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."

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…

CSU Channel Islands took part this week in ‘Operation Ready Ventura County 2014’ earthquake drill

CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands took part in ‘Operation Ready Ventura County 2014,’ a multi-agency earthquake drill held Jan. 14-16. The event comes during the same week as the 20th anniversary of the Northridge Earthquake on Jan. 17, 1994. The Ventura…

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 report: State Sen. Jackson, Assemblymember Williams to co-sponsor Jan. 18 health care forum in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA — State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) and Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) will host a Town Hall forum Saturday, Jan. 18 to help explain how federal health care reform will affect Californians. The meeting will take place from 10:30…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Guest commentary: The Great American chastity belt — The obsession to control our minds

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…

Guest commentary: A home for the holidays

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 Mona AlvaradoFrazier/ Guest contributor Many…

Bilingual commentary: The Wisdom of Desiderata — Part I

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 Over…

Guest commentary: ¡Tierra y Libertad! Articles 27 and 28 of the Mexican Constitution. Does History Matter?

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 El…

December cover story: The magic of the season comes to 805 region

Religious and cultural celebrations, giving campaigns mark the holidays By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 The lighting of the Christmas tree, holiday parades, religious and cultural observances and, above all, the spirit of giving mark the return of the holiday…

Commentary: 10 reasons for kids to read multicultural books

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 Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest…

Bilingual report: Promotoras y Promotores Foundation to present bilingual program on the Affordable Care Act on Dec. 5

OXNARD —  The Promotoras y Promotores Foundation will present a bilingual information program on the Affordable Care Act and Covered California from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 at its offices, 1500 Camino Del Sol, Room 21, in the…

Bilingual commentary: New family holiday ‘Traditions’

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 Gray…

Guest commentary: Blame the Greek! Criticism, an abandoned process

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…