Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s “Project Turkey” Extends to Thanksgiving to Continue to Help Families in Need

Every year, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s (TBCF) “Project Turkey” helps food-insecure families who have a child facing pediatric cancer in the Tri-County areas with grocery gift cards and food baskets.  

Just in time for Thanksgiving, TBCF plans on donating items to hospitals, clinics and homes and are hoping to help 50 families or more with Project Turkey food and grocery gift card donations this season.  

United Way of Ventura County — We’re thankful for you!

December 1 will mark my 6th year serving as President and CEO of United Way of Ventura County. As we celebrate our 75th anniversary this year, I recognize my six years are only a moment in this organization’s rich history. The true legacy of our organization lives in the leaders and volunteers like you who have stood with us for decades.

I couldn’t be prouder of the courage and results our volunteers, staff, and community have delivered over the past six years. Here are just a few of the highlights:

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Nov. 18 — Celebrate safer

Don’t forget the most important ingredients this Thanksgiving. While it’s safest not to gather, if you do, keep safety and good times in mind. Keep it short, outdoors, and small, with no more than two other households. Wear masks, stay at least six feet apart, and wash your hands. Help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Santa Paula Art Museum — When Life Gives You Lemons…

With the recent change in Ventura County’s reopening status, the Santa Paula Art Museum is now temporarily closed until further notice. If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the past eight months, it’s that when life gives you lemons, you definitely have to get a little creative! That’s why we’ll continue to produce our free, monthly Art To-Go Bags for children in our community for as long as we are able (see below).

Our staff are also hard at work transforming one of the Museum’s back parking lots into an outdoor art experience that will be free and open to all. The forthcoming Art Park is inspired by one of our favorite paintings from the Museum’s permanent collection, and reimagines the artwork in three dimensions. Stay tuned for more information and an official opening date.

The Museum’s 10th Annual Fine Art Auction Fundraiser continues online through Sunday, November 22. It’s our most important fundraiser of the year. See the auction items that are getting the most attention below!

The Collection spreads holiday cheer with safe, festive experiences for the whole family

This holiday season, The Collection at RiverPark has reimagined several of its annual holiday experiences to offer safe, festive fun for the whole family. From visits with Santa and virtual story time with Mrs. Claus and friends to live music, giveaways, scavenger hunts and more, there are plenty of opportunities to participate in the holiday cheer.

Three Attorneys Join Employment Law Firm LightGabler

Camarillo-based employment law firm LightGabler has added three attorneys.

Susannah J. Galiano counsels employers on employment-related issues as well as represents employers in litigation matters. Galiano also conducts group training for employers on various aspects of employment and labor law. She received her Juris Doctorate from Southwestern University School of Law. She is licensed to practice in California and Minnesota.

Ventura County Moved Back to Purple Tier on Nov. 17

(On Nov. 16), the State of California announced new COVID-19 Tier assignments for counties. Due to increasing case rates, Ventura County and 40 other counties in the State will move back to the more restrictive Tier 1 Purple. Businesses that are impacted by this are asked to make their operational modifications by midnight November 17, 2020.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Santa Barbara County Moved Back to Purple Tier

The State of California (on Nov. 16) determined that transmission rates of COVID-19 were rising at an alarming rate. Based on the increase in positive and active cases in our community, the state moved Santa Barbara County from our recent red tier to the most restrictive purple tier. Currently, we have 14 active cases in the South County Unincorporated Areas (which include Montecito, Summerland and the City of Carpinteria), 44 active cases in the City of Santa Barbara, and 255 active cases County-wide. Our adjusted case rate is 7.1 per 100,000 residents and we have a 2.7% test positivity rate. The state went from 6,000 new cases per day to approximately 11,000 new cases per day in just a few days. Hospitalizations increased more than 1,000 in a week. The Santa Barbara County Public Health Officer issued a revised Health Order today indicating this change. For a reminder of what activities/sectors are permitted to operate in the purple tier and at what capacity, click here.

Ventura County School Reopening Plans Impacted as COVID-19 Cases Rise Statewide

In response to a statewide spike in new coronavirus infections, Ventura County and 28 other counties were suddenly moved back to the most restrictive purple tier of California’s color-coded tracking system on Monday, November 16. Facing an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases, Governor Gavin Newsom said he was “pulling an emergency brake.”

Now that Ventura County is back in the purple tier, schools and districts that had already reopened are permitted to continue with in-person instruction according to state and local regulations. However, individual schools that have not yet reopened will need to wait until the County moves back to the less restrictive red tier and stays there for 14 days.

County of Ventura announces new Mobile Testing Trailer

The County of Ventura’s new Mobile COVID-19 Testing Trailer can be requested at the following link:https://www.signupgenius.com/go/covid-testing.

Mobile Testing Team Onsite Testing Requirements

Business or organization must have at least 100 people that would like to get tested for the COVID-19 virus. 
Outdoor location must include 100′ x 50′ open space suitable for parking a truck and 28′ trailer for our testing team.
Host location must provide access to restroom facilities within 200′ walking distance of the testing location. 
Set up begins one hour before opening for testing.

EDC Free Webinar Schedule

November 17 @ 1:00 pm

Google Analytics is a fantastic tool. Best part is, it’s free to use for everyone! No matter if you have a 2-page website or a massive e-commerce website, you can use Google Analytics to understand how your customers are using your website and where you can improve their experience. During this webinar, expert in business data analytics Mo Hossain will walk you through the steps of how to set up Google Analytics so you can start getting data from your own website.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Nov. 16

Good Evening, There are 433 new cases (35 (8.1%) of which have a lab collection from November 9 or earlier), 5,429 additional people tested, and 1 additional death of a 90 year old female with comorbidities. There are currently 49 people hospitalized with COVID-19 and 11 of those patients are receiving care in the ICU.

Our current data published as of November 16th is 13.3 (purple tier) for the case rate, 4.5%% (orange tier) for the positivity rate and 6% for the health equity positivity (red tier) for the measurement period ending.

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s Project Christmas Spreads Cheer during COVID-19 

Each year, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) spreads holiday cheer to families in the tri-counties who have a child battling cancer, and their siblings. They look to the community to help secure hundreds of gifts during the months of November and December. This year, their greatest needs are donations of $25 Amazon gift cards for teens and new, unwrapped toys for kids ages 6-11 valued at $25 each.  These will be among the gifts given to over 200 children in need at their holiday drive-thru event in December. In addition to the $25 gifts, they will be sponsoring 35 families (85 children) through their Project Christmas Program.  

Food Share of Ventura County has launched CAN-tree Drive

Food Share of Ventura County has launched CAN-tree Drive, its popular, annual, festive food & fund drive. The event, now in its ninth year, features hundreds of “trees” built from collected food cans, and usually takes place at Figueroa Plaza in downtown Ventura. This year, CAN-tree comes to you! Individuals, families and local businesses are being asked to build their tree at their home or business location. 

Santa Barbara City College — The Bridge — SBCC Music’s Big Band is world’s first to perform together remotely using exciting new technology and more news

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, SBCC continues to provide students with instruction and virtual support services aimed at keeping them on track with their education, staying connected and healthy. We are also providing our entire community with history-making, innovative musical and dramatic entertainment that can be viewed online. The SBCC Foundation Campus Conversations series this month peeks behind the curtain to reveal how the Theatre Arts department is keeping theatre alive and thriving on the South Coast, and EOPS/CARE is providing a way for the community to see that our single-parent students give their families a Thanksgiving dinner. Read about all of this and more below.

Ventura County Civic Alliance — Livable Communities Newsletter

COVID-19 is not only still with us, but it also casts a shadow over everything we think we know, including our understanding of the 3 Es that are the foundation of the Ventura County Civic Alliance: Environment, Economy, and Equity.  Livable Communities has for years focused on land use and the creation of attractive and functional places to live and work with minimum impact on the environment.  All of this has been impacted by COVID.  While “livable” may start with wise land use, we know now that it truly is so much more encompassing.  

Therefore, it is fitting that this quarter’s Livable Communities Newsletter explores the 3 Es and Livable Communities in a COVID-19 world:

Santa Paula Art Museum — Time running out to purchase raffle tickets

This is last call to purchase raffle tickets for your chance to win one of two original paintings by Santa Paula’s most famous artist, Jessie Arms Botke! Purchase raffle tickets on our website. Raffle winners will be chosen and notified by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, November 16. The raffle is part of the Museum’s 10th Annual Fine Art Auction Fundraiser, which is being hosted entirely online this year.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Nov. 13

Good Evening, There are 265 new cases (20 (7.5%) of which have a lab collection from November 6th or earlier), 1,665 additional people tested, and 1 additional death of a 36 year old female with comorbidities. There are currently 36 people hospitalized with COVID-19 and 10 of those patients are receiving care in the ICU.
Our current data published as of November 10th is 7.2 (purple tier) for the case rate and 3.0% (orange tier) for the positivity rate and 4.8% for the health equity positivity (orange tier) for the measurement period ending October 31st.

We are all working diligently to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community by wearing masks, social distancing, and taking other necessary precautions. Thank you for your hard work! Another way to help is with COVID testing. It is easy, free, and nearby at a variety of convenient sites in the County. Because case rates have recently increased in Ventura County and other nearby counties, and the holidays are approaching, we are encouraging all Ventura County residents to get tested frequently starting now and throughout the holiday season. As you know, testing and tracing are key tools in stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation Announces New Director of Real Estate Development

The Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) is excited to announce Gustavo Almarosa as their new Director of Real Estate Development.

The Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) is Ventura County’s largest developer of affordable housing with an additional project in Santa Barbara County, and is best known for providing comprehensive, well-designed affordable housing services with community economic development activities.

Coverly Professional Services, Inc. announces two new hires to support its growing client portfolio 

Despite a challenging year, Coverly Professional Services, Inc. (CoverlyPro) celebrated its 10thyear in business in 2020 by expanding its team to support a growing client portfolio. The company welcomed two new team members. Aylin Alvarez joined the company in August as its Marketing Communications Coordinator and Ikia Velazquez was added to the team as its Digital Communications and Project Management Specialist in October. 

Bilingual commentary — How to Become an Expert

We often hear about having to hire, refer to, or consult an “expert.” But what exactly is an “expert”? 

Technically, an expert is someone with either substantial knowledge or skill in a particular endeavor.  A data analyst might be consulted for his expertise in statistical studies, whereas a professional musician might be hired for her adroit skill with a particular musical instrument that she has practiced playing throughout her entire life.

Guest commentary — The Crucial Latino Vote Helped Elect Biden

The American people have driven the mad tyrant out of the White House, long live Democracy! The last four years have been the most polarizing, uncertain, and painful years in our lifetime, nonetheless, we got the job done we have a new president. Without doubt Biden would not be the president-elect if Black, Latino, Asian, Native American and the young folks vote had not come to the rescue of the Democratic Party again. 19 million Latinos voted in this Presidential Election, more than 13million or roughly 67% of the Latino votes went to Biden. The first time in American history that the Latino vote represented the highest minority vote in the nation. The powerful and decisive Latino voting pattern will continue to grow in the coming years. Both the Democrats and the Republican are aware of this growing American electorate, and we will no longer will be appeased, marginalized, manipulated or simply be ignored. Biden know this better than most, and he must act accordingly! We will closely watch Biden not in what he says but in what he does.

Veteran Business and Environmental Leader is Elected to United Water District Board

Mohammed A. Hasan, a longtime business and environmental leader in Ventura county has been elected to United Water Conservation District board.

The United Water Conservation District boundary encompasses Piru to Ventura harbor along the Santa Clara River valley, and the Oxnard coastal plain. The cities of Santa Paula, Fillmore, Oxnard and Port Hueneme and the very eastern part of the city of Ventura are part of the District. This public agency was formed nearly 70 years ago. They recently moved their main office close to N. Rose Ave. in Oxnard, at 1701 North Lombard Ave. The District diverts surface water from the Santa Clara river, manages and serves groundwater to farmers and cities. Detailed information about the District is available at unitedwater.org.

Guest commentary — Tips for a Safe Family Gathering this Thanksgiving Holiday in a COVID-19 World

If you’re planning a large Thanksgiving gathering with family and friends this year, think twice!

That’s because health officials are warning against such gatherings this year, and they are imploring the public to take important safety precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones against the coronavirus, which continues to pose a serious health threat in California and across the nation.

Bilingual report — Board of Supervisors approves $3.65 million for Farmworker Household Assistance Program

The County of Ventura Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved $3.65 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funding to support the Farmworker Household Assistance Program (FHAP) to help farmworkers struggling to maintain their households due to pandemic-related hardships.