Free Family Day
Sunday, October 2, 2022, from 12 PM to 3 PM
Free for all ages
October promises to be scary fun at the Santa Paula Art Museum! First up: Free Family Day on Sunday, October 2. Longtime Santa Paula art teacher and crafting queen Mariann Romero will be leading the activities inside SPAM’s Cole Creativity Center. Create fun, fall-themed crafts, including pinecone wall hangings and scarecrow bookmarks. Admission is free, all are welcome, and all materials are provided.
Ventura County Children and Family Services is working to transform child welfare to better serve our communities in one of the most forward-thinking family strengthening efforts in the State.
For nearly a decade, Ventura County Children and Family Services have sought to shift child welfare practice from traditional methods of removal and compliance to a wellness system approach to strengthening families. This innovative approach better supports families and gives children of all ages in out-of-home (foster) care the chance to be reunified with their birth parents—or never to need to leave home at all.
“Strengthening VC Families was founded on the belief that every child deserves permanency, and every family deserves to stay together whenever it is safe. We also believe that it takes an entire community to help keep a family together,” said Judy Webber, Director, Children & Family Services. “The main goal is to keep children safe while strengthening their families and providing services for their families so they can reunify permanently.”
It was August of 2001 and CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) was still a year away from opening when Technical and Public Services Librarian Laura Worden worked as a student assistant in the old Library, which is now part of a study lounge of the Student Union building.
“It was very small, very quiet because there were still not a lot of people around,” Worden said. “They didn’t have a cafeteria, they had a food truck that also served the farmworkers. And we had a Java Hut coffee shop in a corner inside the Bell Tower.”
More than 20 years later, Worden was among the Library staff and faculty who sorted through thousands of photos, documents, and artifacts to develop a special exhibit of CSUCI’s history in honor of the University’s 20th anniversary. The exhibit, which was created in partnership with CSUCI’s Communication & Marketing area, is on display now in the John Spoor Broome Library.
Called “Honoring our Past—Building the Future,” the exhibit features a historical timeline spread across the north wing of the Library with an accompanying photo gallery to highlight the milestones since the University started, including inaugural groundbreaking ceremonies.
Somis Union School District recently held the grand opening of its new Innovation and Discovery Room at Somis School yesterday. As Somis School students continue to engage in coding and robotics, the Innovation and Discovery Room will provide them with the opportunity to access modern technology before, during and after school.
Currently, Somis students in kindergarten through 8th grade are engaged in a coding curriculum, with support from teachers and ongoing professional development led by Dr. Catherine Reznicek from the Ventura County Office of Education. However, the Innovation and Discovery Room will allow students to take the initiative a step further by developing their coding and problem-solving skills in a personalized manner.
The Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s 4th Annual Gala raised $617,876 to support YMCA programs while honoring Chuck and Melinda Carmichael as the 2022 Joel and Frances McCrea Memorial Award recipient. The event, held September 17 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village, welcomed nearly 300 guests. This was the first in person Gala since 2019 due to the pandemic.
“Chuck and Melinda Carmichael are longtime supporters of the Simi Valley Family YMCA,” says Ronnie Stone, Southeast Ventura County YMCA CEO. “The Y is one of many causes and organizations that receive their backing throughout our community. They inspire us all every day.”
CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Vice Provost Jessica Lavariega Monforti recently received multiple national honors for her academic leadership and her work examining Latino political issues, including a new book on military recruitment.
Inspired by conversations with her Latino students, the book, “Proving Patriotismo: Latino Military Recruitment, Service and Belonging in the U.S,” was written with East Stroudsburg University Political Science professor, Adam McGlynn, Ph.D., and demonstrates why the Latino population is a growing target for U.S. military recruitment and why Latinos seeking to improve their economic station and their acceptance as Americans are open to these overtures.
Hispanics make up a disproportional share of the armed forces and are the fastest growing segment. The Pew Research Center found that the share of active-duty military who are Hispanic rose from 25% in 2004 to 36% in 2017. In 2020, Hispanics accounted for 19% of all Americans.
Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital (SYVCH) Volunteer Services has awarded nine $3,000 scholarships to local students who reside or work in the Santa Ynez Valley and plan to pursue college studies in health-related careers.
The scholarship awards totaling $27,000 are made possible through proceeds from the New to You Thrift Store in Solvang. New to You Thrift store is staffed entirely by Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital volunteers who generously donate more than 16,000 hours of their time and talents each year to support the hospital.
Scholarship recipients were selected by SYVCH Scholarship Committee members Jacky Green, Martha Nedegaard, Brenda Loskamp and Susan Snekvik.
For the first time, Dr. César Morales has been elected by voters as Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. He was initially appointed to the role in 2021 by the Ventura County Board of Education to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of former Superintendent Stan Mantooth. Upon his appointment, Dr. Morales made history by becoming the first Latino and first person of color to hold the office since it was created in 1873. Dr. Morales ran unopposed in yesterday’s primary election. His new term will run through 2026.
“I’m extremely gratified to have the opportunity to serve as Ventura County Superintendent of Schools for the next four years,” Dr. Morales said. “As local schools deal with declining enrollment and issues surrounding school safety and student mental health, my office will be at their side to find solutions and strategies that best meet students’ needs.”
The Ventura County Office of Education is joining state health officials in warning schools and families about a new and concerning version of the synthetic opioid known as fentanyl. In a letter to superintendents and charter school administrators, California Department…
The Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (Cabrillo EDC) recently selected their 2022 class of Rodney Fernandez Leadership Fund (RFLF) Scholars. For the 12th-consecutive year, outstanding area high school seniors and college students will be recognized for their academic achievements and pursuits with RFLF Scholarships to support their respective college and trade educations. Seven scholars were selected after displaying a commitment to their community, education and future.
“Cabrillo EDC has a long-standing history of providing community services and growth opportunities for the residents in their communities.” Said Brian Gilpatrick, Regional Manager of Union Bank.
“We are proud to support and be a part of The RFLF Scholarship Program and help support those who exhibit the same commitment and desire to learn, grow and contribute back to the community they live in.”
September 22, 2022 Good Afternoon, Thank you for continuing to stay informed with the County of Ventura! Going forward, our email newsletter will be sent monthly. For the latest COVID-19 information and data, please visit our website at www.vcrecovers.org. In…
New reduced rate!
$50 $35 for members and students
$65 for non-members
MVC members and visitors supported us during the COVID-19 pandemic, and helped keep Ventura County’s history, art, and culture free and accessible for all.
In thanks, we’re offering this special reduced rate.
Please RSVP by October 7th to secure you place in the class.
Dear Friends, Ventura County Animal Services is holding a 4-day FEE-WAIVED* kitten and cat adoption promotion through Sunday, September 25th at both the Camarillo and Simi Valley Animal Shetlers. Promotion available for all adoptable cats. Please note that promotions do…
Ventura and Santa Barbara County residents are invited to participate in the fifth annual California Clean Air Day, which will take place on and leading up to October 5, 2022. This year, Clean Air Day South Central Coast will honor former Ventura County Supervisor Carmen Ramirez for her life and legacy of fighting for clean air in the County.
Individuals are invited to match the hundreds of organizational partners who have taken a clean air pledge to do at least one thing in their community for clean air. The clean air pledge (found online here) encourages actions such as taking public transit, biking, planting trees, cleaning air filters, carpooling and more. “Pledgers” come together to take collective action on or by California Clean Air Day.
Santa Barbara Supervisor Das Williams, who served as Chair of the regional working group along with Supervisor Ramirez, wants us to do our part: “We may have lost our friend Carmen Ramirez, but we can continue her fight to ensure our community is safe to breathe in. Let’s learn more about taking our local bus system or purchasing a new or used electric car!
Oaktober
Sunday, October 2nd from 10am-2pm
at the Museum of Ventura County
Free
Feel connected to your county’s environmental community with the local leaders and creatives creating a more sustainable future.
Celebrate and learn more about oaks and native plants with Dr. David White of Once Upon a Watershed, Jenn Rodriguez of Growing Works, Katie Tilford of TinyPlants, and author Melina Watts of Tree, in partnership with Melissa Baffa of Ventura Land Trust. TinyPlants and Growing Works will also be selling beautiful native plants. So join us, get some gorgeous plants and go wild. Click here to learn more.
Made possible in part by
ArtsVentura
At their meeting on Sept. 15, the SBCC Board of Trustees passed a resolution to join in with others across the United States to proclaim Sept.15-Oct 15, 2022, as Hispanic Heritage Month. National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor the invaluable ways in which Hispanics contribute to our society. Read the resolution.
Livingston is pleased to announce a new free 10-week closed-ended grief support group program for our LBGTQ+ community, Understanding Your Grief, written by author, educator, and grief counselor, Alan D. Wolfelt, PhD. The program is intended to companion you on your own unique grief journey.
Registration for the group ends October 3rd. Group will meet in person and space is limited. Please contact Livingston’s Grief and Bereavement Program for reservations at 805-389-6870 or online at lmvna.org/grief.
Gerry Pantoja has been named Director of Philanthropy at the Ventura College Foundation. He had previously held the position of Director of Major and Planned Giving.
“It is a privilege to work with individuals and organizations who have and continue to seek to improve our community through the power of education,” says Pantoja. “Through their partnerships and ongoing support, our students will go on to earn certificates and degrees or transfer to a four-year university, obtaining the skills and knowledge that will not only better their lives but Ventura as well. In this new role, I look forward to continuing this work with our community partners to expand our ability to make a difference in the lives of the students who will lead and care for Ventura in the coming years.”
CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Health Science major Daisy Morado Navarrete is taking a full load -16 units- this semester, maintaining a 3.92 grade point average (GPA) and spending four hours a week at St. John’s Regional Medical Center helping to translate for Spanish-speaking patients.
Her talent, determination, academic excellence and generosity of spirit are among the reasons she has received the 2022 CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement. Navarette is among the 23 students—one from each CSU campus—chosen by the CSU Board of Trustees as a 2022-2023 scholar.
The CSU Trustees’ Award is the university’s highest recognition of students who demonstrate superior academic performance. Each donor-funded scholarship bears the name of a donor; Navarette is the recipient of the TELACU scholarship.
All the scholars will be honored on Tuesday, Sept. 13 as part of the CSU Board of Trustees meeting.
Supervisor Lavagnino and I sponsored and presented a resolution declaring Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th, 2022 through October 15th, 2022 to the Carpinteria Latinx Collective, Mujeres Makers Market, and Casa de la Raza. This year’s theme is, “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation,” this theme reinforces the need to ensure diverse voices and perspectives are welcomed in decision-making processes, thereby helping to build stronger communities, and a stronger Nation, and reminds us that we are stronger together.
With cooler temperatures on the way, fall is the ideal season for a road trip to Lompoc! Sip award-winning wines from Sta. Rita Valley wineries, warm up with a pumpkin latte in one of our cozy coffee shops, take a lazy drive on our scenic country roads or relax at Jalama beach, catch a rocket launch from Vandenberg SFB, and stay at one of our comfy hotels!
Whether you visit for a week or a weekend, the comfortable weather conditions clear the way for outdoor activities like these:
At their meeting on Sept. 15, the Santa Barbara Community College District Board of Trustees announced that Carola Smith has been selected to serve as Vice President, School of Extended Learning, for Santa Barbara City College (SBCC). She will begin serving in the role immediately.
Smith has served as the Interim Vice President, School of Extended Learning, for nearly one year and has been with SBCC for more than 25 years. During that time she worked extensively with a variety of academic and student support programs, including Study Abroad, International programs, Business, and Media Arts. Prior to becoming an administrator, she served as faculty in several departments, including the School of Modern Languages, English as a Second Language (ESL), Work Experience and Personal Development.
Classes are underway, but anybody 50+ is welcome to join one of the classes offered by CSU Channel Islands Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI).
This Fall the OLLI roster includes 10 different six-week lecture topics from popular local instructors, as well as national experts who can speak on everything from astronomy to national politics to Ventura County’s ladies of the evening.
A Maryland academic with three doctorates in world religion, B.N. Hebbar, Ph.D., is teaching a comprehensive course on the history, doctrines, practices, sects, and the major historical figures in Buddhism, which is the majority religion in 13 countries in Asia.
“Some of the metaphysical and ethical teachings of Buddhism are most certainly applicable to the everyday lives of people,” Hebbar said. “If that were not the case, Buddhism would not have remained relevant despite its 2,600-year history.”
California Lutheran University has jumped two spots to its highest position ever in the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings — sixth among 130 ranked regional universities throughout 15 Western states.
The overall U.S. News rankings consider student outcomes, faculty resources, academic reputation, per-student spending, admissions selectivity and alumni giving. The 2022-2023 list, released Sept. 12, includes universities in the West that provide a full range of undergraduate majors and master’s degrees, and a few doctoral programs.
The university jumped seven spots from 14th to seventh on the Best Value Schools list, which factors in academic quality and cost after accounting for total expenses and financial aid. At Cal Lutheran, 97% of full-time undergraduate students receive need-based financial aid.
Today, the life and legacy of Supervisor Carmen Ramirez was honored at the first Board of Supervisors meeting since her passing. We are grateful to all who joined to remember and celebrate her life and dedicated service.
View the meeting recording here.
CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) rose in three major categories in the recently released U.S. News & World Report 2022 college and university rankings.
CSUCI falls into the Regional Universities West category where this year the University ranked No. 28, up 13 spots from its previous rank of No. 41. CSUCI was ranked No. 12, up eight rungs from No. 20 in the Top Public Schools category. And for Social Mobility, CSUCI ranked No. 11, climbing from No. 17 last year.
“The credit for these rankings goes to the campus students, faculty and staff, but also to the members of the community who have supported us through the years,” said President Richard Yao, Ph.D. “As we celebrate our 20th anniversary and look toward our third decade as the county’s only public university, we take pride in the national recognition and in the quality of graduates who join the work force to keep our economy thriving.”
Now that CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Teaching Credential candidate Marina Luque is student teaching at her elementary school alma mater—Norma Harrington Elementary School—Luque’s former first grade teacher, Patricia Oropeza, has asked Luque to call her “Pat.”
“But I still call her Miss Oropeza,” Luque said. “I’m 33, I’m a mom, but I call her Miss Oropeza. And sometimes I walk through the halls and think ‘No running in the halls!’”
Ayde Almaraz, 44, is spending her residency in a bilingual classroom at Rio Real Elementary in the Rio School District. Her childhood was difficult, and, having immigrated from Mexico, she knows what it’s like not to speak English, and to struggle with basic needs. She wants to help other children who may be having the same experience.
“If a student doesn’t want to do anything, they probably haven’t had enough sleep, or they haven’t eaten,” Almaraz said. “I want to be there for them to assist them with their needs.”
California Lutheran University has received $2.5 million to provide scholarships to accomplished students from low- and middle-income families.
The donation from the Camarillo-based TOLD Foundation is the largest that Cal Lutheran has ever received for scholarships outside of an estate gift.
The Rod Gilbert Achievement Scholarship is designed to address the fact that a growing number of students with financial need are attending Cal Lutheran. The share of the university’s undergraduate students who are eligible for federal Pell Grants, which are awarded to those with exceptional financial need, increased from 16% to 30% during the last 15 years. In the 2021-2022 academic year, 60% of undergraduates received state or federal need-based financial aid. These trends align with the Hispanic-Serving Institution’s successful efforts to enroll and graduate students from diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
La Colonia Youth Mural Program and Future Leaders of America Unveil Mental Health Awareness Mural
The Mental Health Awareness Mural of Oxnard is a new public art installation designed and created by local youth from community-based programs. Read more
Summer may be coming to an end, but The Collection at RiverPark is keeping the fun going right into fall. In the coming months, The Collection at RiverPark is offering tons of excitement for visitors with two free concerts, several grand openings, a 5K walk and more.
“Fall is full of big plans here at The Collection,” said Marketing Director Jill Almonia. “In addition to all of the amazing shopping, dining and entertainment experiences we offer year-round, we’ve got lots of excellent events coming up this season — plus several incredible new businesses getting ready to open their doors.”
The Collection’s popular concert series, Rock the Collection, continues this fall with two more free events for all ages. On Sept. 28, The Long Run, an Eagles tribute band, will get everyone singing along to classic favorites. And on Oct. 19, Bruno and the Hooligans, a Bruno Mars tribute band, will be playing crowd pleasers all evening. Grab some lawn chairs and takeout, and head over to the grass at Collection Park to join the party. The music starts at 6:30 p.m.
Researchers estimate the environmental impacts of 57,000 common store-bought food products.
The 8th Annual Labor Day Vintage Tractor Fair
Monday, September 5th from 11am-2pm
The 8th Annual Labor Day Vintage Tractor Fair was a major (and sizzling hot) success with over a thousand attendees. Thank you for coming to your Museum to celebrate our agricultural heritage, our community, and this important holiday for all. We hope to see you next year.
A group of 12 local girls from Girls Inc. of Carpinteria’s Eureka! Program recently returned from an inspiring five-day trip to Washington D.C.
The visit focused on three overarching themes: college and career; museums and monuments; and Capitol Hill. One of the highlights including meeting with Congressman Salud Carbajal to advocate for issues that are important to them, including climate change and LGBTQ+ rights.
The teenage girls – who just entered their senior year in high school – had the opportunity to tour the Girlhood Exhibit at the Museum of American History, the Holocaust Museum, Museum of African American History, Museum of Natural History and the United States Botanical Gardens. Additionally, they took part in visits to Georgetown and George Washington University, where the young women networked with students and faculty.
During the five days, the students also toured Capitol Hill, enjoyed a private tour of the Library of Congress and explored the historical monuments on a moonlit trolley ride.
John Galan’s Remedios (Remedies)
Saturday, September 17, 2022, from 4 PM to 6 PM
$5 Members • $10 Non-members
Meet artist John Galan at the premiere of his solo exhibition, Remedios (Remedies), on Saturday, September 17. With artworks rich in symbolism and vibrant hues inspired by his Mexican heritage, Galan’s exhibit is an honest exploration of the connections between health, healing, nature, and tradition. Remedios will be on view September 17, 2022, to January 8, 2023.
THOUSAND OAKS — As the 2022-23 fall semester gets underway at California Lutheran University, new student enrollment numbers have nearly rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. About 844 undergraduate students are scheduled to enter Cal Lutheran for the first time this fall.…
Four CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) students are traveling to different corners of the world to study during the 2022-23 academic year, thanks to the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program.
This Fall, Art major Alejandra Torres, 20, is studying photography and traditional dance in Monterrey, Mexico while Performing Arts/Theater History double major Rae McQueen, 25, is off to the United Kingdom to study film.
In Spring of 2023, Biology major Joanna Carmelita Patagan, 19, will travel to South Korea to study biology and the Korean language and Business major/Spanish minor Itzel Tena Ortiz, 19, is off to immerse herself in the culture of Granada, Spain while studying business.
The Gilman Scholarship is targeted at students who might not otherwise get the opportunity to study in another country.
Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is pleased to announce the appointment of Jacquelyn Pawela-Crew, senior director of healthcare and life sciences consulting at Salesforce, as the organization’s new board president. The nonprofit has also appointed four new members to its Board of Directors: Hayley Fedders, Anu Sharma, April Simpson and Bianca Vega.
“Jacquelyn is a tremendous leader and we are so excited to have her serve as our new board president,” said Jamie Collins, executive director of Girls Inc. of Carpinteria. “We’re also thrilled to welcome an incredibly talented group of new members who are committed to our mission. Hayley, Anu, April and Bianca have diverse expertise in their respective fields and we know their support will help us advance our work in helping more girls reach their greatest potential.”
Wilderness Youth Project (WYP), the leading nature connection organization in Santa Barbara County, is proud to announce the addition of Devon Azzam and Teresa Romero as Board Trustees.
With the addition of these two respected leaders, WYP is responding to our community’s increasing recognition that all children need nature. Their leadership will support WYP’s efforts to deepen opportunities for local youth to connect with nature.
Operating summer camps, an outdoor early childhood program, after school nature-based programs, and a subsidized program called “Bridge to Nature” in local low-income public schools and at community partner sites, WYP brings nature connection to more than a thousand children a year on a weekly basis, building on the fact that nature connection makes kids “smarter, healthier and happier.”
“Devon and Teresa both have impressive histories of working in their communities to provide access and support for environmental education and nature connection.” WYP Executive Director Dan Fontaine said. “Recruiting them to the board will help us serve local children even more fully.”
The Yarrow Family YMCA (sevymca.org) hosted a free community BBQ and outdoor movie night for Conejo Valley families through its Adventure Guide and Trailblazer programs. More than 150 parents and kids attended the August 20 event.
“The welcome BBQ was a chance for families to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones as we embark on a fresh year of discovery, growth and fun,” says Tori Cusack, Youth and Family Program Director at the Yarrow Family YMCA.
Going Wild
Opening Reception
Saturday, August 27th from 3-5pm
at the Museum of Ventura County
Free
By the end of this month, nearly 130,000 students from all corners of Ventura County will have returned to class for the 2022-2023 school year. It’s hard to believe, but this is the fourth school year in a row to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The good news is that we’ve come a long way from the days of remote learning and mandatory masking. This year, students will again be learning in person, masks will be optional, and most school activities will take place without restrictions.
In an effort to highlight the importance of high school choirs, Ventura County area high school students are being invited to audition this Fall for the CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) University Chorus.
Auditions are currently underway for high school students, non-student members of the community along with CSUCI students, faculty, and staff for the 2022-2023 concert season. Inviting high school students to audition and participate in a university-level chorus is part of “Project: Lights On,” which is aimed at re-energizing high school choral singing by providing an opportunity for high school singers to perform with professional orchestras at major concerts.
“By doing so, we are creating a healthy feeder program for CSUCI’s music program while inspiring young artists to become contributors to their communities through the arts,” said Dean Butler, President of the Channel Islands Choral Association (CICA), which sponsors the University Choir as well as the Pleasant Valley School District Chorus.
“We are getting closer and closer to helping area high schools turn the lights back on in their choir rooms,” Butler said. “Walk onto many area high school campuses and ask to see their choir room and I think you will get some strange looks. Those rooms just don’t exist or have been converted into storage spaces.”
Nyeland Promise was selected as Nonprofit of the Year by the West Ventura County Business Alliance. The Nyeland Promise Founders, Mike Barber and Mary Anne Rooney along with the volunteer corps, Comadres and Compadres were present at Heritage Square to accept their very hard and earned award for their dedication to serving the Nyeland Acres community.
Nyeland Promise was formed by, and is led by, the residents of Nyeland Acres in order to provide advocacy and resources to the community and improve the quality of life. Nyeland Acres is approximately 93% Hispanic and is considered a Disadvantaged Unincorporated Community.
California retired educator and longtime Oxnard School Board Member, Denis O’Leary will receive the International Latino Book Award. His book “Popol Vuh Stories for Children” is a finalist for the top prize in the category of Best Educational Children’s Picture Book – Bilingual in a ceremony at Los Angeles Community College on August 20, 2022.
Popol Vuh Stories for Children (published by Floricanto Press) is the first English, Spanish, and Yucatec Maya trilingual children version of The Popol Vuh. The Popol Vuh is the story of creation according to the Quiche Maya.
One weekend, two events for adults and kids alike!
National Honey Bee Day
Saturday, August 20th from 12-2pm at the Agriculture Museum
and
“Arty’s Amazing Accordion” by Amada Irma Pérez
Book Release Party
Sunday, August 21st from 2-4pm at the Museum of Ventura County
Beginning Sept 1., 2022, the Channel Islands Maritime Museum will offer free admission to visitors who are less than eighteen years of age. (Youths or children must still be accompanied by an adult or guardian). Senior and active military admission prices will remain at $5.00/person and adult admission will change to $10.00/person. The Museum will also continue to offer its Museums for Alldiscounted admission for those patrons who present EBT, SNAP, or CalFresh identification cards.
“As part of our goal to provide improved access to all, including families with children, it was decided that the Museum would eliminate admission fees for those under 18 years of age,’ said Museum Executive Director Adri Howe. “We certainly hope it will allow for more families to come to CIMM and help them to enjoy and learn about the wonders of the maritime experience and human creativity. Museums play an important role in our society and we very much believe that future museum lovers are created when people have access to museums, especially as youngsters.”
PODS Moving & Storage Ventura County, has partnered with Cumulus Media & Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) to gather over 200 backpacks and extra Tools for Schools for children in Ventura County who need them most. BBBS are asking Ventura County community members to donate as many new backpacks as possible to exceed the 2022 goal.
“August 2022 will be an exciting time for our local children who are heading back to the classroom, but it can be a daunting time for parents when extra school supplies costs are on the rise,” said Steve Yapp, PODS Tri Counties owner. “We are always looking for ways that PODS Moving & Storage can make a difference in our community and there is no better way to support our youth than with their education.”
Donations of new backpacks can be made at any time before August 27th to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County, 555 Airport Way, Suite D., Camarillo, CA 93012. Alternatively,you can visit https://www.khay.com/backpacks-for-big-brothers-big-sisters-2/ to donate.
Giving restaurant goers something new to “rave” about, On The Alley, otherwise referred to by the Bennett family owners as “OTA,” has recently expanded its restaurant portfolio by opening its third restaurant location at Ventura Harbor Village.
The more casual sister-venue to Brophy Bros. Restaurant & Clam Bar in Ventura Harbor Village, OTA boasts a modern interior, wonderful harbor view seating, outdoor patios, surf videos and photography artwork that showcases the local landscapes. This walk-up casual-friendly restaurant dishes up delicious, quick, quality fare, and diners enjoy wallet-friendly prices.
In 2021, SBCC composition and creative writing instructor Emma Trelles was named Poet Laureate for the City of Santa Barbara. This year, Trelles was selected as one of 22 poets in the United States to be recognized by the Academy of American Poets with a prestigious Poet Laureate Fellowship. As a Poet Laureate Fellow, Trelles will receive a $50,000 stipend to support her public work and craft.
Read the story in Noozhawk.
August is recognized nationwide as Child Support Awareness Month. August serves as a time to recognize and celebrate the vital role the child support program plays in promoting the safety and well-being of children. Statewide, California provides support services to one million children—helping families thrive and setting children up to succeed.
The Ventura County Department of Child Support Services (VCDCSS) recognizes that children are our community’s legacy and future. VCDCSS promotes children’s health and well-being by encouraging responsible parenting, understanding parental support, and involvement in children’s lives, which helps drive positive child development outcomes.
