
Thank you for staying up-to-date on news at the County of Ventura! Want to sign up for our newsletter?
Community members who are not already subscribed may sign up to receive our newsletter in English here and in Spanish here.

DOD, CMTC AND CASCADE: CMTC & CASCADE CYBERSECURITY TRAINING SERIES: HOW TO MANAGE CLOUD PROVIDERS
October 15 @ 10:00 am
With support from the DoD, CMTC and CASCADE offer a series of no-cost Cybersecurity Trainings for executives, operations and IT. Starting September 19th and ending November 5th, the trainings will be delivered on Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PT. Each of the 14 trainings will focus on a specific cybersecurity topic.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Dear Neighbors,
I hope this message finds you well! I am writing to share a reminder of the Home Insurance Town Hall that is taking place Tuesday, October 15 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Ventura County Fire Headquarters located at 2400 Conejo Spectrum Street in Newbury Park.
If you plan to attend please RSVP today by emailing SupervisorGorell@ventura.org. A live stream of the event will also be offered on my YouTube page at the following link: www.youtube.com/@vcd2super/streams. Simply visit the link at 6 pm to view the live event or watch the recording at a time that is convenient for you.

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) iRaices: First Year and Beyond! Program – in partnership with local Chumash and Indigenous community leaders – invites the community to a special Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration on Monday, October 14 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Come learn about the significance and symbolism of the Chumash signage located on SBCC’s West Campus Bluffs and enjoy a panel discussion with Annette Cordero, Stephen Franco, Dr. Maura Sullivan and Solange Aguilar.

I am beyond excited to announce a big win for our climate and the Central Coast. Yesterday, Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) cut the ribbon on the Victory Pass and Arica Solar and Storage projects.
This project delivers 100 megawatts of solar and 25 megawatts of battery storage. That adds up to 5% of the total Central Coast electricity load. And on top of that, this project was completed ahead of schedule and created over 1,000 union jobs.

LOMPOC — As another spectacular summer fades into a crisp, cool fall, there’s no better time to explore the adventurous side of Lompoc! Get your adrenaline pumping with an exciting array of activities in and around the city. Start planning a trip packed with excitement, including skydiving, horse safaris, kitesurfing, and more!

VENTURA COUNTY — Founder of The Greater Contribution, Karon Wright, has been selected as an Honoree for the 2024 National Philanthropy Day Awards as Volunteer of the Year, Ventura County.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals Santa Barbara/Ventura Counties Chapter NPD nomination committee will be presenting her with the honor at an awards ceremony Tuesday, October 29 at 5:00pm at the Santa Barbara Zoo (500 Ninos Drive, SB, CA 93103).

I’m excited to share a new way for you to stay connected to our schools and informed about the critical role they play in our community. The Ventura County Office of Education is launching a new podcast that’s all about public education in Ventura County.
The “Focus on Education” podcast will highlight the many ways my office and our local schools are serving students and expanding educational opportunities. Each month, we’ll introduce you to the education superstars who are making a difference for kids in academics, career preparation, emotional well-being, and beyond.

Over the past few years, the siren call of the gig economy has captivated the imagination and creativity of young adults. The lure of “being your own boss,” “setting your own hours,” and the promise of having the freedom to travel the world while you pursue your “dream job” is too much for many of them to resist.
For many dreamers coming of age, the enticement of immediate income and flexible work hours, along with the chance to skip college with all its debt obligation, is seductively appealing.

VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2025-26 school year.
November 29 is the application deadline for the Paramedic and Career Education scholarships. The deadline for all other scholarships is January 20, 2025. Scholarship recipients will be notified in April 2025 and receive their scholarship proceeds after August 1.
Students currently enrolled at Ventura College in the 2024-2025 academic year and who have completed at least six units in the semester they submit an application, are eligible to apply. Units earned in previous semesters at Ventura College count towards the unit requirement.

The Economic Development Collaborative would like to recognize National Women’s Small Business Month. In the most recent program year (October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024), EDC supported over 1,700 women-owned small businesses and female/male-owned businesses. The EDC is dedicated to helping women achieve their business goals.
The EDC is proud to support the community by providing professional technical assistance in English and Spanish through our Small Business Development Center. Our NO-COST advising areas include:

VENTURA — October is National Pedestrian Safety Month and the Ventura Police Department reminds drivers to slow down and be alert for people walking on our roads. By taking extra precautions, you can help protect pedestrians and reduce the risk of crashes and injuries.
Since January 1, 2023, the Ventura Police Department has responded to 2,470 traffic collisions, including 106 involving pedestrians. These incidents resulted in 915 injuries and five fatalities. Of the pedestrian collisions, three were fatal, and 99 resulted in injury. The high number of pedestrian casualties underscores the urgent need for improved awareness and safety measures for those walking in Ventura.

VENTURA COUNTY — Over 15 farms, ranches and agricultural organizations will open their doors to the public for the 12th Annual Ventura County Farm Day, Saturday, November 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those who attend will experience a day of free agricultural activities and tours and learn about the origins of their food.
“We often don’t think about what it takes to grow, harvest and deliver produce to the market,” says Caitlin Paulus-Case, Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) executive director. SEEAG is the nonprofit that hosts Ventura County Farm Day each year. “Hundreds of dedicated farm workers are behind every piece of fruit or vegetable we buy at the store.”

OXNARD — Take a break, rejuvenate, and get creative with ¡ÁNDALE!: Wellness + Creativity for Everyone, a new monthly series presented by OPAC, the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation, focused on supporting mental health and wellness through artistic expression and self-care. The event is offered bilingually, free and open to all, creating space where relaxation, creativity, and community connection come together.
The first event will take place on Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 1-3 PM at Community Center Park East (located behind the Oxnard Performing Arts Center). Each session features three different activities designed to engage participants in creative and calming experiences. This month yoga, sound baths and art-making will be offered. Attendees will spend 30 minutes at each activity, for a total of two hours of immersive wellness.

DOD, CMTC AND CASCADE: CMTC & CASCADE CYBERSECURITY TRAINING SERIES: NETWORK SECURITY REFERENCE ARCHITECTURE
October 8 @ 10:00 am
With support from the DoD, CMTC and CASCADE offer a series of no-cost Cybersecurity Trainings for executives, operations and IT. Starting September 19th and ending November 5th, the trainings will be delivered on Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PT. Each of the 14 trainings will focus on a specific cybersecurity topic.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s 60th Anniversary Gala raised $402,055 to support YMCA youth programs. The event was held outdoors on September 21 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village. It attracted over 300 guests and featured a reception, gourmet dinner, silent and live auctions and after-party. Actor Neal McDonough hosted the evening.
The gala looked back on the YMCA’s 60 years beginning when Western movie star Joel McCrea and his wife, Frances, donated part of their ranch between Thousand Oaks and Moorpark that would later become the Conejo Valley Family YMCA.

Uplift Central Coast — the six-county coalition led by REACH, the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership and Economic Development Collaborative — is pleased to announce the release of a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Catalyst Predevelopment Phase of work.
This funding opportunity marks a significant step in supporting projects that will drive economic resilience, environmental sustainability and equitable growth in the region, in line with the California Jobs First initiative and the strategies developed as part of Uplift’s Regional Plan Part II Report.

To the City of San Luis Obispo for being an inspirational leader on this project, to the many partners who have helped make Calle Joaquin a reality, and to those who celebrated with us at yesterday’s groundbreaking, we thank you for moving the needle on affordable housing in our community.
Learn more about Calle Joaquin

VENTURA — Michelle Ascencion, County Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters, announced important activities for the November 5, 2024 Presidential General Election that will begin on October 7.
Throughout the State of California, counties will begin mailing Vote by Mail ballots to all active, registered voters on Oct. 7. Voters should expect to receive their ballot by Oct. 17; anyone who hasn’t received their ballot or State/County Voter Information Guide in the mail by then should contact the Elections Office. Voters are reminded they need to return their ballot in the SIGNED return, postage-paid envelope, and return it by U.S. postal mail; or, in 1 of 38 official ballot drop boxes; or, at 1 of 52 vote centers; or, at the County Elections Office by 8 pm on Election Day, Nov. 5. Mailed ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day and received within 7 days. …

Most of us are familiar with the solemnity, reflection, and joy that the Day of the Dead (el Día de los Muertos) brings to those of us who wish to immerse ourselves in the deep-rooted Mexican culture. In some regions of Mexico, the celebrations that commemorate the ancestors who have preceded us begin in late October and extend into November.
Coincidentally, the ultra-commercialized festivities of American Halloween occur during the same time of year, leading many to believe that the two celebrations are identical, similar, or have the same roots.
However, the contrast is stark.

CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) was ranked #22 overall out of 118 universities on the newly-released U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Colleges report, which features annual college rankings for the coming year. That’s up eight places from the 2024 report.
U.S. News & World Report ranks its colleges and universities according to region, so CSUCI’s high marks were in the report’s Regional Universities (West) category. The overall high ranking was the result of multiple high scores across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
One indicator was the Social Mobility category, where CSUCI was ranked 5th, up from the 2024 ranking of 7th. Social mobility is how well a university retains and graduates students with high financial need. CSUCI also came in 12th in the Top Public Schools category, up from 14th in the 2024 rankings.

Studio Spotlight: InnoVision Artist Workshop with Jasmine Delgado
Sunday, October 6
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main St., Ventura
Stamp! Print! Repeat! A workshop exploring the infinite possibilities of pattern and color through the creation of hand-carved stamps. Each participant will learn the steps to create a unique hand-carved stamp inspired by a variety of source materials, such as found text, signage, the natural world, and popular culture. Come and learn how to create unique stamps using a variety of methods! Qualifying members, $60, Non-members, $65; plus $12 materials. Space is limited, sign up today HERE!
Workshop Instructor – Jasmine Delgado is an InnoVision Exhibition artist as well as an Associate Professor of Art and Design at CSUCI.

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Lumina Alliance is proud to announce its comprehensive campaign for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) this October, dedicated to shining a light on the often-overlooked impact of intimate partner violence and raising awareness for underserved survivors in our community. This year’s theme emphasizes the unique challenges faced by marginalized groups, including undocumented individuals, transgender people, and those living with disabilities, who are often disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence.

We’re back after a well-deserved summer break
for our undergraduate faculty members, and a successful start into the new academic year.
At the beginning of the semester, the School of Management welcomed 164 new undergraduate freshmen and transfer students and 91 new graduate students who enthusiastically look forward to their educational journey. We have a
lot in store for them and, of course, our wider community – including YOU! On October 2nd, we will kick off this year’s ForwardTogether webinar series with School of Management Executive MBA alumnus John Maier, CEO of Bose Professional, followed by our 9th Annual Executive Talent Management Forum on October 10 and Startup Weekend Conejo Valley from October 11-13 at our own startup community space Hub101. I hope to see many of at one of these events where you can explore interesting topics, and meet and mingle with our faculty, staff, and students!

In recent months, Friendship Center has begun to significantly expand our programs as a result of the generous support from our community. This support has empowered us to begin developing a comprehensive Dementia Caregiver Resource Hub, offering the Herencia Latina program for Spanish-speaking adults, and continue enhancing our diverse array of life enrichment activities—all tailored to meet the unique needs and interests of our members.

VENTURA COUNTY DIGITAL UPSKILLING TRAINING PROGRAM
The Ventura County Digital Upskilling Training program is a NO-COST short-term training program that will increase the digital skills of job seekers, current workers and small business operators. The initiative seeks to expand the opportunities and earning power of Ventura County participants by providing them with much-needed digital skills training to help individuals and employers grow.
NO-COST Classes for New to Tech Learners
This 6-week course teaches adults essential computer skills needed to get a better-paying job.

You are cordially invited!
Opening celebration: Sunday, October 6, 12:00 – 4:00 pm
12:15 pm – Exhibition walkthrough with curatorial team and artists
1:00 pm – Welcome
1:30 pm – Reception
2:00 pm – Live music by Banda de Viento San Jorge Río Frijol
The exhibition is made possible through a lead grant from Getty as part of the PST ART: Art & Science Collide initiative. Additional funding is provided by the David Bermant Foundation, and Randy & Sofia Greif.
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara
653 Paseo Nuevo, The Arts Terrace, Santa Barbara, California

Free Family Day
?
Sunday, October 6, 2024 • 12 PM to 3 PM
Free for all ages
Join us for Free Family Day inside SPAM’s Cole Creativity Center on Sunday, October 6, 2024! Drop in anytime between 12 PM and 3 PM to make fun, fall crafts with your whole family, including skeleton scarecrow “paper dolls,” watercolor spray leaf art, painted mini-pumpkins, and more. Admission is free, all are welcome, and all materials are provided.
And don’t forget, admission to our current exhibitions is also free on the first Sunday of every month!

SANTA BARBARA — Wilderness Youth Project (WYP) is thrilled to celebrate its 25th Anniversary in the Santa Barbara community. To give back to all the families, donors, partners, volunteers, staff, and friends who have given so much, WYP is offering a free celebration on Saturday, October 5, 2024. This milestone marks a quarter-century of empowering local youth through nature-based education and experiential outdoor learning. The celebration will be held at Santa Barbara City College’s Great Meadow, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Free tickets are available at wyp.org