Business, Family, Food, Local, News

Seasons Catering announces collaboration with Farmivore, bringing farm fresh produce to your family table

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At the heart of Ventura County is its abundant, locally farmed produce which just got easier to enjoy thanks to Seasons Catering and Farmivore. The two companies have collaborated to bring Farmivore’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes directly to Ventura County residents’ doors utilizing Seasons Catering’s Good2Go door-step delivery service.

“It just seemed like a natural fit to offer some of the very produce we use in our own chef prepared meals,” said Moes. Following the launch of Good2Go’s new subscription meal delivery service last month, chef-owner Gabrielle Moes realized that she could share her love of fresh food by adding produce boxes to the home deliveries. Partnering with locally owned Farmivore, each week Seasons Catering offers a new CSA box with ever changing produce based on availability from over 15 local farms, creating a weekly surprise for customers.

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Business, Cultural, Local, News

Santa Paula Art Museum — Last Call For ‘Inspiration and Influence’

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Artist’s Reception: Saturday, April 24, 2021, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Reservations are required.

We’re marking the close of Duane Dammeyer and Rima Muna’s stunning exhibition Inspiration and Influence with an artists’ reception on Saturday, April 24. The artists will be there to celebrate and to share some inspiration! Space is extremely limited and reservations are required. Reservations are available at 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. Admission is $4.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors, and free for members and students. Inspiration and Influence closes Sunday, April 25.

MAKE A RESERVATION

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

Museum of Ventura County — Changemakers Series + New Virtual Learning Module + More!

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The Museum of Ventura County is pleased to present the next installment in its series of conversations with Changemakers.

You are invited to join us on Thursday, April 29, 2021 from 6:30—7:30PM for Changemakers: Local Heroes Combatting Climate Change. Admission is free with registration.

Panelists include Dr. Chris Funk, Director of the Climate Hazard Center at UCSB and author of Drought, Flood, Fire: How Climate Change Contributes to Recent Catastrophes, Hans Cole, Director of Environmental Campaigns and Advocacy at Patagonia, Florencia Ramirez, Ventura County Climate Emergency Council and author of Eat Less Water, and Michelle Stevens, Founder of the Refill Shoppe, public artist and environmental activist. This is not to be missed!

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Business, Local, News

Salons by JC coming soon to The Collection at RiverPark

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Salons by JC, a company that leases upscale individual suite space to beauty industry professionals, is coming soon to The Collection at RiverPark. The new location will open by fall 2021, with 38 suites available for massage therapists, acupuncturists, lash stylists, and other beauty or wellness professionals. Salons by JC is owned by local Ventura County residents Gene and Bobbi Ramirez, who also own Amazing Lash Studio at The Collection.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Salons by JC to The Collection,” said the shopping center’s Marketing Manager, Jill Almonia. “Amazing Lash Studio has been a tremendous success, and we look forward to offering our community another wonderful personal care shop to experience.”

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

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for April 20, 2021

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There are 23 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 2,035 new tests performed. There have been 2 additional deaths: 55 year old male and a 98 year old female. Doubling time is 1,904.1 days.

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 .83 which means that spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing; R-effective for CA is .78 right now. 

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Cultural, Entertainment, Events, Local, News

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Adriana Arriaga and Claudia Borfiga have been selected to paint the 2021 Earth Day Mural

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The Arts Fund, Community Environmental Council, Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara, Paseo Nuevo, and Santa Barbara BCycle are delighted to announce that artists Adriana Arriaga and Claudia Borfiga have been selected to paint the 2021 Earth Day Mural! Selected from over 27 submissions, the Call For Entries prompted our artists to respond to this year’s Earth Day Festival theme: Climate Leadership. The mural by Arriaga and Borfiga, entitled Nurture our Mother, is a celebration of the power of the Earth and the many magical things within it that play vital roles in our ecosystem.

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Education, Family, Health, Local, News, Youth

Simi Valley Family YMCA and Yarrow Family YMCA Indoor Pools Now Open

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The indoor pools at YMCAs in Simi Valley and Westlake Village are now open.

The Simi Valley Family YMCA and Yarrow Family YMCA pools have been closed since last March. Both YMCAs are now offering aquatic group classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Lap lanes are open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. at the Simi Y and 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Yarrow Y.

“We hope to expand classes and hours in the coming weeks,” says Brigitte Bonafant, Aquatics and Safety Director at the YMCA . “If all goes well, we anticipate swim lessons and family swim time being available in early May.”

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Business, Government, Local, News

Ventura Port District Announces Key Decision For Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project

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Over the past six years, through two successful Sea Grant awards, the Ventura Port District, in partnership with expert volunteers and consultants, developed extensive research of the Santa Barbara Channel for sustainable mussel farming.

The Port District sought to pre-permit 2,000 acres for Mediterranean mussels for the benefit of private aquaculture farmers – especially small commercial fishermen who lack the financial capacity to secure federal and state permits and approvals – to land product at Ventura Harbor.

This effort produced several technical studies, including a first-of-its-kind navigational risk assessment for a domestic aquaculture project, extensive engineering analysis for mussel farm design in open waters, numerous environmental studies and proposed monitoring plans, farm economic business and cash-flow model (i.e., proforma), and fiscal and economic impact analyses. The Port District plans on fully completing its Sea Grant tasks and responsibilities by August 2021.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Local, News

CSUCI contributes to global research showing surfers and environmentalists could join forces to protect ecosystems

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About 76% of the ocean areas rich in biodiversity also contain great places to surf—which presents the opportunity for the conservation community to mobilize a global tribe of surfers who want to protect these areas as much as they do.  

That’s the bottom line of a study conducted in part by CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Assistant Professor of Environmental Science & Resource Management (ESRM) Dan Reineman, Ph.D. with the Save the Waves Coalition and Conservation International. The two organizations merged to form the Surf Conservation Partnership.  

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Business, Cultural, Government, Health, Local, News, Seniors, Youth

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for April 19, 2021

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There are 79 new COVID-19 cases (Fri-Sun. There have been 12,423 new tests performed. There have been 0 additional deaths. Doubling time is 1,776.7 days.

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 .86 which means that spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing; R-effective for CA is .80 right now.

Click here for information about COVID-19 testing.

Click here for information about the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy for information about the guidance for different sectors.

Vaccine eligibility is now open to everyone 16 and older. Make your appointment today at myturn.ca.gov or 833-422-4255.

www.venturacountyrecovers.org

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Education, Government, Local, News, Youth

Dr. César Morales Sworn-In as Ventura County Superintendent of Schools

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Dr. César Morales was formally sworn-in today as the new Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, becoming the first Latino and first person of color to hold the office since it was created in 1873.

In an outdoor ceremony this morning at the Ventura County Office of Education in Camarillo, California State Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin administered the oath of office to Dr. Morales. The ceremony featured speeches from students he has mentored and his colleagues in education and government.

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

Guest commentary — In defiance of City of Ventura officials, unpermitted disturbance of lead-contaminated soil takes place at SoCal Gas facility, as community concerns escalate

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When Westside Ventura resident Matthew Bello went on a walk in his neighborhood on April 14, 2020, he saw something he did not expect: 

Cars and trucks parked inside the SoCalGas property at 1555 North Olive Street, and a flurry of activity on the usually quiet site. At least a half-dozen workers with shovels were digging a trench in the large dirt lot adjacent to the hulking natural gas compressor station. 

Most passersby might not think much of this activity. They’d likely chalk it up to another construction project along The Avenue’s always-busy corridor. But lucky for his neighbors, Bello is part of the newly formed Westside Clean Air Coalition, a community group focused on protecting air quality for all who live and go to school on The Avenue. The group has been following plans for 1555 North Olive closely – a property that has a history of soil contamination and air pollution dating back at least one hundred years. He knew what many would not: 

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Business, Cultural, Educación, Finance, Locales

Capacitación de QuickBooks en línea

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Si eres principiante en el mundo de QuickBooks o en la contabilidad en general, hay ciertos procedimientos que necesitas saber. En este curso, aprenderás los conceptos básicos de QuickBooks y la contabilidad, lo que te dará las bases para un sistema de contabilidad muy optimizado y sostenible para tu negocio sin importar el tamaño de tu empresa o aunque solamente trabajes por tu cuenta.

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Business, Finance, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — 411 Labor Market Report for March 2021

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The California Labor Market Information Division (LMID) released its March 2021 report earlier today, showing moderate improvement in Ventura County’s unemployment rate, from 6.8% in February to 6.4% in March. This matches our best position since the onset of pandemic a full year ago, previously reached in November, just before the holiday resurgence of COVID-19. Overall, we saw little change in the data details in March. On the surface it appears we did okay in job creation, adding 2,400 jobs, but of those 1,800 were in Farm, apparently seasonal, now at a total of 25,800 and keeping us 100 jobs ahead of our Farm position one year ago. For the monthly detail, check out LMID’s March report here.

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Cultural, Education, Family, Food, Health, Local, News, Youth

SBCC Foundation and Explore Ecology Receive $100,000 EPA Grant

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Santa Barbara City College, Explore Ecology, and five community partners have teamed up under a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Education Program to create the Santa Barbara Ecological and Edible (SBEE) Garden Project, a network of community gardens that will promote biodiversity, increase access to locally grown food, and foster a connection between the community and natural ecosystems.

“This is the largest EPA Environmental Education grant ever awarded to an organization in Santa Barbara County, and one of the largest in California in recent decades. It speaks to the collaborative work and far-reaching impact of Santa Barbara City College, Explore Ecology, and our many incredible community partners,” says Rachel Johnson, SBCC Foundation Director of Grants. 

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Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — EDC Free Webinar Schedule

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SPANISH: GUÍA PARA COMENZAR SU NEGOCIO

21 de abril a las 5:30 pm

Únase a SCORE Santa Barbara junto con los Asesores de negocios de EDC, Rigo Gonzalez-Nossa y Juliana Ramirez en una presentación donde por medio de esta guía aprenderemos sobre los diferentes pasos que le ayudarán en una manera eficiente a empezar su negocio, o le servirán para evaluar las necesidades más inmediatas para el buen funcionamiento y cumplimiento de las normas que requiere su negocio.

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Business, Education, Family, Local, News, Youth

Register now for SBCC summer sessions

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Santa Barbara City College is pleased to announce that registration for Summer 2021 is now open to everyone in the community. Whether you are looking to earn an associate degree or transfer to a four-year university via SBCC’s award-winning credit programs  — or enroll in the School of Extended Learning for life enhancement classes, career skills training, a high school diploma or GED — SBCC is here to help you reach your goals.

For everyone’s health and safety, the majority of classes will be conducted online, though a select number of classes are scheduled to meet in person. Continue to check the class registration pages, via the links below, for the most current information on whether your selected course will be held online or in-person.

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Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Local, News

Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival 2021 Highlights Announced; Virtual Event April 22 – 24 Gathers Community to #CelebrateClimateLeadership

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The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is hosting #CelebrateClimateLeadership, a virtual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival dedicated to inspiration, community building, and climate action. The FREE livestream event begins on Thursday, April 22 at noon and runs until Saturday, April 24. It will be available to view at SBEarthDay.org.

The virtual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival – which will be fully online again this year due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions – is FREE to attend and will feature three days of conversations with climate leaders, musical performances, art contests, inspirational speakers, and opportunities for individuals to learn how they can lean into action at this urgent moment.

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Business, Educación, Education, familia, Family, Government, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for April 16, 2021

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Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin flashes a smile after receiving her second dose today at the Rose Avenue Clinic in Oxnard! Leading by example for communities in California’s 44th Assembly District including the cities of Camarillo, Moorpark, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Thousand Oaks, and Westlake Village.

Also a message from Carmen, a community member who also received a second dose today:

“I just got my second vaccine in Oxnard. I just wanted to say how amazing my experience was. The Porta potty‘s outside were really clean. I had to bring my children with me as I have no child care and everyone was so nice. From the security Guards to the person giving us the shot. Everything was clean and everyone working there was warm and welcoming! Not sure who I could tell about it but I thought here would be best.”

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Business, Cultural, Education, Local, News

Anselmo Villanueva selected as SBCC Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

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Santa Barbara City College is pleased to announce that Dr. Anselmo Villanueva has been selected to serve as the new Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Dr. Villanueva has enjoyed a long career in education at all levels, from preschool through graduate school. His career has been dedicated to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice, especially ensuring access to education by students who have been traditionally underrepresented, marginalized or otherwise disenfranchised from the system.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

Dr. Julius Sokenu Named Moorpark College President

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The Ventura County Community College District board of trustees announces that Dr. Julius Sokenu has been named the president of Moorpark College, pending contract approval. Sokenu has served as the interim president since 2019 and has been with the college for 14 years.

“Dr. Sokenu is a visionary leader who supports the college’s approximately 14,000 students and the faculty and staff,” said Chancellor Greg Gillespie. “During his tenure as the interim president, he expanded and supported institutional priorities related to equity and diversity, specifically for services to underserved populations.”

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Commentary, Local, Opinion

Bilingual commentary — The Scourge of Random Capitalization

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I grew up with a father, a typesetter by trade, who was obsessed with the rules of grammar, spelling and punctuation. Starting in my school years, informally proofreading everything that was printed on paper was as natural as breathing air. I hardly realized I was doing it. Now, fast-forwarding several decades, I am a recent graduate of an online proofreading course. I have become like my father, obsessed with the rules of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

 Lately, I have become acutely aware of several troubling trends in writing among the general public.

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Business, Family, Home, Local, News

Bilingual report — Community Feedback Helps Ventura County Public Works Agency Receive First Statewide Grant for Pedestrian Improvement Project

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Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Roads & Transportation (VCPWA-RT) announced today the adoption of its first ever Active Transportation Project (ATP) statewide grant totaling $6,195,000 for its El Rio Pedestrian Improvement and Safe Routes to School Project. ATP funds support active transportation projects including pedestrian, bikes and transit.

Funding allocation for design of the El Rio Pedestrian Improvement and Safe Routes to School project is expected in 2022, with construction planned for 2024. The project’s safety improvements include construction of 2.15 miles of sidewalks on both sides of Stroube, Walnut and Cortez Streets respectively, traffic-calming curb extensions, water-retention areas, rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons (RRFB), and crosswalk improvements.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Government, Health, Local, News

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for April 15, 2021

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Nurses from around the country are helping Ventura County get vaccinated. From registering people at the sites, administering vaccines, and giving post-vaccine care instructions, these nurses do it all – with a smile on faces! Candace from Kentucky (left) said that her favorite part of the day was, “Seeing people’s excitement after getting vaccinated and even seeing tears of joy.” Thank you to all who are helping our county move forward.

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Business, Local, News

R.W. ‘Hap’ Ziegler Jr. appointed commissioner of Santa Barbara county’s Civil Service Commission

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Local business consultant and attorney R.W. “Hap” Ziegler has been named chair of the County of Santa Barbara’s Civil Service Commission.

Established by voter referendum in 1971, the commission oversees the county’s relationship with its employees and ensures that hiring occurs through a merit-based and competitive process. The commission is charged with making sure the county handles employee matters according to established civil service rules about recruitment, appointment, compensation, probationary periods, layoffs, disciplinary actions and complaint procedures.

As one of five board members, Ziegler chairs the monthly meetings to discuss employee relations, conduct investigations concerning personnel or conditions of employment, assist with hearings on appeals of disciplinary actions, and serve as an advisor to the Board of Supervisors.

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Business, Education, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Loans, Grants, Housing Assistance, Tax Credits and Unemployment Benefits

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Review the guide below to learn more about current COVID-19 business resources that have recently been announced or updated. Stay up to date by visiting our COVID-19 Business Resource page regularly. CLICK HERE.

For more information on the resources from the American Rescue Plan, join our upcoming webinar on April 19 at 12:00 pm. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Education, Family, Food, Government, Health, Local, News, Youth

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network — Start a Discussion or Working Group, and let’s get to work!

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Building a more resilient food system requires that all of us work together. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the online hub for SBCFAN Discussions and Working Groups – an opportunity for food system actors like you to connect, align, and activate with other members so that we can continue to develop a robust local food economy, a healthy and just community, and a well-stewarded foodshed.

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