VENTURA — The County of Ventura has named Roger Robinson as the new director for the Ventura County Human Service Agency. Robinson was selected following an extensive recruitment process, which included both internal and external candidates. He steps into the role following the retirement of former director Melissa Livingston this month.
Hancock will host the 2025 Folklórico Invitational concert and dance performance on May 1-3 at 7 p.m. in Boyd Concert Hall (bldg. F) on the Santa Maria campus. Performers include Hancock students, as well as talented dancers from Righetti, Pioneer Valley and Santa Maria high schools, as well as members of the community. Tickets are $10 each and are available at https://www.hancockcollege.edu/pathways/creative-arts/tickets.php.
SANTA BARBARA — Join ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! (Viva) for three free community performances by Ballet Nepantla.
Ballet Nepantla
THREE FREE PUBLIC PERFORMANCES
Friday, May 16 | 7 PM | Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Rd, Goleta
Saturday, May 17 | 7 PM | Guadalupe City Hall, 918 Obispo St, Guadalupe, CA
Sunday, May 18 | 6 PM | The Marjorie Luke Theatre, 721 E Cota St, Santa Barbara
Ballet Nepantla combines classic ballet and contemporary dance with traditional Mexican folklórico, creating a truly special production. Founders Andrea Guajardo and Martín Rodríguez envisioned a new form of expression that fused these two distinct dance traditions, creating an aesthetic that reflects the historical, cultural, and social realities of a broader narrative of being Mexican, Mexican American, immigrant, and trans-cultural.
RESTAURANTS CARE RESILIENCE FUND
Restaurants Care, a nonprofit program of the California Restaurant Foundation, has awarded $7.3 million in grants to 1,603 independent restaurants across California—supporting burger joints, taquerias, bakeries and more. In 2025, Restaurants Care is offering two grant opportunities to help restaurants thrive: $10,000 grants for LA County restaurants and food trucks impacted by the 2025 LA Fires and $5,000 grants for restaurants and commercial caterers in select CA counties (including Ventura & Santa Barbara!) to build resilience. Restaurants Care was created in 2017 as a safety net for food and beverage workers. To learn more about their fund for food and beverage workers, click here.
This Arbor Day, let’s get planting! Whether you plant a tree, grow native plants, or start a community garden, every green effort helps create cleaner air, cooler neighborhoods, and thriving ecosystems.
Ready to make an impact?
In April we celebrate Fair Housing Month and rightly recognize the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968. This landmark legislature came just two years ahead of People’s Self-Help Housing’s incorporation.
The Act, which protects people from discrimination when renting or buying a home, securing a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities, originally had four protected classes – race, religion, national origin, and gender. With the amendment of 1988, two additional classes, ability and familial status were added.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College welcomed more than 200 students, educators, industry leaders and community members to its first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit on April 18 at the college’s Santa Maria campus.
The event, a first of its kind for the college, brought together experts from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, LinkedIn, Cal Poly, Moorpark College, Berkeley College and Hancock for a day of engaging discussions, keynote presentations, breakout sessions and panel conversations. Topics included AI trends, practical applications, ethical considerations and how artificial intelligence is reshaping education, employment, and everyday life.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College and Cuesta College have been awarded state funding through Uplift Central Coast’s Catalyst Predevelopment Grant initiative to establish the AHC/CC High Tech Hubs: Diversifying Careers Through Education project.
This initiative aims to address regional workforce gaps by preparing the next generation of aerospace engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and skilled technicians in high-demand industries. The grant is part of Uplift Central Coast’s recent $9 million investment in 36 projects across six counties, supporting economic growth, workforce development, and equitable job opportunities.
Don’t miss your chance to see Birthday Party Fundraiser! Tickets are still available, but they’re selling fast. You can skip straight to the front of our line and secure your tickets by visiting our website.
The award was presented during CAPIO’s 2025 Annual Conference, which celebrated outstanding work in government communications for print and digital assets created by public information officials in 2024. The County of Ventura’s 2023 Annual Report took home top honors in the category. Overall, CAPIO received over 500 entries from public agencies throughout California, including cities, counties, special districts, and state departments for the more than 30 awards categories.
SANTA BARBARA — Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) has been selected as one of 36 organizations across the Central Coast to receive Catalyst Predevelopment Funding through Uplift Central Coast. WEV was awarded $50,000 to support early-stage research and planning for EmpowerPath,…
“Behind every County program, service, and local initiative that supports our residents, there are dedicated individuals working tirelessly to make those efforts possible,” said Supervisor Janice Parvin, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “We are proud to acknowledge the career milestones for these employees. Their willingness and dedication to serve the community have made a lasting impact through decades of service and commitment.”
The Grand Opening Celebration will offer a full afternoon of fun and excitement for the whole family. Guests will enjoy live drills and demonstrations by Santa Paula’s talented youth softball and soccer teams, showcasing the community’s athletic spirit. A live band will take the stage at the new amphitheater, filling the park with music and energy.
Food lovers can grab a bite from a selection of local food trucks, while kids explore the Parks & Recreation equipment displays or hop aboard a charming kids’ train ride. The celebration will also feature interactive booths hosted by community-based organizations, offering educational resources and hands-on activities.
Now in its 55th year, the community-organized festival is one of the longest-running Earth Day celebrations in the country and is one of the largest Earth Day festivals on the West Coast. Presented by the Community Environmental Council (CEC) and produced by longtime festival partner, CarpEvents, the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival continues to serve as a beacon for environmental advocacy and education.
“Public safety dispatchers truly are the first responders,” said Interim Police Chief Tony Lee. “They manage intense situations with clarity, compassion, and focus—providing essential support to both the community and our officers in the field. Their work often goes unseen, but it is absolutely vital to every emergency response.”
Among VPD’s team of 17 skilled dispatchers, Megann Williams is being recognized as the 2024 Dispatcher of the Year for her outstanding contributions to public service and officer safety. With a calm, steady presence and an exceptional ability to multitask, Williams exemplifies the critical role dispatchers play in public safety.
As I write this, the wind outside is causing trees to sway and birds in flight to move erratically. These must be the March winds in April.
I recalled reading about the beliefs of the Aztecs regarding the wind. They surmised that the wind served as a bridge between the realms of the physical and the spiritual. They depicted Ehécatl, the Aztec god of the wind, as the sacred entity that breathed life into humanity.
The Aztecs venerated the wind and lived in awe of its dual nature; it gave life, but it could also chaotically take it away. For them, the wind carried both messages and benedictions from the gods. It was a transformative force to be reckoned with. It moved and changed the elements of the world around them.
VENTURA — The County of Ventura’s Economic Vitality Unit, in partnership with the Department of Airports and key regional partners, has been awarded $550,000 to establish an Advanced Air Mobility Innovation Center. The grant is part of a $9 million…
Join us for an evening of Cochineal Dye Demonstrations, Mezcal Tasting, and Delicious Oaxacan Cuisine at Sangre De Nopal artist Porfirio Gutierrez’s Studio in Ventura.
Funds raised will provide critical support for museum exhibitions and programs like Sangre de Nopal currently on view.
For further questions email hello@mcasantabarbara.org
Saturday, April 26 | 3-7 PM | 1060 Kendall Rd, San Luis Obispo
Want to join the fun at the 2025 Builder Games? Reserve your spot now!
Cheer on teams as they race against the clock and face fun challenges to build one-of-a-kind playhouses for children. Enjoy Santa Maria style BBQ, local wine, beer, and music! All funds raised benefit the Supportive Housing and Camino Scholars programs of PSHH.
VENTURA — The Ventura County Continuum of Care has reported a 15.6% decrease in homelessness as part of the 2025 Ventura County Homeless Count. Conducted on January 22, 2025, the count identified 1,990 individuals experiencing homelessness, a reduction of 368 people compared to 2024. Since 2023, the overall decrease stands at 18.5%.
This progress reflects successful investments in permanent supportive housing, homelessness prevention programs, and enhanced supportive services across the county to promote housing retention. The count, which adheres to federal definitions of homelessness, includes individuals living unsheltered, in emergency shelters, or in transitional housing.
Learning to “live and let live” is like sipping cold tea on a hot summer day. When we master the concept of living and letting live, we learn to tolerate and even accept the quirks, beliefs, boundaries, and tastes of others.
If nothing else, acquiring this outlook allows us to accept a family member who cheers for the political candidate that we abhor or who likes pineapple on their pizza.
In some countries and within certain cultures, many people adopt the philosophy of “live and let live.” Living together while embracing this attitude allows for the avoidance of conflict between members of a society—something we here in the U.S. could use about now
VENTURA — The City of Ventura strongly condemns the hateful actions that occurred in our community this past weekend. The swastikas painted on public and private property are not only criminal acts of vandalism, but they also seek to spread fear and division. Let it be clear: hate has no place in Ventura.
I am deeply grateful to the Ventura Police Department for their swift and effective response, leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect. Their commitment to justice helped prevent further harm and reassured our community that such behavior will not be tolerated.
“This year, we’re introducing a few changes to our annual concert series, all aimed at enhancing the experience for everyone,” said Recreation Manager Rebecca Ellis. “As part of our efforts to streamline all our recreation programs, we are now aligning ticket prices with our standard resident and non-resident fee structure. Additional changes to this year’s program include eliminating printed and mailed tickets with a streamlined check-in service on the day of the event.
VENTURA — The Ventura Fire Department urges property owners to take proactive steps in wildfire prevention by maintaining flammable grass, trees, and shrubs as part of the annual Fire Hazard Reduction Program (FHRP).
“With recent devastating fires reminding Southern California of the ever-present fire danger, the need for year-round defensible space has never been more urgent,” shared Fire Chief David Endaya. “Wildfires can spread rapidly in Ventura’s dry, drought-prone conditions, and keeping properties clear is critical to reducing structure loss and protecting lives.”
VENTURA — The Parks & Recreation Summer Activity Guide is now available online at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/ActivityGuide. Registration begins Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 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 6.
The Summer Activity Guide offers a diverse range of youth summer camps and programs for all ages from June through August. Exciting special events await, including the highly anticipated 4th of July Street Fair and the captivating Music Under the Stars concert series. Community members can also explore aquatic activities such as sailing, kayaking, standup paddleboarding, or swim lessons. There are also various arts and cultural options like tours to museums, productions, and local landmarks.
“We are thrilled to introduce this new tool as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance transparency and community involvement,” said City Clerk Michael MacDonald. “This is an exciting step forward in helping more residents take an active role in shaping Ventura’s future.”
SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula is reminding residents and business owners of several important updates related to Measure R, the local sales tax initiative approved by voters in November 2024. These updates include a change in the City’s sales tax rate, the formation of a community oversight committee, and an invitation for residents to help ensure accountability and transparency in how new revenues are used.
VENTURA — The City of Ventura is now accepting applications for its Special Event Grant Program (SEGP), designed to support community events for local residents. To be eligible, applicants must be nonprofit organizations based in the City of Ventura with 501(c)(3) status.
Coming Soon! New web addresses for County websites
The County of Ventura has officially begun the migration of county websites to the new .gov domain – venturacounty.gov.?
The transition to the new address complies with CA State Assembly Bill 1637, which was passed in 2024 and requires local governments to have a .gov domain by or before 2029. The transition to the new address will provide enhanced cybersecurity and easily identify the County’s online presence for residents, businesses, and visitors.
The past few weeks have alarmed many of us who contemplate the future of our country. Yes, we’ve always had disagreements among ourselves. We’ve discussed issues and argued with each other. But over the past few years, our discord has devolved into a mean-spirited battle between liberals and conservatives, governments and disadvantaged groups, globalists and nationalists, the religious and the secularists, oligarchs and common citizens.
SANTA BARBARA — CenCal Health, the Medi-Cal health plan for Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, presented its 2025 Community Report at a regular bimonthly meeting of its Board of Directors, held this month in San Luis Obispo.
he next regular meeting of the
County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for
9 a.m. Tuesday, April 1, 2025
County Administration Building
Board Hearing Room, Fourth Floor
105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara
The public may participate virtually, or in person at the County Board Hearing Room in Santa Barbara or Santa Maria.
Grow, update and revitalize your business through the City of Ventura Business Assistance Loan Fund. In partnership with the Economic Development Collaborative, the City of
Ventura funds three separate loan options for businesses. This fund is designed to create jobs, support the growth of Ventura’s small business community and revitalize the city’s
older commercial districts.
The draft Fire Hazard Severity Zone map for Ventura provides an updated assessment of local fire hazards and will help guide local fire prevention efforts, inform building regulations, and support emergency response planning. The map updates previous version approved in 2011 to reflect current fire risk conditions and new data. Hazard areas are rated moderate, high, and very high depending on the factors that contribute to fire behavior, like historical fire patterns, vegetation growth, weather, and terrain, among others.
VENTURA — The Ventura Fire Department is proud to announce the launch of a new fleet of cardiac monitor defibrillators, marking a significant advancement in emergency medical care for the community.
The department has acquired 20 new LIFEPAK 35 devices, ensuring every fire unit is equipped with a monitor and replacing older models that have served the department for the past 15 years. To support the purchase, City leaders approved an investment of $1.28 million from the General Fund in July 2024. The department began field testing the new units in January 2025 to ensure a smooth transition before full deployment.
VENTURA COUNTY — Kaiser Permanente began 2025 on a high note by awarding a total of $315,000 in community benefit funding to 15 nonprofit organizations in Ventura County.
These grants recognize the organizations’ commitment to improving local health. The grantees were recently celebrated at a reception held at California Lutheran University where each of the funded programs was highlighted.
These community events include a performance by the college’s Commercial Dance Team, a two-day rodeo event, movie screenings and a family-friendly “Spring Fling” hosted at Hancock’s Lompoc Valley Center (LVC) campus.
VENTURA — Recognizing the critical need for community members to be prepared and confident in taking appropriate action, the City of Ventura, in collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the City of Santa Paula, is excited to announce the return of its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program in May 2025.
This free, hands-on program empowers 40 local residents with critical disaster response skills, preparing them to take action when it matters most. Applications are open to Ventura and Santa Paula residents and will be accepted through Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
VENTURA COUNTY — The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County is launching a groundbreaking initiative to train 250 low- and moderate-income individuals in healthcare occupations. The Ventura County Healthcare Employment Accelerator (VC Heal Healthcare Careers) program focuses on strengthening the county’s healthcare workforce and expanding career opportunities for residents. With nearly $7.5 million in funding, this program aims to improve healthcare infrastructure, support economic recovery after the 2018 wildfires, and promote overall community well-being.
SANTA MARIA — The Allan Hancock College Foundation announced the appointment of six accomplished community leaders to its Board of Directors.
The new members bring a wealth of experience in healthcare, business, finance, real estate and community engagement, further strengthening the Foundation’s ability to support Allan Hancock College and its students.?
The newly appointed directors include: Dr. Carolyn Baldiviez, Michael Boyer, Mike Brady, Michael Carroll, Katie Gorndt and Candice Monge.
