Events, Local, News

Santa Paula Art Museum’s Annual Art Auction Fundraiser on Nov. 9 Is Virtual This Year

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For the first time in its ten-year history, the Santa Paula Art Museum’s annual Fine Art Auction Fundraiser will be hosted online this year. Online bidding will open Monday, November 9, 2020, and will close Sunday, November 22, 2020, at 4:00 p.m. The Museum’s annual art auction is the nonprofit organization’s biggest fundraiser each year. All proceeds raised from the event benefit the Santa Paula Art Museum and the thousands of children, families, and adults that the Museum serves through its educational programs every year.

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Business, Education, Local, News, Youth

SBCC Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation publishes its annual report

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Santa Barbara City College’s Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation is pleased to present its 2019-2020 Annual Report. Everyone in the community is invited to flip through the online version to learn more about the work Center is doing to inspire a startup ecosystem in Santa Barbara that supports meaningful and sustainable livelihoods for all.

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Education, Local, News, Youth

Santa Maria High School FFA Drive-Thru Pumpkin Patch Activity

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The SMHS FFA held a drive-through meeting this week where they received free pumpkins and prepackaged popcorn in addition to hosting a virtual meeting on their Canvas accounts.

Traditionally, the FFA hosted a monthly chapter meeting and the officer team provided updates including a secretary report, treasurer report, new business and old business, according to agriculture teacher Shannon Powell. Afterward, they would hold a social event with food and games, she added.

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Business, Cultural, Family, Finance, Home, Local, News

October News from Peoples’ Self-Help Housing

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Dear Friend,
There have already been a number of ‘firsts’ for me as the new CEO of Peoples Self-Help Housing, but today this is my first letter to you in our monthly eNews!

I am enormously honored to have been selected to serve as the leader of this organization, and to have the opportunity to be able to continue working alongside it’s professional, and mission-driven staff.  

While I have many exciting ideas for the organization’s future, don’t expect any immediate major changes from PSHH. There is so much great work already in process in our very full pipeline that I see no reason for us to change our successful course anytime soon. 

I am looking forward to this continuing journey together. Thank you for all your past and future support. 

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Business, Education, Government, Local, News, Politics

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Oct. 23 — It’s Time to Vote!

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View the list of ballot drop off locations at the following link: https://recorder.countyofventura.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/List-of-Drop-Off-Locations-9182020.pdf

View the list of in person voting locations at the following link:
https://recorder.countyofventura.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IPVL-Insert-FINAL-1.pdf

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Business, Education, En español, Government, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — County of Ventura Business Assistance Grant to go out to thousands of local businesses

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The County of Ventura’s Business Assistance Program will move forward to provide funding to all remaining eligible applicants that were not selected during the Round 1 lottery of the program. The potential number of additional recipients is over 3,700. In total, this program will provide up to $24 million directly to our local small businesses and non-profits.

“We hope that this funding can help provide some relief to businesses who have been seriously impacted by COVID-19. We appreciate our partnership with the Ventura County Community Foundation in serving those in need throughout the County,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers. “They have worked so hard to help businesses qualify for these grants. They have fielded thousands of inquiries and provided direct support to business owners to help process applications. Their support has allowed for this effort to move forward.”

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Commentary, Cultural, Local, Opinion

Bilingual commentary — The Invasion of Olvera Street

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Olvera Street in Los Angeles is where history, culture, multicultural livelihoods, and now a pandemic all intersect. This street is the cornerstone of the very character and identity of Los Angeles. But now this iconic testament to Mexican culture in one of the nation’s oldest metropolises just south of us here in Ventura County is suddenly having incredulous visions of its demise.

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Entertainment, Events, Family, Local, News, Youth

Museum of Ventura County is Reopening to Members!

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Dear Community,

The Museum of Ventura County and the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula are reopening to members only beginning on Saturday, October 31! We have a new reservations and ticketing system in place to regulate the amount of traffic in the galleries, as well as limited operational days and hours.

Members, please click here to make your reservations.

We have extended our exhibits through the end of the year. Please read on to learn about what exciting things you’re about to see in our galleries as you return to the museum.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the Museum of Ventura County, and thank you for all that you do during these unprecedented times. We appreciate you, and we can’t wait to see you at MVC.

*Please read our visiting guidelines at the end of this email.

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

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Oct. 22

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Good afternoon, There are 92 new cases today (16 (17.4%) of which have a lab collection from October 15th or earlier), 1,104 additional people tested, and 2 additional deaths (61 year old male, and 72 year old male, both with comorbidities).

There are 31 people hospitalized with COVID-19 and 12 patients are receiving care in the ICU.

Learn more about the State’s COVID-19 metrics at: https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/

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Business, Family, Food, Health, Local, News

Seasons Catering overcomes Covid-19 challenges with Good2Go

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Seasons Catering began 2020 celebrating its 20th year in business. It was to be a big year with many caterings booked for weddings, corporate events, premieres, and more. Then COVID hit and changed everything. Not one to let herself fall victim to her circumstances, Gabrielle Moes, Founder and CEO of Seasons Catering quickly pivoted, at a time when events and catering were temporarily shut down, to launch Good2Go heat and serve meals, available at www.thegood2go.com

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Business, Cultural, Education, Local, News

Righetti FFA October Drive-Through Event

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More than 400 RHS students picked up materials for their Ag courses during a recent drive-through event thanks to FFA leadership students.

The supplies, distributed by FFA leadership members in face masks and uniforms, were for Floral Design, Woodshop Construction, and plant materials for their Agriscience research projects. Freshman also received activity booklets for this week’s virtual Greenhand Bootcamp (freshman are known as “Greenhands” attend the camp to learn about opportunities in the FFA) that will take place live on Zoom every day this week.

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Education, Local, News, Youth

Ventura College Celebrates its 95th Anniversary by Collecting Alumni Stories, Photos and Memories

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To commemorate Ventura College’s 95th anniversary this year, the Ventura College Foundation has created a new web page where alumni, employees, and friends of the community can share their college years’ stories and photos. The collected memories will then be used as part of Ventura College’s 100th celebration in 2025.

Ventura College began in 1925 and was the first institution of higher learning in the county. Since its inception, Ventura College has been driven to provide high-quality and affordable instruction and services to community members. Today, it serves over 13,000 students each semester.

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Education, Local, News

Ventura College Foundation Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2021-22 School Year

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The Ventura College Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications to support awardees in the 2021-22 school year. The deadline for submissions is January 15, 2021.

More than 400 scholarships will be awarded to Ventura College students. Students who are currently enrolled at Ventura College and who have successfully completed at least 12 units at the college are eligible.

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Business, Cultural, Government, Local, News

Bilingual report — Navy and Ventura County Enter into a Cost-Saving Support Agreement

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An intergovernmental support agreement (IGSA) on Oct. 21 signed by Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) and the County of Ventura is expected to save government money, increase Navy operational efficiencies, and help ensure the long-term sustainability of the local Navy installation. 

The IGSA is an on-going program with Ventura County Public Works Roads and Transportation (VCPWA-RT) to provide road maintenance services to the installation.  The program will provide up to $1 million of reimbursable road maintenance services to NBVC annually, reducing costs and enhancing mission effectiveness.

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Business, Cultural, Local, News, Youth

The Collection partners with local fire departments for Spark of Love Toy Drive

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This year marks the 28th Annual Spark of Love Toy Drive, and The Collection at RiverPark is partnering with the fire departments of Ventura County and ABC7 to help safely collect toys and distribute them to children in need.

Each year, Spark of Love brightens the holiday season for local families by providing presents for children who might otherwise have nothing to unwrap. Last year, over 60,000 toys were donated to Ventura County’s Spark of Love Toy Drive, supporting more than 6,000 local children and over 30 nonprofits. This year, due to the pandemic, donations are needed more than ever.

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Local

Santa Maria HS FCCLA Trains Chapter Officers at Regional Leadership Training

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Five Santa Maria High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) chapter officers virtually attended Region 7’s Chapter Leader Officer Training (COLT) on Saturday, October 17.

Chapter officers included: Gail Victoria Demition, Cristal Gomez, Maria Nolasco, Norah Reynes and Yosuni Rodriguez. The officers were given the opportunity to network with other FCCLA leaders from around the area, receive training regarding their chapter office position, and advance their leadership skills.

“I liked the atmosphere that was created between all of us at our meeting and what FCCLA stands for in general,’’ Gomez said.

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Education, Family, Health, Local, News, Youth

Social Justice Fund for Ventura County – Update!!

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I hope you are all well. In this month’s update, I want to focus on news from our first fellow and the process of finding and selecting a fellow. As this is a first year for our Social Justice Fellowships we are taking pains to reach out to many organizations and interviewed quite a few promising candidates. Here is my update:

Our fellow, Maria Rodriguez, has begun interviews and gave a presentation on her project at CLU.
We continue to hear from many potential fellows. This month we have 3 new Letters of Interest we are considering and several other candidates we are coaching. Letters of Interests are applications for fellowship.

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Cultural, Education, Family, Local, News, Youth

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Oct. 21 — It’s Time to Vote

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Today, October 19, is the deadline to register to #vote and update your registration information for the November 3 election. You can register online at registertovote.ca.gov until midnight.

Early voting is already underway! Bring your vote by mail ballot to Ventura County Elections Office located at 800 South Victoria Avenue in Ventura, Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm.
View the list of ballot drop off locations at the following link: https://recorder.countyofventura.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/List-of-Drop-Off-Locations-9182020.pdf

View the list of in person voting locations at the following link:
https://recorder.countyofventura.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IPVL-Insert-FINAL-1.pdf

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Local

Letter to the editor — Topic: Don’t Expect Election Results on Election Night

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For California, this election will be like no other election before. Voters should not expect all election results to be called or announced on Election Night as in previous elections, and that’s okay.  With more mailed-in ballots a delayed result means the system is working as it should to ensure the integrity of our election process.  Broadcast networks did not begin election night forecasts until the 1970’s.  And they are just that “forecasts”, not results.  The vote is only final when all the votes are counted and certified by the Secretary of State on December 5th.

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Business, Education, Events, Local, News, Youth

Santa Barbara City College — The Bridge — 2019-2020 Report to the Community

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Santa Barbara City College is pleased to present the 2019-2020 Report to the Community, an informative and beautifully illustrated account of the college’s events, activities and accomplishments during this past academic year.

Everyone in the community is invited to flip through the online version to learn more about student success, athletic highlights, artistic triumphs, outstanding faculty and staff, awards and accolades, community connections, and how the college adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic and conversion to delivering instruction and services remotely.

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Business, Cultural, Local, News

GCTD Bus Operator Reaches 40-Year Driving Milestone

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Lupe Juarez recently logged 40 years as a Bus Operator for Gold Coast Transit District, the largest public transit operator in Ventura County. She is also part of the prestigious Two Million Mile Club, as determined by the National Safety Council. This designation recognizes operators who have driven 50,000 hours of drive time without a preventable accident. 

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

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Oct. 20 — COVID-19 Testing Available – No cost. No appointment needed

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COVID-19 Testing Available – No cost. No appointment needed.

Weekday Drive-Through Sites – Monday through Friday 10 am to 7 pm
Moopark College, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark

Weekend: Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The site is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Santa Paula, City parking lot corner of E. Main Street and N. Ojai Street, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday 10 am to 7 pm

Walk-In Site – Monday Through Friday 9 am to 6 pm
Ventura County Fairgrounds,10 W. Harbor Blvd in Ventura, Enter Gate 2.

Urgent Care locations require an appointment. Please call 805-652-7660 for an appointment at any of the Urgent Care locations.

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Business, Health, Local, News

Santa Barbara County Firefighter, Sam Dudley Gives Heartfelt Presentation during Compassionate Care of Carpinteria’s ‘The Light Shines Ahead’

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Santa Barbara County Firefighter, Sam Dudley shared emotional stories of tragedy and hope as well as how Hospice of Santa Barbara counseling has helped him after experiencing grief and loss on Wednesday, October 7th during Compassionate Care of Carpinteria (CCC)’s virtual event, “The Light Shines ahead.” 

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