With the Grackle Project, researcher Corina Logan is trying to understand how the highly social birds adapt to a variety of human-made environments.
Read more about grackles
Are you, or someone you know, looking to get involved in social justice this summer and help build real people power?
We’re now accepting applications for our 8-week paid Summer Internship in Digital Communications – an opportunity to grow your skills while supporting grassroots organizing and movement-building work.
This internship is rooted in the belief that strong movements are built by everyday people coming together, sharing their stories, and taking action.You’ll gain hands-on experience in social media, storytelling, and community engagement while helping amplify the voices and experiences of those most impacted by economic, social, and environmental injustice.
VENTURA — The City of Ventura’s Economic Development team is celebrating Small Business Week, May 4-8, with a series of events and opportunities designed to support and connect the local business community.
“Small businesses are a vital part of Ventura’s economy and what makes our community unique,” said Meredith Hart, Economic Development Manager for the City of Ventura. “We’re committed to providing the resources, connections, and tools they need to succeed.”
THOUSAND OAKS — Senior Concerns is seeking an experienced business or community leader to serve as a Volunteer Engagement Advisor, in pro bono leadership role designed to support and strengthen its network of more than 440 volunteers.
The organization invites retired or semi-retired professionals looking to give back in a meaningful way to contribute approximately 10 hours per week in a flexible, collaborative environment.
Earlier this month, the crew aboard the Orion spacecraft made history, traveling farther from Earth than any humans before them. It was special to follow Pilot Victor Glover among them, as the fourth Cal Poly SLO fellow alumni who studied in our organization’s headquarters home town, and went on to become an astronaut. Like many others, I had the privilege of listening live to the transmissions between the astronauts 252,760 miles from home and the science team at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The technology enabling that achievement was extraordinary of course, but what struck me most was not the machinery – it was the communication.
MOORPARK — The Moorpark College Theatre Arts Department is pleased to announce auditions for its upcoming Summer 2026 production of the classic Oscar Wilde comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest. Preliminary auditions will be held Tuesday, May 12, from 3:30–6 p.m. and Wednesday, May 13, from 6–10 p.m., with callbacks on Thursday, May 14, from 6–10 p.m. in the Studio Theatre, Room PA-100, of the Performing Arts Center on the Moorpark College campus.
Anyone interested in auditioning should be prepared to read from the script from audition sides posted on the Moorpark College Theatre Arts website at:moorparkcollege.edu/departments/academic/theatre-arts/auditions-and-rehearsals.
VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura Land Trust (VLT) has been awarded a highly competitive grant from the California Coastal Commission’s Whale Tail Grant Program to expand coastal and environmental education access for Santa Paula youth.
The funding is part of a $2 million statewide investment announced on April 17th, 2026, supporting coastal education, conservation, and public access. The Coastal Commission selected just 47 projects from a record-breaking total of 434 applications, highlighting the significance of this award.
VENTURA — Ventura College invites the community to Onward! A Legacy of Heritage and Hope, a centennial celebration on Thursday, April 30, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Wright Event Center at Ventura College.
The evening will launch a printed anthology featuring creative work from alumni, students, and community members — and will honor five outstanding Ventura College alumni with the inaugural VC Heritage & Hope Award.
SANTA BARBARA — In recognition of National Donate Life Month, Cottage Health has introduced a new tool that allows patients to register as organ, eye and tissue donors directly through MyChart, the same secure portal they already use to manage their care. This enhancement expands access to donor registration at a time when more than 23,000 Californians are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.
(April 28), the E-bike Safety Measure (Item 46) passed unanimously. Supervisor Jeff Gorell brought this forward in partnership with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
This measure builds on the strong work already happening locally and aims to evaluate best practices across California—including education, enforcement, and policy options. A report will be provided to the Board with recommendations to improve safety.
As e-bike use continues to rise, so do challenges like unsafe riding, collisions, and confusion around the rules. This is about working together—families, schools, law enforcement, and our community—to keep our kids safe.
This weekend, thousands of people came together on the Central Coast for the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival.
Together, we celebrated, connected, and recommitted to building a healthier, more resilient future.
Thank you for being part of it.
To carry this momentum forward, CEC is working to raise $75,000 by May 15 — and every gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar.
For the first time in the journal’s history, a UCSB professor sits at the helm of Sociology of Race & Ethnicity, a flagship publication and the most widely read outside the discipline.
Read more about Duck’s work
SANTA BARBARA — Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) has been awarded a $10,000 Connect4Impact Grant by Women Connect4Good at the 2026 Giving List Women (GLW) Summit, which recently convened in Montecito. The award was announced by two members of the Connect4Impact Class of 2026 — a cohort of young women ages 16–20 who evaluated multiple nonprofit proposals from around the country, conducted their own review process, and selected the awardee themselves.
HOW TO IMPORT COFFEE INTO THE UNITED STATES
May 1 @ 9:00 am
This session focuses on the operational and regulatory aspects of starting a coffee business that sources and imports its own coffee. Participants will learn how coffee moves from origin to the U.S., what is required to import legally, and how to structure their supply chain efficiently. Price: FREE.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
VENTURA — The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC), a regional public workforce agency, has been awarded the prestigious 2026 WIOA Trailblazer Award by the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB). This national recognition, out of 570 boards across the United States, highlights WDBVC’s outstanding leadership, community partnerships, and innovative approach to workforce development.
THOUSAND OAKS — The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) is proud to announce the promotion of Division Chief Dan Horton to Assistant Chief of Operations.
Chief Horton’s promotion marks a significant milestone in his 25-year career with VCFD.
He has served in every rank within the department — from Firefighter through Division Chief — demonstrating a strong commitment to leadership, service, and operational excellence at each level.
The Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) will present a FREE Webinar Series for small businesses ‘Work Smarter, Grow Stronger with AI’ May 21 through June 30 including AI 101 for Small Business; Google AI Tools for Growth and Scale: The Small Business AI Toolkit; more…
SANTA BARBARA — Bartron Real Estate Group on April 25 hosted Pickleball for a Purpose at The Picklr Santa Barbara, the city’s newest indoor facility. The event brought the community together for a fun-filled and meaningful tournament in support of DignityMoves.
The Tournament—Players competed in a lively round robin format with rotating partners, ensuring everyone had plenty of time on the court. With guaranteed games and additional rounds for top competitors, the energy stayed high, and the matches kept everyone engaged from start to finish.
SANTA BARBARA —The Music Academy of the West continues its commitment to supporting its alumni as they advance their careers and proudly announces mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce as the recipient of the 2026 Alumni Performance Award, sponsored by Kandy Budgor and the Luria/Budgor Family Foundation. As part of the award, the Music Academy will present Pierce’s professional debut at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on April 15, 2027, featuring the world premiere of a Music Academy commission by Carlos Simon.
CAMARILLO – In chaotic times, how much is peace of mind worth?
Traditional airports and airplanes have faced a slew of hurdles in the past few years, and recent news that airlines are beginning to cancel long-haul international flights in the face of rising fuel challenges only underscores those difficulties.
For the business traveler, though, being in-person can make or break a big moment. Contract negotiations often require a personal touch, and clients are more likely to sign on to bigger deals with the assurance of knowing who exactly they’re working with.
OXNARD —The Ventura County Environmental Health Division has collected ocean water samples from the public beaches affected by the sewage release that occurred on April 21, 2026. The samples collected on April 23, 2026, indicate that the beaches from Port Hueneme Beach Park south to the Point Mugu Naval Base meet State ocean water quality standards and are now open. All beaches previously closed due to the sewage release have been re-opened, and warning signs have been removed.
CAMARILLO — California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) will honor two distinguished leaders whose contributions have advanced education, culture, and community impact across Ventura County. Mr. Javier Gomez and Dr. Cynthia Herrera will receive honorary doctorates at CSUCI’s 2026 Commencement ceremonies on May 23.
“It is a privilege to recognize Mr. Javier Gomez and Dr. Cynthia Herrera, whose lifelong dedication to education, culture, and community has uplifted countless individuals across our region,” said CSUCI Interim President Susan Andrzejewski. “Their work reflects the heart of CSU Channel Islands, and their stories will inspire our graduates to lead with purpose and compassion.”
We often hear of the plight of young people who are despairing of ever owning a home. We can’t blame them. It is not because they “don’t work hard enough.” Many of them, I’m sure, work longer hours than some of us in the boomer generation ever did. But we boomers grew up in very different economic times. We were riding the winds of a post-war boom that formed a very favorable backdrop for our economic lives.
The keys of a first home represent “adulthood” and the ultimate fulfillment of the American Dream. The milestone is celebrated with parties and social media high-fives. But what many younger people may not thoroughly understand is that a home is both a blessing and a burden.
VENTURA COUNTY — Mackenzie Holland, who has dedicated her career to teaching students with extensive support needs, has been named the 2026 Teacher of the Year for schools operated by the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE). Ms. Holland will now have the opportunity to compete for the Ventura County Teacher of the Year award.
Holland learned this morning that she was being honored at VCOE’s Dorothy Boswell School in Ventura, which serves young adults with special needs. Shegot a big surprise as she walked into a conference room to find her colleagues waiting for her, along with Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. Also on hand to break the good news were Associate Superintendent of Student Services Dr. Consuelo Hernandez Williams, Boswell Principal Dr. Amy Stencler, and Director of County Program Support & Accountability Christina Mahone.
THOUSAND OAKS — TOArts is launching the Junior Creators Conservatory, its first program designed specifically for middle school students, creating a new entry point for young artists to explore and develop their creativity.
The new program expands TOArts’ commitment to building a continuous arts pathway, from early exposure to pre-professional training, by offering students earlier access to mentorship, skill-building, and creative exploration. Designed for students not yet eligible for the high school-focused Creators Conservatory, the Junior Conservatory fills a critical gap in arts education at a formative stage.
On Saturday, April 25 (11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.) and Sunday, April 26 (11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.), Alameda Park will come alive for the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival, one of the longest-running Earth Day gatherings in the country. Presented by the Community Environmental Council (CEC) and CarpEvents, this free festival is a reminder of the reason we started this work 56 years ago: to empower our communities to take meaningful local action for the future of our Central Coast.
This year’s theme — Our Power, Our Planet — calls on all of us to stand together in support of clean air, clean water, renewable energy, and a thriving planet for generations to come. Amid federal rollbacks and climate challenges, this message resonates louder than ever.
Festival-goers can also enjoy live music, a plant-forward Food Court and Beer Garden (featuring reusable cups), a Kids Zone, and over 200 eco-friendly exhibitors throughout the festival. We invite you to step into the action and find the CEC team at:
VENTURA — The County of Ventura is inviting public input as it prepares to apply for the State of California’s Prohousing Designation, a program that recognizes jurisdictions that go beyond state housing laws to accelerate housing production and reduce barriers to development. On April 28, 2026, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors will consider adoption of a resolution at 10:30 a.m., authorizing the County to apply for, and participate in the program, marking the start of the public process. The hearing of the item at the Board of Supervisors meeting represents the first opportunity for community members to share input on the proposed application.
More than 50 years ago, a devastating oil spill off our coast sparked a powerful movement.
In 1970, our community came together to organize one of the first Earth Day celebrations — and the Community Environmental Council was born.
This weekend, we will gather again.
Earth Day is a reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together to demand change and build solutions.
But today, we are once again facing efforts to expand fossil fuels and roll back progress.
