Category: Education

LULAC Officially Launches El Pueblo Unido: A Resource Guide for Community Leaders

by  •  • Comments Off on LULAC Officially Launches El Pueblo Unido: A Resource Guide for Community Leaders

LULAC is proud to announce the official launch of El Pueblo Unido: A Resource Guide for Community Leaders—a vital tool designed to help key institutions navigate recent policy changes impacting immigrant communities.

This guide builds on El Escudo: Immigrant Rights and Resources Toolkit, which we launched just a few weeks ago. El Escudo serves as a one-stop shop for immigrants to understand their rights, prepare for potential deportation, and access critical resources. True to LULAC’s legacy of using El Escudo—“the shield”—to protect Latino communities from injustice, this latest resource shifts the focus to empowering community leaders so they can support and defend those most vulnerable.

Read more →

CLU — Two weeks left to register ‘Affording a Dignified Life on the Central Coast of California: Challenges & Opportunities’ conference

by  •  • Comments Off on CLU — Two weeks left to register ‘Affording a Dignified Life on the Central Coast of California: Challenges & Opportunities’ conference

The Center for Economics of Social Issues invites you to register now for its upcoming conference, which will be held on February 28th at California Lutheran University’s campus. We implore you to come and see what is going on around you. The conference will release a comprehensive study that sheds light on the urgent challenges of enjoying a dignified life on the central coast of California.

Read more →

Guest contribution — American Immigration Council — This Week in Immigration

by  •  • Comments Off on Guest contribution — American Immigration Council — This Week in Immigration

  Trump Is Sending Migrants to Guantánamo Bay to Look Tough Your weekly summary from the Council.  LATEST ANALYSIS Sending Migrants to Guantánamo Bay Is a Costly, Optics-Driven Shift in Immigration DetentionPresident Trump ordered the Secretary of Homeland Security to expand…

Read more →

UCSB — The Current — ‘California artists reimagine language, state’s identity in new exhibition’ and more news, events

by  •  • Comments Off on UCSB — The Current — ‘California artists reimagine language, state’s identity in new exhibition’ and more news, events

“Public Texts: A Californian Visual Language” at the Art, Design & Architecture Museum explores how artists use text to challenge perception, critique culture and reflect California’s evolving identity.

Read more →

County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell Community Update

by  •  • Comments Off on County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell Community Update

I hope this message finds you well. I want to take a moment to provide important safety information regarding the upcoming storm impacting our community.

The Ventura County Sheriff Office – Emergency Services and the National Weather Service are closely monitoring a moderate storm expected to impact Ventura County from Wednesday through Friday. Rainfall is anticipated to begin Wednesday morning, peak Thursday afternoon, and taper off by Friday morning.

Storm Details:

Rainfall Projections: 1”-3” along the coast and valleys, 3”-6” in the hills and mountains.
Rainfall Rates: .10”-.33”/hr, with the remote possibility of .50”-1”/hr during thunderstorms.
Wind: Gusty Westerly winds of 20-40 MPH throughout the region.
Residents are urged to stay updated with weather forecasts and monitor their homes for any changing conditions.

Read more →

Bilingual report — Ventura celebrates Marina Park Playground groundbreaking

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Ventura celebrates Marina Park Playground groundbreaking

VENTURA — The City of Ventura is thrilled to announce the official groundbreaking for Marina Park’s new playground. This project represents a key milestone in the revitalization of one of Ventura’s most treasured parks, delivering a modern and thoughtfully designed play space for the Pierpont Bay community and surrounding areas.

In 2022, the original playground was removed due to structural deterioration after years of exposure to seaside conditions. Plans were immediately made to replace the equipment with a more resilient design using traditional wood materials, better suited for the coastal environment.

Read more →

SEEAG’s ‘Bus Bucks’ Fundraiser supports student farm field trips

by  •  • Comments Off on SEEAG’s ‘Bus Bucks’ Fundraiser supports student farm field trips

“We want to ensure that every student has the opportunity to participate in our hands-on Farm-to-Food Lab programs. Covering transportation costs helps remove a major financial barrier,” says Caitlin Paulus-Case, SEEAG executive director. “We often hear from students that their trip to Farm Lab is their very first field trip. It leaves a lasting understanding of the connection between agriculture and the food we eat.” 

Read more →

UCSB — The Current — ‘Postdoc scholar (Daniela Soto) receives competitive award to investigate the genetic changes that shaped the human mind’ and more news, events

by  •  • Comments Off on UCSB — The Current — ‘Postdoc scholar (Daniela Soto) receives competitive award to investigate the genetic changes that shaped the human mind’ and more news, events

Daniela Soto has earned a prestigious fellowship with eight years of funding to study the evolution of human brains from a genomic perspective.

Read more →

Bilingual report — Allan Hancock College offers help with financial aid applications at ‘Cash for College’ workshops on Feb. 22

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Allan Hancock College offers help with financial aid applications at ‘Cash for College’ workshops on Feb. 22

?During the workshop, Hancock staff will be available to help participating students and their parents fill out a FAFSA (Free Application?for?Federal Student Aid) or a California Dream Act application. Students will also be able to apply?for?state and federal grants, including a Cal Grant, which offers?cash?for?college?and does not have to be repaid.?The application process takes about one hour to complete. Spanish-speaking staff will also be available. 

Read more →

Westlake, Channel Islands, and Thousand Oaks High Schools Take Top Spots in 2025 Ventura County Academic Decathlon

by  •  • Comments Off on Westlake, Channel Islands, and Thousand Oaks High Schools Take Top Spots in 2025 Ventura County Academic Decathlon

VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Ventura County Academic Decathlon, which was held over the past few weeks. The winners were revealed at a ceremony this evening in Camarillo. The three teams with the highest overall scores this year are:

1st Place: Westlake High School
2nd Place: Channel Islands High School
3rd Place: Thousand Oaks High School

Read more →

Gibbs Diesel Mechanics Center opens at Ventura College

by  •  • Comments Off on Gibbs Diesel Mechanics Center opens at Ventura College

In the last 10 years, Oxnard-based Gibbs International Truck Centers has donated $1.3 million in financial and equipment to support the two-year program. Since the program began in 2015, the company has donated commercial diesel trucks, engine blocks, tools and lab space, and helped write the curriculum and hire instructors. It provides paid internships and scholarships to students in the program and has hired graduates.

Read more →

Guest commentary — The Fire Bell of Students

by  •  • Comments Off on Guest commentary — The Fire Bell of Students

On Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, hundreds of angry Oxnard Union High School District and Oxnard School District students sounded the tocsin of resistance to the ICE raids unleashed by President Frump. They walked out in protest from the campuses of R.J. Frank Intermediate and the high schools of Channel Islands, Del Sol, Hueneme, Oxnard, Pacifica, and others. Some lined the streets and avenues adjacent to their campuses; others marched and drove to the City of Oxnard’s ombligo, la placita, where mi raza, in alliance with other working-class gente, historically organized similar rallies demanding immigrant rights as well as the end to police violence.

Cars and pickup trucks roamed the intersection of Fifth and C Streets to affirm the students’ cause with repeated honks, blaring banda music, and the deafening revving of V8 engines. The students responded in kind with hoots while pumping their pawky placards and Mexican colors. School administrators and teachers protectively observed the youth as did boomers like me, Gen Xers, and millennials—yes millennials you are no longer young.

Read more →

Bilingual commentary — Leaving Our Mark on the World

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual commentary — Leaving Our Mark on the World

If we have any ambition at all, we will want to make a difference, leave our mark on the world, and know that our existence, once it’s over, meant something. But how should we approach this daunting task?

Let’s consider a few ideas about how we can go about this sacred mission.

First and foremost, we need to discover our passion, or passions. Our healthy obsessions are fundamentally unique because we are, in essence, supremely unique. Whether we pursue science, music, art, writing, creating movies or work as an acrobat in the circus, we enrich our lives according to our natural talents and interests. Likewise, we enhance the lives of others who are inspired by our dedication or who see a reflection of something profound in our passionate approach to life.

Read more →

Guest commentary — An Immigrant Tale in the Time of Trump*

by  •  • Comments Off on Guest commentary — An Immigrant Tale in the Time of Trump*

Our three-alarm opera begins very early in our house each morning. First, Lady Whiskers, our huge Coon cat, meows politely, already in front of the bedroom door telling us quite empathically that she is ready to go into the darkness of the morning and begin her early dawn hunt. Our puppy, Maximiliano (Mad Max), hearing his sister, begins crying for attention and some warm milk. Half an hour later our family alarm goes off, all the while classical music is mesmerizingly reminding us to be mindful, trucha, and cool for the battles that lay ahead. This how we had begun our morning wakeup ritual for a while, until Trump ascended to the Monarchy of the United States roughly three weeks ago, and completely highjacked, assaulted, and disrupted our world.

Read more →

UCSB — The Current — ‘Manuel Muñoz wins Luis Leal Award for Distinction in Chicano/Latino Literature’ and more news, events

by  •  • Comments Off on UCSB — The Current — ‘Manuel Muñoz wins Luis Leal Award for Distinction in Chicano/Latino Literature’ and more news, events

Recognized for his stories of farmworker families in the vast and complex Central Valley of California, Muñoz is also a past recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship.

Read more →

ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance workshop to be held Feb. 13 in Simi Valley

by  •  • Comments Off on ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance workshop to be held Feb. 13 in Simi Valley

At the workshop, participants will learn about financial assistance, up to $350,000 per household, to help them purchase a home in safer, lower-fire-risk areas of California. The assistance, which is forgiven after five years, is designed to help bridge the affordability gap between what applicants can afford with a First Mortgage Loan and the purchase price of an eligible property.

Read more →

Guest contribution — American Immigration Council — What happens to U.S. citizen children when an undocumented parent must leave?

by  •  • Comments Off on Guest contribution — American Immigration Council — What happens to U.S. citizen children when an undocumented parent must leave?

Across the country, deportation is often discussed as an absolute end. What seems to be missing in the conversation is that for the deported people and their families, it’s the beginning of a new set of legal obstacles that often require advocates on both sides of the border to resolve. It is also the beginning of a new and often hard life chapter.

Read more →

UC Santa Barbara Gevirtz Graduate School of Education Professor Tania Israel receives award for Distinguished Career Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest

by  •  • Comments Off on UC Santa Barbara Gevirtz Graduate School of Education Professor Tania Israel receives award for Distinguished Career Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest

SANTA BARBARA — Professor Tania Israel at the UC Santa Barbara Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, has received the 2025 Award for Distinguished Senior Career Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest  from the American Psychological Association (APA). Israel is in the Counseling, Clinical, & School Psychology Department at the Gevirtz School and is also the Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. 

The APA award recognizes an individual whose single extraordinary achievement or a lifetime of outstanding contributions meet one or more of the following criteria: (a) courageous and distinctive contribution in the science or practice of psychology that significantly supports efforts toward a solution to one of the world’s intransigent social problems, (b) distinctive and innovative contribution that makes the science and/or practice of psychology more accessible to a broad and diverse population, and (c) an integration of the science and practice of psychology that serves the public interest and advances social justice and human welfare.

Read more →

Tracy Bennett to address Growing Screen Addiction & Cyber Dangers

by  •  • Comments Off on Tracy Bennett to address Growing Screen Addiction & Cyber Dangers

“In 30 years of clinical practice, I’ve seen childhood change dramatically due to screen time. With kids spending more time in online neighborhoods than offline neighborhoods, digital injuries increasingly contribute to child distress,” said Dr. Bennet. “The key to prevention is awareness, information, and a strong parent-child connection. That’s the mission behind GetKidsInternetSafe. I’m so grateful to community leaders like Ventura Charter School for supporting their families during difficult times.”

Read more →

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) — Art and Community Healing Open House (Feb. 9) and more events

by  •  • Comments Off on Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) — Art and Community Healing Open House (Feb. 9) and more events

As we recover as a community from the major fires in LA, and as we remember the Thomas Fire and the Montecito Debris Flow, MCASB in partnership with Paseo Nuevo, and many organizations and individuals, will host a free intergenerational and family-friendly event on the Arts Terrace and throughout Paseo Nuevo on Sunday, February 9th from 11 am-2 pm. There will be opportunities to come together as a community around the healing power of art, art making, and learning about how we can all participate in building our future together.

Event-goers will have the opportunity to take part in many different activities, highlights include a guided painting workshop, art kit making stations, and Collecting Art to Change Lives: Art Collecting 101 – a conversation with arts industry leaders with insights and encouragement for collecting art now to support our LA arts community as it heals and rebuilds.

Read more →

Dementia Beyond Drugs & Disease Symposium to be held March 6 in Oxnard

by  •  • Comments Off on Dementia Beyond Drugs & Disease Symposium to be held March 6 in Oxnard

OXNARD — A one-day symposium, “Dementia Beyond Drugs & Disease,” will be held March 6 in Oxnard. Healthcare professionals, administrators and family caregivers will learn the latest on person-centered and non-pharmacological care for people living with dementia.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4 percent of adults aged 65 and older have dementia. “It’s important for caregivers to have the tools that emphasize dignity, well-being and meaningful engagements with individuals with dementia,” said Keith Gosselin, executive director of Long Term Care Services of Ventura County, which is organizing the symposium. “Dementia care is evolving as we better understand the disease. The symposium will present the most up-to-date methods to improve quality of life.”

Read more →

County of Santa Barbara February 2025 Newsletter

by  •  • Comments Off on County of Santa Barbara February 2025 Newsletter

Contribute to the County’s Recreation Master Plan

The Recreation Master Plan sets out a roadmap for public parks, trails, and facilities to meet countywide needs. Chime in by mail and via email or join a virtual meeting on February 6th!

Read more →

Bilingual report — Allan Hancock College students connect with peers, faculty and resources at Bulldog Bow-WOW event

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Allan Hancock College students connect with peers, faculty and resources at Bulldog Bow-WOW event

SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College invited students taking spring classes to a fun and informative Bulldog Bow-WOW welcome event on Feb. 5 at the college’s Santa Maria campus. 

Students who attended the event had the opportunity to meet faculty and staff, learn about support services such as counseling and financial aid, and explore various academic and career pathways. Attendees also enjoyed free food, music, and giveaways while engaging with the college’s many student clubs and organizations. 

“This is a great way to get out and let students know about what our club does and what we are about,” said Emily Limon, a Hancock student and member of the college’s Fashion and Design Club. “For new students, joining a club can break the ice and also open them up to trying new things.” 

Read more →

Complete VC Arts & Culture Survey by Friday and Win Tickets!

by  •  • Comments Off on Complete VC Arts & Culture Survey by Friday and Win Tickets!

As a Ventura County resident, we are asking for your input to help shape the future of arts and culture in our community – and win tickets to our signature events and venues!

Take just 10 minutes to tell the County how you experience arts and culture, and you could win free tickets* to:

Read more →

The California State University Announces Landmark Public-Private Initiative That Will Make It The Nation’s First and Largest AI-Powered University System

by  •  • Comments Off on The California State University Announces Landmark Public-Private Initiative That Will Make It The Nation’s First and Largest AI-Powered University System

LONG BEACH — The California State University (CSU), the largest and most diverse public four-year university in the country, announced (on Feb. 5) a first-of-its-kind public-private initiative with some of the world’s leading tech companies, including Adobe, Alphabet (Google), AWS, IBM, Instructure, Intel, LinkedIn, Microsoft, NVIDIA, OpenAI, and the Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom that will leverage the power of artificial intelligence to create an AI-powered higher education system that could surpass any existing model in both scale and impact.

The CSU’s unprecedented adoption of AI technologies will make trainings, learning, and teaching tools—including ChatGPT—available across all 23 CSU universities, ensuring that the system’s more than 460,000 students and 63,000 faculty and staff have equitable access to cutting-edge tools that will prepare them to meet the rapidly changing education and workforce needs of California. The CSU expects to make these tools available within the next few weeks.

Read more →

Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula to present ‘Enfoque (In Focus)’ opening reception on Feb. 6

by  •  • Comments Off on Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula to present ‘Enfoque (In Focus)’ opening reception on Feb. 6

SANTA PAULA —  The Museum of Ventura County’s newest exhibition will celebrate and highlight the pride and resilience of the Mexican Indigenous community living in the region through photographic portraits taken by internationally acclaimed photographer Diego Huerta during his month-long 2024 Artist Residency at the Museum of Ventura County. Sixteen large-format photographs are accompanied by quotes from the individuals portrayed, revealing deep emotional connections to their cultural heritage and expressing pride, hope, and a commitment to preserving their traditions as they make Ventura County their home. For almost two decades, Mr. Huerta has been photographing Pueblos Originarios—Indigenous communities—in Mexico. This is the first time he has photographed these groups outside of Mexico.

Read more →

Lumina Alliance and Must! Charities Partner to Expand Support for Survivors

by  •  • Comments Off on Lumina Alliance and Must! Charities Partner to Expand Support for Survivors

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Lumina Alliance is honored to announce a vital $963,000 investment from Must! Charities, expanding resources for survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence in San Luis Obispo County. This partnership will enhance Lumina Alliance’s donor and volunteer programs, improve crisis and therapy services, and expand housing options—ensuring more survivors have access to safe, stable support as they rebuild their lives.

“This support from Must! Charities will create meaningful change for survivors in our community,” said Jennifer Adams, CEO of Lumina Alliance. “Must! Charities’ commitment allows us to expand our services, reduce wait times for therapy—especially for Spanish-speaking clients—and create a lasting impact for survivors seeking safety and healing.”

Read more →

UCSB — The Current — ‘Three student-made environmental documentaries to screen this week’ and more news, events

by  •  • Comments Off on UCSB — The Current — ‘Three student-made environmental documentaries to screen this week’ and more news, events

A trio short films by undergraduates — “Not Just Water,” “quwa’” and “The Kelp We Breathe” — will be featured during the festival’s Santa Barbara Documentary Shorts programming.

Read more →

VCCCD Installs New Trustee and Elects Board Leadership

by  •  • Comments Off on VCCCD Installs New Trustee and Elects Board Leadership

CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) welcomed newly elected Trustee Joe Piechowski to the Board of Trustees during the Annual Organizational Meeting on December 17. Piechowski was installed with Trustee Stan Mantooth, who was re-elected in November. 

At the meeting, Trustee Gabriela Torres, who has served on the board since 2018, was elected board chair. Trustee Lou Lichtl was elected vice chair, and Chancellor Rick MacLennan will serve as secretary.

Read more →

Bilingual report — Explore Ventura’s public art with new virtual tour

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Explore Ventura’s public art with new virtual tour

VENTURA — The City recently launched a new geographic information system (GIS) map to showcase Ventura’s expansive public art pieces. Discover over 240 pieces of public art by more than 80 artists across town. Since 1991, the City’s Public Art Program has integrated different art forms into city landscapes, including murals, mosaics, sculptures, and more.

“There’s a story behind each piece, and this tool makes it easier than ever to connect the public to these works of art and the artists who created them,” said Recreation Supervisor Elena Waller. “It’s possible people have walked right past them and didn’t realize what was hidden in plain sight.”

Read more →

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — For the Love of Art

by  •  • Comments Off on Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — For the Love of Art

Edgar Jahir Trujillo is an architect, researcher, and artist based in Oaxaca, Mexico. Three of his mixed-media paintings are featured in our current exhibition Sangre de Nopal/Blood of the Nopal: Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Contemporary Art on view through April 27th at MCASB. His principal medium for his paintings and sculptural artworks is cochineal. He considers his practice as coexisting with the ancient red pigment and dyestuff, and intended to excite visual pleasure, disrupt conventional reflections on nature, while celebrating an equitable global ecology.

Read more →

CSUCI will offer a new Master of Healthcare Administration

by  •  • Comments Off on CSUCI will offer a new Master of Healthcare Administration

CAMARILLO — Registration is now open for CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)’s new Master of Health Care Administration (MHA), which will be offered through its Extended University (EU). Classes begin in Fall of 2025.

The program is entirely online, which will make it convenient for working professionals interested in a career in the administrative side of a hospital or patient care facility.  What sets CSUCI’s program apart from others is that students will have the opportunity to also earn a certificate in gerontology by completing additional coursework.

Read more →

Bilingual report — Allan Hancock College hosts ‘Week of Welcome’ events for Spring students

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Allan Hancock College hosts ‘Week of Welcome’ events for Spring students

SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College is celebrating new and returning students this spring semester with several Week of Welcome (WOW) activities in early February. WOW provides Hancock students with a chance to meet their peers and instructors, connect with clubs and resources, and receive free food and prizes. 

Read more →

Ventura County Community Development Corp. — Join our Financial Empowerment Series today

by  •  • Comments Off on Ventura County Community Development Corp. — Join our Financial Empowerment Series today

Ready to take control of your financial future? Join our Financial Freedom Series and discover simple, effective tools to help you build wealth, reduce stress, and make your money work for you. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to level up, this series is designed to empower YOU. Don’t miss out — let’s make your financial dreams a reality!

You can attend one or all workshops by clicking any of the RSVP buttons.

Read more →

Island Packers announces winter whale watching excursions to the Channel Islands National Park, National Marine Sanctuary!

by  •  • Comments Off on Island Packers announces winter whale watching excursions to the Channel Islands National Park, National Marine Sanctuary!

“This mammoth migration of more than 20,000 whales and 6,000 miles continues to remain a major attraction in Southern California,” said President Cherryl Connally of Island Packers.  “Located in scenic Ventura Harbor Village, we invite visitors to plan on booking this “must-see” experience soon as part of their fun for the entire family Spring Break activities. “

Read more →

Bilingual report — Santa Paula Police Explorers Achieve 1st Place Award in National Tactical Competition

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Santa Paula Police Explorers Achieve 1st Place Award in National Tactical Competition

SANTA PAULA — On January 18 and 19, 2025, Law Enforcement Explorers from Santa Paula Police Department Post 2350 participated in the “Chandler Tactical Competition” in Chandler, Arizona. There were 12 Santa Paula Police Department Explorers who participated and competed with other explorer posts from across the Country. The young men and women from Santa Paula were successful with a 1st place and a 3rd place award. The national competition, hosted by the Chandler Police Department, included 47 explorer posts from California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, and Florida.

Read more →

Guest contribution — American Immigration Council — After Day One: Trump Wants to Redefine America

by  •  • Comments Off on Guest contribution — American Immigration Council — After Day One: Trump Wants to Redefine America

On the first day of his second term, President Trump issued a series of immigration-related executive orders and proclamations that will quickly re-shape the U.S. immigration system. These executive orders affect nearly every facet of a complex and demanding system. Most of the policy changes introduced through these actions are framed as directives to federal departments and agencies. However, their language also aims to stoke fear as a means of testing the boundaries of executive authority.

Read more →

Ventura Charter School third graders help restore endangered rainbow trout in Ventura County

by  •  • Comments Off on Ventura Charter School third graders help restore endangered rainbow trout in Ventura County

VENTURA — This winter, Ventura Charter School’s third-grade class released 75 endangered rainbow trout into the lake at Rancho Simi Valley Park, concluding their investigation into California’s watersheds. The classroom expedition was part of “Trout in the Classroom,” a program in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Students worked on the watershed expedition beginning in August, with a holistic curriculum spanning independent research and activism related to California’s water and wildlife led by teachers Emily Noel and Lindsay Murray and culminating in the release of the fish on Dec. 20.

Read more →

County of Santa Barbara Update, Board of Supervisors Meeting on Feb. 4 — Coastal Resources Mitigation Fund Grants, Amendment to the Local Coastal Program, Telecommunication Ordinance Amendments

by  •  • Comments Off on County of Santa Barbara Update, Board of Supervisors Meeting on Feb. 4 — Coastal Resources Mitigation Fund Grants, Amendment to the Local Coastal Program, Telecommunication Ordinance Amendments

View this email online The next meeting of the County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, February 4, 2025 County Administration Building Board Hearing Room, Fourth Floor 105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara The public may participate virtually,…

Read more →

UCSB Gevirtz Graduate School celebrates 2025 Fellowship recipients

by  •  • Comments Off on UCSB Gevirtz Graduate School celebrates 2025 Fellowship recipients

SANTA BARBARA — The UC Santa Barbara Gevirtz Graduate School of Education held its 2025 Fellowship Breakfast on January 24 to celebrate the school’s most promising graduate students who have received fellowships and the community supporting them.

Fellowships are made possible through generous private foundations and individual donors who have contributed to 26 funds that provide annual support to Gevirtz School students. Fellowships were awarded to 52 students, with funds totaling over $255,000.

Read more →

February at the Santa Paula Art Museum

by  •  • Comments Off on February at the Santa Paula Art Museum

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.

Read more →

Community Environmental Council — Community Voices Wanted! New CEC Initiative in North Santa Barbara County

by  •  • Comments Off on Community Environmental Council — Community Voices Wanted! New CEC Initiative in North Santa Barbara County

The Santa Barbara County Regional Climate Collaborative is looking for three community members to join the Guadalupe-Lompoc Climate Action Initiative (GLI) Coordinating Committee. If you don’t live in North County but know someone who does, share this opportunity with them!

Read more →

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

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

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.

Read more →

UCSB — The Current — ‘Professor David Tilman awarded National Medal of Science for revealing the importance of biodiversity’ and more news, events

by  •  • Comments Off on UCSB — The Current — ‘Professor David Tilman awarded National Medal of Science for revealing the importance of biodiversity’ and more news, events

“It feels special because it’s my nation saying that my life’s work is appreciated. And that is an amazing feeling,” said Tilman, a distinguished professor at Bren School of Environmental Science & Management.

Read more →

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

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Allan Hancock College, Santa Maria Joint Union High School District offer college classes in Guadalupe

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.

Read more →

LEAP Announces 6th Annual LEAP Awards Honoring Local Community Leaders

by  •  • Comments Off on LEAP Announces 6th Annual LEAP Awards Honoring Local Community Leaders

“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.”

Read more →

Bilingual commentary — Too Busy to Exercise

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual commentary — Too Busy to Exercise

When I used to work in offices and organizations, I heard all the excuses from colleagues for not exercising, such as:

I don’t have enough time for exercise
I’m too tired to do exercise after working all day
I’m not interested in exercising
Too much effort is required to exercise
I don’t have to lose weight
Exercise is “not necessary”
But in an era of unprecedented rates of obesity and lifestyle-induced diseases, it becomes imperative for us to somehow, in some way, carve out sufficient time for exercise in our daily lives. For without exercise in our routine, the body, designed for motion and exertion, begins to naturally degenerate. 

Read more →

Bilingual report — Community Call to Action (event on Jan. 25): Response to ICE Sighting on Milpas Street, Santa Barbara

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Community Call to Action (event on Jan. 25): Response to ICE Sighting on Milpas Street, Santa Barbara

Community event to be held at noon Saturday, Jan. 25 at La Casa de la Raza, 601 E. Montecito St., Santa Barbara

— A Call to Unite. The IAC is calling on community partners, including service organizations, advocacy groups, faith-based organizations, elected officials, and the broader public, to join forces and address this urgent issue. Together, we can protect the most vulnerable children and families, and ensure the continued vitality of our protected-class neighborhoods.

Read more →

Guest contribution — American Immigration Council — Trump’s First Immigration Executive Actions

by  •  • Comments Off on Guest contribution — American Immigration Council — Trump’s First Immigration Executive Actions

President Trump wasted no time trying to radically change the U.S. immigration system. On his first day in office, he issued 10 executive orders that seek to redefine America—excluding everyone from asylum seekers to countless children of immigrants. 

In the American Immigration Council’s new fact sheet, After Day One: A High-Level Analysis of Trump’s First Executive Actions, we break down what these policy changes seek to accomplish immediately and what they will mean for immigrants and all Americans in the future.

Read the Analysis

Read more →

UCSB — The Current — ‘Leah Stokes receives the prestigious Schneider Award for Outstanding Science Communication’ and more news, events

by  •  • Comments Off on UCSB — The Current — ‘Leah Stokes receives the prestigious Schneider Award for Outstanding Science Communication’ and more news, events

The associate professor, an expert in energy, climate and environmental politics, was recognized for her exceptional contributions and public engagement.

Read more →

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) announces California Competes Tax Credit Program

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) announces California Competes Tax Credit Program

The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on fourteen different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment and strategic importance to the state or region.

Application Period Timeline: For fiscal year 2024-2025, GO-Biz will accept applications for the California Competes Tax Credit during the following periods:

January 6, 2025 – January 27, 2025
February 24, 2025 – March 10, 2025

Read more →

Bilingual report — Air Quality Alert for smoke issued in Ventura County

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Air Quality Alert for smoke issued in Ventura County

VENTURA — The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District is issuing an Air Quality Alert because unhealthy conditions exist.

Smoke from the Hughes Fire is causing the Air Quality Index (AQI) to fall in the unhealthy range for everyone in Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Oxnard, Piru, Santa Paula, Simi Valley and Ventura. Smoke and ash from wildfires contain very small particles that can harm the lungs and heart.

The district issues Air Quality Alerts when the AQI has reached or is forecast to reach an unhealthy level for all. A lower AQI can affect sensitive groups. This includes children, older adults and people with heart disease or respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema.

The alert is in effect until conditions improve.

Read more →

Ventura County Community Development Corp. — VCCDC’s Homebuyer Workshops are here to guide you every step of the way in 2025!

by  •  • Comments Off on Ventura County Community Development Corp. — VCCDC’s Homebuyer Workshops are here to guide you every step of the way in 2025!

Choose a date that works for you:

Saturday, January 25th (online)
Saturday, February 1 (online)
Sábado, 8 de febrero (Oxnard)
Saturday, February 22 (online)
To reserve your seat, simply click below to sign up. We can’t wait to help you achieve your dream of homeownership!

Read more →

2025 Events & Festivals announced In Lompoc, On California’s Central Coast

by  •  • Comments Off on 2025 Events & Festivals announced In Lompoc, On California’s Central Coast

LOMPOC — Lompoc is gearing up to welcome 2025 with a lineup of exciting events! From now until December 31, 2025, immerse yourself in the small-town charm of this vibrant community. Explore the unique festivals and experiences that make Lompoc Valley stand out. Wine lover or history buff, Lompoc Valley has something extraordinary to offer for every type of adventurer!

Read more →

Farm Bureau of Ventura County — Webinar and Resources on Immigration (webinar on Jan. 29) & CBP Activity

by  •  • Comments Off on Farm Bureau of Ventura County — Webinar and Resources on Immigration (webinar on Jan. 29) & CBP Activity

National Immigration Project Webinar on Immigration

Join the National Immigration Project on Wednesday, January 29 at 5pm ET for a free webinar for community defenders, advocates, and impacted community members to go over the basics of what you can do to protect yourself and your community in the face of potential immigration enforcement.

We’ll go over what immigration policies have changed in the first week of the Trump administration; a primer on your Fourth Amendment rights; and ways for families to prepare in case of an arrest by immigration officials. Our 1.5-hour program is meant to address your most burning questions and to remind you of the protections you already have. As policies change, we will continue to provide community defenders with the information and trainings they need to fight back and to keep their people ready to face whatever comes.

Read more →

County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — Community Update

by  •  • Comments Off on County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — Community Update

I want to ensure you’re ready for the extreme conditions forecasted for our area. The National Weather Service and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services are closely monitoring a Red Flag wind event expected to last through Tuesday.

During this period, dry conditions combined with northeast winds of 25 to 40 MPH—and gusts reaching up to 60 MPH—create a heightened risk of wildfires.

Southern California Edison is implementing Public Safety Power Shutoffs in wind-prone areas. The primary period of concern for shutoffs extends through Tuesday morning, though circuits restored earlier may still be at risk for additional shutoffs depending on conditions.

Read more →

Community Environmental Council (CEC) — Last Chance to Register: CEC’s Climate Stewards Course

by  •  • Comments Off on Community Environmental Council (CEC) — Last Chance to Register: CEC’s Climate Stewards Course

When climate disasters strike, knowing how to help impacted communities and habitats can be daunting. CEC’s Climate Stewards certification program equips you with the knowledge to take climate action and connects you with a network of local activists working to promote community recovery and resilience.

Read more →

Bilingual report — Allan Hancock College students return for Spring classes

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Allan Hancock College students return for Spring classes

“It’s always exciting when we get to see students back on campus for the start of classes,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “Our entire team of faculty and staff are dedicated to helping make their college experience as rewarding as possible.” 

Read more →

UCSB — The Current — ‘Sara Miller McCune Arts Library opens for study, research and learning resources’ and more news, events

by  •  • Comments Off on UCSB — The Current — ‘Sara Miller McCune Arts Library opens for study, research and learning resources’ and more news, events

Culminating a multiyear effort to unite library collections and services in a central, state-of-the-art space, the newly opened facility also represents the vision of its namesake, a longstanding donor to campus

Read more →

Ventura College Foundation Provided $738,558 In Direct Student Support During 2023-24 Academic Year

by  •  • Comments Off on Ventura College Foundation Provided $738,558 In Direct Student Support During 2023-24 Academic Year

VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and financial assistance to Ventura College students and school programs, distributed $738,558 in direct assistance support to 7,858 students during the 2023-2024 academic year and another $1.33 million to 56 Ventura College programs across 14 departments and divisions.

“The Ventura College student body is made up of 40 percent first-generation college students,” says Anne Paul King, Ventura College Foundation executive director. “Ventura College students know the value of a solid education. They are well on their way to becoming our next scientists, first responders, educators, workforce technicians, public servants and innovators.”

Read more →

MLK message to LULAC Family

by  •  • Comments Off on MLK message to LULAC Family

As we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I am reminded of the power of his vision. This vision continues to guide us in our work today. Dr. King’s dream of equality, justice, and a “Beloved Community” resonates deeply with our shared mission at LULAC. His strong commitment to nonviolence as a force for change reminds us that unity, courage, and action make progress possible.

This year, we find ourselves at a historic crossroads. The path ahead is uncertain, and challenges are many for the Latino communities we serve across the United States and Puerto Rico. Yet, I want to assure you that our sense of purpose has never been stronger. We are not merely observing the changes around us; we are preparing and taking deliberate action to confront them with clarity and determination.

Read more →

Bilingual report — January News from People’s Self-Help Housing

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — January News from People’s Self-Help Housing

This year sees People’s Self-Help Housing celebrate its 55th Anniversary!

Since 1970, when a group of committed individuals said ‘we can do better to help house our neighbors’, we have been doing just that. Originally building through the self-help program – ten families building alongside each other, working on one another’s homes – and then amplifying those efforts through the development of multifamily housing, the DNA of our organization is mutuality and support.

Read more →

Bilingual commentary — The Importance of Eye Contact for Pedestrians

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual commentary — The Importance of Eye Contact for Pedestrians

When I was a teenager, my father seemed eager to teach me how to drive. He himself never had any formal driving instruction, but he had earned his “street cred” as a driver on the battlefield known as the Los Angeles freeway system.

Every workday during my first 18 years, I saw him put on his “driving armor,” metaphorically speaking. He would leave home early in the morning, get into the family car, and go out to fight the good fight on the freeways of Los Angeles to earn a living. There were grueling miles between our modest home in the suburbs and his job at a print shop in Hollywood. 

Read more →

Guest contribution — American Immigration Council — Who runs the U.S. immigration system?

by  •  • Comments Off on Guest contribution — American Immigration Council — Who runs the U.S. immigration system?

he Laken Riley Act Would Give States Sweeping Power Over Immigration Policy …

Who runs the U.S. immigration system? If the Senate passes the Laken Riley Act this week, the answer might not be Congress?or?the president. The bill, already passed in the House, would hand state attorneys general, like Ken Paxton in Texas, veto power over large swaths of federal immigration policy. 

Read more →