Category: Commentary

Bilingual commentary — The Transformative Power of Seasonal Living

by Community Contributor • March 22, 2024 • Comments Off

Are you intrigued by the concept of “seasonal living”? It captured my interest when I read about it on The Smallest Light, a website dedicated to marketing services. One of the articles on this site, written by Laura McMahon, describes ways to celebrate the arrival of spring in our homes.

This article reminds us of the psychic power of a celestial turning point: the occurrence of the vernal equinox. On this day, just as on the autumnal equinox in the fall, day and night are of equal length. This astronomical, seasonal, and spiritual event occurs at the tipping point as winter morphs into spring, the season that contains the promise of renewed life.

Guest commentary — 1903 JMLA Strike: A Reflection 121 Years Later

by Community Contributor • March 22, 2024 • Comments Off

Imagine your reaction if your employer slashed the wages of workers by fifty to sixty percent. Why would a business do such a thing?

This spring, 121 years-ago, Japanese and Mexican sugar beet workers experienced this injustice in 1903. Reduced to a condition of wage slavery, in response they united not only amongst themselves but also with contratistas, labor contractors, traditionally utilized by agricultural lords to divorce themselves from the costs and responsibilities that came with being employers directly.

Bilingual report — Fresh Attacks on Migrants…and Citizens

by Community Contributor • March 15, 2024 • Comments Off

Much of the population of this country is of migrant stock. Some are newly arrived, while others are the progeny of immigrants (such as I am).

The newly arrived naturally favor speaking their native tongues until they gain proficiency and confidence in the English language. Their children and grandchildren who grow up here may turn out to be fully bilingual. On the other hand, they may, to one extent or another, lose the language of their parents and grandparents as they become fully assimilated into the American fabric.

Bilingual commentary — Leap Year: A Tale of Science and Conspiracy Theories

by Community Contributor • March 7, 2024 • Comments Off

Every four years, we get to experience a phenomenon known as “leap year.” This occurs when February has 29 days rather than its usual 28. The “leap” refers to the reoccurrence of days from one year to the next. Normally, a given date that occurs during a given year will occur one day later in the subsequent year. For example, January 1, 2023, occurred on a Sunday whereas January 1, 2024, occurred on a Monday of the following year.

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Clean Energy for the Central Coast & Get Ready for Wildfire Season

by Community Contributor • March 4, 2024 • Comments Off

(March 1) we took a significant step forward towards avoiding the worst effects of climate change, opening the new Strauss Wind Project. These 27 wind turbines will generate enough power for 36,000 homes – helping us move towards a more clean and reliable electric grid.

What’s most important isn’t just the impact of this one project, but what it means for the potential of clean energy in other parts of coastal California. 21 years in the making, this project was able to navigate the process and get the permits and approvals it needed to open.

Bilingual commentary — How and Why to Vote Responsibly

by Community Contributor • March 1, 2024 • Comments Off

As I was filling out my ballot for the coming election here in California, most of the items were fairly easy choices for me (one of them at the top of the ticket was very easy). But then I came to the choices for judge for the Ventura County Superior Court. We are directed to vote for only one.

I stared at the names. One of them was immediately recognizable because I had seen his name in news items about some of our local civil and criminal trials. His credentials seem impeccable.

But then I realized that I knew essentially nothing about the other three candidates.

So why is it so important to vote for judges and not just skip over this section of the ballot?

5 Fun Things to Do At La Purisima Mission State Historic Park In Lompoc

by Community Contributor • February 26, 2024 • Comments Off

LOMPOC — Step into history at one of California’s most extensively restored missions – La Purisima Mission State Historic Park! The Mission offers visitors a remarkable historic journey to life in the 1800’s. Within minutes of downtown Lompoc, you can explore the grounds of this meticulously preserved mission, and find yourself immersed in the rich tapestry of California’s past. From the imposing adobe walls to the tranquil courtyards, every corner of La Purisima Mission resonates with history.

Visitors can wander through the well-preserved buildings, including the chapel, living quarters, workshops, and gardens, gaining insight into the daily lives of the Spanish missionaries and the indigenous Chumash people who once inhabited this site.

Bilingual commentary — The Mysterious Letter X

by Community Contributor • February 23, 2024 • Comments Off

The letter X is one of the simplest, yet most enigmatic letters in use today. We’re not even sure how to pronounce it sometimes. The story of its origins is fuzzy.

Just look at the word for the name brand “Xerox.” One word, two very distinct pronunciations for x.

In Mexican Spanish, x has a place in the evolution of the language. It has generally replaced j in such words as “México” vs. “Méjico,” “Texas” vs. “Tejas,” and “Oaxaca” vs. “Oajaca.”

Bilingual commentary — Roman Numerals and the Super Bowl

by Community Contributor • February 16, 2024 • Comments Off

The first Super Bowl, which could have been known as “Super Bowl No. 1,” was played the year I graduated from high school in 1967. “Super Bowl No. 2” followed in 1968, and so on, until we got to “Super Bowl No. 4” in 1970.

The “footballerati” started to think that this numbering system for the Super Bowl games was getting a bit “boring.” Lamar Hunt, the late owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, decided that the Super Bowl needed a more eloquent numbering system…something that would make it sound more important, dignified, and even “magisterial.”

Bilingual commentary — Is a College Education Affordable?

by Community Contributor • February 9, 2024 • Comments Off

Who can afford college?

This question is uncomfortably popping up more frequently lately. There has been much chatter about student debt, upward-spiraling tuition, lower wages for college graduates, and employers’ increasing willingness to hire people without college degrees. This discussion has led young people to more seriously weigh their options after high school.

The specter of near-lifetime student debt looms large in young people’s decisions.

Guest contribution — The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara Improves Lives and Neighborhoods

by Community Contributor • February 5, 2024 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) turns “low-income housing” preconceived bias on its head with beautiful architecture and stringent qualifications and rules for their tenants.

Since 1969, the HACSB has been working to provide affordable housing to the city’s lower-income residents. These residents include seniors, veterans, disabled, those with mental health or drug and alcohol issues, or simply trying to create better lives for their families. Over the years, HACSB has helped thousands of people become housed, allowing them the space and opportunity to turn their lives around.

Bilingual commentary — Learning English Can’t Be Easy

by Community Contributor • February 2, 2024 • Comments Off

We who have spoken English all our lives cannot possibly appreciate the magnitude of the gift we possess. English has become the de facto “universal language” that people throughout the world resort to when they have the need for a common tongue.

Most of the rest of the world who wants to learn English struggles mightily with the immense challenges posed by this lingua franca.

Bilingual commentary — Raising A Daughter

by Community Contributor • January 26, 2024 • Comments Off

This is an updated version of one of the first articles, with this same title, that I wrote for Amigos805 in October 2011.

I have had the experience and privilege of raising a daughter. Many people throughout the years have indicated to me their belief that I had accomplished this task successfully. It was not always easy nor without considerable reading, research, reflection, and discussion with other parents.

Guest commentary — A Chicano’s Education Or How I Decided to Educate Myself on Zionism, part 1

by Community Contributor • January 26, 2024 • Comments Off

As a Chicano who lives in the historically conquered territory of the Southwest after the US attack on Mexico in 1846 and who lives in the state of California that systematically dispossessed indigenous peoples of their land and relegated them to lives in concentration camps known as reservations, I identify with the Palestinian struggle for national liberation. Hence, I refuse to abet via silence the continued catastrophe, Nakba, of ethnic cleansing against the people of Palestine perpetuated since 1948 by the United States-backed state of Israel.[i] This moral stand arose from witnessing the brazenly decontextualized propaganda of commercial network news streamed to my television since October 7, 2023. Indeed, I have yet to view corporate news functionaries addressing the fundamental causes of Zionist invasion, racial apartheid, and theft of Palestinian territories even before the mid-twentieth century that induced Hamas’ recent attack on Israelis and the taking of hostages.

Ventura County Office of Education — Affordable housing for teachers; graduation rate improves; Hackathon winners; and more

by Community Contributor • January 23, 2024 • Comments Off

The high cost of housing in Ventura County is a serious roadblock for schools trying to recruit and retain teachers and support staff. One potential solution that’s getting increased attention is to use school-owned property to build affordable housing developments for education employees.

That idea will be the focus of a first-of-its-kind conference next month in Camarillo. A Home for Education will bring together decision-makers in education, government, and housing development to discuss the opportunities and challenges of this type of project.

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Mapping our Justice and Mental Healthcare System

by Community Contributor • January 22, 2024 • Comments Off

This coming Tuesday at the Board of Supervisors we will discuss a report showing that our County has a higher-than-average jail incarceration rate compared to the rest of California, and hear an update on efforts to better manage the population of the jail. The most basic service in government is public safety, but it does not make us safe when some people are ending up in jail, or coming back to it, because of a lack of mental health services. We have a moral imperative to improve the situation. But we also have a financial need as well.

Bilingual commentary — Pre-Columbian Custom on a City Bus

by Community Contributor • January 19, 2024 • Comments Off

I was on a city bus in Oxnard recently when I found myself fascinated by a female passenger that had boarded.

I know…that statement appears to be borderline salacious, but let me explain.

The woman with a dark complexion appeared to be indigenous Mayan. I’ve spent some time in Yucatán, Mexico, so I recognize the Mayan profile, including the majestic shape of the nose, when I see one. It is distinctively different from the indigenous profiles that hail from other parts of Mexico.

What struck me even more was the ease with which she was caring for her very young child, maybe one year old.

Bilingual commentary — Preparing For the Collapse of Society

by Community Contributor • January 12, 2024 • Comments Off

Previously I was not known to be a pessimistic person by my friends and colleagues. Quite the contrary. They know me as someone who is forward-looking and generally optimistic about life.

Until recently.

Just over three years ago, I breathed a sigh of relief—not so much because Joe Biden had won the presidency, but rather because Donald Trump had lost.

However, by that time Trump had already primed his supporters to reject the possibility that he could lose. That Biden’s win was not exactly a landslide only served to infuriate his base as they disregarded all evidence supporting the results of the election.

Guest contribution — Embracing a Fresh Start: New Year’s Resolutions for Family Caregivers

by Community Contributor • January 8, 2024 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — As the calendar turns its pages to a new year, it’s a time-honored tradition to set resolutions. For family caregivers especially, the new year presents an opportunity to reflect on their journey and make intentional commitments to enhance their well-being and the quality of care they provide. The Caring Together Santa Barbara County network of organizations offer some meaningful resolutions tailored specifically for family caregivers.

We acknowledge that caregiving can be both overwhelming and extremely rewarding. Some of these suggestions may be out of reach for many caregivers. Keep in mind that our goal is to improve the wellbeing of the caregiver, as well as the person receiving care, not to add additional stress.

Bilingual commentary — Natural vs. “Miracle” Weight Loss

by Community Contributor • January 5, 2024 • Comments Off

The 2023-2024 holiday season is now in the rearview mirror. Many of us will be resurrecting those weight loss resolutions that perhaps we had attempted last year (and the year before that, etc.).

Now, suddenly, there are new, shiny objects that glisten on our lifestyle horizons: weight-reduction drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy.

The gravitational pull of these “miracle drugs” is too strong to dismiss them as mere fads. Even the respectable, time-honored Weight Watchers organization appears to welcome these drugs into the fold after spending decades encouraging traditional lifestyle-based changes in people’s lives, such as dieting and exercise.

But before conventional dieters cast their calorie tables and food portion scales overboard, they need to seriously consider the numerous downsides of these drugs.

Feb. 23 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents renowned climate expert Michael E. Mann

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2024 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents climatologist and geophysicist Michael E. Mann on Friday, February 23 at 7:30 p.m. at UCSB Campbell Hall. With more than two decades on the front lines of climate science and policy, Michael E. Mann has become one of our best known and most valuable science communicators. Through six books, including his latest, Our Fragile Moment, Mann explains what the research means, how we should live and what we should demand of our leaders. Using Earth’s deep climate history to reframe the problems that we face today, Mann combines urgency with agency, encouraging people to appreciate the gravity of the unfolding climate crisis while emboldening them to act before it truly does become too late.

Dec. 4 — District 216 presents ‘Psychedelics & Courage: Taking a Leap of Faith!,’ more news

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2024 • Comments Off

Description: Kat shares her personal journey with psychedelics and how they helped her face her fears, awaken her intuition, become an entrepreneur and start over from scratch to build a new, inspired life.

When: Wednesday, December 4th, 2024 from 5pm to 9pm (Speaker at 6:30pm)

Where: LoDo Studios, 216 E. Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(Please only park across the street on the Office Max side of the lot.)

CSUCI Model UN Team takes top honor plus six more awards at Seattle competition

by Community Contributor • December 29, 2023 • Comments Off

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Political Science major Miguel “Miggy” Aguilar will never forget his 21st birthday speaking at a Model UN (United Nations) regional competition in Seattle.

“I feel like most people wouldn’t be stoked talking in front of 100 people on their birthday,” Aguilar said. “But part of the reason I started to do Model UN is because it’s the best thing you can do for yourself to expose yourself to other perspectives.”

Another reason he won’t forget his 21st birthday at the Model UN conference in November is because CSUCI’s team took the conference’s top award, “Outstanding Delegation,” along with six more awards.

The team won four “Distinguished Delegate” awards and two awards for research papers at the 2023 Northwest Model United Nations (NWMUN) – Seattle competition.

“I’m just enormously proud of them that their preparation really paid off this time,” said Professor of Political Science Andrea Grove, who coordinates Model UN with Political Science Lecturer Chris Scholl. “They’re always working hard to prepare, but it doesn’t always play out. This time it did, with their writing and their speaking and their confidence level.”

Bilingual report — The latest news from the County of Ventura

by Community Contributor • December 29, 2023 • Comments Off

Santa Paula is on the front lines of a fight against a deadly disease targeting citrus trees. The Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner is calling on the community to help stop the spread of Huanglongbing (HLB) a disease vectored by the Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP).

Residents in quarantine zones are asked to not move any plant material – this includes fruit, leaves, branches, and even dirt. The Ventura County Agricultural Comissioner/Weights & Measures Department is working with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to mitigate the situation.

The disease is not harmful to humans but it is detrimental to citrus trees. Right now the goal is to slow the spread to give science and research time to develop possible treatments.

Call the CDFA pest hotline at 1-(800)-491-1899 if your trees are showing symptoms of ACP/ HLB and they can arrange to have your tree tested.

Want to learn more? Take a moment to watch the video on how HLB affects local citrus.

Happy New Year! Up Next at Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara

by Community Contributor • December 29, 2023 • Comments Off

We kindly ask for your support as we enter into 2024. Please consider making a much needed gift in support of art, artists, and our community before December 31, 2023. We are grateful for your donation by credit card, check, or gift of appreciated securities, it will all be put to good use ensuring the success of our forthcoming exhibitions and public programs. Thank you!

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) wishes you Happy Holidays!

by Community Contributor • December 29, 2023 • Comments Off

Looking for NO-COST Business Consulting Services?

The EDC SBDC call team and experienced advisors are available to answer questions and help you navigate today’s complex business environment. The Economic Development Collaborative hosts the Small Business Development Center and is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Signing up as a client takes just a few minutes and provides you with lifetime access to all of our no-cost services.

UCSB — The Current ‘One last thing before we go…’

by Community Contributor • December 29, 2023 • Comments Off

The Current will return to your inbox Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024 with more research news, compelling campus features and other engaging UC Santa Barbara stories.

Happy Holidays from United Way of Ventura County

by Community Contributor • December 29, 2023 • Comments Off

Wishing you a healthy and happy holiday season from your friends at United Way of Ventura County.

Bilingual report — December News from People’s Self-Help Housing

by Community Contributor • December 29, 2023 • Comments Off

Dear Friend,
During this season of gift giving, I’ve been reflecting on all the amazing gifts People’s has received this year:

82 new employees: The need keeps growing, and so do we. The ability of our mission and organization to attract professional, committed individuals is an imperative if we are to continue confronting the housing crisis head on.
$1M in housing impact notes: It takes considerable philanthropic vision to fund project pre-development costs, they are typically not exciting or visible, but they are vital. We were so grateful for this incredible opportunity to move multiple challenging projects forward. Thanks to our Resource Development and Accounting & Finance teams who safely and soundly manage our financial resources, we can accomplish more mission and meet philanthropist partners’ objectives.

Happy Holidays from Ventura Music Festival

by Community Contributor • December 29, 2023 • Comments Off

To VMF donors, colleagues, and festival–goers:

I leave VMF after a grand nine-year run, grateful for the music and the memories. I love my successor Lalé Welsh’s experience, energy & skill-set. If anyone can grow and nurture the Festival, she can.

Susan Scott, VMF Executive Director, 2014-2023

Dear Ventura Music Festival Community,

It’s an honor to be selected as the new Executive Director for this wonderful organization. I am delighted to be here, and grateful to the Board of Directors, staff; Grace Mooney, Lacey Utter, Nuvi Mehta and of course, to Susan Scott for an exciting and fun-filled transition. We all stand on the shoulders of those who have come before us, and as such, I will do my best to continue the VMF mission and spread the joy and healing power of music in ways that can make my predecessors proud. In the meantime, I look forward to meeting and working with each and every one of you toward our goals over the coming weeks, months and years.

Lalé Welsh, VMF Executive Director

The Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) — Warmest Wishes for the Holiday Season

by Amigos805.com • December 18, 2023 • Comments Off

Dear VCCDC Neighbors and Friends,

As we approach the end of another year, I want to take a moment to extend heartfelt holiday greetings to you. Regardless of the traditions you celebrate, this season is a time to come together, share joy, and express gratitude.

Our community is a tapestry of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and stories, and it’s this rich tapestry that makes this time of year truly special. Whether you’re surrounded by family, friends, or enjoying a peaceful moment of reflection, I hope the holiday season brings you warmth, happiness, and a sense of connection. In a world that often moves too quickly, the holidays offer us an opportunity to pause, appreciate the present, and cherish the moments that matter most.

As we reflect on the past year, let’s also look forward to the promise and possibilities of the coming one. This year VCCDC assisted over 1,500 families and individuals with over 200 becoming new homeowners, preserving their home, or becoming mortgage-ready, as well as developed tools for resiliency and family wealth-building. As we gear up for another year of empowering low- and moderate-income families and individuals through homeownership we ask you to please consider making a tax-deductible donation to VCCDC. Donors like you can make a great contribution to the future of the families who we serve.

May the spirit of kindness and generosity fill your homes and hearts. Let’s embrace the joy of giving, the comfort of togetherness, and the magic that surrounds us during this festive season.
Thank you for being part of our vibrant organization and community. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a New Year filled with peace, prosperity, and endless possibilities.

Warmest regards,

Joseph Gutierrez
Chairman of the Board
VCCDC

Santa to Make Special Trip to Visit Hospital Patients With Help From Ventura County Firefighters

by Community Contributor • December 18, 2023 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — The Fire Departments of Ventura County are teaming up with Ventura County’s Health Care Agency to bring cheer to children in hospital by delivering toys while ramping up their repelling techniques through the Spark of Love Toy Drive. Santa is scheduled to descend from the roof of the Ventura County Medical Center on Monday, Dec. 18 to bring cheer to children at the hospital’s pediatric and pediatric intensive care units.

Central Coast Veterans Museum in SLO December Updates

by Community Contributor • December 18, 2023 • Comments Off

This December the Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum we reflect upon and celebrate our 2023 accomplishments while anticipating what 2024 will bring.

Bilingual commentary — It’s Been Quite a Year

by Community Contributor • December 15, 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 •…

Lumina Alliance Invites Community to Take the Pledge for Gun Safety

by Community Contributor • December 13, 2023 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Lumina Alliance recently announced a Gun Safety Campaign with the goal of raising awareness on the intersection between firearms and intimate partner violence. As part of the campaign, Lumina Alliance is now inviting the community to take a Pledge for Gun Safety, and to commit to taking action to end gun violence In SLO County.

Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) — Make a difference with your year-end gift!

by Community Contributor • December 12, 2023 • Comments Off

Every day, your investments are creating opportunities, changing lives, and strengthening communities throughout the Central Coast of California.

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — New Clean Energy Coming Online

by Community Contributor • December 11, 2023 • Comments Off

This week, Central Coast Community Energy 3CE announced signing a contract with Pattern Energy to receive electricity from SunZia Wind, a new renewable energy project in New Mexico that will be 12% of all the power for the 5 counties in our energy provider 3CE. While most of our renewable projects are in California, having a different “load profile” from a project in a neighboring region provides energy that is accessible at different times of the day than we typically get. This is a big deal for our efforts to have more reliability as we get closer to 100% carbon-free energy.

Bilingual commentary — The Pros and Cons of Arranged Marriages

by Community Contributor • December 8, 2023 • Comments Off

was talking with a female friend recently about her ongoing search for a marriage partner. This is not unusual for a woman in her twenties. Her approach, however, is largely unusual in our culture. She is willing to consider submitting her destiny to an “arranged marriage.”

She is of Middle Eastern heritage, though raised in the U.S. from an early age. Some traditions such as arranged marriages, as anathema as they may be in American culture, endure in some ethnic families. There are many reasons why individuals might be open to accepting an arranged marriage for themselves.

There are also a lot of reasons to tread carefully into an arranged marriage, or to avoid one at all costs.

Bilingual commentary — Jack Benny and Rochester: The Dawn of Civil Rights on Television

by Community Contributor • December 1, 2023 • Comments Off

I remember when I used to gather with my family around a small-screen, black-and-white television. It was the mid-1950s when the Civil Rights era was starting to take shape.

The Jim Crow laws, constructed to blatantly deny equal rights to African Americans, were in full force in many states. These laws repressed Blacks in ways that are unimaginable to us today.

What we viewed on TV was almost completely from a white perspective. There were very few Blacks in the programming of that time. The few that were shown to us appeared in stereotypical roles: nannies, maids, porters, janitors, and criminals.

I also remember watching The Jack Benny Show with my father, a blue-collar worker who enjoyed situational comedy. Jack Benny was a character portrayed as an affluent, though endearingly “cheapskate,” white Jewish man. He was a renowned comedian before, during, and after World War II.

District 216 — WEEK OFF: Enjoy Your Thanksgiving Holiday, See You Next Week!

by Community Contributor • November 20, 2023 • Comments Off

RECAP – Unveiling the Mysteries of Microdosing: A Dive into the Neuroscience of LSD with Dr. Conor Murray

Guest commentary — Reflections On My Life In The Chicano Art Movimiento: The Latest Chapter

by Community Contributor • November 17, 2023 • Comments Off

This is the latest revision to this article that I wrote more than ten years ago. The article got tremendous response from unexpected sources like Wikipedia, LULAC national. The article, even received some academic attention when it was first published by our dear friends at Amigos805, the electronic newsletter owned and operated by our dear friend Frank Moraga. I wanted to share this recently revised, updated, and expanded article with updated and new information, with all of friends, both old new, to remind all of that Chicano art movement is fluid, incredibly creative, and ever changing. I guess I will be revising and adding on to this article until I die or it becomes a book, y adelante

Caring Together Santa Barbara County — November is National Family Caregivers Month

by Community Contributor • November 15, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — Caring Together Santa Barbara County (CTSBC) and its partner organizations are observing National Family Caregivers Month during the month of November. This month we recognize the people who lovingly care for a loved one, friend, or neighbor.

“Family caregivers provide love and support to their older parents, spouses and other loved ones. They are the unsung heroes who are managing medications, preparing meals, helping with bathing and dressing, and assisting with other daily activities. It is one of the most important jobs they will ever have, but it can be one of the most difficult,” says De Rosenberry, Senior Services Program Director at Family Service Agency.

Bilingual report — November News from People’s Self-Help Housing

by Community Contributor • November 15, 2023 • Comments Off

Dear Friend,
Previously living in an unheated trailer, with no running water or basic sanitary amenities, this month a family of seven moved into PSHH affordable housing. These are the moments we work for, these are the significant victories where we can all pause and celebrate.

And while despite our collective best efforts, the scale of the housing crisis seems only to increase, for those who do not have the assurance of a safe and comfortable place to call home, our work continues.

The upcoming weeks give us so many opportunities to express our gratitude. So, whether you are a fellow houser, a funder, a policy maker, a developer, an elected official, a voter, a donor, or any one of the myriad partners needed to bring solutions to the over 15,000 people patiently waiting on our housing lists, during this season of thankfulness, I want express my appreciation for your dedication and service.

Bilingual report — Workforce Development Board (WDB) of Ventura County is pairing skilled workers with Employers!

by Community Contributor • November 15, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — With the closure of California Youth Authority facility in Camarillo, many talented workers have been left jobless and in search of the next step in their careers. Originally 93 affected workers, 45 are remaining and using the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County to find local jobs.

One of the key Business Solutions the WDB offers is working to help reunite and relocate workers with employers who have available jobs and to help them find a valuable team member.

Bilingual commentary — How My Generation Learned Classical Music: The Cartoons

by Community Contributor • November 10, 2023 • Comments Off

Those of us who grew up in the 1950s received a classical music education not available to later generations. We learned about a wide range of classical music—but not by attending prestigious schools or institutions for rich kids. All we had to do was sit at home and watch the cartoons of that time on our TVs. Those television sets displayed black-and-white images on hopelessly small screens.

Listening to some of that music now as adults conjures images of archetypal cartoon characters in our heads. Hearing some of the music by Strauss, Liszt, Chopin, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Rossini, Schubert, Smetana, von Suppé, and a host of other composers instantaneously recalls visions that we will forever associate with iconic pieces composed by these artistic giants.

CSUCI Psychology faculty member researches burnout in academia

by Community Contributor • November 8, 2023 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — The job just doesn’t seem as rewarding as it was. There’s no time for your family anymore. You’re irritable and have trouble working up enough energy to be productive.

People from all professions will recognize the signs of burnout, but there are stressors and causes of burnout that are unique to academia, especially after the pandemic.

“We were doing our teaching under an emergency situation for a few years with online versus in-person teaching,” said CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Associate Professor of Psychology Melissa Soenke. “I’ll be looking at our culture of overwork and the life we’re finding post-pandemic. We’ve seen it with health care and people working in therapeutic settings, but there is not a ton of research on academic burnout.”

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — A New Connection for Cuyama

by Community Contributor • November 7, 2023 • Comments Off

Last week I had the honor of cutting the ribbon on one of the County’s largest bridge projects in 40 years. Cuyama deals with a lot more extreme weather than the rest of us in Santa Barbara County, and this bridge creates an important connection for emergency access during storms. This area also has a higher poverty rate than the rest of the County, and Cuyamans have been at the mercy of two multi-national corporations over access to water. That one of the most significant bridge projects in County Public Works history was completed in Cuyama shows that we’re here for them.

Bilingual commentary — National Greasy Foods Day: A Warning or a Celebration?

by Community Contributor • November 3, 2023 • Comments Off

Last week I noticed that October 25 was National Greasy Foods Day. Initially, I didn’t know if this was a joke or a celebration.

As it turns out, this day is deemed worthy of a “limited celebration.” This culinary observance is meant to celebrate greasy foods, which we all love, but only as a “special treat” of which we should partake only occasionally.

There are many good reasons to emphasize the “occasional” nature of this kind of food that, unfortunately, many of us tend to crave.

People’s Self Help Housing — Dana Reserve Nipomo – Your input needed today!

by Community Contributor • October 23, 2023 • Comments Off

This Monday October 24, at 1:00PM, our County Planning Commission has invited public input to discuss a project that will allow People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) to develop 104 units of affordable rental housing within the overall Dana Reserve master-planned community.

This is so YOUR opinion can be voiced, in addition to the group who have already expressed their point of view.

Located west of US Highway 101 in Nipomo, and named the Dana Reserve, the overall project includes 104 units of deed-restricted affordable housing that would be developed and operated by PSHH. If approved, the developer will gift this land to our organization, which will bring much-needed affordable housing for Nipomo, a welcoming community that is key to so many who live, work, and recreate along the Central Coast.

Bilingual commentary — Humorous Yet Dangerous Confusion on the 101

by Community Contributor • October 19, 2023 • Comments Off

We in Ventura County have some interesting challenges along the main artery of transportation in our region—Highway 101. Some of these challenges would be hilarious if they were not also dangerous. And what might be humorous for the locals could be dangerously confusing for drivers from outside our area.

A cousin who lives in Los Angeles was driving north toward Santa Barbara along the 101 last week. North of Ventura he came upon the road construction that we here are all too familiar with. We know that as we approach “the split,” we commit to a single lane, bearing either to the left or right, and continue heading north. Simple, right?

But for out-of-towners, the choice is unexpected and confusing. Most of these drivers, including my cousin from a town as large as Los Angeles, have never in their driving lives encountered such an unusual split on a highway as wide as the 101.

Guest contribution — New weight loss program at Crystal Chiropractic in Goleta harnesses laser technology for exceptional results

by Community Contributor • October 18, 2023 • Comments Off

GOLETA — A newly launched weight loss and aesthetics program at the Goleta-based chiropractic office Crystal Chiropractic, uses the latest innovation in body slimming technology to help patients reach their goals.

Treatments utilize Invisa-RED(tm) TECHNOLOGY, a safe, non-invasive and painless alternative to traditional fat reduction procedures. These laser treatments are cost effective, providing clients with real results in a matter of weeks, said Dr. Crystal A. Galvan, owner of Crystal Chiropractic.

“I am excited to bring this service to our community, to help improve not only my own patients’ lives but the community as a whole,” Dr. Galvan said. “Many of my patients who are unable to lose weight in a traditional setting will now have an opportunity to improve their health with the newest technology, professional products and personal attention that we have to offer.”

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Wildfire Insurance Town Hall Wednesday Oct. 18

by Community Contributor • October 17, 2023 • Comments Off

Join me this Wednesday for a Wildfire Insurance Town Hall with California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. This is a great opportunity to learn more about recent developments regarding Wildfire Insurance and the State’s insurance strategy.

Wednesday, October 18th
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Cold Spring Elementary School
2243 Sycamore Canyon Rd,
Santa Barbara, CA 93108

Bilingual commentary — Are STEM Degrees Falling Off Their Pedestal?

by Community Contributor • October 12, 2023 • Comments Off

When I was starting my higher technical education, I was studying “vacuum tubes.” These might as well be classified now as archaeological artifacts that young people can view in museums. Vacuum tubes were ubiquitous in the primitive computers of that time. They were also visible in everyday, household life—in radios, televisions, and guitar amplifiers.

Bilingual commentary — The High Price of Illiteracy

by Community Contributor • October 6, 2023 • Comments Off

I was recently listening to a radio program discussing illiteracy and poverty in our country. These two intractable problems in our society are inextricably linked to each other. They also explain a lot of the darker forces that are shaping our future—and that of our children.

As I searched the Internet for some insight into the aforementioned forces, I came across a few uncomfortable propositions. I was reluctant to accept them. But I had to admit to myself that there were good reasons to at least entertain the possibility that these propositions contained some truth.

Guest contribution — Caregivers at 11 Tenet Healthcare Facilities Vote to Strike Over What Union Members Believe to be an Unfair Labor Practice Committed by the Employer

by Community Contributor • October 2, 2023 • Comments Off

“We care deeply about our patients and want to give them the best care possible, and we need more healthcare workers to better deliver that care, just like every other hospital in California,” said Christine Ague, a Respiratory Therapist at Doctors Medical Center Modesto. “We need more support from Tenet. Worker and patient safety are our top priority.

Tens of thousands of healthcare workers have voted to authorize strikes at Tenet Healthcare, Prime Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, Fresenius Medical Care, Satellite Healthcare, and other healthcare corporations this fall.

Bilingual commentary — A Pulsating Anger

by Community Contributor • September 29, 2023 • Comments Off

This article, in its original form, was first published in Amigos805 on September 1, 2015. It is as relevant today as it was eight years ago.

On those difficult days that we all have, we can feel that “something” in the air as we drive our cars through traffic, walk along the street or the corridors of the office building, read editorial columns or letters to the editor, or as we take a daring plunge into online comments about any news item.

That “something” is unmistakable. It’s that suffocating, toxic, deadly anger that lingers and permeates all levels of our society. From impoverished neighborhoods to elegant offices, from busy highways to quiet campuses, from our homes to boisterous marketplaces and busy factories, the anger simmers. It too often explodes in this most abundant nation on the planet. But that “abundance” is material; our national soul is crying for some semblance of healing, but that healing is elusive.

Hospice of Santa Barbara shares Important Insights about those who have lost a loved one to suicide

by Community Contributor • September 26, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Suicide is a leading cause of death among young people in the United States and approximately 1 million people die by suicide globally each year.

Suicide is one of the top ten leading causes of death across all age groups. Worldwide, suicide ranks among the three leading causes of death among adolescents and young adults.

Losing a loved to suicide is one of life’s most painful experiences. The feelings of loss, sadness, and loneliness experienced after any death of a loved one are often magnified in suicide survivors by feelings of guilt, confusion, rejection, shame, anger, and the effects of stigma and trauma.

Furthermore, survivors of suicide loss are at higher risk of developing major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal behaviors, and a prolonged form of grief called complicated grief. Thus, survivors may require unique supportive measures and targeted treatment to cope with their loss.

Bilingual commentary — Oppenheimer and Prometheus

by Community Contributor • September 22, 2023 • Comments Off

My eldest grandson recently invited me to watch the blockbuster film, Oppenheimer, with him. He told me that he preferred watching it with me rather than with peers. This grandson knew that I had lived through the Cold War between the U.S. and the now-defunct Soviet Union. He understands that I have a perspective that his friends can’t possibly possess. I felt honored.

Bilingual report — Community Support Urgently Needed for Additional Emergency Shelter Homes for Children and Youth in Ventura County

by Community Contributor • September 21, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Strengthening VC Families, an initiative of Ventura County Children and Family Services, is asking for families to help children in need by providing safe Emergency Shelter Homes (ESH) for children and youth who need an immediate place to go.

The ESH program provides children, youth, and families with a foundation of respect and support, from special people who can support children and youth by providing a safe place to stay, while birth families receive support so that they can reunify with their children as soon as it is possible.

“We all know the importance of a safe and loving home”, said Arturo Vargas, Manager of Resource Family Approval (RFA). “Folks who step up to offer an emergency shelter home understand how food, warm hearts, and loving compassion heals during times of trauma. All of us at Children and Family Services — through Strengthening VC Families — know that with our need of emergency shelter homes–this is an important community ask.” “It’s a big ask” but it’s an important ask.

Bilingual commentary — Kisses

by Community Contributor • September 15, 2023 • Comments Off

Bilingual commentary — The Epidemic of Male Loneliness

by Community Contributor • September 8, 2023 • Comments Off

I have often thought about the burdens that girls and women have—burdens that are unique to them. It is often difficult, if not impossible, for men to comprehend the joys and traumas of childbirth, the stress of dealing with the menstrual cycle, the health issues that men will never have to consider for themselves.

I also sympathize with women’s constant need to protect themselves—from men. Certainly, female-on-male abuse and violence exist, but male-on-female brutality and assault is several orders of magnitude greater.

Women have one huge advantage over men that induces a secret jealousy in men: the ability to form deep and meaningful relationships with other women.

Bilingual commentary — The Connection Between the Tooth Fairy and the Little Mouse

by Community Contributor • September 1, 2023 • Comments Off

How could we have gone through those early stages of losing our baby teeth without the help of the famed tooth fairy?

We all have a preconceived image of this ethereal creature, which has been solidified by Disney’s introduction of fairy creatures into our lives. We in the U.S. got our first glimpse of the tooth fairy in 1908, when the Chicago Daily Tribune published an article about this beloved creature. The myth was rebooted in 1927 when Esther Watkins Arnold published the book, “The Tooth Fairy: Three-Act Playlet for Children.”

Bilingual commentary — Trying to Grasp Infinity…and Beyond!

by Community Contributor • August 25, 2023 • Comments Off

“Infinity” means, quite literally, “without end.” Since humans could reflect, they have pondered infinity. Very likely, the first inklings of infinity occurred as the earliest humans contemplated the night sky replete with what seemed to be an infinite number of stars.

Having taught college math, I often talked with my students about “infinity,” but in a mathematical sense. For instance, we discussed infinite iterations, infinite limits, an infinite number of classes of numbers, the infinite number line, infinitesimal differences, infinitely large numbers, infinitely small numbers, the infinite decimal nature of constants such as “pi.”

Bilingual report — American Checkmate, 2024

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2023 • Comments Off

In chess, “checkmate” occurs when the “king” on the board is threatened with capture and has no way out. At that point, the game is, for all intents and purposes, over.

We in the United States are being checkmated by Donald Trump, the current GOP frontrunner for the presidential primary nomination. Rather than a checkmate of the king, the very foundation of our country is being threatened. Increasingly, it appears that there is no way out of the upcoming fraught battle for the very soul of the nation.

Ventura County Civic Alliance — Livable Communities Newsletter – August 15, 2023

by Community Contributor • August 15, 2023 • Comments Off

This quarter’s Livable Communities Newsletter offers three fascinating articles pulled together by the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU). This edition is designed to give you a quick summary that entices you to click on the link for each full article:

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