Category: Cultural

Bilingual report — City of Ventura Mayor Dr. Jeannette Sánchez-Palacios addresses recent federal immigration enforcement actions

by Community Contributor • January 31, 2025 • Comments Off

Dear City of Ventura Residents and Community Stakeholders,

In light of the recent federal immigration enforcement actions taking place across the nation, including in California, I want to address our community to provide clarity, support, and reassurance. Ventura is a community built on inclusion and mutual respect. Local organizations are available to provide assistance, legal guidance, and resources to those in need.

• Know your rights. You have constitutional protections. Review resources and
information from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
• Seek guidance from trusted organizations. Groups like the El Concilio Family Services, and the Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) offer legal resources and support.
• Create a family safety plan. Have a plan in place, including childcare arrangements
and emergency contacts. If you are at risk of losing housing, the City also offers rental assistance for transitional age youth (ages 18-24) through our Homelessness Prevention Program.
• Report and document. If you or someone you know is impacted by an enforcement
action, take note of key details and reach out to local support organizations.

Ventura’s 4th of July Street Fair seeking artisan vendors

by Community Contributor • January 31, 2025 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Vendor applications for the City of Ventura’s 4th of July Street Fair are now open. This annual event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the 4th of July in Ventura’s Downtown District and brings tens of thousands of participants.

Vendor applications will be accepted until Monday, March 31, 2025, before 5:00 p.m. PST. Applications must be submitted online via the City’s website. Eligible vendor groups include arts and crafts, nonprofits, and food vendors. Sponsorship opportunities are also available and listed online.

Bilingual report — CenCal Health — Multimillion-Dollar Programs at work to develop, expand healthcare capacity on Central Coast

by Community Contributor • January 30, 2025 • Comments Off

The Medi-Cal Capacity, Access and Workforce Development Grant Program was recently developed to expand healthcare capacity through strategic funding aimed at provider recruitment, and workforce training and education. Launched this month, CenCal Health will soon award its first round of grants up to $3 million, with a planned total distribution of $6 million over three years.

February at the Santa Paula Art Museum

by Community Contributor • January 30, 2025 • Comments Off

Happy almost February! February is our anniversary month at the Santa Paula Art Museum (we’ll celebrate 15 years on Valentine’s Day). We think you’ll love our program offerings in the month ahead. Bring the whole family to make Valentine’s Day keepsakes on February 2. Register you and your Valentine or Galentine for a wheel-throwing ceramics course starting February 14. Hear more about currently featured artist Joanne Julian and her love of art on February 22. Find the details for all of our February programs below.

People’s Self-Help Housing celebrates 10 owner-builder families in Nipomo Construction complete on new neighborhood, Summer Holly Lane

by Community Contributor • January 30, 2025 • Comments Off

Since beginning the project in August 2023, each family committed over 40 hours a week to constructing their homes. Under the supervision and instruction of People’s Self-Help Housing, the builders learned all the skills necessary to complete the majority of the labor themselves. After more than a year of hard work, owner-builders finally received the keys to their new homes and celebrated their tremendous accomplishments with a barbeque block party over the weekend.

“It’s amazing to see the fruit from their labor and watch them achieve this dream of home ownership,” said Ken Trigueiro, PSHH CEO & President. “This is an excellent opportunity for these families and one that is hard to come by these days. This is why we keep doing what we’re doing after 55 years and we’re so grateful to be part of their stories.”

Bilingual report — Board of Supervisors approves over $1 Million in funding to The ARCH to address homelessness

by Community Contributor • January 29, 2025 • Comments Off

VENTURA — In an ongoing effort to combat homelessness and support vulnerable populations, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors has approved a second amendment to the agreement with the City of Ventura, allocating $1,013,063 in financial support for the operation of The ARCH year-round emergency shelter. The agreement emphasizes both financial responsibility and measurable outcomes to ensure effective use of public funds.

The ARCH, located in the city of Ventura and operated by Mercy House, is a vital resource for individuals experiencing homelessness. This funding, provided on a 50/50 cost-sharing basis with the City of Ventura, supports the shelter’s operations under a newly established performance-based model.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura honors employees for 645 years of public service

by Community Contributor • January 29, 2025 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The County of Ventura celebrated the dedication of 24 employees who have served the community for decades and have a collective 645 years of public service. The recognition took place during the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, January 28.

This special event is part of the County’s Employee Continuous Service Recognition Program, which highlights the contributions of employees who have worked for agencies across the County of Ventura for 25 years or more. Their hard work and commitment invest in County agencies and help improve the lives of residents throughout Ventura County.

Ventura Music Festival — The 2025 Lineup is Here!

by Community Contributor • January 29, 2025 • Comments Off

Our 30th Season kicks off with Bob Eubanks’ Backstage with The Beatles in March, with more special events coming in May. Then join us for a full weekend of music in both July and October. Read on to hear about the latest news, community collaborations, and our full 2025 lineup!

CSUCI Conference for Social Justice in Education on March 1 to feature Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist/author Sonia Nazario

by Community Contributor • January 28, 2025 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — In order to fully experience the perils of a young migrant’s journey from Honduras to the U.S., Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Sonia Nazario rode 1,600 miles clinging to the top of seven trains – twice. Her experience turned into a series in the Los Angeles Times, followed by a 2006 book entitled “Enrique’s Journey.”

Nazario will draw from her experience retracing the steps of the young Honduran refugee when she speaks at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)’s 2025 Conference for Social Justice in Education, scheduled for Saturday, March 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at CSUCI’s Grand Salon.

Guest contribution — 805Undocufund — Response to ICE Activity in Santa Barbara and Goleta

by Community Contributor • January 28, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — On Sunday, Jan. 26, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in plainclothes and unmarked vehicles carried out operations in Santa Barbara and Goleta. The 805Undocufund Hotline and Alert system intervened to prevent an arrest.

“What we witnessed yesterday was clear evidence that ICE is not targeting individuals with judicial warrants but instead engaging in widespread intimidation tactics to fulfill the administration’s new quota policies,” said Primitiva Hernandez, Executive Director of 805Undocufund.

Through the Rapid Response Hotline and Alert System, the community intervened after an employer reported that their employee was being questioned by ICE agents while in their car. Executive Director Julissa Peña from the Immigrant Legal Defense Center (ILDC) provided assistance, ensuring the individual’s constitutional rights were upheld and facilitating their release from further questioning.

“Yesterday, ICE came into our communities without warrants, dressed in plainclothes, and driving unmarked vehicles. They resorted to verbal and physical intimidation, flagrantly attempting to violate people’s rights,” said Primitiva Hernandez. “One such incident involved ICE agents surrounding an individual’s truck, mocking him, and shouting degrading comments like ‘come out and be a man.’ Thankfully, the ILDC intervened over the phone while outside the individual’s vehicle, empowering the individual to assert their rights and preventing further abuse.”

Bilingual report — Allan Hancock College, Santa Maria Joint Union High School District offer college classes in Guadalupe

by Community Contributor • January 28, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College and the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District have partnered to bring college-level courses directly to students in Guadalupe, expanding access to higher education opportunities within the community.

The new classes allow high school students in Guadalupe to enroll in general education courses for college credit. The classes include Communication Studies 101: Introduction to Public Speaking and Psychology 101: Introduction to Psychology and are held at the Guadalupe Senior Center.

Each course combines weekly in-person sessions from 5 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. with one hour of online instruction. The classes began on Jan. 21 and will run through May 14, with a capacity of up to 30 students per course.

LEAP Announces 6th Annual LEAP Awards Honoring Local Community Leaders

by Community Contributor • January 27, 2025 • Comments Off

“We are thrilled to recognize these inspiring leaders who exemplify the spirit of service and dedication that LEAP stands for,” said Lori Goodman, Executive Director of LEAP. “Dr. Fitzgibbons, through her exceptional medical leadership and education efforts at Cottage Hospital, and Ernesto Paredes, with his unwavering commitment to accessible transportation and community advocacy, have positively impacted countless lives. Amir Abo-Shaeer, as our Distinguished Alumnus, represents the transformative power of LEAP’s programs, and we are proud to celebrate his journey and contributions.”