Doctoral candidate Elizabeth Driscoll Smith receives a dissertation fellowship to research the impact of transportation on midcentury American folk art.
UCSB — The Current — Rethinking the Term ‘Self-Taught’ and more news, events
Category: Youth
Entries Now Open: 2023 Ventura County Fair Youth Poster Contest
The annual Ventura County Fair Youth Poster Contest is here! Ventura County youth in grades 5-12 are eligible to enter and display their artistic talents, competing to be named the 2023 Youth Poster Contest Winner! Schools, youth organizations, church groups, and individual artists are encouraged to participate!
The Youth Poster Contest is a long-standing tradition in conjunction with the Ventura County Fair. The poster that best depicts the year’s theme will be used to advertise the 2023 Ventura County Fair in a variety of ways – from posters and merchandise, to social media and print. This year’s theme is “The Time of Your Life!” First, second, and third places will be awarded with cash prizes of $500, $250, and $100 respectively.
UCSB — The Current — ‘The Geek Girls of Big Tech’ and more news, events
A new book by sociology professor France Winddance Twine offers firsthand accounts of inequality in Silicon Valley and centers the experiences of Black and Latinx women.
5 Things Adventure Lovers Can Experience In Lompoc
Adventure lovers will find no shortage of fun activities to enjoy in our charming town! A hidden gem for adventuring, Lompoc offers a wide range of thrilling activities and breathtaking landscapes. From skydiving to surfing to visiting shipwrecks or hiking to a waterfall, there’s no shortage of excitement in this beautiful area. With so many thrilling adventures to choose from, Lompoc is the perfect destination for anyone seeking an unforgettable outdoor experience. https://explorelompoc.com/blog/5-fun-things-to-do-in-lompoc-for-adventure-lovers/
Here are five of the most exciting things to do in Lompoc for those who crave adventure and excitement.
2nd-Generation Board Members Make Service A Tradition At Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation in Santa Barbara
For four board members serving on the Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation (PASF) this year, helping young artists achieve their dreams has become a way to give back and to honor traditions of family service.
Members Erin Bonski-Evans, Neil Di Maggio, Marjorie Gies and Noel Lucky, all serve the foundation’s 2023 board as second-generation board members, said the organization’s President of the Board Deborah Bertling. Two members, Bonski-Evans and Di Maggio, once competed for PASF awards themselves. Gies and Lucky have family members who have served on the foundation’s board.
Established in 1982, the Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation provides financial aid to deserving vocal and instrumental students in Santa Barbara County. The annual competition encourages young musicians to strive for excellence and supports them in their growth as performers.
April @ SPAM: Bruce Everett Talks, Free Family Day, Felting Flowers, and More!
ARTIST TALK
Bruce Everett
Saturday, March 25, 2023, from 2 PM to 3 PM
Included with regular museum admission: $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, and free for students and SPAM members
On Saturday, March 25, enjoy a tour of artist Bruce Everett’s current exhibition, “Shadow and Light,” with Everett as your guide! The San Luis Obispo County painter will walk you through the exhibit as he discusses his sixty-year career as an artist, the locations that inspire him, and the process behind his eye-catching landscape paintings. Reservations are not required.
“Shadow and Light: The Landscape Paintings of Bruce Everett” is on view now through July 9, 2023.
The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard celebrates Spring with activities for all
Spring is in bloom, and The Collection at RiverPark is celebrating the season with family-friendly activities to keep your little bunnies hopping with egg-citement! All are welcome to come together to fill your baskets and enjoy classic spring pastimes as a community. From family photos with the Spring Bunny to a basket giveaway, there’s fun for all ages at The Collection.
CSU Board of Trustees approves CSUCI’s proposal for 18 new academic programs
The CSU Board of Trustees this week gave CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) a unanimous green light for a proposal to add 18 new academic programs.
CSUCI President Richard Yao was invited by the Board of Trustees to present the campus’s new Academic Master Plan (AMP) on March 21 in Long Beach. Yao pointed out that the proposal—presented as the University celebrates its 20th anniversary—represents the first significant revision to CSUCI’s AMP in 10 years.
“The degree proposals presented today represent over 15 months of intensive work,” Yao said. “Beginning in December 2021, over 50 faculty members worked in various teams facilitated by our Provost, Dr. Mitch Avila.”
UCSB — The Current — ‘A New Leader’ and more news, events
Bilingual report — Santa Paula Springs Forward with a Bushel of Community Events!
The City of Santa Paula is kicking off the spring season with several exciting events for the community to enjoy. These events provide the perfect opportunity to meet new people while enjoying the beautiful Santa Paula weather. Whether you’re interested in celebrating holidays or simply spending quality time getting to know your neighbors, there is something for everyone in Santa Paula. The City encourages all residents to get involved and mark your calendars for a season of fun and community spirit.
“Community events like Cruise Nights and the ones put on by the Parks and Recreation Department are an essential part of our City’s fabric and provide a unique opportunity for community members to come together and enjoy a shared experience,” said Parks and Recreation Director Gregory Barnes. “These events not only enhance the quality of life in our community but also strengthen the bonds between neighbors and promote a sense of civic pride.”
The Foundation of VCCU gives $40,000 in grants to local nonprofits
The Foundation of VCCU, Ventura County Credit Union’s (VCCU) philanthropic nonprofit organization, has provided $40,000 in grants to eight local nonprofit organizations. The grant money will support these organizations’ efforts to improve the lives of Ventura and Santa Barbara county residents.
Each of the eight nonprofits received a $5,000 grant from The Foundation of VCCU. The grant recipients included Conejo Schools Foundation, Gold Coast Veterans Foundation, Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation, Reins of H.O.P.E., School on Wheels, Social Justice Fund for Ventura County, Ventura County Family Justice Center and Project Bicycle Love. The eight recipients were chosen from a pool of 24 applicants.
All winners attended the virtual grant celebration event on March 8 along with Foundation BOD and Advisory Members.
Procter & Gamble in Oxnard Provides a Record $251,000 to United Way’s Community Impact Effort
Procter & Gamble Oxnard Plant local employees raised a record $200,000 from employee giving in addition to over $51,000 in special events and sponsorship. In addition to giving, P&G employees volunteered their time by packing more than 3,000 Stuff the Bus backpacks and provided Welcome Home Baskets for families housed through United Way’s Landlord Engagement Program.
“The P&G Oxnard Plant is proud to partner with United Way to serve the most vulnerable in our community with this philanthropic support,” said Rachel Buchenroth, Plant Manager of Procter & Gamble Oxnard. “Our team really rose to the occasion through our engagement, innovation, and generosity of gifts. P&G has a longstanding commitment in creating positive change locally in Ventura County, and I am pleased with our collective impact.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) names Danica Selvaggio as Chief Executive Officer
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) – a youth mentoring non-profit serving Ventura County for over 50 years – has announced that Danica Selvaggio as Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2023.
Selvaggio has been with BBSVC since 2014 and has served as the agency’s Vice President of Marketing and Vice President of Programs under the agency’s previous CEO of 34 years, Lynne West, before serving as Interim Chief Executive Officer for the 2022 calendar year. Selvaggio was instrumental in BBSVC obtaining the coveted Gold Standard Award for both 2021 and 2022, a designation by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America that celebrates programmatic and fiscal excellence determined by nationwide best practices.
Malcolm McDowell Returns to Museum of Ventura County, more news, events
Ivor Davis:
Up Close & Personal
with
Malcolm McDowell
Saturday, March 25, 2023
6:30PM—8:00PM
@ Museum of Ventura County
?
MVC Member In-Person: Free
MVC Member Zoom: Free
Nonmember In-Person: $10
Nonmember Zoom: $5
Join us for the next installment of Ivor Davis: Up Close & Personal with legendary actor and raconteur extraordinaire, Malcolm McDowell.
March News from People’s Self-Help Housing
March is Women’s History Month, and the history of People’s has primarily been shaped by women. Starting in our earliest years nearly five decades ago, under the leadership of our founding Executive Director, through today’s governance lead by our Board of Directors Chair, principally women have driven our successes.
History continues to be made by the women of People’s through the talents of our women, representing over 60% of our staff, more than 66% of our supervisors, and a majority of our Board Members. Since the majority of our residents are women, it’s fitting that the voices of women are the primary decision makers and policymakers historically and today at People’s.
This will continue to be a priority value for our organization, to approach our ongoing strategies for meeting needs of women, designed by women for women, under our guiding principal of “nothing about her without her.”
The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara and Food Bank of Santa Barbara County Hold Monthly Food Distribution Event for Community Members
The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) hosted its monthly Healthy Food Pantry event on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Presidio Springs Community Room located at 721 Laguna St, Santa Barbara, CA. The Healthy Food Pantry events are a collaboration between HACSB, 2nd Story Associates, and the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, who provides the supply of food.
Every third Wednesday of the month, the Housing Authority and Foodbank of Santa Barbara County provide local community members with a bag of fresh produce and nonperishables. Approximately 145 bags of food are given out at each event.
??”Food insecurity is still prevalent in our community and it is a fundamental need in Santa Barbara. The Housing Authority’s monthly food distribution aims to fill that necessity and continue to provide this important resource to those experiencing a hardship,” said Leticia Zuniga, HACSB Resident Programs Specialist.
Aída Hurtado, chair of Chicano and Chicana studies, is named a fellow of the American Education Research Association
A lot goes into the selection for a prestigious fellows program, including a peer-nomination process, a selection committee and a governing board’s approval — and Aída Hurtado, who was recently named an American Education Research Association (AERA) fellow, doesn’t take that for granted.
“I was honored to be selected as an AERA fellow because I know the process by which the selection takes place, and it’s arduous,” said Hurtado, Luis Leal Endowed Chair of the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies at UC Santa Barbara. “Your colleagues have to rally around you, so the fact that people did that for me was meaningful.”
Hurtado is among 24 individuals named to the 2023 AERA Fellows Program which honors scholars for their exceptional contributions to education research. Her work has focused on intersectional feminisms, particularly the effects of gender on educational success. In a novel way, she has looked at educational achievement with a focus on Latinas and Chicanas, ultimately disproving the idea that traditional Latino families just want their children to get married and have more children.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Filming Proteins in Motion’ and more news, events
Coalition for Family Harmony Opens a Second Domestic Violence Shelter for Indigenous Survivors of Violence
The Coalition for Family Harmony (Coalition) is proud to announce a second domestic violence shelter serving indigenous survivors of domestic violence that opened in February 2023. Coalition was awarded funding from Cal OES in a competitive application to provide emergency housing to a specialized population. Using a peer-based model of service, the new shelter is staffed with trilingual advocates of various languages to better serve survivors who hesitate to reach out because they are undocumented and have language barriers.
Bilingual report — COVID-19 Poster Art Contest Winners to be Announced on March 24 at Family Art Night!
The Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation (OPAC) and El Concilio Family Services will exhibit artwork from the finalists and announce the winners of the COVID-19 Poster Art Contest at OPAC’s Family Art Night on Friday, March 24, 2023. Free and open to the public, the event takes place from 5 to 8 pm with a short program/award ceremony beginning at 6:30 pm.
A way to continue to educate youth, families and the community about COVID’s continued presence and ways we can all stay safe and healthy, the COVID-19 Poster Art Contest received over 300 submissions from across Ventura County!
Ventura County Animal Services — Fee-Waived Bunny Adoptions THIS WEEKEND at the Camarillo Shelter!
Fee-Waived Bunny Adoptions this weekend (March 18th -19th) at the Camarillo Animal Shelter in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day! Rabbits make the perfect indoor pet as they’re quiet, litter-box trained, and don’t require walks! Visit www.vcas.us/rabbits to view our bunnies, submit an application, and schedule an appointment. Questions? Contact our VCAS Bunny Brigade directly at VCASbunnybrigade@gmail.com. Applications must be submitted by March 19th to qualify for this promotion, but know that promotions do not guarantee the adoption of a shelter pet. All interested parties must participate in the full adoption process to ensure the best possible matches are made. 🙂
Weekend Plans? Spend It at the Santa Paula Art Museum. Other upcoming events on March 14, 18; April 2
EXHIBIT PREMIERE
“Shadow and Light: The Landscape Paintings of Bruce Everett”
Saturday, March 11, 2023, from 4 PM to 6 PM
$5 for SPAM Members, $10 for Non-members
With an eye for the drama of shadow and light, San Luis Obispo County artist Bruce Everett presents a survey of sweeping landscape paintings from his sixty-year career, delivering awe-inspiring views of Los Angeles north to the Central Coast. Meet the artist and enjoy wine, beer, and hors d’oeuvres during the premiere reception on Saturday, March 11. Many of the artworks will be available for purchase. Reservations are not required.
“Shadow and Light” will be on view from March 11, 2023, to July 9, 2023.
LEARN MORE >>
City of Santa Paula Secures Grants for Transportation and Broadband Improvements
The City of Santa Paula continues to invest staff time and research in its grant application efforts to supplement the City’s budget. As a result of these efforts, the City received a $1.5 million Transportation Development Act (TDA) grant from the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) to expand the City’s cycling infrastructure. Additionally, Santa Paula was awarded a $192,050 grant through the California Public Utilities Commission’s Local Agency Technical Assistance (LATA) Program to develop a citywide broadband master plan.
“These grants represent a significant step forward in our efforts to make Santa Paula a more vibrant and sustainable City,” said Mayor Andy Sobel. “The new bike infrastructure and broadband master plan will help us advance modernization efforts and offer benefits for residents and visitors to enjoy. I am excited to see these projects come to life and appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation during their implementation.”
Celebrate Spring with the Museum of Ventura County
Summer Vegetable Gardening Workshop
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
10AM—11AM
@ Agriculture Museum
Free Admission
Certified Master Gardener Lee Rosenboom will share how to prepare for your summer vegetable garden. Learn what to plant and when, how to prepare your soil, and useful tips about fertilizing, irrigating, and vegetable garden pests. Presented by the UC Master Gardeners.
Bilingual report — County of Ventura presents $5 million to CSU Channel Island to expand Early Childhood Care and Education Center
On Saturday, March 4, the County of Ventura presented a check for $5 million to CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) in support of the CSUCI Early Childhood Care and Education Center and programs. The Center is intended to support expanded programs in childcare and educational enrichment for pre-school aged children of university students and farmworker families in the community. This expansion is part of a greater initiative by CSUCI to increase local access to childcare in order to support working families during a time in which there is a growing need for increased numbers of early childhood education workers.
“Thanks to the proactive leadership of the late Supervisor Carmen Ramirez, who was a champion for CSUCI and this center, I am pleased to have had the opportunity to support the allocation of these funds alongside my board colleagues,” stated District 5 Supervisor Vianey Lopez. “These funds ensure the County’s ongoing commitment to the development of youth, educational programs, and opportunities for families in our County.”
FIRST Robotics Competition Brings the Excitement of Sport and Rigor of Science and Tech to the Port of Hueneme
The excitement of sport combined with the rigors of science and technology brought together 1,400 high school students along with their 44 life-sized robots to test the power of collaboration and measure the effectiveness of innovations for the Hueneme Port Regional FIRST Robotics Competition. The Port of Hueneme is host to the competition that will take place over two consecutive weekends from March 4-5 and March 11-12.
Jess Herrera, President of the Oxnard Harbor District addressed the students before the start of the competition by stating he was very proud of the skill and determination on display.
“Don’t be afraid to make a mistake because that’s how things progress in life,” Herrera said. “To the students, I salute all of you. You’re talented and be very proud of your outcomes.”
Bilingual report — Free Tax Preparation Services Offered at Moorpark College Volunteers in Ventura County Help Those with Low-Moderate Incomes File for Available Tax Credits Through VITA Program
Tax season is upon us and low- to moderate-income Ventura County residents are encouraged to take advantage of ways to put more money back in their pocket with the help of United Way of Ventura County’s (UWVC) Volunteer Income TaxAssistance (VITA) Program.
On March 18, 2023, IRS certified volunteers will be at Moorpark College to prepare and e-file state and federal tax returns for households with incomes under $60,000. Tax preparers assist tax filers to access the tax credits to which they are eligible. You may qualify for state and federal Earned Income Tax Credit.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a tax credit for low-to-moderate income working families and individuals. The EITC can help you reduce your tax liability and, in many cases put money in your pocket. You must file your taxes to receive the EITC, even if you did not earn enough money to be required to file.
SBCC announces finalists for Superintendent/President
Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) announces the selection of three finalists for the position of Superintendent/President. The finalists for the position are Erika Endrijonas, Ph.D., current Superintendent/President of Pasadena City College; Richard Storti, Ph.D., current Executive Vice Chancellor of San Mateo County Community College District; and Katrina VanderWoude, Ph.D., current Vice Chancellor of Los Angeles Community College District.
Read more about the Superintendent/President candidates here.
The candidates were chosen by a 19-member screening committee comprised of credit and non-credit students, faculty, classified professionals and administrators; the SBCC Foundation; community members; and members of the SBCC Board of Trustees. The Superintendent/President search committee unanimously identified the finalists through an extensive screening process that began in November, 2022. Since January 20, 2023, the committee reviewed 36 candidate applications and conducted Zoom interviews of 14 candidates, followed by in-person interviews of eight semi-finalists.
OC LIVE Presents True Stories of Courage and Survival Alicia Doyle and Flo Trapani on March 9 in honor of Women’s History Month
Meet two women who defied the odds and fought stereotypes, abuse, and bias. Two-time Golden Glove boxing champion and award-winning author Alicia Doyle is joined by path-breaking law enforcement officer Flo Trapani, the subject of Doyle’s new book,The Oath. Discover their inspiring journeys of courage and survival in today’s world, and learn what it takes to tell your story!
OLLI classes include examination of local agricultural history through the lens of farm labor
A new course offered by Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) during its Spring II 2023 session will examine the history of Ventura County agriculture through the lens of farm labor.
Registration for all courses opens March 6, and classes will take place between March 20 and May 5. OLLI at CSUCI allows adults aged 50 and up to take university-level courses without concern about grades, career preparation or degree requirements.
Theresa Avila, an Assistant Professor at CSUCI who teaches non-Western Art History, will present “Ventura County Agrarian Labor History,” which will include agricultural practices and worker strikes. Students will tour the traveling Smithsonian exhibition “Dolores Huerta: Revolution in the Fields/Revolución en los Campos,” a contemporary art exhibit called “Stories of Labor From the Fields of Ventura County” and a display on local Bracero history at CSUCI.
“I’m interested in looking broadly at agrarian history and labor movements that happened and what motivated them because they speak to the industries being developed here and help us understand our ties us to national history, issues and labor movements,” said Avila, whose grandfather was a farmer in the Imperial Valley. “My hope is that the participants will develop a better understanding of and appreciation for the community that surrounds the campus.”
UCSB — The Current — ‘The Romeo and Juliet of Transcarpathia’ and more news, events
The Carsey-Wolf Center screens the restored Ukrainian classic “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors.”
`Well-regarded’ CSUCI counseling services accredited
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) has received accreditation that has been earned by only nine of the 23 California State University campuses.
The designation from the International Accreditation of Counseling Services (IACS) ensures that the mental health care provided to students meets the gold standard. Through a comprehensive peer review process, IACS confirms the highest standards are being met, validates professional excellence and distinguishes standout counseling centers with its accreditation seal of approval. It assesses counseling and clinical services, ethical standards, personnel, resources and relationships within the university community.
“It is clear that CAPS offers a well-regarded and comprehensive program,” said IACS Executive Director Ann Patterson in the letter announcing the eight-year accreditation.
March @ SPAM: Mary Neville Talks, Bruce Everett Premieres, Free Family Day, and More!
ARTIST TALK
Mary Neville
Saturday, March 4, 2023, from 2 PM to 3 PM
Included with regular museum admission: $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, and free for students and SPAM members
On Saturday, March 4, enjoy a tour of Ojai artist Mary Neville’s current solo exhibition, “Field Trip: 30 Days at a Higher Elevation,” with Neville as your guide! Mary will share the stories behind her month-long artist residency at Ghost Ranch in northern New Mexico, and how the experience inspired her newest series of abstract, mixed media artworks. Reservations are not required.
“Field Trip” is on view now through May 7, 2023.
VIEW VIRTUAL EXHIBIT >>
Pacifica Graduate Institute Celebrates Black History
In celebration of the historical achievements of Black/African Americans for our country and specifically for our community, Pacifica Graduate Institute and its Alumni Association hosted a landmark celebration on Friday, February 17 at their Lambert Road Campus.
In keeping with this year’s national theme, Black Resistance, as chosen by The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (asalh.org), the Institute emphasized the message with a directive to: “Honor the Past, Embrace the Present, Celebrate the Future.”
“I am extremely proud of our Black students, faculty, alumni, Board of Trustees, and all of our people who have contributed to the illustrious history, growth, and success, not only of Pacifica Graduate Institute, but of our local community,” said Dr. Leonie H. Mattison, President & CEO of Pacifica. “I look forward to supporting, strengthening, and nourishing an equitable and inclusive environment that promotes, respects, and encourages diversity in its fullest sense.”
International Women’s Day on March 8 is a special cause for celebration for Thousand Oaks non-profit
This year’s International Women’s Day theme of “Innovation and technology for gender equality” is a special cause for celebration to The Greater Contribution, a Thousand Oaks non-profit that provides women in Uganda with a hand up, not a hand out.
For the past 17 years, the organization’s grassroots fundraising here at home has empowered thousands of women in remote villages of Uganda, Africa, with micro loans so that they can start their own businesses, lift their families out of poverty, and elevate their status in a culture that has oppressed them for generations.
On International Women’s Day March 8th, The Greater Contribution will be celebrating a new milestone as it reaches a record of 26,076 loans issued to date, with a remarkable 93% repayment rate. And for every woman enrolled in the program, an additional seven people are aided by their triumphs.
“Upon competition of a two-year curriculum where we provide literacy and business skills training, along with mentoring and peer counseling, our women borrowers enjoy dignity with their successes,” says founder Karon Wright. “That translates into more gender equality in the workplace, or food on the table, and a chance for their children to attend school.”
Bilingual report — Ventura County Public Health, Ventura Coast Milk Bank, Breastfeeding Coalition Of Ventura County, And University Of California Health Milk Bank Partner To Bring First Milk Depot To Ventura County
Recently, a group of non-profit and government partners hosted an inaugural milk collection event to kick-off the opening of the first Milk Depot in Ventura County, located at the North Oxnard Women Infant and Children Program (WIC) site.
The Women Infant and Children Program (WIC) within Ventura County Public Health, a department of the Ventura County Health Care Agency, Ventura Coast Milk Bank, the Breastfeeding Coalition of Ventura County (The Breastfeeding Coalition), and University of California Health Milk Bank (UC Health Milk Bank) collaborated to locally implement a program that will supply premature and medically ill infants with human donor milk.
Dolores Huerta to attend Smithsonian exhibition events on March 8
The only Southern California display of a traveling Smithsonian exhibition on Dolores Huerta will open Wednesday, March 8, at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) with a daylong series of events featuring the 92-year-old civil rights activist reading to children and discussing activism with local leaders.
“Dolores Huerta: Revolution in the Fields/Revolución en los Campos” will run through May 7 in the John Spoor Broome Library Exhibition Hall.
The exhibition shares the compelling story of Huerta and the farmworkers movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Featuring text in English and Spanish, it explores Huerta’s public life as a co-founder of the United Farm Workers Union and what led her to become a Latina civil rights icon. She tirelessly led the fight for racial and labor justice along Cesar Chavez and continues to this day.
“As a Hispanic Serving Institution, it is important that the campus create culturally relevant programming that contributes to all students’ success. The Center for Community Engagement, in partnership with the Broome Library, saw an opportunity to do just that with the hosting of this traveling exhibition that introduces Dolores Huerta’s work as a civil rights icon to the next generation of young leaders and keeps her legacy of activism alive,” said Pilar Pacheco, Director of the Center for Community Engagement. “This is especially important at a time when so much of history is being silenced and erased. Hers is a voice and story that is to be celebrated today and always.”
Southeast Ventura County YMCA Launches Its ‘Imagine’ Annual Fundraising Campaign
The Southeast Ventura County YMCA has launched its 2023 “Imagine” annual fundraising campaign. Its goal is to raise $200,000 by March 22 so the Y can continue to offer its programs to those in need.
In 2022, the Y hosted 400 young scholars in its Find My Genius summer program for low- to moderate-income students who could benefit from continued academic and social/emotional growth over the summer. The YMCA offered its “Safety Around Water” course to 526 children last year. Children took part in this no-cost program that teaches the basics of water safety and how to be safer near and around water. The Y also gave $217,000 in scholarships to support participants in childcare, summer camp and teen and membership programs who could not otherwise afford to participate.
Social Justice Fund for Ventura County — February update
As we progress through this year, the SJFVC is thankful for the beautiful green hills, the incredible progress made by our Fellows, and the exciting updates from our SJFVC team:
The SJFVC team met to plan and set goals for 2023.Building on the accomplishments and support of the donors and community members in 2022, we plan to continue to fund up to 5 Fellows in 2023, reinforce our coaching and training efforts for the Fellows, and hold in-person events. Our next in-person event will be held in Nyeland Acres to support that community and the efforts our Fellow Brenda Heredia is making to bring health services to the area. There will also be a celebratory event for the Fellows in the Fall. We will be sending out dates soon!
UCSB — The Current — ‘Celebrating Black Creators’
A new Carsey-Wolf Center initiative shines a light on the influence and impact of Black artists.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County’s Golf Classic announces 50th Anniversary Celebration: Title Sponsor Needed!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) is seeking a philanthropically-minded Title Sponsor to help commemorate the 50th anniversary of the agency’s annual Golf Classic. BBSVC’s Golf Classic is the organization’s top-performing event, which delivers the funds necessary to support mentoring programs for over 1000 youth facing adversity in Ventura County.
This year’s tournament will be held on Monday, May 8, 2023. The BBSVC Golf Classic is returning to The Spanish Hills Club in Camarillo for a day of golf, entertainment, giveaways, auctions, and the 50th Anniversary After-Party. “A Title Sponsor who aligns with our agency’s mission of youth mentorship would help BBSVC make a powerful statement that we are ready to come together as a community to support youth connectivity, individual youth success, and youth mental health,” says BBSVC CEO Danica Selvaggio.
CSUCI Professor of English wins statewide award for excellence in the classroom
CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Professor of English Mary Adler will accept the California Association of Teachers of English (CATE) Award for Classroom Excellence on Friday, March 3 during the CATE annual convention in Monterey.
“Mary is a longtime board member of both local and state English teaching associations,” said Southland Council of Teachers of English President Jennifer Silver, who nominated Adler.
“Her conscientiousness and dedication to her students and to the profession is unparalleled. It is an honor to know her and extend our gratitude.”
Adler, who has nominated and selected award recipients as a Southland CATE board member, was delighted to be nominated and selected herself. In the past, she has nominated one of her CSUCI colleagues, Associate Professor of English Georgina Guzmán, who won the award in 2018.
Shell-ebrate All Things Mermaid At 8th Annual ‘March is Mermaid Month’ At Ventura Harbor Village in Ventura
VENTURA — A tail of a good time awaits mermaids and mermen as they return to the sea for the 8th Annual “March Is Mermaid Month” at Ventura Harbor Village, a mer-mazing, month-long celebration. All events are FREE to the public…
SBCC’s The Bridge Newsletter — February 2023
SBCC director Creative Writing, Activities Director, RISE Peer Tutor+Mentor Project, and Editor of Open Fruit, Joshua Escobar, was recently awarded the 2023 Bo Huston Prize for his works, Califorkya Voltage, XXOX FM and Bareback Nightfall. Joshua was awarded $2,000 and editorial support for one year leading to publication of an original book. The award is given annually to honor Bo Huston (1959-1993), author of four books, including The Dream Life.
UCSB — Sal Castro Memorial Conference honors professor Mario T. García and his 47 years at UC Santa Barbara
Among the first generation of professionally trained historians to excavate and record Chicano and Chicana history, UC Santa Barbara professor Mario T. García helped set the foundation for emerging scholars during the past half century.
His body of work as a self-described liberationist historian aiming to inspire progressive social change includes more than a dozen books and several edited collections, all of which advance the inclusion of the poor and oppressed, and spotlight the leaders of social justice movements.
García’s legacy will be the focus of a special symposium as part of the sixth bi-annual Sal Castro Memorial Conference(link is external), Feb. 17–18, in the McCune Conference Room of the campus’s Humanities & Social Sciences Building. Named after Salvador “Sal” Castro, a high school social studies teacher who helped lead the historic 1968 Chicano student walkouts to protest bias and inequalities in the Los Angeles Unified School District, the conference is free and open to the public.
Guest speakers will cover recent books about the Chicano movement, plus history, art and culture. The symposium on García’s work will include a keynote video presentation about his life and career, a panel discussion on civil rights leadership and reflections on his work’s impact on graduate students and fellow academics.
Bilingual report — Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara! announces three free performances of Grandeza Mexicana on March 17, 18, 19
Grandeza Mexicana is L.A.’s premier folk ballet company, preserving the traditions and customs of Mexico’s historic past and promising present. A nonprofit performing arts organization founded by Jose Vences in September 2003, the company was formed to advance the field of Mexican folk ballet and to enhance the public’s appreciation for the diversity and depth of Mexican culture. Backed by careful research, Grandeza Mexicana’s work is committed to preserving the traditions and customs of Mexico.
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Grandeza Mexicana, una compañía de ballet folklórico de Los Ángeles, conserva las tradiciones y costumbres históricas así como también del presente prometedor de México. La organización benéfica de artes escénicas fue fundada por José Vences en septiembre de 2003. La compañía se formó para avanzar el campo del ballet folklórico mexicano y aumentar la apreciación del público por la diversidad y profundidad de la cultura mexicana. Grandeza Mexicana está comprometida a la preservación de las tradiciones y costumbres de México.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Toward Fatter Understandings’ and more news, events
Feminist studies postdoctoral scholar Caleb Luna centers fat experiences in cultural critique through research, podcast and poetry.
YMCA’s Model United Nations For Middle Schoolers Begins March 9
The YMCA’s Model United Nations for middle schoolers will begin in the Conejo Valley on March 9. Students in grades sixth through eighth are eligible. The program is sponsored by the Southeast Ventura County YMCA.
The 10-week program gives participants an opportunity to discuss international issues, discover other cultures, develop life-enhancing skills and meet new friends from across California.
From March 9 through May 17, the Conejo Valley delegation meets weekly on Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Yarrow Family YMCA (31105 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Westlake Village). Participants will also attend a training conference on March 25 at UCLA and a statewide Summit conference at Camp Pali Mountain in Running Springs on May 19 to 21.
Early Summer Day Camp Registration Begins At Southeast Ventura County YMCA Branches
Southeast Ventura County YMCA branches are taking early registrations for their summer day camps. Camp is from June 20 to August 18 through the Yarrow Family YMCA and from June 5 to August 4 through the Simi Valley Family YMCA.
Campers in TK to 5th grade can attend full-time (four to five days a week) or part-time (two to three days a week) for the entire camp session or selected weeks. Leadership-In-Training camp is for 6th to 8th graders (full-time only).
Onsite activities include sports, swimming, arts and crafts and in-person shows based on the campers’ age group. Camp hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Extended care hours are 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at no additional charge.
By Strengthening Their Relationship, Parents Can Improve Outcomes for Children
“Strengthening your relationship can not only improve your personal happiness, but improve the overall wellbeing of the family,” said Alison Espínola, Family Service Agency’s Health & Human Services (HHS) Grant Manager. “Research shows that children are safer, healthier, and more likely to thrive when adults in their lives have healthy relationships—whether or not they are married or romantically involved.”
Maintaining any relationship requires on-going effort. The good news is that there are tools available to help couples achieve their goals in relationships and with their family.