Nationally Recognized Show to Honor Labor Legend and Civil Rights Activist April 5 at Oxnard College’s Performing Arts Center, plus FREE Admission OXNARD — In collaboration with the Ventura County Community College District and Oxnard College, Rick Najera’s Latino Thought Makers will honor…
Author: Community Contributor
State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson bill to clean up beaches by plugging old, leaking oil wells passes out of committee
SACRAMENTO – Just a few weeks after erosion exposed eight abandoned oil wells along Summerland Beach in Santa Barbara County, two of them visibly leaking oil, a bill by State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) to monitor and cap California’s old, abandoned wells has…
SBCC’s Kick Butts Day on March 15 Sheds Light on Tobacco/Related Issues
SANTA BARBARA — Friendship Plaza on Santa Barbara City College’s East Campus will be transformed into a giant ashtray — cigarette butts and all — for “Kick Butts Day,” on Wednesday, March 15, from 10:00-2:00, to increase awareness and understanding of tobacco…
FOOD Share Selected to Serve Special Population of Seniors in Ventura County
VENTURA COUNTY — FOOD Share of Ventura County is one of just four California food banks recently selected in a competitive bid process to administer a USDA-funded Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) for seniors 60 years of age and older.…
Bilingual report: March 28 — Ventura County Community Development Corporation hosts free credit improvement workshop
OXNARD — The Ventura County Community Development Corporation will host a free credit improvement workshop from 6 to 6:45 p.m. (English) and 6:45 to 7:30 p.m. (español) Tuesday, March 28 at the VCCDC Home Ownership Center, 2231 Sturgis Road, Suite A. Oxnard. Click…
SB Resident Col. Phil Conran Inducted into the Fordham University Military and New York City ROTC Hall of Fame
SANTA BARBARA — Col. Phil Conran (USAF, ret) is one of three new inductees into the Fordham University Military and New York City ROTC Hall of Fame. Inductees are honored based on their contributions through active or reserve components of…
Local Military Historian’s Research Results in Posthumous Legion of Valor Enrollment
Research conducted by Adam Lewis, local historian for the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF), has resulted in the posthumous enrollment of Frank Robert McCrary into the Legion of Valor. Lewis retired this year from his position as a PCVF board…
SBCC Scheinfeld Center Introduces Community to Local Startup Incubators, Accelerators and Workspaces
SANTA BARBARA — The SBCC Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation hosted a panel Feb. 10 at the Fé Bland Forum on the Santa Barbara City College campus to help students and community members learn about local startup incubators, accelerators and…
Find Your Lucky Charm at the Santa Barbara Humane Society
Special St. Patrick’s Day Pet Adoption Fee $17 from March 13-18 Forget catching a leprechaun – Coco Boy is filled to the brim with mischievous charm and has a heart of gold! SANTA BARBARA – This St. PAWtrick’s Day, to find…
United Way of Santa Barbara County’s Young Leaders Society Share Joys of Reading with Local Elementary Schools
CENTRAL COAST — United Way of Santa Barbara County’s (UWSBC) Young Leaders Society (YLS) visited Franklin and El Camino Elementary Schools to share a passion for reading and donate books and funds to both campuses as part of the United We…
Cathy Murillo, Sherry Villanueva, Alicia Flores and Dr. Cynthia Herrera among those to be honored by State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson as ‘Women of the Year’ in Santa Barbara and Ventura
SANTA BARBARA – OXNARD – To commemorate Women’s History Month, State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) will honor eight women from Santa Barbara and Ventura counties as the 19th Senate District’s 2017 ‘Women of the Year’ in separate ceremonies in each county. The…
Hundreds Visit Community Health Fair at Franklin Neighborhood Center
SANTA BARBARA – Hundreds of community members and families came through a free Community Health Fair sponsored by The Health Access and Care Coordination Project on Saturday, Feb. 25 to take part in a variety of services, from screenings to…
Bilingual commentary: Boomers in La La Land
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. David Magallanes By David Magallanes…
Assemblymember Irwin Honors Ventura County Superior Court Judge Michele Castillo as 2017 Woman of the Year
SACRAMENTO – The California Legislative Women’s Caucus once again sponsored the annual “Woman of the Year” celebration, at the State Capitol, as part of Women’s History Month. Today, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) recognized the Honorable Michele Castillo as the…
Assemblymember Irwin Introduces Workforce Development Legislation
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D – Thousand Oaks) has introduced two bills to modernize community colleges and prepare students for the 21st century economy. Assemblymember Irwin, chair of the Select Committee on Cybersecurity, introduced AB 405 which would create…
Ventura County Board of Supervisors Presents Laguna Farms With Health Champion Award
Local Farming Company Recognized for Workplace Wellness OXNARD — Laguna Farms, berry grower in Ventura County and affiliate of Reiter Affiliated Companies, will receive the ‘Health Champion’ award on March 7, 2017 at the Board of Supervisors meeting for their commitment…
Ventura County Go Red For Women Luncheon Raises Awareness About Women and Cardiovascular Disease
“Life is Why” Sponsor Dignity Health Central Coast Helps Raise $236,000 to Fight Heart Disease & Stroke WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The American Heart Association (AHA) hosted its annual Ventura County Go Red For Women Luncheon on Friday, February 24, 2017, at the…
Limón To Honor Ojai Woman as 37th Assembly District Woman of the Year
SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) will honor Julie Tumamait-Stenslie, an active Ojai resident and the tribal leader of the Barbareño-Ventureño Band of Mission Indians, as the 37th Assembly District 2017 Woman of the Year today. “It is a privilege and an…
Nomi Wagner wins 34th annual California Strawberry Festival Official Poster Contest
OXNARD — Using a unique medium that combines traditional watercolor painting with fine art digital technology, artist Nomi Wagner of Oxnard won the California Strawberry Festival 34th Annual Poster Contest. Nomi’s winning entry was revealed today to dignitaries and Festival sponsors gathered…
Whale Watch Season is Now Underway with Island Packers
Enjoy watching the gentle giants of the sea and dolphins too! VENTURA-OXNARD — Winter whale watching off the beautiful Central Coast of California runs from December to mid April. An Island Packers whale watch is a perfect way to gather with…
Santa Barbara Go Red For Women Luncheon Raises Awareness About Women and Cardiovascular Disease
SANTA BARBARA — The American Heart Association (AHA) hosted its annual Santa Barbara Go Red For Women Luncheon on Friday, February 24, 2017 at the Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort with the goal of raising awareness about the risk of cardiovascular…
Heal Your Heart: Can a Gift Help Prevent Heart Disease?
SANTA BARBARA — What goes into maintaining a healthy heart? Is it just the physical heart muscle and circulation that matters, or is there an active emotional component? Can the simple act of conveying your best wishes and intentions make…
Limón to Chair Newly Created Assembly Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector
SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) was appointed by Speaker Anthony Rendon to Chair a Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector. According to California Association on Nonprofits, a statewide policy alliance of more than 10,000 nonprofits, the nonprofit sector is…
Bilingual commentary: Impermanence
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. David Magallanes By David Magallanes…
Case study on a Newbury Park social business earns national award for CSUCI instructor and graduate student
CAMARILLO — A CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Business Lecturer and a Business graduate student are winners of the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) 2017 Conference Outstanding Teaching Case Award, held in Philadelphia last month. Instructor Maria Ballesteros-Sola, who teaches…
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme Servicing More Youth
VENTURA COUNTY — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme (BGCOP) recently released the findings of an internal audit revealing the number of youth served by the organization increased 13 percent to 10,400 children annually from its…
Ventura Brand Development Firm Adds Social Media, Public Relations expert
VENTURA — Consortium Media + Public Relations (CM+PR), a firm specializing in integrating marketing, branding, media relations, multimedia and social media, has added nationally known social media strategist and writer Emily Savage to its team. Savage is a journalist, social…
May 3 — Season Finale of Latino Thought Makers to Honor Remarkable Women at Oxnard College
Interview Series to Feature Pilar Marrero (La Opinion), Patty Rodriguez (On Air with Ryan Seacrest) and Aidyl Gonzalez-Serricchio, Ph.D. (The Buckley School) OXNARD — In collaboration with Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) and Oxnard College, Rick Najera’s Latino Thought Makers will…
May 13 — Gold Coast Health Plan to present 6th annual Community Resource Fair in Oxnard
OXNARD — Gold Coast Health Plan will host their 6th Annual Community Resource Fair at Plaza Park in Oxnard. Free health screenings and resource information will be offered by various health and community agencies. Please see flyer for more information.
April 18 — Author Reyna Grande to speak at Oxnard College
OXNARD — Author Reyna Grande will be coming to Oxnard College to discuss her work from 1:30 to 3 p.m. and from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 18 at the Performing Arts Building, 4000 S. Rose Ave. Reyna Grande is the…
April 12 — Don’t Tell Anyone/No Le Digas a Nadie
SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Cup of Culture film screening of “Don’t Tell Anyone/No Le Digas a Nadie” will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 12 at the UCSB Multicultural Center Theater. In an environment where silence…
April 15 — FREE DNA Family History Program
Ventura County Genealogical Society presents DNA Family History Program Saturday, April 15, 2017, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Camarillo Library Community Room, 4101 Las Posas Road, Camarillo, CA Presenter: Kathy Johnston DNA USES IN PEDIGREE BUILDING 1:00 p.m.: Learn about the different types…
April 17 — Free diabetes class to be held at South Oxnard Senior Center
FREE Spanish diabetes class A four-part Spanish diabetes class will continue Monday April 3rd from 10:15 am to 12:15 pm at South Oxnard Senior Center, 200 E. Bard Rd. Two more classes will be on Mondays, April 10th and 17th.…
April 16 — Easter Services First United Methodist Church, Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA — First United Methodist Church, Santa Barbara will celebrate the glory of our Risen Lord with worship services on Easter Sunday at 9:00am and 10:45am. The identical services will feature anthems by the Chancel Choir including Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus”,…
April 14-15 — The Collection at RiverPark Hops into spring with Bunny Hop event and photos
OXNARD — The Collection at RiverPark will be hosting its family favorite Bunny Hop event sponsored by Natural Green Landscape, on Saturday, April 8. The expanded holiday event will host a range of spring-themed activities and a special visit from…
April 22 — Carnegie Art Museum to hold member’s tour of Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach
Museum of Latin American Art The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)’s comprehensive retrospective exhibition of work by legendary Los Angeles artist Frank Romero, encompasses over 50 years of the artist’s career, including History of the Chicano Movimiento from the Carnegie…
April 25 — Ventura County Community Development Corporation to host free Solar Panel Workshop
OXNARD — It’s almost Earth Day and we’re thinking green! Are you?! If you have thought about installing solar panels on your home and have questions, this workshop is for you! At this free workshop you will learn Advantages of installing solar…
May 11 — Ventura County Climate Hub to present ‘Out with the Old, In with the New’
The Ventura County Climate Hub will present “Out with the Old, In with the New” on Thursday, May 11 in Ventura. WHAT: The Ventura County Climate Hub invites the public to hear leaders of two partner organizations in a program called…
April 19 — Channel Islands Maritime Museum to present ‘Shifting Sands: The Early Years of Channel Islands Harbor’
OXNARD — The Channel Islands Maritime Museum historian and author, Cherie Brant will give her lecture “Shifting Sands: The Early Years of Channel Islands Harbor” from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 19 at 3900 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard. The story of…
April 19 — ‘An Evening with Isabel Allende’
SANTA BARBARA — “An Evening with Isabel Allende” will be presented from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 19 at The Granada Theatre, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. “Allende’s books feel like ornate fairy tales, velvety and otherworldly and sly,…
April 26 — Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara to present Artist Talk with Tanya Aguiñiga
SANTA BARBARA — The Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara will present “Artist Talk with Tanya Aguiñiga” at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26 at the Physical Science Building Room 101, Santa Barbara City College Aguiñiga, a prominent social practice artist from Tijuana, Mexico, will discuss…
April 22 — Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival
Join the Community Environmental Council’s (CEC) 47th annual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival, Saturday April 22, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 23, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This year’s festival, themed “Educate. Inspire. Act.”, will…
April 11 — Assemblymember Monique Limón to hold Ventura District Office Open House
VENTURA — Assemblymember Monique Limón will hold a Ventura District Office Open House from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 11 at the 37th Assembly District Office, 89 S. California St., Suite F, Ventura. Contact 805-641-3700, 805-564-1649 or send an email…
April 3 — Inspirational Women Take the Stage at Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Luncheon
CARINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria will host its annual “Women of Inspiration” luncheon on Monday, April 3, welcoming Erica Ford, CEO and founder of LIFE Camp, Inc., who will serve as the keynote speaker. Ford’s motivation to make a…
May 1 — Women & What We Love: An Evening of Friendship and Fundraising
OXNARD — Benefiting the children of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme, “Women & What We Love” is a unique fundraising event taking place 5-8 p.m., May 1 at Waterside Restaurant and Wine Bar, 3500…
April 6 — Brain Candy Live! at the Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA — 35 Concerts is thrilled to announce the new live show BRAIN CANDY LIVE!, starring Adam Savage, editor-in-chief of Tested.com and former co-host of the Emmy-nominated Discovery series “MythBusters,” and Michael Stevens, creator of award-winning YouTube Channel “Vsauce,”…
YCE, Inc. rolls out the “green carpet” to over 300 guests for “Dream Big” movie premiere on Feb. 26
VENTURA — Ventura-based YCE, Inc. a woman-owned engineering and surveying firm, hosted the local premiere of Dream Big – Engineering Our World at the Collection’s Century Riverpark 16 theater on Feb. 26. Over 300 enthusiastic guests were greeted by YCE, Inc. owner Marta…
April 13 — Poet Laureate Richard Blanco to speak at Ventura College
VENTURA — Diversity in Culture Festival Featured Presentation: Poet Laureate Richard Blanco, Thursday, April 13 at 1pm in the Ventura College Applied Science Center, Room 150. Seating is limited, free admission, please reserve your tickets on EventBrite. Richard Blanco, the fifth Inaugural poet of…
April 9 — CAUSE Action Fund Leadership Reception to be held in Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA — The CAUSE Action Fund Leadership Reception will be held from 2 to 4:30 p.m.Sunday, April 9 at the Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center, 1118 E. Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara. The event will honor Dr. Greg Freeland and Sharon Hoshida.…
Ventura Family YMCA Youth & Government Delegates Return from Training & Elections Conference in Fresno
VENTURA — The Channel Islands YMCA Youth & Government delegation joined more than 3,500 youth from across the state in Fresno for their second Training & Elections conference held Jan. 14-16 at the Fresno Convention Center. Twenty-four teens with the…
April 4 — CSUCI to be bathed in blue in honor of “Light it Up Blue” Global Autism Awareness
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) sophomore Samuel Capozzi doesn’t speak in the traditional sense, but his is the voice of many with autism. Capozzi, 21, will be one of the students with autism who will address the crowd at CSUCI’s 6thAnnual…
Through April 2 — LA artists share personal stories with sculpture and photography in art exhibit at CSUCI
CAMARILLO — The work of Los Angeles artists Lesley Krane and Cecilia Z. Miguez will be on display from March 1 through April 2 at the John Spoor Broome Library Gallery on the CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) campus. The opening reception of…
April 2 is Free First Sunday at the Museum of Ventura County & the Agriculture Museum
VENTURA COUNTY — The first Sunday of every month is free admission at The Museum of Ventura County and The Agriculture Museum, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free First Sunday, April 2, features a nature-themed Earth Day celebration, including…
April 3 — With “Eat Local” Focus, Pioneering Community Magazine Organization with Editions Across North America Celebrates 15 Years Edible Ojai & Ventura County Marks Milestone Anniversary
VENTURA COUNTY — Regional magazine Edible Ojai & Ventura County, part of Edible Communities–the James Beard Foundation award-winning family of 100 locally owned and licensed food magazines—is celebrating its 15th anniversary this spring. It’s a milestone shared by its parent…
April 13 — Gallery Talk: The Art of Self-Expression with Seana-Marie Sesma
SANTA PAULA — During a gallery talk on Thursday, April 13, 2017, Santa Paula Art Museum docent Seana-Marie Sesma will share her personal discovery of community and art at the annual “Burning Man” event. The talk begins at 3:00 p.m. Burning…
Bilingual report: Ventura County’s Indigenous Language Radio Station Launches on FM
OXNARD — The Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) is thrilled to announce that our indigenous language radio station, Radio Indigena, can now be reached on your FM dial. After three years of careful preparation, training, and initial internet broadcasting, Radio Indigena…
April 9 — Museum of Ventura County Launches New Monthly Series, La Vida Local—Leadership Perspectives
VENTURA — The Museum of Ventura County is launching a new monthly discussion series, La Vida Local—Leadership Perspectives, featuring moderated conversations with Ventura County leaders sharing their vision for the future. The first event takes place 1–2:30 p.m., April 9,…
April 4 — Ben & Jerry’s at The Collection at RiverPark Serves Fans Fun Flavors and Free Ice Cream
OXNARD — Ben & Jerry’s fans can mark April 4th on their calendars as the 2017 Ben & Jerry-est day of the year: Free Cone Day! For the past 38 years, Ben & Jerry’s has opened Scoop Shops to dish…
May 5 — 6th annual 5K Walk for Mental Wellness Aims to Stomp Out Stigma
SANTA BARBARA — The Mental Wellness Center will kick off Mental Health Month in May with its 6th Annual 5K Walk for Mental Wellness on Friday, May 5th at East Beach Bathhouse. All community members are invited to join the nonprofit’s…
May 5 — Reservations being accepted for 28th annual El Concilio Family Services’ Latino Leadership Awards
OXNARD — Reservations are being accepted for 28th annual El Concilio Family Services’ Latino Leadership Awards from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 5 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard. The 2017 Honorees are: Cesar Morales,Ed.D. Javier…
April 15 — Chicana/o Studies Summit of Ventura County to be held at Oxnard College
OXNARD — Connecting the Community to the University with Self Determination SATURDAY APRIL 15th 9 am-5 pm OXNARD COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS BUILDING Lunch Provided! Keynote Speaker at 11:15 am: Dr. Irene Vasquez, Chicana/o Studies, University of New Mexico Cultural Pachanga Reception at…
Continuing — Rare images of Ventura County history on display at CSUCI
Historic “voices” section in the show will be in the form of a video of Ventura County’s “braceros,” a term to describe Mexican laborers who worked in the fields on a seasonal basis CAMARILLO — Ladies in feathered hats boarding the…
Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation Welcomes Joseph S. Hardin. Jr. as New Board Member
CENTRAL COAST — Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF) welcomes Joseph S. Hardin, Jr. to the Board of Directors. Hardin brings many years of leadership experience in the military, corporate America and nonprofit organizations. Hardin graduated from the United States Military Academy…
Lompoc Family YMCA Kicks Off 2017 Annual Campaign
LOMPOC – The Lompoc Family YMCA on Feb. 15 kicked off its Annual Campaign, which brings together staff, board members and volunteers to raise funds to provide scholarships that will enable the Y to “Build a Better Lompoc.” The Lompoc Family…
April 12 — Story of Local Doughboy Will Come to Life at WWI Luncheon Hosted by Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation and Channel City Club
Re-enactor Damian Stellabott depicting Pvt. John Thomas Hall. The account of John Thomas Hall – one of at least 61 men from Santa Barbara County who died during World War I – will be retold on April 12 at a…