Category: Youth

Open registration for SBCC Spring 2022 starts Dec. 7

by Community Contributor • December 6, 2021 • Comments Off

Santa Barbara City College is pleased to announce that registration for Spring 2022 will be open to everyone in the community beginning Tuesday, Dec. 7. Whether the goal is to earn an associate degree, transfer to a four-year university, or enroll in the School of Extended Learning for life enrichment classes, career skills training, a high school diploma or GED, SBCC is committed to help people from all walks of life succeed.

Students can choose from classes that are offered online or in a face-to-face or hybrid format. The Luria Library and the Cartwright Learning Resources Center will also be offering services in-person and online, as will all Student Services.

CSUCI Health Sciences major Benito Rumbo wins Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Program Scholarship

by Community Contributor • December 3, 2021 • Comments Off

CSU Channel Islands senior Benito Rumbo is going to have a difficult choice deciding which of the more than six graduate programs he applied for to attend. The Health Sciences major must choose between following his original dream of becoming a physician’s assistant or pursuing a Ph.D. in one of his two new-found loves—public health and epidemiology.

“I came to CSUCI wanting to pursue medicine because that is what I knew and was aware of,” Rumbo said. “But after taking health sciences courses, working with my professors, and participating in a research project about the burden of care givers, I felt passionate about research and pursuing a career in public health. But I’m still weighing my options.”

Bilingual commentary — Reigniting the Math Culture Wars

by Community Contributor • December 3, 2021 • Comments Off

Unbeknownst to most people some 20 years ago, a great war was being waged in our country. Only a small slice of the population, consisting mostly of educators, was actually involved in the battles, but the outcome of that war determined the academic fate of millions of students in our classrooms.

The Great Math Wars of the 1990s pitted the “reform advocates” against the “traditionalists.” It wasn’t until 2008 that a form of “cease-fire” was called, and cooler heads prevailed as compromise between the more extreme positions was hammered out.

Which brings us to today. A recent article on the front page of the Ventura County Star published on November 23, 2021, exposed the “shot across the bow” announcing the stirring of a new conflict. Unfortunately, that clash could merge effortlessly into the broad river we know as the “culture wars” that are shredding the fabric of our society and the very basis of our democracy.

Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Foundation becomes CSUCI’s single largest donor

by Community Contributor • December 2, 2021 • Comments Off

Following more than 20 years of strong philanthropic partnership, the Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Foundation has generously donated $10.5 million to the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics (MVS) at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI). Ventura County philanthropist and real estate developer Martin V. “Bud” Smith and his wife Martha created the Foundation to support community organizations.

The transformational gift brings the total contributed to CSUCI to more than $19 million since the family’s first donation in 1999, making them the University’s largest donor.

Just over $3.5 million will be used to complete the renovation of the MVS School’s new home, located in the campus’ former Manzanita Hall, and the refurbishment of an adjacent courtyard. The new space will be named “Martin V. Smith Hall” in honor of Bud Smith, and the courtyard will be named the “Martha K. Smith Courtyard” after Smith’s wife. The remaining $7 million will be used to create a new endowment for the MVS School to enhance the quality of the educational programming and experience for its students and faculty.

POOLCORP Donates $70,000 To Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s Water Safety Program

by Community Contributor • December 2, 2021 • Comments Off

The Southeast Ventura County YMCA received a $70,000 grant from POOLCORP to help fund the Y’s Safety Around Water (SAW) program and current and future lifeguard training.

POOLCORP made the donation at the Yarrow Family YMCA in Westlake Village on November 22.

People’s Self Help Housing — Got 5 mins? Build a Home for the Holidays!

by Community Contributor • December 2, 2021 • Comments Off

Each year, our tradition has been to brighten the season with a heartfelt craft for you and your loved ones to make together.

This year’s craft represents some of the 5,000+ people who call People’s Self-Help Housing home.

Please enjoy, and thank you for all your support!

UCSB — The Current — ‘A Transnational Treasure’ and more news

by Community Contributor • December 2, 2021 • Comments Off

Sara Poot-Herrera receives a major honor in Mexico.

Holiday Fun at Santa Paula Art Museum. Events Dec. 2, 4

by Community Contributor • December 2, 2021 • Comments Off

There are only a few spots left in Thursday evening’s “One-of-a-kind Wrappings” class at the Santa Paula Art Museum’s Cole Creativity Center! Join teaching artist Kat Kaller to learn the elegant and easy suminagashi paper-marbling process and use it to create your own handmade wrapping papers. No experience is necessary, and all supplies will be provided. Preregistration is required.

Bilingual report — Shop LOCAL This Year to Help Businesses that Care

by Community Contributor • December 1, 2021 • Comments Off

The holiday shopping season typically kicks off on Black Friday, but with shipping delays, global supply chain issues, and large crowds expected at big-name retailers, experts are urging shoppers to shop early and shop local. Although online shopping has become the norm for many during the pandemic, supporting neighborhood businesses is convenient, reduces your environmental impact, and strengthens the local economy. Shopping local this holiday season can also mean supporting children, youth and families in our community that need it most.

United Way of Santa Barbara County Partners with She & Him and UCSB Arts & Lectures to launch United Way’s 2021 Holiday Gift Drive

by Community Contributor • December 1, 2021 • Comments Off

United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) partners with She & Him and UCSB Arts & Lectures to launch United Way’s 2021 Holiday Gift Drive on Thursday, December 2nd at 8:00 p.m. at the Arlington Theatre.

Each year, UWSBC partners with community members and organizations to provide gifts to local children and families during the holidays. This year, they will be partnering with She & Him, a music duo that consists of holiday songs from indie-folk artist M. Ward and actress/singer-songwriter Zooey Deschanel and UCSB Arts & Lectures.

Association of Mexican American Educators – Oxnard Chapter — Lend A Hand

by Community Contributor • December 1, 2021 • Comments Off

Your donations help our efforts to support our students, provide scholarships to high-school seniors to continue their education, and to attract more teachers of color into the field of education and leadership positions.

Bilingual report — Dec. 1, 2021 – COVID-19 Update

by Community Contributor • December 1, 2021 • Comments Off

A confirmed case of the Omicron variant is in California. Californians can protect themselves by getting vaccinated and boosted, wearing a mask, getting tested if they have any symptoms and staying home if sick. Get the facts about the Omicron variant here: bit.ly/omicronvariant

House Farm Workers! announces $50,000 grant to fund Countywide Farmworker Housing Study, giving a voice to Ventura County farmworkers

by Community Contributor • November 30, 2021 • Comments Off

House Farm Workers! has received a $50,000 grant awarded by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) to support a comprehensive Countywide Farmworker Housing Study that proactively and comprehensively addresses farmworker housing in Ventura County. The study seeks to give a voice to the County’s estimated 36,000 farmworkers, shining a light specifically on local housing needs for this vulnerable yet essential population. The last time a farmworker study was completed was nearly 20 years ago in 2002.

Ventura County Board of Education Appoints New Member

by Community Contributor • November 30, 2021 • Comments Off

The Ventura County Board of Education has unanimously voted to appoint Arleigh Kidd as the new board member representing trustee area four. The longtime Simi Valley educator will fill the seat that was left vacant when Rob Collins stepped down from the board on October 25 due to health reasons. Kidd assumed his new role immediately after taking the oath of office at last night’s board meeting in Camarillo.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Move to This’ and more news

by Community Contributor • November 30, 2021 • Comments Off

The Kinetic Lab will jump start the season with a return to live dance concerts.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Nov. 29, 2021

by Community Contributor • November 29, 2021 • Comments Off

Since Wednesday, there are 323 new COVID-19 cases reported and 14,189 new tests performed. There are 36 people hospitalized, 5 in the ICU. There has been 1 new death of a 73 year old female. Our thoughts and sincere condolences to the loved ones of those that have passed away. The R-effective for Ventura County is .88 which means the spread is likely decreasing.

The California Department of Public Health has released a statement about the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. Read it here.

Bilingual report — Oxnard College offers English as a Second Language Classes in person and online

by Community Contributor • November 25, 2021 • Comments Off

Learn English in person and online at Oxnard College. Registration for ESL classes is now open for the spring 2022 semester at Oxnard College. Credit and non-credit classes start January 17 and will be delivered in person and online with flexible morning and evening schedules. There is no enrollment fee for non-credit classes.

Oxnard College offers free use of textbooks, access to Zoom and tutoring for classes. There are also laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots available to lend to students who need them on a first-come, first-serve basis.