The hearing room was full, with more than 110 Californians from across the state present, including those from the Central Coast. Many traveled hours from home, as far away as Ventura, taking a day from work and rising before dawn to attend the 2½ hour hearing. Community members called on lawmakers to confront the Dept. of Pesticide Regulation’s conflicts of interest and failure to protect the public.
PORT HUENEME — The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Oxnard Harbor District – Port of Hueneme for the sixteenth consecutive year. This year’s award, which recognizes the strength of the Port’s comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2025, is the highest form of recognition teams can achieve in governmental accounting and financial reporting.
“We are honored to receive this recognition because we know accountability matters,” said Jason Hodge, President of the Oxnard Harbor District Board of Commissioners. “We prioritize accuracy and transparency and do all we can to serve as a vital economic engine for our region.”
VENTURA — New board member Denise Sindelar is the founder and principal project manager of Sindelar Art Consulting in Ventura. …
As the new Associated Students of Ventura College (ASVC) President, Briana Becerra serves on the foundation board, acting as the primary liaison between students and the college and district administration. Becerra, a communication major, also serves as the official spokesperson for ASVC and the broader Ventura College student body.
SANTA PAULA — The land has been cleared for a 70-acre, state-of-the-art commercial composting center on Limoneira Company property in Santa Paula. The joint venture project by Limoneira Company and Agromin marks an expansion from the existing 15-acre green waste composting site at the location that has been in operation by Agromin since 2004.
The expanded site is expected to begin operations in the second half of 2027 and will be capable of processing about 295,000 tons of organic waste per year into compost and mulch. The current facility, which remains operating while construction is underway, is the only permitted commercial composting center in Ventura County.
Stuff the Bus results are in! THANK YOU to:
Our Sponsors – Gene Haas Foundation and California Resources Corporation, Bank of America, Raypak, GSMS, California Lutheran University-Fifty and Better
SANTA BARBARA — Great Place To Work® and PEOPLE magazine have honored Cottage Health as one of the 2026 PEOPLE® Companies that Care. The recognition places Cottage Health among organizations nationwide recognized for their workplace culture and commitment to employees and communities.
The Companies that Care list is highly competitive and is based largely on employee surveys about their workplace experience. Honorees were selected based on their ability to care for employees, families, and the communities where they operate.
VENTURA — The City of Ventura has officially concluded the nomination period for candidates seeking election to the Ventura City Council in the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election.
The nomination period for City Council Districts 1, 4, 5, and 6 closed at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7. Because the incumbent in District 6 did not file for re-election, the nomination period for District 6 was extended for five days and closed today, Wednesday, August 12, at 5:00 p.m., in accordance with the California Elections Code.
The Wild & Scenic Film Festival silent auction is going online! The Wild & Scenic film festival is almost here and this year, you can shop our famous silent auction, right from your living room!
Starting August 15 at 8:00 a.m., you’ll have two full weeks to bid on an exciting selection of items and experiences—all from the comfort of home. Find your favorites, place your bids, and help support Ventura Land Trust while you shop. Let the bidding begin!
SANTA BARBARA — The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) recently celebrated the graduation of 14 students from its free, four-week Preparación, Bienestar y Cultura (PBC) summer program. Designed for HACSB residents entering grades 9–12, the program equips students with the tools, resources, and experiences needed to prepare for college, careers, and future success. Since its launch four years ago, 65 students have completed the program.
PBC provides a well-rounded experience that promotes educational achievement, social-emotional wellness, and cultural awareness. Throughout the four-week program, students participate in college tours, educational field trips, community service projects, and interactive workshops. Participants also earn community service hours and receive a backpack filled with school supplies to help them begin the academic year prepared.
SANTA BARBARA — From farmworker families and tribal communities to children receiving care at school and people facing housing challenges, federally qualified health centers across the Central Coast provide residents with essential health services. During National Health Center Week, Aug. 2-8, CenCal Health, the Medi-Cal managed care plan for Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, is recognizing five health center partners whose work helps expand access to care across the region.
“Health centers are often the first place people turn when they need care, and for many families, they are a trusted ally at every stage of life,” said Marina Owen, CEO of CenCal Health. “Their work extends beyond the exam room, helping neighbors navigate health challenges, access supportive services and build a foundation for long-term well-being.”
The artist and professor’s 27-foot piece was commissioned by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art for permanent display in its new David Geffen Galleries.
Read more about the textile
THOUSAND OAKS — Mitch Rosenberg, CFP®, CLU®, MSFS, AEP® CEPA®, AIF®, of the San Fernando Valley Office of New York Life has recently been named to the Forbes | Shook Best-in-State Financial Security Professionals 2026 list. Rosenberg was ranked #8 among financial security professionals in Southern California, recognized for the trusted guidance he provides to individuals, families, and business owners as they navigate life’s biggest financial decisions.
STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE: LEARN ANYTHING FASTER WITH NOTEBOOKLM
August 11 @ 10:00 am
Successful businesses make better decisions because they have better information. In this webinar, you’ll learn how to use NotebookLM to conduct competitive analysis, refine pricing, accelerate SEO and AEO, and synthesize large amounts of research into simple summaries and action steps. You’ll also learn how to use AI to create executive briefs, reports, and slide decks quickly, helping you make smarter strategic decisions in less time. This session is ideal for business owners looking to leverage AI for research, planning, and strategic growth. Price: FREE.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Whether you’re planning a board meeting, strategic retreat, volunteer training, film screening, public forum, or year-end gathering, The Environmental Hub provides a welcoming space designed to help mission-driven organizations connect, collaborate, and inspire action.
Located on State Street in the heart of Santa Barbara, The Hub features flexible meeting spaces, built-in AV, a catering kitchen, and competitive non-profit pricing. Every booking also supports the Community Environmental Council’s work to advance climate solutions across the Central Coast.
Basil Kincaid, whose work is featured in the exhibition Remixed, joins SBMA Assistant Curator Lauren Karazija, to explore ancestry, connection and conversation. Crafted from salvaged fabrics, quilts offer far more than physical warmth—they retain the indelible traces of past lives. Describing quilting as a “spiritual technology,” Kincaid engages in a dialogue across time and space through lived-in materials charged with the enduring energy of loved ones. Tickets are selling quickly; reserve yours today at sbma.net.
Community partners are essential to the vitality and success of the Ventura Music Festival. Whether through corporate sponsorships that help bring world-class artists to our stage or collaborative programming with fellow cultural organizations, these partnerships strengthen our community and enrich the Festival experience for audiences throughout the region. Simply put, what we do would not be possible without the generosity, vision, and support of these extraordinary partners.
VENTURA — Sit back, relax and continue to enjoy summer at Ventura Harbor Village with a menagerie of free, family-friendly, live weekly music throughout August 2026 on the seaside Promenade Stage at the waterfront. www.VenturaHarborVillage.com
The ongoing music series showcases a dockside selection of top-notch musicians who present a variety of genres, including Pop, Rock and coastal surf rock. Welcome the perfect coastal day with live music from 1 – 4 PM. Take in a scenic view by the water as talented local musicians set the scene with a mix of lively and laid-back tunes. Whether you’re dining at a waterfront restaurant or simply soaking up the ocean breeze, the vibrant music adds the perfect soundtrack to your visit.
Centered around the theme “One Wild and Precious Life,” this year’s event celebrates the everyday moments that quietly become life’s greatest treasures—and the people who make them unforgettable. Inspired by Mary Oliver’s timeless question, the luncheon invites guests to reflect on love, resilience, hope, and the everyday experiences that ultimately remind us what matters most. Few contemporary writers have explored those themes with more honesty and compassion than Cheryl Strayed.
We are excited to share some of our auction items with you! You’ll want to join us to honor our awardees. You’ll need to join us to bid on our auction items. Regardless of why you come, please come! We can’t wait to see our old friends and meet new ones. All monies raised from our Spirit Awards Gala ensures we can continue serving the underserved in Ventura County.
“Since I began in August, 2023, the message was clear from the SBCC Board of Trustees: ‘We need to address the structural deficit of the college,’” shared Superintendent/President Dr. Erika Endrijonas, who also sent a thank-you email to all employees. “This meant painful, yet decisive and strategic decisions needed to be made – ones that were not always popular with employees (faculty and staff) – and now, three years later, I have to thank every single employee for their hard work, determination and trust in me and my fellow leaders to get on a trajectory for a healthier financial future for the college. I cannot thank our amazing SBCC team enough … Thank you!”
The Lantern Award honors emergency departments that foster collaboration and continuous improvement while maintaining high standards for patient care, safety and staff engagement. SBCH and SYVCH are among 126 emergency departments selected for the recognition this year.
“This recognition reflects the extraordinary skill, compassion and teamwork our emergency department staff bring to every patient, every day,” said Laura Canfield, Chief Nursing Officer at Cottage Health. “Their commitment to patients and to one another is reflected in the high-quality emergency care they provide every day.”
Pfahler brings more than 10 years of experience in development and fundraising to HSVC. Most recently, she served as director of alumni relations and annual giving at the University of Redlands, where she led a collaborative strategy uniting alumni relations and annual giving efforts, and provided strategic direction to the university’s alumni board. Prior to that role, she served as the university’s director of annual giving, overseeing a team focused on achieving fundraising and alumni participation goals
WHAT: The third annual Santa Barbara Museum of Art Gala, formerly known as the Gilded Gala, is an evening of timeless elegance in celebration of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s commitment to art, education, and community. This signature fundraising event brings the community together to support the Museum’s mission of integrating art into our lives.
Visit the Museum of Ventura County for FREE this August! Thanks to the generous support of Linda and John Zaruka and MVC Friends, all visitors can enjoy free admission throughout the month.
At the Community Environmental Council (CEC), our impact depends on people who bring the expertise, leadership, and commitment needed to advance practical climate solutions across the Central Coast.
We’re pleased to welcome two new members to CEC’s Board of Directors, Angela Antenore and Dr. Paasha Mahdavi. Together, they bring deep experience in environmental justice, public policy, governance, and organizational leadership that will help guide CEC’s work in the years ahead.
We’re also excited to welcome three new staff members whose expertise will strengthen programs and partnerships across our region: Development Officer Renee Freeman, Climate-Smart Agriculture Program Manager Brian Sweeney, and Climate Projects Associate Sachi Shiroma.
Whether you’re preparing to buy your first home, looking to strengthen your finances, or want to learn how to protect your home and assets, we have a class for you! Join us for our upcoming workshops and gain valuable knowledge, resources, and guidance to help you reach your goals.
Check out our upcoming dates and register today!
SANTA MARIA — As the start of the fall semester approaches, Allan Hancock College is encouraging students to take advantage of the opportunity to enroll before classes begin Aug. 17. With hundreds of credit and noncredit courses available, students can explore new interests, prepare for transfer, earn a certificate or train for an in-demand career.
“Education has the power to change lives, and every semester is an opportunity for students to take the next step toward their future,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “Our faculty and staff are ready to help students make the most of that opportunity.”
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VENTURA — The City of Ventura announces that Councilmember Jim Duran, District 6, did not file nomination papers to seek re-election by the close of the nomination period.
Pursuant to California Elections Code section 10225, because the incumbent did not file nomination papers by the close of the nomination period at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026, the nomination period for the District 6 City Council seat is automatically extended five calendar days. Eligible candidates, other than the incumbent, may file nomination papers until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
SANTA BARBARA — The Music Academy of the West is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Marilyn Horne Song Competition, recognizing the extraordinary artistry and collaboration of its 2026 Lehrer Vocal Institute fellows. This cornerstone event of the Summer Music Festival & School offers young musicians a platform to shine through world-class performance, interpretation, and musical partnership.
