SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Health has been named to Becker’s 165 Top Places to Work in Healthcare List for 2026.
The recognition highlights organizations that make their people a priority and foster environments where caregivers feel supported, valued and empowered. Becker’s noted that these organizations invest deeply in their teams through competitive benefits, professional development opportunities, inclusive workplaces and resources that support work-life balance.
Climate disasters like extreme heat, wildfires, poor air quality, and flooding can strike our region at any time. Community Resilience Hubs are trusted, local spaces — like schools and libraries — that support neighborhoods before, during, and after climate disasters. Each Hub is unique and offers services and resources for the specific needs of the community.
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We’re excited to present you the culmination of five years of collective labor – published in the fall – we’re now celebrating and excited to share our publication with events in Mexico City, Los Angeles, Oaxaca City, Santa Maria, and Santa Barbara!
Join us on Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 7-10 pm at The Culver Hotel, Culver City for a conversation with the curators, artists, and contributors that made this publication possible!
For the 12th consecutive year, the City of Ventura earned budget awards from both the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO) and the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). CSMFO presented the Operating Budget Meritorious Award for Fiscal Year 2025–2026, and GFOA honored the City with its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, the organization’s highest recognition.
New research co-authored by Roark Chao demonstrates a new micro–light-emitting diode design that improves both efficiency and beam directionality.
OXNARD — The Collection at RiverPark is inviting Ventura County to embrace the start of spring with an itinerary filled with family-friendly activities. Whether it’s snagging a selfie with the Spring Bunny or a day of crafts, visitors of all ages can look forward to beloved springtime traditions in a warm and vibrant community hub.
From wildfires and flooding to extreme heat, Southern California communities are facing intensifying climate challenges. Southern California Edison (SCE) — the electric utility company that delivers power to homes and businesses across the Central Coast — is working toward providing safe, reliable service and preparing for increasing climate risks.
The next regular meeting of the
County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for
9 a.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2026
County Administration Building
Board Hearing Room, Fourth Floor
105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara
Community members who are not already subscribed may sign up to receive our newsletter in English here and in Spanish here.
“Ventura County Farm Day is a free, all-ages, one-day invitation for people to explore agricultural locations across Ventura County,” says Caitlin Paulus Case, executive director of Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture. “Farm Day helps people better understand the journey of our food from field to table while highlighting the uniqueness and abundance of our region. It celebrates the many individuals whose hard work feeds and sustains us, contributing to Ventura County’s ranking as the 11th most agriculturally productive county in the nation.”
Weintraub is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with more than 40 years of experience in financial planning and investment management, bringing deep industry knowledge and governance experience to the Board.
Currently, Weintraub is a Partner in the Santa Barbara office of Cerity Partners, a leading independent wealth management and financial advisory firm in the United States. He provides comprehensive financial advice and oversight, with a focus on integrated financial planning and long-term wealth strategies.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College is inviting the community to enjoy a series of live musical performances this spring featuring student musicians, faculty artists, and special guest performers in Boyd Concert Hall (bldg. F) on the Santa Maria campus.
These performances are open to the public on the following dates, times, and locations:
VENTURA — Seafood lovers are invited to Ventura Harbor Village to celebrate National Clam Chowder Day on Wednesday, February 25 with $5 bowls of chowder from seven participating restaurants. (While supplies last.) Nestled along the picturesque Southern California coastline, Ventura Harbor Village, offers the perfect scenic setting to enjoy this classic coastal comfort dish, while dining alongside the fishing vessels, looking out towards the snow-capped Topa Topa mountains, and basking in the West Coast winter sunshine!
IN-PERSON EVENT: FROM SKILLED EMPLOYEE TO TEAM LEADER: SUPERVISORY & LEADERSHIP FUNDAMENTALS
February 25 @ 8:00 am
You were promoted because you’re great at your work. Now you’re responsible for making sure others do it well, and that requires a completely different skill set. Join the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County and the Economic Development Collaborative for a focused, high-impact course designed for skilled employees who have recently moved into a supervisory role. This course bridges the gap between “doing the work” and “leading the work,” helping participants transition from operator to process leader. Check-in: 8:00 – 8:30 am. Address: Workforce Development Board of Ventura County Office, 3rd Floor, 2901 North Ventura Road, Oxnard. Price: FREE.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
VENTURA — Celebrating its 40th year, the California Strawberry Festival returns Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds (10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001). The family-friendly event features Strawberry-themed favorites, including strawberry nachos, chocolate-dipped strawberries, strawberry kabobs, strawberry popcorn, margaritas and more.
Festival goers can also enjoy nearly 150 arts and crafts vendors, an expanded Strawberryland for kids, live entertainment on three stages, carnival rides, and a “build-your-own” Strawberry Shortcake Experience.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — Signups for summer camp at the Southeast Ventura County YMCA branches are underway with camp locations at the Yarrow Family YMCA in Westlake Village, Simi Valley Family YMCA day camp sites and at the Conejo Valley YMCA.
“We’re happy to bring summer camp back to the Conejo Valley YMCA site,” Katie Oberman, Yarrow Family YMCA child care senior program director. “It has a perfect outdoor space for games, water sports and nature hikes, and indoor spaces for STEM activities and arts and crafts.”
The book by Mario T. García, a distinguished professor of Chicano/a studies and of history, is the first comprehensive text on Rupert García’s life and art.
THOUSAND OAKS — California Lutheran University scholar-athlete Camden Hyde been named to the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team (Winter). The junior men’s basketball player is being honored by the Allstate National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA ) for his leadership in community service, academics and athletics. Annually, 60 student-athletes throughout the country are recognized for the fall, winter and spring seasons.
Last month we were honored to receive an award from a regional organization focused on economic development.
As essential infrastructure, just like transportation, public health, water systems, and energy grids, housing underpins our economy and is the very foundation upon which every vibrant community is built.
But the persistent shortage of affordable homes continues to challenge our region.
In less than 30 days, our community has witnessed yet another violent physical attack against individuals bearing witness to ICE activity in Santa Barbara County.
Created and directed by acclaimed choreographer and artistic leader Karen Parks, CEO and Artistic Director of Stagebound, Inc., Decolonized: The Matriarchs is a multidisciplinary performance that reclaims and elevates the Black female narrative through expressive movement, voice, and storytelling. Parks is widely recognized for her work exploring themes of identity, culture, and healing through the performing arts. Her work has been featured throughout California and beyond, engaging audiences in meaningful dialogue around history, resilience, and empowerment.
I am infuriated that ICE is using taxpayer dollars to brutalize and kill Americans. No one should have to live in fear.
I voted NO to granting ICE billions of taxpayer dollars without proper oversight, and now I am demanding that DHS implement common sense guardrails to protect the constitutional rights of all of us.
Registered nurse members of National Nurses United, the nation’s largest union and professional association of RNs, are naming federal immigration enforcement agencies as among the country’s top public health threats, and demanding through national coordinated protests on Thursday, Feb. 19 that Congress stop funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and move to abolish ICE for the health and safety of patients and communities. Nurses also blame hospital executives for failing to clearly side with nurses and immigrant patients by acting to keep ICE out of hospitals.
Argentine beef has been in the news a lot lately. President Trump recently issued an executive order allowing more Argentine beef to enter our country tariff-free. Presumably, this is a “win” for U.S. consumers who are agitated about affordability.
However, economists are skeptical. They are saying that the impact on consumer prices will be minimal, given that the tariff-free beef represents not even 1% of the total beef supply. So much for the “win.”
In addition, Midwest farmers are not at all thrilled with this gift to Trump’s friend, Javier Milei, president of Argentina, a flamboyant right-wing populist and libertarian. They see Trump’s directive as a slap in the face and a lack of support for the American beef cattle industry.
Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors’ meetings are available in Spanish. Watch live on our Spanish YouTube Channel, or Cable TV subscribers can access Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) in language settings.
Advance requests are still needed to interpret public comment originating in Spanish. To provide public comment in Spanish, contact the Clerk of the Board at (805) 568-2240, before 4:00 p.m. the Friday before the Board meeting.
VENTURA — On Tuesday, February 10, the Ventura City Council adopted an emergency ordinance prohibiting the removal and trimming of trees within identified protected wildlife habitats. This ordinance only applies to trees within the protected areas.
We’re thrilled to share that the Community Song Circle is officially SOLD OUT!
Thank you to everyone who RSVP’d — we’re so inspired by the enthusiasm for this gathering of music, connection, and shared expression.The Community Song Circle, part of our Embodied Arts Workshop Series, brings people together to raise their voices in celebration of community, nature, and our shared humanity. Santa Barbara–based community song leader Heather Stevenson has been leading song circles since 2019, creating inclusive spaces where participants feel uplifted, inspired, and soothed. In this workshop, you’ll learn short, meaningful songs taught by ear. No experience or ability to read music is required. Each song highlights our connection to the Earth and the natural world, fostering community, peace, joy, and healing.
NEW AT THE ATRIUM GALLERY!
23rd Annual Ventura County Employee, Retiree & Family Art Show:
“What’s Your Happy?”
“What’s Your Happy?” is now open to the public at the Atrium Gallery and will have a free opening reception TOMORROW, Feb. 19, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
VENTURA COUNTY — McCarthy Companies has been selected to provide Preconstruction and General Contracting services for two new affordable housing developments, bringing a total of 112 new affordable units to the Central Coast counties.
We welcomed hundreds of guests for an inspiring first look at Pages to Posters: The Visual Worlds of Simms Taback. This exhibition celebrates learning, community, humor, and cultural connection, values that shaped Taback’s work. Vibrant original posters and illustrations are on display, along with Taback’s Caldecott Medal and his design for the first McDonald’s Happy Meal box. The evening featured refreshments and live jazz by The Dennis Berger Trio, sponsored by the Ventura Music Festival.
WATCH THE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has declared a disaster for the late December 2025 storms, which occurred from December 16 to December 25, 2025. SBA now offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs, including faith-based organizations, with financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.
View SBA’s disaster declaration HERE
A Political Comedy SatireWritten by Herbert Siguenza Directe
Manifest Destinitis
March 13-29, 2026
Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m.
Sundays, 3 p.m.
Tickets / Boletos
Researchers have mapped out methods for assessing its societal benefits, an effort that could lead to more effective uses of remote sensing technology while increasing benefits to people at large.
OXNARD — Agromin, California’s largest organics recycler, composted more than 1.25 million tons of organic waste in 2025, a 250,000-ton increase from 2024.
The Oxnard-based company manages 21 processing and composting facilities throughout the state. Its finished products are used by farmers, commercial landscapers, residential customers, nonprofits, schools and state and local government agencies.
Because of state-mandatory organic waste recycling laws, California jurisdictions are enlisting the help of organic recyclers like Agromin to help turn their green waste into compost and mulch. Ten of those jurisdictions partnered with Agromin in 2025 to distribute finished compost and mulch products to residents through customized coupon programs.
SANTA BARBARA — Wilderness Youth Project (WYP) and Sea League are partnering this spring break to offer the Big Blue Bridge Spring Break Camp, a week-long program designed to build water safety, swim confidence, and belonging for 24 students, ages 6-12, with priority registration for low-income families from Franklin and Adelante Elementary Schools.
The camp will take place March 30–April 3 and combines WYP’s small-group, nature-based mentoring model with Sea League’s beginner-centered swim instruction at the Santa Barbara High School pool.
Chair of the Board Jeff Gorell has placed an item on the upcoming Board of Supervisors agenda to preserve current senior programs and pause proposed transition of the Area Agency on Aging Administration while further evaluation takes place. The item will be on the March 3, 2026 Board of Supervisors Agenda.
Click here to read the full Board Letter.
SANTA BARBARA — Financial Aid Offices from across Santa Barbara (including Santa Barbara City College, UC Santa Barbara and Westmont College) will participate in a hands-on event to help local students and their families complete their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Financial Aid) or CADAA (California Dream Act Application). SBCC’s Financial Aid Fest will be held Wednesday, Feb. 25, at SBCC’s East Cliff Campus (details below).
El Concilio Family Services Announces Call for Nominations for the 36th Latino Leadership Awards Recognizing individuals, organizations, or businesses in Ventura County who have made exceptional contributions to the Latino community.
Click for more info and form.
