Slash and Burn Approach Outlined in Proposed Budget Will Close La Colonia Branch Library, Carnegie Art Museum, Performing Arts Center, and Layoff Dozens of City Employees; Residents Will Speak Out Against City’s Knee-Jerk Decision to Rectify Years of Financial Mismanagement…
Category: Education
July 26 — Oxnard Salsa Festival Friday Night Kick Off Concert Featuring Legendary Percussionist Pete Escovedo
OXNARD — To kick off a weekend of nonstop salsa and Latin entertainment, the Oxnard Salsa Festival will present a free general admission concert on Friday July 26 featuring legendary percussionist Pete Escovedo. Escovedo is known worldwide for his live…
Ventura College Foundation Announces Recipients of 32nd Annual Scholarship Awards
VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation presented scholarships to 140 students during its 32nd Annual Scholarship Awards luncheon and ceremony, Saturday, May 4 at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach. Ventura College students received $326,529 in scholarship funds. Some earned multiple…
Bilingual report: Ventura County Health Care Agency Poised to Close its Budget Shortfall
VENTURA — Bill Foley, the Director of the Ventura County Health Care Agency, announced several initiatives designed to improve its financial performance in the new fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2019. “The performance improvement initiatives include several strategies designed…
World ‘No Tobacco’ Day (May 31) Marks Kick Off of Local Smoke Free Campaign.
Local residents are invited and encouraged to join Ventura County Public Health to go smoke free on Friday, May 31st. VENTURA COUNTY — Every year, on May 31, World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed, encouraging 24-hour abstinence from all forms…
Registration Open for Simi Valley YMCA Before & After School Childcare
SIMI VALLEY — The Simi Valley Family YMCA is accepting registrations for before and after school childcare for the 2019-20 school year. Childcare is for children in kindergarten through sixth grade in the Simi Valley Unified School District. Childcare is…
EF Educational Homestay Programs: 25 More Beds Needed for Summer Program
VENTURA COUNTY – EF Educational Homestay Programs announced that 25 More Beds Needed for Summer Program. Volunteer families are asked to host international exchange students, ages 13-17, who are scheduled to arrive in the U.S. in June for a two-four week…
Senate Approves Jackson Bill to Reduce Wildfire Risk
SACRAMENTO — As California prepares for the next catastrophic wildfire season, legislation by State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) to strengthen local planning requirements in high fire hazard areas and encourage local governments to pursue more fire-resistant and home hardening strategies in…
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley is Awarded a Grant from Let Them Play Foundation
AGOURA HILLS — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) was recently awarded $12,500 from Let Them Play Foundation resulting from a fundraising event held by the Women in Corporate Growth (WCG), part of the Association for Corporate…
More than 500 Students With Disabilities to be Honored at Night to Remember Prom on May 31
A Night to Remember: A prom for students with disabilities (ages 12-25) in Ventura County. VENTURA – Mission Church hosted the eighth annual A Night to Remember (NTR), a free prom for students with disabilities, to be held at the…
As the Trump Administration Rolls Back Title IX Protections, Jackson Bill to Improve Investigations of Campus Sexual Assault Advances. See other news here
SACRAMENTO – As the Trump Administration seeks to roll back Title IX protections, the California State Senate today approved State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara)’s legislation to protect the civil rights of California college students by requiring schools to follow specific…
SBCC Finalizes Superintendent/President Screening Committee
SANTA BARBARA — On May 23, 2019, the Santa Barbara City College Board of Trustees finalized the 17-member screening committee for the hiring of the new Superintendent/President. Three of the 17 members represent the community or noncredit programs while the…
CSUCI student body president graduates to state politics
CAMARILLO — Three days after making his last speech as the student government president at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI), Class of 2019 graduate Atticus Reyes accepted a fellowship that takes him to the halls of the California State Capitol. Reyes, 22,…
United Way of Ventura County update for May 23 — Creating lifechanging impacts
Click here for the entire e-newsletter President’s Message Dear Friends, May is a month filled with community activity, from graduations and social gatherings to an array of community events. As we approach the end of our fiscal year on June…
Local YMCAs Host Summer Camp in Big Bear
VENTURA COUNTY — The three branches of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA are taking signups for their annual summer resident camp at Camp Oakes in Big Bear. Camp runs from July 6 through July 13. The YMCA camp is for…
Senate Approves Jackson Bill to Close the Wage Gap with Data
SACRAMENTO — As the gender pay gap persists, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson’s (D-Santa Barbara)’s legislation to require California’s larger employers to report salary data to the state passed off the Senate Floor today on a 27 to 9 vote. The bill…
An important message from Carnegie Art Museum Cornerstones President — Other upcoming events
Click here for the entire e-newsletter Dear CAM Members, Donors, Artists, and Friends, Although the City of Oxnard must responsibly resolve a $9.2 million budget deficit projected for next fiscal year 2019-20, Carnegie Art Museum and its 501(c)3 nonprofit…
RISE Executive Director Retiring after 15 Years
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Jennifer (Jenny) Adams, Executive Director of RISE San Luis Obispo County, is retiring on June 28, 2019. She has worked in the field of gender-based violence for over 20 years, serving as Executive Director for…
CSUCI receives grant to support food program for students
CAMARILLO — Their earning power will increase once they receive their degrees, but while students are still attending CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI), they sometimes need help affording groceries. So, CSUCI launched the Basic Needs Program, which helps students with food…
Community Action Commission Presents Annual Champions Honor to Santa Ynez Chumash
Event Raised Close to $350,000 for Senior Meal Program. Art of Giving Back Fundraising Dinner and Presentation Featured Notable Fine Artist at Work SANTA BARBARA — At its annual awards dinner and presentation, Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County (CAC)…
New Online Sexual Harassment & Bullying Prevention Training Course From Employment Law Firm LightGabler
CENTRAL COAST — A new California law requires that companies with five or more employees provide two hours of supervisory training and one hour of staff training every two years on harassment, discrimination, bullying and retaliation. Companies must be in…
State Debris Removal Officials Urge Cyclists to Use Caution When Using Canyons Roads in Recent Burn Areas
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — As the rainy season in Southern California tapers off and more cyclists are using the roads, officials with the Debris Removal Operations Center (DROC) in Calabasas are urging cyclists in areas affected by last November’s Woolsey and Hill…
Bilingual report: Ventura County adopts disaster recovery plan
VENTURA — The Board of Supervisors adopted a Disaster Recovery Plan at their April 30th meeting which will be incorporated into the County’s overall disaster plans to provide for an efficient recovery process following a major incident. The recovery plan…
National Sexual Assault Experts Train Local Law Enforcement
SLO County Law Enforcement, Prosecutors, and Victim Service Professionals to Receive Training from National Experts on Sexual Assault Response SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Over 150 law enforcement professionals, prosecutors, victim service providers and others attended a one-day training on…
City of Oxnard: Water Provided by City of Oxnard Is Clean and Safe
There are social media concerns about nitrate contamination in the drinking water in Oxnard. The problem is not in the City of Oxnard’s water supply. It is with the Vineyard Avenue Acres Mutual Water Company (VAAMWC). The water provided by…
Hospice of Santa Barbara and Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care Work Together to Make Sure that ‘No One Dies Alone’
SANTA BARBARA — In a unique collaboration between Hospice of Santa Barbara and Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care, the No One Dies Alone (NODA) program helps ensure that those who are dying in our community, with no family or friends…
Mental Wellness Center Celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month
SANTA BARBARA — The Mental Wellness Center (MWC) held its first ever Stigma Buster Celebration May 1 in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month and the efforts of its local graduates and partners. About 100 supporters gathered at MWC’s Fellowship…
Bilingual commentary: The Continued Demise of News Sources
By David Magallanes • Guest contributor David Magallanes Some 50 years ago, when I was starting to explore the world and found myself living in the barracks of a military radio school in Mississippi, I already had the custom of…
CSUCI School of Education receives grants to launch teacher residency program
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) will start its first teacher residency program in partnership with the Ventura County Office of Education and the Rio and Oxnard Elementary School Districts, thanks to a pair of grants that complement each other. One…
United Way of Ventura County’s Women United Luncheon Raises Funds and Inspires Single Mothers to Reach their Goals
VENTURA COUNTY — Nearly 300 people gathered on campus at Cal Lutheran University Friday, May 10th for United Way of Ventura County’s (UWVC) Women United 3rd Annual Luncheon, featuring acclaimed social psychologist and author Dr. Aida Hurtado. Dr. Aida Hurtado’s…
BSVC’s premier tournament raises more than $200,000 for Ventura County Youth
VENTURA COUNTY — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC), the youth mentoring organization which facilitates more than 1,500 one-to-one relationships annually, hosted its 46th-annual Golf Classic on April 29 at The Saticoy Club in Somis, CA. Through sponsorships, donations, auctions and more, the tournament raised over…
CSUCI joins forces with Museum of Ventura County to digitize historical archives
CAMARILLO — Some CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) student researchers are going to spend their summer bringing Ventura County’s historical archives into the 21st century. A partnership forged between CSUCI and the Museum of Ventura County (MVC) means that three student…
This Summer, Seize the Day or Prepare for Tomorrow at SBCC School of Extended Learning
SANTA BARBARA — With hundreds of classes throughout this summer, SBCC School of Extended Learning is a fit for every schedule. Tuition-free and fee-based life enrichment classes offer a bounty of arts, fitness, and mindfulness classes to fill summer ‘staycation’…
Ventura County Community Development Corp. (VCCDC) update for May 14 — Upcoming FREE Workshops ? Get Home SMART! Promo code inside…
Upcoming Workshops Take advantage of VCCDC’s FREE upcoming workshops on topics ranging from Homebuyer Education to Estate Planning! REGISTER – May 18 REGISTER – June 15 Taller en Español – junio 15 HUD-Approved Homebuyer Education Workshops Cost: $25 fee waived…
$4.3 Million Grant to Enhance Career Education in Ventura County
VENTURA COUNTY — Career technical education (CTE) programs for Ventura County middle and high school students will continue thanks to a major new grant awarded to the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE). In a highly competitive process, VCOE received a…
WEV (Women’s Economic Ventures) Announces Founder’s Retirement and Names Successor
SANTA BARBARA — Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) announced this week that its founder and CEO, Marsha Bailey, will retire next year after 30 years at the helm. Her successor will be Kathy Odell, an accomplished entrepreneur and business leader in…
CSUCI Police armed with special training and medicine to counteract fatal opioid overdose
CAMARILLO — To help officers respond to opioid-related medical emergencies quickly and effectively, CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) police are now carrying naloxone hydrochloride or Narcan to help prevent fatal opioid overdoses. “This is a direct response to the opioid crisis,” explained…
Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s “Find My Genius” Receives $20,000 Grant From Sherwood Country Club Charitable Foundation
VENTURA COUNTY — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s “Find My Genius” youth summer education program recently received a $20,000 grant from the Sherwood Country Club Charitable Foundation (also known as Sherwood Cares). The funds will go towards supporting the five-week…
96th Annual Awards Celebration Gives United Way of Santa Barbara County an Opportunity to Recognize Community Heroes
SANTA BARBARA — United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) and its partners from throughout the community gathered for the 96th Annual Awards Celebration May 8th at the Santa Barbara Hilton Beachfront Resort. Local volunteers, businesses, schools, and organizations were…
Pioneer Valley High School FFA earn first place in soil, land competition
SANTA MARIA — A team from the Pioneer Valley High School FFA proved to be the best at judging soils in a finials state competition Saturday, May 4that Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. The Soil and Land Evaluation team placed first…
Erosion Control Measures In Place for More than 300 Properties Cleared of Woolsey, Hill Fire Debris
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — State contractors have finished installing fiber rolls and applying a biodegradable, wood-based mulch to prevent erosion on 310 of the first 690 properties in Los Angeles and Ventura counties affected by the Woolsey and Hill fires and cleared…
Once unsure if he was cut out for college, CSUCI student wins national fellowship
CAMARILLO — There was a time when Biology and Global Studies double major Patricio Ruano, 19, didn’t think he was college material. “Neither one of my parents went to college,” said Ruano, the youngest of four. “My mom went for one…
Central Coast Association of School Psychologists (CCASP) presents Meritorious Service Award to PVHS School Psychologist Erica Castro
SANTA MARIA — The Central Coast Association of School Psychologists (CCASP) has awarded the Meritorious Service Award to Pioneer Valley High School Psychologist Erica Castro for the 2018-19 school year. The recognition highlights Castro’s service to students, teachers, administrators, parents,…
Bilingual report: County Invites Public to Learn and Comment at Community Open Houses for the Preliminary Public Review Draft of the 2040 General Plan
VENTURA — The County’s Planning Division will host a series of open houses where the public will have the opportunity to learn about the Preliminary Public Review Draft 2040 General Plan. The General Plan is a long-range planning document that…
Fifth Grader From McKinna Elementary School Selected Winner of 36th Annual California Strawberry Festival Youth Art Design Contest
OXNARD — Out of 1,076 entries from kids in kindergarten through sixth grade throughout Ventura County, the creative strawberry design by 10-year-old Alan Sanchez from McKinna Elementary School in Oxnard was selected as the grand prizewinner of the 36th Annual…
Meet the 2019 Ventura County Teacher of the Year: Jan-Erik Sand from Isbell Middle School in Santa Paula
VENTURA COUNTY —The Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) is pleased to announce that Jan-Erik Sand of Isbell Middle School in the Santa Paula Unified School District (SPUSD) is the 2019 Ventura County Teacher of the Year. Sand and his…
Ventura County Champions of Career Education Honored at 2019 Pathfinder Awards
VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County businesses and educators who are leading the way in advancing career-related education were honored today in Camarillo at the 2019 Pathfinder Awards. The awards were presented by VC Innovates, a program of the Ventura County…
Santa Maria, Pioneer Valley high school business students recently attend ‘Defining Her Power’
SANTA MARIA — Santa Maria and Pioneer Valley High School business students recently attended “Defining Her Power,’’ a conference geared towards empowering and supporting women interested in pursuing businesses. The event, which was hosted by the Cal Poly Women in Business…
SBCC’s Scheinfeld Center Enters National Small Business Week with New Ventures from the Scheinfeld New Venture Challenge
SANTA BARBARA — Local student entrepreneurs dazzled both the judges and the packed SBCC Fé Bland Forum audience at the 9th Annual Scheinfeld New Venture Challenge business plan and pitch competition on Friday, April 26. Students from Santa Barbara City…
Bilingual commentary: Negative Americans
By David Magallanes • Guest contributor David Magallanes We Americans inhabit the “Land of the Free,” the “Land of Liberty” and the “Shining City on the Hill.” We live under halcyon skies and grow our food—and that of much of the…
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCCGV) Benefit from the Sam Querrey Classic
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCCGV) recently benefitted from the Sam Querrey Classic hosted by the North Ranch Country Club in Thousand Oaks. The event included live ball sessions with Sam Querrey, ranked 65…
Ventura County Teachers Honored for Innovation in the Classroom
VENTURA COUNTY — Teachers from throughout Ventura County are being honored with $10,000 in grants for developing innovative lessons for their students. At a ceremony May 8 in Oxnard, the Ventura County Office of Education presented 14 IMPACT II grants to 23…
Finalists Are Set for the 36th Annual California Strawberry Festival’s ‘Berry Blast Off’ Recipe Contest
OXNARD — Two finalists were selected during the semi-finals round of the 36th Annual California Strawberry Festival‘s “Berry Blast Off” Recipe Contest.” The finalists will now compete for top honors during the festival taking place at Strawberry Meadows of College…
Two Santa Maria High School FFA judging teams won state championships Saturday and will now represent the local area at the national level.
SANTA MARIA — Two Santa Maria High School FFA judging teams won state championships Saturday and will now represent the local area at the national level. Both the Milk Quality & Dairy Products and Poultry Judging teams dominated the state during…
UPDATE – Oxnard Cultural Arts Commission Announces Summer 2019-2020 Grant Rollout
OXNARD — The City’s Cultural Arts Commission is announcing the rollout of the 2019-2020 Arts in Public Places (AIPP) Cultural Arts Grant Process with the release of the annual request for proposals (RFP) in the summer of 2019. The previous release…
Bilingual report: Sheriff’s Office urges drivers and bicyclists to ‘Share the Road’
CAMARILLO — May is National Bicycle Safety Month and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office encourages drivers and bicyclists to share the road safely not just for the month of May, but every month of the year. “It is not just cars…
SBCC offers free career skills courses this summer
SANTA BARBARA — Summer may be the time to relax and enjoy the beach and backyard barbeques, but it’s also the perfect time to take advantage of tuition-free career-building courses through SBCC’s School of Extended Learning Career Skills Institute. The Career…
Fresh Strawberries Kick off the Summer Season in Oxnard with Fun Events for the Whole Family
OXNARD — With the California Strawberry Festival about to take center stage on May 18-19, the summer season is also right around the corner and Oxnard is ready to welcome visitors with its many special events taking place throughout the city.…
Bilingual report: Teatro de las Américas sets sights on future home
Your monthly news & updates I plan to send an occasional newsletter to keep you updated on what Teatro is doing. Margaret Cortese www.teatrodelasamericas.org 319 W. 6th St. Oxnard Future home of Teatro de las Américas We are busy looking…
Santa Maria High School Future Business Leaders of America Chapter recognized for participation, ontributions to the March of Dimes and Government Awareness Projects
SANTA MARIA — The Santa Maria High School Future Business Leaders of America Chapter was recently recognized for their participation and contributions to the March of Dimes and Government Awareness Projects during the California FBLA State Leadership Conference at the Sacramento…