SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara’s 13th annual Heroes of Hospice luncheon will include a silent art auction, thanks to the generous donation by Suzanne Grimmesey and Edwin Feliciano of three giclée prints by Armenian artist Gevorg Yeghiazaryan. While bids are only available online at https://paybee.io/@hospiceofsb@23, the prints will be on display at this year’s event. Each is valued at as much as $2,000 or higher.
VENTURA COUNTY — The Museum of Ventura County is beginning a new chapter in its long-term vision for sustainable growth. With donor support, the Museum is expanding into Camarillo while advancing its broader goals of amplifying the Museum’s countywide presence and strengthening its service to the community.
The Camarillo location extends the Museum’s reach closer to East Ventura County, complementing its main campus in downtown Ventura and its Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula. The new office will initially serve the Museum’s administrative staff, but the move will also lay the groundwork to increase capacity for its collections, archives, and research library in both Ventura and Camarillo.
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures is building the next generation of cultural leadership with two key appointments in its Development team: Heather Silva has been named Managing Director of Developmentand Elise Erb has been promoted to Senior Director of Development.
VENTURA COUNTY — Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) announced that its 6th Annual Compassion Campaign raised record breaking funds for the fourth consecutive year. Held on Thursday, September 4th at Walnut Grove at Tierra Rejada Farms in Moorpark and supported in part by Keystone Sponsor HOPE (Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere), the evening brought together more than 200 community leaders, advocates and supporters to “RAISE THE ROOF” for affordable housing in Ventura County.
THOUSAND OAKS — The 4th Annual Holidays in the Village, A European Marketplace, is seeking sponsors as well as food, artisan and craft vendors. The Marketplace is presented by the Rotary Club of Westlake Village and hosted at The Oaks (W. Wilbur Rd. and W. Thousand Oaks Blvd. parking lot) in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, December 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
SANTA BARBARA — Ron S. Bamieh and Danielle De Smeth, partners at the law firm Bamieh & De Smeth, have made the ‘Super Lawyers’ list for 2026, a prestigious recognition that places them among the top five percent of attorneys in the country.
Super Lawyers is a rating service that evaluates lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Candidates are selected by independent researchers and professional peers and cannot nominate themselves.
Budget cuts for science research were the topic of discussion at a meeting sponsored by the United Academic Workers local 4811 along with the campus, and featuring a visit by Rep. Salud Carbajal and comments from Vice Chancellor for Research Rachel Segalman.
I am delighted to share that Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) is now My Way Home. While our name and look have changed, our mission has not. We remain firmly committed to empowering families and individuals on their journey to homeownership, financial stability, and brighter futures.
For more than 20 years, we’ve been honored to walk alongside thousands of families in Ventura County — and more recently, in Santa Barbara, Kern, and Los Angeles counties. This new name reflects both our growth and the deeply personal journeys of those we serve. My Way Home speaks to the opportunities, possibilities, and hope that come with creating a pathway to home.
“Thomas brings decades of hands-on experience and strategic leadership in facilities and engineering, which makes him uniquely qualified for this role,” stated Dr. Sevet Johnson, County Executive Officer. “His deep understanding of both operational needs and long-term planning will strengthen our ability to maintain and improve critical County infrastructure. Ventura County will benefit greatly from his expertise as we continue to deliver reliable, high-quality services to our residents.”
Harvey Cusworth’s “Visions of Conejo Valley and the Malibu Coast”
Opens at the Santa Paula Art Museum
Saturday, September 13, from 4 PM to 6 PM
$5 SPAM Members • $10 Non-members
VENTURA — On September 5, 2025 the Ventura County Environmental Health Division (Division) received confirmation from the California Department of Public Health that a bird collected during the fourth week of August (8/25) from the Simi Valley area tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). WNV is established in Ventura County and additional WNV positives are expected. This is the first detection of WNV activity this year in Ventura County.
VENTURA — September is Pedestrian Safety Month in California, and the City of Ventura reminds drivers and walkers alike to take extra care when sharing streets. Whether you’re heading to school, work, or enjoying Ventura’s neighborhoods, walking should always be a safe and easy option.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 7,148 pedestrians were killed in traffic collisions across the United States in 2024. In California alone, pedestrian deaths account for over 24% of all traffic-related fatalities.
IN-PERSON EVENT: READY • SET • GROW: SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS WORKSHOP SERIES
September 16, 23 and 30 @ 9:00 am
Join the City of Oxnard and Economic Development Collaborative for a 3-part series to help business owners improve legal compliance, financial planning and marketing. Participants will receive hands-on, practical training to achieve real results, such as official registration, funding readiness, and customer growth. This 3-workshop series will be conducted in English, with the option to answer questions in Spanish. Hands-on materials will be provided in both languages. Address: Oxnard Main Library, 251 S A St., Oxnard, CA, 93030.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
“I first learned about SBNC when I volunteered for the Isla Vista Free Clinic in the late 1970s,” said Dr. Lambert. “The actual formation of SBNC occurred in the 1990s, by which time there were three ‘free clinics’ which joined forces to become SBNC.”
Attending a U.S. Service Academy is a great honor and an excellent way for young Americans to serve their country. Every year, I have the honor of nominating students from Ventura County and the Conejo Valley to represent our district at one of the five prestigious service academies in the nation.
This fall, my office is hosting a series of information nights for students and their families throughout California’s 26th Congressional District to learn about the service academies and the opportunities these institutions of higher learning afford their students.
Help low-income families and individuals improve their financial security. Consider joining our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) team of tax preparers and interviewers for the 2025 Tax Year. Volunteers prepare federal and state tax returns at no cost, assisting clients to access the tax credits for which they are eligible. Services will be provided at multiple sites across Ventura County offering the opportunity to volunteer during the day, in the evening, or on Saturday.
In the 1970s, in a more prosperous country, company “headhunters” were pursuing us even before we graduated from college. Sometimes we ended up with several job offers. Our “dilemma” was having to choose from among them.
I sympathize with today’s college graduates. Today, untold numbers of graduates are experiencing a superabundance of frustration as they submit, sometimes literally, hundreds of their résumés online to a wide range of companies.
CAMARILLO — Rebozo Festival, Inc., is pleased to announce that awards of up to $30,000 will be granted to qualified non-profit organizations that focus on the cultural, social and/or educational needs of the Ventura County community. The application process will open September 4th and will close September 30th, 2025, at 5:00 pm.
VENTURA — The City of Ventura invites the community to travel back to the 1800s during Rancho Days at Olivas Adobe Historical Park on Sunday, September 14, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This free, family-friendly celebration brings to life the rich history and heritage of Ventura’s early pioneers and indigenous peoples.
Guests can enjoy an afternoon of live music, dancing, storytelling, games, and hands-on activities that capture the spirit of Rancho San Miguel, the historic property that is now Olivas Adobe Historical Park.
LOS OLIVOS — As the nation celebrated Labor Day, farmworkers in Santa Barbara County remindED the public that the fight for workers’ rights and dignity is far from over. On Saturday, August 30, 2025, just ahead of Labor Day, farmworkers and community supporters marched through Los Olivos to demand living wages and safe working conditions in the region’s world-famous wine industry. On a busy weekend for tasting rooms in Santa Ynez Valley wine country, community members marched to remind the public of the labor behind the expensive bottles of wine they enjoy on their days off.
This Labor Day, we celebrate the hardworking men and women who keep cargo moving and communities thriving
“Every donation helps us put diapers in the hands of parents who need them most,” said Lori Goodman, CEO of LEAP. “Together, we can relieve some of the daily stress families face and make sure babies across our county have the healthy start they deserve.”
Just a reminder to our patrons that I personally preview each film to insure a great viewing experience each and every Monday screening.
?Our Film Series screens (usually) two films each month, on the first and third Mondays at 3:30pm and 6:30pm at Plaza Cinemas in downtown Oxnard.
We will continue our mission of providing the best of world cinema to the Oxnard and Ventura County community and supporting local filmmakers.
Thanks, George J. Sandoval, Executive Director
VENTURA — Emergencies can strike without warning, and the first hour is critical for protecting lives and property. This September, in recognition of National Preparedness Month, the Ventura Police Department is proud to launch “Ready Your Ventura Neighborhood,” a program that equips neighbors to act fast, save lives, and protect their community.
Check out the video below to preview the sounds coming to the Ventura Music Festival this October, then act quickly – Mozart & The Mind on October 12th is already SOLD OUT and other concerts are selling fast! Get your tickets today!
We trust you have enjoyed the Surf Bayan Summer brought to us by the Santa Barbara Magazine’s collaboration with DJ Javier with this collectible artist special issue. We’re grateful to the Santa Barbara Magazine team and congratulate them on their 50th anniversary summer issue.
If you haven’t read DJ Javier’s story it’s not too late! Click the button below for the digital version of the magazine and keep those freewheeling beachy summer art vibes on deck just a little bit longer.
We’ve just started installation for DJ Javier: San Milano Drive and look forward to welcoming you back to the museum this fall!
THANK YOU to all who attended our 20th Annual Spirit Awards Gala! An event like this is not possible without our award recipients and the work they do for our community, the presenters, sponsors, donors, performers, volunteers, vendors, and the United Way of Ventura County staff!
SANTA PAULA — Beginning in October, the Southeast Ventura YMCA will provide water safety classes to third graders in the Simi Valley Unified School District.
The YMCA, in partnership with the Simi Valley Unified School District, will offer its Safety Around Water (SAW) program to approximately 900 third-grade students at no charge. Bus transportation is included to and from the Simi Valley Family YMCA’s indoor pool, where the swim program will be held.
Third graders from all 18 Simi Valley elementary schools will take part in the four-day program, Monday through Thursday. In-water and out-of-water safety training is included.
The California Earthquake Brace & Bolt program offers up to $3,000 to help residents strengthen their homes against earthquake damage. For the first time, it is open to all zip codes in Santa Barbara County and now includes non-owner-occupied rental properties. Applications are open through October 1.
Food Truck lineup:
Otra Vis Barbecue
Coolichi Sushi y Mariscos
Takumi
Cheesecake Plugg Caffe
Juarez Tacos
J&K Catering
Happy Place
Coyote Elote
Little Tony’s Wood Fired Pizza
Pupusería La Llama
La Chaparrita
Tacos Santa Cruz
La Picosita
Jimbo’s Funnel Cakes
