Category: Business

October Newsletter — Virtual Activities Launch in NEW Subscription Memberships!

by Community Contributor • October 1, 2020 • Comments Off

Back on March 16, when we had to close our physical doors in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Friendship Center staff immediately began finding ways to reach out and support our community from a distance. Considering ourselves warriors against isolation within our group of senior friends, staff have worked hard on creating unique forms of engagement and inclusion for our members. These activities include our robust schedule of ten daily Zoom classes, weekly tele check-ins, letter writing and supply delivery, Take Care Totes, Drive-In activity hours, porch visits, resource referrals and more.

UCSB — The Current — Your Thursday News Briefing

by Community Contributor • October 1, 2020 • Comments Off

With a vision and a plan, Gerardo Aldana steps into his new role as dean of the College of Creative Studies.

State Sen. Jackson’s Bill to Close Race and Gender Pay Gap Signed Into Law

by Community Contributor • September 30, 2020 • Comments Off

As women and people of color are being disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and its economic challenges, legislation by State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson’s (D-Santa Barbara) to address the race and gender-based pay gap was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom (on Sept. 30).

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Sept. 30

by Community Contributor • September 30, 2020 • Comments Off

Good evening, there are 80 new cases today (3 (3.8%) of which have a lab collection from September 23rd or earlier), 1,174 additional people tested, and 2 additional deaths (60 year old male, 87 year old female, all with comorbidities). The current doubling time was 157.7 days. There are 48 cases that are currently hospitalized, and 11 cases are being treated in the ICU.

EDC Legal Alert — Eviction Protections Extended to March 31

by Community Contributor • September 30, 2020 • Comments Off

On September 23, 2020, Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-80-20. The Order extends to March 31, 2021 the time frame for local governments to provide commercial eviction protections due to COVID-19. The additional protection is not automatic, however. Commercial landlords and tenants will have to wait and see if local governments in Ventura County, Santa Barbara County or surrounding areas enact or extend the protections authorized by the Order.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Santa Barbara County Moves into Red Tier

by Community Contributor • September 30, 2020 • Comments Off

At the (Sept, 22) special Board of Supervisors hearing, we received an update on COVID-19. According to the California Blueprint for a Safer Economy metrics, Santa Barbara County has met the State’s red tier case rate and positivity rate criteria for two consecutive weeks. As a result, the risk of COVID-19 spread in Santa Barbara County has been downgraded, effective immediately, from widespread to substantial, allowing movement from the purple tier to the red tier. Currently we have 3 active cases in the South County Unincorporated Areas (which include Montecito, Summerland and the City of Carpinteria), 13 active cases in the City of Santa Barbara, and 170 active cases County-wide.

UCSB — The Current — Your Tuesday News Briefing

by Community Contributor • September 29, 2020 • Comments Off

Reimagining Instruction for the Student Experience, a recent seminar for faculty, set the stage for a robust and rigorous fall quarter of distance learning.

The Road to Reopening Ventura County Schools

by Community Contributor • September 28, 2020 • Comments Off

The prospect of students returning to their classrooms is getting closer to reality as the coronavirus situation in Ventura County starts to improve. Before schools are allowed to reopen to all students, Ventura County must move off the most restrictive level – the purple tier – on the state’s coronavirus watch list and stay off of it for two weeks.

CFROG Announces New Executive Director

by Community Contributor • September 28, 2020 • Comments Off

The Climate First: Replacing Oil & Gas (CFROG) Board of Directors announced today that Liz Beall has been selected to serve as CFROG’s new Executive Director, effective this Thursday, October 1st, 2020. “CFROG’s Board is excited to welcome Liz Beall as our new Executive Director.” said John Brooks, President of CFROG’s Board. “Liz is an outspoken advocate for environmental justice and has the vision, perseverance, and knowledge needed to achieve CFROG’s goals.”

EDC Business Alert- What do I do with the government aid I’ve received?

by Community Contributor • September 28, 2020 • Comments Off

We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic has been impacting business owners in many different ways. With each new regulation it can be difficult to apply general advice to your specific business.

Our no-cost, individualized consulting can help discuss what to do with the PPP, EIDL, and additional government aid you have received.

Peoples Self Help Housing — Now Open – Guadalupe Court Apartments!

by Community Contributor • September 28, 2020 • Comments Off

Check out this video of our newly completed farmworker housing!

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Sept. 25

by Community Contributor • September 25, 2020 • Comments Off

Good afternoon, There are 51 new cases today (4 (7.8%) of which have a lab collection from September 18th or earlier), 833 additional people tested, and 3 additional deaths (68 year old female, 37 year old female, and 99 year old male, all with comorbidities). The current doubling time was 121.4 days.

Ventura County is currently in the purple tier which they have designated as widespread transmission as of September 22. Our current data published as of September 22 is 7.4 (purple tier) for the case rate and 3.8% (orange tier) for the positivity rate for the measurement period ending September 12; this will keep us in the purple tier until the next measurement which will be on September 29.

Commentary — No time to stop filling out U.S. Census form, registering to vote

by Community Contributor • September 25, 2020 • Comments Off

The year 2020 will go down as one of the most challenging years this nation has faced. A continuing pandemic, large nationwide demonstrations for civil rights, a contentious election campaign season — all during a time when the nation was attempting to complete the 2020 Census.

Now, there is word that the Sept. 30 deadline to complete the Census may be pushed back to its original Oct. 31, 2020 pandemic-altered deadline: Please see — CNN — Federal judge orders nationwide 2020 census counting to continue through October 31.

But since the ruling is subject to appeal, and nothing else appears predictable during 2020, it would be best to continue to fill out those Census forms as quickly as possible.

U.S. Latinos Create 8th Largest Economy in the World

by Community Contributor • September 25, 2020 • Comments Off

The 2020 edition of the U.S. Latino GDP Report was released today by the Latino Donor Collaborative, a non-profit organization dedicated to reshaping the perception of Latinos as part of the American social mainstream.

“The report shows that, during 2018, the nearly 60 million Latinos living in the U.S. generated the world’s eighth largest gross domestic product (GDP),” said Matthew Fienup, Executive Director of the Center for Economic Research and Forecasting at California Lutheran University, one of the report’s co-authors. “The GDP is the total value of all goods and services produced by a region in a given year.”

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — September 2020 Newsletter

by Community Contributor • September 25, 2020 • Comments Off

Thank you to the amazing donors who have helped us raise over $10,000 in the first week of our Perfect Match campaign!

We are off to a great start and we need YOUR help to reach our fundraising goal.

VCPWA – WP Solicits Community Feedback on the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project (MDERP) Subsequent EIR

by Community Contributor • September 24, 2020 • Comments Off

The Ventura County Public Works Agency – Watershed Protection (VCPWA-WP) is preparing the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR), and they are soliciting community input.

State of County 2020 Provides a Behind the Scenes View of COVID-19 Response

by Community Contributor • September 24, 2020 • Comments Off

The State of the County presentation took place on September 17, 2020. The annual event, hosted by local Chambers of Commerce and the Ventura County Tax Payers Association and community groups, provided an inside view of the dynamic coordination of COVID-19 response. “2020, what can you say? Recovering from disasters, responding to a new disaster and preparing for future disasters has become our new normal. The pandemic impacts all communities but not many communities have had the emergencies we have faced. Our community had to answer the call yet again, and you did. We have done better than most and I think we will emerge stronger than most because of the selfless generosity and compassion of our community,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers as he kicked off the event.

September News from Peoples’ Self-Help Housing

by Community Contributor • September 24, 2020 • Comments Off

Students are still learning remotely, but in partnership with local school districts, our educators are supporting families throughout the whole day, and not just with homework!

Friendship Center — Shine a light of hope…

by Community Contributor • September 24, 2020 • Comments Off

2020 will forever be known as the year of one of the most impactful and furthest reaching public health events in history. We have had to pull together, and stand apart. With no stone unturned, we have had to re-think many of our routine habits through a new pandemic lens. In doing so, we have become even more aware of the importance of our health, our families, and the need for companionship. And conversely, recognize that isolation and depression are very real factors during this time.

EDC Business Alert — Census Last Day September 30!

by Community Contributor • September 23, 2020 • Comments Off

This decennial Census has significant impact on our business community. The Census not only determines local funding for schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, but it also allocates money for direct business resources. As a business owner, you can consult the Census data to understand where cities are expanding and strategize investing in your current business or opening a new location. We encourage you to check in with your employees, friends, and community to ensure everyone is counted.

County of Ventura — Updated COVID FAQs

by Community Contributor • September 23, 2020 • Comments Off

Good Morning, Here are the most recent updates from the County of Ventura.

Nail Salons: Can be open for indoor service following the expanded personal care services guidance.

Camping: Campgrounds can be open at 100% capacity following campgrounds, RV parks and recreation guidance.

Bilingual report — All cities across Ventura County surpass 2010 Census self-response rate

by Community Contributor • September 22, 2020 • Comments Off

While efforts continue to count residents across the state and nation in the 2020 Census, Ventura County has achieved a significant milestone. To date, all cities across the County have surpassed the self-response rate recorded in 2010, with many cities recording a 5-point increase or higher in the response rate recorded a decade ago.

“This is an exciting achievement for our County especially in the midst of the COVID-19 response efforts, said Mike Powers, County Executive Officer. “Prior to COVID-19, it was reported that our County would be difficult to count, so it’s incredible that we not only overcame but exceeded expectations. Now is the final stretch to make it count! Now more than ever, it’s especially important as our community is responding to, and recovering from, the health and economic impacts of COVID-19. We hope that as the Census enters into the last week of the response period that we continue to see these numbers grow.”

Logix Federal Credit Union and Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce Team up to Support Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV)

by Community Contributor • September 22, 2020 • Comments Off

In support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley’s (BGCGCV) “Rising Stronger Together” Campaign, Logix Federal Credit Union donated $5,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Conejo Valley this summer, with the help of the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce. Logix hosted a fundraiser through its Community Stars Foundation in June to provide additional dollars; members participated in this fundraiser.

Logix has been a long-time supporter of the club, making contributions toward programming, like camps and day activities.

SBCC partners with four-year institutions to train students in data science

by Community Contributor • September 22, 2020 • Comments Off

According to co-founder of Sun Microsystems Vinod Khosla, “In the next 10 years, data science and software will do more for medicine than all of the biological sciences together.” Whether that bold prediction will prove true is yet to be seen, however the there is no denying that in all fields there is a growing demand for people who can interpret and analyze the massive amount of data being collected every day. Santa Barbara City College stands ready to play its part in preparing students to meet that demand.

Gov. Newsom Signs Jackson’s Bill Extending Job-Protected Family Leave to Nearly 6 Million Californians

by Community Contributor • September 21, 2020 • Comments Off

Governor Gavin Newsom (on Sept. 17) signed legislation ensuring millions more Californians can utilize Paid Family Leave benefits they pay for without the fear of job loss. SB 1383 was developed through the Paid Family Leave Task Force convened by the Administration last year and builds on previous work to extend Paid Family Leave benefits from six to eight weeks for each parent of a newborn.

“Californians deserve to be able to take time off to care for themselves or a sick family member without fearing they’ll lose their job,” said Governor Newsom. “The COVID-19 pandemic has only further revealed the need for a family leave policy that truly serves families and workers, especially those who keep our economy running. This bill will ensure almost all Californians can access the time off they need to keep themselves and their communities healthy.”

Consortium Media Announces Advancements and New Team Member

by Community Contributor • September 21, 2020 • Comments Off

Consortium Media is pleased to announce multiple promotions across departments within the well-known branding firm. From culturalist,? brand development level advances and more, Consortium Media is a diverse, talented?branding and outreach team that goes above and beyond.

Denise Bean-White has led Consortium Media as the CEO and President for 30 years. Recently, as a culturalist, she has integrated cultural branding and ThoughtShift trend work into the Consortium client strategy.

National college reports give CSUCI high marks for social mobility, affordability and overall quality

by Community Contributor • September 21, 2020 • Comments Off

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) is listed among the top 20 “Best Bang for Your Buck” Colleges in the West in Washington Monthly’s annual college guide.

CSUCI was ranked the 19th “Best Bang for Your Buck” college in 2020, up from last year’s ranking of No. 22. CSUCI has been rising steadily for years, up from its No. 26 ranking in 2018 and 2017.

Commentary — Community comes together to urge Latinos to complete Census, register to vote

by Community Contributor • September 18, 2020 • Comments Off

From children performing from the Inlakech Cultural Arts Center and email messages from El Concilio Family Resources, both in Oxnard, to a commentary by the co-founder of the Acuna Art Gallery and Community Collective, the Latino community is coming out to support the twin goals of completing U.S. Census forms by Sept. 30, 2020 and doing everything possible to make sure your vote counts in during the Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 general election.

“… So we must all vote, and get every one that is of voting age to vote. We must be guardians of the poll booths to assure that no intimidation of our people is taking place. Must by any means necessary be present at the poll booths to assure that any one that has the right to vote, can exercise that privilege! If you vote by mail it is, of course, imperative that you mail your completed ballot as quickly as possible so that every vote can be counted,” wrote Armando Vazquez, of the former Café on A Street / Acuna Art Gallery, in a column this week on Amigos805.

Guest commentary — Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States of America in 2020

by Community Contributor • September 18, 2020 • Comments Off

If it were not so pathetically packaged as totally absurd, insincere and damaged capitalistic propaganda, of absolutely no consequence or redeeming value whatsoever, for the roughly 18 million Latinos, it would be laughable, cruel, ironic hypocrisy at the highest level. I am referring to this phony period from September 15, to October 15, 2020 that we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States of America. Celebrate what? When this our government has effectively declared war on us, the Latinos of this nation.

Santa Barbara City College — Fall term off to unconventional start amid COVID-19 pandemic

by Community Contributor • September 18, 2020 • Comments Off

In the days running up to the first day of the Fall term, Noozhawk interviewed officials at SBCC about the innovative ways the college has prepared to support teaching and learning in an online environment. Acknowledging that the college provides vital services in addition to classes, Noozhawk noted that the college is working to address the technical needs of all learners while also taking time to ensure social and emotional needs are met.

Bilingual update — COVID-19 Update for Sept. 17 — Free Flu Shots

by Community Contributor • September 17, 2020 • Comments Off

DRIVE-UP FLU VACCINE EVENT

Ventura County Public Health Immunization Program and the Emergency Medical Services Agency are offering Influenza Vaccine at no charge.

WHERE: Oxnard College – North Parking lot
4000 S. Rose Ave, Oxnard CA 93033
WHEN: Wednesday, September 30, 2020
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

United Way of Ventura County — United We Serve

by Community Contributor • September 17, 2020 • Comments Off

This week, three AmeriCorps VIP Fellows will be sworn in to serve United Way and our partner sites. Partner sites for the upcoming year include the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging and Westminster Free Clinic, a brand new site. These VIP Fellows are part of a cohort serving sites across 17 California counties. United Way of Ventura County has served as the Supervising Organization for the AmeriCorps Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP) in our county since 2016.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Sept. 16 — State of the County at 1 p.m. Sept. 17

by Community Contributor • September 16, 2020 • Comments Off

State of the County at 1 p.m. Sept. 17. Register at http://stateofthecounty.ventura.org/

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Air Quality Watch and More

by Community Contributor • September 16, 2020 • Comments Off

At (the Sept. 15) Board of Supervisors hearing, we received an update on COVID-19. Santa Barbara County remains in the purple tier according to the California Blueprint for a Safer Economy metrics. However, according to the graph below, we are getting closer to meeting the metrics of the red tier after recovering from the spike we endured in July.