Resource Program inaugurated a new Integral Service Window for Origin and Indigenous Peoples of Mexico Abroad, titled VAIPOIME in Spanish. The new service window will connect farmworkers of indigenous origins to information and resources about labor laws, resolutions to workplace issues, and services provided by the Mexican government to their communities abroad. Services will be available in English, Spanish, Mixteco and Zapoteco. This is only the third VAIPOIME in the nation and the first in collaboration with a government agency.

Two AMR Ventura County team members honored for excellence

Two American Medical Response Ventura County team members, paramedic Robert Sebree and retired paramedic William “Sterling” Johnson, were awarded for their exceptional efforts on behalf of the community. Sebree was honored with a Star of Life Award from the American Ambulance Association, as well as a Clinical Excellence Award from California EMS Authority. Johnson received California EMS Authority’s Distinguished Service Medal.

Top Cal Lutheran teaching honor awarded

A criminology and criminal justice professor committed to helping students learn by serving the community has received California Lutheran University’s highest teaching honor.

Helen Ahn Lim of Simi Valley received the 2022 President’s Award for Teaching Excellence during Honors Convocation on April 26. The award was created in 1995 to recognize professors who are held in high esteem by their peers, students and the rest of the university community.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — EDC and Uplift Central Coast Developing Inclusive Coalition to Access CERF

The six-county Uplift Central Coast Coalition—led by the Economic Development Collaborative, REACH and Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP)—is excited to announce its continued partnership to develop an application and secure our region’s share of California’s new $600 million Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF).

The six county region as defined by the state for the CERF program and funding includes Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito.

The purpose of CERF is to support new plans and strategies to diversify local economies and develop sustainable industries that create high-quality, broadly accessible jobs for all Californians.

Teacher of the Year for VCOE-Operated Schools is Announced

Beth Bowers, a dedicated and innovative teacher who has dedicated her career to serving students with disabilities, has been named the 2022 Teacher of the Year for schools operated by the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE). Bowers will now be in the running for the Ventura County Teacher of the Year award, which is open to all teachers countywide.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Free Webinar Schedule

VENTURA COUNTY SCORE: FRANCHISE OWNERSHIP 101

May 04 @ 10:30 am

Starting a business through a franchise is often the shortest path to profitability, and some of them require as little as $60K to start and can operate out of a home office. But where do you start? Join SCORE to learn franchising basics, including the array of categories, investment levels, and ownership options available, and how to go about defining your vision to make sure you’re selecting the RIGHT fit for YOU! 

Light Up Green for Mental Health Month

May is the time to raise awareness of those living with mental or behavioral health issues and help reduce the stigma so many experience. While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health.

During May, Family Service Agency, Santa Maria Valley Youth & Family Center, and Guadalupe’s Little House By The Park join the national Mental Health Awareness Month movement.

Bilingual report — Farm workers strike J&G Berry Farms in Santa Maria

A farmworker strike for the agriculture company J&G Berry Farms is taking place today in Santa Maria, California with the support of non-profit organizations, Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project. 
 
Farm workers of J&G Berry Farms are on strike today to demand fair wages due to an increase of cost of living. They are currently getting paid $2.50 per box of strawberries. Collective workers are demanding the following in order to sustain themselves:
 
1. Increase in strawberry boxes to $3.50
2. Or a pay of $18.00 per hour 

Museum of Ventura County — New events

Your Museum is excited to host life drawing series on May 4th, 11th, and 25th from 6:30-8:30pm! Registration is open until capacity is reached. Event is officially confirmed now that we have over ten confirmed registrants.

This is your chance to join other artists for a drawing session series with nude and clothed models at a reduced rate. Every experience level is welcome. Organized by artists Cathy Barroca and Barbara Brown. Chairs and easels will be provided but artists must bring their own supplies. There will only be 10-35 participants per class.

The fee for all three sessions is $50 for MVC members and students and $65 for non-members.

Triunfo Water & Sanitation District Board Of Directors Approves Resolution Restricting Outdoor Watering To One Day Per Week

At its April 25 meeting, the Triunfo Water & Sanitation District Board of Directors passed a resolution restricting customer outdoor water use to one day per week. The resolution is in response to a new Metropolitan Water District (MWD) directive to cities and water districts that receive their water supply from the State Water Project. The MWD is now requiring that these water purveyors implement the one-day-per-week outdoor watering restriction as a way to significantly reduce non-essential water use.

The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara Announces Limited Waitlist Opening for Section 8 Voucher Program

The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) announces a limited waitlist opening for its Section 8 Voucher Program. The waitlist will be open from Monday, May 2, 2022 to June 1, 2022.

Section 8 Vouchers are issued to qualifying applicants allowing them to choose a unit to rent from private landlords. Participants pay a portion of their income toward rent, directly to the landlord, and the remainder of the contract rent is paid to the landlord by the Housing Authority. 

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — National Small Business Week

For more than 60 years, the president of the United States has recognized the National Small Business Week (NSBW) as May 1 – 7, 2022. NSBW recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Join us in celebrating National Small Business Week and participate in the following events throughout the week! These events are free (provided by the Fresno SBDC Network) and will cover different information that will help you START, GROW and EXPAND your small business.

Para leer este boletín en español, haga clic aquí

Bilingual commentary — The Threat of Juvenile Prediabetes

Over the past 20 years, a stealthy health risk has been creeping up on our youth. Parents need to be made aware of prediabetes—and even diabetes if the disease has already advanced to that stage—so that they can help their children deal with the threat.

As it turns out, prediabetes is frighteningly common among U.S. adults. A disheartening 80% of those with the precursor to diabetes are not even aware of the significant risks to their health.

For children, the threat over the horizon for them is equally ominous: some 9.4% of people in the United States have diabetes, but one in four of them don’t even realize that they are afflicted with this dangerous condition. At the same time, the rate of prediabetes in children has more than doubled just in the past 20 years. 

VCCDC Community Matters Newsletter – April 2022

April is Fair Housing Month and this year is the 54th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, the landmark civil rights law signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11,1968, that made discrimination in housing transactions unlawful.?The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing due to race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, and familial status. Click the link below to learn more about the Fair Housing Act, and read our newsletter for more information on our workshops being held this month in English and Spanish.

Moorpark College Named Aspen Institute Semifinalist for Prestigious 2023 Aspen Prize

The Aspen Institute on April 27 announced that Moorpark College is one of 25 semifinalists for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, adding a milestone in the award selection process. Previously, only 10 finalists were named, and this change is designed to highlight the increased number of colleges nationwide doing excellent work.

The $1 million Aspen Prize is the nation’s signature recognition of community colleges achieving high, improving and equitable outcomes for students.

Leticia Martinez joins DT Law Partners as Senior Associate Attorney

DT Law Partners is pleased to welcome Leticia Martinez to the firm’s team of experienced estate planning and business litigation attorneys.

Martinez has worked as an estate planning attorney for almost two decades. Her practice focuses on providing clients with a holistic approach to family and business planning, while simultaneously protecting client assets and creating lasting legacies. Her areas of expertise include estate planning, trust administration, conservatorships, probate litigation and civil litigation matters. She joins DT Law Partners as a senior associate attorney.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura County launches community survey on County Seal redesign

The County of Ventura invites the community to provide input on the County Seal redesign. A survey has been launched today for residents to select their preferred design and/or upload their own design at www.ventura.org/seal. The survey will be available until May 17, 2022. The Board will review final considerations at the May 24, 2022, Board of Supervisors meeting.

Local Community invited to celebrate Public Works with fun, educational virtual events from May 16th

To celebrate the American Public Works Association’s National Public Works Week, Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) will celebrate with its very own virtual event the week of May 15th – 21st , 2022!  

Ventura County Community & Students (k-12) can access curriculum featuring information about science, the latest innovations in technology, equipment demonstrations, and much more going on in the heart of your community.   

Congresswoman Julia Brownley presents $250,000 to CSUCI for a Native American and Indigenous Studies Program

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) will begin working to develop a new Native American and Indigenous Studies academic program thanks to a $250,000 check presented to the University by Congresswoman Julia Brownley recently.

The presentation ceremony took place Thursday, April 21 in the President’s Courtyard where about 20 campus and community members gathered to hear remarks from Brownley, President Richard Yao, Ph.D., Provost Mitch Avila, Ph.D., and Chumash elder Raudel Bañuelos, who holds an honorary Doctor of Letters from CSUCI.

Bañuelos began the ceremony with a traditional Chumash blessing, filling the courtyard with the smell of sage as he fanned the fragrant herb with an eagle feather and honored the east, west, north and south, all living beings, and the Chumash ancestors.

A year after a local tragedy, a partnership emerges to support youth programs at Mental Wellness Center

The Mental Wellness Center has announced a partnership with the #SpeakupforLee campaign to fund improved mental health awareness in Santa Barbara and support the youth education provided by the Mental Wellness Center in Santa Barbara.

The #SpeakupforLee campaign originated as a memorial for Lee MacMillan, a social media influencer known for documenting her globetrotting on Instagram and YouTube. She attained notoriety for traveling from her native land of Canada to the tip of South America in a Dodge Sprinter with her boyfriend and their dog. In early 2020, MacMillan began a Sprinter Tour of Morocco with two fellow influencer friends, but their trip was cut short by COVID-19, after which MacMillan moved to Santa Barbara.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura Update – COVID-19

This morning, Congresswoman Julia Brownley presented the County of Ventura’s Harbor Director Michael Tripp with a check for $15 million for the bi-annual maintenance dredging of the Channel Islands Harbor. This critical funding will meet the dredging needs at the harbor, which is essential to keeping the harbor open for industries that drive our local economy, including fisheries and tourism. These funds will also help to replenish local beaches and address coastal erosion at the Naval Base.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule

U.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE: FROM LOCAL TO GLOBAL: CELEBRATING DIVERSITY: SHOWCASING THE INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS OF ARAB AND MIDDLE EASTERN-OWNED AND LED BUSINESSES

April 27 @ 11:00 am

In celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month, join the U.S. Commercial Service for the third session of their “From Local to Global: Celebrating Diversity” event series, as we feature a dynamic panel of Arab and Middle Eastern American founders and leaders from Southern California based companies, who will share how they have successfully grown their businesses internationally. Learn about the opportunities to seek out, as well as the challenges to avoid as you launch or expand your international business. Receive information and resources that will help you chart your path to global sales and expansion success.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Ventura County Office of Education — Math Week, Environmental Education, Dual Language Immersion and More

Making math less scary and more fun may sound like a big challenge, but that’s precisely the idea behind Ventura County Math Week, which is taking place April 25-29. The Ventura County Office of Education is partnering with MIND Research Institute and SoCalGas to present this learning opportunity for students.

Math Week uses stories, puzzles and games to teach math concepts in an engaging and entertaining way. Everything is available in English and Spanish on a wonderful new Ventura County Math Week website. 

We’re encouraging teachers to use these resources in class and families to use them at home to help students build a love and appreciation of math. To access all of the Math Week activities and information, visit www.mindresearch.org/ventura-math-week.

With Fire Season Approaching, It’s Time to Reduce Your Risk, Clear Brush

After a dry winter, Ventura County is approaching an early fire season. That means it’s even more important for residents to clear brush from around their homes and businesses by June 1.

“Six of California’s largest and most devastating fires have burned since 2020. The threat of wildfires will not diminish, so it’s crucial we find ways to reduce risk and increase safety.” Says Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner.

Community Environmental Council announces full Santa Barbara Earth Day schedule for April 23

The community will gather in person for the first time since 2019 to celebrate Earth Day. Community Environmental Council (CEC) is hosting the free one-day event, in and around the Arlington Theatre from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 23. An evening concert, a separate ticketed event, will begin at 7:30 p.m. 

Earth Day 2022 will highlight the critical role CEC has played across the region for more than 50 years, shining a light on the system changes, policy implementation and individual action needed to meet the urgency of the climate crisis. Key to this is the Annual Climate Leadership Summit, which starts at 3 p.m. The Summit will feature climate actions that organizations and individuals are undertaking throughout the region, with an emphasis on nurturing strategies that leverage intergenerational connections. Eric Cardenas, CEO of LOACOM, will act as the program’s emcee and co-facilitate the Climate Leadership Summit with CEC CEO Sigrid Wright.

The community is encouraged to ride and bike to the event, as well as bring reusable water bottles as water stations will be provided.

CSUCI State of the University address on April 29 will highlight a new Early Childhood Education Center, stem cell research and scholarships for students ‘in the middle’

When CSU Channel Islands CSUCI President Richard Yao, Ph.D. gives his State of the University address on Friday, April 29, he will highlight expanding academic programs, new funding for stem cell research, creative internship and scholarship opportunities, and the biggest construction project in the 20-year history of the campus.

“CSU Channel Islands celebrates its 20th anniversary this fall with an eye toward the future,” Yao said. “We are expanding our capacity to serve our growing student body with multimillion dollar campus construction projects, exciting research opportunities, and exploration into new academic programs on the horizon.”

During his annual address, Yao will give an update on the capital improvements to the campus, which include expansion of University Glen and the addition of a new Early Childhood Education Center to provide childcare to campus members and the local community, as well as to serve as a learning laboratory for students in Early Childhood Education and related disciplines.

Another notable project is Gateway Hall, a $71 million structure that is being built at the entrance of the campus and will include offices, classrooms, and 120,000 square feet dedicated to student services.

Bilingual commentary — Changing the Clocks in the Land of the Midnight Sun

The U.S. Senate recently approved a bill, enthusiastically and innocently named the “Sunshine Protection Act,” which would end the annual ritual of “falling back,” i.e., setting our clocks back one hour each fall. If it passes, we will permanently conduct our lives in Daylight Saving Time.

As can be expected, there is both enormous support for, and strong resistance to, the idea. 

Bilingual report — Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast’s board member and Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) senior public affairs manager Maria Ventura, honored as ‘2022 Business Leader of the Year’

Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast’s board member and Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) senior public affairs manager Maria Ventura was honored today as “2022 Business Leader of the Year” by the Ventura County Leadership Academy (VCLA) for her years of championing the local Ventura County community through exceptional leadership and charitable service. She has the added distinction of being the first woman of color to receive this recognition and was honored at the organization’s Journey to Leadership Awards Luncheon today in Camarillo.

VCFD to Host Junior Firefighter Academy Again this Summer

Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) will resume its very popular free Junior Firefighter Academy this summer for girls and boys ages 13 -16. VCFD will offer three, 5-day sessions taught by VCFD firefighters and feature rigorous hands-on activities, interactive learning and field trips.

The week-long sessions are a great first step toward the VCFD Explorer Program because participants will learn what it takes to be a fire firefighter and be introduced to other fire safety careers such as Paramedic, Fire Inspector, Fire Prevention Officer and Dispatch, just to name a few.