Category: Local

Ventura County Council Boy Scouts of America Rebrands to Scouting America

by Community Contributor • September 16, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Scouting America (formerly Ventura County Council Boy Scouts of America), Ventura County Council (SAVCC) has rebranded in name, in line with the announcement that the national organization will officially transition in name from Boy Scouts of America to Scouting America in early 2025, as it celebrates its 115th anniversary.

The name change reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to welcome every youth and family to experience the benefits of scouting. The announcement comes as the organization also celebrates the fifth anniversary of welcoming girls into Cub Scouting and Scouts BSA programs. Nationally, Scouting America currently serves more than 176,000 girls and young women across all programs, including over 6,000 who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout. The local SAVCC has served over 4,500 youth (including non-Scouts), 779 adult leaders, and sends more than 5,000 kids to camp each year since its founding in 1921, just 11 years after the creation of the national organization.

Bilingual report — Protecting Ventura’s littlest passengers: Child Passenger Safety Week kicks off September 15-21, 2024

by Community Contributor • September 16, 2024 • Comments Off

“Children are especially vulnerable to injuries in a crash if they are in the wrong type of car seat for their age and size or if the car seat is improperly installed,” said Sergeant Mark Knackstedt. “We are dedicated to helping parents and caregivers safeguard their children on the road.”

West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA) — Longtime resident opens Spring Pharmacy in Oxnard

by Community Contributor • September 16, 2024 • Comments Off

“We are excited to open our doors to the community and provide a new resource for quality pharmaceutical care,” says owner and pharmacist Dr. Sora Yoon, an Oxnard resident for more than 35 years. “Our goal is to support the health and well-being of our neighbors, and we look forward to building lasting relationships with the people of El Rio and beyond.”

Bilingual report — Resource Management Agency and House Farm Workers! publish Ventura County farmworker survey results

by Community Contributor • September 13, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The Resource Management Agency’s (RMA) Planning Division, in partnership with House Farm Workers!, published the results of a countywide survey of agricultural employers, farmworkers, and stakeholders. This completes a major milestone in the Ventura County Farmworker Housing Study and Action Plan, highlighting the farmworker community and their housing needs.

“The commitment by the County, all ten cities and Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) to help fund, facilitate and share the knowledge learned from our local agricultural operators and farmworkers will be instrumental to our next step of this project – to develop recommendations for the production of farmworker housing across our County,” said Dave Ward, Planning Director for the Resource Management Agency.

Bilingual commentary — A Lucky Break for a Mexican American

by Community Contributor • September 13, 2024 • Comments Off

It may seem to be “unfair,” but sometimes we see people who appear to catch a wave of good fortune, experiencing a magical moment in their lives that propels them toward sudden and totally unexpected fame or success (or, ideally, both). These lucky breaks, often appearing as seized opportunities or fortunate coincidences, can dramatically alter one’s path in life. While hard work and perseverance are essential, the element of luck can sometimes play an unexpectedly pivotal role in shaping destinies.

Santa Paula Art Museum — Gail Pidduck’s “8² + 10” Opens Saturday, Sep. 14!

by Community Contributor • September 12, 2024 • Comments Off

Saturday, September 14, 2024 • 4 PM to 6 PM

$5 SPAM Members • $10 Non-members

Don’t miss the premiere of Gail Pidduck’s “8² + 10” on Saturday, September 14! Over the past two years, as Pidduck found herself approaching her 74th birthday, the Santa Paula artist gave herself the goal of creating 74 new paintings, 40 of which she selected for this show. With no restrictions as to subject matter, Pidduck let the dimensions of the paintings, 8 inches square, provide the unifying ingredient. Meet the artist and enjoy beer, wine, and hors d’oeuvres during the premiere party from 4 PM to 6 PM.

“8² + 10” will be on view through January 12, 2025. All of the artworks will be available for purchase.

U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley — ou’re Invited! Passport Fair on Saturday, Sept. 21, in Camarillo

by Community Contributor • September 12, 2024 • Comments Off

Now that the summer is coming to an end, travel plans for the holidays are underway for many of you. If you are considering traveling abroad, it is imperative that you keep your passport up to date. It’s important to note that some countries require that your passport be valid six months beyond the date of your trip.

As your representative in Congress, I want to make sure that obtaining or renewing a passport is made as easy as possible. For that reason, I am hosting a Passport Fair on Saturday, September 21, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at the Ventura County Office of Education, located at 5189 Verdugo Way, Camarillo, CA 93012.

Bilingual report — Santa Paula Celebrates Completion of Harvard Boulevard Infrastructure Improvement Project

by Community Contributor • September 12, 2024 • Comments Off

SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula proudly announced the successful completion of the Harvard Boulevard Infrastructure Improvement Project at a community ribbon-cutting ceremony held August 31, 2024. This transformative project, which spanned nearly two years, marks a significant milestone in the city’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and ensuring reliable services for its residents.

Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin — Electric vehicle (EV) charging legislation with national implications on Governor’s desk

by Community Contributor • September 12, 2024 • Comments Off

SACRAMENTO – The California Legislature has passed a significant piece of legislation that would require electric vehicle (EV) charging companies to share information across their networks. This new requirement would benefit EV drivers nationwide. If signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, Assembly Bill (AB) 2697, by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, would direct the California Energy Commission (CEC) to adopt network roaming standards. These standards would be applied to major EV charging network providers that manage 100 or more publicly available chargers and will help EV drivers locate and use charging stations. The legislation comes as a result of Assemblymember Irwin’s personal charging experiences, as well as ongoing news stories highlighting the lack of reliable and accessible charging infrastructure in California.

County of Santa Barbara September 2024 Newsletter

by Community Contributor • September 12, 2024 • Comments Off

All eligible citizens are encouraged to register to vote in anticipation of the upcoming Presidential General Election to be held on Tuesday, November 5th.
LEARN MORE

Bilingual report — Community members invited to share feedback on updated Land Use Map

by Community Contributor • September 12, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The City of Ventura invites community members to review and provide input on the updated Land Use Designation Map as part of the General Plan Update, a 25-year blueprint for guiding Ventura’s future growth and development. The survey is available for feedback until Monday, October 21, 2024, and various participation opportunities will be available in addition to the survey.

LEAP in Santa Barbara Receives National Diaper Need Awareness Week Proclamation

by Community Contributor • September 11, 2024 • Comments Off

The proclamation, introduced by 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann and co-sponsored by 2nd District Supervisor Laura Capps, acknowledges the critical issue of diaper need – the inability to afford enough clean diapers. It highlights the adverse impact this has on the health and well-being of children and families. National surveys conducted by the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) indicate that nearly one in two families struggle with diaper need, with many parents being forced to skip meals or delay changing diapers to extend their supply.

Rebozo Festival announces 2025 grant application is now open

by Community Contributor • September 11, 2024 • Comments Off

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 cultural, social and/or education needs of the Ventura County community. The application process will open Sept. 2 and will close Sept. 30, 2024 at 5 p.m.

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Disaster Declaration for Small Businesses Economically Impacted by the July Lake Fire

by Community Contributor • September 11, 2024 • Comments Off

DISASTER DECLARATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES ECONOMICALLY IMPACTED BY THE JULY LAKE FIRE

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) declared a disaster on September 4 for damages to businesses resulting from the Lake Fire, which occurred from July 5 – August 4, 2024. This is an opportunity for business owners to apply for working capital for those who were economically impacted by the Lake Fire. The deadline to apply for economic injury is June 6, 2025.

Counties Impacted by the Disaster Declaration

SBA assistance is available in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Kern and San Luis Obispo counties.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Immersive ocean health project opens at AlloSphere for Getty PST ART’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • September 11, 2024 • Comments Off

The AlloSphere opens to the public with “Sketches of Sensorium,” a multisensory installation exploring ocean fragility and resilience through art and science. Shows are every second Thursday and fourth Saturday.

Bilingual report — Deadline Approaching in California for SBA Working Capital Loans Due to the December 2023 Storm and Flooding

by Community Contributor • September 11, 2024 • Comments Off

SACRAMENTO — Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration, (on Sept. 11) reminded California small businesses of the Oct. 10, 2024, deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for economic injury caused by the December 2023 Storm and Flooding in Ventura County that occurred Dec. 21-23, 2023.

According to Sánchez, small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. “Economic Injury Disaster Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the applicant suffered any property damage,” Sánchez said.

United Way of Ventura County now seeking volunteers to provide free tax preparation for low-income earners

by Community Contributor • September 11, 2024 • Comments Off

Help low-income families and individuals improve their financial stability. Consider joining our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) team of tax preparers and interviewers for the 2024 Tax Year. Volunteers prepare federal and state tax returns at no cost, assisting clients access the tax credits to which they are eligible. Services will be provided at multiple sites across Ventura County offering the opportunity to volunteer during the day, in the evening, or on Saturday. Volunteers are asked to commit four hours per week during the VITA tax season, February 1st – April 30th. Volunteers work in teams led by an experienced tax preparer. Virtual preparation of taxes is also available.

Ventura County nurses and health care workers demand Board of Supervisors stop proposed ICU and obstetrics unit closures at Santa Paula Hospital

by Community Contributor • September 10, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Nurses and health care workers from Ventura County will hold an informational picket and address the Board of Supervisors on Sept. 10, 2024, to oppose the board’s approval to close the Santa Paula Hospital intensive care unit (ICU) and obstetrics units, announced California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU). Staff from Santa Paula Hospital in Santa Paula, Calif., will be joined by staff from Ventura County Medical Center, in Ventura, Calif., in opposition to the move.

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2024 • Comments Off

SCORE: BUSINESS FORMATION UNCOVERED: NAVIGATING BUSINESS STRUCTURES

September 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.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Bilingual report — County of Ventura Resource Management Agency appoints new public information officer

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The County of Ventura Resource Management Agency (RMA) is excited to announce the appointment of Imosemen Omiunu as the Public Information Officer, a newly created position for the agency. This appointment was made by RMA Director Rob Mullane after a comprehensive recruitment process.

Omiunu brings nearly a decade of experience in community engagement, digital marketing, community outreach, event management, and social media management from both the public and private sectors. Most recently, she served as a Resident Director for the University of California, Santa Barbara in the University’s Residential and Community Living Department.

Ventura County Animal Services — 77 adoptions in 6 hours at Clear the Shelters!

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2024 • Comments Off

GREAT NEWS to share! Despite the HEAT WAVE, 77 shelter animals got adopted at our Clear the Shelters event on Saturday, September 7th. Thank you for supporting our lifesaving mission! Ventura County Animal Services View Adoptable Animals Support…

First District Supervisor Das Williams — Keep Fighting For Our Planet

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2024 • Comments Off

You may have heard the news that Sable (formerly Exxon) has out-maneuvered the County in the oil pipeline dispute by revising its plans to move the safety valves underground, and outside of our jurisdiction. This will likely lead to a restarting of offshore oil drilling at the Santa Ynez Unit off of Gaviota.

Those of us who were here during the Refugio Oil Spill in 2015 know what is now at stake, and how deeply terrifying that news is.

Livingston Memorial starting Spanish-language Support Group on Sept. 24

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA — El Programa de apoyo para el duelo de Livingston está agregando un grupo de apoyo para el duelo gratuito en español. El grupo de apoyo comienza el 26 de Septiembre de 2024, todos los jueves de 6:30p.m. a 8:00 p. m. en nuestra officina en Ventura. Nuestra oficina se encuentra en 1996 Eastman Ave Suite 101 (Cuarto de Conferencia Harris) Ventura.

CSUCI gets high marks on Washington Monthly’s ‘Best Bang for your Buck’ College Guide

by Community Contributor • September 6, 2024 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) is one of the most affordable universities in the West according to Washington Monthly’s 2024 annual College Guide.

CSUCI ranked 24th out of 201 colleges and universities in the western region on the “Best Bang for Your Buck” list, climbing two rungs from its 2023 ranking. Each year, the Washington Monthly creates a region-by-region ranking of public, private nonprofit, and for-profit colleges in its “Best Bang for your Buck” category, based on how well an institution helps students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices.

“I am proud of how CSUCI opens doors to higher education for individuals who may not have previously considered higher education. A degree not only transforms their lives but also uplifts their families and contributes to greater social mobility,” said President Richard Yao. “This recognition reflects our commitment to empowering students and enhancing communities through education.”

Bilingual commentary — Reaching for the Light—Just as Plants Do

by Community Contributor • September 6, 2024 • Comments Off

As I was making lunch in my kitchen recently, I became intrigued by a phenomenon I’d noticed in the past but had not pondered to any great degree.

A plant on the countertop by the window was increasingly growing toward the sunlight. All of its leaves seemed to magically stretch toward that window.