Saturday, June 22, 2024 • 12 PM to 1:15 PM
Free for everyone
Acclaimed Ventura artist and retired Ventura College art professor Hiroko Yoshimoto invites you to her free lecture on the history of Chinese characters from the Han period and how they derived from pictographs. The lecture will be hosted inside the Santa Paula Art Museum’s Cole Creativity Center (123 N 10th Street). Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
VENTURA — The City of Ventura released the third episode of its new podcast, Ventura Voices. The latest episode features an in-depth interview with Ventura’s Economic Development Manager, Meredith Hart, and Visit Ventura’s President and CEO, Marlyss Auster. Community members can listen to the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music, or watch it on the City’s YouTube channel.
In this episode, Meredith and Marlyss are enthusiastic about returning the X Games to Ventura for a second consecutive year. They discuss the significant economic benefits this event brings to the community and highlight new features of the 2024 event, including an expanded event floor plan, musical performances, new sporting events, drone shows, a free shuttle and parking sites, plus a variety of free community events throughout Ventura.
“Thanks to the policy direction of our Council and the hard work of City staff, we’re delivering a positive, balanced budget that will continue the restoration of infrastructure such as paving our streets and alleys and investing in community services throughout Oxnard,” said Mayor John C. Zaragoza. “We’re also supporting Oxnard’s long-term financial sustainability by using one-time surplus funds to make a significant payment towards long-term debt.”
“I appreciate the work of our directors from across our 25 County agencies and the efforts they have put in to develop a budget to support our County and community,” stated 3rd District Supervisor Kelly Long, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Some challenging decisions were made, but we approve this budget with the greatest good for our community in mind and based on the needs to continue to support the programs that serve our residents.”
VENTURA COUNTY — The Museum of Ventura County (MVC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Bonita C. McFarland Scholarship for the Visual Arts. This year, a total of $11,000 has been awarded to four promising art students from Ventura County. Artworks by our four finalists are currently exhibited in MVC’s Helen Yunker Alcove, on view from June 8 to October 13.
MVC’s Fine Arts Committee selected four finalists and three honorable mentions from a competitive pool of applicants. The 2024 winning finalist portfolios belong to: Emmalynn Tsai (Oak Park), Audrey Abbe (Ventura), Jami Chambers (Ventura), and Wren Stepan (Ventura). Honorable mention portfolios belong to: Angel Gabriel Garcia (Oxnard), Gabriella Mortillaro (Oak Park), and Wylde Brandt (Ventura).
Professor and historian Giuliana Perrone discusses her new research in the context of Juneteenth and the latest from California’s reparations task force.
OXNARD — On June 14, 2024, the West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA) hosted Mayor John C. Zaragoza for the annual State of the City address. Over 200 attendees gathered to hear the Mayor’s updates on Oxnard’s positive and balanced budget, which includes a $35 million surplus; significant investments in improving Oxnard’s streets; and the City’s plan to help businesses grow and thrive in Oxnard.
“I’d like to thank the West Ventura County Business Alliance for the opportunity to share with the business community the great progress we’re seeing throughout Oxnard,” said Mayor Zaragoza. “Despite the economic challenges that many cities are facing, Oxnard has its first budget surplus in more than two decades. It’s a testament to the hard work of our City Council, staff, and community members who continue to support our City’s leadership.”
CMTC: CMTC CYBERSECURITY TRAINING SERIES: MODERN FIREWALLS
June 20 @ 10:00 am
With support from the DoD, CMTC is offering a series of no-cost Cybersecurity Trainings for executives, operations and IT. Starting May 21st and ending June 27th, the trainings will be delivered on Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 10:00 – 11:30 AM PT. Each of the 12 trainings will focus on a specific cybersecurity topic.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
VENTURA — The Ventura Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, from 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. The checkpoint will be held at an undisclosed location within the City of Ventura.
DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. Additionally, based on collision and arrest data, Tuesdays are shown to be the highest days of the week for DUI-related offenses in the City of Ventura. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” said Corporal David Curtis. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety and keeps our residents safe.”
Dear Ventura County Community Foundation Family,
As a longtime partner with the County of Ventura, VCCF wants to celebrate our latest collaboration to facilitate investment and technical support to our local community’s arts and culture nonprofit organizations.
These groups’ primary mission is to promote, preserve, and enrich the cultural and artistic aspects of our society. They are committed to advancing creativity, fostering cultural understanding, and contributing to the overall well-being of Ventura County residents, while offering platforms for artistic expression, innovation, and promoting a deeper understanding of our shared world.
As a result of the leadership of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors and County Executive Officer, our County has made an unprecedented investment of $1.3 million in our community’s arts and culture organizations, independent artists, and art projects. This investment led to the establishment of the Ventura County Arts and Culture Investment Fund at VCCF, and for the County to engage VCCF to manage this grant program for nonprofit organizations, with $600,000 of the overall County investment funding.
Fellows during their Backpacking Trip, Photo Credit Rob Balloch *** Becarios durante su viaje de mochilero, Crédito de Foto Rob Balloch.
SANTA BARBARA — REACH Fellowship, a leading organization dedicated to empowering students through educational and experiential learning opportunities, is thrilled to announce their summer trips designed to inspire and educate the participants in the program, referred to as Fellows. This year, REACH Fellows will attend a variety of enriching trips, including college tours, backpacking adventures, and culminating experiential trips, both international and domestic. REACH staff carefully select these Fellows during the fall of their junior year of high school through a rigorous selection process, and each cohort is supported through the summer of their first year of college. The primary goal of the program is to support first-generation, low- to moderate-income students in Santa Barbara County. REACH is able to fund the program, these trips, and other workshops through the support of the Audacious Foundation and other generous donors. This support enables us to offer the program to students at no cost to them or their families.
PORT OF HUENEME — Port of Hueneme aims to make operations zero emissions by 2030. The Port of Hueneme/Oxnard Harbor District made the historic announcement at its World Oceans Day event on June 11.
Becoming zero emissions with grid power requires a huge investment in electrical charging infrastructure and equipment and will cost tens of millions of dollars. However, the Port is well on its way having invested tens of millions to date with another $100+ million in investments and grants in que to continue this transition away from fossil fuels.
A recent report from one of our most treasured local radio stations, KCLU, describes a Ventura County Sheriff’s program that graciously rewards kids who are “caught” following safety rules or doing good deeds, such as opening doors for people. The name of the program is “Operation Chill.”
The concept is laudatory. It demonstrates to the citizenry, especially children, that our sheriffs are not interested only in arresting people who do bad things. The program teaches children that being safe and helping others is noticed by responsible adults who admire this behavior.
The problem, however, is the nature of the “reward.”
The Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) would like to recognize Pride Month. Observed annually in June, Pride Month is a time to uplift and celebrate the the LGBTQ+ community. EDC is committed to supporting LGBTQ+ innovators and entrepreneurs and strives to provide equitable access to inclusive services year-round.
The EDC is proud to support our community by providing professional technical assistance through our Small Business Development Center.
SANTA MARIA — Three mixed-media portraits created by esteemed Hancock art and design professor Nancy Jo Ward will be on display during the 23rd International Art Exchange Exhibition in Tokyo, Japan from June 15 – 20.
Ward is one of 57 visual artists selected to represent the United States at the 23rd International Art Exchange Exhibition. The event fosters curiosity, artistic expression, and meaningful interactions. The exhibition is officially supported by the cultural embassies of Japan, China, Thailand, and Australia.
“I am honored to have my work included in this celebration of diversity, cultural specificity, and individual expression of the human condition,” said Ward.
VENTURA — The County of Ventura has named Scott Powers as the new Chief Financial Officer. He replaces Kaye Mand who retired in March. Powers was selected following an extensive recruitment of both internal and external candidates and brings 25 years of experience to the position. In his role, he will oversee the County’s $2.9 billion budget.
From our Summer festival concerts to music camp for the kids, there’s something for everyone just around the corner.
This week the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt the 2024-2025 County Budget. Due to rising costs and lingering State budget challenges, we took a tough approach this year to limit new expenditures. Despite that, this budget contains a remarkable trend against borrowing from our future. That means continuing to fund our roads to maintain the quality index, continuing homelessness reduction programs, and investing in technology and environmental preservation initiatives to move us closer to meeting climate change goals. Making progress on all of these things will take more than just a couple years of work; they require sustained efforts. Check out the video above to see some of the highlights of the Budget.
Designed for highly motivated students, the first of its kind program in the UC system provides undergraduates with a clearly structured pathway to becoming credentialed K-12 teachers.
Read more about ÉXITO
On view now through Sunday, July 7, 2024
There are less than four weeks left to see “From Field to Frame: The PAC6 Show How It’s Done” at the Santa Paula Art Museum. PAC6 is a group of six women artists from Southern California who travel and paint together across the country. The artists are Linda Brown, Marian Fortunati, Nita Harper, Debra Holladay, Laura Wambsgans, and Sharon Weaver.
NOW OPEN — InnoVision: Ventura County
Artists to Watch
InnoVision is an interactive exhibition that highlights the work of nine Ventura County artists. Through their innovative use of common materials, they create installations that reflect their personal visions and views of current issues such as the environment, immigration, identity, the housing shortage, and changing land usage in Ventura County.
SANTA BARBARA AND VENTURA COUNTIES — Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) is proud to announce it has been selected as a 2024 California Nonprofit of the Year by California state senator, the Honorable Monique Limon (District 19).
WEV is one of more than one hundred nonprofits to be honored by their state senators and assemblymembers for their outstanding contributions to the communities they serve.
As a nonprofit dedicated to the economic empowerment of women since 1991, WEV has provided business training and small business advisory services to more than 20,000 people throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. It has made more than $10 million in small business loans and grants, and helped nearly 6,000 local businesses start or expand, generating an estimated $598 million in annual sales and sustaining or creating nearly 12,000 local jobs. Business courses, programs and loans are provided in both English and Spanish.
SANTA PAULA — On May 15, the Santa Paula Public Works Department returned to the City Council to present options for the second five-year cycle of the City’s Pavement Management Plan (PMP). The PMP outlines all regular street maintenance and repair work throughout the City to increase road quality.
The first five-year cycle of the PMP, adopted in 2020, prioritized repairs and maintenance for some of Santa Paula’s worst major thoroughfares, including Harvard Boulevard. Although the City will have addressed 35.6 centerline miles of streets out of 55 with the completion of Phase I, Santa Paula residents still identify poor road conditions in the City as their top concern in a recent community survey and through recent engagement efforts through Santa Paula Speaks.
SANTA BARBARA — DignityMoves, the organization that has partnered with Santa Barbara County and Good Samaritan Shelter, has received tremendous community and philanthropic support in its effort to reduce homelessness and provide essential services to those in need.
DignityMoves’ appreciates one of our early “believers” whose initial support in 2022 of $75,000 provided both credibility and much positive public attention.
With the College of Creative Studies commencement festivities already in the books, eight more ceremonies remain in UC Santa Barbara’s graduation lineup for the Class of 2024.
VENTURA — The City of Ventura is thrilled to release the second episode of its new podcast series, Ventura Voices. This episode features an insightful interview with Ventura’s Police Chief, Darin Schindler and is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music, or watch the podcast video on the City’s YouTube channel.
The episode explores local crime rates and homelessness and shares the positive news that Ventura has seen its lowest crime rate in over three decades.
Chief Schindler also discusses his 34-year career in law enforcement and reflects on his first year as chief, having stepped into the role during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
CAMARILLO — Class of 2019 Political Science alumnus Miriam Herrejon has just started what she calls her “dream job” as a Deputy Labor Commissioner for the State of California.
Nobody is more surprised and thrilled than she is.
“I didn’t even know what the Department of Industrial Relations was,” said Herrejon, 27, who was the first in her family to graduate from college.
Herrejon learned about the position from CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Political Science adjunct professor Tim Allison, J.D., who recognized that his former student would be a perfect fit for job.
“Miriam Herrejon had extensive experience in working with farm labor recruitment, hiring and contract negotiation,” Allison said. “When I heard about this position, I immediately thought of her. She will be incredible as a deputy labor commissioner.”
Gotcha.
No, this isn’t an article about you-know-who. Rather, it’s about a man we don’t hear much about these days. But maybe we should, given the fraught political atmosphere in which we find ourselves.
So, let’s consider the story of a highly controversial man who ran for president in the early 1900s.
You’re invited to join us for an Exhibition Opening! We will be celebrating the unveiling of our two new exhibitions: Masters from the Museum of Ventura County Collection and InnoVision: Ventura County Artists to Watch! Join us to enjoy the opening of these unique and innovative art exhibitions, which showcase the past, present, and future of art in Ventura County. Cash bar and food truck, Indulgia, will be available! Dress to impress! This is a FREE community event, please register HERE.
Exhibition Opening made possible in part by Amigo Event Rentals, Hofer Properties, HP Media, In The Mix Events, Kirby Subaru of Ventura, Peirano’s, Ventura Auto Center, Ventura County Balloons, Ventura County Credit Union, and Ventura Spirits.
RSVP TODAY!
They started high school in their bedrooms and at kitchen tables in front of computers, taking classes over Zoom. They’re coming of age at a time when our nation is politically divided, our world is facing war and unrest, and artificial intelligence is rewriting the rules of education and work. But the students graduating from Ventura County high schools in 2024 are not deterred. They’re facing the future with a sense of optimism that will take them far as they enter the next stage of their lives.
OXNARD — Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) is inviting the public to its annual Oxnard Guelaguetza Festival, which will be held on June 23, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Plaza Park in Oxnard: 500 S. C Street, Oxnard, CA, 93030.
MICOP was founded in 2001 “to support, organize, and empower the Indigenous immigrant community in California’s Central Coast.” MICOP serves over 12,000 unduplicated Indigenous migrant men, women, and children annually across Santa Barbara, Ventura & San Luis Obispo County. MICOP organizes and trains the indigenous migrant community to become self-sufficient and successful members of the broader community.
Reuniones de la Junta de Supervisores en español
(Board of Supervisors’ Meetings in Spanish)
El Condado de Santa Bárbara está ofreciendo interpretación en español de las reuniones de la Junta de Supervisores. Véalo en vivo en nuestro canal de YouTube en español, o las personas suscritas a la televisión por cable pueden acceder a la programación secundaria de audio (SAP) en los ajustes de idioma.
Aún se requiere pedir con anticipación la interpretación de los comentarios públicos en español. Para proporcionar comentarios públicos en español, póngase en contacto con la Secretaría de la Junta llamando al (805) 568-2240 antes de las 4:00 p.m. del viernes anterior a la reunión de la Junta.
Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors’ meetings are available in Spanish. Watch live on our Spanish YouTube Channel, or Cable TV subscribers can access Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) in language settings.
Advance requests are still needed to interpret public comment originating in Spanish. To provide public comment in Spanish, contact the Clerk of the Board at (805) 568-2240, before 4:00 p.m. the Friday before the Board meeting.
View this email in your browser Watch the Highlights of the Conference “Separating Myths From Realities” and Discover the Challenges Undocumented Immigrants Face in California We are delighted to present the fourth short video in our series that brings attention…
June is a special month at VCCDC, it’s National Homeownership Month! It’s a great time to highlight the impact of homeownership especially as one of the best tools to build wealth for low- and moderate- income families.
At the core of our mission is the belief that a home is more than a place to live. It is the cornerstone of any individual’s and family’s economic, environmental and social well being.
CAMARILLO, Calif. – The Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) proudly announces the renewal of its contract with the Employment Training Panel (ETP), providing financial assistance to Ventura County employers to offset the cost of worker training and fostering economic growth within California.
ETP funding offers a unique opportunity for employers to invest in customized job skills training, reducing the financial burden associated with employee development and allowing businesses to leverage their tax contributions to the California Unemployment Fund. By determining their own training needs, companies enhance their competitiveness, boost employee productivity and upskill their workforce with industry and job-specific skills. This beneficial initiative also creates opportunities for employees to advance their careers within their current organization.
VENTURA — The Ventura Police Officers’ Association (VPOA) is proud to announce the 2024 Dee Dowell Memorial Scholarship Program, with over $7,000 in scholarships to be awarded to deserving recipients. The application deadline is June 30, 2024.
“It is a privilege to honor the legacy of Sergeant Darlon Dowell by supporting the educational goals of our local students,” said Corporal Joseph Metz, President of the VPOA. “For over 20 years, this scholarship has enabled us to give back to our community and inspire the next generation of public servants.”
The scholarship will be awarded to three applicants who aspire to pursue careers in law enforcement. Funds can be used for college tuition, books, and other educational expenses.
“While we have many reasons to celebrate in the coming weeks with family and friends, I strongly encourage my fellow Santa Paulans to avoid the use of illegal fireworks,” said Santa Paula Mayor Leslie Cornejo. “Fireworks can create unsafe and dangerous conditions for our entire community, and there are many other ways to celebrate whether it be a family gathering or barbecue, outdoor activities, or attending the Rotary Club and City of Santa Paula’s first ever 4th of July drone show.”
The new method finds more extensive and diverse coverage, which is crucial for meeting the goal of protecting 30% of Earth by 2030.
County Board of Supervisors Budget Hearing Set for
June 11
The County of Santa Barbara has released its Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25. Check out some of the highlights of the budget by clicking the play button, and join us on June 11 for the County’s Budget Hearing.
Graduating students are employed with local agencies like the San Luis Obispo Fire Department and the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
“Be better each and every day,” Santa Barbara County Fire Department Chief Mark Hartwig told the students. “Take a break today and pat yourself on the back. Celebrate for a second, and then set for yourself the next lofty goal.”
This week, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department and local fire jurisdictions announced the beginning of the 2024 High Fire Season for all areas of Santa Barbara County.
This is a great reminder of steps you can take to prepare for wildfires:
Maintain Vegetation Clearance: Individuals are advised to maintain proper vegetation clearance around structures to minimize fire risks.
Review and become acquainted with the “Ready! Set! Go!” wildfire action plan, which outlines crucial steps for preparedness and response in the event of a wildfire. For more details, please visit www.sbcfire.com.
Wildfire smoke and ash contain very small particles called particulate matter, which harm the lungs and heart. The best protection against wildfire smoke is to stay indoors as much as possible, ideally in a well-sealed “clean air room” with an air purifier. The Air Pollution Control District (APCD) provides instructions to create a “clean air room” on their website. APCD’s website also provides countywide hourly air quality conditions. People are also encouraged to sign up for Air Quality Alerts issued during wildfires.
CENTRAL COAST — People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) has received a $50,000 grant from Wells Fargo Foundation to jumpstart the new pilot program Wealth Warrior: 2024 Financial Health and Housing for PSHH residents at the Los Adobes de Maria property in Santa Maria.
The three-month financial literacy program, taught by financial educator and author Linda Garcia, will target 25 USDA farmworker households and aims to empower participants to overcome potential financial trauma. By offering practical knowledge and actionable tactics for long-term financial planning, residents will be provided the tools to create a legacy of financial stability and prosperity for their families through wise investment practices and begin building their own stock portfolios.
CAMARILLO — When CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Art Department Chair Marianne McGrath was first contacted by a representative from the European Cultural Centre in Italy, she thought it was a scam.
“It’s a thing you get in the art world,” McGrath said. “The curator said she saw my work in Denmark last summer and invited to show in their biennial international art show in Venice. She contacted me totally out of the blue. When I realized it was real, I was obviously honored, and then of course, I freaked out.”
McGrath will be showing her work at the 8th edition of the European Cultural Centre (ECC)’s biennial contemporary art exhibition, “Personal Structures,” which will run from April 10 through November 24 in 2026 in parallel to the Venice Biennale. McGrath plans to start working on the exhibition in 2025.
VENTURA — The nomination period for the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s LEGACY Awards is now open. These awards recognize the contributions of Ventura County residents and businesses that are dedicated to helping older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers, to live optimally.
The deadline for submitting nominations is Sunday, September 1, 2024. The winners will be announced in November. Click here to see to download the nomination.
VENTURA — The City of Ventura is excited to announce that after a national competitive solicitation process, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) awarded the City an additional $30 million under its WaterSMART large-scale water recyclingprogram to support the VenturaWaterPure project.
Spanning 11 institutions, the effort will investigate the ocean’s carbon, oxygen and heat cycles over the next five years.
Happening at both the Santa Maria campus and Lompoc Valley Center, the workshops will assist new, continuing, and Hancock Promise students with admissions, FAFSA and California Dream Act applications, new student orientation, first-semester planning, class registration, financial aid review, and navigating the myHancock student portal. Campus tours will be offered every 30 minutes, and student success workshops will also be available Tuesdays from 4 – 5 p.m. Bulldog Express additionally offers a “Next Steps Workshop” where students will learn how to get a student ID card, purchase a parking permit, set up their myHancock e-mail address, receive free textbooks, and more.
The Gala raised $325,000 which supports the Music Academy’s full-scholarship program that brings 137 fellows from across the country and around the world to study and perform with world-class teaching artists in Santa Barbara during the annual eight week Summer Festival, benefits the Academy’s Sing! Children’s Chorus of Santa Barbara County youth, and subsidizes 3,000 Community Access Tickets for the Santa Barbara community to attend live performances.
