Category: Events

Bilingual report — The latest news from the County of Ventura

Join us at the 1st Annual Government & Disability Summit taking place September 24 – 27th here in Ventura!

We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca Cokley, the first U.S. Program Officer for Disability Rights at the Ford Foundation and a three-time Presidential Appointee under the Obama Administration. Rebecca served at the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and the White House where she oversaw diversity and inclusion efforts. Don’t miss her keynote speech at this groundbreaking event!

Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara announces incoming board members

SANTA BARBARA— The Music Academy of the West recently elected two distinguished community leaders to its Board of Directors: Montecito residents Andrea Hein, a retired entertainment industry executive, and Harrison M. (Mac) Bains, Jr., a retired banking and finance executive.

First District Supervisor Das Williams — Lake Fire, free computer training in Carpinteria, other updates

Let’s all give our collective praise to our firefighters and emergency personnel, who have made significant progress fighting the Lake Fire. As of yesterday evening, the Lake Fire is now 38% contained.

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) have lifted the Air Quality Alert in the Santa Ynez Valley. The Air Quality Watch will remain in place countywide, and air quality conditions are forecasted to be good to moderate throughout the county

A number of evacuation orders and warnings have been canceled. When returning home, it is important to exercise caution, as public safety and utility vehicles continue to perform operations in the area.

One805LIVE! (Sept. 20) Announces Full 2024 Line-up, with exciting additions, including the Santa Barbara Symphony

“We wanted to give our audience a great mix of entertainment across the musical spectrum, with rock ‘n’ roll at its core,” said Kirsten Cavendish Weston Smith, One805 Co-Founder and CEO. “The Santa Barbara Symphony will be a spectacular addition to the evening, as they accompany selected artists with the depth of sound an orchestra brings.“ said Cavendish Weston Smith. “Our audiences will see unique performances that have literally never been done before, nor are they likely to ever see again.”

The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard is the Hotspot for Summer Fun

OXNARD — Hip, Hip, Hooray for Hot Summer Days! The Collection at RiverPark will be the location of various summertime events and family-friendly activities, including Kids Club, outdoor concerts and even a fan night for The Dallas Cowboys. These events are open to the community, and offer opportunities for residents to turn the coming months into a memorable summer. 

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

SCORE: FUND YOUR BUSINESS WITH SPONSORS, EVEN IF YOU’RE JUST STARTING OUT

July 16 @ 10:00 am

Would you like to do what you love and have someone else foot the bill? Have you ever considered corporate sponsors for your business, show, book, charity, speaking or events? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this webinar is for you! America’s most successful companies partner with sponsors. Why not you? Linda Hollander can help you. She is the author of the #1 best-selling book, Corporate Sponsorship in 3 Easy Steps, and Sponsor Concierge’s CEO. Linda has consulted with many entrepreneurs to help them profit from the incredible power of corporate sponsors and has 20 years of experience in business. Her corporate sponsors have included Microsoft, Wells Fargo, Epson, Citibank, Fed Ex, Health Net, Southwest Airlines, Bank of America, Staples, American Airlines, Walmart and IBM.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

VC Arts Call to Artists — Atrium Gallery Art Show – ‘Motivated By Passion

Calling all Ventura County artists! What is your passion? Artists might produce art that IS their passion, such as painting or sculpture, but also aspects of life such as the outdoors represented in landscape paintings, car cruising, bird watching, etc. This show invites you to present works that convey your passion! This is a juried show that will award monetary prizes to the first, second, and third place winners.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Discoveries from Disasters: A conversation with oceanographer David Valentine’ and more news, events

The professor’s expertise drives impactful research on marine contamination and oil spills. Here he discusses his work behind the headlines, balancing science, policy and people.

Spectacular 4th Annual Hueneme Beach “Show and Shine Car Show” Fundraiser Spotlights Cars and Community to Support Local Police Explorers Program

PORT OF HUENEME — The 4th annual Hueneme Beach “Show and Shine Car Show,” held on June 10, 2024, was a special event that brought together car enthusiasts from the Central Coast to enjoy an afternoon of live music and a stunning array of more than 100 classic, modern, lowrider, and exotic cars. This free showcase of unique vehicles served to benefit the Port Hueneme Police Explorers who organized and hosted this daylong event.

Bilingual report — Uniting in Remembrance: Ventura’s tribute to 9/11 heroes

VENTURA — The Ventura Fire Department, in collaboration with the Ventura Fire Foundation, proudly invites local first responders and community members to participate in a Memorial Stair Climb on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza, located at 450 E. Harbor Boulevard.

This event commemorates a 110-story climb, mirroring the height of the World Trade Center towers, as a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who responded to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The stair climb is designed to accommodate participants of all fitness levels, allowing each individual to honor the fallen heroes at their own pace.

One805 Announces Alan Parsons as Musical Director for One805Live! Fall Concert

SANTA BARBARA — One805 is thrilled to announce that 13-time Grammy Award nominee and Grammy Award winner, recording artist, songwriter, musician, and record producer Alan Parsons O.B.E. will be the Musical Director for the One805Live! Fall Concert. Headlining the concert at Kevin Costner’s estate in Carpenteria is Pink and Dallas Green performing as the duo Me + You. The concert will feature additional performances from Grammy Award winners Kenny Loggins and Richard Marx. 

Ventura County Music Festival announces youth music summer camp, concerts through Aug. 4

Join us this Summer for music and fun!

Two Sessions & Scholarships Available

July 22-26 at NAMBA Arts, Ventura

July 29-August 2 at Ojai Underground, Ojai

Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Daily Sessions)

Ages: 11-20, Groups: Intermediate & Advanced

MVC’s Year in Review – Fostering Curiosity, Compassion, and Connection!

For over 100 years, the Museum of Ventura County (MVC) has been dedicated to preserving and sharing the diverse stories of our region. We believe that these stories have the power to spark curiosity, inspire compassion, and foster connection in everyone they reach.

We ask you to consider making a donation to MVC so we can continue championing these stories. Whether that is a sustaining monthly donation or a one-time gift, we hope your donation empowers you to find agency within and beyond MVC’s doors.

Together, we can transform curiosity into action, compassion into change, and inspire a future where every individual feels empowered to share, learn, and grow.

Thank you for your support of the Museum of Ventura County. We look forward to seeing you soon!

The Greater Contribution ‘Move 2 Empower’ fundraiser kicks off July 7-20

THOUSAND OAKS — The Greater Contribution in Thousand Oaks is on the move to empower women in remote villages in Uganda. 

A special “Move 2 Empower” online fundraiser July 7-20 kicks off a vital mission to help provide micro loans and training to women in remote villages, so they have the tools and support needed to provide for their families.

If that sounds personal, it is. More than 31,000 micro loans have been issued since the non-profit was founded in 2006 by Thousand Oaks resident Karon Wright. Thousands of lives have been changed, and with a loan repayment rate of 98%, future generations share in each success.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

SBA: WOSB – OFFICE HOUR FOR REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFIS)

July 2 @ 8:30 am

The Women-Owned Small Business Program has a new webinar series: WOSB Office Hour for RFIs! This series is intended for applicants who have applied to the become WOSB/EDWOSB certified who have received a Request for Information (RFIs) but are unsure of how to move forward in responding to the RFI. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions in an open forum on how to respond to RFIs from members of the WOSB staff. Sessions will be held virtually every Tuesday and Thursday of each week at 11:30 am until 1:00 pm EST.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Summer at the Santa Paula Art Museum

Premiere Party:

“Douglas Shively and Friends”

Saturday, July 13, 2024 • 4 PM to 6 PM

$5 SPAM Members • $10 Non-members

Join us for the premiere of “Douglas Shively and Friends” at the Santa Paula Art Museum! The exhibition features over 50 original artworks by historic Santa Paula artist Douglas Shively and friends, a group of painters who epitomize the Southern California fine art scene of the 1920s and ’30s, including Jessie and Cornelis Botke, Robert Clunie, John Cotton, Lawrence Hinckley, Ralph Holmes, George Demont Otis, Paul Sample, F. Grayson Sayre, and Nell Walker Warner.

“Douglas Shively and Friends” will be on view from July 13, 2024, to November 3, 2024.

Island Packers Debuts 2024 Summer Schedule Highlighting Specialty Trips To The Channel Islands National Park & Summer Whale Watching

VENTURA — With the official beginning of Summer Solstice this month, visitors can now board an Island Packers vessel to experience cruises and specialty trips as part of the company’s full transportation schedule to the Channel Islands National Park, in addition to popular Summer whale watching. To book, visit www.islandpackers.com and visit https://www.venturaharborvillage.com/directory/island-packers/ 

Trips from Ventura Harbor are offered on select days and Island Packers, the official concessionaire to the Channel Island National Park, recommends that visitors make a reservation in advance. 

Music Academy of the West announces 2024 Alumni Enterprise Awardee Corin Lee

SANTA BARBARA — The Music Academy of the West, now in its 77th Summer Music Festival season which runs through August 3, has awarded Music Academy alum Corin Lee the 2024 Alumni Enterprise Award (AEA) for his innovative endeavor VR Practice.

The AEA, among the Music Academy’s robust alumni efforts, supports and funds innovative projects in artistic expression, audience development, education, community engagement, social justice, and technology.

Museum of Ventura County — Join us for a special event – McCartney Tea Fundraiser!

McCartney Tea Fundraiser –
With Ivor Davis

Saturday, July 13
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main St., Ventura

Join us for a Museum of Ventura County fundraiser that offers an extraordinary afternoon with Ruth and Angie McCartney, interviewed by renowned author Ivor Davis. Enjoy authentic English tea service as we hear enchanting stories about the life of Paul McCartney. The event will feature a captivating Q&A session, offering you the chance to connect directly with our special guests. Don’t miss this unique blend of British charm and rock ‘n’ roll history!

?Cost is $80 per person, more details can be found HERE. All proceeds directly support MVC. Don’t wait, ticket sales end on July 9th! Have PayPal? Reduce service fees by purchasing tickets at MVC’s PayPal Link.

Bilingual report — City of Ventura announces reopening of the Ventura Pier

“The reopening of the Ventura Pier marks a celebratory moment for our community. I am thankful for the swift, coordinated efforts of city staff, the County of Ventura, various state agencies, and our community partners like the Ventura Port District—Harbor Patrol, the Coastal Commission, State Parks, and Pier into the Future,” commented Ventura Mayor Joe Schroeder. “Their hard work has ensured the pier’s safety with effective emergency responses, debris clearance, and coastal mitigation efforts and helped preserve an essential piece of our local heritage. We eagerly anticipate welcoming the community back to this cherished landmark.”

Who has the Best Michelada in Ventura County? Find out at the 2024 CHELITA: Arts, Music and Miches Festival returning to Downtown Oxnard July 13

OXNARD — OPAC, the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Nonprofit Corporation, is excited to announce the return of CHELITA: Art, Music and Micheladas Festival on Saturday, July 13 at Heritage Square in Downtown Oxnard. The event features a Michelada Competition with 11+ competitors vying for the title of Best Michelada (Restaurant Category), Best Michelada Mix (Artisan Vendors), and People’s Choice. The big question is: Will last year’s winner, Jalisco’s Restaurant, maintain their champion status or will they be dethroned? 

CHELITA is set to transform Heritage Square into a dynamic hub of creativity, fostering an environment where art, music, interactivity, and gastronomy collide to create an unforgettable experience for attendees of all ages. 

Bilingual report — Ventura Police deploy new drone technology to enforce Fourth of July fireworks ban

VENTURA — With the Fourth of July approaching, the Ventura Police Department reminds community members that all fireworks are illegal within city limits. This year, the department is implementing new technology to enhance community safety and enforce the fireworks ban.…

Grammy Award-Winner and Prolific Singer/Songwriter Richard Marx Joins One805Live! Fall Concert Line-up on Sept. 20

SANTA BARBARA — One805 is honored to announce that Grammy award-winning recording artist and professional songwriter Richard Marx is the newest addition to the One805Live! Fall concert line-up on September 20, 2024, at Kevin Costner’s estate in Summerland. The concert will also feature Pink and Dallas Green (City and Color), performing as the duo You + Me, and a performance with Kenny Loggins, 2024 Heart of the Community Award recipient for One805. 

Bilingual report — Teatro de las Américas — La Fiesta de Margaret (June 29) | Prácticas Teatrales | Luchadora! CASTING CALL

Let’s Celebrate our Friend

Margaret Cortese

Historic Director of Teatro de las Américas.

The party will be held Saturday June 29 From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. At Teatro’s facilities at

321 W. 6th Street, Oxnard, CA

Please bring a dish to share

First District Supervisor Das Williams — Statement Regarding Loss of Life of Local Teen

My heart was broken to hear of the death of one of our local youth as the result of a train strike last week. This is a horrifying accident, and as a parent, it deeply pains me to imagine the grief that this young man’s loved ones are going through right now.

The County Behavioral Wellness team is offering resources and supportfor anyone who is affected by this tragedy. The Community Wellness Team can be reached at 805-364-2750.

Santa Paula Art Museum — Get to Know Two of Our Favorite Artists!

Saturday, June 22, 2024 • 12 PM to 1:15 PM

Free for everyone

Acclaimed Ventura artist and retired Ventura College art professor Hiroko Yoshimoto invites you to her free lecture on the history of Chinese characters from the Han period and how they derived from pictographs. The lecture will be hosted inside the Santa Paula Art Museum’s Cole Creativity Center (123 N 10th Street). Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Museum of Ventura County Announces 2024 Bonita C. McFarland Scholarship Recipients and Artists & Amplifiers Fête Celebration 

VENTURA COUNTY — The Museum of Ventura County (MVC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Bonita C. McFarland Scholarship for the Visual Arts. This year, a total of $11,000 has been awarded to four promising art students from Ventura County. Artworks by our four finalists are currently exhibited in MVC’s Helen Yunker Alcove, on view from June 8 to October 13.

MVC’s Fine Arts Committee selected four finalists and three honorable mentions from a competitive pool of applicants. The 2024 winning finalist portfolios belong to: Emmalynn Tsai (Oak Park), Audrey Abbe (Ventura), Jami Chambers (Ventura), and Wren Stepan (Ventura). Honorable mention portfolios belong to: Angel Gabriel Garcia (Oxnard), Gabriella Mortillaro (Oak Park), and Wylde Brandt (Ventura). 

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Honoring Pride Month

The Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) would like to recognize Pride Month. Observed annually in June, Pride Month is a time to uplift and celebrate the the LGBTQ+ community. EDC is committed to supporting LGBTQ+ innovators and entrepreneurs and strives to provide equitable access to inclusive services year-round.

The EDC is proud to support our community by providing professional technical assistance through our Small Business Development Center.

First District Supervisor Das Williams — County Budget Funds Bluffs Preservation, Homelessness Reduction, and More

This week the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt the 2024-2025 County Budget. Due to rising costs and lingering State budget challenges, we took a tough approach this year to limit new expenditures. Despite that, this budget contains a remarkable trend against borrowing from our future. That means continuing to fund our roads to maintain the quality index, continuing homelessness reduction programs, and investing in technology and environmental preservation initiatives to move us closer to meeting climate change goals. Making progress on all of these things will take more than just a couple years of work; they require sustained efforts. Check out the video above to see some of the highlights of the Budget.

UCSB — The Current — ‘UCSB’s ÉXITO Program graduates third cohort of future ethnic studies teachers amidst rising attacks on ethnic studies’ and more news, events

Designed for highly motivated students, the first of its kind program in the UC system provides undergraduates with a clearly structured pathway to becoming credentialed K-12 teachers.  

Read more about ÉXITO

Santa Paula Art Museum — Inbox Art Exhibit: ‘From Field to Frame: The PAC6 Show How It’s Done’

On view now through Sunday, July 7, 2024

There are less than four weeks left to see “From Field to Frame: The PAC6 Show How It’s Done” at the Santa Paula Art Museum. PAC6 is a group of six women artists from Southern California who travel and paint together across the country. The artists are Linda Brown, Marian Fortunati, Nita Harper, Debra Holladay, Laura Wambsgans, and Sharon Weaver.

Guest contribution — Ventura County nurses and health care professionals to hold ‘Speak Out’ to save Santa Paula Hospital ICU and birthing center from closure

“As an OB nurse at SPH, I have witnessed numerous deliveries within 30 minutes of arrival,” said Carol Lundstrom, RN in the birthing center unit at SPH. “With our unit closed women risk unattended roadside deliveries while on the way to Ventura County Medical Center. There are so many things that can go wrong with a delivery such as pre-eclampsia and hypertensive crisis, where the pregnant woman could seize or have a stroke, or a postpartum hemorrhage where a woman can lose up to half the volume of their blood, or an infant who needs resuscitation. All of these scenarios, require immediate and intensive care by knowledgeable physicians and nurses with specializations in obstetrics.”

Museum of Ventura County’s Ventura campus is open and showcasing new exhibitions!

NOW OPEN — InnoVision: Ventura County

Artists to Watch

InnoVision is an interactive exhibition that highlights the work of nine Ventura County artists. Through their innovative use of common materials, they create installations that reflect their personal visions and views of current issues such as the environment, immigration, identity, the housing shortage, and changing land usage in Ventura County.  

UCSB Arts & Lectures announces its 65th anniversary 2024-2025 season featuring more than 47 events

Highlights include An Evening with the legendary Yo-Yo Ma; Wynton Marsalis Ensemble performing live to LOUIS, a silent film; lectures by the inimitable Anne Lamott, online education pioneer Salman Khan, and bestselling cookbook author Yotam Ottolenghi; dance performances by Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Twyla Tharp Dance; the return of the Speaking with Pico series featuring bestselling authors Richard Powers and Yung Pueblo, and performance artist Marina Abramovi?; R&B titan Mavis Staples and the Grammy-winning blues powerhouse Larkin Poe; outstanding classical artists including Itzhak Perlman and Friends, the London Philharmonic Orchestra with violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja, and two performances by soprano Julia Bullock

Family Service Agency (FSA) announces Senior Expo Exhibitor Registration Opens June 14

SANTA BARBARA — Family Service Agency (FSA) today announced that the 33rd Annual Senior Expo of Santa Barbara, the largest active aging fair in our area, will take place on Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. Sponsorship and exhibitor registration opens Friday, June 14. Exhibit space is expected to sell out and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Sponsors and exhibitors have the opportunity to engage more than 1,000 local seniors and caregivers with information about products and services to help them lead active, healthy lives.” said Lisa Brabo, FSA CEO. “We are really proud that the Senior Expo, now in its 33rd year, continues to provide a comfortable atmosphere for folks to ask questions and learn about what is available in our community to support them.” 

UCSB — The Current — ‘A week’s worth of commencement activities will celebrate 6,875 graduates for 2023–2024’ and more news, events

With the College of Creative Studies commencement festivities already in the books, eight more ceremonies remain in UC Santa Barbara’s graduation lineup for the Class of 2024.

One805 Announces Kenny Loggins as its 2024 Heart of the Community Award Recipient

VENTURA — One805 announces Grammy-winning recording artist Kenny Loggins as its 2024 Heart of the Community Award recipient. The award recognizes individuals who have shown outstanding dedication to giving back to the community.  Prior recipients have included Kevin Costner, and One805 founding board member Alan Parsons.

Kenny Loggings will receive the award on-stage at the One805Live! Fall Concert on September 20, 2024 at Kevin Costner’s oceanside estate in Summerland. The concert will headline Pink and Dallas Green (City and Color), performing as the duo You + Me. 

Museum of Ventura County’s Exhibitions Opening (on June 8), more news

You’re invited to join us for an Exhibition Opening! We will be celebrating the unveiling of our two new exhibitions: Masters from the Museum of Ventura County Collection and InnoVision: Ventura County Artists to Watch! Join us to enjoy the opening of these unique and innovative art exhibitions, which showcase the past, present, and future of art in Ventura County. Cash bar and food truck, Indulgia, will be available! Dress to impress! This is a FREE community event, please register HERE.

Exhibition Opening made possible in part by Amigo Event Rentals, Hofer Properties, HP Media, In The Mix Events, Kirby Subaru of Ventura, Peirano’s, Ventura Auto Center, Ventura County Balloons, Ventura County Credit Union, and Ventura Spirits.
RSVP TODAY!

Bilingual report — Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project — Oxnard Guelaguetza Festival 2024! (June 23)

OXNARD — Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) is inviting the public to its annual Oxnard Guelaguetza Festival, which will be held on June 23, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Plaza Park in Oxnard: 500 S. C Street, Oxnard, CA, 93030.  

MICOP was founded in 2001 “to support, organize, and empower the Indigenous immigrant community in California’s Central Coast.” MICOP serves over 12,000 unduplicated Indigenous migrant men, women, and children annually across Santa Barbara, Ventura & San Luis Obispo County. MICOP organizes and trains the indigenous migrant community to become self-sufficient and successful members of the broader community. 

Coalition for Clean Air Announces California Clean Air Day 2024 Microgrant Program

Nonprofit organizations and government agencies are encouraged to partner and apply for grants of up to $1,000 to support their California Clean Air Day projects. Eligible projects must take place within the seven days leading up to or following October 2, 2024, California Clean Air Day.

Program Requirements:

Bilingual report — Celebrate Safely and Enjoy a Dazzling Drone Show in Santa Paula this Fourth of July

“While we have many reasons to celebrate in the coming weeks with family and friends, I strongly encourage my fellow Santa Paulans to avoid the use of illegal fireworks,” said Santa Paula Mayor Leslie Cornejo. “Fireworks can create unsafe and dangerous conditions for our entire community, and there are many other ways to celebrate whether it be a family gathering or barbecue, outdoor activities, or attending the Rotary Club and City of Santa Paula’s first ever 4th of July drone show.”

County of Santa Barbara June Newsletter

County Board of Supervisors Budget Hearing Set for
June 11

The County of Santa Barbara has released its Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25. Check out some of the highlights of the budget by clicking the play button, and join us on June 11 for the County’s Budget Hearing.