Author: Community Contributor

COVID-19 Punishes Latinos for Hard Work and Larger Families

Latinos in the U.S. have created the world’s eighth-largest economy. How did they do it? Essentially, through hard work and larger families. Yet these very elements that enabled them to build the world’s eighth-largest economy also make Latinos a special target of COVID-19.

Latinos’ strong work ethic means that Latino households have more wage earners per household than non-Hispanic white households. Nationally, Latinos have an average of 1.6 wage earners per household, compared to 1.2 for non-Hispanic white households. This means that Latino households have more adults leaving the house every day, who are then often exposed to coronavirus-positive clients and co-workers during work hours.

Bilingual commentary — Surviving the Belly of the Beast

Amanda Gorman, our country’s first Youth Poet Laureate, stood proudly, if not nervously, before the country and the world during President Biden’s inauguration as she delivered her poem, aptly entitled “The Hill We Climb.” It was a formidable image, reminiscent of watching Barack Obama delivering his inaugural address to the nation as our first African American president.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — More on Vaccines

At this week’s Board of Supervisors hearing, we received an update from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department on COVID-19.

The good news is that from January 11th to January 25th, we’ve seen a 23% decrease in active cases and a 42% decrease in hospitalized cases. We’ve experienced decreases in most of our County areas, with the exception of the City of Santa Barbara and in Isla Vista.

We are administering almost double the state median for daily COVID-19 tests.

Oxnard College’s Fire Academy Receives National Recognition for Reinventing California’s Fire Instruction

Oxnard College’s Fire Academy won the prestigious 2021 Bellwether Award on Tuesday, Jan. 26, for its Project RECOVER, which established the state’s first-ever hybrid format for firefighting instruction and helped sustain the state’s much-needed pipeline of firefighters. The Fire Academy received the highly competitive, national recognition after beating out nine other finalists in the award’s Workforce Development category.

Each year, the Bellwether College Consortium of award-winning colleges recognizes cutting-edge and trendsetting programs at institutions throughout the nation. Finalists participated in a rigorous two-round competitive process by peers that culminated at the virtual Community College Futures Assembly.

Bilingual report — Learn Construction Skills Now at SBCC Extended Learning — ¡Aprenda habilidades de construcción ahora!

Construction is the fastest growing job market in California. Get free training and earn your Construction Technology certificate at SBCC Extended Learning. Learn from home.

Learn construction carpentry, framing and electrical.
Start your new career path now!

SBCC’s Atkinson Gallery receives Getty Foundation grant for next ‘Pacific Standard Time’

Santa Barbara City College’s Atkinson Gallery and the SBCC Foundation are pleased to announce they have been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Getty Foundation to prepare for the next edition of the region-wide arts initiative “Pacific Standard Time,” scheduled to open in 2024.

“Pacific Standard Time” is an unprecedented series of collaborations among institutions across Southern California. In each, organizations simultaneously present research-based exhibitions, publications, performances and public conversations that explore and illuminate a significant theme in the region’s cultural history.

County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Jan. 28 — Vaccine Information

The County of Ventura is in Phase 1A which includes those in the health care sector and those who are 75 and older.

Community members who are eligible to be vaccinated may register online
www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/.

Community members who are eligible to be vaccinated but who have limited computer/internet access may call the phone registration line at 805-477-7161. The phone line is open Monday through Friday 8:30-5:00.

Sunglass Hut opening soon at The Collection

The Collection at RiverPark will soon be home to Sunglass Hut, a leading global retailer of high-quality fashion and performance sunglass brands. The store officially opens on March 25, 2021, at 550 Town Center Drive, Suite 6225. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Consulado de Mexico en Oxnard — Feria universitaria virtual

Buenos días, queremos invitarlos a la feria universitaria virtual que está organizando en Consulmex Sacramento con apoyo de los consulados de México en California. En este evento se llevarán a cabo talleres con todos los sistemas de educación superior de CA, ayuda financiera, asesorías uno a uno y un día dedicado especialmente a DACA y estudiantes indocumentados.

Community Environmental Council Announces New UC Climate Leadership Course

The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is proud to announce a new certification course, UC Climate Stewards, that will empower locals to take clear action on climate change. The course, offered in coordination with the UC Division of Agriculture and the Natural Resources California Naturalist Program, is part of a statewide effort to build on-the-ground support to advance local and state climate goals.

Aerospace Startup, LaunchPoint, Releases New Hybrid Generator for Electricity-Powered Flight

A newly released, hybrid-electric generator system developed by Santa Barbara-area startup, LaunchPoint, opens up new possibilities in the fast-growing field of hybrid electric-powered flight. The product is currently available only from LaunchPoint and is shipping to domestic and global customers.

Created by a team of elite engineers over a decade, the LaunchPoint HPS400 GenSet is a 40kW generator with the capacity to power large drones and flying vehicle missions that require extended ranges of flight. This innovative technology offers new opportunities for companies working to develop extended-flight, airborne transportation and cargo delivery systems for what’s known as the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) markets.

County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Jan. 27 — Vaccine Information

The County of Ventura is in Phase 1A which includes those in the health care sector and those who are 75 and older. .

Community members who are eligible to be vaccinated may register online
www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/.

Community members who are eligible to be vaccinated but who have limited computer/internet access may call the phone registration line at 805-477-7161. The phone line is open Monday through Friday 8:30-5:00.

The Area Agency on Aging provides transportation services for older adults that are in need of transportation to a vaccine appointment or for COVID-19 testing. This includes people that need lift assist as well as gurney transportation. The driver will take the individual, wait for them, help them at the site and take them home. To schedule a ride call 805-477-7300. Please note, you must have a vaccine appointment before you schedule a ride to a vaccine site.

Santa Barbara City College recognized for 3 top degree programs by Intelligent.com

Santa Barbara City College has been named among the top 10 best community colleges in the U.S. — in addition to receiving top rankings for its medical coding and photography programs — by Intelligent.com for 2021. Intelligent.com’s comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 2,277 accredited colleges and universities. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, faculty, graduation rate, reputation and post-graduate employment.  

Take To The Great Outdoors With An Island Packers Winter Whale Watching and Excursions To the Channel Islands National Park

Island Packers, the official boat concessionaire to the Channel Islands National Park, with daily departures to the Channel Islands from Ventura Harbor Village, has now re-opened! 

A winter Whale Watch is a perfect way to gather with family and friends to view Pacific Gray whales migrating through the Santa Barbara Channel from their feeding grounds in Alaska to their breeding grounds in Baja. Pacific Gray Whales are normally sighted in the National Marine Sanctuary near Anacapa and Santa Cruz Island that began in late December and extending through middle of April 14, 2021. This mammoth migration of over 20,000 whales and 6,000 miles twice a year remains a major attraction in Southern California. 

Consulado de Mexico en Oxnard — Invitación al evento “Café Conexito” para dueños de negocios y futuros emprendedores

Café Conexito es nuestro grupo de empoderamiento /reunión virtual mensual en la que te invitamos a conectarte (con tu bebida matutina preferida) un Viernes al mes de 9:00 am a 10:00am.

Conocerás a un invitado especial cada sesión y disfrutaras de la oportunidad de compartir, escuchar y apoyarse mutuamente mientras alcanzas las metas de tu negocio. Esta sesión estará titulada: Metas Inteligentes para ti y tu negocio, y será facilitada por Irene Kelly, Administradora del Programa de Educación Financiera de WEV con nuestro invitado especial, Armando Sahagun, Asesor de Negocios de WEV.

County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Jan. 26 — Vaccine Update

The County of Ventura is in Phase 1A which includes those in the health care sector and those who are 75 and older. Vaccines are for those that live or work in Ventura County.

The County receives vaccines from the State once a week. Once vaccines are received the County creates appointments for those vaccines to be distributed.

Community members who are eligible to be vaccinated may register online on Mondays at the following link:

www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/.

VCCDC — Take advantage of Free workshops!

Do you have a will or a trust? If the answer is no, you are leaving your loved ones and your assets at risk if you something were to happen to you. Join us to learn how you can prepare and protect yourself and your loved ones with a few simple steps! With guest speaker, attorney Roy Schneider

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Free Webinar Schedule

The Economic Development Collaborative encourages you to sign up for our no-cost webinars. Space is limited. Register today!

COVID-19 Business Resources – EIDL, PPP, UI and Grants

Alternating Wednesdays & Fridays @ 12:00 pm
Next Webinar: January 27, 2021

The EDC invites you to join our webinar series on alternative Wednesdays and Fridays at 12:00 pm to answer questions about EIDL, PPP, UI, Grants and all currently available COVID-19 related business resources. Please register in advance. Space is limited.

CSUCI’s growing virtual micro-internship program continues into the spring semester

A virtual micro-internship program launched at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) during the first months of the pandemic has proved to be so successful, it is continuing through the spring semester with even more participants. 

The micro-internships, which are hands-on learning projects with pay, are offered through the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics’ (MVS) Entrepreneurship & Small Business Institute (ESBI) with Associate Professor of Marketing Ekin Pehlivan, Ph.D. and Assistant Professor of Management Cynthia Sherman, Ph.D., Director of the ESBI. 

Social Justice Fund for Ventura County Monthly Update

We want to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year. We are all hoping for a less tumultuous year and a year that brings healing and justice for all. Here are some of this month’s highlights:

First of all, thanks to all for your generosity in 2020. The Social Justice Fund for Ventura County had its best fundraising year in many years. With this money we are poised to continue our Fellowship Program and support emerging leaders become new voices for social justice in our community. Your contributions are helping our Social Justice Fellows introduce new ideas to bring fairness and justice.

Check out 2 new videos attached below. You will see two clips from a zoom conference we co-sponsored with the Chalice Newbury Park. The first is Rabiah and I introducing the Fund and our Fellows. The second – – which is not be missed – is Kavita Rai from Justice in the Classroom, one of our Fellows, describing her new organization and her personal motivation for change. These videos are the start of a “Get to Know” series we will be releasing of the Social Justice Fellows you have funded to make change. They are very inspirational!

Standard & Poor’s gives highest rating to County’s Treasury Pool

Ventura County Treasurer/Tax Collector Steven Hintz has announced that Standard & Poor’s has reaffirmed its “AAAf” and “S1+” ratings of the Ventura County Treasury Pool.  

“Standard & Poor’s conducts a careful examination and analysis of the portfolio. The process is almost like an audit,” said Hintz. “I am extremely pleased and proud to receive this affirmation of the hard work, dedication, and due diligence displayed by the Investment Work Group of my Office. It is a privilege to manage the investment pool for our portfolio participants and for the citizens of Ventura County.” 

SBCC’s wellness center receives Exemplary Program Award

The WELL, Santa Barbara City College’s Student Health and Wellness Services Center, was honored by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors with an Exemplary Program Award for 2020-21, presented via a virtual ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 20. The WELL offers holistic health and wellness workshops, skills building, group counseling and related services, and has had an interactive virtual presence since January 2019. That experience proved critical during a time that required transitioning to remote learning entirely in order to ensure students had equitable access to health and wellness education.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Governor Lifts Stay-at-Home Order

The California Department of Public Health issued guidance today lifting the Regional Stay at Home Order due to projected increasing ICU capacity. All California counties will return to the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and color-coded tiers. Santa Barbara County has returned to the Purple Tier and a Health Officer Order outlining the specific restrictions and allowances for Santa Barbara County businesses and residents will be issued. This Health Officer Order will take effect at 8 a.m. on January 26, 2021. 

Santa Barbara County will continue to restrict gatherings of any size at this time.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Jan. 25

Vaccine Update

The County of Ventura is in Phase 1A which includes those in the health care sector and those who are 75 and older. Vaccines are for those that live or work in Ventura County.

The County receives vaccines from the State once a week. Once vaccines are received the County creates appointments for those vaccines to be distributed.

Appointments open every Monday.

Community members who are eligible to be vaccinated may register online on Monday’s at the following link:

www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/.

Bilingual report — State of California Lifts Regional Stay at Home Order for All Regions

The California Department of Public Health hasannounced that the Regional Stay Home Order has been lifted in Southern California. Four-week ICU capacity projections for the region are above 15%, the threshold that allows regions to exit the order.

The action allows Ventura County to return to the rules and framework for the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and color-coded tiers that indicate which activities and businesses are open based on local case rates and test positivity. Services and activities, such as outdoor dining and personal services, may resume immediately with required modifications. Tier updates will be provided weekly on Tuesdays by the California Department of Public Health

Bilingual report — CenCal Health Addresses Gaps in Care with over $2 Million in Funding for Physician Recruitment, Medical Equipment

In response to noted gaps in access to health care locally, CenCal Health, the publicly-sponsored health plan for Medi-Cal in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, is implementing a Network Access Improvement program. The program will focus on increasing primary and specialty care capacity for local Medi-Cal members, as well as improving access to care for children and disabled members. These priorities will be accomplished in two ways – by recruiting new medical professionals to the network, and by funding specialized medical equipment such as vaccine refrigerators and exam room apparatus that accommodates the needs of mobility-impaired patients.

OC LIVE — VPA Student Showcase — where are they now?

Jonesin’ for a little OC student jammin’? Hungry for some home-grown creative talent? We know how you feel!  And that’s why we’re bringing back this encore presentation of the Visual and Performing Arts Student Showcase.

Relive the pre-pandemic glory days with some all-star student work in Communication Studies, Music, Art, Film, and Dance! And stick around for a  conversation with two stars of the show, Adan Nevarez and Jullianne De La Cruz. Find out how these OC students have kept heart and soul together during one of the most challenging years ever!

Ventura College’s Advanced Manufacturing Program is Preparing for the Future

Ventura College’s new degree program in advanced manufacturing is training the future manufacturing workers of Ventura County. Prompted by student interest, employer demand and Ventura County’s strength as a manufacturing sector, Ventura College’s new manufacturing training program will offer the latest information and technology in both lecture and laboratory settings.

Ventura College’s advanced manufacturing degree program offers an associate degree, certificates of achievement, pre-apprenticeships and a Journeyman Machinist program.

2021 California Strawberry Festival Cancelled

The California Strawberry Festival, which had been set for May 15 and 16 at Strawberry Meadows of College Park in Oxnard, is officially cancelled and will not be rescheduled for 2021 because of the continuing public health crisis due to COVID-19.

“We know that this will come as an enormous disappointment, not only to the thousands of guests we welcome every year, but also to the sponsors, exhibitors, performers, vendors and volunteers who help make the Festival what it is,” says Dean Kato, Chairman of the California Strawberry Festival.

MCASB — New Year, New Art, & A Fresh Start

Family Friendly Workshop 
Seed Paper Tutorial 
Saturday, January 30, 2021 @ 11AM PST
 
Enjoy a morning of learning how to give your paper waste a new life as seed paper! We will be demonstrating how to transform everyday waste into paper that can be used to make artwork, cards, gift tags, note paper and other crafts that can later be planted in the earth! This event is free to all and we encourage people of all ages to attend.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — EDC’s Economic 411 Labor Market Report for December 2020

The California Labor Market Information Division (LMID) released its year-end, December 2020 report earlier today, displaying an anticipated increase in Ventura County’s unemployment rate, from 6.3% in November to 7.5% in December. We say “anticipated” owing to the new round of business restrictions that were imposed some two months ago as COVID-19 cases skyrocketed through and now following the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season. As we note in more detail below, our job losses were concentrated almost entirely in Food & Accommodation, or restaurants and bars, down 2,700 jobs on the month. For the entire detail, check out LMID’s December report here.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Jan. 22

Ventura County we want you to have access to vaccines as soon as possible! We receive vaccines each week from the state and open appointments for the vaccines we are provided. We are not given enough supply to vaccinate all community members at one time. We are advocating for more vaccines and we have the infrastructure to get vaccines in arms as quickly as possible once they are received.

We understand headlines in other places say 65 and older now. Unfortunately, in those places many people in that age range cannot get vaccinated yet because Counties throughout the State are in the same position of not having enough vaccines. The supply issue impacts the ability to expand the vaccine to more sectors at this time.

Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. Awards 14 Students with Rodney Fernandez Leadership Fund Scholarships

The Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (Cabrillo EDC) recently recognized 14 graduating high school seniors and college students for their academic achievements and pursuits with Rodney Fernandez Leadership Fund (RFLF) Scholarships.

The RFLF was created in 2011 and honors the legacy of Rodney Fernandez, Cabrillo EDC’s founder and Executive Director for 30 years (1981–2011). The scholarship continues Fernandez’s legacy of community building by cultivating the leadership of residents to attain their goals and empower themselves to take action to improve the quality of life in their communities.

“This scholarship opened up the doors for me to do what I love,” said Alexa Gruener, student recipient of the RFLF Scholarship. “As a freshman in college, this scholarship has helped me pay my tuition for both semesters, allowing me to take on fewer work hours and thus seek out research and internship opportunities. Currently, I am volunteering at Westminster Free Clinic and working for the Boston University Medical School’s MANOS project, which does research on chronic kidney diseases in field workers from Central America.”

Bilingual commentary — The Power of Oratory

The past few days in our country have been exhausting, frightening, sickening, traumatic, dispiriting. The attack on the Capitol, with threats of even more violence in the coming weeks and months, starkly demonstrated the power of words.

An impeached and diminished president stands accused of incitement to riot. He may well believe that his words were “appropriate,” but then he believes many things that are not true. Even several of his supporters in Congress have admitted that his words carried the weight that crushed any remaining sense of stability we might have had.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Jan. 21, 2021

As of 1/19/21 31,553 individuals have been vaccinated in Ventura County. We have received 44,625 first dose vaccines. All appointments are filled this week.
More appointments will be opened next week. A notice will be sent when they open up.

We have to wait each week on the amount of vaccines provided to the County from the State and then more appointments can be made. All vaccines coming in are going out to the people in Phase 1A and 75 and older. We have more eligible people wanting the vaccine than vaccines available.

It will take months to vaccinate all people. Vaccine supply is the biggest barrier to making this effort move more quickly. This is impacting Counties throughout the State.

Once appointments are opened you can register on the Ventura County Recovers website at the following link:

January News from People’s Self-Help Housing

Leadership may very likely be on your mind, with changes of leaders happening now at the national level, leaders at the state level recently announcing decisions over budgets and policy, and local leaders governing critical issues and responses to covid and vaccines – leadership seems to be in our collective focus!  And of course leadership matters, to get us through hard times and challenges, solve tough issues, and to do good and difficult things, that are best accomplished in unity. At People’s we have multiple great leaders in dozens of departments, set to lead us into the new year, and ready for starting a new chapter altogether. Each is skilled in motivating the individuals within their groups toward reaching our company’s goals, in giving focused guidance for directing our activities toward implementing our strategic plan, and thereby meeting the needs of our communities. Leaders aren’t successful though without greatness coming out through those around them, to do the hard work that is required to make the mission happen. 

Jonathan Light & Karen Gabler Named To 2021 Southern California Super Lawyers List

Jonathan Fraser Light and Karen L. Gabler, attorneys in the Camarillo-based law firm of LightGabler, have been selected to the 2021 Southern California Super Lawyers list. Each year, no more than 5 percent of lawyers in Southern California receive this honor.

Next Free EDC Webinar — COVID-19 Business Resources – EIDL, PPP, UI and Grants, to be held Jan. 22

The EDC invites you to join our webinar series on alternating Wednesdays and Fridays at 12:00 pm to answer questions about EIDL, PPP, UI, Grants and all currently available COVID-19 related business resources. Business Disruption Resource Director, Clare Briglio, and EDC SBDC Financial Advisor, Juliana Ramirez, will be presenting and answering questions around new federal benefits and expansions to existing programs. Please register in advance. Space is limited.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 Vaccine appointments are full at this time. There are more community members wanting vaccines than appointments available this week because of the amount of vaccines we have available. More appointments will be added as more vaccines become available. The County receives vaccines from the state on a weekly basis. More vaccine distribution sites are launching but the County still needs more vaccines to add more appointments. We understand this is frustrating. We want to vaccinate the entire community as quickly as possible. We continue to expand infrastructure for distribution which will help move things forward once we receive more vaccines.

GCTD Implementing Bi-Annual Service Adjustments and Plans for Potential COVID-19 Impacts on Operations

Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD), Ventura County’s largest public transit provider, will be implementing its bi-annual service changes this Sunday, January 24, 2021.  The changes will primarily consist of restoring service where it is most needed at this time, and that includes the Route 1 (Port Hueneme – Oxnard) and the Route 6 (Oxnard – Ventura), as well as making a few other adjustments to improve on-time performance. 

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Potential Public Safety Power Shutoff Warning through Jan. 20

Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) notification issued by Southern California Edison for several parts of southern Santa Barbara County, including Santa Barbara, Mission Canyon, Montecito, and Carpinteria; PSPS Outages May Occur (through Jan. 20).

Additional COVID-19 Rental Assistance Funds Available through United Way of Santa Barbara County

In the continuing effort to financially support individuals and families who have been financially impacted by COVID-19, United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) is partnering with the County of Santa Barbara to offer rental assistance grants to eligible individuals and families– the grants pertain to those living in Solvang, Buellton, Carpinteria and Guadalupe as well as those living in unincorporated areas of the County (listed below). There is a total of $890k available for eligible applicants who must meet specific requirements. The funds were made possible by the County of Santa Barbara through federal CDBG grants. 

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update — Actualización de la vacuna COVID-19

Proveyéndole información más actualizada de los suministros y distribución de la vacuna COVID-19

Con el reciente anuncio que las pautas para las vacunas en California se habían extendido para incluir a todas las personas de 65 años o mayores, hemos recibido muchas preguntas sobre la elegibilidad y el acceso a la vacuna del COVID-19. Queremos darle una actualización con la información más reciente sobre los suministros y distribución de la vacuna.

Ventura College Foundation Provides Record Support in 2019-20 Despite Pandemic Challenges

The Ventura College Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and financial support to Ventura College students and to school programs, distributed $824,548 in financial support during the 2019-2020 academic year–$699,971 in scholarships, $84,577 in VC Promise tuition assistance and $40,000 in textbook support. The annual scholarship distribution was the largest in the foundation’s history and was distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic in April.

Matthew Crater Joins Moorpark College As Athletic Director

Moorpark College is pleased to announce the selection of Matthew (Matt) Crater as its new athletic director. Crater comes to Moorpark College from College of the Canyons after serving as an athletic support coordinator, assistant head football coach and kinesiology instructor. Crater replaces longtime athletic director Vance Manakas, who recently retired after nearly 40 years.

CSUCI student research suggests students who take ethnic studies tend to stay in school and graduate

Beginning in Spring of 2021, CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) will require undergraduate students to take at least one 3-unit ethnic studies class. The CSU Chancellor’s Office made the determination that all 23 campuses will require ethnic studies for lower division undergraduates following the passage of AB 1460 in the state legislature.

A study conducted by three students and two faculty members in 2019 suggests this requirement may help students stay in school and graduate, regardless of their ethnicity.

“I think it’s cool that our little math project that we worked on one summer may make such a difference,” said 2020 Mathematics alumnus Avery Brunk, who is now working on her master’s degree in statistics at CSU Fullerton. “It seems to say ‘You should take more ethnic studies!’”

Santa Barbara City College — The Bridge — Wake Campus selected as vaccination site for county firefighters

SBCC was pleased to work with the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department in making the Wake Campus on Turnpike Road available for administering the first dose of the Moderna Coronavirus vaccine to county firefighters. See the KEYT-TV story…
For more information about the COVID-10 vaccine, visit the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department. 

Oxnard filmmaker tackles Latinx Mental Health with new event on Jan. 23

As part of OPAC’s first Artist-in-Residency, Oxnard filmmaker Arcelia Martinez is raising awareness about mental health in the Latino community through a year-long programming series (June 2020 – May 2021) and the production of a short documentary. The next event is a Salon focused on Mental Health Stress Factors and will take place on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 2 pm via Zoom. It’s free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. The event will be professionally translated by Bridging Voices-Uniendo Voces.

Guest speakers from diverse places and perspectives in Ventura County will shed light on how Stress Factors can amplify mental health challenges in our community:

Visit Oxnard Partners with Q95.9’s Rico & Mambo to Promote Oxnard Restaurants in Takeout Challenge

Oxnard Restaurant Week is an event put on by Visit Oxnard each January during California Restaurant Month. Typically, the organization works with local restaurants to create a citywide dining program, attracting diners to try menu items at reduced prices. Last year, the organization changed it up by instead creating the Oxnard Taco Trail. This year, Visit Oxnard is getting even more creative.

Given the current California public health order limiting restaurants to takeout, Visit Oxnard is partnering with radio personalities Rico & Mambo on the “Guys Gotta Eat” challenge to ask residents to forego cooking at home for the week – to please order takeout and support Oxnard restaurants.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Vaccine Info for Those Over 75

Folks who are over 75 will begin being contacted by their medical provider to schedule a vaccination appointment and those who are over 75 are also able to sign up for appointments at our Public Health community vaccination sites here: https://publichealthsbc.org/covid-19-vaccine-appointment-registration/?

As soon as more vaccines become available from the state, vaccination will begin for those who are 65 and older. It is important to keep in mind that vaccination supply is still limited. For reference, there are over 32,000 county residents over the age of 75 and the vaccination sites will have approximately 1200 total vaccines (not including the vaccines that are available at medical providers). Our capacity to vaccinate will increase as soon as we get more vaccines from the state, which will hopefully happen very soon. 

COVID-19 Update Jan. 14, 2021 — Case Information and Vaccine Information

There are 1,354 new cases for today, 13,381 additional tests, and 13 additional deaths (38 year old male, 83 year old female, 97 year old male, 87 year old male, 98 year old female, 88 year old female, 67 year old female, 100 year old female, 73 year old male, 62 year old male, 85 year old male, 62 year old male, and a 83 year old female.

Our thoughts are with the loved ones of each of the people who have passed away and with the medical staff who cared for them. Please help save lives by following the public health guidance.

CSUCI gets grant to establish residency program for Education majors planning to become math and science teachers

 CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) teacher candidates planning to teach middle or high school math or science can apply for a new $8,000 residency grant funded through the CSU-wide Math and Science Teacher Initiative (MSTI).  

Assistant Professor of Education Kara Naidoo, Ph.D. wrote the grant, which is called the Math and Science Teacher Initiative (MSTI) STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Challenge.  The MSTI is an effort by the CSU Chancellor’s Office to increase the number of credentialed and highly-qualified mathematics and science teachers in middle and high schools. 

Bilingual commentary — Eating Chocolate With a Clear Conscience

Many of us consider ourselves to be “healthy eaters,” possibly to the dismay of others around us who chide us for our discipline and call us “fanatical.” We’re conscious of our health and proud of our food choices.

Even so, we might well have one or two little “weaknesses” that food companies like to exploit, not unlike the coronavirus seeking to exploit any weakness it detects in our behavior and circumstances. Our alimentary lapses may occur with others, or in secret. In their extreme form, these deviations from our better judgment might be more accurately classified as eating disorders. But generally, our occasional missteps do us no harm and can be attributed to us “being human.”

Guest contribution — Open letter to Ventura County, 5th District Supervisor Carmen Ramirez and Oxnard Mayor John Zaragoza

Congratulation to both of you on your historic victories in this past 2020 Presidential Elections. These are uniquely troubling times and difficult for the nation, the county, and the city of Oxnard. You two where overwhelmingly voted into office because the electorate believes in you. We believe that you two working together can break some of the horrific self-serving and polarizing gridlock of local and national politics as usual, that benefit only the very few 1% well-heeled politically and financially hooked up, along with tragically half of the nation (along with the county of Ventura, the city of Oxnard) that will continue to blindly follow the evil and maniacal dog whistles of racism, hatred, and fear straight to the tyrannical abyss.

You two, Carmen and John, working together can be a working and thriving model of local common sense, cooperative governance, democratic inclusion, fiscally compassionate (put tax money where it is most needed and not with sweet heart lobbyist), wise decision making and social justice champions and become true democratic beacon for the nation of all.

Bilingual report — Workforce Development Board Receives $2.8 million To Provide Workforce Services To English Language Learners & Justice-Involved Individuals

Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDB) was awarded $2,417,711 from the U.S. Department of Labor to prepare justice-involved individuals for the workforce. Another $350,000 was received from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act/Governor’s Discretionary Fund for services to the English Language Learner (ELL) population to foster successful job placement and retention.

WDB partnered with the Ventura County’s Sherriff Office when applying for the Department of Labor grant that provides work-related training to inmates. The Ventura County “Bridges 2 Work” (B2W) project will place employment specialists at the Todd Road Jail in Santa Paula. Their focus will be on inmates who are less than 180 days away from release. A WDB “Pre-Release Specialized Job Center” at the jail will serve up to 300 inmates.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Jan. 13, 2021 — Case Information and Vaccine Information

There are 1,563 new cases for today, 9,008 additional tests, and 16 additional deaths 96 year old male, 80 year old female, 91 year old male, 59 year old female, 86 year old male, 83 year old female, 72 year old female, 31 year old male, 86 year old male, 83 year old female, 69 year old female, 82 year old male, 75 year old male, 82 year old male, 87 year old female, and a 102 year old female.

Our thoughts are with the loved ones of each of the people who have passed away and with the medical staff who cared for them. Please help save lives by following the public health guidance.

Ventura County Arts Council — What’s New in 2021

Greetings and Happy New Year! We are happy to share that in December 2020, with support from the California Arts Council, we were able to distribute CARES funds to 17 local arts and culture organizations who represent and serve communities of color disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

This money was allocated from a portion of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) funds initially given to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) who granted a portion of the dollars to the California Arts Council to be distributed by their State and Local Partners. As CAC’s Ventura County SLP, we were able to help the following groups with support for core operations and special projects:
Ballet Folklorico Bell Arts
Ballet Folklorico Cielito Lindo de Simi Valley
Bell Arts Factory
Club Flor Bonita
The CreArtive Freedom Family
Danza Tonantzin
Dr. Manuel M. Lopez Community Garden
Fork Space
Get Loud Movement
Inlakech Cultural Arts Center
Our Town. Our Children.
Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation
Redbird
Spectrum Collaborative
The Showtime Project
Teatro De Las America
Ventura County Chinese American Association