Category: Local

A $471,862 National Science Foundation grant will enable CSUCI students to research mysterious evolutionary phenomenon in frogs

by Community Contributor • October 10, 2022 • Comments Off

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) students will learn molecular genetic techniques on campus, use sophisticated research equipment at Utah State University, and later travel to Peru on a quest to find out why frogs living at high elevations lose their ears and their “croak.”

“Probably because there are fewer species in the highlands, so there is not a lot of competition in terms of sound,” said Assistant Professor of Biology Rudolf von May, Ph.D., who wrote the grant with Associate Professor of Biology Allison Alvarado, Ph.D. “But we want to know how they communicate. Maybe it’s chemical.”

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has granted $471,862 to von May and Alvarado for the project, entitled “Phenotypic convergence and trait loss in high-elevation Andean frogs.” The ideas were based on previous research von May has published about the unique characteristics of this group of animals.

Wood Glen Hall in Santa Barbara names new board of directors

by Community Contributor • October 10, 2022 • Comments Off

Wood Glen Hall, a nonprofit retirement residence offering affordable independent and assisted living for senior citizens in Santa Barbara, has announced new roles on its board of directors.

Mary Jean Vignone, a 12-year member of the board, will serve as vice president. An executive coach and organizational development consultant accredited by the International Coaching Federation, Vignone holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s in business administration, a master’s of arts, and a doctorate in human and organizational development. She brings a blend of academic experience and more than 30 years of corporate and nonprofit experience to her role.

New Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room Opens Seaside In Ventura Harbor Village

by Community Contributor • October 10, 2022 • Comments Off

Just in time for Fall, the new Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room in Ventura Harbor Village is giving wine lovers a reason to toast the coast. Owned and operated by the Conway family of Santa Barbara/Ventura County, this modern wine tasting room is sure to be a popular spot with 15 different wines of interesting and unusual blends of reds and whites, each produced in small batch production. Along with their friendly and knowledgeable tasting room hosts, daily tastings offer a selection of both Conway and Deep Sea wines offering something for all palates. https://www.conwayfamilywines.com/Santa-Barbara-Tasting-Room/Ventura-Tasting-Room

Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room, along with the Conway siblings John, Tom, Gillian, and Sally, have created a relaxed atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating in the picturesque Ventura Harbor setting.

Guest contribution — Younger By The Days offers holistic wellness therapy and much needed ‘me time’ to Santa Barbara residents

by Community Contributor • October 10, 2022 • Comments Off

People looking for physical strength, mental balance and inner peace turn to healing practitioner Beatrice Appay of Santa Barbara-based Younger By The Days, a recognized authority on how to obtain balance and peace within and for yourself.

A scientist, anatomy expert and experienced professional in her wellness craft, Appay is known for exercising patience, compassion, empathy, kindness and determination in guiding her students and clients.

Social Justice Fund for Ventura County — September 2022 update

by Community Contributor • October 7, 2022 • Comments Off

September has been a busy month for the Social Justice Fund for Ventura County (SJFVC). This year we had our largest group of applicants ever and there were many great project ideas as well as inspiring emerging leaders. Sadly, we had to make some very difficult decisions based on our limited available capacity and funds. After many interviews, meetings and presentations the SJFVC has decided to fully fund the projects of 5 fellows and to award a special leadership grant. A brief description of each of these follows.

Healthy Nyeland Acres:
Brenda Heredia (she/her)

Brenda’s project is called Healthy Nyeland Acres and it aims to raise health equity for underserved residents in Nyeland Acres by providing them with health education and basic services to promote a healthy way of living. Residents of all ages will have the opportunity to engage in physical activity by participating in a series of fun Zumba classes. Residents will be empowered to take care of their health and to stay physically active. …

Bilingual commentary — The Specter of Nuclear War

by Community Contributor • October 7, 2022 • Comments Off

Those of us who were in grade school in the 1950s and early 60s will never forget the “duck and cover” drills we used to have in our classrooms. This was a Civil Defense exercise that put the fear of nuclear war into our little heads. At least once a month, as best I recall, we would hear the sirens wailing at 10 a.m. on a Friday. We knew what to do: kneel and drop, face down, below our desk—that mighty protector of our young lives—and cover our necks and heads with our arms and hands as much as possible.

The Soviet Union became a nuclear power in 1949, and suddenly we had a threatening nuclear rival. The Cold War that followed World War II was replete with the rattles of sabers and ominous words, not too unlike what we are hearing today from the leaders of Russia, the remnant of the Soviet Union.