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."

UCSB announces winners of the Thomas More Storke Award, other top university prizes

By Andrea Estrada / UCSB Three remarkable graduating seniors at UC Santa Barbara have been named winners of the university’s top awards for their scholastic achievement, their extraordinary service to the university and the community, and their personal courage and…

Café on A to hold ‘ART-Extravaganza!’ on June 5

OXNARD — Acuña Art Gallery @ The Café on A will present “ART-Extravaganza!”  from 5:30 to  9:30 p.m., Thursday, June 5 at Acuña Art Gallery @ The Café on A, 438 S. A St., Oxnard Join us as we celebrate all the artists…

Future Leaders of America: Youth pursue careers in medical field

By Richard Castaniero / Future Leaders of America — ric.castaniero@gmail.com OXNARD — Medical professionals from Ventura County gathered on May 31 in Oxnard to present career seminars for students of Future Leaders of America. Career seminar organizer Peter Martinez welcomed the 60 high…

Bilingual commentary: Presidents just can’t win

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…

Scholarship open to Oxnard High School District seniors

OXNARD — High school seniors graduating in June 2014 are eligible to apply for the Josie Salinas Educational Scholarship. Students from Oxnard Union High Schools and Santa Clara High are eligible to apply for one of five scholarships. Students must…

Guest column: Our politicos have sold us out

Selling public space. The chickens will come home to roost 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…

June cover story: Summertime fun coming to the 805 region

Concerts, fiestas, theater performances starting to fill up the upcoming calendar Amigos805 staff report There’s nothing to do around here. Can’t recall how many times that refrain has been said by teenagers and others living in the 805 region. However,…

Local

CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Community Foundation and the Ventura County Housing Trust Fund have teamed up to create the first permanent revolving fund in Ventura County dedicated to building farmworker housing, the organizations reported in a media release. The…

Business: How to avoid distractions when working from home

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Telecommuting has made great strides over the last decade. U.S. Census Bureau statistics have identified key telecommuting trends, noting that 45 percent of the American workforce holds a job that is compatible with at least…

Local business information

> The Institute for Global Economic Research (IGER) at CSU Channel Islands (CI) and the Port of Los Angeles will present “Meet Consul Generals and Export,” a free workshop on the opportunities and nuances of conducting trade in some of…

Health: Relaxation techniques to calm your nerves

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Since 2007, the American Psychological Association has commissioned an annual nationwide survey to examine the state of stress across the United States and understand its impact. The 2013 survey found that people continue to experience…

Local health information

> Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will provide information on Covered California and free health screenings at selected locations throughout the month of June in various locations in Ventura County. Visit the organization’s online calendar at http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2014-06 to find times,…

Jesus Sanchez receives prestigious Marian Hancock Scholarship at awards banquet

SANTA MARIA — The Allan Hancock College Foundation’s 45th annual awards banquet was an evening to remember for hundreds of students, especially Jesus Sanchez, who received the prestigious Marian Hancock Scholarship on May 22, college officials reported in a media release. “It…

El Concilio profile: Alejandro Rangel Jr.

Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Registration is now closed. Click…

VCCF, Ventura County Housing Trust Fund create first sustainable loan pool for local farmworker housing

CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Community Foundation and the Ventura County Housing Trust Fund have teamed up to create the first permanent revolving fund in Ventura County dedicated to building farmworker housing, the organizations reported Tuesday in media release. The $100,000…

Hospice of Santa Barbara offers support, free bereavement services, tips for those affected by Isla Vista shooting

SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara is shocked and saddened by the shooting in Isla Vista. Our support goes out to the victims, their families and the university and community members impacted by this tragedy, hospice officials reported Tuesday in a media…

Bilingual commentary: Oxnard: A large city?

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 People…

El Concilio profile: Vanessa Prado

Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Registration is now closed. Click…

CSU Channel Islands’ Amanda Quintero elected vice president of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institution Educators

CAMARILLO — Amanda Quintero, director of Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives at CSU Channel Islands (CI), has been elected vice president of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institution Educators (AHSIE), the university officials reported in a media release. The alliance supports the work…

Book to be published next month by Allan Hancock College English professor Marc García-Martínez

SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College English professor Marc García-Martínez, Ph.D., will soon join world-renowned researchers Jane Goodall and Noam Chomsky as authors whose works have been published by the San Diego State University Press (SDSU Press), college officials reported…

El Concilio profile: Jorge Ochoa

Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here to register or to…

Pink Soiree a successful event. Now seeking committee members, team leaders for Oct. 11 ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer’ event

VENTURA — Organizers of the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk report they had a successful “Pink Soiree — Make Strides for Pink” kickoff event on May 14 at Discovery Ventura. They are now seeking committee members…

Bilingual commentary: Immigration and the GOP

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…

United Way of Ventura County: Smith to retire. Successor sought

CAMARILLO — David M. Smith, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Ventura County since October 2001, has announced his retirement effective Dec. 15, 2014, the organization reported Monday in a media release. A search for Smith’s successor will…

El Concilio profile: Thomas D. McCollum

Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here to register or to…

Mariachi Divas, Memo & Friends to perform at California Strawberry Festival on May 17-18

OXNARD — Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Divas will perform at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 17 at the California Strawberry Festival, 3250 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. Mariachi Divas’ new CD “Mi Manera” features 13 new recordings including “A Puro Dolor,” “La Fuente,” “Poppuri,”…

Bilingual commentary: Why is everything so dim?

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…

Guest commentary: Is a free higher education a right or a privilege?

Educar un muchacho es perder un buen pastor/ To educate a boy is to lose a good shepherd 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…

El Concilio profile: Frankie Villasenor Guzman

Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here to register or to…

Guest commentary: Happy Mother’s Day Santitos and all the immigrants 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 Armando Vazquez / Guest contributor My saintly…

Bilingual commentary: Patron of the arts

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 I…

Guest commentary: Stereotype — All Asians are Chinos. Glen Omatsu and ethnic solidarity

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 Asians…

Local

SANTA BARBARA — Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is holding its “Share Your Lunch” campaign from May 1 through 31. The program enables the community to help close the summer food gap by donating the amount one might typically spend…

Business: Online reviews can benefit shoppers, retailers alike

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Word-of-mouth has long been an ally of small business. Customers who have positive experiences with a small business often share those experiences with friends, family members and coworkers, and that word-of-mouth can help hardworking small…

Local business information

> CSU Channel Islands’ Martin V. Smith School of Business and Economics will hold its final Spring 2014 Speakers Series program with a presentation by Joe Schroeder, president/CEO of Ventura County Credit Union, from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, May…

Health: Get on the road to recovery by identifying depression

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Nearly everyone feels down at one point or another. But when feelings of sadness stretch on and are accompanied by other symptoms, normal sadness might have given way to depression. The Centers for Disease Control…

Local health information

> Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation will present ‘Motion by the Ocean Walk / Run’ on Sunday, May 4 at San Buenaventura State Beach, Ventura. Proceeds of the event will benefit the new Community Memorial Hospital. The event includes 1/5/10k courses,…

El Concilio profile: Susan Carrasco

Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here to register or to…

Bilingual commentary: Reinvest in higher education

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 Das Williams / Guest contributor “Education…

Bilingual commentary: The Church and Latinos

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…

Oxnard College to present Juan Felipe Herrera on April 30

OXNARD — UC Riverside English Professor and California State Poet Lauret Juan Felipe Herrera will read poems from his many books and discuss his journey from being a migrant worker to a published poet and a voice for the Mexican…

Guest commentary: Academe as a plantation — A false consciousness

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 The…

Sixth grader from César Chávez Elementary School in Oxnard wins California Strawberry Festival’s 2014 Youth Art Design contest

OXNARD — From an all-time record of 1,800 entries, the “berrilious” design of 11-year-old Itzel Gonzalez from César Chávez Elementary in Oxnard was selected as the winner of the 31st Annual California Strawberry Festival Youth Art Design Contest, the festival’s organizers…