Category: News

Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — See you in Just an Hour (Sept. 17) – Celebrating our 25th Year of Organizing at Raising Justice!

by Community Contributor • September 17, 2026 • Comments Off

We cannot wait to see so many of you so soon at our 20th Raising Justice Community Celebration & Fundraiser! (4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17)

If you’re on your way or chipped in from afar, if you’re one of the many generous Sponsors, or volunteered your time to put this event together, we’re so grateful for each and all of you!

If you’re planning on joining us in person — wonderful! — please know there’s no need to bring a ticket, just bring yourself!

Food and drinks are ready — and we’ve got an inspiring line up of speakers on a historic moment in our environmental justice campaign:

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria plans expansion into Ventura County, Welcomes new Director of Partnerships & Expansion

by Community Contributor • September 17, 2026 • Comments Off

CARPINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is thrilled to unveil plans to bring their proven model for intentional, girl-centered programming back to Ventura County. We are pleased to welcome a new Director of Partnerships and Expansion to our administrative team to aid with the growth initiative and building partnerships throughout the region.

The expansion back into Ventura County marks a momentous leap towards Girls Inc. of Carpinteria’s three-year goal to significantly expand its reach and double its impact along the central coast. Their holistic, researched-informed programming will bring mentorship, leadership development, college and career readiness, and STEM-based curriculum to Ventura County, with programs serving girls and young women ages 4-24.

Guest commentary — Ventura County’s AI push needs a skills ladder

by Amigos805.com • September 17, 2026 • Comments Off

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By Gleb Tsipursky, PhD, Ventura…

Ventura Land Trust — A small gift. A lasting impact

by Community Contributor • September 17, 2026 • Comments Off

Every day, people enjoy the lands that Ventura Land Trust has worked so hard to protect—hiking the trails, exploring with their families, watching wildlife, or simply taking a few quiet moments outside.

When you give monthly to Ventura Land Trust, you become part of the community that makes this work possible, all year long. Your steady support helps us care for the places we’ve already protected, restore native habitat, maintain trails, and seize new opportunities to protect Ventura County’s wild and beautiful places.

Guest contribution — Ventura County Taxpayers Association (VCTA) announces 2026 Voter Guide

by Community Contributor • September 17, 2026 • Comments Off

COMPLETE VCTA VOTER GUIDE HERE

Music Academy of the West holding Groundbreaking of ‘The Muse’ on Oct. 15

by Community Contributor • September 17, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — The Music Academy of the West and Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association (DSBIA) invite the community for a ceremonial groundbreaking marking an exciting new chapter for arts education and performance in downtown Santa Barbara. The event will take place on Thursday, October 15, at 5:00 PM at 901 State Street, the future home of the Music Academy’s Music Education Center, The Muse.

Community Environmental Council (CEC) — We Want to Hear From You: Help Inform CEC’s Critical Climate Work, upcoming events

by Community Contributor • September 17, 2026 • Comments Off

At the Community Environmental Council (CEC), we believe effective climate action is best informed by the people and communities we serve and protect. Your perspective can help us better understand what matters most to our community and ensure CEC’s work continues to meet the needs of Central Coast residents.

Bilingual report — Increase rabies-positive bats in Ventura County

by Community Contributor • September 17, 2026 • Comments Off

Ventura County Public Health and Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) are reminding residents to avoid contact with bats and other wildlife amid an increase in rabies-positive bats in Ventura County.

As of September 16, 2026, 27 bats in Ventura County have tested positive for rabies, with a little less than 4 months still remaining in the year.

Commununity Environmental Council (CEC) — SUCCESS: Santa Barbara County votes to stop new oil and gas wells

by Community Contributor • September 16, 2026 • Comments Off

On September 15, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to approve amendments to the Land Use and Development Code (LUDC) and Coastal Zoning Ordinance (CZO) that prohibit new onshore oil and gas wells countywide. This marks a major milestone for public health, environmental protection, and climate action in Santa Barbara and affirms that local governments can lead when federal protections fall short.

Registration closes Oct. 18 for YMCA Adventure Guides in Simi Valley, Conejo Valley

by Community Contributor • September 16, 2026 • Comments Off

WESTLAKE VILLAGE — Registration closes Oct. 18 for families wanting to participate in the Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s Adventure Guides/Y-Trailblazers programs in the Simi and Conejo valleys for the 2026-27 school year.

Organized through the Simi Valley Family YMCA and the Yarrow Family YMCA branches, YMCA Adventure Guides/Y-Trailblazers programs are for parents and their children, ages 5–11. The program runs through June 2027.

Explore Lompoc — Fall in love with Lompoc, California’s Harvest & Halloween events

by Community Contributor • September 16, 2026 • Comments Off

LOMPOC — Fall looks good on Lompoc.

Cooler days, vineyard views, pumpkins, seasonal treats, and just the right amount of spooky make this an especially fun time to visit.

Whether you’re planning a weekend in wine country, a family getaway, or simply looking for a reason to hit the road, Lompoc has plenty of ways to make the most of the season.

Bilingual report — Oxnard Fire Chief Alexander Hamilton announces retirement; Battalion Chief John Albin appointed next Fire Chief

by Community Contributor • September 16, 2026 • Comments Off

“Even before Alex became Oxnard’s Fire Chief, he was bringing innovation to the department, especially for increased awareness around cancer-causing conditions and prevention, and mental health and suicide prevention care for public safety personnel,” said Nguyen. “As Oxnard’s Chief, one of his highlights is advocating for the creation of Oxnard’s EMS Corps program, which will serve our community for generations to come.”

Albin brings over three decades of fire service experience to the role, including 28 years with the Oxnard Fire Department. He joined the department as a firefighter in 1998 and rose through the ranks, promoting from Firefighter to Fire Engineer in 2002, Fire Captain in 2011 and Battalion Chief in 2025, when he was selected to establish and lead the department’s newly created Support Services Division, which manages fleet, facilities, technology, logistics, purchasing, and peer support.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s (VCAAA) Advisory Council seeks Veterans’ representative

by Community Contributor • September 16, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s (VCAAA) Advisory Council has an opening for a veterans’ representative. The Advisory Council is a volunteer-based body of advocates who share a mission to create and sustain programs that positively impact the lives of older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers in Ventura County.

Applications for the veterans’ representative must be received by November 1.

Santa Paula Art Museum — ‘Gail Faulkner: A Lasting Impression; Opens Saturday

by Community Contributor • September 16, 2026 • Comments Off

Let’s Go Back to School!

After a career in the medical field, Ventura watercolorist Gail Faulkner (1947-2023) enrolled in art school in her 30s, proving it’s never too late to go back to school—or try something new.

Scroll down to learn about our new exhibition honoring Gail, get to know Museum Educator Janice Allen, check out our fall-themed art classes, and more.

SBCC Board of Trustees name the “Michael A. Goldberg Physical Education Building” and the “Kathleen ‘Kathy’ O’Connor Gymnasium” in their honor

by Community Contributor • September 16, 2026 • Comments Off

“We are beyond thrilled about the generous donation from Cheryl Goldberg and I also wanted to honor the work of Kathy O’Connor, who is the impetus for the new building,” shared Superintendent/President Dr. Erika Endrijonas. “Scheduled for completion in late spring of 2028, the new building provides state-of-the-art classrooms, event spaces, a new home for the SBCC Life Fitness Center, offices, and more in half the footprint of the existing building.”

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

by Community Contributor • September 16, 2026 • Comments Off

The Economic Development Collaborative encourages you to sign up for our no-cost events and webinars. Space is limited. Register today!

Plan ahead! Our full EDC and partner event schedule is updated at the start of each month.

UCSB — The Current — ‘New fund supports student projects connecting Indigenous studies and environmental action’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • September 16, 2026 • Comments Off

The Kenneth Robert Lincoln Indigenous Environmental Projects Fund will make grants of up to $1,000 available to students enrolled in the Environmental Leadership Incubator.

Trusted Legal elevates Natasha Bhushan to managing attorney

by Community Contributor • September 16, 2026 • Comments Off

Bhushan joined Trusted Legal in 2025 as a senior attorney, bringing more than a decade of experience advising businesses, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and private clients. Since then, she has quickly become an integral part of the firm and its work with clients navigating business formation and governance, transitions, real estate transactions, and other complex legal matters.

Guest contribution — Elevated oil prices add new pressure to 2026 holiday private jet travel

by Community Contributor • September 16, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA ROSA VALLEY — Private jet travelers vacationing for the holidays may face a more expensive season as elevated oil prices add additional cost pressure to an already high-demand period.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), global oil inventories have declined this year by approximately 400 million barrels, with this trend continuing through the end of 2026.

13th Annual Banana Festival returns to the Port of Hueneme Sept. 26

by Community Contributor • September 15, 2026 • Comments Off

… The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is expected to attract thousands of visitors for a full day of live entertainment, food, family activities, local vendors, and opportunities to experience the working Port up close through bus and boat tours. Admission and event parking are free. Guests are encouraged to park at Hueneme Beach.

The Banana Festival was created as a way to celebrate the Port’s role as a major gateway for imported bananas and other refrigerated agricultural products. The banana trade came to Hueneme in 1993 as the Port developed the largest cold storage capacity on the West Coast. Today, the Port of Hueneme ranks 5th in the nation for both automobiles and refrigerated cargo.While it imports 5 billion bananas per year, it also brings in Peruvian blueberries, avocados, mangos, and much more.

United Way of Ventura County seeking volunteers to provide free tax preparation for low-income earners

by Community Contributor • September 15, 2026 • Comments Off

Join like-minded people interested in making a difference!
Free training.

Explore Lompoc — News From Santa Barbara County: Experience the ultimate wine tour

by Community Contributor • September 14, 2026 • Comments Off

LOMPOC — Everyone knows California is wine country. But have you heard about Lompoc?

This laid-back Central Coast wine destination is the perfect place to sip small-production wines, meet the makers, and explore a wine scene that feels refreshingly unhurried.Add beautiful vineyard views, cool coastal temps, and plenty of chances to discover a new favorite, and you’ve got the makings of a seriously good wine weekend.

SB Museum of Art — Discover the World of Mary Cassatt, more events

by Community Contributor • September 14, 2026 • Comments Off

Get ready to see Mary Cassatt in a new light. Cassatt & Friends opens this Sunday at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, bringing together the work of the pioneering American Impressionist and the artists who shaped her world. Celebrated for her intimate, luminous depictions of women and children, Cassatt was also a daring innovator in pastel, drawing, and printmaking. Featuring a remarkable counterproof from SBMA’s collection alongside works by Berthe Morisot, Édouard Manet, Paul Cézanne, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, the exhibition captures the energy, experimentation, and creative exchange of a transformative moment in art history.

Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — A historic victory — and a keynote you won’t want to miss on Thursday, Sept. 17 in Ventura

by Community Contributor • September 11, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA — We hope we’ll see you in just one week at our big community celebration and fundraiser, Raising Justice! And this year, we have a historic victory to celebrate — This year’s celebration feels especially meaningful — not only because we’re marking 25 years of organizing for justice across Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, but — because we’re celebrating a historic victory that you helped make possible:

Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum — Special exhibit honoring 9/11 now open in San Luis Obispo

by Community Contributor • September 11, 2026 • Comments Off

Coast Veterans Memorial Museum invites our community to remember, reflect and help preserve the stories of a day that changed America.

Our new special exhibit, “On 9/11, I remember…”, is now open, presenting the events of September 11 and the lasting impact they had on our nation, our military and generations of veterans and their families.

Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) to commemorate 25th anniversary of 9/11

by Community Contributor • September 11, 2026 • Comments Off

THOUSAND OAKS — This year marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. To honor the lives lost and the courage of those who responded, the Ventura County Fire Department invites the community to join firefighters in remembrance ceremonies across the county.

Commemorations will take place at every VCFD fire station in the county, along with VCFD Headquarters in Thousand Oaks, and our Fire Communications Center in Camarillo.

Bilingual commentary — A Community Jewel: The Ojai Pops Orchestra

by Community Contributor • September 11, 2026 • Comments Off

Last Sunday I had the pleasure of attending a concert of the Ojai Pops Orchestra at the outdoor Libbey Bowl in downtown Ojai. Admission to these concerts is free, but donations are requested. Money that is contributed is used to offer music scholarships, lessons, instruments, and education to children in our community.

CSUCI’s Napa Hall Art Gallery opens academic year with Rafael Perea de la Cabada exhibition

by Community Contributor • September 11, 2026 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — Cal State Channel Islands’ (CSUCI) Department of Art and Art History will open the new academic year with “Double Landing,” a solo exhibition featuring the work of acclaimed artist Rafael Perea de la Cabada.

Opening Monday, Sept. 14, at the campus’ Napa Hall Art Gallery, “Double Landing” brings together dozens of original works that showcase Perea’s distinctive creative approach and the wide range of media he employs in his practice. The exhibition presents a diverse collection shaped by experimentation, keen observation and the interplay of construction and continual revision.

Guest commentary — La Defensa Del Pueblo: A Summit in Chiques, Califas

by Community Contributor • September 11, 2026 • Comments Off

Over 1,000 people from across the country traveled to Oxnard to attend the La Defensa Del Pueblo summit at the Performing Arts Center (OPAC). Cars, trucks, charter buses, and food trucks crowded the site’s parking lot. Latecomers parked in the surrounding streets.

Peoples’ Self-Help Housing — New learning center opens at Buellton Garden Apartments

by Community Contributor • September 11, 2026 • Comments Off

CENTRAL COAST – As students make their way back to school, People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) has opened a new Learning Center at Buellton Garden Apartments to support academic success. Located at 10 McMurray Road in Buellton, the Learning Center is ready to welcome twenty K-8 students this month.

With this addition of its ninth onsite Learning Center, PSHH’s education program serves nearly 300 students per year at its properties throughout the Central Coast.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Report

by Community Contributor • September 11, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Ocean water quality results for samples collected this week indicate ocean water quality at the following Ventura County beach sampling location failed to meet State standards for bacteria:

Promenade Park Beach – Figueroa St.

Warning signs are currently posted and contact with ocean water should be avoided for a minimum of 50 yards on either side of each posted sign. Warning signs will remain posted until ocean water quality meets State standards. Any items that may have come in contact with ocean water should be avoided. If contact occurs, wash thoroughly with soap and water.

Bilingual guest contribution — Community Environmental Council — Speak out on Sept. 15 to stop new oil wells in Santa Barbara County

by Community Contributor • September 11, 2026 • Comments Off

Join us Tuesday, Sept. 15, to urge the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors to approve proposed amendments to the Land Use and Development Code (LUDC) and Coastal Zoning Ordinance (CZO) that would prohibit new onshore oil and gas wells. These long-awaited protections would safeguard community health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and prevent future expansion of oil extraction while creating a responsible pathway for winding down existing operations in Santa Barbara County.

Over 120 teen volunteers to help at 8th annual Santa Barbara County Farm Day

by Community Contributor • September 10, 2026 • Comments Off

“Volunteering at Farm Day enables students to see that there is so much more to agriculture than the harvesting portion,” says Tyler A. Dickinson, an agriculture teacher at Pioneer Valley High School in Santa Maria. Dickinson coordinates the Farm Day volunteers. “They learn firsthand how farms operate. It broadens their perspective. They see career opportunities within the ag industry and the importance of the work that literally feeds the world.”

Blingual report — Mayor Sánchez-Palacios releases statement on antisemitic vandalism

by Community Contributor • September 10, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Mayor Dr. Jeannette Sánchez-Palacios has released the following statement in response to antisemitic vandalism targeting Temple Beth Torah and Juanamaria Park, including swastikas and other hateful imagery:

Dear Community Members of Ventura,

I am deeply disturbed by the antisemitic vandalism targeting Temple Beth Torah, Higher Vision Church, and Juanamaria Park, including the spray-painting of swastikas and other hateful imagery.

The Picklr Santa Barbara is now The Grove Pickleball

by Community Contributor • September 10, 2026 • Comments Off

“When we opened the facility, our goal was simple: to create an amazing, reliable place where people could play pickleball, make friends and feel part of a community,” said owner Ted Guggenheim. “Over the past few months, we’ve listened closely to our players, our staff, and the people who walk through our doors every day. In response, we are moving away from a membership model and lowering the pricing by offering a player Pass system. This allows us to focus on the occasional customer as much as our regulars.”

City of Santa Paula opens Cooling Center amid high temperatures

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA PAULA — With temperatures expected to reach 90 degrees or higher for several consecutive days this week, the City of Santa Paula will open a cooling center at the Santa Paula Community Center to provide residents with a place to find relief from the heat.

The cooling center will be located in the front lobby of the Santa Paula Community Center, 530 W. Main St., Santa Paula, and will be open this Wednesday, September 9 through Thursday, September 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Residents using the cooling center will have access to:

Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) — Logo contest, Library Day, Student-Led Candidate Forum, and more

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2026 • Comments Off

Ventura County students are invited to showcase their artistic talents by designing logos for the 2027 Academic Decathlon, Batalla de los Libros, Battle of the Books, Mock Trial, Science Fair, and Civic Action Project.

The winning designs will be featured on event lapel pins, awards, and competition materials. Students can compete for the opportunity to leave their mark on these prestigious events and win a plaque at the competition awards ceremonies. The deadline to submit entries is Friday, October 16, and details on how to enter are available at this link.

UCSB Arts & Lectures adds four powerful speakers to its 2026-2027 season

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2026 • Comments Off

Global economic analyst Rana Foroohar, two-time Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu, OB-GYN Mary Claire Haver and MacArthur Fellow Danielle Allen will address topical issues including the economy and national security, academic freedom, women’s health and how we define success

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) — You’re invited! Fall exhibitions and events

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2026 • Comments Off

MCASB presents two solo exhibitions: Alexis Childress: Migration, Memory, Movement and Tristan Esmino: sa gawi ng araw as part of the ongoing MCASB Satellite Gallery program at the Riviera Beach House in the heart of Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone neighborhood. Childress is a recent MFA graduate from UCSB, and Esmino is an MFA candidate at USC. Linked by the artists’ use of textiles and themes of landscape and ancestry, the two exhibitions will be installed throughout the gallery, in conversation.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Area Agency on Aging — Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) available to help with Medicare Open Enrollement

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA — With the Medicare Open Enrollment period soon to begin, the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) – part of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, a division of the Human Services Agency – will again be providing countywide resources and help.

Medicare Open Enrollment begins on October 15 and runs through December 7. HICAP counselors, who are registered by the California Department of Aging, provide free, unbiased Medicare counseling to the public.

UCSB — The Current — ‘UCSB professor to lead international report on carbon capture, storage and utilization’ and more news

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2026 • Comments Off

Soil scientist Iris Holzer will help lead the team updating greenhouse gas accounting guidelines for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Moorpark College wins 2025-26 Western State Conference Commissioner’s Cup

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2026 • Comments Off

MOORPARK — Moorpark College’s student-athletes turned a championship-heavy year and conference-best academics into the Western State Conference’s (WSC) 2025–26 Commissioner’s Cup title.

The prestigious recognition, previously known as the Conference Supremacy Award, recognizes colleges for their athletic excellence in WSC competition in the conference’s 20 sponsored sports coupled with academic achievement as a department. Moorpark Raiders teamed up to take home the win by earning five WSC titles in the 2025-26 academic year and posting the best overall GPA of 3.37 among its student-athletes.

Gabe Grandcolas named president of the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Board of Directors

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table (SBART) is pleased to announce that Santa Barbara native Gabe Grandcolas has been named president of its board of directors, taking on a leadership role with an organization that has supported and celebrated local student-athletes for nearly 60 years.

Grandcolas brings deep roots in the Santa Barbara community to the role. He graduated from Santa Barbara High School, where he was a high school baseball pitcher, before heading to the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, where he graduated cum laude. As the Sales Director with the Knight Real Estate Group, Grandcolas built his reputation on careful listening, creative problem-solving and giving clients a clear understanding of their options, whether they are selling a family property or looking to call the greater Santa Barbara area home.

UCSB Associated Students executive appointed to Isla Vista Government Board of Directors

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Noah Luken, the 2026-27 Associated Students of UCSB’s Executive Vice President of Local Affairs, has been appointed to serve on the Isla Vista Community Services District (CSD or IVCSD) board of directors. Luken will fill the remaining term of Director Edward Pilotte, a recent graduate of UC Santa Barbara.

“I applied for the IVCSD Board of Directors to bridge the institutional gap between the two most influential public-facing entities in Isla Vista — Associated Students and the Community Services District,” said Luken, a fourth-year economics and philosophy double major at UCSB. “This will allow for greater collaboration and coordinated efforts when addressing issues faced by students and Isla Vista residents.”

Last chance to become a Community Environmental Council (CEC) Climate Steward this fall!

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2026 • Comments Off

Over seven weeks, you’ll explore the science and solutions behind the climate crisis facing our region, hear from local experts and climate leaders, and connect with others who want to make a difference. You’ll have chances to put what you learn into practice through hands-on field experiences and a stewardship project centered on an issue you care about. You don’t have to do it alone — we’ll be there to guide you!

Bilingual report — Following 33 Years of Public Service, Oxnard Police Chief Jason Benites announces retirement; Assistant Chief Rocky Marquez named as next police chief

by Community Contributor • September 4, 2026 • Comments Off

“On behalf of the Oxnard community, we thank Chief Benites for his steadfast leadership of the department over the past six years and his decades of service dedicated to keeping Oxnard safe,” said Nguyen. “We’re fortunate to have strong leadership within our Police Department, and I am confident that Rocky Marquez will continue the department’s commitment to excellence and service to our community as our next Police Chief.”

Port of Hueneme Dock Talk Community Newsletter — August 2026 Recap

by Community Contributor • September 4, 2026 • Comments Off

• Back-to-School Distribution
• World Oceans Day — 4th Annual
• Classic Car Show
• 13th Annual Banana Festival — Sept. 26, 2026

Guest contribution — Celebrating 15 Years of the Salena Bracamontes Insurance Agency

by Community Contributor • September 4, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Fifteen years ago, Salena Bracamontes took a leap into business ownership and opened the doors to her own State Farm agency. Today, she’s built so much more than a successful business with the Salena Bracamontes Insurance Agency, she’s built a dedicated team, lasting relationships with clients, and a reputation for showing up for the people and community she cares about.