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April 12 through 30 — Spring Events at The Collection 2025: updated with scheduled times
April 14, 16 — County of Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors to hold budget workshops
Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Workshops
County budget workshops are held approximately one month before the release of the recommended budget and two months before budget hearings. This provides the Board of Supervisors an opportunity to review and discuss departments’ preliminary budgets and special issues, receive public input on these items, and provide the County Executive Officer direction on policy issues or specific items for consideration prior to completion of the Recommended FY 2025-26 Budget to be released in May.
The public is encouraged to attend the workshops and provide input on ideas being developed by staff to fund vital services. Final budget decisions will be made at the budget adoption hearings, which are planned for June 17 and 18, 2025.
April 16 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for two nights in two programs at the Granada Theatre
April 16 — Community Environmental Council (CEC) in Santa Barbara to hold next Climates Stewards course
April 17 — Ventura County Taxpayers Foundation to present 2025 Taxpayer Economic Outlook Conference
April 17 — Cottage Heart & Vascular Center presents free virtual Meet the Doctor
April 17— Oxnard Film Society to present ‘NO OTHER LAND’
April 17 — Goodwill of Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties celebrates opening of Tattoo Removal Clinic
“The Tattoo Removal Clinic at Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties is transforming lives across Ventura County by offering free tattoo removal services to residents,” says Ati Zaimova, Community Services Coordinator for Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. “By removing these barriers, the clinic empowers individuals to reclaim their lives, pursue new opportunities, and improve their overall well-being.”
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April 19 — Bilingual report — Ventura Earth Day Festival 2025
April 20 — Santa Barbara Museum of Art presents mid-career exhibitions by Los Angeles artist Elliott Hundley
April 21 — Oxnard Film Society to present screening of ‘THERE’S STILL TOMORROW’
April 22 — UCSB Arts & Lectures to present Pete Buttigieg on Making Sense of the 2020s: What the Rest of This Decade Will Require From Leaders in Policy, Politics & Communications at the Arlington Theatre
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April 23 — Allan Hancock College celebrates National Poetry Month
April 25 — Latin Grammy-Winning Guitarist Twanguero returns to Ojai with his band
April 25 — Ventura County Leadership Academy’s 30th Cohort to Host Trivia Night Fundraiser for Mountain Fire Relief
April 26 — People’s Self-Help Housing — Join us for the 2025 Builder Games!
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April 26, 27 — Save the Date: Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival Returns to Alameda Park
April 27 — Ventura Charter School hosts 14th Annual EcoFest!
April 29 — UCSB Arts & Lectures to present Engineer and Former NASA Astronaut José Hernández at UCSB Campbell Hall
May 1 — Southeast Ventura County YMCA hosts 26th annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast
May 5 — Senior Concerns in Thousand Oaks to honor Family Caregivers at annual recognition event
THOUSAND OAKS — Senior Concerns will host its annual Family Caregivers Recognition Day at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 6 at Los Robles Greens (299 S Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks.
This year’s theme, “Invigorating Your Caregiver Power,” will include empowering presentations by experts in the community. Attendees will enjoy a complimentary lunch and have the opportunity to share experiences with fellow caregivers.
“Caregivers devote themselves to the well-being of their loved ones, often at the expense of their own health and happiness,” says Martha Shapiro, director of programs at Senior Concerns.
May 11, 31 — Mystic Whaler upcoming events
Through May 16 — CLU to present Senior Art Exhibit explores bridges of time
May 17-18 — 39th Annual California Strawberry Festival to be held in Ventura
May 21 — Save the Date: County of Ventura District 2 Supervisorial Leadership & Excellence Awards
May 29 — Ventura County Family Justice Center Foundation’s gala to celebrate 10 years of transforming young lives through hope
Through May 30 — Oxnard Film Society presents special event — ‘We Remember’ in Camarillo
May 30 — Save the Date — United Way of Ventura County to present ‘Women United Luncheon – Power of the Purse’
May 31; June 5, 7, 8; June 26 — Pastel Society of the Gold Coast and Ojai Art Center present ‘Music as Muse’
June 22 through Sept. 7 — The Santa Barbara Museum of Art presents Vian Sora: Outerworlds
June 29 — Kane Brown to appear at the Boots & Brews Country Music Festival at the Ventura County Fairgrounds
July 19 — Tequila & Taco Music Festival to be held at Ventura County Fairgrounds
Sept. 23 — Farm Bureau of Ventura County to present 2025 Ventura County Agri-Tech Fair in Oxnard
Continuing — Livingston’s Grief and Bereavement Program presents Free Grief & Bereavement Support Groups
Bereavement counseling can offer the support you need to help you through your grief. Livingston’s Grief and Bereavement Program offers both individual (one-on-one) counseling with trained bereavement counselors/therapists and group counseling.
All support groups are free for the community.
Continuing — Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care Bereavement Class – Loss of Loved One
SANTA BARBARA — Continuing — Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care Bereavement Class – Loss of Loved One. An ongoing support group held each month. Presented by Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care, Santa Barbara. Every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month, 2:00 –…
Continuing — Grupo de apoyo para el luto
VENTURA — El Programa de apoyo para el luto de Livingston brinda un espacio de apoyo gratuito en español cada jueves de 7 a 8pm en nuestra oficina de Ventura ubicada en 1996 Eastman Ave., Ste 101 (Sala de conferencia Harris) Ventura, CA 93003. Regístrese al 805-389-6870 o en nuestra página web www.lmvna.org/grief
El Programa de apoyo de luto también ofrece terapia de luto individual, familiar y de pareja en inglés y español. Para más información, visite nuestra página web LMVNA.org
Continuing — Camarillo Hospice offers Grief Support in Spanish
CAMARILLO — Camarillo Hospice, a Program of Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association, is now offering individual, couple, and family counseling in Spanish for those grieving the death of a loved one, Camarillo Hospice offers a Spanish General Bereavement Groups for the…
Continuing — Livingston’s Grief and Bereavement Program to present Survivors of Suicide Loss Grief Support Group
If you have experienced the loss of a loved one due to suicide, do not hesitate to join our Survivors of Suicide Loss grief support group. Livingston’s Grief and Bereavement Program are committed to maintaining an open, accepting, confidential atmosphere. All free of charge.
Survivors of Suicide Loss meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 8:00 pm
Continuing — Livingston’s Grief and Bereavement Program to present Children & Teens Grief Support Groups
VENTURA COUNTY — Many children and teens have experienced the death of a loved one, This is a difficult time for anyone grieving a loss. Livingston’s Grief and Bereavement Program provides two free support groups, Good Grief Club (ages 6-10) and Young Teen Group (ages 11-15). These groups will run from October 5th through November 9th on Thursdays 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. For reservations, contact 805-389-6870 or online at lmvna.org/grief. Space is limited.
Continuing — Bilingual report — United Parents provides variety of youth mental health, behavioral and/or emotional disorders programs and services
United Parents’ mission is to provide resources to empower, strengthen and support parents and other caregivers who have youth and/or children with mental health, behavioral, and/or emotional disorders.
Continuing — Livingston’s Grief and Bereavement Program to present new Men’s Grief Support Group
Livingston’s Grief and Bereavement Program announces a new Men’s Grief Support Group. The group is for men grieving the death of a loved one. It will meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, via Zoom. If interested, please contact us at 805-389-6870. For more information, visit LMVNA.org
Livingston’s Grief and Bereavement Program support groups are committed to maintaining an open, accepting, confidential atmosphere. We also offer individual, couple, and family grief counseling in English and Spanish.
Continuing — Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice offering free monthly classes for those with Type 2 and Pre-Diabetes
Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice offers free monthly classes for those with Type 2 and Pre-Diabetes. Learn about meal planning, exercise, blood sugar monitoring, medication management, and new developments for living with diabetes.
Continuing — Livingston’s Grief & Bereavement Program to present Free Grief & Bereavement Support for Children
Livingston’s Grief & Bereavement Program is offering a weekly Good Grief Club to children ages 6 – 11 who have lost a loved one. This session will focus on grief through cinematherapy. The club runs every Tuesday from 5:30 – 7pm through May 30th.
Continuing — Camarillo Hospice Announces Ongoing Support Groups
CAMARILLO — When a death occurs, we experience a variety of emotions and feelings that can make us feel as though we are navigating unfamiliar and challenging territory. We need support and although family and friends are important, they may…
Continuing Grief Support Groups at Livingston’s Camarillo Grief Center
CAMARILLO — Livingston’s Camarillo Grief Center is adding new grief support groups that cater to specific bereavement needs this coming January. These close-ended support groups are Adult Loss of Parent (February 6th through March 26th), Parent Loss of Child (March 7th through May 9th), and Adult Loss of Sibling (March 26th through May 7th). For reservations, contact 805-389-6870 or online at lmvna.org/grief. Space is limited.
Continuing — Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice presenting Free Grief & Bereavement Support Groups
CAMARILLO — Bereavement counseling can offer the support you need to help you through your grief. Livingston’s Grief and Bereavement Program offers both individual (one-on-one) counseling with trained bereavement counselors/therapists and group counseling.
All support groups are free for the community.
Continuing — Mental Wellness Center Community Wellness Program presents ‘Stronger Together,’ a bipolar & depression support group on Thursdays
SANTA BARBARA — The Mental Wellness Center Community Wellness Program presents Stronger Together, a bipolar & depression support group from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursdays.
This is a drop-in support group where you can find support in a safe and confidential setting. Family members are welcome!
To join, contact Elizabeth Imperato at wrapofsantabarbara@gmail.com
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Santa Barbara County Food Action Network — Last Chance to Make a Difference in 2024!
The clock is ticking! This is your last chance to donate in 2024 and support SBCFAN’s vital work to strengthen Santa Barbara County’s food system.
Every dollar counts, and your contribution goes directly toward building programs that empower our local food producers, tackle food inequity, and create a more resilient, sustainable future. With your help, we’ve already accomplished so much this year, and with your continued support, 2025 will be even brighter.
Ventura County Taxpayers Foundation — Taxpayers – You Can Make An Immediate Impact TODAY
We had a tremendous year in 2024, achieving significant victories for taxpayers like you. Yet, despite our successes, there is more work to do to ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency in our local government. We’re calling on you for your financial support to continue this vital work.
In 2024, we made a real difference:
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Amigos805 taking a break for the holiday season
Wishing you all a very Happy Holiday Season.
Amigos805.com will be taking a holiday vacation, off Monday, Dec. 23, 2024 and returning to work Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. Please submit all your news and events by 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19 for the last newsletter of the year.
CSUCI staff member/alumna plays young Jenni Rivera in a major motion picture about the superstar’s life
CAMARILLO — A CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) alumna and current employee is appearing in a major motion picture about music superstar Jenni Rivera, who succeeded in the male-dominated world of banda, mariachi, and norteñogenres of regional Mexican music.
STEM Transfer Outreach Coordinator Tatiana Juarez, who graduated with a degree in Health Science, plays young Jenni Rivera in the movie “Jenni,” which was released Friday, Dec. 6 in select theaters and on a bilingual streaming service called ViX.
Juarez, who is part of the first generation in her family to earn a college degree, was born in Ventura and raised in Oxnard. Her parents grew up in the U.S. after being brought here from Mexico as children. Juarez’s mom works as a medical clerk and her dad works a variety of jobs related to construction and architecture.
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Bilingual report — Mayor Pedro Chavez and Vice Mayor Carlos Juarez Assume Prominent Roles in Santa Paula City Council
SANTA PAULA — In a ceremonial meeting held on the evening of Dec. 11, 2024, the City of Santa Paula celebrated the appointment of Pedro Chavez as the City’s 123rd Mayor and Carlos Juarez as Vice Mayor. The meeting also marked the swearing-in of newly elected Councilmember Gabriela Ornelas, the election of Councilmember and former Mayor, Leslie Cornejo, and a heartfelt recognition of outgoing Councilmember and former Mayor Andy Sobel for his six years of dedicated service.
Well-known for his service to the city and his ties to the community, Mayor Chavez, who was appointed Vice Mayor in 2023, expressed his gratitude and vision for the future:
“Thank you to the People of Santa Paula for allowing me to serve as a Member of the Santa Paula City Council these past two years and my sincerest gratitude to my Council colleagues for electing me as the 123rd Mayor of this extraordinary City. My leadership, skills, and talents are built upon the foundation of thirty years of experience working in both the public and private sector and my journey as an immigrant in search of the American dream, so I’m deeply honored – as a public servant – to work collectively to revitalize Santa Paula and build its future through shared governance and community engagement.”
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Bilingual commentary — The Devastating Costs of Mass Deportations
One of the factors that swept Donald Trump back into power and onto the world stage was his inexhaustible and malicious exaggeration of the “immigrant problem.” Images of immigrants eating pets and walking into kitchens and slitting our throats danced in his supporters’ heads as they marked their ballots last month.
Many of us realize, intuitively, that “mass deportation” of “all the illegals” is hardly possible without great damage to the American economy and to our personal lives.
Not wanting to rely on my “intuition,” I searched online for some hard numbers. The information I uncovered was shocking. A “special report” by the American Immigration Council (AIC) laid out the devastating consequences of such a massive operation.
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Guest contribution — American Immigration Council — This Week in Immigration
Biden makes critical last-minute change to help combat USCIS backlogs. More options available. Immigrant farmworkers make our holiday meals possible
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President Biden has just over one month left in office. He can still take decisive action to protect people at risk of indiscriminate immigration enforcement.
Among other priorities, the Council encourages the administration to protect DACA recipients; extend and redesignate Temporary Protected Status for certain countries; and rescind remaining Trump-era immigration regulations.
Read more: Urgent Last Requests for the Biden Administration
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Bilingual report — Kaiser Permanente: Feeling Stressed This Holiday Season? You’re Not Alone
There’s a common perception that the holiday season is a time for joy and happiness. After all, as the saying goes, ‘It’s the best time of the year.’
But for many people, the holidays actually present themselves to be a very stressful time that may cause anxiety and depression for a variety of reasons.
“Feeling lonely and stressed during the holidays is a common experience for many,” said Dr. Neel Doshi, a psychiatrist with Kaiser Permanente Southern California. “The stress is often triggered by factors like the absence of loved ones, social isolation, unmet expectations around the festive season, comparisons to idealized holiday portrayals, and the added pressure of family gatherings and gift-giving.
State announces new rule requiring advance notice of agricultural pesticide use
“We’ve been fighting for better protections from hazardous pesticides for many years, including the simple right to know about planned chemical use in our neighborhoods,” said Noemi Chico, a teacher’s assistant in Salinas. “California has taken a step in the right direction, but what we really need to know is whether an application is planned for next door or a mile across town.”
CSUCI students promote cutting-edge High Performance Computing with national competitions and a campus club
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) students and their mentors are preparing for the world of big data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) by learning and sharing all they can about High-Performance Computing or HPC.
HPC is a way of combining a network of computers to create a more powerful system designed to handle data or problems too big for one computer. There’s a growing demand for expertise in HPC, given the rise of AI, machine learning and data-intensive tasks across various industries like scientific research, finance, and healthcare. Job growth for HPC is expected to be significantly faster than the average for all occupations.