In less than 30 days, our community has witnessed yet another violent physical attack against individuals bearing witness to ICE activity in Santa Barbara County.
805 UNCOCUFund — Two Violent Incidents in 30 Days — We Will Not Be Intimidated
Category: Business
Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Fuel Your Business Growth with Simi Valley’s Low-Interest Loans!
Union registered nurses across the country (including Ventura County) hold day of action TODAY to protest ICE as one of worst public health threats
Registered nurse members of National Nurses United, the nation’s largest union and professional association of RNs, are naming federal immigration enforcement agencies as among the country’s top public health threats, and demanding through national coordinated protests on Thursday, Feb. 19 that Congress stop funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and move to abolish ICE for the health and safety of patients and communities. Nurses also blame hospital executives for failing to clearly side with nurses and immigrant patients by acting to keep ICE out of hospitals.
Bilingual report — City of Ventura adopts emergency ordinance prohibiting the removal and trimming of trees within protected wildlife habitats
VENTURA — On Tuesday, February 10, the Ventura City Council adopted an emergency ordinance prohibiting the removal and trimming of trees within identified protected wildlife habitats. This ordinance only applies to trees within the protected areas.
Community Environmental Council — Community Song Circle is sold out
We’re thrilled to share that the Community Song Circle is officially SOLD OUT!
Thank you to everyone who RSVP’d — we’re so inspired by the enthusiasm for this gathering of music, connection, and shared expression.The Community Song Circle, part of our Embodied Arts Workshop Series, brings people together to raise their voices in celebration of community, nature, and our shared humanity. Santa Barbara–based community song leader Heather Stevenson has been leading song circles since 2019, creating inclusive spaces where participants feel uplifted, inspired, and soothed. In this workshop, you’ll learn short, meaningful songs taught by ear. No experience or ability to read music is required. Each song highlights our connection to the Earth and the natural world, fostering community, peace, joy, and healing.
New affordable family and workforce housing developments advance in Unincorporated Ventura County (near Ojai) and Santa Barbara with McCarthy Companies
VENTURA COUNTY — McCarthy Companies has been selected to provide Preconstruction and General Contracting services for two new affordable housing developments, bringing a total of 112 new affordable units to the Central Coast counties.
Museum of Ventura County — Inside the Exhibition Opening + What’s Next
We welcomed hundreds of guests for an inspiring first look at Pages to Posters: The Visual Worlds of Simms Taback. This exhibition celebrates learning, community, humor, and cultural connection, values that shaped Taback’s work. Vibrant original posters and illustrations are on display, along with Taback’s Caldecott Medal and his design for the first McDonald’s Happy Meal box. The evening featured refreshments and live jazz by The Dennis Berger Trio, sponsored by the Ventura Music Festival.
WATCH THE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:
Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — SBA Financial Assistance Now Available for businesses affected by the late December 2025 storms
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has declared a disaster for the late December 2025 storms, which occurred from December 16 to December 25, 2025. SBA now offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs, including faith-based organizations, with financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.
View SBA’s disaster declaration HERE
UCSB — The Current — ‘Moving beyond money to measure the true value of Earth science information’ and more news, events
Researchers have mapped out methods for assessing its societal benefits, an effort that could lead to more effective uses of remote sensing technology while increasing benefits to people at large.
Agromin turns 1.25 million tons of organic waste into compost In 2025
OXNARD — Agromin, California’s largest organics recycler, composted more than 1.25 million tons of organic waste in 2025, a 250,000-ton increase from 2024.
The Oxnard-based company manages 21 processing and composting facilities throughout the state. Its finished products are used by farmers, commercial landscapers, residential customers, nonprofits, schools and state and local government agencies.
Because of state-mandatory organic waste recycling laws, California jurisdictions are enlisting the help of organic recyclers like Agromin to help turn their green waste into compost and mulch. Ten of those jurisdictions partnered with Agromin in 2025 to distribute finished compost and mulch products to residents through customized coupon programs.
County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — Direction to pause proposed transition of area Agency on aging administration & evaluate service options
Chair of the Board Jeff Gorell has placed an item on the upcoming Board of Supervisors agenda to preserve current senior programs and pause proposed transition of the Area Agency on Aging Administration while further evaluation takes place. The item will be on the March 3, 2026 Board of Supervisors Agenda.
Click here to read the full Board Letter.
SBCC Financial Aid Fest on Feb. 25 offers students/community a helping hand to file their financial aid applications
SANTA BARBARA — Financial Aid Offices from across Santa Barbara (including Santa Barbara City College, UC Santa Barbara and Westmont College) will participate in a hands-on event to help local students and their families complete their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Financial Aid) or CADAA (California Dream Act Application). SBCC’s Financial Aid Fest will be held Wednesday, Feb. 25, at SBCC’s East Cliff Campus (details below).
County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — Storm update
Ventura County will see multiple storm systems this week, bringing periods of rain, colder temperatures, and possible travel impacts. The first storm has already moved through, with 0.75–2.5 inches of rain recorded. Light, intermittent showers may continue through Tuesday afternoon. A second, colder system arrives Tuesday evening, bringing about 0.5 inch of rain locally (up to 1.5 inches in foothills and mountains). Snow levels may drop to 3,000 feet, with 1–3 inches of snow possible along the Grapevine, which could impact travel. A final storm is expected Thursday, with 0.5–1 inch of additional rain.
For the latest updates, visit the National Weather Service website.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule
IN-PERSON EVENT: CITY OF MOORPARK: READY • SET • GROW: SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS WORKSHOP SERIES
February 19 @ 8:00 am
Join the City of Moorpark 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: Moorpark City Council Chamber, 323 Science Drive, Moorpark, CA 93021. Price: FREE.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Housing Trust Fund Ventura County commits $2,000,000 to create 291 units of affordable housing in Oxnard
VENTURA COUNTY — Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) has approved $2 million in loans to create 291 affordable homes across two Oxnard communities. The funding will support Lockwood Phase III and Cypress Place Phase II, addressing the critical need for housing among working families, farmworkers, and low-income households. Local developer Homes & Hope will receive a $500,000 predevelopment loan to develop Lockwood III, creating 232 apartment homes for families earning 30-70% of area median income (AMI). People’s Self Help Housing Corporation will receive a $1.5 million predevelopment loan for Cypress Place II, which will provide 59 apartment homes for households earning 30-60% of area median income (AMI).
Bilingual report — City of Ventura celebrates completion of Cabrillo Village Multi-Use Path
“This project is more than just a bike and pedestrian path. It’s about connectivity, sustainability, and enhancing quality of life,” said Mayor Dr. Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios. “By investing in accessible transportation options, we’re creating dedicated corridors where residents can walk, bike, and roll through our city in ways that support their well-being.”
Ventura County Civic Alliance Livable Communities Newsletter – February 15, 2026
The Ventura County Civic Alliance’s most recent State of the Region Report released in November 2025 omitted our Key Statistics section. The data for that section comes from the U.S. Census website which was unavailable during the government shutdown in October 2025.
Our first article, based on data since collected from the U.S. Census American Community Survey 5 years (Table S0101), will give you our current status and highlights three cities where population growth is bucking the downward county trend.
The last two articles focus on the needs of our population and the nonprofits that serve them.
Women’s Fund in Santa Barbara County set to distribute $1,375,000 grants pool in 2026
“This large grants pool not only reflects the remarkable generosity of our 1,450+ members but also their commitment to our community,” says Women’s Fund Board Chair Carolyn Jabs. “It also demonstrates the power of collective giving. By combining our contributions, we magnify the impact of every member’s donation so we can give significant grants to nonprofits with projects that benefit vulnerable women, children, and families.”
Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara names Foodbank of Santa Barbara County ‘Partner Organization of the Year’
This annual award is selected by Housing Authority staff and recognizes a partner organization whose work has made the most meaningful, measurable difference for the people and communities the Authority serves.
“Stable housing is essential — but housing alone is not enough,” said Rob Fredericks, Executive Director/CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara. “Food security is absolutely foundational to health, stability, and dignity. The Foodbank’s work ensures that families, seniors, and individuals don’t have to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table. Their impact is profound, especially during times of economic uncertainty.”
ICE OUT OF (U.S. 101) 805 BRIDGE BRIGADE protest in Ventura/Santa Barbara counties to be held Feb. 14
This Valentine’s Day, nine communities are gathering at local overpasses to peacefully declare their support for their immigrant neighbors, for democracy, and for the just America our country has the potential to be.
All events start at 11:00 am. Bring your signs and flags! Meet your neighbors and make new friends.
Here are the nine locations. (This post’s listed address is just for the Ventura site, as Mobilize only allows one location per post.)
805 UNCOCUFund — 2026: From Response to Resilience
As we begin 2026, I want to take a moment to reflect on how far we have come — and where we are headed.
If the past few years have taught us anything, it is this: we cannot rely on systems that were never designed to protect undocumented and mixed-status families. And yet, through collective leadership, love, and courage, our community continues to build what did not exist before.
At 805UndocuFund, we did not just respond to crisis in 2025 — we built power.
Union registered nurses across the country (including Ventura County) to hold day of action Feb. 19 to protest ICE as one of worst public health threats
Ventura
Ventura County
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93009
Location: Corner of Victoria and Telephone Ave
7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. PT
A to Z Law partner mew VP for Ventura County Legal Association
OXNARD — Susan McCarthy, a partner with A to Z Law, is the incoming vice president of the Ventura County Trial Lawyers Association.
The Ventura County Trial Lawyers Association is a local organization of trial attorneys dedicated to improving the civil justice system, the lawyers who serve it and the overall community around it. McCarthy, whose practice focuses on business, commercial, real property and probate litigation, has been on the association’s board of directors since 2008.
Guest contribution — Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics promotes heart health this Valentine’s Day
SANTA BARBARA — This February, in observance of American Heart Month, Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics (SBNC) wants to remind the community to practice heart-healthy habits and stay up to date on screenings. With Valentine’s Day this Saturday, it is the perfect time to think about ours and the hearts of those we care about. SBNC encourages neighbors to show their love by scheduling a heart health check-up for themselves or helping a loved one book their own.
SEEAG’s Free ‘Farm Day Every Day’ At Brokaw Nursery in Ventura – February 28
Visitors will tour the nursery to get a behind-the-scenes look at how plants are grown and cared for. Brokaw Nursery produces over 300,000 plants, including avocados and fruit varieties, and exports them to farmers and landscapers locally and worldwide. Family-owned and in business for 60 years, Brokaw Nursery will share its expertise in avocado plants and nursery production.
Bilingual report – Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Report: Potential storm water runoff contamination in Ventura County
VENTURA — As part of the Ventura County Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Program, the Environmental Health Division (Division) is providing the following precautionary information to the public. Rainfall that is significant enough to result in runoff can flow into storm drains, channels, creeks, and rivers that empty onto the beaches of Ventura County.
In general, 0.2 inches (2 tenths of an inch) of rainfall may be enough to create significant runoff conditions.
United Way of Ventura County’s Landlord Engagement Program reaches major milestone: 1,000 people housed
United Way of Ventura County’s United to End Homelessness (UTEH) Ventura County proudly announces a major milestone in its mission to address homelessness in our community. Since the founding of the Landlord Engagement Program (LEP) in
2019, 1,000 people have now been housed.
SYV People Helping People announces launch of Women’s Legacy of Giving
The newly formed Women’s Legacy of Giving pools all member contributions with 100% of funds directly supporting People Helping People programs serving local children, families, and seniors.
Women are asked to contribute of $500, $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000 for annual membership in the Legacy of Giving. Each woman will then share an equal voice in collective funding decisions, regardless of her giving level.
Santa Barbara Education Foundation welcomes Vanessa Pelton as executive director
Pelton joins SBEF as the organization celebrates its 40th year and will lead efforts to support nearly 12,000 students across the Santa Barbara Unified School District through programs that expand access to enrichment, innovation, and opportunity.
$9.5 Million in incentives now available for energy-saving upgrades on the Central Coast
VENTURA — Incentives through 3C-REN (Tri-County Regional Energy Network), a partnership between the Counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura, are once again available to help improve homes and other buildings with clean, energy efficient systems. The renewed 2026 funding follows high demand in 2025, when incentives for single-family homes and the commercial sector were fully exhausted months ahead of schedule.
Santa Barbara’s Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens & Chung residence nominated to the National Register of Historic Places
SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP) is pleased to announce that at its February 6, 2026 meeting, the California State Historical Resources Commission voted to add Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens, along with the adjacent Chung family house associated with the property, to the National Register of Historic Places (National Register). The National Register is the official list of the Nation’s cultural resources worthy of recognition and preservation. The nomination marks an important milestone in recognizing the cultural and historic significance of this beloved local landmark.
UCSB — ‘UCSB among the world’s most influential research universities for science impact’ and more news, events
The campus ranks first among U.S. public universities, third among all U.S. institutions and seventh worldwide for scientific impact.
Center Coast Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — (Tuesday, Feb. 10) Ventura City Council Has a Choice
For too long, bad landlords have used harassment and intimidation to push people out of their homes. Tomorrow, Ventura City Council has a choice.
If the City Council acts, they can put real protections in place so tenants aren’t bullied, threatened, or forced out just for standing their ground. In Oxnard, this policy is already doing what it’s meant to do: protecting tenants who speak up and shutting down landlords who try to terrorize families by threatening to call ICE.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule
IN-PERSON EVENT: CITY OF MOORPARK: READY • SET • GROW: SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS WORKSHOP SERIES
February 12 and 19 @ 8:00 am
Join the City of Moorpark 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: Moorpark City Council Chamber, 323 Science Drive, Moorpark, CA 93021. Price: FREE.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
UCSB — The Current — Special Edition: Celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science
While social media addiction hasn’t been officially recognized as a mental health condition, it shows up in brain scans, according to Kylie Falcione, a graduate student at UCSB’s Media Neuroscience Lab.
Moorpark College launches new bachelor’s degree in applied cyberdefense and network operations
The new applied bachelor’s degree program was designed in close collaboration with regional employers and public-sector partners to address growing demand for skilled cybersecurity and network operations professionals. Graduates will be prepared for high-wage, high-demand roles securing critical infrastructure, defense, healthcare, manufacturing, finance and emerging technologies across Ventura and Los Angeles Counties.
Community Environmental Council (CEC) — No new drilling: Why energy policy is really about power
Sigrid Wright and Joan Hartmann unpack why oil isn’t security — and what real energy leadership looks like for California and the nation.
SBMA announces Winter-Spring 2026 exhibitions
In the new year, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art offers a sweeping look at how artists engage with time. Works grounded in personal histories, inherited traditions, and collective memory speak to the past while giving us new ways to access it in the present. Contemporary materials and lived experience illuminate the world as it is now, yet they also open space for reflection and reinterpretation. Digital experimentation and visionary forms gesture toward the future, and at the same time expand how we record, memorialize, and remember. Seen together, these exhibitions reveal art as a continuum—one in which past, present, and future coexist, overlap, and remain vividly alive today.
Moorpark College Foundation welcomes new board members in 2025/2026
“The addition of Jacky Holler, Dr. Mark Mitchelson and Tracey Mateko strengthens the Foundation’s leadership with expertise spanning finance, healthcare, operations and community engagement,” said Dr. Julius Sokenu, president of Moorpark College. “Their collective experience and dedication will help advance our mission to support Moorpark College students and programs.”
Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — See What Our Community Made Possible
Last year reaffirmed what we’ve always known: lasting change is built together and it’s powered by community support.
Across the Central Coast in 2025, working-class immigrant communities organized to defend our neighborhoods and strengthen our shared power. Through conversations at the doors and on the phones, in community meetings and rallies in the streets, neighbors stepped forward as organizers and advocates, winning real protections for affordable housing, environmental health, and immigrant workers.
Our 2025 Community Report shows what our collective power made possible.
Port of Hueneme DOCK TALK January 2026 Community Newsletter
View this email in your browser January 2026 Taking the Helm in 2026: Jason Hodge Voted Board President of the Oxnard Harbor District Congratulations to Commissioner Jason Hodge on his appointment as President of the Oxnard Harbor District! Hodge brings…
Bilingual report — Food Share Ventura County building new food bank for the future
OXNARD — Food Share of Ventura County announces the launch of Feeding Our Future, a capital campaign project to build a new 85,000-square-foot food bank in Oxnard, CA.With a 12-acre parcel already secured, the new facility is designed to meet the growing demand and strengthen the region’s hunger-relief infrastructure for the long term.
Demand for food assistance in Ventura County has tripled since 2019. Food Share currently serves more than 250,000 neighbors each yearthrough a network of 200 nonprofit and community partners operating 335 distribution sites countywide. Today, Food Share operates out of three separate warehouses to distribute 21 million pounds of food annually.
Ventura County Credit Union announces $500,000 gift to support Food Share’s capital campaign for centralized warehouse
VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Credit Union (VCCU) on Feb. 5 announced a $500,000 commitment to Food Share of Ventura County to support the construction of Food Share’s new 85,000-square-foot facility. The partnership represents VCCU’s largest investment in the organization and builds upon decades of collaboration through donations and volunteer support.
“This long-term partnership with Food Share aligns with VCCU’s commitment to investing in the community and the organizations that ensure our community has access to essential resources,” said Linda Rossi, President and CEO of VCCU. “We believe in giving back to the organizations that enrich the lives of those we serve, and Food Share’s mission to address food insecurity is critical to the wellbeing of our entire community.”
The Collection at Riverpark reaches 95% leased occupancy rate as it welcomes six dynamic new tenants in 2026
Ventura County’s entertainment, wellness and retail selection expand through new partnerships
OXNARD — The Collection at Riverpark announces the addition of six new tenants, bringing the premier lifestyle destination to a 95% leased occupancy rate. The new additions reflect The Collection’s continued commitment to blending shopping, dining, entertainment and wellness into an environment that embodies the Southern California lifestyle.
Now Open:
Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation concludes 63rd Annual Meeting
SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP) hosted the 63rd Annual Meeting on January 24, 2026, in the Chapel at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park. SBTHP members voted to elect new members Andrew Le and Qing Xue to the board for a three-year term.
Cottage Health Names Katy Bazylewicz inaugural Werft Fellow for Innovative Leadership
SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Health is pleased to announce that Katy Bazylewicz, Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of Population Health, has been selected as the 2026 Werft Fellow for Innovative Leadership. Bazylewicz is the inaugural recipient of the fellowship, which is part of the Werft Leadership Institute, established in 2025 to honor the legacy of Cottage Health President Emeritus Ron Werft.
West Ventura County Business Alliance forms partnership with City of Port Hueneme
OXNARD — The West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA) is pleased to announce a new partnership with the City of Port Hueneme. Through the partnership, WVCBA will help promote Port Hueneme businesses and City initiatives, host networking events and business forums in the community, and provide advocacy on issues that affect local employers.
“Having many of the larger businesses in Port Hueneme already as WVCBA members, we’re excited to introduce ourselves the business community as a whole and be a resource for them, as well as establishing a deeper connection with the City of Port Hueneme,” says WVCBA President & CEO Andy Conli. “Not only does this partnership expand our reach, it reinforces our position as advocates for the business community and regional economy.”
Ventura College Foundation honors “Pirates of Distinction,” launches “Invest in Success” fundraising campaign
VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation will hold a “Celebration of Success” on February 11 at the outdoor stage on the Ventura College Campus from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. to honor the inaugural class of the “Pirates of Distinction” and the official launch of the Foundation’s “Invest in Success” fundraising campaign to support the Basic Needs Centers and VC Promise Program. The public is invited.
Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Join us for a NO-COST workshop series for businesses on Feb. 12, 19
Join the City of Moorpark, Accelerate CA and EDC for this workshop series, which has been developed to help advance business formalization, financial resilience and strategic visibility among small businesses in Ventura County. It addresses core areas where entrepreneurs often face barriers—legal compliance, financial planning, and marketing execution—offering hands-on, actionable training that leads to real outcomes: formal registration, funding readiness and customer growth.
