Business, Cultural, Family, Finance, Government, Home, Local, News

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County announces $2 million in lines of credit received from Community West Bank and Mission Bank

by  • 

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) announces two, $1 million lines of credit (LOC), one each from Community West Bank and Mission Bank. The funds will be used as part of Housing Trust Fund VC’s Everyone Deserves a Home revolving loan fund, a community impact note that provides flexible, below- market interest rate loans for the development of affordable housing in Ventura County. Three upcoming developments that will receive funding are a new pre-development loan for Fillmore Terrace being developed by Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Corporation (PSHHC), a GAP loan for Mesa Ojai being purchased by Mesa, and a construction loan to the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (HACSB) for Westview II.

Read more →

Business, Education, Finance, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule

by  • 

SANTA BARBARA SCORE: WHY YOUR WEBSITE SHOULD BE A TOP MARKETING PRIORITY

April 20 @ 10:00 am

It’s important that businesses make their website a priority and the foundation of their digital marketing in order to achieve optimal success. With only having a few seconds to engage website visitors, your visuals and content need to be spot on. Join SCORE to learn the latest website best practices and techniques for making your website a more effective sales tool. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Read more →

Educación, En español, familia, Locales, Noticias

Condado de Ventura — Actualización: COVID-19

by  • 

¡Compartimos un agradecimiento especial a Esperanza Ramírez por su dedicación a servir a trabajadores agrícolas en nuestra comunidad! Esperanza siempre hace un esfuerzo adicional conectarse con nuestros vecinos que trabajan en los campos.

“Me siento muy afortunada de ser parte del Programa de Recursos para Trabajadores Agrícolas, donde puedo ayudar a las familias agrícolas que llaman a nuestra oficina en busca de recursos porque están pasando por momentos difíciles durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Mis padres son trabajadores agrícolas y ellos son mi inspiración cada día para sentirme orgullosa del trabajo que realizo al servir a la comunidad agrícola. Mi parte favorita de mi trabajo es estar en los ranchos y proporcionar recursos informativos para la comunidad agrícola en el maravilloso idioma Tu’un Savi (Mixteco).”

Read more →

Cultural, Education, Family, Government, Health, Local, News, Youth

Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Responds to State Delaying Student Vaccine Mandate

by  • 

Last Thursday, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that a statewide requirement for K-12 students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 will be delayed at least until the 2023-24 school year. California had initially intended to require student vaccinations for the 2022-23 school year, but that was contingent on the FDA fully approving the vaccine for most students. Since it’s not known when the FDA will grant full approval, CDPH says health officials and schools will need more time for successful implementation of new vaccine requirements.

Read more →

Business, En español, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — Board of Supervisors launches survey for input on CEO recruitment

by  • 

The County of Ventura Board of Supervisors seeks community feedback to ensure the recruitment for the next County Executive Officer is a success. The County Executive Officer (CEO) executes, leads, and coordinates the management and administrative policies and directives of the Board of Supervisors. 

Read more →

Business, Education, Government, Health, Local, News

CLU School of Management — PRiME Competition and New Venture Fair launching, other events

by  • 

PRiME Competition
Vote for the People’s Choice Award
On-demand between April 20 – April 26

Our PRiME Competition showcases student projects that support the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. Each project required a written paper, SDGs-executive summary, video presentation, and Powerpoint/poster presentation for judges’ review.

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, Local, News

Access Patrol Services Provides Spanish-Speaking Security Guards

by  • 

Access Patrol Services (APS), a security guard company serving California and Arizona, provides bilingual Spanish-speaking security guards to businesses, events, shopping centers, medical facilities, schools and government entities.

“Security guards need to be able to communicate effectively. In many cases, that means talking with individuals in English or Spanish,” says Fahim Abid, APS security director. “We’ve found that our bilingual guards convey a high level of trust and those speaking primarily Spanish who need assistance are more comfortable discussing their issues to guards in their native tongue.”

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Education, Family, Finance, Local, News, Youth

Register now for SBCC summer sessions

by  • 

Santa Barbara City College is pleased to announce that registration for summer 2022 is now open to everyone in the community. Whether looking to earn a certificate, an associate degree or transfer to a four-year university — or enroll in the School of Extended Learning for life-enhancement classes, career-skills training, a high school diploma or GED — SBCC is ready to help you achieve your goals.

Two six-week sessions are offered, starting May 16 and June 27.

Read more →

Business, Health, Local, News

Broadway star Cristy Candler launches OF SOUND BODY in Santa Barbara, offering healing through yoga, sound and energy work

by  • 

For more than a decade, Cristy Candler wowed audiences as a professional dancer, Broadway star and fitness model, seamlessly moving from lead roles in popular musicals to television appearances to photo shoots in major magazines.

Through it all, Candler stayed grounded physically, mentally, and spiritually by embracing another set of passions: yoga, sound healing and energy work. She practiced these modalities herself, studied with some of the best yoga masters in New York City, and taught yoga to the Broadway community, at yoga studios and at major companies.

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Education, Family, Health, Local, News, Youth

Santa Barbara City College — Outstanding Administrator of the Year: Angelica Contreras and more news

by  • 

Interim Director of Admissions & Records and Dual Enrollment Angelica Contreras received this year’s Outstanding Administrator of the Year Award for her commitment to students and her ability to lead with compassion, professionalism and courage. Known for fostering cooperation and collaborations, she ensures that everyone involved is included and heard. “Leadership is who she is, in all she does,” said one of her colleagues.

Read more →

Business, Family, Finance, Government, Home, Local, News

United Way of Ventura County launches Forward Home Program

by  • 

United Way of Ventura County has officially launched its new Forward Home Program in partnership with the City of Oxnard, which assists City of Oxnard clients experiencing homelessness in successfully transitioning to stable housing. 

UWVC provides a variety of services via the Forward Home Program, including collaborating with case managers as well as assisting clients in gathering and obtaining necessary documents, receiving credit counseling, applying for housing voucher programs, accessing additional community resources, and more.

Read more →

Commentary, Education, Local, Opinion

Bilingual Commentary — Their Indispensable Role of Libraries in Our Communities

by  • 

Last week was National Library Week, “a time to celebrate our nation’s libraries, library workers’ contributions and promote library use and support,” according to the American Library Association website. 

Libraries are not the places we boomers knew as children. In the late 1950s, computers and the Internet were just a twinkle in technology’s eye. We may not all have walked to school uphill in neck-high snow, but we did work to get information.

Read more →

Business, Government, Local, News

Port of Hueneme — State Selects High-Tech Collaborative for Key Investment

by  • 

The California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) recently announced grant award recipients?of the Inclusive Innovation Hub (iHub2) program. This one-time, $250,000 grant will run for a 15 month period and will help accelerate regionally focused strategies to spur innovation and diversification across industry sectors and geographies while attracting entrepreneurs from underserved business communities.

Read more →

Business, Education, Finance, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — FATHOMWERX Designated as Local Inclusive Innovation Hub

by  • 

The California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) announced grant award recipients?of the Inclusive Innovation Hub (iHub2) program. This one-time, $250,000 grant will run for 15 months period and will help accelerate regionally focused strategies to spur innovation and diversification across industry sectors and geographies while attracting entrepreneurs from underserved business communities.

Read more →

Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Local, News

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Only 4 days remaining to see This Basic Asymmetry

by  • 

There are only four days remaining to view This Basic Asymmetry featuring work by artists Patricia Ayres, Simone Forti, Miguel Angel Payano Jr., Paul Mpagi Sepuya, and Gabriela Ruiz. 

This Basic Asymmetry presents the work of five artists whose practices make available their personal processes of introspection, creating a space for the viewer to reflect on their own relationship to their bodies and how that informs one’s perception of others. Addressing the dissonance in our reckoning between self and other, the works exhibited here accommodate space for mutual exploration.

Admission is always FREE! Click here to read more >>>

Read more →

Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Local, News, Youth

OPAC’s Sight + Sound Film Festival Announces Call for Submissions

by  • 

The Sight + Sound Film Festival is accepting film submissions now through June 12 for its second annual event to be held September 30 – October 2, 2022 at select venues in Historic Downtown Oxnard. The event is a joint effort between OPAC, the Film, Television, and Electronic Media program at Oxnard College and Downtown Oxnard.

Filmmakers of all levels may submit works in the following categories: Narrative Features and Shorts, Documentary Features and Shorts, Romantic Comedy, Dramatic, Thriller/Sci-Fi, Films produced in Oxnard/Ventura County and by local filmmakers, Student films, Music Videos, ASMR, and Animations.

“Our commitment is to collaboration, unity, diversity and giving voice to artists and issues around the world and to promote awareness and healing as we endeavor to present the best possible cinematic works, speakers and workshops by artists locally, regionally and even internationally” said Carolyn Merino Mullin, festival director. 

Read more →

Cultural, Education, Government, Health, Home, Local, News

Sigrid Wright Awarded Congressional Woman of the Year

by  • 

Congressmember Salud Carbajal has announced the winners of the fifth annual Congressional Women of the Year Award, including Community Environmental Council CEO Sigrid Wright. This prestigious award honors six exceptional women across the 24th Congressional District who have left a positive impact on their communities. 

“With the many daunting challenges of the growing climate crisis, Sigrid’s dedicated environmental leadership in Santa Barbara has guided the community in facing those changes,” Congressman Carbajal said. “I am honored to recognize her contributions to our community.”

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Education, En español, familia, Family, Finance, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Women

Bilingual report — WEV seeking Bilingual Program Officer

by  • 

WEV is seeking to hire a full-time Bilingual Program Officer to support our Emprendedores Spanish language business training, coaching and micro-grant program. ?This role can be based in the Ventura or Santa Barbara office, with hybrid work opportunities.  WEV (pronounced “weave”) is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating an equitable and just society through the economic empowerment of women. We are a purposeful, mission-driven organization with a passionate and engaged staff based in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, whose primary focus is on supporting women-owned businesses and entrepreneurship.   For more information and to apply visit: www.wevonline.org/jobs/bilingual-program-officer/

Read more →

Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

SBCC students among 2022 Phi Theta Kappa All-California Award Winners

by  • 

Santa Barbara City College extends congratulations to students Carie Millard, Nicole Pena, Olivia Reed and John Fletcher (not pictured) for being named 2022 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-California Award Winners. This year’s list of award recipients includes 114 students from across the California Community Colleges for the All-California Academic First, Second and Third Teams. To view the team selections and rankings, click here. 

PTK recognizes the academic achievement of college students and provides opportunities for its members to grow as scholars and leaders. Established in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa has a presence on almost 1,300 community college campuses in 11 nations. Building on the success of the national All-USA Team Program, PTK launched the All-State Academic Team Program. The purpose of this program is to provide recognition at the state level for these top community college students. 

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, familia, Family, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — County of Ventura Update – COVID-19

by  • 

It’s National Public Safety Telecommunications Week and we’re showing gratitude for dispatchers at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Ventura County Fire Department! They are the calm voice on the other end of the line that provides critical support to the community, deputies, and first responders. Thank you for your commitment and dedication to our community!

Read more →

Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

CSUCI student advocate for LGBTQ individuals is named a Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellow

by  • 

The CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) student who founded the national  Youth Pride Association (YPA) has been named a 2022-2023 Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellow.

Chemistry major Cameron Bartosiewicz, who founded the 501(c)3 to support and advocate for LGBTQ youth, is among 173 students from 38 states and Mexico to be named a Newman Fellow.

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, Finance, Local, Locales, News

Bilingual report — MICOP — Farmworkers strike Acquistapace Harvesting Inc.

by  • 

A farmworker strike for the agriculture company Aquistapace Harvesting Inc. took place April 11 in Santa Maria, California with the support of non-profit organizations, Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project and CAUSE.
 
Workers at Aquistapace Harvesting Inc. are on strike to demand an increase in the payment of strawberry boxes as no increases have been seen in past years. With the increase in gasoline, housing and food. Collective workers are demanding the following in order to sustain themselves:
 
1. Increase in strawberry boxes to $3.50
2. Paid holidays / double when working
3. Working condition – Do not work during rains / pay double box price on rainy days

Read more →

Business, Education, Family, Government, Health, Local, News, Youth

Regional Climate Collaboratives to Kick Off 5-Week Carbon Sequestration Webinar Series in Earth Week

by  • 

The Central Coast Climate Collaborative (4C) and the Santa Barbara County Regional Climate Collaborative are co-hosting a five-part webinar series to educate participants about carbon sequestration and carbon offsets. The series kicks off April 19, and will conclude on May 18.

In order to achieve carbon neutrality, governments, businesses, and communities will need to consider carbon sequestration and offsets as part of the solutions toolkit. Because there are a lot of unknowns and misunderstandings surrounding carbon removal, largely due to the complex and developing nature of the industry. This series aims to introduce potential stakeholders to carbon sequestration and offset markets and to facilitate dialogue, foster connections and projects, and address barriers.

Read more →

Business, Education, Finance, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule

by  • 

VENTURA SCORE: GETTING STARTED WITH QUICKBOOKS ONLINE-HOW TO SET UP QUICKBOOKS FROM SCRATCH

April 12 @ 10:30 am

This live, interactive webinar session is designed to help you understand the features, functions and benefits of QuickBooks Online for small business owners as well as assist you in implementing accounting best practices to manage your business finance. This webinar will concentrate on steps to properly record payroll transactions that are administered by third party companies like ADP and Paychex. Juliana Ramirez from JR Bookkeeping will live answer your questions related to the subject matter including live demonstrations.

Read more →

Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Health, Home, Local, News

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Artist Announcement! Earth Day Mural 2022 now underway!

by  • 

Community Environmental Council (CEC), Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB), and Paseo Nuevo are delighted to announce that artist Maria Arroyo has been selected to paint this year’s Earth Day Mural!

Selected from submissions from across Ventura, Santa Barbara, and SLO counties, the 2022 Call For Entries prompted artists to submit their artistic concepts online alongside a proposal for a mural that expresses what Earth Day and Climate Leadership mean to them. Maria Arroyo’s concept was selected to appear on the Paseo Nuevo Arts Terrace Parking Deck adjacent to MCASB.

Read more →

Education, Government, Local, News, Youth

Bilingual report — With the June 7 Primary Election E60 Days Away, Look for your Second Round of Informational Postcards from the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters

by  • 

Behind the scenes at the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters’ office, it is crunch-time. Conducting the June Primary Election takes months of advance preparation, with everyone and everything in full swing at the 60-day mark of April 8, known as “Election Day-minus-60,” or E-60. This year is even busier than usual as Ventura County gears up for its first “Voters Choice Act” (VCA) Primary Election.

Read more →

Business, Education, Family, Finance, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Get Prepared for the Next Disaster!

by  • 

The Economic Development Collaborative is partnering with the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, the California Academy for Economic Development, and Edison International to promote the statewide Outsmart Disaster campaign which equips businesses with the tools and resources they need to be prepared for disaster.

Complimentary business resiliency resources and trainings provided by the State of California by California’s Business Consumer Services and Housing Agency with The California Academy for Economic Development and supported by Edison International.

Read more →

Government, Health, Local, News, Public Safety

Ventura County Fire Department — Dispatchers Put the First in First Responder

by  • 

A 64-year-old man stops breathing while working out at the gym. A pregnant woman’s baby won’t wait for her to get to the hospital. A 50-year-old man collapses while hiking and his heart stops beating.

In each case, the “first first-responder” was a Ventura County Fire Department dispatcher who answered a phone call for help and guided the reporting person on what to do to save lives or deliver a new one into the world.

“Our dispatchers provide a vital link in countywide public safety services every day,” Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said. “While few people who need our help know a dispatcher by more than a voice on the phone, their dedication and care for others sets an example we all should appreciate.”

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Local, News

National Association of Women Business Owners – Santa Barbara honors BRAVO 2022 Award Winners

by  • 

Approximately 150 people attended the 8thannual Bravo Awards hosted by the National Association of Women Business Owners, Santa Barbara Chapter (NAWBO-SB). NAWBO Santa Barbara recognized women business owners and community leaders in the Santa Barbara area who have demonstrated outstanding entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation.

Accomplished leaders in their industries, dozens of women were nominated by NAWBO-SB members and the Santa Barbara community. The eight winners were celebrated this month at the Hilton Garden Inn Santa Barbara/Goleta.

Read more →

Commentary, Cultural, Local, News, Opinion

Bilingual commentary — Learning From the Birds

by  • 

There is so much we have learned from birds, and there is much more to learn as we unlock the secrets of their magnificent abilities. 

By observing birds over millennia, we finally figured out, just over a hundred years ago, how to emulate their flight and soar through the air—first in propeller planes, and now in jets. Birds gave us a solid starting point for developing our ability to fly. 

Read more →

Cultural, Education, Family, Finance, Local, News, Youth

CSUCI Teacher Residency Partnership gets two $250,000 grants to expand program

by  • 

Two $250,000 grants from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing will enable a successful CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) teacher residency partnership program to expand and explore new opportunities.

One of the grants went to the teacher residency program launched in 2019, which provides full tuition for CSUCI teaching credential candidates who are selected as residents, plus a stipend up to $10,000. The program is in partnership with the Oxnard School District (OSD), Oxnard Union High School District (OUHSD); the Rio School District and the Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD).

Read more →