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

FIRST Robotics “Hueneme Port Regional” takes place at FATHOMWERX Lab for Third Consecutive Year

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PORT HUENEME — The Port of Hueneme and City of Port Hueneme are thrilled to host the FIRST Robotics Hueneme Port Regional Competition in their vibrant coastal community. The Competition takes place over two weekends from March 1-3, 2024 and March 9 &10, 2024 located onsite at the Port of Hueneme in the FATHOMWERX lab — a collaborative space for innovation and technology transfer between the Port, the Naval Base Ventura County, the Economic Development Collaborative, and Matter Labs.
 
The exhilarating event brings over 1,500 high school students from across the world together along with their 51 life-sized robots to test the power of collaboration and measure the effectiveness of innovations and is made possible in part through the Port of Hueneme & City of Port Hueneme’s joint Community Benefit Fund. First Robotics is an exemplary partner as their mission not only fosters creativity and technical prowess but also focuses on strengthening community bonds. Support of their work is crucial as it empowers young minds, encourages innovation, and ensures a brighter future for our coastal community.

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Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

CSUCI’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute celebrates 20 years with a rich variety of classes

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CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a strong lineup of class offerings for the Spring II session.

Adult students whose tastes run toward current events, politics and history can sign up for classes like: “Eyeball to Eyeball: The Eagle and the Dragon Stare Each Other Down,” on U.S. Chinese relations; “Grasping Israeli Politics” or “Founding Friendship: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.”

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

Ventura College Presidential Finalist Forums provides updates schedule

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VENTURA COLLEGE — Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) announces an updated schedule for the open forums featuring finalists for the Ventura College Presidential Search. College faculty, staff, administration, and community members are invited to attend.

Ventura College President Finalist Forums
Ventura College Performing Arts Center
4700 Loma Vista Road, Ventura, California

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Elections, Government, Local, News, Politics

Bilingual report — Michelle Ascencion, Ventura County Registrar of Voters, Announces 2024 Presidential Primary Election Night Results and the Start of the Canvass Period

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VENTURA — Primary Election Night Closing Results for Ventura County came in at 1:50 a.m., March 6, 2024, and are posted on the VenturaVote.org  Election Results page, along with a link to the Secretary of State’s Semifinal Official Results for the State of California.

The Ventura County Election Night Results include: vote-by-mail ballots received and processed before Election Day, in-person ballots cast during early voting, and non-conditional and non-provisional ballots cast on Election Day.

March 6 is also the start of the Official Canvass Period, which must be completed within thirty days after Election Day. Election officials conduct numerous post-election activities during the canvass as mandated by State Law.

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

Bilingual report — Updates on Fire at Former Sunkist Packaging Plant in Oxnard

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OXNARD — Nineteen fire engine companies and four ladder trucks responded to a major fire in Oxnard that began on Tuesday, March 5 at approximately 10:30 p.m. at the former Sunkist packaging plant located at 245 E. Colonia Rd. 

Due to the dangerous conditions within the building, firefighters maintained a defensive position around the plant to extinguish the flames, which did not spread beyond the property. As of 10 a.m. on March 6, fire department personnel remain onsite to put out the fire’s remaining embers. The building is considered a total loss.

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Local

Mystic Whaler and Central Coast Ocean Adventures join the Southern California Plankton Watch

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OXNARD — Central Coast Ocean Adventures Foundation (CCOAF) and the schooner Mystic Whaler are now partners with the Southern California Plankton Watch.

Interest and awareness of plankton and blooms brought together scientists and informal educators in the Southern California Bight region to form a volunteer plankton monitoring network which led to the formation of the Southern California Plankton Watch.

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Cultural, Education, Family, Local, News, Youth

Fillmore High School Makes History with State Honor

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FILLMORE — For the first time ever, Fillmore High School in the Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) is being honored with the prestigious California Distinguished Schools Award. The California Department of Education announced last week that Fillmore High School is one of only 293 schools out of thousands statewide to receive the honor in 2024.

Fillmore High School was selected as a Distinguished School following its exemplary efforts to increase student achievement in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. “After the pandemic, instead of focusing on the challenges ahead of us, we focused on creating opportunities for our students,” said FUSD Superintendent Christine Schieferle. “We expanded counseling and social-emotional support and focused on developing the capacity of our staff. Additional academic and counseling supports were added to meet the needs of our students.”

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Cultural, Education, Family, Local, News

Santa Maria Kids Hold ‘Supply Drive’ for Adopt-a-Room Campaign to Help Homeless Individuals Moving into Hope Village Interim Housing

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SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — Santa Maria’s Asa Jacobo-Anaya has always had the desire to help others. At only 8-years old, he is constantly trying to give away his allowance money, food, snacks and anything he can think of to the local unhoused individuals he sees around town. 

Aware of her son’s passion for helping people experiencing homelessness, Ana Jacobo-Anaya proposed Asa’s 4-H program participate in the Hope Village Adopt-A-Room campaign by local nonprofit DignityMoves, an organization that provides interim housing and supportive services for Santa Barbara County’s unhoused population with the goal of transitioning them to more permanent housing. 

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Cultural, Education, Events, Local, News, Youth

Museum of Ventura County — Spring into a new season with Nowruz!

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NOWRUZ

Saturday, March 23
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main St., Ventura

Celebrate Nowruz at the Museum of Ventura County! Enjoy Persian cuisine by Safir Mediterranean Cuisine, traditional dance by Sahlala Dancers, and live music by Illunis Music. Experience Farsi Calligraphy, cultural displays, and the thrilling Fire Jumping ritual. Join us for a day of cultural splendor, delicious cuisine, and lively entertainment! Free, no registration required. For more information, click HERE.

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Cultural, Education, Events, Local, News, Youth

11-Year-Old Gio Basile Wins 38th Annual California Strawberry Festival Poster Design Contest

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OXNARD — Eleven-year-old engineering wiz Gio Basile created the winning poster design for the 38th Annual California Strawberry Festival. Gio’s winning entry was revealed today to a group of dignitaries and festival sponsors gathered at Yolanda’s Mexican Café in Oxnard. The luncheon officially kicks off activities for the 2024 festival celebration taking place May 18 and 19 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

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

‘A Home for Education’ gathers community leaders to address affordable housing solutions on education properties

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VENTURA COUNTY — Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) welcomed community leaders to its Annual Meeting and “A Home for Education” symposium February 29th at the CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) campus. The symposium was presented in collaboration with the County of Ventura, CSUCI, Ventura County Office of Education, Ventura County P-20 Council, and Housing Trust Fund VC to an audience of key decision makers in education, government, land use planning, and affordable housing development.

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Business, Events, Local

Shimmering Scales & Mermaid Tails Await Sea Goers At Ventura Harbor Village’s 9th Annual March Is Mermaid Month

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VENTURA — There is a “fin-tastic” tale to be told this Spring at Ventura Harbor Village, a seaside attraction, where visitors across all oceans come together to “shell-abrate” good times at the 9th Annual March is Mermaid Month.  Lovers of the sea and landlubbers alike are invited to celebrate mystical sirens of the sea with free ocean-inspired festivities for the entire family all month long, as well as on select dates on Saturdays, March 16 and 23, 2024 from noon – 3 PM.  Complimentary parking is available.

Whether you’re a seasoned sea enthusiast or just dipping your toes into mermaid lore, there’s something for everyone to enjoy with the return of this month-long event. Here’s a glistening lineup of what’s on tap:

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Cultural, Finance, Government, Local, News, Youth

Ventura County Arts Council — Artist Grants – $1k-$5k! VC Arts and Culture Investment Fund

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The grants available are designed to revitalize and encourage the arts community in Ventura County. They aim to foster creativity, cooperation, and a greater involvement in the arts throughout the county. Whether you are an independent artist or part of an organization, you may be eligible to apply for these grants. The grants can be used to cover general expenses and to support new or existing projects.

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Business, Education, Finance, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Corp. free event and webinar schedule

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SBA: HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES (HHS)

March 5 @ 12:00 pm

Hear directly from the Executive Director of OSDBU at HHS about their procurement process and priorities for 2024. Join BSA as they discuss Federal Contracting Set-aside with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Business, Educación, Finance, Food, Government, Local, News

Farm Bureau of Ventura County — Resources for Fruit Fly Quarantines

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California is currently experiencing an unusually high?number?of invasive fruit fly?detections, resulting in quarantines being established across numerous California counties, including Ventura County. These invasive fruit fly species – including Mediterranean fruit fly, Oriental fruit fly, Queensland fruit fly and tau fruit fly – are considered not established in California. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and various County Agricultural Commissioners, has initiated local regulatory measures to eradicate and prevent the further spread of these fruit fly species statewide.

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Business, Commentary, Cultural, Education, Family, Government, Health, Local, News, Public Safety

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Clean Energy for the Central Coast & Get Ready for Wildfire Season

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(March 1) we took a significant step forward towards avoiding the worst effects of climate change, opening the new Strauss Wind Project. These 27 wind turbines will generate enough power for 36,000 homes – helping us move towards a more clean and reliable electric grid.

What’s most important isn’t just the impact of this one project, but what it means for the potential of clean energy in other parts of coastal California. 21 years in the making, this project was able to navigate the process and get the permits and approvals it needed to open.

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Family, Health, Local, News, Youth

Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Welcomes Leap Year Baby

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SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is excited to introduce Ezra Kai Avila, the hospital’s first Leap Year baby.

Born on February 29, 2024, at 2:19 a.m., weighing 6 pounds, 7 ounces, and measuring 19.5 inches in length. Ezra’s birth is unique as this date only occurs every four years.

Ezra’s proud parents, Veronica Ortega and Miguel Angel Avila of Goleta were overjoyed by his arrival. As first- time parents, they found Ezra’s Leap Day birth exciting and unique.

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

VCCCD Announces Oxnard College Presidential Finalists

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OXNARD — We are pleased to announce that we have selected three (3) finalists for the next President of Oxnard College. We would like to thank the entire College community for your continued interest and support in the process to identify our next President. I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank each member of the Presidential Search Committee for their exceptional insight, dedication, and effort.

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Commentary, Cultural, Elections, En español, Government, Local, Locales, Politics

Bilingual commentary — How and Why to Vote Responsibly

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As I was filling out my ballot for the coming election here in California, most of the items were fairly easy choices for me (one of them at the top of the ticket was very easy). But then I came to the choices for judge for the Ventura County Superior Court. We are directed to vote for only one.

I stared at the names. One of them was immediately recognizable because I had seen his name in news items about some of our local civil and criminal trials. His credentials seem impeccable.

But then I realized that I knew essentially nothing about the other three candidates. 

So why is it so important to vote for judges and not just skip over this section of the ballot?

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Cultural, Elections, En español, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Politics

Bilingual report — Ventura County Registrar of Voters Announces Schedule for Election Results Reporting for Presidential Primary Election Night

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VENTURA COUNTY — With March 5, 2024, Election Day less than a week away, Michelle Ascencion, Registrar of Voters, and her Elections team are not only planning for the busy voting days that remain ahead, they are also preparing for the long night of election results reporting that follows.  The 8:00 p.m. official close of the Election starts the clock when candidates, voters and the media all start looking for the first ballot count results to be reported.

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

Camarillo Sunrise Rotary Club Hosts Fourth Annual Golf Tournament to Benefit kidSTREAM Children’s Museum

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CAMARILLO — The Camarillo Sunrise Rotary Club, a local service organization comprised of local business leaders and committed to a wide range of local and global causes, has been a long-time supporter of kidSTREAM, Ventura County’s only children’s museum. The Rotary Club is hosting the Fourth Annual kidSTREAM Charity Golf Tournament at Las Posas Country Club Golf Course on Monday, April 29. 

There are a few spots for golfers remaining through sponsorship of the tournament, and they can be found by going to kidSTREAM’s website at kidSTREAM.org, under “Upcoming Events”. In addition to the golf tournament a 3-day silent online auction will open to the public on tournament day. 

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

Hundreds of Runners Participated in a Heart Pumping Race to the Finish During the First-Ever Port/City 5K

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PORT OF HUENEME — In a strong spirit of partnership and heart for the community, the City of Port Hueneme, and the Port of Hueneme celebrated Heart Health Awareness Month by hosting a “Run for Your Heart” 5K Race on Sunday, February 24, 2024. The event is a result of the Port of Hueneme and City of Port Hueneme’s Community Benefit Fund partnership. To help celebrate, Del Monte Fresh Fruit and Produce provided a nutritious banana for runners after they crossed the finish line.

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

SEEAG’s ‘Bus Bucks’ Fundraiser For Student Farm Field Trips

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VENTURA — Each year, elementary school students travel by bus to Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture’s (SEEAG) free Farm Lab program at Petty Ranch in Ventura and Allan Hancock College’s Demonstration Orchard in Santa Maria. While at the farms, students learn about the farm origins of their food. Funds raised through SEEAG’s current “Bus Bucks” fundraiser will help offset school bus expenses so that field trips remain entirely cost-free to students, teachers and schools.

For each Farm Lab field trip, SEEAG gives schools $300 for bus expenses. Currently, SEEAG is scheduled to host 70 field trips in 2024. To ensure there are enough funds to pay for transportation, the Bus Bucks’ goal is to raise $20,000.

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