SHOWCASING THE INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS OF LGBTQ+ OWNED AND LED BUSINESSES
June 29 @ 11:00 am
The U.S. Commercial Service invites you to register below for the fifth session of their “From Local to Global: Celebrating Diversity” event series. In celebration of Pride Month, the U.S. Commercial Service will feature an interactive discussion of how LGBTQ+ owned & led Southern California-based companies have successfully grown their businesses internationally.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
The Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) would like to recognize PrideMonth. Observed annually in June, Pride Month is a time to reflect upon and celebrate the the LGBTQ+ community. The EDC prides itself in focusing on diversity equity and inclusion for the business community.
Dalan Moreno, Owner of Rascal’s Santa Barbara’s favorite vegan restaurant, leads a series FREE of presentations and demonstrations at MCASB.
On Sunday, June 26 Moreno will lead a class examining the oral history of masa, walking you through the steps of how it has been made, breaking down the history of this ancient process. The class will culminate in a presentation on how masa is made today followed by a tortilla tasting.
Save the date for two more demonstrations on Saturday, July 16, and Sunday, August 14.
Also see:
NBC News — Poll: Majority of Latinos in battleground states support abortion rights, gun reform
By Voto Latino
Latinos are the second largest voting bloc in the country and disproportionately reside in critical battleground states where they are also the fastest growing voting bloc. Candidates hoping to win in November and beyond will need to appeal to Latinos and the issues that matter to them. In order to understand how Latinos feel about two of the most salient issues in the country – abortion rights and mass shootings – Change Research surveyed 1,033 registered Hispanic and Latino voters in the seven key battleground states of Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania from June 2-7, 2022 on behalf of Voto Latino.1
A strong majority of Latinos are concerned about their personal safety from gun violence and believe weak gun laws are a major reason why perpetrators are capable of inflicting such carnage. Overwhelming majorities support many common sense gun safety laws Democrats have proposed and believe there would be fewer mass shootings if they were to be enacted. Latinos are also ready to reward leaders who take action on gun laws: an overwhelming 69% are more likely to support candidates who support the gun laws tested in this poll, including roughly half of Republican Latinos.
Latinos also fear for their reproductive freedoms as the conservative majority on the Supreme Court indicates it is prepared to overturn Roe v. Wade. Over two-thirds of Latinos support the right to an abortion in all or most cases.
Aliso Elementary School in Carpinteria is a “California Distinguished School,” according to its website. It proudly proclaims itself the “Home of the Lions” and appears to be a school enthusiastically dedicated to “STEAM” – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.
I occasionally saunter past the school grounds when I explore Carpinteria on my walking expeditions. Aliso is an unassuming school with nicely maintained lawns, trees, and plants on the premises. Signs on windows and doors of the school tell me that Aliso welcomes students from all strata of society with open arms and is unabashedly determined to give them, from kindergarten through fifth grade, a high-quality education. Aliso’s stated mission is to help students reach their full potential.
However, there is no “History” tab on the website, and that may be just as well. Like many schools in California and throughout the country, Aliso’s early history is a bit “murky.” Nonetheless, that history does not appear to hinder the fine job that this acclaimed school has been doing throughout the latter half of the 20th century and up to the present day.
Covered California won three prestigious Telly Awards in recognition of its efforts to deliver its message of quality, affordable health care coverage to all Californians.
The Spanish-language television ad “Corazón” aired during the most recent open-enrollment period. The ad depicts a father watching his daughter grow from a toddler through to her quinceañera, and highlights how important proper health care coverage can be in that journey.
“Covered California believes in and invests in marketing to all of our state’s diverse populations,” said Executive Director Jessica Altman. “We are proud of the culturally relevant content we create to reach Californians with the message that affordable health insurance is available for them and their families. These awards show the value of this approach.”
The Santa Barbara City College Foundation hosted nearly 300 guests at its Spring Forward! Gala on the Great Meadow of the West Campus, raising more than $450,000. The Foundation provides more than $5 million annually to support SBCC students with scholarships and emergency grants. Read the article and see more photos in the Montecito Journal.
The Collection at RiverPark is getting the community rocking this summer and fall with Rock the Collection, a series of free, family-friendly concerts. These live outdoor shows feature timeless rock classics performed by popular tribute bands.
The lineup includes:
July 27 – Twisted Gypsy (Fleetwood Mac Tribute)
Aug. 10 – DSB (Journey Tribute)
Sept. 28 – The Long Run (Eagles Tribute)
Oct. 19 – Bruno and the Hooligans (Bruno Mars Tribute)
June marks the end of our fiscal year, and I can’t thank you enough for the tremendous year of investment you made in our communities, our services, and those we serve.
The past few weeks saw us celebrating our Camino Scholars at College Signing Days. Graduating from high school and bound for college, many of these students are the first in their families to have that opportunity. Please know that your support funds generational hopes and dreams for so many. Likewise, your investments into our Supportive Housing Program this year translated into thousands of hours of help for our residents leading to so many positive financial, physical and mental health outcomes.
Applying compost and mulch to landscapes can reduce the amount of water needed to maintain grass, plants, flowers, vegetables, shrubs and trees according to Agromin, a California-based company that produces organic soil products from locally collected green waste.
“Compost and mulch are well known to improve the health of the soil and structure of plants,” says Bill Camarillo, Agromin’s CEO, “but their water-saving advantages are just as important, especially during severe drought.”
Across America, school-aged children are experiencing an unprecedented mental health crisis. One in three high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. In Ventura County, between 2017 and 2019, one of six students in grades 7, 9, and 11 considered suicide. Half of all mental illness presents itself by age 14, yet few children get the services they need. There is a shortage of sustainable resources addressing mental health concerns among school-aged youth.
The 2021-2022 Ventura County Grand Jury investigated the resources used by the Ventura County Office of Education, Ventura County Behavioral Health, and five Ventura County public school districts to meet the mental health needs of school-aged youth. These school districts represent more than 60% of the County’s public-school population.
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.
The West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA) has announced that nominations for the 2022 Oxnard Community & Business Awards have officially opened and will remain open until Monday, July 17.
Nominations are open to the public and nominees do not have to be WVCBA members. The online nomination form with award descriptions is available at: https://bit.ly/oxnardnoms22. It also is available as a PDF at www.wvcba.org/oxnardawards and can be emailed to the WVCBA or sent by regular mail. The nine categories recognize Oxnard’s best-of-the-best:
Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) recently awarded Rick Cadena, Vimie Alvarez, and Manny Romero, as the three 2022 Employees of the Year for outstanding performance in their respective fields.
Celebrating 28 years at VCPWA and named Manager of the Year, Rick Cadena was recognized for his work and dedication to customer service. He began his career at VCPWA Watershed Protection as a Maintenance Worker II, working his way through the ranks, and eventually becoming Superintendent. His job’s major roles include concrete and fence repair, service road grading and construction, vegetation management, and oversite of 23 PWA staff members.
“I was taught from a young age by my parents and grandparents that you should always come to work and do your job the best you can no matter what it is you do,” said Cadena. “It really was a great feeling to have my years of work recognized because I really do enjoy my job, and I really care about providing the best service possible to the citizens of Ventura County.”
The County of Ventura Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a $2.7 billion balanced budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 at Monday’s budget hearing. The budget focuses on Board priorities, including expanding mental health services, ending homelessness, climate action, and pandemic recovery.
“The budget is the backbone of the County and what we do for the people of this County,” said Chair of the Board of Supervisors Carmen Ramirez. “Our strong financial position allowed us to sustain key services for our community while responding to the pandemic and expanding in needed areas like mental and public health, human services, services for people experiencing homelessness, equity and inclusion, and environmental sustainability.”
Many children and teens have experienced the death of a loved one during the pandemic. This is a difficult time for anyone grieving a loss. Livingston’s Grief and Bereavement Program groups provide support, connection and validation that they are not alone.
The Good Grief Club summer session meets every Tuesday starting July 5th and ends on August 9th from 5:30 to 6:30 pm.
The California Labor Market Information Division (LMID) released its May 2022 report last Friday, Ventura County breaking for the second month in a row our lowest recorded unemployment rate going all the way back to 1990, down from 3.0% in April to 2.7% in May. While both April and May were record-setting, the May number is truly remarkable, the first time in at least 32 years that Ventura County has dropped below three percent. For the May data, click here.
That noted, you may recall from our prior recent reports that we’ve become less interested in the unemployment rate as an indicator of our economic health, and more focused on the size of our total labor force and the total numbers of employed workers and industry jobs. On each of those fronts we at least moved very moderately in the right direction in May, but not enough to suggest that our local economy is anywhere near fully recovered.
The Geological Society celebrates Tanya Atwater’s extraordinary career studying plate tectonics and sharing her enthusiasm for discovery.
Ivor Davis: Up Close and Personal with Steve Binder
Thursday, June 30th from 6:30-8pm
at the Museum of Ventura County
Free for members,
$10 for non-members in-person,
and $5 for non-members on Zoom
COVID-19 vaccines are now available for children ages 6 months and older in Ventura County. Families are encouraged to talk to their child’s doctor about vaccination. As of today, Ventura County Public Health clinics are offering pediatric Moderna for ages 6 months to 5 years. Pediatric Pfizer vaccines for ages 6 months to 4 years will be available soon when the supply of vaccines is received. Walk-ins are available but appointments are strongly encouraged. Schedule an appointment at MyTurn.ca.gov or call 833-422-4255. For more information,visit www.vcrecovers.org/vaccine.
At their meeting on June 16, the Santa Barbara Community College District Board of Trustees announced that LaDeane Hansten has been selected to serve as the new Director of Athletics. She is scheduled to begin July 1.
Hansten comes to SBCC after a lifetime of coaching and teaching, most recently as the athletic director at Columbia College in Sonora, California. There, she served seven years in the Health and Human Performance department, focusing on adapted physical education. She was also a member of the Columbia College Academic Senate, where she valued the shared governance system and being a part of transformational change on campus.
Get ready for our
?10th Annual Homeownership Conference
June 25, 2022
We’re excited to gather with you and hundreds of other Californians virtually this Saturday! Scroll down to see the schedule and find some tips to help you navigate the conference like a pro!
Today is United Way’s Day of Action!
You can participate by joining United Way of Ventura County’s 2022 Stuff the Bus campaign!
Provide essential school supplies for local students experiencing homelessness.
You can help pave the path to academic success for a child from a family experiencing homelessness. 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.
Because of the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis, we know that the need for support among homeless families has increased greatly. So your help is needed this year more than ever.
Please help fill the backpacks by supporting our online Roonga school supply campaign.
We have recently received news that Dr. Martita Martinez-Bravo has decided to pursue other endeavors. Dr. Martita Martinez-Bravo has served as our executive director for more than 4 years. Martita has been a key contributor to the Fund’s growth. Under her leadership, we rolled out our Social Justice Fellowship program. This program has successfully funded 8 Fellows and helped two emerging social justice organizations incorporate as non-profits.
For the third year, Alma Rosa Winery plans to host its annual Peace of Mind—10,000 Steps in the Right Direction fundraising walk. It will take place on Saturday, July 23, 2022 on the grounds of Alma Rosa’s 628-acre estate located just north of Santa Barbara near the town of Buellton, CA. The 10,000 steps walk offers a tour of the property, taking walkers on a 4.5-mile there-and-back ramble through verdant wine country where Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and Grenache vines grow thick with the plump fruit that has made that region so famous.
The U.S. Department of Education awarded California Lutheran University more than $3.6 million to continue and expand its TRIO Traditional Upward Bound services for high school students in Oxnard, Hawthorne and Lawndale.
The five-year grants comprise the largest amount Cal Lutheran has ever received for its program, which for 42 years has been motivating and preparing low-income and potential first-generation college students to continue their education beyond high school.
A $2,138,500 grant will allow the university to serve 89 students a year from Oxnard’s public high schools, and a $1,488,000 award will fund its work with 60 students a year from Hawthorne and Leuzinger high schools in Los Angeles County.
At their meeting on June 16, the Santa Barbara Community College District Board of Trustees announced that María L. Villagómez has been selected to serve as the new Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Paloma Arnold has been selected as the new Vice President of Student Affairs.
After a competitive screening and interview process for both positions, Interim Superintendent/President Dr. Kindred Murillo shared the news with SBCC faculty and staff, saying, “As we transition from an executive vice president structure to having two vice presidents – one over academic affairs and the other over student affairs – we are so pleased that María, a recognized leader and innovator with over 28 years of leadership experience, and Paloma, who has worked at SBCC for more than 20 years and led a variety of student services over the years, will work closely together in ways that will best serve our students.
SBA: CELEBRATE PRIDE WITH SBA AND JWBC
June 21 @ 9:30 am PST
Join the SBA North Florida District Office (NFDO) and JWBC as we recognize and celebrate Pride Month, by delivering key information that will benefit future and existing small business owners at no cost! The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) network for LGBTQ+ Businesses aims to bring focus on economic empowerment in the LGBTQ+ business community by providing access to SBA’s programs and services and recognizes the importance of greater inclusion at all levels and in all communities. Discussions will include a local business owner from the LGBTQ+ business community and resources available to launch and take your business to the next level through the SBA North Florida District Office, SCORE Jacksonville & JWBC. There will also be resources that support LGBTQ+ communities available to connect with. If you plan on attending this free virtual event, you must register, to save your virtual seat!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Artist Talk | Lum Art Magazine Conversations | DJ Javier & Ryan P. Cruz
Thursday, June 23 | 5:30-6:30 PM
MCASB, 653 Paseo Nuevo
Join us for a FREE talk with artist DJ Javier and writer Ryan P. Cruz, as they discuss breaking through the noise in visual art and journalism, respectively, and the cultural contexts that have informed their work. Two Santa Barbara natives, both under 31, Javier and Cruz are part of the new crop of creatives that are helping to shape contemporary culture in the area.
This talk is inspired by the feature “Ba’hala ‘na: DJ Javier” published in the latest Lum Art Magazine, and written by Cruz, Lum Arts Writing Fellow.
Debra Herrick, Lum Editor-in-Chief, will moderate.
Ventura County Animal Services Needs Your Help! 3,000 cans of kitten food are needed to get us through the rest of “Kitten Season” (the time of year when unaltered cats go into heat and produce litters). Below are the three (3) types of food that underweight kittens have historically liked the most and have put on the most weight with. If you choose to donate, please choose from these options.
It’s time to stop procrastinating and get registered because our Homeownership Conference is officially ONE WEEK AWAY!
Introducing our Homeownership Conference host…David Cruz! Vice President for Salem Media Group since Dec. 2020 representing the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, David has over 25 years in broadcast journalism.
The Juneteenth federal holiday celebrates African American history, culture, and the abolition of slavery in the United States. President Abraham Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation into law on January 1, 1863 is central to the celebration as it declared enslaved people as free, but we should not forget how much the enslaved people did to free themselves.
That’s the theme of “Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration,” a free public Zoom presentation sponsored by the CSU Channel Islands(CSUCI) Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). On Tuesday, June 21 at 1 p.m., University of Maryland Professor of History Richard Bell, Ph.D., an expert on slavery in America, will discuss Juneteenth and how the enslaved people had to fight for their own freedom before and after the Emancipation Proclamation.
“We associate Juneteenth with Abe Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation, but to the confederacy, it was just a piece of paper,” Bell said. “They didn’t’ recognize the paper or Lincoln as their president. Freedom had to be seized.”
On top of the ongoing, seemingly never-ending pandemic, we have several epidemics taking place in our country: opioids, guns, voter apathy…
Over and above these scourges, we now have inflation, soaring gas prices, supply chain disruptions, and political unrest that threatens the foundations of our democracy, which until last year we had taken for granted.
As a result, many of us are angry. We’re angry at Big Pharma, the gun manufacturers, the “liberals” who allegedly want to rip people’s guns out of their hands.
If you have experienced the loss of a loved one due to suicide, do not hesitate to join our Survivors of Suicide Loss grief support group. Livingston’s Grief and Bereavement Program are committed to maintaining an open, accepting, confidential atmosphere. All free of charge.
Survivors of Suicide Loss meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 8:00 pm
If you would like to register for a support group, please contact Stacia Sickle at 805-389-6870 x452 or at ssickle@lmvna.org
PRIDE! Date Night
Thursday, June 16, 6:00-8:00 PM
MCASB, 653 Paseo Nuevo
Join us for a date night for LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies in honor of pride month! Grab someone special and head downtown for a night out featuring art, drinks, and special discounts to Downtown Santa Barbara restaurants and bars. Enjoy a drink with us, make your own pride flag, and more! A walkthrough of the current exhibition will take place at 7 PM led by Alexandra Terry, Chief Curator.
Lessons from the Masters (Ages 16+) [ONLINE]
Tuesday, June 14, 21, 28, 2022, from 6 PM to 7:30 PM
$50 for three sessions
Online-only
What makes a masterpiece? How do historic artists continue to inflluence contemporary art, and what makes their art so timeless? Join veteran landscape painter Sharon Weaver online to learn the secrets of some of her favorite landscape masters, including Jessie Arms Botke, Marion Kavanagh Wachtel, and Edgar Payne.
The Ventura County Community College District board of trustees approved the new chancellor contract for Dr. Rick MacLennan during its regular meeting on June 14. The board also honored Chancellor Greg Gillespie, who is retiring at the end of the month, with a resolution and short reception. In addition, the board swore in and seated Azure Heirshberg as VCCCD Student Trustee, and Gillespie presented the annual State of the District report to the board.
“When Chancellor Gillespie started in this position in 2017, no one knew the challenges that would come before him. He navigated them with steady leadership and focus. The equity and parity initiatives he implemented have been integrated into our colleges’ practices and procedures,” said Board Chair Dianne McKay.
“We are confident that Dr. MacLennan’s experience will bring a fresh perspective to the District while continuing to strengthen our proven pathways to success for our students, classified staff and faculty,” added Vice Chair Stan Mantooth.
Cyber-attacks are a serious threat to the public drinking water supply. Recent cyber-attacks around the United States have resulted in community water supplies being poisoned or their suppliers’ business operations being held hostage by ransomware. In recognition of this critical threat, the 2021-2022 Ventura County Grand Jury investigated the cybersecurity of Ventura County public water providers.
The Grand Jury investigated two primary areas of cyber vulnerability in the water sector: the information technology used to bill consumers and record usage, and the operational technology used to control and monitor treatment and delivery of the water supply. Malicious actors can take advantage of network vulnerabilities and/or weak user access controls in either information or operational technology to disrupt the business and the water service, and potentially degrade public safety.
With Summer just around the corner, Explore Lompoc invites visitors to explore the great outdoors as part of a “Space to Explore” Summary Getaway and reveals the destination’s top amazing and events and activities perfect for the budget-conscious traveler. www.ExploreLompoc.com
Plan your trip to Lompoc and Book Your Hotel for your next visit!
