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 is on vacation.…
Author: Community Contributor
A Condition of the Heart May be Cure for Foster Parenting Myths
SANTA BARBARA — “Santa Barbara suffers from a serious shortage of resource families to care for the county’s 425 children in need of a loving home, and a number of untrue but persistent myths about foster care may be responsible for…
Last weekend: Teatro de las Américas to present ‘Esperanza Rising’ Sept. 30 through Oct. 2
WHAT: “Esperanza Rising” WHO: Teatro de las Américas and Oxnard College present a play written by Lynne Alvarez based on the book by Pam Ryan Muñoz. Music by Victor Zupanc. Directed by Miguel Heredia. WHEN: Fridays and Saturdays, September 16, 23, 24, 30,…
‘Life Force,” an exhibit of the artwork of Hiroko Yoshimoto & Bob Privitt to be held through Sept. 24 at Studio Channel Islands
CAMARILLO — September begins the new art season and the Blackboard Gallery located at Studio Channel Islands in Camarillo is opening with a phenomenal new exhibition called “Life Force”. Artists Hiroko Yoshimoto & Bob Privitt are world renowned artists, each bring…
Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Members Visit Washington D.C.
CARPINTERIA — Ten local girls from Girls Inc. of Carpinteria recently returned from an inspiring trip to Washington D.C. as part of the organization’s Eureka! program, a five-year, college-bound program that aims to break gender stereotypes and encourages girls to…
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara! announces Cimarrón: Music from the plains of Colombia performance from through Sept. 18
SANTA BARBARA — From the plains of the Orinoco River which runs between Venezuela and Colombia, Cimarrón perform the festive dance music of joropo, a fiercely virtuoso display of rippling melodies and powerful rhythms combining Andalusian, indigenous American, and African roots.…
August lineup for Channel Islands Harbor’s Concerts by the Sea – Free summer concert series held at Peninsula Park
OXNARD — Channel Islands Harbor continues its Concerts by the Sea each Saturday of the summer through Aug. 27. The free summer concert series is held from 4-6 p.m. at Peninsula Park, 3401 Peninsula Road, Oxnard at Channel Islands Harbor,…
United Way of Ventura County to honor Hank Lacayo with ‘Lifetime Achievement Award” on Aug. 25
President’s Message Dear Friends, Spring is passing us by quickly and, before you know it, graduations will take place and our Stuff the Bus program will be gathering school supplies again for the next school year. Where does the time…
Free Community Jarocho Workshop with Cambalache presented by ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! on Sept. 15
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! presents Cambalache in Free Community Jarocho Workshop Thursday / Jueves, SEPT 15, 7:00 – 8:30 PM La Casa de La Raza, 601 E. Montecito Street, Santa Barbara, CA FREE / Entrada gratuita Free community…
RSVP deadline is Aug. 26 for CAUSE’S Raising Justice ‘Quinceañera — An Afternoon of Celebrating 15 years of Working for Regional Equality on the Central Coast’
VENTURA — Patti Chang, former president and CEO of The Women’s Foundation of California, will be the keynote speaker at CAUSE’S Raising Justice “Quinceañera — An Afternoon of Celebrating 15 years of Working for Regional Equality on the Central Coast,” on…
Local PODS Puts Oxnard Union High Schools Football Training Camp Fundraising in Scoring Position
OXNARD — Local PODS moving and storage may make a winning season for Oxnard Union High School’s football teams by donating containers and services for the football boosters’ yearly fundraiser at this summer’s Dallas Cowboys Training Camp in Oxnard. Two…
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! to present Los Cambalache in free concerts through Sept. 18
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! to present Cambalache, Son Jarocho, Sept. 16 through 18. CONCERT Friday, September 16, 7:00 – 8:00 pm, Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Rd., Goleta CONCERT Saturday, September 17, 7:00 – 8:00 pm, Guadalupe City Hall, 918…
Pages from life in the 1960s Los Angeles barrio on display at CSU Channel Islands through Oct. 7
CAMARILLO — School segregation, the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War were topics pulsing through Los Angeles barrios in the 1960s, but the Latino voices in the area went largely unheard and unpublished. Writer/editor Tony Solis Gomez and about five…
Bilingual commentary: Gender Labels
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…
Support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Enter to Win V.I.P. Tickets to See Dolly Parton at the Santa Barbara Bowl
United Way of Santa Barbara County Program Ensures Children Ages 0-5 Have Access to Books SANTA BARBARA – In support of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, United Way of Santa Barbara County is raffling an exclusive V.I.P package to Dolly Parton’s…
Foster VC Kids Hosts Spanish Foster Family Informational Session on Aug. 24
VENTURA COUNTY — Currently in Ventura County, over 1,000 children and youth in foster care need loving families, mentors, and advocates who will support them as if they were their own. Foster VC Kids relies on resource parents and families…
Social Justice Fund for Ventura County to present ‘Education and the American Dream’ on Sept. 10
CAMARILLO — The Social Justice Fund for Ventura County will present the interact workshop “Education and the American Dream” from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Ventura County Community Foundation, 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo. Education is…
Legendary Music Icon Johnny Mathis Supports Local Seniors Through Special Event Sponsorship
SANTA YNEZ — Rona Barrett Foundation announces sponsorship opportunities and first four sponsors for annual fundraising event benefiting the Golden Inn & Village The Rona Barrett Foundation is honored to announce legendary singer Johnny Mathis as the Sentimental Journey sponsor…
Boys & Girls Clubs Honor Staff and Board Members at Annual Event – 62nd Board of Directors and Officers Installed
VENTURA COUNTY — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme installed its 62nd Board of Directors and honored staff and board members at its annual installation and staff appreciation dinner at the Martin V. Smith Clubhouse…
Rona Barrett Foundation Welcomes Dr. Lisa Clement as New Board Member
SANTA YNEZ — The Rona Barrett Foundation is proud to welcome Lisa Clement, M.D. as the newest member of their Board of Directors. Dr. Clement practices internal medicine in the Santa Ynez Valley, and brings to the Foundation 23 years…
Gold Coast Transit District Implementing Bus Services Changes this Sunday
VENTURA COUNTY — Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD), the largest public transportation provider in Ventura County, will make adjustments to its fixed-route bus service on Sunday, July 31, 2016. GCTD is making the minor changes primarily to help improve overall…
Assemblymember Irwin Launches 2016 Boot Drive for Homeless Veterans
Boot Drive will be part of the Ventura County Stand Down event CAMARILLO – As part of the preparations for this year’s Ventura County Stand Down event, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) will be collecting gently used boots from Ventura County’s…
Latino Museum of History, Art and Culture at CI joins Getty-led collaboration with arts institutions across Southern California
CAMARILLO — An exhibit scheduled to go up in fall of 2017 on the CSU Channel Islands (CI) campus will be part of a larger collaboration of exhibits across Southern California called Pacific Standard Time LA/LA. The Getty-led collaboration explores Latin American and…
Bilingual report: Ambassador Roberto Rodriguez-Hernandez named new Consul of Mexico in Oxnard
Dear Friends and Colleagues The Consulate of Mexico in Oxnard is pleased to welcome Ambassador Roberto Rodriguez-Hernandez as the new Consul of Mexico in Oxnard California. In July 2016, Amb. Rodriguez-Hernandez took office after Consul Berenice Diaz-Ceballos was designated as…
El Centrito Family Learning Centers unveils updated website
OXNARD — El Centrito Family Learning Centers unveils a refreshed website that highlights the agency’s mission “to create a multicultural community of excellence by inspiring the children, youth and families of Ventura County to learn, lead and reach their greatest potential.”…
Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau Appoints New Executive Director
OXNARD — The Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Executive Director, Joshua Travers. Travers brings a diverse background in program management, strategic planning and community engagement to the Bureau. Over the past two…
Fall Enrollment now open for Paso Robles Youth Arts Foundation
PASO ROBLES — All children between the ages of 5-18 are invited to enroll for a wide variety of free after school visual and performing arts classes. Students do not need to be residents of Paso Robles. Parents planning to enroll…
Local PODS® Lends Services to 24th Annual Ventura County Stand Down
VENTRA COUNTY — For many veterans, daily amenities and other services can be hard to come by, but combining that with trying to assimilate back into a regular routine can be the biggest hardship of all. On July 29-31, local…
Union Bank donation makes local ‘Tools for School’ Event possible
SANTA BARBARA — While the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) provides innovative housing and services in the community, its nonprofit affiliate, 2nd Story Associates, helps fill gaps to help local families succeed. Thanks to a generous donation…
Gold Coast Health Plan Turns 5
Ventura County’s Medi-Cal Plan to Celebrate 5-Year Anniversary CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) is celebrating its five-year anniversary on Friday, July 29 with a fun event that will recognize the contributions of the Plan’s employees. GCHP went live on July…
Vans Donated to United Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara County Help Local Kids In Need
SANTA BARBARA — The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) recently donated two used vans to a local non-profit, United Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara County. The vans will be used to help with furniture and…
Testing for TCE at SLO county airport underway
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Independent contractors began testing at the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport this week to determine if airport property is the source of toxic chemicals found in nearby groundwater. Roux Associates, an environmental consulting and management…
Local Contractors Recognized for Energy Efficient Projects
CENTRAL COAST – The Tri-County-operated emPower program has recognized several local contractors for their dedication to affordable, energy efficient home upgrades. emPower teams with qualified contractors to assist interested homeowners in completing projects that will make their homes more comfortable,…
Bilingual commentary: Centers of Peace
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…
Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation Welcomes Peter Jordano as Honorary Chairman of the Wings of Honor Committee
SANTA BARBARA — Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation welcomes Peter Jordano as Honorary Chairman of the Wings of Honor Committee. He brings his years of experience in the business sector as well as service in the Marine Corps to the committee.…
Rabobank Donates $7,500 for Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Youth Education Program
CENTRAL COAST — Rabobank has presented Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) with a $7,500 grant in support of the nonprofit’s Youth Education Enhancement Program (YEEP), focusing on improving the literacy, English and math skills of student residents. Rabobank regularly supports nonprofit…
Assemblymember Irwin Pushes Two Bills to Benefit Military Personnel at Home
Two bills proposed would encourage improved mental health practices and provide legal assistance to members of military SACRAMENTO – Two assembly bills authored by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) have been approved by Senate committees and await further review. The first,…
Wildfire Danger Important Reminder of Disaster Preparedness for Pets
SANTA BARBARA —In times of emergency, it is important to not only prepare your family for evacuation, but also keep in mind the safety of your pets, big and small. The recent Sherpa Fire forced the evacuation of animals from homes…
Ventura County CDC receives $60,000 from the Citi Foundation to help local families achieve homeownership and financial stability
VENTURA COUNTY – The Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) was recently awarded a $60,000 grant by the Citi Foundation to support its Changing Lives through Homeownership Program which provides homebuyer education and counseling services to low-to-moderate income families in Ventura…
“Breaking News–How to Get Your Local Story Covered” – Local News Moguls Share Important Tips at July PRSA Gold Coast Chapter Meeting
CENTRAL COAST — What makes a news story pitch perfect? Local broadcast media managers focus on this and other aspects of getting stories into the news at the next PRSA Gold Coast Chapter meeting, July 27. Mark Danielson, General Manager,…
St. Francis Foundation Elects Kathleen Baushke as New Board President
SANTA BARBARA — St. Francis Foundation of Santa Barbara is proud to welcome Kathleen Baushke as its new Board President. As Executive Director of Transition House for 15 years, Baushke brings a deep understanding of the landscape of solutions for…
Down & Dirty: Troubles with Attics & Crawlspaces
By Javier Saucedo, emPower Central Coast Energy Coach Squeeze your way into a home’s attic or crawlspace and you’ll know why I often come out covered in a combination of spider webs, dirt, dust and more. As an emPower Energy…
Computer Camp Prepares College-Bound Foster Youth
VENTURA COUNTY — 20 local transitional-aged foster youth have been selected to participate in a digital literacy computer training seminar, taking place July 15 and 16 at the County of Ventura Human Services Agency. A powerful collaboration between the Ventura…
Bilingual commentary: Lessons From the Story of Dory
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…
CSU Channel Islands, University Preparation Charter School and Oceanview School District Receive Grant to Prepare a New Generation of Teachers
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CI), the University Preparation Charter School (UPS) at CSU Channel Islands (CI) and the Ocean View School District have been awarded a grant by the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation to expand practice-based training for new K-8 teachers…
MICOP hiring a Project Coordinator to identify and recruit; train and mentor Clubes de Oriundos (Townhall Associations)
OXNARD — MICOP is currently hiring a Project Coordinator to identify and recruit; train and mentor Clubes de Oriundos (Townhall Associations), to strengthen their organization and leadership capacity. S/he will inspire and support Clubes de Oriundos (Townhall Associations) leaders to design and submit a “community project-program plan” that…
Ventura County Public Works Agency announces $7 million in cost avoidance from Lean Six Sigma program over six years
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Public Works Agency’s (VCPWA) announced that using Lean Six Sigma efficiency programs provided nearly $2 million in cost avoidance this fiscal year, and almost $7 million in cost avoidance over the past six years.…
State Budget Includes $22 Million for Assemblymember Irwin’s UC Innovation Initiative
SACRAMENTO — $22 million in funding for the UC Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative proposed by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) has been included in the 2016-17 budget signed by Governor Brown. Irwin’s legislation, which has been touted as a “Job Creator”…
Bilingual commentary: Caring Enough to Vote
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…
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) Welcomes 14 Entrepreneurs into the World of Business
SANTA BARBARA — Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) recently celebrated the accomplishments of 22 women and men who have successfully completed WEV’s Santa Maria-based Advanced Spanish Self-Employment Training (SSET) course with a graduation ceremony held at the United Domestic Workers (UDW)…