Business, Family, Health, Home, Local, News, Public Safety

Ventura County Fire Department Provides Matching Funds for Localized Fire Hazard Mapping Project

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The Ventura County Fire Department will provide $125,000 in matching funds to the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council to support a localized fire hazard mapping project.

The county Board of Supervisors approved the funding Tuesday, Nov. 1, on a unanimous vote.

“The Ojai area is among the highest wildfire risk areas in the entire state,” said Board Chair Matt LaVere, who represents the Ojai area. “The 2017 Thomas fire and the many even larger wildfires throughout the state that have occurred since that time has shown us the significant role burning embers play in the astonishing speed at which these fires spread and threaten our communities.”

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Education, Local, News, Veterans

Veteran-focused photography course at SBCC plans to expand to include first responders with support of Canon U.S.A., Inc.

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Santa Barbara City College’s School of Extended Learning is known throughout the region for its wide variety of programs, many designed to help create a sense of community among students while also providing opportunities for personal or professional growth. Since 2019, one particular community has been served through a unique photography course taught by veterans, for veterans. Now, the college is inviting first responders or retired first responders to enroll in the free course beginning in January 2023. The community and anyone interested in learning more about the class are invited to a photography showcase and open house at the college’s Wake Campus on Thursday, November 10, to view work from this semester’s students and talk with instructors about the experience.

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

National Family Caregivers Month: A Time to Honor Those Caring for a Loved One

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National Family Caregivers Month – celebrated each November – is a time to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country. It’s an opportunity to raise awareness of caregiving issues, educate communities, and increase support for caregivers. If you are caring for an elderly or disabled loved one, know that you are not alone. Caring Together Santa Barbara County is a network of organizations here to support you.

Caring for family members affects persons from all walks of life. It is estimated that 80-85% of care provided is by family members. Whether the person receiving care is in the final stages of Alzheimer’s Disease or has another physical or cognitive impairment, the role of the caregiver is a challenge.

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Business, Education, Finance, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Free Webinar Schedule

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SBA: VETERAN ENTREPRENEUR TRAINING

October 31 @ 11:00 am

Like all successful missions, small business ownership and growth starts with training. This workshop will empower service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members and military spouses with entrepreneurial trainings and resources right in their local community. Specialized training programs for women veterans, service-disabled veterans and veterans interested in federal procurement will also be discussed.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Business, Entertainment, Events, Family, Local, News, Youth

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Conejo Valley — Our Biggest Gala Yet

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Our success is only made possible by YOU. Because of your support, whether you donated, volunteered, attended, or spread the word about our 2022 Gala, we were able to host our most successful event ever. Together we raised $684,000 for our community’s youth! As you know, putting this event together is no small feat, and we’ve already begun planning next year’s… and we have a date! The 21st Annual Stand Up For Kids Gala will be held on
Saturday, September 9th 2023.

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Business, Cultural, Finance, Local, News

Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. Invites Job Seekers to Fall Career Fair on Nov. 2

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The Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. Human Resources Department will host a Fall Career Fair on November 2nd from 2 pm to 6 pm. The Fall Career Fair will offer on- site interviews and conditional offers to qualified candidates.

The Job and Career Fair will take place outside in the parking lot of the Clinicas del Camino, Real, Inc.-El Rio Health Center: 2600 E. Vineyard Ave. Oxnard, CA 93036.

We have job opportunities in a variety of career areas in many of our 16 locations and departments: Patient Services Representatives, Medical Assistants, Dental Assistants, Licensed Vocational Nurses, Health Education Specialists, Mental Health Clinicians, Health Center Managers, X-Ray Tech & more!

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Commentary, Cultural, Government, Local, News, Opinion, Religion

Bilingual commentary — Is the U.S. Headed toward “Taliban Lite”?

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Like the distant sound of thunder that precedes a turbulent storm, we are hearing disturbing rumblings that warn us of the political chaos that could precede the death of democracy in our country. We would be wise to heed the warnings and take note (better yet, go vote) rather than brush them off as mere “nonsense” with a shrug that says, “It can’t happen here.”

Unfortunately, it can happen here.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Government, Local, News, Public Safety

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Join me for Halloween, Randall Road Ribbon Cutting, Sleep Safe Awareness Month, and More

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Join me for Halloween!
Our team will be at the following locations on October 31st:

Harvest Fair & Trunk o Treat at Franklin Elementary:
Located at 1111 E Mason St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103. The event will go from 4 pm-7 pm
Trunk or Treat at Girls Inc Carpinteria:
Located at 5315 Foothill Rd, Carpinteria, CA 93013. This event will go from 3:30p pm- 5 pm
Ghost Village Road in Montecito:
On Coast Village Road in Montecito. This event will go from 3 pm to 6 pm

Be sure to do your part to help make this a safe Halloween for everyone. Here are a few easy things parents and kids can do to stay safe on the spookiest of holidays.

Top Tips for Halloween Safety?
Carry glow sticks or flashlights, use reflective tape or stickers on costumes and bags, and wear light colors to help kids see and be seen by drivers.
Join kids under age 12 for trick-or-treating.
Slow down and be alert! Kids are excited about Halloween and may dart into the street. Turn on headlights early in the day to spot kids from further away.
Remind kids to cross the street at corners or crosswalks.
When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls. Choose face paint over masks when possible. Masks can limit children’s vision.
For more information on Halloween Safety, visit https://www.safekids.org/halloween

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Business, Family, Finance, Food, Home, Local, News, Youth

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network Fall Newsletter

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Fall is in the air across Santa Barbara County. Winter squash’s orange and yellow hues abound at farmers’ markets, farm stands, and local food retailers. Farmers are milling locally-grown grains harvested in the summer, and local ranchers are raising turkeys for the holidays. Fishermen recently showcased the abundance of sustainably harvested, high-quality seafood at the 19th Annual Harbor and Seafood Festival.

From the mobile farmers’ market to shared agricultural equipment, food system changemakers across the Lompoc Valley are addressing critical needs by fostering community and developing food system infrastructure. As you’ll read in our latest regional highlight on the Lompoc Valley, farmers, ranchers, farmers’ market managers, food business owners, and educators alike are accelerating community-led solutions to build a more equitable, closed-loop food system.

As the seasons change, there are a number of opportunities to get involved in the Santa Barbara County food system. See below for more updates on how our region is building resilience, upcoming events to make new connections, and funding for your next project. 

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

Bilingual report — Oxnard Receives 5th S&P Credit Rating Upgrade in Past Year

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As a testament to Oxnard’s strong financial footing, Standard and Poor’s Global Ratings (S&P) upgraded the City’s Issuer Credit Rating from “A” to “A+” on October 26, 2022. The report also revised its long-term rating on the City’s lease revenue bonds from “A-” to “A”, the City’s Gas Tax Bond from “A+” to “AA-” and assigned a “stable” outlook to all three.  

The City has made steady progress improving its ratings in recent years. The new S&P ratings mark Oxnard’s 5th upgrade by S&P in just the last 12 months. As shown in the table below, ratings were also increased by one notch on the wastewater fund earlier this year, and the outlook on the water bonds was moved to “positive” from “stable.”  

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Education, Local, News

CSUCI Biology faculty member will join a NSF-funded project studying organisms that can survive extreme water loss

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Meet the tardigrade. Resembling a nearly microscopic balloon animal with eight clawed feet, this aquatic organism can lose almost all of the water in its body and survive, once it is rehydrated.

Often called one of the toughest animals on earth, the tardigrade has been around for 600 million years, preceding the dinosaur by about 400 million years. It can survive the most extreme heat, cold, desiccation — even the vacuum of outer space.

This resilient creature, as well as plants and other organisms that can survive extreme conditions — especially the lack of water — are at the center of a $12.5 million research institute known as WALII, which is short for the Water and Life Interface Institute. WALII includes scientists from eight different institutions, including CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Assistant Professor of Biology Hugo Tapia, Ph.D.

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Business, Education, Finance, Local, News

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Honoring National Women’s Small Business Month

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The Economic Development Collaborative would like to recognize National Women’s Small Business Month. The EDC has supported over 300 Women owned small businesses this year alone and has helped generate over 100 jobs. The EDC is dedicated in supporting women with achieving their business goals.

The EDC is proud to support the community by providing professional technical assistance in English and Spanish through our Small Business Development Center. Our NO-COST advising areas include:

Start-up Guidance
Marketing & Branding
International Trade

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Business, Government, Home, Local, News

The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara to Host Visit and Tour with HUD Region IX Administrator

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The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) will host a visit and tour with HUD Region IX Administrator, Jason Pu on October 26th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Former San Gabriel City Councilmember Jason Pu was appointed by President Joe Biden to serve as Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Region IX, covering the areas of Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Guam, American Samoa and the Mariana Islands. He plays a key role in leading a distribution of housing assistance funds and will oversee field offices to ensure that local communities benefit directly from HUD programs and funding.

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

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — 411 Labor Market Report

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Labor Market Report for September 2022

The California Labor Market Information Division (LMID) released its September 2022 report on Friday, the overall data showing some positive change, including a net gain of 2,100 industry jobs and an improvement in the unemployment rate, from 3.5% in August to 3.3% in September.

Most encouragingly, the improvement in the unemployment rate came as a result of a gain by 3,100 more workers reporting employment and, happily, by a decline of 900 workers reported as unemployed. 

Or put another way, our unemployment rate improved not because workers were dropping entirely out of the labor market (as has been the case for several recent months), rather, as we so strongly prefer, because more workers were taking jobs. This is good both for workers and their earnings as well as for employers who have been struggling to find workers to take their jobs. That noted, the gains varied widely across the key industry sectors. We’ll share more on how that played out by industry in our comments below. For the official September data, click here.

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Local, News

Ventura Land Trust Hosts Community Meeting Nov. 9 on Future Mariano Rancho Preserve Trails

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Ventura Land Trust (VLT) will host the second in its series of community meetings for the newly-conserved Mariano Rancho Preserve on Wednesday, November 9th at DeAnza (DATA) Middle School at 6:30 pm. VLT staff will present plans for trails and recreation for the 1,645-acre preserve in the hills north of Ventura, and community members will have the opportunity to ask questions and offer feedback.

VLT Executive Director Melissa Baffa and Preserve Director Dan Hulst will present parts of a conceptual trail plan developed for Mariano Rancho Preserve. The plan allows VLT to identify existing trail resources on the preserve and understand what trails can be used for public recreation, what trails require restoration, and where future trails could be developed. 

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

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County to receive $5 million from Prop 1 Local Housing Trust Fund program

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Housing Trust Fund Ventura County has been notified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) that it has been awarded $5,000,000 from the Local Housing Trust Fund (LHTF) program. This is a result of the nonprofit’s ability to raise $5M in local funding to receive this 100% match from the California State Prop 1 matching grant program. This brings the total funding for Housing Trust Fund VC in this program round to $10M, which through the development of safe and affordable housing will positively impact the lives of farmworkers, veterans, low-income seniors, cognitively impaired individuals, houseless persons, transitional age foster youth, and extremely-low and low-income individuals and families.

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Business, Government, Health, Local, News

Eight more Clean Power Alliance Communities Choose 100% Green Power as their primary energy option to create a healthier and more sustainable future

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Seven cities and one county within Clean Power Alliance’s (CPA) service territory have chosen 100% Green Power as their default energy option this fall, making their communities and Southern California cleaner, healthier, and more resilient. CPA leads the nation in serving the most customers with 100% renewable energy.

Beginning this October, Beverly Hills, Camarillo, Claremont, Hawthorne, Redondo Beach, unincorporated Los Angeles County, and businesses in Rolling Hills Estates and South Pasadena are joining other CPA communities that have already established themselves as environmental champions by selecting 100% Green Power. CPA residential customers in Rolling Hills Estates and South Pasadena have been on the default option since 2019.   

As a not-for-profit clean energy provider, CPA offers three default energy options to the many communities it serves: 100% Green (100% renewable energy), Clean (50% clean energy) and Lean (40% clean energy). With the addition of this year’s communities, 21 of the 32 communities CPA serves are now on 100% Green Power.

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Business, Health, Local, News

Jonathan Grunzweig Joins Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital Foundation Board

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Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital Foundation (SYVCHF) has elected a new member, Jonathan Grunzweig, to join the Board of Directors for 2022 and serve on its Finance & Investment Committee.

A resident of the Santa Ynez Valley since 2005, Mr. Grunzweig previously served as the Chief Investment Officer of DigitalBridge. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. Prior to his time at DigitalBridge, he was a partner at the Skadden Arps law firm in Los Angeles.  A native of Cleveland, Ohio, he resides in Ballard with his family.

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Business, Finance, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Free Webinar Schedule

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SBA: HOW TO START A BUSINESS

October 25 @ 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. 

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

Ventura County Office of Education — State Student Test Scores Released

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New student test score data released today by the California Department of Education will help Ventura County educators provide support and interventions where they are needed the most. The test results show student performance in math and English Language Arts on the 2021-22 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). The 2021-22 school year was the first that CAASPP was fully administered since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020-21, only about half of Ventura County students took the test, and the year before that it was not administered at all. As a result, these new results can’t be meaningfully compared to prior years and are being used as a new baseline.

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Education, Entertainment, Events, Local, News

Cherie Nedderman Collection of California Art goes on display for the first time at CSUCI

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The California art collection of beloved Camarillo nurse Cherie Nedderman will be on display for the first time beginning with a reception on Oct. 27 from 1 to 5 p.m. in the John Spoor Broome Library Art Gallery at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI). 

“The Cherie Nedderman Collection of California Art at CSUCI: Impressions and Dialogues” consists of 20 paintings from a 58-piece collection of “en plein air” or “outdoor” paintings of Southern California done between 1890 and the late 1960s. The paintings, which covered the walls of Nedderman’s hillside Camarillo home, featured frame after frame of sycamore trees, tumbling waves and rolling green hills. 

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

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Uplift Central Coast Coalition Secures $5 Million Planning Grant for Six-County Region

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The Uplift Central Coast Coalition is excited to announce that we have been awarded the $5 million grant through California’s Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF). We are excited for the opportunity to drive a 2-year planning process to create an inclusive economic development plan for the six Central Coast counties of Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura, with a focus on equity, sustainability, job quality, economic competitiveness and resilience.

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Business, En español, familia, Family, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Youth

Bilingual report — Ventura County Parks To Complete Rincon Seawall Beautification Project

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VENTURA — Ventura County Parks has launched the Rincon Seawall Beautification project located south of Solimar Beach. This pilot project is being funded by County Parks in an effort to introduce art into parks and inspire community beautification. The 285’ stretch of seawall will take approximately 5 weeks to complete and will depict an ocean scene with the sea life found off the Ventura County Coast. Successful completion of this project will provide an upgraded look to the day-use parking area.

For more information on County parks and trails, please visit www.ventura.org/parks-department or call (805) 654-3951.

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Cultural, Education, Local, News, Religion

Cal Lutheran welcomes new spiritual leader

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California Lutheran University welcomes the Rev. Scott Hamilton Adams as its new university pastor, a significant campus leader who provides spiritual support, care and counseling to students, faculty, staff and administrators. Adams, the university’s first Black pastor, is passionate about social justice, diversity, openness, and an interfaith, multicultural approach to ministry.

“I want to create spaces of belonging and safety for people to be who they are, whatever their faith tradition, as well as for nonbelievers and those with individual and group identities who are marginalized in society,” Adams said.

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Commentary

Bilingual commentary — Together We Can Support Undocumented Students During Action Week

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Walking around the campuses of the Ventura County community colleges, you’ll notice that our student body is diverse. Students represent a wide range of ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, ages and immigration statuses. Moorpark College, Oxnard College and Ventura College provide a welcoming, safe environment to all.

We believe that students, regardless of their citizenship status, should have access to higher education in this culturally rich environment as they pursue their career and professional goals.  

As we participate in California Community Colleges Undocumented Student Action Week (USAW), Oct. 17-21, our colleges reaffirm their commitment to building greater awareness of and support for policies that lead to undocumented student success. This year’s theme is “Juntos Podemos (Together We Can): Collaborative Ecosystems that Support Undocumented Students,” which recognizes that we must continue to advance best practices, ensure campuswide collaboration and advocate for policy solutions to support long-term success.

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Commentary, Cultural, Local, Opinion

Bilingual commentary — The Power of “La Bamba”

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Many of us of Latino/Chicano heritage grew up listening to rock ‘n’ roll radio in the late 1950s. We were delighted, along with the rest of the country, when the song “La Bamba” hit the airwaves. The singer with the euphonic, captivating voice was Richard Valenzuela, but the world knew him as Ritchie Valens. 

Ritchie, a child of Mexican immigrants, was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. He grew up listening to mariachi and Mexican folk music, along with “jump blues” (a precursor to rock ‘n’ roll) and the rhythm and blues associated with the African American community. He accomplished an enormous feat during his transitory journey through our musical landscape. He blended purely traditional Mexican music with the iconic American rock music whose star was rising just as Ritchie was growing into what appeared to be a promising career.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Finance, Home, News, Youth

SBCC celebrates grand opening of Dream Center during Community Colleges’ Undocumented Student Week of Action

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Santa Barbara City College celebrated the grand opening celebration of the SBCC Dream Center in the Campus Center on its main campus (721 Cliff Dr.), Wednesday, Oct. 19. The Dream Center is a space where undocumented students can receive legal assistance, academic assistance, financial assistance, access to community resources and more.

As part of SBCC’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Cultural Competency, the Dream Center hosted a number of activities and events in recognition of the California Community Colleges system-wide Undocumented Student Week of Action, Oct. 17-20. On Tuesday, Oct. 18, Rafael Agustín was on hand for an in-person keynote speech and book signing. An award-winning television writer (“Jane the Virgin”), Agustín is also the author of “Illegally Yours: A Memoir,” a funny and poignant book about how as a teenager, he accidentally discovered he was undocumented and how that revelation turned everything he thought he knew about himself and his family upside down.

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Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

Guest commentary — On Power, Pendejismo, Race and Throwing the Proverbial Crumbs to the Mongrel Dogs

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… “We black men have a hard enough time in our own struggle for justice, and already have enough enemies as it is, to make the drastic mistake of attacking each other and adding more weight to an already unbearable load.”… Malcom X

… Racism as American as Apple Pie

But, pathetically, we do attack one another. Always, it seems, fighting for the proverbial crumbs that the oppressor throws at our feet. Latino and Black folk in this country have had a troubled and checkered history when it comes to, as Rodney King implored, “to just get along”. American racism is complex, insidious, multi-layered and has been “as American as apple pie” and an evil and shameful scourge on this nation for 250 years. Racism permeates and infects every aspect of American life. No one is totally inoculated and immune from this highly infectious American pathology, Latinos and Blacks are no exception.

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Business, Education, Finance, Government, Health, Local, News

On 50th Anniversary, Community Environmental Council Launches Largest Capital Campaign in its History $15 Million “Protect Our Climate Campaign”

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SANTA BARBARA — Community Environmental Council (CEC) CEO/Executive Director Sigrid Wright on Oct. 20 announced the public launch of Protect Our Climate: CEC’s 50th Anniversary Reverse, Repair, Protect Campaign – a $15 million fundraising campaign that will bolster CEC’s work to confront the climate crises. 

Until Thursday, the $15 million campaign had been in a quiet phase, during which CEC leadership ensured a strong foundation and resources for a  successful campaign. The campaign comes at a pivotal time when  state and federal climate policy is dramatically accelerating; the success of those laws depends on local and regional implementation.  The action by the California Legislature and the federal government’s recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act provide the strongest tailwinds for climate progress that the United States has ever experienced. 

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Business, Cultural, Education, Finance, Government, Local, Locales, Negocios, News, Noticias

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Golden State Education and Training Grant Program

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The Golden State Education and Training Grant Program (GSETGP) supports Californians who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic with a one-time grant of $2,500 to reskill, up-skill and access educational or training programs to get back into the workforce.

Eligible Applicants:

Were displaced from employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To be a displaced worker, individuals would have to had lost their jobs completely, and not just experience a decrease in wages or business

Were not enrolled in a training program or institution of higher education at the time they were displaced from employment

Have been unable to obtain employment that provides an average monthly wage that is equal to or greater than the average monthly wage received from their employment prior to the COVID-19 pandemic

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Business, Local, News

Cottage Health Promotes Kristin Tufvesson to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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Following a national search, Cottage Health has promoted Kristin Tufvesson to the role of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Ms. Tufvesson began her career at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in 1991 and has held several key positions at Cottage Health over the past three decades.

Since early 2022, she has been serving as interim Senior VP and CFO, and was previously Vice President, Finance & Controller. Her prior roles included Director of Financial Services and Director of Financial Planning & Decision Support.

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Business, Education, Family, Local, News, Youth

Striving Towards Great Futures — Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley Announces Greg Kovacs, CEO

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Greg Kovacs joins the Boys & Girls Club with a lifelong passion for helping children and teens achieve their true personal and academic potential. Throughout his career, Greg has had the great fortune and opportunity to design, develop, and lead educational nonprofit organizations, schools, and camp programs towards great success.

He has dedicated more than two decades of his life, helping our nation’s youth find safe and engaging environments, to provide the opportunities needed to grow and achieve personal success. He has gained experience in both traditional school settings and in less formal outdoor experiential education learning environments. 

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Local, News, Religion

Rev. Heidi Alfrey Named Senior Minister at Unity of Ventura

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Unity of Ventura has named Rev. Heidi Alfrey as its new senior minister. Alfrey was previously senior minister at Unity of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

After its previous minister retired in 2019, Unity of Ventura started its search for a replacement. Soon after, COVID hit and the search was suspended. Alfrey applied at the end of August and met all the criteria.

“We were looking for someone with a strong sense of community,” says Sharie Lieberg, president of Unity of Ventura’s Board of Trustees. “Rev. Alfrey brings energy and enthusiasm and was very well received by the congregation when she was a guest minister. She gives lessons that are very relevant to the congregation. People feel they can relate to her.”

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

Bilingual report — Ventura College Foundation Acepta Solicitudes de Becas para El Año Escolar 2022-23

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The Ventura College Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2022-23 school year. The deadline for application submissions is January 20, 2023. 

Students currently enrolled at Ventura College in the 2022-2023 academic year, who have completed at least six credits by the end of Fall 2022 semester, are eligible to apply. Units earned in previous semesters at Ventura College count towards the unit requirement.

“We recently lowered the minimum number of credits from 12 to 6 so many part-time students now qualify to apply,” says Anne Paul King, Ventura College Foundation executive director. “Many of our students work full time and have family commitments that prevent them from taking a full class load. Our new credit policy opens eligibility to these students.” 

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Business, Cultural, Education, Government, Local, News, Youth

New Legislation Removes Barriers to Success for California Community College Students

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Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) held a press conference Tuesday, Oct. 18 at Moorpark Community College to highlight the passage of AB 1705 and AB 1187, as well as $64 Million secured in the 2022-2023 State Budget for the California Community College Equitable Placement and Completion Grant Program.

“Breaking down systemic barriers to student success is never easy, but today we proved that is possible,” said Assemblymember Irwin. “I am incredibly proud and thankful for the broad coalition of support that helped me push AB 1705, AB 1187, and the $64 million budget investment across the finish line. Together we will continue to put the success of our community college students first so that every student can achieve their educational goals.”

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Business, Entertainment, Events, Local, News, Youth

A Spook-Tacular Lineup of Halloween Happenings At Ventura Harbor Village

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Listen up, it’s not just hocus pocus! Ventura Harbor Village is getting into the spooky spirit by brewing up a variety of fall festivities for visitors this Halloween. There is no better place to be than seaside as it casts a magical spell.

This spook-tacular destination invites guests from near and far to stop in for some enchanting entertainment. The real treat is complimentary community events for costumed kids, pets and parents who wish to celebrate the season in costume.

Festively decorated with local pumpkins, skeletons, and a myriad of scenic marina photo ops, Ventura Harbor is pulling out all the stops for Halloween weekend, made possible by partner, Underwood Family Farms.

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

October News from People’s Self-Help Housing

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This month we have been reflecting on how we are doing.

A leadership retreat, and the publication of our annual Impact Report, provided us the opportunity to share the many positive outcomes and significant impacts achieved because of your partnership.  

The theme of this years report is ‘Twenty Years of Services’. The production of new housing, or the renovation of existing units, are outcomes we can clearly track. Harder to measure, but equally important, are the changed lives which happen when essential supportive services are partnered with those new homes. 

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

Santa Paula Art Museum — Introducing Jem and Gabriel, upcoming events

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We’re delighted to introduce Jem Morris and Gabriel Islas as the newest additions to the Santa Paula Art Museum team! As Museum Educator, Jem Morris is leading SPAM’s ArtSPARK school tour program, monthly Free Family Days, our busy partnership with Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley, and much more.

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

Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program Honors 17 Graduates for Achievements by Housing Authority at Presidio Springs

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This year, the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) honored 17 Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program graduates on October 17, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. in the Presidio Springs community room located at 721 Laguna Street. Eight out of the 17 graduates attended the event.

The Family Self Sufficiency Program (FSS) is a voluntary five (5) year program in which an Individual Training and Services Plan is developed with each participant to design a clear path of specific goals and objectives in order to achieve living wage employment and gain economic self-sufficiency. It is available to families who are part of the Section 8 Housing program.

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Cultural, Education, Events, Local, News, Youth

Carve out some time for the Museum of Ventura County

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1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 — Día de los Muertos — We are thrilled to partner with the Santa Paula Art Museum and Pierce Brothers Cemetery to present a community-wide celebration! As one of three celebratory sites located in the Santa Paula, the Agriculture Museum will host cultural dance performances, display ofrendas created by the community, provide fun craft activities, and face-painting. We will also serve horchata and pan de muerto. Click here to learn more.

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Business, Government, Health, Local, News

Port of Hueneme Charges Ahead with Another Big Environmental Win by Expanding Shore Side Power System

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The Port of Hueneme has been awarded $5 million dollars as part of the Volkswagen (VW) Environmental Mitigation Fund. These funds will be utilized to purchase shoreside power hardware components for the Port’s North Terminal and further support the existing South Terminal shoreside power system used to cool reefer and container vessels.

Board of Harbor Commissioner President Mary Anne Rooney said: “We are happy to get this project started as part of The Port of Hueneme’s Environmental Management Framework (EMF), as it will significantly improve regional air quality in an Environmental Protection Agency designated priority location. It will also provide a readily available backup if the South Terminal system becomes temporarily unavailable due to construction or other projects.”

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Events, Family, Local, News, Youth

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) invites community to its 14th annual Bags, Bling & Bubbly champagne luncheon

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC), a youth mentoring nonprofit, invites the community to its 14th annual Bags, Bling & Bubbly champagne luncheon. The fundraising event takes place Wednesday, November 16th at the Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, CA. This sparkling event, benefiting BBSVC, begins at 11 a.m. with an amazing collection of designer and vintage handbags, jewelry, accessories, getaways, hotel stays and restaurant outings and more to be available for purchase or by auction.

The luncheon will also recognize Big & Little Sisters of the year, Karyn and Marcie, who will share the story of their long and happy mentoring relationship with guests

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Business, Education, Local, News, Youth

SBCC seeks community volunteers in search for new Superintendent/President

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The Santa Barbara Community College District Board of Trustees is seeking community members to serve on a Screening Committee for the hiring of its new Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) Superintendent/President. The Board is seeking two (2) volunteers to represent the community-at-large. Volunteers should have an interest in and/or knowledge of higher education. 

The Board is expected to interview community members during a special meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 8 from 4-6 p.m. and appoint them at their meeting on Nov. 10. The Screening Committee will be responsible for reviewing applications and interviewing potential candidates for the Superintendent/President position. The committee will recommend finalists to the Board for its review and final candidate selection.

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

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free weekly webinar schedule

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VENTURA COUNTY SCORE: LEGAL STEPS TO START A BUSINESS

October 19 @ 10:30 am

Starting a business can be an exhilarating time, where everything seems full of potential and purpose. But navigating the logistics of launching a business can be daunting, so that clients may turn to you with many questions about the process. In this session, Nellie Akalp of CorpNet.com will outline the steps necessary to legally start a business and get up and running on the right foot. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Chipping Starting Soon for Carp-Summerland Fire District, Commissioners Needed, Domestic Violence Awareness Month and More

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A big thanks to the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District for offering free chipping service again, starting November 7th, 2022. This is a great way to increase the defensible space around your property and your neighbors.

They will be starting the chipping in Summerland, and working East through the District. Residents are free to put piles of brush (non-fibrous, chippable material) in an easily accessible area for our contractor to chip. You can keep the chips if you would like, or we will haul them away. Please specify in your email if you would like to keep the chips. d.fawcett@csfd.net

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

Cal Lutheran receives nearly $3M in grants to increase retention and completion rates among Hispanic and low-income students, and help prepare them for careers

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California Lutheran University was awarded $2,967,668 in grants from the U.S. Department of Education to help students with career pathways and professional development.

A five-year grant worth $2,807,976 for the Vocational Identity and Talent in Academic Learning (VITAL) program, will help to increase retention and completion rates among Hispanic and low-income students, and help prepare them for careers. As part of the university’s mission as a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), the grant “will bring us nearer to closing equity gaps at Cal Lutheran,” said Maria Thayer, the school’s director of HSI and DEIJ (diversity, equity, inclusion and justice) initiatives.

The grant was funded through the Title V Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) Program, which provides grants to assist HSIs to expand educational opportunities for, and improve the attainment of, Hispanic students. Cal Lutheran is one of only 171 private, four-year HSIs in the country.

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

Public Memorial Planned and Scholarship Fund Established to Honor Supervisor Carmen Ramirez to be held Oct. 15

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A Celebration of Life event to honor Supervisor Carmen Ramirez will take place on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at 3:00 pm at Pacifica High School’s Outdoor Stadium located at 600 E. Gonzales Road, Oxnard, CA 93036. Community members are invited to attend to honor Supervisor Ramirez’s life and legacy. Doors open at 2:00 pm.

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Commentary, Cultural, Government, Local, Opinion

Bilingual commentary — The Language Police

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Quebec is the largest province of Canada (a “province” is equivalent to one of our states). The area of this huge territory could swallow up roughly a third of the United States. Quebec, in its earliest incarnation, was a part of New France. This even larger mass of land, claimed by France in the mid-1500s, extended from the cold north, approaching Greenland, down to what eventually became the state of Louisiana. Needless to say, the earliest settlers of Quebec spoke French.

Following a long war, Quebec became a British colony where, of course, the English language was imposed. However, in an effort to discourage the people of Quebec from supporting what would become the American Revolution, the government accommodated the “Québécois” by allowing them to retain their French language. Quebec has been engaged in tussles between English- and French-speaking Canadians ever since.

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Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, Family, Finance, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — County of Ventura Public Works Agency meeting of Oct. 20 — El Rio Spoke — VCPWA Listented

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In 2020 El Rio citizens voted for their most needed community improvements to help win a grant handled by Ventura County Public Works Agency.?? 

El Rio residents are being requested to attend an important bi-lingual meeting October 20th, 2022, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at Rio Del Valle Middle School Auditorium. The Roads & Transportation team will present the project and will have exhibits showing the proposed improvements. This key meeting will also discuss RIGHT OF ENTRY permits which will be signed by the residents to allow work to proceed in their yard, install sidewalks, and build better drainage.? 

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Business, Cultural, Education, Events, Family, Local

Ventura County Arts Council — Prop. 28 explained; local support for arts education; art contest for kids!

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Greetings! Fall is in full swing and next month brings Election Day. Have you heard about Proposition 28 and arts education funding in California schools? We’ve provided an overview below if you’d like to learn more about its potential impact.

Speaking of arts education funding, we hope you’ll take a moment to watch the video below about The Children’s Workshop, an Oxnard nonprofit led by Armando Lopez, that has generously provided support to our Artists in the Classroom program. They are an awesome example of how funding for arts education comes not only from state budgets, but also from people in our community who care about local students.

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Business, Government, Local, News

Bilingual report — VCPWA takes Crucial Step towards the removal of the Matilija Dam

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The Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) is hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and a celebration of the Santa Ana Bridge Replacement Project on Monday, October 17, at 10:00 a.m. at Santa Ana Blvd Bridge at Riverside Road, between Santa Ana Blvd. and Chaparral Rd.    

VCPWA started construction of the project in April 2021.  The old bridge design created a bottleneck in the river, constricting the floodplain and resulting in an upstream buildup of sand and gravel. VCPWA has now replaced this with a 350?foot?long, three?span bridge, which corrects this constriction, meets current seismic standards, includes a 4-foot-wide sidewalk across the north side of the bridge, and shoulders on both sides of the road as it approaches the bridge.  

“Another project completed which is a crucial step towards the removal of the Matilija Dam.  This new, wider, longer, and taller replacement bridge will enhance sediment transport and fish passage.” said Glenn Shephard, Director of VCPWA-Watershed Protection.  The Santa Ana Bridge Replacement and roadway modifications were a project of VCPWA-Roads & Transportation

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Business, Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

Upward – CLU School of Management Community Newsletter

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California Lutheran University’s School of Management continues to provide a stimulating environment for our learners and the community around us, even in these unusual times. Today, we are once again happy to share a selection of exciting news, updates, and upcoming events with our communities in Southern California and beyond.

We encourage you to stay current on what’s going on at the School of Management by following our Showcase page on LinkedIn.

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Business, Government, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — Ventura County Public Works Moorpark Water Reclamation Facility informing the future drought resiliency for Ventura County and others

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Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) Waterworks District partnered with Lawrence Berkely National Lab scientists to study the groundwater recharge potential of the percolation basins at the Moorpark Water Reclamation Facility (MWRF). The results of this study will help inform the future design of Ventura County’s planned stormwater diversion and groundwater recharge project at the MWRF. This project will be important to reducing Ventura County’s reliance on imported water by increasing our groundwater supplies.
Aquifers are increasingly stressed. Groundwater recharge is a critical factor in assessing groundwater sustainability, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions like California but recharge is very difficult to measure precisely.

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

Bilingual report — Oaxacan Indigenous community demands the resignation of Los Angeles City Council members: Gil Cedillo, Kevin de León, and Nury Martinez

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Community leaders and Oaxacan communities living throughout the United States strongly reject racism, classism, colorism and discrimination against the indigenous people of Oaxaca.

The Oaxacan community living in Los Angeles, California, whom have been an essential workforce during the pandemic, working in restaurants, construction, and contributing to a vibrant culture in the United States, are subject to racism, classism, and discrimination from Los Angeles, California, City Councilors.

These outrageous comments were made known in an audio recording published by the Los Angeles Times where the voice of the sixth district councilor, Nury Martinez, is heard mocking minority communities that include LGBTQ, children, African Americans and the indigenous community. Particularly Oaxacan residents of Korea Town. “I see a lot of short and dark  people,” the councilwoman said with laughter about the Oaxacan residents of Korea Town.  “I don’t know what village they come from,” she continued to mock, “so ugly.”

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Business, En español, familia, Family, Government, Health, Local, News, Noticias, Salud

Bilingual report — Covered California Supports the Biden Administration’s Proposal to Expand Affordable Coverage to More Californians by Fixing the So-Called “Family Glitch”

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Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman commended President Joe Biden’s administration for finalizing the proposed fix to the “Family Glitch,” an issue that had prevented millions of Americans with unaffordable employer health insurance from getting marketplace coverage through the Affordable Care Act.

“Covered California supports this proposed rule change, which will build on the Affordable Care Act’s vision and intent to expand access to affordable health insurance, by opening the door of coverage to millions of Americans.

This is a new era for the Affordable Care Act, as Covered California prepares to enter its 10th open enrollment period, with increased financial help available for those who need coverage as well as our 1.7 million enrollees.

With renewal beginning Oct. 18 and open enrollment starting Nov. 1, we look forward to spending the next four months getting every Californian covered.”

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Cultural, Health, Local, News, Youth

Two CSUCI faculty members receive grant from National Science Foundation to streamline imaging for science and medicine

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If a doctor wants to get a closer look at a tumor inside of a patient, or if scientists want to get a detailed image of a plant, animal or inanimate structure, scientists and doctors frequently rely on sophisticated imaging devices. 

Powering some of the most sophisticated imaging devices are ions. Working to make ion sources even more efficient, accessible, and able to handle large amounts of data are CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Assistant Professor of Computer Science Scott Feister, Ph.D., and Assistant Professor of Mathematics Alona Kryshchenko, Ph.D. 

“If you want create a beam of radiation to take a picture of something you can’t see with the naked eye, you could use an ion source,” Feister explained. “There are instruments around the world that create and use ions in this way. The ions offer a source of ‘lighting’ for the picture, the way a flashbulb is used to offer a source of lighting for photos.” 

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En español, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Salud

Bilingual report — County of Ventura — Preparing for the 2022 Flu Season

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As we enter Flu Season, the Ventura County Health Care Agency is reminding the community that the best way to protect against the flu virus is to receive an annual flu vaccine.

The Ventura County Health Care Agency is offering multiple options for the community to conveniently receive a flu shot, through our Ambulatory Care Clinic system, Public Health Clinics, as well as pop-up community clinics.

Although seasonal influenza (flu) viruses are detected year-round in the United States, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter. The timing and duration of flu season can vary, but influenza activity often begins to increase in October, and most often, flu activity peaks between December and February.

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Cultural, Education, Family, Local, News, Youth

CSUCI receives $572,750 grant to help teachers address the pandemic’s impact on students’ physical and emotional health

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The pandemic disrupted California students’ lives at home and at school, including their physical and mental health. 

To help California teachers address the physical education and emotional support many students were unable to access during the pandemic, the University of California Office of the President has awarded CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Associate Professor of Education Kara Naidoo, Ph.D., with a $572,750 grant to support a project entitled “CSMP One-Time Learning Acceleration Funds.”  

“The grant allows an increase in services to students and teachers throughout the state,” Naidoo said. “The project will allow for more mental health instruction and there will be more work done with physical education. We’re going to look into many areas of health education and physical education and see how to best support students and teachers. This is really to compensate for the interruption of learning that happened due to the pandemic.” 

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Business, Education, Finance, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free webinar schedule

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SBA: INTRO TO GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING

October 11 @ 10:00 am

This webinar will provide an overview of SBA programs and services, with an emphasis on SBA’s federal contracting resources! 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.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Education, Local, News, Technology

A $471,862 National Science Foundation grant will enable CSUCI students to research mysterious evolutionary phenomenon in frogs

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CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) students will learn molecular genetic techniques on campus, use sophisticated research equipment at Utah State University, and later travel to Peru on a quest to find out why frogs living at high elevations lose their ears and their “croak.” 

“Probably because there are fewer species in the highlands, so there is not a lot of competition in terms of sound,” said Assistant Professor of Biology Rudolf von May, Ph.D., who wrote the grant with Associate Professor of Biology Allison Alvarado, Ph.D. “But we want to know how they communicate. Maybe it’s chemical.” 

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has granted $471,862 to von May and Alvarado for the project, entitled “Phenotypic convergence and trait loss in high-elevation Andean frogs.” The ideas were based on previous research von May has published about the unique characteristics of this group of animals. 

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Business, Education, Government, Technology

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Cybersecurity Awareness Month

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The Economic Development Collaborative would like to recognize Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The internet has become an invaluable tool for small businesses, opening the door to a wide range of previously unheard-of possibilities. Unfortunately, as e-commerce continues to grow, so does the number of bad actors looking to exploit hard working entrepreneurs. This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, check out the Small Business Administration’s best practices and upcoming events where you can learn how to keep your small business cyber secure.

Cybersecurity Best Practices

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Business, Family, Home, Local, News, Seniors

Wood Glen Hall in Santa Barbara names new board of directors

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Wood Glen Hall, a nonprofit retirement residence offering affordable independent and assisted living for senior citizens in Santa Barbara, has announced new roles on its board of directors.

Mary Jean Vignone, a 12-year member of the board, will serve as vice president. An executive coach and organizational development consultant accredited by the International Coaching Federation, Vignone holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s in business administration, a master’s of arts, and a doctorate in human and organizational development. She brings a blend of academic experience and more than 30 years of corporate and nonprofit experience to her role.

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Business, Entertainment, Local, News

New Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room Opens Seaside In Ventura Harbor Village

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Just in time for Fall, the new Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room in Ventura Harbor Village is giving wine lovers a reason to toast the coast. Owned and operated by the Conway family of Santa Barbara/Ventura County, this modern wine tasting room is sure to be a popular spot with 15 different wines of interesting and unusual blends of reds and whites, each produced in small batch production. Along with their friendly and knowledgeable tasting room hosts, daily tastings offer a selection of both Conway and Deep Sea wines offering something for all palates.  https://www.conwayfamilywines.com/Santa-Barbara-Tasting-Room/Ventura-Tasting-Room

Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room, along with the Conway siblings John, Tom, Gillian, and Sally, have created a relaxed atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating in the picturesque Ventura Harbor setting. 

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Business, Education, Health, Local, News

Guest contribution — Younger By The Days offers holistic wellness therapy and much needed ‘me time’ to Santa Barbara residents

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People looking for physical strength, mental balance and inner peace turn to healing practitioner Beatrice Appay of Santa Barbara-based Younger By The Days, a recognized authority on how to obtain balance and peace within and for yourself.

A scientist, anatomy expert and experienced professional in her wellness craft, Appay is known for exercising patience, compassion, empathy, kindness and determination in guiding her students and clients.

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

Social Justice Fund for Ventura County — September 2022 update

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September has been a busy month for the Social Justice Fund for Ventura County (SJFVC). This year we had our largest group of applicants ever and there were many great project ideas as well as inspiring emerging leaders. Sadly, we had to make some very difficult decisions based on our limited available capacity and funds. After many interviews, meetings and presentations the SJFVC has decided to fully fund the projects of 5 fellows and to award a special leadership grant. A brief description of each of these follows.

Healthy Nyeland Acres:
Brenda Heredia (she/her)

Brenda’s project is called Healthy Nyeland Acres and it aims to raise health equity for underserved residents in Nyeland Acres by providing them with health education and basic services to promote a healthy way of living. Residents of all ages will have the opportunity to engage in physical activity by participating in a series of fun Zumba classes. Residents will be empowered to take care of their health and to stay physically active. …

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Commentary, Education, Family, Government, Health, Local, Politics, Public Safety

Bilingual commentary — The Specter of Nuclear War

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Those of us who were in grade school in the 1950s and early 60s will never forget the “duck and cover” drills we used to have in our classrooms. This was a Civil Defense exercise that put the fear of nuclear war into our little heads. At least once a month, as best I recall, we would hear the sirens wailing at 10 a.m. on a Friday. We knew what to do: kneel and drop, face down, below our desk—that mighty protector of our young lives—and cover our necks and heads with our arms and hands as much as possible. 

The Soviet Union became a nuclear power in 1949, and suddenly we had a threatening nuclear rival. The Cold War that followed World War II was replete with the rattles of sabers and ominous words, not too unlike what we are hearing today from the leaders of Russia, the remnant of the Soviet Union.

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Education, Finance, Local, News, Youth

SBCC ranks in top tier of schools with students studying abroad as Gilman Scholars

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On Oct. 6, 2022, the U.S. Department of State recognized Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) as one of the U.S. colleges and universities that sent the most scholars abroad through the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program during the academic year 2020-2021. The Gilman Scholarship expands access and equity in study abroad and international internship opportunities among U.S. undergraduate students with high financial need.

“In recognizing the top institutions with students studying abroad as Gilman Scholars, the United States continues to prioritize its commitment to provide access and equity to international experiences for all Americans,” said Lee Satterfield, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs.

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

Santa Paula Art Museum — Weekend Sorted

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Saturday, October 8, 2022, at 1 PM and 2 PM
Included with regular museum admission
Free for SPAM members and students

Don’t miss this singular opportunity to experience Hiroko Yoshimoto’s New Works exhibition featuring Blue Marble Art Collective with Yoshimoto and W. Scott Miles as your gallery guides! On Saturday, October 8, the two Ventura artists will lead 45-minute tours of their shared exhibit at 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM. Reservations are not required.

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Business, Education, Finance, Government, Local, News

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — EXTENDED: 2022 COVID-19 Supplement Paid Leave

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UPDATE: On September 29, 2021 Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 152 into law, extending Supplemental Paid Sick Leave through December 31, 2022. This extension does not allocate additional hours of leave.

2022 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) took effect on February 19, 2022. This SPSL is only applicable to employers, public or private, with 26 or more employees. Smaller employers will not be covered but may be covered by local supplemental paid sick leave ordinances.

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Business, Cultural, En español, Family, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Salud

Bilingual report — Local Health Care Providers Propel CenCal Health to top 5% Nationwide in Postpartum Care

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CenCal Health, the community health plan for Medi-Cal in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, received high marks in two respected professional health care assessments — the national Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®), and the state-wide report on Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®). With results released in 2022, the findings in both annual audits concluded that, in multiple categories, CenCal Health and its providers delivered exceptional care to child members, as well as members that are new mothers and members with diabetes

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Business, Education, Finance, Local, News, Youth

Cal Lutheran guarantees UC price-matching

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California Lutheran University’s Public Price Promise program is now guaranteed for new students from California high schools and colleges who meet GPA requirements. The nearly $30,000 scholarships, which award first-year and transfer students the difference in average cost of attendance between Cal Lutheran and UC undergraduate campuses, offer a private education at a public price.

“We want to become accessible to as many California students as possible,” said Falone Serna, Cal Lutheran dean of admission and outreach. “This scholarship makes us a great option for California students and families who have budgeted for in-state tuition but want the benefits of a private education such as smaller classes and lower faculty-to-student ratios.”

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

Bilingual report — Community Health Needs Assessment Calls on Residents for Input Findings will help identify population health concerns in Santa Barbara County

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Cottage Health and Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, along with several other community organizations, are partnering to improve the well-being of Santa Barbara County residents. To better understand the needs and strengths of the entire community, and the many diverse groups within it, the collaborative is asking residents to participate in a Community Health Needs Assessment. 

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Education, Events, Local, News, Youth

10th Annual Ventura County Farm Day on Nov. 5 – ‘Meet All The Hands That Feed You’

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On Saturday, November 5, more than 15 Ventura County farms, ranches and agricultural organizations will invite the public to experience a day of free agricultural activities and tours during the 10th Annual Ventura County Farm Day. This year’s theme is “Meet All The Hands That Feed You.”

Visitors can map out their day by selecting locations from the Farm Day Trail Map at https://venturacountyfarmday.com/map. Each site offers tours and produce and other giveaways. Tour hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Some locations require reservations.

“Agriculture is Ventura County’s largest industry. Farm Day is the opportunity to see how fruits and vegetables are grown, harvested and then shipped to stores for sale,” says Mary Maranville, founder and CEO of the nonprofit Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG), which puts on Ventura County Farm Day each year. “You’ll come away with an appreciation of the hard work that goes into growing each piece of produce.”

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

Bilingual report — Save the Date — 2022 State of the (Ventura) County on Nov. 30

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This FREE in-person and virtual event will highlight the collective work that makes Ventura County one of the best places to live, work, and play. Join us for a presentation and discussion about this year’s accomplishments and opportunities with a discussion about top priorities to address into the future.

Enjoy a presentation by keynote speaker County of Ventura Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sevet Johnson followed by a panel discussion among community leaders on key issues facing our communities.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Local, Youth

Five New Members Join Ventura College Foundation Board

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The Ventura College Foundation Board of Directors has added five new members.

Joining the board are Debe Bylo, Mark Dufresne, Liz Kraus and Dr. Jill Muraoka Lim. All have a strong connection with Ventura College. As the current president of the Associated Students of Ventura College (ASVC), Jessica Flores Esquibel will also serve on the board during her term.

Now retired, Debe Bylo was a middle school teacher for 23 years with the Ventura Unified School District. She took classes at Ventura College to satisfy her teaching credential requirements. Both her daughters worked as summer lifeguards and swim instructors at the college. “I love community colleges because they create a bridge to four-year universities as well as offer certificate programs and training for people reentering the job market and updating skills and preparing for future employment after high school graduation,” says Bylo.

Mark Dufresne was a standout tight end for the Ventura College Pirates which then led to a full scholarship to the University of Nebraska where he played for the legendary coach Tom Osborne. Dufresne is one of nine siblings. All went to Ventura College. He’s now a banker at Wells Fargo in Westlake Village. “I enjoyed the small class sizes and learning from experienced and professional teachers and coaches,” says Dufresne. “I’d love to work with students in the athletic department to let them know of the financial opportunities available through the foundation.”

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Business, Government, Local, News, Public Safety

Bilingual report — Ventura County Probation Chief Announces Retirement

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Ventura County Probation Chief Mark Varela has announced plans to retire on January 28, 2023. “Under Chief Varela’s leadership, our Probation Agency has made transformative changes in effective rehabilitation and prevention programs providing the best chance for positive change for justice-involved individuals,” said Chair of the Board of Supervisors Matt LaVere. “Among many community programs and approaches implemented under his leadership, Mark was instrumental in construction oversight and transition to the County’s juvenile justice center. We are incredibly grateful for his dedicated service to our County and community.”

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Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Local, News

Museum of Ventura County — Hey pumpkin! Spice up your life at the Museum

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MVC Insider is back with a new season covering everything Ventura County, including The St. Francis Dam Disaster, speakeasy owner Sally Stanford, our notorious three-headed goat, and so much more.

Tune in every Friday at 9am on Facebook to learn more about your county’s hidden histories and enduring legacies.

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Business, Education, Finance, Local, News

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Director of Lending Celebrates His 10th Year With the EDC

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Marvin Boateng started with the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) as the Director of Lending in 2012. He oversees all of the EDC’s small business loan programs. In 2013, Marvin was recognized by the Pacific Coast Business Times “40 under 40” for his passion for public service. Marvin is an African American Board Leadership Institute Alumna (AABLI), a certified Economic Development Financial Professional (EDFP), and a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA). Marvin earned a double bachelor’s in African American Studies and Economics from California State University, Northridge, and a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) from California Lutheran University. Mr. Marvin Boateng is a founding Board Member of the Black Cooperative Investment Fund in Los Angeles, California, and Chair of the Sampa Community Educational Project in Ghana, West Africa.

Congratulations, Marvin, on 10 Years with the EDC! We are incredibly grateful for your commitment to the region.

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Local, News, Youth

Jorge Corralejo Photography Featured In Moorpark College Art Gallery

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Moorpark College is proud to announce the exhibition of “Huelga! Photographs from the Frontlines by Jorge Corralejo.” Corralejo is a civil rights activist, photographer, philanthropist and author. The free exhibition is open to students and the community in the Moorpark College Art Gallery. This event is part of the campuswide Latinx Heritage Month Celebration.

Corralejo fought tirelessly alongside labor leaders and political activists César Chávez and Dolores Huerta to establish suitable working conditions and fair treatment for farmworkers. Corralejo assisted with the recruitment and construction of Agbayani Village, a retirement community for elderly Filipino farmworkers in Delano, Calif.

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Business, Education, Local, News, Youth

CSUCI application window for Fall 2023 now open

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The application for admission to CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) for the Fall 2023 semester opened Saturday, Oct. 1, with a new streamlined transfer process available for community college students. 

CSUCI admission counselors will be offering on-site admission decisions at several local community colleges. In addition, CSUCI will begin accepting lower-division transfer students in Spring 2023. Previously recognized as a barrier, in-progress coursework will now be considered to help transfer students meet admission requirements. 

The priority application period for all applicants closes on Nov. 30, but Hung Dang, CSUCI’s Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, recommends that prospective students apply early and then check their email regularly for additional information, deadlines and reminders from the Admission and Financial Aid offices to keep them on track.  

This is particularly important for those applying to CSUCI’s impacted programs, Nursing and Mechatronics Engineering. Applicants for these programs should make sure they submit the additional documentation required. The newest of CSUCI’s 27 undergraduate majors is Dance Studies, which launched this semester. 

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Cultural, Education, Local, News

CSUCI receives $6M in Hispanic-Serving Institution grants

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U.S. Department of Education Thursday awarded CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) more than $6 million in Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) grants to launch programs and expand services designed to increase the number of students, particularly Latinos, who enroll in and graduate from college and who successfully pursue careers in education.

CSUCI is receiving $3 million to implement the Caminos (Pathways) for Future Counselors, Psychologists, Teachers and Leaders project and $3 million for Project Student Outreach, Academics and Retention (SOAR) at CI. Under an HSI grant awarded to Oxnard College, CSUCI is also receiving $187,000 to hire a staff member dedicated to helping students who transfer from Oxnard College to CSUCI. This brings CSUCI’s total federal HSI grant funding to more than $42 million since 2010.

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Cultural, Educación, Family, Finance, Local, News, Youth

Action Week Focuses on Working Together to Support Undocumented College Students

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Approximately 75,000 undocumented students are enrolled in California public and independent colleges and universities, according to the California Undocumented Higher Education Coalition. To assist these students in their journey, the Ventura County Community College District joins California Community Colleges and statewide partners for the sixth annual Undocumented Student Action Week (USAW), Oct. 17-21.

This year’s theme is “Juntos Podemos (Together, We Can): Collaborative Ecosystems that Support Undocumented Students.” During USAW, Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges will focus on advancing best practices, ensuring authentic, campuswide collaboration and advocating for policy solutions to support long-term success.

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Education, News, Youth

The Golden Age of Horror Films, Russian History, and the Abolitionists part of CSUCI’s Osher for Lifelong Learning Fall II classes. Enrollment begins Oct. 10

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As a kid growing up in New York in the 1960s, Broadway veteran Nicholas Santa Maria remembers sitting on the floor with his siblings in front of a 12-inch black-and-white TV screen watching a wild-eyed Bela Lugosi sink his fangs into his latest victim’s neck.

“I’ve seen every movie a thousand times, and I could watch them again and again and again,” Santa Maria said. “I’d watch them between my fingers!”

Santa Maria was one of the “monster kids” on the block who never missed “Creature Features” or “Chiller Theater” on Saturday nights and clustered together at the candy store every third Thursday of the month to wait for the latest issue of “Famous Monsters of Filmland.”

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Business, Finance, Government, Local, News

San Luis Obispo County Office of the Assessor releases 2022-2023 Annual Report

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I am very pleased to present the Annual Report of the Office of the Assessor for 2022-2023. It is a great pleasure serving the people of San Luis Obispo County as assessor. This report provides information regarding the annual assessment roll and recognizes the accomplishments of our great staff.

The assessment roll covered in this annual report is a record-setting $67 billion, representing a 6.8% increase over last year.

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Business, Education, Finance, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free webinar schedule

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SBA: EIDL REGISTRATION, PAYMENTS AND MORE!

October 4 @ 11:00 am

With the COVID EIDL first payment date fast approaching, it is important that recipients of COVID EIDL know and understand the payment process. Join SBA Fresno District Office in this virtual workshop and learn the “How To” payment process for your business COVID EIDL Payments.

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

Excelencia award recognizes CSUCI’s service to Latino students

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CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) is the first college in California to earn Seal of Excelencia recertification, which is awarded for a high level of commitment and effort to serve Latino students.

CSUCI President Richard Yao this morning attended the Washington, D.C., ceremony where Excelencia in Education recognized the first nine institutions of higher education in the nation to earn recertification along with six others that earned the Seal ofExcelencia for the first time.

There are now 30 U.S. colleges that hold the Seal of Excelencia certification. Combined, they enrolled 13% and graduated 14% of all college-going Latinos in the U.S. in 2020, and they plan to continue increasing their efforts to lead the nation.

“Excelencia in Education created the Seal of Excelencia to differentiate institutions that became Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) because of demography and geography from those that are Hispanic-Serving because of intentionality and impact,” said Deborah Santiago, CEO of the 18-year-old Latina-led organization dedicated to accelerating Latino success in higher education.

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

Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. (CEDC) — Gov. Newsom Announces Over $1 Billion in Housing Accelerator Awards

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The Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) announced on Sept. 29 that it has been awarded $26,246,464 from a California Housing Accelerator grant from the California Housing and Community Development Department (HCD). The funding is part of the California Housing Accelerator Comeback Plan, which is designed to assist in ending homelessness and providing affordable housing.

“The quick, strategic investments the state has made through the California Housing Accelerator brings us another step closer to the 2.5 million homes needed by 2030, as outlined in our Statewide Housing Plan,” said Gustavo Velasquez, Director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development. “Just one year after Governor Gavin Newsom announced the California Housing Accelerator, HCD has helped partners unlock the ability to construct over 5,000 quality affordable homes that were stuck waiting for funding. Roughly 80 percent of all Accelerator units will be for extremely low to very low-income households and unhoused residents.”

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

U.S. Latino GDP now 5th largest in world Latino incomes surged due to work effort during pandemic

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 Researchers from California Lutheran University’s Center for Economic Research and Forecasting and the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine released the 2022 U.S. Latino GDP Report.

Highlights include the following:

The total economic output, or gross domestic product, of Latinos in the U.S. was $2.8 trillion in 2020, up from $2.1 trillion in 2015 and $1.7 trillion in 2010.

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Commentary, Local, Opinion, Public Safety

Bilingual commentary — The World’s Safest Cities

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I feel fortunate that as I walk around parts of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, I am generally not too concerned about my personal safety. 

Well, maybe just a little. I have to admit that I’ve encountered a fair number of angry people on the streets and – I’ll have to say – a substantial number of individuals with obvious mental health deficiencies. 

I won’t delve here into the myriad factors that I believe foster this discontent and madness in our midst. But it makes me yearn for a place that allows me to walk, especially at night, with a sense of confidence in my fellow citizens.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Government, Local, News

Pew Research Center — Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month 2022

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It’s Hispanic Heritage Month, and, as always, Pew Research Center is committed to studying the rich diversity of the nation’s 62.5 million Latinos, from an exploration of U.S. adults who identify as Afro-Latino to a recent report on Latinos’ varied political views. This month is a celebration of not only the diverse origins of U.S. Latinos and the independence days in the countries of their ancestors, but also of the unique and varied experiences of Latinos across the country. We hope you will continue following our work detailing the nuanced lives of U.S. Latinos.

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Cultural, Entertainment, Events, Finance, Local, News

Rona Barrett Foundation Annual Fundraiser is Back on Oct. 9 with Love, Italian Style at The Sunstone Villa

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 The Rona Barrett Foundation’s annual benefit event is set for a stunning new location after a three-year hiatus. Guests are invited to celebrate in style while supporting vulnerable seniors, at Love, Italian Style, hosted at the Sunstone Winery Villa in Santa Ynez from 4 p.m. to 7:30 pm on Sunday, October 9.

“We’re discovering our community is more eager than ever to join together around the important things in life, and ready to get out from behind our screens to do so in style,” said Tony Morris, Executive Director. “We’re grateful to our sponsors, volunteers and auction donors for setting the stage for Love Italian Style to be a great success.” 

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Business, Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Family, Health, Home, Local, News, Youth

United Way of Ventura County — Compassion + Results

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Dear Friends,

Fall is officially here and it’s hard to believe that 2023 is just around the corner. As we celebrate 77 years of Uniting Ventura County, I am so proud of how your local United Way has responded throughout these challenging times, but our support is only possible because of the continued generosity of our community. It’s your generosity that powers the programs serving those in need and changing lives. Lives like John, a U.S. Air Force veteran. Please read his testimonial.

“With only social security, and no family to fall back on, I began a search for a place I could settle down in. The money I had on hand didn’t last long and then the pandemic hit. At this point, I didn’t have a place to call home and I started living in my car. I connected with United Way and they gave me a sense of hope in the real possibility of finding somewhere to live. They helped me find a place in a senior living apartment complex. They also helped with furniture, bedding, dishes, and utensils. The compassion and care they showed gave me confidence that things would work out. I feel fortunate because of their efforts.”

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

September News from People’s Self-Help Housing

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In honor of National Latinx Heritage Month, we celebrate the innumerable contributions of the heritages and cultures that daily enrich our communities. 

At People’s, the majority of our staff and residents identify as Latinx.  We are committed to growing in a direction that align with the needs voiced by those we serve, whose lived experience has been shaped by Latinx heritage, and to especially address past disparities and present day inequities.

To further strengthen our Latinx communities, we ask you to continue to support our mission.  Your investments and partnership meaningfully impact lives each day.  May all go well for you and yours, as we enter the Fall Season together!

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

Santa Paula Art Museum — October @ SPAM: Spooky Figure Drawing, Dia de los Muertos, and More!

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Free Family Day

Sunday, October 2, 2022, from 12 PM to 3 PM
Free for all ages

October promises to be scary fun at the Santa Paula Art Museum! First up: Free Family Day on Sunday, October 2. Longtime Santa Paula art teacher and crafting queen Mariann Romero will be leading the activities inside SPAM’s Cole Creativity Center. Create fun, fall-themed crafts, including pinecone wall hangings and scarecrow bookmarks. Admission is free, all are welcome, and all materials are provided.

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Family, Government, Health, Home, Local, News, Youth

Innovative and Family Friendly, Ventura County Children & Family Services Offers Strengthening and Support to Keep Families Together

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Ventura County Children and Family Services is working to transform child welfare to better serve our communities in one of the most forward-thinking family strengthening efforts in the State.   

For nearly a decade, Ventura County Children and Family Services have sought to shift child welfare practice from traditional methods of removal and compliance to a wellness system approach to strengthening families. This innovative approach better supports families and gives children of all ages in out-of-home (foster) care the chance to be reunified with their birth parents—or never to need to leave home at all.

“Strengthening VC Families was founded on the belief that every child deserves permanency, and every family deserves to stay together whenever it is safe. We also believe that it takes an entire community to help keep a family together,” said Judy Webber, Director, Children & Family Services. “The main goal is to keep children safe while strengthening their families and providing services for their families so they can reunify permanently.”

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Business, Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

John Spoor Broome Library 20th Anniversary exhibit chronicles the history of CSUCI from dream to reality

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 It was August of 2001 and CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) was still a year away from opening when Technical and Public Services Librarian Laura Worden worked as a student assistant in the old Library, which is now part of a study lounge of the Student Union building. 

“It was very small, very quiet because there were still not a lot of people around,” Worden said. “They didn’t have a cafeteria, they had a food truck that also served the farmworkers. And we had a Java Hut coffee shop in a corner inside the Bell Tower.”

More than 20 years later, Worden was among the Library staff and faculty who sorted through thousands of photos, documents, and artifacts to develop a special exhibit of CSUCI’s history in honor of the University’s 20th anniversary. The exhibit, which was created in partnership with CSUCI’s Communication & Marketing area, is on display now in the John Spoor Broome Library.

Called “Honoring our Past—Building the Future,” the exhibit features a historical timeline spread across the north wing of the Library with an accompanying photo gallery to highlight the milestones since the University started, including inaugural groundbreaking ceremonies.

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Education, Events, Government, Local, News, Youth

Somis Union School District Opens New Innovation and Discovery Room

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Somis Union School District recently held the grand opening of its new Innovation and Discovery Room at Somis School yesterday. As Somis School students continue to engage in coding and robotics, the Innovation and Discovery Room will provide them with the opportunity to access modern technology before, during and after school.

Currently, Somis students in kindergarten through 8th grade are engaged in a coding curriculum, with support from teachers and ongoing professional development led by Dr. Catherine Reznicek from the Ventura County Office of Education. However, the Innovation and Discovery Room will allow students to take the initiative a step further by developing their coding and problem-solving skills in a personalized manner.

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

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Alondra Gaytán Selected as 40 Under 40 Winner -EDC Business Alert

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On Thursday, September 22, EDC’s Director of Strategic Relations, Alondra Gaytán, was recognized as a 40 Under 40 winner of the Pacific Coast Business Times’ (PCBT) annual 40 under 40 event. Each year the PCBT hosts an event to recognize 40 people who positively impact the Tri-county region.

Since childhood, Alondra has always been committed to serving underserved communities. Alondra shared, “I love that every day I contribute, collaborate and strategize ways to build economic growth in the region for now and our future.” As the Director of Strategic Relations, Alondra oversees vital relationships with the community and businesses.

CLICK HERE to read the full article on all 40 Under 40 Recipients.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Events, Local, News

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — National Drive Electric Week, Clean Air Day, Suicide Prevention Month and More

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National Drive Electric Week is a nationwide celebration to help the U.S. transition rapidly and equitably to cleaner transportation that protects communities from pollution and worsening climate change impacts. While our transportation modes continue to make vast improvements and tailpipe emissions get cleaner and cleaner, transportation alone is still responsible for more than half of California’s carbon emissions, 80 percent of its smog-forming pollution, and 95 percent of the state’s toxic diesel emissions. Recently, the State announced that by 2035, 100 percent of new cars and light trucks sold in California will be required to be zero-emission vehicles.

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Business, Cultural, Local, News

Oxnard Entrepreneur Brenda Allison Honored With Sales Award During National Gathering

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Brenda Allison, CEO of Coast General Insurance Brokers in Oxnard, received a national sales award during a prestigious industry event. UnitedAg, a member-owned, agricultural trade association, honored Allison for her tireless work helping its members.

Allison received the award during UnitedAg’s 42nd annual conference, “Building for the Future,” held last month in Honolulu, Hawaii.

“It’s such an honor to be recognized by an organization that works so hard to ensure its members have what they need to take care of their businesses, their families and their workers,” Allison said. “That I can play a small role in its efforts is very meaningful to me.”

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Business, Family, Finance, Local, News, Youth

Southeast Ventura County YMCA Raises $617,000; Honors Chuck and Melinda Carmichael At Its 4th Annual Gala

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The Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s 4th Annual Gala raised $617,876 to support YMCA programs while honoring Chuck and Melinda Carmichael as the 2022 Joel and Frances McCrea Memorial Award recipient. The event, held September 17 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village, welcomed nearly 300 guests. This was the first in person Gala since 2019 due to the pandemic.

“Chuck and Melinda Carmichael are longtime supporters of the Simi Valley Family YMCA,” says Ronnie Stone, Southeast Ventura County YMCA CEO. “The Y is one of many causes and organizations that receive their backing throughout our community. They inspire us all every day.”

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Business, Family, Health, Local, News

Triunfo Water & Sanitation District Board Approves Reducing Sprinkler Irrigation Time From 15 to 10 Minutes Per Station

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At its September 19 meeting, the Triunfo Water & Sanitation District (TWSD) board of directors approved reducing the amount of once-a-week sprinkler irrigation time per water station from 15 to 10 minutes. The reduction in watering time takes effect October 1.

TWSD gets its water from the Metropolitan Water District (MWD). The TWSD decision follows an MWD directive requiring the more restrictive provision. For more on the one-day-per-week watering restrictions, go to https://www.triunfowsd.com/faq.

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

Bilingual report — Ventura County Launches New Audio Alert System in Mixteco and Zapoteco to Protect Farmworkers from Wildfires

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In partnership with the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD), the Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP), Líderes Campesinas, the Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE), and the Public Health Institutes Achieving Resilient Communities (ARC) project have added audio alerts in Mixteco and Zapoteco to the recently launched smoke alert system to protect farming communities from wildfire smoke.

California is experiencing longer and more intense wildfire seasons. Wildfire smoke exposure is becoming a growing health threat to farmworkers, who must often continue to work in the fields during wildfires and extreme heat events. Wildfire smoke has been linked to a variety of health problems, including burning eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, and headache, and can also worsen and cause chronic heart and lung disease. Due to climate change, wildfire seasons are getting longer, more intense, and more dangerous: This year’s season in the US is 116% above the 10-year average before 2022, according to the National Center Fire Interagency.

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Business, En español, Government, Local, Locales, Technology

Bilingual report — Ventura County Advances Progress Toward Climate Goals with New 5.8-Megawatt Solar Project

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The County of Ventura’s General Services Agency has executed an agreement with ForeFront Power to expand solar panels at the Government Center by an additional 5.8-Megawatts, furthering progress toward the County’s climate action goals. The 20-year agreement will result in $10.8 million in savings.

“The County continues to make significant progress towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meeting climate action goals,” said County Executive Officer Dr. Sevet Johnson. “We are grateful to our General Services Agency for identifying this opportunity to expand our renewable energy use and lead by example to reduce emissions in our government operations significantly.”

Adopted in 2020, the County’s Climate Action Plan calls for a 41% reduction in communitywide greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, with additional goals identified for 2040 and 2050.

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Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

CSUCI vice provost receives multiple national honors

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CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Vice Provost Jessica Lavariega Monforti recently received multiple national honors for her academic leadership and her work examining Latino political issues, including a new book on military recruitment.

Inspired by conversations with her Latino students, the book, “Proving Patriotismo: Latino Military Recruitment, Service and Belonging in the U.S,” was written with East Stroudsburg University Political Science professor, Adam McGlynn, Ph.D., and demonstrates why the Latino population is a growing target for U.S. military recruitment and why Latinos seeking to improve their economic station and their acceptance as Americans are open to these overtures.

Hispanics make up a disproportional share of the armed forces and are the fastest growing segment. The Pew Research Center found that the share of active-duty military who are Hispanic rose from 25% in 2004 to 36% in 2017. In 2020, Hispanics accounted for 19% of all Americans.

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

Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital Volunteer Services Awards $27,000 in Scholarships

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Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital (SYVCH) Volunteer Services has awarded nine $3,000 scholarships to local students who reside or work in the Santa Ynez Valley and plan to pursue college studies in health-related careers.

The scholarship awards totaling $27,000 are made possible through proceeds from the New to You Thrift Store in Solvang. New to You Thrift store is staffed entirely by Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital volunteers who generously donate more than 16,000 hours of their time and talents each year to support the hospital.

Scholarship recipients were selected by SYVCH Scholarship Committee members Jacky Green, Martha Nedegaard, Brenda Loskamp and Susan Snekvik.

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

Bilingual report — Ventura County Sustainability Division Gets a New Look, Launches New Online Hub to Support Climate Action

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The County of Ventura’s Sustainability Division has launched a new online hub to support local climate action, available at sustain.ventura.org. Community members and partners can now easily access sustainability resources and information about county progress towards meeting climate action goals and find information about local sustainability events and initiatives.

“Climate change is presenting challenges and opportunities to Ventura County,” said Chair of the Board Matt LaVere. “Our new Sustainability website provides our residents tools to directly engage with these issues by allowing them to participate in local climate action, social equity, and economic vitality efforts and learn about actions our Board has taken in support of a sustainable and resilient future.”

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

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free webinar schedule

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U.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE: SHOWCASING THE INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS OF HISPANIC-OWNED AND LED BUSINESSES

Septmeber 28 @ 11:00 am

The U.S. Commercial Service invites you to register below for the eighth session of our “From Local to Global: Celebrating Diversity” event series. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the U.S. Commercial Service will feature an interactive discussion of how Hispanic-owned and led Southern California-based companies have successfully grown their businesses internationally.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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

Bilingual report — Governor Appoints Oxnard Councilmember Vianey Lopez as District 5 County Supervisor

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Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 23 announced the appointment of Vianey Lopez as District 5 County Supervisor to fill the vacancy created by the untimely passing of Supervisor Carmen Ramirez on August 12, 2022. Lopez will serve as appointed District 5 County Supervisor until the next general election in November 2024.

A long-time resident of South Oxnard, Lopez was elected to the Oxnard City Council in November 2018 and re-elected in November 2020. She serves as District Director for Assemblymember Monique Limón in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Prior to joining Assemblymember Limón, Lopez worked for former Congresswoman Lois Capps. For six years, Lopez served as a Trustee on the Hueneme Elementary School District Board. She served on the Board of Directors of the Future Leaders of America. She is the former vice president of the Ventura County Women’s Political Council (VCWPC) and is an active member of the Ventura County League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).

“I am honored and humbled to have been appointed by Governor Newsom to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors to carry out the term of my friend and mentor, Carmen Ramirez,” said Vianey Lopez. “Carmen was unwavering in her passion for public service and the belief in working together for the greater good. I am committed to this purpose and working towards building a better and brighter future for Ventura County and its residents. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the outpouring of support I have received from people throughout our community.”

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

Dr. César Morales Elected as Ventura County Superintendent of Schools

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For the first time, Dr. César Morales has been elected by voters as Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. He was initially appointed to the role in 2021 by the Ventura County Board of Education to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of former Superintendent Stan Mantooth. Upon his appointment, Dr. Morales made history by becoming the first Latino and first person of color to hold the office since it was created in 1873. Dr. Morales ran unopposed in yesterday’s primary election. His new term will run through 2026.

“I’m extremely gratified to have the opportunity to serve as Ventura County Superintendent of Schools for the next four years,” Dr. Morales said. “As local schools deal with declining enrollment and issues surrounding school safety and student mental health, my office will be at their side to find solutions and strategies that best meet students’ needs.”

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Cultural, En español, Entertainment, Events, Family, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — Celebrate Oxnard’s Diversity at Free Multicultural Festival on Oct. 1

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Join the community in celebrating Oxnard’s cultural diversity at the 25th Annual Multicultural Festival on Saturday, Oct. 1, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Plaza Park (500 S. C St.).  The event is free and open to the public.

The Multicultural Festival features a variety of fun, educational activities, entertainment and exhibits for all ages. Activities include:

Musical performances by Caliente805 Band, Kaylanie Barrera, DJG-Cut (A Female Vibe), and more! 

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Education, Family, Health, Local, News

Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Recognized as National Leader in Treating Sepsis

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Sepsis is not an infection. It is not contagious. Sepsis is the body’s reaction to an infection.

More than 1.5 million people in the United States develop sepsis each year, and at least 270,000 Americans die from sepsis annually. 

Normally, the immune system fights and controls infections, but for unknown reasons, this process breaks down during sepsis. As sepsis progresses, the immune system stops fighting the infection and becomes overactive, which can lead to severe sepsis, and even septic shock. 

This can result in irreversible tissue damage, organ failure, and even death. Like a stroke or heart attack, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment with fluids and antibiotics.

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