Bilingual commentary — Minority Students and STEM Education, Part III

As promised last week, here are some highlights of the biographies for the racial-minority professors of mathematics at our local university, California State University, Channel Islands, right here in Camarillo. These biographies are available online at the university website.  Their role in the community is outsized because of the example they set for the second largest population sector in Ventura County, which is Hispanic/Latino.

Guest commentary — Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States of America in 2020

If it were not so pathetically packaged as totally absurd, insincere and damaged capitalistic propaganda, of absolutely no consequence or redeeming value whatsoever, for the roughly 18 million Latinos, it would be laughable, cruel, ironic hypocrisy at the highest level. I am referring to this phony period from September 15, to October 15, 2020 that we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States of America. Celebrate what? When this our government has effectively declared war on us, the Latinos of this nation.

Santa Barbara City College — Fall term off to unconventional start amid COVID-19 pandemic

In the days running up to the first day of the Fall term, Noozhawk interviewed officials at SBCC about the innovative ways the college has prepared to support teaching and learning in an online environment. Acknowledging that the college provides vital services in addition to classes, Noozhawk noted that the college is working to address the technical needs of all learners while also taking time to ensure social and emotional needs are met.

Bilingual update — COVID-19 Update for Sept. 17 — Free Flu Shots

DRIVE-UP FLU VACCINE EVENT

Ventura County Public Health Immunization Program and the Emergency Medical Services Agency are offering Influenza Vaccine at no charge.

WHERE: Oxnard College – North Parking lot
4000 S. Rose Ave, Oxnard CA 93033
WHEN: Wednesday, September 30, 2020
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

COVID-19, Latino Working-Age Adults, and Citizenship

Report no. 9 of UCLA’s Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture (CESLAC).

Farm workers provide a good example of how age, citizenship, essential jobs, and COVID-19 intersect to deadly effect. We provide a demographic profile to give context showing that the largest number of Latino non-citizens in California are concentrated in the age groups 35-49 and 50-64. They are more likely to be employed as essential workers, and therefore are more likely to be exposed to COVID-19.

United Way of Ventura County — United We Serve

This week, three AmeriCorps VIP Fellows will be sworn in to serve United Way and our partner sites. Partner sites for the upcoming year include the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging and Westminster Free Clinic, a brand new site. These VIP Fellows are part of a cohort serving sites across 17 California counties. United Way of Ventura County has served as the Supervising Organization for the AmeriCorps Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP) in our county since 2016.

Moorpark College Secures $2.9 Million Grant for Project STEM Impacto

Moorpark College is pleased to announce that it has received a five-year, $2.9 million Department of Education Title V grant for Project STEM Impacto. This grant, which creates and fosters student cohorts in biology, biotechnology and computer network systems engineering, will benefit Moorpark College students through September 2025.

The grant begins in October and will enhance STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Career Education (CE) programs. Moorpark College is on the cutting edge of CE for new students directly out of high school or professionals looking for advanced skills in a new industry. The CE programs offer a sequence of courses directly related to employment in high-demand, current and/or emerging occupations. Many of the programs in the CE arena at Moorpark College offer certificates that can be completed in as few as 12 months.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Air Quality Watch and More

At (the Sept. 15) Board of Supervisors hearing, we received an update on COVID-19. Santa Barbara County remains in the purple tier according to the California Blueprint for a Safer Economy metrics. However, according to the graph below, we are getting closer to meeting the metrics of the red tier after recovering from the spike we endured in July.

County of Ventura — Interim Halloween Guidance

As fall approaches families start to plan for the upcoming holiday season beginning with Halloween. Since some of the traditional ways in which this holiday is celebrated does not allow you to minimize contact with non-household members, it is important to plan early and identify safer alternatives. The Ventura County Department of Public Health would like to share information on how to take part in this holiday in a manner that reduces the risk of spreading COVID-19. Since some of the traditional ways in which this holiday is celebrated are not permitted this year, consider some safer alternatives that are listed below.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Sept. 15 — Participating in the 2020 Census helps our community!

The Census helps determine how billions in federal funding is distributed to our community over the next 10 years.

There are three easy ways to complete the Census survey:

By phone at 1-844-330-2020
Online at www.my2020census.gov
By mail – you can send in the paper form that you should have received in the mail if you still have not completed the Census.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Public Works Agency completes phase two of the Potrero Road Bike Lane Project

The Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Roads and Transportation (VCPWA-RT) celebrated the completion of both project phases of the Potrero Road Bike Lane Project with a ribbon cutting on Sept. 10 which was attended by Supervisor Parks as well as a select few members of the project due to Covid-19 restrictions.

As a part of the project, the first phase, which was completed in December 2019, consisted of widening from the intersection of Potrero Road and Trentwood Drive northbound towards bridge #231 for 1.3 miles to create Class II bike lanes on both sides of the road.  It also restriped 0.6 miles to the Thousand Oaks city limit.  The second phase of construction began in May 2020 and extended the widening another 1.5 miles to Hidden Valley Road.  Phase 2 widened both sides of Bridge #231 and was completed last month.

Santa Paula Art Museum — You Should Probably Write This Down

September is National Literacy Month and we’ve got books on the brain here at the Santa Paula Art Museum. You’re definitely going to want to book it to our next Art To-Go Bag giveaway featuring lots of fun art and bookmaking activities for the kids (see below). And be sure to read on for information about our upcoming, outdoor art classes. Speaking of reading, a few years ago we came across an article in the old Santa Paula Chronicle about the making of a very special painting, and we’d love to tell you the whole story.

September is National Pediatric Awareness Month and Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation would like you to meet Axel!

Just imagine having a child with cancer during this COVID-19 crisis–a pandemic that is leading to job loss or insecurity, financial hardship, mounting health concerns, and an overworked and exhausted health care community.

Today, you can have a direct and meaningful impact on local families who have a child with cancer and need your help..

Meet Axel! We are honored to share his uplifting story, as told with the help of his mom, as a way of spreading some positive light during these frequently dark periods of COVID-19. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) & Buffalo Wild Wings Team Up to Support At-home Activities & Fitness for Local Youth

 As part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America ALL STARS annual grant program, sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) has received 200 sport balls to help local Club kids participate in a healthy activity at home.

Both the WHO and CDC recommends a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity everyday for youth. With kids being at home and parks and playgrounds being closed, being active for 60 minutes becomes that much harder for some youth, especially those who are disadvantaged.

Richard Childress Racing and Avalan Go Gold in NASCAR Cup Series in September for Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation

For the month of September, Avalan is going gold for Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF).  TBCF is a non-profit organization serving families who have a child with cancer in the Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo Counties. Their mission is to provide financial, emotional, and educational support to families battling pediatric cancer.  

Each September, in recognition of National Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation hosts their Gold Ribbon Campaign, and Avalan Wealth is a proud sponsor.

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

There are 201 new cases today which includes cases reported Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (20 (10.0%) of which have a lab collection from September 7th or earlier), 3,233 additional people tested, and 6 additional deaths (50 year old male, 57 year old female, 60 year old male, 66 year old female, 87 year old female, and 97 year old female, all with comorbidities). Our current case rate published as of today is 7.8 (purple tier) and 4.8% (orange tier) for the positivity rate. 

EDC Weekly Webinar Schedule

Wednesday, September 23rd @ 9:00 am

This live interactive webinar is focused on answering your questions as they relate to the financial picture of your business. EDC SBDC advisor Juliana Ramirez can assist you in working with QuickBooks® or your other financial resources to understand, monitor, and improve the financial health of your company. This small group discussion provides personalized attention to develop “hands-on” bookkeeping scenarios.

CSUCI mathematics alumni excel with “big data” work at NSWC Port Hueneme Division

Six CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Mathematics alumni are doing exceptional work with so-called “big data” out at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) in Port Hueneme.

So much so, that Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) Acquisition Support Manager Robert Howard would welcome any other CSUCI students interested in a career with the U.S. Navy.

“I love working with CSUCI,” Howard said. “Most of the students have roots here and are looking for a long-term career with the Navy. I love the fact that most of them are local.”

Ventura County Arts Council — Our new newsletter, virtual gallery, website and more!

Greetings! Amidst the challenges we have all experienced over the past several months, we know this: art helps. It’s a source of inspiration and hope, a way to express, a place to take comfort and a pathway to connection and community. How has it helped you? What have you been creating or enjoying during this time? We know that now more than ever, we must champion local artists and arts organizations, and that our community needs fresh opportunities to thrive together through art. So we’ve created a few new ways to connect with all of you.

We’re excited to offer this, our first-ever email newsletter, where we will share local arts news and opportunities. We’ve redesigned our website, which includes a new virtual gallery that features artwork from local artists in our competitive shows and curated exhibits. You can also follow what’s new in the virtual gallery on Instagram. Finally, our radio show, TEEN CENTRIC, is now on YouTube, featuring poetry by local teens. Refer us to a friend! They can sign up to receive this newsletter.

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s Gold Ribbon Campaign Raises Awareness for Pediatric Cancer Throughout September

Just imagine having a child with cancer during this COVID-19 crisis–a pandemic that is leading to job loss or insecurity, financial hardship, mounting health concerns, and an overworked and exhausted health care community.

COVID-19 is creating even greater challenges for local families battling childhood cancer. Many of these families have lost their jobs and?are no longer able to buy food and clothing for their families or pay rent or medical expenses including critical prescriptions. Several of these families have also had a family member contract COVID-19 as well, which is very concerning considering that they are caring for an immune-compromised child.

Commentary — Deadline approaching to complete Census, register to vote

As the nation pauses to honor the sacrifices of those who died on Sept. 11, 2001, there can be no better example of how America reacted to the tragic events that day with a renewed sense of patriotism and dedication to the phrase “Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness.”

America came together following that tragic day, as we need to come together again to honor their sacrifices by taking part in American Democracy by filling out U.S. Census forms by Sept. 30, 2020 and doing everything possible to make sure your vote counts in during the Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 general election

During the next few weeks we will highlight the need for our reading audience to take action as these deadlines rapidly approach.

Click here to see the Self-Response Rates Map for the Central Coast and the rest of the United States.

Bilingual commentary — Minority Students and STEM Education, Part II

Last week I wrote about representatives of minority populations who study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) topics in school and emerge into our communities as scientists, teachers, engineers and role models. Within our local community, we have a substantial number of college students majoring in STEM fields.  Likewise, we are fairly well represented professionally in math education. I may be a bit biased because of my background, but many of us know, or at least intuit, that mathematics is the gateway to all branches of science and the foundation of areas as diverse as music, logic, business, finance and cryptography.

CORE – Chiques Community Coalition to present virtual ‘People’s Summit 2020 on Civil Gang Injunctions’ on Sept. 12

The Third California State-wide People’s Summit on Civil “Gang” Injunctions will be a virtual event, streaming live on the both, our Zoom link and Face Book from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020.

The People’s Summit will be a focused first-hand account and reflections on the historic 16 year fight and ultimate victory of CORE and the people in Oxnard in defeating the Civil “Gang” Injunctions. The unconstutional Oxnard Civil “Gang” Injunction is Dead!

Bilingual report — VCPWA – WP Solicits Community Input for Upcoming Project to Benefit Flood Zone Residents

Ventura County Public Works Agency – Watershed Protection (VCPWA-WP) is soliciting input on the Ventura River (VR-1) Levee Rehabilitation Project’s Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The project is essential to the protection of those residents, businesses, and other resources that without the VR-1 Levee would be located within the one percent annual chance (also known as the 100-year) flood zone.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 update for Sept. 10

If you or someone you care about is in crisis there is help. The Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at 1-800-273-8255. September is suicide prevention awareness month. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress and prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.

Learn more about resources by clicking here.

Digital Safety Net Helps California Small Businesses Survive During COVID-19

The Connected Commerce Council (3C) this week released a report detailing the existence and importance of the small business “Digital Safety Net” to businesses in all 50 states. The report confirms that small businesses using more digital tools, technologies, and online marketplaces are doing better during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who embrace digital tools early and integrate them more are doing even better. 3C defines the Digital Safety Net as the free and low-cost small business services that include communications and workflow tools, digital marketing and advertising, websites and social media, back-office tools, and e-commerce and online payment tools.