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

County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — Home Insurance Town Hall Recap

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Dear Panelists and Participants,

I want to take a moment to sincerely thank you for your participation in last night’s Home Insurance Town Hall. Your presence and insights were invaluable, and I believe the event truly made a difference in helping our community navigate the complexities of home insurance, especially in areas impacted by wildfire risk.

For those who were unable to attend or wish to revisit the discussion, the recording of the event is available at the following link: www.youtube.com/@vcd2super/streams. Please feel free to share this with others who might benefit.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Food, Government, Local, News, Youth

Agromin Launches ‘Healthy Soil Heroes’

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OXNARD — Agromin, California’s largest organics waste recycler and manufacturer of earth-friendly soil products, has launched its “Healthy Soil Heroes,” ambassador program by partnering with five founding members. The founding members represent a diverse range of agricultural and community-focused businesses, including a native plant nursery, flower farm, community garden, agricultural education ambassadors and an edible garden design company.

“We created Healthy Soil Heroes as a way to recognize businesses and nonprofits that are promoting sustainable gardening, farming and landscaping practices,” says Bill Camarillo, Agromin’s CEO. “They are creating healthy food, beautifying landscapes and improving our planet.”

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

Fall into an amazing event(s) at the Museum of Ventura County!

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Play Date in the Children’s Garden

Friday, October 25
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main St., Ventura

Join us for a Play Date in the Garden with Pinaysphere, where kids can learn about Filipino culture by crafting their own bahay kubo which is a traditional Filipino house built on stilts. This playful activity celebrates the simplicity and creativity of these iconic homes, known for their adaptability and resourcefulness. Led by Pinaysphere, an organization dedicated to empowering Filipino women and youth through art and culture, this event will be filled with fun, learning, and creativity as we explore the beauty of Filipino heritage together! Adult supervision required, register at no charge HERE!

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

UCSB — The Current — ‘Promoting Latiné excellence: A Q&A with inaugural HSI director Veronica Fematt’ and more news, events

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Tasked with uniting efforts across campus to enhance “servingness” — an HSI model that goes beyond enrollment numbers to truly support the success of Latiné — Fematt characterized the establishment of the new role as a “significant step forward” for the campus.

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

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Ventura County’s Computer Basics Program Empowers Hundreds of Novice Learners; Free Replication Toolkit Now Available

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VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Computer Basics program has been transforming lives by providing essential digital skills to over 450 participants to date. The program was launched by the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) to train and empower individuals underserved by current upskilling opportunities and who have little to no experience with computers, enabling them to confidently navigate the digital world, improve their job prospects and increase their earning potential. Now, EDC has created a Computer Basics Course Replication Toolkit that can be used by anyone to expand the impact of the course and get the critical curriculum to more people across the state.

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Business, Cultural, En español, Government, Local, News

Bilingual report — County of Ventura’s Fleet Services honored with national awards for sustainability and excellence

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“We are beyond proud of our Fleet Services team for earning these national accolades,” stated Chair of the Board Kelly Long. “Each award reflects not just technical achievements, but the team’s genuine commitment to making a difference—for the environment, for our community, and for future generations.”

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

Bilingual report — City of Ventura selects new public information officer and communications manager

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“Jen has been an essential member of our team, consistently demonstrating her leadership in communication and public relations,” said City Manager Bill Ayub. “Her dedication to the City’s mission, combined with her innovative approach to public engagement, makes her the perfect fit for this role. I am confident that under her leadership, our communications will continue to thrive and effectively connect our community.” 

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Business, Family, Government, Home, Local, News

Annual Housing Santa Barbara Day on Oct. 19 to offer free housing resources for County residents

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SANTA BARBARA — Residents of Santa Barbara County are invited to join Housing Santa Barbara Day 2024 on Saturday, October 19th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at De La Guerra Plaza. This free annual event, hosted by 2nd Story Associates, the nonprofit affiliate of the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB), aims to connect community members with local affordable housing nonprofits and service providers. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in workshops covering a range of topics including Career Planning, Affordable Home Ownership, Housing Application Assistance, Down Payment Assistance, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), Financial Literacy and more. Additionally, there will be trolley tours showcasing affordable housing developments.

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Business, Education, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

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DOD, CMTC AND CASCADE: CMTC & CASCADE CYBERSECURITY TRAINING SERIES: HOW TO MANAGE CLOUD PROVIDERS

October 15 @ 10:00 am

With support from the DoD, CMTC and CASCADE offer a series of no-cost Cybersecurity Trainings for executives, operations and IT. Starting September 19th and ending November 5th, the trainings will be delivered on Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PT. Each of the 14 trainings will focus on a specific cybersecurity topic.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Business, Health, Local, News

Cottage Primary Care — Santa Ynez Valley welcomes new physicians

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SOLVANG — Cottage Primary Care is pleased to share that providers Roger I. Lane, MD, FACP and Pablo Rojas, PA-C, have moved offices to Cottage Primary Care—Santa Ynez Valley, located at 1992 Old Mission Dr., Suite 140, in Solvang (in the New Frontiers shopping center). In addition, the practice welcomes Nicole Sheikholeslami, MD, to the team.

This move will bring the entire Cottage Primary Care—Santa Ynez Valley medical team together in one convenient location, providing more space and updated facilities. Dr. Lane, Pablo Rojas, PA-C and the practice’s newest physician Dr. Sheikholeslami, join Kathryn Brewer, MD and Janina Meissner-Frisk, DO, in offering comprehensive primary care services to patients at this office.

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Business, Education, Government, Local, News, Public Safety

County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — Home Insurance Town Hall Reminder October 15, 6-8 pm

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Dear Neighbors,

I hope this message finds you well! I am writing to share a reminder of the Home Insurance Town Hall that is taking place Tuesday, October 15 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Ventura County Fire Headquarters located at 2400 Conejo Spectrum Street in Newbury Park.

If you plan to attend please RSVP today by emailing SupervisorGorell@ventura.org. A live stream of the event will also be offered on my YouTube page at the following link: www.youtube.com/@vcd2super/streams. Simply visit the link at 6 pm to view the live event or watch the recording at a time that is convenient for you.

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Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

Reclaiming Our Space, an Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration at Santa Barbara City College

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SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) iRaices: First Year and Beyond! Program – in partnership with local Chumash and Indigenous community leaders – invites the community to a special Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration on Monday, October 14 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Come learn about the significance and symbolism of the Chumash signage located on SBCC’s West Campus Bluffs and enjoy a panel discussion with Annette Cordero, Stephen Franco, Dr. Maura Sullivan and Solange Aguilar.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Family, Government, Local, News

First District Supervisor Das Williams — New Clean Energy For 60,000 Central Coast Homes

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I am beyond excited to announce a big win for our climate and the Central Coast. Yesterday, Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) cut the ribbon on the Victory Pass and Arica Solar and Storage projects.

This project delivers 100 megawatts of solar and 25 megawatts of battery storage. That adds up to 5% of the total Central Coast electricity load. And on top of that, this project was completed ahead of schedule and created over 1,000 union jobs.

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Business, Cultural, En español, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Public Safety

Bilingual report — County of Ventura appoints Esteban Rodriguez as new Animal Services Director

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VENTURA — The County of Ventura has selected Esteban Rodriguez as Director for Ventura County Animal Services. The appointment follows an extensive recruitment process, which included both internal and external candidates. Rodriguez succeeds former director, Jackie Rose, who retired from the agency in May.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Family, Local, News

Discover Fall Adventure Hotspots In Lompoc On California’s Central Coast

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LOMPOC — As another spectacular summer fades into a crisp, cool fall, there’s no better time to explore the adventurous side of Lompoc! Get your adrenaline pumping with an exciting array of activities in and around the city. Start planning a trip packed with excitement, including skydiving, horse safaris, kitesurfing, and more!

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

Recipient of National Philanthropy Day Awards Ventura County revealed

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VENTURA COUNTY — Founder of The Greater Contribution, Karon Wright, has been selected as an Honoree for the 2024 National Philanthropy Day Awards as Volunteer of the Year, Ventura County. 

The Association of Fundraising Professionals Santa Barbara/Ventura Counties Chapter NPD nomination committee will be presenting her with the honor at an awards ceremony Tuesday, October 29 at 5:00pm at the Santa Barbara Zoo (500 Ninos Drive, SB, CA 93103).

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

Bilingual report — Ventura County Office of Education — New Podcast Launches, Cell Phone Survey Results, Student Art Competitions, and more…

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I’m excited to share a new way for you to stay connected to our schools and informed about the critical role they play in our community. The Ventura County Office of Education is launching a new podcast that’s all about public education in Ventura County.

The “Focus on Education” podcast will highlight the many ways my office and our local schools are serving students and expanding educational opportunities. Each month, we’ll introduce you to the education superstars who are making a difference for kids in academics, career preparation, emotional well-being, and beyond.

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Business, Commentary, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, Finance, Local, Locales, Opinion

Bilingual commentary — The Siren Call of the Gig Economy

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Over the past few years, the siren call of the gig economy has captivated the imagination and creativity of young adults. The lure of “being your own boss,” “setting your own hours,” and the promise of having the freedom to travel the world while you pursue your “dream job” is too much for many of them to resist. 

For many dreamers coming of age, the enticement of immediate income and flexible work hours, along with the chance to skip college with all its debt obligation, is seductively appealing. 

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Cultural, En español, Entertainment, Events, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Youth

Teatro de las Américas — Luchadora! | Nos Traen Cortitos: Selección Oficial | Recital: Muero por Vivir

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Written by: Alvaro Saar Rios

Directed by: Alina Ceñal

Imagine the Chinese legend Hua Mulan set in the world of lucha libre—Mexican wrestling. The discovery of a worn pink wrestling mask prompts Nana Lupita, a Wisconsin grandmother, to share her tale about growing up in 1960s Texas. As her tale unfolds, Lupita’s life as a teen tomboy comes alive—bike riding with her friends Leopold and Liesl, working at her father’s flower stand and lucha libre. When a World Championship match is announced, Lupita anticipates seeing it until she discovers her ailing father is one of the wrestlers. With the help of a magical mask maker, Lupita secretly trains to take her father’s place. She soon finds it difficult keeping her secret from her friends and, most importantly, her father.

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Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, familia, Family, Finance, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Youth

Ventura College Foundation is Now Accepting Scholarship Applications

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VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2025-26 school year.

November 29 is the application deadline for the Paramedic and Career Education scholarships. The deadline for all other scholarships is January 20, 2025. Scholarship recipients will be notified in April 2025 and receive their scholarship proceeds after August 1.

Students currently enrolled at Ventura College in the 2024-2025 academic year and who have completed at least six units in the semester they submit an application, are eligible to apply. Units earned in previous semesters at Ventura College count towards the unit requirement.

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Business, Health, Local, News

Healthcare Workers at Adventist Health Vote to Ratify Contract, Including 14% Raises, $23/Hour Minimum Wage, and Fully-Paid Family Healthcare

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SAN LUIS OBISPO — Approximately 400 frontline healthcare workers at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo and Twin Cities Community Hospital in Templeton have ratified a new contract this week. The agreement includes a 14% wage increase over the next three years, a $23 minimum wage, and fully-paid family healthcare. Caregivers at these two hospitals are the only ones to have fully-paid family healthcare at Adventist-owned hospitals nationwide.

In a time when healthcare workers are leaving the industry for better pay and less stress, this contract at these Adventist hospitals marks a strong commitment to attracting and retaining caregivers in the San Luis Obispo communities that Adventist serves.

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Business, Cultural, Family, Finance, Local, News

Somis Ranch Apartment announces available farm worker apartments

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SOMIS — We are excited to announce the availability of farm worker apartments in Somis! Interested individuals are encouraged to apply by visiting www.somisranchapts.com and clicking on “Join the Interest List.” A member of our team will reach out to applicants in the order of their interest to conduct pre-eligibility screenings, schedule interviews, and provide a list of required items for the applicant interviews.

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

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Honoring National Women’s Small Business Month

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The Economic Development Collaborative would like to recognize National Women’s Small Business Month. In the most recent program year (October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024), EDC supported over 1,700 women-owned small businesses and female/male-owned businesses. The EDC is dedicated to helping women achieve their business goals.

The EDC is proud to support the community by providing professional technical assistance in English and Spanish through our Small Business Development Center. Our NO-COST advising areas include:

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Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Public Safety

Bilingual report — Pedestrian safety starts with you: Stay alert to protect people walking

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VENTURA — October is National Pedestrian Safety Month and the Ventura Police Department reminds drivers to slow down and be alert for people walking on our roads. By taking extra precautions, you can help protect pedestrians and reduce the risk of crashes and injuries. 

Since January 1, 2023, the Ventura Police Department has responded to 2,470 traffic collisions, including 106 involving pedestrians. These incidents resulted in 915 injuries and five fatalities. Of the pedestrian collisions, three were fatal, and 99 resulted in injury. The high number of pedestrian casualties underscores the urgent need for improved awareness and safety measures for those walking in Ventura.

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

Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara wins prestigious NAHRO National Awards

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SANTA BARBARA — The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB)  has received two Awards of Merit from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) during the 2024 NAHRO National Conference. These distinguished awards recognize HACSB’s dedication to the local community, showcasing its innovative approaches to affordable housing and its impactful programs aimed at supporting youth.

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