The Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) would like to honor all who have served our country. In celebration of their service, resources for Veteran owned businesses are highlighted below.
On this Veterans Day, we must commit not only to express our gratitude to our veterans, but to also fulfill our nation’s solemn promise: just as the military pledges to leave no soldier behind on the battlefield, we must leave no veteran behind when they return home. How we care for our veterans is a measure of our character as a country.
Since being elected to Congress, I have made it my priority to ensure that as a nation we fulfill this promise to our veterans and their families. Without their selfless service, America would not have the liberties so many of us enjoy – and often take for granted.
So, today, we pay tribute to these men and women who have served our country in defense of our values, our security, and our way of life.
In Ventura County, Veterans Day perfectly illustrates our community’s traditions and steadfast commitment to recognizing and honoring the men and women who have served our nation in uniform. It is that ethos that also guides my work – both in Congress and in Ventura County.
Bowlero Corp, the world leader in bowling entertainment, is excited to unveil its stunning new location at The Collection in RiverPark. Bowlero’s new venue, the 43rd in the state of California, will offer the ultimate entertainment experience featuring the brand’s signature blacklight bowling, interactive arcade games, and extensive food and beverage offerings.
The state-of-the-art, 32,000 square-foot venue has been built into a sleek, one-stop entertainment destination where bowling is just the beginning. Immediately upon entry, guests will be in awe of the elevated retro-inspired interior design with intricate details like vintage light fixtures, rich Herringbone-patterned floors, and dramatic wall graphics.
Mike Fogelsonger has been named director of UC Santa Barbara’s Veterans and Military Services.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conducted the final inspection for the construction of the Ferro Channel today as part of the on-going Beardsley Watershed project authorized through the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention (PL-566) program in 1963. The work was funded by an agreement between NRCS and the County of Ventura and carried out by Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Watershed Protection. The program was worth approximately $3M for construction and $500,000 of technical assistance. With this project completion, it will signify the last remaining structure identified in the watershed workplan. Greg Norris, State Conservation Engineer, performed the final inspection and certified that the project is complete.
“Almost 60 years of this amazing partnership supports the Beardsley watershed and I am pleased to see the tremendous amount of work that was completed to benefit agriculture and rural communities,” NRCS State Conservationist Carlos Suarez said.
Ventura County Arts Council invites you to submit proposals for art to be displayed in Ventura storefront windows.
What does a face reveal? What might it hide? How has masking affected our relationships? Portraiture explores identity through the lens of its time. Our long period of masking has unleashed new feelings and habits. Do we see ourselves and each other in new ways? “UNmasking” will take a look at portraiture now and what it can express representationally or abstractly.
Selected artists will conceive of each window as a diorama, a space in which an installation of accumulation, sculptural pieces, work in any medium uses the three-dimensional space dynamically.
Each window will be dedicated to a unified installation created by a single artist, or created as a collaborative project by more than one artist. The location of the exhibition space is on a busy section of Victoria Ave. at Moon Dr. in Ventura.
COVID-19 Update
Since Monday, there are 302 new COVID-19 cases reported and 9,663 new tests performed. There are 35 people hospitalized, 2 in the ICU. There has been 1 additional death of a 94 year old male. Our thoughts and sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the community member.
75.8% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.
82.1% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
83.4% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
Public Health vaccination clinics and state testing sites will be closed in observance of Veteran’s Day on Thursday, November 11, 2021. Other providers also offer testing and vaccines. More infomration: www.vcrecovers.org.
Children ages 5 and over are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. Talk to your child’s doctor or visit MyTurn.ca.gov to make an appointment.
Find a vaccine site and filter by vaccine type at www.vaccines.gov.
Get a digital copy of your vaccine record: https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/
Booster Information | Booster Questions & Answers
The City of Oxnard announces that a small event will take place in downtown Oxnard at the Veterans Memorial (Plaza Park, 500 South C St.) to honor our veterans, past and present.
Starting at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, an outdoor ceremony will take place next to the memorial. Featured speakers include Commander Javier Lopez-Martinez, United States Navy, Commanding Officer and Dave Wilson, Past President, Vietnam Veterans of Ventura County (VVVC).
“We will continue our Oxnard tradition of honoring our local Veterans who bravely and honorably stood in defense of our freedom, said Mayor John C. Zaragoza. “It is our great fortune to have so many courageous men and women in service to our country. They deserve our recognition all year with special honors paid on Veterans Day.”
As the region becomes increasingly vulnerable to fire due to extreme drought and heat conditions exacerbated by climate change, community leaders and organizations have come together to proactively address fire risk in Santa Barbara County. For over a year, a dedicated team, which included the Cachuma Resource Conservation District, LegacyWorks Group, Community Environmental Council, McGinnis Environmental and Conservation Biology Institute engaged numerous partners in the fields of fire protection, education, environmental stewardship, restoration, land management, agriculture, neighborhood associations and government leadership. Together, the partners identified fire risk reduction opportunities and developed a suite of project ideas. Nearly 200 potential projects were identified and 50 high impact opportunities were prioritized addressing:
As we look ahead toward honoring Veterans Day, United Way of Ventura County continues to prioritize providing critical support to veterans in the Ventura County community through its Landlord Engagement Program (LEP) and rapid response efforts throughout the pandemic and beyond.
When COVID-19 first impacted the Ventura community in 2020, United Way of Ventura County mobilized immediately to secure temporary shelter and daily meals for local veterans and have helped a total of 48 veterans and 26 family members. Additionally, the nonprofit provided more than 3,000 Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits, which were distributed by the Ventura County Healthcare for the Homeless Backpack Medicine Team.
California Venues Grant Program
Operations support for independent live event venues and producers in California affected by COVID-19. Apply by November 19.
Learn more/Apply
Join us for the premiere of The 13th Annual Art About Agriculture exhibition, featuring 66 fresh works of art by 61 distinct artists. Art About Agriculture is presented annually by the Ag Art Alliance to promote awareness of agriculture through art. Admission to the premiere party is free for everyone (face masks are required, but reservations are not). All of the artworks in the exhibit will be available for purchase. Art About Agriculture will be on view and online through March 6, 2022.
The Ventura College Foundation has revised its scholarship application requirements. The changes are designed to remove barriers to applying. The revisions were approved by the foundation board and are effective immediately.
“We reviewed our scholarship program outcome data, researched best practices for scholarship providers along the lines of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and conducted a student forum to receive feedback from students who had previously gone through the scholarship application process. We heard from many that the old requirements presented unrealistic barriers that prevented them from applying,” says Amy Cherot, chair of the foundation’s Scholarships & Grants Committee. “We’re always looking for ways to better serve Ventura College students and to improve diversity and equity in our scholarship application process.”
One of the significant changes to the scholarship application requirements is that instead of requiring applicants to have completed 12 Ventura College credits by the end of the fall semester in which they are applying, they will have had to complete at least six credits. Credits earned in previous semesters at the college count toward the minimum unit requirement.
With mountain snowpacks shrinking in the western U.S., researchers analyze when a low-to-no-snow future might arrive and the implications for water management.
United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) Board of Directors welcomes Shari Liu Fellows to their team. Shari is a professional journalist and event producer with over 20 years of experience in the luxury lifestyle and media sectors. Starting out in modeling and fashion publishing, her work has since taken her around the globe, producing and conducting thousands of events and interviews with an extensive portfolio of clientele.
The City of Oxnard announces the appointment of Helen Miller as the new Information Technology (IT) Director. With more than 25 years of business-technology experience in both the public and private sector, Miller brings significant experience deploying modern technological solutions that will benefit both Oxnard community members and City employees.
“We’re excited to have recruited a talented professional who also happens to be an Oxnard resident,” said City Manager Alexander Nguyen. “We look forward to Ms. Miller modernizing the IT Department.”
As the season gently changes from summer to fall, and we begin to notice the crisp evening air, it is a natural time to reflect upon the year we’ve had. This past year has been full of new awareness, regular adaptations, and a profound recognition of our collective wellbeing. In response to this, we have all taken measures to care for ourselves and others, and manage our new reality. “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” and “Focus on what matters most,” and “Humor is the best medicine” seem to be popular saving graces we have all put to use as we go about our days.
United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) is currently looking for volunteers for their 2022 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The VITA program is a free tax preparation service for local Santa Barbara County residents who make $67,000 or less a year.
Every year, tax returns are prepared and electronically filed by IRS-certified volunteers for qualified individuals or families. Current volunteer opportunities include tax preparers, reviewers, and greeters for UWSBC’s tax preparation locations. Self-paced trainings for IRS certification trainings are available online, with virtual trainings scheduled for January 2022.
SCORE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY: RISE UP: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE: THE CORE COMPETENCY TO SUCCESS
November 11 @ 5:00 pm
The most successful companies and individuals are the ones that adapt their culture and communication around the key elements of emotional intelligence (EI). Many experts contend that EI accounts for 80% of professional success. Join SCORE to learn more!
Gravity Power LLC, a Santa-Barbara based company that offers low-cost, low-impact energy storage technology to the electricity industry, has welcomed two prominent energy industry experts to its board of directors.
California Energy Commission Chairman Robert (Bob) Weisenmiller and renewable energy entrepreneur Steve Taber have joined the Gravity Power board. The two will leverage their decades of combined experience in grid decarbonization to help bring Gravity Power’s revolutionary storage technology to full commercialization.
On November 4, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced a new emergency temporary standard to protect more than 84 million workers from the spread of the coronavirus on the job. The nation’s unvaccinated workers face grave danger from workplace exposure to coronavirus, and immediate action is necessary to protect them.
Family Service Agency (FSA) of Santa Barbara County, also known as Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center and Guadalupe’s Little House By The Park, is pleased to announce the appointment of Blanca E. Mejia to its Board of Directors.
“We are thrilled Blanca has joined our board,” said Executive Director Lisa Brabo, “Our agency will benefit from her background in law and her understanding of the Santa Maria community.”
For me, keeping abreast of the news is a lifelong habit. For some reason, I tend to think that everyone keeps up with the news at least as much as I do. But then not everyone is as obsessed with the news as I am! And there are others who are far more diligent than I am about analyzing the affairs of the world.
I often talk with people I know about something in the news on the national, state, or local level. I mistakenly assume that “everyone” knows what I’m talking about, but I’m often faced with a blank stare. They may be interested but not aware of the circumstances that make something newsworthy. They may be embarrassed that they don’t know what I’m referring to. Or they flat-out may not care.
And then again, sometimes I’m the one with the blank stare.
Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D – Thousand Oaks) announced $1 million secured in the 2021-22 State Budget for the expansion of the Ventura County Family Justice Center (VCFJC) into the city of Oxnard.
“The Family Justice Center is something that everyone in Ventura County can take great pride in. This funding to expand the center into Oxnard means more services and better access to justice for the communities that need this assistance. Thank you to District Attorney Nasarenko for the foresight to grow this important program,” stated Assemblymember Irwin.
COVID-19 Update
Since Wednesday, there are 19 new COVID-19 cases reported and 13,527 new tests performed. There are 37 people hospitalized, 6 in the ICU. There have been 2 additional deaths of a 75 year old male and a 97 year old male.Our thoughts and sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of those who have passed. The R-effective in Ventura County is 1.05, which means that the spread of COVID-19 is likely stable.
75.5% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.
81.6% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
83.0% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
The state testing sites will be closed In observance of Veteran’s Day on Thursday, November 11, 2021. Other providers also offer testing. COVID testing information is available at www.vcrecovers.org.
Ventura County Community College District will preserve retirees’ comprehensive health benefits, while saving taxpayers $53 million, and Spanish speakers can learn English in Piru, thanks to two of the many actions recently taken by the board of trustees. The board also passed a measure to receive contract funding for workforce development.
The taxpayer savings was noted in the 2021 Actuarial Study of Retiree Health Liabilities from Total Compensation Systems, Inc., which illustrates how the recent transition of purchasing retirees’ medical benefits through California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) saves taxpayer dollars today and into the future through a substantial reduction of the District’s Net Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) liability.
EDC Proudly Partners with REACH and the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP)
The Uplift Central Coast Coalition comprises 13 partners across industry, government and education and is expected to grow over time. The coalition is being overseen by the region’s three economic development organizations, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, Economic Development Collaborative and REACH, with REACH as the lead agency on the U.S. EDA Build Back Better grant application.
Administration
Letter from Heidi
Virtual Tour of FC
Catholic Daughters
Covid Booster Update
Program
Connections Resumes Nov. 16
Halloween Party
Cycling without Age
This holiday season, The Collection at RiverPark is offering a wide variety of timeless festive events and experiences for all ages and interests. Stop by for shopping, dining, entertainment and holiday merriment that lasts all season long.
The Pfizer Bio-NTech vaccine has been approved for 5- to 11-year-olds and may be available in Ventura County beginning today. The California Department of Public Health’s vaccine appointment system, MyTurn.CA.gov, will be updated by tomorrow November 4, and that is when the Ventura County Public Health Department will begin offering the vaccine to this age group. Families are encouraged to contact their medical provider for information about the vaccine. “I welcome the authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup and California Department of Public Health of the COVID-19 vaccine for children of five years of age and older. This will protect our children and get us closer to our goal of herd immunity,” said Public Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin.
Pfizer Bio-NTech vaccine available for 5- to 11-year-olds in Ventura County
The Pfizer Bio-NTech vaccine has been approved for 5- to 11-year-olds and may be available in Ventura County beginning today. The California Department of Public Health’s vaccine appointment system, MyTurn.CA.gov, will be updated by tomorrow November 4, and that is when the Ventura County Public Health Department will begin offering the vaccine to this age group. Families are encouraged to contact their medical provider for information about the vaccine. “I welcome the authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup and California Department of Public Health of the COVID-19 vaccine for children of five years of age and older. This will protect our children and get us closer to our goal of herd immunity,” said Public Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin.
Ventura County’s community colleges are among 150 institutions nationwide eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges are now eligible for the 2023 prize, known as the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America’s community colleges. It recognizes colleges with robust student outcomes in equity, teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer rates and bachelor’s degree attainment and workforce success.
Only 15% of the approximately 1,000 community colleges the Aspen Institute eval uates across the U.S. are selected to contend for the esteemed honor. This is the first time that all three Ventura County Community College District colleges have been eligible for the Aspen Prize at the same time. Ventura College was previously eligible in 2017, 2019 and 2021; and Moorpark College in 2019.
The County of Ventura has released revised draft redistricting maps available for review atwww.ventura.org/redistricting/draft-maps/. The revised draft maps were developed by the project consultant, Redistricting Partners, in response to public comments and direction provided by the Board of Supervisors at the October 19, 2021 public hearing.
Redistricting Partners will provide an overview of the revised draft maps at the next redistricting public hearing at the Board of Supervisors’ meeting on November 9 at 3:00 pm and again at 6:00 pm. An additional public hearing has been scheduled for November 16. Spanish and Mixteco interpretation will be available at the public hearings. Information about participating in the public hearings can be accessed at https://www.ventura.org/bosmeetings. All past public hearings and community meetings can be viewed at https://www.ventura.org/redistricting/participation/.
Arte Para la Gente
The Collected Works of Margaret Garcia
Open November 11
Opening Reception November 13 @ 2-4pm
at the Museum of Ventura County
Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (Cabrillo EDC)?is pleased to announce a call for artists to participate in its 40 Years of Home Mural contest. Founded in 1981, Cabrillo EDC’s early roots were in response to a farmworker community’s demand for secure housing. Rooted in community-building and ongoing support, their mission aims to provide comprehensive affordable housing services and community economic development activities to residents most lacking in opportunity.
The purpose of the mural is to promote awareness about the importance of developing housing that positively impacts the community’s health, education, public safety, social services and economic development – And Cabrillo EDC’s contributions over the past 40 years.
The City of Oxnard Cultural and Community Services Director Terrel Harrison announces the appointment of Renee Rakestraw as Assistant Director to the department.
Rakestraw has served the Oxnard community for over 19 years in various capacities and emerged as a leader within the department. She began her career as a Recreation Leader and later became a Recreation Coordinator before being named Recreation Supervisor in 2017. Most recently, she was appointed as the Cultural and Community Services Manager in 2019.
Mother-daughter Native American rights icon Madonna Thunder Hawk and Marcella Gilbert will speak on campus following a screening of a documentary about their work.
The City of Thousand Oaks has made a commitment to the Arts and Culture organizations of the Thousand Oaks area by setting aside $500,000 to be used for emergency COVID-19 relief.
“Access to the arts is a critical part of a well-rounded community. We understand how much the pandemic seriously affected many arts organizations. We want to help our wonderful arts groups get back on their feet, so that our community can experience the soothing and healing beauty of the arts again” says Thousand Oaks Mayor Claudia Bill-de la Peña.
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.
