Category: Finance

Bilingual report — CenCal Health launches member navigation hub to help at-risk residents keep Medi-Cal coverage

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SANTA BARBARA — In response to Medi-Cal eligibility, enrollment and renewal changes affecting an estimated 44,000 local residents, CenCal Health and a coalition of community partners have launched Central Coast Coverage, a regional member navigation hub that helps eligible individuals keep their health coverage and avoid disruptions in care.

Supported by a $2 million investment from CenCal Health – the region’s Medi-Cal health plan serving more than 220,000 members in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties – the new resource connects residents with navigation assistance, resource guides, and information about Medi-Cal. 

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Museum of Ventura County — October 8 is DAF Day

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Thursday is DAF Day—a national day encouraging donors to put their Donor Advised Funds to work for the organizations and causes they care about most.

If preserving Ventura County’s stories, celebrating its art and culture, and creating opportunities for our community to learn from the people and places that shaped our region are important to you, we invite you to consider making a gift to the Museum of Ventura County through your Donor Advised Fund (DAF).

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Santa Barbara Fiduciary launches Presidio Private to help families prepare for the “What Ifs”

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“People are usually pretty good at planning for the life they expect to have,” Tull said. “It’s the things we haven’t thought through that can leave families scrambling. I want to help people think about those situations before they happen, rather than trying to sort everything out in the middle of a crisis.”

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Sponsors Wanted For National Philanthropy Day Celebration, Nov. 12

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SANTA BARBARA — Once a year, nonprofits come together to celebrate the people and institutions that give generously to the local community. This year’s National Philanthropy Day celebration will be held November 12 at the Rincon Beach Club in Carpinteria, and organizers are seeking sponsors.

The event is hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Santa Barbara/Ventura Counties Chapter (AFP), an organization that brings together those in the fundraising and nonprofit fields.

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Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. celebrates 45 years of bringing community home

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“Over forty-five years ago, a group of farmworker families worked together to protect their homes, and everything we have built since carries that same spirit forward,” said Victoria Brady, Chief Executive Officer of Cabrillo EDC. “This milestone belongs to the residents who have trusted us, the staff who have dedicated their careers to this mission, and the partners and supporters who have stood beside us through decades of growth. We are proud of how far we have come, and just as excited about what the next 45 years will bring.”

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Bilingual report — County of Ventura prepares for winter weather amid strong El Niño forecast

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VENTURA — The County of Ventura is taking proactive steps to coordinate efforts across agencies to strengthen readiness, identify potential resource and informational needs, and ensure infrastructure resiliency ahead of what could potentially be a very active winter season. The National Weather Service is forecasting that significant El Niño conditions will continue to intensify through the end of 2026, with the possibility of these conditions creating the strongest event on record. The presence of strong El Niño conditions raises the likelihood of Ventura County experiencing a stormier, wetter than usual winter. 

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Allan Hancock College hosts state student aid leader for conversation on college access

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SANTA MARIA — Educators, counselors, students and community advocates from across the Central Coast gathered at Allan Hancock College Sept. 30 for a conversation focused on expanding college access and helping students navigate financial aid.

Allan Hancock College and the Central Coast Cal-SOAP Consortium hosted Daisy Gonzales, Ph.D., executive director of the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), for the event at Boyd Hall on Hancock’s Santa Maria campus.

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Farm Bureau of Ventura County — Record $2.4 billion crop value masks 80% collapse in Ventura County Farm Returns

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VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County’s record $2.4 billion agricultural production value in 2025 masked a far more troubling number: growers of several of the county’s major crops spent more money to grow them than the crops were worth.

Strawberries, Ventura County’s number one crop, grossed $807 million in 2025. But Ventura County’s favorite berry cost growers every penny of that $807 million to produce, plus $8 million more. Lemons, a crop deeply embedded in Ventura County’s history and heritage, showed even worse returns, costing growers $203.5 million to receive $181.7 million in gross revenue.

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CSUCI Fall 2027 application submission period has opened

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CAMARILLO — Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI) will begin accepting application submissions for the Fall 2027 term on Oct. 1, 2026. Students should submit their applications through the Cal State Apply portal. The priority application deadline for most Fall 2027 applicants is Jan. 15, except for the Nursing program which has a Nov. 30 deadline.

Applications for transfer students interested in Spring 2027 admission are already open. Students seeking Spring admission should submit their applications by the priority deadline of Oct. 30.

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Friendship Center Adult Day Care Center in Santa Barbara — Check out our flags on State Street!!!

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Our flags are flying on State Street in Santa Barbara! Make sure to visit and snap a photo by Tuesday, October 6! Dine at Mendocino Farms on Wednesday, October 7 and 50% of sales to be donated to Friendship Center.…

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Santa Paula receives $1.5 million for Sports Park Complex Phase II with support from Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón

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SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula is pleased to announce a major investment in the community’s recreational future with the allocation of $1.5 million in state funding for Phase II of the Santa Paula Sports Park Complex.

The allocation, championed by Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón, will help move the City closer to completing the next phase of improvements and expand recreational opportunities for Santa Paula’s residents. The new funding builds upon previous state support also graciously secured with Limón’s assistance for sports field lighting at the complex.

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VCCCD opens a clearer path to college with new student enrollment experience

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CAMARILLO — Students can soon get started at Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges in about 15 minutes, as the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) launches its new, simplified enrollment experience through CCCStart on October 8.

The district is among the first in California to adopt CCCStart, an enrollment platform that will replace the long-standing CCCApply system statewide by June 2027. This change is part of a statewide effort led by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to modernize how students begin college. The new platform was designed to expand access, improve the student experience and protect against fraud.

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Bilingual report — People’s Self-Health Housing Sept. 2026 eNewsletter

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This month, we opened a new Learning Center at Buellton Garden Apartments! Enrollment forms and more information can be found at pshhc.org/education.

The Buellton Garden Apartments Learning Center is made possible through generous grants from Wells Fargo and the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation.

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C.A.R.L. opens pet food pantry to assist Ventura County residents

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VENTURA — Canine Adoption and Rescue League (C.A.R.L.) announces the opening of its pet food bank, which will distribute food at no cost to residents. The Ventura-based C.A.R.L. Thrift Store, located at 2750 E. Main Street, Suite B, will serve as the hub for the pet food pantry. Its hours of operation will run from noon to 2 p.m., while supplies last, on Tuesdays and Fridays.

C.A.R.L. Governance Board President Claudia Hoste decided to launch a pet food pantry after attending an event that featured a local food bank. “I thought, ‘We need to do the same to support our animal community.’” Hoste has also seen several posts on social media, where people discussed how the rising cost of dog and cat food has challenged them to keep their beloved pets. 

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Ventura County microbusinesses eligible for fully funded hiring and employee training programs

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VENTURA COUNTY — The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC) announced (on Sept. 25) the launch of a high-impact suite of workforce programs designed specifically to help local microenterprises scale without financial strain. Administered locally through America’s Job Center of California (AJCC), the initiative provides fully funded work experiences, hiring reimbursements, and subsidized training to sole proprietors, independent operators, and family-owned firms with fewer than five employees. 

Designed to counter rising operational costs, these resources absorb the financial risks of onboarding and staff development for small employers that operate without dedicated HR departments or surplus working capital.

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VCCF Power of Purpose – September 2026

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Dear Ventura County Community Foundation family,

Today I invite you to watch one of my favorite TED Talks of all time: Drew Dudley’s “Everyday Leadership.”

In just six minutes, Dudley reminds us that we are all leaders. We tend to associate leadership only with enormous achievements, defining moments or extraordinary individuals. When we do that, leadership starts to feel inaccessible, something reserved only for other people. But our capacity to change another person’s life, and our community’s future, is far greater than we realize.

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CSUCI invites community to Dolphin Pantry Donation Drive and Free OLLI Seminar

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CAMARILLO — Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI) is inviting the community to support students experiencing food and basic-needs insecurity during the CSUCI Dolphin Pantry Donation Drive on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. to noon at Studio Channel Islands Art Center, 2222 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo.

The event is presented through a collaboration among CSUCI Basic Needs, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at CSUCI, and Studio Channel Islands Art Center. The eventconnects a passion for lifelong learning with the shared purpose of supporting CSUCI students.

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Pre-sale tickets end Sept. 30 for 4th annual Panteón Fest in Oxnard

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Panteón Fest – 4th Annual
Saturday, October 17, 2026 • 1:00–9:00 PM

Join us in Historic Heritage Square in Downtown Oxnard for the 4th Annual Panteón Fest, a celebration of Día de los Muertos through art, music, and culture. Enjoy eight hours of live performances, community altars, an art gallery, the Catrín & Catrina Contest, local vendors, delicious food, and drinks.

This year’s theme celebrates the world of Chespirito. Come dressed as your favorite Chespirito character and join us for a day of culture, nostalgia, and community as we honor Día de los Muertos together.

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Senior Concerns’ ‘Par and Away’ Golf Tournament on Nov. 17 tees up critical support for local seniors and family caregivers

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“The need in our community is growing at a pace we haven’t seen before,” said Andrea Gallagher, president and CEO of Senior Concerns. “We used to receive one or two inquiries a week about Meals On Wheels. Now we’re receiving 10 to 12. At the same time, more older adults and family caregivers are reaching out to our case workers for guidance, resources and support. The funds raised through events like Par and Away help us respond when our neighbors need us most.”

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Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — SBA offers relief to California small businesses and private nonprofits affected by the 2026 Plains Oil Spill

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The U.S. Small Business Administration announced low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in California to offset economic losses caused by the 2026 Plains Oil Spill occurring May 22 – 28. The SBA issued a disaster declaration in response to a request received from California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs on behalf of Governor Gavin Newsom on Sept. 17.

The disaster declaration covers the California counties of Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Ventura.

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Ventura College Foundation accepting scholarship applications for 2027-28 School Year

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The scholarship application deadline for the Paramedic and Career Education programs is November 23. Students will be notified of their scholarship status by mid-December. The application deadline for all other scholarships is January 22, 2027. Students will be notified of their scholarship submission results by mid-April 2027. Scholarship award distributions will begin August 1.

Students currently enrolled at Ventura College in the 2026-2027 academic year and who have completed or are on track to complete at least six units in the semester are eligible to apply. Units earned in previous semesters at Ventura College count towards the unit requirement.

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Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

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EN ESPAÑOL: PRODUCTIVIDAD, ADMINISTRACIÓN Y HERRAMIENTAS DE GOOGLE CON INTELIGENCIA ARTIFICIAL

21 de septiembre a las 6:00 pm

Las tareas administrativas suelen consumir tiempo valioso que podría dedicarse al crecimiento del negocio. Este taller explora cómo la Inteligencia Artificial y las herramientas de Google pueden mejorar la productividad mediante la gestión de correos electrónicos, creación de documentos, resúmenes de reuniones, organización de tareas y administración de información. Los participantes aprenderán formas prácticas de reducir trabajo repetitivo y mejorar la eficiencia. Precio: GRATIS.

HAGA CLIC PARA REGISTRARSE

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Guest contribution — Ventura County Taxpayers Association (VCTA) — School Bonds Are Back on the November Ballot? Both of Them Get a NO VOTE from VCTA!

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Two school general-obligation bonds will appear on local November 3rd ballots. Rio Elementary Measure B and Santa Paula Unified Measure C asks K–12 taxpayers to take on decades of new property-tax debt for projects that look a lot like the last ask.

Santa Paula Measure C — $48.6 million. Voters already said NO.

Measure C would issue $48.6 million at about $27.98 per $100,000 of assessed value to rebuild a gymnasium, build community swimming-pool facilities, and modernize vocational and performing-arts space. It needs 55 percent.

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Ventura Land Trust — A small gift. A lasting impact

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Every day, people enjoy the lands that Ventura Land Trust has worked so hard to protect—hiking the trails, exploring with their families, watching wildlife, or simply taking a few quiet moments outside.

When you give monthly to Ventura Land Trust, you become part of the community that makes this work possible, all year long. Your steady support helps us care for the places we’ve already protected, restore native habitat, maintain trails, and seize new opportunities to protect Ventura County’s wild and beautiful places.

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Gabe Grandcolas named president of the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Board of Directors

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SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table (SBART) is pleased to announce that Santa Barbara native Gabe Grandcolas has been named president of its board of directors, taking on a leadership role with an organization that has supported and celebrated local student-athletes for nearly 60 years.

Grandcolas brings deep roots in the Santa Barbara community to the role. He graduated from Santa Barbara High School, where he was a high school baseball pitcher, before heading to the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, where he graduated cum laude. As the Sales Director with the Knight Real Estate Group, Grandcolas built his reputation on careful listening, creative problem-solving and giving clients a clear understanding of their options, whether they are selling a family property or looking to call the greater Santa Barbara area home.

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Guest contribution — Celebrating 15 Years of the Salena Bracamontes Insurance Agency

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VENTURA — Fifteen years ago, Salena Bracamontes took a leap into business ownership and opened the doors to her own State Farm agency. Today, she’s built so much more than a successful business with the Salena Bracamontes Insurance Agency, she’s built a dedicated team, lasting relationships with clients, and a reputation for showing up for the people and community she cares about.

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Bilingual report — City of Camarillo Business Assistance Loans now Available

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In partnership with the City of Camarillo, the Economic Development Collaborative has launched the City of Camarillo Business Assistance Loan Fund. This low-interest program is specifically designed to prioritize the vibrant business community in the City of Camarillo. Start-ups can get the necessary capital to launch their ventures and established businesses can secure funds to fuel their growth. With abundant opportunities for collaboration, a diverse customer base and an environment of innovation, Camarillo is a perfect place to start or grow your business.

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Housing Trust Fund Ventura County announces $500,000 loan for a 21-unit supportive housing development in Santa Paula

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“Predevelopment financing is often the hardest capital to secure, but it’s what allows a project like Gateway Grove to move from an idea to groundbreaking,” said Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund Ventura County. “By stepping in early, we’re helping the Santa Paula Housing Authority, Many Mansions, and Homes & Hope turn a vacant motel into 21 homes for people who need them most, including veterans who have served our country.”

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VCCF scholarship season surpasses $2 million milestone in awards

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CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Community Foundation Scholarship Program has awarded $2,009,312 to students across the county for the 2026 season, exceeding the nonprofit’s past scholarship grantmaking record.

“As another incredible scholarship season closes and we enter a new school year, we are proud to celebrate the hard work and promise of the students this program exists to serve,” said Kirsti Vomund, VCCF scholarship director. “This year, we awarded 610 scholarships to 441 students, making this our biggest award year ever!”

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United Way of Ventura County — Thank you for making our Spirit Awards Gala a success!

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This special event would not be possible without our incredible award recipients and the meaningful work they do for our Ventura County community, as well as our presenters, sponsors, donors, performers, volunteers, vendors, and United Way staff. We are so grateful for your support and partnership in making this celebration a success!

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Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara receives over $500,000 from State Coastal Conservancy to launch the Ocean Collective with SBCC

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SANTA BARBARA — The Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara (CFSB) has been awarded $507,500 from the California State Coastal Conservancy to launch the Ocean Collective, a partnership dedicated to building career pathways and shared infrastructure for the region’s Blue Economy. SCC funding comes from the voter approved Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 (a.k.a. “2024 Climate Bond” or “Proposition 4”).

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Guest contribution — TruNorth Jets — Book Vacations 90 Days Prior to Takeoff

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SANTA ROSA VALLEY — With the holidays less than 90 days out, now is the prime time to consider booking arrangements in order to maximize savings on costs as well as time.

Typically, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year in the U.S. If you plan to travel on that day, you will definitely need to get ahead of the holiday rush. Booking ahead allows you more flexibility to adjust travel dates if necessary and can help lessen the stress of having to book everything last minute.

Additionally, as the holidays near, flight prices will increase as availability dwindles and demand escalates. By securing bookings in advance, travelers increase their likelihood to secure the best pricing for their trips.

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Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara Earns A+ Credit Rating from S&P Global

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For HACSB, however, the rating is not simply a measure of financial strength. It is another tool to advance the agency’s mission. HACSB measures success in human terms: more families with safe and stable homes, more seniors able to age with dignity, stronger neighborhoods, and more residents connected to opportunities and pathways to self-sufficiency.

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Governor Signs Bennett’s bill for water adjudication proof of mailing

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“AB 2125 protects small farmers and individual water rights holders by ensuring they are properly notified of adjudications that impact their rights,” said Assemblymember Steve Bennett. “In Ventura County, the Las Posas adjudication affected thousands of residents, many of whom never received notice.”

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Signups underway for Southeast Ventura County’s YMCA’s Youth & Government Programs; Deadline is Sept. 16

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For over 75 years, California YMCA Youth & Government has provided high school youth with a learning program modeling California’s legislature and courts. The program offers teen participants the opportunity to learn how government works, collaborate with others, make new friends and build skills such as critical thinking, persuasive public speaking, writing and research.

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Bilingual report — The latest news from the County of Ventura

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Help the County Plan for Disasters – Share your feedback!

What hazards concern you most in Ventura County and what should we be doing now to prepare for them?

That’s what Ventura County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan is all about. Simply put, it’s a roadmap for identifying the disasters most likely to impact our communities and taking steps before they happen to reduce damage and protect the people, places and services we rely on. And we need your input!

Take our short survey by September 15th and tell us

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Come Home to Friendship Center: Our 50th Anniversary Reunion

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Friendship Center is 50! Wow!

For 35 years this September, I have the joy of being part of this very special community. Many of you receiving this email, I know personally. I’ve had the privilege of connecting with so many members, families, and friends through my many roles at Friendship Center, from directing our buses and taking members on field trips to leading our Connections program, working at our Montecito and Goleta locations, running the Gold Program, and now serving as our Membership Liaison.

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Bilingual report — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) August 2026 newsletter

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Lea en español | Received this from a friend? Subscribe! eNewsletter | August 2026 Here’s to 56 years! This month, nearly 200 People’s team members from throughout the Central Coast came together to mark the milestone. Friend, The coming months will…

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Leadership Ventura County unveils new identity, launches expanded programming across the county

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VENTURA COUNTY — Over 200 community leaders, alumni and partners gathered Thursday, Aug. 20th, at the Ventura County Office of Education for The Big Reveal Party, where the organization formerly known as Ventura County Leadership Academy introduced its new name, Leadership Ventura County, alongside an expanded slate of leadership programming built to reach more of Ventura County.

While Leadership Ventura County’s new identity marks a visible change, organization leaders say the programming behind it is the real story: a broader, more accessible approach to developing leaders across the region.

“Our new name, Leadership Ventura County, is really about access,” said Pattie Braga, Executive Director. “With Leadership Class, Leadership Explore, Leadership Elevate, and Leadership Connect, we now have programs tailored to where someone is at personally or within their career, whether that’s a nine-month deep dive or a first step into their community. This next chapter is about opening that door wider for more people across the county.”

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Rebozo Festival Inc. announces 2027 grant application now open

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CAMARILLO — Rebozo Festival Inc., is pleased to announce that awards of up to $20,000 will be granted to qualified non-profit organizations that focus on the cultural, social and/or educational needs of the Ventura County community. The application process will open September 1st and will close September 30th, 2026, at 5:00 pm.

Rebozo Festival, Inc., encourages non-profit organizations that meet the following requirements to apply:  Nominated organizations must be located in Ventura County serving primarily Ventura County Latino residents and must be an IRS 501©(3) non-profit organization/institution or operate under the fiscal sponsorship of a qualified organization/institution.

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Bilingual commentary — National Debt: Should We Be Concerned?

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This morning I woke up to the disconcerting news that our national debt had attained an ominous level: $40 trillion dollars (that’s $40,000,000,000,000). Sure, it sounds like a lot of money, but what exactly does that portend for us, our children, and our grandchildren?

Lots of bad things, as it turns out. Apparently, the United States can bury itself in debt just as individuals can. What happens when we as individuals find ourselves drowning in debt?

Our credit rating drops because we can no longer be trusted with fiscal management. So too the United States.

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Bilingual report — Ventura County Assessor’s Office issues public advisory regarding false property tax claims targeting seniors

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VENTURA — The Ventura County Assessor‘s Office warns seniors and all local property owners about a current trend regarding misinformation on reducing or freezing property taxes. The Assessor’s Office has received numerous calls, emails, and in-person visits from property owners inquiring about a supposed federal program that allegedly freezes property taxes. This misinformation is being spread through fraudulent online claims, social media posts, and scam phone calls encouraging property owners to file a non-existent federal IRS form “1098-SR” to reduce or freeze property taxes. No such form exists, and these messages are not legitimate.

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SBCC’s Fall Semester starts Monday, Aug. 24

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SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College welcomes students of all ages, attending in-person or via its extensive selection of online courses, on its first day of classes, Monday, August 24.

From recent high school graduates enrolling in college for the first time, to career-minded students desiring two- or four-year areas of study and beyond, SBCC’s credit programs provide multiple pathways to earn a degree, certificate or transfer.

Adult learners are equally empowered through the School of Extended Learning’s programs, working on their vocational skills, GED, ESL or exploring various creative offerings.

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Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — SBA Offers Relief to California Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by the 2026 Los Palos Incident

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Low-Interest Disaster Loans Now Available

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in California to offset economic losses caused by the 2026 Los Palos incident (Boyle Heights Fire), which occurred June 17 – 25. SBA issued a disaster declaration in response to a request received from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs on Aug. 10.

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Ventura County nurses and health care professionals to hold speak out to save Santa Paula Hospital

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VENTURA — Registered nurses and healthcare professionals at Santa Paula Hospital (SPH) in Santa Paula and Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) in Ventura will hold a speak out at Ventura County’s Board of Supervisors hearing on Tuesday, Aug. 18, to protest changes in services and possible closure of SPH proposed by Ventura County Healthcare Agency Administration and County Board of Supervisors. Nurses and health care workers at SPH and VCMC are represented by California Nurses Association/Caregivers and Healthcare Employees Union (CNA/CHEU), an affiliate of National Nurses United (NNU), the country’s largest nurses union.

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Music Academy of the West’s 2026 Music Note Gala raises $1.2M for music education and community access

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View in Browser Audra McDonald headlined the sold out celebration honoring Cheryl Goldberg in support of scholarships and transformative music education programs SANTA BARBARA  — The Music Academy of the West raised a record-breaking $1.2 million at its 2026 Music…

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El Concilio Family Services in Oxnard announces 36th annual Latino Leadership Awards Fundraising Campaign

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OXNARD — El Concilio Family Services has officially launched its fundraising and sponsorship drive for the upcoming 36th Annual Latino Leadership Awards. Established in 1990, the awards recognize outstanding individuals and businesses that have made substantial contributions to uplifting Ventura County’s Latino community.

“Our donors deserve to know that their generosity translates directly into high-quality, professional support for local agricultural and service-sector families,” said Yvonne R. Gutierrez, Executive Director. “The Latino Leadership Awards allow us to honor local excellence while raising vital funding to keep our immigration and education services responsive, credible, and fully accountable.”

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Santa Paula Latino Town Hall — Please Join Us: Defend health care in the Santa Clara Valley – 10:30 am August 18

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You are invited to make public comment before the Ventura County Board of Supervisors and stand with our community in defending hospital-level health care in the Santa Clara Valley.

Tuesday, August 18, 2026 – 10:30 a.m.
Ventura County Board of Supervisors Meeting
Board of Supervisors Meeting Room
Hall of Administration
800 S. Victoria Avenue
Ventura, CA 93009

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Ventura County Civic Alliance (VCCA) Aug. 15, 2026 Livable Communities Newsletter

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Can Ventura County Still Take Care of its Own?

On Monday morning, September 14, the Ventura County Civic Alliance will host our Future of the Region conference in Camarillo. The conference theme is “Can Ventura County Still Take Care of its Own?” and we will dive into demographic shifts impacting our region.

Ventura County, like many parts of the state and nation, is experiencing a decline in the birth rate leading to changes in healthcare with an aging population, impacts to education from declining enrollment and the overall economy as we lose young workers. These and other challenges impact every city in the County.

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Sweet Sixteen: Port of Hueneme earns prestigious Excellence in Financial Reporting Award for 16th straight year

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PORT HUENEME — The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Oxnard Harbor District – Port of Hueneme for the sixteenth consecutive year. This year’s award, which recognizes the strength of the Port’s comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2025, is the highest form of recognition teams can achieve in governmental accounting and financial reporting.

“We are honored to receive this recognition because we know accountability matters,” said Jason Hodge, President of the Oxnard Harbor District Board of Commissioners. “We prioritize accuracy and transparency and do all we can to serve as a vital economic engine for our region.”

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Ventura Land Trust — Shop our Wild & Scenic Film Festival Silent Auction from home!

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The Wild & Scenic Film Festival silent auction is going online! The Wild & Scenic film festival is almost here and this year, you can shop our famous silent auction, right from your living room!

Starting August 15 at 8:00 a.m., you’ll have two full weeks to bid on an exciting selection of items and experiences—all from the comfort of home. Find your favorites, place your bids, and help support Ventura Land Trust while you shop. Let the bidding begin!

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Mitch Rosenberg again named among Southern California’s Top Financial Security Professionals by Forbes

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THOUSAND OAKS — Mitch Rosenberg, CFP®, CLU®, MSFS, AEP® CEPA®, AIF®, of the San Fernando Valley Office of New York Life has recently been named to the Forbes | Shook Best-in-State Financial Security Professionals 2026 list. Rosenberg was ranked #8 among financial security professionals in Southern California, recognized for the trusted guidance he provides to individuals, families, and business owners as they navigate life’s biggest financial decisions.

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Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

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STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE: LEARN ANYTHING FASTER WITH NOTEBOOKLM

August 11 @ 10:00 am

Successful businesses make better decisions because they have better information. In this webinar, you’ll learn how to use NotebookLM to conduct competitive analysis, refine pricing, accelerate SEO and AEO, and synthesize large amounts of research into simple summaries and action steps. You’ll also learn how to use AI to create executive briefs, reports, and slide decks quickly, helping you make smarter strategic decisions in less time. This session is ideal for business owners looking to leverage AI for research, planning, and strategic growth. Price: FREE.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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