SACRAMENTO — Assembly Bill 539: The Fair Access to Credit Act has made its way through the Senate Banking & Finance Committee with a 6-0 vote. This historic vote comes after years of failed attempts to protect California consumers from predatory…
Category: Local
Clean Power Alliance conducting multilingual survey
Ventura County workshop to be held July 25 Hi, Hope you’re well. I’m not sure how familiar you are with you and/or your members’ new utility, Clean Power Alliance. Their mission is to provide clean energy at competitive prices. Communities…
Grocery Outlet to hold ninth annual ‘Independence from Hunger’ campaign June 26 through July 31
VENTURA COUNTY — Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, extreme-value grocery retailer, today launched its ninth consecutive “Independence from Hunger” Food Drive to combat food insecurity. From June 26 – July 31, 2019, the month-long campaign will collect cash donations and pre-made…
Bilingual report: Supervisors pass strongest County budget ever
VENTURA — The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a budget of $2.309 billion for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 on June 17, 2019. It is the strongest budget in County history and, overall, is slightly higher – 3.2 percent – than the…
CSUCI faculty will study common problems between France and California at Paris seminar
CAMARILLO —Polarization, immigration, sustainability and climate change are among the challenges and similarities California and France share. Two CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) faculty members will explore the challenges the state and country have in common at a California State University…
Oxnard Salsa Festival update for June 27 — Do you have what it takes to win the Great Oxnard Salsa Challenge 2019?
Click here for the entire e-newsletter Do you have what it takes to win the Great Oxnard Salsa Challenge 2019? Calling all home cooks! Your family and friends RAVE about your homemade salsa, but do you have what it…
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara update for June 27 — MCASB Events Week of June 23rd-30th
Click here for the entire e-newsletter UPCOMING EVENTS June 23rd – 29th, 2019 JOIN US! The final week of June is full of exciting events here at MCASB, including an opportunity to meet the artist behind our September show, Ari Benjamin Meyers:…
Bilingual report: Community support leads to agreement to maintain OB services at Santa Paula Hospital
VENTURA — At a meeting initiated by the Santa Clara River Valley Community on Friday, Ventura County Executive Officer Mike Powers, Health Care Agency Director Bill Foley, and CEO for VCMC/SPH, John Fankhauser, MD agreed to resume OB services at…
Bilingual report: Be inspired to make a difference on June 29 / ¡Inspírese y haga una diferencia! el 29 de junio
BE INSPIRED AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY! LEARN HOW TO SUPPORT FAMILIES AND YOUTH IN CARE! With motivational speaker, Michael Sanders, along with a compelling panel of teens, resource parents and biological families sharing their heartfelt stories and…
Ventura College Foundation Marketplace Looks To Expand Number Of Saturday Produce & Prepacked Food Vendors
VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation Marketplace, which operates every Saturday and Sunday on the Ventura College campus, is looking to expand the number of Saturday produce and pre-packaged food vendors. The Marketplace attracts between 2,000 and 5,000 visitors each…
Bilingual report: Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics Receives 2019 Supporting the Safety Net Award in Washington D.C.
CenCal Health Initiates Award Nomination of Local Provider SANTA BARBARA — On June 20, the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) presented its fourteenth annual Supporting the Safety Net Award to Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics (SBNC). The organization was nominated for the award by ACAP member plan CenCal…
EDC Releases Business Migration Report That Challenges California’s ‘Business Exodus’ Theory
EDC Releases Business Migration Report That Challenges California’s “Business Exodus” Theory Dear Clients and Stakeholders, The EDC has released a report in partnership with Xopolis: Urban Analytics that studies business migration in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties.…
Jackson Issues Statement on Cannabis Trailer Bill Vote
SACRAMENTO – State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (Santa Barbara) issued the following statement on her opposition to AB 97, the cannabis budget trailer bill, which was voted on June 24 in the State Senate: “More than two years ago, California voters passed Proposition…
Shared Goals; United Way honors Tocqueville Society and Leadership Circle
SANTA BARBARA — Dedicated supporters got a glimpse of the United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) community programs they helped make possible during the nonprofit’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society and Leadership Circle Reception June 12. Generously hosted by Adam…
Seven Participants To Compete In Oxnard Salsa Festival’s ‘Dancing With Our Community Stars’ Contest
OXNARD — Seven community leaders will take the stage and dance for charity during the “2019 Dancing With Our Community Stars Dance Contest and Charity Fundraiser,” Sunday, July 28 at 1 p.m. during the 26th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival in…
Update on Woolsey/Hill Fires Debris Removal Operations
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — State officials have submitted final inspections reports to officials in Los Angeles and Ventura counties for 77.97 percent of the 926 properties affected by last November’s Woolsey and Hill fires that are participating in the state’s Consolidated Debris…
CSUCI receives grants for science-related research and projects
CAMARILLO — Science faculty and students from CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) will locate burning oil seeps in Ventura County and inspire high school engineers thanks to two separate grants. Program chair and Professor of Environmental Science & Resource Management (ESRM) Sean…
CSUCI earns prestigious Seal of Excelencia
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) has received the Seal of Excelencia, a prestigious, voluntary and comprehensive certification granted by the Washington, D.C.-based organization, Excelencia in Education. The Seal recognizes an institution’s very high level of commitment and effort to serve…
Bilingual report: Local doctor practices medicine in hospital where he was born
VENTURA COUNTY — Throughout his time in medical school and residency, Dr. Jaime Arana, a general surgeon at Santa Paula Hospital, had one goal in mind following graduation: to return to Ventura County to practice medicine in his hometown. Arana is…
He was going nowhere in a hurry. Now 35, he’s about to earn his bachelor’s degree in anthropology
By Jim Logan • UCSB Ron Jimenez was not on the college track. His high school GPA was 1.5. He dropped out a week before graduation. Higher education wasn’t an option — or even a consideration. Fast-forward nearly two decades.…
Ventura College / Superior Court of California Partnership announces 15 graduates for 2019
VENTURA — Ventura County Superior Court graduated 15 court employees with a Certificate of Achievement in Supervision from Ventura College on May 23. This is the third cohort of graduates from the industry partnership developed between Ventura College and the Superior…
Santa Paula Museum of Art update for June 21 — Meet Our Artist in Residence! She’s Creating Works Inspired by Santa Paula
SANTA PAULA ART MUSEUM JEANETTE COLE ART CENTER & COLE CREATIVITY CENTER Our kids’ summer art classes are off to a great start here at the Santa Paula Art Museum. In this week’s playful “Geo-Me-Tree” class for kids age 3 to…
Carnegie Art Museum update for June 20 — Thank YOU! CLOSING Exhibition Weekend “Recent and Seldom Seen” SHOP THE Gift Store and the SPECTACULAR ART SALE with 30% discount on all purchases!
Click here to view entire e-newsletter Our sincere thanks to all the Carnegie Art Museum audience and members that have campaigned during the unfolding City of Oxnard FY 2019-20 budget crisis in support of keeping the museum open. Your…
Bilingual commentary: Video Games — My New Perspective
By David Magallanes • Guest contributor David Magallanes I have to admit that whereas in the past I would not vocalize it even to myself, I had not held video gamers in very high regard. I was the smug boomer…
More than 98 Percent of Properties Eligible for State Debris Removal Program Cleared of Woolsey, Hill Fire Debris
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — State contractors have cleared eligible debris from more than 98 percent of the properties affected by the Woolsey and Hill fires in the state’s Consolidated Debris Removal Program, officials with the Debris Removal Operations Center (DROC) in Calabasas…
Museum of Ventura County update for June 19 — Spend the Summer at Your Museum!
MUNCH returns to the Museum of Ventura County this Thursday, June 20, 2019 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.! The Ventura Artist Union Jam Band will be performing and boxed lunches will be available for purchase from Desserts to Die…
Kim Milstien, VCMC and Santa Paula Hospital CEO Resigns, Dr. John Fankhauser Named New CEO
VENTURA — Kim Milstien, VCMC and Santa Paula Hospital CEO, has resigned her position effective July 12, 2019. Milstien has been with the Ventura County Health Care Agency (HCA) hospitals since 2015. Under her leadership Ventura County Medical Center completed…
Jackson Honors Jeannine’s Restaurant and Bakery As Small Business of the Year
SACRAMENTO – Recognizing their extraordinary contributions to the Santa Barbara community, including being a gathering place following the devastation of the Thomas Fire, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (Santa Barbara) will honor Jeannine’s Restaurant and Bakery as Senate District 19’s Small Business of the…
United Way of Ventura County update for June 19 — And the Lifetime Achievement Award goes to…
Click here for the entire e-newsletter President’s Message Dear Friends, We are pleased to announce that on Saturday, August 24, Ms. Dorcas Thille will receive our fifth Lifetime Achievement Award at the 15th Annual Spirit Awards Gala. Dorcas is…
Thousand Oaks Farmers’ Market at the Oaks Shopping Center Closes for 4th of July Holiday
THOUSAND OAKS — The Thousand Oaks Farmers’ held at the Oaks Shopping Center from 12 noon to 5 p.m. on Thursdays will close Thursday, July 4 in observance of the 4thof July holiday. All other markets within the Ventura County Certified…
Tips for Surviving Summer Break with Your Kids
CENTRAL COAST — Summer break is finally here! While some families are ready to let loose, others may feel a sense of unease without the structure and safety that the school day provides. Family Relationship Educators at Family Service Agency…
Community Action Commission Partners with School District to Provide Meals to Seniors in Santa Barbara County
SBUSD Food Service Now Creates Healthy Food for All Ages GOLETA — Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County (CAC) announces a contractual agreement between its Senior Nutrition program and Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) Food Service to provide…
Local Farms Getting Ready For First Santa Barbara County Farm Day on Sept. 28
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — Local farmers are preparing for the first Santa Barbara County Farm Day Saturday, September 28. On Farm Day, ranches, wineries and nurseries in Santa Maria Valley will open their doors to the public so visitors can…
Bilingual report: Ventura County budget stronger than ever; hospital system challenges addressed
VENTURA COUNTY — The Board of Supervisors was presented a preliminary budget of $2.3 billion for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 on June 4, 2019. They are expected to approve a final budget following two hearings for public comments on the budget…
Studio Channel Islands Art Center Welcomes New Board Member
CAMARILLO — Studio Channel Islands Art Center (SCIART) recently announced Daniel Bednar has joined its board of directors. Bednar is vice president, enterprise project management, at CBC Federal Credit Union Ventura County. “We are delighted to have Daniel join the…
Ferguson Case Orr Paterson Welcomes New Attorney
VENTURA — Ferguson Case Orr Paterson LLP (FCOP), Ventura County’s largest law firm, recently welcomed attorney Jamie Holzer White to the firm. Holzer White’s practice areas include estate planning, trust administration and probate, and she has extensive knowledge of charitable…
More than 900 Properties Cleared of Eligible Structural Debris Caused by Woolsey and Hill Fires
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — State contractors have removed debris generated by the Woolsey and Hill fires from more than 900 properties in Los Angeles and Ventura counties whose owners are participating in the state’s Consolidated Debris Removal Program, officials with the Debris…
Santa Barbara Museum of Art update for June 17 — Exhibitions and Events at SBMA: July – September 2019
1130 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA. Open Tuesday-Sunday 11 am – 5 pm, Free Thursday Evening 5 – 8 pm 805.963.4364 www.sbma.net Enjoy half-price admission! Exhibition Openings Studio of Mathew Brady. Mathew Brady, Sixth Corps Staff Officers, Winter…
Carnegie Art Museum update for June 14 — Don’t miss our final week of programs | Poetry at the Carnegie – The Jackson Wheeler Series, The Children’s Workshop, CAM Book Club, Meditation | SHOP THE Gift Store and the SPECTACULAR ART SALE with 30% discount on all purchases!
Click here for the entire e-newsletter POETRY AT THE CARNEGIE THE JACKSON WHEELER SERIES Dan Gerber and Alis Morris Soto with CSUCI student poet Damien Aguilar Saturday, June 15 6 pm $5 / members free Organized & Hosted…
Marking a first for the UCSB, the inaugural cohort of Promise Scholars gets set to graduate
By Shelly Leachman • UCSB Rodolfo Hernandez is the eighth of nine siblings in his family. And on June 16, he’ll become the first among them to finish college. That he has reached this point — graduating from UC Santa…