Category: Youth

Ventura Charter School students return from school-wide campout with a strong sense of community

by Community Contributor • November 9, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Ventura Charter School of Arts & Global Education – a tuition-free Ventura County public school – welcomes students’ home as they return from a school-wide campout adventure in October. The expedition spanned three days in the local Ventura County wilderness where students, families, and teachers gathered at Steckel Park in Santa Paula to prepare for the school year by building solid connections while creating a strong sense of community to last throughout the school year. This year nearly 400 students and 300 families attended the campout, which is the only such school-wide activity of its kind within Ventura County’s public schools.

“The Campout, has allowed our child to slowly come out of his shell and meet new people. With each passing year we have been blessed to watch our child flourish and grow during this event,” said Jaret and Jackie Flowers, parents of Ventura Charter School students for 6 years, “This school is full of loving and caring parents, teachers and faculty.”

Sparking Joy: Ventura County’s 31st Annual Holiday Toy Drive Returns to Brighten the Holidays

by Community Contributor • November 9, 2023 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — The Fire Departments of Ventura County, in collaboration with ABC7 and local sponsors, are rekindling the holiday spirit with the 31st annual Spark of Love toy drive. This cherished tradition has evolved into Ventura County’s most significant community toy drive, bringing happiness and joy to local children and teenagers every year.

Moorpark College Named 2023 Champion of Higher Education for Excellence in Transfer

by Community Contributor • November 7, 2023 • Comments Off

MOORPARK — Moorpark College has been named a 2023 Champion of Higher Education for Excellence in Transfer by The Campaign for College Opportunity (CCO). This recognition acknowledges the college’s exemplary work in advancing the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) program, a vital pathway that simplifies the transfer process for students and increases student success rates.

During the live honoree announcement on Nov. 1, the CCO revealed the 27 California Community Colleges and California State University campuses that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to improving transfer rates for students. Of the 27 institutions recognized, only 12 community colleges, including Moorpark, were acknowledged for excellence in transfer rates.

Empowering Young Minds Through Play: Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Launches Recess Club in Carpinteria Schools to Encourage Physical Fitness, Educational Opportunities and Social Inclusion

by Community Contributor • November 6, 2023 • Comments Off

CARPINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is proud to announce Recess Club within the Carpinteria School District!

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is committed to promoting physical and hands-on activities while fostering an inclusive environment for children. The organization is thrilled to introduce Recess Club in elementary schools across the Carpinteria Valley. Recess Club’s mission is to create a secure and welcoming haven for students during school recess, providing engaging and interactive activities to enhance enrichment opportunities, teamwork, and social connections.

The Aspen Institute Again Names Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura Colleges among Top 150 U.S. Community Colleges Eligible for the 2025 Aspen Prize

by Community Contributor • November 6, 2023 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — The Aspen Institute has again named Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura colleges among the 150 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. The institutions selected for this honor stand out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide as having high and improving levels of student success as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students and those from lower-income backgrounds.

UCSB — The Current — ‘The mind of the machine’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • November 2, 2023 • Comments Off

A conversation with Chat GPT, led by digital humanities scholar Fabian Offert, raises questions about how large language models think.

Ventura County Academic Competitions Seek Volunteers

by Community Contributor • November 2, 2023 • Comments Off

Ventura County’s popular academic competitions are seeking volunteers to help present these events for local students. The Ventura County Academic Decathlon, Mock Trial, and Science Fair will be taking place next January, February and March. On average, more than 400 volunteer judges and scorers are needed to support the 2,500 students who participate. Please see below for additional information and links to online registration forms where you can sign up to volunteer.

Museum of Ventura County — Don’t Miss Out: 150th Anniversary of VC Programs and Events

by Community Contributor • November 1, 2023 • Comments Off

State of the County

Ventura County 2023

Thursday, November 2

4:30 – 8:30 pm

@Reagan Presidential Library

Don’t miss the 2023 State of the County celebrating the County’s 150th Anniversary! Keynote speaker and County Executive Officer Dr. Sevet Johnson will share an update and unforgettable message followed by a networking reception under Air Force One. This in-person event is SOLD OUT, however Free Livestream will be available HERE and on the County of Ventura’s Facebook page. Mark your calendars and join us online!

Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association — Grief Support During The Holidays

by Community Contributor • November 1, 2023 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — It’s that time of year when the expectations we place on ourselves can be unrealistic, especially when faced with the absence of a loved one. Livingston Memorial’s Grief and Bereavement Program offers multiple support groups that focus on restorative activities, seeking meaning and purpose, identifying changes to self, and receiving support in making life good again.

All support groups are free for the community.

Bilingual report — 12th annual Can-Tree Food Drive to be held Nov. 30 through Dec. 3

by Community Contributor • October 31, 2023 • Comments Off

OXNARD — Food Share, Ventura County’s largest hunger-relief organization, is bringing its most popular community event back for the holidays! The 12th Annual CAN-tree food drive will take place in Figueroa Plaza from Thursday, November 30 when the trees will be built, through Sunday, December 3, 2022, when they will be dismantled.

The event, which brings thousands of individuals, families, and local businesses together to collect and build hundreds of canned food “trees” is Food Share’s biggest food and fund drive of the year and is a critical source of food for the thousands of people still struggling with food insecurity in Ventura County.

UCSB — The Current — Innovation anywhere, opportunities everywhere

by Community Contributor • October 31, 2023 • Comments Off

NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan visits the campus and shares his thoughts for the future of science and engineering research.

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Día de los Muertos Celebrations Continue through November 5th

by Community Contributor • October 30, 2023 • Comments Off

Our Dia de los Muertos celebrations kick off our year end giving campaign, and we would be so grateful and honored to have your support. It has been just over 10 months since a new leadership team reopened the Museum. We ask for your much needed support to take us into the new year. We are so incredibly grateful for the many individuals, foundations, and business that have been early adopters.

CSUCI’s 2023 Distinguished Alumnus ‘Gabby’ Vignonegoes from ‘wild child’ to executive director of nonprofit

by Community Contributor • October 26, 2023 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — Nicknamed “Gabby” when she and her friends hung out on the streets of Santa Barbara, CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) 2023 Distinguished Alumni “Gabby” Vignone believes her formal name, “Gabrielle,” now suits her better.

“I think I’ve gotten to that ‘change’ point in life,” said Vignone, who graduated in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in English. “I think we don’t know who we are for a while as we go through different changes and experiences that bring us to where we are now.”

Vignone will share the story of her evolution with the 350 guests expected to attend CSUCI’s 21st Annual President’s Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 28.

For Vignone, those experiences have included giving birth at 15, having her best friend killed by a train, falling in love with a man, raising four children with him, and having him die in prison.

Teacher’s Fund in Santa Barbara Celebrates Another Milestone: Over $2.1 Million in 21 Years Raised for Local Schools

by Community Contributor • October 26, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — The Teacher’s Fund celebrated its 21st year by hitting a significant milestone thanks to strong community support during its annual Supplies Drive: the non-profit serving Santa Barbara-area educators surpassed $2.1 million.

The Teacher’s Fund set an ambitious goal this year for its drive – and far exceeded it, thanks to the generosity of residents, local business leaders and entrepreneurs who answered the call to give back. In all, they raised more than $75,000 during this year’s drive.

Teatro de las Américas — Will you be at opening night (Oct. 27) for El viaje de los esqueletos?

by Community Contributor • October 25, 2023 • Comments Off

Congratulations to everyone who has worked so hard to bring this production to life. Break a leg!

El viaje de los esqueletos
Presented By Teatro De Las Americas

Apricot Lane Farms Added to the Ventura County Farm Day Lineup

by Community Contributor • October 25, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Apricot Lane Farms, the home of the award-winning “Biggest Little Farm” documentary, is a participant in the 11th Annual Ventura County Farm Day, Saturday, November 4. The farm was added this week.

The Moorpark farm is offering free Farm Day Tours on a first come, first served basis. Pre-registration is required to enter the farm—use this Eventbrite link. Parking is limited, so carpooling is suggested.

Founded in 2011 by John and Molly Chester, Apricot Lane Farms currently spans 234 acres of countryside in Moorpark. It cultivates more than 200 varieties of fruits and vegetables; and raises sheep, cows, pigs, chickens and ducks with care and respect. The farm is Certified Organic and Biodynamic.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Freedom in the aftermath of slavery’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • October 24, 2023 • Comments Off

In “Nothing More Than Freedom,” historian Giuliana Perrone tracks the failure of abolition in American law.

SBCC’s Raíces program hosts artist’s talk with Chicano mural painter, educator Manuel Unzueta on Oct. 26

by Community Contributor • October 23, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) student empowerment program ¡Raíces: First Year and Beyond! is hosting a talk with internationally acclaimed artist Manuel Unzueta on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 6 p.m. at the SBCC East Campus Center.

Unzueta will discuss his career as a muralist, educator, and community activist by highlighting “Metamorphosis of Reality,” the mural painted at East Campus Center with SBCC students in 1976. The event will begin with a reception at 6 p.m. outside the Campus Center near the mural. A talk with Unzueta will follow at 6:45 p.m. inside the Campus Center.

According to his longtime friend and colega, Mark Alarado, “Unzueta is a Chicano muralist, and his work spans six decades to include masterpieces that live in La Casa de La Raza, along with other works at educational institutions throughout the South Coast, the Smithsonian Institute, Paris, Mexico City and El Paso, Texas.”

Santa Paula Art Museum — Inbox Art Exhibit: California Art League’s ‘The California Scene’

by Community Contributor • October 19, 2023 • Comments Off

On view now through Sunday, November 5

“The California Scene” is a group exhibition presented by California Art League (CAL) featuring 59 quintessential California scenes in a variety of media by 44 artist members of the long-established league. CAL was originally founded as The Valley Artists Guild in 1948 with the purpose of uniting artists in the San Fernando Valley area to form a strong fine arts community. CAL operates on the belief that when individual artists join together in creating their destinies, their growth and impact are multiplied in their own lives and throughout the world.

While we highly recommend viewing “The California Scene” in person, we hope you enjoy this abbreviated look at the exhibition in your inbox!

SBCC celebrates 50 years of its life-changing Study Abroad program on Oct. 24

by Community Contributor • October 19, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — On Tuesday, Oct. 24, Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) and the SBCC Foundation will host a celebration commemorating the 50-year anniversary of its Study Abroad program, which has afforded college students the invaluable opportunity to visit and learn in countries outside of the U.S. Tuesday’s celebration is sponsored by the SBCC Foundation and will be held on the patio of the Garvin Theatre on SBCC’s West campus.

“Study abroad provides students with a unique opportunity to learn about different cultures and perspectives, to broaden their horizons, to make friends from around the world, and to enhance their intercultural competency while earning transferable credits and progressing on their academic path,” said Assistant Superintendent/Vice President, School of Extended Learning and longtime director of the Study Abroad program Carola Smith.“Students acquire important skills such as intercultural communication skills, language proficiency, adaptability and problem-solving skills.”

UCSB — The Current — ‘Seeding climate solutions for California’s amphibian communities and iconic beaches’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • October 19, 2023 • Comments Off

Biologist Cherie Briggs and geographer Ian Walker receive University of California Climate Action Grants to advance their respective efforts in restoration and conservation.

Museum of Ventura County — Mountains to Sea Jubilee Is This Saturday!

by Community Contributor • October 19, 2023 • Comments Off

Mountains to Sea Jubilee
FAMILY FESTIVAL

?Saturday, October 21
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
@Agriculture Museum
926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula

Celebrate Ventura County’s 150th Anniversary at the Mountains to Sea Jubilee, a FREE all-day family event! The Family Festival features food trucks, a kids’ zone, community stages, pumpkin patch, exhibit opening: Ventura County, The Place We Call Home, and MORE. Check out the Family Fair interactive map HERE.

America’s struggles and successes, ancient DNA secrets and more all part of Fall 2023 Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at CSUCI

by Community Contributor • October 18, 2023 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — Four million Americans turn 18 each year, and we have a presidential election coming up. This is one of the reasons we need to be concerned about voting inequities as well as the quality of education in the U.S., according to Dr. Michael Baker, a scholar and retired military surgeon.

Baker will be discussing America’s strengths and problem areas in “How America Became Great – and Can Be Great Again,” one of 10 classes being offered in the Fall II Session of CSU Channel Islands’ (CSUCI)’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), university-level classes for those ages 50 and up.

Registration is now open at go.csuci.edu/olli. Classes begin Oct. 23 and run through Dec. 8, with current events, science, politics, art, entertainment, history and even a little magic making up the Fall II selection of classes.

November Event Highlights at Cal Lutheran

by Community Contributor • October 18, 2023 • Comments Off

THOUSAND OAKS — Events occur on the California Lutheran University campus in Thousand Oaks and are free to the public.

Performances

Nov. 9-18 at 8 p.m.; Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. All performances in Preus-Brandt Forum: “Radium Girls,” directed by professor of drama Kenneth Gardner, tells the story of Marie Curie. For more information, visit the website. Free.

Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Samuelson Chapel: An Evening of Symphonic Music, conducted by Michael Hart and Breanna Thornton, and performed by the CLU Wind Ensemble and University String Symphony. Free.

New Oxnard Sensory Tent to Debut at Upcoming Fall Festival

by Community Contributor • October 18, 2023 • Comments Off

OXNARD — In an effort to make its special events and programming more equitable and accessible, Oxnard Recreation is proud to debut its new Sensory Tent during the upcoming Fall Festival.

The Sensory Tent initiative is led by the Oxnard Special Populations (OSP) program in conjunction with Oxnard City Corps (OCC), who work closely to provide high quality recreational opportunities for those with disabilities. The Sensory Tent includes games, fidgets, soothing sounds and comfortable seating, creating a welcoming and relaxing environment for those who need it.

Ventura College Foundation is Now Accepting Scholarship Applications

by Community Contributor • October 17, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2024-25 school year. The deadline for application submissions is January 21, 2024.

Students currently enrolled at Ventura College in the 2023-2024 academic year and who have completed at least six units by the end of the Fall 2023 semester, are eligible to apply. Units earned in previous semesters at Ventura College count towards the unit requirement.

“Beginning last year, we reduced the scholarship eligibility requirement from twelve to six units to make the application process more inclusive for part-time students,” says Anne Paul King, Ventura College Foundation executive director. “With work and family commitments, it’s often difficult to attend full-time.”

Moorpark College Joins Initiative to Increase Community College Transfer to Elite Universities

by Community Contributor • October 17, 2023 • Comments Off

MOORPARK — Moorpark College has officially joined the Transfer Scholars Network (TSN), an initiative dedicated to expanding community college student transfer to the nation’s highly selective colleges and universities.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Human Services Agency Announces New Income Pilot Program for Former Ventura County Foster Youth

by Community Contributor • October 17, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA —The Ventura County Human Services Agency (HSA) on Oct. 17, in partnership with Ventura County-based nonprofit James Storehouse, opened the application period for VC Thrive, a supplemental income pilot program serving former foster youth between the ages of 21 and 26 with low incomes. The 18-month program provides monthly stipends of $1,000 to 150 eligible individuals.

Many young adults aging out of foster care with limited resources and support networks face challenges that make it difficult to achieve their goals for education, employment, housing and overall well-being. By providing a supplemental monthly income to help cover necessities such as food, housing and utilities, VC Thrive aims to enable participants to focus on pursuing educational and career opportunities that will put them on a path toward self-sufficiency and a greater quality of life.

Take A Self-Guided Tour of Lompoc Murals Along California’s Central Coast

by Community Contributor • October 17, 2023 • Comments Off

LOMPOC — Travel often uncovers hidden treasures in the most unexpected places, and Lompoc’s outdoor mural gallery is one of these delightful finds. If you’re a fan of art, history, and exploration, you’re in for a treat with this self-guided tour of Lompoc’s murals. Join us as we wander through the streets and unveil the captivating stories and creativity that adorn the city’s walls.

Ventura County Office of Education — Mock Trial Moving to Weekends in Support of Student Wellbeing

by Community Contributor • October 16, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — For the first time in its over 40-year history, the annual Ventura County Mock Trial competition is moving to weekends. Mock Trial has previously been held over four weeknights at the Ventura County courthouse and the competition often lasts late into the night. Moving the competition to weekends means students will no longer have to stay up late on school nights. It will also make transportation easier for students and their families. Parents will be less likely to need time off from work to drive their children to the courthouse. And students with provisional driver’s licenses that prohibit driving after 11:00 pm will be able to drive themselves.

Bilingual report — The latest news from the County of Ventura

by Community Contributor • October 16, 2023 • Comments Off

Mountains to Sea Jubilee – Celebrating 150 Years of VC!
Join us for a FREE family festival celebrating Ventura County’s 150th anniversary! The festival will take place in Santa Paula on Saturday, October 21 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Activities will include live entertainment on multiple stages, a kids’ zone, food trucks, arts & crafts stations, and more!

While you enjoy the fun, don’t miss the opening of the special 150th Anniversary museum exhibit! The Agricultural Museum in Santa Paula will host the opening for Ventura County: The Place We Call Home – a special reflection on our county.

Santa Paula Art Museum — Día de los Muertos Free Community Celebration on Oct. 29, more events

by Community Contributor • October 12, 2023 • Comments Off

Día de los Muertos Free Community Celebration

Sunday, October 29, 2023 • 12 PM to 3 PM
Free for all ages

Guests of all ages are invited to celebrate Día de los Muertos at two locations in downtown Santa Paula on Sunday, October 29! This free, family-friendly community celebration at SPAM’s Cole Creativity Center and Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery offers traditional craft-making activities, music, altar installations, and much more.

Bilingual commentary — Are STEM Degrees Falling Off Their Pedestal?

by Community Contributor • October 12, 2023 • Comments Off

When I was starting my higher technical education, I was studying “vacuum tubes.” These might as well be classified now as archaeological artifacts that young people can view in museums. Vacuum tubes were ubiquitous in the primitive computers of that time. They were also visible in everyday, household life—in radios, televisions, and guitar amplifiers.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Technology and democracy in crisis: time to ‘get uncomfortable and get curious’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • October 12, 2023 • Comments Off

Scholars from across the nation convened on campus to discuss how to sort news from the noise through public-facing research and classroom conversations.

CSUCI hosts the 2023 Regional STEM Transfer Mixer for community college students Oct. 18

by Community Contributor • October 11, 2023 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — Community college students from across the region – Santa Barbara City College, Ventura College, Oxnard College, and Moorpark College – are invited to CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)’s 2023 Regional STEM Transfer Mixer on Wednesday, Oct. 18 beginning at 9 a.m. as part of the National Transfer Student Week, happening on Oct. 16 through 20.

According to CSUCI STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) Outreach Coordinator Tatiana Juarez, the mixer is to cultivate community college students’ interest in obtaining a four-year degree in a STEM field.

“The objective is to have local community college students come to CSUCI and get to know the campus and explore two specific STEM majors—Mechatronics Engineering and Computer Science,” Juarez said. “I think it’s extremely effective for students to immerse themselves in the setting where they will be investing a lot of their time. To see exactly what these majors have to offer, and to learn how CSUCI supports STEM students.”

Announcing the 2023 Music Academy Competition Winners

by Community Contributor • October 11, 2023 • Comments Off

Winners of the Music Academy’s Solo Piano, Duo, and Song Competitions return in 2024 to perform commissioned premieres in recital.

The Academy sends the 12 MAX (Music Academy Exchange) fellows to London this fall to perform with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Winners of Alumni Enterprise and Fast Pitch Awards are recognized for their innovative endeavors

UCSB — The Current — Charmaine Chua is named a 2023 Freedom Scholar

by Community Contributor • October 10, 2023 • Comments Off

Reducing fishing gear could save whales with low impacts to California’s crab fishermen

Bilingual report — Harvesting All Dads: A Ventura County initiative to foster fatherhood engagement event to be held Oct. 7 in Camarillo

by Community Contributor • October 6, 2023 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Department of Child Support Services (VCDSS), in collaboration with First 5 Ventura County, is thrilled to announce the Harvesting All Dads event scheduled for October 7, 2023. This unique gathering aims to celebrate fatherhood and connect with dads in the community, fostering a supportive environment for them to share their insights. The event will take place from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm at the scenic Camino Real Park in Ventura.

As part of the ongoing commitment to enhancing fatherhood experiences in Ventura County, the Harvesting All Dads event welcomes all dads to participate in a morning filled with food, games, and valuable resources. The event is a crucial component of the county-wide Fatherhood Initiative that VCDSS is currently developing. The primary goal of this event is to better understand the needs of fathers in the community and to tailor services and resources accordingly.

“Father involvement is pivotal for the holistic development of families and communities,” says Director Marcus R. Mitchell. “We, at VCDSS, along with our partners at First 5 Ventura County, recognize the significance of actively engaging fathers in the journey of parenthood. The Harvesting All Dads event is more than just a gathering; it’s an opportunity for us to directly connect with dads, listen to their perspectives, and collaboratively create a fatherhood experience in Ventura County that is inclusive and resourceful. We believe that by understanding the needs of fathers, we can better support them in their role as parents.”

Ventura County Office of Education — Logo contest; wellness centers; fentanyl awareness; and more

by Community Contributor • October 6, 2023 • Comments Off

I recently had the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., just as lawmakers were scrambling to prevent a government shutdown. I was there with several of my counterparts from throughout California to advocate for federal support of educational programs.

In the midst of the chaos, about twenty members of Congress made time to meet with us. We urged them to increase federal funding for special education and economically disadvantaged students, to support expansion of internet access for students and to address cybersecurity threats that are increasingly impacting schools.

While a government shutdown has been averted for the moment, the budget process is far from over and it’s not yet known how public schools will be affected. Whatever happens in Washington, we will never stop working to maximize educational opportunities for the students we are so proud to serve.

UCSB — The Current — A Chumash cultural burn reignites ancient practice for wilderness conservation

by Community Contributor • October 5, 2023 • Comments Off

A Chumash cultural burn reignites ancient practice for wilderness conservation

Reviving a practice that had been lost for generations, the Chumash community and the university partner on a cultural burn at North Campus Open Space.

Lumina Alliance Recognizes October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month

by Community Contributor • October 4, 2023 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Lumina Alliance is recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) this October, and inviting all of SLO County to join us this month in shining a light on domestic and intimate partner violence.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) was launched in October of 1987, with the goal of uniting and connecting organizations and people working to end domestic and intimate partner violence across the country. Over 30 years later, DVAM continues to be a time for collaboration, advocacy, and connection with the goal of raising awareness of the impacts of domestic and intimate partner violence. Lumina Alliance is proud to participate in DVAM, and to continue shining a light on intimate partner violence in our community.

Going Bananas at the Port of Hueneme’s 10th Annual Port Festival

by Community Contributor • October 4, 2023 • Comments Off

PORT OF HUENEME — Yellow banana wigs, boat rides, sounds of a tropical steel drum band and perfect late summer weather got the party started at the Port for the 10th Annual Banana Festival! Welcoming people inside the Port, Oxnard Harbor District President Jess Herrera stated, “The Banana Festival is a way for us to say thank you to our community partners and stakeholders. We are grateful for the wonderful partnership we have with all of you. This festival shows the interest level about the Port of Hueneme is at an all-time high and we can’t wait to celebrate your local Port with you today! The reason we exist is for you- to improve your lives.”

Santa Paula Art Museum — October @ SPAM: Día de los Muertos, Spooky Figure Drawing, Art After Dark, and More!

by Community Contributor • October 4, 2023 • Comments Off

Día de los Muertos Community Celebration

Sunday, October 29
12 PM to 3 PM
Free for all ages

Museum of Ventura County — 150th Anniversary Jubilee Music Festival: get your tickets today!

by Community Contributor • October 3, 2023 • Comments Off

150th Exhibit Opening: Ventura County, The Place We Call Home

Saturday, October 21

11:00 am – 3:00 pm

@Agriculture Museum

926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula

You are cordially invited to attend the opening of Ventura County, The Place We Call Home, an exhibit celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Ventura County. Doors will open promptly at 11 am followed by remarks and dedication by Elena Brokaw, The Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director at 1 pm.

Cal Lutheran receives $1.2M federal grant to support educators of Deaf/hard of hearing

by Community Contributor • October 2, 2023 • Comments Off

THOUSAND OAKS — The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Cal Lutheran a $1,241,679 grant to support the Graduate School of Education’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Credential Program.

The five-year grant will fund Access Teach: Closing the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Educator Gap, a project to support 60 graduate-level students who will leave the program as credentialed teachers of high-need deaf and hard-of-hearing students in public schools. In addition to tuition, financial aid, textbooks and instructional materials, the project will provide mentoring and other support to recruit and retain students.

The grant also allows the program to be restructured to a hybrid format by summer 2024. Classes will be synchronous with some in-person classes on Saturdays. This change will enable the university to accommodate the needs of working professionals across Southern California.

Explore The Quirky And Unique Attractions In Lompoc, California Along California’s Central Coast

by Community Contributor • October 2, 2023 • Comments Off

LOMPOC — Lompoc may seem like your typical charming Central Coast town at first glance, but for those with an eye for the unconventional and a taste for the eccentric, Lompoc holds a treasure trove of quirky and unique attractions. From intergalactic exploration to a ghostly mission, here’s your comprehensive guide to the quirky and unique in Lompoc.

California Lutheran University announces October Latinx Heritage Month and other events

by Community Contributor • September 29, 2023 • Comments Off

Upcoming Latinx Heritage Month Events

Oct. 5 at 11:30 a.m. in Swenson Science Center, Room 101: “Untold Legacies: Re-Envisioning Ventura Country through an Ethnic Studies Lens.” Jose M. Alamillo, PhD, professor of Chicana/o studies at CSU Channel Islands, talks about the untold stories of resistance and the hidden legacies of racialized communities in Ventura County.

Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. in Preus-Brandt Forum: Ballet Folklórico Mestizo is a dance troupe that celebrates the culture and dance traditions of Mexico; featuring students and faculty from Cal Lutheran’s Oxnard campus. (Photo attached courtesy of Oxnard College.)

Oct. 12 at 12:30 p.m. in Lundring Events Center: Latinx Heritage Month Lecture Lunch, hosted by the Office of Campus Ministry. Resources will be available to attendees regarding real-world learning opportunities and creating community. Reservations are required.

Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. in Ullman Conference Center, 100/101: ASCENSO Hispanic Fellowship Poster Presentations. Undergraduate fellows present projects that showcase their growing knowledge of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice.

Oct. 17 at 12 p.m. in Ullman Conference Center, 100/101: “What Does it Mean to Be a Hispanic-Serving Institution at Cal Lutheran?” This event is an educational lunch that explores how a Hispanic-Serving Institution is more than a Hispanic-enrolling one.

Bilingual report — The Port of Hueneme Hosts 10th Annual Banana Festival on Sept. 30

by Community Contributor • September 29, 2023 • Comments Off

PORT HUENEME — The Port of Huenemes’ annual Banana Festival is back! This 10th annual festival and will take place on Saturday, September 30th, 2023, from 10am-5pm. This family-friendly free admission festival will provide a day filled with entertainment, vendors, port tours, banana-inspired food, and more. As the number one banana port on the West Coast, the festival will highlight some of the positive impacts and contributions the Port has made to the local community as well as the world.

“The Banana Festival is a special opportunity for the Port of Hueneme to give back to the local community,” said Jess Herrera, Oxnard Harbor District Board President. “The Port has a rich 86-year history in Ventura County that has strengthened the community through strategic partnerships, created good high-paying jobs, and served as an economic engine for the region. The festival is an invitation to visit the Port to take a look into what we do on a daily basis and what makes the Port so special.”

Guest contribution — Intelligent — Financial Aid Guide available for Hispanic and Latino Students

by Community Contributor • September 29, 2023 • Comments Off

No matter who you are, determining how to finance a college education is a complex decision involving many factors. For Hispanic and Latino students, specific considerations may include their citizenship and their parents’ citizenship statuses, their parents’ employment, and whether they’re the first in their family to attend college.

This guide is designed to help Hispanic and Latino students navigate the financial aid process, with a general overview of different types of financial aid, how to apply for federal student loans, and advice from college admissions counselor Dana Marvin.

It also includes information specific to Hispanic and Latino students, including grants and scholarships for different populations within these demographics, including Hispanic/Latina women, children of migrant workers, and first-generation college students.

CSU Channel Islands Enrollment for Spring and Fall 2024 opens Oct. 1

by Community Contributor • September 29, 2023 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) will begin accepting applications for its Fall 2024 semester beginning Oct. 1, 2023. Transfer students also have the option of applying for the Spring 2024 semester during the open enrollment period.

The priority application period closes on Nov. 30, 2023, but CSUCI Director of Admissions & Recruitment Roxana Tunc recommends students submit applications early.

“CSUCI uses rolling admissions, which means that if a student applies earlier in the application process, they will hear about their admission decision much sooner than those who apply later,” Tunc said.

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