Category: Local

Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s Summer ‘Find My Genius’ Closes The Achievement Gap

by Community Contributor • July 16, 2021 • Comments Off

Young scholars from two local school districts are taking part in “Find My Genius” this summer. The five-week program, sponsored by the Southeast Ventura County YMCA, Conejo Valley Unified School District and Las Virgenes Unified School District, is designed to reduce the achievement gap that often occurs over summer break.

The program is offered at no cost to low- and moderate-income students entering K-6thgrades who are not reading at grade level. Of the 240 children participating, half attend the program at Conejo Elementary School in Thousand Oaks and half attend at Sumac Elementary School in Agoura Hills.

United Way of Ventura County — Women United Education Awards Tickets on Sale Now!

by Community Contributor • July 16, 2021 • Comments Off

Women United
2021 Education Awards
Tickets Now on Sale

Bilingual report — Consulado de Mexico en Oxnard — Entrega de comida y ropa en Oxnard – Programa Beacon of Hope

by Community Contributor • July 16, 2021 • Comments Off

Entrega de comida y ropa en Oxnard – Programa Beacon of Hope

Santa Ynez Valley Riders Offers Membership Discounts in Time for Summer

by Community Contributor • July 15, 2021 • Comments Off

As Santa Barbara begins to return to a ‘normal life’ after the pandemic, the Santa Ynez Valley Riders (SYVR) are helping provide some open-air, family fun this summer.

SYVR is a riding club dedicated to the sheer enjoyment of trail riding and is open to all breeds of horses and styles of riding. SYVR offers opportunities for individuals and families to bring their horse and trail ride on some of the most beautiful and remote landscapes in Santa Barbara County and the Central Coast area. They invite anyone who shares a love of horses to join them for some fun and unique trail riding in time for the summer.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley Announces New Board Member: Rachelle Wan

by Community Contributor • July 15, 2021 • Comments Off

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley is excited to announce its newest board member, Rachelle Wan.

Wan has more than 25 years of experience as a pharmaceutical expert and executive. She is skilled in leading and mentoring diverse teams to their maximum professional potential. Her family moved to Southern California five and a half years ago to begin her career at Amgen. Her many responsibilities and initiatives as an executive director at Amgen include owning pricing and contracting elements for the company’s diverse brands, delivering financial reporting for quarterly earnings reporting, and helping achieve the successful integration of the Otezla acquisition.

Assemblymember Irwin Holds Press Conference to Announce $3.3 Million in Funding for Conejo Recreation & Park District COVID Work

by Community Contributor • July 15, 2021 • Comments Off

THOUSAND OAKS — Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D – Thousand Oaks) held a press conference at Conejo Creek North Park (on July 14) to announce $3.3 Million secured in the 2021-22 State Budget for the Conejo Recreation & Park District (CRPD). The announcement included some words from Doug Nickles, Chair of the CRPD Board of Directors and General Manager, Jim Friedl. Both the legislator and guest speakers covered the need for the crucial state budget funding that was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom late Monday evening.

“When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, CRPD went above and beyond to fulfill the needs of our community members who most needed help,”stated Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin. “Senator Stern and I were determined to secure this funding in the state budget, because the work their amazing staff have done for our community during these trying times is truly priceless.”

July News from People’s Self-Help Housing

by Community Contributor • July 15, 2021 • Comments Off

People’s continues to build at a full clip throughout our Central Coast service area. Last month we began an apartment rehabilitation project in Isla Vista, a new apartment construction project is starting soon in Pismo Beach, and a self-help builders’ homeownership project is heading toward completion in the months ahead in King City.

Though our pace has increased, so has the unrelenting advance of the affordable housing crisis. In light of statistics back in the headlines, we will need to take it to the next level to move the needle further. We define housing as being affordable when it does not exceed 30% of a households’ income. This gives a senior living on Social Security only $283 to spend. Recent reports indicate that fair market rent for a one-bedroom apartment in our footprint is now at $1,522. For a full time employee earning $13 an hour, they would have to put in 90 hours of work a week to afford this.

Museum of Ventura County — Thank You for Joining Us for ‘Local History Happy Hour’ with Dr. Frank Barajas!

by Community Contributor • July 15, 2021 • Comments Off

If you joined us for Local History Happy Hour with Frank Barajas, thank you. Dr. Barajas spoke about his book Mexican Americans with Moxie: A Transgenerational History of El Movimiento Chicano in Ventura County, California, 1945-1975. During this lively conversation with the Barbara Barnard Executive Director Elena Brokaw, he shared personal stories, deep insights into the cross-cultural dynamics of the region, and answered questions from the audience.

If you missed Local History Happy Hour with Frank Barajas, the video is now available to view and share on the MVC YouTube Channel!

Last Day — United Way of Ventura County’s 2021 Stuff The Bus Campaign

by Community Contributor • July 15, 2021 • Comments Off

This is the last day for our Stuff the Bus school supply drive!

Thank you for helping us reach our goal!

Provide essential school supplies for local students experiencing homelessness or from disadvantaged families.

You can help pave the path to academic success for a child from a homeless or low-income family. Furthermore, your support not only provides essential school supplies – studies show that it also promotes learning, building self-esteem, and helps ensure that our youth stay in school.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for July 14, 2021

by Community Contributor • July 14, 2021 • Comments Off

Since the last update on Monday, July 12, there have been 80 new COVID-19 cases and 4,148 new tests performed. 0 additional deaths.

70.8% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
63.2% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has been fully vaccinated.
73.5% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
66.0% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has been fully vaccinated.

Anyone ages 12 and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine for free in Ventura County. No appointment is needed. View the schedule of vaccine sites at www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/. Want to plan ahead? Schedule an appointment at www.myturn.ca.gov or call 833-422-4255.

COVID-19 are available at Ventura County Public Health Clinics and Mobile Clinics, pharmacies, health care providers, ambulatory and urgent care, among other locations.

Click here for information about COVID-19 testing.

VCCU employees help Make a Wish come true for local child

by Community Contributor • July 14, 2021 • Comments Off

Delilah is an energetic 5-year-old who always has a smile on her face. She also has a nervous system disorder that causes seizures and has endured many hospital visits in her young life. She loves to play outside with her sister, so she and her family wished for a backyard playset with a shady playhouse. In partnership with Make-A-Wish® Tri-Counties, Ventura County Credit Union employees helped make Delilah’s wish come true.

Through a series of fun employee events and activities, VCCU raised $5,000 to make Delilah’s wish come true. Her playset has a slide, swings, a climbing wall and a playhouse that Delilah can enjoy all year long.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Big Step to Legalize Utility-Scale Solar, Save Water, & Drive Safely!

by Community Contributor • July 14, 2021 • Comments Off

It meant a lot to me to be able to have my oldest daughter, Ya’Ash, sit beside me on the dais today as we provided direction to staff on the development of our Utility-Scale Solar ordinance – meaning we are one step closer to legalizing utility-scale solar in our County. We must live our values and move away from our dependency on fossil fuels by creating clean energy locally. I fight so hard on turning the tide on climate change to ensure our children, including my daughters, have a habitable planet to live on. While I was in the legislature, I missed the final vote on SB 350 in 2015 (a bill that I carried on the Assembly side and, at the time, created the highest goal for clean energy in the country at 50%) due to Ya’Ash’s birth so having her by my side today was extra meaningful. I’m still fighting for clean energy and we’ve made incredible progress in the last six years and more progress is yet to come!

United Way of Santa Barbara County’s Fun in the Sun (FITS) and Early Learning Success Institutes (ELSI) Programs Kick off to Address Pandemic-related Learning Loss

by Community Contributor • July 14, 2021 • Comments Off

United Way of Santa Barbara County’s (UWSBC) Fun in the Sun (FITS) and Early Learning Success Institutes (ELSI) summer programs have launched to address pandemic-related learning loss for Santa Barbara County’s most financially and academically at-risk students and their families. Both of these programs are managed in direct partnership with school districts to help improve the academic results of students across the County.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, students across the globe face learning loss not experienced in modern history. The stakes are especially high for students in their elementary school years. If these students are unable to close the learning gap, they face substantial future difficulty graduating high school.

Dr. Helen Benjamin to serve as interim Superintendent/President of SBCC

by Community Contributor • July 14, 2021 • Comments Off

At its July 14 board retreat, the SBCC Board of Trustees announced a board motion to appoint Dr. Helen Benjamin as interim Superintendent/President pending final approval at the July 22 board meeting. The appointment is for six weeks. Dr. Benjamin came out of retirement and previously served as interim Superintendent/President at SBCC for several months in the Spring, Summer and Fall of 2019. She will do so again in the same capacity.

EDC Business Alert- California Comeback Plan

by Community Contributor • July 14, 2021 • Comments Off

On July 12, 2021, Governor Newsom signed the California Comeback Plan to help the State’s recovery. The California Comeback Plan focuses on providing relief to those that need it most and major investments to address the state’s most persistent challenges. The Plan provides immediate cash relief to middle class families and businesses hit hardest by the pandemic.

Resources for Small Businesses

More information on how to access the following funds will be available soon.

UCSB — The Current — Building Futures and more news

by Community Contributor • July 14, 2021 • Comments Off

Scholars Jeffrey Stewart and Victor Rios have been named to MacArthur Foundation Chairs.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Public Works Agency Seeks Community Input for Upcoming Flood Protection Project

by Community Contributor • July 13, 2021 • Comments Off

Ventura County Public Works Agency Watershed Protection (VCPWA-WP) is soliciting input from the community regarding the scope and content of the Santa Clara River Levee Improvements Upstream of Highway 101 (SCR-1) Project Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

The project would consist of improvements to the existing SCR-1 levee to meet Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) levee certification criteria. The improvements would provide adequate flood protection to structures and roadways while increasing the level of protection to residents and businesses in the northern portion of the City of Oxnard that is located within the one percent annual chance flood zone.

Museum of Ventura County — Summer Exhibits + Programs are now open!

by Community Contributor • July 13, 2021 • Comments Off

Local History
Happy Hour
with Alicia Doyle

July 27 @ 5-6pm

Join us on Zoom (or in-person,
for MVC members only!) for
the next installment featuring Alicia Doyle, author of Fighting Chance.

Admission is free with registration.

RSVP on Facebook for special updates!

Santa Paula Art Museum — Spend an Afternoon With Us! (Or Anytime, Really)

by Community Contributor • July 13, 2021 • Comments Off

An Afternoon at the Museum: A Free Family Event

Sunday, July 18, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Spend an Afternoon at the Museum seeing, making and learning about art! On Sunday, July 18, families are invited to explore and create art inspired by the Museum’s current exhibitions: Colors of California, Making Waves, and What Remains. After you’ve viewed the art, head outside to the Museum’s courtyard for some fun and free art activities. Museum educators will show you how to make art using a variety of media.

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — You Belong

by Community Contributor • July 13, 2021 • Comments Off

We are delighted to welcome you back into MCASB galleries!

Join the MCASB family! Membership offers you invitations to opening receptions, tickets to programs, access to more than 900 museums in North America, AND you are helping to sustain MCASB’s key role in supporting community resources and the perspectives of artists as they explore contemporary discourse, ideas, and representation. Become part of the MCASB family by selecting one of our four membership levels, or joining one of our five supporting circles!

New CSUCCESS Initiative Will Enhance Equity and Student Achievement for CSU Students

by Community Contributor • July 12, 2021 • Comments Off

The California State University (CSU) on July 12 announced the launch of the first phase of CSUCCESS (California State University Connectivity Contributing to Equity and Student Success), a bold initiative to enhance student achievement and create more equitable opportunities for the CSU community by providing industry-leading technology. As part of the initial phase which kicks off with the upcoming fall 2021 term at eight campuses, the CSU will offer an iPad Air, Apple Pencil and Apple Smart Keyboard Folio to all incoming first-year and new transfer students who register to participate in the initiative. Students will be provided with this iPad bundle for the entirety of their undergraduate experience at the CSU.

So Far So Good. No New Water Restrictions For Triunfo Water & Sanitation District Water Customers

by Community Contributor • July 12, 2021 • Comments Off

The Triunfo Water & Sanitation District, which provides drinking water to communities in the southeastern portion of Ventura County, currently has enough potable (drinking) water to avoid imposing new water restrictions on its 14,000 water customers for the foreseeable future, according to Raymond Tjulander, chair of the district’s board of directors.

There are a number of reasons why the district water supply is currently in good shape. “Our potable water customers are using much less water. If you look at usage in 2010 versus 2020, potable water demand is down 17 percent,” says Tjulander. “Ever since we began experiencing increasing drought conditions, businesses and homeowners throughout the district have taken water conservation seriously. Their efforts have paid off.”

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for July 12, 2021

by Community Contributor • July 12, 2021 • Comments Off

Shout out to Emma Cervantes with the Ventura County Public Health Department who has supported COVID-19 response ensuring language access for Spanish and Mixteco-speaking community members. “We as Disaster Service Workers are here to help and support our community especially in times of great need,” said Emma. Thank you, Emma, and all County Disaster Service Workers for helping our community move forward!

Dr. Utpal K. Goswami resigns as Superintendent/President

by Community Contributor • July 12, 2021 • Comments Off

Dr. Utpal K. Goswami has resigned as Superintendent/President of the College effective July 12, 2021. Under the terms of the agreement that was reached, he will continue as a consultant for the next month when requested to assist in the transition and will be paid a portion of the remaining time on his initial employment contract.

Dr. Peter Haslund, President of the Board of Trustees, stated “The Board of Trustees extends thanks to Dr. Goswami for his service to SBCC and the substantial contributions he has made to the success of the College. We wish him well in his future endeavors.”

OPAC — COVID-19 Student Video Competition

by Community Contributor • July 9, 2021 • Comments Off

OPAC, the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation, is hosting a student video competition as part of the nonprofit’s COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach Campaign. The competition will challenge young creatives to create educational and promotional videos that encourage Ventura County residents to get vaccinated against COVID. Winners will receive a 1st place prize of $350 cash, 2nd place will receive a $100 Amazon gift card, and 3rd place will receive a $50 Amazon gift card.

The County of Ventura has partnered with the Ventura County Community Foundation to provide grant funding to OPAC and other community-based organizations, known as the Complete Reach Committee, to increase vaccination against COVID-19. Currently, 69% of County residents have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Ventura County’s goal is to raise that percentage to the ’80s with the help of the Complete Reach Committee. According to the committee, “Each vaccinated person acts as a barrier to slow or prevent the virus from continuing the spread. Our entire community benefits from a high vaccination coverage, especially those who are most at risk and vulnerable.”

Bilingual commentary — Poverty, Food Access, and Health

by Community Contributor • July 9, 2021 • Comments Off

The news media and the health establishment continually preach to us about the importance of eating a healthy diet (substantial portions of fresh, seasonal, raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and limited red meat intake). A healthy diet, in turn, enhances our lives, allowing us to be more active and productive.

This is all well and good for those who have access to foods that are rich in nutrients and low in fat and calories. But many of us living in this part of California amid agricultural abundance may take for granted the food that is available to us. We may not be fully aware of the “food deserts” [NOTE: not “food desserts”!] scattered throughout many of our neighborhoods. “Food deserts” condemn many of those living in impoverished communities to poor health, sinking them even further into poverty.