Category: Youth

LEAPing into Lompoc: Community Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for New Children’s Center

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LOMPOC – On Dec. 5, LEAP: Learn. Engage. Advocate. Partner., a prominent nonprofit committed to supporting families across Santa Barbara County, celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of its new Lompoc Children’s Center at Trinity Church of the Nazarene, addressing a critical childcare gap in the community.

The ceremonial occasion included speeches from LEAP’s Executive Director Lori Goodman, Lead Pastor Travis Caldeira of Trinity Church, Santa Barbara County Supervisor Joan Hartmann, Congressman Salud Carbajal’s Representative Esmeralda Estrada, Lompoc City Councilmember Jeremy Ball, and State Senator Monique Limón. Attendees were then treated to informative tours and a BBQ lunch.

“This partnership is a shining example of trust. This ceremony celebrates two organizations coming together to bless a community they both love” said Lead Pastor Travis Caldeira of Trinity Church.

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UCSB — The Current — ‘After decades of plantation agriculture, coconut palms dominate over half of Pacific atoll forests’ and more news, events

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New research provides the first comprehensive map of the vast footprint of coconut palm agriculture across nearly every Pacific atoll.

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Bilingual report — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) — First Look: 2023-24 Annual Impact Report | Primera vista: Informe de Impacto Anual 2023-24

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We’re excited to share our 2023-24 Annual Impact Report, showcasing our milestones from the past year! Available in both English & Spanish, you can read the report and learn more about our mission at pshhc.org/impactreport.

Nos complace presentar nuestro Informe Anual de Impacto 2023-24, que muestra nuestros logros del año pasado. Disponible tanto en inglés como en español, puede leer el informe y obtener más información sobre nuestra misión en pshhc.org/impactreport-esp.

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Bilingual report — Volunteers needed for annual Homeless Point-In-Time count

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The annual Homeless Count is coordinated by the Ventura County Continuum of Care and County of Ventura, in partnership with community partners and cities.  The survey data will be collected through a mobile survey and mapping tool called Simtech Solutions “Counting Us”.  This data provides a Point-In-Time (PIT) “snapshot” as to what the homeless population in Ventura County looks like during a single day. This data helps community leaders better understand who is homeless, why and for how long. The survey data helps our community gain access to state and federal funding, as well as determine the greatest priorities to prevent and end homelessness in Ventura County.

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Ventura Music Festival — The Time is Now… Let’s Share the Gift of Music!

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As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on a year of incredible music, shared joy, and the powerful connections that bring our community together. Your support has been instrumental in making it all possible. This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to join us in starting 2025 on a high note! The time is now to invest in the arts and the transformative power they bring to our community.

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CSUCI receives $1.7 million grant to help students facing homelessness

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“If you have nowhere to stay, you didn’t sleep, you didn’t get a shower and you didn’t get something to eat, you’re not going to be able to pay attention,” said Vice President of Student Affairs Eboni Ford Turnbow. “Maybe you don’t have a place to study once the library closes. Programs like Basic Needs help offset this burden, whether its food, emergency funds or shelter. And now our Basic Needs Program is so robust.”

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Guest contribution — The Ultimate Holiday Guide To Lompoc On California’s Central Coast

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LOMPOC — It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Looking for festive fun, delicious treats, and unforgettable sights in Lompoc this holiday season? Dive into our roundup of festive delights and seasonal fun for you and your crew, and enjoy a magical holiday season.

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8 Must-See Murals In Lompoc California Along California’s Central Coast

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LOMPOC — History buffs and art aficionados, start planning your trip to Lompoc. The city is home to over 30 murals depicting aspects of the town’s history, from the age of dinosaurs and beyond! Here are 8 of our favorite murals to explore when you get here as part of Lompoc’s outdoor mural gallery. 

Here’s a mural map to help you plan your journey!

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Bilingual report — Single-parent Allan Hancock College students receive free Thanksgiving meals

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SANTA MARIA — For the 16th year in a row, Allan Hancock College provided students who are single parents with a turkey and other Thanksgiving meal items free of charge.

A total of 60 individuals and families stopped by the Hancock EOPS+ program’s “Turkey Fest” booth outside the college’s Santa Maria campus on Nov. 26, where Hancock 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. 

“It is impactful for the parents who are Hancock students because right now they’re having a really hard time,” said Director of EOPS+ Siboney Guardado. “They are part of our vulnerable student population, so it’s not just academics – it’s also managing their kids and daycare. This week, with the kids off school, it’s especially tough for them.”

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Rain or Shine, the Port of Hueneme continues ‘Committed to Community’ With Turkey and Food Drives

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PORT HUENEME — The Port of Hueneme hosted a food drive at Southwinds Park alongside community partners Lujan Transportation Services, Lucha Inc., Southwinds Neighborhood Council, and others. For the fifth year in a row, the Port joined local community efforts to provide residents of the Southwinds neighborhood, and surrounding communities, with food for the holidays. With Thanksgiving Day fast approaching, families were given a variety of food items for their holiday celebrations. The event occurred in “rain or shine” fashion and many folks brought their umbrellas and rain covers. With musical performances by the Inlakech Cultural Arts Center, community volunteers organized by the Port of Hueneme provided 300 local families with turkeys and bundles of food. Residents took home food items, cooking oil, and lettuce. The bundles of food also included items such as rice, beans, the Port’s signature bananas, and more.

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Kaiser Permanente Announces 2025 Rose Parade® Float, ‘More Healthy Days for More Healthy Years’

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PASADENA — Kaiser Permanente (which operates Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura) has announced its 2025 Rose Parade® float theme, “More Healthy Days for More Healthy Years.” The theme represents Kaiser Permanente’s belief that everyone should have the opportunity to live their best, healthiest life every day. The float celebrates total health – body, mind, and spirit – and how Kaiser Permanente supports the health and wellbeing of its members and communities.

This year, Kaiser Permanente’s 19th annual float entry embodies the 2025 Rose Parade presented by Honda theme, “Best Day Ever,” celebrating life’s best moments. The float symbolizes a day of healthy living, featuring a sun at one end and a moon at the other, with various healthy activities in between. The float includes depictions of nutritious foods, physical activity, and mental wellness for people of all ages and abilities.

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Ventura County Supervisor Jeff Gorell District 2 Update – Mountain Fire and Community Resources

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This Thanksgiving, I want to share how grateful I am to be part of a community that shows such extraordinary strength, compassion, and resilience—especially in the face of challenges like the Mountain Fire. For many of our neighbors, this season has been unimaginably difficult. If you’ve been affected, please know I am here to support you every step of the way.

Next week, we’ll be holding a Phase 2 Debris Removal Workshop to help residents navigate the next steps in recovering and rebuilding their properties. It’s part of an on going effort to make sure you have the tools and resources you need to move forward.

If you need assistance, resources like 211 and Food Share are available for you. For those looking to give back, donations and volunteer efforts are a powerful way to make an impact. Donations can be made with the Ventura County Community Foundation for the Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund or you can learn about volunteer needs through the United Way volunteer program.

I continue to be moved by the stories of generosity and resilience that define our community. A neighbor using water from their pool to help protect a home before evacuating. First responders carrying disabled residents to safety. Volunteers standing shoulder to shoulder with families, helping sift through the ashes of what was lost. Past fire victims gathering with those currently impacted, sharing insights, lessons, and hope.

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Guest contribution — American Immigration Council — This Thanksgiving Week, Let’s Honor Immigrant Farmworkers

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With the approach of Thanksgiving, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on the people who make this holiday possible. Many of the fruits, vegetables, and other staples of our Thanksgiving feasts are harvested by immigrant farm workers. 

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Bilingual report — Santa Paula Police Dept. — Holiday Safety Tips to Prevent Being a Crime Victim

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SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Police Department is reaching out with helpful tips to make our community safer during the upcoming holidays especially for shoppers, retailers, and travelers.

SHOPPERS

• Shoppers beware in crowded stores and shops for pickpockets that work in teams. In a common method, one suspect distracts the victim while the other suspect intentionally bumps the victim and removes a wallet from a back pants pocket simultaneously. Keep wallets in a bag snug close to your body or in a front pants pocket to avoid this.

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First District Supervisor Das Williams — Giving Thanks

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Happy Thanksgiving, from my family to yours!

This year, I hope we can all reflect on why we celebrate this holiday. It’s the celebration of the first harvest in the New World by the Pilgrims. The Pilgrims settled in America to escape religious persecution and seek opportunity. The story of Native Americans welcoming them with open arms is a vital part of our history that we should not forget. Understandably, given the Navajo half of my family, what happened next also leaves us with many mixed feelings. But the symbol of Thanksgiving nevertheless defines who we strive to be.

Just as America has been the destination of people all over the world who seek refuge from danger and to build a better life, intolerance towards those people has also always been a part of American history. We have to remember that no American unless you are purely Native, belongs here more than any other one. At our best, we are the country where people go to escape persecution, not the country that persecutes people for originating somewhere else. May our arms stay open, as the Pilgrims encountered some 400 years ago.

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Lumina Alliance Receives Generous $75,000 Donation from Dignity Health Central Coast to Support Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

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SAN LUIS OBISPO — Lumina Alliance, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering those impacted by sexual assault and intimate partner violence, is thrilled to announce a generous unrestricted donation of $75,000 from Dignity Health Central Coast. This gift will help further the organization’s mission to provide prevention education programs and critical services, including advocacy , therapy , emergency shelter , and legal support for survivors in San Luis Obispo County.

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CSUCI Sociology students present research at statewide Family Justice Center conference

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CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Sociology Lecturer Daniel Sandoval said there was “engagement and buzz” over CSUCI Sociology students’ research presentations at a recent statewide Family Justice Center (FJC) conference in Oxnard.

The conference was held at the CSUCI Boating Center where 24 CSUCI students in 12 research groups presented posters detailing their findings while answering questions from at least 50 family justice center representatives from around the state.

“Often times, the assignments we give are just that – one and done,” Sandoval said. “But this was something they have worked on for almost a year. To be able to present that work and see people excited about it is really impactful.”

The students’ research projects all dealt with the kinds of cases that come before the Ventura County Family Justice Center, which is an initiative out of the Ventura County District Attorney’s office. Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Jump, who is in charge of the FJC, had a connection with Sandoval as they were classmates at Santa Paula High School.

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UCSB — The Current — ‘Prof. Meghan Morrissey honored by the American Cancer Society for her work on cancer immunotherapy’ and more news, events

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Morrissey is among those pioneering a new kind of immunotherapy, and her efforts have earned her the recognition of the American Cancer Society.

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Ventura County Community Foundation Mountain Fire Update on Community Support

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This week, as we reflect on the holiday season, we are reminded of the resilience and compassion that define our community. While many in Ventura County are grappling with the aftermath of the Mountain Fire, we also see extraordinary acts of kindness and solidarity that uplift us all.

Your steadfast support has made a meaningful difference in the lives of those most affected by this disaster. Thanks to your generosity, families have been able to secure temporary housing, injured animals have received lifesaving care, childcare has been provided to households navigating a difficult path forward, farmworkers displaced from both home and work have found some financial relief, and essential medical equipment lost in the fire has been replaced. These actions exemplify the heart of Ventura County.

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Santa Barbara County Food Action Network — Celebrating the Season of Gratitude

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As we reflect on this season of gratitude, we are deeply thankful for the incredible support of people like you. Your generosity helps build a food system that empowers communities, uplifts local producers, and ensures families across Santa Barbara County can enjoy healthy, locally-sourced meals on Thanksgiving AND year-round.

This season, we invite you to celebrate gratitude with a gift that keeps on giving. Your donation helps us continue to amplify voices, share resources, and create solutions that uplift everyone in Santa Barbara County.

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Museum of Ventura County — Help inspire hope and foster connection

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Small Business Saturday

at the Ag Museum

Saturday, November 30

11:00 am – 5:00 pm

@Agriculture Museum

926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula

Join us at the Ag this Small Business Saturday to discover unique gifts, jewelry, specialty food items, and more. Shoppers will also enjoy a 15% discount on purchases!

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Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) announces free event and webinar schedule

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SCORE: STRATEGIES FOR OVERWHELMED AND OVERTHINKING ENTREPRENEURS

November 26 @ 10:00 am

There are two reasons that the business of “working on your small business” rarely gets done. The first is that you are overwhelmed because you’re responsible for everything. Even if you can delegate, you still must check the work and make sure it’s done correctly. That takes a toll. The other half of that equation is when you do get into action to improve your business, you are shown dozens of options. This causes you to overthink your decisions. In this webinar, SCORE will look at ways you can solve these problems in your business with easy-to-implement solutions. Everyone who attends will receive a copy of, “The Marketing Checklist 4: Your Guide for Overwhelmed and Overthinking Entrepreneurs.”

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Bilingual report — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) announces Intake Forms Available December 2 for Home Ownership in San Miguel | Los formularios de admisión están disponibles el 2 de diciembre

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Located in San Miguel, San Luis Obispo County, this new development will see a group of owner-builders constructing 14 single-story homes located at the end of N Street, south of 11th Street. Each home will have 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a two-car garage. They will also come equipped with energy-efficient features and PV solar.  

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Social Justice Fund for Ventura County (SJFVC) announces a Donation Match for Sustainability

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Today, the SJFVC Board of Directors launches a match opportunity. We will match your donation dollar-for-dollar up to a maximum of $8,656 through December 31, 2024. Please take advantage of this chance to make your donation more impactful. Your $250 contribution becomes $500, for example. Click below to “Donate Now” or send a check to Social Justice Fund for Ventura County, P.O. Box 1271, Camarillo, CA 93011.

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Port of Hueneme — CAREGIVERS “Chari-Tee” Putt Putt Golf Tournament: A Celebration of Charity, Community, and Creativity

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PORT OF HUENEME — The rain didn’t detract from the fun of the Annual Channel Islands Gulls “Chari-Tee” Putt Putt Golf Tournament was held in the scenic Silver Strand neighborhood for its fifteenth year in a row. This one-of-a-kind event was supported by contributions from the Port of Hueneme and City of Port Hueneme’s Community Benefit Fund (CBF) to support the local Ventura County nonprofit CAREGIVERS: Volunteers Assisting the Elderly. The Strand Bar & Grill, Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant, The Beachcomber Tavern, La Jenelle Cafe and The Strandwich worked together in helping bring the day’s festivities to reality with Stark Realty hosting Oxnard Local Artists who dedicated a portion of their proceeds to help support volunteer caregiving.

“The work of CAREGIVERS in providing support for Ventura County’s senior population is of critical importance,” said Celina Zacarias, President of the Oxnard Harbor District Board of Commissioners. “The Port is honored to be able to sponsor this event and continue in our mission to enrich our community!”

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Bilingual report — The latest news from the County of Ventura

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Ventura County Fire Department Observes 19th Annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service

On November 20th, first responders, families, community members, and local community leaders came together for the 19th Annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service at the Ventura County Government Center.

This moving ceremony pays tribute to the brave firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the residents of Ventura County. The ceremony included a uniform procession, a moment of silence, and bagpipes were played by the Ventura City Pipes and Drums. The ceremonial firefighters bell rang as names of the fallen were read in memory of their sacrifice and service.

We are forever grateful for their dedication and commitment to keeping our community safe.

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Bilingual report — Ventura County Library offers essential computer and internet resources for residents free of cost

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VENTURA — In the aftermath of the recent Mountain Fire, many Ventura County residents are facing significant challenges, including limited access to computers and the Internet. Whether it is work, school, or essential services, the Ventura County Library has technology resources to connect residents with the vital services and information they need during this difficult time.

The Ventura County Library offers the following resources to the public free of charge: 

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Camarillo’s TruNorth Jets Founder Sarah Oberman receives Business Aviation Top 40 Under 40 award

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CAMARILLO — Sarah Oberman, the founder of private jet charter company TruNorth Jets, has been recognized as one of the top 40 young aviation business professionals in the country by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).

Oberman just received the 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Top 40 Under 40 award, which recognizes emerging leaders who are actively helping shape the future of business aviation. She joins an esteemed group of young professionals driving real change in the aviation industry and setting the standard through impactful contributions.

The NBAA Young Professionals (YoPro) Council receives hundreds of nominations for the award each year. In 2024, the organization received a record number of nominations across nine career categories. The council carefully reviews each submission and selects candidates based on their community involvement, professional achievements, innovative mindset, and commitment to the business aviation community.

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Ventura Music Festival — A Bucket List Opportunity

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Prepare to be captivated as The King’s Singers, the world-renowned vocal ensemble, bring their exceptional artistry to Ventura on December 14, 2024. This celebrated group, formed by choral scholars from King’s College, Cambridge in 1968, is one of the most iconic and versatile a cappella ensembles in the world. Renowned for their unique “Pyramid of Sound,” their technique creates a perfect blend with a strong bass and baritone foundation supporting vibrant, ethereal upper voices. With over 200 commissioned works by some of the world’s leading composers—such as György Ligeti, Richard Rodney Bennett, and John Rutter—The King’s Singers continue to shape the future of choral music while honoring its rich tradition. Now is your chance to be a part of the magic…

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Bilingual report — Indigenous Agricultural Workers in Ventura County Can Get Help to Qualify for Kaiser Permanente’s New Coverage

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VENTURA — Indigenous men, women, and children in Ventura County will have greater access to health care in 2025 thanks to Kaiser Permanente’s health coverage. The new Community Health Care Program (CHCP) from Kaiser Permanente covers low-income individuals, including those who earn slightly more than the threshold for Medi-Cal or who lack legal documentation to reside in the U.S.

To reach those in need of health coverage, Kaiser Permanente has awarded a $200,000 one-year grant to the Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) to support health navigators who provide assistance in the language of the Mixteco Indigenous community.

Health navigators are trained and fluent in indigenous languages such as Mixteco and Zapoteco, as well as Spanish and English, allowing them to overcome language barriers and ultimately help individuals obtain the necessary health care.

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Bilingual report — Local Assistance Center to close (on Nov. 23) after serving close to 300 households impacted by the Mountain Fire

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VENTURA — After serving for 10 days as a one-stop center for fire recovery information and assistance, the Local Assistance Center that was run to assist residents impacted by the Mountain Fire will close its doors on Saturday, November 23, at 7:00 p.m. Residents still seeking services are encouraged to visit the Center by Saturday or they may obtain services after Saturday by visiting existing local County and City of Camarillo government offices.

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Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) — Ventura County Schools Show Progress in Attendance, Graduation Rate, and Academic Performance

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VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Schools are making improvements in attendance, graduation rates, academic performance, and other measures according to new data from the 2024 California School Dashboard released today by the California Department of Education. Highlights for Ventura County include:

GRADUATION RATE: Ventura County’s graduation rate of 89.3% for 2024 has improved by six percentage points since 2021 and is nearly three percentage points better than the statewide rate.
CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM: Ventura County’s chronic absenteeism rate of 18.3% for 2024 marks the third consecutive year of improvement and is more than two percentage points better than the statewide rate.
SUSPENSION RATE: Ventura County’s suspension rate of 3.2% for 2024 is a 0.4% improvement from the prior year and slighter better than the statewide rate.
MATHEMATICS: Ventura County students’ performance in mathematics on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) for 2024 improved by 1.2 percentage points over the prior year.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS: Ventura County students’ performance in English language arts on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress for 2024 improved by 0.63 percentage points over the prior year.

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Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan Launches $1.5 Million Scholarship Program to Strengthen Diversity in Behavioral Health Workforce

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CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) (on Nov. 18) announced the launch of a groundbreaking scholarship program that aims to develop a more diverse behavioral health workforce to ensure Ventura County residents have access to culturally responsive care. The $1.5 million initiative is funded through the state Department of Health Care Services’ Student Behavioral Health Incentive Program (SBHIP), which aims to expand access to behavioral health services for children and adolescents enrolled in Medi-Cal.

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Oxnard Performing Arts Center Nonprofit Corp. (OPAC) launches ‘Lotería de Oxnard:’ A Celebration of the City’s Culture and Community with events on Nov. 30, Dec. 12

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OXNARD — The Oxnard Performing Arts Center Nonprofit Corp. (OPAC) is thrilled to announce the release of “Lotería de Oxnard,” a reimagined, Oxnard-centric take on the traditional Mexican bingo game that highlights the people, places, and iconic things that make Oxnard one-of-a-kind. This project was made possible through the generous support of the Port of Hueneme, commemorated as card #43 in the set

“The Port of Hueneme is more than a global trade hub—it’s a proud part of the fabric of this community and we’re delighted to partner with OPAC in reimagining Lotería as a way to bring people together and celebrate what makes our beautiful region unique,” – Drew Rodriguez, Public & Community Relations Senior Representative for the Port of Hueneme.

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CSUCI students learn dance designed to help those with Parkinsons disease

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CAMARILLO — The CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Dance Studies and Health Science programs teamed up this semester to offer a class designed to help students understand Parkinson’s disease from both a dance and neurological perspective. Plans are to open a community dance therapy clinic class in the Spring semester for Parkinson’s patients in the region.

“We have dance students and Health Science students working together,” said Professor and Chair of Health Science Sonsoles de Lacalle, M.D., Ph.D. “Our goal is to provide a service to the community by setting up a weekly dance studio session for people with Parkinson’s and other members of the community to come and dance with us once a week.”

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UCSB — The Current — ‘A new study in Science maps out a comprehensive plan to eliminate plastic pollution by 2050’ and more news, events

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If policy makers implemented just four policies acting across the plastic lifecycle (from production to use and disposal), researchers say, we could reduce plastic pollution by 91%. 

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Cottage Health Opens New Primary Care Clinic in Goleta

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SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Health announces the opening of a new primary care clinic, Cottage Primary Care—Goleta. Located at 334 S Patterson Ave, Suite 120, the clinic is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is now accepting new patients. Scheduling an appointment can be conveniently done online at cottagehealth.org/gpc

Primary care plays a vital role in maintaining overall health and well-being. At Cottage Primary Care— Goleta, physicians specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of common illnesses and chronic conditions, ensuring patients receive comprehensive care for health issues ranging from minor ailments to more serious conditions.

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Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. Focuses on the Rodney Fernandez Leadership Fund for Giving Tuesday

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VENTURA COUNTY — As the season of giving approaches, Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (Cabrillo EDC) is proud to announce that this year’s Giving Tuesday efforts will center around the Rodney Fernandez Leadership Fund (RFLF) Scholarship Program, a program that has changed lives and opened doors for countless students within the community.

Established in honor of Cabrillo EDC’s founding Executive Director, Rodney Fernandez, the RFLF Scholarship Program provides scholarships to local youth and residents of Cabrillo EDC affordable housing communities, helping them pursue higher education and achieve their career goals. The program embodies Cabrillo EDC’s ongoing commitment to building stronger, more empowered communities through education, support, and leadership development.

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Museum of Ventura County — Keep Art, History, and Hope Alive – Your Support Makes It Possible

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As we reflect on another successful year of bringing history, art, and culture to life, we are excited to share a story that embodies the heart of our mission. It’s the story of Elisa Torres, a young artist whose journey reflects the power of creativity, perseverance, and community—reminding us of why the work we do here at the Museum of Ventura County (MVC) is important.

Elisa’s story began right here in Ventura County. A first-generation Californian born and raised in Oxnard, Elisa’s first job after high school was in an assembly factory, where she worked alongside her mother piecing together fiber optic cables. It was honest work, but not her dream.

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CSUCI surpasses goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. Dept of Energy Better Climate Challenge

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“We are setting an example for other universities by making a positive impact on the environment,” said then-CSUCI Director of Sustainability and Energy Roxane Beigel-Coryell, who entered the University in the DOE’s Better Climate Challenge.

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UCSB — The Current — ‘Frog populations once decimated by disease mount a major comeback’ and more news, events

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Over 17 years, researchers and conservationists team to save, then reintroduce, mountain yellow-legged frogs to lakes in Yosemite where they’d been extirpated by a deadly fungus.

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Moorpark College Alumnus Mike Madrid Recognized as a 2024 Distinguished Alumni Honoree

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MOORPARK — Moorpark College alumnus Mike Madrid will be honored with the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award by the Community College League of California (CCLC) at its Annual Convention on November 22 in Burlingame, California.  

Madrid and fellow honorees Marlin “Skip” Davies (Yuba College) and Mike McGuire (Santa Rosa Junior College) were nominated by their peers and colleges to receive this honor. 

“On behalf of the Community College League of California, I am immensely proud to celebrate the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award honorees,” said Larry Galizio, CCLC president and CEO.  “Their achievements exemplify the transformative power of California’s community colleges and reflect the profound impact our community colleges have on individual lives and our society as a whole.” 

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California Strong Accepting Applications For Financial Assistance By Those Impacted By Mountain Fire

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WESTLAKE VILLAGE — California Strong, founded by the Southeast Ventura County YMCA and professional athletes after the 2018 California wildfires, and dedicated to providing immediate financial support to victims whenever a disaster strikes in the state, is accepting applications for assistance from those impacted by the Mountain Fire. The first round of funding is in early December.

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Bilingual report — County of Ventura reports property tax relief available for property owners affected by the Mountain Fire

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VENTURA — Property owners whose property was physically damaged by the Mountain Fire and sustained losses over $10,000 may be eligible for property tax relief. Through services offered by the Ventura County Assessor’s Office, property owners can work with the office to adjust their property’s current assessment to reflect the damage incurred by the fire and reduce their current year property taxes.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County kicks off the “WICKED Kindness Challenge” in a BIG way!

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VENTURA COUNTY — In a national partnership with NBCUniversal and inspired by the theatrical release of WICKED, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) youth led the creation of “The WICKED Kindness Challenge” – an online experience that explores what kindness really means, for oneself, their family and friends, and the greater community. 

Fifteen BBSVC youth participants of all ages from across the county came together for four full days to brainstorm ideas on what kindness looks like, and how to teach and inspire others to make kindness an everyday part of their lives. They worked closely with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Learning and Development Team, playing a BIG part in structuring, developing, and creating the content and messages for the script and videos for the challenge. A film crew met with youth to create the videos that were featured in the challenge. Everything for the ongoing challenge was organized at the BBSVC@Ventura Youth Room at the Pacific View Mall. 

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Santa Barbara County Food Action Network — Transform the Future of Food

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At the Santa Barbara County Food Action Network, we’re redefining the possibilities in our food system by taking on the risks few others will. We believe that real change requires bold steps, and with your support, we’re ready to go further, building lasting foundations in advocacy, shared resources, and community connections.

We’ve already demonstrated what’s possible. By connecting food producers, policymakers, advocates, technical assistance providers, and more, we’re able to channel resources to the communities that need them most. These early successes are not just local victories—they’re prototypes for sustainable, equitable change across food systems everywhere.

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Ventura County Fire Dept. — Sparking Joy: Annual Holiday Toy Drive Returns to Brighten the Holidays

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This heartwarming community campaign centers around collecting new, unwrapped toys and sports equipment for underserved children and teenagers in Ventura County. In partnership with the American Red Cross, the drive Spark Of Love will prioritize supporting those will work to prioritize families affected impacted by the recent Mountain fire.

Donations of non-perishable food and toys can be made at any participating Spark of Love donation location, ensuring that your generosity directly impacts our local community.

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