Author: Community Contributor

Foundation Veteran Phylene Wiggins Brings Philanthropic Expertise to Ventura County Community Foundation

VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Community Foundation recently announced the addition of Phylene Wiggins who will serve as vice president of programs and grants. Wiggins formerly worked at the Santa Barbra Foundation as senior director of community investments. “Phylene’s…

Santa Barbara City College update for May 26

Click here for more information   Santa Barbara City College’s Community Newsletter Sixty-Ninth Annual Commencement Ceremony Last Friday, we celebrated our commencement ceremony. This milestone marked the conclusion of a successful educational journey for 1,374 graduating students. Counting the double…

Carnegie Art Museum update for May 25

Click here for the entire e-newsletter CAM STUDIO GALLERY The first exhibit of photography and lens-based art by The Oxnard Plain Collective will open with a Reception on Thursday, June 7th from 5:30-7:30pm at CAM Studio Gallery beside the Carnegie Art Museum. The Oxnard Plain Collective…

Limón Bill Ensures Accountability for Harm Caused by Lead-Based Paint

SACRAMENTO — Assembly Bill 2803, a bill by Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) which seeks to hold paint manufacturers accountable for harm caused by lead-based paint production, just  overcame a major legislative hurdle, passing the Assembly Floor on Monday, May 21st.…

Marjorie Luke Theatre update for March 25

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   Upcoming Events Teens Sing for Santa Barbara TV Special Sunday, May 27th 8:00PM   Did you miss the SOLD OUT Teens Sing for Santa Barbara Concert to benefit Unity Shoppe’s Disaster Fund?  Well tune in this Sunday, May…

Hermanos Herrera debuts latest recording with Smithsonian

FILLMORE — Hermanos Herrera, a six-member sibling group of third-generation Mexican Americans, makes its debut for Smithsonian Folkways Recordings with “Sones Jarochos y Huastecos y Más.” The Herreras, raised in Fillmore, have performed together since childhood. Their music draws deeply…

50 Home Challenge Energy Champions Honored by Local Officials

SOLVANG — The first 50 Home Challenge – Solvang participants to complete extensive home energy efficiency projects recently celebrated the milestone with city and county officials at Solvang City Hall. Solvang Mayor Jim Richardson and Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann…

Global T Program Offers High School Teachers Interactive Lesson Plan on International Trade and Logistics

CENTRAL COAST — The T-Shirt that Travels the World™ module is a fun and interactive Global Trade & Logistics module for high school curriculum High school teachers looking to get an early jump on fall lesson planning may want to consider…

Rio School District Funds Summer Writing Program for 75 Students in Partnership with South Coast Writing Project of UCSB

OXNARD — Rio School District (RSD) is partnering with the South Coast Writing Project (SCWriP) at UCSB to fund a summer writing program for up to 75 students entering grades 3-9 in the district in September 2018. When: June 18-June 29, Monday…

Growing Ambitions: Career Skills Institute Green Gardener Program Brings New Opportunity

SANTA BARBARA — SBCC Career Skills Institute is proud to announce the latest provides class of students in the Green Gardener program have earned their certification and have demonstrated “cutting edge” skills in the landscaping field, opening them to new…

SBCC Named #1 Community College by Value Colleges

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College has been named Number One of the Top 50 Best Value Community Colleges for 2018. Value Colleges, an organization that provides prospective students with a practical guide to the most financially sound investments…

Bilingual report: Oxnard Urges Residents and Businesses to Become more Energy Conscious and ‘Do Your Thing’***

OXNARD — Oxnard is urging all residents and businesses to become more energy conscious. The Oxnard City Council this week adopted a resolution to support a campaign by Energy Update California (EUC) called “Do Your Thing.” The campaign aims to motivate…

Heather Castillo, CSU Channel Islands dance faculty who created ‘Arts Under the Stars,’ receives President’s Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning

CAMARILLO — She pulls together the campus-wide “Arts Under the Stars” program every year and still finds the energy to inspire her students by dancing onstage with singer Selena Gomez at the 2017 American Music Awards. And that’s just a fraction…

Housing Authority Receives $200K Grant to Help Local Families Become Self-Sufficient

SANTA BARBARA — The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) has received a $203,425 grant from the U.S. Department of Urban Development (HUD) to help low-income residents become self-sufficient through its Family Self-Sufficiency Program. HACSB developed the…

Rabobank’s Brae Grensky to Serve as Chair of the 2018 Santa Barbara Heart Walk

Santa Barbara Heart & Stroke Walk/Run will take place on Saturday, September 29 SANTA BARBARA — Rabobank Assistant Vice President, Banking Services Manager Brae Grensky will serve as Chair of the American Heart Association’s 2018 Santa Barbara Heart & Stroke Walk/Run for the first…

Jackson Applauds Funding for Highway 101 Expansion in Santa Barbara

SACRAMENTO — State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) on May 17 applauded the California Transportation Commission for awarding Santa Barbara more than $183 million for the Highway 101 expansion project. Coupled with an award of more than $170 million from the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program…

U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley Issues Statement on House Passage of VA Mission Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep Julia Brownley (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, issued the following statement after House passage of the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (VA MISSION) Act: “I am pleased…

Carnegie Art Museum update for May 18

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   Programs and Events CAM Book Club Join fellow art and book lovers at our next CAM Book Club discussion. Book selections focus on making connections with art and history inspired by current exhibitions…

Social Justice Fund for Ventura County update for May 18

Click here for more information We are writing to provide you with an update on our Implicit Bias grantees and their accomplishments.  The Social Justice Fund made grants last year totaling $25,000 for projects dealing with Implicit Bias in Education.…

Sociology major’s research on “adulting” suggests Millennials are delaying marriage and home ownership

CAMARILLO — Growing up in Santa Barbara with five generations of women got 25-year-old CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Sociology senior Jazzmyn Martinez wondering about the changing definition of “adulting” through the decades. The research project she launched, called “When Adulting Gets Real: Examining…

Bilingual report: Oxnard Deputy City Attorney Receives National PAL Alumni of the Year Award

OXNARD — Oxnard Deputy City Attorney Jason Zaragoza has received the National Police Activities League Alumni (PAL) of the Year award. “Oxnard PAL has changed the lives of countless youth in the city,” said Zaragoza. “I’m just one of many who…

Hospice of Santa Barbara Welcomes New Community Engagement Manager and Patient Care Services Outreach Coordinator

SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara is pleased to welcome Jeanne West as its new Community Engagement Manager and Adriana Marroquin as Patient Care Services Outreach Coordinator. Jeanne West has nearly 50 years’ experience in the healthcare industry and…

Bilingual report: Oxnard Mayor Pro Tempore Carmen Ramirez Named to National EPA Advisory Committee

OXNARD — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has appointed Oxnard Mayor Pro Tempore Carmen Ramirez to the Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC). The 33-member LGAC helps the EPA develop strong partnerships with local governments to provide more efficient and effective environmental…

Bilingual commentary: Secret of a Long Life

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes •…

Jackson Bill to Help Montecito and Other California Homeowners Recover Mudslide Losses Passes off Senate Floor

SACRAMENTO — Legislation by State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), to help Montecito and other California homeowners whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by fire-induced mudslides, passed off the Senate Floor today on a 25 to 11 vote. Senate Bill 917 clarifies…

kidSTREAM to Make Lasting Positive Social and Economic Impact on Community, Study Says

CAMARILLO — KidSTREAM, an emerging children’s museum based in Camarillo, recently released the findings of two published studies that assessed needs and measured the expected economic and social impacts that would be created by the museum when in full operation. The…

Museum of Ventura County update for May 16

Major funding for these programs is made possible by the City of San Buenaventura and the County of Ventura. Exhibit Opening – Black and White and Read All Over The popular appeal of comic book art is the focus of Black and White and…

Oxnard Salsa Festival update for May 16

Reserved Seating on Sale Now! 25th Oxnard Salsa Festival July 28-29, 2018 @ Plaza Park 500 S B Street, Oxnard CA 93030 GET CLOSER TO THE MUSIC! Reserved Table Seating and Club Salsa!  Enjoy premium seating near the Festival dance floor and stage. Enjoy…

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County celebrates its biggest Golf Classic in 45 Years!

VENTURA COUNTY — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) on May 7 held its most successful Golf Classic since the first tournament in 1973, by grossing over $250,000. The Golf Classic is already BBSVC’s top-performing signature fundraising event, which delivers…

Ventura County Civic Alliance update for May 15

Livable Communities Newsletter Vol. 12, No. 46 May 2018 Quick Links – See the Current State of the Region Report – Last Quarter’s Newsletter   Join us at the Ventura County Civic Alliance! Welcome to Our Spring 2018 Livable Communities Newsletter!  This…

CSUCI’s international profile rises with Peace Corps recognition and Model UN awards

CAMARILLO — After graduating from CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) in 2017 with a degree in Psychology, Karina Casarez is now with the Peace Corps, living in the Bago region of Myanmar in a small town called Paungde. “Sometimes it’s still incredible for me…

Dr. Sarah Otterstrom Named Nonprofit Winner at 2018 Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards

As an Ashoka Fellow, conservation scientist, and nonprofit founder, Dr. Sarah Otterstrom is no stranger to entrepreneurship. VENTURA — Paso Pacifico Founder and Executive Director Dr. Sarah Otterstrom won the 2018 Spirit of Entrepreneurship Nonprofit Award at the annual event…

Summer Adventures for Adults Right Here at Home; Registration Now Open at SBCC School of Extended Learning

SANTA BARBARA — If a grand expedition or safari is out of the question this summer, SBCC School of Extended Learning is the perfect spot for adult students, professionals and retirees to fill their summer bucket lists. The benefits of…

Jackson Applauds Fire Recovery and Prevention Funding in Governor’s May Revise

Governor’s Revised Budget dedicates funds to backfill property tax losses from Thomas Fire, and an additional $96 million for forest management SACRAMENTO –  State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), , who represents the area that was devastated by the Thomas Fire and chairs the…

Ventura County Civic Alliance update for May 11

DAO DOAN — IN REMEMBRANCE Dao Doan Memorial Please join us in celebrating the life and works of our friend and comrade, Dao Doan, at the office of Mainstreet Architects on Friday evening, May 18, 2018 We will share stories…

Local Business is Surprised with Opportunity to Get Their Product on Walmart Shelves

Oxnard’s Primal Essence will Pitch Savory and Sweet Infused Coconut Oils at Headquarters of World’s Largest Retailer During Open Call Event OXNARD — One local small business was surprised May 10 by Oxnard Walmart store manager Christy Wolff with the news that…

Bilingual commentary: The Failed Oxnard Recall

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes •…

Local Boys & Girls Club Receives National Honors – BGCOP given Merit Award for Program Excellence

OXNARD — The Boys & Girls Clubs of America recently honored the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme with a national merit award for program excellence. The Club also received $2,500. BGCOP won an award in…

Legislation by Assemblymember Irwin to Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Passes Assembly

SACRAMENTO – One of Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) key pieces of legislation this session, AB 2770,  which will help prevent future sexual harassment in the work place passed the Assembly earlier this week. This bill, sponsored by the California Chamber…

Winners of the VC Innovates 2018 Pathfinder Awards Announced

CAMARILLO — VC Innovates 2018 Pathfinder Awards on May 10 were presented to this year’s most innovative educators, business and community partners for their support of Career and Technical Education. Twenty-five award recipients selected by each of the education partner school…