February 28 @ 12:00 pm
Are you thinking of starting a new business of your own but don’t know where to begin? Join SCORE Santa Barbara for an Interactive Business Start-Up Webinar Session led by Greg Loosvelt and Eric Saltzman to learn key elements that will help you be successful.
The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is hosting camps during spring break for students in the Simi and Conejo valleys. The Simi Valley Family YMCA camp is March 28 through April 1 and the Yarrow Family YMCA camp (serving Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village and Agoura Hills students), is April 18 through April 22. Camp is scheduled to coincide with local school district spring breaks.
Simi Valley camps will be at Atherwood Elementary School (2350 E. Greensward St., Simi Valley) and White Oak Elementary School (2201 Alscot Ave., Simi Valley). Spring break camp in the Conejo Valley will be at Willow Elementary School (29026 Laro Dr., Agoura Hills).
A year in the making, the Flamenco Arts Festival will launch its first Flamenco on Film virtual festival in April showcasing 3 countries, 8 short films, and 16 world- renowned artists performing in beautiful spaces in and around Sevilla and Santa Barbara, California with highlights of flamenco festivals in Jerez de la Frontera (Spain) and Querétaro (Mexico).
“While facing daunting challenges, arts organizations, artists, and promoters have found innovative ways to adapt and survive during the pandemic,” said Vibiana, President and Co-founder of the Flamenco Arts Festival. “Returning to the arts scene with a virtual festival has given us a creative outlet and a renewed vision to continue presenting and supporting flamenco.”
A mortified and remorseful priest who served the Diocese of Phoenix in Arizona for more than two decades resigned from his duties this month. No, he was not embroiled in a sexual abuse case. He had not pilfered any proceeds from contributions to the church. He was not accused of having a flagrant affair with a female parishioner. He was a good man who made an honest mistake. But in the eyes of the Bishop of Phoenix, that error carried huge implications that will reverberate through the congregation for years. The shock waves are no less unsettling than those of a convulsive earthquake.
During his tenure as pastor at St. Gregory Parish, Father Andrés Arango performed thousands of baptisms. However, in all those baptisms, he had replaced one itsy-bitsy but crucial word with another. The formulaic “I baptize you in the name of the Father, etc.” became “We baptize you….”
Since Friday Feb. 18th, there have been 741 new COVID-19 cases reported and 18,487 new tests completed. There are 65 people hospitalized and 15 in the ICU.
There have been 10 new deaths – ages ranging from 64-89. We extend our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the community members who have passed away throughout the pandemic. Wellness Everyday offers grief and loss support and resources.
The R-effective for Ventura County is 0.55, meaning that the spread of COVID is likely decreasing.
For the first time since 2019, Community Environmental Council (CEC) is hosting Santa Barbara Earth Day in person. The one-day event, in and around the Arlington Theatre, features a wide array of activities to generate the inspiration and motivation needed for building community support to tackle climate challenges.
2022 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) took effect on February 19, 2022. This SPSL is only applicable to employers, public or private, with 26 or more employees. Smaller employers will not be covered but may be covered by local supplemental paid sick leave ordinances.
The partnership between the Port of Hueneme and the City of Port Hueneme goes into full gear supporting the local non-profit Reel Guppy Outdoors youth program. Reel Guppy Outdoors runs its youth programs off Port Hueneme Pier and is now able to expand to Channel Islands Fisherman’s Wharf as the result of funding from the Port-City Community Benefit Fund (CBF) and other local sponsors. Activities of the local non-profit include, fishing, whale watching and outdoor field trips providing an alternative for youth to get out on the water. Engaging in outdoor fishing can provide an individual with positive benefits such as breathing fresh air, engaging in active problem solving, socialization, and even achieving a sense of excitement when a fish tugs on the fishing line, making this an ideal fit for funding out of the CBF.
Spotlight on the Ventura County Medical Center
Today we are celebrating Felicity who is 4 years off treatment! We are so grateful to Dr. Francisco Bracho, Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist and his team at the Ventura County Medical Center who treat young people like Felicity. We have such exceptional doctors and medical professionals touching the lives of children and families in our community every day. The Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at VCMC is the only cancer treatment facility for children and adolescents in VC. Before this center opened, children in Ventura County had to travel to LA to receive specialized care.
The Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (Cabrillo EDC) recognized 7 graduating high school seniors and college students for their academic achievements and pursuits with Rodney Fernandez Leadership Fund (RFLF) Scholarships.
2021 proved to be a challenging year for continuing college students and graduating high school seniors transitioning to college. A recent survey conducted by EdWeek Research Center showed “students from low-income families were more likely than those from higher-income households to suffer disruptions in their college plans or to have had family members infected with COVID-19″.
David, this is your older self writing a letter to you from nearly 70 years in the future. I have a perspective that people acquire only after having lived through several decades, watching their own children and grandchildren navigate the rivers that are their lives.
At your five years of age, you are living in relatively prosperous times. The world is ten years down the road from the end of World War II, and people are still rejoicing as they build back their lives in a booming economy. The adults around you are creating their families, and that Baby Boom bulge will travel down time like a rodent travels down the gullet of a python. Take full advantage of the opportunities that are going to be laid at your feet. As you become older, you will see that the young people won’t have what your generation takes for granted.
The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature is pleased to announce its second annual Earth Day poetry competition with this year’s theme, Climate Change: Our Impact. Santa Barbara County writers of all ages are invited to use poetry to interpret the effects of climate change and our role in a variety of ways, with separate judging categories for youth (ages 17 and younger) and adult writing submissions. The competition is intended to honor Earth Day while highlighting the importance of standing up to protect the planet’s dwindling natural resources and working against the threats of climate change. The deadline to submit work for consideration is Monday, March 21, 2022 at 5 p.m.
Winter is fleeting, as it often is in California and throughout our coastal county. Santa Barbara County’s unique micro-climates allow for so much to be produced here this time of year while other parts of the country struggle to get the bare necessities to take root: winter crops such as celery root, beets, hard squash, bok choy, collards, cilantro, and citrus abound. As lobster season comes to a close, fishermen are reeling in halibut, seabass, and dozens of varieties of cod and rockfish. Soon ranchers will bring lamb to the market, a sign that spring is just around the corner.
As we welcome spring, we look forward to gathering with food system actors like you to listen, learn, and share resources.
Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB)’s Beloved Bear Program offers a soft comforting remembrance during a time of grief by making a stuffed bear or pillow out of a passed loved one’s favorite article of clothing. Each item is handcrafted by HSB volunteers and provides families with a tangible keepsake infused with memories, texture, and even the familiar comforting scent of their loved one.
The Beloved Bear Program launched in 2010 and helps to offer a sense of security during grieving. It can also act as a transitional object in the healing process; many families do not know what to do with the deceased person’s clothing — they want the smell of the clothes or the memory of the clothes. The bear provides a way for memories to continue and serves as a joyful memory of a loved one because it is something “new” and appropriate for both kids and adults.
As of today Feb. 16, Ventura County’s indoor mask mandate is lifted. Masks are required indoors for people who are unvaccinated per the state order and are strongly recommended for all. Updated signage is available at https://www.venturacountyrecovers.org/outreach-toolkit/. Details at https://www.vcnewschannel.com/news/511-vc-indoor-mask-order-lifted-feb-16
Do you have a will or a trust? If the answer is no, you are leaving your loved ones and your assets at risk if something were to happen to you. Regardless of your age or your income, estate planning is an important part of planning for the future for anyone! Join us to learn how you can prepare and protect yourself and your loved ones! With guest speaker, Roy Schneider, Attorney.
Ventura County’s Tale of Two Cities:
There is a saying in the medical field that states: Give me your zip code and I will tell you how healthy you are. A zip code may also predict financial health and safety. The challenge is to understand what the data is telling us and what we can do with it to make an impact.
Starting this Wednesday, vaccinated Californians will no longer be required to wear masks in public places, but the mask mandate will remain in effect for K-12 schools for at least two more weeks. Today, the state set February 28 as the date to consider lifting the mask requirement at schools. Dr. Mark Ghaly, Secretary of the California Health & Human Services Agency, made the announcement today, saying that additional time is needed to evaluate the latest data about the spread of COVID-19.
Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, has been selected as the recipient of the 2022 Marcus Foster Memorial Award for Administrator Excellence by Region 13 of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA). The award recognizes Dr. Morales’s work on behalf of Ventura County students and educators during a time of incredible challenges and changes due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Happy Valentine’s Day from the team at the Clerk/Recorder’s Office! A sweet photo from the wedding room today. This all-star team processes marriage licenses and other vital records year round. 3,550+ marriage licenses last year. Big day for them, many appointments scheduled today! We are grateful for this special team!
This Valentine’s Day, you can give your partner the gift of communication. Show that special someone how much you care by taking the time to focus on these eight easy traits of positive communication. Being a better communicator will make you a better partner. Being a better partner will make for a healthier, happier home.
February 14 always feels extra special at the Santa Paula Art Museum. Today marks the Museum’s twelfth anniversary! For our staff and board, Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate our donors, members, featured artists, and volunteers. They are the heart of this Museum.
Thank you for twelve years of care and support of SPAM’s mission. Here are some highlights of what our supporters have enabled the Museum to achieve in that time:
Tax season is upon us and low to moderate income Santa Barbara County residents are invited to take advantage of putting more money back in their pocket with the help of United Way of Santa Barbara County’s (UWSBC) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).
From February 2nd to April 18th, volunteers at VITA sites throughout the community will provide free tax filing services to local residents making $67,000 or less annually. IRS-certified volunteers will provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. Last year, UWSBC filed 1,362 tax returns and gave back over $2,065,586 in federal refunds to local community members.
Meet DelaChone Short an Engineer with the Ventura County Fire Department!
“Black History Month means a lot to me but most importantly, it’s a time to reflect on the past in both appreciation and pride. It’s also a reminder to not take for granted the freedoms that I have today because they did not come without enormous struggle. I celebrate my culture by simply being proud to be a Black man in America and making sure not to forget those who gave up so much for me to live the life I live today.
This month is about legacy. It’s about paying respect to those trailblazers before us. It’s about using those stories of sacrifice as reason to make a difference today. It’s also about projecting the youth into a positive productive future. Black history isn’t solely in the past. Soon what we do today will be included in that history.
It makes a big impact when little kids the same race as myself, for minorities in general, see me in uniform. Knowing that just by seeing someone who looks like them drive a fire engine, can be all the motivation and reassurance that they too can do something like this might be one of the best rewards this career yields.”
February 10, 2022 Ventura County’s Indoor Mask Order Will be Lifted February 16, in Alignment with the State Masks required indoors for unvaccinated; strongly recommended for all; vaccines and boosters urged to strengthen defenses Ventura, CA – Ventura County Public…
As if we didn’t already have enough controversy around masking mandates in California.
Several days ago, Governor Newsom, along with Los Angeles and San Francisco mayors Eric Garcetti and London Breed, respectively, attended the National Football Conference Championship Game at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The problem that erupted shortly thereafter was the result of images of the governor appearing maskless at a mega-indoor event. These are precisely the types of gatherings that public health officials seriously warn us about attending. The governor’s pretext was that he had “removed the mask for a brief period,” but that excuse was widely dismissed as insultingly disingenuous.
It is a troubling statistic! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one person dies every 36 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease. Additionally, about 655,000 Americans die from heart disease each year – that is 1 in every 4 deaths.
With February being American Heart Month, Kaiser Permanente reminds everyone about the importance of caring for one’s heart by taking steps toward lifestyle changes that can lead to a healthier life.
February is Children’s Dental Health Month and it’s the perfect time to encourage and educate the benefits of good oral health. This year’s theme is “Sealants Make Sense.” There are many ways to maintain your oral health. Consistently brushing and flossing are excellent ways to add a sealant for extra coverage.
In an effort to increase vaccination rates across Ventura County among its members, Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP), Ventura County’s Medi-Cal plan, is offering eligible members a $50 gift card when they receive their first COVID-19 vaccination.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and help protect adults and children ages five years and older from getting sick or severely ill with COVID-19. More than 68 million Californians already have received their first COVID-19 vaccination.
The Museum of Ventura County is thrilled to present the next Ivor Davis: Up Close and Personal with famous photographer Harry Benson. In this popular series, author, journalist, and investigative reporter Ivor Davis speaks with a rotating guest list of extraordinary individuals. Click here to watch the trailer for the documentary Harry Benson: Shoot First now available on Hulu.
The Ventura County Office of Education is pleased to announce the winners of the 2022 Ventura County Academic Decathlon, which was held virtually over the past few weeks. The three teams with the highest overall scores this year are:
1st Place: Westlake High School Team A
2nd Place: Westlake High School Team B
3rd Place: Adolfo Camarillo High School
The California Department of Water Resources (CADWR) announced an updated 15% allocation from the State Water Project (SWP) following record precipitation events in late 2021. With a very dry January and recently published temperature and precipitation projections for February by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) showing continued dry conditions, the Conejo – Las Virgenes Regional Drought Partnership urges continued water conservation for our region.
In response to our nation’s mental health crisis, Family Service Agency (FSA), Mental Wellness Center (MWC), and Youthwell have secured funding that will continue to bring Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) trainings to Santa Barbara County. In the next five years, the coalition expects to train 2,800 adults to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges in youth, provide initial response, and safely connect youth with appropriate services. The funding also includes training 2,000 high school students to recognize and respond to the signs of mental health issues in their peers.
Virtual YMHFA classes start this February and are offered at no cost to Santa Barbara County adults thanks to funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) welcomes Dana VanderMey as the new Chair of its Board of Directors along with the announcement of two additional new board officers. The two new board officers are Dianne Travis Teague as Vice Chair and Eryn Shugart as Secretary. Sam McCabe has also been re-elected as Treasurer.
The moving boom in America is officially underway, in what some publications are now calling a mass migration. According to The Neighbor 2020-2021 American Migration Report, more than 20% more Americans planned to move in 2021 than 2020. According to move.org, people are leaving major population centers, like California and New York, in droves and are often relocating to the Sunbelt, Arizona, and Washington. The surge in relocations is driven by several factors and made possible by interstate moving powerhouses like PODS.
Here are four of the biggest factors driving the interstate moving boom:
We are so grateful for the steady support of our Emergency Medical Services Agency throughout the course of the pandemic! They have been involved in almost every aspect of our county’s response – testing, vaccines, personal protective equipment, you name it. Thank you EMS for your heroic efforts in serving our community!
COVID-19 Update
Since Wednesday, there have been 901 new COVID-19 cases reported and 18,345 new tests completed. There are 213 people hospitalized and 35 in the ICU. There have been 16 additional deaths, 8 females and 8 males between the ages of 50 and 94. We extend our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the community members who passed away. The R-effective for Ventura County is 0.66, meaning that the spread of COVID is likely decreasing.
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Granted Full FDA Approval by the FDA
Now’s the time to plot an escape to the city of San Luis Obispo, the charming walkable town along California’s Central Coast. From February 1-March 31, 2022, the first 500 visitors who book a two-night consecutive stay at a participating San Luis Obispo “SLO-tel” will receive a complimentary gift card bundle worth $100.
Guests can take advantage of this offer by booking a two-night stay, Sunday through Thursday, at a participating hotel or inn. Travel must be booked and completed by March 31, 2022. Once the booking is confirmed, guest will then need to email their confirmation to info@visitslo.com to see if they are one of the first 500 to qualify for the offer. Blackout dates and certain rules and regulations apply, including valid for new bookings only and bookings made after February 1, 2022. Booking confirmations must be sent prior to arrival. Additional rules and restrictions can be found at visitslo.com.
Girls Inc. of Carpinteria has announced a new, comprehensive sexuality education series with Planned Parenthood California Central Coast created to ensure teenage girls have the knowledge and skills they need to stay healthy. The weekly series, called ‘Teen Talk,’ will be offered virtually to members of the Eureka! program for college-bound girls and is part of the organization’s ongoing outreach efforts around healthy sexuality.
An evidence-informed and LGBTQ+ inclusive program, Teen Talk will educate girls about sexuality and sexual health, while providing information about healthy relationships, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), birth control, anatomy and physiology, and encouraging parent and trusted adult communication.
Shout out to our Public Health lab! They have gone above & beyond during the pandemic, especially during this surge, to help us move forward. Their efforts studying communicable diseases often go unseen, yet they are so valuable. Thank you to this incredible team for their dedication to our community!
COVID-19 Update
Since Monday, there have been 1,241 new COVID-19 cases reported and 13,579 new tests completed. There are 245 people hospitalized and 38 in the ICU. There have been 16 additional deaths, 3 females and 13 males between the ages of 43 and 94. We extend our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the community members who passed away. The R-effective for Ventura County is 0.64, meaning that the spread of COVID is likely decreasing.
Want to catch Jessica Bruder’s pre-symposium chat with KCLU’s Lance Orozco?
Tune into 88.3 FM tomorrow morning at 7:45 a.m. or at 8:45 a.m. as a warm-up to Friday’s symposium!
Branches of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA are taking early registrations for their summer day camps. Camp is from June 13 through August 19 at the Yarrow Family YMCA and June 6 through August 5 at the Simi Valley Family YMCA. A travel camp will be held at the Conejo Valley YMCA. Discounted weekly rates for those who register early are in effect until March 1.
Campers can attend full-time (five days a week) or part-time (three days a week) for the entire camp session or selected weeks. YMCA summer camp is offered to TK to 5th graders with a Leadership-In-Training camp for 6th to 8th graders.
Onsite activities include sports, arts and crafts and in-person shows. Each week will focus on a different theme including space, Olympic sports, traveling back in time, Disney adventures and exploring the outdoors. Camp activities are based on age group.
This month, celebrate Black History Month by learning about the contributions of African-American scientists and doing your own fun experiments: commemorate one of the first African-American female chemists, Bettye Washington Greene, by making your very own slime. You can make your slime glitter, glow-in-the-dark, foam, or maybe even a combination! Then, test how fast your eyes adjust to different images thanks to the discoveries of ophthalmologist, inventor, and UCLA professor, Dr. Patricia Bath.
Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara (GIGSB) has announced women’s leadership advocate and policy expert Jennifer Faust as the organization’s next CEO. Faust began her new role on January 3, 2022.
Faust’s hiring follows a nine-month board-driven national executive search that included board, staff, parent, and community input. Her leadership in ensuring girls’ and women’s empowerment and equal participation at the policy level and in practice has been evident throughout her career.
“I am truly fortunate to be joining Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara at this pivotal time,” Faust said. “My mission remains set on giving voice to and championing marginalized leaders to make gender inequity a thing of the past. I look forward to working with the organization’s extraordinary staff and board to elevate the important work ahead of us. Together we will lead the next phases of Girls Inc.’s growth and impact, so all girls have the opportunities to reach their greatest potential.”
Join teaching artist Mariann Romero at SPAM’s Cole Creativity Center for our most heartfelt $5 Craft Nightyet! We’ll supply everything you need to create adorable, stuffed felt hearts. Give them away as valentines, or string them together to make a cute garland decoration! Space is limited and preregistration is required.
The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s Senior Nutrition Garden continues to flourish! 17,907 pounds of fresh, organic produce harvested from July to December last year! Thank you to all Garden Managers and volunteers who help at this special garden in Oxnard growing fresh fruits and veggies to help feed older adults in VC!
COVID-19 Update
Since Friday, there have been 3,274 new COVID-19 cases reported and 22,032 new tests completed. There are 260 people hospitalized and 46 in the ICU. There have been 6 additional deaths, 1 female and 5 males between the ages of 43 and 87. We extend our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the community members who passed away. The R-effective for Ventura County is 0.82 which indicates that the spread of COVID is likely decreasing.
5 days until our second United to End Homelessness Ventura County Virtual Symposium on Feb. 4, 2022. There’s still time to register!
A panel moderated by Tony Biasotti, Executive Editor, Pacific Coast Business Times, includes:
Julia Brownley, U.S. representative (CA-26);
Mike Powers, CEO, County of Ventura;
Murtaza Sanwari, senior vice president and area manager, Kaiser Permanente;
Matt Capritto, realtor and housing champion; and
Amy Duganne, director, homelessness initiatives, United Way of Ventura County.
Jacqui Irwin, Assemblymember (AD-44) will lead a community conversation to close the symposium.
The Best Drama in Town
Join Ms. Alina for an 8-week after school drama class.
NO CLASS MARCH 9
FEE $50
Ages 7-12 / Capacity: 16
For questions call Alina
805-341-3837
We are THRILLED to offer Fee-Waived Adoptions this weekend (JAN 29-30). This promotion applies to all dogs who have entered Ventura County Animal Services in 2021. Please view available dogs at www.vcas.us/dogs. Each animal’s “Intake Date” is located on each profile page.
Adoptions are by appointment-only. Sorry, no walk-ins! There are two (2) ways to schedule an adoption appointment:
1) Online at www.vcas.us/adopt, or
2) Email our Adoption Counselors at PetAdoptions@ventura.org. Please include the Animal ID# of the 2021 dog of interest. Only use this email address for dogs who entered our care in 2021.
Since Monday, there have been 4,975 new COVID-19 cases reported and 19,054 new tests completed. There are 302 people hospitalized and 46 in the ICU. There have been 8 additional deaths of a 60 year old female, 69 year old male, 84 year old male, 84 year old male, 90 year old male, 94 year old female, 94 year old female, and a 98 year old male. We extend our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the community members who passed away. The R-effective for Ventura County is 0.58 which indicates that the spread of COVID is likely decreasing.
Elizabeth “Lizzy” Clews was 15 years old when, after multiple attempts to escape a toxic home life, she was placed in out-of-home care (formerly foster care). Without a stable home environment, Clews attended 13 different high schools leaving her feeling vastly disconnected. It was not until she was 17 and living in her second group home that Elizabeth met Damon, a mentor that completely changed the direction of her life. Now Elizabeth helps others in care.
“Just having that one solid person that I knew was always going to be there really motivated me and gave me a sense of confidence and just a feeling like I deserved to be loved,” said Clews. “It felt so good to have this person that I thought was successful also see that same potential in me at various stages of my life.”
