Education, Finance, Health, Local, News

Bilingual report — SBCC School of Extended Learning launches ‘Back-to-Work,’ rapid career training for unemployed amid COVID-19

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SBCC School of Extended Learning is proud to announce the free ‘Back-to-Work’ program. The program was created as a rapid solution to help unemployed Santa Barbara County community members secure employment. Back-to-Work participants will receive training, grant funding, job search support and more. The application deadline for the first three Back-to-Work career tracks is March 9.

“The pandemic’s toll on local service jobs is pushing already vulnerable families into crisis,” said Joyce Coleman, Vice President of SBCC School of Extended Learning. “Our Back-to-Work program focuses on local job markets that, in part due to the pandemic, have immediate high-demand for trained workers.”

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Cultural, Education, Finance, Local, News, Youth

Oxnard College — Que Sucede Interview on Oxnard College TRIO programs

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Listen to this Spanish-language interview with Katie Pena, director of TRIO programs at Oxnard College, and Luis Garcia, student services assistant, as they talk about TRIO programs, which provide services for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The interview aired on 102.1 FM y 910 AM La Mexicana (KOXR), 96.7 FM La Mejor (KLJR), and 102.9 FM Radio Lazer (KXLM). 

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

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Feb. 25 — COVID-19 Vaccine Information

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It was announced yesterday that education and childcare, food and agriculture and emergency response sectors are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Information about appointments can be found at the following link.
www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/. Appointments open Monday mornings beginning at 7 am online and 8 am on the phone line.

If you have limited internet access you can call the registration hotline at 805-477-7161. The phone line is staffed M-F 8-5. Appointments are set aside for both online registration and the phone line.

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Business, Education, Local, News, Technology

SBCC’s Jim Clark receives prestigious information technology award

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Jim Clark, Santa Barbara City College’s Director of Information Technology Infrastructure and Security, was recently notified by the Chief Information Systems Officers Association of the California Community Colleges (CISOA) that he is the recipient of the CISOA Technology Planning Award for 2021. The award is bestowed upon someone who has played a prominent role in evaluating information technology variables and developing a strategic plan of action that advances the college mission.

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Cultural, Government, Health, Local, News

County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Feb. 25 — COVID-19 Vaccine Information

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It was announced (Feb. 24) that education and childcare, food and agriculture and emergency response sectors are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Information about appointments can be found at the following link.
www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/. Appointments open Monday mornings beginning at 7 am online and 8 am on the phone line.

If you have limited internet access you can call the registration hotline at 805-477-7161. The phone line is staffed M-F 8-5. Appointments are set aside for both online registration and the phone line.

The Area Agency on Aging provides transportation services for older adults that are in need of transportation to a vaccine appointment or for COVID-19 testing. This includes people that need lift assist as well as gurney transportation. The driver will take the individual, wait for them, help them at the site and take them home. To schedule a ride call 805-477-7300. Please note, you must have a vaccine appointment before you schedule a ride to a vaccine site.

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En español, Government, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Salud, Seniors

Bilingual report — County of Ventura – More Vaccine Appointments Open

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There are now 1st and 2nd dose vaccine appointments available as of 2/25/21 for those eligible.

Please make your appointment by visiting the following link: www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/.

2nd dose appointments are available for Moderna. Pfizer appointments are full at this time. More will open next week.

2nd dose appointment information can be found at the following link:
www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/registration-d2/

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Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

OC Live Online Conversations — Learning from Black History Month

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In this special episode, OC Business Professor Tim Fontenette hosts a panel discussion on the history, meaning and legacy of Black History Month. This iconic celebration is a staple of the educational and cultural calendar – what has its impact been and should we re-imagine it for the 21st century?

Joining Prof. Fontenette are OC Personal Growth Professor and Counselor Ross Fontes, OC History Professor Josh Leiser, and special guest Perry Martin, Jr., Business Professor at Moorpark College.

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Business, En español, Finance, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — Workforce Development Board of Ventura County Seeks Public Comments On Regional And Local Workforce Plans

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The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDB) has released its 2021-2024 regional and local plans for workforce and economic development in the county. The plans are available for public review and comments.

WDB serves as a facilitator between public and private sectors, creating partnerships that will strengthen the Ventura County economy and match well-paying jobs with a trained workforce.

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Government, Health, Local, News

County of Ventura — Special Report — 2020 Fatal Overdoses

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2,045 deaths were reported to the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office during calendar year 2020. Jurisdiction was accepted for 1001 of these deaths, requiring further investigation and certification. Postmortem examinations were performed on 706 cases. Of the cases investigated, 217 deaths were due to medications, alcohol and or illicit drugs.

Of the 217 deaths, 203 were accidents, 12 were suicides and two deaths were of undetermined manner. Of the overdose deaths, men accounted for 151 deaths (70%) and women accounted for 66 deaths (30%).

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Business, Cultural, Government, Local, News

Port of Hueneme Strengthens Trade with Top Partner Mexico

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A delegation of Mexico’s top trade representatives visited the Port of Hueneme on Wednesday to strengthen their longstanding trading partnership. Led by Mr. Roberto Velasco Alvarez, Director General for North America and acting Undersecretary for North America at Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the delegation was welcomed with a socially distanced port tour and roundtable discussion of expanding and supporting trade between the Port and Mexico. 

“Our on-going trading partnership with Mexico continues to grow, from the establishment of a Sister Port relationship with Port of Ensenada in 2015, to supporting trade through our various local customers importing and exporting cargo between our two great countries,” said Oxnard Harbor District President Jason Hodge. “We are committed to supporting the growth of this fruitful partnership.”

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Business, Local, News

Employment Law Firm LightGabler Named Business of the Year by Simi Chamber

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Employment law firm LightGabler was named “Business of the Year” by the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce. The award was announced virtually on February 19 at the Chamber’s online Salute to Excellence Awards program.

The Chamber singled out LightGabler for “educating and assisting the business community with financial support, resources and compliance with legal and employment law changes throughout 2020.”

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Education, En español, Family, Government, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Youth

Bilingual report — Vaccinations for Educators to be Accelerated in Ventura County

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The County of Ventura (on Feb. 24) announced a new goal of providing school employees with their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by the end of March, which is significantly sooner than had originally been anticipated. This will be accomplished by working with local health care providers to administer vaccinations to educators in addition to using the County’s existing vaccination infrastructure.

“We are very gratified to see that the people who work in our schools are receiving high priority for vaccinations in Ventura County,” said Dr. Cesar Morales, Deputy Superintendent for the Ventura County Office of Education. “A fully functioning school system is one of the keys to getting our lives back to normal. The sooner we can get school employees vaccinated, the sooner we will be able to bring all of our students back to the classroom,” he said.

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Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Seniors

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Feb. 24 — COVID-19 Vaccine Information

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COVID-19 Vaccine Information

It was announced today that education and childcare, food and agriculture and emergency response sectors are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, effective today.

Information about appointments can be found at the following link.
www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/. Appointments open every Monday.

If you have limited internet access you can also call the registration hotline at 805-477-7161. The phone line is staffed M-F 8-5. Appointments are set aside for both online registration and the phone line.

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Health, Local, News, Seniors

Natalie Orfalea Foundation and Lou Buglioli Sponsor Hospice of Santa Barbara’s illuminate Speaker Series

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Natalie Orfalea Foundation and Lou Buglioli sponsor Hospice of Santa Barbara’s (HSB) illuminate Speaker Series, a virtual series that brings world-renowned speakers every month to discuss how COVID-19 is impacting us all.  

As local nonprofits are adapting to find new ways to serve their clients and causes, HSB is adjusting to the new realities that come with COVID-19 through their illuminate Speaker Series, which provides helpful resources to our community and beyond as we cope with our new reality. 

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Cultural, Education, Events, Local, News

Museum of Ventura County announces upcoming virtual Learning Modules Archaeology in Ventura County

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you like dirt, old things, and history…then you’re going to “dig” our two-part educational series on archaeology. In this first installment, you will learn about what archaeology is, why it is important, and what you can do to help preserve the past. At the end of the module, you will also find some fun activities to get you thinking like an archaeologist! Sound fun? Well, then let’s “dig” in!

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Business, Local, News, Youth

Local PODS® Moving & Storage Wraps Up Year Long 15th Anniversary Celebration with Multi Charity Donations

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Despite the challenges that accompanied 2020, Local PODS® Moving & Storage was committed to supporting as many nonprofits as possible in the community, donating over $20,000 between monetary and container donations. As the end of the year approached, Local PODS wrapped up their 15th anniversary celebration of business in Ventura County by providing some additional holiday cheer to their community.

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

Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Multilingual and Migrant Education Program (MMEP) held a Health and Wellness Drive-thru Fair

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Nutrition knowledge and essential food help arrived for 150 Santa Maria Joint Union High School District families when the SMJUHSD Multilingual and Migrant Education Program (MMEP) held a Health and Wellness Drive-thru Fair at the Santa Maria High School student parking lot on Saturday, February 20.

MMEP along with community organizations from Mixteco Indigena Community Organization Project (MICOP), Community Health Centers (CHC), Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo (CAPSLO), Center for Employment Training (CET), and the Food Bank of Santa Barbara County offered families free information packets. Organization packets included information on health, dental, rental assistance, healthy food choices, COVID. Families also received hygiene kits, groceries/produce and pan dulce.

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Education, Family, Local, News

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara announces Collectors Series | Christie’s x MCASB

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Join us for the second installment of MCASB’s Collectors Series, a behind-the-scenes dive into the many facets of collecting art.

On Thursday, March 4, Vivian Brodie, Associate Vice President, Specialist, working in Private Sales at Christie’s in New York will lead a walkthrough and discussion of the Post-War to Present Day Sale. This exclusive walkthrough will offer an early glimpse of the exciting work on sale, including artists Elaine de Kooning, Ruth Asawa, Henry Taylor, Beatriz Milhazes, and Titus Kaphar, and will provide insight into how to work with an auction house.

Post-War to Present jumpstarts Christie’s Spring 2021 auction season in New York with artwork spanning the Post-War era to the most celebrated contemporary artists of today. Click here to read more about this event.

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Business, Education, Finance, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — EDC Business Alert- Important PPP Updates

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On Monday February 22nd, 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration and the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced steps the agency is taking with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to further promote equitable relief for America’s mom-and-pop businesses.

Please review the following changes to the Paycheck Protection Program:

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Business, Government, Local, News

Travis-Teague Appointed to Santa Barbara City Fire and Police Commission

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Dianne Travis-Teague has been appointed to the Santa Barbara City Fire & Police Commission. She brings a wealth of knowledge and lived experience that will benefit the Commission at a time when the city is focusing efforts toward racial justice and equity.    

As Director of Alumni Relations for Pacifica Graduate Institute, Travis-Teague has created and maintained numerous pathways for alumni engagement. Her capabilities include project management, financial analysis, training, team building, mentoring, and creative brainstorming. Travis-Teague earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Marketing from Northwestern University in Illinois and also currently serves on the Board of Hospice of Santa Barbara.   

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Education, Family, Local, News, Youth

YMCA Branches Offering Kids’ Outdoor Enrichment Classes

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Branches of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA are offering outdoor, in-person enrichment programs for preschoolers through age 11.
The Yarrow Family YMCA holds classes Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Preschoolers get moving with “Preschool Hip Hop” on Mondays and “Preschool Ballet” on Thursdays and Fridays. Storytime readings are from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Thursdays.

Parents looking for creative after-school enrichment classes for their 5 to 11-year-olds can sign them up for “Theater Games” on Mondays, and “Move And Groove” and “Beginning Hip Hop” on Thursdays.

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Business, Commentary, Local, Opinion

Guest commentary — Family Law Attorney Maya Shulman Says Courts Are Not the Place to Be

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Family law attorney Maya Shulman is used to hearing from clients who say they want an “aggressive” lawyer, someone they envision boldly striding into court and convincing a judge to rule in their favor.

Most often, Shulman tells them that’s a bad idea.

Courts are unpredictable and hard to navigate, even with a good lawyer by your side, she says. Divorce and custody proceedings can drag on for months, piling stress on clients and their children, and draining families financially. Even then, there are no guarantees that clients will get what they want in court, Shulman explains. Judges, like all humans, have blind spots, biases, and bad days. Taking a case to court means leaving critical, life-impacting decisions to the whim of a judge, and losing control over the outcome, the attorney says.

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

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Feb. 23

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Sitas de vacunación COVID-19 disponibles para Fase 1A, Trabajadores de Cuidado de Salud y personas de 65 años y mayores. Prueba de sector o identificación verificando la edad son requeridos en la cita de vacunación. Las citas de vacunaciones son para las personas que viven o trabajan en el Condado de Ventura.

1)     Registrarse en línea www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information-sp/portal-sp/
2)     Los que tengan acceso limitada a una computadora/internet pueden llamar a la línea de registración 805-477-7161. Esta línea telefónica está abierta de lunes a viernes de 8:00-5:00.

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