Category: Family

Community Colleges of Ventura County honor over 6,000 graduates at 2025 commencement

by Community Contributor • May 28, 2025 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — This week, the Community Colleges of Ventura County celebrated the successes of 6,277 students during the 2025 Commencement ceremonies. The ceremonies were held at Moorpark and Oxnard colleges on May 22 and Ventura College on May 23.

The Class of 2025 earned a collective 5,316 certificates and 8,108 degrees. These tangible awards are symbolic of thousands of hours of class-time, practical lab work, and hands-on learning on the job with internships and apprenticeships. Ventura County’s graduates are tomorrow’s nurses, sheriffs, fire fighters, veterinarians, child care providers, and dentists. They will be scholars and researchers looking into the major issues of our age and they will be the technical workers implementing our sustainable, green future.

Meet the 2025 Ventura County Teacher of the Year — Shi Young Kim

by Community Contributor • May 28, 2025 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, is pleased to announce that Shi Young Kim, a visual arts teacher from Rio Mesa High School in the Oxnard Union High School District, is the 2025 Ventura County Teacher of the Year. Ms. Kim received the surprise news during a classroom visit today by representatives from the Ventura County Office of Education and OUHSD. With a career marked by creativity, leadership, and dedication to student growth, Ms. Kim has inspired countless students through a dynamic blend of traditional and digital visual arts instruction.

People’s Self-Help Housing CEO & President celebrates 20 year anniversary

by Community Contributor • May 28, 2025 • Comments Off

“We are so grateful for his passion and steadfast guidance over the past two decades,” said Shelly Higginbotham, PSHH Board Chair. “For his dedication and leadership, we congratulate Ken on reaching this significant milestone.”

Since joining PSHH in 2005, Ken has served in many roles, including Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Vice President of Real Estate Finance. With extensive experience accumulated through a 30+ year distinguished career in banking and affordable housing, Ken brings an innovative combination of executive skills to his role as CEO & President. He earned his undergraduate degree in Agricultural Business Management from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and his MBA in Finance & Banking from Golden Gate University, San Francisco.

June at the Santa Paula Art Museum

by Community Contributor • May 28, 2025 • Comments Off

Kids’ Art Fest
?
Sunday, June 1, 2025, from 11 AM to 3 PM
Free for all ages

We’re kicking off a summer of creative fun with Kids’ Art Fest on Sunday, June 1! This free, outdoor celebration is packed with hands-on art activities for all ages, plus face painting, giant bubbles, live art demos, yummy food vendors*, community performances, and more.

Don’t miss folklórico and mariachi performances by young artists from Oxnard’s Inlakech Cultural Arts Center from 12 PM to 1 PM. Kids’ Art Fest 2025 is sponsored by Calavo Growers, Brianne McGrath, and Rotary Club of Santa Paula.

*The cost of food is not included, but everything else is!

Museum of Ventura County — History Never Looked So Good—Picture This!

by Community Contributor • May 28, 2025 • Comments Off

Behind-the-Scenes – Stories of Hearst Castle

Tuesday, June 3
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street., Ventura
Registration closes Friday, May 30 at 12 p.m.

Join Montecito Bank & Trust M-Club & Museum of Ventura County for an informative Lunch & Learn with architectural historian, Victoria Kastner. Kastner will share many behind-the-scenes stories about Hearst Castle at San Simeon—examining its buildings, gardens, swimming pools, and glamorous guests. She will also reveal new information about Julia Morgan—its talented architect—and Julia’s unique collaboration with her influential client, William Randolph Hearst. Enjoy a catered lunch provided by Peirano’s!

Bilingual report — Mestizo Folklórico Dance Co. celebrating 44th year with two performances at Oxnard College on May 31, June 1

by Community Contributor • May 26, 2025 • Comments Off

The dance company has represented the college throughout the community performing for civic and school events as a way of celebrating the cultural and artistic traditions of México. The group takes pride in educating audiences about the music, dances, and traditions that have existed for generations and offers programs that demonstrate discipline and dedication, combined with a love of performing before appreciative audiences. As a unit, the Mestizo Folklórico Dance Com[any aims to transmit the elegance, joyfulness, and vibrancy of Mexico’s culture to their audiences.

Bilingual commentary — Ventura County: ‘God’s Country’

by Community Contributor • May 23, 2025 • Comments Off

My extended family consists of about 60 cousins and an untold number of their children. My paternal grandparents had 14 children, and one of those children had 14 children. Sometimes I think I must be related to half the population of Los Angeles.

We cousins are scattered all over the map. I grew up next door to five of them, all brothers. One lives in Tokyo, Japan. Another is in Manchester, England. Two are near Seattle, Washington. One remains in Los Angeles.

Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation announces free Memorial Day Ceremony at Santa Barbara Cemetery to honor military service

by Community Contributor • May 23, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — The Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1649 have announced the details of their popular annual Memorial Day ceremony taking place on May 26th, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, 901 Channel Drive.

This free event honors men and women who have proudly served in the United States military. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early in order to secure a seat. Plenty of free parking will be available on-site. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. sharp near the cemetery’s main flagpole. This year’s program will feature presentations and performances by local groups such as the UCSB ROTC Color Guard, Gold Coast Pipe & Drum Band, David Gonzales and the Santa Barbara Choral Society, and The Prime Time Band.

Valentine Foundation Pledges $500,000 To Simi Valley Family YMCA Expansion/Renovation

by Community Contributor • May 23, 2025 • Comments Off

This donation marks the foundation’s second major contribution to the YMCA this year. Earlier in 2025, the Valentine Foundation contributed $250,000 to the YMCA’s Find My Genius program, a free five-week program for low- and moderate-income students who are not reading at grade level to support their academic and social-emotional learning.

Ventura County Community Foundation’s (VCCF) — Power of Purpose — May 2025

by Community Contributor • May 23, 2025 • Comments Off

… In this time of nonstop headlines and uncertainty, I invite us not to lose sight of the good we are creating together. There are so many examples, including the meaningful and inspired leadership of the recent graduating class of the Ventura County Leadership Academy, where Cohort 30 raised more than $20,000 to help support neighbors who lost their homes in the Mountain Fire. I wish I could have bottled up their joy as they presented the check last week – it was such a beautiful thing to witness!

Friendship Center Adult Day Care Center in Santa Barbara — ‘Match’ Their Day

by Community Contributor • May 23, 2025 • Comments Off

Many of the seniors served through Friendship Center’s programs are at the intersection of aging, poverty, and dementia, with few additional resources for support.

Every day costs Friendship Center more than $200 per person, and most of the program’s members pay less than $100. Will you help us fill that gap?!

Below is a real-time snapshot of how many members we serve at each contribution level.

You can pick a tier and match what they can’t cover, day by day.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Ceramic artist connects Taiwan and California with Mingei folk art traditions’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • May 22, 2025 • Comments Off

Meiya Sidney ???, a fourth-year College of Creative Studies and art honors student, shares her ceramic practice shaped by summers in Taiwan.

Transforming Lives: The Women’s Fund in Santa Barbara awards? a record $1.25 million to local nonprofits

by Community Contributor • May 22, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA —The power of collective giving was on display on May 20th when the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara awarded an unprecedented $1.25 million in grants to 11 local nonprofits —showcasing the power of collective giving in the Santa Barbara community. This accomplishment was made possible through the generosity of 1,426 local women members who have combined their charitable contributions into a substantial grants pool.

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

by Community Contributor • May 22, 2025 • Comments Off

A big thank you to everyone who supported the 2025 Builder Games, presented by Mechanics Bank. Together, we raised over $125,000 for our Supportive Housing and Camino Scholars programs.

Ventura County Air Pollution Control District — New website improves access to air quality info

by Community Contributor • May 20, 2025 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District has launched a new website that makes it much easier for the public to access information and services and connect with district staff.

Rebuilt from the ground up to replace the district’s original 2006 website, the new digital hub at vcacpd.org also streamlines the process for staff to keep it updated.

Among the new features are colorful dials on the homepage that provide real-time air quality data from the district’s monitoring stations in El Rio, Ojai, Piru, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks.

Momentum Growing for Early Childhood Education in Santa Paula

by Community Contributor • May 19, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA PAULA — With the leadership of over 125 partners and input from hundreds of community members, the Isabella Project is excited to announce the location of a new early care hub, adjacent to undeveloped land on the Briggs Elementary School property in Santa Paula.

The mission of the Isabella Project is to ensure all children in Ventura County, starting in Santa Paula, have access to high-quality, full-time early care and education that meets their families’ needs. In Santa Paula, there are more than 2,000 children under age 5, but only 881 formal early learning spaces. The early care hub will create approximately 200 more spaces for early childhood education, serving children ages 0 to 5, and will include a variety of wrap-around services to better serve young children, families and childcare professionals.

Bilingual report — City of Santa Paula to host State of the City event

by Community Contributor • May 19, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula welcomes all Santa Paula residents, business owners, partners and supporters, to attend the annual State of the City event on June 5th. The event will take place at the Ventura County Agriculture Museum, located at 926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula, CA 93060.

This year’s event, themed “Feel the Progress,” offers a chance for residents, community leaders, and stakeholders to hear about the City’s recent accomplishments, ongoing efforts, and what lies ahead. Join us to explore Santa Paula’s current priorities and community focused initiatives shaping our future.

Allan Hancock College celebrates 2025 Transfer Students

by Community Contributor • May 19, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College celebrated 2025 graduates who will continue their education at four-year universities at its annual University Transfer Celebration on May 16 at the college’s Santa Maria campus.

Hosted each year by Hancock’s University Transfer Center, the event was an opportunity for Hancock’s transfer students to celebrate their achievements with their friends and family as they prepared for a new chapter in their educational journeys. More than 300 transfer graduates and their families were honored at this year’s celebration.

Participating students, many wearing apparel from their respective universities, received a commemorative transfer medallion, took photos with their soon-to-be university peers, and listened to messages of support from Hancock staff and their fellow transfer students.

Bilingual report — Allan Hancock College hosts fire and EMS Graduations in Lompoc

by Community Contributor • May 19, 2025 • Comments Off

LOMPOC — Allan Hancock College celebrated a new crop of first responders on May 16 as a combined 68 cadets graduated from the college’s fire and emergency medical services (EMS) academies.?

The graduates were honored during two ceremonies at the college’s Public Safety Training Complex (PSTC) in Lompoc.??

“This graduating class embodies the future of public safety,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “They’ve undergone rigorous training and are ready to step into their roles as first responders, serving and protecting our communities.”

Bilingual report — Ventura County Animal Services — Free dog adoptions for dogs in our care for 100+ days

by Community Contributor • May 19, 2025 • Comments Off

Over 50 amazing dogs have been in our care for more than 100 days! To help them find loving homes, we’re offering a fee-waived adoption promotion for these long-stay pets.

Please note: All adoption procedures still apply despite promotions.

Adoption Hours: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Tuesday – Sunday
Locations: Camarillo & Simi Valley Animal Shelters
View Available Animals: www.vcas.us/pets
Learn About the Adoption Process: www.vcas.us/adopt

Friendship Center in Santa Barbara — The Friendly Finch: Spring Special!

by Community Contributor • May 16, 2025 • Comments Off

While spring is in full bloom and our days are buzzing with activity at Friendship Center, I’m writing with a sincere request: we need your help.

This week marks the launch of our Spring Appeal, and we’re working toward raising $50,000 to support the rapidly growing needs of our senior members living with dementia—and the family caregivers who rely on us to provide safe, engaging, and expert care.

If you’ve been following our journey, you’ve seen how quickly we’re growing. Since the start of 2025 we have:

County of Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors meeting of May 20 to discuss Emergency Shelters Zoning Ordinance Amendments, Prohousing Designation, Public Safety Realignment Plan, Grand Jury Epidemic Response

by Community Contributor • May 16, 2025 • Comments Off

Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors’ meetings are available in Spanish. Watch live on our Spanish YouTube Channel, or Cable TV subscribers can access Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) in language settings.

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) — Art Adventures in LA with MCASB on May 24, more news, events

by Community Contributor • May 16, 2025 • Comments Off

There are still a few spots left to join us on Saturday, May 24, departing Santa Barbara at 9:00 am.

Our LA adventure begins with a studio visit with artist Luz Carabaño. From there, we will experience an exhibition preview of Tony Cokes at Hannah Hoffman. Then we will end the day at The Brick where we will see Elizabeth Paige Smith Unshade me of You.

We hope you join us on a very full and rewarding day of art and ideas – register here!

Senior Concerns in Thousand Oaks honors 150 Family Caregivers at annual recognition event

by Community Contributor • May 15, 2025 • Comments Off

THOUSAND OAKS — On Tuesday, May 6, Senior Concerns hosted 150 family caregivers at Caregiver Recognition Day at Los Robles Greens in Thousand Oaks.

This at-capacity event, themed “Invigorating Your Caregiver Power,” offered a restorative and empowering experience for attendees, who are often the silent heroes behind the health and well-being of aging loved ones. Caregivers enjoyed a complimentary lunch, motivating presentations, and thoughtful gifts.

“So many family caregivers noted that they arrived feeling overwhelmed and fatigued,” said Martha Shapiro, director of programs at Senior Concerns. “At the end of the event, most attendees reported feeling inspired and appreciated. This event is our way of wrapping them with care and giving them tools and encouragement to keep going.”

Scouting America to Honor Patrick Maynard and Patrick Rose at Prepared for Life Gala

by Community Contributor • May 15, 2025 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Scouting America, Ventura County Council (SAVCC) — formerly Boy Scouts of America — proudly announces its Prepared for Life Gala, scheduled for May 31, 2025, at Camarillo Ranch, at 201 Camarillo Ranch Road, Camarillo. The event will honor two outstanding community members, Patrick Maynard and Patrick Rose, recognizing their significant contributions to Ventura County.

Patrick Maynard, Director of Ventura County’s Office of Emergency Services, will receive the Good Scout Award for Public Safety and Service. Maynard has demonstrated exceptional leadership through numerous local emergencies, including wildfires, mudslides, oil spills, the Borderline mass shooting and the COVID-19 pandemic. His strategic, calm and compassionate approach embodies the values of preparedness, leadership and community service central to Scouting America’s mission.

Santa Barbara City College welcomes community to 76th Annual Commencement Ceremony

by Community Contributor • May 15, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is proud to announce its 76th Annual Commencement Ceremony, to be held on Friday, May 23, at 5 p.m. at the college’s La Playa Stadium. This cherished event marks the culmination of years of hard work and academic achievement, and SBCC warmly welcomes the community — including families and friends of graduates — to join in this special celebration.

SBCC will confer more than 3,833 degrees to around 1,535 graduating students across a wide range of disciplines, recognizing their academic accomplishments and resilience. The ceremony will include inspiring speeches, student recognitions and heartfelt moments as graduates cross the stage.

Bilingual report — Community members urged to use shuttles and off-site parking for Strawberry Festival

by Community Contributor • May 15, 2025 • Comments Off

VENTURA — With thousands expected to attend the California Strawberry Festival at the Ventura County Fairgrounds on May 17-18, 2025, the Ventura Police Department advises visitors to expect traffic congestion throughout the weekend. Attendees are encouraged to use off-site parking, the free Strawberry Express Shuttle system, or rail services to avoid delays and enhance pedestrian safety.

“While the City of Ventura is not the host of the Strawberry Festival, the event has a significant impact on our streets and neighborhoods,” said Traffic Unit Supervisor Sergeant Mark Knackstedt. “Our role is to help ensure public safety by managing increased traffic, preventing collisions, and providing for pedestrian safety.”

Ventura County Civic Alliance May 15, 2025 Livable Communities Newsletter

by Community Contributor • May 15, 2025 • Comments Off

We are continuing to look at the dire housing crisis in Ventura County and the need for affordability in the real estate market. This quarter’s articles focus on identifying different housing needs and a variety of approaches used to fill them.

The actualized projects presented by the Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation and California State University Channel Islands each address the needs of specific groups in different but effective ways. The third segment discusses a project that has initial approval and is working its way through the system in Ventura.

It is clear that creativity in design, amenities, location and financing, along with process flexibility, are key

Bilingual report — Ventura Police Dept. — “Click It or Ticket” campaign reminds Californians to always buckle up

by Community Contributor • May 14, 2025 • Comments Off

“Buckling up takes seconds, but it can save your life,” said Corporal David Curtis. “Every person in every vehicle — no matter their age or where they’re sitting — deserves that protection. Wearing a seat belt should be second nature, every trip, every time.”