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…
Author: Community Contributor
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…
CSU Channel Islands senior’s award-winning research compares success of immigrant Latinos to U.S.-born Latinos
CAMARILLO — Educating immigrants will strengthen a labor force in the long run by providing them with better skills and higher incomes. Further, Latino immigrants who arrived as children seem to fare even better with an education than children born in…
Holiday Shoppers Find Last Minute Deals At Centerpoint Mall During Final Week Before Christmas
Holiday shoppers are taking it down to the wire for Christmas gifts this season and Centerpoint Mall retailers have plenty of specials to offer at the more than 49 retail, specialty, entertainment and dining outlets ranging from apparel and electronics…
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Breaks Ground on Farm Worker Housing in Santa Maria
SANTA MARIA – Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) broke ground on Los Adobes de Maria III in Santa Maria, the nonprofit’s first Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified affordable housing development ever. PSHH was joined by local dignitaries and…
Ventura County Public Works Agency appoints Glenn Shephard as new Director of Watershed Protection District
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) has named Glenn Shephard as the Director of its Watershed Protection District (WPD). Sheppard’s first day will be December 19. Shephard comes to Ventura County after a successful 27-year Civil Engineering career…
Danielle Brinkman-Vera to Chair Ventura Family YMCA 2017 Annual Campaign
VENTURA — The Ventura Family YMCA is proud to announce Danielle Brinkman-Vera as Chair of the 2017 Annual Campaign. Brinkman-Vera is Partner in Charge of Tax Services-Oxnard at Farber Hass Hurley LLP. She is an expert in her field and…
VCCCD Board of Trustees names Bernardo M. Perez, Chair and Arturo Hernández, Vice Chair at December Board meeting
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees named Bernardo M. Perez and Arturo Hernández Chair and Vice Chair, respectively. The vote was taken during open session at the Board meeting held on Tuesday, December 13, 2016.…
Ventura County Public Works Agency earns top honors at American Society of Civil Engineers awards
VENTURA COUNTY – The Los Angeles Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers has selected Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Happy Valley Bioswale Meiners Oaks Urban Low Impact Development (LID) Retrofit as 2016 Environmental Engineering Project of the Year. The…
Lompoc Family YMCA Welcomes Susan Long as New Branch Manager
LOMPOC — The Lompoc Family YMCA, a branch of the Channel Islands YMCA, is proud to announce the appointment of Susan Long to the position of Branch Manager. Long has been involved with the Y for many years, initially as…
Clinicas to distribute toys throughout Ventura County through Dec. 22
VENTURA COUNTY — It has been a time honored tradition during the holiday season for Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. to distribute toys to its pediatric patients. The tradition continues this year as Clinicas’ Toy Giveaway will again take place at…
Bilingual commentary: To the Stars, John Glenn
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…
Family-to-Family Program Offers ‘Life-Changing’ Support for Family Members Affected by Mental Illness
SANTA BARBARA — The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Southern Santa Barbara County, which is hosted by and receives support from the Mental Wellness Center, has announced that pre-registration is now open for its Family-to-Family education program for family…
The Duncan Group Welcomes New Board Member Carl Steinberg
SANTA BARBARA – Carl Steinberg has been appointed as a new board member to The Duncan Group (TDG), the affiliate property management nonprofit for Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) developed rental properties. Steinberg’s real estate experience and passion for the well-being…
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme Receive $100,000 Grant
OXNARD — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme (BGCOP) has been awarded a $100,000 grant through the Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Foundation to support BGCOP’s mission to provide a safe haven after school and…
Community Holiday Tree and Wreath Sale to Support Life-Changing Local Youth Programs at Santa Barbara Family YMCA
SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Family YMCA’s junior high and high school students are selling Christmas trees and wreaths to raise money to support youth and teen programs. The community is welcome to purchase and take home the trees…