Lupe Juarez recently logged 40 years as a Bus Operator for Gold Coast Transit District, the largest public transit operator in Ventura County. She is also part of the prestigious Two Million Mile Club, as determined by the National Safety Council. This designation recognizes operators who have driven 50,000 hours of drive time without a preventable accident.
COVID-19 Testing Available – No cost. No appointment needed.
Weekday Drive-Through Sites – Monday through Friday 10 am to 7 pm
Moopark College, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark
Weekend: Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The site is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Santa Paula, City parking lot corner of E. Main Street and N. Ojai Street, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday 10 am to 7 pm
Walk-In Site – Monday Through Friday 9 am to 6 pm
Ventura County Fairgrounds,10 W. Harbor Blvd in Ventura, Enter Gate 2.
Urgent Care locations require an appointment. Please call 805-652-7660 for an appointment at any of the Urgent Care locations.
By a unanimous vote on October 20, the Board of Supervisors accepted the recommendation of County Executive Officer Mike Powers to appoint Claudia Bautista as the County’s new Chief Public Defender. Bautista will take over the position after the retirement of Public Defender Todd Howeth.
Santa Barbara County Firefighter, Sam Dudley shared emotional stories of tragedy and hope as well as how Hospice of Santa Barbara counseling has helped him after experiencing grief and loss on Wednesday, October 7th during Compassionate Care of Carpinteria (CCC)’s virtual event, “The Light Shines ahead.”
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 Teressa Johnes to its Board of Directors.
In recognition of the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, an online discussion with the producers of the film “Crip Camp” will highlight the fight for equality.
El Departamento de Salud Pública de California comparte unos consejos para celebrar de manera segura el Día de los Muertos.
El COVID-19 continúa representando un riesgo severo para las comunidades y requiere que todos los californianos sigan las precauciones necesarias a la luz de este riesgo continuo.
Algunas de las actividades tradicionales de las fiestas promueven la congregación y la mezcla de varios grupos familiares, lo que aumenta el riesgo de transmitir el COVID-19. Por esta razón, se recomienda que elija una forma alternativa más segura de celebrar el Día de los Muertos. Es importante planificar con anticipación e identificar opciones más seguras.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) two grants that will support the University’s commitment to diversity in their expanding Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) faculty.
CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) President Erika D. Beck, Ph.D. is the lead on a $299,695 grant from the NSF to lessen the systemic factors that create inequities in the academic profession for STEM faculty. The funds are from the NSF ADVANCE Catalyst program, which is designed to support an institutional self-assessment.
In other words, the grant is aimed at studying the hiring and retention process and challenging inequities that create barriers for a diverse STEM faculty.
When the COVID pandemic prompted Santa Barbara City College to transition all classes to remote instruction last Spring, “Evening College” – part of the “Student-Ready: Degree Completion for the Flexible Learner” program – was no exception. In order to accommodate student learning in the online instructional environment, Evening College has been recently re-envisioned as the “College for Working Adults.” Designed for new-to-college working adults and part-time students with few credits, SBCC invites the public to learn more about the College for Working Adults by attending one of four informational sessions via Zoom: Oct. 23 (in English), Oct. 24 (in Spanish), Nov. 20 (in Spanish) and Nov. 21 (in English).
Ventura County Community College District joins California Community Colleges (CCC) and its partners across the state for Undocumented Student Action Week, October 19-23, to advocate and provide support services for undocumented students in California. This year’s action week, while virtual, serves as an opportunity to highlight the challenges undocumented students face in today’s political climate and amid COVID-19. The week serves as a vehicle to advocate to Congress about the financial and moral actions needed to ensure the safety of undocumented students.
The County of Ventura Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a COVID-19 Hospitals Assistance Program for local not-for-profit hospitals, in the amount of $10 million to be funded by the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund, to provide financial support to local hospitals for COVID-19 costs.
Dinosaurs were not yet roaming the earth when an invertebrate known as the sea spider was beginning to evolve in the oceans 500 million years ago.
“They’re still evolving today and they’ve diversified in amazing ways,” said CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Associate Professor of Biology Geoff Dilly, Ph.D. “You can find them in tropic coral reefs or polar waters in the North or South Pole. They are found in every ocean in the deep sea. Some are three feet across and some are fingernail-sized off the Channel Islands.”
Top health professionals on the Central Coast have joined CenCal Health, the local Medi-Cal health plan, in encouraging the public to return to their doctors, clinics and hospitals for vital health care services, especially immunizations, cancer screenings and other preventive care evaluations. A bilingual public awareness campaign began this month to persuade area residents to go back to regular medical care – care that has slowed up to 50% in some service categories since the national health emergency was declared in March. Disruptions occurred in routine preventive and other non-emergency care due to stay-at-home orders to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and public fear of coronavirus contagion.
After being closed for seven months due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Simi Valley Family YMCA fitness center is now open.
During the closure, the YMCA underwent significant renovations. The facility has new locker rooms, a new multipurpose room, new flooring, paint and energy-efficient lighting.
Oxnard College has established a new Cybersecurity Program that provides graduates with a certificate approved by the California Community Colleges’ State Chancellor’s Office. Starting with the spring 2021 semester, the program will train students to help protect computer networks from internal and external attacks and properly respond to security breaches that inevitably occur, paving the way to lucrative and in-demand career options. Eligible full-time students can attend the program tuition-free by utilizing the Oxnard College Promise Program.
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) has launched a series of Financial Education webinars to empower small business owners and increase their financial literacy during COVID-19.
The series focuses on both personal and business finance and each session will offer simple tools and strategies to help participants manage the pandemic’s impact on their finances. The free webinars will be available in both Spanish and English. For information and to register for the upcoming webinars:
BENEFICIAL WASPS RELEASED IN LOS ANGELES, ORANGE, RIVERSIDE AND VENTURA COUNTIES TO HELP FIGHT DEADLY CITRUS TREE DISEASE
California Department of Food and Agriculture is Releasing Thousands of Insects This Week
Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) has announced the addition of Mary Solis to its Board of Directors. Solis recently retired from the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center after 34 years as an oncology social worker and department manager. During her time at the Cancer Center, Mary expanded services to include 12 support groups, case management, financial assistance, and individual & family counseling services.
Prior to working with the Cancer Center, Mary spent 2 years at Catholic Charities as a caseworker. She also developed a wig & hat closet, a lymphedema clinic and worked collaboratively with other community organizations to create a Community Palliative Care Program.
Thank you to all those in the 805 region who have completed their U.S. Census surveys.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this week that the census count officially ended on Oct. 15. …
The high response rate will help the 805 region receive more federal funding for education, roads, health care, public safety and other projects and increase the number of representatives we have in Congress.
Congratulations.
Now, time to register to vote
In this special presentation hosted by Oxnard College Music Professors Scott Wolf and Jorge Herrera, we go behind the scenes to discover the creative passion that drives Mexican music artists Hermanos Herrera. Hermanos Herrera are a unique family group of musicians based right here in Southern California. They play various styles of traditional Mexican music including Son Huasteco, Son Jarocho, and musica Norteña. They perform with an aggressive and energetic style that is both passionate and exhilarating.
In celebration of Días de los Muertos, the Museum of Ventura County invites you and your family to pick-up a Grab ‘n Go Day of the Dead Craft Bag at the Ventura Museum (100 E. Main St., Ventura) on Saturday, October 17, 2020 @ 10AM (while supplies last) and at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula (926 Railroad Ave.) on Sunday, October 18, 2020 @ 12PM (while supplies last).
The MVC and AG Grab ‘n Go Day of the Dead Craft Bags include:
• Día de los Muertos mask-making kit
• Instructions on how to build your own at home altar (English and Spanish)
• Materials and instructions on creating Papel Picado
• Materials and instruction on creating tissue paper marigolds
• Recipe for baking Pan de Muerto
Drive-ups only, please. You will be met curbside by our friendly staff members. Gloves, masks and social distancing practices will be in place.
I have many of my mother’s paintings in my home. She was an artist specializing in portraiture and images depicting religion and Mexican culture (which are hard to separate): the Virgin of Guadalupe, biblical scenes, vaqueros (Mexican cowboys) on the “rancho,” heroic Mexican legendary figures.
My mother never went to art school. In fact, one highly-regarded art school in Los Angeles refused her application for admission when she graduated from high school because they regarded her as “too advanced” for their level of instruction. As a girl and later a teenager, she had learned by watching her father, professional Mexican artist Candelario Rivas, as he painted masterfully in his home studio.
PLEASE SEE:
KVTA — Ventura County Clerk-Recorder Says Make Sure Mail-In Drop Boxes Are The Real Thing
VC Reporter — Unofficial Ballot Drop Boxes Reported • VC Registrar Critizies “Concerted Effort to Deceive Voters”
VC Star — Elections 2020: What we know about unofficial ballot boxes reported in Ventura County
VENTURA — There have been recent reports of groups promoting unofficial ballot drop boxes that are not affiliated with Ventura County Elections. In some instances, they are promoting these ballot drop boxes as “official” or “secure.” The use of unauthorized, non-official ballot drop boxes is prohibited by state law.
Ventura County 2020-21 Secured Property Taxes are due November 1, 2020. Property taxes not paid on or before December 10, 2020 will become delinquent, and property taxes paid after December 10, 2020 will be assessed a late payment penalty fee of 10%. For more information, go to https://www.ventura.org/ttc/. During this challenging time, your patience is appreciated while our COVID-19 environment changes almost daily.
The Ventura County Coalition of Labor, Agriculture and Business (VCCoLAB) and the Ventura County Agricultural Association (VCAA) on Oct. 15 jointly filed a lawsuit against the County of Ventura in response to the adoption of the County’s 2040 General Plan. VCCoLAB and VCAA assert the County did not meet the basic standards demanded by law for both public review and engagement and environmental impact analysis, resulting in a Plan that detrimentally impacts the agricultural industry, local businesses, and vulnerable populations.
The Southeast Ventura County YMCA, with branches in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley and Westlake Village, is seeking items for its Online Holiday Auction taking place November 19 through December 11.
Like many other things in 2020, Halloween will need to be celebrated differently this year to keep people safe. Trick-or-treating is strongly discouraged by the state this year to prevent household mixing amid the pandemic. Alternative activities for Halloween and Día de los Muertos include:
View the list of ballot drop off locations at the following link: https://recorder.countyofventura.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/List-of-Drop-Off-Locations-9182020.pdf
View the list of in person voting locations at the following link:
https://recorder.countyofventura.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IPVL-Insert-FINAL-1.pdf
There was a “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On” at 10:16 a.m. within the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District on Oct. 15.
Nearly 100 hundred District Office staff participated in the “The Great California Shakeout”, a statewide drill to ensure school districts, other organizations and communities know what to do to be safe during an earthquake. Some students joined from home.
In an effort to inform voters, the League of Women Voters, Ventura County conducted candidate forums for local city council, mayoral, state senate and assembly elections as well as the Congressional District 26 election.
The League of Women Voters also conducted discussions of the California Ballot propositions and Ojai School Bond K. You can access the video recordings of these events at the following link:
Dear Friends,
October is one of my favorite months of the year. I love the cooler air, the festive spirit of neighbors decorating for Halloween, and knowing that Thanksgiving is right around the corner. While this fall looks far different than most, our community’s resilience and generosity is stronger than ever.
This October, I’m excited to announce that the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation (VCMRF) has presented a $40,000 challenge grant for our homelessness initiative, which will support our Landlord Engagement Program. The goal of the program is to increase housing stock and utilize existing housing vouchers and subsidies to prevent and, ultimately end, homelessness. We are grateful to the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation for this generous challenge grant and look forward to all those who will join us in helping end homelessness in Ventura County.
The Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation (VCMRF) has presented a $40,000 challenge grant to United Way of Ventura County’s Landlord Engagement Program. The goal of the program is to increase housing stock and utilize existing housing vouchers and housing subsidies provided by local jurisdictions and community partners to prevent and end homelessness.
The grant will provide the activation for a funding mechanism designed to generate permanent supportive housing for chronic homeless individuals through a streamlined, one-stop funding collaborative comprised of public and private funders dedicated to ending homelessness.
Be-spooked, bewitched and bedazzled at Ventura Harbor Village! This popular seaside attraction offers five great ways to celebrate Fall and all things Halloween safely.
Spooky season may look a little different this year, but there is still plenty to get you in the spirit both virtually and in person at Ventura Harbor. Ventura Harbor Village is open Halloween weekend (and every day), so come show off your costume seaside with the little ones or your furry friends (complete with a mask of course)! There will be pop up photo ops to enjoy at your leisure as well. We ask that you keep a safe distance from others and follow seaside safely guidelines.
Below chronicles ways to uncover a safe time by connecting either online or on the waterfront at Ventura Harbor Village this October:
While Ventura County Public Works Agency’s? Engineering Services (VCPWA-ES) may not be familiar to the general public, their work managing capital construction, land development, and county surveying all contribute to many important community additions. Along with building the Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) Hospital Wing, their latest projects include working with the Health Care Foundation of Ventura County to build a Ronald McDonald Family Room at VCMC, a new conference room and computer lab for the Fillmore Library, as well as numerous construction projects for local fire stations and other facilities.
As part of this year’s activities for its 8th Annual Ventura County Farm Day, Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) is hosting a drive-in movie night on Sunday, November 1 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds featuring the award-winning, family-friendly documentary “The Biggest Little Farm.”
The evening includes a question and answer session with John Chester, farmer, cinematographer and co-founder of Moorpark’s Apricot Lane Farms where the documentary was filmed. “The Biggest Little Farm” chronicles the eight-year quest of John and Molly Chester as they trade city living for 200 acres of barren farmland and a dream to harvest in harmony with nature.
Today, is National Emergency Nurse’s Day! We appreciate our dedicated team that serves in the Emergency Rooms at Ventura County Medical Center and Santa Paula Hospitals and those that serve at facilities throughout the County! Thank you!
Weekday Drive-Through Sites – Monday through Friday 10 am to 7 pm
Moopark College, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark
Weekend: Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The site is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Walk-In Site – Monday Through Friday 9 am to 6 pm
Ventura County Fairgrounds,10 W. Harbor Blvd in Ventura, Enter Gate 2.
From the wine country to the desert, exhausted firefighters struggle to contain wildfires blazing across California.
Recently released research by one CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) faculty member shows firefighters might be getting help from some paddle-tailed wildlife living in streams, ponds and marshland across California. According to research done by Assistant Professor of Environmental Science & Resource Management (ESRM) Emily Fairfax, Ph.D., beavers might be nature’s fire prevention specialists.
“My research was the first to show that if you have beaver damming in a creek, the area around the beaver dam is going to stay pretty green and not burn,” Fairfax said. “They are creating fire-resistant patches in the landscape.”
The Santa Barbara County Food Action Network (SBCFAN) announces its call for proposals for the 2020 Food System Resilience Grants. The grants are given to support the achievement of Food Action Plan goals by contributing to the broader food systems of Santa Barbara County. SBCFAN will be awarding the grants in partnership with the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. Funding for this program is made possible by a grant from the Santa Barbara Foundation.
We are delighted to reopen our doors to the public starting Thursday, October 22, 2020, and invite you to experience our current exhibition Genevieve Gaignard, Outside Looking In. This exhibition has been patiently waiting for your return, and we are excited to share the experience with you.
For the tenth consecutive year, the Oxnard Harbor District, which owns the Port of Hueneme, is being recognized for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). The award highlights the Port’s FY2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) which was strenuously reviewed by professional financial statement preparers, independent auditors, academics, and other finance professionals.
The SMJUHSD Multilingual and Migrant Education Program (MMEP) in partnership with the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) and AT&T held a drive-through event to distribute 10 tablets and cases at the Lincoln Center on October 9.
The MMEP and Mixtecto translators will offer parents additional computer/tablet assistance this week. The training, which will be done by phone, includes how to set up the device, email and apps, according to Maribel Vargas-Meza, MMEP Administrative Assistant.
3C-REN, the Tri-County Regional Energy Network – a partnership to transform building efficiency to develop economic and environmental resilience in the region – is offering a range of programs during October in recognition of National Energy Awareness Month. 3C-REN’s ongoing, year-round programming offers residents and professionals in the building industry opportunities to learn about and adopt energy efficiency practices that save money, reduce energy use, and protect the environment.
The Carsey-Wolf Center presents “Subversives,” a film series with moderated discussions over Zoom.
Welcome to the Santa Barbara County Food Action Network’s first newsletter! We appreciate your time and attention in a year filled with new information coming at you by the minute. Rest assured the content will be relevant, inclusive, informative, and valuable to both you as an individual and our community Countywide. The quarterly newsletter will include: a feature on recent collaborative activation of Food Action Plan goals; a community profile in Santa Barbara County that is building food system resilience; upcoming events and funding opportunities; ways to take action.
In addition to stepping into the role of president of the board at The Foundation at Hearst Castle in January, longtime Hearst Castle benefactor Abe Marquez is a champion of a unique education program at W.R. Hearst’s former San Simeon estate. Now virtual, but no less impactful, the “STEAM Program at the Castle” aims to inspire and empower middle school students from underserved communities across California — including small agricultural communities like Gonzales, where Marquez was raised and still calls home.
During this challenging time of COVID 19, Livingston Memorial’s Grief and Bereavement Program is committed to providing bereavement services to the community. Our highly skilled grief counselors and volunteer support group facilitators are providing tele-therapy to those grieving the death of a loved one. We have just added two teenage grief support groups via Zoom for any teen grieving the death of a loved one. For teens ages 12-14 years of age: Wednesdays 3:00 to 4:00 pm. For teens ages 15-18 years of age: Mondays 4:30 to 5:30 pm.
Calling all Santa Barbara County performers, writers, musicians, poets, dancers, and artists! On the Verge is looking for local creators to contribute to our exploration of Santa Barbara’s history. We’re seeking pieces that dive into your personal relationship with Santa Barbara, and what it means to be a part of this community. Latinx and Indigenous creators are especially encouraged to participate!
