Category: Education

Island Packers Debuts New One-Hour Evening Harbor Cruises That Will Kick Off Just In Time For Summer

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Island Packers presents a special one-hour scenic Evening Harbor Cruise from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. aboard a 64’ catamaran in Ventura Harbor on select Saturdays from June through October 2023.

The cruise offers guests the opportunity to capture wonderful photography, watch the boats sail by, and view a variety of marine birds and possible harbor seals and sea lions. While on board, guests get a 360-degree view of all Ventura Harbor has to offer and a glimpse of the spectacular waterfront homes in the beautiful Ventura Keys.

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UCSB — The Current — ‘Tending to our superblooms requires developing plans for people to enjoy them’ and more news, events

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After a rainy winter, folks are flocking to see California’s superblooms. But, experts say, smart management strategies will be required if we want to continue enjoying these spectacular events in the future.

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Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

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IN-PERSON EVENT: SOCIAL MEDIA WORKSHOP

April 27 @ 6:30 pm

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC), City of Santa Paula and Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to bring you a FREE in-person workshop on social media planning, unique marketing strategies and boosting sales through advertising. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn valuable business skills! Address: Train Depot, 200 N. 10th St Santa Paula, CA 93060.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Bilingual report — County CEO recognized among the Top 50 Women in Business in 2023

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On Thursday, April 20, County Executive Officer, Dr. Sevet Johnson, was recognized by the Pacific Coast Business Times as one of the Top 50 Women in Business. The event, which was held at the Hilton Waterfront Hotel in Santa Barbara, honored women leaders in business from across San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. Dr. Johnson was the keynote speaker for the evening.

“It was an honor to be recognized among this incredible cohort of women business leaders who have shown up and excelled in their own unique ways,” said Dr. Johnson. “Their efforts have left an indelible mark on their industries and wider communities. Through unparalleled leadership, tenacity, and resilience, they have paved the way for other women and young leaders, such as our daughters, to have role models to look up to and follow in their footsteps.”

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CSUCI to honor Carmen Ramirez and Hannah-Beth Jackson at Commencement ceremonies on May 20

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The California State University system and CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) will award honorary degrees to two women who strongly supported the creation and growth of the Camarillo campus at the 2023 Commencement ceremonies.

CSUCI President Richard Yao will present former state Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson with a Doctor of Humane Letters at the ceremony being held on Saturday, May 20, at 9 a.m. at the Camarillo campus. Yao will honor the late Ventura County Board of Supervisor Carmen Ramirez with the same doctorate, presenting it to her husband, Roy Prince, at the ceremony scheduled for Saturday, May 20, at 3 p.m.

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Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — New EV Fast Charger Opens in Carpinteria

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Congratulations to The Towbes Group and Shepard Place Shops for installing Carpinteria’s first EV Fast Charger! As a Board member of the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, we are supporting projects just like this across the County. This one received $100,000 as part of our regional strategy to promote zero-emission vehicles. Beginning today, you can view the draft report Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy report, and on April 20, attend a virtual public workshop to provide feedback on potential charging station locations: www.centralcoastzevstrategy.com

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UCSB — The Current — ‘Composer João Pedro Oliveira is awarded a Guggenheim’ and more news, events

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View this email online. April 20, 2023 Top News Composer João Pedro Oliveira is awarded a Guggenheim “All of us at UC Santa Barbara are fortunate to have a colleague of such talent and expertise in our Music Department,” said…

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Bilingual report — Ventura County launches new initiative to help community take action on climate and improve local resiliency

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The County of Ventura is making it easier for local residents to take steps to address the climate crisis by launching the Climate Resilient VC campaign (www.climateresilientvc.org). The campaign provides an online platform with a comprehensive list of actions residents can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve resiliency, and create stronger community connections. Each action category provides specific steps, educational tools, and information on existing programs and financial incentives.

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Berry Tastes and Treats at 37th Annual California Strawberry Festival

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VENTURA — The 37th Annual California Strawberry Festival makes its debut at the Ventura County Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21 with strawberry-themed food, beverages and contests, live entertainment, rides and activities. This year marks the first time the festival is being held at the fairgrounds (10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001). Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. both days.

For strawberry lovers, the California Strawberry Festival is two days of strawberry heaven. Over 50 food and beverage vendors will serve such treats as strawberry pies, strawberry-topped funnel cakes, strawberry nachos, deep-fried strawberries, berry kabobs, strawberry tacos, strawberry beer and smoothies. Festivalgoers can build their own strawberry shortcakes, piling on as many strawberries and whipped cream as possible.

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Bilingual report — Record Amounts of Rainfall Create Perfect Conditions for Mosquitoes

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Mosquito Awareness Week is April 16-22, and it is a reminder that it is more important than ever to eliminate standing water from your property. This year, the very active rainy season has left us with an abundance of mosquito breeding sites, from large flooded low-lying areas to small back yard sources.

In addition to native mosquito species, some of which can transmit West Nile Virus (WNV), the invasive Aedes aegypti mosquito has become established and is spreading in many areas of Ventura County. These small aggressive mosquitoes are day-biting, can breed in as little as a teaspoon of water, and have evolved to survive and thrive in and around our homes. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have the potential to transmit several viruses, including dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever. These viruses are not currently known to be transmitted within California, but now that these mosquitoes are present, an infected traveler returning to our area could be a source of local transmission.

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April News from People’s Self-Help Housing

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The Builder Games returns this Saturday, April 22! Join us and cheer on eight local teams racing against the clock and facing fun challenges as they compete to build the best playhouse. Your ticket includes a delicious meal, fine wine, craft beer, live music, and more! Funds raised benefit the programs of PSHH.

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Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation announces 2023 award finalists

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The Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation is pleased to announce the selection of finalists for the 2023 vocalist and instrumentalist scholarship awards.

This year’s finalists for vocal performance are Nathan Carlin, a baritone attending Westmont College (teacher Bryan Lane); Lorenzo Johnson, Jr., a tenor at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) (teacher Benjamin Brecher); Sibo Msibi, a tenor at Westmont College (teacher Nichole Dechaine); and Ariana Horner Sutherland, a soprano at UCSB (teacher Dr. Isabel Bayrakdarian).

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Three Hospice of Santa Barbara illuminate Speaker Series Presenters Make Oprah’s Top 10 Books on Grief List

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Three Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) ‘illuminate’’ Speaker Series presenters, Nora McInerny Purmort, Joan Halifax and Frank Ostaseski, were featured on Oprah Daily’s “The Best Books to Comfort a Grieving Friend.” HSB’s ‘illuminate’’ Speaker Series addresses the feelings of anxiety, grief and uncertainty that accompany a challenging time. ‘illuminate’’ speakers inspire, educate, encourage deeper inquiry and action, create community discussion, and help bring people closer together.

“Each author offers unique insight, wisdom and guidance about dealing with grief and challenging times,” said David Selberg, Hospice of Santa Barbara CEO. “Hospice of Santa Barbara is very fortunate to have them as part of our ‘illuminate’ Speaker Series line-up.”

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UCSB — The Current — ‘A new, fully electric facility opens just in time for spring quarter, increasing classroom capacity by 35%’ and more news, events

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The recently completed Interactive Learning Pavilion is the campus’s first new dedicated classroom building in more than 50 years.

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Museum of Ventura County — Know and Grow with the Museums

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Ventura County Plants to Know and Grow

Saturday and Sunday
April 22-23, 2023
11:00AM—3:00PM
@ Agriculture Museum, Santa Paula
Free Admission

Come to the Ag for a 2-day celebration of Ventura County’s native plants, including tours of our native gardens, a native plant sale, fun family activities, and lectures on pollinators and plant identification! Check our website for more details on activities for each day. The Agriculture Museum is proud to offer this program in partnership with the County of Ventura Agriculture/Weights & Measures Office, the Ventura County Weed Management Area, the U.C. Cooperative Extension of Ventura County, the California Native Plants Society – Channel Islands Chapter, and the U.C. Master Gardeners. Find out more information here.

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Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley — Celebrating Our Shining Stars

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Saturday, March 25th saw the return of our annual Superstars of the Year event! After a turbulent three years, we were finally able to celebrate the incredible efforts and talents of the kids in our community. Congratulations to our 13 & Under Youth of the Year, Gisela Alvarez and our 14 & Over Youth of the Year, Alejandro Joya. A massive thank you to everyone who supported this event whether you sponsored, volunteered, attended, or just spread the word. It was heartwarming to see the joy on the faces of the performers and the passion that our Superstars put into the Youth of the Year application process and preparing for the event. 

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Ventura Land Trust Hosts Legacy Wall Dedication Ceremony on April 19 at Harmon Canyon Preserve

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Ventura Land Trust (VLT) will hold a special Legacy Wall dedication ceremony on Wednesday, April 19th at 9:00 am to commemorate donors who supported the Harmon Canyon Campaign for Harmon Canyon Preserve. The ceremony will take place at the Harmon Canyon Preserve trailhead.

The $10 million Harmon Canyon Campaign supported the establishment of Harmon Canyon Preserve, 2,123 acres of permanently conserved open space in Ventura, and a stewardship endowment that allows Ventura Land Trust to care for the land in perpetuity.

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$1.5 million grant will enable CSUCI to expand its pool of teacher candidates

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CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) can now accept 15 additional students each year for its School of Education Teacher Residency program, thanks to a $1.5 million School of Education Residency Expansion Grant from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).  

The grant is for five years with $375,000 going to the program each year. The funding will enable CSUCI to host five Special Education Credential candidates and 10 teaching candidates seeking bilingual authorized/dual language multiple subject teaching credentials. A multiple subject credential qualifies them to teach bilingual/dual language elementary school classes.  

Each of the 15 students will receive $24,000 a year to help with the expense of attending school while simultaneously student teaching. 

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Reaching Higher Together Campaign Surpasses $130M Goal

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Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation’s 7-year philanthropic campaign, Reaching Higher Together: The Cottage Campaign for Excellence, has raised $150.6 million to support Cottage Health in providing our community with world-class care and access to future innovations and advances in health and medicine.
“The response of our community inspires us to do our best work,” says Ron Werft, President and CEO of Cottage Health. We are so grateful to have the trust and confidence of Santa Barbara and the surrounding region.”

During the campaign, 183 generous donors made gifts of more than $50,000, including two unprecedented gifts of $15 million. One from visionary philanthropists Mary and Richard Compton to create an endowment fund for medical excellence and innovation. And most recently in an extraordinary commitment to providing the finest emergency services and facilities to our community, Naomi and Ben Bollag made a $15 million gift to Cottage’s Emergency Department Expansion Project.

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Bilingual report — 2023 Ventura County Homeless Count

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The 2023 Ventura County Homeless Point in Time Count was conducted on January 24, 2023 in the ten cities and unincorporated areas within Ventura County. People experiencing homelessness were surveyed and observed by the federal definition which includes those living unsheltered or in places not meant for human habitation, as well as those staying in emergency shelters and transitional housing programs on the night of January 23. Approximately 400 volunteers assisted with the unsheltered surveys from dawn until mid-day across the County.

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Santa Paula Art Museum — Summer Is Loading…

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NOW ENROLLING: KIDS’ SUMMER ART CAMPS Encourage your kids to exercise their creativity this summer with Kids’ Art Camp at the Santa Paula Art Museum’s Cole Creativity Center! Choose from a variety of weeklong, half-day camps led by our talented…

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CSUCI students to appear before Oxnard City Council on April 18 with research about the future of the Oxnard Performing Arts Center

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A group of CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) psychology students will appear before Oxnard City Council on Tuesday, April 18, to present their research on the potential public impact of razing the Oxnard Performing Arts Center (OPAC).

“OPAC was built in 1965 and recently the City of Oxnard proposed the removal of OPAC in favor of building more housing,” said Associate Professor of Psychology HyeSun Lee, who mentored the students’ community-based research project. “We see some historical value to the site, so we wanted to get opinions about the city’s proposal to remove the site and provide recommendations for OPAC to increase their revenues.”

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United Way’s Fun in the Sun program opens enrollment for summer

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Enrollment is now open for United Way of Santa Barbara County’s Fun in the Sun — a free six-week summer learning program that provides academic and reading practice, hands-on STEAM activities, field trips and other enrichment activities for more than 400 current 2nd-5th graders.

This year’s program will continue at all six sites in Santa Barbara County, including Franklin Elementary, McKinley Elementary, Hollister Elementary and Aliso Elementary in South County. Santa Ynez Elementary and Mary Buren Elementary will serve students in North County. 

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YMCA Summer Day Camp Registration Underway, Virtual Parent Orientation to be held May 4

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Southeast Ventura County YMCA summer camp registration is underway. Camp is from June 5 to August 4 through the Simi Valley Family YMCA and from June 20 to August 18 through the Yarrow Family YMCA. A virtual parent orientation will be held Thursday, May 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

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Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) moves office to Camarillo

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Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) has moved to 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd., Suite K, in Camarillo – located in the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) headquarters.  Our new office location will be open for business starting April 17, 2023.

“Moving our Ventura County office from the city of Ventura to Camarillo makes our WEV location more centralized and accessible to all community members throughout the county,” shared WEV CEO Kathy Odell.  Since 1991, WEV has provided business training and small business advisory services to more than 28,000 people throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. WEV’s downtown Santa Barbara office continues to serve all of Santa Barbara County.

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Artisans From Around The West Will Show Off Their Creations At 37th Annual California Strawberry Festival on May 20, 21

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One hundred-fifty artisans from throughout the West will be displaying their goods at the 37th annual California Strawberry Festival, May 20 and 21 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura (10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001).

The festival, which attracts nearly 50,000 visitors, features more than 50 food and beverage booths, most with a strawberry dish or drink made from fresh strawberries, but it is also known for its eclectic mix of quality artwork, crafts and unique pre-packaged food items.

Many of the artists have been coming to the festival for years. “We haven’t had a festival since 2019 because of the pandemic so there is a lot of excitement by the artists to be back,” says Dana Hale-Mounier, director of Pacific Fine Arts Festivals and coordinator of the festival’s arts and craft booths.

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Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free event and webinar schedule

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IN-PERSON EVENT: NO-COST QUICKBOOKS WORKSHOP

April 11 @ 5:30 pm

Join EDC and Fillmore Association of Businesses (FAB) for a NO-COST QuickBooks Workshop at Fillmore Town Theatre from April 11 to May 2, every Tuesday evening from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Learn how to set up and run your finances using QuickBooks in just 4 easy sessions. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to streamline your business finances. Please bring your own laptop with Wi-Fi. Address: Fillmore Town Theatre, 338 Central Ave, Fillmore, CA 93015

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Bilingual commentary — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Dr. Ray Bowman Selected as International Trade Educator of the Year

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Dr. Ray Bowman received this honor at the recent NASBITE Annual Conference due to his extensive educational background and dedication to helping and teaching others. His expertise includes a Doctorate in Business Administration, a master’s degree in business and an undergraduate degree in business and international trade.

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Bilingual commentary — The Statue of David vs. “Parents’ Rights”

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Much like a hurricane that roars in from the Gulf of Mexico, the ultraconservative far right is gaining strength in Florida. Ron DeSantis, the Harvard-educated governor of the state, is an emerging authoritarian who is creating a political environment that resembles that of the autocratic government of Hungary. 

Mr. DeSantis is a strong proponent of “parents’ rights.” This concept transfers educational authority from the highly trained educators to parents of elementary through high school students. These parents often have no training whatsoever in child psychology or school curricula, and little or no experience in the classroom. 

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Spring Into Fun at MVC

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Book Launch
Fillmore
Images of America Series

Saturday, April 8, 2023
1:00PM—2:30PM
@ Agriculture Museum, Santa Paula
Free Admission

Come to the Agriculture Museum to hear author Carina Monica Montoya read from her book Fillmore, from the Images of America series. A native Californian, Montoya has written several books, including Santa Maria Valley, Pacific Coast Highway in California, and Ventura County. After the reading, Montoya will answer questions and there will be a book sale where she will sign purchased books.
Find out more information here.

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Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Housing Element Update Adds New Sites in Montecito, Santa Barbara, and Summerland

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At today’s April 4th Board of Supervisors Meeting, the Board will receive an update on the Housing Element Update. Thanks to the cooperation of property owners and public comment from community members, the County has added 19 new sites, including 60 units of housing for workers at The Miramar Hotel and the Biltmore Hotel in Montecito.

The Housing Element Process takes place every 8 years. This year, due to the failure of counties and cities across California to meet affordable housing goals in previous cycles, the State is scrutinizing our plans more closely. Being out of compliance means we could lose most discretionary authority over zoning and land use.

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CLU School of Management April 2023 Community Newsletter

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California Lutheran University’s School of Management continues to provide a stimulating environment for our learners and the community around us, even in these unusual times. Today, we are once again happy to share a selection of exciting news, updates, and upcoming events with our communities in Southern California and beyond.

We encourage you to stay current on what’s going on at the School of Management by following our Showcase page on LinkedIn.

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Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Exhibitions Closing, What’s Up Next?

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We’re grateful to all our friends and supporters who came out to celebrate the Museum reopening in January, and to visit us over the past three months. Big thanks for your belief in our potential and for your trust of our stewardship of this important community and regional resource. There’s more to come!

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Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free event and webinar schedule

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IN-PERSON EVENT: SOCIAL MEDIA WORKSHOP

April 27 @ 6:30 pm

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC), City of Santa Paula and Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to bring you a FREE in-person workshop on social media planning, unique marketing strategies and boosting sales through advertising. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn valuable business skills! Address: Train Depot, 200 N. 10th St Santa Paula, CA 93060.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Bilingual report — More help for jobseekers and employers — Skills is here!

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The pandemic reshaped the workplace, and many employees are strengthening existing skills or reevaluating their priorities when it comes to which industry they work in, which company they work for, and what their job title is. Some are taking classes to prepare for a career in an entirely new industry or to add a new set of skills to their metaphorical toolbox. …

This is where the value of Metrix Learning’s portal, SkillUp™, can help. The portal has tools, training, resources, and support for job seekers, all at no cost. The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County is now collaborating with Metrix Learning to add SkillUp’s additional assets of over 6,000+ online video courses, the ability to also explore 200 career paths, with certification available upon course completion and testing to Ventura County workforce. 

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Bilingual commentary — The Decline of the Humanities

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A Fox News article I came across seemed to gleefully announce the virtual demise of the study of the humanities. The “humanities” consists of areas of study such as philosophy, religion, languages, music, the fine and performing arts, history, and cultural studies. This latter category could include disciplines such as Black and Chicano history, or Pacific American, Indigenous, and LGBTQ studies. Many conservatives view these majors as “dangerously woke,” “unnecessary,” or “disadvantageous.” Some on the extreme right of the political spectrum view these fields of study as threats to their ideology.

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Ventura County Office of Education’s April Focus on Education — Fighting Fentanyl Use Among Students and more news

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While the opioid crisis is nothing new, the sudden arrival of fentanyl on the scene has dramatically increased the risks and dangers to our community and our students. I want you to know about two important events that are being held this May to help address this crisis.

On May 2, the Ventura County Office of Education will host a workshop for school administrators and nurses about the current fentanyl and opioid crisis. And on May 9, Ventura County Behavioral Health will launch a powerful fentanyl and opioid awareness campaign geared specifically toward students. Called “Real Talk: Fake pills, 100% danger,” it’s a 45-minute video that schools are encouraged to show students. It includes heartbreaking stories from parents who lost children to fentanyl.

Learn more about local efforts to protect students from the dangers of opioids in this column I recently wrote for the Ventura County Star.

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CSUCI Climate Action Plan calls for carbon neutrality by 2040

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The first CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Climate Action Plan sets an ambitious goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2040, five years before the target for the state of California.

The just-adopted plan also surpasses the California State University system goal, which is to achieve an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

“This is a monumental moment in CSUCI’s history,” said Sustainability and Energy Director Roxane Beigel-Coryell. “We are honoring our founding as the Green Campus 20 years ago by deepening our commitment to being responsible stewards and leaders in sustainability and social justice.”

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