Author: Community Contributor

Island Packers Debuts New One-Hour Evening Harbor Cruises That Will Kick Off Just In Time For Summer

by Community Contributor • April 25, 2023 • Comments Off

Island Packers presents a special one-hour scenic Evening Harbor Cruise from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. aboard a 64’ catamaran in Ventura Harbor on select Saturdays from June through October 2023.

The cruise offers guests the opportunity to capture wonderful photography, watch the boats sail by, and view a variety of marine birds and possible harbor seals and sea lions. While on board, guests get a 360-degree view of all Ventura Harbor has to offer and a glimpse of the spectacular waterfront homes in the beautiful Ventura Keys.

Bilingual report — EDC’s Economic 411 Labor Market Report for March 2023

by Community Contributor • April 25, 2023 • Comments Off

The California Labor Market Information Division just released its March 2023 report, showing very little change, both for statewide data and for Ventura County specifically. Ventura County’s unemployment rate improved slightly, from 4.1% in February to 4.0% in March, while the state as a whole remained unchanged at 4.8%. Our other major labor market indicators showed little change too, though generally for Ventura County trending toward the positive.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Tending to our superblooms requires developing plans for people to enjoy them’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • April 25, 2023 • Comments Off

After a rainy winter, folks are flocking to see California’s superblooms. But, experts say, smart management strategies will be required if we want to continue enjoying these spectacular events in the future.

LaunchPoint® Announces Shipments of 12 kW Dual Stacked Motor and Controller Solution for Hybrid Aerospace Applications

by Community Contributor • April 25, 2023 • Comments Off

Lightweight design provides maximum power to extend missions and increase payload GOLETA — LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions, Inc., an aerospace power generation and hybrid-electric propulsion company, announced (April 25) the commercialization and first customer shipments of its 12 kW stacked electric…

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

by Community Contributor • April 24, 2023 • Comments Off

IN-PERSON EVENT: SOCIAL MEDIA WORKSHOP

April 27 @ 6:30 pm

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC), City of Santa Paula and Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to bring you a FREE in-person workshop on social media planning, unique marketing strategies and boosting sales through advertising. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn valuable business skills! Address: Train Depot, 200 N. 10th St Santa Paula, CA 93060.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Bilingual report — County CEO recognized among the Top 50 Women in Business in 2023

by Community Contributor • April 24, 2023 • Comments Off

On Thursday, April 20, County Executive Officer, Dr. Sevet Johnson, was recognized by the Pacific Coast Business Times as one of the Top 50 Women in Business. The event, which was held at the Hilton Waterfront Hotel in Santa Barbara, honored women leaders in business from across San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. Dr. Johnson was the keynote speaker for the evening.

“It was an honor to be recognized among this incredible cohort of women business leaders who have shown up and excelled in their own unique ways,” said Dr. Johnson. “Their efforts have left an indelible mark on their industries and wider communities. Through unparalleled leadership, tenacity, and resilience, they have paved the way for other women and young leaders, such as our daughters, to have role models to look up to and follow in their footsteps.”

Cottage Health Launches MyChart App

by Community Contributor • April 24, 2023 • Comments Off

A new app from Cottage Health provides patients with easy access to their health information. The Cottage Health MyChart app helps users easily manage health information and care for themselves and their family. App services include accessing test results, managing and pre-registering for appointments, and communicating with physicians. Consumers can also use the tool to find a physician, locate nearby healthcare services, and access 24/7 Virtual Care and Urgent Care appointments with just a click.

“The Cottage MyChart app provides patients secure online access to their health record in one location,” said Sheri Ribeiro, Chief Information Officer, Cottage Health.

CSUCI to honor Carmen Ramirez and Hannah-Beth Jackson at Commencement ceremonies on May 20

by Community Contributor • April 21, 2023 • Comments Off

The California State University system and CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) will award honorary degrees to two women who strongly supported the creation and growth of the Camarillo campus at the 2023 Commencement ceremonies.

CSUCI President Richard Yao will present former state Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson with a Doctor of Humane Letters at the ceremony being held on Saturday, May 20, at 9 a.m. at the Camarillo campus. Yao will honor the late Ventura County Board of Supervisor Carmen Ramirez with the same doctorate, presenting it to her husband, Roy Prince, at the ceremony scheduled for Saturday, May 20, at 3 p.m.

Bilingual commentary — You Call This Customer Service?

by Community Contributor • April 21, 2023 • Comments Off

In my last article, I wrote a semifictional account about my horrendously frustrating experience with a bank “chatbot” on a phone call. What starts off as an artificial, yet hopeful, conversation with a robot too often devolves into a maddening experience. Our blood pressure quickly rises, our fury grows precipitously, and for possibly the first time in our lives we just want to “shoot something,” even if we’ve never picked up a gun in our lives.

Savie Health in Lompoc Offering Free Women’s Health Care Services for the Uninsured

by Community Contributor • April 20, 2023 • Comments Off

LOMPOC — Savie Health, a free medical clinic in Lompoc for people without health insurance, is now offering a limited range of women’s health care services, with plans to add more soon.Patients can now receive the following services for free…

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — New EV Fast Charger Opens in Carpinteria

by Community Contributor • April 20, 2023 • Comments Off

Congratulations to The Towbes Group and Shepard Place Shops for installing Carpinteria’s first EV Fast Charger! As a Board member of the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, we are supporting projects just like this across the County. This one received $100,000 as part of our regional strategy to promote zero-emission vehicles. Beginning today, you can view the draft report Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy report, and on April 20, attend a virtual public workshop to provide feedback on potential charging station locations: www.centralcoastzevstrategy.com

Teatro de las Américas — Karaoke Night | Juguetones de la Calle 6 | Summer Camp: ‘Charlie y la fábrica de chocolates’

by Community Contributor • April 20, 2023 • Comments Off

Saturday, April 22, 2023, 7 pm – 10 pm

Teatro de las Américas

321 W. 6th Street, Oxnard, CA

Presentado por/Hosted by:

Araceli Collazo & Juliana Acosta

UCSB — The Current — ‘Composer João Pedro Oliveira is awarded a Guggenheim’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • April 20, 2023 • Comments Off

View this email online. April 20, 2023 Top News Composer João Pedro Oliveira is awarded a Guggenheim “All of us at UC Santa Barbara are fortunate to have a colleague of such talent and expertise in our Music Department,” said…

Bilingual report — Ventura County launches new initiative to help community take action on climate and improve local resiliency

by Community Contributor • April 20, 2023 • Comments Off

The County of Ventura is making it easier for local residents to take steps to address the climate crisis by launching the Climate Resilient VC campaign (www.climateresilientvc.org). The campaign provides an online platform with a comprehensive list of actions residents can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve resiliency, and create stronger community connections. Each action category provides specific steps, educational tools, and information on existing programs and financial incentives.

Berry Tastes and Treats at 37th Annual California Strawberry Festival

by Community Contributor • April 20, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The 37th Annual California Strawberry Festival makes its debut at the Ventura County Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21 with strawberry-themed food, beverages and contests, live entertainment, rides and activities. This year marks the first time the festival is being held at the fairgrounds (10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001). Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. both days.

For strawberry lovers, the California Strawberry Festival is two days of strawberry heaven. Over 50 food and beverage vendors will serve such treats as strawberry pies, strawberry-topped funnel cakes, strawberry nachos, deep-fried strawberries, berry kabobs, strawberry tacos, strawberry beer and smoothies. Festivalgoers can build their own strawberry shortcakes, piling on as many strawberries and whipped cream as possible.

Bilingual report — Record Amounts of Rainfall Create Perfect Conditions for Mosquitoes

by Community Contributor • April 20, 2023 • Comments Off

Mosquito Awareness Week is April 16-22, and it is a reminder that it is more important than ever to eliminate standing water from your property. This year, the very active rainy season has left us with an abundance of mosquito breeding sites, from large flooded low-lying areas to small back yard sources.

In addition to native mosquito species, some of which can transmit West Nile Virus (WNV), the invasive Aedes aegypti mosquito has become established and is spreading in many areas of Ventura County. These small aggressive mosquitoes are day-biting, can breed in as little as a teaspoon of water, and have evolved to survive and thrive in and around our homes. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have the potential to transmit several viruses, including dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever. These viruses are not currently known to be transmitted within California, but now that these mosquitoes are present, an infected traveler returning to our area could be a source of local transmission.

LaunchPoint® Announces Shipments of 12 kW Dual Stacked Motor and Controller Solution for Hybrid Aerospace Applications

by Community Contributor • April 19, 2023 • Comments Off

GOLETA — LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions, Inc., an aerospace power generation and hybrid-electric propulsion company, announced today the commercialization and first customer shipments of its 12 kW stacked electric alternator solution for aerospace applications. The system is designed for drones and aircraft requiring a minimum axial form factor and lowest weight for maximum achievable power. The lightweight, high-power motors and controllers offered by LaunchPoint are coveted by companies seeking to reduce motor weight for maximum duration and payload.

April News from People’s Self-Help Housing

by Community Contributor • April 19, 2023 • Comments Off

The Builder Games returns this Saturday, April 22! Join us and cheer on eight local teams racing against the clock and facing fun challenges as they compete to build the best playhouse. Your ticket includes a delicious meal, fine wine, craft beer, live music, and more! Funds raised benefit the programs of PSHH.

VCCU announces new vice president of member services

by Community Contributor • April 19, 2023 • Comments Off

To best serve Ventura County Credit Union’s members with skill and expertise, VCCU has promoted Sean P. McCulloch to serve as the credit union’s new vice president of member services.

McCulloch brings a wealth of financial services experience to his new role, including 8 years as VP of commercial lending for VCCU. He has spent 44 years in the financial services industry, having served in leadership, sales and service experience, including a strong background in customer service and retail branch management.

Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation announces 2023 award finalists

by Community Contributor • April 19, 2023 • Comments Off

The Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation is pleased to announce the selection of finalists for the 2023 vocalist and instrumentalist scholarship awards.

This year’s finalists for vocal performance are Nathan Carlin, a baritone attending Westmont College (teacher Bryan Lane); Lorenzo Johnson, Jr., a tenor at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) (teacher Benjamin Brecher); Sibo Msibi, a tenor at Westmont College (teacher Nichole Dechaine); and Ariana Horner Sutherland, a soprano at UCSB (teacher Dr. Isabel Bayrakdarian).

Three Hospice of Santa Barbara illuminate Speaker Series Presenters Make Oprah’s Top 10 Books on Grief List

by Community Contributor • April 19, 2023 • Comments Off

Three Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) ‘illuminate’’ Speaker Series presenters, Nora McInerny Purmort, Joan Halifax and Frank Ostaseski, were featured on Oprah Daily’s “The Best Books to Comfort a Grieving Friend.” HSB’s ‘illuminate’’ Speaker Series addresses the feelings of anxiety, grief and uncertainty that accompany a challenging time. ‘illuminate’’ speakers inspire, educate, encourage deeper inquiry and action, create community discussion, and help bring people closer together.

“Each author offers unique insight, wisdom and guidance about dealing with grief and challenging times,” said David Selberg, Hospice of Santa Barbara CEO. “Hospice of Santa Barbara is very fortunate to have them as part of our ‘illuminate’ Speaker Series line-up.”

UCSB — The Current — ‘A new, fully electric facility opens just in time for spring quarter, increasing classroom capacity by 35%’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • April 18, 2023 • Comments Off

The recently completed Interactive Learning Pavilion is the campus’s first new dedicated classroom building in more than 50 years.

Bilingual report — Affordable Senior Housing Waiting List to Open for Harry’s House

by Community Contributor • April 18, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA YNEZ — The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara has announced it will be accepting Pre-applications for Harry’s House Development to establish a waiting list, effective April 18 at 10:00 a.m. The waiting list will close May 17, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. Harry’s House, presented by the nonprofit Rona Barrett Foundation is an affordable senior development for 62 years and older, consisting of 60 studio apartments with limited kitchen facilities. Harry’s House is located in Santa Ynez and is scheduled to open this summer.

“My own dear dad, Harry Burstein, was the inspiration for Harry’s House,” said Rona Barrett, founder and CEO of The Rona Barrett Foundation. “Caring for him during his later years opened my eyes to the immense and growing need for solutions to housing and services for seniors who need a safe and supportive home in which to enjoy their golden years. I’m so proud of our team and partners as we now open the waiting list!”

Museum of Ventura County — Know and Grow with the Museums

by Community Contributor • April 18, 2023 • Comments Off

Ventura County Plants to Know and Grow

Saturday and Sunday
April 22-23, 2023
11:00AM—3:00PM
@ Agriculture Museum, Santa Paula
Free Admission

Come to the Ag for a 2-day celebration of Ventura County’s native plants, including tours of our native gardens, a native plant sale, fun family activities, and lectures on pollinators and plant identification! Check our website for more details on activities for each day. The Agriculture Museum is proud to offer this program in partnership with the County of Ventura Agriculture/Weights & Measures Office, the Ventura County Weed Management Area, the U.C. Cooperative Extension of Ventura County, the California Native Plants Society – Channel Islands Chapter, and the U.C. Master Gardeners. Find out more information here.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley — Celebrating Our Shining Stars

by Community Contributor • April 18, 2023 • Comments Off

Saturday, March 25th saw the return of our annual Superstars of the Year event! After a turbulent three years, we were finally able to celebrate the incredible efforts and talents of the kids in our community. Congratulations to our 13 & Under Youth of the Year, Gisela Alvarez and our 14 & Over Youth of the Year, Alejandro Joya. A massive thank you to everyone who supported this event whether you sponsored, volunteered, attended, or just spread the word. It was heartwarming to see the joy on the faces of the performers and the passion that our Superstars put into the Youth of the Year application process and preparing for the event.

Bilingual guest commentary — Farmworkers Who Picked Driscoll’s Strawberries in Oxnard File Suit Alleging Stolen Wages

by Community Contributor • April 17, 2023 • Comments Off

17 farmworkers filed a lawsuit today in the Ventura County Superior Court of California, alleging that they were not fully paid for picking Driscoll’s strawberries during the 2022 harvesting season.

Seventh Tree Farm, a farm labor contractor and corporation based in Oxnard, CA hired the workers to pick Driscoll’s strawberries and promised to pay workers $2.10 for each box of strawberries that they picked. However, the complaint alleges that the employers systematically undercounted the number of boxes that workers picked, resulting in widespread wage theft.

According to the lawsuit, Seventh Tree Farm also frequently required many workers to work overtime on weekends, paying them in cash or personal check but failing to pay overtime premiums required by law. In many cases, workers were paid below the minimum wage for the hours they spent performing harvesting work. The workers lodged complaints with managers about the failure to pay accurately, but managers refused to address the issues.

Ventura Land Trust Hosts Legacy Wall Dedication Ceremony on April 19 at Harmon Canyon Preserve

by Community Contributor • April 17, 2023 • Comments Off

Ventura Land Trust (VLT) will hold a special Legacy Wall dedication ceremony on Wednesday, April 19th at 9:00 am to commemorate donors who supported the Harmon Canyon Campaign for Harmon Canyon Preserve. The ceremony will take place at the Harmon Canyon Preserve trailhead.

The $10 million Harmon Canyon Campaign supported the establishment of Harmon Canyon Preserve, 2,123 acres of permanently conserved open space in Ventura, and a stewardship endowment that allows Ventura Land Trust to care for the land in perpetuity.

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

by Community Contributor • April 17, 2023 • Comments Off

IN-PERSON EVENT: SOCIAL MEDIA WORKSHOP

April 27 @ 6:30 pm

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

$1.5 million grant will enable CSUCI to expand its pool of teacher candidates

by Community Contributor • April 14, 2023 • Comments Off

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) can now accept 15 additional students each year for its School of Education Teacher Residency program, thanks to a $1.5 million School of Education Residency Expansion Grant from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

The grant is for five years with $375,000 going to the program each year. The funding will enable CSUCI to host five Special Education Credential candidates and 10 teaching candidates seeking bilingual authorized/dual language multiple subject teaching credentials. A multiple subject credential qualifies them to teach bilingual/dual language elementary school classes.

Each of the 15 students will receive $24,000 a year to help with the expense of attending school while simultaneously student teaching.

Bilingual commentary — Can I Just Talk with a Human?

by Community Contributor • April 14, 2023 • Comments Off

One day some months back, I needed to talk with my bank about a suspicious charge on my credit card. I wasn’t as naïve to think that somebody would pick up the phone when I called. But I innocently believed that I would be talking with a person after listening to a brief “menu” and punching a couple of buttons.

Then I entered “chatbot hell.”

“Thank you for calling the Local Bank. What are you calling about?” the robot cheerily asked me.

“Credit card,” I answered.

A pause.

“Did you say, ‘debit card’?”

“No, I responded,” incredulous that it didn’t understand me the first time. “Credit card.”

“I’m sorry,” my chatbot said with no detectable remorse. “I’m not understanding your reply. What are you calling about?”

I started to become wary of this supposedly artificial “intelligence.” But I thought I would give it a chance and comply with its requests as best I could.

Reaching Higher Together Campaign Surpasses $130M Goal

by Community Contributor • April 13, 2023 • Comments Off

Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation’s 7-year philanthropic campaign, Reaching Higher Together: The Cottage Campaign for Excellence, has raised $150.6 million to support Cottage Health in providing our community with world-class care and access to future innovations and advances in health and medicine.
“The response of our community inspires us to do our best work,” says Ron Werft, President and CEO of Cottage Health. We are so grateful to have the trust and confidence of Santa Barbara and the surrounding region.”

During the campaign, 183 generous donors made gifts of more than $50,000, including two unprecedented gifts of $15 million. One from visionary philanthropists Mary and Richard Compton to create an endowment fund for medical excellence and innovation. And most recently in an extraordinary commitment to providing the finest emergency services and facilities to our community, Naomi and Ben Bollag made a $15 million gift to Cottage’s Emergency Department Expansion Project.

Bilingual report — 2023 Ventura County Homeless Count

by Community Contributor • April 13, 2023 • Comments Off

The 2023 Ventura County Homeless Point in Time Count was conducted on January 24, 2023 in the ten cities and unincorporated areas within Ventura County. People experiencing homelessness were surveyed and observed by the federal definition which includes those living unsheltered or in places not meant for human habitation, as well as those staying in emergency shelters and transitional housing programs on the night of January 23. Approximately 400 volunteers assisted with the unsheltered surveys from dawn until mid-day across the County.

Santa Paula Art Museum — Summer Is Loading…

by Community Contributor • April 13, 2023 • Comments Off

NOW ENROLLING: KIDS’ SUMMER ART CAMPS Encourage your kids to exercise their creativity this summer with Kids’ Art Camp at the Santa Paula Art Museum’s Cole Creativity Center! Choose from a variety of weeklong, half-day camps led by our talented…

UCSB — The Current — ‘Small Insect, Big Impact’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • April 13, 2023 • Comments Off

The productivity of brine flies is tied to overall health of salt lake ecosystems; both are in decline.

CSUCI students to appear before Oxnard City Council on April 18 with research about the future of the Oxnard Performing Arts Center

by Community Contributor • April 12, 2023 • Comments Off

A group of CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) psychology students will appear before Oxnard City Council on Tuesday, April 18, to present their research on the potential public impact of razing the Oxnard Performing Arts Center (OPAC).

“OPAC was built in 1965 and recently the City of Oxnard proposed the removal of OPAC in favor of building more housing,” said Associate Professor of Psychology HyeSun Lee, who mentored the students’ community-based research project. “We see some historical value to the site, so we wanted to get opinions about the city’s proposal to remove the site and provide recommendations for OPAC to increase their revenues.”

United Way’s Fun in the Sun program opens enrollment for summer

by Community Contributor • April 12, 2023 • Comments Off

Enrollment is now open for United Way of Santa Barbara County’s Fun in the Sun — a free six-week summer learning program that provides academic and reading practice, hands-on STEAM activities, field trips and other enrichment activities for more than 400 current 2nd-5th graders.

This year’s program will continue at all six sites in Santa Barbara County, including Franklin Elementary, McKinley Elementary, Hollister Elementary and Aliso Elementary in South County. Santa Ynez Elementary and Mary Buren Elementary will serve students in North County.