May 16 — Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present Ying Quartet

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present the Ying Quartetat 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 16 at SBMA’s Mary Craig Auditorium, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara.

The Ying Quartet occupies a position of unique prominence in the classical music world, combining brilliantly communicative performances with a fearlessly imaginative view of chamber music in today’s world. Now in its second decade as a group, the Quartet has established itself as an ensemble of the highest musical qualifications in its tours across the United States and abroad. Their performances regularly take place in many of the world’s most important concert halls, from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House. The Ying Quartet performed at SBMA in 2013 and 2017.

May 16 — UCSB Arts & Lectures welcomes new Senior Writer / Publicist Charles Donelan

UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) is pleased to welcome new Senior Writer/Publicist Charles Donelan to its team effective May 16, 2022. A&L is the premier arts presenting organization between Los Angeles and San Francisco, producing more than 100 public events annually with world-renowned artists and speakers, and an equally robust array of complementary community outreach and arts education activities. In this role, Donelan will apply his extensive experience with arts and entertainment writing and media relations to continue to elevate A&L’s profile locally and nationally.

“We are thrilled to welcome Charles Donelan to the Arts & Lectures team. As a journalist, Charles has been one of our strongest allies. His familiarity with our program and the local arts scene is unparalleled, and we look forward to working with him more closely than ever to shine a light on our events and impact in the community,” said Celesta M. Billeci, Miller McCune Executive Director.

May 18 — United Way of Santa Barbara County to present Women United Derby Luncheon

United Way of Santa Barbara County’s Women United Derby Luncheon will be on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, from 11:30-1:30 PM at the Plaza de Sol, Hilton Santa Barbara (633 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103).

This year’s event will feature keynote speaker Beate Chelette. Beate is the Growth Architect and founder of The Women’s Code, a strategic business and balanced leadership development company.

May 18 — NAWBO Hosts Conversation on DEI + Lessons Learned From the Pandemic

Join an engaging conversation centered on meaningfully bringing into our workplaces Environmental Sustainability and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices. Hosted by NAWBO (the National Association of Women Business Owners), attendees will also share what they learned and how they adapted to the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parker Clay will open the event with an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, a way of conveying friendship and respect. Women of varied backgrounds and ages will then offer their perspectives about how to make workplaces reflective of our communities and welcoming to all ages and backgrounds.

May 19 — Earl Warren Showgrounds Community Forum

Earl Warren Showgrounds is pleased to announce its second Community Engagement Forum, which will be a regularly scheduled public meeting to discuss the community’s hopes and vision for the future of the showgrounds, and to provide updates and answer questions.

Earl Warren Showgrounds leadership invites the public to join its Board President, a second board member, Earl Warren Showgrounds CEO and, if available, members of its staff to provide community feedback and to discuss relevant topics. Earl Warren Showgrounds wants to solicit public feedback for board activities and facility improvements, while providing a venue for board members to listen to stakeholders and residents to understand key issues through the lens of the community.

May 21 — Bilingual report — Build-A-Bed Event at the Camarillo Animal Shelter

Friends –

We need your help and muscle!  208 Kuranda dog beds were donated by members of the public, but they arrived unassembled.  Will you help build-a-bed?  If so, please bring a couple of required tools:  7/16″ wrench and a Phillip’s head screwdriver.  We’ll be building outdoors on our lawn, so feel free to bring a shade canopy, folding table, and chairs.  No RSVP needed.  Please park on the street to allow front lot space for urgent shelter business.  Children are welcome, but we ask parent to use their best judgement as there will be power tools in use.

See you Saturday, May 21st between 9:00am – 12:00pm.

Thank you for your support!

Ventura County Animal Services

May 21 — Ventura Land Trust Hosts Community Volunteer Event with SafePort and Topa Topa Brewing Company

On Saturday, May 21st from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, Ventura Land Trust (VLT) will partner with Safeport Cannabis Dispensary and Topa Topa Brewing Company for a community volunteer event at Harmon Canyon Preserve. As many as 75 community volunteers will work to remove dense stands of invasive plant species at the preserve. 

This collaborative community volunteer event is a project of VLT’s Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP). Invasive plants like black mustard and milk thistle are choking Harmon Canyon Preserve trails and areas of the preserve recently restored with native plants. Black mustard, which grows up to six feet tall, becomes fuel for wildfires as it dries out on the summer. Community support is needed to help uproot large sections of invasive plants before seeds are produced and spread in late summer and fall. 

Through May 21 — Bilingual Report — Ventura County Public Works Agency to host one of Ventura’s Largest Annual Educational Event

The Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) is celebrating the resilience of its staff with its annual educational event for National Public Works Week (NPWW) 2022. Based on the hugely successful virtual Public Works Week in 2021 when over 1,500 Ventura County students took part, this year’s event promises to be even better. On Monday, May 16th, 2022, students, faculty, and the public can access a robust curriculum featuring new video demonstrations, educational materials, and interactive projects via the VCPWA website.

May 21 — Teachers, Parents Train in Youth Mental Health First Aid; Address Increased Incidents of Students in Distress

Since the pandemic started, experts have warned of a mental health crisis facing American children. That is now playing out at schools across the nation—and in Santa Barbara County—in the form of increased childhood depression, anxiety, panic attacks, eating disorders, fights and thoughts of suicide.

“The pandemic has dramatically increased depression and anxiety in youth,” said Megan McClintock, Director of School Based Counseling Services for Family Service Agency (FSA). “Our organization is certainly seeing more referrals for treatment as well as an increase in severity.”

Through May 22 — People’s Self Help Housing’ s Camino Scholars Virtual Silent Auction

Help our students blossom by participating in our virtual silent auction! Bidding will be open now through Sunday, May 22 at 5 PM, where you can choose from an exciting selection of local goods, services and experiences. All proceeds will support Camino Scholars, the education program of People’s Self-Help Housing. Don’t miss out!

May 22 — Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present ‘The Sound of Stars Parallel Stories with Jake Heggie’

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art will present “The Sound of Stars Parallel Stories with Jake Heggie” at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 22 at the New Vic Theatre, 33 West Victoria St., Santa Barbara.

In this unique collaboration between the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and Opera Santa Barbara and in celebration of the exhibition Through Vincent’s Eyes: Van Gogh and His Sources, composer, pianist, Grammy nominee, and Guggenheim Fellow Jake Heggie discusses the coming together of “The Starry Night,” a song cycle inspired by the art of Vincent van Gogh with text taken from his letters and poetry by Anne Sexton and Emily Dickinson. Performed by mezzo soprano Erin Alford.

May 23 — CLU School of Management to present ‘Technology in the Media & Entertainment Industry’

In this interactive presentation, Nina Skorus-Neely will discuss:

Key shifts impacting the Media and Entertainment industry
Technology solutions required to support the typical entertainment studio
Strategy considerations as organizations transition toward increasingly digital, direct-to-consumer operations
Q&A will follow, moderated by Earle Charles, Program Director of the M.S. Information Technology program. All are welcome to join the conversation.
Monday, May 23
5:30 PM PST (ZOOM)
The event is free but registration is required.

May 26 — SBMA features author Geoff Dyer and ‘The Last Days of Roger Federer’ at the next Parallel Stories on May 26

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art features author Geoff Dyer and ‘The Last Days of Roger Federer’ at the next Parallel Stories at5:30 p.m. Thursday May 26 at SBMA’s Mary Craig Auditorium, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara.

In his latest book, the idiosyncratic and indefatigable Geoff Dyer turns his well-honed wit and sharp-edged wisdom to the consideration of endings.

May 30 — Bilingual report — City of Oxnard Joins Memorial Day Ceremony

Mayor John C. Zaragoza is pleased to announce that the City of Oxnard along with the Disabled American Veterans – Chapter 24, Vietnam Veterans of Ventura County, Salvation Army, Knights of Columbus Council 750, Military Officers Association of America Ventura County Chapter and the Boy Scouts of America – Troop 231 will jointly host a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30, 2022, at Plaza Park starting at 11 a.m.

May 30 — Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation and First Responders announces Memorial Day Ceremony

Pierre Claeyssens ??Veterans Foundation invites you to join them and local First Responders as they pay tribute to those who died serving our country on Monday, May 30, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. sharp at the Santa Barbara Cemetery (901 Channel Drive., Santa Barbara).

Representatives of local first responders attending include: 

The California Highway Patrol, Santa Barbara Area
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office
Santa Barbara Police Department
Santa Barbara City Fire Department
Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Montecito Fire Protection District

June 4 — United Way of Ventura County hosts 17th annual Spirit Awards Gala

On June 4, 2022, United Way of Ventura County (UWVC) will host its 17th annual Spirit Awards Gala, where it will present awards for volunteerism, community impact and corporate citizenship to local community champions. The event will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Westlake, located at 880 S. Westlake Blvd.

This year, Midge Campbell-Thomas, President, Bank of America Ventura/Santa Barbara, will be recognized with the Milton M. Teague Award for Outstanding Community Volunteerism. She is receiving this award for her efforts as a volunteer leader with numerous nonprofit organizations with a focus on addressing social and economic concerns and building strong communities.

June 4 — Bilingual report — Free, Family-Friendly Oxnard Insect Festival Returns

The second ever Oxnard Insect Festival returns on Saturday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to Plaza Park (500 South C St., Oxnard).

Community members are invited to see, touch, buy and even taste a variety of creepy crawlers at this free event hosted by the City of Oxnard. All youth attendees are encouraged to pick up an Insect Festival passport upon arrival and get it stamped at each booth. The first 200 youth that visit eight booths will receive a free special insect activity kit to take home!

June 4 — Channel Islands Maritime Museum to Present Short-Film Showcase

On Saturday, June 4, the Channel Islands Maritime Museum will be presenting its next short film showcase. The Locally Sourced showcase will bring viewers unique perspectives on aquaculture. The films include Dashi Journey, The Super Salmon, and Where There Is Trout. The screening will start at 4:00 pm at the Museum.

The film Super Salmon is an intimate and inspiring look into the impacts of the proposed Susitna-Watana dam on the Susitna River in south-central Alaska.

June 5 — Wildling Museum of Art and Nature presenting ‘Brunch al Fresco’ at Alisal Ranch Adobe

The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature is pleased to announce Brunch al Fresco, a fundraising event taking place at the historic Alisal Ranch Adobe on Sunday, June 5, 2022, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 

Attendees will enjoy a unique live auction supporting the Wildling Museum with opportunities to bid on getaways to Sedona, Arizona; Park City, Utah; and San Francisco, one-of-a-kind artworks, and more. Several local artists will also be onsite for the event, providing live demonstrations, as well as selling their unique handcrafted works.

June 10 — Cabrillo EDC Empowers Ventura County Residents for Success during NeighborWorks Week

 In partnership with national nonprofit NeighborWorks, the Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (Cabrillo EDC)?will be hosting a Mental Health Fair at Paseo de Luz Apartments in Oxnard, June 10, 1:30 to 4:30 pm. The event will help bring communities together and support NeighborWorks’ goal to help empower communities for success. 

June 11 — Art is Passion Gallery at Portside Ventura Harbor to hold reception

Art is Passion Gallery at Portside Ventura Harbor will hold a gallery reception from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 11 at 864 Schooner Drive, Unit 103 Ventura.

Complimentary refreshments
Oil Portrait live painting
Storm Chasing photography
Exclusive art raffle
The Ventura-based art gallery & studio focused on art that motivates others and brings light to positive change. Studio services include residential and commercial mural painting, graphic design, print design, canvas art commissions, custom vinyl apparel and more.

June 11 -12 — Ventura County Animal Services — Fee-Waived Rabbit Adoptions THIS WEEKEND!

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred. Applications MUST be received by June 12th to qualify for the promotion. To submit an application, visit www.vcas.us/BunnyBrigade. Email VCASBunnyBrigade@gmail.com for questions and to schedule an appointment.

All rabbits adopted from VCAS are indoor only and must be a LOVED member of the family. Rabbits leave VCAS spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. Each adoption comes with a FREE bag of hay, grass mat and complimentary vet visit. All other items can be purchased at our on-site Bunny Boutique!

June 15 — Channel Islands Maritime Museum Speaker Series Presents Captain Christine Healy

The Channel Islands Maritime Museum (CIMM) is pleased to announce that Captain Christine Healy of the ship Mystic Cruzar, will be its featured speaker for June.

Captain Healy will share the journey of the beautiful tall ship Mystic Cruzar as she made her way from Connecticut to her new home of Channel Islands Harbor via the Panama Canal in the fall and early winter of 2021-22.

June 17 — WVCBA to host Oxnard Mayor Zaragoza’s State of the City Address

The West Ventura County Business Alliance will host Oxnard Mayor John C. Zaragoza’s annual State of the City address on Friday, June 17. He will reflect on accomplishments from 2021, and share highlights and initiatives for 2022.

“As you can see throughout Oxnard, we are in the process of restoring many of our streets and alleys and landscape maintenance that was deferred for many years,” said Mayor Zaragoza. “I’m excited to share with the community the progress we have made with one full year of Measure E funding and our City Council’s vision to continue reinvesting in our community.

The State of the City is being held at the Courtyard by Marriott Oxnard located at 600 E. Esplanade Drive. The luncheon is open to the public and begins at 11:30 a.m.

June 18 — MVC’s new exhibits unveiling

Your Museum is being transformed. Experience the Museum with a fresh and fascinating take on local history and a new visitor experience design, for free. Learn more about the exhibits below.

Reception made possible by:
Paradise Pantry, Peirano’s, and Ventura Spirits

All That Glitters Is Not Gold
A surprising history of the 1920s and Prohibition in Ventura County. As population and wealth boomed, creativity flourished – but so did a tide of repression and exclusion. This exhibit tells the local story of the jazz age through our collections and archives.