Author: Community Contributor

A Guide to Flourishing Financially and Emotionally During Chaotic Times

by Community Contributor • August 25, 2020 • Comments Off

If your relationship to money has become shaken in these unprecedented times, revive your prosperity pulse with “C.P.R., Core Prosperity Relief,” an inspirational transformative audio class offered in 15-minute day doses delivered direct to you September 1 through 30th.

Hosted by Dr. James Mellon, a sought-after teacher, author and inspirational leader in the field of personal growth, the program has helped thousands of people break free from the limiting beliefs that have kept them from recognizing their wealth with purpose.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Beyond Your Bubble’

by Community Contributor • August 25, 2020 • Comments Off

Scholar Tania Israel’s new book offers a bridge to connect across the political divide.

SBCC Math Tutorial Lab recognized as finalist for Examples in Excelencia

by Community Contributor • August 25, 2020 • Comments Off

On August 20, Excelencia in Education — an organization that works to accelerate Latino student success in higher education — announced that SBCC’s Math Tutorial Lab has been named a finalist for the 2020 Examples of Excelencia. Of this year’s 112 national submissions from 24 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., the SBCC program was one of six at the community college level recognized for its leadership in effectively serving Latino students.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Aug. 24 — COVID-19 Testing Available – No cost. No appointment needed

by Community Contributor • August 24, 2020 • Comments Off

Surgeon General Jerome Adams shares an important message for Americans: To slow the spread of coronavirus, each of us must continue to take personal responsibility to protect ourselves and our loved ones. By doing just a few simple things, we can make a big difference.

As Labor Day approaches, in a couple of weeks, please don’t make plans to gather with others. BBQ’s and parties are a usual tradition on holiday weekends but it’s important that we fight COVID together by not gathering.

These steps are challenging and inconvenient but they can make a big difference in bringing down our numbers and saving lives.Please only gather with members of your household. Please wear masks in public places and practice social distancing.
Together we can fight COVID-19.

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s Gold Ribbon Campaign Raises Awareness for Pediatric Cancer Throughout September

by Community Contributor • August 24, 2020 • Comments Off

… During this challenging time, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) has been providing even more services for families, including money for rent assistance, grocery gift cards, additional emotional support groups with licensed therapists, virtual and in-person tutoring, meal and care package delivery, and virtual family fun events to keep their kids engaged. Community support has made it possible for TBCF to provide additional financial assistance to 31 local families who have been severely affected by the pandemic.

EDC Free Weekly Webinar Schedule

by Community Contributor • August 24, 2020 • Comments Off

The Economic Development Collaborative is proud to offer the following webinars at no-cost. Space is limited.
Register today!

Friendship Center — Fiesta Take Care Totes Have Arrived!

by Community Contributor • August 24, 2020 • Comments Off

Here’s some more great feedback from our
members about the totes:

“Last Wednesday when we returned from the Dr. visit, the Take Care Tote from Friendship Center was awaiting us on the front porch. Inside was a delightful heart scarf ? with tassels, a Fiesta Mexican fan with lace, and a small bag with Fiesta decorations to decorate for Fiesta (including fun maracas)! Thank you for the lovely Fiesta Spirit, and all of those special treats in our totes! The snacks and drinks that are included in every tote are just terrific!”

?Love, Joe & Judith Ewing

Bilingual report — CEC Launches Program to Continue Responding to Frontline Community Needs During COVID-19

by Community Contributor • August 21, 2020 • Comments Off

Community Environmental Council announces Community Ambassador Resilience and Equity Response (CARER), a new pilot program aimed to foster community resilience and support climate justice efforts by responding to immediate needs of frontline communities during the pandemic.

CARER’s primary goal is to provide critical outreach to frontline community members, sharing resources and information related to COVID-19 public health, food access, and tenant rights. One way they are doing this is by conducting direct bilingual outreach to frontline community members and convening online or phone-based house meetings.

Guest commentary — Visions for America

by Community Contributor • August 21, 2020 • Comments Off

We all need to be prepared for a vicious political season ahead. It’s starting to get serious. Two visions for America are beginning to take shape as they prepare to go toe to toe with one another. This will be an epic battle for the destiny of the United States, culminating in the November presidential election. In like manner, the Civil War and subsequent world wars were also arduous struggles that forced us to reevaluate our values and objectives, our character as a nation.

Guest commentary — The Latino Art Museum of Oxnard — Now is the Time

by Community Contributor • August 21, 2020 • Comments Off

So artistically and culturally, the questions are, where, how and with whom do we go from here Oxnard? In the past 10 years the city of Oxnard has lost the Children’s Gull Museum, the Carnegie Museum, and the Acuna Art Gallery & Cultural Center. For all intent and purposes the Oxnard Performing Arts Center (PAC) is on life support and probably won’t live past this year. Where do the creative, transformative artistic souls, hearts, and minds germinate, grow and prosper in this art and cultural wasteland that is Oxnard today?

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — APCD Air Quality Warning for Santa Barbara County

by Community Contributor • August 21, 2020 • Comments Off

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District issued an Air Quality Warning for Santa Barbara County. Smoke from wildfires burning throughout the state, including in Monterey County, are affecting local air quality, and conditions may continue over the next several days. Due to elevated temperatures and stagnant air conditions, we are also experiencing increased ozone levels in regions of the county.

Ventura COVID-19 Update for Aug. 20 — COVID-19 Testing Available – No cost. No appointment needed

by Community Contributor • August 20, 2020 • Comments Off

Week Day Drive Through Sites Monday through Friday 10 am to 7 pm
Moopark College, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark
Ford Dealership, 128 S. Hallock Drive, Santa Paula
Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The site is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Walk In Monday Through Friday 9 am to 6 pm
Ventura County Fairgrounds,10 W. Harbor Blvd in Ventura, Enter Gate 2.

Museum of Ventura County — Toast to Tenacity + Arte Forastero + Last Chance for Ivor Davis Zoom Talk

by Community Contributor • August 20, 2020 • Comments Off

Join us online on National Women’s Equality Day,
Wednesday, August 26, 2020 from 4—6 PM
as we commemorate the centennial of the 19th Amendment, and honor the sacrifices of the courageous Suffragists, with a family-friendly free virtual event that will feature performances, and presentations about voting, advocacy, and equality. The Museum of Ventura County will be providing a virtual tour of its newly curated exhibit “Amendment 19: Votes for Women.”

Local Author donates 100% of Proceeds from First Children’s Book Dragons on the Purple Moon to Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation

by Community Contributor • August 20, 2020 • Comments Off

Local author Peter Martin is releasing his first book, Dragons on the Purple Moon in honor of his son’s successful recovery from brain cancer. He will be donating 100% of the proceeds to Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) for National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

EDC Business Alert- Important News Regarding Commercial Evictions

by Community Contributor • August 20, 2020 • Comments Off

In the last week we have received quite a few notices from businesses asking about protections around evictions. With the new information from the State of California that evictions can begin as early as September 1st, due to the repeal of the eviction moratorium, (Unlawful Retainer) we understand that landlords may now have a sense of urgency to collect back rent.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Complete Count Committee to encourage Census participation with special Census caravan event

by Community Contributor • August 20, 2020 • Comments Off

The Ventura County Complete Count Committee will lead a Census Caravan on Saturday, August 22. The caravan, which will have the participation of organizations and groups such as the Ventura County Mobile Library, Child Development Resources, and the US Census Bureau, will begin its route in Thousand Oaks at 9:30am and will end in Simi Valley around 3:00pm. The goal for the caravan, which will make its way through most cities in the county, is to encourage participation by residents before the Census ends on September 30.

Oxnard College Receives $1.2 Million to Serve Disadvantaged College Students

by Community Contributor • August 20, 2020 • Comments Off

Oxnard College has received a $1,265,160 grant over five years from the U.S. Department of Education to support its TRIO Student Support Services program. TRIO programs are especially important to Oxnard College because they support the large number of first-generation and low-income college students who require additional services to help them stay in school, graduate and transfer to four-year universities. Through the federal grant, the college will serve 140 students annually over five years.

Congressperson Julia Brownley’s office notified Oxnard College in early August that it had earned a perfect score on its application, beating out strong competition for the grant.

CEC Joins Born This Way Foundation for its Third Annual “#BeKind21” Campaign

by Community Contributor • August 20, 2020 • Comments Off

The Community Environmental Council (CEC) and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation on Aug. 19, with support from 165 additional partners, announced the launch of Born This Way Foundation’s third annual #BeKind21 Campaign. As communities across the world face the trauma of a pandemic, the ongoing racial inequalities, and a host of global challenges, this year’s campaign has been uniquely designed to be responsive to today’s movements, showcasing that kindness is not an empty gesture; rather, kindness is a verb. To be kind is to speak up. To be kind is to prioritize your mental wellness. To be kind is to advocate for a world that values, validates, and respects all people.

UCSB — The Current — Food from the Sea

by Community Contributor • August 20, 2020 • Comments Off

If sustainably managed, wild fisheries and mariculture could help meet the rising demand for food in the long term.

Ventura COVID-19 Update for Aug. 19 — Sign up for VC ALERT

by Community Contributor • August 19, 2020 • Comments Off

There are 54 new cases today (11 (20.4%) of which have a lab collection from August 12th or earlier), 626 additional people tested, and 1 additional death (65 year old male with comorbidity). Current doubling time is 85.7 days.

View today’s press conference at www.venturacountyrecovers.org.

Ventura County Public Health Accepting School Waivers

by Community Contributor • August 19, 2020 • Comments Off

Ventura County Public Health has announced today that public and private elementary schools in Ventura County can submit school waiver applications to allow in-person instruction at their campuses. The waivers cover Tk through 6th grades.

In accordance with state guidelines, waivers may be granted “when requested by a local superintendent (or equivalent for charter or private schools), in consultation with labor, parent and community organizations. Local health officers must review local community epidemiological data, consider other public health interventions, and consult with the California Department of Public Health when considering a waiver request.”

2020 RISE Up Award Winners Announced

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2020 • Comments Off

The RISE Up Awards recognize excellence in community service supporting RISE’s sexual abuse, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence programs; the 2020 RISE Up Award winners are Megan Baliterra, Amber Hollarman, the Portola Inn, Cal Poly’s Safer, and Heidi Spencer.

RISE will present the awards at the 6th Wine Women & Shoes on September 13th at 1pm, online. Wine Women & Shoes is a wine and food tasting, boutique shopping experience complete with raffles, silent and live auctions, a fashion show, and the presentation of the 2020 RISE Up Awards.

EDC Business Alert- SBA Disaster Loan for Property Damage Due to Civil Unrest Application Deadline is Sept. 16

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2020 • Comments Off

Businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters may apply for SBA federal disaster loans to repair or replace disaster-damaged property caused by the civil unrest that began May 26, 2020.

County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Aug. 18 — Governor Declares Statewide Emergency Due to Fires, Extreme Weather Conditions

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2020 • Comments Off

There are 43 new cases today (16 (37.2%) of which have a lab collection from August 11th or earlier), 437 additional people tested, and 1 additional death of an 88 year old male with comorbidity. Current doubling time is 88.2 days.

Governor Newsom today declared a statewide emergency to help ensure the availability of vital resources to combat fires burning across the state, which have been exacerbated by the effects of the historic West Coast heat wave and sustained high winds.

“We are deploying every resource available to keep communities safe as California battles fires across the state during these extreme conditions,” said Governor Newsom.

“California and its federal and local partners are working in lockstep to meet the challenge and remain vigilant in the face of continued dangerous weather conditions.”

August News from Peoples’ Self-Help Housing

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2020 • Comments Off

Since we weren’t able to celebrate in person, on August 6, PSHH staff gathered for a special Company Celebration in honor of our 50th Anniversary! Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey for the past 50 years. Join us in the celebration: pshhc.org/anniversary

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County raises $5 million towards Prop 1 fund matching grant program

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2020 • Comments Off

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County announced this week that it applied for California Proposition 1 matching funds from the CA Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), the agency responsible for fund disbursement. Housing Trust Fund VC has raised $5 million locally with the goal of bringing $10 million to the county for affordable housing developments through the Prop 1 matching grant program.

SBCC — The Bridge — SBCC to begin Fall fully online

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2020 • Comments Off

Superintendent/President Dr. Utpal K. Goswami announced an update regarding plans for the Fall 2020 semester. Given current community conditions, classes will start fully online. Although the plan is for all courses to begin online, the College will be pursuing a very limited exemption for some classes that support essential and critical infrastructure. The Fall term starts Monday, Aug. 24.

UCSB — The Current — Essential Workers, Vital Scholarship

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2020 • Comments Off

In the second project of the Pahl Initiative on the Study of Critical Social Issues, researchers will examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the underserved.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) Receives a $5,000 Grant from Farmers Insurance®

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2020 • Comments Off

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) recently received a $5,000 grant from Farmers Insurance® to help fund COVID-19 relief efforts.

The grant will help provide healthy meals, high-speed internet access and academic support, vital enrichment programming to bridge gaps in virtual learning, social & emotional learning and more for vulnerable families and youth.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Historic Heat Wave & Energy Shortages – What You Need to Know

by Community Contributor • August 17, 2020 • Comments Off

There is a significant warming trend and heatwave impacting California and the rest of the West Coast that will put pressure on our energy grid. In order to avoid electricity shortages, we are asking businesses and residents to reduce energy usage in order to prevent service interruptions.

It’s especially important to limit energy usage from 3 pm to 10 pm, especially air conditioning, electric car charging and other energy intensive technology.

Sign up to receive Flex Alert notifications from your utility provider to help California conserve energy during times of grid stress. You can also check out https://readysbc.org/psps/ for tips on what to do before, during, and after power loss.

El Distrito Escolar Unificado de Ventura Comenzará de Otoño El Martes 18 de Agosto

by Community Contributor • August 17, 2020 • Comments Off

14 de agosto del 2020- El Distrito Escolar Unificado de Ventura (VUSD) comenzará las clases el martes 18 de agosto del 2020 utilizando un modelo de aprendizaje a distancia. Todos los estudiantes formarán parte del modelo WEAVE el cual permite una mezcla de herramientas y técnicas de aprendizaje para permitir una mayor interacción con los maestros, un mayor apoyo y una educación mejorada fuera del plantel escolar. Todos los distritos escolares del Condado de Ventura comenzarán con el aprendizaje a distancia durante el comienzo del semestre de otoño del 2020, sin embargo, la Mesa Directiva de Educación de VUSD decidió en julio que permanecerían en el aprendizaje a distancia hasta enero del 2021 para proporcionar estabilidad a los padres de familia. El Distrito también ha adoptado un entorno tecnológico 1:1 asegurando que cada estudiante reciba un dispositivo del distrito.

Santa Maria Joint Unified School District announces non-traditional back to school

by Community Contributor • August 17, 2020 • Comments Off

School starts August 17 in a non-traditional way at SMJUHSD, as COVID-19 forces the continuance of distance learning at least until December when a re-valuation of returning to school safely occurs.

“I want to wish everyone the best year considering the circumstances,’’ said school board president Amy Lopez. “It will be different, but staff are working hard to make learning engaging for our students. We all want our students to return, but it must be safe for them to do so.’’

CSUCI summer research program includes Santa Rosa Island, 19th century Mexico, and the coronavirus

by Community Contributor • August 17, 2020 • Comments Off

Curiosity and imagination transcended the COVID-19 pandemic throughout CSU Channel Islands’ (CSUCI) 2020 Summer Student Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF) program, which ran from June 8 to July 31.

SBCC Music Department rises to the challenge of teaching music classes online

by Community Contributor • August 17, 2020 • Comments Off

From the moment last March when SBCC made the decision to move all instruction online for the remainder of the Spring semester, the Music Department knew it had better prepare for the situation to extend into the Summer and Fall terms as well.

Santa Paula Art Museum — It’s the Purr-fect Week to Make Some Art!

by Community Contributor • August 17, 2020 • Comments Off

Our recent, adorable visit from Lucky the dog got us thinking about how artists celebrate pets and animals in art, so with the help of Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center, the Museum’s August Art To-Go Bag is all about animals (see below). We also took a moment to appreciate the animal art in the Museum’s permanent collection. You’re probably quite familiar with Jessie Botke’s birds, but do you know about John Nichols and his beloved cat, Sespe Red? Hear the story behind the artwork. It’s part of our collection of local artist self-portraits. And be sure to check out this week’s outdoor art classes at the Museum below.

Ventura County Civic Alliance — Welcome to Our Summer 2020 Livable Communities Newsletter

by Community Contributor • August 17, 2020 • Comments Off

We are in a revolution!! These last 6 months have been nothing short of that. This is not true for just a couple of isolated area or topics, but in general across all walks of life. Some aspects of the revolution have been like technology, where we knew we were going to change over the next decade, but now we are changing over in a matter of months, not years. Other aspects of the revolution were more surprising. Could any of us have predicted the rapid and comprehensive changes in social order and public policy that are being proposed for policing and justice reform?

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) Announces School Year Programs

by Community Contributor • August 14, 2020 • Comments Off

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) is ready to assist parents with back-to-school programs and activities in addition to childcare.

The programs include academic support, assistance with online learning, sports & games, performing & fine arts, science, socialization, social emotional learning, and leadership development.

Guest commentary — Ivanka’s “Find Something New”

by Community Contributor • August 14, 2020 • Comments Off

Ivanka Trump, daughter of President Trump, serves as a co-chair of the National Council for the American Worker. Several weeks ago, I, like many others, waxed skeptical of Ivanka’s suggestion that Americans laid off from their jobs “find something new” as they are displaced from their livelihoods by the tsunami-strength ravages of the coronavirus pandemic. She was roundly criticized for being the let-them-eat-cake embodiment of Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France before the French Revolution, who was ultimately executed at the guillotine.

Bilingual report — Dr. Himat Tank of Santa Maria Recognized as Champion in Health Care

by Community Contributor • August 14, 2020 • Comments Off

Dr. Himat Tank, pediatric physician in Santa Maria, is being recognized as a Champion in Health Care. This week, Pacific Coast Business Times published its annual list of front line medical workers, first responders, and volunteers who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to providing quality care. Nominated by local Medi-Cal managed care plan CenCal Health, Tank is honored in the Treating the Underserved category, as he has been the doctor of choice for parents of many CenCal Health members since the agency was founded in 1983.