Paint at Paseo
MCASB, Paseo Nuevo, De la Guerra Place
Celebrate summer with @omepache, a local Mexican muralist living the Chicano experience in Santa Barbara! Join a 90-minute acrylic painting session, perfect for artists of all ages. Supplies—canvases, paints, aprons, and brushes—are provided. Best of all, this monthly event is free for everyone to enjoy!
VENTURA — The City of Ventura invites artists and artist organizations to participate in a new public art initiative to beautify large trash bins near the coast. Selected artists will be uniquely able to beautify four trash bins along the Pier and Promenade area. Online applications are now open through Friday, September 13, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/PublicArt.
William Davies King’s new book covers Nobel Prize-winning playwright Eugene O’Neill masterpiece of American drama, “Long Day’s Journey into Night,” and the context of its creation.
SANTA MARIA — Seven cadets graduated from Allan Hancock College’s CORE Custody Academy on Aug. 23 during a ceremony held at the college’s Public Safety Training Complex in Lompoc.?
“You are the beginning of a career in one of the most demanding fields out there,” said Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown. “Your choice to serve your community is honorable and admirable.”
OXNARD — The Downtown Oxnard Improvement Association (DOIA) and Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation (OPAC) are thrilled to announce the installation of a new mural titled “Don’t Forget The Neighborhood,” created by renowned Santa Barbara-based muralist D.J. Javier. This striking mural, located under the Third Street Bridge in Downtown Oxnard, serves as a powerful visual representation of the city’s diverse and dynamic community and will be installed Monday through Friday, August 25-30, 2025.
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) students majoring in a STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) field have a chance to shadow NASA planetary scientists, thanks to a $375,000 grant procured by Assistant Professor of Physics Kevin Hayakawa.
All CSUCI undergraduates are eligible to apply, but should submit their application by Aug. 30 at tinyurl.com/H2O-App. Students can be STEM majors or planning to pursue a STEM major.
SBA: WOMEN OWNED SMALL BUSINESS OFFICE HOUR FOR RFIS
August 27 @ 8:30 am
Do you have a Request for Information (RFI) from the WOSB Certification Review team? The Women-Owned Small Business Program is excited to announce a new webinar series: WOSB Office Hour for RFIs! This series is intended for applicants who have applied to become WOSB/EDWOSB certified and who have received a Request for Information (RFIs) from the certification review team but are unsure of how to proceed in responding to the RFI. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions in an open forum about responding to RFIs from members of the WOSB Program staff. Sessions will be held virtually every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 am.
County of Ventura to hold public listening session on Request for Proposal for local ambulance services
On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, the County Executive Office will conduct an in-person and online listening session to solicit comments from stakeholders and the public on the initial draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for an Exclusive Emergency Ground Ambulance Transport and Related Medical Services Provider. Written and verbal comments will be considered in the final draft submitted to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors.
“It’s an exciting time to be at Cal Lutheran as we begin this academic year,” said Cal Lutheran Interim President John A. Nunes, Ph.D., who joined the university June 1. “I am animated by two things: the Cal Lutheran student body and our mission. Ours is a multiethnic student body, a significant percentage of whom are the first in their families to attend college. We are providing all our students with the tools they need for a rewarding career and a life of meaning.”
SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! (Viva) is excited to announce its highly anticipated 2024-2025 season, featuring an outstanding lineup of Latin American performers guaranteed to captivate audiences across Santa Barbara County.
This season, Viva will present five acclaimed acts that exemplify the vibrant and diverse cultural heritage of Latin America.
Your voice is important and your port wants to hear it!
Join us next Tuesday, August 27 at the Port of Hueneme 333 Ponoma St. from 12PM – 6PM for the Port’s final draft presentation for feedback before adoption of the plan.
To comment and review the draft visit: https://www.portofhueneme.org/10-year-strategic-plan/
Have you ever found yourself wondering why a place is called something intriguing, such as “Whynot?” There are communities with that name in Mississippi and North Carolina.
Or how about “China” in Texas?
Hinting at scandal, we have the town of “Hooker” in the panhandle of Oklahoma. The locals are quick to assure us that “it’s a location, not a vocation.” I’m glad they clarified that.
There are always equally intriguing reasons how places like these got their names.
United Way thanks all who made this a spectacular evening!
We’re pleased to share with you our latest video highlighting our Community Impact programs.
Learn more about Women United, VITA, United to End Homelessness VC, Stuff the Bus, and Building Healthy Smiles initiatives and the outcomes we’ve accomplished together!
Please hit play to take a look!
We are facing a critical situation at Ventura County Animal Services. Due to a recent 140% kennel capacity issue, a severe illness has taken hold within our dog population, with several cases escalating to pneumonia. To control the outbreak and ensure the recovery of our sick dogs, we urgently need to increase adoptions.
This month, PSHH is celebrating 54 years of changing lives and strengthening communities on the Central Coast! To make a gift in honor of our anniversary, visit pshhc.org/buildingtogether.
Celebrate the exhibition A Legacy of Giving: The Lady Leslie and Lord Paul Ridley-Tree Collection with free admission for all (1 – 4 pm) with related art activities, family gallery guides, docent tours, music, and refreshments. This event also coincides with SBMA’s Free 2nd Sunday for Tri-County Residents (Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo) (11 – 5 pm).
SANTA BARBARA — Unite to Light, the Santa Barbara-based non-profit, continues its mission to shine a light in the darkest corners of the globe, and in our community! Just when you thought Santa Barbara couldn’t get any brighter, Unite to Light the Night, the organization’s flagship fundraising event, is back for a third year, ready to outshine itself. Guests will experience Breathing Space, where your breath becomes one with the planet, by Jonathan Smith, Alan Macy, and Tai Rodrig. Carlos Grasso’s COLORSPACE uses simple changes in light to upend your perception of reality, while Louise Gerber’s Colored Shadows will make you rethink the power of a simple shadow. Mark your calendars for October 18th and 19th, 2024 for this two-day event.
“Emily’s extensive experience in local government, combined with her deep commitment to our community, will bring transformative leadership to our department,” said Stacey Zarazua, Parks and Recreation Director. “Her talent for guiding complex projects and creating sustainable strategies will be invaluable as we continue to enhance the quality of life in Ventura.”
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Biotech Trade Delegation reaches a significant milestone as it wraps up its successful visit to India. Initiated by Ventura County District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell and organized in collaboration with BioScience Alliance Founder and Chairman Brent Reinke, EDC Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Director Dr. Ray Bowman and EDC SBDC Trade Specialist Simona Filip Racek, CGBP, this mission profoundly strengthens ties between Ventura County’s thriving biotech sector and India’s rapidly expanding biotechnology market.
The mission was made possible with support from the U.S. Commercial Service Offices in Ventura County, New Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development and the Organization of Women in International Trade Orange County.
MCASB presents Cassandria Blackmore: Khioni Diptych, on view through September 29, 2024 in the museum’s window box gallery – 24 hours a day.
Blackmore’s paintings are reverse painted shattered glass. The shattering creates a vortex quality to the surface of the painting that draws the viewer in. At times one is seeing the painting through the transparent surface while later one might see the reflection of the environment around it thus obscuring the artist’s physical mark. In the artist’s own words: “It’s the essence of breaking down an image and restoring it to another version of itself that intrigues me.”
Cassandria lives and works in Santa Barbara, CA. Her work is in the permanent collection of the Crocker Art Museum, Racine Museum of Art, Fitchburg Art Museum, Oakland Museum, Portland Art Museum, The Fort Wayne Museum of Art, and The Imagine Museum. She is a recipient of the Hauberg Fellowship for painting on glass. Cassandria Blackmore is a Trustee on the Board of The Pilchuck Glass School founded by Dale Chihuly.
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Civil Grand Jury seeks opportunities to speak to community organizations, non-profit organizations, and similar groups as part of its education outreach program.
The Civil Grand Jury investigates matters affecting aspects of government in Ventura County. The Jury comprises 19 citizens who are impaneled by the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court and serve as a “voice and conscience” of Ventura County residents concerning their local governments.
When it comes to shark conservation, scientists say size should matter after a global study finds that the sharks most affected by fishing are also the most important for healthy oceans.
A Back to School Message
From Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools
The start of the new school year is always a magical time as classrooms and schoolyards come roaring back to life after summer break. Ventura County’s public school system serves nearly 125,000 students and provides a comprehensive range of educational services. This school year will see expanded learning opportunities for students of all ages, from the continued expansion of transitional kindergarten (TK) to new career education options. Some of the most exciting new initiatives are highlighted in my annual back to school message, which I invite you to read at this link.
9th Annual Labor Day Tractor Fair
Monday, September 2
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
@Agriculture Museum
926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula
Join us for the Agriculture Museum’s 9th Annual Labor Day Tractor Fair on September 2nd, immediately following the Santa Paula Labor Day Parade. This beloved community event celebrates Santa Paula’s diverse agricultural heritage with family-friendly activities, live music by Whole Hog, captivating presentations and tours, and a deep appreciation for our local farming culture. Thank you to Topa Topa Flywheelers for helping make this event possible. For more information click HERE!
VENTURA — The City of Ventura is introducing Ventura Connects, a new online portal that makes it easier for residents to report issues like potholes, graffiti, and debris. This platform improves accessibility to request types, visibility of requests and reports, and provides real-time updates.
“Our goal is to offer exceptional customer service and make it simple for residents to report issues and track the progress of their requests. Ventura Connects represents a new way for community members to interact with City services,” said City Manager Bill Ayub. “It also demonstrates our dedication to leveraging technology to enhance city service, ensuring the transparency and accountability our residents expect and deserve.”
Ventura Connects offers a mobile-frie
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College is expanding its popular “Bulldog Bow-WOW” event into a weeklong series of fun and informative activities for new and returning students.
The college’s “Week of Welcome”, or WOW, will take place from Aug. 26-30 and include workshops and activities designed to get students off to a successful start at Hancock. Students who participate each day will have the opportunity to meet with faculty and staff, learn about programs and services, win prizes, get free food, connect with their peers, and more.
“Hancock’s Week of Welcome will connect new and returning students with the resources and tools they need to set themselves up for a successful fall semester and beyond,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers.
IN-PERSON EVENT: SCORE VENTURA COUNTY IN-PERSON EVENT:THE BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS- A FASTER WAY TO A BUSINESS PLAN
August 21 @ 8:30 am
Join SCORE Ventura County for a dynamic workshop on mastering the Business Model Canvas. This session begins with an exploration of essential business planning fundamentals. Following this, you’ll engage in a hands-on demonstration of the Business Model Canvas, a powerful graphical tool for crafting and refining business strategies. Participants will receive a blank Business Model Canvas template and will have the opportunity to complete it, time permitting, with guidance, during the workshop. Don’t miss this chance to learn practical skills that can help enhance your business planning and strategy execution. Reserve your spot today to unlock new insights and propel your business forward! Address: Thousand Oaks City Hall, Oak & Park Room, 3rd Floor, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
VENTURA — In a June 17 meeting, the Ventura College Foundation Board of Directors approved three new board members for the 2024-25 term.
One of the new board members is Dr. Claudia Lourido-Habib, president of Ventura College, who began her tenure at the college earlier this month.
“I’m so excited to be part of both the college and the foundation,” says Lourido-Habib. “These two arms of education have had a strong partnership for 40 years since the foundation began. As the college heads towards its 100th anniversary in 2025, we’ll continue to work together to remove educational barriers and give students the tools and hope they need to succeed.”
EDC has partnered with EnGen, a virtual learning platform, to deliver career-aligned English upskilling at NO-COST to Ventura County immigrants, refugees and speakers of other languages. Unlike other training programs, workers do not need Social Security Numbers and are only required to make the minimum wage of $15.50 per hour to qualify for training.
THOUSAND OAKS — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is taking signups for its Adventure Guides’ program for the 2024-25 school year. A free kick-off BBQ and information night will take place at the Conejo Valley YMCA in Thousand Oaks (4031 N. Moorpark Rd.) on Saturday, August 24 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Adventure Guides is for parents and their children (ages 5-11). It is designed to enhance the quality of family time and support and strengthen the communication between parent and child at an early age.
SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin is pleased to announce the Governor’s signing of AB 1779, which restores a lapsed jurisdictional law (Penal Code 786.5) allowing county prosecutors to charge related incidents of Organized Retail Theft (ORT) in a single county superior court. AB 1779 was part of the Assembly’s bi-partisan “Californians Together Against Retail Crime” bill package addressing issues related to theft and drug offenses.
Have you ever wondered what happens when you call 9-1-1 in a time of need?
Santa Barbara City Fire Chief Chris Mailles told an incredible story today about what used to happen when he was a 9-1-1 dispatcher some years ago. Dispatchers had to take the calls of those in distress, write furious notes, thumb through filing cabinet drawers to locate an address, carefully read maps, and then decide which department to hand off the dispatch request to based on where the emergency was taking place.
While today computers have made this process faster, the closest ambulance or fire truck is not always the one sent to your emergency. Which side of a boundary your emergency is at still determines which department responds, costing precious seconds of time that can make the difference between saving lives or being too late.
Now all that is changing. This Wednesday we celebrated the graduation of the first-ever class of emergency dispatchers from the County’s Regional Fire Communications Center Dispatch Academy.
This impressive group of 18 graduates is well-trained to the highest emergency standards.
They can provide life-saving instructions over the phone, including CPR and cardiac arrest procedures while emergency personnel are en route.
We all owe a great thanks to the Fire Chiefs of our local departments and districts, who have taken the lead to improve this system. In doing so, they are showing us that regional cooperation is the answer.
Learn More
We are still accepting applications for the Social Justice Fellowships Program.
We will host an Applicant Workshop on Thursday, August 22, at 6:30pm.
Our leadership will answer questions and guide applicants in writing quality requests. Interested candidates, please join us.
Our history is included below, and application details are here: Grant Process – SJFVC
For more information, please send questions or referrals to our Program Manager, Jonathan Macaranas, at info@socialjusticefundvc.org.
CAMARILLO — “We’re calling it a base camp (as opposed to a summit) because as far as AI has come in such a brief period of time, it still feels like a moment where we’re just beginning,” said Assistant Vice President of Digital Learning Lorna Gonzalez. “An event like this is meant to bring our community together to hear about what’s happening regionally and to have a shared experience about something that has been highly disruptive and will continue to be.”
One of the greatest frustrations of modern life is trying to unsubscribe from a paid service that is intent on not making it easy for you. To cancel a particular service that you no longer wish to receive, you may be forced to jump through several hoops that are only two feet wide, ablaze with shooting flames, and 60 feet above the ground.
Some companies providing services that, supposedly, we can “unsubscribe from at any time” make it excruciatingly difficult for us to do so. Their hope, of course, is that we become so flustered that we simply give up and decide to march on to fight another battle somewhere else in our lives.
“Child Support Awareness Month is a dedicated time for us to celebrate the positive impacts of child support services,” said Marcus R. Mitchell, director of the Ventura County Department of Child Support Services. “I am grateful to everyone that joins us in spotlighting the child support program and connecting parents to our services. Together, we’re improving the lives of families in our community.”
What a 2024 festival it was! For its 29th season the Ventura Music Festival opened at the city’s most historic outdoor party site. In the high-walled adobe courtyard where the Olivas family hosted a celebration for the election of President Abraham Lincoln came another Kentucky-Indiana resident, Michael Cleveland and his band Flamekeeper. A full house of patrons picnicked, danced and drank from our new cantina to the amazingly intricate strings of the Bluegrass Fiddler and Group of the Year. New to bluegrass and bluegrass cognoscenti alike exclaimed it was an extraordinary night to hear America’s unique brand of folk music combining old-time?mountain music, square dance fiddling, blues, gospel, jazz, and popular music!
SANTA BARBARA — On Monday, August 12, 2024, Congressman Salud Carbajal joined Leah Stokes from Rewiring America, Rincon Plumbing, Community Environmental Council (CEC), and Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN) to celebrate the clean electric upgrades at the home of Santa…
Delegations meet weekly to learn about the legislative process and the roles of elected state and local officials, judges, lawyers and advocates. They also acquire skills including public speaking, team building, critical analysis and leadership—skills that can be helpful throughout their school years and career.
The Conejo Valley/Simi Youth & Government YMCA delegation (serving Simi Valley and Moorpark) will host its kick-off meeting on Tuesday, September 3 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Simi Valley Y (3200 E. Cochran St.). For more information, email conejoyandg@sevymca.org
Saturday, August 17, 2024 • 3 PM to 5 PM
$15 SPAM Members • $20 Non-members
Don’t miss the Santa Paula Art Museum’s biggest fundraiser of the year! Sixty works of art will be up for grabs during our Fine Art Auction Fundraiser on Saturday, August 17. Bid on beautiful works by historic California artists like Jessie Arms Botke, Cornelis Botke, Douglas Shively, and Ralph Holmes, and contemporary pieces by Bert Collins, Susan Petty, Gary Ray, and more. Click here to preview the 20 live auction artworks online.
The 2024 Fine Art Auction Fundraiser is sponsored by Calavo Growers, Bunnin Chevrolet of Santa Paula, Rotary Club of Santa Paula, and the Santa Paula Art Museum Board of Directors and Docent Guild.
In each of our quarterly Livable Community Newsletters written since the publishing of the 2023 State of the Region Report, we have spent major effort to dive into specific topics offered. For this quarter we decided to look into the State of the Region through the lens of the livable community’s 3 Es, and stress the coordination of key topics that must integrate to truly understand the functioning of our complex county. We believe that each topic must be explored in a “give and take” approach that is required to produce long term results.
Let us know what you think about this.
Thanks,
Stacy Roscoe
SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Health is pleased to announce the opening of a new location for its Cottage Heart & Vascular Center, designed to bring together several of its specialized cardiac practices in one convenient location. Located right next to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital at 221 W. Pueblo St. in Santa Barbara, the new building houses a range of services, including cardiology, cardiovascular diagnostics, cardiothoracic surgery and women’s heart care. The centralized location fosters seamless communication and coordination between the various specialties.
“Emergency medical workers are critical in helping people survive strokes and cardiovascular emergencies,” said Heather Ellis, who oversees emergency medical services for the Ventura Fire Department. “Spotting the problem early, keeping the patient stable, and acting quickly within our care system give patients the best chance for effective treatments and a better quality of life.”
VENTURA COUNTY — The Museum of Ventura County (MVC) and Chief Curator Carlos Ortega are thrilled to announce the arrival of internationally known photographer Diego Huerta, whose work has been featured in National Geographic Magazine. Mr. Huerta will be an artist-in-residence at MVC through August 31 photographing and creating videos that share the stories, traditions and art of members of Indigenous groups from Mexico, including Mixtec, Zapotec, Maya, Purépecha, Triqui, Chontal, and more, who now reside in Ventura County.
SANTA BARBARA — The non-profit Teacher’s Fund has launched its annual Back to School Supplies Drive with the goal of raising $75,000 to purchase educational supplies for Santa Barbara-area teachers and students.
This year’s fundraising drive launches August 20 and runs through September 20. Anyone interested in donating to the drive can do so here http://www.tfsuppliesdrive.com/. Donors can contribute to specific items requested by teachers or submit a general donation. Common teacher wish list items include STEM supplies, learning toys, art supplies, electronics, and classroom furniture.
Alternatively, individuals and organizations can sponsor the supplies drive. Sponsorship levels start at $250 and include social media mentions and entries for the chance to win one of numerous prizes and other recognitions.
Mechanical engineering professor Francesco Bullo leads a multidisciplinary university research initiative to investigate the mathematics behind networks of coupled oscillators.
“We want everyone to enjoy their end of summer travels and festivities, however, it’s imperative to do so responsibly,” said Corporal David Curtis. “Driving under the influence puts your life at risk and endangers everyone else on the road. Our goal is to reduce preventable crashes and save lives.”
The Lumina Alliance Board of Directors guides policy and oversees Lumina Alliance’s work of serving survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence in San Luis Obispo County. Lumina Alliance’s Board aims to be a diverse representation of the San Luis Obispo community and strives to include members from a wide variety of backgrounds and vocations.
Dear Ventura County Community Foundation Family,
As one of the newest members of VCCF, I can say that in my short five months here, I have witnessed countless examples of our community banding together to formulate solutions to create lasting impact in our shared world. Many of you have taken time out of your busy schedules to share your knowledge and expertise with me, take me on a tour of your organizations, and volunteer your talents to address many of our region’s challenges – turning them into opportunities to strengthen our community together.
One of these opportunities is the tremendous work being done through the Ventura County Trusted Messengers Network. Together, we are focusing on extreme heat, mental health, water conservation, and economic inclusion through our Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) campaign. These areas have been prioritized by the State of California and are essential for safeguarding our region and ensuring equal access to vital information to keep our community safe.
