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

First District Supervisor Das Williams — Fire safety, Swimming into Summer

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This week, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department and local fire jurisdictions announced the beginning of the 2024 High Fire Season for all areas of Santa Barbara County.

This is a great reminder of steps you can take to prepare for wildfires:

Maintain Vegetation Clearance: Individuals are advised to maintain proper vegetation clearance around structures to minimize fire risks.
Review and become acquainted with the “Ready! Set! Go!” wildfire action plan, which outlines crucial steps for preparedness and response in the event of a wildfire. For more details, please visit www.sbcfire.com.
Wildfire smoke and ash contain very small particles called particulate matter, which harm the lungs and heart. The best protection against wildfire smoke is to stay indoors as much as possible, ideally in a well-sealed “clean air room” with an air purifier. The Air Pollution Control District (APCD) provides instructions to create a “clean air room” on their website. APCD’s website also provides countywide hourly air quality conditions. People are also encouraged to sign up for Air Quality Alerts issued during wildfires.

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

People’s Self-Help Housing Receives $50,000 Wells Fargo Foundation Grant for New Resident Financial Program

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CENTRAL COAST — People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) has received a $50,000 grant from Wells Fargo Foundation to jumpstart the new pilot program Wealth Warrior: 2024 Financial Health and Housing for PSHH residents at the Los Adobes de Maria property in Santa Maria. 

The three-month financial literacy program, taught by financial educator and author Linda Garcia, will target 25 USDA farmworker households and aims to empower participants to overcome potential financial trauma. By offering practical knowledge and actionable tactics for long-term financial planning, residents will be provided the tools to create a legacy of financial stability and prosperity for their families through wise investment practices and begin building their own stock portfolios.   

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Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

CSUCI Art & Art History Department Chair invited to participate in a prestigious international art show

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CAMARILLO — When CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Art Department Chair Marianne McGrath was first contacted by a representative from the European Cultural Centre in Italy, she thought it was a scam.

“It’s a thing you get in the art world,” McGrath said. “The curator said she saw my work in Denmark last summer and invited to show in their biennial international art show in Venice. She contacted me totally out of the blue. When I realized it was real, I was obviously honored, and then of course, I freaked out.”

McGrath will be showing her work at the 8th edition of the European Cultural Centre (ECC)’s biennial contemporary art exhibition, “Personal Structures,” which will run from April 10 through November 24 in 2026 in parallel to the Venice Biennale. McGrath plans to start working on the exhibition in 2025.

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Cultural, Family, Government, Local, News, Seniors

Bilingual report — Ventura County Area Agency on Aging Legacy Award Nominations Now Open

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VENTURA — The nomination period for the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s LEGACY Awards is now open. These awards recognize the contributions of Ventura County residents and businesses that are dedicated to helping older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers, to live optimally.

The deadline for submitting nominations is Sunday, September 1, 2024. The winners will be announced in November. Click here to see to download the nomination.

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

Bilingual report — City of Ventura secures major grant for VenturaWaterPure

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VENTURA — The City of Ventura is excited to announce that after a national competitive solicitation process, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) awarded the City an additional $30 million under its WaterSMART large-scale water recyclingprogram to support the VenturaWaterPure project.

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Business, Finance, Home, Local, News

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County announces $25,000 grant from Mechanics Bank in support of affordable housing

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VENTURA COUNTY — Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) has been awarded a $25,000 operating grant from Mechanics Bank in support of affordable housing in Ventura County. The new funds will be used to support new loan program development and operations as Housing Trust Fund VC continues to increase affordable housing options throughout Ventura County by leveraging public-private partnerships to provide low cost, flexible loans early in the housing development cycle. The grant is part of the Mechanics Bank Corporate Giving Program which aims to support community development financial institutions and nonprofit organizations that directly support low- to moderate-income individuals, families and communities.

“Mechanics Bank has been a supporter for many years. Their Corporate Giving Program is an important catalyst for change in our community,” said Housing Trust Fund Ventura County CEO Linda Braunschweiger, “We are grateful to have their continued support as we work to bring more affordable housing to Ventura County.”

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Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Youth

Allan Hancock College offers free Bulldog Express Workshops from June 10 through July 30

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Happening at both the Santa Maria campus and Lompoc Valley Center, the workshops will assist new, continuing, and Hancock Promise students with admissions, FAFSA and California Dream Act applications, new student orientation, first-semester planning, class registration, financial aid review, and navigating the myHancock student portal. Campus tours will be offered every 30 minutes, and student success workshops will also be available Tuesdays from 4 – 5 p.m. Bulldog Express additionally offers a “Next Steps Workshop” where students will learn how to get a student ID card, purchase a parking permit, set up their myHancock e-mail address, receive free textbooks, and more.

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Cultural, Entertainment, Family, Local, News, Youth

Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara — Step Inside the 2024 Gala: Exclusive Photos & Highlights

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The Gala raised $325,000 which supports the Music Academy’s full-scholarship program that brings 137 fellows from across the country and around the world to study and perform with world-class teaching artists in Santa Barbara during the annual eight week Summer Festival, benefits the Academy’s Sing! Children’s Chorus of Santa Barbara County youth, and subsidizes 3,000 Community Access Tickets for the Santa Barbara community to attend live performances.

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Business, Finance, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Free Event and Webinar Schedule

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CMTC: CMTC CYBERSECURITY TRAINING SERIES: LOGICAL ACCESS CONTROL VIA MICROSOFT’S AGDLP

June 6 @ 10:00 am

With support from the DoD, CMTC is offering a series of no-cost Cybersecurity Trainings for executives, operations and IT. Starting May 21st and ending June 27th, the trainings will be delivered on Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 10:00 – 11:30 AM PT. Each of the 12 trainings will focus on a specific cybersecurity topic.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Business, Cultural, Education, Finance, Local, News, Women

Women’s Economic Ventures Unveils 2023 Impact Report at Event that Celebrates Strategic Community Partnerships Dedicated to Economic Equity

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VENTURA AND SANTA BARBARA COUNTIES — Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) has announced the release of its 2023 Impact Report, highlighting significant strides in empowering women entrepreneurs in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The event, held at the Ventura County Community Foundation, saw attendance from key stakeholders, community leaders, and representatives from partnering organizations, showcasing the collective effort to support women’s economic independence and financial literacy in the region.

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Family, Finance, Food, Government, Health, Local, News

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network — Grant Update – New Deadline June 7!

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This deadline extension encourages more applications and outreach as well as creative and out-of-the box proposals that may take more fine tuning or research. Think big — the options are fairly limitless in terms of how you may use these funds.  The key is that the proposed projects drive food justice, food sovereignty, and/or agroecological practices. If you would like help workshopping your idea or if you are not sure the project fits within the scope of the grant, please reach out!

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Cultural, Entertainment, Events, Local, News, Youth

Local Author Mona Alvarado Frazier Shines Light on Untold Stories of Oxnard

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OXNARD — Mona Alvarado Frazier, Oxnard author of “The Garden of Second Chances,” a novel inspired by her career at the California Youth Authority, brings her passion for storytelling and advocacy to her second novel, “A Bridge Home,” a YA historical novel published by Arte Público Press, University of Houston. The story is inspired by the community of La Colonia, where the author grew up, and the establishment of the Third Street Bridge in the early 1970s.

Readers will meet Jacqui Bravo, a determined 17-year-old Mexican American whose journey is marked by the tragic loss of her father in Vietnam. The subsequent financial and emotional hardships unfold against the backdrop of a barrio filled with community, hope, and resilience. 

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Business, Cultural, Education, Health, Local, News, Technology

Ventura Engineer Mohammed A. Hasan receives national recognition

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MILWAUKEE, WISC. — The American Academy of Water Resources Engineers has honored Mohammed A. Hasan, a prominent Ventura civil and environmental engineer for his outstanding contribution to water resources engineering.

The induction ceremony was held at the 2024 World Environmental and Water Resources Congress in Milwaukee, Wisc. He was awarded the credential, BC.WRE, board-certified water resources engineer. The BC.WRE is the highest post-license certification one can attain in the water resources engineering profession, and it is an accredited program by the Council of Engineering & Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB). The BC.WRE demonstrates specialty expertise beyond professional licensure, strong professional ethics, and a commitment to life-long learning and continuing professional development.

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

June at the Santa Paula Art Museum

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Kids’ Art Fest

Sunday, June 2, 2024 • 11 AM to 3 PM

Free for everyone

Don’t miss Kids’ Art Fest on Sunday, June 2! This free, outdoor event offers playful art activities for children of all ages, plus face painting, giant bubble making, and more. Best of all, admission is free for everyone. Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center and a few furry friends will join the fun this year, helping inspire our art projects!

Kids’ Art Fest 2024 is sponsored by Calavo, Brianne McGrath, Santa Paula Latino Town Hall, Rotary Club of Santa Paula, and Palazzio Events.

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Business, Government, Local, News

City of Ventura names Tim Fiske as the new Chief Building Official

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VENTURA — The City of Ventura is pleased to announce the appointment of Tim Fiske as the new Chief Building Official in the Community Development Department. Mr. Fiske, who joined the City of Ventura in 2019, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role. Over the years, he has held several key positions within the department, including Building Inspector, Senior Building Inspector, Building Inspection Supervisor, and Building Division Supervisor.

“We welcome Tim Fiske as our new Chief Building Official. Tim’s extensive experience and commitment to innovation have already significantly impacted our department,” said Rachel Dimond, Community Development Director. His vision for a customer service-oriented division aligns perfectly with our goals of promoting safety and economic development in Ventura. We look forward to seeing continued positive changes under his leadership.”

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Business, Local, News

WVCBA Presents Oxnard’s State of the City Address

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OXNARD — The West Ventura County Business Alliance is proud to present Oxnard Mayor John C. Zaragoza’s 2024 State of the City address on Friday, June 14. He will discuss the city’s financial stability and balanced budget, continued progress made on the City Council’s priorities, and economic development.

“Despite the economic challenges that we and many other cities are facing, Oxnard continues to make slow and steady progress. I’m excited to provide updates on Council priorities such as paving our roads, improving our service delivery, and the positive impacts that our hard work is bringing to our business community, ” said Mayor Zaragoza.

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Education, Events, Family, Government, Local, News, Youth

Ventura County Office of Education — Meet the 2024 Ventura County Teacher of the Year — Daniel Cook from Adolfo Camarillo High School

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VENTURA COUNTY — Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, is pleased to announce that Daniel Cook from Adolfo Camarillo High School (ACHS) in the Oxnard Union High School District is the 2024 Ventura County Teacher of the Year. Cook found out about the honor today when a group of local education officials made a surprise visit to the campus in Camarillo.

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Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, familia, Family, Government, Health, Local, Locales, Noticias, Public Safety, Youth

Bilingual report — Ventura County Department of Child Support Services named Outstanding Program by Child Support Directors Association of California

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“Our department strives for excellence in the work we do,” said Department Director Marcus Mitchell. “This prestigious honor highlights the dedication of our incredible team and the importance of child support in families’ lives. We continue proudly serving our community, remaining innovative in our approach and working to ensure children receive consistent emotional and financial support from both parents.”

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Business, Education, Government, Health, Local, News, Technology

Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) awards grants to fund electric school buses and chargers

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VENTURA — The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) has awarded $1.56 million to school districts in Oxnard and Ventura to replace diesel engine buses with new zero-emission electric ones and to install charging stations.

Ocean View School District (OVSD) received funding to replace one diesel bus with an electric one and purchase one charging station. Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) received funding to replace two diesel buses with two electric ones and purchase two charging stations. The charging stations will be level 3, the fastest and most powerful type available. The grants will cover the cost of the charging equipment and 87% of the price of the buses.

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

Bilingual report — Metrolink Brings Back $15 Summer Day Pass Through Labor Day

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LOS ANGELES – On May 28 Metrolink, Southern California’s regional passenger rail provider, made summer travel more convenient and affordable with the return of its $15 Summer Day Pass. The seasonal weekday promotion was first introduced in 2022 and offers unlimited rides on Metrolink’s system on the day of purchase. 

“The possibilities are endless with Metrolink’s $15 Summer Day Pass,” Metrolink Board Second Vice-Chair and City of Jurupa Valley Mayor Pro-Tem Brian Berkson said. “If you’re traveling for business or recreation, no matter how you plan to spend your day, the pass is a budget-friendly option that lets you navigate Southern California with ease. It’s also a win for families looking for fun and memorable ways to spend the summer break months.”

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

CLU School of Management — Watch and Explore the third short video of ‘Separating Myths From Realities’

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We are delighted to present the third short video in our series that brings attention to the central themes of the recent conference, “Separating Myths from Realities,” hosted by the Center for Economics of Social Issues. Our third video focuses on the vital topic of “Degradation of Undocumented Immigrants”, containing key insights from our esteemed presenter and panelists.

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Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

Ventura County Teachers Honored for Innovation in the Classroom

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VENTURA COUNTY — Teachers from throughout Ventura County are being honored with grants for developing innovative lessons for their students. At a ceremony last night in Camarillo, the Ventura County Office of Education presented IMPACT II grants worth $1,000 each to seven teachers.

The winning entries cover a variety of subject matters, including history and science. Detailed lesson plans prepared by each of the grant winners are available here for use by other teachers in Ventura County and beyond.

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Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

Community Colleges of Ventura County Celebrate Class of 2024

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“As we gather to celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s graduates, I am immensely proud of each and every student,” said Chancellor Rick MacLennan. “You have overcome countless challenges, juggled responsibilities, and demonstrated unwavering commitment to your studies. Your determination and resilience have brought you to this pivotal moment, where you stand on the threshold of a new chapter in your lives. I offer my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of our graduates. Go forth, make your mark on the world! Your success is our success!”

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