SANTA PAULA — Ventura County officials and contractors held a groundbreaking ceremony at Todd Road Jail on March 6 to begin the expansion project that will result in a 64-bed unit designed to house inmates with medical and mental health issues.…
Category: Health
Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office 2018 Overdose Report
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office this week released its 2018 Overdose Report: 1,563 deaths were reported to the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office during calendar year 2018. Jurisdiction was accepted for 806 of these deaths, requiring further…
CSUCI Nursing program ranked 8th best in the state
CAMARILLO — RegisteredNursing.Org has named CSU Channel Islands’ (CSUCI) Nursing program 8th in its 2019 Best RN Programs in California. CSUCI’s program rose from its 12th place rating in 2018. The Third Annual RN Program Rankings placed CSUCI’s program in…
Author and Buddhist Teacher Roshi Joan Halifax Draws Capacity Crowd for Talk on Life and Death
SANTA BARBARA — On Wednesday, February 27th, Roshi Joan Halifax, a renowned Buddhist teacher, author, Zen priest, and anthropologist, talked about her perspectives on death and dying before a packed house at the Marjorie Luke Theatre in Santa Barbara. “Courage,…
Pioneer Valley High School students donating to Good Samaritan Shelter
SANTA MARIA — Students at PVHS will bring a touch of home to the Good Samaritan Shelter on Thursday, March 7th. Carrying 75 hand-made pillows and containers of chicken tortilla soup, the students from PV’s Culinary Arts and Apparel Construction and…
Through April 2 — Hospice Volunteer Training at Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care in Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA — Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care in Santa Barbara has announced spring 2019 training will be held on six consecutive Tuesdays, March 5, 12,19,26, and April 2, from 1 – 5 p.m. at 512 East Gutierrez Street in…
April 2 — CSUCI’s Eighth Annual Autism Awareness Event will stress understanding and acceptance
CAMARILLO — It’s not a defect, it’s diversity. That’s the point CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) History major Angeles Castillo, 20, plans to make as she speaks at the Eighth Annual “Light It Up Blue” Autism Awareness event from 6:30 to 8…
April 7 — Educational Workshop Offers Strategies to Increase Youth Resiliency to be held in Santa Barbara
Free, Interactive Forum is Sunday, April 7 at Deckers Rotunda. Spanish interpretation will be provided. SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — How do we offer our children guidance and support without rescuing them from the discomfort that naturally comes with healthy challenges and…
April 27, 29 — South Coast Energy Efficiency Partnership (SCEEP) Promotes Energy-Saving Rebate with Smart Thermostat Giveaway at Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival
Click here for the entire e-newsletter FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact April Price aprice@cecmail.org 805-963-0583 Ext. 101 SCEEP Promotes Energy-Saving Rebate with Smart Thermostat Giveaway at Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival SANTA BARBARA — The South Coast Energy Efficiency Partnership…
April 27 — Conejo Valley YMCA Hosts Free Annual Healthy Kids Day
CONEJO VALLEY — On Saturday, April 27, the Conejo Valley YMCA is holding a free community event to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active at its annual YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y’s national initiative to…
April 27 — Yarrow Family YMCA Grand Opening in Westlake Village
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The official grand opening of the Yarrow Family YMCA in Westlake Village is set for Saturday, April 27 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The afternoon will be filled with facility tours, raffles and games. The public…
April 29 — Oxnard College to host ‘Climate Action Now — Environmental Justice Summit’
OXNARD — Oxnard College will host the Environmental Justice Summit: Climate Action Now on Monday, April 29, at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Building (4000 South Rose Avenue, Oxnard). Exhibits with local environmental groups open at 5:30 p.m. Presentations, beginning at…
Bill introduced to prevent unauthorized sale of consumer geo-location information
SACRAMENTO – AB 523 was introduced by Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin (D – Thousand Oaks) in response to the continued misuse of geo-location data of mobile phone subscribers. Investigations and media reports over the last year have chronicled how large mobile…
Nearly 100 Properties Cleared of Woolsey, Hill Fire Debris
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Nearly 100 residential properties affected by the Woolsey and Hill fires have been cleared by state contractors of burned metal, concrete, chimneys, ash and other debris, officials with the Debris Removal Operations Center (DROC) in Calabasas reported today.…
Community Radio KCSB-FM News on Feb. 25 will Present Live Broadcast of Panel Focusing on Impacts of Unnatural Disasters
SANTA BARBARA — KCSB-FM 91.9 Santa Barbara, the community radio station located on the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara, is hosting a live broadcast event focusing on the causes of disasters, both natural and man-made, and their impact…
Progress Continues in State’s Woolsey, Hill Fire Recovery Effort
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Efforts to remove debris generated by the Woolsey and Hill fires from private properties in Los Angeles and Ventura whose owners have opted into the state’s Consolidated Debris Removal Program continue to progress, officials with the Debris Removal…
Assemblymember Irwin introduces bill to reduce firearm related suicides
SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D – Thousand Oaks) on Feb. 15 introduced Assembly Bill 645, a bill to reduce firearm related suicides. “There has been a startling increase in firearm suicides throughout California and the nation,” said Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin.…
Ventura County Health Care Agency Hires Chief Financial Officer
VENTURA — The Ventura County Health Care Agency has hired Karla Valle as its chief financial officer after a lengthy national search. Valle has been the Area Chief Financial Officer for Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Health Plan in Antelope Valley…
Community Environmental Council update for Feb. 19 — SB Earth Day Festival 2019
Click here for the entire e-newsletter FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Kathi King kking@cecmail.org 805-963-0583 Ext. 108 Community Environmental Council Announces SB Earth Day Festival 2019 Friday night concert with Beer & Wine Garden added to extend celebration. The 2019 festival will…
Jackson Introduces Bill to Protect Older and Disabled Adults From Falling
SACRAMENTO –Recognizing that falls are the leading cause of fatal injury among older adults, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) introduced legislation today to assist older and disabled adults with home modifications to help reduce the risk of falling and allow more…
Valentine’s Day Challenge for Families; A Plan for the Other 364 Days of the Year
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — Every February, red roses and heart-shaped boxes of sweets everywhere are a constant reminder that we should be showing our love for our spouse or partner – on just one day each year. With Valentine’s Week…
Ventura County Public Health reports on influenza-related deaths this flu season
VENTURA COUNTY — As of February 7, 2019, Ventura County has seen 5 influenza-related deaths this flu season, which started in October 2018, the Ventura County Public Health, a department of Ventura County Health Care Agency reported Feb. 11. Click here…
Family Service Agency Names New Board Members
SANTA BARBARA — Family Service Agency is pleased to announce the appointment of four new members to its Board of Directors. Joining its Board and representing communities throughout Santa Barbara County are Marisol Alarcon (Carpinteria), Robert Janeway (Santa Barbara), Sandra Underwood…
The Mary Kay Foundation? Awards RISE $20,000 Grant
The Mary Kay Foundation Supports Victims of Domestic Violence by Issuing $3 Million in Grants to 150 Domestic Violence Shelters Across the Country SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — In support of survivors of domestic violence, The Mary Kay FoundationSM announced…
Bilingual commentary: When Diet Is Our Religion
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes •…
Jackson Calls for Master Plan on Aging Californians
Introduces legislation to develop senior master plan and appoint an “Aging Czar” SACRAMENTO — As California’s aging population continues to grow with significant numbers struggling to access essential care, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) introduced legislation Feb. 7 to develop a master…
United Way of Ventura County update for Feb. 7 — February is National Children’s Dental Health Month
Click here for the entire e-newsletter President’s Message Dear Friends, February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and United Way is proud to advocate for increased services on behalf of the 100,000 children in Ventura County who qualify for…
Bilingual report: County Fire receives grant funding for Child Passenger Safety Education and Training Program
CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Fire Protection District has been awarded a $60,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to expand the department’s Child Passenger Safety Program. Together with Safe Kids Ventura County and Ventura County Public Health,…
Yarrow Family YMCA—Final Fundraising Push Before Spring Opening
THOUSAND OAKS — The Yarrow Family YMCA is $375,000 away from reaching its $12 million fundraising goal needed to complete construction before its opening this spring. Construction recently resumed in May 2018 with the building slated to open very soon.…
Assemblymember Irwin introduces bill package addressing gun violence
SACRAMENTO – On the same week that the State Assembly adjourned in the memory of the Borderline shooting victims, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D – Thousand Oaks) introduced a package of bills that will help keep firearms out of the hands…
Woolsey Fire Survivors in Los Angeles County Late Submission Period for Right-of-Entry Forms Open Until Feb. 15
SACRAMENTO — The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), in conjunction with Los Angeles County and participating state and federal agencies, announced today that they would be extending the date and accepting Woolsey Fire survivor’s Right-of-Entry (ROE) forms for the…
March 7 — Dr. Sean Anderson returns to Ventura to present free environmental lecture ‘California’s Year-Round Wildfire Season – The New Abnormal’
VENTURA — On Thursday, March 7, Ventura Land Trust will kick off its 2019 Environmental Speaker Series with the return of the ever-popular Dr. Sean Anderson. Dr. Anderson, Departmental Chair of the Environmental Science and Resource Management Program at California State…
March 13 — UCSB Arts & Lectures to present Elisabeth Rosenthal in ‘An American Sickness: How Healthcare Became Big Business and How You Can Take It Back’
SANTA BARBARA — March 13, 2019 / 7:30PM / The New Vic Theatre, Santa Barbara UCSB Arts & Lectures to present “An American Sickness: How Healthcare Became Big Business and How You Can Take It Back.” Elisabeth Rosenthal is the…
Through March 16 — Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Comes To Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA — Youth Mental Health First Aid Training will be held Santa Barbara through March 16. Presented by the Family Services Agency, the Mental Wellness Center and Youthwell. Click on flyer for more information.
March 21 — Spring Heritage Potluck at Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care in Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA — Prepare your loved one’s favorite dish at home and join us for a special Spring potluck to welcome the new season and in remembrance of those we have loved and lost at Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care…
Through March 28 — Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care in Santa Barbara presenting ‘Mindfulness in Grief’
SANTA BARBARA — Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care in Santa Barbara. presenting ‘Mindfulness in Grief.’ Open to both new and experienced meditators. Group includes time for instruction in meditation and processing one’s grief. Facilitated by Mara Petrick, MSW, LCSW Six Thursdays through…
Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams: Evacuation Warning issued for Friday evening
Greetings! , The weather advisory issued for FRIDAY night through SATURDAY morning has been upgraded to an evacuation warning. A storm is coming in that is expected to be exceed thresholds to require evacuation. This means that we are in the…
Local high school teacher learns new lessons from foster student
VENTURA COUNTY — Karen Blackwell has dedicated 40 years of her life to teaching middle school and high school students. For the last 25 years she taught at Ventura High School where, in August 2017, she first met Keanna, a…
Das Williams: Weather Advisory for Friday Evening
Greetings! , Our County Office of Emergency Management has issued a weather advisory for FRIDAY night through SATURDAY morning. A storm is coming in that is expected to be exceed thresholds to require evacuation. This means that we are in the…
Jackson Introduces Bill to Ensure Emergency Plans Address Diverse Population Needs
SB 160 directs emergency planners to consider linguistic and cultural needs of all residents SACRAMENTO –Following the deadliest and most destructive fire season in California history, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) introduced legislation today to ensure local governments address the diverse…
National Sexual Assault Experts to Train Local Law Enforcement on Feb. 22
SLO County Law Enforcement, Prosecutors, and Victim Service Professionals to Receive Training from National Experts on Sexual Assault Response SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Over 200 law enforcement professionals, prosecutors, victim service providers and others are expected to attend a…
Livingston Memorial announces upcoming Grief Support Groups
There is no right or wrong way to grieve. No two people grieve alike, even when experiencing the same loss. **Free**Bereavement Support Groups Livingston Memorial VNA and Hospice OPEN TO THE PUBLIC HELD WEEKLY / DROP INs WELCOME…
After 16 years RISE retires Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event
Mark your calendars for ‘RISE Up & Rock’! SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — For sixteen years RISE has hosted Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, an event aimed at raising awareness about sexual violence and empowering SLO County to take…
Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 26th Annual David Fainer/Leo Tauber, MD Awards. The nomination deadline is Feb. 15
VENTURA — Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 26th Annual David Fainer/Leo Tauber, MD Awards, to be held Aug. 8, 2019. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 15. These awards recognize outstanding community contributions by…
SoCalGas’ Smart Therm Program Wins Award at 29th Annual Association of Energy Services Professionals Conference
Demand response program recognized for outstanding achievement in innovation LOS ANGELES — Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced that its Smart Therm Program received the Energy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Demand Response and Pricing from the Association of Energy…
Focus of State’s Southern California Debris Removal Program Turns to Site Assessments, Debris Clearance as Removal of Household Hazardous Waste Nears Completion
VENTURA COUNTY — As work crews from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) finish clearing the few private properties destroyed by the Woolsey and Hill fires still containing household hazardous waste (HHW),…
Bilingual report: California Disaster Recovery Centers to open on MLK Jr. holiday on Jan. 21
SACRAMENTO — All Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in California will be open normal hours of operation on Monday, Jan. 21, the federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The DRCs are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. They are located…
SoCalGas ‘Dial It Down’ Alert Has Ended
LOS ANGELES — Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced that effective as of 8 a.m., the “Dial It Down” Alert, urging customers to conserve natural gas, has ended. The “Dial It Down” Alert was initiated on Monday, January 14 in…
Jackson Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Paid Family Leave
Legislation follows Governor Newsom’s promise to expand paid family leave SACRAMENTO –Following Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement that he is committed to expanding paid family leave, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) introduced legislation today to strengthen California’s family leave laws and create…
Bilingual report: Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. hosting Dental Health Fair on Feb. 16 in honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month
OXNARD — February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. If you have a baby or toddler, you may have questions about thumb sucking, your child’s first dental visit or how and when to clean your child’s teeth. If so, on…
SoCalGas Issues ‘Dial It Down’ Alert Through Friday Night
Customers are urged to immediately reduce their natural gas use to help conserve energy LOS ANGELES — Due to cold weather and rain predicted for parts of the Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) service territory, SoCalGas has issued a “Dial…
First Responders Honored at Fire Hose Flag Ceremony on Anniversary of Debris Flow
SANTA BARBARA — A flag dedication ceremony was held at the Santa Barbara Courthouse the morning of January 9th, 2019, the one-year anniversary of the Montecito Debris Flow. Elected officials and first responders joined the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF)…
CenCal Health Recognizes Top Physicians, Health Centers for Quality Care, Cost Management
SANTA BARBARA — CenCal Health, the regional health plan for Medi-Cal, recognized the work of local network physicians and healthcare centers through their Primary Care Providers (PCP) Incentive Top Performer awards. The awards acknowledge PCPs across San Luis Obispo and…
State Sen. Jackson Applauds Governor’s Bold First Budget Proposal
Budget commits to robust emergency preparedness and paid family leave SACRAMENTO – State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) released the following statement on Governor Gavin Newsom’s January budget proposal released today. “I applaud Governor Newsom’s visionary yet prudent approach to addressing some…
State Leaders Representing Woolsey Fire Impacted Communities: We Need Partnership, Not Politics, on Emergency Response
SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), Assemblymember Christy Smith, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, Assemblymember Richard Bloom and Senator Henry Stern today issued the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s comments regarding FEMA emergency aid: “It is unacceptable to use…
Bilingual report: Ventura County Health Care Agency Vaccine and Medication Ineffectiveness Update
VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Health Care Agency provides Vaccine and Medication Ineffectiveness Update. Click here for information in English Click here for information in español
Cottage Health Employees, United Way Spread Joy to Elementary Students
SANTA BARBARA — United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) and Cottage Health employees teamed up to ensure 30 elementary age students all had gifts to unwrap for the holidays. Cottage Health employees contacted UWSBC in the fall to arrange…
State Sen. Jackson Issues Statement In Advance of One-Year Anniversary of Montecito Debris Flow Anniversary
SACRAMENTO – In advance of the one-year anniversary of the January 9 Montecito debris flow, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) released the following statement: “The Montecito debris flow was a devastating tragedy that claimed 23 lives, destroyed dozens of homes, and…
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County treating Ventura County volunteers to free coffee
VENTURA COUNTY — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) is kicking off National Mentoring Month by taking over Ventura County’s favorite coffee shops! Through the month of January, anyone interested in becoming a volunteer mentor to a young…
Bilingual report: VCAAA, Alzheimer’s Association Challenge Local Businesses to Become Dementia Friendly
VENTURA — A new movement was introduced to Ventura County this summer as the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, the Alzheimer’s Association, and other partnering agencies rolled out Dementia Friendly Ventura County to provide better service to local residents living…
Bilingual report: Volunteers needed for annual homeless count in Ventura County
VENTURA — Community volunteers are needed for the annual count and survey of homeless persons in Ventura County. The 2019 Ventura County Homeless Count and Subpopulation Survey has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 22, 2019. The annual Homeless Count is…
Guest commentary: Department of Pesticide Regulation finds illegal pesticides on our food at a rate equivalent to once a week in a Californian’s diet
Claims that rate is “low” By Californians for Pesticide Reform Once again, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has released its annual study of pesticide residues on food (2017 data); once again it found illegal pesticide amounts on more…
February — Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care in Santa Barbara ‘Grief Walk and Talk’
SANTA BARBARA — Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care in Santa Barbara will present a ‘Grief Walk and Talk.’ Join this easy-paced walking group that provides informal support as we walk together through grief. Facilitated by Dairine Pearson, LCSW Every Friday starting February 1st, 10:00…
February — Livingston’s Camarillo Hospice Announces New Group
Understanding Your Grief, a 10 Week Grief Support Group for Widow and Widowers Starting Wednesday February 6thfrom 5:00 to 6:30 pm Understanding Your Grief, written by author, educator and grief counselor, Alan D. Wolfelt, PhD is intended to companion the…
Through Feb. 12 — Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care in Santa Barbara present ‘Loss of a Spouse or Partner’
SANTA BARBARA — Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care in Santa Barbara presenting “Loss of a Spouse or Partner session,” facilitated by Mara Petrick, MSW, LCSW, Six Tuesdays, 1/8/19 to 2/12/19, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Contact (805) 690 6296 or mara.petrick@vnhcsb.org for more details.