Category: Youth

OC LIVE: ‘Essential Oxnard ~ A Film by Sal Anguiano’ now available for viewing

OC alumnus Sal Anguiano’s short film Essential Oxnard sheds light on the important work and contributions of the Hispanic community in Oxnard, California, and celebrates its resilience amid the pandemic. From local Oxnard business owners to farm workers, Essential Oxnard asks the question, “Who is considered essential?”  

In this special presentation, OC Film and TV Professor Anitra Lawson is joined by the filmmaker as well as OC alumni Luis Guereca and Arcelia Martinez to discuss the making of the film in the early days of the pandemic and where we are now. 

Watch the film, meet the filmmaker and discover the beauty, the grit, and the heart of the city of Oxnard. 

Delta High School teams up with non-profits and others for Holiday Drive Thru on Dec. 10

Delta High School will be teaming up with non-profits and others for a holiday drive-through event that will provide food and other necessities to needy students and their families today.

The outreach starts at 4 p.m. in front of the Ocrutt campus. Families will pick up a basket filled with a blanket, towel, hygiene products and groceries.

“Delta has been great this year,’’ said senior Amando Arozla. “They are doing so much for us and we are very lucky.” 

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Dec. 9

Good Evening, There are 170 new cases for today (35 (20.6%) of which have a lab collection from 12/2 or earlier) 1,638 additional people tested and 2 additional deaths (85 and 86 year old males with comorbidities). Current doubling time is 43.6. Current hospitalizations are 147 and current ICU is 42.

The State’s Stay Home Order is in effect. Learn more about the order by clicking here.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Dec. 8

Good Evening, There are 308 new cases for today (7 (2.3%) of which have a lab collection from 12/1 or earlier) 1,936 additional people tested and 6 additional deaths (5 males and 1 female between the ages of 51-93, all but one with comorbidities). Current doubling time is 47.9. Current hospitalizations are 142 and current ICU is 40.

The State’s Stay Home Order is in effect. Learn more about the order by clicking here.

Please continue to wear a mask, social distance, wash hands frequently and avoid gatherings to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

A press conference will take place on 12/9/20 at 1pm. It will be streamed at www.venturacountyrecovers.org and Facebook @CountyofVentura.

A testing location update will be sent to update on any closures for tomorrow. Today, there were closures due to adverse weather.

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!  

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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:

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.  

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.