Food Share of Ventura County has launched CAN-tree Drive, its popular, annual, festive food & fund drive. The event, now in its ninth year, features hundreds of “trees” built from collected food cans, and usually takes place at Figueroa Plaza in downtown Ventura. This year, CAN-tree comes to you! Individuals, families and local businesses are being asked to build their tree at their home or business location.
COVID-19 is not only still with us, but it also casts a shadow over everything we think we know, including our understanding of the 3 Es that are the foundation of the Ventura County Civic Alliance: Environment, Economy, and Equity. Livable Communities has for years focused on land use and the creation of attractive and functional places to live and work with minimum impact on the environment. All of this has been impacted by COVID. While “livable” may start with wise land use, we know now that it truly is so much more encompassing.
Therefore, it is fitting that this quarter’s Livable Communities Newsletter explores the 3 Es and Livable Communities in a COVID-19 world:
The Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) is excited to announce Gustavo Almarosa as their new Director of Real Estate Development.
The Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) is Ventura County’s largest developer of affordable housing with an additional project in Santa Barbara County, and is best known for providing comprehensive, well-designed affordable housing services with community economic development activities.
Food Share, Ventura County’s largest hunger-relief organization, is holding a mega drive-thru food distribution of shelf-stable pantry items and fresh produce on Sunday, November 15, 9am-12pm at Food Share of Ventura County’s headquarters at 4156 Southbank Rd., Oxnard, 93036.
Mohammed A. Hasan, a longtime business and environmental leader in Ventura county has been elected to United Water Conservation District board.
The United Water Conservation District boundary encompasses Piru to Ventura harbor along the Santa Clara River valley, and the Oxnard coastal plain. The cities of Santa Paula, Fillmore, Oxnard and Port Hueneme and the very eastern part of the city of Ventura are part of the District. This public agency was formed nearly 70 years ago. They recently moved their main office close to N. Rose Ave. in Oxnard, at 1701 North Lombard Ave. The District diverts surface water from the Santa Clara river, manages and serves groundwater to farmers and cities. Detailed information about the District is available at unitedwater.org.
The County of Ventura Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved $3.65 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funding to support the Farmworker Household Assistance Program (FHAP) to help farmworkers struggling to maintain their households due to pandemic-related hardships.
This week, we bring you a special appeal from Ventura County leaders: Please get tested for Covid-19 at one of the free testing sites throughout the County. As the virus worsens across the country, the metrics that will take Ventura County from the red to the purple tier (which is the most restrictive) are on the rise. One way to help stem the spread of the virus and keep our numbers down is to get tested. Please watch the video below that walks you through the testing process. And please, stay safe!
You can subscribe for COVID-19 updates from the County here.
Working in partnership with local design firm, Landrec Playspaces, kidSTREAM is planning on opening the outside of the museum as a phased approach, and at 10% of the original budget.
Every year, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) holds Project Turkey to help food-insecure families who have a child facing pediatric cancer in the Tri-County areas with grocery gift cards and food baskets.
This year, due to the pandemic, the holidays have hit families dealing with a child with cancer even harder due to increased financial constraints. Many families have had to leave work in order to care for their sick child, and TBCF is working hard to collect items for these families so they can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.
There’s a lot happening at the Santa Paula Art Museum in November and December! For the first time in its ten-year history, the Museum’s annual Fine Art Auction Fundraiser is being hosted online. Bid on 20 beautiful works of art now through Sunday, November 22, 2020. The Museum’s annual art auction is its biggest fundraiser each year. All proceeds raised from the event benefit the Santa Paula Art Museum and the thousands of children, families, and adults that the Museum serves through its educational programs every year. Find a link to the online auction on the Museum’s website: www.santapaulaartmuseum.org/event/auction.
In memory of those taken on November 7, 2018, and in honor of those that survived, this campaign is designed to encourage the community to perform 12 Acts of Kindness. An act of kindness can be simple and performed on behalf of those closest to you, a stranger, an organization, or for some, an act of kindness for themselves.
The campaign is mix of printable items and social media imagery for use across all platforms. The concept is to encourage everyone to participate in the way that is best for them. Participating in 12 Acts of Kindness does not require anyone to spend money, which is a critical aspect. Raising awareness around how many simple Acts of Kindness are possible and helping the healing process for the community is the goal of this campaign.
The Yarrow Family YMCA in Westlake Village has opened a nearly 9,000 square foot covered outdoor fitness facility in its back parking lot (31105 East Thousand Oaks Blvd.). The facility opened November 2.
The exercise area contains cardio equipment and weights to provide members an opportunity to workout in a COVID-compliant setting until Los Angeles County officially enters the red tier level and gyms can reopen indoors.
We are eagerly awaiting the start of our online Fine Art Auction Fundraiser on Monday, November 9, and can’t wait to see who will take home each of our 20 gorgeous auction artworks and two raffle prize paintings. Be sure to preregister for our auction on Bidsquare.com, so that you can place your bid as soon as the items go live! Raffle tickets can be purchased on our website. All proceeds will benefit the Santa Paula Art Museum.
We will have to wait to see who wins when bidding closes on Sunday, November 22. Luckily, we’ve got plenty to keep ourselves busy with until then…
*Planning to visit? Please read our general visiting guidelines at the end of this email.
Already, over 850 county residents have become certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid. The popular course that teaches participants how to support youth struggling with a mental health or substance abuse problem is now available online. Parents, teachers, and others in Santa Barbara County who work with youth ages 12-18 are encouraged to “be the difference” for local youth by participating in a free, upcoming training.
This guidance outlines safer alternative ways to celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 continues to pose a severe risk to communities and requires all Californians to follow necessary precautions in light of this ongoing risk.
Some of the traditional holiday activities promote congregating and mixing of households, which increase the risk of transmitting COVID-19. For this reason, CDPH recommends that you choose a safer alternative way to celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos, and strongly discourages trick-or-treating. It is important to plan early and identify safer options.
For many children of all ages, Halloween is synonymous with the American tradition of dressing up in costume and heading out into the neighborhood with friends and family to trick-or-treat and collect candy in the crisp autumn air.
However, with the coronavirus still spreading throughout much of the country, including in California, families are advised to take extra precautions this year, which could mean finding new and innovative ways to safely celebrate this holiday, according to a health expert.
The Museum of Ventura County and the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula are reopening to members only beginning on Saturday, October 31! We have a new reservations and ticketing system in place to regulate the amount of traffic in the galleries, as well as limited operational days and hours.
Members, please click here to make your reservations.
We have extended our exhibits through the end of the year. Please read on to learn about what exciting things you’re about to see in our galleries as you return to the museum.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the Museum of Ventura County, and thank you for all that you do during these unprecedented times. We appreciate you, and we can’t wait to see you at MVC.
Overcoming the challenges of COVID-19 to help bring assistance to abused and neglected children in our county, four new members have joined the Board of Directors of Court Appointed Special Advocates of San Luis Obispo County, Inc. Dr.Gilbert Stork, the new CASA Board President and past President of Cuesta College, leads the slate which includes new members James Simonaro of Arroyo Grande and Kaimy Chappell of Pismo Beach. Additional changes to the Board include Kelly Sanders (Atascadero) moving from President to Secretary and Suzy da Silva Hamilton of Templeton stepping up to Vice President. After many years serving as a CASA volunteer assisting a child, Rudy Bachmann of San Luis Obispo has expanded his commitment by also joining the Board.
The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is pleased to share the critical work of two new staff members who are expanding CEC’s climate justice efforts and building climate resilience among vulnerable communities on the Central Coast: Community Ambassadors Ana Rico and Alhan Diaz-Correa.
Ana Rico was raised in Santa Barbara’s Eastside neighborhood. Over the past 30 years, she experienced many traffic dangers as a pedestrian, including a pivotal moment when she and her three kids were nearly struck by a vehicle on their daily walk to school. This experience sparked Ana’s career as a community advocate; ever since she has been committed to engaging and working hand-in-hand with frontline communities to develop truly sustainable solutions to climate change.
United Way of Ventura County’s (UWVC) will present awards in volunteerism, corporate citizenship, and community impact at the 16th Annual Virtual Spirit Awards Gala and 75th Anniversary Celebration November 12, celebrating community champions that embody the spirit of United Way in advancing the common good in Ventura County.
The virtual gala will be streamed via YouTube Live on Thursday, November 12, from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. All proceeds will benefit United Way Community Impact programs.
Dear Friend,
There have already been a number of ‘firsts’ for me as the new CEO of Peoples Self-Help Housing, but today this is my first letter to you in our monthly eNews!
I am enormously honored to have been selected to serve as the leader of this organization, and to have the opportunity to be able to continue working alongside it’s professional, and mission-driven staff.
While I have many exciting ideas for the organization’s future, don’t expect any immediate major changes from PSHH. There is so much great work already in process in our very full pipeline that I see no reason for us to change our successful course anytime soon.
I am looking forward to this continuing journey together. Thank you for all your past and future support.
Dear Community,
The Museum of Ventura County and the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula are reopening to members only beginning on Saturday, October 31! We have a new reservations and ticketing system in place to regulate the amount of traffic in the galleries, as well as limited operational days and hours.
Members, please click here to make your reservations.
We have extended our exhibits through the end of the year. Please read on to learn about what exciting things you’re about to see in our galleries as you return to the museum.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the Museum of Ventura County, and thank you for all that you do during these unprecedented times. We appreciate you, and we can’t wait to see you at MVC.
*Please read our visiting guidelines at the end of this email.
Good afternoon, There are 92 new cases today (16 (17.4%) of which have a lab collection from October 15th or earlier), 1,104 additional people tested, and 2 additional deaths (61 year old male, and 72 year old male, both with comorbidities).
There are 31 people hospitalized with COVID-19 and 12 patients are receiving care in the ICU.
Learn more about the State’s COVID-19 metrics at: https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/
Seasons Catering began 2020 celebrating its 20th year in business. It was to be a big year with many caterings booked for weddings, corporate events, premieres, and more. Then COVID hit and changed everything. Not one to let herself fall victim to her circumstances, Gabrielle Moes, Founder and CEO of Seasons Catering quickly pivoted, at a time when events and catering were temporarily shut down, to launch Good2Go heat and serve meals, available at www.thegood2go.com
I hope you are all well. In this month’s update, I want to focus on news from our first fellow and the process of finding and selecting a fellow. As this is a first year for our Social Justice Fellowships we are taking pains to reach out to many organizations and interviewed quite a few promising candidates. Here is my update:
Our fellow, Maria Rodriguez, has begun interviews and gave a presentation on her project at CLU.
We continue to hear from many potential fellows. This month we have 3 new Letters of Interest we are considering and several other candidates we are coaching. Letters of Interests are applications for fellowship.
Today, October 19, is the deadline to register to #vote and update your registration information for the November 3 election. You can register online at registertovote.ca.gov until midnight.
Early voting is already underway! Bring your vote by mail ballot to Ventura County Elections Office located at 800 South Victoria Avenue in Ventura, Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm.
View the list of ballot drop off locations at the following link: https://recorder.countyofventura.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/List-of-Drop-Off-Locations-9182020.pdf
View the list of in person voting locations at the following link:
https://recorder.countyofventura.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IPVL-Insert-FINAL-1.pdf
COVID-19 Testing Available – No cost. No appointment needed.
Weekday Drive-Through Sites – Monday through Friday 10 am to 7 pm
Moopark College, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark
Weekend: Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The site is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Santa Paula, City parking lot corner of E. Main Street and N. Ojai Street, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday 10 am to 7 pm
Walk-In Site – Monday Through Friday 9 am to 6 pm
Ventura County Fairgrounds,10 W. Harbor Blvd in Ventura, Enter Gate 2.
Urgent Care locations require an appointment. Please call 805-652-7660 for an appointment at any of the Urgent Care locations.
In celebration of Días de los Muertos, the Museum of Ventura County invites you and your family to pick-up a Grab ‘n Go Day of the Dead Craft Bag at the Ventura Museum (100 E. Main St., Ventura) on Saturday, October 17, 2020 @ 10AM (while supplies last) and at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula (926 Railroad Ave.) on Sunday, October 18, 2020 @ 12PM (while supplies last).
The MVC and AG Grab ‘n Go Day of the Dead Craft Bags include:
• Día de los Muertos mask-making kit
• Instructions on how to build your own at home altar (English and Spanish)
• Materials and instructions on creating Papel Picado
• Materials and instruction on creating tissue paper marigolds
• Recipe for baking Pan de Muerto
Drive-ups only, please. You will be met curbside by our friendly staff members. Gloves, masks and social distancing practices will be in place.
The Southeast Ventura County YMCA, with branches in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley and Westlake Village, is seeking items for its Online Holiday Auction taking place November 19 through December 11.
Dear Friends,
October is one of my favorite months of the year. I love the cooler air, the festive spirit of neighbors decorating for Halloween, and knowing that Thanksgiving is right around the corner. While this fall looks far different than most, our community’s resilience and generosity is stronger than ever.
This October, I’m excited to announce that the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation (VCMRF) has presented a $40,000 challenge grant for our homelessness initiative, which will support our Landlord Engagement Program. The goal of the program is to increase housing stock and utilize existing housing vouchers and subsidies to prevent and, ultimately end, homelessness. We are grateful to the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation for this generous challenge grant and look forward to all those who will join us in helping end homelessness in Ventura County.
Be-spooked, bewitched and bedazzled at Ventura Harbor Village! This popular seaside attraction offers five great ways to celebrate Fall and all things Halloween safely.
Spooky season may look a little different this year, but there is still plenty to get you in the spirit both virtually and in person at Ventura Harbor. Ventura Harbor Village is open Halloween weekend (and every day), so come show off your costume seaside with the little ones or your furry friends (complete with a mask of course)! There will be pop up photo ops to enjoy at your leisure as well. We ask that you keep a safe distance from others and follow seaside safely guidelines.
Below chronicles ways to uncover a safe time by connecting either online or on the waterfront at Ventura Harbor Village this October:
Weekday Drive-Through Sites – Monday through Friday 10 am to 7 pm
Moopark College, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark
Weekend: Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The site is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Walk-In Site – Monday Through Friday 9 am to 6 pm
Ventura County Fairgrounds,10 W. Harbor Blvd in Ventura, Enter Gate 2.
The Santa Barbara County Food Action Network (SBCFAN) announces its call for proposals for the 2020 Food System Resilience Grants. The grants are given to support the achievement of Food Action Plan goals by contributing to the broader food systems of Santa Barbara County. SBCFAN will be awarding the grants in partnership with the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. Funding for this program is made possible by a grant from the Santa Barbara Foundation.
The SMJUHSD Multilingual and Migrant Education Program (MMEP) in partnership with the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) and AT&T held a drive-through event to distribute 10 tablets and cases at the Lincoln Center on October 9.
The MMEP and Mixtecto translators will offer parents additional computer/tablet assistance this week. The training, which will be done by phone, includes how to set up the device, email and apps, according to Maribel Vargas-Meza, MMEP Administrative Assistant.
Welcome to the Santa Barbara County Food Action Network’s first newsletter! We appreciate your time and attention in a year filled with new information coming at you by the minute. Rest assured the content will be relevant, inclusive, informative, and valuable to both you as an individual and our community Countywide. The quarterly newsletter will include: a feature on recent collaborative activation of Food Action Plan goals; a community profile in Santa Barbara County that is building food system resilience; upcoming events and funding opportunities; ways to take action.
The deadline for the Census has been extended to Saturday, October 31. If you haven’t already, please participate today by completing the Census online at my2020census.gov or by calling 1-844-330-2020.
We are so excited to announce that the Santa Paula Art Museum will reopen Wednesday, October 14, 2020, as part of Ventura County’s reopening plan! Both of our summer exhibitions have been extended. Visit the Museum to enjoy Inspiration and Influence featuring sculptor Duane Dammeyer and painter Rima Muna, and Santa Paula Sojourn, a solo exhibit by painter Shannon Celia. Guests will also be able to preview the 20 gorgeous works of art that will be available in our November online art auction, including artworks by Jessie Arms Botke, Cornelis Botke, Douglas Shively, Susan Petty, Gail Pidduck, and more.
Thanks to recent progress being made in the fight against COVID-19 in Ventura County, businesses such as restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, massage businesses and places of worship may now open indoors, following California Department of Public Health sector specific guidance for reopening, as of 12:01 pm today. The changes come after the County qualified to move into the less restrictive red tier of the State’s four-tiered, color-coded reopening system. Until today, Ventura County had been in the state’s purple tier, the most restrictive tier.
Don’t delay! Take the Census today!
The deadline for the Census has been extended to Saturday, October 31. If you haven’t already, please participate today by completing the Census online at my2020census.gov or by calling 1-844-330-2020.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and two local agencies, RISE and Restorative Partners, are working together to bring awareness to an increase in domestic violence during this time of the global pandemic. RISE provides emergency crisis counseling, shelter, advocacy and therapy for local survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence.
Restorative Partners provides a continuum of programs and services designed to meet the diverse needs of people impacted by crime, including those in custody and returning from incarceration.
Back on March 16, when we had to close our physical doors in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Friendship Center staff immediately began finding ways to reach out and support our community from a distance. Considering ourselves warriors against isolation within our group of senior friends, staff have worked hard on creating unique forms of engagement and inclusion for our members. These activities include our robust schedule of ten daily Zoom classes, weekly tele check-ins, letter writing and supply delivery, Take Care Totes, Drive-In activity hours, porch visits, resource referrals and more.
September 29, 2020 COVID-19 Update Good afternoon, There are 54 new cases today (4 (7.4%) of which have a lab collection from September 22nd or earlier), 799 additional people tested, and 0 additional deaths. The current doubling time was 143.2…
A lot has changed this year. What hasn’t changed at the Santa Paula Art Museum is our commitment to our mission and our desire to serve, uplift, and inspire everyone in our community.
While the Museum’s indoor galleries have been closed since March, our staff has been working to provide our community with a wide variety of virtual programming, as well as outdoor art classes, free classroom art kits, and over 1,800 free Art To-Go Bags. Click here to see what your continued support has helped the Museum to accomplish over the past 6 months.
Freshmen and upper division transfer students are invited to apply for CSU Channel Islands’ (CSUCI) fall 2021 semester beginning Oct. 1 through Dec. 4.
The California State University (CSU) system has temporarily lifted requirements that first-time freshmen submit their SAT and ACT scores for admission for fall 2021. The temporary change will also apply to winter 2022 and spring 2022 admission cycles.
Good afternoon, There are 51 new cases today (4 (7.8%) of which have a lab collection from September 18th or earlier), 833 additional people tested, and 3 additional deaths (68 year old female, 37 year old female, and 99 year old male, all with comorbidities). The current doubling time was 121.4 days.
Ventura County is currently in the purple tier which they have designated as widespread transmission as of September 22. Our current data published as of September 22 is 7.4 (purple tier) for the case rate and 3.8% (orange tier) for the positivity rate for the measurement period ending September 12; this will keep us in the purple tier until the next measurement which will be on September 29.
Latino community leaders and critical donors are taking action to support farm working families in Ventura County. These essential workers have not stopped working to feed Californians and the nation before, during, and after COVID 19 pandemic hit the US. The campaign, known as “Feeding the Frontline: Feeding our Farmworkers,” will be hosting a food distribution event to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month with a “Day of Service” on September 26, 2020. There would have been additional sites but for surges that have occurred in many of these communities.
