With mountain snowpacks shrinking in the western U.S., researchers analyze when a low-to-no-snow future might arrive and the implications for water management.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Managing Water Resources in a Low-to-No-Snow Future’ and more news
Category: Business
United Way of Santa Barbara Board of Directors Welcomes Shari Liu Fellows
United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) Board of Directors welcomes Shari Liu Fellows to their team. Shari is a professional journalist and event producer with over 20 years of experience in the luxury lifestyle and media sectors. Starting out in modeling and fashion publishing, her work has since taken her around the globe, producing and conducting thousands of events and interviews with an extensive portfolio of clientele.
Bilingual report — Oxnard City Manager Alexander Nguyen Appoints Helen Miller as Information Technology Director
The City of Oxnard announces the appointment of Helen Miller as the new Information Technology (IT) Director. With more than 25 years of business-technology experience in both the public and private sector, Miller brings significant experience deploying modern technological solutions that will benefit both Oxnard community members and City employees.
“We’re excited to have recruited a talented professional who also happens to be an Oxnard resident,” said City Manager Alexander Nguyen. “We look forward to Ms. Miller modernizing the IT Department.”
Volunteers Needed for 2022 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program
United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) is currently looking for volunteers for their 2022 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The VITA program is a free tax preparation service for local Santa Barbara County residents who make $67,000 or less a year.
Every year, tax returns are prepared and electronically filed by IRS-certified volunteers for qualified individuals or families. Current volunteer opportunities include tax preparers, reviewers, and greeters for UWSBC’s tax preparation locations. Self-paced trainings for IRS certification trainings are available online, with virtual trainings scheduled for January 2022.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Weekly Webinar Schedule
SCORE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY: RISE UP: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE: THE CORE COMPETENCY TO SUCCESS
November 11 @ 5:00 pm
The most successful companies and individuals are the ones that adapt their culture and communication around the key elements of emotional intelligence (EI). Many experts contend that EI accounts for 80% of professional success. Join SCORE to learn more!
Two renewable energy experts join Gravity Power board
Gravity Power LLC, a Santa-Barbara based company that offers low-cost, low-impact energy storage technology to the electricity industry, has welcomed two prominent energy industry experts to its board of directors.
California Energy Commission Chairman Robert (Bob) Weisenmiller and renewable energy entrepreneur Steve Taber have joined the Gravity Power board. The two will leverage their decades of combined experience in grid decarbonization to help bring Gravity Power’s revolutionary storage technology to full commercialization.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Legal Alert — Cal/Osha Emergency Temporary Standard
On November 4, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced a new emergency temporary standard to protect more than 84 million workers from the spread of the coronavirus on the job. The nation’s unvaccinated workers face grave danger from workplace exposure to coronavirus, and immediate action is necessary to protect them.
Blanca Mejia Joins Family Service Agency Board of Directors
Family Service Agency (FSA) of Santa Barbara County, also known as Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center and Guadalupe’s Little House By The Park, is pleased to announce the appointment of Blanca E. Mejia to its Board of Directors.
“We are thrilled Blanca has joined our board,” said Executive Director Lisa Brabo, “Our agency will benefit from her background in law and her understanding of the Santa Maria community.”
VCCCD Highlights Retiree Health Benefits and Expanded Learning Opportunities Across Ventura County
Ventura County Community College District will preserve retirees’ comprehensive health benefits, while saving taxpayers $53 million, and Spanish speakers can learn English in Piru, thanks to two of the many actions recently taken by the board of trustees. The board also passed a measure to receive contract funding for workforce development.
The taxpayer savings was noted in the 2021 Actuarial Study of Retiree Health Liabilities from Total Compensation Systems, Inc., which illustrates how the recent transition of purchasing retirees’ medical benefits through California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) saves taxpayer dollars today and into the future through a substantial reduction of the District’s Net Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) liability.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — EDC Business Alert- Uplift Central Coast Coalition
EDC Proudly Partners with REACH and the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP)
The Uplift Central Coast Coalition comprises 13 partners across industry, government and education and is expected to grow over time. The coalition is being overseen by the region’s three economic development organizations, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, Economic Development Collaborative and REACH, with REACH as the lead agency on the U.S. EDA Build Back Better grant application.
November 2021 Friendly Finch Friendship Center’s Monthly Newsletter
Administration
Letter from Heidi
Virtual Tour of FC
Catholic Daughters
Covid Booster Update
Program
Connections Resumes Nov. 16
Halloween Party
Cycling without Age
UCSB — The Current — 35 Reasons to Laugh, Cry
The Collection at RiverPark offers holiday festivities for the whole family
This holiday season, The Collection at RiverPark is offering a wide variety of timeless festive events and experiences for all ages and interests. Stop by for shopping, dining, entertainment and holiday merriment that lasts all season long.
Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update
Pfizer Bio-NTech vaccine available for 5- to 11-year-olds in Ventura County
The Pfizer Bio-NTech vaccine has been approved for 5- to 11-year-olds and may be available in Ventura County beginning today. The California Department of Public Health’s vaccine appointment system, MyTurn.CA.gov, will be updated by tomorrow November 4, and that is when the Ventura County Public Health Department will begin offering the vaccine to this age group. Families are encouraged to contact their medical provider for information about the vaccine. “I welcome the authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup and California Department of Public Health of the COVID-19 vaccine for children of five years of age and older. This will protect our children and get us closer to our goal of herd immunity,” said Public Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin.
Ventura County’s Community Colleges Named Among 150 U.S. Community Colleges Eligible for 2023 Aspen Prize
Ventura County’s community colleges are among 150 institutions nationwide eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges are now eligible for the 2023 prize, known as the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America’s community colleges. It recognizes colleges with robust student outcomes in equity, teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer rates and bachelor’s degree attainment and workforce success.
Only 15% of the approximately 1,000 community colleges the Aspen Institute eval uates across the U.S. are selected to contend for the esteemed honor. This is the first time that all three Ventura County Community College District colleges have been eligible for the Aspen Prize at the same time. Ventura College was previously eligible in 2017, 2019 and 2021; and Moorpark College in 2019.
Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation Call for Artists to enter 40 Years of Home Mural Contest
Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (Cabrillo EDC)?is pleased to announce a call for artists to participate in its 40 Years of Home Mural contest. Founded in 1981, Cabrillo EDC’s early roots were in response to a farmworker community’s demand for secure housing. Rooted in community-building and ongoing support, their mission aims to provide comprehensive affordable housing services and community economic development activities to residents most lacking in opportunity.
The purpose of the mural is to promote awareness about the importance of developing housing that positively impacts the community’s health, education, public safety, social services and economic development – And Cabrillo EDC’s contributions over the past 40 years.
LaunchPoint Announces Commercialization of its 250 kW Motor Controller for Advanced Air Mobility
Top aerospace power generation and propulsion development company, LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions, Inc., is pleased to announce the commercialization of its highest power controller to date. The highly efficient MC250 is an ultra-lightweight, bi-directional 250 kW power electronics solution capable of controlling permanent magnet motor or generator power. Applications include electric propulsion and power generation for aircraft in defense, commercial aerospace, and advanced air mobility.
Bilingual report — Renee Rakestraw Appointed as Assistant Director of Cultural and Community Services
The City of Oxnard Cultural and Community Services Director Terrel Harrison announces the appointment of Renee Rakestraw as Assistant Director to the department.
Rakestraw has served the Oxnard community for over 19 years in various capacities and emerged as a leader within the department. She began her career as a Recreation Leader and later became a Recreation Coordinator before being named Recreation Supervisor in 2017. Most recently, she was appointed as the Cultural and Community Services Manager in 2019.
City of Thousand Oaks Announces Emergency Grants for Local Arts Groups
The City of Thousand Oaks has made a commitment to the Arts and Culture organizations of the Thousand Oaks area by setting aside $500,000 to be used for emergency COVID-19 relief.
“Access to the arts is a critical part of a well-rounded community. We understand how much the pandemic seriously affected many arts organizations. We want to help our wonderful arts groups get back on their feet, so that our community can experience the soothing and healing beauty of the arts again” says Thousand Oaks Mayor Claudia Bill-de la Peña.
Santa Barbara County Food Action Network — Announcing a Unique Financing Option for Food Businesses
Many food businesses, especially producers, have been unable to take advantage of traditional financing because there are too many barriers, the structure is too narrow, and other programs are not informed by those who apply for funding. Recognizing this regional need, SBCFAN and the Economic Development Collaborative proudly announce the Food System Resilience Loan Program, providing food businesses an equitable opportunity to access financing, address gaps in our food system, and ensure that their businesses thrive.
Bilingual report — Ventura County’s America’s Job Centers of California Re-Opens, Gets A Remodel
The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDB) announced the re-opening of the America’s Job Center of California location in Oxnard and the affiliate East County office in Simi Valley. The Oxnard office also reopened with some welcomed changes.
America’s Job Center of California is a direct link to resources that help choose and pursue careers. The centers provide free access to a host of employment-related resources to help individuals find rewarding careers. They can receive assistance with resume preparation, training referrals, view job openings and employer information and learn about in-demand occupations. Customized training in the region’s in-demand occupations and assistance with tuition and books is also available. Services are available in English and for English language learners.
Nov. 1, 2021 – Ventura County COVID-19 Update
¡Feliz Día de Los Muertos! Community members celebrated the holiday this weekend through dance, art, altars, and song at the Soliz-El Rio Library event in Oxnard, honoring ancestors and loved ones who have passed.
United Way of Santa Barbara Board of Directors Welcomes Tim Armour
United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) Board of Directors welcomes Tim Armour. Tim quickly joined UWSBC’s Marketing & Communications Committee where he has helped enhance UWSBC’s messaging. Armour was born in Santa Barbara and lived in Montecito until his family moved away in 1960. He grew up in Westchester County, NY and graduated from Gettysburg College in 1970 and spent 3 years as a Supply Officer in the U. S. Navy. After receiving an M.B.A. from Columbia University in 1975, he embarked on a marketing career first with General Foods in product management and then with Citibank in NYC and Chicago. He later became President of Stein Roe Mutual Funds in Chicago and President of Morningstar Inc. which went public in 2005.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Weekly Webinar Schedule
EDC WEBINAR SCHEDULE
The Economic Development Collaborative encourages you to sign up for our no-cost webinars. Space is limited. Register today!
United Way of Santa Barbara Board of Directors Welcomes Suzanne Birch
United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) Board of Directors welcomes Suzanne Birch. She and her husband, Ed Birch, have a long history with UWSBC. Sue was previously involved in advising the original launch of UWSBC’s United Learning Center and Ed previously served as UWSBC’s Board chairman.
Sue Birch holds BS and MS degrees from State University of New York and the Ohio State University as well as Educational Computer Certification from UCSB. She has had a long career in Education as a teacher, counselor, computer director and administrator.
Downtown flex space, Workzones, expands to meet needs of post-COVID world
Remote employment. Virtual meetings. Combined business and leisure or “bleisure” travel. The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed how Americans work.
To meet this new reality, Workzones, a pioneering coworking space in downtown Santa Barbara, has scaled up its offerings to provide entrepreneurs, professionals and remote employees with comfortable, flexible, and customized work options. The expansion includes a vast new array of fully equipped private offices, meeting rooms, team rooms and conference facilities, as well as an open coworking area with access to a kitchen, printers, lightning fast Wi-Fi, phone booths, and quality local coffee.
Attorney Manny Ignacio Joins Employment Law Firm LightGabler
Attorney Manny Ignacio has joined the Camarillo employment law firm LightGabler.
Ignacio defends employers in a broad range of litigation matters including wage and hour, class action, Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), harassment, and discrimination claims in state and federal court, as well as regulatory compliance claims by Cal/OSHA, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and the Department of Labor.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Tax Credit Programs
TAX CREDITS THAT MAY APPLY TO YOUR BUSINESS
Tax Credits may help reduce the amount of tax your business owes. Your business may be eligible for more than 1 tax credit if you:
Bring or grow your business in California
Hire employees in certain areas
Produce a movie or television show
Do qualified research in California
Pesticides applied within 2.5 miles linked to childhood cancers in Ventura, Kern counties
Nurses, teachers, labor leaders, elected officials and concerned residents held a news conference at the Kern County Administrative Building in Bakersfield (on Oct. 28) to release a report revealing extensive use in Kern and Ventura Counties of 13 pesticides linked to childhood cancers. The group, organized by the Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment (CRPE) and the Ventura County-Coalition Advocating for Pesticide Safety (VC-CAPS), called on state and local governments to restrict the use of these pesticides, and web-post warnings before they and other hazardous pesticides are used.
The report reveals regular use in the Kern-Ventura area of 11 out of 13 pesticides identified in two recent studies by UCLA as being linked to early childhood cancers. The UCLA studies found that these pesticides increase risk of a child developing specific forms of cancers ranging from 1.60 times (or 60% increased chance) to 3.38 times (or 238% elevated risk), if their mothers lived within 2.5 miles of the pesticide application while pregnant. More than 28 countries have banned or not approved 10 of the 13 pesticides.
Rob Collins to Resign from Ventura County Board of Education
Veteran educator Rob Collins has announced his resignation from the Ventura County Board of Education. Collins was elected to the board in 2018 for the second time. He had previously served as a board trustee from 2002 to 2004. He also served for twelve years as a trustee for the Simi Valley Unified School District Board of Education and has many years of experience as a classroom teacher and school administrator. Collins was honored as the Simi Valley Teacher of the Year in 1998.
Santa Paula Art Museum — Free Giveaway: Art To-Go Bags on Oct. 30 and more upcoming events
We’re celebrating Día de los Muertos with our community with an extra special, free Art To-Go Bag Giveaway. Drive by the Museum this Saturday at 9 a.m. to pick up free bags filled with fun art making materials (while supplies last). Kids will receive everything they need to create festive art projects at home likepapier maché sugar skulls, papel picado, calavera puppets, paper flowers, and more!
Santa Barbara County Food Action Network — Fall Member Newsletter
Fall is in the air across our food system – the mornings are crisp and the days are shorter as farmers transition from tomatoes, peppers, and corn to pumpkins, root vegetables, pomegranates, pears, apples, and walnuts. Local ranchers are raising turkeys for holiday feasts and fishermen are pulling California Spiny lobster and Ridgeback shrimp out of the cooler coastal waters.
When surrounded by this incredible bounty of locally produced food, it can at times be easy to take for granted the many food system actors who help get our food from farm to table. As you’ll read in our Santa Maria Community Profile, training programs for the next generation of food producers are critical to ensuring accessible pathways to careers in agriculture – and a vibrant future for our food system.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Home-Based Halloween’ and more news
The campus teams with students and community on rules, regulations, safety enhancements and alternative events for October 29 through November 1.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — EDC Business Alert- California Venues Grant Program
Application Window Opens Wednesday, October 29!
The California Venues Grant Program will support eligible independent live events venues that have been affected by COVID-19 in order to support their continued operation. Eligible independent live events venues must have a physical address and operate in California, which will be validated through submitted business tax returns. If your business tax returns do not reference a California address, you will be deemed ineligible. For more information on how to apply CLICK HERE.
Triunfo Water & Sanitation District Urges Customers To Take Advantage Of Water-Saving Rebates As Statewide Drought Emergency Declared
In light of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent declaration of a statewide drought emergency, including a voluntary 15 percent reduction in water usage, the Triunfo Water & Sanitation District is urging its water customers to take advantage of current water conservation rebates.
For a limited time, a $3 per square foot rebate is available to replace lawns with organic, drought-tolerant landscaping and water-saving irrigation systems. “This offer will last until funding runs out,” says Triunfo Board Chair Raymond Tjulander. “Then, the rebate will likely return to $2 per square foot so it’s best to act now if you’re thinking of replacing your lawn. A 500 square-foot lawn conversion can mean a $1,500 rebate.”
Seasons Catering prioritizes employee family time during peak holiday season
The holidays are a busy time for everyone, especially for those in the hospitality industry. This isn’t stopping Seasons Catering Chef and Owner Gabrielle Moes from prioritizing her employees this Thanksgiving. Emphasizing the importance of time with family, Moes is choosing to forego booking traditional Thanksgiving caterings, which keep her employees away from their own families, and instead bringing back Seasons’ popular chef-crafted, heat and serve Good2Go Thanksgiving meals. Pre-orders are open now through November 15th with meal pick- up on November 24th.
Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum and its Board of Directors are pleased to announce that John McCarty – ‘The Real Deal’ has been named the 2021 Vaquero of the Year
The Board of Directors of the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum (SYVHM) is pleased to announce that John McCarty has been named the 2021 Vaquero of the Year. John will be honored and presented with his award on Friday evening, November 12, 2021 at the Annual Vaquero Gala benefit celebration, which officially launches a weekend of exciting events. Now in its 37th year, the Museum’s Vaquero Show and Sale promotes the traditions and influences of the California Vaquero way of life and is a tribute to it. Mr. McCarty, this year’s honoree, is an integral part of this heritage.
Assemblymember Irwin Announces $330,000 in Funding for Camarillo Health Care District COVID Work
Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D – Thousand Oaks) announced that $330,000 in state funding was secured for the Camarillo Health Care District for their work during the COVID 19 pandemic.
“Camarillo Health Care District’s work during the early days of the pandemic is a great example of how we all came together to take care of each other,” stated Assemblymember Irwin. “They didn’t ask if they would be reimbursed or have their budget backfilled, they just did the work to serve their clients and ultimately our community. I’m pleased we were able to secure much needed financial support through the state budget for their important work, so their critical programs can continue to serve the residents of Camarillo and the surrounding area.”
Enjoy Holidays In The Village, A European Marketplace on Dec. 12
Holidays in the Village, A European Marketplace will celebrate the warmth and joy of the holiday season with lots of food, music, kids’ fun, and artisan and craft vendors–all with a European flair. The Marketplace is Sunday, December 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Lakeview Canyon Road and Agoura Road (adjacent to Stonehaus) in Westlake Village. It is being hosted by the two Rotary Clubs of Westlake Village.
“Our goal is to gather our community of friends and family to celebrate the holidays in a warm and joyful setting. We’ve created something unique in replicating a European village filled with festive food, drink, artisan vendors and seasonal entertainment for all to enjoy,” says Erin Culbertson, event co-chair and president-elect of the Rotary Club of Westlake Village.
Department of Education Awards VCCCD Colleges Grants of Nearly $10 Million
Two Ventura County Community College District colleges have received multi-million-dollar federal grants to support STEM programs targeting underrepresented students interested in pursuing science, technology, engineering and math-related fields. A grant for Oxnard College totals $4,901,245, and the grant for Ventura College is $5 million. Both grants are for the period of Oct. 1, 2021, to Sept. 30, 2026.
“For the third consecutive time, the U.S. Department of Education has recognized Oxnard College’s leading work in STEM education through the Hispanic-Serving Institution STEM grant,” shared Luis Sanchez, president of Oxnard College. “This grant’s renewal will infuse additional resources and staffing into our academic programs, expanding career pathways in STEM for countless Ventura County students and their families. We relish the opportunity to continue this life-changing work for our community.”