Take a moment to think about someone who has made a positive difference in your life. Who inspired you to do your best and dream big? For so many of us, having someone who supported our aspirations, gave guidance, and…
Author: Community Contributor
LULAC Statement on New Executive Orders on Border Wall and Sanctuary Cities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Trump (on Jan. 25) signed two controversial executive orders regarding the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and penalties for sanctuary cities. The proposed wall would extend along the southern border and would cost as…
Mental Wellness Center Welcomes Two New Board Members
SANTA BARBARA — The Mental Wellness Center is proud to announce the appointments of Ned Emerson and Vickie Gonzales to its Board of Directors. Ned Emerson brings over four decades of business and sales experience to the Mental Wellness Center’s…
Monique Limón “Counter Plans” for Inauguration
SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) announced how she would be observing the days around the swearing in ceremonies of President-Elect Trump. “Several people have asked me what I will be doing when the 45th President of the United States…
Small Business Organizations Give Assemblymember Irwin Top Marks
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) was honored by the California Small Business Association and California Small Business Roundtable with the Summa Cum Laude distinction in their 2016 Legislative Honor Roll. Assemblymember Irwin was recognized for her extraordinary support…
Bilingual commentary: Refusing to Discuss
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…
Lompoc Family YMCA Accepting Applications for Upcoming LIVESTRONG Program
Free program helps adult cancer survivors return to physical activity The Lompoc Family YMCA is accepting applications for its upcoming LIVESTRONG program, which helps adult cancer survivors return to physical activity, increase fitness performance and have better quality of life.…
Guest commentary: Professor, You’re Being Watched!?
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. Frank P. Barajas. Courtesy photo.…
Guest column: Residents hold the KEYS to Transform Oxnard into a Premier Art City of California
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. Armando Vazquez. Courtesy photo. By…
Assemblymember Irwin received the “Golden Bear Award” from the California Enlisted Association of the National Guard (CAL EANGUS)
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) was honored by the California Enlisted Association of the National Guard (CAL EANGUS) with the prestigious “Golden Bear Award” for her impressive work improving the lives of California’s National Guard members. “Assemblywoman Irwin…
Unite to Light Partners with Innovative Mobile Donation App: Coin Up Turning Spare Change into Meaningful Change
Santa Barbara nonprofit aims to increase awareness and expand reach in 2017 SANTA BARBARA — Unite to Light has joined efforts with Coin Up to offer an innovative and efficient way for donors and activists to help their favorite cause using…
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County: BOWL FOR KIDS’ SAKE is Creating a BIG Experience for Littles!
VENTURA COUNTY — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) is looking for teams and individuals to participate in the annual BOWL FOR KIDS’ SAKE fundraising event, to help support a BIG experience for program youth: by supporting Bowl For Kids’…
Bilingual commentary: The Changing World of Retail
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…
Ventura County Public Works Agency projects receive top honors at American Public Works Association award ceremony
VENTURA COUNTY – The Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) can add three more recognitions to its list of notable accolades. This month, the American Public Works Association (APWA) Ventura County chapter announced its Projects of the Year awards, honoring three…
Gold Coast Transit District’s Robert Lurie, Director of Fleet and Facilities, retires after 35 years
OXNARD — After nearly 35 years of dedicated service, Gold Coast Transit District’s Robert Lurie, Director of Fleet and Facilities has retired. Lurie joined GCTD (then known as SCAT) in March of 1982 as a mechanic and by 1986 he was…
Fundación El Lustrador ayuda con donaciones en Guatemala
OXNARD — Ésta Semana, después del drástico incendio que afectó a parte de la población aledaña al basurero de la Zona 3 en la Ciudad de Guatemala, el 29 de diciembre de 2016. Observando esta tragedia humana LA UNIDAD DE…
LinkedIn Officially Endorses SBCC Career Skills Institute
SANTA BARBARA — SBCC Career Skills Institute is proud to announce its endorsement by LinkedIn for its outstanding efforts to build a better future for the community’s workforce and employers. The Career Skills Institute and LinkedIn share the common goal…
CSU Channel Islands receives grant to develop four-year teacher preparation programs
Grant will help university’s effort to develop Bilingual and Special Education teachers CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) will receive a grant of almost $250,000 from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to develop four-year teacher preparation programs. California is experiencing…
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Barbara County Celebrates 30 Years of Local Mentoring
SANTA BARBARA — In 2017, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Santa Barbara County will celebrate its 30th year of providing life-changing mentoring friendships for our community’s struggling youth. January is National Mentoring Month and currently over 80 at-risk children in Santa…
Gold Coast Transit District staff brought holiday cheer to the bus this season
OXNARD – Riding on a Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD) bus isn’t always the first thing that comes to mind as a way to ring in the holidays; however, for the month of December that’s exactly what many GCTD passengers…
Bilingual commentary: Another Year to Build Our Lives
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…
Last chance to submit art work for official poster contest of the 2017 California Strawberry Festival
OXNARD — The final days are fast approaching so start thinking berries! Art and strawberries can be a fruitful enterprise. Enter the 34th Annual California Strawberry Festival Official Poster Contest where the winner will receive $2,000 and four VIP tickets to the celebration…
Channel Island’s Maritime Museum Offers “Groups Only” Days for Customized Events
OXNARD — Private groups may now claim the Channel Island Maritime Museum as theirs exclusively for events and tours, the Museum recently announced. Perched on some of the most scenic waterfront property in Ventura County, the Museum gives visitors a…
Latino News Notes: More voters will have access to non-English ballots in the next election cycle
By D’Vera Cohn • Pew Research Center The federal government has long required election ballots in some U.S. jurisdictions to be printed in languages other than English, based on the number of voting-age citizens who live in those communities and have limited English…
Feb. 21 — Bilingual Presentation “Laundry in 18th and 19th century Mexico” by Marie Francois, Ph.D., Professor of History
Santa Paula — Bilingual Presentation — “Laundry in 18th and 19th century Mexico” by Marie Francois, Ph.D., Professor of History, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, Blanchard Community Library, 119 North 8th Street, Santa Paula. Abstract: Las lavanderas de la ciudad de México…
Through Feb. 26 — ‘On the Margin / Luchando Contra El Olvido’ at the Carnegie Art Museum
OXNARD — The exhibit of “On the Margin / Luchando Contra El Olvido” by CAM Studio Guest Artist Antonio Arredondo Juarez will be presented through Feb. 26 at the Carnegie Art Museum, 329 N. Fifth St., Oxnard. Antonio Arredondo Juarez was born…
Feb. 9 — Speakers Rick Najera & Soraya Deen Talk Diversity at Canoga Park High School
CANOGA PARK — Diversity leaders Soraya Deen and Rick Najera will speak at Canoga Park High School in Canoga Park, CA on Thursday, February 9 at 7 p.m. to raise funds for Multicultural Learning Center’s (MLC) graduating class of 2017 and for Canoga Park High…
Bilingual report: Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. hosting Dental Health Fair on Feb. 11 in honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month
OXNARD — February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. If you have a baby or toddler, you may have questions about thumb sucking, your child’s first dental visit or how and when to clean your child’s teeth. If so, on February…
Starting Jan. 5 — Los Camperos de Nati Cano in free performances
SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! opens the new year with Los Camperos de Nati Cano – Grammy-winning masters of the mariachi tradition – in a series of free, family concerts at Isla Vista School, Friday, January 6,…
State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson to speak at Women’s March in Los Angeles on Jan. 21
LOS ANGELES — State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) will join the Women’s March in Los Angeles tomorrow and speak at a rally held at Los Angeles City Hall. Jackson, the author of California’s landmark equal pay law and joint…
Nominations deadline is Jan. 11 for El Concilio Family Services’ 28th annual Latino Leadership Awards
OXNARD — The nomination deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11 for El Concilio Family Services’ 28th annual Latino Leadership Awards. We are asking for award nominations of individuals or businesses that have made an outstanding contribution in enhancing the educational…
Jan. 21 — Acuña Art Gallery and Cultural Center/ Cafe on A to hold free community art workshop
The Acuña Art Gallery and Cultural Center/ Cafe on A will be hosting a free community art workshop on Saturday, January 21, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Join us for an afternoon of building healthy communities through the…
26 de enero — Como Manejar los Problemas de Obtener un ITIN
OXNARD — Como Manejar los Problemas de Obtener un ITIN, jueves 26 de enero, 2017 a 5:45 pm – 7:30 pm, Oxnard Heritage Cultural Center, 141 W. 5th St., Suite E. Onxard Llamen a Carlos al 805.816.7387 para reservar su espacio.
Jan. 24 — UCSB Meet the Artist: Favianna Rodriguez/The Radical Imagination
SANTA BARBARA — The opening reception for the “Resilient Love in a Time of Hate Series” will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24 at the UCSB Multicultural Center Lounge. Favianna Rodriguez’s art and collaborative projects address…
CSUCI Assistant Professor wins national award for dissertation on representing undocumented immigrants
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CI) Assistant Professor of Political Science Matthew Mendez, Ph.D., has earned national recognition for his dissertation on when and how well state lawmakers represent the interests of undocumented immigrants. “Invisible Constituents: The Representation of Undocumented Immigrants” earned…
Bilingual commentary: Is Hanukkah the “Jewish Christmas”?
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…
Limón Appointed to Leadership Position in State Assembly
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) was appointed Assistant Majority Whip of the California State Assembly by Speaker Anthony Rendon. “I am honored and humbled by the confidence and trust Speaker Rendon has placed in me to be an effective…
State Sen. Jackson’s Legislation To Become Law on January 1
SACRAMENTO – Among the numerous bills authored by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) this year, the following will take effect on January 1, 2017: Senate Bill 1435, School Curriculum: Healthy Relationships: Continuing her commitment to addressing youth violence, preventing sexual assault and encouraging…
New Year’s Resolutions Can Start at Home
By Javier Saucedo / emPower Central Coast Energy Coach Now that the holiday decorations are packed away and that pesky New Year’s Eve confetti is finally swept up, many of us are going to take a look at how we…
RISE receives $5,000 in merchandise from New Balance for holidays
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY – RISE received a donation of $5,000 in merchandise from New Balance Athletics, Inc. for shelter and case management clients, providing much-needed apparel for the winter season. RISE was selected to receive this donation by Ally Carda,…
State Sen. Jackson Introduces Legislation to Ensure More Californians Taking Family Leave Do Not Lose Their Jobs
SACRAMENTO – As momentum continues to grow nationwide for stronger family leave policies, Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) has just introduced two bills to ensure that more Californians can take leave to care for a newborn or a seriously ill family member…
8 Ways to Make Resolutions Stick in 2017: Santa Barbara Family YMCA offers tips to make lasting change
SANTA BARBARA — Making resolutions is a tradition for millions of Americans. However, while choosing a resolution is easy, sticking to it can be impossible. A 2014 YMCA survey found that less than a quarter of respondents kept their resolutions.…
Local Youth Giving Back: Channel Islands YMCA Youth and Government Delegates Hold Clean Up Day
SANTA BARBARA — Delegates from the Channel Islands YMCA Youth and Government team recently gave back to the community by helping clean up the baseball fields at Mackenzie Park in Santa Barbara. Students from the Stuart C. Gildred (Santa Ynez),…
SBCC Scheinfeld Center Receives Funding from Spirit of Entrepreneurship Foundation for Student Awards and Scholarships
SANTA BARBARA — SBCC Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation is pleased to announce it has received $15,000 in funding for students participating in the 2017 New Venture Challenge business plan and pitch competition. Two checks were provided to the…
Spirit of Giving Food Drive Raises Over 12,000 Pounds
VENTURA COUNTY — From November 28th to December 14th, Dole Packaged Foods and FOOD Share of Ventura County collaborated on their first inaugural Spirit of Giving school food drive to empower local students to give back to those less fortunate…
Getting to Know EDC-VC’s Alondra Gaytan, SBDC Program Specialist
CAMARILLO — As a program specialist for EDC-VC’s Small Business Development Center since 2014, Alondra Gaytan helps assess small business owners and innovators seeking professional/technical assistance and connects them with the appropriate resources, including SBDC’s business advisors who provide free one-on-one…
Oxnard RDA’s Successor Agency: A Christmas Story
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 Armando Vazquez / Guest contributor As…
Jesus Nava selected as Oxnard’s new assistant city manager
OXNARD — City Manager Greg Nyhoff announced that he selected Jesus Nava as Oxnard’s new assistant city manager. Nava began his duties effective Dec. 19. He replaces Maria Hurtado and will oversee the Finance, Human Resources and Information Technology departments. He will…
Bilingual commentary: Is There Hope for the Rust Belt?
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 David Magallanes /…
CenCal Health Pilot Project to Help Eligible Seniors Receive At-Home Assistance
CENTRAL COAST — To ensure that vulnerable seniors and people with disabilities continue to receive at-home medical services, CenCal Health is launching a pilot project with DASH (Doctors Assisting Seniors at Home) to serve its members. DASH is a program…