Category Archives: News and Notes

What is being done to assist the homeless in the county?

The County of Ventura, with guidance from the California Department of Public Health, has been taking steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 among vulnerable populations in the community. The County has secured housing options at local motels in the cities of Ventura, Oxnard and Newbury Park. County agencies are coordinating to provide transportation, medical and mental health care, nutritional needs and on-site security. Referrals are made by community homeless service providers including nonprofit organizations, county service providers, city partners and homeless liaison officers. Persons are medically evaluated before they are cleared for intake.

“We are trying to place persons in a location near their home community whenever possible and commit to helping individuals reconnect with that community when it is safe to do so,” said Tara Carruth, Program Manager with the Ventura County Continuum of Care. “Facilities of at-risk individuals are supported by the Human Services Agency as the site lead, meals are provided and there is 24/7 security on-site. Our County Health Care Agency partners including Whole Person Care and the Healthcare for the Homeless and Back Pack Medicine team are also assisting to support these efforts. We are encouraging nonprofit partners and other community partners to also support their clients if placed in these locations while practicing safe social distancing,” she added.

The Backpack Medicine team is providing rapid response in the community to encampments and other unsheltered locations for anyone who may be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. The Backpack Medicine team may be reached at 805-515-6940 between the hours of 8 am -5 pm, Monday – Friday.

Homeless Services are considered essential services. Persons wanting to seek connection to a service provider may call 2-1-1 for linkage to programs and services.

Ventura businesses open to serve the community

805 Bar & Grilled Cheese | (661) 312-7155
Takeout * Ask about Your Neighborhood Kitchen

Andria’s Seafood Restaurant and Market | (805) 654-0546
Takeout

Art’s Corner Cafe | (805) 653-5011
Takeout

Banzai Marina | (805) 643-5200
Delivery

Beach House Tacos | (805) 643-4783
Curbside

Blenders In The Grass Main St | (805) 683-5858
Curbside

Busy Bee Cafe | (805) 643-4864
Curbside and Delivery

Cajun Kitchen Cafe | (805) 643-7701
Curbside – Order on-line

Coastal Cone | (805) 658-2837
Take-out

Copa Cubana | (661) 312-7155
Takeout * Ask about Your Neighborhood Kitchen

Finney’s Crafthouse | (805) 628-3312
Curbside

Harbor Cove Cafe | (805) 658-1639
Takeout

Fluid State Beer Garden | (805) 628-3107
Curbside
Menu at fluidstatebeer.square.site

Harvest Cafe | (805) 667-8386
Takeout; Farm to Table Express 12-4pm pick up window only – soup, salad, pizza

Himalaya Cuisine | (805) 643-0795
Takeout

Jimmy’s Slice | (805) 648-6133
Takeout and Delivery

Kao Ramen | (805) 667-8393
Takeout and Delivery

LC Imports | (805) 641-2200
Curbside and Delivery

La Cosecha Modern Cuisine | (805) 648-2100
Takeout

Lalo’s Fast Food Thompson | (805) 628-3312
To-Go and Pickup

Leashless Brewing | (805) 628-9474
Pick-up – Order online

Limon y Sal | (805) 628-3868
Delivery

Lure Fish house
Curbside
Receive $10 gift card for every $40 spent on every take out order through March 31st. Reusable totes included with every purchase while supplies last.

Made West Brewery | (805) 947-5002 (805) 628-9255
Curbside and Local Deliveries

Main Street Restaurant | (805) 676-1213
Takeout and Delivery

Margarita Villa| (805) 654-7906
Takeout

Native Pizza | (805) 667-8991
Curbside and Delivery (All of the City of Ventura)
Hours are 4PM-8:30PM

Nature’s Grill | (805) 643-7855
Takeout
Buy one get one 50% off entrees. Or 15% off single orders. Buy one entree and get a veggie juice for 50% off or buy one veggie juice and get a free wellness shot.

Orozcos de Ventura | (805) 628-3419
Takeout

Pacific by Noru | (805) 205-9618
Takeout

Palermo | (805) 643-3070
Takeout and Delivery

Palm and Boy | (805) 667-9201
Takeout and Online Orders

Peirano’s | 805-628-9028
Takeout and Grocery Packages

Paradise Pantry | (805) 641-9440
Takeout (must be called in by 5PM) and Market open until 6PM

Pete’s Breakfast House | 805-648-1130
Takeout
Text (805) 946-9996 to order or call above

Rice by Mama | 805-641-0238
Takeout and Delivery

Rice Thai Cuisine | 805-641-3573
Delivery

Sandbox Coffeehouse | 805-641-1025
Takeout

Sea Ranger Seafood Station | 805-765-4157
Carryout

Snapper Jack’s Taco Shack | 805-648-4555
Takeout

Singing Sun Coffee |
Takeout and Delivery

Spencer Makenzie’s | 805-643-8226
Takeout

SpiceTopia | (805) 628-3267
Open Normal Hours
Mon-Thurs 11AM-6PM, Fri 11AM-8PM, Sat 9AM-8PM, Sun 8AM-6PM

Taqueria Tepatitlan
Takeout and Curbside, In-House Delivery from 4PM-8PM
Includes Michelada mix w/o beer.

The Blue Agave Restaurant & Tequilas | (805) 667-9180
Takeout and Delivery

The Greek Mediterranean Steak & Seafood | (805) 650-5350
Takeout

The Parlor | (805) 658-2837
Takeout

Tony’s Pizzaria | (805) 643-8425
Takeout and Delivery

Top This Chocolate | (805) 535-4167
Takeout

Topa Topa Brewery | (805) 628-9255
Curbside, Next Day Door to Door Delivery, Shipping in California

Topper’s Pizza Place | (805) 385-4444
Takeout and Delivery

Traveler Cafe | (805) 667-8229
Takeout

Ventura Fresh Fish | (206) 391-9054
Takeout * Ask about Dock to Doorstep Delivery

Water’s Edge | (805) 642-1200
Takeout

Wild Local Seafood | (805) 252-3639
Takeout

Aera Energy donates $355,000 for emergency COVID-19

by the VCCF

As COVID-19 continues to impact our community in ways we could never have imagined, we at Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) are pleased to announce local oil and gas producer Aera Energy, is stepping in with emergency funding and a challenge to the community to help us address some of the most pressing needs in our community.

Aera has given VCCF $50,000 in immediate funding to be distributed through the Ventura County Rapid Response Fund for COVID-19 recovery efforts. On top of the donation, Aera is challenging our community to contribute matching funds, in any amount, in an effort to increase support for nonprofit organizations addressing the needs of individuals and families with food and housing support, childcare, wage replacement, mental health care, and more. during this pandemic. VCCF is proud to partner with direct service providers, including:

Southeast Ventura County YMCA where individuals and families throughout Ventura County can apply for direct financial assistance.

Give An Hour is available to help support mental health and emotional wellness needs in our community as it responds to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Economic Development Collaborative and its Small Business Development Center will remain open throughout this crisis, providing direct business advising to help firms navigate through the economic slowdown and connecting businesses with the full range of resources available, including low cost capital.

“We are so incredibly grateful for the generosity of Aera Energy. This support is vital and will help serve as a catalyst for additional community giving. The needs are significant and we are doing all we can to rapidly respond to the wide range of crises caused by the COVID-19 situation,” said Vanessa Bechtel, President & CEO of the Ventura County Community Foundation.

Aera committed a total of $255,000 to support several community COVID-19 relief funds in the communities where the company operates – including Kern, Ventura, Monterey, Fresno and Santa Barbara counties. Locally, many organizations have already seen an increase in the number of requests coming in for financial assistance. This emergency funding will enable the foundations to prioritize those requests and even in some cases, turn funding around that same day.

Additionally, Aera donated $100,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County to support the organization’s increased efforts to accept new members, extend programs and serve more meals to local youth.

Established in 1987, the Ventura County Community Foundation builds philanthropy in the region by stewarding legacies through careful management of charitable capital. The foundation honors donor intent by protecting endowments. The nonprofit specializes in connecting philanthropic resources with community needs for the benefit of all. The organization also serves the community through scholarships, grantmaking, and collaborative partnerships. For more information, please visit www.vccf.org.

Aera Energy accounts for about 25 percent of the state’s oil production. The oil we produce allows millions of Californians to travel to work every day, businesses to grow and thrive and California-grown food to arrive at dinner tables. We live in the communities where we work, which includes Kern, Ventura, Monterey and Fresno counties. We’re also working to redevelop a historic oil field in northern Santa Barbara County. We’re proud to support local communities through jobs, partnerships and investments to build stronger neighborhoods and cities together. For more information, visit www.aeraenergy.com.

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Be on the alert for utility scams

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) reminded customers to be on alert for potential scams targeting utility customers during the COVID-19 outbreak. One common scam involves telling customers they must pay their gas bill immediately or their natural gas service will be disconnected. SoCalGas does not call customers seeking payment and had suspended service disconnections for customers until further notice. SoCalGas provides tips on how to recognize and respond to these scams:

Tips include–

Spotting common scam tactics such as Caller ID spoofing, phishing emails and texts, and utility imposters.

Always ask to see SoCalGas photo ID badge before letting someone inside. All SoCalGas employees on company business are required to carry a badge.

Customers are encouraged to verify the employee’s uniform and identification. Most of our authorized employees will always be in a uniform with our company logo, carry an official employee badge, and drive a company car. Take shorter showers to reduce your natural gas use.

Visit socalgas.com/scam-alert for additional tips and information about scams.

You can also visit socalgas.com/newsroom and @SoCalGasNews on Twitter for updates.

Ventura College Foundation Marketplace closed until further notice

The Ventura College Foundation Marketplace, which operates every Saturday and Sunday on the Ventura College campus, is closed until further notice. Ventura College is following the March 19 COVID-19 “Shelter In Place” executive order from California Governor Gavin Newsom so classes and public activities are no longer being held on campus.

“We know that the prolonged closure will impact many in the community who rely on the Marketplace for their fresh produce, pre-packed food and other essential items,” says Anne Paul King, executive director of the Ventura College Foundation. “For our vendors, the Marketplace is a major source of revenue. It’s a difficult time and our hearts go out to those who are affected.”

The Marketplace draws about 2,000 visitors each weekend with 200 vendors on Saturday and 300 vendors on Sunday.

“Our Foundation Board of Directors and staff are working hard behind-the-scenes so that when we are given permission, we will be ready to reopen the Marketplace as quickly as possible,” says King.

The Ventura College Foundation Marketplace has hosted vendors and patrons for over three decades and is a link between the college and the community. The Marketplace’s weekly booth space rental income supports 50 percent of the foundation’s budget including 100 percent of the organization’s operating budget.  It is essential in ensuring the foundation’s ability to deliver philanthropic support to students and the college.

Last year because of the Marketplace, the organization was able to support more than 5,800 students last year covering all education fees through the VC Promise (1,183 first-year and 363 second-year students), textbook support (1,565 served through semester lending library and 2,843 served through the resource library) and scholarship support (240 students served and 463 scholarships awarded).

Gene Haas Foundation donates $250,000 to Ventura College Foundation to support advanced manufacturing program

Jordan Whitfield, Haas Automation, Kurt Zierhut, Haas Automation, Peter Zierhut, Haas Automation, John Clark, Ventura College lead faculty, Manufacturing Technology, Dr. Kim Hoffmans, Ventura College president and Anne Paul King, Ventura College Foundation executive director at the check donation.

The Gene Haas Foundation has made a $250,000 grant award to the Ventura College Foundation to support the Advanced Manufacturing program at Ventura College. These funds will be used to relocate the current manufacturing lab to the college’s Applied Science Center and renovate the new location into a modern manufacturing facility designed to promote manufacturing occupations and enhance student workforce manufacturing skills.

Once renovations are completed, the lab will be renamed the Gene Haas Advanced Manufacturing Lab. Ventura College plans to offer manufacturing courses in the lab’s new home starting in fall 2020.

In addition, Oxnard-based Haas Automation Inc., one of the world’s largest machine tool builders, will entrust the manufacturing program with a Haas ST-10 Series lathe. “The Manufacturing Technology Department offers the opportunity for students to excel by providing training in both lecture and laboratory settings. With the addition of the Haas lathe, students will now increase their hands-on experience with industry quality machinery, greatly improving their readiness for the workforce,” says John Clark, lead faculty with Ventura College’s Manufacturing Technology Department.

“Haas Automation and the Gene Haas Foundation are happy to help technical education excel throughout Ventura County,” says Kurt Zierhut, Gene Haas Foundation executive manager.

An undergraduate curriculum is available for students interested in working toward the completion of proficiency awards in CNC Operation and Manufacturing Applications. Students can also take transferable classes for university credit and general interest courses for returning students looking for skills improvement.

“Industry-education partnerships such as Haas Automation and Ventura College are critically important. There are over 800 manufacturers in Ventura County. Many have unfilled positions because of the difficulty in finding skilled workers,” says Rob van Nieuwburg, Ventura College Foundation board chair. “Ventura College’s expanded program will help close the skills gap by providing local manufacturers with workers who have the capability to do what’s needed on day one of a new job. The program will attract more students who seek a career in a stimulating high-tech environment while earning a very good living wage.”

For information about the program, go to www.venturacollege.edu. For more on the Ventura College Foundation, go to www.VenturaCollegeFoundation.org or call 805-289-6461.

“Stay Well at Home” emergency order

To further combat the spread of COVID-19, Ventura County Public Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin, has issued a “Stay Well at Home” emergency order – ordering all residents of the County of Ventura to stay inside their residences, and immediately limit all movement outside of their homes beyond what is absolutely necessary to take care of essential needs. The order was effective March 20, 2020 through April 20, 2020, 11:59 pm

Community members are encouraged to learn more about the Order and read frequently asked questions at the following website: www.vcemergency.com/staywellvc.

“We are at a pivotal moment in this public health threat. We are on the verge of seeing the number of COVID cases spiking, we have to take powerful, decisive actions in order to defeat this threat and save lives,” said County of Ventura CEO, Mike Powers. “In listening to our Public Health Leadership, we believe it is essential for us to act swiftly to prevent the spike in cases we have seen in other countries. We felt it was important to tailor the Order to our local community.”

The Order attempts to strike the right balance. While prioritizing the health of the community, it also recognizes the importance of essential services such as health care, safety, social services, education, food services, grocery stores, agriculture, community organizations, the press, construction, hotels and motels and business that support these essential businesses, banks and plumbers and sanitation workers and restaurants which provided take out and delivered meals.

During this time various businesses will still be open. You will still be able to go to grocery stores. You will still be able to go to your local coffee shop to take your coffee to go, there will be no gathering at coffee shops. You will still be able to go to farmers markets where you will find that they have implemented social distancing. You will also be able to go to restaurants, wine shops and breweries where you can pick up items to go.

You will be able to leave your home to exercise. This includes running, walking, biking and hiking by yourself or with members of your household. You will be able to go to and from your doctor’s office. You will be able to work and garden around the house and leave the house to pick up products for your pets. Essential businesses will remain open. Those businesses will be asked to have their employees work from home as much as possible. Working from home distances a person from others and creates more space for social distancing at the workplace. Workplaces will be maintaining 6 feet between employees and will encourage frequent hand washing. Discourage shaking hands. All aspects of agricultural production will remain open as well. If you are sick do not go to work in those essential jobs. If you encounter someone when running an errand to the grocery store or other location maintain a six-foot distance from that person especially distance yourself from those that appear to be ill.

Residents of the County of Ventura are required to stay inside their homes unless they are engaged in certain “essential activities.” These activities include:

  • Engaging in essential activities such as grocery shopping, obtaining medical care, walking, running, bicycling or gardening.
  • Providing or obtaining essential governmental functions or services.
  • Operating or working at essential businesses such as healthcare operations and essential Infrastructure, grocery stores, pet supply stores, agricultural production and processing operations, and gas stations.
  • All travel is prohibited, except essential travel such as travel for work authorized under this order; to engage in essential activities; to care for elderly persons, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities or other vulnerable persons; and to return to a place of residence from outside Ventura County.
  • When outside their places of residence, all persons must maintain, as reasonably possible, a physical distance of at least six feet from any other person and comply with all other Social Distancing Requirements.

“There are people around you who are in greater need than you. Be generous with those things you have that you can share and can drop off at their place. We will all come through this together. Ventura County is a County that cares,” said Doctor Levin.

Moving forward daily positive cases, the age range of the patient and their locations will be reported on www.vcemergency.com. The new order requires all private labs to report the number of tests they have completed each day. The total number of private and public tests will also be reported on the website.

Creating posters that show, yet again, how strong and special Ventura is

With the threat of COVID-19, Ventura faces hard, uncertain times. In the face of all the dark news, the Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau (Visit Ventura) is doing a simple thing to bring a little light. They are asking all Venturans to speak their minds and hearts, creating posters that show, yet again, how strong and special Ventura is.

When the Thomas Fire came to Ventura in December 2017, signs appeared everywhere. Sheets draped from walls, cardboard signs stapled to phone poles, signs staked in front yards, signs taped to storefront windows. Words written by children in big, colorful loops. Words printed tidily on mass-produced signs.

Visit Ventura is asking Ventura to do it again. Take up your magic marker, your paper, your cardboard, your whatever-you-have-handy, and put your thoughts on a sign (Visit Ventura also has templates on their website; visitventuraca.com/stayventurastrong). Because your thoughts matter. And you never know how much they can mean to someone who really needs them.

“They’re not just a sign,” said Marlyss Auster, VVCB President & CEO. “We Venturans already know this. These signs, they’re reminders. Of spirit. Of caring and community. Of how good things always outlast the dark.”

Students will receive a wide range of services free of charge

The Ventura County Community College District has received a $500,000 State Chancellor’s Office Mental Health Grant to help close the gap in mental health services for its approximately 32,000 students. VCCCD is one of 16 Districts in the state to be awarded the grant, which begins May 2020. The 20-month program will provide services at Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges.

“This grant will help promote access, services and educational support for students who are struggling with mental health challenges,” said Dr. Cynthia Herrera, Dean of Strategic Partnerships and Planning. “The funding will help students successfully complete their degrees, certificates and transfer requirements. We find that students who face mental health issues often postpone or delay their educational aspirations in order to seek assistance and this program can help remove barriers for students.”

VCCCD sought funding after Ventura County experienced major tragedies and a California Health Interview Survey (Dec. 2018) found that 60 percent of the county’s adults need behavioral/mental healthcare services, with the highest need in the 18- to 24-year-old range.

A major emphasis of this grant will be to enhance collaborations and build stronger partnerships with county behavioral health departments and community-based organizations to support and provide direct mental health services to students. Students will be able to receive services related to intervention and suicide prevention. There will also be stigma reduction training activities for faculty, staff and students. The program will aim to reduce racial disparities in accessing mental health services and ensure that underserved and vulnerable student populations receive culturally competent mental health and referral services.

“We appreciate the work being done at the colleges to support students in these critical areas. The grant will allow us to expand our services and support students who may be facing challenges and struggles,” commented Board Chair Bernardo M. Perez.

The Ventura County Community College District is a member of the 115-campus California Community College system, and serves more than 32,000 students annually. The District’s three colleges–Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura–offer programs in general education for degrees and certificates, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, career technical education, and provide opportunities to engage in co-curricular campus activities. For more information, please visit vcccd.edu.

VUSD making news

The Ventura Unified School District is pleased to announce that it has received significant amounts of Career Technical Education (CTE) funding. The funds will be used to improve and augment current Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, facilities, and equipment and will also fund a new CTE support position. The District is proud to announce that Mr. Joe Bova, the current Principal of Foothill Technology High School, will serve in this new grant-funded position.

“Joe Bova has always been at the forefront of innovation for the District. We cannot think of a better person to work with our Chief Innovations Officer, Rebecca Chandler, to bring our Career Technical Education offerings up to speed and then race beyond anyone’s expectations,” stated Dr. Roger Rice, VUSD Superintendent.

“I am excited to create authentic experiences for students and allow more flexibility and opportunities for them to pursue future career avenues, all of which are essential for student success,” stated Joe Bova, incoming CTE Coordinator.

The District has hired Mr. James Edwards, a respected educator, and administrator who has served both in the Oxnard and Ventura Unified School Districts, as the Interim Principal of Foothill Technology High School (FTHS). Mr. Edwards recently served as an Interim Assistant Principal last spring at FTHS and knows the campus, staff, and students well.