Author: Community Contributor

Two VCOE Educators Honored for Leadership

VENTURA COUNTY — Two Ventura County Office of Education administrators are being honored for their leadership by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 13. Dr. Tiffany Morse, Executive Director of Career Education and Kenny Loo, Principal of Court and…

June — Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care Bereavement Class – Grief Walk & Talk

SANTA BARBARA — Join this easy-paced walking group that provides informal support as we walk together through grief. Presented by Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care, Santa Barbara. Fridays in May & June, 10:00 –11:00 AM Facilitated by Dairine Pearson, LCSW Call…

June 19 — Oxnard College is launching its first Mariachi Ensemble class

OXNARD — Oxnard College is launching its first Mariachi Ensemble class, under the leadership of Maestro Jorge Herrera, of the acclaimed Hermanos Herrera group. The Mariachi Ensemble (MUS R126) is a one-unit, CSU transferable lab course and meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to…

Marjorie Luke Theatre update for April 29

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   Upcoming Events La Bayadere Saturday & Sunday, May 5th & 6th  3:00PM The Goleta School of Ballet and Goleta Ballet Theatre present this ballet classic, which is full of love and intrigue with beautiful costumes,…

Jackson, Limón to Honor Ventura First Responders as Women of the Year

Honorees include Genevieve Flores-Haro, Associate Director for the Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project VENTURA — In recognition of their bravery during the devastating Thomas fire,  State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara)  and Assemblymember Monique Limón (D–Santa Barbara) will honor women first responders from Ventura County as 2018…

Bilingual report: Oxnard Cultural Arts Commission Accepting Grant Applications from Artists, Nonprofit Arts Organizations. Deadline is May 3

OXNARD — The city’s Cultural Arts Commission is accepting grant applications from Oxnard-based artists and nonprofit arts organizations through Thursday, May 3. Up to $170,000 in grant funding is available. Please see the attached application and additional information. Completed applications must…

Ventura County Fire issues annual notices to clear brush ahead of fire season

CAMARILLO — Thousands of letters have been sent to homeowners and property managers reminding them to clear 100 feet of brush away from properties near open land where wildfires may occur. More than 16,660 parcels will receive Fire Hazard Reduction Program…

Last Call to Submit Proposals for Development of Properties in Historic Downtown Oxnard. Deadline is May 11

OXNARD – Attention all developers! This is the last call to submit proposals to develop a mix of retail and residential properties in historic downtown Oxnard. The Oxnard Community Development Commission Successor Agency and the City of Oxnard are inviting developers…

Jackson Applauds Funding for Train Upgrades

Funding will improve timeliness, efficiency and reliability of commuter and intercity rail SACRAMENTO — State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) issued the following statement today commending the California State Transportation Agency for awarding significant funding for critical rail improvements, including $148 million to the Pacific…

10th Annual Mariachi Encuentro Fundraiser on Cinco de Mayo to Benefit Girls Inc. of Carpinteria

CARPINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with its 10th annual Mariachi Encuentro event, an evening filled with authentic Mexican food, music, and culture on Saturday, May 5h at the Girls Inc. of Carpinteria campus, 5315…

Clinicas Del Camino Real Inc. Recognized as HRSA National Quality Leader

VENTURA — For the second year in a row, Clinicas Del Camino Real, Inc. has been recognized as a National Quality Leader by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Quality Leader recognition is based on performance information submitted annually through…

Bilingual commentary: The Last of the Truck Drivers

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 Create Opt-Out Emergency Alert System Passes Senate Floor

SB 821 allows counties to automatically enroll residents in emergency alerts SACRAMENTO—Following the devastating fires last year, in which many residents were not signed up for their county alerts, a bill by State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) to create an opt-out emergency…

Museum of Ventura County update for April 26

Click here for more information   Major funding for these programs is made possible by the City of San Buenaventura and the County of Ventura. Figure Drawing with artist Ryan Carr Join artist Ryan Carr from 6 to 8 p.m., May 1, for…

Bilingual commentary: Passage of SB 295 ensures safety of women working in California’s agriculture fields

To whom it may concern, My name is Gabriela Valencia and my partner Brandi Segovia and I are currently working on raising awareness surrounding policies that directly impact women working in the fields of Oxnard, California. As we are graduate students who…

Workshop Demonstrates How Aquatic Insects Provide Clues About Health of Local Watersheds

VENTURA — Local biodiversity conservation group Paso Pacifico hosted a unique workshop on April 14, giving science and nature lovers an up-close look at how to monitor water quality using aquatic insects, which serve as a simple yet effective indicator…

Ventura County Human Services Agency Partners with Blanchard Community Library to Provide After Hours Service

SANTA PAULA — The Ventura County Human Services Agency and Santa Paula’s Blanchard Community Library have launched a pilot program that brings County staff to the library facility during designated evening and weekend hours to provide public assistance services to…

10th Annual Conference for Social Justice in Education on April 21 will tackle juvenile offenders, schools as sanctuaries and yoga for traumatized youth

CAMARILLO — How do educators work with students worried about themselves or their parents being deported? Should schools serve as sanctuaries? What role can schools play in preventing juvenile delinquency? Can classroom yoga help traumatized youth? These are just a few…

Jackson to Honor Women First Responders as Women of the Year

SANTA BARBARA – In recognition of their bravery during the Thomas Fire, State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) will honor women first responders from Santa Barbara and Ventura counties as the 19th Senate District’s 2018 Women of the Year in separate ceremonies on April…

Bilingual commentary: Chaos: Strategy or Ineptitude?

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: Camarillo Hospice announces General Bereavement Spanish Speaking Support Group

CAMARILLO — Camarillo Hospice, a program of Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association, is presenting a General Bereavement  Spanish Speaking Support Group Healing After the Loss of a Loved One.  Our Spanish Speaking Bereavement Support Group is open to anyone who has experienced a loss…

Dr. Roger Rice Named Educational Leader of the Year

VENTURA COUNTY — Dr. Roger Rice, Deputy Superintendent for Student Services at the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE), was honored today by the Ventura County Leadership Academy (VCLA) as its Educational Leader of the Year. Dr. Rice received his…

State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson: Earth Day Endures

Click here for the entire e-newsletter A devastating oil spill off of our coast in 1969 gave birth to the first Earth Day. Nearly half a century later, Californians remain committed to protecting our environment. As we begin our Earth…

Sun, Fun… Career Advancement? SBCC Career Skills Institute Offers Accelerated Summer Options

Registration opens April 20 SANTA BARBARA — This summer, professionals and job seekers alike can make quick work of positioning themselves for career success, even while juggling work, life, and vacation. SBCC Career Skills Institute is tuition-free and will deliver…

Jackson and Atkins Bill Would Make California the First State to Require Women on Corporate Boards

Senate Bill 826 would require publicly held corporations to have one woman by 2019 and two or more after that SACRAMENTO — Legislation authored by State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) and Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) to require gender diversity on corporate…

Ventura County Supervisors honor five environmental champions with Earth Day Awards

VENTURA — The Board of Supervisors honored five 2018 Ventura County Earth Day Awards recipients at their Tuesday, April 17, 2018 Board meeting. The awards honor individuals and organizations that go above and beyond to support sustainable living and environmentally…

United Way of Ventura County update for April 19

Click here for the entire e-newsletter President’s Message  Dear Friends, I wanted to share with you a story of one of the many people who have received hardship assistance from the United Way Thomas Fire and Flood Fund. Erik’s story…

Carnegie Art Museum update for April 19

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   April is National Poetry Month and last weekend’s Poetry at the Carnegie – The Jackson Wheeler Series was a celebration of the spoken word,  a spectacular evening of talent featuring Patty Seyburn and Dian Sousa as well as…

Jackson Bill to Halt Trump’s Offshore Drilling Expansion Advances

SACRAMENTO – State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara)’s legislation to block the Trump Administration from expanding federal oil drilling off the California coast passed the Senate Natural Resources Committee last night on a 6 to 2 vote. Senate Bill 834 will ensure that pipelines…

The Collection celebrates awaited opening of modern Chinese restaurant, General Chow

OXNARD — The Collection at RiverPark is proud to announce that General Chow is now open. The highly anticipated grand opening of the modern Chinese restaurant will feature classic Chinese dishes like Honey Walnut Shrimp, Black Pepper Beef Mignon, Chow…

Oxnard College to celebrate 37th anniversary of Ballet Folklórico Mestizo — 2018 Spring Concert April 20 through 22

OXNARD — Please join us for the 37th Anniversary of an OC tradition ––Ballet Folklórico Mestizo. Directed by Matilde Sánchez, Professor, English, ESL, Dance, the Ballet Mestizo brings the sights and sounds of Mexico’s traditional dances and songs to Oxnard College…

Ventura County Judge Michele Castillo, former U.S. Second Lady Tipper Gore to receive honorary doctorates from CSUCI

CAMARILLO — The first Latina ever to serve on the Superior Court of Ventura County and the former Second Lady of the United States will receive honorary doctorates at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Commencement on May 19, 2018. Ventura County Superior…

Ventura College Phoenix Scholarship Program Enters its 19th Year. Scholarship ceremony to be held April 19

VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation is helping 28 mature adults attain their dreams of higher education by providing the financial assistance needed to return to college. This month, the Foundation will award a total of $48,400 in Phoenix Scholarships…

UCSB’s El Centro Arnulfo Casillas set to mark 40 years as the heart of the Chicano/Chicana experience on campus

By Jim Logan • UCSB Few buildings at UC Santa Barbara are as deeply enmeshed in the fabric of student life as El Centro Arnulfo Casillas. The center of the Chicana and Chicano experience on the campus for 40 years,…

Rick Najera Launches Podcast to Highlight Inspirational Latinos, Diverse Voices

Latino Thought Makers Now Available on SoundCloud, the world’s leading social sound platform LOS ANGELES — Rick Najera’s inspirational talk show, Latino Thought Makers,highlighting Latino achievement and diverse voices, is now available on SoundCloud, the world’s leading social sound platform at www.soundcloud.com/latinothoughtmakers. Latino Thought…

Gold Coast Health Plan Hires Chief Financial Officer

Accomplished Health Plan Executive to Take the Financial Helm of Ventura County Medi-Cal Plan CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) announced today the hiring of Kashina Bishop as its new chief financial officer (CFO). “I’m excited to welcome Kashina to Gold Coast…

CenCal Health Celebrates Providers and the Community for 10 Years of Service in SLO County

CENTRAL COAST — CenCal Health, the healthcare provider for nearly 180,000 Central Coast residents, marked its 10th anniversary operating in San Luis Obispo County with an evening of celebration and community recognitions on March 28. Dr. Rene Bravo, M.D., F.A.A.P.…

SBCC Student Has Opportunity of a Lifetime as NASA Intern

SANTA BARBARA — While most her fellow Santa Barbara City College students are attending their spring semester classes here in Santa Barbara, Isabel Agundis, a Mechanical Engineering major, is enjoying an educational experience of a different kind: an internship at…

Museum of Ventura County update for April 13

Major funding for these programs is made possible by the City of San Buenaventura and the County of Ventura. Final Two Days! In High Style: The Photography of Neal Barr Don’t miss the final two days for In High Style: The Photography of Neal…

Santa Barbara Museum of Art update for April 13

Enjoy half-price admission in 2018!   Exhibition Openings   Richard Dunlap, Summer Nocturne, 1977. Tar paper with lacquer and silver leaf. SBMA, Gift of Friends of the Artist.   Summer Nocturne: Works on Paper from the 1970s June 10 – September…

United Way of SBC Opening Relief Applications for Families, Individuals Impacted by Fire, Mudslides

SANTA BARBARA — United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) announced today that individuals and families affected by the Thomas Fire and/or January 9th floods can apply for direct financial assistance through the United Way Thomas Fire & Flood Fund…

Earth Day Organizers Announces Environmental Heroes: Oxnard water activist Florencia Ramirez & Ocean Conservationists SeaLegacy

Earth Day Organizers Announce 2018 Environmental Hero & Youth Award Recipients and Activities for a “Climate Resilient” Future. Legendary singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins to play and copresent awards with Congressman Salud Carbajal SANTA BARBARA —  The Community Environmental Council (CEC) proudly announces the…

Bilingual commentary: Running Along Tops of Walls

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 •…