VENTURA — The City of Ventura is excited to announce the release of its Fall Parks and Recreation Activity Guide! Registration begins Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. and will be available online, over the phone, or in person at City Hall, located at 501 Poli Street in Room 226. Registration information and policies are on page 43. Discover hundreds of upcoming classes, programs, and events scheduled from September through January at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/ActivityGuide
SANTA MARIA — Caring for a critically ill child is every parent’s worst nightmare, and for too many families, navigating this unimaginable crisis is made even harder by financial strain. No parent should have to choose between paying medical bills and buying diapers. That’s why LEAP: Learn • Engage • Advocate • Partner and Hearts Aligned are strengthening their partnership to make life a little less stressful for such families in the Santa Maria area.
Our Camino Scholars summer program is in full swing! From touring the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and feeding animals at Ostrichland to dolphin watching on a Santa Barbara Harbor boat and a visit to the Maritime Museum, our students have been busy having fun in the sun! Learn more about this impactful program below.
VENTURA — Health Care Foundation for Ventura County (HCFVC) proudly announces a significant philanthropic investment of $1,258,949 in essential medical equipment for Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC). This contribution reflects HCFVC’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the public safety-net healthcare system and delivering high-quality, compassionate care for all residents of Ventura County. To date, HCFVC has secured and directed more than $14.5 million in charitable support to advance the work of the Ventura County Health Care Agency (HCA).
The Ventura Music Festival is officially only ONE WEEK away! Now is the time to secure last-minute tickets as many of the concerts are filling up fast. Learn more about the upcoming shows below.
Can’t wait until next week? Join The Schwab Summer Orchestra this Saturday the 19th for Mahler Symphony No. 1: “The Titan” to get ready for our weekend of music.
The VMF July series will take you from the swing-revival rock of Ventura legends to smooth jazz shores, then around the world with piano, guitar, violin, and vocal artistry. There’s music for everyone, so don’t miss out!
OXNARD — Since joining GCTD in 1980, Lupe has served as a model of dedication, reliability, and care. Over the course of her career, she has driven an estimated 2 million miles, safely transporting thousands of passengers and embodying GCTD’s commitment to quality public service.
“Lupe has truly been the heart of this agency for nearly half a century—almost as long as GCTD itself has served this community,” said Vanessa Rauschenberger, General Manager of GCTD. “Her dedication to her passengers and her colleagues is truly inspiring. She represents everything we value in public transit: safety, reliability, and a deep connection to the community we serve.”
It’s been one week since our communities in Camarillo and Carpinteria were turned into war zones.
As I’m sure you know by now, heavily armed agents from ICE, CBP, DHS, and the National Guard raided workplaces and stormed through fields and neighborhoods, tearing farmworkers away from their families. They came in armored vehicles, masked and armed just like soldiers prepared for battle. They used tear gas, flash grenades, and rubber bullets on our neighbors – including pregnant women and children.
A City Councilmember was injured. A member of Congress was denied entry. A child was hit by shrapnel. A local veteran was detained for days without due process. A CSU professor was arrested. One worker was hospitalized and tragically died. 361 workers were disappeared by the armed and masked federal agents.
Oxnard City Manager Alexander Nguyen stated, “We’re excited for Brenda to lead the Housing Department. Her housing policy knowledge and years of service to the Oxnard community will be an asset in addressing two of the State’s most pressing issues—housing and homelessness, which remain increasingly vital as we face both federal and state budget cuts.”
SANTA PAULA — El Concilio Family Services will hold mobil clinic from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 24 at Puente de Vida Church, 203 S. 8th St., Santa Paula
“Let El Concilio help you stay protected and prepared! Our Mobile Immigration Clinic offers on-site assistance with:
Resident Card Renewal Applications (Form I-90
Application submission support
Bilingual staff ready to help (English/Spanish)
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon at the Santa Paula Art Museum’s 15th Annual Fine Art Auction Fundraiser on Saturday, August 16! Dozens of stunning artworks by historic and contemporary California artists will be up for bid, including museum-worthy pieces by Meredith Brooks Abbott, Jessie and Cornelis Botke, Robert Clunie, Paul Grimm, Douglas Shively, and many more. Plus, enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres catered by Parque 1055 while you browse.
SANTA BARBARA — The Music Academy of the West, now in its 78th season, hosted its annual gala on Saturday, July 11, raising $750,000 in support of its mission to advance transformative musical education and foster meaningful community through music. This year marked the debut of the Music Note Gala, a dazzling new celebration held on the breathtaking Upper Lawn of the Montecito Club. The sold out event hosted 410 passionate supporters of the arts under the stars for an inspiring evening of philanthropy, celebration, and extraordinary music.
Thanks to the generosity of Gala attendees — through paddle raises, auction bids, a raffle, and heartfelt donations — the event surpassed fundraising goals, reinforcing the critical role the Gala plays in sustaining the Music Academy’s year-round impact.
VENTURA COUNTY — The Museum of Ventura County (Museum) is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Richard Rush as chair and Al Lowe as vice-chair of its board of directors. Both esteemed community leaders and longtime Camarillo residents have served on the Museum’s board since 2017 and played instrumental roles in the organization’s recent strategic repositioning.
Dr. Rush, president emeritus of California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI), brings a deep legacy of educational leadership and civic engagement to his new role as board chair. A visionary administrator, Dr. Rush was the founding president of CSUCI, where he forged lasting connections between the university and the broader Ventura County community. His academic background includes a Ph.D. in English Renaissance Literature and a master’s degree in English Literature from UCLA.
Social Justice Fellows (past and present), guided by our talented mentors and coaches, tackle these and many more challenges to improve Ventura County for all of us!
Become a Social Justice Fellow!
“We’re proud to deepen our support for VCCDC through this incredible opportunity provided by FHLBank,” said Linda Rossi, president and CEO of VCCU. “Together, we’re not just celebrating our 75th year — we’re investing in the future of Ventura County by helping more families access the resources they need to achieve homeownership and financial stability.”
Summary:
The Board will discuss recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Santa Barbara County and hear from the public. Specifically, the Board will review federal enforcement actions that took place near Carpinteria on July 10, 2025, and in Santa Maria in early June. The discussion will include the community impact of these actions and any Board direction on this item.
As she was halfway around the world in New Zealand when her fight against cancer began, Santamaría would soon launch a journey that would bring her back to her California roots and back to Kaiser Permanente for care that she credits for her survival. She shares her story as a beacon of hope.
Santamaría is the associate vice president of strategy at California Lutheran University, where her role encompasses driving diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and belonging initiatives to deliver optimal offerings to students through partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits, municipalities and healthcare organizations.
SANTA BARBARA — California State University (CSU) Chancellor Mildred García has appointed Susan A. Andrzejewski to serve as California State University Channel Islands’ interim president. Andrzejewski, who currently serves as the university’s dean of the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics, will begin her new appointment on August 4, 2025.
“Dr. Andrzejewski is an innovative and collaborative leader, recognized for advancing student success through data-informed initiatives, experiential learning and regional partnerships,” said Chancellor García. “In addition, she has been a trusted and strategic partner to outgoing President Richard Yao, demonstrating impressive university-wide leadership and undeniable strategic acumen. With her strong connections to CSU Channel Islands and outstanding professional skills and personal qualities, Dr. Andrzejewski is the ideal person to lead the university through this time of transition.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) (July 10) celebrates a landmark decision by U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante of New Hampshire, who issued a ruling blocking the Trump administration’s executive order seeking to strip automatic birthright citizenship from children born in the United States to undocumented parents. This decision marks a crucial victory for members of LULAC, the first organization to file a lawsuit challenging the administration’s attempt to undermine one of the most fundamental rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
VENTURA — A summer road trip to California’s Central Coast isn’t complete without a stop at Ventura Harbor Village—a sun-kissed seaside escape offering postcard-perfect sunsets, salty breezes, and a lively mix of coastal experiences. This July and August, Ventura Harbor Village invites locals and travelers alike to soak up the season with a vibrant array of mid-week events, live music, dining, and seaside adventures. https://www.venturaharborvillage.com/
Plan a perfect summer day and beat the heat to enjoy unforgettable moments along the waterfront. Guests can indulge in fresh coastal cuisine, wine tastings, one-of-a-kind boutique shopping, and ocean activities like paddle boating, electric boats, and kayaking. Free midweek parking and engaging events make it even easier to plan a visit.
VENTURA COUNTY — United Way of Ventura County is pleased to announce the 20th Annual Spirit Award Recipients. These awards honor our Founding members. Every year since 2005, individuals and organizations who embody the qualities of Milton M. Teague, Douglas Shively, and Roy Pinkerton are selected for this prestigious honor. This year we will also award our President’s Award. The awards and awardees are list below:
The Milton M. Teague Award is given to a board member for outstanding community volunteerism, voted on by their peers. This year we proudly give this award to Tim Harrington.
Douglas Shively Award for Outstanding Community Impact is given to individuals who have served our community through our unique programs. This year we proudly give this award to Mayur Patel who is a champion of our Homelessness Initiative.
Roy Pinkerton Award for Top Corporate Citizenship goes to Procter & Gamble for their support through their corporate giving campaign, and sponsorship!
Cal Lutheran University will be honored with the President’s Award for their leadership and partnership with United Way’s Community Impact programs including Women United.
SANTA BARBARA — The Community Environmental Council (CEC) has released its most recent Impact Report, which shares key highlights of how CEC is converting a historically oil producing region to one that is regenerative and renewable. The report is accessible at cecsb.org/impact
At a time when the federal administration’s regressive climate policies threaten to unravel years of progress, California serves as a critical safeguard, and its stance will determine whether the United States advances or regresses by decades in climate protection. Central Coast communities play a vital role by providing courage, backbone, and proof of concept that strengthen and inform statewide policies.
Reuniones de la Junta de Supervisores en español
(Board of Supervisors’ Meetings in Spanish)
El Condado de Santa Bárbara está ofreciendo interpretación en español de las reuniones de la Junta de Supervisores. Véalo en vivo en nuestro canal de YouTube en español, o las personas suscritas a la televisión por cable pueden acceder a la programación secundaria de audio (SAP) en los ajustes de idioma.
Aún se requiere pedir con anticipación la interpretación de los comentarios públicos en español. Para proporcionar comentarios públicos en español, póngase en contacto con la Secretaría de la Junta llamando al (805) 568-2240 antes de las 4:00 p.m. del viernes anterior a la reunión de la Junta.
Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors’ meetings are available in Spanish. Watch live on our Spanish YouTube Channel, or Cable TV subscribers can access Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) in language settings.
Advance requests are still needed to interpret public comment originating in Spanish. To provide public comment in Spanish, contact the Clerk of the Board at (805) 568-2240, before 4:00 p.m. the Friday before the Board meeting.
CENTRAL COAST — From coffee shops and beauty salons to startups and design studios, local small businesses power our economy—and Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) is helping them grow stronger every day. Running a business can be exciting—but also overwhelming. Many entrepreneurs face challenges like financial stress, lack of strategic planning, or simply not knowing where to turn for support. That’s where WEV comes in.
Book Your Holiday Event at the Museum!
Join us at the Museum of Ventura County or the Agriculture Museum for your holiday events. Spend the night enjoying delicious food from DJs catering, dancing the night away with In The Mix Djs and lighting, set in one of two exciting venues. Party Package includes: Gourmet Buffet Dinner. Venue rental. Tables, chairs, linens, dinning needs. DJ with lighting package. No host bar (drink tickets available for additional fee). 100 person minimum. $150 per person
Book today – August 31 for the month of November, December, or January and receive a 20% discount on a Membership! Contact Kristy Rogers at krogers@venturamuseum.org to book today.
Due to unforeseen circumstances outside of Ventura Music Festival’s control, the July 25th Big Bad Voodoo Daddy concert and opening act from The Barrelhouse Wailers will now take place indoors at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center (PAC). While this new location means a smaller audience capacity, it also ensures a more comfortable and intimate show experience for everyone. Here’s what you need to know:
VENTURA — Elected officials and leaders from across Ventura County gathered (June 27) to address growing concerns about unjust immigration enforcement and reaffirm the community’s values of inclusion and justice. Speaking directly to Ventura’s immigrant community and the broader public, the event highlighted local leadership’s commitment to humane policy, community protection, and civil rights defense for all.
Speakers at the event included Vianey Lopez, County Supervisor, District 5, FatherTom Elewaut, Pastor of Mission Basilica San Buenaventura, David Newman, Mayor, City of Thousand Oaks, Bruce Stenslie, President/CEO, Economic Development Collaborative (EDC), Gabe Teran, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Oxnard, Rabbi Lisa Hochberg-Miller, Temple Beth Torah, Dr. Martita Martinez-Bravo, PsyD, Councilmember, City of Camarillo and Executive Director, Friends of Fieldworkers, Dr. Felix Nuñez, CEO, Gold Coast Health Plan, Helen McGrath, fifth-generation member of the McGrath farming family and Dr. Ana DeGenna, Superintendent, Oxnard School District.
As families in Ventura County are looking forward to celebrating America’s birthday during the upcoming Fourth of July weekend, it’s important to know that it’s OK to have fun under the sun, but without putting your health at risk and causing long-lasting injuries.
That’s especially true when it comes to fireworks, grilling and drinking alcohol, according to health experts.
“Celebrating the Fourth of July holiday is a special time many of us treasure dearly and look forward to every year,” said Dr. Juan Cruz, an internal medicine physician with Kaiser Permanente in Oxnard. “But I can’t stress enough the importance of celebrating responsibly and keeping safety in mind to ensure this festive holiday will be accident- and injury-free.”
SANTA BARBARA — The Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF) invites the community to celebrate Independence Day with a free, family-friendly concert featuring Santa Barbara’s beloved 80-member Prime Time Band on Friday, July 4th at 5:00 PM at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Gardens (1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101).
Enjoy an uplifting afternoon of music that honors the spirit of freedom and the heroes who defend it. The concert program includes stirring tributes to military valor—with iconic themes from Band of Brothers and Top Gun—as well as fan-favorite selections from Wicked, How to Train Your Dragon, The Magnificent Seven, and classic patriotic sing-alongs.
Bilingual theater course for girls and boys during which they will create an original story inspired by the characters of El Chavo del Ocho
We have come so far together! With you, we celebrate our 80th anniversary this year.Since opening our doors in April 1945, United Way has become a driving force for local impact — helping tens of thousands of residents rise above poverty, gain access to housing, education, and health services — all to build better futures.
To mark this milestone, we are hosting a special 80th Anniversary edition of our annual Spirit Awards Gala on Saturday, August 23, recognizing the people and partnerships that have fueled its mission — and inviting the community to shape its future. The more of you that are there, the more to celebrate!
Saturday, July 12, 2025, from 4 PM to 6 PM
$5 SPAM Members • $10 Non-members
Join us for the premiere of “Celebrating Nature: Paintings by Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore,” a vibrant exhibition that showcases the wild and breathtaking spirit of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The show kicks off with a premiere party on Saturday, July 12. Mingle with the artists, enjoy light refreshments, and be among the first to view (and purchase!) stunning original artworks.
The exhibit features 42 original paintings by artists Robin Angelides, Ruth Askren, Liz Blum, Steve Brown, John von Buelow, Larry Deeds, Jessica Falcone, Karen Fedderson, Susan Flanigan, Marian Fortunati, Barbara Freund, Carole Garland, Russell Hunziker, Virginia Kamhi, Nora Koerber, Timothy Kitz, Monica List, Nathan Mellott, Jane Mick, Rachel Sylvers, Bonnie Taylor, Laura Wambsgans, and Sharon Weaver.
“Celebrating Nature” will be on view from July 12 to November 9, 2025.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — FireAid donated $75,000 to California Strong, powered by the Southeast Ventura County YMCA (SEVC YMCA), to distribute to families affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires. Seventy-five fire victims who had previously filled out relief applications and were vetted received the funds.
The FireAid January 30 benefit concert in Inglewood provided $50 million in immediate relief assistance to more than 120 nonprofit organizations that distributed the funds to over 150,000 fire victims. The California Strong/SEVC YMCA donation is part of a second distribution phase that focuses on long-term recovery.
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SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has made a generous donation of $15,000 to Hospice of Santa Barbara, supporting ongoing patient care services for approximately 800 people annually in the Santa Barbara community. Patient care services encompass medical care management, volunteer support, anticipatory grief counseling, spiritual care, bereavement care management, and quality of life stipends.
“Hospice of Santa Barbara fills a critical need in the community, providing vital care and services to patients and their families,” said Kenneth Kahn, Tribal Chairman for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. “Our tribe is proud to support their efforts,” Kahm also shared.
CARPINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is proud to announce the acceptance of two leadership staff into prestigious national leadership programs and the addition of two exceptional women to its Board of Directors, deepening the organization’s commitment to strong, smart, and bold leadership at every level.
Melissa Cornejo, Campus-Based Program Manager at Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, has been selected to join the newest cohort of the Girls Inc. National Leadership Accelerator Program—an intensive, year-long professional development experience designed to strengthen leadership across the Girls Inc. network. This program supports and cultivates the next generation of organizational leaders through targeted learning opportunities, collaborative peer communities, and hands-on skill-building to expand each participant’s leadership capacity.
What a welcome! From the incredible VCCF staff, board members, donors, and nonprofit partners to the friendly barista at Old New York Deli & Bakery, I’ve felt an immediate sense of home and belonging here in Ventura County. I want to take a moment to share my reflections on my first 100-plus days and the deep hope and responsibility I feel stepping into this role.
After 22 years as CEO of a community foundation in Northern California, I stepped down last July in search of one final adventure—something meaningful to carry me into retirement with purpose. Vanessa and I have been friends and colleagues for over 10 years, and when she heard I was exploring what might come next, she invited me to Ventura County. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the dedication, humility, and heart of this community. I knew I had found something special.
VENTURA — In celebration of Summer and its 57th Anniversary last month, Island Packers, the official concessionaire to the Channel Islands National Park, is expanding its non-landing schedule to include Summer Whale Watching excursions from June – mid-September, 2025 to view some truly extraordinary, magnificent mammals.
VENTURA — The Valentine Road Apartments unveiled the first of its newly renovated units during a progress celebration at the largest Homekey initiative in Ventura County, marking a major milestone in the region’s efforts to address homelessness through permanent supportive housing.
Led by the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (HACSB), the Valentine Road Apartments are the result of a $32 million Homekey award secured in 2023 through the California Department of Housing and Community Development. That funding marked the largest Homekey grant in both City and County history and initiated the conversion of the 142-room hotel into 134 studio apartments for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
CENTRAL COAST — People’s Self-Help Housing’s (PSHH) has announced a new Director of Homeownership: Emily Baranek.
As the Director of Homeownership, Emily leads a team of dedicated professionals working to make the dream of homeownership a reality for families across the Central Coast of California. With over two decades of experience in new home design, construction, and affordable real estate development, she brings a wealth of practical knowledge and strategic insight to PSHH.
“I am incredibly proud of the years spent working and learning with Habitat for Humanity. Providing affordable homeownership opportunities for our friends and neighbors throughout the Central Coast is a true passion of mine,” said Baranek. “I have always felt that homeownership is more than just a roof over your head – it’s a foundation for stability, growth and meaningful connection, and I am absolutely thrilled to be joining People’s Self-Help Housing in this shared mission.”
SANTA BARBARA — CenCal Health, the Medicaid managed care plan for Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, provides health insurance to over 242,000 low-income people on the Central Coast. Recent federal proposals to reduce Medicaid funding and constrict eligibility would negatively impact local hospitals, healthcare providers, businesses, and thousands of area residents.
