Category: Local

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Join us April 30th | Three Perspectives on Contemporary Painting and more news

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In her forthcoming book Contemporary Painting (Thames and Hudson, April 2021), Los Angeles-based art historian and critic, Suzanne Hudson, considers painting as a vibrant and sometimes contentious critic of a dynamic global society. Two esteemed painters, Math Bass and Christina Quarles, who are discussed in Hudson’s book, join the author in a conversation about painting. This event is moderated by curators from the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara. Pre-order Suzanne Hudson’s Contemporary Painting book from the SBMA Museum Store.

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County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for April 22, 2021

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There are 38 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 4,562 new tests performed. There have been 0 additional deaths.

Doubling time is 2,016.9 days.

The current R-effective (average number of people each infected person will pass the virus onto and represents the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading) is .85 which means that spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing; R-effective for CA is .80 right now.

597,454 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered. 54.6% of the population age 16 and older have received the 1st dose of the vaccine.

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CSUCI professor coordinates virtual tours of Florence culture guided by CSU International Program faculty

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Dressed in a tweed overcoat and a billed beret, Florentine Art Historian and CSU International Program (CSUIP) Professor Marco Cianchi walks through the cobbled streets of Florence and through the arched doors of  the Church of Santa Felicita. 

“Behind me you’ll see the Deposition of Christ from the Cross,” Cianchi says, while standing in front of the masterpiece created in 1527 by Italian Renaissance painter Jacopo Pontormo. “It’s real and unreal at the same time. Magic colors. It’s one of the greatest examples of ‘mannerism’ here in Florence and all over, actually.”

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VCCU aids local nonprofits with support of FHLBank San Francisco

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Ventura County Credit Union has been selected for FHLBank San Francisco’s donation matching program. This means FHLBank San Francisco will match recent contributions that VCCU made to three local nonprofits.

VCCU made its original donations to Food Share, Ventura County Community Foundation and Health Care Foundation for Ventura County last June through the #VCCUCares program. FHLBank San Francisco is matching $25,000 of VCCU’s total contributions, and the funds will be split among the three nonprofits.

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OC LIVE Online — Motivation and Movement ~ A Discussion with Women

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In this episode we revisit WEspeak spring 2019 with an inspirational speech given by Oxnard College student, Crystal Harris, live on stage.  With the theme of “moving forward,” Crystal joins Oxnard College Communication Studies Professor Dr. Amy Edwards, Film Professor Anitra N. Lawson and Oxnard College Student Health Coordinator Dr. Deanna McFadden for a powerful conversation about protecting mental and emotional health, fighting to overcome trauma, and living your best life!  

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April News from People’s Self-Help Housing

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If you are a regular reader of our eNews, you will have noticed from past ‘People of People’s’ articles that we are a diverse and talented organization (see the following story on Top 50 Women in Business!) With over 200 employees, working across fifteen departments, our mission is executed by industry professionals with wide-ranging talents, a variety of perspectives, and all from very different backgrounds.
 
Our investment in internally creating opportunities for advancement has yielded impressive bench depth, cross pollination of ideas, and strong communication within our teams. Being able to move our mission forward through a ‘shared leadership’ model is not only allowing us to stay in tune with our team members, but also importantly with the cherished residents we serve.

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Youth Mental Health First Aid Summer Training Schedule Unveiled

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Parents, teachers, and Santa Barbara County professionals who work with youth ages 12-18 are encouraged to participate in a free, upcoming Youth Mental Health First Aid training. The popular course teaches participants how to support youth struggling with a mental health or substance abuse problem. Free online trainings are being offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 4th, May 20th, June 3rd, June 15th, July 8th, July 20th, August 10th and August 19th.

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The City Center Difference: Promoting Growth and Success Among Residents

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Finding a way to ensure homeless families in need are given a chance to have success in life is a challenging task. The City Center however, has a 100 percent success rate at helping graduates rebuild their lives. Since 2014, 253 people have graduated from its program debt free with full-time employment and reliable transportation, representing 78 families who will never return to homelessness. 

 Led by Executive Director, Jim Duran, The City Center has worked to lift people out of homelessness or defeat with the help of its onsite staff, case managers, therapists, and mentors.  

“It’s giving a hand up, rather than a handout,” said Duran. “Each family receives the help and guidance they need to find and hold jobs, leave all government support behind, and learn to care for themselves and their children.” 

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Santa Barbara Earth Day and Partners Announce Community Mural Artists

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The Community Environmental Council (CEC), The Arts Fund, Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara, Paseo Nuevo, and Santa Barbara BCycle are delighted to announce is proud to announce that artists Adriana Arriaga and Claudia Borfiga have been selected from an online Call For Entries to paint the 2021 Earth Day Mural. The Call For Entries prompted Santa Barbara County artists to respond to this year’s Earth Day Festival theme: Climate Leadership. The mural by Arriaga and Borfiga, entitled Nurture our Mother, is a celebration of the power of the Earth and the many magical things within it that play vital roles in our ecosystem.

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Bilingual report — Statement from County Executive Officer Michael Powers Regarding Guilty Verdicts in the Trial of Derek Chauvin

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/// in Minneapolis a jury found Derek Chauvin guilty of all three counts for the murder of George Floyd. Our hearts go out to George Floyd’s family and to the families and communities across our country who have experienced racial injustice and horrific violence. Today, justice was served. There cannot be healing without justice and there is still much work to do to create true justice that prevents senseless killings.

Today’s decision does not minimize the pain or solve issues of hate, but it can mark the beginning of community healing and real change across our nation. Police brutality cannot be tolerated. I appreciate our local partnership with law enforcement and the leadership of our Sheriff and District Attorney in their commitment to racial justice. This tragic incident underscores the need for law enforcement to continue to be a partner in the community. Now more than ever is a time to come together to listen, communicate and engage in order for us to move toward an equitable society. We must address the unacceptable continued violence and hate toward people of color and commit to using our individual and collective voices to end the divisiveness of racial injustice.

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Social Justice Fund for Ventura County Monthly update — Continue travel to just and equitable society

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While the Social Justice Fund for Ventura County is pleased that the jury found Derek
Chauvin guilty for the murder of George Floyd, we must not veer away from the long
road we still must travel to reach a just and equitable society. Chauvin’s trial has been a
traumatic and painful experience to watch, as we were continuously forced to relive the
gruesome murder George Floyd. Chauvin’s conduct was the byproduct of the historical
injustices inflicted on Black and Brown people in our Country and a legacy of the
unacknowledged racism, which permeates throughout our criminal justice system. This
case was merely a single demonstration of one person being held accountable. We
must not be distracted from our continuous fight for systemic change, true justice, actual
fairness, societal equity and inclusion.

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County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for April 21, 2021

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COVID-19 Update

There are 28 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 4,942 new tests performed. There have been 0 additional deaths.

Doubling time is 1,930.9 days.

The current R-effective (average number of people each infected person will pass the virus onto and represents the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading) is .83 which means that spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing; R-effective for CA is .78 right now.

597,454 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered. 54.6% of the population age 16 and older have received the 1st dose of the vaccine.

Click here for information about COVID-19 testing.

Click here for information about the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy for information about the guidance for different sectors. The County remains in the Orange Tier for at least 2 more weeks.

Vaccine eligibility is now open to everyone 16 and older. Make your appointment today at myturn.ca.gov or 833-422-4255.

www.venturacountyrecovers.org

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VCCCD Board of Trustees Endorses Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Resolution

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Ventura County Community College District board of trustees fully supports and is dedicated to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) for its approximately 31,000 students, nearly 1,900 employees and the community. In support of the diverse population of students at Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges, and the community, the board adopted a resolution Affirming the District’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at its April meeting.

The resolution is in tandem with the District’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Week and the California Community Colleges’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Awareness Month.

“VCCCD is a welcoming and inclusive equity-minded, anti-racist learning environment where diverse students are supported to pursue and attain student success,” said Trustee Gabriela Torres. “Our mission is to foster social justice and an inclusive, equity-minded learning environment where all students receive support to achieve academic success and attain the necessary skills to find meaningful work that offers them a living wage.”

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Our Lady of Mount Carmel School Fostering Community with Movie Night Under the Stars

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The Our Lady of Mount Carmel School community celebrated Spring with their annual Spring Raffle drawing and Family Movie Night on the grass, on Saturday, April 17, 2020. The school came together in a socially distanced way by reserving family circles and staying masked during the viewing of Raya and the Last Dragon. In addition to the movie hosted by the Parent Board Guild, there was a raffle drawing that awarded cash prizes. Congratulations to all of the raffle winners. The annual Spring Raffle raises much needed money to help support the operations of the school.

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Village Properties real estate agents team up to form Sener Jones Associates

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When it comes to providing high-quality real estate services in today’s fast-moving industry, Village Properties real estate agents John A. Sener and Alyssa Ann Jones understand that there is power in numbers.

That’s why, starting this month, the pair will be teaming up to create a high-powered real estate partnership, Sener Jones Associates. Sener is a top performing Village Properties agent with a decades-long career, while Jones is highly regarded for her business and marketing savvy. As true locals, they each bring intrinsic insights about the unique market within Santa Barbara, which is the foundation for their value-based partnership. Communication, collaboration, and care are at the core of everything they touch. By merging their real estate skills and extensive market knowledge, the agents hope to exceed expectations as they assist clients in achieving their goals.

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Ventura County Leadership Academy’s ‘Journey to Leadership Awards’ to be held April 29

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The Ventura County Leadership Academy’s “Journey to Leadership Awards” will be held on Thursday, April 29.

1:30 p.m. VIP/Sponsor Networking & Social

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Program

The VCLA “Journey to Leadership” virtual awards event is the premiere event in Ventura County recognizing leaders who have made an exceptional impact in our community.

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Petco Love Foundation Invests in Lifesaving Work of Ventura County Animal Services

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Ventura County Animal Services is thrilled to announce that we have received a $27,500 grant investment from the newly named, Petco Love, to support our lifesaving work for the animals in Ventura County.

Petco Love is a nonprofit leading change for pets nationally by harnessing the power of love to make communities and pet families closer, stronger, and healthier. Since their founding in 1999 as the Petco Foundation, they’ve empowered organizations with nearly $300 million invested to date in adoption and other lifesaving efforts. And, they’ve helped find loving homes for more than 6.5 million pets in partnership with Petco and more than 4,000 organizations, like ours, nationwide.

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CLU School Management — Voting Now Open for People’s Choice Awards!

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Once again, the School of Management at Cal Lutheran is hosting its annual New Venture Fair and PRiME Competitions virtually. Students participating in NVF and/or PRiME have developed innovative solutions to various challenges and have been working on their projects for several months to compete at a professional level. 

Be the first to review their startup ideas. Learn about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and then vote for your favorites in each competition. We had over 800 community participants from around the world vote in last year’s events. Let’s do it again!

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Housing Trust Fund Ventura County receives City of Oxnard land on behalf of newly formed Housing Land Trust Ventura County

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Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC), on behalf of the newly formed Housing Land Trust Ventura County, has entered into a disposition and development agreement to receive donated land valued at $840,000 from the City of Oxnard. Located at 241 West Second Street, the unused city land will be developed as the future home of the Homeless Solutions Center, a supportive housing development that will provide 55 permanent housing units, 120 shelter beds and 24-hour supportive services for the homeless population.

“In 2020 we formed the Housing Land Trust Ventura County as a way to provide lasting community assets and permanently affordable housing opportunities for families, workers and fixed-income residents in our County,” said Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund VC and Housing Land Trust Ventura County. “By working to acquire donated land and preserve it for affordable housing developments we remove the most cost-prohibitive part of building affordable homes, which is the high cost of land.” Braunschweiger notes that Housing Land Trust Ventura County is designated by the State of California as a Supporting Nonprofit comprised of an 11-member Board of Directors who are working to identify and receive donated land in the region that can be developed to provide affordable housing on a 99-year lease for either rental housing or home ownership. The new nonprofit will not act as a developer but rather work with affordable housing developers selected through an RFP process. The land donated by the City of Oxnard is the first such project for the newly formed Housing Land Trust Ventura County.

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Seasons Catering announces collaboration with Farmivore, bringing farm fresh produce to your family table

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At the heart of Ventura County is its abundant, locally farmed produce which just got easier to enjoy thanks to Seasons Catering and Farmivore. The two companies have collaborated to bring Farmivore’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes directly to Ventura County residents’ doors utilizing Seasons Catering’s Good2Go door-step delivery service.

“It just seemed like a natural fit to offer some of the very produce we use in our own chef prepared meals,” said Moes. Following the launch of Good2Go’s new subscription meal delivery service last month, chef-owner Gabrielle Moes realized that she could share her love of fresh food by adding produce boxes to the home deliveries. Partnering with locally owned Farmivore, each week Seasons Catering offers a new CSA box with ever changing produce based on availability from over 15 local farms, creating a weekly surprise for customers.

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Santa Paula Art Museum — Last Call For ‘Inspiration and Influence’

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Artist’s Reception: Saturday, April 24, 2021, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Reservations are required.

We’re marking the close of Duane Dammeyer and Rima Muna’s stunning exhibition Inspiration and Influence with an artists’ reception on Saturday, April 24. The artists will be there to celebrate and to share some inspiration! Space is extremely limited and reservations are required. Reservations are available at 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. Admission is $4.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors, and free for members and students. Inspiration and Influence closes Sunday, April 25.

MAKE A RESERVATION

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Museum of Ventura County — Changemakers Series + New Virtual Learning Module + More!

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The Museum of Ventura County is pleased to present the next installment in its series of conversations with Changemakers.

You are invited to join us on Thursday, April 29, 2021 from 6:30—7:30PM for Changemakers: Local Heroes Combatting Climate Change. Admission is free with registration.

Panelists include Dr. Chris Funk, Director of the Climate Hazard Center at UCSB and author of Drought, Flood, Fire: How Climate Change Contributes to Recent Catastrophes, Hans Cole, Director of Environmental Campaigns and Advocacy at Patagonia, Florencia Ramirez, Ventura County Climate Emergency Council and author of Eat Less Water, and Michelle Stevens, Founder of the Refill Shoppe, public artist and environmental activist. This is not to be missed!

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Salons by JC coming soon to The Collection at RiverPark

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Salons by JC, a company that leases upscale individual suite space to beauty industry professionals, is coming soon to The Collection at RiverPark. The new location will open by fall 2021, with 38 suites available for massage therapists, acupuncturists, lash stylists, and other beauty or wellness professionals. Salons by JC is owned by local Ventura County residents Gene and Bobbi Ramirez, who also own Amazing Lash Studio at The Collection.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Salons by JC to The Collection,” said the shopping center’s Marketing Manager, Jill Almonia. “Amazing Lash Studio has been a tremendous success, and we look forward to offering our community another wonderful personal care shop to experience.”

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Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for April 20, 2021

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There are 23 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 2,035 new tests performed. There have been 2 additional deaths: 55 year old male and a 98 year old female. Doubling time is 1,904.1 days.

The current R-effective (average number of people each infected person will pass the virus onto and represents the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading) is .83 which means that spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing; R-effective for CA is .78 right now. 

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Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Adriana Arriaga and Claudia Borfiga have been selected to paint the 2021 Earth Day Mural

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The Arts Fund, Community Environmental Council, Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara, Paseo Nuevo, and Santa Barbara BCycle are delighted to announce that artists Adriana Arriaga and Claudia Borfiga have been selected to paint the 2021 Earth Day Mural! Selected from over 27 submissions, the Call For Entries prompted our artists to respond to this year’s Earth Day Festival theme: Climate Leadership. The mural by Arriaga and Borfiga, entitled Nurture our Mother, is a celebration of the power of the Earth and the many magical things within it that play vital roles in our ecosystem.

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Simi Valley Family YMCA and Yarrow Family YMCA Indoor Pools Now Open

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The indoor pools at YMCAs in Simi Valley and Westlake Village are now open.

The Simi Valley Family YMCA and Yarrow Family YMCA pools have been closed since last March. Both YMCAs are now offering aquatic group classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Lap lanes are open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. at the Simi Y and 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Yarrow Y.

“We hope to expand classes and hours in the coming weeks,” says Brigitte Bonafant, Aquatics and Safety Director at the YMCA . “If all goes well, we anticipate swim lessons and family swim time being available in early May.”

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Ventura Port District Announces Key Decision For Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project

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Over the past six years, through two successful Sea Grant awards, the Ventura Port District, in partnership with expert volunteers and consultants, developed extensive research of the Santa Barbara Channel for sustainable mussel farming.

The Port District sought to pre-permit 2,000 acres for Mediterranean mussels for the benefit of private aquaculture farmers – especially small commercial fishermen who lack the financial capacity to secure federal and state permits and approvals – to land product at Ventura Harbor.

This effort produced several technical studies, including a first-of-its-kind navigational risk assessment for a domestic aquaculture project, extensive engineering analysis for mussel farm design in open waters, numerous environmental studies and proposed monitoring plans, farm economic business and cash-flow model (i.e., proforma), and fiscal and economic impact analyses. The Port District plans on fully completing its Sea Grant tasks and responsibilities by August 2021.

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CSUCI contributes to global research showing surfers and environmentalists could join forces to protect ecosystems

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About 76% of the ocean areas rich in biodiversity also contain great places to surf—which presents the opportunity for the conservation community to mobilize a global tribe of surfers who want to protect these areas as much as they do.  

That’s the bottom line of a study conducted in part by CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Assistant Professor of Environmental Science & Resource Management (ESRM) Dan Reineman, Ph.D. with the Save the Waves Coalition and Conservation International. The two organizations merged to form the Surf Conservation Partnership.  

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

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There are 79 new COVID-19 cases (Fri-Sun. There have been 12,423 new tests performed. There have been 0 additional deaths. Doubling time is 1,776.7 days.

The current R-effective (average number of people each infected person will pass the virus onto and represents the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading) is .86 which means that spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing; R-effective for CA is .80 right now.

Click here for information about COVID-19 testing.

Click here for information about the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy for information about the guidance for different sectors.

Vaccine eligibility is now open to everyone 16 and older. Make your appointment today at myturn.ca.gov or 833-422-4255.

www.venturacountyrecovers.org

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Dr. César Morales Sworn-In as Ventura County Superintendent of Schools

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Dr. César Morales was formally sworn-in today as the new Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, becoming the first Latino and first person of color to hold the office since it was created in 1873.

In an outdoor ceremony this morning at the Ventura County Office of Education in Camarillo, California State Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin administered the oath of office to Dr. Morales. The ceremony featured speeches from students he has mentored and his colleagues in education and government.

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Guest commentary — In defiance of City of Ventura officials, unpermitted disturbance of lead-contaminated soil takes place at SoCal Gas facility, as community concerns escalate

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When Westside Ventura resident Matthew Bello went on a walk in his neighborhood on April 14, 2020, he saw something he did not expect: 

Cars and trucks parked inside the SoCalGas property at 1555 North Olive Street, and a flurry of activity on the usually quiet site. At least a half-dozen workers with shovels were digging a trench in the large dirt lot adjacent to the hulking natural gas compressor station. 

Most passersby might not think much of this activity. They’d likely chalk it up to another construction project along The Avenue’s always-busy corridor. But lucky for his neighbors, Bello is part of the newly formed Westside Clean Air Coalition, a community group focused on protecting air quality for all who live and go to school on The Avenue. The group has been following plans for 1555 North Olive closely – a property that has a history of soil contamination and air pollution dating back at least one hundred years. He knew what many would not: 

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Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — 411 Labor Market Report for March 2021

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The California Labor Market Information Division (LMID) released its March 2021 report earlier today, showing moderate improvement in Ventura County’s unemployment rate, from 6.8% in February to 6.4% in March. This matches our best position since the onset of pandemic a full year ago, previously reached in November, just before the holiday resurgence of COVID-19. Overall, we saw little change in the data details in March. On the surface it appears we did okay in job creation, adding 2,400 jobs, but of those 1,800 were in Farm, apparently seasonal, now at a total of 25,800 and keeping us 100 jobs ahead of our Farm position one year ago. For the monthly detail, check out LMID’s March report here.

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SBCC Foundation and Explore Ecology Receive $100,000 EPA Grant

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Santa Barbara City College, Explore Ecology, and five community partners have teamed up under a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Education Program to create the Santa Barbara Ecological and Edible (SBEE) Garden Project, a network of community gardens that will promote biodiversity, increase access to locally grown food, and foster a connection between the community and natural ecosystems.

“This is the largest EPA Environmental Education grant ever awarded to an organization in Santa Barbara County, and one of the largest in California in recent decades. It speaks to the collaborative work and far-reaching impact of Santa Barbara City College, Explore Ecology, and our many incredible community partners,” says Rachel Johnson, SBCC Foundation Director of Grants. 

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Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — EDC Free Webinar Schedule

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SPANISH: GUÍA PARA COMENZAR SU NEGOCIO

21 de abril a las 5:30 pm

Únase a SCORE Santa Barbara junto con los Asesores de negocios de EDC, Rigo Gonzalez-Nossa y Juliana Ramirez en una presentación donde por medio de esta guía aprenderemos sobre los diferentes pasos que le ayudarán en una manera eficiente a empezar su negocio, o le servirán para evaluar las necesidades más inmediatas para el buen funcionamiento y cumplimiento de las normas que requiere su negocio.

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Register now for SBCC summer sessions

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Santa Barbara City College is pleased to announce that registration for Summer 2021 is now open to everyone in the community. Whether you are looking to earn an associate degree or transfer to a four-year university via SBCC’s award-winning credit programs  — or enroll in the School of Extended Learning for life enhancement classes, career skills training, a high school diploma or GED — SBCC is here to help you reach your goals.

For everyone’s health and safety, the majority of classes will be conducted online, though a select number of classes are scheduled to meet in person. Continue to check the class registration pages, via the links below, for the most current information on whether your selected course will be held online or in-person.

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Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival 2021 Highlights Announced; Virtual Event April 22 – 24 Gathers Community to #CelebrateClimateLeadership

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The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is hosting #CelebrateClimateLeadership, a virtual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival dedicated to inspiration, community building, and climate action. The FREE livestream event begins on Thursday, April 22 at noon and runs until Saturday, April 24. It will be available to view at SBEarthDay.org.

The virtual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival – which will be fully online again this year due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions – is FREE to attend and will feature three days of conversations with climate leaders, musical performances, art contests, inspirational speakers, and opportunities for individuals to learn how they can lean into action at this urgent moment.

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Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for April 16, 2021

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Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin flashes a smile after receiving her second dose today at the Rose Avenue Clinic in Oxnard! Leading by example for communities in California’s 44th Assembly District including the cities of Camarillo, Moorpark, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Thousand Oaks, and Westlake Village.

Also a message from Carmen, a community member who also received a second dose today:

“I just got my second vaccine in Oxnard. I just wanted to say how amazing my experience was. The Porta potty‘s outside were really clean. I had to bring my children with me as I have no child care and everyone was so nice. From the security Guards to the person giving us the shot. Everything was clean and everyone working there was warm and welcoming! Not sure who I could tell about it but I thought here would be best.”

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Anselmo Villanueva selected as SBCC Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

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Santa Barbara City College is pleased to announce that Dr. Anselmo Villanueva has been selected to serve as the new Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Dr. Villanueva has enjoyed a long career in education at all levels, from preschool through graduate school. His career has been dedicated to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice, especially ensuring access to education by students who have been traditionally underrepresented, marginalized or otherwise disenfranchised from the system.

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Dr. Julius Sokenu Named Moorpark College President

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The Ventura County Community College District board of trustees announces that Dr. Julius Sokenu has been named the president of Moorpark College, pending contract approval. Sokenu has served as the interim president since 2019 and has been with the college for 14 years.

“Dr. Sokenu is a visionary leader who supports the college’s approximately 14,000 students and the faculty and staff,” said Chancellor Greg Gillespie. “During his tenure as the interim president, he expanded and supported institutional priorities related to equity and diversity, specifically for services to underserved populations.”

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Bilingual commentary — The Scourge of Random Capitalization

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I grew up with a father, a typesetter by trade, who was obsessed with the rules of grammar, spelling and punctuation. Starting in my school years, informally proofreading everything that was printed on paper was as natural as breathing air. I hardly realized I was doing it. Now, fast-forwarding several decades, I am a recent graduate of an online proofreading course. I have become like my father, obsessed with the rules of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

 Lately, I have become acutely aware of several troubling trends in writing among the general public.

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Bilingual report — Community Feedback Helps Ventura County Public Works Agency Receive First Statewide Grant for Pedestrian Improvement Project

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Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Roads & Transportation (VCPWA-RT) announced today the adoption of its first ever Active Transportation Project (ATP) statewide grant totaling $6,195,000 for its El Rio Pedestrian Improvement and Safe Routes to School Project. ATP funds support active transportation projects including pedestrian, bikes and transit.

Funding allocation for design of the El Rio Pedestrian Improvement and Safe Routes to School project is expected in 2022, with construction planned for 2024. The project’s safety improvements include construction of 2.15 miles of sidewalks on both sides of Stroube, Walnut and Cortez Streets respectively, traffic-calming curb extensions, water-retention areas, rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons (RRFB), and crosswalk improvements.

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Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for April 15, 2021

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Nurses from around the country are helping Ventura County get vaccinated. From registering people at the sites, administering vaccines, and giving post-vaccine care instructions, these nurses do it all – with a smile on faces! Candace from Kentucky (left) said that her favorite part of the day was, “Seeing people’s excitement after getting vaccinated and even seeing tears of joy.” Thank you to all who are helping our county move forward.

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R.W. ‘Hap’ Ziegler Jr. appointed commissioner of Santa Barbara county’s Civil Service Commission

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Local business consultant and attorney R.W. “Hap” Ziegler has been named chair of the County of Santa Barbara’s Civil Service Commission.

Established by voter referendum in 1971, the commission oversees the county’s relationship with its employees and ensures that hiring occurs through a merit-based and competitive process. The commission is charged with making sure the county handles employee matters according to established civil service rules about recruitment, appointment, compensation, probationary periods, layoffs, disciplinary actions and complaint procedures.

As one of five board members, Ziegler chairs the monthly meetings to discuss employee relations, conduct investigations concerning personnel or conditions of employment, assist with hearings on appeals of disciplinary actions, and serve as an advisor to the Board of Supervisors.

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Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Loans, Grants, Housing Assistance, Tax Credits and Unemployment Benefits

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Review the guide below to learn more about current COVID-19 business resources that have recently been announced or updated. Stay up to date by visiting our COVID-19 Business Resource page regularly. CLICK HERE.

For more information on the resources from the American Rescue Plan, join our upcoming webinar on April 19 at 12:00 pm. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Santa Barbara County Food Action Network — Start a Discussion or Working Group, and let’s get to work!

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Building a more resilient food system requires that all of us work together. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the online hub for SBCFAN Discussions and Working Groups – an opportunity for food system actors like you to connect, align, and activate with other members so that we can continue to develop a robust local food economy, a healthy and just community, and a well-stewarded foodshed.

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