The forces that precipitated the rise and fall of ancient urban centers echo in today’s urban challenges.
UCSB ‘The Current’ — ‘Why Classic Maya cities rose and fell’ and more news, events
Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, familia, Family, Home, Local, Locales, News, Seniors, Women, Youth
Bilingual report — October News from People’s Self-Help Housing
We’re thrilled to unveil our 55th Anniversary Digital Community Quilt, a vibrant mosaic of creativity and connection featuring 55 unique panels created in a variety of mediums by PSHH team members, residents, and community members. Visit pshhc.org/quilt to see the full piece!
Bilingual report — Ventura Police volunteers to begin proactive scans for credit card skimming devices
VENTURA — The Ventura Police Department is expanding its crime prevention efforts by launching a new initiative that empowers Volunteers in Policing (VIPs) to conduct routine inspections for illegal credit card skimming devices at gas stations throughout the city.
Using specialized handheld Skim Scan devices, trained volunteers will help safeguard residents from electronic theft by checking fuel pumps and other unattended card readers for hidden hardware designed to steal payment information.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule
IN-PERSON EVENT: AI UNLOCKED: SHAPING THE FUTURE
November 7 @ 12:30 pm
Join the Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Economic Development Collaborative to learn about how Santa Barbara County businesses are expanding the AI frontier, creating both challenges and opportunities for the workforce. At AI Unlocked: Shaping the Future, business leaders, students, faculty and employees will come together to explore how AI is transforming local industries—and the future-ready skills everyone will need to succeed. Through real-world insights, you’ll learn how businesses are adapting, what employers are looking for, and how to navigate your own path to AI literacy. Whether you’re running a business, preparing for your career or teaching and supporting students, this conversation will give you the tools and perspective to keep pace in an AI-driven world. Address: SBCC West Campus, Fe Bland Forum (BC Building Forum), 721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93109.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Commentary, Cultural, Education, Events, Family, Government, Immigration, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth
805UndocuFund — New public art markers to honor sites of ICE Kidnappings in Thousand Oaks
THOUSAND OAKS — In a powerful act of remembrance and resistance, a series of art markers was installed in Thousand Oaks to commemorate locations where individuals were taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The installation honors the lives disrupted by these actions and the resilience of the local immigrant community, 805UndocuFund reported in a media release.
The event was held on Hampshire Road between Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Royal Oaks Drive. Community members, artists, and advocates gathered to recognize the significance of the moment and the collective effort behind the project.
Building Bridges – Port of Paita (Peru) sends delegation to the Port of Hueneme to build on Sister Port Relationship
PORT HUENEME — The Port of Hueneme, California, and the Port of Paita, Peru, are proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a Sister Port relationship through the U.S. Department of State’s Sister Ports Program. This partnership aims to advance cooperation, trade development, and the exchange of best practices between the two ports, reflecting a shared commitment to global connectivity and sustainable growth.
Bilingual commentary — The Importance of Modern Male Poets
One of my very close cousins, a man not much older than I am, has kept himself substantially busy in his retirement. Having worked as a chemical engineer in his previous life, he now dedicates himself to more creative work. Let’s call him “Nick.”
Nick’s photographs of the flora and fauna of his region in the Pacific Northwest are stunning, particularly those that feature birds of all types, sizes and habitats. From the tiny hummingbird to the massive, dinosaur-like Great Blue Heron, he captures superbly their mystery and majesty.
Bay Area Xicanx artist Melanie Cervantes brings ‘Protect Your Spirit’ exhibit to CSUCI through Dec. 12
CAMARILLO — Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI) will host Bay Area Xicanx artist and cultural worker Melanie Cervantes for a solo exhibition, “Protect Your Spirit: Visual Lexicons of Resistance,” from Oct. 23 through Dec. 12 in the second-floor gallery of the John Spoor Broome Library.
An opening reception open to the public will be held Thursday, Oct. 23, at 5 p.m. at the Broome Library. Cervantes will also provide an artist talk for CSUCI students on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at noon, at the Broome Library.
Cervantes’ work offers a powerful visual language of resistance against social injustice and systemic oppression. Her art explores stories of struggle, resilience and triumph within marginalized communities and invites reflection on the role of art in social movements.
“There is both an ephemeral and a timeless nature to Cervantes’ art,” said CSUCI art historian Theresa Avila. “In this era of increased repression and surveillance, the type of art that Cervantes creates is needed now more than ever.”
Santa Paula Art Museum — Inbox Art Exhibit: ‘Celebrating Nature: Paintings by Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore’ on view through Nov. 9, more upcoming events
Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore was founded in the early 1990s to support and promote the hard-fought conservation of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, established in 1978. The SMMNRA encompasses over 156,000 acres that stretch east to west from Griffith Park in Los Angeles County to Point Mugu State Park in Ventura County. With 46 miles of scenic coastline, over 500 miles of trails, and a vast array of native flora, fauna, and culturally significant sites, the SMMNRA is the largest urban national recreation are in the world, bordering the second-largest city in the United States.
SBCC School of Extended Learning — Rediscover your creative spark
SANTA BARBARA — This fall, SBCC School of Extended Learning invites older adults to discover or rediscover their creative potential. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced artist looking to refine your skills, the Older Adults Program offers expert instruction in a welcoming environment, with free art classes designed specifically for adults age 55 and over.
Two of the program’s exceptional eight-week courses are launching the week of October 20, with spots still available:
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) — Leaf into Fall Feast Mode
Fall is Feasting Season
Join us in celebrating:
(The Art of Mexcal)
Filipino American History Month
Bilingual report — County of Ventura celebrates 25 employees for combined 720 years of public service
VENTURA — On Tuesday, October 21, during their regular meeting, the Board of Supervisors proudly recognized 25 dedicated employees for reaching the milestone of 25 or more years of continuous public service. Collectively, these individuals represent a remarkable 720 years of commitment to serving Ventura County residents.
Ventura Music Festival — Festival feedback, exciting encores!
Dear Friends,
As we wrap this incredible 30th season, we’d love to hear about the concert(s) you attended. Your feedback helps us shape what comes next – artists, venues, start times, even the snacks!
California Student Aid Commission launches the 2026-27 Statewide Financial Aid Cycle at Ventura College
VENTURA — The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), in partnership with Ventura College and the Ventura College Foundation, kicked off the 2026-27 Statewide Financial Aid Application Cycle at a press conference held on Oct. 1. This event held at Ventura College highlighted the critical role financial aid plays in allowing access and equity for students pursuing higher education across California.
“We chose to launch the 2026-27 financial aid cycle in Ventura because there is something special here,” said Dr. Daisy Gonzales, Executive Director of the California Student Aid Commission. “From being able to support a student to pursue their college dreams, to understanding that financial aid is critical to help students stay enrolled, Ventura has the opportunity to continue its growth in completed financial aid applications while supporting students through their higher education journey.”
Bilingual report — Latest news from the County of Ventura
The Ventura County Fire Department will host the 2025 Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony:
Thursday, November 6th
10:00 am to 11:30 a.m.
Ventura County Government Center, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura.
UCSB — The Current — ‘How artistic research preserves cultural memory and care’ and more news, events
Artist Kim Garcia’s new LA show “Tender Material” connects family stories with Philippine cultural history.
Downtown Oxnard — It’s Trick-or-Treat time starting tonight…
View this email in your browser FOOD SHOPS ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS Connect & Share with #DowntownOxnard Copyright © 2025 Oxnard Downtown Management District, All rights reserved.
Moorpark College named 2025 Pathway Champion for driving Equity in Transfer Success
MOORPARK — At Moorpark College, transfer isn’t just a hope—it’s a plan. This year, the college’s work to remove barriers, close equity gaps and accelerate student success has earned it statewide recognition as a 2025 Pathway Champion of Transfer. This honor presented by the Campaign for College Opportunity recognizes colleges with the top numbers of Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADTs) awarded relative to full-time student enrollment.
Through California’s Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) program, which guarantees CSU admission for students who complete aligned coursework, more than 450,000 degrees have been awarded statewide. At Moorpark, a focused and equity-driven rollout of the ADT has helped more students, especially those from families and neighborhoods who face extra hurdles getting to college, reach their transfer goals.
Santa Barbara County Food Action Network (SBCFAN) — Join Our Monthly Giving Challenge – Every Dollar Counts!
Right now, our Central Coast faces a critical task:
we must strengthen our own community resilience and adaptation because our larger government, health, environmental, and economic systems are increasingly unpredictable.
At Santa Barbara County Food Action Network (SBCFAN), we know that when food is produced and purchased locally, our entire community benefits. Farmers, ranchers, and fisherfolk keep their livelihoods, we reduce transportation-caused pollution, and local dollars stay in our community.
But this shift cannot wait. The challenges of climate change, rising costs, poor health, and inequitable access to food are already here. Our community needs action now.
That’s why we’re asking you to join us as a monthly donor.
Your consistent support helps us:
Adelante Charter School of Santa Barbara celebrates five years of transformative leadership under executive director Javier Bolívar
SANTA BARBARA — Adelante Charter School of Santa Barbara proudly celebrates five years of leadership under Executive Director Javier Bolívar, whose vision, resilience, and unwavering dedication have guided the school through a period of remarkable growth and renewal.
Bolívar’s journey to education is both inspiring and deeply human. Born and raised in Venezuela, he grew up the youngest of four in a close-knit family shaped by love, creativity, and perseverance. His mother, a stay-at-home mom and talented seamstress, and his father, a public employee, instilled in him humility, respect, and the belief that kindness is a strength. The loss of two older brothers while they were in college profoundly influenced Bolívar’s empathy and his commitment to live with purpose.
Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, Elections, En español, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias
Bilingual report — Now’s the Time to Vote! Ventura County Vote Centers opening this Saturday are a Resource for Voter Assistance
VENTURA — Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 is opening day for nine vote centers located throughout Ventura County for the Nov. 4 Statewide Special Election. Nine additional vote centers will open the following Saturday, Nov. 1. Vote center hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day until Nov. 3, and 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Election Day, Nov. 4.
“With this being a special election, the vote center locations may be different from those used in past elections,” County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters, Michelle Ascencion, said. “Please check your County Voter Information Guide, the insert in your vote by mail ballot, or the County Elections website at Vote.VenturaCounty.gov, to find the list of vote center sites that are opening this week.”
Jackie Carrera, Ashley Costa, and Das Williams to be honored at 2026 LEAP Awards
GOLETA — Jackie Carrera, President and CEO of the Santa Barbara Foundation, and Ashley Costa, Executive Director of the Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization, will be honored at the 2026 LEAP Awards, alongside Das Williams, who will be recognized as Distinguished Alumnus.
The 2026 LEAP Awards will be a milestone celebration of LEAP’s 55th anniversary as a nonprofit and 50 years of its Children’s Center. For the first time in six years, the event will be held in person at the stunning Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The brunch will bring together community leaders, philanthropists, and partners who believe in creating thriving futures for children and families.
“As we celebrate 55 years of service, we are honored to recognize Jackie Carrera, Ashley Costa, and LEAP alumnus Das Williams. Each, in their own way, has strengthened families, lifted voices, and inspired children to shine. Their leadership reflects the very heart of LEAP’s mission, and we are proud to celebrate them alongside our community,” said Lori Goodman, LEAP CEO.
Legacies of Hope Dinner lights a candle for People Helping People
LOS OLIVOS — The Legacies of Hope dinner, was an evening of storytelling and community, gathering many of People Helping People’s most dedicated supporters to the Inn at Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos on October 17, 2025.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of this year’s Luminary Awards, for those who have given in extraordinary ways to support the mission of People Helping People (PHP).
This year’s recipients are the Becky Barieau and Billy Wathen Family, Feed the Valley with Chef Daisy and Greg Ryan, and the Brady Family.
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Save Art Save Democracy
MCASB Launches Future Fund
in 50th-Anniversary Campaign
Art and free speech are essential to a healthy democracy—Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) calls on our communities across Santa Barbara and the Central Coast to help safeguard the region’s only dedicated, free contemporary art museum. Once again communities are in crisis—and this time, artists and art institutions are on the front line standing up against authoritarianism. Join us!
Retired Allan Hancock College instructor Nancy Jo Ward selected for XV Florence Biennale
SANTA MARIA — Retired Allan Hancock College Graphic Design Professor Nancy Jo Ward has been selected to exhibit her mixed-media work at the XV Florence Biennale in Florence, Italy, Oct. 18–26, 2025.
Ward, who recently concluded 27 years of service at Hancock, will present three works— titled Anna-Louise, Katerina and Selia—at the prestigious international exhibition. Her invitation places her among an international roster of more than 500 artists and designers more than 80 countries.
Ward’s practice blends digital technology with traditional materials to explore psychological portraiture, memory, identity and the aesthetics of post-internet culture, an approach that aligns with the Biennale 2025 theme, “The Eternal Union Between Light and Darkness.”
Join CEC, SBHS students, elected officials and local climate champions on Nov. 8 for our next Youth Climate Workshop on climate advocacy, more upcoming events
Students in grades six through 12 who want to take meaningful climate action are invited to a FREE, hands-on workshop at CEC’s Environmental Hub, co-hosted by CEC and Santa Barbara High School’s Environmental Advocacy Club. In this session, we will dive into environmental policy advocacy, break down the public comment process, and show you how to use your voice to stand up for climate justice.
Commentary, Educación, Education, En español, familia, Family, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Youth
Ventura County Office of Education — Test Scores Rise, New Welding Center, Hackathon, and more…
Ventura County students are making gains in both math and English language arts, according to the latest scores from the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). The percentage of students countywide who met or exceeded state standards in the 2024-2025 school year is up by 1.3% in math and 1.9% in English. This is the fourth consecutive year of improvement since scores dipped during the pandemic. You can find CAASPP scores for individual schools and school districts at this link.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Novel membrane gel from UCSB offers new tool for breast cancer research’ and more news, events
Researchers created an algae-based gel for studying mammary epithelial cells, which form milk-producing ducts and glands in healthy breast tissue and can transform into cancer cells.
Bilingual report — Application deadlines near for Hancock’s BSN Pathway and EMT Program
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College is helping local students and healthcare professionals take the next step in their careers with two upcoming program application deadlines — including the college’s new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Pathway, developed in partnership with California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI), and the spring 2026 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) academy.
County of Ventura Supervisor Jeff Gorell — County of Ventura takes position opposing Zone Zero and Fire Risk Maps one-size-fits-all approach by State of California
“Ventura County supports stronger wildfire safety measures,” said Supervisor Jeff Gorell. “But Sacramento’s one-size-fits-all approach to maps and regulations ignores local realities. Without clear funding, local flexibility, or practical timelines, these rules risk creating another unfunded mandate that burdens homeowners and drives up insurance and housing costs.”