Author: Community Contributor

Bilingual commentary: Daughters’ Connection with Nature

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…

Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Promotes Anna Vela-Villicana to Housing Specialist

CENTRAL COAST — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing is proud to announce the promotion of Anna Vela-Villicana to Housing Specialist for the Home Ownership Department. Vela-Villicana is stepping into the vital new role as PSHH continues to expand to meet the still growing demand…

Oxnard School District Funds Summer Writing Camp for English Language Learners in Partnership with South Coast Writing Project of UCSB

OXNARD — Oxnard School District (OSD) added a final stamp of approval at last Wednesday’s Board meeting to another way of supporting its English learners – a summer writing camp. The summer program is in partnership with Young Writers Camp,…

Montecito Family YMCA Celebrates Father’s Day – a Tradition Started at the YMCA

MONTECITO — On Sunday, June 19, the Montecito Family YMCA joins the nation in celebrating Father’s Day and recognizing the impact fathers and adult male role models make in children’s lives. The Y, a leading nonprofit in fostering positive youth…

Dads To Receive A Range Of Gifts For Father’s Day That Can Be Found At Centerpoint Mall

A recent National Retail Federation survey shows total spending is expected to reach $14.3 billion, highest in the survey’s 13-year history OXNARD — It’s neckties, sporting goods and greeting cards, among other great gifts for Dads as shoppers head to Centerpoint Mall…

Just Being Healthy in Today’s Mobile World

Just Being Healthy (JBH) will participate in the 5th annual Global Wellness Day, an international day to celebrate wellness and healthy living, by working to improve a person’s total body wellness caused by the stressors of life, and in many…

Lompoc Family YMCA Receives National CDC and YMCA Grants to Develop Self-Service Bicycle Repair Station

LOMPOC — The Lompoc Family YMCA will receive $2,000 in total grants awarded to the Channel Islands YMCA to develop a public self-service bicycle repair station, helping empower local residents with more healthy physical recreation opportunities. The grant will support…

Bilingual commentary: Pessimism and Marriage

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…

Ground Breaking Gives Potential Residents First Look at New Home

CARPINTERIA — Steadfast Carpinteria Senior, LLC and Seniority, Inc. commemorated the ground breaking of GranVida, Carpinteria’s first senior assisted living and memory care community. The new community is an amazing example of corporate responsibility as an adaptive reuse of an…

16 Star Chefs Combine Culinary Talents to Support Youth and Family Services YMCA at 17th Annual ‘Reaching for Stars/

SANTA BARBARA — Sixteen highly acclaimed local chefs came together to prepare extraordinary cuisine for the 160 guests who attended Youth and Family Services YMCA’s sold-out “Reaching for Stars” event on May 25 at the Santa Barbara Woman’s Club, which…

Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Receives Support for Homeless Placement and Services from The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County

SANTA BARBARA — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) has received a $10,000 grant from The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County (CFSLOCO) to aid with the transition of 15 homeless families into permanent housing with support services and providing 75 households…

Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Breaks Ground on Affordable Santa Barbara Apartments

SANTA BARBARA — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing broke ground on its newest 40-unit affordable housing development Jardin de las Rosas, near downtown Santa Barbara, at a June 1 ceremony. The development at 510 North Salsipuedes St. will feature a community center,…

Certificate in Healthcare Interpreting available through CSU Channel Islands beginning fall 2016

CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CI) will offer classes required for a Certificate of Healthcare Interpreting beginning in fall of 2016. The Healthcare Interpreter Certificate prepares students to become English-Spanish interpreters in medical settings, a field that is exploding with opportunity. According to…

Conservation of the American Pyramids (CAP) presenta ‘Anahuac: Raices y Esencia del Mexico Antiguo’ el 23 y 24 de julio

SANTA BARBARA — Conservation of the American Pyramids (CAP) presenta al Maestro Guillermo Marin, Autor y Profesor de Historia, radicado en Oaxaca, Mexico, quien visitará por primera vez Santa Barbara y dictará un Taller:  ANAHUAC:  RAICES Y ESENCIA DEL MEXICO ANTIGUO…

Mental Wellness Center Welcomes Andrea Carnaghe as New Board Chair

SANTA BARBARA— The Mental Wellness Center is proud to announce Andrea Carnaghe as the organization’s new board chair. The Mental Wellness Center is a private, non-profit organization providing recovery, education, and support services for individuals affected by mental illness including…

Fireworks by the Sea- Channel Islands Harbor celebrates July 4th with a full day of food and fun

OXNARD — Channel Islands Harbor celebrates the 4th of July with a full day of family activities. Fireworks display begins at 9 p.m., but there is plenty to do before then. July 4th festivities begin with the Channel Islands Harbor…

Bilingual commentary: Are We Losing Our National Mind?

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…

Communications Expert to Discuss the Subtle Art of Turning Detractors into Advocates at June PRSA Gold Coast Chapter Meeting on June 22

CAMARILLO — Finding common ground with those who disagree with you and your company can be a challenging task. But, as communications expert Dave Barthmuss, former group manager, communications for General Motors’ West Coast Region explains it, through transparency and…

A Different Point of View’s 3-Day Aviation Career Program Begins June 24

SANTA BARBARA — Local aviation nonprofit A Different Point of View (ADPOV) will give youth hands-on training in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) during its Aviation Career Program, June 24-26. This uniquely focused program, held at the Santa Barbara…

Writer, biologist Rene Corado to be keynote speaker at VCCDC 4th annual Homeownership Fair on June 25

OXNARD — Writer, biologist Rene Corado will be the keynote speaker at VCCDC 4th annual Homeownership Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 25 at the VCCDC Homeownership Center, 2231 Sturgis Road, Oxnard. Rene is the author of…

Carnegie Art Museum’S ‘Arcade Poetry Series’ to feature Ángel García and Teddy Macker on June 25

OXNARD — The Carnegie Art Museum “Arcade Poetry Series” will feature Ángel García and Teddy Macker at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 25 at 424 S. C St., Oxnard. Ángel García has lived in several cities throughout Southern California. He has worked in…

Teatro de las Américas to present ‘Words From A Cuban Father’ and ‘Circo de tu corazón’ June 25, 26

WHAT Words From A Cuban Father and Circo de tu corazón WHO Teatro de las Americas and Oxnard College present a double header of theatrical fun with playwright and performer Alina Ceñal and director and performer James Donlon WHEN Saturday,…

CAUSE Action Fund to present ‘Quinceañera AT The Ranch’ at Rancho Las Posas, Somis on June 26

SOMIS — The CAUSE Action Fund will present “Quinceañera AT The Ranch” from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 26 at Rancho Las Posas, 4192 Bradley Road, Somis. The event celebrates the CAUSE Action Fund’s 15th anniversary. RSVP by June 10. Click…

Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care Welcomes Michelle Dahlkemper and Lailain McGrath

SANTA BARBARA — Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care (VNHC) is pleased to announce the addition of Michelle Dahlkemper as Chief Operating Officer. Dahlkemper brings sixteen years of experience as a registered nurse with extensive experience in post-acute healthcare including palliative…

Nonprofit Grace Housing Begins to Fulfill Legacy of Grace Lutheran Church with First Community Contributions; Disbursements Top $60K

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…

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…

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…

Santa Barbara Conscious Networking Event and Celebratory Party to be held June 3

SANTA BARBARA — The much-anticipated Santa Barbara Conscious Networking Event will open its doors to the public for the first time in an extraordinary evening of entertainment, networking, healthful food and important information. Many of the area’s conscious professionals and…

Gold Coast Health Plan Teams Up with Health Partners to Host Diabetes Awareness Event on June 11

Public is Invited to Day of Free Health Screenings, Cooking Demonstrations, Entertainment and Raffles CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) has partnered with the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the Ventura County Department of Public Health and Dignity Health’s St.…