For nearly half a century, Proposition 13 has served as California’s bedrock defense against unsustainable taxation and fiscal overreach. By capping property tax rates and establishing clear supermajority vote requirements for special taxes, voters created a stable framework designed to keep homeowners in their homes and ensure local governments live within their means.
However, over the past decade, judicial rulings have eroded these core taxpayer protections.
VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation announced it surpassed the $7 million goal of its “Invest in Success” fundraising campaign by $117,289.
The Invest in Success campaign was launched when the Ventura College Foundation Board of Directors approved a plan to sustain the long-term future of the VC Promise Program and Basic Needs Centers.
“Ventura College exists because our community believes that education has the power to transform lives. The outstanding success of the Invest in Success campaign is a powerful reflection of that shared commitment in action. Together, Ventura College, the Ventura College Foundation, and our generous donors are ensuring that financial hardship doesn’t stand between a student and the opportunity to access education and pursue their educational goals,” says Dr. Luca E. Lewis, Ventura College president.
More than 200 local artists, three powerful solo exhibitions, and a community that keeps showing up.
VENTURA — The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, a division of the Human Services Agency, is starting its annual distribution of discount cards to be used at participating Farmers’ Markets. Adults over the age of 60 who are on a limited income and meet the eligibility guidelines may receive this free benefit.
Cards are only available while supplies last at each distribution point. They can be used to purchase up to $50 in fresh, nutritious, unprocessed, locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey and herbs.
OXNARD — City Impact, Inc., a Ventura County-based nonprofit dedicated to serving at-promise youth and families since 1995, today announced that exhibitor tables are now available for local small businesses and vendors at the Thrive Together Awards 2026, the organization’s signature annual celebration of entrepreneurship, innovation and community impact.
The Thrive Together Awards will take place on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 5:00–9:00 PM at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main St., Ventura.
The overwhelmingly bipartisan supported and much awaited 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is now law and with it comes a raft of improved regulations and access to financing fit, as the name implies, for this century. Those provisions include:
Billions of dollars of unlocked bank equity allowed to invest in low-income housing tax credit funded projects
Reauthorization and reforms of housing production programs.
Increases to FHA multifamily statutory loan limits.
CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Department of Child Support Services (VCDCSS) invites the community to celebrate Child Support Awareness Month throughout August with this year’s theme, “Strong Families Start with Support.” As part of the celebration, VCDCSS will host Family Connections Day on Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the VCDCSS parking lot.
Hosted by the Ventura County Department of Child Support, this free event will bring together families for educational workshops, community resources, and family-friendly activities that promote financial well-being, child safety, and strong family connections. The event reflects VCDCSS’s ongoing commitment to supporting parents, strengthening families, and helping children thrive.
SANTA BARBARA — This summer, Santa Barbara City College’s (SBCC) Dual Enrollment Summer Bridge Program welcomed more than 100 rising ninth-grade students from the Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) and Carpinteria Unified School District (CUSD) for an immersive week-long college experience designed to inspire confidence, build a sense of belonging, and encourage students to pursue higher education.
Presented through SBCC’s Dual Enrollment Program, in partnership with SBUSD PEAC Program (see below) and supported by the Foundation for Santa Barbara City College, the Dual Enrollment Summer Bridge provides first-generation and historically underrepresented students with an early introduction to college life before they begin high school. Throughout the week of June 22-26, students earned one unit of transferable college credit while developing the academic, personal, and social skills needed for future success inside and outside of the classroom.
SANTA BARBARA — Students for Eco-Education andAgriculture (SEEAG) and the Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) entered into an agreement in which SEEAG will educate elementary and junior high school students about the origins of food, sustainable farming practices, and potential careers in agriculture at La Colina Junior High School in Santa Barbara.
The programs will begin at the start of the 2026-27 school year.
La Colina will host a regional SEEAG Farm Lab Hub, bringing togetherstudents of multiple age groups for hands-on agricultural and environmental education. Third graders from nearby schools in the district will explorewater, plant, and soil science through SEEAG’s Farm Lab field trips in theexisting garden space, while seventh- and eighth-grade students will engage in advanced STEM investigations within two new learningenvironments: an Agricultural Innovation & STEM Discovery Lab and aCalifornia Climate Resilience & Conservation Learning Lab.
VENTURA COUNTY — Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) announced (on June 20) it has received a $1 million Equity Equivalent Investment from City National Bank. The organization also received $50,000 from U.S. Bank, with an additional $50,000 awarded to its sister organization, Housing Land Trust Ventura County (Housing Land Trust VC), a combined $100,000 investment in affordable housing across Ventura County made through U.S. Bank’s Community Possible Home program. These investments arrive as the cost of building and preserving affordable housing in the region continues to climb and will strengthen both organizations’ work to bring that cost down.
“U.S. Bank’s investment strengthens both sides of our work: the loans that help get affordable homes built and the land that keeps them affordable for generations,” said Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund Ventura County and Housing Land Trust Ventura County. “The challenges facing working families in Ventura County are real, but so is the impact we can make when partners like U.S. Bank and City National Bank invest in this community.”
SANTA MARIA — For a second consecutive year, Allan Hancock College’s Fire Academy will receive $50,000 through the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) to provide protective equipment and scholarships, helping reduce financial barriers for students pursuing careers in firefighting.
“Programs like the Metallica Scholars Initiative continue to create meaningful opportunities for our students while helping address California’s workforce needs,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “This continued investment helps ensure more students can complete their training and begin careers serving their communities.”
Looking for your next career opportunity? Join us for the 2026 County of Ventura Career & Resource Expo + Candidate Connect on Wednesday, August 26, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Government Center Courtyard between the Hall of Administration and the Hall of Justice.
This free event is open to everyone and offers the chance to explore careers in technology, public safety, healthcare, engineering, environmental services and many other fields.
Meet representatives from County departments and agencies, learn about current job opportunities and, new this year, visit the Candidate Connect booth to speak directly with County recruiters and get your questions answered.
Whether you’re considering a career change, entering the workforce or looking for your next opportunity in public service, this event is a great place to start.
I am reminded every day just how much we are all part of the fabric of our Ventura County community, and how much good happens when we support one another and do it together.
In May, I attended the League of California Community Foundations’ Spring Convening along with VCCF President & CEO Vanessa Bechtel. There, we met with legislators on topics like access to highest-quality early childhood education through the Isabella Project, disaster resilience and support for our neighbors through the Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund and more. I also got to exchange ideas with other community foundation board chairs, learn from their experiences and see what is applicable here in Ventura County.
Friends of VMF, please join us this Sunday, July 26th for a concert honoring the memory of our friend, Ivor Davis. Chosen by his family, this program will be performed by the fantastic Akropolis Reed Quintet as we celebrate his legacy. Please stay after the concert for a reception in his honor.
Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is thrilled to welcome Das Williams, Ashley Smith Fraser, and Danielle Bordenave to its Board of Directors, effective July 2026. …
“We are so pleased to welcome Das, Ashley, and Danielle to our board,” said Executive Director Jamie Collins. “Each brings with them a unique perspective that deepens our leadership’s understanding of how to best serve youth in our community and strengthen our mission of inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.”
When state lawmakers pass complex environmental mandates in Sacramento, they rarely frame them as tax hikes. Instead, they use promises of “producer responsibility” and “sustainability.” But when the bill comes due, it is always California taxpayers and everyday consumers who end up footing the tab.
LOMPOC — Lompoc doesn’t just display art. It lives it.
Around every corner of Old Town, color spills across walls, galleries welcome local talent, and hands-on experiences invite visitors to create something of their own.
It’s a city where creativity is part of everyday life, and the best way to experience it is to see it in person.
Spend a day exploring, and you’ll quickly discover the artists who shape its identity.
SANTA BARBARA — Owen Bailey met Laurie in December 1989 when she was 22 years old and was beginning the MFA theater program at the University of Connecticut. Owen was a senior. Together, they left after a year to work at a small regional theater near Portsmouth, New Hampshire, producing a play each month. It was a bohemian, romantic life filled with creativity, ambition, friendship, and just enough macaroni and cheese to sustain two young actors chasing their dreams.
Their shared passion for storytelling eventually took them to New York City, London, and finally Los Angeles, where Owen discovered his true calling as an environmental advocate. Laurie moved behind the camera and built a career in photography. Together they raised two children, Ben and Nicola, while balancing careers, family life, and a shared desire to make a positive impact on the world.
VENTURA —The Ventura County Environmental Health Division (Division) received confirmation from the California Department of Public Health that a bird collected on July 2nd, 2026, from the city of Thousand Oaks, tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). WNV is established in Ventura County and additional WNV positives are expected.Ventura County Public Health confirms that no human cases have been identified to date in 2026.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — YMCA branches serving the Conejo Valley, Simi Valley, and Moorpark areas are registering students in TK through fifth grade for after-school child care programs for the coming 2026-27 school year.
Child care is available on school days, pupil-free days and minimum days. YMCA School’s Out Camp programs are held during Thanksgiving, winter, and spring breaks. Each program provides a structured environment that includes homework time, STEAM activities, arts and crafts, sports and nutritious snacks. All child care staff are state-licensed and certified in CPR and first aid.
LOMPOC — It’s peak summer in California, and the heat is not being subtle about it.
Visitors experience heat waves, hot pavement, crowded coastlines, and a constant search for indoor, air-conditioned activities.
Then there’s Lompoc.
Just a few miles from the Pacific, the temperature takes a deep breath. Ocean breezes drift in, mornings often start with a light coastal mist, and summer days settle into something far more comfortable than you’d expect from peak season in California.
Monday, July 20, 2026
Palomino | 6:00 PM
Attire: Semi-Formal
?(Feel free to dress the part!)
Join us for an evening at the speakeasy as we enjoy absinthe-inspired libations, exceptional bites, and 1930s French swing jazz by the renowned San Lyon ensemble. Proceeds to benefit VMF’s music education and community programs.
OXNARD — Don’t miss your chance to see Twelfth Night! Tickets are still available, but they’re selling fast. You can skip straight to the front of our line and secure your tickets by visiting our website.
VENTURA COUNTY — The National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard has issued a widespread extreme heat warning for … through Thursday, July 16, 2026. Temperatures in the interior valleys and mountain areas are expected to exceed the 100-degree mark for a prolonged period, with relatively poor overnight recovery in the mountains and foothills. A heat advisory has been issued for the coastal plains, where temperatures are expected to reach between 90 and 100 degrees.
High temperatures may create a dangerous situation in which heat-related illness is possible. Residents are encouraged to: drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms, stay out of the sun, check on relatives and neighbors, take extra precautions if working or spending time outside, and wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
With rising home prices and changing interest rates, buying a home can feel challenging, but there are programs and strategies that may help.
Join My Way Home this Saturday for our free HUD-approved Homebuyer Workshop in Simi Valley to learn about the homebuying process, financing options, and resources that can help you prepare for homeownership.
During the workshop, you’ll learn about:
VENTURA — A new interactive webpage gives residents an easy-to-understand view of real-time and historical black carbon levels in the air in Oxnard and Port Hueneme along with information that helps explain the source of the soot.
Black carbon is formed from the incomplete burning of organic materials such as oil, diesel, coal and biomass, such as plant material. It is a component of fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, which can enter the lungs and bloodstream and lead to respiratory issues, heart attacks, strokes and other serious health problems.
Before you recycle or throw something away, let’s see if it can be repaired! Join us Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at CEC’s Environmental Hub (1219 State St.) for Repair Cafe Santa Barbara, where skilled volunteer fixers will help you troubleshoot and repair everyday items.
Bring up to two items to fix — whether it’s clothing, electronics, bicycles, furniture, toys, or small appliances. You’ll work side by side with volunteers, learn practical repair skills, and help keep valuable items in use instead of creating unnecessary waste.
Ticket sales end this weekend for Friendship Center’s Summer Polo Soirée. Purchase your ticket or become an event sponsor for this fundraiser of the season before it’s too late!
Friday, July 17, 3PM
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Lumina Alliance is pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors while recognizing four outgoing board members whose leadership helped guide the organization through one of the most transformative periods in its history.
Joining the Board of Directors are:
• Adrienne Dodd, Human Resources Director, CommonSpirit Health
• Heather Muran, Director of Portfolio Strategy & Marketing, Covelop Inc.
• Meghan Shoven, Director, Adventist Health Central Coast Foundation
This quarter, our Barbara Barnard Smith CEO, Elena Brokaw, had the privilege of meeting with the City Councils of Camarillo, Moorpark, Port Hueneme, Oxnard, and Ventura to share the many ways the Museum is serving communities across Ventura County and to explore opportunities for continued partnership.
The Museum belongs to all of us. Every city in Ventura County is represented in our collections and stories, and it is our honor to preserve, celebrate, and share that rich history through exhibitions, educational programs, school tours, community outreach, and public events.
Designed to pair you with the financial expertise and right amount of capital you need to move your business forward, the Economic Development Collaborative works with more than 30 professional advisors and a full-time loan fund director, available to local businesses at no cost.
The EDC’s Business Development Loan Fund stimulates job creation and economic activity by providing small businesses with greater access to capital and specialized technical business assistance. The fund is open to businesses in all industry sectors and is supported by funds from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the cities and County of Ventura, and private capital. This loan fund makes available long-term, affordable financing to new and existing businesses throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara County.
CAMARILLO — “The Glass House Raids, One Year Later: A Vigil honoring the families and communities impacted,” will be held from 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 10 at 645 Laguna Road, Camarillo.
The event will publicly gather the community to mourn the loss of our community one year ago, to remember the efforts of our community to defend itself, to remember that we are still supporting our community after the events of that day. (Spanish Interpretation Available).
VENTURA — The Ventura County Environmental Health Division (Division) received confirmation from the California Department of Public Health that mosquitoes collected from the City of Fillmore on June 17th, 2026, tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). WNV is established in Ventura County and additional WNV positives are expected. This is the first mosquito sample collected in 2026 from Ventura County to test positive for WNV. Ventura County Public Health confirms that no human cases have been identified to date in 2026.
SANTA MARIA — What began as a personal connection during a trip to southern Africa has become a documentary project aimed at protecting one of the world’s most unique ecosystems and the Indigenous communities who call it home.
Allan Hancock College film studies instructor Tim Webb recently completed a short documentary for Himbaland Indigenous Conservation, a nonprofit organization working in the remote Namib Desert of northwestern Namibia. The film was created to help the organization share its story with a broader audience and support fundraising efforts focused on community development and wildlife conservation.
A Celebration of Latin Music (July 25)
6:00 PM — Justo Almario’s Afro-Colombian Jazz Ensemble
VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) has received a $10,000 grant from Wings of Rescue to help provide low-cost spay and neuter surgeries to the pets of families living within VCAS’ contracted cities.
The two-day event, taking place July 14-15, is funded entirely by the grant and will be performed by the Spay Neuter Imperative Project (SNIP). The SNIP Team will bring a fully equipped mobile veterinary hospital to perform the surgeries. The event will take place near the Camarillo Animal Shelter.
For the past 20 years now, you’ve created a Raising Justice that continues to bring together hundreds of our movement friends for a fun early evening of food, drinks, music, and community rooted in our shared organizing for a more just region. It’s free to attend with an invite to donate any amount that feels right to you.
Today, we invite you to join our growing circle of Early Event Sponsors. Sponsors not only underwrite the event, but also allow our work throughout the year to stay community supported and here for the long haul — it’s one of the ways you can ensure our event’s success.
The City of Ventura Parks and Recreation Department’s Fall Activity Guide is now available, featuring hundreds of classes, programs, and events taking place from September through January.
Registration opens Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Residents can register online, by phone, or in person at Ventura City Hall (501 Poli Street, Room 226). Registration information and policies are available on page 43 of the guide.
The Fall Activity Guide offers activities for all ages and interests, including ceramics, cooking, creative writing, parent-and-child classes, pet wellness, fitness, sports, and more. Check out several free new workshops focused on Financial Literacy and Health and Safety on pages 10-11.
Get fun summer reading ideas, activities, and more from the VCOE Library’s Summer Reading Extravaganza. Click here to check out local libraries’ summer reading programs and get online access to free full-length young adult novels. Also, find out how summer readers can earn free ride tickets for the Ventura County Fair.
VENTURA — Nearly $2 million in grant funding is available to help replace heavy-duty diesel trucks based in Ventura County with equivalent battery-electric models and install charging stations.
The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District was awarded $1.97 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) Program to help fund replacement projects. Recipients need to cover at least half of the project costs.
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics (SBNC) is strengthening access to comprehensive Behavioral Health Services for individuals and families throughout Santa Barbara County through an integrated, whole-person care model designed to address both physical and mental health needs.
Santa Barbara County has significant community behavioral health needs that extend beyond the publicly funded specialty mental health system. Many residents experience challenges accessing timely outpatient mental health services due to insurance, cost, and provider availability. Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics helps address these gaps by providing integrated, community-based behavioral health services for individuals and families who might otherwise experience barriers to care.
“Once again, DPR is sitting on bad news instead of telling the people breathing this air,” said Angel Garcia, co-director of the statewide coalition Californians for Pesticide Reform. “The Department loves a press release when a number goes down. When a number blows past their own safety trigger, they bury it in a spreadsheet and hope nobody notices. That’s not regulation — that’s public relations for the pesticide industry.”
VENTURA — The City of Ventura has finalized an updated Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Ordinance with two critical deadlines property owners need to know:
Existing Permit Holders: August 31, 2026, renewal deadline
New Applicants: July 13, 2026, application opening date
Current STVR permit holders have until August 31, 2026, to renew their permits, or their permits will be canceled. The City is guaranteeing renewal for existing permit holders under a grandfathering provision, provided they meet updated requirements and submit applications on time through Ventura Online Permit Services (OPS).
VENTURA — United Way of Ventura County is pleased to announce the 21st Annual Spirit Award Recipients. These awards honor our Founding members. Every year since 2005, individuals and organizations who embody the qualities of Milton M. Teague, Douglas Shively, and Roy Pinkerton are selected for this prestigious honor. This year we will also award our President’s Award, and our Women United Award. The awards and awardees are listed below:
Bilingual stop-motion animation workshop for children. *** Taller bilingüe de animación cuadro por cuadro para niños.
As Fourth of July celebrations approach across Southern California, families are preparing for a day filled with barbecues, pool parties and fireworks—traditions many look forward to all year.
But health experts are reminding the public that the holiday also brings a spike in preventable injuries.
“People love this holiday because it brings everyone together,” said Dr. Kimberly Petrick, a family medicine physician with Kaiser Permanente Southern California. “Still, a little caution goes a long way in keeping the day festive instead of stressful.”
“From Field to Fork” brings together farmers who produce Ventura County’s agricultural bounty, chefs who celebrate that bounty on their menus, and the farm workers whose labor makes it all possible.
Enjoy a multi-course gourmet dinner while helping promote affordable, safe, and stable housing for Ventura County farm workers and their families.
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY — More than 300 guests gathered at the Santa Ynez Valley Polo Club on Saturday, June 27, for a sold-out 2026 Santa Ynez Valley Polo Classic benefiting People Helping People (PHP), demonstrating how visionary leadership and philanthropy continue to strengthen the Santa Ynez Valley.
Presented by Happy Canyon Vineyard, the Polo Classic has become one of the region’s premier charitable sporting events, where exceptional polo, hospitality, and philanthropy converge to support local families.
CENTRAL COAST — Environmental organizations across California are condemning Trump’s Bureau of Land Management’s approval of oil and gas leasing and development plans for both the Bakersfield and Central Coast field office regions—a decision that critics argue was a rushed, legally deficient move that ignores California law, bypasses the public, and offers some of the state’s most beloved public lands over to the fossil fuel industry.
The BLM issued the approvals without allowing the standard 60-day Governor’s Consistency Review period required before a federal land use decision affecting California can be finalized, and without responding to formal administrative protests filed by community organizations. That review exists precisely to ensure federal actions do not conflict with state law and policy—and this decision is in direct, flagrant conflict with both.
SANTA MARIA — PCPA is proud to announce Season 63, featuring a dynamic mix of Shakespeare, family favorites, contemporary drama, and large-scale musicals, including La Comedia of Errors, The Wizard of Oz, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 72 Miles to Go, Les Misérables, Mean Girls, and Murder on the Orient Express.
VENTURA — On June 17, ATLAS welcomed more than 150 guests to the Museum of Ventura County for its annual Scholarship Celebration, recognizing students pursuing higher education, career training, and professional development opportunities. ATLAS also revealed a new brand direction that better aligns with its mission as the nonprofit dedicated to empowering and uplifting participants of Ventura Housing programs, promoting stability and self-sufficiency. The organization received 29 scholarship applications from residents and program participants. Following a competitive review process, 16 students were selected to receive a combined $35,500 in scholarship funding to support their educational and career goals.
“Through ATLAS, we are helping families move beyond housing stability and into long-term success through education,” said Jeffrey Lambert, CEO of Ventura Housing. “When a student earns a degree, the impact reaches far beyond one person. It changes the trajectory of an entire family.”
SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) welcomes longtime community advocate Deborah Brown to its Board of Directors. Bringing more than 25 years of local healthcare and geriatric care management experience to the leadership team, Brown has a distinguished history of guiding families through life’s most difficult transitions. Her deep familiarity with HSB’s mission makes her a natural fit to help steer the organization’s continued growth.
A Letter from the Director
I love playing tour guide.
I’ve had quite a few out-of-town visitors stay with me this summer, and I can’t help but feel proud showing them the beauty of our coastal community.
From strolling our beaches and admiring the Spanish architecture to ending the day over a hearty dinner at Harry’s, I’m reminded every time just how fortunate we are to call Santa Barbara, and surrounding communities, home.
I think Santa Barbara has mastered something that many destinations try so hard to create: a quiet confidence. It isn’t flashy or overwhelming. It doesn’t compete for your attention. It simply offers beauty, nature, fresh air, good company, and the space to enjoy them. Sometimes the best things in life aren’t the most complicated. They’re simply done well.
Supporting our county’s future and the next generation’s education and career success starts with quality preschool programs. Historically, Ventura County has had too few licensed commercial child care and preschool spaces to meet demand. The Economic Development Collaborative and First 5 Ventura County are committed to building more child care and early childhood education capacity in our community through the Child Care Investment Loan Fund.
First of all I’d like to send a HUGE thank you to the 1,000 + artists, friends, family, and art lovers that came to the opening of our summer exhibitions earlier this month. The team and I are so happy that visitors have been enjoying the exhibits and are seeing what the amazing artists of Santa Barbara have to offer.
VENTURA — The Ventura County Health Care Agency (HCA) is sharing important information with patients, families, and community members about a health care payment scam that has affected hospital patients and families.
In these scams, an individual falsely claiming to be a representative of a hospital contacts a patient or patient’s family member and requests immediate payment for a medical service, patient transfer, or other health care-related expenses. These calls and situations can be stressful and may be designed to create a sense of urgency during an already difficult time for families.
