Over the holiday season, the Port was in full swing preparing for two new hybrid mobile harbor cranes. Their arrival on Saturday marks another step toward further reducing emissions and greening cargo operations at “The Greenest Port in the U.S.”. These new cranes will help speed the delivery of goods to local stores, increase efficiencies, support additional cargo movement, and reduce air emissions for the surrounding community.
District 5 Supervisor Carmen Ramirez took her oath of office on Jan. 5.
“I am honored to begin my service representing the residents of Ventura County’s Fifth District. I know that we have many serious challenges to overcome the difficulties each of us experience in different ways because of the health and economic crisis. But I am an optimist and believe that working together for the greater good will get us to a better future. Thank you for the opportunity to serve,” said Supervisor Ramirez.
Local Oxnard restaurant, The Raven Tavern, is following State Health Orders to shut down all dining except take-out but they want restaurant employees throughout the area to know how much they appreciate them and thank them for keeping the restaurant industry going during the past 9 months. Beginning this Monday they will offer a complimentary “Thank You” meal to any restaurant employee. Restaurant workers can stop by between 2-4 pm on Monday and receive their “Thank You” meal.
There are 985 new cases of COVID-19. There have been 10,764 new tests performed. Current hospitalizations: 411 and current ICU: 80. Current doubling time is 31.9. The current R-effective (average number of people each infected person will pass the virus onto and represents the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading is 1.13. R-effective for California is.97.
The Collection at RiverPark is welcoming Red Door Escape Room to the 650,000-square-foot, open-air shopping center. The new facility, which is expected to open around May, will be Red Door’s ninth location nationwide and its third location in California.
The Red Door facility at The Collection will be 5,600 square feet and feature eight of Red Door’s proprietary escape room episodes as well as an event suite for corporate events, birthday parties and more. The facility will be able to host groups of about 80 people when large gathering are permitted again.
Given the events happening in this country, particularly the storming of the Capitol yesterday, I make an urgent plea to all of us to RAMP THIS DOWN. Civil strife of this kind erodes our republic, and in other societies, leads inevitably to bloodshed and often worse. The hate is contagious. We must value our nation’s future and our ability to live together in common humanity more than short term partisan advantage, and stop devolving into warring tribes that share no dialogue, understanding or future pursuit of happiness together.
There are 1,520 new cases of COVID-19. There have been 7,560 new tests performed. Current hospitalizations: 420 and current ICU: 81.
There have been 8 additional deaths:
82 year old male,
52 year old female,
63 year old male,
71 year old female
102 year old male
68 year old male
56 year old male
47 year old male
There are 894 new cases of COVID-19. There have been 12,493 new tests performed. There have been 8 additional deaths:
77 year old male
93 year old female
89 year old female
81 year old female
87 year old female
80 year old female
78 year old male
78 year old male
Our thoughts are with the loved ones of each of the people who have passed away and with the medical staff who cared for them. Please help save lives by following the public health guidance.
January 8 @ 12:00 pm
Join the EDC for a discussion of new COVID-19 Business Relief. Business Disruption Resource Director, Clare Briglio and EDC SBDC Financial Advisor Juliana Ramirez will be presenting and answering questions around these new federal benefits and expansions to existing programs. Space is limited. Please register early.
We’re proud to share that our organization has earned Charity Navigator’s coveted 4-star rating for the second consecutive year. This is the highest possible rating for demonstrating strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.
Your continued support helps sustain our vital collective impact initiatives that support Education, Income, Health and housing unsheltered individuals and families.
Before the stroke of midnight, please donate and know that you have made a significant difference in our community by helping our families, friends and most vulnerable neighbors in need. Working together, we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better life for all in 2021 and beyond. Live heroic and give generously today.
The EDC is excited that the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program opened yesterday, December 30, 2020! Thousands of small businesses have applied and we are aware that with this large application volume, many small businesses are experiencing delays or challenges with the application portal. Lendistry is working quickly to improve theses access issues.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties or have additional specific questions about your application, please reach out to the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program Call Center at 888.612.4370 or email careliefgrant@lendistry.com
Happy New Year!
The countdown to 2021 has begun! While it’s “out with the old, in with the new” in pretty much every other respect this year, we felt compelled to bring back one of the Santa Paula Art Museum’s most inspiring exhibits from years past for auld lang syne (for the sake of old times).
From 2011 to 2013, Santa Paula artists Gail Pidduck and John Nichols embarked on a community portrait project so that they could better know and appreciate the people in their hometown. Their Santa Paula Portrait Project is now in the Museum’s permanent collection, and you can view the exhibition in its entirety online.
One of the quotes that the exhibit leaves viewers with is this one: “We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.”
Our thoughts exactly this new year.
There are 405 new cases of COVID-19.
There have been 5 additional deaths: 59 year old female, 79 year old male, 86 year old male, 76 year old male, and a 107 year old male. These are our community members, these are moms, dads, grandparents, friends, husbands, wives, neighbors. Our thoughts are with their loved ones and the medical staff that cared for them. Please help save lives by following the public health guidance. Please protect your loved ones and your neighbors.
4,355 new tests performed.
Current doubling time is 44.1 days. What is doubling? Simply put, it’s how many days it takes for the number of coronavirus cases, hospitalizations or deaths to double. The shorter the time frame, the steeper the curve and the faster the growth.
Current hospitalizations: 375 and current ICU: 70. 0.8% Adult ICU Bed Availability in Ventura County.
Your tax-deductible donation will work to improve the quality of life through homeownership and financial stability for all members of our community.
2020 UPDATE FOR CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS:
Did you know the CARES Act could help reduce
or even eliminate your 2020 income tax:
If you itemize deductions, you can deduct up to 100% of your adjusted gross income.
If you don’t itemize deductions, you can claim a charitable deduction of up to $300
Businesses can deduct up to 25% of taxable income
Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Rd, 10-7 this location requires pre-registration at www.vccovid.com
Freedom Park, Camarillo, 515 Eubanks St., 10-7 this location requires pre-registration at www.vccovid.com
Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave, 10-7 this location requires pre-registration at www.vccovid.com
Santa Paula E. Main and N. Ojai 10-7 (no pre-registration at this location)
The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program first application window is open from December 30, 2020 at 6:00 am to January 8, 2021 at 11:59 pm! This grant program is NOT first-come, first-served. Please take the time to prepare all necessary documentation and carefully review your application. One complete application will qualify you to be considered for both rounds, please only apply once.
We are asking for your support. Whatever you can give at this time will ensure that this regional history and art institution will be able to continue to fulfill its ongoing mission of preserving and protecting our history.
As we move through these uncertain times, keeping our community connected is more important than ever.
If you can, please give generously and consider becoming a monthly donor today, so we can build the best tomorrow – together.
There are 993 new cases of COVID-19
There are 11 additional deaths 86 year old female, 96 year old female, 81 year old male, 70 year old male, 84 year old male, 83 year old female, 64 year old male, 87 year old female, 100 year old male, 68 year old female, and a 57 year old male, all with comorbidities. We ask that you wear masks, social distance and not gather so that lives can be saved. Please help protect vulnerable community members. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of those who have passed during this time.
9,455 new tests performed
Current doubling time is 38.2 days.
Current hospitalizations: 363 and current ICU: 66.
Ventura County Adult ICU Bed Availability 0.1%
‘Tis the season for giving, and part of the holiday magic was evident as Ventura Harbor Village hosted a Holiday CAN-Tree Food Drive for Food Share Ventura County this past weekend. The seaside activity was an example of sharing with others who will receive much-needed food this holiday season. Locals and visitors dropped off more than 1,000 canned goods and other food items and donated to the non-profit organization to help make the holidays bright.
When looking back on 2020, there hasn’t been much good news to report. 2020 will go down in history as an epic global disaster in many respects—most notably, in terms of public health and the economy. We are in the middle of yet another COVID-19 pandemic surge and as the contagion strengthens its hold, employment opportunities continue to weaken and housing threatened. Some businesses are temporarily closed, hunkering down to ride out the storm, while others – in food, hospitality, entertainment and personal care services – are shuttered for good. Here at home and across the nation, the number of people living in poverty has grown by eight million since May, according to researchers at Columbia University’s Center on Poverty & Social Policy.
We wouldn’t put it past 2020 to give the central coast a snowstorm. Several Museum staff members have “Snow on the Beach” on their 2020 bingo cards. If you think that’s unlikely, you might be surprised to know that Ventura County’s coastal areas have seen snow several times in recent history.
The winter of 1948-1949 was a cold one and by January 8, 1949 the County suffered over $1 million in crop losses. There was a cold snap the first week of January that split the bark of citrus trees in Wheeler Canyon.
There are 751 new cases of COVID-19
There have been 8 additional deaths: 64 year old male, 65 year old male, 87 year old female, 89 year old female, 65 year old male, 84 year old female, 43 year old male all with comorbidities, and a 50 year old male with no comorbidities. Our thoughts are with their loved ones during this time.
8,148 new tests performed
Current doubling time is 28.9 days.
Current hospitalizations: 327 and current ICU: 67.
As COVID-19 cases across the state soar, Metrolink – Southern California’s regional passenger train service – is again stepping up efforts to keep safe and healthy its riders and employees, the essential workers keeping our communities functioning. Today, Metrolink announced the addition of new, state-of-the-art antimicrobial air filters on all its train cars to ensure the air passengers breathe throughout their journey is safe and clean.
In March, Metrolink began implementing a new multi-faceted health and safety program to keep riders and Metrolink employees safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. These efforts include a face-mask requirement at station platforms and aboard trains, enhanced cleaning and sanitizing measures, and partnerships with leading health and safety institutions for guidance on health matters.
The Governor announced the creation of a $500 million COVID-19 Relief Grant administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development for small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 and the health and safety restrictions. Funds will be awarded to selected intermediaries with established networks of Community Development Financial Institutions to distribute relief through grants of up to $25,000 to underserved micro and small businesses throughout the state. Cultural institutions and non-profits are also be eligible for these grants.
Congress recently approved a new stimulus package providing funding for the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year 2021 and the latest installment of COVID-19 related measures. Below is a brief synopsis of the information related to PPP, SBA Loans, the Emergency Capital Investment Program and Unemployment Insurance.
The SBA and Department of Treasury have not released their formal announcement and information regarding the roll out of the programs listed below. The EDC will be actively engaged with these organizations as the situation develops.
CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Computer Science Lecturer Ryan McIntyre wrote his master’s thesis, he hoped his mathematical analyses could be used to enhance DNA processing.
No one was more surprised than he was to learn that graduate students in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) had discovered his published thesis, “Bounding the size of minimal clique covers,” in the 2018 Journal of Discrete Algorithms.
Not a journal everybody reads, but the MIT group was impressed enough with McIntyre’s findings that they decided to apply them in their own research into problems with satellites.
There are 737 new cases of COVID-19
There have been 6 additional deaths: 68 year old female, 96 year old female, 63 year old female, 86 year old male, 96 year old female and 95 year old female. Those that passed away had comorbidities. Our thoughts are with their loved ones during this time.
4,317 new tests performed
Current doubling time is 28.6 days.
Current hospitalizations: 326 and current ICU: 67.
Please help bring down the numbers during this critical time.
KidSTREAM, Ventura County’s children’s museum, is moving into a new stage of growth as plans develop to open the museum to the public in 2021. kidSTREAM’s board is growing strategically by adding two members, Hillary McLoughlin and Jake Furlow, whose strengths and experiences will help guide the emerging children’s museum opening.
“We are incredibly honored to have Hillary and Jake join our team as we ramp up to open,” said kidSTREAM Executive Director, Michael Shanklin, “We are equally thrilled that both new directors bring experience, strength, and passion to serve the children of our region.”
Anybody who would like a motorized toy car modified for kids with disabilities can learn to build one through a project started by a University of Delaware (UD) Professor of Physical Therapy Cole Galloway, PhD. His social enterprise is called “GoBabyGo!”
“As a researcher, I’m fascinated with this,” said CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Assistant Professor of Management Maria Ballesteros-Sola, who holds a doctorate in business administration. “It’s not a business, it’s not a nonprofit. Go Baby Go’s founder is growing a social movement with no internal structure and it’s working.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe economic and health impacts in our community. Local revenues have dropped while, at the same time, there has been an increased need for health, social and business services. Over the past ten months of response the County of Ventura has been committed to providing local assistance directly to the community. $120 million has been provided in local assistance. This support will continue into the new year.
Ventura County Public Works Agency-Watershed Protection (VCPWA-WP) is working to reduce potential flood risk from Hueneme Road to Jane Drive with the tšumaš Creek improvement project.
The project, which is scheduled to be completed by late November 2021, will enlarge 870 linear feet of the channel in preparation for the one percent annual chance, or 100-year, flood. A portion of the enlarged channel (710 feet) will be converted to a buried reinforced concrete box culvert, which will help to prevent dumping or trash blowing into that segment of the channel.
Ventura County we need your help. Our hospitals are filling up with COVID-19 patients. The cases continue to rise. During other emergencies like recent fires you could see the smoke. You could see the devastation. This emergency is like a fire but the people impacted are often not seen. Please help us respond to the emergency by following the public health guidance. We must bring down the numbers.
The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDB) was awarded a $315,000 grant by the State of California Employment Development Department to implement a National Dislocated Worker Grant (NDWG) to address the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the Ventura County workforce.
The funding will aid Ventura County’s response to COVID-19 by providing opportunities for employment and training services to individuals who are unemployed or underemployed as a result of the pandemic and who are unlikely to return to work in their previous occupations. Services include training and job placement in in-demand careers, especially those where there is an increased need due to the impact of COVID-19.
The unique challenge we have all faced this past year is inconceivable. It has been especially hard to imagine the difficulty for families struggling to remain employed, desperate to keep their families fed and safe while at the same time trying to figure out how to keep a roof over their heads during a pandemic.
At Ventura County Community Development Corporation, we believe that home is the cornerstone of any individual and family’s economic and social well-being. VCCDC assists those families in need through financial education programs including foreclosure prevention and rental counseling utilizing HUD certified Homeownership Specialists to assist in building a path to homeownership and financial stability for low to moderate income families and individuals throughout our community.
Santa Barbara County Food Action Network (SBCFAN) announces the recipients of its 2020 Food System Resilience Grants. Grants totalling $150,000 are given to support the achievement of Food Action Plan goals by contributing to the broader food systems of Santa Barbara County. SBCFAN is awarding the grants in partnership with the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County and the Santa Barbara Foundation.
The nonprofits receiving 2020 Food System Resilience Grants are:
It’s hard to know what to say at the close of a year like this one, so we thought we’d leave it to artists Jessie Arms Botke and Cornelis Botke and a new virtual exhibit of their famous handmade holiday cards.
We’ve said it before, but it’s very much worth repeating: all of us here at the Santa Paula Art Museum are so grateful to our community, members, donors, docents, teaching artists, board of directors, and fellow staff members for encouraging us to continue the work that we love and believe to be important. Thank you. We wish you a healthy and happy holiday season.
While it remains uncertain when California museums will be able to reopen to the public, the Santa Paula Art Museum already has a lot planned for 2021. Check out our upcoming virtual offerings below!
Dear Community Member,
You are invited to explore the new MVC Gallery Marketplace! The MVC Gallery Marketplace has been created to help regional artists sell their works. The Museum’s Fine Arts Committee and Cultural Team has selected notable artists working in many media, who represent some of the finest work in our county.
(We have partnered with the UPS Store at 35 W Main Street in Ventura for easy and secure shipping.)
At its regular monthly meeting on Dec. 17, 2020, the Santa Barbara City College District Board of Trustees elected Dr. Peter O. Haslund as president of the Board for the 2021 calendar year. Kate Parker was elected Board vice president.
President Haslund joined the Board in December 2010 and represents Area 1 (Carpinteria and Monecito). Vice PresidentParker joined the Board in December 2018 and representsArea 7 (Santa Barbara).
In addition to the election of new officers, the oath of office was administered remotely by Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido, Ed.D., to one new and two continuing trustees who were chosen by voters in the Nov. 3 election. The Board welcomed Dr. Anna Everett who was elected to the seat vacated by Craig Nielsen. Trustees Robert Miller and Veronica Gallardo were successful in their races to continue on the Board.
On November 20, the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) Office of Administrative Law approved new Cal/OSHA emergency temporary standards (ETS) for COVID-19, effective November 30. Many of the ETS are already required by existing employer workplace injury and illness prevention programs (IIPP-see Injury and Illness Prevention Program), or will be required under AB 685 (the new COVID-19 employee safety and reporting law effective January 1, 2021), but some requirements are new and must be complied with immediately.
Ventura County,
There are 731 new cases of COVID-19.
There have been 3 additional deaths (93 year old male, 85 year old female and 68 year old female, all with comorbidities). Our thoughts are with the loved ones of those who have passed away.
Current doubling time is 37.5 days.
Current hospitalizations: 249 and current ICU: 55.
At this week’s Board of Supervisors hearing, we received an update on COVID-19 and the status of the vaccination.
Currently, we have 40 active cases in the South County Unincorporated Areas (which include Montecito, Summerland and the City of Carpinteria), 240 active cases in the City of Santa Barbara, and 1136 active cases County-wide. Our adjusted case rate is 19.2 per 100,000 residents and we have a 6.1% test positivity rate.
After careful consideration and in the best interest of our student athletes, coaches and athletic staff of Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges, the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) has decided to “opt-out” of competition for the upcoming California Community College Association (CCCAA) Spring I season at this time, a decision that affects traditional fall and winter sports. The VCCCD programs affected by this decision are football, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s water polo, men’s and women’s cross country, women’s volleyball, men’s wrestling and women’s golf.
Thanksgiving Culinary Donations:
Rosewood Miramar Beach Hotel- Chef Massimo & Isabel Pfander
Renaud’s Patisserie- Renaud Gonthier & Nancy Vasquez
Anna’s Bakery- Lisa Boelter & Deborah Weber
McDonald’s -Fairview Ave.- Cici Doctolero, Manager
Sprouts- Rod Rufo & Terry Cribbs
The Library’s Special Research Collections to become home to the American Radio Archives.
Stan Mantooth this week announced his intention to retire from his position as Ventura County Superintendent of Schools effective February 1, 2021. Mantooth has served as Superintendent of Schools since he was appointed to the position in 2008. He was then elected to the office by voters three times in 2010, 2014 and 2018. “After more than 45 years in education, I feel privileged to have been – and will continue to be – an advocate for children, and I’m ready to begin the next chapter,” Mantooth said.
December is my favorite month of the year: lights twinkling on houses, a slight chill in the air, and the holiday cheer of neighbors and strangers wishing each other well. While this year’s holiday season looks much different, I’m touched by the generosity of our community and the dedication of our nonprofit partners who find a way to provide their vital services despite the restrictions.
The Oxnard Fire Department will help parents and caregivers keep their children as safe as possible in the car thanks to a $30,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).
The one-year grant funds a car seat education program that encourages the proper installation and use of child safety seats and includes:
Animals are back at Gorongosa National Park after a civil war, but the savanna community doesn’t look quite how it used to.
It has been a time honored tradition during the holiday season for Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. to distribute toys to its pediatric patients. The tradition continues this year as Clinicas’ Toy Giveaway will once again take place throughout Ventura County.
“Now more than ever, we at Clinicas recognize that creating joy during the holiday season contributes to our patient’s health and well-being. That is why Clinicas will be providing free toys to our children throughout the month of December. The only change this year is that due the COVID-19 Pandemic, we will be hosting contactless drive through toy distributions. Our Toy Giveaway is especially meaningful for our patients because for many of them, the toy they receive from Clinicas may be the only toy they receive this holiday season. This event is also impactful because it offers Clinicas staff an opportunity to not only thank our patients, but also meet with the families and community members Clinicas serves outside of their clinical visit. Clinicas wishes everyone a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.” said Clinicas CEO, Roberto S. Juarez.
Amazon takes on the World: The creation of Amazon, in 1994, by Jeff Bezos, is by any standard an incredible American entrepreneurial success story. …We, the 1,500 workforce and community, were excluded from the initial bargaining and negotiation process, we will not be excluded from future workforce deliberations and collective bargaining actions that will assure the protection, the health and safety of the workers, their family and the entire greater Oxnard area. “We are excited to join the (Oxnard) community” is the way Andre Almeida, Regional Director of Amazon Operations, put it. The community of Oxnard is also excited about the new business partnership, but we will also be vigilant and support our local workforce to make sure that Amazon in Oxnard gives as much to the community as it takes!
