Investigating major migrations in global weather patterns, research by Zhe Li and Quingha Ding suggests this poleward shift is part of a natural cycle in sea surface temperatures in the Tropical Eastern Pacific.
THOUSAND OAKS — The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) has been awarded a $92,113 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to support programs aimed at preventing motor vehicle injuries to children, the agencies announced today. The grant program runs through September 2025.
This year’s funding continues VCFD’s mission to educate the community on child passenger safety, with initiatives to increase awareness and provide resources to ensure that children are properly secured in vehicles throughout Ventura County.
VENTURA — The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District is offering $1.5 million in grants for organizations to install and operate electric vehicle chargers along the Highway 126 corridor.
The 126 Corridor EV Chargers Incentive Program is designed to improve air quality in Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru and support the transition to EVs by providing much-needed chargers along the heavily trafficked route.
The Audit is a Key Component of the Official Canvass for the November 2024 Election VENTURA — Michelle Ascencion, Ventura County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters, announced the schedule for the One Percent Manual Tally audit of the November 5,…
VENTURA — The 2024 LEGACY Awards, which recognize the contributions of Ventura County residents and organizations that dedicate their lives to helping older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers to live optimally, were presented on Wednesday morning at the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s Advisory Council meeting.
Since 2018, the VCAAA Advisory Council’s Optimal Aging Committee has annually presented LEGACY Awards to a local business/organization, to Dementia Friendly business/organizations, and to community members/volunteers.
The 2024 winners are:
CAREGIVERS: Volunteers Assisting the Elderly (business/organization)
Santa Clara Valley Hospice (Dementia Friendly business/organization)
Marty Blumenthal (community member/volunteer)
Sylvia Fulton (community member/volunteer)
VENTURA — On Thursday, November 14, 2024, the County of Ventura and the City of Camarillo will open a Local Assistance Center (LAC) at the Ventura County Office of Education Conference Center at 5100 Adolfo Road in Camarillo. The Local Assistance Center will help residents as they begin their recovery process from the Mountain Fire.
Information will be available on-site on the following topics: rebuilding, tax relief, business and employment assistance, debris removal, permits, housing, rental assistance, vital records, property assessments, public assistance, crisis intervention stress management, and basic needs. Services such as replacement of driver’s licenses and connection to health care resources will also be available on site.
On November 11, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in Ventura County due to the Mountain Fire. As of right now, the proclaimed state of emergency has NOT triggered FEMA or SBA disaster assistance.
County Specific Resources
Ventura has been proclaimed a state of emergency. Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties have not declared any disasters. For updates, check your county’s website below.
County of Ventura, click here
County of Santa Barbara, click here
“The E.P. Foster Library has been a cornerstone of our community for over a century, and this renovation marks a significant step towards ensuring it remains a vital resource for generations to come,” said County Supervisor Matt LaVere. “These improvements will not only enhance the library’s services, but also provide a safe and welcoming space during extreme heat, reflecting our commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of all residents.”
As our community comes together in the wake of the Mountain Fire, we want to assure all Ventura County residents that support is here.
This newsletter update offers information on essential resources, key information, and upcoming events to aid in recovery efforts. Our teams are working alongside local and state agencies to deliver the assistance you need as quickly as possible.
Community members who are not already subscribed to receive this newsletter may sign up to receive it in English here and in Spanish here.
We are deeply grateful for the incredible outpouring of support as we rally together to help those most impacted by the Mountain Fire. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us reach those most affected and offering both awareness and critical financial aid in this time of need.
On Saturday, the VCCF Board of Directors authorized the immediate distribution of $20,000 in direct financial assistance to support eight families who lost their housing in the wildfire and were left with no place to go. Because of your generosity, these families now have emergency financial support to secure temporary housing and other essentials.
As the Mountain Fire continues to impact Ventura County, we want to help you access the resources and support needed to protect your operations, workers, and property. Our hearts are with all those affected, and we stand ready to help in any way possible.
In partnership with Farm Bureau Ventura County, the Ag Commissioner’s Office, UCCE, VCRCD, USDA-FSA, Thomas Fire survivors, and others, VC CoLAB is co-hosting a series of webinars for the agricultural community.
Dear Neighbors,
A community meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 11/13 at 6:30 pm for those impacted by the Mountain Fire. The CalFire Incident Management Team, the County of Ventura and the City of Camarillo will host the meeting at the Rancho Campana High School Performing Arts Center located at 4235 Mar Vista Drive in Camarillo.
Please stay informed about the situation at www.vcemergency.com and www.venturacountyrecovers.org.
SBA: INTRO TO CYBERSECURITY
November 12 @ 10:00 am
Empower your small business with a deep dive into cybersecurity basics at SBA’s upcoming Introduction to Cybersecurity event. Discover practical strategies to protect your business online. Join SBA for insights tailored to small businesses, ensuring your digital assets are secure. Do not miss out on the chance to boost your digital security knowledge. This event will take place online using Microsoft Teams, please register to obtain for the login information. Please note, if you are planning to use a mobile device to access this webinar, you must first download the Teams app to your device. SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. For reasonable accommodation request please send an email to lado@sba.gov at least 7 days in advance.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
VENTURA — On Nov. 8, 2024, due to potential widespread toxic exposures and threats to public health and the environment that exist in the aftermath of a major wildfire disaster, the Ventura County Public Health Officer declared a Local Health Emergency to limit the public’s exposure to hazardous substances. This Declaration will be presented to the County Board of Supervisors for ratification during their Board meeting on November 12, 2024.
VENTURA COUNTY — Monday, November 11, is a regularly scheduled school holiday. On Tuesday, November 12, most Ventura County schools will be operating normally. However, the following schools and districts have announced closures as they continue to respond to impacts from the Mountain Fire.
VENTURA — Ventura College has been awarded a $150,000 grant through the Veterans Mental Health Demonstration Project. As one of only ten community colleges across California to receive this critical funding aimed at enhancing mental health and wellness support for veteran students, Ventura College will be able to commit even more resources to fostering a supportive and inclusive campus environment for veterans.
Provided through the California Chancellors Office, the grant aims to bolster mental health outreach and peer support for veterans transitioning from military to civilian life. These funds are particularly vital to Ventura College as its Veteran Resource Center (VRC) served more than 370 veteran students in the 2022-2023 school year.
The Economic Development Collaborative would like to recognize National Veteran’s Small Business Week. The EDC is dedicated to providing equal access to resources, advising and capital to all business owners. Since 2010, the EDC has provided over 2,000 hours of one-of-one business advising to Veteran-Owned businesses and has helped generate over $990 million in revenue.
The EDC is proud to support the community by providing professional technical assistance in English and Spanish through our Small Business Development Center. Our NO-COST advising areas include:
Farmworker Conditions Community Meeting
Tuesday, November 12 at 3:00 PM
Santa Maria Hearing Room, 511 Lakeside Parkway
Please join myself and Supervisor Hartmann at a community meeting to examine the conditions of farmworkers in our County, and to discuss strategies to improve conditions. The meeting will include panel discussions featuring farmworkers, researchers, ag operators, and more. Following the community meeting, the temporary ad hoc committee will report back to the Board of Supervisors with a summary of key points and possible suggestions for improving the lives of farm workers.
Live translation services will be available for attendees. The meeting can be watched live on CSBTV Cable Channel 20 and our CSBTV YouTube Channel. Following the event, our Committee will present a summary of key points to the Board of Supervisors.
Our hearts go out to all those who have been impacted by the Mountain Fire. We understand what an unpredictable and challenging time lies ahead for so many of our community members as they navigate seeking aid and resources in the face of tremendous loss.
Ventura County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VCVOAD) has created a needs assessment form to support Ventura County community members impacted by the Mountain Fire.
If you, or someone you know, has been impacted, please fill out the Needs Assessment Form below or call 2-1-1 for assistance. This form can also be found on our Disaster Relief website page.
Dear Ventura County Community Foundation Family,
We extend our deepest gratitude to our first responders, the County of Ventura, local municipalities, the State of California, and our dedicated elected officials who have been working tirelessly to support and advocate for our community during the challenges posed by the Mountain Fire. We are acutely aware of the pain our neighbors are experiencing—those who have lost their homes and those whose livelihoods are at risk.
We also recognize and commend the many nonprofits that have stepped forward to assist those most in need, including our cherished animals, both large and small, and childcare providers
The impact of the Mountain Fire on our community has been truly heartbreaking. My heart goes out to everyone affected. As I toured the impacted neighborhoods, I witnessed firsthand the immense loss and devastation that has struck District 2.
I also spent time at the evacuation center today, and in the midst of this tragedy, I was reminded of the extraordinary resilience of our community. We have faced challenges before, and each time, we’ve come together, emerging stronger and more united.
Now, more than ever, many of our neighbors need our support. Below, I’ve included resources for those affected and ways to help if you feel moved to lend a hand. I am deeply grateful to the many first responders, county departments, partner agencies, community groups, and individuals who have shown up to assist in incredible ways during this difficult time. Your generosity and dedication have been a light in the darkness.
SANTA MARIA — EconAlliance and the Santa Barbara County Food Action Network (SBCFAN) co-produced the first Central Coast Small Farmer, Rancher, and Fisherfolk Forum, hosted at Allan Hancock College on October 25th and 26th. The event drew hundreds of small scale food producers and businesses from all over the Central Coast, as both a networking and learning event. The Forum, on October 26th, featured a robust lineup of workshops tailored to support small-scale producers, and hosted Keynote Speaker Jennifer Lester Moffit, Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs for the USDA.
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom (on Nov. 7) issued a proclamation convening a special session of the California Legislature to safeguard California values and fundamental rights in the face of an incoming Trump administration. The special session will focus on bolstering California legal resources to protect civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and immigrant families.
This is the first of several actions by the Newsom Administration, in partnership with the Legislature, as the Governor begins shoring up California’s defenses against an incoming federal administration that has threatened the state on multiple fronts.
PORT HUENEME — The Residence Inn by Marriott in Oxnard was the location of a packed room consisting of elected officials, port customers, labor union representatives, businesses, and community groups eager to listen to an update presented by the Port of Hueneme and hosted by the West Ventura County Business Alliance. Celina Zacarias, President of the Oxnard Harbor District Board of Commissioners welcomed attendees to the “State of the Port” presentation with an inspirational story about her childhood in Oxnard and thanked the community for its support of the port.
“The Port of Hueneme is the heartbeat of our local economy by driving trade, creating jobs, and connecting our communities to vital opportunities,” President Zacarias said. “The Port continues to ‘keep cargo moving’ which helps our region thrive.”
As the oldest Latino civil rights organization in the nation, LULAC stands firmly committed to uplifting and empowering the Latino community across America—working to strengthen economic and educational opportunities and to protect our civil rights.
For nearly a century, LULAC has been here, side by side with the communities we serve, tirelessly working toward a future that fulfills the dreams of our families and honors the sacrifices of those who came before us. Now, as we look to the horizon, we welcome the opportunity to work with President Donald J. Trump, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, all of last night’s elected officials, and the incoming Administration. Together, we are called to build a future that holds space for all our stories, our voices, and our dreams.
The Mountain Fire began in the Somis area on November 6, 2024, and has since expanded to other cities. If you or your business are affected, resources are listed below.
County Specific Resources
Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties have not declared any disasters. For updates, check your county’s website below.
County of Ventura, click here
County of Santa Barbara, click here
County of Los Angeles, click here
Dear Ventura County Community Foundation Family,
Our hearts are with all those who have been impacted by the Mountain Fire. We are working closely with our partners to help ensure that your community foundation is doing all it can to support those most impacted. As the situation continues to develop, we will be in touch with you to keep you informed of how we can all best help.
Have a Food-Safe Thanksgiving Holiday
In a few weeks, loved ones will come together around delicious meals. Take some steps to ensure your food is prepared safely.
The below list has been updated with additional closures since our prior email. Please refer the public to www.vcoe.org for a list of Ventura County school closures that will be continuously updated throughout the duration of this emergency.
VENTURA COUNTY — Due to impacts from the Mountain Fire, the following Ventura County schools and districts have announced closures for Thursday, November 7 and Friday, November 8, 2024.
VENTURA — Ventura County Election Night Semi-Official Results for the Nov. 5, 2024 Presidential General Election were posted on VenturaVote.org at 1:50 a.m. this morning, November 6, along with a link to the Secretary of State’s Semi-Official Results for the State of California.
The Ventura County Election Night results include vote by mail ballots received and processed before Election Day, in-person ballots cast during early voting, and non-conditional and non-provisional in-person ballots cast on Election Day.
Note from the CEO,
As the Mountain Fire continues to affect parts of Ventura County, we want to make sure you have the latest resources and support available to protect your operations, workers, and property. Our hearts go out to everyone impacted, and we’re here to assist however we can.
In this email, you’ll find links to resources on fire safety, evacuation guidance, air quality updates, and available emergency services. Please review these resources and reach out if you need additional assistance. The safety of our members and community remains our top priority.
Stay safe,
Maureen McGuire
Farm Bureau of Ventura County
Cell: (805) 310-3620
VENTURA — The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District is issuing an Air Quality Alert because unhealthy conditions exist.
Smoke from the Mountain Fire is causing the Air Quality Index (AQI) to fall in the unhealthy range for everyone in Oxnard and Camarillo. Smoke and ash from wildfires contain very small particles that can harm the lungs and heart.
The district issues Air Quality Alerts when the AQI has reached or is forecast to reach an unhealthy level for all. A lower AQI can affect sensitive groups. This includes children, older adults and people with heart disease or respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema.
The alert is in effect until conditions improve.
Port of Hueneme “Goes Electric” receiving an impressive $42,287,893 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), funding critical to the Port’s goal of zero emissions by 2030.
Read our latest Press Release on how we plan to invest the $42M EPA grant to step towards our Zero Emission goal!
VENTURA — ¡Las increíbles mariposas monarcas han vuelto! ¡Tal vez las has visto buscando plantas de néctar por aquí en el Condado de Ventura!
Muchos conocen los famosos santuarios de las mariposas monarcas en los Estados de Michoacán y México, que dan refugio a millones de mariposas monarca cada invierno en los bosques de oyamel, pero sabías que otra población de monarca, la mariposa monarca del oeste, ¿pasa el invierno en la Costa de California?
Native American Heritage Month is a time to honor, learn and stand united in appreciation of the invaluable contributions of Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians. Celebrating the rich history and vibrant cultures of Native American communities is critical for fostering understanding, preserving cultures and promoting unity across our nation. EDC is dedicated to providing equitable access to resources, advising and capital. Since 2010, EDC has helped generate over $150 million in revenue for Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian businesses.
“With significant experience in the public sector as well as the nonprofit sector across several counties, Kimberlee brings a unique perspective and proven leadership to the role of Homeless Solutions Director,” stated Dr. Johnson. “Her commitment to innovative solutions has earned her recognition as a leader in the field, demonstrating her ability to drive impactful change. We are confident that her expertise will pave the way for transformative initiatives that will positively impact inflow and outflow of unhoused individuals and create significant impact on addressing homelessness in our county.”
Whenever we talk with children, including our own, we might find ourselves asking some version of the question, “So, what do you want to be when you grow up?” Sometimes their answers are confident and run the gamut, from astronaut to teacher to police officer to biochemical engineer and everything in between. Others have no idea what they want to pursue, which is perfectly normal and healthy.
VENTURA COUNTY — Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (Cabrillo EDC), the largest developer of affordable homes in Ventura County, is excited to announce the addition of two new leaders to its team and the promotion of valued staff members. The addition and promotion of these remarkable individuals reflect Cabrillo EDC’s goal of strengthening its leadership and enhancing the ability to serve the community with high-quality affordable housing solutions and resident services.
SANTA PAULA — Over 680 children and family members attended the Todos Juntos Por Los Niños Children’s Festival held at Glen City Elementary in Santa Paula on Saturday, Oct. 19. The event hosted by the Isabella Project was designed especially for children ages 0 to 5, creating a joyful space for hundreds of families to connect, play and learn about the vast array of support services available to them.
The MultiCultural Center and UCSB’s Early Childhood Care and Education Services partner on a community-based Dia de los Muertos celebration for children and families.
