VENTURA — The City of Ventura is now accepting applications for its inaugural citywide Community Academy, a free eight-week program designed to give community members an inside look at how local government works and the people behind the services that keep Ventura running.
Participants will visit City facilities, hear directly from City staff, leadership, and elected officials, and gain a deeper understanding of the programs, services, and decisions that shape the Ventura community.
This quarter, our Barbara Barnard Smith CEO, Elena Brokaw, had the privilege of meeting with the City Councils of Camarillo, Moorpark, Port Hueneme, Oxnard, and Ventura to share the many ways the Museum is serving communities across Ventura County and to explore opportunities for continued partnership.
The Museum belongs to all of us. Every city in Ventura County is represented in our collections and stories, and it is our honor to preserve, celebrate, and share that rich history through exhibitions, educational programs, school tours, community outreach, and public events.
Designed to pair you with the financial expertise and right amount of capital you need to move your business forward, the Economic Development Collaborative works with more than 30 professional advisors and a full-time loan fund director, available to local businesses at no cost.
The EDC’s Business Development Loan Fund stimulates job creation and economic activity by providing small businesses with greater access to capital and specialized technical business assistance. The fund is open to businesses in all industry sectors and is supported by funds from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the cities and County of Ventura, and private capital. This loan fund makes available long-term, affordable financing to new and existing businesses throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara County.
Reyes, a San Marcos High School graduate and parent of three Santa Barbara Unified School District alumni, brings a lifelong connection to local public education and a passion for supporting students, families, and educators. As Programs Manager, Reyes will oversee SBEF’s enrichment programs and initiatives that enhance student learning and engagement across the district, including programs such as the Summer Music Camps and the Foundation’s annual Educator Grants program, which will invest more than $228,000 in innovative classroom projects across Santa Barbara Unified School District schools this year.
VENTURA — The Ventura County Environmental Health Division (Division) received confirmation from the California Department of Public Health that mosquitoes collected from the City of Fillmore on June 17th, 2026, tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). WNV is established in Ventura County and additional WNV positives are expected. This is the first mosquito sample collected in 2026 from Ventura County to test positive for WNV. Ventura County Public Health confirms that no human cases have been identified to date in 2026.
SANTA MARIA — What began as a personal connection during a trip to southern Africa has become a documentary project aimed at protecting one of the world’s most unique ecosystems and the Indigenous communities who call it home.
Allan Hancock College film studies instructor Tim Webb recently completed a short documentary for Himbaland Indigenous Conservation, a nonprofit organization working in the remote Namib Desert of northwestern Namibia. The film was created to help the organization share its story with a broader audience and support fundraising efforts focused on community development and wildlife conservation.
When we began planning this year’s Green Gala, we kept coming back to a simple idea: Hope has roots.
For the past 20 years now, you’ve created a Raising Justice that continues to bring together hundreds of our movement friends for a fun early evening of food, drinks, music, and community rooted in our shared organizing for a more just region. It’s free to attend with an invite to donate any amount that feels right to you.
Today, we invite you to join our growing circle of Early Event Sponsors. Sponsors not only underwrite the event, but also allow our work throughout the year to stay community supported and here for the long haul — it’s one of the ways you can ensure our event’s success.
The City of Ventura Parks and Recreation Department’s Fall Activity Guide is now available, featuring hundreds of classes, programs, and events taking place from September through January.
Registration opens Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Residents can register online, by phone, or in person at Ventura City Hall (501 Poli Street, Room 226). Registration information and policies are available on page 43 of the guide.
The Fall Activity Guide offers activities for all ages and interests, including ceramics, cooking, creative writing, parent-and-child classes, pet wellness, fitness, sports, and more. Check out several free new workshops focused on Financial Literacy and Health and Safety on pages 10-11.
Get fun summer reading ideas, activities, and more from the VCOE Library’s Summer Reading Extravaganza. Click here to check out local libraries’ summer reading programs and get online access to free full-length young adult novels. Also, find out how summer readers can earn free ride tickets for the Ventura County Fair.
THOUSAND OAKS — To further strengthen community awareness and engagement, California Lutheran University is expanding its Marketing and Communications department. On Aug. 1, Angela Fentiman will join the university as the vice president for strategic brand communications, and Amanda Savercool as the associate vice president for integrated marketing. Fentiman and Savercool have had esteemed careers in marketing and strategic communications, most recently with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
A new, UCSB-developed version of a world-leading rainfall data product guides drought early warning, disaster relief, index insurance applications and more.
Read more about “CHIRPS”
SANTA MARIA — When Allan Hancock College Winery operations specialist Grace Wearda arrived at the college just days before its West Coast College & University Wine Festival last year, she had little time to experience the planning behind one of the college’s signature events. This year, she led months of planning for the fourth annual festival, coordinating everything from participating wineries and vendors to volunteers and event logistics.
Held June 13 on the Santa Maria campus, The West Coast College & University Wine Festival brought together college and university winemaking programs from across the region alongside local wineries, food vendors and community partners. The festival gives students an opportunity to showcase wines they’ve helped produce, receive professional feedback and connect with industry professionals while introducing the public to collegiate winemaking.
Back by popular demand, this FREE webinar series is designed to help small business owners use AI to save time, improve marketing and grow revenue.
Attend one session or all
All sessions are practical and beginner-friendly
… At VCTA, we believe it is time to declare our own independence—not from individuals, but from habits that no longer serve taxpayers, students or our community.
Bilingual stop-motion animation workshop for children. *** Taller bilingüe de animación cuadro por cuadro para niños.
I had a moment of angst three years ago as I filled out the 2020 U.S. Census form. I froze in my tracks, just as I had with employment forms in the past, when I saw a question asking me to denote my race. I am thoroughly aware that much of the U.S. population, especially in the more conservative states, would not consider me “white.”
Their assessment is based solely on my appearance. I’m not particularly dark, but neither am I of “fair skin.”
In light of recent developments in our country, I am now less willing to declare myself as of the “white” race on any form inquiring about my ancestral background. However, in the following Census question inquiring about my ethnicity (as opposed to “race”), selecting “Hispanic or Latino” was an obvious choice.
As Fourth of July celebrations approach across Southern California, families are preparing for a day filled with barbecues, pool parties and fireworks—traditions many look forward to all year.
But health experts are reminding the public that the holiday also brings a spike in preventable injuries.
“People love this holiday because it brings everyone together,” said Dr. Kimberly Petrick, a family medicine physician with Kaiser Permanente Southern California. “Still, a little caution goes a long way in keeping the day festive instead of stressful.”
SANTA MARIA — PCPA is proud to announce Season 63, featuring a dynamic mix of Shakespeare, family favorites, contemporary drama, and large-scale musicals, including La Comedia of Errors, The Wizard of Oz, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 72 Miles to Go, Les Misérables, Mean Girls, and Murder on the Orient Express.
VENTURA — On June 17, ATLAS welcomed more than 150 guests to the Museum of Ventura County for its annual Scholarship Celebration, recognizing students pursuing higher education, career training, and professional development opportunities. ATLAS also revealed a new brand direction that better aligns with its mission as the nonprofit dedicated to empowering and uplifting participants of Ventura Housing programs, promoting stability and self-sufficiency. The organization received 29 scholarship applications from residents and program participants. Following a competitive review process, 16 students were selected to receive a combined $35,500 in scholarship funding to support their educational and career goals.
“Through ATLAS, we are helping families move beyond housing stability and into long-term success through education,” said Jeffrey Lambert, CEO of Ventura Housing. “When a student earns a degree, the impact reaches far beyond one person. It changes the trajectory of an entire family.”
CAMARILLO — Cal State Channel Islands’ (CSUCI) Police Department has earned accreditation from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), becoming one of fewer than 100 campus law enforcement agencies nationwide to receive the distinction.
IACLEA accreditation is the leading standard for excellence in campus public safety. The rigorous three-year process required the department to demonstrate compliance with nationally recognized best practices, verified by an independent team of experienced assessors. The achievement reflects the campus Police Department’s commitment to professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement.
VENTURA COUNTY — On Thursday, August 20th, Ventura County Leadership Academy will mark its next chapter with The Big Reveal Party! This afternoon celebration will include the introduction of a bold new identity, new name, and announcement of expanded programming. The Big Reveal Party will bring together community leaders, changemakers, alumni, partners and friends for an afternoon of connection, celebration and a few surprises. Tickets and registration are available at www.vcleadership.org/bigrevealparty
Milton Love’s new book blends fish biology with a heavy dose of gonzo humor.
Read more about “Gonzo Ichthyology”
“Matthew impressed the search committee with his energy, positive spirit and creativity. They appreciated his student-centered focus, as well as the breadth and depth of his administrative experience,” said Leanne Neilson, Psy.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.
Supporting our county’s future and the next generation’s education and career success starts with quality preschool programs. Historically, Ventura County has had too few licensed commercial child care and preschool spaces to meet demand. The Economic Development Collaborative and First 5 Ventura County are committed to building more child care and early childhood education capacity in our community through the Child Care Investment Loan Fund.
First of all I’d like to send a HUGE thank you to the 1,000 + artists, friends, family, and art lovers that came to the opening of our summer exhibitions earlier this month. The team and I are so happy that visitors have been enjoying the exhibits and are seeing what the amazing artists of Santa Barbara have to offer.
LOMPOC — Eight cadets graduated from Allan Hancock College’s CORE Custody Academy June 26 during a ceremony held at the college’s Public Safety Training Complex in Lompoc.?
“This is some of the most important work we do at Hancock, training public servants,” said AHC Associate Superintendent/Vice President of Academic Affairs Robert Curry, Ph.D.
All eight graduates of CORE Academy Class #21 completed a comprehensive California Standards and Training for Corrections course consisting of 260 hours of instruction.
VENTURA — The Ventura County Health Care Agency (HCA) is sharing important information with patients, families, and community members about a health care payment scam that has affected hospital patients and families.
In these scams, an individual falsely claiming to be a representative of a hospital contacts a patient or patient’s family member and requests immediate payment for a medical service, patient transfer, or other health care-related expenses. These calls and situations can be stressful and may be designed to create a sense of urgency during an already difficult time for families.
The Ventura County Office of Education has identified 9,500 homeless youth in our communities. United we can provide our 3rd – 5th graders with the tools needed to be successful in school!
SANTA MARIA — Residents?seeking?to earn their high school equivalency credential now have a local?option?thanks to a partnership between Allan Hancock College and the Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Board.?
The new GED Testing Center,?located?at the Workforce Resource Center at 1410 S. Broadway in Santa Maria, provides Northern Santa Barbara County residents with a convenient location to complete GED testing closer to home.?
The testing center was?established?through a collaborative effort between Allan Hancock College and the Workforce Development Board to help remove barriers to educational attainment and workforce advancement. Prior to the opening of the Santa Maria location, many residents?were required?to travel to testing centers in Santa Barbara or Paso Robles to complete their exams.
OXNARD — The City of Oxnard will celebrate the groundbreaking of the Campus Park Activation Project on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the future Campus Park site, located at 350 S. K St. on the former Oxnard High School campus—marking a major milestone in the transformation of this long-anticipated community space.
“This groundbreaking achievement is a significant milestone made possible through years of collaboration, the involvement of community members who never gave up, and the City’s dedication to securing grant funding and bringing this project to life,” said Mayor Luis A. Mc Arthur. “Today, we celebrate the start of a long-awaited investment in our community that will deliver lasting benefits for our youth and future generations.”
As a boomer who started working toward the end of the Industrial Revolution and then well into the digital age, I find myself fumbling my way into the AI Era that is suddenly at our doorstep. Now it occurs to me that although it behooves young people to get on board with AI for the sake of their futures, Latinos, specifically, should seriously consider the benefits that are possible for them.
For important reasons, Latinos stand to benefit enormously by upgrading their skills.
GOLETA — Local nonprofit SEE International celebrated on June 23 a $100,000 endowed gift from the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club during a community event held at the organization’s SEE Vision Care clinic in Goleta.
The gift will support SEE Vision Care (SVC), SEE International’s local program providing free eye care services to uninsured and underinsured individuals throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Through five clinic locations, a mobile vision clinic, and community outreach events, SVC provides vision screenings, comprehensive eye exams, prescription glasses, and sight-restoring surgeries at no cost to qualifying patients.
OXNARD — City Impact, Inc., a Ventura County–based nonprofit dedicated to serving at-promise youth and families since 1995, is proud to announce that nominations are now open for the Thrive Together Awards 2026 — the organization’s signature annual celebration of entrepreneurship, innovation and community impact, targeting small businesses and start-up organizations in Ventura County.
The Thrive Together awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, September 24, 2026 from 5:00–9:00 PM at the Museum of Ventura County in Ventura, California — fittingly timed during National Hispanic Heritage Month. Small business nominations are open now through Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
VENTURA — The County of Ventura invites the public to celebrate the completion of the Moon Ditch Mural, a landmark public art project that has transformed a flood control channel into one of the largest murals in the United States. Spanning approximately 3,400 linear feet (about two-thirds of a mile), the project was created through a partnership of local artists, volunteers, community organizations, and County agencies, demonstrating how participation in the arts can foster connection, support mental well-being, and inspire environmental stewardship.
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY — People Helping People (PHP) is giving youth a seat at the table to help lead the fight against substance misuse in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Over the years PHP has led a number of organizations to promote substance use reduction and prevention, but previously the student and adult programs were separate.
The new People Helping People Youth Coalition (PHPYC) will be led by local youth working directly with key community partners – educators, parents, businesses, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and local organizations.
“Youth voice isn’t just valuable, it’s essential. They understand what’s happening in their schools and among their peers far better than any adult can. Our role is to listen first, then build programs that actually reflect what they’re telling us”, said Selene Sandoval, PHP Director of Youth Programs.
VENTURA — The County of Ventura’s Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures presented the 2025 Crop and Livestock Report to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors during their regular meeting on Tuesday, June 23. The annual publication, which provides a snapshot of the county’s farming industry, reported the gross value of agriculture at $2,409,748,000, a 4% increase from 2024.
In addition to production statistics, the 2025 Crop and Livestock Report examines the economic realities facing Ventura County’s agricultural community. Through its theme, “Making Cents of Agricultural Production,” the report explores rising costs across six key production categories – labor, land, inputs, plant care, services, and compliance – and highlights the resilience and innovation that continue to drive Ventura County agriculture.
CAMARILLO — Chancellor Rick MacLennan has announced that he will conclude his service with the Ventura County Community College District upon the expiration of his current contract on June 30, 2027.
Since becoming Chancellor in 2022, MacLennan has advanced a more unified districtwide approach focused on student success, workforce opportunity, institutional partnership, and regional responsiveness.
We are so excited to share the good news with you! Every year we provide financial support and mentorship to low-income single mothers pursuing financial security through higher education. This year we had a total of 11 applications from our three area community colleges. All 11 women are single moms who are graduating from community college and have been admitted to a 4-year university or advanced professional training. We were able to support all 11 women! This support can be used for any expenses related to education or caring for their children while enrolled in classes. Over the last 10 years we have awarded 94 Women United Education Awards totaling $175,500!
What does active hope look like? It looks like learning new skills, meeting inspiring people, celebrating community, coming together around shared solutions, and discovering practical ways to create change.
This summer, the Community Environmental Council (CEC) invites you to join us for A Year of Active Hope — a series of free events offering a welcoming space for people to unite, find courage, and take meaningful steps for our planet.
There are several hundred thousand amateur astronomers in the U.S. I was one of them during my teenage years (my daughter, a mother of three boys, has made it a point to tell me that I was not a “normal” teenager). I had one big disadvantage: I lived in Los Angeles during those years and had never seen the Milky Way due to the massive amount of illumination from one of the largest cities in the world just north of the suburb where I lived.
One summer, my father took all of us to the mountains north of Los Angeles for a few days. I took my telescope with me.
“For 35 years, the Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration has brought together our Ventura County community to honor history, celebrate culture, and embrace the values of freedom and unity,” said Bruce Stewart, President of the Ventura County Juneteenth Celebration. “We are proud to continue this tradition and remain committed to ensuring that future generations understand the importance of Juneteenth and the contributions of African Americans to our nation and our community.”
With free live music and activations down Main Street, we expect a high volume of foot traffic for MMV, and we need your help!
Join us as a volunteer for Make Music Ventura and experience the day from a backstage perspective, while helping our community make the most of this wonderful, free event. Shifts are available all day, between the hours of 8am to 8pm, and we have numerous opportunities in stage support, wayfinding, booth staffing, and more! Thank you for joining us.
On view now through July 12, 2026
Santa Paula artist Cornelis Botke (1887-1954) is best known as a master etcher and as a supporting figure in the career of his wife, artist Jessie Arms Botke (1883-1971). His etchings earned international acclaim and entered the collections of the California State Library, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution. Yet from childhood, Cornelis’ true ambition was to be a painter.
Botke was born in Leeuwarden, Holland, in 1887. Orphaned at a young age, he was raised and educated in a Mennonite orphanage in Haarlem. Although he longed to pursue painting, his guardians worried about his livelihood and enrolled him instead at the Haarlem School of Applied Art, where students trained for professional trades such as architectural drawing, engraving, and metalwork.
All the feels, and then some, were on display during UC Santa Barbara’s annual commencement festivities, which celebrated more than 6,700 students. Congrats, grads!
SANTA MARIA — The Allan Hancock College Board of Trustees voted unanimously June 16 to place a local facilities funding measure on the November 3, 2026, ballot, allowing voters throughout the Allan Hancock Joint Community College District to consider whether to authorize funding for repairs, upgrades and modernization projects at the college’s facilities.
If approved by voters, the measure would authorize up to $290 million in locally controlled general obligation bonds to improve and modernize projects at Allan Hancock College locations throughout the district.
