We’re pleased to share with you our latest video highlighting our Community Impact programs.
Learn more about Women United, VITA, Stuff the Bus, United to End Homelessness VC, and Building Healthy Smiles initiatives and the outcomes we’ve accomplished together!
Please hit play to take a look!
Spin Cycle: Unfolding the
Science of Laundry
Everybody’s clothes get dirty, meaning we all must deal with the dreaded laundry. Through the years people have tried different ways to clean their clothes and now we have the science to explain why some of those methods actually work!
Using 19th and early 20th century laundry items from MVC’s historical collection, visitors will learn about the “how” and “who” behind everyone’s least favorite chore. Let’s explore how our everyday world works together.
This exhibit is made possible by the
?Ventura County Credit Union
LOMPOC — Parks in Lompoc offer a tranquil oasis for nature enthusiasts and outdoor lovers alike. With the destination’s gentle climate and breathtaking landscapes, the Lompoc Valley boasts a myriad of beautiful parks. Travelers can explore top parks where they can immerse themselves in the region’s natural wonders and find moments of tranquility.
County to Consider Tenant Protection Ordinance On Tuesday, June 27th the Board of Supervisors will consider an ordinance to further strengthen the County’s tenant protection ordinance. This proposal will make important changes to extend access to tenant protections to…
America is recognizing National Homeownership Month during June, and People’s is working toward making that American Dream more possible across the Central Coast, every day. Since 1970, we have continued to bridge seemingly insurmountable gaps for those locked out of the intergenerational benefits from homeownership and facilitated the construction of over 1,200 self-help houses for first-time owners. Though substantial gains have been made, our local challenges continue to grow exponentially. The increasing barriers to homeownership are in large part a result of what’s occurred over the past 50 years; a steadily widening gap between earnings and housing costs.
For middle schoolers who love science, registration is open for the Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s summer STEM Club in Simi Valley and Westlake Village.
The one-week programs each have a specific theme. The robots workshop is July 10 through 14 at the Simi Valley YMCA (3200 Cochran Street, Simi Valley) and July 17 through 21 at the Yarrow Family YMCA (31105 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Westlake Village). The engineering session is from July 31 through August 4 at the Simi Y. There is a waitlist for the session at the Yarrow Y (August 7 through 11).
VENTURA — In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, June 20, the Board of Supervisors agreed to adopt a resolution in support of a comprehensive plan to address homelessness put forth by the California State Association of Counties. The plan, titled ‘AT HOME’, focuses on establishing solutions to reduce homelessness throughout the state of California, with clear guidelines laid out for specific programs and responsibilities for the state, counties, and cities. Through adoption of the resolution, the County of Ventura joins 21 other counties that have shown their support and voted in favor of supporting CSAC’s ‘AT HOME’ Plan.
“This didn’t just happen overnight – we have been working with CSAC since 2018 on housing solutions,” shared District 3 Supervisor Kelly Long. “We feel that it’s very important to join in on this resolution for the ‘AT HOME’ Plan so we can address how we can secure the funding needed, ensure that it is sustainable, and make a big difference in our homeless count right now.”
On view now through July 9, 2023
Closing soon: “Shadow and Light” is a 30-year survey of Central Coast artist Bruce Everett’s magnificent landscapes in oil. Characterized by bold and often dark compositional forms, dramatic effects of light, and a sense of solitude, Everett’s paintings combine both smooth and expressive brushwork and include large studio pieces and small plein air scenes depicting locales from Los Angeles north to San Luis Obispo.
While we highly recommend experiencing Bruce’s art in person, we hope you enjoy this abbreviated look at Everett’s exhibit in your inbox!
SANTA BARBARA — Since mid-March, Garcia has led the development of new protocols for welcoming and hosting our growing and diverse audiences, artists, and funders. She is the primary liaison for the institution, and is working closely with the Board to develop additional staff and programmatic capacity as MCASB continues to fulfill its mission. Recent developments include expanded gallery hours to six days a week, a robust First Thursday series of public programs, and the development of new inclusive youth focused programming that seeks to create greater connections between Indigenous youth and the Museum.
I taught college mathematics for over 40 years at a local community college. During that time, I witnessed how poorly prepared most incoming students were for college mathematics. In fact, the vast majority required some level of “remediation.”
“Remediating” students meant that they may have had to begin their college math journey as far down as “Basic Mathematics.” This lowest level college class taught them (or reviewed for them) how to add, subtract, multiply, divide, handle fractions and decimals, and deal with some elementary geometric concepts (circles, squares, rectangles, etc.).
SANTA BARBARA — Happy Father’s Day cards extol the virtues of Dad with pithy sayings like “#1 Dad” and “Happy Father’s Day to a dad who taught me what life is about….”
Fathers occupy a critical role in child development. According to The Fatherhood Project, Children with actively involved fathers are: 43% more likely to earn A’s in school and 33% less likely to repeat a grade than those without engaged dads. Children who feel a closeness to their father are also twice as likely as to enter college or find stable employment after high school, 75% less likely to have a teen birth, 80% less likely to spend time in jail, and half as likely to experience multiple depression symptoms.
SANTA PAULA — As residents begin to plan their Fourth of July celebrations, the City of Santa Paula reminds the community that all fireworks, including those commonly referred to as “safe and sane,” are illegal within the City. Santa Paulans are invited to celebrate in other ways and review the City’s municipal code pertaining to fireworks.
“While we have many reasons to celebrate in the coming weeks with family and friends, I strongly encourage my fellow Santa Paulans to avoid the use of illegal fireworks,” said Santa Paula Mayor Andy Sobel. “Fireworks can create unsafe and dangerous conditions for our entire community, and there are many other opportunities and ways to celebrate whether it be a family gathering or barbecue, outdoor activities such as biking or hiking, or attending the annual Rotary Club and City of Santa Paula fireworks display.”
The first of a series of events celebrating the campus’s newest crop of graduates shined a spotlight on CCS, the “graduate school for undergraduates.”
Last Thursday, a significant milestone has been achieved that has been in the works the entire time I’ve been Supervisor. With the opening of Fire Station 27, Our most remote community has finally received the Fire Station it deserves. As Supervisor for Cuyama, I always strive to ensure equitable services and emergency response for every part of the County. This project has been made possible through the active participation of many dedicated Cuyama community members. I want to give a special shoutout to Mrs. Fursteinfeld’s 6th Grade Class who joined the ribbon-cutting ceremony. I am certain that there are some future first responders among this great group of students!
Mark your calendars!
Join us for a free, family-friendly event on Friday, June 23 to celebrate the kick-off of 150 days of celebration in honor of the 150th Anniversary of Ventura County!
Museum of Ventura County
100 East Main Street
Ventura, CA
5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Come enjoy food trucks, music, games and new exhibits at the Museum of Ventura County! We hope to see you there!
For the next 150 days, join the County of Ventura and the Museum of Ventura County as we celebrate this unique region. Be part of a series of programs and celebrations that will help us discover who we really are and what makes us unique in all the world. Meet neighbors and community leaders who have helped shape the world we live in every day.
VENTURA — The County of Ventura, in partnership with the Museum of Ventura County, will host a family-friendly community event to mark the kick-off of 150 days of celebration in honor of the 150th Anniversary of Ventura County. The event will be held at the Museum of Ventura County in downtown Ventura and will feature museum exhibits, games, food trucks, and music.
Dear Valued Port Friends and Partners,
The Port of Hueneme is excited for this year’s 10th Annual Port of Hueneme Banana Festival. We host the Banana Festival annually as the banana is one of our port’s main imports, bringing in over 5 billion bananas a year! We will have live music, tasty eats, and shopping, thanks to the help of our sponsors and vendors.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Tomorrow marks the official launch of The County’s 150th Anniversary Celebrations. Be on the lookout for an “all things 150” preview newsletter!
SACRAMENTO — Residents of San Luis Obispo County who experienced damage from the severe storms and flooding that took place in February and March can now apply for federal disaster assistance.
In addition, Plumas, Solano and Sonoma counties are now eligible for FEMA Public Assistance, which reimburses local and state government agencies and certain nonprofit organizations, including Houses of Worship, for the costs of emergency response, debris removal and restoration of disaster damaged public facilities and infrastructure.
San Luis Obispo County joins the previously designated counties of Butte, Kern, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Mono, Monterey, San Benito, San Bernardino, Santa Cruz, Tulare and Tuolumne in being eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.
SANTA BARBARA — As a student in Santa Maria in 1988, Danielle Calvo began seeing an Outreach Mentor in first grade.
“I was excited when I was able to spend time with my mentor, Gail Burgess,” said Danielle. “My parents were separating, and Gail encouraged me to talk through my experiences, but she made our time together fun through games and activities.”
Years later, even into her adult life, Gail’s impact left an incredible impression on Danielle, inspiring her to also be that role model for children who were just like her. When Danielle stumbled across a job opening and Gail’s name was listed as the supervisor, she knew she had to apply. After a heartfelt reunion, Danielle is now supporting young students in Santa Maria as she once was nurtured.
Girls Inc. of Carpinteria announced today’s its seventh cohort of Eureka! program participants has graduated high school and is officially gearing up to attend college this fall.
The group of 12 extraordinary young women will be heading off to universities and colleges across the state – from UC Davis to Cal Poly Pomona and SBCC.“Year after year, I continue to be blown away by the dedication and resilience of our Eureka cohorts – and it’s a privilege to see them achieve this significant milestone after all the hard work they have put in to get here,” said Jamie Collins, executive director of Girls Inc. Carpinteria. “Our team is proud to have been in their corner over these last five years and we know they’ll continue to break barriers and achieve continued success in this next chapter of their lives.”
The students graduating from Ventura County high schools in 2023 had anything but a typical experience. They were in the second half of their freshman year when the pandemic forced classrooms to close. They had to adapt to distance learning and all of the challenges that went along with it. Many faced the ordeal of seeing loved ones pass away or fall ill from COVID-19. And when in-person instruction resumed, social distancing and masking became a part of their daily routines.
Despite it all, there is no shortage of students in the class of 2023 who have achieved incredible things during their high school years. Several have overcome obstacles that go well beyond the pandemic to reach this important milestone. In our annual graduation edition of Focus on Education, we are proud to share some of their inspiring stories with you.
Dr. César Morales
Ventura County Superintendent of Schools
Last weekend I had the opportunity to join Moms Demand Action Santa Barbara to participate in Wear Orange Weekend. Together we helped pick up trash and weeds at Ortega Park and celebrated the historic murals. We know what it takes to stop gun violence. Having beautiful and clean spaces for our youth is a big part of that. We also need action. Common sense gun safety measures like the Gun Violence Restraining Order law I authored in the State Assembly have prevented over 58 mass shootings in California since 2016, by temporarily removing guns from those who pose harm to themselves or others. Our Member of Congress Salud Carbajal is leading the effort in Washington, D.C. to incentivize states across our nation to adopt these laws because they work. But these laws only keep us safe when our friends and neighbors are informed about them and utilize them in times of need.
Below you will find information about Gun Violence Restraining Orders and how different people in contact with people who may be at risk of hurting themselves or others with a gun utilize them.
Please help us spread the word about this tool and visit speakforsafety.org to learn more.
VENTURA — The General Services Agency will accept the donation of two bronze veteran memorial statues for installation at the Ventura County Veterans Memorial. Following a vote at the April 25th Board meeting, the Board of Supervisors authorized the General Services Agency to work in partnership with the Vietnam Veterans of Ventura County and other veterans’ organizations to install the statues.
The two statues slated to be installed will honor the loss and sacrifice made by families and members of the military. The “Gold Star” statue will be a life size rendition of a mother/wife kneeling holding her son’s/husband’s folded casket flag. The “Remembering” statue will be a life size rendition of a kneeling soldier reaching out and remembering his fallen brethren.
“It is powerful to be in the presence of monuments in Washington DC like the Vietnams’ Memorial Wall,” said Chair of the Board of Supervisors Matt LaVere. “Now we do not have to travel across the country, we’re going to have something equally powerful right here in Ventura to go pay our respects which is so important.”.
VENTURA — Coinciding with the busy summer season, Island Packers is expanding its non-landing schedule to include Summer Whale Watching excursions through mid September to view some truly extraordinary magnificent mammals.
Passengers on Summer Whale Watching trips, departing Ventura Harbor Village, have an excellent chance to view several whale species in the Santa Barbara Channel, who migrate here to feed on the abundant shoals of baitfish and krill. Summer species that can be seen include blue whales, fin whales, and humpbacks, as well as marine life such as common dolphin, seals, and sea lions.
Between the overlapping arrangement of two lattices, physicists find some interesting material behaviors that have never been seen before
Kids’ Summer Art Camps inside the Santa Paula Art Museum’s Cole Creativity Center begin Monday, June 12, 2023. Teaching artist Roxanne Casas (pictured above performing a clay demonstration at last weekend’s Kids’ Art Fest) will be starting us off with Intro to Ceramics for ages 9-12.
We’ve got over a dozen art camps to choose from in June, July, and August. Let your kids get their hands dirty and exercise their creativity as they learn to paint, draw, craft, sculpt, and more! All camps are $160 for five half-days of camp. Scroll down to see all of our available camps in June.
The Arte & Cultura Collective of Santa Paula is thrilled to announce the launch of Bursting with Color: Downtown Youth Banner Celebration, an exciting project that aims to engage and showcase the artistic talents of children, youth, and teens in Santa Paula. The project will provide a platform for young artists to express themselves, foster creativity, and celebrate the cultural heritage of our community.
As a newly formed group, Arte & Cultura Collective of Santa Paula is dedicated to bringing together all forms of the arts within our vibrant community. We seek to celebrate, preserve, and promote the rich cultural heritage that defines our beloved Santa Paula collectively. We invite everyone to join us on this exciting journey as we strive to create a world where creativity knows no limits. Together, we can establish Santa Paula as a shining beacon of artistic expression, attracting artists and enthusiasts from near and far.
Join us in recognizing NeighborWorks Week! This time brings organizations across the country together to celebrate community successes and to see how we can work together build stronger neighborhoods.
Helping people access safe, supportive housing leads to thriving, healthier communities for all of us. With the support of NeighborWorks America, People’s Self-Help Housing has helped empower communities throughout the Central Coast by:
Bringing the stability and wealth-building opportunities of homeownership to 1,200+ households
Serving 5,000+ residents with compassionate property management and supportive services
Providing 200+ dedicated team members with reliable, impactful careers
En este campamento de verano, niñas y niños podrán acercarse a la expresión escénica de una manera divertida en un entorno bilingüe, de la mano de la experimentada actriz y maestra Alina Ceñal. Al final del curso, el grupo presentará la obra Charlie y la fábrica de chocolates para mostrar lo aprendido en esta divertida aventura en que pondrán en juego todo su talento.
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In this summer camp, girls and boys will be able to approach scenic expression in a fun way in a bilingual environment, led by the experienced actress and teacher Alina Ceñal. At the end of the course, the group will present the play Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to show what they have learned in this fun adventure in which they will put all their talents into play.
The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office recently announced that Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) has received an Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Innovative Best Practices Grant of $299,995. The SBCC grant is specifically earmarked for programs that disrupt institutional racism and foster equitable hiring and belongingness on campus.
The SBCC endownment is one of a number of EEO IBP grants totalling $5,651,806 to be distributed among a total of 21 California Community college districts. The funding will aid institutions that pilot or create innovative DEIA-minded practices related to EEO in the categories of pre- and post-hiring interventions as well as diversity interventions.
“I was humbled and inspired to collaborate with an amazing group of coworkers who understand the importance of approaching our DEIA work with intentionality; everyone was focused on creating and sustaining an environment where new employees and those who have been here for awhile feel welcomed as a part of this community and inspired to pay it forward and build lasting cultural change,” said SBCC Interim Vice President of Human Resources Deneatrice Lewis.
No matter how, why, or where you choose to launch (or end) your very own Lompoc Sweet Tooth Tour, it helps to have a solid rundown of some sweet spots in and around Lompoc.
That’s what we’re here for. Bon appétit and savor sweet!
The Simi Valley YMCA and Yarrow Family YMCA have opened registrations for their first summer session of swim programs. This session’s swim lessons are from June 19 through July 29 (no lessons from July 3 to July 8).
Group and private lessons are available for members and non-members in the community. Classes are offered in the afternoon and early evening during the week and on Saturdays for children as young as 3 years old. Children are grouped by age and taught the same skills. Lessons are once per week and class sizes are at a 1 to 5 instructor-student ratio.
Happy June! Here is the latest on our Social Justice Fellows:
Victoria Palomares and Dafne Aguilar (Oxnard LGBTQ+) have continued to hold their support sessions aimed to educate parents/caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth on advocacy and community building and provide a safe and affirming space for LGBTQ+ people and their families. These sessions are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month both in person at OPAC and over Zoom and will end next month. As a consistent form of support for returning attendees, Dafne and Victoria have provided a deeply meaningful space full of connection and empathy.
Dexter Nunnery (PROJECT50) continues to prioritize the Black community of Ventura County through his advocacy work and is currently working on developing partnerships in order to connect individuals with services for young adult counseling. Dexter held an event in April to officially introduce his nonprofit. His event was well attended and much loved by guests, who were excited to connect with Dexter and hear about his work in Ventura County. On June 2nd, Dexter took a group of students from Vista Real Charter School to visit Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara as a part of his Young Adult Counseling Program.
The Ventura County Fairgrounds is excited to announce its 2023 Ventura County Fair Entertainment Lineup for this summer, which includes a mix of genres from Country to Classic Rock, Hip Hop, and Soul.
Lumina Alliance has received a $600,000 grant funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to expand parenting, healthy relationships, and sexual health education in local elementary, middle, and high schools over the next 5 years.
In collaboration with the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, Lumina Alliance will support parents, caregivers, and youth by providing them the tools necessary to prevent sexual and intimate partner violence before it starts through three innovative programs.
June is a special month at VCCDC! We celebrate National Homeownership Month! At the core of our mission is the belief that a home is more than a place to live. It is the cornerstone of any individual’s and family’s economic, environmental and social well being.
SANTA PAULA — Take a tour of artist Andrea Vargas’ solo exhibition, “On the Ranch,” with Vargas as your guide! It’s a rare chance to meet the artist before she returns to Santa Fe for the summer. Andrea will explain the stories behind her all-new artworks and why she will always be drawn to the Santa Paula and Ventura County landscape. “On the Ranch” is on view now through September 10, 2023.
Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis, now officially a presidential candidate, has been implementing a tumultuous “War on Woke.” His crusade within the ongoing culture wars has infamously targeted transgender, LGBTQ, “personal pronouns,” and sexual identity issues.
Mr. DeSantis has gone so far as to place Disneyland directly in the crosshairs of his political weaponry. Disneyland dared to publicly disagree with one of his more contentious edicts against the gay population in his state. The governor has conjured a maelstrom of hatred to rile up and anger his base.
The First Annual Wild Oaks Country Music Festival takes place Saturday, June 3 in Thousand Oaks and will feature some of Nashville’s favorite country artists. Performers include country chart-topping Craig Morgan, grammy-nominated Cam, American Idol winner Chayce Beckham and local favorites Justin Honsinger and Chris Johnson and the Hollywood Hillbillies. The festival kicks off at noon and runs to 7:00 p.m. at Conejo Creek Park South (1300 E. Janss Rd., Thousand Oaks).
Dance instructor Jodi Maas will lead line dancing and line dance lessons. The festival features DJ Paul “Sweet P” Flannery and Josh Kelly. Dave Daniels, the morning show host on KHAY, is the MC.
Construction on the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara’s (HACSB) newest affordable housing project, Vera Cruz Village, is nearing completion. Vera Cruz Village will be located at 116 E. Cota Street and is designated for special needs and homeless individuals. The Housing Authority developed this project in response to the critical need for more permanent supportive housing units in the city of Santa Barbara.
Many of the incoming residents at Vera Cruz Village will have few possessions and little to no income, which is why 2nd Story Associates, HACSB’s affiliate nonprofit, is encouraging local community members to offer additional support in the form of monetary donations through its Furnishing Hope program.
The topic of housing, in short, is complicated.
Why build, where to build, and who to build for arouses fierce debate and throws into sharp relief the complex issues surrounding the housing crisis.
From white papers to opinion pieces, emerging legislation to ballot measures, quarterly we will be curating a variety of resources to help you become an informed advocate for affordable housing.
Thank you for joining us for this pilot of The Blueprint; we invite you to subscribe below to receive future editions.
When CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Sociology alumnus Vanessa Gonzalez was invited to apply to become tutor in the Learning Resource Center, she hesitated.
“I took a statistics course in Sociology and afterward, my professor nominated me to be a tutor and at first I felt like, am I smart enough to be a tutor?” Gonzalez said. “When I applied to become a tutor, it was different for me than for people who were born in the U.S. and would get a social security number.”
Not only is Gonzalez thriving as a tutor, but for an undocumented Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) student like Gonzalez, the LRC has been a community, a confidence-builder, and has helped shape her career plans.
“This job makes me see I want to go into a career where I help people,” said Gonzalez, a 2022 graduate.
And now the LRC has received International Tutor Training Program Certification (ITTPC) from the College Reading & Learning Association (CRLA).
Kid’s Drum Circle: Celebrating National Children’s Day
Sunday, June 4, 2023
1:30PM—3:00PM
@ The Agriculture Museum
Free Admission, Parental Supervision Required
Drum circles unite communities and can teach world traditions. Drum circles also enhance interpersonal skills, increase self-awareness, encourage self-control, reduce stress, and reduce anti-social behavior. Come play in the Kid’s Drum Circle, led by John Laques.
GOLETA – In a display of community support and celebration of mothers everywhere, the 4th annual Miles for Moms 5K run/walk drew an impressive 550 participants. This event, held on the eve of Mother’s Day, paid tribute to the selfless dedication of mothers while also raising $100,000 to benefit Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital (GVCH).
Over 200 guests of Family Service Agency attended Dreams in Bloom on Saturday May 13 at the Santa Barbara Woman’s Club at Rockwood—where they turned compassion into action. The sold-out event raised a record $250,000 to benefit the children, families, and seniors served by FSA—which includes Santa Maria Valley Youth & Family Center and Guadalupe’s Little House by the Park.
“We are humbled and energized by the support of our community,” said CEO Lisa Brabo. “This event is a great way to connect with our supporters and share our mutual passion for investing in the lives of the people we have the honor of serving.”
This Memorial Day, join us in San Luis Obispo as we give special honor and recognition to the individuals who sacrificed their lives while serving their country.
DID YOU KNOW? The San Luis Obispo Memorial Day remembrance event was originally offered at the San Luis cemetery in 1885 by the Civil War veterans of the Fred Steele Post 70 of the Grand Army of the Republic. At that time celebrations included a patriotic parade beginning at Higuera and Chorro streets, ending at the San Luis Cemetery.
This message goes out to our staff, our Board members, members of our Center, caregivers, volunteers, patrons, grantors, donors, artists and community partners: It takes a village to care for our cherished elders and their caregivers, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have served our community!
Thank you everyone for being such an important part of my 38 FABULOUS YEARS serving seniors at Friendship Center!
With much love and gratitude,
Heidi Holly
Executive Director
Mayor John C. Zaragoza is pleased to announce that the City of Oxnard, along with members of the following organizations: Disabled American Veterans – Ventura Chapter 24, Knights of Columbus Oxnard Council 750, Gold Star Mothers, Military Officers Association of America Ventura County Chapter, Port of Hueneme, Ben Moreell Sea Cadets Color Guard, Oxnard High School Air Force Jr. ROTC, and the Channel Islands High School Raiders Band, will jointly host a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 29, 2023, at Plaza Park starting at 11 a.m.
