CENTRAL COAST — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing hosted two cocktail events, “Thanking Our Partners,” for its major community supporters in October. The events were held at Ventana Grill in Pismo Beach and Blush in Santa Barbara – Oct. 7 and 21, respectively –…
Author: Community Contributor
California Strawberry Festival announces new rules for official poster contest
Contest, with $2,000 grand prize, expanded to include variety of mediums OXNARD — 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…
Opinion: LULAC Helps to Ensure Latinos Vote on Election Day
Related stories: Early voting data nationwide show spike in Latino turnout On November 8th, the presidential election will take place, and to say the least–much is at stake. Never before in the history of presidential politics has a candidate so…
Members of Young Leaders Society Raise $4,000 for United Way of Santa Barbara County Programs
SANTA BARBARA — Recently, members of United Way of Santa Barbara County’s (UWSBC) Young Leaders Society (YLS) bowled the night away at Zodo’s Bowling & Beyond for the 7th Annual United We Bowl event. 96 YLS members participated in a challenge…
SBCC’s Scheinfeld Center partners with Pelican Products for their Global T Immersion Micro-Internship Program
SANTA BARBARA — On November 10, Santa Barbara City College’s Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, along with its business partner, Pelican Products, hosted 22 Hawthorne Math & Science Academy High School students and staff, for a Global T Immersion Micro-Internship.…
Stuart C. Gildred Family YMCA Welcomes Thomas Speidel as Executive Director
SANTA YNEZ — The Stuart C. Gildred Family YMCA is proud to announce Thomas Speidel as their new Executive Director. Speidel has been involved with the Y since he was eight years old, playing basketball at the Manchester Y in Richmond,…
House Passes Two Capps Bills
Health care legislation will strengthen nursing workforce, improve access to maternity care WASHINGTON — Rep. Lois Capps (CA-24) on Nov. 15 celebrated the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of two bills she co-authored, the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act (H.R.…
Montecito Family YMCA Elects Sally Jo Murren as New Board Chair
MONTECITO — The Montecito Family YMCA is proud to announce Sally Jo Murren as new board chair. Murren has served on the Board of Managers since 2013. She currently serves as the Director of Sales with Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore…
Braille Institute Santa Barbara Recognized By 8th Annual AIA ArchitecTours Event
SANTA BARBARA — Braille Institute Santa Barbara recently opened its doors to over 150 members and friends the American Institute of Architects (AIA) – Santa Barbara, who toured the building and program demonstrations as part of their 8th annual ArchitecTours…
SBCC Career Skills Institute Partners with Local Industry to Provide Free Career Advancement Training to Employees and Job Seekers
Over 25 certificate programs deliver huge return on small investment of time SANTA BARBARA – The growing need for competitive skills in the local and global economy has placed mounting pressure on job seekers, business owners, and employees. The Career Skills Institute…
Volunteers Wanted for ‘Art Comes Alive’ at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum
OXNARD – Channel Islands Maritime Museum is looking for volunteers to participate as historical figures in period costume for its third annual “Art Comes Alive” event, scheduled to take place 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Feb. 18-19, 2017. The event presents…
Birnam Wood Golf Club Raises $250,000 for Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation at Veterans Day Golf Tournament
MONTECITO — The Birnam Wood Golf Club raised more than $250,000 for the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation at their second annual Veterans Day Golf Tournament held Friday. The funds raised will support the UC Santa Barbara Veterans Resource Center, which helps…
Bilingual commentary: Seeking A Savior
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 / Guest contributor David Magallanes…
Mental Wellness Center Awarded ALKERMES Inspiration Grant™ for Mental Health Matters Curriculum
SANTA BARBARA — The Mental Wellness Center on Nov. 14 announced receipt of a $15,000 ALKERMES Inspiration Grant to support its Mental Health Matters program, an innovative curriculum that teaches sixth and ninth grade students basic facts about mental wellness, how…
UC Santa Barbara undergraduate one of only 10 college students nationwide selected as a Frederick Douglass Global Fellow
By Shelly Leachman / UCSB It’s a long way from Wilmington to London. But Georgina Aguilar will soon make the trek from her home city of nine square miles and 57,000 people to 600-square-mile London, nine million people strong. And…
Blind and Low-Vision Residents Empowered by Innovative Collaboration Between Braille Institute Santa Barbara and MTD
OXNARD — An innovative collaboration with Santa Barbara MTD provided an interactive demonstration to help blind and low-vision Braille Institute students build confidence and increase safety when using public transportation. MTD brought a full-sized passenger bus to the Braille Institute, which…
Braille Institute Students Give Back With Empty Bowls
SANTA BARBARA — A major joy of participating in the beloved Empty Bowls Santa Barbara event is getting to pick out and take home a beautiful bowl handcrafted by a local ceramic artist. This year, several participants at Empty Bowls…
Guest commentary: The Bourgeois’ Dilemma
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 The…
Guest commentary: Doing the Zombie Dance In Oxnard
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 In…
CenCal Health Rated in Top 10% of Nation’s Medicaid Plans
CENTRAL COAST — This year, CenCal Health rated in the top 10 percent of Medicaid plans nationally for nine areas of care in the most recent state quality measurement ratings. This marks CenCal Health’s best overall performance over the 15 years…
Gold Coast Health Plan Signs Contract with New Pharmacy Benefit Manager
Ventura County’s Medi-Cal Plan to Begin Partnership with OptumRx in 2017 CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) has finalized its contract with OptumRx to manage the prescription drug benefits for the Plan’s more than 207,000 members. Starting next year, the Minnesota-based…
Shoppers To Find Holiday Deals At Centerpoint Mall On Black Friday And Thanksgiving Weekend
OXNARD — There’s plenty of savings and specials at Centerpoint Mall on Black Friday and beyond at the more than 49 retail, specialty, entertainment and dining outlets ranging from apparel and electronics to toys and gift cards, among others. Centerpoint…
CenCal Health and Community Action Commission Partner to Tackle Rising Senior Hunger Rates and Reduce Effects of Malnutrition and Isolation
SANTA BARBARA — CenCal Health executives and staff recently spent time with local seniors at the Goleta Valley Community Center, one of 11 sites across the county where the Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County (CAC) provides a nutritious meal…
Bilingual commentary: Women Banned Forever
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 / Guest contributor David Magallanes…
Marco Quintanar wins ‘Our Hero’ contest sponsored by Entravision Communications
SANTA BARBARA — The votes are in and counted, and the winner is Marco Quintanar, manager of Family Service Agency’s Long Term Care Ombudsman program. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Entravision Communications launched “Nuestros Héroes” (Our Heroes) campaign and focused…
Ferguson Case Orr Paterson Announces Two New Partners
VENTURA — Ferguson Case Orr Paterson LLP (FCOP), Ventura County’s largest law firm, is pleased to announce John Hribar and Lane Lopez as new partners. Hribar’s practice is focused on appeals and civil litigation; Lopez specializes in tax law, business…
emPower Continues Celebrating Energy Action Month Beyond October
VENTURA — With Energy Action Month in October coming to a close, emPower Central Coast is challenging the community to continue taking care of the little loose ends that together are having real consequences on home energy bills. Energy Action Month…
Small Business Development Center Expands Advisor Roster
CENTRAL COAST — The Small Business Development Center of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, which provides free one-on-one consulting to help strengthen the bottom lines of area companies, has added law attorney Virginia Fuentes as a new consultant to its…
Bilingual commentary: “Family Values”
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 / Guest contributor David Magallanes…
United Way of Santa Barbara County Hosts 20th Annual Red Feather Ball
SANTA BARBARA — On Saturday, October 15, United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) celebrated its 20th Annual Red Feather Ball at the Four Seasons Biltmore Coral Casino in Santa Barbara. 280 guests enjoyed the fabulous autumn seaside soiree that included cocktails, silent bidding, dinner,…
Union Bank Grants $10,000 to Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Programs
CENTRAL COAST — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) announced it has been generously awarded a $10,000 grant from Union Bank in support of the nonprofit’s Youth Education Enhancement Program (YEEP), focusing on improving the literacy, English and math skills of student residents. Union Bank…
U.S. Dept. of Education awards CSU Channel Islands $6 million grant to promote STEM education
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CI) has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education for nearly $6 million to help Hispanic and low income students gain greater access to a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The grant is…
Guest commentary: History of Professors — Stories to Connect with Students, especially First Gens. Part 1
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.…
RISE Receives $20,000 Grant from The Mary Kay Foundation to Help Maintain Critical Shelter Programs
Domestic Violence Shelters Nationwide Receive $3 Million in Unrestricted Funds SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY – During Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, RISE received a $20,000 unrestricted grant from The Mary Kay Foundation to help combat domestic violence and provide…
Santa to the Sea Run Issues Challenge to Local Businesses and Corporations
VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County’s most festive fitness event has issued a new challenge for area corporations, companies, and small businesses. Taking place on Sunday, December 11th, the annual Santa to the Sea Half Marathon and 5K is asking leaders…
El Concilio Family Services announces nominations now open for 28th annual Latino Leadership Awards
OXNARD — El Concilio Family Services has announced that nominations are now open for 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 experience of…
‘Tis the Season’ – Oxnard Gears up to Celebrate the Holidays!
OXNARD – Oxnard is gearing up to ring in the holidays with a series of festive events ranging from massive lights displays to holiday boat parades to tempting tamales! Oxnard kicks off the holiday season with the 66th Annual Christmas…
Bilingual report: Teatro de las Américas to present Gala Dinner Fundraiser on Nov. 15
OXNARD — Teatro de las Américas will present its Gala Dinner Fundraiser from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 at The Tower Club, 300 E. Esplanade Drive, Oxnard. The event is designed to engage our local community and supporters to…
The Blackboard Gallery at Studio Channel Islands to present exhibit ‘Street/Urban’ by Charles Magallanes and sculpture work by William Solomon through 23
CAMARILLO — The new exhibition “Street/Urban” opening at the Blackboard Gallery at Studio Channel Islands in Camarillo, is an exhibit showcasing Charles Magallanes, along with a sculptural piece by William Solomon. Each artist will bring his own creative flair to the…
Rick Najera’s Latino Thought Makers Holiday Special Comes to Oxnard College, Dec. 7
Nationally Recognized Stage Show to Feature Broadway Star Bianca Marroquin, Last Comic Standing’s Francisco Ramos, Inspirational Comedian Ernie G and award-winning host Rick Najera OXNARD — In collaboration with the Ventura County Community College District and Oxnard College, Rick Najera’s Latino Thought Makers Holiday Special will take…
El Concilio Family Services to hold Holiday Mixer on Dec. 7
OXNARD — El Concilio Family Services will hold a Holiday Mixer from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7 at the River Ridge Golf Club, 2401 W. Vineyard Ave., Oxnard RSVP to yvonne@elconciliofs.org or by calling 805-487-9777, ext. 228.
Museum of Ventura County to present community outreach meeting on Nov. 10 at the Mexican Consulate in Oxnard
OXNARD — The next Community Outreach Meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10 at the Mexican Consulate, 3151 W. Fifth St., Suite E 100. “We have been getting valuable feedback from you, our Museum family, at our Community Outreach Meetings–thank…
Santa Paula Art Museum to present Gallery Talk: Sergio and Diane Hernandez on Nov. 10
SANTA PAULA — Join us on Thursday, November 10, at 3:00 p.m. for a gallery talk with featured artist Sergio Hernandez and his wife Diane. The pair will share the story of Con Safos magazine, one of the earliest Latino literary publications,…
The Collection at RiverPark gives a “Toast” to bartenders with new social media program
OXNARD — The Collection at RiverPark has introduced a new way to get to know the center’s talented line-up of bartenders along with their signature cocktails. “Toast” is a social media campaign that interviews a new bartender each month from…
UCSB’s Mario Garcia being honored in separate events for distinguished contributions to the history of Latino activists
By Jim Logan / UCSB Few scholars have done more to document the lives and activism of Mexican-Americans than Mario García. For more than four decades the professor of Chicano and Chicana studies and of history at UC Santa Barbara has given voice to the…
Braille Institute Santa Barbara Recognizes National White Cane Safety Day with White Cane Walk and Proclamations
SANTA BARBARA — On October 13, Braille Institute Santa Barbara recognized White Cane Safety Day with a special awareness and education effort. Community leaders and Braille Institute staff, students and volunteers marched in solidarity for the White Cane Walk along De La Vina…
SBCC Receives $5.3 Million Grant to Support “Removing Barriers to STEM Success”
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College has received a $5.3 Million federal grant to support students pursuing a career in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM). The project, “Removing Barriers to STEM Success,” will provide resources for faculty wishing…
Family Service Agency announces $500K in funding for evidence-based Holistic Defense Program
SANTA BARBARA — Family Service Agency (FSA) has received a $498,524 grant from the Laura and John Arnold Foundation to conduct a pilot study of Adult Holistic Defense Case Management (AHDCM) in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Public Defender’s Office.…
Bilingual commentary: Walls, Gates and Velvet Ropes
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 / Guest contributor David Magallanes…
The White House recognizes CSU Channel Islands for community service
CAMARILLO — For the sixth year in a row, CSU Channel Islands (CI) has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll —and for the first time, CI was recognized “with distinction.” Being named to the Honor Roll is the…