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

Ventura Housing helps students start the school year strong at Back-to-School Resource Fair

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VENTURA — Ventura Housing on July 25 welcomed families from across the community to its Westview Property for its annual Back-to-School Resource Fair, providing free backpacks, school supplies, meals and entertainment alongside direct access to more than 20 community organizations to help students start the new school year prepared for success. Centered around the theme “Strong Families, Strong Futures,” the fair connected families with educational opportunities, health and wellness resources, workforce development programs, mental health services and youth enrichment activities. Participating partners included Ventura County Library, Ventura College, California Lutheran University, Clinicas del Camino Real, and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura, giving attendees direct access to programs and services that support student success long after the first day of school.

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

United Way’s Fun in the Sun Scholars join the Music Academy of the West

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SANTA BARBARA — More than 350+ elementary school students enrolled in United Way of Santa Barbara County’s Fun in the Sun summer learning program participated in an arts education experience this week with a live performance of Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra by the Music Academy’s Chamber Orchestraconducted by William Long and featuring acting troupe Really Inventive Stuff, plus an instrument exploration station hosted by the Santa Barbara Symphony.

The field trip was made possible by the Music Academy of the West and sponsored by Montecito Bank & Trust and all partners of Santa Barbara County’s arts and education programs.

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

Ventura Harbor Village celebrates the Summer with waterfront & island adventures, live entertainment, whale watching, coastal dining, shopping & relaxation

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VENTURA — Summer is in full swing at Ventura Harbor Village, Southern California’s premier seaside destination where visitors can savor ocean breezes, fresh coastal cuisine, boutique shopping, family-friendly entertainment, and unforgettable adventures on the water. Whether planning a day trip or weekend getaway, Ventura Harbor Village offers the perfect blend of relaxation and recreation along Ventura’s picturesque waterfront. www.VenturaHarborVillage.com

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

Music Academy of the West — Announcing the Mariposa Concert Series 2026-27

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SANTA BARBARA — The Music Academy of the West proudly announces the 2026-2027 Mariposa Concert Series, a collection of intimate musical experiences held in Hahn Hall on the Academy’s Miraflores campus in Montecito. The series furthers the Academy’s mission to bring exceptional music to the community throughout the year by showcasing the artistry of esteemed Music Academy alums and world-renowned musicians.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Finance, Local, News, Youth

California Lutheran University School of Management — Explore CESI’s Ventura County Social Issues Database

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Ventura County, like many other places in California, brings affluence and poverty together across its neighborhoods. Deep, persistent inequalities continue to threaten the future of Ventura County’s children and communities.

The following infographic data from the CESI Database exposes some of these critical gaps. Take a look at the information provided, and do not forget that poverty is a byproduct of our economic system and can be eliminated by investing in ourselves and, most importantly, in our children.

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Business, Commentary, Local, News

Guest commentary — Ventura County Taxpayers Association (VCTA) — Should you be concerned by the clear slowdown in labor force growth in Ventura County?

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The labor force represents all residents in the jurisdiction who voluntarily seek employment. Not all residents seek employment because they (1) are not of age, (2) are retired, (3) are not capable of working, or (4) simply choose not to participate in the workforce.

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

Port of Hueneme — DOCK TALK – Community Newsletter – July 2026 Recap

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The Port of Hueneme was proud to co-host Stars, Stripes & Sounds: America 250 alongside the City of Oxnard and the Oxnard Downtowners Foundation at Plaza Park. The community celebration commemorated the nation’s 250th
anniversary with local bands, classic cars, and family activities.

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

Teatro de las Américas announces — Nube Obscura | Jumpers | Patty Soria En Concierto | Nos Traen Cortitios 2026

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Nube Obscura ¡El cortometraje realizado durante el Taller de Cine del Teatro de las Américas 2025 ya está disponible para verse en YouTube! The short film produced during the Teatro de las Américas 2025 Film Workshop is now available to…

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

Families invited to the YMCA Adventure Guides & Trailblazers Welcome BBQ, Aug. 15

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Adventure Guides & Trailblazers is a family-centered YMCA program for parents and their children (ages 5-11) in the Conejo and Simi valleys. Parent-child pairs join a Circle with families in their neighborhood or the school they attend. Adventure Guides is for children in kindergarten through second grade. Trailblazers is for children in third grade and up.

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Business, Education, Family, Health, Local, News, Youth

Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital’s Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp wraps up transformative week of sports, confidence and connection

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SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital recently concluded another successful Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp, bringing together youth with physical disabilities for a week of adapted sports and recreation at the UCSB Recreation Center. Held July 13-16, the camp welcomed approximately…

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Business, Local, News, Public Safety, Women

Ventura County Fire Department announces Kylie Tillema as Fire Marshal

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“Kylie brings outstanding technical expertise, proven leadership, and a deep commitment to public safety,” said Fire Chief Dustin Gardner. “Her experience in fire prevention, code enforcement, and community risk reduction, combined with her passion for developing future fire service professionals, makes her an exceptional addition to our leadership team. Fire prevention is one of the most effective ways we protect our communities, and I am confident Kylie will help us continue building a safer, more resilient Ventura County.”

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Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, Events, familia, Family, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Salud, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — Santa Clara River Valley Communities to host Health Care Future Forum

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VENTURA — As the Ventura County Health Care Agency (HCA) approaches the August 18, 2026, Board of Supervisors meeting, HCA is finalizing its strategic review of continued health care service options for the Santa Clara River Valley (SCRV) and Santa Paula Hospital (SPH). With state-mandated 2030 seismic deadlines approaching, this work provides a timely opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery to be more sustainable, accessible, and responsive to residents.

HCA has engaged the consulting firm Health Management Associates (HMA) to support the health care planning for SCRV.  HMA is a national independent research and consulting firm that focuses on publicly-financed health care.

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Commentary, Cultural, En español, Government, Local, Locales, Opinion, Politics, Sports

Bilingual commentary — American Exceptionalism on the Soccer Field

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The results of Donald Trump’s latest venture as head referee at World Cup soccer matches prove that American soccer knows how to get tired of winning: just get the ref to issue an executive order when it looks like the American team is “being treated unfairly.” When your preferred team doesn’t like a lower referee’s call, all the head ref has to do is threaten to tariff the opponent’s soccer equipment and uniforms. This audacious merger of assertive diplomacy and international sports guarantees that if we can’t win on the field, we can at least tie things up in court for decades.

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Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, familia, Family, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Youth

Bilingual guest commentary by Kaiser Permanente — Want your child to succeed in school? Start with these healthy habits

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As families across Ventura County prepare for the new school year, parents can take a few simple steps to help their children start strong both academically and emotionally, according to a local health expert.

“Getting ready for school is about more than buying supplies,” said Dr. Kristina Kang, a pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente in Camarillo. “Healthy habits, routine medical care and open communication with your child’s doctor can make a big difference in their success throughout the new school year.”

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

One Step A La Vez in Fillmore — Back to School Backpack Drive

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… One Step A La Vez is passionate about serving the needs of our community, particularly those of underserved teens and families who may lack the necessary resources to excel in their education. With the new school year fast approaching, we are gearing up to provide backpacks filled with essential school supplies to teens in need. Our goal is not only to equip these children with the tools they need to succeed academically but also to alleviate some of the financial burdens faced by their families.

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Business, Education, Local, News, Youth

Rachel Guettler Joins California Lutheran University as Vice President for Growth and Advancement

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THOUSAND OAKS — For over 20 years, Rachel Guettler, Ed.D., has built her career in philanthropy, student enrollment and leadership coaching. She will bring this expertise to her new position as the vice president for growth and advancement at California Lutheran University. Guettler will start Aug. 17 as the senior leader responsible for advancing the university’s enrollment strategies and leading institutional growth through fundraising, partnerships and external engagement.

“A leader in development and growth in higher education, Rachel has a strong mission-driven approach and background in relationship-building that aligns with Cal Lutheran’s vision and values,” said Laureen Hill, M.D., MBA, chief strategy and growth officer. 

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Business, Cultural, Education, Family, Local, News, Youth

LEAP — For Art’s Sake: Process Art builds lifelong skills for preschoolers

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GOLETA — Tiny hands covered in paint. A sculpture made of sticks, feathers, and toilet paper rolls. A masterpiece that looks nothing like anyone else’s. At LEAP’s Children’s Centers, this isn’t a random art activity—it’s a strategic approach to early childhood development.

On July 28, LEAP’s Process Art Show at its Phelps Children’s Center showcased artwork created by children ranging from two years old through Pre-K. Students experimented with materials, made their own choices, solved problems, and expressed their ideas freely—creating one-of-a-kind works of art.

At LEAP, children engage in both product art and process art, each offering unique opportunities for learning and development.

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Cultural, Education, Family, Local, News, Youth

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria adds new music toom to facilities

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CARPINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is thrilled to announce the addition of a fully equipped music room to its campus facilities and extends its gratitude to local Montecito residents and singers/songwriters, Lila and Georgia MacPhail, for their generous contribution of this exciting new learning space. 

The addition of this space for the creative arts allows the organization to expand its mission to offer girls abundant opportunities to learn and grow as they become the strong, smart, and bold leaders of tomorrow.

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Business, Commentary, Finance, Local, News, Seniors

Friendship Adult Day Care Center in Santa Barbara — You Helped Us Surpass Our Goal—Thank YOU!

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Thank you for making Friendship Center’s 50th Anniversary Summer Polo Soirée an incredible success!
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Together, our Summer Polo Soirée and Summer Campaign raised over $75,000, exceeding our fundraising goal and helping provide compassionate daytime care for older adults living with dementia in South Santa Barbara County.

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Business, Health, Local, News, Women

Hospice Of Santa Barbara welcomes new board member, Mindy Denson

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SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) is proud to welcome Mindy Denson as the newest member of its Board of Directors. Denson joins the leadership team with a long history of local engagement and a deep commitment to supporting the organization’s compassionate mission. 

Mindy has spent more than 30 years in Santa Barbara working in substance abuse counseling and retail management. Moving from Cleveland, Ohio, Mindy attended UCSB and after completing graduate school, she worked for Santa Barbara and San Mateo Counties counseling individuals and groups with alcohol/drug problems.

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

Local high school artists take the stage at TOArts Creators Conservatory Showcase

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THOUSAND OAKS — TOArts invites the community to celebrate the next generation of local artists at the culminating showcase of its Creators Conservatory on Tuesday, August 4 at 1:00 p.m. in the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center.

The showcase will feature original adaptations of The Day the Crayons Quit, the bestselling children’s book written by local author Drew Daywalt, alongside musical theatre selections students have developed throughout the program.

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Business, Commentary, Education, Family, Finance, Government, Local, News, Opinion

Guest commentary — Ventura County Taxpayers Association (VCTA) — ‘Why Ventura County Must Vote Yes on Proposition 43’

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For nearly half a century, Proposition 13 has served as California’s bedrock defense against unsustainable taxation and fiscal overreach. By capping property tax rates and establishing clear supermajority vote requirements for special taxes, voters created a stable framework designed to keep homeowners in their homes and ensure local governments live within their means.

However, over the past decade, judicial rulings have eroded these core taxpayer protections.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Family, Finance, Local, News, Youth

Ventura College Foundation raises $7.1 million during ‘Invest in Success’ fundraising campaign

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VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation announced it surpassed the $7 million goal of its “Invest in Success” fundraising campaign by $117,289.

The Invest in Success campaign was launched when the Ventura College Foundation Board of Directors approved a plan to sustain the long-term future of the VC Promise Program and Basic Needs Centers. 

“Ventura College exists because our community believes that education has the power to transform lives. The outstanding success of the Invest in Success campaign is a powerful reflection of that shared commitment in action. Together, Ventura College, the Ventura College Foundation, and our generous donors are ensuring that financial hardship doesn’t stand between a student and the opportunity to access education and pursue their educational goals,” says Dr. Luca E. Lewis, Ventura College president.

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Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Local, News

Moorpark College Theatre Arts announces auditions for Thornton Wilder’s Classic ‘Our Town’

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MOORPARK — The Moorpark College Theatre Arts Department is pleased to announce auditions for its upcoming Fall 2026 production of Thornton Wilder’s ”Our Town.” This production revisits the first play performed in the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center as a part of the college’s 60thanniversary celebration.

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