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

Lumina Alliance and Must! Charities Partner to Expand Support for Survivors

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SAN LUIS OBISPO — Lumina Alliance is honored to announce a vital $963,000 investment from Must! Charities, expanding resources for survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence in San Luis Obispo County. This partnership will enhance Lumina Alliance’s donor and volunteer programs, improve crisis and therapy services, and expand housing options—ensuring more survivors have access to safe, stable support as they rebuild their lives.

“This support from Must! Charities will create meaningful change for survivors in our community,” said Jennifer Adams, CEO of Lumina Alliance. “Must! Charities’ commitment allows us to expand our services, reduce wait times for therapy—especially for Spanish-speaking clients—and create a lasting impact for survivors seeking safety and healing.”

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Business, Cultural, Local, News

Uplift Central Coast awards $9 million to 36 Central Coast initiatives

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SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Uplift Central Coast is proud to announce the award of $9 million in Catalyst Predevelopment Funding to 36 organizations committed to advancing economic resilience, environmental sustainability, and equitable growth across the Central Coast. These organizations, representing all six counties, span diverse industries and address critical needs in areas such as workforce development, aerospace, education and job training, childcare and community development, and climate resilience and sustainable agriculture.

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Education, Government, Local, News

VCCCD Installs New Trustee and Elects Board Leadership

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CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) welcomed newly elected Trustee Joe Piechowski to the Board of Trustees during the Annual Organizational Meeting on December 17. Piechowski was installed with Trustee Stan Mantooth, who was re-elected in November. 

At the meeting, Trustee Gabriela Torres, who has served on the board since 2018, was elected board chair. Trustee Lou Lichtl was elected vice chair, and Chancellor Rick MacLennan will serve as secretary.

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Casa, Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — Explore Ventura’s public art with new virtual tour

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VENTURA — The City recently launched a new geographic information system (GIS) map to showcase Ventura’s expansive public art pieces. Discover over 240 pieces of public art by more than 80 artists across town. Since 1991, the City’s Public Art Program has integrated different art forms into city landscapes, including murals, mosaics, sculptures, and more.

“There’s a story behind each piece, and this tool makes it easier than ever to connect the public to these works of art and the artists who created them,” said Recreation Supervisor Elena Waller. “It’s possible people have walked right past them and didn’t realize what was hidden in plain sight.”

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Business, Cultural, En español, familia, Family, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Salud, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan among state’s top performers for Outstanding Health Care Quality

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CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) connected more Medi-Cal members with vital health care screenings and immunizations in 2023, surpassing regulatory health care quality metrics and ranking it as one of only four managed care plans in the state to meet required performance levels.

The state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), the agency that oversees the Medi-Cal program, requires managed care plans like GCHP to report annually on a set of health care quality performance measures known as the Managed Care Accountability Set (MCAS). Health plans are evaluated in 18 measures in four key health categories: children’s health, reproductive health and cancer prevention, chronic disease management, and behavioral health.

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Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Local, News

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — For the Love of Art

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Edgar Jahir Trujillo is an architect, researcher, and artist based in Oaxaca, Mexico. Three of his mixed-media paintings are featured in our current exhibition Sangre de Nopal/Blood of the Nopal: Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Contemporary Art on view through April 27th at MCASB. His principal medium for his paintings and sculptural artworks is cochineal. He considers his practice as coexisting with the ancient red pigment and dyestuff, and intended to excite visual pleasure, disrupt conventional reflections on nature, while celebrating an equitable global ecology.

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Business, Family, Government, Health, Home, Local, News

Community Environmental Council — Leading a clean energy future on the Central Coast

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The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is working to rapidly move the California Central Coast to 100% efficient, clean, and renewable electricity to power our homes, businesses, and cars.

In 2023, CEC established Electrify Your Life (EYL), a free service offering personalized support and resources in Spanish and English to help make the switch to green tech solutions like electric vehicles, electric vehicle charging, solar, and home energy efficiency improvements affordable. We’ve helped more than 1,000 residents, businesses, and nonprofits stack incentives that they may not otherwise know they qualify for to save big on going electric.

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Business, Education, Health, Local, News, Youth

CSUCI will offer a new Master of Healthcare Administration

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CAMARILLO — Registration is now open for CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)’s new Master of Health Care Administration (MHA), which will be offered through its Extended University (EU). Classes begin in Fall of 2025.

The program is entirely online, which will make it convenient for working professionals interested in a career in the administrative side of a hospital or patient care facility.  What sets CSUCI’s program apart from others is that students will have the opportunity to also earn a certificate in gerontology by completing additional coursework.

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Education, Entertainment, Family, Local, News, Youth

Bilingual report — Allan Hancock College hosts ‘Week of Welcome’ events for Spring students

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SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College is celebrating new and returning students this spring semester with several Week of Welcome (WOW) activities in early February. WOW provides Hancock students with a chance to meet their peers and instructors, connect with clubs and resources, and receive free food and prizes. 

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Business, Education, Events, Family, Finance, Government, Home, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Ventura County Community Development Corp. — Join our Financial Empowerment Series today

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Ready to take control of your financial future? Join our Financial Freedom Series and discover simple, effective tools to help you build wealth, reduce stress, and make your money work for you. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to level up, this series is designed to empower YOU. Don’t miss out — let’s make your financial dreams a reality!

You can attend one or all workshops by clicking any of the RSVP buttons.

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

Island Packers announces winter whale watching excursions to the Channel Islands National Park, National Marine Sanctuary!

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“This mammoth migration of more than 20,000 whales and 6,000 miles continues to remain a major attraction in Southern California,” said President Cherryl Connally of Island Packers.  “Located in scenic Ventura Harbor Village, we invite visitors to plan on booking this “must-see” experience soon as part of their fun for the entire family Spring Break activities. “

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Education, En español, familia, Family, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Public Safety, Youth

Bilingual report — Santa Paula Police Explorers Achieve 1st Place Award in National Tactical Competition

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SANTA PAULA — On January 18 and 19, 2025, Law Enforcement Explorers from Santa Paula Police Department Post 2350 participated in the “Chandler Tactical Competition” in Chandler, Arizona. There were 12 Santa Paula Police Department Explorers who participated and competed with other explorer posts from across the Country. The young men and women from Santa Paula were successful with a 1st place and a 3rd place award. The national competition, hosted by the Chandler Police Department, included 47 explorer posts from California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, and Florida.

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Commentary, Cultural, En español, Family, Health, Local, Locales, Opinion, Women

Bilingual commentary — Exhausted by Outrage

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Particularly since election day last November (for some reason), I have become aware of an expanding phenomenon in this country: outrage exhaustion. What this term means is that we are, in a word (or two), “worn-out” from being angry all the time.

Outrage exhaustion means that we no longer have the capacity for escalating outrage after a long and boisterous presidential campaign that tested our limits of indignation and cyclical anger. We know for certain that we have saturated our outrage circuits when we don’t even get upset with the barista for using steamed milk instead of oat milk in our latte.

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Business, Commentary, Cultural, En español, familia, Family, Government, Immigration, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Public Safety, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — City of Ventura Mayor Dr. Jeannette Sánchez-Palacios addresses recent federal immigration enforcement actions

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Dear City of Ventura Residents and Community Stakeholders,

In light of the recent federal immigration enforcement actions taking place across the nation, including in California, I want to address our community to provide clarity, support, and reassurance. Ventura is a community built on inclusion and mutual respect. Local organizations are available to provide assistance, legal guidance, and resources to those in need.

• Know your rights. You have constitutional protections. Review resources and
information from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
• Seek guidance from trusted organizations. Groups like the El Concilio Family Services, and the Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) offer legal resources and support.
• Create a family safety plan. Have a plan in place, including childcare arrangements
and emergency contacts. If you are at risk of losing housing, the City also offers rental assistance for transitional age youth (ages 18-24) through our Homelessness Prevention Program.
• Report and document. If you or someone you know is impacted by an enforcement
action, take note of key details and reach out to local support organizations.

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

Ventura’s 4th of July Street Fair seeking artisan vendors

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VENTURA — Vendor applications for the City of Ventura’s 4th of July Street Fair are now open. This annual event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the 4th of July in Ventura’s Downtown District and brings tens of thousands of participants.  

Vendor applications will be accepted until Monday, March 31, 2025, before 5:00 p.m. PST. Applications must be submitted online via the City’s website. Eligible vendor groups include arts and crafts, nonprofits, and food vendors. Sponsorship opportunities are also available and listed online.   

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Business, Finance, Government, Health, Local, News, Public Safety

Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center (SPARC) announces it will no longer serve as city shelter for Santa Paula

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Due to the City of Santa Paula’s stalled contract negotiations, unfulfilled commitments, and lack of financial support, starting Feb. 1, 2025, SPARC will no longer serve as the City shelter for Santa Paula. The City’s commitment in 2012 to construct a custom animal shelter, funded through a promised bond issue, has not been fulfilled. When SPARC was initiated, the City had agreed to issue a bond for a dedicated shelter; however, this commitment has not appeared on any election ballots for the past 13 years. In addition, the City provides less than 8% of SPARC’s operating expenses; and SPARC has not received a raise in monthly fees since 2018, creating a financially unsustainable situation for the shelter.

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Business, En español, Finance, Government, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Public Safety

Bilingual report — City of Santa Paula statement on SPARC’s decision to end Its role as City Shelter

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SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula remains deeply committed to the welfare of animals in our community and ensuring that residents continue to have access to responsible animal care services. We recognize and appreciate the work that the Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center (SPARC) has done over the years, finding homes for countless animals and providing vital services such as spay/neuter programs and vaccinations. We want to clarify the City’s position regarding SPARC’s recent public statement and assure the community that we are actively working on a transition plan to continue providing essential animal services.

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Business, Commentary, Education, Family, Government, Health, Immigration, Local, News, Opinion, Politics, Public Safety, Seniors, Women, Youth

Guest contribution — American Immigration Council — After Day One: Trump Wants to Redefine America

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On the first day of his second term, President Trump issued a series of immigration-related executive orders and proclamations that will quickly re-shape the U.S. immigration system. These executive orders affect nearly every facet of a complex and demanding system. Most of the policy changes introduced through these actions are framed as directives to federal departments and agencies. However, their language also aims to stoke fear as a means of testing the boundaries of executive authority.

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Education, Local, News, Youth

Ventura Charter School third graders help restore endangered rainbow trout in Ventura County

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VENTURA — This winter, Ventura Charter School’s third-grade class released 75 endangered rainbow trout into the lake at Rancho Simi Valley Park, concluding their investigation into California’s watersheds. The classroom expedition was part of “Trout in the Classroom,” a program in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Students worked on the watershed expedition beginning in August, with a holistic curriculum spanning independent research and activism related to California’s water and wildlife led by teachers Emily Noel and Lindsay Murray and culminating in the release of the fish on Dec. 20.

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Business, Education, En español, Events, familia, Family, Government, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Public Safety, Salud, Seniors, Women, Youth

County of Santa Barbara Update, Board of Supervisors Meeting on Feb. 4 — Coastal Resources Mitigation Fund Grants, Amendment to the Local Coastal Program, Telecommunication Ordinance Amendments

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View this email online The next meeting of the County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, February 4, 2025 County Administration Building Board Hearing Room, Fourth Floor 105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara The public may participate virtually,…

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Business, Education, Finance, Government, Local, News

UCSB Gevirtz Graduate School celebrates 2025 Fellowship recipients

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SANTA BARBARA — The UC Santa Barbara Gevirtz Graduate School of Education held its 2025 Fellowship Breakfast on January 24 to celebrate the school’s most promising graduate students who have received fellowships and the community supporting them.

Fellowships are made possible through generous private foundations and individual donors who have contributed to 26 funds that provide annual support to Gevirtz School students. Fellowships were awarded to 52 students, with funds totaling over $255,000.

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

Bilingual report — CenCal Health — Multimillion-Dollar Programs at work to develop, expand healthcare capacity on Central Coast

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The Medi-Cal Capacity, Access and Workforce Development Grant Program was recently developed to expand healthcare capacity through strategic funding aimed at provider recruitment, and workforce training and education. Launched this month, CenCal Health will soon award its first round of grants up to $3 million, with a planned total distribution of $6 million over three years.

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

February at the Santa Paula Art Museum

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Happy almost February! February is our anniversary month at the Santa Paula Art Museum (we’ll celebrate 15 years on Valentine’s Day). We think you’ll love our program offerings in the month ahead. Bring the whole family to make Valentine’s Day keepsakes on February 2. Register you and your Valentine or Galentine for a wheel-throwing ceramics course starting February 14. Hear more about currently featured artist Joanne Julian and her love of art on February 22. Find the details for all of our February programs below.

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Business, Cultural, Family, Government, Home, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

People’s Self-Help Housing celebrates 10 owner-builder families in Nipomo Construction complete on new neighborhood, Summer Holly Lane

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Since beginning the project in August 2023, each family committed over 40 hours a week to constructing their homes. Under the supervision and instruction of People’s Self-Help Housing, the builders learned all the skills necessary to complete the majority of the labor themselves. After more than a year of hard work,  owner-builders finally received the keys to their new homes and celebrated their tremendous accomplishments with a barbeque block party over the weekend.

“It’s amazing to see the fruit from their labor and watch them achieve this dream of home ownership,” said Ken Trigueiro, PSHH CEO & President. “This is an excellent opportunity for these families and one that is hard to come by these days. This is why we keep doing what we’re doing after 55 years and we’re so grateful to be part of their stories.”

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Business, En español, Finance, Government, Health, Home, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Public Safety

Bilingual report — Phase 2 of debris removal now underway for the Mountain Fire; clean up of properties set to begin

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VENTURA — As the recovery and rebuilding process continues following the Mountain Fire, the Environmental Health Division and Incident Management Team are pleased to announce that Phase 2 of debris removal is now underway. Site assessments and asbestos assessments are in progress, and debris removal operations are set to begin as early as this week. 

Residents can expect to see multiple crews and trucks in affected neighborhoods, working to remove structural fire debris and clean up properties. Debris removal crews will be in place to start operations at 7:00 am and will end operations by 4:30 pm. To minimize dust and ash pollution, all debris will be misted continuously and securely wrapped in trucks during removal. Air quality will be monitored throughout the process, and operations will be paused if weather conditions are deemed to result in safety issues. 

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

Community Environmental Council — Community Voices Wanted! New CEC Initiative in North Santa Barbara County

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The Santa Barbara County Regional Climate Collaborative is looking for three community members to join the Guadalupe-Lompoc Climate Action Initiative (GLI) Coordinating Committee. If you don’t live in North County but know someone who does, share this opportunity with them!

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

Bilingual report — Board of Supervisors approves over $1 Million in funding to The ARCH to address homelessness

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VENTURA — In an ongoing effort to combat homelessness and support vulnerable populations, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors has approved a second amendment to the agreement with the City of Ventura, allocating $1,013,063 in financial support for the operation of The ARCH year-round emergency shelter. The agreement emphasizes both financial responsibility and measurable outcomes to ensure effective use of public funds.

The ARCH, located in the city of Ventura and operated by Mercy House, is a vital resource for individuals experiencing homelessness. This funding, provided on a 50/50 cost-sharing basis with the City of Ventura, supports the shelter’s operations under a newly established performance-based model.

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Business, Family, Government, Health, Local, News

37 Ventura County Animal Services Dogs Find Fresh Start in Wisconsin

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VENTURA COUNTY — In a heartwarming effort to give shelter dogs a second chance, 37 pups from Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) are on their way to Wisconsin to find loving homes—many of whom had been long-stay residents, patiently waiting for their forever families.

This lifesaving transport, made possible by the Humane Society of the United States, comes at a crucial time as VCAS faces a critical overcapacity crisis, recently reaching 142%. “With shelter space stretched beyond its limits, collaborative efforts like these are essential to ensuring every pet has a future filled with love and care.” Says Randy Friedman, Public Information Officer for VCAS.

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