Category: Commentary

Santa Barbara City College shines light on Mental Health Awareness Month, joins countywide effort

by Community Contributor • May 4, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is joining the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness, county residents, businesses, organizations, and community partners in recognizing May as Mental Health Month by participating in the annual Light Up Green. The SBCC Board of Trustees recognized Mental Health Awareness Month with a resolution at their public board meeting on April 23 to formally acknowledge and build awareness.

“We are Lighting up SBCC’s Cliff, Schott, and Wake campuses with Green as a part of a county wide initiative to raise mental health awareness during the month of May,” shared SBCC Mental Health Counselor Lacey Peters, M.A. LMFT. “To further awareness, SBCC is hosting a Mental Health Awareness Event with the Active Minds Club to Destigmatize Mental Health Care on May 6th at 5:30 p.m. at SBCC West Campus BC Forum.”

Central Coast United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — Join May Day Actions on the Central Coast. See other events

by Community Contributor • May 1, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — May Day – also known as International Workers’ Day – is Friday, May 1, 2026, and we’re inviting you to take part in a powerful day of action across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

On May 1, workers, students, and families across the Central Coast will come together for a coordinated day of rallies and marches as part of a nationwide mobilization spanning more than 1,000 cities. Rooted in grassroots energy and a growing movement of economic noncooperation, communities are taking a collective stand – walking out of workplaces, classrooms, and stores – to demand a future that puts people over profit.

This “No Work, No School, No Shopping” action highlights the strength of everyday people united in solidarity with communities facing impossible choices amid escalating ICE raids and rising authoritarianism, while corporate profits continue to rise. From the fields to classrooms to city streets, the message across the Central Coast is clear: ICE OUT OF THE 805.

Bilingual commentary — The Art of Individual and Global Respect

by Community Contributor • May 1, 2026 • Comments Off

In kindergarten, children are taught to respect each other. The youngsters are taught to “be nice” to their classmates, avoid name-calling and, above all, respect them.

But along the way, as children grow older, something goes terribly wrong. We would think that as adults we would have figured out that hostile, demeaning language online and face-to-face do nothing to promote amity and forward progress.

Unfortunately, too many adults with angry schoolyard aggression enter our civic and political spheres, where they have the power to inflict irreparable damage and lasting chaos. This is very much the scenario that we are witnessing in real time. Too often it seems as if the policies that guide our current government’s agenda are cruelty, belligerence, and hate. Disrespect for others is a troubling and pervasive element of executive orders, legislative bills, presidential tweets, and official pronouncements.

Port of Hueneme — DOCK TALK – Community Newsletter – April 2026

by Community Contributor • May 1, 2026 • Comments Off

The Oxnard Harbor District proudly celebrated Earth Day along side the MERITO Foundation at the Ventura Earth Day Festival in downtown Ventura.

The Port continues its charge to Zero Emissions by 2030 as we utilize electric cargo handling equipment, solar arrays, emissions capture barges, and real-time air quality monitoring.

Mixteco Indigena Community Organization Project (MICOP) — No Work, No School, No Shopping: Oxnard May Day Calls for ICE Out of the 805 on May 1

by Community Contributor • May 1, 2026 • Comments Off

OXNARD — On May 1, 2026, workers, students, and families will join local organizations in Downtown Oxnard for a May Day Rally and March, as part of the May Day Strong Movement in over 1,000 cities nationwide to demand a country that puts people over profit. The action is part of a coordinated “No Work, No School, No Shopping” pledge to demonstrate solidarity with community members who continue to choose between basic needs amid increased fear due to ICE enforcement, while corporations and billionaires grow their wealth. Across California’s Central Coast, we rise together with one clear demand: ICE OUT OF THE 805.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Grackle research reveals behavioral flexibility and adaptation in action’

by Community Contributor • May 1, 2026 • Comments Off

With the Grackle Project, researcher Corina Logan is trying to understand how the highly social birds adapt to a variety of human-made environments.

Community Environmental Council (CEC) — You showed up for Earth Day — what comes next?

by Community Contributor • April 29, 2026 • Comments Off

This weekend, thousands of people came together on the Central Coast for the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival.

Together, we celebrated, connected, and recommitted to building a healthier, more resilient future.

Thank you for being part of it.

To carry this momentum forward, CEC is working to raise $75,000 by May 15 — and every gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

Guest commentary — Skip the uncertainty. Fly private

by Community Contributor • April 27, 2026 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO – In chaotic times, how much is peace of mind worth?

Traditional airports and airplanes have faced a slew of hurdles in the past few years, and recent news that airlines are beginning to cancel long-haul international flights in the face of rising fuel challenges only underscores those difficulties.

For the business traveler, though, being in-person can make or break a big moment. Contract negotiations often require a personal touch, and clients are more likely to sign on to bigger deals with the assurance of knowing who exactly they’re working with.

Bilingual commentary — The Blessings and Burdens of a Home

by Community Contributor • April 24, 2026 • Comments Off

We often hear of the plight of young people who are despairing of ever owning a home. We can’t blame them. It is not because they “don’t work hard enough.” Many of them, I’m sure, work longer hours than some of us in the boomer generation ever did. But we boomers grew up in very different economic times. We were riding the winds of a post-war boom that formed a very favorable backdrop for our economic lives.

The keys of a first home represent “adulthood” and the ultimate fulfillment of the American Dream. The milestone is celebrated with parties and social media high-fives. But what many younger people may not thoroughly understand is that a home is both a blessing and a burden.

Community Environmental Council (CEC) — From oil spill to Earth Day — and what comes next

by Community Contributor • April 23, 2026 • Comments Off

More than 50 years ago, a devastating oil spill off our coast sparked a powerful movement.
In 1970, our community came together to organize one of the first Earth Day celebrations — and the Community Environmental Council was born.

This weekend, we will gather again.

Earth Day is a reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together to demand change and build solutions.

But today, we are once again facing efforts to expand fossil fuels and roll back progress.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Clean’ beauty products for textured hair often contain hidden hazards’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • April 23, 2026 • Comments Off

New research suggests that for consumers with textured hair, the “clean” label may not always equal “chemical-free.”

Bipartisan opposition halts effort to weaken Endangered Species Act, safeguarding wildlife along California’s Central Coast

by Community Contributor • April 23, 2026 • Comments Off

CENTRAL COAST — After widespread opposition from constituents and conservation groups, House leaders have indefinitely postponed a vote on the “ESA Amendments Act” (H.R. 1897), a proposal that would have gutted the Endangered Species Act. The bill was pulled from consideration on April 22 moments before it was scheduled for a vote, after mounting concerns about its impact on more than 1,700 protected plant and animal species across the country.

UCSB — The Current — ‘UCSB’s David Gross wins Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • April 21, 2026 • Comments Off

Popularly known as the “Oscars® of Science,” the award honors scientists whose discoveries are significantly driving growth of human knowledge.

Bilingual report — Teatro de las Américas 34th Anniversary / 34 Aniversario, more news

by Community Contributor • April 17, 2026 • Comments Off

Teatro de las Américas

34th Anniversary

Dinner/Concert Fundraiser

Teatro de las Américas is celebrating its 34th anniversary as the only organization dedicated to Spanish-language theater on the Central Coast, and we invite friends, volunteers, and anyone interested in supporting the arts and culture in our community to join us for our annual benefit event.

Bilingual commentary — Modern Echoes of the Apollo Program

by Community Contributor • April 17, 2026 • Comments Off

Watching Artemis II loop around the Moon and come home felt like I too had “come home.” Some of us in my generation used to get up at 3 a.m. to watch the electrifying launches of the missions with god-like names: Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. We would watch with focused fascination the black-and-white images on our small TV screens, never imagining that our grandchildren some 50 years later would be seeing mesmerizing high-definition, full-color feeds of the lunar surface on large high-tech screens during their moonshot. It all felt like a powerful injection of déjà vu. It wasn’t just about the hardware or the physics; it was that energy of the thrill of returning to the Moon.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura employees mark milestones across decades of public impact

by Community Contributor • April 17, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA — More than six centuries of public service were recognized this week as the County of Ventura honored 24 employees reaching career milestones of 25 to 35 years. Their combined 660 years of service reflect decades of experience supporting essential programs and services across the county. The recognition took place during the April 14 meeting of the Board of Supervisors.

Over 300 teens and their parents shop at Prom Closet at local YMCAS

by Community Contributor • April 17, 2026 • Comments Off

WESTLAKE VILLAGE — Over 300 teens and their parents selected free prom attire at Prom Closets at the two branches of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA. Prom Closets were held at the Simi Valley Family YMCA and Yarrow Family YMCA in Westlake Village. Both Prom Closets were filled with donated, gently used and new formal wear for use by high schoolers at their prom.

For the past three years, the Southeast Ventura County YMCA and its branches have partnered with the Simi Valley Soroptimist Club to hold a Prom Closet at both YMCA sites.

Ventura County Taxpayers Association (VCTA) 2026 Economic Outlook Report is HERE!

by Community Contributor • April 16, 2026 • Comments Off

Download the 2026 Economic Outlook Report presented at our April 14th VCTF event.

This comprehensive report is presented by Dr. Mark Schniepp from the California Economic Forecast.

Meet the Development Team at the Museum of Ventura County

by Community Contributor • April 13, 2026 • Comments Off

Hi, I’m Heather Williams, Chief Development Officer at the Museum of Ventura County.

First and foremost, thank you for your support of the Museum. It’s people like you who help keep our mission, vision, and purpose alive.

I wanted to reach out to introduce myself and our team. You may know our Barbara Barnard Smith CEO, Elena Brokaw, but you may not know us, the development team. We’re the ones who call to thank you for your donations, send your tax letters, answer your membership questions, and most importantly, build and sustain the funding plan for the Museum of Ventura County.

Our small but mighty team wouldn’t be able to do what we do without you. Each quarter, we’ll send an email like this one highlighting wins that you, our MVC community, made possible.

‘Let Us Entertain You Seaside’ with free live music all month long at Ventura Harbor Village

by Community Contributor • April 13, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Ventura Harbor Village is setting the stage for a menagerie of free, family-friendly, live weekly music throughout April 2026 on the seaside Promenade Stage at the waterfront. The ongoing music series showcases a dockside selection of top-notch musicians who present a variety of genres, including Pop, Rock and coastal surf rock.

Enjoy the perfect coastal day with live music from 1 – 4 PM. Relax by the water as talented local musicians set the scene with a mix of lively and

laid-back tunes.

Whether you’re dining at a waterfront restaurant or simply soaking up the ocean breeze, the vibrant music adds the perfect soundtrack to your visit.

Bilingual report — Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Report: Potential storm water runoff contamination

by Community Contributor • April 13, 2026 • Comments Off

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.

Community Environmental Council (CEC) — Final Call: Spring Climate Stewards Course starts this Wednesday!

by Community Contributor • April 13, 2026 • Comments Off

The Central Coast is counting on people like you to step up for a climate-safe future. CEC’s Climate Stewards Certification Program, in partnership with the University of California Environmental Stewards program, gives you the tools to launch and lead climate solutions in your neighborhood. Starting this Wednesday, April 15, join a cohort of community members, professionals, students, and retirees who are done waiting on the sidelines and ready to lead.

Mixteco / Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) — From the Fields to Fair Pay: New report demands change

by Community Contributor • April 10, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA MARIA – Alianza Campesina (on April 8) held a press conference to unveil new statewide research. The report builds on years of organizing led by Central Coast farmworkers fighting for living wages and safer, more dignified workplaces.

“Just a week ago, California took a step in the right direction, identifying March 31st as Farmworker Day, but now that everyone has collectively recognized the importance of celebrating farmworkers across the state, we need to follow up with action because farmworkers need more than just celebration. They need a living wage, and that is why we are gathered here today, to demonstrate that implementing a living wage is viable and is long overdue,” Erica Diaz Cervantes, Associate Policy Director with CAUSE.

Bilingual commentary — Humanoid Robots and the Future of Work

by Community Contributor • April 10, 2026 • Comments Off

We are all generally aware that the explosion of AI in our lives represents both a blessing and a threat. Some of the dangers are real, and some are imagined. We might also be conscious of the currently outsized impact that AI is having on white-collar careers such as computer programming.

But whereas the college-bound and college graduates are particularly acutely aware of the disruptive nature of AI, it’s beginning to dawn on many of us that the threat we’re sensing is only the proverbial tip of the iceberg.

County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — ounty of Ventura marks Mountain Fire recovery milestone with first rebuilt home cleared for occupancy

by Community Contributor • April 10, 2026 • Comments Off

The County of Ventura has issued the first certificate of occupancy for a home rebuilt following the Mountain Fire, marking a significant step forward in the community’s recovery. The fire, which started November 6, 2024, burned through unincorporated Camarillo and surrounding areas, destroying 182 homes and damaging additional structures. The disaster displaced hundreds of residents and launched a long-term recovery effort involving multiple county agencies and community partners.

CLU School of Management — 2026 Housing Conference Coverage now available

by Community Contributor • April 9, 2026 • Comments Off

CESI’s 2026 conference, “California’s Housing Crisis: Roots of the Problem and What Lies Ahead,” is now fully available—bringing together opening remarks, cutting-edge research, a dynamic panel, and candid Q&A throughout.

Explore three short highlight videos tackling housing affordability, economic inequality, and the mounting pressures facing communities across California.

This is more than a recap—it’s a call to action. Join the conversation, challenge the status quo, and help drive the long-overdue change Californians deserve.

Community Environmental Council (CEC) — The Spring Climate Stewards Course Starts April 15 — Grow into Climate Leadership, more news, events

by Community Contributor • April 9, 2026 • Comments Off

Wednesdays, April 15 through June 3, 2026
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. PDT via Zoom
(Plus occasional weekends for in-person field trips)
You don’t have to be a scientist or politician to make a difference in the climate movement. Real progress happens neighbor by neighbor. CEC’s Climate Stewards Certification Program, in partnership with the University of California Environmental Stewards program, equips everyday people to lead that change, offering a clear path toward meaningful local action.

ReFrame 2026: A Day of Inspiration, Advocacy, and Skill-Building for Ventura County’s Creative Community to be held April 12

by Community Contributor • April 9, 2026 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — Ventura County’s artists, cultural leaders, and creative entrepreneurs are invited to gather for ReFrame, a one-day convening designed to strengthen the region’s creative economy and support the people who power it. The 3rd annual event is taking place Sunday, April 12, 2026 from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM at Studio Channel Islands Art Center (SCIArt) in Camarillo. It brings together creatives from across the county to learn, connect, and explore how arts and culture can drive both community wellbeing and economic vitality.

Santa Barbara World War II Veteran turns 105 Years Old

by Community Contributor • April 9, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Stanley Isaac Clothier was born on April 8, 1921, in Lakeside, Montana, a tiny town along Flathead Lake, not far from Glacier National Park. His life began at the tail end of the “Roaring Twenties,” a time when jazz filled the air, prohibition shaped culture, and the nation stood on the brink of the Great Depression.

But Stan’s beginnings were far removed from the energy of city life. He was raised in a log cabin built by neighbors in a “housing bee,” without electricity or plumbing, warmed by a potbelly stove. One of seven children in a hardworking homesteading family, his early years were shaped by resilience, resourcefulness, and a deep connection to the land. His father, Asa, had himself journeyed west by covered wagon as a child, an echo of the American frontier that still defined Stan’s upbringing.

VC CoLAB leadership update

by Community Contributor • April 9, 2026 • Comments Off

Dear VC CoLAB Members and Supporters:

I want to share an important update with you directly.

After seven years serving as Executive Director, I have made the difficult decision to leave VC CoLAB. I have accepted the position of CEO of the Farm Bureau of Ventura County, where I will continue advocacy work with a focused emphasis on agriculture.

Community Environmental Council (CEC) — We can’t go back

by Community Contributor • April 9, 2026 • Comments Off

Help us meet this moment.

To defend climate progress on the Central Coast, we must raise $75,000 by May 15 — and your gift will be doubled thanks to a generous match from our Board and President’s Council.

Make your matched gift today ?

More than 50 years ago, an oil spill off our coast exposed the risks of fossil fuels — and led to the creation of the Community Environmental Council.

Today, we face renewed threats.

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — The Art World Can’t Stop Talking About This Essay

by Community Contributor • April 9, 2026 • Comments Off

UCSB — The Current — ‘Using mechanical inputs to enhance quantum states in sensors’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • April 8, 2026 • Comments Off

Researchers in Ania Bleszynski Jayich’s lab use a mechanical resonator to enable greater entanglement for potentially more powerful sensors.

Ventura County Neighbors Support Coalition grantmaking total exceeds $1 Million

by Community Contributor • April 7, 2026 • Comments Off

Ventura County Neighbors Support Coalition

People Helping People (PHP) — Do you know a farmworker looking for housing?

by Community Contributor • April 7, 2026 • Comments Off

Do you know a farmworker looking for housing?

Take a look at our sites available for immediate move-ins!

***

¿Conoce a algún trabajador agrícola que esté buscando vivienda?
¡Dale un vistazo a nuestras propiedades disponibles para mudanza inmediata!

CLU School of Management — (On April 8) you can make a difference!

by Community Contributor • April 6, 2026 • Comments Off

THOUSAND OAKS — Hope Gonzalez is the kind of student every institution strives to support – and donors like you make it possible. She launched her first business while still in high school and came to Cal Lutheran’s School of Management with the support of a generous scholarship. What followed is exactly what your support enables.

Hope did not limit her education to the classroom. She immersed herself in speaking events, took on leadership roles in student organizations, competed in high-stakes competitions, represented major brands as a campus ambassador, and participated in transformative field experiences. She seized every opportunity and turned them into momentum.

Sullivan Goss Gallery in Santa Barbara — Meredith Books Abbott’s New Art Book

by Community Contributor • April 6, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Following a multi-year effort to gather images of paintings by one of Santa Barbara’s best known and most beloved plein air painters, Sullivan Goss is proud to announce the publication of the first hardbound monograph devoted to the art of MEREDITH BROOKS ABBOTT.

Beautifully bound in sage green linen with soft gold debossed type and with 145 full color plates plus assorted illustrations, the gallery hopes that the book will be as treasured as the artist has been over her long career. Almost six decades of painting are represented.

Guest contribution — A Requiem for Rudy: A Ventura County Perspective

by Community Contributor • April 3, 2026 • Comments Off

“Call Rudy. (123) 456-0911. Mary B.”

Circa 2003, I found this note in my campus mailbox at California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI). Mary B. was a family therapist, former Oxnard school board official, and an alumna, almost certainly in Chicano Studies, of San Fernando Valley State College (SFVSC) before it was renamed California State University at Northridge (CSUN).

The year before, Maria De La Luz, a colleague in the advising department at my campus, forwarded me and Lillian, a Chicana faculty camarada, a June 5, 2002, email from Dr. Rodolfo “Rudy” F. Acuña—with the subject heading California State University Channel Islands—originally sent to non-profit, private, and public Ventura County employees and managers in education, defense, healthcare, and law enforcement. Many people copied in the missive were Chicana/o Movement products of the 1960s and ’70s, a good number CSUN-Chicana/o Studies alumni like Mary B., for whom el movimiento never ended.

Central Coast sees major climate progress in New Community Environmental Council Impact Report

by Community Contributor • April 2, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — The Community Environmental Council (CEC) released its 2021-2025 Impact Report, marking the conclusion of its most ambitious strategic plan and highlighting the power of community-driven climate action across the Central Coast.

The report reflects five years of progress advancing clean energy, climate-smart agriculture, and community resilience — despite significant challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting federal policies, and the loss of more than $1.5 million in anticipated federal climate funding.

Explore Lompoc — Your budget-friendly guide to Lompoc on California’s Central Coast

by Community Contributor • April 2, 2026 • Comments Off

LOMPOC — Colorful murals, crave-worthy wines, and fresh-air adventures—all without breaking the bank.

Set between rolling hills and the Pacific, Lompoc is your launchpad for adventure. Explore the charming downtown, sip local wines, hike scenic trails, or catch a rocket lighting up the sky from nearby Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Things to Do That Won’t Break the Bank

Lompoc offers plenty of memorable experiences that don’t require a big budget. From outdoor adventures to local culture, there’s something for every visitor to enjoy.

Historic and Cultural Experiences: La Purísima Mission

La Purísima Mission State Historic Park is one of California’s most fully restored Spanish missions, set amid rolling hills and oak-studded landscapes.

Tickets available, sponsors sought for CoLAB 2026 Spring Fling in Somis on April 25

by Community Contributor • April 2, 2026 • Comments Off

Support CoLAB – Become a Sponsor!

Help support THE non-profit organization
that advocates tirelessly for you, your business,
and the residents of Ventura County

Purchase your sponsorship today!

People Helping People — First Women’s Legacy of Giving Luncheon has Impactful Beginning

by Community Contributor • April 2, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY — A sea of women in yellow gathered to the brighten the lives of clients of People Helping People at the inaugural luncheon for the Women’s Legacy of Giving in the Santa Ynez Valley. Guests were encouraged to wear yellow to symbolize warmth, hope, and shared light.

The leadership of philanthropist Linda Johansen helped galvanize 72 women to join PHP’s newly formed Women’s giving circle. “When women come together, we are powerful and we can do amazing things,” Johansen told guests.

“A heartfelt and sincere thank you to Linda Johansen for her unwavering dedication to the Santa Ynez Valley and People Helping People “said Erica Jane Flores, CEO of PHP. “Women’s Legacy of Giving is a reflection of her vision, leadership, and deep care for this community – we are truly grateful.”

County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — Introducing the 2026 “Great Navigators” of District 2

by Community Contributor • April 2, 2026 • Comments Off

You are invited to attend the 2nd Annual Supervisorial Leadership and Excellence Awards on May 7, from 5:30–7:30 PM at the Amgen campus in Thousand Oaks.

Join us as we celebrate the “Great Navigators” of our community—these exceptional honorees representing Education, Public Safety, Community Leadership, Prosperity, and Environmentalism. Each awardee reflects the very best of Ventura County—an educator shaping future leaders, a first responder dedicated to keeping our communities safe, a community leader making an impact on the lives of many, an innovator strengthening our local economy, and a community garden collective advancing sustainability, local food access, and environmental stewardship.

Bilingual report — County of Santa Barbara April 2026 Newsletter

by Community Contributor • April 1, 2026 • Comments Off

Museum of Ventura County — April at the Museum and Remembering Ivor Davis

by Community Contributor • April 1, 2026 • Comments Off

We are saddened to share the news that Ivor Davis, the legendary journalist and host of the Up Close and Personal program at the Museum of Ventura County, passed away on March 29, 2026. We are deeply grateful for the time he spent at the Museum, sharing his stories and interviewing notable guests.

Since 2017, Ivor shared his life in journalism through more than 20 appearances at MVC, becoming a familiar and welcoming presence. Both longtime followers and newcomers were always eager to hear his stories about true crime, music, and history.

El Concilio Family Services — Feliz día del Campesinon * Happy Farmworker Day

by Community Contributor • March 31, 2026 • Comments Off

Hoy honramos a los hombres y mujeres trabajadores que mantienen a nuestras comunidades alimentadas y prosperando. Tu dedicación, resiliencia y fortaleza no pasan desapercibidas.

Ventura County Taxpayers Association (VCTA) — VCMS: County launches $180M PLA before study concludes

by Community Contributor • March 31, 2026 • Comments Off

On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the Board voted 5-0 to move forward with a massive construction project under a Project Labor Agreement (PLA). This decision was made despite a promised key study that isn’t even finished yet.

The Broken Promise of 2020

Back in 2020, a different group of Supervisors started a $90 million pilot study. The plan was to build four small projects to compare union-only contracts (PLAs) against regular competitive bidding. The Board promised they wouldn’t expand these union-only rules until a full “cost and performance study” was finished.

UCSB — The Current — UCSB professors honored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science and more news, events

by Community Contributor • March 31, 2026 • Comments Off

The organization has elected Shelly Gable, David Morrison, Javier Read de Alaniz and Kelly Caylor to its 2025 class of fellows.

Community Environmental Council (CEC) — Show Up for Our Planet This Earth Month!

by Community Contributor • March 31, 2026 • Comments Off

Join the Community Environmental Council (CEC) at our Earth Month events to jump into the local climate movement, connect with your community, and take meaningful action together. From festivals and celebrations to lectures and workshops — there’s something for everyone. Browse the full April events line-up below.

Bilingual report — The latest news from the County of Ventura

by Community Contributor • March 30, 2026 • Comments Off

County of Ventura appoints new Director of the Health Care Agency

Dr. John Fankhauser has been appointed Director of the Ventura County Health Care Agency. Fankhauser has served as the Interim Director for the Health Care Agency since January 2026. Prior to his role as Interim Director for the Health Care Agency, Fankhauser served as Chief Executive Officer for the Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) and Santa Paula Hospital since 2019, a role he continued to hold while also serving as the Interim Director.

“Dr. Fankhauser has consistently shown a deep commitment to public service, paired with the depth of expertise needed to lead complex medical systems,” said Dr. Sevet Johnson, County Executive Officer. “His leadership in managing large-scale health care operations and his deep commitment to addressing community needs positions Dr. Fankhauser to make a meaningful and continued positive impact on our health care system. His record of strong health care leadership and experience make him exceptionally well-prepared to serve as the Director for the Health Care Agency.”

Ventura County expected to take part in national ‘No Kings III Protest’ on March 28

by Community Contributor • March 27, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — On March 28, thousands of Ventura County neighbors will come together along with millions of Americans across the country in a nationwide day of nonviolent protest at the third No Kings National Day of Action. There are more than 3,000 events nationwide.

Once again, the local coalition of pro-democracy organizers from Indivisible Ventura, Justice For All Ventura County, and 50501 VC are hosting the No Kings Ventura County event March 28, from 10 AM to Noon, at the Ventura County Government Center, on the corner of S. Victoria Ave. and Telegraph Rd. in Ventura.

Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — Turn FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) Into Action

by Community Contributor • March 27, 2026 • Comments Off

Ever felt FOMO watching millions take to the streets for change? Now’s your chance to lock in.

We’re building a space to turn local power into real impact – right here in our community. Join us to learn how we can connect national movements like No Kings Day and May Day, and take action for an economy and democracy that work for all of us – not just the wealthy few.

Join our prep meeting on Zoom this Thursday, March 26 at 6PM!

You’ll learn how to support upcoming national actions in ways that fit you – whether that’s creating posters, dropping off flyers at local businesses and community centers, or inviting friends to march alongside you.

No Kings Day | March 28, 2026

A day to stand together and defend our communities against unjust and harmful policies. Our country belongs to the people – not to strongmen, billionaires, or those who aim to rule through fear and division.

Bilingual commentary — Voice-to-Text Faux Pas: Testing Our Relationships

by Community Contributor • March 27, 2026 • Comments Off

About 10 years ago, we were promised a hands-free existence in our interactions with technology. No longer would we have to use our nimble fingers to laboriously type text into keyboards, either digital or physical, they told us. Now, the tech bros assured us, we would be able to use our voices to provide input to the vast network of devices in our homes, at work, or on the road.

Port of Hueneme Dock Talk Community Newsletter — March 2026

by Community Contributor • March 27, 2026 • Comments Off

The Oxnard Harbor District proudly celebrates the incredible women who help keep cargo moving every day.

From our dedicated Commissioners, Executive Leadership, and Port staff to the hardworking Longshore workers, Stevedores, and many others across our maritime community—your leadership, skill, and dedication make a lasting impact.

Thank you for all that you do!

First Women’s Legacy of Giving Luncheon has Impactful Beginning

by Community Contributor • March 27, 2026 • Comments Off

UCSB — The Current — ‘The Big Bee Project brings natural history collections into the 21st century’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • March 26, 2026 • Comments Off

Led by UCSB researchers, a pioneering, multi-campus initiative brings natural history collections into the era of AI, big data and networked databases.

People’s Self-Health Housing — The Blueprint – March 2026

by Community Contributor • March 24, 2026 • Comments Off

Housing advocates nationally are hoping that 2026 will be the pivotal year for affordable housing.

The U.S. Senate has passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act with an overwhelming 89–10 bipartisan vote. This marks the most significant federal housing reform in decades and brings together the Housing for the 21st Century Act and the ROAD to Housing Act. Combined it has more than 40 provisions aimed at boosting supply, lowering costs, and modernizing how homes get built.

The new legislation directly addresses one of the biggest issues: we simply don’t have enough homes. Our nation needs housing of every kind — for renters, first?time buyers, families, seniors, and people with disabilities. The new bill aims to tackle this shortage by making it easier, faster, and less expensive to build.

Massive Central Coast Drilling Plan advances with more than 175,000 comments in opposition

by Community Contributor • March 23, 2026 • Comments Off

CENTRAL COAST — The public comment period has closed on the Bureau of Land Management’s proposal to expand oil and gas leasing across Central California, drawing approximately 175,000 comments in opposition from community members, organizations, and local stakeholders.

The proposal would open up roughly 850,000 acres of public lands and federal mineral estate to potential oil drilling and fracking across Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Kern, and surrounding counties, including areas near neighborhoods, recreation lands, and critical water resources.

Bilingual commentary — Making America Lose the Race

by Community Contributor • March 20, 2026 • Comments Off

Imagine a government that insists that we make America great again by driving updated, fancy versions of 1950s vehicles. By sabotaging the push to convert our transportation to electric-powered vehicles, the current administration in Washington, D.C., has, in effect, handed the keys of a prosperous kingdom to international competitors.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are not just a “green fad” dreamt up by radical liberals. While the U.S. demurs, the rest of the world realizes that the future of the planet, and of industry, rests on its ability to advance in the production of reasonably priced EVs for the masses.

Statement from Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools

by Community Contributor • March 20, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The allegations that have emerged regarding Cesar Chavez are horrifying and heartbreaking. These revelations are painful for our community, and most importantly, for the survivors who have come forward. I want to begin by expressing my unwavering compassion and support for them. It takes extraordinary courage to speak out, and their voices must be heard, believed, and honored.

As a father of a young daughter, this issue is profoundly personal to me. I want my child and every child to grow up in a world where abuse like this no longer occurs, where young people feel safe, respected, and protected. That responsibility rests with all of us, especially those who dedicate our careers to education and public service.

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