Author: Community Contributor

Bilingual report: Children´s drawing contest 2017: ‘The Monarch Butterfly and its lifecycle in North America’

XXI CHILDREN´S DRAWING CONTEST 2017 “ESTE ES MI MÉXICO” CONTEST Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IME) is pleased to invite you to participate in the XXI Children’s Drawing Contest “Este es mi México”, with the…

United Way of Ventura County On the Move

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   President’s Message Dear Friends, There are many caring nonprofits throughout Ventura County, but one of the most caring is Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC). A long-standing community partner of United Way’s, CEDC is truly…

Bilingual report: Call for submissions for the Indigenous Literature of America award

Querida Comunidad, La Dirección General de Cooperación Educativa y Cultural tiene el agrado de transmitir la convocatoria al Premio de Literaturas Indígenas de América (PLIA) emitida por la Secretaría de Cultura del Gobierno de la República, el Instituto Nacional de…

Summer Camp at Santa Paula Museums (July 31 through Aug. 4) Offers Adventure in Art and Science

SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Art Museum and the California Oil Museum are teaming up to launch a new summer camp in downtown Santa Paula for children in grades K-5. The week-long Museum Exploratory Summer Camp will be held July 31,…

Pamme Mickelson Named New Executive Director of Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center

SANTA BARBARA — Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center has announced Pamme Mickelson as its new executive director. Mickelson brings more than twenty years of nonprofit, development and leadership experience to the organization, including her former position as executive director of the…

United Way of Ventura County announces new home at Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation

CAMARILLO — There are many caring nonprofits throughout Ventura County, but one of the leaders is Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC). A long-standing partner with United Way to champion the underserved, CEDC will now house the 72 year old nonprofit at…

Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation Welcomes Dennis Peterson as Chairman of the Wings of Honor Committee

SANTA BARBARA — Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation welcomes Dennis Peterson as 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 during the Vietnam War to…

Oxnard Salsa Festival seeking volunteers

OXNARD — The Oxnard Salsa Festival seeking volunteers.   VOLUNTEERS WANTED! Come get spicy with us! A great Volunteer opportunity! Enjoy a behind the scenes look at how the festival operates while you experience salsa bands, hot dancers, and spicy foods. Volunteers…

Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation Welcomes Dennis Merenbach as New Board Member

SANTA BARBARA — Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF) welcomes Dennis Merenbach to the Board of Directors. Merenbach served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955. He was stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington state and was assigned to the combat engineers, spending…

State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson Praises Budget That Invests In Strong Future For All Californians

SACRAMENTO – (June 15), the California Legislature passed the 2017-18 state budget. The budget now heads to the Governor for his signature. In response, State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) released the following statement: “Today, we passed a budget that is…

Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation ‘Takes the Helm’ of Fourth of July Parade

SANTA BARBARA — The 54th Annual Fourth of July Parade is now in the hands of Santa Barbara’s Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF). PCVF is responsible for many veteran-related events throughout the year, including the Veterans Day Ceremony and Parade, the…

Bilingual commentary: A License to Discriminate

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…

Pacific Coast Business Times announce Latino Business Awards winners. Celebration is July 20

July 20 from 5:50-7:30 p.m. at Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS  YEAR’S WINNERS: Arturo Hernandez Ventura County Community College District Danna Tejada-Baquero Cuesta College William Flores Antioch University Santa Barbara Veronica Guerrero California Lutheran University April Sanchez VCCF Scholarship…

Joined for a Solution: United Way of SB Thanks Supporters at 94th Annual Awards Ceremony

Santa Barbara County — Yessica Arroyo was struggling in school the first time she walked into United Way of Santa Barbara County’s (UWSBC) Fun in the Sun summer learning program as a young camper. But as program staff and volunteers cheered her…

First Santa Barbara Renovation Completed Under Funding Program to Preserve Affordable Housing for Local Families

Pearl Gardens is one of two affordable family housing properties that the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara recently completed. SANTA BARBARA — As an early adopter of a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program designed…

Nicole Mercier joins Peoples’ Self-Help Housing as New Director of Human Resources

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) welcomes Nicole Mercier as new Director of Human Resources, also managing HR needs for their property management affiliate, The Duncan Group. “Nicole is a dynamic and talented HR professional,” said John Fowler, PSHH…

Santa Barbara City College announces new Educational Programs Leadership, other positions

Santa Barbara City College is pleased to announce new leaders in some of our Educational Programs. As a result of various retirements, the College has been recruiting for several new staff and faculty positions as well as leadership within Educational…

State Sen. Jackson, Assemblymember Limón praise decision to study cleaner alternatives to Puente Power Project

SACRAMENTO — State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) and Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) praised the recent decision by the California Energy Commission to allow the California Independent System Operator (CalISO) to study the feasibility of clean energy alternatives to the…

Montecito Bank & Trust CEO Joins United Way of SB’s Young Leaders Society for Inaugural Leadership Series beginning June 15

Event designed to encourage purpose-driven leadership in the Santa Barbara community SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — United Way of Santa Barbara County’s Young Leaders Society (YLS) will welcome Montecito Bank & Trust Chairman & CEO Janet Garufis on June 15 to its…

Not Too Late to Join! Braille Institute Spring/Summer Classes Underway

Free, innovative classes open to residents throughout Santa Barbara with vision loss due to conditions like Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma, Cataracts and Retinitis Pigmentosa SANTA BARBARA — Braille Institute Santa Barbara may be well into its Spring/Summer term of classes,…

UCSB announces winners of Thomas More Storke Award and other top university prizes

Winners include Paola Dela Cruz-Perez, Kelli L. Forman, Felipe O. Infante, Alejandra Martinez-Ramos By Shelly Leachman • UCSB For their scholastic achievement, their extraordinary service to the university and the community, and their personal courage and persistence, three graduating seniors at UC Santa…

Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Starts Rehabilitation on Valentine Court Affordable Senior Housing Complex

SANTA MARIA — On June 12, Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) will begin to rehabilitate Valentine Court Apartments with upgrades including energy efficiency improvements, new paint, appliances, and an expansion of the community building. Valentine Court is a 35-unit senior affordable…

Bilingual commentary: Obesity Will Be Our Undoing

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…

State Sen. Jackson honors Ventura-based Ohana Pet Hospital as Small Business of the Year

SACRAMENTO – State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) has chosen Ventura-based small business Ohana Pet Hospital as her 2017 Small Business of the Year. Ohana Pet Hospital is a veterinary hospital that specializes in medical, surgical, dental and wellness health care for…

California law firm Beach Cowdrey Owen announces name change to Beach Cowdrey Jenkins

OXNARD — Prominent California law firm Beach Cowdrey Owen, which has offices in Ventura County and Sacramento, has officially changed its name to Beach Cowdrey Jenkins, LLP, following the promotion of attorney Spencer Jenkins to named partner and partner Melinda Owen’s transition to “of counsel” to the firm. “Spencer is an aggressive, successful trial lawyer who continually excels in…

AMAE Honors Outstanding Graduating Seniors

OXNARD — The Association of Mexican American Educators (AMAE), Oxnard Chapter, is proud to honor two outstanding high school seniors for their academic and community accomplishments. Honorees are Jose Orlando Chacon Cerriteno, student at Hueneme High School, and Juan Carrillo, student…

State Sen. Jackson announces status of Senate bills

SACRAMENTO – State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) has announced the status of the following bills: Jackson Bill to Clean Up Beaches by Plugging Old, Leaking Oil Wells Passes Off Senate Floor Jackson Bill to Encourage Building of Innovative, Affordable Housing for Seniors…

Bilingual commentary: Targeting Women and Girls

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…

Rio Mesa High School Takes Top Honors at the Third Annual ‘Sweets by the Beach’ Student Culinary Competition Held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Mandalay Beach Resort

OXNARD — Rio Mesa High School was awarded the grand prize, winning first place at the recent Third Annual ‘Sweets by the Beach’ Student Culinary Competition held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Mandalay Beach Resort in Oxnard. Three groups, who…

July 20 — Ventura Hillsides Conservancy to host free community lecture, ‘Matilija Dam: Breaking the Barrier’

VENTURA — On Thurs., July 20, at 7 p.m., the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy (VHC) will host a free community lecture entitled “Matilija Dam: Breaking the Barrier” at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura. Paul Jenkin, founder of the Matilija Coalition and campaign coordinator for Ventura Surfrider Foundation,…

July 20 — Pacific Coast Business Times to present ‘Latino Business Awards’

SANTA BARBARA — Pacific Coast Business Times, the region’s leading business news publication, is recognizing one of the leading segments in the Tri-Counties. This special section is accompanied by an evening reception to honor the winners on Thursday, July 20 from…

July 22 — Bilingual report: Teatro de las Américas to present Acting Workshop / Taller de actuación

    ¡Una gran oportunidad aprender de un maestro de teatro! A great opportunity to learn from one of masters of theater! ACTING WORKSHOP FOR TEATRO’S ACTORS James Donlon, Director of Men on the Verge of a His-panic Breakdown starring…

July 23 — Free Family Day at Santa Paula Art Museum

Click here for the entire e-newsletter Photo courtesy of Richard Thompson FREE FAMILY DAY   Free Family Day: The Flying Eye   Sunday, July 23, 2017, from 12pm to 4pm Encourage your family’s creativity and imagination at the Santa Paula Art…

Bilingual report: July 25 — Free Fair Housing Workshop Hosted by VCCDC & the Housing Rights Center

OXNARD — The Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) will be hosting a Fair Housing workshop in collaboration with the Housing Rights Center on Tuesday, July 25th at 6pm at the VCCDC Home Ownership Center located at 2231 Sturgis Road, Suite…

July 26 — SmART Talk: Sandra Torres

SANTA BARBARA — Meet Ojai-based ceramicist Sandra Torres as she presents her poetic collections of porcelain work and discusses her process and inspirations at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 26 at the Santa Barbara Museum of Contemporary Art, 653 Paseo Nuevo, Santa…

Through July 28 — Bilingual report: Teatro de las Américas to present workshop for children, youth

OXNARD — Doing theater has many benefits, especially for children and youth because it increases confidence in expressing themselves in social and learning situations.  Doing theater in Spanish is  also advantageous because it enhances development in the young brain when it…