VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Grand Jury invites the public to its annual Open House on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, from 3:30 To 6 p.m. at the Grand Jury Chambers located at 646 County Square Drive, Ventura.
Thursday, February 22 | 8:00 AM (PT) | Lundring Events Center
Join, explore, and participate in discussions on the social and economic challenges faced by undocumented families in California and their irreplaceable value for the entire state, organized by the Center for Economics of Social Issues. Register now!
MOORPARK — Moorpark College and The Colleges of Law welcome the community to attend “How to Save Democracy with David Pepper” on Feb. 22. This special event will feature a lecture by esteemed author David Pepper on election law and voting rights. Following the lecture, Dr. Jackie Gardina, Dean and Chief Academic Officer of The Colleges of Law, will engage in a conversation and Q&A session with Pepper.
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Taj Mahal Quintet and Sona Jobarteh on Thursday, February 22 at 8 p.m. at Campbell Hall. Celebrated blues legend Taj Mahal brings his glorious voice and virtuosic multi-instrumentalism to this uniquely powerful evening of new world music. A musical innovator, cultural ambassador and winner of the 2023 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album, Taj Mahal’s long career touches on every imaginable strand in the fabric of roots music.
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents climatologist and geophysicist Michael E. Mann on Friday, February 23 at 7:30 p.m. at UCSB Campbell Hall. With more than two decades on the front lines of climate science and policy, Michael E. Mann has become one of our best known and most valuable science communicators. Through six books, including his latest, Our Fragile Moment, Mann explains what the research means, how we should live and what we should demand of our leaders. Using Earth’s deep climate history to reframe the problems that we face today, Mann combines urgency with agency, encouraging people to appreciate the gravity of the unfolding climate crisis while emboldening them to act before it truly does become too late.
THOUSAND OAKS — Tushita Kadampa Buddhist Center to present “The Healing Power of Meditation” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 at the Fred Kavli Theater 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.
“Meditation and mindfulness are scientifically proven methods that are now widely accepted as mainstream practices which lead to genuine, long-lasting well-being. Discover for yourself how to practice meditation and positive thinking techniques to cultivate a reliable source of happiness that comes from within your own mind.
SANTA MARIA — Acclaimed violinist and Festival Mozaic Music Director Scott Yoo is hosting a free masterclass for a select group of Allan Hancock College music students, and the public is invited to watch.
Yoo will conduct this free, public masterclass on Feb. 24 from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. at the Boyd Concert Hall (bldg. F) on the college’s Santa Maria campus.
VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON
Homebuyer Workshop
Saturday, February 3, online
Saturday, February 24, in-person @ Harvest at Limoneira in Santa Paula
If homeownership is one of your goals this year (or anytime in the future), our Homebuyer Education Workshop is the place to be! Learn all about homebuying – from credit to down payment assistance and everything in between! There is no cost for you to attend and you’ll enjoy hearing from a variety of expert speakers who will give you the latest and greatest on credit, money management, real estate, mortgage loans, insurance and more! Plus get your HUD certificate which can be used to access down payment assistance programs like the upcoming California Dream for All. Register for FREE today!
VENTURA — The Ventura Downtown Lions presents “Bowl to Strikeout Cancer” from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 at Buena Lanes, 1788 S. Mesa Verde Road, Ventura.
For just a $30 donation per person, you’ll enjoy an action-packed afternoon filled with excitement. Lace up your bowling shoes and show off your skills with three thrilling games of bowling. But that’s not all! Indulge in a mouthwatering BBQ lunch complete with all the fixin’s to keep your energy levels high.
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) President Richard Yao will speak at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center as part of the 19th annual CSU Super Sunday on Feb. 25.
The CSU’s annual Super Sunday event is an opportunity for California State University (CSU) system leaders, campus presidents, administrators, and students to visit predominantly African American churches throughout the state to share personal stories and important college-related information to advance access, opportunity and success for Black and African American students. Since its launch in 2005, more than a million people have participated in this signature awareness event for CSU’s African American communities.
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Leila Josefowicz, violin on Sunday, February 25 at 4 p.m. at Campbell Hall. An invaluable advocate for living composers, Leila Josefowicz has premiered dozens of new works for violin including concertos written expressly for her by John Adams, Esa Pekka-Salonen and many others. Josefowicz’ program illuminates the path to contemporary music that travels through expressionism. Works by Debussy and Szymanowski transport us to a lush, harmonic fantasy world, while those by Tüür and Stravinsky continue our journey into a more visceral realm that delights us with unexpected humor, excitement and passion.
Janna Ireland lives in Los Angeles, where she is an assistant professor in the Department of Art and Art History at Occidental College. A broad selection of Ireland’s work was included in the exhibition Family Album: Dannielle Bowman, Janna Ireland and Contemporary Works from LACMA at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s Charles White Elementary School Gallery. Ireland’s photographs are held in the permanent collections of institutions including LACMA, the Nevada Museum of Art, the California African American Museum, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and the Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago.
SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present the Ying Quartet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27 at SBMA’s Mary Craig Auditorium, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara.
The Ying Quartet occupies a position of unique prominence in the classical music world, combining brilliantly communicative performances with a fearlessly imaginative view of chamber music in today’s world.
CAMARILLO — Employment law firm LightGabler LLP is presenting a free employment law webinar for employers, “Handbook Time: Retooling Your Employee Handbook for 2024.” The webinar is Tuesday, February 27 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
A critical “to-do” for every California employer in 2024 is retooling their employee handbook to create a legally compliant and strategically written document. A retooled handbook is one of the greatest sources of protection against employee lawsuits. It is a fountain of information for supervisors on how to properly interact with subordinate employees, and helps meet the employer’s obligations to provide notices and information to employees
If you have not yet attended our “50 Years Beyond Vietnam” exhibit talk, our next presentation will be take place on TUESDAY, February 27, 2024 at 2:00 pm, hosted by the Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum at 801 Grand Avenue, Suite 102, San Luis Obispo.
This history presentation is FREE to attend. Please register to ensure seating is available for all.
Cleaver & Clark Commons is an affordable housing community that will serve families, farmworkers, and those at risk of homelessness. Comprised of two buildings, this new development will bring 53 one-, two-, and three-bedroom units to the City of Grover Beach. Features of the site include an interior courtyard, drought-tolerant landscaping, and two community rooms for resident gatherings. Residents will also have access to onsite property management, and service-enriched support.
THOUSAND OAKS — Ventura County’s economy is contracting, according to recently released GDP data. Because economic growth creates rising standards of living and greater economic mobility, it is critical to make the case for economic growth in the region. In response, “The Case For Growth” was chosen as the theme for the 2024 Ventura County Economic Forecast event on Feb. 28, presented by California Lutheran University’s Center for Economic Research and Forecasting (CERF).
Join Economic Development Collaborative Go Global Trade Program (EDC GGTP) and the Women in International Trade Orange County (WITOC) as we partner with Krieger Worldwide for an informative webinar explaining the key provisions of the forthcoming MoCRA Act and how it establishes new requirements for the importation of cosmetics.
Join EDC, Women’s Economic Ventures and SCORE for a NO-COST webinar on how you can use AI to leverage your business! Spanish interpretation will be available.
AI for Small Business Marketing: Supercharge your Social Media Content Creation with the Power of AI
February 28 @ 12:00 pm
Explore the real-world applications of AI. Don’t miss out on unlocking the potential of AI for your business success.
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) presents the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour – two nights, two programs – on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Arlington Theatre. The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour returns for two nights of exhilarating mountain adventures at larger-than-life scale. Featuring the world’s best films on subjects ranging from base jumping in Pakistan to freediving the Mara Islands of South Korea, the tour delivers adrenaline-packed thrills alongside profound messages about human potential and the natural world. Curated and hosted by Roman Baratiak, A&L Associate Director Emeritus, an entirely different program of films screens each night.
SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Primary Care presents a FREE Virtual Meet the Doctor event on Thursday, February 29, from 4 – 5 p.m., featuring primary care physicians, Dr. Yana Gristan and Dr. Arielle Kanner, who will discuss the importance of primary care in maintaining overall health and managing chronic conditions.
Drs. Gristan and Kanner will share insights into the role of primary care in wellness and preventative care, early detection of health conditions and personalized care and treatment plans. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in meaningful conversation with the physicians.
FILLMORE — King & King Ranch Field Day will be held from 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29 at 684 E. Guiberson Road, Fillmore.
The event will feature a bird walk, a series of talks given by the growers, researchers and agricultural professionals, and a tour of a newly planted hedgerow, followed by lunch. Topics include:
VENTURA COUNTY — Those interested in working to identify unique and innovative affordable housing solutions in Ventura County, are invited to provide input during Housing Trust Fund Ventura County’sAnnual Meeting. During the meeting the nonprofit will present a 2023 year in review and itscurrent programs and services, along with “A Home for Education: Housing solutions on educational properties,” on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Grand Salon at California State University Channel Islands.
CAMARILLO — Registration is open for CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)’s 13th Annual Conference for Social Justice in Education, scheduled for Saturday, March 2 in the Grand Salon on the CSUCI campus. The keynote speaker is nationally renowned educator Gloria Ladson-Billings, Ph.D., author of numerous critically acclaimed books on culturally relevant classrooms and practices including “Dream-keepers: Successful Teachers of African American Children” and “Crossing Over to Canaan: The Journey of New Teachers in Diverse Classrooms.”
“The purpose of this annual event is to showcase the social justice-oriented work being done in and around schools and educational institutions in the region and to network with others who believe in the power and necessity of such work,” said CSUCI Dean of the School of Education Elizabeth Orozco Reilly. “We want to learn from one another about how best to teach, learn and lead in ways that promote equity, peace, and integrity in public education.”
Join us for a captivating book talk on “Rancho Guadalasca: Last Ranch of California’s Central Coast” by Colleen M. Delaney. As a professor of anthropological archaeology at California State University-Channel Islands, Delaney skillfully unravels the untold stories of the resilient women who shaped this historical ranch.
In this event, we’ll explore the rich cultural tapestry of Rancho Guadalasca through archaeological discoveries, historical records, and captivating oral histories. Delaney’s expertise and engaging storytelling bring to life the challenges and triumphs of the women who left an indelible mark on this last ranch of California’s central coast.
NYTImes Critic’s Pick In a bustling Mexican household, seven-year-old Sol is swept up in a whirlwind of preparations for the birthday party for her father, Tona, led by her mother, aunts and other relatives. As the day goes on, building to an event both anticipated and dreaded, Sol begins to understand the gravity of the celebration this year and watches as her family does the same. This poignant and emotionally expansive film from Lila Aviles (The Chambermaid) cements her skill at directing dynamic, ensemble performances in her stunning sophomore effort.
Dr. Kathy Gruver is an award-winning author, professional speaker, Psychedelic Integration Specialist and ACC certified coach with over 30 years of experience in mind/body medicine and human behavior. An entertainer and educator imbuing all her programs with practicality and passion. With a West Coast mentality and an East Coast delivery her humorous, down to earth, and engaging style has captivated hundreds of audiences on four continents, three cruise ships and a handful of islands. It’s been her true honor to have delivered two TEDx talks.
OXNARD — In coordination with the Mexican Consulate in Oxnard, the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation (OPAC) is pleased to announce its next visual arts exhibition, Árbol de la Vida, as part of its Gallery Initiative at the Consulate. The…
Over the last 75 years, Artemisia Gentileschi has developed into an icon of female empowerment and the emotive drama of baroque painting. Identified with images of Judith decapitating the general Holofernes, she has come to be understood as a woman who succeeded in a man’s world, overcoming considerable obstacles to do so
SANTA BARBARA – UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Meow Meow on Thursday, March 7 at 8 p.m. at Lobero Theatre. Named one of the Top Performers of the Year by The New Yorker, Meow Meow’s award-winning solo works have been curated by David Bowie, Pina Bausch, Mikhail Baryshnikov and numerous international arts festivals. Her new show is a wildly enjoyable tip-of-the-top-hat to the Weimar Republic’s notable “wild women” – both fictional and real – that channels the era’s urgent blend of art, entertainment and winking social commentary.
SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! (Viva) is back with another exciting free community event. Enjoy three free exhilarating performances from Afro-Latin music group, Quitapenas.
Founded in 2011 and born under the warm California sun, Quitapenas share a love of dance rhythms from the tropical Afro-Latin diaspora.The group is made up of first generation sons of immigrant parents from Guatemala and Mexico. They borrow aesthetics from the radical 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Their songs are a remix of history, and invite one to engage in the liberating evenings of Angola, Peru, Colombia, Brazil and beyond. The name means “to remove worries.” Everybody has a “pena” and the mission of Quitapenas is simple: to make you dance and leave you without a worry.
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Tommy Emmanuel, CGP on Saturday, March 9 at 8 p.m. at Campbell Hall. Recognized as one of the best acoustic guitar players on Earth, Tommy Emmanuel brings a sense of palpable joy to every note he plays. Incorporating the sounds of blues, country, rock, classical and Spanish music, his unique style encompasses a multi-dimensional landscape of masterful guitar playing. A four-time winner of Australia’s “Golden Guitar” Award, his long-awaited 2023 album Accomplice Two features scores of musical legends ranging from Michael McDonald to Billy Strings.
With her ravishing vocal presence and extraordinary ability to draw enormous feeling from a single note, singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Sierra Ferrell embodies a transcendent eclecticism that utterly defies categorization. Born in West Virginia and based in Nashville, Ferrell has garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase on the strength of her magnetic live shows. After releasing her debut album, Long Time Coming, in 2021, Ferrell won the coveted Emerging Act of the Year honor at the 2022 Americana Awards. Delightfully unbound by genre or era, Ferrell’s original songs instantly transport her audience to an enchanted world.
WEDNESDAY: Nick Musica’s “I ate San Pedro. Now I Psychically Talk with Animals.” Topic: “I ate San Pedro. Now I Psychically Talk with Animals” Date: Wednesday, March 13th, 2024 Times: 5:00pm to 9:00pm (Roundtable Discussion at 6:30pm) Where: LoDo Studios, 216 E. Gutierrez…
VENTURA — Focus on the “Masters Popular Artist Spotlight Interviews Return with A Conversation with Perla Batalla” on Sunday, March 17, 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Namba Performing Art Center – 47 S. Oak St., Ventura.
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Perla Batalla earns critical acclaim for her distinctive voice, emotional honesty, and culture-merging compositions. Perla was born into a family immersed in music.
Join local unions, organizations and leaders to commemorate the 121st anniversary of the Japanese-Mexican Labor Association (JMLA) Strike. It was the first successful multiracial strike in U.S. history.
The commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp.
OXNARD — The City’s Public Works Department Environmental Resources Division (ER) is an enterprise fund operation that provides Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) services such as the collection, sorting, processing, and disposal of waste to 34,154 residential properties and 16,378 commercial customers.
The last time the City Council approved a cost of service study to evaluate solid waste rates was in May 2012, with a rate increase effective January 2013. Over the past 10 years, the City’s residential solid waste rate (96-gallons) only increased by 63 cents per month or 2.1% for residential service. The most popular commercial rate (4-yard/once per week) increased by 2.7% or $6.05. Yet, over the same decade, the consumer price index increased by 33.9%.
¡Raíces: First Year and Beyond! is hosting a Rally and Campus Unity March across the SBCC campus bridge to the Winslow Maxwell Overlook. This event will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. starting at the West Campus Center. Everyone is welcome!
This event is part of the ¡Sí Se Puede!: Student Advocacy Series during March 2024 to honor el Movimento and the liberation grassroots activism can manifest.The rally and march will begin with speeches by Mariam Martinez Gama and Fabián Pavón.
Acclaimed as an “outstanding ensemble…cohesive yet full of temperament” (New York Times), the Verona Quartet has firmly established itself amongst the most distinguished ensembles on the chamber music scene today. The quartet received the Chamber Music America’s coveted 2020 Cleveland Quartet Award and has captivated audiences at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, and Wigmore Hall, as well as at numerous festivals worldwide.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — SoCal Museums announces the 19th Annual Museums Free-for-All on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Over 30 museums—presenting art, cultural heritage, natural history, and science—will open their doors and invite visitors to attend free of charge.
Locally, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (SBMNH), and the Museum of Ventura County, all members of SoCal Museums, will participate in offering free admission. In the case of SBMNH, booking advanced reservations by visiting sbnature.org is encouraged and free admission is for the museum only, not the Sea Center.
Celebrate Nowruz at the Museum of Ventura County! Immerse yourself in the joyous festivities:
Food Delights – Safir Catering offers delectable Persian cuisine for purchase.
Dance Performance – Sahlala Dancers will enchant you from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm with traditional Persian dance.
Live Music Experience – Illunis will serenade you from 12:45 pm to 1:45 pm with covers of Persian pop music from Ebi and Googoosh.
Farsi Calligraphy – Get your name beautifully written in Farsi.
Cultural Displays – Explore traditional presentations, including the Haft Sin.
Fire Jumping Ritual – Don’t miss the exhilarating spectacle.
CAMARILLO — Moorpark College, Oxnard College, Ventura College and Ventura College East Campus are holding free Cash 4 College workshops to help students apply for funds to help with college costs. Funds can be used for tuition, books, housing, transportation, childcare, computers and more.
In-person workshops are scheduled for February and March. The workshops are free and open to the community; anyone may attend a workshop at any location and can drop in at any time during the events.
Attend and get a HUD Certificate to help you access first-time homebuyer loans and down payment assistance programs
THOUSAND OAKS — Temple Etz Chaim welcomes you to its annual Purim Carnival from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 24 at 1080 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks.
Enjoy a festival of food trucks, carnival games, inflatables and prizes.Bring the whole family to celebrate this festive holiday with arts and crafts, hamantashen and knishes … and more!
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Roomful of Teeth with Gabriel Kahane on 4 p.m. Sunday, March 24 at Hahn Hall. Grammy Award winners Roomful of Teeth have carved themselves a niche as one of America’s most interesting contemporary vocal ensembles. Collaborating with artists and thinkers from around the world, the group seeks to amplify voices old and new and expand the capabilities of the human voice. Their engaging new program features works by founding member Caroline Shaw, special guest Gabriel Kahane and other composers known for creating meaningful and adventurous new music.
The work of acclaimed Los Angeles-based artist Janna Ireland, currently on view at SBMA and MCASB, includes her photographic interpretation of the architecture of Paul R. Williams, the renowned 20th-century Black architect who designed many of Southern California’s iconic buildings. A gifted designer across genres, Williams transformed the face of Los Angeles, including chic celebrity spots like the Beverly Hills Hotel’s Polo Lounge, the Ambassador Hotel’s Coconut Grove, and the cool jazz corridors of Central Avenue.
VENTURA COUNTY — in partnership with the City of Ventura and the Ventura Chamber of Commerce, SCORE will launch a series of in-person no cost workshops that will help local entrepreneurs and business owners gain valuable and practical knowledge from subject matter experts on a wide range of business-related topics.
The workshop series will kick off on March 27 with the topic “Four Key Marketing Strategies to Attract More Customers”. The event will be held at the Ventura City Hall Community Meeting Room at 8:30AM. The workshop will be led by Steve James who is a Digital Marketing Consultant with the firm RevLocal. Topics covered will include how to enhance your Google ranking, how to harness the power of reviews and how to master paid advertising.
In conjunction with the exhibition Made by Hand/Born Digital (on view through August 25), enjoy this conversation between ceramic and performance artist Joey Watson and SBMA Curator of Contemporary Art James Glisson. Watson takes the often bizarre and hard-to-fathom forms that life takes in the natural world—whether insects, sea creatures, or microorganism—and reminds us that being human is just one way of being alive. Watson’s sculptures are also tour-de-forces of traditional and innovative techniques. Watson uses 3D printing, fired clay, dazzling glazes, plastic, metal, and silicon among many other materials to build his hybrid sculptures and realize his complex performances.
Most business owners have heard of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), mediation and arbitration, but may not know what they mean and how you can use them in a dispute. Their effective use can minimize litigation costs and protect assets. By understanding ADR options and thinking strategically before a conflict or lawsuit arises, businesses can avoid employee disputes or limit the scope of existing disputes.
We welcome you to come gather with other veterans who served during the Vietnam War era for coffee, conversation, and comraderie. Two guest speakers, local Vietnam War combat veterans, will give a brief talk about their veteran stories, and the significance of March 29th, National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Coffee will be provided by local, veteran-owned roaster and cafe: Coastal Peaks Coffee. Muffins, pastries, water bottles and lite snacks will also be available.
We will visit Cesar Chavez memorial site (Childhood Home)
March Ends at Terraza De Las Cortes
Ceremony & Food Distribution from 12pm – 2pm
Location: 201 Carmelita CT. Oxnard, CA
For More information Contact:
Javier Gomez: 805-890-2193
Jaime: Arellano: 805-385-8118
SANTA BARBARA — For women working in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers, the world can be a lonely place. Only 30 percent of STEM professionals in this vital, high-paying field are women, and many report facing discrimination, unconscious bias and a general lack of role models and support.
A free, online summit in April organized by Santa Barbara-based leadership coach Mary Jean Vignone, Ph.D., aims to change that. The “Fearless Femme Summit: Propel Your Career in STEM Fields”, to be held from April 1 to 4, is designed to help women in STEM reach new heights in their careers and become authentic leaders.
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Robert B. Reich on Wednesday, April 3 at 7:30 p.m. at Campbell Hall. Robert B. Reich is one of America’s foremost experts on jobs and the economy. A bestselling author, award-winning documentarian and a respected commentator, Reich is renowned for his ability to present complex issues with warmth and urgency. In the face of growing economic insecurity, lagging wage growth and technologies eliminating jobs, many believe society’s major institutions no longer function in ways that benefit most people. Amid widespread strikes and labor disputes, Reich examines widening inequalities of income, wealth and political power, and expertly shows how restoring equal opportunity is critical for all Americans.
Join us to celebrate life with Easter and spring season by painting at Paint at Paseo with Ita-Ink, a Santa Maria-based artist who loves to spread art in his community. By inspiring others to express themselves creatively, Ita-Ink will lead you through a 90-minute acrylic painting session designed for all ages and skill levels. All materials, including canvases, paints, aprons and brushes, are provided. Best of all, this monthly event is free!
Over the course of his fifty-year career, Pierre Bonnard painted the spaces of his personal experience again and again. In complex compositions employing luminous color and sensitive brushwork, Bonnard explored the realms of his visual and sensory experience–from landscape to garden to terrace to house, looking along a path, through an open window, down at a tabletop or a bathtub, or into a mirror. George Shackelford will explore these worlds across time and place, through images drawn from the exhibition he organized for the Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, and The Phillips Collection, Washington. D.C.
Explore your creative expression at our third Play Date in the Garden! In partnership with Filipina/x cultural organization, Pinaysphere, we will have eco-friendly arts and crafts to help you reconnect your heart and soul with the wonders of nature. Join us in this unique blend of creativity and nature appreciation, forging lasting memories and rekindling the joy of imaginative play. Adult supervision required. Free with registration.
SAN LUIS OBISPO — The County of San Luis Obispo’s Veterans Services Office (VSO) and Atascadero’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2814 is proud to announce a family-friendly pop-up resource fair for Veterans in the North County. The event will occur on April 6th from 10am-2pm on the Veterans Memorial Lawn in Atascadero, near the Faces of Freedom Veterans Memorial.
SANTA BARBARA — Melissa Mose, President of OCD Southern California, is organizing “Building a Compassionate OCD Community,” a full day of talks for people with OCD and those who support them on Sunday, April 7 from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Santa Barbara City College BC Forum.
The event is open to individuals with OCD, their family members and loved ones, mental health providers, students, and the general public. Participants are welcome to attend all talks throughout the day.
The morning lineup focuses on ways to enhance evidence-based treatment for OCD, offering up to three continuing education (CE) units for therapists (specialists and non-specialists alike). The afternoon emphasizes approaches to living with OCD.
VENTURA — As California bids farewell to winter and welcomes plenty of sunshine and vitamin SEA, Ventura Harbor Village beckons travelers from near and far to kick off Spring with warmer months ahead and celebrate Spring Break and Easter by the sea.
From March to April 2024, a myriad of popular seaside events and happenings await! Experience The Channel Island National Park & Visitors
Center, unique coastal shops, casual waterfront dining, and a newly-open waterfront patio where visitors can eat, view picturesque ocean views, sea lions, and listen to live entertainment.
“Whether visitors are seeking unique waterfront dining, shopping or adventure, Ventura Harbor Village invites travelers to discover the beauty of this coastal destination while making Spring Break memories that will last a lifetime,” said Jennifer Talt Lundin, Marketing Manager Ventura Harbor/Ventura Harbor Village.
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Fatoumata Diawara on Wednesday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m. at Campbell Hall. Combining thrilling vocals with deft guitar work and a flair for fashion, Fatoumata Diawara is a musical sensation out of West Africa. Singing in Bambara, the language of her native Mali, along with French and English, Diawara delivers biting social commentary and plays stinging electric guitar solos that ride on her band’s sinuous funk-influenced beats. Her latest album, London Ko, was produced by Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz) and reflects a boldly eclectic approach that remains firmly rooted in her heritage.
This month, presenters from the Braille Institute will discuss common vision loss conditions and free resources available through the Braille Institute for anyone with low vision or blindness. Resources include low-vision evaluations for optical devices, technology training, orientation and mobility, library services, classes, support groups and more. Learn how you can access services for yourself or a loved one.
“The Final Fore Golf Tournament is a great opportunity to celebrate the success of our athletic programs here at Allan Hancock,” said Hancock Athletic Director Kim Ensing. “We were thrilled about the support we received at the event over the last two years and are excited to continue building on that this year. We’re looking forward to providing an environment that will allow people to take a break from their daily grind, enjoy the outdoors, and rally around the goal of supporting our efforts to provide a meaningful experience for these athletes.”
NOMINATED for Academy Award for Best International Film.
NYTimes Critic’ Pick
Hirayama seems utterly content with his simple life as a cleaner of toilets in Tokyo. Outside of his very structured everyday routine he enjoys his passion for music and for books. And he loves trees and takes photos of them. A series of unexpected encounters gradually reveal more of his past. A deeply moving and poetic reflection on finding beauty in the everyday world around us.
The two-hour session will be held in person from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Workzones coworking space at the Paseo Nuevo mall. Caputo will talk briefly about best practices for increasing productivity and then lead a group work session to help participants pursue deep and cognitively demanding work or complete projects they’ve procrastinated on. The in-person workshop is designed to add an extra layer of accountability, while the process of working alongside other professionals offers support and camaraderie.
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Lauren Groff in conversation with Pico Iyer on Tuesday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Campbell Hall. A three-time National Book Award finalist, bestselling novelist and short story writer, Lauren Groff spins highly imaginative fiction out of an acute awareness of the historical forces that shape human behavior. In a six-book oeuvre that spans centuries and embraces a variety of diverse settings, Groff elevates gripping storylines with electrifying prose and startling, unforgettable descriptions. Known for literary masterpieces such as Fates and Furies and Matrix, her latest novel is The Vaster Wilds, a thrilling adventure story set in the wilderness of colonial America. Both Groff and moderator Pico Iyer will be available following the presentation to sign books.
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents the Danish String Quartet on Wednesday, April 10 at 7 p.m. at Campbell Hall. The Danish String Quartet is joined by Finnish cellist Johannes Rostamo for the eagerly-anticipated capstone to their international Doppelgänger Project. In part IV, the Danish pairs Schubert’s String Quintet, frequently cited among the greatest of all works of chamber music, with a new piece titled Wreath – For Franz Schubert by renowned British composer Thomas Adès. Part III of the project was heralded by The New York Times as “ensemble music at its purest – a consensus interpretation, rendered selflessly in service of the group as instrument.”
Topic: “Traditional Indigenous Medicine – The Way of Ceremony & Sacraments”
Date: Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024
Times: 5:00pm to 9:00pm (Interview at 6:30pm)
Where: LoDo Studios, 216 E. Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(Please only park across the street on the Office Max side of the lot.)
Members are Free to attend The District House evenings, and are prioritized when we reach capacity.
Guests Welcome to purchase $50 tickets to The District House evenings.
With millions of Californians falling prey to financial frauds and scams, it’s important more than ever to learn how to protect your
personal and financial information.
BioScience Alliance (BSA) organizes networking events to foster relationships among industry scientists, executives, professionals and key vendors, facilitating idea exchange and growth. Next week, join their team to tour Takeda Pharmaceuticals’ newest manufacturing facility in Thousand Oaks!
Takeda is a patient-focused, values-based, R&D-driven global biopharmaceutical company committed to bringing Better Health and a Brighter Future to people worldwide
VENTURA — Ventura College is delighted to announce the 2024 Diversity in Culture Festival April 10-11. This year’s theme is returning to our roots with nature and highlighting Indigenous Culture worldwide. Ventura College invites everyone to rediscover the profound connections between nature, indigenous wisdom, and our identities.
“This play is really special to me because I have written so many papers about ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’” said director and theatre instructor Laura Covault. “It seems whenever the characters disappear into the forest, they always come out transformed. There’s a love quadrangle, hilarity and a group of rag-tag wannabe actors who do a play within a play…and most important? It’s got fairies.”
Fee-waived dog adoptions, April 12-14 at the Camarillo and Simi Valley Animal Shelters. Preview our dogs at www.vcas.us/dogs. Learn about our adoption process at www.vcas.us/adopt. Questions? Please contact us at info@vcas.us or (805) 388-4341. Thank you for your support! Ventura County Animal Services
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Lumina Alliance is thrilled to announce its upcoming fundraising event, Lumina Nights featuring Dancing with Our Stars, set to captivate audiences on Friday, April 12th, and Saturday, April 13th, at Thousand Hills Ranch in Pismo Beach. The event, presented by BHE Renewables, promises to be a dazzling night of entertainment, all while supporting a noble cause.
Lumina Nights featuring Dancing with Our Stars is a unique and exciting showcase that brings together local celebrities, community leaders, and prominent figures who will pair up with professional dancers to compete for the coveted title. The evening will be filled with sensational dance performances, laughter, and camaraderie, all in the spirit of raising funds for Lumina Alliance’s critical services that are facing significant government funding cuts in the coming year.
SANTA BARBARA — On Friday, April 12, 2024 at 5 pmDignityMoves will host the grand opening of its La Posada Interim Supportive Housing Community located at 4500 Hollister Avenue, Santa Barbara, CA. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be hosted by NCIS actor, Duane Henry.
La Posada Village will house individuals living in encampments near the 101 freeway and railroad tracks in the immediate area. This community will have 80 rooms, provide 24/7 security, intensive case management for each resident, 3 meals a day, and mental and physical health care services and transportation.
SANTA MARIA — Students in Allan Hancock College’s dance program are ready to entertain audiences of all ages during their annual Dance Spectrum performances this April.
The 2024 Dance Spectrum is a dynamic, high-energy showcase of the college’s talented dance program students, who are both performing and choreographing many of the show’s performances. The show will feature a wide range of music and dance styles, as well as cameo performances from Hancock’s full-time and part-time dance program faculty.
SOLVANG — Join us for an inspirational and educational lecture and book signing with George Rose at the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum) in the Second Floor Valley Oak Gallery.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The two branches of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA are holding “Healthy Kids’ Day,” a free community event to inspire kids to keep their minds and bodies active during the summer. The Simi Valley Family YMCA Healthy Kids’ Day is Saturday, April 13 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and the Yarrow Family YMCA Healthy Kids’ Day in Westlake Village is Saturday, April 20 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Trauma Services, along with several local agencies, is hosting a FREE drive-up child car seat and booster check event. No prior registration is necessary.
OXNARD — The Oxnard Public Library announces the return of their Annual Local Authors Showcase on April 13th, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Downtown Main Branch (251 S. A St., Oxnard).
This year’s event will fill the Main Library’s second floor with authors selling and signing their books. Aspiring authors of all ages can also participate in the Library’s new panel discussions with authors who write within the three major age demographics (Adult, Young Adult, and Children). Engage with published authors and learn about the writing process and how one gets published.
Denmark’s Submission to the Academy Awards for Best International Film.
In 18th century Denmark, Captain Ludvig Kahlen (Mads Mikkelsen) – a proud, ambitious, but impoverished war hero — sets out to tame a vast, uninhabitable land on which seemingly nothing can grow. He seeks to start farming crops, build a colony in the name of the King, and gain a noble title for himself. This beautiful but forbidding area also happens to be under the rule of the merciless Frederik De Schinkel, a preening nobleman who realizes the threat Kahlen represents to his power. Struggling against the elements and local brigands, Kahlen is joined by a couple who have fled the clutches of the rapacious De Schinkel. As this group of misfits begins to build a small community in this inhospitable place, De Schinkel swears vengeance, and the confrontation between him and Kahlen promises to be as violent and intense as these two men.
Topic: “UNDIVIDE US”
Date: Wednesday, April 17th, 2024
Times: 5:00pm to 9:00pm (Screening at 6:30pm)
Where: LoDo Studios, 216 E. Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Herbie Hancock on Wednesday, April 17 at 8 p.m. at the Arlington Theatre. Experience a night under the spell of Herbie Hancock, jazz’s most versatile and influential keyboard player. As pianist for Miles Davis in the mid-1960s, Hancock helped pioneer a groundbreaking new sound in jazz. A trained engineer, he was among the first bop players to explore the potential of electric instruments and combine jazz with funk and rock. Hancock has garnered a Kennedy Center Honor, an Academy Award for his Round Midnight film score and 14 Grammys, including a prestigious Album of the Year for his 2007 tribute River: The Joni Letters.
THOUSAND OAKS — When people think of professional sports, they envision the competition: the games and matches that happen on the field of play. But there is a vast network of behind-the-scenes leadership and staff who manage the players, control the finances and promote the games. At California Lutheran University’s Business of Sports Event, Angel City Football Club (ACFC) executives for the professional women’s soccer team will sit down with Mark Orlando, director of the sports management program at Cal Lutheran’s School of Management, for an in-depth discussion of the business side of sports. The free event for students and the community will be from 5:45 – 7:30 p.m. on April 17 at the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center on the California Lutheran University campus.
Join us for an in-depth discussion about the business of sports with executives from Angel City Football Club of the National Women’s Soccer League and Cal Lutheran’s Sports Management Program Director Mark Orlando.
Angel City FC players will participate in a question-and-answer session. After the event, they will be on-hand for photos and an autograph signing.
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents RuPaul on Thursday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. at The Arlington Theatre. If we’re all born naked and the rest is drag, this is RuPaul stripped bare. Pop culture icon and international drag superstar RuPaul invites you to a spiritual awakening to celebrate the release of his new memoir, The House of Hidden Meanings. Allow your mind, body and soul to be enveloped in RuPaul’s lyrically poignant stories on life, love and finding your voice. During this special event, RuPaul offers fans a manual for living – a personal philosophy that testifies to the value of chosen family, the importance of harnessing what makes you different and the transformational power of facing yourself fearlessly. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear RuPaul’s extraordinary story as told by RuPaul.
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain: An evening of music & comedy in Ojai!
Thursday, April 18, 2024
7:00 PM – Doors Open 6:30
Libbey Bowl
210 S Signal St, Ojai
Noted photography scholar Beth Gates Warren will present a fascinating lecture on Julien Levy (1906–81), who is best remembered today as the art dealer who brought Surrealism to the United States. His eponymous New York City Gallery (1931–49) was generally regarded as the best place to view cutting-edge work by such artists as Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst, Alberto Giacometti, Arshile Gorky, Frida Kahlo, and Man Ray.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College’s film and television program is celebrating the work of acclaimed director Tim Burton by hosting a retrospective of his work through the end of April.
The film and television program is partnering with the Friends of the AHC Library to host a screening of “Beetlejuice” on April 19 at 6 p.m., followed by a screening of “Big Fish” on April 26 at 6 p.m. Both movies will be shown in the screening room of the college’s Fine Arts Complex (Bldg. F, Room 257).
CAMARILLO — Plans for a new conservation center at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) – to be built in partnership with the Santa Barbara Zoo — are progressing quickly with the conceptual design already complete.
Construction progress also continues for Gateway Hall, along with several other new initiatives, programs, and partnerships that CSUCI President Richard Yao will review on Friday, April 19 during the annual State of the University address, sponsored by the West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA).
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Antonio Sánchez Birdman Live on Friday, April 19 at 8 p.m. at The Arlington Theatre. After the success of Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman, which won four Academy Awards including Best Picture, drummer/composer Antonio Sánchez performed his dramatic Grammy Award-winning score live around the world.
In his Santa Barbara debut, the acclaimed soloist will perform a rousing program ranging from W. A. Mozart to Florence Price SUMMARY UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Randall Goosby Sat, April 20 | 7 p.m. | Hahn Hall Acclaimed for…
Don’t miss the Santa Paula Art Museum’s Fourteenth Anniversary Gala and Fundraiser this Saturday, April 20, 2024! In honor of the Museum’s Limoneira Building turning 100 this year, we’re going to party like it’s 1924! Join us inside the Museum for a Roaring ’20s evening of art, live music by Sophie Holt and Studio C, dancing, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a special painting demonstration, and more.
This free event is for all families, guardians, children, educators, and community members to join us for a day of activities, games, reading. Our special guest is children’s book author James Luna. James will be reading his The Runaway Piggy/El Cochinito Fugitivo book. The first 150 guests will receive a free copy of the book as well!
Don’t miss this celebration of California’s diverse flora! At 12 pm, Antonio Sanchez will deliver a lecture, “Inviting California to Dinner: Bringing California Native Plant Foods into Your Life and the Future of Native Plant Agriculture.”
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Rhiannon Giddens on Tuesday, April 23 at 8 p.m. at The Arlington Theatre. Singer and instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens’ iconic brand of folk music spotlights people whose contributions to American musical history have been overlooked or erased, and advocates for a more accurate understanding of the country’s musical origins through art. A two-time Grammy Award winner, MacArthur fellow and composer, she was awarded the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Music for her debut opera Omar. Her highly-anticipated new solo album, You’re the One, was released in August. For this show, Giddens will be joined by opening act Charly Lowry.
Most employers and human resources professionals know that keeping regular documentation in the workplace is critical to the employer’s protection. More important than just keeping documentation, however, is keeping the right documentation. The words used (or not used) in every employee communication can significantly help or hurt the employer’s position.
Starbucks is opening a new store in China every 15 hours and TikTok is redefining American social media – even as tensions build over Taiwan, cyberhacking and threats to global health. For the first time in a generation, the world has entered an era dominated by two superpowers.
In conjunction with the exhibition Made by Hand/Born Digital (on view through August 25), this free flowing conversation between artist Yassi Mazandi and SBMA Curator of Contemporary Art James Glisson will cover her explorations with new technology, including NFTs, and her tendency to work with traditional mediums, like painting and ceramics, against the grain.
“As a business owner in Santa Paula, I understand firsthand the challenges small businesses face, especially when it comes to navigating complex regulations like ADA compliance,” said Mayor Leslie Cornejo. “Our city and partnering organizations are committed to standing alongside local businesses, providing them with the resources and support they need to thrive.”
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Alonzo King LINES Ballet on Friday, April 26 at 8 p.m. at The Arlington Theatre. Blurring the lines between classical and contemporary, San Francisco-based Alonzo King LINES Ballet is renowned for its impeccable technique, captivating dancers and rich visual works. Alonzo King’s newest creation, Deep River, uses spiritual music from Black and Jewish traditions alongside original compositions by Jason Moran to assert the power of hope in the face of seemingly impossible odds.
“The Lompoc Valley Center was built to respond to the critical need to serve students in the Lompoc Valley, and 25 years later it continues that important mission,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G Walthers, Ph.D. “This celebration is an opportunity to honor the LVC’s past and look forward to its future.”
SANTA BARBARA – – UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Kronos Quartet | Five Decades on Wednesday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Campbell Hall. For 50 years, San Francisco’s Kronos Quartet has challenged and reimagined what a string quartet can be, centering its work around the key issues of our time. Kronos has commissioned, performed and recorded works that engage with topics such as war and destruction, the climate crisis, social injustice and spirituality. Now, the multi-Grammy Award-winning quartet marks its anniversary with a program of new commissions, signature works from its vast repertoire and pieces from its Fifty for the Future project.
VENTURA — Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) will host its 2nd annual Plantopia “U-Pick Your Garden” fundraiser to celebrate Earth Day. The event, held on Saturday, April 27, will raise funds to support SEEAG’s agricultural education programs where students learn about the farm origins of their food, water resources, soil health, entomology and locally grown fruits and vegetables.
OXNARD — RescueCon, OPAC’s one-day event bringing creativity and community together to celebrate and facilitate animal rescue and adoption, returns on Saturday, April 27 from 11 am to 4pm. Rescheduled from March 23 due to wind and rain, this year’s event features animal welfare influencer, the Kitten Lady (Hannah Shaw), and is free and open to the public. Festivities will be held at Community Center Park East, just behind the Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center. More information can be found at: theopac.org/rescuecon
VENTURA COUNTY — TOArts and County of Ventura Arts and Culture proudly announce the inaugural ReFrame Ventura County (ReFrame VC) Arts Summit 2024; a first in the county event that centers arts and culture as creative and economic drivers for our region. Scheduled on April 27, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., ReFrame VC will inform, inspire, and empower attendees from across the creative and cultural arts.
Spring into action and mark your calendars for our workshops this month! From in-person workshops to webinars, we make it convenient for you to access the information you need. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn, connect, and grow.
SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula will host a public celebration to thank Chevron for donating the historic former headquarters of Union Oil Company of California to the City at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at 1003 E. Main St., Santa Paula.
The City is celebrating the donation in conjunction with the 122nd anniversary of the City’s founding.
Union Oil Company of California was founded in a second floor office in 1890. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a California Historical Landmark and Ventura County Historical Landmark. The building has also been home to the California Oil Museum. In 2023 the City held workshops to solicit community input for how the building will be used for the community’s benefit.
CENTRAL COAST — On Saturday, April 27, People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) will be hosting the 2024 Builder Games from 3-7PM at their San Luis Obispo Corporate Office (1060 Kendall Road, San Luis Obispo).
Announced in a new promotional reel on YouTube, the Builder Games is back for its third year, bringing together local teams to construct unique playhouses for children. Returning teams RRM Design Group, Architects FORA, OMNI Design, 1st Capital Bank, and host People’s Self-Help Housing will be joined by two new teams, Blosser Urban Garden and Arris Studio Architects. Only one slot remains for anyone looking to take on these seasoned champions. The event promises much more than just competition, as guests can enjoy Santa Maria Style BBQ, a curated selection of local wine and craft beer, and great music from DJ Manuel Medina. All proceeds raised will be reinvested in the Central Coast, benefiting the education and supportive housing programs of PSHH.
SANTA BARBARA —The Community Environmental Council and its long-time festival partner, CarpEvents, are thrilled to bring the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival back to Alameda Park on Saturday, April 27 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 2024. Now in its 54th year, the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival is one of the longest-running Earth Day celebrations in the country, and is one of the largest on the West Coast. Spanish-speaking staff will be on-hand (identified with “Hablo Español” name badges) to provide information and resources on electric vehicles, home energy eciency upgrades, how to become a climate activist, and more.
CEC’s Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival is FREE for attendees. Detailed information including maps and stage schedules are available online at www.SBEarthDay.org or in the Santa Barbara Independent Earth Day Festival Guide to be published on Thursday, April 25.
“We’re excited to welcome the community to our third annual OC Family Festival,” shared Dr. Oscar Cobian, interim president of Oxnard College. “This yearly tradition invites friends of Oxnard College to visit our beautiful campus for a day of fun and to learn about our award-winning programs. We are also looking forward to helping attendees consider their plans for attending college.”
In support of Earth-friendly practices Ventura Charter School’s EcoFest welcomes the community to head to the campus utilizing a variety of transportation options. Bicycle to event and receive bike valet services sponsored by Bike Ventura County. Through Gold Coast Transit District’s Youth Ride Free Program, students and children 18 and under ride free with no identification required. There will be a variety of entertainment for the whole family to enjoy, including a kid zone, an EV car exhibit, live music and dance and plenty more.
SANTA BARBARA — For women working in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers, the world can be a lonely place. Only 30 percent of STEM professionals in this vital, high-paying field are women, and many report facing discrimination, unconscious bias and a general lack of role models and support.
A free, online summit organized by Santa Barbara-based leadership coach Mary Jean Vignone, Ph.D., aims to change that. The virtual “Fearless Femme Summit: Propel Your Career in STEM” is designed to help women in STEM reach new heights in their careers and become authentic leaders. The summit will be held online daily from April 29 to May 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is open to STEM professionals, students and the public at no cost by signing up at www.fearlessfemmesummit.com
Heralded as the voice of her generation, poet and activist Amanda Gorman empowers people across the globe with an undeniable message about the power of using your voice to make a difference. Gorman made history as the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States and is celebrated for her commitment to advocating for the environment, racial equality and gender justice.
The New Venture Fair (NVF) is a valuable part of Cal Lutheran’s entrepreneurial education experience, in which student teams share their innovative startup projects in a competitive environment. The NVF is a dynamic and exciting event where the community gets its first look at Cal Lutheran’s exceptional student entrepreneurs and vote for their favorites.
As the world’s foremost forest ecologist, Suzanne Simard has reshaped the way we understand the life and growth of plants. In her groundbreaking work Finding the Mother Tree, Simard explained how trees interact and communicate using below-ground fungal networks. Her research established the existence of “mother trees” that play an important role in the flow of information and resources in a forest. The concepts she developed have influenced everyone from earth scientists to artists – think James Cameron’s Avatarand Richard Powers’ The Overstory. Join Simard for a dazzling journey through the unseen world going on above our heads and under our feet.
New Venture Fair (NVF)
Wednesday, May 1 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM (PT) on Cal Lutheran’s Thousand Oaks Campus
You’re invited to the NVF in-person Expo and Awards Presentation! Join us to learn about these students’ startup ideas, and vote for your favorites. Open to everyone! Register here.
Join us for a celebration of global trade at the Port of Hueneme’s 11th Annual World Trade Week Event, celebrating its pivotal role in international trade. Ranked as California’s #4 seaport and excelling in handling fresh produce and automobiles, the Port stands as a cornerstone of global connectivity. Join us for enlightening discussions on logistics, technology and the profound impact of strategic partnerships on regional, state and national economies, as we unite importers, exporters, logistics providers and government agencies in fostering sustainable growth and prosperity.
SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Center for Orthopedics presents a FREE Virtual Meet the Doctor event on Thursday, May 2, from 4 – 5 p.m., featuring orthopedic surgeon Dr. Rivka Ihejirika-Lomedico, who will provide valuable insights on optimizing bone health, focusing on osteoporosis and orthopedics.
As a World Trade Center licensee, the Port of Hueneme in concert with our strong team of local, regional, and national stakeholders, will host attendees as part of an overall theme to advance the businesses of Ventura County and expand our business community’s reach to the global marketplace.
SANTA BARBARA — Fri. May. 3, 2024, starting at 9 AM at the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room at 105 E. Anapamu, Santa Barbara (entrance on Anacapa St.): Board Hearings on Proposed Rezones to comply with State Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).
The Santa Barbara Fair & Expo is an annual celebration of fun, entertainment, and cultural experiences that unites the community for a memorable event. Committed to providing a diverse array of attractions and activities, the fair strives to create lasting memories and traditions for attendees of all ages.
“This will be a multimedia spectacle using animation, art, dance and theater,” Castillo said. “With the technological tools we have in our hands, students are learning to collaborate and create pieces with various media, video backdrops, dancers, actors, animation and writers who are coming up with scripts to integrate everything,” Castillo said.
VENTURA — Ventura Harbor Village welcomes locals and visitors alike to partake in an array of events and activities set against the picturesque backdrop of the California coast. Along with a variety of dining options and great spring finds at coastal shops, Ventura Harbor Village has on the water rentals, wine tasting, pampering services, and more to explore on the waterfront.
In this acclaimed film which won top directing and acting prizes at the Venice Film Festival, writer-director Garrone presents a “reverse shot” of the immigration experience while unfurling an epic, cinematographically magnificent odyssey from West Africa to Italy. The story is told through the mind’s eye and experiences of two Senegalese teenagers living in Dakar who yearn for a brighter future in Europe. Yet between their dreams and reality lies a treacherous journey through a labyrinth of checkpoints, the scorched Saharan desert, a fetid North African prison and the vast waters of the Mediterranean where thousands have died packed inside vessels barely fit for passage.
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson in conversation with K. Corley Kenna on Tuesday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Campbell Hall. Marine biologist, policy advisor and writer Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is co-founder of Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank for the future of coastal cities, and co-creator of the podcast How to Save a Planet. Her forthcoming book, What if We Get It Right? offers answers to the crucial question: What would the future look like if we forged ahead with all the solutions to actually address the climate crisis? With grace and humanity, Johnson encourages us to step away from hopelessness and envision possibility.
“Older adults are a vital part of our community, and it’s essential to provide them with the support they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives,” said Renee Bell, Recreation Coordinator – Senior Services of the Parks and Recreation Department. “Through this Wellness Fair, we aim to connect seniors with resources that promote their overall well-being and enhance their quality of life.”
Can visiting a museum help someone conquer feelings of loneliness, or even stave off the advent of dementia? In Your Brain on Art, authors Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross explore the wide variety of connections that contemporary neuroscience has established between artistic practice, aesthetic experience and optimal cognitive functioning. Susan Magsamen is the founder and director of the International Arts + Mind Lab, Center for Applied Neuroaesthetics at Johns Hopkins University. Ivy Ross is the vice president of hardware design at Google.
“Building Safety Month is a critical platform for promoting measures to safeguard lives and property from preventable disasters caused by inadequate construction practices,” stated Jason De La Torre, one of the District Managers for the Building & Safety Division and current president of the International Code Council’s Ventura Region Chapter. “With a commitment to fostering a culture of safety across the construction industry, Ventura County is honored to join hands with the ICC to champion this vital cause.”
SANTA BARBARA — Join Community Environmental Council, the Santa Barbara Independent and Santa Barbara City College School of Extended Learning for a thought-provoking panel discussion at CEC Environmental Hub (1219 State Street) on Thursday, May 9, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. The discussion is about advancing sustainable development in an era of unprecedented housing growth. Learn more about the challenges such significant growth poses to advancing goals for sustainable development, and hear possible solutions that can inform further community discussion. This is an effort to understand the impacts and planning of nearly 15,000 housing units on the South Coast by the County of Santa Barbara and its incorporated cities over the next eight years. Register for the panel discussion.
VENTURA COUNTY — Housing Trust Fund Ventura County announced on April 9 that its 5th Annual Compassion Campaign will feature Mark Stivers, Director of Advocacy for the California Housing Partnership, a private nonprofit organization created by the State Legislature in 1988 to help provide housing that is sustainable and affordable for working families, homeless, veterans, seniors and disabled individuals.
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Cristina Mittermeier on Friday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Campbell Hall. National Geographic photographer Cristina Mittermeier has dedicated her life to safeguarding the world’s oceans and inspiring millions to do the same.
SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Police Memorial will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. at the Police Memorial Monument located at the intersection of Santa Barbara St. and Mill St. The Memorial is part of the recognition of National Police Week, May 12 through May 18. The public is invited to attend and the event is free.
The annual ceremony pays tribute to Santa Paula Police Officers and all peace officers who were killed in the line of duty. The event is sponsored by the Santa Paula Police Memorial Committee and the Santa Paula Police & K9 Foundation.
SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Art Museum is pleased to present “Greenbelt: Interplay and Imagination on the Edge of Wildness,” a solo exhibition by Ojai artist Christopher Noxon, opening Saturday, May 11, 2024, with a premiere party from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission to the premiere event is $5.00 for SPAM members and $10.00 for non-members. “Greenbelt” will be on view from May 11, 2024, to September 8, 2024.
Join us for a special Mother’s Day weekend event at SBMA with food writer and chef Pascale Beale, who will share her love for art and how it inspired her 10 cookbooks and cooking career over the past 25 years. A special lunch and cooking demonstration from a few of her much-loved recipes will follow the talk. Attendees will also receive a gift subscription to her latest multi-media food memoir, 9′ x 12′ Culinary Adventures in a Small Kitchen.
The book is essential reading from an expert voice: Luis A. Miranda Jr.’s personal and political memoir reveals a deep understanding of Latino culture and how to build community to change our world for the better.
A veteran of New York and national politics, Luis Miranda embodies the relentless spirit of progress of American immigrants.
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Ephrat Asherie Dance on Wednesday, May 15 at 8 p.m. at Campbell Hall. Ephrat “Bounce” Asherie, a New York-based b-girl with extensive training in ballet and modern dance, returns to reveal and explore the complexities of street and social dance forms. ODEON brings together and remixes street and club dances including breaking, hip hop, house and vogue, set to a mix of early 20th century romantic music and popular Afro-Brazilian rhythms.
Ephrat Asherie Dance | Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 2018 (Jacob’s Pillow)
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Bruce Liu on Thursday, May 16 at 7 p.m. at Hahn Hall, Music Academy. Following his win at the Chopin International Piano Competition in 2021, Bruce Liu experienced a star-is-born moment at London’s Royal Festival Hall in March of 2022. Summoned at the last moment to join the Philharmonia Orchestra for an all-Tchaikovsky program, Liu called for the notoriously difficult Concerto No. 2 as a substitute for the more commonly played Concerto No. 1. After an astounding performance and glowing reviews, Liu found himself shifted to an even higher level of demand.
The Light Shines Ahead luncheon will feature special guest speaker Jessica Clark, owner and founder of The Connected Co. Clark’s dedication to her community was forged through both triumph and tragedy. After enduring the loss of her first husband and her father within a year to cancer, she found solace and strength in the support of her community. This profound experience ignited her commitment to giving back. She went on to establish, manage, and sell multiple restaurants in the region, and has recently ventured into business coaching and consulting. But beyond her entrepreneurial endeavors, Clark is deeply engaged in grassroots initiatives aimed at fostering community support and empowerment.
Pulitzer Prize finalist, cultural critic, producer and screenwriter Xochitl Gonzalez is a staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of its newsletter Brooklyn, Everywhere, about class, gentrification and the American Dream. Her debut novel, Olga Dies Dreaming, was named a Best of 2022 by The New York Times, Timemagazine, The Washington Post and NPR. Her highly-anticipated new book, Anita de Monte Laughs Last, was released in March 2024.
Community Update
Uplift Central Coast is having a Community Update available in both English and Spanish on Zoom on May 17 at 12:00 pm!
During the session, Uplift Central Coast will cover:
Updates on ongoing community engagement efforts
Input and information learned from Roundtables and Listening Sessions across the region
Progress and plans on strategy Regional Plan Part II
Opportunities for discussion and input from community members
Register for the community update HERE!
THOUSAND OAKS — What began as a golf game conversation in the early 1970s, has become the largest Nordic festival in Southern California. The Scandinavian Festival — the legacy of the late Professor Armour Nelson and the late John Nordberg — will celebrate its 50th anniversary on May 18 and 19. Held at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, the family-fun festival honors the founding of the university and the history of the Conejo Valley, which Norwegians settled in the 1890s.
VENTURA — Strawberry nachos, chocolate dipped strawberries and strawberry kabobs are just some of the tasty treats offered at the 38th Annual California Strawberry Festival, Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds (10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001). The festival also features over 150 artists and crafters, a Ninja Nation obstacle course, live entertainment on three stages, carnival rides, a “build-your-own” strawberry shortcake and more.
You asked, we listened! Back by overwhelming demand, five time Grammy-winning artist Jacob Collier bookends Arts & Lectures’ 2023-2024 season with an entirely new show featuring a full band and music from his forthcoming (Feb 29) album, Djesse Vol. 4.
Tickets on sale Fri, Feb 2 at 10 AM
THOUSAND OAKS — The Greater Contribution, a non-profit that provides micro loans for women in remote villages in Uganda, hosts a “A Woman’s Worth” celebration Sunday, May 19th from 3:00pm to 5:30pm in Thousand Oaks.
In a beautiful outdoor garden, guests will enjoy live entertainment with Ugandan dancers, African drumming, storytelling, and international foods and refreshments. Dedicated to empowering Ugandan women to reach higher, this exclusive fundraising event gives guests an immersive cultural experience while enabling brighter futures and stronger communities beyond our borders.
Tickets are $40 per person, or $30 each with a friend; available at www.greatercontribution.org/a-womans-worth
