Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, Finance, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Are You Prepared for the Next Big Disaster?

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Economic Development Collaborative is partnering with the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, the California Academy for Economic Development and Edison International to promote the statewide Outsmart Disaster campaign, which equips businesses with the tools and resources they need to be prepared for disaster. Here’s two ways you can take immediate action for your business:

Take the Resilient Business Challenge – a self-guided, five-step process to help your business become more resilient. CLICK HERE
Watch a recording of a Disaster Resiliency Clinic and receive a walkthrough of the basics of preparedness and the campaign’s Resilient Business Challenge. CLICK HERE

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En español, Family, Finance, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Youth

Bilingual report — County of Ventura Celebrates National Child Support Awareness Month

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August is recognized nationwide as Child Support Awareness Month. August serves as a time to recognize and celebrate the vital role the child support program plays in promoting the safety and well-being of children. Statewide, California provides support services to one million children—helping families thrive and setting children up to succeed.

The Ventura County Department of Child Support Services (VCDCSS) recognizes that children are our community’s legacy and future. VCDCSS promotes children’s health and well-being by encouraging responsible parenting, understanding parental support, and involvement in children’s lives, which helps drive positive child development outcomes.

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Commentary, Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

Bilingual commentary — Sex Education: U.S. vs. Europe

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Nearly 20 years ago, I was on a pilgrimage. I went to France to trace some of the steps my father had taken during World War II. He went through this war-torn country before entering Germany and then Belgium to deal with the Nazis. 

While in Paris, I visited several art museums. I will forever remember a sight that I will never see in an American art museum.

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Local

CSUCI to offer a new Dance Studies major

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When she begins her senior year in the Fall, Performing Arts student Madison “Maddy” Hitchcock will be among the very first Dance Studies majors at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI). Hitchcock declared her major in Dance Studies in late Spring, as soon as she learned the Performing Arts program was offering the new major beginning in Fall 2022.

“I’m really, really excited about it,” Hitchcock said. “This is what I always wanted to study. I think so many dancers would benefit from being a part of this program because it isn’t specific to any age, body type or experience level.”

Previously, the University offered a Performing Arts major with a Dance emphasis, but this is the first Dance Studies major ever offered at CSUCI. And it won’t be your typical college Dance Studies major, according to Associate Professor of Performing Arts Heather Castillo, who has been a champion for the program along with Performing Arts/Dance Lecturers MiRi Park and Bonnie Lavin-Hughes.

“The degree is a global look at dance and how dance has always been a way to communicate and pass down our culture from generation to generation with the stories in our bodies,” Castillo said.

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

Bilingual report — Cultural Relations Commission Accepting Nominations for 2022 Community Recognition Awards Program

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The City’s Community Relations Commission (CRC) announces that nominations are now being accepted for the 2022 Community Recognition Awards Program. Since 1989 the CRC awards program has recognized deserving individuals and groups that have furthered human relations in the Oxnard community.

“We look forward to celebrating the individuals and organizations that represent the best of Oxnard – acceptance, courage, and a determination to highlight the good in our community,” said CRC Chair Adam Lopez.

The public is invited to nominate youth, seniors, individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations that have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in the Oxnard community. 

The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, September 9, 2022 by 5 p.m. 

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Cultural, En español, Entertainment, Events, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Teatro de las Americas — ¡Roma al final de la vía en YouTube!

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Es un gran gusto compartir el video de nuestro montaje de Roma al final de la vida. Gracias a su autor, Daniel Serrano, por permitirnos publicar esta documentación.

It is a pleasure to share with you the video of Roma at the End of the Line at Teatro de las Américas. Thanks to the author of the play, Daniel Serrano for letting us make this video available to the public.

¡Disfrútenlo!

Enjoy!

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Education, Family, Local, News, Youth

kidSTREAM Children’s Museum adds a new Board Member

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kidSTREAM, a children’s museum based in Camarillo, continues to grow. While the organization is finalizing the work toward the slated expansion of the outdoor playscape on the property that the City of Camarillo is transferring to the nonprofit, key steps of growth are taking place within the organization, including board expansion.

Bryan Yee, Director of Knowledge Management at Amgen with 16 years of experience in the biotechnology industry, recently joined kidSTREAM’s board.

“Bryan has been a critical addition during an exhilarating time at kidSTREAM,” said kidSTREAM Board President Kristie Akl, “this next year will be a time of great growth, and all of the skills that Bryan brings – from project management to strategic planning – as well as the intangible qualities that Bryan brings to kidSTREAM from his genuine passion for this project and building community – are just the tip of the iceberg regarding adding Bryan to the team.”

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Education, Events, Local, News, Youth

What’s the buzz… at Museum of Ventura County

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National Honey Bee Day
Saturday, August 20th from 12-2pm
at the Agriculture Museum
Free
Join us for a celebration of our pollinator pals and their vital role! Volunteers will help kids and adults make their own craft honey bee out of pipe cleaners while beekeepers share fun facts and delicious honey samples. Take part in a bee-themed sing-and-dance-along too!

Also, welcome our new bee colony and browse bee-themed merchandise from local vendors. Check out the ‘Save the Pollinators’ art exhibit by C.R.E.W.’s Green Valley project, and explore our beautiful bee-friendly gardens.

Click here to learn more.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Family, Government, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — County of Ventura update for Aug. 9, 2022 — Monkeypox Update & COVID-19

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Make sure kids are up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines before the start of school! Children 5 and older are eligible for vaccine boosters. Learn more at https://schools.covid19.ca.gov/. For information about COVID-19 vaccines, testing and treatments, visit www.vcrecovers.org.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Government, Health, Local, News

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — County Hiring Hot Springs Trail Assistants, CCCE Impact Report, and More

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The Community Services Department is currently accepting applications to fill two Hot Springs Trail Assistant vacancies in Santa Barbra at the Hot Springs Trail. This position is important in promoting better relations between trail users and residents near the trail, and a part of the County’s responsibility protecting the public safety of both groups.

This is a great opportunity for weekend and evening work. These positions will be communicating trail usage rules and regulations with trail users and enforcing rules and regulations.

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Family, Health, Local, News, Women, Youth

Lumina Alliance Hosts the Celebrate Community Fun Run & Festival

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The first annual Celebrate Community Fun Run & Festival, presented by BHE Renewables, will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022 from 10am-2pm at the beautiful Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo. October is Domestic Violence Action Month and this event invites community members to join us in support of the movement to end gender-based violence in San Luis Obispo County.

This is the first community-centric event celebrating the merging of two prominent community organizations (RISE & Stand Strong) into one new organization – Lumina Alliance. Emcee Adam Montiel will host a day filled with music, a silent disco, resource fair, makers market, raffle prizes, and many family-friendly activities. Food, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. This event will be fun for all ages!

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Business, Health, Local, News, Youth

Hospice Of Santa Barbara Welcomes Lori Lewis to Board of Directors

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Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) welcomes Lori Lewis to its Board of Directors.

Lori’s law practice, Mullen & Henzel L.L.P., is concentrated in the areas of estate planning and incapacity, advising clients on matters involving powers of attorney, conservatorships, advanced health directives, wills and trusts. She also handles legal matters that involve the high emotional intensity of family conflict.

She works closely with individuals and their professionals, such as income tax preparers, medical caregivers and investment advisors in giving advice and preparing customized incapacity and estate planning documents. 

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Business, Cultural, Food, Local, News

Explore Lompoc — Embrace California’s Newest Beverage Frontier With ‘Space For Savoring’ — Lompoc’s Wine Country

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As the wine harvest approaches next month, what better time than now to escape to Lompoc, home to some of the industry’s most creative beverage makers. From estate wineries to regional brews, this Central California city in Santa Barbara County is bursting with refreshing wine and beer choices. Below are top picks to experience the destination’s wine bar scene and new and existing craft breweries.

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Business, Events, familia, Family, Food, Government, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — County of Ventura Celebrates National Certified Farmers’ Market Week

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County Supervisors, at their Tuesday, July 26, 2022, Board meeting, proclaimed August 7 – 13, 2022, as Certified Farmers’ Market Week in Ventura County. This coincides with National Farmers’ Market Week.

There are one hundred and twenty-seven certified local farmers and ranchers that provide Ventura County consumers with access to healthy foods produced locally through fourteen certified farmers’ markets, which accommodate the demand for a diverse variety of fruits, vegetables, nursery stock, meat, cheese and other agricultural products.

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Business, Cultural, Family, Health, Local, News

Mental Wellness Center Welcomes Two New Directors

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 Annmarie Cameron, Mental Wellness Center CEO, announced today that the nonprofit is onboarding two new directors to its leadership team. Liat Wasserman, Director of Development & Communications and Gabriela Dodson, Director of Wellness & Recovery Programs, round out a group of four directors led by Cameron, charting a strategic course aimed at broadening awareness and programming for the organization in service to Santa Barbara County residents.

Liat Wasserman, MA/MSW, comes to Mental Wellness Center after a career in public relations, several years as a grant writer and, most recently, Development and Communications Director at Unity Shoppe. Wasserman brings strategic thinking, effective communications, event planning and donor relations experience to her work with all groups – clients, foundations, corporate and private donors, and all other supporters. A mother of two, Wasserman has spent years volunteering in her area of expertise by serving on committees and boards for local causes: education, cross-cultural communication, religious and ethnic diversity, and event branding.

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Business, Education, Finance, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule

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IN-PERSON EVENT: SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SCORE: BOOKKEEPING BASICS: TIPS AND TOOLS FOR STARTUPS AND SMALL BUSINESSES

August 18 @ 10:00 am

As a small business, it’s important to get your head around company finances in order to maximize profits and margins. This can only be accomplished when your bookkeeping is in order. During this interactive session, Accounting Expert, Juliana Ramirez, will walk you through small business bookkeeping and small company accounting tips and tools to help you ensure your bookkeeping is in order and move your business forward as you start, maintain, and grow. Address: Workzones Santa Barbara, 351 Paseo Nuevo, Fl 2, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101.

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Business, Local, News

Aloha Life Coaching opens new office in Westlake Village

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Aloha Life Coaching, founded online in 2019 by Shawn Christian and Ari Zucker, is opening its first brick-and-mortar location. The new office, located at 31225 La Baya Drive, Suite 202, in Westlake Village, will begin welcoming clients in person starting on Aug. 1, 2022.

Aloha Life Coaching currently has virtual clients across the globe, and this new location will allow individuals near the founders’ home community of the Conejo Valley to benefit from in-person coaching as well.

“People need the physical energy of another person, especially when you’re working through challenges,” Zucker said. “That human connection is so important. We love this community, and establishing ourselves here will give our local clients the opportunity for face-to-face, in-person interaction.”

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Business

InXpress opens in Santa Barbara County

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A mother and daughter from Santa Barbara have decided to take their relationship to the next level, becoming business partners in a world-class shipping business rooted in unrivaled customer service.

Heidi Stilwell and her daughter, Mary Stilwell, have gone into business together as owners and operators of the only InXpress franchise serving Santa Barbara County. The global brand has more than 400 franchises operating in 14 different countries and offers 20 years of insight and world-class technology that’s disrupting traditional shipping services around the world.

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

Housing for a Healthy California Program (HHC) Awards $11.6M to Non-Profit Sponsor Cabrillo Economic Development Corp.

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The Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) is excited to announce it was competitively selected to receive funding from the HCD Housing for a Healthy California Program for two affordable housing developments located in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.  

In the ongoing effort to address California’s housing affordability and homelessness challenges, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has awarded two CEDC developments with funding from the Housing for a Healthy California Program (HHC) to preserve and build new affordable homes.  

The Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) is the largest developer of affordable homes in Ventura County and is best known for providing comprehensive, well-designed affordable housing services and community economic development activities in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. 

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Commentary, Cultural, En español, Health, Local, Locales, Opinion, Veterans

Bilingual commentary — Falling Down

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“Fall out!” the sergeant screamed at us. I didn’t know what he meant and feared that I was obligated to take that command literally.

It was September of 1967 at a military base near San Antonio, Texas. We were kept up all night to be processed into the military and were given our ill-fitting uniforms. We were “compassionately” granted two hours of sleep and then marched off for a hasty breakfast before a full day of intense training. 

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Business, Cultural, Education, Government, Health, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — First Monkeypox Case Detected in Santa Barbara County

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As you may be aware, on August 1, Governor Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency to Support our State’s Response to Monkeypox (MPX). Today, Santa Barbara County has had its first confirmed case of Monkeypox. Our county has been preparing for this eventuality. This person has been isolated for the past seven days and will be quarantined. Our Public Health Department is prepared to activate its Infectious Disease Emergency Response (IDER) plan if/when the Disease Control program receives 3-5 confirmed cases within a 14-day period. This is the level the Disease Control program would need to access additional resources. There is a vaccination that helps to protect against monkeypox when given before or shortly after exposure. The vaccine supply is very limited and Santa Barbara County has only received 40 doses of the JYNNEOS Vaccine. The Public Health Department expects to receive a second allocation later in the summer. Vaccine supply will gradually increase later this year, but current supplies remain low. 

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Business, Family, Food, Home, Local, News

3C-REN Provides Electric Induction Cooktops to Local Libraries

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3C-REN (Tri-County Regional Energy Network), a partnership between the Counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura that delivers energy-saving programs, is partnering with participating Santa Barbara and Ventura County libraries to provide electric-powered magnetic induction cooktops that local residents can check out and use at home. Included with the portable cooktop is an induction-compatible cooking pan, and helpful information about cooking with induction in both English and Spanish. The cooktops will be available starting August 5, 2022. 

“Cooking with induction has many benefits over gas and electric ranges. It is safer, more efficient, and climate friendly. It also supports the state’s initiative toward moving to electrification to meet climate goals and reduce use of fossil fuels,” said Erica Helson, 3C-REN Portfolio Manager. “This program offers residents the opportunity to try cooking with induction at home before they decide to make a permanent switch.” 

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Cultural, Elections, Government, Local, News, Politics

County of Ventura Elections Office seeking volunteers for Language Accessibility Advisory Committee

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The County of Ventura Elections Office seeking citizen volunteers to serve on a Language Accessibility Advisory Committee Committee (LAAC) in Ventura County.

The next quarterly meeting will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. We will be conducting the meeting via the Zoom web conference platform. Attached is a flyer for you to share with your organizations. 

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

Bilingual report — Board of Supervisors Appoints Dr. Sevet Johnson as County Executive Officer

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Following a nationwide recruitment, the County of Ventura Board of Supervisors has unanimously appointed Dr. Sevet Johnson as the County Executive Officer. The Board of Supervisors announced the appointment following a special meeting.

“Our Board thanks Dr. Johnson for accepting this offer of employment and for leading our County during this time of transition,” said Chair of the Board of Supervisors Carmen Ramirez. “We are confident she is the right person to lead our County.”

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Cultural, Entertainment, Events, familia, Family, Government, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Port of Hueneme Announces Return of Much-Anticipated Banana Festival

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It is time to go bananas at the Port of Hueneme when it opens its port to the public for the 12th annual Banana Festival on Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 10 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Roaring back after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this family-friendly festival promises to provide the community with a fun-filled day of entertainment, banana-themed food and drinks, harbor boat rides, land tours of the Port, vendor booths, activities, and more. The Banana Festival is free and is open to the public and will highlight the various contributions and positive impact the Port has made locally, regionally, and across the world.

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Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, familia, Family, Finance, Government, Health, Home, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Salud, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — COVID-19 & County Update for Aug. 2, 2022

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Since Tuesday, July 26, there have been 1,751 new COVID-19 cases reported and 17,959 new tests completed. There are 73 people hospitalized and 10 in the ICU. There have been 6 new deaths of a 62 year old male, 62 year old male, 74 year old male, an 80 year old female, 90 year old female, and a 95 year old female. We extend our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the community members who have passed.

The R-effective for Ventura County is 0.94, which means that the spread of COVID is likely stable. The R-effective for California is 0.98.

73.8% of the total county population has been fully vaccinated (completed initial COVID vaccine series).

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Elections, Family, Local, News, Youth

Signups for YMCA After School Childcare Programs Underway For 2022-23 School Year

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YMCA branches serving the Conejo Valley/Las Virgenes, Simi Valley and Moorpark areas are registering students in TK through fifth grade for after-school childcare programs for the coming 2022-23 school year.

Childcare is available on school days, pupil-free days and minimum days. Camp programs are held during Thanksgiving, winter and spring breaks and any school furlough days. Each program provides a structured environment that includes homework time, arts and crafts, sports and science. All childcare staff are state licensed and CPR and first aid certified.

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Local

LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions Closes Seed-2 Round of Financing

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LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions, Inc., an innovative aerospace power generation and hybrid-electric propulsion company, announced today that it closed its second round of seed funding fully subscribed. 

LaunchPoint specializes in high-specific high-density power electric motor and controller solutions for electric actuation, auxiliary power generation, and thermal management applications in aerospace. The financing enables the company to further invest in key personnel, facilities, and development of new markets addressing the insatiable need for onboard power. The company’s products are designed for jet aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOL). The company was recently awarded or competitively down selected for several long-term defense contracts with Tier 1 prime contractors.

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