Business, Cultural, Educación, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Opinion

Bilingual report — VCCoLAB and VCAA sue Ventura County for its adoption of the 2040 General Plan

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The Ventura County Coalition of Labor, Agriculture and Business (VCCoLAB) and the Ventura County Agricultural Association (VCAA) on Oct. 15 jointly filed a lawsuit against the County of Ventura in response to the adoption of the County’s 2040 General Plan. VCCoLAB and VCAA assert the County did not meet the basic standards demanded by law for both public review and engagement and environmental impact analysis, resulting in a Plan that detrimentally impacts the agricultural industry, local businesses, and vulnerable populations.

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

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Halloween and COVID-19

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Like many other things in 2020, Halloween will need to be celebrated differently this year to keep people safe. Trick-or-treating is strongly discouraged by the state this year to prevent household mixing amid the pandemic. Alternative activities for Halloween and Día de los Muertos include:

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

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Oct. 15 — 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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Cultural, Government, Local, News, Youth

SMJUHSD takes part in Great California Shakeout

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There was a “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On” at 10:16 a.m. within the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District on Oct. 15.

Nearly 100 hundred District Office staff participated in the “The Great California Shakeout”, a statewide drill to ensure school districts, other organizations and communities know what to do to be safe during an earthquake. Some students joined from home.

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Commentary, Cultural, Education, Government, Local, News, Opinion

Letter to the Editor — Candidate Forums

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In an effort to inform voters, the League of Women Voters, Ventura County conducted candidate forums for local city council, mayoral, state senate and assembly elections as well as the Congressional District 26 election.

The League of Women Voters also conducted discussions of the California Ballot propositions and Ojai School Bond K. You can access the video recordings of these events at the following link:

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

United Way of Ventura County — October Surprise

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Dear Friends,

October is one of my favorite months of the year. I love the cooler air, the festive spirit of neighbors decorating for Halloween, and knowing that Thanksgiving is right around the corner. While this fall looks far different than most, our community’s resilience and generosity is stronger than ever.

This October, I’m excited to announce that the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation (VCMRF) has presented a $40,000 challenge grant for our homelessness initiative, which will support our Landlord Engagement Program. The goal of the program is to increase housing stock and utilize existing housing vouchers and subsidies to prevent and, ultimately end, homelessness. We are grateful to the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation for this generous challenge grant and look forward to all those who will join us in helping end homelessness in Ventura County.

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Business, Cultural, Health, Local, News

Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation Provides $40,000 Challenge Grant to United Way’s Homelessness Efforts

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The Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation (VCMRF) has presented a $40,000 challenge grant to United Way of Ventura County’s Landlord Engagement Program. The goal of the program is to increase housing stock and utilize existing housing vouchers and housing subsidies provided by local jurisdictions and community partners to prevent and end homelessness.

The grant will provide the activation for a funding mechanism designed to generate permanent supportive housing for chronic homeless individuals through a streamlined, one-stop funding collaborative comprised of public and private funders dedicated to ending homelessness.

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

Ventura Harbor Village Unleashes Top 5 Ways To Partake in a SPOOKtacular Seaside Halloween

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Be-spooked, bewitched and bedazzled at Ventura Harbor Village! This popular seaside attraction offers five great ways to celebrate Fall and all things Halloween safely. 

Spooky season may look a little different this year, but there is still plenty to get you in the spirit both virtually and in person at Ventura Harbor. Ventura Harbor Village is open Halloween weekend (and every day), so come show off your costume seaside with the little ones or your furry friends (complete with a mask of course)! There will be pop up photo ops to enjoy at your leisure as well. We ask that you keep a safe distance from others and follow seaside safely guidelines.

Below chronicles ways to uncover a safe time by connecting either online or on the waterfront at Ventura Harbor Village this October:

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Business, Education, Government, Local, News

Bilingual report — Ventura County Public Works Agency?Engineering Services Work on Innovative Projects to Move Community to New Heights

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While Ventura County Public Works Agency’s? Engineering Services (VCPWA-ES) may not be familiar to the general public, their work managing capital construction, land development, and county surveying all contribute to many important community additions. Along with building the Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) Hospital Wing, their latest projects include working with the Health Care Foundation of Ventura County to build a Ronald McDonald Family Room at VCMC, a new conference room and computer lab for the Fillmore Library, as well as numerous construction projects for local fire stations and other facilities. 

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Business, Entertainment

SEEAG and Ventura County Farm Day’s “The Biggest Little Farm” Screening at Ventura County Fairgrounds

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As part of this year’s activities for its 8th Annual Ventura County Farm Day, Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) is hosting a drive-in movie night on Sunday, November 1 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds featuring the award-winning, family-friendly documentary “The Biggest Little Farm.”

The evening includes a question and answer session with John Chester, farmer, cinematographer and co-founder of Moorpark’s Apricot Lane Farms where the documentary was filmed. “The Biggest Little Farm” chronicles the eight-year quest of John and Molly Chester as they trade city living for 200 acres of barren farmland and a dream to harvest in harmony with nature.

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

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Oct. 13 — COVID-19 Testing Available – No cost. No appointment needed

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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.

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

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Education, Local, News

CSUCI faculty researcher shows beaver dams can help stop and prevent wildfires 

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From the wine country to the desert, exhausted firefighters struggle to contain wildfires blazing across California. 

Recently released research by one CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) faculty member shows firefighters might be getting help from some paddle-tailed wildlife living in streams, ponds and marshland across California. According to research done by Assistant Professor of Environmental Science & Resource Management (ESRM) Emily Fairfax, Ph.D., beavers might be nature’s fire prevention specialists. 

“My research was the first to show that if you have beaver damming in a creek, the area around the beaver dam is going to stay pretty green and not burn,” Fairfax said. “They are creating fire-resistant patches in the landscape.” 

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

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network Announces its 2020 Food System Resilience Grants

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The Santa Barbara County Food Action Network (SBCFAN) announces its call for proposals for the 2020 Food System Resilience Grants. The grants are given to support the achievement of Food Action Plan goals by contributing to the broader food systems of Santa Barbara County. SBCFAN will be awarding the grants in partnership with the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. Funding for this program is made possible by a grant from the Santa Barbara Foundation.

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Business, Cultural, Government, Local, News

Port Wins 10th Consecutive Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting

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For the tenth consecutive year, the Oxnard Harbor District, which owns the Port of Hueneme, is being recognized for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). The award highlights the Port’s FY2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) which was strenuously reviewed by professional financial statement preparers, independent auditors, academics, and other finance professionals.

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Cultural, Educación, Education, Family, Local, News, Noticias, Youth

Bilingual report — Distance learning help has arrived for 10 Santa Maria Joint Union High School District families

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The SMJUHSD Multilingual and Migrant Education Program (MMEP) in partnership with the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) and AT&T held a drive-through event to distribute 10 tablets and cases at the Lincoln Center on October 9.

The MMEP and Mixtecto translators will offer parents additional computer/tablet assistance this week. The training, which will be done by phone, includes how to set up the device, email and apps, according to Maribel Vargas-Meza, MMEP Administrative Assistant.

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Business, Education, Events, Government, Health, Local, News

3C-REN Recognizes National Energy Awareness Month with Activities for Residents and Businesses in Central Coast Region

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3C-REN, the Tri-County Regional Energy Network – a partnership to transform building efficiency to develop economic and environmental resilience in the region – is offering a range of programs during October in recognition of National Energy Awareness Month. 3C-REN’s ongoing, year-round programming offers residents and professionals in the building industry opportunities to learn about and adopt energy efficiency practices that save money, reduce energy use, and protect the environment.

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Commentary, Education, Family, Food, Local, News

FOOD ACTION NETWORK — Our first newsletter!

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Welcome to the Santa Barbara County Food Action Network’s first newsletter! We appreciate your time and attention in a year filled with new information coming at you by the minute. Rest assured the content will be relevant, inclusive, informative, and valuable to both you as an individual and our community Countywide. The quarterly newsletter will include: a feature on recent collaborative activation of Food Action Plan goals; a community profile in Santa Barbara County that is building food system resilience; upcoming events and funding opportunities; ways to take action.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Local, News

Abe Marquez Wants to Show Students the World by Visiting Hearst Castle

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In addition to stepping into the role of president of the board at The Foundation at Hearst Castle in January, longtime Hearst Castle benefactor Abe Marquez is a champion of a unique education program at W.R. Hearst’s former San Simeon estate. Now virtual, but no less impactful, the “STEAM Program at the Castle” aims to inspire and empower middle school students from underserved communities across California — including small agricultural communities like Gonzales, where Marquez was raised and still calls home.

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Health, Local, News, Youth

Grief Support for Teens via Zoom Starting this Month

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During this challenging time of COVID 19, Livingston Memorial’s Grief and Bereavement Program is committed to providing bereavement services to the community. Our highly skilled grief counselors and volunteer support group facilitators are providing tele-therapy to those grieving the death of a loved one. We have just added two teenage grief support groups via Zoom for any teen grieving the death of a loved one. For teens ages 12-14 years of age: Wednesdays 3:00 to 4:00 pm. For teens ages 15-18 years of age: Mondays 4:30 to 5:30 pm.

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Cultural, Entertainment, Events, Local, News

Call for Santa Barbara County Creators!

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Calling all Santa Barbara County performers, writers, musicians, poets, dancers, and artists! On the Verge is looking for local creators to contribute to our exploration of Santa Barbara’s history. We’re seeking pieces that dive into your personal relationship with Santa Barbara, and what it means to be a part of this community. Latinx and Indigenous creators are especially encouraged to participate!

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Business, Education

EDC Business Alert- Reinventing Your Business During COVID-19 webinar of Oct. 15

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FREE WEBINAR: REINVENTING YOUR BUSINESS DURING COVID-19
Thursday, October 15 @ 5:30 pm

Have COVID-19 disruptions left you in a position to rethink, or reinvent your business or business model? Join the EDC’s Small Business Development Center Advisors and Startup Simi this Thursday in their free Inspire Entrepreneurship- Startup Speaker Series.

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Business, Entertainment, Events, Family, Local, News, Youth

Santa Paula Art Museum Reopens Oct. 14

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We are so excited to announce that the Santa Paula Art Museum will reopen Wednesday, October 14, 2020, as part of Ventura County’s reopening plan! Both of our summer exhibitions have been extended. Visit the Museum to enjoy Inspiration and Influence featuring sculptor Duane Dammeyer and painter Rima Muna, and Santa Paula Sojourn, a solo exhibit by painter Shannon Celia. Guests will also be able to preview the 20 gorgeous works of art that will be available in our November online art auction, including artworks by Jessie Arms Botke, Cornelis Botke, Douglas Shively, Susan Petty, Gail Pidduck, and more.

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Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Local, News

Museum of Ventura County — You’re Invited to A Zoom Workshop: Creating Family Altars with Dr. Roberto Vargas on Oct. 14

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The Days of the Dead season is here, and it’s time to honor the lives of our dearest departed and send them love. The Museum of Ventura County invites you to join us for a A Zoom Workshop: Creating Family Altars with Dr. Roberto Vargas on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 from 6:30PM—7:45PM. In this free, family-friendly Zoom experience, Dr. Vargas will teach viewers how to celebrate Días de los Muertos by remembering their loved ones and creating a Family Altar, or ofrenda.

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