Cultural, Entertainment, Events, Local, News

May 12 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents The Joffrey Ballet

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UCSB Arts & Lectures presents The Joffrey Ballet on Thursday, May 12th at 8:00 p.m. Pacific at the Granada Theatre.

Classically trained to the highest standards, the Chicago-based Joffrey Ballet is considered one of the premier dance companies performing today. Heralded as “America’s Company of Firsts,” the Joffrey was the first dance company to perform at the White House (at Jacqueline Kennedy’s invitation), the first to appear on American television, the first to create a ballet set to rock music and the first to appear on the cover of Time magazine. Committed to artistic excellence and innovation, the company performs a unique repertoire encompassing past masterpieces and cutting-edge works.

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

May 12 — Housing Trust Fund Ventura County announces California Department of Housing and Community Development Director Gustavo Velasquez to speak at immersive event

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Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) announced (on April 7) that Housing and Community Development (HCD) Director Gustavo Velasquez will keynote the nonprofit’s signature event – Compassion Campaign 2022 on Thursday, May 12th at Maravilla Gardens in Camarillo.

“We are honored that Director Velasquez sees the work we are doing here in Ventura County to provide safe, equitable homes for all and will be sharing his perspective on the state of affordable housing in California,” said Linda Braunschweiger, CEO, Housing Trust Fund Ventura County.

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Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Family, Health, Local, News

May 12 — Family Servie Agency to present D. Sarah Y. Vinson at its annual fundraiser

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Family Service Agency welcomes you to our annual fundraiser, an evening with Dr. Sarah Y. Vinson, esteemed youth and child psychiatrist, and co-editor of Social (In)Justice and Mental Health and Pediatric Mental Health for Primary Care Providers. Dr. Vinson will be presenting on the topic of Supporting Youth Mental Health, followed by a Q&A. This discussion and reception will take place on Thursday May 12th, 2022 at 5PM at the Santa Barbara Woman’s Club, followed by a paddle raise to support Family Service Agency, Santa Maria Youth & Family Center, and Guadalupe’s The Little House By The Park.

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Cultural, Events, Family, Home, Local, News

May 12 — Housing Trust Fund Ventura County to host unique immersive evening, ‘Lives connected through one common need’

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Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) will host their 2022 Compassion Campaign on May 12, 2022, from 5PM-9PM, in-person at Maravilla Gardens in Camarillo. Sponsored in part by City National Bank, this unique evening invites guests into an immersive experience highlighting that all lives are connected through one common need – safe and secure housing. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please visit: www.housingtrustfundvc.org/compassioncampaign2022

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

May 13 — Drum Beats & Decolonization: OPAC presents its first AAPI Heritage Celebration + a Residency with Master Taiko Drummer Kenny Endo and his Ensemble

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The Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation (OPAC) is proud to partner with Pinaysphere, a Filipinx Arts Mentorship nonprofit, to present its first Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Celebration, Friday, May 13, 2022 from 5pm to 12am. The event is in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month which recognizes the contributions and influences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. OPAC’s event amplifies the narratives of our AAPI community by spotlighting local and international talent, entrepreneurs, healers, and grassroots leaders. Guests will enjoy a headlining performance by legendary master taiko drummer Kenny Endo and his Ensemble. 

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

May 13 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Bestselling Author and Pulitzer Prize Winner Elizabeth Strout in conversation with Pico Iyer

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UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Bestselling Author and Pulitzer Prize Winner Elizabeth Strout in conversation with Pico Iyer at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 13 at UCSB Campbell Hall.

??A New York Times Best Seller List mainstay, Elizabeth Strout captivates audiences with her finely drawn characters, incisive prose and powerful ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.

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Cultural, Education, Family, Local, News, Youth

May 14 — CLU Graduate, Professionals ceremony slated

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California Lutheran University will hold its 2022 Graduate and Professionals Commencement at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 14. It will take place in William Rolland Stadium on the Thousand Oaks campus for the first time since 2019 because the pandemic necessitated a virtual ceremony in 2020 and an off-campus drive-in event in 2021.

The 59th annual ceremony will honor 79 students in the Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals program, 428 earning master’s degrees and 32 receiving doctorates. A separate ceremony will be held later in the day for traditional undergraduate students receiving bachelor’s degrees.

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Education, Local, News, Youth

May 14 — Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara’s teen Arts Collective | Exhibition Opening Reception, more news

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Join us at MCASB on Saturday, May 14 from 3-5 PM to celebrate the opening of the Teen Arts Collective exhibition Footprints!

MCASB is proud to present Footprints, a group exhibition by the 2022 Teen Arts Collective (TAC) cohort, on view at the Museum from May 14-29, 2022. As the global ecological footprint continues to grow at an alarming rate, these six young artists have united to explore environmental issues that not only affect them personally but also speak to the current state of affairs in their local and global communities. Addressing topics such as sustainability and the human impacts of climate change, Footprintsprovides a glimpse into each artist’s individual journeys of environmental awareness and accountability. TAC comprises six students from Santa Barbara, spanning several different schools and grade levels.

Teen Arts Collective is a hands-on program that makes the contemporary art world acces

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Cultural, Entertainment, Events, Family, Local, News

May 16 — Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present Ying Quartet

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The Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present the Ying Quartetat 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 16 at SBMA’s Mary Craig Auditorium, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara.

The Ying Quartet occupies a position of unique prominence in the classical music world, combining brilliantly communicative performances with a fearlessly imaginative view of chamber music in today’s world. Now in its second decade as a group, the Quartet has established itself as an ensemble of the highest musical qualifications in its tours across the United States and abroad. Their performances regularly take place in many of the world’s most important concert halls, from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House. The Ying Quartet performed at SBMA in 2013 and 2017.

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Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Local, News

May 16 — UCSB Arts & Lectures welcomes new Senior Writer / Publicist Charles Donelan

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UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) is pleased to welcome new Senior Writer/Publicist Charles Donelan to its team effective May 16, 2022. A&L is the premier arts presenting organization between Los Angeles and San Francisco, producing more than 100 public events annually with world-renowned artists and speakers, and an equally robust array of complementary community outreach and arts education activities. In this role, Donelan will apply his extensive experience with arts and entertainment writing and media relations to continue to elevate A&L’s profile locally and nationally.

“We are thrilled to welcome Charles Donelan to the Arts & Lectures team. As a journalist, Charles has been one of our strongest allies. His familiarity with our program and the local arts scene is unparalleled, and we look forward to working with him more closely than ever to shine a light on our events and impact in the community,” said Celesta M. Billeci, Miller McCune Executive Director.

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Local

May 18 — United Way of Santa Barbara County to present Women United Derby Luncheon

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United Way of Santa Barbara County’s Women United Derby Luncheon will be on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, from 11:30-1:30 PM at the Plaza de Sol, Hilton Santa Barbara (633 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103).

This year’s event will feature keynote speaker Beate Chelette. Beate is the Growth Architect and founder of The Women’s Code, a strategic business and balanced leadership development company.

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Business, Education, Local, News, Women

May 18 — NAWBO Hosts Conversation on DEI + Lessons Learned From the Pandemic

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Join an engaging conversation centered on meaningfully bringing into our workplaces Environmental Sustainability and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices. Hosted by NAWBO (the National Association of Women Business Owners), attendees will also share what they learned and how they adapted to the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parker Clay will open the event with an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, a way of conveying friendship and respect. Women of varied backgrounds and ages will then offer their perspectives about how to make workplaces reflective of our communities and welcoming to all ages and backgrounds.

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Business, Education, Government, Local, News

May 19 — Earl Warren Showgrounds Community Forum

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Earl Warren Showgrounds is pleased to announce its second Community Engagement Forum, which will be a regularly scheduled public meeting to discuss the community’s hopes and vision for the future of the showgrounds, and to provide updates and answer questions.

Earl Warren Showgrounds leadership invites the public to join its Board President, a second board member, Earl Warren Showgrounds CEO and, if available, members of its staff to provide community feedback and to discuss relevant topics. Earl Warren Showgrounds wants to solicit public feedback for board activities and facility improvements, while providing a venue for board members to listen to stakeholders and residents to understand key issues through the lens of the community.

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Business, Family, Government, Health, Local, News

May 21 — Bilingual report — Build-A-Bed Event at the Camarillo Animal Shelter

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Friends –

We need your help and muscle!  208 Kuranda dog beds were donated by members of the public, but they arrived unassembled.  Will you help build-a-bed?  If so, please bring a couple of required tools:  7/16″ wrench and a Phillip’s head screwdriver.  We’ll be building outdoors on our lawn, so feel free to bring a shade canopy, folding table, and chairs.  No RSVP needed.  Please park on the street to allow front lot space for urgent shelter business.  Children are welcome, but we ask parent to use their best judgement as there will be power tools in use.

See you Saturday, May 21st between 9:00am – 12:00pm.

Thank you for your support!

Ventura County Animal Services

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Cultural, Events, Local, News

May 21 — Ventura Land Trust Hosts Community Volunteer Event with SafePort and Topa Topa Brewing Company

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On Saturday, May 21st from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, Ventura Land Trust (VLT) will partner with Safeport Cannabis Dispensary and Topa Topa Brewing Company for a community volunteer event at Harmon Canyon Preserve. As many as 75 community volunteers will work to remove dense stands of invasive plant species at the preserve. 

This collaborative community volunteer event is a project of VLT’s Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP). Invasive plants like black mustard and milk thistle are choking Harmon Canyon Preserve trails and areas of the preserve recently restored with native plants. Black mustard, which grows up to six feet tall, becomes fuel for wildfires as it dries out on the summer. Community support is needed to help uproot large sections of invasive plants before seeds are produced and spread in late summer and fall. 

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Business, Education, Government, Local, News, Youth

Through May 21 — Bilingual Report — Ventura County Public Works Agency to host one of Ventura’s Largest Annual Educational Event

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The Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) is celebrating the resilience of its staff with its annual educational event for National Public Works Week (NPWW) 2022. Based on the hugely successful virtual Public Works Week in 2021 when over 1,500 Ventura County students took part, this year’s event promises to be even better. On Monday, May 16th, 2022, students, faculty, and the public can access a robust curriculum featuring new video demonstrations, educational materials, and interactive projects via the VCPWA website.

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Education, Family, Government, Health, Local, News, Youth

May 21 — Teachers, Parents Train in Youth Mental Health First Aid; Address Increased Incidents of Students in Distress

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Since the pandemic started, experts have warned of a mental health crisis facing American children. That is now playing out at schools across the nation—and in Santa Barbara County—in the form of increased childhood depression, anxiety, panic attacks, eating disorders, fights and thoughts of suicide.

“The pandemic has dramatically increased depression and anxiety in youth,” said Megan McClintock, Director of School Based Counseling Services for Family Service Agency (FSA). “Our organization is certainly seeing more referrals for treatment as well as an increase in severity.”

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Education, Local, News, Youth

Through May 22 — People’s Self Help Housing’ s Camino Scholars Virtual Silent Auction

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Help our students blossom by participating in our virtual silent auction! Bidding will be open now through Sunday, May 22 at 5 PM, where you can choose from an exciting selection of local goods, services and experiences. All proceeds will support Camino Scholars, the education program of People’s Self-Help Housing. Don’t miss out!

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Local

May 22 — Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present ‘The Sound of Stars Parallel Stories with Jake Heggie’

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The Santa Barbara Museum of Art will present “The Sound of Stars Parallel Stories with Jake Heggie” at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 22 at the New Vic Theatre, 33 West Victoria St., Santa Barbara.

In this unique collaboration between the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and Opera Santa Barbara and in celebration of the exhibition Through Vincent’s Eyes: Van Gogh and His Sources, composer, pianist, Grammy nominee, and Guggenheim Fellow Jake Heggie discusses the coming together of “The Starry Night,” a song cycle inspired by the art of Vincent van Gogh with text taken from his letters and poetry by Anne Sexton and Emily Dickinson. Performed by mezzo soprano Erin Alford.

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Business, Education, News, Technology

May 23 — CLU School of Management to present ‘Technology in the Media & Entertainment Industry’

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In this interactive presentation, Nina Skorus-Neely will discuss:

Key shifts impacting the Media and Entertainment industry
Technology solutions required to support the typical entertainment studio
Strategy considerations as organizations transition toward increasingly digital, direct-to-consumer operations
Q&A will follow, moderated by Earle Charles, Program Director of the M.S. Information Technology program. All are welcome to join the conversation.
Monday, May 23
5:30 PM PST (ZOOM)
The event is free but registration is required.

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Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Local, News

May 26 — SBMA features author Geoff Dyer and ‘The Last Days of Roger Federer’ at the next Parallel Stories on May 26

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The Santa Barbara Museum of Art features author Geoff Dyer and ‘The Last Days of Roger Federer’ at the next Parallel Stories at5:30 p.m. Thursday May 26 at SBMA’s Mary Craig Auditorium, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara.

In his latest book, the idiosyncratic and indefatigable Geoff Dyer turns his well-honed wit and sharp-edged wisdom to the consideration of endings.

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Cultural, Government, Local, News, Veterans

May 30 — Bilingual report — City of Oxnard Joins Memorial Day Ceremony

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Mayor John C. Zaragoza is pleased to announce that the City of Oxnard along with the Disabled American Veterans – Chapter 24, Vietnam Veterans of Ventura County, Salvation Army, Knights of Columbus Council 750, Military Officers Association of America Ventura County Chapter and the Boy Scouts of America – Troop 231 will jointly host a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30, 2022, at Plaza Park starting at 11 a.m.

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Events, Family, Local, News, Veterans

May 30 — Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation and First Responders announces Memorial Day Ceremony

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Pierre Claeyssens ??Veterans Foundation invites you to join them and local First Responders as they pay tribute to those who died serving our country on Monday, May 30, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. sharp at the Santa Barbara Cemetery (901 Channel Drive., Santa Barbara).

Representatives of local first responders attending include: 

The California Highway Patrol, Santa Barbara Area
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office
Santa Barbara Police Department
Santa Barbara City Fire Department
Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Montecito Fire Protection District

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Local

June 4 — United Way of Ventura County hosts 17th annual Spirit Awards Gala

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On June 4, 2022, United Way of Ventura County (UWVC) will host its 17th annual Spirit Awards Gala, where it will present awards for volunteerism, community impact and corporate citizenship to local community champions. The event will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Westlake, located at 880 S. Westlake Blvd.

This year, Midge Campbell-Thomas, President, Bank of America Ventura/Santa Barbara, will be recognized with the Milton M. Teague Award for Outstanding Community Volunteerism. She is receiving this award for her efforts as a volunteer leader with numerous nonprofit organizations with a focus on addressing social and economic concerns and building strong communities.

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

June 4 — Bilingual report — Free, Family-Friendly Oxnard Insect Festival Returns

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The second ever Oxnard Insect Festival returns on Saturday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to Plaza Park (500 South C St., Oxnard).

Community members are invited to see, touch, buy and even taste a variety of creepy crawlers at this free event hosted by the City of Oxnard. All youth attendees are encouraged to pick up an Insect Festival passport upon arrival and get it stamped at each booth. The first 200 youth that visit eight booths will receive a free special insect activity kit to take home!

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