Author: Community Contributor

PizzaMan Dan’s coming soon to The Collection at RiverPark

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PizzaMan Dan’s, a local favorite for pizza, subs, wings and more, will soon be opening a new location in The Annex Food Hall at The Collection at RiverPark.

This will be PizzaMan Dan’s ninth location, with other locations serving Ventura, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Moorpark, Carpinteria and Camarillo. When it comes to pizza, PizzaMan Dan’s offers beloved classics and specialty options, with 24 ingredients and five sauces to choose from. The restaurant also serves hot wings — selling more than 100,000 pounds of wings in Ventura County each year. In addition to pizza and wings, the menu includes other appetizers, salads, subs and desserts.

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Ramping Up for 2021 Wildfire Season, Cal OES Deploys New Type VI Fire Engines to Los Angeles Area

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As California closes in on yet another wildfire season, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) continues its mission to support, strengthen, and supply local fire jurisdictions with the critical resources necessary to respond to emergencies and disasters.

Today, Cal OES announced the transfer of seven new Type VI fire engines to Los Angeles area fire jurisdictions as part of the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System. Type VI fire engines are a widely used fire engine in wildland-urban interface fire response because of their versatility, maneuverability, off-road abilities, and fire suppression capabilities.

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Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Awards Gerald Richardson III Prestigious National Scholarship

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Gerald Richardson III has come a long way from being the “invisible” high school student in a hostile, unwelcoming environment that prevented him access to learning and pushed him into the school-to-prison pipeline. Today, he’s a prominent role model: a 4.0 GPA graduate of Moorpark and Oxnard colleges headed to Stanford University as a 2021 Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholar. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation scholarship provides up to $40,000 a year for up to three years for Richardson to pursue his bachelor’s degree.

Richardson, who graduated with five associate degrees, was one of over 1,300 students from 370 community colleges nationwide to apply for the scholarship. A total of 72 students were selected based on academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence and leadership.

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Combatting Teen Vaping is Focus of New Website

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The Ventura County Office of Education has launched a new website called The Triple Threat to Teen Health that’s aimed at combatting the serious problem of teen vaping. The website is available in English and Spanish at vaping.vcoe.org. “While many may think vaping is a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes, the most popular vaping products all contain nicotine and have a high potential for addiction,” said Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. “This new website gives parents, guardians, students and educators an important tool to learn about the real risks that vaping poses to our students,” he said.

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Bilingual report — County of Ventura awarded highest credit ratings and successful financing

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The nation’s two top credit ratings firms – Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s Rating Services – have awarded the County with their highest short-term credit ratings. The credit considerations noted that the County’s financial performance will remain solid.

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Santa Paula Art Museum — Artist Michelle Jung is “Making Waves”

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Bay Area artist Michelle Jung is Making Waves at the Santa Paula Art Museum this summer! The artist has a particular fondness for the sea as she has lived near the coast—first east, then west—for most of her life. Making Waves is a large-scale, immersive presentation of seascape oil paintings that invites viewers to experience the beauty, energy and drama of the Pacific coast.

You’ll definitely want to see this stunning show in person, but like all of our current exhibits, Making Waves is also available to enjoy online.

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LightGabler’s Kathleen Fellows and Monnett De La Torre Named to 2021 Super Lawyers’ Rising Star List

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Kathleen M. Fellows and Monnett De La Torre, attorneys with the Camarillo-based employment law firm LightGabler, have been named to the 2021 Super Lawyers’ Rising Star list of Southern California attorneys. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of lawyers are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.

This is the third year that Fellows has been selected and the first year for De La Torre.

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VCCDC announces California State Treasurer, Fiona Ma as keynote speaker of June 26 virtual Homeownership Conference

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We’re excited to announce California State Treasurer, Fiona Ma, as our Keynote Speaker at this year’s Homeownership Conference! Ma has had a renowned career in public service, having been involved with many initiatives and committees in California’s government. She was elected on November 6, 2018 with more votes (7,825,587) than any other candidate for treasurer in the state’s history. She is the first woman of color and the first woman Certified Public Accountant (CPA) elected to the position.

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County of Ventura Human Services Agency Partners with SEEAG To Increase CalFresh Student Enrollment

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The County of Ventura Human Services Agency is partnering with Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) to increase CalFresh enrollment and food access among students and families served by SEEAG’s Ventura County Child Wellness Initiative (VCCWI). CalFresh provides monthly food benefits to individuals and families with low-incomes.

SEEAG’s VCCWI began in 2017. SEEAG staff members travel in an agricultural and nutritional-themed Farm Fresh Mobile Classroom van to Ventura County elementary schools to educate, inspire and empower children and their families to increase their consumption of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables.

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United Way of Ventura County — Imagine what we can do together

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This past year was a very challenging time for our community and country. But the challenges we faced also provided us with tremendous opportunities for growth. In a few weeks, we will conclude our fiscal year. It has been one of the most difficult in our 76-year history, but I’ve been continually reminded how resilient our staff, donors, and community partners are and how their passion is changing lives. Lives like those of Annalisa and her children.

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

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

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

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Oxnard College Raises Pride Flag Above Campus to Honor Pride Month

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

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

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Tom Fisher Announced as New President of Montecito Rotary Club

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

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

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COVID Casts Stark Light on Structural Inequalities in California

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

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

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Bilingual commentary — Walking on Water, Walking Into Walls

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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‘A Taste of Camarillo’ is Happening on July 25

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

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Community Market at Oxnard College to Reopen June 6

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

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

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

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

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MVC Now! — Local History Happy Hour + Mindfulness @ the Museum + Gardens Opening June 3rd

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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!

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Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Walk-In Vaccination Opportunities & June 15th Changes

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Child care is critical to Santa Barbara County’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This past year has highlighted how child care is a pillar of our national and local infrastructure, and has exposed unsustainable vulnerabilities and inequities that existed pre-pandemic. Santa Barbara County’s already fragile child care system needs a stronger infrastructure to ride out and recover from this pandemic as well as to ensure preparedness for the next emergency.

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County of Ventura — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for June 1, 2012

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Patty Zoll, from the county’s Human Resources Department, was among the amazing team of Disaster Service Workers (pictured above) at the Ventura County Fairgrounds COVID-19 vaccine clinic until May 10. Like all Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), she paused her regular work in Training and Development to respond to the pandemic. When the days were heavy, she reminded herself that DSWs are a part of history in helping Ventura County access vaccines and end the COVID-19 pandemic. She is pictured here with the DSW crew from the Fairgrounds that became “like family.”

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NAWBO Ventura County announces 21st Annual BRAVA Honorees

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The Ventura County chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO VC) is pleased to announce this year’s honorees for the 21st BRAVA Awards Luncheon. This year’s luncheon will be held virtually on Friday, June 18th, 12:00-1:30 p.m.

Local attendees may choose to pick up a lunch and an “Extraordinary Woman Swag Gift Bag” on Thursday, June 17th in the outdoor patio of Peirano’s in beautiful downtown Ventura, complete with a complimentary glass of wine.

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Bilingual report — County of Ventura to enter Yellow Tier at 12:01 a.m. June 2

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The County of Ventura will enter the least restrictive Yellow Tier in the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy at 12:01 am on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 after meeting the required metrics for the required two-week period. Today, the State has reported that Ventura County’s adjusted case rate remained in the yellow tier level by further improving from 1.5 new cases per 100,000 people to 1.2 new cases per 100,000. The overall test positivity rate remained at .7% and in health equity areas the test positivity rate dropped from 1.4% to 1.1%.

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‘Caring Together’ Transitions to Countywide Campaign

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A group of Santa Barbara County nonprofits and community organizations announced they have joined forces to help family caregivers self-identify and find supportive services. Caring Together Santa Barbara County is a community awareness campaign to inform residents that they are not alone in their caregiving efforts, and there is a network of organizations to support them.

Previously, the Alzheimer Association, Area Agency on Aging (AAA), Family Service Agency (FSA), Lompoc Valley Medical Center (LVMC), Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization (LVHCO), Santa Barbara Foundation, and the Santa Barbara County Promotores Network focused on sharing their message within their local communities.

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Ventura County Fire Department Announces Additional Services to Thousand Oaks

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The Ventura County Fire Department is proud to announce the addition of an Advanced Life Support (ALS) Squad vehicle to Thousand Oaks. Beginning May 30, 2021, “Squad-30” will be staffed by two firefighter/paramedics and deliver an enhanced level of service to the communities of Thousand Oaks. 

Squad-30 will be stationed at Fire Station 30 on Hillcrest Drive directly across from The Oaks mall. Paramedic squads routinely respond to all medical emergencies, structure fires, traffic collisions, and technical rescues within their designated response area. Having firefighters cross trained as paramedics also allows for critical patient care to be initiated in hazardous situations such as confined space rescues and hazmat incidents. In addition, Squad-30 will serve as a training vehicle where instruction and evaluation in the field of paramedicine occurs.

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Ventura County Community Development Corp. — Less than a month to register for June 26 Virtual Homeownership Conference

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Join us right from your couch on Saturday, June 26!

Whether you are a homeowner, first-time buyer or repeat buyer, you’ll learn everything you need to know about homeownership in Southern California. At this year’s virtual conference, we want you to know that “Homeownership is Within Reach”! It’s our mission to provide you with the best guidance and practical tools to help you achieve your dream of homeownership. You will leave inspired and equipped to begin or continue your path toward homeownership!

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Museum of Ventura County — New Outdoor Program — Register for ‘Mindfulness @ The Museum”

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Join us this summer for Mindfulness at the Museum, new weekly free wellness classes outside in the gardens at the Museum of Ventura County and the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula.

You can participate at the Museum of Ventura County (100 E. Main St., Ventura) on Thursdays from 4—5pm and at the Agriculture Museum (926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula) on Saturdays from 10—11am in Santa Paula.

These classes provide fun and free activities for individuals and families. Beginners are encouraged to participate. All classes are free! Classes are limited and registration is required. MVC members get priority access. 

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Ventura County Fire Department Welcomes New Firefighter Trainees

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ainees who have successfully completed 20 weeks of intense training at VCFD’s Regional Training Center in Camarillo on Friday. Under the leadership of VCFD’s training staff, the trainees of Academy 58 will enter the field this Sunday as they staff fire engines and ladder trucks throughout Ventura County.

Graduating firefighter trainees consistently demonstrated proficiency in all disciplines of firefighting, including structural firefighting, wildland firefighting, vehicle extrication, and emergency medical care to name a few.

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Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Member Laura Flores Part of Virtual Graduation with Vice President Kamala Harris

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Laura Flores, Girls Inc. of Carpinteria member and Carpinteria High School senior, was one of 100 students across the country who were invited to participate in a virtual graduation ceremony with Vice President Kamala Harris. The prime-time special aired May 23 on CNN.

Flores was one of three Girls Inc. seniors — all Teen Advocacy Council members — to participate and represent their fellow Girls Inc. members who are graduating from high school this year.

She was recently selected as a finalist for Jr. Carpinterian of the Year, and was recognized as a 2021 Girls Inc. National Scholar earlier this year. Ranked in the top 10% of her class, she graduates Carpinteria High with a 4.5 GPA and 25 units completed at Santa Barbara City College.

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Bilingual commentary — John Cox’s Bear

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John Cox, a businessman and political activist, has been a perennial candidate for political office. He has not quite yet achieved his goal. He has run for Congress, a county office in Illinois, and even president of the United States. More recently, he ran for governor of California, but lost to Gavin Newsom, a former mayor of San Francisco, in the 2018 election. Now he is one of the current Republican candidates vying for the governorship of California in the effort to recall Mr. Newsom this year. Cox has his eye on being the incumbent in California’s gubernatorial election in 2022.

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Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. and NeighborWorks on June 10 to celebrate 2021 graduates

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In partnership with national nonprofit NeighborWorks, Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (Cabrillo EDC) will be hosting a special celebration for 2021 graduates of all ages during NeighborWorks week.   

Since its inception in 1983, NeighborWorks Week showcases how the NeighborWorks network strengthens communities and celebrates their collective impact as a network, while this year’s theme aims to reflect on the power of unity and resilience. Through this event, Cabrillo EDC recognizes the united community effort needed to support online learning, from hardworking students and teachers, homework clubs, and more.   

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Calls Mount for Advance Warning of Ag Pesticide Spray 

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Californians in farmworker communities gathered Thursday online as well as in-person, calling on the state and county governments to web-post advance warning of agricultural pesticide use, citing the known health impacts of pesticide exposure and the tendency of pesticides to drift far from where they are applied. Currently, no notice is provided to the public. Advocates say that knowing in advance about hazardous chemical use near homes and schools would enable residents to take steps to protect themselves and their families from harm. 

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Meet the 2021 Ventura County Teacher of the Year

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Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, is pleased to announce that Mia Rogers from Glen City Elementary School in the Santa Paula Unified School District (SPUSD) is the 2021 Ventura County Teacher of the Year. Rogers and her students found out about the honor today when her family and local dignitaries made a surprise visit to her classroom.

Rogers currently teaches second grade at Glen City Elementary. Her principal, Dr. Lydia Olivo, said Rogers takes a gentle but effective approach to ensuring each students’ success. “Succeeding is not an option for students in Mrs. Rogers’ class; it’s a given. She knows what each student is capable of, helps them gain confidence and pushes them beyond their current instructional level.”

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The Port of Hueneme is Committed to Equality

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As the country recovers from the many impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in racial turbulence and violence adds to the challenges for many Americans. Asian Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans as well as immigrants, people of color, women, and the LGBT+ communities are feeling the direct impacts of this turbulence. To reaffirm the Port of Hueneme’s commitment to equality, the Oxnard Harbor District Board of Commissioners recently passed a board resolution to promote tolerance and denounce racism.

“The Oxnard Harbor District Board of Commissioners acknowledges that the recent escalation of racial violence against the AAPI community must be acted upon,” said Board President Jason T. Hodge. “We are a District where people can feel safe and respected and free of harm and this resolution reflects that. We are a diverse working Port and as part of the global economy and local community, we have to incorporate our values into our actions.”

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Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 26, 2021

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The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s (VCAAA) Robotic Pet Companion Program offers people experiencing isolation and loneliness a comforting pet companion that mirrors many of the behaviors of a real animal. Those who have received the pets say they’ve noticed a decrease in depression symptoms, an increase in happiness, and improved sleep.

Do you know an older adult or person with a disability who is experiencing depression?

The VCAAA’s Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives, or PEARLS, is a national evidence-based program for late-life depression. PEARLS brings high-quality care into community-based settings that reach vulnerable older adults 60 and older. For more information visit https://www.vcaaa.org/our-services/social-services-caregiving/ or call 805-477-7300.

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Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Career Opportunities at EDC

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The EDC is looking for two new staff members to join our team!

At the EDC, our work focuses around our purpose- meaningful contributions to economic opportunity for businesses, entrepreneurs and workers, increasing the region’s well-being and quality of life. We value trust, mutual support and collaboration, creating space for risk and innovation. Striving for continuous learning, we believe in constantly improving our work and encouraging our team member’s personal growth. Our team relies on each other and celebrates each other’s and our collective success.

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Bilingual report — Camarillo and Oxnard Airport Master Plan Update

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The Ventura County Department of Airports would like to thank community members who participated in the public workshop that was recently conducted to kick off the Camarillo and Oxnard Airport Master Plan update. Based on the feedback received to date, the Department has decided to pause the Master Plan process for a period of approximately one year or more if needed to broaden community engagement.

The intent of the Airport Master Plan Update is to both share information and listen to community members to seek their input and vision for how the two County owned Airports should serve our local communities and region. The County hopes to have a shared understanding through broadened engagement, of the community’s concerns and interests in how the Airports are being planned and operated to best serve all in our communities.  

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Ventura College Foundation Distributes Over $640,000 In Scholarships

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The Ventura College Foundation awarded 400 scholarships to 228 students totaling $642,758 for the 2020/21 academic year.

Students were notified this month of their scholarship awards. Scholarship amounts range from an average of nearly $2,400 for continuing students to an average of nearly $4,000 for students who are transferring to four-year universities in the fall. Over half of the winners received multiple scholarships.

“Despite the challenges during the school year because of the pandemic and virtual learning, many Ventura College students were able to excel in their academic studies,” says Rob van Nieuwburg, Ventura College Foundation board chair. “Scholarship recipients are a wonderful example of the drive and commitment that our students show every day. Education is the gift that can pull families out of poverty, establish new futures, and launch dreams. We have been fortunate to be able to continue our mission during COVID to foster and enhance the education of Ventura College students. We are grateful for the generosity of our donors and community members who are giving the gift of education by making these scholarships possible.”

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Mary Maranville, SEEAG Founder & CEO, Is 2021 Women’s Economic Ventures Spirit of Entrepreneurship Nonprofit Award Winner

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Mary Maranville, founder and CEO of Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG), received the Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award for Nonprofits. Each year, WEV celebrates outstanding women business owners from Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties in 10 industry categories. The awards were announced during a live virtual ceremony on May 21. Over 150 business leaders and community members attended.

“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.

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County of Ventura likely to reach State’s Yellow least restrictive tier 12:01 am June 2

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The County of Ventura has reached the threshold for the least restrictive yellow tier in the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy for the first week of the required two-week period. If the County continues to meet that threshold for one more week the County will be able to move to the Yellow Tier on June 2 at 12:01 am.  Today, the State has reported that Ventura County’s adjusted case rate has dropped from 2.4 new cases per 100,000 people to 1.5 new cases per 100,000. The overall test positivity rate dropped from 1% to .7% and in health equity areas the test positivity rate dropped from 1.8% to 1.4%.  

“This is especially great news for our business community. Expanded capacity will help impacted businesses as we head into the summer months. We appreciate the hard work of our community members in getting us to this point,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers.  

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Ventura County Community Development Corp. Community Matters May 2021

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Meet Crystal! About 3 years ago, Crystal and her father needed to refinance their home as their mortgage payments kept increasing due to their adjustable interest rate. Their hope was to refinance with a low fixed interest rate to lower their monthly mortgage payments. Crystal went to bank lenders to see if she would qualify for a refinance but nothing seemed to work for her. It was a worrisome time for Crystal and her dad and they thought they would lose their home as they continued to struggle to afford the monthly mortgage payments.  

All this changed after a family member, a client of ours, encouraged Crystal to get help from VCCDC.

“VCCDC made the process stress-free and guided us throughout the entire process. I am so grateful we were able to refinance our home through VCCDC because we were able to keep our home, lower our monthly mortgage payments and obtain a fixed interest rate,” says Crystal.

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Sixteen global shipping companies slowed cargo ships for 181,000 nautical miles in 2020 program off California coast to protect blue whales and blue skies

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The partners in an initiative to cut air pollution and protect endangered whales announced results from the 2020 program and recognized the shipping companies that successfully participated, reducing speeds to 10 knots or less in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Southern California region. The program’s new Southern California region extends from Point Arguello (in Santa Barbara County) to waters near Dana Point (by the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach). The voluntary incentive program, called “Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies,” ran May 15, 2020 through November 15, 2020.

Shipping companies receive recognition and financial awards based on the percent of distance traveled by their vessels through the Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) zones at 10 knots or less and with an average speed of 12 knots or less. The 10-knot target complements the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) requests for all vessels (300 gross tons or larger) to slow down during the months of peak endangered blue, humpback, and fin whale abundance to protect these whales from ship strikes.

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Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 25, 2021

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We celebrate our heroes today. Five Disaster Service Workers supporting the Oxnard and Ventura vaccination sites are returning to their regular work duties in county departments and agencies after months of dedicating their time to COVID-19 response.

•Ulysses Martinez (Probation Agency)
•Gloria Whitcomb (Public Works Agency)
•Helen Tosh (Health Care Agency, Behavioral Health)
•Alice Morua (Human Services Agency)
•Linda Garcia Soto (Human Services Agency)
Pictured left to right

We appreciate your hard work in helping us move beyond the pandemic.

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Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Join us TOMORROW | FREE Sunset Beach Yoga & Mediation

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oin us for two upcoming community classes in collaboration with Santa Barbara Beach Yoga. Sign up now for the free classes listed below and meet us in the sand! 
TOMORROW
SUNSET BEACH YOGA
& MEDITATION
Wednesday, May 26, 2021 
6:15 – 7:15 PM
East Beach
Sign up for free >>

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VCCCD Celebrates Class of 2021 Graduates

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Not even a pandemic could stop this year’s graduates of Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges from pursuing—and achieving—their educational goals. In recognition of what these resilient students have accomplished, the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) leadership collaborated with its three colleges to celebrate the 5,370 students in the class of 2021 who have earned their degrees or certificates.

Festive Drive-Thru Graduations were held on May 20 at each college’s campus and Ventura College East Campus in Santa Paula. 

“We are always proud of our graduates and all that they accomplish, but this year’s graduates hold a special honor for their persistence in completing their education when most of their classes were remote,” said Chancellor Greg Gillespie. “As these students become VCCCD alumni, they are well-prepared for their next steps of a career or transferring to a four-year college or university.”

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Michelle Jung Is “Making Waves” Alongside Erin Hanson’s ‘Colors of California’ at the Santa Paula Art Museum

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The Santa Paula Art Museum is open, and its summer exhibitions are causing quite the stir. “Making Waves,” a solo show by Northern California artist Michelle Jung, will open June 5, 2021. Jung, who began painting professionally at age 40, has a particular fondness for the sea as she has lived near the coast—east and west—for much of her life. “Making Waves” is a large-scale, immersive presentation of seascape oil paintings that invites viewers to experience the beauty and drama of the Pacific coast. The exhibit will be on view June 5, 2021, to September 12, 2021. Like all of the Museum’s current exhibits, “Making Waves” will also be available to enjoy online at www.santapaulaartmuseum.org.

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Consulado de México de Oxnard — Convocatoria ‘Premio de Literaturas Indígenas de América 2021’

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Escritor o Escritora mexicana  que radicas en los condados de Ventura, Santa Barbara o San Luis Obispo, California, el Instituto Nacional de Lenguas Indígenas (INALI) y distintas instituciones,  te convoca a participar en el “PREMIO DE LITERATURAS INDÍGENAS DE AMÉRICA 2021, PLIA” para promover la creación literaria de tu lengua originaria, para conocer más consulta la convocatoria completa ingresa a: http://cunorte.udg.mx/plia/convocatoria. ¡Participa! Tienes hasta el 19 de Agosto de 2021 @IME

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

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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.

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

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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: 

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