Come to the end-of-course presentation of the THEATRICAL PRACTICES of the Teatro de las Américas as part of our First Jueves activities
Throughout the month of July, THEATRICAL PRACTICES coordinated by Juan Pablo Yah Yah were carried out in which the participants, some with, others without theater experience, performed exercises and dynamics to fine-tune their theater techniques.
Last month, PSHH students participated in College Signing Day, an event where their friends, family, and educators celebrated next steps into higher education. Congratulations to our 60 hardworking students who graduated this year!
The California Labor Market Information Division has released its June 2024 report, showing a large increase to the unemployment rates across most all regions. The US moved from 3.7% in May all the way up to 4.3% in June, California followed suit, from 4.6% to 5.3%, as did Ventura County, from 3.7% in May to 4.5% in June.
These increases are seasonal, an annual pattern that occurs with the start of summer. That noted, not that many years ago the seasonal change wasn’t so severe, with lots of younger workers finding summer employment, especially in Retail, to offset the losses in Education for the summer, but those summer jobs of course have cooled with the larger move away from bricks and mortar based sales to on-line activity.
THOUSAND OAKS — The Ventura County Fire Department congratulates the Woodridge Homeowners Association in Thousand Oaks, the Rancho Matilija neighborhood in Ojai and the Piru community for earning recognition from the National Fire Protection Association as Firewise USA communities.
“The risk of wildfire is ever present in Ventura County,” Fire Marshal Joe Morelli said. “We applaud these communities for doing all they can to reduce some of that risk.”
The Fall Activity Guide offers a diverse range of classes and programs for all ages, including Beginner Ceramics, a Bus Tour to see Hamilton at the Pantages Theatre, Aikido, and a collection of classes in fitness, art, aquatics, sports, pet wellness, and more.
Of the 250,000 notices mailed out, approximately 207,000 are postcard notices showing the 2% increase in value in accordance with Proposition 13. Additionally, just over 6,000 notices will notify owners if their property’s Market Value is less than the Prop 13 (Base Year) Value.
Just over a century ago, in the fashion centers of America’s east coast, men were programmed to wear straw hats throughout the summer. Men who considered themselves of sufficiently high class customarily donned the requisite straw hat on May 15 (“Straw Hat Day”). This social custom was taken quite seriously by the men of that era, especially in New York City.
But after September 15, wearing a straw hat was considered a serious violation of standing etiquette.
Join us at the 1st Annual Government & Disability Summit taking place September 24 – 27th here in Ventura!
We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca Cokley, the first U.S. Program Officer for Disability Rights at the Ford Foundation and a three-time Presidential Appointee under the Obama Administration. Rebecca served at the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and the White House where she oversaw diversity and inclusion efforts. Don’t miss her keynote speech at this groundbreaking event!
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College is reminding students that there is still time to register for fall classes, which start on Aug. 19 at the college’s Santa Maria campus and Lompoc Valley Center.
Hancock offers credit and noncredit classes across a wide range of subjects and areas of study for students seeking degrees, certificates, transfer, job training, or enrichment.
“Now is the time for students to register for fall classes,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers. “Our faculty and staff are ready to support and help them achieve their educational goals.”
VENTURA — The Ventura County Probation Agency Chief Probation Officer Gina Johnson is proud to recognize National Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Services Week (Probation Services Week), which is celebrated from July 21 to July 27, 2024. During this week, the incredible probation professionals whose unwavering dedication breaks cycles, provides second chances, and transforms lives are celebrated.
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on fourteen different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment and strategic importance to the state or region.
SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula is proud to announce that Congresswoman Julia Brownley presented a check (July 16) for $959,752 to the City of Santa Paula. This significant funding will support the Mesa Tanks Replacement Project, a crucial initiative aimed at ensuring the city’s water infrastructure meets the highest standards of reliability and safety.
The Mesa Tanks Replacement Project is a comprehensive effort to replace two deteriorating water tanks, identified in a 2017 report by the State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water as being in poor condition. The total cost of the project is estimated at $5.5 million.
Mayor Leslie Cornejo expressed her gratitude and highlighted the importance of this project for the community. “This funding underscores our commitment to maintaining clean drinking water sources for the residents of Santa Paula,” said Mayor Cornejo. “By replacing the aging Mesa tanks with new, reinforced structures, we are not only improving our water storage capacity but also enhancing our ability to support our growing community needs and firefighting efforts.”
Effective Wednesday, July 17, 2024, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has cancelled additional Evacuation Orders and Warnings while maintaining orders and warnings in areas unsafe for the public.
Evacuation Orders and Warnings CANCELLED for:
Areas south of the fire perimeter
The following areas remain under an EVACUATION ORDER:
Area between the western fire perimeter and the Los Padres National Forest Fire Area Closure
Area east of La Brea Creek and Forest Route 10N06, south of the Los Padres National Forest boundary, and north of the Sisquoc River
The following areas are under an EVACUATION WARNING:
Area east of Kelly Canyon, north of Sisquoc River, west of La Brea Creek and Forest Route 10N06, and south of the Los Padres National Forest
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“As we lead up to the November 5th election, the Presidential contest, of course, is the one most voters are aware of,” said Clerk-Recorder Ascencion, “but this is also the election for several local contests where people may find they personally know someone who’s running. It’s an exciting time and the Elections team enjoys helping our local candidates get their campaign filing started. We do always caution candidates, though – deadlines come up quickly so now is the time to make your appointment.”
VENTURA COUNTY — The most recent Workforce Development Board Meeting featured an election of new officers with Laura Martinez, elected as Chair, and Byron K. Ward, elected Vice Chair by their fellow Board Members.
Martinez has a strong background in Business Development, HR, and Strategic Planning across multiple business sectors, as well as having served in the US Air Force. She is the Founder & CEO of HR Force, her consulting firm specializing in HR architecture and serving as strategic partners in building HR departments from inception to alignment with organizational vision and strategic objectives.
“I am excited about the opportunities ahead for us as a team [the Workforce Development Board],” Martinez said. “Together, we can continue to make a real difference in our community by fostering economic growth, addressing workforce challenges, and creating meaningful opportunities for workforce development.”
View this email online EVACUATION ORDERS AND WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT FOR AREAS OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY DUE TO THE LAKE FIRE No Additional Protective Actions as of 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 Click here to access the interactive…
VENTURA COUNTY — First 5 Ventura County is currently enrolling families with children ages newborn to 5 years for our Parent and Child Together (PACT) Classes. These free, bilingual classes are 14-weeks long and provide in-person, high-quality, teacher-led educational experiences. Space is still available for classes in Moorpark, Santa Paula, and Simi Valley.
VENTURA — Mark your calendars! On November 5, 2024, voters in the City of Ventura’s Districts 2, 3, and 7 will head to the polls to elect three City Council members for four-year terms. This election will be held in conjunction with the Ventura County Presidential General Election, making it a pivotal day for our community.
Located in the City of San Luis Obispo, this new development will be comprised of 68 apartments, including studio, one, and two bedroom units. This three-story, three-building con?guration with a community room, outdoor courtyard, and playground, will serve individuals and families making at or below 60% of the Area Median Income, as well as populations with special needs. Residents will also have access to onsite property management, and service-enriched support.
VENTURA — Dr. Theresa Cho has been selected as the new director of the Ventura County Health Care Agency. The appointment follows a rigorous recruitment that included more than 39 applicants. Cho succeeds Barry Zimmerman who retired from the position in June.
“Dr. Cho brings a wealth of extensive experience and exceptional qualifications to her role as Director of the Health Care Agency,” stated Dr. Sevet Johnson, County Executive Officer. “Her distinguished career as a family medicine physician, coupled with her leadership across our healthcare system uniquely positions Dr. Cho to adeptly advance the mission of the agency. We are confident in her ability to lead the Health Care Agency forward in continued innovation, operational excellence, and our ongoing commitment to patient-centered care for the residents of Ventura County.”
SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula is proud to announce the successful completion of the inaugural Santa Paula Future Leaders Academy, a 10-week program designed to provide residents and business owners with direct insight into city management, operations…
“Danielle’s extensive experience brings a wealth of strategic insight and leadership to our County government” said Dr. Sevet Johnson, County Executive Officer. “With a proven track record in fostering organizational excellence, advancing workforce initiatives, focusing on relationship building and enhancement of leadership skills, Danielle’s skillset will invest in supporting and growing our County workforce.”
“Gregg’s distinguished engineering background, complemented by his profound skillset across all facets of public works and specialized disaster response experience, ensures seamless service continuity,” stated Dr. Sevet Johnson, County Executive Officer. “His appointment reinforces our commitment to advancing from a robust foundation, poised for sustained growth and excellence across our Public Works Agency. Gregg’s wealth of expertise promises to continue to elevate the level of quality service to our residents throughout the county.”
As incredible as it may seem, there was a silver lining to the pandemic that we all lived through. During that difficult time, when many of us endured a traumatic lockdown, a healthy number of Americans began to seriously consider establishing their own home-based business.
After all, we had time to study and learn how to plan for and establish a home business. People began realizing that by working for someone else, they were actually quite vulnerable to office politics and the vagaries and whims of an employer.
The VSO’s fully accredited veteran claims officers provide information, referrals, claims preparation and submission, and follow-up service to ensure that veterans, their dependents, and survivors receive the benefits to which they are entitled. All services are provided free of charge. Veterans and their family members may also meet with claims officers at field offices located in Camarillo, Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley. Veterans and family members who wish to speak with a VSO representative over the phone or make an in-person appointment may call 805-477-5155.
Restaurants Care, a nonprofit program of the California Restaurant Foundation, is partnering with SoCalGas, PG&E and SDG&E to offer resilience grants to independent restaurants at the heart of our communities. To date, the Restaurants Care Resilience Fund has awarded grants to more than 2,050 California restaurants. Restaurants Care was created in 2017 as a safety-net for food and beverage workers. To learn more about their fund for food and beverage workers click here.
“The reopening of the Ventura Pier marks a celebratory moment for our community. I am thankful for the swift, coordinated efforts of city staff, the County of Ventura, various state agencies, and our community partners like the Ventura Port District—Harbor Patrol, the Coastal Commission, State Parks, and Pier into the Future,” commented Ventura Mayor Joe Schroeder. “Their hard work has ensured the pier’s safety with effective emergency responses, debris clearance, and coastal mitigation efforts and helped preserve an essential piece of our local heritage. We eagerly anticipate welcoming the community back to this cherished landmark.”
SANTA PAULA — On June 24, 2024, Santa Paula water customers were notified as a precaution to not use the tap water for drinking or cooking until further notice. This notice did not impact all water customers but particular areas of the city which were identified in the original notice.
The City of Santa Paula Water System, in conjunction with the State Water Resources Control Board, and the Ventura County Environmental Division, has determined that, through abatement of the health hazard and comprehensive testing of the water, the tap water for all Santa Paula residences is safe, including for drinking and cooking.
VENTURA — With the Fourth of July approaching, the Ventura Police Department reminds community members that all fireworks are illegal within city limits. This year, the department is implementing new technology to enhance community safety and enforce the fireworks ban.…
Let’s Celebrate our Friend
Margaret Cortese
Historic Director of Teatro de las Américas.
The party will be held Saturday June 29 From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. At Teatro’s facilities at
321 W. 6th Street, Oxnard, CA
Please bring a dish to share
El Rio Will Soon Have Sidewalks: Update on Agenda Item 49
The Board unanimously approved the Ventura County Public Works Agency’s plan to move forward with the El Rio Pedestrian Improvement Project.
This project will bring sidewalks to the neighborhood, making the area safer and it will improve drainage issues for the community.
PWA will award a contract this month, with construction beginning this July.
The project is expected to be completed — by March of 2025.
She is the first consumer representative to serve in that role. Former board chair transitions to role of vice chair; two new members join the Commission
“We applaud Laura for her longstanding dedication to health care advocacy in Ventura County and celebrate this milestone as she becomes the first Latina to hold this esteemed position as chair of the Commission,” said GCHP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nick Ligouri. “With deep roots in Santa Paula and the Santa Clara Valley at large, Laura embodies the vital voice of our community. Her dedication to the community and understanding of the health care needs of our members make her an invaluable asset to the Commission, especially as we continue to evolve in an ever-changing health care landscape.”
When I was growing up in the 1950s, I observed how my father used his leisure time. He would either make sketches, read books, or work on crossword puzzles from the newspaper. It didn’t occur to me how difficult it must have been for crossword puzzle enthusiasts of that era.
VENTURA — The City of Ventura released the third episode of its new podcast, Ventura Voices. The latest episode features an in-depth interview with Ventura’s Economic Development Manager, Meredith Hart, and Visit Ventura’s President and CEO, Marlyss Auster. Community members can listen to the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music, or watch it on the City’s YouTube channel.
In this episode, Meredith and Marlyss are enthusiastic about returning the X Games to Ventura for a second consecutive year. They discuss the significant economic benefits this event brings to the community and highlight new features of the 2024 event, including an expanded event floor plan, musical performances, new sporting events, drone shows, a free shuttle and parking sites, plus a variety of free community events throughout Ventura.
“Thanks to the policy direction of our Council and the hard work of City staff, we’re delivering a positive, balanced budget that will continue the restoration of infrastructure such as paving our streets and alleys and investing in community services throughout Oxnard,” said Mayor John C. Zaragoza. “We’re also supporting Oxnard’s long-term financial sustainability by using one-time surplus funds to make a significant payment towards long-term debt.”
“I appreciate the work of our directors from across our 25 County agencies and the efforts they have put in to develop a budget to support our County and community,” stated 3rd District Supervisor Kelly Long, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Some challenging decisions were made, but we approve this budget with the greatest good for our community in mind and based on the needs to continue to support the programs that serve our residents.”
VENTURA — The Ventura Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, from 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. The checkpoint will be held at an undisclosed location within the City of Ventura.
DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. Additionally, based on collision and arrest data, Tuesdays are shown to be the highest days of the week for DUI-related offenses in the City of Ventura. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” said Corporal David Curtis. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety and keeps our residents safe.”
VENTURA — The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District is issuing an Air Quality Alert because unhealthy conditions are forecast for Monday, June 16.
Smoke from the Post Fire is expected to cause the Air Quality Index (AQI) to fall in the unhealthy range for everyone. Measured levels of PM2.5, particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, have reached unhealthy for sensitive groups in the Simi Valley area with the potential to reach unhealthy levels for all in the overnight and morning hours. While the largest smoke impact remains near the northeastern portions of Ventura County, elevated levels of PM 2.5 are anticipated to increase in all locations during the Sunday overnight hours and into Monday morning.
Fellows during their Backpacking Trip, Photo Credit Rob Balloch *** Becarios durante su viaje de mochilero, Crédito de Foto Rob Balloch.
SANTA BARBARA — REACH Fellowship, a leading organization dedicated to empowering students through educational and experiential learning opportunities, is thrilled to announce their summer trips designed to inspire and educate the participants in the program, referred to as Fellows. This year, REACH Fellows will attend a variety of enriching trips, including college tours, backpacking adventures, and culminating experiential trips, both international and domestic. REACH staff carefully select these Fellows during the fall of their junior year of high school through a rigorous selection process, and each cohort is supported through the summer of their first year of college. The primary goal of the program is to support first-generation, low- to moderate-income students in Santa Barbara County. REACH is able to fund the program, these trips, and other workshops through the support of the Audacious Foundation and other generous donors. This support enables us to offer the program to students at no cost to them or their families.
A recent report from one of our most treasured local radio stations, KCLU, describes a Ventura County Sheriff’s program that graciously rewards kids who are “caught” following safety rules or doing good deeds, such as opening doors for people. The name of the program is “Operation Chill.”
The concept is laudatory. It demonstrates to the citizenry, especially children, that our sheriffs are not interested only in arresting people who do bad things. The program teaches children that being safe and helping others is noticed by responsible adults who admire this behavior.
The problem, however, is the nature of the “reward.”
The Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) would like to recognize Pride Month. Observed annually in June, Pride Month is a time to uplift and celebrate the the LGBTQ+ community. EDC is committed to supporting LGBTQ+ innovators and entrepreneurs and strives to provide equitable access to inclusive services year-round.
The EDC is proud to support our community by providing professional technical assistance through our Small Business Development Center.
SANTA PAULA — On May 15, the Santa Paula Public Works Department returned to the City Council to present options for the second five-year cycle of the City’s Pavement Management Plan (PMP). The PMP outlines all regular street maintenance and repair work throughout the City to increase road quality.
The first five-year cycle of the PMP, adopted in 2020, prioritized repairs and maintenance for some of Santa Paula’s worst major thoroughfares, including Harvard Boulevard. Although the City will have addressed 35.6 centerline miles of streets out of 55 with the completion of Phase I, Santa Paula residents still identify poor road conditions in the City as their top concern in a recent community survey and through recent engagement efforts through Santa Paula Speaks.
VENTURA — The City of Ventura is thrilled to release the second episode of its new podcast series, Ventura Voices. This episode features an insightful interview with Ventura’s Police Chief, Darin Schindler and is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music, or watch the podcast video on the City’s YouTube channel.
The episode explores local crime rates and homelessness and shares the positive news that Ventura has seen its lowest crime rate in over three decades.
Chief Schindler also discusses his 34-year career in law enforcement and reflects on his first year as chief, having stepped into the role during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Gotcha.
No, this isn’t an article about you-know-who. Rather, it’s about a man we don’t hear much about these days. But maybe we should, given the fraught political atmosphere in which we find ourselves.
So, let’s consider the story of a highly controversial man who ran for president in the early 1900s.
They started high school in their bedrooms and at kitchen tables in front of computers, taking classes over Zoom. They’re coming of age at a time when our nation is politically divided, our world is facing war and unrest, and artificial intelligence is rewriting the rules of education and work. But the students graduating from Ventura County high schools in 2024 are not deterred. They’re facing the future with a sense of optimism that will take them far as they enter the next stage of their lives.
OXNARD — Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) is inviting the public to its annual Oxnard Guelaguetza Festival, which will be held on June 23, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Plaza Park in Oxnard: 500 S. C Street, Oxnard, CA, 93030.
MICOP was founded in 2001 “to support, organize, and empower the Indigenous immigrant community in California’s Central Coast.” MICOP serves over 12,000 unduplicated Indigenous migrant men, women, and children annually across Santa Barbara, Ventura & San Luis Obispo County. MICOP organizes and trains the indigenous migrant community to become self-sufficient and successful members of the broader community.
Reuniones de la Junta de Supervisores en español
(Board of Supervisors’ Meetings in Spanish)
El Condado de Santa Bárbara está ofreciendo interpretación en español de las reuniones de la Junta de Supervisores. Véalo en vivo en nuestro canal de YouTube en español, o las personas suscritas a la televisión por cable pueden acceder a la programación secundaria de audio (SAP) en los ajustes de idioma.
Aún se requiere pedir con anticipación la interpretación de los comentarios públicos en español. Para proporcionar comentarios públicos en español, póngase en contacto con la Secretaría de la Junta llamando al (805) 568-2240 antes de las 4:00 p.m. del viernes anterior a la reunión de la Junta.
Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors’ meetings are available in Spanish. Watch live on our Spanish YouTube Channel, or Cable TV subscribers can access Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) in language settings.
Advance requests are still needed to interpret public comment originating in Spanish. To provide public comment in Spanish, contact the Clerk of the Board at (805) 568-2240, before 4:00 p.m. the Friday before the Board meeting.
VENTURA — The Ventura Police Officers’ Association (VPOA) is proud to announce the 2024 Dee Dowell Memorial Scholarship Program, with over $7,000 in scholarships to be awarded to deserving recipients. The application deadline is June 30, 2024.
“It is a privilege to honor the legacy of Sergeant Darlon Dowell by supporting the educational goals of our local students,” said Corporal Joseph Metz, President of the VPOA. “For over 20 years, this scholarship has enabled us to give back to our community and inspire the next generation of public servants.”
The scholarship will be awarded to three applicants who aspire to pursue careers in law enforcement. Funds can be used for college tuition, books, and other educational expenses.
“While we have many reasons to celebrate in the coming weeks with family and friends, I strongly encourage my fellow Santa Paulans to avoid the use of illegal fireworks,” said Santa Paula Mayor Leslie Cornejo. “Fireworks can create unsafe and dangerous conditions for our entire community, and there are many other ways to celebrate whether it be a family gathering or barbecue, outdoor activities, or attending the Rotary Club and City of Santa Paula’s first ever 4th of July drone show.”
