Click here for the entire e-newsletter Jackson Gillies inspires with his enthusiasm for his art and our Santa Barbara community. Find out how The Luke has been a stepping stone for Jackson as he reaches for the stars in…
Author: Community Contributor
2019 Ventura County Science Fair Winners Announced
VENTURA COUNTY — The winners of the 2019 Ventura County Science Fair were announced at an awards ceremony this evening at the VCOE Conference and Educational Services Center in Camarillo. At tonight’s ceremony, awards were presented in 14 scientific categories…
For the Love of Books; United Way’s Young Leaders Society Shares Passion for Reading with Local Students
SANTA BARBARA — United Way of Santa Barbara County’s (UWSBC) Young Leaders Society (YLS) shared their love for books during visits to Franklin and El Camino elementary schools as part of the United We Read volunteer event on March 1.…
Cal Lutheran Students To Assist At YMCA’s ‘Find My Genius’ Summer Achievement Program
THOUSAND OAKS — For the second year, California Lutheran University graduate school students will be earning hands-on teaching experience at the Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s “Find My Genius,” a five-week achievement gap program for low- and moderate-income students who are…
CSUCI 11th Annual Conference for Social Justice in Education on April 6 asks attendees to ‘be the change’
CAMARILLO — “Be the Change” is the theme of the 11th Annual Conference for Social Justice in Education at the CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) campus on April 6. Everyone is welcome to the free conference, including faculty, students, parents and anyone else…
Oxnard to celebrate César E. Chávez Day on March 24
OXNARD — Join the 26th Annual Cesar Chavez March for Justice, meeting at 9 a.m. Sunday, March 24 at Cesar Chavez School, 224 Juanita Ave., Oxnard. “UFW President Teresa Romero and Ventura County farm workers want to invite you to join…
RISE Implements New Tool to Link Sexual Assault Survivors to Resources
Press Conference Set for March 22 on Superior Court Steps in San Luis Obispo SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY – The community is invited to a March 22 press conference to announce Seek Then Speak, a new tool to support sexual…
Pesticide approval process in Ventura, Santa Barbara may have violated state law, UCLA report finds
Permits were granted without considering safe alternatives for hazardous pesticides such as chlorpyrifos, or how pesticides may interact with one another VENTURA COUNTY — California’s County Agricultural Commissioners failed to comply with state law requiring them to not issue permits for…
Bilingual report: California Community Colleges Board of Governors Presents Leadership Award to Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) was awarded the Vision for Success Policy Leadership Award by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors for her work reforming remedial education and removing a significant obstacle to student success. “When crafting…
Bilingual commentary: Child Prodigies
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes •…
Ventura County Board of Supervisors Honors Boys & Girls Club with Health Champion Award
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Board of Supervisors honored the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme with the Partnership for a Healthy Ventura County’s Health Champion Award. The award is presented each year to a…
United Way of Ventura County update for March 21 — Uniting to help those in New Zealand
Click here for the entire e-newsletter President’s Message Dear Friends, Please take a moment to read the following message from United Way New Zealand CEO Teresa Moore regarding the recent shooting in Christchurch. “There are many people who are affected…
Righetti High School Science Teacher Laura Branch sellected as the 2019 Teacher of the Year by the The American Association of Petroleum Geologists
SANTA MARIA — The American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) recently selected Righetti High School Science Teacher Laura Branch as the 2019 Teacher of the Year. The honor from the international organization with more than 38,000 members in 100-plus different…
Santa Barbara City College update for March 20 — SBCC student Blanca Vasquez founds “Society of Women in Space Exploration”
Santa Barbara City College’s Community Newsletter Message from the President – March 2019 Dear Community, Serving as the Superintendent-President of Santa Barbara City College has been the most important job of my 31 year career in education. I want to…
Bilingual report: Sight + Sound Film Festival 2019 – Call For Entries
OXNARD — The Sight + Sound Film Festival – a joint production between the City of Oxnard, The Oxnard Performing Arts Center (The PACC) and Oxnard College – is accepting film submissions for consideration now thru May 30, 2019. Sight +…
United Way of Ventura County Introduces New Vice President of Resource Development & Marketing
VENTURA COUNTY — United Way of Ventura County (UWVC) is proud to announce it has appointed Mitchel Sloan as Vice President of Resource Development & Marketing. He brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing and fundraising. Sloan most…
Material Interactivo de Educación de Salud Ahora Disponible en la Red
Material Interactivo de Educación de Salud Ahora Disponible en la Red Accesible para Miembros de CenCal Health, Médicos, y la Comunidad en General en los Condados de Santa Barbara y San Luis Obispo SANTA BARBARA — CenCal Health, el plan…
Workforce Development Board of Ventura County Welcomes Rosa Serrato As New Member
VENTURA COUNTY — At its February 12 meeting, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved the Workforce Development Board (WDB) Membership Committee’s recommendation to appoint Rosa M. Serrato, as a WDB member for a three-year term. Serrato is corporate human…
Ventura College Foundation Seeks Sponsors for Student Scholarship Events
VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation is seeking sponsors for several Ventura College student scholarship award events scheduled for April and May. The inaugural Allied Health Scholarship Awards ceremony will be held Saturday, April 13 at Ventura College’s Wright Event…
More than 102,000 Tons of Fire Debris Removed from Los Angeles, Ventura County Properties by State Contractors
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — State contractors have removed more than 102,000 tons of debris generated by the Woolsey and Hill fires from private properties in Los Angeles and Ventura counties since debris removal operations began on February 6, officials with the Debris…
CSUCI student chosen to represent California in 2019 College Student Congress
CAMARILLO — Self-described political nerd Josh Donner didn’t think he would have much of a chance of winning a spot on the prestigious 2019 College Student Congress at the Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship, but why not try? His efforts paid…
Bilingual report: Teatro de las Américas remembers Gemma Jiménez
By Teatro de las Américas OXNARD – – Me duele decirles que nuestra amiga Gemma Jiménez falleció el viernes pasado. Gemma salió varias veces en nuestro escenario. Cuando el horario del trabajo cambió ya no pudo salir, pero siempre nos acompañaba…
BGCOP Appoints New Member to its Board of Directors
VENTURA COUNTY — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme announces the addition of Ronnie da Motta to its board of directors. Da Motta is a managing partner at DML Capital, a real estate finance business.…
SCWriP Young Writers Camp Announces Summer Writing Opportunities for 3rd-12th Graders at UCSB, CLU
Program Continues Growth through Multiple School District Partnerships and Expanded Grade Offerings SANTA BARBARA & THOUSAND OAKS — The Young Writers Camp – a nonprofit program of the South Coast Writing Project at UCSB – announced plans to once again expand…
More than 200 Properties Cleared of Woolsey, Hill Fire Debris
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — State contractors have removed debris generated by the Woolsey and Hill fires from 209 properties in Los Angeles and Ventura counties whose owners are participating in the state’s Consolidated Debris Removal Program, officials with the Debris Removal Operations…
Santa Paula Art Museum update of March 18 — Free Family Day on Free First Sunday
SANTA PAULA ART MUSEUM JEANETTE COLE ART CENTER & COLE CREATIVITY CENTER Here are the Museum’s top 5 moments from the past week: Axell Accepts Award Board president Randy Axell accepted our “Community Beautification Award” at the Santa Paula Chamber…
Righetti High School opens first session of $24 million futuristic 38-room classroom complex on March 18
SANTA MARIA — Righetti High School opened the first session of a $24 million futuristic 38-room classroom complex on March 18. More teachers and students will be moving in during the next several weeks. C-2004 Bond funds paid for the project.…
Two Santa Maria High School students receive $20,000 scholarships
SANTA MARIA — Two Santa Maria High School students have a “Coke and a Smile” after winning $20,000 scholarships. Isabella Blanco and Jennifer De Leon-Dominguez are Coca-Cola Scholars, making them two of 150 students from a nationwide pool of 95,715 applicants.…
SoCalGas Records Highest Level of Spending with Diverse Businesses in Company History
For 26th Consecutive Year, SoCalGas Exceeds CPUC Supplier Diversity Goal SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA – Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced that it achieved the highest level of spend with diverse business enterprises in the history of the company, spending more…
United Way of Ventura County Celebrates AmeriCorps Week
VENTURA COUNTY — This week, United Way of Ventura County (UWVC) is pleased to join Americans across the country to celebrate AmeriCorps members and the valuable contributions they make each year. AmeriCorps members dedicate their time and skills to address…
Kathy Ireland, Women United Join to Advance Youth Literacy
SANTA BARBARA — Speaking to the sold-out crowd at Women United’s second annual luncheon March 1, Kathy Ireland credited her first job to the reading and writing skills instilled in her from a young age. Answering a newspaper delivery classified…
Bilingual commentary: Virtual Assistants in the Digital Age
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes •…
Bilingual report: Ventura County Fire Department Investigators Determine the Cause of the Thomas Fire
CAMARILLO — After a thorough investigation, the Ventura County Fire Department has determined the Thomas Fire, which occurred in December 2017, was started by power lines coming into contact during high winds. The Thomas Fire started on the evening of…
Bilingual report: Kip Turner selected to run the Camarillo and Oxnard airports
VENTURA — With more than 14 years’ experience in airport management, Kip Turner has been selected to run the County’s airports in Camarillo and Oxnard. Turner’s appointment as Director of Airports was made by County Executive Officer Mike Powers following an…
Museum of Ventura County update for March 13 — Santa Paula’s Treasured Architecture Opening Reception on March 16
Major funding for these programs is made possible by the City of San Buenaventura, the County of Ventura and private and community donors. Featured Event Santa Paula’s Treasured Architecture Opening Reception March 16 @ 1 p.m. The Ag Museum in Santa Paula…
Nearly 150 Properties Cleared of Woolsey, Hill Fire Debris
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — State contractors have removed burned metal, concrete, ash and debris from nearly 150 residential properties in Los Angeles and Ventura counties affected by the Woolsey and Hill fires and whose owners are participating in the state’s Consolidated Debris…
Ventura County Public Health provides Influenza update
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Public Health on May 12 provided an Influenza update. Click here for the entire media release.
Carnegie Art Museum update for March 12 — Welcome CAM studio guest artist Zara Monet
Click here for the entire e-newsletter CAM STUDIO GALLERY WELCOME CAM STUDIO GUEST ARTIST ZARA MONET FEENEY Extensively, Zara Monet Feeney’s artistic trajectories re-examine voyueristic compositions, the male gaze and socio-sexual empowerment issues. As a gay feminist, she designs…
Marjorie Luke Theatre update for March 12 — Lewis & Tolkien on Stage on March 17
Click here for the entire e-newsletter Upcoming Events Lewis & Tolkien on Stage Sunday, March 17th 3:30pm Bird and Baby Theatrical Productions present: Two giants of literature come together for one last meeting in a humor filled encounter where…
Chuck Madson Named Substance Abuse Treatment Program Manager
Program Focuses on Teens and Young Adults SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — Family Service Agency– Santa Maria Valley Youth & Family Center (FSA-SMVYFC) are pleased to announce that Chuck Madson has been hired as Program Manager of its Substance Abuse Treatment program.…
Studio Channel Islands Art Center Welcomes Two New Board Members
CAMARILLO — Studio Channel Islands Art Center (SCIAC) recently announced the addition of Bill Paterson and Don Harper to its board of directors. Paterson is a retired partner with Ventura County’s largest law firm Ferguson Case Orr Paterson (FCOP) and…
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley President/CEO Travels to Washington D.C. to Help Advocate for Youth
AGOURA HILLS — In order to advocate for a better future for youth, Dr. Crystal Nãone, President/CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley, traveled along with hundreds of other club leaders across the nation to storm the…
Santa Paula Art Museum update for March 11 — Monotypes Using Gelatin Plates
SANTA PAULA ART MUSEUM JEANETTE COLE ART CENTER & COLE CREATIVITY CENTER Here are the Museum’s top 5 moments from the past week: Three Bring a Crowd Nearly 250 guests packed our premiere of Common Ground on March 2. The…
Bilingual report: Oxnard residents encouraged to apply to serve on Citizen Advisory Group: Deadline extended to March 15
OXNARD — Residents seeking to help shape the future of Oxnard are encouraged to apply to serve on a Citizen Advisory Group for the upcoming new term, expected to begin in April. Citizen Advisory Groups, also known as “CAGs,” are boards and…
Bilingual report: Ventura County Sheriff breaks ground on jail facility for inmates with health issues
SANTA PAULA — Ventura County officials and contractors held a groundbreaking ceremony at Todd Road Jail on March 6 to begin the expansion project that will result in a 64-bed unit designed to house inmates with medical and mental health issues.…
Ventura College welcomes community for week of art March 11 through 15
VENTURA — Ventura College will be hosting two exhibitions and a performing arts production during the week of March 11-15. Exhibitions will be opening on both the main Ventura College campus (4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura, CA) and at the Ventura College…
Bilingual report: Sheriff reports 21 percent drop in violent crimes for 2018
VENTURA COUNTY — In 2018, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office saw a 16 percent decrease in Uniform Crime Reports statistics for Part 1 crimes (Homicide, Rape, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Burglary, Theft and Arson) compared to 2017. The data reports information…
Bilingual commentary: Alexa, Where Have You Been All My Life?
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes •…
Free Carnival Ride Tickets Offered Through Conejo Valley Days’ “Read & Ride”
THOUSAND OAKS — For the fifth year, Conejo Valley Days (CVD) is offering free carnival ride passes to students who take part in its “Read & Ride” literacy program. CVD, in conjunction with carnival operator Kastl Amusements, is encouraging kids…
Carnegie Art Museum update for March 7 — Opening Exhibit: The Imaginary- art commingling realism and imagination
Click here for the entire e-newsletter OPENING EXHIBITION March 10 -May 19, 2019 The Imaginary– art commingling realism and imagination Change, watercolor by Paul Pitsker, 25 x 18in., 2018. Peter Adams Benjamin Anderson Nikita Budkov Nansi Bielanski-Gallup Stephanie Elise Lani…
Downtown Oxnard update for March 7 — New Exhibit Opening: The Imaginary
Click here for the entire e-newsletter HOME FOOD SHOPS EVENTS Food Trucks Return March 7 The 805’s first monthly food truck festival brings more than a dozen gourmet trucks with savory and sweet menus. Entertainment, free parking, pets on…
PVHS Student Council members receive 2018-2019 Outstanding Leadership Program Award
SANTA MARIA — Pioneer Valley High School Student Council members recently received the 2018-2019 Outstanding Leadership Program Award after showing they know more than a thing or two about leadership standards. The honor from the California Association of Student Leaders (CASL)…
Santa Barbara Bowl Outreach Awards Over $390K to Performing Arts Programs in 2018
Santa Barbara Bowl Closes 2018 Awards with Fall Grants, Launches Spring Grant Cycle SANTA BARBARA – The Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce that $101,550 in grants has been awarded to the 2018 Outreach fall grant…
Nyeland Acres resident named Assembly District 44 Woman of the Year
SACRAMENTO – Every year, the California Legislative Women’s Caucus sponsors the annual “Woman of the Year” celebration as part of Women’s History Month. This year, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) named Monique Garcia as her 2019 Woman of the Year.…
Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Transportation Department resurfacing of Box Canyon Road to improve quality of life and bring lasting results for residents
The Box Canyon Road Project is to enhance the road with resurfacing and other site improvements while minimizing inconvenience to the traveling public VENTURA COUNTY — Beginning in March 2019, the Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) will conduct a project…
Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office 2018 Overdose Report
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office this week released its 2018 Overdose Report: 1,563 deaths were reported to the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office during calendar year 2018. Jurisdiction was accepted for 806 of these deaths, requiring further…
CSUCI Nursing program ranked 8th best in the state
CAMARILLO — RegisteredNursing.Org has named CSU Channel Islands’ (CSUCI) Nursing program 8th in its 2019 Best RN Programs in California. CSUCI’s program rose from its 12th place rating in 2018. The Third Annual RN Program Rankings placed CSUCI’s program in…
Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association Announces New Location & New Hours for the Thousand Oaks Market Held at the Oaks Shopping Center
Relocation Move Date Set for March 21 THOUSAND OAKS — The Thousand Oaks Farmers’ Market held at the Oaks Shopping Center will soon have a new location and new market hours. The Thousand Oaks market, operated by the Ventura County…
SBCC announced as Gilman Top Producing Institution
SANTA BARBARA — The U.S. Department of State has announced the U.S. higher education institutions that sent the most students overseas on the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program in academic year 2017-2018. Santa Barbara City College has been recognized for…
Aaron Trask Wins 36th Annual California Strawberry Festival Official Poster Contest
OXNARD — Bright colors and whimsical figures are just part of the winning poster design for the 36th Annual California Strawberry Festival. Artist Aaron Trask of Glendale created his design with his two-year-old daughter in mind. Trask’s winning entry was…
Sign-Ups Underway For Conejo and Simi YMCAs’ Free “Safety Around Water” Program
VENTURA COUNTY — The Conejo Valley YMCA and Simi Valley Family YMCA are signing up kids for “Safety Around Water” (SAW). The one-week program will be held at both YMCA branches March 25 through March 29. SAW is designed to…
Eco-psychology, Value of Cross-Cultural Wisdom at SBCC School of Extended Learning
SANTA BARBARA — SBCC School of Extended Learning brings students of all ages together to expand their understanding of the world around and within us with all new Psychology and Spirituality classes from renowned teachers. The new offerings feature some…
Author and Buddhist Teacher Roshi Joan Halifax Draws Capacity Crowd for Talk on Life and Death
SANTA BARBARA — On Wednesday, February 27th, Roshi Joan Halifax, a renowned Buddhist teacher, author, Zen priest, and anthropologist, talked about her perspectives on death and dying before a packed house at the Marjorie Luke Theatre in Santa Barbara. “Courage,…
Santa Maria High School students attend annual UC Davis Field Day
SANTA MARIA — The Santa Maria High School FFA Milk Quality & Dairy Foods, Nursery Landscape, Poultry, Veterinary Science and Vegetable Crops Evaluation teams attended the Annual UC Davis Field Day on March 2nd in Davis, California. The Santa Maria FFA…
Pioneer Valley High School students donating to Good Samaritan Shelter
SANTA MARIA — Students at PVHS will bring a touch of home to the Good Samaritan Shelter on Thursday, March 7th. Carrying 75 hand-made pillows and containers of chicken tortilla soup, the students from PV’s Culinary Arts and Apparel Construction and…