Category: News

Focus of State’s Southern California Debris Removal Program Turns to Site Assessments, Debris Clearance as Removal of Household Hazardous Waste Nears Completion

VENTURA COUNTY — As work crews from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) finish clearing the few private properties destroyed by the Woolsey and Hill fires still containing household hazardous waste (HHW),…

Bilingual report: California Disaster Recovery Centers to open on MLK Jr. holiday on Jan. 21

SACRAMENTO — All Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in California will be open normal hours of operation on Monday, Jan. 21, the federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The DRCs are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. They are located…

SoCalGas ‘Dial It Down’ Alert Has Ended

LOS ANGELES — Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced that effective as of 8 a.m., the “Dial It Down” Alert, urging customers to conserve natural gas, has ended. The “Dial It Down” Alert was initiated on Monday, January 14 in…

36th Annual California Strawberry Festival Seeks Artists, Crafters and Specialty Pre-Packaged Food Vendors

OXNARD — The 36th Annual California Strawberry Festival is accepting applications from individual makers of quality, handcrafted works by artists, crafters and specialty pre-packaged food vendors for this year’s festival taking place May 18 and 19 at Strawberry Meadows of…

Ventura County Public Works Agency announces Derrick Wilson as the new Strategic Operations Manager for the Central Services Department

VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) has named Derrick Wilson as Strategic Operations Manager to lead the newly formed division within the Central Services Department (CSD) concentrated on planning, execution, analysis and knowledge (PEAK) management for VCPWA.…

Museum of Ventura County update of Jan. 17 — New Exhibit Sneak Peek, Free First Sunday, Museum Survey, and more!

Major funding for these programs is made possible by the City of San Buenaventura, the County of Ventura and private and community donors. As the government shutdown continues, the Museum is offering free admission to all affected government employees and their families at…

Standard & Poor’s gives highest rating to Ventura County’s Treasury Pool

VENTURA — Ventura County Treasurer/Tax Collector Steven Hintz has announced that Standard & Poor’s has reaffirmed its “AAAf” and “S1+” ratings of the Ventura County Treasury Pool.  Ventura County is one of only three pools in California to be awarded…

Jackson Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Paid Family Leave

Legislation follows Governor Newsom’s promise to expand paid family leave SACRAMENTO –Following Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement that he is committed to expanding paid family leave, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara)  introduced legislation today to strengthen California’s family leave laws and create…

Bilingual report: Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. hosting Dental Health Fair on Feb. 16 in honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month

OXNARD — February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. If you have a baby or toddler, you may have questions about thumb sucking, your child’s first dental visit or how and when to clean your child’s teeth. If so, on…

Bilingual report: Deadline Extended to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance

SACRAMENTO — The deadline for California wildfire survivors to register for federal assistance has been extended to Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. Disaster grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are available to eligible homeowners and renters impacted by the mid-November…

First Responders Honored at Fire Hose Flag Ceremony on Anniversary of Debris Flow

SANTA BARBARA — A flag dedication ceremony was held at the Santa Barbara Courthouse the morning of January 9th, 2019, the one-year anniversary of the Montecito Debris Flow. Elected officials and first responders joined the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF)…

Carnegie Art Museum update for Jan. 11 — Upcoming programs

Click here for the entire e-newsletter Upcoming Programs Building Blocks of Art Saturdays  – January  12 & 19 10:30 am-12noon              ages 7-11 Express and create while exploring the tools artists use to build works of art from line to texture…

Guest commentary: Oxnard’s Civil Gang Injunctions: A Personal Inquisition

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes 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. Frank P. Barajas. Courtesy photo.…

CenCal Health Recognizes Top Physicians, Health Centers for Quality Care, Cost Management

SANTA BARBARA — CenCal Health, the regional health plan for Medi-Cal, recognized the work of local network physicians and healthcare centers through their Primary Care Providers (PCP) Incentive Top Performer awards. The awards acknowledge PCPs across San Luis Obispo and…

State Sen. Jackson Applauds Governor’s Bold First Budget Proposal

Budget commits to robust emergency preparedness and paid family leave SACRAMENTO – State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) released the following statement on Governor Gavin Newsom’s January budget proposal released today. “I applaud Governor Newsom’s visionary yet prudent approach to addressing some…

State Leaders Representing Woolsey Fire Impacted Communities: We Need Partnership, Not Politics, on Emergency Response

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), Assemblymember Christy Smith, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, Assemblymember Richard Bloom and Senator Henry Stern today issued the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s comments regarding FEMA emergency aid: “It is unacceptable to use…

CSUCI awarded $1.1 million grant for Early Childhood Dual Language Learning

CAMARILLO — For children whose families don’t speak English at home, research has shown there are numerous advantages to educating young children in English and their native language simultaneously. These young students are called Dual Language Learners or DLLs. Developing strategies…

State Sen. Jackson Issues Statement In Advance of One-Year Anniversary of Montecito Debris Flow Anniversary

SACRAMENTO – In advance of the one-year anniversary of the January 9 Montecito debris flow, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) released the following statement: “The Montecito debris flow was a devastating tragedy that claimed 23 lives, destroyed dozens of homes, and…

FEMA Offers Free Advice on Repair, Rebuilding at Woodland Hills Home Depot through 12

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Thousands of homes and businesses were burned to the ground in mid-November, as wildfires spread through portions of Butte, Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Countless other structures were damaged — many so severely as to make them…

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County treating Ventura County volunteers to free coffee

VENTURA COUNTY — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) is kicking off National Mentoring Month by taking over Ventura County’s favorite coffee shops! Through the month of January, anyone interested in becoming a volunteer mentor to a young…

Santa Paula Art Museum update for Jan. 7 — Tell Us About Yourself and You Could Win $25 Toward a Class

As the Santa Paula Art Museum approaches its ninth birthday (on February 14), we’d like to know how the Museum can better serve you and our entire community. We would be so grateful if you would participate in our audience…

Bilingual report: VCAAA, Alzheimer’s Association Challenge Local Businesses to Become Dementia Friendly

VENTURA — A new movement was introduced to Ventura County this summer as the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, the Alzheimer’s Association, and other partnering agencies rolled out Dementia Friendly Ventura County to provide better service to local residents living…

Bilingual report — Fire-Damaged Septic Systems and Wells May Be Eligible for Assistance

SACRAMENTO —  California residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the November wildfires in Butte, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties, may be able to get help paying for some household repairs not usually covered by insurance. Repair or replacement of…

Carnegie Art Museum update for Jan. 4 — Exhibitions on view through Feb. 17

Click here for the entire e-newsletter EXHIBITIONS on view through – February 17, 2019 recent landscape paintings by Karen Kitchel This work re-frames traditional landscape imagery. Mischieviously beautiful, the paintings are made of asphalt emulsion, tar, wax, shellac, and powdered…

Bilingual report: Volunteers needed for annual homeless count in Ventura County

VENTURA — Community volunteers are needed for the annual count and survey of homeless persons in Ventura County. The 2019 Ventura County Homeless Count and Subpopulation Survey has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 22, 2019. The annual Homeless Count is…

Guest commentary: Department of Pesticide Regulation finds illegal pesticides on our food at a rate equivalent to once a week in a Californian’s diet

Claims that rate is “low” By Californians for Pesticide Reform Once again, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has released its annual study of pesticide residues on food (2017 data); once again it found illegal pesticide amounts on more…

Bring Your Appetite and Head to Oxnard …. Oxnard Restaurant Week 2019 “Tacos, Treats & Tastings” Takes Place Jan. 18-27

OXNARD — Put the diet aside and treat yourself to a culinary feast during Oxnard Restaurant Week 2019, “Tacos, Treats & Tastings”. The week-long celebration spotlights Oxnard’s culinary culture taking place Friday, January 18, 2019 through Sunday, January 27, 2019. Many of…

CSUCI Entrepreneurship & Small Business Institute gets a new director

CAMARILLO — A unique CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) institute designed to help launch student entrepreneurs is getting a new director. Beginning with the spring semester, Assistant Professor of Management, Cynthia Sherman, Ph.D., will head the Entrepreneurship & Small Business Institute (ESBI),…

Bilingual report: Deadlines for fire victims (Jan. 11) to apply for Individual Assistance or debris removal approaching

THOUSAND OAKS — The deadline for residents affected by the Woolsey or Hill fires to apply for Individual Assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency is January 11, 2019. Ventura County residents can apply online or at the Disaster Recovery…

Museum of Contemporary Arts Santa Barbara update for Jan 2 — Happy New Year from all of us at MCASB!

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   Happy New Year from all of us at MCASB! We’re looking forward to an exciting year ahead, beginning with the opening of our upcoming February exhibition featuring Lara Favaretto. Thank you to everyone…

Museum of Ventura County update for Jan. 2 — Opening Reception! Chris Hillman: Time Between on Jan. 11

Major funding for these programs is made possible by the City of San Buenaventura, the County of Ventura and private and community donors. Happy New Year! There is plenty to be excited about to start the New Year at the Museum of…

February — Art Trek announces upcoming events

NEWBURY PARK — Art Trek, at 703 Rancho Conejo Blvd. Newbury Park, will present the following events: Family Paint Night All Ages Friday, February 1 6:00p-8:30p $12.50 per person Art Trek, 703 Rancho Conejo Blvd. Newbury Park, CA 91320 Sign-up Online at arttrek.org/fampaint/…

Feb. 13 — OC LIVE to present African American History Month event — Think – Act – Lead

OXNARD — Celebrating African American History Month ~ “THINK ~ ACT ~ LEAD” with Sara Mayo-Rex, Wednesday, February 13 @2:30pm in the Oxnard College Performing Arts Building, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. Learn how to activate your intrinsic excellence! Join us at the PAB…

Feb. 16 — Design in the Making: Ventura County Architecture – Opening Reception!

VENTURA — The Museum of Ventura County and the American Institute of Architects Ventura County (AIAVC) present Design in the Making: Ventura County Architecture, a community architectural exhibit exploring the dynamic role of architects and designers in affecting positive change…

Feb. 16-17 — Life Celebrates Art as Art Comes Alive at Channel Islands Maritime Museum

OXNARD — Did you know that when “Art Comes Alive,” life is so much more interesting? Join the Channel Islands Maritime Museum on Saturday, February 16 and Sunday, February 17, 12-4PM as friends of the museum dress up in costume and…

Bilingual report: Through Feb. 16 — Food for Fines week at Ventura County Library

VENTURA COUNTY — Food for Fines week at Ventura County Library is February 10 – 16, 2019:Ventura County Library, in partnership with FOOD Share Ventura County, is offering customers the ability to return overdue items along with canned food donations to…

Feb. 16 — Ojai Library to present ‘Life-Force Energy Expo and Immersion – A presentation by renowned Grandmaster Qin from China’

OJAI — At 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 16, 2019, Grandmaster Qin will visit the Ojai Library to deliver a presentation on the Life-Force Energy Expo and Immersion. The Life-Force Energy Expo and Immersion explores the Qigong method of cultivating bioforce…

Feb. 17 — ‘The Search for Silence in Turbulent Times – An introductory talk by Anagarika Sucinno’ at the Ojai Library

OJAI — Anagarika Sucinno will visit the Ojai Library at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 17, 2019, to deliver an introductory talk titled “The Search for Silence in Turbulent Times.” Are we inevitably stuck in history’s turbulence and personal suffering? How…