Category: Cultural

Nov. 15 — Weekday Evening Cash 4 College Workshops Added at Ventura County Community Colleges

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

Moorpark College, Oxnard College, Ventura College and Ventura College East Campus are holding free evening Cash 4 College workshops to help students apply for funds to help with college costs. Funds can be used for tuition, books, housing, transportation, childcare, computers and more.

In-person and online Zoom workshops are scheduled for Nov. 15, depending on the campus. The workshops are free and open to the community; anyone may attend a workshop on either date and can drop in at any time during the events.

Nov. 15 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company at The Granada Theatre

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

UCSB Arts & Lectures will present Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 at The Granada Theatre.

“All of my work is in pursuit of the ‘we.’ What Problem? is the notion of ‘WE THE PEOPLE.’“ – Choreographer Bill T. Jones

This new work from Tony Award-winning MacArthur “Genius“ Bill T. Jones features a live original score and excerpts from Herman Melville’s Moby Dick and Martin Luther King, Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech.

Jones is known for his ability to visualize the human condition through choreography and dance. The recipient of the National Medal of Arts, a MacArthur Fellowship, a Kennedy Center Honors Award and multiple Tony Awards, there is little imaginative territory Jones has not attempted. His latest, highly-personal work, What Problem? is performed to live music, in part by local community members.

Nov. 16 — Bilingual report — Fallen Firefighters to be Remembered at Ventura County Memorial

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

The fire agencies of Ventura County will honor firefighters who lost their lives in service to our community during the annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial remembrance Wednesday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m.

“We are fortunate that no new names are being added to the list of the fallen this year,” Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said. “And we continue to remember all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while working to keep others safe.”

The outdoor ceremony at the Ventura County Government Center recognizes all firefighters who died in the line of duty, whether from traumatic injury or job-related illness. The memorial represents all seven fire agencies serving the county, including Ventura County, Oxnard, Ventura City, Federal Fire, Fillmore City, CAL FIRE and the U.S. Forest Service.

Nov. 19 — Museum of Ventura County — A Year Without You – Opening Reception

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

The Museum of Ventura County will present “A Year Without You,” Opening Reception from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at 100 E. Main St., Ventura.

As a collaboration, The RAD Foundation & artist Julie Dahl-Nicolle are showcasing, for thirty days, “A Year Without You”. This collection of one hundred floral mixed media canvas paintings dives into the realization of what we have all experienced over the last two years due to COVID-19: a sense of loss.

Nov. 21 — Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present Grammy Award-winning Parker Quartet

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present Grammy Award-winning Parker Quartet at 7:30 Monday, Nov. 21 at SBMA’s Mary Craig Auditorium, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara.

Inspiring performances, luminous sound, and exceptional musicianship are the hallmarks of the Grammy Award-winning Parker Quartet.

Nov. 22 — Greater Santa Barbara Area Clergy Association to present Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

Our annual Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will be held in person on Tuesday, November 22nd, at 7:00 p.m. at the historic, downtown First United Methodist Church.

The Greater Santa Barbara Area Clergy Association, sponsor of this event, includes clergy and religious leaders from over 100 local faith communities and is dedicated to fostering mutual understanding, tolerance and appreciation among all.

Dec. 1 — SBMA’s Art Matters Lecture looks at Impressionism and Climate Change

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s Art Matters Lecture looks at Impressionism and Climate Change with Harmon Siegel, Ph.D., Junior Fellow, Harvard Society of Fellows at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 at SBMA’s Mary Craig Auditorium, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara.

Impressionism has, from the beginning, been seen as an art of nature. Today, however, in the moment we call the Anthropocene, when human projects have transformed every corner of the planet and threaten to make it uninhabitable, this commitment may seem hopelessly naive. In fact, however, impressionist paintings illuminate our condition, revealing the entanglement of nature and society. In so doing, they help us overcome nostalgia for a lost nature and recognize our responsibility for shaping the world we inhabit.

Dec. 1 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Jake Shimabukuro at The Granada Theatre

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

UCSB Arts & Lectures to present Jake Shimabukuro at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 at The Granada Theatre, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara.

Drawing on signature favorites, a vibrant catalog of holiday classics, and selections from his recent album, Jake Shimabukuro’s merry live show Christmas in Hawai’i is sure to make spirits bright. Get tickets for Jake Shimabukuro on Dec 1, 2022 at The Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara. Presented by UC Santa Barbara Arts & Lectures.

Dec. 4 — 2nd Annual Holidays In The Village, A European Marketplace, Westlake Village

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

The 2nd Annual Holidays in the Village, A European Marketplace, which celebrates the warmth and joy of the holiday season–all with a European flair, will take place Sunday, December 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Lakeview Canyon Road and Agoura Road (adjacent to Stonehaus) in Westlake Village.

Dec. 7 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Mariachi Sol de México

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

CSB Arts & Lectures will present Mariachi Sol de México at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7 at the Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St., Santa Barbara.

“Mariachi is the heart, the soul and the passion of Mexico.” – José Hernández

One of the world’s foremost mariachi groups, Mariachi Sol de México incorporates elements of Las Posadas alongside traditional Christmas carols in this festive musical tribute to Mexico’s holiday traditions. Get tickets for Mariachi Sol de México on Dec 7, 2022 at Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara. Presented by UC Santa Barbara Arts & Lectures — artsandlectures.ucsb.edu

Through Dec. 9 — CSU Channel Islands Exhibit honors late educator and pioneering animator

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

A free public exhibition at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) will commemorate the life and work of Art Lecturer and pioneering animator Kathleen Quaife, a longtime Oak Park resident who died unexpectedly in October 2021.

“Kathleen Quaife: A Portrait of the Artist” will run through Dec. 9, in the Napa Hall Gallery.

Dec. 16, 17, 18 — Teatro de las Américas — Don’t miss your chance to see Christmas Contigo!

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

Visit our website and online box office!

Christmas Contigo
Presented By Teatro De Las Americas

Dec. 17 — VCCDC presents free homebuyer education workshops

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

Must-have information on the latest homeownership & financial topics

Dec. 20 — 31st Annual Living Nativity to be held at First United Methodist Church, Santa Barbara

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

For 31 years the congregation of the First United Methodist Church has offered a beautiful seasonal gift to the community by staging a re-creation of the Holy Night for three nights just before Christmas. Under a redwood tree and adjacent to the church, a grassy area is transformed into a humble wooden stable, complete with a serene Mary, Joseph and tiny baby Jesus asleep in the manger. Three majestic kings stand by with their gifts to the Holy Child, attentive angels appear nearby, and lowly shepherds tend to their flocks. Live camels, sheep, donkeys and goats surround the manger taking in the wonder of it all. It is a silent and beautiful scene to behold.

Oxnard College Named 2021 Equity Champion of Higher Education

by Community Contributor • December 23, 2021 • Comments Off

The Campaign for College Opportunity named Oxnard College a 2021 Equity Champion of Higher Education for its Excellence in Transfer for Latino students through Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT). Oxnard College, which has a predominantly Latino student body, offers 31 ADT programs covering a wide range of subject areas. These programs meet minimum eligibility requirements for admission to a California State University and guarantee students’ acceptance.

The college’s Latino students obtain ADTs at a rate 2.3% higher than the campus-wide average, reported the California-based nonprofit that advocates for equity in higher education.

“Oxnard College’s efforts to increase transfer rates among Latino students will help lift a generation of families into Ventura County’s middle class,” said Oscar Cobian, vice president of student development. “We’re committed to providing the transfer services and resources our students need to achieve their educational aspirations.”

The college has been a Hispanic-Serving Institution since its inception in 1975. In 2020, it received a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to increase equitable student outcomes among Latino and low-income students as they pursue their career and transfer goals.

Bilingual report — New County Clerk-Recorder Software Provides Speed, Efficiency, Security for Public and Employees

by Community Contributor • December 22, 2021 • Comments Off

In the 22 years that David Valenzuela has been in the County Clerk-Recorder’s office, he has seen many changes in the procedures and technology for processing Ventura County’s hundreds of thousands of vital records and property documents each year.

“When I started in 1999, we were using a system called AtPac, which was high-tech for that time. However, it was not as robust as we first thought,” Valenzuela, now the Clerk-Recorder Division Manager, said. “In 2003, we implemented a new system called AmCad, and in 2006, we had a major upgrade, and we have kept this system for the last 15 years.”

Bilingual report — Submissions now accepted for participation in March 1-31 virtual ‘Women Scream Festival’ (Grito de Mujer)

by Community Contributor • December 22, 2021 • Comments Off

Submissions are now being accepted for participation in the March 1-31 virtual ‘Women Scream International Poetry and Arts Festival’ (Grito de Mujer), said Simi Valley resident Teresita Calderón, poet, a writer, and a volunteer coordinator for the Woman Scream International Poetry and Arts Festival.

Born in the Dominican Republic, The Woman Scream Poetry Festival is an annual international chain of cultural events during March that compiles all arts and unifies diverse voices of the world against women violence. It has been celebrating since 2011.

Santa Paula Art Museum — You’re Definitely on Our Nice List!

by Community Contributor • December 22, 2021 • Comments Off

Happy holidays to you and yours from all of us here at the Santa Paula Art Museum. Our partners at Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley helped to get us in the spirit with their recent Christmas cactus art project! (Our museum educators teach weekly art lessons at the club’s three sites in Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru.)

Thank you for making partnerships and programs like this one possible in 2021. Here’s to a new year full of art, joy, and trips to the Museum! Speaking of, check out our upcoming classes and 2022 exhibition lineup below.

The Santa Paula Art Museum will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, but will be otherwise open as usual (face masks are required).

Bilingual report — County of Ventura Dec. 22, 2021 – COVID-19 Update

by Community Contributor • December 22, 2021 • Comments Off

Wishing our community a safe, happy and healthy holiday season! We are grateful for our healthcare heroes who are still in the midst of battling the virus and caring for seriously ill patients. May we all take actions to protect ourselves and each other.

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — ’tis the season of giving!

by Community Contributor • December 22, 2021 • Comments Off

You’re the reason we are looking so merry and bright!

Thank you all for supporting contemporary art and the artists whose passion compels them to create. It is you who challenges our team to bring our best selves in service to our visitors and our community.

We were inspired by so many enthusiastic visitors and supportive collaborators this year. Looking back brings as much wonder as it does gratification. Just take a look at our very first Earth Day Mural – it still takes our breath away!

The team at Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) is working on some truly fantastic exhibitions, events, travel, and educational programs for 2022. MCASB prioritizes accessibility for all, and maintains a steadfast commitment to free admission.

Please consider a year-end donation, which allows us to continue to bring you awe-inspiring, thought-provoking, and beautiful encounters with the art of our time. Our work is only possible because of your support.

Museum of Ventura County — There’s even more we have to give, for free!

by Community Contributor • December 22, 2021 • Comments Off

MVC Insider Season 3
Episode 1: Erle Stanley Gardner
Starting Friday, January 24, 2022 @ 10am
Fridays @ 10am on Facebook Live

We are officially back with Season 3 of “MVC Insider”! Join us on Facebook Live for the first episode of MVC Insider this Friday, December 24, 2022 at 10am! Mark your calendars and tune-in on Facebook Live for the next five Fridays at 10am.

Krystell Jimenez, Project Archivist, uncovers relics from the John C. Orr Collection pertaining to the prolific novelist and Ventura County native Erle Stanley Gardner who wrote the popular Perry Mason series

UCSB — The Current — ‘Sending our warmest season’s greetings and happiest holiday wishes’

by Community Contributor • December 21, 2021 • Comments Off

We’ll meet you back here Tuesday, January 4, 2022, when the Current email returns with more research news, features and other campus stories to share.

The Expectation of Happiness and Joy are Part of the Paradox of This Holiday Season

by Community Contributor • December 20, 2021 • Comments Off

The holiday season is upon us, and for many it’s not the happiest season of all.

While celebrations can bring positive feelings like love and connection, according to the American Psychological Association, 38% of Americans say their stress actually gets worse during the holidays, bringing about negative emotions like fatigue, anger and irritability, which can lead to physical illness, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. The reasons given: lack of time, financial pressure, gift-giving, and family gatherings. And, even after the holidays, many experience a feeling of general disappointment and “let down”.

“One of the most beneficial things we can do leading into the holiday season is to reassess our expectations–our expectations of ourselves, and our expectations of others. This will create a more realistic foundation from which to move forward through the season,” said Annmarie Cameron, CEO of the Mental Wellness Center.

Bilingual report — Dec. 20, 2021 – COVID-19 Update

by Community Contributor • December 20, 2021 • Comments Off

Over 900 farmworker families received close to 3,000 toys and nearly 1,200 boxes of food yesterday thanks to an amazing first-time collaboration among Ventura County Fire Department, our Farmworker Resource Program, and Food Share of Ventura County! We are so grateful for the generosity of our community! There is still time to participate in Spark of Love Toy Drive.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule

by Community Contributor • December 20, 2021 • Comments Off

The Economic Development Collaborative encourages you to sign up for our partner’s no-cost webinars. Space is limited. Register today!

Bilingual report — County of Ventura Dec. 17, 2021 – COVID-19 Update

by Community Contributor • December 17, 2021 • Comments Off

Since Wednesday, there are 329 new COVID-19 cases reported and 15,732 new tests performed. There are 75 people hospitalized, 13 in the ICU. There have been 2 additional deaths of a 41 year old male and a 96 year old male. Our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the community members who passed away. The R-effective for Ventura County is .96 which means the spread is likely stable.

Get vaccinated at a site near you: www.vaccines.gov.
Find a COVID testing site at www.vcrecovers.org/testing
The County of Ventura’s indoor mask order remains in effect

Museum of Ventura County to present Las Posadas on Dec. 17 in Santa Paula

by Community Contributor • December 17, 2021 • Comments Off

The Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum will present Las Posadas procession starting at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17 in Santa Paula. The celebration is in partnership with De Colores Multicultural Folk Arts.

Las Posadas, (The Inns in Spanish) is a Latinx traditional holiday that commemorates the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of lodging and a safe refuge for Mary to give birth to Jesus. After nine days of searching for lodging (Las Posadas are celebrated December 16th through 24th, representing the nine (9) days), an Innkeeper gave Mary and Joseph shelter in a stable as there was no room at the inns.

Bilingual report — Entering an Age of Virus Mutations

by Community Contributor • December 17, 2021 • Comments Off

Last summer, we started doffing our masks and reuniting with family and friends. There was a festive glee in the air we breathed as if we who were now vaccinated against COVID were celebrating “The End of the Pandemic.” There was a feeling that now, finally, we could get on with our lives and regard the previous year as something akin to a very bad dream.

The party did not last long. Just as we were putting away the champagne glasses and summer party hats, the Delta variant emerged “from out of nowhere,” quashing our hopes of a return to near normal. We grumbled as we took our masks out from the drawers where we had stored them as “souvenirs” from a crisis that we had survived. Or, if we had ceremoniously burned or shredded our masks, we kvetched as we had to go out and buy new ones.

Bilingual report — $70 Property Tax Break Available for Qualified Homeowners

by Community Contributor • December 17, 2021 • Comments Off

More than 52,000 Ventura County homeowners may have an extra $70 in their pocket this year, just by filling out a simple form. This week, the Ventura County Assessor mailed Homeowners’ Exemption Claim Forms to over 52,000 homeowners that likely qualify for this property tax break.

The Assessor typically mails a Homeowners’ Exemption Claim to new owners. However, in the busy paperwork shuffle of buying a new home, many property owners miss out on this valuable opportunity. In an effort to maximize property tax savings, the Assessor periodically reaches out to potentially eligible homeowners.

UCSB — The Current — ‘A Call to Action’ and more news

by Community Contributor • December 16, 2021 • Comments Off

An exhibit at the library brings to life the public experiences of COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter.

Bilingual report — County Board of Supervisors supports the creation of more than 235 affordable housing units filling critical gap in housing needs for the most vulnerable and expanding behavioral health support

by Community Contributor • December 15, 2021 • Comments Off

On December 14, the County Board of Supervisors approved actions that support the creation of more than 235 units of new affordable, permanent supportive housing and transitional housing. “Homelessness and mental illness are our two most pressing social issues, and so I’m delighted that our last board meeting of 2021 capped a year of stepping up to provide shelter and affordable housing and services to these vulnerable populations,” said Chair of the Board Linda Parks.

The projects support those experiencing homelessness, at risk of becoming homeless, transition aged youth (age 18-24) and seniors. The Board also supported the expansion of Behavioral Health Mobile Crisis Care Units and the development of a Transitional Age Youth Rapid Response Team to provide mental health support services throughout the County.

“There is a critical need for housing in our communities. The Board action is a huge step in helping to fill that gap,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers. “In addition to housing, these community members will have access to supportive services to help meet their needs.”

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley Announces New Board Member: Judith Sánchez López

by Community Contributor • December 15, 2021 • Comments Off

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) is excited to announce its newest board member, Judith Sánchez López.

López has over 30 years of experience as an expert in cosmetics and as a high-level executive. She is skilled in leading sales teams in her previous role as Sales Division Manager, now supervising the corporate brand as the Chief Marketing Officer for JAFRA Cosmetics Int’l. She strives to nourish brand relevancy and inspire the brand’s consumers and consultants alike.

United Way of Ventura County — United in compassion

by Community Contributor • December 15, 2021 • Comments Off

Earlier this month, I celebrated my seventh anniversary with United Way of Ventura County.

Since I started in 2014, our organization has navigated many changes. We moved to a new office in Ventura, took on multiple disaster response and recovery efforts, developed a program to house the homeless in our community, and now we’re helping our neighbors through the pandemic.

Through it all, we’ve remained remarkably resilient. But the source of our resilience is people like you, who care so deeply about your fellow community members. Your generosity and caring inspire us throughout the year.

It’s truly an honor to lead this incredible team, to serve those in need, and to help improve the conditions for all in community. We strive to lead with compassion and unity, rather than division. It’s the United Way.

Bilingual award — City of Oxnard Wins $7.1 Million Grant to Revitalize Durley Park

by Community Contributor • December 14, 2021 • Comments Off

The City of Oxnard won a $7.1 million grant for improvements to Durley Park as part of Governor Newsom’s “Outdoors for All” initiative to enable all Californians, regardless of zip code or income, to access parks and open space.

The California State Parks’ grant funding will allow the City to invest in restorations to the current Durley Park space and add amenities such as a new area for a bike pump track/skate park, a community track for walkers and joggers, and much more.

“Revitalizing our parks is very important to our community,” said Mayor John Zaragoza. “From Oxnard’s seniors to our youth, everyone’s quality of life improves with access to open-space and recreational opportunities.”

“We’re excited that the State recognized the potential of Durley Park,” said Mayor Pro Tem Bryan MacDonald, whose District 4 includes Durley Park. “With this grant funding, the City is able to add amenities, from picnic areas to athletic fields, that will benefit the whole community.”

Museum of Ventura County — Stuff. Those. Stockings

by Community Contributor • December 14, 2021 • Comments Off

We are so excited to present our fun new Museum gift shop items, including one of a kind puzzles with rare historical images from the Research Library! If you’re a fan of Arte Para la Gente: The Collected Works of Margaret Garcia come get your own magnet with her beautiful artwork on it. Popular as ever are our MVC paintbrush pens, collect all four! Find these special items at the Museum of Ventura County or the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula, while supplies last. Both Museums are open from Thursday-Sunday 11am-5pm.

Bilingual report — Consulado de Mexico en Oxnard: Control de Armas, Persona del Año 2021 – ¡Vote ahora! / 2021 Arms Control Person of the Year – Vote Now!

by Community Contributor • December 14, 2021 • Comments Off

The illicit arms trade is a subject of the utmost interest for Mexico and the entire Latin American region due to the violence that this activity brings about. Despite the specific national contexts, the violence caused by arms trafficking has consequences of great magnitude on the quality of life of our populations, as well as, on the development of our countries.

In that regard, last August, the Government of Mexico filed a lawsuit, before a United States federal district court against manufacturers and distributors of firearms, for negligent commercial practices that promote arms trafficking to our country. It is important to point out that the litigation is not against the U.S. government nor against the right of U.S. citizens to own and bear arms in their country (Second Amendment of its Constitution). The aim is to prevent criminal groups from benefiting from this illicit trafficking, that is, the drug cartels who do not have the right to possess and bear arms.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Ancient Acid Taste Receptors’ and more news

by Community Contributor • December 14, 2021 • Comments Off

Anindya Ganguly and Craig Montell identify and characterize a sour receptor conserved from fruit flies to humans.

Newest members bring financial and economic development expertise to the CSUCI Foundation Board

by Community Contributor • December 13, 2021 • Comments Off

The CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Foundation Board is welcoming two new members with a wealth of experience in banking and community investment opportunities.

The two new members are New Capital LLC Chief Executive Officer Beatriz Olvera Stotzer of Los Angeles and Montecito Bank & Trust Senior Vice President and Director of Community Banking Cari Shore of Ojai.

Interim President Richard Yao, Ph.D., said he is excited to welcome two such accomplished leaders in the community and looks forward to working with them both.

“We are fortunate to have these two innovative and entrepreneurial women join our board,” Yao said. “They not only bring incredible talent, experience and thought leadership to the Foundation, but also are deeply connected in our region and are committed to our mission as a University and to the work of the Foundation Board.”

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Shop for unique holiday gifts @ MCASB | Saturday, Dec. 18

by Community Contributor • December 13, 2021 • Comments Off

Shop for unique holiday gifts crafted by artists and designers at MCASB’s Gift Studio Pop-Up Holiday Market.

Featuring FREE hands-on holiday craft workshops for the whole family, hot cocoa, and Happy Hour from 2:00-6:00 PM when you can shop with spiked festive drinks in hand, accompanied by a curated DJ set.

FEATURING: Augie’s Agave – Camille K Jewelry – Demi Boelsterli – Monica Epstein – Madeleine Ignon – SlingShot Art Studio – SWEETZER Gourmet Popcorn – Yellow Rat – Rhys Zemeckis

Bilingual report — Dec. 13, 2021 – COVID-19 Update

by Community Contributor • December 13, 2021 • Comments Off

Since Friday, there are 381 new COVID-19 cases reported and 16,256 new tests performed. There are 50 people hospitalized, 10 in the ICU. There have been 2 additional deaths of males ages 54 and 83. Our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the community members who passed away. The R-effectivefor Ventura County is 1.12 which means the spread is likely increasing.

Find a COVID testing site at www.vcrecovers.org/testing. The modified holiday schedule for state testing sites is now available.

Boosters are now available for 16- and 17-year-olds. Find a vaccine site at www.vaccines.gov.

First confirmed case of Omicron COVID-19 variant identified in Ventura County

by Community Contributor • December 13, 2021 • Comments Off

The County of Ventura Public Health Department has received confirmation of its first case of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with the new Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). The individual, who is a fully vaccinated adult, is self-isolating, and their symptoms are improving without medical care. A small number of close contacts have been identified and, to date, all have tested negative and have no symptoms. The contacts have been asked to follow the quarantine protocol.

“Throughout the pandemic, we have always known there would be more mutations, resulting in the possibility of a more transmissible variant than the Delta variant,” said Public Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin. “While we can’t know for certain the impact of Omicron at this time, the good news is that we already know how to reduce transmission and slow spread. I encourage community members to take the steps that we know offer protection, including getting vaccinated, completing your vaccination series, or getting boosted, getting tested and staying at home if you feel sick or are a close contact, and wearing your mask indoors and at large mega events.”

Bilingual report — Dec. 10, 2021 – COVID-19 Update

by Community Contributor • December 10, 2021 • Comments Off

The generosity of County employees on full display in Downtown Ventura! Big shout out to all county agencies that helped build a forest of trees contributing to Food Share of Ventura County’s Can Tree Build today! A heartfelt thank you to Food Share all volunteers that make this effort possible. All hands on deck to make sure no family goes hungry this season and throughout the year!

Bilingual commentary — See a Doctor? But I Feel Fine!

by Community Contributor • December 10, 2021 • Comments Off

“I’m not going to see a doctor. Why should I? I feel fine!”

I’m willing to bet that we’ve all heard this line, or variations of it, from people we know. Or perhaps we ourselves have this belief that if we are feeling well, then visits to doctors’ offices are futile, a waste of precious time, and a fool’s errand. Admittedly, for many people, visits to their doctor could also very well feel like a waste of their money if the test results indicate, over and over, that “all is normal.”

As one example of the cost of ignoring routine medical tests, let’s consider one “silent disease” that often goes undetected: glaucoma. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, over three million Americans have glaucoma, a disease that seriously affects vision over time, but only half of them are aware of their condition. However, early detection can prevent the otherwise inevitable loss of vision.

California Transportation Secretary Visits the Port of Hueneme

by Community Contributor • December 9, 2021 • Comments Off

The Port of Hueneme welcomed California State Transportation Agency Secretary David S. Kim to the Port of Hueneme on Monday, December 6. His visit included discussions with Port workers and customers about how the Port of Hueneme is moving cargo and helping to relieve California’s port congestion.

Secretary Kim also met with Oxnard Harbor Commissioner Jess Herrera, Oxnard Harbor Commissioner Celina Zacarias, CEO & Port Director Kristin Decas and executive level Port officials to discuss how the Port’s growth continues to be one of the strongest economic engines for Ventura County and an environmental leader among the nations’ Ports.

“The Port of Hueneme plays a vital role in California’s transportation system, and I am thankful for the opportunity to see operations up close,” said Secretary Kim. “Governor Gavin Newsom’s Administration is laser-focused on ensuring the efficient movement of goods throughout the state – including the Governor’s executive order specifying actions by state agencies to improve the supply chain – and the Port of Hueneme will continue to be a key part of the state’s freight strategy.”

Bilingual report — Teatro de las Américas — ¡Feliz Navidad y próspero Año Nuevo!

by Community Contributor • December 9, 2021 • Comments Off

What joy we feel sending you Holiday Greetings. We hope you pass these festive days happy and in good health.

Here goes a report for the years 2020 and 2021.

Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation Announces Newest Board Member

by Community Contributor • December 8, 2021 • Comments Off

Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (Cabrillo EDC), the largest developer of affordable homes in Ventura County, announced the appointment of Mayra Ramirez as the newest member of Cabrillo EDC’s Board of Directors.

Originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, Mayra Ramirez is a Food Safety and Occupational Safety Coordinator for a local Agriculture company and is currently working on her Business Management Degree at Oxnard College.

Condado de Ventura— 8 de diciembre de 2021 – Información de COVID-1

by Community Contributor • December 8, 2021 • Comments Off

Desde el lunes, han habido 200 casos de COVID-19 y 12,420 pruebas adicionales. Hay 39 personas hospitalizadas, 7 en la UCI. Ha habido 1 muerte adicionalde un hombre de 74 años. Nuestro más sentido pésame a los seres queridos de los fallecidos. La R-efectiva para el Condado de Ventura es 1.28, lo que significa que la propagación probablemente está aumentando.

Vacúnese contra el COVID y ponte la vacuna de refuerzo
Hoja informativa sobre la Variante Omicron del Departamento de Salud Pública de California
Encuentre un sitio de pruebas de COVID
Acceda una copia digital de su registro de vacunación

76.8% de los miembros de la comunidad (de 5 años en adelante) han recibido una dosis o más de las vacunas contra el COVID
70.2% de los miembros de la comunidad elegibles han sido completamente vacunados
76.5% de los miembros de la comunidad de 12 años en adelante han sido completamente vacunados

Bilingual report — Ventura County ranked fourth county in the nation in securing FEMA funding for pandemic response

by Community Contributor • December 8, 2021 • Comments Off

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) ranks Ventura County fourth in the nation for securing funding for COVID-19 response. “The County took an aggressive approach in seeking FEMA reimbursement for the County’s $104 million in costs associated with our community-based testing and vaccine efforts in 2020. This approach was an administratively arduous task; however, the benefit was that it allowed our County to maximize the investment back into the community with more than $150 million in local assistance,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants to government following a presidential disaster declaration to quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. The process to obtain grants is extensive.“It is outstanding. It really says something about our staff that they were able to do the extra work to make this happen. It certainly paid off for members of our community,” said Chair of the Board Supervisor Linda Parks.