Category: News

County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell Community Update

by Community Contributor • February 13, 2025 • Comments Off

I hope this message finds you well. I want to take a moment to provide important safety information regarding the upcoming storm impacting our community.

The Ventura County Sheriff Office – Emergency Services and the National Weather Service are closely monitoring a moderate storm expected to impact Ventura County from Wednesday through Friday. Rainfall is anticipated to begin Wednesday morning, peak Thursday afternoon, and taper off by Friday morning.

Storm Details:

Rainfall Projections: 1”-3” along the coast and valleys, 3”-6” in the hills and mountains.
Rainfall Rates: .10”-.33”/hr, with the remote possibility of .50”-1”/hr during thunderstorms.
Wind: Gusty Westerly winds of 20-40 MPH throughout the region.
Residents are urged to stay updated with weather forecasts and monitor their homes for any changing conditions.

Bilingual report — City of Oxnard hosts groundbreaking ceremony for $134.5 million Rice Ave. and Fifth St./State Route 34 Grade Separation Project

by Community Contributor • February 13, 2025 • Comments Off

“The importance of this project to our City cannot be overstated, as it plays a crucial role in enhancing public safety. We sincerely appreciate the continued efforts of our state legislature and agency partners, who are committed to collaborating on these important improvements in Oxnard,” said Mayor Luis Mc Arthur.

Bilingual report — Ventura celebrates Marina Park Playground groundbreaking

by Community Contributor • February 13, 2025 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The City of Ventura is thrilled to announce the official groundbreaking for Marina Park’s new playground. This project represents a key milestone in the revitalization of one of Ventura’s most treasured parks, delivering a modern and thoughtfully designed play space for the Pierpont Bay community and surrounding areas.

In 2022, the original playground was removed due to structural deterioration after years of exposure to seaside conditions. Plans were immediately made to replace the equipment with a more resilient design using traditional wood materials, better suited for the coastal environment.

Attorney Charley Stoll joins employment law firm LightGabler LLP

by Community Contributor • February 13, 2025 • Comments Off

Stoll, who previously had his own legal practice in Camarillo, advises companies in all areas of employment disputes. He has extensive experience in labor relations, with special focus on agriculture, wage and hour litigation, collective bargaining, employment risk analysis, personnel management employment contracts, union issues, sexual harassment/workplace violence prevention and management and supervisor training. He also represents clients at trial and in arbitrations.

The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara holds Bella Vista groundbreaking

by Community Contributor • February 12, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — On Friday, February 7, 2025, the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) celebrated the official groundbreaking of the Bella Vista affordable housing project. The Bella Vista development is located at 200 N. La Cumbre Rd in Santa Barbara.

The 48-unit development will provide much-needed affordable housing for families with low and very low incomes. The project will feature a two and three-story building, with 48 apartments constructed on top of a podium. The development will also include a semi-subterranean garage with 58 parking spaces for the tenants and a 10 space surface parking lot for the guests accessed off Via Lucero.

SEEAG’s ‘Bus Bucks’ Fundraiser supports student farm field trips

by Community Contributor • February 12, 2025 • Comments Off

“We want to ensure that every student has the opportunity to participate in our hands-on Farm-to-Food Lab programs. Covering transportation costs helps remove a major financial barrier,” says Caitlin Paulus-Case, SEEAG executive director. “We often hear from students that their trip to Farm Lab is their very first field trip. It leaves a lasting understanding of the connection between agriculture and the food we eat.”

Santa Paula Art Museum — Inbox Art Exhibit: Joanne Julian’s ‘Nature’s Spirits’

by Community Contributor • February 12, 2025 • Comments Off

On view now through March 9, 2025

Joanne Julian decided early on to be an artist. Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Julian inherited a strong immigrant work ethic and sense of discipline from her first-generation Armenian American parents. From her father, Joanne also acquired a fondness for gardening; from her mother, a love of art, dancing, and music. Julian’s first art lessons at age 12 included formative exercises in line and inspired her love of draw

UCSB — The Current — ‘Postdoc scholar (Daniela Soto) receives competitive award to investigate the genetic changes that shaped the human mind’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • February 11, 2025 • Comments Off

Daniela Soto has earned a prestigious fellowship with eight years of funding to study the evolution of human brains from a genomic perspective.

Bilingual report — Allan Hancock College offers help with financial aid applications at ‘Cash for College’ workshops on Feb. 22

by Community Contributor • February 11, 2025 • Comments Off

?During the workshop, Hancock staff will be available to help participating students and their parents fill out a FAFSA (Free Application?for?Federal Student Aid) or a California Dream Act application. Students will also be able to apply?for?state and federal grants, including a Cal Grant, which offers?cash?for?college?and does not have to be repaid.?The application process takes about one hour to complete. Spanish-speaking staff will also be available.

Guest contribution — Telecommunications company Bludog Telecom expands reach with purchase of Northwest Telecoms Systems

by Community Contributor • February 11, 2025 • Comments Off

Bludog Telecom provides Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP phone systems to businesses. These systems are a modern and reliable way for companies to communicate with customers while saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars compared to traditional business phone services. Additional communications tools such as text messaging, voicemail and video conferencing can be integrated into the system and presented using a single, streamlined interface. Known as Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), these integrated communications systems allow businesses to manage a variety of customer interactions all in one place.

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County strengthens leadership with five new board members

by Community Contributor • February 11, 2025 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) proudly welcomes five distinguished community leaders to its Board of Directors in 2025. The new class of directors includes Elsa Brown, Maruja Clensay, Garry Collett, Angel Garcia and Sean Morreale. These new additions bring a wealth of expertise in finance, government affairs, housing development, and real estate investment, helping to further position Housing Trust Fund VC as a leader in addressing the area’s affordable housing crisis. Their expertise and dedication will support Housing Trust Fund VC as the organization continues to drive forward its mission to increase affordable housing options throughout Ventura County. Housing Trust Fund VC extends its utmost appreciation to outgoing Board members—Marni Brook, Jennie Buckingham, Carrick DeHart, and Emilio Ramirez—for their dedicated service and unwavering commitment to advancing housing affordability. Their leadership and contributions have made a lasting impact.

Cottage Ob/Gyn Clinic Welcomes New Providers to Team

by Community Contributor • February 11, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — The Cottage Obstetrics & Gynecology (Ob/Gyn) Clinic is pleased to announce the addition of two obstetrician-gynecologists, Dr. Britta Gray and Dr. Helen Matthews, along with certified nurse midwife Maribeth Claassen. This expansion of the care team furthers the clinic’s mission to enhance access to comprehensive Ob/Gyn services for women.

Joining Medical Director Dr. Lisa Lepine, the expanded team will continue caring for patients at the Cottage Ob/Gyn Clinic, located at 2416 Castillo Street, Unit A, in Santa Barbara.

The Cottage Ob/Gyn Clinic is a practice led by women specialists offering comprehensive medical services—from routine wellness examinations to diagnosis and treatment of gynecological conditions, and complete obstetric care from pre-conception to pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum visits.

Assemblymember Steve Bennett authors protecting pets from predatory practices act

by Community Contributor • February 11, 2025 • Comments Off

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura) introduced AB 506 to increase transparency from online pet brokers on the original source of a pet. This bill is part of a legislative package aimed at stopping the puppy mill pipeline, including AB 519 (Berman) and SB 312 (Umberg).

California has made concerted efforts to disrupt the lucrative puppy mill industry, the operations of which have been underpinned by online brokers. These anonymous sellers leverage steep nonrefundable deposits against consumers as a paywall to withhold where they’ve acquired the animal and the conditions in which it was raised.

Westlake, Channel Islands, and Thousand Oaks High Schools Take Top Spots in 2025 Ventura County Academic Decathlon

by Community Contributor • February 10, 2025 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Ventura County Academic Decathlon, which was held over the past few weeks. The winners were revealed at a ceremony this evening in Camarillo. The three teams with the highest overall scores this year are:

1st Place: Westlake High School
2nd Place: Channel Islands High School
3rd Place: Thousand Oaks High School

Operating Agreement Extension for the Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center & Meeting Rooms to Go Before City Council on Feb. 18

by Community Contributor • February 10, 2025 • Comments Off

OXNARD — The Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation (OPAC) announces that a critical agenda item concerning the future of the Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center (PACC) will be presented before the Oxnard City Council on February 18, 2025. This meeting will serve as a pivotal moment for the community, stakeholders, and supporters of OPAC as the City deliberates the future management of the venue.

As of March 1, 2020 the current operator for both the Auditorium and the Community Center is Sterling Venue Ventures (SVV), more widely known as The Canyon. Their two agreements – one for each side of the complex – are set to expire or be rolled over on March 1, 2025. OPAC has formally requested – and will request again on February 18, 2025 – its own agreement with the City to operate the Community Rooms / Center, which includes two ballrooms, five classrooms and several outdoor courtyards.

VC Taxpayers Association January Recap!

by Community Contributor • February 10, 2025 • Comments Off

We’re kicking off 2025 with great momentum, and we’re excited to share January’s highlights with you! Here’s a look at what’s happening at the VC Taxpayers Association.

Advocacy in Action: Our Executive Director, Ryan Grau, joined the Pacific Coast Business Times podcast Civil Dialogues, this week for an interview with Henry Dubroff. Ryan highlighted our collective efforts in advocating for transparency over the past year in the medical industry, school boards, local city budgets, bond measures, and more. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and will continue working hard to ensure taxpayers’ voices are heard.

To watch the podcast, please visit: Spotify, Apple or Amazon.

Danielle Brinkman, CPA, opens new office in Oxnard

by Community Contributor • February 10, 2025 • Comments Off

OXNARD — Brinkman and Company, AAC, an accountancy firm focused on providing expert tax planning, preparation and other accounting services for individuals, families, professionals and businesses, has opened a new office in Oxnard.

Located at 300 E Esplanade Drive, Suite #1680, Oxnard, the office is the firms’ second location in Ventura County. Another office is located at 302 N. Montgomery Street in Ojai.

Gibbs Diesel Mechanics Center opens at Ventura College

by Community Contributor • February 10, 2025 • Comments Off

In the last 10 years, Oxnard-based Gibbs International Truck Centers has donated $1.3 million in financial and equipment to support the two-year program. Since the program began in 2015, the company has donated commercial diesel trucks, engine blocks, tools and lab space, and helped write the curriculum and hire instructors. It provides paid internships and scholarships to students in the program and has hired graduates.

Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan distributes $225,000 for fire relief and preparedness efforts

by Community Contributor • February 7, 2025 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) (Feb. 5) announced the distribution of $225,000 in sponsorships to community-based and national organizations to support Ventura County and neighboring communities to provide relief to victims of the recent fires and strengthen preparedness efforts for future emergencies.

In response to the growing needs arising from the devastation of the recent fires in Camarillo and the Greater Los Angeles area, GCHP distributed $225,000 in total funding to support the following organizations:

Guest commentary — The Fire Bell of Students

by Community Contributor • February 7, 2025 • Comments Off

On Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, hundreds of angry Oxnard Union High School District and Oxnard School District students sounded the tocsin of resistance to the ICE raids unleashed by President Frump. They walked out in protest from the campuses of R.J. Frank Intermediate and the high schools of Channel Islands, Del Sol, Hueneme, Oxnard, Pacifica, and others. Some lined the streets and avenues adjacent to their campuses; others marched and drove to the City of Oxnard’s ombligo, la placita, where mi raza, in alliance with other working-class gente, historically organized similar rallies demanding immigrant rights as well as the end to police violence.

Cars and pickup trucks roamed the intersection of Fifth and C Streets to affirm the students’ cause with repeated honks, blaring banda music, and the deafening revving of V8 engines. The students responded in kind with hoots while pumping their pawky placards and Mexican colors. School administrators and teachers protectively observed the youth as did boomers like me, Gen Xers, and millennials—yes millennials you are no longer young.

Bilingual commentary — Leaving Our Mark on the World

by Community Contributor • February 7, 2025 • Comments Off

If we have any ambition at all, we will want to make a difference, leave our mark on the world, and know that our existence, once it’s over, meant something. But how should we approach this daunting task?

Let’s consider a few ideas about how we can go about this sacred mission.

First and foremost, we need to discover our passion, or passions. Our healthy obsessions are fundamentally unique because we are, in essence, supremely unique. Whether we pursue science, music, art, writing, creating movies or work as an acrobat in the circus, we enrich our lives according to our natural talents and interests. Likewise, we enhance the lives of others who are inspired by our dedication or who see a reflection of something profound in our passionate approach to life.

Guest commentary — An Immigrant Tale in the Time of Trump*

by Community Contributor • February 7, 2025 • Comments Off

Our three-alarm opera begins very early in our house each morning. First, Lady Whiskers, our huge Coon cat, meows politely, already in front of the bedroom door telling us quite empathically that she is ready to go into the darkness of the morning and begin her early dawn hunt. Our puppy, Maximiliano (Mad Max), hearing his sister, begins crying for attention and some warm milk. Half an hour later our family alarm goes off, all the while classical music is mesmerizingly reminding us to be mindful, trucha, and cool for the battles that lay ahead. This how we had begun our morning wakeup ritual for a while, until Trump ascended to the Monarchy of the United States roughly three weeks ago, and completely highjacked, assaulted, and disrupted our world.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Manuel Muñoz wins Luis Leal Award for Distinction in Chicano/Latino Literature’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • February 7, 2025 • Comments Off

Recognized for his stories of farmworker families in the vast and complex Central Valley of California, Muñoz is also a past recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship.

ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance workshop to be held Feb. 13 in Simi Valley

by Community Contributor • February 7, 2025 • Comments Off

At the workshop, participants will learn about financial assistance, up to $350,000 per household, to help them purchase a home in safer, lower-fire-risk areas of California. The assistance, which is forgiven after five years, is designed to help bridge the affordability gap between what applicants can afford with a First Mortgage Loan and the purchase price of an eligible property.

Guest contribution — American Immigration Council — What happens to U.S. citizen children when an undocumented parent must leave?

by Community Contributor • February 7, 2025 • Comments Off

Across the country, deportation is often discussed as an absolute end. What seems to be missing in the conversation is that for the deported people and their families, it’s the beginning of a new set of legal obstacles that often require advocates on both sides of the border to resolve. It is also the beginning of a new and often hard life chapter.

UC Santa Barbara Gevirtz Graduate School of Education Professor Tania Israel receives award for Distinguished Career Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest

by Community Contributor • February 7, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Professor Tania Israel at the UC Santa Barbara Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, has received the 2025 Award for Distinguished Senior Career Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest from the American Psychological Association (APA). Israel is in the Counseling, Clinical, & School Psychology Department at the Gevirtz School and is also the Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

The APA award recognizes an individual whose single extraordinary achievement or a lifetime of outstanding contributions meet one or more of the following criteria: (a) courageous and distinctive contribution in the science or practice of psychology that significantly supports efforts toward a solution to one of the world’s intransigent social problems, (b) distinctive and innovative contribution that makes the science and/or practice of psychology more accessible to a broad and diverse population, and (c) an integration of the science and practice of psychology that serves the public interest and advances social justice and human welfare.

Tracy Bennett to address Growing Screen Addiction & Cyber Dangers

by Community Contributor • February 7, 2025 • Comments Off

“In 30 years of clinical practice, I’ve seen childhood change dramatically due to screen time. With kids spending more time in online neighborhoods than offline neighborhoods, digital injuries increasingly contribute to child distress,” said Dr. Bennet. “The key to prevention is awareness, information, and a strong parent-child connection. That’s the mission behind GetKidsInternetSafe. I’m so grateful to community leaders like Ventura Charter School for supporting their families during difficult times.”

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) — Art and Community Healing Open House (Feb. 9) and more events

by Community Contributor • February 7, 2025 • Comments Off

As we recover as a community from the major fires in LA, and as we remember the Thomas Fire and the Montecito Debris Flow, MCASB in partnership with Paseo Nuevo, and many organizations and individuals, will host a free intergenerational and family-friendly event on the Arts Terrace and throughout Paseo Nuevo on Sunday, February 9th from 11 am-2 pm. There will be opportunities to come together as a community around the healing power of art, art making, and learning about how we can all participate in building our future together.

Event-goers will have the opportunity to take part in many different activities, highlights include a guided painting workshop, art kit making stations, and Collecting Art to Change Lives: Art Collecting 101 – a conversation with arts industry leaders with insights and encouragement for collecting art now to support our LA arts community as it heals and rebuilds.

Assemblymember Steve Bennett authors legislation on water supply for wildfire response

by Community Contributor • February 7, 2025 • Comments Off

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura) introduced AB 367 to increase the performance of fire hydrants supplying water to Ventura County firefighters in their battles against wildfires. The legislation raises baseline standards of emergency preparedness for water districts servicing homes…

Bilingual report — Ventura Voices podcast tees up new golf projects

by Community Contributor • February 7, 2025 • Comments Off

VENTURA — A new episode of the Ventura Voices podcast is now available, featuring an in-depth conversation with Deputy City Manager Brad “Brick” Conners on the latest updates to Ventura’s golf services. The episode explores ongoing recovery efforts, facility improvements, and plans to enhance the golfing experience at Buenaventura Golf Course and Olivas Links.

Closed since January 2023 due to severe flood damage, Buenaventura Golf Course has undergone extensive remediation efforts. In this episode, Conners details the progress made, the challenges faced, and the City’s commitment to rebuilding the course stronger than before. While the permanent course design is still in development, the City, in partnership with Kemper Sports Management, has identified a temporary solution that will allow golfers to return to Buenaventura in spring 2025.

Dementia Beyond Drugs & Disease Symposium to be held March 6 in Oxnard

by Community Contributor • February 6, 2025 • Comments Off

OXNARD — A one-day symposium, “Dementia Beyond Drugs & Disease,” will be held March 6 in Oxnard. Healthcare professionals, administrators and family caregivers will learn the latest on person-centered and non-pharmacological care for people living with dementia.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4 percent of adults aged 65 and older have dementia. “It’s important for caregivers to have the tools that emphasize dignity, well-being and meaningful engagements with individuals with dementia,” said Keith Gosselin, executive director of Long Term Care Services of Ventura County, which is organizing the symposium. “Dementia care is evolving as we better understand the disease. The symposium will present the most up-to-date methods to improve quality of life.”

County of Santa Barbara February 2025 Newsletter

by Community Contributor • February 6, 2025 • Comments Off

Contribute to the County’s Recreation Master Plan

The Recreation Master Plan sets out a roadmap for public parks, trails, and facilities to meet countywide needs. Chime in by mail and via email or join a virtual meeting on February 6th!

Bilingual report — Allan Hancock College students connect with peers, faculty and resources at Bulldog Bow-WOW event

by Community Contributor • February 6, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College invited students taking spring classes to a fun and informative Bulldog Bow-WOW welcome event on Feb. 5 at the college’s Santa Maria campus.

Students who attended the event had the opportunity to meet faculty and staff, learn about support services such as counseling and financial aid, and explore various academic and career pathways. Attendees also enjoyed free food, music, and giveaways while engaging with the college’s many student clubs and organizations.

“This is a great way to get out and let students know about what our club does and what we are about,” said Emily Limon, a Hancock student and member of the college’s Fashion and Design Club. “For new students, joining a club can break the ice and also open them up to trying new things.”

Complete VC Arts & Culture Survey by Friday and Win Tickets!

by Community Contributor • February 6, 2025 • Comments Off

As a Ventura County resident, we are asking for your input to help shape the future of arts and culture in our community – and win tickets to our signature events and venues!

Take just 10 minutes to tell the County how you experience arts and culture, and you could win free tickets* to:

Guest contribution — VCTA Demands Accountability on VCMS

by Community Contributor • February 6, 2025 • Comments Off

How Ventura County Medical System is Draining Taxpayer Dollars

Ensuring efficiency and accountability in government spending is often a slow and complex process. However, the Ventura County Taxpayers Association (VCTA) is dedicated to making sure taxpayer dollars are managed responsibly and transparently in our public institutions.

This newsletter aims to inform Ventura County residents and encourage action from the Board of Supervisors and other decision-makers to adopt three steps it must take to restore public trust and ensure responsible financial management at the Ventura County Medical System (VCMS).

The California State University Announces Landmark Public-Private Initiative That Will Make It The Nation’s First and Largest AI-Powered University System

by Community Contributor • February 5, 2025 • Comments Off

LONG BEACH — The California State University (CSU), the largest and most diverse public four-year university in the country, announced (on Feb. 5) a first-of-its-kind public-private initiative with some of the world’s leading tech companies, including Adobe, Alphabet (Google), AWS, IBM, Instructure, Intel, LinkedIn, Microsoft, NVIDIA, OpenAI, and the Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom that will leverage the power of artificial intelligence to create an AI-powered higher education system that could surpass any existing model in both scale and impact.

The CSU’s unprecedented adoption of AI technologies will make trainings, learning, and teaching tools—including ChatGPT—available across all 23 CSU universities, ensuring that the system’s more than 460,000 students and 63,000 faculty and staff have equitable access to cutting-edge tools that will prepare them to meet the rapidly changing education and workforce needs of California. The CSU expects to make these tools available within the next few weeks.