Category: Youth

AHA! (Attitude. Harmony. Achievement) Littlest Little Farm Moves to Montecito Union School’s Nature Lab

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MONTECITO — AHA! (Attitude. Harmony. Achievement) is thrilled to announce a new collaboration with Montecito Union School. AHA!’s Littlest Little Farm, launched in Fall 2019, has moved from a private residence to MUS’s Nature Lab.

The Nature Lab at Montecito Union School (MUS) invites learners to imagine, build, and get messy in nature as they care for the planet and one another. They do this by creating and sustaining an experiential outdoor ecosystem rooted in 1) Biodynamic/Regenerative Agriculture, 2) Nature-Inspired Making & Arts Collaboratory, and 3) Environment as Agent of Challenge & Wonder. This provides endless possibilities to grow within a unique and ever-evolving natural setting. While Nature Lab is used by MUS students every school day, part of our mission is to share this resource with the larger community. 

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BBSVC Delivers BIG Fun at Emerald Prom!

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VENTURA COUNTY — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) held the organization’s second-ever immersive experience event, Emerald Prom, on Saturday, August 26th at the Studio Channel Islands Art Center. The 1980’s themed experience was full of nostalgia, music, and high energy.

Live entertainment from the DORK Band played widely loved 80’s pop hits while two break dancers showed off their skills and got the party started. Guests were able to take prom photos and enter into the Prom Royalty campaign for the crown. Fun activities such as the penny raffle and a giant Pac-Man maze ensured a lot of laughs and prizes throughout the night. A DeLorean Time Machine and a 1982 Datsun 280zx were displayed for guests to interact and take photos with. Some BBSVC staff members dressed up as high school-themed “chaperones,” while guests arrived dressed in everything from classic prom attire to iconic MTV attire. An exclusive VIP room hosted by Don Atlas Hospitality provided extra perks like metallic fanny packs filled with goodies, a Starbucks coffee bar, and more.

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CSUCI receives $30 million gift from the estate of longtime supporters

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CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) has received one of the largest gifts in the history of the University from the estate of Philippe and Arlette Larraburu, two very early supporters of Ventura County’s only four-year public University.

CSUCI is the sole beneficiary of the Larraburu estate, a bequest the couple established in 2001—which ultimately grew into a $30 million gift.

“Words cannot express our tremendous gratitude to the Larraburu family for their trust in our University, backed by a gift that will provide so much for our students,” said CSUCI President Richard Yao. “A gift of this stature is a testament to the power of personal philanthropy and to the fact that CSUCI is a smart investment for donors, community partners, and students alike.”

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Teacher’s Fund in Santa Barbara Launches 2023 Supplies Drive to Support Local Educators and Students

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SANTA BARBARA — The non-profit Teacher’s Fund has launched its annual Supplies Drive with the goal of raising $75,000 to purchase educational supplies for Santa Barbara-area teachers and students.

This year’s fundraising drive launched Sept. 1 and runs through Oct. 19. Anyone interested in donating to the drive can do so here http://www.tfsuppliesdrive.com/. Donors can contribute to specific items requested by teachers or submit a general donation. Common teacher wish list items include STEM supplies, learning toys, art supplies, electronics, and classroom furniture.

Alternatively, individuals and organizations can sponsor the supplies drive. Sponsorship levels start at $250 and include social media mentions and entries for the chance to win one of numerous prizes and other recognitions.

All proceeds from the fundraising campaign go to help kindergarten through 12th grade teachers at Santa Barbara-area schools, from Carpinteria through to the Santa Ynez Valley. So far, each year’s drive has surpassed expectations, with the 2022 drive bringing in over $85,000.

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Museum of Ventura County — Mountains to Sea Jubilee – for the whole family and more events, news

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Mountains to Sea Jubilee
FAMILY FAIR

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

Celebrate Ventura County’s 150th Anniversary at the Mountains to Sea Jubilee, a FREE all-day family event culminating in a music festival! The Family Fair features food trucks, kids’ zone, community stages, pumpkin patch, Exhibit opening: Ventura County, The Place We Call Home, and MORE! Get the details HERE.

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MICOP — Health Equity Bill That Would Disaggregate Data for Latinx and Indigenous Mesoamericans Passes Critical Vote in the Legislature

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SACRAMENTO — On September 1st, 2023, the California Assembly Appropriations Committee voted in favor of the Latinx and Indigenous Disparities Reduction Act. The bill now heads to its final legislative vote on the Assembly Floor before heading to Governor Newsom’s desk to be signed. The bill, which collects and disaggregates more detailed data for Latinx subgroups and Indigenous Mesoamerican nations to improve health outcomes, makes it past this critical vote amidst rising COVID-19 cases and the threat of new variants – in addition to experiencing impacts from recent climate change-related flooding.

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Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Kelly Noble Celebrates 20th Year as EDC Office Manager

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Kelly Noble, our exceptional Office Manager, is celebrating 20 incredible years with EDC. Since 2003, Kelly has been an indispensable part of our team, contributing her expertise, dedication and infectious positivity. With a background in party planning, catering and entrepreneurship, Kelly brings a unique blend of creativity and precision to her role.

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Social Justice Fund for Ventura County — New Video and Grant

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As we await the formation of our new cohort of Social Justice Fellows, SJFVC has very exciting news to share!

SJFVC has received a grant for $32,500 from the McCune Foundation!

SJFVC is deeply grateful for this grant, as it will help us build our Fellowship Program and better support our Social Justice Fellows!

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Archives from former Ventura County Supervisor Carmen Ramirez donated to CSUCI

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CAMARILLO — Part of the legacy of former Ventura County Supervisor Carmen Ramirez can be found in the thank you notes from the school classrooms she visited. 

“Laws and rights are very important to me. Especially the littering one,” wrote one student. “And I was impressed an immigrant without documents can become a lawyer on (the) Supreme Court. That gives me hope that someday maybe I’ll become a lawyer.” 

Another child wrote: “Thank you for coming and telling us what your job is. I think lawyers are cool. I always wanted to be a lawyer, so I’m going to stay in school and become one.” 

And: “That’s cool that you can talk Spanish.” 

The children’s letters are included among the 15 boxes of documents, planners, diaries, proclamations and even favorite cartoons collected by Ramirez during 45 years of service before her life was cut short in a pedestrian accident on Aug.12, 2022.   

Ramirez’s husband, friends and family organized the archives and donated them to CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) this summer. Ramirez’s husband, Roy Prince, believes CSUCI is the ideal place for the archives as she worked from the very beginning to advocate to establish a CSU campus in Ventura County.  

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Bilingual commentary — The Connection Between the Tooth Fairy and the Little Mouse

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How could we have gone through those early stages of losing our baby teeth without the help of the famed tooth fairy?

We all have a preconceived image of this ethereal creature, which has been solidified by Disney’s introduction of fairy creatures into our lives. We in the U.S. got our first glimpse of the tooth fairy in 1908, when the Chicago Daily Tribune published an article about this beloved creature. The myth was rebooted in 1927 when Esther Watkins Arnold published the book, “The Tooth Fairy: Three-Act Playlet for Children.” 

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September @ SPAM: George Lockwood Premieres, Ceramics Program Launches, and More!

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Premiere Party: The Art of George Lockwood

Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 4 PM to 6 PM

$5 SPAM Members • $10 Non-members

Meet Santa Barbara County artist (and Santa Paula native) George Lockwood at the Santa Paula Art Museum for the premiere of his all-new solo exhibition, “The Art of George Lockwood,” on Saturday, September 16! With a lifelong passion for wildlife and the outdoors, Lockwood taught himself to draw and paint as he worked as a guide in Alaska for 19 years. A full-time painter since 2003, Lockwood’s newest works feature scenes and subjects from Santa Paula to the Central Coast to the Pacific Northwest.

“The Art of George Lockwood” will be on view from September 16, 2023, to January 14, 2024. All of the artworks in the exhibition will be available for purchase.

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The Foundation of VCCU gives record $75,000 in grants to local nonprofits

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VENTURA COUNTY — The Foundation of VCCU, Ventura County Credit Union’s (VCCU) philanthropic nonprofit organization, has awarded $75,000 in grants to 17 nonprofits who deliver invaluable help and support to our local community. This grant cycle, which is the second round of awards distributed in 2023, has set a new record for the Foundation of VCCU as it is the most the organization has ever awarded at a single time. 

The 17 organizations serve a wide variety of our neighbors in need including foster children, college students, cancer patients, and individuals with hearing impairment, as well as families struggling with homelessness, housing and food insecurity. 

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Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Celebrating Local Workers as Labor Day Approaches

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This Labor Day I am especially excited to announce that the County of Santa Barbara Community Workforce Agreement is 100% signed by Labor. This is the first-ever local-hire opportunity for workers on County public works projects. Residents across our county — from newly graduated high school students to our veterans returning home, the misplaced workers, or someone who just needs a second chance will benefit tremendously from this agreement. I want to thank the Tri-Counties Building and Construction Trades Council and our County Public Works Department for working diligently to get this agreement across the finish line, and my colleague Supervisor Joan Hartmann and former colleague Assemblymember Gregg Hart for championing these huge opportunities for local workers.
Paying workers and providing good benefits is good, but to truly honor American workers, we must support unionization – the only way to create an equal platform between employer and employees and the only way to empower the American worker. To do this, please buy Union. Here is a list of union products you can buy for your Labor Day BBQ.

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Santa Barbara City College — THE BRIDGE Community e-Newsletter – August 2023

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Erika Endrijonas, Ph.D., began her new role as SBCC Superintendent/President on Tuesday, Aug. 1, marking her return to SBCC (she was the Dean of Career and Technical Services from 2000 to 2009). Most recently she served as Superintendent/ President of Pasadena City College since January 2019. 

“My first week back at SBCC has been wonderful,” said Dr. Endrijonas. “I had my sights set on returning to SBCC for over a decade, and I am still pinching myself that my dream became a reality. I have started to meet folks here on campus — some for the first time, some I haven’t seen in 14 years — and it does feel like I have come home. I look forward to the next few weeks on campus as we launch our Fall 2023 semester and as I start to meet members of our local community who hold a special place in their hearts for SBCC.”

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Ventura County Back-to-School 2023-24

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Welcome Back to School!
Supporting Students is a Communitywide Priority
As we begin the 2023-24 school year, there’s a lot to be excited about in Ventura County. The worst of the pandemic is behind us and students are receiving all of the academic, social and developmental benefits of an in-person education. The new Transitional Kindergarten grade level for four-year-olds is available to more students than ever. Many of our high schools and middle schools now have Wellness Centers to help students deal with emotional stress, so they can better focus on learning. And we’re celebrating the opening of the beautiful new Del Sol High School in Oxnard, the first new high school to be built in Ventura County since 2015.

But the new year is not without its challenges. More students are missing school than before the pandemic and our high cost of living continues to make teacher recruitment difficult. The good news is that our entire community is engaged in finding solutions to these problems for the benefit of our kids. I invite you to read more about this in my back-to-school message for the 2023-24 school year.
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Santa Maria Leaders Reflect on Family Center’s 50th Anniversary

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This year, the Santa Maria Valley Youth & Family Center (SMVYFC) is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Board members and other local leaders recently reflected on the impact the nonprofit has made during its half century of service. SMVYFC, which merged with Family Service Agency (FSA) of Santa Barbara County in 2017, supports thousands of families each year in stabilizing and achieving greater well-being.

“Strong families are the cornerstone of strong communities,” said Brian Zimmerman, Director of Student and Family Services for the Santa Maria Bonita School District. “Santa Maria Valley Youth & Family Center has helped students and their families in our district for generations.”

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Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Free Event and webinar schedule

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UNLOCK THE EMERGING ROMANIA MARKET: OPPORTUNITIES FOR ROMANIA – U.S. BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS

August 30 @ 8:00 am

This webinar will provide valuable insights for U.S. companies interested in expanding their business to Romania. Seize this opportunity to hear from representatives from the Consulate General of Romania in Los Angeles and Romanian companies sharing insights on partnering with U.S. firms. Additionally, you will hear from representatives from WITOC, EDC SBDC and U.S. Commercial Service Irvine working together to increase the level of Romania-US trade and economic relations. Learn more about the upcoming Trade Winds Mission to Europe and Eurasia on May 13 – 15, 2024.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Bilingual commentary — Trying to Grasp Infinity…and Beyond!

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“Infinity” means, quite literally, “without end.” Since humans could reflect, they have pondered infinity. Very likely, the first inklings of infinity occurred as the earliest humans contemplated the night sky replete with what seemed to be an infinite number of stars.

Having taught college math, I often talked with my students about “infinity,” but in a mathematical sense. For instance, we discussed infinite iterations, infinite limits, an infinite number of classes of numbers, the infinite number line, infinitesimal differences, infinitely large numbers, infinitely small numbers, the infinite decimal nature of constants such as “pi.” 

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Bilingual report — UC Santa Barbara conducting research on families living in the U.S. and Mexico

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SANTA BARBARA — UC Santa Barbara is conducting a research project with Latina, Latino, or Hispanic immigrant families who currently live apart because one parent migrated to the United States, while the other parent remained in a country within Latin America. Families who participate in the study will receive $140 in compensation for their time.

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Explore Lompoc — Take The Ultimate Fall Road Trip to Lompoc Along Calfiornia’s Central Coast

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LOMPOC — 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: 

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Savie Health Clinic Expands Behavioral Health Services for the Uninsured

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LOMPOC — Savie Health, a free medical clinic for low-income people without health insurance, is pleased to welcome a new behavioral health specialist to its team.

Art Dossey, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with expertise in mental health and addiction treatment, is now available to see patients at Savie Health’s clinic in Lompoc on Saturdays. The nonprofit, which relies on private donations and volunteers, was able to hire Dossey with the help of the Santa Barbara-based Towbes Foundation.

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Young Change-Makers: Girls Inc. of Carpinteria’s Eureka! Program Empowers Voices in Washington D.C. Advocacy Trip

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CARPINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria A group of eleven young girls from Girls Inc. of Carpinteria’s Eureka! Program recently returned after a five-day excursion to Washington D.C. The trip included a visit with Congressman Salud Carbajal and Senator Padilla plus a tour of the white house!

The focal points of this year’s excursion were centered around three main topics: 1) The challenge of healthcare accessibility because of financial obstacles or inadequate insurance coverage, 2) Reversing the decision of Roe vs. Wade and safeguarding women’s reproductive rights, and 3) Inequalities around the pink tax and the financial burdens associated with menstrual products.

“This trip showed me that women and people like me from a small town can truly achieve any dream or goal we may have. It was also impactful because having our voices truly heard by people in congress will help better change/develop our future”, Eureka! cohort member Camila E Hernandez-Sanchez.

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Young crime victims attend Camp Hope hosted by the Ventura County Family Justice Center

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VENTURA — To provide hope and foster resilience in childhood victims of domestic violence, human trafficking and physical and sexual abuse, the Ventura County Family Justice Center (VCFJC) hosted 49 children at its annual Camp Hope summer retreat.

Since 2015, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and VCFJC have hosted an annual five-day-long summer camp in partnership with Camp Hope America, the first evidence-based camping and mentoring program in the nation for children exposed to trauma. Camp Hope’s goal is to give healing, hope and childhood experiences back to children and teens who have been impacted by violence.

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Bilingual report — EDC Granted Funding from VCCF to Advance Isabella Project

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SANTA PAULA — The Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) has been granted first-year funding by the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) to advance the Isabella Project. With the impending implementation of Universal Pre-K (UPK) in California, the funding will be instrumental in addressing potential disruptions faced by early childhood education (ECE) providers and fostering resilience during this transition.

California’s implementation of UPK over the next several years with full implementation by 2025-26 will ensure all children who turn four years old by September 1 of a given school year are provided free access to a Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program from their local school district.

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Housing Trust Fund Ventura County announces $1,500,000 Line of Credit investment from Montecito Bank & Trust in support of affordable housing

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VENTURA COUNTY — Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) announces a $1,500,000 CRA line of credit from Montecito Bank & Trust. The EQ2 (equity equivalent investment) product being leveraged for this Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) line of credit is a long-term loan that allows community development financial institutions (CDFIs), like Housing Trust Fund Ventura County, to strengthen their capital structures and leverage additional debt capital resulting in the ability for increased lending and investing in economically disadvantaged communities, in this case through the development of affordable housing for seniors, farmworkers, the homeless, transitional age foster youth, and low-, very-low, and extremely-low income individuals and families in communities throughout Ventura County.

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UCSB — The Current — ‘Documenting names crafted in public places with nails, tar, bark and bubblegum, artist Alex Lukas releases 12th edition of his fanzine’ and more news, events

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The new issue of Written Names Fanzine, which chronicles occurrences of hyper-localized, unsanctioned public writing, features found names stuck in bubblegum in San Luis Obispo.

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Museum of Ventura County — See upcoming events here

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Tuesday, August 29
3:00 pm – 9:00 pm
@Oxnard Performing Arts Center
800 Hobson Way, Oxnard

Calling All Storytellers! Be a Star in Our New Exhibit. We are looking for volunteers to take part in a video shoot as we explore the deep and diverse meanings of “home.” Your voice matters, and we want YOU to share your unique perspective on what home means to you. Each story is a vital thread in the rich tapestry of our community. Sign up HERE.

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CSUCI to offer a Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)

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CAMARILLO — Applications open Oct. 1 for graduate students seeking a Doctorate in Educational Leadership (or Ed.D.) at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI). 

Pending final approval, the CSUCI Ed.D. in Educational Leadership for Equity and Justice (DELEJ) will launch its inaugural cohort of students in summer of 2024. 

This program will be the most advanced degree offered at CSUCI and classes are being designed so that working professionals can obtain their Ed.D. in three years. 

“The Ed.D. is built for working professionals and we expect people will be working full time as they pursue their doctorate,” said Director of the DELEJ program, Andrea Bingham. “We want people to use their professional experience and draw on that as they write their dissertations.” 

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Oxnard College Receives $100,000 Grant from Metallica’s All Within My Hands’ Scholars Initiative

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OXNARD — Oxnard College has been selected to receive a $100,000 grant from the Grammy Award-winning band Metallica and its foundation, All Within My Hands. The award will support students in the college’s Culinary Arts, Dental Hygiene and Fire Academy programs as the band continues its multimillion-dollar investment in critical workforce programs at community colleges nationwide.

The Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) was launched in 2019 by Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands (AWMH), in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). The workforce initiative marks its fifth year with an ambitious expansion into new curricula. MSI now directly supports 42 community colleges across 33 states, and by the end of this year, it will have helped over 6,000 students pursuing careers in the trades. To date, Metallica and AWMH have invested over six million dollars in the American workforce through career education programs like those at Oxnard College.

“We’re honored to be recognized by Metallica and are grateful for their commitment to supporting Oxnard College’s impactful career education programs,” shared Dr. Oscar Cobian, Interim President of Oxnard College. “This grant will help provide much-needed technical instruments, tools and safety gear to over 100 of our hardworking students.”

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Bilingual report — August News from People’s Self-Help Housing

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This month we’ve been looking back, and looking ahead, and celebrating all that’s brought us to the milestone of serving our communities for 53 years.  Much has changed, and much has been accomplished since three local volunteers came together around a common mission to serve their community, and eventually form our organization to carry it out and magnify.  What’s not changed is the need for creating many more affordable housing opportunities, and coming alongside those among us who are struggling to meet basic needs, in support of our community’s most vulnerable.

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Bilingual report — Santa Paula Parks & Recreation Department and School District Collaborate to Expand Youth Sports Access

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SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Parks & Recreation Department and the Santa Paula Unified School District are proud to announce a transformative partnership focused on increasing access to youth sports in the community. This collaboration aims to overcome barriers and provide a comprehensive range of sports opportunities for students in 3rd to 8th grade.

Recognizing the importance of youth sports in fostering physical activity, teamwork, and personal growth, the Parks & Recreation Department and the School District have come together to develop a program that addresses existing challenges. The goal is to ensure that all interested youth have the chance to participate, regardless of financial constraints or logistical hurdles.

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Bilingual report — People’s Self-Help Housing selects Joanna Dominguez as Director of Resource Development

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CENTRAL COAST — Joanna Dominguez has been selected to serve as the new Director of Resource Development for People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH).

Originally joining PSHH in 2018, Joanna previously served as the Director of Education. Her then role included the oversight of the organization’s ten learning centers as well as the leadership of the award-winning CELEBRE program for Latinas entering higher education. During that time, Joanna was also actively involved in donor relations, gift stewardship, and grant writing.

Following a brief time away from PSHH, Joanna has now returned as the new Director of Resource Development and will play a key role in expanding fundraising and grant acquisition efforts.  Her focus will be on seeking funding for services which support the organization’s over 5,000 residents.

“We are grateful to see Joanna return to PSHH in this vital position” Chief Operating Officer Anna Miller said “Joanna is compassionate, enthusiastic, and has a proven track record for collaboration and results. She has a well-rounded background, giving her the essential skills to take on this new role.

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Santa Paula Police Explorers Excel in Regional Tactical Competition

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SANTA PAULA — Law Enforcement Explorers from Santa Paula Police Department Post 2350 participated in the “Channel Islands Challenge” regional competition in Oxnard August 11-13, 2023. Seven Santa Paula Police Explorers participated and competed with other explorer posts in a three-day competition. The young men and women from Santa Paula were successful with a first place, second place, and four (4) third place awards.

The competition, hosted by the Oxnard Police Explorers, included explorer posts from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Oxnard Police Department, Riverside Police Department, Santa Monica Police Department, Simi Valley Police Department, Torrance Police Department, Santa Maria Police Department, and California Highway Patrol.

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CSUCI receives national honor for helping Latinos  

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CAMARILLO — An innovative CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) program has received a national honor for enabling Latino students to quickly get back on track to graduate after experiencing academic challenges.

Excelencia in Education named the CSUCI Initiative for Mapping Academic Success (CIMAS) a “Program to Watch” for 2023 on Aug. 15.

“We are impressed with the impact your program has had thus far on Latino students and recognize the potential of your program to grow in practice and in evidence of effectiveness,” wrote Erin McCowey, institutional practices manager for Excelencia in Education.

Originally started for Sociology students in 2017 and paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was relaunched universitywide in 2022 to address learning-loss and decreased engagement and sense of belonging caused by the pandemic.

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UCSB — The Current — ‘Dogs can detect COVID-19 infections faster and more accurately than conventional technology’ and more news, events

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The idea has gained scientific consensus: Dogs can be just as good — and sometimes better — than our best tests at detecting the stealthy virus and its variants, even when they are obscured by other viruses, like colds and flu.

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The Social Justice Fund for Ventura County — August Fellowship Update

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All of our 2022-2023 Fellows have officially completed their projects!

As we reflect on the past year of our Fellowship program, we celebrate the unwavering dedication and transformative approaches exhibited by our Fellows:

Brenda not only established free Zumba classes for Nyeland Acres, but also managed to establish yoga classes for her community even after her Fellowship ended.
Zuly and Fatima created reproductive justice workshops that reached multiple generations at once, helping to build deep connections between families of different ages and stages of life.

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Santa Paula Art Museum — New Classes (15) at SPAM’s Cole Creativity Center

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Santa Paula Art Museum Curator of Creativity Gabriel Islas has curated an all-new lineup of classes to experience at the Cole Creativity Center in September! We are excited to welcome you into our new ceramics studio with Wheel Throwing and Hand Building clay courses for all levels. With the kids going back to school, we’re also introducing our new After School: Art and After School: Ceramics programs. Islas himself will be teaching the new Intro to Oil Painting course for total beginners, while the 21-and-over crowd can enjoy Art After Dark, and so much more!

Check out all of our September classes below. All supplies are provided in every class, and preregistration is required.

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CSUCI learns about the need for diversity in agricultural careers with a fellowship in Washington D.C.

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CAMARILLO — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the world of agriculture in general need workers, and not always in a field of crops or livestock. Workers are needed in scores of other areas outside of the farm, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture itself.

“You don’t have to be a scientist or a farmer,” said CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Assistant Vice President for Student Academic Success & Equity Initiatives Michelle Hasendonckx. “The USDA needs people with experience in human resources, communication specialists, accountants, project managers—people from a wide variety of disciplines and backgrounds make up this huge department. And these are career opportunities nationwide.”

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UCSB — The Current — ‘An art museum with a defining collection of Southern California architecture & design’ and more news, events

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The jewels in the crown of the collection held by the Art, Design & Architecture Museum — plucked from the coastal forests and deserts of California Modernism — are its nearly 290 archives of architects, landscape architects and industrial and graphic designers practicing in Southern California.

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