SANTA MARIA — Caring for a critically ill child is every parent’s worst nightmare, and for too many families, navigating this unimaginable crisis is made even harder by financial strain. No parent should have to choose between paying medical bills and buying diapers. That’s why LEAP: Learn • Engage • Advocate • Partner and Hearts Aligned are strengthening their partnership to make life a little less stressful for such families in the Santa Maria area.
Our Camino Scholars summer program is in full swing! From touring the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and feeding animals at Ostrichland to dolphin watching on a Santa Barbara Harbor boat and a visit to the Maritime Museum, our students have been busy having fun in the sun! Learn more about this impactful program below.
CAMARILLO — AirWorks Solutions, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning company headquartered in Camarillo, has added plumbing services for residential and commercial customers throughout Ventura County, Santa Barbara County and the San Fernando Valley. With the same dedication to integrity…
IN-PERSON EVENT: DOUBLE YOUR SALES WITH “THE LAUNCH PYRAMID”
July 24 @ 8:00 am
Did you ever wonder why some people seem to make money hand over fist while everyone else is struggling? If yes, this is a “Must Attend” for business owners, no matter what size or type of business you have. Join SCORE and EDC for this info-packed, NO-COST In-Person workshop that will give you the answers you need! Regardless of the size and type of business you have, this might be one of the most important workshops you’ll attend all year. In it, one of our resident business experts, James I. Bond, will share the 5 tactics businesses are using RIGHT NOW that are helping them accelerate how fast they are able to bring on new customers and clients for their business. Address: Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli St., Ventura, CA 93001.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
VENTURA — Health Care Foundation for Ventura County (HCFVC) proudly announces a significant philanthropic investment of $1,258,949 in essential medical equipment for Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC). This contribution reflects HCFVC’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the public safety-net healthcare system and delivering high-quality, compassionate care for all residents of Ventura County. To date, HCFVC has secured and directed more than $14.5 million in charitable support to advance the work of the Ventura County Health Care Agency (HCA).
VENTURA — In response to a high volume of recent questions and public interest, the City of Ventura is providing clarification on the current status and next steps for the Main Street Moves street closure and parklet program.
Main Street, between Fir Street and Mission Park, and portions of California Street, between Poli Street and Santa Clara Street, remain closed to vehicles under the California Vehicle Code. The Ventura City Council has not yet made a final decision regarding the future of the closure.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College is still accepting registrations for the upcoming fall semester, which begins Aug. 18.
“Fall is a great time for students to take that next step,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “Whether they are pursuing a degree, a certificate, or just exploring something new, our faculty and staff are here to support their success.”
With hundreds of classes available in-person and online, there’s never been a better time for students to pursue their educational goals.
The Ventura Music Festival is officially only ONE WEEK away! Now is the time to secure last-minute tickets as many of the concerts are filling up fast. Learn more about the upcoming shows below.
Can’t wait until next week? Join The Schwab Summer Orchestra this Saturday the 19th for Mahler Symphony No. 1: “The Titan” to get ready for our weekend of music.
The VMF July series will take you from the swing-revival rock of Ventura legends to smooth jazz shores, then around the world with piano, guitar, violin, and vocal artistry. There’s music for everyone, so don’t miss out!
Five hundred fifty backpacks will be distributed to participants in the Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s Find My Genius, a free five-week summer program to support academic and social-emotional learning for low- and moderate-income students who are not reading at grade level. One hundred backpacks will be given to children affected by the California wildfires identified through the YMCA’s California Strong initiative.
OXNARD — Since joining GCTD in 1980, Lupe has served as a model of dedication, reliability, and care. Over the course of her career, she has driven an estimated 2 million miles, safely transporting thousands of passengers and embodying GCTD’s commitment to quality public service.
“Lupe has truly been the heart of this agency for nearly half a century—almost as long as GCTD itself has served this community,” said Vanessa Rauschenberger, General Manager of GCTD. “Her dedication to her passengers and her colleagues is truly inspiring. She represents everything we value in public transit: safety, reliability, and a deep connection to the community we serve.”
It’s been one week since our communities in Camarillo and Carpinteria were turned into war zones.
As I’m sure you know by now, heavily armed agents from ICE, CBP, DHS, and the National Guard raided workplaces and stormed through fields and neighborhoods, tearing farmworkers away from their families. They came in armored vehicles, masked and armed just like soldiers prepared for battle. They used tear gas, flash grenades, and rubber bullets on our neighbors – including pregnant women and children.
A City Councilmember was injured. A member of Congress was denied entry. A child was hit by shrapnel. A local veteran was detained for days without due process. A CSU professor was arrested. One worker was hospitalized and tragically died. 361 workers were disappeared by the armed and masked federal agents.
My sister “Ana” told me recently about a disjointed exchange she had with her granddaughter, “Sandra.”
Sandra and her brother “George” were home from their last full day of school before summer break. Thinking back on her own experiences in the 1950s, Ana asked them if any of their classmates had brought an apple for the teacher.
They both regarded her with wide-eyed, perplexed astonishment, saying “nooooo…,” emitting a tone of concern as if they thought their grandma was slipping into the first stages of dementia.
PORT OF HUENEME — The Port of Hueneme celebrated another milestone in maritime sustainability this week with the unveiling of its second STAX Engineering emissions capture and control barge at a press conference held on-port Wednesday, July 16. Just eight barges operate in all of California, with the Port of Hueneme operating two–one at each terminal.
The arrival of the second barge, known as STAX 6, underscores the Port’s commitment to sustainability and further positions the Port as a national leader in clean air operations and zero emissions infrastructure.
“We have always been a community-serving port. The port that farmers built. We take that responsibility very seriously,” explained Jess Ramirez, President, Oxnard Harbor District Board of Commissioners. “That’s why we continue to lead with innovation as we invest in solutions like these that bring real and tangible benefits.”
Oxnard City Manager Alexander Nguyen stated, “We’re excited for Brenda to lead the Housing Department. Her housing policy knowledge and years of service to the Oxnard community will be an asset in addressing two of the State’s most pressing issues—housing and homelessness, which remain increasingly vital as we face both federal and state budget cuts.”
SANTA PAULA — El Concilio Family Services will hold mobil clinic from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 24 at Puente de Vida Church, 203 S. 8th St., Santa Paula
“Let El Concilio help you stay protected and prepared! Our Mobile Immigration Clinic offers on-site assistance with:
Resident Card Renewal Applications (Form I-90
Application submission support
Bilingual staff ready to help (English/Spanish)
The Ventura County Air Pollution Control Board awards Clean Air Fund grants to support community projects that reduce emissions contributing to ozone and particle pollution. Ventura County exceeds state and federal standards for ozone and the state standard for PM 10, which is particulate matter with a diameter up to 10 micrometers.
The grants also fund proposals that address climate change, such as those that reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
View this email in your browser Congratulations to the 2025 Artists! Left to Right: Gabriela Ruiz, Manjari Sharma, Mary Heebner, Dr. JoAnn Kuchera-Morin, Diana Thater. Photo: Ingrid Bostrom Photography. Thank You! Whittier Trust, Carter W. Thicke Sofia & Mark Greif…
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon at the Santa Paula Art Museum’s 15th Annual Fine Art Auction Fundraiser on Saturday, August 16! Dozens of stunning artworks by historic and contemporary California artists will be up for bid, including museum-worthy pieces by Meredith Brooks Abbott, Jessie and Cornelis Botke, Robert Clunie, Paul Grimm, Douglas Shively, and many more. Plus, enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres catered by Parque 1055 while you browse.
SANTA BARBARA — The Music Academy of the West, now in its 78th season, hosted its annual gala on Saturday, July 11, raising $750,000 in support of its mission to advance transformative musical education and foster meaningful community through music. This year marked the debut of the Music Note Gala, a dazzling new celebration held on the breathtaking Upper Lawn of the Montecito Club. The sold out event hosted 410 passionate supporters of the arts under the stars for an inspiring evening of philanthropy, celebration, and extraordinary music.
Thanks to the generosity of Gala attendees — through paddle raises, auction bids, a raffle, and heartfelt donations — the event surpassed fundraising goals, reinforcing the critical role the Gala plays in sustaining the Music Academy’s year-round impact.
Ventura invites the public to attend a Planning Commission hearing on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. at 800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura, in the County Government Center, Hall of Administration, Lower Plaza Assembly Room. At the hearing, the Planning Commission will consider a General Plan amendment to implement updates to the County’s California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Implementation Manual and the Initial Study Assessment Guidelines (ISAGs). These two key documents guide how the County evaluates environmental impacts of proposed projects in the unincorporated areas of the County.
VENTURA — The Ventura County Assessor’s Office has begun mailing approximately 250,000 Annual Value Notices to property owners. These notices inform recipients of their property’s assessed value as of the lien date, January 1, 2025.
Of the total notices being sent, approximately 205,000 are postcards reflecting the standard 2% increase in assessed value in accordance with Proposition 13. In addition, more than 5,700 notices inform owners that their property’s market value is lower than its Proposition 13 factored base year value, indicating a temporary reduction in assessed value.
SANTA MARIA — The Allan Hancock College Foundation received a generous $45,000 donation from CoastHills Credit Union to support a variety of college programs, scholarships and student engagement initiatives throughout 2025.
The contribution represents the continuation of a nearly 30-year partnership between CoastHills and the college and strengthens their shared commitment to supporting education and community growth across northern Santa Barbara County.
“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support and trust CoastHills has shown in Hancock and our students,” said Jon Hooten, Ph.D., executive director of college advancement and the Allan Hancock College Foundation. “Their investment reaches every corner of our campus and helps us build a stronger, more connected community.”
The patterns captured in a newly developed non-linear model reveal whether plants are ‘water savers’ or ‘water spenders.’
VENTURA COUNTY — The Museum of Ventura County (Museum) is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Richard Rush as chair and Al Lowe as vice-chair of its board of directors. Both esteemed community leaders and longtime Camarillo residents have served on the Museum’s board since 2017 and played instrumental roles in the organization’s recent strategic repositioning.
Dr. Rush, president emeritus of California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI), brings a deep legacy of educational leadership and civic engagement to his new role as board chair. A visionary administrator, Dr. Rush was the founding president of CSUCI, where he forged lasting connections between the university and the broader Ventura County community. His academic background includes a Ph.D. in English Renaissance Literature and a master’s degree in English Literature from UCLA.
Social Justice Fellows (past and present), guided by our talented mentors and coaches, tackle these and many more challenges to improve Ventura County for all of us!
Become a Social Justice Fellow!
“We’re proud to deepen our support for VCCDC through this incredible opportunity provided by FHLBank,” said Linda Rossi, president and CEO of VCCU. “Together, we’re not just celebrating our 75th year — we’re investing in the future of Ventura County by helping more families access the resources they need to achieve homeownership and financial stability.”
VENTURA — Ronald L. Miller II was officially sworn in, on Monday, July 14, 2025, as Chief Probation Officer of the Ventura County Probation Agency. The Ventura County Board of Supervisors appointed Miller to the position on June 24, 2025, following an extensive statewide recruitment process.
Chief Miller brings more than 35 years of experience in probation services, having previously served as the Chief Probation Officer in Riverside County. In that role, he led more than 1,000 staff members and oversaw the management of multiple juvenile facilities. He has also held numerous leadership positions within the field, including serving as the Southern Region Chair for the Chief Probation Officers of California.
“I’m honored to step into this role and serve the people of Ventura County,” said Chief Miller. “I look forward to working with our dedicated team and community partners to enhance public safety, support rehabilitation, and promote long-term positive change.”
MOORPARK — The Moorpark College Theatre Arts Department is pleased to announce the addition of new faculty members to assist students in their entertainment career paths. Casting Director Jane Flowers will be teaching Audition Techniques and Tim Hornor will be teaching Improvisational Comedy this upcoming Fall 2025 semester.
After receiving her MFA from UCLA in Acting, Jane Flowers transitioned into casting in 2011. She has been nominated for two Artios Awards which celebrates excellence in casting for TV, film, theatre and commercials. Her casting credits include “Daisy Jones and the Six” (Amazon), “Seal Team” (CBS), “Dreamquil” (independent feature) starring Elizabeth Banks and John C. Reilly, and “Die Hart” (Roku) starring Kevin Hart, Katherine Hahn, Anna Garcia and J.K. Simmons. She is a member of the Casting Society of America.
SCORE: FUND YOUR BUSINESS WITH SPONSORS, EVEN IF YOU’RE JUST STARTING OUT
July 15 @ 10:00 am
Would you like to do what you love and have someone else foot the bill? Have you ever considered corporate sponsors for your business, show, book, charity, speaking engagements or events? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this webinar is for you! America’s most successful companies partner with sponsors. Why not you? Linda Hollander can help you. She is the author of the #1 best-selling book, Corporate Sponsorship in 3 Easy Steps, and the CEO of Sponsor Concierge. Linda has consulted with many entrepreneurs to help them profit from the awesome power of corporate sponsors and has 20 years of experience in business. Her corporate sponsors have included Microsoft, Wells Fargo, Epson, Citibank, FedEx, Health Net, Southwest Airlines, Bank of America, Staples, American Airlines, Walmart and IBM.
Summary:
The Board will discuss recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Santa Barbara County and hear from the public. Specifically, the Board will review federal enforcement actions that took place near Carpinteria on July 10, 2025, and in Santa Maria in early June. The discussion will include the community impact of these actions and any Board direction on this item.
SUPPORT A LOCAL COLLECTION DRIVE
The final day to drop off donations will be Friday, July 18th. Help us reach our goal of donating 1,000 backpacks stuffed with essential school supplies for homeless middle schoolers in Ventura County. When dropping off your donation, look for the pop-up bus and stop sign. Please note that only brand-new school supplies will be accepted.
Ry Rocklen (b. 1978, Los Angeles, CA) is an American sculptor. His sculptures, born out of an array of found and readymade objects, reflect his pursuit of the sublime in the things we take for granted.
Rocklen participated in the critically acclaimed MCASB exhibition Home Show, Revisited in 2011.
Ancient Art Award (Cup from a torch-holder, Cyprus, 6th century BCE from The Met Collection)
2025
6 x 8.75 x 2.75
Ceramic, glaze, glaze decal
Edition of 5
Exclusive to the Art Award recipients.
SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Health appoints Matthew (Matt) Morgan, MBA, FHFMA, FACHE, as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective August 19, 2025.
Matt brings more than two decades of healthcare financial leadership and a proven ability to drive performance through strategic alignment and data-driven decision-making. Most recently serving as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Montage Health in Monterey, CA.
VENTURA — The City of Ventura invites residents and community members to help select the final artistic direction for the new seat wall tile artwork at Surfers Point. Take the quick, three-question survey now through July 27, 2025, at our website
Based on prior community input, the City has narrowed down the top color styles and theme options for the future tile artwork. Now, the public can help guide the final direction before the City launches a Call to Artists in early fall 2025.
“We’re excited to hear from the community about the final color palettes and themes, “ said Emily Fox, Assistant Parks & Recreation Director. “Their input will help guide the artists in creating designs that truly reflect the community’s values and vision for this public artwork.”
(Editor’s note: Federal agents wearing military camouflage gear raided a state-licensed marijuana nursery located between Camarillo and Oxnard on Thursday, July 11. The federal agents then used smoke and chemical canisters after a growing number of protesters attempted to block the arrests of workers, according to various media reports.)
Images and content below courtesy of the Mixteco / Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP). Please see related news stories below.
From MICOP’s Radio Indígena Facebook Live: We have some team members still on site waiting (as of Friday morning, July 11) for ICE to leave to provide transportation to community members trapped. This has been going on for at least 12 hours. This is the moment ICE agents shot teargas at unarmed community members as they prepared to leave the area.
As she was halfway around the world in New Zealand when her fight against cancer began, Santamaría would soon launch a journey that would bring her back to her California roots and back to Kaiser Permanente for care that she credits for her survival. She shares her story as a beacon of hope.
Santamaría is the associate vice president of strategy at California Lutheran University, where her role encompasses driving diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and belonging initiatives to deliver optimal offerings to students through partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits, municipalities and healthcare organizations.
SANTA BARBARA — California State University (CSU) Chancellor Mildred García has appointed Susan A. Andrzejewski to serve as California State University Channel Islands’ interim president. Andrzejewski, who currently serves as the university’s dean of the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics, will begin her new appointment on August 4, 2025.
“Dr. Andrzejewski is an innovative and collaborative leader, recognized for advancing student success through data-informed initiatives, experiential learning and regional partnerships,” said Chancellor García. “In addition, she has been a trusted and strategic partner to outgoing President Richard Yao, demonstrating impressive university-wide leadership and undeniable strategic acumen. With her strong connections to CSU Channel Islands and outstanding professional skills and personal qualities, Dr. Andrzejewski is the ideal person to lead the university through this time of transition.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) (July 10) celebrates a landmark decision by U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante of New Hampshire, who issued a ruling blocking the Trump administration’s executive order seeking to strip automatic birthright citizenship from children born in the United States to undocumented parents. This decision marks a crucial victory for members of LULAC, the first organization to file a lawsuit challenging the administration’s attempt to undermine one of the most fundamental rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
U.S. public is split on birthright citizenship for people whose parents immigrated illegally
Half of U.S. adults say people born in the United States to parents who immigrated illegally should have U.S. citizenship, while 49% say they should not. By contrast, nearly all say people born in the country to U.S.-born parents (95%) or to parents who immigrated legally (94%) should be citizens.
Related: Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship draws more disapproval than approval
VENTURA — A summer road trip to California’s Central Coast isn’t complete without a stop at Ventura Harbor Village—a sun-kissed seaside escape offering postcard-perfect sunsets, salty breezes, and a lively mix of coastal experiences. This July and August, Ventura Harbor Village invites locals and travelers alike to soak up the season with a vibrant array of mid-week events, live music, dining, and seaside adventures. https://www.venturaharborvillage.com/
Plan a perfect summer day and beat the heat to enjoy unforgettable moments along the waterfront. Guests can indulge in fresh coastal cuisine, wine tastings, one-of-a-kind boutique shopping, and ocean activities like paddle boating, electric boats, and kayaking. Free midweek parking and engaging events make it even easier to plan a visit.
