Visit our website Make a Donation (Click Image to JOIN on MONDAY) ? Join Us! Monday, January 24, 2022 ? ? For our 23rd Annual Festival of Hearts Virtual Fundraiser! Please click the image above to join us at: www.friendshipcentersb.org/FOH22/…
We’re donating blood today and helping end the national blood shortage! Shout out to Adela Oregon with our Probation Agency, Robert Crawford of the General Services Agency, Leslie Cerda student worker with our Sheriff’s Office, and all county employees who made a lifesaving donation today! You can too: www.redcrossblood.org
In response to the announcement and 2022-23 budget proposal from California State Governor Gavin Newsom, community-based health plan CenCal Health made the following statement:
“CenCal Health welcomes Governor Newsom’s health care expansion plan for California and is ready to support Medi-Cal coverage for eligible residents in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties – regardless of their immigration status,” said Marina Owen, CenCal Health CEO.
“Along with our Board of Directors, executive team and staff, I am gratified that our organization here on the Central Coast can help bring much-needed, long overdue health coverage to the region, and take this step towards health equity. In partnership with our network of dedicated doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and other providers, CenCal Health is ready to deliver high-quality health care to all.” If the new budget plan is supported by the legislature, coverage would begin on Jan. 1, 2024.
Ventura Harbor experienced unpredictable currents and damaging surges following a massive undersea volcanic eruption near Tonga on Saturday, January 14, 2022. As a result, the Ventura Port District Board of Commissioners took immediate action at their Board Meeting held January 19, 2022 by approving a State of Emergency resolution to restore District assets in the Ventura Harbor.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported in the Ventura area following the Hunga Tonga Tsunami Advisory. However, the powerful surges led to damage of both public and private property in the Ventura Harbor and the adjoining Ventura Keys. There are at least two dozen damaged docks at multiple marinas and private residences and two Ventura Harbor Patrol Boats have been rendered out of commission.
VISIONALITY CEO Emily Barany says, “Take Small Steps, Daily: We are NOT going to solve all the world’s problems in one sitting. In 2021, I really focused on taking small steps towards big goals. In the moment, that small step doesn’t feel like much, but after a year of small steps, you’ll realize you’ve gone far.”
Barany recently sat down with Senior Project Manager, Kristiana Almeida to discuss 2021 reflections and 2022 predictions. While their complete two-part discussion covering their perspectives on business, leadership, development, and the much used term, pivoting, can be found on the company’s website – www.visionalitypartners.com/resources, they share a few of their top level take-aways from 2021 and predictions for 2022 below.
In the face of California’s persistent drought and COVID-related restrictions, Triunfo Water & Sanitation District undertook community outreach and customer cost-saving programs throughout 2021 that will continue in 2022. The district also took steps to become a fully independent organization in the new year. And, through their Joint Powers Authority partnership, Triunfo and Las Virgenes Municipal Water District opened the Pure Water Project Demonstration Facility to visitors.
Starting today, every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order your tests at www.covidtests.gov. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you take an at-home test:
If you begin having COVID-19 symptoms like fever, sore throat, runny nose, or loss of taste or smell, or
At least 5 days after you come into close contact with someone with COVID-19, or
When you’re going to gather with a group of people, especially those who are at risk of severe disease or may not be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines.
For more on when to use at-home tests, see the latest CDC self-testing guidance. For information on local testing sites, visit www.vcrecovers.org/testing.
Teresa Rothe Tardiff, the longtime executive director of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of San Luis Obispo County announced her retirement this week.
The nonprofit CASA has helped thousands of children in crises successfully navigate the court system without charge.
“During my 19 years with CASA of San Luis Obispo County we have recruited and trained hundreds of volunteers, who have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of local children facing incredible hardships through no fault of their own.” Tardiff said. “Throughout this time the standing of our staff and volunteers has increased in the court and child welfare community so that now the input of our advocates is sought out and valued.”
We are all traversing this time that will remain in our memories the rest of our lives. If we are old enough, not only we but also our children and grandchildren are experiencing the disorientation, stress, and anguish of the COVID-19 pandemic. Someday, these children and grandchildren will be telling stories of the Great Pandemic of 2019 – 2022 (hopefully not longer than that) to their descendants, possibly including our great-great-grandchildren. We cannot begin to guess what technology will be used to record those stories for posterity. Some of us may even have venerable photographs of immediate ancestors who suffered and died during the Spanish Flu of 1918 – 1920.
Due to markedly increasing COVID-19 cases and the resulting strain on the local health care system, Ventura County Public Health is reminding residents to avoid visiting the emergency room unless they need emergency medical care. Local hospitals are experiencing an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, as well as critical staff shortages due to the coronavirus, and are preserving their resources for patients who are seriously ill.
Ventura County Health Officer Dr. Robert Levin would like to remind residents that they should not be visiting the emergency department solely to get a COVID-19 test or for health matters that could be resolved through their primary care physician. “Emergency room visits should be reserved for those patients who have are feeling severely ill – for example, those who are short of breath – or who have serious concerns about their health and who require immediate emergency care”, said Levin. Ventura County residents who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, have mild illness or have not been exposed to someone who tested positive, should go to one of the many testing locations available in the county.
In the latest Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara project construction update there is new information regarding San Ysidro Road and the freeway ramps, traffic lane switches by Sheffield Drive, and temporary closure of southbound on-ramp at Santa Claus Lane:
When the southbound off-ramp at Sheffield Drive reopens on January 18th, flagging to direct traffic at the intersections of San Ysidro Road and the freeway will cease during the morning peak periods. The flaggers have been on-site to help direct the extra traffic associated with the Sheffield off-ramp detour as it routes people to exit southbound at San Ysidro Road. With the detour complete, we won’t have the added traffic routed to the southbound off-ramp at San Ysidro Road.
Traffic lanes will switch between Romero Creek and Sheffield Drive to let people use the new pavement and provide space for the next stage of construction.
The southbound on-ramp at Santa Claus Lane began a 10-day closure on Jan. 10th to begin work on the improvements in that area.
Betty White was a national treasure. She broke barriers and entertained millions spanning multiple generations. In addition to her illustrious career in entertainment, Betty White was a staunch supporter of animal rights. She was an advocate for the fair treatment of animals both domestic and exotic. Thus, it is only fitting that the #BettyWhiteChallenge focus on support for local animal welfare organizations who care for stray and surrendered animals.
Ventura County Animal Services is a proud participant in this challenge and your $5.00 donation will help us care for the thousands of animals who enter our shelter each year!
Please consider being a part of this movement and donating today at www.vcas.us/donate. In celebration of Betty White’s life and legacy, we are also sponsoring all pet adoption fees from January 14th – 16th.
The City of Camarillo recently surveyed residents with questions about the Camarillo Airport operated by the County of Ventura Department of Airports. The results of the survey were presented at the January 12, 2021 Camarillo City Council meeting. “We really appreciate the community input about the airport. The County of Ventura is committed to working with the City and community members to seek a collective vision for the best use of the airport,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers.
“I am pleased our Director of Airports was able to attend the Council meeting last night to hear the presentation of the survey results firsthand. While the County manages operations at Camarillo Airport, we continue to recognize the City of Camarillo as the host City and strive to partner with them in every way possible,” said Ventura County Supervisor Kelly Long. “As a Camarillo resident, I especially appreciate this partnership and the airport’s efforts to be a good neighbor when it comes to noise and overall operations.”
The university is partnering with County Public Health to offer boosters to students, the Isla Vista community and other local residents.
The State of California completed delivery of 514,562 N95 masks to the Ventura County Office of Education in Camarillo today. The masks will be distributed to Ventura County public and private K-12 schools for voluntary use by students and staff. Each school and district will develop its own procedure for making the masks available.
N95 masks fit snugly to the face and provide a higher level of protection from the coronavirus than the more common surgical masks. The CDC says N95 masks filter out at least 95% of airborne particles.
Due to the ongoing surge of COVID-19 and high community infection rate, Santa Barbara City College has determined it is in the best interest of SBCC students, employees and the community to shift most SBCC classes and services to remote/online through Thursday, Feb. 17. In-person classes and services are scheduled to resume on Tuesday, Feb. 22.
Senate Bill 1383 regulations went into effect on January 1, 2022. The regulations aim to divert 50% of organic waste from landfills below 2014 levels by 2020 and 75% by 2025. CalRecycle is implementing the regulations and has established an additional target to ensure edible food that is fit for human consumption is recovered and not disposed of in landfills by 2025. SB 1383 also requires that jurisdictions conduct education and outreach on organics recycling to all residents, businesses (including those that generate edible food that can be donated), third-party haulers, solid waste facilities, local food banks, and other food recovery organizations located within the City of Oxnard.
Graduate student Zach Aralis has developed a rapid test for the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
Since Friday there have been 38,627 new tests completed and 5,835 new COVID-19 cases reported. There are 261 people hospitalized and 36 in the ICU. There have been 3 additional deaths of a 37 year old male, 58 year old female, and an 81 year old female. Our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the community members who passed away. The R-effective for Ventura County is 1.74 which indicates that the speed of COVID is likely increasing rapidly.
The County of Ventura has the third-highest testing rate in central and southern California. The state will be sending National Guard medical personnel to assist with testing at the state sites due to staffing impacts. This will help to allow services to continue. They will be in uniform and will not be armed.
Starting Friday, January 7, many of the state testing sites will have expanded capacity which includes additional days, times, and lanes at drive-thru sites. Appointments are now live. Please make an appointment at https://lhi.care/covidtesting or call 888-634-1123. View the updated schedule at www.vcrecovers.org/testing.
UPDATED: California Department of Public Health:
As of January 5, 2022, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) updated their Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings, continuing the requirement for universal masking indoors, irrespective of vaccine status, statewide from December 15, 2021, through February 15, 2022.
I want to wish you a healthy and happy New Year, and encourage you to live with less worry. I believe that living without worry is not about ignoring dangers, it is about controlling what you can control, taking precautions, but also living your life and not putting energy into what is outside our control.
“If you have a piece of truth, do not hide it like a treasure, but hang it on a shingle for the world to see.”
January 7, 2022 – COVID-19 Update Everyone over the age of 12 is now eligible for a COVID-19 booster dose. Get your COVID-19 booster dose if: • It has been 5+ months since you completed your primary Pfizer series, •…
The State of California delivered 132,000 COVID-19 test kits to the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) in Camarillo yesterday evening and this morning. The at-home kits are intended specifically for K-12 public school students as part of a program announced by Governor Gavin Newsom in December. Each kit contains two COVID-19 tests, and VCOE has received enough kits to provide one to every student in the county at no charge. They’re now being sent to local school districts, which will coordinate distribution to students and families.
To minimize class disruptions to the greatest extent possible, CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) courses will be virtual for the first two weeks of class, from Jan. 22 through Feb. 6, with some exceptions.
In addition, the CSU’s recently updated Interim COVID-19 Vaccination Policy redefines “fully vaccinated” to include a booster vaccine for students, staff and faculty when they become eligible to receive one.
Measures are being taken in addition to the ongoing requirement of appropriate mask-wearing indoors and other safety protocols because of the current wave of the highly-contagious Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, according to Interim President Richard Yao, Ph.D.
Things to consider more seriously in the midst of the Omicron surge
Get vaccinated and boosted.
Please stay home when you are ill to limit exposing others in the community.
Consider temporarily pausing on attending unnecessary indoor events until the Omicron surge slows down.
Wear a mask. They are required indoors for all in the State of California.
Vaccines best protection
The COVID-19 vaccine continues to be the best option to prevent serious illness or hospitalization from COVID-19. Make an appointment today at myturn.ca.gov or by calling 833-422-4255.
Good Morning – While supplies last a limited amount of COVID-19 home testing kits will be distributed at no cost by Ventura County Public Health today.
What: Drive through at home Covid-19 testing distribution
Where: Freedom Park, 275 E Pleasant Valley Road, Camarillo 93010 (Enter at Freedom Park Dr past the baseball fields)
When: Tuesday, January 4 from 1-3 pm
*Supplies limited *No cost
There will be NO distribution at Solar Drive in Oxnard. Only for Ventura County residents. Please be prepared to show ID.
Since Wednesday, December 29, there have been 5,283 new COVID-19 cases reported and 34,015 new tests completed. There are 162 people hospitalized and 27 in the ICU. There have been 2 additional deaths of 73 and 65 year old males. Our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the community members who passed away. The R-effective for Ventura County is 1.83 which indicates that the speed of COVID is likely increasing rapidly.
Find a vaccine site at www.vaccines.gov or make an appointment directly at MyTurn.CA.gov. The Public Health clinic schedule is available at www.vcrecovers.org/vaccine.
COVID Therapeutics are currently in severely short supply. If you test positive for COVID-19, are exhibiting symptoms, and feel as though you meet the factors identified in the below risk groups, call your physician to see if you are eligible and where you might be able to receive treatment.
Ventura County Schools to Prioritize Safety Upon Return from Winter Break
78.7% of community members (ages 5+) have received one or more COVID vaccine doses.
72% of eligible community members have been fully vaccinated.
77.7% of community members 12+ have been fully vaccinated.
While supplies last a limited amount of COVID-19 home testing kits will be distributed at no cost by Ventura County Public Health on January 3 and January 4. Given the limited amount, of tests made available to Public Health from the state and federal agencies, current priority for these rapid tests are Ventura County residents that 1) were exposed recently to someone that has been confirmed COVID-19 positive, and 2) that have had symptoms for 2-3 days.
What: Drive through at home Covid-19 testing distribution
Where: 1801 Solar Drive, parking lot next to North Oxnard Public Health Clinic
When: Monday, January 3 from 3-5 and Tuesday, January 4 from 10-12
*Supplies limited *No cost
As Ventura County students prepare to return from winter break amid increasing COVID-19 cases in the community, local school leaders are taking all possible steps to ensure the safety of students and employees
While some colleges and universities have announced plans to revert to distance learning temporarily, this is not an option for Pre-K-12 schools. The State of California does not currently permit Pre-K-12 schools to offer distance learning and expects all schools to keep their doors open for in-person instruction. Schools do provide an independent study option that allows students to learn from home. But unlike distance learning, it must be requested individually by families and is not intended to serve large numbers of students.
“The Ventura County Office of Education is continuing to work closely with Ventura County Public Health and our local school districts to ensure the safety of students and staff,” said Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. “A major effort is underway to expand optional COVID-19 testing for students so we can reduce the chances of the virus spreading at school. Many school districts have been working diligently during the winter break to distribute home test kits to families, and we expect a greater supply of kits to be available soon.” Free testing is also available at locations throughout Ventura County.
The County of Ventura will close its buildings to the public effective Wednesday, January 5, for a three-week period, as a precautionary measure to slow the spread of COVID-19. Services will continue to be available online at www.ventura.org and by appointment at 805-654-5000. The health conditions will be monitored, and a reopening date will be announced after the three-week period.
“Our County is committed to the continuity of all services while helping to protect community members and County employees. Services will continue as we temporarily modify operations. Community members are encouraged to take advantage of on-line services or schedule an appointment in advance,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers. “I appreciate the dedicated service of our nearly 10,000 County employees as they continue to respond to the pandemic and carry-on essential services without delay. I also appreciate our community members as we work together to move forward.”
As 2021 comes to a close, we look back at the immense challenges we’ve all faced this year. This year has without a doubt been difficult and a little different for everyone. Keeping in mind the patients and their families who put their trust in Clinicas; we recognize that creating joy during the holiday season is just as important as providing quality health care to our community.
Taking into consideration that our Southern California region is experiencing a 26% COVID-19 positivity rate, and Los Angeles County currently has a 17.6% positivity rate and in consultation with our infectious disease experts, we have decided to continue to have our “A Healthier Future” float participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade.?Unfortunately, we will not feature our 20 front-line medical heroes as float riders and “out-walkers.” We must prioritize the health and safety of our front-line medical staff and ensure we are able to treat patients during this recent surge of COVID-19 cases caused by the omicron variant.
Since Monday there have been 1,052 new COVID-19 cases reported and 12,750 new tests completed. There are 92 people hospitalized and 18 in the ICU. There has been 4 additional deaths of a 58 year old male, 60 year old female, 78 year old male, and a 93 year old female. Our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the community members who passed away.The R-effective for Ventura County is 1.08. Delays in case reporting lead to underestimates of R-eff. It is possible that testing patterns over the Christmas and New Year holidays will result in abnormal trends.
What a year this has been for all of us! Despite the many challenges that 2021 brought, we are happy to report that our agency remained committed to our life-saving mission, having reunited thousands of lost animals with their families, and found new, loving homes for thousands more. Innovative programs we have created over the years continue to grow and evolve as the needs of our community change. But none of our many accomplishments would have been possible without the passionate dedication of our staff and volunteers who give their heart and soul to each and every animal, every day.
Thousands of animals benefit from your support. Your donation helps: fill empty bellies, mend broken bones, heal the sick, provide enrichment activities, and so much more. Thank you for all you do for the animals in our care!
FREE Book Launch event of At Heaven’s Door. This virtual event features a conversation between the New York Times best-selling author of Proof of Heaven Eben Alexander and the Founder of the Shared Crossing Project’s and author, William J. Peters.
Alexander and Peters will discuss the awe-inspiring stories of Shared Death Experiences that helped Peters create this incredibly powerful work. Drawing from years of research and personal experiences, Alexander and Peters will provide a closer look into near death experiences and shared death experiences–why they happen and what they mean for all of us.
The Santa Barbara Museum of Art will present “Parallel Stories Controlling the Narrative: Both/And” at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23.
In a conversation and reading, Emily Rapp Black, award-winning author of Poster Child: A Memoir and The Still Point of the Turning World, a New York Times bestseller, explores art and disability in her most recent book Frida Kahlo and My Left Leg. With elegance, tenderness, and zero sentimentality, she deconstructs the mythologies of words like bravery and resilience and recognizes in Kahlo a twin at the art of creating to silence pain. Joining her is colleague Alex Espinoza, Tomás Rivera Endowed Chair of Creative Writing at UC Riverside and author of novels Still Water Saints and The Five Acts of Diego Léon, and the recent nonfiction book Cruising: An Intimate History of a Radical Pastime.
“Coffee With A Black Guy” presents “Processing Loss: A conversation on mental health and the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 deaths on BIPOC communities” via Zoom at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26.
CWABG founder James Joyce III, will be joined in conversation by Michael Cruse, Bereavement Services Manager for Hospice of Santa Barbara who will offer a “Human” perspective and the role of “Culture” on the subject of bereavement and mourning. That couple with the impacts of several highly visible cultural losses and the processing of loss throughout our history – think Strange Fruit, provides context for an engaging and enlightening conversation about processing loss and grief.
Family-to-Family course is a free, 8-session education program designed to help family members understand and support their loved one living with a mental health disorder, to understand and access local resources, all while taking care of themselves.
The course will begin on Wednesday, February 2nd and will cover information on illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and other mental health conditions. The class is taught by trained teachers who are also family members that know what it is like to have a loved one struggling with a mental health disorder and is offered through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for those affected by mental health disorders.
Since 2020, Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) has adjusted to the new realities that come with COVID-19 by creating their freeilluminate Speaker Series – a series which not only addresses aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic but also offers help on how to navigate through this new reality.
One way the organization transitioned to serve these past two years is by providing helpful resources to our community and beyond as they relate to COVID-19 through this virtual series. Past speakers include Roshi Joan Halifax, Frank Ostaseski, Katy Butler, Sharon Salzberg, Dr. BJ Miller, Dr. Sunita Puri, Jenée Johnson, Daniel Goleman, Nora McInerny, and Pico Iyer.
El Concilio Family Services is hosting their third mobile vaccination pop up clinic as a collaborative effort between The Oxnard Performing Arts Center, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme and the Ventura County Public Health Department.
In response to the pandemic and the low vaccination rates amongst teens, El Concilio Family Services Breakthrough Youth for Success Program launched a new initiative called the Youth Leadership Ambassador Program-VaxNation Project in October 2021.
Moorpark College’s biotechnology program offers a comprehensive curriculum in bio-manufacturing that includes hands-on learning in a state-of-the-art biotech lab. Students and the community who are interested in this rapidly growing industry are invited to attend the Biotech Open House, 5 – 7 p.m., March 9.
Visitors can watch lab demonstrations, explore the lab and examine how recombinant cells are grown in bioreactors and see how chromatography columns are used to purify life-saving biotech products.
William Peters and Dr. Raymond Moody Host “How the Shared Death Experience Changes Everything” at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 12.
Founder of Sharing Crossing Project (SCP) and author of At Heaven’s Door, William Peters will be joined by philosopher, psychiatrist, physician and author of Glimpses of Eternity, Dr. Raymond Moody on Saturday, March 12th at 10:00 a.m. PST for a FREE LIVE WEBINAR on How the Shared Death Experience Changes Everything.
Una revisión de cómo se detecta el cáncer de pulmón, cuáles son los factores de riesgo y cómo lo tratamos en los tiempos modernos.
SOBRE NUESTRO PRESENTADOR — Caitlin G?mez, M.D.
The Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (CADA) will hold the annual Gratitude Luncheon celebrating its Mentor Program on Thursday, March 24, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. The outdoor gathering will feature “Santa Barbara Foundation 2021 Person of the Year” John Daly, who will speak about the power of mentoring. The luncheon is hosted by Founder and Event Chair Anne Smith Towbes.
According to CADA’s Executive Director Scott Whiteley, Ph.D., “Having a mentor can be a life-changing experience for a young person, particularly in times of uncertainty. Being connected with a caring adult mentor can help a young person learn to navigate challenges, avoid risky behaviors, and develop personal and academic confidence. As the pandemic continues to challenge local youth and their families, the request for mentors is greater than ever, and we are deeply grateful to our supporters for their generosity in helping us meet this critical need.”
Rural California — The history of racism and slavery runs deep in the veins of agribusiness rooted in the United States. It keeps shifting names and rebranding as Big Ag finds sources of cheaper labor. Join us in a three part webinar series (March 25) where you will have the opportunity to hear from advocates, organizers, elders and community who have been intergenerationally impacted by exploitation in the fields of the United States. This series will be presented in Spanish with interpretation into English and Mixteco. We hope you can join us.
After two years of Zoom services, Unity of Ventura has returned to in-person gatherings. Its March 27 service will feature the Rev. TJ Woodward, author and founding minister of Agape Bay Area in Oakland. Services are at 10:00 a.m. every Sunday at the Santa Paula Room in the Poinsettia Pavilion (3451 Foothill Rd., Ventura).
Woodward is a bestselling author, inspirational speaker and recovery expert who is the creator of The Conscious Recovery Method for treating addiction. He speaks with wisdom, humor and insight.
On Thursday May 5th, approximately forty 7th-12th-grade students from Ventura Unified School District (VUSD)will be presenting their environmental business proposals to a panel of judges. Students had the option of choosing a project from 4 categories: water conservation, energy efficiency, waste reduction at their school campuses, or to inform their communities about the benefits of removing the relic Matilija Dam from the Ventura River. The event will take place at the Museum of Ventura County, in downtown Ventura, from 4 -7 pm. The keynote speaker for the event is Chipper Bro, Entrepreneur, Environmental Advocate, and professional Surfer.
Family Service Agency welcomes you to our annual fundraiser, an evening with Dr. Sarah Y. Vinson, esteemed youth and child psychiatrist, and co-editor of Social (In)Justice and Mental Health and Pediatric Mental Health for Primary Care Providers. Dr. Vinson will be presenting on the topic of Supporting Youth Mental Health, followed by a Q&A. This discussion and reception will take place on Thursday May 12th, 2022 at 5PM at the Santa Barbara Woman’s Club, followed by a paddle raise to support Family Service Agency, Santa Maria Youth & Family Center, and Guadalupe’s The Little House By The Park.
Friends –
We need your help and muscle! 208 Kuranda dog beds were donated by members of the public, but they arrived unassembled. Will you help build-a-bed? If so, please bring a couple of required tools: 7/16″ wrench and a Phillip’s head screwdriver. We’ll be building outdoors on our lawn, so feel free to bring a shade canopy, folding table, and chairs. No RSVP needed. Please park on the street to allow front lot space for urgent shelter business. Children are welcome, but we ask parent to use their best judgement as there will be power tools in use.
See you Saturday, May 21st between 9:00am – 12:00pm.
Thank you for your support!
Ventura County Animal Services
Since the pandemic started, experts have warned of a mental health crisis facing American children. That is now playing out at schools across the nation—and in Santa Barbara County—in the form of increased childhood depression, anxiety, panic attacks, eating disorders, fights and thoughts of suicide.
“The pandemic has dramatically increased depression and anxiety in youth,” said Megan McClintock, Director of School Based Counseling Services for Family Service Agency (FSA). “Our organization is certainly seeing more referrals for treatment as well as an increase in severity.”
In partnership with national nonprofit NeighborWorks, the Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (Cabrillo EDC)?will be hosting a Mental Health Fair at Paseo de Luz Apartments in Oxnard, June 10, 1:30 to 4:30 pm. The event will help bring communities together and support NeighborWorks’ goal to help empower communities for success.
Join Hospice of Santa Barbara on Wednesday, June 22nd at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 22 for their next illuminate Speaker Series Event, Kristin Neff: The Strength of Self-Compassion.
Kristin Neff is currently an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research and is the author of the bestselling book, Self-Compassion. In her presentation, she will share the theory and research on self-compassion, which studies have increasingly shown to be powerfully associated with psychological wellbeing. A short practice will be taught for use when needed in daily life.
Ventura Land Trust broadens its public program offerings with an Artist-Led Plein Air Painting Workshop on Saturday, July 9th at 8:00 am at Harmon Canyon Preserve. Artists Debra Holladay, Laura Wambsgans, and Marian Fortunati will offer instruction for beginner and experienced artists on how to capture Harmon Canyon’s natural landscape through composition, form, color, and paint handling.
Participants will receive instruction as a group and one-on-one. Group discussion will allow painters to learn from one another. Ventura Land Trust staff will join the workshop to share elements of Harmon Canyon Preserve’s natural and cultural history.
Triunfo Water & Sanitation District is sponsoring a hands-on workshop on drip irrigation Saturday, July 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Mae Boyar Park (130 Kanan Road in Oak Park). The class is free and open to the public. Attendance is limited to 30.
After a two-year hiatus of holding in-person festivities, the Mental Wellness Center (MWC) is bringing its Mental Health Arts Festival back to De La Guerra Plaza. As in the past, the festival will showcase the artwork of local artists in mediums including painting, drawing, jewelry, poetry, sculpture and arts and crafts. But what’s really special about the festival doesn’t end with the artwork.
“It’s an opportunity for artists to display their work and showcase their talent the community in a way that is positive, productive and meaningful for them,” explained Darcy Keep, MWC Board Members and Administrative Director of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine at Cottage Health.
Join Hospice of Santa Barbara at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 20 for their next illuminate Speaker Series Event, Kristin Neff: The Strength of Self-Compassion.
Kristin Neff is currently an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research and is the author of the bestselling book, Self-Compassion.
Compassionate Care of Carpinteria’s The Light Shines Ahead 4th Annual Luncheon will be held Wednesday, August 10, 2022 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Rincon Beach Club (3895 Santa Claus Lane, Carpinteria).
The event will feature event emcees, Win and Ed Van Wingerden, event chair, Marybeth Carty and special guest speaker, Virginia Benson Wigle. This event will raise critical funds to support people who are struggling with grief and illness in the community of Carpinteria.
To celebrate National Health Center Week 2022, Clinicas will be hosting a Community Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13 at the El Rio Health Center, 2600 Vineyard Ave., Oxnard.
The Triunfo Water & Sanitation District will present four free “Water Smart Summer” classes that discuss water-saving and drought-tolerant landscaping and gardening techniques. Each of the classes will be presented by a certified instructor from the Master Gardeners of Ventura County.
One-hour classes will be held on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Classes are at Mae Boyar Park (130 Kanan Road) in Oak Park.
Ventura Land Trust’s annual benefit, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, returns for its 13th year on Saturday, August 20th at Ventura County Credit Union headquarters. This signature event raises funds each year to support Ventura Land Trust’s mission to permanently protect the land, water, wildlife and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations. Film Festival doors open at 5:00 pm, and films begin around 7:45 pm. A virtual ticket option is available for guests who prefer to enjoy the Film Festival from home.
Since 2020, Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) has adjusted to the new realities that come with COVID-19 by creating their freeilluminate Speaker Series – a series which addresses aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic and offers active solutions to navigate through this new reality.
Next on the line up will be Dr. Kelly McGonigal, who will present A Conversation with Dr. Kelly McGonigal on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, 6:00 to 7:00 pm PDT. The conversation will be moderated by well-known NPR host, Jonathan Bastian. The event is free, but registration is required.
Assemblymember Steve Bennett, Senator Monique Limón, and the County of Ventura, along with local water experts, will present an overview of California’s and Ventura County’s water delivery systems with a particular focus on western Ventura County. The forum will discuss the threats of the extreme drought conditions our state and region is facing, the impacts it will have on our communities and the agencies’ efforts to address these issues.
EPA’s Technical Assistance Services for Communities (TASC) program will host a meeting to discuss the Halaco Engineering Company Superfund Site in South Oxnard. This meeting will introduce TASC technical advisor Karmen King and discuss the Superfund Process and the Site’s Remedial Investigation, including the Risk Assessment. EPA staff will also be available to answer questions.
Family-to-Family is a free, eight-session education program for family members of adults living with a mental health disorder and is designed to help family members understand and support their loved one while maintaining their own well-being.
The class will also cover information on illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and other mental health conditions and is taught by trained teachers who are also family members that know what it is like to have a loved one struggling with a mental health disorder.
The class is offered through NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for those affected by mental health disorders. Classes will be in person and will follow all County Health Department and COVID requirements.
Join Hospice of Santa Barbara’s 10th Annual Heroes of Hospice back in person to honor local heroes on Thursday, September 22, 2022 from 11:00 am – 1:30 pm at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort’s Plaza del Sol.
This year, Heroes of Hospice What Matters Most will be honoring Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics with the MEDICAL HERO AWARD, Santa Barbara High School with the PARTNERSHIP HERO AWARD and Hospice of Santa Barbara Bereavement Staff with the STAFF HERO AWARD.
Explore an amazing showcase of electric vehicles, including cars, vans, SUV’s, trucks, boats and more at the National Drive Electric Week Ventura EV Showcase from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25 at the Ventura Harbor, 1591 Spinnaker Drive, Main Lawn.
These cars are displayed by their owners who have years of EV ownership and are enthusiastic and willing to discuss their experience and answer your questions about owning an EV. If you own an EV, register with the RSVP button and bring your vehicle to the showcase, meet and mingle with members of our local EV community. Co-sponsored by the Community Environmental Council of Santa Barbara.
To help health science and nursing students gain understanding of the healthcare system from the perspective of local leaders, CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) is launching a symposium series featuring local health care experts who will share their knowledge and experiences.
The first CSUCI HeaLS: Healthcare Leadership Symposium Series event, “Current and Future Challenges in Healthcare,” will be held at CSUCI’s main campus on Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 6 p.m. in the John Spoor Broome Library, Room 1320. The event is open to the public and features four panelists who each bring a unique perspective from the role they serve in healthcare.
The Cottage Heart & Vascular Center will host a free virtual Meet the Doctor event presented in Spanish on heart disease prevention featuring cardiologist Dr. Alejandro Garcia-Revilla, on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, from 4 -5 p.m.
This virtual Spanish presentation will include an English interpreter.
During his presentation Dr. Garcia-Revilla will discuss caring for your heart and vascular system, from prevention to intervention. There will be a question and answer session following the presentation.
Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance (VCREA) announces National Drive Electric Week’s (September 23 – Oct 2, 2022) online and in-person events occurring in more than 180 communities across the country that highlight the climate, clean-air benefits, and cost-savings provided by driving an EV.
A Community Health Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 at Kaiser Permanente Medical Offices, 2200 E. Gonzales Road, Oxnard
These health care screenings are free of charge for the entire family:
Adult/Child Wellness Checks
Flu Shots
Blood Pressure Checks Glaucoma Screening
Blood Glucose Screening
Mobile Health Van
Health Education
Fun Fitness Activities
Health Care Information
Meet Kaiser Permanente Health Care Team
Join 2nd Story Associates on Saturday, October 8th from 10 AM – 2 PM at De La Guerra Plaza for Housing Santa Barbara Day 2022.
This annual free public event is dedicated to connecting community members with local affordable housing non-profit agencies and service providers.
At the event, there will be 30+ community agencies and service providers, informative housing working shops, tenant and landlord resources, ADU resources, workforce housing information, music and entertainment, local food vendors and activities for kids and families.
The free webinar “Finding the Pathway Home: An Introduction to the Methods that Enable a Shared Crossing” will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13.
Hosted by Author and Founder of Shared Crossing Project William Peters, with Special Guest – Dr. Martha Jo Atkins, End of Life Counselor, Teacher and FilmMaker. This free webinar is an introduction to how to experience a shared crossing – a beautiful experience with someone at the end of a life that suggests loving connection and communication beyond this human realm.
Mark your calendar and join us for our annual fundraiser!Our annual fundraiser this year will focus on the efforts to build access to food in the unincorporated community of Saticoy.
Since 2020, Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) has adjusted to the new realities that come with COVID-19 by creating their free illuminate Speaker Series – a virtual series which addresses aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic and offers active solutions to navigate through this new reality.
Next in the lineup will be Richard Louv, who will present “VITAMIN N” AND THE NEW NATURE MOVEMENT on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm PDT. The event is free, but registration is required.
Join U.S. Commercial Service for the ninth session of their “From Local to Global: Celebrating Diversity” event series, as they feature a dynamic panel of founders and leaders from Southern California-based companies, fostering disability inclusion and equity, who will share how they have successfully grown their businesses internationally.
Learn about the opportunities to seek out, as well as the challenges to avoid as you launch or expand your international business.
Receive information and resources that will help you chart your path to global sales and expansion success.
On Sunday, November 6 @ 4:30 pm, the Mental Wellness Center (MWC) will present Project Reboot, a 3-week screen time program that begins with a keynote presentation by Project Reboot’s founder and director, Dino Ambrosi. The presentation will take place at Santa Barbara City College’s Garvin Theatre, and will introduce attendees to new knowledge, skills and habits aimed at reducing reliance on social media and tech screen time.
When joint pain becomes unbearable it can interfere with daily activities and prevent people from doing the things they love. An expert affiliated with the Cottage Center for Orthopedics will discuss treatment options, from pain relief to joint replacement, at a free virtual Meet the Doctor seminar on November 10, from 4-5 pm.
Dr. Jervis Yau, an orthopedic surgeon affiliated with Cottage Health, will provide a virtual presentation on “Shoulder, Hip and Knee Health in the Aging Athlete.” He will discuss causes and symptoms of joint pain, as well as strategies for prevention and treatment. There will be time for questions following the presentation.
Join William Peters M.A., M.Ed., MFT for his upcoming event “The Shared Crossing Pathway Seminar: Accompanying Loved Ones Through a Beautiful End of Life” online seminar on November 11-13, 2022.
Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice’s “Light Up A Life” event provides comfort, solace and an opportunity for those who have lost someone to honor their loved one’s memory. For those we’ve lost near or far, recently departed or long ago, “Light Up A Life” is a thoughtful and heartfelt way to honor their memories and spread some joy this holiday season. The date and time for this year’s Light Up event is:
Constitution Park, Paseo Camarillo, Camarillo, CA 93010 Saturday, December 3rd from 4:30 pm – 5:30pm
The Community Environmental Council Climate Action Webinar: “How the Momentum of Recent Climate Policy is a Win For You,” will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6 via Zoom.
Want to know why the recent wave of federal and California climate legislation is so exciting – and how it can help your pocketbook? Join us to learn how these tremendous policy developments are catalyzing climate momentum like never before. Better yet, get the inside scoop on how they will help you maximize savings on energy upgrades with the latest local, state, and federal consumer tax credits and rebates. Ask your burning questions, and get inspired by the wave of climate progress on the horizon!
Join Hospice of Santa Barbara back in person for their 39th Annual Light Up A Life. This beloved community tradition takes place to remember and honor those you miss this holiday season.
This year, Light Up a Life is back in person and will host four ceremonies, featuring speakers and special guests, entertainment, refreshments, and the lighting of a memorial tree. Guests can also hang one or more stars in memory of a loved one who has died or in honor of someone living.
William Peters, founder of Sharing Crossing Project and author of At Heaven’s Door, will be hosting a live, online Q&A session with the legendary Dr. Raymond A. Moody on the Shared Death Experience and what to make of these life-changing events. On December 10th, enjoy 60 minute Q&A Sessions where you can ask your own questions with a group of engaged, like-minded, inquisitive people as you engage with Raymond and William in a relaxed, open online setting. Be captivated by the discussion of this life-changing topic.
Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) announced (on Dec. 10) that its governing board has appointed Nick Liguori as chief executive officer of the Ventura County Medi-Cal plan effective Feb. 1.
At its monthly meeting on Dec. 16, the Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission (VCMMCC) approved a three-year contract with Mr. Liguori. The contract runs through Jan. 31, 2025.
“We are thrilled to have Nick lead Gold Coast Health Plan for the next three years,” said Dee Pupa, VCMMCC chair and deputy director of managed care at the Ventura County Health Care Agency. “His vast experience as a leader at health plans that focused on serving vulnerable populations will be an asset to Gold Coast Health Plan’s members and providers as the Medi-Cal program undergoes transformational changes in the coming years.”
The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is pleased to announce the addition of new staff members who are meeting this urgent moment in the climate crisis. Each new member represents strengthened resilience within the organization and in the climate work at hand.
Wishing our community a safe, happy and healthy holiday season! We are grateful for our healthcare heroes who are still in the midst of battling the virus and caring for seriously ill patients. May we all take actions to protect ourselves and each other.
To further its commitment to decarbonize operations at the Port of Hueneme, the Oxnard Harbor District voted on December 20th to approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide stevedores with the ability to utilize the district’s existing two new electric terminal tractors (eUTR). These eUTRs are funded through a Zero-and Near zero-Emission Freight Facilities (ZANZEFF) grant project.
“Last month, my fellow Oxnard Harbor Commissioners and I voted unanimously to put us on a path of pursuing a zero-emission future,” said Jason T. Hodge, President of the Oxnard Harbor District that owns the Port of Hueneme. “Our passage of the MOU signals a strong commitment for the continued support of green infrastructure and equipment use at the Port.”
The holiday season is upon us, and for many it’s not the happiest season of all.
While celebrations can bring positive feelings like love and connection, according to the American Psychological Association, 38% of Americans say their stress actually gets worse during the holidays, bringing about negative emotions like fatigue, anger and irritability, which can lead to physical illness, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. The reasons given: lack of time, financial pressure, gift-giving, and family gatherings. And, even after the holidays, many experience a feeling of general disappointment and “let down”.
“One of the most beneficial things we can do leading into the holiday season is to reassess our expectations–our expectations of ourselves, and our expectations of others. This will create a more realistic foundation from which to move forward through the season,” said Annmarie Cameron, CEO of the Mental Wellness Center.
Over 900 farmworker families received close to 3,000 toys and nearly 1,200 boxes of food yesterday thanks to an amazing first-time collaboration among Ventura County Fire Department, our Farmworker Resource Program, and Food Share of Ventura County! We are so grateful for the generosity of our community! There is still time to participate in Spark of Love Toy Drive.
Since Wednesday, there are 329 new COVID-19 cases reported and 15,732 new tests performed. There are 75 people hospitalized, 13 in the ICU. There have been 2 additional deaths of a 41 year old male and a 96 year old male. Our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the community members who passed away. The R-effective for Ventura County is .96 which means the spread is likely stable.
Get vaccinated at a site near you: www.vaccines.gov.
Find a COVID testing site at www.vcrecovers.org/testing
The County of Ventura’s indoor mask order remains in effect
Last summer, we started doffing our masks and reuniting with family and friends. There was a festive glee in the air we breathed as if we who were now vaccinated against COVID were celebrating “The End of the Pandemic.” There was a feeling that now, finally, we could get on with our lives and regard the previous year as something akin to a very bad dream.
The party did not last long. Just as we were putting away the champagne glasses and summer party hats, the Delta variant emerged “from out of nowhere,” quashing our hopes of a return to near normal. We grumbled as we took our masks out from the drawers where we had stored them as “souvenirs” from a crisis that we had survived. Or, if we had ceremoniously burned or shredded our masks, we kvetched as we had to go out and buy new ones.
CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Nursing alumnus Claire Gillette had just finished a 12-hour shift in the emergency room at Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, and she was exhausted. Did she have enough energy for a yoga class before going home?
“I work night shift and I never take that class after a shift because I’m tired, and it’s hot yoga with weights,” Gillette said. “But there was a spot open in the class and I thought ‘I’m feeling into the weights.’”
Had Gillette not joined the class on that particular day, and had she not been prepared with nursing skills she learned at CSUCI, the husband and two sons of Erika Cole, 44, would be spending the holidays without her.
“Claire is the only reason I’m alive today,” Cole said.
An exhibit at the library brings to life the public experiences of COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter.
On December 14, the County Board of Supervisors approved actions that support the creation of more than 235 units of new affordable, permanent supportive housing and transitional housing. “Homelessness and mental illness are our two most pressing social issues, and so I’m delighted that our last board meeting of 2021 capped a year of stepping up to provide shelter and affordable housing and services to these vulnerable populations,” said Chair of the Board Linda Parks.
The projects support those experiencing homelessness, at risk of becoming homeless, transition aged youth (age 18-24) and seniors. The Board also supported the expansion of Behavioral Health Mobile Crisis Care Units and the development of a Transitional Age Youth Rapid Response Team to provide mental health support services throughout the County.
“There is a critical need for housing in our communities. The Board action is a huge step in helping to fill that gap,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers. “In addition to housing, these community members will have access to supportive services to help meet their needs.”
It’s that time of year when the expectations we place on ourselves can be unrealistic, especially when faced with the absence of a loved one. Livingston Memorial’s Grief and Bereavement Program can offer compassion and understanding during this difficult time of year. Livingston offers multiple support groups that focus on restorative activities, seeking meaning and purpose, identifying changes to self, and receiving support in making life good again.
Ventura County Public Health will begin offering residents two $25 gift cards ($50) who get a second COVID vaccine dose starting December 14, while supplies last. Residents receiving a first dose will continue to receive one $25 gift card. View Public Health’s vaccine sites here. Shout out to our awesome nurses Ruby (left) and Mallory (right), for their service to our community!
Earlier this month, I celebrated my seventh anniversary with United Way of Ventura County.
Since I started in 2014, our organization has navigated many changes. We moved to a new office in Ventura, took on multiple disaster response and recovery efforts, developed a program to house the homeless in our community, and now we’re helping our neighbors through the pandemic.
Through it all, we’ve remained remarkably resilient. But the source of our resilience is people like you, who care so deeply about your fellow community members. Your generosity and caring inspire us throughout the year.
It’s truly an honor to lead this incredible team, to serve those in need, and to help improve the conditions for all in community. We strive to lead with compassion and unity, rather than division. It’s the United Way.
An in-depth research projected conducted at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) this year showed how well students with disabilities fared during virtual learning brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and indicated what needs still needed to be addressed.
The project, called “Exploring Service Allocations and Student Success for CI Students with Disabilities Before, During, and After Virtual Instruction Due to COVID-19,” was part of an ongoing program run by the CSU Chancellor’s Office called the Data Analytics Certificate Program. Out of all 23 campuses, the Chancellor’s Office highlighted CSUCI’s data research study as one of the top three projects.
“We were able to put together an incredibly rich data set,” said CSUCI Director of Disability Accommodations & Support Services (DASS) Michelle Resnick, who led the project. “This rich data set tells a lot of story and there is the potential to really drill down and see what needs to be done.”
The illicit arms trade is a subject of the utmost interest for Mexico and the entire Latin American region due to the violence that this activity brings about. Despite the specific national contexts, the violence caused by arms trafficking has consequences of great magnitude on the quality of life of our populations, as well as, on the development of our countries.
In that regard, last August, the Government of Mexico filed a lawsuit, before a United States federal district court against manufacturers and distributors of firearms, for negligent commercial practices that promote arms trafficking to our country. It is important to point out that the litigation is not against the U.S. government nor against the right of U.S. citizens to own and bear arms in their country (Second Amendment of its Constitution). The aim is to prevent criminal groups from benefiting from this illicit trafficking, that is, the drug cartels who do not have the right to possess and bear arms.
Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D – Thousand Oaks) joined Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub and Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko this morning to announce her plans to introduce legislation to respond to the recent occurrences of brazen organized retail theft in California.
“We have all seen the news accounts of store clerks being pistol whipped, shoppers being pepper sprayed, and thieves using sledgehammers to threaten anyone in their way,” shared Assemblymember Irwin. “I will not wait out this holiday season and let these organized groups continue to believe they can prey on California shoppers and retailers with no repercussions.”
Supervisor Joan Hartmann, who represents the area that recently burned in the Alisal Fire, recently sent out information to her constituents regarding an Evacuation Order that has been issued for the Alisal Fire burn scar. From Supervisor Hartmann:
“Meteorologists and emergency personnel continue to track an intense winter storm expected to arrive in Santa Barbara County around 6 pm tonight. This storm is expected to bring periods of heavy rain and high winds through Tuesday morning.
Rainfall totals could exceed 1″ or more per hour, which exceeds the thresholds for possible debris flows in the Alisal burn area.
Given these rainfall projections, the Sheriff issued an evacuation order for the Alisal burn area which went into effect at noon today. The Sheriff is going door-to-door to inform residents about the evacuation and to educate residents about storm related risks. The Sheriff, Fire Department and Public Works Department are all stationing emergency resources and staff to respond to this upcoming storm.”
The County of Ventura Public Health Department has received confirmation of its first case of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with the new Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). The individual, who is a fully vaccinated adult, is self-isolating, and their symptoms are improving without medical care. A small number of close contacts have been identified and, to date, all have tested negative and have no symptoms. The contacts have been asked to follow the quarantine protocol.
“Throughout the pandemic, we have always known there would be more mutations, resulting in the possibility of a more transmissible variant than the Delta variant,” said Public Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin. “While we can’t know for certain the impact of Omicron at this time, the good news is that we already know how to reduce transmission and slow spread. I encourage community members to take the steps that we know offer protection, including getting vaccinated, completing your vaccination series, or getting boosted, getting tested and staying at home if you feel sick or are a close contact, and wearing your mask indoors and at large mega events.”
The generosity of County employees on full display in Downtown Ventura! Big shout out to all county agencies that helped build a forest of trees contributing to Food Share of Ventura County’s Can Tree Build today! A heartfelt thank you to Food Share all volunteers that make this effort possible. All hands on deck to make sure no family goes hungry this season and throughout the year!
“I’m not going to see a doctor. Why should I? I feel fine!”
I’m willing to bet that we’ve all heard this line, or variations of it, from people we know. Or perhaps we ourselves have this belief that if we are feeling well, then visits to doctors’ offices are futile, a waste of precious time, and a fool’s errand. Admittedly, for many people, visits to their doctor could also very well feel like a waste of their money if the test results indicate, over and over, that “all is normal.”
As one example of the cost of ignoring routine medical tests, let’s consider one “silent disease” that often goes undetected: glaucoma. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, over three million Americans have glaucoma, a disease that seriously affects vision over time, but only half of them are aware of their condition. However, early detection can prevent the otherwise inevitable loss of vision.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) ranks Ventura County fourth in the nation for securing funding for COVID-19 response. “The County took an aggressive approach in seeking FEMA reimbursement for the County’s $104 million in costs associated with our community-based testing and vaccine efforts in 2020. This approach was an administratively arduous task; however, the benefit was that it allowed our County to maximize the investment back into the community with more than $150 million in local assistance,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants to government following a presidential disaster declaration to quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. The process to obtain grants is extensive.“It is outstanding. It really says something about our staff that they were able to do the extra work to make this happen. It certainly paid off for members of our community,” said Chair of the Board Supervisor Linda Parks.
A newly installed helispot on the campus of Thomas Aquinas College got its first use Tuesday afternoon as the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) trained a crew in advanced firefighting techniques using one of its recently purchased Sikorsky Firehawk helicopters.
“The new helispot at Thomas Aquinas College – less than a mile from where the 2017 Thomas Fire started — greatly aids our firefighting abilities in the Santa Paula area,” Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen said. “We no longer need to fly our helicopters to Fillmore to fill water tanks. That means we can put more water on a fire while it’s small, giving it less time to spread.”
It was Doug Herder’s second day on the job at the Simi Valley Family YMCA. He had just arrived to work when he suddenly lost consciousness and fell to the floor. He was without a pulse, wasn’t breathing and his eyes were fixed and dilated. Because of quick action by YMCA staff and a YMCA member who immediately administered CPR, Herder survived. All those involved in Herder’s emergency care including first responders and Adventist Health Simi Valley nurses and staff were honored during a November 30 celebration of life at the YMCA.
YMCA staff member Joe Piscitello saw Herder on the floor first. “I checked his pulse and airways,” says Piscitello. He alerted Erin Wimmer, the Y’s Director of Healthy Living, who called 911 and retrieved an automated external defibrillator (AED). Stephen Bilbrey, a YMCA member, was just leaving after a workout, began chest compressions. After about three minutes of chest compressions, CPR resuscitation breathing and using the AED, Herder took a deep breath. “Seconds later, EMT personnel arrived and took over,” says Bilbrey.
This year, Unity Shoppe, Inc. will continue its proud 25-year tradition of working with Friendship Center to ensure that our members always have a wonderful Christmas/Winter Holiday season.
Unity Shoppe provides special hand-picked gifts for our members based on questionnaires each fills out. Each Friendship Center member receives a present especially chosen and wrapped for them to enjoy during our Annual Holiday Celebration.
These pictures from years past show us the true meaning of friendship and the enjoyment received by our members as they open up their special gifts!
Thank you Unity Shoppe! We appreciate everything you do for us!
Since Friday, there are 623 new COVID-19 cases reported and 15,079 new tests performed. There are 45 people hospitalized, 7 in the ICU. There have been no additional deaths reported. The R-effective for Ventura County is 1.12 which means the spread is likely increasing.
California Department of Public Health Omicron Fact Sheet
Find a COVID testing location
Get a COVID vaccine or booster shot
Get a copy of your digital vaccine record
76.6% of community members (ages 5+) have received one or more COVID vaccine doses.
70.0% of eligible community members have been fully vaccinated.
76.4% of community members 12+ have been fully vaccinated.
Stay informed at www.vcrecovers.org.
Kaiser Permanente’s 2022 Rose Parade® float theme, “A Healthier Future,” celebrates the dedication and talents of our health care heroes and the possibilities that exist when passionate people come together to use their expertise for the greater good. The float embodies the 2022 Tournament of Roses® parade theme, “Dream. Believe. Achieve.,” a celebration that childhood dreams become careers that make the world a better place.
Kaiser Permanente has a total of 39 hospitals and 730 medical offices across its eight operating markets, including Market Street Medical Offices in Ventura, California.
Ventura County Fire Department Chief Mark Lorenzen has announced his retirement to take place in early 2022. “Mark’s leadership has helped build our Fire Protection District into one of the most innovative and advanced Fire organizations in the nation,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers. “Mark will truly be missed. I appreciate his focus on community engagement and emergency preparedness. He has assembled an outstanding leadership team that has demonstrated their excellence time and again through the largest wildfires the County has ever faced.”
A collaborative of local water districts, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD), Triunfo Water & Sanitation District (TWSD) and Calleguas Municipal Water District (Calleguas), are urging significant water use reductions by their customers after the California Department of Water Resources (CADWR) announced a 0% initial allocation from the State Water Project (SWP) for the upcoming year. The December 1 announcement comes amid worsening drought conditions throughout the state.
With limited to no local sources of water, LVMWD, TWSD and Calleguas depend heavily on imported water from the SWP purchased through the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). Given their location in MWD’s service area, all three agencies substantially rely on SWP supplies; only a limited amount of Colorado River water can reach the westernmost portion of MWD’s service area due to pumping and infrastructure constraints – increasing the urgency to step up conservation actions locally. Logistically, the 0% allocation will impact this region the most.
A confirmed case of the Omicron variant is in California. Californians can protect themselves by getting vaccinated and boosted, wearing a mask, getting tested if they have any symptoms and staying home if sick. Get the facts about the Omicron variant here: bit.ly/omicronvariant
Jaan Landheer joins the Mental Wellness Center as the new Program Manager for the Fellowship Club. Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Jaan returned to his hometown after graduating UC Santa Cruz to become a street outreach worker.
Jaan brings experience working with young adults and children with mental health challenges as a therapeutic behavioral specialist for youth at Casa Pacifica. He has always had a passion for supporting others with mental health awareness.
Since Wednesday, there are 323 new COVID-19 cases reported and 14,189 new tests performed. There are 36 people hospitalized, 5 in the ICU. There has been 1 new death of a 73 year old female. Our thoughts and sincere condolences to the loved ones of those that have passed away. The R-effective for Ventura County is .88 which means the spread is likely decreasing.
The California Department of Public Health has released a statement about the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. Read it here.
The holiday celebrations started early for children receiving care at the Pediatric Unit at the Ventura County Medical Center! This year the Ventura County Fire Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) team used a rope rescue system that allowed them to position Santa Claus on the pediatric level of the hospital where there is an outdoor play area. The rope rescue exercise helped deliver toys to special children and also gave the US&R team valuable training. Join us in dropping off a toy, sporting good or unperishable food at any fire station or participating location to help bring joy to children in need this season. More information at: vcfd.org/sparkoflovedropoff.
With shopping and preparations underway for Thanksgiving dinners with family and friends, the Ventura County Fire Department reminds everyone to practice fire safety in the kitchen when the cooking starts.
Cooking is the leading cause of Thanksgiving Day fires, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Data Center. Also, the National Fire Protection Association reports that two thirds of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.
“Kitchens can get busy and distracting when family and friends gather for big, holiday meals,” Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen said. “The extra hustle and bustle add to the risk of a mistake that can ruin more than a celebration. We want you and your family to enjoy the holiday safely.”
Get Vaccinated, Including a Booster Shot if You’re Eligible
Vaccines are the best way to end the pandemic and they prevent COVID-19 illness, hospitalization and death. They’re safe, effective and free. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and visit MyTurn.ca.gov to get vaccinated.
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has approved the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency Groundwater Sustainability Plans, covering Oxnard and Pleasant Valley Basins—its two critically over-drafted basins.
The California Department of Water Resources released its second round of assessments of Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) developed by local agencies to meet the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act requirements.
Public Health Nurse Mallory Perper and Kyle Culkin of the Emergency Medical Services Agency were among the amazing staff members that made the COVID and Flu Vaccine event at Santa Clara High School in Oxnard over the weekend a great success! Brittany Romane RN BSN of the Public Health Immunization Program is pictured giving both flu and booster shots to Ross Kocen, volunteer with the Medical Reserve Corps. Ross has volunteered at vaccination sites since December of 2020 when the first COVID vaccines arrived in our county! Our team continues to work hard to move us forward and we are so grateful!
The pandemic has led to one of the greatest periods of job loss, career changes and a restructuring of how work is performed, (i.e. working remotely, flexible schedules, etc.). While much of this has deeply impacted the economic wellbeing of millions of Americans and has caused stress and disruption, there may be some longer term positive outcomes. As the economy starts to recover and jobs are becoming more abundant, the crisis has given many of us some flexibility and time to think about our careers and our lives…perhaps bordering on existential questions like… “Who are we?” “Who do we want to be?” “Where can we best contribute?” And most importantly, “What kind of work is actually meaningful for us and our work-life balance that we have now come to appreciate in this changing period–weighing the need to support ourselves and our families with a growing urge to do something new as this crisis has subsided?”
As part of a statewide Vaccination Response Program developed by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), CenCal Health is implementing a multi-strategy initiative to increase protection against COVID-19. CenCal Health is the Medi-Cal health plan for both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties with nearly 210,000 members, primarily children, families and seniors with low-income. The goal of the new initiative is to fully vaccinate members who are not vaccinated or received only one dose due to vaccine-hesitancy, lack of transportation or a disability that keeps them homebound. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently recommended that children 5 to 11 years receive the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine.
In Journey to Ixtlan, by Carlos Castaneda, Don Juan explains to Carlos, that after more than a decade, of “ordinary exploration” he is on the precipice of stopping the world and seeing for the first time, “You have simply stopped the world…Yesterday the world became as sorcerers tell you it is, in this world coyotes talk and so do deer, as I once told you, so do rattlesnakes and trees and all other living being. But what I want you to learn is seeing. Perhaps you know now that seeing happens when one sneaks between the worlds, the worlds of ordinary people and the world of sorcerers.”
The Santa Barbara County Food Action Network (SBCFAN) and the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) have launched the Food System Resilience Loan Program, a unique financing option for local food businesses that provides an equitable opportunity to access financing, address gaps in our food system, and ensure that their businesses thrive.
Ventura County Public Works Agency, Water and Sanitation (PWA-WS) went before the Ventura County Board of Supervisors on November 16th to ensure the County of Ventura complies with new state solid waste laws and regulations, as prescribed by the state enacted Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383).
SB 1383 is the most significant waste reduction mandate to be adopted in the state of California in the last 30 years and becomes effective January 1, 2022. The statewide effort was enacted to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP’s), which contribute to climate change and resident health. SB1383 requires the state to reduce organic waste by 75 percent and increase edible food recovery by 20 percent by 2025. The bill also aims to reduce methane, a greenhouse gas emission far more detrimental than carbon dioxide.
Dr. Ali Maamar-Tayeb leads the incredible team at the Ventura County Medical Center and Santa Paula Hospital treating patients with some of the most complex neurological cases. We are so proud to have Dr. Maamar-Tayeb on our team and appreciate his work in again achieving the American Heart Association Stroke- Get With The Guidelines- Award! Learn more at www.vchca.org.
COVID-19 Update
ligible Triunfo Water & Sanitation District potable water customers can receive a $15 reduction on their monthly water bill.
To qualify, water customers must submit one of three documents: a copy of their Southern California Edison or Southern California Gas bill showing enrollment in the California Alternate Rates For Energy (CARE) program, a copy of the first page of their federal tax return or Form SSA 1099 if only receiving Social Security income. The document must show that the customer meets income threshold levels (i.e., $34,480 maximum for a household of one or two people).
The fire agencies of Ventura County will honor four firefighters who lost their lives to job-related illnesses during the annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial remembrance Wednesday at 10 a.m.
The outdoor ceremony is being limited to families and invited guests of the firefighters being honored with COVID precautions in place due to the continuing pandemic. A livestream will be available on our Facebook page for others who would like to watch.
Our Public Health mobile team has administered over 65,000 COVID vaccine doses! Their efforts are in partnership with local organizations and are focused on areas with lower vaccination rates. We are so grateful for their continued work to help us move forward!
The City Center announced today that they have received a $50,000 matching donation from an anonymous donor. This gift will match donations made to The City Center?now through?December?25th,?2021.? The City Center is asking Ventura County to support their work in helping local homeless families become self-sufficient.? “Many people complain about the problem with homelessness in our county, but now is the time to be proactive, to realize YOU can make a difference,” said Cheryl?Heitmann, former mayor of Ventura City, “Now is a particularly good time to support The City Center, as every $1 raised will be matched, up to $50,000, and don’t forget there are also tax benefits for donations before year-end.? Our community needs to push together to help?our?most vulnerable population.? No child should be homeless. Ever.”?
The biggest project of the Ventura County Civic Alliance is our State of the Region report, which we’ve produced every two years since 2013. The 2021 edition, published on Nov. 12, will be presented at a launch event at the Ventura County Office of Education in Camarillo on Nov. 17. The 116-page report delves into 10 different areas of life in Ventura County.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conducted the final inspection for the construction of the Ferro Channel today as part of the on-going Beardsley Watershed project authorized through the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention (PL-566) program in 1963. The work was funded by an agreement between NRCS and the County of Ventura and carried out by Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Watershed Protection. The program was worth approximately $3M for construction and $500,000 of technical assistance. With this project completion, it will signify the last remaining structure identified in the watershed workplan. Greg Norris, State Conservation Engineer, performed the final inspection and certified that the project is complete.
“Almost 60 years of this amazing partnership supports the Beardsley watershed and I am pleased to see the tremendous amount of work that was completed to benefit agriculture and rural communities,” NRCS State Conservationist Carlos Suarez said.
COVID-19 Update
Since Monday, there are 302 new COVID-19 cases reported and 9,663 new tests performed. There are 35 people hospitalized, 2 in the ICU. There has been 1 additional death of a 94 year old male. Our thoughts and sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the community member.
75.8% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.
82.1% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
83.4% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
Public Health vaccination clinics and state testing sites will be closed in observance of Veteran’s Day on Thursday, November 11, 2021. Other providers also offer testing and vaccines. More infomration: www.vcrecovers.org.
Children ages 5 and over are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. Talk to your child’s doctor or visit MyTurn.ca.gov to make an appointment.
Find a vaccine site and filter by vaccine type at www.vaccines.gov.
Get a digital copy of your vaccine record: https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/
Booster Information | Booster Questions & Answers
As the region becomes increasingly vulnerable to fire due to extreme drought and heat conditions exacerbated by climate change, community leaders and organizations have come together to proactively address fire risk in Santa Barbara County. For over a year, a dedicated team, which included the Cachuma Resource Conservation District, LegacyWorks Group, Community Environmental Council, McGinnis Environmental and Conservation Biology Institute engaged numerous partners in the fields of fire protection, education, environmental stewardship, restoration, land management, agriculture, neighborhood associations and government leadership. Together, the partners identified fire risk reduction opportunities and developed a suite of project ideas. Nearly 200 potential projects were identified and 50 high impact opportunities were prioritized addressing:
With mountain snowpacks shrinking in the western U.S., researchers analyze when a low-to-no-snow future might arrive and the implications for water management.
As the season gently changes from summer to fall, and we begin to notice the crisp evening air, it is a natural time to reflect upon the year we’ve had. This past year has been full of new awareness, regular adaptations, and a profound recognition of our collective wellbeing. In response to this, we have all taken measures to care for ourselves and others, and manage our new reality. “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” and “Focus on what matters most,” and “Humor is the best medicine” seem to be popular saving graces we have all put to use as we go about our days.
Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D – Thousand Oaks) announced $1 million secured in the 2021-22 State Budget for the expansion of the Ventura County Family Justice Center (VCFJC) into the city of Oxnard.
“The Family Justice Center is something that everyone in Ventura County can take great pride in. This funding to expand the center into Oxnard means more services and better access to justice for the communities that need this assistance. Thank you to District Attorney Nasarenko for the foresight to grow this important program,” stated Assemblymember Irwin.
COVID-19 Update
Since Wednesday, there are 19 new COVID-19 cases reported and 13,527 new tests performed. There are 37 people hospitalized, 6 in the ICU. There have been 2 additional deaths of a 75 year old male and a 97 year old male.Our thoughts and sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of those who have passed. The R-effective in Ventura County is 1.05, which means that the spread of COVID-19 is likely stable.
75.5% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.
81.6% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
83.0% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
The state testing sites will be closed In observance of Veteran’s Day on Thursday, November 11, 2021. Other providers also offer testing. COVID testing information is available at www.vcrecovers.org.
Administration
Letter from Heidi
Virtual Tour of FC
Catholic Daughters
Covid Booster Update
Program
Connections Resumes Nov. 16
Halloween Party
Cycling without Age
¡Feliz Día de Los Muertos! Community members celebrated the holiday this weekend through dance, art, altars, and song at the Soliz-El Rio Library event in Oxnard, honoring ancestors and loved ones who have passed.
United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) Board of Directors welcomes Tim Armour. Tim quickly joined UWSBC’s Marketing & Communications Committee where he has helped enhance UWSBC’s messaging. Armour was born in Santa Barbara and lived in Montecito until his family moved away in 1960. He grew up in Westchester County, NY and graduated from Gettysburg College in 1970 and spent 3 years as a Supply Officer in the U. S. Navy. After receiving an M.B.A. from Columbia University in 1975, he embarked on a marketing career first with General Foods in product management and then with Citibank in NYC and Chicago. He later became President of Stein Roe Mutual Funds in Chicago and President of Morningstar Inc. which went public in 2005.
Nurses, teachers, labor leaders, elected officials and concerned residents held a news conference at the Kern County Administrative Building in Bakersfield (on Oct. 28) to release a report revealing extensive use in Kern and Ventura Counties of 13 pesticides linked to childhood cancers. The group, organized by the Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment (CRPE) and the Ventura County-Coalition Advocating for Pesticide Safety (VC-CAPS), called on state and local governments to restrict the use of these pesticides, and web-post warnings before they and other hazardous pesticides are used.
The report reveals regular use in the Kern-Ventura area of 11 out of 13 pesticides identified in two recent studies by UCLA as being linked to early childhood cancers. The UCLA studies found that these pesticides increase risk of a child developing specific forms of cancers ranging from 1.60 times (or 60% increased chance) to 3.38 times (or 238% elevated risk), if their mothers lived within 2.5 miles of the pesticide application while pregnant. More than 28 countries have banned or not approved 10 of the 13 pesticides.
Fall is in the air across our food system – the mornings are crisp and the days are shorter as farmers transition from tomatoes, peppers, and corn to pumpkins, root vegetables, pomegranates, pears, apples, and walnuts. Local ranchers are raising turkeys for holiday feasts and fishermen are pulling California Spiny lobster and Ridgeback shrimp out of the cooler coastal waters.
When surrounded by this incredible bounty of locally produced food, it can at times be easy to take for granted the many food system actors who help get our food from farm to table. As you’ll read in our Santa Maria Community Profile, training programs for the next generation of food producers are critical to ensuring accessible pathways to careers in agriculture – and a vibrant future for our food system.
In light of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent declaration of a statewide drought emergency, including a voluntary 15 percent reduction in water usage, the Triunfo Water & Sanitation District is urging its water customers to take advantage of current water conservation rebates.
For a limited time, a $3 per square foot rebate is available to replace lawns with organic, drought-tolerant landscaping and water-saving irrigation systems. “This offer will last until funding runs out,” says Triunfo Board Chair Raymond Tjulander. “Then, the rebate will likely return to $2 per square foot so it’s best to act now if you’re thinking of replacing your lawn. A 500 square-foot lawn conversion can mean a $1,500 rebate.”
Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D – Thousand Oaks) announced that $330,000 in state funding was secured for the Camarillo Health Care District for their work during the COVID 19 pandemic.
“Camarillo Health Care District’s work during the early days of the pandemic is a great example of how we all came together to take care of each other,” stated Assemblymember Irwin. “They didn’t ask if they would be reimbursed or have their budget backfilled, they just did the work to serve their clients and ultimately our community. I’m pleased we were able to secure much needed financial support through the state budget for their important work, so their critical programs can continue to serve the residents of Camarillo and the surrounding area.”
The Centers for Disease Control and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup have endorsed the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of Booster shots for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVD-19 vaccines. The endorsement allows for administering Booster doses of all three FDA-approved vaccines – Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. People may receive booster shots of either the vaccine they originally received or a different vaccine.
“With more residents eligible to receive booster shots, our community is one step closer to enhancing our protection from the virus at this stage in the pandemic,” said Dr. Robert Levin, County of Ventura Health Officer. “All three vaccines, including their boosters, are proven to be safe and highly effective in reducing the risk of hospitalization and death from COVID.”
I am excited to announce that the Simi Valley Animal Shelter is, once again, fully open for all business, including pet adoptions! I am equally pleased to report that pet adoptions have steadily increased to match the expected rise of stray animals coming into our care.
As a reminder, adoption hours are 1:00pm – 6:00pm, Tuesday – Sunday, at both the Camarillo and Simi Valley locations. We encourage everyone to preview our dogs, cats, rabbits and other critters online prior to your visit. Also, please take a moment to review our new and improved adoption process which employs text messaging to reduce wait times and long lines.
Our staff and volunteers are here to answer questions and help make the best matches possible! Thank you for your continued support of our lifesaving efforts!
The Ventura County Public Health Officer has extended the indoor mask order, requiring all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face coverings when indoors in public settings, with limited exceptions. “The order is necessary to reduce the rate of community spread and to reinforce the need for safe interactions. We will continue to monitor transmission rates, hospitalizations, deaths and vaccination rates throughout the County,” said Public Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin.
