SANTA BARBARA — Isabel Agundis, a Santa Barbara City College student, has been selected to travel to NASA’s Johnson Space Center this spring to participate in the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars project (NCAS). Agundis, a mechanical engineering major, is one…
Author: Community Contributor
Bilingual commentary: Is College Still Relevant?*
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…
State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson Releases Statement on Governor’s May Revise
SACRAMENTO – State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) has released the following statement on Governor Jerry Brown’s May Revise, his revised budget proposal based on the latest revenue estimates. “The Governor continues to take a prudent approach to our state budget, given…
UCSB Chancellor Yang Speaks out on fossil fuel divestment, endorses campaign
SANTA BARBARA — On May 11 at noon in Cheadle Hall, the UCSB campus administration building, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Margaret Klawunn issued a statement on behalf of Chancellor Henry T. Yang both endorsing the fossil fuel divestment campaign, Fossil…
Limón Bill Gives Healthcare Providers Full Information in Emergencies
SACRAMENTO — Assembly Bill 1119, authored by Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) ensures that emergency healthcare providers have full medical records so that they can make well-informed healthcare decisions when treating patients with mental illnesses. The measure passed unanimously out of the…
Santa Barbara City College Recognized for Accessible Online Education Programs
Santa Barbara City College’s online education program named #14 best online school for students with disabilities by the SR Education Group and GuideToOnlineSchools.com The SR Education Group researched 1,265 schools and ranked Santa Barbara City College’s online education program #14 out of…
Call to Artists: The Tenth Annual Art About Agriculture at the Santa Paula Art Museum
SANTA PAULA — The Ag Art Alliance is calling for entries for “The Tenth Annual Art About Agriculture,” a juried group show to be exhibited November 11, 2017 through February 25, 2018, at the Santa Paula Art Museum. The deadline for…
Local Contractors Recognized for Energy Efficient Projects
SANTA BARBARA — Four local contractors are being recognized for their dedication, professionalism and service assisting Central Coast residents in making energy-efficient upgrades to their homes. This year’s recipients of emPower Central Coast’s second annual Contractor Recognition Awards are Solarponics, CK…
Student Entrepreneurs Win Start-up Support at SBCC Scheinfeld Center 7th Annual New Venture Challenge
SANTA BARBARA – Apparel companies dominated the winning teams this year at the April 28th SBCC Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation 7th Annual New Venture Challenge business pitch competition, held in the Fe Bland Forum on SBCC’s campus. Three of…
Santa Barbara City College’s vocational nursing program named #5 best LVN program in California by PracticalNursing.org
Practicalnursing.org evaluated California’s 129 state-approved LVN schools, which includes community colleges, technical centers, private career training schools and vocational schools. The website’s team analyzed overall pass rates of the NCLEX-PN, the exam used by state boards that tests proficiency and knowledge…
United Way of Ventura County: Honoring Hank Lacayo
President’s Message Dear Friends, Last week, we lost a remarkable man and dear United Way friend. Hank Lacayo was a tireless champion for the underserved and it was an honor to have him serve on our board of directors. A…
Santa Barbara City College Recognizes 2017 Employees of the Year
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College announced its outstanding staff members for the 2016-2017 school year. Marilynn Spaventa, Dean of Educational Services, was selected Outstanding Administrator of the Year, and Josue Miranda, Automotive Service & Technology Laboratory Teaching Assistant,…
SBCC Career Skills Institute Helps Local Employees Get a Summer Jump on In-Demand Job Skills Summer Registration Now Open
Short courses and digital badges in business, design and technology offered tuition-free SANTA BARBARA — SBCC Career Skills Institute is gearing up for a summer full of opportunities for local employees and job-seekers to gain the skills to advance in today’s…
Builders Circle Signifies Mark of Excellence for Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Partners
SANTA BARBARA — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) has created a category of recognition that distinguishes those partners who work alongside the nonprofit to ensure more affordable housing along the Central Coast. The Builders Circle is a prestigious group of contractors, designers…
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley offer Summer Musical Camps
Newbury Park – Youth looking to show off their talents can learn new skills and improve their showmanship during the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley’s Summer Musical Camps. The Boys & Girls Clubs offer two choices –…
CSUCI’s Computer Science students place 3rd in national NASA Swarmathon competition
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Computer Science students who placed third in the nation in the Second Annual NASA Swarmathon competition will demonstrate how they developed their winning algorithm during the SAGE Research Conference Saturday. The NASA Swarmathon team traveled to…
Nonprofit Coastal Housing Partnership Celebrates 30 Years Making Homeownership Possible for Local Employees
2017 Home Buying Fairs to be held May 6, July 12 and Oct. 28 SANTA BARBARA — Wenda and her husband were raised in Goleta. After they married, they dreamed of raising their family here, but thought that owning a…
Assemblymember Limón committed to protecting healthcare
By Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) Recent actions taken at the federal level around health care would have serious consequences for California. The new law could strip health care coverage from as many as 24 million Americans—4.6 million of which are…
Oxnard’s own Road Brothers Band selected as the winner of the 5th Annual ‘Berry Battle of the Bands Contest.’ To headline 34th Annual California Strawberry Festival
OXNARD — Oxnard’s own Road Brothers Band was selected as the winner of the 5th Annual “Berry Battle of the Bands Contest” and will headline at the 34th Annual California Strawberry Festival on Sunday, May 21st at 11:00am, it is revealed today. Co-hosted by Cumulus Media and…
Bilingual commentary: Community College Does Care
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…
CSUCI, Oxnard College and Oxnard Union High School District will enter into STEMpacts with students
CAMARILLO — With their families by their sides, 70 high school and middle school students will gather at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on May 11 to enter into a pact with Oxnard College and/or CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI). Oxnard Union High School…
The Annex draws local favorite, Los Angeles and San Diego brands ahead of fall debut
OXNARD — The Annex, the 16,000-square-foot public market-style space located within The Collection at RiverPark, has announced the addition of four new food concepts to join its tenant roster of microshops, boutiques and eateries ahead of its fall grand opening. New…
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Announces New Board Member Nick Tompkins
SANTA BARBARA — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing is excited to welcome Nick Tompkins as a new member to the Board of Directors. Nick is a sixth generation Central Coast native, a Fresno State University graduate, and brings more than 38 years of…
Hospice of Santa Barbara Applauds Prince Harry, Sheryl Sandberg, others for Sharing Their Stories of Loss and Grief
SANTA BARBARA — Prince Harry was at the vulnerable age of 12 when he lost his beloved mother, Princess Diana, in a car accident. Prince Harry recently admitted to “hiding his head in the sand,” refusing to allow himself to think…
Luncheon Remembers Veterans of The Great War in Honor of WWI 100th Anniversary
SANTA BARBARA — To commemorate the veterans of the first World War and the war’s 100th Anniversary, the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF) and the Channel City Club co-hosted a luncheon, “Over There: WWI 100 Years On,” April 12 at…
June 28 — Social Justice Fund for Ventura County to announce grant winners
A Celebration of Justice Breaking Down Barriers to Success in Education Wednesday, June 28 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Four Friends Gallery 1414 Thousand Oaks Blvd Suite 111 Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 RSVP Today Next week the Social Justice Fund for…
Through June 30 — ‘Recuerdos de Rosario (Memories of Rosario)’ at UCSB Library
SANTA BARBARA — The exhibit “Recuerdos de Rosario (Memories of Rosario)” will be presented through 5 p.m. Friday, June 30 at UCSB Library. Stop by the UCSB Library’s Ocean Gallery to see our exhibition of Christopher Cardinale’s illustrations of Rosario, Mexico, the…
Through June 30 — Free STEM Training Offered to Teachers
CAMARILLO — Kindergarten through 8th grade teachers in Ventura County are invited to attend a free, 4 1/2 days Summer STEM Institute June 26 through 30th. Called STEMposium, it is aimed at supporting teachers in successfully implementing the Next Generation…
June 17 — 50th Anniversary Celebration: Monterey Pop International Festival Concert
VENTURA — Kick off the Summer of Love’s 50th Anniversary celebration, 7–9 p.m., June 17 at the Museum of Ventura County, with a special showing of the Monterrey Pop International Festival documentary directed by D.A. Pennebaker. Widely regarded as having…
June 18 — Channel Islands Maritime Museum Wooden Boat Show
OXNARD — The Channel Islands Maritime Museum will host “From the Tree to the Sea”: the Second Annual Father’s Day Wooden Boat Show, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 18 at 3900 Bluefin Circle, Channel Islands, Oxnard. It will feature a…
June 20 — Death and Cupcakes
SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara welcomes you to join a discussion about death and the celebration of life in a comfortable and welcoming setting. This gathering is a group-directed discussion of end-of-life issues; not a support group or…
June 27 — Free workshop focus on hot energy efficiency ideas to keep homes cool
County emPower Program to Host Workshop in North County SANTA BARBARA — With temperatures heating up, the County of Santa Barbara emPower program is hosting a workshop to help homeowners achieve energy efficiency. The free workshop is 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 27…
June 21 – Channel Islands Maritime Museum presents “DAMN THE PETTICOATS! Female Mariners in the Days of Sail’
OXNARD – Channel Islands Maritime Museum presents “DAMN THE PETTICOATS! Female Mariners in the Days of Sail” with CIMM Docents and Historians Martina Melero and Jim Kosinski. Queens commanded fleets, female tars climbed the foremast, mistresses were in disguise, pirate queens…
June 17 — FREE Family History Mini Seminar
THE VENTURA COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY presents a Free Family History Mini-Seminar Saturday, June 17, 2017 at the Camarillo Library Community Room 4101 Las Posas Road, Camarillo, CA PRESENTATIONS BY NANCY LOE: 1:00 P.M. PICTURE THIS: CATALOGING YOUR DIGITAL FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS…
June 27 — Keep Homes Cool with Free Energy Efficiency Workshop
SANTA MARIA — With temperatures heating up, the County of Santa Barbara’s emPower program will host a free workshop featuring great food mixed with fresh ideas on keeping your home comfy year round while reducing your energy usage. Many single-family…
June 15 — Who Shot Rock ‘n Roll? An evening with photographer Guy Webster **now only $5 for members
VENTURA — Join us 7–9 p.m., June 15, for an evening with renowned photographer Guy Webster, one of the early innovators of rock-and-roll photography whose work has spanned the worlds of music, films and politics in a stellar 40-year career…
CSUCI to award honorary doctorate to local champion of migrant education
CAMARILLO — A 60-year veteran of education who has championed the often-neglected population of migrant, homeless, at-risk or foster children will receive an honorary doctorate from CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) during the May 20 commencement ceremony. President Erika D. Beck will award…
Bilingual commentary: U.S.-North Korean Pas de Deux
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…
Veteran Traffic Professional Joins Hasan Consultants
VENTURA — Richard L. Herrera, a well-known traffic expert in the greater Los Angeles and tri-counties area, has joined Hasan Consultants. He will be in charge of the Traffic and Transportation group at Hasan. Herrera just left the County of Ventura…
Two Distinguished Project Managers Join S.L. Leonard & Associates’ Team
CAMARILLO — S.L. Leonard & Associates, a project management firm based in Camarillo, has hired two very talented project managers to join its team. With more than 30 years of building experience, John Matthews joins as a senior project manager.…
State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson Bill to Create ‘California Trusts Women’ Pro-Choice License Plate Advances
Californians interested in pledging to purchase a plate can sign up on Jackson’s website SACRAMENTO – As the White House and Republican Congress continue to threaten federal funding for women’s health services, a bill by State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara)…
Rep. Carbajal Tours Affordable Housing with Housing Authority as Federal Cuts Loom
SANTA BARBARA – With federal funding for affordable housing facing deep cuts, the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) recently gave 24th District Rep. Salud Carbajal a tour of key housing properties, programs and an overview of…
Assemblymember Limón’s Bill Will Require Chemical Transparency in Oil & Gas Well
SACRAMENTO – In order to provide more transparency and accountability to the public, Assembly Bill 1328, a bill by Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara), requires quarterly disclosure of chemicals used in oil and gas operations, just passed its first legislative hurdle…
Volunteers Needed for Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Santa Maria Community Impact Survey
SANTA MARIA — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) is seeking volunteers to help facilitate the organization’s Santa Maria Community Impact Measurement Survey. The volunteer team will survey Santa Maria residents near Blosser Road from 3 – 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 6…
Hospice of Santa Barbara Supports Emotional Health of Local First Responders, Care Professionals
SANTA BARBARA — No one is more exposed to the brutality and sadness of death and dying than first responders and other care professionals whose daily work involves the sick, dying and bereaved. The repeated exposure to trauma combined with a…
Assemblymember Irwin named “Legislator of the Year” by the Veterans of Foreign Wars
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) was honored with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Department of California’s “Legislator of the Year” Award. The award was presented at their annual Legislative Day Reception Wednesday, April 19th. “During her time in…
Bilingual commentary: “Nobody’s Got to Use the Internet”
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…
Fatima Ponce from Hathaway Elementary School in Oxnard wins 2017 Youth Art Contest for the 34th annual California Strawberry Festival
OXNARD — From 951 entries Kindergarten to 6th grade, the whimsical roller skating strawberry design of five-year-old Fatima Ponce from Hathaway Elementary School in Oxnard was selected as the grand prize winner of the 34th Annual California Strawberry Festival Youth Art Design…
SBCC Selected to Participate in the California Guided Pathways Project
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College has been selected to participate in the California Guided Pathways Project. SBCC was selected through a competitive process, along with nineteen other schools. The Guided Pathways project is designed to substantially increase the number…
34th annual California Strawberry Festival (May 20-21) Features The Strawberry Promenade with Recipe Contests, Celebrity Chef Demonstrations, more
OXNARD — When the 34th Annual California Strawberry Festival kicks off weekend, May 20 and 21, on the newly expanded acreage at Strawberry Meadows of College Park in Oxnard, the Strawberry Promenade will be bustling with chef presentations and heated culinary contests…