Category: Commentary

Guest Commentary — Carmen Ramirez: An American Icon

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2022 • Comments Off

The death of Carmen Ramirez: The tragic death this week of our dear friend, Carmen Ramirez has left many in the city of Oxnard, the county of Ventura, the state of California, the nation, and throughout world in pain, sorrow and shock. That’s how much this Chicano guerillera meant to all of us that knew her, worked with her, loved and admired her. Dr. Debbie DeVries, one of Carmen’s closest friends, speaking through the shock, the acute pain, and mental fog of the moment remarked to me that, “Carmen was the most caring, selfless, mindful, loving and kind person I have ever had the honor of knowing and working with. Carmen never made decisions based on political or personal self-interest aggrandizement.”

Bilingual commentary — We Used to Travel—Now We Zoom

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2022 • Comments Off

My three siblings and I grew up in Los Angeles next door to five cousins. But we are not your everyday cousins. We’re “special.” You see, we are “double cousins.” A bit of explanation is in order.

One of my mother’s sisters is their mother, and one of my father’s brothers is their father. To make this simpler, two sisters from the Rivas family married two brothers from the Magallanes family. We cousins all share the same four grandparents.

We cousins all played together and visited with each other daily. We shared our interests and some of our sorrows. Our parents are gone, and we are all now in our “golden years.” All nine of us today are well and thriving, to one degree or another. Having been raised by parents from the same families means that we understand each other like no one else in the whole world understands us.

Bilingual commentary — Sex Education: U.S. vs. Europe

by Community Contributor • August 12, 2022 • Comments Off

Nearly 20 years ago, I was on a pilgrimage. I went to France to trace some of the steps my father had taken during World War II. He went through this war-torn country before entering Germany and then Belgium to deal with the Nazis.

While in Paris, I visited several art museums. I will forever remember a sight that I will never see in an American art museum.

Bilingual commentary — Falling Down

by Community Contributor • August 5, 2022 • Comments Off

“Fall out!” the sergeant screamed at us. I didn’t know what he meant and feared that I was obligated to take that command literally.

It was September of 1967 at a military base near San Antonio, Texas. We were kept up all night to be processed into the military and were given our ill-fitting uniforms. We were “compassionately” granted two hours of sleep and then marched off for a hasty breakfast before a full day of intense training.

Bilingual commentary — Our Aversion to Science

by Community Contributor • July 29, 2022 • Comments Off

Throughout the history of the world, there have been challenges to classical science.

It took a couple of centuries for people to embrace Isaac Newton’s heliocentric model, developed in the 16th century, establishing that the sun – and not the earth – was the center of the universe. That the earth was displaced from the center of the universe clashed with the belief that we were “exceptional.” Galileo had proposed this very idea nearly a century earlier, but he recanted when his life was threatened by the Catholic Church.

Bilingual commentary — Continuation of Attacks on Public Education

by Community Contributor • July 22, 2022 • Comments Off

As our country tilts menacingly toward a theocratic autocracy, the attacks on our public education system are becoming relentless. In some states, there is a determined effort to infiltrate school boards and administrative posts with supporters of an ultra-conservative, right-wing ideology. A traditionally conservative philosophy in our schools’ governance might be something society could tolerate and even negotiate, but this is different.

In certain states (not so much here in California), there is a troubling Christian nationalist facet of this movement that seems to be working to undermine traditional public education. Curricula and books in public schools are being unmercifully scrutinized. Anything that smacks of “wokeness” is discarded and replaced with a “patriotic” form of education. “Wokeness” is a euphemism for “liberal education,” and “patriotism” is a nefarious euphemism for censorship and distortions of history and science that are destined to warp our students’ understanding of the world and their place in it.

Guest contribution — PODS® Tri-Counties Provides Helpful Tips to Homeowners Moving with Pets

by Community Contributor • July 20, 2022 • Comments Off

According to Spots.com, 67% of homeowners have pets in America. This is why it is essential to learn how to best transport your pets so their move can be as smooth a transition as yours. PODS® Tri-Counties is making things a little easier for you by providing some simple travel tips to get you going.

Here are a few tips to help accommodate a pet friendly move:

Bilingual commentary — When Facts Don’t Matter

by Community Contributor • July 15, 2022 • Comments Off

For the past two and a half years, I have tried every way imaginable to understand how election deniers think. Of course, I’m referring to those who are convinced, or have convinced themselves, that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Donald Trump. Why do they so stubbornly refuse to accept Trump’s defeat despite the unambiguous evidence proving that he did indeed lose?

Before we attempt to answer that question, here are several noteworthy facts:

Bilingual report — MICOP: For the Farmworker community, the H2A program does not represent a benefit for farm workers, if not quite the opposite

by Community Contributor • July 11, 2022 • Comments Off

The Dignity Campaign is a collective made up of organizations, nonprofit agencies, independent labor unions, community organizers, researchers, and advocates for the rights of Mexican migrant workers living in the United States.

We work from different areas defending and advocating for social justice with a focus on developing a fair immigration reform that humanizes the work of all migrant workers at the borders of Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The binational movement of the survivors of 4.6 million Farmworkers and Indigenous Mexicans who participated in the Bracero program from 1942 to 1964, which under an agreement between the United States and Mexico was established to provide Farmworker labor in times of World War II, began in 1998.

Bilingual commentary — The Erosion of Our Democracy

by Community Contributor • July 8, 2022 • Comments Off

For some time now, I’ve written here about the difficulties faced by young people today in comparison with those faced by the baby boomers. The boomer generation grew up in relatively prosperous times after the Second World War. In retrospect, we may have had contentious issues to deal with, such as the lack of racial equality (once again a burning issue), but our democracy seemed secure. Transitions of power at the highest level of our government always seemed to take place seamlessly.

Bilingual commentary — Who Is a “Heritage Speaker” of Spanish?

by Community Contributor • June 30, 2022 • Comments Off

Among people of Mexican heritage, there exists a wide variety of cultural backgrounds that determine their place in the social order. Some of them arrived in the U.S. as adults – possibly seeking work or other opportunities. Others arrived as children, brought into the country by adults who arrived without the proper documents. Some of these children who qualified for the politically controversial DACA program are now young adults (known as “Dreamers”) living in a maddeningly indeterminate state of limbo. And of course, there is a portion of us of Mexican heritage who have the blessings and privileges of having been born here, enjoying all the benefits of U.S. citizenship. Our parents or more distant ancestors made the trek to “el otro lado” (“the other side”) before we were even born.

Which brings us to the Spanish language. Many Anglos assume that if we have a Spanish surname, then either we speak Spanish or should speak Spanish.

Voto Latino — Latinos in Battleground States support gun control & abortion rights

by Community Contributor • June 24, 2022 • Comments Off

Also see:

NBC News — Poll: Majority of Latinos in battleground states support abortion rights, gun reform

By Voto Latino

Latinos are the second largest voting bloc in the country and disproportionately reside in critical battleground states where they are also the fastest growing voting bloc. Candidates hoping to win in November and beyond will need to appeal to Latinos and the issues that matter to them. In order to understand how Latinos feel about two of the most salient issues in the country – abortion rights and mass shootings – Change Research surveyed 1,033 registered Hispanic and Latino voters in the seven key battleground states of Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania from June 2-7, 2022 on behalf of Voto Latino.1

A strong majority of Latinos are concerned about their personal safety from gun violence and believe weak gun laws are a major reason why perpetrators are capable of inflicting such carnage. Overwhelming majorities support many common sense gun safety laws Democrats have proposed and believe there would be fewer mass shootings if they were to be enacted. Latinos are also ready to reward leaders who take action on gun laws: an overwhelming 69% are more likely to support candidates who support the gun laws tested in this poll, including roughly half of Republican Latinos.

Latinos also fear for their reproductive freedoms as the conservative majority on the Supreme Court indicates it is prepared to overturn Roe v. Wade. Over two-thirds of Latinos support the right to an abortion in all or most cases.

Bilingual commentary — When Mexican American Children Were “Indians”

by Community Contributor • June 24, 2022 • Comments Off

Aliso Elementary School in Carpinteria is a “California Distinguished School,” according to its website. It proudly proclaims itself the “Home of the Lions” and appears to be a school enthusiastically dedicated to “STEAM” – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.

I occasionally saunter past the school grounds when I explore Carpinteria on my walking expeditions. Aliso is an unassuming school with nicely maintained lawns, trees, and plants on the premises. Signs on windows and doors of the school tell me that Aliso welcomes students from all strata of society with open arms and is unabashedly determined to give them, from kindergarten through fifth grade, a high-quality education. Aliso’s stated mission is to help students reach their full potential.

However, there is no “History” tab on the website, and that may be just as well. Like many schools in California and throughout the country, Aliso’s early history is a bit “murky.” Nonetheless, that history does not appear to hinder the fine job that this acclaimed school has been doing throughout the latter half of the 20th century and up to the present day.

County of Ventura COVID-19 & County Update

by Community Contributor • June 21, 2022 • Comments Off

COVID-19 vaccines are now available for children ages 6 months and older in Ventura County. Families are encouraged to talk to their child’s doctor about vaccination. As of today, Ventura County Public Health clinics are offering pediatric Moderna for ages 6 months to 5 years. Pediatric Pfizer vaccines for ages 6 months to 4 years will be available soon when the supply of vaccines is received. Walk-ins are available but appointments are strongly encouraged. Schedule an appointment at MyTurn.ca.gov or call 833-422-4255. For more information,visit www.vcrecovers.org/vaccine.

Bilingual commentary — Our Misdirected Anger

by Community Contributor • June 17, 2022 • Comments Off

On top of the ongoing, seemingly never-ending pandemic, we have several epidemics taking place in our country: opioids, guns, voter apathy…

Over and above these scourges, we now have inflation, soaring gas prices, supply chain disruptions, and political unrest that threatens the foundations of our democracy, which until last year we had taken for granted.

As a result, many of us are angry. We’re angry at Big Pharma, the gun manufacturers, the “liberals” who allegedly want to rip people’s guns out of their hands.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Together Again’ and more news

by Community Contributor • June 15, 2022 • Comments Off

Commencement 2022 was an exercise in joy and celebration.

Guest contribution — PODS® Local Provides Simple Tips for DIY Home Improvement

by Community Contributor • June 15, 2022 • Comments Off

DIY home improvement projects are on the rise, and more homeowners are learning how to save money by renovating their homes without a paid professional. While these improvements can save homeowners money, it can get a bit overwhelming as well. PODS® Local is offering a few helpful tips to help ensure your project is both cost-effective and seamless.

Bilingual commentary — Spanish, Arabic, and Chumash Influences in the Ojai Area

by Community Contributor • June 10, 2022 • Comments Off

Last week I was studying a map, looking for hiking trails in the Ojai area. As my eyes wandered across the map of the region, I randomly noted the various paths, highways, streets, communities, and cities in this part of Ventura County. Something caught my attention: a community labeled as “Ojala,” north of the city of Ojai and near Lake Matilija, just off Highway 33.

Those of us who speak Spanish are very familiar with the language’s most aspirational word: Ojalá. It is a magical word with deep roots in the history of Spain. It sounds very “Arabic” because in fact it is derived from an Arabic expression for hope and longing (inshallah, or ma sha alla), which translates as something along the lines of “God willing,” or “should God will it.”

Bilingual commentary — Gun violence is a public health crisis. A preventable one

by Community Contributor • June 2, 2022 • Comments Off

Every day in America, there is senseless gun violence. Shootings in our homes, places of worship, schools, and on our streets repeatedly threaten our health and safety. No one is immune to the impact.

We, the physicians, care teams, and staff of Kaiser Permanente, see firsthand the devastating aftermath of gun violence and bear witness to the intergenerational trauma that has both short- and long-term effects on physical and mental health.

Through the Kaiser Permanente Task Force on Firearm Injury Prevention, established in 2018, we are supporting research studies and testing firearm screening tools and counseling interventions that focus on how physicians and clinicians can help prevent firearm injuries. This is important work, and yet it is not enough.

PizzaMan Dan’s brings a slice of pizza paradise to The Collection

by Community Contributor • June 2, 2022 • Comments Off

PizzaMan Dan’s, which opened recently in The Annex Food Hall at The Collection, is now offering a one-of-a-kind dining experience with the addition of several new technological elements, including an ordering kiosk, automated full bar and pizza serving robot, as well as neon furniture and a giant LED screen.

Guest commentary — History in Real Time. Helping Ukrainian Refugees

by Community Contributor • May 31, 2022 • Comments Off

She held up her cell phone so I could read it. The Google translator function transcribed from Ukrainian into Spanish, “Gracias por tu trabajo.” In English: “thank you for your work.” She put her right hand over her heart and patted her chest several times as she closed her eyes. Her appreciation overwhelmed me. My eyes watered up. I had only handed her a cup of hot coffee.

My husband, Ron, and I have recently returned from 10 days in Pozuela, Spain, about 8 Km. from Madrid. It’s the site of World Central Kitchen’s (WCK) food operation for the Ukrainian refugees who have flooded this area The Spanish government is providing short-term on-site hotel accommodations for about 3 to 5 days while the refugees receive new identification cards and papers that will allow them to stay in Spain. They wait for an available apartment or room from gracious hosts in many towns throughout the country.

Friendship Center Adult Day Services — Spring Appeal Letter from Executive Director Heidi Holly

by Community Contributor • May 31, 2022 • Comments Off

The pandemic experience has been a challenge that affected everyone of us, in so many facets. We take this moment to acknowledge both its global, far reaching effects, as well as the very personal impact it has made on our lives.

Bilingual commentary — “Parental Rights” and Public Education

by Community Contributor • May 26, 2022 • Comments Off

Beware the impending chaos in our schools.

As conservative politicians make inroads to our local governments, they will be charged with the political duty of acquiescing to parents who demand “control” over school boards and other educational entities. Ostensibly, parents on the far right of the political spectrum want to ensure that their children are taught only what are deemed to be “American” or “Christian” values. Unfortunately, this is often code for the elimination of lessons and discussions that investigate our troubled racial history. Anything that barely grazes age-appropriate matters of sexuality will also be off the table.

Statement about Texas School Shooting from Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools

by Community Contributor • May 25, 2022 • Comments Off

Our hearts are broken by the tragic news of today’s mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. We send our sincerest sympathies to the families whose lives have been forever shattered. School shootings are a plague on our society that have been happening for far too long. I call on decision-makers at every level of government to take all necessary measures to put an end to these senseless acts of violence in our schools.

— Dr. César Morales

Ventura County Superintendent of Schools

Letter to the Editor — Please protect our families and our water by voting Yes on A and B!

by Community Contributor • May 25, 2022 • Comments Off

As a California registered Civil Engineer for the US Navy I was responsible for the execution of hundreds of Environmental Security projects. Please join me in rejecting Big Oil’s attempt to overturn the bipartisan water protections that our Democrat and Republican Supervisors put in place. The Big Oil fliers that flood our mailboxes and ads that flood our TVs and even web sites are paid for by Chevron’s $6,000,000 campaign. The Oil campaign is funded by their price gouging which, thank God, is under US House Investigation. Chevron’s gouging got them $73 BILLION in profit in the year ending in March – a 92% increase year over year.

Bilingual commentary — Generational Driving Lessons

by Community Contributor • May 20, 2022 • Comments Off

Several years ago, I invited my eldest grandson, around 10 years old at the time, to take me around the go-kart track at a local Golf ‘n’ Stuff. He greatly enjoyed feeling the power of the vehicle and the control he had over it.

Last week, he took his DMV driving test (he passed). He had been taking driving lessons. Before he took the test, he asked me to let him practice driving around the streets with me so that he could accustom himself to my car with which he would be taking his driving test. We all know how we celebrate young people’s independence and at the same time fear for their safety at these critical moments in their lives. Regardless of our reluctance to allow them such formidable freedom, which carries an enormous amount of responsibility, we must hand over the keys and hope that they are lucky, smart, sensible, and safe on our highways.

Letter to the Editor — In support of Ventura County District Erik Nasarenko

by Community Contributor • May 18, 2022 • Comments Off

I am writing in support of Ventura County District Erik Nasarenko. In June, Erik will be on the ballot to continue his position as DA. I had the pleasure of serving with Erik on the Ventura City Council, and saw firsthand how his leadership style benefited the residents of Ventura, particularly during his term as Mayor. His intelligence and dedication, combined with a compassionate and thorough approach, were of immense help to our community during challenging times. Erik has the rare ability to communicate with clarity, precision and understanding of complicated issues. He works effectively with a wide variety of individuals and groups, facilitating consensus and action.

Bilingual commentary — Slavery and the Catholic Church

by Community Contributor • May 13, 2022 • Comments Off

Throughout our history, Native and African Americans have been disrespected and despised. That was obvious to our entire country as recently as last March during the confirmation hearings for the nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, Ketanji Brown Jackson, an African American woman. During the hearings, several senators disrespectfully and contemptuously grilled her almost as if she were a criminal on trial.

Last week I wrote about the treatment of Native Americans at the California missions. Although it is rarely admitted, we may as well accept that Native Americans were in fact treated as slaves for the sake of the glory, power, and expansion of the Church.

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

by Community Contributor • May 6, 2022 • Comments Off

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.”

Bilingual commentary — The Threat of Juvenile Prediabetes

by Community Contributor • April 28, 2022 • Comments Off

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.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Celebrating 20 Years of Sustainability; and more news

by Community Contributor • April 26, 2022 • Comments Off

The campus marks two decades of focused sustainability efforts by highlighting some of its major achievements.

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

by Community Contributor • April 25, 2022 • Comments Off

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.

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

by Community Contributor • April 22, 2022 • Comments Off

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.

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

by Community Contributor • April 22, 2022 • Comments Off

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.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Earth Day 2022, Housing & Environmental Justice and more

by Community Contributor • April 19, 2022 • Comments Off

Community Environmental Council’s

2022 Santa Barbara Earth Day Celebration

Saturday, April 23 at the historic Arlington Theatre

Green Car and E- Bike Show

Climate and Culture

Climate Leadership Summit

Earth Day Concert

and more

I will be speaking briefly at the Climate Leadership Summit be sure to stop by!

To check out the full event schedule visit:

https://sbearthday.org/schedule

Bilingual Commentary — Their Indispensable Role of Libraries in Our Communities

by Community Contributor • April 15, 2022 • Comments Off

Last week was National Library Week, “a time to celebrate our nation’s libraries, library workers’ contributions and promote library use and support,” according to the American Library Association website.

Libraries are not the places we boomers knew as children. In the late 1950s, computers and the Internet were just a twinkle in technology’s eye. We may not all have walked to school uphill in neck-high snow, but we did work to get information.

UCSB — The Current — Common Ground

by Community Contributor • April 12, 2022 • Comments Off

Researchers find that state-level decarbonization policies have received a significant amount of bipartisan support.

Furthering equity among Latino communities

by Community Contributor • April 8, 2022 • Comments Off

Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to equity supports Latino-owned businesses in recovering from the pandemic.

Bilingual commentary — Learning From the Birds

by Community Contributor • April 8, 2022 • Comments Off

There is so much we have learned from birds, and there is much more to learn as we unlock the secrets of their magnificent abilities.

By observing birds over millennia, we finally figured out, just over a hundred years ago, how to emulate their flight and soar through the air—first in propeller planes, and now in jets. Birds gave us a solid starting point for developing our ability to fly.

Commentary — PODS® Local Helps Homeowners Sell Homes for More

by Community Contributor • April 6, 2022 • Comments Off

Home staging continues to save homeowners time and generate more money from a sale than homes that are not staged. According to a 2021 survey by The National Association of Realtors®, 41% of real estate agents said staging a home can increase the value of offers by up to 10%. It was also found that home staging can greatly decrease the amount of time a house spends on the market as buyers can better visualize a property as a future home. As staging often requires sellers to remove or significantly reduce the presence of their belongings in a home, PODS Local offers tips and solutions to help homeowners sell their homes quickly and for higher closing prices.

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