On Tuesday, November 18th, the Oxnard City Council faces a defining choice: will they stand with our community or take a bad deal from a polluting corporation that has spent decades deceiving and putting profit before people? Join us at City Council on Tuesday at 6:00 PM to make your voice heard and stand up for environmental justice in Oxnard.
It’s been a little while since our last newsletter, but we’re so happy to reconnect with you! So much has been happening in our beloved Nyeland Acres from new programs to inspiring community moments that continue to remind us why we do what we do.
At Nyeland Promise, our mission remains the same: to build a healthier, stronger, and more united community through compassion, empowerment, and opportunity. Whether it’s through our Cafecito con los Vecinos senior gatherings, Comadres Unidas women’s empowerment group or our continued outreach for families, every effort is made possible because of you — our dedicated neighbors, volunteers, and partners.
OXNARD — This October, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Coalition for Family Harmony marks its 50th anniversary — a milestone in its long-standing commitment to serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault throughout Ventura County.
The organization traces its roots back to 1975, when it was founded as a crisis phone hotline by Roz McGrath, a pioneering social justice advocate known for her tireless work defending human rights and supporting underserved communities. What began as a grassroots effort from McGrath’s vision and activism has since grown into a robust, multilingual agency offering comprehensive services including shelter, legal advocacy, trauma counseling, prevention education, and 24/7 crisis intervention.
The next regular meeting of the
County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Administration Building
Board Hearing Room
511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria
The public may participate virtually or in person at the County Board Hearing Room in Santa Barbara or Santa Maria.
VENTURA — More than 150 volunteers and community partners gathered to honor Veterans at Bank of America’s Corporate Office for Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County’s Fourth Annual Playhouse Build Blitz, presented by Bank of America. Teams of volunteers worked side by side for 5+ hours painting and decorating children’s playhouses, each tailored to the interests of a local military family. By the afternoon, families arrived to receive their new playhouses, complete with themes ranging from dinosaurs and gardens to princess castles. In all, 18 families and their children experienced the joy of receiving a playhouse built just for them.
VENTURA — As part of the Ventura County Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Program, the Environmental Health Division (Division) is providing the following precautionary information to the public.?Rainfall that is significant enough to result in runoff can flow into storm drains, channels, creeks, and rivers that empty onto the beaches of Ventura County.?In general, 0.2 inches (2 tenths of an inch) of rainfall may be enough to create significant runoff conditions.?
OXNARD — A news conference will be held at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 at Plaza Park in Oxnard about the Department of Pesticide Regulation’s new 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) regulation and new data showing large increases in highly hazardous fumigant use near schools and daycares.
SAN LUIS OBISPO — More than 70 California Conservation Corpsmembers and San Luis Obispo residents received free eye exams and, if needed, free prescription glasses on Nov. 6-7 thanks to a partnership between VSP Eyes of Hope and the California Conservation Corps. Many of the prescription glasses were made the same day on board the mobile clinic, allowing patients to receive eye care and eyewear in the same visit.
SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) is honored to invite the community to its 42nd Annual Light Up a Life ceremonies. This cherished holiday tradition returns to offer a warm, uniting space for the communities of Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Carpinteria to remember and honor the loved ones whose absence is felt during the holiday season. The ceremonies are free and open to the public.
While the holiday season is often associated with joy, it frequently stirs a complex mix of feelings. For individuals navigating this time while grieving a loss, the emotions can be especially raw. HSB understands that this period requires both remembrance and support, which is why we proudly host Light Up a Life annually to honor those who are deeply missed.
THOUSAND OAKS — Arson investigators determined the likely cause of the Mountain Fire was extreme wind dislodging a pocket of covered, hot tire debris from an earlier fire, the Ventura County Fire Department announced Nov. 7.
“The Mountain Fire was devastating to our community,” Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said. “To everyone affected by the fire, you have our continuing support. Neighbors to all of us here in Ventura County lost homes and possessions, including irreplaceable photos and keepsakes. Others were forced to flee, not knowing whether they would have homes to come back to. It was heartbreaking and the emotional scars of this fire will last long after the homes are rebuilt.”
Cervantes recognized for innovative, effective healthy relationship strategies among justice-impacted youth in San Luis Obispo
GARDEN GROVE — The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (the Partnership), a coalition representing over 1,000 survivors, advocates, organizations, and allied individuals, today honored Lumina Alliance’s Bilingual Client & Justice Systems Relations Advocate Fatima Cervantes with the Planting the Seeds Award. The award celebrates people who have engaged in intergenerational domestic violence prevention education, contributing to healthy relationships and communities. The Partnership recognized Cervantes for building strong relationships with justice-impacted youth in San Luis Obispo County, as well as providing innovative lessons for discussing healthy communication and setting boundaries.
Dr. Duncan was inducted as Member of this highly coveted Academy. He is the current Trauma Medical Director of Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) and Medical Co-Director of Anacapa Surgical Associates. He is a surgeon educator with experience in contributing to the development of the trauma system in Ventura County and has received several awards for his work in surgeon education, community outreach injury prevention, as well as multiple peer reviewed publications on trauma and general surgery.
If you need food assistance, the County has partnered with the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County to target food distribution efforts throughout the county. These events provide free fresh groceries and produce. Everyone is welcome, and no registration is required.
Since becoming an emergency first responder in 1994 and joining Ventura Fire in 1996 as an Emergency Paramedic, Endaya has advanced through every rank in the department before being selected as Fire Chief in 2014.
“Serving the City of Ventura as Fire Chief has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” said Chief Endaya. “I am proud of what we have accomplished and deeply grateful for the dedication, professionalism, and heart of the men and women of the Ventura Fire Department.”
VENTURA — The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that the annual quarantine on mussels gathered by sport harvesters from California’s coastal waters ended on midnight on Friday, October 31, 2025, for the California coast, including Ventura County. Shellfish advisories remain in place for sport-harvested razor clams from Humboldt County and for sport-harvested mussels, clams, scallops, and oysters from the Northern Channel Islands.
Just Days Away — Celebrate 20 Years of Hope!” Time is running out to be part of this special evening! Join us Saturday for Casa De Vida’s 20th Anniversary Dinner & Silent Auction at Ventura Missionary Church. Your support helps…
The Port of Hueneme was proud to support the Farmworker Health and Wellness Fair at Oxnard College on October 10th, connecting our local farmworker community with essential health resources, wellness services, and support programs.
CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) today announced the appointment of Suma Simcoe as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective Oct. 15.
“Suma brings a wealth of operational expertise, deep understanding of managed care, and a proven record of turning complex challenges into sustainable results,” said Dr. Felix Nuñez, GCHP’s chief executive officer. “Her leadership will help strengthen our infrastructure and ensure we continue to deliver high-quality, member-centered care for Ventura County. We are thrilled to welcome her to the team.”
SANTA BARBARA and GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is adopting Mentavi Health’s Diagnostic Evaluation to provide timely, rigorous ADHD assessments for students seeking academic accommodations. The partnership enables SBCC to reach accommodation decisions faster, when appropriate, and helps students stay on course during the term’s most demanding weeks.
You can still claim up to $20,000 when you switch to an electric vehicle, and CEC can help you figure out which programs you qualify for and which incentives you can stack for maximum savings.
Here’s a breakdown of the key state and local programs offering rebates and incentives. These can be applied to an EV purchase or lease.
SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Cardiology Clinic is pleased to announce the addition of two new cardiology specialists to its growing team, Dr. Elizabeth J. Hutchins, a board-certified cardiologist specializing in cardio-oncology, and Dr. Chee Yuan Ng, a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist. Their addition further broadens the clinic’s specialized cardiovascular services for patients across the Central Coast.
OAK PARK — Artwork by 13-year-old Micah Aliling, currently an 8th grader at Medea Creek Middle School in Oak Park, was selected by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) to appear in its printed 2026 calendar and digital library.
MWD delivers 1.5 billion gallons of water daily to 19 million people in Southern California. Earlier this year, it invited students across its six-county service area, including those in the Triunfo Water & Sanitation District (TWSD), to submit water conservation-themed artwork for its “Being Water Wise Is…” Student Art Calendar Contest. This marks the fourth consecutive year that a student from Oak Park has had their artwork featured in the calendar.
The resolution comes in response to growing concern over proposed state defensible space rules. The Board expressed concerns that the rules could result in significant costs for homeowners and local governments without addressing local needs.
“Wildfire prevention is a top priority for Ventura County, but one-size-fits-all rules don’t work,” said District 4 Supervisor Janice Parvin, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “We need solutions that are both effective and realistic for our communities. This resolution shows our commitment to keeping residents safe without putting an unfair burden on them.”
GOLETA — Jackie Carrera, President and CEO of the Santa Barbara Foundation, and Ashley Costa, Executive Director of the Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization, will be honored at the 2026 LEAP Awards, alongside Das Williams, who will be recognized as Distinguished Alumnus.
The 2026 LEAP Awards will be a milestone celebration of LEAP’s 55th anniversary as a nonprofit and 50 years of its Children’s Center. For the first time in six years, the event will be held in person at the stunning Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The brunch will bring together community leaders, philanthropists, and partners who believe in creating thriving futures for children and families.
“As we celebrate 55 years of service, we are honored to recognize Jackie Carrera, Ashley Costa, and LEAP alumnus Das Williams. Each, in their own way, has strengthened families, lifted voices, and inspired children to shine. Their leadership reflects the very heart of LEAP’s mission, and we are proud to celebrate them alongside our community,” said Lori Goodman, LEAP CEO.
LOS OLIVOS — The Legacies of Hope dinner, was an evening of storytelling and community, gathering many of People Helping People’s most dedicated supporters to the Inn at Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos on October 17, 2025.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of this year’s Luminary Awards, for those who have given in extraordinary ways to support the mission of People Helping People (PHP).
This year’s recipients are the Becky Barieau and Billy Wathen Family, Feed the Valley with Chef Daisy and Greg Ryan, and the Brady Family.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College is helping local students and healthcare professionals take the next step in their careers with two upcoming program application deadlines — including the college’s new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Pathway, developed in partnership with California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI), and the spring 2026 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) academy.
“Ventura County supports stronger wildfire safety measures,” said Supervisor Jeff Gorell. “But Sacramento’s one-size-fits-all approach to maps and regulations ignores local realities. Without clear funding, local flexibility, or practical timelines, these rules risk creating another unfunded mandate that burdens homeowners and drives up insurance and housing costs.”
Thanks to your support, on Tuesday, Oct. 21, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors directed staff to develop an ordinance ending new oil drilling in the county. The ordinance process is expected to take about six months. County staff will also begin the process of phasing out existing oil operations by developing an amortization study of existing wells and conducting an environmental review.
SANTA BARBARA — (On Oct. 16), we honored Paul Relis, whose vision helped ignite the environmental movement. In the wake of the 1969 oil spill, Paul founded the Community Environmental Council and began a journey that would shape the Central Coast’s environmental legacy for generations.
Paul’s ambition has always been grounded in hope, community, and a deep belief in our collective power to create change. From co-hosting one of the very first Earth Day celebrations in 1970 to pioneering waste management and recycling programs as a California EPA executive, Paul’s influence helped turn Santa Barbara into a beacon for environmental action.
“We are excited to receive this grant, which will allow us to significantly expand our bicycle and pedestrian safety program,” said Principal Civil Engineer Jeff Hereford. “By focusing on education, awareness, and promoting safe practices, we aim to reduce crashes and prevent injuries. Ultimately, we’re working toward building more walkable and bike-friendly neighborhoods where everyone can travel safely and confidently.”
VENTURA — This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Ventura Fire Department, the oldest fire department in Ventura County and one of the oldest in California. Its legacy began in 1875, when the Monumental Fire Company was formed with 53 volunteer members. Just three years later, in 1878, the newly incorporated City of Ventura officially created the Ventura Fire Department when the Monumental Fire Company turned over all of its equipment to the City.
In 1915, Ventura hired its first full-time fire chief, beginning the department’s transition from a volunteer organization to a professional fire service. Soon after, paid firefighters were hired, establishing the foundation of the modern agency that continues to protect Ventura today.
“LEAP has always believed that when we bring people together, we can solve big challenges. The diaper drives are proof—students, businesses, churches, and organizations all stepped up. Each diaper collected represents relief for a caregiver and comfort for a child, and we are grateful to everyone who made that possible,” said Lori Goodman, CEO of LEAP.
You don’t need to wait for the next disaster to make a meaningful impact. Community Environmental Council’s (CEC) Central Coast Resilience Hubs Accelerator is here to support local leaders who recognize the growing threat of climate disasters and are ready to take action.
If you work with a neighborhood school, church, library, community center, nonprofit, or similar facility, you may be in the perfect position to host a Resilience Hub — a safe space that offers shelter, safety training, clean air, off-grid power, cooling, and/or food before, during, and after a disaster.
Looking for an event venue that aligns with your values and amplifies your impact? The Community Environmental Council’s Environmental Hub offers versatile, eco-friendly spaces for every type of gathering.
Situated in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, The Hub embodies sustainability and community spirit. Beyond its green design, each event at the Hub supports CEC’s mission to advance bold, scalable solutions to the climate crisis. From intimate meetings and panel discussions to community workshops, networking mixers, and celebrations, your gathering becomes part of a larger movement toward climate resilience and local empowerment.
SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) on Oct. 15 celebrated the signing of Assembly Bill 14 — a landmark law creating the statewide California Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program.
No Kings Day rallies are planned throughout the Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties region on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in protest of the policies of the Trump Administration. The rallies are being organized by Indivisible and supported by a variety of organizations.
“In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings,” Indivisible stated in a variety of posts.
“Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and stronger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan—it’s the foundation our nation was built upon. Born in the streets, carried by millions in chants and on posters, it echoes from city blocks to rural town squares, uniting people across this country to fight dictatorship together.”
Please see links to local protests, news coverage in the region.
By Kaiser Permanente
If you’re thinking about skipping the flu shot this year, you may want to reconsider!
Scientists and public health officials are preparing for a potentially active flu season in the United States in the coming months, based on recent trends and updated vaccine formulations. Here’s what they say the public should expect:
SANTA BARBARA — Join the Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association (DSBIA) in advancing a Balanced, Flexible Design for a Thriving State Street!
The community is invited to sign the petition before the council meeting on Oct. 21.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is collecting donations to provide Thanksgiving dinners to 300 families facing financial hardship, including families whose children participate in the YMCA’s Find My Genius program and those affected by recent wildfires.
Each family will receive a box filled with food items such as cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, chicken stock and turkey gravy, plus a $60 Ralph’s gift card for a turkey or ham. The YMCA has already identified 100 families to receive Thanksgiving boxes.
CAMARILLO — Starting (Oct. 1), Ventura County residents with both Medi-Cal and Medicare coverage will be able to choose to have their care coordinated under one integrated plan from Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP).
GCHP Total Care Advantage (HMO D-SNP) is a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan for low-income seniors and people with disabilities who qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal – known as Medi-Medi members. Total Care Advantage is designed to support members by offering care coordination to help with accessing needed services, scheduling appointments, and managing chronic conditions.
We hope this newsletter finds you well and safe. We are pleased to share with you our latest updates on the 805UndocuFund’s efforts in taking charge of the newly operated Rapid Response Network. Previously owned by CAUSE, we have trained over 1,000 volunteers throughout the tri-county since the beginning of 2025. To date, we have almost reached our fund goal & immediately having been dispersed $478,000 to 388 families! All our successes could not have been achieved without the support from the community.
The legislation ensures fire hydrants work as designed during wildfires by creating baseline standards of emergency preparedness for water districts servicing homes in high fire risk areas of Ventura County as mapped by CAL FIRE.
There is a potential for storm water runoff to carry disease causing bacteria to the beaches and into the ocean water. In addition, storm water runoff can transport physical hazards such as partially submerged tree limbs and logs into the ocean that could result in serious physical injury. Contact with this runoff water will result in an increased risk to human health and should be avoided for at least 72 hours after all rainfall activity has ended.
SACRAMENTO — Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 1041(Bennett) which improves patient access to care and boosts small and independent practices by streamlining the physician credentialing process.
For too long, California physicians have faced months-long delays when trying to join health plan networks. These delays are caused by outdated, inconsistent, and duplicative credentialing requirements that vary from plan to plan.
Researchers are working to bring highly sensitive quantum experiments outside of the laboratory.
Commercial refrigeration is among the most energy-intensive operations in the food business, and outdated systems are costing us more than just money. Many older units use refrigerants that contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
“An emergency department visit for an older patient often brings about significant life changes that require attention beyond treating the immediate illness or injury,” said Dr. Patrick Glynn, an emergency medicine physician at Cottage Health. “Our team works together across specialties to address urgent needs and ensure older patients have the right support to stay safe and well after their visit.”
We are so grateful to those who joined us last Saturday at CEC’s Green Gala, an inspiring evening of resilience, strength, and climate action.
Together, we raised more than $100,000 to help implement and accelerate bold, equitable solutions to the climate crisis, including wildfire resilience, climate leadership, community safety, and environmental advocacy.
Your partnership strengthens our resolve to meet the climate challenges ahead and propels our dedication to building a safe, resilient, and just world for generations to come.
Thousand Oaks Rotary Street Fair & EV Showcase
Sunday, October 19
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
449 N Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks
Learn more.
(Oct. 1), the federal government entered a “shutdown” caused by a lapse in appropriated resources. Republicans control the House, Senate, and the White House – the three bodies necessary to fund the government. And still, extremists in Congress chose to shut the government down rather than find common ground and negotiate with Congressional Democrats.
In 2019, the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans oversaw the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. In the days leading up to the current shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson canceled votes, and the House was not in session to vote on any compromise legislation to keep the government open.
