VENTURA COUNTY — Karen Blackwell has dedicated 40 years of her life to teaching middle school and high school students. For the last 25 years she taught at Ventura High School where, in August 2017, she first met Keanna, a…
Category: Youth
Economic Impact Study details the talent, growth and revenue CSUCI brings to state and county
CAMARILLO — An educated work force, a healthier economy and opportunities for upward social mobility are among numerous economic advantages CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) brings to the state, county and surrounding cities. The CSUCI Economic Impact Report for the 2016-17 fiscal…
Registrations for Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten happening at OSD for the 2019-2020 school year
OXNARD — The Oxnard School District is accepting student registrations for Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten for the 2019-2020 school year between January 22, 2019 and February 28, 2019. Kindergarten students must be five years old by September 1, 2019. Transitional Kindergarten…
Norma (Alexa) Cervantes Gonzalez, receives this year’s Peter A. Alevra Scholarship
By Santa Barbara City College SANTA BARBARA — Norma (Alexa) Cervantes Gonzalez was awarded the Peter Alevra Memorial Scholarship for 2018 based upon her contributions to multicultural understanding and participation in campus and community activities which help to create a sense…
Former U.S. Second Lady Tipper Gore becomes founding donor for CSUCI peer mentor program
CAMARILLO — After transferring to CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) from Alan Hancock College in Santa Maria, Business major Bryan Calazan, 29, was struggling. He was overwhelmed attending school full time while also holding down a full-time job. “When I transferred from…
Santa Maria High School Business Economic Students compete in Los Angeles Region’s ‘Stock Market Game’
SANTA MARIA — Business is business, and business can be fun, says the winners of the SMHS team. Business economics students Jose Garza and Josue Lopez Vega recently placed 6thout of nearly 1,100 teams who competed in the Los Angeles Region’s…
Open Call Auditions for 10th annual ‘Talent Showcase’ in Carpinteria
Carpinteria Rotary fundraiser for CUSD music programs CARPINTERIA — Share your talent with the community while raising funds for local school district music programs! Rotary Club of Carpinteria presents the annual local “Talent Showcase,” hosted by the Alcazar Theater, with…
36th Annual California Strawberry Festival Seeks Sponsors
OXNARD — The 36th Annual California Strawberry Festival, taking place May 18 and 19 at Strawberry Meadows of College Park in Oxnard, is seeking corporate sponsors and exhibitors. Each year, the festival attracts nearly 60,000 visitors. Festivalgoers come from throughout…
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – January 21, 2019 Events and Closures in Oxnard
OXNARD — Below is a list of events in observance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as well as information regarding City of Oxnard closures on Jan. 21, 2019, for the holiday. January 21: Freedom March and Celebration…
Jackson Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Paid Family Leave
Legislation follows Governor Newsom’s promise to expand paid family leave SACRAMENTO –Following Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement that he is committed to expanding paid family leave, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) introduced legislation today to strengthen California’s family leave laws and create…
Bilingual report: Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. hosting Dental Health Fair on Feb. 16 in honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month
OXNARD — February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. If you have a baby or toddler, you may have questions about thumb sucking, your child’s first dental visit or how and when to clean your child’s teeth. If so, on…
Marjorie Luke Theatre update for Jan. 11 — Mariachi Los Camperos
Click here for the entire e-newsletter Please click here to visit the newly designed LukeTheatre.org! Michael Andrews shares why Boxtales Theatre Company calls The Luke home for their summer youth theater camps. Upcoming Events Mariachi Los Camperos Sunday, January…
State Sen. Jackson Applauds Governor’s Bold First Budget Proposal
Budget commits to robust emergency preparedness and paid family leave SACRAMENTO – State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) released the following statement on Governor Gavin Newsom’s January budget proposal released today. “I applaud Governor Newsom’s visionary yet prudent approach to addressing some…
CSUCI awarded $1.1 million grant for Early Childhood Dual Language Learning
CAMARILLO — For children whose families don’t speak English at home, research has shown there are numerous advantages to educating young children in English and their native language simultaneously. These young students are called Dual Language Learners or DLLs. Developing strategies…
Bilingual report: Ventura County Health Care Agency Vaccine and Medication Ineffectiveness Update
VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Health Care Agency provides Vaccine and Medication Ineffectiveness Update. Click here for information in English Click here for information in español
Cottage Health Employees, United Way Spread Joy to Elementary Students
SANTA BARBARA — United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) and Cottage Health employees teamed up to ensure 30 elementary age students all had gifts to unwrap for the holidays. Cottage Health employees contacted UWSBC in the fall to arrange…
Teen shows resilience through her life-long foster experience; shares how finally having a home and family impacted her life
The teen and Foster VC Kids are sharing her story to encourage Ventura County families to help by fostering, mentoring or providing permanency. VENTURA COUNTY — Keanna, age 18, is sharing the story of her life-long foster experience with the hope…
Santa Barbara City College update for Dec. 21 — SBCC to offer Evening College
Santa Barbara City College’s Community Newsletter December 2018 SBCC to offer Evening College Juggling work, school and family prevents many college students from enrolling full time, making it difficult to persist and succeed. In 2017, SBCC was awarded a Federal…
MONEY magazine ranks CSUCI 4th best college in the nation for transfer students
CAMARILLO — The journey to a university diploma doesn’t always mean a straight four-year shot through a single college. Finances, family obligations or a number of other reasons compel millions of students to choose two years at a community college first…
Registration is Now Underway for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley 2019 Winter Sports Leagues….Free Basketball Clinic is Offered
AGOURA HILLS — Registration is now underway for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley’s Winter 2019 coed Jr. NBA Basketball League. The season kicks off with a free Basketball Clinic offered from January 6-27, on Sundays, at the…
Santa Maria’s Delta High School students getting help meeting their post-secondary educational goals during ‘College Thursdays’
SANTA MARIA — Delta High School students are getting help meeting their post-secondary educational goals during “College Thursdays”. The workshops, held afterschool and in the evening, feature instruction on how to complete college financial aid forms, scholarships and applications, according to…
Miller YMCA Youth & Government Delegation Makes Lunches for the Homeless
NEWBURY PARK — Thirty members from the Miller YMCA Youth & Government delegation made over 300 lunches that were then delivered to East Rancho Dominguez Community Center in Compton to help feed the homeless. This is the fifth year that…
CSUCI Biology faculty receives grant to help increase STEM degrees among minorities
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Biology Lecturer Caryl Ann Becerra, Ph.D., has received $35,000 for a project called “California State University Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (CSU-LSAMP).” LSAMP stands for the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program, which…
Ventura County Community College District Welcomes New Board Members and Elects Board Officers
CAMARILLO — The Board of Trustees of the Ventura County Community College District held its annual organization meeting Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, and welcomed new members Gabriela Torres, Area 5 and Josh Chancer, Area 1. Chancellor Gillespie administered the oath…
More than 40 Santa Maria Joint Union High School District students receive scholarships generated by the ‘Patch’
SANTA MARIA — Scholarships generated by the “Patch” were recently awarded to more than 40 SMJUHSD students who worked on the agritourism project at Los Flores Ranch. The “Patch” made $13,000 in scholarships to students a reality. They collectively contributed 2,814…
CSUCI-led VC STEM network receives $75,000 grant from Amgen Foundation
CAMARILLO — A recently-released White House five-year strategic plan to promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning indicates that Ventura County is already ahead of the curve, thanks to the CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)-led Ventura County STEM (VC STEM) network.…
United for Literacy Forum Emphasizes Power of Bilingual Education
SANTA BARBARA — Local education experts discussed how effective bilingual instruction plans help raise GPAs and reduce drop out rates during a recent forum presented by United Way of Santa Barbara County. The United for Literacy Education Forum, held Nov.…
Pioneer Valley High School culinary arts students learn about food handing production
SANTA MARIA — Culinary Arts students at Pioneer Valley High School are getting a first-hand look at how a restaurant handles food production in an effort to help them prepare and earn a ServSafe Managers Certificate. The certificate, which is valid…
CSUCI receives two separate grants to empower immigrants and transfer students
CAMARILLO — Vulnerable student populations at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) are benefitting from two separate grants from one local and one national organization. Professor of Chicana/o Studies Jose Alamillo and Assistant Professors of Sociology Luis Sanchez and Karina Chavarria applied for…
Santa Maria Joint Union High School District AVID students, peers visit Levi Stadium for PAC-12 Championship Sports Career Education Day and College Fair
SANTA MARIA — Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Avid students and their peers recently took over Levi Stadium for the PAC-12 Championship Sports Career Education Day and College Fair in the San Francisco Bay Area. About 200 Saints, Panthers…
Two New Trustees Join Ventura County Board of Education
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Board of Education welcomed two newly-elected trustees at its meeting tonight in Camarillo. Rob Collins and Mike Teasdale were formally sworn in as trustees following their election victories in November. Collins now represents trustee area…
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County: Holiday Angels Program Returns
VENTURA COUNTY — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) is proud to once again partner with Harbor Freight, First Bank (Westlake Village), Student Corps, and individual donors for the organization’s Holiday Angels gift-giving program. BBSVC’s Holiday Angels opportunity for…
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley Recognizes Key Community Contributors in 2018
AGOURA HILLS — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) recognized several key community contributors in 2018 during their annual “Stand up for Kids Gala Dinner & Auction”, the organization’s main fundraising event of the year. Joe Seetoo…
Updated Dashboard Provides Clearer Picture of School Performance in Ventura County, throughout the state
A redesigned and expanded California School Dashboard is now available to the public at www.caschooldashboard.org. The Dashboard, which debuted in 2017, has a new look that makes it easier to see how individual schools and districts are performing in six…
SMHS FFA Member now has raised two puppies for Guide Dog Project
SANTA MARIA — Santa Maria High School FFA senior Ariadna Romero, who has spent hundreds of hours raising a puppy for Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB), was proud to see the dog graduate as a guide in a formal…
Juan Soria School receives Golden Bell Award at recognition ceremony on Nov. 29
OXNARD — Juan Soria School in Oxnard received the Golden Bell Award at recognition ceremony held on Nov. 29 at the California School Boards Association (CSBA) Annual Education Conference and Trade Show in SanFrancisco. Juan Soria School is one of 51 recipients of…
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley Announce Newest Member to Board of Governors
AGOURA – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley is pleased to announce a new member to its Board of Governors, Erick Thorson. Thorson is currently President of Thorson Insurance where he manages two separate brokerages – Thorson…
Museum of Ventura County update for Nov. 27 — Giving Back Tuesday
The season of giving is here! GivingTuesday – November 27th, 2018 In the true spirit of the season, we invite you to join your Museum of Ventura County this GivingTuesday by giving back to your community. Right now you have…
Santa Paula Art Museum update for Nov. 21 — Thank you! & upcoming events
SANTA PAULA ART MUSEUM JEANETTE COLE ART CENTER & COLE CREATIVITY CENTER One of the best things about working in the museum/non-profit sector is that we are fortunate enough to see the kindness and generosity of others demonstrated to us…
CSUCI’s first campus therapy dog will get a formal presidential welcome
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) President Erika D. Beck will host a welcome ceremony for the university’s first therapy dog at 2 p.m., Monday, Nov. 26 in the East Bell Tower courtyard. The guest of honor is a five-year old…
Carnegie Art Museum update for Nov. 21 — Happy Thankgiving & upcoming events
Click here for the entire e-newsletter At the Thanksgiving Holiday coming almost on the back of our region’s recent harrowing events, the Museum is grateful that the Oxnard-Ventura area with its residents, artists and art holdings is so far…
United Way Young Leaders Raise $4,600 at Annual United We Bowl
SANTA BARBARA — Bowlers laced up their rentals and hit the lanes Nov. 9 during the Young Leader’s Society’s largest ever “United We Bowl” to benefit United Way of Santa Barbara County’s literacy programs. More than 130 participants joined the…
Ventura County School Closures through Thanksgiving break
VENTURA COUNTY — The following Ventura County K-12 public schools and districts have announced they will remain CLOSED through the Thanksgiving break and reopen Monday, November 26. All other Ventura County K-12 public schools and districts will be open on Thursday,…
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley Extend Hours at Two Clubs to Accommodate School Closures
AGOURA — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley have announced that they will be open for full-length days, from 7 am to 6:30 pm starting Wednesday, November 14 through Wednesday, November 21 at the Johnston Club in Thousand…
Righetti Agriculture Department recently began their 2nd Annual “Green Thumb” House Plant Competition
SANTA MARIA — May the best “Green Thumbs” win. The Righetti Agriculture Department recently began their 2nd Annual “Green Thumb” House Plant Competition. The contest usually involves freshman in the Ag Science classes receiving a small house plant to take home…
Lisa Murphy Rivas Named Interim Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Carpinteria
CARPINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Murphy Rivas, a nonprofit management, public outreach and government relations professional, as its interim executive director. Rivas succeeds outgoing executive director Victoria Juarez, who served Girls…
CSU Channel Islands classes suspended through Thanksgiving
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) announced that classes will be suspended until after Thanksgiving and will resume on Monday, Nov. 26. The campus is currently safe and is not under any evacuation orders and will be open through Nov. 21; employees should report to…
Rio School District in Oxnard wants to thank the Rio community for passing Measure L
OXNARD — The Committee for Caring for Rio Schools — Yes on Measure L, would like to thank the Rio Community for passing Measure L. We are grateful that the Rio community has said yes to the needed improvements to…
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley Holds Successful ‘Stand up for Kids Gala Dinner & Auction’ – Vital Funds Raised for Local Youth
AGOURA — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) held a successful “Stand up for Kids Gala Dinner & Auction”, their major fundraiser of the year, on October 20 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village. The…
El Centrito Family Learning Centers Closes Its Doors in Oxnard
OXNARD — We regretfully announce the termination of services by El Centrito Family Learning Centers, an organization that has been serving children and families in the city since 1992. Friday, November 9, 2018, will be our final day of operation. A…
Juan Soria School in Oxnard receives Golden Bell Award. Recognition reception to be held Nov. 29
OXNARD — Juan Soria School in Oxnard is one of 51 recipients of the Golden Bell Award — California’s leading educational honor—for its 80/20 Spanish Dual Language Immersion Program. The Golden Bell Awards are sponsored by the California School Boards Association…
Local colleges, CSUCI closed due to Ventura County region brush fires. Public schools also announced closures. Resources available
VENTURA COUNTY — Oxnard College closed its campus at noon Friday due the the Woolsey/Hill; brush fires. Moorpark College has canceled Friday classes as a result of the Woolsey Fire and related events. The Board of Trustees, Chancellor Gillespie, President Sanchez,…
BGCOP Honors Long-Time Board Member At Its 29th Annual Donald K. Facciano Kids Auction & Gala
OXNARD — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme has chosen long-time board member Sean Leonard and his wife, Gwen, as this year’s honorees for its upcoming 29th Annual Donald K. Facciano Kids Auction & Gala.…
Simi YMCA Announces Volunteer of the Year Award Winners
SIMI VALLEY — The Simi Valley Family YMCA handed out its 7th Annual Volunteer of the Year awards at a November 3 dinner at the Simi Y. Over 100 people attended. “Each year, the Simi Y honors those individuals who…
Three Pioneer Valley High School FFA Soil, and Land Evaluation Teams sweep the competition
SANTA MARIA — Three Pioneer Valley FFA Soil and Land Evaluation Teams recently swept the competition, winning 1st, 4th and 5th at a Career Development Event Field Day at West Hills College in Coalinga, the Santa Maria Joint Union High…
Museum of Ventura County update for Nov. 7 — Friends of the Library Art Sale on Nov. 10
Major funding for these programs is made possible by the City of San Buenaventura, the County of Ventura and private and community donors. Upcoming Events Mayor’s Arts Awards Nov. 8, 5:30 – 8:30 pm, the 2018 Mayor’s Arts Awards will be held…
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley Welcome Visits from the LA Rams
THOUSAND OAKS — Members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley had the opportunity to connect with Michael Brockers and his wife, Faith of the LA Rams during a special two-part visit. A Goal Setting Workshop was held…
Marjorie Luke Theatre update for Nov. 2 — Twelth Night or What You Will Nov. 15, 16
Click here for the entire e-newsletter Beau Lettieri ~ Beau shares how The Luke’s top-notch facilities helped inspire him to pursue a career in technical theatre. Upcoming Events Twelth Night or What You Will Thursday & Friday, November 15th…
Exploding pumpkins and flaming gummy bears among 120+ science activities at CSUCI Science Carnival on Nov. 3
CAMARILLO — At least six museums from Ventura and Santa Barbara counties will participate in this year’s free CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Science Carnival on Saturday, Nov. 3 from 4 to 8 p.m. The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History; the California Oil…
Carnegie Art Museum update — Día de los Muertos Free Family Day on Nov. 3
Click here for the entire e-newsletter UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS Free Family Day Saturday, November 3 noon- 3 pm Free The Carnegie Art Museum celebrates Día de los Muertos as we honor our departed ones through music, dance and a variety of…