Education

Ventura College Custodian Selected as VCCCD 2021 Classified Employee of the Year

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With his trademark “Ask Me” button showcasing his helpful attitude, Ventura College’s Alwin Sauers Jr. has been named the 2021 Ventura County Community College District Classified Employee of the Year. The VCCCD bestows this honor in accordance with the California Community Colleges (CCC) Board of Governors, who will now consider Sauers for the CCC statewide award. The award recognizes classified professionals who positively influence countless lives by showing the utmost commitment to our community colleges, by upholding professional ethics and standards and by serving the community with purpose and passion. They embody the best of California’s community colleges.

Fellow VCCCD Classified Employee of the Year nominees included Thomas “Tommy” Arellano of Moorpark College, and Gabriela Rodriguez of Oxnard College.

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Business, Education, Local, News, Youth

Make your plans to support CLU School of Management on Cares Day

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This has been a year like no other but the School of Management is still going strong. We persevere because we have a beautiful community of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members! We kept you engaged, for example, by offering all of our events online with complimentary registration, we started several new webinar series for continued learning and kept you up-to-date through our many social channels. We also did our best to make you proud: We achieved full professional business school accreditation by ACBSP and we repurposed a generous gift by Mr. Steven Dorfman to benefit high-achieving students and our many efforts in entrepreneurship. Now we request your assistance during Cares Day to help us in continuing the good work with the next generation of students.

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Business, Health, Local, News

Community Environmental Council Welcomes New Members and Officers to the Board of Directors

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The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is pleased to announce a high caliber cohort of new members and officers to its Board of Directors. In a pivotal year of program expansion coupled with federal momentum, these dynamic community leaders bring a wealth of experience that will propel CEC’s bold climate action plans. As ambassadors of the organization, they will advocate, network, and promote on behalf of CEC.

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Business, Commentary, Government, Health, Local, News

Food Action Network — Tell SB County to support localized food system enterprises, economic opportunities for farmers, and agricultural land viability

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The County of Santa Barbara is developing an ordinance amendment to allow activities and practices that will be incidental and complementary to traditional agriculture uses on land zoned AG-II. The goal is to expand economic opportunities for farmers and improve the County’s overall agricultural land viability. This is a fantastic opportunity to promote policy support for decentralized and localized food system enterprises, processing hubs, composting, etc.

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Education, Government, Local, News, Youth

Delta High School recently designated a Model Continuation High School

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Delta High School was recently designated a Model Continuation High School (MCHS) for 2021, making it one of 27 in the state.

The school retains the designation for three years and will be virtually recognized for creating various opportunities for their students to pursue academic and social success at the California Continuation Education Association (CCEA) State Conference in San Diego, April 15-18.

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Cultural, Education, Government, Local, News, Youth

Ernest Righetti High School students selected as 2021 Boys and Girls State California Delegates

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Three ERHS students have been selected as the 2021 Boys and Girls State California Delegates and will participate in summer leadership and citizenship programs that focus on exploring the mechanics of American government and politics.

The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors Junior Marissa Cuellar (Girls). The American Legion Orcutt Post 534 sponsors Zachary Monighetti (Boys) and Neev Vinchhi (Boys).

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Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, Family, Government, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Salud

County of Ventura poised to move to State’s Orange Tier Next Week

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The State of California announced today that the County of Ventura has met requirements for the State’s Orange Tier for the first week of the two-week required time frame. If the County meets the Orange Tier requirements at the next review on April 6 the County will be able to move to Orange on April 7 at 12:01 am. As with the shift to the Red Tier, the County will continue to align with the State’s framework for Orange Tier activities.

“This brings hope that we are headed in a better direction. We appreciate how our community has helped to make this happen,” said County Executive Officer Michael Powers. “The Orange Tier allows for many of our businesses to expand operations and even allows for outdoor live events. This is exciting for our community members and our recovery efforts.”

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Business, Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

SBCC — Ezekiel Contreras Forrest receives Board of Governors Student Leadership Award

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Santa Barbara City College student Ezekiel Contreras Forrest has been awarded one of three Board of Governors Student Leadership Awards, initiated for the first time in 2021. The awards were presented by Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley and two student members of the California Community College Board of Governors at the opening of the General Assembly for the Student Senate of the California Community Colleges on Friday March 26.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Paycheck Protection Program Extended to May 31, 2021

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Today, Tuesday, March 30th, 2021, President Biden signed into law an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that allows small businesses and eligible non-profits to apply for PPP loans through May 31, 2021.

PPP is designed to help small business, nonprofits, veteran organizations, Tribal concerns, self-employed individuals, independent contractors, and other eligible borrowers keep their workers employed during the COVID-19 crisis.

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Business, Education, Local, News

SBCC School of Extended Learning to offer Construction Measuring and Estimating

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Prepare to enter or re-enter the workforce with Construction Measuring and Estimating. A beginning course in residential construction math. Take as a stand-alone course or as part of a four-course series of construction classes. Topics include working with common, decimal, and carpenter fractions; using a standard tape measure; estimating material; and using a construction calculator.

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Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Local, News, Youth

Museum of Ventura County — Reopening Update + What’s New at MVC

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As more businesses are allowed to open in California and Ventura County, the Museum of Ventura County plans to open gradually as we continue to offer current online services and launch new programs like our Journal Flashback and Local History Happy Hour series, which you can read more about in this newsletter.

When we do re-open, you will get to see improved gardens and galleries along with new exhibits, public art installations, and family programs at both sites.

And in recognition of your support over the last year, we are excited to announce that admission at all sites will be FREE for all of 2021!

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Business, Cultural, En español, Government, Health, Local, News

Bilingual report — Oxnard City Council to Consider Resolution Condemning Racism, Xenophobia, Violence, and Hate Crimes Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

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On Tuesday, March 30, 2021, the Oxnard City Council will consider a resolution condemning racism, xenophobia, violence, and hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI).

“We are mourning for the victims of these senseless crimes that we have seen increasingly throughout the pandemic, and we stand in solidarity with the Asian American community during these difficult times,” said Mayor John C. Zaragoza. 

“It is vital that we take a stand against any act of hatred or violence towards the AAPI community. In Oxnard, we remain committed to celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our diversity is our strength, and we must commit to breaking down any barriers that separate us from each other.” 

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Cultural, Education, Government, Local, News

Matt Escobedo Joins VCCCD Personnel Commission

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The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) board of trustees has selected Matt Escobedo, assistant human resources director at the County of Ventura, to become a member of the Personnel Commission. Escobedo will serve a three-year term on the three-member commission, which is charged with ensuring fair and objective treatment of classified applicants and employees in all aspects of personnel administration.

Escobedo has over 15 years of progressively responsible public-sector human resources management experience, which includes working for the Los Angeles Unified School District, VCCCD, City of Santa Monica and County of Ventura.

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Educación, En español, Locales, Noticias, Salud

Actualización de la vacuna COVID-19 el 29 de marzo de 2021

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Hay 116 nuevos casos (viernes, sábado, domingo), 12,045 pruebas adicionales, y 3 muertes adicionales:

mujer de 70 años, mujer de 66 años, y un hombre de 58 años

Nuestro más sentido pésame a todas las familias de los miembros de la comunidad que han fallecido y nuestra compasión a los proveedores médicos que continúan trabajando para salvar vidas y cuidar a personas muy enfermas.  

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Education, Local, News, Technology

SBCC School of Extended Learning to offer Microsoft Basic Outlook 1

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Prepare to enter or re-enter the workforce or stay in touch with Outlook for email and work task and calendar management to connect with colleagues, customers, family and friends. SBCC Career Skills Institute’s Basic Outlook course provides a basic hands-on introduction to Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft’s premier email and information management program. Students learn how to stay up-to-date at home or work by using Outlook to set up an account and connect with colleagues, customers, family and friends. Topics include how to use basic aspects of Outlook to do email, handle people (contact) lists, maintain a calendar and track tasks.

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Business, Finance, Government, Local, News

EDC’s Economic 411 Labor Market Report for February 2021

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The California Labor Market Information Division (LMID) released its February 2021 report earlier today, showing improvement in the unemployment rate, from 7.4% in January to 6.8% in February, based on strong growth in industry employment, up a net 6,100 jobs or 2.0%. Also on the upside, we saw strong growth in the labor force—that is, the total of workers both employed and unemployed but actively looking for employment—up by 7,100 workers in February, or 1.8%. For the monthly detail, check out LMID’s February report here.

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Business, Education, Local, News, Youth

SBCC School of Extended Learning to offer Leadership Skills

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Take your leadership from good to great by exploring and applying the top ten skills that every leader must have.

You may elect to take this course independent of a Career Skills Institute digital badge or apply it to the Emerging Leaders Certificate. Participants who earn this certificate will be enabled to develop the additional management, supervisory and leadership skills to open up additional work and advancement opportunities. This certificate is also a gateway into other noncredit and credit programs, helping students develop workplace skills and training that will qualify them for even more work opportunities.

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Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, Family, Finance, Government, Health, Home, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Available to Income-Eligible Households

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The State of California recently launched the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program to aid income-qualified tenants who are most at risk of eviction due to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing financial assistance for unpaid rent and utilities.

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Commentary, Cultural, Education, Local, News, Opinion

Social Justice Fund for Ventura County March 2021 update

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We hope you are healthy and doing well. The Social Justice Fund for Ventura County condemns racism in all forms and the ongoing violent attacks against the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community. These hateful and violent acts underscore the struggles we face in becoming a truly just and inclusive society. We urge you to click on this link to view our complete statement supporting the AAPI community and actions you can take now.

The Social Justice Fund also expresses our deepest sympathy to the families of the victims in the Boulder, CO mass shooting. We are horrified and saddened by this violence. We believe that a multi-faceted and science-based approach is needed to address the epidemic of gun violence.

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Commentary, Cultural, Education, Family, Local, News, Youth

kidSTREAM Children’s Museum Leaps Forward

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kidSTREAM Children’s Museum received incredible support from the Camarillo City Council Wednesday night as the Council voted unanimously to approve the Second Amendment to the Term Sheet for the former Camarillo Library which donates the property at 3100 Ponderosa Drive for the development of a children’s museum. The appraised cost of the building is approximately $900,000

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Business, Local, News

Calling All California Central Coast Entrepreneurs! Apply Now for Walmart’s Annual Open Call for Products Made, Grown or Assembled in the U.S.

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The application process for Walmart’s eighth annual Open Call is now open, and the company invites California entrepreneurs dreaming of landing their products on Walmart shelves and online to apply for the opportunity to meet with Walmart buyers on June 30, 2021, via virtual pitch meetings. 

The deadline to apply for participation in this year’s Open Call for products made, grown or assembled in the United States is April 30. The application and additional information about the event are available via this link.

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Education, Family, Local, News, Youth

Santa Maria Joint Union High School District students shine during virtual Lion’s Club Speaker Contest

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Several SMJUHSD Multilingual & Migrant Education Program (MMEP) students recently shined during the virtual Lion’s Club Speaker Contest where the topic was the pros and cons of distance learning.

Two students, Janeyri Antonio Antonio (12th grade SMHS) and Jemimah Moreno Rodriguez (12th grade PVHS) won the first place $100 prize and will move on via Zoom to the next round March 29. Rafael Atilano-Bautista (9th grade ERHS) was the runner up.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Local, News

CLU School of Management — Upward!

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What do these events have in common?    All 3 our community can participate in, in April. Our PRiME Competition and New Venture Fair are annual student competitions and are an integral part of our School of Management programs. Experiential learning is an ever more important element of cutting-edge education. Both our undergraduate and graduate students have options to test their newly acquired knowledge and skills against other students in these types of competitions. Once again we invite our community to get involved virtually in voting for the People’s Choice Awards. Voting is April 21-27. Watch for announcements. During Cal Lutheran’s CARES DAY on April 7th, the School of Management will be raising funds for student competitions like these. Your generous gift would go towards participation fees and other required resources necessary to take part in these outstanding experiential learning opportunities. Early giving is open now, at SOM Cares Day

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Business, Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

CSUCI’s commencement will be a ‘drive-up’ with a cross-the-stage moment

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CSU Channel Islands’ (CSUCI) Class of 2021 will get a chance to cross a stage in a hybrid commencement ceremony that will include caps, gowns and cars. The Class of 2020 will get the same chance during one of six ceremonies spread over three days on May 21, 22 and 23. 

In order to continue to abide by Ventura County Public Health requirements to keep students and their families safe and required physical distancing, each graduate will drive with family and friends in one car to one of multiple stages set up in parking areas around campus.

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Cultural, Education, En español, Government, Local, News, Youth

CSUCI Early Childhood Studies students center virtual lessons on a family-friendly topic: food

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Magda is turning seven years old and wants to learn to make tortillas.

That’s the story told in “Magda’s Tortillas,” one of five bilingual children’s books that are the main course of a virtual learning program that is giving 34 CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Early Childhood Studies (ECS) students the chance to get the field teaching experience they need to graduate this May.

Usually, ECS students teach in classrooms during their senior year, but the COVID-19 pandemic made that impossible. So, during fall semester, Assistant Professor Annie White, Ed.D. and ECS Lecturer Lauren Chase worked with CSUCI’s Center for Community Engagement (CCE) to come up with a creative way for seniors to get teaching experience in the field.

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Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, Family, Home, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — Rent Assistance Now Available for Income Eligible Households and Landlords

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In keeping with Governor Gavin Newsom’s commitment to ensuring individuals and families stay housed during – and despite – the COVID-19 pandemic, Californians who have experienced a financial hardship because of the pandemic and who are most at-risk of eviction can now apply for the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program to help pay past due rent. Beginning today, renters and landlords can check eligibility and apply by visiting HousingIsKey.com or by calling 833-430-2122 toll-free, seven days a week.

“For hundreds of thousands of renters and small property owners, there is more light at the end of the tunnel,” said Governor Newsom. “We have the strongest eviction protections in the nation and, beginning today, we are providing greatly needed financial support to both renters and small property owners in need of assistance to pay their mortgages, with a focus on racial and geographic equity.”

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Commentary, Family, Local, Opinion, Youth

Bilingual Commentary — No More Boys’ and Girls’ Toys

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Parents of young children need not panic. “No more boys’ and girls’ toys” does not imply the prospect of a world without toys.

What it does mean is that a California Assembly bill, AB 2826(19R), is proposing that large retail department stores have toy departments that are gender-neutral; i.e., no more division between the boys’ and girls’ toy sections.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Government, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility to expand to 50+ April 1 and 16+ April 15

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The State of California has announced that vaccine eligibility will expand April 1 to those 50 or older and to those 16 or older April 15. “This is exciting news for our residents. The County is aligning itself with the State on this expanded rollout and we are hopeful more vaccines will be coming soon so appointments can be secured,” said Chair of the Board of Supervisors Linda Parks. 

The County received 14,090 vaccines during the week of March 22. Appointments for 1st and 2nd doses quickly filled. The number of community members who are currently eligible exceeds the amount of vaccines provided to the County. The next shipment will include 18,000 doses. More than 36% of eligible community members have received the COVID-19 vaccine. More than 360,000 vaccine doses have been administered.

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Cultural, Education, Family, Government, Health, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — 50+ Now Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine at County Public Health Vaccination Sites

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Santa Barbara County residents who are 50 years of age and older will be able to make an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning today for Public Health Community Vaccination Clinics in Lompoc, happening March 28 through April 3. Effective April 1, people 50 years of age and older will also be eligible to schedule appointments at any of the participating pharmacies, hospitals or health care providers as supply is available.

As of this afternoon, county residents may begin scheduling appointments for the first Public Health Community Vaccination Clinics located at the Dick DeWees Community & Senior Center in Lompoc happening from March 28 through April 3 and available to all eligible groups.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Family, Finance, Government, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update — Second COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program

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The County of Ventura is launching a second COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program for businesses and nonprofit organizations that did not receive a grant during the County’s first program in 2020. A $5,000 grant will be awarded to selected organizations that meet the eligibility requirements.

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Business, Education, Finance, Government, Health, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — CA Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program

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Round 5 of the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program is now accepting applications! This round is NOT first-come, first-serve. Please note the following information:

Important Dates for Round 5
Application Opens: March 25, 2021
Application Closes: March 31, 2021
Start of Selection Notifications: TBD

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Local

Bilingual report — Community Support Urgently Needed for Additional Shelter Homes and Resource Families in Ventura County

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?While Ventura County is helping families stay together whenever possible, a child or children may still need to be temporarily placed in out of home care at any time, day or night, to ensure their overall safety.?Homes with Heart VC, a program of Ventura County Children and Family Services,?is encouraging?families to step up?as resource families or?to?provide a safe Emergency Shelter Home (ESH) for children and youth who are temporarily placed in out of home care and may experience trauma and need an immediate place to go.?Currently,?there is?a limited number of Emergency Shelter families who help make that transition as smooth as possible for the children. The county is in immediate need of these special resource?families?and Shelter Homes.??  

Homes with Heart VC,?provides children, youth,?and families with a foundation of respect?and?support, including?resource family services from special people who can?support?children and?youth?with?trauma and provide Shelter Homes. 

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Business, Education, Local, News, Youth

SBCC School of Extended Learning – Best Practices in Customer Service

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Prepare to enter or re-enter the workforce with the strategies that retain your valuable customer base and earn repeat business. Topics include resolving complaints, managing verbal and nonverbal communication and steps for defusing angry customers.

You may elect to take this course independent of a Career Skills Institute digital badge or apply it to the Customer Relations Certificate. Participants who earn this certificate will have developed a deep understanding of communication skills and how they relate to quality customer service. All Career Skills Institute classes are tuition-free.

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Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

OC LIVE Online — Listening to Women

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In celebration of Women’s History Month, Dr. Connie Sheu joins Oxnard College Music Professor Scott Wolf in a lively discussion about gender and equity in the classical guitar world.
 
On the faculty at the Colburn School of Music in Los Angeles and General Manager of the Guitar Foundation of America, Dr. Sheu brings her own considerable experience as a professional educator and musician. She also shares her recent work recording women composers on the classical guitar, including pieces by Emilia Giuliani and Dale Kavanagh.

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Business, Commentary, Cultural, Education, Events, Family, Government, Health, Local, News, Youth

Earth Day Organizers to Honor Greenpeace USA’s Annie Leonard as 2021 Environmental Hero

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The Community Environmental Council (CEC) proudly announces Annie Leonard, Executive Director of Greenpeace USA, as the recipient of its 2021 Environmental Hero Award, presented as part of CEC’s Virtual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival being held Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, April 22-24. The free festival is available to view at SBEarthDay.org.
Annie Leonard will join the festival on Saturday, April 24 to share insights into her vital work and accept the award in an interview with Community Environmental Council CEO Sigrid Wright and UC Santa Barbara Dehlsen Chair of Environmental Studies and Director of the Global Environmental Justice Project Dr. David N. Pellow. Check SBEarthDay.org for the confirmed time closer to the event.

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Business, Educación, Education, Local, News, Technology

SBCC School of Extended Learning Career Skills Institute to present ‘Introduction to Windows’

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SBCC School of Extended Learning, Career Skills Institute to present ‘Introduction to Windows.’

Prepare to enter or re-enter the workforce with the computer skills needed for entry-level office jobs with high employment potential jobs in Santa Barbara County and California. SBCC Career Skills Institute’s Introduction to Windows course helps you explore Help, windows navigation and management, file management, desktop customization, and other Windows Operating System and applications.

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Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for March 24, 2021

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There are 66 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 4,747 new tests performed.

There have been 4 additional deaths: 63 year old female, 66 year old male, 99 year old female, and a 82 year old male

Current doubling time is 1179.6.

We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of those who have passed away.

The current R-effective (average number of people each infected person will pass the virus onto and represents the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading) is .64 which means that spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing; R-effective for CA is .80 right now.

Tune in for the weekly COVID-19 press conference briefing at 1 pm on Wednesday streamed at www.venturacountyrecovers.org.

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Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Local, News

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Earth Day Mural Call for Artists

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ONE WEEK LEFT to submit your artistic concepts to the Earth Day Mural Call For Entries hosted in partnership by The Arts Fund, Community Environmental Council, MCASB, Paseo Nuevo, and Santa Barbara BCycle. Due by March 31, 2021 5 pm PST.

One concept will be selected to appear on the Paseo Nuevo Arts Terrace Parking Deck, on the exterior wall of MCASB. The selected artist, or artist group, will receive a stipend and a materials budget to paint their mural between April 19-23, 2021. Support for painting the mural will be provided by the project partners. The completed mural will be revealed on the final day of the virtual Earth Day Festival, April 24! Spread the word

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