Category: Family

YMCA Branches Offering Kids’ Outdoor Enrichment Classes

Branches of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA are offering outdoor, in-person enrichment programs for preschoolers through age 11.
The Yarrow Family YMCA holds classes Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Preschoolers get moving with “Preschool Hip Hop” on Mondays and “Preschool Ballet” on Thursdays and Fridays. Storytime readings are from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Thursdays.

Parents looking for creative after-school enrichment classes for their 5 to 11-year-olds can sign them up for “Theater Games” on Mondays, and “Move And Groove” and “Beginning Hip Hop” on Thursdays.

February News from People’s Self-Help Housing

Even with the challenges of the pandemic, students at our learning centers are working hard and excelling! Recent reporting from our educators have shown that 3rd graders participating in our Camino Scholars program are doing 35% better in reading and 48% better in math, compared to their peers!

More Elementary Schools Permitted to Reopen as Educator Vaccinations are Set to Begin

Ventura County has reached a COVID-19 case rate that allows all elementary schools to resume in-person instruction as early as today if they choose to do so and have taken required safety measures. At the same time, the County of Ventura will begin vaccinating teachers starting next Monday. “These two developments are encouraging steps in the effort to safely bring more students and teachers back to the classroom,” said Dr. Cesar Morales, Deputy Superintendent for the Ventura County Office of Education.

Bilingual report — Call for Partners to Connect Struggling Tenants and Small Property Owners with the California Emergency Rental Assistance Program

The State of California is launching an Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) to aid income-qualified tenants most at risk of eviction due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is calling on community-based organizations to sign up as partners to reach out to those who qualify.

In Ventura County, $52.2 million has been designated to assist households affected by COVID-19, with priority on those below the area median income and recently unemployed.

Santa Maria HS FCCLA take part in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) during FCCLA Week

 The Santa Maria High School FCCLA recently joined more than 182,000 members across the nation in raising awareness of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America and advocating for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) during FCCLA Week.

Held annually during the second week of February in conjunction with Career and Technical Education Month, FCCLA Week celebrates the accomplishments of FCCLA and the positive impact FCS has on our society, according to Saint Teacher and Advisor Nicki Pedeliski.

LULAC — Please Help Us Rush Assistance To The Worst Affected Areas Of Texas

The situation in Texas is dire. Dozens of people have died and countless more have been hospitalized for treatment from hypothermia and other effects of freezing weather. Electric power for millions has been knocked out. This has left people trapped in their homes without power for heating or a way to cook meals. Major water supplies have gone dry as sources and pipelines have frozen. The situation has led to alerts for residents to boil all remaining drinking water. Seniors are at especially high risk, along with patients operating medical equipment at home and are now using portable generators. Many food stores and gas stations are unable to meet the demand for essential items or fuel.

Please help us rush assistance to the worst affected areas of Texas. Donate what you can and ask others to do the same.

Bennett, Rivas and Limon introduce Farmworker Resource Center legislation

Assemblymembers Steve Bennett (D-Ventura), Robert Rivas (D-Holister) and Senator Monique Limon (D-Santa Barbara), introduced legislation today to establish a state-wide grant program for counties to create farmworker resource centers.

“The Covid pandemic demonstrated how valuable it was to have county employees who have developed trusted relationships with this important community,” said Assemblymember Bennett, “and the agriculture industry and the State of California need farmworkers who feel valued respected and supported.  There are so many things for low-income non-native speakers to navigate.  The Farmworker Resource program can help them tremendously.”

United Way of Ventura County — ‘Giving our children the smiles they deserve’ and more news

February is National Children’s Dental Health month. Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease and unmet need of children in California. More than 50% of California’s kindergartners have a history of dental decay. Nearly 25% of California’s children, ages 0-11, have never been to a dentist. When children don’t get the care they need, there are costs to taxpayers and families – the cost of emergency room visits for preventable dental problems and missed school days resulting in a loss of attendance-based school district funding.

Through the Building Healthy Smiles Initiative, United Way and its partners work to reduce dental disease in Ventura County through education, care coordination, and advocacy. Our goal is to eliminate untreated tooth decay for children in Ventura County. Pre-pandemic, over 2,500 children received oral health assessments in 2019 alone.

Ventura County Civic Alliance — Livable Communities Newsletter

Welcome to Our Winter 2021 Livable Communities Newsletter

As we recognized last quarter, COVID-19 is not only still with us, but it also casts a shadow over everything we think we know, including our understanding of the 3 Es that are the foundation of the Ventura County Civic Alliance: Economy, Environment, and Equity.  
 
Therefore, it is still fitting that this quarter’s Livable Communities Newsletter explores different aspects of the 3 Es and Livable Communities in a COVID-19 world

Santa Paula Art Museum — A Small Surprise

Happy Valentine’s Day to You and Happy Anniversary to Us

We’ve said it before, but we find it so fitting that the Museum’s anniversary falls on Valentine’s Day–because we are so in love with this place! It has been eleven years since the doors of the Santa Paula Art Museum first opened, and we have only our supporters to thank for each and every year. Thank you for helping us to build and sustain a place where we can share our love–for the arts, for learning, and for our community.

This year, artist Anette Power is helping us to celebrate the Museum’s anniversary with a special addition to her recently unveiled virtual exhibit Silver Linings: Journey of Light. Scroll down for a small surprise!

Adventure Awaits: Summer Day Camp Registration Underway At Southeast Ventura County YMCA Branches

The three branches of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA are taking early registrations for their summer day camps. Camps are from June 14 through August 13 at the Conejo Valley YMCA and Yarrow Family YMCA and from June 7 through August 6 at the Simi Valley Family YMCA. Discounted pricing will be in effect until April 1.

Campers can attend full time (five days a week) or part time (three days a week) for all nine weeks or selected weeks. At Simi Valley YMCA, summer camp is offered to K-5th graders and teen camp (Leadership-In-Training) is offered to 6th – 8th graders. At Yarrow Family YMCA and Conejo Valley YMCA, summer camp is offered to TK -5th graders and teen camp is offered to 5th – 8th graders.

Ventura College Foundation’s Weekend Marketplace Returns To East Parking Lot

VENTURA — Ventura College Foundation’s Weekend Marketplace, which temporarily moved to the West Parking Lot on the Ventura College campus while solar panels were installed at its home on the East Parking Lot, will return to its permanent location on…

Volunteers in Ventura County Help Those with Low-Moderate Incomes File for Available Tax Credits Through VITA Programs

Tax season is upon us and low- to moderate-income Ventura County residents are encouraged to take advantage of ways to put more money back in their pocket with the help of United Way of Ventura County’s (UWVC) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).

Throughout February to April 30, 2021, trained VITA volunteer tax preparers will help working families and individuals file their state and federal tax return and access the tax credits to which they are eligible. Households earning up to $57,000 in 2020 are eligible to use the free services.

Procter & Gamble Provides a Record $200,000 to United Way’s Community Impact Efforts

Procter & Gamble local employees raised a record $162,000 from employee giving in addition to over $38,000 in special events, sponsorship and COVID-19 Rapid Response. In addition to giving, P&G employees volunteered their time by packing more than 1,560 Stuff the Bus backpacks and provided Welcome Home Holiday Baskets for families recently housed through United Way’s Landlord Engagement Program.

“The P&G Oxnard Plant is proud to partner with United Way to serve the most vulnerable in our community with this philanthropic support,” said Marvelle Berry, Plant Manger of Procter & Gamble Oxnard. “Our team really rose to the occasion with their engagement, innovation, and genorosity of gifts. P&G has a longstanding commitment in creating positive change locally in Ventura County and I am pleased with our collective impact.”

Bilingual report — El Concilio Family Services — You May be Eligible for FREE Processing including USCIS Fee!

Right now is the time to apply for your Naturalization. The USCIS application processing fees may be going up soon so don’t delay. We currently have a grant from the state of California which may cover your service. In addition, we may be able to assist you with USCIS fee waiver application which would make your processing completely free of charge. This is a limited time offer please call to inquire.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura — Places of Worship Can Now Offer Indoor Services at 25% Capacity

The State of California has announced that places of worship can now offer services indoors following the industry guidance with modifications. Indoor activities must be limited to the State’s interim capacity of 25%.

View the guidance for places of worship at the following link: https://files.covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-places-of-worship–en.pdf. The State has noted that the guidance is in the process of being updated. Once updated a new link will be shared.

Santa Paula Art Museum — Our New Exhibit Has a Lot of HeART

We’re swinging into this weekend with huge smiles on our faces because we know you’re going to love the Museum’s newest virtual exhibit! Newbury Park artist Anette Power’s Silver Linings: Journey of Light is now online. Power’s exhibit is over two years in the making, and is a love letter to living even in the midst of great change and challenges.

Click here to enjoy the online exhibit. All of the artworks in the exhibit are available for purchase. Silver Linings will also be on view at the Santa Paula Art Museum when Ventura County museums are able to reopen to the public.*

After Industry Disinformation Campaign, Ventura County Forced to Send Oil and Gas Regulations to Ballot in 2022

After seemingly running an extensive disinformation campaign and spending close to a million dollars on contracted canvassers, the oil and gas industry succeeded in collecting enough signatures to pause Ventura County’s newly-won oil and gas regulations, and send them to the ballot instead, according to a media release by Climate First: Replacing Oil & Gas (CFROG).

America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College — A Re-Opening Fit For A King

America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College will re-open Saturday, Feb. 6 just in time to celebrate the 7th birthday of Ira the lion, King of the Campus.

The community is invited to celebrate with Ira in-person or virtually. Ira’s birthday party will be live streamed from noon to 12:30 p.m. so people at home won’t miss a thing as in-person guests visit Ira in his new home, appropriately named “Ira’s Kingdom.”

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update — Vaccine Progress

The COVID-19 vaccine dashboard was launched on Friday to keep the community informed on the progress of administering COVID-19 vaccines. The dashboard is updated Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The data shows that in very simple terms “when we get it, we give it”. We want you to receive the vaccine as soon as possible. When we receive the vaccines, we open appointments and administer them.

SLO Property Tax Exemption Deadline Approaches

County Assessor Tom J. Bordonaro, Jr.would like to remind all homeowners, disabled veterans, and eligible non-profit organizations that they may file claims for exemptions.

The Homeowner’s Exemption exempts up to $7,000 in taxable value of a property if the claim is timely filed or postmarked by February 16, 2021 and up to $5,600 if filed late (postmarked by December 10, 2021).  If you received your Homeowner’s Exemption last year, and you still own and occupy the same property this year, you do not need to file again.  Your exemption automatically remains in place.

Second COVID-19 Mutation Detected in Ventura County

 A second COVID-19 mutation has been detected in Ventura County. An Oxnard sewage study result revealed the presence of a second mutation in a small amount of the COVID virus present in the sample. Oxnard has been testing samples of its wastewater on a weekly basis for a number of weeks. The new mutation was identified as N501Y. It is present in both the United Kingdom and South African variants.

Family Law Attorney Natalia Duque Joins Law Office of Renee M. Fairbanks

The Law Office of Renee M. Fairbanks is delighted to welcome Natalia Duque to its team of exceptional family law attorneys.

A graduate of Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia, Duque is an experienced and dedicated family lawyer with a passion for helping clients navigate the legal hurdles associated with divorce and custody matters. Prior to joining the Law Office of Renee M. Fairbanks, she practiced family law in Texas. She’s worked on a wide variety of complex family law cases and is adept at assisting clients from a range of backgrounds.

Duque is bilingual in Spanish and English, and grew up in Colombia. She is uniquely equipped to help expatriate clients facing divorce as she understands the intricacies of these cases.

COVID-19 Punishes Latinos for Hard Work and Larger Families

Latinos in the U.S. have created the world’s eighth-largest economy. How did they do it? Essentially, through hard work and larger families. Yet these very elements that enabled them to build the world’s eighth-largest economy also make Latinos a special target of COVID-19.

Latinos’ strong work ethic means that Latino households have more wage earners per household than non-Hispanic white households. Nationally, Latinos have an average of 1.6 wage earners per household, compared to 1.2 for non-Hispanic white households. This means that Latino households have more adults leaving the house every day, who are then often exposed to coronavirus-positive clients and co-workers during work hours.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — More on Vaccines

At this week’s Board of Supervisors hearing, we received an update from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department on COVID-19.

The good news is that from January 11th to January 25th, we’ve seen a 23% decrease in active cases and a 42% decrease in hospitalized cases. We’ve experienced decreases in most of our County areas, with the exception of the City of Santa Barbara and in Isla Vista.

We are administering almost double the state median for daily COVID-19 tests.

County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Jan. 28 — Vaccine Information

The County of Ventura is in Phase 1A which includes those in the health care sector and those who are 75 and older.

Community members who are eligible to be vaccinated may register online
www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/.

Community members who are eligible to be vaccinated but who have limited computer/internet access may call the phone registration line at 805-477-7161. The phone line is open Monday through Friday 8:30-5:00.

County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Jan. 27 — Vaccine Information

The County of Ventura is in Phase 1A which includes those in the health care sector and those who are 75 and older. .

Community members who are eligible to be vaccinated may register online
www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/.

Community members who are eligible to be vaccinated but who have limited computer/internet access may call the phone registration line at 805-477-7161. The phone line is open Monday through Friday 8:30-5:00.

The Area Agency on Aging provides transportation services for older adults that are in need of transportation to a vaccine appointment or for COVID-19 testing. This includes people that need lift assist as well as gurney transportation. The driver will take the individual, wait for them, help them at the site and take them home. To schedule a ride call 805-477-7300. Please note, you must have a vaccine appointment before you schedule a ride to a vaccine site.

Bilingual report — CenCal Health Addresses Gaps in Care with over $2 Million in Funding for Physician Recruitment, Medical Equipment

In response to noted gaps in access to health care locally, CenCal Health, the publicly-sponsored health plan for Medi-Cal in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, is implementing a Network Access Improvement program. The program will focus on increasing primary and specialty care capacity for local Medi-Cal members, as well as improving access to care for children and disabled members. These priorities will be accomplished in two ways – by recruiting new medical professionals to the network, and by funding specialized medical equipment such as vaccine refrigerators and exam room apparatus that accommodates the needs of mobility-impaired patients.

2021 California Strawberry Festival Cancelled

The California Strawberry Festival, which had been set for May 15 and 16 at Strawberry Meadows of College Park in Oxnard, is officially cancelled and will not be rescheduled for 2021 because of the continuing public health crisis due to COVID-19.

“We know that this will come as an enormous disappointment, not only to the thousands of guests we welcome every year, but also to the sponsors, exhibitors, performers, vendors and volunteers who help make the Festival what it is,” says Dean Kato, Chairman of the California Strawberry Festival.

January News from People’s Self-Help Housing

Leadership may very likely be on your mind, with changes of leaders happening now at the national level, leaders at the state level recently announcing decisions over budgets and policy, and local leaders governing critical issues and responses to covid and vaccines – leadership seems to be in our collective focus!  And of course leadership matters, to get us through hard times and challenges, solve tough issues, and to do good and difficult things, that are best accomplished in unity. At People’s we have multiple great leaders in dozens of departments, set to lead us into the new year, and ready for starting a new chapter altogether. Each is skilled in motivating the individuals within their groups toward reaching our company’s goals, in giving focused guidance for directing our activities toward implementing our strategic plan, and thereby meeting the needs of our communities. Leaders aren’t successful though without greatness coming out through those around them, to do the hard work that is required to make the mission happen. 

New Year Brings New, Virtual Art Classes to the Santa Paula Art Museum

The new year means new, virtual art classes at the Santa Paula Art Museum! While the physical Museum remains closed due to COVID restrictions, you can still enjoy the joy and solace that art and community offer by taking a live, online art class with one of the Santa Paula Art Museum’s incredible teaching artists. Discover a new skill or passion in 2021! Reserve your spot in class at www.santapaulaartmuseum.org.

Bilingual report — City of Oxnard to Temporarily Close Facilities and Programs to Public

In response to the increased transmission of COVID-19 in Ventura County, Oxnard City Hall and most city facilities and programs will be temporarily closed to the public starting January 3, 2022. The City will reopen facilities and programs as soon as it is determined to be safe, but anticipates at least three weeks of closures to the public.

Meanwhile, most services will remain available remotely.

“The safety of the Oxnard community and our City employees remains our top priority,” said City Manager Alexander Nguyen. “As we continue to provide essential services, we need to limit the amount of potential virus spread and protect the City’s workforce.” 

Best of 2021 from People’s Self-Help Housing!

It’s been another year like no other, but one marked with so much success because of strong partnerships, faithful support and visionary investments. Thank you for the part you have played in these stories, every one only possible because of the advocacy, the goodwill and the philanthropic support of people like you. 

Thank you for continuing to build so much more than housing with us!  

March 7 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Ann Patchett, Live from Parnassus Books in Nashville, in Conversation with Lily King, Author of Writers & Lovers

UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Ann Patchett in Conversation with Lily King, Author of Writers & Loverson Sun., March 7 at 11 a.m. Pacific. Patchett is a celebrated author, devoted reader and a champion of literary culture. She has written 13 books and has been the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships, including England’s Orange Prize, the PEN/Faulkner Award and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Patchett opened Parnassus Books in 2011 and has been named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for her efforts on behalf of independent booksellers, books and bookstores. Patchett’s most recent novel, The Dutch House, was a finalist for the 2020 Pulitzer Prize. She’ll join the conversation from “the happiest place in Nashville” (The New York Times), Parnassus Books.

April 12 — Bilingual report — COVID-19 Mobile Vaccine Clinic at the Port of Hueneme

COVID-19 Mobile Vaccine Clinic – Johnson & Johnson
Clínica Móvil para la VACUNA COVID-19 – Johnson & Johnson

Monday April 12, 10am-3pm
Lunes 12 de Abril, 10am-3pm

Port of Hueneme/Puerto de Hueneme
333 Ponoma Street, Port Hueneme

No appointment needed/No es necesario hacer cita

April 16 — Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara to Host Virtual Fundraiser – StrongHER Together: Finding Strength through Sport

Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara proudly invites the Santa Barbara community to its annual fundraiser, StrongHER Together: Finding Strength through Sport, streaming live on Friday, April 16th, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Registration for this family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

StrongHER Together will celebrate the unique power sports possess to help girls and teens discover their strengths and recognize their potential to be leaders of tomorrow. A recent global study of senior female business executives found that 94% of women C-suite executives played sports at one point in their lives.

Through April 24 — Community Environmental Council Announces #CelebrateClimateLeadership Virtual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival

The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is hosting #CelebrateClimateLeadership, a virtual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival dedicated to inspiration, community building, and climate action. The FREE livestream event begins on Thursday, April 22 and runs until Saturday, April 24. It will be available to view at SBEarthDay.org.

The virtual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival – which will be fully online again this year due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions – will feature three days of conversations with climate leaders, musical performances, art contests, inspirational speakers, and opportunities for individuals to learn how they can lean into action at this urgent moment.

May 5 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Classical Music Treasures Yo-Yo Ma & Kathryn Stott performing Songs of Comfort and Hope

UCSB Arts & Lectures presents classical music treasures Yo-Yo Ma & Kathryn Stott performing Songs of Comfort and Hope on Wednesday, May 5 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific. Over their 35-year musical relationship, beloved cellist Yo-Yo Ma and acclaimed pianist Kathryn Stott have “developed a wonderfully warm and mutually responsive musical partnership that has blossomed in performances that are both generous and incisive” (NPR). Their recent collaborative album Songs of Comfort and Hope was conceived in April 2020 when people everywhere were entering a dramatic new world. Ranging from fresh arrangements of traditional folk tunes, pop songs and jazz standards to mainstays from the western classical repertoire, the album encourages a sense of community, identity and purpose, crossing boundaries and binding us together in thanks, consolation and encouragement. Performing songs from the album selected specifically for this event, Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott hope that the familiarity and reinvention contained in this music offers everyone some comfort and hope.

May 11 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Former President of the American Enterprise Institute, Arthur C. Brooks to discuss National Renewal

UCSB Arts & Lectures presents former president of the American Enterprise Institute, Arthur C. Brooks to discuss National Renewal on Tuesday, May 11 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific. At a time of historic polarization, public leaders and ordinary citizens alike are wondering how to fight back against the bitterness and contempt washing over America. Drawing on history, cutting-edge social science and a decade of experience leading the American Enterprise Institute, one of the nation’s preeminent think tanks, Arthur C. Brooks shows that what the country needs is not agreement, but better disagreement. Brooks is a Harvard professor, a columnist for The Atlantic, the bestselling author of 11 books on topics ranging from economic opportunity to human happiness and the subject of the hit documentary The Pursuit. His recent bestseller, Love Your Enemies, is a guide to building a better country and mending personal relationships amidst our culture of political polarization.

May 13 — Channel Islands Maritime Museum to Present Exhibition ‘The Art of the Sailor’

Beginning May 13, 2021, the Channel Islands Maritime Museum (CIMM) will be presenting its latest exhibition “Art of the Sailor” in its Brenda and Gary Farr Gallery.

When sailors left their homes to voyage across the sea, oftentimes they faced dangerous and extreme working conditions, horribly cramped quarters, and a journey that could stretch months to years. When stuck in these difficult and wearisome circumstances, some sailors used art to express themselves. “Art of the Sailor” will feature a unique collection of scrimshaw pieces (many of which have never been shown before at the Museum), decorative and working marine knots, unique embroidered items, and other sailor-made artifacts. Several of the items to be featured in the exhibition have never been seen outside of their privately-owned collections.

June 19 — Harmony Family Yoga to present ‘Father’s Day Bunny Yoga’

Harmony Family Yoga will present “Father’s Day Bunny Yoga” from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 19 at 1655 Thousand Oaks, Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

Happy Father’s Day & celebrate the longest day of the year in a unique way!

Treat your family a wellness yoga experience with giant rabbits and holland lop bunnies hopping around you.

July 8 — UCSB Arts & Lectures to present free double feature ‘The Goonies/Stand by Me’ at West Wind Drive-In in Goleta

Join UCSB Arts & Lectures as they present The Goonies and Stand by Me as a double feature on  Thursday, July 8th at 8:30 p.m. at the West Wind Drive-In. Gates open at 7 PM. First come, first served. Arrive early for food trucks, concessions, prize drawings and a live set by DJ Darla Bea! 

Through July 18 — Conejo Valley Days Carnival Set To Open

The 65th Annual Conejo Valley Days is set for July 14 through July 18 at Conejo Creek Park South (23 Freeway/Janss Rd. exit) in Thousand Oaks.

This year’s event will be streamlined and will feature midway games and carnival rides only—with more than 16 rides from Kastl Amusements for all ages. Traditional fair food and specialty foods will be available at Kastl Amusements food booths. Conejo Valley Days normally runs over four days but is expanding to nine days over two weekends. Entry: $5 per person, free for kids 5 and under. $35 unlimited ride wristbands are available for July 8 only.

July 21 — Channel Islands Maritime Museum Speaker Series Welcomes Lizzie Duncan

Channel Islands Maritime Museum is proud to host its July Speaker Series “Rolling in the Deep Sea: Exploring Coral and Sponge Communities on the West Coast. The guest speaker will be Lizzie Duncan, research ecologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
It’s likely no surprise that corals and sponges are critical foundation species that provide numerous benefits to humans. But, did you know that the majority of coral species live in the frigid deep sea, beyond the reach of light? From 2018 to 2021, the West Coast has been the focus of an incredible field research initiative involving several unprecedented deep-sea expeditions conducted off different ships which deployed a variety of cutting-edge technologies.

July 29 — UCSB Arts & Lectures to present double feature with Men in Black and Galaxy Quest at the West Wind Drive-In, Goleta

Join UCSB Arts & Lectures as they present a double feature withMen in Black and Galaxy Quest on Thursday, July 29th beginning at 8:30 p.m. at the West Wind Drive-In. Gates open at 7 PM. First come, first served. Arrive early for food trucks, concessions, prize drawings and a live performance by Joystix!

Aug. 5 — UCSB Arts & Lectures to present Rush Hour at West Wind Drive-In, Goleta

Join UCSB Arts & Lectures as they present Rush Hour Thursday, Aug. 5th at 8:30 p.m. at the West Wind Drive-In. Gates open at 7 PM. First come, first served. Arrive early for food trucks, concessions, prize drawings and a live set by DJ Darla Bea!

Detective Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) is the pride of the Royal Hong Kong Police, while Detective James Carter (Chris Tucker) is the LAPD’s worst nightmare: a cocky, loud-mouthed officer who prefers to work alone. Following the kidnapping of the Chinese consul’s daughter, cultures clash and tempers flare as the two cops from different worlds quickly discover one thing in common: they can’t stand each other. But with time running out, they must join forces to catch the criminals, mixing punches with punchlines in this hilarious action-comedy. (Brett Ratner, 1998, PG-13, 97 min.)

Aug. 8 — Channel Islands Maritime Museum to sponsor “Harbor Search and Find Cruise” as part of its continuing 30th anniversary celebrations

On August 8, 2021, as part of its 30th-anniversary activities, the Channel Islands Maritime Museum will be sponsoring a Search & Find Harbor Cruise. Electric boats and dinghies less than 25 feet are invited to participate in this fun “Search & Find” Mission. Participants will enjoy a Museum visit, a harbor cruise with a mission, and the chance to win some great prizes. Pre-registration is required with a $30 donation to the Museum per boat. All proceeds benefit the Channel Islands Maritime Museum programs. Participants can register online at www.cimmvc.org or at the Museum until August 7th.