
The Carsey-Wolf Center presents a new series focusing on TV from around the globe.

Since Monday, there are 234 (140 today) new COVID-19 cases reported and 13,704 new tests performed. There are 63 people hospitalized, 13 in the ICU. There have been 6 additional deaths of a 53 year old male, 68 year old male, 46 year old male, 51 year old male, 50 year old male, and an 87 year old male. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have passed away.
79.3% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
80.9% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
72.2% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.
96% of total reported COVID-19 deaths in Ventura County were among individuals with comorbidities.
Booster shot information.
COVID test information.
Get your flu shot.
www.vcrecovers.org

100 students at Franklin Elementary School received backpacks filled with school supplies compliments of City National Bank in partnership with United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC). These back-to-school backpacks were loaded with tools like markers, pencils, paper, and scissors to help ensure youth have the supplies necessary for a successful school year. City National Bank also provided Franklin Elementary School with a $1,000 Barnes & Noble gift card to fill their library with new books.
City National Bank has partnered with United Way of Santa Barbara County since 2014 to bring their Back to School Drive program to local students.

The Foundation of VCCU, a philanthropic nonprofit organization established by Ventura County Credit Union (VCCU), gave a total of $40,000 in grants to 10 local nonprofit organizations to support their efforts on behalf of the community.
“Each of these nonprofits is doing incredible work to support the Ventura County community,” said The Foundation’s board president, Alma Medina. “They are making a meaningful difference every day in so many vital causes, and we are honored to contribute to their efforts.”

This year, over 450 supporters joined Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) for their 9th Annual Heroes of Hospice virtual event to raise 170k to help support HSB’s work throughout the Santa Barbara community.
Throughout this difficult time of COVID-19, the demand for HSB’s services has been growing. The funds raised from Heroes of Hospice support the organization’s mission of providing care to anyone experiencing the impact of a serious illness or grieving the death of a loved one, free of charge.

Following the Centers for Disease Control and the California Department of Public Health endorsements, eligible County of Ventura residents can begin receiving their booster doses at any sites offering the Pfizer vaccine. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster vaccine is recommended six months or later following the primary vaccination series for certain individuals.
People previously vaccinated with Pfizer BioNTech whoSHOULD receive a booster include:
Age 65 years and older;
Long term care residents; and
Age 50 through 64 years with underlying medical conditions or at increased risk of social inequities (including communities of color and others at risk of inequities).

The City of Oxnard announces the appointment of Michael Wolfe as the new Director of Public Works. Wolfe, a prior Oxnard resident and graduate of E.O. Green and Hueneme High School, joins the City with more than 20 years of experience serving communities at the federal, county, and city level. He most recently served as the Assistant City Manager – Development Services, Director of Public Works and the City Engineer for the City of Moreno Valley, Calif.
“Mr. Wolfe is the leader Public Works needs now,” said City Manager Alexander Nguyen. “His experience from similar-sized cities will be an asset for us. We welcome his expertise as we continue to focus on City Council priorities, make Measure E investments, and utilize the one-time funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, as well as managing Oxnard’s annual Capital Improvement Program.”

On Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, Mayor John Zaragoza issued a proclamation celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in Oxnard during the regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, cities nationwide recognize the cultures and contributions of the Hispanic community while also celebrating the independence days of several Latin American countries.
“In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I encourage all residents to come together and celebrate through song, dance, and food, and to embrace and understand the customs, traditions and cultures of our friends, family and neighbors,” said Mayor Zaragoza.

In response to the devastation of wildfires, the COVID-19 pandemic and other disasters, Mixteco/Indigenous Community Organizing Project (MICOP), the Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE), and Future Leaders of America (FLA), with leadership support provided by the McCune Foundation, appointed and welcomed Maria Melo as Executive Director of 805UndocuFund, a collective effort by these trusted community grassroot organizations to ensure that undocumented individuals and families impacted by disaster have the support and resources necessary to recover from disasters in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. The Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) is providing fundraising and fund administrative support.
“Since its creation in 2018, the 805UndocuFund has not only distributed over $8.3M to 6,147 families but has also become a trusted and familiar source of support for the immigrant community when disaster hits,” said Genevieve Flores-Haro, Board Chair of 805 UndocuFund. “That is why we are thrilled to welcome Maria to move this work forward. Maria is a bilingual (English/Spanish) and bi-cultural Latina immigrant policy advocacy professional who is passionate about her community and has over 20 years of experience in the non-profit and government sectors in Southern California, Washington D.C. and Latin America.”

Since Friday, there are 266 new COVID-19 cases reported and 16,208 new tests performed. There are 55 people hospitalized, 19 in the ICU. There has been 4 additional deaths of a 57 year old female, 77 year old male, 72 year old male, and a 73 year old female. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have passed away.
Since July 15 in Ventura County, 72.5% of deaths were among individuals who were unvaccinated. 96% of total vaccinated deaths had comorbidities.
79.1% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
80.6% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
72.1% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.

October 15 @ 12:00 pm
Deborah Deras has spoken to many business owners who say that they hate Social Media because they don’t like using Social Media for personal use or for fun and don’t know the strategy behind Social Media for Sales. Deborah also wrote an eBook “5 Steps to Go From Likes to Sales” and since expanded it to a 7 step system that will help you shift from hating Social Media to Loving it! During this FREE interactive webinar you will discover how to clarify your message so your target market responds to you with a purchase, the SECRET to Social Media success that will cost you zero dollars and much more.

The Fall 2021 semester began on Aug. 23, providing students with several options for instruction: online, hybrid and in-person classes. While the on-campus experience is a bit different than it was prior to the pandemic, teaching and learning and the delivery of vital support services continues.
In an effort to keep students, faculty and staff safe, certain protocols have been established, including a requirement that all those wishing to enter a college building and/or attend in-person classes must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 1.
Learn more…
Click here for information about how SBCC is monitoring and responding to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.
Click here for specifics about coming to campus.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Sept. 22 to establish a state-wide program for counties to create farmworker resource centers. Jointly authored by Assemblymembers Steve Bennett and Robert Rivas, and State Sen. Monique Limón, the bill establishes a grant program, funded in the 2021-2022 Budget, which allows counties to apply for funds to establish centers similar to the one created by Ventura County in 2017.
“I appreciate the work and support of my colleagues on this important issue, and I’m gratified by the Governor’s support.” Said Assemblymember Bennett, “The agriculture industry and the State of California need farmworkers who feel valued respected and supported; and this program will enable counties to access funding to support these critical members of our agricultural community.”

The Economic Development Collaborative would like to recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month. Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The Ventura Art and Street Painting Festival hosted its 12th annual event on September 11-12th with a highly successful attendance. Festival-goers, who were encouraged to wear masks, were able to spend the weekend at Ventura Harbor Village taking in beautiful marina front views and various vendor booths filled with fine art, professional photography, unique jewelry, and handmade crafts. A crowd favorite, 29 professional street artists filled the area with vibrant original works. Children were also encouraged to try their hand at their own creations, resulting in a collaborative and creative experience.

Join us on September 23 at 6:00 PM in our Zoom Room for a very special online performance in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Core Ensemble’s mesmerizing Tres Vidas is a musical theatre work celebrating the life and work of three pioneering Latin American women – Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, Salvadoran peasant activist Rufina Amaya and Argentine poet Alfonsina Storni.

The Ventura College Foundation Board of Directors selected a new board chair and vice-chair and approved two board members.
The new foundation board chair is Ellyn Dembowski, a Realtor at Berkshire Hathaway in Ventura. She has been on the foundation board for 12 years. “As we get closer to Ventura College’s 100th anniversary in 2025, I’d like to see us take the opportunity to educate the community about what the foundation does,” says Dembowski. “We want to get the word out that students can attend Ventura College tuition-free. The foundation helps with a critical book lending program and provides scholarships to pay for other school and living expenses. We help students and their families build for the future.

Santa Barbara-area teachers welcoming students back to their classroom this fall will do so buoyed by over $62,000 raised by the local non-profit Teacher’s Fund.
This year’s annual Back-to-School Drive was especially meaningful – and needed – as teachers bought new tools, learning materials and otherwise equipped their classrooms for students making the transition back to in-person learning. Community members and local businesses eagerly answered the calls for help, driving the donation total beyond the goal of $60,000.

The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is offering a Red Cross lifeguard certification course at its Yarrow Family YMCA branch Saturday and Sunday, September 25 and 26. The two-day program will be held in the Yarrow Y’s indoor pool (31105 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Westlake Village). Class hours are 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Participants must be able to attend both days.
The lifeguard certification class will take place in and out of the pool to practice real-life scenarios. Class members will be trained in CPR/Automated External Defibrillator use and first aid. They will receive the skills to prevent, recognize and tend to injuries until EMS arrive.

William (Bill) Blunck has been named the Chief Operating Officer at the Southeast Ventura County YMCA.
Blunck has a long history in the recreation, fitness, and nonprofit field beginning as a lifeguard/swim lesson instructor at the age of 16 in Iowa. Other nonprofit roles include a 13-year career with the YMCA of Greater Kansas City where he served as Aquatics Director, Senior Membership Director, Membership Information Director and Executive Director. He was also on launch teams for the opening of five YMCAs during his time in Kansas City. Most recently, he was Director of Trail Point Aquatics & Wellness at Des Moines Area Community College. He led the opening of its 100,000 square foot recreation/student center.

Through a competitive process based on merit, eligibility, and the availability of funds, the Port of Hueneme/Oxnard Harbor District was selected to receive a grant award totaling $5.1 million from the Economic Development Administration (EDA). This Department of Commerce’s EDA investment will provide long-term infrastructure enhancements to maximize facility utilization through dredging in Ventura County — a designated Opportunity Zone.
“This grant award and berth improvement project demonstrate our steadfast commitment to jobs and the environment, once again showing our ability to collectively foster economic growth and environmental stewardship,” said Oxnard Harbor District President, Jason T. Hodge.

The Santa Paula Art Museum’s fall exhibition schedule includes three original art shows featuring over 100 unique artists, and two of the exhibits are already on view! The exhibits can be enjoyed in person at the Museum, as well as online at www.santapaulaartmuseum.org.
The Museum’s newest exhibit, “Work From Home,” is on view now through January 9, 2022. The show features art created at home during the COVID pandemic by 50 distinct California artists. Delightfully diverse in media and genres, “Work From Home” illustrates how making art helped many artists through the darkest days of the pandemic and 2020.

Doug Trapp has joined the Board of Trustees for the Ventura Land Trust. Trapp, a Ventura resident, is a Project Manager with Staples Construction.
Doug Trapp grew up in the West San Fernando Valley, where he often explored local hills that had no official public access. That experience fueled his desire to support responsible public access to open spaces.
“The dedication shown by VLT staff and volunteers that I have witnessed since joining the Stewardship Committee in 2019 inspired be to become more involved,” says Trapp. “Ventura is a special place that VLT is working to protect and enhance. I look forward to actively supporting our mission.”

The Museum of Ventura County presents the First Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration on Saturday, October 3rd from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sponsored by Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), the event will take place at the Museum with light refreshments, live performances by the Youth Mariachi Band from Inlakech Cultural Center, and booths staffed by Ventura Unified School District and the Girl Scouts. Rounding out the celebratory event will be a variety of cultural family-friendly activities.
“We are excited to highlight Hispanic Heritage Month through different art forms and experiences,” commented

Local artists are putting the last-minute touches on their works to showcase October 1-3 when the 49th annual Harvest Festival® Original Art & Craft Show welcomes back attendees to the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Family-owned and operated, the beloved tradition returns with local artisans among the nation’s finest artists and crafters eager to showcase their newest creations for a one-of-kind shopping experience unlike any other.
Following state Covid protocols and safety guidelines, the Festival offers a safe, full day of fun for all ages with more than 24,000 handmade creations from exhibitors, with specialty foods, strolling performers, a Kidszone, demonstrations, contests, and more.

Celebrate National Drive Electric Week by attending an Electric Vehicle 101 webinar, e-biking webinar, Goleta or Oxnard EV showcase, or other virtual or live event. As a long-time electric vehicle driver, I can attest to the many benefits of owning an electric vehicle: significantly lower fuel and maintenance costs, various rebates, incentives, and tax credits, and of course reducing your greenhouse gas emissions! See below for some ways to engage and learn more about electric vehicles:

CSU Channel Islands(CSUCI) was ranked in the top 20 in multiple categories in this year’s national college rankings from US News & World Report and Washington Monthly.
In the U.S. News & World Report 2022 Best Colleges, CSUCI was 20th among Top Public Schools in the West, and No. 17 in the “Top Performers in Social Mobility” rankings in the Regional Universities West category, up four spots from last year. Social mobility measures how well higher education institutions graduate students who are Pell Grant recipients.
The University also climbed two rungs from last year in the Regional Universities West category, rising from No. 43 to No. 41 for 2022.

Mustang Marketing, Ventura County’s premier full-service marketing agency, has unveiled a new brand identity. The updated logo embodies the qualities that have made the company successful over the past three decades while also capturing its future.
“Since 1986, our clients have come to depend on our ability to infuse the right combination of seriousness, fun, strategy and creativity into marketing pieces, and this logo represents all of those traits,” said Mustang Marketing President Dianne McKay. “While staying true to what we’re known for, we’re also excited by what lies ahead, and this new identity clearly reflects that, too.”

September 21 @ 10:30 am
Online sales have been growing by triple-digits since social distancing went into effect. It’s far from just toilet paper: Everything from high-end coffee makers, fitness equipment and pajama pants are seeing a surge in demand. The topics to be covered include: How critical is it to have multiple e-commerce channels and why is Amazon one of the keys; Assessment – Can your product compete and can you make a profit?; Implementation – What are the basic steps to setup an Amazon Store?; and Management – What goes into keeping the Store competitive?

The Community Environmental Council (CEC) and Electric Drive 805 coalition partners are proud to sponsor a variety of free, in-person and virtual events leading up to and throughout National Drive Electric Week through October 2, 2021. The public is invited to learn about the wide range of electric vehicles (EVs) that can fit most every lifestyle and budget.