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SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) School of Extended Learning is excited to announce that a number of previously offered fee-based classes are now FREE! The long-standing fee-based program is transitioning to a fully free noncredit model. This change means that many of the same high-quality classes students have enjoyed for years will now be available at no cost.
Many of these classes are now part of the Wellness for Older Adults program, which is open to students 18 years or older and focuses on health and lifelong learning. Students will continue to enjoy the same engaging instructors and community connections, now with expanded access for all.

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.

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.”

Holiday gatherings are a time for celebration, family, and, of course, delicious food. However, with the hustle and bustle that comes with hosting, food safety can sometimes be overlooked. Understanding how bacteria grow and knowing the best practices for selecting, handling, serving, and storing food can help keep everyone healthy during your festivities.

VENTURA — Ventura College Foundation is launching an awareness campaign to ensure all eligible first-time, full-time Ventura College students’ tuition costs remain covered under the Ventura College Promise (VC Promise) program.
VC Promise covers tuition and health, student center and student representative fees. State funding provides a portion of these costs. During the 2024-25 school year, the Ventura College Foundation contributed an extra $158,000 to the program after state funding fell considerably short due to state government budget issues.
During the 2024-25 school year, 4,460 first-time, full-time first- and second-year students participated in the program. The foundation also supported the college’s equipment lending library and veterans’ textbook program, which served 3,407 students.

We need your help to fill a funding gap, so we can keep hard-won climate progress moving forward on the Central Coast.
Federal rollbacks and anti-climate policies terminated three of CEC’s federal grants — a $1.5 million loss for cleaner air, stronger local food systems, and new green jobs for working families. And now, with new proposals to open parts of the Santa Barbara Channel to offshore oil and gas drilling, the stakes for our region have only grown.
Our goal is to raise $100,000 by December 31 to replace lost funding and protect 50 years of local environmental progress from being undone.

OXNARD — Nonprofit organizations throughout the region are experiencing significant financial, political and operational pressures. California Lutheran University’s Center for Nonprofit Leadership (CNL) and the Museum of Ventura County (MVC) have an innovative partnership solution: In June, CNL will relocate its offices to the Ventura-based museum’s new administrative office suite in Camarillo.
The move reflects the synergy between the two nonprofit organizations. It is also part of a donor-funded initiative that prioritizes keeping CNL in the heart of Ventura County.
“Our region’s nonprofit leaders are navigating complex pressures, and this partnership allows us to model the very adaptive practices we teach at the center,” said Dena Jenson, CNL director.

VENTURA COUNTY — As holiday gatherings begin and alcohol consumption increases, American Medical Response Ventura County (AMR) and Gold Coast Ambulance are encouraging families to recognize the signs of “holiday heart syndrome,” a condition that occurs more frequently between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Heavier alcohol use, rich foods, emotional stress and delayed care are key contributors to the seasonal rise in cases.
During the holiday season, individuals may disregard mild or atypical cardiac symptoms, attributing them to fatigue or stress associated with festivities. As the manifestations of holiday heart syndrome can be subtle and easily missed, it is essential to remain vigilant and seek prompt medical evaluation; early intervention may safeguard cardiovascular health and prove lifesaving.

provided students who are single parents with a?turkey?and other Thanksgiving meal items free of charge.
A total of 105 individuals and families stopped by the Hancock EOPS+ program’s Fall Harvest Turkey Giveaway booth outside the college’s Santa Maria campus and Lompoc Valley Center on Nov. 25, where Hancock staff provided them with everything needed to prepare a Thanksgiving meal. The packages included a?turkey, potatoes, beans, cranberry sauce, rolls, stuffing, pumpkin pie, whipped cream, and butter. Turkey?preparation and cooking instructions were also included.?

Dear Ventura County Community Foundation Family,
Yesterday, I was unexpectedly transported back to the very beginning of my career. I was 21, attending my first Chamber of Commerce meeting, nervous beyond words. In my attempt to discreetly stab a grape from my fruit salad with a plastic fork as everyone was making their introductions, it slipped, flew across the table, and landed directly in Michael Towbes’ lap.
He looked up at me with such kindness and without judgment as he picked up the grape, handed it gently back to me, and said, with a twinkle in his eye, “I think this might belong to you.” I am sure I turned the deepest shade of red imaginable, and I have avoided eating grapes with a plastic fork ever since.

VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Credit Union (VCCU) has awarded a $75,000 donation to the Health Care Foundation for Ventura County, underscoring the importance of investing in organizations that enhance community well-being. This contribution is part of VCCU’s $750,000 giving campaign in honor of the credit union’s 75th anniversary.
The Health Care Foundation is the ninth nonprofit to receive funding through VCCU’s “Year of Giving” campaign. The ceremonial check presentation took place Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura.

I’m excited to share an important milestone: we’ve just welcomed six remarkable new leaders to our Board of Trustees—individuals deeply committed to strengthening the connection between Art and Democracy in our community.
Our New Trustees:
Cassandria Blackmore – Artist, Santa Barbara, CA
Amy Harrison – Independent art teacher, Carpinteria, CA
Spenser Jaimes – Coastal Chumash; Founder & CEO, Limuw Productions; diver at Ocean Origins; Syuxtun (Santa Barbara)-born
Angela Robins – Senior Director, Various Small Fires; winemaker, Los Angeles, CA
Lea Sindija – Miami-born entrepreneur advancing culture-driven work in talent representation, brand partnerships, and global marketing; Santa Barbara, CA
Bany Vargas – Zapoteca; Oaxaca-born, Santa Barbara–raised cultural ambassador and traditional cook; Oaxaca, Mexico

LOMPOC — It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Lompoc! If you’re headed to California’s Central Coast for a holiday escape, you’re in for a treat. Our town lights up with festive events, delicious bites, handcrafted gifts, and cozy winter moments. Whether you’re craving a family getaway, a romantic weekend, or a cheerful adventure with your besties, Lompoc has something for every type of holiday traveler.
The holidays don’t need to be hectic. Here, the season slows down. Enjoy relaxed small-town charm, a full lineup of family-friendly activities, specialty shopping, and more than 30 local wine-tasting venues. Then settle in for a restful evening at one of Lompoc’s comfy hotels. Ready to plan? Let’s unwrap the best of the season!

SCORE: GRANT PREP BOOT CAMP WORKSHOP
November 24 @ 8:00 am
In three hours, you will learn how to research, prepare, write and apply for grants. At the end of this webinar, you will be able to target and learn how to organize grants to further your mission. Don’t worry if you don’t have access to the various fancy (and expensive) grant databases. SCORE will show you how to access grant information (for FREE), filter through 990 returns, uncover names and get around the “invite only” issue when determining fit. SCORE will also work on systematizing the process of grants, so you don’t have to redo it every time. Price: $10.00.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

“We are grateful to receive this grant, which will strengthen our traffic enforcement efforts and improve road safety,” said Traffic Sergeant Mark Knackstedt. “Through a combination of education and enforcement efforts, our goal is to reduce dangerous driving behaviors, prevent crashes, and make our roads safer for everyone.”

It was not long ago that I used to take my two older grandsons to fun places—arcades, children’s museums and exhibits, story times at libraries, pirate festivals, butterfly events. It was only yesterday (wasn’t it?) that I was getting down on the floor with the older one, and then the other years later, to play board games or assemble jigsaw puzzles of superheroes and animals. It couldn’t have been that long ago that I held them in my arms, walked hand-in-hand with them at a park, or ran beside them as they learned to skate or ride a bicycle.

CAMARILLO — The California State University (CSU) system released its Economic Impact Report highlighting the significant role the CSU and Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI) play in driving regional economic vitality, strengthening California’s key industries and preparing a skilled workforce essential to California’s economy.
The report, Moving California Forward: The Economic Power of the CSU, highlights the lasting return on investment for the people of California at every level:

Our 2024-25 Annual Impact Report is here! Dive into our accomplishments from the past year and discover more about our mission. The report is available in English and Spanish at pshhc.org/impactreport
¡Ya está aquí nuestro Informe de Impacto Anual 2024-25! Descubra nuestros logros del año pasado y conozca más sobre nuestra misión. El informe está disponible en inglés y español en pshhc.org/es/impactreport

CAMARILLO — Following four years serving as the Ventura County Community Foundation’s (VCCF) board chair, Sean L. Leonard, President & CEO of S.L. Leonard & Associates, is handing over the reins to incoming chair Leah Lacayo.
During his tenure, Leonard helped steward nearly $80 million in grantmaking to Ventura County and beyond, through VCCF’s work during the pandemic, and community efforts such as the creation of the Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund, disaster response during the Mountain Fire and winter storms of 2023 and championing early childhood education through the Isabella Project. Through his dedication and leadership, he supported the foundation in grantmaking to local nonprofits, lifting up causes from animal welfare to environmental protection to the arts and more, as well as encouraging the academic dreams of hundreds of local students through VCCF’s Scholarship Program.

SANTA BARBARA — For Irene Fredricey, music has always been more than just notes on a page. It has been a source of confidence and community. Growing up in Santa Barbara, Irene remembers riding her bike to Peabody School with her violin in tow, eager to help set up the orchestra pit before class. ” I felt involved in something special,” she recalls. “I met new friends and became more focused in school.”
Today, Irene is passing that love of music on to the next generation. Alongside her husband and keyboardist Jim Thomas, she has organized a series of benefit concerts for Keep the Beat, a program of the Santa Barbara Education Foundation (SBEF) that provides instruments and funding for music education in local public schools. What started as a Valentine’s Day Sweethearts Concert evolved into a Summer of Love Couples Concert, both of which sold out quickly. This new tradition now continues with A Gift of Music: Giving Tuesday Concert on Tuesday, December 2.

GUADALUPE — Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County (FSA) announced today the opening of a new on-site service location at Escalante Meadows in Guadalupe, marking a significant expansion of accessible, no-cost family support services for residents and community members. The location opened November 1, 2025, in partnership with the Housing Authority of Santa Barbara County (HASBARCO).
The new location, situated in the Wellness Center at Escalante Meadows, provides direct access to case management, resource navigation, parenting education workshops, and community-building activities. Services are available to all Escalante Meadows residents and Guadalupe community members at no cost, regardless of income, insurance status, or immigration status.

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805.
OXNARD — At five news conferences (on Nov. 18), farmworker communities across our State were scheduled to speak of their outrage over the Department of Pesticide Regulation’s recent policy regarding California’s third most used synthetic pesticide, the cancer-causing fumigant 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D; brand name Telone). They are also deeply concerned about the increasing use of not just 1,3-D but other harmful drift-prone fumigants near schools and daycares and call for significant changes to the regulation of fumigants, especially near schoolchildren in California.
These news conferences, all sponsored by Californians for Pesticide Reform (CPR), will be held in Watsonville, Fresno, Modesto, and Oxnard, as well as a statewide event online.

SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Police Department has once again launched “No Shave November” to support local charities that assist with those battling cancer. Police officers are growing their facial hair to help “grow” cancer awareness. The Santa Paula Police Officers Association (SPPOA) is coordinating this campaign, receiving donations from all Police Department employees in order to participate. The fundraising campaign will finish at the end of the month. Employees will be allowed to grow their facial hair fully and neatly trimmed over the next few months.

Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, is pleased to report that local students are making improvements in attendance, graduation rates, and academic performance according to new data from the 2025 California School Dashboard.
Ventura County’s graduation rate of 90.5% for 2025 has improved by 7.2 percentage points since 2021 and is 3.0 percentage points better than the statewide rate. Ventura County’s chronic absenteeism rate of 17.7% for 2025 marks the third consecutive year of improvement and is 1.7 percentage points better than the statewide rate. Ventura County students have also improved their performance in both Math and English on the state CAASPP assessment. Click here for more local highlights.

THOUSAND OAKS — The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) has received a $95,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to expand its child passenger safety initiatives. The grant runs through September 2026 and funding supports programs that reduce injuries and fatalities among children in motor vehicle crashes by promoting proper car seat use throughout Ventura County.
The grant will allow VCFD to continue its collaboration with Safe Kids Ventura County, led by Ventura County Public Health, to educate parents and caregivers, distribute child safety seats to families in need, and train new Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs).

We are excited to welcome Mark Stadler, alum of VCLA Cohort XXVII to the VCLA Board. With over 37 years of dedicated service in law enforcement, Mark has been a vital part of community safety and crisis intervention efforts. He has served as the Senior Program Administrator of the Ventura County Law Enforcement Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) for the past 10 years, following his retirement as a Commander of the Ventura Police Department. A founding member of the CIT program 25 years ago, Mark holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and a Master’s degree in Organizational Management from the University of La Verne. He is also an instructor at the Ventura County Criminal Justice Training Center, a senior adjunct professor at the University of La Verne, and serves on the Advisory Board of the California Crisis Intervention Training Association (CACITA).

Assembly and Senate leaders heard directly from farmers in Ventura County who are innovating and succeeding, and discussed ways to support workers and deliver solutions that continue to uplift the agricultural sector
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas joined Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón, California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass, Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Esmeralda Soria, Assemblymembers Steve Bennett and Avelino Valencia, and Senator Henry Stern and Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Melissa Hurtado at a Ventura County avocado farm, discussing how the state can continue to support farmers and agricultural innovation as federal policies threaten farmworkers and grocery costs.

As we enter Thanksgiving week, all of us at Ventura Music Festival are filled with gratitude. Because of you—our growing community of followers, audiences, ticket buyers, and donors—we achieved something extraordinary this year: tripling our concerts from 10 to 30 and bringing more music to more people in more ways than ever before. Your support is the engine behind every performance, every new partnership, and every moment of connection we create for our county.

Many of us don’t think too much about mushrooms, except in terms of how they mysteriously appear in the fall, or how they might enhance a meal that we are preparing.
I believe most of us see mushrooms as a curiosity. They seem to emerge enigmatically from out of nowhere for a season before disappearing into that mysterious realm from whence they came.

On Tuesday, November 18th, the Oxnard City Council faces a defining choice: will they stand with our community or take a bad deal from a polluting corporation that has spent decades deceiving and putting profit before people? Join us at City Council on Tuesday at 6:00 PM to make your voice heard and stand up for environmental justice in Oxnard.

It’s been a little while since our last newsletter, but we’re so happy to reconnect with you! So much has been happening in our beloved Nyeland Acres from new programs to inspiring community moments that continue to remind us why we do what we do.
At Nyeland Promise, our mission remains the same: to build a healthier, stronger, and more united community through compassion, empowerment, and opportunity. Whether it’s through our Cafecito con los Vecinos senior gatherings, Comadres Unidas women’s empowerment group or our continued outreach for families, every effort is made possible because of you — our dedicated neighbors, volunteers, and partners.

OXNARD — This October, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Coalition for Family Harmony marks its 50th anniversary — a milestone in its long-standing commitment to serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault throughout Ventura County.
The organization traces its roots back to 1975, when it was founded as a crisis phone hotline by Roz McGrath, a pioneering social justice advocate known for her tireless work defending human rights and supporting underserved communities. What began as a grassroots effort from McGrath’s vision and activism has since grown into a robust, multilingual agency offering comprehensive services including shelter, legal advocacy, trauma counseling, prevention education, and 24/7 crisis intervention.

VENTURA COUNTY — In celebration of its 75th anniversary, Ventura County Credit Union (VCCU) continues its “Year of Giving” with a $75,000 donation to the Moorpark College Foundation, presented during VCCU Employee Development Day at the credit union’s corporate headquarters on Oct. 13, 2025.
Dr. Julius Sokenu, president of Moorpark College, and Debi Klein, executive director of the Moorpark College Foundation, accepted the donation on behalf of the college. The funds will directly support student success initiatives, scholarships and innovative academic programs that continue to make Moorpark College one of the top community colleges in California.

SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College is inviting new and returning students to register now for winter and spring 2026 classes, which offer hundreds of opportunities to earn a degree, transfer to a university, gain job skills or explore new interests.
Open registration for both terms began Nov. 6, with classes available in a wide range of subjects and flexible formats across Hancock’s Santa Maria campus, Lompoc Valley Center, and online. Winter session classes begin Dec. 15, and spring semester classes start Jan. 20.
“Winter and spring are great times for students to stay on track, get ahead, or start something new,” said Allan Hancock College Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “We want our students to know that Hancock is here to help them earn a degree, train for their career or continue their education by transferring to a university.”

The next regular meeting of the
County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Administration Building
Board Hearing Room
511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria
The public may participate virtually or in person at the County Board Hearing Room in Santa Barbara or Santa Maria.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA announced it received a $20,000 contribution from U.S. Bank.
The funding will be used to fund the YMCA’s Find My Genius after-school and summer programs. Find My Genius is free for low- and moderate-income students who are not reading at grade level. It aids the young scholars’ academic and social-emotional learning through reading and math instruction, healthy meals, physical exercise and enrichment opportunities.

VENTURA — The City of Ventura has released a new episode of Ventura Voices titled “All Things Sustainability: Ventura’s Community Programs in Action.” Hosted by Communications Specialist Alejandra Belalcázar, the episode explores how Ventura’s Environmental Sustainability Division has evolved from its early recycling initiatives in the 1990s into a multifaceted team leading communitywide efforts in waste reduction, clean energy, and long-term climate planning.