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VenturaSips & Sustainability: Topa Topa Brewing Co
Join us on July 23 for a special evening that pairs great local beer with a great cause. Topa Topa Brewing Co. is teaming up with Ventura Land Trust for 'Sips & Sustainability,' a behind-the-scenes look at how the brewery keeps things eco-friendly from grain to glass. You’ll enjoy fresh tastings while learning about their green practices — and every sip supports local land conservation. This is exactly the kind of community connection we love here on the Central Coast. Ventura Breeze shared the scoop, and it’s a perfect reminder that when we drink local, we’re also protecting the open spaces that make the 805 so special. Grab a friend and raise a glass for the land we love.
VenturaVentura County Posts Record Primary Turnout
Ventura County just made history. According to the Ventura Breeze, the June 2, 2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election saw the highest voter turnout for a midterm primary since at least 1990. County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Michelle Ascencion announced the final certification, a clear sign that Central Coast residents are more engaged than ever in shaping their future. This isn't just a statistic — it reflects a community that cares deeply about local and state leadership. Whether you voted at the Ventura County Government Center or dropped off your ballot at a neighborhood box, your voice helped set this record. It’s a proud moment for the 805, proving that when it comes to democracy, Ventura County shows up.
VenturaVentura County Ag Industry Grows to $2.4 Billion
Ventura County’s agricultural roots just got a little deeper. The 2025 Crop and Livestock Report, presented to the Board of Supervisors and covered by the Ventura Breeze, puts the local farming industry at a record $2.4 billion—a 4% bump from last year. That’s not just a number; it means our strawberries, avocados, and lemons are feeding the nation and keeping our economy strong. Whether you’re a farmer in Oxnard or a shopper at the Camarillo farmers market, this growth touches all of us. It’s easy to forget, with all the new housing and tech buzz, that Ventura County is still an agricultural powerhouse. This report reminds us that the fields we drive past every day are more than just pretty scenery—they’re a $2.4 billion reason to be proud of where we live. For more details, check out the full story from the Ventura Breeze.
VenturaFood Forward Event Collects 7,500 Pounds of Citrus
The Ventura County citrus groves are more than just a scenic backdrop—they’re a lifeline. On Saturday, June 6, 2026, Food Forward, Inc. proved that point in Somis by rallying volunteers for Zest Fest, a community harvest that collected a whopping 7,500 pounds of citrus. As reported by the Ventura Breeze, the event brought together both seasoned pickers and first-timers, all eager to turn surplus fruit into meals for neighbors facing food insecurity. This isn’t just about oranges and lemons; it’s about connection. Food Forward’s work ensures that the bounty of our local farms doesn’t go to waste, but instead reaches tables across the Central Coast. For anyone who’s driven past those fragrant orchards and wondered how to give back, this harvest is a sweet reminder that small actions—like showing up on a Saturday morning—can yield big change. Kudos to everyone who rolled up their sleeves.
VenturaMoon Ditch Mural: Almost Done!
If you've driven southbound on the 101 near the Ventura Auto Center lately, you've probably noticed the explosion of color along the flood control channel. That's the Moon Ditch Mural, and word from the Ventura Breeze is that it's almost finished. Artist Elisa Torres has been transforming over 3,400 linear feet of concrete into a flowing canvas that connects our community to the land and water that shapes us. It's one of those projects that turns a daily commute into a moment of art. This mural isn't just about beautifying a drainage ditch—it's a landmark that tells Ventura's story. As someone who drives that stretch regularly, I can tell you it's already making the freeway feel more like home. Big thanks to the Ventura Breeze for keeping us posted. If you haven't seen it yet, take the southbound 101 between Victoria and Johnson and enjoy the final brushstrokes of a truly local masterpiece.
VenturaMake Music Ventura – A Day of Fun
Mark your calendars, Ventura! On Sunday, June 21, 2026, downtown will come alive with the sounds of Make Music Ventura, a free community music celebration from 12 to 8 PM. Presented by the Ventura Music Festival and Downtown Ventura Partners, this event turns our city center into a vibrant stage with multiple venues, stages, and activation zones. Whether you're a lifelong local or just visiting, it's a perfect day to wander, listen, and connect. As reported by the Ventura Breeze, this isn't just a concert—it's a chance to experience the heart of our community through music. Bring your family, grab a bite at a downtown eatery, and enjoy the creativity that makes the 805 special. It's a reminder of why we love living here.
VenturaVentura County, Captured on Canvas
May is Historic Preservation Month, and local artists are giving us a beautiful way to celebrate it. The Treasures of Ventura County Art Show, now on display, features 177 original plein air paintings from 35 artists who spent the past year capturing our landmarks and landscapes on location. From historic downtown storefronts to the rolling hills and coastal bluffs that define our region, these works are a love letter to Ventura County. As reported by the Ventura Breeze, this annual showcase is more than an art exhibit—it's a reminder of the cultural and architectural treasures we sometimes take for granted. Whether you're a longtime resident or new to the 805, seeing these familiar places through an artist's eyes might just give you a fresh appreciation for home. Don't miss the chance to see Ventura County as you've never seen it before.
VenturaFind Your Creative Flow at Sunset Reset
Looking for a way to wash off the workweek and tap into your creative side? Head to Ventura Harbor Village on Sunday evenings for Sunset Reset, a weekly gathering hosted by the Buenaventura Art Association. From 6 to 8 p.m., the Buenaventura Art Center opens its doors to artists and non-artists alike, offering a laid-back space to sketch, journal, or just breathe as the sun goes down over the water. It’s more than an art session — it’s a community ritual. As the Ventura Breeze highlighted, this is a chance to decompress and find inspiration among neighbors. Whether you’re a seasoned painter or just need a calm hour with a coloring book, Sunset Reset reminds us that creativity is a form of self-care. Bring a friend, or come solo and let the harbor breeze do the rest.
Ventura15th Annual From Field to Fork Dinner
Mark your plates and calendars, Ventura — the 15th Annual From Field to Fork Dinner is returning to The Walnut Grove, and it’s shaping up to be a can’t-miss evening for anyone who loves the taste of our local harvest. Hosted by House Farm Workers!, this beloved fundraiser brings together the farmers who grow our food, the chefs who turn it into magic, and the community that supports them. Over a three-course meal, we’ll celebrate the hardworking hands that keep Ventura County’s agricultural legacy thriving — from the strawberry fields to the citrus groves that define our region. This isn’t just a dinner; it’s a chance to connect with the people behind your favorite produce and give back to those who make it possible. The Ventura Breeze first shared the news, and it’s a reminder that our community’s heart beats strongest when we gather around a shared table. Whether you’re a longtime local or new to the 805, this evening offers a taste of what makes the Central Coast so special — and a meaningful way to honor the farm workers whose labor sustains us all.
VenturaBAA’s 37th Annual Open Competition Winners
The 37th Annual Open Competition from the Buenaventura Art Association (BAA) is now on display at the Ojai Art Center, running through May 28. This juried exhibition showcases original 2D and 3D works from amateur and professional regional artists across California, bringing a vibrant mix of creativity to the Ojai community. The Ventura Breeze first reported the winners, and it's a wonderful chance to see local talent shine in a setting that celebrates artistic expression. Whether you're an art enthusiast or just looking for a cultural outing, this exhibition offers something for everyone. Head to 113 S. Montgomery St. in Ojai to experience the works firsthand. It's a reminder of the rich artistic spirit that thrives throughout the 805 region, from Ventura to Ojai and beyond.
VenturaFocus on the Masters Arts Archive & Library – A Conversation with Lori Cozen-Geller
Lori Cozen-Geller doesn’t just sculpt metal and wood — she carves light and shadow into geometric poetry. The Ventura-based minimalist artist, recently featured by Focus on the Masters Arts Archive & Library, creates wall pieces and standing forms that play with positive and negative space, often finished in sleek automotive paint. Her work transforms industrial materials into something meditative, and it’s a reminder that Ventura’s creative pulse runs deep. The conversation with Lori, originally published by our friends at Ventura Breeze, offers a window into how a career born from intensity becomes a practice of precision and calm. For anyone who’s ever wondered where our local artists find their spark, this profile is a must-read. It’s another reason to love the 805 — where the arts aren’t just displayed, they’re archived and honored.
VenturaVentura College Launches Loreto Study Abroad Trip
Ventura College just made history — and it’s the kind of story that makes you proud to live here. Over spring break, 11 students headed south to Loreto, Mexico, Ventura’s sister city, for the college’s very first study abroad program. Led by Professor of Sociology Daniella, the group dove into a weeklong mix of culture, science, and community connection. It’s a beautiful example of how our local college is thinking beyond the classroom and giving students real-world, cross-border experiences. This trip matters because it strengthens the bond between Ventura and Loreto — a relationship that’s been growing for years. As reported by the Ventura Breeze, the program was immersive and interdisciplinary, blending sociology with hands-on learning. For a community college to launch an international program like this is no small feat. It shows that big opportunities don’t just happen at big universities. Here’s hoping this is the first of many adventures for Ventura College students.
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