Category: News

Wildling Museum of Art and Nature announces milestone mortgage payoff, new horizons for the growing cultural institution

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 The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature is proud to announce a new milestone – this fall, the Museum paid off its mortgage in full. The Wildling is now debt-free thanks to a number of special supporters and careful fiscal management, an achievement now poising the Museum to plan for its next chapter as a growing Santa Barbara County cultural institution.

The Wildling Museum was founded in 2000 and purchased its building at 1511 Mission Drive in Solvang in 2017 with a $1.6 million loan from the Adams Legacy Foundation, after making a $1 million down payment. This ambitious effort was generously supported by dozens of donors, and the private family foundation set a 10-year timetable for repayment. 

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November News from People’s Self-Help Housing

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With gratitude I am counting the many blessings 2022 has brought to our organization.

Along with the continued production of affordable housing, which your encouragement, inspiration, guidance and financial resources have made possible, this year we are celebrating ‘20 Years of Supportive Services’.

Since its humble beginnings around a picnic table, and growing to ten sited-based learning centers, our education program ‘Camino Scholars’ has bolstered the efforts of thousands of our youth. Resulting in academic graduations, previously unattainable career paths, and scores of personal success stories. Families have been strengthened, neighborhoods benefitted, and entire communities economically enriched. And because of two decades of having licensed social workers on staff, seniors, veterans, the formerly homeless, and those living with disabilities, have found security, dignity, and independence.

Our supportive services come in many guises; compassionate property management, dedicated maintenance teams, career counselors, fundraisers, financial specialists, information technicians, designers and construction crews, all working together to ensure that our residents have assistance when they need it, and have a place to call home.

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Cottage Health Hospitals Earn National Awards Hospitals in Santa Barbara and Goleta Valley receive “A” ratings from Leapfrog, while Santa Ynez Valley location earns 4-stars from Medicare

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Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital both received an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for fall 2022 from the Leapfrog Group. The national distinction recognizes the two hospitals for achievements in protecting patients from preventable harm and errors. 

“This Leapfrog award marks the third consecutive time that Cottage hospitals in Santa Barbara and Goleta Valley have earned the ‘A’ Safety Grade. We received the honors in fall 2021, spring 2022 and now fall 2022. This is a tremendous accomplishment made possible by the commitment of everyone in our organization to keep our patients safe,” said Dr. Babji Mesipam, Chief Medical Quality Officer for Cottage Health.

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Housing Trust Fund Ventura receives $518,000 in support of affordable housing; funds over $4M for Rancho Sierra Senior Apartments near Camarillo

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Housing Trust Fund Ventura County is committed to funding the development of safe and equitable homes that make a positive impact in the trajectory of people’s lives. In support of that effort, the nonprofit recently received $18,000 from a combined two operating grants from Citizens Business Bank and the Bank of Sierra and a $500,000 investment from US Bank into its Everyone Deserves a Home Community Impact Note. Funding such as this is pooled with other supportive funding sources to ensure developments like the Rancho Sierra Senior Apartments (Rancho Sierra) are built to foster positive change for individuals and families who face housing insecurity. 

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Richard LeRoy appointed CSUCI’s Vice President for University Advancement

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CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) President Richard Yao, Ph.D., has named Richard LeRoy as the next Vice President for University Advancement (VPUA), effective immediately.

LeRoy has served as Interim VPUA since January of 2022, having joined the campus in August of 2017 as Senior Director of Development. In November of 2021, he accepted the role of Associate Vice President for University Development.

“I am humbled to serve as the next Vice President for University Advancement and to continue to build upon our success in philanthropic support for CSUCI,” LeRoy said. “I love this University and our mission, and I am excited about the opportunities ahead of us where we will connect with donors and our 25,000 alumni in more profound ways.”

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VCFD Awarded Grant to Increase Child Passenger Safety Awareness

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CAMARILLO — Ventura County Fire (VCFD) received a $74,210 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to educate the community on preventing motor vehicle injuries to children, the agencies announced today. In collaboration with Safe Kids Ventura County…

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Museum of Ventura County — Fall Freebie Festivities!

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For this reflective exhibit, MVC will partner with the RAD Foundation and the artist Julie Dahl-Nicolle to showcase 100 floral mixed media canvas paintings. This exhibit dives into the loss brought by COVID-19; of loved ones and what could have been. During the opening of the exhibit, guests can participate in hanging their clouties (piece of cloth tied to a tree branch)– an homage to the Irish Rag Tree tradition. Click here to learn more.

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VCCU hires new vice president of consumer and mortgage lending

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Ventura County Credit Union has welcomed John Cooke to the team as its new vice president of consumer and mortgage lending. In this role, Cooke, who has more than two decades of experience in credit union leadership, will collaborate with VCCU’s chief lending officer to oversee the credit union’s consumer and mortgage loan products and lending team.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have John on board,” said VCCU’s president and CEO, Linda Rossi. “His unique blend of experience, commitment to lifelong learning and strong leadership skills are already proving to be tremendous assets. He is a fantastic addition to our team, and we look forward to continuing to work with him to benefit our members.”

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Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Seeks Community, Local Business Support with Return of Holiday Giving Event that Aims to Spread Holiday Cheer

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Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is once again making the holiday season brighter for local girls and families with the return of Operation Holiday Cheer, a holiday giving program presented by Cox Communications that launched in 2020 to provide gifts to local girls and their families.

“We are proud to host our 3rd Annual Operation Holiday Cheer in partnership with Cox Communications to once again spread holiday cheer for local girls and families and show them we are in their corner,” said Jamie Collins, executive director of Girls Inc. Carpinteria. “We encourage local businesses and community members looking for a way to support those in need this season to join our efforts to make a meaningful difference and ensure all families receive gifts for the holidays.”

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Ventura County Civic Alliance — Livable Communities Newsletter – Nov. 15, 2022

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Both of the last two Livable Communities Newsletters (May and August of 2022) used the Alliance’s State of the Region (SOTR) data to focus on what it will take to obtain the transportation structure required if Ventura County is to be a true livable community. We learned that, not only is there much more that needs to be done for transportation, but we also affirmed that housing is an integral part of the transportation puzzle that cannot be ignored.

Therefore, this edition of the Livable Communities Newsletter will discuss three different types of housing approaches currently being used right now in the County:

Traditional Developer
Publicly Developed and Funded
Public / Private Partnership

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Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar schedule

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IN-PERSON EVENT: CUSTOMER DISCOVERY AND RESEARCH TOOLS FOR TECH BUSINESSES

November 17 @ 6:00 pm

The Economic Development Collaborative’s Inclusive Innovation Hub (iHub²) is a technology service and resource program that helps facilitates growth for entrepreneurs and companies in technology. The program provides one-on-one tech-focused advising, mentor matching, funding options, pitch deck development, general business marketing, growth strategies and other technology-focused services to a diverse client base. Reaching out to underserved and underrepresented companies, iHub² collaborates with diverse groups throughout the region to offer a wide variety of networking, mentoring, and industry-focused events, work-shops and networking events.

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Santa Paula Art Museum — My Home/My Land Community Outreach Project

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Produced in partnership with House Farm Workers! and funded by California Humanities

Art About Agriculture also offers a glimpse into My Home/My Land, a community outreach project presented by the Santa Paula Art Museum in partnership with local nonprofit House Farm Workers! and funded by a grant from California Humanities.

My Home/My Land invites our local farmworker community to contribute their voices and art to the Art About Agriculture exhibition. In recent months, SPAM educators hosted workshops at farmworker housing sites in Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru. Families shared their connections to the agricultural landscape through art projects designed to capture individual symbolism and meaning.

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Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Office of Veteran’s Business Development

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Year round the EDC offers support to our local veterans who wish to start a business or have an existing business. The EDC offers programs designed to assist businesses in key areas with one-on-one technical advising through the EDC Small Business Development Program (EDC SBDC). In partnership with the Small Business Administration, the EDC SBDC provides entrepreneurs with high level business consulting at NO-COST. For more information on the programs and services the EDC provides CLICK HERE.

For guidance with starting a business or getting guidance with an existing business please call

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Oxnard College Awarded $3 Million to Support Latino and Low-Income Students

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Oxnard College has received a $3 million federal Title V grant to boost enrollment and provide support for equitable student outcomes among Latino and low-income students as they pursue their college and transfer goals.

Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) throughout the country applied for the competitive grant, which will be distributed over a five-year period. The grant is directed by the U.S. Department of Education’s Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program (DHSI).

“Over the last decade, the U.S. Department of Education has placed its faith in Oxnard College by awarding our institution seven competitive grants totaling nearly $30 million to better serve our community’s Latino and underrepresented students,” shared Oxnard College’s Acting President Oscar Cobian. “This most recent grant will transform our students’ lives by helping them thrive academically and transfer to four-year institutions.”

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CSUCI receives more than $200,000 for two programs promoting equity for underserved student populations

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CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) is one of 17 CSU campuses tapped to receive California State University HSI Community Grants, part of a CSU-wide initiative of the Global HSI (Hispanic-Serving Institution) Equity Innovation Hub (EIH).  

CSUCI’s “Channel Your Potential” initiative received $136,989 and a new program called “Serving Black Students” was awarded $64,460.  

The CSUCI grants were a portion of the more than $2 million awarded to the 17 CSU campuses. The grants will support CSU programs that inspire the next generation of creators and innovators to pursue high-demand careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and the creative and tech industries. 

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Bilingual commentary — The Decision To Become a Doctor

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A considerable number of children of immigrants decide to “do their family proud.” They decide to commit to studying medicine to become a doctor or dentist. Some of them are first-generation college students who become first-generation professionals. 

Although their ambition and successes are admirable, the backgrounds of immigrants’ children may not thoroughly prepare them for the financial jolts they will receive along the way as medical professionals. It is entirely possible that no one in their family ever sat down with them and talked about that traditionally taboo topic: money. It is entirely conceivable that no one talked with them about financial planning because the parents and other relatives themselves had little money with which to plan much of anything. 

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Bilingual report — Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Unmet Transit Needs Survey, SBC Housing Element, Olive Mill Roundabout and more

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An informational listening session will be held on December 7 to seek public input on how bus systems, dial-a-ride, and paratransit services can better serve residents in Santa Barbara County. All residents are encouraged to stop by anytime during the two-hour virtual listening session to share comments or concerns about bus systems, dial-a-ride, and paratransit services in Santa Barbara County, or express needs for new or expanded services in the county. Spanish language interpretation services will be available during the listening session.

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Bilingual report — Nomination Period Announced for City of Oxnard, Special Municipal Vacancy Election for City Council Member District 6

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Ventura County Elections Division announces the opening of the Nomination Period for the Special Municipal Vacancy Election for City Council Member District 6. Nomination papers for the above office are available beginning November 14, 2022 at the office of the Oxnard City Clerk, 300 West Third Street, 4th Floor, Oxnard, California. The completed nomination papers must be filed with the Oxnard City Clerk’s office no later than 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 8, 2022. The nomination will not be extended.

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Housing Trust Fund Ventura County announces land donation by the City of Thousand Oaks for development of affordable, for-sale housing

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Housing Trust Fund Ventura County announces a 3.87 acre land donation by the City of Thousand Oaks to its supporting non-profit, the Housing Land Trust Ventura County. Approved at the City’s November 1, 2022 City Council meeting, the donated land located at 384 N. Erbes Road will be developed by People’s Self-Help Housing into nearly 80 affordable for-sale townhomes. People’s Self-Help Housing, as the lead agency, is working with collaborative partners Housing Trust Fund Ventura County/Housing Land Trust Ventura County, Ventura County Community Development Corp, McCarthy Companies, and DiCecco Architecture to bring this development to fruition.

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Ventura County Office of Education announces winners of VEX Robotics Competition

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One hundred and thirty students from throughout Southern California participated in a regional VEX Robotic Competition last Saturday at the Ventura County Office of Education in Camarillo. Student-built robots faced off in a game called Spin Up where they shot discs into baskets to score points. At the end of the competition, the following prizes were awarded:

Tournament Champions: Knight Time Bots 6627A and 6627D from Foothill High School, Santa Ana, CA
Excellence Award: Lancers 986A from Grace Brethren Jr Sr High School, Simi Valley, CA
Design Award: Peninsula High School 3050W from Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, Rolling Hills, CA
Judges Award: Lancers 6986E from Grace Brethren Jr Sr High School, Simi Valley, CA

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Oxnard College Welcomes L.A. Rams Executive and Super Bowl Trophy

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Oxnard College welcomed Oracio Galindo, head of employee experience for the Los Angeles Rams, for a student event hosted on Nov. 8. Galindo showed attendees the team’s 2022 Vince Lombardi Trophy and led a student workshop outlining various career pathways, paid internships and employment opportunities with the Rams organization and their Agoura Hills corporate office.

The event aligned with National First-Generation College Celebration Day, the anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson signing the Higher Education Act of 1965 into law.

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Ventura County Credit Union earns Low Income Designation

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Ventura County Credit Union is now officially a Low Income Credit Union (LICU). This Low Income Designation, granted by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, demonstrates VCCU’s commitment to supporting the underserved.

To receive Low Income Designation, a credit union must show that at least half of its membership is at or below the 80th percentile of area’s median income. Other factors that helped VCCU earn this designation include the financial support provided by both the credit union and its foundation, as well as VCCU’s financial education efforts, partnerships with organizations like MICOP and the Mexican Consulate, and designation as a Juntos Avanzamos credit union.

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Bilingual report — Workforce Development Board of Ventura County — Start an Apprenticeship Career!

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The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC) and America’s Job Center of California are celebrating National Apprenticeship Week on November 14th, 2022.

“This open house is a fantastic opportunity for anyone considering an apprenticeship career. They can meet representatives from Laborers Local 585 LiUNA, Tri-Counties Sheet Metal Workers JATC, Iron Workers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and ask questions,” said Rebecca Evans, Executive Director WDBVC. “Apprenticeships combine hands-on paid work experience with help and instruction to prepare workers for highly-skilled and well-paid careers”

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Cottage Health Opens New Urgent Care on Coast Village Road in Montecito

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On November 8, Cottage Health opened its newest Cottage Urgent Care Center at 1298 Coast Village Road in Montecito, with the goal of providing complete care within 45 minutes. Access to care is an important priority in preventing a minor issue from becoming a more serious health concern, and the new Urgent Care Center provides the community with convenient access from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 365 days a year.

Cottage Urgent Care in Montecito joins 14 other Cottage Urgent Care locations in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Buellton, Orcutt, Santa Maria, and San Luis Obispo, as well as Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, and Point Hueneme.

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Ventura County Fire Dept. — 2022 Spark of Love Toy Drive Kicks Off For Children in Need

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The Fire Departments of Ventura County team up every year with ABC7 and local sponsors for the Spark of Love toy drive, the largest community toy drive in the nation. For 30 years, your local firefighters have been collecting donations for distribution to Ventura County children and teens in need of a happier holiday experience.

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Island Packers Announces Holiday Cruises for 2022 Parade of Lights, Harbor Lights, Holiday Parties & Seasonal Whale Watching

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Just in time for the holidays, Island Packers, the official boat concessionaire to the Channel Islands National Park, with daily departures to the Channel Islands from Ventura Harbor Village, will be offering seasonal cruises for family and friends, as well as group functions. Ventura Harbor Holiday Cruises and Whale Watching trips are splendid ways to celebrate the winter season. (Masks are optional). An array of holiday options include the following:

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Social Justice Fund for Ventura County (SJFVC) — Fellow Reflects Impact of Fellowship

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As the end of the year draws near, the Social Justice Fund for Ventura County (SJFVC) has been working hard to support our fellows and reflect on the impact of our work. In a recent meeting, Dexter Nunnery – one of our 2022 fellows – stated the following:

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Moorpark College Partners with National Centers for Inquiry and Improvement on Student Financial Stability Initiatives 

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Click here to read in web browser.  Moorpark student financial stability profile featured on NCII website MOORPARK — To address barriers impacting students’ success, Moorpark College partnered with the National Center for Inquiry and Improvement (NCII) to conduct an exhaustive,…

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Calls Mount for Advance Warning of Ag Pesticide Spray

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Dozens of farmworkers and their allies were scheduled to hold a news conference and rally prior to Monday’s California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) “workshop” on plans for a statewide pesticide notification system. The news conference, sponsored by the Coalition Advocating for Pesticide Safety 805 (CAPS 805), was held outside the site of the DPR workshop, the Oxnard Performing Arts Center (800 Hobson Way, Oxnard). CAPS 805 and allies are concerned that the County’s pilot notification system and DPR’s current draft plans will not serve the community without the address or farm location of the pesticide application, among other issues.

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Westminster Free Clinic and Care Center announces funding of $1.5M from the State of California to support their programs and services

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Westminster Free Clinic and Care Center received funding of $1.5M from the State of California to support their programs and services. Budget request was made by Assemblymember. Steve Bennett. 

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Going Electric at the Port! New Arrival of Electric-Hybrid Crane

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The Port of Hueneme, known as the fourth largest container Port in California, welcomed another electric-hybrid crane–an investment made by Ports America stevedoring. The crane’s arrival marked another important step in the Port’s partners continued investment in zero-emissions technology and focus on operational reliability, as the new crane is also going to be replacing another one that’s going to be decommissioned.

“We congratulate our Port partner, Ports America, for its newest $7,000,000 investment in Ventura County’s Port and in helping us continue on with our legacy as the greenest Port in the country,” said Oxnard Harbor Commission President, Mary Anne Rooney. “This brand-new, electric-hybrid crane will make us even more competitive for future grants and will help us achieve our path towards Port decarbonization much faster.”

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Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free webinar schedule

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SBA: ACCOUNTING AND BOOKKEEPING TIPS TO WRAP UP YEAR-END

November 8 @ 10:30 am

November and December are some of the busiest months for small business owners. With the holiday shopping season in full swing, it can be easy to get caught up in managing the day-to-day sales and operations. But taking the time to wrap up the year thoughtfully can significantly impact next year. Get a jump start on your year-end checklist and avoid stress by learning how to wrap up your business from Accounting Expert Juliana Ramirez of JR Bookkeeping. Through an interactive webinar, she will share a checklist of tasks you can follow and discuss accounting and bookkeeping tips that can be applied to your small business. Come prepared with your specific questions.

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Student Leaders Find Their Voice in VCCCD Student Leadership Academy

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Ventura County community college student government officers are driven by wanting to make a positive impact on their campuses and beyond. To provide these student leaders with the tools they need to advocate for their peers and build their leadership skills, the Ventura County Community College District on Oct. 26 held its first in-person Student Leadership Academy since 2020.

VCCCD created the academy four years ago as a year-long professional and personal development program to support emerging student leaders from Moorpark College, Oxnard College, Ventura College and the VCCCD student trustee. It was on hold during the pandemic.

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Bilingual commentary — Missing White vs. Minority Women

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Many of us will remember the Gabby Petito saga from a little over a year ago. Gabby was a pretty 22-year-old woman who went missing and was found dead several days later. It was determined that her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, was a suspect. The month following the discovery of Gabby’s remains, his remains were found. An anthropologist determined that he had suicidally shot himself.  

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Bilingual report — California Police Activities League Names John C. Zaragoza Mayor of the Year, Honors Additional Oxnard City Staff

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During its annual training conference serving chapter members and law enforcement, the California Police Activities League (PAL) will honor Oxnard Mayor John C. Zaragoza being named “Mayor of the Year” and other Oxnard city staff at its 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, at the Pacific View Tower in Oxnard. 

Mayor Zaragoza will be recognized for his tremendous support for California PAL’s Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Accelerator (YARA) workforce development program in partnership with the LiUNA Laborers Local 585.

Additional award recipients include: Senator of the Year: Monique Limón,19th Senate District; Officer of the Year: Kevin Thompson (Oxnard Police Department), Peace Officer; Collaborator of the Year: Anthony Mireles, LiUNA Laborers Local 585; Volunteer of the Year: Berge Mooradian; Innovators of the Year: Lt. Curtis Eller, Sgt. James Lofton and Erin McLaughlin; and California PAL Board Member of the Year: Terrel Harrison (Oxnard Cultural and Community Services).

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Day of the Dead / Día de los Muertos returns to the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Nov. 5

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OPAC celebrates the return of its annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration which will be held this year on Saturday, November 5th from 4 to 10 pm at the Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center. Admission is free and open to the public. The event will once again recognize Araw Ng Mga Patay, a Filipino holiday during which people pay homage to their deceased family members and loved ones by visiting their burial sites and making offerings such as food, flowers and prayers.

Guests will enjoy:

Opening remarks from The Mexican Consulate and Oxnard’s Mayor

Aztec Blessing and Ceremonial Dance by Kalpulli Huitzilin Ihuan Xochitl

Displays by local artists Checkos, BlotCamp, Erendira, CreationsByLoops, Carlos Heredia, Veggiecide, Melina Dominguez, Ambzy

Free Dia de los Muertos printmaking by SketchCrow and OPAC’s Teen Art Program students 

Performances by Poets Jesus + Sarahi Noyola, Chinas Niñas, Chinas Oaxaqueñas, Ballet Folklorico Mestizo of Oxnard College, Los Chinelos, Grupo Folklorico Fusión Mexicano, Los Diablitos

Community altars

Music provided by Radio Lazer DJs and local musicians

Family-friendly activities including face painting, a storytime corner, arts & crafts, complimentary photo booth, etc

Food representing cultures that celebrate Dia de los Muertos, including Filipino, Mexican and more

Vendors specializing in artesanias, crafts, and more!

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Bilingual report — FSA’s The Little House By The Park Relocates

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Family Service Agency (FSA) announced that The Little House By The Park (LHP) has moved to two locations in Guadalupe. Staff will be on-hand at Riverview Townhomes, located at 230 Calle Cesar E Chavez, from Monday through Friday. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, residents can obtain services at Guadalupe Court, located at 4202 11th Street. Hours of operation are 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. for both locations.

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November @ SPAM: Art About Agriculture, Gorgeous Gourds, and More

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The 14th Annual Art About Agriculture Exhibition

Saturday, November 12, 2022, from 4 PM to 6 PM

$5 SPAM Members • $10 Non-members

Art About Agriculture, the popular, group exhibition presented annually by the Ag Art Alliance, returns November 12, 2022, through March 5, 2023! Now in its fourteenth year, Art About Agriculture promotes awareness of agriculture by exploring its many facets through art—from workers to water, from machinery to fields, to the food that goes on our plates.

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CSUCI selects early childhood center site, nears 50% funding mark

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CSU Channel Islands has chosen a site for construction of an early childhood center designed to address the dire need for quality, affordable and accessible care for children of CSUCI students, 40% of whom earn less than $24,000 a year, farm workers’ children in the region, and other community members, as well as for the children of University employees.

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Mental Wellness Center Hires Resident Chef for its Fellowship Club Program

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Just a few short years ago, David Medina was looking at a future much different from where he is now. He and a friend had a plan to open a new restaurant in Santa Barbara. The funding was confirmed, and the restaurant was about to get off the ground when the pandemic hit, shutting down in-person eating and effectively derailing Medina’s plans.

Fortunately, Medina wasn’t one to sit at home waiting for another opportunity to present itself. He still had a skill set, and people still needed to eat; he just needed to figure out how to get his food to them.

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Statistics show dramatic increase in CSUCI student voting

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If statistics from the 2020 election are any indication, CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) students are very likely to show up at the polls for the critical 2022 midterm elections.

According to The National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) out of Tufts University, CSUCI voting rates increased from 55% showing up at the polls in 2016 to 77% in 2020, a 22% point increase.

“Voting rates across the state increased during this period, also, from 59% in 2016 to 71% in 2020, but this was only a 12% point increase, compared with CSUCI’s 22% increase,” said CSUCI Director of Institutional Research & Chief Data Officer Matt Zivot, Ph.D. “This is an indication that the gains we saw at CSUCI reflected the hard work done by the Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) team, over and above a general change in voter interest and universal voting by mail.”

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Museum of Ventura County — What’s New in November

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Ivor Davis: Up Close and Personal with Joe Sohm, Thur., November 3rd from 6:30-8pm

Joe Sohm (“America’s Photo-Historian”) has been published more than 500,000 times in publications that include the National Geographic, Time, Newsweek, New York and L.A. Times, Washington Post and featured on CNN, ABC, PBS, and the History Channel. He served as President Clinton’s photographer for the D.N.C and his work is featured in Ronald Reagan’s book The Great Communicator. Join host Ivor Davis for a riveting discussion with Sohm about his work as one of the nation’s greatest political photographers of our time.

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Ventura County Fire Department Provides Matching Funds for Localized Fire Hazard Mapping Project

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The Ventura County Fire Department will provide $125,000 in matching funds to the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council to support a localized fire hazard mapping project.

The county Board of Supervisors approved the funding Tuesday, Nov. 1, on a unanimous vote.

“The Ojai area is among the highest wildfire risk areas in the entire state,” said Board Chair Matt LaVere, who represents the Ojai area. “The 2017 Thomas fire and the many even larger wildfires throughout the state that have occurred since that time has shown us the significant role burning embers play in the astonishing speed at which these fires spread and threaten our communities.”

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