SANTA MARIA — The Allan Hancock College Foundation has appointed two AHC alumni to its board of directors, further strengthening its mission to support student success and expand educational opportunities across the Central Coast.
In addition to being proud Hancock graduates, Claudia Ortiz and Luis Servin also bring a combined wealth of experience in community leadership, workforce development and education advocacy to the Foundation.
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Trust Company has welcomed Raegan Erdman as a new trust administrator associate.
Raegan has more than 20 years of experience guiding clients through complex financial and real estate matters, especially in the larger Santa Barbara community. Her background spans escrow, lending, luxury real estate operations and property management, bringing a wealth of experience to the team.
SANTA BARBARA—The Music Academy of the West has revealed updated details behind The Muse, its forthcoming Music Education Center in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara — an architecturally ambitious project designed not just to house music, but to make inspiration visible, tangible, and shared across the city. On May 7, from 5 to 8 p.m., the public is invited to step inside that vision during a special Sneak Peek at The Muse as part of Santa Barbara’s 1st Thursday Art Walk.
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is joining the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness, county residents, businesses, organizations, and community partners in recognizing May as Mental Health Month by participating in the annual Light Up Green. The SBCC Board of Trustees recognized Mental Health Awareness Month with a resolution at their public board meeting on April 23 to formally acknowledge and build awareness.
“We are Lighting up SBCC’s Cliff, Schott, and Wake campuses with Green as a part of a county wide initiative to raise mental health awareness during the month of May,” shared SBCC Mental Health Counselor Lacey Peters, M.A. LMFT. “To further awareness, SBCC is hosting a Mental Health Awareness Event with the Active Minds Club to Destigmatize Mental Health Care on May 6th at 5:30 p.m. at SBCC West Campus BC Forum.”
Are you an individual artist who has a unique artistic vision, a sustained commitment to creative practice, and engages to make an impact on the cultural ecosystem in your community? If so, this grant opportunity is for you!
The California Arts Council’s Individual Artists Fellowship program uplifts and celebrates California artists across all disciplines and traditions, highlights their excellence, and acknowledges their leadership in shaping traditional and contemporary cultures.
The online grant application deadline is June 1, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
12TH ANNUAL ORANGE COUNTY WORLD TRADE WEEK FORUM
Join the District Export Council for an evening filled with world-class keynote speakers, engaging panel discussions, and unparalleled business-to-business networking opportunities at the 12th Annual World Trade Week Forum Event. This is your chance to connect with key trade organizations, international business groups, and extensive global resources available in Southern California.
Presented by the District Export Council of Southern California and supported by key partners, including the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce and WITOC, this gathering is essential for those ready to embrace the future of international trade. Don’t miss this opportunity to propel your trade ambitions forward!
VENTURA COUNTY — May Day – also known as International Workers’ Day – is Friday, May 1, 2026, and we’re inviting you to take part in a powerful day of action across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
On May 1, workers, students, and families across the Central Coast will come together for a coordinated day of rallies and marches as part of a nationwide mobilization spanning more than 1,000 cities. Rooted in grassroots energy and a growing movement of economic noncooperation, communities are taking a collective stand – walking out of workplaces, classrooms, and stores – to demand a future that puts people over profit.
This “No Work, No School, No Shopping” action highlights the strength of everyday people united in solidarity with communities facing impossible choices amid escalating ICE raids and rising authoritarianism, while corporate profits continue to rise. From the fields to classrooms to city streets, the message across the Central Coast is clear: ICE OUT OF THE 805.
In kindergarten, children are taught to respect each other. The youngsters are taught to “be nice” to their classmates, avoid name-calling and, above all, respect them.
But along the way, as children grow older, something goes terribly wrong. We would think that as adults we would have figured out that hostile, demeaning language online and face-to-face do nothing to promote amity and forward progress.
Unfortunately, too many adults with angry schoolyard aggression enter our civic and political spheres, where they have the power to inflict irreparable damage and lasting chaos. This is very much the scenario that we are witnessing in real time. Too often it seems as if the policies that guide our current government’s agenda are cruelty, belligerence, and hate. Disrespect for others is a troubling and pervasive element of executive orders, legislative bills, presidential tweets, and official pronouncements.
The Oxnard Harbor District proudly celebrated Earth Day along side the MERITO Foundation at the Ventura Earth Day Festival in downtown Ventura.
The Port continues its charge to Zero Emissions by 2030 as we utilize electric cargo handling equipment, solar arrays, emissions capture barges, and real-time air quality monitoring.
OXNARD — On May 1, 2026, workers, students, and families will join local organizations in Downtown Oxnard for a May Day Rally and March, as part of the May Day Strong Movement in over 1,000 cities nationwide to demand a country that puts people over profit. The action is part of a coordinated “No Work, No School, No Shopping” pledge to demonstrate solidarity with community members who continue to choose between basic needs amid increased fear due to ICE enforcement, while corporations and billionaires grow their wealth. Across California’s Central Coast, we rise together with one clear demand: ICE OUT OF THE 805.
SANTA BARBARA — On Thursday, April 23, the Santa Barbara Education Foundation (SBEF) hosted its 40th Celebration, marking four decades of impact in support of students and public schools in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. The milestone event welcomed over 200 guests and brought together community leaders, educators, and supporters to honor the people and programs shaping student success.
Thanks to the community’s generosity, the event raised more than $300,000, marking a record-breaking fundraiser for the organization. Highlights included a transformational $100,000 gift from Sara Miller McCune through the Léni Fund supporting the BRAVO! afterschool music program, a $10,000 lead gift from the John C. Mithun Foundation, and a $15,000 matching gift announced by keynote speaker Angel Martinez in support of teachers.
CAMARILLO — Making it easier than ever for students to put food on the table, campus bookstores at the community colleges of Ventura County now accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, known in California as CalFresh. The expanded payment option launched March 30, 2026.
According to the 2025 Real College California Basic Needs Survey, 46% of community college students statewide reported food insecurity — and research shows that more than half of eligible students aren’t accessing the CalFresh benefits available to them. By upgrading campus bookstore systems to accept Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards, VCCCD is making it easier for students who are already enrolled in CalFresh to use their benefits right on campus.
…The fund is designed to create jobs, support the growth of Ventura’s small business community and revitalize the city’s older commercial districts.
THOUSAND OAKS — As temperatures rise and more residents head outdoors to enjoy Ventura County’s scenic trails, the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) is reminding the public to stay alert and practice snake safety while hiking.
Rattlesnakes are active throughout the region, particularly in warmer months, and are often found along trails, in tall grass, and near rocks or logs. While encounters are typically avoidable, taking a few simple precautions can significantly reduce the risk of a bite.
VENTURA — Hermance Law is now The Heritance Lawyers.
The Heritance Lawyers, founded by Crista Hermance, is an all-female legal team serving Ventura and Los Angeles counties. The firm specializes in estate planning, wills, trusts, probate, guardianship and other legal matters regarding securing a family’s future, and the focus on family is part of what led to the name change.
‘Heritance’ comes from both the words heritage and inheritance, and represents the values families pass down, the protections and planning behind those decisions and the continuity and care that extends across generations.
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.
