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

Ventura Music Festival — A Bucket List Opportunity

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Prepare to be captivated as The King’s Singers, the world-renowned vocal ensemble, bring their exceptional artistry to Ventura on December 14, 2024. This celebrated group, formed by choral scholars from King’s College, Cambridge in 1968, is one of the most iconic and versatile a cappella ensembles in the world. Renowned for their unique “Pyramid of Sound,” their technique creates a perfect blend with a strong bass and baritone foundation supporting vibrant, ethereal upper voices. With over 200 commissioned works by some of the world’s leading composers—such as György Ligeti, Richard Rodney Bennett, and John Rutter—The King’s Singers continue to shape the future of choral music while honoring its rich tradition. Now is your chance to be a part of the magic…

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Family, Government, Health, Local, News, Seniors

Ventura County Area Agency on Aging Honors RSVP Volunteer with 2024 Legacy Award for Volunteer Service

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OXNARD — The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) has awarded Sylvia Fulton, one of Oxnard RSVP’s longest-serving Bone Builders instructors, the 2024 Legacy Award for Volunteer Service.

At 97, Sylvia has dedicated 17 years to helping seniors stay active and fight osteoporosis. She began her volunteer journey with the City of Oxnard RSVP in 2007 at the age of 80, and for nearly two decades, she has tirelessly led the RSVP Bone Builders program. 

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

Bilingual report — Indigenous Agricultural Workers in Ventura County Can Get Help to Qualify for Kaiser Permanente’s New Coverage

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VENTURA — Indigenous men, women, and children in Ventura County will have greater access to health care in 2025 thanks to Kaiser Permanente’s health coverage. The new Community Health Care Program (CHCP) from Kaiser Permanente covers low-income individuals, including those who earn slightly more than the threshold for Medi-Cal or who lack legal documentation to reside in the U.S.

To reach those in need of health coverage, Kaiser Permanente has awarded a $200,000 one-year grant to the Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) to support health navigators who provide assistance in the language of the Mixteco Indigenous community.

Health navigators are trained and fluent in indigenous languages such as Mixteco and Zapoteco, as well as Spanish and English, allowing them to overcome language barriers and ultimately help individuals obtain the necessary health care.

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Business, Commentary, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, Finance, Government, Health, Home, Local, Locales, Negocios, News, Opinion, Politics

Bilingual commentary — Thoughts on the Presidential Election

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Like nearly half of the country, I’ve been in a funk over the past couple of weeks. As I process the astoundingly unexpected sweep of the Republican victory in this election, my mind fills with questions. 

Some of those questions are being answered as the statisticians dissect the body of electoral evidence and conduct a postmortem on the results of the election. 

The voters have spoken. They lurched rightward in spite of the signs indicating that women were galvanized in their support of reproductive rights, that Latinos were tired of the insults directed at them and their families, and that Blacks were not going to abandon the Democratic Party in its hour of need.

But enough women, Latinos, and Blacks did indeed abandon Kamala Harris to trigger the avalanche of support for Donald Trump that even he did not seem to expect—much like when he won the election in 2016. To add insult to the Democrats’ injuries, Republicans took control not only of the White House, but also of the House and Senate. 

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Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, familia, Family, Finance, Government, Health, Home, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Public Safety, Salud, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — Local Assistance Center to close (on Nov. 23) after serving close to 300 households impacted by the Mountain Fire

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VENTURA — After serving for 10 days as a one-stop center for fire recovery information and assistance, the Local Assistance Center that was run to assist residents impacted by the Mountain Fire will close its doors on Saturday, November 23, at 7:00 p.m. Residents still seeking services are encouraged to visit the Center by Saturday or they may obtain services after Saturday by visiting existing local County and City of Camarillo government offices.

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

Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) — Ventura County Schools Show Progress in Attendance, Graduation Rate, and Academic Performance

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VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Schools are making improvements in attendance, graduation rates, academic performance, and other measures according to new data from the 2024 California School Dashboard released today by the California Department of Education. Highlights for Ventura County include:

GRADUATION RATE: Ventura County’s graduation rate of 89.3% for 2024 has improved by six percentage points since 2021 and is nearly three percentage points better than the statewide rate.
CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM: Ventura County’s chronic absenteeism rate of 18.3% for 2024 marks the third consecutive year of improvement and is more than two percentage points better than the statewide rate.
SUSPENSION RATE: Ventura County’s suspension rate of 3.2% for 2024 is a 0.4% improvement from the prior year and slighter better than the statewide rate.
MATHEMATICS: Ventura County students’ performance in mathematics on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) for 2024 improved by 1.2 percentage points over the prior year.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS: Ventura County students’ performance in English language arts on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress for 2024 improved by 0.63 percentage points over the prior year.

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

Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan Launches $1.5 Million Scholarship Program to Strengthen Diversity in Behavioral Health Workforce

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CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) (on Nov. 18) announced the launch of a groundbreaking scholarship program that aims to develop a more diverse behavioral health workforce to ensure Ventura County residents have access to culturally responsive care. The $1.5 million initiative is funded through the state Department of Health Care Services’ Student Behavioral Health Incentive Program (SBHIP), which aims to expand access to behavioral health services for children and adolescents enrolled in Medi-Cal.

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Business, Family, Finance, Government, Health, Home, News, Public Safety

Ventura County Animal Shelter — Mountain Fire — Animal Rescue & Response

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We would like to take a moment to recognize the incredible work of our shelter staff, volunteers, and Emergency Volunteer Rescue Team (EVRT) during the recent Mountain Fire. In the midst of the emergency, 446 animals were brought to us for safety, either by their families or by members of our Emergency Volunteer Rescue Team, 38 of whom worked TIRELESSLY to rescue and transport animals from the fire’s path, often through hazardous conditions!

Our amazing shelter staff who worked 12-hour shifts, caring for animals at both the Camarillo Shelter and the Ventura County Fairgrounds. They managed intake, provided safe shelter for animals, and gave comfort to families who had lost so much.

We also want to recognize the 121 VCAS volunteers who collectively worked 416 hours at the Camarillo Shelter, managing donations, cleaning kennels, and comforting animals whose families had been evacuated.

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

Oxnard Performing Arts Center Nonprofit Corp. (OPAC) launches ‘Lotería de Oxnard:’ A Celebration of the City’s Culture and Community with events on Nov. 30, Dec. 12

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OXNARD — The Oxnard Performing Arts Center Nonprofit Corp. (OPAC) is thrilled to announce the release of “Lotería de Oxnard,” a reimagined, Oxnard-centric take on the traditional Mexican bingo game that highlights the people, places, and iconic things that make Oxnard one-of-a-kind. This project was made possible through the generous support of the Port of Hueneme, commemorated as card #43 in the set

“The Port of Hueneme is more than a global trade hub—it’s a proud part of the fabric of this community and we’re delighted to partner with OPAC in reimagining Lotería as a way to bring people together and celebrate what makes our beautiful region unique,” – Drew Rodriguez, Public & Community Relations Senior Representative for the Port of Hueneme.

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Commentary, Education, Events, Health, Local, News, Public Safety

Guest contribution — As America Recognizes Great American Smokeout (on Nov. 21), Take a Step Towards Kicking the Nicotine Habit

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Have you thought about kicking the nicotine habit to improve your health and reduce your chances of acquiring lung cancer or heart failure?

If you’re looking for extra motivation, then consider quitting smoking during the Great American Smokeout that takes place this Thursday, Nov. 21. Doing so won’t only improve your health, but it will also reverse years of likely damage done to your heart and lungs.

When it comes to giving up the nicotine habit, naturally, you may say that’s easier said than done, as giving up smoking can seem to be a daunting task. You may also think that it’s too late to quit smoking and reverse years of impact on your health.

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Business, Family, Government, Local, News, Public Safety

Tim Blaylock appointed new executive director of the Humane Society of Ventura County

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OJAI — The Humane Society of Ventura County (HSVC) announced today the appointment of Tim Blaylock as its new Executive Director.

With over 30 years of experience in leadership and non-profit management, Blaylock brings a wealth of experience and passion to the organization’s mission of improving the lives of animals in Ventura County.

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Cultural, Education, Health, Local, News, Youth

CSUCI students learn dance designed to help those with Parkinsons disease

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CAMARILLO — The CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Dance Studies and Health Science programs teamed up this semester to offer a class designed to help students understand Parkinson’s disease from both a dance and neurological perspective. Plans are to open a community dance therapy clinic class in the Spring semester for Parkinson’s patients in the region.

“We have dance students and Health Science students working together,” said Professor and Chair of Health Science Sonsoles de Lacalle, M.D., Ph.D. “Our goal is to provide a service to the community by setting up a weekly dance studio session for people with Parkinson’s and other members of the community to come and dance with us once a week.”

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

Santa Paula Art Museum — Inbox Art Exhibit: Gail Pidduck’s “8² + 10”

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Gail Pidduck was born and raised on a citrus ranch in Santa Paula. After earning a B.A. in art from Brigham Young University in Utah, she returned to Santa Paula and started a family. With three young children, Pidduck made art when and where she could, in her kitchen or on her back porch. Her preference for oil painting stemmed from her ability to set the slow-drying medium aside in a house with busy kids.

As her children grew older, Pidduck was able to dedicate more time to painting and exhibiting her work in Ventura County and beyond. She built a studio and acclaim as a rural landscape painter. Gail’s work has been acquired by numerous private and public collections, including the City of Ventura, City of Santa Paula, City of Thousand Oaks, Museum of Ventura County, and Dixie State University.

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

Bilingual report — The City of Ventura and ForeFront Power Break Ground on Solar Projects

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VENTURA — The City of Ventura, in partnership with ForeFront Power, has started construction on two solar energy projects at Ventura Community Park and the Police/Fire Headquarters. Together, these projects will deliver 900 kilowatt-DC (kW DC) of renewable energy through solar parking canopies at both sites.

Scheduled for completion by summer 2025, the solar installations will produce over 1.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually—enough to power 200 homes. Over their 20-year lifespan, the projects are expected to save the City approximately $2.3 million in electricity costs while supporting its environmental sustainability goals.

“This is the largest sustainability project of its kind for the City of Ventura,” said Public Works Director Charlie Ebeling. “Thanks to the support of our City Council and community, these solar energy projects will provide long-term benefits to Ventura.”

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

Cottage Health Opens New Primary Care Clinic in Goleta

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SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Health announces the opening of a new primary care clinic, Cottage Primary Care—Goleta. Located at 334 S Patterson Ave, Suite 120, the clinic is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is now accepting new patients. Scheduling an appointment can be conveniently done online at cottagehealth.org/gpc

Primary care plays a vital role in maintaining overall health and well-being. At Cottage Primary Care— Goleta, physicians specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of common illnesses and chronic conditions, ensuring patients receive comprehensive care for health issues ranging from minor ailments to more serious conditions.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Finance, Local, News

Santa Barbara’s Community Environmental Council update — How We’re Building Resilience to Wildfires

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Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and extreme weather events are driving the severity and frequency of wildfires. So far this year, California has had more than 7,000 wildfires — including our region’s recent Lake and Mountain Fire — that have ravaged a million acres, destroying homes and communities, impacting air quality, and releasing massive amounts of pollution into the atmosphere. Every one of these fires represents a setback to carbon reduction efforts.

But we have the collective power to stop this climate chaos.

The Community Environmental Council recognized early on that the California Central Coast provides the perfect climate lab to test solutions that can protect our and other regions from future fires. The good news is our solutions are working.

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

Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. Focuses on the Rodney Fernandez Leadership Fund for Giving Tuesday

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VENTURA COUNTY — As the season of giving approaches, Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (Cabrillo EDC) is proud to announce that this year’s Giving Tuesday efforts will center around the Rodney Fernandez Leadership Fund (RFLF) Scholarship Program, a program that has changed lives and opened doors for countless students within the community.

Established in honor of Cabrillo EDC’s founding Executive Director, Rodney Fernandez, the RFLF Scholarship Program provides scholarships to local youth and residents of Cabrillo EDC affordable housing communities, helping them pursue higher education and achieve their career goals. The program embodies Cabrillo EDC’s ongoing commitment to building stronger, more empowered communities through education, support, and leadership development.

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Education, Events, Health, Local, News

Nate’s Place, a Wellness and Recovery Center in Oxnard, receives national spotlight in People Magazine. Open House & Community Talk on Nov. 20

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VENTURA COUNTY — Nate’s Place, A Wellness and Recovery Center (Nate’s Place), a 501c3 nonprofit who’s unique “recovery recipe” program is designed to support teens and young adults at risk of substance use and/or mental health disorders, earned itself a place in the national spotlight recently, with a feature in People Magazine.

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Educación, Education, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Salud

Bilingual report — Allan Hancock College celebrates grand opening of new student health center

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“With this new facility, we are providing vital resources that help address the challenges many of our students face, from food insecurity to health and wellness needs,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “All of us at Hancock are here to change the odds for our students, and today, we turn that vision into reality.”

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Business, Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Family, Finance, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Museum of Ventura County — Keep Art, History, and Hope Alive – Your Support Makes It Possible

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As we reflect on another successful year of bringing history, art, and culture to life, we are excited to share a story that embodies the heart of our mission. It’s the story of Elisa Torres, a young artist whose journey reflects the power of creativity, perseverance, and community—reminding us of why the work we do here at the Museum of Ventura County (MVC) is important.

Elisa’s story began right here in Ventura County. A first-generation Californian born and raised in Oxnard, Elisa’s first job after high school was in an assembly factory, where she worked alongside her mother piecing together fiber optic cables. It was honest work, but not her dream.

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Business, En español, familia, Family, Government, Health, Home, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — Phase 1 of debris removal set to begin for hazardous waste removal for properties partially damaged and destroyed by the Mountain Fire

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VENTURA — As the Mountain Fire nears 100% containment, the County of Ventura continues to work with the City of Camarillo and multiple agencies to expedite recovery activities and ensure safe hazardous waste and fire debris removal and disposal from structures and properties damaged by the fire through a consolidated debris removal program. The Debris Removal Program takes place in two phases with Phase 1: Household hazardous waste (HHW) removal scheduled to begin this week.  

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

Moorpark College Alumnus Mike Madrid Recognized as a 2024 Distinguished Alumni Honoree

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MOORPARK — Moorpark College alumnus Mike Madrid will be honored with the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award by the Community College League of California (CCLC) at its Annual Convention on November 22 in Burlingame, California.  

Madrid and fellow honorees Marlin “Skip” Davies (Yuba College) and Mike McGuire (Santa Rosa Junior College) were nominated by their peers and colleges to receive this honor. 

“On behalf of the Community College League of California, I am immensely proud to celebrate the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award honorees,” said Larry Galizio, CCLC president and CEO.  “Their achievements exemplify the transformative power of California’s community colleges and reflect the profound impact our community colleges have on individual lives and our society as a whole.” 

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

California Strong Accepting Applications For Financial Assistance By Those Impacted By Mountain Fire

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WESTLAKE VILLAGE — California Strong, founded by the Southeast Ventura County YMCA and professional athletes after the 2018 California wildfires, and dedicated to providing immediate financial support to victims whenever a disaster strikes in the state, is accepting applications for assistance from those impacted by the Mountain Fire. The first round of funding is in early December.

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

Bilingual report — County of Ventura reports property tax relief available for property owners affected by the Mountain Fire

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VENTURA — Property owners whose property was physically damaged by the Mountain Fire and sustained losses over $10,000 may be eligible for property tax relief. Through services offered by the Ventura County Assessor’s Office, property owners can work with the office to adjust their property’s current assessment to reflect the damage incurred by the fire and reduce their current year property taxes.

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Business, Education, Family, Finance, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

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SCORE: FUND YOUR BUSINESS WITH SPONSORS, EVEN IF YOU’RE JUST STARTING OUT

November 19 @ 10:00 am

Would you like to do what you love and have someone else foot the bill? Have you ever thought about corporate sponsors for your business, show, book, charity, speaking or events? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this webinar is for you! America’s most successful companies partner with sponsors. Why not you? Linda Hollander can help you. She is the author of the #1 best-selling book, Corporate Sponsorship in 3 Easy Steps and the CEO of Sponsor Concierge. Linda has consulted with many entrepreneurs to help them profit from the awesome power of corporate sponsors and has 20 years of experience in business. Her corporate sponsors have included Microsoft, Wells Fargo, Epson, Citibank, Fed Ex, Health Net, Southwest Airlines, Bank of America, Staples, American Airlines, Walmart and IBM.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County kicks off the “WICKED Kindness Challenge” in a BIG way!

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VENTURA COUNTY — In a national partnership with NBCUniversal and inspired by the theatrical release of WICKED, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) youth led the creation of “The WICKED Kindness Challenge” – an online experience that explores what kindness really means, for oneself, their family and friends, and the greater community. 

Fifteen BBSVC youth participants of all ages from across the county came together for four full days to brainstorm ideas on what kindness looks like, and how to teach and inspire others to make kindness an everyday part of their lives. They worked closely with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Learning and Development Team, playing a BIG part in structuring, developing, and creating the content and messages for the script and videos for the challenge. A film crew met with youth to create the videos that were featured in the challenge. Everything for the ongoing challenge was organized at the BBSVC@Ventura Youth Room at the Pacific View Mall. 

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