New low maintenance technology conserves water, recharges aquifers, reduces polluted runoff VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura Public Works Agency will demonstrate California’s first installation of precast pervious concrete slabs, a type of pavement that is porous enough to filter storm…
Author: Community Contributor
33rd Annual California Strawberry Festival set for May 21-22
OXNARD — It’s a berry bash of iconic portions, the 33rd Annual California Strawberry Festival May 21 & 22 featuring berrilicious fun with outlandish eats, entertainment, fine arts & crafts, and more. Ever had strawberry pizza with a strawberry beer?…
Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center Invites Community to 26th Annual Horse Show & Tack Sale on May 21
SANTA BARBARA — Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center invites the community to its 26th Annual Student Horse Show & Tack Sale on Saturday, May 21 from 9:00am to 4:30pm at their riding facilities, located at 4420 Calle Real in Santa Barbara.…
May 25: “Reaching for Stars” Evening of Fine Dining and Wines to Benefit Youth and Family Services YMCA
SANTA BARBARA — Join the Youth and Family Services YMCA for an unforgettable evening of extraordinary cuisine in a lovely setting, benefiting vital programs for local youth. Enjoy tantalizing dishes prepared by Santa Barbara’s top chefs, paired with fine wines…
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…
Community Invited to Memorial Day Ceremony Hosted by Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation on May 30
SANTA BARBARA — Veterans, their families, and the community are invited to join the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation from 10-11 a.m. on Memorial Day (May 30) at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, 901 Channel Drive, for a free ceremony honoring all…
¡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…
SCAPE ~ Presents ‘Visions of the Gaviota Coast’ on May 13, 14
GOLETA — On Friday and Saturday, May 13 &14, 2016, SCAPE, Southern California Artists Painting for the Environment, will host the fourth annual “Visions of the Gaviota Coast,” an art exhibition of photography and fine art that showcases the beautiful…
Letter Carriers prepare to collect and carry more than 100,000 pounds of food in one day for Ventura County’s hungry on May 14
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…
Public invited to “Monarch Madness” milkweed planting event on May 14
VENTURA — On Sat., May 14, from 9 a.m. – 12 Noon, the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy (VHC) will host “Monarch Madness” – a free family-friendly milkweed planting event at their Willoughby Preserve in the Ventura River estuary. This open-to-the-public event is appropriate for people of all…
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…
Gold Coast Health Plan Hosts 5th Annual Community Resource Fair on May 14
Public is Invited to Day of Free Health Screenings, Resources and Entertainment OXNARD — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) is holding a family-themed health fair in Oxnard on Saturday in anticipation of the thousands of children that are expected to enroll…
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…
Foodbank Launches Healthy Community Pantry on April 26
Foodbank CEO and community leaders will be on hand April 26 to launch Healthy Community Pantry, which provides local produce and staples, as well as nutritional education, to local families. SANTA BARBARA — The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is…
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…
Bilingual commentary: The Month of April
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…
Affordable Housing for Families Preserved in Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA — The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara recently invited community leaders and partners to celebrate the renovation kick-off for the Pearl Gardens and Sycamore Gardens family housing properties with a tour of old and newly…
Open Positions at Westmont College
The following are open positions for employment at Westmont College. If you are interested in applying for any of these positions please follow the link below to our online application. Student Life Assistant Senior User Services Specialist Secretary-Communication Studies /…
City National Bank fortifies EDC-VC Loan Fund with $250,000 to help local businesses
CAMARILLO, Calif. – City National Bank presented a check for $250,000 to the Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County’s Business Development Loan Fund at the organization’s 19th Annual Meeting recently held in Camarillo. This funding is in addition to $250,000 provided by City…
Guest commentary: Multicultural Mental Health — Community Defined Practices
Message Therapy: The Intuitive Touch 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.…
UCSB Student Veterans Bring Unique Experiences; Face Additional Challenges
Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation Provides Financial Support to UCSB Veterans Program SANTA BARBARA — Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF) is proud to announce its fourth year of continued financial support for UC Santa Barbara’s Veterans Resource Center. UCSB’s Veterans Resource Center…
Bilingual commentary: The Loss of Civility
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…
Ventura County Public Works Agency announces nearly 40 percent drop in traffic collisions on County roads
VENTURA COUNTY — The number of traffic collisions on County roads has dropped by almost 40% in a decade, the Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) announced recently. The trend toward fewer accidents has mostly been downward since the County…
More than $7,000 in scholarships available to art students
OJAI — The Ojai Studio Artists are giving over $7,000 for art scholarships to qualifying high school and college students who are residents of Ventura County and who are pursuing a career in the field of art. Applicants are eligible to…
Grammy-nominated singer Perla Batalla to give two free concerts on April 29 at CSU Channel Islands
CAMARILLO — A Grammy-nominated vocalist, composer and arranger who first gained international attention as a backup singer for vocalist Leonard Cohen will give two free concerts on the CSU Channel Islands (CI) campus at 5 and 8 p.m. on Friday, April 29.…
MICOP to present ‘Indigenous Knowledge Conference 2016’ on April 29
OXNARD — Join us in learning more about Ventura County’s 20,000 indigenous immigrants, their lives, and how to build partnerships with the community. We look forward to seeing you! Friday, April 29, 2016 The Oxnard College Performing Arts Building 4000 South…
Former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to be keynote speaker at California LULAC ‘Veterans Luncheon’ on April 29
California LULAC State Convention kicks off activities with Special Veterans Luncheon LOS ANGELES — The California State League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) announced April 19 that former Los Angeles Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, will be the keynote speaker at the LULAC…
El Concilio Family Services announces winners of Latino Leadership Awards. Event to be held May 6
OXNARD — El Concilio Family Services in Oxnard has announced the winners of its 27th annual Latino Leadership Awards. The winners include Alejandra Castellanos, Amelia Aparicio, Dr. Ana M. Becerra, Erika Arteaga, Jesse Lamas Calvillo, Dr. Kaia Tollefson, Matilde “Mati” Sanchez…
Oxnard College Ballet Folklórico Mestizo to present Spring Dance Concert April 29-30
OXNARD — The Oxnard College Ballet Folklórico Mestizo will present its spring dance concert on Friday, April 29th & Saturday, April 30th at 7:30 pm, Oxnard College Performing Arts Building (PAB), 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. A family friendly event. Colorful &…
Bilingual report: Conferencia para estudiantes indocumentados (DREAMer’s) el 7 de mayo en San Luis Obispo
SAN LUIS OBISPO — El Cuesta College de San Luis Obispo invita a los estudiantes, padres, maestros, y demás involucrados en temas educativos a informarse acerca de las opciones y recursos disponibles para los estudiantes indocumentados. Este simposio gratuito y abierto a todo…
Free Concerts April 29 through May 1: Latin Grammy Winners Monsieur Periné presented by ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara!
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! presents Latin Grammy Winners Monsieur Periné Latin Grammy Winners/ Ganadores del Latin Grammy Monsieur Periné Suin a la Colombiana / Colombian swing FREE concert / Entrada gratuita Friday, April 29/ Viernes, 29 de abril 7:00…
Korean War Symposium, Luncheon ‘The Forgotten War, Korea 66 Years On’ to be held May 9
Join Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF) and the Channel City Club as they honor veterans of the Korean War at their Korean War Symposium and Luncheon, “The Forgotten War, Korea 66 Years On” on Monday, May 9 at the Fess Parker…
Latin Grammy winners Monsieur Periné bring “Suin a la colombiana” to Santa Barbara April 29 through May 1
SANTA BARBARA — Monsieur Periné, Latin Grammy winners for “Best New Artist” of 2015, come to Santa Barbara for free family events of art and music presented by ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! Monsieur Periné will perform in free…
Santa Barbara Family YMCA to Host Free Healthy Kids Day® on April 30
SANTA BARBARA — From 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 pm. on Saturday, April 30, the Santa Barbara Family YMCA is holding a free community event to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active. The event features activities such…