Help low-income families and individuals improve their financial security. Consider joining our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) team of tax preparers and interviewers for the 2025 Tax Year. Volunteers prepare federal and state tax returns at no cost, assisting clients to access the tax credits for which they are eligible. Services will be provided at multiple sites across Ventura County offering the opportunity to volunteer during the day, in the evening, or on Saturday.
In the 1970s, in a more prosperous country, company “headhunters” were pursuing us even before we graduated from college. Sometimes we ended up with several job offers. Our “dilemma” was having to choose from among them.
I sympathize with today’s college graduates. Today, untold numbers of graduates are experiencing a superabundance of frustration as they submit, sometimes literally, hundreds of their résumés online to a wide range of companies.
CAMARILLO — Rebozo Festival, Inc., is pleased to announce that awards of up to $30,000 will be granted to qualified non-profit organizations that focus on the cultural, social and/or educational needs of the Ventura County community. The application process will open September 4th and will close September 30th, 2025, at 5:00 pm.
LOS OLIVOS — As the nation celebrated Labor Day, farmworkers in Santa Barbara County remindED the public that the fight for workers’ rights and dignity is far from over. On Saturday, August 30, 2025, just ahead of Labor Day, farmworkers and community supporters marched through Los Olivos to demand living wages and safe working conditions in the region’s world-famous wine industry. On a busy weekend for tasting rooms in Santa Ynez Valley wine country, community members marched to remind the public of the labor behind the expensive bottles of wine they enjoy on their days off.
This Labor Day, we celebrate the hardworking men and women who keep cargo moving and communities thriving
“Every donation helps us put diapers in the hands of parents who need them most,” said Lori Goodman, CEO of LEAP. “Together, we can relieve some of the daily stress families face and make sure babies across our county have the healthy start they deserve.”
Just a reminder to our patrons that I personally preview each film to insure a great viewing experience each and every Monday screening.
?Our Film Series screens (usually) two films each month, on the first and third Mondays at 3:30pm and 6:30pm at Plaza Cinemas in downtown Oxnard.
We will continue our mission of providing the best of world cinema to the Oxnard and Ventura County community and supporting local filmmakers.
Thanks, George J. Sandoval, Executive Director
VENTURA — Emergencies can strike without warning, and the first hour is critical for protecting lives and property. This September, in recognition of National Preparedness Month, the Ventura Police Department is proud to launch “Ready Your Ventura Neighborhood,” a program that equips neighbors to act fast, save lives, and protect their community.
Check out the video below to preview the sounds coming to the Ventura Music Festival this October, then act quickly – Mozart & The Mind on October 12th is already SOLD OUT and other concerts are selling fast! Get your tickets today!
We trust you have enjoyed the Surf Bayan Summer brought to us by the Santa Barbara Magazine’s collaboration with DJ Javier with this collectible artist special issue. We’re grateful to the Santa Barbara Magazine team and congratulate them on their 50th anniversary summer issue.
If you haven’t read DJ Javier’s story it’s not too late! Click the button below for the digital version of the magazine and keep those freewheeling beachy summer art vibes on deck just a little bit longer.
We’ve just started installation for DJ Javier: San Milano Drive and look forward to welcoming you back to the museum this fall!
SANTA PAULA — Beginning in October, the Southeast Ventura YMCA will provide water safety classes to third graders in the Simi Valley Unified School District.
The YMCA, in partnership with the Simi Valley Unified School District, will offer its Safety Around Water (SAW) program to approximately 900 third-grade students at no charge. Bus transportation is included to and from the Simi Valley Family YMCA’s indoor pool, where the swim program will be held.
Third graders from all 18 Simi Valley elementary schools will take part in the four-day program, Monday through Thursday. In-water and out-of-water safety training is included.
The California Earthquake Brace & Bolt program offers up to $3,000 to help residents strengthen their homes against earthquake damage. For the first time, it is open to all zip codes in Santa Barbara County and now includes non-owner-occupied rental properties. Applications are open through October 1.
Food Truck lineup:
Otra Vis Barbecue
Coolichi Sushi y Mariscos
Takumi
Cheesecake Plugg Caffe
Juarez Tacos
J&K Catering
Happy Place
Coyote Elote
Little Tony’s Wood Fired Pizza
Pupusería La Llama
La Chaparrita
Tacos Santa Cruz
La Picosita
Jimbo’s Funnel Cakes
Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors’ meetings are available in Spanish. Watch live on our Spanish YouTube Channel, or Cable TV subscribers can access Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) in language settings.
SANTA BARBARA — National Drive Electric Month is September 12 to October 12, 2025, and the Community Environmental Council(CEC) is raising awareness about the benefits of driving electric and the thousands of dollars individuals can save on a new or used…
IN-PERSON EVENT: READY • SET • GROW: SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS WORKSHOP SERIES
September 16, 23 and 30 @ 9:00 am
Join the City of Oxnard and Economic Development Collaborative for a 3-part series to help business owners improve legal compliance, financial planning and marketing. Participants will receive hands-on, practical training to achieve real results, such as official registration, funding readiness, and customer growth. This 3-workshop series will be conducted in English, with the option to answer questions in Spanish. Hands-on materials will be provided in both languages. Address: Oxnard Main Library, 251 S A St., Oxnard, CA, 93030
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
LOMPOC — Whether you’re a history buff, art lover, marine life enthusiast, or just looking for something fun to do on your next visit, Lompoc’s museums have you covered. From immersive historical landmarks to hands-on learning experiences, Lompoc offers a rich lineup of museums and cultural spots worth exploring. Here’s your guide to the best museums in town—each one full of personality, local flavor, and unexpected artifacts and exhibits.
Harvey Cusworth’s “Visions of Conejo Valley and the Malibu Coast”
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Saturday, September 13, from 4 PM to 6 PM
$5 SPAM Members • $10 Non-members
Experience the beauty of Ventura County through the eyes of award-winning Thousand Oaks artist Harvey Cusworth. Inspired by California’s distinctive natural light, Cusworth’s expressive oil paintings explore the dynamic between light, color, and form.
In a decisive move that prioritizes taxpayer dollars and essential services, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors rejected key elements of Item 43 on August 26, 2025. This proposal sought to allocate millions in public funds for immigration-related initiatives, including a $250,000 Immigration Legal Defense Fund, seven new positions in the Public Defender’s Office Immigrant Defense Unit at an annual cost of about $1.3 million, and up to $1.9 million over three years for a migrant education program.
The Agriculture Museum thanks everyone who joined us for the 10th Annual Labor Day Tractor Fair. Together, we celebrated Santa Paula’s rich agricultural heritage with a day filled with family-friendly activities, lively music, fascinating presentations, and a true spirit of community.
This year’s fair honored farming’s past, present, and future, showcasing the innovation and dedication that continue to shape Ventura County’s agricultural legacy. We are grateful for the opportunity to bring our community together, promote sustainable farming practices, and inspire the next generation to explore rewarding careers in agriculture.
A special thank you to our community partners, vendors, volunteers and staff. We couldn’t have done it without you!
From organizing restoration projects to hosting educational podcasts, CEC Climate Stewards are sparking a wave of climate action across California’s Central Coast. If you’re ready to make a real difference in your community, the Climate Stewards certification program is your chance to start.
Register today and get ready to gain the knowledge, tools, confidence, and network to drive impactful change where it matters most.
As this newsletter reaches you, I’ll be away on a little vacation- surely missing my friends and coworkers here at Friendship Center! But I also know how important it is to take time to recharge and fill my cup so that I can be able to best support my team and our beloved organization.
In a way, family caregivers are essentially running a full-time business themselves, however they are (most often) without employees, a clearly defined handbook of operations, or nights and weekends off
ENTURA — The City of Ventura is partnering with the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to launch Ready • Set • Grow, a free three-part workshop series held at Ventura City Hall located at 501 Poli Street in the Community Meeting Room on Thursdays, Oct. 2, 9, and 16, 2025, from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
SANTA BARBARA — Use Your Voice for Safer Streets! Join Us for Meetings October 8 (Online) & October 15 (In Person) Join the City to create safe and more accessible streets! Whether you walk, bike, or drive, your experiences matter—especially…
CAMARILLO — El Concilio Family Services is thrilled to announce a transformational surprise gift of $75,000 from Ventura County Credit Union (VCCU). The generous donation was unveiled during VCCU’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Camarillo branch, creating a powerful moment of celebration and partnership.
“We are deeply grateful to Ventura County Credit Union for their extraordinary generosity and their belief in our mission,” said Yvonne R. Gutierrez, Executive Director of El Concilio Family Services. “With so many outstanding organizations doing important and inspiring work, it means so much that VCCU chose to invest in us. This gift will allow us to stretch our resources further, expand our services, and bring even more support and hope to the communities we serve.”
“I may do it. I may not do it. Nobody knows what I’m going to do.” These words sum up the leadership style of President Trump. He appears to delight in keeping everyone guessing what his next move will be.
When Trump spoke these words last June, he was responding to a question regarding his intentions to collaborate with Israel to attack Iran.
Granted, a rational level of uncertainty can be beneficial when an enemy of the United States is being kept on its toes, not sure what the next move of our military might be, for example.
But when our nation’s citizens, as well as the world’s governments and businesses, are subjected to continual unpredictability and uncertainty from our country’s president, the inevitable result will be more chaos than we’ve already witnessed and future economic stagnation.
LOS OLIVOS — This Labor Day weekend, community members, in solidarity with farmworkers, will flood the streets of Los Olivos in a unified and powerful march to demand justice, dignity, and most of all, a living wage for farmworkers. Farmworkers are the backbone of Santa Barbara County’s wine industry, fueling Santa Barbara County’s economy once again not only through agricultural production but through lucrative wine tasting and tourism. Yet, they continue to face low wages, unsafe working conditions, and the constant threat of detention and deportation. Earlier this year, Santa Barbara County Supervisors voted to raise their own salaries, boldly maintaining that hard work deserves higher pay. We agree. The time is now. A living wage for farmworkers today.
OXNARD — Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH), a department of the Ventura County Health Care Agency (HCA), will join communities nationwide in recognizing the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) second annual “988 Day” on Monday, September 8, 2025. This year’s theme is Compassionate Help. Anytime.
988 Day raises awareness about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, emphasizing that suicide is preventable and that compassionate support is available anytime, anywhere. The Lifeline provides free, 24/7 access to skilled, caring, and trained counselors by text, chat, or phone call.
We know it’s hard right now. The federal government is harming our communities in so many ways. Housing costs are out of control, immigrant families are still under attack, and it can feel like no one in power is listening.
But this is exactly why we organize.
Organized immigrant tenants and workers are more important than ever. Unethical landlords and bosses can exploit the fear caused by ICE raids to pad their profits, hoping no one will speak out. But when we unite, we build trust, leadership, and courage – we win transformational change.
Especially in times like these, we have to celebrate our wins. This year across the Central Coast, tenants organizing with CAUSE have won historic victories!
VENTURA — Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies (BWBS) is proud to welcome two California-based brands known for challenging the status quo of corporate responsibility to its Ambassador program — Patagonia and Toad&Co.
BWBS encourages and verifies shipping companies’ cooperation with voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) requests along California’s coast to reduce fatal ship strikes to endangered whales, underwater radiated noise, air pollution and regional greenhouse gas emissions. The majority of international shipping traffic transiting to California ports cooperate in the program.
VENTURA — The Ventura Police Department Traffic Unit will conduct a DUI checkpoint at an undisclosed location within the city limits on Friday, August 29, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
DUI checkpoint locations are chosen based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by deterring residents from driving impaired.
During the checkpoint, officers will look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
THOUSAND OAKS — California Lutheran University’s Fifty and Better (FAB) program is pleased to announce its fall course session, early fall lectures and early fall chair yoga, Qigong and Tai Chi for fall prevention classes.
Amid tensions in the United States and questions about our democracy, FAB has worked to provide educational opportunities that delve into topics related to authoritarianism and our democracy, as well as offer lighter educational fair to provide a chance to escape the daily news cycle.
The fall course series, beginning September 2nd, offers four-week courses on a wide range of topics.
In response to recent burglaries in the Santa Rosa Valley area, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office partnered with Rosemary Allison, the Santa Rosa Valley CERT and Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, to provide residents with key safety information and practical tips to help secure their homes and property.
Representatives from the Moorpark Sheriff’s Station shared crime prevention strategies and encouraged residents to remain vigilant. These tips are an important reminder for all community members in communities throughout the area.
We’re delighted to share “Torch Cafe”, an art award and edition produced by Ry Rocklen for the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara. This ceramic object uses a photograph from the Metropolitan Museum of Art of an ancient “torch holder” that has been glazed to one side. Its back has become a carrier of a form from our modern times, a stack of disposable coffee cups. “Torch Cafe” is a synthesis of ancient and contemporary objects that plays with the tropes of trophies and awards. It’s is a vehicle for remembering, recognition, and celebration.
NEWBURY PARK — Ventura County residents can turn in working gasoline- and diesel-powered lawn and garden equipment and receive vouchers toward new cordless electric replacements at an event in Newbury Park on Saturday, Sept. 13.
The City of Thousand Oaks and the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) are hosting the Lawn & Garden Equipment Trade-In Event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 2010 Conejo Center Drive. (The facility will be closed for regular collection during the event.)
Residents can bring in their old equipment to demonstrate that it starts, turn it in to be destroyed, complete an application for the VCAPCD Lawn & Garden Equipment Exchange Program and receive a voucher toward battery-electric replacement of the same type. In most cases, the vouchers will cover most of the cost of new equipment, one charger and additional batteries.
The California Central Coast is on the frontlines of climate change — from extreme heat to wildfires to flooding, natural disasters are becoming part of our new reality. We may not be able to control when they strike, but we do hold the power to transform risk into readiness and build more resilient communities that continue to thrive in the wake of climate challenges.
To help residents who are most vulnerable, the Community Environmental Council (CEC) is partnering with the Central Coast Climate Collaborative (4C), County of Santa Barbara, Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN), and several area nonprofits to introduce the Central Coast Community Resilience Hubs Accelerator.
VENTURA — The City of Ventura broke ground this week on the long-anticipated Olivas Park Drive Extension and Levee Project, a transformative $51 million capital improvement that will improve traffic circulation, strengthen flood protection, and expand commercial development opportunities in East Ventura. Construction is expected to continue through summer 2027.
“This isn’t just a road or a levee. It is an investment in Ventura’s future,” said Mayor Dr. Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios. “This project reduces flood risks, eases congestion, and improves access to the Auto Center while activating over 90 acres of undeveloped land and creating the conditions for new businesses and innovation to thrive.”
“Throughout the year, we’ve focused on bridging the communities we serve through thoughtfully curated events and panel discussions,” says WVCBA President & CEO Andy Conli. “We’re very excited for 2025 to culminate with a fun, heart-warming awards show to celebrate businesses, organizations, and individuals who are having a positive impact in our business community!”
SCORE: FIVE COMMUNICATION MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN LEADING HIGH-PERFORMANCE GLOBAL TEAMS
August 27 @ 10:00 am
In this engaging, practical 75-minute workshop, you’ll learn the most critical communication mistakes that undermine trust and efficiency in your global teams — and how to avoid them, how to adapt to different communication styles to ensure every team member feels understood and empowered and proven techniques for ensuring you are an effective communicator—both as a speaker and as a listener. In today’s fast-paced, interconnected workplace, successful leaders must communicate clearly and inspire teams to work together toward common goals. Yet even experienced leaders can unintentionally create misunderstandings that slow progress, erode trust and impact performance.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
SANTA BARBARA — Many of us, in our own medical care in Santa Barbara, have come to rely on “MyChart by Epic” to keep track of appointments, view test results, and ask questions of our doctors. However, that is not an option for the thousands of patients who visit Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics (SBNC). Adopting the MyChart system would benefit the patients and families who come to SBNC, allowing them to take charge of their healthcare information in English and in Spanish. It will also allow the Clinics to seamlessly and easily share vital information with Cottage Hospital, UCLA, and other providers. It’s a critical and overdue improvement.
