CONEJO VALLEY — Las Virgenes Fire Relief (LV Fire Relief) has partnered with Mama Haven, a Conejo Valley non-profit organization, to provide long-term recovery assistance to local residents displaced by the Woolsey Fire. Immediately following the fire, LV Fire Relief…
Author: Community Contributor
Assemblymember Irwin introduces bill to reduce firearm related suicides
SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D – Thousand Oaks) on Feb. 15 introduced Assembly Bill 645, a bill to reduce firearm related suicides. “There has been a startling increase in firearm suicides throughout California and the nation,” said Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin.…
Ventura County Health Care Agency Hires Chief Financial Officer
VENTURA — The Ventura County Health Care Agency has hired Karla Valle as its chief financial officer after a lengthy national search. Valle has been the Area Chief Financial Officer for Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Health Plan in Antelope Valley…
SMHS Future Business Leaders of America make impressive showing
SANTA MARIA — Eighteen members of the Santa Maria High School Future Business Leaders of America recently made an impressive showing during various business competitive events at the Future Business Leaders of America Gold Coast Section Conference in South Pasadena. The…
Sponsors, Exhibitors sought for Celebration of the Whales
OXNARD — The Channel Islands Maritime Museum is seeking corporate sponsors and exhibitors for the 22nd Annual Celebration of the Whales Festival. This year’s free festival is Sunday, March 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Channel Islands Harbor. …
Bilingual report: Ventura County budget presentation wins national award
VENTURA — The Government Finance Officers Association has awarded the County of Ventura with its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. This is the first time the County has received the award. According to the GFOA, the award reflects the commitment of…
32 Properties Affected by Woolsey, Hill Fires Cleared of Structural Debris by State Contactors
VENTURA COUNTY — Even though steady rains in Southern California today are preventing state contractors from conducting debris removal operations on properties in the Woolsey and Hill burn areas, officials with the Debris Removal Operations Center (DROC) in Calabasas report…
Ventura County Civic Alliance update for Feb. 15 — Welcome to Our Winter 2019 Livable Communities Newsletter!
Livable Communities Newsletter Vol. 13, No. 49 February 2019 Quick Links – See the Current State of the Region Report – Last Quarter’s Newsletter Join us at the Ventura County Civic Alliance! Welcome to Our Winter 2019 Livable Communities Newsletter! In this…
Righetti High School Counselors help incoming Guadalupe students
SANTA MARIA — Righetti High School Counselors recently made the future a littler clearer for incoming Guadalupe students. Counselors traveled west to Kermit McKenzie Intermediate School to meet with about 150 Bobcats, create four-year academic plans and input it into school management…
Bilingual commentary: Daughters and Patriarchy
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 Introduces Bill to Protect Older and Disabled Adults From Falling
SACRAMENTO –Recognizing that falls are the leading cause of fatal injury among older adults, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) introduced legislation today to assist older and disabled adults with home modifications to help reduce the risk of falling and allow more…
2019 California Strawberry Festival Seeks Submissions for Berry Blast Off Recipe Contest
OXNARD — Entry applications are now available for the 36th Annual California Strawberry Festival‘s “Berry Blast Off Recipe Contest.” Strawberry-themed recipes that show exceptional creativity and culinary flair will be selected to compete in the contest. Submissions must be original,…
Valentine’s Day Challenge for Families; A Plan for the Other 364 Days of the Year
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — Every February, red roses and heart-shaped boxes of sweets everywhere are a constant reminder that we should be showing our love for our spouse or partner – on just one day each year. With Valentine’s Week…
Pioneer Valley FFA dominate at Regional Speaking Finals
SANTA MARIA — Thirteen representatives of the Pioneer Valley FFA will move on to the Regional Speaking Finals on March 22, 2019 to compete and qualify for the State Finals competition after another dominant and successful showing at the Sectional Public…
Ventura College Foundation Hosts Campus Tours
VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation (VC Foundation) is hosting tours of the Ventura College campus on the last Monday of the month through April. The “A Pirate’s Life for Me” one-hour walking tour is for community members, service club…
Free English classes at Moorpark College
MOORPARK — Do you want to speak with others in English? Do you want to advance in your career or go to college? Come to Moorpark College! We’re offering free English as a Second Language classes. Please contact Daniela Guevara…
Righetti High School FFA Fruit Tree Pruning Team win honors recent Mid-Winter State Finals
SANTA MARIA — The 4-person RHS FFA Fruit Tree Pruning Team won individual and team title honors at the recent Mid-Winter State Finals at Fresno State University. Member Maximus Guerra placed third high individual, with Nicole Plude sixth high. The team finished…
California Strawberry Festival Wins 1st Place In CalFest Poster Contest
OXNARD — The 2018 California Strawberry Festival poster took first place in this year’s CalFest commemorative poster contest. The winner was announced at the CalFest annual conference in Reno, Nevada in January. Entries were judged on substance, originality, style, concept,…
Ventura County Public Health reports on influenza-related deaths this flu season
VENTURA COUNTY — As of February 7, 2019, Ventura County has seen 5 influenza-related deaths this flu season, which started in October 2018, the Ventura County Public Health, a department of Ventura County Health Care Agency reported Feb. 11. Click here…
Family Service Agency Names New Board Members
SANTA BARBARA — Family Service Agency is pleased to announce the appointment of four new members to its Board of Directors. Joining its Board and representing communities throughout Santa Barbara County are Marisol Alarcon (Carpinteria), Robert Janeway (Santa Barbara), Sandra Underwood…
CSUCI Nursing faculty member one of four nurse educators nationwide to receive ‘Nurse’s Touch’ award
CAMARILLO — Her imagination and compassion in the classroom are among the characteristics that prompted a national nursing education company to choose CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Assistant Professor of Nursing Colleen Nevins to receive the 2018 “Nurse’s Touch” nurse educator award.…
Cheesecake Factory now hiring for new Oxnard location at The Collection
OXNARD — The Cheesecake Factory® is opening a new restaurant this April in The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard, and is looking to hire nearly 250staff members to join the team. Hospitality-minded individuals who take pride in their work and…
Bilingual report: Free Naturalization and DACA Renewal Legal Clinic to be held March 1 in Oxnard
OXNARD — OneJustice, UFW Foundation and Oxnard Adult School are partnering to hold a free legal clinic! During the clinic, individuals will receive free legal advice from licensed attorneys and representatives regarding naturalization and DACA renewal eligibility and, when possible, application…
Works of author/poet Michele Serros donated to CSUCI
“It’s ‘the three Bs.’ It was always about barrios, borders and bodegas, and I wanted to present a different type of life, a life that truly goes on that we don’t always see in the mainstream media.” —2006 NPR interview…
The Mary Kay Foundation? Awards RISE $20,000 Grant
The Mary Kay Foundation Supports Victims of Domestic Violence by Issuing $3 Million in Grants to 150 Domestic Violence Shelters Across the Country SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — In support of survivors of domestic violence, The Mary Kay FoundationSM announced…
Retired Firefighter Creates Fire-hose Flags to Support Ventura and Santa Barbara Veterans and First Responders
SANTA BARBARA — John Carrillo, a retired Santa Barbara City firefighter turned artist, recently stumbled across some items online that were created from fire hoses. That’s when he was inspired to create his first American flag using the same equipment…
Free United Way Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program Makes Tax Season Accessible for All
SANTA BARBARA — With the clock now ticking toward the April 15 deadline, United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) is now offering free, bi-lingual tax preparation centers for families and individuals who earned less than $66,000 in 2018. UWSBC’s…
Bilingual commentary: When Diet Is Our Religion
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 •…
Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Welcome Elaine K. Mah Best as New Executive Director
CARPINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is pleased to welcome Elaine K. Mah Best as the organization’s new executive director. She will begin serving in her new role on February 11. Best brings 14 years of executive leadership experience and…
Assemblymember Limón Introduces New Legislation for Agricultural Climate Change Adaptation Tools
SACRAMENTO — Assembly Bill 409 by Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) which seeks to make climate change adaptation tools more readily available to farmers and agricultural businesses was introduced. California is home to just over 77,000 farms and ranches and as a…
Former Redwood Boys & Girls Club is Transformed …Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Takes Place to Welcome the New John L. Notter Family Boys & Girls Club
THOUSAND OAKS — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) will officially introduce the John L. Notter Family Boys & Girls Club in Thousand Oaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, March 20 from 1:30 to 3:00…
Jackson Calls for Master Plan on Aging Californians
Introduces legislation to develop senior master plan and appoint an “Aging Czar” SACRAMENTO — As California’s aging population continues to grow with significant numbers struggling to access essential care, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) introduced legislation Feb. 7 to develop a master…
Dr. Melissa V. Moreno selected as Vice President of SBCC School of Extended Learning
SANTA BARBARA — On February 1, 2019, Dr. Melissa Moreno assumed the role of Vice President of SBCC’s School of Extended Learning. Dr. Moreno has been with Santa Barbara City College for more than 10 years, beginning in 2008 when she…
Allied Van Lines announces Scholarship 2019
Allied Van Lines, one of the leading moving companies in America, is excited to offer a 2019 scholarship program aimed at students whose area of study focuses on logistics and moving-related fields. We are committed to growing our industry and supporting…
VCCDC Community Matters Newsletter – February 2019
Greetings! Happy New Year to you and your loved ones! For 18 years, VCCDC has operated with the belief that a home is the cornerstone of any individual and family’s economic, environmental and social well-being. This year, we promise to…
Bilingual report: County Fire receives grant funding for Child Passenger Safety Education and Training Program
CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Fire Protection District has been awarded a $60,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to expand the department’s Child Passenger Safety Program. Together with Safe Kids Ventura County and Ventura County Public Health,…
Yarrow Family YMCA—Final Fundraising Push Before Spring Opening
THOUSAND OAKS — The Yarrow Family YMCA is $375,000 away from reaching its $12 million fundraising goal needed to complete construction before its opening this spring. Construction recently resumed in May 2018 with the building slated to open very soon.…
45th Conejo Valley Home Remodeling Show Seeks Vendors
THOUSAND OAKS — Dates for the 45th Conejo Valley Home Remodeling Show will be Saturday and Sunday, April 13 and 14, at the Hyatt Regency Westlake (880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village). The show is accepting vendor applications from builders,…
Kimberly Prillhart selected as Ventura County Resource Management Agency Director
VENTURA — Kimberly Prillhart has been selected as the new director of the Resource Management Agency. The appointment was made by County Executive Officer Mike Powers following a search which included strong internal and external candidates. Prillhart replaces Chris Stephens…
Calabasas High School Wins 2019 Ventura County Academic Decathlon
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Office of Education is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2019 Ventura County Academic Decathlon is Calabasas High School. Coming in second place is La Reina High School, followed by Westlake High School,…
Assemblymember Irwin introduces bill package addressing gun violence
SACRAMENTO – On the same week that the State Assembly adjourned in the memory of the Borderline shooting victims, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D – Thousand Oaks) introduced a package of bills that will help keep firearms out of the hands…
Senator Jackson Speaks Out Against Proposed Title IX Changes
SACRAMENTO –In the final week to submit formal comments to Trump Administration Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’s proposed changes to Title IX, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) ,released the following statement condemning the proposed regulations as dangerous and backward. Her formal letter,…
Student artwork mentored by internationally-known artist Celia Herrera Rodriguez part of the first CSUCI art show of 2019
CAMARILLO — Long before the Spanish explorers arrived, the indigenous people of Mesoamerica chronicled their lives using a delicate type of paper called “amatl.” “Cuentos in Amatl,” student renderings in the medium used by ancient indigenous people of Mexico and Latin…
Save the Date: El Concilio Family Services to present 30th annual ‘Latino Leadership Awards’
OXNARD — El Concilio Family Services will present its 30th annual “Latino Leadership Awards: Making a Difference — Together We Thrive,” with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 12, at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard. Honorees will be…
March 7 — Museum of Contemporary Arts Santa Barbara to present ‘Curated Cocktails Facciamo Festa!’
SANTA BARBARA — Museum of Contemporary Arts Santa Barbara to present Curated Cocktails Facciamo Festa!. Local DJs. Interactive art experiences. March 7, 2019 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Let’s do it again! Curated Cocktails is back with an Italian twist inspired…
March 8 — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! to present La Patronal in Free Family Concert
SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! to present La Patronal in a free family concert at 7 p.m. Friday, March 8 at the Marjorie Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota St, Santa Barbara. Doors open at 6:30pm. Reception follows concert.…
March 9 — SMJUHSD to present 7th annual Latinos Unidos Conference
SANTA MARIA — Ways to relieve stress and information about mental health will be a few of the topics discussed at the 7thAnnual SMJUHSD Latinos Unidos Conference on Saturday, March 9th. The event, which will highlight “Self Care”, is scheduled…
March 9 — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! to present La Patronal in Free Family Concert
SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! to present La Patronal in a free family concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 9, March Marjorie Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota St, Santa Barbara. Doors open at 6:30pm. Reception follows concert. La Patronal,…
March 10 — SBMA to present ‘Studio Sunday with La Patronal’
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present: “Studio Sunday with La Patronal,” Sunday, March 10, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. 1:30 – 2 pm — La Patronal La Patronal, a unique brass band from Lima, Peru, performs music rooted in the…
March 10 — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! to present La Patronal in Free Family Concert
SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! to present La Patronal in a free family concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, March Marjorie Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota St, Santa Barbara. Doors open at 6:30pm. Reception follows concert. La Patronal, a unique…