Category: Education

VCCCD Chancellor Greg Gillespie Announces Retirement in 2022

by  •  • Comments Off on VCCCD Chancellor Greg Gillespie Announces Retirement in 2022

Since joining the Ventura County Community College District, Greg Gillespie, Ph.D., has continually strived to provide students with access to high-quality, relevant educational programs and support services, first as president of Ventura College, and currently as VCCCD chancellor. After eight years of service to the District, Gillespie has announced his retirement, effective the end of June 2022.

During his tenure as chancellor, Gillespie spearheaded initiatives promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) to support the varying needs of the District’s students, employees and the greater community. This includes building a culture that encourages equity and social justice.

Read more →

Free Family-to-Family Education Program for Family Members of Adults Living with a Mental Health Disorder

by  •  • Comments Off on Free Family-to-Family Education Program for Family Members of Adults Living with a Mental Health Disorder

Family-to-Family is a free, 8-session education program for family members of adults living with a mental health disorder that will be held from Wednesday, September 22 – Wednesday, November 10th. This course is designed to help family members understand and support their loved one while maintaining their own well-being.

The class will cover information on illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and other mental health conditions and is taught by trained teachers who are also family members that know what it is like to have a loved one struggling with a mental health disorder. 

Read more →

Information Meetings For Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s Youth & Government

by  •  • Comments Off on Information Meetings For Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s Youth & Government

Information meetings are scheduled for the Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s three Youth & Government Model Legislature & Court delegation programs. Youth & Government is an opportunity for high school students to learn how government works and join other Youth & Government delegations from around California in a major conference in the legislative chambers at the State Capitol in Sacramento.

The Conejo Valley YMCA Youth & Government (serving Thousand Oaks and Moorpark) will host its information meeting on Wednesday, September 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Email for location: conejoyandg@gmail.com.

Read more →

United Way of Ventura County — Come celebrate 8 amazing women with us and more news

by  •  • Comments Off on United Way of Ventura County — Come celebrate 8 amazing women with us and more news

This Thursday evening, we will host our first in-person event in almost two years.

We will be celebrating the educational achievements of eight outstanding women at our annual Women United Education Awards. Please join us at the Camarillo Ranch for this special occasion.

It will be an inspirational evening full of passionate educators, students, and community partners.

As always, the health and safety of our guests is vitally important to us. We will be following and enforcing public health mandates at this event.

Limited tickets are still available.

Read more →

Union Bank Donation Brings ‘Tools for School’ to 400 Local Children in Need

by  •  • Comments Off on Union Bank Donation Brings ‘Tools for School’ to 400 Local Children in Need

After 18 months of pandemic life, some 400 school-age children walked away from the 8th Annual “Tools for School” on Aug. 14th with backpacks filled with school supplies for the coming school year.  40 individuals signed up for vaccinations at the event as well.

Read more →

Santa Paula Art Museum Online Art Auction Starts Monday

by  •  • Comments Off on Santa Paula Art Museum Online Art Auction Starts Monday

The Santa Paula Art Museum’s biggest fundraiser of the year starts Monday, August 16, and it’s all online! Bid on 21 stunning works of art by some of our region’s most popular historic and contemporary artists. You can preview the auction items and preregister to bid online on Bidsquare.com now. The auction artworks are also currently on display at the Museum during regular business hours.

You can even purchase raffle tickets for your chance to win one of the two paintings pictured below by historic Santa Paula artist Jessie Arms Botke! All proceeds from the auction and raffle benefit the Museum and the thousands of visitors it serves each year.

Read more →

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — BEST OF 2021 | Vote MCASB for Best Museum

by  •  • Comments Off on Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — BEST OF 2021 | Vote MCASB for Best Museum

Voting has opened for the Santa Barbara Independent’s Best of
Santa Barbara 2021 Readers’ Poll

2021 has not been easy, but MCASB persevered! From collaborating with local artists to record attendance for our recent exhibition, Shana Moulton: The Invisible Seventh is the Mystic Column, we have been actively working on enriching the Museum experience for everyone. But it doesn’t stop there! We look forward to sharing our plans for upcoming exhibitions, special guest talks, dinners, yoga, shopping events and more.

Read more →

Bilingual report — Ventura County Office of Education — Live Back to School Q&A on Monday, August 16 at 6:00 PM

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Ventura County Office of Education — Live Back to School Q&A on Monday, August 16 at 6:00 PM

From COVID-19 safety to student mental health, there are many questions about the new school year that is now getting underway in Ventura County. Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, will address some of these pressing questions in a live virtual Q&A on Monday, August 16 at 6:00 PM.

Read more →

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Aug. 13

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Aug. 13

There are 289 new COVID-19 cases reported since Wednesday and 4,481 new tests performed. There are 123 people hospitalized, 30 in the ICU. There have been 0 additional deaths.

66.3.% of Ventura County’s community members 12+ are fully vaccinated.

California information
64.1% of California community members 12+ are fully vaccinated.

For more information visit www.vcrecovers.org

Read more →

Mental Wellness Center Welcomes Alice Villarreal Redit to Board of Directors

by  •  • Comments Off on Mental Wellness Center Welcomes Alice Villarreal Redit to Board of Directors

The Mental Wellness Center (MWC) announces the addition of Alice Villarreal Redit to their Board of Directors. 

Villarreal Redit has been employed with the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara since 1997. She worked for 10 years in the Authority’s Housing Management Department before joining the Resident Services team in 2007. As Resident Programs Supervisor, she is responsible for overseeing the operations of the department and ensuring the coordination and delivery of supportive services to families, seniors, youth and disabled individuals. Villarreal Redit is passionate about affordable housing and social justice. She is a former Mental Health Commissioner and is deeply involved in community efforts to promote social equity.

Read more →

Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. — Survey Demonstrates Patient Motivation To Receive The COVID-19 Vaccine

by  •  • Comments Off on Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. — Survey Demonstrates Patient Motivation To Receive The COVID-19 Vaccine

To better understand why patients elected to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. (CDCR) surveyed 429 patients in Ventura County who received a vaccine to understand their motivations better. 

The survey results show that 37% of the patients reported that they received the COVID-19 vaccine as a precaution, 11.4% because a family member urged them to be vaccinated and 12.8% because of a doctor recommendation,  7% because of an employer recommendation and 6.5% because of a medical condition, 4.2% because of something they heard on the news and 0.9% because of travel.  The remaining patients had other reasons. 

Read more →

Back-to-school fund drive organized by The Teacher’s Fund aims to raise $60,000 to support local educators

by  •  • Comments Off on Back-to-school fund drive organized by The Teacher’s Fund aims to raise $60,000 to support local educators

As kids and teachers head back to in-person school after a challenging year of online learning, the non-profit Teacher’s Fund is aiming to raise at least $60,000 to help local educators get the tools and materials they need for their classrooms. To date, $47,000 has been raised with only $13,000 needed in the next two weeks to hit the goal of $60,000.

This year’s annual “Back to School” fundraising drive launched August 1 and runs through August 31. Similar to last year, fundraising will take place entirely online, given the ongoing pandemic risks. Individuals and organizations interested in donating to the drive can do so here.

Read more →

Bilingual report — August 12, 2021 – COVID-19 Update for Aug. 12, 2021

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — August 12, 2021 – COVID-19 Update for Aug. 12, 2021

There are 166 new COVID-19 cases reported since Wednesday and 4,475 new tests performed. There are 121 people hospitalized, 27 in the ICU. There has been 1 additional death, 49 year old male. Our thoughts and sincere condolences to the loved ones of those that have passed away.

74.4% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
66.2.% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has been fully vaccinated.
76.5% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.

For more information visit www.vcrecovers.org

Read more →

Moorpark College Work-Based Learning Program Championed by Congresswoman Julia Brownley

by  •  • Comments Off on Moorpark College Work-Based Learning Program Championed by Congresswoman Julia Brownley

Moorpark College’s Work-Based Learning Program, a paid internship that connects students with local employers, is one of nine programs potentially to benefit from more than $20.6 million requested by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA 26th District) for Ventura County. Before the pandemic, the program, launched in 2018, annually served 250 students. The $225,000 in funds would provide an additional 150 students with $1,500 in paid internships while they earn college credit. 

“I’m proud that so many of our community’s priorities were included in this first round of the appropriations process,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “Our work is only now beginning, and as these projects make it through the legislative process I will continue to fight for Ventura County’s priorities.” 

Read more →

VCCCD Board Approves Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccinations for Students and Employees

by  •  • Comments Off on VCCCD Board Approves Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccinations for Students and Employees

After thorough discussion and research, the Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the policy COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for Employees and Students at its Aug. 10 meeting. The policy requires that everyone who accesses in-person, on-site campus/District programs or who participates in off-site District/college services in person will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The goal is to protect the health and well-being of students, faculty, staff, administrators and the communities VCCCD serves, as well as maintain higher education access and attainment for the District’s approximately 31,000 students.

Effective Oct. 15, the mandate allows time for unvaccinated employees, students and the public to complete two-dose vaccines. The mandate recommends immediate implementation with the vaccines the Food and Drug Administration approved under Emergency Use Authorization, including those from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson).

Read more →

Ventura County Office of Education — State to Require Vaccination or Testing for School Employees

by  •  • Comments Off on Ventura County Office of Education — State to Require Vaccination or Testing for School Employees

Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, (on Aug. 11) applauded a new move by the State of California to require all school employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing. “With the continuing spread of the highly contagious Delta variant, this is a commonsense step that will help ensure the safety of students and employees as schools reopen for the new year,” said Dr. Morales. “Most school employees are already vaccinated, and I’m confident others will now follow suit.”

Read more →

CSUCI first-year and new transfer students to receive free loan of iPad Air bundle

by  •  • Comments Off on CSUCI first-year and new transfer students to receive free loan of iPad Air bundle

First-year and new transfer students enrolled in CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) for the Fall 2021 semester will receive the free loan of a brand new iPad Air, Apple Pencil and Apple Smart Keyboard Folio—theirs to use for the duration of their enrollment years.  

All new students who register to participate in the initiative will get the bundle, which is part of the largest device distribution program ever conducted by the CSU system. The CSU Chancellor’s Office is launching the pilot program at eight campuses, which together have a total of about 35,000 first-year and new transfer students.  

Read more →

Pack that PODS® Container with Backpacks for Big Brothers Big Sisters Ventura County

by  •  • Comments Off on Pack that PODS® Container with Backpacks for Big Brothers Big Sisters Ventura County

PODS Moving & Storage Ventura County, are putting their benevolent spirit to good use once again. They have partnered with Cumulus Media & Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) to provide over 200 backpacks for children in Ventura County who need them most. PODS Moving & Storage have agreed to match each backpack donated by Ventura County supporters, helping students in our community!

August 2021 will be an exciting time for most children who are starting or reentering local schools, but it can be a daunting time for parents when extra school supplies cost more than they have. “PODS Moving & Storage, are delighted to be helping students in need in Ventura County, hence this Pack the PODS Container with Backpacks initiative!” said Steve Yapp, owner. “We are always looking for ways that PODS Moving & Storage can make a difference in our community and there is no better way to support our youth than with their education”.

Read more →

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Aug. 10, 2021

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Aug. 10, 2021

There are 186 new COVID-19 cases reported since Monday and 3,055 new tests performed. There are 121 people hospitalized, 25 in the ICU. There are no additional deaths.

74.1% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
66% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has been fully vaccinated.
76.3% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.

For more information visit www.vcrecovers.org

The California Department of Public Health has issued a public health order requiring workers in health care settings to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by September 30, 2021. For more information visit https://bit.ly/CDPHSPHO

Read more →

Bilingual report — Oxnard College offers English as a Second Language Classes online and in person

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Oxnard College offers English as a Second Language Classes online and in person

Aprenda inglés en persona o en casa con clases virtuales de Oxnard College. Inscripciones para las clases de inglés como segundo idioma están abiertas para el semestre del otoño 2021 en Oxnard College.  Clases de crédito y sin crédito comienzan el 23 de agosto y se impartirán en línea y en persona con horarios flexibles por la mañana y por la tarde.

Oxnard College ofrece uso gratuito de textos, acceso a Zoom y tutoría para las clases. También habrá cierto número de computadoras portátiles disponibles para prestar a estudiantes que las necesitan.

Read more →

Lumina Alliance Receives Grant from The Community Foundation SLO County and Opportunity to Thrive Initiative

by  •  • Comments Off on Lumina Alliance Receives Grant from The Community Foundation SLO County and Opportunity to Thrive Initiative

Lumina Alliance received $35,000 in funding from the Opportunity to Thrive Initiative and The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County. This grant will be used to help survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence exiting Lumina Alliance’s emergency shelters overcome barriers to their self?sufficiency.

Read more →

BBSVC and Mentor CA kick off a statewide Back-to-School Campaign with Partners

by  •  • Comments Off on BBSVC and Mentor CA kick off a statewide Back-to-School Campaign with Partners

As part of a first-ever statewide collaboration with MENTOR California, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) is hosting a Back 2 School Backpack Drive that will equip over 1,500 students in the Ventura County community with the tools necessary for educational success. Essential school supplies will be provided by the Rotary Clubs of Ventura County. Backpacks will be donated by NBA and NFL state franchises, community partners such as PODS, and other local nonprofit agencies such as Kids & Families Together and Safe Passage. BBSVC will also sign up youth for the agency’s one-to-one mentoring program that builds college and career readiness, socioemotional health, and a sense of belonging and connectedness. 

Read more →

The Museum of Ventura County Research Library digitizes early 20th Century footage

by  •  • Comments Off on The Museum of Ventura County Research Library digitizes early 20th Century footage

The Herman Keene film collection is available in an online exhibit, “OUT AND BACK: VENTURA COUNTY BACKCOUNTRY ADVENTURES” VENTURA COUNTY — Made possible by a Schwemm Family Foundation grant, the Museum of Ventura County’s (MVC) Research Library has successfully digitized…

Read more →

Bilingual report — Ventura County Public Health Issues Health Advisory Urging Vaccinations and Masking Indoors

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Ventura County Public Health Issues Health Advisory Urging Vaccinations and Masking Indoors

Due to the current surge, Ventura County Public Health (VCPH) is urging all Ventura County residents that are eligible but have not yet been fully vaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible. In alignment with state and federal health authorities, VCPH officials also continue to strongly recommend mask wearing indoors in public places regardless of vaccination status. While Ventura County continues to be aligned with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on masking, which recommends that everyone regardless of vaccination status wear masks indoors, and that requires those that are not fully vaccinated to mask indoors, officials are closely monitoring the current surge in case additional mitigation measures are needed.

Read more →

Thousand Oaks resident raising funds for Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley via free throw shooting challenge

by  •  • Comments Off on Thousand Oaks resident raising funds for Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley via free throw shooting challenge

Basketball games are often won and lost at the free throw line, the pressure too much for some players. For new Thousand Oaks resident Richard Crasnick, shooting free throws in his driveway has pressure of its own. Every make yields a $1 donation to The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley; however, every miss is one less dollar for the Clubs. This is all part of Crasnick’ s 365-consecutive-day free throw challenge.

Read more →

Openings Still Available For YMCA After School Childcare Programs

by  •  • Comments Off on Openings Still Available For YMCA After School Childcare Programs

YMCA branches serving the Conejo Valley/Las Virgenes, Simi Valley and Moorpark areas have a limited number of openings left for children in TK through fifth grade for YMCA after-school childcare programs for the 2021-22 school year.

Yarrow Family YMCA provides childcare in the Las Virgenes School District at Sumac/Mariposa, Willow and Yerba Buena elementary schools in Agoura Hills and White Oak Elementary in Westlake Village.

Simi Valley Family YMCA offers childcare at Big Springs, Hollow Hills, Katherine and White Oak elementary schools.

Conejo Valley YMCA is providing childcare at Peach Hill Academy Elementary School in Moorpark and M.A.T.E.S. Charter School in Thousand Oaks.

Read more →

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Aug. 9, 2021

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Aug. 9, 2021

Since Friday, August 6, there have been 598 new COVID-19 cases reported and 8,616 new tests performed. There are 116 people hospitalized, 23 in the ICU. 5 additional deaths of a 60 year old male, 69 year old female, 68 year old female, 95 year old male, and a 75 year old male. Our thoughts and sincere condolences to the loved ones of those that have passed away.

Read more →

United Way of Ventura County — It’s the final challenge week, your donation NOW makes the difference!

by  •  • Comments Off on United Way of Ventura County — It’s the final challenge week, your donation NOW makes the difference!

Today kicks off the FINAL challenge week for our Community Thrives fundraiser!

What are challenge weeks? Each challenge week, the top fundraisers are awarded with EXTRA grant funding … meaning your donation goes even further.

Are you able to help us reach our goal to support United to End Homelessness initiative?

Your donation helps another individual get one step closer to securing a stable place to call home. Donating now makes all the difference.

Read more →

SBCC Board approves vaccination requirement

by  •  • Comments Off on SBCC Board approves vaccination requirement

At a special Santa Barbara City College Board of Trustees meeting held on August 5, 2021, the Board passed Resolution No. 1 COVID-19 Immunization. The resolution requires that on Oct. 1, 2021, or upon issuance of final FDA approval for at least one COVID-19 vaccine – whichever comes earlier – all students and employees and members of the public must provide valid documentation of “full” COVID-19 vaccination (as defined by the U.S. Center for Disease Control) to SBCC as a condition of (a) entering an SBCC campus building, (b) attending an in-person SBCC class, or (c) using a service located off-campus for obtaining an approved exemption based on medical, disability, religious grounds, or a deferral based on pregnancy.

Read more →

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network Summer Newsletter

by  •  • Comments Off on Santa Barbara County Food Action Network Summer Newsletter

Summer is in full swing across our food system – stone fruit, tomatoes, summer squash, fresh beans, and corn are abundantly available at farmers markets and farm stands across the County. As you’ll read in our Mid-County Community Profile, many local ranchers, fishermen, chefs, home cooks, and gardeners are preserving the harvest to cultivate food sovereignty, curb food waste, promote food access and food security, and ultimately build resilience into the food system.

Read more →

Bilingual commentary — Coming to Terms with My Heritage

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual commentary — Coming to Terms with My Heritage

At the time, it was hard to imagine that patiently spitting into a plastic tube would unlock some of the secrets of my ancestry. But such is the process that allows 23andMe, a “genetic service” that provides DNA testing, to provide ancestral information to their customers. 

The results of such genetic inquiries can range from shocking to embarrassing to simply confirming what we may already know—or at least suspect—about our family background.

Read more →

Bilingual report — Local Health Plan Earns High National Ratings for Adolescent Immunizations, Weight Assessment

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Local Health Plan Earns High National Ratings for Adolescent Immunizations, Weight Assessment

CenCal Health, the publicly-sponsored health plan for Medi-Cal in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, has received top marks among the nation’s Medicaid plans for adolescent immunizations and for adolescent weight assessment according to the 2021 results from Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®). Santa Barbara County was rated in the top 5% nationally for meningococcal, Tdap and HPV immunizations of plan members ages 9-13. San Luis Obispo County was rated in the top 5% nationally for physical activity counseling of pediatric members, and in the top 10% of pediatric weight assessment ratings overall, including nutrition counseling and body mass index (BMI) percentiles. In addition, both counties covered by CenCal Health received the highest HEDIS rating – top 5% in the nation – for timeliness of women’s postpartum care.

Read more →

CFROG accepting applications through Aug. 8 for youth Environmental Voices Academy

by  •  • Comments Off on CFROG accepting applications through Aug. 8 for youth Environmental Voices Academy

Climate First: Replacing Oil & Gas (CFROG) is accepting applications through Aug. 8 for its youth Environmental Voices Academy.

The academy is a14-week environmental justice training program for high school juniors and seniors residing in Ventura County. Click here to apply

Classes begin Wednesday, August 25th, 2021 and the program wraps up with a graduation ceremony on Saturday, November 20th, 2021.

The program is online over Zoom, with three required in-person Saturday sessions.

Online meetings over Zoom will take place Wednesday nights from 5:30-7:00 pm.
Two Saturdays at Cal State Channel Islands are TBD.
Graduation is Saturday, November 20th at CFROG’s Offices. 

Read more →

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Aug. 4, 2021

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Aug. 4, 2021

Since Monday, August 2, there have been 269 new COVID-19 cases and 6,595 new tests performed. 0 additional deaths.

73.3% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
65.4% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has been fully vaccinated.

COVID-19 Cases Among Fully Vaccinated Individuals as of August 4, 2021:
Fully vaccinated: 474,932
Total cases among vaccinated individuals: 688
Rate of infection among fully vaccinated: 0.14% (688/474,932)
Total hospitalizations among fully vaccinated: 35
Hospitalization rate: 0.007% (35/477,932)
Total deaths among fully vaccinated: 3. All individuals were over the age of 65 and had comorbidities.

Read more →

Ventura College Offers New Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program

by  •  • Comments Off on Ventura College Offers New Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program

Veterans experiencing unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic are among the country’s hardest-hit populations. To help veterans who have been impacted, Ventura College’s Veterans Resource Center (VRC) is now offering the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP). Eligible veterans will receive up to one year of U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs-paid training for high-demand occupations and a monthly housing allowance.

To qualify for the Veteran Affairs (VA) program, veterans need to be between the ages of 22 and 66, unemployed due to COVID, not totally disabled and have no other VA benefits remaining. 

Read more →

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Upcoming events from our Emerging Leaders in the Arts Fellows!

by  •  • Comments Off on Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Upcoming events from our Emerging Leaders in the Arts Fellows!

UPCOMING EVENTS CURATED BY THIS YEARS’ ELA FELLOWS!

MCASB is delighted to present three unique
Independent Curatorial Projects from the 2021 ELA cohort.

As the culmination of their nine-month-long experience-based fellowship, these projects aim to support and encourage Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) within the Santa Barbara Community. 

Read more →

Bid on Best of Local Art During Museum’s Online Auction Fundraiser starting Aug. 16

by  •  • Comments Off on Bid on Best of Local Art During Museum’s Online Auction Fundraiser starting Aug. 16

Twenty-one stunning works of art by local artists will soon be up for grabs during the Santa Paula Art Museum’s online Fine Art Auction Fundraiser. Online bidding will open Monday, August 16, 2021, and will close Sunday, August 29, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. PDT. The Museum’s annual Fine Art Auction is the nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser each year. All proceeds raised from the event will benefit the Santa Paula Art Museum and the thousands of children, families, and adults that the Museum serves through its educational programs every year.

Bid online for your chance to take home artworks by historical artists like Jessie Arms Botke, Cornelis Botke and Douglas Shively, and contemporary pieces by some of this region’s most popular artists: Linda Brown, Norman Kirk, Sherry Loehr, Susan Petty, Gail Pidduck, Anette Power, and more. Individuals must preregister to bid online at www.bidsquare.com/auction-house/santa-paula-art-museum.

Read more →

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Be a Supporting Circle Member!

by  •  • Comments Off on Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Be a Supporting Circle Member!

Every donation goes to support our passionate staff in presenting engaging exhibitions, exciting artist talks, informative guided tours, inclusive community events, fun educational programs, and more. MCASB only exists with the support of our community. Become a member today and support MCASB’s initiatives!

Read more →

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Celebrates 50th Anniversary

by  •  • Comments Off on Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Community members joined Girls Inc. of Carpinteria staff, board members, girls and alumnae for a special event on Thursday, July 29 – ‘Cocktails and Conversations’ – to commemorate Girls Inc.’s 50th anniversary. Carpinteria Mayor Wade Nomura, Councilmember Natalia Alarcon and longtime supporters of the organization, including past board members Clyde Freeman, Sharon Organista and Gail Persoon, were among the guests to help kick off the celebrations.

Read more →

Lumina Alliance launches county-wide campaign supporting youth and pre-teen boys

by  •  • Comments Off on Lumina Alliance launches county-wide campaign supporting youth and pre-teen boys

After merging into one organization, Lumina Alliance (formerly known as RISE and Stand Strong) is launching its initial prevention project, ReDefineSLO: A social marketing campaign focused on improving the social, emotional, and physical well-being of children and pre-teen boys. 

ReDefineSLO, which launches August 2nd, is an innovative approach to preventing sexual assault and intimate partner violence in San Luis Obispo County. The campaign aims to empower parents and caregivers with the tools to engage pre-teens in tough conversations about their social and emotional health, in order to end violence before it ever takes place. 

Read more →

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule

by  •  • Comments Off on Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule

August 10 @ 10:30 am

This live, interactive webinar session is designed to help you understand the features, functions and benefits of QuickBooks Online for small business owners as well as assist you in implementing accounting best practices to manage your business finances including COVID-19 Funds and Forgiveness. Juliana Ramirez from JR Bookkeeping will live answer your questions related to the subject matter including live demonstrations. You are highly encouraged to bring your own questions and situations to be solved or used as an example during the live demonstrations. 

Read more →

Santa Paula Art Museum announces upcoming events

by  •  • Comments Off on Santa Paula Art Museum announces upcoming events

The new exhibit, Vistas, Varmints and Vagabonds: The PAC6 Paints the Wild West, is now on view at the Santa Paula Art Museum! PAC6 is a group of six women artists from Southern California who joined forces in 2014 to travel and paint across the country. The artists are Linda Brown, Marian Fortunati, Nita Harper, Debra Holladay, Laura Wambsgans and Sharon Weaver. Meet the artists during their exhibit premiere party on Sunday, August 1. The exhibit runs through November 7, 2021, and all of the artworks are available for purchase.

Read more →

Bilingual report — Mi Vida, Mi Voz Community Collaboration Provides Critical Resources for Santa Barbara County Spanish Speaking Community

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Mi Vida, Mi Voz Community Collaboration Provides Critical Resources for Santa Barbara County Spanish Speaking Community

For years, the Spanish-speaking community has struggled to receive timely, culturally appropriate information related to emerging needs.  A collaboration comprised of local Latino-serving organizations, Mi Vida, Mi Voz (My Life, My Voice) was developed to address this information deficit. After the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Mi Vida, Mi Voz (MVMV) pivoted to address the critical needs related to the crisis. With the pandemic’s disproportionate health and economic impact in the Latino community, this essential formation was and is more relevant than ever

Since spring of 2020, Mi Vida, Mi Voz has been collecting information about community resources in five basic categories: Health; Basic Needs (food, financial support, housing, legal); Mental Health; Children & Families; and Seniors. The emphasis has been on health and basic needs information during the COVID-19 crisis.

Read more →

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for July 30, 2021

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for July 30, 2021

Since Wednesday, July 28, there have been 346 new COVID-19 cases and 7,026 new tests performed. 0 additional deaths.

72.7% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
64.9% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has been fully vaccinated.
75.1% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose. 

As of July 28, 2021, there have been 359 breakthrough cases in Ventura County.

Read more →