Category: News

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network — Announcing a Unique Financing Option for Food Businesses

by Community Contributor • November 2, 2021 • Comments Off

Many food businesses, especially producers, have been unable to take advantage of traditional financing because there are too many barriers, the structure is too narrow, and other programs are not informed by those who apply for funding. Recognizing this regional need, SBCFAN and the Economic Development Collaborative proudly announce the Food System Resilience Loan Program, providing food businesses an equitable opportunity to access financing, address gaps in our food system, and ensure that their businesses thrive.

Bilingual report — Ventura County’s America’s Job Centers of California Re-Opens, Gets A Remodel

by Community Contributor • November 1, 2021 • Comments Off

The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDB) announced the re-opening of the America’s Job Center of California location in Oxnard and the affiliate East County office in Simi Valley. The Oxnard office also reopened with some welcomed changes.

America’s Job Center of California is a direct link to resources that help choose and pursue careers. The centers provide free access to a host of employment-related resources to help individuals find rewarding careers. They can receive assistance with resume preparation, training referrals, view job openings and employer information and learn about in-demand occupations. Customized training in the region’s in-demand occupations and assistance with tuition and books is also available. Services are available in English and for English language learners.

Nov. 1, 2021 – Ventura County COVID-19 Update

by Community Contributor • November 1, 2021 • Comments Off

¡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 Board of Directors Welcomes Tim Armour

by Community Contributor • November 1, 2021 • Comments Off

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.

New Program Mapper Steers Ventura County Community College Students to a Career

by Community Contributor • November 1, 2021 • Comments Off

Choosing a major that leads to a rewarding career can be overwhelming for students. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The Ventura County Community College District just introduced Program Mapper, an innovative, detailed visual course guide that allows students to explore future work possibilities, while simultaneously showing them the required courses and earning potential for that career.

Developed through a collaboration between California Community Colleges and software developer Concentric Sky, Program Mapper helps students at Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges visualize their degree or certificate options on a semester-by-semester basis. Organized around areas of interest and grouped by career and academic majors, the new tool guides students through the District’s more than 200 program offerings, while helping them chart a path to completing a degree or certificate.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Weekly Webinar Schedule

by Community Contributor • November 1, 2021 • Comments Off

EDC WEBINAR SCHEDULE

The Economic Development Collaborative encourages you to sign up for our no-cost webinars. Space is limited. Register today!

United Way of Santa Barbara Board of Directors Welcomes Suzanne Birch

by Community Contributor • November 1, 2021 • Comments Off

United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) Board of Directors welcomes Suzanne Birch. She and her husband, Ed Birch, have a long history with UWSBC. Sue was previously involved in advising the original launch of UWSBC’s United Learning Center and Ed previously served as UWSBC’s Board chairman.

Sue Birch holds BS and MS degrees from State University of New York and the Ohio State University as well as Educational Computer Certification from UCSB. She has had a long career in Education as a teacher, counselor, computer director and administrator.

Fall II OLLI Session Offers In-Person and Live-Streamed Classes

by Community Contributor • November 1, 2021 • Comments Off

After almost two years of offering only virtual classes, CSU Channel Islands’ (CSUCI) Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is now holding in person and simultaneously live-streamed courses for its Fall II session.

OLLI will be using state-of-the-art streaming technology that improves the experience for those watching classes virtually.

“The technology is called ‘Hy-Flex’, and it’s really cool.” said Jeff Zisken, OLLI Marketing & Program Coordinator. “The camera is motion-sensored and follows the speaker around and is capable of zooming in and out.”

OLLI members can choose to attend in person or join online. Classes are also recorded and can be played back at a student’s convenience.

Downtown flex space, Workzones, expands to meet needs of post-COVID world

by Community Contributor • November 1, 2021 • Comments Off

Remote employment. Virtual meetings. Combined business and leisure or “bleisure” travel. The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed how Americans work.

To meet this new reality, Workzones, a pioneering coworking space in downtown Santa Barbara, has scaled up its offerings to provide entrepreneurs, professionals and remote employees with comfortable, flexible, and customized work options. The expansion includes a vast new array of fully equipped private offices, meeting rooms, team rooms and conference facilities, as well as an open coworking area with access to a kitchen, printers, lightning fast Wi-Fi, phone booths, and quality local coffee.

Attorney Manny Ignacio Joins Employment Law Firm LightGabler

by Community Contributor • November 1, 2021 • Comments Off

Attorney Manny Ignacio has joined the Camarillo employment law firm LightGabler.

Ignacio defends employers in a broad range of litigation matters including wage and hour, class action, Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), harassment, and discrimination claims in state and federal court, as well as regulatory compliance claims by Cal/OSHA, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and the Department of Labor.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Tax Credit Programs

by Community Contributor • November 1, 2021 • Comments Off

TAX CREDITS THAT MAY APPLY TO YOUR BUSINESS

Tax Credits may help reduce the amount of tax your business owes. Your business may be eligible for more than 1 tax credit if you:

Bring or grow your business in California
Hire employees in certain areas
Produce a movie or television show
Do qualified research in California

Teatro de las Américas — Opening Weekend! ‘Cumbia de mi corazón’ Oct. 29 – 31 and more events

by Community Contributor • October 29, 2021 • Comments Off

Cumbia de mi corazón, written by Toby Campion and directed by Robert Sánchez, offers an unflinching, intimate glimpse into the world of the beyond. Heriberto, an 80-year-old fisherman, although not condemned to punishment, has deprived himself of heaven for love, patiently waiting in purgatory until he reunites with his beloved wife, Maruca.

Pesticides applied within 2.5 miles linked to childhood cancers in Ventura, Kern counties

by Community Contributor • October 28, 2021 • Comments Off

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.

Rob Collins to Resign from Ventura County Board of Education

by Community Contributor • October 28, 2021 • Comments Off

Veteran educator Rob Collins has announced his resignation from the Ventura County Board of Education. Collins was elected to the board in 2018 for the second time. He had previously served as a board trustee from 2002 to 2004. He also served for twelve years as a trustee for the Simi Valley Unified School District Board of Education and has many years of experience as a classroom teacher and school administrator. Collins was honored as the Simi Valley Teacher of the Year in 1998.

Santa Paula Art Museum — Free Giveaway: Art To-Go Bags on Oct. 30 and more upcoming events

by Community Contributor • October 28, 2021 • Comments Off

We’re celebrating Día de los Muertos with our community with an extra special, free Art To-Go Bag Giveaway. Drive by the Museum this Saturday at 9 a.m. to pick up free bags filled with fun art making materials (while supplies last). Kids will receive everything they need to create festive art projects at home likepapier maché sugar skulls, papel picado, calavera puppets, paper flowers, and more!

OPAC’s Dia de Muertos on Nov. 5 welcomes the Filipinx Community

by Community Contributor • October 28, 2021 • Comments Off

OPAC will put an inclusive spin on its annual Dia de Muertos Celebration which will be held this year on Friday, November 5th from 5 to 10 pm at the Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center. Co-curating this year’s festivities is a new art collective, Oxnard Art Studio.

“We’re thrilled to partner up with OPAC on what may be the first Filipina/x/o and Chicana/x/o organized Dia De Muertos or Araw Ng Mga Patay in Oxnard. We’re excited to bring many emerging artists and cultural traditions to the festivities, including paying homage to the Filipino tradition. We love to see more endeavors of intercultural unity within our community!,” reflects the collective’s John del Rosario.

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network — Fall Member Newsletter

by Community Contributor • October 28, 2021 • Comments Off

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.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Home-Based Halloween’ and more news

by Community Contributor • October 28, 2021 • Comments Off

The campus teams with students and community on rules, regulations, safety enhancements and alternative events for October 29 through November 1.

Southeast Ventura County YMCA and Columbia Memorial Space Center Kick Off This Year’s STEM Club For Middle Schoolers

by Community Contributor • October 28, 2021 • Comments Off

The Southeast Ventura County YMCA and the Columbia Memorial Space Center will begin their STEM Club for local middle schoolers. Meetings begin in November and run through December 16.

Students can sign up to meet in person at the Yarrow Family YMCA after school for 8 to 10 weeks. Students meet on Tuesdays with an additional voluntary meeting on Thursday afternoons.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura October 27, 2021 – COVID-19 Update

by Community Contributor • October 27, 2021 • Comments Off

Since Monday, there are 430 new COVID-19 cases reported and 10,074 new tests performed. There are 44 people hospitalized, 3 in the ICU. There have been 3 additional deaths of a 45 year old female, 75 year old male, and an 83 year old male. Our sincere condolences to the loved ones and friends of those who have passed away. The R-effective in Ventura County is 0.81, which means that the spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing.

81.1% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
82.6% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
74.6% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.

COVID vaccine and testing information: www.vcrecovers.org
Booster Information | Booster Questions & Answers
Flu vaccine clinics: www.vchca.org/flu-shots

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — EDC Business Alert- California Venues Grant Program

by Community Contributor • October 27, 2021 • Comments Off

Application Window Opens Wednesday, October 29!

The California Venues Grant Program will support eligible independent live events venues that have been affected by COVID-19 in order to support their continued operation. Eligible independent live events venues must have a physical address and operate in California, which will be validated through submitted business tax returns. If your business tax returns do not reference a California address, you will be deemed ineligible. For more information on how to apply CLICK HERE.

Triunfo Water & Sanitation District Urges Customers To Take Advantage Of Water-Saving Rebates As Statewide Drought Emergency Declared

by Community Contributor • October 27, 2021 • Comments Off

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.”

Seasons Catering prioritizes employee family time during peak holiday season

by Community Contributor • October 27, 2021 • Comments Off

The holidays are a busy time for everyone, especially for those in the hospitality industry. This isn’t stopping Seasons Catering Chef and Owner Gabrielle Moes from prioritizing her employees this Thanksgiving. Emphasizing the importance of time with family, Moes is choosing to forego booking traditional Thanksgiving caterings, which keep her employees away from their own families, and instead bringing back Seasons’ popular chef-crafted, heat and serve Good2Go Thanksgiving meals. Pre-orders are open now through November 15th with meal pick- up on November 24th.

Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum and its Board of Directors are pleased to announce that John McCarty – ‘The Real Deal’ has been named the 2021 Vaquero of the Year

by Community Contributor • October 27, 2021 • Comments Off

The Board of Directors of the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum (SYVHM) is pleased to announce that John McCarty has been named the 2021 Vaquero of the Year. John will be honored and presented with his award on Friday evening, November 12, 2021 at the Annual Vaquero Gala benefit celebration, which officially launches a weekend of exciting events. Now in its 37th year, the Museum’s Vaquero Show and Sale promotes the traditions and influences of the California Vaquero way of life and is a tribute to it. Mr. McCarty, this year’s honoree, is an integral part of this heritage.

Assemblymember Irwin Announces $330,000 in Funding for Camarillo Health Care District COVID Work

by Community Contributor • October 27, 2021 • Comments Off

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.”

Bilingual report — Moderna and Johnson & Johnson Booster Shots Available for Eligible Residents in Ventura County

by Community Contributor • October 26, 2021 • Comments Off

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.”

Department of Education Awards VCCCD Colleges Grants of Nearly $10 Million

by Community Contributor • October 26, 2021 • Comments Off

Two Ventura County Community College District colleges have received multi-million-dollar federal grants to support STEM programs targeting underrepresented students interested in pursuing science, technology, engineering and math-related fields. A grant for Oxnard College totals $4,901,245, and the grant for Ventura College is $5 million. Both grants are for the period of Oct. 1, 2021, to Sept. 30, 2026.

“For the third consecutive time, the U.S. Department of Education has recognized Oxnard College’s leading work in STEM education through the Hispanic-Serving Institution STEM grant,” shared Luis Sanchez, president of Oxnard College. “This grant’s renewal will infuse additional resources and staffing into our academic programs, expanding career pathways in STEM for countless Ventura County students and their families. We relish the opportunity to continue this life-changing work for our community.”

SBCC — The Bridge — October 2021 — SBCC receives Hispanic-Serving Institution program grant and other news

by Community Contributor • October 26, 2021 • Comments Off

On Sept. 1, SBCC was awarded a Title V “Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) Program” grant. The grant award is for nearly $3 million over a five-year period starting Oct. 1, 2021.

The grant has five main objectives: expand outreach, enrollment and academic planning; increase completion in transfer level math and English; increase first to second year retention rate; decrease time to degree completion; and increase transfers to four-year institutions.

October News from People’s Self-Help Housing

by Community Contributor • October 26, 2021 • Comments Off

Fall is here, and the change in season is evident all around. Leaves are falling, cooler breezes are swirling, daylight is shortening, all signs that change is in the air. Our address has changed too, with the opening of our new corporate office in San Luis Obispo. Keep that contact page for us open though, soon we’ll have another change of address, our new corporate office in Ventura County! Other changes this month see the start of construction of new apartments in Pismo Beach, and first-time home owners completing construction on their self-help houses in King City.

VCCDC Community Matters Newsletter — October 2021 —

by Community Contributor • October 26, 2021 • Comments Off

Meet Will Jones and his son. Will was born in Detroit and moved to California when he was 16 years old with little to his name. As an adult, he worked hard for the things he wanted but living in California quickly made him realize that owning a home would be very expensive. He made a promise to his son that one day, they would afford a home to call their own. As a single father working long hours over multiple jobs, saving was almost impossible. Their living situation was less than ideal, staying on friend’s couches. Then, he met his Realtor, Cynthia. She took Will under her wing and guided him through the homebuying process, connecting him with Alex at VCCDC. VCCDC helped Will access as much financial assistance as possible for Will’s down payment and closing costs, removing a lot of the burden he felt to come up with such a large sum of money.

“Having an affordable home for my children and I has been the biggest blessing I could ever have received. VCCDC made it possible for me to make owning a home a reality.”

UCSB — The Current — ‘New Direction’ and more news

by Community Contributor • October 26, 2021 • Comments Off

The Art, Design & Architecture Museum reopens to in-person visitors and welcomes new director Gabriel Ritter.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule

by Community Contributor • October 25, 2021 • Comments Off

The Economic Development Collaborative encourages you to sign up for our no-cost webinars. Space is limited. Register today!

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Oct. 25, 2021

by Community Contributor • October 25, 2021 • Comments Off

Since Friday, there are 53 new COVID-19 cases reported and 14,406 new tests performed. There are 33 people hospitalized, 9 in the ICU. There have been 3 additional deaths of a 44 year old male, 58 year old female, and an 89 year old male. Our sincere condolences to the loved ones and friends of those who have passed away. The R-effective in Ventura County is 0.84, which means that the spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing.

81.0% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
82.5% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
74.5% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.

There have been temporary closures at the state testing sites today due to rain and wind. Please contact your testing provider before getting tested to confirm whether they are open. View testing locations at www.vcrecovers.org/testing.

COVID vaccine and testing information: www.vcrecovers.org
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Questions & Answers
View flu vaccine clinics here: www.vchca.org/flu-shots

Ventura County Animal Services — Simi Valley Animal Shelter once again open and more news

by Community Contributor • October 25, 2021 • Comments Off

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!

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

by Community Contributor • October 25, 2021 • Comments Off

The California Labor Market Information Division (LMID) released its September 2021 report earlier today, showing extraordinary progress in our unemployment rate, dropping from 6.2% in August to 5.3% in September.

What’s odd though, is we had very little gain in our industry employment, up month-over-month by only a net 1,200 jobs. Usually when we see a big improvement in the unemployment rate without a corresponding increase in industry employment—that is, payroll jobs created by employers that are paying into the unemployment and social security systems—it’s because we had a bunch of workers drop out of the labor market entirely. When workers drop out, neither working nor looking for work, they’re not considered “unemployed” so that contributes an artificial improvement to our unemployment rate. But this month we actually had a small increase in our total labor force, by 900 workers, so that doesn’t help explain the improvement.

Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation to present special guest speaker Francis Gary Powers, Jr. at the 24th Annual Military Ball on Nov. 6

by Community Contributor • October 25, 2021 • Comments Off

Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF) is proud to present special guest speaker Francis Gary Powers, Jr. on Saturday, November 6th at the 24th Annual Military Ball to be held at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. He is the best selling author of Spy Pilot and a leading authority on Cold War history.Known for his #1 New York Times bestseller, the subject of the acclaimed major motion picture Bridge of Spies, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Hanks.

House Farm Workers! welcomes new Executive Director Gabrielle Vignone

by Community Contributor • October 22, 2021 • Comments Off

After an extensive search, the House Farm Workers! Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Gabrielle Vignone has accepted the position of Executive Director at the nonprofit and began her new position on October 1, 2021.

Gabrielle Vignone joins the organization with over 13 years of comprehensive experience in the housing industry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English as well as an Associates Degree in Legal Studies. Vignone is certified in Fair Housing by the Housing Rights Center, has a Housing Credit Certified Professional designation from NAHB, and a USDA Housing certification. Vignone previously worked with The Towbes Group where she was both the Affordable Senior Community Manager and the Market Rate Community Manager. In these roles, she worked closely with the Ventura Housing Authority, built a strong command of regulations related to fair housing, local building codes, and OSHA. Additionally, Vignone worked at Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), where she interacted directly with farmworker families by supporting their housing needs, and created a resident run Food Share program that is still flourishing.

Museum of Ventura County — The 7 New Installations Throughout Downtown Ventura

by Community Contributor • October 21, 2021 • Comments Off

The Museum of Ventura County is excited to announce a new installation; Women’s Qualities by New York-based artist Ghada Amer. The artwork can be viewed throughout historic Downtown Ventura (see below for detailed list of installations and locations). Women’s Qualities was originally commissioned for Desert X 2021 by Artistic Director Neville Wakefield and Co-curator César García-Alvarez and was installed at Sunnylands Center & Gardens in Rancho Mirage in the Coachella Valley.

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Rosha Yaghmai: Drifters

by Community Contributor • October 21, 2021 • Comments Off

Saturday, October 23, 2021
Member + VIP Walkthrough | 5-6 PM (Not a member? Click here to signup!)
Public Opening Reception | 6-8 PM
MCASB, 653 Paseo Nuevo, Upper Arts Terrace

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) is pleased to announce a solo exhibition of artist Rosha Yaghmai, entitled Drifters, on view from Saturday, October 23, 2021, to January 9, 2022.

Visual distortion and disorientation evoke sensations of altered perception in the work of Rosha Yaghmai in which she mines her personal, familial, and cultural histories to unearth embedded meaning. Her sculptural practice posits the generative ability of ambiguity to stimulate recall, epitomizing the expansive and transformational promise of psychedelia. Experimentation with materiality and representation constructs an uncanny universe informed by Persian miniatures, ancient Iranian myths, trippy blacklight posters, and 1990s surf aesthetic.

UCSB — The Current — Flu Vaccination Q&A and more news

by Community Contributor • October 21, 2021 • Comments Off

Student Health Executive Director Vejas Skripkus, M.D., discusses the UC influenza vaccination mandate.

Ventura College Student Angela Duran Obtains Statewide STEM Scholarship

by Community Contributor • October 20, 2021 • Comments Off

Ventura College computer science major Angela Duran is one of 11 students statewide to receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Chief Information Systems Officers Association (CISOA), a nonprofit organization supporting technology leadership in the California Community College System. Duran was one of the more than 150 applicants from 31 community college districts who applied for the 2021 CISOA Student Scholarship.

Duran has been supported in her educational goals through the college’s Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) program, whose mission is to help underserved and underrepresented students be successful in STEM studies and careers.

Bilingual report — Board of Supervisors Approves $12.7 Million to Fund All Eligible Businesses in Fourth Business Assistance Grant Program

by Community Contributor • October 20, 2021 • Comments Off

The Board of Supervisors has approved $12.7 million in additional funding for the County’s Business Assistance Grant program, totaling $70 million in financial assistance. Following an overwhelming response of 1,455 applications in the fourth round of the program, the additional funds will allow nearly 1,100 eligible businesses and nonprofits to receive grants. The Board also authorized $3.7 million in unused program funds from the third round of grants to supplement funding to all eligible businesses and organizations in the fourth round. At the completion of the fourth round, over 7,000 businesses will have received $10,000 in grant funding.

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

by Community Contributor • October 20, 2021 • Comments Off

COVID-19 Update
Since Monday, there are 331 new COVID-19 cases reported and 9,464 new tests performed. There are 30 people hospitalized, 9 in the ICU. There has been 1 additional death of a 58 year old male. Our sincere condolences to the loved ones of the community member who has passed away.

80.7% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
82.2% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
74.1% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.

Booster Information
Pfizer booster shots are approved by the CDC and FDA. The Moderna and J&J vaccines are still pending full approval. Residents who received Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will need to wait until the FDA and CDC review the data and determine the need for and safety of boosters for these vaccines. Click here for Booster Information.

COVID vaccine and testing information: www.vcrecovers.org

Museum of Ventura County — Click your treat! Scary Good Dia de los Muertos Museum Events

by Community Contributor • October 19, 2021 • Comments Off

In celebration of Día de los Muertos, MVC invites you and your family to pick-up a Dia de los Muertos Craft Kit at the Ventura Museum and at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula. The MVC and AG Dia de los Muertos Craft Kits include: “Let’s Learn about Dia de los Muertos”, Mini Skull Book, CalaveraNecklace/Decoration Craft, Ofrenda Word Search, A Letter to the Dead, Dia de los Muertos Coloring Sheets, and Calavera Stickers.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Health Officer extends indoor face covering order and issues criteria for lifting order

by Community Contributor • October 18, 2021 • Comments Off

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.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 update for Oct. 18

by Community Contributor • October 18, 2021 • Comments Off

COVID-19 Update

Since Friday, there are 107 new COVID-19 cases reported and 16,107 new tests performed. There are 34 people hospitalized, 9 in the ICU. There has been 1 additional death of a 78 year old male. Our sincere condolences to the loved ones of the community member who has passed away.

80.5% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
82.0% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
73.9% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.

Booster Information
Pfizer booster shots are approved by the CDC and FDA. The Moderna and J&J vaccines are still pending full approval. Residents who received Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will need to wait until the FDA and CDC review the data and determines the need for and safety of boosters for these vaccines. Click here for Booster Information.

Gene Haas Advanced Manufacturing Lab Opens At Ventura College

by Community Contributor • October 18, 2021 • Comments Off

The Gene Haas Advanced Manufacturing Lab had its grand opening Thursday, October 7 at the Applied Science Center at Ventura College. More than 100 guests attended the celebration, including Ventura Unified School District high school students, dignitaries and strategic community partners.

In December 2019, the Gene Haas Foundation made a $250,000 grant to the Ventura College Foundation to support the Advanced Manufacturing program at Ventura College. The funds were used to relocate the current manufacturing lab to the college’s Applied Science Center and to renovate the new location into a modern manufacturing facility designed to promote manufacturing occupations and enhance student workforce manufacturing skills.

United Way of Ventura County — Nomadland author announced as keynote speaker

by Community Contributor • October 18, 2021 • Comments Off

We’re excited to announce that the keynote speaker for our 2nd annual homelessness symposium will be Jessica Bruder, author of Nomadland—the book that is the basis for the Oscar-winning film. Please save the date for Friday, February 4, 2022 for this important virtual event.

It’s hard to believe that 2022 is just around the corner, but thanks to your continued generosity, your United Way has been able to navigate this incredibly challenging year. Because of your generosity, our programs have continued to serve those in need. Because of your generosity, our homelessness initiative has exceeded expectations since its launch almost two years ago—supporting individuals, families, seniors, and veterans. Our housing successes include: a veteran undergoing chemotherapy, a single mother seven months pregnant, a senior about to celebrate his birthday after spending the last several birthdays without a home, a mother one month away from reunification with her young son, and a family of six living in a car for months with a medically compromised child.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule

by Community Contributor • October 18, 2021 • Comments Off

The Economic Development Collaborative encourages you to sign up for our partner’s no-cost webinars. Space is limited. Register today!

United Way of Santa Barbara County Hosts 24th Annual Red Feather Reception and raises over $175,000 to Support Educational Programming

by Community Contributor • October 18, 2021 • Comments Off

United Way of Santa Barbara County Raises over $175,000 to Support Educational Programming SANTA BARBARA — After hosting a virtual campaign in place of the Red Feather Ball in 2020, United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) returned to an in-person event for…

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