Category: Cultural

Ladies of the evening, Buddhism, space exploration and Trump’s place in history among CSUCI Fall OLLI offerings

by Community Contributor • September 15, 2022 • Comments Off

Classes are underway, but anybody 50+ is welcome to join one of the classes offered by CSU Channel Islands Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI).

This Fall the OLLI roster includes 10 different six-week lecture topics from popular local instructors, as well as national experts who can speak on everything from astronomy to national politics to Ventura County’s ladies of the evening.

A Maryland academic with three doctorates in world religion, B.N. Hebbar, Ph.D., is teaching a comprehensive course on the history, doctrines, practices, sects, and the major historical figures in Buddhism, which is the majority religion in 13 countries in Asia.

“Some of the metaphysical and ethical teachings of Buddhism are most certainly applicable to the everyday lives of people,” Hebbar said. “If that were not the case, Buddhism would not have remained relevant despite its 2,600-year history.”

US News ranks Cal Lutheran 6th in West

by Community Contributor • September 14, 2022 • Comments Off

California Lutheran University has jumped two spots to its highest position ever in the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings — sixth among 130 ranked regional universities throughout 15 Western states.

The overall U.S. News rankings consider student outcomes, faculty resources, academic reputation, per-student spending, admissions selectivity and alumni giving. The 2022-2023 list, released Sept. 12, includes universities in the West that provide a full range of undergraduate majors and master’s degrees, and a few doctoral programs.

The university jumped seven spots from 14th to seventh on the Best Value Schools list, which factors in academic quality and cost after accounting for total expenses and financial aid. At Cal Lutheran, 97% of full-time undergraduate students receive need-based financial aid.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura News & COVID-19 Update for Sept. 13

by Community Contributor • September 13, 2022 • Comments Off

Today, the life and legacy of Supervisor Carmen Ramirez was honored at the first Board of Supervisors meeting since her passing. We are grateful to all who joined to remember and celebrate her life and dedicated service.
View the meeting recording here.

CSUCI gets high rankings from US News & World Report

by Community Contributor • September 12, 2022 • Comments Off

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) rose in three major categories in the recently released U.S. News & World Report 2022 college and university rankings.

CSUCI falls into the Regional Universities West category where this year the University ranked No. 28, up 13 spots from its previous rank of No. 41. CSUCI was ranked No. 12, up eight rungs from No. 20 in the Top Public Schools category. And for Social Mobility, CSUCI ranked No. 11, climbing from No. 17 last year.

“The credit for these rankings goes to the campus students, faculty and staff, but also to the members of the community who have supported us through the years,” said President Richard Yao, Ph.D. “As we celebrate our 20th anniversary and look toward our third decade as the county’s only public university, we take pride in the national recognition and in the quality of graduates who join the work force to keep our economy thriving.”

The Foundation of VCCU gives $47,500 in grants to benefit community

by Community Contributor • September 12, 2022 • Comments Off

The Foundation of VCCU, a philanthropic nonprofit organization established by Ventura County Credit Union (VCCU), has provided $47,500 in grants to support 10 local nonprofits’ efforts to support the Ventura County community.

The Foundation honored the grant recipients at a virtual celebration on Sept. 8, where representatives from each organization shared their stories.

The grant awardees include Reel Guppy Outdoors, Fit 4 the Cause, Ventura Family YMCA, Coalition for Family Harmony, For the Need Foundation, National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, Andrea Grace Soter-Simonson Memorial Foundation, Ojai Unified School District Family Fund, Housing Trust Fund Ventura County, and Community Action of Ventura County.

Grant enables CSUCI Teacher Residency Program to add three new credential programs

by Community Contributor • September 12, 2022 • Comments Off

Now that CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Teaching Credential candidate Marina Luque is student teaching at her elementary school alma mater—Norma Harrington Elementary School—Luque’s former first grade teacher, Patricia Oropeza, has asked Luque to call her “Pat.”

“But I still call her Miss Oropeza,” Luque said. “I’m 33, I’m a mom, but I call her Miss Oropeza. And sometimes I walk through the halls and think ‘No running in the halls!’”

Ayde Almaraz, 44, is spending her residency in a bilingual classroom at Rio Real Elementary in the Rio School District. Her childhood was difficult, and, having immigrated from Mexico, she knows what it’s like not to speak English, and to struggle with basic needs. She wants to help other children who may be having the same experience.

“If a student doesn’t want to do anything, they probably haven’t had enough sleep, or they haven’t eaten,” Almaraz said. “I want to be there for them to assist them with their needs.”

TOLD Foundation donates $2.5M to provide Scholarships will aid low-, middle-income students

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2022 • Comments Off

California Lutheran University has received $2.5 million to provide scholarships to accomplished students from low- and middle-income families.

The donation from the Camarillo-based TOLD Foundation is the largest that Cal Lutheran has ever received for scholarships outside of an estate gift.

The Rod Gilbert Achievement Scholarship is designed to address the fact that a growing number of students with financial need are attending Cal Lutheran. The share of the university’s undergraduate students who are eligible for federal Pell Grants, which are awarded to those with exceptional financial need, increased from 16% to 30% during the last 15 years. In the 2021-2022 academic year, 60% of undergraduates received state or federal need-based financial aid. These trends align with the Hispanic-Serving Institution’s successful efforts to enroll and graduate students from diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Bilingual report — CalAIM Arrives in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2022 • Comments Off

The California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal program – known as CalAIM – is the far-reaching, multi-year plan to transform Medi-Cal. The long-term mission of CalAIM is to offer 14+ million Californians a more equitable, coordinated, and person-centered approach to maximizing their health and life trajectory. The comprehensive program was developed by the State of California’s Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). In Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, the local health plan CenCal Health is responsible for managing the implementation of CalAIM with its community partners.

CalAIM will provide expanded services that go beyond traditional medical care, addressing social factors that affect human health from birth to end of life, including homelessness, behavioral health, care of older adults, services for individuals transitioning from incarceration, and beyond. CalAIM is the State’s largest overhaul of how Medi-Cal services are delivered and paid since the implementation of managed care in the late 1970’s.

CLU Center for Economic Research and Forecasting (CERF) — Latinos fuel L.A. metro economy, study finds

by Community Contributor • September 8, 2022 • Comments Off

Latinos in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan region are making significant and rapidly growing contributions to the economy, according to a first-of-its-kind report by researchers from California Lutheran University and UCLA. The region’s Latino gross domestic product, or economic output, was $284.5 billion in 2018, the researchers found, larger than the entire economy of states like Oregon or Louisiana.

The full 2022 Los Angeles Metro Latino GDP Report will be officially revealed on Thursday, Sept. 8, during the L’Attitude Los Angeles Business Summit at The Belasco Theater in L.A.

The study, which covers the Los Angeles, Long Beach and Anaheim metropolitan statistical area (MSA), is co-authored by the Center for Economic Research and Forecasting (CERF) at Cal Lutheran and the Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture (CESLAC) at UCLA, and funded by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. In 2018, the Los Angeles metro area had a Latino population of 6 million, making L.A. the single largest MSA in the U.S. by Latino population.

Jest Improv’s Diversity Scholarship now available

by Community Contributor • September 8, 2022 • Comments Off

Jest Improv, a local LGBTQIA+ (and ally) comedy improv school, that meets out of the Diversity Collective in Ventura, has announced its Jest Improv’s Diversity Scholarship now available.

We want to do our part in reaching out to our community to help give financial assistance to those who want to pursue their comedy aspirations but don’t normally get the chance to.

If you have wanted to try comedy but feel that opportunity has been out of reach, we encourage you to apply.

Click the link down below to apply now!

Ventura County Arts Council — La Colonia Youth Mural Program and Future Leaders of America Unveil Mental Health Awareness Mural, Employee Art Show Winners, Free Online Trainings

by Community Contributor • September 7, 2022 • Comments Off

La Colonia Youth Mural Program and Future Leaders of America Unveil Mental Health Awareness Mural

The Mental Health Awareness Mural of Oxnard is a new public art installation designed and created by local youth from community-based programs. Read more

Big things are coming to The Collection this fall

by Community Contributor • September 7, 2022 • Comments Off

Summer may be coming to an end, but The Collection at RiverPark is keeping the fun going right into fall. In the coming months, The Collection at RiverPark is offering tons of excitement for visitors with two free concerts, several grand openings, a 5K walk and more.

“Fall is full of big plans here at The Collection,” said Marketing Director Jill Almonia. “In addition to all of the amazing shopping, dining and entertainment experiences we offer year-round, we’ve got lots of excellent events coming up this season — plus several incredible new businesses getting ready to open their doors.”

The Collection’s popular concert series, Rock the Collection, continues this fall with two more free events for all ages. On Sept. 28, The Long Run, an Eagles tribute band, will get everyone singing along to classic favorites. And on Oct. 19, Bruno and the Hooligans, a Bruno Mars tribute band, will be playing crowd pleasers all evening. Grab some lawn chairs and takeout, and head over to the grass at Collection Park to join the party. The music starts at 6:30 p.m.

UCSB — The Current — ‘A Nutrition Label for Earth’ and more news

by Community Contributor • September 6, 2022 • Comments Off

Researchers estimate the environmental impacts of 57,000 common store-bought food products.

Museum of Ventura County — Fresh new offerings coming right up!

by Community Contributor • September 6, 2022 • Comments Off

The 8th Annual Labor Day Vintage Tractor Fair

Monday, September 5th from 11am-2pm

The 8th Annual Labor Day Vintage Tractor Fair was a major (and sizzling hot) success with over a thousand attendees. Thank you for coming to your Museum to celebrate our agricultural heritage, our community, and this important holiday for all. We hope to see you next year.

Girls Inc. Carpinteria’s Eureka! Program Returns to Washington D.C.

by Community Contributor • September 6, 2022 • Comments Off

A group of 12 local girls from Girls Inc. of Carpinteria’s Eureka! Program recently returned from an inspiring five-day trip to Washington D.C.

The visit focused on three overarching themes: college and career; museums and monuments; and Capitol Hill. One of the highlights including meeting with Congressman Salud Carbajal to advocate for issues that are important to them, including climate change and LGBTQ+ rights.

The teenage girls – who just entered their senior year in high school – had the opportunity to tour the Girlhood Exhibit at the Museum of American History, the Holocaust Museum, Museum of African American History, Museum of Natural History and the United States Botanical Gardens. Additionally, they took part in visits to Georgetown and George Washington University, where the young women networked with students and faculty.

During the five days, the students also toured Capitol Hill, enjoyed a private tour of the Library of Congress and explored the historical monuments on a moonlit trolley ride.

Guest commentary — My Covid Story: My descent into Hell and back (by the grace of the Spirit)

by Community Contributor • September 1, 2022 • Comments Off

The murky blinding white lights of eternity:

It was touch and go for a couple weeks with me and my recent bout of Covid. In my worst feverish bouts of acute pain, hallucination and delirium a couple of times I swear I saw those murky blinding white lights of eternity. In the past three years we had been one of the real lucky families in this country. We had been dodging and miraculously avoided get infected with Covid. We had done everything scientifically and deliberately possible to stay away from the deadly disease. I have a chronic, pervasive, and serious auto immune defect in my nervous system that seems to have been passed on to all my children. We are a super high risk family, so we made a very conscience decision to isolate from everyone and everything.

Santa Paula Art Museum — September @ SPAM: John Galan’s “Remedios,” Free Family Day, and More!

by Community Contributor • August 31, 2022 • Comments Off

John Galan’s Remedios (Remedies)

Saturday, September 17, 2022, from 4 PM to 6 PM
$5 Members • $10 Non-members

Meet artist John Galan at the premiere of his solo exhibition, Remedios (Remedies), on Saturday, September 17. With artworks rich in symbolism and vibrant hues inspired by his Mexican heritage, Galan’s exhibit is an honest exploration of the connections between health, healing, nature, and tradition. Remedios will be on view September 17, 2022, to January 8, 2023.

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network — Summer E-Blast

by Community Contributor • August 31, 2022 • Comments Off

Join Rodale Institute for an Organic Field Day at the California Organic Center on Tuesday, August 30 from 10 AM – 3 PM. Learn more about their organic practices and research projects, watch an electric tractor demonstration, and listen to a panel presentation on “Water, Labor and International Competition.” This event is free and perfect for all farmers. Register to attend.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Romeo and Juliet, Our Contemporaries’ and more news

by Community Contributor • August 31, 2022 • Comments Off

Theater group Naked Shakes stages the Shakespeare classic with present-day parallels.

Ventura County Community Development Corp. — We’re hiring!

by Community Contributor • August 30, 2022 • Comments Off

If you would love to empower our community and help families achieve their financial and homeownership goals apply for our open positions today:

Homeownership Specialists
Homeownership Program Manager
VCCDC offers a comprehensive benefits package including a generous paid time off plan, paid holidays, various health insurance plans including a plan offering 100% premium coverage for the employee and more. Enjoy a friendly working environment where you’ll have a positive effect on your community. Click below to learn more!

Bilingual report — State Awards County and Camarillo-Based Casa Pacifica Additional $5.9 Million in Homekey Funds

by Community Contributor • August 29, 2022 • Comments Off

The State has awarded the County of Ventura an additional $5.9 million in Homekey funds to expand Casa Pacifica Center for Children and Families’ Stepping Stones project in Camarillo in the County’s third Homekey award. Governor Gavin Newsom announced the awarded funding on August 24, 2022, as part of the statewide program, for the renovation of three existing buildings at Casa Pacifica to create 27 new units of transitional housing and high-quality support services for Transition Aged Youth (ages 18-24) who are experiencing homelessness or are at-risk of homelessness.

“This announcement marks great progress towards ending homelessness in Ventura County,” said Acting Chair of the Board of Supervisors Matt LaVere. “Thanks to these significant state funding opportunities that our County has pursued in collaboration with community partners, we can provide homes and supportive services to some of our most vulnerable residents more rapidly.”

CSUCI students will travel to Spain, Mexico, South Korea and the United Kingdom on Gilman Scholarships

by Community Contributor • August 26, 2022 • Comments Off

Four CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) students are traveling to different corners of the world to study during the 2022-23 academic year, thanks to the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program.

This Fall, Art major Alejandra Torres, 20, is studying photography and traditional dance in Monterrey, Mexico while Performing Arts/Theater History double major Rae McQueen, 25, is off to the United Kingdom to study film.

In Spring of 2023, Biology major Joanna Carmelita Patagan, 19, will travel to South Korea to study biology and the Korean language and Business major/Spanish minor Itzel Tena Ortiz, 19, is off to immerse herself in the culture of Granada, Spain while studying business.

The Gilman Scholarship is targeted at students who might not otherwise get the opportunity to study in another country.

Bilingual commentary — Lessons From Carmen Ramirez

by Community Contributor • August 26, 2022 • Comments Off

The news of Carmen’s demise was stunning, not too unlike when the shocking deaths of President Kennedy, Princess Diana, and Beatles icon John Lennon were announced. Carmen was a politician who was widely admired. She could be trusted, believed, and embraced as a friend.

By now, we all know the sad circumstances of her death. She was doing the kind of thing that so many of us do on a pleasant summer evening. She was walking to a concert that once again was enlivening downtown Oxnard after a pandemic pause. Unanimously elected to be the first Latina chair of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors earlier this year, she likely had plans in her head for improving the lives of county residents as she took that fateful step into the crosswalk.

Bilingual report — Metrolink Offers $10 Holiday Pass on Labor Day

by Community Contributor • August 26, 2022 • Comments Off

As Metrolink’s Summer of Adventure winds down, travelers looking for deals can take advantage of the $10 Holiday Pass this Labor Day. Metrolink encourages everyone to take the train during the long holiday weekend to avoid traffic congestion, save on high gas prices, and to help the Southern California environment.

The $10 Holiday Pass provides unlimited rides throughout the Metrolink train system on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5. More information can be found here.

On Saturday and Sunday of the holiday weekend, riders can also save with Metrolink’s $10 Weekend Day Pass that provides unlimited rides throughout the system on the day of purchase. As always, kids 17 and under ride free on weekends with a paying adult. More information about the Weekend Day Pass can be found here.

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Welcomes New Board President, Four New Members

by Community Contributor • August 26, 2022 • Comments Off

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is pleased to announce the appointment of Jacquelyn Pawela-Crew, senior director of healthcare and life sciences consulting at Salesforce, as the organization’s new board president. The nonprofit has also appointed four new members to its Board of Directors: Hayley Fedders, Anu Sharma, April Simpson and Bianca Vega.

“Jacquelyn is a tremendous leader and we are so excited to have her serve as our new board president,” said Jamie Collins, executive director of Girls Inc. of Carpinteria. “We’re also thrilled to welcome an incredibly talented group of new members who are committed to our mission. Hayley, Anu, April and Bianca have diverse expertise in their respective fields and we know their support will help us advance our work in helping more girls reach their greatest potential.”

Bilingual report — Wilderness Youth Project Adds New Board Members

by Community Contributor • August 25, 2022 • Comments Off

Wilderness Youth Project (WYP), the leading nature connection organization in Santa Barbara County, is proud to announce the addition of Devon Azzam and Teresa Romero as Board Trustees.

With the addition of these two respected leaders, WYP is responding to our community’s increasing recognition that all children need nature. Their leadership will support WYP’s efforts to deepen opportunities for local youth to connect with nature.

Operating summer camps, an outdoor early childhood program, after school nature-based programs, and a subsidized program called “Bridge to Nature” in local low-income public schools and at community partner sites, WYP brings nature connection to more than a thousand children a year on a weekly basis, building on the fact that nature connection makes kids “smarter, healthier and happier.”

“Devon and Teresa both have impressive histories of working in their communities to provide access and support for environmental education and nature connection.” WYP Executive Director Dan Fontaine said. “Recruiting them to the board will help us serve local children even more fully.”

Museum of Ventura County — Did somebody say “free”?

by Community Contributor • August 24, 2022 • Comments Off

Going Wild
Opening Reception
Saturday, August 27th from 3-5pm
at the Museum of Ventura County
Free

Ventura County Office of Education — What to Expect in the New School Year

by Community Contributor • August 23, 2022 • Comments Off

By the end of this month, nearly 130,000 students from all corners of Ventura County will have returned to class for the 2022-2023 school year. It’s hard to believe, but this is the fourth school year in a row to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The good news is that we’ve come a long way from the days of remote learning and mandatory masking. This year, students will again be learning in person, masks will be optional, and most school activities will take place without restrictions.

CSUCI Choir “Turns the Lights Back On” with Fall auditions that include high school students

by Community Contributor • August 23, 2022 • Comments Off

In an effort to highlight the importance of high school choirs, Ventura County area high school students are being invited to audition this Fall for the CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) University Chorus.

Auditions are currently underway for high school students, non-student members of the community along with CSUCI students, faculty, and staff for the 2022-2023 concert season. Inviting high school students to audition and participate in a university-level chorus is part of “Project: Lights On,” which is aimed at re-energizing high school choral singing by providing an opportunity for high school singers to perform with professional orchestras at major concerts.

“By doing so, we are creating a healthy feeder program for CSUCI’s music program while inspiring young artists to become contributors to their communities through the arts,” said Dean Butler, President of the Channel Islands Choral Association (CICA), which sponsors the University Choir as well as the Pleasant Valley School District Chorus.

“We are getting closer and closer to helping area high schools turn the lights back on in their choir rooms,” Butler said. “Walk onto many area high school campuses and ask to see their choir room and I think you will get some strange looks. Those rooms just don’t exist or have been converted into storage spaces.”

Nyeland Promise Recognized as Nonprofit of the Year

by Community Contributor • August 22, 2022 • Comments Off

Nyeland Promise was selected as Nonprofit of the Year by the West Ventura County Business Alliance. The Nyeland Promise Founders, Mike Barber and Mary Anne Rooney along with the volunteer corps, Comadres and Compadres were present at Heritage Square to accept their very hard and earned award for their dedication to serving the Nyeland Acres community.

Nyeland Promise was formed by, and is led by, the residents of Nyeland Acres in order to provide advocacy and resources to the community and improve the quality of life. Nyeland Acres is approximately 93% Hispanic and is considered a Disadvantaged Unincorporated Community.

Museum of Ventura County — You’re invited: Go wild for a new multimedia exhibit!

by Community Contributor • August 22, 2022 • Comments Off

Join us at the Museum of Ventura County for the…
Going Wild Opening Reception
on Saturday, August 27th from 3-5pm

Through prose and painting, we invite you to expand your relationship with nature through new perspectives. On-site and virtually.

Guest Commentary — Carmen Ramirez: An American Icon

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2022 • Comments Off

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

Bilingual report — County Mourns the Loss of the Chair of the Board of Supervisors, Carmen Ramirez

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2022 • Comments Off

On Friday evening, August 12, 2022, we learned of the tragic loss of the Honorable Chair of the Board, District 5 Supervisor Carmen Ramirez. Supervisor Ramirez passed away Friday following injuries she sustained as a pedestrian hit by a vehicle in Oxnard. We extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, staff, and the communities she so admirably served. We honor her life and her historic and lasting contributions to the Oxnard and Ventura County community.

Carmen was a public servant in the truest sense of the term,” said District 1 Vice-Chair of the Board of Supervisors Matt LaVere. “Through her leadership and community engagement, thousands of lives were changed for the better. Carmen was one of a kind, and we will deeply miss her presence on the Board. It was an honor to call her a close friend and confidant.”

“Carmen was an incredible champion for the people and the environment,” said District 2 Supervisor Linda Parks. “What stood out when you met her was her compassion and kindness. What made her effective was her fearlessness, her clear moral compass, her intelligence and her always volunteering to do more. She was a true public servant and a best friend. We are so blessed to have had her in our lives.”

“Carmen Ramirez was a respected leader in our County and demonstrated this over and over again by providing pro-bono legal services to those in need and serving as an elected official for the residents of Oxnard,” said District 3 Supervisor Kelly Long. “Her passion for helping the underserved will never be forgotten and will undoubtedly be picked up by the many individuals she inspired along the way. May she rest in peace knowing she made a significant impact on the quality of life for many Ventura County residents.”

Bilingual commentary — We Used to Travel—Now We Zoom

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2022 • Comments Off

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

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

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

Local educator Denis O’Leary is a finalist in the International Latino Book Awards

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2022 • Comments Off

California retired educator and longtime Oxnard School Board Member, Denis O’Leary will receive the International Latino Book Award. His book “Popol Vuh Stories for Children” is a finalist for the top prize in the category of Best Educational Children’s Picture Book – Bilingual in a ceremony at Los Angeles Community College on August 20, 2022.

Popol Vuh Stories for Children (published by Floricanto Press) is the first English, Spanish, and Yucatec Maya trilingual children version of The Popol Vuh. The Popol Vuh is the story of creation according to the Quiche Maya.

August News from People’s Self-Help Housing

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2022 • Comments Off

We hit another milestone this month…52 years of serving our communities! It all started for us, with a small group of concerned citizens and community leaders, wanting to address the lack of housing available to low-income and special-needs households.

And keeping to the same spirit of our origins, we remain today a community-based affordable housing developer and site-based services provider. Our formula for success continues to be connecting stakeholder input with local leadership direction, to formulate custom responses to address community need.

Since inception we have seen many cycles of economic challenge, changes of social issues of focus, and shifting political winds and priorities. Just like what we see around us today, these periods have included recessions, high interest rates, national inflation, and global conflicts. We weathered those conditions before, and will continue to do so as we are a dynamic team of highly talented and dedicated people, in positive relationship with local governance, supported by steadfast and resilient stakeholders.

Channel Islands Maritime Museum Announces Free Admission For All Young Visitors Under the Age of Eighteen

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2022 • Comments Off

Beginning Sept 1., 2022, the Channel Islands Maritime Museum will offer free admission to visitors who are less than eighteen years of age. (Youths or children must still be accompanied by an adult or guardian). Senior and active military admission prices will remain at $5.00/person and adult admission will change to $10.00/person. The Museum will also continue to offer its Museums for Alldiscounted admission for those patrons who present EBT, SNAP, or CalFresh identification cards.

“As part of our goal to provide improved access to all, including families with children, it was decided that the Museum would eliminate admission fees for those under 18 years of age,’ said Museum Executive Director Adri Howe. “We certainly hope it will allow for more families to come to CIMM and help them to enjoy and learn about the wonders of the maritime experience and human creativity. Museums play an important role in our society and we very much believe that future museum lovers are created when people have access to museums, especially as youngsters.”

Santa Paula Art Museum — Bidding Has Begun!

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2022 • Comments Off

Bid online now through Saturday, August 27, during the Santa Paula Art Museum’s Fine Art Auction Fundraiser. You could take home art by some of Ventura County’s leading historical and contemporary artists. (Check out the first 10 lots below!) All proceeds benefit the Santa Paula Art Museum.

Pack that PODS® Container with Backpacks for Big Brothers Big Sisters Ventura County

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2022 • Comments Off

PODS Moving & Storage Ventura County, has partnered with Cumulus Media & Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) to gather over 200 backpacks and extra Tools for Schools for children in Ventura County who need them most. BBBS are asking Ventura County community members to donate as many new backpacks as possible to exceed the 2022 goal.

“August 2022 will be an exciting time for our local children who are heading back to the classroom, but it can be a daunting time for parents when extra school supplies costs are on the rise,” said Steve Yapp, PODS Tri Counties owner. “We are always looking for ways that PODS Moving & Storage can make a difference in our community and there is no better way to support our youth than with their education.”

Donations of new backpacks can be made at any time before August 27th to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County, 555 Airport Way, Suite D., Camarillo, CA 93012. Alternatively,you can visit https://www.khay.com/backpacks-for-big-brothers-big-sisters-2/ to donate.

Studio Channel Islands Art Center Announces 2022 Medici Award Honoree

by Community Contributor • August 17, 2022 • Comments Off

Studio Channel Islands Art Center (SCIART) has announced Rachel Resnik Miles as the recipient of the 2022 Medici Award, the highest recognition presented by SCIART. Each year SCIART’s board of directors selects an honoree whose support has been exceptional and transformative for the organization. This year’s award will be presented as part of the annual Art à la Mode gala, Oct. 8, at the Los Posas Country Club, Camarillo. Art à la Mode celebrates the creative community of Studio Channel Islands and those who champion the arts in our county. Sponsorship opportunities, program tributes and ticket information are available at https://studiochannelislands.org/gala/

Channel Islands Maritime Museum Releases Custom Channel Islands Breeze Candle to Celebrate The Exhibition Resilience: Art of the Channel Islands

by Community Contributor • August 17, 2022 • Comments Off

As part of its celebration for the upcoming exhibition Resilience: Art of the Channel Islands, the Channel Islands Maritime Museum is releasing a custom candle in celebration of these unique islands.

Featuring the beautiful Channel Islands artwork of Jody Hewgill, and named Channel Islands Breeze, the candle was created in collaboration with local candle crafting business Matte Black Candle Co. Using a coco soy wax, a new wild sage scent was also created for this unique candle.

Fifteen percent of the proceeds from the sale of the candle will be donated to the Friends of the Island Fox organization.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Energizing Africa’ and more news

by Community Contributor • August 17, 2022 • Comments Off

Sophisticated models provide a roadmap for Southern Africa’s clean energy future.

Ginger Salazar & Katina Zaninovich are Santa Barbara Foundation’s 79th Persons of the Year!

by Community Contributor • August 16, 2022 • Comments Off

Ginger Salazar and Katina Zaninovich have been selected as the 79th Persons of the Year for the Santa Barbara area. The two will be honored for their volunteer contributions and service to the community at an in-person luncheon on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort Rotunda. Tickets go on sale Monday, August 15.

Cabrillo EDC Project Manager Accepted into Prestigious Housing Development Training Institute

by Community Contributor • August 16, 2022 • Comments Off

he Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) on Aug. 16 announced that Ryan Ortiz as the newest selection for the prestigious Housing Development Training Institute (HDTI).

Ryan Ortiz, CEDC Project Manager – Real Estate Development Department (REDD), helps develop and manage service-enriched, inclusive residential communities, ensuring access to affordable, secure, quality housing that creates the foundation for our residents to grow and thrive. REDD’s primary function is to complete the acquisition, finance, and pre-construction stages of affordable housing development.

Bilingual report — Covered California Hails the Signing of the Inflation Reduction Act, Which Will Continue to Provide Lower Costs and Expanded Access to Quality Health Insurance for Californians

by Community Contributor • August 16, 2022 • Comments Off

The Inflation Reduction Act extends the increased financial help initially provided by the American Rescue Plan through the end of 2025. The increased subsidies expanded health care coverage, leading to record enrollment in California and across the nation, and lowered…

The City Center in Ventura, a bridge between homelessness and success for families with children, kicks off Year 2 of their GoFundMe Drive to own their own home

by Community Contributor • August 16, 2022 • Comments Off

The City Center’s Year 2 fundraising drive is about to kick off. They must continue raising funds for The City Center to purchase their own home. Historically, 53% of their monthly costs were for rent, so buying the converted motel in downtown Ventura has been a big priority. Board member and longtime supporter of The City Center, John Exell, said, “The City Center program has proven success – we have seven years of no program graduates returning to homelessness, a testament to our unique program. Our program is difficult, with many tough goals set, but we provide mentoring and counseling to help our residents become self-sufficient and thrive”.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura Mourning The Loss Of Honorable Chair Carmen Ramirez

by Community Contributor • August 15, 2022 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Our County mourns the loss of our Chair of the Board of Supervisors, Carmen Ramirez. Chair Ramirez was a pedestrian involved in a vehicle accident in Oxnard and passed away Friday evening, August 12, 2022. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, loved ones, and her City and County community. An additional statement will be forthcoming.

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CONDADO DE VENTURA – – Nuestro Condado lamenta la pérdida de nuestra presidenta de la Junta de Supervisores, Carmen Ramírez. Carmen Ramírez fue peatón involucrada en un accidente de automóvil en Oxnard y falleció viernes 12 de agosto de 2022 por la noche. Compartimos nuestro más sentido pésame a su familia, seres queridos y su comunidad de la ciudad y el condado. Próximamente publicaremos información adicional.

Ventura County Civic Alliance Livable Communities Newsletter – August 15, 2022

by Community Contributor • August 15, 2022 • Comments Off

“As seen in these three excerpts from our 2021 State of the Region report, Ventura County is making some progress getting to the transportation structure required to be a livable community, but there is much more that needs to be done”.

We ended our Livable Communities Newsletter in May with the statement above. This quarter, we decided to step back and look at bigger pictures of transportation that can inform Ventura County’s transportation planning.

Seeking this bigger picture took us to three mini-reports from recent editions of Public Square, a regularly scheduled Journal of the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU). These reports provide a much bigger picture of what Ventura County needs to understand before we plan our next transportation improvements.

In order to GET THE FULL STORY you need to click the links for each article at the end of the introduction. The articles are short “easy reads” that you should find fascinating and energizing!

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Are You Prepared for the Next Big Disaster?

by Community Contributor • August 15, 2022 • Comments Off

Economic Development Collaborative is partnering with the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, the California Academy for Economic Development and Edison International to promote the statewide Outsmart Disaster campaign, which equips businesses with the tools and resources they need to be prepared for disaster. Here’s two ways you can take immediate action for your business:

Take the Resilient Business Challenge – a self-guided, five-step process to help your business become more resilient. CLICK HERE
Watch a recording of a Disaster Resiliency Clinic and receive a walkthrough of the basics of preparedness and the campaign’s Resilient Business Challenge. CLICK HERE

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