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: When Friends Say, ‘Don’t Do It!’

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 It…

Bilingual report: Casa Dolores to hold Latin American arts & crafts sale on Dec. 7 in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA — Casa Dolores will hold its annual Latin American Arts & Crafts sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at 1023 Bath St., Santa Barbara. The event features Latin American artists from the Santa Barbara and Ventura areas.…

Guest commentary: Los Muertos de Hambre The War on Chicana/o Studies. Unmasking the illusion of inclusion

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 Muertos…

Bilingual commentary: The Day Kennedy Died

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 Like…

Guest commentary: Latina Voices, vision and stories

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editors 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 Storytelling…

Foodbank of Santa Barbara County still needs 2,660 turkeys by Nov. 22

SANTA BARBARA — Foodbank of Santa Barbara County’s annual community Turkey Drive is in its final week and the organization is inviting the community to provide the key ingredient to the Thanksgiving holiday meal for local families in need, the organization is…

Guest commentary: El Día de los Pendejos? / The Day of the Fools?

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 British…

Dr. Robert Gonzalez to leave position as director of Ventura County Health Care Agency

VENTURA COUNTY — Dr. Robert Gonzalez will leave his position as director of Ventura County Health Care Agency upon completion of recruitment for his successor, Ventura County Executive Officer Mike Powers announced in a media release on Nov. 14. “Dr. Gonzales…

CSU Channel Islands director of Admissions & Records wins national award

Ginger Reyes named 2013 Mid-Level Student Affairs Professional by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators CAMARILLO — Ginger Reyes, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs and director of Admissions & Records at CSU Channel Islands (CI), has been named a leader in…

Guest commentary: Artists donate to fundraiser

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editors 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 Two…

VCCF announces $1.2 million in scholarships available for students

Informational sessions to be held Nov. 13, 20 CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Community Foundation is accepting applications for more than $1.2 million in scholarships for the 2014-2015 school year, the organization reported Tuesday in a media release. Applying for…

Bilingual commentary: The Magical Other

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 Traditionally,…

Rep. Brownley announces $850,000 in funding for Clinicas del Camino Real to improve health access

VENTURA COUNTY — Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will receive more than $850,000 in funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Community Health Center Program, Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village), reported in a media release. Through its 13…

Guest commentary: Identity Crisis — An Arrested Development

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…

UCSB to present talk on race, government on Nov. 13

SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Interdisciplinary Humanities Center will present Kenneth Prewitt, author of “TALK: What is Your Race? — And Why the Government Should Ask,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13 at the Mosher Alumni House. Prewitt is a Carnegie Professor of…

Bilingual report: Teatro de las Américas to present ‘Cielito Lindo’ Nov. 15 through Dec. 7

OXNARD — Teatro de las Américas will present “Cielito Lindo” by Gustavo Ott on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. from Nov. 15 through Dec. 7 at its theater, 880 Wagon Wheel Road (corner with Ventura Road at the 101 Freeway),…

Bilingual commentary: Music on college campuses — Rock or Bach?

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…

Former migrant worker turned motivational speaker to give presentation at Allan Hancock College on Nov. 7

SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria will present guest speaker Raúl Lomelí, co-founder and executive chairman of Saber es Poder (Knowledge is Power), a Spanish-language media and empowerment network, on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.…

November cover story: Holiday helping season is under way

From food drives to toy donations, groups already helping those in need By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 As the 805 region enters the holiday season, the time is here for local organizations to step up their efforts to help…

Guest commentary: El Día de Los Muertos and Halloween: Quo Vadis?

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 /…

Local news

Santa Barbara County Second District Supervisor Janet Wolf recently visited the Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL) at SBCC Wake Campus, where she met staff and teachers and toured the campus with CLL Executive Director Andy Harper. Supervisor Wolf visited CLL…

Bilingual commentary: Republican obstinacy

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: The Devil made me do it. American exceptionalism revisited

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 After…

Organización en California de Líderes Campesinas to conduct candlelight vigil, ‘Apron Project’ exhibit on Oct. 25 in Oxnard

OXNARD — Líderes Campesinas will hold a vigil against domestic violence from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25 at Our Lady of Guadalupe, 500 No. Juanita Ave., Oxnard. As a united community, we will remember women who have died as…

22 new volunteer wish granters needed in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo Counties

SAN LUIS OBISPO AND SANTA BARBARA COUNTIES — Make-A-Wish Tri-Counties currently has a critical need for 22 new  Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo County Volunteer Wish Granters. 20 New Wish Granters are needed in Lompoc, Santa Barbara and Santa Maria and 2…

Bilingual report: Santa Maria performance poet Enedina Castañeda appears in Hollywood

  HOLLYWOOD — Poet / Poetisa Enedina Castañeda of Santa Maria performed with other Latin-American poets Oct. 8 at the Celebrity Centre in Hollywood. It’s a preliminary event for an international upcoming event in 2014 (embracing the arts in all its…

Guest commentary: No place to call your own

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editors 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 Fires…

Bilingual commentary: Women warriors

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 Women…

Guest commentary: Lessons from the Working Class. “When the Moment Comes”

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…

Chicano Art Collection of Ben Saiz opens Oct. 21 at Ventura College Santa Paula. Reception is Oct. 25

SANTA PAULA — The Chicano Art Collection of Ben Saiz will open Monday, Oct. 21 at Ventura College Santa Paula, 957 Faulkner Road, 106, Santa Paula. Curated by Xavier “Big X” Montes, the exhibit features original works of art by Diego Rivera, David…

Guest commentary: A review of the history of perceived, real oppressive actions of law enforcement

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…

Bilingual report: Two Food Day celebrations planned for Oct. 24 in Ventura County

VENTURA COUNTY — On Thursday, Oct. 24, Ventura County Public Health (VCPH) is teaming up with FOOD Share, Ventura County’s regional food bank, to host Food Day. Food Day celebrates the importance of access to real, healthy and affordable food for all. Two celebrations will…

Guest commentary: Oxnard’s Arts in Public Places and that silly little world called ‘sustainability’

An open letter to Oxnard’s Art in Public Places Committee 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…

El Centrito Family Learning Centers opens new toddler program

OXNARD — El Centrito Family Learning Centers, in partnership with First 5 Ventura County and the Ocean View School District, opened the new Little Dolphins Early Learning Program on Aug. 28, at the Ocean View Early Education Site (OVEES), creating…

Guest commentary: Vestal Virgins

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 Ancient…

Panel discussion examines plight of ‘Out of Status’ students throughout history on Oct. 15 at UCSB

SANTA BARBARA — They are among California’s highest achievers. High school graduates — in many cases their class valedictorians — community volunteers and now university students. They are hardworking seekers of their own version of the American Dream. They are also…

Guest commentary: El Día La Raza. What happened to the indigenous race?

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 When…

Mexican American Bar Association to present annual scholarship dinner on Oct. 18

OXNARD – The Ventura County Mexican American Bar Association and the Education Foundation of MABA will present their annual scholarship dinner at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18 at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, 600 E. Esplanade Drive, Oxnard. Luis J. Rodriguez,…