Business, Commentary, Cultural, Family, Finance, Home, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Central Coast Alliance United for A Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — Years of organizing. A historic victory for Santa Barbara tenants

by  • 

The fight for rent stabilization in Santa Barbara has been years in the making, built by our community that keeps showing up, organizing, and building power together.Through long meetings, countless conversations, public comments, and years of organizing, we kept showing up and building power together. And last week, that persistence paid off: Santa Barbara City Council adopted the rent stabilization ordinance!

Make a one-time or monthly donation to help us keep building on this historic victory!

Read more →

Commentary, Cultural, Education, En español, Entertainment, Events, Family, Local, News

Oxnard College will commemorate Día de los Muertos on Oct. 28

by  • 

OXNARD — Join us Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 4:00 pm – 8:30 pm in front of the Performing Arts Building (PAB) for a vibrant, family-friendly Día de los Muertos celebration at Oxnard College. Enjoy free food, cultural dances, live music, colorful altars honoring loved ones, and fun activities for children and families. Come celebrate our Hispanic culture, community, and tradition with us for an evening of connection, remembrance, and celebration! This FREE event is open to all!

Read more →

Commentary, Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Local, News

Allan Hancock College’s Ann Foxworthy Gallery showcasing the transformative power of art in ‘After the Cut,’ a new exhibition featuring works by artists Raphaele Cohen-Bacry and Juan Manuel Perez Salaza on display through Dec. 2

by  • 

Through a variety of artistic media, Cohen-Bacry and Perez Salazar use cutting both literally and conceptually to bring together fragments of materials, images and ideas. Their works reveal traces of what existed before while inviting viewers to consider how destruction, alteration and reconstruction can lead to new creative possibilities.

Read more →

Business, Commentary, Education, Events, Family, Local, News, Youth

Community Environmental Council (CEC) to present Free Youth Climate Workshop for Students on Oct. 24. More upcoming events

by  • 

The climate decisions we make today will affect our communities for decades to come. Young people deserve a say in shaping their future — and at the Community Environmental Council’s (CEC) Youth Climate Workshop, students can learn how to make their voices heard and take action in their communities.

Co-hosted with 805 Action, this free workshop invites students in grades 5–12 to explore how they can influence local climate policy and help shape a more sustainable future.

Read more →

Cultural, Education, En español, Entertainment, Events, familia, Family, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — Santa Barbara Museum of Art — Celebrate Día de los Muertos with a Free Family Day on Oct. 25

by  • 

SANTA BARBARA — For the 37th year, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art honors the Mexican tradition of remembering the dead with a display of altars, created by students in the Museum’s school and outreach programs and local community groups from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25. The Art Learning Lab will offer Día de los Muertos-inspired art activities for all ages on the Front Terrace.

Explore a vibrant display of community-created altars, engage in hands-on art activities for all ages, and enjoy a festive Calenda procession featuring traditional music and dance from Oaxaca and Guerrero.

Read more →

Business, Local, News, Women

Catherine Brozowski, Chuck Flacks, and Dr. Jesus Fandino to be honored at the 2027 LEAP Awards

by  • 

GOLETA — Catherine Brozowski, Executive Director of the Audacious Foundation, and Chuck Flacks, Homelessness Services Coordinator for the City of Goleta and former president of LEAP’s Board of Directors, will be honored at the 2027 LEAP Awards, alongside Dr. Jesus Fandino, who will be recognized as Distinguished Alumnus.

The 2027 LEAP Awards Luncheon will be held at the stunning Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort on Friday, February 26, 2027. The lunch will bring together community leaders, philanthropists, and partners who believe in creating thriving futures for children and families.

Tickets and tables are on sale now and may be purchased online at: https://leapcentralcoast.org/event/2027-leap-awards/

Read more →

Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Local, News, Women, Youth

‘Frightmare Forest’ brings Halloween scares back to Allan Hancock College Oct. 24, 30, 31

by  • 

SANTA MARIA — A frightening fall tradition is returning to Allan Hancock College.

After drawing thrill-seekers to the Santa Maria campus last fall, the Hancock men’s basketball program is bringing back its “Frightmare Forest”, a three-acre haunted maze designed to give visitors a Halloween scare while supporting Bulldog basketball.

The maze will be located at Hancock’s baseball and softball complex, next to the college vineyard at 800 South College Drive. Visitors will navigate a thrilling course filled with twists, scares and spooky surprises as they attempt to make it through Frightmare Forest.

Read more →

Commentary, Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Family, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Oxnard Performing Arts Center to present 7th Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration on Oct. 25

by  • 

OXNARD — Join us for a mesmerizing and heartfelt celebration of life and remembrance at OPAC’s 7th Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25 at 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard.

For seven years, we’ve gathered in the heart of Oxnard to honor our ancestors and celebrate the rich traditions of Mexican culture.

Immerse yourself in a vibrant experience filled with colorful calacas, beautifully adorned ofrendas, captivating performances, local food vendors, and the warmth of community. Whether you’re new to this tradition or have celebrated with us for years, all are welcome to come together, honor those who came before us, and embrace the beauty of life, remembrance, and tradition.

Read more →

Business, Education, Finance, Local, News, Women

Women’s Economic Ventures celebrates 35 Years, recognizes Trailblazer Awardee Kelly Mooney and WEV’s Giving Circle the League of Extraordinary Women

by  • 

SANTA BARBARA — On Oct. 7, WEV brought together community members, philanthropists and advocates at La Cumbre Country Club for its annual League of Extraordinary Women Luncheon in recognition of National Give to Women & Girls Day. The gathering celebrated the collective generosity that makes WEV’s work possible and called attention to the importance of investing in women’s economic futures.

Since its founding in 1991, WEV has worked to ensure women have access to the education, training, financial resources and support they need to shape their own futures. That work matters not only to individual women, but also to the families and communities strengthened when women have greater financial security and more choices.

Read more →

Business, Commentary, Cultural, Education, En español, familia, Family, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Youth

Bilingual report — Ventura County Office of Education Alternative Education honored with Golden Bell Award

by  • 

The Ventura County Office of Education is being honored with the prestigious Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association for its Alternative Education program, which serves students who have been expelled, are involved with the justice system, or face serious obstacles in school.

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Education, Family, Local, News, Religion

Celebrate Día de los Muertos: Visit the 2026 Community Altar at The Collection at Riverpark through Nov. 2

by  • 

OXNARD — Join us in honoring the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos with a heartfelt community altar, created in partnership with the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Nonprofit (OPAC). This meaningful installation offers a space to celebrate, remember, and connect with loved ones who have passed.

Read more →

Local

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

by  • 

IN-PERSON: VENDER EXPO: FOR THE CREATIVE ECONOMY

October 20 @ 1:00 pm

Connect with General Services Administration (GSA) Procurement and other departments to learn about doing business with the County of Ventura. Join us to explore registering to receive county bid notifications, submitting competitive proposals and bids, vendor requirements and the contracting process, getting bid ready with EDC SBDC business advisors, and upcoming creative business/Artist opportunities. Price: FREE. Address: Ventura County Government Center, Hall of Administration, 800 S. Victoria, Ventura, CA 93009.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Read more →

Business, Commentary, Education, Government, Health, Local, News, Public Safety

Guest contribution — County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — Holding Southern California Edison Accountable

by  • 

Ventura County residents should not have to choose between wildfire safety and reliable electricity. Southern California Edison’s (SCE) Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) have left families, businesses, and entire communities facing prolonged outages, often with little certainty about when power will be restored.

While preventing wildfires must remain a top priority, the frequency, duration, and disruption of these shutoffs demand greater accountability. That is why I have made it a priority to challenge SCE, secure meaningful improvements, and advocate for long-term solutions that better protect our communities.

Read more →

Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Family, Local, News, Women, Youth

Panteón Fest returns to Oxnard for its Fourth Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration on Oct. 17

by  • 

OXNARD — Pipiripau will host the fourth annual Panteón Fest on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Heritage Square in downtown Oxnard from 1:00 to 9:00 PM. This year’s festival pays homage to Chespirito, the beloved Mexican comedian and creator of El Chavo del Ocho and El Chapulín Colorado.

“Panteón Fest is about bringing our community together to celebrate our culture, remember where we come from, and create something meaningful for the next generation,” said co-founders Rolando and Heriberto Rubalcava.

Read more →

Commentary, Cultural, En español, familia, Family, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual commentary — The Joys of Meal Preparation with Family

by  • 

Gathering around the dinner table is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but I recently discovered how I could make these events even more joyful.

For years, I carried the entire weight of these gatherings on my own shoulders. I used to shop, prep, and cook everything by myself, treating dinner as a solo performance while they hung around and watched me as their appetites grew. Eventually, I realized the true joy of a family meal isn’t just in the eating after waiting what must seem like an eternity to them—it is found in the beautiful, chaotic collaboration of preparing it together.

Read more →

Business, Education, Family, Finance, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Wells Fargo invests $100,000 to support People’s Self-Help Housing Education Program

by  • 

CENTRAL COAST — People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH)  has received a generous $100,000 grant from Wells Fargo in support of Central Coast students enrolled in their education program and to help launch their newest Learning Center at Buellton Garden Apartments.
 
For families with school-aged children, PSHH’s eight onsite Learning Centers offer a safe, engaging environment where students receive homework assistance, participate in enrichment activities, build confidence, and develop skills that support long-term academic success. These year-round services are all provided at no cost to the families, thanks to partners like Wells Fargo.

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Family, Government, Local, News, Technology, Women, Youth

Port of Hueneme — DOCK TALK – Community Newsletter – October 2026

by  • 

The Port of Hueneme’s 13th Annual Banana Festival set a second consecutive attendance record as nearly 19,000 guests came to the Port for a celebratory day of live music, banana treats, tours, a classic car show, and family-friendly fun. This year’s theme, “Gateway to the World,” highlighted the Port’s role in connecting local consumers to global goods and markets.

Read more →

Business, Government, Local, News, Public Safety, Seniors, Women, Youth

City of Ventura prepares emergency winter shelter ahead of anticipated El Niño storms

by  • 

VENTURA — As the City of Ventura prepares for potential El Niño storms this fall and winter, plans are underway to provide emergency shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness during severe weather. The El Niño Winter Shelter will be activated when forecasts indicate flash flooding, including anticipated rainfall exceeding half an inch per hour, to provide safety to unsheltered individuals living in riverbeds and other flood-prone areas. 

Located at the National Guard Armory at 1270 Arundell Avenue, the shelter will provide up to 120 emergency beds during extreme rainfall events between October 15, 2026, through April 15, 2027. 

Read more →

Business, Commentary, Education, Family, Government, Health, Home, Local, News, Public Safety

County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — Community Alert: Red Flag Warning, Strong Santa Ana Winds & Potential SCE Power Shutoffs

by  • 

Ventura County is preparing for the first Santa Ana wind event of the season, with strong winds, hot and dry conditions, and an elevated risk of wildfires expected across the region. Residents are encouraged to prepare for potential Southern California Edison (SCE) power outages, take necessary safety precautions, and stay informed as weather conditions evolve throughout the week.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning from Thursday, October 15, at 6:00 a.m. through Friday, October 16, at 10:00 p.m. This wind event is expected to bring sustained winds of 25–40 mph, with gusts potentially exceeding 50 mph across our valleys, coastal communities, and mountain areas.

Read more →

Business, Commentary, Education, Family, Local, News, Public Safety, Women, Youth

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria stands ready to activate as resilience hub as El Niño brings uncertainty

by  • 

CARPINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is reaffirming the organization’s commitment to emergency preparedness and community resilience as El Niño brings uncertainty about unpredictable and potentially dangerous weather.

The Girls Inc. of Carpinteria (GIC) campus, located at 5315 Foothill Rd. in Carpinteria, is well-equipped in the event of an emergency — with large indoor and outdoor spaces, an industrial-sized kitchen stocked with necessities, and basic supplies at the ready.

Under normal circumstances, these features equip GIC to serve the more than 700 girls and young women who access their programs each year. In the event of an emergency, they would allow the organization to respond to a crisis by offering food, shelter, and other resiliency resources.

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Education, Government, Local, News, Women

Allan Hancock College Board of Trustees has selected Hancock Elisa Pardo to fill Area 1 seat

by  • 

SANTA MARIA — The Allan Hancock College Board of Trustees has selected Hancock alum and longtime community leader Elisa Pardo to represent Trustee Area 1, filling the vacancy left by outgoing trustee Hilda Zacarías.

The board selected Pardo during a special meeting Oct. 9, and she was officially sworn in at its Oct. 13 regular meeting at Santa Ynez Valley High School.

Read more →

Business, Education, Finance, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — New Prospectus: The Central Coast: Built to Prove What’s Next in Advanced Aviation

by  • 

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC), Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP), REACH, and Uplift Central Coast are pleased to share the new Autonomous Systems and Advanced Air Mobility Prospectus.

The prospectus highlights the Central Coast’s strengths across Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, bringing together the companies, testing infrastructure, research assets and talent pipelines supporting the region’s next generation of aircraft.
For More Information Click Here

Read more →

Business, Commentary, Cultural, Education, Health, Local, News, Youth

UCSB — The Current — ‘Brain surgery by autonomous robot? It’s possible — and could save lives’ and more news, events

by  • 

With a federal grant from the Advanced Projects Research Agency for Health, researchers are working to bring soft robotics to cardiovascular surgery with a method that combines maximum precision with minimal harm.

Read more about robot brain surgery

Read more →

Business, Family, Finance, Home, Local, News

People’s Self-Health Housing — Hammers at the ready: New Self-Help Homeownership Development underway in San Miguel

by  • 

CENTRAL COAST — At Mission Gardens II, a group of 14 owner-builders have begun building their own homes through the People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) mutual self-help program. 

Located in San Miguel, San Luis Obispo County, this new development is seeing the future homeowners construct 14 single-story homes located at the end of N Street. Each home is set to have three or four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a two-car garage. They will also be equipped with energy-efficient features, PV solar, and drought-tolerant landscaping.

Read more →

Business, Education, Local, News

Moorpark College and CSUCI launch new Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree Programs to meet growing regional and national demand

by  • 

MOORPARK — Moorpark College and Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI) (on Oct. 12) announced the Spring 2027 launch of two new bachelor’s degree programs in cybersecurity, marking a significant milestone in higher education for Ventura County and the broader region. The programs respond directly to an urgent national demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals—a workforce gap projected to reach hundreds of thousands of unfilled positions across the United States.

“The future of higher education depends on our ability to work together, respond to the evolving needs of our communities, and create meaningful opportunities for students,” said Dr. Rick MacLennan, Chancellor of the Ventura County Community College District. “This collaboration reflects what is possible when our institutions align their strengths to expand educational pathways, support regional workforce needs, and prepare students for an increasingly complex and interconnected world.”

Read more →

Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Veterans, Youth

Bilingual report — Veterans find community through noncredit art class at Allan Hancock College

by  • 

SANTA MARIA — When Allan Hancock College Community Education introduced its new Image Transfers from Photographs course, instructor and U.S. Navy veteran Helen Boursier expected to bring together students interested in art and creativity.?

What she did not expect was that the class would become a gathering place for seven veterans representing more than six decades of combined military service.?

“I wasn’t surprised to see so many veterans in the class because I already knew several of them through the local veteran community, but I was incredibly pleased that they decided to sign up,” Boursier said. “It was especially rewarding to hear that they enjoyed the experience and wanted to know when I would be teaching the class again.”

Read more →