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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Cultural, Educación, En español, Locales, Noticias

Información sobre el COVID-19 — Celebrar el Día de los Muertos de manera segura durante el COVID-19

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El Departamento de Salud Pública de California comparte unos consejos para celebrar de manera segura el Día de los Muertos.

El COVID-19 continúa representando un riesgo severo para las comunidades y requiere que todos los californianos sigan las precauciones necesarias a la luz de este riesgo continuo.

Algunas de las actividades tradicionales de las fiestas promueven la congregación y la mezcla de varios grupos familiares, lo que aumenta el riesgo de transmitir el COVID-19. Por esta razón, se recomienda que elija una forma alternativa más segura de celebrar el Día de los Muertos. Es importante planificar con anticipación e identificar opciones más seguras.

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Education, Local, News, Youth

Two National Science Foundation grants will strengthen diversity in CSUCI STEM faculty 

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The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) two grants that will support the University’s commitment to diversity in their expanding Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) faculty. 

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) President Erika D. Beck, Ph.D. is the lead on a $299,695 grant from the NSF to lessen the systemic factors that create inequities in the academic profession for STEM faculty. The funds are from the NSF ADVANCE Catalyst program, which is designed to support an institutional self-assessment. 

In other words, the grant is aimed at studying the hiring and retention process and challenging inequities that create barriers for a diverse STEM faculty. 

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Business, Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

SBCC’s re-envisioned Student-Ready Program to host informational sessions in English and Spanish

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When the COVID pandemic prompted Santa Barbara City College to transition all classes to remote instruction last Spring, “Evening College” – part of the “Student-Ready: Degree Completion for the Flexible Learner” program – was no exception. In order to accommodate student learning in the online instructional environment, Evening College has been recently re-envisioned as the “College for Working Adults.” Designed for new-to-college working adults and part-time students with few credits, SBCC invites the public to learn more about the College for Working Adults by attending one of four informational sessions via Zoom: Oct. 23 (in English), Oct. 24 (in Spanish), Nov. 20 (in Spanish) and Nov. 21 (in English).

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Cultural, Education, Events, Local, News, Youth

VCCCD Supports Undocumented Students with Action Week

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Ventura County Community College District joins California Community Colleges (CCC) and its partners across the state for Undocumented Student Action Week, October 19-23, to advocate and provide support services for undocumented students in California. This year’s action week, while virtual, serves as an opportunity to highlight the challenges undocumented students face in today’s political climate and amid COVID-19. The week serves as a vehicle to advocate to Congress about the financial and moral actions needed to ensure the safety of undocumented students.

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Education, Local, News

CSUCI professor’s research into prehistoric sea spider holds clues about life’s origins 

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Dinosaurs were not yet roaming the earth when an invertebrate known as the sea spider was beginning to evolve in the oceans 500 million years ago. 

“They’re still evolving today and they’ve diversified in amazing ways,” said CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Associate Professor of Biology Geoff Dilly, Ph.D. “You can find them in tropic coral reefs or polar waters in the North or South Pole. They are found in every ocean in the deep sea. Some are three feet across and some are fingernail-sized off the Channel Islands.” 

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Business, Health, Local, News

Bilingual report — Welcome Back to Care: Local Providers Join CenCal Health in Advancing Public Health Message

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Top health professionals on the Central Coast have joined CenCal Health, the local Medi-Cal health plan, in encouraging the public to return to their doctors, clinics and hospitals for vital health care services, especially immunizations, cancer screenings and other preventive care evaluations. A bilingual public awareness campaign began this month to persuade area residents to go back to regular medical care – care that has slowed up to 50% in some service categories since the national health emergency was declared in March. Disruptions occurred in routine preventive and other non-emergency care due to stay-at-home orders to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and public fear of coronavirus contagion.

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Business, Education, En español, Events, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) launches free, bilingual Financial Education Webinar Series

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Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) has launched a series of Financial Education webinars to empower small business owners and increase their financial literacy during COVID-19.

The series focuses on both personal and business finance and each session will offer simple tools and strategies to help participants manage the pandemic’s impact on their finances. The free webinars will be available in both Spanish and English. For information and to register for the upcoming webinars:

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

Bilingual report — ‘Avispas beneficiosas’ liberadas en el Sur de California para que ataquen a la peste que difunde una enfermedad de los árboles cítricos

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BENEFICIAL WASPS RELEASED IN LOS ANGELES, ORANGE, RIVERSIDE AND VENTURA COUNTIES TO HELP FIGHT DEADLY CITRUS TREE DISEASE

California Department of Food and Agriculture is Releasing Thousands of Insects This Week

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Business, Health, Local, News, Seniors

Hospice of Santa Barbara Board of Directors Welcomes Mary Solis

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Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) has announced the addition of Mary Solis to its Board of Directors. Solis recently retired from the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center after 34 years as an oncology social worker and department manager. During her time at the Cancer Center, Mary expanded services to include 12 support groups, case management, financial assistance, and individual & family counseling services.  

Prior to working with the Cancer Center, Mary spent 2 years at Catholic Charities as a caseworker. She also developed a wig & hat closet, a lymphedema clinic and worked collaboratively with other community organizations to create a Community Palliative Care Program. 

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Business, Education, Government, Health, Local, News, Politics

Commentary — Registering to vote (Oct. 19) deadline looming

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Thank you to all those in the 805 region who have completed their U.S. Census surveys.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this week that the census count officially ended on Oct. 15. …

The high response rate will help the 805 region receive more federal funding for education, roads, health care, public safety and other projects and increase the number of representatives we have in Congress.

Congratulations.

Now, time to register to vote

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Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Local, News

During closing of Hispanic Heritage Month, OC Live presents ‘The Music of Hermanos Herrera: Behind the Scenes’

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In this special presentation hosted by Oxnard College Music Professors Scott Wolf and Jorge Herrera, we go behind the scenes to discover the creative passion that drives Mexican music artists Hermanos Herrera. Hermanos Herrera are a unique family group of musicians based right here in Southern California. They play various styles of traditional Mexican music including Son Huasteco, Son Jarocho, and musica Norteña. They perform with an aggressive and energetic style that is both passionate and exhilarating.

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

Museum of Ventura County — Vote Early at MVC + Día de los Muertos Events + More!

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In celebration of Días de los Muertos, the Museum of Ventura County invites you and your family to pick-up a Grab ‘n Go Day of the Dead Craft Bag at the Ventura Museum (100 E. Main St., Ventura) on Saturday, October 17, 2020 @ 10AM (while supplies last) and at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula (926 Railroad Ave.) on Sunday, October 18, 2020 @ 12PM (while supplies last).

The MVC and AG Grab ‘n Go Day of the Dead Craft Bags include:

• Día de los Muertos mask-making kit
• Instructions on how to build your own at home altar (English and Spanish)
• Materials and instructions on creating Papel Picado
• Materials and instruction on creating tissue paper marigolds
• Recipe for baking Pan de Muerto

Drive-ups only, please. You will be met curbside by our friendly staff members. Gloves, masks and social distancing practices will be in place.

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Cultural, Education, Local, News

Bilingual commentary — Powerful Images of Romantic Mexico

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I have many of my mother’s paintings in my home.  She was an artist specializing in portraiture and images depicting religion and Mexican culture (which are hard to separate): the Virgin of Guadalupe, biblical scenes, vaqueros (Mexican cowboys) on the “rancho,” heroic Mexican legendary figures.

My mother never went to art school. In fact, one highly-regarded art school in Los Angeles refused her application for admission when she graduated from high school because they regarded her as “too advanced” for their level of instruction.  As a girl and later a teenager, she had learned by watching her father, professional Mexican artist Candelario Rivas, as he painted masterfully in his home studio. 

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Cultural, Education, Government, Local, News

Bilingual report — Ventura County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Receives Reports of Unofficial Ballot Drop Boxes

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PLEASE SEE:

KVTA — Ventura County Clerk-Recorder Says Make Sure Mail-In Drop Boxes Are The Real Thing

VC Reporter — Unofficial Ballot Drop Boxes Reported • VC Registrar Critizies “Concerted Effort to Deceive Voters”

VC Star — Elections 2020: What we know about unofficial ballot boxes reported in Ventura County

VENTURA — There have been recent reports of groups promoting unofficial ballot drop boxes that are not affiliated with Ventura County Elections. In some instances, they are promoting these ballot drop boxes as “official” or “secure.” The use of unauthorized, non-official ballot drop boxes is prohibited by state law.

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