Author: Community Contributor

July 24 — CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) to hold Information Sessions

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — CASA Information Sessions for July 2018 Tuesday, July 24, noon – CASA office, 75 Higuera Street, Suite 180, San Luis Obispo Learn more about volunteer opportunities at CASA of SLO County by attending an Information Session –become an…

July 24 — SBCC Career Skills Institute Offers Customer Relations Skills Courses to Local Job Seekers

SANTA BARBARA — This summer, the Career Skills Institute at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) School of Extending Learning is offering one of its most popular, tuition-free certificates, the Customer Relations Certificate. The certificate offers local job seekers the chance to…

Through July 25 — Earn Vital, Professional Computer Skills at SBCC Career Skills Institute

SANTA BARBARA — Job seekers and professionals looking for a leg up in the workplace can gain valuable skills in the widely used Microsoft Word program this summer at SBCC’s Career Skills Institute. Students can complete Introduction to MS Word, which can…

July 27 — The Acuna Art Collective to present Oxnard’s Art in Public Places 2018-19 Grantees and Awards Night Reception

OXNARD — The Acuna Art Collective to present Oxnard’s Art in Public Places 2018-19 Grantees and Awards Night Reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 27 at 425 S. B St., Oxnard. Meet Oxnard community artists, patrons of the…

July 27 — Poncho Sanchez & his Latin Jazz Band kicks off Oxnard Salsa Festival Friday Night Concert

Click here for the entire e-newsletter Friday Night Concert Welcomes Poncho Sanchez & his Latin Jazz Band Friday, July 27, 7:30pm – NOW ON SALE! For more than three decades, legendary conguero Poncho Sanchez has stirred up a fiery stew of straightahead…

July 27 — Free Job & Career Workshops in Oxnard

Location: West County America’s Job Center 2901 N. Ventura Rd., 3rd Floor, Oxnard 805-204-5171 July 27 – Job Search/Social Media, 8:00 a.m. – noon – This workshop provides common sense tactics to be more effective in finding employment when dealing…

July 28 – 29 — 25th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival A Weekend of Sizzling Music, Dance & Food

OXNARD — Hot Latin sounds, exotic dancing and spicy culinary flavors are all part of the 25th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival. The festival, July 28 and 29, is a celebration of all things salsa–the food, music and dance. Festivities take…

July 31 — Free reverse mortgage workshops hosted by Ventura County Community Development Corp.

VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) will be hosting a free Reverse Mortgage workshop on Tuesday, July 31st at 11:00am open to anyone interested in learning about the basics of reverse mortgages. There are two ways to…

Bilingual report: Gold Coast Health Plan to present Seventh Annual Health and Resource Fair on June 23

OXNARD — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) is teaming up with its provider and community partners once again to provide free health screenings and resources in Oxnard. GCHP’s Seventh Annual Health and Resource Fair will be held at Plaza Park…

LULAC announces ExxonMobil/LNESC Scholarship Program Opportunity for students in Oxnard. See more LULAC news here

Deadline is June 29 OXNARD — The League of United Latin American Citizens this week announced the ExxonMobil/LNESC Scholarship Program Opportunity for students in Oxnard and elsewhere nationwide. Sponsored by the Exxon Mobil Corporation, the LULAC National Educational Service Centers (LNESC)…

Bilingual report: City of Oxnard Notice of Data Breach

OXNARD – The City of Oxnard takes seriously the security and protection of its customers’ confidential information. Last week, the city was alerted about unauthorized charges on credit cards used by customers to pay their utility bills. The following information outlines…

Guest commentary: The Death of Gracia Alkema

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes 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 Rodolfo F. Acuña • Guest contributor Rodolfo…

Oxnard School District announces Summer Nutrition Program offered at select locations

OXNARD — The Oxnard School District’s Child Nutrition Services department will offer a Summer Nutrition program at five school sites and three community beginning on Monday, July 2, 2018 and ending on Friday, July 27, 2018. Studies show that children are…

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara update of May 31

Click here for the entire e-newsletter Summer 2018 is gearing up to be an exciting time at MCASB! Don’t miss your last chance to see Cecily Brown: Rehearsal and Bloom Projects Exchange Series: Midori Hirose, Of The Unicorn (and the Sundowner Kids) before we say goodbye on…

Jackson Bill to Halt Trump’s Offshore Drilling Expansion Passes off Senate Floor. See more updates here

SACRAMENTO – State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) ’s legislation to thwart the Trump Administration’s efforts to expand federal oil drilling off the California coast passed off the Senate floor today on a 24 to 8 vote. Senate Bill 834 will ensure that pipelines…

As Newly Appointed Assembly Banking Chair, Limón Advances Multiple Bills Securing Critical Protections for Consumers Seeking Capital

SACRAMENTO — Merely an hour after passing major legislation across the Assembly Floor that protects consumers from auto title lending practices that commonly result in borrowers losing their cars (AB 2953), Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) advanced additional consumer protection legislation in…

Limón Bill Ensuring Inclusive Emergency Communications Passes the Assembly Floor

SACRAMENTO — Assembly Bill 1877, a bill by Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) which requires natural disaster-related emergency communications to be made available in the most commonly spoken language other than English, just overcame a major legislative hurdle, passing the Assembly…

Jackson Bill to Teach Students How to Spot Fake News Passes off Senate Floor

SACRAMENTO –Legislation by State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara)  to ensure students in California’s public schools learn how to read media sources critically, and act ethically, responsibly, and safely online passed off the Senate Floor today with 22 votes in support. Senate Bill…

Museum of Ventura County update for May 31

Major funding for these programs is made possible by the City of San Buenaventura and the County of Ventura. Ventura Artist John Robertson’s Paintings Provide Background to Wearable Art Fashion Show Correction: A previous email listed John Robertson’s name incorrectly. We are…

Jackson Urges Congressional Courage to Stop Gun Violence

SJR 24 calls on Congress to reauthorize and strengthen the federal assault weapons ban and urges CalPERS to divest its gun holdings SACRAMENTO – A resolution by  State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara)  urging Congress to reauthorize and strengthen the federal assault weapons…

Housing Authority Honors New Beginnings Counseling Center as Outstanding Community Partner of Year

SANTA BARBARA — The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) honored New Beginnings Counseling Center as its 2017 Outstanding Community Partner of the Year at a recent ceremony. New Beginnings provides short-term case management services to HACSB…

CEC Launches Solarize Santa Barbara

Solarize program takes a new step to include energy storage options. Workshops to be held June 6, July 11 SANTA BARBARA — The Community Environmental Council (CEC) announced the launch of Solarize Santa Barbara – a community-led, solar group-purchasing program for residents…

San Marcos High School Students Ignite Passion for Foster Youth Through Student-Organized Foster Program

SANTA BARBARA — Students at San Marcos High School are creating excitement and bringing awareness to the ongoing needs of foster youth and it’s causing a ripple effect throughout the community. Not only that, but it’s having a huge impact…

Foundation Veteran Phylene Wiggins Brings Philanthropic Expertise to Ventura County Community Foundation

VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Community Foundation recently announced the addition of Phylene Wiggins who will serve as vice president of programs and grants. Wiggins formerly worked at the Santa Barbra Foundation as senior director of community investments. “Phylene’s…

Santa Barbara City College update for May 26

Click here for more information   Santa Barbara City College’s Community Newsletter Sixty-Ninth Annual Commencement Ceremony Last Friday, we celebrated our commencement ceremony. This milestone marked the conclusion of a successful educational journey for 1,374 graduating students. Counting the double…

Carnegie Art Museum update for May 25

Click here for the entire e-newsletter CAM STUDIO GALLERY The first exhibit of photography and lens-based art by The Oxnard Plain Collective will open with a Reception on Thursday, June 7th from 5:30-7:30pm at CAM Studio Gallery beside the Carnegie Art Museum. The Oxnard Plain Collective…

Limón Bill Ensures Accountability for Harm Caused by Lead-Based Paint

SACRAMENTO — Assembly Bill 2803, a bill by Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) which seeks to hold paint manufacturers accountable for harm caused by lead-based paint production, just  overcame a major legislative hurdle, passing the Assembly Floor on Monday, May 21st.…

Marjorie Luke Theatre update for March 25

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   Upcoming Events Teens Sing for Santa Barbara TV Special Sunday, May 27th 8:00PM   Did you miss the SOLD OUT Teens Sing for Santa Barbara Concert to benefit Unity Shoppe’s Disaster Fund?  Well tune in this Sunday, May…

Hermanos Herrera debuts latest recording with Smithsonian

FILLMORE — Hermanos Herrera, a six-member sibling group of third-generation Mexican Americans, makes its debut for Smithsonian Folkways Recordings with “Sones Jarochos y Huastecos y Más.” The Herreras, raised in Fillmore, have performed together since childhood. Their music draws deeply…

50 Home Challenge Energy Champions Honored by Local Officials

SOLVANG — The first 50 Home Challenge – Solvang participants to complete extensive home energy efficiency projects recently celebrated the milestone with city and county officials at Solvang City Hall. Solvang Mayor Jim Richardson and Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann…

Global T Program Offers High School Teachers Interactive Lesson Plan on International Trade and Logistics

CENTRAL COAST — The T-Shirt that Travels the World™ module is a fun and interactive Global Trade & Logistics module for high school curriculum High school teachers looking to get an early jump on fall lesson planning may want to consider…

Rio School District Funds Summer Writing Program for 75 Students in Partnership with South Coast Writing Project of UCSB

OXNARD — Rio School District (RSD) is partnering with the South Coast Writing Project (SCWriP) at UCSB to fund a summer writing program for up to 75 students entering grades 3-9 in the district in September 2018. When: June 18-June 29, Monday…

Growing Ambitions: Career Skills Institute Green Gardener Program Brings New Opportunity

SANTA BARBARA — SBCC Career Skills Institute is proud to announce the latest provides class of students in the Green Gardener program have earned their certification and have demonstrated “cutting edge” skills in the landscaping field, opening them to new…

SBCC Named #1 Community College by Value Colleges

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College has been named Number One of the Top 50 Best Value Community Colleges for 2018. Value Colleges, an organization that provides prospective students with a practical guide to the most financially sound investments…

Bilingual report: Oxnard Urges Residents and Businesses to Become more Energy Conscious and ‘Do Your Thing’***

OXNARD — Oxnard is urging all residents and businesses to become more energy conscious. The Oxnard City Council this week adopted a resolution to support a campaign by Energy Update California (EUC) called “Do Your Thing.” The campaign aims to motivate…

Heather Castillo, CSU Channel Islands dance faculty who created ‘Arts Under the Stars,’ receives President’s Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning

CAMARILLO — She pulls together the campus-wide “Arts Under the Stars” program every year and still finds the energy to inspire her students by dancing onstage with singer Selena Gomez at the 2017 American Music Awards. And that’s just a fraction…

Housing Authority Receives $200K Grant to Help Local Families Become Self-Sufficient

SANTA BARBARA — The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) has received a $203,425 grant from the U.S. Department of Urban Development (HUD) to help low-income residents become self-sufficient through its Family Self-Sufficiency Program. HACSB developed the…

Rabobank’s Brae Grensky to Serve as Chair of the 2018 Santa Barbara Heart Walk

Santa Barbara Heart & Stroke Walk/Run will take place on Saturday, September 29 SANTA BARBARA — Rabobank Assistant Vice President, Banking Services Manager Brae Grensky will serve as Chair of the American Heart Association’s 2018 Santa Barbara Heart & Stroke Walk/Run for the first…

Jackson Applauds Funding for Highway 101 Expansion in Santa Barbara

SACRAMENTO — State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) on May 17 applauded the California Transportation Commission for awarding Santa Barbara more than $183 million for the Highway 101 expansion project. Coupled with an award of more than $170 million from the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program…

U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley Issues Statement on House Passage of VA Mission Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep Julia Brownley (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, issued the following statement after House passage of the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (VA MISSION) Act: “I am pleased…

Carnegie Art Museum update for May 18

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   Programs and Events CAM Book Club Join fellow art and book lovers at our next CAM Book Club discussion. Book selections focus on making connections with art and history inspired by current exhibitions…

Social Justice Fund for Ventura County update for May 18

Click here for more information We are writing to provide you with an update on our Implicit Bias grantees and their accomplishments.  The Social Justice Fund made grants last year totaling $25,000 for projects dealing with Implicit Bias in Education.…

Sociology major’s research on “adulting” suggests Millennials are delaying marriage and home ownership

CAMARILLO — Growing up in Santa Barbara with five generations of women got 25-year-old CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Sociology senior Jazzmyn Martinez wondering about the changing definition of “adulting” through the decades. The research project she launched, called “When Adulting Gets Real: Examining…

Bilingual report: Oxnard Deputy City Attorney Receives National PAL Alumni of the Year Award

OXNARD — Oxnard Deputy City Attorney Jason Zaragoza has received the National Police Activities League Alumni (PAL) of the Year award. “Oxnard PAL has changed the lives of countless youth in the city,” said Zaragoza. “I’m just one of many who…

Hospice of Santa Barbara Welcomes New Community Engagement Manager and Patient Care Services Outreach Coordinator

SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara is pleased to welcome Jeanne West as its new Community Engagement Manager and Adriana Marroquin as Patient Care Services Outreach Coordinator. Jeanne West has nearly 50 years’ experience in the healthcare industry and…

Bilingual report: Oxnard Mayor Pro Tempore Carmen Ramirez Named to National EPA Advisory Committee

OXNARD — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has appointed Oxnard Mayor Pro Tempore Carmen Ramirez to the Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC). The 33-member LGAC helps the EPA develop strong partnerships with local governments to provide more efficient and effective environmental…

Bilingual commentary: Secret of a Long 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 •…

Jackson Bill to Help Montecito and Other California Homeowners Recover Mudslide Losses Passes off Senate Floor

SACRAMENTO — Legislation by State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), to help Montecito and other California homeowners whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by fire-induced mudslides, passed off the Senate Floor today on a 25 to 11 vote. Senate Bill 917 clarifies…

kidSTREAM to Make Lasting Positive Social and Economic Impact on Community, Study Says

CAMARILLO — KidSTREAM, an emerging children’s museum based in Camarillo, recently released the findings of two published studies that assessed needs and measured the expected economic and social impacts that would be created by the museum when in full operation. The…

Museum of Ventura County update for May 16

Major funding for these programs is made possible by the City of San Buenaventura and the County of Ventura. Exhibit Opening – Black and White and Read All Over The popular appeal of comic book art is the focus of Black and White and…