Category: Youth

Dec. 2 — Bilingual report — SBCC School of Extended Learning’s Arts & Crafts Fair a must for holiday shoppers

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Just in time for the holiday gift-giving season, more than 50 arts and crafts faculty and students from the SBCC School of Extended Learning will be selling their wares at Wake Campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2. Community members are encouraged to stop by and view and/or purchase one-of-a-kind works including ceramics, jewelry items, fabric arts, cards, glass art and more — crafted by their very own friends and neighbors.
Shoppers can also enjoy a catered lunch during the Fair, available for purchase by Chef Rene’s Cuisine.

Dec. 2 — Bilingual report — Ventura County Animal Services announces return of Santa Paws – Pet Portaits with Santa!

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2023 • Comments Off

hiatus due to the pandemic! Join us at the Camarillo Animal Shelter, 600 Aviation Drive, on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023, from 10:00am to 12:00pm for a festive professional photo session with the one and only Santa Claus!

Capture the magic of the season with your furry friends at the most anticipated holiday photo event of the year! Embrace the holiday spirit and come dressed in festive attire, casual wear, or even matching pajamas – it’s all about capturing those heartwarming moments!

Dec. 6 — CLU School of Management presenting upcoming Sports Competition talk

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2023 • Comments Off

Wednesday, December 6 | 5:00 (PT) | Lundring Events Center

The competition, presented by the School of Management’s Sports Management program, is designed for students to comprehend how sport organizations’ brand value can drive sustainable innovation.

Through a theory-driven project, students use exploratory research to create a cause activation plan on behalf of an existing sport league or organization. Judged by sport industry executives, students learn how to propose innovative solutions for a better world from a business perspective.

Dec. 6 — Sports are More than a Game for Cal Lutheran Students

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2023 • Comments Off

THOUSAND OAKS — California Lutheran University’s Sports Management program, part of the School of Management, is governed by an overarching commitment: Make a better world while providing innovative solutions to problems facing the sports and entertainment industry. The Cal Lutheran Sports Management Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Competition 2023 showcases the students’ application of these humanistic and business-related goals. The competition will be 5-7 p.m. Dec. 6 in the Lundring Events Center on the Cal Lutheran campus, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. The public is invited to attend to witness the evolution of innovation through the minds of the next wave of change agents.

Dec. 20 — One805 to host Alan Parsons and Friends Birthday Tribute Concert at the Lobero Theatre Benefiting Local First Responders

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2023 • Comments Off

One805 will host a tribute concert in honor of Alan Parsons’ 75th Birthday to raise funds for Santa Barbara County First Responders on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at the Lobero Theatre (33 E Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101).

The lineup includes Alan Parsons OBE, Michael McDonald, Al Stewart, Joe Bonamassa, Terry Sylvester (The Hollies), David Pack (Ambrosia), magicians Stetson and Bill Cook, as well as special guests in an all-star musical and magical tribute concert to Alan on his 75th birthday.

Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) — Your support is needed!

by Community Contributor • December 29, 2022 • Comments Off

For over twenty years, our caring supportive service teams have responded with compassion, expertise, and a friendly smile to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to be at their best. Whether it’s a visit from a social worker, help with homework, or connections to the community, our counselors, educators, and advocates are alongside in moments of need.

Explore Lompoc — The Four Best Places To Watch a Sunset on the Central Coast in Lompoc California Off Of Scenic California Highway 1

by Community Contributor • December 29, 2022 • Comments Off

With the winter solstice debuting this month, what better time than now to take a midweek/weekend getaway to view a spectacular winter sunset on California’s Central Coast.

Here are Lompoc California’s Top 4 Picks to view a tranquil one-of-a-kind winter sunset:

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network is Ahead of the Curve

by Community Contributor • December 28, 2022 • Comments Off

Last month, food systems took the global stage as a legitimate solution to the climate crisis. For the first time ever, COP27 hosted a Food and Agriculture Pavilion where local, national, and global farmers and food system stakeholders convened to develop solutions for how we can ensure the path from farm to table is more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.

Top line solutions included funding and financing, inclusive policy-making, and innovative approaches implemented by a diverse group of food producers. While global leaders play catch-up, SBCFAN is already helping implement these solutions by:

connecting food system projects to accessible, affordable, and equitable funding and financing opportunities
facilitating food policy coordination, navigation, and advocacy
supporting the development of new and innovative food system projects by a diverse group of stakeholders

VCCCD Installs Three Trustees and Elects Board Leadership

by Community Contributor • December 23, 2022 • Comments Off

Longtime Ventura County resident and educator Lou Lichtl joined the Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees during the District’s Annual Organizational Meeting on Dec. 13. Lichtl was installed with trustees Joshua Chancer and Gabriela Torres, who were re-elected in November.

At the meeting, Trustee Bernardo M. Perez, who has served on the board of trustees since 2010, was elected board chair. Torres was elected vice chair, and Chancellor Rick MacLennan will serve as secretary.

“I look forward to working with my fellow trustees to continue our commitment to bettering the lives of students at Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges and strengthening our partnerships with the community,” said Perez, who is serving his fourth term as chair over his 12 years on the board. He has a long history of dedication and involvement in Ventura County, having served previously as mayor of the City of Moorpark and a member of the Moorpark City Council.

The five-member board of trustees, which also includes Trustee Stan Mantooth, works collaboratively to adopt policies that oversee all activities relating to the business of the District and Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges. Student Trustee Azure Heirshberg advocates on behalf of VCCCD students.

Bilingual report — A No-Cost Building & Construction Trades Pre-Apprenticeship for Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo County Residents!

by Community Contributor • December 20, 2022 • Comments Off

The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC), Workforce Development Board of San Luis Obispo County (WDBSLO), Workforce Development Board of Santa Barbara County (WDBSB), and the Tri-Counties Building & Construction Trades Council are offering accelerated pre-apprenticeship training at no cost to residents in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties. This pre-apprenticeship training is designed to prepare applicants to successfully enter full time paid apprenticeships and employment in a multitude of Construction Trades.

Every GIFT to MVC brings people together!

by Community Contributor • December 19, 2022 • Comments Off

During this holiday season, we have been asking our community to tell us their favorite highlight from the Museum. Elena Brokaw, The Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director of the Museum of Ventura County, recently shared her favorite MVC highlight and her son added his emphatic favorite as well.

We would love to hear what you love about the Museum. Please consider enhancing the cultural life of our region with your support for our exhibits, collections, and programs. You can donate by clicking on the button below. Please be sure to note your favorite MVC highlight on the donation page.

From Santa Paula to the halls of the nation’s capital, CSUCI senior learns to be a voice for the vulnerable

by Community Contributor • December 16, 2022 • Comments Off

When she arrived in Washington D.C. to spend the Fall semester as a Panetta Institute Congressional Intern, CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Chicana/o Studies major Lyzette Cornejo felt like she didn’t quite belong.

“I had ‘trespassing syndrome,’” she said. “It’s like the imposter syndrome. You feel like you’re trespassing into the spaces of power. I felt like a trespasser because I’m a woman of color.”

But it wasn’t long until Cornejo realized she was exactly where she needed to be, and that her voice indeed mattered.

“I helped in drafting a bill!” Cornejo said. “They weren’t afraid of having an intern involved in the first draft of a bill. They wanted to put my opinion in this bill to make sure every voice was heard. I was so surprised when the senior legislative officer said: ‘What do you think about this?’ My opinion mattered.”

December News from People’s Self-Help Housing

by Community Contributor • December 15, 2022 • Comments Off

Thanks to your continued and generous support, we are encouraged to be ending 2022 strong! Though many challenges came along this year, there has been much to celebrate:

Construction Pipeline: Taking advantage of all possible solutions to the continuing housing crisis, we put 1,300 units into our pipeline. We built new units, substantially rehabilitated existing ones, and secured several new tracts for ‘self-help’ owner builders.
Creative Collaborations: The brick-and-mortar of construction is only part of the multi-faceted challenge of development. The quest for buildable land saw us creatively collaborating with state and local governments, private owners, and faith-based partners.

Bilingual report — Lumina Alliance launches campaign supporting parents of school aged youth

by Community Contributor • December 15, 2022 • Comments Off

Lumina Alliance is launching ReDefine Parenting: An educational program focused on improving the social, emotional and physical well-being of children and pre-teen boys.

Parents are tasked with an impossible job: Raise and educate children, while navigating life and family, with no guidance or resources, in the midst of a changing and turbulent world. ReDefine Parenting aims to support parents and caregivers by providing them the tools to tackle some of the most difficult and nuanced issues facing youth today.

Museum of Ventura County presents Las Posadas Dec. 17 at Agriculture Museum, Santa Paula. See other events here

by Community Contributor • December 15, 2022 • Comments Off

Las Posadas
?Saturday, December 17th from 6-8pm
at the Agriculture Museum
Free
Las Posadas (The Inns in Spanish) is a Latinx traditional holiday that commemorates the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of lodging and a safe refuge for Mary to give birth to Jesus. After nine days of searching for lodging (Las Posadas are celebrated December 16th through 24th, representing the nine days), an Innkeeper gave Mary and Joseph shelter in a stable as there was no room at the inns.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Recording Latinx Dance Histories’ and more events, news

by Community Contributor • December 15, 2022 • Comments Off

Former Ballet Hispánico leader Kiri Avelar takes a borderlands approach to understanding the American dance archive as a doctoral research fellow.

SBCC’s The Bridge Newsletter – DECEMBER 2022

by Community Contributor • December 14, 2022 • Comments Off

Recruitment of new Superintendent/President underway
Recruitment of SBCC’s new superintendent/president officially began on Dec. 7. For a full job description, hiring timeline and updates, visit the SBCC Superintendent/President search webpage.

Registration for Spring 2023 at SBCC now open

by Community Contributor • December 14, 2022 • Comments Off

Santa Barbara City College is pleased to announce that class registration for the Spring 2023 semester is now open to everyone in the community. Classes begin on Monday, Jan. 23. SBCC offers classes for credit for students looking to pursue an associate degree or certificate, including those needed to transfer to a four-year university. It also offers a variety of noncredit programs through its School of Extended Learning in areas including English as a Second Language, classes for older adults and career skills building.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley still needs your help

by Community Contributor • December 14, 2022 • Comments Off

There’s still time for you to help make a difference! By supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley this December, you’ll be increasing our ability to impact even more lives in 2023. Your continued generosity this holiday season can bring LEAP programming to any youth who needs it in the New Year.

Please visit our website to give and don’t forget to share our goals and programs on social media!

20th Annual Chanukah Festival Celebrates Sculpting & Lighting of Six-Foot Ice Menorah, Snow, Treats & More At Ventura Harbor Village on Dec. 25

by Community Contributor • December 13, 2022 • Comments Off

Gather together with the entire family to celebrate the eighth night of Chanukah at the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival on Sunday, December 25, 2022, from 2:30-4:30pm at the Ventura Harbor Village presented by Chabad of Oxnard, Camarillo, Ojai, and Ventura. Kids of all ages can bring their hats, gloves, and scarves and enjoy tons of snow and warm up with sizzling hot latkes. Plus, the festival features a live demonstration ice sculpting a six-foot ice Menorah, with the “coolest” lighting at 4:00pm. Visitors to the Chanukah Festival can also enjoy a Judaica Boutique and musical entertainment all while spending time by the seashore at Ventura Harbor Village.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) celebrated 13th annual Bags, Bling & Bubbly champagne luncheon

by Community Contributor • December 13, 2022 • Comments Off

… During the lunch program, BBSVC CEO Danica Selvaggio shared the importance of youth mentoring in Ventura County, and the impact the agency has had on the community. Big & Little Sisters of The Year 2022 for Ventura County and California Statewide, Karyn and Marcie, shared their story of their long and happy mentoring relationship while sharing photos from the lifetime of their match.

All proceeds from the Bags, Bling & Bubbly champagne luncheon went towards providing the financial support BBSVC needs to help serve youth in Ventura County schools and the greater community.

UCSB Arts & Lectures announces Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara FREE public performances return to Santa Barbara County for Jan.- May 2023

by Community Contributor • December 9, 2022 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! (Viva) is back in 2023 for the first time since 2020! Since its establishment as a free community arts program in 2006, Viva has brought together people of diverse backgrounds from across Santa Barbara County to celebrate the music and dance of Latin America. The program, which has been on hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, returns in 2023 with FREE performances and community outreach events from four stellar ensembles, including Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar (Jan. 13-15), Grandeza Mexicana (Mar. 17-19), Tres Souls (Apr. 14-16), and Las Cafeteras (May 19-21).

“At Arts & Lectures, we are thrilled to resume the exciting and deeply rooted ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! program at multiple locations throughout the region,” says Miller McCune Executive Director Celesta M. Billeci. “These free community events wouldn’t be possible without our partners The Marjorie Luke Theatre, the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, and the Isla Vista School Parent Teacher Association, and the many community coordinators and volunteers. From Carpinteria and Santa Barbara to Isla Vista, Lompoc, Guadalupe and New Cuyama, people will again enjoy the best ensembles from Latin America and the rich traditions they represent.”

Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. Spreading Holiday Cheer with Annual Toy Distribution

by Community Contributor • December 9, 2022 • Comments Off

Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. will continue its annual holiday tradition to distribute toys to its pediatric patients during this year’s holiday season. This year Clinicas plans on distributing approximately 4,500 toys for its patients.

The holidays can be an especially difficult time for families in need and Clinicas is happy to help support the community. This annual tradition is very meaningful to Clinicas because it offers staff an opportunity to not only thank patients but also help create joy and contributes to patients’ health and well-being.

American Veterinary Medical Association Gives Prestigious Stamp of Approval to Ventura College’s Veterinary Technology Program

by Community Contributor • December 9, 2022 • Comments Off

Ventura College’s veterinary technology program is less than two years old and already has been granted initial accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). This recognition signifies the success and rigor of the young program, as graduates will now be qualified to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam to become Registered Veterinary Technicians.

The accreditation process involves detailed evaluations by the AVMA’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) and is designed to ensure veterinary technology programs produce practice-ready graduates. Students are required to demonstrate competency in over 300 essential skills that span all sectors of veterinary medicine and involve hands-on skills working with over 10 species of domestic animals.

Santa Paula Art Museum — Meet John Galan + Creative Gift Ideas

by Community Contributor • December 8, 2022 • Comments Off

MEET THE ARTIST

Artist Talk: John Galan

Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 2 PM
Included with regular admission (free for SPAM members)

Meet artist John Galan at the Santa Paula Art Museum on Saturday, December 10. Galan will lead a 45-minute talk and tour of his popular exhibition, Remedios (Remedies), starting at 2:00 PM. Galan will share the stories behind his deeply personal works, which are on exhibit now through January 8, 2023. Plus, one lucky attendee will take home a print of one of Galan’s artworks! Reservations are not required.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Centering LBTQ+ Women, Nonbinary Health’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • December 8, 2022 • Comments Off

Alison Cerezo leads a program evaluation team for California’s $17.5 million LBTQ Health Equity Initiative.

SBCC begins search for next Superintendent/President

by Community Contributor • December 7, 2022 • Comments Off

The Santa Barbara Community College District Board of Trustees has opened the application process for hiring the next Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) Superintendent/President. Recruitment will be open through January 20 with a goal of having a new president start in summer 2023. SBCC has been led by Interim Superintendent/President Kindred Murillo, Ed.D. since September 2021.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Extending the Spectrum’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • December 7, 2022 • Comments Off

Researchers create visible-to-near-infrared-light lasers on silicon chips, paving the way for scientific and consumer applications.

Southeast Ventura County YMCA Offer Winter Camp

by Community Contributor • December 5, 2022 • Comments Off

hool break in the Conejo Valley, Simi Valley and in Moorpark.

Camps provided by the Simi Valley Family YMCA and the Yarrow Family YMCA will include STEAM learning, group games, sports and holiday arts and crafts. Overseeing the camps are qualified staff who are CPR and first aid trained.

Simi Valley camps are at Atherwood Elementary and White Oak Elementary YMCA daycare centers. Dates are December 27 to 30 and January 3 to 6.

Ventura County Office of Education releases Education Report

by Community Contributor • December 5, 2022 • Comments Off

The Ventura County Office of Education is pleased to present the 2022-2023 Ventura County Education Report to the Community. This 20-page magazine highlights the many opportunities and services schools are providing to students as we emerge from the pandemic.

It’s full of personal stories from students and staff who are part of impactful programs like career education, dual language immersion, special education, and more.

Miller YMCA Youth & Government Delegation Makes Lunches for the Homeless

by Community Contributor • December 5, 2022 • Comments Off

Members from the Miller YMCA Youth & Government delegation made over 200 lunches that were then delivered to Hearts of Compassion in Montebello to help feed the homeless.

This is the ninth year that the YMCA delegation, comprised of Newbury Park high school students, has volunteered to make lunches.

The Miller YMCA Youth & Government delegates are in 9 through 12 grade at Newbury Park High School and other local high schools. They are part of a statewide program of 90 delegations that learn about how government works while they prepare, introduce and debate bills in Sacramento at an annual conference in February.

CSUCI ASSET Scholars Program marks another successful semester after being named a ‘Program to Watch’ by Excelencia in Education

by Community Contributor • December 1, 2022 • Comments Off

After being named one of 10 nationwide “Programs to Watch” by Excelencia in Education, CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)’s Academic Student Success Excellence Team (ASSET) Scholars Program just served another 150 students during the Fall semester with plans to add more in Spring of 2023.

The ASSET Scholars program has so far served 722 students since it was launched in Spring of 2020 and was named a “Program to Watch” during the Fall 2022 semester.

“I personally feel proud of the work we’ve done,” said Channel Your Success Project Director Mónica Ocampo, Ed.D. “It was a program intentionally designed on a very personal level for the students at CSUCI to improve retention rates and close equity gaps.

Channel Islands Maritime Museum Announces Book Launch and Celebration for Newest Literary Work from Author and Tribal Elder Alan Salazar on Feb. 4

by Community Contributor • December 1, 2022 • Comments Off

The Channel Islands Maritime Museum (CIMM) is delighted to announce that it will be hosting a celebration and book launch on Saturday, February 4, 2023, for the new book Coyote Saves Hawk by local author and tribal elder Alan Salazar “Puchuk Ya?ia?c.”

Coyote Rescues Hawk is based on a Chumash story dating back at least 300 years. Mr. Salazar brings humor and insights from twenty-five years of experience in bringing back the traditional Chumash canoe culture to a tale sure to delight readers of all ages. Mr. Salazar will be on hand for storytelling and book signing, followed by time for questions and answers from the audience.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Liking’ is Believing’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • December 1, 2022 • Comments Off

Research shows that the more ?’s people get when retweeting negative fake news stories, the more they agreed with its content.

Rotary Club of Montecito awards grants to 11 community organizations

by Community Contributor • November 30, 2022 • Comments Off

The Rotary Club of Montecito Foundation has awarded a total of $11,000 to support the work of 11 Santa Barbara-area nonprofit organizations.

The grants awarded under the Foundation’s annual Community Grants Program were $1,000 each and go to organizations benefitting a wide range of constituents, including children, seniors, low-income families, and animals. All grants are funded by bequests and ongoing contributions from Rotary Club members.

“Rotary Club members are committed to raising funds for good causes, and supporting activities and projects that make our communities stronger,” said Montecito Rotary Club Foundation President Bruce McRoy. “These grants allow us to support a wide variety of services to our community and are a great example of the cooperative spirit that’s an essential part of Rotary’s work.”

UCSB — The Current — ‘A Legacy of Research’ and more news, events

by Amigos805.com • November 29, 2022 • Comments Off

As Sedgwick Reserve marks 25 years of groundbreaking science, an upcoming art show will benefit the UCSB Natural Reserve System.