Computer science researchers are developing new techniques to address the vulnerabilities of smart devices.
UCSB — The Current — Securing the Internet of Things
Category: Local
Ventura College Celebrates its 95th Anniversary by Collecting Alumni Stories, Photos and Memories
To commemorate Ventura College’s 95th anniversary this year, the Ventura College Foundation has created a new web page where alumni, employees, and friends of the community can share their college years’ stories and photos. The collected memories will then be used as part of Ventura College’s 100th celebration in 2025.
Ventura College began in 1925 and was the first institution of higher learning in the county. Since its inception, Ventura College has been driven to provide high-quality and affordable instruction and services to community members. Today, it serves over 13,000 students each semester.
Ventura College Foundation Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2021-22 School Year
The Ventura College Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications to support awardees in the 2021-22 school year. The deadline for submissions is January 15, 2021.
More than 400 scholarships will be awarded to Ventura College students. Students who are currently enrolled at Ventura College and who have successfully completed at least 12 units at the college are eligible.
Bilingual report — Navy and Ventura County Enter into a Cost-Saving Support Agreement
An intergovernmental support agreement (IGSA) on Oct. 21 signed by Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) and the County of Ventura is expected to save government money, increase Navy operational efficiencies, and help ensure the long-term sustainability of the local Navy installation.
The IGSA is an on-going program with Ventura County Public Works Roads and Transportation (VCPWA-RT) to provide road maintenance services to the installation. The program will provide up to $1 million of reimbursable road maintenance services to NBVC annually, reducing costs and enhancing mission effectiveness.
The Collection partners with local fire departments for Spark of Love Toy Drive
This year marks the 28th Annual Spark of Love Toy Drive, and The Collection at RiverPark is partnering with the fire departments of Ventura County and ABC7 to help safely collect toys and distribute them to children in need.
Each year, Spark of Love brightens the holiday season for local families by providing presents for children who might otherwise have nothing to unwrap. Last year, over 60,000 toys were donated to Ventura County’s Spark of Love Toy Drive, supporting more than 6,000 local children and over 30 nonprofits. This year, due to the pandemic, donations are needed more than ever.
Santa Maria HS FCCLA Trains Chapter Officers at Regional Leadership Training
Five Santa Maria High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) chapter officers virtually attended Region 7’s Chapter Leader Officer Training (COLT) on Saturday, October 17.
Chapter officers included: Gail Victoria Demition, Cristal Gomez, Maria Nolasco, Norah Reynes and Yosuni Rodriguez. The officers were given the opportunity to network with other FCCLA leaders from around the area, receive training regarding their chapter office position, and advance their leadership skills.
“I liked the atmosphere that was created between all of us at our meeting and what FCCLA stands for in general,’’ Gomez said.
Social Justice Fund for Ventura County – Update!!
I hope you are all well. In this month’s update, I want to focus on news from our first fellow and the process of finding and selecting a fellow. As this is a first year for our Social Justice Fellowships we are taking pains to reach out to many organizations and interviewed quite a few promising candidates. Here is my update:
Our fellow, Maria Rodriguez, has begun interviews and gave a presentation on her project at CLU.
We continue to hear from many potential fellows. This month we have 3 new Letters of Interest we are considering and several other candidates we are coaching. Letters of Interests are applications for fellowship.
Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Oct. 21 — It’s Time to Vote
Today, October 19, is the deadline to register to #vote and update your registration information for the November 3 election. You can register online at registertovote.ca.gov until midnight.
Early voting is already underway! Bring your vote by mail ballot to Ventura County Elections Office located at 800 South Victoria Avenue in Ventura, Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm.
View the list of ballot drop off locations at the following link: https://recorder.countyofventura.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/List-of-Drop-Off-Locations-9182020.pdf
View the list of in person voting locations at the following link:
https://recorder.countyofventura.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IPVL-Insert-FINAL-1.pdf
Letter to the editor — Topic: Don’t Expect Election Results on Election Night
For California, this election will be like no other election before. Voters should not expect all election results to be called or announced on Election Night as in previous elections, and that’s okay. With more mailed-in ballots a delayed result means the system is working as it should to ensure the integrity of our election process. Broadcast networks did not begin election night forecasts until the 1970’s. And they are just that “forecasts”, not results. The vote is only final when all the votes are counted and certified by the Secretary of State on December 5th.
Santa Barbara City College — The Bridge — 2019-2020 Report to the Community
Santa Barbara City College is pleased to present the 2019-2020 Report to the Community, an informative and beautifully illustrated account of the college’s events, activities and accomplishments during this past academic year.
Everyone in the community is invited to flip through the online version to learn more about student success, athletic highlights, artistic triumphs, outstanding faculty and staff, awards and accolades, community connections, and how the college adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic and conversion to delivering instruction and services remotely.
GCTD Bus Operator Reaches 40-Year Driving Milestone
Lupe Juarez recently logged 40 years as a Bus Operator for Gold Coast Transit District, the largest public transit operator in Ventura County. She is also part of the prestigious Two Million Mile Club, as determined by the National Safety Council. This designation recognizes operators who have driven 50,000 hours of drive time without a preventable accident.
Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Oct. 20 — COVID-19 Testing Available – No cost. No appointment needed
COVID-19 Testing Available – No cost. No appointment needed.
Weekday Drive-Through Sites – Monday through Friday 10 am to 7 pm
Moopark College, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark
Weekend: Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The site is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Santa Paula, City parking lot corner of E. Main Street and N. Ojai Street, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday 10 am to 7 pm
Walk-In Site – Monday Through Friday 9 am to 6 pm
Ventura County Fairgrounds,10 W. Harbor Blvd in Ventura, Enter Gate 2.
Urgent Care locations require an appointment. Please call 805-652-7660 for an appointment at any of the Urgent Care locations.
Claudia Bautista to lead County of Ventura’s Public Defender’s Office
By a unanimous vote on October 20, the Board of Supervisors accepted the recommendation of County Executive Officer Mike Powers to appoint Claudia Bautista as the County’s new Chief Public Defender. Bautista will take over the position after the retirement of Public Defender Todd Howeth.
Santa Barbara County Firefighter, Sam Dudley Gives Heartfelt Presentation during Compassionate Care of Carpinteria’s ‘The Light Shines Ahead’
Santa Barbara County Firefighter, Sam Dudley shared emotional stories of tragedy and hope as well as how Hospice of Santa Barbara counseling has helped him after experiencing grief and loss on Wednesday, October 7th during Compassionate Care of Carpinteria (CCC)’s virtual event, “The Light Shines ahead.”
UCSB — The Current — Access and Equality, more news
In recognition of the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, an online discussion with the producers of the film “Crip Camp” will highlight the fight for equality.
Two National Science Foundation grants will strengthen diversity in CSUCI STEM faculty
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) two grants that will support the University’s commitment to diversity in their expanding Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) faculty.
CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) President Erika D. Beck, Ph.D. is the lead on a $299,695 grant from the NSF to lessen the systemic factors that create inequities in the academic profession for STEM faculty. The funds are from the NSF ADVANCE Catalyst program, which is designed to support an institutional self-assessment.
In other words, the grant is aimed at studying the hiring and retention process and challenging inequities that create barriers for a diverse STEM faculty.
SBCC’s re-envisioned Student-Ready Program to host informational sessions in English and Spanish
When the COVID pandemic prompted Santa Barbara City College to transition all classes to remote instruction last Spring, “Evening College” – part of the “Student-Ready: Degree Completion for the Flexible Learner” program – was no exception. In order to accommodate student learning in the online instructional environment, Evening College has been recently re-envisioned as the “College for Working Adults.” Designed for new-to-college working adults and part-time students with few credits, SBCC invites the public to learn more about the College for Working Adults by attending one of four informational sessions via Zoom: Oct. 23 (in English), Oct. 24 (in Spanish), Nov. 20 (in Spanish) and Nov. 21 (in English).
VCCCD Supports Undocumented Students with Action Week
Ventura County Community College District joins California Community Colleges (CCC) and its partners across the state for Undocumented Student Action Week, October 19-23, to advocate and provide support services for undocumented students in California. This year’s action week, while virtual, serves as an opportunity to highlight the challenges undocumented students face in today’s political climate and amid COVID-19. The week serves as a vehicle to advocate to Congress about the financial and moral actions needed to ensure the safety of undocumented students.
Board of Supervisors approves $10 Million COVID-19 Hospitals Assistance Program
The County of Ventura Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a COVID-19 Hospitals Assistance Program for local not-for-profit hospitals, in the amount of $10 million to be funded by the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund, to provide financial support to local hospitals for COVID-19 costs.
CSUCI professor’s research into prehistoric sea spider holds clues about life’s origins
Dinosaurs were not yet roaming the earth when an invertebrate known as the sea spider was beginning to evolve in the oceans 500 million years ago.
“They’re still evolving today and they’ve diversified in amazing ways,” said CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Associate Professor of Biology Geoff Dilly, Ph.D. “You can find them in tropic coral reefs or polar waters in the North or South Pole. They are found in every ocean in the deep sea. Some are three feet across and some are fingernail-sized off the Channel Islands.”
Bilingual report — Welcome Back to Care: Local Providers Join CenCal Health in Advancing Public Health Message
Top health professionals on the Central Coast have joined CenCal Health, the local Medi-Cal health plan, in encouraging the public to return to their doctors, clinics and hospitals for vital health care services, especially immunizations, cancer screenings and other preventive care evaluations. A bilingual public awareness campaign began this month to persuade area residents to go back to regular medical care – care that has slowed up to 50% in some service categories since the national health emergency was declared in March. Disruptions occurred in routine preventive and other non-emergency care due to stay-at-home orders to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and public fear of coronavirus contagion.
Simi Valley YMCA Fitness Center Reopens
After being closed for seven months due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Simi Valley Family YMCA fitness center is now open.
During the closure, the YMCA underwent significant renovations. The facility has new locker rooms, a new multipurpose room, new flooring, paint and energy-efficient lighting.
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) launches free, bilingual Financial Education Webinar Series
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) has launched a series of Financial Education webinars to empower small business owners and increase their financial literacy during COVID-19.
The series focuses on both personal and business finance and each session will offer simple tools and strategies to help participants manage the pandemic’s impact on their finances. The free webinars will be available in both Spanish and English. For information and to register for the upcoming webinars:
Bilingual report — ‘Avispas beneficiosas’ liberadas en el Sur de California para que ataquen a la peste que difunde una enfermedad de los árboles cítricos
BENEFICIAL WASPS RELEASED IN LOS ANGELES, ORANGE, RIVERSIDE AND VENTURA COUNTIES TO HELP FIGHT DEADLY CITRUS TREE DISEASE
California Department of Food and Agriculture is Releasing Thousands of Insects This Week
Hospice of Santa Barbara Board of Directors Welcomes Mary Solis
Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) has announced the addition of Mary Solis to its Board of Directors. Solis recently retired from the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center after 34 years as an oncology social worker and department manager. During her time at the Cancer Center, Mary expanded services to include 12 support groups, case management, financial assistance, and individual & family counseling services.
Prior to working with the Cancer Center, Mary spent 2 years at Catholic Charities as a caseworker. She also developed a wig & hat closet, a lymphedema clinic and worked collaboratively with other community organizations to create a Community Palliative Care Program.
Commentary — Registering to vote (Oct. 19) deadline looming
Thank you to all those in the 805 region who have completed their U.S. Census surveys.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this week that the census count officially ended on Oct. 15. …
The high response rate will help the 805 region receive more federal funding for education, roads, health care, public safety and other projects and increase the number of representatives we have in Congress.
Congratulations.
Now, time to register to vote
During closing of Hispanic Heritage Month, OC Live presents ‘The Music of Hermanos Herrera: Behind the Scenes’
In this special presentation hosted by Oxnard College Music Professors Scott Wolf and Jorge Herrera, we go behind the scenes to discover the creative passion that drives Mexican music artists Hermanos Herrera. Hermanos Herrera are a unique family group of musicians based right here in Southern California. They play various styles of traditional Mexican music including Son Huasteco, Son Jarocho, and musica Norteña. They perform with an aggressive and energetic style that is both passionate and exhilarating.
Museum of Ventura County — Vote Early at MVC + Día de los Muertos Events + More!
In celebration of Días de los Muertos, the Museum of Ventura County invites you and your family to pick-up a Grab ‘n Go Day of the Dead Craft Bag at the Ventura Museum (100 E. Main St., Ventura) on Saturday, October 17, 2020 @ 10AM (while supplies last) and at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula (926 Railroad Ave.) on Sunday, October 18, 2020 @ 12PM (while supplies last).
The MVC and AG Grab ‘n Go Day of the Dead Craft Bags include:
• Día de los Muertos mask-making kit
• Instructions on how to build your own at home altar (English and Spanish)
• Materials and instructions on creating Papel Picado
• Materials and instruction on creating tissue paper marigolds
• Recipe for baking Pan de Muerto
Drive-ups only, please. You will be met curbside by our friendly staff members. Gloves, masks and social distancing practices will be in place.
Bilingual commentary — Powerful Images of Romantic Mexico
I have many of my mother’s paintings in my home. She was an artist specializing in portraiture and images depicting religion and Mexican culture (which are hard to separate): the Virgin of Guadalupe, biblical scenes, vaqueros (Mexican cowboys) on the “rancho,” heroic Mexican legendary figures.
My mother never went to art school. In fact, one highly-regarded art school in Los Angeles refused her application for admission when she graduated from high school because they regarded her as “too advanced” for their level of instruction. As a girl and later a teenager, she had learned by watching her father, professional Mexican artist Candelario Rivas, as he painted masterfully in his home studio.
Bilingual report — Ventura County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Receives Reports of Unofficial Ballot Drop Boxes
PLEASE SEE:
KVTA — Ventura County Clerk-Recorder Says Make Sure Mail-In Drop Boxes Are The Real Thing
VC Reporter — Unofficial Ballot Drop Boxes Reported • VC Registrar Critizies “Concerted Effort to Deceive Voters”
VC Star — Elections 2020: What we know about unofficial ballot boxes reported in Ventura County
VENTURA — There have been recent reports of groups promoting unofficial ballot drop boxes that are not affiliated with Ventura County Elections. In some instances, they are promoting these ballot drop boxes as “official” or “secure.” The use of unauthorized, non-official ballot drop boxes is prohibited by state law.
Consulado de Mexico en Oxnard — Undocumented student week of action
2020-21 Ventura County Secured Property Taxes Due Nov. 1
Ventura County 2020-21 Secured Property Taxes are due November 1, 2020. Property taxes not paid on or before December 10, 2020 will become delinquent, and property taxes paid after December 10, 2020 will be assessed a late payment penalty fee of 10%. For more information, go to https://www.ventura.org/ttc/. During this challenging time, your patience is appreciated while our COVID-19 environment changes almost daily.
Bilingual report — VCCoLAB and VCAA sue Ventura County for its adoption of the 2040 General Plan
The Ventura County Coalition of Labor, Agriculture and Business (VCCoLAB) and the Ventura County Agricultural Association (VCAA) on Oct. 15 jointly filed a lawsuit against the County of Ventura in response to the adoption of the County’s 2040 General Plan. VCCoLAB and VCAA assert the County did not meet the basic standards demanded by law for both public review and engagement and environmental impact analysis, resulting in a Plan that detrimentally impacts the agricultural industry, local businesses, and vulnerable populations.
Southeast Ventura County YMCA Seeking Online Auction Donations
The Southeast Ventura County YMCA, with branches in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley and Westlake Village, is seeking items for its Online Holiday Auction taking place November 19 through December 11.
Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Halloween and COVID-19
Like many other things in 2020, Halloween will need to be celebrated differently this year to keep people safe. Trick-or-treating is strongly discouraged by the state this year to prevent household mixing amid the pandemic. Alternative activities for Halloween and Día de los Muertos include:
Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Oct. 15 — It’s Time to Vote
View the list of ballot drop off locations at the following link: https://recorder.countyofventura.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/List-of-Drop-Off-Locations-9182020.pdf
View the list of in person voting locations at the following link:
https://recorder.countyofventura.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IPVL-Insert-FINAL-1.pdf
SMJUHSD takes part in Great California Shakeout
There was a “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On” at 10:16 a.m. within the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District on Oct. 15.
Nearly 100 hundred District Office staff participated in the “The Great California Shakeout”, a statewide drill to ensure school districts, other organizations and communities know what to do to be safe during an earthquake. Some students joined from home.
UCSB — The Current — Aerosols vs Droplets and more information
Letter to the Editor — Candidate Forums
In an effort to inform voters, the League of Women Voters, Ventura County conducted candidate forums for local city council, mayoral, state senate and assembly elections as well as the Congressional District 26 election.
The League of Women Voters also conducted discussions of the California Ballot propositions and Ojai School Bond K. You can access the video recordings of these events at the following link:
United Way of Ventura County — October Surprise
Dear Friends,
October is one of my favorite months of the year. I love the cooler air, the festive spirit of neighbors decorating for Halloween, and knowing that Thanksgiving is right around the corner. While this fall looks far different than most, our community’s resilience and generosity is stronger than ever.
This October, I’m excited to announce that the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation (VCMRF) has presented a $40,000 challenge grant for our homelessness initiative, which will support our Landlord Engagement Program. The goal of the program is to increase housing stock and utilize existing housing vouchers and subsidies to prevent and, ultimately end, homelessness. We are grateful to the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation for this generous challenge grant and look forward to all those who will join us in helping end homelessness in Ventura County.