Nicole Lamartine is ready to do the heavy lifting as the campus’ new choir director.
Read More ?
UCSB — The Current — Using Artificial Intelligence to Forecast COVID-19
Author: Community Contributor
County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Aug. 3
Here’s your COVID-19 update from the County of Ventura from Friday-Sunday. There are 533 new cases today (231 (43.3%) of which have a lab collection from July 27th or earlier), 4,217 additional people tested, and 0 additional deaths; this includes reports from Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Current doubling time is 43.8 days.
Bilingual report — County residents asked to turn in seed shipments from China to Agricultural Commissioner’s Office
Residents across the country have been receiving unsolicited and mysterious seeds shipped from China. The seeds are arriving in small mailer envelopes labeled with descriptions such as “stud earrings”, “jewelry”, “handmade flowers”, and “wire connectors”. Since it is illegal to ship seeds unless they meet the import requirements of the United States – including proper labeling with the name of the shipper, the type of seed, and certification where required – the small packets are sent mislabeled in order to pass through Customs undetected.
Ventura County Arts Council announces ‘Call to Artists’ for online exhibit beginning Aug. 21
CALL TO ARTISTS
Ventura County Arts Council Visual Arts Committee
invites your submissions for
Environment
Addressing your surroundings
Online exhibition beginning Friday, August 21 st
Bilingual commentary — County of Ventura to hold virtual community forum on the intersection of race and law enforcement on Aug. 5
On Wednesday, August 5, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the County of Ventura will host a virtual Community Forum open to all members of the public online via Zoom to discuss the intersection of race and law enforcement in our community. The Community Forum will consist of a panel of County leaders and community representatives who will participate in a roundtable discussion, followed by questions from the public.
The August 5th Community Forum will be moderated by Monique Nowlin, County of Ventura Diversity and Inclusion Task Force representative and Deputy Director of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging. Panelists will include:
Bilingual commentary — Lessons from the Least Terns
This past weekend I had the opportunity to wander around the “settling ponds” by the water treatment plant in Ventura. To the casual outsider, this might sound like the last place on earth to go for a stroll, but it’s really a bit of a hidden treasure in our community.
One of the highlights of this location is the quantity and quality of the bird-watching that is available. I’m learning that birds have much to teach us, and the more I learn about them, the more in awe I am of them.
Guest commentary — The Oxnard Civil Gang Injunction is DEAD! Reconciliation, Healing and Reparation Begins NOW!
After 16 years of illegal profiling, harassment and enjoining Mexican youth and adults, the racist and unconstitutional Oxnard Civil “Gang” Injunction is DEAD! Irrational fear, ignorance, and racism created this unconstitutional monster. There is the universal antidote to irrational fear, and racist hate and it is love; and love is at our miraculous and transformative disposal any time we wish to act boldly and put love into action. Oxnard here is where we must act boldly and immediately with love on a local level.
County of Ventura COVID-19 update for July 30
Summary
New Cases 106
Total Cases 7,103
Recovered Cases 3,797
Current Hospitalizations 76
Current ICU 21
Active Cases Under Quarantine 3,232
Deaths 74
Total People Tested 110,221
Registration Open For New YMCA KEY Academy and Childcare During Upcoming School Year
Southeast Ventura County YMCA is taking registrations for the Y’s KEY Academy to coincide with school openings in August. The KEY Academy is designed to enable parents to meet work demands while provide their children with a safe, structured environment for learning.
Parents can drop off their children at one of the three Y branches’ designated education centers. You can contact your local Y: the Conejo Valley YMCA in Thousand Oaks, the Simi Valley YMCA in Simi Valley, and the Yarrow Family YMCA in Westlake Village for more details.
UCSB — The Current — ‘And She Could Be Next’
The CWC Docs virtual dialogue with filmmakers Grace Lee and Marjan Safinia centers on the women of color who are transforming politics.
Read More ?
Carnegie Art Cornerstones — Meet Vanessa Wallace-Gonzales
Vanessa’s story really embodies the spirit of the Carnegie Art Cornerstones mission. We aim to empower emerging artists to grow, create, and share their art. Our ability to do this in a traditional sense has been challenged, but artists like Vanessa, and the art she creates, are still incredibly important to our communities.
Cornerstones lifts emerging artists by providing them with resources, mentorship, and exposure that helps artists pursue dedicated careers – we believe this kind of work is vital to keeping art as the cornerstone of our local communities.
“Ekhobot” expands its reach to all CSUCI students thanks to a $36,625 grant
Beginning Aug. 1, all California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) students will have access to a popular campus chatbot named Ekhobot, after the University’s mascot, Ekho the Dolphin.
Ekhobot is a text platform that was designed for new freshmen and transfer students, but the chatbot is now coming to every student’s mobile digital device thanks to a $36,625 grant from CSU Northridge and the Irvine Foundation in support of the “CSU AI Consortium.”
County of Ventura COVID-19 update for July 29
Good Evening, Here’s your COVID-19 update form the County of Ventura. There are 104 new cases today (53 (51.0%) of which have a lab collection from July 22nd or earlier), 636 additional people tested, and 2 additional deaths (86 year old female and 90 year old male, both with comorbidities). Current doubling time is 41.2 days. Currently, the County of Ventura is on the state monitoring list for case rate per 100,000 population over 14 days and % of ICU beds available; in order for us to get off the monitoring list, we need to have less than 850 reported cases in a 14 day period which is an average of 60 cases a day. Total, there have been 73 deaths (age range 29-107 years; 45 males and 28 females; 35 Non-Hispanic White, 31 Hispanic, 4 Non-Hispanic Asian, 1 Non-Hispanic Black, 1 Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaskan Native and 1 Non-Hispanic Other). Current hospitalizations are 75 and current ICU is 25.
EDC Business Alert — Paycheck Protection Program Deadline is Aug. 8
SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan application deadline is August 8,2020. PPP is designed to help small business, nonprofits, veteran organizations, Tribal concerns, self-employed individuals, independent contractors, and other eligible borrowers keep their workers employed during the COVID-19 crisis.
CSUCI spring semester 2021 enrollment begins Aug. 1
For the first time, CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) is accepting first-time freshmen and both lower division and upper division transfer student applications for its Spring 2021 semester.
Applications for spring 2021 will be accepted beginning August 1 and continuing through August 31.
CSUCI typically opens spring enrollment only for upper division transfer students, but the COVID-19 pandemic has changed circumstances for many students and CSUCI is seeking how to best meet those needs.
New Book Offers Guidelines For Happiness, Health, Success in A COVID-19 World
A new book from Camarillo-based psychologist and author Dr. Noelle Nelson, “I Survived COVID-19, What Now?! Finding Happiness and Success in a Post COVID World” (available on Amazon), looks at how we can take what we’re learning from the pandemic during our forced introspection and turn it into a positive future.
“Whether it was our intention or not, we’re all learning things about ourselves during these long months of quarantine—how we think, work and dream, about how we interact with family, friends and the world,” says Nelson. “We are in a unique moment in time because of COVID-19. Everything is different now. It can feel positively overwhelming—one minute our lives are ‘reopening,’ the next minute they’re forced to closed again. It can drive us crazy if we’re not careful.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) Take Proactive Steps to Continue to Serve Community through the Pandemic
As soon as COVID-19 made its way onto the scene, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) was proactive in their response starting in the spring and continuing throughout the summer.
When the pandemic hit, the BGCGCV closed for two weeks to assess the COVID situation and then reopened under the guidance of health professionals and with the implementation of safety standards.
Bilingual report — County of Ventura agencies recognized by the California Association of Public Information Officers for excellence in communications
Agencies from across the County of Ventura have been recognized by the California Association of Public Information Officers (CAPIO) with Excellence in Public Information and Communications (EPIC) Awards. The County Executive Office, Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, and the Ventura County Fire Department received awards recognizing outstanding communications publications and campaigns. The County of Ventura publications and communications initiatives were chosen from among 275 award entries from across the state of California.
SBCC to begin Fall 2020 fully online
Superintendent/President of Santa Barbara City College Dr. Utpal K. Goswami announced an update regarding plans for the Fall 2020 semester. Given current community conditions, classes will start fully online.
Initial plans for the Fall semester considered offering the majority of courses online, with a small percentage of classes conducted face-to-face. The College has been working diligently on those plans for several months. However, since Santa Barbara County has been on the State of California’s Monitoring List since June 6, 2020, SBCC has had to reassess its plans.
County of Ventura COVID-19 update for July 28 — Vitalant is collecting plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19
Vitalant is collecting plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19.
To be eligible, you must have:
A prior laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19, either by a positive swab test OR a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies requested by your health care provider
Complete resolution of symptoms for at least 28 days
All other donor eligibility for an automated plasma donation
Learn more at: https://www.vitalant.org/covidfree
Bilingual report — County of Ventura to Expand Crisis Treatment Unit and Inpatient Psychiatric Unit Beds
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors has approved the addition of ten mental health nurses in this year’s Health Care Agency budget. These nurses are a critical component of Ventura County Medical Center’s plan to expand the Hillmont Inpatient Psychiatric Unit from 30 to 36 beds.
“Expansion of inpatient and crisis stabilization services is a demonstration of the County’s belief that mental health care is an essential component of complete health. These expanded services will enable the County to increase capacity to provide care to individuals who are often in their most critical time of need. We recognize that this is one of many steps ahead and the County will continue to work with our local health providers, state and federal sources to continue to expand services in this vital area of healthcare,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers.
CEC Launches Solarize Santa Barbara with Webinar on Solar and Battery Storage
The Community Environmental Council (CEC) announced the launch of this year’s Solarize Santa Barbara – a community-led, group purchasing program for solar and battery storage systems open to residents of Southern Santa Barbara County from July 28 – October 31. CEC’s 2020 program is offered in partnership with the cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpinteria, and the County of Santa Barbara.
Bilingual report — Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Online Meal Program Application & Cafeteria Pre-Pay
The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District announces its policy to serve nutritious meals every school day under The National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. Effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals if the household income is less than or equal to the federal guidelines.
Hospice of Santa Barbara Brings McDonalds, iPads and Games to Elderly at Casa Naomi
Since the start of COVID-19, with prolonged closures of businesses and isolation of senior care facilities, Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) has done outreach within the Santa Barbara community and discovered a shortage of support at Casa Naomi – a residential care facility with four homes in Santa Barbara serving developmentally delayed seniors.
Since the residents have been quarantined with the rest of the world since March, they have been in need of mental stimulation and emotional support. Jeanne M. West, HSB Community Engagement Manager saw an opportunity to help.
VCPWA Encourages El Rio Residents to Fill Out Survey for Essential Community Projects
The Ventura County Public Works Agency, Roads & Transportation (VCPWA-RT), which is responsible for maintaining roadways and safety within the county road right-of-way, needs feedback from the El Rio community to secure Active Transportation Program?funding from the State of California.
These funds support projects that encourage active transportation which includes biking, walking, and safe access to public transportation (buses and trains), sidewalks for safer walking and biking as well as to build facilities that reduce greenhouse gases.
UCSB — The Current — Starve the Cancer
A newly detected cancer metabolic pathway could be a valuable target for therapy.
Read More ?
County of Ventura COVID-19 update for July 27 — Register Your Business to be in Compliance
All businesses in the County of Ventura are required to register at www.vcreopens.com. Even if your business never had to close during the pandemic you must register. There is no cost to register.
United Way of Santa Barbara County Delivers Impactful Virtual Fun in the Sun Program in Light of COVID-19
Thanks to the generosity of over 50 funding partners and service delivery partners, United Way of Santa Barbara County’s (UWSBC) Fun in the Sun program has the capacity to support up to 350 children and families this year through a virtual format in light of COVID-19. Seven virtual sites are serving students from Carpinteria Unified School District, Santa Barbara Unified School District (4 school sites instead of its usual 2 school sites), Goleta Union School District, and school districts throughout the Santa Ynez Valley.
Doctors Without Walls – Santa Barbara Street Medicine Nationally Recognized for Supporting the Safety Net
Doctors Without Walls – Santa Barbara Street Medicine (DWW–SBSM) has been nationally recognized for its healthcare efforts to benefit the homeless in the Santa Barbara community. Nominated by local Medi-Cal managed care plan CenCal Health, DWW–SBSM received an honorable mention from The Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) at its fifteenth annual Supporting the Safety Net Award program held last month. The earned recognition honors community organizations and individuals nationwide that exceed expectations for care by implementing health programs to benefit underserved populations.
Teatro de las Américas’ ‘Pláticas on Wednesday’ with actor/director James Donlon to be held July 28
James Donlon: actor, director, and playwright presenting his original performance work internationally for 5 decades. Film coach to Oscar winners.
.
Pre-registration required, no fees
Sign up now, send email to info@teatrodelasamericas.org
Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Let’s Get Out of this Together
America, and even our community, is very divided on how to respond to the strange times we are in. However, we must be united in concern about the futures of our children and grandchildren, preserving lives, and saving as many jobs and people from poverty.
How can we do all that?
SMILE! Free Professional Headshots by Christian Ramirez at OPAC on Aug. 6
The Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation (OPAC) is teaming up with Oxnard photographer and filmmaker Christian Ramirez of Mezz Studio to offer a day of free professional headshots for those on the jobseeking trail. The event is scheduled for Thursday, August 6 from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm.
A professional headshot plays an important role in creating a positive first impression and can be used in many ways: email accounts, email signatures, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, personal websites, portfolios, guest blogs, resumes, and more. Sixty percent of employers research job candidates via social media and OPAC wants to ensure that community members who have lost work due to COVID-19 are supported and equipped in their career search.
Bilingual commentary — Racism in Oxnard’s Past, Part III
Last week we rummaged through Oxnard’s past and found some interesting and unsettling history regarding the former Colonial House restaurant and motel complex in the city’s downtown. The ambiance had been designed to invoke the feeling of the “Old South,” as if people were visiting a Southern plantation, with all that that implied.
Guest commentary — The Oxnard Civil “Gang” Injunction is Officially Dead; A Victory for the People and the Constitution
In a new release by the VC Star is was reported on Tuesday, July 21, 2021 that the, “Oxnard Police Department Will Work With District Attorney’s Office to Vacate Civil Gang Injunctions”
2020 Census Caravan to Parade Through Guadalupe, Rally Residents
The Little House By The Park and the Guadalupe Community Changers will lead a 2020 Census Car Caravan on Saturday, July 25, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. to rally residents to complete the census. More than one dozen vehicles will participate in the caravan, including cars from the Guadalupe Fire Department, Catholic Charities, Dignity Health, Mechanics Bank, and City Council member Liliana Cardenas. Residents are invited come out and cheer on the caravan, and then attend a Census Clinic at the Little House By The Park, at 4681 11th Street, from 2 to 5 p.m., where they can complete the 2020 Census questionnaire.
July News from Peoples’ Self-Help Housing — Building Together Book Now for Sale!
Amidst COVID-19, PSHH’s educators have been working tirelessly to support students and families with the transition to distance learning. Educators have helped families obtain free internet access, secured chromebooks and laptops, taught internet navigation skills, facilitated meetings with school districts, delivered hundreds of free school meals, provided school supplies, and so much more!
During these months, we added 96 new students to our learning centers, raising our enrollment from 274 to 370 students – a 35% increase!
Santa Maria Joint Union High School District adopts action plan for the safe reopening of schools
The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Board of Education adopted an action plan for the safe reopening of schools during a special meeting Thursday night, clearing the way for distance learning instruction to begin August 17.
The decision gives the district flexibility and the use of three models: distance learning, hybrid (only part of the students on campuses at one time), and traditional (full-time in-person) depending on the changing conditions and risks of the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan is available at www.smjuhsd.k12.ca.us.
For Whom the Bell Tolls: COVID-19 Death Patterns in California
Report no.7 of UCLA’s Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture addresses the effects of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on Latino communities. As of July 8, 2020, a total of 6,519 people in California had died due to COVID-19?associated conditions. These deaths did not occur randomly in the state’s population. Rather, they occurred more in some racial/ethnic (R/E) populations than in others.
Museum of Ventura County — Uncovering Black History in Ventura + People, Art, and Ice Cream
Welcome to the finale episode of Season 1 “MVC Insider.”
Chief Curator Anna Bermudez, is joined by Government Archivist Amber de la Cruz as they discuss black voices in Ventura County’s past and present.
County of Ventura COVID-19 update for July 23
Here is your COVID-19 update for the County of Ventura.
107 new cases
6,156 total cases
1,641 new people tested
3,360 recovered cases
88 hospitalized
18 current ICU
2,733 active cases under quarantine
63 deaths
100,289 total people tested
County of Ventura Board of Supervisors approves executive position to promote diversity and inclusion in County workforce and hears report from Diversity and Inclusion Task Force
VENTURA — On Tuesday, July 21, the Board of Supervisors received a report from the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force and approved the creation of a full-time executive position for a Diversity and Inclusion Officer. The position, which will operate…
UCSB — The Current — A COVID State of Mind
A doctoral candidate who has studied mental health amid the pandemic offers insights into coping strategies.
Read More ?
National Science Foundation grant will enable CSUCI anthropologist to research more than 10,000 years of human history on the Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Professor of Anthropology Jennifer Perry, Ph.D., has been awarded $57,806 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to expand her research into those who lived on California’s Channel Islands for the last 10,000+ years.
“We’re looking at human-environment interactions through time, trying to understand how people lived on the Channel Islands,” Perry explained. “What we are looking at are archaeological sites along the channel that have evidence of human occupation over the past 10,000 years or more. From plants and animals and artifacts, we can look at change through time, such as changes in climate, and how people responded to that change.”
County of Ventura COVID-19 update for July 22
Here’s your County of Ventura COVID – 19 update:
94 new cases
6,049 total cases
1,524 new people tested
3,100 recovered cases
90 hospitalized
22 current ICU
2,886 active cases under quarantine
63 deaths (1 additional death – 84 year old female with comorbidity)
98,648 total people tested
Close to $4 million Raised for Santa Barbara County through COVID-19 Joint Response Effort Led by United Way of Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara Foundation and Hutton Parker Foundation
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, monies raised for the COVID-19 Joint Response Effort to support Santa Barbara County are still available to help individuals and families, as well as the nonprofits serving them, during this time of crisis. Those still in need of financial assistance are encouraged to apply for funding as soon as possible.
“United Way and its lead partners deeply appreciate our community’s trust in this collaborative effort as we get these funds into the hands of individuals and organizations that desperately need financial support,” said Steve Ortiz, CEO and President of the United Way of Santa Barbara County.
UCSB — The Current — Managing the Complex
The Bren School announces a master’s degree program in environmental data science.
Read More ?
County of Ventura COVID-19 update for July 21
Here is your COVID-19 update from the County of Ventura.
207 new cases
5,955 total cases
1,519 new people tested
3,000 recovered cases
94 hospitalizations
24 in the ICU
62 deaths (4 additional deaths – 79 year-old female with no comorbidity; and a 73 year-old male, an 82 year-old male, and a 98 year-old male – all with comorbidities)
2,893 active cases under quarantine
97,124 total people tested
Oxnard College offers English as a Second Language Classes 100% online
Registration for ESL classes are open for the fall semester 2020 at Oxnard College. Credit and non-credit classes start August 24 and will be delivered online with flexible morning and afternoon schedules.
County of Ventura COVID-19 update for July 20 — Food Share Pop-Up Pantry Schedule for the Week of 7/20
7/20 3pm Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
7/20 12pm St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 185 St. Thomas Drive, Ojai
7/21 5pm Food Share of Ventura County, 4156 Southbank Rd., Oxnard
7/22 3pm College Park, 3250 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard
7/23 3pm Conejo Creek South, 1300 Janss Rd., Thousand Oaks
7/24 3pm Harding Park, 1330 E. Harvard Blvd., Santa Paula
7/25 12:30pm Ruben Castro Charities, Career Education Center, 5700 Condor Dr., Moorpark
CSUCI graduate heads to Ireland as a Fulbright Scholar
CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Applied Physics and Mathematics double major Carmen Stepek will be pursing her doctorate in neuro-physics on the Emerald Isle as a Fulbright scholar.
The Class of 2020 graduate will attend the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) under the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.