Business, Cultural, Finance, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

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The Economic Development Collaborative encourages you to sign up for our no-cost events and webinars. Space is limited. Register today!

Plan ahead! Our full EDC and partner event schedule is updated at the start of each month. 

AI FOR SMALL BUSINESS 101: HOW TO LEVERAGE AI TO ACCELERATE YOUR BUSINESS GROWTH

January 24 @ 12:00 pm

Explore the real-world applications of AI. Don’t miss out on unlocking the potential of AI for your business success. Offered in partnership with EDC, WEV and SCORE. Spanish interpretation will be available.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Business, Education, Local, News, Youth

Museum of Ventura County Announces Call for Applications for the Bonita C. McFarland Scholarship for the Visual Arts

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VENTURA COUNTY — The Museum of Ventura County is proud to announce that applications for the Bonita C. McFarland Scholarship for the Visual Arts are now open. This significant scholarship program, established in honor of Bonita C. McFarland—a devoted supporter of the Museum and the broader arts community—aims to increase opportunities for emerging artists and amplify their impact on our community.

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Education, Family, Health, Local, News, Women, Youth

Lumina Alliance — January Is National Stalking Awareness Month

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SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — January 2024 marks the twentieth annual National Stalking Awareness Month, an annual call to action to recognize and respond to this traumatic and dangerous crime. Stalking impacts nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men in the United States but too often goes unrecognized and unaddressed.1 It takes all of us – advocates, legal representatives, victims/survivors and their friends and family, and YOU – to recognize and respond to stalking. This month, Lumina Alliance invites you to join our efforts to “KNOW IT. NAME IT. STOP IT.” – this year’s Stalking Awareness Month theme, and help raise awareness about stalking on the Day of Action on January 18th.

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Commentary, Education, Family, Health, Local, News

Guest contribution — Embracing a Fresh Start: New Year’s Resolutions for Family Caregivers

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SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — As the calendar turns its pages to a new year, it’s a time-honored tradition to set resolutions. For family caregivers especially, the new year presents an opportunity to reflect on their journey and make intentional commitments to enhance their well-being and the quality of care they provide. The Caring Together Santa Barbara County network of organizations offer some meaningful resolutions tailored specifically for family caregivers. 

We acknowledge that caregiving can be both overwhelming and extremely rewarding. Some of these suggestions may be out of reach for many caregivers. Keep in mind that our goal is to improve the wellbeing of the caregiver, as well as the person receiving care, not to add additional stress.  

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Business, Cultural, Local, News

Five Attorneys Named Partners At Employment Law Firm LightGabler

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CAMARILLO — Five attorneys at Camarillo-based employment law firm LightGabler are now partners effective January 1, 2024.

Elevated to partner are Chandra Beaton, Ryan Haws, Michael Brody, Jaime Stein and Angela Lopez.  The partners counsel businesses and nonprofits to reduce employer-related liability and protect against lawsuits and are experienced litigators who represent clients in employment and business litigation.

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Education, Family, Government, Health, Local, News

Bilingual report — CLU receives grant funding for City of Oxnard residents via Community Counseling Services

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OXNARD — California Lutheran University has received grant funding for City of Oxnard residents via Community Counseling Services and invites you to come in for free therapy sessions.

To find out if you are eligible for free services, please contact the clinic nearest to you. Low-fee therapy sessions are also available for those who do not qualify for the grant.

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Commentary, Cultural, Educación, Education, Health, Local, Locales, Opinion, Salud

Bilingual commentary — Natural vs. “Miracle” Weight Loss

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The 2023-2024 holiday season is now in the rearview mirror. Many of us will be resurrecting those weight loss resolutions that perhaps we had attempted last year (and the year before that, etc.). 

Now, suddenly, there are new, shiny objects that glisten on our lifestyle horizons: weight-reduction drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. 

The gravitational pull of these “miracle drugs” is too strong to dismiss them as mere fads. Even the respectable, time-honored Weight Watchers organization appears to welcome these drugs into the fold after spending decades encouraging traditional lifestyle-based changes in people’s lives, such as dieting and exercise.

But before conventional dieters cast their calorie tables and food portion scales overboard, they need to seriously consider the numerous downsides of these drugs. 

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

Teatro de las Américas — Taller de Cine 2024 | Vision Board | Kids Workshop

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Objetivo

Realizar un corto de ficción mostrando al público el proceso de producción en tiempo real.

¿Qué es?

El Taller de cine del Teatro de las Américas es una mezcla de tutorial, detrás de cámaras, live streaming, documental y reality show.

Es un proyecto cooperativo en español en el que los participantes idearán, escribirán, producirán y actuarán en una película original.

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Local

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Remembering the 1/9 Debris Flow

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It’s hard to believe that we are approaching six years since the 1/9 Debris flow. that took the lives of 23 people and damaged hundreds of homes.

This tragic event has changed us all in profound ways. For me, and for our Flood Control staff, it has further heightened our personal and professional commitments to improve safety, which is why we are embarking on a Montecito Flood Control Master Plan to improve the capacity of all creeks in Montecito.

Please join me next Tuesday, January 9th and remember, at Raising Our Light.

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

Bilingual report — County of Ventura announces Residents and Business Owners Survey – COVID-19 After-Action Report

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The County of Ventura, in collaboration with Constant Associates, a third-party public health and emergency management consultancy, is developing a COVID-19 After-Action Report to document the County’s response to the pandemic and improve its preparedness for future public health crises. Among other data collection activities, to capture detailed data regarding our response efforts, Constant Associates has created a virtual survey, which we invite you to fill out. Please feel free to also forward this email and link to other members of your community or organization whose feedback you feel would be beneficial.

Your participation in this survey plays a crucial role in shaping our understanding of the County’s COVID-19 response efforts and ensuring that we are effectively meeting the needs of our community. 

To access the survey, click the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/87XNSZM

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Business, Finance, Local, News

Arlington Financial Advisors in Santa Barbara surpasses $1 billion in client assets as company celebrates its 13th year

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SANTA BARBARA — Local financial planning firm Arlington Financial Advisors marked a major milestone in the company’s growth in December: surpassing $1 billion in client assets.

The achievement comes as the company celebrates its 13th year in business serving the Santa Barbara community. Members of the Arlington Financial team, including partners Joe Weiland, Arthur Swalley, John Lorenz, Dianne Duva, Wells Hughes, and Cody Makela, celebrated the firm’s accomplishments with clients and friends recently at their historic offices on De la Guerra.

“I am immensely proud of the results that our team has been able to achieve. I am particularly proud of the fact that we have reached this milestone one client at a time,” said Managing Partner Joseph Weiland, CFP. “We formed this firm in 2010 to allow our team to provide trusted advice and financial peace of mind for our clients. They have responded with loyalty and sharing our services with their family and friends. There is no better way to build a business.”

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

Community Service Organizations Receive Over $530,000 in Funding from Local Health Plan on Central Coast

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SANTA BARBARA — More than 40 service agencies and associations, as well as community nonprofits and organizations, in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties have already received or will receive community benefits funding in 2023 from the local health plan CenCal Health. By the end of this year, over $530,000 will have been distributed by the local Medi-Cal health plan to support and improve the overall health and wellness of communities in its two-county service area.

“During this holiday season of giving, all of us at CenCal Health want to highlight those local agencies and organizations that – in various ways – serve all our residents, including our members, and especially the most vulnerable of our children, youth and seniors,” said CenCal Health CEO Marina Owen.

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

Bilingual report — Ventura County Community Development Corp. — Camarillo Workforce Housing Down Payment Assistance Program

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Have you heard about our newest program in partnership with the City of Camarillo? The Camarillo Workforce Housing Down Payment Assistance 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.

VCCDC’s partnership with the City of Camarillo underscores our shared commitment to supporting the community and helping individuals achieve their homeownership goals. We encourage eligible and qualified individuals to apply and take advantage of this opportunity to achieve their dream of homeownership!

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Education, Family, Health, Local, News, Public Safety, Youth

Enrollment For YMCA Winter Swim Lessons in Westlake Village Now Open

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WESTLAKE VILLAGE — Enrollment for winter swim lessons is open for classes at the Yarrow Family YMCA in Westlake Village and Simi Valley Family YMCA. Group lessons are from January 16 through February 26. Private lessons are also available.

Weekly swim classes have a maximum ratio of one teacher per five swimmers. Swimmers are assigned classes based on their age and swimming ability. Age groups are three to five years, five to seven years and eight to 12 years. Parent/child classes are for children from six months of age to three years old. Swim diapers are required for infants and toddlers. Parents can select from class times and days on Mondays through Thursdays and on Saturdays.

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Business, Finance, Local, News

Tamara Skov and Shannon Dalton new owners of Quinn Fiduciary Services

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SANTA BARBARA — Quinn Fiduciary Services, a local professional fiduciary firm, has been purchased by Tamara Skov and Shannon Dalton.

Jackie Quinn, the founder of Quinn Fiduciary Services (QFS), remains involved with the firm to ensure a seamless transition over the next several months. Skov and Dalton, both licensed professional fiduciaries, have been with QFS for several years and the rest of the team will remain the same.

Quinn Fiduciary Services specializes in estate management serving as Trustees, Successor Trustees, Conservators, and Agents under financial and healthcare Powers of Attorney.

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Business, Education, En español, Family, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Public Safety

Bilingual report — 12 Cadets graduate from Hancock’s Core Custody Academy

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SANTA MARIA — Twelve cadets graduated from Allan Hancock College’s CORE Custody Academy on Dec. 29 during a ceremony at the college’s Public Safety Training Complex in Lompoc.  

All 12 graduates of CORE Academy Class #15 completed a comprehensive California Standards and Training for Corrections course consisting of 260 hours of instruction. The six-week academy is designed to prepare students mentally, morally, emotionally, and physically to work as correctional officers. Some of the instruction included emergency planning in a custody facility, report writing, ethics, investigation procedures, contraband, arrest and control, physical fitness training, CPR/First Aid, and emergency vehicle operations.  

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Cultural, Education, Elections, Government, Local, News, Opinion, Politics

Local Grassroots Organization Endorses Slate of Candidates Committed to Immigrant Worker Power, Environmental and Housing Justice for California’s Central Coast

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Editor’s note: * Shooting Star Communications LLC, the parent company of www.Amigos805.com, does not endorse candidates running for political office. We reserve the right to refuse any political advertisement.

“Every election cycle we witness huge sums of money drop into our communities to sway races in support of candidates that represent powerful interests’ runaway profits instead of peoples’ lives – and this year is no different. CAUSE Action’s people power will continue to defend our communities from the special interest money flooding into our communities,” said Hazel Davalos, Co-Executive Director of CAUSE Action. “We have laid the foundation for us to have one-on-one conversations with thousands of voters. And CAUSE Action will work from now until election day to educate and mobilize voters to support candidates committed to environmental and housing justice, and building immigrant worker power.” 

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

Port of Hueneme Ends Year with Big Splash in the Community!

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PORT HUENEME — For the past two weekends, the Port of Hueneme alongside local collaborative groups such as; Ser Humano partnered with Nyeland Promise and the Southwinds Community Council to co-host their first annual community posadas. The posada, which is a traditional holiday celebration rooted in Latin American culture, is unique in that it brought toys for local youth and food for families. With music performed by the Inlakech Cultural Arts Center during the posada, Port of Hueneme, Ser Humano, and Nyeland Promise and Southwinds Council volunteers supplied nearly 1,000 families with food and toys for the holiday season. Nyeland Acres and South Oxnard families took home toys for their little ones alongside bundles of food that included rice, beans, lettuce, tortillas, bananas, Masa for tamales, and corn husks too!

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

Bilingual report — Morgan Kessler Joins Oxnard as New City Engineer

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OXNARD — The City of Oxnard announces the appointment of Morgan Kessler as the new City Engineer with the Public Works Department effective December 18, 2023. 

Kessler brings substantial experience spanning over 20 years overseeing large-scale civil engineering and construction management at the federal and city levels.

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Family, Health, Local, News, Youth

Cottage Health Welcomes 2024 New Year’s Baby

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SANTA BARBARA – Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital welcomed its first baby of the new year.

Alyssa and Seng Yang of Lompoc welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Eric Yang, into the world at 3:48 am on Monday, January 1, at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

Weighing 5 pounds and 15 ounces and measuring 19 inches, Baby Yang is already captivating hearts with his arrival.

Baby Yang’s arrival marks not just the start of a new year but the beginning of a new chapter in the Yang family’s lives.

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Business, Local, News

Celebrate your business during Hispanic Heritage Month

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Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15, 2024) is here and this is the perfect time to celebrate your business.

You can reach a Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo audience that this year reported more than 900,000 hits, nearly 145,000 visits and nearly 50,000 unique visitors through Aug.15, 2024.

Contact Frank at frank@amigos805.com for more information.

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

Feb. 10 — Chicana/o Studies at CSUCI celebrates ‘Nuestra Quinceañera’

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CAMARILLO — Chicana/o Studies at CSUCI celebrates “Nuestra Quinceañera” at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Grand Salon at CSU Channel Islands.

Join us to mark our 15th year milestone! You are cordially invited to Nuestra Quinceañera: 15 Years of Chicana/o Studies at CSU Channel Islands. This fundraising dinner and celebration will honor the impact of Chicana/o Studies at CI and beyond.

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

Feb. 11 — Bilingual report — United Parents will present the fundraising event AMOR Y ALEGRÍA FOLKLÓRICA ‘De la mano con nuestras familias’ in Oxnard

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OXNARD — United Parents will present the fundraising event AMOR Y ALEGRÍA FOLKLÓRICA “De la mano con nuestras familias” (hand in hand with our families) from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard.

The free event will feature live music, dance, food and drink vendors, children activities, silent auction and a raffle.

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

Feb. 22 — CLU School of Management to present ‘Separating Myths From Realities Challenges Undocumented Immigrants Face and Their Economic Impact on California’

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Thursday, February 22  |   8:00 AM (PT)   |   Lundring Events Center

Join, explore, and participate in discussions on the social and economic challenges faced by undocumented families in California and their irreplaceable value for the entire state, organized by the Center for Economics of Social Issues. Register now!

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Cultural, Education, Events, Local, News, Youth

March 3 — Museum of Ventura County to present ‘Strong and Resilient Women of Rancho Guadalasca’

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Join us for a captivating book talk on “Rancho Guadalasca: Last Ranch of California’s Central Coast” by Colleen M. Delaney. As a professor of anthropological archaeology at California State University-Channel Islands, Delaney skillfully unravels the untold stories of the resilient women who shaped this historical ranch.

In this event, we’ll explore the rich cultural tapestry of Rancho Guadalasca through archaeological discoveries, historical records, and captivating oral histories. Delaney’s expertise and engaging storytelling bring to life the challenges and triumphs of the women who left an indelible mark on this last ranch of California’s central coast.

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Cultural, Education, Local, News

April 11 — Reconnect with Nature and Indigenous Culture at the 2024 Diversity in Culture Festival at Ventura College

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VENTURA — Ventura College is delighted to announce the 2024 Diversity in Culture Festival April 10-11. This year’s theme is returning to our roots with nature and highlighting Indigenous Culture worldwide. Ventura College invites everyone to rediscover the profound connections between nature, indigenous wisdom, and our identities.

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Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Local, News

April 19 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Antonio Sánchez Birdman Live 10th Anniversary at the Arlington Theatre

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SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Antonio Sánchez Birdman Live on Friday, April 19 at 8 p.m. at The Arlington Theatre. After the success of Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman, which won four Academy Awards including Best Picture, drummer/composer Antonio Sánchez performed his dramatic Grammy Award-winning score live around the world.

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