Located at 855 4th Street, adjacent to bus routes, and community resources, this new construction development is comprised of 50 units. Residents have access to a community center, picnic area, laundry room, playground, on-site property management, and supportive services. Some units are designated for No Place Like Home households.
VENTURA — The County of Ventura is proud to announce the groundbreaking Government and Disability Summit, the first statewide event of its kind. This historic conference, taking place September 24th – 27th, 2024 represents a significant milestone in the pursuit of more inclusive and accessible communities. The conference will bring together stakeholders from across the state to explore innovative solutions, share best practices, and foster collaboration towards a more inclusive future.
During the conference, participants will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and workshops covering a wide range of topics, including transportation, voting accessibility, emergency preparedness, collaboration, technology, and more. Through collaborative dialogues and shared experiences, attendees will work towards developing practical solutions to address access barriers and promote disability inclusion.
OXNARD — In coordination with The Mexican Consulate in Oxnard, the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation (OPAC) is pleased to announce its next visual arts exhibition, LUCHA LIBRE SIEMPRE, curated by Rafael Perea de la Cabada. This solo exhibition features work shot in the early 90’s, and continues to the present day, photographed throughout Southern California by photographer Bob DeBris. The show includes images of some of the greatest Mexican wrestling icons of the 1980’s and 90’s. The work also includes profiles of the new crop of luchadores both male and female in the Lucha Libre scene.
VENTURA —The annual Fall Prevention Forum – co-hosted by the Ventura County Elderly Fall Prevention Coalition and the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging – will return on Friday, September 27 at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks.
The 2024 forum – “All Aboard the Fall Prevention Train” – will be held at CLU’s Gilbert Sports & Fitness Center (130 Overton Court).
The event is free to attend, but participants are urged to pre-register by filling out the registration form at www.vcaaa.org/falls, or by calling the VCAAA at 805-477-7300. The 2023 Fall Prevention Forum had a near-overflow crowd at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center.
Our final $10 Rabies Vaccination Clinic will be this Saturday, September 28th from 1:00pm – 3:00pm at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, at 10 W. Harbor Blvd. This is a cash-only clinic and no appointments are needed. Dogs and cats must be three (3) months or older and pet licensing will be available. Please ensure dogs are on-leash and that cats are in carriers.
For questions, please contact VCAS at (805) 388-4341 or info@vcas.us. Thank you for keeping your pets healthy and happy!
In partnership with the City of San Luis Obispo, People’s Self-Help Housing is developing the former Motel 6 located at 1433 Calle Joaquin.
The project will bring 76 units to extremely low-income individuals who are unhoused or at risk of becoming unhoused. Residents will have access to a community center, laundry room, outdoor recreational spaces, on-site property management, and supportive services.
This Project Homekey program was made possible through innovative funding from the California Department of Housing & Community Development.
Over a period of five days, the monks will create an elaborate sand mandala by hand with tools and skills that have been passed down for centuries. The monks will be creating the “Buddha of Compassion” sand mandala, which symbolizes loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity.
Set in contemporary Madrid, an aging filmmaker named Miguel Garay is called upon to recount his memories of working on his final and still unfinished film, “The Farewell Gaze.” During its production, the lead actor and Miguel’s close friend, Julio Arenas, disappeared without a trace, leaving in his wake a mystery that would haunt the lives of everyone associated with the film. Miguel never directed another project, instead living a quiet life as a writer by the coast. He remained reluctant to unravel the mystery surrounding Julio until approached by an investigative television program reviving the case decades later. With careful reflection, he reconnects with the film’s crew, former lovers, and Julio’s daughter, seeking closure for the disappearance and what it meant for all of their lives. From Master Director Victor Erice.
“The State of the City Address is a special opportunity to connect with our community, celebrate what we’ve achieved, and share our vision for the future,” said Mayor Joe Schroeder. “I’m proud of how staff, nonprofits, and local agencies have come together with optimism and innovation to tackle new challenges. As we look ahead, I want to recognize the tireless efforts of City staff, whose dedication brings our vision to life. There’s so much to be proud of, and I encourage everyone to join us and see how we’re building a stronger, more resilient Ventura.”
“Nuestra Vida en Arte” is a remarkable collection curated by renowned collector Tomas Sánchez and highlights the pivotal role of Chicano art in shaping both cultural identity and popular culture. The collection features work from several iconic artists who have been a quintessential part of the Chicano art movement including Frank Romero, Diane Gamboa, Roberto “Tito” Delgado, and more.
“Nuestra Vida en Arte” is a remarkable collection curated by Sánchez and highlights the pivotal role of Chicano art in shaping both cultural identity and popular culture. The collection features work from several iconic artists who have played quintessential roles in the Chicano art movement, including Frank Romero, Diane Gamboa, Roberto “Tito” Delgado, and more.
SANTA BARBARA — I am excited to share that Unite to Light the Night is returning to The Community Arts Workshop in Santa Barbara for its third year in support of Unite to Light’s mission: to bring light and power to people living without electricity.
Join us for an exciting community-focused fundraiser and light art exhibition featuring 40 diverse artists, each presenting their unique creations that celebrate the transformative power of light.
“E-bike safety, reckless riding, and enforcement have become significant concerns in Ventura, and we are committed to addressing these issues head-on through education and enforcement,” said Chief Darin Schindler. “This workshop is an opportunity for residents to learn about safe and legal e-bike use and to engage directly with our officers. Our goal is to ensure the safety of all road users and foster a culture of responsible e-bike use in our community.”
RSVP by October 15
Located at 714-716 West Harvard Boulevard, People’s Place is a new construction development made up of 69 one-, two- and three-bedroom units, serving households earning 30-60% of the area median income (AMI). The property also has 21 units set aside for farmworker households making 30-45% of the AMI.
On-site amenities include a community center, learning center, outdoor courtyards, shared gardens, designated bike storage, onsite parking, and playgrounds. All residents also have access to free onsite supportive services.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College’s Boyd Concert Hall will be filled with music over the coming weeks as the college hosts multiple concerts in September and October.
All scheduled concerts will be open to the public and include talented students from the college’s music program.
SANTA MARIA — After a successful campaign with the event last fall, the Allan Hancock College men’s basketball program is preparing once again to scare and delight the community with the return of the “Frightmare Forest” haunted maze.
The three-acre haunted maze is located at Hancock’s basketball and softball complex and is adjacent to the college’s vineyard at 800 South College Drive in Santa Maria.
Maze runners brave enough to enter the eerie labyrinth will navigate their way through an entanglement of tricks and spooky surprises. The event also serves as a fundraiser for the men’s basketball program.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College’s dance program is inviting the community to its annual Dimensions in Dance performances on November 7-9 at 7 p.m. in Boyd Concert Hall (bldg. F) at the college’s Santa Maria campus.
The 2024 program will include a variety of dance styles, including contemporary, hip-hop, salsa and musical theatre, all inspired by the theme “Discovery.”
“The students were encouraged to interpret the theme in their own way, including drawing on their personal experiences and their journeys of self-discovery,” said Hancock Dance Program Professor Sydney Sorenson.
VENTURA COUNTY — in partnership with the City of Oxnard and the Economic Development Collaborative Accelerate California: Inclusive Innovation Hub, the Ventura County Chapter of SCORE will present its second in-person no cost workshop On November 12. To ensure broader accessibility and support for the Spanish-speaking small business community in the Oxnard area, the SCORE workshop will be presented in Spanish.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College’s talented student choir will kick off the holiday season with a festive all-ages concert.
The choir will perform a selection of popular holiday songs on Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. in Boyd Concert Hall (bldg. F) at the college’s Santa Maria campus.
“The students are very excited about the concert and the choir has never sounded better,” said Hancock music professor and choir director Nichole Dechaine. “We can’t wait to bring some holiday cheer to our community.”
SANTA BARBARA — Just in time for the holiday gift-giving season, more than 50 arts and crafts faculty and students from the SBCC School of Extended Learning will be selling their wares at Wake Campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7.
La Cocina captures the frenetic energy of the lunch rush at The Grill, a bustling restaurant in Manhattan’s Times Square. When money goes missing from the till, suspicion falls on Pedro (Raúl Briones), an undocumented cook who dreams of a better life and is in love with Julia (Rooney Mara), an American waitress who cannot commit to a relationship. Rashid, the restaurant owner, has promised to help Pedro obtain legal status, but a shocking revelation about Julia compels Pedro to spiral into an act that threatens to shut down one of the city’s busiest kitchens once and for all. The film is a comic and tragic tribute to the invisible people who keep our restaurants running and our stomachs full, all while chasing an elusive version of the American dream.
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara County residents are invited to participate in a community forum about a California law called the TRUTH Act and the access local governments may provide to federal immigration authorities. The meeting’s original scheduled date has been postponed by one week for the Board of Supervisors meeting agenda management.
The TRUTH Act Forum will take place during the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at the County Administration Building Board Hearing Room at 105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara. The public may participate virtually, or in person. Information on methods of Participation can be found here.
United Parents’ mission is to provide resources to empower, strengthen and support parents and other caregivers who have youth and/or children with mental health, behavioral, and/or emotional disorders.
Santa Paula is on the front lines of a fight against a deadly disease targeting citrus trees. The Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner is calling on the community to help stop the spread of Huanglongbing (HLB) a disease vectored by the Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP).
Residents in quarantine zones are asked to not move any plant material – this includes fruit, leaves, branches, and even dirt. The Ventura County Agricultural Comissioner/Weights & Measures Department is working with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to mitigate the situation.
The disease is not harmful to humans but it is detrimental to citrus trees. Right now the goal is to slow the spread to give science and research time to develop possible treatments.
Call the CDFA pest hotline at 1-(800)-491-1899 if your trees are showing symptoms of ACP/ HLB and they can arrange to have your tree tested.
Want to learn more? Take a moment to watch the video on how HLB affects local citrus.
Dear Friend,
During this season of gift giving, I’ve been reflecting on all the amazing gifts People’s has received this year:
82 new employees: The need keeps growing, and so do we. The ability of our mission and organization to attract professional, committed individuals is an imperative if we are to continue confronting the housing crisis head on.
$1M in housing impact notes: It takes considerable philanthropic vision to fund project pre-development costs, they are typically not exciting or visible, but they are vital. We were so grateful for this incredible opportunity to move multiple challenging projects forward. Thanks to our Resource Development and Accounting & Finance teams who safely and soundly manage our financial resources, we can accomplish more mission and meet philanthropist partners’ objectives.
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 twelve different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment, and strategic importance to the state or region.
Application Period Timeline: For the remainder of the 2023-2024, applications for the California Competes Tax Credit will be accepted during the following periods:
January 2, 2024 – January 22, 2024
March 4, 2024 – March 18, 2024
OXNARD —The City of Oxnard is pleased to announce the appointment of Kathleen Ashmore as the new Library Manager for the Oxnard Public Library. With a career spanning over 17 years in library services, Ashmore brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to community engagement to Oxnard.
“I’m thrilled to have Kathleen join the team in Oxnard. She brings a tremendous portfolio of skills and experiences, and I am fully confident that she will effectively shape the future of Oxnard Public Library for more success and inclusivity,” said Cultural and Community Services Assistant Director Renee Rakestraw.
Ashmore previously worked for the Lonoke County Library System in Arkansas, where she successfully established a teen department and programming, implemented teen and adult volunteer programs, and revitalized the adult programming department before moving into a management role. Her focus on excellent customer service, community involvement, and staff morale significantly improved library services.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College Community Education is inviting community members to enroll in free noncredit classes this spring.
This spring noncredit classes include a wide range of engaging courses that span a multitude of subjects including arts and crafts, wellness, English language learning, technology, career development, GED preparation and much more. The noncredit classes provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for new and returning students, as well as life-long learners.
“Community Education is more than just classes. It’s a door to opportunities, the first step into an educational and personal journey,” said Hancock Dean of Academic Affairs Sofia Ramirez Gelpi “We offer students from all walks of life a supportive learning environment that encourages personal growth and will help them achieve their educational goals, from learning English to transitioning to credit programs.”
SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! (Viva) returns with its first event of the year– a free community performance by America’s first all-female mariachi, Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles. A collaboration between UCSB Arts & Lectures, The Marjorie Luke Theatre, the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, and the Isla Vista School Parent Teacher Association, Viva is dedicated to bringing the rich cultural heritage of Latin America to Santa Barbara County community members and students.
SANTA PAULA — During a largely ceremonial Council meeting on the evening of December 6, 2023, former Vice Mayor Leslie Cornejo, a distinguished Santa Paula businesswoman and owner-operator of Santa Paula Travel Service, assumed the esteemed role as the 121st Mayor of Santa Paula, coincidentally on her birthday. This transition of leadership unfolded amidst a packed Council Chambers as Cornejo graciously accepted the mayoral responsibilities, receiving the symbolic gavel from the outgoing Mayor Andy Sobel.
CENTRAL COAST — (On Dec. 1), the Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) and the Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) celebrated and honored the farmworker families of Santa María at an event called “La Cultura Cura” (The Culture Cures). More than 60 people attended the event, which aimed to help build a more united community, one that connects and strengthens through art. Music, dance, song, poetry, and painting were the centerpieces of a special night that will undoubtedly remain in the memory of the people present. After a year often marked with painful reminders about the challenges faced by farmworkers, from high-profile investigations of labor violations to the workplace deaths of farmworkers in Guadalupe and Cuyama (see statement here), the “Cultura Cura” event offered an opportunity to reflect in joy and value family bonding moments.
Primera muestra de cortos en español del Teatro de las Américas 2023
Teatro de las Américas Spanish Short Film Showcase
SANTA MARIA — After 16 weeks of classroom and field instruction, 34 cadets graduated from Allan Hancock College’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Academy on Dec.7. The cadets were recognized for completing the Emergency Medical Services Academy 1A during a ceremony at Hancock’s Public Safety Training Complex (PSTC) in Lompoc.
Upon completion of the training, the cadets can provide basic life-saving skills and have passed a national registry test to become emergency medical technicians (EMTs).
SANTA MARIA — A total of 79 students graduated from Allan Hancock College’s nursing program on Dec. 7, continuing the college’s legacy of training highly skilled healthcare workers.
The graduating class included 46 graduates from Hancock’s registered nursing program and 33 graduates from the college’s vocational nursing program. The graduates and their families celebrated with a ceremony at the Marian Theatre on the college’s Santa Maria campus. Both groups received commemorative pins marking their accomplishments.
“Training public servants is one of the most important missions of a community college,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “I am honored that our nursing students have chosen this profession.”
VENTURA — On Tuesday, Dec. 5, the County of Ventura honored 25 employees during the regular Board of Supervisors meeting for decades of continuous service across county agencies. The awards are part of the County of Ventura’s Employee Continuous Service Recognition Program which honors staff who have reached career milestones with 25 years or more of service to the county.
“We as a Board take this opportunity to show our appreciation,” said Chair of the Board of Supervisors Matt LaVere. “We have 10,000 employees and I hope we, as a Board, are able to express our utmost appreciation for the work that our employees do every day to serve the residents of Ventura County. With the seniority that is present in the group honored today, it’s amazing to think of the brain power and the work they have done over the years to improve the quality of life in the county.”
SANTA MARIA — Twenty-six recruits graduated from Allan Hancock College’s Basic Law Enforcement Academy on Dec. 6 at the college’s Public Safety Training Complex in Lompoc.?
The graduating recruits of Class #23-126 gathered with their friends and families to celebrate the completion of more than 856 training hours required to graduate from the academy and enter careers as peace officers. Nearly all of the recruits have already been hired by Central Coast law enforcement agencies.?
“You have strapped into the seat of one of the greatest rollercoaster rides of your life,” Grover Beach Police Chief John Peters told the graduates. “This profession will have you experiencing more things than you ever imagined.”
SANTA BARBARA — In a significant stride toward fostering equitable access to parks and nature, NatureTrack and Wilderness Youth Project have been awarded grants totaling nearly $400,000 through the California Natural Resources Agency’s Youth Community Access program.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Seibel lead the state’s Outdoors For All Strategy, which recently allocated a total of almost $18 million to 71 projects statewide. Notably, two projects in Santa Barbara County—NatureTrack and Wilderness Youth Project—received grants to the tune of nearly $400,000.
Santa Ynez Valley-based NatureTrack received $97,400 to support outdoor field trips for underserved, low-income K-12 students in the north county of Santa Barbara County. Older youth will be recruited from local colleges to work as trip docents.
Save the date for a Community Update with Uplift Central Coast on Zoom, January 25 at 12:00 pm. Uplift will share project updates, key findings from their community engagement and research and hear from partners about the work ahead.
Register for the community update HERE!
iStarELA es la lectura en atril de la pastorela del Teatro de las Américas totalmente en español.
Es noche buena y los “pastorcitos” alrededor del mundo hacen fila para conseguir su dispositivo móvil que representa la gloria y la salvación. Guiados por la estrella de iStar, la división de tecnología de una gran corporación, estos consumidores ansiosos responden a las estrategias mercadológicas generadas en el cuartel general de la compañía. Todo parece estar saliendo de acuerdo a lo planeado excepto en la tienda iStar de Oxnard, donde la fila ha sido dispersada por culpa de una pareja de inmigrantes ilegales, una ‘influencer’ fuera de control y unos ‘homeless’ desprevenidos y un par de usuarios de los productos de iStar que muestran un poco de humanidad.
PORT HUENEME — The City of Port Hueneme, in collaboration with the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation (OPAC) and the Ventura County Library, is pleased to announce a Call for Artists and Request for Qualifications for the development of a new mural at the Ray D. Prueter Library located at 510 Park Ave in Port Hueneme, California. This project will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the City of Port Hueneme and will launch the City’s public arts initiatives.
SBA: INTRO TO GOVT CONTRACTING
December 5 @ 10:00 am
This webinar will provide a brief overview of SBA programs and services, with an emphasis on SBA’s federal contracting resources! Have you considered, is government contracting a good fit for your business ? This will be an intro to small business certification programs. Government contracts are a tremendous financial opportunity for small businesses, and the U.S. government is the largest customer in the world. It buys all types of products and services — in both large and small quantities — and it’s required by law to consider buying from small businesses. The SBA has several contracting assistance programs, and federal contracting resources available to assist entrepreneurs. This is a great opportunity to get any questions you may have answered and find out about the multiple resources available to help you on your way to small business success. This event will take place online, please register for the log on information. SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. For reasonable accommodation request please send an email to lado@sba.gov at least 7 days in advance.
Purchase tickets online today—it’s quick and easy!
Muestra de cortos en español
Presented By Teatro De Las Americas
Dec 15th 2023, 7:00 PM
SANTA MARIA — For the 15th year in a row, Allan Hancock College’s CARE program provided students who are single parents with a turkey and other Thanksgiving meal items free of charge.
A total of 51 individuals and families stopped by CARE’s “Turkey Fest” booth outside the college’s Santa Maria campus on Nov. 21, where CARE staff provided them with everything needed to prepare a delicious Thanksgiving meal. The packages included a turkey, potatoes, beans, cranberry sauce, rolls, stuffing, pumpkin pie, whipped cream and butter. Also included were turkey preparation and cooking instructions.
“We know times are tough, so we are thrilled that we can provide this food and put a smile on the faces of our students,”?said Hancock CARE/EOPS Coordinator Fabian Mendoza
OXNARD — In a heartwarming display of community commitment, Cooper Kupp, the celebrated wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams, took center stage at Food Share’s Thanksgiving Turkey n’ Trimmings giveaway in College Park, Oxnard, yesterday, Tuesday, 11/21. The event saw 1,800 families receive packages containing turkeys, seasonal fresh produce, and Thanksgiving trimmings, along with essential shelf-stable food items.
Kupp was joined by an impressive cohort of 45 student volunteers from Simi Valley’s Royal High School football team. Kupp has been actively mentoring these young athletes as part of the Rams’ partnership with the school.
Passionate about combating food insecurity, Kupp has championed various initiatives in Southern California, alongside fellow Rams players and staff. His commitment also reaches beyond state lines, as he has supported food banks in the Yakima and Richland areas in his home state of Washington.
The California Labor Market Information Division has released its October 2023 report, showing job growth in Ventura County across just about all industry sectors and losses in none.
For the most encouraging news, now at 349,600 total industry jobs, Ventura County is up by more than 10,000 jobs since just prior to the pandemic.
While that’s extraordinarily positive for overall recovery, the major labor market indicators are still a bit mixed, as we had a slight uptick in October in the number of unemployed workers and in the unemployment rate, up from 4.4% in September to 4.5% in October. To be clear, the unemployment rate is up not because we’re failing to create jobs, rather because more workers are coming back to the labor force and because volatility, or churn—workers changing jobs—remains high.
I’ve lived in the Oxnard/Port Hueneme area for nearly 50 years. Throughout that time, I’ve driven past the “Teatro” on Oxnard Boulevard at least a couple hundred times. I hadn’t realized how little I knew about it.
I had a vague understanding of its history. I’ve since learned that the building was constructed in 1929 around the time that “palace theaters” were flourishing in this country.
The venue was originally called Boulevard Theater, but its name changed to Teatro Boulevard in the 1960s in recognition of its importance to the Latino population that supported it. It was a thriving Spanish-language theater in its heyday. In fact, it was the only Spanish-language theater in Ventura County at the time. I seem to recall seeing a couple of films there in the 1970s.
Native American Heritage Month is a time to honor, learn and stand united in appreciation of the invaluable contributions of Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians. Celebrating the rich history and vibrant cultures of Native American communities is critical for fostering understanding, preserving cultures and promoting unity across our nation. The EDC is dedicated to providing equitable access to resources, advising and capital. Since 2010, the EDC has helped generate over $130 million in revenue to Native American businesses.
The EDC is proud to support the community by providing professional technical assistance in English and Spanish through our Small Business Development Center. Our NO-COST advising areas include:
The Oxnard Film Society presents CASSANDRO, a comedy featuring Mexican star Gael Garcia Bernal.
Our Film Series screens (usually) two films each month, on the first and third Mondays at 3:30pm and 6:30pm at Plaza Cinemas in downtown Oxnard.
We will continue our mission of providing the best of world cinema to the Oxnard and Ventura County community and supporting local filmmakers.
2023 State of the County: A Triumph in Safety and Progress
Celebrating 150 years as a County, on November 2nd, community members gathered at the iconic Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for the State of the County address by CEO Dr. Sevet Johnson. In a visionary speech, Dr. Johnson delivered an update on the County’s programs, initiatives and future endeavors.
Dr. Johnson also proudly highlighted the County’s achievements and distinction as not only fiscally healthy but as the “safest large county in the State of California.”
