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

The Land Conservancy of SLO County Partners with Big Brothers Big Sisters of SLO County for Santa Rita Ranch Hike for Mentored Children

by  • 

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Big Brothers Big Sisters of SLO County is thrilled to bring a special hike of Santa Rita Ranch to volunteer mentors and their mentees, in partnership with The Land Conservancy of SLO County.

A special benefit of being a volunteer mentor and mentored child with Big Brothers Big Sisters, the event will be held in May – a private hike around the beautiful rolling hills of the ranch. The attendees – volunteer mentors (“Bigs”) and their mentees (“Littles”) and the Littles’ families – will then enjoy a lunch with a beautiful view of the lake.

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Education, Events, Finance, Government, Local, News, Youth

Oxnard College to Host 2023 U.S. Latino GDP Report Event on April 17

by  • 

OXNARD — Oxnard College and the Oxnard College Foundation are partnering with researchers at California Lutheran University (CLU) and the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) to host an event on April 17, 2024, marking the publication of the annual U.S. Latino GDP Report. The report documents the economic contributions of the Latino community throughout the United States and identifies Latinos as major drivers of the pandemic recovery. The event will also feature never before released estimates of California’s Latino GDP. 

Read more →

Commentary, Cultural, En español, Health, Local, Opinion, Seniors

Bilingual commentary — The Blessings and Ravages of Time

by  • 

The 18th-century French writer Nicolas Chamfort had an arguably perceptive view of the effects of time on our human lives. He wrote, “In order not to find life unbearable, you must accept two things: the ravages of time and the injustice of man.”

We who are older are only too aware of the first “thing” that we are expected to accept: the ravages of time. We’ll save the controversial “acceptance of the injustice of man” part of the statement for another article. 

Read more →

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

Santa Paula Art Museum — Weekend Sorted

by  • 

Artist Talk: The PAC6 Painters

Saturday, April 13, 2024 • 2 PM to 4 PM

Included with regular admission (free for members and students)

Take in the Museum’s current exhibition “From Field to Frame: The PAC6 Show How It’s Done” alongside all six of the PAC6 Painters! Mingle with artists Linda Brown, Marian Fortunati, Nita Harper, Debra Holladay, Laura Wambsgans, and Sharon Weaver as they describe their painting processes and adventures. Reservations are not required.

MORE INFO

Read more →

Cultural, Education, Finance, Local, News, Youth

Eleven finalists to compete at 2024 Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation contest

by  • 

SANTA BARBARA — Eleven instrumentalists and vocalists will compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships on April 28 after being selected as finalists for the annual Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation’s Competition Concert.

The foundation’s Audition Committee selected the finalists during auditions held April 5 and 6 at Music Academy of the West’s Weinmann Hall in Montecito. A total of 24 adults and youth competed to earn a place in the final competition.

Read more →

Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

Ventura County Students shine in Science Fair, Mock Trial; Equity Conference turnout sets record; and more

by  • 

Nearly 700 students participated in the 69th annual Ventura County Science Fair at the VCOE conference center last month — that’s the highest level of participation in recent memory. The energy in the building was electric as the students presented their work to more than 130 volunteers who served as judges.

Read more →

Business, Commentary, Cultural, Education, Events, Family, Local, News, Public Safety, Youth

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Save The Date: Montecito Flood Control Master Plan Town Hall on April 24

by  • 

I invite you to join me later this month the public will have the opportunity to learn more about Flood Control’s planning efforts that will guide the design, and construction of improvements to mitigate flooding impacts to the community.

Read more →

Business, Health, Local, News

Community Environmental Council Welcomes New Staff

by  • 

SANTA BARBARA —The Community Environmental Council (CEC) recently welcomed new staff members as it expands its bold climate action across California’s Central Coast region. 

The Community Environmental Council welcomed two new staff members and transitioned three staff members to new titles in recent months. These individuals bring a wealth of knowledge and local experience, building CEC’s capacity to go all in on halting the climate crisis — rapidly and equitably. 

Read more →

Business, Education, Finance, Local, News, Youth

Cal Lutheran Cares Day – The School of Management asks for your support!

by  • 

Tomorrow, on April 10, 2024 we celebrate Cal Lutheran Cares Day, our annual day of fundraising and friend-raising. This year, we are focusing on our “People(s) of Color Scholarship” that provides graduate students from underrepresented groups with an opportunity to launch their graduate education, and our “Student Events and Competition Fund”, which helps us to build stronger bridges between companies, organizations, leaders, and our students – by bringing guest speakers, organizing competitions, or arranging field trips for our students.

Read more →

Education, Family, Finance, Local, News, Youth

Santa Barbara City College and Arizona State University Partner to Offer College Students Transfer Pathways with MyPath2ASU® Collaboration

by  • 

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is pleased to announce a new alliance with Arizona State University (ASU) to provide students a seamless transfer experience with the MyPath2ASU® program. MyPath2ASU allows students to take the steps needed, at the start of their college experience, to successfully plan their transfer to ASU, ensuring a smooth transition process and student success.

MyPath2ASU is a set of customized tools available to transfer students from accredited, U.S. regional institutions. These tools ensure a seamless transfer experience to ASU after earning credits or an associate degree from a U.S. community college or university and shortening the time to degree completion.

“SBCC has a strong transfer rate to four-year universities that include Arizona State University, who has created MyPath2ASU, of which we are proud to partner to extend our students opportunities and success,” said Angela Warren, SBCC University Transfer Academy Coordinator.

Read more →

Local

MLS NEXT Pro is coming to Ventura County

by  • 

LOS ANGELES — The LA Galaxy today announced that the organization’s MLS NEXT Pro club will now compete under the name “Ventura County FC” (VCFC) in partnership with Oak Sports Holding. Previously known as LA Galaxy II, Ventura County’s newest professional sports team will play their home matches at California Lutheran University. AEG, the LA Galaxy’s ownership group, will retain ownership of the MLS NEXT Pro club, with VCFC’s soccer operations led by the LA Galaxy under the direction of LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz and certain commercial operations managed by Mark Noorzai of Oak Sports Holding.

Read more →

Business, Home, Local, News

Central Coast Residents Can Access Free Heat Pump Water Heaters with Help from 3C-REN

by  • 

SAN LUIS OBISPO, SANTA BARBARA, VENTURA — Heat pump water heaters are three to five times more energy efficient than their natural gas water heater counterparts, and 3C-REN (Tri-County Regional Energy Network) is helping to make these replacements more affordable—and sometimes free—for Central Coast residents. Through steep incentives and upcoming events in English and Spanish, 3C-REN aims to educate and empower residents this April. 

Read more →

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

Teatro de las Américas — Paul and Raquel Fundraiser event on May 16| Nos Traen Cortitos | Salsa Classes on April 13| Adan Eva y la Otra CANCELLED

by  • 

This show is part of a special fundraiser event for the Oxnard Housing Authority Education Scholarship Program. The Education Scholarship Program is a program that provides scholarships to students in Public Housing or in the Section 8 Program. Our production Paul & Raquel will be part of the entertainment for the evening.

Read more →

Business, Family, Finance, Government, Local, News

Harvesting Dignity: Central Coast Advocates Release Report Showing Need for a Living Wage for Farmworkers

by  • 

… The report starkly reveals the wage disparity. In 2023, “the mean hourly wage for farmworkers in Santa Barbara County was just $17.42 or $36,244 annually.” This is compared to heavy truck drivers, who received a median hourly wage of $26.76, translating to an annual wage of $55,672. At the same time, construction laborers earned a median hourly wage of $25.04, resulting in an annual wage of $52,104, according to the California Employment Development Department.

“In recent years, the increase in rent has been an issue that has affected me and my family. A better salary would give me access to better housing conditions and would also help me pay my rent, which continues to increase. A raise would also give me access to healthier meals for my family, and help us reap the rewards of my work,” said Matilde, Farmworker Leader with Alianza Campesina. 

Read more →

Cultural, Education, En español, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Opinion, Public Safety, Salud

Bilingual commentary — Why We Need to Take Our Medications

by  • 

The reason many Americans are not benefitting from our health system is because they do not take seriously the advice given to them by their doctors.

To understand this unfortunate situation, let’s consider for a moment the scenario in which a couple of mischievous teenagers are left “home alone” while their parents go out for a weekend vacation. The teenagers decide, naturally, to throw a party. After all, “When the cat’s away, the mice will play.” The teens are the proverbial “mice” while the parents are the storied “cats.”

Read more →

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

SEEAG Seeks Sponsors and Participants For 2024 Farm Day Events

by  • 

VENTURA — Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG), the nonprofit that organizes Santa Barbara County Farm Day and Ventura County Farm Day, is looking for farmers, agricultural-related businesses, and others to become event sponsors and participants. The 2024 Santa Barbara County Farm Day will be on August 24, while Ventura County Farm Day will be on November 2.

“Farm Day has grown to become the largest community agricultural education and outreach program in California,” says Mary Maranville, SEEAG’s founder and CEO. “Over 15,000 people visit our agricultural venues during our two Farm Days.”

Read more →

Business, Government, Health, Local, News

Ship speed reduction lowered coastal air pollution

by  • 

VENTURA — Results from the 2023 Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies vessel speed reduction (VSR) program show it reduced coastal California air pollution, risk to whales and ocean noise.

Participating companies reduced ship speeds off California, transiting at 10 knots or less in the San Francisco and Monterey Bay region and the Southern California region, including Ventura County. The voluntary incentive-based program ran from May 1 through December 15 with 33 global shipping companies participating.

Read more →

Business, En español, familia, Family, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Salud

Bilingual report — Our Collective Impact: 2024 Community Report Presented by CenCal Health

by  • 

“Together with our partners, CenCal Health is now one year into carrying out the transformative priorities of our Strategic Plan,” said Marina Owen, CenCal Health CEO. “As a tribute to the efforts of so many, we have dedicated this Community Report to highlighting the collaborative accomplishments essential to improving the well-being of our members. I am confident we will reach new heights through local innovation and build healthier communities.”

Read more →

Business, Family, Food, Local, News, Youth

Food Share on April 10 to recognize four-year anniversary of the COVID drive-thru distribution at College Park in Oxnard

by  • 

OXNARD — Over the past four years, Food Share, Ventura County’s largest hunger-relief organization, has indelibly impacted the community through its College Park drive-thru food distribution. What began as a 90-day disaster relief effort at the height of the pandemic has evolved into a monumental ongoing initiative, thanks to the volunteers’ and donors’ support and generosity.

Since its inception, the College Park drive-thru food distribution has seen an incredible outpouring of support to meet the need. An astounding 10,000 volunteers have dedicated over 40,000 hours of service and tirelessly worked to provide essential sustenance to those facing food insecurity in Ventura County.

Read more →

Cultural, En español, Government, Local, News, Public Safety

Bilingual report — Rep. Julia Brownley presents $963,000 to the County of Ventura for Regional Public Safety Radio Project

by  • 

“The importance of ensuring our law enforcement and public safety entities in Ventura County have access to high-quality, reliable communications equipment cannot be overstated,” said Congresswoman Julia Brownley. “Not only will this state-of-the-art communication system facilitate better communication and coordination between agencies, but all of our cities and residents will benefit from streamlined services that will lower costs and redundancies. …

Read more →

Cultural, Family, Local, News, Religion

Guest contribution — Amidst national divisiveness, local Jewish temple remains focused on community

by  • 

THOUSAND OAKS — It’s been nearly seven months since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel claimed more than 1,200 lives and led to the abduction of hundreds of people. Since the devastating attack, it’s been reported that the number of antisemitic incidents surged heavily in the months following. Amidst the tense climate, Temple Etz Chaim (TEC) has remained focused on creating a safe space to come together, connect, educate one another and heal as the Jewish community navigates the current global climate.

Read more →

Education, Local, News, Youth

The Prom Closet At Simi YMCA — Prom Clothes Donations Needed

by  • 

SIMI VALLEY — The Simi Valley Family YMCA and Soroptimist International of Simi Valley are hosting a Prom Closet at the Y. Donations of clean, gently used or new formal wear are being accepted for use by high schoolers attending prom. Items can be dropped off at the Y (3200 Cochran St.) until April 12. Teens will be able to select their free prom outfits on Sunday, April 14 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Read more →