Ventura Census Chalkathon
2020: what a year! Besides the global pandemic and an election year in the US, 2020 also happens to be the year that we update our census numbers. Questionnaires went out earlier this year to every household. But, if you missed that, the government provides other options to complete the census before the September 30th deadline. And to remind you to fill it out, the City is hosting a Ventura Census Chalkathon.
2020 US Census
Every 10 years, the government surveys residents of the United States to find out how many people live in different parts of the country. This helps determine how future budgets allocate money to these areas. Legal status does not matter for the 2020 US Census either. Any stats provided in the survey will be used for information purposes only. The government encourages everyone to fill it out.
Currently, residents may fill out the 2020 Census survey three ways: online, snail mail, or phone. Only official questionnaires sent to your home may be filled out and sent back in through snail mail. If you misplaced your mail-in questionnaire, call the official survey hotline at (844) 330-2020. You may also complete it online by visiting Census.Ventura.org. It only takes a few minutes to answer a few very simple questions.
Ventura Census Chalkathon
Help get the word out to your neighbors about the approaching census deadline. Participate in the Ventura Census Chalkathon. Grab you sidewalk chalk and create an image that conveys the importance of filling out the census. Incorporate any or all of the phrases “2020census.gov”, “#2020CensusTVA”, “Everyone Counts!” or “Todos Contamos!” in your artwork. Take a picture. Upload that photo to your social media. Make sure you add #2020CensusTVA to your social media post. Share it with your friends and family.
The City wants to reward people for spreading the word. After you complete your work of art for the Ventura Census Chalkathon, send photos of it along with your contact info to PIO@cityofventura.ca.gov. Winners will be chosen in a drawing from all entries received by the end of business on September 30th, 2020.
Dave & Pat Zumbrun, your Ventura County real estate specialists
California Coastal Cleanup 2020 in Ventura
For many Ventura County residents, the beach represents their happy place. Surfing, swimming, and sunbathing contribute to our way of life. California Coastal Cleanup 2020 challenges everyone to protect their “happy place” by signing up to clean the city’s streets, parks, and beaches.
California Coastal Cleanup 2020
Last year, more than 74,000 volunteers cleaned up their local areas all over the state in one day. This year, the California Coastal Cleanup looks a little different. For one thing, it takes place throughout the entire month of September. For another, the official dates fall on each Saturday of the month from 9 am to noon. However, organizers want to encourage as many people as possible to contribute to the cleanup. Therefore, they allow cleanup any day of the week and any time of the day that fits with your schedule.
How to Participate
First of all, visit the Coastal Cleanup website. Organizers strongly discourage large gatherings of people to lessen the chances of spreading COVID-19. If you feel ill, stay at home. Check the air quality before you head out. Wear masks and stay at least six feet away from anyone you do not live with.
You will need to provide your own clean up equipment, such as gloves and trash bags. Do not touch sharp objects such as syringes. Leave any object too large to fit in your trash bin. Wear closed-toed shoes for your protection. Avoid touching your face. Safety remains a top priority.
Where to Clean
Your only limitation to where you clean is where you see trash. Start on the streets outside of your house. Anything that falls into the ditches on the side of our roads ends up in the storm drains. Eventually, everything in the storm drains ends up in the ocean. Unfortunately, that harms all living creatures that live there, too. Clear any storm drains you see stopped up, providing it is safe to do so. Parks, school grounds, community centers, and beaches also make great places to spread out and pick up debris as well.
How to Track Your Progress
Download the Clean Swell app onto your smartphone. Then, record every single bit of trash you pick up. This helps keep the Ocean Conservancy’s database as up to date as possible.
Dave & Pat Zumbrun, your Ventura County real estate specialists