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 •…
After School Ceramics
(Ages 6-9)
Every Thursday in October
3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
$40 per child for the month-long program
The West Ventura County Business Alliance is pleased to announce the recipients of the 56th Annual Camarillo Top 10 Community Awards, the city’s premier recognition event.
The awards recognize businesses, organizations and individuals that are dedicated to enhancing Camarillo’s positive business and community environment. Nominations are submitted by the public to the WVCBA and winners are chosen by a selection committee.
The 2023 honorees are:
Afina tu garganta y ven a divertirte en la esperada Karaoke Night del teatro de las Américas. Organizado por voluntarios y amigos del teatro. Disfruta de un refresco o una copa de vino mientras escuchas las canciones favoritas de la voz de amigos que esta noche se convertirán en grandes cantantes y coopera con el Teatro de las Américas para que haya más teatro en español en Oxnard.
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Practice your singing and come and have fun at the long-awaited Karaoke Night at the Teatro de las Américas. This event is organized by volunteers and friends of the theater. Enjoy a soft drink or a glass of wine while listening to the favorite songs of the voice of friends who will become great singers tonight and cooperate with the Theater of the Americas so that there is more theater in Spanish in Oxnard
VENTURA — On Tuesday, September 12, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, through unanimous vote, appointed Korinne Bell to the position of Agricultural Commissioner. Bell’s appointment was made following the retirement of the previous Agricultural Commissioner, Ed Williams, in August.…
In her forthcoming book, and with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Kate McDonald illuminates the key role of people in the evolution of transport.
Friendship Center is looking forward to our 11th Annual Wine Down to be held Thursday, September 14th, 2023, from 4 to 7pm outdoors at our Montecito Center’s courtyard. This delicious and delightful event brings us together to enjoy an evening of great local wines and beer, along with hearty hors d’oeuvres and live music, all for a good cause!
The funds raised from Wine Down benefit Friendship Center’s daily programs offering social, physical, emotional and cognitive stimulation to dependent adults and seniors. These programs, which include music, art, educational offerings and excursions, are uniquely designed to honor and celebrate the remarkable life stories of our Center’s members. Let’s come together, raise our glasses, and elevate lives through the magic of togetherness and giving.
OXNARD— Oxnard College’s Paralegal Studies Program recently received the prestigious approval of the American Bar Association (ABA). Graduates from ABA-approved programs are highly sought after by legal employers and professional organizations seeking to hire paralegals. The ABA’s approval followed an intensive review and on-site evaluation during the spring semester, with final recognition coming recently from the organization’s House of Delegates, which acted on the recommendation of the group’s Standing Committee on Paralegals.
“Oxnard College’s Paralegal Studies Program is among our region’s finest and most reputable,” shared Dr. Oscar Cobian, interim president of Oxnard College. “We’re proud that our paralegal studies graduates will now be able to proudly point to the American Bar Association’s seal of approval while advancing their careers here in Ventura County and throughout the country.”
OXNARD — La Colonia Youth Summer Mural Program is proud to announce the completion of the 13th mural installment titled ” Preserve Nature’s Treasures and Cultural Legends”.
“Preserve Nature’s Treasures and Cultural Legends ” brings attention to underwater life and an a important landscape and legend in Latino culture. During the summer the youth read, researched and learned about the impact global warming and pollution has on the ocean and earths landscape such as Parque Nacional Iztaccíhuatl-Popocatépetl in Mexico and why we must be responsible citizens and leaders in the community.
This section of the 100+ foot wall the youth have been painting the last 3 summers is the center feature of the wall. The main feature is the legend about Popo and Itza (referring to Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl the volcanoes in Mexico sometimes known as the smoking mountain and sleeping woman). Surrounding the center point is underwater life with a focus on endangered and sea life listed as extinct.
CAMARILLO — The pandemic scattered numerous obstacles onto Serena Palaroan’s road to college, but the Nursing major managed to maintain a solid 4.0 grade point average after dropping out at one point, then coming back with more determination than ever.
And now, the third year Nursing student is one of 23 students selected as a 2023-2024 CSU Trustees’ Scholar. The CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement, which is the highest student distinction within the university, grants students scholarships based on academic achievements, financial need, excellence in community service and personal hardship. One student from each CSU campus is chosen.
Each scholarship awards a different amount; Palaroan’s will be $7,000 as a Trustee Emerita Debra S. Farar Scholar.
“I was so surprised and I’m so happy,” Palaroan said. “This takes so much of the financial burden off of me. This gives me some relief so I can focus more on my studies and not having to study, go to work, study, go to work.”
SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Health is opening a new Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic to serve the community. The new clinic will create additional access to women’s healthcare, with a strong focus on a high-quality patient experience.
The new Cottage Ob/Gyn Clinic will be centrally located in Santa Barbara at 2416 Castillo Street, Suite A. The outpatient specialty clinic builds on Cottage’s existing services to provide patient-centered care for women at every stage of life.
Cottage Ob/Gyn Clinic is now accepting new patients. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 805- 324-9400.
MONTECITO — AHA! (Attitude. Harmony. Achievement) is thrilled to announce a new collaboration with Montecito Union School. AHA!’s Littlest Little Farm, launched in Fall 2019, has moved from a private residence to MUS’s Nature Lab.
The Nature Lab at Montecito Union School (MUS) invites learners to imagine, build, and get messy in nature as they care for the planet and one another. They do this by creating and sustaining an experiential outdoor ecosystem rooted in 1) Biodynamic/Regenerative Agriculture, 2) Nature-Inspired Making & Arts Collaboratory, and 3) Environment as Agent of Challenge & Wonder. This provides endless possibilities to grow within a unique and ever-evolving natural setting. While Nature Lab is used by MUS students every school day, part of our mission is to share this resource with the larger community.
VENTURA COUNTY — Housing Land Trust Ventura County has been awarded $75,000 in funding support from Weingart Foundation through their Unrestricted Operating Support (U.O.S.) program. The nonprofit will receive $75,000 over two years in support of Housing Land Trust VC’s mission to provide permanently affordable housing opportunities on donated land for those who contribute to the fabric of Ventura County’s economy and community. The Weingart Foundation partners with communities across Southern California to advance racial, social, and economic justice for all.
“This grant is a vote of confidence from Weingart Foundation, who has also granted funds to Housing Trust Fund VC over the years,” said Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Land Trust Ventura County. Linda also serves as CEO for Housing Trust Fund Ventura County, her guidance of which has helped to fund and commit to loans totaling $28 million since 2013, paving the way for 1,177 affordable units in Ventura County. “These funds will help support Housing Land Trust VC’s mission, which has already begun with the receipt of two pieces of land in the last two years.”
VENTURA COUNTY — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) held the organization’s second-ever immersive experience event, Emerald Prom, on Saturday, August 26th at the Studio Channel Islands Art Center. The 1980’s themed experience was full of nostalgia, music, and high energy.
Live entertainment from the DORK Band played widely loved 80’s pop hits while two break dancers showed off their skills and got the party started. Guests were able to take prom photos and enter into the Prom Royalty campaign for the crown. Fun activities such as the penny raffle and a giant Pac-Man maze ensured a lot of laughs and prizes throughout the night. A DeLorean Time Machine and a 1982 Datsun 280zx were displayed for guests to interact and take photos with. Some BBSVC staff members dressed up as high school-themed “chaperones,” while guests arrived dressed in everything from classic prom attire to iconic MTV attire. An exclusive VIP room hosted by Don Atlas Hospitality provided extra perks like metallic fanny packs filled with goodies, a Starbucks coffee bar, and more.
Regional collaboration and action on expanding career pathways, fostering innovation, and enhancing quality of place are the key goals in a draft economic strategy for San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties now available for public comment.
The Resilience Roadmap will be the two-county region’s first-ever Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), a federally recognized 5-year plan that serves as a prerequisite for many kinds of federal, philanthropic and other funding for entities throughout the region.
Developed with guidance from a 30-person cross-sector Strategy Committee and input from more than 400 stakeholders, the Roadmap expands on the work of REACH 2030, designated as the region’s interim CEDS. It identifies dozens of actions for building a diversified, inclusive and resilient Central Coast economy and pinpoints three large-scale regional initiatives with the greatest potential to create transformational change:
OXNARD —The City of Oxnard announced the appointment of Jeff Pengilley as Oxnard’s new Community Development Director.
A longstanding and committed Oxnard public servant, Pengilley joined the City in 2000 as a Plan Check Engineer and has held various key positions related to engineering services and building regulations. He most recently served as the Community Development Department’s Assistant Director for the past four years.
“Jeff brings extensive knowledge and experience within Oxnard to this leadership role,” said City Manager Alexander Nguyen. “I am confident that he will continue to steer the department towards implementing solutions that bring greater efficiency and results for Oxnard residents and businesses.”
SCORE VENTURA COUNTY: LEADERSHIP/CAREER DEVELOPMENT – BUILDING EFFECTIVE TEAMS IN THE WORKPLACE
September 12 @ 9:00 am
This interactive 2 hr. workshop will help you to identify the strengths of each team member and know what it takes to overcome the weak areas. Develop tolerance for others personality styles. Assess and understand how people are different and not just difficult.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Health’s Santa Barbara Neuroscience Institute (SBNI) is the first healthcare provider on the Central Coast to use the latest image-guided laser technology to treat brain tumors, lesions and epilepsy.
The NeuroBlate® System delivers Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT), a minimally invasive surgical technique using MRI-guided laser light to ablate unhealthy brain tissue. It can be an effective treatment option for recurrent and hard to reach brain tumors and lesions. It is also used to treat certain types of epilepsy.
“LITT provides patients with difficult-to-access lesions, recurrent brain tumors and epilepsy with an alternative treatment method,” said Nicole Moayeri, MD, Neurosurgeon affiliated with the Santa Barbara Neuroscience Institute. “Being the first in the region to offer LITT is a testament to Cottage’s commitment to staying at the forefront of neurosurgery.”
Our local transit service Santa Barbara MTD has began a new route serving the Eastside, Carpinteria, and Santa Barbara City College. With only 7 stops in each direction, Line 19X is an express, car-free option to get around.
Taking public transit is not only convenient, but it’s an important step we can all take to address climate change. Across Santa Barbara County, we are not on track to meet our climate goals, solely due to gas-powered car usage.
What we need is more of us “choice” transit riders — folks who usually commute by car, but occasionally choose alternative transportation — to get back on the bus. The experience of being shuttled to your destination, rather than sitting behind the wheel wrestling with bumper-to-bumper traffic, is much more enjoyable. Plus, you can reclaim travel time to do some homework, answer that email, or catch up on your favorite book.
If you drive a car, join me in taking a pledge to ride the bus at least one day a week.
SANTA PAULA — “On the Ranch” is a joyful solo exhibition by Santa Fe artist (and longtime Ventura County resident) Andrea Vargas. Featuring 40 mixed media paintings and drawings, the exhibit honors the places at the heart of Vargas’ life and art: the ranches and valley of Santa Paula, and the open spaces near Ventura’s Arroyo Verde Park where her parents’ home survived the Thomas Fire in 2017.
I have often thought about the burdens that girls and women have—burdens that are unique to them. It is often difficult, if not impossible, for men to comprehend the joys and traumas of childbirth, the stress of dealing with the menstrual cycle, the health issues that men will never have to consider for themselves.
I also sympathize with women’s constant need to protect themselves—from men. Certainly, female-on-male abuse and violence exist, but male-on-female brutality and assault is several orders of magnitude greater.
Women have one huge advantage over men that induces a secret jealousy in men: the ability to form deep and meaningful relationships with other women.
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) has received one of the largest gifts in the history of the University from the estate of Philippe and Arlette Larraburu, two very early supporters of Ventura County’s only four-year public University.
CSUCI is the sole beneficiary of the Larraburu estate, a bequest the couple established in 2001—which ultimately grew into a $30 million gift.
“Words cannot express our tremendous gratitude to the Larraburu family for their trust in our University, backed by a gift that will provide so much for our students,” said CSUCI President Richard Yao. “A gift of this stature is a testament to the power of personal philanthropy and to the fact that CSUCI is a smart investment for donors, community partners, and students alike.”
SANTA BARBARA — The non-profit Teacher’s Fund has launched its annual Supplies Drive with the goal of raising $75,000 to purchase educational supplies for Santa Barbara-area teachers and students.
This year’s fundraising drive launched Sept. 1 and runs through Oct. 19. Anyone interested in donating to the drive can do so here http://www.tfsuppliesdrive.com/. Donors can contribute to specific items requested by teachers or submit a general donation. Common teacher wish list items include STEM supplies, learning toys, art supplies, electronics, and classroom furniture.
Alternatively, individuals and organizations can sponsor the supplies drive. Sponsorship levels start at $250 and include social media mentions and entries for the chance to win one of numerous prizes and other recognitions.
All proceeds from the fundraising campaign go to help kindergarten through 12th grade teachers at Santa Barbara-area schools, from Carpinteria through to the Santa Ynez Valley. So far, each year’s drive has surpassed expectations, with the 2022 drive bringing in over $85,000.
CAMARILLO — Battery Streak, a leading battery technology company, has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the US Navy’s Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Division. The CRADA will enable Battery Streak and NSWC Crane to collaborate on research for safe and fast charging battery development through August 2026.
The agreement will allow both entities to leverage each other’s subject matter experts, laboratory space, state of the art test equipment, and test result data. The collaboration will focus on developing Battery Streak’s advanced battery technology that can be used in dual use applications (military and commercial.)
VENTURA — County Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters Michelle Ascencion announced the signatures in lieu of filing fee period will begin on September 14, 2023, for the March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary Election. Candidates may submit a signatures in lieu petition (also called petitions in lieu) to cover all or any prorated portion of the filing fee required to run for certain offices.
The signatures in lieu petitions may be obtained from the Ventura County Elections Division. Only valid signatures from registered voters within the jurisdiction of the office will be used to reduce fees. The number of signatures required to cover the filing fee varies by office and will be verified by the Elections Division. If the full amount of signatures to offset the filing fee are not gathered, that portion of the filing fee not covered by the signatures will need to be paid in full before the candidate can obtain their nomination documents.
SANTA BARBARA — Robert Curtis, managing partner at the Santa Barbara-based law firm Foley Bezek Behle & Curtis, has been recognized as one of The Best Lawyers in America(r) for exceptional work representing plaintiffs in mass tort litigation and class action lawsuits.
Curtis, who in conjunction with other partners at the firm has successfully pursued over $1.15 billion in settlements and verdicts against some of the biggest companies in the country, was recently included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America(r). https://www.bestlawyers.com/lawyers/robert-curtis/206126
Friendship Center is looking forward to our 11th Annual Wine Down to be held Thursday, September 14th, 2023, from 4 to 7pm outdoors at our Montecito Center’s courtyard. This delicious and delightful event brings us together to enjoy an evening of great local wines and beer, along with hearty hors d’oeuvres and live music, all for a good cause!
For answers, John Protzko and his team looked to philosophers, professionals and laypersons. Their conclusions could help answer moral and legal questions if scenarios in today’s science fiction ever become reality.
CAMARILLO — Ventura County’s senior population (age 65+) is expected to increase 14% this year to 224,812, outpacing the overall growth of the county population, which is projected to increase just 2% to 884,148 in 2023. CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)…
OXNARD —The City of Oxnard announced the appointment of Rob Ruben as Oxnard’s new Chief Information Officer (CIO), effective Sept. 5, 2023.
With more than 20 years of industry experience leading large-scale project implementation and overseeing diverse operational teams, Ruben brings a wealth of expertise to his role in shaping Oxnard’s technological future.
“We’re excited to promote from within an experienced professional like Rob to lead our IT Department,” said City Manager Alexander Nguyen. “I look forward to him providing secure, efficient, forward-looking IT solutions for our organization.”
Mountains to Sea Jubilee
FAMILY FAIR
?Saturday, October 21
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
@Agriculture Museum
926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula
Celebrate Ventura County’s 150th Anniversary at the Mountains to Sea Jubilee, a FREE all-day family event culminating in a music festival! The Family Fair features food trucks, kids’ zone, community stages, pumpkin patch, Exhibit opening: Ventura County, The Place We Call Home, and MORE! Get the details HERE.
EN ESPAÑOL: COMO CONSTRUIR TU EQUIPO FINANCIERO
7 de septiembre a las 12:00 pm
Aprenda cómo, identificar sus necesidades, conectar con asesores profesionales, investigar y entrevistar, y alinearse con sus valores. Patrocinado por Bank of America.
HAGA CLIC AQUÍ PARA INSCRIBIRSE
SACRAMENTO — On September 1st, 2023, the California Assembly Appropriations Committee voted in favor of the Latinx and Indigenous Disparities Reduction Act. The bill now heads to its final legislative vote on the Assembly Floor before heading to Governor Newsom’s desk to be signed. The bill, which collects and disaggregates more detailed data for Latinx subgroups and Indigenous Mesoamerican nations to improve health outcomes, makes it past this critical vote amidst rising COVID-19 cases and the threat of new variants – in addition to experiencing impacts from recent climate change-related flooding.
We are only one week away from our Inaugural Kern County Homeownership Conference “A New Way Home” happening on Saturday, September 9th from 10am – 2pm at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bakersfield! VCCDC with presenting sponsors U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo and in collaboration with the City of Bakersfield and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco invite renters across Kern County to learn about the programs and resources available to achieve homeownership.
The event kicks-off with our onsite Loan Center where conference attendees can get a free, personalized consultation with loan officers from VCCDC and our partner lenders. The no-obligation pre-qualification sessions can help potential borrowers determine their eligibility for first time homebuyer loans and programs.
Kelly Noble, our exceptional Office Manager, is celebrating 20 incredible years with EDC. Since 2003, Kelly has been an indispensable part of our team, contributing her expertise, dedication and infectious positivity. With a background in party planning, catering and entrepreneurship, Kelly brings a unique blend of creativity and precision to her role.
As we await the formation of our new cohort of Social Justice Fellows, SJFVC has very exciting news to share!
SJFVC has received a grant for $32,500 from the McCune Foundation!
SJFVC is deeply grateful for this grant, as it will help us build our Fellowship Program and better support our Social Justice Fellows!
CAMARILLO — Part of the legacy of former Ventura County Supervisor Carmen Ramirez can be found in the thank you notes from the school classrooms she visited.
“Laws and rights are very important to me. Especially the littering one,” wrote one student. “And I was impressed an immigrant without documents can become a lawyer on (the) Supreme Court. That gives me hope that someday maybe I’ll become a lawyer.”
Another child wrote: “Thank you for coming and telling us what your job is. I think lawyers are cool. I always wanted to be a lawyer, so I’m going to stay in school and become one.”
And: “That’s cool that you can talk Spanish.”
The children’s letters are included among the 15 boxes of documents, planners, diaries, proclamations and even favorite cartoons collected by Ramirez during 45 years of service before her life was cut short in a pedestrian accident on Aug.12, 2022.
Ramirez’s husband, friends and family organized the archives and donated them to CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) this summer. Ramirez’s husband, Roy Prince, believes CSUCI is the ideal place for the archives as she worked from the very beginning to advocate to establish a CSU campus in Ventura County.
How could we have gone through those early stages of losing our baby teeth without the help of the famed tooth fairy?
We all have a preconceived image of this ethereal creature, which has been solidified by Disney’s introduction of fairy creatures into our lives. We in the U.S. got our first glimpse of the tooth fairy in 1908, when the Chicago Daily Tribune published an article about this beloved creature. The myth was rebooted in 1927 when Esther Watkins Arnold published the book, “The Tooth Fairy: Three-Act Playlet for Children.”
VENTURA COUNTY — Rebozo Festival, Inc., is pleased to announce that awards of up to $30,000 will be granted to qualified non-profit organizations that focus on the cultural, social and/or educational needs of the Ventura County community. The application process will open September 1st and will close September 29th, 2023 at 5:00 pm.
Rebozo Festival, Inc., encourages non-profit organizations that meet the following requirements to apply: Nominated organizations must be located in Ventura County serving primarily Ventura County Latino residents and must be an IRS 501©(3) non-profit organization/institution or operate under the fiscal sponsorship of a qualified organization/institution.
The application and additional information is available at http://www.RebozoFestival.org.
Premiere Party: The Art of George Lockwood
Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 4 PM to 6 PM
$5 SPAM Members • $10 Non-members
Meet Santa Barbara County artist (and Santa Paula native) George Lockwood at the Santa Paula Art Museum for the premiere of his all-new solo exhibition, “The Art of George Lockwood,” on Saturday, September 16! With a lifelong passion for wildlife and the outdoors, Lockwood taught himself to draw and paint as he worked as a guide in Alaska for 19 years. A full-time painter since 2003, Lockwood’s newest works feature scenes and subjects from Santa Paula to the Central Coast to the Pacific Northwest.
“The Art of George Lockwood” will be on view from September 16, 2023, to January 14, 2024. All of the artworks in the exhibition will be available for purchase.
