Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

iHub² TIPS AND TRICKS: BOOT STRAPPING WITH PAUL SHRATER

January 18 @ 6:00 pm

Entrepreneur Paul Shrater co-founded Minimus.biz, the world leader in all things travel-sized and individual-sized. He navigated his company through all its growth stages, developing the marketing, sales, purchasing, operations, administration and accounting departments. Paul acquired extremely valuable tools, processes and strategies along the way and will share these best practices with attendees. A graduate of the acclaimed Wharton School, Paul received a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Management. He has spoken at several conferences and guest lectured at universities on topics such as film finance, marketing, intellectual property and screenwriting. Location: 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd. Community Room Camarillo, CA 93012.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Bilingual report — WEV (Women’s Economic Ventures) presenting free Emprendimiento Program on Feb. 7

SANTA PAULA — WEV (Women’s Economic Ventures) will present a free Emprendimiento Program in Spanish from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7 at the Blanchard Community Library, 119 N. 8th St., Santa Paula.

WEV’s Emprendimiento Program is free, taught in Spanish, and an incredible opportunity for any Ventura County business owner/new entrepreneur. Our 8-week class will help Spanish-speaking business owners learn the steps to grow their business, write a business plan, understand budgeting, projecting profit and expenses, and gain additional resources for their business journey. And, after completing the course, participants will have the opportunity to apply for a $7,500 small business grant plus additional assistance from mentors and advisors!

Bilingual report — Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura (AHA) accepting applications beginning Feb 1 for the Public Housing Program from low income households

The Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura (AHA) will be accepting applications beginning February 1, 2023 for the Public Housing Program from low income households.

Applications will be accepted online beginning Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 8:00am and will close on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 4:00pm. Applications will be accepted via an online portal at onlineportal.ahacv.org

Click on image for more information

California Strawberry Festival is Back – at a New Venue

After a three-year hiatus due to challenges brought on by the pandemic, the 2023 California Strawberry Festival will take place May 20-21. For the first time ever, the event will be held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

“We are thrilled to relaunch the California Strawberry Festival in 2023 at the Fairgrounds,” says Dean Kato, Chairman of the California Strawberry Festival Board of Directors. “We realized that the event had outgrown the available space at our longtime venue, Oxnard’s College Park. It’s our ‘comeback’ year – and we want to come out bigger and better than ever.”

WVCBA Announces the 2022 Chairperson’s Awards of Excellence Recipients

The West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA), the chamber of commerce serving Camarillo and Oxnard, is pleased to announce its annual Chairperson’s Awards of Excellence recipients, the Ambassador of the Year, and the Ken Cunningham Award winner. By tradition, all were selected by outgoing 2022 Chair of the Board Dawn Simmons, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones.

Honorees will be celebrated at the WVCBA’s Annual Meeting and Installation of Directors on Friday, January 20, beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Spanish Hills Club in Camarillo. Tickets to the luncheon are $60 for members and $75 for non-members. Registration is available online at www.wvcba.org or by calling (805) 738-9100.

First ‘Be Like Carter’ Scholarships Awarded

The first two “Be Like Carter” scholarships were awarded to Agoura High School students in December. The scholarships are awarded in memory of Carter Stone, an incoming freshman at Agoura High who passed away unexpectedly just before the start of the school year and after making the football team.

Winners are Giacomo Likavec a 10th grader who is co-captain of the Agoura High JV football team and a wrestler and Veorah Feddanich, a 9th grader who holds the number one position on the girls’ varsity tennis team.

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — All Evacuation Orders Are Lifted in Santa Barbara County

First of all, I want to sincerely thank every single person who evacuated and otherwise followed guidance from safety officials regarding sheltering in place and staying off the roads. Because so many followed the orders, our first responders were able to focus their attention on those who most needed it. Thanks to your efforts there have been no fatalities or serious injuries reported.

Effective immediately, all evacuation orders are lifted for the Alisal, Cave, and Thomas fire burn scars and all of Montecito, Toro Canyon, Padaro, and Carpinteria. There are still restricted areas to allow for the draining of storm water and clearing of debris. In particular, North Jameson Lane will be closed from Sheffield to Olive Mill. Roads that are only accessible from Jameson will be accessible to residents only. Show proof of residency and safety officials will let you through.

Aera Energy and Ventura College Foundation establish endowment to award scholarships to students studying STEM and pursuing energy careers

Aera Energy, a longtime leader in the California energy industry, and the Ventura College Foundation (VCF) are excited to support young adults interested in pursuing future careers in energy, through a new endowment that provides STEM scholarships.

The Aera Energy STEM Scholarship Fund will award annual scholarships to students studying and seeking a degree in STEM disciplines and interested in pursuing a career in the energy sector. The endowment was launched through an initial $25,000 donation from Aera in December. A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student every April.

“The future of reliable, safe and affordable energy for this and future generations of Californians relies, in part, on investment in our future workforce. These students are tomorrow’s engineers, teachers and geologists. That’s why Aera supports education in the communities where we operate,” said Amy Fonzo, external affairs advisor at Aera-Ventura. “We’re proud to help the VCF support young adults who are pursuing STEM education. These energy workers of the future will help power our state while innovating new technologies to meet the state’s climate goals.”

Bilingual report — MICOP — Safety Net for All Coalition Statement on the Governor’s Budget 2023 – 2024

The Safety Net for All Coalition is deeply disappointed to see that Governor Newsom’s proposed budget does not include unemployment benefits for excluded immigrant workers. An Excluded Workers Program is an essential step to creating a more equitable and resilient economy that works for all Californians.  

California’s immigrant workers are the foundation of our economy, contributing to its standing as the 4th largest economy in the world. Seventy-eight percent of California’s undocumented immigrants work in industries that are “essential and critical” to the economy, such as agriculture, construction, and domestic work. Yet, due to historic racist exclusions from our safety net, California’s undocumented workers are not able to access economic support when they face unexpected job loss. Despite the fact that California employers pay an estimated $485 million annually into the Unemployment Insurance system on behalf of these workers, these workers are prohibited from accessing these benefits.  

Bilingual report — Ventura County elected officials ceremonially sworn in at Board of Supervisors meeting

On Tuesday, January 10, in the first County Board of Supervisors meeting for 2023, County officials who were elected to office following the 2022 elections were ceremonially sworn in by Judge Kevin DeNoce. The officials sworn into office were:

Supervisor Jeff Gorell, District 2
Supervisor Janice S. Parvin, District 4
Assessor Keith Taylor
Auditor-Controller Jeffery S. Burgh
Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Michelle Ascencion
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko
Treasurer-Tax Collector Sue Horgan

Ventura Land Trust Invites Artists to Submit Original Artwork to Celebrate Nature and VLT’s 20th Anniversary

Ventura Land Trust (VLT) invites Ventura County artists to submit 2D artwork to celebrate nature and Ventura Land Trust’s 20th anniversary.

Artists are encouraged to use the circle outline of VLT’s logo as the form for a design inspired by Ventura County’s nature and coast. Artwork can explore a broad range of themes, including protection of open spaces, Indigenous cultural heritage, climate, and how community and nature intersect.

Happy New Year from MVC!

Behind the Curtain
George Stuart Historical Figures®
New videos series!

The “Behind the Curtain: An Insider’s Look at The George Stuart Historical Figures®” exhibit offers visitors the opportunity to investigate each of George Stuart’s figures closely so that they can decide if they’re works of art, historical objects, or something else entirely. This new video series offers viewers the very same opportunity from the comfort of home. Watch more here.

Students Create the Future at Hackathon by the Sea

More than 100 students from 40 different high schools throughout Ventura County stayed up all night as they competed in the annual Hackathon by the Sea last weekend in Camarillo. Participants spent an entire night creating apps and websites with the assistance of volunteer mentors.

Presented by the Ventura County Office of Education and the Hacker Fund, the Hackathon encourages students to use technology in creative ways to solve problems and engage users. At the end of the event, student teams presented their creations to judges, who awarded prizes.

Friendship Center Festival of Hearts 2023 — ONLINE PREVIEW SALE coming Thursday!

New for 2023 :we are having a Preview Sale so that you can peek at the fantastic heart art created by local artists and purchase any must have pieces before the live event at a set price – haggle free!

Also, a chance to purchase great auction packages, even if you cannot attend the live event.

The link to the sale will be sent via email on Thursday morning at 10am and you will have 2 weeks to shop before the live event.

Please keep your eyes peeled for the link Thursday morning, and happy shopping!

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Monday Storm Update

Our County first responders held their 3rd emergency press conference Monday at 4 pm. I’ve included the video of the press conference below.

We expect heavy rain and potential thunderstorms overnight, with a high risk for flash flooding throughout Santa Barbara County and our neighboring counties. The request from our first responders is to please stay off the road unless you are evacuating or otherwise absolutely need to be. If you went to work today and must commute home, please do not attempt. Stay put for tonight. The northbound 101 freeway is closed from Highway 33 to Santa Claus Lane and again at the Gaviota tunnel, along with Highway 154 in both directions. The County has one emergency shelter open at the Wake Center located at 300 North Turnpike in the Eastern Goleta Valley between Goleta and Santa Barbara and is looking to open more. Please check the County of Santa Barbara’s social media and other news sources for updated emergency shelter information. You can also call 805-678-3073 for more Evacuation Center information.

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) January Event and Webinar Schedule

EN ESPAÑOL: CLASE GRATUITA DE COMPUTACIÓN BÁSICA

Comenzando el 10 de enero los martes a las 6:00 pm y los sábados a las 10:00 am

Este curso de 6 semanas enseña a estudiantes adultos conocimientos esenciales de computación que son necesarios en la vida diaria. Este curso está diseñado para personas con un mínimo o ninguna cualificaciones digitales que operan una computadora y es especialmente útil para los estudiantes adultos que necesitan más conocimientos de computación para conseguir un trabajo o pasar a un trabajo mejor pagado.

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Evacuation Warnings Issued

An evacuation warning has been issued for the Alisal, Cave, and Thomas Fire burn scars ahead of a projected storm coming in Monday evening. Public safety officials will be meeting tomorrow morning to make a decision on whether the warning will be elevated to an order. Stay alert and be prepared for the worst-case scenario.

If you are in a position where you are safe and secure, please consider joining our Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors for our installation ceremony during the first Board hearing of the year on Tuesday January 10th at 9am. During the ceremony, I will be installed as Chair for the 2023 Board of Supervisors and we will be celebrating the swearing in of recently elected County officials. 

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — New 2023 California Laws

Happy New Year! The new year has brought many new laws into effect. Read on and check out the links to learn more!

Minimum Wage: Effective January 1, 2023, the minimum wage is $15.50 per hour for all employers. Some cities and counties have higher minimum wages than the state’s rate. There is a list of City and County minimum wages in California maintained by UC Berkeley.

Wage Transparency: SB 1162 requires businesses with 15 or more employees to include information about salary ranges for all job postings. Workers will also have the right now to know the pay scale for their current position. Companies with 100 or more employees are required to submit pay data and wage history to the state by May of each year or face penalties. More information can be reviewed in this Fisher Phillips overview.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) celebrates National Mentoring Month with Starbucks

January is National Mentoring Month, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) is celebrating by recruiting mentors through Starbucks locations across the county for the 80 Littles on their waitlist.

All month long, QR codes placed at over 15 Starbucks locations will connect patrons to a video where a waiting Little shares what they hope to do once they are matched with a Big. These QR codes are displayed with an item representing a waiting Little’s interests – like a miniature bike to represent Madeline, who wants to ride bikes with her future Big Sister.

Santa Maria High School Spanish Teacher Enedina Castañeda performs two poems at the Cultural Center of Tijuana (CECUT), Mexico

Santa Maria High School Spanish Teacher Enedina Castañeda recently joined more than 60 artists from the United States and Mexico to perform two poems at the Cultural Center of Tijuana (CECUT), Mexico.

Castañeda, who is a member of the 3rd Binational Congress for Mexican Artists Residing in the United States, was accompanied by the music of guitarist and tenor Iván Orellana.

Castañeda presented two poems on stage, Paz and La Tierra Distante. Along with her poem, Peace (Paz), she exhibited the banner of peace during the performance. The Distant Land (La Tierra Distante) is a nostalgic poem conveying the feeling of missing your country when you’re standing on a foreign land. Castañeda recited that piece holding dirt from Mother Earth.

Bilingual commentary — And We Think We Have Problems…

When all four of my grandparents escaped the violence in Mexico and arrived in the U.S. in 1923, they couldn’t stop feeling gratitude for the sense of safety that they were experiencing. Despite the prejudice and spiteful attitudes of some of the people around them in Los Angeles, they felt at peace. For them, any societal problems in the city were relatively minor compared to what they had experienced at the hands of the revolutionaries in Mexico.

And yes, of course, we had, and still have, problems in our society. Lots of them.

But sometimes we have to place things in perspective.

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) announces California Competes Tax Credit Program

The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size, or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on twelve different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment, and strategic importance to the state or region.

Application Period Timeline: For the remainder of the 2022-2023, applications for the California Competes Tax Credit will be accepted during the following periods:

January 3, 2023 – January 23, 2023
March 6, 2023 – March 20, 2023

Cottage Health Appoints Dr. Miriam Parsa to Chief Pediatric Medical Officer

Cottage Health has appointed Dr. Miriam Parsa, a board-certified pediatrician and pediatric rheumatologist, to the role of Chief Pediatric Medical Officer.

As Chief Pediatric Medical Officer, Dr. Parsa will continue to help advance the development of pediatric services and community partnerships. She will also provide leadership in maintaining Cottage’s high standards of clinical quality and patient experience.

Dr. Parsa joined the Medical Staff of Cottage Health and the Cottage Children’s Medical Center in 2013 and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Rheumatology.

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Evacuation Issued

An EVACUATION ORDER has been issued due to an incoming storm Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at 10 PM, with the potential to produce flooding and mud and debris flows. This EVACUATION ORDER is effective immediately and applies to the identified properties and parcels in and around the Alisal, Thomas, and Cave Fire burn scars.

Do not attempt to drive while it is dark or raining as roads may be damaged and your car may be swept away by moving water or debris.
Strong winds are also expected, which can cause debris to fall onto roadways and power outages.
BE PREPARED to sustain yourself and your household for multiple days if you choose not to evacuate, as you may not be able to leave the area and emergency responders may not be able to access your property in the event of road damage, flooding, or a debris flow.
For Evacuation Center information, contact the American Red Cross at 805-678-3073.
For animal evacuation information, call Santa Barbara County Animal Services at (805) 681-4332, Monday-Friday, from 8 am-5 pm.
If you need animal evacuation support outside those hours, please call the County Animal Services after-hours phone line at (805) 683-2724.

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Weather Advisory

A Weather Advisory has been issued for Montecito and the Thomas Fire burn area in preparation for another significant storm event this week. Heavy rain, strong winds, and high surf are expected in Montecito Wednesday into Thursday. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for our area through Thursday.

During a Weather Advisory, community members are urged to:
Monitor the weather.
Plan how to get out and where you might go.
Prepare and protect your home.

The Weather Advisory has been issued in light of the recent storms that have produced 8-13 inches of rain in the last 30 days, plus the forecast incoming storm that may produce 4-8+ inches of rain across Montecito and the Thomas Fire burn scar.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

The Economic Development Collaborative encourages you to sign up for our no-cost events and webinars. Space is limited. Register today!

IHUB² TIPS AND TRICKS: BOOT STRAPPING WITH PAUL SHRATER

January 18 @ 6:00 pm

Entrepreneur Paul Shrater co-founded Minimus.biz, the world leader in all things travel-sized and individual-sized. He navigated his company through all its growth stages, developing the marketing, sales, purchasing, operations, administration and accounting departments. Paul acquired extremely valuable tools, processes and strategies along the way and will share these best practices with attendees. A graduate of the acclaimed Wharton School, Paul received a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Management. He has spoken at several conferences and guest lectured at universities on topics such as film finance, marketing, intellectual property and screenwriting. Location: 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd. Community Room Camarillo, CA 93012.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Bilingual report — $7.3M Payout Rewards Physician Excellence in Healthcare on Central Coast

On March 1 of 2022, CenCal Health launched the Quality Care Incentive Program (QCIP) to maximize the quality of care for its health plan members on the Central Coast. QCIP is a value-based incentive program that directly rewards plan providers who deliver exceptional medical care in their community. After nine months, the innovative initiative has resulted in a distribution of over $7 million in payments to participating primary care providers (PCPs). QCIP emphasizes the clinical priorities of significance to CenCal Health members, such as diabetes and asthma care, breast cancer and cervical cancer screenings, and child and adolescent well-care visits. In Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, CenCal Health is the Medi-Cal plan that partners with over 1,500 local physicians, hospitals and other providers in delivering patient care to more than 225,000 members. Medi-Cal is the name of California’s Medicaid benefits program; the federal government administers Medicaid.

Ventura Harbor Village (Ventura Port District) Recognized With Jewel Key Award for Beautification At Ventura Chamber of Commerce 25th Annual Poinsettia Awards in Ventura

The Ventura Port District has been honored with the prestigious Jewel Key Award by the Ventura Chamber of Commerce at the 2022 Poinsettia Awards for beautification of the Ventura Harbor Village. The Chamber selects the recipient of this significant annual award based on overall improvements over the past year. 

Accepting the award from the Ventura Chamber of Commerce was Ventura Port District General Manager Brian Pendleton and Ventura Port District Board Chairman Chris Stephens.

Santa Paula Art Museum — New Year, New Everything!

Exhibit Premiere

Mary Neville’s “Field Trip: 30 Days at a Higher Elevation”

Premieres Saturday, January 14, 2023, from 4 PM to 6 PM
$5 SPAM Members / $10 Non-members

Meet Ojai artist Mary Neville at the Santa Paula Art Museum on Saturday, January 14, for the premiere of her solo exhibition, “Field Trip: 30 Days at a Higher Elevation.” With all-new mixed media paintings and works on paper, Neville unpacks her recent, month-long artist residency at Ghost Ranch in northern New Mexico, once home to legendary artist Georgia O’Keeffe. Wine, beer, and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Reservations are not required.

“Field Trip” will be on view January 14, 2023, to May 7, 2023. Many of the artworks will be available for purchase.

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Year’s End Review

Throughout this year, we have witnessed modern-day war as there are continued attacks on Ukrainians and their sovereignty. We have all experienced the transition out of COVID-19 and continue to see its devastating effects on our mental, physical, and emotional health. This year we have also seen communities continuing to come together to work towards common goals, like the completion of the Randal Road Debris Basin. After two long years of a global pandemic, we finally gathered to celebrate fiestas, birthdays, and other community events. I have continued pushing and advocating for more housing and alternative transportation methods. As we enter 2023, I will continue to advocate for local community needs, help improve our infrastructure and stand up against injustice. Thank you for all your support. Best wishes and a Happy New Year from my family to yours.

Jan. 16 — CSUCI’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute offers free webinar on ancient Nubian jewels on display at the Getty Villa

A collection of Nubian jewels dating back as far as 2500 B.C. will be the subject of a free Zoom webinar scheduled from 10 to 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 16.

Presented by CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), the presentation will be narrated by Getty Villa docent Scott Jones, who often does OLLI lectures. The “Nubia, Jewels of Ancient Sudan” exhibit is currently on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

“The jewels are amazing,” Jones said. “When it first arrived at the Getty Villa, I wasn’t really amped out as I’m not a big jewelry fan. But as I began to learn about the collection and how the Nubians interacted with other cultures, I realized this is a significant part of history.”

Jan. 18 — Housing Trust Fund Ventura County hosts annual meeting

he Housing Trust Fund Ventura County invites anyone interested in learning about affordable housing impacts and solutions to its Annual Meeting on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. Register free at www.housingtrustfundvc.org/2023annualmeeting. Recognizing, “Lives Connected Through One Common Need,” the nonprofit is hosting two recognized experts on affordability of homes in California – Richard Green, Ph.D. Director and Lusk Chair in Real Estate at the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate and Alan Greenlee, Executive Director of the Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing.

Jan. 18 — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) to present iHub² Tips and Tricks: Boot Strapping With Paul Shrater

Entrepreneur Paul Shrater co-founded Minimus.biz, the world leader in all things travel-sized and individual-sized and navigated his company through all its growth stages, building marketing, sales, purchasing, operations, administration, accounting departments and special projects. Paul acquired some extremely valuable tools, processes, and strategies along the way and will share these best practices with attendees.

Jan. 21 — UCSB Arts & Lectures to present An Evening of Stand-up with Tig Notaro

Named one of Rolling Stone’s 50 Best Stand-up Comics of All Time, Tig Notaro is an Emmy and Grammy nominated comedian, writer, radio contributor and actor. She wrote and starred in the groundbreaking TV show One Mississippi and just released her second HBO special, Tig Notaro: Drawn. In 2021, Notaro co-directed the feature film Am I OK?, which debuted at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. She hosts the critically-acclaimed advice podcast Don’t Ask Tig and co-hosts the hilarious documentary film podcast Tig and Cheryl: True Story.

Jan. 21, 22 — Santa Barbara Symphony Presents Plains, Trains & Violins – The Journey of a Lifetime

The Santa Barbara Symphony’s 70th Anniversary season continues with Plains, Trains & Violins: The Journey of a Lifetime on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, January 22, 2023, at 3 pm, preceded by a pre-concert “Conversation with Kabaretti” at 2:00 pm.

Conductor Nir Kabaretti has crafted a symphonic journey that speaks to the themes of migration, multi-culturalism and discovery spurred on worldwide by the Industrial Revolution (1750 – 1914) that continue to this day.

Jan. 24 — CLU School of Management to present Entrepreneurship Speaker Series Presents…

Entrepreneurship Speaker Series Presents…
Good Sports: Finding and Involving Professional Athletes in your Startup
Wednesday, January 18 | 7:00 pm | In Person
When Matthew Weisman and Jordan Orlick founded LetzChat, a real-time language translation service for video, websites, and SMS, their goal was to make it easier for people to connect with each other around the world. Little did they know that professional athletes would be a critical component of LetzChat’s go-to-market strategy as brand ambassadors, investors, and team members, including a COO who’s also an NFL Super Bowl Champion.

Jan. 24 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato’s new groundbreaking tour de force EDEN

UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) presents Joyce DiDonato in EDEN, Tuesday, January 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Granada Theatre. Fusing music, movement and theater, EDEN is a breathtaking, through-performed tour de force from the multi-award-winning Joyce DiDonato. EDEN explores our individual connection to nature and its impact on our world. By traveling seamlessly through four centuries of music, including a new commission from Academy Award-winning composer Rachel Portman, a searing and singular experience of hope unfolds. To ensure that the EDEN experience continues to grow outside of the concert hall, each audience member receives seeds to plant as DiDonato asks: “In this time of upheaval, which seed wIll you plant today?”

Jan. 26 — OC Live presents Matt Sedillo and David A. Romero in a multi-media spoken word performance

Join award-winning spoken word artists Matt Sedillo and David A. Romero as they ask the important questions: what has caused the great migrations from Latin America? How do immigrants and first-generation Latinxs simultaneously embrace and reject previous trends towards assimilation and integration? How has “the Latinx Giant” already affected the outcome of the national elections? Perhaps most importantly, who in America recognizes this shift, and how are they responding: for better, or worse?

Jan. 27 — UCSB A&L presents Emanuel Ax – Leonidas Kavakos – Yo-Yo Ma at the Granada Theatre

Praised for its remarkable ensemble cohesion and immaculately refined interpretations, this musical dream team reunites in Santa Barbara for an unforgettable evening of chamber music. Get tickets for Emanuel Ax – Leonidas Kavakos – Yo-Yo Ma on Jan 27, 2023 at The Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara. Presented by UC Santa Barbara Arts & Lectures.

Jan. 27 — Unity of Ventura Holding New Year’s Meditation Retreat

Would you like to have a new year that really feels new? Often, instead of experiencing a new year, we are dragging around behaviors and habits that are from our past. Here is a way to live a truly new year.

Unity of Ventura is holding a “New Year’s Meditation Retreat” Saturday, January 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Poinsettia Pavilion (3451 Foothill Road, Ventura). The day will incorporate “silent” meditation, Vipassana training and guidance so participants can focus on how to obtain the changes they want in their life as they start the new year. All faiths are welcome.

Jan. 28 — Bilingual report — Ventura County Community Development Corp. announces return of in-person Homebuyer Education Workshops

We are excited to announce our Homebuyer Education workshop is back in-person! We can’t wait to see you at our next workshop. If you prefer virtual workshops, we’re still offering online sessions!

Check out our workshops below

Jan. 28 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Ensemble Intercontemporain at the Lobero Theatre

Regarded as the world’s leading contemporary music group, Ensemble Intercontemporain make a rare appearance to present Olga Neuwirth’s score for the 1924 satirical silent filmDie Stadt ohne Juden (The City Without Jews). Under music director Matthias Pintscher, the French musicians will accompany the movie directed by Hans Karl Breslauer for which Neuwirth wrote music “both touching and harsh, warm-hearted and open, amusing and furious, involved and distanced, humorous and sad all at once.”

Jan. 29 — Forecast Calls for Snow Much Fun at the Santa Barbara Zoo’s Snow Leopard Festival!

On Sunday, January 29, the forecast at the Santa Barbara Zoo calls for a 100% chance of snow, sledding, and a day full of frosty fun at its annual Snow Leopard Festival, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (9 a.m. early admission for SB Zoo members only)!

Kids can enjoy sledding and “snow” much fun amidst 80 tons of snow, while the Zoo’s animals, including Kisa, the snow leopard, get to play in their own snow as enrichment.

Regular admission or Zoo membership is required for entry, and there is an additional fee ($10/pass, $8/pass for Zoo Members) for sledding and snow play. The snow play area is open to children 12 and under (and parents/guardians), and sledding is for children ages 4-12 only (no adult sledding). Sleds are provided–no personal sleds.

Jan. 30 — Livingston’s Grief and Bereavement Program presenting Comprehensive Bereavement Skills Training Class

Livingston’s Grief and Bereavement Program is offering a free two-day Bereavement Skills Training Class. The class will provide the participant with information on grief and loss, dispel the myths and misconceptions about grief, and teach key components of companioning someone grieving the death of a loved one. Classes are held on Monday, January 23 and January 30 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at 400 Rosewood Ave, Suite 102 Camarillo, 93010. Space is limited. Registration required. For more information or to register, please call 805-389-6870 or visit lmvna.org/grief. 

Through Jan. 2023 — SBMA’s Parallel Stories features artist Marshall Brown and the opening of ‘The Architecture of Collage’

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s Parallel Stories features artist Marshall Brown and the opening of “The Architecture of Collage” at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct.. 2 at 1130 State St., Santa Barbara.

Layering, fragments, appropriation, cutting, higher cribbing, collage, and what artist Marshall Brown has called “creative miscegenation,” are all part of the crucible in which familiar themes are recast in art and literature. Is the resulting cross-disciplinary mashup an homage to what is left, what is kept, and what is removed? Award-winning andNew York Times bestselling author Jonathan Lethem joins artist, Urbanist, Princeton University professor of Architecture, and critical-thinking futurist Marshall Brown in a conversation about what Lethem termed the “Ecstasy of Influence.” Book signing to follow.

Feb. 2 — Channel Islands Maritime Museum to Present the Art of Marie McKenzie

Beginning February 2, the Channel Islands Maritime Museum (CIMM) will be presenting its latest pop-up exhibition featuring the incredible artwork of Marie McKenzie.

Ojai-based artist Marie McKenzie places sustainability at the heart of her practice. Using salvaged wood and other earth-friendly materials, McKenzie creates abstract and figurative representations of marine flora and fauna with loving detail. The exhibit at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum will feature a variety of paintings and an ethereal wooden kelp sculpture. Art and environmentalism truly synthesize into something beautiful through Marie’s creations.

Feb. 2 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Amor Towles at Campbell Hall

Amor Towles is heir to the American literary tradition of thrilling narratives that follow memorable young men on intricate journeys of risk, discovery and redemption. Through his evocative, absorbing novels including Rules of Civility, A Gentleman in Moscow and The Lincoln Highway, Towles has become a critical favorite and a popular success.

Feb. 8 — Bilingual report — Save the date for Santa Paula Community College Education Center Town Hall

Save the Date for the Community College Education Center Townhall presented by Santa Paula Latino Townhall. To build the future economic prosperity of the Santa Clara Valley Region, a long overdue promise of building a Community College Education Center in Santa Paula must become a reality. T

Feb. 9 — Santa Barbara Executive Roundtable (SABER) to present meeting

Business professionals seeking to increase marketing for their companies in 2023 can learn the latest marketing tips and tricks at an upcoming, meeting of the Santa Barbara Executive Roundtable (SABER) on Thursday, February 9, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the University Club.

Jonathan Boring and Jennifer Goddard Combs, two of the Central Coast’s leading experts in marketing and digital communications, will present “New Tools to Market Your Business in 2023!” The presentation will cover a variety of digital and traditional marketing techniques including Tik Tok, Instagram reels, websites becoming fashion statements, the importance of publicity, and offer inspirational ideas for boosting exposure and sales.

Feb. 9 — Santa Barbara Museum of Art features ‘Parallel Stories — Couples’ with Rachel Cusk, Siemon Scamell-Katz, and Andrew Winer

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art features “Parallel Stories” with Rachel Cusk, Siemon Scamell-Katz, and Andrew Winer at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9 at the Mary Craig Auditorium, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara.

Inspired by the artistic collaboration of Ed Kienholz and Nancy Reddin Kienholz and the SBMA exhibition Scenes from a Marriage: Ed & Nancy Kienholz, Parallel Stories examines what happens in fiction and life when artist couples work together.

Feb. 12 — OPAC’s Native Plant Fest blossoms again

The Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation (OPAC) is proud to present its 2nd Annual NATIVE PLANT FEST on Saturday, January 21st from 11AM-4PM. The event brings together our community to celebrate and showcase local plant-inspired culture, food, traditions, and creativity! This festival is community-led by plant enthusiasts of diverse backgrounds who will share their plants, services, artwork, culinary creations, products, educational resources, and much more! 

November through the Spring is prime planting season in California and OPAC wants to bring together seasoned and newbie plant aficionados for this special event. 

Feb. 12 — Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present ‘Transformation: Personal Stories of Change, Acceptance, and Evolution.’ Free Concert with Ted Nash

This free concert features student composers, performers, and writers from a workshop led by Grammy Award-winning saxophonist and composer Ted Nash who joins them on stage. Responding in part to artist Joan Tanner’s unorthodox use of materials and inspired by Nash’s original composition first performed with Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, these young artists explore the idea of transformation, both personal and collective, bringing word and music together in this exuberant community-sourced celebration of the expressive and empathetic power of art. 

Feb. 12 — Free Winter Family Day at the Wildling Museum in Solvang

he Wildling Museum is pleased to announce the winter edition of its popular free Family Day event, which returns on Sunday, February 12, 2023, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The now twice-yearly event invites visitors to bring the whole family and enjoy free museum admission during event hours, along with a day of art and nature-inspired activities. 

The winter lineup of events will include a live owl meet-and-greet by Santa Barbara Audubon Society’s Eyes in the Sky, a wildlife education program featuring rescued birds of prey. For their 11 a.m. presentation at the Wildling’s Free Family Day, visitors will have the chance to meet Puku the Western Screech-owl and Athena the Barn Owl and learn more about the native raptors in our region. 

Feb. 15 — Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) FREE Business Resources Fair

Join us Wednesday, February 15th 11:00 am – 5:00 pm!

Tap into the guidance, information and resources you need to strengthen your business in 2023. Learn about business training, employee recruitment, funding and microgrant opportunities, mentorship and other resources. Receive one on one support from the EDC, Santa Barbara Foundation, SCORE, the Workforce Development Board and WEV.

21 East Canon Perdido Street Suite 301 Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Feb. 16 — CLU School of Management to present ‘Conference on Economic & Social Lives of Undocumented Immigrants on the Central Coast of California’

According to the most recent information, some 104,000 undocumented immigrants live in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Some 87,000 of this group have come from our neighboring country, Mexico (83%). 

This conference unveils a comprehensive study of the socioeconomic profile of undocumented immigrants and their regional and statewide economic impacts. The economic impacts will be captured through gross regional products, labor income, employment, and tax revenue at local, state, and federal levels.  

Feb. 21 — CSUCI Broome Library presents Black educators across the nation for “Black Scholars on Black Lives” virtual presentations

Imagine analyzing the horrors aboard the Spanish ship La Amistad which was used to transport enslaved Africans to Cuba in 1839, or touring the Underground Railroad Museum in Kentucky—without ever leaving your home or classroom.

That’s the revolutionary teaching technique used by Morehouse University Assistant Professor of History Ovell Hamilton, who uses virtual reality in his “Metaversity,” which has proven so successful, that other departments are now using virtual reality for other disciplines at Morehouse such as biology, nursing, sociology and journalism, to name a few.

Hamilton will detail his use of virtual reality to teach Black History on Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 9 to 10 a.m. with “The history of the African Diaspora in the Metaverse,” one of several online presentations in the “Black Scholars on Black Lives” lecture series, coordinated by CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)’s John Spoor Broome Library.

Feb. 22 — Free LightGabler Webinar: ‘The Weather’s Great, Wish You Were Here–Handling Employee Absence, Use and Misuse of Paid Time Off and Related Disciplinary Issues’

Employment law firm LightGabler is presenting a free employment law webinar, “The Weather’s Great, Wish You Were Here–Handling Employee Absence, Use and Misuse of Paid Time Off and Related Disciplinary Issues.” The webinar is Wednesday, February 22 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Providing state-mandated sick leave, vacation or combined paid time off to employees is the easy part. Figuring out how to handle employees’ use and misuse of that time is a far bigger challenge. What is an excused absence? When can you ask the employee to provide a doctor’s note? How do you address excessive absenteeism without inviting a disability discrimination lawsuit?

Feb. 23 — Ventura County Grand Jury to hold its annual Open House

The Ventura County Grand Jury invites the public to its annual Open House on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Grand Jury Chambers located at 646 County Square Drive, Ventura.

The Grand Jury is a panel of 19 Ventura County citizens who conduct investigations into the operations of local governmental entities within the county. Investigations originate either from a public complaint or from within the Grand Jury.

Feb. 23 — OC LIVE: The PAB comes alive with incredible acrobatics, energizing African drumming, dancing and gravity-defying stunts!

The PAB comes alive with incredible acrobatics, energizing African drumming, dancing and gravity-defying stunts! Celebrate Black History Month with this amazing performance of a 2000-year-old cultural tradition from East Africa. This interactive 90-minute show includes human pyramids, dish spinning, stick balance, contortion, juggling, hand to hand balance, pole acts, music, comedy, and much much more. Join us on campus Thursday night!

Feb. 23 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Dr. Ainissa Ramirez at Campbell Hall

An award-winning scientist, science communicator and author, Ramirez promotes a love of exploration, making complex scientific processes clear and mesmerizing to just about everyone. In her recent book The Alchemy of Us, Ramirez showcases little-known inventors – particularly people of color and women – who had a significant impact but whose accomplishments have been hidden by mythmaking, bias and convention. Doing so shows us the power of telling inclusive stories about technology. She also reveals that innovation is universal – whether it’s splicing beats with two turntables and a microphone or splicing genes with two test tubes and CRISPR.

Feb. 25, 26 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Ballet Preljocaj’s Swan Lake at the Granada Theatre

UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) presents Preljocaj’s Swan Lake, Saturday, February 25 at 8:00 p.m and Sunday, February 26 at 3:00 p.m. at the Granada Theatre. France’s contemporary dance superstar Angelin Preljocaj tackles the Mount Everest of the ballet world, Swan Lake. Combining Tchaikovsky’s musical masterpiece with new arrangements, Preljocaj reinvents the timeless tale of love, betrayal, seduction and remorse into a modern ecological tragedy. With 26 dancers, this beautiful tribute takes flight as an ingenious adaptation in which “the excellent performers… move with nuanced, fragile physical poetry, and a sense of the wounded souls they have become” (The New York Times).

Feb. 25 — Santa Paula Art Museum to hold 13th Anniversary Party

Don’t miss our biggest party of the year! On Saturday, February 25, join us at the Museum for an exciting evening of art, live music, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, and much more. All proceeds from the event benefit the Santa Paula Art Museum, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Tickets to the event are $100 per person and include two complimentary drink tickets. Advance ticket purchase is recommended.

PURCHASE TICKETS >>

Feb. 25 — Free Cash 4 College Workshops Help Students Access Funds for College

Moorpark College, Oxnard College, Ventura College and Ventura College East Campus are holding free Cash 4 College workshops to help students apply for funds to help with college costs. Funds can be used for tuition, books, housing, transportation, childcare, computers and more.

In-person workshops are scheduled for Feb. 11 and 25. The workshops are free and open to the community; anyone may attend a workshop on either date and can drop in at any time during the events.

Feb. 26 — CSUCI administrators to speak at Black churches

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) President Richard Yao and Vice President for Student Affairs Eboni Ford Turnbow will speak at two Oxnard churches as part of the 18th Annual CSU Super Sunday on Feb. 26.

Yao will speak at St. Paul Baptist Church at 1777 Statham Blvd. and Ford Turnbow will speak at Bethel AME Church at 855 South F St. Services begin at 10 a.m. and are open to all.

Super Sunday is a day when California State University system leaders and presidents, administrators and students from all 23 campuses visit predominantly African American places of worship to share personal stories and experiences, advice, and college-related information to advance access, opportunity and success for Black students. The CSU system has partnered with more than 100 churches throughout the state to present this year’s event.

Feb. 28 — Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum to present historian Erik Brun

1:00 – Museum Tours
2:00 – Presentation

Join the Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum (CCVMM) for our next Speaker Series with Historian, Erik Brun, and his presentation on the 54th Coast Artillery on the Central Coast during WWII. Erik Brun, shares the history and accomplishments of the first Central Coast Black Combat unit to be placed into operation against the enemy in WWII. The unit that had gun positions in Morro Bay, Avila and Shell Beach.

In the three months after Pearl Harbor, the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked vital merchant shipping and shore facilities along the California coast. The War Department’s Western Defense Command ordered the establishment of firing positions between San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz, to protect the citizens and key defense infrastructure between the Harbor Defenses of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The 54th Coast Artillery Regiment’s 1st Battalion took up positions between Shell Beach, and Cayucos in April 1942. Erik Brun also discusses how their arrival help shaped Post-war San Luis Obispo.

Seating is limited. Free admission. RSVP is requested, per link provided above.

March 1 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour

UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) presents Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour on Tuesday, Feb. 28 and Wednesday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the Arlington Theatre. A Santa Barbara institution, the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is a perennial fan favorite. Featuring the world’s best films and videos on mountain subjects, the tour awes viewers with thrills and grandeur captured in exotic locations the world over. The show’s wide variety of film subjects – from extreme sports to mountain culture and environment – will amaze audiences. An entirely different program of films screens each night.

March 1 — Bilingual report — Dementia Friendly Ventura County One-Stop Shop to be held at the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging

Dementia Friendly Ventura County’s next event in a series of one-stop workshops to help people living with a dementia-related disease and their caregivers is scheduled for Wednesday, March 1 at the office of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging.

The public is encouraged to stop by that day and meet with many local providers who can assist with dementia-related issues, including adult day centers, adult protective services, the Alzheimer’s Association, caregiver resources, financial resources, in-home care, health insurance counseling and advocacy, legal and advanced planning, long-term care ombudsman, neurology, and public benefit programs.

March 2 — Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present Miró Quartet Chamber Music Concert

Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present Miró Quartet Chamber Music Concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 2 at SBMA’s Mary Craig Auditorium, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara.

Formed in 1995, the Austin, Texas-based Miró Quartet, is one of America’s most celebrated string quartets, having performed throughout the world on the most prestigious concert stages. They won first prizes at the Banff International String Quartet Competition and Naumburg Chamber Music Competition, and in 2005, became the first ensemble ever to be awarded an Avery Fisher Career Grant. The Miró is quartet-in-residence at Chamber Music Northwest in Portland, OR and Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival in Washington State.

March 3 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Dr. Thema Bryant in a FREE Justice for All Event

UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Dr. Thema Bryant on Friday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. at Campbell Hall. One of the foundational scholars on the topic of the trauma of racism, Dr. Thema Bryant provides tools to meaningfully connect with a larger community, even in the face of racism, sexism, heartbreak, grief and trauma. As a survivor of sexual assault, racism and evacuation from a civil war in Liberia, she knows intimately the work involved in healing. Having made the journey herself, in addition to guiding others as a clinical psychologist and ordained minister, Dr. Thema shows how to reconnect with your authentic self and reclaim your time, your voice and your life.

March 6 — CSU Channel Islands offers free presentation by California surgeon who teaches Ukrainian citizens how to treat trauma victims

Bay Area surgeon Dr. Michael Baker will offer a boots-on-the- ground perspective of the conditions in Ukraine following his two visits to the war- torn country to teach Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) to Ukrainian physicians and other medical personnel as well as “Stop the Bleed” measures to ordinary citizens.

“The ATLS is for physicians and ‘Stop the Bleed’ is for regular people—librarians, bus drivers, schoolteachers who wonder what to do if somebody bombs their school or apartment building,” Baker said. “Everybody was extremely thankful we were there.”

Baker will share details of his experience as well as his take on the morale of the Ukrainian people and the condition of the country during an hour-long presentation on Monday, March 6 at 1 p.m. via Zoom. The free event is presented by CSU Channel Islands (http://www.csuci.edu/)’ Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) and is open to all members of the public.

Through March 6 — Wildling Museum of Art and Nature explores urban wildlife in new exhibition featuring artist Hilary Baker, ‘Wildlife on the Edge’

The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature is pleased to announce its upcoming 2022 fall exhibition, Wildlife on the Edge: Hilary Baker, on view from October 8, 2022 – March 6, 2023. The public is invited to attend an opening reception on Sunday, October 9 from 3 – 5 p.m. at the Wildling Museum. 

Hilary Baker, Burrowing Owl, LAX, 2019, Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 inches, Courtesy the Artist.
Wildlife on the Edge features new and recent acrylic paintings from Hilary Baker’s Predators series alongside a new series of animal portraits on birch wood. From a group of common pigeons to an elusive cougar, Baker’s subjects make themselves at home in urban locales inspired by Los Angeles landmarks past and present. Coupled with Baker’s alternatingly bright and moody color palette, viewers are provided a fanciful peek into the secret lives of their wild neighbors, often hidden in plain view. 

March 7 — Equity Conference to Address Disparities in Public Education

Vital issues surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion in Ventura County public schools are the focus of the third annual Ventura County Office of Education Equity Conference, which will be held in person for the first time. The conference will feature a wide variety of workshops on increasing opportunities and removing obstacles for students from marginalized communities.

“This year’s conference takes on added significance following the COVID-19 pandemic, which amplified existing inequities and challenges faced by many of our students,” said Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. “It’s more important than ever for schools, families, and the community to find solutions to longstanding issues that create barriers to success for too many kids.”

March 8 — UCSB Arts & Lectures and the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara present Siddhartha Mukherjee at the Granada Theatre

UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) and the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara present Siddhartha Mukherjee, Wednesday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m. at The Granada Theatre. From cancer physician and researcher Siddhartha Mukherjee comes The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human, which examines medicine’s radical new ability to manipulate cells. Author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Emperor of All Maladies and the No. 1 New York Times bestseller The Gene, Mukherjee continues his exploration of what it means to be human in this story of how scientists discovered cells, began to understand them and are now using that knowledge to create new humans.

March 12 — Antonio Pichillá Quiacaín opens at the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara

Sunday, March 12, 12pm – 4pm
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara
653 Paseo Nuevo, Upper Arts Terrace
Santa Barbara

Join us at the museum for the opening of Guatemala based artist Antonio Pichillá Quiacaín’s video installation Tejiendo El Paisaje (Weaving The Landscape). Pichillá Quiacaín (Maya Tz ?utujil) explores Western traditions of abstraction combined with textile traditions from his Mayan family history.

March 13 — Bilingual report — Community members invited to public meetings for potential disadvantaged community designations in areas of unincorporated Ventura County

The Ventura County Planning Division is researching potential disadvantaged community designations in unincorporated areas, also referred to as Study Areas, near the cities of Ventura, Oxnard, and Santa Paula. Designated disadvantaged communities (DDCs) are low-income communities that are disproportionately burdened by environmental pollution. If the Board of Supervisors elects to identify one or more of these unincorporated communities as DDCs at a future public hearing, these communities would benefit from County policies and programs intended to help address environmental and economic disparities in DDCs

March 14 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Tracy Kidder in conversation with Pico Iyer at the New Vic (limited availability)

UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) presents Tracy Kidder in conversation with Pico Iyer Tuesday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m at The New Vic. Pulitzer Prize-winner Tracy Kidder stands at the forefront of American letters as a champion of the heroism of everyday life. With a reputation for faultless prose and profound insights, his mesmerizing profiles include Mountains Beyond Mountains, which brought the world’s attention to Dr. Paul Farmer, and the Pulitzer Prize-winner The Soul of a New Machine. In his newest work, Rough Sleepers: Dr. Jim O’Connell’s Urgent Mission to Bring Healing to Homeless People, Kidder continues to amplify the efforts of unique individuals who transcend cynicism and create hope. 

March 15 — SBCC alum/mixed media artist Alberto Lule discusses prison industrial complex-inspired works

The Atkinson Gallery at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is pleased to present an artist talk with alumnus Alberto Lule. Lule is the recipient of the LUM Art Prize (Issue 6), presented by LUM Art Magazine with the support of the Carolyn Glasoe Bailey Foundation. We are pleased to co-present this program with both organizations. 

Lule began making art while serving a thirteen-year sentence in a California prison. He uses readymades and mixed media installations to examine and critique mass incarceration and the prison industrial complex in the United States, particularly the California prison system. Starting from his origins as a graffiti artist and writer, Lule draws on his own experiences in prison to create artworks that explore institutional roles of gatekeepers of knowledge, authorities of culture, and administrators of discipline and punishment.

“Art made the prison walls disappear, allowing me to overcome not only the prison I was physically in but also the mental prison I had placed myself in before my sentence,” said Lule. “By focusing on how institutional systems operate, I have come to notice the similarities between all institutions, from institutions of higher learning to correctional institutions. These similarities can be exposed and learned from, not only from a scientific point of view, but even more thoroughly through art.”

March 15 — The District House presents Larry Norris from Decriminalize Nature

Larry Norris, PhD, studied biopsychology and cognitive science as an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, and defended his doctoral dissertation at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS). His dissertation research reviewed archived ayahuasca experience reports to identify transformational archetypes and insights that could help inform developing models of integration (meaning-making).

March 15 — SBCC announces Public Forums for screening Superintendent/President finalists

Addendum:
Due to the campus closure from Tuesday’s storm activity, our Superintendent/President candidate forums were rescheduled. See the revised version of the article “College announces selection of 3 finalists for position of Superintendent/President,” for a link with updated dates and times of the forums.

Read how to participate in the candidate forums (rescheduled due to the campus closure on Tuesday, March 14) – before, during and after the March 15 and 16 sessions, here.

March 15 — Channel Islands Maritime Museum Welcomes Will Sofrin to Speaker Series

The Channel Islands Maritime Museum is pleased to welcome shipwright and author Will Sofrin to its next Speaker Series event on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. He will speak on his upcoming book All Hands on Deck: A Modern-Day High Seas Adventure to the Far Side of the World.

In the late 1990s, Patrick O’Brian’s beloved, bestselling historical novel series was destined for film with Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World. While the director and stars were signed on, there was only one problem: The Rose, the replica eighteenth-century warship that the filmmakers had bought for the production, was in Newport, Rhode Island, two oceans and thousands of miles away from Hollywood. Enter a ragtag crew of thirty oddballs and tall-ship fanatics, including author Will Sofrin, at the time a 21-year-old wooden boat builder and yacht racer looking for some direction in his life. Together, the crew embarked on an epic adventure, racing a ticking clock and fighting against Mother Nature, and occasionally each other, to deliver The Rose, hopefully in one piece.

March 16 — Women business leaders to be honored at 9th annual BRAVO Awards ceremony in Santa Barbara

The National Association of Women Business Owners, Santa Barbara chapter, will host its 2023 BRAVO Awards ceremony on March 16th to celebrate the achievements of eight women community, industry, and business leaders.

This year’s luncheon and awards ceremony, titled “Dream Big, Power On,” is the largest since the BRAVO Awards launched nine years ago. The event will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn Santa Barbara/Goleta from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The BRAVO AWARDS were created to recognize local women leaders who have enriched Santa Barbara economically, politically, philanthropically, and socially. Award recipients have taken the initiative to make an impact, brought new ideas to their industries, and motivated, educated, and inspired others to become better.

Winners of this year’s awards include Marsha Bailey, founder and CEO Emerita of Women’s Economic Ventures, who will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades-long work to improve society through the economic empowerment of women.

March 16 — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC)n — Free event — Selling to South Korea: Your Next Big Ecommerce Opportunity

Have you ever considered selling to South Korea? Well, it’s never been easier! The U.S. Commercial Service is partnering with Coupang, South Korea’s largest eCommerce company, to help U.S. cross-border online sellers to compete and win in this dynamic consumer goods market.

Join EDC Small Business Development Center Trade Advisors Simona Racek and Siddhi Khara at LA City Club where you will hear from experts discuss how you can take advantage of this exciting opportunity. Registration CLOSES Tuesday, March 14! For additional information, please email Cynthia Torres at cynthia.torres@trade.gov.

March 16 — Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present ‘Couples with Cassandra C. Jones and Mikael Jorgensen’

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art will present “Couples with Cassandra C. Jones and Mikael Jorgensen” at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 16 at SBMA’s Mary Craig Auditorium, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara.

Inspired by the artistic collaboration of Ed Kienholz and Nancy Reddin Kienholz and the SBMA exhibition Scenes from a Marriage: Ed & Nancy Kienholz, this series explores what happens in fiction and life when artist couples work together or in parallel, and sometimes within competitive creative spaces.

March 16 — OC LIVE presents: Climate Change: It’s Personal with OC Prof. Jim Danza

Our changing climate is more than droughts and melting ice – it’s something that impacts our lives in many surprising ways. In this lively talk-show style presentation, we hear from climate scientists, environmental activists, and people living the crisis on the ground. Hosted by our very own Prof. Jim Danza, this event will open your eyes to the personal impact of our changing climate.

March 18 — 2nd Annual Lumina Nights Gala in SLO to Honor Local Leaders

Lumina Alliance is hosting its 2nd annual fundraiser, Lumina Nights, on Saturday, March 18th, at Rava Winery in Paso Robles. The gala will feature a special performance from the 2022 Atascadero Dancing with Our Stars— a concept the agency plans to fully implement in 2024. This exciting event will raise funds to support those impacted by sexual and intimate partner violence in San Luis Obispo County.

March 22 — Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC), Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) partnering to bring you a WEVWorks Webinar: Weathering the Economic Storm – helping small business owners feel prepared

The Economic Development Collaborative(EDC) and Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) are partnering to bring you a WEVWorks Webinar: Weathering the Economic Storm – helping small business owners feel prepared.

Free webinar, March 22 from 12pm – 1pm.

Register today: https://us02web.zoom.us/…/reg…/WN_yYPaDt8XRxO24RJVidqf5Q

Live translation to Spanish will be available!

March 22 — Bilingual report — FREE WEBINAR: Weathering the Economic Storm – Helping Small Business Owners Feel Prepared

How would a recession impact my business? What do I need to know about inflation? This webinar will provide some of the answers. The Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) and Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) have partnered to offer a FREE WEVWorks webinar. The webinar aims to provide small business owners with guidance on how to prepare their businesses for periods of inflation and recession. The webinar will begin with an economic overview from Dr. Peter Rupert, founder of the UCSB Economic Forecast Project, followed by small business-specific guidance from Dr. Ray Bowman and Gonzalo Fernández of the EDC Small Business Development Center. Nicki Parr of WEV will moderate the session, and a Q&A session will follow.

A live translation will be available for Spanish speakers during the webinar!

Join us March 22 @ 12:00 pm!

CLICK HERE to register

March 23 — ‘Book Publishing 1-2-3’ workshop to be held in Oak Park

Grab a pen and join us for this lively 90-minute workshop, sprinkled with ideas and stories to inspire and empower writers of all types. We’ll start by checking out today’s book business (both traditional and indie publishing), then share valuable resources to help aspiring authors connect with literary agents and editors.

Seeking to boost your command of the craft? We’ll offer ideas you can employ to add some spunk and sparkle to your prose, including a gem from a gutsy, trailblazing comedy star. If reaching readers via promotion is on your radar, listen in for stories about how authors choose and use marketing tactics that fit their style.

The “1-2-3” session also includes real-time writing prompts, handouts, and Q&A.

March 23 — OC LIVE — The exceptional Hermanos Herrera perform a diverse set of Mexican musical styles like Son Huasteco, Son Jarocho, and Musica Norteña

United by blood and through music, Hermanos Herrera is a musical group consisting of five brothers and their younger sister. The group plays various styles of traditional Mexican music such as Son Huasteco, Son Jarocho, and Musica Norteña. They perform with an aggressive and energetic style that is both passionate and exhilarating.

Through March 24 — Channel Islands Maritime Museum to Present Exhibition Neil Brooks & The California Seascape

Beginning January 3, 2023, the Channel Islands Maritime Museum (CIMM) will be presenting its latest exhibition, Neil Brooks & The California Seascape in its Brenda and Gary Farr Gallery.

As a self-taught artist, Brooks captures the cultural ritual of the California beach day using a striking variety of mediums. Charcoal, watercolor, oil, and collage blend together in loose brushwork and rich color, inspired heavily by the Masters of the 20th century like Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Cezanne. These works of fluctuating movement reflect the distinctive light and emotion of atmosphere in Southern California, delivering a contemporary and regional take on iconic, historic styles.

Through March 25 — ‘The Tempest’ Makes Landfall at Moorpark College Theatre Arts

Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” arrives March 16 on the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center main stage, filled with comedy, magic, love and treachery. The student production runs through March 25 with evening performances and weekend matinees.

This comedic fantasy will honor the 10-year anniversary of the Elizabethan-style set theatre arts instructor Brian Koehler designed for the productions of “Henry IV, Part I” and “Part II” in 2013. 

“The base design of our Shakespearean set takes inspiration from the Globe Theatre in England,” said Koehler, scenic designer of “The Tempest.” 

“This style of stage becomes a classic theatrical component in and of itself, with show-specific elements that largely rely on the dialogue of the production to delineate space and detail. It provides a multi-layered production experience for our students, both technicians and performers. Even with something as crazy as ‘The Tempest,’ it is about embracing the traditional structure versus hiding it,” he explained.

March 29 — CLU School of Management — The Latino GDP Project: Those Who Overcome

The Latino GDP Project provides a factual view of the large and rapidly growing economic contribution of Latinos living in the United States. Using publicly available data from major U.S. agencies, it provides compelling evidence that Latinos are drivers of economic growth and a critical source of resilience for the U.S. economy. The total economic output (or GDP) of Latinos in the U.S. was $2.8 trillion in 2020, equivalent to the world’s fifth largest GDP. The hard work and persistence of Latinos bolstered the nation’s economy during the pandemic and are now driving economic recovery. Join Dr. Hayes-Bautista and Dr. Fienup as they discuss this narrative-changing research.
RSVP Here

March 30 — Free LightGabler Webinar: You’re Not the Boss of Me! A Supervisor’s Roadmap for Effective Employee Management

Employment law firm LightGabler is presenting a free employment law webinar, “You’re Not the Boss of Me! A Supervisor’s Roadmap for Effective Employee Management.” The webinar is Thursday, March 30 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Workplace productivity and morale depend in large part on the quality and skill of supervisors. A common mistake is to promote the “best” or “most senior” employee to a supervisory position, with little regard for leadership skills. Once in the position, most supervisors are not trained in effective management techniques to motivate and evaluate employees.

March 30 — West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA) to host Spring Business Expo & Mixer

The West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA), the chamber of commerce advocating for businesses in Camarillo and Oxnard, is hosting a Spring Business Expo & Mixer on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

The semi-annual event is designed to bring together businesses and potential new customers in a fun, casual networking environment. The Business Expo is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, and Sonesta Select Camarillo.

March 30 — Santa Barbara Art Museum lecture Explores the Work of Artists Ed & Nancy Kienholz

Santa Barbara Art Museum lecture Explores the Work of Artists Ed & Nancy Kienholz at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 30 at SBMA’s Mary Craig Auditorium, 1130 State Street, Santa Barbara.

A lecture given by James Glisson, SBMA Curator of Contemporary Art, in conjunction with the exhibition Scenes from a Marriage: Ed & Nancy Kienholz

March 10, 11 — CSUCI students show off their comedic skills in ‘Puffs’

The parody “Puffs or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic” was chosen for the CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) spring production because the Performing Arts program currently includes several students with a gift for making people laugh.

“We have some student actors with amazing comedy chops and wanted to give them a play where they would get a chance to shine,” said Performing Arts Lecturer Laura Covault, who teaches theater. “This play is fast-paced and hilarious.”

Performances start at 8 p.m. on March 10 and at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on March 11 in Malibu Hall Room 140.

April 3 — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Announces New Women of Inspiration Retreat

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria invites the community to its Women of Inspiration event on Monday, April 3 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the nonprofit’s campus at 5315 Foothill Road, which will feature an all-new format this year, the organization announced today. Held as a luncheon in previous years, the highly anticipated event will feature a half-day retreat and networking lunch designed to honor and empower a stronger, smarter, and bolder community.

Internationally-touring comedian, actress, author and creativity coach Katie Goodman will serve as this year’s keynote speaker. Ms. Goodman’s work in comedy has amassed over 3 million online views. She can be seen on Showtime, Impractical Jokers, and more often than she would admit, in line getting a mocha latte with extra, extra whipped cream. Ms. Goodman literally wrote the book on using improv comedy to improve your life.

April 4 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents the Wynton Marsalis Septet

UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) presents the Wynton Marsalis Septet Tuesday, April 4 at 7 p.m at the Granada Theatre. In this intimate performance, Wynton Marsalis will lead an exciting new edition of the Wynton Marsalis Septet as they present his latest original compositions as well as standards spanning the vast historical landscape of jazz music. Originally formed in the spring of 1989, the Wynton Marsalis Septet has featured such acclaimed musicians as Wycliffe Gordon and Wess “Warmdaddy” Anderson. 34 years later, this special group has taken new form, garnering some of jazz’s biggest rising stars. As Douglas Hall of Glide Magazine describes it, the Wynton Marsalis Septet “combines familiar musical friendships and his passion for discovering new talent.”

April 11 — New York Times Bestselling Author to visit CSUCI to discuss her book, ‘Take My Hand’ at the Campus Reading Celebration

Siblings Mary Alice and Minnie Lee Relf were 12 and 14 years old respectively when they were taken to a hospital in downtown Montgomery, Alabama, one summer day in 1973 and sterilized against their will.

It was part of a nationwide program to diminish poverty and it happened over and over again to poor women and girls of color all over the country until the Southern Poverty Law Center filed class-action lawsuit on behalf of the Relf sisters, bringing this government-sponsored abuse into the spotlight.

The work of fiction that New York Times bestselling author Dolen Perkins-Valdez based on this horrifying chapter in American history is this year’s choice for the CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Campus Reading Celebration.

April 11 — Carsey-Wolf Center at UCSB to present ‘Listening to Cumbia’ documentaries

The Carsey-Wolf Center at UCSB will present “Listening to Cumbia,” a program of two short documentaries that examine the vibrant culture of cumbia and cumbia sonidera in Los Angeles and Mexico City, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 11 at the the Pollock Theater on the UCSB campus.

We will be screening Joyce García’s Yo No Soy Guapo (US premiere), and Alvaro Parra’s “Sonidero Metropolis” (premiere). Following the films, García and Parra will join us for a discussion and Q&A about their films. This event is free to attend and open to the public, so your community of readers is warmly invited to join us. 

April 12 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Danny Trejo at Campbell Hall

On screen, Danny Trejo is a baddie who has been killed at least a hundred times. Off screen, the actor, producer and entrepreneur is a hero beloved by recovery communities and obsessed fans alike. But the real Danny Trejo is much more complicated than the legend. With more than 400 film credits including Heat, From Dusk Till Dawnand the Spy Kids and Machete franchises, along with his burgeoning Trejo’s Tacos empire, Danny Trejo’s story is “enough to make you believe in the possibility of a Hollywood ending” (The New York Times). Discover the full, fascinating and inspirational story of his journey from prison, addiction and loss to artistic expression and personal happiness.