February always feels extra special at the Santa Paula Art Museum. It’s our anniversary month, and the Museum is turning sweet 16. Love takes many forms, and this month’s programs invite you to fall in love with art, creativity, and community. Scroll down to learn more.
(If you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, we recommend our one-day ceramics workshops on February 13 and 14. They’re fun to share with a friend or partner!)
“It is my great honor to confer the 2026 Wang Family Excellence Awards, recognizing exemplary contributions of the CSU’s world-class faculty and staff,” said CSU Chancellor Mildred García. “The CSU’s extraordinary and far-reaching impact is possible only because of the people who bring our mission and core values brilliantly to life. The work of the five extraordinary individuals we honor this year is as inspiring as it is consequential—and it demonstrates why the CSU leads the future of inclusive excellence and social mobility.
VENTURA — Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) has opened registration for its first “Fields of Innovation in Agriculture Research Competition.” The competition is open to Ventura County high school students in grades 10 through 12 who are curious about agriculture, STEM careers and real-world problem solving.
The competition theme is “Water in Agriculture.” It requires students to research agricultural water challenges, explore STEM-related careers, create a research abstract and prepare a poster presentation.
The six-week online competition begins March 9 on Canvas. It culminates in a showcase event on May 2 at CSU Channel Islands, where students will present their work to agricultural professionals serving as judges, and as part of the 18th Annual CSUCI Student Research Conference.
VENTURA — CalEITC Awareness Week is a statewide effort to ensure that eligible working families and individuals are aware of and able to claim, the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), the Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC), the federal EITC, the Foster Youth Tax Credit (FYTC) and other impactful state and federal tax credits.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College’s Fine Arts faculty are showcasing a wide range of creative work during the Fine Arts Faculty Show, on view February 9 through March 12 at the Ann Foxworthy Gallery on the college’s Santa Maria campus.
The exhibition features work by Hancock’s Fine Arts instructors across multiple disciplines and media, highlighting the depth and diversity of creative practices shaping contemporary art today. An opening reception will be held February 11 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.
“Our Fine Arts faculty are accomplished artists and dedicated educators who model what it means to engage with art as a lifelong practice,” said Elizabeth Russell, Foxworthy Gallery co-director. “This exhibition gives our community the opportunity to experience the breadth of ideas, materials, and approaches our faculty bring to both their studios and their classrooms.”
The County of Ventura Celebrates Black History Month
February is Black History Month. Throughout the month the County of Ventura will observe this important time by recognizing the history, culture, and lasting contributions of Black individuals and communities.
Black History Month provides an opportunity to acknowledge the experiences and achievements that have helped shape our shared history and continue to influence our communities today.
The English professor discusses how AI judgement, good or bad, can reflect knowledge and social values when implemented in our personal, work and public life.
“Public service is more than a job – it is a calling,” stated 2nd District Supervisor Jeff Gorell, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Employees who have dedicated 25 years or more to Ventura County reflect the heart of that calling through their steady service, care for others, and deep commitment to our communities. Their work has strengthened Ventura County, and the impact of their service will continue to shape and support our communities for years to come. I am thankful to each member of the County team celebrating this milestone and for their continued commitment to excellence in public service.”
Awarded by EconAlliance, Santa Barbara County 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann presented People’s Self-Help Housing with the 2026 Northern Santa Barbara County Impact Award. Recognizing organizations providing extraordinary support in the community, it was accepted by current CEO & President Ken Trigueiro who was joined by former CEO & President John Fowler.
VENTURA — United Way of Ventura County’s Women United Education Awards Luncheon will once again be honoring single mothers who are pursuing their education. In 2024-25, Women United presented 11 education awards to local single mothers pursuing their education and has given out 91 awards since 2018.
Sixty-four percent of single mothers in Ventura County do not earn sufficient income to meet their basic needs and a critical component is Education.
This week marks 53 years since the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, a decision that reshaped our nation by affirming women’s autonomy over their bodies and their futures. In 2022, that progress was reversed when the Supreme Court overturned Roe in Dobbs v. Jackson — stripping away a fundamental freedom that generations of women relied upon.
The Dobbs decision was an attack on women’s rights and on the freedom to make deeply personal health care decisions without government interference
Policies implemented by President Trump and Republicans in Congress have only exacerbated this attack, further gutting reproductive freedom and dismantling critical health care protections for women across the country.
VENTURA COUNTY — Help remove barriers to learning and expand opportunities for all students by attending the 6th annual VCOE Equity conference on Tuesday, March 24, in Camarillo.
Attendees will get to choose from a variety of sessions on supporting immigrant families, meeting the needs of LGBTQ+ students, civic engagement, and much more. This year’s conference will feature an inspiring address from educator Monique Nunes, the First Lady of California Lutheran University.
Complimentary refreshments and language interpretation will be provided. Register for free by clicking here.
Attend the Equity Conference
In news stories every day, the lives of the rich and famous are shoved in our faces. Any envy we might feel for their unimaginable wealth must be tempered by an awareness of the living hell many of them endure every day: the paparazzi, the stalkers, the swindlers, the addictions, the threats and the experience of living in a bubble, exposed (sometimes literally) for all the world to see, all the time.
PORT HUENEME — The Oxnard Harbor District welcomed new leadership this week as the Board of Harbor Commissioners unanimously voted Commissioner Jason T. Hodge as Board President. Hodge will lead the board alongside Mary Anne Rooney, who was elected as Vice President, and Jess Herrera, who will serve as Secretary. Outgoing President Jess Ramirez will remain on the board as a Commissioner.
Hodge brings experience, institutional knowledge, and a steady leadership approach to the role. As Board President, he will preside over meetings, help set strategic priorities, and represent the Port in engagements with its partners.
SANTA BARBARA & GOLETA — Organic Soup Kitchen is asking the community to step in during a critical moment to help prevent nutrition gaps for low-income residents living with serious and chronic illness.
Over the past year, Organic Soup Kitchen partnered with a local health care provider to deliver medically tailored meals to individuals whose health depends on consistent, nourishing food. That partnership helped many people stabilize their health during periods of acute medical need.
Today, that same funding now typically supports meal access for about 12 weeks. While short-term nutrition intervention is an important part of medical care, many individuals living with cancer, autoimmune disease, and other chronic conditions need ongoing food support well beyond that window.
LOMPOC — Lompoc celebrates its culture, creativity, and history through a year-round lineup of festivals and events. From food-focused gatherings and historic home tours to arts festivals, aviation showcases, wine weekends, and living-history programs at La Purísima Mission, the city offers something for every interest and season. Here are some events to look forward to in 2026:
SANTA BARBARA — On the walls of the Santa Barbara Junior High School library, framed photographs quietly tell students’ stories: a bus ride in the early morning, friends gathered around a birthday cake, a kite flying high above. Each image began the same way, with a student checking out a camera and being asked to slow down, notice beauty, and capture what matters.
Those photographs are part of Picture Me Grom, a project created by Chris Greeley, a teacher librarian at Santa Barbara Junior High School, and funded through the Santa Barbara Education Foundation’s Teacher Grants program. Later this month, SBEF will award more than $228,000 in Teacher Grants to educators across the Santa Barbara Unified School District, supporting innovative teaching that brings learning to life in meaningful ways.
MCASB is committed to transforming what a contemporary art museum can be, a place where community knowledge, embodied experience, and creative practice are not only welcomed but centered. As a part of our ongoing accountability work, we are opening the museum as a space for practices that nurture well-being, presence, and collective care.
“We’re excited to bring these long-planned improvements to life,”?said Ventura County Library Director Nancy Schram.?”When the work is complete, E.P. Foster will offer more accessible spaces, enhanced technology, improved energy efficiency, and greater year-round comfort for everyone who uses the library. We look forward to welcoming the community back to a space that truly reflects their needs.”?
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College welcomed thousands of students back to campus this week as spring 2026 classes began January 20 at the college’s Santa Maria campus and Lompoc Valley Center.
Both campuses were buzzing with activity as students arrived for the first week of the semester. More than 10,800 credit and noncredit students enrolled in spring classes at Hancock, a 7% increase from the 2025 spring semester.
“Our staff and faculty are excited welcome students to campus for spring classes,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “Our students come to Hancock with big goals, and we are committed to providing the support, guidance, and resources they need to succeed from day one.”
The growing border between forested and urban areas is causing an alarming uptick in human cases of yellow fever, a disease that had become rare in South America.
VENTURA COUNTY — What began as an 18-year-old’s first job at a front desk has become one of Ventura County’s most inspiring healthcare success stories. Desiree Rangel, a 2009 graduate of Oxnard High School, has risen from receptionist to Vice President of Sleep Disorder Center, a leader in modern sleep diagnostics and telehealth.
Rangel joined the independent sleep laboratory in 2010, mastering every department—scheduling, supervision, marketing, and operations—while helping the company grow from a single-insurance clinic to a fully licensed, multi-state home-testing facility.
CENTRAL COAST — Los Padres ForestWatch is launching a new community science project, empowering residents to help protect wildlife across the Central Coast by documenting wildlife sightings and roadkill along local roads and highways.
Participants download a free mobile survey and upload observations during their daily routines and commutes, compiling critical data that will help guide conservation and land-use planning efforts throughout the region. Volunteers can participate by collecting data opportunistically or by committing to regular wildlife surveys along local roads and highways.
he City of Santa Paula is pleased to announce the return of the Santa Paula Future Leaders Academy and invites residents and local businesses to apply for Cohort II. This nine-week civic leadership program is designed to educate and engage community members by providing an in-depth look at City government, operations, and local decision-making.
Building on the success of the inaugural cohort, the Academy offers participants a unique opportunity to connect directly with City leadership and staff while learning how municipal services are delivered and how policy decisions are made. The program aims to strengthen civic knowledge, promote transparency, and foster meaningful relationships between the City and the community it serves.
We invite you to join us for an opening reception celebrating Pages to Posters: The Visual Worlds of Simms Taback.
Friday, February 13
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street, Ventura
Guests will enjoy an early look at original artworks, posters, and more, as the exhibition reveals how Taback’s distinctive visual language shaped educational materials, commercial design, and storytelling for generations.
The Community Environmental Council’s (CEC) Winter 2026 Climate Stewards cohort begins in just one week! This is your final opportunity to join a growing community of climate advocates turning concern for our planet into meaningful, local action. You don’t need a background in science, advocacy, or policy to join — just a desire to learn, connect, and collaborate to amplify climate action.
“THRIVE reflects our belief that the arts are essential to a healthy, connected community, ” said Casey Comstock-Mills, Programs and Development Director at TOArts. “This project invites people of all ages and backgrounds to pause, reflect on what gives them hope, and share those moments with others—strengthening both personal well-being and community connection. ”
PORT HUENEME — The Port of Hueneme recently helped kick off an exciting new robotics season at Hueneme High School, joining students, educators, and families for the school’s FIRST Robotics Competition season launch: a celebration of innovation, teamwork, and hands-on STEM learning.
The Port is proud to sponsor Hueneme High School’s robotics team, the Thunder Vikes, as they prepare to compete in this year’s FIRST Robotics season. The sponsorship reflects the Port’s ongoing commitment to expanding STEM opportunities and building strong career pathways for local students.
During the kickoff event, Port Commissioners Mary Anne Rooney and Celina Zacarias together with CEO Kristin Decas presented the Port’s sponsorship check to the team, officially launching the partnership and underscoring the Port’s investment in education and workforce development.
Marine science professor Bob Miller helped create the first framework to identify and compare marine blackouts, which can severely impact kelp forests, seagrass beds and other light-dependent marine life.
OXNARD — Ventura County gathers in unity. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Ventura County invites you to the 40th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Observance, held in person on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Oxnard.
Theme:
A Living Legacy: Cultivating Compassion and Justice in Ventura County
SANTA MARIA — A community-led action brought together grassroots organizers, rapid response volunteers, youth leaders, and musicians to stand in solidarity against ongoing immigration enforcement violence across the Central Coast during the ICE OUT 805 Solidarity Concert/March on Jan. 15, 2025 in Santa Maria, representatives of the 805UNDOCFUND reported on their Facebook page.
Led by those carrying a banner that read “ICE OUT OF CALIFORNIA” the protesters marched down the residential streets in Santa Maria calling for the end of ICE activities in the region.
It’s 2026 now, and sometimes I want to feel smug about having watched technology blossom as I grew into adulthood. After all, I’ve seen tech evolve from vacuum tubes to transistors to integrated circuits to incredibly powerful central and graphics processing units to AI accelerators. So, I’m supposed to feel comfortable with technology, right?
Wrong, as I embarrassingly discovered when playing video games with my grandson Andrew, age 7, recently. He challenged my dignity…and won commandingly. Digital natives like him are light years beyond those of us “of a particular age” who used to think that holding a remote with a cord in our hand meant power.
THOUSAND OAKS — TOArts has appointed Victor Fakrogha, Aerin LeDuc-Gummeson, and Dr. Michael Hart to its Board of Directors, expanding the organization’s leadership with expertise spanning finance, arts advocacy, and higher education. The appointment reflects TOArts’ continued commitment to strengthening arts access, community engagement, and long-term organizational impact across the region.
• Business Leader of the Year – Nick Deitch, R.A., Principal, RRM Design Group
• Educational Leader of the Year – Dr. Cynthia Herrera, Vice Chancellor of Institutional Effectiveness, Ventura County Community College District
• Non-Profit Leader of the Year – Robin Britt (Cohort XXIV), Executive Director, Community Conscience
• Public Sector Leader of the Year – Mark Stadler (Cohort XXVII), Sr. Program Administrator, Crisis Intervention Training Program, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office
• Alumna of the Year – Danielle Borja (Cohort XXIV), President/CEO, Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce
Pre-applications available now at pshhc.org/BGA
Presolicitudes disponibles ahora en pshhc.org/BGA
VENTURA — At its first regular meeting of 2026, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors elected 2nd District Supervisor Jeff Gorell to serve as Chair of the Board of Supervisors and 5th District Supervisor Vianey Lopez to serve as Vice Chair.
Each January, the Board selects a Chair and Vice Chair from among its five members to serve one-year terms. The Chair presides over all Board meetings, helps set agendas in coordination with the County Executive Office, and represents the Board in ceremonial functions and intergovernmental matters. The Vice Chair serves in the Chair’s absence and supports leadership duties as needed.
THOUSAND OAKS — California Lutheran University’s Franco Basili placed third in the 4th Romano Gandolfi International Competition for Choral Conductors, his first international competition strictly focused on conducting. Choral directors from around the world participated in the biennial competition held in Parma, Italy. It aims to spread the passion for choral music and help rising conductors establish an international conducting career.
“It is definitely an honor for me,” said Basili, DMA, an assistant music professor at Cal Lutheran and the director of Choral Activities. “The other competitors were fantastic. It has been a bucket list item to do one of these competitions to meet other conductors and see what I can learn from them.”
“At a time when federal support for climate action is shrinking, communities are increasingly being asked to lead,” said Kathi King, Course Instructor and CEC’s Director of Outreach and Education. “The Climate Stewards program builds the local capacity needed to meet the climate crisis head-on, empowering people to take meaningful action and drive solutions in their own communities.”
