Category: Health

Bilingual report — County of Ventura and the Hospital Association of Southern California host inaugural State of the Hospitals event

by Community Contributor • October 28, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA — On Friday, Oct.18, the County of Ventura and the Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC) hosted the inaugural State of the Hospitals event geared towards industry and community leaders, to present the current challenges hospitals and health care delivery systems are facing and highlight the innovation and achievements of our local hospitals. The free, informative event featured the participation of executive leadership across the six acute care hospitals in Ventura County: Adventist Health, Community Memorial Hospital, Dignity Health – St. John’s Hospital, Los Robles Health System, Ventura County Medical Center, and Vista Del Mar.

Bilingual report — CenCal Health to Invest $6M in Workforce Development on Central Coast

by Community Contributor • October 24, 2024 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — CenCal Health, the local Medi-Cal health plan serving nearly 240,000 members in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, announced its commitment to a $6 million investment to support access to healthcare through the newly developed Medi-Cal Capacity, Access and Workforce Development Grant Program. The investment is intended to expand capacity through strategic funding aimed at healthcare provider recruitment, workforce training and education, and overall provider practice support. Aligned with the needs identified in the latest Community Assessment Reports for Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County, this 3-year grant program, beginning January 2025, will focus on behavioral health, pediatrics and primary care, and specialty care services. CenCal Health partners with over 5,000 physicians, hospitals, and other providers in delivering health care services to its members.

UCSB — The Current — ‘UCSB’s cybersecurity chief on protecting digital spaces and the role of AI’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • October 24, 2024 • Comments Off

Jackson Muhirwe, chief information security officer and director of information assurance, is a seasoned higher education leader with over two decades of experience in information technology and security.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura launches “Think Again” campaign to raise awareness on the dangers of fentanyl

by Community Contributor • October 22, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The County of Ventura on Oct. 22 announced the launch of “Think Again”, a new countywide public awareness campaign to draw attention to the dangers of fentanyl and provide residents with the information and resources necessary to protect themselves and prevent overdoses.

Fentanyl poses a growing threat statewide and nationally, and Ventura County is not immune. “Think Again” provides localized statistics and life-saving information and resources to help residents take action. The campaign encourages residents to get educated, be aware, and save lives.

“To recreational drug users who are contemplating taking a pill or using a substance this Halloween, we ask you to “think again,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “Community members must presume that each and every illicit drug is cut, laced, or adulterated with fentanyl. And that fentanyl will kill you.”

Bilingual report — County of Ventura Resource Management Agency introduces voluntary “Go All-Electric” incentive program for new construction projects

by Community Contributor • October 22, 2024 • Comments Off

“Our Building & Safety Division is highly encouraging homeowners, contractors, and developers to “Go All-Electric” with new construction projects,” said Ruben Barrera, Building & Safety Director. “Using electric appliances and equipment rather than natural gas will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from your building’s heater, water heater, kitchen range, and other appliances and equipment. Going “All-Electric” better aligns our communities with the County’s greenhouse gas reduction strategies identified in our Climate Action Plan.”

Santa Barbara City College receives provisional approval for Bachelor’s Degree in Health Information Management

by Community Contributor • October 21, 2024 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is thrilled to announce that the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) has granted provisional approval for SBCC’s proposed Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management (HIM). This marks a pivotal step in offering an innovative, industry-driven baccalaureate program that prepares students for leadership roles in healthcare.

Bilingual commentary — A Man Walks into a Women’s Center…

by Community Contributor • October 18, 2024 • Comments Off

That man was me a few years ago. But what would I, a man, be doing walking into a women’s center?

I was following my doctor’s recommendation. I know he is personally and professionally concerned about my health, so I do most of what he asks of me regarding my healthcare.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Bursts of exercise boost cognitive function, neuroscientists find’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • October 17, 2024 • Comments Off

Executive functioning was the key cognitive domain impacted by vigorous exercise, such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocols, according to new research.

Dr. Jane Varner, Family Medicine, Joins Cottage Primary Care – Santa Barbara

by Community Contributor • October 17, 2024 • Comments Off

Dr. Jane Varner is a family medicine physician with more than two decades of experience and will also serve as Medical Director for all of the Cottage Primary Care locations. Formerly with the Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group, Dr. Varner has demonstrated a deep commitment to patient-centered care. She completed her medical degree at Eastern Virginia Medical School and a residency in Family Medicine at the Medical College of Pennsylvania/Hahnemann University, where she served as Chief Resident.

County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — Home Insurance Town Hall Recap

by Community Contributor • October 17, 2024 • Comments Off

Dear Panelists and Participants,

I want to take a moment to sincerely thank you for your participation in last night’s Home Insurance Town Hall. Your presence and insights were invaluable, and I believe the event truly made a difference in helping our community navigate the complexities of home insurance, especially in areas impacted by wildfire risk.

For those who were unable to attend or wish to revisit the discussion, the recording of the event is available at the following link: www.youtube.com/@vcd2super/streams. Please feel free to share this with others who might benefit.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Promoting Latiné excellence: A Q&A with inaugural HSI director Veronica Fematt’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • October 15, 2024 • Comments Off

Tasked with uniting efforts across campus to enhance “servingness” — an HSI model that goes beyond enrollment numbers to truly support the success of Latiné — Fematt characterized the establishment of the new role as a “significant step forward” for the campus.

Cottage Primary Care — Santa Ynez Valley welcomes new physicians

by Community Contributor • October 14, 2024 • Comments Off

SOLVANG — Cottage Primary Care is pleased to share that providers Roger I. Lane, MD, FACP and Pablo Rojas, PA-C, have moved offices to Cottage Primary Care—Santa Ynez Valley, located at 1992 Old Mission Dr., Suite 140, in Solvang (in the New Frontiers shopping center). In addition, the practice welcomes Nicole Sheikholeslami, MD, to the team.

This move will bring the entire Cottage Primary Care—Santa Ynez Valley medical team together in one convenient location, providing more space and updated facilities. Dr. Lane, Pablo Rojas, PA-C and the practice’s newest physician Dr. Sheikholeslami, join Kathryn Brewer, MD and Janina Meissner-Frisk, DO, in offering comprehensive primary care services to patients at this office.

Healthcare Workers at Adventist Health Vote to Ratify Contract, Including 14% Raises, $23/Hour Minimum Wage, and Fully-Paid Family Healthcare

by Community Contributor • October 10, 2024 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Approximately 400 frontline healthcare workers at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo and Twin Cities Community Hospital in Templeton have ratified a new contract this week. The agreement includes a 14% wage increase over the next three years, a $23 minimum wage, and fully-paid family healthcare. Caregivers at these two hospitals are the only ones to have fully-paid family healthcare at Adventist-owned hospitals nationwide.

In a time when healthcare workers are leaving the industry for better pay and less stress, this contract at these Adventist hospitals marks a strong commitment to attracting and retaining caregivers in the San Luis Obispo communities that Adventist serves.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Dead coral skeletons hinder reef regeneration by sheltering seaweed’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • October 10, 2024 • Comments Off

While working at reefs in Moorea, French Polynesia, Kai Kopecky found that the network of coral skeletons left in place by bleaching events caused critical processes to break down, ultimately preventing reefs from recovering.

Ventura County Air Pollution Control District seeks alternates for Hearing Board

by Community Contributor • October 9, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District is seeking three county residents to serve as alternate members of its Hearing Board:

A medical professional with specialized skills, training or interest in environmental, community or occupational/toxicological medicine
A professional engineer licensed in California
A member of the public
An alternate serves when the regular member with the same expertise is not available. The alternate’s term aligns with that of the regular member. Regular members are appointed to three-year terms.

District 216 announces upcoming events

by Community Contributor • October 9, 2024 • Comments Off

TONIGHT: Conscious Connections Roundtable “Addressing Challenging Psychedelic Experiences”

UCSB — The Current — ‘Professor Denise Montell wins second NIH Pioneer Award, receiving $5.5 million for immune therapy research’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • October 8, 2024 • Comments Off

The award is part of the NIH’s High-Risk, High-Reward Research program. Montell will use the funds to test a new treatment her group is developing for cancer and other diseases, such as antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Bilingual report — OPAC debuts ¡ÁNDALE!: Wellness + Creativity for Everyone – A Free Monthly Series for Mental Health and Well-being

by Community Contributor • October 7, 2024 • Comments Off

OXNARD — Take a break, rejuvenate, and get creative with ¡ÁNDALE!: Wellness + Creativity for Everyone, a new monthly series presented by OPAC, the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation, focused on supporting mental health and wellness through artistic expression and self-care. The event is offered bilingually, free and open to all, creating space where relaxation, creativity, and community connection come together.

The first event will take place on Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 1-3 PM at Community Center Park East (located behind the Oxnard Performing Arts Center). Each session features three different activities designed to engage participants in creative and calming experiences. This month yoga, sound baths and art-making will be offered. Attendees will spend 30 minutes at each activity, for a total of two hours of immersive wellness.

Bilingual report — City of Ventura makes official order to gain access to recovery resources

by Community Contributor • October 2, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Responding proactively to the aftermath of the estimated 2,000 gallons of gasoline that leaked from the Sinclair gas station located at 2121 E. Harbor Boulevard, the City of Ventura declared a local state of emergency on Friday, September 27, 2024.

This move allows the City to expedite disaster response and seek emergency funding from the state to aid recovery efforts. The City Council ratified the local state of emergency on October 1, 2024, and it will remain in effect for the next 60 days.

Lumina Alliance in SLO Illuminates the Hidden Costs of Intimate Partner Violence During Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)

by Community Contributor • October 2, 2024 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Lumina Alliance is proud to announce its comprehensive campaign for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) this October, dedicated to shining a light on the often-overlooked impact of intimate partner violence and raising awareness for underserved survivors in our community. This year’s theme emphasizes the unique challenges faced by marginalized groups, including undocumented individuals, transgender people, and those living with disabilities, who are often disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence.

Friendship Center — The Friendly Finch Fall 2024

by Community Contributor • October 2, 2024 • Comments Off

In recent months, Friendship Center has begun to significantly expand our programs as a result of the generous support from our community. This support has empowered us to begin developing a comprehensive Dementia Caregiver Resource Hub, offering the Herencia Latina program for Spanish-speaking adults, and continue enhancing our diverse array of life enrichment activities—all tailored to meet the unique needs and interests of our members.

Cottage Children’s Medical Center Hosts NICU Reunion at Santa Barbara Zoo

by Community Contributor • October 2, 2024 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Children’s Medical Center (CCMC) hosted its biennial Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) reunion at the Santa Barbara Zoo on Sunday, Sept. 29. Nearly 800 NICU graduates and their families gathered to reconnect with the care team that supported them throughout their NICU journey.

The NICU reunion allows families to reunite with the nurses, doctors, therapists, and hospital staff who were part of their NICU journey. For Cottage staff, it’s an opportunity to see the growth and development of the children they once cared for and reconnect with the families they came to know well.

Santa Barbara, Goleta and Lompoc communities raises 11,331 Diapers for Local Diaper Bank

by Community Contributor • October 1, 2024 • Comments Off

GOLETA — Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Lompoc communities raised 11,331 diapers for LEAP’s Diaper Bank during National Diaper Need Awareness Week (NDNAW) from September 23-29, 2024.

Healing Young Hearts: The Impact of Mental Health Therapy on Traumatized Children

by Community Contributor • September 30, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Interface Children and Family Services, backed by Kaiser Permanente, provides crucial mental health and trauma therapy to vulnerable children and their families in Ventura County

Interface Children and Family Services, a community-based nonprofit in Ventura County, is making a significant impact by providing mental health and trauma therapy to psychologically traumatized children. With the support of Kaiser Permanente, the organization offers comprehensive services to meet the needs of vulnerable children and their families.

Bilingual report — UCLA Study, to be presented at Oxnard City Council meeting on Oct. 8, reveals significant challenges facing Oxnard’s young adults

by Community Contributor • September 30, 2024 • Comments Off

OXNARD — A significant study commissioned by the Oxnard City Council and conducted by the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center (CSRC) that highlights the challenges and barriers facing young adults in Oxnard will be presented to the City Council during a special meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, from 6 – 8 p.m.

Utilizing federal funding from the American Rescue Plan, the City Council commissioned the UCLA CSRC to study the widening gap that was exacerbated by the pandemic between high- and low-income families, and the impacts to young people from lower-income and working-class backgrounds. Led by the UCLA CSRC Director, Professor Veronica Terriquez, the research draws on extensive data from the 2023–24 Thriving Youth Study (TYS), a youth-led initiative involving over 3,000 local residents aged 18 to 34.

Bilingual report — September News from People’s Self-Help Housing — Thank you to all who joined us for the Grand Opening of Pismo Terrace!

by Community Contributor • September 30, 2024 • Comments Off

Although we are sometimes wisely counselled that it’s the journey that matters, not the destination, the start of football season gives those of us in the real estate development world a seasonal reminder that it’s getting it across the line that actually counts.

Some might argue that the metaphoric line is when the final piece of funding needed for the purchase of the land is secured, for others it might be the end of a protracted approvals and entitlements process. Our events team might say its when we together snap the classic “We did it!” ribbon cutting photo at the grand opening.

But there is a quieter, though no less celebrated moment, especially for the fortunate people involved, and that’s when we can take the next name off the wait list.

For me, that’s when it feels our team really got it across the line. I hope you’ll join us as we celebrate more coming wins!

First District Supervisor Das Williams — Countdown to Clean Air Day

by Community Contributor • September 30, 2024 • Comments Off

The countdown to Clean Air day is on! Clean Air Day is a call to action—a chance for each of us to protect our environment and ensure that future generations can enjoy the same clean air and thriving nature we do. Every small change you make, whether it’s choosing to walk, bike, or use public transit, helps to preserve our planet.

Friendship Center Adult Day Services — Party with a Purpose (Nov. 1)

by Community Contributor • September 30, 2024 • Comments Off

This year’s spooky special Wine Down is sure to be a great time, but we host this event for a reason that goes beyond fun and celebration—it’s about the people we care for and the families who count on us. You never know when someone you love — a spouse, parent, a grandparent, a friend — might need the warmth and support that Friendship Center uniquely offers. …

By supporting Wine Down, you’re helping us continue answering our WHY with professionalism, compassion, and respect. You’re helping families breathe a little easier, and giving older adults the chance to feel seen, heard, and cherished.

Bilingual report — Free, voluntary Central Coast Drinking Water Well Testing Program which is now available in Santa Barbara County

by Community Contributor • September 26, 2024 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — A free, voluntary Central Coast Drinking Water Well Testing Program which is now available in Santa Barbara County, according to the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.

The purpose of this program is to provide those who get their drinking water from a private well or small water system (14 connections or less) with information regarding the quality of their drinking water. Private wells and small water systems are unregulated, therefore it is the responsibility of those who own and/or use the well to test the quality of the well water.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s HICAP Offers Medicare Open Enrollment Presentations and Counseling

by Community Contributor • September 26, 2024 • Comments Off

Medicare Open Enrollment begins on October 15 and runs through December 7. HICAP provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling to the public.

In October, November, and December, HICAP counselors — who are registered with the California Department of Aging — will be all around the county, hosting 35 One-Stops to provide individual counseling sessions, as well as 13 “2025 Medicare Changes” presentations.

Bilingual report — Ongoing investigations continue following gasoline leak in Pierpont area of Ventura

by Community Contributor • September 25, 2024 • Comments Off

“The gasoline leak was traced to underground facilities at the Sinclair gas station on 2121 E. Harbor Boulevard,” said Fire Marshal Brett Reed. “Preliminary testing by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on September 20, confirmed the substance was gasoline. While the primary leak has been contained, the full extent of the impact to the sewer system and surrounding environment is still under investigation.”

A New Era for Wildlife Rehabilitation in San Luis Obispo — Pacific Wildlife Care (PWC)

by Community Contributor • September 25, 2024 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Pacific Wildlife Care (PWC) announces significant progress in the Campaign for Wildlife, aimed at establishing the state-of-the-art Kim and Derrel Ridenour Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. This transformative project will enhance wildlife care, ensuring that injured and orphaned animals receive the support they need at a modern facility.

CSUCI President’s Dinner gala on Sept. 28 will honor Cottage Health and a Distinguished Computer Science Alumnus

by Community Contributor • September 25, 2024 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — A Computer Science alumnus now working in cybersecurity and a not-for-profit health organization that has partnered with CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) for nearly 20 years will be honored on Sept. 28 at CSUCI’s 2024 President’s Dinner at the…

CSUCI Nursing student chosen for CSU university system’s highest student scholarship award

by Community Contributor • September 25, 2024 • Comments Off

was driving with my husband and three beautiful daughters when I found out, and I yelled and started dancing around in the car,” Smith, 44, said. “Then, honestly, I started to cry. Because it’s so hard to go back to school later in life, when some of your friends are talking about retiring.”

Guest contribution — Frontline Healthcare Workers at Adventist Hospitals in Central Coast Vote to Authorize Unfair Labor Practice Strike

by Community Contributor • September 24, 2024 • Comments Off

“We’re having a hard time providing the quality care our patients deserve as more staff leave. We don’t take the decision to strike lightly, but we’ve reached our breaking point and are urging Adventist executives to address understaffing and working conditions in their hospitals now,” said Jennifer Mendoza, a pathology assistant at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center. “We’re hoping that Adventist executives will bargain with us in good faith to reach an agreement, so we can provide the best care possible for our community.”

Ventura County Air Pollution Control District to fund solar-powered harvest aids

by Community Contributor • September 23, 2024 • Comments Off

The Clean Air Fund grant will help GoodFarms LLC purchase two solar-powered harvest machines for Crisalida Berry Ranch, a 100-acre farm on Rice Avenue near East Pleasant Valley Road. GoodFarms collaborated with Agrobot to develop the prototype and tested it earlier this year on the Oxnard farm. The solar version of the harvest-aid machine, which holds flats while propelling itself down crop rows, costs $69,500.

Commission for Women Supports Santa Barbara County’s Only Diaper Bank

by Community Contributor • September 23, 2024 • Comments Off

“The Commission for Women is deeply committed to the well-being of women and children in our community,” said Geordie Scully, First District Commissioner for the Santa Barbara County Commission for Women. “We have chosen to support LEAP’s Diaper bank to bring awareness about LEAP’s effort to provide the basic necessities babies need for a healthy start. We also hope this encourages donations to the only diaper bank in our county.”

Bilingual report — The latest news from the County of Ventura

by Community Contributor • September 23, 2024 • Comments Off

Thank you for staying up-to-date on news at the County of Ventura! Want to sign up for our newsletter?

Community members who are not already subscribed may sign up to receive our newsletter in English here and in Spanish here.

Kaiser Permanente — Transforming Lives Chauntell Sanchez’s Innovative Approach to Community Mental Health

by Community Contributor • September 20, 2024 • Comments Off

“I have had a special connection with a few of my Latinx clients over their lived experience as first-generation individuals attempting to acculturate in this day and age,” said Sanchez. “We often talk about how our parents’ journey to a new country and the enduring trauma across generations have shaped expectations placed upon their children.”

Family Service Agency (FSA) of Santa Barbara County, YouthWell announce Free QPR Suicide Prevention Workshops

by Community Contributor • September 19, 2024 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — Family Service Agency (FSA) of Santa Barbara County and Youthwell are pleased to announce a new slate of suicide prevention workshops called QPR that will teach participants three steps to help save a life from suicide. Last year, over 580 Santa Barbara County residents received this free, two-hour training.

First District Supervisor Das Williams — Helping Seniors Stay Connected

by Community Contributor • September 19, 2024 • Comments Off

I was pleased to join Carpinteria Senior Citizens, Inc. at their annual picnic with a sweet new ride! My office worked to purchase a vehicle from the County’s fleet and donate it to Seniors Inc. so that they can help transport their members to appointments and activities. A recent study from the Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens found that transportation is the number one need among seniors in Santa Barbara County. Being unable to attend social events due to a lack of transportation is strongly correlated with an increase in isolation and poor health outcomes among seniors. The best part is the vehicle is wheelchair-capable!

Casa Pacifica Celebrates Successful Opening of New Supportive Housing for Transitional Age Youth

by Community Contributor • September 17, 2024 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — Casa Pacifica, the largest nonprofit provider of children’s and adolescent mental health services in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, celebrated the grand opening of its new supportive housing for transitional age youth (ages 18-25) on September 13. The new housing is one of the first in Ventura County to address the needs of young adults who are transitioning from public systems such as foster care or juvenile justice or who are at a high risk of homelessness.

West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA) — Longtime resident opens Spring Pharmacy in Oxnard

by Community Contributor • September 16, 2024 • Comments Off

“We are excited to open our doors to the community and provide a new resource for quality pharmaceutical care,” says owner and pharmacist Dr. Sora Yoon, an Oxnard resident for more than 35 years. “Our goal is to support the health and well-being of our neighbors, and we look forward to building lasting relationships with the people of El Rio and beyond.”

Bilingual report — Resource Management Agency and House Farm Workers! publish Ventura County farmworker survey results

by Community Contributor • September 13, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The Resource Management Agency’s (RMA) Planning Division, in partnership with House Farm Workers!, published the results of a countywide survey of agricultural employers, farmworkers, and stakeholders. This completes a major milestone in the Ventura County Farmworker Housing Study and Action Plan, highlighting the farmworker community and their housing needs.

“The commitment by the County, all ten cities and Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) to help fund, facilitate and share the knowledge learned from our local agricultural operators and farmworkers will be instrumental to our next step of this project – to develop recommendations for the production of farmworker housing across our County,” said Dave Ward, Planning Director for the Resource Management Agency.

Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin — Electric vehicle (EV) charging legislation with national implications on Governor’s desk

by Community Contributor • September 12, 2024 • Comments Off

SACRAMENTO – The California Legislature has passed a significant piece of legislation that would require electric vehicle (EV) charging companies to share information across their networks. This new requirement would benefit EV drivers nationwide. If signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, Assembly Bill (AB) 2697, by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, would direct the California Energy Commission (CEC) to adopt network roaming standards. These standards would be applied to major EV charging network providers that manage 100 or more publicly available chargers and will help EV drivers locate and use charging stations. The legislation comes as a result of Assemblymember Irwin’s personal charging experiences, as well as ongoing news stories highlighting the lack of reliable and accessible charging infrastructure in California.

Bilingual report — Community members invited to share feedback on updated Land Use Map

by Community Contributor • September 12, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The City of Ventura invites community members to review and provide input on the updated Land Use Designation Map as part of the General Plan Update, a 25-year blueprint for guiding Ventura’s future growth and development. The survey is available for feedback until Monday, October 21, 2024, and various participation opportunities will be available in addition to the survey.

LEAP in Santa Barbara Receives National Diaper Need Awareness Week Proclamation

by Community Contributor • September 11, 2024 • Comments Off

The proclamation, introduced by 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann and co-sponsored by 2nd District Supervisor Laura Capps, acknowledges the critical issue of diaper need – the inability to afford enough clean diapers. It highlights the adverse impact this has on the health and well-being of children and families. National surveys conducted by the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) indicate that nearly one in two families struggle with diaper need, with many parents being forced to skip meals or delay changing diapers to extend their supply.

Ventura County Animal Services — 77 adoptions in 6 hours at Clear the Shelters!

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2024 • Comments Off

GREAT NEWS to share! Despite the HEAT WAVE, 77 shelter animals got adopted at our Clear the Shelters event on Saturday, September 7th. Thank you for supporting our lifesaving mission! Ventura County Animal Services View Adoptable Animals Support…

Livingston Memorial starting Spanish-language Support Group on Sept. 24

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA — El Programa de apoyo para el duelo de Livingston está agregando un grupo de apoyo para el duelo gratuito en español. El grupo de apoyo comienza el 26 de Septiembre de 2024, todos los jueves de 6:30p.m. a 8:00 p. m. en nuestra officina en Ventura. Nuestra oficina se encuentra en 1996 Eastman Ave Suite 101 (Cuarto de Conferencia Harris) Ventura.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Pooch’s World: Art, Design & Architecture Museum celebrates the artistic life of Keith Puccinelli’ and more news

by Community Contributor • September 4, 2024 • Comments Off

The exhibition situates Puccinelli’s career within the constellation of his local and regional contemporaries.