Business, Education, Entertainment, Events, Family, Local, News

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Gift Studio 2021 | Holiday Pop-Up Market

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Shop for unique holiday gifts crafted by artists and designers at MCASB’s Gift Studio Pop-Up Holiday Market.

This two-day event will feature FREE hands-on holiday craft workshops for the whole family, hot cocoa, and a guided tour of Rosha Yaghmai: Drifters. Don’t miss Happy Hour from 4:00-6:00 PM when you can shop with spiked festive drinks in hand, accompanied by a curated DJ set.

FEATURING: Augie’s Tequila – Camille K Jewelry – Demi Boelsterli – Monica Epstein – Madeleine Ignon – SlingShot Art Studio – SWEETZER Gourmet Popcorn – Yellow Rat – Rhys Zemeckis Read more >>

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

UCSB Arts & Lectures presented A Very She & Him Christmas Party featuring Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward

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UCSB Arts & Lectures proudly presented She & Him: A Very She & Him Christmas Party on Thursday, December 2nd at 8:00 p.m. Pacific at Arlington Theatre. The performance is part of the 2021-2022 CREATING HOPE programming initiative.

Drawing inspiration from a shared love of vintage pop, “subtle and sophisticated” (Pitchfork) super-duo She & Him pairs indie-folk artist M. Ward and actress/singer-songwriter Zooey Deschanel. Usher in the holiday season with the twosome’s “old-school studio-pop sensibility” (NPR) and Deschanel’s “perfectly airy and retro vocals” (Paste) as they celebrate the tenth anniversary of their 2011 album A Very She & Him Christmas.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Public Safety

Bilingual report — Dec. 3, 2021 – COVID-19 Update

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Since Wednesday, there are 147 new COVID-19 cases reported and 20,462 new tests performed. There are 38 people hospitalized, 8 in the ICU. There have been 2 new deaths of a 44 year old female and a 68 year old male. Our thoughts and sincere condolences to the loved ones of those that have passed away. The R-effective for Ventura County is .86 which means the spread is likely decreasing.

California Department of Public Health Omicron Fact Sheet
Find a COVID testing location
Get a COVID vaccine or booster shot

76.4% of community members (ages 5+) have received one or more COVID vaccine doses.
69.7% of eligible community members have been fully vaccinated.
76.3% of community members 12+ have been fully vaccinated.

Stay informed at www.vcrecovers.org.

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Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

CSUCI Health Sciences major Benito Rumbo wins Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Program Scholarship

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CSU Channel Islands senior Benito Rumbo is going to have a difficult choice deciding which of the more than six graduate programs he applied for to attend. The Health Sciences major must choose between following his original dream of becoming a physician’s assistant or pursuing a Ph.D. in one of his two new-found loves—public health and epidemiology.

“I came to CSUCI wanting to pursue medicine because that is what I knew and was aware of,” Rumbo said. “But after taking health sciences courses, working with my professors, and participating in a research project about the burden of care givers, I felt passionate about research and pursuing a career in public health. But I’m still weighing my options.”

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Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, Family, Government, Local, Locales, Youth

Bilingual commentary — Reigniting the Math Culture Wars

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Unbeknownst to most people some 20 years ago, a great war was being waged in our country. Only a small slice of the population, consisting mostly of educators, was actually involved in the battles, but the outcome of that war determined the academic fate of millions of students in our classrooms.

The Great Math Wars of the 1990s pitted the “reform advocates” against the “traditionalists.” It wasn’t until 2008 that a form of “cease-fire” was called, and cooler heads prevailed as compromise between the more extreme positions was hammered out.

Which brings us to today. A recent article on the front page of the Ventura County Star published on November 23, 2021, exposed the “shot across the bow” announcing the stirring of a new conflict. Unfortunately, that clash could merge effortlessly into the broad river we know as the “culture wars” that are shredding the fabric of our society and the very basis of our democracy. 

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Business, Entertainment, Events, Family, Health, Local, News

Kaiser Permanente’s 2022 Rose Parade® Float Celebrates ‘A Healthier Future’

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 Kaiser Permanente’s 2022 Rose Parade® float theme, “A Healthier Future,” celebrates the dedication and talents of our health care heroes and the possibilities that exist when passionate people come together to use their expertise for the greater good. The float embodies the 2022 Tournament of Roses® parade theme, “Dream. Believe. Achieve.,” a celebration that childhood dreams become careers that make the world a better place. 

Kaiser Permanente has a total of 39 hospitals and 730 medical offices across its eight operating markets, including Market Street Medical Offices in Ventura, California.

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Business, Cultural, En español, Government, Health, Home, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — Ventura County Fire Chief Announces Retirement

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Ventura County Fire Department Chief Mark Lorenzen has announced his retirement to take place in early 2022. “Mark’s leadership has helped build our Fire Protection District into one of the most innovative and advanced Fire organizations in the nation,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers. “Mark will truly be missed. I appreciate his focus on community engagement and emergency preparedness. He has assembled an outstanding leadership team that has demonstrated their excellence time and again through the largest wildfires the County has ever faced.”

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Business, Education, Finance, Local, News, Youth

Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Foundation becomes CSUCI’s single largest donor

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Following more than 20 years of strong philanthropic partnership, the Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Foundation has generously donated $10.5 million to the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics (MVS) at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI). Ventura County philanthropist and real estate developer Martin V. “Bud” Smith and his wife Martha created the Foundation to support community organizations.  

The transformational gift brings the total contributed to CSUCI to more than $19 million since the family’s first donation in 1999, making them the University’s largest donor.  

Just over $3.5 million will be used to complete the renovation of the MVS School’s new home, located in the campus’ former Manzanita Hall, and the refurbishment of an adjacent courtyard. The new space will be named “Martin V. Smith Hall” in honor of Bud Smith, and the courtyard will be named the “Martha K. Smith Courtyard” after Smith’s wife. The remaining $7 million will be used to create a new endowment for the MVS School to enhance the quality of the educational programming and experience for its students and faculty. 

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Business, Commentary, Education, Local, News

Mandated Harassment Prevention Training Video Available Through LightGabler

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California law requires employers with at least 5 employees to provide two hours of harassment prevention training to supervisors and one hour of instruction to other workers once every two years. Employment law firm LightGabler offers online video courses that meet California harassment and bullying training requirements.

SB 1343 also mandates that employers must train newly hired employees and those promoted to supervisory roles within six months of employment or promotion.

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Business, Education, Local, News

Ventura Land Trust and Topa Topa Brewing Company Announce $10,000 Match Campaign for Harmon Canyon Preserve

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Ventura Land Trust and Topa Topa Brewing Company have joined together in the month of December to launch giving campaign Harmon for the Holidays. Topa Topa Brewing Company will match up to $10,000 in donations to Ventura Land Trust (VLT) in support the conservation of Harmon Canyon Preserve. Ventura Land Trust is proud to be one of Topa Topa Brewing Company’s local 1% for the Planet partners.

“We are proud to partner with VLT as one of our 1% for the Planet beneficiaries this year,” says Jack Dyer, founder and CEO of Topa Topa Brewing Company. “As stewards of our community, we are beyond excited about the great work VLT does to protect and steward the open spaces that make Ventura the wonderfully vibrant outdoor community that it is.”

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Business, Education, Finance, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program

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In response to COVID-19, small business owners, including agricultural businesses, and nonprofit organizations in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories can apply for the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (COVID-19 EIDL). The loan is directly from the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) that must be repaid; low-interest, fixed-rate, long-term loan to help overcome the effects of the pandemic by providing working capital to meet operating expenses. Click here to learn more.

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

Local Water Districts Call for Urgent Conservation Action in Response to 0% Allocation Announcement as Drought Impacts Worsen

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A collaborative of local water districts, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD), Triunfo Water & Sanitation District (TWSD) and Calleguas Municipal Water District (Calleguas), are urging significant water use reductions by their customers after the California Department of Water Resources (CADWR) announced a 0% initial allocation from the State Water Project (SWP) for the upcoming year. The December 1 announcement comes amid worsening drought conditions throughout the state.

With limited to no local sources of water, LVMWD, TWSD and Calleguas depend heavily on imported water from the SWP purchased through the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). Given their location in MWD’s service area, all three agencies substantially rely on SWP supplies; only a limited amount of Colorado River water can reach the westernmost portion of MWD’s service area due to pumping and infrastructure constraints – increasing the urgency to step up conservation actions locally. Logistically, the 0% allocation will impact this region the most.

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Business, Local, News, Youth

Bilingual report — Shop LOCAL This Year to Help Businesses that Care

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The holiday shopping season typically kicks off on Black Friday, but with shipping delays, global supply chain issues, and large crowds expected at big-name retailers, experts are urging shoppers to shop early and shop local. Although online shopping has become the norm for many during the pandemic, supporting neighborhood businesses is convenient, reduces your environmental impact, and strengthens the local economy. Shopping local this holiday season can also mean supporting children, youth and families in our community that need it most. 

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

United Way of Santa Barbara County Partners with She & Him and UCSB Arts & Lectures to launch United Way’s 2021 Holiday Gift Drive

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United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) partners with She & Him and UCSB Arts & Lectures to launch United Way’s 2021 Holiday Gift Drive on Thursday, December 2nd at 8:00 p.m. at the Arlington Theatre.  

Each year, UWSBC partners with community members and organizations to provide gifts to local children and families during the holidays. This year, they will be partnering with She & Him, a music duo that consists of holiday songs from indie-folk artist M. Ward and actress/singer-songwriter Zooey Deschanel and UCSB Arts & Lectures.

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Business, Education, Finance, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — California Venues Grant Program

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The California Venues Grant Program will support eligible independent live events venues that have been affected by COVID-19 in order to support their continued operation. Eligible independent live events venues must have a physical address and operate in California, which will be validated through submitted business tax returns. If your business tax returns do not reference a California address, you will be deemed ineligible. For more information on how to apply CLICK HERE.

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Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, familia, Family, Government, Health, Home, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Public Safety, Salud, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — Dec. 1, 2021 – COVID-19 Update

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A confirmed case of the Omicron variant is in California. Californians can protect themselves by getting vaccinated and boosted, wearing a mask, getting tested if they have any symptoms and staying home if sick. Get the facts about the Omicron variant here: bit.ly/omicronvariant

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Business, Health, Local, News

Jaan Landheer Joins Mental Wellness Center as New Program Manager for the Fellowship Club

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Jaan Landheer joins the Mental Wellness Center as the new Program Manager for the Fellowship Club. Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Jaan returned to his hometown after graduating UC Santa Cruz to become a street outreach worker.

Jaan brings experience working with young adults and children with mental health challenges as a therapeutic behavioral specialist for youth at Casa Pacifica. He has always had a passion for supporting others with mental health awareness. 

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Business, Cultural, Family, Government, Home, Local, News, Youth

House Farm Workers! announces $50,000 grant to fund Countywide Farmworker Housing Study, giving a voice to Ventura County farmworkers

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House Farm Workers! has received a $50,000 grant awarded by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) to support a comprehensive Countywide Farmworker Housing Study that proactively and comprehensively addresses farmworker housing in Ventura County. The study seeks to give a voice to the County’s estimated 36,000 farmworkers, shining a light specifically on local housing needs for this vulnerable yet essential population. The last time a farmworker study was completed was nearly 20 years ago in 2002.

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Education, Government, Local, News, Youth

Ventura County Board of Education Appoints New Member

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The Ventura County Board of Education has unanimously voted to appoint Arleigh Kidd as the new board member representing trustee area four. The longtime Simi Valley educator will fill the seat that was left vacant when Rob Collins stepped down from the board on October 25 due to health reasons. Kidd assumed his new role immediately after taking the oath of office at last night’s board meeting in Camarillo.

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Business, Family, Finance, Local, News

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County announces $1 million investment by Bank of the Sierra

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Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) announced today a $1 million investment by Bank of the Sierra into the nonprofit’s Everyone Deserves a Home Revolving Loan Fund. This community impact note will be pooled with funds from investors, both public and private, to provide flexible, below-market interest rate loans in support of building safe and equitable homes in diverse neighborhoods, that positively impact people’s lives in Ventura County. Additionally, investors earn a modest financial return on their investment.

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Business, Education, Finance, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Business Alert- California Venues Grant Program

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The California Venues Grant Program will support eligible independent live events venues that have been affected by COVID-19 in order to support their continued operation. Eligible independent live events venues must have a physical address and operate in California, which will be validated through submitted business tax returns. If your business tax returns do not reference a California address, you will be deemed ineligible. For more information on how to apply CLICK HERE.

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Business, Commentary, Education, Family, Local, News

Moving Companies Brace for Possible Record Number of Holiday Moves

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Between remote work opportunities, rising rent rates, people prioritizing being closer to family, and mass migration out of densely populated areas, 2021 has been an unprecedented year for moving trends. In fact, according to the Neighbor 2020-2021 American Migration Report, more than 20% more people have planned to move in 2021 compared to 2020. That leaves moving companies ramping up for what might turn into a record number of holiday moves. 

If you are entertaining a move this holiday season, keep these things in mind: 

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Business, Finance, Local, News, Seniors

Friendship Center — Giving Tuesday! — Make a POSITIVE difference in the Quality of Life for a Senior with dementia

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As a nonprofit, Friendship Center depends on the generosity of our friends and our community to continue the tradition of being a place where our members come to be surrounded by their peers, who share common threads in their life stories, and warm, loving staff who take an interest in each unique person, and finding what sparks JOY for them.

Please join us in this effort as we embrace the greater demands of providing safe, loving care to our community of members in the wake of the pandemic. Your financial gift goes a long way in making a difference for elders in our community experiencing dementia and other cognitive and physical challenges, and we thank you for contributing to their quality of life in this meaningful way.

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Business, Education, Finance, Local, News

United Way of Ventura County — Give today for a tomorrow where everyone can thrive!

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We’re building a better tomorrow for everyone. Start today United with a gift for health, for education, for strong incomes, for safe homes. Today, on GivingTuesday, will you join us?

Your donation today matters. Everyone should have the chance to rebuild the parts of their life lost because of COVID-19 and other crises. Let’s act together today on GivingTuesday and every day! Be heroic!

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