PORT HUENEME — The Port of Hueneme, California, and the Port of Paita, Peru, are proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a Sister Port relationship through the U.S. Department of State’s Sister Ports Program. This partnership aims to advance cooperation, trade development, and the exchange of best practices between the two ports, reflecting a shared commitment to global connectivity and sustainable growth.
One of my very close cousins, a man not much older than I am, has kept himself substantially busy in his retirement. Having worked as a chemical engineer in his previous life, he now dedicates himself to more creative work. Let’s call him “Nick.”
Nick’s photographs of the flora and fauna of his region in the Pacific Northwest are stunning, particularly those that feature birds of all types, sizes and habitats. From the tiny hummingbird to the massive, dinosaur-like Great Blue Heron, he captures superbly their mystery and majesty.
CAMARILLO — Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI) will host Bay Area Xicanx artist and cultural worker Melanie Cervantes for a solo exhibition, “Protect Your Spirit: Visual Lexicons of Resistance,” from Oct. 23 through Dec. 12 in the second-floor gallery of the John Spoor Broome Library.
An opening reception open to the public will be held Thursday, Oct. 23, at 5 p.m. at the Broome Library. Cervantes will also provide an artist talk for CSUCI students on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at noon, at the Broome Library.
Cervantes’ work offers a powerful visual language of resistance against social injustice and systemic oppression. Her art explores stories of struggle, resilience and triumph within marginalized communities and invites reflection on the role of art in social movements.
“There is both an ephemeral and a timeless nature to Cervantes’ art,” said CSUCI art historian Theresa Avila. “In this era of increased repression and surveillance, the type of art that Cervantes creates is needed now more than ever.”
Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore was founded in the early 1990s to support and promote the hard-fought conservation of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, established in 1978. The SMMNRA encompasses over 156,000 acres that stretch east to west from Griffith Park in Los Angeles County to Point Mugu State Park in Ventura County. With 46 miles of scenic coastline, over 500 miles of trails, and a vast array of native flora, fauna, and culturally significant sites, the SMMNRA is the largest urban national recreation are in the world, bordering the second-largest city in the United States.
SANTA BARBARA — This fall, SBCC School of Extended Learning invites older adults to discover or rediscover their creative potential. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced artist looking to refine your skills, the Older Adults Program offers expert instruction in a welcoming environment, with free art classes designed specifically for adults age 55 and over.
Two of the program’s exceptional eight-week courses are launching the week of October 20, with spots still available:
Fall is Feasting Season
Join us in celebrating:
(The Art of Mexcal)
Filipino American History Month
Dear Friends,
As we wrap this incredible 30th season, we’d love to hear about the concert(s) you attended. Your feedback helps us shape what comes next – artists, venues, start times, even the snacks!
Artist Kim Garcia’s new LA show “Tender Material” connects family stories with Philippine cultural history.
View this email in your browser FOOD SHOPS ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS Connect & Share with #DowntownOxnard Copyright © 2025 Oxnard Downtown Management District, All rights reserved.
SANTA BARBARA — Adelante Charter School of Santa Barbara proudly celebrates five years of leadership under Executive Director Javier Bolívar, whose vision, resilience, and unwavering dedication have guided the school through a period of remarkable growth and renewal.
Bolívar’s journey to education is both inspiring and deeply human. Born and raised in Venezuela, he grew up the youngest of four in a close-knit family shaped by love, creativity, and perseverance. His mother, a stay-at-home mom and talented seamstress, and his father, a public employee, instilled in him humility, respect, and the belief that kindness is a strength. The loss of two older brothers while they were in college profoundly influenced Bolívar’s empathy and his commitment to live with purpose.
VENTURA — Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 is opening day for nine vote centers located throughout Ventura County for the Nov. 4 Statewide Special Election. Nine additional vote centers will open the following Saturday, Nov. 1. Vote center hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day until Nov. 3, and 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Election Day, Nov. 4.
“With this being a special election, the vote center locations may be different from those used in past elections,” County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters, Michelle Ascencion, said. “Please check your County Voter Information Guide, the insert in your vote by mail ballot, or the County Elections website at Vote.VenturaCounty.gov, to find the list of vote center sites that are opening this week.”
GOLETA — Jackie Carrera, President and CEO of the Santa Barbara Foundation, and Ashley Costa, Executive Director of the Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization, will be honored at the 2026 LEAP Awards, alongside Das Williams, who will be recognized as Distinguished Alumnus.
The 2026 LEAP Awards will be a milestone celebration of LEAP’s 55th anniversary as a nonprofit and 50 years of its Children’s Center. For the first time in six years, the event will be held in person at the stunning Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The brunch will bring together community leaders, philanthropists, and partners who believe in creating thriving futures for children and families.
“As we celebrate 55 years of service, we are honored to recognize Jackie Carrera, Ashley Costa, and LEAP alumnus Das Williams. Each, in their own way, has strengthened families, lifted voices, and inspired children to shine. Their leadership reflects the very heart of LEAP’s mission, and we are proud to celebrate them alongside our community,” said Lori Goodman, LEAP CEO.
LOS OLIVOS — The Legacies of Hope dinner, was an evening of storytelling and community, gathering many of People Helping People’s most dedicated supporters to the Inn at Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos on October 17, 2025.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of this year’s Luminary Awards, for those who have given in extraordinary ways to support the mission of People Helping People (PHP).
This year’s recipients are the Becky Barieau and Billy Wathen Family, Feed the Valley with Chef Daisy and Greg Ryan, and the Brady Family.
MCASB Launches Future Fund
in 50th-Anniversary Campaign
Art and free speech are essential to a healthy democracy—Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) calls on our communities across Santa Barbara and the Central Coast to help safeguard the region’s only dedicated, free contemporary art museum. Once again communities are in crisis—and this time, artists and art institutions are on the front line standing up against authoritarianism. Join us!
SANTA MARIA — Retired Allan Hancock College Graphic Design Professor Nancy Jo Ward has been selected to exhibit her mixed-media work at the XV Florence Biennale in Florence, Italy, Oct. 18–26, 2025.
Ward, who recently concluded 27 years of service at Hancock, will present three works— titled Anna-Louise, Katerina and Selia—at the prestigious international exhibition. Her invitation places her among an international roster of more than 500 artists and designers more than 80 countries.
Ward’s practice blends digital technology with traditional materials to explore psychological portraiture, memory, identity and the aesthetics of post-internet culture, an approach that aligns with the Biennale 2025 theme, “The Eternal Union Between Light and Darkness.”
Researchers created an algae-based gel for studying mammary epithelial cells, which form milk-producing ducts and glands in healthy breast tissue and can transform into cancer cells.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College is helping local students and healthcare professionals take the next step in their careers with two upcoming program application deadlines — including the college’s new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Pathway, developed in partnership with California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI), and the spring 2026 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) academy.
OXNARD — The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC) is proud to announce the launch of Professional Empowerment and Employment Resources (PEER) Up, a groundbreaking new program designed to close the employment and wage gaps for individuals with disabilities in Ventura County. PEER Up is a workforce development initiative that provides paid work experience, mentorship, and inclusive job connections to help participants build confidence and thrive in today’s workforce.
VENTURA — Ventura Housing is inviting Ventura County artists to help bring beauty and meaning to its affordable housing community, Valentine Road Apartments.
As part of its commitment to integrating art into community spaces, Ventura Housing seeks artworks that inspire, uplift, and reflect the voices of residents. This project reflects Ventura Housing’s belief that art is an essential part of what makes a home. By bringing creativity and color into shared spaces, the Valentine Road public art initiative aims to spark pride, connection, and healing among residents.
At CAUSE, we believe that real change begins at the local level – when everyday people come together to organize, speak out, and build collective power in our communities.
Here on the Central Coast – and across the state and nation – we face urgent challenges. But we have the power to defend what matters and push for local progress that reflects our values. That’s why we are hiring.
SANTA BARBARA — This fall, Adelante Charter School, a 2025 California Distinguished School and a Spanish dual-language immersion program, will celebrate its 25th anniversary by honoring individuals who have been instrumental to its success and growth. The honorees include the school’s inaugural board members, whose vision and dedication made history in Santa Barbara County, along with local philanthropist Jim Kearns.
“We are excited to receive this grant, which will allow us to significantly expand our bicycle and pedestrian safety program,” said Principal Civil Engineer Jeff Hereford. “By focusing on education, awareness, and promoting safe practices, we aim to reduce crashes and prevent injuries. Ultimately, we’re working toward building more walkable and bike-friendly neighborhoods where everyone can travel safely and confidently.”
VENTURA — This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Ventura Fire Department, the oldest fire department in Ventura County and one of the oldest in California. Its legacy began in 1875, when the Monumental Fire Company was formed with 53 volunteer members. Just three years later, in 1878, the newly incorporated City of Ventura officially created the Ventura Fire Department when the Monumental Fire Company turned over all of its equipment to the City.
In 1915, Ventura hired its first full-time fire chief, beginning the department’s transition from a volunteer organization to a professional fire service. Soon after, paid firefighters were hired, establishing the foundation of the modern agency that continues to protect Ventura today.
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — This summer marked another season of growth, adventure, and celebration for REACH. Fellows toured colleges across California, trekked into the Sierra Nevada on a record four backpacking trips, and immersed themselves in the cultures of Bolivia and Guatemala. Together, these experiences embody REACH’s mission: preparing first-generation students to thrive in higher education while cultivating the resilience, leadership, and vision necessary to succeed in life.
SANTA BARBARA — Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) honored National Give to Women & Girls Day on Oct. 7 by celebrating its annual donors, members of the organization’s League of Extraordinary Women, at a luncheon at the Santa Barbara Club. The event brought together community leaders, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists united in the mission to strengthen women’s economic power.
Our 2025 Playhouse Build Blitz will bring together more than 150 local volunteers to decorate custom playhouses to gift to local military and veteran families. This event provides volunteers a unique opportunity to celebrate Veterans Day by thanking military families for their service and helps raise funds for Habitat Ventura’s life-changing programs through sponsorships for the playhouses built by volunteers.
VENTURA — The Ventura County Probation Agency (VCPA) is proud to announce the assignment of two new K-9 Officers, Virna Mejia and Andy Bernal, and their specially trained K-9 partners, Inca and Koda. This marks a significant step forward in enhancing the agency’s safety protocols and community service capabilities.
The introduction of K-9 Officers and their canine partners is a strategic initiative designed to strengthen public safety and support probation supervision efforts. This highly skilled K-9 team will focus on detecting illegal substances and weapons during home visits and searches within juvenile facilities. Their presence not only acts as a powerful deterrent against criminal activity but also enhances officer safety and efficiency during field operations.
By Kaiser Permanente
If you’re thinking about skipping the flu shot this year, you may want to reconsider!
Scientists and public health officials are preparing for a potentially active flu season in the United States in the coming months, based on recent trends and updated vaccine formulations. Here’s what they say the public should expect:
SANTA BARBARA — The Latino Community Foundation’s Santa Barbara Latino Giving Circle (SBLGC) awarded Immigrant Legal Defense Center and 805undocufund a total of $32,000 during their annual Grants Night this month.
“Grants Night is the culmination and celebration of our circle’s annual grant cycle,” said Teresa Alvarez, co-founder of the SBLGC. “Our group’s collective funds are gifted to non-profits that our circle members nominated, elected based on our funding priorities which were Immigr ant Rights & Legal Services Power Building. In today’s climate, we are confident that ILDC and 805 Undocufund will maximize these funds immediately.”
OXNARD —Oxnard College is celebrating its 50th anniversary this academic year, reflecting on five decades of empowering students, shaping careers and strengthening Ventura County. The milestone was marked on September 25 with the unveiling of a new campus mural by alumna Elisa Torres and her team of student artists.
Funded by the Oxnard College Foundation, the mural depicts the people, places and traditions that have defined Oxnard and the college’s role in the community over the last half-century. The college first opened its doors in 1975 after local families, community leaders and activists came together to advocate for equitable access to higher education in Oxnard.
SANTA BARBARA — Join the Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association (DSBIA) in advancing a Balanced, Flexible Design for a Thriving State Street!
The community is invited to sign the petition before the council meeting on Oct. 21.
View this email online The next regular meeting of the County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, October 21, 2025 County Administration Building Board Hearing Room, 4th Floor 105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara The public may participate…
In his book “When It All Burns,” Jordan Thomas sets out to answer a straightforward question: What led to today’s megafires? What emerged was an immersive account of a changing world.
CAMARILLO — Excelencia in Education, a national leader in catalyzing institutional transformation for student success in higher education, announced that California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) has earned the new Intentionally Thriving Institution (ITI) designation of the Seal of Excelencia. Cal State Channel Islands is one of the first institutions to earn the ITI designation, which extends impact beyond the educational pathway and recognizes positive impact in preparing students for, and connecting them to, the workforce.
CAMARILLO — Starting (Oct. 1), Ventura County residents with both Medi-Cal and Medicare coverage will be able to choose to have their care coordinated under one integrated plan from Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP).
GCHP Total Care Advantage (HMO D-SNP) is a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan for low-income seniors and people with disabilities who qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal – known as Medi-Medi members. Total Care Advantage is designed to support members by offering care coordination to help with accessing needed services, scheduling appointments, and managing chronic conditions.
CAMARILLO — Experience the Joy of Learning with OLLI at CSUCI
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Cal State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) is dedicated to enriching the lives of lifelong learners by providing opportunities for intellectual stimulation and social connection designed for adults aged 50+. We are thrilled to announce our Fall II catalog, featuring a fascinating selection of nine 6-week courses. Dive into a diverse range of topics, from health and longevity to international relations, art history, literature, anthropology, and more!
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,
SANTA BARBARA — Adelante Charter School, Santa Barbara’s dual-language immersion K–6 program, has achieved one of the most remarkable academic turnarounds in California this year — earning double-digit gains in both English and math proficiency and recognition as a 2025 California Distinguished School.
In the 2025 state assessments, Adelante students boosted English Language Arts proficiency by 13 points and Math proficiency by more than 16 points in a single year — far exceeding statewide averages, where annual growth typically ranges from two to four percentage points.
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.
View in Browser CALL TO ARTISTS: “Journey Through the Mind” at the Atrium Gallery Exhibition Dates: Oct. 23 – Dec. 5, 2025 Opening Reception: Oct. 30, 2025 “Journey Through the Mind,” featuring lead artist Andrew Rodriguez, is one in a…
