CAMARILLO — Two women who championed CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) in different ways will receive honorary doctorates at commencement ceremonies scheduled for Saturday May 17, 2025.
… Every once in a while, I forget and begin to feel small in the face of the challenges ahead. But our VCCF family, time and again, shows up and reminds me of the incredible power we have when we act with love and purpose—together.
VENTURA — Episode 10 of the Ventura Voices podcast is now available, featuring an in-depth conversation with Ventura Fire Chief David Endaya and Ventura Water General Manager Gina Dorrington. This timely episode explores how the City of Ventura prepares for, responds to, and recovers from wildfire emergencies, offering insights from two critical departments responsible for public safety and essential services.
The Oxnard Film Society (EIN: 20-5734347) is proud to present We Remember: Ventura County to Vietnam and Back, a powerful exhibition honoring Ventura County’s Vietnam War veterans. However, we need your support to raise $12,500 to bring this exhibition to life.
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on fourteen different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment and strategic importance to the state or region.
SANTA BARBARA — In a landmark legal victory, a California judge has certified a class action lawsuit against Valley Crest, a commercial cannabis cultivation facility in Carpinteria, allowing residential property owners within a one-mile radius of the operation to collectively seek damages for the persistent and pervasive cannabis odors invading their properties. This ruling is the first of its kind in California, setting a powerful precedent for future cases against cannabis growers who fail to control malodors impacting residential communities.
We’re charging into 2025 with unstoppable momentum and a packed schedule. That makes these monthly recaps essential to keep you in the loop! Here’s a snapshot of February’s highlights at the Ventura County Taxpayer Association!
The event aimed to strengthen relationships between educators and local employers, enhancing the college-to-workforce pipeline.
Approximately 300 attendees participated, including representatives from 16 industry sectors, Hancock faculty and staff, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Advisory Committee members, area high school educators and other community members.
Professor Emeritus Víctor Fuentes’ new book, “Florilegio,” traces centuries of Spanish-language literature in the U.S. — spanning from the 16th to the mid-20th century — revealing a deep and often overlooked literary tradition.
Bike highways offer an important alternative to residents seeking relief from rising gas prices and those working to lower their carbon footprint. In June 2022, Caltrans released a Bay Area Bike Highway Study that identifies feasible opportunities to add these corridors and incorporates best practices most suitable for the region.
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara hosted the Nobody Owns The Beach – 10th Anniversary by David Horvitz Shop last Friday, February 21, 2025 at The Culver Hotel.
The celebration was filled with laughter, music and shopping throughout the night to raise critical funds for MCASB. It was a lovely sight seeing many people from different places come together for the purpose of celebrating the 10th anniversary of this amazing piece!
We want to thank those who came and supported us at the event. The museum appreciates you all for showing up in a time like this when the Los Angeles Arts Community needs us the most.
A special thanks to: The Culver Hotel, Bibi Ji and Ysidro
VENTURA COUNTY — Trinity Pacific Christian School and Royal High School took the top two spots in the high school division of the 2025 Ventura County Mock Trial competition, which was held over two weekends at the Ventura County Government Center’s Hall of Justice. This marks the third year in a row that Trinity Pacific has come in first.
Twenty-two high schools and 525 students from throughout Ventura County participated in Mock Trial this year. The winning teams were announced at an awards ceremony this evening at the Ventura County Office of Education. Here’s how the eight highest-scoring high school teams ranked:
Have you ever wondered what 1920s fire engines looked like? Or what kind of festivities made up a parade in the year 1900? Discover interesting histories of Ventura County through MVC’s digitized archives—browse thousands of photographs, documents, and oral histories.
Visit the Digital Archives HERE.
SANTA BARBARA — It’s not just adults who are impacted by grief and loss in our community. Children are as well. One in five children will experience the death of someone close to them by age 18, and one in twenty children will experience the death of one or both parents before reaching adulthood. Although death and grief are inevitable parts of life, these statistics highlight just how many children are impacted. Children are especially vulnerable when they lose a close loved one, and without professional support, grief can be especially paralyzing and overwhelming.
This session is specifically designed for businesses located along Harvard Blvd., but all Santa Paula businesses are welcome to attend. The feedback gathered during this discussion will be presented to the City Council as they consider updates to the Santa Paula Strategic Plan, which outlines the City’s vision and goals for the next two years, guiding decisions on economic development, infrastructure improvements, public safety, and community programs.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College is encouraging students to earn additional college credits by enrolling in?short-term?spring?classes, which start on March 24.
Registration is underway for?short-term?spring?classes?in English, mathematics, history, anthropology, art appreciation, and more. Many of the?classes?are offered online and can be completed in just eight weeks.??
Jonathan Royas. “By expanding bike and pedestrian access, we’re not only creating a healthier, more connected city, but also ensuring safer, more accessible routes for everyone. We look forward to community input as we shape this project together.”
Recipients of the Women United Education Award are single mothers who are completing their associate degree and transferring to a four-year university or technical program and have children under the age of eighteen living in the home. This financial award may be used to offset any costs associated with efforts to attain higher education, including tuition, books, childcare, and transportation.
Since the turn of the century, we have seen major advancements towards the inclusion of disabled people in public society. However, the remnants of overlooking this underrepresented demographic continues to affect all visitors of our parks. Thus, a dedicated advisory body to support the Director of California State Parks in enhancing accessibility for the state’s lands can be helpful in remedying the systemic issue.
THOUSAND OAKS — The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) plan to conduct a prescribed burn in Adams Canyon, north of Santa Paula, on March 4, 2025, weather permitting. This controlled burn is part of ongoing efforts to improve ecosystem health and reduce wildfire risk. This prescribed burn was initially scheduled for November 18-21, 2024.
Anthropologists Amber VanDerwarker and Doug Kennett present new research about the history of avocado domestication, highlighting a popular tree crop of major economic importance.
This year’s FIRST Robotics DIVE theme dared students to journey into the depths of the ocean and navigate challenges that mirror the complexities of underwater exploration. From maneuvering intricate mazes, collecting elusive treasures, and overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles, these young innovators used this year’s competition to showcase their technical prowess and creative thinking skills. Beyond the technical challenges the DIVE theme emphasized the critical importance of ecology and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) education through exploration of our underwater world and allowed students to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of our planet’s vast and vital aquatic ecosystems and the ever important need to protect them.
SCORE VENTURA COUNTY: QUICKBOOKS ONLINE SETUP AND CUSTOMIZATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
March 4 @ 10:030 am
Join Accounting Expert & QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor and EDC Small Business Development Center Advisor Juliana Ramirez as she guides small business owners through the initial setup and customization of QuickBooks Online. Learn how to tailor QuickBooks to fit your specific business needs, including setting up your chart of accounts, customizing invoices and organizing your expense categories for efficient tracking.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
With 2024 behind us, we can now assess whether any shifts in the momentum of regional economic growth have occurred in early 2025.
The County’s labor market generated 4,692 jobs in 2024, representing a growth rate of 1.5 percent, which was similar to the aggregate of other Southern California Counties.
“The Cultural Funding Grant Program plays a vital role in fostering our arts community, expanding cultural access, and supporting economic growth,” said Recreation Manager Rebecca Ellis. “We encourage Ventura-based nonprofit cultural and arts organizations to apply for this funding opportunity.”
Throughout the month of March 2025, visitors can immerse themselves in a whimsical, water-inspired world featuring live entertainment, ocean-themed treats, and exclusive seaside shopping specials. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Ventura Harbor coastline, this annual event invites mermaid enthusiasts, pirates, and ocean lovers alike to dive into a sea of unforgettable experiences.
Bert M. and Mildred O. Dahl Fund – Open Now
Grants from the Bert M. and Mildred O. Dahl Fund are to be used in Ventura County for general charitable purposes to benefit the youth of Oak View, California. Nonprofit organizations must be establishing or assisting programs for the youth of Oak View. This may include the construction and maintenance of facilities for such programs.
Barbara Barnard Smith Fund for World Musics – Open Now
Grants from the Barbara Barnard Smith Fund for World Musics are to support live performances or programs representing non-Western musics.
MOORPARK — The Moorpark College Theatre Arts and Film, Television, and Media Arts programs recently hosted their annual advisory board meeting, where industry professionals and college faculty collaborate to ensure programs align with industry and workforce needs. During the meeting, faculty member and professional costumer Haleh Risdana proudly highlighted the industry successes and recognitions of several outstanding students: Marina Wagner, Evelyn Rogers, Rhiann Olshane, Kristen Fernandez, and Noa Walker.
CAMARILLO — The West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA), the chamber of commerce advocating for businesses in Camarillo and Oxnard, is celebrating the grand opening of Palmera at Camarillo Village by Williams Homes located at 530 S. Lewis Road in Camarillo.
The resort-style community features 285 townhouses with exclusive resident amenities including a state-of-the-art Community Recreation Center, two swimming pools and spas, and plenty of visitor parking. Also coming soon is Camarillo Village, a retail and mixed-use area right next door.
