Category: Youth

CSUCI doctoral student Liliana Manriquez Loza receives CSU’s highest student honor

by  •  • Comments Off on CSUCI doctoral student Liliana Manriquez Loza receives CSU’s highest student honor

Manriquez Loza is one of 22 students across the CSU selected for the annual award, which recognizes superior academic performance, personal accomplishments, community service and financial need. She was honored as the CSU Foundation Board Member Ron and Mitzi Barhorst Scholar during the CSU Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 22.

A first-generation college student, Manriquez Loza is pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership for Equity and Justice at CSUCI, where she maintains a 3.9 GPA. Her academic and professional work reflects a longstanding commitment to empowering Indigenous communities and improving educational opportunities for historically underserved students and families.

Read more →

Ventura County Office of Education wins Golden Bell Award

by  •  • Comments Off on Ventura County Office of Education wins Golden Bell Award

VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) has received the prestigious Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association (CSBA) for its innovative approaches to alternative education that are helping students overcome significant barriers to graduation and success after high school.

VCOE’s Alternative Education program received the award for its submission “From Incarceration & Expulsion to Graduation, College & Workforce: Sustaining an Impactful Whole Child Ecosystem in Court & Community Schools.” The program serves students in grades 6–12, including expelled students, justice-involved youth, and students facing significant academic, behavioral, and social-emotional challenges. It operates Gateway Community School in Camarillo and Providence School at the Ventura County Juvenile Facility in Oxnard.

Read more →

CSUCI invites community to celebrate Homecoming 2026 (Oct. 5-10)

by  •  • Comments Off on CSUCI invites community to celebrate Homecoming 2026 (Oct. 5-10)

“Homecoming is a celebration of the people and partnerships that make Cal State Channel Islands such a welcoming and vibrant community,” said CSUCI Interim President Susan Andrzejewski. “We look forward to bringing alumni, students, families, friends and neighbors together to share in our Dolphin pride and strengthen the connections that extend well beyond our campus.”

Read more →

Bilingual report — County of Ventura prepares for winter weather amid strong El Niño forecast

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — County of Ventura prepares for winter weather amid strong El Niño forecast

VENTURA — The County of Ventura is taking proactive steps to coordinate efforts across agencies to strengthen readiness, identify potential resource and informational needs, and ensure infrastructure resiliency ahead of what could potentially be a very active winter season. The National Weather Service is forecasting that significant El Niño conditions will continue to intensify through the end of 2026, with the possibility of these conditions creating the strongest event on record. The presence of strong El Niño conditions raises the likelihood of Ventura County experiencing a stormier, wetter than usual winter. 

Read more →

Community Colleges of Ventura County to host State of the District event

by  •  • Comments Off on Community Colleges of Ventura County to host State of the District event

CAMARILLO  —The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) is inviting the community to hear directly from its leadership at its State of the District event, bringing together elected officials, regional industry and nonprofit partners, educational leaders and friends of the district to celebrate the work of VCCCD’s students, faculty and employees, reflect on the District’s progress and look ahead to what’s next. The free, public event takes place Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. at the Camarillo Public Library. 

Chancellor Rick MacLennan, joined by Moorpark College President Julius Sokenu, Oxnard College Interim President Steve Hall and Ventura College President Luca Lewis, will offer a firsthand look at how VCCCD is responding to a changing Ventura County and creating more ways for students to access education, build careers and find opportunity close to home.

Read more →

October at the Santa Paula Art Museum

by  •  • Comments Off on October at the Santa Paula Art Museum

Fans of the spooky season will love our October events and classes! Don’t miss our Halloween-themed Free Family Day, creative classes inspired by ghosts, skulls, and haunted houses, and more frightfully fun ways to celebrate fall.

Read more →

ForestWatch-sponsored ‘Outdoors for All’ bill signed into law

by  •  • Comments Off on ForestWatch-sponsored ‘Outdoors for All’ bill signed into law

CENTRAL COAST — Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed SB 1268, the Outdoors for All Initiative, into law, establishing the initiative in state law and creating a lasting framework for expanding equitable access to parks, open spaces, trails, beaches, forests, and other outdoor public recreation spaces across California.

Los Padres ForestWatch proudly co-sponsored SB 1268, authored by Senator Lena Gonzalez, because the organization sees a direct connection between protecting public lands and ensuring more people can experience, enjoy, and build relationships with them.

Read more →

CSUCI Fall 2027 application submission period has opened

by  •  • Comments Off on CSUCI Fall 2027 application submission period has opened

CAMARILLO — Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI) will begin accepting application submissions for the Fall 2027 term on Oct. 1, 2026. Students should submit their applications through the Cal State Apply portal. The priority application deadline for most Fall 2027 applicants is Jan. 15, except for the Nursing program which has a Nov. 30 deadline.

Applications for transfer students interested in Spring 2027 admission are already open. Students seeking Spring admission should submit their applications by the priority deadline of Oct. 30.

Read more →

Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan awards more than $2 million in grants to providers and community organizations to help Medi-Cal members navigate changes

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan awards more than $2 million in grants to providers and community organizations to help Medi-Cal members navigate changes

“With Medi-Cal changes rolling out over the next year, we want to ensure our providers and community organizations have the resources they need to help members navigate the upcoming changes,” said Dr. Felix Nuñez, GCHP’s chief executive officer. “With these grants, our goal is to minimize coverage disruptions for eligible members so they have continuous access to high-quality care and services.”

Read more →

Bilingual report — People’s Self-Health Housing Sept. 2026 eNewsletter

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — People’s Self-Health Housing Sept. 2026 eNewsletter

This month, we opened a new Learning Center at Buellton Garden Apartments! Enrollment forms and more information can be found at pshhc.org/education.

The Buellton Garden Apartments Learning Center is made possible through generous grants from Wells Fargo and the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation.

Read more →

Santa Barbara Museum of Art Exhibitions & Events Sept. 29 through Oct. 11

by  •  • Comments Off on Santa Barbara Museum of Art Exhibitions & Events Sept. 29 through Oct. 11

Get ready to see Mary Cassatt in a new light. Come see Cassatt & Friends, a new exhibition that offers an intimate look at the creative connections between drawing and printmaking among Mary Cassatt and her contemporaries. While Cassatt is best known for her luminous paintings, she was also an accomplished printmaker—and SBMA’s permanent collection includes a number of her printed works. At the heart of the exhibition is Simone in a White Bonnet Seated with Clasped Hands (No.1), a unique counterproof created by dampening a pastel drawing and pressing it onto another sheet of paper to transfer the pigment and create a mirror image.

Read more →

Ventura College to host Cash for College Workshops on Oct. 10

by  •  • Comments Off on Ventura College to host Cash for College Workshops on Oct. 10

“Understanding how to access financial aid can make a meaningful difference in a student’s ability to pursue their educational goals,” said Dr. Luca E. Lewis, Ventura College president. “We want to make sure students and families have the information and support they need to navigate the financial aid process and take full advantage of the resources available to them. At Ventura College, opportunity starts here, and we are committed to helping our students take that next step toward their future.”

Read more →

VCCF Power of Purpose – September 2026

by  •  • Comments Off on VCCF Power of Purpose – September 2026

Dear Ventura County Community Foundation family,

Today I invite you to watch one of my favorite TED Talks of all time: Drew Dudley’s “Everyday Leadership.”

In just six minutes, Dudley reminds us that we are all leaders. We tend to associate leadership only with enormous achievements, defining moments or extraordinary individuals. When we do that, leadership starts to feel inaccessible, something reserved only for other people. But our capacity to change another person’s life, and our community’s future, is far greater than we realize.

Read more →

CSUCI invites community to Dolphin Pantry Donation Drive and Free OLLI Seminar

by  •  • Comments Off on CSUCI invites community to Dolphin Pantry Donation Drive and Free OLLI Seminar

CAMARILLO — Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI) is inviting the community to support students experiencing food and basic-needs insecurity during the CSUCI Dolphin Pantry Donation Drive on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. to noon at Studio Channel Islands Art Center, 2222 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo.

The event is presented through a collaboration among CSUCI Basic Needs, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at CSUCI, and Studio Channel Islands Art Center. The eventconnects a passion for lifelong learning with the shared purpose of supporting CSUCI students.

Read more →

Cottage Health hosts Sepsis Conference focused on early recognition and treatment

by  •  • Comments Off on Cottage Health hosts Sepsis Conference focused on early recognition and treatment

SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Health brought together physicians, nurses, pharmacists, respiratory care practitioners and other clinicians from across the region on Friday, Sept. 18, for the 2026 Sepsis Conference, a multidisciplinary educational event focused on the recognition, treatment and management of sepsis.

The conference offered a day of education highlighting evidence-based practices, emerging research and new approaches to caring for patients with sepsis.

Presentations addressed key areas in sepsis care, including maternal sepsis, antibiotic stewardship, the use of artificial intelligence in sepsis management and recent clinical research.

Read more →

Bilingual commentary — Fiery Flamenco Dance in Ventura County

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual commentary — Fiery Flamenco Dance in Ventura County

In mid-September, I had the opportunity to enjoy watching some of the finest flamenco dancing I had ever seen. The event, dubbed “Danzas y Canciones” (“Dances and Songs”) was held on the campus of Oxnard College in its Performing Arts Building. 

Anyone with curiosity who hears the passionate cries of a flamenco dancer and observes the intricacies of the step patterns and rhythms of the dancer’s feet will instinctively want to know something about the origins of this highly expressive art form. 

Read more →

Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Five Things Ventura County Residents Should Know

by  •  • Comments Off on Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Five Things Ventura County Residents Should Know

VENTURA COUNTY — October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, an opportunity to increase awareness about abuse, recognize the barriers survivors often face and remind our community that help is available. The Coalition for Family Harmony operates the only rape crisis center in Ventura County and provides services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault throughout the county.

The Coalition’s services include a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, housing assistance and prevention services. In addition to operating the county’s only rape crisis center, the Coalition currently operates three domestic violence emergency shelters, including specialized shelter services designed to address the needs of Indigenous-language-speaking survivors and a newer emergency shelter located at the Ventura County Family Justice Center.

Read more →

Pre-sale tickets end Sept. 30 for 4th annual Panteón Fest in Oxnard

by  •  • Comments Off on Pre-sale tickets end Sept. 30 for 4th annual Panteón Fest in Oxnard

Panteón Fest – 4th Annual
Saturday, October 17, 2026 • 1:00–9:00 PM

Join us in Historic Heritage Square in Downtown Oxnard for the 4th Annual Panteón Fest, a celebration of Día de los Muertos through art, music, and culture. Enjoy eight hours of live performances, community altars, an art gallery, the Catrín & Catrina Contest, local vendors, delicious food, and drinks.

This year’s theme celebrates the world of Chespirito. Come dressed as your favorite Chespirito character and join us for a day of culture, nostalgia, and community as we honor Día de los Muertos together.

Read more →

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

by  •  • Comments Off on 13th Annual Banana Festival returns to the Port of Hueneme Sept. 26

… 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.

Read more →

Ventura Music Festival announces ‘String Theory: The Fall Series’ (Oct. 11-18)

by  •  • Comments Off on Ventura Music Festival announces ‘String Theory: The Fall Series’ (Oct. 11-18)

There’s a common thread running through October: from the violin at the heart of Birth of Impressionism, putting you inside a revolution in musical history, to the genre-defying strings of TAKE3, where Bach sounds like a stadium show, to two fiddle legends performing in the open air at golden hour. The series then expands outward into a 19-piece big band paying tribute to one of the most restlessly creative minds in American music, and finally, at the very end of the year, twelve voices filling a sanctuary with five centuries of choral music. And it all begins with the return of a cherished VMF tradition: Tea & Trumpets on October 11th, the perfect opening note.

Read more →

SBCC named among Top 25 Gilman Scholarship Community Colleges in the U.S.

by  •  • Comments Off on SBCC named among Top 25 Gilman Scholarship Community Colleges in the U.S.

SANTA BARBARA — The U.S. Department of State recently announced that Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) ranked among the top 25 U.S. community colleges producing Gilman Scholars for the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. This year the Gilman Scholarship Program is celebrating its 25th anniversary of supporting American students to study abroad by providing scholarships up to $5,000 to students with high financial need to study or intern abroad. 

Current students, including those from SBCC, have until Thursday, October 1, to apply for the current scholarship program, which would support Study Abroad programs in Spring, Summer and Fall of 2027. Students may learn more about the scholarship, Study Abroad in general, and upcoming trips, here: https://www.sbcc.edu/studyabroad/programs/.

Read more →

Fall/Winter 2026 & 2027 Exhibitions coming to Santa Barbara Museum of Art

by  •  • Comments Off on Fall/Winter 2026 & 2027 Exhibitions coming to Santa Barbara Museum of Art

SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA) has something for everyone over the next twelve months — from prints and pastel by American artist Mary Cassatt and her European contemporaries, and dramatic Pictorialist photography, to the joyful art installation and mid-career survey of FriendsWithYou and the cool and surreal paintings and drawings of the American dream by artist and actor Martin Mull.

Read more →

Ventura College Foundation accepting scholarship applications for 2027-28 School Year

by  •  • Comments Off on Ventura College Foundation accepting scholarship applications for 2027-28 School Year

The scholarship application deadline for the Paramedic and Career Education programs is November 23. Students will be notified of their scholarship status by mid-December. The application deadline for all other scholarships is January 22, 2027. Students will be notified of their scholarship submission results by mid-April 2027. Scholarship award distributions will begin August 1.

Students currently enrolled at Ventura College in the 2026-2027 academic year and who have completed or are on track to complete at least six units in the semester are eligible to apply. Units earned in previous semesters at Ventura College count towards the unit requirement.

Read more →

Bilingual report — Ventura County Farmworker Housing Study and Action Plan goes to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors on 9-22-2026

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — Ventura County Farmworker Housing Study and Action Plan goes to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors on 9-22-2026

The County of Ventura’s Planning Division is presenting the following item to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 8:30 am (Item #51, on the Regular Agenda).

Read more →

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

by  •  • Comments Off on Girls Inc. of Carpinteria plans expansion into Ventura County, welcomes new Director of Partnerships & Expansion

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.

Read more →

Museum of Ventura County — Taste of History Photos + Free admission through September + October Events

by  •  • Comments Off on Museum of Ventura County — Taste of History Photos + Free admission through September + October Events

I want to personally thank you for your incredible support of our third annual Taste of History Gala. It was truly a magical evening, and its success would not have been possible without all of you.

Whether you supported Taste of History as an event sponsor, through an in-kind or live auction donation, by purchasing tickets, raising a paddle, or simply joining us for the evening—thank you. Your generosity brought us incredibly close to our fundraising goal and, most importantly, directly supports the Museum of Ventura County and the work we do to preserve and share the history, art, and culture of our community.

To our wonderful sponsors, an additional thank you for your partnership and generosity. And stay tuned—a little treat is in store!

Read more →

Teatro de las Américas — Last Weekend- Obras de Un Acto | Herbert Siguenza-One Night Only: Diego Rivera: His Story

by  •  • Comments Off on Teatro de las Américas — Last Weekend- Obras de Un Acto | Herbert Siguenza-One Night Only: Diego Rivera: His Story

Sept. 18 & 19 7:00 P.M.

Sept. 20 2:00 P.M.

Last Weekend for Our One Acts, Featuring Brand New Directors!

Teatro de las Américas celebrates the final weekend of our One Acts Festival, showcasing three original pieces directed by emerging artists from our community. Each work offers a fresh, bold, and deeply human perspective, highlighting the talent growing within our Teatro.

Read more →

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

by  •  • Comments Off on Music Academy of the West holding Groundbreaking of ‘The Muse’ on Oct. 15

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.

Read more →

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

by  •  • Comments Off on Registration closes Oct. 18 for YMCA Adventure Guides in Simi Valley, Conejo Valley

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.

Read more →

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

by  •  • Comments Off on Explore Lompoc — Fall in love with Lompoc, California’s Harvest & Halloween events

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.

Read more →

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

by  •  • Comments Off on Santa Paula Art Museum — ‘Gail Faulkner: A Lasting Impression; Opens Saturday

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.

Read more →

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

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

“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.”

Read more →

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

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

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.

Read more →

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

by  •  • Comments Off on Explore Lompoc — News From Santa Barbara County: Experience the ultimate wine tour

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.

Read more →

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

by  •  • Comments Off on SB Museum of Art — Discover the World of Mary Cassatt, more events

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.

Read more →

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  •  • Comments Off on 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

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:

Read more →

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

by  •  • Comments Off on CSUCI’s Napa Hall Art Gallery opens academic year with Rafael Perea de la Cabada exhibition

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.

Opened on 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.

Read more →

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

by  •  • Comments Off on Peoples’ Self-Help Housing — New learning center opens at Buellton Garden Apartments

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.

Read more →

Bilingual report — County of Ventura Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Report

by  •  • Comments Off on Bilingual report — County of Ventura Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Report

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.

Read more →

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

by  •  • Comments Off on Over 120 teen volunteers to help at 8th annual Santa Barbara County Farm Day

“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.”

Read more →

The Picklr Santa Barbara is now The Grove Pickleball

by  •  • Comments Off on The Picklr Santa Barbara is now The Grove Pickleball

“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.”

Read more →

City of Santa Paula opens Cooling Center amid high temperatures

by  •  • Comments Off on City of Santa Paula opens Cooling Center amid high temperatures

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:

Read more →

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

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

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.

Read more →

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

by  •  • Comments Off on UCSB Arts & Lectures adds four powerful speakers to its 2026-2027 season

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

Read more →

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

by  •  • Comments Off on Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) — You’re invited! Fall exhibitions and events

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.

Read more →

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

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

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.

Read more →

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

by  •  • Comments Off on Moorpark College wins 2025-26 Western State Conference Commissioner’s Cup

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.

Read more →

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

by  •  • Comments Off on UCSB Associated Students executive appointed to Isla Vista Government Board of Directors

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.”

Read more →

Santa Barbara area businesses collecting diapers for babies in need

by  •  • Comments Off on Santa Barbara area businesses collecting diapers for babies in need

SANTA BARBARA — For families with babies and toddlers, diapers are not optional—but for too many families across Santa Barbara County, having enough diapers each month can be a serious financial challenge. In recognition of National Diaper Need Awareness week, LEAP is calling on community members to help ensure local families have access to this basic necessity by donating diapers and wipes through its annual month-long community diaper drive.

“Every donation helps us put diapers in the hands of parents who need them most,” said Lori Goodman, CEO of LEAP. “Together, we can relieve some of the daily stress families face and make sure babies across our county have the healthy start they deserve.”

Read more →

Community Food Pantry at Girls Inc. relocating to Carpinteria Children’s Project

by  •  • Comments Off on Community Food Pantry at Girls Inc. relocating to Carpinteria Children’s Project

CARPINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is happy to announce that their on-campus community food pantry will be relocating and transitioning into the care of trusted community partner Carpinteria Children’s Project. 

Over the coming weeks, team members from both organizations will work closely together to ensure a seamless transition that provides members of the Carpinteria community with continued access to household necessities and kitchen staples. 

The decision to transfer stewardship of the food pantry is one that allows Girls Inc. of Carpinteria to focus its resources on impacting girls in the community and continuing its core mission of inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. 

Read more →

Downtown Oxnard — See upcoming events here

by  •  • Comments Off on Downtown Oxnard — See upcoming events here

First Thursdays Food Trucks returns to Downtown Oxnard this Thursday, Sept. 3rd!  Dinner, dessert, drinks — and plenty of choices all in one place. Grab your crew and make a night of it in Downtown Oxnard!
Live music + 13 Food Trucks + Marketplace

Read more →

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County announces $500,000 loan for a 21-unit supportive housing development in Santa Paula

by  •  • Comments Off on Housing Trust Fund Ventura County announces $500,000 loan for a 21-unit supportive housing development in Santa Paula

“Predevelopment financing is often the hardest capital to secure, but it’s what allows a project like Gateway Grove to move from an idea to groundbreaking,” said Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund Ventura County. “By stepping in early, we’re helping the Santa Paula Housing Authority, Many Mansions, and Homes & Hope turn a vacant motel into 21 homes for people who need them most, including veterans who have served our country.”

Read more →