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

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County awarded $5 million in approved funding from SCAG’s Lasting Affordability Program

by  • 

VENTURA COUNTY — Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) has been awarded $5,000,000 from the Southern California Association of Governments’ (SCAG) as part of the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) 2.0 Lasting Affordability program. The funding will support the creation of the Housing Trust Fund Ventura County’s Revolving Long- Term Loan Program for Infill Affordable Housing Developments Project. This project will establish a long-term loan program and will increase the lending capacities of Housing Trust Fund VC. In addition, this grant will provide resources to Housing Land Trust Ventura County (Housing Land Trust VC) to create policies and procedures which will advance Housing Land Trust VC to attract additional capital and land donations. The anticipated outcomes from the new fund include 656 affordable housing units in Ventura County by 2031.

Read more →

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

Bilingual report — 34 cadets graduate from Allan Hancock College’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Academy

by  • 

SANTA MARIA — After 16 weeks of classroom and field instruction, 34 cadets graduated from Allan Hancock College’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Academy on Dec.7. The cadets were recognized for completing the Emergency Medical Services Academy 1A during a ceremony at Hancock’s Public Safety Training Complex (PSTC) in Lompoc. 

Upon completion of the training, the cadets can provide basic life-saving skills and have passed a national registry test to become emergency medical technicians (EMTs). 

Read more →

Business, Family, Health, Local, News, Youth

Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center Introduces Titan: The Resilient Pup Adopted, Rehomed, and Abandoned at Another Shelter Has Been Saved Thanks to a Microchip!

by  • 

SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center (SPARC), Ventura’s leading and only no-kill animal shelter, introduces Titan, a remarkable dog with an extraordinary story of resilience and hope. Titan, a 2.5-year-old big-hearted puppy, is patiently awaiting his new chance at a loving forever home, again.

In March of 2022, Titan’s journey began when he was adopted as a 1-year-old adorable, goofy puppy from SPARC and was subsequently adopted into a loving home. Little did anyone know; Titan would then experience unspeakable heartbreak of being bounced around from home to home. But fate had a different plan for Titan, leading him to an unexpected detour that would ultimately bring him right back to SPARC.

Read more →

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

Museum of Ventura County membership donations, survey, upcoming events

by  • 

2024 All-New Membership Perks!

Gift a Membership this Holiday Season

MVC is thrilled to announce the relaunch of its Membership Program, welcoming supporters to join the cultural community and become part of an exciting new chapter at the Museum. MVC’s updated Membership Program features accessible payment options, two new membership levels, and an expanded selection of member events and benefits. View the details HERE.

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

UCSB — The Current — ‘Clinical trial proves that the ketogenic diet is effective at controlling polycystic kidney disease’ and more news, events

by  • 

“I’m really happy about these clinical trial results,” said biologist Thomas Weimbs, whose lab was part of an international collaboration to investigate the effect of the fasting response known as ketosis on the cysts that are the hallmark of the disease.

Read more →

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

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

by  • 

SBA: HOW TO START A BUSINESS

December 18 @ 10:00 am

Are you interested in starting a business? If you are please join the Small Business Administration (SBA) Los Angeles District Office for a virtual workshop to learn about SBA’s 10 Step Guide on How to Start a Business. This virtual workshop targeted to new entrepreneurs. Topics covered from creating a business plan, finding capital, registering your business, getting necessary permits and/or licenses and getting a business bank account. This is a great opportunity to get any questions you may have answered and find out about the multiple resources available to help you. SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. For reasonable accommodation request please send an email to LADO@SBA.GOV at least 7 days in advance. 

Read more →

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

Bilingual report — 79 students graduate from Hancock nursing programs

by  • 

SANTA MARIA — A total of 79 students graduated from Allan Hancock College’s nursing program on Dec. 7, continuing the college’s legacy of training highly skilled healthcare workers.  

The graduating class included 46 graduates from Hancock’s registered nursing program and 33 graduates from the college’s vocational nursing program. The graduates and their families celebrated with a ceremony at the Marian Theatre on the college’s Santa Maria campus. Both groups received commemorative pins marking their accomplishments.  

“Training public servants is one of the most important missions of a community college,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “I am honored that our nursing students have chosen this profession.” 

Read more →

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

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — New Clean Energy Coming Online

by  • 

This week, Central Coast Community Energy 3CE announced signing a contract with Pattern Energy to receive electricity from SunZia Wind, a new renewable energy project in New Mexico that will be 12% of all the power for the 5 counties in our energy provider 3CE. While most of our renewable projects are in California, having a different “load profile” from a project in a neighboring region provides energy that is accessible at different times of the day than we typically get. This is a big deal for our efforts to have more reliability as we get closer to 100% carbon-free energy.

Read more →

Education, Family, Health, Local, News

New Grief Support Groups at Livingston’s Camarillo Grief Center

by  • 

CAMARILLO — Livingston’s Camarillo Grief Center is adding new grief support groups that cater to specific bereavement needs this coming January. These close-ended support groups are Healing Grief Through Journaling (January 15th through February 8th), Loss Due to Accidental Overdose (January 16th through March 19th), and Loss of an Adult Child (January 18th through March 21st). For reservations, contact 805-389-6870 or online at lmvna.org/grief. Space is limited. 

Read more →

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

Museum of Ventura County — Last Chance to Double Your Donation!

by  • 

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to double your donation! Any gift received by December 10 will be 100% matched. 

Just $15 can open the door to discovery for one child. Imagine the impact we can make by reaching ALL the schools in our County. We’re on a mission to raise $150,000 to double the number of tours and pay for more bus rides. 

Every donation, no matter how big or small, has the power to ignite a child’s curiosity, nurture a college student’s career, and shape the future of Ventura County. 

Read more →

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

Kaiser Permanente donates $10,000 To SEEAG’s Ag-Education Programs

by  • 

VENTURA — Kaiser Permanente presented Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) a $10,000 community health grant during SEEAG’s annual Ventura County Farm Day on November 4. The donation will help fund SEEAG’s Ventura County Youth Wellness Initiative.

SEEAG’s Youth Wellness Initiative addresses the nutrition knowledge gaps and food insecurity among a diverse socioeconomic demographic of students in Ventura County, with a focus on Title 1 elementary schools. SEEAG’s program is designed to inspire and empower students to increase the amount of locally-grown fruits and vegetables they eat while improving overall healthy eating habits and increasing physical activity. Since the program began in 2020, SEEAG has reached 15,500 third graders who participated in hands-on nutrition education during in-class learning and monthly Farm Fresh Wellness Fairs.

Read more →

Commentary, Cultural, En español, Family, Local, Locales

Bilingual commentary — The Pros and Cons of Arranged Marriages

by  • 

was talking with a female friend recently about her ongoing search for a marriage partner. This is not unusual for a woman in her twenties. Her approach, however, is largely unusual in our culture. She is willing to consider submitting her destiny to an “arranged marriage.” 

She is of Middle Eastern heritage, though raised in the U.S. from an early age. Some traditions such as arranged marriages, as anathema as they may be in American culture, endure in some ethnic families. There are many reasons why individuals might be open to accepting an arranged marriage for themselves. 

There are also a lot of reasons to tread carefully into an arranged marriage, or to avoid one at all costs.

Read more →

Education, Family, Health, Local, News, Youth

SBCC Nursing Program marks endings and new beginnings at Dec. 15 ‘pinning’ ceremony

by  • 

SANTA BARBARA — On Friday, Dec. 15, the most recent cohort of nursing graduates from Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) will formally complete the program with a “pinning” ceremony, earning themselves an Associate Degree in Science in Nursing (ADN). The graduates will have the distinction of completing the program having gone through real-life experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic in the medical field.

This particular cohort – made up of 18 Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) Bridge students and 20 ADN generic students – is special, according to Dept. Chair/Director, Associate Degree Nursing and ADN Program Director Mary Sullivan MSN-Ed, RNC- MNN, as they are “the last group that went through nursing school at SBCC during the full-on Covid-19 pandemic.” Curriculum for the program includes hands-on training at Cottage Hospital, where students and instructors from this cohort experienced varying degrees of challenges and stresses working in the medical field during and after the pandemic. 

Read more →

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

Bilingual report — County of Ventura recognizes employees for decades of dedication to public service

by  • 

VENTURA — On Tuesday, Dec. 5, the County of Ventura honored 25 employees during the regular Board of Supervisors meeting for decades of continuous service across county agencies. The awards are part of the County of Ventura’s Employee Continuous Service Recognition Program which honors staff who have reached career milestones with 25 years or more of service to the county.

“We as a Board take this opportunity to show our appreciation,” said Chair of the Board of Supervisors Matt LaVere. “We have 10,000 employees and I hope we, as a Board, are able to express our utmost appreciation for the work that our employees do every day to serve the residents of Ventura County. With the seniority that is present in the group honored today, it’s amazing to think of the brain power and the work they have done over the years to improve the quality of life in the county.”

Read more →

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

Twenty-six recruits graduate from Hancock’s Law Enforcement Academy

by  • 

SANTA MARIA — Twenty-six recruits graduated from Allan Hancock College’s Basic Law Enforcement Academy on Dec. 6 at the college’s Public Safety Training Complex in Lompoc.? 

The graduating recruits of Class #23-126 gathered with their friends and families to celebrate the completion of more than 856 training hours required to graduate from the academy and enter careers as peace officers. Nearly all of the recruits have already been hired by Central Coast law enforcement agencies.? 

“You have strapped into the seat of one of the greatest rollercoaster rides of your life,” Grover Beach Police Chief John Peters told the graduates. “This profession will have you experiencing more things than you ever imagined.” 

Read more →

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

Bilingual report — A Win for Equitable Park Access: NatureTrack and Wilderness Youth Project Receive Nearly $400,000 through California Natural Resources Agency Grant

by  • 

SANTA BARBARA — In a significant stride toward fostering equitable access to parks and nature, NatureTrack and Wilderness Youth Project have been awarded grants totaling nearly $400,000 through the California Natural Resources Agency’s Youth Community Access program.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Seibel lead the state’s Outdoors For All Strategy, which recently allocated a total of almost $18 million to 71 projects statewide. Notably, two projects in Santa Barbara County—NatureTrack and Wilderness Youth Project—received grants to the tune of nearly $400,000.

Santa Ynez Valley-based NatureTrack received $97,400 to support outdoor field trips for underserved, low-income K-12 students in the north county of Santa Barbara County. Older youth will be recruited from local colleges to work as trip docents. 

Read more →

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

Museum of Ventura County — Announcing MVC’s NEW 2024 Membership Program!

by  • 

The Museum of Ventura County Relaunches its 100% Tax Deductible Membership Program, Offering Accessible Pricing and Exclusive Benefits

MVC’s updated Membership Program features monthly payment options, two new membership levels, an expanded selection of member events and benefits, exclusive member merchandise, and MORE! As admission fees are reinstated at MVC’s Downtown Ventura campus in 2024, the relaunched Membership Program affords visitors a completely tax-deductible alternative and maintains the institution’s dedication to accessibility.

Read more →

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

Ventura County Community Development Corp. (VCCDC) — NEW PROGRAM – Get help with buying a home in Camarillo!

by  • 

At VCCDC, we are thrilled to partner with the City of Camarillo to bring you the Camarillo Workforce Housing Down Payment Assistance Program! This program is designed to help local working households purchasing in Camarillo achieve their dream of homeownership. 

With up to $50,000 in the form of a ten (10) year deferred loan, low-and moderate-income first-time homebuyers can receive the financial support they need to make their homeownership dreams a reality. Plus, these funds can be combined with VCCDC’s other programs to maximize purchasing power.

Read more →

Cultural, Education, Events, Local, News, Youth

College-Bound Students Take Campus Tour of CSU Northridge, UCLA, CSU Fullerton, Long Beach State, and CSU Dominguez Hills

by  • 

CENTRAL COAST — Students involved in People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH)’s College Enrollment for Latinas Entering Bright Rewarding Educations (CELEBRE) program recently had the opportunity to visit five colleges in the Los Angeles area. 
This college tour saw a group of 14 young women traveling throughout the lower part of the state to visit prestigious schools such as the University of California Los Angeles. The focus of the tour was to highlight the importance of higher learning, spread cultural awareness, and raise political consciousness both in the classrooms and the community.  

Courtesy photos.
“For many of our students who can’t image being able to go to college for various reasons, this trip helps to turn an unrealistic dream into a tangible reality by setting foot on the campus and receiving a tour from either a previous CELEBRE student or just someone with a similar background as them,” said Kris Reid, Director of Education. “These field trips can make the difference between being college bound and being a dreamer.” 

Read more →

Cultural, Education, Family, Government, Health, Local, News, Seniors

Ventura County Area Agency on Aging announces Fall Prevention Classes resume in January

by  • 

VENTURA — Sign-ups are now available for a new series of Fall Prevention classes that will begin in January. These award-winning classes are put on by the Ventura County Elderly Fall Prevention Coalition and the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, a division of the Human Services Agency.

Four classes, with 12 sessions to choose from, will be offered in five Ventura County cities. The January offerings include:

Bingocize (Fillmore Active Adult Center)
A Matter of Balance (Simi Valley Senior Center, VCAAA office in Ventura)
Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance (HELP of Ojai, Oxnard Public Library, County of Ventura California Room in Ventura, Community Presbyterian Church in Ventura, Ventura Church of Christ, Buenaventura Mobile Home Estates in Ventura)
Walk With Ease (Fillmore Active Adult Center)

Read more →

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

Ventura County Community Development Corp. — Home is their happy place..

by  • 

… When you give to VCCDC, you help working class families like the Marquezes achieve their dream of owning their own home and impact their lives and that of their children for generations to come. Over the last 22 years VCCDC has assisted over 20,000 families and individuals with over 3,000 becoming new homeowners, preserving their home, or becoming mortgage-ready, impacted invested in community revitalization, and developed tools for resiliency and family wealth-building.  

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Education, Home, Local, News

People’s Self-Help Housing Receives SLO County Family-Friendly Workplaces Award

by  • 

CENTRAL COAST — People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) has received the 2023 SLO County Family-Friendly Workplaces Award at the Blue Diamond Level. 

The SLO County Family-Friendly Workplaces Awards recognize organizations that adopt and implement family-friendly workplace practices for their employees. The Blue Diamond Level recipients meet additional policies and offer high-impact family-friendly benefits, including flexible work weeks and expanded health coverage. 

“At PSHH, we value and appreciate the varied balance our team members manage between their commitment to our mission and personal commitments to family,” said Nicole Ramos Chief Human Resources and Administration Officer. “We are dedicated to creating a supportive environment and robust benefits that enable everyone to bring their best selves to work each day. We are incredibly grateful to have received this award that highlights these efforts, and we will continue to iteratively evolve and improve-upon our services to meet the needs of our teams.”

Read more →

Business, Education, Entertainment, Events, Health, Local, News

Oprah Winfrey Delivers Inspiring Keynote Address at Cottage Health’s Annual Medical Staff Dinner

by  • 

SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Health was honored to welcome world-renowned global media leader, producer, actress, author and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey as the keynote speaker at its Annual Medical Staff Dinner. Winfrey delivered a compelling address on the profound impact of the human connection between healthcare professionals and their patients.

Winfrey set the tone for an evening of reflection and appreciation for the significant role physicians play in the lives of patients with a powerful quote on doctoring by physician and professor Francis Peabody, who once said, “For the secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient.”

Read more →

Education, En español, Events, Locales, Noticias

Teatro de las Américas — iStarELA. La pastorela | Muestra de cortos en español | Karaoke Night

by  • 

iStarELA es la lectura en atril de la pastorela del Teatro de las Américas totalmente en español.

Es noche buena y los “pastorcitos” alrededor del mundo hacen fila para conseguir su dispositivo móvil que representa la gloria y la salvación. Guiados por la estrella de iStar, la división de tecnología de una gran corporación, estos consumidores ansiosos responden a las estrategias mercadológicas generadas en el cuartel general de la compañía. Todo parece estar saliendo de acuerdo a lo planeado excepto en la tienda iStar de Oxnard, donde la fila ha sido dispersada por culpa de una pareja de inmigrantes ilegales, una ‘influencer’ fuera de control y unos ‘homeless’ desprevenidos y un par de usuarios de los productos de iStar que muestran un poco de humanidad.

Read more →

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

UCSB — The Current — ‘Hallmark uplifts Black love with historic Mahogany movie premier’ and more news, events

by  • 

Written by Wendy Eley Jackson, a lecturer in film and media studies, “Napa Ever After” is part of an effort to create movies that appeal to African-American families, particularly women, and reflect the themes of love, romance and personal growth.

Read more →

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

DignityMoves Announces ‘Adopt-A-Room’ Program for Hope Village Interim Supportive Housing in Santa Maria

by  • 

SANTA MARIA — In preparation for its predicted late January/early February 2024 opening, Hope Village, a DignityMoves interim housing site in Santa Barbara County, has announced its Adopt-A-Room program. Volunteer community members will now have the chance  to sponsor one of 94 rooms by providing toiletries, comfort items and welcome gifts for future residents.

Read more →