In the 1970s, in a more prosperous country, company “headhunters” were pursuing us even before we graduated from college. Sometimes we ended up with several job offers. Our “dilemma” was having to choose from among them.
I sympathize with today’s college graduates. Today, untold numbers of graduates are experiencing a superabundance of frustration as they submit, sometimes literally, hundreds of their résumés online to a wide range of companies.
The California Earthquake Brace & Bolt program offers up to $3,000 to help residents strengthen their homes against earthquake damage. For the first time, it is open to all zip codes in Santa Barbara County and now includes non-owner-occupied rental properties. Applications are open through October 1.
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.
SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula proudly recognizes the accomplishments of 13 outstanding participants who have successfully completed the third cohort of the Youth Apprentice Readiness Accelerator (YARA) Program, marking the second time the program has achieved a 100% graduation rate.
This four-week, intensive pre-apprenticeship program prepares local youth, ages 16-24, for high-demand careers in the building trades. Using the nationally recognized Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) developed by North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), the program provides foundational knowledge and hands-on training that connects graduates directly to registered apprenticeship opportunities.
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ENTURA — The City of Ventura is partnering with the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to launch Ready • Set • Grow, a free three-part workshop series held at Ventura City Hall located at 501 Poli Street in the Community Meeting Room on Thursdays, Oct. 2, 9, and 16, 2025, from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
LOS OLIVOS — This Labor Day weekend, community members, in solidarity with farmworkers, will flood the streets of Los Olivos in a unified and powerful march to demand justice, dignity, and most of all, a living wage for farmworkers. Farmworkers are the backbone of Santa Barbara County’s wine industry, fueling Santa Barbara County’s economy once again not only through agricultural production but through lucrative wine tasting and tourism. Yet, they continue to face low wages, unsafe working conditions, and the constant threat of detention and deportation. Earlier this year, Santa Barbara County Supervisors voted to raise their own salaries, boldly maintaining that hard work deserves higher pay. We agree. The time is now. A living wage for farmworkers today.
OXNARD — The Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation (OPAC) is proud to announce the opening of Anonymous Heroes / Héroes Anónimos, a special exhibition presented in partnership with the Santa Paula Art Museum and the Consulate of Mexico in Oxnard and curated by Rafael Perea de la Cabada. The exhibition will be on view at the Mexican Consulate, at 3151 W. 5th Street in Oxnard, from September 12 thru January 16, 2026.
Anonymous Heroes / Héroes Anónimos highlights 29 selections from the Santa Paula Art Museum’s permanent collection, paying tribute to the resilience, creativity, and essential contributions of our farmworkers. These “everyday heroes,” often unrecognized in history books, have shaped the cultural and economic fabric of Ventura County and beyond.
OXNARD — Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH), a department of the Ventura County Health Care Agency (HCA), will join communities nationwide in recognizing the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) second annual “988 Day” on Monday, September 8, 2025. This year’s theme is Compassionate Help. Anytime.
988 Day raises awareness about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, emphasizing that suicide is preventable and that compassionate support is available anytime, anywhere. The Lifeline provides free, 24/7 access to skilled, caring, and trained counselors by text, chat, or phone call.
VENTURA — The Ventura Police Department Traffic Unit will conduct a DUI checkpoint at an undisclosed location within the city limits on Friday, August 29, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
DUI checkpoint locations are chosen based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by deterring residents from driving impaired.
During the checkpoint, officers will look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
“It’s relatively short notice, but we are hitting the ground running,” said Michelle Ascencion, Ventura County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters, who oversees county elections.
“We’ve been here before – the Gubernatorial Recall in 2021 was called with only 75 days’ notice, and when I was the elected City Clerk in Oxnard, we had just under 100 days to prepare for the City Council recall election in 2018. Elections are more complicated than people realize, and it takes several months to implement all the logistics for a full Primary or General election. In comparison, this election has a very compressed timeline.”
NEWBURY PARK — Ventura County residents can turn in working gasoline- and diesel-powered lawn and garden equipment and receive vouchers toward new cordless electric replacements at an event in Newbury Park on Saturday, Sept. 13.
The City of Thousand Oaks and the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) are hosting the Lawn & Garden Equipment Trade-In Event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 2010 Conejo Center Drive. (The facility will be closed for regular collection during the event.)
Residents can bring in their old equipment to demonstrate that it starts, turn it in to be destroyed, complete an application for the VCAPCD Lawn & Garden Equipment Exchange Program and receive a voucher toward battery-electric replacement of the same type. In most cases, the vouchers will cover most of the cost of new equipment, one charger and additional batteries.
Proposition 1 aims to expand access to behavioral health care (mental health and substance use) and housing support, especially for individuals facing complex challenges such as housing instability and serious behavioral health conditions. As the State of California updates how behavioral health funding is prioritized, community voices will play a vital role in shaping local programs and services.
We recently learned of the passing of Jeanette Duncan, who, for nearly four decades, was the very heartbeat of our organization.
Joining not too long after our founding in 1970 by a few volunteer community members and on the heels of the Fair Housing Act, Jeanette began her time as our first Executive Director with People’s Self-Help Housing, supporting individuals and families to build their own houses and achieve their dream of home ownership. Coming alongside those spirited volunteers as their shovels broke ground on those first houses, she subsequently recruited a core of professionals whose dedication would see the work of People’s expanding to serve thousands spread across the tri-counties of the Central Coast.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College’s Community Education is currently inviting Northern Santa Barbara County residents from all walks of life to register for noncredit classes.
This fall, AHC Community Education is offering noncredit, tuition-free courses in a wide range of subjects, as well as affordable fee-based courses that offer everything from educational enrichment to job skill development and training. The classes are open to everyone, no matter their age, background, or educational level.
Several years ago, I thought I would try my hand at freelancing. I took an online course on proofreading, passed the exam at the end of the course, and plunged into the gig economy.
Sounds of Absences
What drives you to leave everything behind and emigrate?
Lives that cross paths without seeking each other.
Solitudes that brush against each other.
How far does your dream take you? And how much are you willing to lose?
PREMIERE AUGUST 29
You’re going to laugh, you’re going to be moved, and maybe… you’ll be silent for a long time.
This substantial investment will create 88 permanent supportive housing units for individuals experiencing homelessness. In addition, one unit will be reserved for a resident property manager to provide on-site support and security. The development will also include community gathering spaces and offices for case managers and support staff, fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for residents.
“This funding marks an important milestone in our efforts to address homelessness in Ventura County by providing safe, stable, and supportive housing for vulnerable residents,” said Supervisor Janice Parvin, Chair of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. “We remain dedicated to working closely with our partners to bring this project to fruition and enhance the quality of life for those in need.”
The next regular meeting of the
County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for
9 a.m. Tuesday, August 26, 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.
“Our Family Medicine Residency stands out nationally because we train residents in the full scope of family medicine, including primary care, women’s health, emergency medicine, hospital care, surgery, trauma, and community outreach,” said Dr. Jacob David, Program Director. “We’ve launched innovative programs like palliative care and addiction medicine to fill critical gaps in local services, attracting mission-driven physicians committed to serving underserved communities.”
Santa Paula Creek is a tributary to the Santa Clara River located along the east side of the City of Santa Paula. The project aims to reduce flood risk and enhance community safety. Following two early public scoping meetings held in July, the public is encouraged to provide feedback to help guide the study’s scope, shape possible measures and alternatives, and assess potential environmental impacts.
As the 2025–2026 school year gets underway, I want to extend a heartfelt welcome to every student and family in Ventura County. This is an exciting time for students to reunite with friends, meet new teachers, and pursue fresh opportunities for growth and learning. But for many families, this year begins not only with hope, but with anxiety and fear.
Our message to all families is simple: We are ready for you. We welcome you. We stand with you. Our staff are trained to protect your children and connect your family to critical resources.
Every city has its stories to tell, and Oxnard certainly has its share. When we think of Oxnard, at least here in this part of California, we might reflexively think of the Mexican, Chinese and Japanese immigrants who built the agricultural backbone of this region. Without their sweat, tears and blood, we would not be the agricultural powerhouse that we are today.
… To clarify, the City of Santa Paula was not invited to participate in the lawsuit. The most recent group of cities to join was added on August 8, 2025, and Santa Paula was not among them. The City is not privy to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s litigation strategy or procedural decisions.
We recognize that this is an important issue for many in our community, and Council has received messages from residents urging the City to join the lawsuit or take other related action. While the City is not a party to this case, Council continues to evaluate issues and opportunities related to protecting the rights and well-being of all Santa Paula residents.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College invited more than 1,800 new students to attend a “Hancock Hello” orientation event on Aug. 12 at the Santa Maria campus.
During the event, the new Bulldog students and their parents were able to learn more about Hancock and the programs and support services the college offers. Attendees met faculty and staff, learned more about college departments and student clubs, and took campus tours.
“I really like Hancock Hello because you get to see all these new faces and help them feel welcome,” said Jaci Rayas, a Hancock student ambassador who worked the event. “It’s great for students and their parents to see everything that’s here for them and see that they have a support system here.”
VENTURA — On Tuesday, August 12, Ventura County Behavioral Health briefed the Board of Supervisors on an emerging public health threat: kratom, an unregulated substance increasingly linked to overdoses and deaths in the county. The update was led by Dr. Tipu Khan of the Ventura County Medical Center’s Addiction Medicine program, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Christopher Young, Ventura County Behavioral Health’s Substance Use Services Medical Director Dr. Joseph Vlaskovits, and Public Health Officer Dr. Uldine Castel.
Gifford Fire Update —
Stay informed about the latest developments in fire containment, current evacuation orders and warnings in Santa Barbara County, and available resources for affected communities.
SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula is proud to highlight the growing regional leadership of its elected officials as they continue to secure influential roles on countywide and regional boards, ensuring Santa Paula’s voice is strongly represented in critical policy decisions.
VENTURA — Starting August 13 and running through September 1, the Ventura Police Department will participate in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
This high-visibility campaign focuses on stopping impaired drivers and preventing the types of deadly crashes often seen over Labor Day weekend. Additional officers will be on patrol looking for drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
VENTURA — On Tuesday, August 12, immigrant and farmworker rights organizers, advocates, and community members will rally at the Ventura County Board of Supervisors meeting to call for the county to invest in legal support for the immigrant community following the recent ICE raids at the Glass House facility in Camarillo.
Residents are urging the Board to adopt two key proposals backed by 805 Immigrant:
$1 million for Ventura County residents facing deportation to keep families together
$1 million in legal support for eligible immigrant families seeking to adjust their status
VENTURA — The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District is issuing an Air Quality Alert because of unhealthy air quality conditions caused by the Canyon Fire. Impacted areas may include, but are not limited to, Piru, Fillmore and Santa Paula.
Smoke from the Canyon Fire has caused air quality to fall into the unhealthy range for the general population, as measured by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Air Quality Index (AQI). Smoke and ash from wildfires contain very small particles — particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less — that can harm the lungs and heart.
SANTA PAULA — As the beginning of the new school year approaches this week, the Santa Paula Police Department reminds residents, parents, students, and school staff to practice caution and safety in observance of drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and school buses.
The first day of school is August 11, 2025. Vehicle and pedestrian traffic will be impacted during drop-off and pickup times. Here are helpful tips for back to school traffic safety:
This simple truth is at the heart of the Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund. It reflects our core belief that every person matters, and that even the smallest act of kindness can spark hope and make a meaningful difference in the life of another.
Since launching this collaborative effort with our partners just one week ago, we have seen an outpouring of love and support. Because of you, more than $105,000 has already been donated (including pledges) to help our neighbors. We have also received heartfelt messages filled with encouragement, personal stories of resilience, and moving affirmations that this fund is both timely and deeply needed. Your generosity is not only financial, but also a powerful reminder that we are not alone, and that our community stands together.
In the following paragraphs, feel free to substitute “tea” (or any other caffeinated drink) for “coffee.”
One of my favorite pastimes in retirement is partaking of coffee with friends or family. That magical, “brew-tiful” time might be spent with my daughter to catch up on her world and that of my grandsons. Or it might mean swapping war stories with a fellow retiree who had spent time in the trenches with me, day after day and year after year.
VENTURA — The City of Ventura is currently accepting applications for open seats on the Housing Authority Board and Water Commission, two of the City’s Council Advisory Groups that help shape important local policies and initiatives.
These advisory bodies offer residents and professionals the opportunity to get involved, lend their expertise, and make a lasting impact in Ventura.
“Housing and water are two big topics of discussion in Ventura, and across the county,” said Assistant City Clerk Darrick Ryser. “Serving on a council advisory group is an opportunity to directly impact those local decisions and policies. It requires volunteers who are committed and passionate about the community.”
SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! (Viva) is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated 2025-2026 season, marking 20 years of celebrating community, culture, and connection through the arts. This milestone season features an outstanding lineup of Latine performers guaranteed to captivate audiences throughout Santa Barbara County.
Viva will present five acclaimed acts that exemplify the vibrant and diverse cultural heritage of Latin America, in a special year commemorating Viva’s 20th season, with multiple opportunities for the community to celebrate together throughout the year.
Upcoming artists include: Grupo Bella, Gabby Moreno, Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles, Las Cafeteras, Ballet Folklórico del Rio Grande
I never thought I’d see the day when I would waver in my belief that the pursuit of a four-year college degree was a good choice for a young person. But that day has arrived. Yes, I’m wavering.
SANTA PAULA — After several months of operating a temporary Public Lobby at the City’s Community Development Building, the Santa Paula Police Department is re-opening its Public Lobby for business hours at 214 S. 10th St. The re-opening begins Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Renovations, including several needed improvements, were recently completed and include safety features for police employees and the public. The Police Department Public Lobby is open for business hours Monday through Thursday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. The Public Lobby will also be open every other Friday, beginning this Friday, August 1, 2025.
CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF), in partnership with the County of Ventura, Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE), Economic Development Collaborative (EDC), Ventura County P-20 Council, Weingart Foundation, Ventura County Economic Development Association (VCEDA), Ventura County Credit Union (VCCU), League of Women Voters of Ventura County, Museum of Ventura County, Isabella Project, Social Justice Fund for Ventura County, Montecito Bank & Trust, Premier America Credit Union, County Schools Federal Credit Union, McCune Foundation and many others announced on June 28 the launch of the Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund—a united, community-wide effort to support local families and small businesses experiencing sudden hardship and disruption.
SANTA PAULA — Building on the success of its inaugural cohort last spring, the City of Santa Paula is now accepting applications for the second cohort of the Santa Paula Future Leaders Academy, a 9-week program designed to give residents and business owners a behind-the-scenes look into city management and operations.
Cohort II will run from September 11, 2025 through November 6, 2025, with sessions held on Thursday evenings from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at various city facilities. This unique program provides residents with in-depth knowledge about our streets and roads, city finances, homeless issues, youth and senior programs, police and fire, and other key city services.
