City of Ventura Announces that the Statue of Father Junipero Serra to be Moved to Non-Public Location

News release from City of Ventura on June 18, 2020 regarding statue of Father Junipero Serra in front of City Hall:

Dear City of Ventura Residents and Community Stakeholders,

In the last few days, we have seen a groundswell of support from some members of the community requesting that the City of Ventura remove the statue of Father Junipero Serra from its location near City Hall. To that end, Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere organized a meeting with representatives from the Barbareño/ Ventureño Band of Mission Indians (Chumash) and Father Tom Elewaut of Mission San Buenaventura. This meeting resulted in a friendly, collaborative, and honest dialogue where everyone recognized that the time for action is now.

The three of us are confident that a peaceful resolution regarding the Father Junipero Serra statue can be reached, without uncivil discourse and character assassination, much less vandalism of a designated landmark. As stated by Julie Tumamait Stenslie, the Tribal Chair of the Barbareño/ Ventureño Band of Mission Indians: “True conversation starts with an open heart and mind. Change comes when there is no judgement or assumptions. To listen to and to be heard is crucial.”

We have listened and we have heard the calls from those in the community and believe the time has come for the statue to be taken down and moved to a more appropriate non-public location. But a historic decision such as this must involve the Ventura City Council, the voices of the Chumash tribe and residents of Ventura. It is our priority to be receptive to community concerns and provide an environment where all voices are heard and respected. To honor the cultural heritage of Ventura and its earliest residents is our ultimate goal.

We all believe that the removal of the statue should be accomplished without force, without anger, and through a collaborative, peaceful process. This process has already commenced through our initial meeting and we look forward to continuing the discussion with the community to help guide further action on this.

The public will be invited to engage in this process and share their input. When a community discussion has been scheduled to discuss the Father Junipero Serra statue, this information will be shared openly and transparently by the City of Ventura.

The letter was signed by Matt LaVere, Mayor of Ventura, Father Tom Elewaut and Tribal Chair Julie Tumamait Stenslie.

www.cityofventura.ca.gov

Bank of America Performing Arts Center Will Remain Closed for Live Events Until Jan. 2021

The City of Thousand Oaks announced today that The Bank of America Performing Arts Center, Thousand Oaks (BAPAC) will remain closed for live events until January 2021.

All programs that are on the calendar through December will be rescheduled. All patrons will be notified as soon as the new dates are confirmed. If a show must cancel, patrons will be notified of refund options.

When performances resume in January, the building will have been without live performances for 41 weeks. This unprecedented dark period is a direct result of the prolonged safety and health concerns arising from COVID-19. Although the venue will not hold live events with audiences, the theatres may be used for potential filming and streaming opportunities without live audiences.

BAPAC is one of the largest performing arts centers between Los Angeles and San Francisco and is funded through a unique public/private partnership between the City of Thousand Oaks and Thousand Oaks Alliance for the Arts (TOARTS). It consists of the 1,800-seat Fred Kavli Theatre for the Performing Arts and the 394-seat Janet and Ray Scherr Forum Theatre, which combine outstanding arts and entertainment with state-of-the-art technology and acoustics. Historically, over 200,000 patrons and 50,000 school children attend more than 300 performances annually.

For more information and updates as they occur, please visit our website at www.BAPACthousandoaks.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. For ticketing questions, please call the box office at 805 449 2787.

Conejo Recreation and Park District and City of Thousand Oaks Cancel 2020 Fireworks Show

Press Release from CRPD today:

The July Fourth Fireworks show from atop Fireworks Hill - above the Oaks Shopping Center and Janss Marketplace - is a decades-long family tradition drawing tens of thousands or viewers to gather in parks, parking lots, homes and roof-tops.

After careful consideration, the Conejo Recreation and Park District and City of Thousand Oaks are cancelling the traditional Fireworks Display this year.

This event generates large crowds akin to concerts or sporting events. Such large gatherings are prohibited until we move into “Stage 4” of the covid reopening plan under the current statewide health orders. In addition, virtually every surrounding City has canceled their 2020 fireworks show, and if the Thousand Oaks Fireworks show were to proceed, it would likely generate even greater interest and attendance than usual.

For similar reasons, the Conejo Recreation and Park District will not be holding the traditional Pancake Breakfast and July Fourth Concert in the Park.

We look forward the day soon when we can resume large gatherings and community building events.

The Fireworks Committee has representatives from CRPD, City of Thousand Oaks, Thousand Oaks Police Department, Ventura County Fire Department, CHP, CalTrans, KHAY 100.7, Janss Marketplace, the Oaks Shopping Center, National Park Service, JW Enterprises and Pyro Spectacular by Souza. We appreciate and thank the committee for all the work they do year after year planning, coordinating, and working to deliver a safe and smooth event.

As a reminder, we live in a very dry area where fires can start and spread easily. Every year fireworks cause fires, property damage and personal injury. Given this reality, igniting personal fireworks within the City of Thousand Oaks is not permitted.

Lori Varlotta Named 8th President of Cal Lutheran University

The first female president in Cal Lutheran’s 61-year history, Varlotta is an established leader with broad experience in academic affairs, enrollment management, budget and planning, student affairs and fundraising. She is a routine contributor to national conversations on academic issues and has published extensively on topics ranging from diversity and inclusion to service and leadership to assessment and accountability. More recently, her research has focused on leading inclusive processes aimed at bringing systemic change to higher education.

As a first-generation college student, she recognizes, firsthand, the transformative power of education. Her commitment to the liberal arts and sciences was seeded during her own undergraduate years while majoring in philosophy and has only grown stronger over the years.

“For three-and-a-half decades, working at mission-driven colleges and universities has been a calling, not a career. And the mission at Cal Lutheran to educate leaders for a global society speaks volumes to me,” Varlotta said. “I am excited and humbled to join forces with faculty, staff, students, alumni and regents as we collectively move this fine institution to its next level of excellence.”

Varlotta comes to Cal Lutheran having served as president at Hiram since 2014. During her six years there, Varlotta worked with colleagues across campus to design and implement changes that benefit the institution as a whole and the students it serves. Most notably, Varlotta led processes that sparked nationally recognized initiatives in high-impact and integrative learning and mindful technology. And, as a champion of shared governance, she built structures that facilitate faculty, staff and student input into decision-making processes.

Before coming to Hiram, Varlotta spent 11 years at Sacramento State, ultimately serving as senior vice president of planning, enrollment management and student affairs. She led 31 departments that included the areas of retention, educational equity and NCAA Division I athletics. She also held leadership roles at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and University of San Francisco. She has had significant successes in increasing diversity among students, faculty and staff.

A native of Pittsburgh, Varlotta earned a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Notre Dame, a Master of Science in cultural foundations of education from Syracuse University, and an interdisciplinary Doctor of Philosophy in educational leadership and feminist philosophy from Miami University in Ohio.

“With a distinguished career and a passion for excellence in all aspects of higher education, Dr. Varlotta is uniquely qualified to lead Cal Lutheran,” said Susie Lundeen-Smuck, chair of the Board of Regents and a 1988 alumna. “She stood out from the beginning of the search process as an energetic, creative and inspirational president, and we are thrilled that she will be steering this university into its next era.”

A 20-member committee that included regents, faculty, staff, students and alumni conducted the presidential search over the last seven months and more than 50 additional members of the Cal Lutheran community participated in the final round of interviews. The committee submitted its recommendation to the Board of Regents, which is the hiring authority for the president.

Chris Kimball, who has served as president since 2008, announced in October that he would be stepping down.

Cal Lutheran is a Hispanic-Serving Institution based in Thousand Oaks, California, with additional locations in Woodland Hills, Westlake Village, Oxnard, Santa Maria and Berkeley. With an enrollment of about 4,300 students, Cal Lutheran offers undergraduate and graduate programs through its College of Arts and Sciences, School of Management, Graduate School of Education, Graduate School of Psychology and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Members of the Cal Lutheran student body come from across the nation and around the world and represent a diversity of faiths and cultures. For more information, visit CalLutheran.edu.

Santa Barbara County Public Health Announces Face Covering Requirement May 26 to June 30

The County Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg, M.D. has issued Health Officer Order No. 2020-10. This Order will be effective starting 5:00 p.m. May 26, 2020, continuing until 5:00 p.m. on June 30, 2020 or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing by the County of Santa Barbara Health Officer

A significant portion of individuals with COVID-19 are asymptomatic and can transmit the virus to others through coughing, sneezing, or talking. Face coverings have the potential to slow the spread of the virus by limiting the spread of respiratory droplets.

The intent of this Order is to temporarily require the use of Face Coverings to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the maximum extent possible.

The new order stipulates the following:

This Order does not apply to infants or children under the age of 13.

Masks with one-way valves cannot be used to comply with this Order. These types of masks permit respiratory droplets to easily escape which places others at risk.

All individuals, unless an exception applies, must wear a face covering:

• When inside of or in line to enter any and all businesses.

• When using public transportation, a private car service, or a ride-sharing vehicle. Drivers must wear a face covering while driving or operating vehicles regardless of whether a member of the public is in the vehicle.

All businesses must require employees, contractors, owners, and volunteers to wear a face covering at the workplace and at off-site work locations.

Exceptions, guidelines and information relative to this order can be found in the full Health officer Order located at countyofsb.org/uploadedFiles/phd/PROGRAMS/Disease_Control/Corona/Health%20Officer%20Order%202020-10.pdf.

publichealthsbc.org/covid19/stay-well-at-home-order-3

Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center to Temporarily Close Until January 2021

2023 UPDATE: Yes, the center has been closed now for 3 1/2 years, a bit longer than originally planned, but plans are now to reopen the facility in early 2024. The center is undergoing major roof repairs, fresh paint, new audio/visual equipment, new flooring in the gym and much more.

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The Board of Directors of the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center Joint Powers Authority met on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 6:30 pm to discuss the financial status of the Community Center and the potential for an extended temporary closure. After reviewing the Center’s major losses during the COVID-19 Pandemic and the liabilities that the Center will be responsible for in the next six months, the Board made the terribly hard decision to temporarily shut down operations as of June 1, 2020, with an anticipated re-opening in January 2021.

Regularly scheduled programs will not be held during the temporary closure; however, the Center is working on alternate solutions for all programs and will keep the participants and the public updated as these decisions are made. The JPA Board of Directors wants to make sure that the community is aware that this measure was not taken lightly and was approved with the hope of seeing the Center fully operational in the future. It has been a wonderful asset to the community over the past 20 years, and the Board is fighting to make sure that it will continue to be so despite the financial hardships it has undergone.

During the time that the Center doors are closed, the JPA Board of Directors, the Executive Director, and the two cities will work together to revitalize the Center with a plan that is sustainable and best serves the communities’ current and future needs. The JPA Board of Directors and staff want the community to be involved in this process and are looking for the community to share ideas, programs, and needs with the Board to help them make sure that the Center can remain a vital piece of the community. Please reach out to Brianne Anderson, Executive Director at brianne@ahccc.org to share comments regarding the Center in 2021 and beyond. Please make sure to follow our website and social media for meeting updates and additional opportunities to get involved in the process.

Refunds continue to be issued for any pending events, programs, memberships, camps, and security deposits. Memberships will continue to be placed on hold during this time and no charges will be made for anyone in our system.

For specific questions you may have regarding the temporary closure or if you would like to support the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center during this time, please reach out to the Executive Director at brianne@ahccc.org. Community members may also visit the Center’s website at www.ahccc.org for meeting and status updates.

Los Angeles County to Begin Lifting Restrictions on Certain Businesses and Recreational Activities Beginning May 8th

Los Angeles County residents are doing their part to follow the County’s “Safer at Home” Health Officer Order which has slowed the spread of COVID-19. Los Angeles County is now taking its first steps towards reopening businesses and getting people back to work!

The following is a list of businesses that are re-opening effective Friday, May 8th:

Non-essential business: reopening for curbside pick-up with adherence to distancing and infection control protocols

• Bookstores

• Clothing stores

• Florists

• Music stores

• Sporting goods stores

• Toy stores

• Car dealership showrooms (open for sales with adherence to distancing and infection control protocols)

Outdoor parks and recreational facilities are open on SATURDAY, MAY 9TH provided all activities adhere to distancing and infection control protocols.

• Golf courses (not including pro-shops or dine-in restaurants)

• Trails

• Trailheads, parks

The re-opening of businesses will occur in stages and require physical distancing and infection control practices.

The curve has flattened, however the COVID-19 pandemic is still in LA County. The coronavirus is still deadly and capable of quickly taking many lives. As L.A. County moves into its first stage of recovery, all residents, business owners and employees must continue to observe and practice all COVID-19 physical distancing requirements.

LA County residents - continue to do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19:

• Wear a face covering whenever you leave home

• Wash hands throughout the day

• Stay six feet away from people who don’t live with you

And don’t forget - you can get a free COVID-19 test if you have symptoms. All tests are confidential, and will tell you if you’re COVID-19 positive or negative. Click here for more information about COVID-19 testing in LA County.

covid19.lacounty.gov/recovery

Symptoms of Coronavirus According to the CDC

Here is a summary of what to look for if you are concerned you may have caught the the COVID-19 coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

• Fever

• Chills

• Repeated shaking with chills

• Muscle pain

• Headache

• Sore throat

• New loss of taste or smell

Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have mild illness.

This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you have any of these emergency warning signs* for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately:

• Trouble breathing

• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

• New confusion or inability to arouse

• Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Call 911 if you have a medical emergency: Notify the operator that you have, or think you might have, COVID-19. If possible, put on a cloth face covering before medical help arrives.

Visit the CDC Coronavirus (COVID-19) information site at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html for more information.