Category: Local

National Association of Women Business Owners – Santa Barbara announces BRAVO 2022 Award Winners

by Community Contributor • February 25, 2022 • Comments Off

The National Association of Women Business Owners, Santa Barbara Chapter (NAWBO-SB) has announced the winners to the 8thannual BRAVO Awards, which recognizes women business owners and community leaders in the Santa Barbara area who have demonstrated outstanding entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation.

Accomplished leaders in their industries, dozens of women were nominated by NAWBO-SB members and the Santa Barbara community. The eight winners will be celebrated at the Hilton Garden Inn Santa Barbara/Goleta on March 23.

Bilingual commentary — Baptisms: Letter vs. Spirit of the Law

by Community Contributor • February 25, 2022 • Comments Off

A mortified and remorseful priest who served the Diocese of Phoenix in Arizona for more than two decades resigned from his duties this month. No, he was not embroiled in a sexual abuse case. He had not pilfered any proceeds from contributions to the church. He was not accused of having a flagrant affair with a female parishioner. He was a good man who made an honest mistake. But in the eyes of the Bishop of Phoenix, that error carried huge implications that will reverberate through the congregation for years. The shock waves are no less unsettling than those of a convulsive earthquake.

During his tenure as pastor at St. Gregory Parish, Father Andrés Arango performed thousands of baptisms. However, in all those baptisms, he had replaced one itsy-bitsy but crucial word with another. The formulaic “I baptize you in the name of the Father, etc.” became “We baptize you….”

Teatro de las Américas announces auditions casting call

by Community Contributor • February 24, 2022 • Comments Off

Monday March 07 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Auditions will be held at Teatro
321 W 6th St. Oxnard
More info / Más información

United Way of Ventura County — Uniting Together

by Community Contributor • February 24, 2022 • Comments Off

Thanks to your continued generosity, your United Way has been able to navigate through these incredibly challenging times and, together, we’ve been able to continue serving those in need.

Because of your generosity, our homelessness initiative has exceeded expectations since its launch two years ago—permanently housing more than 150 individuals including families, seniors, and veterans. Earlier this month we held our second homelessness symposium, facilitating the important and necessary conversations needed to create housing solutions for our county’s unhoused community members.

UCSB ‘The Current’ — ‘Wealth Is Not Health’ and more news

by Community Contributor • February 24, 2022 • Comments Off

Global studies scholar Jan Nederveen Pieterse pinpoints three key factors in effective Covid-19 response.

Updated Assessment Shows Port of Hueneme’s Economic Footprint Reaches All Time Highs in Ventura County

by Community Contributor • February 23, 2022 • Comments Off

The Port of Hueneme continues to serve as a vital economic engine throughout the region as evidenced by the release of a new economic impact report. The latest results show a steady and significant increase since 2013 in several key areas as demonstrated in the report updated by Martin Associates, a renowned economic consulting company for the maritime industry. The report shows that total economic activity increased by 150% or $1.4 billion to $2.2 billion and tax revenues to local cities and the state topped out at $173.2 million, a stark 224% increase. Since the previous report released in 2018, in two short years jobs grew in record numbers to 20,032 jobs, creating 4,200 additional jobs, of which 95% of these traded-created jobs are in Ventura County.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura Feb. 23, 2022 update

by Community Contributor • February 23, 2022 • Comments Off

Since Friday Feb. 18th, there have been 741 new COVID-19 cases reported and 18,487 new tests completed. There are 65 people hospitalized and 15 in the ICU.

There have been 10 new deaths – ages ranging from 64-89. We extend our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the community members who have passed away throughout the pandemic. Wellness Everyday offers grief and loss support and resources.

The R-effective for Ventura County is 0.55, meaning that the spread of COVID is likely decreasing.

Community Environmental Council Announces Earth Day 2022 at the Arlington Theatre on Saturday, April 23

by Community Contributor • February 23, 2022 • Comments Off

For the first time since 2019, Community Environmental Council (CEC) is hosting Santa Barbara Earth Day in person. The one-day event, in and around the Arlington Theatre, features a wide array of activities to generate the inspiration and motivation needed for building community support to tackle climate challenges.

Small Business Development Centers open at SBCC’s Schott and Wake Campuses

by Community Contributor • February 23, 2022 • Comments Off

In partnership with the regional Economic Development Collaborative (EDC), Santa Barbara City College is pleased to announce the opening of two satellite Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) where – at no cost – professional consultants work one-on-one with business owners and entrepreneurs to help them start-up, grow and navigate today’s complex business environment. The Centers are located at the Schott Campus (310 W. Padre St.) and at the Wake Campus (300 N. Turnpike Rd.).

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — 2022 COVID-19 Supplement Paid Leave

by Community Contributor • February 22, 2022 • Comments Off

2022 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) took effect on February 19, 2022. This SPSL is only applicable to employers, public or private, with 26 or more employees. Smaller employers will not be covered but may be covered by local supplemental paid sick leave ordinances.

February News from People’s Self-Help Housing

by Community Contributor • February 22, 2022 • Comments Off

From the broken ‘forty acres and a mule’ promise to the tragedies of the subprime crisis, Black Americans have found themselves both the unintended and fully intended victims of over one hundred years of racially motivated ordinances, practices and policies.

As a nation we have much to mourn as we have systematically prevented, and inhibited communities of color from fully participating in the American Dream. During this Black History Month, I invite you to re-exam for yourself how discriminatory lending, nefarious use of eminent domain, and the displacement of communities of color, have prevented the wealth building opportunities routinely afforded the white middle and upper classes.

UCSB — The Current — The Forever Scholar

by Community Contributor • February 22, 2022 • Comments Off

The American Association of Geographers honors the late Clyde Woods

Local Thousand Oaks non profit celebrates International Women’s Day 3/8 in Uganda with women the serve

by Community Contributor • February 21, 2022 • Comments Off

Honoring the achievements of women worldwide on International Women’s Day is a special cause for celebration to The Greater Contribution, a Thousand Oaks non-profit founded in 2006 by women who wanted to make a greater contribution to the world by helping those most in need.

For the past 16 years, the organization’s grassroots fundraising has empowered thousands of women in remote villages of Uganda, Africa, with micro loans so that they can start their own businesses and lift their families out of poverty. Coming from a place of dignity and respect, the two-year program includes literacy and business skills training, along with mentoring and peer counseling to create a life-changing impact.

Port of Hueneme and City of Port Hueneme Put Community Benefit Partnership in Full Gear Supporting Local Reel Guppy Outdoors Youth Program

by Community Contributor • February 21, 2022 • Comments Off

The partnership between the Port of Hueneme and the City of Port Hueneme goes into full gear supporting the local non-profit Reel Guppy Outdoors youth program. Reel Guppy Outdoors runs its youth programs off Port Hueneme Pier and is now able to expand to Channel Islands Fisherman’s Wharf as the result of funding from the Port-City Community Benefit Fund (CBF) and other local sponsors. Activities of the local non-profit include, fishing, whale watching and outdoor field trips providing an alternative for youth to get out on the water. Engaging in outdoor fishing can provide an individual with positive benefits such as breathing fresh air, engaging in active problem solving, socialization, and even achieving a sense of excitement when a fish tugs on the fishing line, making this an ideal fit for funding out of the CBF.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Employee Retention Tax Credit

by Community Contributor • February 21, 2022 • Comments Off

The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) is a refundable credit that businesses can claim on qualified wages, including certain health insurance costs, paid to employees. Qualified employers can claim a credit against:

50% of qualified wages paid, up to $10,000 per employee annually for wages paid between March 13 and Dec. 31, 2020
70% of qualified wages paid, up to $10,000 per employee per quarter for wages paid in the first three quarters of 2021

Jamie Morrison Announced as Vice President of Consortium Media

by Community Contributor • February 21, 2022 • Comments Off

Art Director, Jamie Morrison, has recently been promoted to Vice President of Consortium Media. Jamie’s award-winning graphic design innovations have launched many successful creative campaigns for brands and nonprofits. Under her vision, she led the rebranding of the Ventura County Public Works Agency and Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties Children and Family Services Foster Care division.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura — Feb. 18, 2022 COVID-19 Update

by Community Contributor • February 18, 2022 • Comments Off

Spotlight on the Ventura County Medical Center

Today we are celebrating Felicity who is 4 years off treatment! We are so grateful to Dr. Francisco Bracho, Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist and his team at the Ventura County Medical Center who treat young people like Felicity. We have such exceptional doctors and medical professionals touching the lives of children and families in our community every day. The Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at VCMC is the only cancer treatment facility for children and adolescents in VC. Before this center opened, children in Ventura County had to travel to LA to receive specialized care.

Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. Congratulates 7 Students Awarded with Rodney Fernandez Leadership Fund Scholarships

by Community Contributor • February 18, 2022 • Comments Off

The Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (Cabrillo EDC) recognized 7 graduating high school seniors and college students for their academic achievements and pursuits with Rodney Fernandez Leadership Fund (RFLF) Scholarships.

2021 proved to be a challenging year for continuing college students and graduating high school seniors transitioning to college. A recent survey conducted by EdWeek Research Center showed “students from low-income families were more likely than those from higher-income households to suffer disruptions in their college plans or to have had family members infected with COVID-19″.

West Ventura County Business Alliance announces annual Award of Excellence recipients

by Community Contributor • February 18, 2022 • Comments Off

The West Ventura County Business Alliance, the chamber of commerce serving Camarillo and Oxnard, is pleased to announce the annual Chairperson’s Award of Excellence recipients.

Honorees will be celebrated at the WVCBA’s Annual Meeting and Installation of Directors on Friday, March 4, beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the Courtyard By Marriott in Oxnard. Tickets to the luncheon are $50 for members and $65 for non-members. Registration is available online at wvcba.org or by calling (805) 738-9100.

These six, dedicated individuals were selected by outgoing Chair of the Board Tracy Perez, Market Manager – ManpowerGroup, and represent leaders who made significant contributions to the success of the WVCBA.

Bilingual commentary — A Letter to My 5-Year-Old Self

by Community Contributor • February 18, 2022 • Comments Off

David, this is your older self writing a letter to you from nearly 70 years in the future. I have a perspective that people acquire only after having lived through several decades, watching their own children and grandchildren navigate the rivers that are their lives.

At your five years of age, you are living in relatively prosperous times. The world is ten years down the road from the end of World War II, and people are still rejoicing as they build back their lives in a booming economy. The adults around you are creating their families, and that Baby Boom bulge will travel down time like a rodent travels down the gullet of a python. Take full advantage of the opportunities that are going to be laid at your feet. As you become older, you will see that the young people won’t have what your generation takes for granted.

Pedro A. Chavez receives Strategic Partner Award from the Women’s Council of Realtors Ventura County Network

by Community Contributor • February 18, 2022 • Comments Off

Pedro A. Chavez, team sales manager wit Caliber Home Loans in Oxnard, was recently presented with the Strategic Partner Award from Outgoing Ventura County Network President Sher Heard during organization’s Great Gatsby Gala held recently at the Moorpark Country Club.

Calling all citizen scientists to the CSUCI BioBlitz!

by Community Contributor • February 18, 2022 • Comments Off

Download iNaturalist on your smartphone, grab your sneakers and come on down to CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) on Saturday, Feb. 19 to join in the annual BioBlitz.

CSUCI students of all majors and members of the community are invited to wander around campus anytime between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. this Saturday and take photos of any plants, flowers, fungi, insects, birds, or trees that catch your eye. The iNaturalist app will identify what you’ve just seen and upload it to their global citizen science database of plants, flowers, fungi, trees, insects and animals found on and around the CSUCI campus – and the world.

No scientific background is required, just a smartphone, the app and a healthy sense of curiosity about the world around you.

Wildling Museum announces second annual Earth Day poetry competition open to county adults and youth, Climate Change: Our Impact, in collaboration with CEC

by Community Contributor • February 17, 2022 • Comments Off

The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature is pleased to announce its second annual Earth Day poetry competition with this year’s theme, Climate Change: Our Impact. Santa Barbara County writers of all ages are invited to use poetry to interpret the effects of climate change and our role in a variety of ways, with separate judging categories for youth (ages 17 and younger) and adult writing submissions. The competition is intended to honor Earth Day while highlighting the importance of standing up to protect the planet’s dwindling natural resources and working against the threats of climate change. The deadline to submit work for consideration is Monday, March 21, 2022 at 5 p.m.

Oak Park High School Wins 2022 Ventura County Mock Trial

by Community Contributor • February 17, 2022 • Comments Off

The Ventura County Office of Education is pleased to announce that Oak Park High School’s Team A is the winner of the 2022 Ventura County Mock Trial competition. Westlake High School’s Team A came in second, and Newbury Park High School’s Team A took third place. The winning teams were announced during a live virtual awards ceremony this evening following the final rounds of competition. For the second consecutive year, Mock Trial was held virtually due to the pandemic. Tonight’s final rounds were streamed live so friends, family and the public could watch the participants argue their cases.

A total of 30 teams from 22 high schools throughout Ventura County participated in this year’s competition, which began on February 8. Here is how the top eight teams placed:

UCSB — The Current — ‘A Hopeful Monster’ and more news

by Community Contributor • February 17, 2022 • Comments Off

Scientists describe an elusive example of abrupt evolution happening in columbines.

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network — Winter Newsletter

by Community Contributor • February 17, 2022 • Comments Off

Winter is fleeting, as it often is in California and throughout our coastal county. Santa Barbara County’s unique micro-climates allow for so much to be produced here this time of year while other parts of the country struggle to get the bare necessities to take root: winter crops such as celery root, beets, hard squash, bok choy, collards, cilantro, and citrus abound. As lobster season comes to a close, fishermen are reeling in halibut, seabass, and dozens of varieties of cod and rockfish. Soon ranchers will bring lamb to the market, a sign that spring is just around the corner.

As we welcome spring, we look forward to gathering with food system actors like you to listen, learn, and share resources.

Hospice of Santa Barbara’s Beloved Bear Program Offers Comforting Remembrance During a Time of Grief

by Community Contributor • February 17, 2022 • Comments Off

Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB)’s Beloved Bear Program offers a soft comforting remembrance during a time of grief by making a stuffed bear or pillow out of a passed loved one’s favorite article of clothing. Each item is handcrafted by HSB volunteers and provides families with a tangible keepsake infused with memories, texture, and even the familiar comforting scent of their loved one.

The Beloved Bear Program launched in 2010 and helps to offer a sense of security during grieving. It can also act as a transitional object in the healing process; many families do not know what to do with the deceased person’s clothing — they want the smell of the clothes or the memory of the clothes. The bear provides a way for memories to continue and serves as a joyful memory of a loved one because it is something “new” and appropriate for both kids and adults.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Feb. 16, 2022

by Community Contributor • February 16, 2022 • Comments Off

As of today Feb. 16, Ventura County’s indoor mask mandate is lifted. Masks are required indoors for people who are unvaccinated per the state order and are strongly recommended for all. Updated signage is available at https://www.venturacountyrecovers.org/outreach-toolkit/. Details at https://www.vcnewschannel.com/news/511-vc-indoor-mask-order-lifted-feb-16

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Honoring Black History Month

by Community Contributor • February 16, 2022 • Comments Off

The Economic Development Collaborative would like to recognize the month of February as Black History Month. This month is dedicated to honoring and celebrating the contributions of Black Americans throughout history. During this time, and throughout the entire year, the EDC is committed to supporting Black-owned small businesses. The EDC strives to provide equitable access and inclusive services, leading to stronger economic outcomes that support businesses and our region as a whole. The following are a handful of programs that provide support for Black-owned small businesses:

Ventura County Community Development Corp. announces Free Workshops for February/March

by Community Contributor • February 16, 2022 • Comments Off

Do you have a will or a trust? If the answer is no, you are leaving your loved ones and your assets at risk if something were to happen to you. Regardless of your age or your income, estate planning is an important part of planning for the future for anyone! Join us to learn how you can prepare and protect yourself and your loved ones! With guest speaker, Roy Schneider, Attorney.

What’s on at the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara

by Community Contributor • February 16, 2022 • Comments Off

Featuring work by Patricia Ayres, Simone Forti, Miguel Angel Payano Jr.,
Paul Mpagi Sepuya, and Gabriela Ruiz, This Basic Asymmetry is now on view through Sunday, April 17, 2022. Click here to read more about this exhibition.

Visit us today! Admission to all exhibitions at MCASB is free. Hours: Wednesday–Saturday 11 am–5 pm, with extended hours on Thursday until 8:00 pm. Sunday 12-5 pm. Visitor information >>>

Ventura County Civic Alliance — Livable Communities Newsletter – Feb. 15, 2022

by Community Contributor • February 15, 2022 • Comments Off

Ventura County’s Tale of Two Cities:

There is a saying in the medical field that states: Give me your zip code and I will tell you how healthy you are. A zip code may also predict financial health and safety. The challenge is to understand what the data is telling us and what we can do with it to make an impact.

Museum of Ventura County — Freeze! February Events Incoming!

by Community Contributor • February 15, 2022 • Comments Off

Ivor Davis:
Up Close and Personal with Harry Benson
February 24th from 6-8pm
@ the Museum of Ventura County & Zoom

Harry Benson has been featured in LIFE, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and more. He’s had 40 solo exhibits, including at The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. He’s photographed every US President from Eisenhower to Biden. He marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; was next to Senator Robert Kennedy when he was assassinated; and photographed the Berlin Wall going up and down.

State to Consider Lifting School Mask Mandate in Two Weeks

by Community Contributor • February 15, 2022 • Comments Off

Starting this Wednesday, vaccinated Californians will no longer be required to wear masks in public places, but the mask mandate will remain in effect for K-12 schools for at least two more weeks. Today, the state set February 28 as the date to consider lifting the mask requirement at schools. Dr. Mark Ghaly, Secretary of the California Health & Human Services Agency, made the announcement today, saying that additional time is needed to evaluate the latest data about the spread of COVID-19.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — New Masking Requirements for Businesses

by Community Contributor • February 15, 2022 • Comments Off

UPDATED: California Department of Public Health:
Starting February 16, 2022, only unvaccinated persons are required to mask in all Indoor Public Settings. Universal masking shall remain required in only specified settings. Fully vaccinated individuals are recommended to continue indoor masking when the risk may be high. CLICK HERE for more information.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Giving Rise to Hope’ and more news

by Community Contributor • February 15, 2022 • Comments Off

Social entrepreneur Amanda Nguyen talks “Hopeanomics” in a virtual, free event for Arts & Lectures.

Bilingual report — Covered California Names Jessica Altman as Its New Chief Executive Officer

by Community Contributor • February 15, 2022 • Comments Off

Covered California’s Board of Directors announced Tuesday the appointment of Jessica Altman as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Altman currently serves as the insurance commissioner for the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, where she is charged with regulating the Commonwealth’s insurance marketplace, protecting consumers and ensuring their health insurance needs are met. She will join Covered California with a wealth of experience concerning the Affordable Care Act, having played key roles in the Obama administration during the early establishment and implementation of the law, and as the chair of the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange Authority, where she led the establishment of Pennsylvania’s state-based marketplace.