Wishing you all a very Happy Holiday Season.
Amigos805.com will be taking a holiday vacation, off Monday, Dec. 23, 2024 and returning to work Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. Please submit all your news and events by 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19 for the last newsletter of the year.
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Beginning Dec. 18th, a special holiday initiative is bringing joy to 24 local families in need. The collaboration between Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo and SLO City Church has culminated in the Hope for One campaign, a heartfelt effort to fulfill the Christmas wishes of children and their families who are part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentorship program.
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) and Oxnard College (OC) have finalized an agreement that will enable some Oxnard College students to live in the CSUCI residence halls with a pilot program beginning with the Spring 2025 semester.
Representatives from OC and CSUCI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was finalized by the OC Board of Trustees in November. This pilot program will enable select students from Oxnard College to live in the residence halls while attending the community college.
“We’re looking at supporting 15 students from Oxnard College,” said Associate Vice President for Student Life & Support Programs and Dean of Students Julia Heck. “Both institutions are investigating this to see how we can provide the best experience for the students. They will be living on campus with a campus meal plan like any CSUCI student.”
CENTRAL COAST — People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) has appointed a new Director of Home Ownership: Jimmy Summer.
With more than five years of experience at People’s Self-Help Housing working in both multifamily housing and home ownership project management, Jimmy brings a wealth of knowledge to this new role.
Since joining PSHH in 2019, he has held a number of positions within the real estate development team, including working in Acquisitions and in Multi-Family Development. His transition to Home Ownership in early 2022 saw all of these skills benefit households building through the self-help program.
We’re excited to share that Friendship Center’s 2023-2024 Annual Report is now live! ? It’s been a year of incredible growth, transformation, and community impact, and we’re eager to highlight how your support is making a difference.
This year, through innovative programs and activities, we’ve honored the individuality of older adults, fostered meaningful social connections, and built a compassionate community where everyone can thrive in their own unique way. None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors, partners, and friends like you. Thank you for being a part of our mission!
Global apparel consumption resulted in over 20 million tons of plastic waste in 2019, creating an economic and environmental burden that “falls disproportionately upon the developing economies of the world.”
The CEC Climate Stewards certi?cation program empowers participants to play an active role in their community to advance rapid and equitable solutions to the climate crisis. Together, our community of 200-strong Climate Steward alumni are standing up for climate justice and pushing forward thousands of solutions, one neighborhood at a time.
The next cohort starts Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Don’t miss out!
Find confidence and inspiration to take climate action today.
CENTRAL COAST — Dr. Jean Sandlin, a distinguished communication scholar and public relations strategist and advocate for excellence in the field, has received the 2024 inaugural PR Pro of the Year Award by the Public Relations Society of America – California Gold Coast Chapter. The PR Pro of the Year Award is the chapter’s most esteemed honor recognizing outstanding career achievements of local professionals in furthering the practice of public relations.
“Jean Sandlin exemplifies the very best of public relations,” said Natalie Hernandez, President of the PRSA California Gold Coast Chapter, and County of Ventura Public Information Officer. “Her scholarly research and dedication to mentor and build meaningful relationships with communication students, sets a high standard of excellence for the entire PR profession.”
Our Volunteer Gardening Team is hoping to add more vibrant, eye-catching potted plants to the Camarillo Animal Shelter to make our shelter more inviting — and they could use your help!
They’ve already secured plants from local nurseries, including pet-safe succulents, and drought-tolerant native perennials. Now, they’re looking for additional supplies to help create a welcoming garden space for our animals and visitors to enjoy.
TAP/CLICK HERE if you’d like to contribute. (Please note that items on the Wish List have been carefully selected and we kindly ask contributors to follow this list.)
What a beautiful year it’s been! Thank you to everyone who made District216 such a vibrant, thriving community in 2024. Together, we created magic through 55 unforgettable events. We’re taking this week off to rest and recharge, but we can’t wait to kick off an incredible third year of programming in 2025. Here’s to more connection, growth, and inspiration ahead!
SCORE: HOW TO GET BUSINESS CREDIT LINES & LOANS WHEN BANKS SAY “NO WAY”
December 18 @ 5:00 pm
The SBIR and STTR programs are highly competitive and encourage U.S. small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) initiatives with commercialization potential. Join SBA as they discuss NASA’s SBIR/STTR program. Learn about program phases and discover funding opportunities for innovative projects and technologies. Gain insider knowledge to position your business for success. Hear from industry leaders and expand your aerospace network. Stay informed and inspired, and have your questions answered at this exclusive event. This event will take place online using Microsoft Teams. Please register to obtain the login information. Please note that if you are planning to use a mobile device to access this webinar, you must first download the Teams app on your device. SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. To request reasonable accommodation, please email lado@sba.gov at least seven days in advance.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
CAMARILLO — A CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) alumna and current employee is appearing in a major motion picture about music superstar Jenni Rivera, who succeeded in the male-dominated world of banda, mariachi, and norteñogenres of regional Mexican music.
STEM Transfer Outreach Coordinator Tatiana Juarez, who graduated with a degree in Health Science, plays young Jenni Rivera in the movie “Jenni,” which was released Friday, Dec. 6 in select theaters and on a bilingual streaming service called ViX.
Juarez, who is part of the first generation in her family to earn a college degree, was born in Ventura and raised in Oxnard. Her parents grew up in the U.S. after being brought here from Mexico as children. Juarez’s mom works as a medical clerk and her dad works a variety of jobs related to construction and architecture.
The Chicana and Chicano studies professor discusses her new book, “The Children of Solaga: Indigenous Belonging across the U.S.-Mexico Border.”
This holiday season, you’re invited to join me in supporting the Spark of Love Toy Drive. Together, we can help bring some cheer to over 33,000 children in need right here in Ventura County! The Fire Departments of Ventura County and ABC7 have teamed up to make sure every child experiences the magic of the season.
I have learned that more volunteers are needed to help out at Toy Central in Camarillo! This is a great way to give some time to help make the season special for local kids in need.
? Toy Center Location: 135b West Ventura Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93010
(Target shopping center off Las Posas, between BevMo and Del Taco)
At SBCFAN, we’re building a stronger local food system through programs like the Community Kitchen Online Hub and the Meat Processing Social Enterprise. These initiatives empower food entrepreneurs, reduce waste, and ensure families across Santa Barbara County have access to nutritious, locally-sourced food.
The Community Kitchen Online Hub provides centralized information for affordable, shared spaces for local food entrepreneurs, small-scale producers, and community organizations to create and distribute nutritious meals. These kitchens foster economic opportunity, reduce food waste, and ensure more people have access to healthy, locally-sourced food. Visit the Hub >>
CAMARILLO — Three attorneys have joined the Camarillo-based employment law firm LightGabler LLP.
“Employers are looking for guidance to ensure they follow the increasingly complex state employment laws,” says Jonathan Fraser Light, LightGabler’s managing partner. “We are fortunate to have three additional experienced employment law attorneys now part of our firm.”
Joining LightGabler is senior attorney Kristin Diaz. Based in the Bay Area, Diaz has over 18 years of experience handling employment matters at all levels, from employee complaints and demand letters to settlements and trial and arbitration proceedings.
The Ventura County Farm Bureau is proud to announce that applications for our scholarship fund are now being accepted until January 15, 2025. This opportunity is specifically designed for high school seniors whose college major will be in agriculture or an ag-related business. Eligible applicants must be children of Farm Bureau members or employees and will be enrolling in an accredited college in the U.S. This scholarship aims to support the next generation of leaders in the agriculture industry. For more details, please visit vccf.academicworks.com. #venturacountyscholarships #collegescholarships #agscholarships #805scholarships #FBVCScholarshipFund
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — The holiday season is a time for connection, compassion, and generosity, and for those transitioning from homelessness to stable housing, it can be especially meaningful. This year DignityMoves is continuing its holiday tradition at their La Posada Village on Hollister Ave. and their downtown Santa Barbara Street Village by giving each of the 114 residents a stocking, basket or gift bag with personal and holiday items.
The residents of this “interim supportive housing” – a stop-over between tents and permanent housing – have a safe and dignified place to get out of survival mode to start to rebuild their lives.
For many of the current residents, this will be the first holiday season in years spent off the streets, making it all the more meaningful.
It’s hard to believe that we are approaching seven years since the 1/9 Debris flow that took the lives of 23 people and damaged hundreds of homes.
This tragic event has changed us all in profound ways. For me, and for our Flood Control staff, it has further heightened our personal and professional commitments to improve safety, which is why we are embarking on a Montecito Flood Control Master Plan (more on that below) to improve the capacity of all creeks in Montecito.
Please join me on Thursday, January 9th and remember, at Raising Our Light.
Every year, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day give us an opportunity to reconnect with our families, for better or for worse. At these gatherings, we might choose to interact with the entire group, or we may decide that it is best to focus our attention on different family members, one at a time.
Last month at my daughter’s Thanksgiving dinner, I chose to do the latter. After the feast and the familial banter, I had the privilege of sitting down with my youngest grandson, age 6, as we read his storybooks together.
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) will offer a new Bachelor of Science degree in the field of Data Science beginning in Fall of 2025. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), students who choose the degree will graduate with a very promising job outlook.
Employment of data scientists is projected to grow 36% from 2021 to 2031, according to the BLS, much faster than the average for all other occupations. And the pay for data scientists with bachelor’s degrees in the U.S. was $100,910 per year in 2021. If you land a job as a data scientist in California, the average salary is $166,000, according to Indeed.com
“The job of data scientist is a rapidly emerging job title,” explained CSUCI Chair of Mathematics Geoffrey Buhl. “A data scientist uses tools from mathematics, statistics and computer science to turn data into useable information that can inform decision-making processes and answer questions.”
OXNARD — Abiel Acosta, the founder and president of Acosta Wealth Management, has announced he is partnering with three other experienced financial planning firms to launch a new, more expansive company called Prospera Succession Partners.
The new firm brings together Acosta, a 20-year financial planning veteran based in Oxnard, with three other accomplished financial planning professionals and their teams spanning Northern and Southern California and Hawaii. Prospera Succession Partners combines the expertise of each partner’s decades of experience to offer comprehensive financial planning and wealth advisory services for families, business owners, young professionals, pre-retirees and retirees.
VENTURA — As the holiday festivities approach, the Ventura Police Department reminds community members to celebrate responsibly and refrain from driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, prescription medications, or any over-the-counter drugs that may impair driving ability.
From December 12 to January 1, the Ventura Police Department will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. This high-visibility enforcement effort is part of the national campaign, ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,’ aimed at keeping roads safe from impaired drivers who jeopardize the safety of everyone.
Winter Solstice
Storytelling Festival
Sunday, December 15
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main St., Ventura
Join us for a celebration of Indigenous culture and tradition! This event kicks off with a performance by Hummingbird Women’s Drum and Chumash Singing Sisters followed by storytelling from Chumash Elder Dennis Garcia, Kat High of the Hupa tribe, and Alan Salazar, a Fernandeño Tataviam and Ventureño Chumash Elder. Children are invited to the Kids’ Corner, where they can stay busy with playful puppets and coloring.
Throughout the day, engage in hands-on activities like rock painting and cordage making, guided by Julia Fireflower, a Tataviam tribal member with ties to the Chumash. You can also grab a bite to eat from Island Smoke n Grill, Guamanian BBQ.
As the day draws to a close, join us for a public prayer circle, honoring the spirit of forgiveness, community, and gratitude. This is a free community celebration of culture, storytelling, and togetherness that you won’t want to miss! Click HERE for details.
Apply Now for Future Funding!*
*Funding for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Fund has been fully expended. No new loans can be issued until Congress appropriates additional funding. HOWEVER, the SBA remains committed to supporting disaster survivors and will continue to accept applications and process them to ensure individuals and businesses are prepared to receive assistance once funding becomes available.
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is proud to announce the election of three new members to its Board of Trustees: Jett Black-Maertz, Dave Morris, and Kyle Richards. Elected on November 5, 2024, these individuals bring a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to their roles. They join existing board members President Jonathan Abboud, Marsha Croninger, Dr. Charlotte Gullap-Moore, and Ellen Stoddard.
The emeritus professor’s new book unpacks how inept leadership by the Russian ruler precipitated the fall of the Romanovs.
CENTRAL COAST — People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) has recently released their 2023-24 Impact Report, highlighting the organization’s achievements from the past year.
Introducing this year’s edition, the leadership letter from Board Chair Shelly Higginbotham and CEO & President Ken Trigueiro said, “The technical side of our work that our talented team members and partners navigate so well can sometimes result in days where our mission feels out of reach. When we find ourselves feeling that sense of fatigue, there’s always a special “spark” to reignite our passions.
SCORE: BUSINESS FORMATION UNCOVERED: NAVIGATING BUSINESS STRUCTURES
December 10 @ 10:30 am
This business formation webinar is tailored to help entrepreneurs and business owners thoroughly understand the advantages and disadvantages of each entity type (sole proprietor, LLC, s-corp.) from legal separate entities, tax reporting structures, non-tax paying entities, liabilities, asset protection and more. In today’s competitive market, choosing the right business entity is more than just a procedural step; it’s a strategic decision that impacts every aspect of your operations and long-term success. The need for this webinar arose from observing how frequently new business owners navigate the initial setup phase without a clear understanding of the implications of their choices. The structure you choose affects not only your liability and tax obligations but also your ability to manage everyday operational tasks effectively. Each entity type comes with its unique requirements and benefits, and understanding these can be the difference between flourishing and floundering. Additionally, SCORE will cover essential topics such as government and state registration, agreements, permits and business insurance. Whether starting a new venture or looking to improve an existing one, join SCORE to learn how to establish a strong and compliant foundation for your business.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
VENTURA COUNTY — Following a nationally recognized day of giving thanks, American Medical Response Ventura County (AMR) and its affiliate Gold Coast Ambulance (Gold Coast) leadership hosted a private presentation on Nov. 29, to award CPR Save certificates to one of its crews for the life-saving support they provided this past March.
When a female patient in her 50s experienced cardiac arrest on March 30, 2024, AMR paramedic Johnny Villegas and EMT partner Brooke Keeling, along with Gold Coast paramedic intern, Nathanael McCourt — training with AMR — quickly responded on-scene to administer life-saving hands-only CPR aid.
The National Weather Service is forecasting a dangerous wind event for Ventura County Monday December 9 – Wednesday December 11, and has issued a Red Flag Warning.
Winds are expected to start Monday afternoon, peaking during the early morning hours Tuesday, and tapering off by late Wednesday. The current forecast is calling for sustained winds at 35mph, with a potential for gusts to 60mph.
In addition to wind, very low relative humidity ranging from 5%-7% is anticipated, with no overnight recovery. While the impact of winds will cover most of Ventura County, the current forecast calls for high intensity conditions in Thousand Oaks, Piru and Fillmore.
The third and final video of the Mountain Fire Ag Recovery Webinar Series is available on YouTube. Check it out by clicking below.
Thank you to all the volunteers who made this series possible.
As many members of our community are recovering from the Mountain Fire we have an opportunity to help a local farm that makes a big impact on the lives of many community members. You’re invited to help Mulberry Lane Farm with a Holiday Wreath-Making Workshop!
Come and join my office and community members throughout the county in supporting Mulberry Lane Farm and its inspiring mission. This small farm in Somis is home to The Upside of Downs, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering adults with special needs in our community.
Through their Up on the Farm day program, participants engage in hands-on, hearts-in agricultural learning. They gain new skills, practice old-fashioned farming methods, and build meaningful connections with nature and one another—all while accompanied by caregivers, parents or job coaches. This incredible program, offered at no cost, provides a space for special needs adults to thrive and contribute in a way that uplifts our entire community.
VENTURA COUNTY — Danielle Brinkman-Mallare, a chartered public accountant with over 20 years of experience, has launched her own accounting business with offices in Ojai and Oxnard.
Brinkman-Mallare has spent more than two decades helping her clients navigate the constantly changing tax system. Her expertise spans tax planning, preparation, and accounting for the service industry, manufacturing, retail and real estate sectors. She also has significant experience with trusts and estates.
The first week of November isn’t one we’ll soon forget in Ventura County. On the same morning we were digesting the results of the bitterly contested national election, we woke to howling winds and hoped there would be nothing to spark a fire while the Santa Anas blew. But our worst fears were soon realized when the Mountain Fire erupted and quickly ballooned into an inferno that destroyed some 200 homes and other buildings.
As our friends, family, and neighbors faced this emergency, Ventura County did what we do best. We came together to provide resources and support to all who needed it. From our heroic first responders to our government agencies, schools, nonprofits, and businesses, every aspect of our community joined forces. The political divisions that preoccupied us for so long faded away as we responded to the crisis with a shared commitment and a united front.
Our great-grandparents would never recognize the world in which we live. How could we ever explain to them instant worldwide communication via satellite, social media, or contemporary U.S. politics, for that matter?
I began pondering this question after reading a novel—an old-fashioned book, no less. I often visit the downtown library in Oxnard and select a book in Spanish, the language of my ancestors, just to maintain my Spanish language skills. The title caught my eye: “Un Verano Italiano,” by author Rebecca Serle.
Hello,
Opening night for iStarELA is almost here and we’d love for you to join us! Your support means the world to us, and we can’t wait to share this special moment with you!
Warm regards,
Teatro De Las Americas
***
Obra en español con subtítulos en ingles /
Play in Spanish with English subtitles
Escrita y Dirigida por/
Written and Directed by
Saúl Escobedo
Presentaciones / Shows:
Diciembre / December 2024
Viernes y sábados /Fridays and Saturdays:
7, 13, 14, 20, 21 – 7:00 p.m.
Boletos/Tickets: General $15.00
Teatro de las Américas
321 W. 6th Street, Oxnard, CA
(805)-983-2876
OXNARD — Once the holidays are over, Oxnard-based composter Agromin will receive thousands of Christmas trees collected by waste haulers. The trees will be composted into mulch and soil amendments for use by growers, landscapers and consumers.
To help make the tree collection process run smoother, tree owners are asked to cut up their Christmas trees so limbs and branches fit in their green waste recycling barrel. Waste haulers will collect the trees on regular waste pick-up days and deliver them to Agromin.
“We are incredibly proud that both Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital have earned an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group,” said Ron Werft, President & CEO of Cottage Health. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire team to ensuring the highest standards of patient safety and care.”
LOMPOC – On Dec. 5, LEAP: Learn. Engage. Advocate. Partner., a prominent nonprofit committed to supporting families across Santa Barbara County, celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of its new Lompoc Children’s Center at Trinity Church of the Nazarene, addressing a critical childcare gap in the community.
The ceremonial occasion included speeches from LEAP’s Executive Director Lori Goodman, Lead Pastor Travis Caldeira of Trinity Church, Santa Barbara County Supervisor Joan Hartmann, Congressman Salud Carbajal’s Representative Esmeralda Estrada, Lompoc City Councilmember Jeremy Ball, and State Senator Monique Limón. Attendees were then treated to informative tours and a BBQ lunch.
“This partnership is a shining example of trust. This ceremony celebrates two organizations coming together to bless a community they both love” said Lead Pastor Travis Caldeira of Trinity Church.
Join in the annual count of community members and families experiencing homelessness locally. Sign up today!
New research provides the first comprehensive map of the vast footprint of coconut palm agriculture across nearly every Pacific atoll.
We’re excited to share our 2023-24 Annual Impact Report, showcasing our milestones from the past year! Available in both English & Spanish, you can read the report and learn more about our mission at pshhc.org/impactreport.
Nos complace presentar nuestro Informe Anual de Impacto 2023-24, que muestra nuestros logros del año pasado. Disponible tanto en inglés como en español, puede leer el informe y obtener más información sobre nuestra misión en pshhc.org/impactreport-esp.
The annual Homeless Count is coordinated by the Ventura County Continuum of Care and County of Ventura, in partnership with community partners and cities. The survey data will be collected through a mobile survey and mapping tool called Simtech Solutions “Counting Us”. This data provides a Point-In-Time (PIT) “snapshot” as to what the homeless population in Ventura County looks like during a single day. This data helps community leaders better understand who is homeless, why and for how long. The survey data helps our community gain access to state and federal funding, as well as determine the greatest priorities to prevent and end homelessness in Ventura County.
VENTURA — Ventura County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Michelle Ascencion announced today the official certification of the November 5, 2024 Presidential General Election. A total of 394,197 ballots were cast in the general election; with 84.17% of the voters utilizing their vote-by-mail ballot and 15.83% voting in person. Ventura County had a 76.25% overall voter turnout for this election.
The November 2024 General Election marks Ventura County’s fourth election conducted under the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) election model. It also marks a significant increase in the number of voters taking advantage of the expanded voting opportunities provided under the VCA.
NEWBURY PARK — Local contractors working on a residential project, multinational companies requiring large-scale orders, or hobbyists working on car restorations and other creations at home, can now access the convenience of purchasing metal from Metal Supermarkets on Saturdays.
The Camarillo Disaster Bridge Loan Fund has been created to provide immediate financial support to small businesses impacted by the fires.
Receive tax benefits for your year-end donation
If you are 70½ years of age or older, you can transfer up to $100,000 from your IRA to the Community Environmental Council (CEC) as a charitable gift, reducing taxable income and satisfying your required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year.
