VENTURA — The Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) is pleased to welcome Earthea Nance, PE to the role of Watershed Protection Director. Watershed Protection serves to provide control and conservation of flood and stormwaters, and to protect and maintain watercourses, watershed, life and property in the geographic County. Nance brings over 20 years of leadership experience in government, academia, and the private sector.
CAMARILLO — Dr. Richard Yao, President of CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI), has announced that he will step down from his role effective August 1, 2025. Yao will assume the presidency of DataPhilanthropy, the giving arm of the Jeff T. Green Family Foundation. The Foundation, led by Jeff Green, Co-Founder and CEO of the Trade Desk and signatory of The Giving Pledge, focuses on applying data science to make its philanthropic efforts as impactful as possible.
“It has been the greatest honor of my professional life to serve as President of CSUCI,” said Yao. “This campus has demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience through an era of unprecedented challenges. I have never wavered in my belief in our mission or in the transformative impact of our work.”
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SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has made a generous donation of $15,000 to Hospice of Santa Barbara, supporting ongoing patient care services for approximately 800 people annually in the Santa Barbara community. Patient care services encompass medical care management, volunteer support, anticipatory grief counseling, spiritual care, bereavement care management, and quality of life stipends.
“Hospice of Santa Barbara fills a critical need in the community, providing vital care and services to patients and their families,” said Kenneth Kahn, Tribal Chairman for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. “Our tribe is proud to support their efforts,” Kahm also shared.
What a welcome! From the incredible VCCF staff, board members, donors, and nonprofit partners to the friendly barista at Old New York Deli & Bakery, I’ve felt an immediate sense of home and belonging here in Ventura County. I want to take a moment to share my reflections on my first 100-plus days and the deep hope and responsibility I feel stepping into this role.
After 22 years as CEO of a community foundation in Northern California, I stepped down last July in search of one final adventure—something meaningful to carry me into retirement with purpose. Vanessa and I have been friends and colleagues for over 10 years, and when she heard I was exploring what might come next, she invited me to Ventura County. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the dedication, humility, and heart of this community. I knew I had found something special.
VENTURA — At its June 24 meeting, the County of Ventura Board of Supervisors recognized 12 employees who have each served 25 years or more in public service, totaling 340 years of combined service to the people of Ventura County.
These long-serving employees were honored as part of the County’s Employee Continuous Service Recognition Program, which celebrates staff in five-year milestones starting at 25 years of service.
“These employees have dedicated decades of their careers to serving others, often behind the scenes, ensuring that vital services are delivered with care, consistency, and professionalism,” said District 4 Supervisor Janice Parvin, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Their commitment helps make Ventura County a stronger, safer, and healthier place for everyone.”
MONTECITO — Sese Ntem, a community leader with over a decade of service experience and a global outlook, will take the helm as president of the Rotary Club of Montecito on July 1.
Ntem will succeed Kim Stone, who is stepping down after serving the club with dedication over the past two years. Founded in 1953, the Rotary Club of Montecito has been a catalyst for community and global service for more than 70 years.
“I’m deeply honored to step into this role and build on the incredible work of those who have come before me,” Ntem said. “Rotary’s mission of service above self is something I’ve lived by for much of my life, and I’m excited to help grow our impact both locally and globally.”
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on fourteen different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment and strategic importance to the state or region.
Application Period Timeline: For fiscal year 2025-2026, GO-Biz will accept applications for the California Competes Tax Credit during:
July 21, 2025 – August 11, 2025
January 5, 2026 – January 26, 2026
March 2, 2026 – March 16, 2026
CENTRAL COAST — People’s Self-Help Housing’s (PSHH) has announced a new Director of Homeownership: Emily Baranek.
As the Director of Homeownership, Emily leads a team of dedicated professionals working to make the dream of homeownership a reality for families across the Central Coast of California. With over two decades of experience in new home design, construction, and affordable real estate development, she brings a wealth of practical knowledge and strategic insight to PSHH.
“I am incredibly proud of the years spent working and learning with Habitat for Humanity. Providing affordable homeownership opportunities for our friends and neighbors throughout the Central Coast is a true passion of mine,” said Baranek. “I have always felt that homeownership is more than just a roof over your head – it’s a foundation for stability, growth and meaningful connection, and I am absolutely thrilled to be joining People’s Self-Help Housing in this shared mission.”
SANTA BARBARA — CenCal Health, the Medicaid managed care plan for Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, provides health insurance to over 242,000 low-income people on the Central Coast. Recent federal proposals to reduce Medicaid funding and constrict eligibility would negatively impact local hospitals, healthcare providers, businesses, and thousands of area residents.
Throughout our country’s history during the time that I’ve been alive, we have had presidents who embraced traditional values and customs. Despite their political maneuverings and strategies, for the most part these presidents adhered to cultural norms. Some were great orators (e.g., Kennedy, Obama, Reagan) while others were not, shall we say, “out of the top grandiloquent drawer” (e.g., Nixon, Bush II, Biden, Trump).
And then there are those presidents who, for better or for worse, deviate from tradition and norms.
CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) (on June 25) announced the inaugural recipients of its new Resilience, Innovation, Sustainability & Equity (RISE) Grant Program—a three-year initiative with an initial commitment of $21.9 million dollars and second- and third-year opportunities for applications. The program is aimed at strengthening Ventura County’s health care infrastructure and improving access to care for Medi-Cal members.
Join us for an unforgettable evening Sept. 25) as we celebrate the 50th anniversary
of El Concilio Family Services recognizing our legacy of empowering families, bridging communities, and creating brighter futures through citizenship, immigration services and youth leadership development. And recognizing the outstanding Latino Leadership Honorees for 2025.
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures is pleased to announce the appointment of Dorothy Largay andPatricia MacFarlane as the new Co-chairs of the Arts & Lectures Council, a leadership group of dedicated volunteers who support the organization’s mission to educate, entertain and inspire through world-class cultural and artistic programming. Largay officially assumed her role as Co-Chair with incumbents Richard Janssen and Kath Lavidge on January 1, 2025. Patricia MacFarlane will begin her tenure on July 1, 2025. Lavidge and Janssen, who served in a leadership capacity for more than seven years, including through the COVID-19 pandemic, will remain key advisors on the Council.
In July we will be screening three films on consecutive Mondays starting with WHEN FALL IS COMING on July 7, a French mystery thriller. On July 14 a Special Screening of AMERICAN AGITATOR, the Fred Ross story, an American independent film with a Q/A post screening. And on July 21 THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND, a British comedy. Screening August 4 will be NYTimes Critics’ Pick, CAUGHT BY THE TIDES, from Chinese auteur, Jia Zhang-ke.
In accepting the new role, Bush said that she is “honored to succeed my mentor, Celesta Billeci, as the Miller McCune Executive Director. Having worked closely with Celesta, the Arts & Lectures Council, and our dedicated team for many years, I look forward to building on our shared legacy and supporting Arts & Lectures’ continued growth and flourishing.”
LOMPOC — History lovers and cultural enthusiasts, don’t miss your chance to get up close and personal with one of California’s most storied regions! Long before Lompoc became known for its colorful murals and lush wine country, it was part of a vast territory (over 7,000 square miles!) inhabited by the Chumash people. These Indigenous communities thrived along California’s Central Coast for thousands of years, leaving behind a legacy of art, innovation, and resilience.
The Chumash were skilled artisans, engineers, and seafarers whose traditions and innovations continue to inspire today. Here’s how you can immerse yourself in their incredible history and culture while visiting Lompoc and its surrounding areas.
In the spirit of community and creativity, we warmly invite you to join us tomorrow for the Arte Del Pueblo Assembly, a gathering where artists and art lovers can connect, support one another, and engage in meaningful dialogue.
Come together in this open forum to reflect on the state of contemporary art today, share your voice, and uplift each other’s visions. Let’s build bridges through mindful conversation and collective inspiration.
Your presence and perspective matter, see you there!
“We’re very excited to welcome Ronald Miller to our team as he steps into this important leadership role,” shared 4th District Supervisor, Janice Parvin, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “We’re confident that his longstanding experience and proven leadership will guide the agency forward with success. His deep commitment to community investment, combined with an extensive career in law enforcement, makes him exceptionally well-suited to lead the Ventura County Probation Agency.”
View this email online The next regular meeting of the County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2025 County Administration Building Board Hearing Room, Fourth Floor 105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara The public may participate…
LOMPOC — Ready to make this summer unforgettablke? Lompoc is calling! From flower fields to fine wine, skydives to sunsets, this Central Coast gem is full of sunny advenfures. Whether your’re planning a weekend escape or a season-long staycation, this summer bucket list will help you squeeze every drop of fun of your Lompoc days.
Let’s dive in!
LOMPOC — Tucked between the Santa Rosa and Purisima Hills in western Santa Barbara County, the Sta. Rita Hills AVA (American Viticultural Area) is a world-class wine-growing region renowned for its cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Just minutes from downtown Lompoc, this unique valley offers visitors an immersive experience where maritime breezes, diverse soils, and passionate winemakers converge to produce some of California’s most celebrated wines.
Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or a casual sipper, this guide will help you explore the best of the Sta. Rita Hills wineries and tasting rooms—many of which are right here in Lompoc, with others tucked into the surrounding hills for unforgettable vineyard experiences.
SANTA BARBARA — Though it lasted less than three decades, California’s Mexican period (1822–1846) helped shape the distribution of land, wealth, and power after California officially entered the union in 1850.
Telling Stories of Mexican California reflects on this past, and how romanticized retellings made lasting impacts on the state’s culture and popular understandings of its history.
SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula proudly hosted its first independent State of the City event on June 12, 2025, marking a departure from previous joint events traditionally held with the Chamber of Commerce. With more than 176 guests in attendance, the evening was a vibrant celebration of community, progress, and civic engagement, and by all accounts, a resounding success.
Held at the Ventura County Agriculture Museum, the evening began with a festive outdoor reception featuring live folklórico dancing by Proyecto Esperanza, musical performances by local group Chucumite, and hors d’oeuvres provided by local favorites including Flight 126, El Capricho, Mr. Shrimp, and Parque 1055. The community came together to enjoy food, music, and connection before moving indoors for formal remarks and presentations.
The Summer Celebration will be held at the Ventura County Agricultural Museum in Santa Paula. Guests will enjoy the flavors of summer with brunch stations, appetizers, and locally crafted beverages curated by Seasons Catering—featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients from SEEAG’s farm partners and artisanal products from Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Attendees can learn about SEEAG’s programs, be the first to view its vision for its new farm campus, explore the museum’s current exhibition, enjoy live music, and participate in a live auction.
SANTA BARBARA — The Music Academy of the West is thrilled to announce that Min Joo Yi has been selected as the winner of the 2025 Solo Piano Concerto Competition, held on June 20 at Hahn Hall as part of the Music Academy’s 2025 Summer Music Festival & School.
Min Joo Yi captivated the audience and a panel of judges with a commanding interpretation of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37, earning the opportunity to perform as part of the Santa Barbara Symphony’s Beethoven Piano Concerto Marathon on Saturday, January 17, 2026 — the first concert in a two-concert weekend showcasing all five of Beethoven’s piano concertos, each performed by a winner of an international piano competition. In addition to this prestigious performance opportunity, the winner receives a $2,500 award from the Music Academy.
An expanded exhibition at San Diego’s Museum of Us revisits Fulbeck’s landmark portraits and the evolving identities behind them.
VENTURA — The Ventura Improv Company (VIC), making audiences laugh with made-up-on-the-spot comedy since 1989, is happily at home at NAMBA Performing Arts Space these days.
Closing the theater space in 2017 and losing long-time Artistic Director Gary Best in 2023 were two challenges that almost silenced the group permanently. But then, not wanting to end the run just yet, Judy Gottlieb stepped in.
“We already had a new home at NAMBA,” says Gottlieb, a long-time performer and current Artistic Director of the VIC. “Our monthly shows continue to draw audiences, and our drop-in improv workshops started to grow. I felt like it wasn’t time to quit.”
Pre-applications available Tuesday, July 8, 9AM at pshhc.org/CCC
Pre-solicitudes disponibles el martes 8 de julio a las 9AM en pshhc.org/CCC
SCORE: BUSINESS FORMATION UNCOVERED: NAVIGATING BUSINESS STRUCTURES
June 24 @ 10:30 am
This business formation webinar is tailored to help entrepreneurs and business owners thoroughly understand the advantages and disadvantages of each entity type (sole proprietor, LLC, S-Corp.) from legal separate entities, tax reporting structures, non-tax paying entities, liabilities, asset protection and more. In today’s competitive market, choosing the right business entity is more than just a procedural step; it’s a strategic decision that impacts every aspect of your operations and long-term success. The
Saturday, August 16
3 – 8 p.m.
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street., Ventura
Diego Huerta, the resident photographer behind the Enfoque exhibition and internationally acclaimed for documenting Indigenous communities throughout the Americas, leads this outdoor portrait workshop at Surfer’s Point. Designed for intermediate to advanced photographers ages 16 and up, the 60–90 minute session focuses on using natural light, flash, and strobe to create compelling portraiture.
?Participants must bring a DSLR or mirrorless camera, tripod, filters, lenses, and lighting gear. Be prepared to navigate uneven terrain and embrace changing weather conditions—this workshop runs rain or shine. Dinner is included after the session. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to learn from a master in the field. Cost: $250 non-members, 15% off members. Register HERE.
“The 2024 Crop and Livestock Report focuses on the history of Ventura County’s top 10 crops and the issues that farmers face today in cultivating these crops,” stated Korinne Bell, Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner. “Ventura County is unique in that our agricultural community cultivates a significant number of crops with values well over $1 million. This allows for a wide range of products to be cultivated but also presents some substantial challenges for our farmers. Many thanks to the Ventura County agricultural community – growers, packers, and shippers – for providing the data on their efforts in 2024 and making the production of this report possible.”
VENTURA — The City of Ventura is thrilled to officially open Marina Park’s new playground, delivering a modern and thoughtfully designed play space for the Pierpont Bay community and surrounding areas.
Local dignitaries, City staff, project partners, and community members gathered on Tuesday, June 24, for a celebratory ribbon-cutting to commemorate this exciting milestone.
VENTURA COUNTY — Every fire department in Ventura County is united in our commitment to protecting lives—no matter who you are or where you’re from. Everyone in our communities deserves safety, emergency care, and compassion. Our firefighters respond to every emergency without hesitation or judgment. Immigration status is never a factor in the care we provide, and we do not ask, record, or report that information.
Having more time to walk the streets of the Oxnard and Ventura areas lately, I find myself navigating a world that had not been entirely apparent to me in the past. I am more aware now of the great number of people who are distressed, troubled, and immersed in mental illness.
Their plight becomes obvious as I witness people who are talking animatedly with themselves—sometimes cheerfully, but too often they are angry and threatening. It’s hard to feel safe when someone close by is screaming something such as, “I’m gonna kill every single person I find!”
CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP), the local Medi-Cal plan for Ventura County, is deeply concerned about the possibility of sensitive Medicaid enrollment data—including names, addresses, and immigration statuses—being shared with the Department of Homeland Security as reported by the Associated Press. According to the article, the data sharing was conducted “despite internal objections from Medicaid officials” and without consent from states, health plans, or members.
The data includes information from individuals in various states, including California, that allow those with “unsatisfactory immigration status” to enroll in Medicaid programs funded by state dollars.
“This breach is not just a policy failure—it is a moral one,” said Dr. Felix Nuñez, GCHP’s chief executive officer. “Trust is the foundation of our health system. Undermining that trust by turning health care into a tool of immigration enforcement jeopardizes the well-being of entire communities. We must protect the right to seek care without fear.”
OXNARD — Brenda Allison, CEO of Coast General Insurance Brokers and a dedicated community advocate has been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rotary Club of Ventura.
A Rotarian since 2005, Allison has served in multiple roles at the Ventura club over the past two decades, including as service director, membership director, risk management support and community service director. She is currently the club’s treasurer, a position she’s held since November 2023.
Hard to believe, but another academic year has come to a close. Just a few weeks ago, School of Management undergraduate and graduate students walked the stage at Cal Lutheran’s annual Commencement on our beautiful Thousand Oaks campus.
They worked tirelessly to reach this milestone, and for many, the experience was bittersweet. During their time at Cal Lutheran, the School of Management has become a home — a place where they found their tribe, discovered their calling, built skills that will stay with them for life. Now, they look ahead with excitement: to entry-level opportunities in the corporate or nonprofit worlds, to promotions at their current organizations, or to further study in graduate programs. Whatever comes next, we are proud of them and remain committed to supporting each one of them every step of the way.
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L), the Central Coast’s premier arts presenting organization, announces its 2025-2026 season of live events. Series subscriptions go on sale Wednesday, June 18 at 10 a.m. Single tickets go on sale Tuesday, August 19 at 10 a.m. UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) offers a wide range of phenomenal cultural and artistic experiences in 2025-2026 – from fascinating talks by today’s thought leaders to command performances by some of the world’s premier dance companies, actors and musicians – at venues from UCSB to downtown Santa Barbara and beyond. The 2025-2026 season includes an exciting mix of returning friends, rising stars and new discoveries. This upcoming season is particularly rich in premieres, debuts and works commissioned by Arts & Lectures.
Two bills pending in California State Senate — including Assembly Bill 880 by Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura) and Assembly Bill 1039 by Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) — deserve Governor’s support
