Category: Cultural

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update — Vaccine Progress

The COVID-19 vaccine dashboard was launched on Friday to keep the community informed on the progress of administering COVID-19 vaccines. The dashboard is updated Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The data shows that in very simple terms “when we get it, we give it”. We want you to receive the vaccine as soon as possible. When we receive the vaccines, we open appointments and administer them.

Family Law Attorney Natalia Duque Joins Law Office of Renee M. Fairbanks

The Law Office of Renee M. Fairbanks is delighted to welcome Natalia Duque to its team of exceptional family law attorneys.

A graduate of Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia, Duque is an experienced and dedicated family lawyer with a passion for helping clients navigate the legal hurdles associated with divorce and custody matters. Prior to joining the Law Office of Renee M. Fairbanks, she practiced family law in Texas. She’s worked on a wide variety of complex family law cases and is adept at assisting clients from a range of backgrounds.

Duque is bilingual in Spanish and English, and grew up in Colombia. She is uniquely equipped to help expatriate clients facing divorce as she understands the intricacies of these cases.

COVID-19 Punishes Latinos for Hard Work and Larger Families

Latinos in the U.S. have created the world’s eighth-largest economy. How did they do it? Essentially, through hard work and larger families. Yet these very elements that enabled them to build the world’s eighth-largest economy also make Latinos a special target of COVID-19.

Latinos’ strong work ethic means that Latino households have more wage earners per household than non-Hispanic white households. Nationally, Latinos have an average of 1.6 wage earners per household, compared to 1.2 for non-Hispanic white households. This means that Latino households have more adults leaving the house every day, who are then often exposed to coronavirus-positive clients and co-workers during work hours.

Bilingual commentary — Surviving the Belly of the Beast

Amanda Gorman, our country’s first Youth Poet Laureate, stood proudly, if not nervously, before the country and the world during President Biden’s inauguration as she delivered her poem, aptly entitled “The Hill We Climb.” It was a formidable image, reminiscent of watching Barack Obama delivering his inaugural address to the nation as our first African American president.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — More on Vaccines

At this week’s Board of Supervisors hearing, we received an update from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department on COVID-19.

The good news is that from January 11th to January 25th, we’ve seen a 23% decrease in active cases and a 42% decrease in hospitalized cases. We’ve experienced decreases in most of our County areas, with the exception of the City of Santa Barbara and in Isla Vista.

We are administering almost double the state median for daily COVID-19 tests.

SBCC’s Atkinson Gallery receives Getty Foundation grant for next ‘Pacific Standard Time’

Santa Barbara City College’s Atkinson Gallery and the SBCC Foundation are pleased to announce they have been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Getty Foundation to prepare for the next edition of the region-wide arts initiative “Pacific Standard Time,” scheduled to open in 2024.

“Pacific Standard Time” is an unprecedented series of collaborations among institutions across Southern California. In each, organizations simultaneously present research-based exhibitions, publications, performances and public conversations that explore and illuminate a significant theme in the region’s cultural history.

County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Jan. 28 — Vaccine Information

The County of Ventura is in Phase 1A which includes those in the health care sector and those who are 75 and older.

Community members who are eligible to be vaccinated may register online
www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/.

Community members who are eligible to be vaccinated but who have limited computer/internet access may call the phone registration line at 805-477-7161. The phone line is open Monday through Friday 8:30-5:00.

Consulado de Mexico en Oxnard — Feria universitaria virtual

Buenos días, queremos invitarlos a la feria universitaria virtual que está organizando en Consulmex Sacramento con apoyo de los consulados de México en California. En este evento se llevarán a cabo talleres con todos los sistemas de educación superior de CA, ayuda financiera, asesorías uno a uno y un día dedicado especialmente a DACA y estudiantes indocumentados.

Community Environmental Council Announces New UC Climate Leadership Course

The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is proud to announce a new certification course, UC Climate Stewards, that will empower locals to take clear action on climate change. The course, offered in coordination with the UC Division of Agriculture and the Natural Resources California Naturalist Program, is part of a statewide effort to build on-the-ground support to advance local and state climate goals.

Consulado de Mexico en Oxnard — Invitación al evento “Café Conexito” para dueños de negocios y futuros emprendedores

Café Conexito es nuestro grupo de empoderamiento /reunión virtual mensual en la que te invitamos a conectarte (con tu bebida matutina preferida) un Viernes al mes de 9:00 am a 10:00am.

Conocerás a un invitado especial cada sesión y disfrutaras de la oportunidad de compartir, escuchar y apoyarse mutuamente mientras alcanzas las metas de tu negocio. Esta sesión estará titulada: Metas Inteligentes para ti y tu negocio, y será facilitada por Irene Kelly, Administradora del Programa de Educación Financiera de WEV con nuestro invitado especial, Armando Sahagun, Asesor de Negocios de WEV.

County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Jan. 26 — Vaccine Update

The County of Ventura is in Phase 1A which includes those in the health care sector and those who are 75 and older. Vaccines are for those that live or work in Ventura County.

The County receives vaccines from the State once a week. Once vaccines are received the County creates appointments for those vaccines to be distributed.

Community members who are eligible to be vaccinated may register online on Mondays at the following link:

www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/.

CSUCI’s growing virtual micro-internship program continues into the spring semester

A virtual micro-internship program launched at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) during the first months of the pandemic has proved to be so successful, it is continuing through the spring semester with even more participants. 

The micro-internships, which are hands-on learning projects with pay, are offered through the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics’ (MVS) Entrepreneurship & Small Business Institute (ESBI) with Associate Professor of Marketing Ekin Pehlivan, Ph.D. and Assistant Professor of Management Cynthia Sherman, Ph.D., Director of the ESBI. 

Social Justice Fund for Ventura County Monthly Update

We want to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year. We are all hoping for a less tumultuous year and a year that brings healing and justice for all. Here are some of this month’s highlights:

First of all, thanks to all for your generosity in 2020. The Social Justice Fund for Ventura County had its best fundraising year in many years. With this money we are poised to continue our Fellowship Program and support emerging leaders become new voices for social justice in our community. Your contributions are helping our Social Justice Fellows introduce new ideas to bring fairness and justice.

Check out 2 new videos attached below. You will see two clips from a zoom conference we co-sponsored with the Chalice Newbury Park. The first is Rabiah and I introducing the Fund and our Fellows. The second – – which is not be missed – is Kavita Rai from Justice in the Classroom, one of our Fellows, describing her new organization and her personal motivation for change. These videos are the start of a “Get to Know” series we will be releasing of the Social Justice Fellows you have funded to make change. They are very inspirational!

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Governor Lifts Stay-at-Home Order

The California Department of Public Health issued guidance today lifting the Regional Stay at Home Order due to projected increasing ICU capacity. All California counties will return to the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and color-coded tiers. Santa Barbara County has returned to the Purple Tier and a Health Officer Order outlining the specific restrictions and allowances for Santa Barbara County businesses and residents will be issued. This Health Officer Order will take effect at 8 a.m. on January 26, 2021. 

Santa Barbara County will continue to restrict gatherings of any size at this time.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Jan. 25

Vaccine Update

The County of Ventura is in Phase 1A which includes those in the health care sector and those who are 75 and older. Vaccines are for those that live or work in Ventura County.

The County receives vaccines from the State once a week. Once vaccines are received the County creates appointments for those vaccines to be distributed.

Appointments open every Monday.

Community members who are eligible to be vaccinated may register online on Monday’s at the following link:

www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/.

OC LIVE — VPA Student Showcase — where are they now?

Jonesin’ for a little OC student jammin’? Hungry for some home-grown creative talent? We know how you feel!  And that’s why we’re bringing back this encore presentation of the Visual and Performing Arts Student Showcase.

Relive the pre-pandemic glory days with some all-star student work in Communication Studies, Music, Art, Film, and Dance! And stick around for a  conversation with two stars of the show, Adan Nevarez and Jullianne De La Cruz. Find out how these OC students have kept heart and soul together during one of the most challenging years ever!

MCASB — New Year, New Art, & A Fresh Start

Family Friendly Workshop 
Seed Paper Tutorial 
Saturday, January 30, 2021 @ 11AM PST
 
Enjoy a morning of learning how to give your paper waste a new life as seed paper! We will be demonstrating how to transform everyday waste into paper that can be used to make artwork, cards, gift tags, note paper and other crafts that can later be planted in the earth! This event is free to all and we encourage people of all ages to attend.

Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. Awards 14 Students with Rodney Fernandez Leadership Fund Scholarships

The Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (Cabrillo EDC) recently recognized 14 graduating high school seniors and college students for their academic achievements and pursuits with Rodney Fernandez Leadership Fund (RFLF) Scholarships.

The RFLF was created in 2011 and honors the legacy of Rodney Fernandez, Cabrillo EDC’s founder and Executive Director for 30 years (1981–2011). The scholarship continues Fernandez’s legacy of community building by cultivating the leadership of residents to attain their goals and empower themselves to take action to improve the quality of life in their communities.

“This scholarship opened up the doors for me to do what I love,” said Alexa Gruener, student recipient of the RFLF Scholarship. “As a freshman in college, this scholarship has helped me pay my tuition for both semesters, allowing me to take on fewer work hours and thus seek out research and internship opportunities. Currently, I am volunteering at Westminster Free Clinic and working for the Boston University Medical School’s MANOS project, which does research on chronic kidney diseases in field workers from Central America.”

Bilingual commentary — The Power of Oratory

The past few days in our country have been exhausting, frightening, sickening, traumatic, dispiriting. The attack on the Capitol, with threats of even more violence in the coming weeks and months, starkly demonstrated the power of words.

An impeached and diminished president stands accused of incitement to riot. He may well believe that his words were “appropriate,” but then he believes many things that are not true. Even several of his supporters in Congress have admitted that his words carried the weight that crushed any remaining sense of stability we might have had.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Jan. 21, 2021

As of 1/19/21 31,553 individuals have been vaccinated in Ventura County. We have received 44,625 first dose vaccines. All appointments are filled this week.
More appointments will be opened next week. A notice will be sent when they open up.

We have to wait each week on the amount of vaccines provided to the County from the State and then more appointments can be made. All vaccines coming in are going out to the people in Phase 1A and 75 and older. We have more eligible people wanting the vaccine than vaccines available.

It will take months to vaccinate all people. Vaccine supply is the biggest barrier to making this effort move more quickly. This is impacting Counties throughout the State.

Once appointments are opened you can register on the Ventura County Recovers website at the following link:

Ventura College Foundation Provides Record Support in 2019-20 Despite Pandemic Challenges

The Ventura College Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and financial support to Ventura College students and to school programs, distributed $824,548 in financial support during the 2019-2020 academic year–$699,971 in scholarships, $84,577 in VC Promise tuition assistance and $40,000 in textbook support. The annual scholarship distribution was the largest in the foundation’s history and was distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic in April.

CSUCI student research suggests students who take ethnic studies tend to stay in school and graduate

Beginning in Spring of 2021, CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) will require undergraduate students to take at least one 3-unit ethnic studies class. The CSU Chancellor’s Office made the determination that all 23 campuses will require ethnic studies for lower division undergraduates following the passage of AB 1460 in the state legislature.

A study conducted by three students and two faculty members in 2019 suggests this requirement may help students stay in school and graduate, regardless of their ethnicity.

“I think it’s cool that our little math project that we worked on one summer may make such a difference,” said 2020 Mathematics alumnus Avery Brunk, who is now working on her master’s degree in statistics at CSU Fullerton. “It seems to say ‘You should take more ethnic studies!’”

Santa Barbara City College — The Bridge — Wake Campus selected as vaccination site for county firefighters

SBCC was pleased to work with the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department in making the Wake Campus on Turnpike Road available for administering the first dose of the Moderna Coronavirus vaccine to county firefighters. See the KEYT-TV story…
For more information about the COVID-10 vaccine, visit the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department. 

Oxnard filmmaker tackles Latinx Mental Health with new event on Jan. 23

As part of OPAC’s first Artist-in-Residency, Oxnard filmmaker Arcelia Martinez is raising awareness about mental health in the Latino community through a year-long programming series (June 2020 – May 2021) and the production of a short documentary. The next event is a Salon focused on Mental Health Stress Factors and will take place on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 2 pm via Zoom. It’s free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. The event will be professionally translated by Bridging Voices-Uniendo Voces.

Guest speakers from diverse places and perspectives in Ventura County will shed light on how Stress Factors can amplify mental health challenges in our community:

COVID-19 Update Jan. 14, 2021 — Case Information and Vaccine Information

There are 1,354 new cases for today, 13,381 additional tests, and 13 additional deaths (38 year old male, 83 year old female, 97 year old male, 87 year old male, 98 year old female, 88 year old female, 67 year old female, 100 year old female, 73 year old male, 62 year old male, 85 year old male, 62 year old male, and a 83 year old female.

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.

CSUCI gets grant to establish residency program for Education majors planning to become math and science teachers

 CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) teacher candidates planning to teach middle or high school math or science can apply for a new $8,000 residency grant funded through the CSU-wide Math and Science Teacher Initiative (MSTI).  

Assistant Professor of Education Kara Naidoo, Ph.D. wrote the grant, which is called the Math and Science Teacher Initiative (MSTI) STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Challenge.  The MSTI is an effort by the CSU Chancellor’s Office to increase the number of credentialed and highly-qualified mathematics and science teachers in middle and high schools. 

Guest contribution — Open letter to Ventura County, 5th District Supervisor Carmen Ramirez and Oxnard Mayor John Zaragoza

Congratulation to both of you on your historic victories in this past 2020 Presidential Elections. These are uniquely troubling times and difficult for the nation, the county, and the city of Oxnard. You two where overwhelmingly voted into office because the electorate believes in you. We believe that you two working together can break some of the horrific self-serving and polarizing gridlock of local and national politics as usual, that benefit only the very few 1% well-heeled politically and financially hooked up, along with tragically half of the nation (along with the county of Ventura, the city of Oxnard) that will continue to blindly follow the evil and maniacal dog whistles of racism, hatred, and fear straight to the tyrannical abyss.

You two, Carmen and John, working together can be a working and thriving model of local common sense, cooperative governance, democratic inclusion, fiscally compassionate (put tax money where it is most needed and not with sweet heart lobbyist), wise decision making and social justice champions and become true democratic beacon for the nation of all.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Jan. 13, 2021 — Case Information and Vaccine Information

There are 1,563 new cases for today, 9,008 additional tests, and 16 additional deaths 96 year old male, 80 year old female, 91 year old male, 59 year old female, 86 year old male, 83 year old female, 72 year old female, 31 year old male, 86 year old male, 83 year old female, 69 year old female, 82 year old male, 75 year old male, 82 year old male, 87 year old female, and a 102 year old female.

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.

Ventura County Arts Council — What’s New in 2021

Greetings and Happy New Year! We are happy to share that in December 2020, with support from the California Arts Council, we were able to distribute CARES funds to 17 local arts and culture organizations who represent and serve communities of color disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

This money was allocated from a portion of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) funds initially given to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) who granted a portion of the dollars to the California Arts Council to be distributed by their State and Local Partners. As CAC’s Ventura County SLP, we were able to help the following groups with support for core operations and special projects:
Ballet Folklorico Bell Arts
Ballet Folklorico Cielito Lindo de Simi Valley
Bell Arts Factory
Club Flor Bonita
The CreArtive Freedom Family
Danza Tonantzin
Dr. Manuel M. Lopez Community Garden
Fork Space
Get Loud Movement
Inlakech Cultural Arts Center
Our Town. Our Children.
Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation
Redbird
Spectrum Collaborative
The Showtime Project
Teatro De Las America
Ventura County Chinese American Association

Santa Paula Art Museum — Looking for a Silver Lining?

We got our first glimpse this week of many of the paintings that will be featured in artist Anette Power’s upcoming solo exhibit Silver Linings: Journey of Light, which premieres February 6, 2021 at the Santa Paula Art Museum.* Anette’s show is full of hope, and happiness, and joy. It’s the kind of bright spot that we all need more of right now, and we can’t wait to share it with you in February!

If you’d rather not wait, you can get a sneak peek of Power’s exhibit when she streams live from her studio this Saturday, January 16, at 2:00 p.m. (preregistration and Zoom app download are required). She’ll be showing us around her creative space and telling us how she’s learned to paint the silver linings.

REGISTER FOR THE ONLINE EVENT

Consulado de México en Oxnard — Estados Unidos anuncia nuevas medidas extraordinarias para ingresar vía aérea

A partir del 26 de enero, Estados Unidos solicitará presentar un resultado negativo de prueba viral a todos los pasajeros aéreos que deseen ingresar al país, antes de abordar su vuelo.
Dicha medida es aplicable para todos los pasajeros que pretendan viajar a Estados Unidos con independencia de su nacionalidad.

Ventura County Arts Council — Call to Artists deadline is Jan. 25

Online Entries Are Open

CALL TO ARTISTS
Ventura County Arts Council invites your submissions for

MESSAGE | COMMUNICATION
Sharing of Ideas and Feelings
Online exhibition beginning Monday, February 1st

Juried Competition, CASH PRIZES

Your opportunity to exhibit online hosted by Ventura County Arts Council Atrium Gallery. https://vcartscouncil.org/atrium-gallery

Museum of Ventura County — Virtual Event with Chris Hillman + New Meme Contest + More!

You’re invited to join us on Zoom on Thursday, January 21, 2021 @ 6:30pm—7:30pm for Ivor Davis: Up Close & Personal with Chris Hillman. Among the topics of conversation, Mr. Davis will interview Chris Hillman about his recent memoir, “Time Between: My Life as a Byrd, Burrito Brother, and Beyond,” his time living in Ventura County, his rock ‘n roll roots, and much more. This is not to be missed!

Ventura County District 5 Supervisor Carmen Ramirez takes oath of office

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.

Bilingual commentary — The Promise and the Challenge of 2021

We’ve just bid adieu to The Terrible Year. Yes, 2020 was the year that many of us simply want to forget and make believe it never happened. But it did happen. And we are not going to snap back to normal in the very near future, at least, just because a vaccine on a white horse is about to ride into town.  Maybe we’re “done” with the pandemic and believe that we should “take our chances” because we’re so tired of the lockdowns and restrictions that robbed us of life as we knew it.

In 2021 the blessings of Unconditional love For all

Unconditional love is not so much about how we tolerate and endure each other, but rather how we welcome and embrace each other, no matter the circumstances.

Unconditional love is about how we promise ourselves to never under any conditions stop bring the flawed and humble truth of who we are to each other.

Museum of Ventura County — Up Close & Personal

Happy New Year, Ventura County! After the wildly successful, members-only Zoom series Behind the Scenes with Ivor Davis wrapped up this past fall, the Museum of Ventura County is thrilled to present Ivor Davis: Up Close and Personal, a new Zoom series featuring a rotating guest list of notable and celebrated Ventura County residents, including Chris Hillman, Malcom McDowell, Miriam Arichea, and more. This new series is free and open to the public with registration.

Join us on Zoom on Thursday, January 21st, 2021 @ 6:30pm—7:30pm for the first in this series with musician Chris Hillman!

Bilingual report — Capturing COVID — A Time Capsule of Photos, Writing and Art Depicting 2020

The City of Oxnard Recreation and Community Services Division seeks the public’s help in creating a time capsule that summarizes a year like none before it. 

Capturing COVID will record this historic time and help put the year into perspective for those who open the time capsule in the future. It will contain both written word and art, and is expected to help explain this period’s impact on all aspects of life in our community, from the advent of digital learning to isolating at home to missing important family celebrations.

New Year Brings New, Virtual Art Classes to the Santa Paula Art Museum

The new year means new, virtual art classes at the Santa Paula Art Museum! While the physical Museum remains closed due to COVID restrictions, you can still enjoy the joy and solace that art and community offer by taking a live, online art class with one of the Santa Paula Art Museum’s incredible teaching artists. Discover a new skill or passion in 2021! Reserve your spot in class at www.santapaulaartmuseum.org.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Montecito Debris Flow Remembrance, COVID-19 Update, & Oath of Office

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.

CAPS Media — Welcome 2021

Best wishes to all our friends and members for a Safe, Healthy, and Productive New Year from your crew at CAPS Media: Alex Uvari, Donald McConnell, Elizabeth Rodeno, Evan Carpenter, Gary Roll, Jamie Cawelti, Jorge Godinez, Manny Reynoso, Patrick Davidson and Phil Taggart. And best wishes from our outstanding board of directors: Ashley Bautista, Barry Fisher, Cathy Peterson, Cliff Rodrigues, Darryl Dunn, Kathy Good, Marieanne Quiroz, Mike Velthoen, Pam Baumgardner, Tim Harrison and Bill Schneider.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update: New Cases 1,520, 8 Additional Deaths

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

Now Accepting Submissions! Ventura County Artist Showcase

We are accepting proposals now for our ongoing Artist Showcase in the storefront windows at Victoria Ave. and Moon Dr. in Ventura. Each of four storefront windows will be dedicated to a unified installation created by a single artist or created as a collaborative project by more than one artist.

2020 was a year of challenge, grief, longing, questioning, reflection and, hopefully, insight. To kick off the new year, we are looking for artwork that represents your experience of this time. Selected artists will conceive of each window as a diorama, a space in which an installation of accumulation, sculptural pieces, work in any medium uses the three-dimensional space dynamically.