Author: Amigos805.com

Frank X. Moraga is publisher / editor of Amigos805, providing information for and about the vibrant Latino community in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties — "Bringing cultures together by sharing information."

Bilingual commentary: Un-American Protests

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 As…

Guest commentary: Neoliberalism Privatization

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. Impact on Professors and We the…

Camerata Amistad to perform free concert featuring Hispanic-influenced music at CLU on Feb. 4

THOUSAND OAKS — Camerata Amistad will perform a free concert featuring Hispanic-influenced music at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4 at California Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks, in the Samuelson Chapel. The chamber ensemble of orchestral musicians performs a variety…

Latino Thought Maker Series to present ‘It Gets Better’ free musical at Oxnard College on Feb. 4

OXNARD — The Latino Thought Maker Series will present “It Gets Better,” a free musical performance, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center Auditorium, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. SPEAK Theater Arts, the Gay Men’s Chorus…

‘Por El Amor de la Cultura / For the Love of Culture’ to be presented at CSU Channel Islands on Feb. 7

CAMARILLO — “Por El Amor de la Cultura / For the Love of Culture” will be presented from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at CSU Channel Islands in Broome Library 1320. Join New Mexican artist Al Na’ir Lara and…

February cover story: Season of love — and money

Tax season is upon us. Time to gather documents, look at filing options By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 Yes, February is here. Time to start thinking about getting that Valentine’s Day gift or even last-minute planning for that spring…

Make the most of your night out this Valentine’s Day

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Chocolates and flowers may be staples of Valentine’s Day, but many couples take it one step further and dine out on February 14. According to the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association’s Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions…

Local news briefs

SANTA BARBARA — The University of California at Santa Barbara has been officially recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities. UCSB joins Riverside, Santa Cruz and Merced campuses as Hispanic-Serving Institutions. With six Nobel…

Finance: 2015 industry outlook

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) As much of the world slowly recovers from the far-reaching economic downturn that began in 2008, the International Monetary Fund has predicted a 3.2 percent growth for the global economy in 2015. Some countries, including…

Local business information

> Anna McRoberts, president of Air Bud Entertainment, will kick off the CSU Channel Islands Spring 2015 Speakers Series at noon Friday, Feb. 6 at Malibu Hall 100. Air Bud Entertainment includes a post-production company, a visual effects company and…

Health: Chocolate historically more than just food

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Many cannot resist chocolate, that beloved creamy, sweet confection derived from cocoa beans, milk and sugar. All over the world people love to indulge in chocolate, especially come Valentine’s Day. According to data from Leatherhead…

Local health information

> The Ventura County Health Care Agency provides a calendar of upcoming health events, including flu clinics during February, at http://www.vchca.org/events  En español           > Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will provide information on Covered California and free health…

UCSB is officially recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities

University joins Riverside, Santa Cruz and Merced campuses as Hispanic-Serving Institutions By Andrea Estrada / UCSB For as long as she can remember, Jocelyn Ramirez enjoyed tinkering with electronics and, in general, figuring out how things work. So as a Paloma…

Guest commentary: Reflections on the Chicano Art Movimiento — A primer

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 Armando Vazquez / Guest contributor THE LATEST…

Adolfo Camarillo High School Mariachi program is seeking donations

Friends of Adolfo Camarillo High School Mariachi: Economic times such as these reduce government funding. Budgets cuts have cost the school system millions of dollars. Groups such as the ACHS Mariachi must raise most of their funding on their own.…

Bilingual commentary: Free community college — Doing our homework

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 Certainly,…

UCSB Multicultural Center to present discussion on ‘Mass Deportation and Global Capitalism’ on Jan. 27

SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Multicultural Center to present discussion on ‘Mass Deportation and Global Capitalism’ at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27 at the MCC Lounge. In the spring of 2014, President Obama’s administration reached a landmark of more than…

Guest commentary: The Beginning of the end of the public university

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. “The best of times …the…

CSU Channel Islands confirms a case of measles. Seeks to warn students

Second incident reported this week in Camarillo Also see: > Ventura County Public Health reports five cases of measles confirmed, including one in Camarillo CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CI) has confirmed that a student who does not live on campus has…

Guest commentary: Debt peonage of a new sort

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 Frank P. Barajas / Guest contributor…

Guest commentary: Conscientious objector

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 Armando Vazquez / Guest contributo My brother…

Daniela Ramirez reports on fundraising campaign to launch ‘Eco AlterNATIVE tours: Indigenous Owned Business’

OXNARD — “We are excited to share with you our dream of launching Eco alterNATIVE Tours Sierra Tarahumara, an Indigenous Cultural Tour Company! We have launched a fundraising campaign to start this amazing project,” Daniela Ramirez reported in a media release.…

United Way of Ventura County calls on community for support for families displaced by fire in Oxnard

OXNARD — An Oxnard apartment fire on Friday, Jan. 9 has displaced 33 people, 17 adults and 16 children, all of whom have shown great fortitude in facing the loss of their homes and all of their belongings, the United…

Bilingual commentary: Dante’s View: A hellish beauty

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 One…

UCSB Multicultural Center to present Cup of Culture film screening of ‘Who is Dayani Cristal?’ on Jan. 21

SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Multicultural Center to present Cup of Culture film screening of ‘Who is Dayani Cristal?’ at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 at the MCC Theater. Following a team of dedicated staff from the Pima County Morgue in…

Guest commentary: Paris is the ‘Capital of the World’ …

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 Rodolfo F. Acuña / Guest contributor An…

Women’s Economic Ventures to hold free Spanish-language Self-Employment Training orientation sessions in Ventura County on Jan. 17, 20 and 27

VENTURA COUNTY— Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) Women’s Business Center is holding free informational orientation sessions in Ventura County to help you determine your readiness for one of WEV’s business courses, the organization reported in a media release. Orientation is required…

Bilingual commentary: The new age of marketing

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 Much…

Guest commentary: Report Card

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. Should Latinos get a pass…

Comedian Cristela Alonzo to perform in Oxnard on Jan. 16

OXNARD — Comedian Cristela Alonzo, star of ABC’s “Cristela” sitcom, will appear at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the Oxnard PACC…

Undefeated Saul Rodriguez added to TV portion of ‘Boxing by the Beach’ at Oceanview Pavilion on Jan. 17

PORT HUENEME — Undefeated Saul “Kid Dinamita” Rodriguez has been added to  the TV portion of ‘Boxing by the Beach’ on Ja. 17 at Oceanview Pavilion, 575 E. Surfside Drive, Port Hueneme, the Pavilion reported in a media release. The prized undefeated prospect…

Friends of Ben Saiz establish Ben Saiz Memorial Scholarship through the Ventura College Foundation

VENTURA — Friends of Ben Saiz have established the Ben Saiz Memorial Scholarship through the Ventura College Foundation, organizers reported in a media release. Please help us with a tax-deductible donation, or please forward to anyone who may be interested in…

Bilingual report: emPower hosts Spanish language home energy workshop on Jan. 12 in Oxnard

OXNARD — emPower Ventura County invites local Spanish speaking homeowners to learn how emPower can help them access easy and affordable home energy upgrades during a free dinner workshop from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12  at the Oxnard Public Library, Salon B,…

Bilingual report: The Wellness Center / El Centro de Bienestar in Oxnard to launch Latino Indiginous Program in Spanish starting Jan. 13

OXNARD — The Wellness Center / El Centro de Bienestar in Oxnard will launch a Latino Indiginous Program in Spanish from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting  Jan. 13 at 2697 Saviers Road in the Centerpoint Mall, Oxnard.…