Campus microbiologists and medical experts unpack data about the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Delta Variant Q&A’ and more news
Category: Cultural
VCCU board member donates $10,000 to nonprofits in honor of retirement
As a member-owned, not-for-profit financial institution, Ventura County Credit Union supports the local community in a variety of ways, including offering its board members $10,000 at retirement to donate to nonprofits of their choice. In honor of his recent retirement from the board, Phil Bohan chose to contribute $5,000 to each Food Share and Casitas Rowing.
“Food Share has done a remarkable job of addressing the basic nutritional needs of our most vulnerable communities, and I am proud to support their efforts,” Bohan said. “The Casitas Rowing family continues to support the health and athleticism of our local youth and adults through its rowing programs. My thanks to both organizations for your efforts, and best of luck in continuing to grow and thrive.”
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program for nonprofit cultural institutions closes Sept. 8
Round 8- Nonprofit Cultural Institutions Only
Application Window Closes Tomorrow, September 8!
Round 8 supports California eligible nonprofit cultural institutions of any revenue size that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com.
Consulado de Mexico en Oxnard – Plática con el Dr. César Morales Superintendente de la Oficina de Educación de Condado de Ventura el 8 de septiembre
Plática con el Dr. César Morales Superintendente de la Oficina de Educación de Condado de Ventura
United Way of Santa Barbara County’s Fun in the Sun serves more than 350 children in Santa Barbara this Summer
United Way of Santa Barbara County’s (UWSBC) annual Fun in the Sun (FITS) summer learning program served over 350 children and 250 parents at six locations this summer throughout the Santa Barbara area from June 21st through July 30th. Locations included Carpinteria, Santa Barbara-Eastside, Santa Barbara-Westside, Goleta, Santa Ynez, and a brand new Guadalupe site which launched in 2021 to serve North County students. The free six week program addressed summer learning loss, COVID-19 learning and social skill loss through academic and social emotional programming.
Bilingual report — When Science Becomes the Enemy
There has always been a certain degree of distrust toward science in this country—sometimes justifiably so. But over the past year and a half, that distrust has been amplified to literally dangerous levels, mostly via social media (many people’s only source for “news”) and extreme right-wing hysteria on the news channels.
The severe lack of science education in this country has fomented the massive paranoia that brings many of our fellow citizens to misunderstand, misinterpret, despise, and deny scientific information. National and state leadership that plays into the hands of an insidious disinformation campaign are decimating conservative bastions throughout the country with completely preventable illness and death.
Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Sept. 2, 2021
Since Wednesday, there are 93 new COVID-19 cases reported and 5,794 new tests performed. There are 123 people hospitalized, 29 in the ICU. There have been 3 additional deaths of a 64 year old male, 91 year old female, and a 64 year old female. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have passed away.
77.1% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
78.8% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
68.8% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.
Anyone age 12 and older can get vaccinated for free in Ventura County. Anyone who is immunocompromised 12 or older can get a booster at any vaccine location.
How do I get a copy of my vaccine record?
Visit myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov California’s Digital COVID-19 Vaccine record portal to get a digital copy in minutes.
Find information about COVID-19 vaccines and testing at www.vcrecovers.org
County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Sept. 1, 2021
September 1, 2021 – COVID-19 Update COVID-19 Update Since Tuesday, there are 183 new COVID-19 cases reported and 5,585 new tests performed. There are 124 people hospitalized, 24 in the ICU. There have been 5 additional deaths of a 58…
UCSB — The Current — ‘A Dose of Levity’ and more news
UCSB Arts & Lectures, the Central and South Coasts’ premier cultural arts presenting organization, proudly announces its 2021-2022 season of world-class performances and lectures
UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L), the Central and South Coasts’ premier cultural arts presenting organization, proudly announces its 2021-2022 season of world-class events. Highlights include two new series, Soul of America and Justice for All; dazzling dance; revered musical superstars; several new commissions; a world premiere; and so much more! Series subscriptions go on sale Wed., Sept. 1 at 10 a.m. and single tickets go on sale the following week on Wed., Sept. 8 at 10 a.m.
Joe Weiland named board president at The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County
Joseph R. Weiland, managing partner of independent advisory firm Arlington Financial Advisors, has been appointed president of the Board of Trustees of The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County.
Weiland, a Certified Financial Planner and 30-year veteran of the financial services industry, joined The Land Trust’s board in 2018. As president he will lead more than a dozen fellow trustees from the community whose expertise ranges from agriculture, law and finance, to teaching, biology, and planning.
Bilingual report — City of Oxnard Issues Credit to Utility Customers; Also Cuts Current Utility Rates to Exclude Infrastructure Use Fee
In a series of decisions that culminated in its final ruling in July of 2021 regarding the City of Oxnard’s Infrastructure Use Fee (IUF), the Ventura County Superior Court ordered the City to reimburse its utility funds a total of $36.5 million over a three-year period and to remove the IUF from utility charges effective June of 2021.
The City is going beyond that by making those changes retroactive as of January 2020 and issuing a credit to all utility customers.
Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Homeless Encampments Funding, Los Padres Closure, CWPP, & COVID-19 Update
(Aug. 31), our Board approved nearly $1.5 million in American Result Plan Act funding to implement an expanded Encampment Resolution Strategy to eliminate homeless encampments in the county. This is in addition to the work and $48 million in funding that has been invested in the 2020-2021 Fiscal Year. The outcomes of some of this work and funding over the last 6 months are detailed on the slide below. All of the Supervisors were in full agreement that encampments are not safe for those who live in them or the residents who live in the vicinity of them and we all expressed our eagerness to solve this problem. In order to move those who live in encampments out of those encampments, we need places for them to go. I have, personally, been working hard to determine locations, such as empty parking lots, where we can put temporary housing to move folks into a more safe and clean setting as we work on placing them in permanent housing. If you have a location we could put temporary housing and are interested in partnering with the County, please let me know.
CSUCI Professor of Finance to Travel to Vietnam on Fulbright Scholarship
Vietnam has always fascinated CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Professor of Finance Priscilla Liang, Ph.D.
Born in China, Liang has long been a student of Asian Pacific financial markets and finds Vietnam’s socialist-oriented market economy perched on the precipice of change.
“I recall a brief trip during which we stopped in Vietnam. There was construction everywhere,” Liang said. “It was chaotic and exciting and vibrant. I thought, this is like China 30 years ago, with the seeming contradiction of communist slogans posted right next door to McDonald’s.”
Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Aug. 30, 2021
Since Friday, there are 469 new COVID-19 cases reported and 12,366 new tests performed. There are 134 people hospitalized, 23 in the ICU. There have been 2 additional deaths of a 85 year old male and an 84 year old female. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have passed away.
76.7% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
78.5% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
68.4% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.
Anyone age 12 and older can get vaccinated for free in Ventura County. Anyone who is immunocompromised 12 or older can get a booster at any vaccine location.
No appointment is needed at County Public Health vaccine clinics. View the schedule at www.vcrecovers.org/vaccine
Schedule an appointment at MyTurn.ca.gov or call 833-422-4255
Visit www.vaccines.gov or call 1-800-232-0233 to find additional vaccine locations including pharmacies and other health care providers.
Find information about COVID-19 vaccines and testing at www.vcrecovers.org
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — Check out our latest stories for August 2021…
Food, water and shelter for California’s only freshwater turtle are all becoming scarcer across the Western U.S. Wildlife experts say that worsening drought conditions, habitat loss and fragmentation, and invasive species could threaten the long-term survival of western pond turtles in the wild.
“Turtles, in general, are among the most imperiled vertebrates in the world,” said Cat Darst, assistant field supervisor with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Ventura, California.
That’s why federal, state and private partners across four western U.S. states and Mexico have developed a range-wide management strategy to help guide efforts to enhance, protect and restore habitat that is vital for western pond turtles in the future.
Dr. Kindred Murillo named Interim President/Superintendent of SBCC for 2021-22
At their meeting on August 26, the Santa Barbara City College Board of Trustees announced that Dr. Kindred Murillo has been selected to serve as Interim Superintendent/President of SBCC. The contract will be for a one-year appointment beginning September 7, 2021.
Board president, Dr. Peter Haslund, praised Murillo’s experience and selection, “I think we have a winner! Kindred Murillo is a thoroughly experienced Superintendent/President who models the idea of collaborative engagement in the decision-making process. I really look forward to working with her.”
Bilingual commentary — The Mask Wars
Several months ago, I was sitting in a doctor’s office waiting to be called in. Facial masks are required. After all, this is a medical building. Given our circumstances over this past year and a half, medical staff is intensely focused on maintaining an atmosphere in which patients can feel relatively safe.
I was reading a book as I waited. I didn’t notice that my mask had fallen below my nose. The receptionist kindly reminded me to lift the mask up so that it covered my face properly. I apologized and immediately took care of the problem.
Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Aug. 26, 2021
Shout out to our team of respiratory therapists for their incredible work in helping COVID patients breathe. This crew was on the night shift helping people survive… it is monumental. Their work saves lives. May we all make small choices to make big impacts on the health of our community. Thank you, Ventura County!
Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) sets to launch new environmental science program
Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) has been awarded a three year NOAA Bay-Watershed and Training Grant Award for the implementation of a new and exciting environmental science program titled ‘Ventura River Action Network (V-RAN) in partnership with the MERITO Foundation and with additional support from the U.C. Davis Center for Community and Citizen Science and Ventura Water.
The V-RAN program is an adaptation of MERITO Foundation’s EECCOA program for VUSD science teachers and focuses on monitoring and restoring the Ventura River Watershed to support the removal of the Matilija Dam. This work will be done in collaboration with local and state environmental organizations.
United Way of Santa Barbara County Partners with Housing Authority for United Learning Center – GRAD Academy
United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWBSC) partners with the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) for United Learning Center – GRAD Academy. This partnership will transition students who previously attended the Housing Authority’s GRAD Academy after school program to United Way’s long standing United Learning Center programming.
Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Aug. 24, 2021
Since Tuesday, there are 196 new COVID-19 cases reported and 4,319 new tests performed. There are 145 people hospitalized, 32 in the ICU. There have been 3 additional deaths of a 82 year old male, 84 year old female, and a 97 year old male. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have passed away.
76.1% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
78% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
67.7% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.
Find information about COVID-19 vaccines and testing at www.vcrecovers.org
Santa Paula Museum of Art announces upcoming events Aug. 28, 29; Sept. 4, 9, 14, 16 _ Hope You Can Make It!
Saturday, August 28, 2021, from 4 PM to 6 PM
There are only a few weeks left to enjoy NorCal artist Michelle Jung’s immersive exhibition, Making Waves, and Saturday, August 28, is the perfect time to see it. The artist will be on hand for the exhibit’s closing reception from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission to the event is free for everyone. Meet the artist and spend the evening meditating on the beauty and drama of the Pacific coast. Making Waves is on view now through September 12, 2021.
UCSB — The Current — ‘The Art of Doing Science’ and more news
A global leader in collaborative research, the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics expands its reach with a series of free, virtual events for all.
Bilingual report — Oxnard Cultural Relations Commission Accepting Nominations for 2021 Community Recognition Awards Program
The City’s Community Relations Commission (CRC) announces that nominations are now being accepted for the 2021 Community Recognition Awards Program. Since 1989 the CRC awards program has recognized deserving individuals and groups that have furthered human relations in the Oxnard community.
“Going through 2020 and heading into 2021, a year full of uncertainty, fear, devastation, and of great need, many organizations and individuals stepped up to lend a hand. These unselfish acts of kindness, and demonstration of love, support, and care towards others during uncharted times deserves recognition from this great city,” said CRC Chair Adam Lopez.
Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Aug. 24, 2021
Since Monday, there are 259 new COVID-19 cases reported and 3,985 new tests performed. There are 147 people hospitalized, 34 in the ICU. There have been 2 additional deaths of a 56 year old female and a 60 year old male. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have passed away.
76.0% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
77.8% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
67.5% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.
For more information visit www.vcrecovers.org
Museum of Ventura County — Mindfulness @ the Museum + More Summer Programs
In person, on the web, and live broadcast
Your Museum in Ventura, in Santa Paula, and in your home
Ventura County Community Development Corporation — VCCDC Community Matters Newsletter – August 2021
We sat down with our very valued long-time client and volunteer, Yolanda Duarte, and asked her about her journey with VCCDC. Take a look at her experience below!
Tell us about yourself!
My name is Yolanda and I am a single mom. I’ve been living here in California for 24 years and my dream has always been to own a home. VCCDC helped me to achieve that dream!
Bilingual report — Ventura County Public Health Issues New Health Order Requiring Masking Indoors
Ventura County Public Health has issued a new health order requiring all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face coverings when indoors in public settings, with limited exceptions. This order will take effect at 11:59 p.m. Friday, August 20, 2021. Businesses and other public entities have until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, August 23, 2021, to comply. The order will be in effect until 11:59 pm on September 19, 2021, or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended by the Health Officer. “As of today, we reached a rate of 28 cases per 100,000, a 40% increase. I hope that this order will increase mask usage in Ventura County. I expect that this will have a beneficial effect on the increase in COVID-19 infections we are seeing,” said Public Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin.
CSUCI Students finish on top in global Business Strategy Game
A team of four CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Business students tied for first place in the international Business Strategy Game (BSG), beating out more than 600 teams from 56 colleges from across the globe.
The BSG is an online competition pitting teams of college students against each other in running imaginary footwear companies. Each team is responsible for making decisions regarding production, shipping and inventory, corporate social responsibility, pricing and marketing, finance, worker compensation, and other aspects of management.
Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Aug. 23, 2021
Since Friday, there are 701 new COVID-19 cases reported and 12,169 new tests performed. There are 158 people hospitalized, 37 in the ICU. There have been 4 additional deaths of a 81 year old female, 67 year old male, 72 year old male, 63 year old male. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have passed away.
75.9% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
77.7% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
67.4% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.
For more information visit www.vcrecovers.org
Family Service Agency Welcomes Paul Cordeiro to 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 Paul Cordeiro to its Board of Directors.
“Paul’s extensive experience in K-12 education will be a huge asset to our agency,” said Lisa Brabo, FSA Executive Director. “Paul has made substantial improvements to education and positive contributions to the community. We’re very happy he’s joining our board!”
Santa Paula Art Museum — Ways To Connect With the PAC6
Santa Paula Art Museum visitors are loving the new exhibit, Vistas, Varmints and Vagabonds: The PAC6 Paints the Wild West, on view now through November 7, 2021. And we’ve got six fun ways to connect with the PAC6 during the run of their show! First, if you haven’t yet had the chance, you can peruse the exhibit online and share it with friends using the link below. All of the artworks are available to purchase.
August News from People’s Self-Help Housing
Though we’ve battled and made strides against the pandemic, it’s not over yet. Even more persistent and stubborn though, has been the pandemic of unaffordable housing, which People’s continues to combat against on a daily basis. While the latter pandemic has no single vaccine, a very effective one for inoculating against housing cost unaffordability for the most vulnerable income groups among us, including our communities’ frontline, essential, wage-earner workforce, is the Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program.
Ventura County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Mark Lunn Announces Important Details Regarding September 14, 2021 California Gubernatorial Recall Election
The September 14, 2021 California Gubernatorial Recall Election has been declared an all Vote By Mail election by the state. County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Lunn stated, “With the emergence of the Delta variant, I encourage all voters to use the Vote By Mail ballot they receive at home to take advantage of the health and safety measures that voting by mail provides.”
UCSB — The Current — ‘The Winds of Change’ and more news
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Upcoming events Aug. 19, 21, 24
Artist Talk | Virtual Residency in Contemporary Craft
August 19, 2021 | 10 – 11:30 am PST
Join us for a virtual conversation featuring emerging artists Becca Vasquez and Sespe Miller. Moderated by ELA Fellow, Sydnie Pace, the artists will elaborate on the artwork that they produced during their five-week virtual artist residency. The residency program was hosted by Pace, and is centered around contemporary craft.
Consulado de Mexico en Oxnard — Semana Binacional de Educación 2021
Santa Paula Art Museum — Place Your Bids!
The Santa Paula Art Museum’s biggest fundraiser of the year is happening now! Register to bid on Bidsquare.com. Then place your bids on any of 21 stunning works of art by some of our region’s most popular historic and contemporary artists. (Catch a glimpse of a few of our auction items below).
You can also purchase raffle tickets for your chance to win one of two paintings by historic Santa Paula artist Jessie Arms Botke! All proceeds from the auction and raffle benefit the Museum and the thousands of students and visitors it serves each year.
Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update
Leticia, 15, received her second dose over the weekend at the mobile clinic at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Santa Paula. She’s completing the two dose Pfizer series because she wants the protection it offers against COVID-19 illness.