Author: Community Contributor

Ten Local Business Owners Receive the 2021 Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award, presented by Women’s Economic Ventures

On Friday, May 21, Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) announced the 10 winners of the 2021 Spirit of Entrepreneurship (SOE) Awards at a virtual event celebrating outstanding women business owners from Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Learn more at Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards.

“The SOE Awards are a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and honor these amazing women for the hard work they have put in to keep their businesses thriving. This year’s winners are even more inspirational when you factor in the challenges presented throughout the past year,” said Kathy Odell, CEO of WEV.

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Meet our 2021 Emerging Leaders in the Arts Fellows!

We are thrilled to introduce to you the 
2021 Emerging Leaders in the Arts (ELA) fellows! 

This nine-month-long experience-based fellowship provides professional development training to undergraduate students who identify as people of color. With a long-term goal of diversifying art museum leadership, this fellowship includes: 

Village Properties hosting free kids’ chalk box “drive through” May 29, for I Madonnari street art festival

Families with children interested in creating their own street art for the I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival are invited to pick up free boxes of chalk this Saturday at a “drive through” event sponsored by Village Properties Realtors.

Village Properties staff members and members of the Children’s Creative Project arts education organization will hand out 1,000 boxes of children’s chalk between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 29. The event will take place at Village Properties’ Santa Barbara office parking lot (1436 State Street, off Micheltorena Street).

Ventura County Community Development Corp. — Our latest homeownership success story is in! YOU could be next on June 26

Meet our newest homeowners, Mario and Alyssa! They’ve just closed on their home in Ventura thanks to $57,000 in down payment assistance. When we first spoke to Mario and Alyssa, they were under the impression that homebuying programs were too good to be true. Well, their doubts turned into hope fast after speaking to Alex and the lending team at VCCDC.

Santa Paula Art Museum — We’d Love To See You!

Closing Reception: Anette Power’s Silver Linings: Journey of Light

Saturday, May 22, 2021, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

The sun is setting on artist Anette Power’s solo show Silver Linings: Journey of Light here at the Santa Paula Art Museum. The exhibit is full of color, meaning and happiness, and we recommend seeing it with the artist in tow during the closing reception on Saturday, May 22. Reservations are required and are available at 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. (space is limited).

And don’t forget that Anette will raffle off one of her gorgeous paintings (pictured below) on May 30 with all proceeds benefitting the Museum’s educational programs! Silver Linings: Journey of Light closes Sunday, May 30.

RSVP TO THE RECEPTION

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

COVID-19 vaccines are now available by walk-in! No appointment is required. There are locations offered throughout the County. Vaccine eligibility is now open to everyone 12 and older. You can also make an appointment at myturn.ca.gov or 833-422-4255.

There are various regular and mobile clinics offered throughout the County. The most updated information about vaccine sites and clinics can be found at: https://www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/.

For information about COVID-19 testing, visit: https://www.venturacountyrecovers.org/coronavirus-testing/

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Beyond the Blueprint for Industry & Business Sectors

California (on May 21) announced the details of the state’s full reopening plan. When California fully reopens the economy, the state will move beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. 

Beginning June 15, 2021, businesses will be able to return to usual operations with limited exceptions for mega events. The updated framework clarifies that physical distancing and capacity limitations will no longer be required for most businesses. 

Review California’s reopening plan and guidance effective June 15, 2021 for all sectors listed in the current Blueprint Activities and Business Tiers Chart:

CLICK HERE FOR GUIDANCE EFFECTIVE JUNE 15, 2021

Note: Employers are subject to the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS), if applicable to them.

Bernardo M. Perez Elected to Statewide Community College Board

Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) Trustee Bernardo M. Perez has been elected to the 2021 California Community College Trustee (CCCT) Board. The 22-member board (including a student trustee) plays a vital role within the Community College League of California, providing leadership and guidance to secure a strong voice for locally elected governing board members.

Perez will serve a three-year term on the CCCT board, where he will help formulate educational policy issues coming before the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, State Legislature and other state-level boards and commissions.

New location: Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. Karen R. Burnham Health Center

Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. is excited to expand the reach of our healthcare services, deepen our community connections and honor one of our longest-serving board members with the completion of the Karen R. Burnham Health Center, scheduled to open to the public on May 24, 2021 at 1100 West Gonzales Road in  Oxnard.

The Karen R. Burnham Health Center is a state-of-the-art facility that will enable Clinicas to keep pace with the growing needs of the Oxnard community. The clinic’s layout is designed to support cohesive, convenient, and streamlined health care delivery to its patients – including primary care, dental, optical, behavioral health, and X-ray services – in a central, easily accessible location. A full range of comprehensive services are brought together under one roof so patients can save time in addressing a variety of health care needs in one location. The new facility includes 30 primary care exam rooms; 4 behavioral health exam rooms; 10 dental exam rooms; 3 optical exam rooms; 4 chiropractic exam rooms; as well as space to provide telehealth treatment.

Registration now open for MERITO Marine Science 2021 Summer Beach Camp June 28 through July 23

Registration is now open for the MERITO Marine Science Summer 2021 Beach Camp to be held Monday, Wednesday and Friday (3days/week) from 9 a/,/tp 1 p.m. weekly from June 28 through July 23.

Open to youth ages 8 to 12.

Visit meritofoundation.org/afterschoolbeachcamp to register online.

This is a fully outdoor program that will take place at Buenaventura State Beach by the Kalorama Wetland, south of the Ventura pier. Registration cost is only $200 per week, $150 for the week of July 7-9 only Wednesday and Friday.

Oxnard Biologist and Writer will receive a special tribute in VI International Children’s and Youth Reading Fair in Central America

In honor of his philanthropy and support for education, René Corado will receive a special tribute in the VI Feria Internacional de la Lectura Infantil y Juvenil de Centroamérica.

“This show us that dreams came come true if you work for them,” said Corado, a biologist and writer who was born in Guatemala and has lived in the United States since 1981 and in Oxnard since 2001.

Corado is the Collections Manager of the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology in Camarillo, the museum with the largest collection of eggs and nests of birds of the world, with more than one million eggs and more than twenty thousand nests.

Bilingual commentary — Is the Pandemic Our New “Sputnik Challenge”?

As young as I was in the latter part of the 1950s, I was acutely aware of the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union. I recall that we were hell-bent on “beating those Communists.” Except that we didn’t. Twice.

Both the United States and the Soviet Union were planning to launch the world’s first satellite. Whoever accomplished this would be recognized as the world’s technological leader. The Soviets beat us to the punch in 1957 when they launched into orbit their Sputnik I satellite. In comparison with modern satellites, it was nothing sophisticated. But its impact on the American psyche was profound.

VCCCD Names Cynthia Herrera Vice Chancellor of Institutional Effectiveness

The Ventura Community College District (VCCCD) is pleased to announce that Dr. Cynthia Herrera has been appointed to the position of Vice Chancellor of Institutional Effectiveness. Herrera joined the District in 2009 and most recently served as the Associate Vice Chancellor of Strategic Partnerships, Enrollment and Advancement.

With a strong background in business and educational leadership, Herrera will be responsible for providing Districtwide coordination and leadership to support diversity, equity and inclusion; strategic planning and accreditation preparation; districtwide economic and workforce development; as well as expanding business and industry partnerships and enhancing student success and completion initiatives for VCCCD’s approximately 31,000 students.

Community Environmental Council Expands Climate Work with New Staff

The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is pleased to announce the addition of several new staff members whose diverse backgrounds are expanding our organization’s ability to meet the demands of the climate crisis. This builds on a trend of growth for CEC that continued in 2020 and through this year, despite the pandemic.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — June 7 Digital Marketing Course deadline is May 31

In partnership with the Economic Vitality Corporation, SLO Partners and the Morgan Family Foundation, the Economic Development Collaborative is proud to support this 10-week digital marketing course that provides a unique hands-on learning experience to enhance your marketing skills in the new digital era. This course has been subsidized by the partners to help promote access and remove obstacles for those looking to improve their marketing skills in an affordable digital classroom setting.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Aviation Unit announces addition of ‘Firehawk’ helicopters

The Ventura County Aviation Unit, a joint operation of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the Ventura County Fire Department, announce the arrival of its two new “Firehawk” helicopters today, just in time for fire season.

The helicopters are former military Blackhawk helicopters that were converted for public safety use. They are equipped with a 1,000-gallon belly tank to drop water on fires, a rescue hoist, and night vision technology.

“These new Firehawks are an important addition to the Aviation Unit’s fleet,” Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen said. “They can carry almost three times as much water as our Vietnam-era ‘Huey’ helicopters, which significantly enhances our ability to fight wildfires and keep them small.”

Museum of Ventura County — Gardens Reopening June 1st + FREE Admission + Journal of Ventura County

We are excited to announce that beginning Thursday, June 3, 2021, the museum’s gardens and outdoor areas at both the Museum of Ventura (100 E. Main St., Ventura) and the Agriculture Museum (926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula) will be open to the public! Both museums will operate Thursdays thru Sundays from 11am—5pm.

We invite you to come visit the refreshed and improved gardens, participate in family activities, and see the new art installations.

PLUS: Admission will be FREE to everyone, throughout 2021!

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 20, 2021

We are so grateful for the highly skilled teams working at County vaccination sites who are helping us get one step closer to normal. Staff from the Ventura County Emergency Medical Services Agency (EMS) are working alongside our nurses and administrative teams to deliver vaccines to our community. Thank you to Frank Gomez, Kaden Gibson, Victor Hernandez from EMS (as pictured left to right).

The Collection at RiverPark hosts weekly Farmers Market

Beginning on June 19, The Collection at RiverPark will be hosting a Farmers Market every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in partnership with Raw Inspiration. Presented by Community Memorial Health System, the Farmers Market will be located on Collection Boulevard across from The Annex Food Hall.

On opening day, June 19, The Collection will kick off the Farmers Market with fun festivities for all ages. There will be live music, arts and crafts, photo opportunities, and more for the whole family to enjoy. From opening day forward, the weekly Farmers Market will offer visitors a chance to stroll in the sunshine as they shop for fresh, local, farm-to-table food.

“We can’t wait to welcome the community to this new Farmers Market,” said the shopping center’s Marketing Manager, Jill Almonia. “Here in Oxnard, we are fortunate to have a strong agricultural community and beautiful farmland right in our own backyard. This is a great opportunity to get outside this summer, support local farmers and merchants, and find some of the most delicious produce.”

Bilingual report — City of Oxnard and County of Ventura Unanimously Approve Channel Islands Harbor Cooperation Agreement

The Oxnard City Council and the County Board of Supervisors have both unanimously approved a cooperation agreement for major improvements in the Channel Islands Harbor.

“We have finally built a bridge for cooperation. This is really a ‘Hands Across the Channel Islands Harbor’ agreement, and together we can make improvements for the benefit of the residents of the City and the County,” said Mayor John C. Zaragoza.

District 1 Councilmember Bert Perello said, “Thanks to not only City and County staff, but to all the residents who participated fully throughout the years to ensure a fair and equitable resolution. This also sets the stage for us to pursue a ‘One Harbor’ initiative for the sake of water quality.”

Bilingual report — During EMS Week, AMR reflects on COVID-19 response

After a long year of hardships caused by COVID-19, Ventura County is finally starting to gain the upper hand in the pandemic. And during EMS Week, American Medical Response (AMR), America’s leading provider of ground medical transportation services, is thanking its team for all they did to help keep the community safe and healthy.

Since May 2020, AMR and its subsidiary, Gold Coast Ambulance, have contributed more than 36,300 hours to transporting COVID-19 patients, assisting with COVID-19 testing and helping provide vaccinations. During this time, AMR administered a total of 594,064 COVID-19 tests. In addition, as a whole, Ventura County has administered more than 766,480 vaccines — an accomplishment AMR’s support helped to make possible.

OC LIVE Online — WEspeak Stories of Resilience

This year we feature three dynamic OC graduating students – Karla Ramirez, Freddy Cardenas, and Associated Student Government President Lorena Ortiz – who share their stories of resilience and fortitude in achieving their educational goals during this toughest year. These inspiring OC grads help us see how we can adopt the same hope and commitment in our lives!

WEspeak is guided and directed by OC English Professor Jose Maldonado and OC ASL Professor Emily Zwaal. This episode was filmed live on campus April 29, 2021!

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network — Join us for Member Happy Hour on Thursday and Food System Financing on Friday

Join us on Thursday, May 20 at 4:30 p.m. for our first SBCFAN Membership Gathering – bring your favorite beverage, connect with other food system actors, learn more about the Network, and sharpen your food system knowledge.

This is a members only event; if you’re not yet a member, become one today or we’ll send you a link to join before the event. Membership is free through 2021!

Assemblymember Irwin Bill to Fight Honey Laundering

A bill authored by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and sponsored by the California Beekeepers Association would provide the first updates to honey labeling in California since 1978.

Assembly Bill (AB) 519 would clarify country of origin labeling (COOL) for honey distributed in California. Honey country of origin labels would need to match the same font and size of the USDA Grade and be placed on the same panel as the grade statement.

“Californians deserve to know where their honey is coming from and what they may be ingesting,” said Assemblymember Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks). “Ignorance stings and not knowing where your honey is coming from could pose a real threat to one’s health.”

CSUCI Environmental Science & Resource Management faculty receive almost $400,000 to study beach access inequities

The beach belongs to everyone. But sea level rise caused by climate change means certain populations may be less and less able to access this natural resource.  

Two Environmental Science & Resource Management (ESRM) faculty members from CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) will study the problem after receiving $396,060 for a project called “Sustaining Beaches and Social Equity under Higher Sea Levels: An interdisciplinary case study of the Santa Barbara Littoral Cell.” 

Assistant Professors of ESRM Kiki Patsch, Ph.D. and Dan Reineman, Ph.D. are leading the research team, which is creating job opportunities for CSUCI students—13 of whom will be hired over the summer. 

$10 Million in Federal Funding to Improve Roadways and Crosswalks throughout Ventura County

Ventura County Public Works Agency announced the acceptance of $10 million in federal funding to cater to four Highway Safety Improvement Program projects in various areas of the county. These important projects seek to improve roadways and crosswalks that will contribute to overall community safety on local roadways.

The program is a core federal-aid program managed by each state for the purpose of achieving a significant reduction in fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads through the implementation of infrastructure-related highway safety improvements. The current program is authorized under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act signed into law December 4, 2015.

Ventura, Santa Barbara and SLO Workforce Development Boards Offer Free 12-Week Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program

The Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) of Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties are partnering with the California Building Trades Council to offer the region’s first construction pre-apprenticeship training program. The WDBs are encouraging those interested in a career in construction to apply to this free 12-week course.

During the 120 hours of Multi-Craft Core Curriculum pre-apprenticeship program, participants will receive a construction industry overview and take classes in blueprint reading, basic construction math, tools and materials, and construction health and safety. Students will learn about clean and green construction–considered an emerging in-demand skill. Instruction follows the training curriculum of North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU).

Local Grants Expand Vaccination Outreach Strategies

United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) announced funding for 13 nonprofit organizations to support vaccination equity strategies across Santa Barbara County. The grants are in response to the national and local trend that shows certain demographic groups are getting vaccinated at lower-rates and that many of these same people have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 18, 2021

A Message from Betsy Swanson Hollinger about her experience as a County Disaster Service Worker. Betsy is pictured (bottom right) with the team at our vaccine site in Thousand Oaks at the Goebel Adult Center.

Message from Betsy:

I wanted to share a brief summary of being a Ventura County Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as you may not have had the opportunity to hear from the details on the front lines of our vaccination clinics. I will speak on behalf of the clinic I was asked to manage with Suzy Watkins. It is the Thousand Oaks Goebel Center clinic.

My summary of the experience is that most of our DSW’s (me included) had been teleworking for almost year prior to deployment. The isolation and all the uncertainty COVID created in our lives was strange and hard for everyone. Coming to work at the clinic, although rough at the beginning since we had not interacted that socially with others, was a weird transition and somewhat overwhelming. We all had so little in-person all day interaction for the 10 months prior. None of us knew anything about working in a clinic either, so we all had some mild anxiety starting out. Needing to interact with hundreds of members of our community each day and also with each other demanded a different store of energy and skill from each of us. Since the get go, we were incredibly aligned with the mission of getting our community vaccinated, our purpose was very clear and has been powerful. For the team, we needed to learn who each of us is, what makes us tick, and how can we become a team with such an interdisciplinary group of county DSW’s and travel nurses from all over our country.

May News from People’s Self-Help Housing

Our exciting partnership with the Templeton Unified School District, now sees students with access to free, afterschool support at Templeton Middle School.  Our continued thanks to must! Charities for bringing this much-need program and Camino Scholars on campus!

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 RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION FUND / FONDO DE REVITALIZACIÓN DE RESTAURANTES
This event will be held simultaneously in English and Spanish
El evento se presentará simultáneamente en inglés y español

May 20 @ 11:00 am

Bilingual report — National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day 2021

In honor of National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day, the Board of Supervisors and County of Ventura recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement.

This week is a time to honor our law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our communities and communities throughout our nation.

Maria McCall Joins Family Service Agency Board of Directors

Family Service Agency (FSA) of Santa Barbara County, also known as Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center and Guadalupe’s Little House By The Park, is pleased to announce the appointment of Montecito Bank & Trust Vice President/MClub Director, Maria McCall, to its Board of Directors.

“We’re excited to add Maria McCall to our Board of Trustees,” said Lisa Brabo, FSA Executive Director.  ‘She brings extensive community engagement and leadership experience to our board.”

SBCC — The Bridge — Congratulations, Class of 2021. You did it!

Perseverance. Resilience. These are just two of the qualities demonstrated by the Class of 2021 during a year of unprecedented challenges. Watch the video applauding their accomplishments.

Nearly 1600 students participated in the virtual commencement ceremony held on May 7. Over 4,300 degrees and certificates were awarded, 608 students graduated with honors and 20 graduates are veterans.
Click here to watch the recorded ceremony.

Ventura County Civic Alliance — Livable Communities Newsletter

1. Economy: There is strong business case for racial equity that is independent of the human to human considerations that we all have felt. Would you believe that ensuring that people of color across the country have equitable wages will lead to an additional $1 trillion in earnings (a 15% gain), an additional $800 billion in spending, and an increase of $450 billion in federal taxes collected? Equity is great for business!

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Urban Tech Conference — ‘Forward 2021’ May 18-20

Urban Tech Connect is a platform for under-represented communities to plug-in to the greater technology ecosystem and network with other founders, investors, tech influencers, and industry leaders. The conference also gives access to businesses that are raising significant funding or trying to be successfully acquired. Urban Tech Connect is bridging the gap of diverse ideation in technology while empowering the next generation of founders and entrepreneurs.

Ventura County Community Development Corp. — Registration NOW OPEN! for Home Ownership Conference

Does up to $100,000 in down payment assistance sound too good to be true? You could be the next family to benefit from our incredible programs and resources. Find out more at our Homeownership Conference where we have a magnificent line up of breakout sessions for you to chose from! Topics range from boosting your credit score, down payment assistance programs, rental relief help and more! Attend our sessions and join the Session Q& A after.

Santa Paula Art Museum — This May Just Be Your Silver Lining

Win a Painting from Anette Power’s Silver Linings: Journey of Light

Exhibit closes May 30, 2021. Raffle tickets on sale now.

As Anette Power’s solo exhibition Silver Linings heads into its final two weeks, the artist wants everyone to have a chance at finding their own silver lining. The artist will raffle off her painting Island Fika (pictured above) to one lucky winner on May 30! All proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Santa Paula Art Museum’s education program. Purchase one raffle ticket for $35; three tickets for $60; or six tickets for $175 (you do not have to be present to win). More importantly, come and see Anette’s light-filled exhibit before it closes Sunday, May 30!

County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 14, 2021

There are 32 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 4,423 new tests performed. There have been 3 additional deaths of a 45 year old male, 75 year old female, and an 87 year old female. Our thoughts and sincere condolences to the family and friends of those that have passed away.

The current R-effective (average number of people each infected person will pass the virus onto and represents the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading) is .91 which means that spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing; R-effective for CA is .86 right now.

COVID-19 vaccines are now available by walk-in! No appointment is required. There are locations offered throughout the County. Vaccine eligibility is now open to everyone 16 and older. You can also make an appointment at myturn.ca.gov or 833-422-4255. The full schedule of county clinics and mobile events can be found at: https://www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information-sp/

Women’s Economic Ventures’ SOE Foundation to present Lupe Anguiano of Oxnard with 2021 Rock Star Award on May 21

Women’s Economic Ventures’ Spirit of Entrepreneurship (SOE) foundation will present Lupe Anguiano of Oxnard with the 2021 Rock Star Award, to be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 21.

Register here for the virtual event.

Anguiano, 92, is the daughter of Oxnard fieldworkers, who has worked as an entrepreneur and an activist for more than seven decades to improve the social, educational, economic, and environmental conditions of women and the poor. Her many achievements include organizing grape boycotts for Cesar Chavez, developing a program for gang members in East LA, founding a powerful women’s political group with Gloria Steinem, and helping welfare mothers find a better life.

Oxnard filmmaker debuts documentary on Teen Latina Mental Health on June 3

OPAC, the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation, is pleased to announce the culmination of The Esperanza Project, a year-long programming series addressing Teen Latina Mental Health, with the premiere of the Esperanza Documentary on Thursday, June 3 from 6:30-8:30 pm on Zoom. The series was curated by OPAC’s Artist-in-Residence, Oxnard filmmaker Arcelia Martinez, in an effort to raise awareness about the disproportionately high rates of suicide amongst young Latinas compared to their peers and create space to tackle the stigmas surrounding mental health in the Latinx community. 

Bilingual commentary — To College or Not to College?

As I was coming of age in the 1960s, the United States economy was galloping along after the end of World War II and still heading for its peak. By then, we had established ourselves as the wealthiest and most powerful country in the world. 

In the 1950s and ‘60s, college was the indisputable ticket to the middle class, which at the time was an indicator of affluence. Young people were acquiring college educations to graduate and fuel the engines of prosperity. Single-income families were the norm. Except for the scourge of racial discrimination, it was by some measures almost an idyllic society compared to today’s problem-ridden existence for far too many Americans.

But now, even some wealthier families are questioning the intrinsic, assumed value of a college education.

County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 13

We met Julio from Fillmore and Trini from Oxnard at the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at the Ventura County Medical Center where Julio was receiving cancer treatment. They encouraged our community to get vaccinated to “bring the world back to normalcy and make sure we’re all protected.” It was important to them especially because many kids and teens like Julio who have low immune systems are more protected when we are all vaccinated for COVID-19. Thank you, Julio and Trini for sharing your story.

Bilingual report — Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available for Youth Aged 12-15

Young people ages 12 through 15 are now eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in the County of Ventura and throughout the state of California. All county run sites that are offering Pfizer are now open to vaccinate children 12-17; minors should be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult, and present a photo ID and verification of age.

This expanded eligibility comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) vaccine safety review panel and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recommended on Wednesday that the vaccine is safe and effective in protecting this age group against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. On May 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the Pfizer vaccine’s Emergency Use Authorization to allow administration for 12- to 15-year-olds, following clinical trials that proved it safe for this age group with only non-serious side effects like fatigue and headache.

Parker Hannifin grant expands internship program for CSUCI Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biology students

A $144,975 grant from the Parker Hannifin Corporation will enable the expansion of their CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) internship program, which has students involved in a number of projects that will develop their skills in scientific analysis. 

“All have had the opportunity to work closely with our Lab Team to learn a variety of skills in microbiology, analytical chemistry, microscopy, molecular biology, electrochemistry, and many more applications that will most surely serve them in their careers as future scientists,” said Parker Hannifin Engineering Laboratory Supervisor Charlene Gibbert.