Author: Community Contributor

The Ventura County Class of 2021 Impresses and Inspires Amid Pandemic Challenges

by Community Contributor • June 7, 2021 • Comments Off

After an entire school year in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic, we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Last year’s drive-through graduation events are being replaced with in-person ceremonies – some of them even held indoors.

Like the class of 2020 before them, high school students in the graduating class of 2021 have shown incredible resilience and perseverance throughout the pandemic. They’ve adapted to distance learning and social distancing and the strange realities of returning to school during a global health emergency.

Oxnard College Raises Pride Flag Above Campus to Honor Pride Month

by Community Contributor • June 7, 2021 • Comments Off

In honor of Pride Month, Oxnard College became Ventura County’s first higher-education institution to raise the LGBTQ+ Progress Pride flag over its campus. The flag-raising ceremony took place on June 1 and was in collaboration with the Diversity Collective, Ventura County’s LGBTQ Oxnard chapter. The flag will fly through June.

“If America stands for anything, it stands for the ideal of liberty and justice for all,” shared Luis Sanchez, president of Oxnard College. “Oxnard College welcomes students from all backgrounds and identities, and we proudly raise the Pride flag above our campus as a symbol of our commitment to equality for all human beings and a celebration of our LGBTQ+ community.”

Bilingual report — El Concilio Family Services — Youth ages 12 and up can now get vaccinated against COVID-19

by Community Contributor • June 7, 2021 • Comments Off

Youth ages 12 and up can now get vaccinated against COVID-19

Tom Fisher Announced as New President of Montecito Rotary Club

by Community Contributor • June 7, 2021 • Comments Off

Tom Fisher has been named the new president of the Rotary Club of Montecito.

Fisher and his wife, Lora, are both long-time Rotarians and transferred to the Rotary Club of Montecito after relocating to Santa Barbara three years ago. He will begin his new role as president on July 1, 2021.

LifeLine Medical Transport in Ventura now part of Global Medical Response

by Community Contributor • June 7, 2021 • Comments Off

Gold Coast Ambulance, a Global Medical Response (GMR) ground medical transport company, announced that it has finalized its purchase agreement with LifeLine Medical Transport in Ventura, California, on May 31.

COVID Casts Stark Light on Structural Inequalities in California

by Community Contributor • June 4, 2021 • Comments Off

… “If everyone had had the same opportunities to shelter at home, use personal protective equipment, get tested, and see a doctor at the first possible symptoms, there would have been very little difference between the state’s R/E groups,” said David E. Hayes-Bautista, Distinguished Professor of Medicine with the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Director of CESLAC.

The Latino death rate, for example, went from merely twice as high as the NHW death rate in May 2020, to nearly six times as high by April 2021. With some minor variations, all other non-white R/E groups showed similar, growing disparities, resulting in higher and higher death rates.

Bilingual commentary — Walking on Water, Walking Into Walls

by Community Contributor • June 4, 2021 • Comments Off

People in our lives who can “do no wrong,” such as doctors, teachers, religious leaders—and, yes, even some lawyers and politicians—are said to “walk on water.” This is in reference to the biblical story about the time that the disciples of Jesus were crossing the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was not with them. The water was turbulent, and they feared for their lives. According to the narration, they suddenly saw Jesus walking toward them on the water. One of the disciples, Peter, armed with the faith that moves mountains, got out of the boat and likewise started walking on the water toward Jesus. That is, until his faith wavered, at which point he began sinking like a rock, just as any of the rest of us would.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for June 3, 2021

by Community Contributor • June 3, 2021 • Comments Off

Gabriel Ramirez served as a Disaster Service Worker and is now returning entirely to his duties at the Public Works Agency as an Engineering Tech, where he focuses on research and development in the areas of geographic Information systems, computer programming, remote sensing, and video development.

He has been an important part of COVID-19 response including supervising a testing site at the start of the pandemic. As a videographer, Gabriel has also been helping to share important messages with our diverse community in Ventura County. He is pictured above filming Euclides del Moral, head of the Mexican Consulate in Oxnard, encouraging the community to get vaccinated.

We thank County Disaster Service Workers, like Gabriel, who have helped us get through the pandemic. We are so grateful for their service to our community.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura reports COVID spending plan totals $373 million in support

by Community Contributor • June 3, 2021 • Comments Off

“The pandemic impacted just about every part of our community and economy,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers. “We budgeted and allocated funds in order to address multiple community health, social and economic impacts as well as basic needs.” The County’s COVID-19 Spending Plan encompasses costs incurred by the County from March 2020 through June 30, 2021. The plan is comprised of actual costs to-date and estimated costs through the end of June 2021 reported out now as the County reaches the end of the fiscal year.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Play Time’ and more news

by Community Contributor • June 3, 2021 • Comments Off

The Department of Theater and Dance teams with Isla Vista Arts to present the 17th-century play “Life Is a Dream” in a 21st-century Zoom performance.

‘A Taste of Camarillo’ is Happening on July 25

by Community Contributor • June 3, 2021 • Comments Off

The Meadowlark Service League is hosting “A Taste of Camarillo” this year on Sunday, July 25, from Noon -4pm, at the historic Camarillo Ranch, and spaces are already filling up for the region’s longest running wine, food, and brew festival. Due to reduced planning time with COVID, this year’s event will be a smaller, and more intimate event than in past years, so get your tickets while they last.

Community Market at Oxnard College to Reopen June 6

by Community Contributor • June 2, 2021 • Comments Off

The Community Market at Oxnard College, which operates every Sunday on the Oxnard College campus, will reopen June 6. Shopping hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with 150 vendors selling merchandise and produce; food trucks are also onsite.

The Community Market is located on the Oxnard College campus, 4000 South Rose Ave., Oxnard.

People’s Self-Help Housing — Introducing Building Together | PSHH’s 2021 Annual Appeal

by Community Contributor • June 2, 2021 • Comments Off

Home is where it all begins. Health, well-being, and career success all stem from having a safe and supportive place to thrive. Every day at PSHH we are building so much more than housing, but we can’t do it without you. Join us in building vibrant communities, independence & resilience, and successful futures. Let’s all ‘Build Together’!