There are 48 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 4,849 new tests performed.
There have been 3 additional deaths: 72 year old male, 74 year old male, 92 year old female
Current doubling time is 1303.2 days.
We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of those who have passed away.
The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is kicking off the annual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival with the Earth Day — Every Day Campaign.
The campaign runs April 1 through April 21 and invites individuals to take meaningful, personal actions to help the environment. Together we can help our communities reduce climate impact and, at the same time, create healthy habit changes for ourselves.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), and RISE is inviting SLO County residents to show support for those who have experienced sexual assault or sexual abuse by taking a pledge to believe the survivors in their lives.
By making a donation of $25 or more, those who take the pledge will have multiple opportunities to win prizes like wine tastings, golf outings, dining experiences, and more! Beginning April 19th, through the end of the month, RISE will be going LIVE on Facebook every weekday at 2 pm, to demystify myths about Sexual Assault and to announce raffle winners. This is an easy and fun way to let survivors know that “SLO County Believes” and to support ongoing, donation-based services for local survivors.
“It is important to recognize how difficult it is for a survivor to disclose what they have experienced,” says Jane Pomeroy, Executive Director of RISE, “and if they receive a negative response from the first person they turn to, they are unlikely to tell anyone else, to seek services from organizations like RISE, or to report the incident to law enforcement.”
The Santa Paula Art Museum is now open to the general public! Visit the Museum Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m. Enjoy three excellent exhibitions: Inspiration and Influence, Santa Paula Sojourn, and Silver Linings: Journey of Light. Take a walk around our outdoor Art Park exhibit, shop in the gift shop, and more!
In accordance with public health directives, all museum guests are required to wear a face mask for the duration of their visit, to sanitize their hands upon entry, and to sign a waiver upon entry. Reservations are not required. The Museum will be CLOSED on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021.
Aiming for another safe and quiet weekend, a host of at-home activities — and restrictions — are in place for April 2-4.
The State of California announced Tuesday that the County of Ventura has met requirements for the State’s Orange Tier for the first week of the two-week required time frame. If the County meets the Orange Tier requirements at the next review on April 6 the County will be able to move to Orange on April 7 at 12:01 am. As with the shift to the Red Tier, the County will continue to align with the State’s framework for Orange Tier activities.
“This brings hope that we are headed in a better direction. We appreciate how our community has helped to make this happen,” said County Executive Officer Michael Powers. “The Orange Tier allows for many of our businesses to expand operations and even allows for outdoor live events. This is exciting for our community members and our recovery efforts.”
Gold Coast Health Plan’s governing board, the Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission, along with its chief executive officer and chief diversity officer, issued a resolution condemning violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities and other people of color.
“The Commission is proud of the contribution from minority groups across the country and condemns any and all discriminatory actions taken against them,” the resolution reads.
Three ERHS students have been selected as the 2021 Boys and Girls State California Delegates and will participate in summer leadership and citizenship programs that focus on exploring the mechanics of American government and politics.
The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors Junior Marissa Cuellar (Girls). The American Legion Orcutt Post 534 sponsors Zachary Monighetti (Boys) and Neev Vinchhi (Boys).
The State of California announced today that the County of Ventura has met requirements for the State’s Orange Tier for the first week of the two-week required time frame. If the County meets the Orange Tier requirements at the next review on April 6 the County will be able to move to Orange on April 7 at 12:01 am. As with the shift to the Red Tier, the County will continue to align with the State’s framework for Orange Tier activities.
“This brings hope that we are headed in a better direction. We appreciate how our community has helped to make this happen,” said County Executive Officer Michael Powers. “The Orange Tier allows for many of our businesses to expand operations and even allows for outdoor live events. This is exciting for our community members and our recovery efforts.”
County of Ventura poised to move to State’s Orange Tier Next Week
Declining Cases and Hospitalizations are a Hopeful Sign;
Progress on Vaccinations Continues Despite Supply Challenges
Santa Barbara City College student Ezekiel Contreras Forrest has been awarded one of three Board of Governors Student Leadership Awards, initiated for the first time in 2021. The awards were presented by Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley and two student members of the California Community College Board of Governors at the opening of the General Assembly for the Student Senate of the California Community Colleges on Friday March 26.
Today, Tuesday, March 30th, 2021, President Biden signed into law an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that allows small businesses and eligible non-profits to apply for PPP loans through May 31, 2021.
PPP is designed to help small business, nonprofits, veteran organizations, Tribal concerns, self-employed individuals, independent contractors, and other eligible borrowers keep their workers employed during the COVID-19 crisis.
As more businesses are allowed to open in California and Ventura County, the Museum of Ventura County plans to open gradually as we continue to offer current online services and launch new programs like our Journal Flashback and Local History Happy Hour series, which you can read more about in this newsletter.
When we do re-open, you will get to see improved gardens and galleries along with new exhibits, public art installations, and family programs at both sites.
And in recognition of your support over the last year, we are excited to announce that admission at all sites will be FREE for all of 2021!
On Tuesday, March 30, 2021, the Oxnard City Council will consider a resolution condemning racism, xenophobia, violence, and hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI).
“We are mourning for the victims of these senseless crimes that we have seen increasingly throughout the pandemic, and we stand in solidarity with the Asian American community during these difficult times,” said Mayor John C. Zaragoza.
“It is vital that we take a stand against any act of hatred or violence towards the AAPI community. In Oxnard, we remain committed to celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our diversity is our strength, and we must commit to breaking down any barriers that separate us from each other.”
The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) board of trustees has selected Matt Escobedo, assistant human resources director at the County of Ventura, to become a member of the Personnel Commission. Escobedo will serve a three-year term on the three-member commission, which is charged with ensuring fair and objective treatment of classified applicants and employees in all aspects of personnel administration.
Escobedo has over 15 years of progressively responsible public-sector human resources management experience, which includes working for the Los Angeles Unified School District, VCCCD, City of Santa Monica and County of Ventura.
Spring has sprung at The Collection at RiverPark, with tons of fun seasonal celebrations for the community. Shopping center visitors can now enjoy spring-themed photo opportunities, selfies with the Bunny, a spring scavenger hunt, live music and more.
The State of California recently launched the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program to aid income-qualified tenants who are most at risk of eviction due to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing financial assistance for unpaid rent and utilities.
We hope you are healthy and doing well. The Social Justice Fund for Ventura County condemns racism in all forms and the ongoing violent attacks against the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community. These hateful and violent acts underscore the struggles we face in becoming a truly just and inclusive society. We urge you to click on this link to view our complete statement supporting the AAPI community and actions you can take now.
The Social Justice Fund also expresses our deepest sympathy to the families of the victims in the Boulder, CO mass shooting. We are horrified and saddened by this violence. We believe that a multi-faceted and science-based approach is needed to address the epidemic of gun violence.
kidSTREAM Children’s Museum received incredible support from the Camarillo City Council Wednesday night as the Council voted unanimously to approve the Second Amendment to the Term Sheet for the former Camarillo Library which donates the property at 3100 Ponderosa Drive for the development of a children’s museum. The appraised cost of the building is approximately $900,000
What do these events have in common? All 3 our community can participate in, in April. Our PRiME Competition and New Venture Fair are annual student competitions and are an integral part of our School of Management programs. Experiential learning is an ever more important element of cutting-edge education. Both our undergraduate and graduate students have options to test their newly acquired knowledge and skills against other students in these types of competitions. Once again we invite our community to get involved virtually in voting for the People’s Choice Awards. Voting is April 21-27. Watch for announcements. During Cal Lutheran’s CARES DAY on April 7th, the School of Management will be raising funds for student competitions like these. Your generous gift would go towards participation fees and other required resources necessary to take part in these outstanding experiential learning opportunities. Early giving is open now, at SOM Cares Day
CSU Channel Islands’ (CSUCI) Class of 2021 will get a chance to cross a stage in a hybrid commencement ceremony that will include caps, gowns and cars. The Class of 2020 will get the same chance during one of six ceremonies spread over three days on May 21, 22 and 23.
In order to continue to abide by Ventura County Public Health requirements to keep students and their families safe and required physical distancing, each graduate will drive with family and friends in one car to one of multiple stages set up in parking areas around campus.
Magda is turning seven years old and wants to learn to make tortillas.
That’s the story told in “Magda’s Tortillas,” one of five bilingual children’s books that are the main course of a virtual learning program that is giving 34 CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Early Childhood Studies (ECS) students the chance to get the field teaching experience they need to graduate this May.
Usually, ECS students teach in classrooms during their senior year, but the COVID-19 pandemic made that impossible. So, during fall semester, Assistant Professor Annie White, Ed.D. and ECS Lecturer Lauren Chase worked with CSUCI’s Center for Community Engagement (CCE) to come up with a creative way for seniors to get teaching experience in the field.
In keeping with Governor Gavin Newsom’s commitment to ensuring individuals and families stay housed during – and despite – the COVID-19 pandemic, Californians who have experienced a financial hardship because of the pandemic and who are most at-risk of eviction can now apply for the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program to help pay past due rent. Beginning today, renters and landlords can check eligibility and apply by visiting HousingIsKey.com or by calling 833-430-2122 toll-free, seven days a week.
“For hundreds of thousands of renters and small property owners, there is more light at the end of the tunnel,” said Governor Newsom. “We have the strongest eviction protections in the nation and, beginning today, we are providing greatly needed financial support to both renters and small property owners in need of assistance to pay their mortgages, with a focus on racial and geographic equity.”
The State of California has announced that vaccine eligibility will expand April 1 to those 50 or older and to those 16 or older April 15. “This is exciting news for our residents. The County is aligning itself with the State on this expanded rollout and we are hopeful more vaccines will be coming soon so appointments can be secured,” said Chair of the Board of Supervisors Linda Parks.
The County received 14,090 vaccines during the week of March 22. Appointments for 1st and 2nd doses quickly filled. The number of community members who are currently eligible exceeds the amount of vaccines provided to the County. The next shipment will include 18,000 doses. More than 36% of eligible community members have received the COVID-19 vaccine. More than 360,000 vaccine doses have been administered.
Santa Barbara County residents who are 50 years of age and older will be able to make an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning today for Public Health Community Vaccination Clinics in Lompoc, happening March 28 through April 3. Effective April 1, people 50 years of age and older will also be eligible to schedule appointments at any of the participating pharmacies, hospitals or health care providers as supply is available.
As of this afternoon, county residents may begin scheduling appointments for the first Public Health Community Vaccination Clinics located at the Dick DeWees Community & Senior Center in Lompoc happening from March 28 through April 3 and available to all eligible groups.
The County of Ventura is launching a second COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program for businesses and nonprofit organizations that did not receive a grant during the County’s first program in 2020. A $5,000 grant will be awarded to selected organizations that meet the eligibility requirements.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Dr. Connie Sheu joins Oxnard College Music Professor Scott Wolf in a lively discussion about gender and equity in the classical guitar world.
On the faculty at the Colburn School of Music in Los Angeles and General Manager of the Guitar Foundation of America, Dr. Sheu brings her own considerable experience as a professional educator and musician. She also shares her recent work recording women composers on the classical guitar, including pieces by Emilia Giuliani and Dale Kavanagh.
The Community Environmental Council (CEC) proudly announces Annie Leonard, Executive Director of Greenpeace USA, as the recipient of its 2021 Environmental Hero Award, presented as part of CEC’s Virtual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival being held Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, April 22-24. The free festival is available to view at SBEarthDay.org.
Annie Leonard will join the festival on Saturday, April 24 to share insights into her vital work and accept the award in an interview with Community Environmental Council CEO Sigrid Wright and UC Santa Barbara Dehlsen Chair of Environmental Studies and Director of the Global Environmental Justice Project Dr. David N. Pellow. Check SBEarthDay.org for the confirmed time closer to the event.
Two research societies honor ecologist Erika Eliason for her work studying the effects of climate change on Pacific fish.
There are 66 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 4,747 new tests performed.
There have been 4 additional deaths: 63 year old female, 66 year old male, 99 year old female, and a 82 year old male
Current doubling time is 1179.6.
We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of those who have passed away.
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 .64 which means that spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing; R-effective for CA is .80 right now.
Tune in for the weekly COVID-19 press conference briefing at 1 pm on Wednesday streamed at www.venturacountyrecovers.org.
ONE WEEK LEFT to submit your artistic concepts to the Earth Day Mural Call For Entries hosted in partnership by The Arts Fund, Community Environmental Council, MCASB, Paseo Nuevo, and Santa Barbara BCycle. Due by March 31, 2021 5 pm PST.
One concept will be selected to appear on the Paseo Nuevo Arts Terrace Parking Deck, on the exterior wall of MCASB. The selected artist, or artist group, will receive a stipend and a materials budget to paint their mural between April 19-23, 2021. Support for painting the mural will be provided by the project partners. The completed mural will be revealed on the final day of the virtual Earth Day Festival, April 24! Spread the word
The Channel Islands Maritime Museum (CIMM) is releasing more details on its upcoming April event/contest as part of its continuing 30th anniversary year celebration and Earth Day.
The Museum is calling for mini “eco-boat” contest entries which are boats that utilize recyclable or compostable materials. Entries should be no larger than 24” in length. Winning entries will be chosen based on the most creative use of materials. Wood, paper, glass, aluminum, cardboard, and plant fibers (including cotton fabric, canvas, hemp, twigs, leaves, non-nylon rope, etc.) are all acceptable materials. Plastics and foams may not be used in the construction of boats. Prizes will be awarded in four age categories: Adults (18 years and older), Young Adults (13-17 years of age), Kids (7-12 years of age), and Kids (6 years and younger). There will be one winner in each category. The Channel Islands Harbor Lessees Association is generously sponsoring the cash prizes for the contest.
Vaccine hesitancy, biodegradable plastic and ocean acidification are just some of the timely subjects of entries in the 2021 Ventura County Science Fair. The event, coordinated by the Ventura County Office of Education, was held entirely online this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. While many students were unable to access the usual resources, tools and support that schools provide for science fair participants, this year’s event still drew several creative and innovative entries.
In a normal year, the Science Fair draws hundreds of participants who present their projects to judges at the Gilbert Arena at Cal Lutheran. This year, the entries were all submitted online and the judges interviewed students via videoconferencing. The judges are local professionals who work in science-related fields and volunteer their time for the event.
Festival for the Italian audience and, at the same time, on Teatro de Las Americas and Main Stage West virtual seasons for the American audience.
The audience can book to participate to the TALK with the company and other guests curated by Enrico Piergiacomi, By writing an e-mail you will receive the invitation and all the instructions.
INVENTING LIFE is a doc-film about TELL TALE, a theatre-dance piece that engages on stage the authors and their two children. The documentary has been filmed in theaters, locations in wild nature and in abandoned spaces: a theater company working in the absence of live performing. A proof of necessity. A dialogue with nature and with a theatre crowded by absents.
ump into spring with MCASB as we learn how to take your shortbread cookies to the next level by utilizing fresh or dried edible flowers and herbs! Bake along with us as we go through the steps of mixing, cutting, and decorating the shortbread dough. This tutorial will include a section on balancing taste and flavor to best help you learn about pairing ingredients for your baking! This event is free to all, and we encourage people of all ages to attend. Click here to register, or visit our website to learn more!
Ventura County Community Foundation Announces Matching Fund Opportunity for COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund
Amgen Foundation to contribute $300,000 in matching support to
Ventura County Rapid Response Fund
Since the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Ventura County Community Foundation donors have granted out an incredible $14 million to support local small businesses, individuals and families in need, our essential workers, and our indispensable nonprofits on the front lines.
Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) is proud to announce that the Santa Barbara Foundation (SBF) is a sponsor of the illuminate Speaker Series, a virtual series that brings world-renowned speakers every month to discuss how COVID-19 is impacting us all.
As local nonprofits in Santa Barbara adapt to find new ways to serve their clients and causes, HSB is adjusting to the new realities that come with COVID-19 through theirilluminate Speaker Series, which provides helpful resources to our community and beyond as we cope with our new reality.
