Category: Cultural

Hospice of Santa Barbara Takes Part in Delivering 120 Lunches to Local Seniors

As a way to give back to our community in this time of need, Shalhoob’s and Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) delivered 120 meals from Shalhoob’s to the senior living complex Village Santa Fe Apartments, a Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara property. Hospice of Santa Barbara provided 12 volunteers who helped pack and deliver the meals donated by Shalhoob’s. 

Bilingual report — SMJUHSD Distance Learning Survey (English, Spanish and Mixteco)

Parents and students will receive a survey tomorrow from Panorama via email.

We thank you and your family for being our valued partners as we work together to educate the children in our district. SMJUHSD values input from our community – and we need to hear from your student.  Students are important partners as we work to improve our communication, academic program, and overall experience for everyone.

Ventura County Civic Alliance — Livable Communities Newsletter – May 15, 2020

What we define as “livable” has now changed, of necessity, but what does this hold for the future?  In our first article, Kerry Roscoe takes a moment to think about the positives and negatives ahead of us.

Our next article takes a new look at the Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY) movement.  Each of us may have our own definition of what we think a NIMBY is or is not, but I would bet that few, if any, would define a NYMBY as Alan Durning has in his February 2020 article entitled KNOW THINE NIMBY.  Because the negative impact of NIMBY entrenchment is so strong, housing advocates need to better understand who we are addressing during debates regarding new housing. 

California Office of Emergency Services Awards Coalition For Family Harmony $150,000 Grant

The California Office of Emergency Services awarded the Coalition for Family Harmony a $150,000 grant to provide empirically-based domestic violence prevention support programming to couples from Latinx/Spanish-speaking populations in Ventura County.

Museum of Ventura County — Courage and Contribution, Patterns on the Land, and more!

There are over 5,500 maps in the Library collection that include historical plat maps, boundary maps, topographic and hydrological maps (USGS), irrigation/ditch maps, right-of way maps (railroad and highway), and land case maps (court case exhibits). Discover a few of these jewels in this week’s virtual exhibit.

Santa Barbara City College — The Bridge – May 2020

Congratulations to the class of 2020!

Although all in-person campus operations have been suspended until further notice, that didn’t stop SBCC from holding a commencement ceremony to honor the graduating class of 2020. On Friday, May 8, at 5 p.m., the college held a “virtual” commencement online.
View the video here…

May News from Peoples’ Self-Help Housing

This past Saturday was going to be the end of our special online event “Building Together”. I say ‘was’, because due to its heartwarming success, and overwhelming requests to keep it up and running, we have decided to continue accepting submissions! If you have not yet had a chance to see what “home means” to people across our nation, and in some cases around the globe, you will not want to miss it, so check out the Building Together pages and even consider a submission yourself, if you haven’t already!

How your United Way of Ventura County is responding to COVID-19

Over the past few months, COVID-19 has reshaped our lives and priorities in powerful ways. Here at your United Way, we’ve been collaborating with our community partners and adapting how we provide services so that we can better respond to the needs of our most vulnerable citizens.

In this moment of unprecedented uncertainty, we are incredibly thankful for our community partners, donors, and volunteers. They’ve stepped up to provide vital resources for our neighbors and friends who need it the most right now.

To learn more about how your local United Way is responding during this global pandemic, please take a moment to view my recent interview with OVTV.

CLU School of Management — Design Thinking — Pre- and Post- COVID-19

Learn how RKS Design, a globally recognized design and innovation consulting firm whose mission is to move people through design, is working through the COVID-19 crisis. Our guest speaker is Ravi Sawhney, founder and CEO of RKS Design and member of the Dean’s Executive Council at California Lutheran University’s School of Management. Mr. Sawhney will discuss personal and organizational strategies that have been employed, due to the crisis, at RKS Design. This short 45-minute webinar will include both a presentation by Mr. Sawhney and a Q&A session with our virtual audience, moderated by Dean Gerhard Apfelthaler.

Oxnard Performing Arts Center — May update

Dear friends of The PACC,

We hope you and your family are healthy and safe during these unprecedented times. Thanks to Mechanics Bank for helping us secure Paycheck Protection Program funds, our nonprofit staff is hard at work on enhancing the visitor and programming experience while we are temporarily closed. When we re-open, YOUR PACC will be more beautiful and exciting than ever. Please consider making a donation to help support our efforts.

In the meantime, we have wonderful news to share in this month’s newsletter.

Thank you for your continued support!

CSUCI Psychology major who found her calling among rows of flowers wins national fellowship

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Psychology and Business double major Juliane Martinez, 20, found her calling among the flowers and people thriving at the Growing Works Nursery in Camarillo.

Her experience at Growing Works led her to delve into the field of “positive psychology,” a study of human flourishing, and that research in turn led to Martinez being named a 2020-2021 Newman Civic Fellow.

Naomi Mau Valedictorian, Damian Magana Salutatorian get home visits from PVHS Principal Shanda Herrera

SANTA MARIA — Pioneer Valley High School arrived at two homes Monday morning to personally recognize the Valedictorian and Salutatorian of the Class of 2020. Principal Shanda Herrera greeted Valedictorian Naomi Mau and Salutatorian Damian Magana. They received balloons, certificates and…

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 8 — The County of Ventura expanded testing throughout the County this week for essential workers and residents

Good Evening, Here is your daily COVID-19 update from the County of Ventura.

View today’s video update at: https://vimeo.com/416539740.

By the numbers:

21 new cases

652 total cases

435 recovered cases

29 in the hospital

12 in the ICU

198 under quarantine

19 deaths

12, 863 tested

Testing The County of Ventura expanded testing throughout the County this week for essential workers and residents. You will not be charged for the test, and you do not need to have health insurance. There are two sites for essential workers and seven drive thru sites for all community members. Learn more at: https://vcportal.ventura.org/covid19/docs/2020-05-03_Covid19Testing_updated.pdf.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) Rise to the Occasion During COVID-19 Outbreak

Despite economic challenges brought on by the COVID-19 Outbreak, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) continues to support youth and staff to cope and emerge from the COVID-19 crisis.

The BGCGCV continues to keep 4 out of 9 of its Clubs open to provide the critical childcare needed for essential working families.  In addition to childcare, the BGCGCV is working hard to maintain a sense of routine for youth, help prevent learning loss, and focusing on the social, and emotional wellbeing of its members.

Bilingual commentary: Reinventing Our Lives

We are not alone. One way or another, the coronavirus has upended the life of practically every individual in the world. As a country, we confront this threat and look for ways to assuage the severe damage that it is inflicting on our livelihoods, our lifestyles, our relationships and the global economy.  Meanwhile, we are all observing an intense tug-of-war between the forces that agitate for a brisk re-opening of the country and those that caution us about the potentially dreadful consequences of a rapid return to a “normal life.” Achieving an optimal response is one of the most fraught challenges ever experienced by at least the past three generations, so achieving an optimal balance is guaranteed to be painful. 

Allan Hancock College debuts Latino Studies Degree Program for Summer, Fall

Allan Hancock College will offer a new degree program in Latino/Latina Studies beginning this summer and fall.

The associate of arts degree program provides a structured study of Latino/Latina heritage, and fosters an understanding of Latino/Latina history, culture and aesthetics. The new degree program is the first of its kind at Hancock, which is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education.

Southeast Ventura County National Day of Prayer Virtual Breakfast

The Southeast Ventura County National Day of Prayer was supposed to take place today on the CLU campus. Instead, the Y brought together community members in a Prayer Breakfast video. Click here.

May 7, 2020 is the National Day of Prayer. Instead of our Annual Prayer Breakfast, we are excited to bring you this video with all of our speakers. We hope that it brings you encouragement and inspiration during this time. God bless you all and thank you for watching.

Girl Scouts le da la bienvenida a una nueva miembro de la Junta Directiva

Girl Scouts de la Costa Central de California da la bienvenida hoy a su nueva miembro de la junta, ¡la Gerente de Asuntos Públicos de SoCalGas, María Ventura!

Con más de 15 años de experiencia, María ha desarrollado una distinguida carrera en asuntos gubernamentales, filantropía y relaciones bilingües con los medios. Actualmente, es la gerente de asuntos públicos que representa a SoCalGas en todo el condado de Ventura. En esta capacidad, ella sirve en varias juntas comunitarias; más notablemente, la ex presidenta del Boys and Girls Club de Greater Ventura, administra el programa de donaciones filantrópicas locales de la empresa de servicios públicos y los esfuerzos de divulgación externa.

Santa Paula Art Museum — We’re Just Drawn to You

First and foremost, Happy Mother’s Day from the Santa Paula Art Museum! We are in awe of all of you moms who have had to embrace your creativity more than ever this year to care for your children.

This week we’ve found ourselves especially drawn to line art. Line is the foundational element in any artwork. Blind contour drawing is a really fun way to explore line and would make a great Mother’s Day activity. We love the Cincinnati Art Museum’s tutorial on how to create a blind contour drawing of your mom.

Museum of Ventura County — Chris Hillman Throwback (plus chance to win a CD), Bonita McFarland Scholarship, and more!

This week it’s my pleasure to introduce Eric Knight, MVC’s Development Director. Eric is a fairly new member of the MVC family, having joined the staff team in July of 2019. Before he threw his heart and soul into the museum world, Eric most recently worked at the American Cancer Society where he was in charge of new business support. Eric heads up the fundraising and public relations teams at the Museum. He is a natural fit for MVC – he is creative, curious, and entirely devoted to making his adopted community – the county of Ventura – a better place. He is also just about to be a first time father! 

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 6

Good Evening, Here’s your daily COVID-19 update from the County of Ventura.

13 new cases

608 total cases

419 recovered cases

23 hospitalized

11 in the ICU

170 under quarantine

19 deaths

12,122 people tested

Today’s video update: https://vimeo.com/415735841.

‘Coco’ Actors Thank Children for Helping Fight the Coronavirus, Encourage Them to Remain Vigilant

Several actors from the movie “Coco”© have teamed up to send a “Thank you!” message to all the children who have stayed at home to slow down the spread of the deadly COVID-19. The artists recorded “We’re All In This Together,” a video that also asks kids to remain vigilant against the virus.

State COVID-19 Case Rates and Pandemic Protection: A Metric for Decisions to Implement, Continue, or Relax Measures

State and terrritorial governors have implemented pandemic protection measures in order to interrupt and slow down the passage of the coronavirus throughout each state’s population. Some of these measures are implemented at the individual level, such as wearing a facemask or maintaining social distance. The risk of transmission is much higher among crowds of people in close proximity, so another set of measures operates at the group level, trying to keep large groups from forming by keeping potential members dispersed.

“Romaine lettuce tainted with E. coli can be recalled or removed from grocery stores to prevent transmission,” said Paul Hsu, an epidemiologist at UCLA. “When someone is infected with coronavirus, we have to rearrange social contacts to interrupt that person-to-person transmission.” Crowds at sporting events, audiences at concerts, and students in classrooms have been dispersed by cancelling games, events, and classes.

Coalition For Family Harmony Sees Increase In Crisis Calls To Its Hotline

The Coalition for Family Harmony, which provides victims of family violence in Ventura County with the means to help escape from abuse, has seen a 10 to 15 percent increase in crisis calls to its hotline since the COVID-19 stay-at-home order took effect.

“Financial and emotional stresses are taking a toll. Victims are calling our hotline, fearful about staying in their home with an abuser but also worried about leaving and possibly being exposed to COVID-19,” says Dr. Caroline Prijatel-Sutton, Coalition For Family Harmony executive director. “They are in desperate situations.”

Bilingual commentary: Passing the Time

Some fortunate souls are able to work from home during this pandemic, which seems to have no end.  If some of the more pessimistic health experts are right, it just may not. 

On the other hand, there are many of us who don’t have the luxury of working from home.  We may be a service provider whose livelihood was suddenly yanked away.  We might be in the retail industry, which in some quarters is struggling to breathe and may not survive an environment that is essentially hostile to its products (think clothing and fashion) or to sales in general (for traditional summer fun, back-to-school, Black Friday and Christmas), which are completely unpredictable at this time. 

Museum of Ventura County — Ventura County’s Tiger Princess, Saving the Sounds of the Past, Historic Ventura County Tour, and more!

This week we bring you the story of Ellie Langille and a new attraction that has opened in a midtown Ventura neighborhood: the Lemon Grove Neighborhood Zoo.

This zoo was spurred on by Ellie’s mom Summer Langille, who connected with their neighbors on Facebook and asked them to create a weekend pop-up zoo of stuffed animals.

Over the weekend, fifteen houses transformed into cuddly wild animal parks.

This is just one of many stories that demonstrates the creativity and resilience of our residents at this time.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Good news, expanded testing begins next week

Good news, expanded testing begins next week, see below for details. Yesterday, Governor Gavin Newsom outlined the State’s plan to reopen the economy in four stages:

Stage 1: Improving testing and tracing, procuring personal protective equipment and ensuring hospital surge capacity.

Stage 2: Opening, with adaptations, school and child care facilities and lower-risk workplaces like retail stores, manufacturers and offices. Park and trail restrictions will also be loosened.

Stage 3: Opening higher-risk workplaces, like gyms, nail and hair salons, movie theaters, sports without live audiences and churches.

Stage 4: End of the stay-at-home order; reopen highest-risk workplaces, like concerts, convention centers and live-audience sports. 

Santa Barbara County Nonprofits Collaborate to Meet Critical Needs of Isolated Seniors During COVID-19

Many of our older community members, particularly those living alone, are not receiving the support they need during the coronavirus pandemic. To address this gap, several nonprofits in Santa Barbara County have collaborated to identify isolated seniors and connect them to essential services or critical needs, such as food and supplies.

UC Santa Barbara — The Current — A communication scholar explores the use of entertainment media as therapy for stress, anxiety and hopelessness

The Doctor Is On

A communication scholar explores the use of entertainment media as therapy for stress, anxiety and hopelessness.

Pioneer Valley High School moving forward with drive-through cap and gown distributions

Two schools within the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District are moving forward with drive-thru cap and gown distributions.

Pioneer Valley High School on April 28 passed out caps, gowns and a lawn sign to celebrate senior accomplishments.

Ventura College Foundation Announces Distribution Of Over $683,000 In Scholarships

The Ventura College Foundation is awarding scholarships to 248 students totaling $683,748, the largest annual scholarship distribution in the foundation’s history.

Students were notified this month of their scholarship awards ranging from $1,000 for continuing students to $4,000 for students who are transferring to four-year universities in the fall. Many students received multiple scholarships.

Santa Paula Art Museum — Art Experiments, Art To-Go, ArtSPARK, and Art…Yoga?!

We’re feeling so inspired after our Earth Day virtual art class with Dr. Meg Handler from The Human Nature Center! Dr. Handler uses the arts as a way to teach ecology. That got us wondering how else we can explore science through art. Marbled milk art provides a fun lesson on chemistry and polarity while you create a colorful artwork on paper.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 26

Good Afternoon, Here’s your daily update from the County of Ventura. 

1 new case

209 current cases

497 total cases

271 recovered cases

29 currently at the hospital (7 are long term care facility patients that are not acute for hospital care but staying at the hospitals throughout the county to protect others) 

7 ICU patients

17 deaths (9 males and 8 females ages 37-99, 11 passed in the hospital and 6 at home, all had comorbidities)

9,161 tested 

Special thanks to our community members for following the soft closure guidelines at local beaches. Coastal law enforcement reported that beach visitors followed the rules and kept moving. 

Stay informed at www.vcemergency.com. 

Uninsured Working Latinos and COVID-19: Essential Businesses at Risk

“Seek treatment by calling your doctor” if you have a fever, dry cough, or breathing difficulties, says the State of California Department of Public Health. But how will you pay for the doctor’s examination, a coronavirus test, and, if you test positive, any subsequent costs for treatment for COVID-19? While much of the state’s population has been able to practice “social distancing” and stay home to avoid exposure to the coronavirus, Latino workers fill a large percentage of the essential jobs that make staying home possible for others. The nature of these jobs—from checkout clerk to nursing home attendant—exposes them to many potential coronavirus carriers and a consequent high risk of catching the coronavirus. Yet the Latinos working these essential jobs are twice as likely as non-Latinos to be uninsured: 

CASA of SLO County A local non-profit gets creative with fundraising events

As you may know, Court Appointed Special Advocates—CASA of San Luis Obispo County had to cancel a major fundraiser, Hope for the Future. CASA relies on this event for a significant amount of their budget. They have moved all their auction items to an online format. The funds raised during this auction are vital to help them continue serving the children under the jurisdiction of the child protection court in San Luis Obispo County.

Vulnerable Individuals and Families in Santa Barbara County Assisted through COVID-19 Joint Response Effort; also Supports Nonprofits Assisting Those Impacted by Virus

United Way of Santa Barbara County, The Santa Barbara Foundation and the Hutton Parker Foundation are leading a countywide funders’ collaborative, the COVID-19 Joint Response Effort for Santa Barbara County.  The Effort will provide assistance to individuals and families as well as organizations actively assisting members of the community affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Over $2 million has been secured and fundraising continues to help those most in need.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Downward Trend

At today’s Board of Supervisors hearing, the Board received updated information on the outbreak at the Federal Prison in Lompoc, graphical presentation of Santa Barbara County COVID-19 By the Numbers, and a look ahead regarding Economic Reopening Plan development. As you can see from the graph above, although there is variability day-to-day, we are seeing a downward trend in the increase in total cases per day. The goal is to see some consistency in the downward trend and it seems we are headed down that path.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 21

VENTURA COUNTY — Good Evening, Here’s your daily update of regarding COVID-19 in the County of Ventura:   15 cases 443 total cases 230 recovered cases 28 hospitalized 11 in the ICU 200 active cases under quarantine 7,881 tested Zip…