Category: Education

Through Nov. 13 — Chumash legend, a nurse’s diary, Clark Gable and a haunted cow are part of student-written play, ‘Camarillo Tales’

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) students will perform a series of vignettes about the history of the campus with “Camarillo Tales: Echoes in the Hills,” through Nov. 13.

“It’s a collection of original short plays written and performed by the students,” said Performing Arts/Theater Lecturer Laura Covault. “It’s a story of Cal State Channel Islands inspired by the history and lore of the land—the Chumash, the hospital, the people and the campus.

Nov. 13 — Channel Islands Maritime Museum Sponsors ‘In Gratitude’ Food Drive in Celebration of its 30th Anniversary

The Channel Islands Maritime Museum is happy to announce its Friends of the Harbor “In Gratitude” Food Drive on behalf of Food Share Ventura County. The food drive will take place on Saturday, November 13, from 10 am to 4 p.m. at the Museum which is located at 3900 Bluefin Circle in Oxnard.

Adri Howe, Executive Director of the Museum, had this to say when asked about the food drive, “The Museum has spent the last 30 years as part of a wonderful local community and we are so grateful for its support. We couldn’t think of a better way to show our gratitude than to host a food drive for our friends and neighbors who need assistance during these still very challenging times. Our community has always been and continues to be a source of support for us, and we are eager to give back in any way we can.”

Nov. 13 — Variety of events set for Santa Paula Art Museum

Gallery Talk: The PAC6 Painters

Saturday, October 30, 2021, from 2 PM to 3:30 PM

On Saturday, October 30, all six of the PAC6 Painters will gather at the Museum to mark the final week of their exhibit, Vistas, Varmints and Vagabonds, with a group gallery talk. The six artists will sit down to reflect on their exhibit as only they can with tales about their recent, “wild” adventures and the inside scoop on where they’re headed to next. The gallery talk will be included with the cost of regular museum admission. Reservations are not required.

Nov. 17 — Ventura County Civic Alliance — Registration now open for State of the Region

Every two years, the State of the Region Report provides a trusted and unique perspective on Ventura County life. This year the report includes some of the impacts of the pandemic.

Plan to join us at our launch event to hear analysis, highlights and insights from the report’s author and our panel of community leaders.

Nov. 17 — Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. (EDC) to present California’s Secretary of Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, Lourdes Castro Ramírez

California’s Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, Lourdes Castro Ramírez, will speak live at Cabrillo Economic Development Corp.’s “The Future of Affordable Housing” online webinar. 

On November 17th, at 11:00 a.m., Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. (EDC) is hosting a free virtual, educational event, featuring leading industry viewpoints on the future of affordable housing. Guest Speaker Ramírez will discuss the current changing landscape and future of safe, affordable housing. 

Ramírez leads and oversees 11 entities responsible for expanding affordable housing, developing comprehensive solutions to end homelessness, guarding civil rights protections, regulating banking and financial services, and strengthening consumer protections with the licensing of 4 million working professionals. 

Nov. 18 — Free “All-Electric Homes” Events Empower Tri-County Residents to Address the Climate Crisis

This November, 3C-REN (Tri-County Regional Energy Network) is hosting two free webinars on all-electric homes, which use electricity instead of fossil fuels for energy needs such as heating and cooking and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As state climate policy moves California to a zero-carbon future, education about building electrification is critical to eliminate fossil fuels and protect our environment. 

These virtual events are designed for community members, homeowners, design and construction professionals, and anyone interested in learning about what home electrification is, what technologies make it possible, and resources available to support it.

Nov. 18 — Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present Alison Saar: The Alchemy of Metal and the Magic of Casting

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art will present “Alison Saar: The Alchemy of Metal and the Magic of Casting” at 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18.

Esteemed sculptor Alison Saar discusses the ancient and transformative powers of metal and its casting. Referencing Western mythologies as well as Fon and Yoruba deities, the artist will cite her monumental commissions and smaller cast pieces. One such cast piece is her bronze sculpture Inheritance (2009), currently on view in the SBMA exhibition Fire Metal Monument: Bronze.

Nov. 22 — CLU School of Management announces upcoming events

Mon., November 22   |   5:00 PM (PDT)

Jeremy Greene, vice president and head of data science at Retina AI, will join us to discuss careers in the field and what makes a good data scientist. This is an interactive, virtual event. Greene will take audience questions.

Sponsored by: MSIT Program

ZOOM
FREE REGISTRATION

Dec. 2 — SBMA to present ‘Power and Metals: Regalia of the Moche of Ancient Perú’

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present “Power and Metals: Regalia of the Moche of Ancient Perú” — Art Matters Lecture with Alicia Boswell, Assistant Professor, History of Art and Architecture, UCSB at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2 at the Mary Craig Auditorium, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara.

Dec. 3 — Open Mic Night / Noche de micrófono abierto at Teatro de las Américas

Join Ventura County Youth Poet Laureate,

Oxnard’s own Angelina Leaños for an Open Mic Night!

Friday, December 3, 2021

6 pm @ Teatro de las Americas: 321 W 6th St.

We welcome performers of any kind – music, spoken word, poetry and more – to come share their talent!

The event is free and open to the public.

Dec. 4, 5 — CSUCI Chorus presents Holiday Spectacular in Camarillo, Ventura in preparation for a spring concert at Carnegie Hall

The “Hallelujah Chorus” from George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” will be part of the “Holiday Spectacular” winter concert performed by the CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) University Chorus with the Santa Paula High School Concert Choir.?? 

Concert dates are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 25 N. Las Posas Road in Camarillo, and Sunday, Dec. 5 at 3p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1338 E. Santa Clara Street in Ventura.? 

Dec. 7 — CLU School of Management announces upcoming events

Intro to Web Development
Thurs., Nov. 18 | 4:00 PM PST (ZOOM)

Learn the building blocks of web development. Web developer and Cal Lutheran alumnus David Lam will show you how to conduct your own research, determine what resources are reputable, and what tools to use to write code.

Dec. 11 — Museum of Ventura County ‘Story Time – Family’

The Museum of Ventura County has been partnering with the county library to bring in-person Story Time on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 11:30am, this will be the last one of the year! On the 11th of December, in time for Christmas, we’ll feature a story about Family. Join us for stories, then play & learn in the Children’s Garden, a fabulous and FREE outing for ALL!

Dec. 15 — UCSB Arts & Lectures to present My Bluegrass Heart: Béla Fleck, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer and Bryan Sutton

Join UCSB Arts & Lectures as they present My Bluegrass Heart: Béla Fleck, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer and Bryan Sutton, featuring music from Béla Fleck’s new album My Bluegrass Heart on Wednesday, December 15th at 8:00 p.m. at the Arlington Theatre.

Dec. 15 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents My Bluegrass Heart featuring Béla Fleck, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer and Bryan Sutton

UCSB Arts & Lectures presents American Supergroup My Bluegrass Heart: Béla Fleck, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer and Bryan Sutton, featuring music from Béla Fleck’s new album My Bluegrass Heart on Wednesday, December 15th at 8:00 p.m. Pacific at Arlington Theatre. The performance is part of the 2021-2022 CREATING HOPE programming initiative.

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

historic downtown Santa Paula with Rev. Maddie Sifantus, who will begin with a convocation. The procession will be led by Javier Gómez and Lorenzo Lencho Moraza with traditional Las Posadas music provided by Inlakech Cultural Arts Center and De Colores Music youth groups. Mayor Rev. Jenny Crosswhite of First Christian Church, Elvia Hernandez of Esperanza/Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, and Pastor Lupita Alonso of El Buen Pastor Church will participate.

Through Dec. 18 — Ventura Harbor VIllage Puts Visitors In The Holiday Spirit With Joyous TIDE-INGS Seaside Celebrations

 It’s the most wonderful time of the year and Ventura Harbor Village, located off of Highway 101, invites visitors to celebrate joyous TIDEings with friends and family in true nautical style.  Holiday goers from near and far can embrace the sights, sounds, and smells that are unique to the seaside destination.

Putting you in the holiday spirit – Ventura Harbor Village is creating a spectacular backdrop with ocean-inspired seasonal decorations in a color palette of sparkling blue, aqua, and green beachy hues Thanksgiving through New Year’s, and is showcasing festive spiraling sea pearls, whimsical holiday trees, vibrant wreaths and other glistening décor that reflects off the marina waters as part of the “SEAsons Greetings” holiday display.

Through Dec. 23— America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College Sparks Seasonal Cheer with ‘Wild Lights & Disco Nights’

America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College lights up the holiday season with its first-ever “Wild Lights & Disco Nights.” The Zoo will be decked out for the holidays with a canopy of lights on Ira the Lion’s den, a sparkling disco ball forest and thematic evenings where guests can wear “groovy” garb from the 1970s or other themed attire. This festive evening event for the whole family runs Nov. 24-28 (closed Thanksgiving Day) and select dates through December. 

For the first time in its 50-year history, the Zoo will be open to the public at night. “This will be visitors’ first opportunity to see animals in the dark, and for them to see you,” said Mara Rodriguez, zoo development coordinator. “It’s a festive event that is also educational. Will you look into the green eyes of a tiger? Does Ira the Lion sleep at night or play?” Attendees can bop to ‘80s dance music and holiday tunes in the Zoo’s “Artic Vibes” area that features an interactive light wall that responds to the music’s beat and dancers’ moves.

Through Dec. 26 — Island Packers Kicks Off The Holidays With Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights (Dec. 18, 19), Ventura Harbor Light Cruses (Dec. 8 through 23), Whale Watching and other events

This holiday season, Island Packers in Ventura Harbor Village, located off of California’s Highway 101, will be offering seasonal cruises for family and friends. Ventura Harbor Holiday Cruises and Whale Watching trips are splendid ways to celebrate the winter season. (Masks required indoors on the vessels) Options include:

Continuing — Pumpkin Patch at Limoneira Ranch welcomes visitors again this fall

Beginning Oct. 2, 2021, the Rotary Club of Santa Paula will once again be welcoming visitors to the Pumpkin Patch at Limoneira Ranch to celebrate the fall season.

In addition to offering one of the largest pumpkin patches in Ventura County, the Pumpkin Patch at Limoneira Ranch is home to a 5.5-acre Corn MAiZE that has been featured on CNN, National Geographic, CBS, NBC, Discovery, People Magazine and more.

Pumpkin Patch visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy delicious food, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides, hay rides and pyramids, live music, crafts, games, and the famous Pumpkin Chucker.

Bilingual report — Teatro de las Américas wishes you a Healthy and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

This past year, 2020, has been a mixed reality for your Teatro, an example of “Good News, Bad News.” 

THE GOOD NEWS:
Teatro now has a home of our own in Downtown Oxnard. We accomplished this long sought goal because of your generosity. The repairs and renovation of the building at 321 W. 6th Street cost in the neigborhood of $42,000. That money came from individual donors and business sponsors. We are overwhelmed by your generosity and at a loss to find the words to thank you adequately.

THE BAD NEWS:
Due to the Corona Virus we are unable to welcome you to our teatro. As a consequence, there were no live stage productions in 2020.

BUT:
We rose to the challenge by bringing Virtual Theater to you vía Zoom:
·       a series of conversations with Latinx actors and
·       acting classes for adults and children.

Bilingual report — Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. — COVID-19 update

December is a month where we celebrate the closing of our year; a time filled with excitement and anticipation of the joy we are sure to share together during the holidays. Our time of family and community renewal will be greatly altered this year by the COVID-19 pandemic as the virus continues to spread at a slow, yet aggressive, burn. Social distancing, stay-at-home orders, and intermittent lockdowns have become the new normal and move many of us to come together and connect in creative new ways. The approvals of vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna, bring hope of increased protection and prevention of the COVID-19 virus; local rollout is here and it could not come soon enough. In Ventura County and around the world, health professionals and epidemiologists can agree on two things: COVID-19 is here to stay, and the future depends on the part we play to stop the spread and — perhaps most importantly — the choices we take together as a community in doing so!

United Way of Ventura County earns Charity Navigator’s coveted 4-star rating

We’re proud to share that our organization has earned Charity Navigator’s coveted 4-star rating for the second consecutive year. This is the highest possible rating for demonstrating strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.

Your continued support helps sustain our vital collective impact initiatives that support Education, Income, Health and housing unsheltered individuals and families.

Before the stroke of midnight, please donate and know that you have made a significant difference in our community by helping our families, friends and most vulnerable neighbors in need. Working together, we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better life for all in 2021 and beyond. Live heroic and give generously today.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — CA Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program

The EDC is excited that the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program opened yesterday, December 30, 2020! Thousands of small businesses have applied and we are aware that with this large application volume, many small businesses are experiencing delays or challenges with the application portal. Lendistry is working quickly to improve theses access issues.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties or have additional specific questions about your application, please reach out to the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program Call Center at 888.612.4370 or email careliefgrant@lendistry.com

Santa Paula Art Museum — For Auld Lang Syne

Happy New Year!

The countdown to 2021 has begun! While it’s “out with the old, in with the new” in pretty much every other respect this year, we felt compelled to bring back one of the Santa Paula Art Museum’s most inspiring exhibits from years past for auld lang syne (for the sake of old times).

From 2011 to 2013, Santa Paula artists Gail Pidduck and John Nichols embarked on a community portrait project so that they could better know and appreciate the people in their hometown. Their Santa Paula Portrait Project is now in the Museum’s permanent collection, and you can view the exhibition in its entirety online.

One of the quotes that the exhibit leaves viewers with is this one: “We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.”

Our thoughts exactly this new year.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Testing Information

COVID-19 Testing Schedule 12/31
Testing sites closed New Years Day.
Open Saturday and Sunday.

Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Rd, 10-7
Freedom Park, Camarillo, 515 Eubanks St., 10-7
Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave, 10-7
Ventura County Fairgrounds, Enter on Shoreline Drive 9-6 (walk up location) (*A private company is also offering testing at the fairgrounds for a fee. It’s not the same entrance as the County’s walk up. The County’s tests are free.)
Santa Paula E. Main and N. Ojai 10-7

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update: 405 New Cases

There are 405 new cases of COVID-19.
There have been 5 additional deaths: 59 year old female, 79 year old male, 86 year old male, 76 year old male, and a 107 year old male. These are our community members, these are moms, dads, grandparents, friends, husbands, wives, neighbors. Our thoughts are with their loved ones and the medical staff that cared for them. Please help save lives by following the public health guidance. Please protect your loved ones and your neighbors.
4,355 new tests performed.
Current doubling time is 44.1 days. What is doubling? Simply put, it’s how many days it takes for the number of coronavirus cases, hospitalizations or deaths to double. The shorter the time frame, the steeper the curve and the faster the growth.
Current hospitalizations: 375 and current ICU: 70. 0.8% Adult ICU Bed Availability in Ventura County.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Testing Information

Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Rd, 10-7 this location requires pre-registration at www.vccovid.com
Freedom Park, Camarillo, 515 Eubanks St., 10-7 this location requires pre-registration at www.vccovid.com
Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave, 10-7 this location requires pre-registration at www.vccovid.com
Santa Paula E. Main and N. Ojai 10-7 (no pre-registration at this location)

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — CA Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program

The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program first application window is open from December 30, 2020 at 6:00 am to January 8, 2021 at 11:59 pm! This grant program is NOT first-come, first-served. Please take the time to prepare all necessary documentation and carefully review your application. One complete application will qualify you to be considered for both rounds, please only apply once.

Museum of Ventura County — We can use your help as we move into 2021!

We are asking for your support. Whatever you can give at this time will ensure that this regional history and art institution will be able to continue to fulfill its ongoing mission of preserving and protecting our history.

As we move through these uncertain times, keeping our community connected is more important than ever.

If you can, please give generously and consider becoming a monthly donor today, so we can build the best tomorrow – together. 

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update: 993 New Cases

There are 993 new cases of COVID-19
There are 11 additional deaths 86 year old female, 96 year old female, 81 year old male, 70 year old male, 84 year old male, 83 year old female, 64 year old male, 87 year old female, 100 year old male, 68 year old female, and a 57 year old male, all with comorbidities. We ask that you wear masks, social distance and not gather so that lives can be saved. Please help protect vulnerable community members. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of those who have passed during this time.
9,455 new tests performed
Current doubling time is 38.2 days.
Current hospitalizations: 363 and current ICU: 66.
Ventura County Adult ICU Bed Availability 0.1%

Microscope co-designed by CSUCI Physics lecturer is used onboard the International Space Station

A compact microscope co-designed by CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Physics Lecturer Brian Rasnow, Ph.D., is circling the globe aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

When the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Dec. 7, it carried three Lumascopes in the so-called Dragon cargo capsule. The microscopes were part of a system installed in the space station where they are being used to research the effect of microgravity on human cells.

Teatro de las Américas announces Kids Theater Zoom beginning Jan. 5

Using active imaginations and active bodies, kids will dive into a world where anything is possible! Physical theatre blends comedy, improvisation, clowning, and acting into a one of a kind learning experience that engages students verbally, physically, visually, and intellectually. Ages 7-11 and 12-16

Happy Holidays from MVC + Snow in Ventura + Story Time at the Museum

We wouldn’t put it past 2020 to give the central coast a snowstorm. Several Museum staff members have “Snow on the Beach” on their 2020 bingo cards. If you think that’s unlikely, you might be surprised to know that Ventura County’s coastal areas have seen snow several times in recent history.

The winter of 1948-1949 was a cold one and by January 8, 1949 the County suffered over $1 million in crop losses. There was a cold snap the first week of January that split the bark of citrus trees in Wheeler Canyon.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update: 751 New Cases

There are 751 new cases of COVID-19
There have been 8 additional deaths: 64 year old male, 65 year old male, 87 year old female, 89 year old female, 65 year old male, 84 year old female, 43 year old male all with comorbidities, and a 50 year old male with no comorbidities. Our thoughts are with their loved ones during this time.
8,148 new tests performed
Current doubling time is 28.9 days.
Current hospitalizations: 327 and current ICU: 67.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — EDC Business Alert

Congress recently approved a new stimulus package providing funding for the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year 2021 and the latest installment of COVID-19 related measures. Below is a brief synopsis of the information related to PPP, SBA Loans, the Emergency Capital Investment Program and Unemployment Insurance.

The SBA and Department of Treasury have not released their formal announcement and information regarding the roll out of the programs listed below. The EDC will be actively engaged with these organizations as the situation develops.

CSUCI Computer Science instructor’s thesis used in MIT research into satellite positioning

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Computer Science Lecturer Ryan McIntyre wrote his master’s thesis, he hoped his mathematical analyses could be used to enhance DNA processing.

No one was more surprised than he was to learn that graduate students in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) had discovered his published thesis, “Bounding the size of minimal clique covers,” in the 2018 Journal of Discrete Algorithms.

Not a journal everybody reads, but the MIT group was impressed enough with McIntyre’s findings that they decided to apply them in their own research into problems with satellites.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update: 737 New Cases

There are 737 new cases of COVID-19
There have been 6 additional deaths: 68 year old female, 96 year old female, 63 year old female, 86 year old male, 96 year old female and 95 year old female. Those that passed away had comorbidities. Our thoughts are with their loved ones during this time.
4,317 new tests performed
Current doubling time is 28.6 days.
Current hospitalizations: 326 and current ICU: 67.

Please help bring down the numbers during this critical time.

KidSTREAM Appoints Two New Directors to its Board

KidSTREAM, Ventura County’s children’s museum, is moving into a new stage of growth as plans develop to open the museum to the public in 2021. kidSTREAM’s board is growing strategically by adding two members, Hillary McLoughlin and Jake Furlow, whose strengths and experiences will help guide the emerging children’s museum opening.

“We are incredibly honored to have Hillary and Jake join our team as we ramp up to open,” said kidSTREAM Executive Director, Michael Shanklin, “We are equally thrilled that both new directors bring experience, strength, and passion to serve the children of our region.”

CSU Channel Islands Business faculty member receives national award for case study

Anybody who would like a motorized toy car modified for kids with disabilities can learn to build one through a project started by a University of Delaware (UD) Professor of Physical Therapy Cole Galloway, PhD. His social enterprise is called “GoBabyGo!”

“As a researcher, I’m fascinated with this,” said CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Assistant Professor of Management Maria Ballesteros-Sola, who holds a doctorate in business administration. “It’s not a business, it’s not a nonprofit. Go Baby Go’s founder is growing a social movement with no internal structure and it’s working.”

VCCCD Installs New Board Trustees and Elects Board Leadership

Stan Mantooth was installed as a Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) trustee at the District’s Annual Organizational Meeting on Dec. 15. Trustee Bernardo M. Perez, who has represented Area 4 since 2010, was installed for another four-year term. The board of trustees also elected Joshua Chancer as chair, Dianne B. McKay as vice chair and VCCCD Chancellor Greg Gillespie as secretary.

Science, math, student health and beavers will all benefit from four different CSUCI grants

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) has received four grants that will benefit university science and math students; primary and secondary school physical education classes across the state, and perhaps provide important research for California when the state makes wildfire policy.

The virtual learning environment prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic is creating some hurdles for all students, but may be especially challenging for students taking critical math courses necessary for them to major in one of the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.

Santa Barbara Art Museum — Season’s Greetings!

It’s hard to know what to say at the close of a year like this one, so we thought we’d leave it to artists Jessie Arms Botke and Cornelis Botke and a new virtual exhibit of their famous handmade holiday cards.

We’ve said it before, but it’s very much worth repeating: all of us here at the Santa Paula Art Museum are so grateful to our community, members, donors, docents, teaching artists, board of directors, and fellow staff members for encouraging us to continue the work that we love and believe to be important. Thank you. We wish you a healthy and happy holiday season.

While it remains uncertain when California museums will be able to reopen to the public, the Santa Paula Art Museum already has a lot planned for 2021. Check out our upcoming virtual offerings below!

Bilingual commentary — Cultural Influences in a Country’s Music—Part 2

When Latinos in this country think of indigenous music originating in Mexico, our thoughts and hearts turn wistfully to the Aztec dancers we see performing at our cultural festivals, political protests and religious celebrations. The music consists of unfiltered rhythms from the sacred beating heart of Aztec ritual that celebrated life and death as both sides of the same mystical coin.  Copal incense wafts past us, reminding us of the frankincense and myrrh that is cast into the air along with our prayers at Catholic rites such as the exposition of the Eucharist and funerals.

SBCC Board of Trustees elects new officers for 2021

At its regular monthly meeting on Dec. 17, 2020, the Santa Barbara City College District Board of Trustees elected Dr. Peter O. Haslund as president of the Board for the 2021 calendar year. Kate Parker was elected Board vice president.

President Haslund joined the Board in December 2010 and represents Area 1 (Carpinteria and Monecito). Vice PresidentParker joined the Board in December 2018 and representsArea 7 (Santa Barbara).

In addition to the election of new officers, the oath of office was administered remotely by Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido, Ed.D., to one new and two continuing trustees who were chosen by voters in the Nov. 3 election. The Board welcomed Dr. Anna Everett who was elected to the seat vacated by Craig Nielsen. Trustees Robert Miller and Veronica Gallardo were successful in their races to continue on the Board.

Guest commentary — Covid-19 in America, where do we go from here?

Out of  Nowhere, Disease, Death and Dread: At the start of the year no one knew what the Corona virus was, by the end of 2020 there is no one left in the world that does not know what COVID-19 virus is, and had not been devastated by its relentless and deadly onslaught. This day Monday, December 14, 2020 the United States death toll from the covid-19 virus topped 300,000 and worldwide the death count has moved pasted 1.62 million souls that have succumb to this deadly virus that has infected the entire world, with no let-up into the foreseeable future. It seems that everyone in this country, indeed throughout the world, in some painful way knows of someone close that has died or suffered horribly from complications brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update: 731 New Cases

Ventura County,

There are 731 new cases of COVID-19.

There have been 3 additional deaths (93 year old male, 85 year old female and 68 year old female, all with comorbidities). Our thoughts are with the loved ones of those who have passed away.

Current doubling time is 37.5 days.

Current hospitalizations: 249 and current ICU: 55.