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

Museum of Ventura County re-opens July 3rd

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fter 15 months of closure, and as California’s Covid-19 restrictions are being lifted, The Museum of Ventura County is re-opening both its Ventura location at 100 East Main Street and the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula at 926 Railroad Avenue on July 1, 2021. Admission to the museums and parking are free for visitors for the remainder of 2021.

Beginning Thursday, July 1st, visiting hours for The Museum of Ventura County and the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula will be Thursday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Research Library located on the Ventura campus will operate by appointment only, Wednesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

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Business, Family, Government, Health, Local, News

Bilingual report — VCPWA Water and Sanitation and PowerFlex Partner to Bring Energy Resiliency to Moorpark Water Reclamation Facility

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The Ventura County Public Works Agency Water and Sanitation (VCPWA-WS) department and PowerFlex-an EDF Renewables Company are working to install a new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and associated smart microgrid infrastructure at the Moorpark Water Reclamation Facility (MWRF).  The project will allow the plant to reduce energy costs and electricity rates during high peak use periods when electricity is most expensive.

The 750 kilowatt (kW) 3,000 kilowatt-hour (kWh) BESS and smart microgrid infrastructure improvements at the MWRF improves the plant’s redundancy and maximizes use of its local green power production during a power outage.

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Family, Government, Health, Local, News, Youth

Safe Passage Youth Foundation Selected As 2021 Nonprofit Of The Year For Assembly District 44

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Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) honors Safe Passage Youth Foundation as the 2021 California Nonprofit of the Year for Assembly District 44. Safe Passage is a partnership between the Thousand Oaks Police Department and Conejo Recreation and Park District, to mentor and provide safe and beneficial opportunities for at-risk children, five-days a week.

“For more than 7 years, Safe Passage has provided enriching opportunities for young children in our community to be exposed to many different experiences, which will hopefully lead them to living productive and fulfilling lives,” said Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin. “Tim Hagel and the organization’s many staff and volunteers have made an incredible difference in the lives of our local youth. For that I am happy to designate the foundation as the 44th Assembly District’s 2021 Nonprofit of the Year.”

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Education, Family, Health, Local, News, Youth

Ridley-Tree Cancer Center Partners with United Way of Santa Barbara County’s Fun in the Sun Summer

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Ridley-Tree Cancer Center has expanded its partnership with United Way of Santa Barbara County’s (UWSBC) Fun in the Sun (FITS) to implement a Healthy Living Program. This partnershipeducates and promotes healthy living and lifestyle in FITS participants grades 2nd through 12th.  

FITS is a free six-week program that addresses summer learning loss and pandemic-related learning loss through hands-on, project-based lessons, utilizing the best services and ideas from 80+ local public and private organizations. Students engage in academic rotations focused on literacy and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) as well as participate in social, emotional and mental wellness activities.

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Business, Local, News

Chamber seeks nominations for Oxnard’s top honors

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After a year unlike any other, there are many people, businesses and organizations that have made Oxnard a great community to live, work or do business in.

For 71 years, the Oxnard Chamber has been honoring the city’s best-of-the-best at its annual Community & Business Awards. The deadline for nominations is Friday, July 2.

Nominations are open to the public and can be completed online at: https://bit.ly/cbawardsform21. The nomination form also is on the Chamber’s website: www.oxnardchamber.org.

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

Indoor Exhibits Opening July 1st! at the Museum of Ventura County

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We’re thrilled to welcome you back indoors at the Museum of Ventura County and the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula starting Friday, July 1, 2021! Both museums will be open Thursday—Sunday from 11am to 5pm.

Admission to both museums is FREE through the end of the year.

Take a sneak peek at all the upcoming exhibits below!

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Business, Commentary, Education, Government, Health, Local, News

Community Environmental Council, UC Cooperative Extension and Agricultural Commissioner Announce New Report Aimed at Building Agricultural Resilience in Ventura County

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Community Environmental Council (CEC), the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) of Ventura County, and the Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office announce the release of Cultivating Resilience in Ventura County: Protecting Against Agricultural Vulnerabilities And Bouncing Forward After Disaster, a report designed to build climate resilience for Ventura County and the agricultural sector at large.

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

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for June 23, 2021

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Reina (left) and Blake (right) got vaccinated at the De Anza Academy of Technology and the Arts (DATA) Middle School Mobile Vaccine Clinic in Ventura recently. Reina just finished the 9th grade and Blake is in middle school. They were both happy to be getting vaccinated in time for the summer. Thank you Reina and Blake for getting vaccinated to protect our community!

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Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

CSUCI students create dozens of do-it-yourself science experiments for Rio del Sol Elementary School students

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Behind plexiglass guards and in Zoom rooms, Rio del Sol Elementary School fourth graders trained their eyes on their individual plastic cups filled with various yeast mixtures. Finally, thick, soupy bubbles began to rise above the rims of some cups. 

“It has bubbles!” 

“It’s rising to the top, it’s about to overflow!” 

“I have bubbles, too!”  

“Can I take mine home?” 

The yeast fermentation experiment was a hit.  

“The hands-on aspect of actually doing or making something really makes the experience more memorable,” said Rio del Sol teacher Jo Anna Mendoza said. “They get the joy of having fun with science and learning along the way.” 

The activity resulted from one of 75 do-it-yourself science experiment videos created by CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) students from various majors for more than 550 Rio del Sol STEAM Academy students in grades K through 8. 

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Business, Local, Technology

Newest Hybrid Power System from Santa Barbara’s LaunchPoint Pushes the Boundaries of Drone Capabilities

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Fast-growing aerospace startup LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions, Inc. has released its latest hybrid-electric generator system, a patented design that harnesses the combined power of traditional fuel and electricity to expand the capabilities of drones.

The LaunchPoint HPS055 GenSet is a 5.5kW, highly efficient, high-specific power generator and hybrid electric power/engine controller system that utilizes specialized electric machine and

GenSet technology to enable extended range flight. Drones installed with the 5.5kW GenSet can travel farther and carry more load than those fitted with other hybrid power system models, expanding the possibilities for these types of aircraft.

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Business, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — EDC’s Economic 411 Labor Market Report for May 2021

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The California Labor Market Information Division (LMID) released its May 2021 report on June 18, 2021, showing another small but steady improvement in Ventura County’s unemployment rate, from 6.1% in April to 5.8% in May.

That improvement aside, the monthly data for Ventura County is a bit of a surprise. For example, we don’t see any sizable gain by workers returning to the labor force or by any sizable increase in payroll jobs. For some comparison, last month, in April, we gained a net of 7,000 industry jobs, while in May our net was only 500.

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

Bilingual report — Summer Camp for Children with Autism Marches on During Pandemic

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At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Central Coast families abruptly found themselves in the stressful situation of having school-age children and working parents isolating at home – a total disruption of their routines, including education and employment. “Add a child diagnosed with autism to the mix, and the frustration is compounded for both the child and the family,” said Camp Mariposas Coordinator Kristen Landeros, M.A.

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Family, Health, Local, News, Seniors

Friendship Center hits the BIG SCREEN for the 2021 Summer Solstice Virtual Parade!

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Friendship Center staff hustled and bustled with excitement last Thursday in preparation for their public performance in the Virtual Solstice Parade. Advancement & Project Manager Sophia Davis choreographed, planned and coordinated with filming partner Jinny Ahn from Summer Solstice Celebration, Inc. to pull off a performance worthy of the big screen!

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Business, Finance, Government, Local, News

Bilingual report — Ventura County Board of Supervisors approves $2.55 billion balanced budget for FY 2021-2022

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The Ventura County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a $2.55 billion balanced Budget for FY 2021-2022 at Monday’s Budget Hearing. “This budget, at the direction of the Board, represents the culmination of over six months of work with departments, the fiscal team, the Board and community. What results is a real focus on pandemic recovery, both the health and economic impacts,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers. “The budget also supports sustaining critical core services of health, social and safety services, streets and roads, investment in capital as well as IT infrastructure. At the same time, it enhances what the Board has identified as a priority including public health, mental health, services for individuals facing homelessness and climate action.”

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

Things Are Heating Up This Summer at the Santa Paula Art Museum!

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Art Class: Landscapes in Oil: Essential Skills (Ages 16+)

Five Saturdays: June 26; July 3; July 10; July 17; and July 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each day

Become a landscape painter this summer during the Santa Paula Art Museum’s five-part Landscapes in Oil course! Join teaching artist Gabriel Islas inside the Museum’s Cole Creativity Center for step-by-step projects that will teach you the basic elements of composition, color, perspective, and traditional techniques in oil painting. The five-part course begins Saturday, June 26, and is $175.00 per person. All skill levels are welcome and all materials will be provided. Space is extremely limited and preregistration is required.

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Business, Family, Finance, Home, Local, News

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County awarded $1,826,265 in CDFI grant funds

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Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) announced that it has received $1,826,265 from the U.S. Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institution’s (CDFI) Rapid Response Program, to support economic relief efforts in Covid-19 impacted communities. This award will directly impact affordable housing in Ventura County through Housing Trust Fund VC’s Revolving Loan Fund and provides an opportunity to double to potentially $3.6 million in lending capital under California’s Proposition 1 Local Housing Trust Fund matching grant program.

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Business, Government, Local, News

Bilingual report — Oxnard Mayor Highlights Resiliency, Restoration of Services and Programs at State of the City Address

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Oxnard Mayor John C. Zaragoza delivered the 2021 State of the City address on Thursday, June 17, hosted by the West Ventura Business Alliance Chamber of Commerce serving Oxnard and Camarillo.

The event highlighted resiliency during the pandemic and outlined the restoration of various programs and services the Oxnard community will soon see thanks to voter approval of Measure E.

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Business, Cultural, Local, News

Thousand Oaks Arts (TOArts) Announces New Associate Director

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Thousand Oaks Arts (TOArts) is proud to announce the promotion of Niki Richardson to the role of Associate Director; Richardson has served as Development Director since 2017. The growth of the arts nonprofit over the past four years, since the merger of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Foundation and the Alliance for the arts, has been steady. Richardson’s responsibilities have evolved correspondingly;in addition to development, Niki has taken on oversight of arts education programs, grants, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.  

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

VCCDC Community Matters Newsletter – June 2021

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Pictured here are the children of Abel and Beatriz outside their new home. Abel and Bea are the latest family to find their dream home through VCCDC!

Their journey with us began in 2014 when they started working with our Homeownership Specialists and went on to purchase a home in Oxnard in 2015. However, with seven children, Abel and Bea were growing out of their 3 bedroom Oxnard home fast. They continued to participate in education classes and credit coaching over the years and more recently worked with us to get their credit score high enough to purchase a bigger home for their growing family. Last month, with some down payment assistance, they closed on their 5 bedroom home in Fillmore and moved the family in. The children can’t believe all the new space they have to run around!

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Business, Cultural, Entertainment, Events, Family, Food, Local, News

Meadowlark Service League Distributes $180,000 in funds to local Nonprofit Organizations

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Despite the challenges of past year’s pandemic closures, the Meadowlark Service League was able to raise $180,000 to support several local nonprofit organizations, as well as continuing to fund several scholarships for local students. Earlier this month, the dedicated service organization hosted their annual luncheon celebrating the work that so many nonprofits do around our region, and enjoyed a day that “felt like a return to normal,” according to President Linda Hardy, “as this event is the reason that we work so hard all year. The funds distribution luncheon is like wind in our sails as Meadowlarks, and connects us directly to those who benefit from the hard work we do all year.”

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

United Way of Ventura County’s 2021 Stuff The Bus Campaign on June 22

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Today is United Way’s Day of Action!

You can participate by joining
United Way of Ventura County’s
2021 Stuff the Bus campaign!

Provide essential school supplies for local students experiencing homelessness or from disadvantaged families. 

You can help pave the path to academic success for a child from a homeless or low-income family. Furthermore, your support not only provides essential school supplies – studies show that it also promotes learning, building self-esteem, and helps ensure that our youth stay in school. 

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Business, Cultural, Events, Family, Finance, Home, Local, News

Ventura County Community Development Corp. — No more procrastinating, it’s time to register for the 2021 Homeownership Conference!

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It’s time to stop procrastinating and get registered! Introducing our Homeownership Conference host…Lady Jade! We’re SO excited to have her back for the second year in row! Check out her video below and get ready for a day that could change the trajectory of your life in JUST ONE WEEK!

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

Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program Graduates Honored for Achievements by Housing Authority

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The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara is honoring two Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program graduates who used the stability of subsidized housing to build the skills and assets needed to become financially independent. Anna Carranco and Iris Manzanarez have worked hard over the last five years to achieve the goals they set for themselves, completing the program this year despite the global pandemic.  

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Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Local, News

Virtual 30th Anniversary of Juneteenth Celebration of Ventura to be held June 19

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Also see: CNN — Biden signs bill into law making Juneteenth a national holiday

OXNARD — The City of Oxnard, the Central Coast Alliance for a Sustainable Economic, Oxnard College, Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. and the League of Women Voters Ventura County will present the Virtual 30th Anniversary of Juneteenth Celebration of Ventura County to be held June 19 at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 19.

Our highly anticipated 30th Anniversary Juneteenth Celebration will be virtual, streaming live on Facebook and via Zoom.

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Commentary, Cultural, Education, Local, Opinion

Bilingual commentary — A Man Named “Tonto”

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I can recall evenings sitting around the new television in the home I shared with my parents and siblings in the 1950s. The TV with a small screen that displayed black-and-white images was a new and wondrous phenomenon for Americans, who were just beginning to experience it. My father seemed enthralled by the magic of images beamed from across Los Angeles to the antenna mounted on our roof and into the television—that mysterious apparatus that was powered by glowing red vacuum tubes and voltages that could kill a horse.

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