New research shows that, globally, men and women tend to use the ocean in different ways, with implications for how marine spaces are used and valued.
VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Public Health, in partnership with Ventura County Action on Smoking and Health (VC-ASH) proudly joins the global community in recognizing World No Tobacco Day on May 31. This day, established by the World Health Organization, raises awareness about the health and environmental harms caused by tobacco use and highlights efforts to promote tobacco-free living.
The 2025 theme, “Unmasking the Appeal,” focuses on exposing the tactics tobacco companies use to attract youth through flavored products and marketing strategies. These deceptive appeals contribute to tobacco’s status as the leading cause of preventable disease and death worldwide.
“Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable illness worldwide,” said Vicky Gonzales of Ventura County Public Health. “We are committed to empowering Ventura County residents with the information and resources they need to quit and to protect our youth from the harmful influence of tobacco and nicotine products.”
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College celebrated the achievements of 1,287 graduating students at the college’s 104th commencement ceremony.
“Whether your journey here was fast and focused or winding and full of unexpected turns, today is the moment where it all comes together,” said Hancock Board of Trustees President Hilda Zacarías. “It is a joy to celebrate with you.”
The next regular meeting of the
County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for
9 a.m. Tuesday, June 3, 2025
County Administration Building
Board Hearing Room, Fourth Floor
105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara,CA
The public may participate virtually or in person at the County Board Hearing Room
in Santa Barbara or Santa Maria.
CAMARILLO — This week, the Community Colleges of Ventura County celebrated the successes of 6,277 students during the 2025 Commencement ceremonies. The ceremonies were held at Moorpark and Oxnard colleges on May 22 and Ventura College on May 23.
The Class of 2025 earned a collective 5,316 certificates and 8,108 degrees. These tangible awards are symbolic of thousands of hours of class-time, practical lab work, and hands-on learning on the job with internships and apprenticeships. Ventura County’s graduates are tomorrow’s nurses, sheriffs, fire fighters, veterinarians, child care providers, and dentists. They will be scholars and researchers looking into the major issues of our age and they will be the technical workers implementing our sustainable, green future.
VENTURA COUNTY — Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, is pleased to announce that Shi Young Kim, a visual arts teacher from Rio Mesa High School in the Oxnard Union High School District, is the 2025 Ventura County Teacher of the Year. Ms. Kim received the surprise news during a classroom visit today by representatives from the Ventura County Office of Education and OUHSD. With a career marked by creativity, leadership, and dedication to student growth, Ms. Kim has inspired countless students through a dynamic blend of traditional and digital visual arts instruction.
SANTA BARBARA — Amid growing outrage over Governor Gavin Newsom’s silence regarding Sable Offshore’s oil operations, community members and student activists will gather for a peaceful demonstration on Thursday, May 29 at 7:00 AM at Gaviota State Park.
Sable Offshore has begun pumping oil from offshore platforms that were abandoned for more than a decade, and pipeline work at Gaviota State Park is expected to finish this week. Environmental advocates say the silence from the Governor’s office—and the waivers granted by State Parks and Fire Marshal agencies—suggest tacit approval from the highest levels of state government.
The Board of Directors supports Pedro in his decision and extends its deep gratitude for his leadership and service over the past three years. During his tenure, Pedro helped advance SBEF’s mission to support programs that enrich the academic, artistic, and personal development of all students in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. Under his leadership, SBEF developed a comprehensive Strategic Plan and strengthened its operational effectiveness to lay a strong foundation for the future.
“We are so grateful for his passion and steadfast guidance over the past two decades,” said Shelly Higginbotham, PSHH Board Chair. “For his dedication and leadership, we congratulate Ken on reaching this significant milestone.”
Since joining PSHH in 2005, Ken has served in many roles, including Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Vice President of Real Estate Finance. With extensive experience accumulated through a 30+ year distinguished career in banking and affordable housing, Ken brings an innovative combination of executive skills to his role as CEO & President. He earned his undergraduate degree in Agricultural Business Management from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and his MBA in Finance & Banking from Golden Gate University, San Francisco.
Kids’ Art Fest
?
Sunday, June 1, 2025, from 11 AM to 3 PM
Free for all ages
We’re kicking off a summer of creative fun with Kids’ Art Fest on Sunday, June 1! This free, outdoor celebration is packed with hands-on art activities for all ages, plus face painting, giant bubbles, live art demos, yummy food vendors*, community performances, and more.
Don’t miss folklórico and mariachi performances by young artists from Oxnard’s Inlakech Cultural Arts Center from 12 PM to 1 PM. Kids’ Art Fest 2025 is sponsored by Calavo Growers, Brianne McGrath, and Rotary Club of Santa Paula.
*The cost of food is not included, but everything else is!
Behind-the-Scenes – Stories of Hearst Castle
Tuesday, June 3
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street., Ventura
Registration closes Friday, May 30 at 12 p.m.
Join Montecito Bank & Trust M-Club & Museum of Ventura County for an informative Lunch & Learn with architectural historian, Victoria Kastner. Kastner will share many behind-the-scenes stories about Hearst Castle at San Simeon—examining its buildings, gardens, swimming pools, and glamorous guests. She will also reveal new information about Julia Morgan—its talented architect—and Julia’s unique collaboration with her influential client, William Randolph Hearst. Enjoy a catered lunch provided by Peirano’s!
IN-PERSON: MARKETING IN A DIGITAL WORLD
June 3 @ 8:30 am
Join SCORE Ventura County, City of Moorpark and EDC for this insight-packed workshop. It aims to educate business owners on the essential digital marketing skills, including social media dos and don’ts, tips for both digital and print marketing, creating engaging and effective content, avoiding common mistakes and so much more! Location: Moorpark City Hall, 323 Science Dr., Moorpark.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
The physicist and computer science assistant professor explores a hybrid approach to scalable, error-resilient quantum machines.
The dance company has represented the college throughout the community performing for civic and school events as a way of celebrating the cultural and artistic traditions of México. The group takes pride in educating audiences about the music, dances, and traditions that have existed for generations and offers programs that demonstrate discipline and dedication, combined with a love of performing before appreciative audiences. As a unit, the Mestizo Folklórico Dance Com[any aims to transmit the elegance, joyfulness, and vibrancy of Mexico’s culture to their audiences.
Looking to take action in your community? Join the Santa Barbara Transgender Advocacy Network for a countywide day of community organizing this Saturday, May 24th, from 12 to 2 PM in Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Isla Vista.
SANTA MARIA — On May 21, Allan Hancock College honored the dedication and service of 17 retiring faculty and staff members during a heartfelt ceremony that celebrated decades of contributions to student success.?
This year’s retirees, who contributed a combined 341 years of service to the college, include full and part-time faculty members, classified staff, supervisors, and administrators from various programs and departments.
“Our retirees have helped shape this college into the extraordinary institution it is today,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “Their dedication, compassion, and commitment to our students have made a lasting impact that will be felt for generations.”
This donation marks the foundation’s second major contribution to the YMCA this year. Earlier in 2025, the Valentine Foundation contributed $250,000 to the YMCA’s Find My Genius program, a free five-week program for low- and moderate-income students who are not reading at grade level to support their academic and social-emotional learning.
… In this time of nonstop headlines and uncertainty, I invite us not to lose sight of the good we are creating together. There are so many examples, including the meaningful and inspired leadership of the recent graduating class of the Ventura County Leadership Academy, where Cohort 30 raised more than $20,000 to help support neighbors who lost their homes in the Mountain Fire. I wish I could have bottled up their joy as they presented the check last week – it was such a beautiful thing to witness!
SANTA MARIA — Over 800 students and donors gathered at the Joe White Memorial Gymnasium on May 22 to celebrate the Allan Hancock College Foundation’s annual scholarship awards.
This year, the Foundation awarded 518 scholarships totaling $605,000 to 416 Hancock students. Generous members of the community also funded 18 new scholarships in 2025.
“Each year, we find new ways to strengthen our support for Hancock students, and tonight’s celebration is a powerful reflection of that growth,” said Jon Hooten, Ph.D., executive director of college advancement and the AHC Foundation. “We’re incredibly proud of every student recognized this evening for their hard work and achievements.”
Meiya Sidney ???, a fourth-year College of Creative Studies and art honors student, shares her ceramic practice shaped by summers in Taiwan.
SANTA BARBARA —The power of collective giving was on display on May 20th when the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara awarded an unprecedented $1.25 million in grants to 11 local nonprofits —showcasing the power of collective giving in the Santa Barbara community. This accomplishment was made possible through the generosity of 1,426 local women members who have combined their charitable contributions into a substantial grants pool.
Having trouble viewing this email? Click here EDC MAY AND JUNE EVENT AND WEBINAR SCHEDULE The Economic Development Collaborative encourages you to sign up for our no-cost events and webinars. Space is limited. Register today! Plan ahead! Our full EDC and partner event schedule is updated…
A big thank you to everyone who supported the 2025 Builder Games, presented by Mechanics Bank. Together, we raised over $125,000 for our Supportive Housing and Camino Scholars programs.
Topic: “Surviving Chronic Pain Through Psychedelic Therapy”
Description: A long and beautiful life opened by psychedelics led Paul to gurus, God, volunteering in India and Guatemala and so many other amazing planes. But NOTHING has opened him like being in chronic pain, and he swore when he got out that he would share his experience and help others. We will start the evening with an interactive element before the interview.
CAMARILLO — It was the summer of 1965 and Ojai civil rights veteran Lanny Kaufer was standing behind an outdoor stage in Virginia where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was speaking.
“They have something in India called “darshan,” which is the feeling you get when you are in the presence of a holy man,” Kaufer, 78, said. “I had that experience hearing him speak. He was truly one of the great orators of our time. Then he came down the platform and shook all of our hands, thanking us for what we were doing.”
Kaufer will speak about the summer of his 18th year during CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)’s Summer Taste of OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute), which features 25 single session, two-hour classes from June 9 through July 17.Registration opens Tuesday, May 27 at 8:30 a.m.
VENTURA — The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District has launched a new website that makes it much easier for the public to access information and services and connect with district staff.
Rebuilt from the ground up to replace the district’s original 2006 website, the new digital hub at vcacpd.org also streamlines the process for staff to keep it updated.
Among the new features are colorful dials on the homepage that provide real-time air quality data from the district’s monitoring stations in El Rio, Ojai, Piru, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks.
Photos from the diving community document around 1,200 adult giant sea bass as the species slowly recovers from decades of overfishing.
SANTA PAULA — With the leadership of over 125 partners and input from hundreds of community members, the Isabella Project is excited to announce the location of a new early care hub, adjacent to undeveloped land on the Briggs Elementary School property in Santa Paula.
The mission of the Isabella Project is to ensure all children in Ventura County, starting in Santa Paula, have access to high-quality, full-time early care and education that meets their families’ needs. In Santa Paula, there are more than 2,000 children under age 5, but only 881 formal early learning spaces. The early care hub will create approximately 200 more spaces for early childhood education, serving children ages 0 to 5, and will include a variety of wrap-around services to better serve young children, families and childcare professionals.
THOUSAND OAKS — The Board of Regents of California Lutheran University announced today the appointment of John A. Nunes, Ph.D., as the university’s ninth president. Nunes has served as the university’s interim president since June 1, 2024, and assumes his new role June 1. He is a former president of Concordia College New York.
“Dr. Nunes has demonstrated his commitment to Cal Lutheran’s mission and our students every single day since his appointment as interim president, and the board is excited to have him join us on a longer-term basis,” said Board of Regents Chair Ann Boynton, Class of 1983. “This is a challenging time for higher education, and the need for committed leadership has never been greater.”
SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula welcomes all Santa Paula residents, business owners, partners and supporters, to attend the annual State of the City event on June 5th. The event will take place at the Ventura County Agriculture Museum, located at 926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula, CA 93060.
This year’s event, themed “Feel the Progress,” offers a chance for residents, community leaders, and stakeholders to hear about the City’s recent accomplishments, ongoing efforts, and what lies ahead. Join us to explore Santa Paula’s current priorities and community focused initiatives shaping our future.
CENTRAL COAST — Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV), a leading local organization dedicated to the economic empowerment of women, is pleased to announce the appointment of five new members to its Board of Directors. These individuals bring diverse expertise, leadership experience and a deep commitment to gender, racial and economic equity, further strengthening WEV’s ability to transform lives and build a resilient community, one small business at a time.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College celebrated 2025 graduates who will continue their education at four-year universities at its annual University Transfer Celebration on May 16 at the college’s Santa Maria campus.
Hosted each year by Hancock’s University Transfer Center, the event was an opportunity for Hancock’s transfer students to celebrate their achievements with their friends and family as they prepared for a new chapter in their educational journeys. More than 300 transfer graduates and their families were honored at this year’s celebration.
Participating students, many wearing apparel from their respective universities, received a commemorative transfer medallion, took photos with their soon-to-be university peers, and listened to messages of support from Hancock staff and their fellow transfer students.
LOMPOC — Allan Hancock College celebrated a new crop of first responders on May 16 as a combined 68 cadets graduated from the college’s fire and emergency medical services (EMS) academies.?
The graduates were honored during two ceremonies at the college’s Public Safety Training Complex (PSTC) in Lompoc.??
“This graduating class embodies the future of public safety,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “They’ve undergone rigorous training and are ready to step into their roles as first responders, serving and protecting our communities.”
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College announced the recipients of the 2025 Hancock Honors, presented by CoastHills Credit Union. This annual celebration recognizes individuals and organizations making a lasting impact on the college and the communities it serves.
This year’s honorees are the late community banker and philanthropist Jim Glines, retired Hancock faculty member and veteran Dr. Henry Davis, and the Santa Yne Valley Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to enriching lives throughout the Santa Ynez and Los Alamos Valleys.
Listening to NPR the other day, I heard a young woman lament that she had just received her MBA (Master of Business Administration) degree but could not find work. This is an unfortunate contrast with more prosperous times in our country when MBAs were popular because they were a golden ticket to meaningful, highly remunerative employment.
So why are these young, ambitious graduates, likely already saddled with enormous student debt, finding it so challenging to find jobs that match their level of education?
The job market is undergoing a slow but certain seismic shift.
Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors’ meetings are available in Spanish. Watch live on our Spanish YouTube Channel, or Cable TV subscribers can access Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) in language settings.
There are still a few spots left to join us on Saturday, May 24, departing Santa Barbara at 9:00 am.
Our LA adventure begins with a studio visit with artist Luz Carabaño. From there, we will experience an exhibition preview of Tony Cokes at Hannah Hoffman. Then we will end the day at The Brick where we will see Elizabeth Paige Smith Unshade me of You.
We hope you join us on a very full and rewarding day of art and ideas – register here!
Through August, CEC is offering FREE in-person and virtual DCAP application assistance sessions. During the sessions, CEC associates will provide one-on-one support to help you complete your application.
With support from a new NSF CAREER Award, Jennifer Jacobs is developing more intuitive, human-centered digital fabrication tools.
VENTURA COUNTY — Scouting America, Ventura County Council (SAVCC) — formerly Boy Scouts of America — proudly announces its Prepared for Life Gala, scheduled for May 31, 2025, at Camarillo Ranch, at 201 Camarillo Ranch Road, Camarillo. The event will honor two outstanding community members, Patrick Maynard and Patrick Rose, recognizing their significant contributions to Ventura County.
Patrick Maynard, Director of Ventura County’s Office of Emergency Services, will receive the Good Scout Award for Public Safety and Service. Maynard has demonstrated exceptional leadership through numerous local emergencies, including wildfires, mudslides, oil spills, the Borderline mass shooting and the COVID-19 pandemic. His strategic, calm and compassionate approach embodies the values of preparedness, leadership and community service central to Scouting America’s mission.
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is proud to announce its 76th Annual Commencement Ceremony, to be held on Friday, May 23, at 5 p.m. at the college’s La Playa Stadium. This cherished event marks the culmination of years of hard work and academic achievement, and SBCC warmly welcomes the community — including families and friends of graduates — to join in this special celebration.
SBCC will confer more than 3,833 degrees to around 1,535 graduating students across a wide range of disciplines, recognizing their academic accomplishments and resilience. The ceremony will include inspiring speeches, student recognitions and heartfelt moments as graduates cross the stage.
We are continuing to look at the dire housing crisis in Ventura County and the need for affordability in the real estate market. This quarter’s articles focus on identifying different housing needs and a variety of approaches used to fill them.
The actualized projects presented by the Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation and California State University Channel Islands each address the needs of specific groups in different but effective ways. The third segment discusses a project that has initial approval and is working its way through the system in Ventura.
It is clear that creativity in design, amenities, location and financing, along with process flexibility, are key
THOUSAND OAKS — California Lutheran University School of Management professor Vlad Vaiman, Ph.D., has been awarded one of the most prestigious appointments offered to U.S. scholars: A 2025-26 Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Business and Economics.
Vaiman is the first Cal Lutheran School of Management professor to receive the award. He will spend a total of four months conducting research at the Hanken School of Economics in Finland, a leading global university with 115 years of experience in research and education in economics and business.
“Buckling up takes seconds, but it can save your life,” said Corporal David Curtis. “Every person in every vehicle — no matter their age or where they’re sitting — deserves that protection. Wearing a seat belt should be second nature, every trip, every time.”
CAMARILLO — The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has once again recognized CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) as one of the nation’s Fulbright Top Producing Institutions for 2024/2025. The first time CSUCI received this recognition was in 2021/2022.
Each year, the national bureau lists the U.S. colleges and universities with the highest number of faculty and administrators selected for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, a federal government-sponsored international exchange program that enables U.S. scholars and other professionals to conduct research, teach, and pursue professional projects abroad.
Not only that, but in the master’s degree-granting classification, CSUCI is among the top three of the 46 institutions listed. CSUCI had three faculty members and one administrator earn the Fulbright scholarship for the 2024/2025 year, whereas the majority of universities in CSUCI’s classification had one or two.
THOUSAND OAKS — The California Lutheran University Class of 2025 chose perseverance as its theme, reflecting its success in navigating post-COVID-19 pandemic changes and national and global uncertainties. This tenacious cohort of 1,018 graduates will celebrate achieving its academic goals at the 2025 commencement ceremonies on May 16 in William Rolland Stadium on the Thousand Oaks campus.
The 62nd annual Undergraduate Commencement at 8:30 a.m. will honor 552 traditional undergraduates and 52 in the Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals program. Graduate Commencement at 2:30 p.m. will honor 414 students, including 388 earning master’s degrees and 31 receiving doctorates.
“The Class of 2025 embodies the power of perseverance,” Interim President John Nunes said. “Their accomplishments are rare, courageous and sacred. I believe God is up to great things in each of their lives to carry forward the Cal Lutheran legacy of learning that transforms lives.”
The competitive grant will support the development of three major behavioral health projects that will expand access to care throughout the region: the Lewis Road Mental Health Rehabilitation Center (MHRC), the East County Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), and the East County Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF).
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — Signups for summer camp at the Southeast Ventura County YMCA branches are underway. Camp runs from June 9 to August 7 through the Simi Valley Family YMCA and from June 16 to August 15 through the Yarrow Family YMCA.
Campers in TK to 5th grade can attend day camp full-time (four to five days a week) or part-time (two to three days a week) for the entire camp session or selected weeks.
Activities include sports, swimming (under the supervision of Red Cross-certified YMCA lifeguards), arts and crafts, dance, cooking and weekly themed activities based on the campers’ age group. The child-to-counselor ratio is 14 to 1.
BEHIND-THE-SCENES – Stories of Hearst Castle
Tuesday, June 3
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street., Ventura
Join MClub & Museum of Ventura County for an informative Lunch & Learn with Architectural historian Victoria Kastner. Kastner will share many behind-the-scenes stories about Hearst Castle at San Simeon— examining its buildings, gardens, swimming pools, and glamorous guests. She will also reveal new information about Julia Morgan—its talented architect—and Julia’s unique collaboration with her influential client, William Randolph Hearst.
Victoria Kastner was the official historian at Hearst Castle for nearly three decades. In addition to her new biography about its talented architect (Julia Morgan: An Intimate Biography of the Trailblazing Architect), she has also written three volumes chronicling its fascinating history: Hearst Castle: The Biography of a Country House; Hearst’s San Simeon: The Gardens and the Land; and Hearst Ranch: Family, Land, and Legacy. Ms. Kastner has a Master’s Degree in Public History with a specialty in architectural history from the University of California at Santa Barbara, and a Master’s Degree in Museum Management from George Washington University. She has also published works on the Beverly Hills Hotel, Bernard Maybeck’s Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, and the novels of Charles Dickens. Purchase your tickets HERE.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College celebrated the achievements of its noncredit students at its annual Noncredit Recognition Ceremony on Friday, May 9, at the college’s Santa Maria campus.
The celebration, held in Boyd Concert Hall, highlighted the perseverance and accomplishments of students who completed noncredit certificate programs, earned their GEDs, completed English Language Development (ELDN) courses, or achieved U.S. citizenship through the college’s noncredit offerings.
More than 200 students completed noncredit programs at Hancock during the 2025 academic year.
“This event shines a light on the hard work and determination of our noncredit students, many of whom have overcome significant personal and academic obstacles to reach their goals,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers. “We’re proud to celebrate their success and the life-changing impact of these programs.”
