William Peters and Dr. Raymond Moody Host “How the Shared Death Experience Changes Everything” at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 12.
Founder of Sharing Crossing Project (SCP) and author of At Heaven’s Door, William Peters will be joined by philosopher, psychiatrist, physician and author of Glimpses of Eternity, Dr. Raymond Moody on Saturday, March 12th at 10:00 a.m. PST for a FREE LIVE WEBINAR on How the Shared Death Experience Changes Everything.
Una revisión de cómo se detecta el cáncer de pulmón, cuáles son los factores de riesgo y cómo lo tratamos en los tiempos modernos.
SOBRE NUESTRO PRESENTADOR — Caitlin G?mez, M.D.
The Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (CADA) will hold the annual Gratitude Luncheon celebrating its Mentor Program on Thursday, March 24, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. The outdoor gathering will feature “Santa Barbara Foundation 2021 Person of the Year” John Daly, who will speak about the power of mentoring. The luncheon is hosted by Founder and Event Chair Anne Smith Towbes.
According to CADA’s Executive Director Scott Whiteley, Ph.D., “Having a mentor can be a life-changing experience for a young person, particularly in times of uncertainty. Being connected with a caring adult mentor can help a young person learn to navigate challenges, avoid risky behaviors, and develop personal and academic confidence. As the pandemic continues to challenge local youth and their families, the request for mentors is greater than ever, and we are deeply grateful to our supporters for their generosity in helping us meet this critical need.”
Rural California — The history of racism and slavery runs deep in the veins of agribusiness rooted in the United States. It keeps shifting names and rebranding as Big Ag finds sources of cheaper labor. Join us in a three part webinar series (March 25) where you will have the opportunity to hear from advocates, organizers, elders and community who have been intergenerationally impacted by exploitation in the fields of the United States. This series will be presented in Spanish with interpretation into English and Mixteco. We hope you can join us.
After two years of Zoom services, Unity of Ventura has returned to in-person gatherings. Its March 27 service will feature the Rev. TJ Woodward, author and founding minister of Agape Bay Area in Oakland. Services are at 10:00 a.m. every Sunday at the Santa Paula Room in the Poinsettia Pavilion (3451 Foothill Rd., Ventura).
Woodward is a bestselling author, inspirational speaker and recovery expert who is the creator of The Conscious Recovery Method for treating addiction. He speaks with wisdom, humor and insight.
On Thursday May 5th, approximately forty 7th-12th-grade students from Ventura Unified School District (VUSD)will be presenting their environmental business proposals to a panel of judges. Students had the option of choosing a project from 4 categories: water conservation, energy efficiency, waste reduction at their school campuses, or to inform their communities about the benefits of removing the relic Matilija Dam from the Ventura River. The event will take place at the Museum of Ventura County, in downtown Ventura, from 4 -7 pm. The keynote speaker for the event is Chipper Bro, Entrepreneur, Environmental Advocate, and professional Surfer.
Family Service Agency welcomes you to our annual fundraiser, an evening with Dr. Sarah Y. Vinson, esteemed youth and child psychiatrist, and co-editor of Social (In)Justice and Mental Health and Pediatric Mental Health for Primary Care Providers. Dr. Vinson will be presenting on the topic of Supporting Youth Mental Health, followed by a Q&A. This discussion and reception will take place on Thursday May 12th, 2022 at 5PM at the Santa Barbara Woman’s Club, followed by a paddle raise to support Family Service Agency, Santa Maria Youth & Family Center, and Guadalupe’s The Little House By The Park.
Friends –
We need your help and muscle! 208 Kuranda dog beds were donated by members of the public, but they arrived unassembled. Will you help build-a-bed? If so, please bring a couple of required tools: 7/16″ wrench and a Phillip’s head screwdriver. We’ll be building outdoors on our lawn, so feel free to bring a shade canopy, folding table, and chairs. No RSVP needed. Please park on the street to allow front lot space for urgent shelter business. Children are welcome, but we ask parent to use their best judgement as there will be power tools in use.
See you Saturday, May 21st between 9:00am – 12:00pm.
Thank you for your support!
Ventura County Animal Services
Since the pandemic started, experts have warned of a mental health crisis facing American children. That is now playing out at schools across the nation—and in Santa Barbara County—in the form of increased childhood depression, anxiety, panic attacks, eating disorders, fights and thoughts of suicide.
“The pandemic has dramatically increased depression and anxiety in youth,” said Megan McClintock, Director of School Based Counseling Services for Family Service Agency (FSA). “Our organization is certainly seeing more referrals for treatment as well as an increase in severity.”
In partnership with national nonprofit NeighborWorks, the Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (Cabrillo EDC)?will be hosting a Mental Health Fair at Paseo de Luz Apartments in Oxnard, June 10, 1:30 to 4:30 pm. The event will help bring communities together and support NeighborWorks’ goal to help empower communities for success.
Join Hospice of Santa Barbara on Wednesday, June 22nd at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 22 for their next illuminate Speaker Series Event, Kristin Neff: The Strength of Self-Compassion.
Kristin Neff is currently an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research and is the author of the bestselling book, Self-Compassion. In her presentation, she will share the theory and research on self-compassion, which studies have increasingly shown to be powerfully associated with psychological wellbeing. A short practice will be taught for use when needed in daily life.
Ventura Land Trust broadens its public program offerings with an Artist-Led Plein Air Painting Workshop on Saturday, July 9th at 8:00 am at Harmon Canyon Preserve. Artists Debra Holladay, Laura Wambsgans, and Marian Fortunati will offer instruction for beginner and experienced artists on how to capture Harmon Canyon’s natural landscape through composition, form, color, and paint handling.
Participants will receive instruction as a group and one-on-one. Group discussion will allow painters to learn from one another. Ventura Land Trust staff will join the workshop to share elements of Harmon Canyon Preserve’s natural and cultural history.
Triunfo Water & Sanitation District is sponsoring a hands-on workshop on drip irrigation Saturday, July 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Mae Boyar Park (130 Kanan Road in Oak Park). The class is free and open to the public. Attendance is limited to 30.
After a two-year hiatus of holding in-person festivities, the Mental Wellness Center (MWC) is bringing its Mental Health Arts Festival back to De La Guerra Plaza. As in the past, the festival will showcase the artwork of local artists in mediums including painting, drawing, jewelry, poetry, sculpture and arts and crafts. But what’s really special about the festival doesn’t end with the artwork.
“It’s an opportunity for artists to display their work and showcase their talent the community in a way that is positive, productive and meaningful for them,” explained Darcy Keep, MWC Board Members and Administrative Director of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine at Cottage Health.
Join Hospice of Santa Barbara at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 20 for their next illuminate Speaker Series Event, Kristin Neff: The Strength of Self-Compassion.
Kristin Neff is currently an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research and is the author of the bestselling book, Self-Compassion.
Compassionate Care of Carpinteria’s The Light Shines Ahead 4th Annual Luncheon will be held Wednesday, August 10, 2022 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Rincon Beach Club (3895 Santa Claus Lane, Carpinteria).
The event will feature event emcees, Win and Ed Van Wingerden, event chair, Marybeth Carty and special guest speaker, Virginia Benson Wigle. This event will raise critical funds to support people who are struggling with grief and illness in the community of Carpinteria.
To celebrate National Health Center Week 2022, Clinicas will be hosting a Community Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13 at the El Rio Health Center, 2600 Vineyard Ave., Oxnard.
The Triunfo Water & Sanitation District will present four free “Water Smart Summer” classes that discuss water-saving and drought-tolerant landscaping and gardening techniques. Each of the classes will be presented by a certified instructor from the Master Gardeners of Ventura County.
One-hour classes will be held on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Classes are at Mae Boyar Park (130 Kanan Road) in Oak Park.
Ventura Land Trust’s annual benefit, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, returns for its 13th year on Saturday, August 20th at Ventura County Credit Union headquarters. This signature event raises funds each year to support Ventura Land Trust’s mission to permanently protect the land, water, wildlife and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations. Film Festival doors open at 5:00 pm, and films begin around 7:45 pm. A virtual ticket option is available for guests who prefer to enjoy the Film Festival from home.
Since 2020, Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) has adjusted to the new realities that come with COVID-19 by creating their freeilluminate Speaker Series – a series which addresses aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic and offers active solutions to navigate through this new reality.
Next on the line up will be Dr. Kelly McGonigal, who will present A Conversation with Dr. Kelly McGonigal on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, 6:00 to 7:00 pm PDT. The conversation will be moderated by well-known NPR host, Jonathan Bastian. The event is free, but registration is required.
Assemblymember Steve Bennett, Senator Monique Limón, and the County of Ventura, along with local water experts, will present an overview of California’s and Ventura County’s water delivery systems with a particular focus on western Ventura County. The forum will discuss the threats of the extreme drought conditions our state and region is facing, the impacts it will have on our communities and the agencies’ efforts to address these issues.
EPA’s Technical Assistance Services for Communities (TASC) program will host a meeting to discuss the Halaco Engineering Company Superfund Site in South Oxnard. This meeting will introduce TASC technical advisor Karmen King and discuss the Superfund Process and the Site’s Remedial Investigation, including the Risk Assessment. EPA staff will also be available to answer questions.
Family-to-Family is a free, eight-session education program for family members of adults living with a mental health disorder and is designed to help family members understand and support their loved one while maintaining their own well-being.
The class will also cover information on illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and other mental health conditions and is taught by trained teachers who are also family members that know what it is like to have a loved one struggling with a mental health disorder.
The class is offered through NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for those affected by mental health disorders. Classes will be in person and will follow all County Health Department and COVID requirements.
Join Hospice of Santa Barbara’s 10th Annual Heroes of Hospice back in person to honor local heroes on Thursday, September 22, 2022 from 11:00 am – 1:30 pm at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort’s Plaza del Sol.
This year, Heroes of Hospice What Matters Most will be honoring Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics with the MEDICAL HERO AWARD, Santa Barbara High School with the PARTNERSHIP HERO AWARD and Hospice of Santa Barbara Bereavement Staff with the STAFF HERO AWARD.
Explore an amazing showcase of electric vehicles, including cars, vans, SUV’s, trucks, boats and more at the National Drive Electric Week Ventura EV Showcase from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25 at the Ventura Harbor, 1591 Spinnaker Drive, Main Lawn.
These cars are displayed by their owners who have years of EV ownership and are enthusiastic and willing to discuss their experience and answer your questions about owning an EV. If you own an EV, register with the RSVP button and bring your vehicle to the showcase, meet and mingle with members of our local EV community. Co-sponsored by the Community Environmental Council of Santa Barbara.
To help health science and nursing students gain understanding of the healthcare system from the perspective of local leaders, CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) is launching a symposium series featuring local health care experts who will share their knowledge and experiences.
The first CSUCI HeaLS: Healthcare Leadership Symposium Series event, “Current and Future Challenges in Healthcare,” will be held at CSUCI’s main campus on Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 6 p.m. in the John Spoor Broome Library, Room 1320. The event is open to the public and features four panelists who each bring a unique perspective from the role they serve in healthcare.
The Cottage Heart & Vascular Center will host a free virtual Meet the Doctor event presented in Spanish on heart disease prevention featuring cardiologist Dr. Alejandro Garcia-Revilla, on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, from 4 -5 p.m.
This virtual Spanish presentation will include an English interpreter.
During his presentation Dr. Garcia-Revilla will discuss caring for your heart and vascular system, from prevention to intervention. There will be a question and answer session following the presentation.
Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance (VCREA) announces National Drive Electric Week’s (September 23 – Oct 2, 2022) online and in-person events occurring in more than 180 communities across the country that highlight the climate, clean-air benefits, and cost-savings provided by driving an EV.
A Community Health Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 at Kaiser Permanente Medical Offices, 2200 E. Gonzales Road, Oxnard
These health care screenings are free of charge for the entire family:
Adult/Child Wellness Checks
Flu Shots
Blood Pressure Checks Glaucoma Screening
Blood Glucose Screening
Mobile Health Van
Health Education
Fun Fitness Activities
Health Care Information
Meet Kaiser Permanente Health Care Team
Join 2nd Story Associates on Saturday, October 8th from 10 AM – 2 PM at De La Guerra Plaza for Housing Santa Barbara Day 2022.
This annual free public event is dedicated to connecting community members with local affordable housing non-profit agencies and service providers.
At the event, there will be 30+ community agencies and service providers, informative housing working shops, tenant and landlord resources, ADU resources, workforce housing information, music and entertainment, local food vendors and activities for kids and families.
The free webinar “Finding the Pathway Home: An Introduction to the Methods that Enable a Shared Crossing” will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13.
Hosted by Author and Founder of Shared Crossing Project William Peters, with Special Guest – Dr. Martha Jo Atkins, End of Life Counselor, Teacher and FilmMaker. This free webinar is an introduction to how to experience a shared crossing – a beautiful experience with someone at the end of a life that suggests loving connection and communication beyond this human realm.
Mark your calendar and join us for our annual fundraiser!Our annual fundraiser this year will focus on the efforts to build access to food in the unincorporated community of Saticoy.
Since 2020, Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) has adjusted to the new realities that come with COVID-19 by creating their free illuminate Speaker Series – a virtual series which addresses aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic and offers active solutions to navigate through this new reality.
Next in the lineup will be Richard Louv, who will present “VITAMIN N” AND THE NEW NATURE MOVEMENT on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm PDT. The event is free, but registration is required.
Join U.S. Commercial Service for the ninth session of their “From Local to Global: Celebrating Diversity” event series, as they feature a dynamic panel of founders and leaders from Southern California-based companies, fostering disability inclusion and equity, who will share how they have successfully grown their businesses internationally.
Learn about the opportunities to seek out, as well as the challenges to avoid as you launch or expand your international business.
Receive information and resources that will help you chart your path to global sales and expansion success.
On Sunday, November 6 @ 4:30 pm, the Mental Wellness Center (MWC) will present Project Reboot, a 3-week screen time program that begins with a keynote presentation by Project Reboot’s founder and director, Dino Ambrosi. The presentation will take place at Santa Barbara City College’s Garvin Theatre, and will introduce attendees to new knowledge, skills and habits aimed at reducing reliance on social media and tech screen time.
When joint pain becomes unbearable it can interfere with daily activities and prevent people from doing the things they love. An expert affiliated with the Cottage Center for Orthopedics will discuss treatment options, from pain relief to joint replacement, at a free virtual Meet the Doctor seminar on November 10, from 4-5 pm.
Dr. Jervis Yau, an orthopedic surgeon affiliated with Cottage Health, will provide a virtual presentation on “Shoulder, Hip and Knee Health in the Aging Athlete.” He will discuss causes and symptoms of joint pain, as well as strategies for prevention and treatment. There will be time for questions following the presentation.
Join William Peters M.A., M.Ed., MFT for his upcoming event “The Shared Crossing Pathway Seminar: Accompanying Loved Ones Through a Beautiful End of Life” online seminar on November 11-13, 2022.
Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice’s “Light Up A Life” event provides comfort, solace and an opportunity for those who have lost someone to honor their loved one’s memory. For those we’ve lost near or far, recently departed or long ago, “Light Up A Life” is a thoughtful and heartfelt way to honor their memories and spread some joy this holiday season. The date and time for this year’s Light Up event is:
Constitution Park, Paseo Camarillo, Camarillo, CA 93010 Saturday, December 3rd from 4:30 pm – 5:30pm
The Community Environmental Council Climate Action Webinar: “How the Momentum of Recent Climate Policy is a Win For You,” will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6 via Zoom.
Want to know why the recent wave of federal and California climate legislation is so exciting – and how it can help your pocketbook? Join us to learn how these tremendous policy developments are catalyzing climate momentum like never before. Better yet, get the inside scoop on how they will help you maximize savings on energy upgrades with the latest local, state, and federal consumer tax credits and rebates. Ask your burning questions, and get inspired by the wave of climate progress on the horizon!
Join Hospice of Santa Barbara back in person for their 39th Annual Light Up A Life. This beloved community tradition takes place to remember and honor those you miss this holiday season.
This year, Light Up a Life is back in person and will host four ceremonies, featuring speakers and special guests, entertainment, refreshments, and the lighting of a memorial tree. Guests can also hang one or more stars in memory of a loved one who has died or in honor of someone living.
William Peters, founder of Sharing Crossing Project and author of At Heaven’s Door, will be hosting a live, online Q&A session with the legendary Dr. Raymond A. Moody on the Shared Death Experience and what to make of these life-changing events. On December 10th, enjoy 60 minute Q&A Sessions where you can ask your own questions with a group of engaged, like-minded, inquisitive people as you engage with Raymond and William in a relaxed, open online setting. Be captivated by the discussion of this life-changing topic.
Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) announced (on Dec. 10) that its governing board has appointed Nick Liguori as chief executive officer of the Ventura County Medi-Cal plan effective Feb. 1.
At its monthly meeting on Dec. 16, the Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission (VCMMCC) approved a three-year contract with Mr. Liguori. The contract runs through Jan. 31, 2025.
“We are thrilled to have Nick lead Gold Coast Health Plan for the next three years,” said Dee Pupa, VCMMCC chair and deputy director of managed care at the Ventura County Health Care Agency. “His vast experience as a leader at health plans that focused on serving vulnerable populations will be an asset to Gold Coast Health Plan’s members and providers as the Medi-Cal program undergoes transformational changes in the coming years.”
The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is pleased to announce the addition of new staff members who are meeting this urgent moment in the climate crisis. Each new member represents strengthened resilience within the organization and in the climate work at hand.
Wishing our community a safe, happy and healthy holiday season! We are grateful for our healthcare heroes who are still in the midst of battling the virus and caring for seriously ill patients. May we all take actions to protect ourselves and each other.
To further its commitment to decarbonize operations at the Port of Hueneme, the Oxnard Harbor District voted on December 20th to approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide stevedores with the ability to utilize the district’s existing two new electric terminal tractors (eUTR). These eUTRs are funded through a Zero-and Near zero-Emission Freight Facilities (ZANZEFF) grant project.
“Last month, my fellow Oxnard Harbor Commissioners and I voted unanimously to put us on a path of pursuing a zero-emission future,” said Jason T. Hodge, President of the Oxnard Harbor District that owns the Port of Hueneme. “Our passage of the MOU signals a strong commitment for the continued support of green infrastructure and equipment use at the Port.”
The holiday season is upon us, and for many it’s not the happiest season of all.
While celebrations can bring positive feelings like love and connection, according to the American Psychological Association, 38% of Americans say their stress actually gets worse during the holidays, bringing about negative emotions like fatigue, anger and irritability, which can lead to physical illness, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. The reasons given: lack of time, financial pressure, gift-giving, and family gatherings. And, even after the holidays, many experience a feeling of general disappointment and “let down”.
“One of the most beneficial things we can do leading into the holiday season is to reassess our expectations–our expectations of ourselves, and our expectations of others. This will create a more realistic foundation from which to move forward through the season,” said Annmarie Cameron, CEO of the Mental Wellness Center.
Over 900 farmworker families received close to 3,000 toys and nearly 1,200 boxes of food yesterday thanks to an amazing first-time collaboration among Ventura County Fire Department, our Farmworker Resource Program, and Food Share of Ventura County! We are so grateful for the generosity of our community! There is still time to participate in Spark of Love Toy Drive.
Since Wednesday, there are 329 new COVID-19 cases reported and 15,732 new tests performed. There are 75 people hospitalized, 13 in the ICU. There have been 2 additional deaths of a 41 year old male and a 96 year old male. Our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the community members who passed away. The R-effective for Ventura County is .96 which means the spread is likely stable.
Get vaccinated at a site near you: www.vaccines.gov.
Find a COVID testing site at www.vcrecovers.org/testing
The County of Ventura’s indoor mask order remains in effect
Last summer, we started doffing our masks and reuniting with family and friends. There was a festive glee in the air we breathed as if we who were now vaccinated against COVID were celebrating “The End of the Pandemic.” There was a feeling that now, finally, we could get on with our lives and regard the previous year as something akin to a very bad dream.
The party did not last long. Just as we were putting away the champagne glasses and summer party hats, the Delta variant emerged “from out of nowhere,” quashing our hopes of a return to near normal. We grumbled as we took our masks out from the drawers where we had stored them as “souvenirs” from a crisis that we had survived. Or, if we had ceremoniously burned or shredded our masks, we kvetched as we had to go out and buy new ones.
CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Nursing alumnus Claire Gillette had just finished a 12-hour shift in the emergency room at Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, and she was exhausted. Did she have enough energy for a yoga class before going home?
“I work night shift and I never take that class after a shift because I’m tired, and it’s hot yoga with weights,” Gillette said. “But there was a spot open in the class and I thought ‘I’m feeling into the weights.’”
Had Gillette not joined the class on that particular day, and had she not been prepared with nursing skills she learned at CSUCI, the husband and two sons of Erika Cole, 44, would be spending the holidays without her.
“Claire is the only reason I’m alive today,” Cole said.
