SANTA BARBARA — Continuing the legacy of the former Grace Lutheran Church, Santa Barbara, a 113-year ministry that held its final service in 2015, nonprofit Grace Housing, Inc. awarded its first funding allocations — totaling more than $60,000 — to…
Author: Community Contributor
Gold Coast Health Plan Awards Nearly $60,000 to Support Community Health Care Programs in Ventura County
Medi-Cal Plan Issues Funds Under New Community Investment Initiative CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) is sponsoring two programs under its newly created Alternative Resources for Community Health (ARCH) initiative. The goal of ARCH is to invest in the health and…
Bilingual commentary: Cognitive Testing…What’s My Name?
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…
Santa Barbara County launches first-ever Food Action Plan
Major community-led effort aims to make our food system more resilient for future generations SANTA BARBARA — Supervisors Salud Carbajal and Steve Lavagnino will join community leaders throughout the county on May 24 for the unveiling of the Santa Barbara County…
33rd annual California Strawberry Festival (May 21-22) benefits local charities, students
OXNARD — The 2016 California Strawberry Festival gets underway with its 33rd seasonal celebration May 21 and 22 on 15 picturesque acres at Strawberry Meadows of College Park in Oxnard. Ranked nationwide among the top outdoor Festivals, the event boasts strawberries…
CenCal Health Presents Dignity Health with Healthcare Innovation Award for Outstanding Care and Service
SANTA BARBARA / SAN LUIS OBISPO — CenCal Health, the health care program serving low-income residents of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, presented a Healthcare Innovation Award to Dignity Health at their board meeting on May 18. The…
A passion to help incarcerated youth helps CI senior Ashley Medina win a Newman Civic Fellows Award
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CI) English major and fall 2016 graduate Ashley Medina, 23, has been named a Newman Civic Fellow. The Newman Civic Fellows Award honors college student leaders who represent the next generation of public problem solvers and civic…
Women’s Economic Ventures Presents Trailblazer and Business of the Year Awards at “Empowerment is Priceless” Event
VENTURA — Nearly 300 women and men attended non-profit Women’s Economic Ventures’ (WEV) annual Empowerment is Priceless event held on May 12th at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel in Ventura. The breakfast fundraiser recognized WEV’s 2016 Trailblazer, Business of…
Work begins on Carpinteria’s first senior assisted living and memory care community
CARPINTERIA — Steadfast Carpinteria Senior, LLC, announced that it has begun conversion of an office building at 5464 Carpinteria Ave. to create GranVida, Carpinteria’s first and only large-scale community for seniors needing assisted living or memory care. Working with Steadfast…
Five Local Korean War Veterans Honored at “The Forgotten War” Symposium
SANTA BARBARA — Five local veterans of the Korean War were honored on May 9 at a luncheon and symposium, The Forgotten War: Korea 66 Years On, co-hosted by Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF) and the Channel City Club at…
Bilingual commentary: Paradise Lost…Or Was It?
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…
UCSB history professor Sarah Cline’s LASA-award-winning essay deconstructs an iconic colonial Mexican casta painting of racial hierarchy
By Sonia Fernandez / UCSB In 18th-century Mexico, casta paintings were all the rage, as the bloodlines of Spanish colonizers and of the colonized indigenous, black and mixed-race populations mingled and American-born Spaniards sought to define themselves apart amid increasingly blurry racial…
Dr. Rodolfo F. Acuña Art Gallery & Cultural Center with Lead Artist, Ana M. Carrillo, Receive California Arts Council “Artists Activating Communities” Grant Award
State funds will support sustained artistic residency for Ana M. Carrillo at Dr. Rodolfo F. Acuña Art Gallery & Cultural Center at Cafe on A. OXNARD – The California Arts Council, a state agency, announced it plans to award $12,000…
Bilingual report: Auditions for ‘Esperanza Rising’ to be held June 3, 4
OXNARD — Teatro de las Américas to present Auditions for ‘Esperanza Rising’ to be held June 3, 4.
El Lustrador Rumbo a Hollywood el 11 de junio
UCSB to present ‘READINGS: Tides by Pedro Xavier Solís’ on May 31
SANTA BARBARA — Professors Suzanne Jill Levine and Jorge Luis Castillo will present a bilingual reading of Tides, at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 31 at the McCune Conference Room. The reading is a translation of a chapbook of poetry by Pedro…
Sesion Informativa Sobre DAPA y DACA el 16 de Junio en Oxnard
OXNARD — Sesion Informativa Sobre DAPA y DACA, 6 pm el 16 de Junio en el Center for Employment Training (CET), 761 S. C St., Oxnard. Para reservar su lugar llame a CLUE-VC 805.607.2114, www.cluevc.org o facebook.com/Clue-Vc
Jess Ramirez Birthday Fiesta and Fundraiser for the Café on A on June 16
OXNARD — Join us in celebration of TATA LOUIE’S (AKA Jess Ramirez’s Birthday on June 16 at the beautiful Downtown La Fonda del Rey. Please join us in this great night of fun, entertainment, community support. It promises to be…
UCSB’s Miroslava Chávez-García receives summer residency at University of Tübingen in Germany
By Jim Logan / UCSB Miroslava Chávez-García, who has done groundbreaking studies on race, gender and power in California, is taking her scholarship in a new direction: Germany. A professor in the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies at UC Santa Barbara,…
Bilingual commentary — Fair Wage: Let’s Be Cautious
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…
May is Mental Health Month: Mental Wellness Center Offers Tips to Improve Your Mental Wellness
SANTA BARBARA — In honor of Mental Health Month in May, the Mental Wellness Center is spreading the word that mental health is something everyone should care about. The nonprofit organization is offering the community a few easy tips to…
Guest commentary: Institutions of higher learning in need of more H.U.G.s
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.…
New Traffic Signal at Wendy and Gerald Drive Enhances Pedestrian Safety
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Transportation Department and Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks commemorated the completion of the long-awaited new traffic signal at the intersection of Wendy and Gerald Drives. The new signal provides a safer…
Ventura County Public Works Agency highlights careers, hands-on demonstrations for over 500 students
VENTURA COUNTY — In what’s becoming a favorite educational experience among local students, Ventura County Public Works Agency’s National Public Works Day public event on Tuesday, May 17, aims to pique students’ interests in the Public Works sector. With over…
Moms To Be Spoiled With Jewelry, Electronics and Special Outings; All To Be Found At Centerpoint Mall For Mother’s Day
OXNARD — Shoppers can spoil mom at Centerpoint Mall for Mother’s Day with the more than 49 retail, specialty, entertainment and dining options. Centerpoint Mall is the ideal shopping destination to get the right gift for Mom by Mother’s Day…
Bilingual commentary: The Political Flames Ignite
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) Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Santa Barbara Client Business Expo
SANTA BARBARA — In honor of Women’s Economic Ventures’ (WEV) 25th anniversary, the Santa Barbara community gathered to support local small businesses and network at a celebratory WEV Client Business Expo. Thirty vendors—past and present WEV Loan recipients, Thrive in…
Letter Carriers prepare to collect and carry more than 100,000 pounds of food in one day for Ventura County’s hungry
VENTURA COUNTY — On Saturday, May 14, Ventura County letter carriers will be caravanning more than just incoming and outgoing mail; and community members won’t have to venture far from their doorsteps to give back to the local hungry in…
El Centrito Family Learning Centers announces ‘Pathways Community Luncheon 2016’ on May 20
OXNARD — El Centrito Family Learning Center has announced its “Pathways Community Luncheon 2016″will be held from noon to1:30 p.m. Friday, May 20. The third annual event brings together more than 150 community leaders, parents, speakers and businesses to raise funds…
Life and Work of the artist Ed Cristál explored in new exhibit now open at Channel Islands Maritime Museum. Opening reception on May 28
OXNARD — The Channel Islands Maritime Museum is pleased to announce a new exhibit open to the public on May 9, 2016. The exhibition features painting and ceramics by artist Ed Cristál, the artist who created the whale sculptures that flank…
Del Pueblo Cafe presents Los Very Be Careful on May 29
SANTA BARBARA — Very Be Careful, back to Santa Barbara after 4 very long years! A Caribbean soul and a California heart have sustained two decades of ceaseless romp-downs and raucous times for L.A.’s vallenato veteranos, inciting 10s of 1000s of…
¡Presentación sobre derechos laborales! el 25 de mayo
OXNARD — ¡Presentación sobre derechos laborales! a las 6 pm el 25 de mayo en el California Rural Legal Assistance Inc., 338 S. A St., Oxnard. ¡La información y servicios son gratuitos! En Esta Presentación se incluirá información sobre: ? ¿Ha…
Celebrate World Trade Week on May 18
PORT HUENEME — A celebration of “World Trade Week” will be held from 11:30 a.m.to1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 18 at the Port of Hueneme, 333 Ponoma Road, Port Hueneme. Hear from the business community at this special program and luncheon.…
Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. celebrates 2016 National Women’s Health Week throughout Ventura County through May 14
VENTURA COUNTY — May 8-14th, Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. will host events in honor of National Women’s Health Week! Women throughout Ventura County can visit any of the 13 Clinicas Health Centers and participate in the FREE activities being…
12th annual Rebozo Festival to be held May 15 at Camarillo Ranch
Proceeds benefit Ventura County non-profit agencies CAMARILLO — The Rebozo Festival, Inc. is pleased to announce the 12th annual Rebozo Festival, which will be held on Sunday, May 15th, 2016 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Camarillo Ranch. In…
Former Oxnard Police Officer Lives Life of Purpose Through Foster Care
Natalie Cardenas Torres joins panel of inspirational speakers at Foster VC Kids Informational meeting, May 21 in Oxnard VENTURA COUNTY—Ventura County resident Natalie Cardenas Torres has always been drawn to a life of service, but she never imagined she’d be…
Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation Welcomes Jon L. Parra as New Board Member
SANTA BARBARA — Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF) welcomes retired Army Master Sgt. Jon L. Parra to the Board of Directors. Jon brings 20 years of experience in the Army with numerous years in leadership roles, extensive course training and multiple…
Bilingual commentary: Grandparent Privileges and Responsibilities
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…
VCMMCC Signals Rejection of Pharmacy Benefit Manager Selection
Commissioners to be More Active in the Selection Process CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission (VCMMCC) directed staff to prepare an agenda item for an upcoming special meeting formally rejecting all current bids received for the pharmacy benefit manager…
Community Discovers Future of Technology for Visually Impaired
SANTA BARBARA — Technology leaders recently shared insights on the evolution and future of technologies for the visually impaired at a Braille Institute Santa Barbara community education event titled Active Aging with Low Vision: Focus on Technology. Guests enjoyed a…
World Affairs Leader Selected for Leadership Mission to Israel
CENTRAL COAST — The World Affairs Councils of America — California Central Coast is pleased to announce that the Chairman Emeritus and Citizen Diplomat, Michael Phillip, has been invited to participate in a Leadership Mission to Israel during the first week…
The Collection at RiverPark wants shoppers to ‘Snap Up’ season’s hottest trends with new monthly promotion
OXNARD — The Collection at RiverPark, Oxnard’s premier shopping and dining destination, has introduced its new social media campaign highlighting the latest monthly fashion trends. Guests can visit www.TheCollectionRP.com the first day of each month to read the fashion-forward shopping…
VCMRF’s Children’s Resource Program
WHY WAIT A YEAR? Protect your senses! Once a year a charitable event generously offers a free dental clinic; however, every day there is a child in pain who requires help, NOW! The Children’s Resource Program (CRP) began 31 years…
Luz Gonzalez from Robert Frank Intermediate School in Oxnard selected as the winner of the 33rd Annual California Strawberry Festival Youth Art Design Contest
OXNARD — From 1,445 entries, the “surfing strawberries” design of 12-year-old Luz Gonzalez from Robert Frank Intermediate School in Oxnard was selected as the winner of the 33rd Annual California Strawberry Festival Youth Art Design Contest. Festival representatives on April 19…
Bilingual commentary: The Vegetarian Decision
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…
Gold Coast Health Plan Gets Green Light from State to Repay County Loan
Ventura County’s Medi-Cal Plan in Strong Financial Position CAMARILLO — As a continuing sign of its strong financial performance, Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) received approval from the state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to repay a $7.2 million line…
Community Asked to Donate Vehicles to Support Channel Islands YMCA Open Doors Scholarships
SANTA BARBARA – The Channel Islands YMCA is seeking car donations through Vehicle Donation to Any Charity (V-DAC) to support the Y’s Open Doors Scholarship Program. All types of vehicles (running or not) are accepted, including: cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, boats,…
CenCal Health Welcomes Chief Information Officer Barrie Parker
SANTA BARBARA/SAN LUIS OBISPO — CenCal Health is pleased to welcome Barrie Parker as the new Chief Information Officer. Parker has more than 30 years of technology experience and 14 years of experience at the senior executive level in the…
Montecito Family YMCA Incurs $20-$30k in Property Damages from Fallen Tree
MONTECITO — The Montecito Family YMCA is facing an estimated $20,000-$30,000 in damages after a wind storm knocked a 30 foot oak tree onto the property on March 28. Fortunately, the Y was closed when the tree fell and no…
Youth and Family Services YMCA Celebrates Five Years of “My Home” Program Helping Homeless Youth Build a Path to Independence
SANTA BARBARA — The Youth and Family Services YMCA held a five-year anniversary celebration of their My Home program on April 5 at Artisan Court. My Home provides homeless youth ages 18-24 transitional housing and the tools needed to build…