Category: Youth

The elves are back! Gold Coast Transit District’s ‘ELF on the GO’ holiday bus hits the streets

by  •  • Comments Off on The elves are back! Gold Coast Transit District’s ‘ELF on the GO’ holiday bus hits the streets

Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD) is excited to announce the fifth annual appearance of its popular “Elf on the GO” holiday bus. The 40-foot bus is now appearing throughout GCTD’s service area through January 3, 2021. 

Each year the community awaits the debut of “Elf on the GO” to see what those little elves are up to. This year’s elves are larger than life and will bring joy to the communities of Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Ventura and the County areas in between these cities. One mischievous elf even invites onlookers to take a “sELFie” from afar!  

Read more →

Gold Coast Health Plan — Medi-Cal Pharmacy Program Implementation Extended by Three Months

by  •  • Comments Off on Gold Coast Health Plan — Medi-Cal Pharmacy Program Implementation Extended by Three Months

The timeline for Gold Coast Health Plan’s pharmacy program transition has been extended to April 1, 2021.

The new program by the state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), known as Medi-Cal Rx, will carve-out all prescription benefits from managed care plans like GCHP. Upon implementation, all pharmacy claims will be submitted directly to the state via its pharmacy benefit manager, Magellan Medicaid Administration, Inc. DHCS announced the new implantation date last month, citing “the ongoing uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency” for its decision to extend the timeline.

Read more →

Ventura County Board of Supervisors to hold Special meeting on Dec. 8

by  •  • Comments Off on Ventura County Board of Supervisors to hold Special meeting on Dec. 8

IN RESPONSE TO THE DECLARED STATE AND LOCAL EMERGENCIES DUE TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S RECENT ORDER TO LIMIT INDOOR OPERATIONS AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE TO HELP SLOW THE SPREAD OF COVID-19, THE HALL OF ADMINISTRATION IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. TO FIND OUT HOW YOU MAY ELECTRONICALLY ATTEND THE BOARD MEETING AND PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT PLEASE REFER TO PAGE 2 OF THIS AGENDA

Read more →

Visit Oxnard’s Annual ’12 Days of Giveaways Contest’ Returns

by  •  • Comments Off on Visit Oxnard’s Annual ’12 Days of Giveaways Contest’ Returns

In a year when we need it most, Visit Oxnard is spreading holiday cheer with its annual “12 Days of Giveaways” contest, set to return December 7-22.

Each day, Visit Oxnard will feature the giveaway items on Facebook and Instagram. The prizes include an overnight stay at Residence Inn River Ridge; Island Packers excursions; a harbor cruise with Gondola Paradiso; and adventures with Channel Islands Parasail and SoCal Jet Ski. Gift cards are also up for grabs from The Collection at RiverPark, Casa Agria Ales, Red Tandem Brewery and other Oxnard restaurants and attractions.

Read more →

Oxnard College’s Dental Hygiene and Fire Academy Programs Named 2021 Bellwether Award Finalists

by  •  • Comments Off on Oxnard College’s Dental Hygiene and Fire Academy Programs Named 2021 Bellwether Award Finalists

The Bellwether College Consortium named Oxnard College’s Dental Hygiene and Fire Fighter I/II Academy programs as 2021 Bellwether Award finalists. The college is one of 30 nationwide eligible for the award, which is a highly competitive and nationally recognized award focusing on cutting-edge, trendsetting programs worthy of replication.

Oxnard College is the only college in California to have two programs selected as Top 10 finalists. The Dental Hygiene program was honored in the category of Instructional Programs and Services; the Fire Fighter Academy in the Workforce Development category.

Read more →

Simi YMCA Christmas Tree Lot has opened

by  •  • Comments Off on Simi YMCA Christmas Tree Lot has opened

Continuing a tradition that began in the 1970s, the Simi Valley Family YMCA is now selling Christmas trees. The Simi Valley Y’s Men’s Club, a YMCA service organization, runs the tree lot. Its 22 members staff the lot each year along with YMCA board members.

The lot will receive 820 trees. Most are Nobile firs between 5′ and 9′ tall. The trees come from Oregon where they packed in ice to stay fresh. They are shipped to the Simi Y within four days of harvesting. Once they arrive on the lot, they are unloaded, given a fresh cut at the base, put in water and set out for display.

Read more →

Register now for the Spring semester at SBCC

by  •  • Comments Off on Register now for the Spring semester at SBCC

Santa Barbara City College is pleased to announce that registration for Spring 2021 is now open to everyone in the community. Whether you are looking to earn an associate degree, transfer to a four-year university, or enroll in the School of Extended Learning for life enrichment classes, career skills training, a high school diploma or GED — SBCC is here to help you reach your goals.

Based on recent guidelines provided by the state, county and Centers for Disease Control, the substantial majority of courses will be conducted online. A limited number of credit courses are scheduled to be offered in a face-to-face or hybrid format, maintaining appropriate health and safety protocols.

Read more →

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update – Stay Home Order Issued

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update – Stay Home Order Issued

The State of California’s Stay Home Order will go into effect on Sunday, December 6 at midnight in Ventura County and in all Counties in Southern California, after the Southern California Region’s hospital ICU capacity dropped below 15%. The order closes many businesses and activities and urges people to stay at home whenever possible.

The California Department of Public Health reported on Friday evening that Southern California’s ICU capacity dropped to 13.1%, triggering the Stay Home Order.

Read more →

State’s Stay Home Order Triggered in Southern California Region, Effective December 6, Midnight

by  •  • Comments Off on State’s Stay Home Order Triggered in Southern California Region, Effective December 6, Midnight

The State of California’s Stay Home Order will go into effect on Sunday, December 6 at midnight in Ventura County and in all Counties in Southern California, after the Southern California Region’s hospital ICU capacity dropped below 15%. The order closes many businesses and activities and urges people to stay at home whenever possible.

The California Department of Public Health reported on Friday evening that Southern California’s ICU capacity dropped to 13.1%, triggering the Stay Home Order.

Read more →

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network Holiday Newsletter

by  •  • Comments Off on Santa Barbara County Food Action Network Holiday Newsletter

We are collaborating with Santa Barbara County farmers markets, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and Edible Santa Barbara to celebrate this season, while supporting our local farmers, ranchers, fisherfolk, and food artisans during the pandemic. Together, we have created a “Stay Home (and Eat Local) for the Holidays” Shopping Guide, which includes in-season recipes by Edible Santa Barbara to plan your fresh, beautiful and nutritious holiday meal. The guide also features suggested budgets based on the size of your small gathering; sample menus with basic preparations; and a shopping list with an easy to follow market map to use at your local farmers market!

Read more →

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — COVID-19 Regional Stay Home Order

by  •  • Comments Off on Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — COVID-19 Regional Stay Home Order

It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to clarify what you are likely hearing in the news. The Regional Stay Home Order, announced December 3, will go into effect within 24 hours in regions with less than 15% ICU availability. It prohibits private gatherings of any size, closes sector operations except for critical infrastructure and retail, and requires 100% masking and physical distancing in all others.

The order will remain in effect for at least 3 weeks and, after that period, will be lifted when a region’s projected ICU capacity meets or exceeds 15%. This will be assessed on a weekly basis after the initial 3 week period. Learn more about this order.

Read more →

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation Launches Season of Hope to Help Families Facing Pediatric Cancer during the Holidays

by  •  • Comments Off on Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation Launches Season of Hope to Help Families Facing Pediatric Cancer during the Holidays

The holidays can be tough on families, especially this year during the pandemic and it has been even tougher for families in the Tri-Counties who have a child facing pediatric cancer. In light of this, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) has launched “Season of Hope,” a campaign that will run now through the holidays to help give these families a joyful holiday season and support them with basic needs going into 2021.

During this challenging year, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) has been providing even more services for families, including money for rent assistance, grocery gift cards, additional emotional support groups with licensed therapists, virtual and in-person tutoring, meals and care package delivery, and virtual family fun events to keep their kids engaged. Community support has made it possible for TBCF to provide additional financial assistance to families severely affected by the pandemic.

Read more →

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Dec. 3 — Regional Stay Home Order

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Dec. 3 — Regional Stay Home Order

Today the Governor announced a Regional Stay Home Order, it will go into effect within 48 hours in regions with less than 15% ICU availability. It prohibits private gatherings of any size, closes sector operations except for critical infrastructure and retail, and requires 100% masking and physical distancing in all others.

The order will remain in effect for at least 3 weeks and, after that period, will be lifted when a region’s projected ICU capacity meets or exceeds 15%. This will be assessed on a weekly basis after the initial 3-week period. Learn more about this order.

The State projects the Southern California Region, including Ventura County, to fall below 15% capacity as soon as tomorrow, and likely within a week.
When a region is placed under an order, these sectors will be closed:

Read more →

CSUCI ranks as a Top 20 college in the nation for social mobility 

by  •  • Comments Off on CSUCI ranks as a Top 20 college in the nation for social mobility 

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) is once again on the Top 20 list of CollegeNET’s 2020 Social Mobility Index (SMI) national rankings. The campus also made the Top 20 last year. 

This year’s rankings measure social mobility for 2019 with CSU and University of California (UC) systems dominating the 2020 rankings, accounting for 70% of the Top 20 spots this year.  

The seventh annual 2020 SMI is being released at a time when studies are showing that the COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionately affecting low-income students, forcing them to abandon, delay or alter their pursuit of a college degree and the potential that degree provides for social mobility—when in fact it’s never been more important to stay on track. 

Read more →

Pioneer Valley High School Senior AVID student, Evelyn Letona Robles, won the prestigious QuestBridge Match Scholarship which entitles her to a full-ride scholarship to Yale University

by  •  • Comments Off on Pioneer Valley High School Senior AVID student, Evelyn Letona Robles, won the prestigious QuestBridge Match Scholarship which entitles her to a full-ride scholarship to Yale University

A PVHS AVID student who achieved high school greatness despite many challenges has been rewarded with a full-ride scholarship to Yale University.

Evelyn Letona Robles, ranked first in the Class of 2021 with a weighted GPA of 4.83, won the prestigious QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship. The program connects high-achieving seniors from low-income backgrounds with full four-year scholarships to the nation’s top educational institutions.

Read more →

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Dec. 1

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Dec. 1

Good Evening, There are 127 new cases today, 2,111 additional people have been tested and there have been 2 additional deaths (98 year old male and 85 year old female). Our thoughts are with the families of those who have passed away. Current doubling time is 48.4 days. There are 103 people in the hospital and 29 in the ICU.

Read more →

Bilingual report — Oxnard College offers English as a Second Language Classes 100% online

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Oxnard College offers English as a Second Language Classes 100% online

Learn English form home with online classes at Oxnard College. Registration for ESL classes are open for the spring 2021 semester at Oxnard  College. Credit and non-credit classes start January 18 and will be delivered online with flexible morning and afternoon schedules.

Instructors will contact each enrolled student to provide instructions on the program used for online classes.

Read more →

SBCC Theatre Arts Department announces Sara Evelyn Smith Scholarship winners

by  •  • Comments Off on SBCC Theatre Arts Department announces Sara Evelyn Smith Scholarship winners

The Santa Barbara City College Theatre Arts Department is proud to announce the winners of the Sara Evelyn Smith Monologue Competition. These talented students competed with monologues over a Zoom format and were awarded $1,000 each for the 2020-21 school year. The Sara Evelyn Smith Scholarship competition is judged by faculty members of the Theatre Arts Department and Anne Smith Towbes, who was a past member of the SBCC Foundation Board and instrumental in establishing the scholarship in 2001.

Read more →

Cal State Apply Deadline Extended to Dec. 15

by  •  • Comments Off on Cal State Apply Deadline Extended to Dec. 15

To better serve high school and community college students facing university admissions challenges caused by COVID-19, the California State University (CSU) will extend its fall 2021 priority application deadline to December 15, 2020. Students interested in attending any CSU campus can apply at the university’s application portal, Cal State Apply. (Refer to the Applicant Help Center for additional information and answers to application questions.)

Read more →

Port of Hueneme & City Partnership Reinvigorates Community Park Project

by  •  • Comments Off on Port of Hueneme & City Partnership Reinvigorates Community Park Project

The Port and City joined forces to replace crumbling bridge infrastructure at Bubbling Springs Park for the local community. The Port invested $22,000 to rebuild the Farmer’s Bridge with in-kind services from the City and volunteers from the NBVC Seabees.

“Since 2015, the Port has invested over $630,000 into the Community Benefit Fund that brings to fruition projects to benefit the local community, like the Farmer’s Bridge improvement project”, said Oxnard Harbor District Board President Jess J. Ramirez. “The spirit of these investments is to tackle some of the local issues that we can fix and improve outside of the Port’s everyday goods movement operations.”

Read more →

OC LIVE Conversations — 2020 Election Analysis

by  •  • Comments Off on OC LIVE Conversations — 2020 Election Analysis

The 2020 election results are in! As the new administration prepares to take power we can feel our future changing. Yet many challenges remain, from the pandemic to systemic inequities and racism. What does it all mean for Oxnard College, our students, and the larger community?

Join OC Professor Tim Fontenette as he leads a powerful discussion of the 2020 election and its impact on our community. Joining Prof. Fontenette are OC President Luis Sanchez, Professor and Coach Erin Lawley, Professor Jose Maldonado, and Professor Dolores Ortis.

Read more →

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Launches Operation Holiday Cheer to Provide Gifts for Local Girls

by  •  • Comments Off on Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Launches Operation Holiday Cheer to Provide Gifts for Local Girls

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria on Nov. 23 announced the launch of Operation Holiday Cheer, a holiday giving program created to provide local girls and families with a brighter holiday season following the challenges of this year. Girls Inc. will collaborate with Presenting Sponsor Cox Communications to purchase holiday gifts for local girls and their families.

Read more →

Moorpark College Recognized as a 2020 Champion of Higher Education

by  •  • Comments Off on Moorpark College Recognized as a 2020 Champion of Higher Education

Moorpark College is pleased to announce that it has been chosen by the Campaign for College Opportunity as a 2020 Champion of Higher Education for the fifth consecutive year. Of the state’s 116 community colleges, only 12 received this prestigious award. A virtual ceremony was held Nov. 19 with California Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Assemblymember Marc Berman, who recognized the honorees from California community colleges and California State University campuses.

Read more →

Happy Thanksgiving from MVC + Meme Contest + More!

by  •  • Comments Off on Happy Thanksgiving from MVC + Meme Contest + More!

A very Happy Thanksgiving to all from the Museum of Ventura County! While most of us are settling in at home to celebrate a much quieter holiday than in past years, most will still put a roasted turkey on the table. To residents of the Santa Clara River Valley, a Deeter turkey was always part of the celebration in times past.

The Deeters left Oklahoma and settled in Fillmore in 1938 and opened the Deeter Turkey Ranch that same year. Son, Calvin Deeter, took over the ranch in the 1950’s.

Read more →

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update — Wishing our community a safe Holiday! Please wear a mask, social distance and only gather with members of your household

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update — Wishing our community a safe Holiday! Please wear a mask, social distance and only gather with members of your household

Wishing our community a safe Holiday! Please wear a mask, social distance and only gather with members of your household. Your actions are saving lives and keeping businesses open.

Today, volunteers helped deliver special Holiday meals for the most vulnerable populations in Ventura County. More than 150 volunteers from across the community and from County agencies helped with this effort.

Nearly 1,000 deliveries and a total of 3,000 meals were provided. Along with the meals each recipient received a homemade holiday greeting card. The cards were received as part of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging Holiday Greetings Campaign. Nearly 1,000 cards were received from children and adults alike from throughout the County.

Read more →

CSUCI now offers master’s in Nursing

by  •  • Comments Off on CSUCI now offers master’s in Nursing

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) welcomed its inaugural class to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree in the fall of 2020. Within the program, students can choose between two different concentrations: Nurse Educator and Family Nurse Practitioner. Nurses who already have a master’s degree in nursing may choose to complete post-master’s certificates in Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator.

CSUCI is the only university in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties to offer an MSN program or a Post-Master’s Certificate program.

Read more →

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Nov. 24

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Nov. 24

Good Evening , There are 140 new cases today, 1,971 additional people tested and 0 additional deaths. Current doubling time is 68.2 days. There are 82 people in the hospital and 17 in the ICU. Thank you Ventura County for following the public health guidance of wearing a mask, social distancing and not gathering. You also answered the call to action with increased testing. More than 40k people have been tested over the last two weeks! Increased testing has allowed for a rate adjustment from the state and has also helped to slow the spread of COVID-19. Once someone tests positive they isolate which prevents further spread. We appreciate your efforts in helping to save lives and keep businesses open.

View today’s special press conference message:

Read more →

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network Announces ‘Stay Home (and Eat Local) for the Holidays’ Campaign

by  •  • Comments Off on Santa Barbara County Food Action Network Announces ‘Stay Home (and Eat Local) for the Holidays’ Campaign

The Santa Barbara County Food Action Network (SBCFAN) has connected Santa Barbara County farmers markets, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and Edible Santa Barbara to develop a safe, affordable, and healthy option for celebrating the Holidays – and supporting the County’s food system – during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, these Network partners are launching an aligned “Stay Home (and Eat Local) for the Holidays” campaign to encourage County residents to avoid large gatherings and enjoy locally sourced holiday meals with their household instead.

The campaign, which launches on Saturday, November 21, sprouted from conversations with County Public Health around how to emphasize the importance of avoiding gatherings during the holidays to help stop the spread of COVID-19. “Stay Home (and Eat Local) for the Holidays” takes that message and elevates it by also encouraging residents to shop local in our safe, outdoor farmers markets for affordable and healthy holiday meal ingredients that support Santa Barbara County farmers, ranchers, fisherfolk, and food artisans,” said SBCFAN’s Executive Director, Shakira Miracle.

Read more →

Early childhood education center feasibility study available on CSUCI website 

by  •  • Comments Off on Early childhood education center feasibility study available on CSUCI website 

A feasibility study examining the possibility of bringing an early childhood education center to the campus of CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) is now available on the University’s website.  

The study was a collaboration between several community partners including CSUCI, State Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), the Ventura County Community Foundation, and Reiter Affiliated Companies. Irwin was responsible for convening the stakeholders and obtaining $5 million in state funding to pursue the study.  

Read more →

Santa Maria High School FAA students hold Turkey Drive

by  •  • Comments Off on Santa Maria High School FAA students hold Turkey Drive

The Santa Maria FFA Chapter was able to give 75 FFA families affected by the pandemic a free turkey for the holidays during a drive-through event Nov. 18.

The Santa Maria FFA Chapter asked for student’s whose families have been impacted by the pandemic to fill out a short survey, and then selected, based on need, the families that would be given a turkey for the Thanksgiving Day Holiday.

Read more →

Santa Maria High School students take park in Catholic Charities Canned Food Drive

by  •  • Comments Off on Santa Maria High School students take park in Catholic Charities Canned Food Drive

About 55 Santa Maria High School needy families received generous food donations from Catholic Charities Friday.

The distribution took place from 11 a.m. to noon at the campus where students and their families picked up grocery bags packed with rice, beans, cereal, pasta, vegetables, snacks and other nutritious necessities.

Saint School Community Liaison Patricia Lopez Barriga began contacting non-profit agencies in town after the families reached out to her for help.

Read more →

November Newsletter from MCASB

by  •  • Comments Off on November Newsletter from MCASB

To remain in compliance with Santa Barbara County and California State health and safety guidelines, we must unfortunately, once again, close our doors to the public. Thank you to those who visited by appointment this past month, and we look forward to seeing you all again soon!
It is important that we do our best to keep our Santa Barbara community safe during these times. We apologize for any inconvenience that this closure may cause, but stay tuned for more information on re-opening in the future!

Read more →

MVC Re-Closure + Exclusive Online Content + More

by  •  • Comments Off on MVC Re-Closure + Exclusive Online Content + More

Dear Community Member,

For the health and safety of the community, all Museum programs have been moved online. The Museum of Ventura County, the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula, the Research Library & Archives, and the Albinger Archaeology Museum will be closed until further notice.

We will continue to offer a variety of diverse online programming, including Virtual Learning Modules, Zoom Conversations, family activities, and more! You are encouraged to explore below or visit our website.

Be safe, be well, and stay healthy. We look forward to welcoming you back at MVC when we reopen!

Read more →

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s “Project Turkey” Extends to Thanksgiving to Continue to Help Families in Need

by  •  • Comments Off on Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s “Project Turkey” Extends to Thanksgiving to Continue to Help Families in Need

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

Just in time for Thanksgiving, TBCF plans on donating items to hospitals, clinics and homes and are hoping to help 50 families or more with Project Turkey food and grocery gift card donations this season.  

Read more →

United Way of Ventura County — We’re thankful for you!

by  •  • Comments Off on United Way of Ventura County — We’re thankful for you!

December 1 will mark my 6th year serving as President and CEO of United Way of Ventura County. As we celebrate our 75th anniversary this year, I recognize my six years are only a moment in this organization’s rich history. The true legacy of our organization lives in the leaders and volunteers like you who have stood with us for decades.

I couldn’t be prouder of the courage and results our volunteers, staff, and community have delivered over the past six years. Here are just a few of the highlights:

Read more →

Santa Paula Art Museum — When Life Gives You Lemons…

by  •  • Comments Off on Santa Paula Art Museum — When Life Gives You Lemons…

With the recent change in Ventura County’s reopening status, the Santa Paula Art Museum is now temporarily closed until further notice. If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the past eight months, it’s that when life gives you lemons, you definitely have to get a little creative! That’s why we’ll continue to produce our free, monthly Art To-Go Bags for children in our community for as long as we are able (see below).

Our staff are also hard at work transforming one of the Museum’s back parking lots into an outdoor art experience that will be free and open to all. The forthcoming Art Park is inspired by one of our favorite paintings from the Museum’s permanent collection, and reimagines the artwork in three dimensions. Stay tuned for more information and an official opening date.

The Museum’s 10th Annual Fine Art Auction Fundraiser continues online through Sunday, November 22. It’s our most important fundraiser of the year. See the auction items that are getting the most attention below!

Read more →

The Collection spreads holiday cheer with safe, festive experiences for the whole family

by  •  • Comments Off on The Collection spreads holiday cheer with safe, festive experiences for the whole family

This holiday season, The Collection at RiverPark has reimagined several of its annual holiday experiences to offer safe, festive fun for the whole family. From visits with Santa and virtual story time with Mrs. Claus and friends to live music, giveaways, scavenger hunts and more, there are plenty of opportunities to participate in the holiday cheer.

Read more →

Ventura County Moved Back to Purple Tier on Nov. 17

by  •  • Comments Off on Ventura County Moved Back to Purple Tier on Nov. 17

(On Nov. 16), the State of California announced new COVID-19 Tier assignments for counties. Due to increasing case rates, Ventura County and 40 other counties in the State will move back to the more restrictive Tier 1 Purple. Businesses that are impacted by this are asked to make their operational modifications by midnight November 17, 2020.

Read more →

Ventura County School Reopening Plans Impacted as COVID-19 Cases Rise Statewide

by  •  • Comments Off on Ventura County School Reopening Plans Impacted as COVID-19 Cases Rise Statewide

In response to a statewide spike in new coronavirus infections, Ventura County and 28 other counties were suddenly moved back to the most restrictive purple tier of California’s color-coded tracking system on Monday, November 16. Facing an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases, Governor Gavin Newsom said he was “pulling an emergency brake.”

Now that Ventura County is back in the purple tier, schools and districts that had already reopened are permitted to continue with in-person instruction according to state and local regulations. However, individual schools that have not yet reopened will need to wait until the County moves back to the less restrictive red tier and stays there for 14 days.

Read more →

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s Project Christmas Spreads Cheer during COVID-19 

by  •  • Comments Off on Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s Project Christmas Spreads Cheer during COVID-19 

Each year, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) spreads holiday cheer to families in the tri-counties who have a child battling cancer, and their siblings. They look to the community to help secure hundreds of gifts during the months of November and December. This year, their greatest needs are donations of $25 Amazon gift cards for teens and new, unwrapped toys for kids ages 6-11 valued at $25 each.  These will be among the gifts given to over 200 children in need at their holiday drive-thru event in December. In addition to the $25 gifts, they will be sponsoring 35 families (85 children) through their Project Christmas Program.  

Read more →

Santa Barbara City College — The Bridge — SBCC Music’s Big Band is world’s first to perform together remotely using exciting new technology and more news

by  •  • Comments Off on Santa Barbara City College — The Bridge — SBCC Music’s Big Band is world’s first to perform together remotely using exciting new technology and more news

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, SBCC continues to provide students with instruction and virtual support services aimed at keeping them on track with their education, staying connected and healthy. We are also providing our entire community with history-making, innovative musical and dramatic entertainment that can be viewed online. The SBCC Foundation Campus Conversations series this month peeks behind the curtain to reveal how the Theatre Arts department is keeping theatre alive and thriving on the South Coast, and EOPS/CARE is providing a way for the community to see that our single-parent students give their families a Thanksgiving dinner. Read about all of this and more below.

Read more →

Food Share holding Mega Food Drive-Thru Distribution on Nov. 15

by  •  • Comments Off on Food Share holding Mega Food Drive-Thru Distribution on Nov. 15

Food Share, Ventura County’s largest hunger-relief organization, is holding a mega drive-thru food distribution of shelf-stable pantry items and fresh produce on Sunday, November 15, 9am-12pm at Food Share of Ventura County’s headquarters at 4156 Southbank Rd., Oxnard, 93036.  

Read more →

Richard Yao Appointed Interim President of California State University Channel Islands

by  •  • Comments Off on Richard Yao Appointed Interim President of California State University Channel Islands

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.

Read more →