Category: Commentary

Southeast Ventura County YMCA launches Thanksgiving Food Drive to Serve 300 Families

by Community Contributor • October 16, 2025 • Comments Off

WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is collecting donations to provide Thanksgiving dinners to 300 families facing financial hardship, including families whose children participate in the YMCA’s Find My Genius program and those affected by recent wildfires.

Each family will receive a box filled with food items such as cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, chicken stock and turkey gravy, plus a $60 Ralph’s gift card for a turkey or ham. The YMCA has already identified 100 families to receive Thanksgiving boxes.

Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — Together we made Raising Justice possible!

by Community Contributor • October 16, 2025 • Comments Off

Our growing base of community champions – YOU! – raised more funds than ever at our annual community celebration and fundraiser!

Raising Justice showed us what a vibrant community of movement friends can do when we come together to uplift housing justice, environmental justice, and fight for immigrant worker power.

No one can do this work alone. Each year Raising Justice plays a central role in uplifting the organizing our region deserves — and this year’s success belongs to all of us.

Whether you joined us in person or chipped from afar — whether you’re an event sponsor, donor, grassroots leaders, partner, staff, volunteer, or table host — YOU truly help make it all happen – T H A N K Y O U!

The beautiful array of community contributions we witnessed at Raising Justice are what keep our grassroots organizing strong at a time when we need it most.

With gratitude for the grassroots,

Bilingual report — 805UndocuFund Fall 2025 Newsletter

by Community Contributor • October 15, 2025 • Comments Off

We hope this newsletter finds you well and safe. We are pleased to share with you our latest updates on the 805UndocuFund’s efforts in taking charge of the newly operated Rapid Response Network. Previously owned by CAUSE, we have trained over 1,000 volunteers throughout the tri-county since the beginning of 2025. To date, we have almost reached our fund goal & immediately having been dispersed $478,000 to 388 families! All our successes could not have been achieved without the support from the community.

Partners sought for ‘Hope Grows Wild’ mural unveiling on Oct. 25 at LoDo Studios in Santa Barbara

by Community Contributor • October 15, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Join us at LoDo Studios for the “Hope Grows Wild” Mural Unveiling, where we celebrate growth, resilience, and the beauty of community art from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at LoDo Studios, 216 E. Gutierrez St., Santa Barbara.

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — DJ Javier San Milano Drive now open!

by Community Contributor • October 9, 2025 • Comments Off

Hello Community!

We had a blast spending time with you all this past Sunday at the opening reception of San Milano Drive! We want to thank you all for bringing the good vibes!

Big shoutout to our vendors who kept us fed, hydrated, and kept the jams flowing. Also a HUGE thanks to the amazing volunteers that made this event possible.

Special thanks to our media partners Santa Barbara Magazine, KCLU, and LUM Art Magazine.

If you haven’t seen Santa Barbara Independent’s Fall Arts Preview, read more about the exhibition.

Teatro de las Americas — Upcoming events

by Community Contributor • October 3, 2025 • Comments Off

Clases de danza en dos estilos/?
Dance classes in 2 styles:

Folclórico
Con/with Ms. Xochitl

Movement
Con/with Mr. Javier

Niñas y niños de 7 a 14 años / Ages 7-14
(Dependiendo de la cantidad de inscripciones, las clases podrán ser separadas por edad / Depending on enrollment, ages can be divided)

Community Environmental Council (CEC) — Thank you for supporting local climate action at CEC’s Green Gala

by Community Contributor • October 3, 2025 • Comments Off

We are so grateful to those who joined us last Saturday at CEC’s Green Gala, an inspiring evening of resilience, strength, and climate action.

Together, we raised more than $100,000 to help implement and accelerate bold, equitable solutions to the climate crisis, including wildfire resilience, climate leadership, community safety, and environmental advocacy.

Your partnership strengthens our resolve to meet the climate challenges ahead and propels our dedication to building a safe, resilient, and just world for generations to come.

Community Environmental Council (CEC) announces upcoming events

by Community Contributor • October 2, 2025 • Comments Off

Thousand Oaks Rotary Street Fair & EV Showcase

Sunday, October 19

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

449 N Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks

Learn more.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA 26th District) — Trump Has Shut Down the Government (Again)

by Community Contributor • October 2, 2025 • Comments Off

(Oct. 1), the federal government entered a “shutdown” caused by a lapse in appropriated resources. Republicans control the House, Senate, and the White House – the three bodies necessary to fund the government. And still, extremists in Congress chose to shut the government down rather than find common ground and negotiate with Congressional Democrats.

In 2019, the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans oversaw the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. In the days leading up to the current shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson canceled votes, and the House was not in session to vote on any compromise legislation to keep the government open.

Friendship Center Adult Day Services — The Friendly Finch: October

by Community Contributor • October 1, 2025 • Comments Off

I recently sat down with my dear friend and former Friendship Center colleague, Hope Saxon (who many of you may know has gone on to become a geriatric nurse practitioner!). Our conversation turned into a walk down memory lane, reflecting on how much Friendship Center has changed and grown over the past few years. Of course, I know these changes are happening. I’m living them every day. However, it wasn’t until talking with Hope, who is one of the dear members of our community that has been so close to our organization for so many years (like many of you), that I truly appreciated the magnitude of what’s unfolding.

Museum of Ventura County — Play Date in the Garden with Pinaysphere, more news, events

by Community Contributor • October 1, 2025 • Comments Off

Join us for a vibrant Play Date in the Garden with Pinaysphere, where kids dive into Filipino culture by crafting their own bahay kubo! A bahay kubo is a traditional Filipino house built on stilts, made from natural materials like bamboo and coconut fibers, showcasing Filipino ingenuity, sustainability, and community spirit. This playful activity celebrates the simplicity and creativity of these iconic homes, known for their adaptability and resourcefulness. Led by Pinaysphere, an organization dedicated to empowering Filipino women and youth through art and culture, this event will be filled with fun, learning, and creativity as we explore the beauty of Filipino heritage together! Register online HERE.

Bilingual commentary — AI: My Expert Helper

by Community Contributor • September 26, 2025 • Comments Off

In the ancient past, up to around the end of 2022, I used to grapple with complex technical issues (for me, anyway) as I pursued some of my projects. When I first started building websites, for example, I often found myself stumped by some of the technical barriers that kept emerging in front of me.

When confronted with an intractable problem that appeared insurmountable, I found myself hunting for web pages that would illuminate me and provide the answers I was looking for. Sometimes I succeeded in ferreting out a solution to a dilemma that would sometimes take days to resolve because I often didn’t even know quite what to search for.

Ventura County Superintendent of School — Hispanic Heritage Month, Logo Contest, College Readiness, and more…

by Community Contributor • September 19, 2025 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of our Hispanic and Latino communities.

In this video message, Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, reflects on the importance of Hispanic Heritage Month and shares some of his favorite family traditions. Keep an eye on VCOE’s social media throughout the month for special messages about Hispanic Heritage Month from our students and staff.

Bilingual report — Church Goals and the Canonization of Saints

by Community Contributor • September 19, 2025 • Comments Off

The canonization of a saint is the culmination of a process that, in the eyes of the Catholic Church, creates a bridge between human and divine realms. The formal process of canonization has evolved over the centuries from a local affair to an intricate, institutionalized undertaking that is overseen by the pope himself.

Explore Lompoc — Where the vibe stays chill, even after dark

by Community Contributor • September 19, 2025 • Comments Off

LOMPOC — Here in Lompoc, nightlife is about easy going good times. A relaxed drink with friends. A late bite after a day of wine tasting or hiking. Maybe some live music or a laid-back DJ set. You won’t find velvet ropes or booming nightclubs, but you will find a few friendly places to hang out and unwind when the sun goes down.

Ready for a mellow night out? These local spots keep the lights on just a little longer.

Bilingual commentary — Why Read a Challenging Book?

by Community Contributor • September 12, 2025 • Comments Off

Let’s try to imagine an exploratory mission deep in the heart of the local library.

That is exactly what I conducted last week among the ghosts of the paper card catalogs that now haunt the modern library visitor. I felt like a hunter, seeking out a book that would mysteriously reach out to me and demand that I read it—or at least consider it.

Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) to present ‘Raising Justice’ community celebration and fundraiser in Ventura on Sept. 18

by Community Contributor • September 12, 2025 • Comments Off

Just one week away is Raising Justice – our 19th annual community celebration and fundraiser! We want you there to celebrate our movement and support tenants, environmental justice, and immigrant workers.

LULAC — Targeted by appearance: Immigration, race and the Constitution

by Community Contributor • September 12, 2025 • Comments Off

Click here to register and join us in this important (virtual conversation on Sept. 16).

This session will bring together leading voices in law, democracy, and civil rights to:

Examine the ruling’s implications for constitutional protections, civil liberties, and immigrant communities.
Discuss what Congress and state governments can do to protect residents, strengthen oversight, and counter discriminatory enforcement.
Explore strategies for building broad coalitions capable of defending both democracy and civil rights in the face of aggressive enforcement.

Museum of Contemporary Arts Santa Barbara — British Textile Biennial presents Sangre de Nopal/Blood of the Nopal: Learning from the Land at The Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery, Lancashire, England

by Community Contributor • September 12, 2025 • Comments Off

British Textile Biennial (BTB) is a free festival of contemporary art, commissioning artists and designers from all over the world to make work inspired by the context and legacy of the textile industry in East Lancashire and its global impact, often in the places that were created by it. This Autumn, British Textile Biennial (BTB) explores invention and innovation in textile production; through indigenous knowledge to space-age technology, from the earliest form of shelter, the tent, to space suits, and from plant-based dyes to the first polymers.

Bilingual commentary — The AI Arms Race in the Job Market

by Community Contributor • September 5, 2025 • Comments Off

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.

Bilingual report — County of Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors meeting on Sept. 9. Topics Include: Responses to Grand Jury Report on South Coast Housing Crisis, more

by Community Contributor • September 4, 2025 • Comments Off

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.

Discover Lompoc, California’s Museums: A fun-filled tour though local history, art & culture

by Community Contributor • September 3, 2025 • Comments Off

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.

Bilingual report — The latest news from the County of Ventura

by Community Contributor • September 3, 2025 • Comments Off

up for our newsletter?

Community members who are not already subscribed may sign up to receive our newsletter in English here and in Spanish here.

September at the Santa Paula Art Museum

by Community Contributor • September 3, 2025 • Comments Off

Harvey Cusworth’s “Visions of Conejo Valley and the Malibu Coast”
?
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.

Guest commentary — Ventura County Taxpayers Association (VCTA) — Ventura County Supervisors prioritize fiscal prudence, reject costly immigration initiative

by Community Contributor • September 3, 2025 • Comments Off

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.

Museum of Ventura County — Thank You for Joining Us at Tractor Fair. See What’s Next!

by Community Contributor • September 3, 2025 • Comments Off

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!

UCSB — The Current — ‘Video game addiction in teens likely stems from preexisting mental health issues’ and more news

by Community Contributor • September 3, 2025 • Comments Off

UCSB’s Media Neuroscience Lab finds that kids who are already having depressive symptoms and social issues are more likely to get stuck in a cycle of problematic gaming.

Bilingual commentary — The Presidential Doctrine of Unpredictability and Chaos

by Community Contributor • August 29, 2025 • Comments Off

“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.

Central Coast Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — When tenants organize, we win stronger protections!

by Community Contributor • August 29, 2025 • Comments Off

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!

Patagonia, Toad&Co join Blue Whales & Blue Skies

by Community Contributor • August 29, 2025 • Comments Off

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.

University-level courses & lectures offered to the community by California Lutheran University’s Fifty and Better (FAB) program

by Community Contributor • August 29, 2025 • Comments Off

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.

County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — Community Update – Crime Prevention Tips

by Community Contributor • August 29, 2025 • Comments Off

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.

The Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara, — Ry Rocklen & Labor Day Flash Sale

by Community Contributor • August 29, 2025 • Comments Off

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.

Guest commentary — Ventura County Taxpayers Association opposes County of Ventura Item 43 (Public Defender’s Immigrant Defense Fund)

by Community Contributor • August 25, 2025 • Comments Off

On Tuesday, August 26th, 2025, Supervisor Vianey Lopez will ask the Board of Supervisors to establish various programs to assist immigration-related proceedings at a cost of $6.3 million of taxpayer funds. The Supervisor is asking taxpayers to pay for an Immigration Legal Defense Fund for a team of lawyers in the Public Defender’s Immigrant Defense Unit and provide financial support for a “Migrant Education Program”.

The Ventura County Taxpayers Association opposes the proposed measures as misguided, fiscally irresponsible, and potentially exposing the County to significant legal and financial risks.

Bilingual commentary — Does AI Portend the Death of Freelancing?

by Community Contributor • August 22, 2025 • Comments Off

Several years ago, I thought I would try my hand at freelancing. I took an online course on proofreading, passed the exam at the end of the course, and plunged into the gig economy.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA 26th District) — The Republican Agenda: An Attack on Women’s Health and Rights

by Community Contributor • August 21, 2025 • Comments Off

President Trump and Republicans in Congress are advancing an onslaught of anti-woman, anti-reproductive freedom policies that dismantle women’s health care and strip away women’s rights. These policies that defund Planned Parenthood are effectively nothing less than a backdoor abortion ban and are part of a long-term agenda to shut down health centers, cut off access to birth control and cancer screenings, and ban abortion nationwide. If successful, these efforts will only worsen the abortion access crisis created by the Dobbs decision and state bans, making it harder for women everywhere to get the care they need, when they need it.

Bilingual report — Aug. 26 County of Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors Meeting. Topics Include: Retail Food Facility Fees, County Support for State Legislation Prohibiting Masking and Requiring Identification Displayed of Law Enforcement Officials, Open Space Element

by Community Contributor • August 21, 2025 • Comments Off

The next regular meeting of the
County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for
9 a.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Administration Building
Board Hearing Room
511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria
The public may participate virtually or in person at the County Board Hearing Room
in Santa Barbara or Santa Maria.

Social Justice Fund for Ventura County (SJFVC) — Justice in Motion – Fellows Get It Done!

by Community Contributor • August 20, 2025 • Comments Off

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, October 11, 2025; 11am – 2pm

Thanking 2024 Fellows! | Welcoming 2025 Fellows!

Studio Channel Islands – Camarillo

Details to follow.

People’s Self-Help Housing Celebrates 55th Anniversary

by Community Contributor • August 20, 2025 • Comments Off

CENTRAL COAST — This month, People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) celebrated 55 years as an organization. To commemorate this historic milestone, staff gathered to reminisce on past achievements and to look forward to the next half century.
“What a privilege for an organization to celebrate 55 years,” said Ken Trigueiro, PSHH CEO & President. “From our origins on the heels of the seminal Fair Housing Act of 1968 to today, we have been proud to participate in the numerous partnerships that have brought tens of thousands of units of affordable housing to the Central Coast.”

Community Environmental Council (CEC) — There’s still time to join CEC’s next Climate Stewards cohort starting Sept. 9!

by Community Contributor • August 19, 2025 • Comments Off

You’re not the only one ready to take action for our planet’s future — and you don’t have to do it alone. CEC’s Climate Stewards certification course equips everyday people with the knowledge, tools, and network of activists to lead equitable climate solutions right where they live.

This is your chance to find your place in the climate movement. Through the 8-week course, you’ll explore the science and psychology of climate change, participate in hands-on field trips, and design a custom Stewardship Project that’s meaningful to you and supports climate resilience.

Bilingual commentary — The German Roots of Oxnard

by Community Contributor • August 15, 2025 • Comments Off

Every city has its stories to tell, and Oxnard certainly has its share. When we think of Oxnard, at least here in this part of California, we might reflexively think of the Mexican, Chinese and Japanese immigrants who built the agricultural backbone of this region. Without their sweat, tears and blood, we would not be the agricultural powerhouse that we are today.

Bilingual report — City of Santa Paula clarifies status on ACLU lawsuit participation) challenging the federal government’s immigration enforcement activities)

by Community Contributor • August 15, 2025 • Comments Off

… To clarify, the City of Santa Paula was not invited to participate in the lawsuit. The most recent group of cities to join was added on August 8, 2025, and Santa Paula was not among them. The City is not privy to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s litigation strategy or procedural decisions.

We recognize that this is an important issue for many in our community, and Council has received messages from residents urging the City to join the lawsuit or take other related action. While the City is not a party to this case, Council continues to evaluate issues and opportunities related to protecting the rights and well-being of all Santa Paula residents.

Santa Paula Art Museum — The Art Auction is Saturday, Aug. 16!

by Community Contributor • August 14, 2025 • Comments Off

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.

Bilingual report — County of Santa Barbara August 2025 Newsletter

by Community Contributor • August 14, 2025 • Comments Off

Gifford Fire Update —
Stay informed about the latest developments in fire containment, current evacuation orders and warnings in Santa Barbara County, and available resources for affected communities.

Bilingual commentary — Coffee with Friends and Family

by Community Contributor • August 8, 2025 • Comments Off

In the following paragraphs, feel free to substitute “tea” (or any other caffeinated drink) for “coffee.”

One of my favorite pastimes in retirement is partaking of coffee with friends or family. That magical, “brew-tiful” time might be spent with my daughter to catch up on her world and that of my grandsons. Or it might mean swapping war stories with a fellow retiree who had spent time in the trenches with me, day after day and year after year.

Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) — Power of Purpose – August 2025

by Community Contributor • August 7, 2025 • Comments Off

Summer Greetings from the VCCF Scholarship Program!

We’re thrilled to share that 2025 has been another record-breaking year for the VCCF Scholarship Program. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we awarded 569 scholarships to 412 students, totaling $1,838,986.60 — the highest amount ever granted. More than 30 awardees received the maximum scholarship of $10,000, paving the way for them to fully pursue their dreams.

Guest commentary — When love meets the law: Why premarital and postmarital agreements matter more than ever

by Community Contributor • August 7, 2025 • Comments Off

WESTLAKE VILLAGE — In an era where personal relationships and financial lives are increasingly complex, attorney Richard F. Sperling urges couples to think ahead when it comes to protecting their assets and intentions through thoughtfully crafted premarital and post-marital agreements.

Sperling, a seasoned family law attorney and mediator based in Westlake Village, has seen first-hand how misunderstandings, lack of adequate legal counsel and even a simple failure to double-check a document can have lasting consequences. A high-profile case he wrote about for the San Fernando Valley Bar Association,?Estate of Eskra, highlights the stakes.

People Self-Help Housing — Introducing Our 2025-30 Strategic Plan

by Community Contributor • August 6, 2025 • Comments Off

Our newly-released five-year plan is the result of a thoughtful and collaborative process, shaped by the voices of our staff, board, community partners, and those we serve. It reflects our shared commitment to expanding access to safe, stable housing and supportive services that empower individuals and families to thrive.

More than a roadmap, this plan is a pledge—to stay focused, accountable, and connected in our pursuit of lasting impact. With clear priorities and measurable goals, we invite our supporters and partners to join us as we build a more just and compassionate future, one home and one life at a time.

Bilingual commentary — Is College Worth It Anymore?

by Community Contributor • August 1, 2025 • Comments Off

I never thought I’d see the day when I would waver in my belief that the pursuit of a four-year college degree was a good choice for a young person. But that day has arrived. Yes, I’m wavering.

Ventura Music Festival — That’s a wrap!

by Community Contributor • July 31, 2025 • Comments Off

On Sunday, we humbly wrapped up our 30th summer season with hearts full of gratitude (and a touch of birthday cake). Kicking off with Ottmar Liebert last month, we delivered eight inspiring shows concerts — 17 to 25 in our “30 for 30” series — featuring 30 talented musicians, while supporting dozens of local businesses and hiring community contractors, from staff to crew and caterers. Together, we brought vibrant live music to over 2,000 concertgoers, neighbors, and visitors. It’s all about fostering connections through music and creating lasting community impact.

Huge thanks for your incredible support. As thanks, we are offering a 15% early bird discount with code EARLYBIRD now through August 12 when you buy tickets for concerts 26 through 30 at our fall festival line up listed below.

Please take a moment to share your feedback on the July Series with us. We look forward to more harmony and shared moments ahead!

Alternative Action Programs Wellness Centers in Oxnard offering Relational Therapy Special ending Aug. 15

by Community Contributor • July 30, 2025 • Comments Off

OXNARD — Alternative Action Programs Wellness Centers in Oxnard offering Relational Therapy Special ending Aug. 15.

Click on images for more information.

Central Coast Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — When they raid, we rise

by Community Contributor • July 17, 2025 • Comments Off

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.

Bilingual commentary — Grandparents Are from Mars

by Community Contributor • July 17, 2025 • Comments Off

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.

Bilingual report — Kaiser Permanente — A remarkable recovery, surviving cancer against the odds

by Community Contributor • July 11, 2025 • Comments Off

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.

LULAC hails Federal Court Victory preserving Birthright Citizenship in the United States

by Community Contributor • July 11, 2025 • Comments Off

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.

Pew Research Center’s Race & Ethnicity report — Birthright citizenship, deportation worries and Trump’s 2024 voter coalition

by Community Contributor • July 11, 2025 • Comments Off

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 Harbor Village makes waves with a full lineup of Summer fun

by Community Contributor • July 11, 2025 • Comments Off

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.

Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV)’s Consulting helps local entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses and communities

by Community Contributor • July 9, 2025 • Comments Off

CENTRAL COAST — From coffee shops and beauty salons to startups and design studios, local small businesses power our economy—and Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) is helping them grow stronger every day. Running a business can be exciting—but also overwhelming. Many entrepreneurs face challenges like financial stress, lack of strategic planning, or simply not knowing where to turn for support. That’s where WEV comes in.

United Way of Ventura County — LAST CHANCE TO SUPPORT OUR ONLINE SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE

by Community Contributor • July 7, 2025 • Comments Off

There are two days left to shop our online Roonga Drive, which closes on Wednesday, July 9th. If you would like to support Stuff the Bus but can’t find the time to shop for supplies in-person, our online drive is meant for you. All school supplies purchased online through Roonga will be shipped directly to us to fill backpacks for at-risk students in Ventura County. Our Roonga Drive includes a bundle where you can purchase a brand-new backpack filled with school supplies for $21.30. For less than $22, you can help pave the path to academic success for a homeless student.

Thank you so much to those who have already donated! Since the start of our 2025 campaign, we have received enough Roonga donations to send over 60 homeless middle school students back to school with a brand-new backpack and school supplies that include pencils, pens, markers, paper, a notebook, and more.
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To access our Roonga Drive, click the link here or scan the QR code below.

Latest news from County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell

by Community Contributor • July 7, 2025 • Comments Off

Summer is in full swing here in Ventura County, and I hope you’re finding time to enjoy the sunshine, connect with loved ones, and explore all that our beautiful community has to offer. From concerts in the park, hikes on local trails, beach days and backyard barbecues, this season is a reminder of what makes our community so special. This month’s newsletter is full of great resources and info on happenings in District 2. Please reach out any time with concerns or questions. I’m here to serve you.

Warmly,
Jeff
Supervisor Jeff Gorell, Ventura County District 2
SupevisorGorell@ventura.org

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