The Museum of Ventura County and the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula are now officially open! Both museums are open Thursday—Sunday from 11am to 5pm.
Admission to both Museums is FREE through the end of the year.
Take a sneak peek at our current exhibits below!
There was nothing petty about what happened to former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer yesterday—it was a violent robbery, and it was awful. This crime occurred in broad daylight in Oakland’s Jack London District, a popular tourist destination that also happens to be in the California Senate District of Senator Nancy Skinner. The same Nancy Skinner who proposed declaring such horrific crimes misdemeanor petty thefts under SB 82.
We strive to serve YOU! Membership levels allow various ways for you to fuel your interest in contemporary art and explore its facets with fellow art enthusiasts. All gifts support our efforts to bring you top quality experiences. Join today!
California Lutheran University’s School of Management continues to provide a stimulating environment for our learners and the community around us, even in these unusual times. Today, we are once again happy to share a selection of exciting news, updates, and upcoming events to our communities in Southern California and beyond.
If you want to stay current on what is going on at the School of Management, please follow our Showcase page on LinkedIn.
Yes, concrete. I like to highlight innovative programs in our district, and the Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara project has a big one. The new concrete mix site (see photo) is going in by the southbound on-ramp at the North Padaro Lane. This enables concrete for the new freeway lanes to be mixed on-site and reduces truck routes by 6-16 miles per trip, saving an estimated 463,771 truck miles for the Carpinteria, Padaro, and Summerland segments. This also reduces water use by 400,000 gallons (concrete mixed on-site uses less water), reduces off-site neighborhood impacts, and saves taxpayers between $10-$15 million. Old concrete is also being recycled across the freeway (see left edge of photo). Crews are also installing a new concrete surface that is a quieter and has a longer lifespan. For more project information, visit www.SBROADS.com.
EDC PARTNER JULY SCHEDULE
The Economic Development Collaborative encourages you to sign up for our partners’ no-cost webinars. Space is limited. Register today!
SCORE VENTURA COUNTY: BEST PRACTICES: STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS BY BUYING AN EXISTING ONE
The PAC6 Painters return to the Santa Paula Art Museum this summer with their second major exhibition. “Vistas, Varmints and Vagabonds: The PAC6 Paints the Wild West” will open July 31, 2021, and will be on view through November 7, 2021. The artists will be on hand for an opening reception on Sunday, August 1, 2021, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission to the reception is $10.00 for SPAM members and $15.00 for non-members. All of the 81 artworks in the exhibition will be available for purchase. The exhibit will also be available to view online at www.santapaulaartmuseum.org beginning July 31, 2021.
With wildfire season upon us, it is crucial to ensure Ventura County’s farmworkers are well informed and protected from the health impacts of wildfire smoke. The Air Pollution Control District (APCD) has partnered with the County of Ventura’s County Executive Office, the Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, and the Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE), a non-profit organization, to develop a first-of-its-kind text alert system that will alert farmworkers by region when wildfire smoke reaches dangerous levels.
“Over 40,000 farmworkers in Ventura County can now benefit from timely information to help protect themselves at their workplaces during wildfire events. Ventura County is committed to leading the way in protecting farmworkers and working towards a more resilient and healthy community,” said County Supervisor and Air Pollution Control District Board member Carmen Ramirez.
I thought I would try something new and different this week. I’m pretending that I don’t have a car. I have had a car ever since I graduated from high school, so I knew this was going to feel “different.”
Several weeks ago I started studying the bus routes in Oxnard and saw that, except for the harbor area, I could take a bus just about anywhere I want to go within the city of Oxnard from my home in Port Hueneme, provided I was willing to walk a bit. But I walk or run just about every day of my life, so that’s not an issue for me.
Oxnard College and Downtown Oxnard have partnered to feature this year’s graduates on custom banners hung throughout the city’s streets. Oxnard College’s Associated Student Government (ASG) spearheaded this initiative to recognize graduates who have come through an unprecedented year of challenges. A total of 1,052 students graduated from Oxnard College for the 2020-21 school year. Nearly 150 graduates volunteered to be featured on banners hanging from lampposts throughout the Plaza in Downtown Oxnard and along both Oxnard Boulevard and Saviers Road. The eye-catching banners will be on display through September, and include a photo of the student, their name and college if they are transferring.
“We thank Downtown Oxnard for helping us celebrate our class of 2021, which has proven to be among the most resilient cohorts of students we have seen,” said Luis Sanchez, Oxnard College president. “Our graduates have overcome economic and personal devastation wrought by the pandemic in order to achieve their academic goals and pursue better lives. We expect great things from the class of 2021 in the years to come and know they will make our community proud.”
Rolando, 13 (left) and Diego, 12 (right) got vaccinated last week at the Ventura County Public Health Mobile Vaccination Clinic at the Boys & Girls Club of Fillmore. “To protect our friends and family,” they said.
Ecologist Ruby Harris-Gavin reflects on Ireland’s ‘conflicted national relationship with trees.’
View in Browser We Need You! Help Us Advocate for Rescue Funds for Arts & Culture There have been new and exciting developments in our advocacy efforts! Earlier this month, we shared a letter we crafted to the Ventura County…
We invite you to join us and become part of the MCASB family!
MCASB Membership provides crucial support for our groundbreaking exhibitions and programming. Membership offers a variety of ways to deeply engage with contemporary art and explore its myriad interactions within society and culture.
We invite you to read and share our stories about the native and rare wildlife of the southern and central California coast, and the people who work to ensure they and their natural habitats remain part of our landscape for years to come.
Hospice of Santa Barbara’s (HSB) virtual event Navigating Re-Entry Town Hall brought a range of community leaders on June 29th who came together to discuss the fears, anxiety, and questions we all have as we contemplate a return to society after the pandemic.
This was in direct response to questions everyone has been hearing in the community. The Town Hall presented many feelings of uncertainty, questions, and concern and, while our expert panel may not have had all the answers, the sense that “we are all in this together and feeling many of the same things” provides comfort to those feeling uneasy during this time.
Dr. Utpal K. Goswami resigned as Superintendent/President of the College effective July 12, 2021. Dr. Peter Haslund, President of the Board of Trustees, stated “The Board of Trustees extends thanks to Dr. Goswami for his service to SBCC and the substantial contributions he has made to the success of the College. We wish him well in his future endeavors.” Read the full press release…
With cases of COVID-19 rising locally and increased circulation of the highly transmissible Delta variant, the County of Ventura Public Health Department strongly recommends that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks indoors in public places. This serves as an extra precautionary measure for those who are fully vaccinated and will further limit spread of the Delta variant in the community at large.
“The Delta variant is spreading quickly in our State. All community members should take action to protect themselves and others against this potentially deadly virus,” said County of Ventura Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin. “While vaccines remain our best tool against COVID-19, masking in indoor and crowded outdoor settings will help us curb the spread of this latest wave of infection. Ventura County data have recently shown that unvaccinated people are 22 times more likely to become infected and hospitalized than vaccinated residents. Several of our hospitalized people have been vaccinated and that is several too many.”
“At first I wasn’t for it but then I talked to the nurse on site at the vaccination clinic and she answered some of my questions and I felt more comfortable getting vaccinated. I work with kids at the Boys and Girls Club and I’m glad that now I’m protected and so are they.” Amri Cardenas, 24, from Fillmore got vaccinated this week at the mobile vaccination clinic at the Boys & Girls Club of Fillmore. Thank you Amri for protecting yourself and your community!
Textbooks and supplies are often among the largest educational expenses college students face. As a result, 65% of college students have avoided purchasing textbooks due to prohibitive prices, according to a recent survey by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund.
To make textbooks more accessible, the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) has implemented the Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) program at Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges. The program enables students to use textbooks and online materials for their coursework at no charge. VCCCD students may average savings between $1,400 and $1,700 per year by taking classes that participate in the ZTC program.
EDC QUARTERLY LEGAL UPDATE: FOCUS ON CAL/OSHA ETS
July 23 @ 12:00 pm
Join us for the EDC’s Quarterly Legal Update July 2021! In this free webinar, the Fisher Phillips legal team will review recently-passed California bills that are impacting small businesses, provide an update on current guidance and discuss real-life scenarios employers are tackling today. INCLUDING the revised Cal/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards that went into effect in June.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
As a young girl working in Oxnard’s strawberry fields alongside her mother, CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Senior Director of Community & Government Relations Celina Zacarias could not know that she would one day become a prominent voice in the tri-county area.
Zacarias is also the first Latina ever to be elected to the position of Oxnard Harbor Commissioner, a role she fulfills alongside her career at CSUCI. According to her campaign manager, David Maron, Zacarias made history by receiving 44,748 votes—the most votes ever cast for the position of Oxnard Harbor Commissioner.
Open House Celebración! Film Premiere Words From A Cuban Father Written & Performed by Alina Ceñal Directed by James Donlon Música by José Valdez and The Latin Jazz Quartet with Ruben Estrada on Piano FREE! SATURDAY JULY 17, 2021 6…
Once upon a time, there was a little Black girl who used to compose music in her head as she read stories about Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. She “heard” music as she gazed upon the lyrics of Peter’s morning song. She thought that everyone could compose music in their head like she did.
Last year, Emily Wilson interviewed the gifted African American composer Nkeiru Okoye (click on the link to read the interview and for YouTube videos of her work), who as a girl did not recognize her formidable gift. Her story, in more than one sense of the word “classic,” is a classic American story that spans a full range of human experiences: giftedness, discouragement, prejudice, encouragement, recognition, and ultimately triumph. As a young adult, she studied at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and earned a doctorate in music theory and composition at Rutgers University, one of only nine “colonial colleges.” These colleges have deep roots, as they were chartered before the American War of Independence.
Young scholars from two local school districts are taking part in “Find My Genius” this summer. The five-week program, sponsored by the Southeast Ventura County YMCA, Conejo Valley Unified School District and Las Virgenes Unified School District, is designed to reduce the achievement gap that often occurs over summer break.
The program is offered at no cost to low- and moderate-income students entering K-6thgrades who are not reading at grade level. Of the 240 children participating, half attend the program at Conejo Elementary School in Thousand Oaks and half attend at Sumac Elementary School in Agoura Hills.
As Santa Barbara begins to return to a ‘normal life’ after the pandemic, the Santa Ynez Valley Riders (SYVR) are helping provide some open-air, family fun this summer.
SYVR is a riding club dedicated to the sheer enjoyment of trail riding and is open to all breeds of horses and styles of riding. SYVR offers opportunities for individuals and families to bring their horse and trail ride on some of the most beautiful and remote landscapes in Santa Barbara County and the Central Coast area. They invite anyone who shares a love of horses to join them for some fun and unique trail riding in time for the summer.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley is excited to announce its newest board member, Rachelle Wan.
Wan has more than 25 years of experience as a pharmaceutical expert and executive. She is skilled in leading and mentoring diverse teams to their maximum professional potential. Her family moved to Southern California five and a half years ago to begin her career at Amgen. Her many responsibilities and initiatives as an executive director at Amgen include owning pricing and contracting elements for the company’s diverse brands, delivering financial reporting for quarterly earnings reporting, and helping achieve the successful integration of the Otezla acquisition.
THOUSAND OAKS — Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D – Thousand Oaks) held a press conference at Conejo Creek North Park (on July 14) to announce $3.3 Million secured in the 2021-22 State Budget for the Conejo Recreation & Park District (CRPD). The announcement included some words from Doug Nickles, Chair of the CRPD Board of Directors and General Manager, Jim Friedl. Both the legislator and guest speakers covered the need for the crucial state budget funding that was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom late Monday evening.
“When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, CRPD went above and beyond to fulfill the needs of our community members who most needed help,”stated Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin. “Senator Stern and I were determined to secure this funding in the state budget, because the work their amazing staff have done for our community during these trying times is truly priceless.”
People’s continues to build at a full clip throughout our Central Coast service area. Last month we began an apartment rehabilitation project in Isla Vista, a new apartment construction project is starting soon in Pismo Beach, and a self-help builders’ homeownership project is heading toward completion in the months ahead in King City.
Though our pace has increased, so has the unrelenting advance of the affordable housing crisis. In light of statistics back in the headlines, we will need to take it to the next level to move the needle further. We define housing as being affordable when it does not exceed 30% of a households’ income. This gives a senior living on Social Security only $283 to spend. Recent reports indicate that fair market rent for a one-bedroom apartment in our footprint is now at $1,522. For a full time employee earning $13 an hour, they would have to put in 90 hours of work a week to afford this.
If you joined us for Local History Happy Hour with Frank Barajas, thank you. Dr. Barajas spoke about his book Mexican Americans with Moxie: A Transgenerational History of El Movimiento Chicano in Ventura County, California, 1945-1975. During this lively conversation with the Barbara Barnard Executive Director Elena Brokaw, he shared personal stories, deep insights into the cross-cultural dynamics of the region, and answered questions from the audience.
If you missed Local History Happy Hour with Frank Barajas, the video is now available to view and share on the MVC YouTube Channel!
This is the last day for our Stuff the Bus school supply drive!
Thank you for helping us reach our goal!
Provide essential school supplies for local students experiencing homelessness or from disadvantaged families.
You can help pave the path to academic success for a child from a homeless or low-income family. Furthermore, your support not only provides essential school supplies – studies show that it also promotes learning, building self-esteem, and helps ensure that our youth stay in school.
Since the last update on Monday, July 12, there have been 80 new COVID-19 cases and 4,148 new tests performed. 0 additional deaths.
70.8% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
63.2% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has been fully vaccinated.
73.5% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
66.0% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has been fully vaccinated.
Anyone ages 12 and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine for free in Ventura County. No appointment is needed. View the schedule of vaccine sites at www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/. Want to plan ahead? Schedule an appointment at www.myturn.ca.gov or call 833-422-4255.
COVID-19 are available at Ventura County Public Health Clinics and Mobile Clinics, pharmacies, health care providers, ambulatory and urgent care, among other locations.
Click here for information about COVID-19 testing.
Delilah is an energetic 5-year-old who always has a smile on her face. She also has a nervous system disorder that causes seizures and has endured many hospital visits in her young life. She loves to play outside with her sister, so she and her family wished for a backyard playset with a shady playhouse. In partnership with Make-A-Wish® Tri-Counties, Ventura County Credit Union employees helped make Delilah’s wish come true.
Through a series of fun employee events and activities, VCCU raised $5,000 to make Delilah’s wish come true. Her playset has a slide, swings, a climbing wall and a playhouse that Delilah can enjoy all year long.
United Way of Santa Barbara County’s (UWSBC) Fun in the Sun (FITS) and Early Learning Success Institutes (ELSI) summer programs have launched to address pandemic-related learning loss for Santa Barbara County’s most financially and academically at-risk students and their families. Both of these programs are managed in direct partnership with school districts to help improve the academic results of students across the County.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, students across the globe face learning loss not experienced in modern history. The stakes are especially high for students in their elementary school years. If these students are unable to close the learning gap, they face substantial future difficulty graduating high school.
On July 12, 2021, Governor Newsom signed the California Comeback Plan to help the State’s recovery. The California Comeback Plan focuses on providing relief to those that need it most and major investments to address the state’s most persistent challenges. The Plan provides immediate cash relief to middle class families and businesses hit hardest by the pandemic.
Resources for Small Businesses
More information on how to access the following funds will be available soon.
Scholars Jeffrey Stewart and Victor Rios have been named to MacArthur Foundation Chairs.
Local History
Happy Hour
with Alicia Doyle
July 27 @ 5-6pm
Join us on Zoom (or in-person,
for MVC members only!) for
the next installment featuring Alicia Doyle, author of Fighting Chance.
Admission is free with registration.
RSVP on Facebook for special updates!
An Afternoon at the Museum: A Free Family Event
Sunday, July 18, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Spend an Afternoon at the Museum seeing, making and learning about art! On Sunday, July 18, families are invited to explore and create art inspired by the Museum’s current exhibitions: Colors of California, Making Waves, and What Remains. After you’ve viewed the art, head outside to the Museum’s courtyard for some fun and free art activities. Museum educators will show you how to make art using a variety of media.
We are delighted to welcome you back into MCASB galleries!
Join the MCASB family! Membership offers you invitations to opening receptions, tickets to programs, access to more than 900 museums in North America, AND you are helping to sustain MCASB’s key role in supporting community resources and the perspectives of artists as they explore contemporary discourse, ideas, and representation. Become part of the MCASB family by selecting one of our four membership levels, or joining one of our five supporting circles!
The California State University (CSU) on July 12 announced the launch of the first phase of CSUCCESS (California State University Connectivity Contributing to Equity and Student Success), a bold initiative to enhance student achievement and create more equitable opportunities for the CSU community by providing industry-leading technology. As part of the initial phase which kicks off with the upcoming fall 2021 term at eight campuses, the CSU will offer an iPad Air, Apple Pencil and Apple Smart Keyboard Folio to all incoming first-year and new transfer students who register to participate in the initiative. Students will be provided with this iPad bundle for the entirety of their undergraduate experience at the CSU.
Shout out to Emma Cervantes with the Ventura County Public Health Department who has supported COVID-19 response ensuring language access for Spanish and Mixteco-speaking community members. “We as Disaster Service Workers are here to help and support our community especially in times of great need,” said Emma. Thank you, Emma, and all County Disaster Service Workers for helping our community move forward!
Dr. Utpal K. Goswami has resigned as Superintendent/President of the College effective July 12, 2021. Under the terms of the agreement that was reached, he will continue as a consultant for the next month when requested to assist in the transition and will be paid a portion of the remaining time on his initial employment contract.
Dr. Peter Haslund, President of the Board of Trustees, stated “The Board of Trustees extends thanks to Dr. Goswami for his service to SBCC and the substantial contributions he has made to the success of the College. We wish him well in his future endeavors.”
OPAC, the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation, is hosting a student video competition as part of the nonprofit’s COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach Campaign. The competition will challenge young creatives to create educational and promotional videos that encourage Ventura County residents to get vaccinated against COVID. Winners will receive a 1st place prize of $350 cash, 2nd place will receive a $100 Amazon gift card, and 3rd place will receive a $50 Amazon gift card.
The County of Ventura has partnered with the Ventura County Community Foundation to provide grant funding to OPAC and other community-based organizations, known as the Complete Reach Committee, to increase vaccination against COVID-19. Currently, 69% of County residents have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Ventura County’s goal is to raise that percentage to the ’80s with the help of the Complete Reach Committee. According to the committee, “Each vaccinated person acts as a barrier to slow or prevent the virus from continuing the spread. Our entire community benefits from a high vaccination coverage, especially those who are most at risk and vulnerable.”
The news media and the health establishment continually preach to us about the importance of eating a healthy diet (substantial portions of fresh, seasonal, raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and limited red meat intake). A healthy diet, in turn, enhances our lives, allowing us to be more active and productive.
This is all well and good for those who have access to foods that are rich in nutrients and low in fat and calories. But many of us living in this part of California amid agricultural abundance may take for granted the food that is available to us. We may not be fully aware of the “food deserts” [NOTE: not “food desserts”!] scattered throughout many of our neighborhoods. “Food deserts” condemn many of those living in impoverished communities to poor health, sinking them even further into poverty.
Will you join us in advocating for county federal American Rescue Plan funds to be allocated for arts and culture?
We have crafted a letter to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors in support of this goal, and we are gathering signatures from individuals and organizations who have been impacted, or who support and stand with us in advocating for these funds. We are also asking for stories of economic loss due to the pandemic, some of which we intend to use in making our case to local officials.
You can help advocate with us by visiting our website to preview the letter and fill out a brief survey to indicate your support. Please forward this message and link to other artists or arts organizations who may be interested. We appreciate your participation!
Help us reach our goal!
Provide essential school supplies for local students experiencing homelessness or from disadvantaged families.
Helping businesses navigate new and fast-changing resources and ensuring that federal, local and private funds reached our local community has been the EDC’s priority throughout the pandemic.
In recognition of the extraordinary impact to small businesses and their need for capital, CIT Bank has awarded the EDC with a $50,000 grant.
This CIT Bank grant supports additional and existing capacity of the EDC Loan program. Through robust loan tracking software and additional loan loss reserves, this grant will help provide 40 grants and loans to small businesses in underserved markets.
