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

Santa Paula Art Museum — Inbox Art Exhibit: California Art League’s ‘The California Scene’

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On view now through Sunday, November 5

“The California Scene” is a group exhibition presented by California Art League (CAL) featuring 59 quintessential California scenes in a variety of media by 44 artist members of the long-established league. CAL was originally founded as The Valley Artists Guild in 1948 with the purpose of uniting artists in the San Fernando Valley area to form a strong fine arts community. CAL operates on the belief that when individual artists join together in creating their destinies, their growth and impact are multiplied in their own lives and throughout the world.

While we highly recommend viewing “The California Scene” in person, we hope you enjoy this abbreviated look at the exhibition in your inbox!

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Family, Government, Health, Local, News, Public Safety

Ventura County Fire Department Urban Search and Rescue Team Superheroes to Visit Hospitalized Children on Halloween

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CAMARILLO —  Superheroes will descend from the roof of the Ventura County Medical Center on Halloween to bring cheer to children at the hospital’s pediatric and pediatric intensive care units.

Members of the Ventura County Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue Team will don costumes and rappel from the hospital’s roof, stopping along the way to wave to pediatric patients and their parents. Afterwards, the superheroes will go inside the hospital to visit patients, parents and staff, while handing out coloring books, play packs and small gifts for the children.

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Cultural, Education, Family, Local, News, Youth

SBCC celebrates 50 years of its life-changing Study Abroad program on Oct. 24

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SANTA BARBARA — On Tuesday, Oct. 24, Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) and the SBCC Foundation will host a celebration commemorating the 50-year anniversary of its Study Abroad program, which has afforded college students the invaluable opportunity to visit and learn in countries outside of the U.S. Tuesday’s celebration is sponsored by the SBCC Foundation and will be held on the patio of the Garvin Theatre on SBCC’s West campus.

“Study abroad provides students with a unique opportunity to learn about different cultures and perspectives, to broaden their horizons, to make friends from around the world, and to enhance their intercultural competency while earning transferable credits and progressing on their academic path,” said Assistant Superintendent/Vice President, School of Extended Learning and longtime director of the Study Abroad program Carola Smith.“Students acquire important skills such as intercultural communication skills, language proficiency, adaptability and problem-solving skills.”

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Business, Cultural, Family, Finance, Local, News

United Way of Ventura County — Now seeking volunteers to provide free tax preparation for low-income earners

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VITA volunteers to provide free tax preparation for low-income earners

Help low-income families and individuals improve their financial stability. Consider joining our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) team of tax preparers and interviewers for the 2023 tax year. Volunteers prepare federal and state tax returns at no cost, assisting clients access the tax credits to which they are eligible. Services will be provided at multiple sites across Ventura County offering the opportunity to volunteer during the day, in the evening, or on Saturday. Volunteers are asked to commit four hours per week during the VITA tax season, February 1st – April 30th. Volunteers work in teams led by an experienced tax preparer. Virtual preparation of taxes is also available.

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En español, Government, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Public Safety

Bilingual report — Tree Top Lane HOA becomes Fifth Firewise USA Community in Ventura County

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CAMARILLO — Tree Top Lane Homeowners Association in Thousand Oaks earned recognition as a Firewise USA community, the National Fire Protection Association announced.

The program recognizes communities that organize to reduce their wildfire risk following best practices for vegetation management and home hardening.

“After seeing the fire that consumed Lahaina, our community finally realized that no one is immune, especially here in SoCal, so we decided to become a Firewise community,” Alfonso Canella, a board member for the High Point at Tree Top Lane HOA, said.

Tree Top Lane becomes the fifth community in Ventura County with the Firewise USA designation.

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

Museum of Ventura County — Mountains to Sea Jubilee Is This Saturday!

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Mountains to Sea Jubilee
FAMILY FESTIVAL

?Saturday, October 21
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
@Agriculture Museum
926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula

Celebrate Ventura County’s 150th Anniversary at the Mountains to Sea Jubilee, a FREE all-day family event! The Family Festival features food trucks, a kids’ zone, community stages, pumpkin patch, exhibit opening: Ventura County, The Place We Call Home, and MORE. Check out the Family Fair interactive map HERE.

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Business, Government, Local, News

Learn About the Ventura County Grand Jury: Jurors Available for Speaking Events

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VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Grand Jury seeks opportunities to speak to community organizations, non-profit organizations, and similar groups as part of its education outreach program.

The Grand Jury investigates matters affecting aspects of government in Ventura County. The Jury comprises 19 citizens who are impaneled by the Presiding Judge of the SuperiorCourt and serve as a “voice and conscience” of Ventura County residents concerning their local governments.

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Local

Bilingual report — County of Ventura receives top honors for green fleet

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VENTURA —The County of Ventura General Services Agency (GSA), Fleet Services Department proudly announces it has been ranked as a Top Green Fleet in the 2023 Green Fleet Awards competition by NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA), the vehicle fleet industry’s largest membership association. The County of Ventura was awarded 10th place in the NAFA 2023 Green Fleet Awards. This is Fleet Service’s highest all-time ranking for this award, following 3 consecutive years placing in the Top 50 Green Fleets, representing years of achievement in green initiatives. 

“This national ranking from NAFA demonstrates the County of Ventura’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and investment in clean energy,” stated Matt LaVere, Chair of the Board of Supervisors.  “The ingenuity and dedication of County staff to pursue future-focused projects is reflected in the year-over-year recognition of their hard work and this year’s ascension into the top 10 ranking. This is an outstanding achievement for the General Services Agency and the County of Ventura overall.”

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Cultural, Education, Events, Local, News, Youth

America’s struggles and successes, ancient DNA secrets and more all part of Fall 2023 Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at CSUCI

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CAMARILLO — Four million Americans turn 18 each year, and we have a presidential election coming up. This is one of the reasons we need to be concerned about voting inequities as well as the quality of education in the U.S., according to Dr. Michael Baker, a scholar and retired military surgeon.

Baker will be discussing America’s strengths and problem areas in “How America Became Great – and Can Be Great Again,” one of 10 classes being offered in the Fall II Session of CSU Channel Islands’ (CSUCI)’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), university-level classes for those ages 50 and up.

Registration is now open at go.csuci.edu/olli. Classes begin Oct. 23 and run through Dec. 8, with current events, science, politics, art, entertainment, history and even a little magic making up the Fall II selection of classes.

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

November Event Highlights at Cal Lutheran

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THOUSAND OAKS — Events occur on the California Lutheran University campus in Thousand Oaks and are free to the public.

Performances

Nov. 9-18 at 8 p.m.; Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. All performances in Preus-Brandt Forum: “Radium Girls,” directed by professor of drama Kenneth Gardner, tells the story of Marie Curie. For more information, visit the website. Free.

Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Samuelson Chapel: An Evening of Symphonic Music, conducted by Michael Hart and Breanna Thornton, and performed by the CLU Wind Ensemble and University String Symphony. Free.

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Business, Commentary, Health, Local, News

Guest contribution — New weight loss program at Crystal Chiropractic in Goleta harnesses laser technology for exceptional results

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GOLETA — A newly launched weight loss and aesthetics program at the Goleta-based chiropractic office Crystal Chiropractic, uses the latest innovation in body slimming technology to help patients reach their goals.

Treatments utilize Invisa-RED(tm) TECHNOLOGY, a safe, non-invasive and painless alternative to traditional fat reduction procedures. These laser treatments are cost effective, providing clients with real results in a matter of weeks, said Dr. Crystal A. Galvan, owner of Crystal Chiropractic.

“I am excited to bring this service to our community, to help improve not only my own patients’ lives but the community as a whole,” Dr. Galvan said. “Many of my patients who are unable to lose weight in a traditional setting will now have an opportunity to improve their health with the newest technology, professional products and personal attention that we have to offer.”

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

New Oxnard Sensory Tent to Debut at Upcoming Fall Festival

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OXNARD — In an effort to make its special events and programming more equitable and accessible, Oxnard Recreation is proud to debut its new Sensory Tent during the upcoming Fall Festival. 

The Sensory Tent initiative is led by the Oxnard Special Populations (OSP) program in conjunction with Oxnard City Corps (OCC), who work closely to provide high quality recreational opportunities for those with disabilities. The Sensory Tent includes games, fidgets, soothing sounds and comfortable seating, creating a welcoming and relaxing environment for those who need it. 

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Cultural, Education, Family, Finance, Local, News, 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 2024-25 school year. The deadline for application submissions is January 21, 2024.

Students currently enrolled at Ventura College in the 2023-2024 academic year and who have completed at least six units by the end of the Fall 2023 semester, are eligible to apply. Units earned in previous semesters at Ventura College count towards the unit requirement.

“Beginning last year, we reduced the scholarship eligibility requirement from twelve to six units to make the application process more inclusive for part-time students,” says Anne Paul King, Ventura College Foundation executive director. “With work and family commitments, it’s often difficult to attend full-time.”

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

UCSB — The Current — ‘Love and care outside normativity’ — a new art show immerses viewers in queer placemaking’ and more news, events

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Curated by art history graduate students Graham Feyl and Sylvia Faichney, the exhibition — now on view at UCSB’s Art, Design & Architecture Museum — reimagines spaces such as discos, dive bars, living rooms and bathrooms through the lens of queer placemaking.

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

Bilingual report — Ventura County Human Services Agency Announces New Income Pilot Program for Former Ventura County Foster Youth

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VENTURA —The Ventura County Human Services Agency (HSA) on Oct. 17, in partnership with Ventura County-based nonprofit James Storehouse, opened the application period for VC Thrive, a supplemental income pilot program serving former foster youth between the ages of 21 and 26 with low incomes. The 18-month program provides monthly stipends of $1,000 to 150 eligible individuals.

Many young adults aging out of foster care with limited resources and support networks face challenges that make it difficult to achieve their goals for education, employment, housing and overall well-being. By providing a supplemental monthly income to help cover necessities such as food, housing and utilities, VC Thrive aims to enable participants to focus on pursuing educational and career opportunities that will put them on a path toward self-sufficiency and a greater quality of life.

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

Take A Self-Guided Tour of Lompoc Murals Along California’s Central Coast

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LOMPOC — Travel often uncovers hidden treasures in the most unexpected places, and Lompoc’s outdoor mural gallery is one of these delightful finds. If you’re a fan of art, history, and exploration, you’re in for a treat with this self-guided tour of Lompoc’s murals. Join us as we wander through the streets and unveil the captivating stories and creativity that adorn the city’s walls.

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

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

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IN-PERSON EVENT: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR SMALL BUSINESS

October 21 @ 10:00 am

The symposium will provide an introduction to AI and discuss tools and technologies with an overview of cutting-edge AI tools and platforms tailored for small businesses. Real-Life Case Studies will examine successful AI implementations in small businesses across diverse industries. They will also discuss AI-driven marketing and Sales Strategies, where you will discover how AI can supercharge your marketing campaigns, customer engagement and sales conversion rates. The key to prosperity is to reframe your thinking and leverage AI as a strategic tool to increase productivity. Join the NO-COST symposium to learn how! Location: Santa Barbara City College – West Campus, BC-Forum.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Cultural, Educación, Education, Family, Local, News

MCASB celebrates Día de los Muertos / celebrando Día de los Muertos Oct. 22 – Nov. 5, 2023

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Our combined programs for Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) seek to provide a more robust illustration of the true diversity of the Latinx experience in Santa Barbara County. 

La combinación de nuestros programas para el Día de los Muertos pretende ofrecer una mejor ilustración de la verdadera diversidad de la experiencia Latinx en el condado de Santa Bárbara.

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Business, Local, News

Arlington Financial Advisors in Santa Barbara welcomes Ally Meier

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SANTA BARBARA — Arlington Financial Advisors, a local financial planning company working with individuals to secure long-term peace of mind, is pleased to welcome Ally Meier, CFP ™, to the firm. 

A Certified Financial Planner, Meier will be responsible for partnering with clients to ensure they are able to achieve their financial goals. Meier brings expertise in wealth accumulation, employee stock plans, insurance needs, optimizing debt structures, retirement planning, tax strategies and estate planning. She has worked in the financial services industry for over 7 years.

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Education, Local, News, Youth

Ventura County Office of Education — Mock Trial Moving to Weekends in Support of Student Wellbeing

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VENTURA COUNTY — For the first time in its over 40-year history, the annual Ventura County Mock Trial competition is moving to weekends. Mock Trial has previously been held over four weeknights at the Ventura County courthouse and the competition often lasts late into the night. Moving the competition to weekends means students will no longer have to stay up late on school nights. It will also make transportation easier for students and their families. Parents will be less likely to need time off from work to drive their children to the courthouse. And students with provisional driver’s licenses that prohibit driving after 11:00 pm will be able to drive themselves.

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Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, Entertainment, Events, familia, Family, Health, Local, News, Noticias, Youth

Bilingual report — The latest news from the County of Ventura

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Mountains to Sea Jubilee – Celebrating 150 Years of VC!
Join us for a FREE family festival celebrating Ventura County’s 150th anniversary! The festival will take place in Santa Paula on Saturday, October 21 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Activities will include live entertainment on multiple stages, a kids’ zone, food trucks, arts & crafts stations, and more!

While you enjoy the fun, don’t miss the opening of the special 150th Anniversary museum exhibit! The Agricultural Museum in Santa Paula will host the opening for Ventura County: The Place We Call Home – a special reflection on our county.

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Cultural, Entertainment, Events, Local, News

SBCC on Oct. 18 unveils its new mural in celebration of Asian American, Pacific Islander-plus (AAPI+) heritage

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SANTA BARBARA — If the past two months have been especially colorful at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC), it’s largely because of the newly-painted mural at the Campus Center, dedicated to Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (AAPI+) heritage in the U.S. The mural will be officially dedicated in a celebration taking place on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 4-6 p.m. at SBCC’s East Campus – Campus Center Patio. SBCC students and staff, community members, and members of the media are invited. 

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

Santa Paula Art Museum — Día de los Muertos Free Community Celebration on Oct. 29, more events

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Día de los Muertos Free Community Celebration

Sunday, October 29, 2023 • 12 PM to 3 PM
Free for all ages

Guests of all ages are invited to celebrate Día de los Muertos at two locations in downtown Santa Paula on Sunday, October 29! This free, family-friendly community celebration at SPAM’s Cole Creativity Center and Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery offers traditional craft-making activities, music, altar installations, and much more.

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Commentary, Education, Local, News, Opinion, Technology, Youth

Bilingual commentary — Are STEM Degrees Falling Off Their Pedestal?

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When I was starting my higher technical education, I was studying “vacuum tubes.” These might as well be classified now as archaeological artifacts that young people can view in museums. Vacuum tubes were ubiquitous in the primitive computers of that time. They were also visible in everyday, household life—in radios, televisions, and guitar amplifiers. 

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Business, Family, Government, Home, Local, News

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County announces approval of a $1.5 million acquisition loan for College Community Courts

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VENTURA — Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) announces the approval of a $1,500,000 predevelopment loan to help fund College Community Courts, a People’s Self-Help Housing Corporation (PSHHC) affordable housing development in Ventura. With construction set to begin in late 2024, the new multi-family housing community will provide 57 affordable units for farmworkers and their families.

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Cultural, Education, Family, Local, News, Youth

CSUCI hosts the 2023 Regional STEM Transfer Mixer for community college students Oct. 18

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CAMARILLO — Community college students from across the region – Santa Barbara City College, Ventura College, Oxnard College, and Moorpark College – are invited to CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)’s 2023 Regional STEM Transfer Mixer on Wednesday, Oct. 18 beginning at 9 a.m. as part of the National Transfer Student Week, happening on Oct. 16 through 20.

According to CSUCI STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) Outreach Coordinator Tatiana Juarez, the mixer is to cultivate community college students’ interest in obtaining a four-year degree in a STEM field.

“The objective is to have local community college students come to CSUCI and get to know the campus and explore two specific STEM majors—Mechatronics Engineering and Computer Science,” Juarez said. “I think it’s extremely effective for students to immerse themselves in the setting where they will be investing a lot of their time. To see exactly what these majors have to offer, and to learn how CSUCI supports STEM students.”

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