Ventura County School Districts Announce Closures Due to Coronavirus

Ventura County School Districts Announce Closures Due to Coronavirus

Closures to Begin Monday, March 16

After careful consideration and consultation with Ventura County Public Health, all school districts in Ventura County have decided to close their schools for a limited period in response to the coronavirus. For most school districts, the closures will begin Monday, March 16 and continue through Friday, March 20. Some districts have announced longer closures. The Moorpark Unified School District and the Simi Valley Unified School District will be closed from Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27. The Ventura Unified School District will be closed from Monday, March 16 through Friday, April 10. Districts will decide whether to extend their closures based on the developing circumstances with the spread of the virus. For details on each districts’ plans, please visit their websites. A list of school district websites is available at this link.

The move to close schools countywide comes after Ventura County Public Health declared a local health emergency, which will provide additional resources for coronavirus response. “The decision to close schools is never any easy one,” said Stan Mantooth, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. “We are all devoted to the education of our children, but in this case, the health and safety of the community has to take top priority.” The closures are in support of the recommendations from public health officials to encourage “social distancing” to slow the spread of the virus. It is strongly recommended that students stay home during the closures as much as possible and do not gather in public places.

We understand that school closures have significant impacts on our students, families and employees, and we hope to resume normal operations as soon as possible. For the latest updates on how schools are responding to the coronavirus, please visit the coronavirus information page on the VCOE website at www.vcoe.org/coronavirus.

About the Ventura County Office of Education

The Ventura County Office of Education provides a broad array of fiscal, training and technology support services to local school districts, helping to maintain and improve lifelong educational opportunities for children, educators and community members. VCOE also operates schools that serve students with severe disabilities and behavioral issues, provides career education courses, and coordinates countywide academic competitions including Mock Trial and the Ventura County Science Fair. Learn more at: www.vcoe.org.

City of Thousand Oaks Declares State of Emergency

At the City of Thousand Oaks, the health and safety of our residents are paramount. It is with careful thought and planning that the City has declared a formal state of emergency. This declaration allows critical services and operations to continue while enacting social distancing measures and the closures of non-essential city facilities. This declaration does not relate to any possible illness inside the City limits, it is simply a tool to help slow the spread of disease.

At this time, the Bank of America Performing Arts Center will close through the end of March. If you are a ticketholder for a show during this time, please check your email for updates regarding rescheduling of specific performances. Our box office staff will be working tirelessly to ensure all ticketholders are cared for, and patience is appreciated as staff navigates this unprecedented event in the venue's history.

Additionally, both Thousand Oaks libraries will be closed to the public during this time. However, our libraries offer a robust collection of materials online and will be adding additional resources for children, teens and adults. There will be a unique telephone reference service offered from 9 am to 5 pm daily. During this closure, late fines will be waived as well as DVD rental fees. Patrons will be able to utilize the Virtual Library services through the web and register for a library card online. Services are subject to change during this time, so please visit www.tolibrary.org for the most up-to-date information.

City Hall will be offering regular services at this point, however, there may be some instances of prolonged wait times on permits and other document requests due to modified staffing configurations. Hours and service delivery is subject to change as circumstances are evolving. Please visit our website for a menu of virtual services and updates on hours and operations at www.toaks.org.

As the current public health situation evolves, we encourage everyone to continue practicing the CDC guidelines for health and safety during flu season which include washing your hands regularly for 20 seconds and staying home if you feel sick. For the latest updates on the situation in Ventura County, please visit www.vcemergency.com.

Ventura County Community College District Announces Move to Virtual Classes

Chancellor Greg Gillespie has announced that after monitoring the status of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic daily and consulting with and reviewing information from local, regional, state, and federal health agencies, Moorpark, Oxnard, Ventura colleges and Ventura College – East Campus will begin transitioning to virtual and alternative instruction for lecture classes beginning the week of March 16 through March 20. Following the week-long transition, lecture classes will move to virtual and alternative instruction beginning March 23. Student services on campuses and other support resources—such as libraries, computer labs, food pantries and admissions and records—will continue to be open and available to students.

“We are initiating the changes to our classes out of an abundance of caution,” said Gillespie, who noted that there are currently no cases of COVID-19 at any VCCCD campus. “We value our students, classified staff and faculty and want to support everyone in their educational and work efforts by maintaining a healthy and safe environment.”

“We made the decision after thorough consultation with Ventura County Public Health, our educational partners in the community, the State Chancellor’s Office, and our academic, classified, and student leadership,” added Board Chair Bernardo M. Perez. “Moving to virtual instruction enables our colleges to continue meeting the educational needs of our students and our community, while implementing a proactive approach that addresses concerns about everyone’s health and well-being.”

Courses that do not readily fit into a virtual format—especially in career education areas and other specialized disciplines—will be excluded from the requirement. At this time, laboratory classes, performing arts courses and activity courses (physical education/kinesiology) will continue as scheduled while implementing social distancing practices. Online courses and dual enrollment classes in the high schools will both continue as usual.

Virtual instruction will continue until April 6, which is VCCCD’s Spring Break. Classes are expected to resume April 13 and continue through the end of the semester. Due to the ever-evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the district will continue ongoing assessment regarding student instruction.

Effective March 16 through April 13, all public events and other activities expected to draw 250 or more people to any VCCCD campus will be postponed, modified, or canceled. This is in accordance with the latest guidelines from California Department of Public Health on events and gatherings, which recommends increasing social distancing and limiting large events. The decision regarding canceling, modifying or postponing graduation ceremonies for the colleges will be made at a later date.

All interested community members are encouraged to visit VCCCD Alerts for comprehensive campus information and latest updates.

About Ventura County Community College District

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 and on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

CSU Channel Islands to Transition to Virtual Instruction Due to COVID-19 Concerns

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) has announced that it will begin to transition to virtual instruction following its spring break. The campus continues to remain safe and there are zero presumptive and no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on or related to CSUCI.

A message was sent to the campus community indicating that out of an abundance of caution and in consultation with Ventura County Public Health, local educational partners, the Chancellor’s Office, and the academic and student leadership, CSUCI would begin to transition to virtual instruction.

CSUCI will remain open during every phase of these planning efforts and students will continue to be welcomed on the campus for all student services including student housing, dining services, Student Health Services, CAPS, Career Services, Academic Advising, services within the Broome Library, Enrollment Center, as well as all other services across campus.

In order to provide time for faculty and the University to make this significant shift, instructors who are prepared and willing to teach virtually are encouraged to begin voluntary virtual instruction for all in-person classes beginning Friday, March 13 and continue through Friday, March 20. Faculty will notify students directly how classes will be adjusted during this specific time period.

Following spring break, all in-person classes will be suspended Monday, March 30 through Friday, April 3 in order to allow faculty additional time to prepare for virtual instruction. The campus will be closed Tuesday, March 31 for the Cesar Chavez holiday.

Mandatory virtual instruction will begin Monday, April 6 and continue through May 1, at which time CSUCI will reassess whether virtual instruction will continue for the remainder of the spring semester.

CSUCI will continue to monitor any spread of COVID-19 in the local community and issue additional notices to the campus community as necessary. Information is available and will also be regularly updated on the University’s website at: go.csuci.edu/covid19.

Timeline Summary

· March 13-20: Voluntary, but encouraged virtual instruction begins

· March 23-29: Spring Break

· March 30, April 1-3: Classes suspended in order for faculty to adjust and prepare classes

· March 31: Campus closed for Cesar Chavez Holiday

· April 6: Mandatory virtual instruction begins through May 1.

Cal Lutheran Launches "The School for Professional and Continuing Studies"

California Lutheran University has formed a new school focused on education beyond traditional bachelor’s and graduate degrees.

The School for Professional and Continuing Studies includes the Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals program, the Center for Nonprofit Leadership and a new Center for Lifelong Learning.

“Our goal is to provide a continuum of educational experiences for post-traditional students that supports degree attainment, lifelong learning, professional development, leadership excellence and service to the region,” said the school’s newly appointed dean, Lisa L. Buono, who has directed the Professionals program for seven years and served on the university’s faculty since 2004. “We will meet these individuals where they are and provide tailored programs and resources for them.”

In late spring, the university plans to launch a Fifty and Better program for older adults who want to take non-credit classes for the joy of learning and social engagement as part of the new Center for Lifelong Learning. The center already offers non-degree opportunities such as continuing education for educators

The Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals program has been serving students with previous college credit since 1985. Offered in an accelerated format in Thousand Oaks, Oxnard and Woodland Hills, its night classes enable students who are juggling work and family commitments to complete their degrees.

The students served by the Professionals program are the fastest-growing group of learners nationwide and more diverse than traditional populations. Sixty percent of Cal Lutheran’s Professionals are first-generation collegegoers, compared with 27% of traditional undergraduate students. Sixty-four percent of Professionals students are from racial and ethnic groups underrepresented on college campuses. About 15 percent are veterans, many are single parents, and some are grandparents.

To serve more of these students, Cal Lutheran is exploring additional majors such as healthcare management and scheduling classes at new times and in new formats.

Cal Lutheran’s Center for Nonprofit Leadership will continue to provide affordable and locally relevant professional development to help staff, board members and volunteers sustain and improve their organizations.

“I am grateful for the work of Dr. Buono and her team to strengthen existing programs and create new opportunities for Cal Lutheran to serve this region,” said Leanne Neilson, provost and vice president for academic affairs.

For more information, go to CalLutheran.edu/spcs.

Long-Time Santa Barbara Zoo Resident Chadwick, the African Lion, Put to Rest Yesterday Morning

(Photo by David Orias)

Yesterday morning, December 5th, the Santa Barbara Zoo said goodbye to Chadwick, their African lion, due to complications related to his old age. Chadwick was 21 years old and had been dealing with geriatric issues for several years, having outlived the mean life expectancy by five years.

Chadwick was born in September 1998 at the Indianapolis Zoo and lived in sunny Santa Barbara for 17 years, siring two living offspring with female lion companion Gingerbread, who passed away two years ago.

After Gingerbread passed in 2017, the Zoo staff decided to let Chadwick lead the rest of his life peacefully, without the introduction of new cubs that could cause stress.

The Zoo indicates lions will return to the Zoo in the near future.

Borderline Bar & Grill Owners Announce They Will Be Opening BL Dancehall & Saloon in Agoura Hills Soon, Borderline at a Future Date

UPDATE 1/23/20: BL Dancehall & Saloon will be soft opening tomorrow, Friday, January 24th from 6pm to 2am. 21+ only. Details at BLSaloon.com.

“Teaser” BL Dancehall & Saloon image from the owners of Borderline Bar & Grill.

Big news from the owners of Borderline Bar & Grill today, Thanksgiving 2019, on their Facebook page. While their long term plans are to reopen Borderline at its existing location, in the meantime they plan to open BL Dancehall & Saloon in the Agoura Village Center at 29020 Agoura Road in Agoura Hills.

BL will feature a brand new custom built dance floor, great sound and lighting system, game room with pool tables and other games, patio area, outdoor bar and stage for live music.

Opening date TBA on the Borderline Facebook page. BL's website is www.BLSaloon.com.

Hatch Cafe & Market in Agoura Hills - Named Agoura Hills 2019 Business of the Year

Hatch Cafe & Market is a neighborhood eatery project serving rustic California fare from Restaurateur Mark LaValle and his wife Stylist Jordan. This popular eatery, which opened in mid-2017, recently received the honor of City of Agoura Hills 2019 Business of the year.

The masterwork of LaValle, Hatch Cafe & Market serves as a community dining destination and is a welcoming addition to Agoura Hills. The family owned shop offers a carefully curated breakfast and lunch menu, a wide variety of artisan products.

The space--which features a chalkboard menu, communal dining table and gallery walls filled with autre china plates and vintage mirrors--is designed around comfort, representing the family’s commitment to offering a gourmet dining experience with ease. The market shelves, curated by Lane, are stocked with local favorites including SQIRL, Ojai Olive Oil Company, Jacobson Salts, as well as limited-edition custom designed aprons, napkins and tablecloths. Completely customizable gift baskets for all occasions are available year round.

Everything served at Hatch is made on site, using the best quality ingredients and farmers-market produce. The cafe turns out a range of items including gourmet salads, creative sandwiches and wraps, gluten and grain free selections, modern egg dishes, and delightful options for kids. The menu changes regularly with the seasons, so that guests can enjoy local favorites year round including Gluten Free Green Tea Pancakes with matcha maple syrup, the House Chopped Salad with spicy crispy chickpeas, Isla’s Fried Chicken Sandwich with a chili-ponzu slaw and of course house made Organic Lemonade. In addition, many of the baked goods and dessert recipes come directly from Jordan’s personal recipe book.

Perfect for a day at the beach or concert in the park, Hatch also offers curated picnic baskets stocked to the brim with everything needed for the perfect meal-on-the-go. And with a variety of catering services, ranging from daily office orders to private on and off site parties and events, Hatch Cafe & Market stands behind its mission of bringing family and friends together, one meal at a time.

Located at 30651 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Agoura Hills at the northeast corner of Thousand Oaks Blvd and Lake Lindero Drive.

Visit www.hatcheatery.com or call 818.575.9000 to learn more.

Hours: Open 7 days a week from 8am-3pm

Instagram: @hatcheatery