Cameron Patricia Downey:
Orchid Blues
September 17 – December 23, 2023
Opening reception: September 17, 12–4pm
CAMARILLO — The Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology (WFVZ) Bird Museum and Research Center in Camarillo will hold a Holiday Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27 at 439 Calle San Pablo, Camarillo.
This world-class professional research center and museum is used by scientists from all over the globe. It houses the largest bird’s egg collections in the world from the early 1800s to the present, more than million eggs.
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! (Viva) is back in 2023 for the first time since 2020! Since its establishment as a free community arts program in 2006, Viva has brought together people of diverse backgrounds from across Santa BarbaraCounty to celebrate the music and dance of Latin America.
Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar
THREE FREE PUBLIC PERFORMANCES!
Friday,Jan 13 | 7 PM | Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Rd, Goleta
Saturday, Jan 14 | 7 PM | Guadalupe City Hall, 918 Obispo Street, Guadalupe
Sunday, Jan 15 | 7 PM | The Marjorie Luke Theatre, 721 E Cota St, Santa Barbara
Kaiser Permanente’s 2023 Rose Parade® float theme, “All of us for all of you,” celebrates the impact that a connected, compassionate care team supported by research, technology, and innovation, can have on individuals and communities. This theme is depicted through the inspiring stories of the float participants riding and walking alongside the float. They are a combination of dedicated Kaiser Permanente physicians, nurses, and employees, and Southern California patients who have overcome health challenges.
This year, Kaiser Permanente’s 17th annual float entry embodies the 2023 Rose Parade presented by Honda theme, “Turning the Corner.” The parade theme celebrates the potential that each new year brings as we prioritize health. The 55-foot-long float features a series of real-life vignettes highlighting the ordinary and extraordinary moments made possible by next-generation care:
For over twenty years, our caring supportive service teams have responded with compassion, expertise, and a friendly smile to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to be at their best. Whether it’s a visit from a social worker, help with homework, or connections to the community, our counselors, educators, and advocates are alongside in moments of need.
With the winter solstice debuting this month, what better time than now to take a midweek/weekend getaway to view a spectacular winter sunset on California’s Central Coast.
Here are Lompoc California’s Top 4 Picks to view a tranquil one-of-a-kind winter sunset:
From the California Green Business Network
Most businesses in Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties are now eligible for $500 in incentives to help reduce their operational costs and become a certified Green Business. Start off the new year with a resolution to be green, and get certified by Earth Day 2023! The Sustainable Business Challenge is a great opportunity to start reaping benefits now as your business gets started on its sustainability journey.
Last month, food systems took the global stage as a legitimate solution to the climate crisis. For the first time ever, COP27 hosted a Food and Agriculture Pavilion where local, national, and global farmers and food system stakeholders convened to develop solutions for how we can ensure the path from farm to table is more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.
Top line solutions included funding and financing, inclusive policy-making, and innovative approaches implemented by a diverse group of food producers. While global leaders play catch-up, SBCFAN is already helping implement these solutions by:
connecting food system projects to accessible, affordable, and equitable funding and financing opportunities
facilitating food policy coordination, navigation, and advocacy
supporting the development of new and innovative food system projects by a diverse group of stakeholders
The Museum deeply appreciates these thoughtful gifts of tribute
that sustain the legacy of the Museum’s mission.
The following names in bold are those being honored or memorialized,
while the names underneath them are the generous donors giving to
?the Museum of Ventura County in their name.
This year was marked with so much success because of strong partnerships, faithful support and visionary investments from people like you. Thank you for every part you played through your advocacy, goodwill and generous support.
Thank you for continuing to build so much more than housing with us.
Dear Friend of the Museum,
If you have already made a contribution to the Museum of Ventura County – THANK YOU for your support!
If you would still like to give a gift, thank you for helping the Museum serve our Ventura County community with:
In-person and virtual school tours
Free events for ALL of the community
In-person and virtual discussions and interviews
Historical articles, lectures and videos
Innovative exhibits
FREE ADMISSION at the Museum of Ventura County downtown and at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula
Longtime Ventura County resident and educator Lou Lichtl joined the Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees during the District’s Annual Organizational Meeting on Dec. 13. Lichtl was installed with trustees Joshua Chancer and Gabriela Torres, who were re-elected in November.
At the meeting, Trustee Bernardo M. Perez, who has served on the board of trustees since 2010, was elected board chair. Torres was elected vice chair, and Chancellor Rick MacLennan will serve as secretary.
“I look forward to working with my fellow trustees to continue our commitment to bettering the lives of students at Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges and strengthening our partnerships with the community,” said Perez, who is serving his fourth term as chair over his 12 years on the board. He has a long history of dedication and involvement in Ventura County, having served previously as mayor of the City of Moorpark and a member of the Moorpark City Council.
The five-member board of trustees, which also includes Trustee Stan Mantooth, works collaboratively to adopt policies that oversee all activities relating to the business of the District and Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges. Student Trustee Azure Heirshberg advocates on behalf of VCCCD students.
The Wedding Room in the Ventura County Clerk and Recorder’s office was officially named in honor of retiring County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Mark Lunn, following the Ventura County Board of Supervisors’ approval this month. The public and media are invited to commemorate the dedication of the “Mark A. Lunn Wedding Room” on Dec. 29 at the Ventura County Government Center – Hall of Administration, 800 S. Victoria Ave. in Ventura.
Supervisor Matt LaVere, chair of the Board of Supervisors, made the recommendation to name the wedding room in honor of Mr. Lunn at the Board’s Dec. 13 meeting.
All of us at the EDC are wishing you and your families a happy and safe holiday season! We are grateful to have worked with you over the last year and are excited to connect with you again in the new year.
The EDC will be closed on:
Friday, December 23
Monday, December 26
Monday, January 2
Need business assistance? CLICK HERE to register for a phone call appointment!
SBA: INTRO GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
January 3 @ 10:00 am
This webinar will provide an overview of SBA programs and services, with an emphasis on SBA’s federal contracting resources! This will be an intro to small business certification programs. Government contracts are a tremendous financial opportunity for small businesses, and the U.S. government is the largest customer in the world. It buys all types of products and services — in both large and small quantities — and it’s required by law to consider buying from small businesses. The SBA has several contracting assistance programs, and federal contracting resources available to assist entrepreneurs. This is a great opportunity to get any questions you may have answered and find out about the multiple resources available to help you on your way to small business success. This event will take place online, please register for the log on information. 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.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
The Port of Hueneme appreciates everyone who has journeyed with us through 2022. As we look towards 2023 we invite you to remember some of our highlights from this year. Click below to view a message from our CEO and President.
When CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Assistant Professor of Computer Science Scott Feister, Ph.D., heard that Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) had achieved “fusion ignition” — a significant step toward clean energy —he sent congratulatory emails to the scientists, many of whom he has known and worked with for years.
“I know the people involved,” Feister said. “I’ve been involved in the wide net of all these people around the world working on these kinds of projects. I think it’s cool that the groups I am associated with are the ones that crossed the threshold.”
Feister has been visiting LLNL in Northern California for years, either to conduct academic research or to observe. And for the last two years, he has led a group of CSUCI undergraduates in a research project funded by one of the major figures at Livermore’s National Ignition Facility (NIF).
For a 12thconsecutive year, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada has awarded the Oxnard Harbor District with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The Oxnard Harbor District, which owns the Port of Hueneme, received this award for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2021.
VENTURA — Ventura County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Mark Lunn today announced the official recount results for election results certification for the office of Ojai City Mayor in the November 8, 2022 election. The certified results for the election were announced…
The Santa Paula Art Museum presents “Field Trip: 30 Days at a Higher Elevation,” a solo exhibition by Ojai mixed media artist Mary Neville. Featuring all-new abstract paintings and works on paper, “Field Trip” tells the story of Neville’s recent, month-long artist residency at Ghost Ranch in northern New Mexico, once home to legendary artist Georgia O’Keeffe. Meet artist Mary Neville during the exhibit premiere on Saturday, January 14, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission to the premiere reception is $5 for SPAM members and $10 for non-members. Wine, beer, and hors d’oeuvres will be served. “Field Trip: 30 Days at a Higher Elevation” will be on view at the Santa Paula Art Museum from January 14, 2023, to May 7, 2023. Many of the artworks will be available for purchase.
Enrollment is now open for the upcoming session of the Community Environmental Council’s (CEC) Climate Stewards certification course, designed to empower local community members to take action on climate change. CEC is proud to be the first and only nonprofit on the Central Coast to deliver the Climate Stewards certification program, and one of only a handful across the state.
“The climate crisis is too big and complex to be solved by a single organization, policy, or system. We must mobilize people and resources to ensure that the climate crisis is seen as an immediate, real, and present danger that affects just about every issue we care about. That’s why we are building a committed corps of volunteer leaders ready to effectively engage in transformative local solutions to promote community and ecosystem resilience in a changing climate,” said CEC CEO Sigrid Wright.
The California Labor Market Information Division (LMID) released its November 2022 report on Friday, showing a rise in the Ventura County unemployment rate, from 3.4% in October to 3.7% in November. While that’s still an extremely low rate by any standard, the November increase is a bit unusual, given how we used to get a more substantial holiday boost in Retail hiring, and thereby a lowering of unemployment. That seasonal hiring of course has slowed in recent years, with the shift away from bricks and mortar Retail toward on-line purchasing. Ventura County did add 1,200 Retail jobs in November, but that’s low compared to what had been more commonly more than 2,000 up until around 2014, when the slide became more noticeable.
Looking at the larger picture for November, hiring in the other industry sectors wasn’t enough to compensate for the relatively slow holiday hiring in Retail, as we gained only a net 200 industry jobs. For the official November data, click here.
The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC), Workforce Development Board of San Luis Obispo County (WDBSLO), Workforce Development Board of Santa Barbara County (WDBSB), and the Tri-Counties Building & Construction Trades Council are offering accelerated pre-apprenticeship training at no cost to residents in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties. This pre-apprenticeship training is designed to prepare applicants to successfully enter full time paid apprenticeships and employment in a multitude of Construction Trades.
Jordana Ybarra-Telias was honored by Ventura College and the Ventura College Foundation on December 13 in a “Legacy Celebration” on the college campus. Ybarra-Telias was the coordinator of the Ventura College Veteran Resource Center and president of the Ventura College Classified Senate until her passing in May 2022.
Ybarra-Telias was in the process of establishing an emergency grant program for veterans to receive “mini-grants” to help pay for emergency expenses. The Ventura College Foundation took on the fundraising efforts. The grant program was established and named in Ybarra-Telias’ honor.
It’s that time of year when the expectations we place on ourselves can be unrealistic, especially when faced with the absence of a loved one. Livingston Memorial’s Grief and Bereavement Program can offer compassion and understanding during this difficult time of year. Livingston offers multiple support groups that focus on restorative activities, seeking meaning and purpose, identifying changes to self, and receiving support in making life good again.
During this holiday season, we have been asking our community to tell us their favorite highlight from the Museum. Elena Brokaw, The Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director of the Museum of Ventura County, recently shared her favorite MVC highlight and her son added his emphatic favorite as well.
We would love to hear what you love about the Museum. Please consider enhancing the cultural life of our region with your support for our exhibits, collections, and programs. You can donate by clicking on the button below. Please be sure to note your favorite MVC highlight on the donation page.
SBA: SAM REGISTRATION – (SYSTEM AWARD MANAGEMENT)
December 22 @ 10:00 am
Join the Small Business Administration (SBA) Los Angeles District Office for a virtual workshop to increase your potential for federal contract opportunities through the System Award Management Registration. This virtual workshop is targeted to small businesses located in the SBA Los Angeles District Office service area — Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. 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.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
All year long, The Collection at RiverPark has been bringing excitement to the community with grand openings, community events, shopping, dining and entertainment for all ages. As The Collection looks ahead to 2023, it is celebrating the successes of one of its best years yet.
“Here at The Collection, our goal is to bring people together, offering all their favorite shops, services, restaurants, entertainment destinations and events in a single location that provides a sense of community,” said The Collection’s Marketing and Business Development Manager, Juliana Finberg. “As we reflect on another terrific year, we look forward to what’s to come in 2023 — and we’ve got tons of exciting plans lined up already.”
The Science Behind Regeneration Practices, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, McGrath Family Farm, Camarillo.
CERF’s 2023 Ventura County Forecast, 8:30 to 11 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 21, Scherr Forum Theatre, Thousand Oaks.
The weeks after Christmas are a busy time for green waste recycler Agromin. The Oxnard-based company will receive thousands of Christmas trees from local waste haulers in the weeks following Christmas.
Once the holidays are over, tree owners are asked to cut up their trees so limbs and branches fit in their green waste recycling barrel. Waste haulers will collect the trees on regular waste pick-up days and deliver them to Agromin.
