Category: Health

Lumina Alliance receives $600,000 grant to prevent violence in schools

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 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.

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Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Port of Hueneme World Oceans Day: Sustaining the Seas Summit (June 8)

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Sustaining the Seas Summit

The Port of Hueneme will host four short sessions on June 8th, seeking to inspire change and celebrate World Oceans Day. The presenters and topics showcased during these sessions will highlight individuals whose organizations, projects and initiatives align with the port’s mission of promoting a blue economy while simultaneously protecting and preserving one of the most crucial components of our biosphere.

June 8th, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Channel Islands Maritime Museum, 3900 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard, CA 93035

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Miles for Moms 5K Draws Over 550 Participants and Raises $100,000 to Benefit Patient Care at Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital

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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).

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Friendship Center Special Announcement – Heidi Holly Retires after 38 Years!

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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

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Cottage Urgent Care Offers $35 Pre-Participation Physical Exams for Students Engaging in Sports and Summer Activities

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Cottage Urgent Care is pleased to offer discounted pre-participation physical examinations for students engaging in sports and summer activities. Students can benefit from these examinations at a discounted rate of just $35 across all Cottage Urgent Care locations.

During the exam, a board-certified advanced practice provider, either a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, will assess the student’s overall health, evaluate fitness levels and address any recent health changes and concerns. In California, students who plan to engage in sports or summer activities, such as camp, must undergo physical examination.

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Ventura County Fire Department Announces Additional Service to Simi Valley — Advanced Life Support Squad Added at Station 41

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The Ventura County Fire Department is proud to announce the addition of an Advanced Life Support (ALS) Squad vehicle to Simi Valley today. Squad 41 will be staffed by two firefighter/paramedics and deliver an enhanced level of service.

Squad 41 will be stationed at Fire Station 41 on Church Street near E. Los Angeles Avenue in Central Simi Valley.

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MICOP to Receive Part of Historic Funding, Announced Today by Esperanza United and Mujeres Latinas en Acción, Going to Hispanic and Latin@ Culturally Specific Community-Based Organizations Providing Domestic or Sexual Assault Services

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The Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) received an award to support its Voz de la Mujer Indigena (Voice of the Indigenous Woman) program, which provides resources and case management to indigenous survivors of domestic violence. MICOP utilizes a holistic healing approach to support survivors in finding their voices and creating safer and healthier environments for themselves, their families, and their communities. With this new support, MICOP plans to hire additional case managers in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties and allot funds for emergency food, shelter, transportation, and financial assistance.

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Cottage Health Research Institute and Community Researchers Gather for 2023 Collaborative Research Symposium

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Physicians, nurses, UCSB scientists and other researchers gathered in March for the 2023 Collaborative Research Symposium, hosted by the Cottage Health Research Institute (CHRI) in collaboration with Santa Barbara City College; California State University, Channel Islands; University of California, Santa Barbara and Westmont College.

The event at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara provided an opportunity to bring together healthcare providers, academic faculty and other researchers to share ideas, make new connections and attract grant funding. Nearly 200 participants gathered in person and virtually for the free one-day event that included topics on health disparities and equity in the workplace.

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Santa Barbara County Wildfire Resilience Collaborative Receives $455,000 from CA Coastal Conservancy For Habitat Restoration Projects

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Recently, the CA Coastal Conservancy awarded $455,000 to the Santa Barbara County Wildfire Resilience Collaborative (WRC) to develop and execute three wildfire resilience and habitat restoration projects: a creeks and open spaces initiative for Goleta, a collaborative project in partnership with The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County in the Arroyo Hondo Preserve, and the refinement of essential tools for resilience planning. These three priorities were identified through the Santa Barbara County Wildfire Regional Priority Plan (RPP).

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Ventura Land Trust Awarded $1.3 million FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant

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Ventura Land Trust (VLT) has been awarded a $1.3 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for fuel load reduction and erosion mitigation in Harmon Canyon Preserve. The funded proposal is designed to mitigate wildfire risk between Harmon Canyon Preserve and the residential neighborhood of Clearpoint.

While winter rains have resulted in robust growth of waist-high lupine, perennial bunchgrasses, California peony, and coast live oaks, invasive plant species have also had a record year.

VLT has until May 2024 to reduce fuel loads primarily made up of invasive annual grasses, thistles, tumbleweed, and mustards, while minding the structural integrity of erosive slopes and the ecological conservation of the Preserve.

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Congresswoman Julia Brownley Delivers $375,000 to the Port of Hueneme’s Environmental Initiative

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Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) visited the Port of Hueneme to deliver a check in the amount of $375,000 in support of the Port of Hueneme’s Reducing Emissions, Supporting Health (PHRESH) Plan that will assess and address emissions, air quality requirements and goals, as well as look at future growth scenarios, emission control strategies, community involvement, strategy funding, implementation, and monitoring.

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Santa Maria Valley Youth & Family Center Celebrates 50 Years of Empowering Youth, Families

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For the past 50 years, Santa Maria Valley Youth & Family Center (SMVYFC) has provided vital mental health counseling and family support services to Santa Maria youth and families—often at their most critical times of need. The Center, which merged with Family Service Agency (FSA) of Santa Barbara County in 2017, empowers families to tackle mental health challenges, poverty, and parenting issues as they take steps toward strengthening their families and achieving wellness.

“Strong families are the cornerstone of strong communities,” said Brian Zimmerman, Director of Student and Family Services for the Santa Maria Bonita School District (SMBSD). “Santa Maria Valley Youth & Family Center has helped students and their families in our district for generations.”

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Bilingual report — County of Ventura celebrates National Bike Month with CycleMAYnia

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The County of Ventura Sustainability Division will celebrate National Bike Month this year by hosting CycleMAYnia Mini-Expo. CycleMAYnia Mini-Expo is a free event open to the public that aims to inspire more people to embrace cycling as a sustainable, eco-friendly, and health-enhancing mode of transportation. The community is encouraged to attend the event happening on Wednesday, May 31stfrom 10 am – 2 pm at the Ventura County Government Center Lot G. 

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Port of Hueneme Receives Recognition from Oxnard Union High School District for Community Outreach Efforts

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The Oxnard Union High School District (OUHSD) selected businesses in the community to recognize for its 2023 Business Champions Awards. This celebration was an opportunity to thank the Port of Hueneme and other businesses for their efforts to create prosperity in communities through collaboration, college readiness efforts, and career preparation. 

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Bilingual report — County Of Ventura Receives Top 2023 Sustainability Award From The Southern California Association Of Governments

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The County of Ventura was selected to receive the 2023 Sustainability Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). The award, which is the most prestigious given by SCAG, was given in recognition of the Resource Management Agency’s Agricultural Worker Housing Ordinance. The County was recognized at SCAG’s Regional Conference and General Assembly on May 4 in Palm Desert, California.

“Our Board of Supervisors has long championed the promotion of housing for those working in our agriculture industry,” said Kim Prillhart, Director of the Resource Management Agency. “I couldn’t be more pleased by the innovations in this ordinance that ensures a sustainable path forward to build quality housing for our agriculture workers in Ventura County. It is a testament to the quality of the work that we do at the County of Ventura to have those efforts recognized by SCAG’s most prestigious sustainability award.”

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Talking to Youth About Their Mental Health

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Conversations around mental health issues can be challenging and complicated. Using the tools of Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA), adults can help take the fear and hesitation out of starting a difficult conversation that may end up saving someone’s life. A new slate of YMHFA classes have been scheduled starting this May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month.

The free training teaches adults how to spot warning signs of mental health risks and substance abuse in youth, and how to prevent a tragedy. Join the more than 1,600 Santa Barbara County parents, mental health providers, educators, and counselors have already been trained.

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Friendship Center’s Heidi Holly to Leave Organization after 38 Years One Of Santa Barbara’s Most Beloved Executive Directors is Stepping Down

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Heidi Holly, Executive Director of the Friendship Adult Day Care Center in Santa Barbara for over 38 years is planning to retire in July.  The adult day program provides services for aging and dependent adults and respite for their caregivers. Friendship Center brings social activities to enhance seniors’ quality of life, promote self-esteem, and increase their ability to continue living at home.  

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Bilingual report — New State Insurance Regulations Affecting Property Owners in Fire Risk Areas

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CAMARILLO – Several Ventura County property owners in fire risk areas have shared concerns recently about notices from their insurance companies that indicate coverage would not be renewed unless certain steps to reduce fire risks were taken.

The insurance companies appear to be acting on new rules from California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara that went into effect in April. The regulation was not made by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors or the Ventura County Fire Department.

The state’s new rules were intended to create more transparency in the process when insurance companies determine premiums or decide whether to cancel a policy.

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More than 1,800 Vegetable Plants Distributed During SEEAG’s 1st Annual Plantopia Earth Day Event

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More than 1,800 vegetable plants were distributed at Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture’s (SEEAG) first annual Plantopia U Pick Transplant Fundraiser on Earth Day. The fundraiser raised over $5,000 to help with SEEAG’s agricultural education programs that teach students about the farm origins of their food, water resources, soil health, entomology and locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Plantopia was held at SEEAG’s Farm Lab at Petty Ranch in Ventura and Plantel Nurseries in Santa Maria. In addition to tomatoes, zucchini, squash, basil and pepper seedlings, SEEAG provided 500 bags of potting soil donated by Agromin in Ventura County and Engel and Gray in Santa Barbara County to give plants a healthy start.

“We plan to make Plantopia an annual event,” says Mary Maranville, SEEAG’s founder and CEO. “It’s a great way to kick off planting season, remind people of the importance of our farmers and celebrate Earth Day.”

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Cottage Health Honors Volunteers

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After a three-year pause during the pandemic, the Cottage Health Volunteer Awards Luncheon was back in person this past April at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.

Over the past year, 450 Cottage volunteers have donated close to 95,000 hours of service at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital and Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital.

Cottage volunteers serve across nearly every department, including Emergency, Surgery, Intensive Care, Physical Therapy, Orthopedics and Wound Care.

Ron Werft, President & CEO of Cottage Health, praised the vital work of volunteers during the awards luncheon with 150 volunteers in attendance.

“As volunteers, you have chosen to generously share your gifts, and we are all better because of you,” Mr. Werft said. “Your service is seen through every area of Cottage Health, and you are truly part of the care team.”

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2022 Ventura County Animal Services Annual Report

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We are thrilled to share with you our 2022 Annual Report. We had very successful and busy year. We hope this snapshot provides a glimpse into our daily lifesaving activities during the 2022 calendar year. Thank you for your continuing support of our lifesaving mission!

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Triunfo Water & Sanitation District Lifts Stage 1 Water Shortage Conditions

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At its April 24 meeting, the Triunfo Water & Sanitation District (TWSD) board of directors voted to lift Stage 1 Water Shortage conditions, which have been in place since August 2021. TWSD’s nearly 14,000 Oak Park residential and business potable water users are no longer required to limit their outdoor water use to one day per week.

“Our customers did a great job reducing their water consumption,” says Jane Nye, TWSD board chair. “Along with their efforts and the unusually wet winter, we now can confidently move out of the Stage 1 level.”

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Bilingual report — County of Ventura latest news — County of Ventura launches 150th Anniversary Website

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County of Ventura launches 150th Anniversary Website
In honor of the County’s 150th anniversary, we’re excited to announce that our VC 150 Memories website has launched!

VC 150 Memories is a community-driven project that aims to celebrate and preserve the cherished memories of residents in Ventura County. The goal is to collect and archive photos that capture special moments and experiences that people have had in the county both past and present. Residents are invited to submit their favorite images, which will be featured in a public photo gallery and used to create a visual representation of the county’s rich history and diverse community.

The project is a celebration of the people, places, and events that make Ventura County such a unique and special place to live.

Visit www.venturacounty150.com and share your favorite memories and why you love Ventura County!

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Cottage Health in Santa Barbara announces 2023-25 Behavioral Health Initiative Request for Proposals

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Cottage Health is now accepting applications for the 2023-25 Behavioral Health Initiative Community Partnership Grants. The grant opportunity is open to organizations working to address behavioral health needs for children and youth and their families in south Santa Barbara County. Using evidence-based interventions, grantees in the initiative will collaborate on community-based work to increase access and use of behavioral health services and to improve the health and quality of life of adolescents and their families.

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Cottage Health Launches MyChart App

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A new app from Cottage Health provides patients with easy access to their health information.  The Cottage Health MyChart app helps users easily manage health information and care for themselves and their family. App services include accessing test results, managing and pre-registering for appointments, and communicating with physicians. Consumers can also use the tool to find a physician, locate nearby healthcare services, and access 24/7 Virtual Care and Urgent Care appointments with just a click.

“The Cottage MyChart app provides patients secure online access to their health record in one location,” said Sheri Ribeiro, Chief Information Officer, Cottage Health.

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Savie Health in Lompoc Offering Free Women’s Health Care Services for the Uninsured

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LOMPOC — Savie Health, a free medical clinic in Lompoc for people without health insurance, is now offering a limited range of women’s health care services, with plans to add more soon.Patients can now receive the following services for free…

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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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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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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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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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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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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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Ventura County nurses and health care professionals ratify historic 5-year contract with strong measures to improve patient safety, recruitment and retention

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VENTURA COUNTY — Registered nurses and health care professionals who work for the Ventura County Health System in California (on April 7) voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying a new 5-year contract winning protections to improve patient safety and staff retention along with pension enhancement and a competitive benefit package, announced California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU). 

“We are so pleased that the nurses and the health care workers stood strong and united to win this important contract that will help us attract and retain experienced health care professionals who are committed to our community,” said Gina Parcon, an ICU nurse at Santa Paula Hospital. “

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Bilingual report — Medi-Cal Recipients on Central Coast Urged to Reconfirm Eligibility

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… “We urge our members to update their contact information with their local Department of Social Services to ensure they receive the renewal package in the mail. This is especially important if the member has moved or their mailing address has changed in the last two years,” said CenCal Health Chief Customer Experience & Health Equity Officer Van Do-Reynoso, MPH, Ph.D. “Access to care is a critical step towards health equity. So please – check, update, and respond to keep yourself and your family covered.” 

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Savie Health in Lompoc announces new volunteer physician

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Savie Health, a free clinic offering no-charge health care to the uninsured population in Santa Barbara County and beyond, is pleased to welcome three new physicians to its team of dedicated volunteers.

Drs. Gilbert Andersen, Lawrence Li and Hafez Nasr are currently volunteering part-time to see patients at Savie Health’s medical clinic in Lompoc, which is open weekly from Wednesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The non-profit clinic, which relies on volunteers, provides free, high-quality, non-emergency care and offers medical, preventive and behavioral health services.

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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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Nyeland Acres Celebrated Start of National Public Health Week on April 1 with a Mariachi Twist at Spring Health Fair

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The community of Nyeland Acres celebrated the start of National Public Health Week on Saturday April 1st, 2023. The Spring Health Fair took place at the Nyeland Acres Community Center. At the event, various health agencies set up a series of booths and distributed educational materials. All residents had the opportunity to receive free health screenings from Westminster Free Clinic, including glucose and blood pressure testing. Residents also had the opportunity to participate in a fun Zumba class. Every family that attended received a box of berries donated by Reiter Affiliated Co. and bananas donated by The Port of Hueneme. There were about 220 residents that attended the health fair.

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March/April 2023 Friendly Finch Friendship Center’s Bi-Monthly Newsletter

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Dear Friends & Supporters,

You made my heart go pitter patter!! The 24th Festival of Hearts held at the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort in February was by far the most successful… in part due to your participation!!! Thank you for putting your “heart and soul” into making this event fly by sponsoring, making donations, bidding on live auction items and heart art, purchasing tickets… and just showing up! A shout out to the amazing events committee, board of directors, staff, “heart wrangler” Sharon Morrow, and many volunteers. Fundraising events support our operations and our seniors and families who matter most to us. Below is a brief video produced by David Harlow, our videographer extraordinaire, and some testimonials that come from the heart!

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Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan’s Partnership with AmericasHealth Plan to End

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Gold Coast Health Plan’s (GCHP) partnership with AmericasHealth Plan (AHP) is expected to end on March 31, 2023, following a recent notification from Clinicas del Camino Real about its business decision to wind down operations of AHP, a wholly owned subsidiary. As such, GCHP will end its three-year subcontract with AHP after 18 months and transition the health care administration of more than 9,000 Medi-Cal beneficiaries back to GCHP on April 1, 2023. Member benefits and services will not be affected by the transition. Members who have an assigned primary care provider will be able to continue with that provider or select a new one.

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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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Bilingual report — Santa Barbara Earth Day Honors Two Outstanding Environmental Justice Activists with 2023 Environmental Hero Award

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The Community Environmental Council (CEC) proudly announces the recipients of its 2023 Santa Barbara Earth Day Environmental Hero Awards. CEC will honor Nalleli Cobo and Cesar Aguirre, who both work tirelessly in their communities to combat the devastating effects of the fossil fuel industry. The awards ceremony will be emceed by past Environmental Hero Award recipient Florencia Ramirez, kitchen activist, podcaster, and author of “How to Eat Less Water.”

Cesar Aguirre
Activists like Cobo and Aguirre have dedicated their lives to making an impact on climate change and set an example for people across California. Their activism lights the way for communities everywhere. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, April 30 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the main stage in Alameda Park.Both awardees will be on stage to accept their awards. 

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Bingocize Joins Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA)’s Fall Prevention Class Lineup

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Bingocize, a nationally recognized evidence-based program, will join the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging and the Ventura County Elderly Fall Prevention Coalition’s award-winning lineup of classes next month.

Bingocize strategically combines the game of bingo, exercise and health education, according to the National Council on Aging. During the 10-week program, participants play a traditional game of Bingo twice a week, with each session also including exercises (range of motion, balance, muscle strengthening, and endurance) and health education questions.

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