VENTURA — Ventura County Executive Officer Dr. Sevet Johnson has been honored as the 2026 Woman of the Year by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin. She was recognized by the 42nd District Assemblymember for being part of “Women Making History”.
OXNARD — The Oxnard arts community will launch Arts, Culture & Creativity Month this April with a vibrant celebration of the newly designated Downtown Oxnard Cultural District, bringing together artists, cultural leaders, and community stakeholders for a dynamic public kickoff event.
Hosted by the City of Oxnard, the Downtown Oxnard Improvement Association (DOIA), and the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Nonprofit (OPAC), the event will take place at the John C. Zaragoza Transit Center is an inspired and accessible venue that reflects the district’s creativity through large-scale murals, interactive pop-up art experiences, and locally crafted offerings, including bespoke coffee from Dolce Vita.
Creative & Artistic Advisor Conor Hanick and Vice President of Artistic Planning Indigo Fischer to support long-range artistic planning ahead of the Academy’s 80th Anniversary and new Music Education Center
Will you join us to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors? Make your gift today !80 for $80
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, Public Health Office, and the National Weather Service are monitoring a prolonged heat event through Friday, March 20.
?? Temperatures are expected to be up to 25° above normal, with inland areas reaching the 90s and even 100s.
SANTA BARBARA —A study by an international team of researchers led by Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) Psychology Department Chair Leida Tolentino was recently published in the International Journal of Public Health (IJPH) titled “Movement Disorders in Cabo Verde: Epidemiology, Access Barriers, and Public Health Implications in an Aging Island Population.” The country-level study is the first to estimate the prevalence and incidence of movement disorders—primarily Parkinson’s disease—in the island country of Cabo Verde, to identify at-risk groups, and to document significant barriers to diagnosis and care. Read about the published study.
The findings reveal growing demographic vulnerability, especially among men and those aged 60 and older, and suggest that national public health strategies should prioritize integrating neurological disorders into broader Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) and aging policies. The widely-observed access barriers and inequities in care delivery further signal an urgent need for decentralized services and public health system strengthening. The results of this study may inform public health policy in other low- and middle-income countries facing similar challenges.
SANTA BARBARA — Dr. Douglas E. Ney, a board-certified neurologist and neuro-oncologist, has joined the Cottage Neurosciences Clinic, expanding access to specialized neuro-oncology care for patients across the Central Coast.
Dr. Ney specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors and neurologic complications of cancer and works closely with multidisciplinary teams to support coordinated care. He will practice alongside Dr. Richard Chung, Dr. Nicole Moayeri, Dr. Brian Walcott, and physician assistant David Barsky.
NEWBURY PARK — Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County (Habitat Ventura) brought together more than 70 volunteers this International Women’s Day weekend for its annual Women Build event presented by Bank of America. On Saturday, March 7, volunteers gathered at a senior mobile home park in Newbury Park to complete critical repairs on six mobile homes for the senior community. Throughout the day, volunteers worked side-by-side completing interior and exterior repairs, painting, replacing stairs, and addressing any additional needs that required support.
SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Health has appointed Ryan Kelly, Ph.D., as its first Chief Innovation Officer, a newly established role designed to advance innovation across the health system and strengthen strategic partnerships.
OXNARD — On Sunday, May 3, 2026, OPAC (the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Nonprofit) in partnership with Raising Mami Alchemy, Inc., will host Rooted: A Wellness Summit, a first-of-its-kind immersive gathering designed to bridge indigenous culture, mental health, and somatic healing. The summit is co-led by Ana Maria Lugo, a wellness educator and holistic practitioner whose personal journey from 9/11 survivor to community healer has transformed wellness access for thousands in Ventura County.
SANTA BARBARA — The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) recently celebrated 23 graduates who completed the organization’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program. These 23 graduates have a combined escrow of $578,608.93 and an average income increase of $43,007. Of this group, seven are no longer receiving housing assistance.
SANTA BARBARA — Knight Real Estate Group, one of Santa Barbara’s top producing real estate teams and an affiliate of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, has announced that longtime real estate professional Mike Day has joined the firm as Director of Operations.
Day brings nearly three decades of real estate industry experience to the role, along with a strong background in technology and operational leadership. In his position with Knight Real Estate Group, he will oversee team operations, marketing systems, and business infrastructure while also working directly with buyers and sellers throughout Santa Barbara County.
VENTURA — The Parks & Recreation Summer Activity Guide is available online at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/ActivityGuide. Registration begins Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. and will be available online, over the phone, or in person at City Hall, Room 226, 501 Poli Street. Registration information and policies are on page 7.
The Santa Barbara County Active Transportation Dashboard brings together bike and pedestrian safety data to reveal patterns, trends and hotspots for collisions and near-misses across the county.
The Museum of Ventura County’s Board of Directors and staff are proud to celebrate two remarkable women whose leadership and dedication strengthen our organization and community. Dr. Sevet Johnson, MVC Board Member, and Elena Brokaw, MVC’s Barbara Barnard Smith CEO, have each been recognized as 2026 Women of the Year.
IN-PERSON EVENT: SMALL BUSINESS START-UP BASICS
March 25 @ 8:30 am
Join SCORE, City of Thousand Oaks, Economic Development Collaborative and Accelerate CA in this information-packed workshop that will help you assess whether starting a small business is right for you and consider the various options for starting a business, legal structures, and business plan basics. Address: City of Thousand Oaks, Oak & Park Room, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362. The Accelerate California: Inclusive Innovation Hub (Accelerate CA Hub) is funded by the State of California and administered by CalOSBA. Price: FREE.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Join us at Repair Cafe Santa Barbara to give your broken items a second life. This is a simple, but impactful way to take meaningful climate action that benefits you and the planet. By making small, conscious choices, we can all contribute to a more sustainable future.
VENTURA — A partnership between the County of Ventura and Naval Base Ventura County has led to the successful relocation and installation of the Military Order of the Purple Heart monument to the Veterans Memorial at the Ventura County Government Center, creating a prominent public space to honor service members wounded or killed in combat.
The monument, originally located on the golf course at Naval Base Ventura County, recognizes Purple Heart recipients, however the location of the installation provided limited visibility to the broader community. To expand public access, the Military Order of the Purple Heart offered to donate the monument to the County so it could be relocated to a more accessible location.
View in Browser Music Academy of the West announces 2026 Summer Music Festival & School American Mosaic: The 79th annual Summer Music Festival celebrates American voices, June 17–August 8 in Santa Barbara Subscriptions on sale April 9 Individual tickets…
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Probation Agency and the Ventura County Library have launched an innovative partnership to bring tailored library services directly into the County’s Juvenile Facilities through the new Next Chapter Library. This pilot initiative marks a significant step toward expanding educational access and literacy opportunities for youth under custodial supervision.
“Mo(u)rning Earth,” featuring lead artist Vanessa Morrow, is one in a series of art exhibitions addressing mental health that is part of VibeWell Ventura County, a county-wide initiative that uses art and culture to raise awareness of mental health conditions. This show’s theme invites artists to consider the/their physical environment and the idea that processing grief or loss through arts can transform “mourning” into the “morning” of a new dawn/day.
SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula marked an important milestone on March 3 with a groundbreaking ceremony for the Santa Paula Creek Bridge, a project that will improve access, connectivity, and safety while establishing a connection over the Santa Paula Creek.
Mayor Carlos Juarez, Vice Mayor Jenny Crosswhite, Councilmember Pedro Chavez, City Manager Dan Singer, and Deputy City Manager Aminah Mears were in attendance to celebrate the start of construction, along with City of Santa Paula department directors, staff members, project partners, and community members.
Have you heard the buzz about Teatro De Las Americas’s spectacular production of Manifest Destinitis? (The political comedy satire) is an event you absolutely can’t miss! Secure your seat today by grabbing your tickets online. Join us for an unforgettable experience!
I used to enjoy most of my classes in college. But I also found myself sitting through some agonizingly dull 50-minute lectures on obscure topics. John von Neumann, a Hungarian and American mathematician of prodigious talent and insight, coined a name for that measure of time. He stated that the average college lecture lasted 52.6 minutes, which is a millionth of a century—that is, a “microcentury.”
No boring minutes and seconds for us (except for math and physics homework)! This comical chronometry allowed my nerdy engineering classmates and I to go around saying things such as, “I saw a movie that lasted four and a half microcenturies.” After all, we were used to doing time conversions in our head. But students in other majors who overheard us would just shake their heads and roll their eyes.
VENTURA — The County of Ventura, in partnership with Studio Channel Islands Art Center, is proud to announce the selection of the lead artist and artist team for the Moon Ditch Mural Project, a public art initiative that will transform a nearly mile-long flood control channel into one of the largest murals in Ventura County. Elisa Torres, an accomplished Oxnard-based muralist, painter, and cultural strategist has been selected to lead artistic work on the project. Visible from Highway 101 and passenger rail lines, the Moon Ditch mural will be seen by tens of thousands daily and serve as a cultural landmark for years to come.
Be the first to see our all-new exhibit on Saturday, March 14! Santa Paula artist Cornelis Botke (1887-1954) is best remembered as a master etcher whose work earned international acclaim and entered the collections of the California State Library, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution. Yet from childhood, Botke’s greatest ambition was to be a painter.
The Ventura County Community Foundation is collaborating with over 150 community partners for our Highest-Quality Early Childhood Education initiative in Santa Paula, known as the “Isabella Project.” We invite you to learn more about the different committee members and groups dedicated to removing all barriers to accessing highest-quality early childhood education in our community.
Click here for the entire media release en español VENTURA — The City of Ventura is beginning an update to its Local Coastal Program (LCP), the long-range plan that guides land use, development, and resource protection within Ventura’s Coastal Zone.…
SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation (SBCHF) held its annual Party of the Year on March 7, 2026, at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Goleta. With more than 500 guests in attendance, the black-tie event raised over $810,000 in support of Cottage Children’s Medical Center.
The Party of the Year recognizes healthcare professionals and celebrates donors whose generosity strengthens high?quality pediatric care across the region. The event’s program featured remarks from Heather Hambleton and Lisa Iscovich, the Party of the Year event co-chairs; Eric Seale, Chair of the Cottage Health Board of Directors; Scott Wester, President and CEO of Cottage Health; and Dr. Miriam Parsa, Chief Pediatric Medical Officer for Cottage Children’s Medical Center. Guests also enjoyed an enchanting performance by State Street Ballet.
The first comprehensive museum survey of the Vietnamese American artist brings together more than 70 works spanning 25 years of research-driven practice.
Read more about the exhibition
VENTURA — Ventura Harbor Village announces a wave of new visitor amenities in 2026. Situated just off scenic Highway 1 and the 101 freeway, the waterfront destination invites locals and travelers alike to take in the views and soak up the waterfront lifestyle with expanded dining, new artsy retailers and wine releases, beauty collaborations and more, making Ventura Harbor Village a must-visit coastal hotspot.
“These exciting additions reflect the spirit of Ventura Harbor Village – creative, welcoming, and deeply connected to the coastal experience,” said Brian Pendleton, Ventura Port District General Manager. “In 2026, we’re delighted to offer even more ways for guests to eat, sip, relax, and enjoy the Harbor seaside.”
To complement the hundreds of FREE resources available through Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, Verizon, in partnership with LISC, is awarding $5,000 grants to 25 small businesses based in California to help them sustain and grow their businesses. The grant will be awarded directly to selected business owners and does not need to be repaid.
Who Can Apply?
OXNARD — In the years following World War II, the city of Oxnard was experiencing a new chapter of growth. Returning veterans were building families, downtown storefronts were reopening, and small businesses were becoming the backbone of a rapidly evolving community.
Amid this moment of renewal, a new florist shop appeared on North A Street—a shop that would go on to become one of the city’s longest-standing businesses.
Help increase opportunities and remove obstacles for students by attending the 6th annual Equity Conference at the Ventura County Office of Education in Camarillo on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
Educators, families, and community members are invited to register today for this free event, which will feature a variety of speakers and workshops in English and Spanish. Food, drinks, and language interpretation will be provided.
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on fourteen different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment and strategic importance to the state or region.
VENTURA — The County of Ventura and the Ventura County Continuum of Care have been awarded $5.6 million through Round 6 of California’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program, a statewide effort to support regional strategies that prevent and end homelessness. The award was announced on March 2 by Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The County of Ventura was among 20 regions statewide included in this latest round of awards.
Community feedback will help inform the development of new arts and culture policies, updates to City grant programs, and a five-year plan to implement the goals of the Arts and Culture Element. Residents are encouraged to participate by attending a public meeting, joining a pop-up activity, or completing an online survey.
Help our VCAS Foster Families feed the 1,500 expected kittens this year. Your help keeps our Foster Parents fully stocked with lifesaving food. Visit our Amazon Wish List to donate the 3 types of food needed.
PORT HUENEME —?It was a weekend of gears, grit, and glory as the Port of Hueneme proudly welcomed the annual?FIRST?Robotics Competition for the fifth year in a row. This exciting two-day event is held inside the FATHOMWERX lab — a dynamic space for innovation and technology transfer between the Port of Hueneme, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC), the Economic Development Collaborative, and Matter Labs.
GOLETA — The Picklr Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County’s new premier indoor pickleball destination, today announced the official launch of its highly anticipated Founder Membership Sale, beginning March 18 at 10:00 a.m. exclusively through their website, along with its Grand Opening celebration on May 2nd, 2026, which will be open to the public.
SANTA BARBARA — Stargazing, chemistry lab fun and so much more are waiting for community members of all ages at Santa Barbara City College’s Science Discovery Day, Saturday, March 14, from 1-4 p.m. on SBCC’s East Cliff Campus.
Presented by the SBCC STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Transfer Program, Science Discovery Day is a FREE family event, created by SBCC students and faculty to showcase the wonders of the world, with interactive displays and hands-on activities for the whole family.
Ahh… the sweet smell of almost-spring air, and fresh paint, is here!
Over the past several weeks, our spaces have had quite the makeover. New floors, refreshed walls, updated furnishings, and reimagined workspaces. It has been a major overhaul, made possible by the final funds from the Department on Aging’s Bridge to Recovery grant- resources originally designated to help organizations like ours strengthen infection control and safety in the wake of COVID (ie. removing carpet and fabric surfaces, improving airflow and spacing… yes, please!).
VENTURA — Tax season is upon us and low- to moderate-income Ventura County residents are encouraged to take advantage of ways to put more money back in their pocket with the help of United Way of Ventura County’s (UWVC) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).
Throughout February to April 30, 2026, trained VITA volunteer tax preparers will help working families and individuals file their state and federal tax return and access the tax credits to which they are eligible. Households earning up to $69,000 are eligible to use the free services.
SANTA BARBARA — Looking out at a crowd of students gathered with their advisors and parents, Santa Barbara Education Foundation Board Member Isis Castañeda captured the spirit of the evening in a few simple words: “It’s about the student-driven ideas.”
On Tuesday, March 3rd, high school students from across the Santa Barbara Unified School District filled the Faulkner Gallery at the Santa Barbara Public Library to celebrate the projects they designed and led through the Santa Barbara Education Foundation’s Student Grants program.
In an approach that can be used on populations managing endemic diseases, researchers link real-life climate and weather data to a large multinational cohort of HIV patients to illustrate the effects of extreme weather on people with the infectious disease.
Read more about the findings
VENTURA COUNTY — Rain didn’t dampen the spirits in Camarillo this past Thursday as the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC) officially cut the ribbon on its most ambitious project yet: Workforce on Wheels (WOW). This state-of-the-art mobile career training lab represents a pivotal shift in how our community tackles the healthcare labor shortage—by bringing the workforce services directly to the neighborhood.
IN-PERSON EVENT: SMALL BUSINESS START-UP BASICS
March 25 @ 8:30 am
Join SCORE, City of Thousand Oaks, Economic Development Collaborative and Accelerate CA in this information-packed workshop that will help you assess whether starting a small business is right for you and consider the various options for starting a business, legal structures, and business plan basics. Address: City of Thousand Oaks, Oak & Park Room, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362. The Accelerate California: Inclusive Innovation Hub (Accelerate CA Hub) is funded by the State of California and administered by CalOSBA. Price: FREE.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
As we prepare to announce our exciting and diverse 2026 season, Ventura Music Festival welcomes Sonia Tower to the leadership team! In community news, we’re also collaborating with our friends from the Ventura Arts Alliance to raise more support for the arts in Ventura. Discover how you can get involved below! Finally, mark your calendars for May when tickets go on sale for the VMF Summer series. Full season announcement coming soon!
VENTURA — Ventura County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Michelle Ascencion announced the extension of the nomination period for the following County offices that are scheduled to be voted on in the June 2, 2026 Statewide Primary Election.
CAMARILLO — TruNorth Jets is available for clients looking to escape, whether that’s work, to a vacation or a suddenly-volatile situation abroad.
“Ventura County Farm Day is a free, all-ages, one-day invitation for people to explore agricultural locations across Ventura County,” says Caitlin Paulus Case, executive director of Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture. “Farm Day helps people better understand the journey of our food from field to table while highlighting the uniqueness and abundance of our region. It celebrates the many individuals whose hard work feeds and sustains us, contributing to Ventura County’s ranking as the 11th most agriculturally productive county in the nation.”
CAMARILLO — Three CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) undergraduates were selected to participate in a new biotechnology internship pilot developed in collaboration with Amgen, providing hands-on research experience at the company’s Thousand Oaks headquarters.
Part of the Amgen-CSURF (California State University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships) initiative, the program is designed to increase access to industry training for students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. The students are paired with scientists and gain exposure to real-world applications in laboratory science and drug discovery over two summers. The program kicked off at the Thousand Oaks headquarters in summer 2025 and will return in the summer of 2026.
PORT HUENEME — Influence, inspiration, and impact took center stage on Wednesday in Camarillo as people from across the region gathered to help Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) mark its 35th anniversary year with a special luncheon in honor of International Women’s Day. The event celebrated women whose leadership has strengthened local communities, including Oxnard Harbor District Commissioner Celina Zacaraias, who received WEV’s 2026 Trailblazer award.
“I’m so fortunate to work alongside amazing and inspiring women such as our Port CEO Kristin Decas and CSUCI President Susan Andrzejewski, who are trailblazers in their respective careers,” Zacarias said.
Seventy years ago, my father invited me to sit down with him to assemble a simple jigsaw puzzle of maybe about 50 pieces. It was the first of many. He eventually graduated me up to the 500- and then 1000-piece puzzles. The images on the boxes for these puzzles consisted of things like people, houses, skies, forests, farms, waterfalls, plants, and animals.
He was very logical when it came to puzzles. He taught me that the first thing we had to do when starting a puzzle was to spread out the pieces and ensure that they were all face-up. Once that was accomplished, our mission was to establish the frame—that is, fit all the pieces that make up the perimeter of the puzzle. This was serious business. We finished the frame together with the gravity of two men diffusing a bomb.
(The political comedy satire) is an event you absolutely can’t miss! Secure your seat today by grabbing your tickets online. Join us for an unforgettable experience!
The Port of Hueneme is excited to once again host (it’s first annual Robatics Competition) that is free and open to the public to attend. Click the button to learn more about the competition schedule.
March 7-8, 2026
The Port of Hueneme
333 Ponoma St. Port Hueneme
VENTURA — Spirit of Japan Ventura returns for its second year, bringing a vibrant celebration of Japanese food, culture, and community to Ventura County. The two-day outdoor festival will take place Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19, 2026, welcoming…
THOUSAND OAKS — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA seeks sponsors for its 27th Annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast. The breakfast is on Thursday, May 7, at CLU’s Gilbert Sports Center in Thousand Oaks. The breakfast brings together all faiths to pray for friends, family, government leaders, the nation and the world. The theme this year is “Hope & Peace.”
“This investment by the Cloverlane Foundation will make a real difference in how we prepare students for the field,” said Fire Academy Coordinator Leonard Champion. “Access to professional-grade equipment like this elevates the quality of our program and gives our students a meaningful advantage when they enter the workforce.”
With a new NSF award, computer science associate professor Prabhanjan Ananth will study the foundations of quantum computing as a cryptographic tool.
