Category: Cultural

District 216 — WEEK OFF: Happy Holidays from District216! (A perfect time to setup your Circle Account)

by  •  • Comments Off on District 216 — WEEK OFF: Happy Holidays from District216! (A perfect time to setup your Circle Account)

We’re excited to share that District216 has officially migrated away from Mighty Networks to Circle, our new community platform built for connection, creativity, and seamless psychedelic exploration.

Circle offers a modern, social-media-style interface, richer chat and discussion features, and a beautifully organized video library with over 150 hours of District216 content. You’ll also find easy access to our Psychedelic Concierge Service, member threads, event archives, and more — all in a cleaner, more intuitive space.

Read more →

Bilingual commentary — Is It Worth Studying the Humanities?

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual commentary — Is It Worth Studying the Humanities?

We are in the midst of an era of rapid technological advancement. As high school students and their parents sweat over the correct choice for a major, they may feel that they are engaged in a sort of life-or-death economic decision rather than the opportunity to pursue a passion. There are currently a whole slew of podcasters, influencers and politicians who disparage the humanities as “impractical” or outmoded, as if they were a musty remnant of the Renaissance.  

Read more →

Bilingual report — OPAC celebrates Downtown Oxnard’s designation as a California Cultural District

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — OPAC celebrates Downtown Oxnard’s designation as a California Cultural District

OXNARD — The Oxnard Performing Arts Center Nonprofit Corporation (OPAC) proudly celebrates Downtown Oxnard’s designation as a California Cultural District by the California Arts Council, a prestigious state recognition honoring the district’s vibrant creative community, long-standing commitment to the arts, and growing role as a regional hub for cultural activity.

The designation is part of the California Cultural Districts program, established through Assembly Bill 189, which identifies areas of concentrated cultural activity that contribute to economic vitality, cultural preservation, and tourism. Downtown Oxnard was selected through a highly competitive statewide process, with 74 applications submitted and only 10 new districts awarded.

Read more →

CSUCI announces Channel Islands Tuition Promise for eligible California Students beginning Fall 2026

by  •  • Comments Off on CSUCI announces Channel Islands Tuition Promise for eligible California Students beginning Fall 2026

“At Cal State Channel Islands, opportunity is within reach for every student. The Channel Islands Tuition Promise ensures that tuition and mandatory fees are fully covered for eligible students, reducing financial barriers to earning a CSUCI degree,” said Interim President Susan Andrzejewski. This program allows students to focus on the transformative learning experiences that define Cal State Channel Islands, strengthening our role as a powerful engine of social mobility for Ventura County and the state.”  

Read more →

New welding education and testing facility opens in Camarillo

by  •  • Comments Off on New welding education and testing facility opens in Camarillo

“Our new facility will prepare aspiring welders for high-paying careers that allow them to put down roots in Ventura County and contribute to the local economy,” said Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. “This facility is a perfect example of education and industry partners coming together to provide tangible solutions for job seekers in our community.”

Read more →

Santa Barbara Museum of Art announces 2026 Winter/Spring exhibition schedule

by  •  • Comments Off on Santa Barbara Museum of Art announces 2026 Winter/Spring exhibition schedule

In the new year, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art offers a sweeping look at how artists engage with time. Works grounded in personal histories, inherited traditions, and collective memory speak to the past while giving us new ways to access it in the present. Contemporary materials and lived experience illuminate the world as it is now, yet they also open space for reflection and reinterpretation. Digital experimentation and visionary forms gesture toward the future, and at the same time expand how we record, memorialize, and remember. Seen together, these exhibitions reveal art as a continuum—one in which past, present, and future coexist, overlap, and remain vividly alive today.

Read more →

Ventura County Arts Council announces new Atrium Gallery Exhibition: ‘The Sound of Silence’ opening on Dec. 18

by  •  • Comments Off on Ventura County Arts Council announces new Atrium Gallery Exhibition: ‘The Sound of Silence’ opening on Dec. 18

“The Sound of Silence” opens to the public at the Atrium Gallery TOMORROW, Dec. 18, with a free opening reception from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. The exhibition, featuring work by artist Cheyenne Proctor and other local artists, runs through January 23, 2026.

This show is part of a series of exhibitions addressing mental health as part of VibeWell Ventura County, a county-wide initiative that uses art and culture to raise awareness of mental health conditions.

Read more →

UCSB — The Current — ‘NIH backs UCSB virtual reality project to help older adults build real social connections’ and more news, events

by  •  • Comments Off on UCSB — The Current — ‘NIH backs UCSB virtual reality project to help older adults build real social connections’ and more news, events

The $3.8 million grant supports professors Tamara Afifi and Nancy Collins in their research goals: extending lifespan and improving quality of life.

Read more →

UCSB Arts & Lectures Justice for All programming initiative adds four timely speakers to its 2026 Winter and Spring calendars

by  •  • Comments Off on UCSB Arts & Lectures Justice for All programming initiative adds four timely speakers to its 2026 Winter and Spring calendars

Illuminating a wide spectrum of systemic injustice, UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) Justice for All programming initiative looks to today’s great minds and creators and to the courageous leaders across the globe who are forging a new path forward. Join us as we learn from those confronting uncomfortable questions, solving difficult problems, and guiding us all toward a more equitable world.

Read more →

Central Coast United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — Our new website is here – Built to power our movement

by  •  • Comments Off on Central Coast United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — Our new website is here – Built to power our movement

We’re excited to share some big news with you! Even in a year that’s brought no shortage of challenges, we’ve been working to launch a more accessible, user-friendly website – a digital home designed to help us stay connected, build grassroots power, and make sure our communities have the tools we need to know and defend our rights.

Our new site is built for you. When you have a moment, take a look around – and be sure you’re subscribed to our email list. If you’re on social media, follow us on Instagram and Facebook so you never miss an update.

Read more →

Bilingual report — Ventura Police urge responsible celebrations this holiday season

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Ventura Police urge responsible celebrations this holiday season

VENTURA — As holiday celebrations ramp up, so does the risk on our roads. In December 2023, 1,038 people across the U.S. lost their lives in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Ventura Police Department joins agencies statewide in urging drivers to celebrate responsibly and keep impaired driving out of their holiday plans.

Tthrough New Year’s Day, Ventura Police Department will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The high-visibility enforcement effort is part of a national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, with the goal of stopping suspected impaired drivers who put others at risk.

Read more →

Ventura County Credit Union concludes ‘Year of Giving’ with $75,000 donation to Museum of Ventura County

by  •  • Comments Off on Ventura County Credit Union concludes ‘Year of Giving’ with $75,000 donation to Museum of Ventura County

“This gift from Ventura County Credit Union will help us fulfill our mission to engage the community in meaningful experiences with history, art and culture,” said Elena Brokaw, Barbara Barnard CEO of the Museum of Ventura County. “As we work to expand our programs and strengthen community partnerships, this support enables us to continue serving as a gathering place where diverse voices and stories come together. We are deeply grateful to VCCU for investing in our future and recognizing the vital role museums play in helping us understand our past and build a better future for Ventura County.”

Read more →

Ventura County Health Care Agency earns Gold Coast Health Plan’s top honor for quality care 

by  •  • Comments Off on Ventura County Health Care Agency earns Gold Coast Health Plan’s top honor for quality care 

Click here for the entire media release en español VENTURA — The County of Ventura Health Care Agency (HCA) has been awarded the prestigious Quality Hero Award 2025 by Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP). This top honor recognizes the HCA for…

Read more →

Allan Hancock College celebrates Nursing and EMT Program graduations in Lompoc

by  •  • Comments Off on Allan Hancock College celebrates Nursing and EMT Program graduations in Lompoc

LOMPOC — Allan Hancock College celebrated a new crop of first responders and healthcare workers as a combined 137 individuals graduated from the college’s fire, emergency medical technician (EMT), and nursing programs on Dec. 11 and Dec. 12.  

The fire and EMT academy graduates were honored during two ceremonies at the college’s Public Safety Training Complex (PSTC) in Lompoc, while the nursing graduation took place at the Marian Theatre on the college’s Santa Maria campus.

A total of 30 cadets graduated from the fire academy on Dec. 11, marking the end of a rigorous 18-week program consisting of 624 hours of classroom and field instruction. Before the ceremony, the cadets gave a live demonstration of the skills they learned at the academy, including running fire hoses, dousing burning cars and extricating “victims” from vehicle wrecks outside the PSTC’s burn tower.

Read more →

Ventura Music Festival — Music gives so much more!

by  •  • Comments Off on Ventura Music Festival — Music gives so much more!

This year, music lifted Ventura at an unprecedented rate.
It reached students who had never held an instrument.
It comforted those at Community Memorial Hospital.
It filled parks, schools, museums, and neighborhoods — ?much of it free and all of it accessible to all.

And now, as the year comes to a close, we ask you to help keep this music playing.

Your support today fuels the music tomorrow. Year-end gifts are fully tax-deductible and make an immediate impact across the programs that define our mission. Every dollar you give ensures that the Ventura Music Festival continues to reach more people, in more places, in more ways—especially those who need it most.

Read more →

Allan Hancock College’s SkillsUSA Community Service Team organizes blanket drive donation

by  •  • Comments Off on Allan Hancock College’s SkillsUSA Community Service Team organizes blanket drive donation

SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College’s SkillsUSA Community Service Team is collecting new and gently used blankets this holiday season to support individuals and families in need across the Central Coast.

Donation bins are available now through Dec.19 in the Mechanics Bank Student Center (bldg. G) at the college’s Santa Maria campus. Community members are encouraged to contribute if they are able.

The blanket drive serves as the team’s official SkillsUSA community service project for the year. Students on the team include Johana Diaz-Toscano, Alexandra Ramirez and Victoria Gama. The three students organized and launched the initiative entirely themselves. Diaz-Toscano said that blankets will be distributed to local shelters, many of which see increased need during the winter months.

Read more →

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County Welcomes New board director, Dennis Yai

by  •  • Comments Off on Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County Welcomes New board director, Dennis Yai

VENTURA COUNTY — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) is proud to announce the appointment of Dennis Yai, Associate General Counsel at Amgen, to its Board of Directors. Mr. Yai brings extensive expertise in corporate governance, securities, and strategic legal counsel, experience that will strengthen the agency’s mission to ignite the potential of youth across Ventura County.

As Associate General Counsel at Amgen, one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies, Mr. Yai oversees a broad portfolio of corporate, securities, and governance activities. His responsibilities include advising on SEC compliance, executive compensation, ESG matters, stockholder activism, and high-level public disclosure. Mr. Yai also played a pivotal role in structuring, negotiating, and closing major financing transactions, including cross-border financing in support of Amgen’s acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics.

Read more →

Bilingual reports — County of Ventura wins gold from the Healthcare Digital Marketing Awards for fentanyl awareness website

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual reports — County of Ventura wins gold from the Healthcare Digital Marketing Awards for fentanyl awareness website

VENTURA — The County of Ventura has received a Gold Award in the 6th Annual Healthcare Digital Marketing Awards for its Think Again Ventura Countywebsite, a centralized, digital resource supporting the County’s ongoing fentanyl awareness campaign. The national awards program, which recognizes excellence in healthcare marketing and digital communications, received entries from hospitals, health systems, and public health organizations across the country

Read more →

40th Annual California Strawberry Festival call for applicants: Makers of unique, quality handcrafted artwork and craft items

by  •  • Comments Off on 40th Annual California Strawberry Festival call for applicants: Makers of unique, quality handcrafted artwork and craft items

VENTURA — The 40th Annual California Strawberry Festival is accepting applications from individual makers of quality, handcrafted works by artists and crafters for this year’s festival taking place May 16 and 17 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. The deadline to apply is February 9.

The festival, which attracts more than 50,000 visitors, features dozens of different kinds of foods and beverages made from fresh strawberries. About 150 artisans from throughout California showcase their original works including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, children’s toys, accessories, photography, textiles, outdoor furniture, jewelryand specialty foods.

Read more →

Bilingual report — Santa Paula City Council Selects New Mayor and Vice Mayor for the 2026 Term

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Santa Paula City Council Selects New Mayor and Vice Mayor for the 2026 Term

SANTA PAULA — During a ceremonious and festive Council meeting on December 10, 2025, the Santa Paula City Council held its annual leadership reorganization, resulting in the appointment of a new Mayor and Vice Mayor for the upcoming year.

Outgoing Mayor Chavez, who made history as the first openly gay Mayor in both Santa Paula and Ventura County, received enthusiastic and appreciative public comments recognizing his leadership, integrity, and the many accomplishments achieved under his tenure. Community members expressed gratitude for his commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and elevating civic engagement across Santa Paula. The Council also thanked him for his accomplishments and stewardship throughout the past year.

Additionally, the Council unanimously appointed outgoing Vice Mayor Carlos Juarez to serve as Mayor of Santa Paula for the new term.

Read more →

Bilingual commentary — What Do They Mean “Accounting Is Not Professional”?

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual commentary — What Do They Mean “Accounting Is Not Professional”?

In its nefarious dedication to destroying the foundations of American education, the U.S. Department of Education, in its definitely finite wisdom, is proposing that graduate accounting degrees are no longer to be recognized as “professional” for student loan purposes. This is certain to have repercussions that will significantly impact higher education in the field of finance.

Read more →

Bilingual report — Teatro de las Américas — La Posada del teatro | Movie Night | Casting Call | Vision Board

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Teatro de las Américas — La Posada del teatro | Movie Night | Casting Call | Vision Board

*** Teatro’s Christmas Party ***

Let’s celebrate another year of art, stories, friendship, drama, and smiles.

Saturday, December 13

Starting at 6 p.m.

7 p.m. Araceli Collazo & The Ensamble

8 p.m. Karaoke Night with DJ Mannu

Read more →

Bilingual report — Ventura Police spread holiday cheer at annual Shop with a Cop

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Ventura Police spread holiday cheer at annual Shop with a Cop

VENTURA — The Ventura Police Department helped make the season brighter for local families on December 10, 2025, during its annual Shop with a Cop event, held at Walmart and hosted in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura and the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation. 

This year, 30 children from low-income households and families facing childhood cancer were paired with Ventura Police officers for an unforgettable evening of one-on-one shopping. Each child received $150 to choose gifts for the people they love, turning what can be a challenging time of year into an afternoon of joy and connection. 

Read more →

Holiday Magic at Heritage Square Oxnard

by  •  • Comments Off on Holiday Magic at Heritage Square Oxnard

Call for Entries: Gingerbread House Contest & Exhibit
Looking for a fun holiday project? Our annual Gingerbread House Contest & Exhibit is the perfect way for family and friends to gather this weekend and create something sweet together.
Entries are due by next Tuesday, December 15.
Your gingerbread creation will be featured as part of our holiday display at Heritage Square.
View entry information: https://forms.gle/y7e8bHAoNfiiQcXC7
Inspiration from past entries here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/137180328@N06/albums/72157720188275462/

Read more →

UCSB — The Current — ‘UCSB physicists accept Nobel Prizes in Sweden’ and more news, events

by  •  • Comments Off on UCSB — The Current — ‘UCSB physicists accept Nobel Prizes in Sweden’ and more news, events

In a ceremony full of splendor, music and admiration, professors Michel Devoret and John Martinis, alongside their mentor, UC Berkeley physicist John Clarke, on Dec. 10 officially received their Nobel Prizes from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.

Read more →

SEEAG Awarded $236,360 California Department of Food and Agriculture Grant

by  •  • Comments Off on SEEAG Awarded $236,360 California Department of Food and Agriculture Grant

“Students learn about specialty crop-related science, technology and engineering. They explore career opportunities at local farms and connect with agricultural professionals,” says Caitlin Paulus Case, SEEAG executive director. “To run a successful agriculture business today requires the skills to address the many challenges facing the industry, including soil science, plant nutrition and sustainability practices.”

Read more →

Bilingual report — Registration for Ventura’s Spring 2026 Activity Guide begins Jan. 6

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Registration for Ventura’s Spring 2026 Activity Guide begins Jan. 6

Every Ventura resident will receive a printed copy of the Activity Guide in the mail. Additional copies are available for pick-up at City Hall and other City facilities during business hours, including the Westpark Community Center, Barranca Vista Community Center, Ventura Aquatics Center, and Ventura Avenue Adult Center.

Read more →

Heard the buzz about Teatro De Las Americas’s production of Noche de Película/Movie Night (Dec. 19)?

by  •  • Comments Off on Heard the buzz about Teatro De Las Americas’s production of Noche de Película/Movie Night (Dec. 19)?

Have you heard the buzz about Teatro De Las Americas’s spectacular production of Noche de Película/Movie Night? It’s an event you absolutely can’t miss! Secure your seat today by grabbing your tickets online. Join us for an unforgettable experience!

Read more →

Italian Photographer Mario Giacomelli (1925–2000) highlighted at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art as part of celebrations around the centennial of his birth

by  •  • Comments Off on Italian Photographer Mario Giacomelli (1925–2000) highlighted at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art as part of celebrations around the centennial of his birth

SANTA BARBARA — Now open at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA) is an exhibition of notable Italian photographer Mario Giacomelli (1925–2000). Through innovative darkroom techniques, he depicted the people and landscapes of Italy’s Marche region with high contrast and sharp psychological intensity. Celebrating a significant new gift to the museum as well as the hundredth anniversary of the artist’s birth, Mario Giacomelli: La Gente, La Terra features 36 photographs taken between 1955 and 1980—all from SBMA’s collection—including some of his most iconic images. The exhibition will be open until February 15, 2026.

Read more →

History, Art, Community & Connection at Museum of Ventura County

by  •  • Comments Off on History, Art, Community & Connection at Museum of Ventura County

GIVE THE GIFT OF HISTORY

As you make your year-end giving plans, we invite you to support the Museum of Ventura County and help preserve the stories that define our community. A meaningful way to give this season is by donating appreciated stock. Gifts of stock may offer significant tax advantages while making a lasting impact on our exhibitions, education programs, and preservation work.

Read more →

Santa Paula Museum of Art — Inbox Art Exhibit: Harvey Cusworth’s ‘Visions of Conejo Valley and the Malibu Coast’

by  •  • Comments Off on Santa Paula Museum of Art — Inbox Art Exhibit: Harvey Cusworth’s ‘Visions of Conejo Valley and the Malibu Coast’

On view now through January 11, 2026

Harvey Cusworth fell in love with drawing and illustration at the age of eleven. Born and raised in West Los Angeles, Cusworth earned a BFA in illustration and graphic design from Brigham Young University in Utah and later an MFA from California State University, Long Beach. After starting a family and helping grow the family construction business, Harvey set his sights on teaching.

For nearly two decades, Cusworth taught Advanced

Read more →

Bilingual report — Holiday Heroes to bring magic to children at Ventura County Medical Center

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Holiday Heroes to bring magic to children at Ventura County Medical Center

VENTURA — Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) is excited to announce its upcoming Holiday Heroes Rappel event for pediatric patients. On Monday, Dec. 15, members of the Urban Search and Rescue Regional Task Force, including firefighters from Oxnard, Ventura City, and Ventura County, will dress as Santa Claus and beloved holiday characters such as elves and rappel from the hospital roof to the pediatric unit playground.

Read more →

Downtown Oxnard — A Storybook Christmas season …

by  •  • Comments Off on Downtown Oxnard — A Storybook Christmas season …

OXNARD — Celebrate the season on Sat., Dec. 6th, at the Oxnard Christmas Parade. This year’s theme “A Storybook Christmas” will showcase creative floats, colorful marching bands, equestrian units, local school groups, and the man of the hour – Santa! This year’s Grand Marshal is Anderson .Paak. It all begins at 10:00 a.m. on Sat., Dec. 6th. Stake out your viewing spot on the route on A Street from 9th to 5th and north on C Streets in Downtown Oxnard.

Read more →

Bilingual report — Ventura County Library launches ‘Reimagine Your VC Library’ strategic planning initiative; Invites community feedback to shape the future

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Ventura County Library launches ‘Reimagine Your VC Library’ strategic planning initiative; Invites community feedback to shape the future

Through the initiative, VCL is inviting residents across Ventura County to share their ideas and feedback to help ensure that the library continues to meet the evolving needs of its diverse communities.

The planning effort will gather public input to:

• Identify community needs and opportunities
• Provide optimum access to resources and technology
• Design innovative programs that inspire and empower
• Create inclusive and welcoming library spaces
• Ensure alignment with the County of Ventura Strategic Plan

Read more →

Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan member information potentially exposed in data breach

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan member information potentially exposed in data breach

CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) recently discovered that one of its contracted business partners suffered a cyberattack that resulted in the potential disclosure of member information to an unauthorized third party.

Conduent Business Solutions, a longtime administrative services vendor for GCHP, reported that the cyberattack compromised a single employee’s email account, permitting the attacker to gain access to some files between Oct. 21, 2024, and Jan. 13, 2025. Upon discovery of the incident on Jan. 13, 2025, Conduent immediately safeguarded its systems and started an investigation. Conduent notified law enforcement of the incident and engaged a leading cybersecurity firm to assess the potential disclosure of protected health information.

Read more →

Join Hospice of Santa Barbara in celebrating 42nd Annual Light Up a Life ceremonies, honoring loved ones this holiday season (Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14)

by  •  • Comments Off on Join Hospice of Santa Barbara in celebrating 42nd Annual Light Up a Life ceremonies, honoring loved ones this holiday season (Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14)

SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) is honored to invite the community to its 42nd Annual Light Up a Life ceremonies. This cherished holiday tradition returns to offer a warm, uniting space for the communities of Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Carpinteria to remember and honor the loved ones whose absence is felt during the holiday season. The ceremonies are free and open to the public.

While the holiday season is often associated with joy, it frequently stirs a complex mix of feelings. For individuals navigating this time while grieving a loss, the emotions can be especially raw. HSB understands that this period requires both remembrance and support, which is why we proudly host Light Up a Life annually to honor those who are deeply missed.

Read more →

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) announces California Competes Tax Credit Program update

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) announces California Competes Tax Credit Program update

Application Period Timeline: For fiscal year 2025-2026, GO-Biz will accept applications for the California Competes Tax Credit during:

January 5, 2026 – January 26, 2026
March 2, 2026 – March 16, 2026

Read more →

Bilingual report — Ventura County certifies Nov. 4, 2025 statewide special election

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Ventura County certifies Nov. 4, 2025 statewide special election

“As we close out this Special Election, I want to thank our voters and our dedicated election workers,” said Registrar Michelle Ascencion. “Even with a compressed timeline, the community showed its commitment to participating in and supporting the election process. I’m grateful for everyone who took the time to vote, and of course for our election workers and staff who worked tirelessly to ensure every legal ballot was validated and counted with care.”

Read more →

Bilingual report — County of Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors to meet on Dec. 9

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — County of Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors to meet on Dec. 9

View this email online The next regular meeting of the  County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for  10 a.m. Tuesday, December 9, 2025 County Administration Building Board Hearing Room, 4th Floor 105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara The public may participate…

Read more →

Music Academy of the West — A first look at our downtown music education center and its impact

by  •  • Comments Off on Music Academy of the West — A first look at our downtown music education center and its impact

As we imagine the future of music, community, and creative belonging in Santa Barbara, I’m thrilled to share an exciting update on the Academy’s Music Education Center. This visionary new hub at 901 State Street—made possible by a landmark $20 million commitment from Academy Board Member and Music Education Center Founding Contributor Cheryl Goldberg—reflects the Music Academy’s belief in music as a powerful force for connection, inspiration, and the cultural vitality of our city. 

Read more →

Bilingual report — City of Ventura’s Foul Weather Shelter Plan reactivated for 2025

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — City of Ventura’s Foul Weather Shelter Plan reactivated for 2025

VENTURA — To prepare for upcoming winter weather, the City of Ventura has reactivated its Foul Weather Shelter Plan to provide temporary shelter and “stay warm” packs to Ventura’s most vulnerable residents during extreme weather events, such as severe rain, high winds, or low temperatures. Effective December 1, 2025, the The Foul Weather Shelter Plan will run through March 31, 2026.

To date, more than 4,650 meals have been provided, 280 stay warm packs distributed, and over 435 individuals have received shelter through the program.

“Ventura has an active community of local social service providers and nonprofits that work together to serve the needs of our most vulnerable population,” said Housing Services Manager Leona Rollins. “This program is needed now more than ever to help protect those who face the harshest impacts of winter weather.”

Read more →

December at the Santa Paula Art Museum

by  •  • Comments Off on December at the Santa Paula Art Museum

Season’s Greetings!

We’re feeling extra thankful after November’s premiere party for The 16th Art About Agriculture Exhibition, which drew 200 guests despite the rain. We’re also delighted to share that seven artworks sold during the exhibit’s opening week! You can see the show now through March 8, 2026.

This year has been the Museum’s busiest yet thanks to the support of our donors, members, and volunteers, and we’re excited to close 2025 with some extra-special events. Scroll down to learn more.

Read more →

Community Colleges of Ventura County earn innovation honor from Ventura Chamber

by  •  • Comments Off on Community Colleges of Ventura County earn innovation honor from Ventura Chamber

CAMARILLO — Big ideas are reshaping what’s possible for students and their future careers across Ventura County. At the 2025 Poinsettia Awards Luncheon, the Ventura County Community College District will be honored with this year’s Innovation Award. Presented by the Ventura Chamber of Commerce, this recognition highlights the ongoing work of the Community Colleges of Ventura County to advance student success and opportunity through forward-thinking pathways and transformative programs.

The annual Poinsettia Awards celebrates excellence in business, public service, and education, honoring individuals and organizations who are making a lasting difference in the Ventura community.

“To be honored by the Ventura Chamber of Commerce is a powerful affirmation that our work is making a real difference,” said Rick MacLennan, chancellor of the Community Colleges of Ventura County. “It tells us that the innovation happening across our colleges is not only visible: it’s valued, and it’s meeting the needs of the community we’re proud to serve every day.”

Read more →