Cultural, Entertainment, Events, Government, Local, News

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — 2025 A New Year of Art, Healing, and Community

by  • 

Sangre De Nopal Curator Talk on Thursday, Jan. 30.

We’re thrilled to present an intimate conversation with two of the exhibition curator’s and a walkthrough of the exhibition. We’ll discuss the research and development of the exhibition and address major themes with in the larger critically acclaimed Sangre de Nopal/Blood of the Nopal project that spans two exhibitions, two museums, the artworks of over twenty four artists, and the forthcoming catalog. Followed by our first Peña Nights live music by Natalie Espinoza and reception. Catch up on recent press here.

Read more →

Business, Commentary, Cultural, Education, Family, Government, Local, News, Politics, Seniors, Women, Youth

Farm Bureau of Ventura County — Webinar and Resources on Immigration (webinar on Jan. 29) & CBP Activity

by  • 

National Immigration Project Webinar on Immigration

Join the National Immigration Project on Wednesday, January 29 at 5pm ET for a free webinar for community defenders, advocates, and impacted community members to go over the basics of what you can do to protect yourself and your community in the face of potential immigration enforcement.

We’ll go over what immigration policies have changed in the first week of the Trump administration; a primer on your Fourth Amendment rights; and ways for families to prepare in case of an arrest by immigration officials. Our 1.5-hour program is meant to address your most burning questions and to remind you of the protections you already have. As policies change, we will continue to provide community defenders with the information and trainings they need to fight back and to keep their people ready to face whatever comes.

Read more →

Business, Commentary, Education, Family, Government, Local, News, Public Safety, Seniors, Women, Youth

County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — Community Update

by  • 

I want to ensure you’re ready for the extreme conditions forecasted for our area. The National Weather Service and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services are closely monitoring a Red Flag wind event expected to last through Tuesday.

During this period, dry conditions combined with northeast winds of 25 to 40 MPH—and gusts reaching up to 60 MPH—create a heightened risk of wildfires.

Southern California Edison is implementing Public Safety Power Shutoffs in wind-prone areas. The primary period of concern for shutoffs extends through Tuesday morning, though circuits restored earlier may still be at risk for additional shutoffs depending on conditions.

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Education, Events, Family, Local, News, Public Safety, Seniors, Women, Youth

Community Environmental Council (CEC) — Last Chance to Register: CEC’s Climate Stewards Course

by  • 

When climate disasters strike, knowing how to help impacted communities and habitats can be daunting. CEC’s Climate Stewards certification program equips you with the knowledge to take climate action and connects you with a network of local activists working to promote community recovery and resilience.

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, Events, Family, Finance, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — Allan Hancock College students return for Spring classes

by  • 

“It’s always exciting when we get to see students back on campus for the start of classes,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “Our entire team of faculty and staff are dedicated to helping make their college experience as rewarding as possible.” 

Read more →

Business, Health, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

McGenerous! Central Coast McDonald’s Restaurants support Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics on Herb Peterson Day on Jan. 22

by  • 

SANTA BARBARA — Central Coast McDonald’s restaurants are celebrating the seventh annual Herb Peterson Day this Tuesday, January 21st, by donating the total sales of the iconic Egg McMuffin sandwich to Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics (SBNC) at participating Central Coast franchises. 

Herb Peterson opened his first McDonald’s franchise in Santa Barbara in 1968 and quickly was overseeing six stores. Peterson noticed a deficit in local breakfast options and hoped to fill the gap. After employing a local blacksmith to design a metal ring that would encase a cooking egg and result in an egg patty that would fit in a sandwich, Peterson took his new idea to McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc who approved the iconic fast-food restaurant’s very first breakfast item. 

Read more →

Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Food, Health, Local, News, Seniors, Technology, Women, Youth

UCSB — The Current — ‘Sara Miller McCune Arts Library opens for study, research and learning resources’ and more news, events

by  • 

Culminating a multiyear effort to unite library collections and services in a central, state-of-the-art space, the newly opened facility also represents the vision of its namesake, a longstanding donor to campus

Read more →

Business, Finance, Health, Local, News, Seniors

Hospice of Santa Barbara Surpasses $1 Million Legacy of Compassion Campaign Goal

by  • 

SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) is thrilled to announce that it has reached and surpassed its 2024 Legacy of Compassion Campaign goal raising $1,155,410 during the year-long campaign which launched, in part, in celebration of the organization’s 50th anniversary. The campaign initiated a multi-stage effort to ensure the continued sustainability of HSB’s free compassionate care services, helping to meet current demand while building a stronger foundation for years to come.  

Read more →

Business, Education, Finance, Local, News, Youth

Ventura College Foundation Provided $738,558 In Direct Student Support During 2023-24 Academic Year

by  • 

VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and financial assistance to Ventura College students and school programs, distributed $738,558 in direct assistance support to 7,858 students during the 2023-2024 academic year and another $1.33 million to 56 Ventura College programs across 14 departments and divisions.

“The Ventura College student body is made up of 40 percent first-generation college students,” says Anne Paul King, Ventura College Foundation executive director. “Ventura College students know the value of a solid education. They are well on their way to becoming our next scientists, first responders, educators, workforce technicians, public servants and innovators.”

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Government, Local, News, Public Safety

Steering the Ship, Jess Ramirez sworn in as president of Oxnard Harbor District

by  • 

PORT HUENEME — At a ceremony held at the Port of Hueneme, Jess J. Ramirez was sworn in as president of the Oxnard Harbor District.

Ventura County Supervisor Vianey Lopez administered the oath of office. Ramirez, a long-serving member of the International Longshoreman’s and Warehouse Union Local #46, has dedicated over 51 years to the port, starting as a casual longshoreman and rising through the ranks to a respected leader. Ramirez was sworn in alongside Commissioner Celina L. Zacarias who just completed a successful year at the helm as board president. The presidential baton for 2025 has now been passed to Ramirez.

Read more →

Cultural, Entertainment, Events, familia, Family, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara kicks off the New Year with three free performances (Jan. 24, 25, 26) by La Santa Cecilia

by  • 

La Santa Cecilia exemplifies the modern-day creative hybrid of Latin culture, rock and world music. The group draws inspiration from all over the world, utilizing Pan-American rhythms including cumbia, bossa-nova, rumba, bolero, tango, jazz and klezmer music. Their unique sounds and the experience of their colorful, passionate performances continues to captivate both loyal fans and new listeners.

Read more →

Commentary, Education, Government, Local, News, Public Safety, Seniors, Women, Youth

MLK message to LULAC Family

by  • 

As we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I am reminded of the power of his vision. This vision continues to guide us in our work today. Dr. King’s dream of equality, justice, and a “Beloved Community” resonates deeply with our shared mission at LULAC. His strong commitment to nonviolence as a force for change reminds us that unity, courage, and action make progress possible.

This year, we find ourselves at a historic crossroads. The path ahead is uncertain, and challenges are many for the Latino communities we serve across the United States and Puerto Rico. Yet, I want to assure you that our sense of purpose has never been stronger. We are not merely observing the changes around us; we are preparing and taking deliberate action to confront them with clarity and determination.

Read more →

Business, Commentary, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, familia, Family, Finance, Government, Health, Home, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — January News from People’s Self-Help Housing

by  • 

This year sees People’s Self-Help Housing celebrate its 55th Anniversary!

Since 1970, when a group of committed individuals said ‘we can do better to help house our neighbors’, we have been doing just that. Originally building through the self-help program – ten families building alongside each other, working on one another’s homes – and then amplifying those efforts through the development of multifamily housing, the DNA of our organization is mutuality and support.

Read more →

Commentary, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, familia, Family, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Opinion, Public Safety, Seniors, Youth

Bilingual commentary — The Importance of Eye Contact for Pedestrians

by  • 

When I was a teenager, my father seemed eager to teach me how to drive. He himself never had any formal driving instruction, but he had earned his “street cred” as a driver on the battlefield known as the Los Angeles freeway system.

Every workday during my first 18 years, I saw him put on his “driving armor,” metaphorically speaking. He would leave home early in the morning, get into the family car, and go out to fight the good fight on the freeways of Los Angeles to earn a living. There were grueling miles between our modest home in the suburbs and his job at a print shop in Hollywood. 

Read more →

Business, Casa, Commentary, Cultural, Education, Events, Family, Government, Health, Local, News, Opinion, Politics, Public Safety, Seniors, Women, Youth

Guest contribution — American Immigration Council — Who runs the U.S. immigration system?

by  • 

he Laken Riley Act Would Give States Sweeping Power Over Immigration Policy …

Who runs the U.S. immigration system? If the Senate passes the Laken Riley Act this week, the answer might not be Congress?or?the president. The bill, already passed in the House, would hand state attorneys general, like Ken Paxton in Texas, veto power over large swaths of federal immigration policy. 

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Education, Events, Government, Health, Home, Local, News, Public Safety, Seniors, Women, Youth

Register now for Community Environmental Council’s Winter Climate Stewards Cohort starting Jan. 28 in Santa Barbara

by  • 

When climate disasters strike, knowing how to help impacted communities and habitats can be daunting. CEC’s Climate Stewards certification program equips you with the knowledge to take climate action and connects you with a network of local activists working to promote community recovery and resilience.

Read more →

Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Family, Government, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Santa Paula Art Museum — ‘A Brush with Nature’ premieres Saturday, Jan. 18

by  • 

Join us at the Santa Paula Art Museum on Saturday, January 18, for the premiere of “A Brush with Nature: Three Artists’ Perspectives,” an exhibition featuring Santa Clarita-based artists Sandy Fisher, Mardilan Lee Georgio, and Charlotte Mullich. Together the three artists present three impressions of nature, from landscapes and seascapes to flora and fauna, using three distinct mediums: oil, pastel, and watercolor.

Read more →

Business, Commentary, Cultural, Family, Finance, Government, Home, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

People’s Self-Help Housing Begins 55th Anniversary Celebrations 2025 to mark significant milestone in the organization’s history

by  • 

CENTRAL COAST — This year, People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH)celebrates 55 years as an organization. To commemorate this historic milestone, PSHH has launched a new celebratory logo and webpage for its use throughout 2025.
 
“What a privilege for an organization to celebrate 55 years,” said Ken Trigueiro, PSHH CEO & President. “From our origins on the heels of the seminal Fair Housing Act of 1968 to today, we have been proud to participate in the numerous partnerships that have brought tens of thousands of units of affordable housing to the Central Coast.”

Read more →

Business, Cultural, En español, familia, Family, Government, Health, Home, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — County of Ventura Important Extreme Weather Updates and Resources – Jan. 15

by  • 

Amigos805 editor’s note: Please keep checking with vcemergency.com and other local officials/organizations for the latest fire/weather updates….

We continue to share this update and information in an effort to keep you informed of important resources available as we face the ongoing Red Flag Conditions for our area.

On a positive note, we are pleased to report that the forward progress on the Auto Fire, which occurred on Monday evening, has been stopped and it is 50% contained. We’re grateful for the tireless efforts of firefighters and emergency personnel across our County and cities.

As we continue navigating the challenges of extreme weather together, we encourage you to stay informed by remaining connected to Ventura County’s official communication channels. Updates on power restoration, fire containment, and other critical information are shared regularly via vcemergency.com. Staying informed ensures that you and your loved ones are prepared and aware of the latest developments.

Read more →

Business, Family, Government, Health, Local, News, Seniors

Friendship Center Adult Day Services — Free Emergency Respite Care

by  • 

Amigos805 editor’s note: Please keep checking with vcemergency.com and other local officials/organizations for the latest fire/weather updates….

Through our Emergency Respite Care Program, we are providing no-cost, short-term respite care for families who have temporarily relocated to the Central Coast due to the fires. If your family has been displaced and you’re caring for an older adult with dementia, we can offer a safe, supportive space where your loved one can feel comforted and engaged—while giving you time to focus on recovery and next steps.

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Family, Finance, Food, Government, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

39th Annual California Strawberry Festival seeks sponsors

by  • 

VENTURA — The California Strawberry Festival is seeking corporate sponsors for its 39th annual event, scheduled for May 17-18 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

The family-friendly festival drew more than 40,000 visitors from across Southern California in 2024, including attendees from Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Kern, Santa Barbara and Orange counties.

Festival attractions include more than 40 strawberry-themed food and beverage vendors, nearly 150 fine arts and crafts booths, live entertainment on three stages, carnival rides, a children’s Strawberryland and a build-your-own strawberry shortcake tent. Organizers estimate visitors consume 1.5 million locally grown strawberries during the two-day event.

Read more →

Business, Family, Government, Health, Home, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Assemblymembers Irwin and Harabedian Introduce Bills to Provide Mortgage and Housing Relief to Fire Victims

by  • 

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymembers Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) and John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) have jointly authored and introduced a pair of bills that will provide much-needed financial relief to victims of the Los Angeles County wildfires and expedite rebuilding efforts in impacted communities.

“Many of our friends and neighbors who have had their homes damaged or destroyed are faced with the prospect of having to make a mortgage payment on a residence that is uninhabitable,” said Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin.

Read more →

Business, Government, Local, News, Public Safety

County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — Community update

by  • 

Amigos805 editor’s note: Please keep checking with vcemergency.com and other local officials/organizations for the latest fire/weather updates….

(Jan. 14)’s Board of Supervisors meeting brought significant developments, and I’d like to share the updates with you. But first, I want to remind everyone that Ventura County remains under a red flag warning. Please exercise caution, avoid activities that could spark fires, and stay informed by visiting vcemergency.com. Your safety is always my top priority—let’s all remain vigilant and prepared during these critical conditions.

Read more →

Business, En español, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — Ventura County Animal Services — Shelter at 142% capacity! Offering free dog adoptions until Sunday

by  • 

We are at 142% capacity in our dog kennels. To help relieve overcrowding we are holding a free dog adoption promotion* from January 16th – 19th, 2025 at both the Camarillo and Simi Valley Shelters. Can’t adopt? Please share the flyer above. Thank you.

Ventura County Animal Services

*Please note: Promotions do not guarantee the adoption of a shelter pet. All interested parties must participate in the full adoption process to ensure the best possible matches are made. Promotions do not include the cost of a pet license if applicable.

Read more →

Business, Casa, Cultural, En español, Events, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Public Safety

Bilingual report — Ventura Police to hold DUI Checkpoint on Friday, Jan. 17

by  • 

VENTURA — The Ventura Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint on Friday, January 17, 2025, from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. The checkpoint will be held at an undisclosed location within the City of Ventura.

Carefully chosen based on data reflecting incidents of impaired driving-related crashes, DUI checkpoints play a pivotal role in enhancing public safety by removing suspected impaired drivers from the road.

Read more →

Business, Government, Local, News, Public Safety, Seniors, Women, Youth

Santa Ana wind event, Southern California Edison public safety power shutoffs

by  • 

Amigos805 editor’s note: Please keep checking with vcemergency.com and other local officials/organizations for the latest fire/weather updates….

VENTURA COUNTY — A Santa Ana wind event has been forecast to impact Ventura County through 6PM Wednesday, Jan. 15 . Low relative humidity coupled with high northeast wind conditions will continue to bring high fire danger to Ventura County.

A RED FLAG WARNING has been issued for Ventura County through 6PM Wednesday, January 15.

Periods of northeast winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts ranging from 40-50 mph. 
The peak of the event will occur early Tuesday morning and last through Tuesday night. 
Relative humidities of 8%-15% will be common with minimal improvement overnight. 

Read more →

Business, Events, Family, Food, Government, Health, Home, Local, News, Public Safety, Seniors, Women, Youth

Southeast Ventura County YMCA and California Strong Will Provide Essential Supplies To Fire Victims – Jan. 18 at Proactive Sports Performance

by  • 

WESTLAKE VILLAGE — California Strong, Southeast Ventura County YMCA, in partnership with Proactive Sports Performance, will provide essential supplies to Los Angeles wildfire victims during an event on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Proactive Sports Performance (31425 Agoura Rd, Westlake Village).

Available items will include new clothing, toiletries, bedding, baby and toddler supplies, pet supplies, children’s toys and games, shoes and local business gift cards.

“The Southeast Ventura County YMCA has been providing support through its program California Strong to natural disaster victims since the Woolsey Fire in 2018,” says Ronnie Stone, the YMCA’spresident and CEO. “In December, we provided funds to those impacted by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo.”

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, familia, Family, Government, Health, Home, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Public Safety, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) Wind Event Community Update 01/14/2025

by  • 

Amigos805 editor’s note: Please keep checking with vcemergency.com and other local officials/organizations for the latest fire/weather updates….

Due to strong winds and heightened wildfire conditions, the City of Santa Paula is experiencing weather-related power outages and Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). We want to ensure our community stays safe and informed during this time. Below are essential tips, resources, and important updates to help you navigate these conditions.

Read more →