Author: Community Contributor

Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Unveils Newly Remodeled Emergency Department

by Community Contributor • July 12, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital (SBCH) is pleased to announce the completion of a significant phase in its Emergency Department (ED) remodel project, made possible by generous community support and donations. The ED remains conveniently accessible from Junipero Street and has been redesigned for improved patient flow.

“Thanks to the renovation, we now have the ability to serve more patients and remain prepared for future healthcare needs,” said Dr. John Anis, medical director for Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital’s Emergency Department. “Prior to the remodel, we were able to see 45,000 patients annually, now we are equipped to accommodate up to 75,000 patients.”

Ventura County Department of Child Support Services announces launch of Empowering Fathers Series to promote active parenting and family well-being

by Community Contributor • July 12, 2023 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Department of Child Support Services (VCDCSS), a leading advocate for family well-being, is thrilled to announce the launch of the Empowering Fathers series this August as part of its Child Support Awareness Month Campaign. Committed to its core principle of helping families thrive, The Department of Child Support Services recognizes the instrumental role fathers play in the development and future success of their children. With this in mind, the department has curated a series of presentations that aim to empower fathers with the knowledge, support, and resources needed to overcome obstacles that may hinder their involvement in their children’s lives.

Social Justice Fund for Ventura County (SJFVC) July Fellowship Update

by Community Contributor • July 12, 2023 • Comments Off

As the 2022-2023 Social Justice Fellowship cycle comes to an end, there is much to reflect on and celebrate! We are proud to highlight that the SJFVC is a first funder, helping new leaders who have never received funding before. In the summary below, you will notice that a majority of our Fellows are now receiving more funding and support from foundations and other sources. This is a great sign that our training and coaching is helping to launch them as new voices for justice.

Museum of Ventura County — True Crime Exhibit: Establish Your Alibi at the MVC

by Community Contributor • July 12, 2023 • Comments Off

The Murder of Tom More:
A True Crime Story

In the early hours of March 24th 1877, a mob of angry settlers set fire to Thomas More’s barn and shot him at least 10 times. Motivated by a passionate battle over land ownership and water rights turned deadly, news of his murder rippled through California.

Amid the rubble of lies, perjuries, briberies, and omissions in the historical record, there are puzzles regarding his death that remain forever unsolved. His story stands today as a warning about the strong emotions unleashed over limited natural resources.

This exhibit is made possible by
the John Hammer Family

Bilingual report — Gina Johnson appointed Chief Probation Officer for the Ventura County Probation Agency

by Community Contributor • July 12, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Through unanimous vote, the Board of Supervisors (on July 11) appointed Gina Johnson to the position of Chief Probation Officer, effective July 11, 2023. Chief Johnson has served the Probation Agency since 1991. For the past 10 years, she has served as the Chief Deputy Probation Officer and, most recently, the Interim Chief Probation Officer.

“Chief Johnson has been with the department for 33 years and seen every nook and cranny of the organization,” said Chair of the Board of Supervisors, Matt LaVere. “The Probation Agency is a complex organization and I have all the confidence in the world that she will succeed in this role.”

STIIIZY Expands To Ventura County, Opens 32nd Dispensary

by Community Contributor • July 12, 2023 • Comments Off

OXNARD — STIIIZY, a cannabis lifestyle brand and retailer, announced (on July 12) the grand opening of its 32nd dispensary, and first location in Oxnard, the vibrant seaside city and seat of Ventura County, where STIIIZY has long held a significant following.

Located inside a busy commercial shopping center at 2343 N. Oxnard Blvd., STIIIZY Oxnard was built to serve Ventura County. The dispensary spans 2,880 square feet and sits on the corner of Vineyard and Oxnard Blvd., where an average of 80,000 cars pass by each day. Upon entering, customers will be met with a spacious entryway that pours into the sales floor, where the walls are wrapped in floor-to-ceiling photography, and artwork that depicts STIIIZY’s distinct flavor of cannabis culture and style.

3C-REN Investing $155 Million in Tri-County Over Next Eight Years

by Community Contributor • July 12, 2023 • Comments Off

CENTRAL COAST?— 3C-REN (Tri-County Regional Energy Network), a partnership between the Counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura that delivers energy-saving programs, had its $155 million, 8-year business plan approved by the California Public Utilities Commission. The plan permits 3C-REN to continue operating four successful existing programs and launch three new programs to fill gaps in energy efficiency services for commercial and public sector buildings, and the agricultural sector.

Bilingual report — Assessor completes $171 billion 2023-24 Assessment Roll

by Community Contributor • July 11, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA — On Wednesday, June 28, County Assessor Keith Taylor completed his first certification and delivery of Ventura County’s Annual Assessment Roll since being elected Assessor in June 2022. The County’s $171.7 billion Property Assessment Roll was delivered to Auditor-Controller Jeff Burgh for the calculation of the tax bills.

The majority of properties received the 2% increase established under Prop 13 when it was passed by the voters in 1978, however, properties with new construction may see a larger increase based on the enrolled value.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County goes BIG at BBBS of America’s National Conference!

by Community Contributor • July 10, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) is thrilled to announce that it is a recipient of the Pinnacle Award for 2022 – a designation given by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America to network agencies who demonstrate exemplary programmatic success and fiscal responsibility. BBSVC was one of only eight agencies across the United States selected to receive the award and accept it on the BBBS of America National Conference main stage on June 29th in Anaheim.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

by Community Contributor • July 10, 2023 • Comments Off

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here EDC PARTNER JULY EVENT AND WEBINAR SCHEDULE Economic Development Collaborative encourages you to sign up for our partner’s no-cost events and webinars. Plan ahead! Our full partner event schedule is updated at the start of…

$80,000,000 for Green Jobs & Zero-Emission Operations at the Port of Hueneme

by Community Contributor • July 10, 2023 • Comments Off

PORT OF HUENEME — Gov. Gavin Newson delivers a historic $80,000,000 to the Port of Hueneme for projects that generate social and economic equity while providing substantial revenue streams to help transform the Port to a zero-emission hub. California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) served as the lead agency for the allocation of $1.5 billion in Port & Freight Infrastructure Program (PFIP) funds approved in the Governor’s 2023-2024 budget on June 30, 2023. CalSTA Secretary Toks Omishakin announced the allocations of this funding to Southern California seaports at a press event hosted at the Port of Long Beach on July 6, 2023.

The Secretary remarked, “It is a historic and momentous day for transportation in California, for ports in California, and, more importantly, for the people of California. We worked with local partners, we worked with port leaders, we worked with federal officials to come up with a game plan. That game plan included short-term and long-term solutions.”

Bilingual report — California Oil Museum Property Community Engagement Workshops Kickoff in July

by Community Contributor • July 10, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA PAULA — On Nov.16, 2022, the City of Santa Paula announced that Chevron, in partnership with its affiliate Union Oil Company of California, made a generous offer to donate the historic former headquarters of Union Oil Company of California to the City. This donation would include the building, a $2 million grant to facilitate necessary maintenance, and select memorabilia displayed in the museum. Since December, staff has been conducting due diligence and negotiating a transfer agreement which would establish the City as the permanent owner of the property. In addition, the City established an ad hoc committee to assist in the evaluation of the property transition and future use of the facility.

“The donation of the former Union Oil Company of California headquarters is a remarkable opportunity for the City of Santa Paula. We are grateful to Chevron and Union Oil Company of California for their commitment to preserving our history and supporting the revitalization of our community,” stated Mayor Andy Sobel.

To ensure community involvement in shaping the future of the property, the City has planned two Community Workshops & Tours led by David Yoshitomi, Arts & Culture Manager of the County of Ventura.

Cottage Health First in Central Coast to Offer Breakthrough Ultrasound Technology for Prostate Cancer

by Community Contributor • July 10, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Health is the first health system on the California Central Coast to offer Focal One’s noninvasive Robotic Focal High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatment to patients with localized prostate cancer. HIFU, an outpatient procedure, is today’s most advanced technology for precisely targeted ablation of diseased prostate tissue. Dr. David Laub, urologist with Cottage Health, performed the first three procedures on June 23, 2023, at Cottage Outpatient Surgery Center.

United Way of Ventura County launches 2023 Stuff The Bus Campaign

by Community Contributor • July 7, 2023 • Comments Off

Help stuff backpacks with essential school supplies for local at-risk 3rd-5th grade students. Backpacks are being distributed in partnership with the Ventura County Office of Education to children identified as homeless by their respective school district.

You can help pave the path to academic success for a child from a family experiencing homelessness. Furthermore, your support not only provides essential school supplies. Studies show that it also promotes learning, building self-esteem, and helps ensure that our youth stay in school.

Please help fill the backpacks by supporting our online Roonga school supply campaign which runs until July 13th. Please share this link with friends, family members, and co-workers. Also, below is a QR code that leads to the online drive.

Bilingual report — Goodbye to a Poet

by Community Contributor • July 7, 2023 • Comments Off

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 •…

Bilingual report — Ventura County County Disability Access Manager appointed to California Committee on the Employment of People with Disabilities

by Community Contributor • July 6, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Dani Anderson, Disability Access Manager for the County of Ventura, has been appointed to the California Committee on the Employment of People with Disabilities (CCEPD). The appointment to the committee was made by the Speaker of the California State Assembly Anthony Rendon. Anderson will serve a three-year term that went into effect on June 29, 2023.

“I am very excited to re-connect with efforts to improve and enhance employment opportunities and outcomes for individuals with disabilities, where my career began,” said Anderson. “I have always believed that educating, training, and encouraging youth with disabilities about what their future can hold is crucial to their success. Of the many impactful components of the CCEPD, I look forward to using that mindset to lend to the continued success and even expansion of the Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities, of which I am an alumna. I am honored to be appointed to this vital committee and cannot wait to get started.”

The Little House By The Park Receives $140k Grant From Central Coast Creative Corps For Artist Led Outreach Initiatives

by Community Contributor • July 5, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County (FSA) announced that its family resource center in Guadalupe, The Little House by the Park (LHP), has been selected receive a $140,000 grant as part of the Central Coast Creative Corps (CCCC) Program, a pilot grant program funded by the California Arts Council.

The grant award will fund LHP to work with a Central Coast-based artist for one year. The artist will work in collaboration with a parent-led advocacy group known as the Guadalupe Community Changers, a parent-led organization that supports the development of community projects, encourages other parents to be more engaged in their children’s education, and offers leadership opportunities to increase civic participation.

“This opportunity will strengthen our organization’s outreach and advocacy efforts by increasing our program’s visibility and by expanding our community engagement work,” said Samuel Duarte, Community Engagement/Leadership Development Manager. “Integrating culturally relevant art into the Community Changer’s campaigns and projects, can increase participation and discussion among the underrepresented members of our community.”

Cottage Health Welcomes Andrew Brown as New Vice President of Advancement

by Community Contributor • July 5, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA – Following a national search, Cottage Health has appointed Andrew Brown as the new Vice President of Advancement. In this role, Mr. Brown will lead fund development operations and work closely with the foundations providing critical fundraising support for Cottage Health.

Mr. Brown brings more than 20 years of experience in advancement leadership. Most recently, Mr. Brown served as Vice President of Advancement at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN, where he successfully led The Macalester Moment fundraising campaign, a 4-year, $100 million fundraising initiative that exceeded its goal by 26%. While at Macalester, he also implemented community-centric fundraising strategies and doubled total annual fundraising.

Bank of Americans announces County Student Leaders

by Community Contributor • July 5, 2023 • Comments Off

CENTRAL COAST — Bank of America on July 3 announced four local high school juniors and seniors from Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties have been selected as Student Leaders® (#BofAStudentLeaders), where they will participate in an eight-week paid summer internship providing the students with first-hand experience in serving their communities. As part of the program, the students will develop leadership and practical workforce skills while working with local nonprofits Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast and Habitat for Humanity San Luis Obispo County, all while earning $17 per hour.

“With changing economic environments and a shifting job market in the region, young people need access to workforce experience and career skills-building opportunities,” said Midge Campbell-Thomas, president, Bank of America Ventura and Santa Barbara. “The private sector has a role to play to help better position and support young adults to be successful in today’s workforce.”

UCSB — The Current — Taming Fire: Controlled burns can be a boon to our landscape

by Community Contributor • July 5, 2023 • Comments Off

Resource managers are increasingly turning toward prescribed burns as a tool for land maintenance and restoration — and for reducing the risk of wildfires.

Santa Paula City Council Adopts Fiscal Year 2023-25 Budget

by Community Contributor • July 3, 2023 • Comments Off

At its regular meeting on June 21, the Santa Paula City Council unanimously adopted its two-year Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-25 Budget. The balanced, nearly $54 million budget, indicates the City is in strong financial standing and is committed to maintaining its financial health.

“This budget is a testament to the strides we have made as a City,” said Mayor Andy Sobel. “From supporting street improvements and infrastructure, such as the Harvard Boulevard project, enhancing our Parks and Recreation offerings and budgeting for initiatives in Council’s newly adopted two-year Strategic Plan, we have taken significant steps towards creating a more prosperous and inclusive Santa Paula community.”

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free event and webinar schedule

by Community Contributor • July 3, 2023 • Comments Off

SBA: HOW TO START A BUSINESS

July 10 @ 10:00 am

Are you interested in starting a business? If you are please join the Small Business Administration (SBA) Los Angeles District Office for a virtual workshop to learn about SBA’s 10 Step Guide on How to Start a Business. This virtual workshop targeted to new entrepreneurs. Topics covered from creating a business plan, finding capital, registering your business, getting necessary permits and/or licenses and getting a business bank account. This is a great opportunity to get any questions you may have answered and find out about the multiple resources available to help you. SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. For reasonable accommodation request please send an email to LADO@SBA.GOV at least 7 days in advance.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

MICOP — WE COUNT! Policy Forum on Data Equity for Latinx and Indigenous Communities in California (Virtual Webinar) at 11 a.m. July 6

by Community Contributor • July 3, 2023 • Comments Off

SACRAMENTO — On July 6th, at 11:00 AM we will be hosting a panel style policy forum on data collection and disaggregation for Latinx subgroups and Indigenous Mesoamerican nations in California. We will be joined by decision makers, advocates, community members, and researchers who will discuss the importance of data disaggregation on advancing representation and health equity for these communities. We will also discuss why passing Senate Bill 435 is critical and necessary as a first step in uncovering trends and tracking the disparities faced by these populations of people throughout our state.The conversation will be facilitated by Mar Velez, Director of Policy for the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California.

What: SB 435 (Gonzalez), The Latinx and Indigenous Disparities Reduction Act – uncovers health and related disparities by collecting and disaggregating more detailed data for Latinx and Indigenous Mesoamerican populations in California.

Bilingual commentary — Oxnard College meets Ventura County’s growing needs

by Community Contributor • June 30, 2023 • Comments Off

For community colleges, the pandemic stressed the need to expand the ways we serve our community. Unfortunately, that’s especially true here in Oxnard, where families were disproportionately impacted by the effects of COVID-19. That’s why a year ago, the Ventura County Community College District invested $1.5 million to help Oxnard College launch two special initiatives aimed at better serving our community’s non-English speaking families and working adults.

When I was growing up here in Ventura County, my sister and I often served as de facto translators for my parents, helping them navigate English-speaking businesses, public institutions and neighborhoods. Over time, they picked up more of the language — even taking an English class at one point — and were increasingly able to engage with the broader community around them. My parents eventually leveraged this important skill — speaking English — to build small businesses and improve my family’s economic situation.