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 In…
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."
February cover story / Portada: A romantic time of year
February is a perfect time to think about romance, finalizing wedding plans Editor’s note: Time is running short to finalize both your plans for a romantic Valentine’s Day and be more creative as you finalize plans for your wedding. Here is…
Commentary: February means that romance is in the air, money is in the wind
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 Like Christmas, which is now making an appearance for retailers in late summer, the trappings of Valentine’s Day seem to be coming out earlier and earlier each year. I’m sure I saw some kind…
Local briefs
VENTURA COUNTY — Low- to moderate-income workers who had a household income of $52,000 or less in 2013 can receive free tax preparation and income tax filing at a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site located throughout Ventura County, the…
Home: Make your home safer for children
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) According to the Home Safety Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing home injuries, half of the children who die before their first birthday die from choking or suffocation. Many times such tragedies can be…
Business: What are consignment shops?
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Consignment stores have grown in popularity in recent years, particularly among bargain hunters. In addition to offering great deals, such shops also buy clothing, giving shoppers a chance to make a little money when retiring…
More local business information
> Dave Power, founder of J.D. Power and Associates, will be the first speaker in the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics at CSU Channel Islands’ Spring 2014 Speaker Series, “Lessons from Successful Entrepreneurs and Executives,” from noon…
Health: Amazing facts about the human heart
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Every Valentine’s Day homes and businesses dress up the decor with cupids and hearts to celebrate a day all about love and affection. The heart shape has been used to symbolically represent the human heart…
More local health information
> Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will present information on Covered California on Feb. 6 in Oak View, Fillmore and Simi Valley; Feb. 7 in Santa Paula and Fillmore; Feb. 11, 12, 13 and 14 in Oxnard; Feb. 13 in…
Technology: How to usher your office into the eco-friendly era
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, with once groundbreaking ideas and devices becoming obsolete in what seems like the blink of an eye. Despite such advancements, many professional environments are still consuming far…
Finance: Tips for newlyweds about to merge finances
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Newlyweds often have a lot on their plates upon returning from their honeymoons. One of the more critical issues newly married couples must address is their finances and how those finances will be combined going…
More local financial news
> California Lutheran University this summer will open a Westlake Village center to house a new business incubator and provide expanded facilities for its Community Counseling Center and School of Management, the university reported in a media release. At the…
Food: Improve your home and diet with a vegetable garden
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Planting a garden can add aesthetic appeal and functionality to a property. Vegetable gardens can transform landscapes while putting healthy and homegrown food on the table. By growing their own fruits and vegetables, homeowners have…
Food: Clean produce properly to avoid contaminants
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) The demand for fresh produce has increased in recent years as more people are turning to fresh fruits and vegetables for their nutritional value. That increase in demand has forced many suppliers to import more…
UCSB to honor ‘City of Night’ author John Rechy with Luis Leal Award for Distinction in Chicano/Latino Literature
SANTA BARBARA — Novelist John Rechy is this year’s recipient of the UC Santa Barbara’s Luis Leal Award for Distinction in Chicano/Latino Literature, university 0fficials reported in a media release. The award will be presented during a ceremony at 4 p.m.…
Guest commentary: Agrarian Year Up program would benefit area youth, restore Ormond Beach
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 We at…
La Santa Cecilia shout out to Santa Barbara County youth at the 2014 Grammy Awards!
SANTA BARBARA — La Santa Cecilia, winners of the the Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Grammy for Treinte Días, gave thought in their acceptance speech on Jan. 26 to the incarcerated youth in Santa Barbara County they had visited through…
Bilingual commentary: Young Latinos and the New Economy
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 The…
CSU Channel Islands’ Antonio Jiménez Jiménez named administrator of the American Translators Association’s Educators Division
CAMARILLO — Antonio Jiménez Jiménez, Associate Professor of Spanish at CSU Channel Islands (CI), has been named administrator of the American Translators Association’s (ATA) Educators Division. Based in Alexandria, Va., the ATA is the nation’s largest professional organization for translators and interpreters, with…
Jan. 31 nomination deadline approaching for El Concilio’s Latino Leadership Awards
OXNARD — The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31 to submit nominations for the 25th annual El Concilio Family Services’ Latino Leadership Awards, to be presented at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 31 in Oxnard. “Since 1990, El Concilio Family Services has recognized…
Guest commentary: Chrysler’s follow up to “To the Farmer in All of Us’ Superbowl commercial needs to be more inclusive
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…
Hospice of Santa Barbara to present bilingual support groups for parents, children starting in Feburary
SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara will present free support groups, in both English and Spanish, for adults and caregivers of bereaved children and teens every Wednesday from Feb. 19 through April 9, the organization reported Tuesday in a media release. The…
Bilingual commentary: The Demise of the Mall?
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 When…
Consulate of Mexico and the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking to hold forum on Jan. 23 in Oxnard
OXNARD — Consulate of Mexico and the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking will hold forum “Abolish Salvery & Trafficking of People and the Signing Ceremony of MOU” from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 at El Alfarero Assembly of…
‘An Evening With Edward James Olmos’ to be held Jan. 25 at Oxnard College
OXNARD — The Oxnard College Latino Thought Makers Series will present “An Evening With Edward James Olmos” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, in the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center Auditorium (OCPA), 4000 S. Rose Ave. in Oxnard. Olmos, a Tony…
Guest commentary: Ivan Illich’s toe
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 Other…
Bilingual report: Rep. Brownley reports on $1.5 million in overdue federal benefits delivered to Ventura County
THOUSAND OAKS – In the year since Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) took office, Brownley and her staff have successfully delivered $1.5 million in overdue federal benefits to her Ventura County constituents, Rep. Brownley reported Friday in a media release.…
Bilingual commentary: Desiderata — Part V — Loud and aggressive persons
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 This…
El Concilio wins award from Bank of America
OXNARD — El Concilio Family Services in Oxnard was selected by Bank of America for a $3,000 award to support its effort to enhance the community, El Concilio reported in a media release. “El Concilio relies on the contributions of committed…
Guest commentary: El Baruyo. Context in understanding history’s unforgettable characters
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 Context…
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara! to present La Santa Cecilia in free concerts Jan. 10-12
SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara! will present La Santa Cecilia, the “Best Alternative Band of the Year” (LA Weekly, 2012), in free family concerts at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10 at Isla Vista School, 6875 El…
Consulado de México en Oxnard abre 2014 con anuncios
Descarga “MICONSULMEX”, aplicación sobre servicios consulares, en tu teléfono o dispositivo móvil Para acercar la labor consular cada vez más a los mexicanos en Estados Unidos, está disponible MiConsulmex, una aplicación para teléfonos inteligentes y dispositivos móviles. Puede descargarse sin costo…
Bilingual commentary: The Wisdom of Desiderata — Part IV — Speaking Our Truth
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 Once…
Guest commentary: Back to Bachimba — Why history makes us important
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 History…
January cover story: Hunger issue continues after the holidays
Cuts to federal funding, growing population base lead to increasing needs in 2014 By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 The winter holidays are over. Time to put away the decorations for another year. Unfortunately, it is also the time of…
Commentary: I resolve not to resolve this New Year’s season, maybe?
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 So how many times have I resolved to do something at the start of the year, only to quickly fall back into my old habits before the end of the first week in January?…
Local news
Children’s Resource Network of the Central Coast reported that it received more than 670 Christmas gifts. “We were able to give to every single child brought to us in need of Christmas presents,” organizers reported in a media release. “A big hug…
Home: Begin the new year in a new home
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) After flatlining during the economic downturn that began around 2008, housing markets in many regions of the United States and Canada have shown signs of recovery. Those in the market to buy and sell may…
Business: 4 Steps to becoming a Certified Personal Trainer
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Kelly Smith was like most young moms —she struggled with her weight after having her second child, but eventually managed to shed the pounds through setting and achieving fitness goals. But the triumph of getting…
Local business information
> CSU Channel Islands will host Federal Reserve Economist Gary Zimmerman from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16 in the university Grand Salon in Camarillo. Zimmerman, senior economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, will discuss the bank’s…
Health: Healthy resolutions for the year ahead
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) As the calendar turns to a new year, the focus of men and women often shifts as well. After the hectic holiday season has come and gone, many people re-dedicate themselves to their personal health…
Local health information
> Cottage Health Systems will present its Prepared Childbirth Weekday Series on Thursdays from Jan. 2 through Jan. 30 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, 400 W. Pueblo St., Santa Barbara. The program includes prepared childbirth series, condensed class, breastfeeding, new…
Technology: What’s in your 21st-century survival kit?
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Of the 1,272 federal disaster declarations issued in the last decade, more than half were classified as major disasters. These include calamities such as floods, hurricanes and tropical storms, winter storms and others. In the…
Technology: Local tech news
> UC Santa Barbara engineering professors Samir Mitragotri and Steven DenBaars have been named to the rank of Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors, the university reported in a media release. Recognized for their “highly prolific spirit of innovation,”…
Finance: How to prepare for tax time
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Although some are ready to say their fond farewells to 2013, thought needs to be given to the 12 months that just passed as tax-filing season approaches. It’s never too soon to begin preparations for…
Local financial news
> California Lutheran University is launching a Veterans Entrepreneurship Institute in January as part of an increased emphasis on preparing people to create their own business opportunities. Nelson Pizarro, an assistant professor of entrepreneurship in CLU’s School of Management, will…
Food: Must-haves for any Super Bowl party
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) The Super Bowl, the annual championship game of the National Football League, has become a global event. According to Nielsen, a ratings measurement firm, the 2013 game, which pitted the Baltimore Ravens against the San…
Food: Throw a sensational Super Bowl party
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) As the opening kickoff draws closer, here are some keys to Super Bowl party success. • Know your playing field. Your home is only so big, and that means you will have to limit the…
Bilingual commentary: Father-daughter Christmas gifts
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 This…
Guest commentary: The word Neo is not new. The age of the billionaires
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 Every…
Nominations open for 2014 El Concilio Family Services’ Latino Leadership Awards
OXNARD — Nominations are open for El Concilio Family Services’s 25th annual Latino Leadership Awards, to be presented at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 31 in Oxnard. The deadline to submit nominations is 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31. “Since 1990, El Concilio…
Guest commentary: The need for a paradigm shift > toward unconditional love
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 At the…
Bilingual commentary: The Wisdom of Desiderata — Part III — On good terms with others
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…
Bilingual report: Rep. Brownley’s bill benefitting Ventura County sent to president’s desk
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate sent to the President’s desk on Dec. 20 legislation passed last week by the House that includes a provision spearheaded by Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) that will directly benefit Ventura County. Brownley originally introduced the…
Guest commentary: The tyranny of words privatization, marketization, globalization “Greed is Good”
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 People…
El Centrito Family Learning Centers in Oxnard thanks supporters
Dear El Centrito Family & Friends, We are inspired by the tremendous community support our holiday campaign has received. Thank you for your generous donations that nurture our roots and support us as we reach for new heights. The El Centrito…
Guest commentary: Supervisor Zaragoza reports on progress in 2013
OXNARD — It’s been a great year at the County of Ventura. In the fall of 2013, construction began on the new Ventura County Medical Center Hospital wing. In addition to meeting earthquake safety standards, this new hospital wing will…
Ventura County FOOD Share seeks helps to reach 200,000 pound donation goal
VENTURA COUNTY — Eight schools in the Pleasant Valley School District stuffed a school bus with 6,250 lbs of food in an effort to help Ventura County FOOD Share reach its “Tackle Hunger” 200,000-pound food donation goal, the organization reported…
Bilingual commentary: The Wisdom of Desiderata — Part II — The Peace of Silence
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 Last…
Wells Fargo, Santa Barbara County community help make Foodbank Turkey Drive a success
$26,100 raised and 2,075 turkeys and 2,000 chickens distributed for Thanksgiving SANTA BARBARA — Thanks to Wells Fargo and the entire Santa Barbara County community, 2,075 turkeys and 2,000 chickens were distributed this Thanksgiving season, officials with Foodbank of Santa…