Business, Education, Family, Finance, Government, Local, News

United Way VITA program offers free tax help to local residents through April 18

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Tax season is upon us and low to moderate income Santa Barbara County residents are invited to take advantage of putting more money back in their pocket with the help of United Way of Santa Barbara County’s (UWSBC) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). 

From February 2nd to April 18th, volunteers at VITA sites throughout the community will provide free tax filing services to local residents making $67,000 or less annually. IRS-certified volunteers will provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. Last year, UWSBC filed 1,362 tax returns and gave back over $2,065,586 in federal refunds to local community members.

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Business, Education, Finance, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Free Webinar schedule

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The Economic Development Collaborative encourages you to sign up for our no-cost webinars. Space is limited. Register today!

FROM LOCAL TO GLOBAL: CELEBRATING DIVERSITY

February 23 @ 11:00 am

In celebration of Black History Month, join the U.S. Commercial Service for the kick-off of their “From Local to Global: Celebrating Diversity” event series, as they feature a dynamic panel of Black founders and leaders from Southern California-based companies, who will share how they have successfully grown their businesses internationally.

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Business, Education, En español, familia, Family, News, Noticias

Bilingual commentary — COVID-19 Update for Feb. 11, 2022

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Meet DelaChone Short an Engineer with the Ventura County Fire Department!

“Black History Month means a lot to me but most importantly, it’s a time to reflect on the past in both appreciation and pride. It’s also a reminder to not take for granted the freedoms that I have today because they did not come without enormous struggle. I celebrate my culture by simply being proud to be a Black man in America and making sure not to forget those who gave up so much for me to live the life I live today.

This month is about legacy. It’s about paying respect to those trailblazers before us. It’s about using those stories of sacrifice as reason to make a difference today. It’s also about projecting the youth into a positive productive future. Black history isn’t solely in the past. Soon what we do today will be included in that history.

It makes a big impact when little kids the same race as myself, for minorities in general, see me in uniform. Knowing that just by seeing someone who looks like them drive a fire engine, can be all the motivation and reassurance that they too can do something like this might be one of the best rewards this career yields.”

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Business, Family, Government, Health, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — Ventura County’s Indoor Mask Order Will be Lifted Feb. 16, in Alignment with the State

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February 10, 2022 Ventura County’s Indoor Mask Order Will be Lifted February 16, in Alignment with the State Masks required indoors for unvaccinated; strongly recommended for all; vaccines and boosters urged to strengthen defenses Ventura, CA – Ventura County Public…

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Commentary, Education, En español, Family, Government, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Opinion, Salud

Bilingual commentary — Governor Needs to be ‘Schooled’

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As if we didn’t already have enough controversy around masking mandates in California.

Several days ago, Governor Newsom, along with Los Angeles and San Francisco mayors Eric Garcetti and London Breed, respectively, attended the National Football Conference Championship Game at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The problem that erupted shortly thereafter was the result of images of the governor appearing maskless at a mega-indoor event. These are precisely the types of gatherings that public health officials seriously warn us about attending. The governor’s pretext was that he had “removed the mask for a brief period,” but that excuse was widely dismissed as insultingly disingenuous.

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Commentary, Education, Family, Health, Local, News

February is American Heart Month — Plant-Based Diet Offers Strong Medicine for a Healthy Heart

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It is a troubling statistic! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one person dies every 36 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease. Additionally, about 655,000 Americans die from heart disease each year – that is 1 in every 4 deaths.

With February being American Heart Month, Kaiser Permanente reminds everyone about the importance of caring for one’s heart by taking steps toward lifestyle changes that can lead to a healthier life. 

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Commentary, Education, Family, Health, Local, News, Youth

February is Children’s Dental Health Month — ‘Sealants Make Sense’

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February is Children’s Dental Health Month and it’s the perfect time to encourage and educate the benefits of good oral health. This year’s theme is “Sealants Make Sense.” There are many ways to maintain your oral health. Consistently brushing and flossing are excellent ways to add a sealant for extra coverage.

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Business, Family, Health, Local, News

Gold Coast Health Plan Members May Be Eligible to Receive a $50 Gift Card for Getting Their First COVID-19 Vaccination by Feb. 28

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In an effort to increase vaccination rates across Ventura County among its members, Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP), Ventura County’s Medi-Cal plan, is offering eligible members a $50 gift card when they receive their first COVID-19 vaccination.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and help protect adults and children ages five years and older from getting sick or severely ill with COVID-19. More than 68 million Californians already have received their first COVID-19 vaccination.

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

Bilingual report — City of Oxnard reopening its facilities for in-person services starting Feb. 14

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OXNARD — The City of Oxnard is reopening its facilities for in-person services starting Monday, February 14, 2022.

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OXNARD – – La ciudad de Oxnard reabrirá sus instalaciones para servicios en persona a partir del lunes 14 de febrero de 2022.

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Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Family, Local, News

Museum of Ventura County — Let’s get up close and personal

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The Museum of Ventura County is thrilled to present the next Ivor Davis: Up Close and Personal with famous photographer Harry Benson. In this popular series, author, journalist, and investigative reporter Ivor Davis speaks with a rotating guest list of extraordinary individuals. Click here to watch the trailer for the documentary Harry Benson: Shoot First now available on Hulu.

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Government, Local, News, Politics

Bilingual report — Offices Eligible for Election in the June 7, 2022 Statewide Direct Primary Election

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Mark Lunn, Ventura County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters, announced the offices eligible for election in the June 7, 2022 Statewide Direct Primary Election; and the opening of the nomination period for those office on Monday, February 14, 2022.

Official nomination documents for candidates interested in the offices below may be obtained beginning at 8:00 a.m. on February 14th at the Ventura County Elections Division, Hall of Administration, Lower Plaza, 800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura. To obtain or file official nomination documents, appointments for in-person services are highly encouraged and can be made online at https://bit.ly/3zcjWWx. Official nomination documents must be filed with the Ventura County Elections Division by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 11, 2022.

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Business, Health, Local, News

Hospice of Santa Barbara Welcomes Natasha M. Marston, MD as New Board Member

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Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) welcomes Natasha M. Marston, MD to their Board of Directors. Dr. Marston has been a member of the Santa Barbara community for over 25 years after following her father in becoming a UCSB alumnus in 1998. 

Dr. Marston hails from Ohio where she was born and raised as a child on a rural farm and graduated high school in suburban Columbus. A mother to a young son and wife to an activist and environmental lawyer, Dr. Marston has found a quite beautiful community here in Santa Barbara for which she is very grateful. 

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Business, Cultural, En español, Local, News, Youth

Bilingual report — Feb. 9, 2022 – COVID-19 Update

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Shout out to our amazing housekeeping team who help care for our county facilities. Their work is so valued and often goes unseen. Special thank you to all housekeeping and environmental services professionals in our county! We see you!

COVID-19 Update
Since Monday, there have been 789 new COVID-19 cases reported and 13,268 new tests completed. There are 187 people hospitalized and 33 in the ICU. There have been 15 new deaths, 12 males, and 3 females, between the ages of 45-99. We extend our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the community member who passed away. The R-effective for Ventura County is 0.50, meaning that the spread of COVID is likely decreasing.

Ventura County Public Health will be providing an update regarding our county’s mask mandate in the coming days.

82.5% of community members (ages 5+) have received one or more COVID vaccine doses.
75.1% of eligible community members have been fully vaccinated.
80.1% of community members 12+ have been fully vaccinated.

Stay up to date at www.vcrecovers.org

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Cultural, Entertainment, Events, Local, News

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Earth Day Mural 2022 | Call For Entries

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Calling artists living and working in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties!

Following the success of the first Earth Day Mural, unveiled on April 24, 2021, the Community Environmental Council (CEC), Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB), and Paseo Nuevo are partnering once again to identify a local artist, or artist group, to paint a large public mural inspired by Climate Leadership and Earth Day.

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Business, Government, Local, News

Ventura Port District Brian Pendleton Recognized As General Manager of the Year By Ventura County Special Districts Association (VCSDA)

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Brian Pendleton, who has been at helm of the Ventura Port District since 2019, has been honored with General Manager of The Year by Ventura County Special Districts Association (VCSDA).

VCSDA Board President Bruce E. Dandy states, “All of the members of the Ventura County Special Districts Association are proud of Pendleton’s numerous achievements on behalf of the Ventura Port District, which is a valuable asset to our community and to Ventura County’s economy, fishing, recreation, and tourism industries. We all join in congratulating Brian for his accomplishments.”

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Cultural, Education, Events, Family, Local, News, Youth

2022 Ventura County Academic Decathlon Winners

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The Ventura County Office of Education is pleased to announce the winners of the 2022 Ventura County Academic Decathlon, which was held virtually over the past few weeks. The three teams with the highest overall scores this year are:

1st Place: Westlake High School Team A
2nd Place: Westlake High School Team B
3rd Place: Adolfo Camarillo High School

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Government, Local, News, Public Safety

Ventura County Civil Grand Jury accepting applications

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Applications are now being accepted for the 2022-2023 Ventura County Civil Grand Jury session that begins on July 1, 2022. 

The Civil Grand Jury is a panel of 19 Ventura County citizens who conduct investigations into the effective and efficient operations of all governmental entities within the county. Investigations originate either from a public complaint or from within the Grand Jury. 

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Business, Family, Food, Government, Health, Local, News

State Updates Water Allocation to 15%; Local Water Districts Continue to Urge Conservation

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The California Department of Water Resources (CADWR) announced an updated 15% allocation from the State Water Project (SWP) following record precipitation events in late 2021. With a very dry January and recently published temperature and precipitation projections for February by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) showing continued dry conditions, the Conejo – Las Virgenes Regional Drought Partnership urges continued water conservation for our region.

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Business, Finance, Government, Local, News

California is Reinstating Net Operating Loss Deductions and Tax Credits for California Companies

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and Net Operating Loss (NOL) deductions for California companies – including California’s Research & Development tax credit.Budget bill SB 113 (Economic Relief – COVID 19 Pandemic) passed the Assembly 68-0. Immediately following the Assembly Floor vote, members spoke to the public via LIVESTREAM from the Capitol Steps (VIDEO).

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

Federal Grant to Provide Mental Health First Aid Trainings to Over 4,800 Santa Barbara County Residents

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In response to our nation’s mental health crisis, Family Service Agency (FSA), Mental Wellness Center (MWC), and Youthwell have secured funding that will continue to bring Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) trainings to Santa Barbara County. In the next five years, the coalition expects to train 2,800 adults to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges in youth, provide initial response, and safely connect youth with appropriate services. The funding also includes training 2,000 high school students to recognize and respond to the signs of mental health issues in their peers.

Virtual YMHFA classes start this February and are offered at no cost to Santa Barbara County adults thanks to funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

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Business, Education, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule

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HOW TO CREATE A 2022 SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT CALENDAR

February 11 @ 12:00 pm

Who’s ready to get organized this 2022!? Let’s be honest, we all get overwhelmed by Social Media because we often wear too many hats and think we need to be on every platform. The fact is we only need to be posting on the platforms where our target market is spending their time. The best way to get organized and efficient is to create a social media calendar. Deborah has a saying: schedule it in your calendar, see it in your life and she will show you how to do it to save time, energy and make you money.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Business, Family, Health, Local, News, Seniors

Hospice of Santa Barbara Welcomes Dana VanderMey as New Board Chair Along with 2 New Board Officers

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Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) welcomes Dana VanderMey as the new Chair of its Board of Directors along with the announcement of two additional new board officers. The two new board officers are Dianne Travis Teague as Vice Chair and Eryn Shugart as Secretary. Sam McCabe has also been re-elected as Treasurer.

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Business, Family, Local, News

Guest commentary — PODS® Local Helps Facilitate America’s Interstate Moving Boom

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The moving boom in America is officially underway, in what some publications are now calling a mass migration. According to The Neighbor 2020-2021 American Migration Report, more than 20% more Americans planned to move in 2021 than 2020. According to move.org, people are leaving major population centers, like California and New York, in droves and are often relocating to the Sunbelt, Arizona, and Washington. The surge in relocations is driven by several factors and made possible by interstate moving powerhouses like PODS.        

Here are four of the biggest factors driving the interstate moving boom: 

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Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, familia, Family, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Salud, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — Feb. 4, 2022 – COVID-19 Update

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We are so grateful for the steady support of our Emergency Medical Services Agency throughout the course of the pandemic! They have been involved in almost every aspect of our county’s response – testing, vaccines, personal protective equipment, you name it. Thank you EMS for your heroic efforts in serving our community!
COVID-19 Update
Since Wednesday, there have been 901 new COVID-19 cases reported and 18,345 new tests completed. There are 213 people hospitalized and 35 in the ICU. There have been 16 additional deaths, 8 females and 8 males between the ages of 50 and 94. We extend our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the community members who passed away. The R-effective for Ventura County is 0.66, meaning that the spread of COVID is likely decreasing.

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Granted Full FDA Approval by the FDA

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Commentary, En español, Local, Opinion

Bilingual commentary — Bread and the Power of Redemption

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Several years ago, I was shopping for sliced bread at my favorite local supermarket. I headed over to the aisle where a cornucopia of breads, cookies, crackers, jams, and nut butters burst into view. The innumerable choices at American grocery markets are legend throughout the world. 

And before I digress too far, let’s return to my quest for bread. I almost never buy the same kind of bread twice in a row because I enjoy experiencing the flavors, textures, and the very essence of “our daily bread.” Bread, after all, is an ancient food representing the life force. It possesses deep religious—even sacramental—connotations. 

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Business, Cultural, Entertainment, Events, Family, Government, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Visit San Luis Obispo — Enjoy a two-night midweek escape to San Luis Obispo, receive $100 in gift cards

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Now’s the time to plot an escape to the city of San Luis Obispo, the charming walkable town along California’s Central Coast. From February 1-March 31, 2022, the first 500 visitors who book a two-night consecutive stay at a participating San Luis Obispo “SLO-tel” will receive a complimentary gift card bundle worth $100. 

Guests can take advantage of this offer by booking a two-night stay, Sunday through Thursday, at a participating hotel or inn. Travel must be booked and completed by March 31, 2022. Once the booking is confirmed, guest will then need to email their confirmation to info@visitslo.com to see if they are one of the first 500 to qualify for the offer. Blackout dates and certain rules and regulations apply, including valid for new bookings only and bookings made after February 1, 2022. Booking confirmations must be sent prior to arrival. Additional rules and restrictions can be found at visitslo.com.

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