Guest commentary — The Fall of American Democracy and the Rise of White Nationalism and Tyranny: We all saw it Coming!

Get Rid of the Ballots…That is what he said, that is what he will do, and who is going to stop him? We are less that 42 days away from the most cataclysmic, potentially apocalyptic, American election in our lifetime. However the election results turn out, approximately half of the American electorate will be enraged, convinced that the election was rigged. The evil tyrannical genius of Trump, is that in less than four years he has been able to consolidate all federal power under his control and in the process is annihilating all semblance of American democracy. Trump with his tyrannical power grab, along with the considerable help of all his well-placed and well-paid henchmen/women, has turned us all into a pathetic nation of cowards, haters, doubters and conspiracy theorists. Make no mistake all of us, by omission or commission, are responsible for the creation of this monster that now occupies the White House.

VCCCD Announces Spring Semester Will Be Remote

Ventura County Community College District announces that?due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19, a?majority of its classes at Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges will continue to be remote for the spring 2021 semester, which begins Jan. 11. Strict protocols will still be in place for students and faculty who must be on campus for courses that cannot be remote.

Southeast Ventura County YMCA and Columbia Memorial Space Center Join Forces On New STEM Club For Middle Schoolers

The Southeast Ventura County YMCA and the Columbia Memorial Space Center have collaborated on a new advanced STEM program for local middle schoolers. The YMCA’s STEM Club begins October 19 with virtual meetings.

The program is divided into three units–Aerospace (October 19 through December 18), Solar Chemistry (January 18 through March 26) and 3D Printing and Robotics (April 12 through June 18). Club members meet Monday through Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (virtually and when approved, in person).

COVID-19 Update for Sept. 24 — Estación Móvil de vacunación contra la gripe

ESTACIÓN MÓVIL DE VACUNACIÓN CONTRA LA GRIPE

El Programa de Inmunización de Salud Pública del Condado de Ventura y la Agencia de Servicios Médicos de Emergencia ofrecerán la vacuna contra la Gripe GRATIS.

DÓNDE: Oxnard College – Estacionamiento Norte
4000 S. Rose Ave, Oxnard CA 93033
CUANDO: Miércoles, 30 de septiembre, 2020
de 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

University Bound SMHS Seniors receive drive-through recognition

Santa Maria High School seniors already academically prepared for universities received recognition during a drive-through event in the Thornburg parking lot on Sept. 24.

About 250 Saints, who have met A-G requirements (university entry mandates), plan to pick up a certificate, lawn sign, senior toolkit and enter a raffle for prizes. The UC/CSU application process is approaching.

State of County 2020 Provides a Behind the Scenes View of COVID-19 Response

The State of the County presentation took place on September 17, 2020. The annual event, hosted by local Chambers of Commerce and the Ventura County Tax Payers Association and community groups, provided an inside view of the dynamic coordination of COVID-19 response. “2020, what can you say? Recovering from disasters, responding to a new disaster and preparing for future disasters has become our new normal. The pandemic impacts all communities but not many communities have had the emergencies we have faced. Our community had to answer the call yet again, and you did. We have done better than most and I think we will emerge stronger than most because of the selfless generosity and compassion of our community,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers as he kicked off the event.

Friendship Center — Shine a light of hope…

2020 will forever be known as the year of one of the most impactful and furthest reaching public health events in history. We have had to pull together, and stand apart. With no stone unturned, we have had to re-think many of our routine habits through a new pandemic lens. In doing so, we have become even more aware of the importance of our health, our families, and the need for companionship. And conversely, recognize that isolation and depression are very real factors during this time.

Professor of Art History and her artist husband chronicle the homeless in Los Angeles with “Sidewalk Inn”

They lay by wheelchairs on the sidewalk, on benches, along storefronts and in the park where CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Professor of Art History Irina D. Costache, Ph.D., likes to play tennis with her husband, Cristian Costache.

The Costaches would leave their Los Angeles home to head for the tennis courts and pass one homeless person after another on their way.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Sept. 23 — COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 Testing Available – No cost. No appointment needed.

Weekday Drive-Through Sites – Monday through Friday 10 am to 7 pm
Moopark College, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark
Ford Dealership, 128 S. Hallock Drive, Santa Paula

Weekend: Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The site is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Walk-In Site – Monday Through Friday 9 am to 6 pm
Ventura County Fairgrounds,10 W. Harbor Blvd in Ventura, Enter Gate 2.

EDC Business Alert — Census Last Day September 30!

This decennial Census has significant impact on our business community. The Census not only determines local funding for schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, but it also allocates money for direct business resources. As a business owner, you can consult the Census data to understand where cities are expanding and strategize investing in your current business or opening a new location. We encourage you to check in with your employees, friends, and community to ensure everyone is counted.

Bilingual report — Considering Going Electric? Check Out Ventura Drive Electric Week Events

The County of Ventura is partnering with Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance (VCREA) and EV Advocates of Ventura County to host daily virtual events during this year’s National Drive Electric Week, starting on September 28th through October 4th. The local Ventura Drive Electric Week events are part of the tenth annual nationwide celebration to heighten awareness of the availability and benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles.

CSU Trustee Scholar credits ‘the village’ at CSUCI for his success

Biology and Global Studies major Patricio Ruano was raised in a large Latino family in the Silverlake region of Los Angeles. As the youngest in the family, he always got a variety of viewpoints under one roof.

“One aunt would tell me one thing, a sibling would tell me another,” Ruano, 21, said. “I learned it takes a village to raise a child and the same is true for education. It takes a campus village to raise a successful student.”

Over 100 Exciting Silent Auction Items Support Local Families who have a Child with Cancer During Pediatric Awareness Month

To assist in the financial support for families who have a child with cancer during Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, Teddy Bear Cancer foundation (TBCF) is holding an online silent auction with over 100 unique and highly desirable items. The online silent auction is now LIVE and their in-person preview event takes place this Saturday, September 26th at Nurture Cottage & Mesa Burger any time between 8am and 11am. 

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Big News on COVID Metrics and Happy National Voter Registration Day!

At (Sept. 22)’s Board of Supervisors hearing, we received an update on COVID-19. The graphic below shows the adjusted case rate for Santa Barbara County for this week as 6.7 new cases per 100,000 population. According to the California Blueprint for a Safer Economy metrics, we need to lower our 7-day average positive case number to at least 7 per 100,000 population to move to the red tier. That being said, if our case rate stays below 7 positive cases per day per 100,000 for another week, we will be able to move into the red tier as early as September 29th. Additionally, we would need to remain in the red tier for 14 consecutive days in order for K-12 schools to reopen, which could be as soon as October 13th. Currently we have 2 active cases in the South County Unincorporated Areas (which include Montecito, Summerland and the City of Carpinteria), 19 active cases in the City of Santa Barbara, and 151 active cases County-wide.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Sept. 22. COVID-19 Testing Available – No cost. No appointment needed

COVID-19 Testing Available – No cost. No appointment needed.

Weekday Drive-Through Sites – Monday through Friday 10 am to 7 pm
Moopark College, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark
Ford Dealership, 128 S. Hallock Drive, Santa Paula

Weekend: Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The site is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Walk-In Site – Monday Through Friday 9 am to 6 pm
Ventura County Fairgrounds,10 W. Harbor Blvd in Ventura, Enter Gate 2.

Bilingual report — All cities across Ventura County surpass 2010 Census self-response rate

While efforts continue to count residents across the state and nation in the 2020 Census, Ventura County has achieved a significant milestone. To date, all cities across the County have surpassed the self-response rate recorded in 2010, with many cities recording a 5-point increase or higher in the response rate recorded a decade ago.

“This is an exciting achievement for our County especially in the midst of the COVID-19 response efforts, said Mike Powers, County Executive Officer. “Prior to COVID-19, it was reported that our County would be difficult to count, so it’s incredible that we not only overcame but exceeded expectations. Now is the final stretch to make it count! Now more than ever, it’s especially important as our community is responding to, and recovering from, the health and economic impacts of COVID-19. We hope that as the Census enters into the last week of the response period that we continue to see these numbers grow.”

Letter to the Editor — Voting has never been easier. Voting from home is safe, easy and convenient

Once you receive your official ballot in the mail in early October,  you can return it by the US Postal Service mail – postage is prepaid.  It must be postmarked by Nov 3 and received by Nov 20 (in California) for your vote to be counted.  We recommend you vote as early as possible after receiving your ballot.

An alternative to mailing your ballot is using one of the 34 Ballot Drop Boxes that are located throughout the county and will be open from Oct. 6 until Election Day, Nov. 3 at 8 pm.  Ballot Drop Box locations can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/y45ol4mo.

Logix Federal Credit Union and Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce Team up to Support Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV)

In support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley’s (BGCGCV) “Rising Stronger Together” Campaign, Logix Federal Credit Union donated $5,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Conejo Valley this summer, with the help of the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce. Logix hosted a fundraiser through its Community Stars Foundation in June to provide additional dollars; members participated in this fundraiser.

Logix has been a long-time supporter of the club, making contributions toward programming, like camps and day activities.

SBCC partners with four-year institutions to train students in data science

According to co-founder of Sun Microsystems Vinod Khosla, “In the next 10 years, data science and software will do more for medicine than all of the biological sciences together.” Whether that bold prediction will prove true is yet to be seen, however the there is no denying that in all fields there is a growing demand for people who can interpret and analyze the massive amount of data being collected every day. Santa Barbara City College stands ready to play its part in preparing students to meet that demand.

Gov. Newsom Signs Jackson’s Bill Extending Job-Protected Family Leave to Nearly 6 Million Californians

Governor Gavin Newsom (on Sept. 17) signed legislation ensuring millions more Californians can utilize Paid Family Leave benefits they pay for without the fear of job loss. SB 1383 was developed through the Paid Family Leave Task Force convened by the Administration last year and builds on previous work to extend Paid Family Leave benefits from six to eight weeks for each parent of a newborn.

“Californians deserve to be able to take time off to care for themselves or a sick family member without fearing they’ll lose their job,” said Governor Newsom. “The COVID-19 pandemic has only further revealed the need for a family leave policy that truly serves families and workers, especially those who keep our economy running. This bill will ensure almost all Californians can access the time off they need to keep themselves and their communities healthy.”

United Way of Santa Barbara County Announces ‘In-Person’ Learning & Enrichment Centers Collaborative with Partner Schools

For thousands of families in our community, the new school year has been top of mind. The stress of finding child care and an appropriate learning environment for their children has been overwhelming. In an effort to support local schools and students with their recent remote launch in August, United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) and its community partners have created the Learning & Enrichment Centers Collaborative, a broad child care and learning/enrichment model. This collaborative involves dozens of partner schools and youth-serving agencies, and local leaders in philanthropy. The Learning & Enrichment Centers Collaborative provides support for Santa Barbara County children and families during this time of distance learning.  

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update — Participating in the 2020 Census helps our community!

Participating in the 2020 Census helps our community! The Census helps determine how billions in federal funding is distributed to our community over the next 10 years.

There are three easy ways to complete the Census survey:

By phone at 1-844-330-2020
Online at www.my2020census.gov
By mail – you can send in the paper form that you should have received in the mail if you still have not completed the Census.

Consortium Media Announces Advancements and New Team Member

Consortium Media is pleased to announce multiple promotions across departments within the well-known branding firm. From culturalist,? brand development level advances and more, Consortium Media is a diverse, talented?branding and outreach team that goes above and beyond. 

Denise Bean-White has led Consortium Media as the CEO and President for 30 years. Recently, as a culturalist, she has integrated cultural branding and ThoughtShift trend work into the Consortium client strategy. 

Righetti High School agriculture holds Greenhand Plant Distribution

An introduction to Righetti High School agriculture came with a free plant this week.

More than 200 freshman picked up a variety of succulents, rose plants, small house plants and lavender. Ag teachers and FFA officers handed out the plants.

The Greenhand Plant Distribution is the first step for the Ag students Supervised Ag Experience project (SAE). The students are tasked with doing research on their plant in order to successfully care for it. All Ag students are required to have an SAE project as part of the Ag education curriculum.

National college reports give CSUCI high marks for social mobility, affordability and overall quality 

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) is listed among the top 20 “Best Bang for Your Buck” Colleges in the West in Washington Monthly’s annual college guide. 

CSUCI was ranked the 19th “Best Bang for Your Buck” college in 2020, up from last year’s ranking of No. 22. CSUCI has been rising steadily for years, up from its No. 26 ranking in 2018 and 2017. 

Commentary — Community comes together to urge Latinos to complete Census, register to vote

From children performing from the Inlakech Cultural Arts Center and email messages from El Concilio Family Resources, both in Oxnard, to a commentary by the co-founder of the Acuna Art Gallery and Community Collective, the Latino community is coming out to support the twin goals of completing U.S. Census forms by Sept. 30, 2020 and doing everything possible to make sure your vote counts in during the Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 general election.

“… So we must all vote, and get every one that is of voting age to vote. We must be guardians of the poll booths to assure that no intimidation of our people is taking place. Must by any means necessary be present at the poll booths to assure that any one that has the right to vote, can exercise that privilege! If you vote by mail it is, of course, imperative that you mail your completed ballot as quickly as possible so that every vote can be counted,” wrote Armando Vazquez, of the former Café on A Street / Acuna Art Gallery, in a column this week on Amigos805.

Oxnard College Secures $3 Million Grant to Support Latinx and Low-Income Students

Oxnard College has received a $3 million federal Title V grant to provide support for equitable student outcomes among Latinx and low-income students as they pursue their career and transfer goals. Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) throughout the country applied for this competitive grant, which will begin Oct. 1 and be distributed over a five-year period. The grant is directed by the U.S. Department of Education’s Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program (DHSI).

“It is both a privilege and a tremendous opportunity for Oxnard College to receive and invest these funds in our students,” said Oscar Cobian, the college’s vice president of student development. “For decades, Oxnard College has proudly served the hardworking Latinx families of Ventura County. Step into any of our classrooms and you will find that our students facing the greatest adversity often show the most dedication and demonstrate tremendous potential. With this grant, we will tap into that potential and help our students build better lives through the transformative power of higher education.”

Museum of Ventura County — A Zoom Conversation with Dolores Huerta on Sept. 21+ Weekly Mural Livestream + More!

The Museum of Ventura County is pleased to present the first installment in its series of conversations with Changemakers: Dolores Huerta, Founder & President of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, civil rights activist and community organizer, will join longtime activist and civic leader Jorge Corralejo, documentary film producer and farmworker activist David Damian Figueroa, and Chief Curator Anna Bermudez for a Zoom Conversation onMonday, September 21, 2020 @ 6:30—7:30PM.

Admission to Changemaker Series: A Zoom Conversation with Dolores Huerta, Jorge Corralejo, David Damian Figueroa, and Anna Bermudez is free with registration.

RSVPs must be received before Monday, September 21, 2020 8AM.

Bilingual commentary — Minority Students and STEM Education, Part III

As promised last week, here are some highlights of the biographies for the racial-minority professors of mathematics at our local university, California State University, Channel Islands, right here in Camarillo. These biographies are available online at the university website.  Their role in the community is outsized because of the example they set for the second largest population sector in Ventura County, which is Hispanic/Latino.

Guest commentary — Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States of America in 2020

If it were not so pathetically packaged as totally absurd, insincere and damaged capitalistic propaganda, of absolutely no consequence or redeeming value whatsoever, for the roughly 18 million Latinos, it would be laughable, cruel, ironic hypocrisy at the highest level. I am referring to this phony period from September 15, to October 15, 2020 that we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States of America. Celebrate what? When this our government has effectively declared war on us, the Latinos of this nation.

Santa Barbara City College — Fall term off to unconventional start amid COVID-19 pandemic

In the days running up to the first day of the Fall term, Noozhawk interviewed officials at SBCC about the innovative ways the college has prepared to support teaching and learning in an online environment. Acknowledging that the college provides vital services in addition to classes, Noozhawk noted that the college is working to address the technical needs of all learners while also taking time to ensure social and emotional needs are met.

Bilingual update — COVID-19 Update for Sept. 17 — Free Flu Shots

DRIVE-UP FLU VACCINE EVENT

Ventura County Public Health Immunization Program and the Emergency Medical Services Agency are offering Influenza Vaccine at no charge.

WHERE: Oxnard College – North Parking lot
4000 S. Rose Ave, Oxnard CA 93033
WHEN: Wednesday, September 30, 2020
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

COVID-19, Latino Working-Age Adults, and Citizenship

Report no. 9 of UCLA’s Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture (CESLAC).

Farm workers provide a good example of how age, citizenship, essential jobs, and COVID-19 intersect to deadly effect. We provide a demographic profile to give context showing that the largest number of Latino non-citizens in California are concentrated in the age groups 35-49 and 50-64. They are more likely to be employed as essential workers, and therefore are more likely to be exposed to COVID-19.

United Way of Ventura County — United We Serve

This week, three AmeriCorps VIP Fellows will be sworn in to serve United Way and our partner sites. Partner sites for the upcoming year include the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging and Westminster Free Clinic, a brand new site. These VIP Fellows are part of a cohort serving sites across 17 California counties. United Way of Ventura County has served as the Supervising Organization for the AmeriCorps Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP) in our county since 2016.

Moorpark College Secures $2.9 Million Grant for Project STEM Impacto

Moorpark College is pleased to announce that it has received a five-year, $2.9 million Department of Education Title V grant for Project STEM Impacto. This grant, which creates and fosters student cohorts in biology, biotechnology and computer network systems engineering, will benefit Moorpark College students through September 2025.

The grant begins in October and will enhance STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Career Education (CE) programs. Moorpark College is on the cutting edge of CE for new students directly out of high school or professionals looking for advanced skills in a new industry. The CE programs offer a sequence of courses directly related to employment in high-demand, current and/or emerging occupations. Many of the programs in the CE arena at Moorpark College offer certificates that can be completed in as few as 12 months.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Air Quality Watch and More

At (the Sept. 15) Board of Supervisors hearing, we received an update on COVID-19. Santa Barbara County remains in the purple tier according to the California Blueprint for a Safer Economy metrics. However, according to the graph below, we are getting closer to meeting the metrics of the red tier after recovering from the spike we endured in July.

County of Ventura — Interim Halloween Guidance

As fall approaches families start to plan for the upcoming holiday season beginning with Halloween. Since some of the traditional ways in which this holiday is celebrated does not allow you to minimize contact with non-household members, it is important to plan early and identify safer alternatives. The Ventura County Department of Public Health would like to share information on how to take part in this holiday in a manner that reduces the risk of spreading COVID-19. Since some of the traditional ways in which this holiday is celebrated are not permitted this year, consider some safer alternatives that are listed below.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Sept. 15 — Participating in the 2020 Census helps our community!

The Census helps determine how billions in federal funding is distributed to our community over the next 10 years.

There are three easy ways to complete the Census survey:

By phone at 1-844-330-2020
Online at www.my2020census.gov
By mail – you can send in the paper form that you should have received in the mail if you still have not completed the Census.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Public Works Agency completes phase two of the Potrero Road Bike Lane Project

The Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Roads and Transportation (VCPWA-RT) celebrated the completion of both project phases of the Potrero Road Bike Lane Project with a ribbon cutting on Sept. 10 which was attended by Supervisor Parks as well as a select few members of the project due to Covid-19 restrictions.

As a part of the project, the first phase, which was completed in December 2019, consisted of widening from the intersection of Potrero Road and Trentwood Drive northbound towards bridge #231 for 1.3 miles to create Class II bike lanes on both sides of the road.  It also restriped 0.6 miles to the Thousand Oaks city limit.  The second phase of construction began in May 2020 and extended the widening another 1.5 miles to Hidden Valley Road.  Phase 2 widened both sides of Bridge #231 and was completed last month.

Santa Paula Art Museum — You Should Probably Write This Down

September is National Literacy Month and we’ve got books on the brain here at the Santa Paula Art Museum. You’re definitely going to want to book it to our next Art To-Go Bag giveaway featuring lots of fun art and bookmaking activities for the kids (see below). And be sure to read on for information about our upcoming, outdoor art classes. Speaking of reading, a few years ago we came across an article in the old Santa Paula Chronicle about the making of a very special painting, and we’d love to tell you the whole story.