OXNARD — El Concilio Family Services invites you to join us as we celebrate 36 years of recognizing exceptional Latino leadership. Featuring the inspiring artwork “Healing in Color” as seen through the Eyes of Youth, this special evening brings together community partners, supporters, and leaders committed to creating a brighter future. We hope you’ll join us on Oct. 2, 2026, to honor our award recipients and invest in programs that make a lasting difference in the lives of local families.
I think we can all agree that listening to the news makes us feel like we are being dragged into a roiling sea of chaos. Every day brings new challenges to our sense of right and wrong, our moral compass, our very understanding of what it means to treat each other humanely.
Your daily routine may be similar to mine. My alarm goes off and I almost want to avert my eyes as I scan the news that has already made headlines on the East Coast and overseas. I access my favorite and reliable radio news sources (I refuse to get the news on social media), only to get smacked by a relentless barrage of breaking news. Every day we must contend with the erratic decisions of a chaotic administration and attempt to process more political instability than I ever remember.
The Port of Hueneme was proud to co-host Stars, Stripes & Sounds: America 250 alongside the City of Oxnard and the Oxnard Downtowners Foundation at Plaza Park. The community celebration commemorated the nation’s 250th
anniversary with local bands, classic cars, and family activities.
This fall, we have the power to push back against cuts to essential services, address the skyrocketing cost of living, and respond to the fear our communities have faced at the hands of ICE and the federal government over the past year and a half. To do so, we have to make sure people get out and make their voices heard at the ballot box.
CAUSE is a founding member of Unidos 805, a coalition dedicated to building an intergenerational movement that creates lasting political, social, environmental, and economic change across the Central Coast. Together, we’re growing the collective power of our organizations, our leaders, and our communities to shape a future where everyone can thrive.
With a major election just months away, Unidos 805 is hiring phone bankers and canvassers to help build the people-powered movement needed to advance policies rooted in our communities’ values.
VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Public Health (VCPH) has confirmed a positive case of measles related to international travel. This is the first confirmed case in the county since 2017. VCPH is conducting a thorough investigation and working closely with healthcare providers and exposed contacts to prevent further transmission. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads through coughing, sneezing, and airborne particles. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room. Unvaccinated or undervaccinated individuals are especially at risk of infection. If you have been fully vaccinated or were born before 1957, your risk of infection is extremely low.
SANTA PAULA — As the beginning of the new school year approaches next week, the Santa Paula Police Department reminds residents, parents, students, and school staff to practice caution and safety in observance of drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and school buses.
The first day of school is August 12, 2026. Vehicle and pedestrian traffic will be impacted during drop-off and pickup times. Here are helpful tips for back to school traffic safety:
Three years, woohoo!
On July 17th, I celebrated my third anniversary as Executive Director of Friendship Center. Fittingly, it was spent surrounded by longtime friends, new supporters, our remarkable staff and Board, and so many of you at our second annual Summer Polo Soirée. It was a fabulous afternoon and a wonderful reminder of just how much this community believes in our mission. Thank you for making it such a joyful success!
The three-year mark in my role, and almost ninth year of being as part of the Friendship Center family, has me feeling particularly reflective about how I first showed up here.
Since launching the course, CEC has certified 256 CEC Climate Stewards — a growing, interconnected network of alumni who are putting what they’ve learned into practice. This diverse mix of educators, non-profit leaders, students, retirees, business owners, and climate allies are tackling challenges ranging from local policy change to plastic pollution to wildfire resilience.
VENTURA — Ventura Housing on July 25 welcomed families from across the community to its Westview Property for its annual Back-to-School Resource Fair, providing free backpacks, school supplies, meals and entertainment alongside direct access to more than 20 community organizations to help students start the new school year prepared for success. Centered around the theme “Strong Families, Strong Futures,” the fair connected families with educational opportunities, health and wellness resources, workforce development programs, mental health services and youth enrichment activities. Participating partners included Ventura County Library, Ventura College, California Lutheran University, Clinicas del Camino Real, and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura, giving attendees direct access to programs and services that support student success long after the first day of school.
SANTA BARBARA — More than 350+ elementary school students enrolled in United Way of Santa Barbara County’s Fun in the Sun summer learning program participated in an arts education experience this week with a live performance of Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra by the Music Academy’s Chamber Orchestraconducted by William Long and featuring acting troupe Really Inventive Stuff, plus an instrument exploration station hosted by the Santa Barbara Symphony.
The field trip was made possible by the Music Academy of the West and sponsored by Montecito Bank & Trust and all partners of Santa Barbara County’s arts and education programs.
VENTURA — Summer is in full swing at Ventura Harbor Village, Southern California’s premier seaside destination where visitors can savor ocean breezes, fresh coastal cuisine, boutique shopping, family-friendly entertainment, and unforgettable adventures on the water. Whether planning a day trip or weekend getaway, Ventura Harbor Village offers the perfect blend of relaxation and recreation along Ventura’s picturesque waterfront. www.VenturaHarborVillage.com
SANTA BARBARA — The Music Academy of the West proudly announces the 2026-2027 Mariposa Concert Series, a collection of intimate musical experiences held in Hahn Hall on the Academy’s Miraflores campus in Montecito. The series furthers the Academy’s mission to bring exceptional music to the community throughout the year by showcasing the artistry of esteemed Music Academy alums and world-renowned musicians.
Ventura County, like many other places in California, brings affluence and poverty together across its neighborhoods. Deep, persistent inequalities continue to threaten the future of Ventura County’s children and communities.
The following infographic data from the CESI Database exposes some of these critical gaps. Take a look at the information provided, and do not forget that poverty is a byproduct of our economic system and can be eliminated by investing in ourselves and, most importantly, in our children.
The Distinguished Professor and emLab Director was just named a Fellow of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (AERE), the highest honor bestowed in the field of environmental and resource economics.
The labor force represents all residents in the jurisdiction who voluntarily seek employment. Not all residents seek employment because they (1) are not of age, (2) are retired, (3) are not capable of working, or (4) simply choose not to participate in the workforce.
Nube Obscura ¡El cortometraje realizado durante el Taller de Cine del Teatro de las Américas 2025 ya está disponible para verse en YouTube! The short film produced during the Teatro de las Américas 2025 Film Workshop is now available to…
Adventure Guides & Trailblazers is a family-centered YMCA program for parents and their children (ages 5-11) in the Conejo and Simi valleys. Parent-child pairs join a Circle with families in their neighborhood or the school they attend. Adventure Guides is for children in kindergarten through second grade. Trailblazers is for children in third grade and up.
SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital recently concluded another successful Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp, bringing together youth with physical disabilities for a week of adapted sports and recreation at the UCSB Recreation Center. Held July 13-16, the camp welcomed approximately…
“Kylie brings outstanding technical expertise, proven leadership, and a deep commitment to public safety,” said Fire Chief Dustin Gardner. “Her experience in fire prevention, code enforcement, and community risk reduction, combined with her passion for developing future fire service professionals, makes her an exceptional addition to our leadership team. Fire prevention is one of the most effective ways we protect our communities, and I am confident Kylie will help us continue building a safer, more resilient Ventura County.”
VENTURA — As the Ventura County Health Care Agency (HCA) approaches the August 18, 2026, Board of Supervisors meeting, HCA is finalizing its strategic review of continued health care service options for the Santa Clara River Valley (SCRV) and Santa Paula Hospital (SPH). With state-mandated 2030 seismic deadlines approaching, this work provides a timely opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery to be more sustainable, accessible, and responsive to residents.
HCA has engaged the consulting firm Health Management Associates (HMA) to support the health care planning for SCRV. HMA is a national independent research and consulting firm that focuses on publicly-financed health care.
The results of Donald Trump’s latest venture as head referee at World Cup soccer matches prove that American soccer knows how to get tired of winning: just get the ref to issue an executive order when it looks like the American team is “being treated unfairly.” When your preferred team doesn’t like a lower referee’s call, all the head ref has to do is threaten to tariff the opponent’s soccer equipment and uniforms. This audacious merger of assertive diplomacy and international sports guarantees that if we can’t win on the field, we can at least tie things up in court for decades.
As families across Ventura County prepare for the new school year, parents can take a few simple steps to help their children start strong both academically and emotionally, according to a local health expert.
“Getting ready for school is about more than buying supplies,” said Dr. Kristina Kang, a pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente in Camarillo. “Healthy habits, routine medical care and open communication with your child’s doctor can make a big difference in their success throughout the new school year.”
… One Step A La Vez is passionate about serving the needs of our community, particularly those of underserved teens and families who may lack the necessary resources to excel in their education. With the new school year fast approaching, we are gearing up to provide backpacks filled with essential school supplies to teens in need. Our goal is not only to equip these children with the tools they need to succeed academically but also to alleviate some of the financial burdens faced by their families.
Experience the magic of a live performance! Reserve your tickets for Patty Soria En Concierto. Don’t miss out on the excitement—book now and treat yourself to an unforgettable event.
THOUSAND OAKS — For over 20 years, Rachel Guettler, Ed.D., has built her career in philanthropy, student enrollment and leadership coaching. She will bring this expertise to her new position as the vice president for growth and advancement at California Lutheran University. Guettler will start Aug. 17 as the senior leader responsible for advancing the university’s enrollment strategies and leading institutional growth through fundraising, partnerships and external engagement.
“A leader in development and growth in higher education, Rachel has a strong mission-driven approach and background in relationship-building that aligns with Cal Lutheran’s vision and values,” said Laureen Hill, M.D., MBA, chief strategy and growth officer.
GOLETA — Tiny hands covered in paint. A sculpture made of sticks, feathers, and toilet paper rolls. A masterpiece that looks nothing like anyone else’s. At LEAP’s Children’s Centers, this isn’t a random art activity—it’s a strategic approach to early childhood development.
On July 28, LEAP’s Process Art Show at its Phelps Children’s Center showcased artwork created by children ranging from two years old through Pre-K. Students experimented with materials, made their own choices, solved problems, and expressed their ideas freely—creating one-of-a-kind works of art.
At LEAP, children engage in both product art and process art, each offering unique opportunities for learning and development.
CARPINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is thrilled to announce the addition of a fully equipped music room to its campus facilities and extends its gratitude to local Montecito residents and singers/songwriters, Lila and Georgia MacPhail, for their generous contribution of this exciting new learning space.
The addition of this space for the creative arts allows the organization to expand its mission to offer girls abundant opportunities to learn and grow as they become the strong, smart, and bold leaders of tomorrow.
Thank you for making Friendship Center’s 50th Anniversary Summer Polo Soirée an incredible success!
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Together, our Summer Polo Soirée and Summer Campaign raised over $75,000, exceeding our fundraising goal and helping provide compassionate daytime care for older adults living with dementia in South Santa Barbara County.
SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) is proud to welcome Mindy Denson as the newest member of its Board of Directors. Denson joins the leadership team with a long history of local engagement and a deep commitment to supporting the organization’s compassionate mission.
Mindy has spent more than 30 years in Santa Barbara working in substance abuse counseling and retail management. Moving from Cleveland, Ohio, Mindy attended UCSB and after completing graduate school, she worked for Santa Barbara and San Mateo Counties counseling individuals and groups with alcohol/drug problems.
Discover how CEC is reducing waste at the source, and how you can help create a circular future.
THOUSAND OAKS — TOArts invites the community to celebrate the next generation of local artists at the culminating showcase of its Creators Conservatory on Tuesday, August 4 at 1:00 p.m. in the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center.
The showcase will feature original adaptations of The Day the Crayons Quit, the bestselling children’s book written by local author Drew Daywalt, alongside musical theatre selections students have developed throughout the program.
For nearly half a century, Proposition 13 has served as California’s bedrock defense against unsustainable taxation and fiscal overreach. By capping property tax rates and establishing clear supermajority vote requirements for special taxes, voters created a stable framework designed to keep homeowners in their homes and ensure local governments live within their means.
However, over the past decade, judicial rulings have eroded these core taxpayer protections.
The lecturer successfully advanced public health, environmental conservation, community infrastructure and youth empowerment across the Last Frontier
VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation announced it surpassed the $7 million goal of its “Invest in Success” fundraising campaign by $117,289.
The Invest in Success campaign was launched when the Ventura College Foundation Board of Directors approved a plan to sustain the long-term future of the VC Promise Program and Basic Needs Centers.
“Ventura College exists because our community believes that education has the power to transform lives. The outstanding success of the Invest in Success campaign is a powerful reflection of that shared commitment in action. Together, Ventura College, the Ventura College Foundation, and our generous donors are ensuring that financial hardship doesn’t stand between a student and the opportunity to access education and pursue their educational goals,” says Dr. Luca E. Lewis, Ventura College president.
MOORPARK — The Moorpark College Theatre Arts Department is pleased to announce auditions for its upcoming Fall 2026 production of Thornton Wilder’s ”Our Town.” This production revisits the first play performed in the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center as a part of the college’s 60thanniversary celebration.
More than 200 local artists, three powerful solo exhibitions, and a community that keeps showing up.
Proposed rollback comes as BLM considers leasing 36,000 acres in California, including lands bordering Carrizo Plain National Monument. (Public comment due Aug. 24).
CENTRAL COAST — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing changes to federal oil and gas leasing regulations that would sharply reduce the financial assurances, or bonding, requirements for drilling companies and expand opportunities to lease public lands for development.
VENTURA — The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, a division of the Human Services Agency, is starting its annual distribution of discount cards to be used at participating Farmers’ Markets. Adults over the age of 60 who are on a limited income and meet the eligibility guidelines may receive this free benefit.
Cards are only available while supplies last at each distribution point. They can be used to purchase up to $50 in fresh, nutritious, unprocessed, locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey and herbs.
OXNARD — City Impact, Inc., a Ventura County-based nonprofit dedicated to serving at-promise youth and families since 1995, today announced that exhibitor tables are now available for local small businesses and vendors at the Thrive Together Awards 2026, the organization’s signature annual celebration of entrepreneurship, innovation and community impact.
The Thrive Together Awards will take place on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 5:00–9:00 PM at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main St., Ventura.
The overwhelmingly bipartisan supported and much awaited 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is now law and with it comes a raft of improved regulations and access to financing fit, as the name implies, for this century. Those provisions include:
Billions of dollars of unlocked bank equity allowed to invest in low-income housing tax credit funded projects
Reauthorization and reforms of housing production programs.
Increases to FHA multifamily statutory loan limits.
SANTA BARBARA — Reicker, Pfau, Pyle & McRoy is pleased to announce that attorney Hillary Leffue has joined the firm, bringing extensive experience in litigation, internal investigations, and alternative dispute resolution.
Leffue has built her practice helping businesses navigate high-stakes moments, including shareholder disputes, sensitive internal investigations, and government enforcement actions. She advises clients on a wide range of commercial disputes, including breach of contract, intellectual property, fraud, and consumer protection matters. She has litigated cases in state and federal courts and arbitration proceedings throughout the United States.
CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Department of Child Support Services (VCDCSS) invites the community to celebrate Child Support Awareness Month throughout August with this year’s theme, “Strong Families Start with Support.” As part of the celebration, VCDCSS will host Family Connections Day on Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the VCDCSS parking lot.
Hosted by the Ventura County Department of Child Support, this free event will bring together families for educational workshops, community resources, and family-friendly activities that promote financial well-being, child safety, and strong family connections. The event reflects VCDCSS’s ongoing commitment to supporting parents, strengthening families, and helping children thrive.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College Community Education is opening the door to a new career with the launch of its tuition-free barbering program this fall. The new program will provide aspiring barbers with an accessible, affordable pathway into one of California’s most sought-after skilled professions. An interest list for the program is currently open for potential students.
The City of Simi Valley Loan Fund is a low-interest loan program that’s designed to help businesses recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Available through the Economic Development Collaborative and funded by the City of Simi Valley, small business owners who have had difficulty obtaining pandemic resources and traditional bank lending can now access local, professional assistance and capital.
SANTA BARBARA — This summer, Santa Barbara City College’s (SBCC) Dual Enrollment Summer Bridge Program welcomed more than 100 rising ninth-grade students from the Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) and Carpinteria Unified School District (CUSD) for an immersive week-long college experience designed to inspire confidence, build a sense of belonging, and encourage students to pursue higher education.
Presented through SBCC’s Dual Enrollment Program, in partnership with SBUSD PEAC Program (see below) and supported by the Foundation for Santa Barbara City College, the Dual Enrollment Summer Bridge provides first-generation and historically underrepresented students with an early introduction to college life before they begin high school. Throughout the week of June 22-26, students earned one unit of transferable college credit while developing the academic, personal, and social skills needed for future success inside and outside of the classroom.
Finally, Mother Nature will be held accountable for not respecting international borders. The White House, never one to accept “unfair treatment,” has decided to launch a courageous new economic weapon against our former friend, Canada. Since “meteorological” is a big word, Trump is calling this weapon “weather tariffs.”
A recent series of blistering Truth Social posts excoriated Canada for “actively wafting” filthy, polluted, unhealthy air from their wildfires across the border into the U.S. Never mind that the Canadians “wafted” their soldiers into Afghanistan to help us with the war on terror in 2001. Never mind that when we have wildfires, Canada sends help.
SANTA BARBARA — Students for Eco-Education andAgriculture (SEEAG) and the Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) entered into an agreement in which SEEAG will educate elementary and junior high school students about the origins of food, sustainable farming practices, and potential careers in agriculture at La Colina Junior High School in Santa Barbara.
The programs will begin at the start of the 2026-27 school year.
La Colina will host a regional SEEAG Farm Lab Hub, bringing togetherstudents of multiple age groups for hands-on agricultural and environmental education. Third graders from nearby schools in the district will explorewater, plant, and soil science through SEEAG’s Farm Lab field trips in theexisting garden space, while seventh- and eighth-grade students will engage in advanced STEM investigations within two new learningenvironments: an Agricultural Innovation & STEM Discovery Lab and aCalifornia Climate Resilience & Conservation Learning Lab.
