Community Market at Oxnard College to Close Until Further Notice (Reopening June 6, 2021)

UPDATE: The Community Market is reopening on June 6, 2021.

The Community Market at Oxnard College, which operates every Sunday on the Oxnard College campus, will be closed until further notice. It will reopen as soon as public health orders allow. The closure follows the guidelines from the California Department of Public Health, which recommends increasing social distancing to reduce the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Over 150 vendors sell fresh produce, pre-packaged food, household products, appliances, tools, plants, arts/crafts, antiques/collectibles, toys, shoes, jewelry/accessories, cosmetics and other items. Credits will be provided to vendors who have already paid for booth space.

The public can contact Connie Owens, Oxnard College Foundation, at cowens@vcccd.edu with questions. Questions from vendors should be directed to Maria Olivares, C.M. office manager, at maria_olivares2@my.vcccd.edu

About Oxnard College Foundation

The mission of the Oxnard College Foundation is to provide support to campus development, student scholarships, educational programs, and other college needs in order to promote the progressive and continuing advancement of Oxnard College, to further educational excellence and enable the college to serve as an exemplary multicultural community resource.

About Oxnard College

Oxnard College is one of three colleges in the Ventura County Community College District and annually serves more than 7,000 students. Founded in 1975, Oxnard College is fully accredited and has been ranked the 4th Best Community College in California. It is also a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. Oxnard College’s signature programs include marine biology; culinary arts, restaurant management and hospitality management; auto technology and fire technology, among many other undergraduate study and career technical education programs. The Dream Resource Center is a valuable student and community resource. Oxnard Colleges’ dental hygiene program has a 99.99% pass rate on national and board exams. To learn more, visit oxnardcollege.edu and Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

City of Ventura Closes All Parks and Beaches in Response to COVID-19 Emergency (Reopened April 20th)

UPDATE: City of Ventura beaches were reopened for active use only on April 20th.

Effective April 1st, all parks and beaches in the City of Ventura will be closed until further notice in order to support the urgent need for physical distancing during the COVID-19 emergency period. This includes the Promenade, Pier, and Wastewater Treatment Plant wildlife ponds.

The County’s modified Stay Well at Home order asks community members to stay inside their homes, limiting all outside movement beyond what is necessary to take care of essential needs and ordering all non-essential businesses to close. Those orders also include restrictions against non-essential travel and gatherings.

www.cityofventura.ca.gov

Ventura County Public Health Comments About Use of Face Masks

Today, April, 2, 2020, the Ventura County Public Health Officer changes position on face masks, no longer advising against wearing them in public. Instead, he supports those residents who wish to cover their nose and mouth when leaving home for essential travel to doctor appointments, grocery shopping or pharmacy visits. The face coverings should not be hospital grade at this time because there is a shortage and our health professionals need them. Masks should be homemade and cover the nose and mouth. There are numerous sites online which demonstrate or give patterns for how to make fabric masks.

The Camarillo Sewing Brigade provides video instruction at bit.ly/MakeMask.

Additional instruction at www.instructables.com/id/AB-Mask-for-a-Nurse-by-a-Nurse.

Fabric masks can be washed and used again.

For decades, Public Health officials nationwide and locally have said that wearing a mask for protection against the flu is unnecessary for the general public. Now, Ventura County Public Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin says circumstances have changed. “There is growing evidence that people can have COVID-19 without any symptoms and that they can pass it to others at this stage. Many people wear masks thinking it will protect them from a virus, and in certain cases it may. That may also be true for COVID-19 especially if accompanied by good hand hygiene and social distancing, but now there may be a better reason to wear a mask; it will decrease the chance of you spreading it to someone else if you have the infection asymptomatically.”

This is particularly important if decreasing spread means not infecting a senior or someone with other chronic conditions. “In light of building evidence, I support those who wish to wear a mask in public. I don’t think everyone must do so, but I look upon those who do as making a responsible decision. I never thought I’d say that.” It is imperative though, that the use of masks by members of the public not contribute to the shortage of personal protective equipment needed by first responders like health care workers. If someone chooses to wear a mask in public, it should be home made, at least until there is no more shortage. “I’m not ready to wear a mask yet but I will respect those who do. It’s going to be hard for me to not start wearing one,” said Doctor Levin. “Covering your face doesn’t change the orders everyone must abide by to stay home as much as possible and maintain social distancing, but it’s an extra layer of protection that I think is reasonable to add.”

The rationale for covering one’s face comes from the belief that transmission occurs primarily through droplets from an infected individual, which fabrics may filter. This not only helps to reduce the risk a well person can breathe those droplets in, but also protects others around someone with mild or no symptoms who may not yet realize they have the COVID-19 infection. Face coverings may be worn anytime a person is outside of their home, even in offices of essential businesses.

“We must work together to stop the spread and save lives in our County,” said Doctor Levin. “That means that flattening the curve may benefit from another layer of protection against the virus. Consider the additional step to cover your face.” Health officials continue to stress that frequent hand washing, social distancing and staying home are the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Stay in your place, maintain your space and cover your face.

IRS Issues an Update on "Economic Impact Payments"

Economic impact payments:

What you need to know

Check IRS.gov for the latest information: No action needed by most people at this time

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service today announced that distribution of economic impact payments will begin in the next three weeks and will be distributed automatically, with no action required for most people. However, some seniors and others who typically do not file returns will need to submit a simple tax return to receive the stimulus payment.

Who is eligible for the economic impact payment?

Tax filers with adjusted gross income up to $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns will receive the full payment. For filers with income above those amounts, the payment amount is reduced by $5 for each $100 above the $75,000/$150,000 thresholds. Single filers with income exceeding $99,000 and $198,000 for joint filers with no children are not eligible.

Eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for either 2019 or 2018 will automatically receive an economic impact payment of up to $1,200 for individuals or $2,400 for married couples. Parents also receive $500 for each qualifying child.

How will the IRS know where to send my payment?

The vast majority of people do not need to take any action. The IRS will calculate and automatically send the economic impact payment to those eligible.

For people who have already filed their 2019 tax returns, the IRS will use this information to calculate the payment amount. For those who have not yet filed their return for 2019, the IRS will use information from their 2018 tax filing to calculate the payment. The economic impact payment will be deposited directly into the same banking account reflected on the return filed.

The IRS does not have my direct deposit information. What can I do?

In the coming weeks, Treasury plans to develop a web-based portal for individuals to provide their banking information to the IRS online, so that individuals can receive payments immediately as opposed to checks in the mail.

I am not typically required to file a tax return. Can I still receive my payment?

Yes. People who typically do not file a tax return will need to file a simple tax return to receive an economic impact payment. Low-income taxpayers, senior citizens, Social Security recipients, some veterans and individuals with disabilities who are otherwise not required to file a tax return will not owe tax.

How can I file the tax return needed to receive my economic impact payment?

IRS.gov/coronavirus will soon provide information instructing people in these groups on how to file a 2019 tax return with simple, but necessary, information including their filing status, number of dependents and direct deposit bank account information.

I have not filed my tax return for 2018 or 2019. Can I still receive an economic impact payment?

Yes. The IRS urges anyone with a tax filing obligation who has not yet filed a tax return for 2018 or 2019 to file as soon as they can to receive an economic impact payment. Taxpayers should include direct deposit banking information on the return.

I need to file a tax return. How long are the economic impact payments available?

For those concerned about visiting a tax professional or local community organization in person to get help with a tax return, these economic impact payments will be available throughout the rest of 2020.

Where can I get more information?

The IRS will post all key information on IRS.gov/coronavirus as soon as it becomes available.

The IRS has a reduced staff in many of its offices but remains committed to helping eligible individuals receive their payments expeditiously. Check for updated information on IRS.gov/coronavirus rather than calling IRS assistors who are helping process 2019 returns.

County of Los Angeles Issues Temporary Closure of Public Trails, Beaches and Piers Effective March 27th

The County of Los Angeles issued a Health Officer Order on March 27th that temporarily closes all public beaches, public trails and trailheads, piers, beach bike paths and beach access points in the county.

The order follows an unusually high volume of beach and trail users last weekend, seriously impeding the practice of safe and necessary social distancing measures to stem the local transmission of COVID-19.

The order is effective immediately and continues through April 19, 2020. EXTENDED TO MAY 15, 2020 ON APRIL 10TH. SEE www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/FAQ-SaferatHomeOrder.pdf.

Violation of or failure to comply with the order is a crime punishable by fine, imprisonment or both.

The order indicates residents may continue to use currently open and publicly available park space, not prohibited by the order, for passive recreational activities, while practicing social distancing.

Conejo Open Space Trails Closed Immediately Until Further Notice (Order Given Friday Night, March 27th)

Although Ventura County Public Health has not ordered the closure of public trails in Thousand Oaks, the SMMC/MRCA and County of Los Angeles have closed their parks, trails and beaches. Friday evening, State Parks has also determined to close its parks and beaches in the Angeles District. The Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) indicates it cannot handle the anticipated tidal wave of trail users from our own community combined with the millions of neighbors in west LA County who no longer have trails, parks and beaches available to them.

Therefore, COSCA trails in Thousand Oaks are closed effective immediately in order to protect the health of the public and our beloved open spaces during this unprecedented pandemic.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to Temporarily Close Parking Areas Due to COVID-19

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA), in collaboration with a state parks order issued by the Governor of the State of California on March 24, 2020, is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

As of Tuesday, March 24, SMMNRA will offer very limited services outside those that support visitor or resource protection. The following visitor services and operations will be suspended in order to comply with coronavirus protective guidelines.

• All SMMNRA parking areas will be closed to vehicles.

• Previously announced closures are still in effect. This includes Solstice Canyon in Malibu, the Santa Monica Mountains Visitor Center at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas and Satwiwa Native American Culture Center in Newbury Park.

• The park will not issue permits nor conduct on-site public or educational programs.

The park remains open to day-use walkers, hikers and bicyclists. The NPS urges visitors to continue to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safe and healthy.

Park rangers at SMMNRA are available to answer questions at 805-370-2301 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

When the park resumes full operations, the public will be notified at www.nps.gov/samo and our social media channels (Twitter, Instagram and Facebook).

California State Parks Closed Parking Lots at 36 Parks in the State to Flatten the COVID-19 Curve

Effective immediately today, Monday, March 23rd, California State Parks has temporarily closed vehicular traffic to 36 parks in the state experiencing high visitation.

For those wishing to take a break in the outdoors, public health officials are advising them to walk, run, hike and bike in their local neighborhoods and walk to parks. Most importantly, the public is being asked not to congregate in the outdoors. Everyone has the responsibility to “Flatten the COVID-19 Curve at Parks” by maintaining a social distance of 6 ft. or more when recreating in the outdoors, and staying home if they are sick. If visitors cannot maintain social distancing, they need to leave the park.

Parking lots are closed at parks listed at www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30355, the closest of which to us in Ventura County are El Matador State Beach, Leo Carrillo State Park, Malibu Creek State Park, Malibu Lagoon State Beach, Point Dume State Beach and RH Meyer State Beach. There are parking lots closed at 36 parks in Los Angeles, Marin, San Mateo, Sonoma and San Diego counties.

All state campgrounds across the state have been closed until further notice.

This really sucks, but let’s hope it truly flattens the coronavirus curve.

Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Parks and Trails Closed Due to COVID-19

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) announced this afternoon that in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all parks, trails, and facilities that it owns or operates will be closed to the public until further notice. This includes all parkland that is owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.

A list of the MRCA’s most popular parks can be found at this link on its website: mrca.ca.gov/parks/parklisting. However, all parks and open space operated by the MRCA, even those that are not listed online are CLOSED to the public in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. All parking lots and park access roads will also be closed.

Local area trails closest to the Conejo Valley managed by MRCA include:

Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park in Moorpark
Las Virgenes View Park
Zev Yaroslavsky Las Virgenes Highlands Park in Calabasas
Triunfo Creek Park in WLV
Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve (formerly Ahmanson Ranch) in Calabasas

mrca.ca.gov/notifications