Category: Family

Exploring Lompoc, California’s Native Roots

LOMPOC — History lovers and cultural enthusiasts, don’t miss your chance to get up close and personal with one of California’s most storied regions! Long before Lompoc became known for its colorful murals and lush wine country, it was part of a vast territory (over 7,000 square miles!) inhabited by the Chumash people. These Indigenous communities thrived along California’s Central Coast for thousands of years, leaving behind a legacy of art, innovation, and resilience.

The Chumash were skilled artisans, engineers, and seafarers whose traditions and innovations continue to inspire today. Here’s how you can immerse yourself in their incredible history and culture while visiting Lompoc and its surrounding areas.

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) — Arte del Pueblo Assembly (Hope to see you this evening)

In the spirit of community and creativity, we warmly invite you to join us tomorrow for the Arte Del Pueblo Assembly, a gathering where artists and art lovers can connect, support one another, and engage in meaningful dialogue. 

Come together in this open forum to reflect on the state of contemporary art today, share your voice, and uplift each other’s visions. Let’s build bridges through mindful conversation and collective inspiration.  

Your presence and perspective matter, see you there!

Bilingual report — Ronald Miller II appointed Chief Probation Officer for the Ventura County Probation Agency

“We’re very excited to welcome Ronald Miller to our team as he steps into this important leadership role,” shared 4th District Supervisor, Janice Parvin, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “We’re confident that his longstanding experience and proven leadership will guide the agency forward with success. His deep commitment to community investment, combined with an extensive career in law enforcement, makes him exceptionally well-suited to lead the Ventura County Probation Agency.”

Bilingual report — County of Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors to hold meeting

View this email online The next regular meeting of the County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for  9 a.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2025 County Administration Building Board Hearing Room, Fourth Floor 105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara The public may participate…

Summer Bucket List in Lompoc: Your Guide to Sunshine-Fueled Fun

LOMPOC — Ready to make this summer unforgettablke?  Lompoc is calling! From flower fields to fine wine, skydives to sunsets, this Central Coast gem is full of sunny advenfures.  Whether your’re planning a weekend escape or a season-long staycation, this summer bucket list will help you squeeze every drop of fun of your Lompoc days.

Let’s dive in!

Please join the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation for opening of a new exhibit at Casa de la Guerra, ‘Telling Stories of Mexican California: Real Life & Myth Making’ from June 26 through Aug. 31

SANTA BARBARA — Though it lasted less than three decades, California’s Mexican period (1822–1846) helped shape the distribution of land, wealth, and power after California officially entered the union in 1850.

Telling Stories of Mexican California reflects on this past, and how romanticized retellings made lasting impacts on the state’s culture and popular understandings of its history.

Bilingual report — Santa Paula celebrates a successful State of the City event

SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula proudly hosted its first independent State of the City event on June 12, 2025, marking a departure from previous joint events traditionally held with the Chamber of Commerce. With more than 176 guests in attendance, the evening was a vibrant celebration of community, progress, and civic engagement, and by all accounts, a resounding success.

Held at the Ventura County Agriculture Museum, the evening began with a festive outdoor reception featuring live folklórico dancing by Proyecto Esperanza, musical performances by local group Chucumite, and hors d’oeuvres provided by local favorites including Flight 126, El Capricho, Mr. Shrimp, and Parque 1055. The community came together to enjoy food, music, and connection before moving indoors for formal remarks and presentations.

SEEAG’s Summer Celebration on Aug. 16 to honor local farmers, support ag education and raise funds for proposed new 2.5 acre educational farm campus

The Summer Celebration will be held at the Ventura County Agricultural Museum in Santa Paula. Guests will enjoy the flavors of summer with brunch stations, appetizers, and locally crafted beverages curated by Seasons Catering—featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients from SEEAG’s farm partners and artisanal products from Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Attendees can learn about SEEAG’s programs, be the first to view its vision for its new farm campus, explore the museum’s current exhibition, enjoy live music, and participate in a live auction. 

Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara announces winner of 2025 Solo Piano Concerto Competition

SANTA BARBARA — The Music Academy of the West is thrilled to announce that Min Joo Yi has been selected as the winner of the 2025 Solo Piano Concerto Competition, held on June 20 at Hahn Hall as part of the Music Academy’s 2025 Summer Music Festival & School.

Min Joo Yi captivated the audience and a panel of judges with a commanding interpretation of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37, earning the opportunity to perform as part of the Santa Barbara Symphony’s Beethoven Piano Concerto Marathon on Saturday, January 17, 2026 — the first concert in a two-concert weekend showcasing all five of Beethoven’s piano concertos, each performed by a winner of an international piano competition. In addition to this prestigious performance opportunity, the winner receives a $2,500 award from the Music Academy.

County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — Emergency preparedness events to be held June 25, 26, July 10, 17, 24

Our community has been deeply impacted by the tragedy of wildfire. We’ve seen firsthand the devastation it can bring — to our homes, our environment, and our sense of safety. That’s why it’s more important than ever to be prepared and take action before the next disaster strikes.

First, I hope you’ll join us for Wildfire Safety Day — a free, family-friendly event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on Wednesday, June 25, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. This fun and informative day will include:

Friendship Center Adult Day Services — Caregivers are carrying so much – Can you help lighten the load?

Although Friendship Center’s main mission is to provide compassionate care for seniors living with dementia, we don’t stop there. We know it takes a village to provide care for someone else, and it is often a spouse, adult child, or sibling who are key components of one’s support system. It is important to us that not only are our program attendees are cared for, but that their caregivers feel supported during their loved ones journey with dementia.

Bilingual report — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) — Cleaver & Clark Commons in SLO: Pre-Applications Coming Soon | Cleaver & Clark Commons: Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles pronto

Pre-applications available Tuesday, July 8, 9AM at pshhc.org/CCC
Pre-solicitudes disponibles el martes 8 de julio a las 9AM en pshhc.org/CCC

TruNorth Jets in Camarillo welcomes pets on board as private air travel with dogs takes off

CAMARILLO — As more families embrace their pets as essential travel companions, TruNorth Jets is excited to officially welcome dogs and cats aboard its private jet charters.

The move reflects a fast-growing trend in pet-friendly private aviation. With hectic airports, unpredictable delays and cramped cargo holds, commercial air travel can be stressful for pets and their owners. Private air travel offers a far more peaceful alternative, giving travelers the chance to keep their pets right by their side in a quiet, luxurious cabin.

Stuff the Bus — Help United Way of Ventura County provide backpacks with essential school supplies for 1,000 local homeless youth

United Way’s Stuff the Bus campaign aims to increase school readiness of homeless youth and lessen the financial burden of back-to-school expenses on their families. Over 8,000 youth have been identified as homeless in Ventura County. The average cost for back-to-school supplies for one child is almost $600, which can be a challenge for low-income families.

Museum of Ventura County — Photography Workshop with Diego Huerta, more events

Saturday, August 16
3 – 8 p.m.
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street., Ventura

Diego Huerta, the resident photographer behind the Enfoque exhibition and internationally acclaimed for documenting Indigenous communities throughout the Americas, leads this outdoor portrait workshop at Surfer’s Point. Designed for intermediate to advanced photographers ages 16 and up, the 60–90 minute session focuses on using natural light, flash, and strobe to create compelling portraiture.

?Participants must bring a DSLR or mirrorless camera, tripod, filters, lenses, and lighting gear. Be prepared to navigate uneven terrain and embrace changing weather conditions—this workshop runs rain or shine. Dinner is included after the session. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to learn from a master in the field. Cost: $250 non-members, 15% off members. Register HERE.

City of Ventura — Marina Park Playground now open

VENTURA — The City of Ventura is thrilled to officially open Marina Park’s new playground, delivering a modern and thoughtfully designed play space for the Pierpont Bay community and surrounding areas.

Local dignitaries, City staff, project partners, and community members gathered on Tuesday, June 24, for a celebratory ribbon-cutting to commemorate this exciting milestone. 

Bilingual commentary — Compassion vs. Caution on the Street

Having more time to walk the streets of the Oxnard and Ventura areas lately, I find myself navigating a world that had not been entirely apparent to me in the past. I am more aware now of the great number of people who are distressed, troubled, and immersed in mental illness.

Their plight becomes obvious as I witness people who are talking animatedly with themselves—sometimes cheerfully, but too often they are angry and threatening. It’s hard to feel safe when someone close by is screaming something such as, “I’m gonna kill every single person I find!”

Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan denounces sharing of Medicaid enrollment data with Department of Homeland Security

CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP), the local Medi-Cal plan for Ventura County, is deeply concerned about the possibility of sensitive Medicaid enrollment data—including names, addresses, and immigration statuses—being shared with the Department of Homeland Security as reported by the Associated Press. According to the article, the data sharing was conducted “despite internal objections from Medicaid officials” and without consent from states, health plans, or members.

The data includes information from individuals in various states, including California, that allow those with “unsatisfactory immigration status” to enroll in Medicaid programs funded by state dollars.

“This breach is not just a policy failure—it is a moral one,” said Dr. Felix Nuñez, GCHP’s chief executive officer. “Trust is the foundation of our health system. Undermining that trust by turning health care into a tool of immigration enforcement jeopardizes the well-being of entire communities. We must protect the right to seek care without fear.”

UCSB Arts & Lectures announces the 2025-2026 Season Lineup

SANTA BARBARA —  UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L), the Central Coast’s premier arts presenting organization, announces its 2025-2026 season of live events. Series subscriptions go on sale Wednesday, June 18 at 10 a.m. Single tickets go on sale Tuesday, August 19 at 10 a.m. UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) offers a wide range of phenomenal cultural and artistic experiences in 2025-2026 – from fascinating talks by today’s thought leaders to command performances by some of the world’s premier dance companies, actors and musicians – at venues from UCSB to downtown Santa Barbara and beyond. The 2025-2026 season includes an exciting mix of returning friends, rising stars and new discoveries. This upcoming season is particularly rich in premieres, debuts and works commissioned by Arts & Lectures. 

NeighborWorks Week 2025: Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. brings vital resources to residents

VENTURA COUNTY — Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (Cabrillo EDC) concluded its 2025 NeighborWorks Week celebrations with two community-focused events that brought critical services and resources directly to residents. Under this year’s theme, “Creating Homes, Building America,” Cabrillo EDC’s resource fairs united neighbors, service providers, and local leaders to facilitate connections and opportunities.

Bilingual report — June news from Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH)

June is Homeownership Month and so I would like to shine a special light on our own Home Ownership department: the oldest team in our organization, the very reason we were founded 55 years ago. If you haven’t yet had a chance to check out some of People’s Self-Help Housing’s amazing early history, you can do that right here!

Of course, it is the incredible owner-builders themselves, the people who learn to dig, saw, hammer, and drill, who have been the stars of the show ever since the self-help program began. The physical and emotional investment made by the over 1,200 families who have completed building with us since 1970 is of a magnitude few of us could commit to. Usually over 40 hours a week (on top of regular day jobs!), 14 months of construction, and the desire to push through whatever the weather, or the date on the calendar.

Our organization has many facets which help those just trying to have a safe, decent, and affordable place to enjoy life. I hope you’ll join me this month in recognizing the efforts and achievements of just one of those – affordable homeownership.

Ventura Land Trust acquires Welcome Center Building

The building, which closed escrow on March 31, will house a Welcome Center open to the public and VLT offices. The Welcome Center will have exhibits and information on VLT preserves and the natural history of the region, as well as meeting and event space. Remodeling and exhibit design for the ground-floor Welcome Center is starting now.

Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) — Reminder: Cypress Place (Oxnard) Pre-Applications due Tuesday, June 24 | Recordatorio: Cypress Place Las pre-solicitudes deben entregarse el martes 24 de junior

Reminder: pre-applications due Tuesday, June 24 at 5PM
Recordatorio: pre-solicitudes deben entregarse el martes 24 de junio a las 5PM

Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors to meet June 24

View this email online The next regular meeting of the County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for  9 a.m. Tuesday, June 24, 2025 County Administration Building Board Hearing Room, Fourth Floor 105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara The public may participate…

Bilingual report — Ventura County Board of Supervisors approves $3.23B budget for fiscal year 2025-2026

“The adoption of this balanced budget underscores our strong commitment to using public funds wisely, especially as we navigate an evolving economic landscape,” said 4th District Supervisor, Janice Parvin, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “While we face unknowns at the state and federal levels that could impact future funding, this budget positions us to respond with resilience. This is a budget built on prudence, purpose, and a deep commitment to responsibly utilize taxpayer funds for the well-being of our community.”

Ventura Music Festival — Summer is in the Box Office!

See what’s up next, join the VMF volunteer party, and get your Summer tickets! OTTMAR LIEBERT Friday, June 27 at 7:00 PM The Majestic Ventura Theater Information & Tickets Prepare for an unforgettable evening as 5-time GRAMMYnominee Ottmar Liebert brings…

County of Ventura Supervisor Jeff Gorell — Wildfire and Emergency Preparedness presentations — Are you ready?

want to personally invite you to attend one of the Wildfire and Emergency Preparedness presentations I am offering across District 2. I have worked closely with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) and the Ventura County Fire Department to make sure these valuable presentations are available to the public — because when it comes to protecting our families and homes, preparedness truly saves lives.

These community presentations will cover key topics like wildfire risks in our area, how to create defensible space around your home, evacuation planning, emergency alerts, and other practical steps you can take now to be ready.

I am thankful to have Fire and Sheriff Emergency Service experts available to offer four opportunities for you to attend this same presentation, held at Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) meetings throughout District 2 on the following dates:

Friendship Adult Day Care Center in Santa Barbara — Do you have a Deysi?

While Deysi’s official title is Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access (DEIA) & Wellness Coordinator, the work she does and love she shares with our programs impacts every aspect of Friendship Center! Born and raised in Colombia and trained as a professional educator and dancer (fun fact: she came to the US to study at the prestigious Julliard), Deysi shares her culture and multitude of talents with our members, caregivers, staff and the greater community. She recently celebrated the one year anniversary of her one of a kind program, Herencia Latina, that celebrates the heritage and experiences of Spanish-speaking Latino older adults while catering the activities to accommodate all cognitive and physical abilities in a dignified and respectful manner.

MICOP — With Dignity & Respect: ICE Out of Ventura County! See related news stories here

(Amigos805.com Editor’s Note: Also see national new stories about immigration raids in the 805 region courtesy of ABC7 News, KTLA 5, NBC LA and MSNBC.

VENTURA — In response to escalating federal immigration raids, the deployment of National Guard troops at peaceful protests in Los Angeles, and the confirmed presence of ICE activity across Ventura County the “ICE Out of Ventura County and 805 Immigrant Coalition,” with community partners held a press conference on June 12 in front of the County of Ventura Government Center.

“ICE Out of Ventura County” is a call to action against the ongoing criminalization and militarization targeting our immigrant and Indigenous neighbors.

(MICOP also announced that a press conference was also on June 12 at the Joseph Centeno Betteravia Administration Building in Santa Maria featuring a variety of migrant community support organizations.)

“These past few days have been incredibly painful for our community, beginning with the unjust raids targeting our hardworking brothers and sisters across various industries in Los Angeles. But nothing prepared us for the devastation of what happened here at home,” stated MICOP’s Community Organizing Director Juvenal Solano, “On Tuesday, June 10, our city of Oxnard was the target of mass raids—families ripped apart in an instant, children left waiting for parents who never came home. The heartbreak is unbearable. The rage is deep.”

Bilingual commentary — Delighting in Cruelty

Every day since the beginning of this year, I listen to the news from reliable, respected sources. Since the beginning of the year, I often find myself wondering why our federal government seems to delight in what seems to be a policy of cruelty.

Consider the following recent issues:

the blitzkrieg mass firings of new and experienced government employees
the hostile takeover of cultural centers
the treatment of immigrants, both legal and illegal …

Bilingual report — Ribbon cutting ceremony highlights safer pedestrian access to El Rio neighborhood of Oxnard

VENTURA — Supervisor Kelly Long’s Office and the Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA), in collaboration with community partners and local leaders, celebrated the completion of the El Rio Pedestrian Improvements Project with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, June 2, 2025, at the First Baptist Church of El Rio.

The event brought together members of the Rio School District, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP), Nyeland Promise Advisory Board, Gold Coast Transit District, construction teams, residents, and other key stakeholders who contributed to the project’s success. The celebration featured performances from children of the Mariachi Academy and folklórico dancers from the Rio School District, showcasing the vibrant spirit of the El Rio community.

El Concilio Family Services — Need to renew your permanent resident card?

OXNARD — Let El Concilio help you stay protected and prepared! *** Nuestro equipo acreditado a nivel federal está listo para ayudarlo. Ofreciendo renovaciones gratuitas de tarjetas de residencia permanente. Renovaciones Solo para Tarjetas que han vencido o vencerán dentro de los próximos 6 meses.

Atentamente,
El Concilio Family Services

Bilingual report — El Concilio Family Services — Unidos con las familias inmigrantes: Respuesta a las recientes redadas de ICE ~~ Standing United with Immigrant Families: Response to Recent ICE Raids

Today has been deeply troubling. The recent surge in ICE activity, now reaching into our own neighborhoods, brings fear and pain to many. These actions do more than disrupt lives — they strike at the heart of our communities and the values we hold dear.

What impacts one of us ultimately impacts us all. Immigrants are the backbone of Southern California — their contributions, resilience, and leadership are part of our collective identity.

United Way of Ventura County — Stuff the Bus (June 9-July 31) and more news

United Way of Ventura County’s 2025 Stuff the Bus campaign has officially launched! Help us reach our goal of providing 1,000 backpacks stuffed with essential school supplies for local homeless middle schoolers. Currently, over 8,000 youth have been identified as homeless in Ventura County and over 30% of homeless youth are of middle school age. Listed below are ways you can help this year’s campaign.

Farm Bureau of Ventura County condemns ICE Actions

VENTURA COUNTY — The Farm Bureau of Ventura County, representing hundreds of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural businesses across the region, strongly condemns the actions taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Oxnard this morning. Reports indicate that ICE agents attempted to enter a local packing facility without a judicial warrant, conducted operations in agricultural fields, and initiated vehicle stops on roads frequently used by agricultural workers commuting to job sites.

As working producers and stewards of Ventura County’s $2 billion agricultural economy, we know firsthand that our industry cannot function without the contributions of our workforce. These are people we rely on, respect, and work alongside every day. They are skilled professionals who bring deep experience and an extraordinary work ethic to Ventura County’s fields and ranches. Their labor is the reason our region is recognized as one of the most productive agricultural areas in the world.

LULAC urges public calm as National Guard troops ordered by Trump Administration arrive in Southern California

“We are very concerned over the inflammatory language that the Trump administration is using to describe the environment in Los Angeles, which its actions have ignited,” said Roman Palomares, LULAC National President and Chairman of the Board. “Sending national guard troops into Southern California, without regard for the authority or knowledge of local or state officials, is a deliberate tactic that is only ramping up the anger,” he adds.

Bilingual report — Celebrate the 4th of July with Ventura’s Street Fair and Parade

VENTURA — The City of Ventura’s beloved 4th of July Street Fair and Pushem-Pullem Parade returns on Friday, July 4, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the heart of Downtown Ventura.

Courtesy photo.
The Pushem-Pullem Parade, presented by the Rotary Club of East Ventura, kicks off the celebration at 10:00 a.m. on Main Street in front of Cemetery Memorial Park and flows into the Street Fair. The parade is free and open to all; no registration is required. Families are encouraged to decorate bikes, scooters, strollers, or wagons and join the fun. Please note motorized vehicles are not permitted.

VCFD Dedicates New Fire Station in Thousand Oaks

THOUSAND OAKS — The Ventura County Fire Department, in partnership with local officials and community members, celebrated the official dedication of the new Fire Station 34 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, June 11. Following the ceremony, attendees were invited to tour the state-of-the-art facility.

Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner was joined by Supervisor Jeff Gorell, Board Chair Janice Parvin, County CEO Dr. Sevet Johnson, Thousand Oaks Mayor David Newman, Pastor Eric Goehner of Trinity Lutheran Church, Congresswoman Julia Brownley, representatives from RRM Design Group, and local firefighters and dignitaries to commemorate the event.

Bilingual report — City of Ventura announces free speaker series for seniors focused on health, safety, and well-being on June 17, July 15, Aug. 19, Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 18

VENTURA — The City of Ventura invites residents aged 50 and older to participate in a free monthly Ventura Council for Seniors (VCS) Speaker Series, running from June through November 2025. Each session is designed to empower seniors and caregivers with valuable information on health, safety, and well-being.

“This series is all about supporting our older adult community with tools to live independently, safely, and confidently,” said Janine Cobian, Recreation Supervisor. “Whether you’re navigating Medicare, making your home safer, or just looking to stay informed, there’s something for everyone.”

Meetings are held in-person on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from

Oxnard Film Society announces upcoming screenings June 16; July 7, 14, 21

On Monday, June 16, we present NYTimes Crirtics’ Pick, SANTOSH screening at 3:30pm and 6:30pm. “As well as working rivetingly as a procedural thriller and a psychological study, Santosh has a hard, documentary-like edge, exploring Indian social phenomena with intense analytical focus.”