CAMARILLO — Mercedes “Meche” Cacho, a student at Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI), has been named a 2026-2027 Newman Civic Fellow in recognition of her leadership and commitment to creating positive change in communities.
Cacho joins a cohort of student civic leaders from 39 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico selected by Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities working to advance the public purposes of higher education.
KERN COUNTY — Agromin, California’s largest organics recycler, has entered into an agreement with Kern County Public Works (Kern County) to market compost and wood mulch generated from Kern County’s solid waste facilities.
Kern County operates the Shafter-Wasco Composting Facility, which produces compost products made from locally generated organic waste. Kern County operates 11 solid waste facilities that manufacture wood mulch products from materials such as brush and lumber.
VENTURA — After helping collect toys for local children last year, PODS® Local Moving and Storage is honored to return as an Angel Sponsor and storage partner for the 2026 Cumulus Media and Ventura County Medical Center Volunteer Auxiliary Toy Drive.
Running throughout November, the drive collects new, unwrapped toys for children receiving care at Ventura County Medical Center. A donated toy can offer a welcome distraction, a moment of comfort or something to smile about during a hospital visit.
Celebrations on Veterans Day are etched into national consciousness by military flyovers, honorary parades and soldiers saluting in full-dress uniform. However, simple gestures — even just a small table and empty chair — can prove equally as powerful.
Read more about the ‘Missing Man Table’
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — On Saturday, November 7, a group of 14 owner-builders raised the walls on their new homes, built through the People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) mutual self-help program.?
This development, named Mission Gardens II, is located in central San Miguel on an adjacent lot to the 39 homes built through the same self-help program in 2018. PSHH homeownership and construction team members work alongside the owner-builders to guide them throughout the process. Contributing 32+ hours of labor per week per household over a 12 to 16 month period, the group will be investing over 1,600 hours of work at the construction site under professional supervision. This effort, known as “sweat equity,” is used in lieu of a down payment. With the additional help of a USDA-subsidized mortgage making the homes even more affordable, this is a cost-effective on-ramp to homeownership.
The VFF pop-up shop is open through November 15, which makes it an easy place to finish a few Christmas gifts.
Pick a back design: a Ventura Firefighter or the Ventura Pier. Tees start at $25, hoodies at $40, and youth tees are $24. Every piece has the VFF logo on the left chest.
A hoodie for the firefighter in your family. Matching tees for the kids. A Pier shirt for anyone who calls Ventura home.
SANTA BARBARA — Losing someone we love is among life’s most painful experiences. But when that loss comes through suicide, grief can become especially complicated, leaving families and friends struggling with emotions and questions that may never have answers.
Alongside profound sadness, those left behind may experience guilt, anger, confusion, shame, and even a sense of abandonment. They may replay conversations, search for warning signs they missed, or wonder whether something they said or did could have changed the outcome.
Perhaps the most painful question is also the most difficult to answer: Why?
VENTURA — At its October 27, 2026, meeting, the Ventura City Council approved changes to the City’s Council Advisory Group appointment process. The process, which will take effect on January 1, 2027, provides that each of the seven City Councilmembers will nominate one resident to serve on each of the Council Advisory Groups listed below. All nominations are subject to approval by the full City Council.
As part of the transition established through the ordinance adopted by the City Council, seats for the following Council Advisory Groups will be vacated effective January 1, 2027:
VENTURA — Ventura County residents can now access rebates to help lower the cost of energy-efficient heating and cooling systems through the County’s new Skilled and Trained Heat Pump HVAC Community Rebate Program.
The Community Rebate Program is a County of Ventura program with implementation support from Sheet Metal Workers’ Local Union 104. This program is funded by Clean Power Alliance’s Innovation Fund, supporting local electrification projects through the CPA Energized Communities initiative.
Eligible residents can receive a point-of-sale rebate, up to $3,300, applied directly to the cost of their installation through a participating contractor. The program is expected to support at least 100 new residential heat pump installations across Ventura County.
OXNARD — Nos Traen Cortitos 2026
Spanish Short Film Festival.
Friday, November 6, and Saturday, November 7, at 7 p.m.
Enjoy a selection of five short films in Spanish from different parts of the United States. At the end, Portales, the film made by the Teatro de las Américas 2026 Film Workshop, will be presented.
The same program will be screened on both Friday, November 6, and Saturday, November 6.
All films have English subtitles.
Every morning, I routinely take a few nutritional supplements and prescribed medications. I’ve often found myself wondering: What is the source of the knowledge that makes these items possible? After all, humans have been ingesting supplements and medications for thousands of years.
We may think that the supplements and medications that we take were developed in a high-tech laboratory, possibly even using artificial intelligence (since it seems to be involved in everything now). But in fact, our modern supplements and medications are the product of thousands of years of evolution—a gift to humankind, yes from those laboratories, but also from a past stretching all the way back to our ancestors from the ancient past.
From Thousand Oaks to Paso Robles, the 805 runs on people who carry a lot. Scientists and managers in the biotech corridor along the 101. Growers and packers on the Oxnard Plain and in the Santa Maria Valley. Winery owners, hospital department heads, defense contractors, university researchers, and the founders of the small companies that grow out of all of them.
These are people who are good at holding steady. That is exactly why so many of them wait years to ask for help.
As a licensed clinical social worker, I see the same pattern again and again in high-responsibility jobs. The person keeps performing. The calendar stays full. Underneath, sleep gets shorter, patience gets thinner, and the evenings belong to email. Nobody at work notices, because nothing at work has slipped yet.
VENTURA — What if your next favorite local drink could lead you to a new favorite trail? Ventura Land Trust (VLT) is inviting the community to sip, explore, and give back with its new Lands & Libations Passport, a local adventure that brings together Ventura County’s craft beverage scene and the natural places that make this region special.
Featuring participating local wineries, breweries, and distilleries, the passport encourages residents and visitors to discover the people and places behind Ventura County’s beverage culture while exploring the landscapes that define the region. Passport holders can visit participating businesses to enjoy a featured tasting flight or pint, collect stamps along the way, and learn about a nearby Ventura Land Trust preserve.
“Menopause is not an isolated reproductive event,” said Emily Jacobs, a professor of psychological and brain sciences. “It is a whole-body biological transition.”
Read more about the new research
VENTURA — Coverly Professional Services (CoverlyPro), a full-service marketing and communications project management firm powered by a team of experienced storytellers, continues its growth in 2026 with the addition of Senior Account Strategist Juliana Finberg and Copywriter & PR Strategist Noah Flack. Finberg brings expertise in strategic marketing, community engagement and event development, while Flack brings a background in agency, corporate, healthcare and nonprofit communications. Together they expand CoverlyPro’s ability to turn compelling stories into strategic marketing that builds connections, drives engagement and delivers measurable impact.
VENTURA — Ventura County Semifinal Official Election Night Results for the November 3, 2026 General Election were posted on vote.venturacounty.gov at 4:39 AM on Wednesday, November 4th. Statewide results are available on the Secretary of State’s website, electionresults.sos.ca.gov
The first results posted on Election Night included vote by mail ballots that were received and signature-verified before Election Day along with in-person ballots cast during early voting. Vote center ballots cast on Election Day were reflected in the updated results postings.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — This holiday season, the Southeast Ventura County YMCA is inviting the community to make a difference for local families. Now through Dec. 4, the Simi Valley Family YMCA and Yarrow Family YMCA will collect food and toys to support families in the YMCA’s Find My Genius program.
Find My Genius is a no-cost YMCA program providing academic support and enrichment opportunities for children from low- to moderate-income families. The holiday drive extends that support beyond the classroom, helping ease financial pressures during the holiday season.
Donations can be dropped off at the Simi Valley Family YMCA (3200 Cochran Street) and Yarrow Family YMCA (31105 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Westlake Village) seven days a week during regular branch hours.
VENTURA — From the services residents turn to during emergencies to the everyday programs that support families and neighborhoods, the County of Ventura depends on an experienced workforce to meet the ever-evolving needs of the community. On Tuesday, October 20, during their regular meeting, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors recognized 15 employees who reached milestones of 25 years or more of continuous service, honoring careers that collectively represent 415 years of public service. Their decades of experience reflect a lasting commitment to the communities they serve and the important role they play in keeping County services strong.
SANTA BARBARA — The inaugural California Ocean Summit today announced free livestreaming of its Working Summit Main Stage sessions, in addition to a full slate of ocean-themed film, music, storytelling, and hands-on experiences that open the ocean conversation to students, families, and the broader community on December 9-10, 2026.
The Summit is designed to move ocean leadership forward across interconnected outcomes: shaping California’s future ocean policy, investing in the next generation of ocean innovation, and advancing a shared Declaration for Ocean Stewardship.
Last month, I invited you to think about your lollipop moments, what Drew Dudley in his TED Talk “Everyday Leadership” calls seemingly small interactions that make a lasting difference in someone’s life, often without the person responsible ever realizing what they have done.
The many responses we received warmed our hearts. We heard a story from decades ago about a young woman about to leave for college to pursue her dream, who discovered at the last moment that the funding she thought was there did not exist. A neighbor told her, “Just go. It will all work out.” She did. Years later, she passes on the gift of higher education to so many young people by volunteering with your community foundation’s scholarship program.
SANTA BARBARA — Friendship Center, a nonprofit providing specialized adult day services for older adults living with dementia and their families, announced the appointment of Jeffrey Krutzsch as Board President and welcomed three new directors to its Board of Directors in July 2026.
Krutzsch joined the Board in 2020 and has served in several leadership roles, including Treasurer and committee chair. He brings more than 35 years of executive leadership experience in senior housing, healthcare and hospitality operations. A longtime advocate for older adults, Krutzsch also leads a family caregiver support group at Friendship Center and chairs the organization’s Strategic Research Committee.
THOUSAND OAKS — The 5th Annual Holidays in the Village is expanding from one day to two this year, Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6 at The Oaks (W. Wilbur Rd. and W. Thousand Oaks Blvd. parking lot) in Thousand Oaks. Admission and parking are free. Hours are 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Last year, the festival drew more than 14,000 people. Visitors can experience a traditional European winter festival, browsing 60 artisan shops for handcrafted holiday gifts, sampling Bavarian and French foods and drinks, and enjoying live holiday entertainment all in a family atmosphere.
View as Webpage November 2026 A Letter from the Director Hi there, everyone! I hope you had a wonderful Halloween. Dr Gray and I were vampires! This whole year, we’ve been celebrating Friendship Center’s 50th birthday and highlighting what a…
VENTURA — The County of Ventura has been selected to receive the 2026 Beacon Gold Vanguard Award from the Institute for Local Government in recognition of its work to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support a more sustainable community. The award recognizes years of progress in County government operations and across the wider community. One of the County’s most notable achievements is a 29% drop in communitywide greenhouse gas emissions since 2015.
VENTURA — When someone calls 911, the first few minutes can determine everything.
Yet veteran AMR paramedic, Mark Rock, noticed something surprising while teaching future EMS professionals: many of the patient assessment models being taught relied on processes developed decades ago, most of which no longer reflected sound medicine and/or didn’t consider the realities of emergency medical practice in the field setting.
While teaching paramedic students at a local college, Rock observed students taking as long as 10 to 12 minutes to complete patient assessments, often with inconsistent accuracy in diagnosing patients at the scene of an emergency. He also noticed that many assessment practices had not kept pace with evidence-based developments that were already standard in clinical medicine but had not found their way into field protocols.
Rock believed there had to be a better way.
PORT OF HUENEME — Business leaders, elected officials, port customers, labor representatives, and community partners gathered Thursday at the Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club for the 2026 “State of the Port,” a special meeting hosted by the West Ventura County Business Alliance highlighting the Port of Hueneme’s economic impact, operational progress, infrastructure investments, and vision for the future.
In opening the event, Oxnard Harbor District Board of Commissioners President Jason Hodge reflected on the yearly meeting. “The State of the Port is an important opportunity to bring together the people and organizations that help us live out our mission. It gives us a chance to recognize our progress and share our vision for how we’ll continue to impact our community and shape the region going forward,” he said.
SANTA PAULA — As Southern California prepares for a potentially active winter storm season, the City of Santa Paula is partnering with the County of Ventura to promote community preparedness, share important safety information, and help residents prepare for possible impacts associated with El Niño conditions.
Every day, the Port of Hueneme unites people, businesses, and neighborhoods around the world. From the longshore workers and employees who make cargo move, to the partners who help us thrive, to the community we proudly serve, our success is built on working together. This month, we’re recognizing the people, partnerships, and shared purpose that move our Port forward.
VENTURA — The City of Ventura’s annual Santa to a Senior program kicks off Thursday, November 12, 2026, to collect gifts for seniors at the Ventura Avenue Adult Center. Gift donations will be accepted through Wednesday, December 9, 2026.
“Each year, this program brings the warmth of the holidays to more than 200 seniors in our community,” said Recreation Supervisor Janine Cobian. “For many participants, these gifts are the only ones they receive, and they serve as a touching reminder that the community has not forgotten them this holiday season.”
VENTURA — Pre-applications will soon be available for College Community Courts: new affordable housing from People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH). At 9AM on Monday, December 14, the pre-application will be available online at pshhc.org/COL in English and Spanish.
Located at 80 Baylor Drive in the City of Ventura, College Community Courts will provide 57 new one, two, and three-bedroom homes for low-income households earning at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The development will designate 29 apartments for agricultural worker households, 2 apartments for survivors of domestic violence (via the Ventura County Coordinated Entry System), and 2 apartments for those experiencing homelessness (via the Ventura County Coordinated Entry System).
CAMARILLO — Dawn and Dave Gross, Newbury Park High School graduates of 1987, have spent years helping young people in Ventura County do what they love most: build something from the ground up. Now they are making that commitment permanent. NewCo Foundation, the philanthropic endeavor the couple built, is entrusting its assets to the Ventura County Community Foundation and its NextGen Ventures operation to Intentional Schools LLC.
Researchers at UCSB have developed a method for predicting the likelihood of low birthweights in West Africa, based on climate and socioeconomic data, that could ultimately help prevent malnutrition and its downstream effects.
Read more about birth weight predictions in West Africa
VENTURA — Following an extensive recruitment process, the City of Ventura is pleased to announce the appointment of Maruja Clensay as its new Community Development Director. Clensay, who has served as Assistant Community Development Director since August 2024, brings extensive experience in land use planning, development, and public administration across both the public and private sectors.
PORT OF HUENEME — The Port of Hueneme partnered with ForeFront Power, a leading developer and asset manager of commercial and industrial-scale solar energy and storage projects, to build a 913-kilowatt solar energy carport system over an automobile staging area near the Port of Hueneme/Oxnard Harbor District Administration building. Built at no upfront cost to the Port, the completed project will help stabilize electricity costs and reduce carbon emissions, contributing to the Port’s goal of eliminating emissions from its on-Port operations by 2030.
CAMARILLO — Cal State Channel Islands’ Napa Hall Art Gallery will present “Footprints,” a solo exhibition exploring artist Mick Reinman’s decades-long career spanning fine art and entertainment design. The exhibition opens with a public reception on Thursday, Nov. 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. and the exhibit runs through Feb. 5, 2027. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Footprints” brings together work reflecting Reinman’s many creative roles as an artist, art director, illustrator and storyboard concept designer. The exhibition offers visitors a look at the breadth of his practice and the connections between his commercial projects and fine art.
MICROBUSINESSES & QUANTUM: HOW TO START PREPARING
November 4 @ 9:00 am
Quantum computing sounds like science fiction, but its impact on everyday security is coming fast—and you don’t need an IT department or a big budget to get ahead of it. In this plain-English session, we’ll demystify what quantum computing actually is, why its ability to break traditional encryption matters for small teams, and how you can prepare using a lean, cloud-based setup. You’ll walk away with actionable steps you can take today—from leveraging your cloud providers’ built-in security updates to auditing your software vendors, cleaning up old accounts, and tightening basic access controls—ensuring your small business and client data stay fully protected for the future. Price: FREE.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
CAMARILLO — Ventura County Animal Services and Dog Days Search & Rescue assisted Oxnard Animal Control in helped bring 22 dogs, including eight puppies, to safety after they were reported running loose near 5th Street and Harbor Boulevard in Oxnard.
The dogs appear to be in good overall condition and all are available for adoption through the Camarillo Animal Shelter.
SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Health has brought two existing Santa Barbara primary care practices together at a larger, centralized location as of November 3, 2026.
Cottage Primary Care – Santa Barbara and Cottage Primary Care – Santa Barbara – Bath St. will combine at 2400 Bath St., Suite 200, operating as Cottage Primary Care – Santa Barbara.
MOORPARK — A bellwether signals what’s coming next, and Moorpark College is leading the way. Two of the college’s programs, one helping students succeed in transfer-level math and one building Ventura County’s biotech workforce, have been named finalists for the 2027 Bellwether Awards.
SIMI VALLEY — Aspire Counseling Services is proud to announce recent recognition highlighting the organization’s continued commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality addiction treatment and recovery support to individuals and families in the Simi Valley community.
VENTURA COUNTY — Voters are encouraged to take advantage of the last few days of early voting ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, to avoid the last minute pressure and potentially long lines at vote centers on Election Day.
“People should think of Election Day as the LAST day to vote, not THE day to vote,” said Michelle Ascecncion, County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters.
“So many unforeseen things can happen – a rainstorm, a flat tire, an illness or accident – that can derail your plans to go vote on Election Day,” Ascencion continued. “VOTE EARLY and check it off your list of things to do!”
Community Altar at the Carnegie Art Museum.The City of Oxnard Cultural Arts & Recreation Divisions invites you to join us November 1–3 on the steps of the Carnegie Art Museum for our Community Altar.
I’m writing this article, irritated for no obvious reason, in the middle of a “Santa Ana event.” During these episodes, as if gridlocked traffic and social and political turmoil were not enough, Southern Californians must also deal with a veritable force of nature over which we have no control whatsoever: the hot and dry Santa Ana winds.
SIMI VALLEY — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA announced it has been awarded a $1 million state budget grant through the governor’s signing of State Budget AB113 last week to help fund the upcoming expansion of its Simi Valley Family YMCA branch.
This financial investment from the state will bring the YMCA closer to fully funding the $7.5 million project and achieve YMCA leadership’s objectives of funding the project through a partnership of local philanthropy, business investments and public/government funding.
Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, a leading supporter of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA, advocated and secured this award to bring expanded programs, services and facilities that are accessible to all members of the Simi Valley community.
As Halloween draws near, children across Southern California are eagerly preparing for a night of costumes, candy and neighborhood adventures.
While the excitement of trick-or-treating is hard to match, parents can take a few simple precautions to help ensure the holiday remains both memorable and safe.
According to Dr. Kristina Kang a pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente in Camarillo, a little preparation can go a long way toward preventing common Halloween-related injuries and health concerns.
Among others, she recommends:
Join us in creating a community ofrenda, which is an offering place to remember past loved ones. Bring in copies of pictures to the 2nd Floor Reference Desk through Nov. 1. The ofrenda will be on display in the lobby through Nov. 3.
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.
I want to begin this quarterly update with what may be one of my favorite things I have ever had the opportunity to report.
Our longtime Facilities Manager, Miguel Aguiar, recently purchased a commemorative Museum tile, not for himself, but in honor of the people he has worked alongside throughout his years at MVC.
Miguel held a small unveiling ceremony with staff and volunteers to recognize four people he affectionately referred to as “my blessings”: Shanon Rice, David Bayer, Clyde Hofflund, and John Treuer. These are people who have worked alongside Miguel and the Museum over the years, giving their time and talents to help make so many of our events and gatherings possible.
