Category: News

Richard Yao Appointed Interim President of California State University Channel Islands

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California State University (CSU) Chancellor Timothy P. White has appointed Richard Yao, Ph.D., to serve as interim president of California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI). Yao currently serves as CSUCI’s vice president for student affairs. Yao will assume the leadership of the university on January 11, 2021 with the departure of current CSUCI president Dr. Erika D. Beck, who will begin her new role as president of California State University, Northridge. Yao, who identifies as a Chinese Filipino American, becomes the first person of color to lead the campus.

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Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Nov. 12

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Good Evening, There are 305 new cases (16 (5.2%) of which have a lab collection from November 5th or earlier), 3,718 additional people tested, and 0 additional deaths. There are currently 36 people hospitalized with COVID-19 and 5 of those patients are receiving care in the ICU.

Our current data published as of November 10th is 7.2 (purple tier) for the case rate and 3.0% (orange tier) for the positivity rate and 4.8% for the health equity positivity (orange tier) for the measurement period ending October 31st.

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First on the West Coast, Port of Hueneme Secures Cold-Treatment Finishing On-Dock

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Known as the Banana Port of the West Coast, the Port of Hueneme can now add another title to their brand: the Peruvian blueberry pilot Port. Being the specialized reefer port of the U.S. West Coast, Hueneme has been able to receive completed cold-treated produce containers for years; however, they now are now going to be making history by offering the ability of completion of this treatment on-port. This new service is the first of its kind on the West Coast and stands to reduce the cost of transporting blueberries, eliminate thousands of pounds of Green House Gases, and support local California and Peruvian growers.

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Museum of Ventura County Insider Returns + Reopening to Public + More!

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This week, we bring you a special appeal from Ventura County leaders: Please get tested for Covid-19 at one of the free testing sites throughout the County. As the virus worsens across the country, the metrics that will take Ventura County from the red to the purple tier (which is the most restrictive) are on the rise. One way to help stem the spread of the virus and keep our numbers down is to get tested. Please watch the video below that walks you through the testing process. And please, stay safe! 

You can subscribe for COVID-19 updates from the County here.

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Joyce Coleman selected as VP of SBCC School of Extended Learning

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At their Nov. 12 meeting, the Santa Barbara City College Board of Trustees approved Ms. Joyce Coleman as the new Vice President, School of Extended Learning. Coleman has over 28 years of experience as a community college educator and administrator —18 years in California and 10 years in Minnesota and Oregon. She describes herself as someone who has provided equity-minded leadership, vision and effective management in all of the positions she has held. Her prior experience includes Dean of Students at Bakersfield College, Dean of Community Learning Programs at Mt. Hood Community College, Vice President of Student Services at Umpqua Community College, and Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Century College.

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Hearst Castle Nonprofit Partners with California State Parks on Virtual Education Program

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The Foundation at Hearst Castle has partnered with Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument and State Park to launch a new, virtual education program. The multi-day online experience is an iteration of the innovative in-person opportunity the nonprofit organization introduced in 2018.

The STEAM Program at the Castle, a key initiative, encourages learning and discovery for middle school-aged students from underserved communities around California. It includes a tour of the unique museum and visit to the San Simeon Pier and beach — now by livestream. The tours align with STEM/STEAM disciplines, showing how pioneering architect Julia Morgan and her team used science, technology, engineering, art, and math to build W.R. Hearst’s dream home — and ultimately how that might apply to their future education and career paths

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New Virtual Shop Local Market makes it easy to support women-owned and minority-owned small businesses, hosted by Women’s Economic Ventures

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Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) annual Celebration of Small Business is launching a Virtual Shop Local Market to safely bring shoppers to local small businesses this holiday season. The marketplace will feature more than 50 local, women-owned and minority-owned small businesses who are part of the WEV community.   The 26-day, dynamic online shopping portal will be open online from November 17 – December 13 and can be accessed by visiting WEV’s website at www.wevonline.org

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Bilingual report — Teatro de las Américas: Casting and Update/Tenerlos al tanto

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Merino Productions is a Multilingual Solutions Agency based in Ventura County with a national and international curriculum in video productions, voice-overs and document translations.  

Our experience with local government agencies, has shown a need to raise awareness on multiple subjects such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, drunk driving, drug addiction, personal growth and multicultural awareness. 

Merino Productions has decided to start a new community awareness program on all these matters and will be volunteering hours to create a series of on-going bilingual (English and Spanish) videos. We are looking for volunteer actors and actresses of all ages to help us create these video messages. 

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Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s “Project Turkey” in Need this Thanksgiving

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Every year, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) holds Project Turkey to help food-insecure families who have a child facing pediatric cancer in the Tri-County areas with grocery gift cards and food baskets. 

This year, due to the pandemic, the holidays have hit families dealing with a child with cancer even harder due to increased financial constraints. Many families have had to leave work in order to care for their sick child, and TBCF is working hard to collect items for these families so they can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.

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Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation “Night at the Drive-In!” on Nov. 11 Honors Two Santa Barbara World War II Veterans

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Although it has been difficult to have in person events this year, Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF) is still managing to keep the Veteran’s Day spirit alive with “Night at the Drive-In!,” an event where they will honor World War II Veterans Art Peterson and Ugo D. Arnoldi, deceased. 

Every year, PCVF has their in-person Military Ball to show their appreciation for all Veterans but this year, due to COVID-19, they have changed their usual in-person event to a drive-in event to fit social distancing guidelines. Their drive-in event will have a gourmet BBQ boxed dinner, a movie screening of Memphis Belle, a few surprises and will keep their tradition of honoring veterans from the Santa Barbara community. 

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Friendship Center — Veteran’s Day Message of Thanks

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Friendship Center staff are helping to distribute hygiene kits, put together by the Elk’s Lodge, to Santa Barbara area Veterans.

Please consider making a donation to Friendship Center so that we may continue to support Veterans in our community

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Bilingual report — Racism Declared a Public Health Crisis by County of Ventura Board of Supervisors

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The County of Ventura Board of Supervisors has approved a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis. “The resolution is a pledge from the Board and the County to promote equity, inclusion, and diversity in housing, employment, economic development, health care, and public safety,” said Mike Powers, County Executive Officer. “The resolution also pledges that the County will work to become a more racial equity and justice-oriented organization in service to the community. It is our goal for this to become part of our culture to best serve our community.”

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Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Nov. 10

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Good evening, There are 72 new cases today (17 (23.6%) of which have a lab collection from November 3rd or earlier), 1,577 additional people tested, and 0 additional deaths. Currently, there are 35 people hospitalized with COVID-19 and 5 of those patients are receiving care in the ICU.

Our current data published as of November 10th is 7.2 (purple tier) for the case rate, 3.0% (orange tier) for the positivity rate and 4.8% (orange tier) for the health equity positivity rate for the measurement period ending October 31st.

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Ventura College Foundation’s Weekend Marketplace Temporarily Moves To New Location During Campus’ Solar Panel Installation

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Ventura College Foundation’s Weekend Marketplace will temporarily move to a new location on the Ventura College campus while solar panels are installed at its current site (East Parking Lot). The Marketplace will open at the campus’ West Parking Lot on November 28. The Marketplace will be closed November 21 and 22 in preparation for the move. The solar panel installation is expected to take 12 weeks to complete.

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SEEAG Launches $15,000 “Give The Gift of Agriculture Challenge”

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An anonymous donor has stepped forward and will match all donations up to $15,000 for every dollar donated to Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG). The “Give the Gift of Agriculture – Double Your Impact Challenge” runs through December 31 with a total fundraising goal of $30,000.

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School Reopening Plans May Change as Ventura County COVID-19 Cases Rise

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Some Ventura County schools could have to delay their plans to resume in-person instruction if the County falls back to the most restrictive level – the purple tier – on the state’s coronavirus watch list, which is looking increasingly likely. Due to a growing number of COVID-19 cases, County health officials anticipate the move back to the purple tier could happen as early as next Tuesday, November 17, but is most likely to occur a week after that on Tuesday, November 24.

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November/December Happenings at the Santa Paula Art Museum

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There’s a lot happening at the Santa Paula Art Museum in November and December! For the first time in its ten-year history, the Museum’s annual Fine Art Auction Fundraiser is being hosted online. Bid on 20 beautiful works of art now through Sunday, November 22, 2020. The Museum’s annual art auction is its biggest fundraiser each year. All proceeds raised from the event benefit the Santa Paula Art Museum and the thousands of children, families, and adults that the Museum serves through its educational programs every year. Find a link to the online auction on the Museum’s website: www.santapaulaartmuseum.org/event/auction.

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Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Nov. 9 — COMMUNITY ALERT: COVID-19 cases are increasing

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COMMUNITY ALERT: COVID-19 cases are increasing. If the cases continue to increase we will be moved to the more restrictive purple tier by the State. We need your help. We need to increase testing numbers. The State gives credit for more testing and testing also helps slow the spread. We also need your help in slowing the spread by not gathering. Gatherings increase the virus’ spread. Let’s work together so we can all move forward and protect the most vulnerable in our community.

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SBCC Music’s Big Band is world’s first to perform together remotely using exciting new technology

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On Oct. 23, 2020 at 7p.m. Pacific Time, the Santa Barbara City College Lunch Break Big Band became the first school band in the world to present a live concert of a large ensemble with each member participating synchronously – and safely – from their homes.

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EDC NEWS- Welcome New Advisors!

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The Economic Development Collaborative is thrilled to announce the addition of five new advisors to our consulting team! As one of California’s largest direct business support networks, our Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is dedicated to providing quality consulting with a diversity of advisor skillsets to assist you with each of your business needs. Access to capital, top tier advising and personalized support is just a phone call away.

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SMHS Advanced Floral Design Students take part in Ocean Breeze Farms during their first Halloween Festival

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What better way to spend the day than playing with flowers!

This past Saturday, four Santa Maria High School Advanced Floral Design students, along with their teachers, Amanda Rodriguez, Sara Araujo and Kristie Van Horn, made free flower arrangements for anyone who purchased flowers from Ocean Breeze Farms during their first Halloween Festival.

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PVHS Academic Excellence Celebration

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Nearly 300 Pioneer Valley High School students were honored for “Academic Excellence” during a drive-through celebration Thursday. The Panthers earned the recognition with a 3.8 GPA or higher for the 2019-2020 school year. They received a special certificate and cheers from counselors, teachers and the administration in front of the campus.

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COVID-19 Cases Increasing in County of Ventura

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The County of Ventura Public Health Department is reporting concerning increases in COVID-19 cases. The community is urged to use caution. The best protection against COVID-19 continues to be to wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, self-isolate if you are sick, practice physical distancing, and wear a clean face covering when in contact with others from outside your household.

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Commentary — Thanks to all who have voted and are waiting for democracy to do its work

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Thank you all very much for participating in our democracy by casting your ballot during the Nov. 3, 2020, general election.

No matter who you have voted for, you have set national records in participation this year — all during a time of one of the worst pandemics in our nation’s history.

Now, the hard part begins. Patience.

As we write this, various news agencies are reporting that former Vice President Joe Biden has won Pennsylvania to put him over the 270 electoral votes needed to become the 46th U.S. President.

Those news services include:

Associated Press — Biden wins White House, vowing new direction for divided US
CNBC — Election 2020 live results: Biden projected to defeat Trump, claims national mandate
CNN — Election results live: Joe Biden wins presidency
Fox News — Fox News projects Biden to defeat Trump, become 46th president after winning Nevada, Pennsylvania
NBC News — Biden defeats Trump to win White House, NBC News projects
New York Times — Joe Biden Wins 2020 President Election
NPR — Biden Wins Presidency, According To AP, Edging Trump In Turbulent Race
Washington Post — Biden Defeats Trump

However, thousands of ballots remain to be counted in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. We owe it to election workers to complete their jobs and count every single ballot.

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Letter to the editor — Post Election Expectations

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November 3rd is Election Day, but we may not know all the election results for days or even weeks afterward. This doesn’t mean anything is wrong. It just means our elections officials are doing everything possible to make sure every vote is counted and the election results are accurate.

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$1.3 Million in Rental Assistance Still Available for SB County Residents Through United Way of Santa Barbara County

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In partnership with the County of Santa Barbara, United Way is offering rental assistance grants to eligible individuals and families living in unincorporated areas. Eligible applicants must meet specific requirements. The funds were made possible by the County of Santa Barbara through federal grants received from the CARES Act. 

The funding comes from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which gave Santa Barbara County a total of about $46 million in funding. 

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12 Acts of Kindness

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In memory of those taken on November 7, 2018, and in honor of those that survived, this campaign is designed to encourage the community to perform 12 Acts of Kindness. An act of kindness can be simple and performed on behalf of those closest to you, a stranger, an organization, or for some, an act of kindness for themselves.

The campaign is mix of printable items and social media imagery for use across all platforms. The concept is to encourage everyone to participate in the way that is best for them. Participating in 12 Acts of Kindness does not require anyone to spend money, which is a critical aspect. Raising awareness around how many simple Acts of Kindness are possible and helping the healing process for the community is the goal of this campaign.

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VCCCD Internship Opportunity to Provide Beautiful Music for All

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The Ventura County Community College District has created a unique internship opportunity for two Moorpark College aspiring music professionals. Students Dan Damore and Alex Fortunato will create original music scores for the District’s marketing projects, including music to be played prior to Board of Trustees meetings and during breaks. Scores will also be written for Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges and Ventura College East Campus.

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Santa Barbara business owner offers free 3-day workshop to support local entrepreneurs

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Nicole Wald, a local entrepreneur who recently launched a new content strategy coaching business – Nicole Michelle – will host a live, Zoom workshop series for fellow entrepreneurs on Tuesday, November 10 to Thursday, November 12 from 2:30-4 p.m. PDT. 

The free workshop series, titled “Rock Your Content,” will teach business owners key principles of creating effective content. The workshop will include Wald’s tips for creating engaging content that boosts profit in less time, an intro to creating a strong brand voice, daily live Q&As, and real-time assignments to add instant value to attendees’ businesses.

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CSUCI virtual performance captures the spirit of all eight Channel Islands 

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Santa Barbara Island is teeming with land birds and cattle that once roamed the Santa Rosa Island during the 1800s. San Nicolas Island was home to a lone woman for decades and one man known as “The King of San Miguel Island” isolated himself and his family on the remote island for years. 

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) students will illustrate the dramatic human and natural history of each of the eight of the Channel Islands with a multi-media performance of music, theater, dance, poetry and even shadow puppets premiering on YouTube at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13.   

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Righetti High School’s Identity and Culture for Spanish Speakers 3 class hosts virtual workshop with the musical group Las Cafeteras

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Righetti High School’s Identity and Culture for Spanish Speakers 3 class recently hosted a virtual workshop with the musical group Las Cafeteras, an east Los Angeles band that features Afro-Mexican beats, rhythms and rhymes that contain lyrics documenting stories of a community seeking love and justice in the concrete jungle of LA.

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SMHS Freshmen and Junior Class Elections

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A large turn-out of candidates will be considered during the freshman and junior class elections this week.

Nearly a dozen Santa Maria High School freshman are running for president during an online election for the first time ever.

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Yarrow YMCA Opens 9,000 Square Foot Outdoor Fitness Facility

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The Yarrow Family YMCA in Westlake Village has opened a nearly 9,000 square foot covered outdoor fitness facility in its back parking lot (31105 East Thousand Oaks Blvd.). The facility opened November 2.

The exercise area contains cardio equipment and weights to provide members an opportunity to workout in a COVID-compliant setting until Los Angeles County officially enters the red tier level and gyms can reopen indoors.

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Santa Paula Art Museum — Who Will Win?!

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We are eagerly awaiting the start of our online Fine Art Auction Fundraiser on Monday, November 9, and can’t wait to see who will take home each of our 20 gorgeous auction artworks and two raffle prize paintings. Be sure to preregister for our auction on Bidsquare.com, so that you can place your bid as soon as the items go live! Raffle tickets can be purchased on our website. All proceeds will benefit the Santa Paula Art Museum.

We will have to wait to see who wins when bidding closes on Sunday, November 22. Luckily, we’ve got plenty to keep ourselves busy with until then…

*Planning to visit? Please read our general visiting guidelines at the end of this email.

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U.S. Department of Education awards $600K to CSUCI for degree completion program

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CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)’s Channel Your Success initiative received a $600,000 boost this fall from the U.S. Department of Education.

Channel Your Success is a multi-faceted program designed to remove barriers preventing Latinx students from graduating on time. Director of Student Academic Success & Equity Initiatives Michelle Hasendonckx, Ed.D., said this particular grant is a 2020 Title V grant for a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), but the campaign is to benefit all CSUCI students.

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Local Companies Support Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley’s (BGCGCV) STEM Program

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To help prepare youth for the future workforce as the next generation of scientists, tech innovators, engineers and mathematicians, local companies are joining with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) to provide STEM education.

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Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Goes Virtual

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Already, over 850 county residents have become certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid. The popular course that teaches participants how to support youth struggling with a mental health or substance abuse problem is now available online. Parents, teachers, and others in Santa Barbara County who work with youth ages 12-18 are encouraged to “be the difference” for local youth by participating in a free, upcoming training.

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CSUCI exceeds enrollment targets despite COVID-19 pandemic 

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Despite economic and practical hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) exceeded Fall 2020 enrollment targets.

Total enrollment for fall 2020 was 6,194 full-time equivalent students, which is about 1% above the 6,135 full-time equivalent student projection the state uses to calculate funding for CSUCI.  

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Friendship Center November Newsletter – Gratitude & Sign Language Addition!

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Giving Thanks can make you Happier
by Sophia Davis, Advancement & Project Manager

November kicks of the holiday season with high expectations for a cozy and festive time of year. However, for many this time of year is tinged with sadness, anxiety, or depression. Research suggests that one aspect of the Thanksgiving season can actually lift the spirits, and it’s built right into the holiday — expressing gratitude.

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Santa Maria High School ASB Leadership Student Tutors

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Students teaching students is proving to be a successful educational tool during the pandemic.

Up to 25 Santa Maria High School ASB Leadership volunteers are logging in during the school’s scheduled tutoring time from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. nearly every day of the week to help teachers who provide tutoring via Zoom. They are assisting in core subjects including math, science, social science, history, English. 

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