California Department of Public Health Mandates the Use of Face Coverings

Today the California Department of Health provided updated guidance for the use of face coverings to fight the spread of COVID-19:

The guidance mandates that face coverings be worn statewide in the following circumstances, with certain exceptions:. It does not substitute for existing guidance about social distancing and hand washing.

People in California must wear face coverings when they are in the high-risk situations listed below:

• Inside of, or in line to enter, any indoor public space (unless exempted by state guidelines for specific public settings like school or childcare centers)

• Obtaining services from the healthcare sector in settings including, but not limited to, a hospital, pharmacy, medical clinic, laboratory, physician or dental office, veterinary clinic, or blood bank;

• Waiting for or riding on public transportation or paratransit or while in a taxi, private car service, or ride-sharing vehicle;

• Engaged in work, whether at the workplace or performing work off-site, when:

• Interacting in-person with any member of the public;

• Working in any space visited by members of the public, regardless of whether anyone from the public is present at the time;

• Working in any space where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution to others;

• Working in or walking through common areas, such as hallways, stairways, elevators, and parking facilities;

• In any room or enclosed area where other people (except for members of the person’s own household or residence) are present when unable to physically distance.

• Driving or operating any public transportation or paratransit vehicle, taxi, or private car service or ride-sharing vehicle when passengers are present. When no passengers are present, face coverings are strongly recommended.

• While outdoors in public spaces when maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet from persons who are not members of the same household or residence is not feasible.

The following individuals are exempt from wearing a face covering:

• Persons age two years or under. These very young children must not wear a face covering because of the risk of suffocation.

• Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face covering. This includes persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a face covering could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance.

• Persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.

• Persons for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines.

• Persons who are obtaining a service involving the nose or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service.

• Persons who are seated at a restaurant or other establishment that offers food or beverage service, while they are eating or drinking, provided that they are able to maintain a distance of at least six feet away from persons who are not members of the same household or residence.

• Persons who are engaged in outdoor work or recreation such as swimming, walking, hiking, bicycling, or running, when alone or with household members, and when they are able to maintain a distance of at least six feet from others.

• Persons who are incarcerated. Prisons and jails, as part of their mitigation plans, will have specific guidance on the wearing of face coverings or masks for both inmates and staff.

Note: Persons exempted from wearing a face covering due to a medical condition who are employed in a job involving regular contact with others should wear a non-restrictive alternative, such as a face shield with a drape on the bottom edge, as long as their condition permits it.

More information at covid19.ca.gov.

Las Posas Emporium in Camarillo Closed Its Doors in June After 50 Years in Business

The Las Posas Emporium gift and card shop at the Las Posas Plaza, 528 Las Posas Road in Camarillo has closed its doors after operating for 50 years.

Tuesday Morning Store in the Conejo Valley Plaza in Thousand Oaks is Closing Its Doors

Camille S. tipped us off that the Tuesday Morning store in the Conejo Valley Plaza, 1350 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks, is closing its doors. There’s currently a store closing sale in process.

Tuesday Morning filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on May 27th as a result of the financial strain placed on its business due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it will continue to operate as it moves through the bankruptcy process, certain underperforming stores will be closed. They plan to emerge from bankruptcy in early fall 2020.

The Camarillo, Ventura, Granada Hills and Woodland Hills stores currently are NOT slated for closing. The Pasadena and Culver City are on the store closure list.

www.tuesdaymorning.com

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.

Los Angeles County Curfew Times During Demonstrations

For our Conejo Valley friends in the City of Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Malibu and other Los Angeles County residents, here is a compilation of nightly curfews issued by the County of Los Angeles in recent days.

• June 4th to June 5th: No curfew

• 9PM June 3rd to 5AM June 4th

• 6PM June 2nd to 6AM June 3rd

• 6PM June 1st to 6AM June 2nd

• 6PM May 31st to 6AM June 1st

The curfew includes all cities in Los Angeles County. Traveling to/from work, seeking or giving emergency care and emergency responders are exempt. More information available at lacounty.gov/emergency.

Individual cities may have more restrictive curfews in place.

Other updates at www.facebook.com/countyofla.

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.

Los Angeles County Curfew Effective Sunday, May 31st from 6PM to 6AM Monday

For our Conejo Valley friends in the City of Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Malibu and other Los Angeles County residents.

The County of Los Angeles has issued a curfew order effective tonight, May 31, at 6 PM until 6 AM Monday morning. All residents within Los Angeles County, including Agoura Hills, are being asked to stay in their homes tonight. This order is in effect to protect the safety of all individuals in our county.

There have been no reports or threats of protests or issues related to civil unrest in the City of Agoura Hills. Lost Hills Sheriff's Station has additional deputies available, and are ready to respond to any situation if necessary. City staff will continue to monitor the situation and will respond as needed.

Sage Plant Based Bistro & Brewery Now Open at the Whizin Market Square in Agoura Hills

Sage Plant Based Bistro & Brewery is now open at the Whizin Market Square in Agoura Hills at 5046 Cornell Road. Located in the former Hugo's space, Sage is currently open for curbside pickup and delivery as well as dine-in. (818) 707-0300 www.sageveganbistro.com

Menu includes appetizers, salads, soups, entrees, bowls, sandwiches, wraps, tacos, pizza and more, as well as a complete breakfast menu. Some example items:

Brazilian Burrito - Plantains, mushrooms, leeks, chopped jalapeño, black beans, organic brown rice, avocado, garlic aioli & habanero cream 'cheese' in a whole wheat tortilla wrap. Spicy raw sauce on the side.

Miso Rainbow Bowl - Organic brown rice topped w/ seaweed salad, tofu, fried eggplant, spicy pickled cabbage, cucumber, carrot, corn, edamame, sesame seeds & crispy onions. Soy ginger vinaigrette and miso dressing on the side.

Farmer's Lasagna - Organic lasagna noodles w/ local farm fresh seasonally available vegetables. Layered w/ pesto, dill cashew cheese, organic house-made marinara and Follow Your Heart mozzarella. Topped w fresh basil.

Taco Salad - Jackfruit 'carnitas', brown rice, black beans, chopped romaine lettuce, cabbage, avocado, pico de gallo, spicy avocado dressing, habanero cream cheese, pickled jalapeño, pickled cabbage & corn tortilla strips on an organic corn tostada.

City of Ventura to Allow Passive Use of Beaches Beginning Friday, May 29th

On Tuesday, May 26, 2020, the Ventura City Council unanimously voted to ease limited closure restrictions of Ventura's beaches and parks. The City's decision provides access to its parks, beaches, the Promenade, Pier, public restrooms and select parking lots.

For the last several weeks Ventura’s parks and beaches have been open for active recreational use, such as walking, jogging, swimming, and surfing. Beginning on May 29, these areas will also open for passive use, such as sitting and sunbathing as long as the public maintains a safe physical distance of six feet and avoids congregating in large groups outside of their immediate household.

Group activities such as volleyball, football, soccer, and other contact sports are not allowed.

Bathrooms and parking lots will also gradually reopen at parks and beaches throughout the City, starting with the Harbor Boulevard parking structure at the Pier. Public bathrooms will be cleaned daily with high touch surfaces properly disinfected regularly.

Sidewalks, walking paths, trails, and tracks within all public parks continue to remain open for active recreational use, including walking, hiking, jogging, running, or biking. Please follow public health guidance in the " Stay Well at Home " order, set by the Ventura County Health Officer.

Playgrounds, pools, courts, indoor facilities like museums and visitor centers, and sports and recreational fields will remain closed until further notice. If a park or beach becomes overcrowded or difficult for safe social distancing to be observed, the Ventura Police Department may order the area to be closed.

City signs will be posted to remind the public to continue to practice physical distance of six feet or more and abide by the County's " Stay Well at Home " order to limit the risk of exposure to the virus.

For the latest updates on impacts to the City of Ventura, visit www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/COVID19 . For public health information and updates happening in Ventura County, visit www.VCEmergency.com .

Ventura area beaches compiled at THIS LINK.