Category: Cultural

Bilingual report — Mayor Pedro Chavez and Vice Mayor Carlos Juarez Assume Prominent Roles in Santa Paula City Council

by Community Contributor • December 19, 2024 • Comments Off

SANTA PAULA — In a ceremonial meeting held on the evening of Dec. 11, 2024, the City of Santa Paula celebrated the appointment of Pedro Chavez as the City’s 123rd Mayor and Carlos Juarez as Vice Mayor. The meeting also marked the swearing-in of newly elected Councilmember Gabriela Ornelas, the election of Councilmember and former Mayor, Leslie Cornejo, and a heartfelt recognition of outgoing Councilmember and former Mayor Andy Sobel for his six years of dedicated service.

Well-known for his service to the city and his ties to the community, Mayor Chavez, who was appointed Vice Mayor in 2023, expressed his gratitude and vision for the future:

“Thank you to the People of Santa Paula for allowing me to serve as a Member of the Santa Paula City Council these past two years and my sincerest gratitude to my Council colleagues for electing me as the 123rd Mayor of this extraordinary City. My leadership, skills, and talents are built upon the foundation of thirty years of experience working in both the public and private sector and my journey as an immigrant in search of the American dream, so I’m deeply honored – as a public servant – to work collectively to revitalize Santa Paula and build its future through shared governance and community engagement.”

Bilingual commentary — The Devastating Costs of Mass Deportations

by Community Contributor • December 19, 2024 • Comments Off

One of the factors that swept Donald Trump back into power and onto the world stage was his inexhaustible and malicious exaggeration of the “immigrant problem.” Images of immigrants eating pets and walking into kitchens and slitting our throats danced in his supporters’ heads as they marked their ballots last month.

Many of us realize, intuitively, that “mass deportation” of “all the illegals” is hardly possible without great damage to the American economy and to our personal lives.

Not wanting to rely on my “intuition,” I searched online for some hard numbers. The information I uncovered was shocking. A “special report” by the American Immigration Council (AIC) laid out the devastating consequences of such a massive operation.

Guest contribution — American Immigration Council — This Week in Immigration

by Community Contributor • December 19, 2024 • Comments Off

Biden makes critical last-minute change to help combat USCIS backlogs. More options available. Immigrant farmworkers make our holiday meals possible

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President Biden has just over one month left in office. He can still take decisive action to protect people at risk of indiscriminate immigration enforcement.

Among other priorities, the Council encourages the administration to protect DACA recipients; extend and redesignate Temporary Protected Status for certain countries; and rescind remaining Trump-era immigration regulations.

Read more: Urgent Last Requests for the Biden Administration

Bilingual report — Kaiser Permanente: Feeling Stressed This Holiday Season? You’re Not Alone

by Community Contributor • December 19, 2024 • Comments Off

There’s a common perception that the holiday season is a time for joy and happiness. After all, as the saying goes, ‘It’s the best time of the year.’

But for many people, the holidays actually present themselves to be a very stressful time that may cause anxiety and depression for a variety of reasons.

“Feeling lonely and stressed during the holidays is a common experience for many,” said Dr. Neel Doshi, a psychiatrist with Kaiser Permanente Southern California. “The stress is often triggered by factors like the absence of loved ones, social isolation, unmet expectations around the festive season, comparisons to idealized holiday portrayals, and the added pressure of family gatherings and gift-giving.

CSUCI students promote cutting-edge High Performance Computing with national competitions and a campus club

by Community Contributor • December 19, 2024 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) students and their mentors are preparing for the world of big data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) by learning and sharing all they can about High-Performance Computing or HPC.

HPC is a way of combining a network of computers to create a more powerful system designed to handle data or problems too big for one computer. There’s a growing demand for expertise in HPC, given the rise of AI, machine learning and data-intensive tasks across various industries like scientific research, finance, and healthcare. Job growth for HPC is expected to be significantly faster than the average for all occupations.

Social Justice Fund for Ventura County — Did You Know ….

by Community Contributor • December 19, 2024 • Comments Off

SJFVC is more than meets the eye …

“We didn’t realize how much the Social Justice Fund Board and Staff does for the Fellows – it’s more than just grants; it’s a recipe to cultivate leaders consisting of mentorship, coaching, business skills education and support.” ~ Meenal and Kris Kelkar, longtime donors.

Bilingual report — Santa Barbara farming family dedicates lands to support recovery of iconic endangered Gaviota Coast plant

by Community Contributor • December 19, 2024 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — When the Harris family’s real estate agent unexpectedly disclosed the presence of Gaviota tarplant, a federally endangered plant, on the property of their potential dream farm back in 2021, they had to make a choice: should they look elsewhere or embrace it?

“Part of me thought it was pretty scary having an endangered species on the property, but then the other part of me thought about how exciting it was,” said Craig Harris, as he recounted the important decision he and his wife, Aira, had to make about whether or not to move forward with the purchase of the property north of Arroyo Hondo Creek off U.S. Highway 101. “In the end, we embraced the journey and said, alright, let’s do this.”

UCSB — The Current — ‘Season’s greetings from our home to yours’

by Community Contributor • December 19, 2024 • Comments Off

Wishing you gorgeous sunsets and bright horizons
Before signing off for the year, check out our Most Viewed Stories of 2024. Then meet us right back here on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, when The Current will return to your inbox with more research news, features and exciting UC Santa Barbara content.

SBCC Celebrates a Year of Outstanding Success in 2024

by Community Contributor • December 19, 2024 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is proud to announce the “2024 Best of SBCC,” reflecting on a year marked by significant achievements, innovation, and community engagement. As a cornerstone of this celebration, SBCC is thrilled to highlight the passing of the Measure P Bond extension, ensuring the continued excellence and modernization of our facilities and programs.

Measure P Bond Extension: Building the Future
The Measure P Bond extension represents a historic investment in SBCC’s mission to provide exceptional education and resources. This extension secures funding for critical infrastructure upgrades, campus sustainability projects, and expanded access to state-of-the-art learning environments. This achievement underscores the community’s unwavering support for SBCC and its role as a leading educational institution.

Community Environmental Council — Let’s do work for tomorrow, today

by Community Contributor • December 19, 2024 • Comments Off

When it comes to climate change, I believe it’s up to my generation to come up with new ideas and build momentum for change. We need to collaborate with everyone, and come together to make a positive impact.

The Community Environmental Council has been pivotal in my learning and activism. They’ve inspired me to step up, turn ideas into a reality, and have given me opportunities to make a difference.

We have so many solutions right at hand, including climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, and climate leadership programs just to name a few. These are the types of solutions CEC educates, advocates, and pioneers for every day. This is the web of interconnecting positive solutions that we need now.

Bilingual report — Ventura Police to hold DUI Checkpoint on Friday, Dec. 20

by Community Contributor • December 19, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The Ventura Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint on Friday, December 20, 2024, from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. The checkpoint will be held at an undisclosed location within the City of Ventura.

Carefully chosen based on data reflecting incidents of impaired driving-related crashes, DUI checkpoints play a pivotal role in enhancing public safety by removing suspected impaired drivers from the road.

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Year in Review – Celebrate with us!

by Community Contributor • December 19, 2024 • Comments Off

Exhibitions On View
Sangre de Nopal/Blood of the Nopal: Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Contemporary Art is on view at MCASB until April 27, 2025

Sangre de Nopal/Blood of the Nopal: Tanya Aguiñiga & Porfirio Gutiérrez en Conversación/in Conversation at the Fowler at UCLA closes January 12, 2025

H??ng Ngô: Core Memory at MCASB Satellite at the Riviera Beach House has been extended through March, 2025

Bilingual report — Ventura County Board of Supervisors appoint Dr. Uldine Castel as Public Health Officer

by Community Contributor • December 19, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Dr. Uldine Castel has been selected as the new Health Officer for Ventura County Public Health. The appointment follows an extensive recruitment process, which included both internal and external candidates. Castel succeeds Dr. Robert Levin who retired from the position in June.

“We’re pleased to have Dr. Castel step into the Health Officer role based on her broad experience in public health and primary care,” stated Chair of the Board of Supervisors, Kelly Long. “Since assuming the interim role as Health Officer, she has demonstrated her ability to lead with enthusiasm and compassion. Her extensive background in medical leadership and direct patient care, combined with a proven track record of quality public health service positions her as the ideal candidate to guide Ventura County through current and future public health issues”.

2024 County of Santa Barbara Holiday Closures

by Community Contributor • December 19, 2024 • Comments Off

(Siga hacia abajo para ver en español)
2024 County of Santa Barbara
Holiday Closure Schedule
In observance of the upcoming holidays, please note that some Santa Barbara County offices will be closed or have modified hours from Wednesday, December 25, 2024, through Wednesday, January 1, 2025. The following County offices will have modified hours that week, as noted below.
All emergency services will remain open.

Santa Paula Museum of Art — Season’s Greetings from Board President John Nichols

by Community Contributor • December 19, 2024 • Comments Off

Season’s Greetings from the Santa Paula Art Museum! I’m John Nichols, current president of the Santa Paula Art Museum Board of Directors. I have been an exhibiting artist, guest curator, donor, and board member of the Museum since its establishment in 2010, and I have been a resident of Santa Paula for over 50 years.

I believe the arts are essential to the good health of every community. I am incredibly proud of all the Museum has to offer, from our original exhibitions and permanent collection of Ventura County’s best historic and contemporary artists to our free arts education programs for children and families and high-quality fine art, ceramics, and fiber arts courses via the Museum’s Cole Creativity Center.

Bilingual report — Allan Hancock College celebrates safety and nursing graduations

by Community Contributor • December 18, 2024 • Comments Off

public servants from its public safety and nursing programs.

The college celebrated the achievements of these highly skilled graduates during several ceremonies for its law enforcement, fire, custody, and emergency medical services academies, as well as its vocational and registered nursing programs.

“One of the college’s most important missions is training new first responders and public servants,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “These graduates are ready to go out and help keep their communities safe and healthy.”

Bilingual report — City of Ventura announces Ventura’s Spring 2025 Activity Guide is live!

by Community Contributor • December 18, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The Spring 2025 Parks and Recreation Activity Guide is now available. Explore 300+ upcoming classes, programs, and events slated February through May 2025 at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/ActivityGuide.

Registration opens on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 12 p.m. and is available online, by mail, or in person at City Hall in Room 226, located at 501 Poli Street. Find registration information and policies on page 45 of the guide.

Every Ventura resident will receive a printed copy of the Activity Guide in the mail. Additional copies are available for pick-up at City Hall and other City facilities during business hours, including the Westpark Community Center, Barranca Vista Community Center, Ventura Aquatics Center, and Ventura Avenue Adult Center.

Bilingual report — Auditor – Controller’s Internal Audit Division receives highest opinion from peer review

by Community Contributor • December 18, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The County of Ventura Auditor-Controller’s Internal Audit Division (IAD) received the highest possible opinion from a recent peer review conducted for the five-year period July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2024.

Specifically, the peer reviewers found that the IAD’s internal quality control system was suitably designed and operating effectively to provide reasonable assurance of conformance with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (Standards) issued by The Institute of Internal Auditors for the period under review.

County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — Happy Holidays!

by Community Contributor • December 18, 2024 • Comments Off

As we wrap up this year, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the community for entrusting me to serve as your representative for District 2. It has been a wonderful year of working together to improve County services, support and attract local businesses, expand hiking trails and environmental initiatives for clean air, enhance public safety efforts, assist with fire response and recovery and celebrate forward progress on the Family Justice Center.

I want to especially thank those I have appointed to serve on special districts, committees and councils. Your tireless work and dedication to the betterment of our County are truly commendable and greatly appreciated.

Hope for One: A Heartwarming Collaboration between Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo and SLO City Church

by Community Contributor • December 17, 2024 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Beginning Dec. 18th, a special holiday initiative is bringing joy to 24 local families in need. The collaboration between Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo and SLO City Church has culminated in the Hope for One campaign, a heartfelt effort to fulfill the Christmas wishes of children and their families who are part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentorship program.

Partnership will enable Oxnard College students to live on CSUCI campus

by Community Contributor • December 17, 2024 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) and Oxnard College (OC) have finalized an agreement that will enable some Oxnard College students to live in the CSUCI residence halls with a pilot program beginning with the Spring 2025 semester.

Representatives from OC and CSUCI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was finalized by the OC Board of Trustees in November. This pilot program will enable select students from Oxnard College to live in the residence halls while attending the community college.

“We’re looking at supporting 15 students from Oxnard College,” said Associate Vice President for Student Life & Support Programs and Dean of Students Julia Heck. “Both institutions are investigating this to see how we can provide the best experience for the students. They will be living on campus with a campus meal plan like any CSUCI student.”

Oxnard College students to live in the CSUCI residence halls

by Community Contributor • December 17, 2024 • Comments Off

CENTRAL COAST — People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) has appointed a new Director of Home Ownership: Jimmy Summer.

With more than five years of experience at People’s Self-Help Housing working in both multifamily housing and home ownership project management, Jimmy brings a wealth of knowledge to this new role.

Since joining PSHH in 2019, he has held a number of positions within the real estate development team, including working in Acquisitions and in Multi-Family Development. His transition to Home Ownership in early 2022 saw all of these skills benefit households building through the self-help program.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Apparel industry leaks millions of tons of plastic into environment each year’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • December 17, 2024 • Comments Off

Global apparel consumption resulted in over 20 million tons of plastic waste in 2019, creating an economic and environmental burden that “falls disproportionately upon the developing economies of the world.”

Community Environmental Council (CEC) — Tis the Season…for Climate Action!

by Community Contributor • December 17, 2024 • Comments Off

The CEC Climate Stewards certi?cation program empowers participants to play an active role in their community to advance rapid and equitable solutions to the climate crisis. Together, our community of 200-strong Climate Steward alumni are standing up for climate justice and pushing forward thousands of solutions, one neighborhood at a time.
The next cohort starts Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Don’t miss out!

Find confidence and inspiration to take climate action today.

Jean Sandlin Honored as PR Pro of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America – California Gold Coast Chapter

by Community Contributor • December 17, 2024 • Comments Off

CENTRAL COAST — Dr. Jean Sandlin, a distinguished communication scholar and public relations strategist and advocate for excellence in the field, has received the 2024 inaugural PR Pro of the Year Award by the Public Relations Society of America – California Gold Coast Chapter. The PR Pro of the Year Award is the chapter’s most esteemed honor recognizing outstanding career achievements of local professionals in furthering the practice of public relations.

“Jean Sandlin exemplifies the very best of public relations,” said Natalie Hernandez, President of the PRSA California Gold Coast Chapter, and County of Ventura Public Information Officer. “Her scholarly research and dedication to mentor and build meaningful relationships with communication students, sets a high standard of excellence for the entire PR profession.”

UCSB — The Current — ‘Humanities Decanted: Daina Sanchez on Jan. 21, 2025’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • December 16, 2024 • Comments Off

The Chicana and Chicano studies professor discusses her new book, “The Children of Solaga: Indigenous Belonging across the U.S.-Mexico Border.”

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network — Build Resilience: Support Community Kitchens & Local Meat Processing

by Community Contributor • December 16, 2024 • Comments Off

At SBCFAN, we’re building a stronger local food system through programs like the Community Kitchen Online Hub and the Meat Processing Social Enterprise. These initiatives empower food entrepreneurs, reduce waste, and ensure families across Santa Barbara County have access to nutritious, locally-sourced food.

The Community Kitchen Online Hub provides centralized information for affordable, shared spaces for local food entrepreneurs, small-scale producers, and community organizations to create and distribute nutritious meals. These kitchens foster economic opportunity, reduce food waste, and ensure more people have access to healthy, locally-sourced food. Visit the Hub >>

Three Attorneys Join Employment Law Firm LightGabler LLP

by Community Contributor • December 16, 2024 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — Three attorneys have joined the Camarillo-based employment law firm LightGabler LLP.

“Employers are looking for guidance to ensure they follow the increasingly complex state employment laws,” says Jonathan Fraser Light, LightGabler’s managing partner. “We are fortunate to have three additional experienced employment law attorneys now part of our firm.”

Joining LightGabler is senior attorney Kristin Diaz. Based in the Bay Area, Diaz has over 18 years of experience handling employment matters at all levels, from employee complaints and demand letters to settlements and trial and arbitration proceedings.

Ventura County Farm Bureau announces Scholarship Fund

by Community Contributor • December 16, 2024 • Comments Off

The Ventura County Farm Bureau is proud to announce that applications for our scholarship fund are now being accepted until January 15, 2025. This opportunity is specifically designed for high school seniors whose college major will be in agriculture or an ag-related business. Eligible applicants must be children of Farm Bureau members or employees and will be enrolling in an accredited college in the U.S. This scholarship aims to support the next generation of leaders in the agriculture industry. For more details, please visit vccf.academicworks.com. #venturacountyscholarships #collegescholarships #agscholarships #805scholarships #FBVCScholarshipFund

DignityMoves Launches Holiday Gift Drive to Support Residents Transitioning Off the Streets

by Community Contributor • December 16, 2024 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — The holiday season is a time for connection, compassion, and generosity, and for those transitioning from homelessness to stable housing, it can be especially meaningful. This year DignityMoves is continuing its holiday tradition at their La Posada Village on Hollister Ave. and their downtown Santa Barbara Street Village by giving each of the 114 residents a stocking, basket or gift bag with personal and holiday items.

The residents of this “interim supportive housing” – a stop-over between tents and permanent housing – have a safe and dignified place to get out of survival mode to start to rebuild their lives.

For many of the current residents, this will be the first holiday season in years spent off the streets, making it all the more meaningful.

Museum of Ventura County — Your year-end donation impacts 5,100 children…SUPPORT TODAY!

by Community Contributor • December 16, 2024 • Comments Off

Support Education, Art, History, and Culture in Ventura County by clicking HERE!

First District Supervisor Das Williams — Resilience and Remembrance

by Community Contributor • December 12, 2024 • Comments Off

It’s hard to believe that we are approaching seven years since the 1/9 Debris flow that took the lives of 23 people and damaged hundreds of homes.

This tragic event has changed us all in profound ways. For me, and for our Flood Control staff, it has further heightened our personal and professional commitments to improve safety, which is why we are embarking on a Montecito Flood Control Master Plan (more on that below) to improve the capacity of all creeks in Montecito.

Please join me on Thursday, January 9th and remember, at Raising Our Light.

Bilingual commentary — The Importance of Reading With a Child

by Community Contributor • December 12, 2024 • Comments Off

Every year, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day give us an opportunity to reconnect with our families, for better or for worse. At these gatherings, we might choose to interact with the entire group, or we may decide that it is best to focus our attention on different family members, one at a time.

Last month at my daughter’s Thanksgiving dinner, I chose to do the latter. After the feast and the familial banter, I had the privilege of sitting down with my youngest grandson, age 6, as we read his storybooks together.

Abiel Acosta launches new firm Prospera Succession Partners in Oxnard with three other long-time financial planners

by Community Contributor • December 12, 2024 • Comments Off

OXNARD — Abiel Acosta, the founder and president of Acosta Wealth Management, has announced he is partnering with three other experienced financial planning firms to launch a new, more expansive company called Prospera Succession Partners.

The new firm brings together Acosta, a 20-year financial planning veteran based in Oxnard, with three other accomplished financial planning professionals and their teams spanning Northern and Southern California and Hawaii. Prospera Succession Partners combines the expertise of each partner’s decades of experience to offer comprehensive financial planning and wealth advisory services for families, business owners, young professionals, pre-retirees and retirees.

Museum of Ventura County — Join us this Sunday for our Winter Solstice Storytelling Festival!, other upcoming events

by Community Contributor • December 11, 2024 • Comments Off

Winter Solstice
Storytelling Festival

Sunday, December 15
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main St., Ventura

Join us for a celebration of Indigenous culture and tradition! This event kicks off with a performance by Hummingbird Women’s Drum and Chumash Singing Sisters followed by storytelling from Chumash Elder Dennis Garcia, Kat High of the Hupa tribe, and Alan Salazar, a Fernandeño Tataviam and Ventureño Chumash Elder. Children are invited to the Kids’ Corner, where they can stay busy with playful puppets and coloring.
Throughout the day, engage in hands-on activities like rock painting and cordage making, guided by Julia Fireflower, a Tataviam tribal member with ties to the Chumash. You can also grab a bite to eat from Island Smoke n Grill, Guamanian BBQ.
As the day draws to a close, join us for a public prayer circle, honoring the spirit of forgiveness, community, and gratitude. This is a free community celebration of culture, storytelling, and togetherness that you won’t want to miss! Click HERE for details.

Santa Barbara City College Welcomes Three Newly Elected Trustees to Board of Trustees

by Community Contributor • December 10, 2024 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is proud to announce the election of three new members to its Board of Trustees: Jett Black-Maertz, Dave Morris, and Kyle Richards. Elected on November 5, 2024, these individuals bring a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to their roles. They join existing board members President Jonathan Abboud, Marsha Croninger, Dr. Charlotte Gullap-Moore, and Ellen Stoddard.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Historian Tsuyoshi Hasegawa writes definitive account of the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • December 10, 2024 • Comments Off

The emeritus professor’s new book unpacks how inept leadership by the Russian ruler precipitated the fall of the Romanovs.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Office of Education — Logo Contest Winners, School Library Podcast, Equity Conference, and more

by Community Contributor • December 6, 2024 • Comments Off

The first week of November isn’t one we’ll soon forget in Ventura County. On the same morning we were digesting the results of the bitterly contested national election, we woke to howling winds and hoped there would be nothing to spark a fire while the Santa Anas blew. But our worst fears were soon realized when the Mountain Fire erupted and quickly ballooned into an inferno that destroyed some 200 homes and other buildings.

As our friends, family, and neighbors faced this emergency, Ventura County did what we do best. We came together to provide resources and support to all who needed it. From our heroic first responders to our government agencies, schools, nonprofits, and businesses, every aspect of our community joined forces. The political divisions that preoccupied us for so long faded away as we responded to the crisis with a shared commitment and a united front.

Bilingual commentary — Meeting Our Ancestors

by Community Contributor • December 6, 2024 • Comments Off

Our great-grandparents would never recognize the world in which we live. How could we ever explain to them instant worldwide communication via satellite, social media, or contemporary U.S. politics, for that matter?

I began pondering this question after reading a novel—an old-fashioned book, no less. I often visit the downtown library in Oxnard and select a book in Spanish, the language of my ancestors, just to maintain my Spanish language skills. The title caught my eye: “Un Verano Italiano,” by author Rebecca Serle.

Teatro de las Américas — iStarELA opening Dec. 7

by Community Contributor • December 6, 2024 • Comments Off

Hello,

Opening night for iStarELA is almost here and we’d love for you to join us! Your support means the world to us, and we can’t wait to share this special moment with you!

Warm regards,

Teatro De Las Americas

***
Obra en español con subtítulos en ingles /

Play in Spanish with English subtitles

Escrita y Dirigida por/

Written and Directed by

Saúl Escobedo

Presentaciones / Shows:

Diciembre / December 2024

Viernes y sábados /Fridays and Saturdays:

7, 13, 14, 20, 21 – 7:00 p.m.

Boletos/Tickets: General $15.00

Teatro de las Américas

321 W. 6th Street, Oxnard, CA

(805)-983-2876

LEAPing into Lompoc: Community Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for New Children’s Center

by Community Contributor • December 5, 2024 • Comments Off

LOMPOC – On Dec. 5, LEAP: Learn. Engage. Advocate. Partner., a prominent nonprofit committed to supporting families across Santa Barbara County, celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of its new Lompoc Children’s Center at Trinity Church of the Nazarene, addressing a critical childcare gap in the community.

The ceremonial occasion included speeches from LEAP’s Executive Director Lori Goodman, Lead Pastor Travis Caldeira of Trinity Church, Santa Barbara County Supervisor Joan Hartmann, Congressman Salud Carbajal’s Representative Esmeralda Estrada, Lompoc City Councilmember Jeremy Ball, and State Senator Monique Limón. Attendees were then treated to informative tours and a BBQ lunch.

“This partnership is a shining example of trust. This ceremony celebrates two organizations coming together to bless a community they both love” said Lead Pastor Travis Caldeira of Trinity Church.

County of Santa Barbara December 2024 Newsletter

by Community Contributor • December 5, 2024 • Comments Off

Join in the annual count of community members and families experiencing homelessness locally. Sign up today!

UCSB — The Current — ‘After decades of plantation agriculture, coconut palms dominate over half of Pacific atoll forests’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • December 5, 2024 • Comments Off

New research provides the first comprehensive map of the vast footprint of coconut palm agriculture across nearly every Pacific atoll.

Bilingual report — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) — First Look: 2023-24 Annual Impact Report | Primera vista: Informe de Impacto Anual 2023-24

by Community Contributor • December 4, 2024 • Comments Off

We’re excited to share our 2023-24 Annual Impact Report, showcasing our milestones from the past year! Available in both English & Spanish, you can read the report and learn more about our mission at pshhc.org/impactreport.

Nos complace presentar nuestro Informe Anual de Impacto 2023-24, que muestra nuestros logros del año pasado. Disponible tanto en inglés como en español, puede leer el informe y obtener más información sobre nuestra misión en pshhc.org/impactreport-esp.

Bilingual report ‚ Ventura County Certifies Nov. 5, 2024 Presidential General Election

by Community Contributor • December 4, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Ventura County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Michelle Ascencion announced today the official certification of the November 5, 2024 Presidential General Election. A total of 394,197 ballots were cast in the general election; with 84.17% of the voters utilizing their vote-by-mail ballot and 15.83% voting in person. Ventura County had a 76.25% overall voter turnout for this election.

The November 2024 General Election marks Ventura County’s fourth election conducted under the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) election model. It also marks a significant increase in the number of voters taking advantage of the expanded voting opportunities provided under the VCA.

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Camarillo Disaster Bridge Loan Fund NOW AVAILABLE!

by Community Contributor • December 3, 2024 • Comments Off

The Camarillo Disaster Bridge Loan Fund has been created to provide immediate financial support to small businesses impacted by the fires.

Ventura Music Festival — The Time is Now… Let’s Share the Gift of Music!

by Community Contributor • December 3, 2024 • Comments Off

As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on a year of incredible music, shared joy, and the powerful connections that bring our community together. Your support has been instrumental in making it all possible. This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to join us in starting 2025 on a high note! The time is now to invest in the arts and the transformative power they bring to our community.

Guest contribution — The Ultimate Holiday Guide To Lompoc On California’s Central Coast

by Community Contributor • December 2, 2024 • Comments Off

LOMPOC — It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Looking for festive fun, delicious treats, and unforgettable sights in Lompoc this holiday season? Dive into our roundup of festive delights and seasonal fun for you and your crew, and enjoy a magical holiday season.

8 Must-See Murals In Lompoc California Along California’s Central Coast

by Community Contributor • December 2, 2024 • Comments Off

LOMPOC — History buffs and art aficionados, start planning your trip to Lompoc. The city is home to over 30 murals depicting aspects of the town’s history, from the age of dinosaurs and beyond! Here are 8 of our favorite murals to explore when you get here as part of Lompoc’s outdoor mural gallery.

Here’s a mural map to help you plan your journey!

Bilingual report — Single-parent Allan Hancock College students receive free Thanksgiving meals

by Community Contributor • November 27, 2024 • Comments Off

SANTA MARIA — For the 16th year in a row, Allan Hancock College provided students who are single parents with a turkey and other Thanksgiving meal items free of charge.

A total of 60 individuals and families stopped by the Hancock EOPS+ program’s “Turkey Fest” booth outside the college’s Santa Maria campus on Nov. 26, where Hancock staff provided them with everything needed to prepare a delicious Thanksgiving meal. The packages included a turkey, potatoes, beans, cranberry sauce, rolls, stuffing, pumpkin pie, whipped cream, and butter. Also included were turkey preparation and cooking instructions.

“It is impactful for the parents who are Hancock students because right now they’re having a really hard time,” said Director of EOPS+ Siboney Guardado. “They are part of our vulnerable student population, so it’s not just academics – it’s also managing their kids and daycare. This week, with the kids off school, it’s especially tough for them.”

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