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."

5th Annual Hot Summer Night Seeks Sponsors

The 5th annual Old Boney Mountain Hot Summer Night festival, which features over 100 small-batch hot sauce companies from around the world, is seeking sponsors. The event is set for Thursday, July 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Los Robles Golf Course in Thousand Oaks. Its theme is “Bringing People Together.”

Hot Summer Night proceeds benefit the Ventura County Fire Department Widows, Orphans & Assistance Fund and the Old Boney Mountain Foundation For Kids.

Bilingual report — Jan. 7, 2022 – COVID-19 Update

January 7, 2022 – COVID-19 Update Everyone over the age of 12 is now eligible for a COVID-19 booster dose. Get your COVID-19 booster dose if: • It has been 5+ months since you completed your primary Pfizer series, •…

July 9 — Ventura Land Trust Presents July Plein Air Painting Workshop at Harmon Canyon Preserve

Ventura Land Trust broadens its public program offerings with an Artist-Led Plein Air Painting Workshop on Saturday, July 9th at 8:00 am at Harmon Canyon Preserve.  Artists Debra Holladay, Laura Wambsgans, and Marian Fortunati will offer instruction for beginner and experienced artists on how to capture Harmon Canyon’s natural landscape through composition, form, color, and paint handling. 

Participants will receive instruction as a group and one-on-one. Group discussion will allow painters to learn from one another. Ventura Land Trust staff will join the workshop to share elements of Harmon Canyon Preserve’s natural and cultural history. 

Nov. 3 — Museum of Ventura County to present ‘Ivor Davis: Up Close and Personal with Joe Sohm’

The Museum of Ventura County to present “Ivor Davis: Up Close and Personal with Joe Sohm” from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, 100 E. Main St., Ventura.

Joe Sohm joins host Ivor Davis for a discussion of his work as one of the nation’s preeminent political photographers.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program Rounds 7-9

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here CA SMALL BUSINESS COVID-19 RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM ROUNDS 7 – 9 California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), part of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), announced today that…

County of Ventura Assessment Appeals Board Member Recruitment

The County of Ventura is accepting applications for Board Member vacancies on its Assessment Appeals Boards (AAB). The AAB is a quasi-judicial body which hears property tax assessment appeals at a public hearings. The hearing process provides ‘equalization’, or fairness of the assessment of a property’s value of the property in question. Meetings of the Board are held in the City of Ventura and applications must be submitted by September 3, 2021.

Feb. 4 — SBMA presents Lecture (via Zoom) The 500 Faces of Teotihuacan

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Museum of Art will present: Lecture (via Zoom) “The 500 Faces of Teotihuacan.” Matthew Robb Chief Curator, Fowler Museum From 100 BCE to 600 CE, the ancient Mexican city of Teotihuacan dominated Mesoamerica though a complex mixture of religious,…

Aug. 16 — CLU School of Management to present ‘A Conversation on Mental Health, Technology and Leadership with Headspace CEO, CeCe Morken’ and more events

Headspace CEO Cece Morken joins us to discuss leadership takeaways around technology and mental health. Morken will lead us in a guided meditation, share lessons from her 35 years as a highly accomplished technology industry executive, and take audience questions.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Nov. 20

November 20, 2020 COVID-19 Update Today, you can get tested for COVID-19 at the following locations: Ventura County Fairgrounds, 9-6, enter on Shoreline Drive in Ventura (Walk up site in San Miguel Hall) Oxnard College, 10-7, 4000 S. Rose. Ave.…

Commentary — Thanks to all who have voted and are waiting for democracy to do its work

Thank you all very much for participating in our democracy by casting your ballot during the Nov. 3, 2020, general election.

No matter who you have voted for, you have set national records in participation this year — all during a time of one of the worst pandemics in our nation’s history.

Now, the hard part begins. Patience.

As we write this, various news agencies are reporting that former Vice President Joe Biden has won Pennsylvania to put him over the 270 electoral votes needed to become the 46th U.S. President.

Those news services include:

Associated Press — Biden wins White House, vowing new direction for divided US
CNBC — Election 2020 live results: Biden projected to defeat Trump, claims national mandate
CNN — Election results live: Joe Biden wins presidency
Fox News — Fox News projects Biden to defeat Trump, become 46th president after winning Nevada, Pennsylvania
NBC News — Biden defeats Trump to win White House, NBC News projects
New York Times — Joe Biden Wins 2020 President Election
NPR — Biden Wins Presidency, According To AP, Edging Trump In Turbulent Race
Washington Post — Biden Defeats Trump

However, thousands of ballots remain to be counted in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. We owe it to election workers to complete their jobs and count every single ballot.

Commentary — YES, Every Vote Counts — VOTE!

Given the news reports out there that the many have not turned in their mail-in ballots, it’s time to remind them about the election of 2016.

YES, EVERY VOTE COUNTS!!!, whether you live in Miami or Oxnard, Detroit or Santa Barbara, Scranton or San Luis Obispo.

Nov. 3 is creeping up fast. If you have a ballot, fill them out ASAP and drop them off at OFFICIAL BALLOT BOXES. It’s too late to use the U.S. Post Office.

Otherwise, plan to take advantage of in-person early voting on Saturday, Oct. 31.

We are so close. VOTE!!!

Bilingual commentary — A September to Remember that Democracy is in Your Hands

Never has a September been more important to American democracy than this year with the deadline approaching to fill out U.S. Census forms and to do everything possible to make sure your vote counts in during the Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 general election

During the next few weeks we will highlight the need for our reading audience to take action as these deadlines rapidly approach.

Commentary: A quiet resistance to light our way

Resistance. Quiet, persistent resistance.

Every once in a while, that resistance comes to everyone and everything.

As we note Earth Day this week, we are reminded of that resistance. In our stay-safe-at-home times, we are now seeing a world where the air is cleaner, the sound of nature is clearer and the Earth is actually healing itself a little at a time. There is a chilling, yet quiet beauty seeing the streets of Paris, London, Rome and New York virtually empty and nature going on quite well without us.

It’s as if Earth finally said, “ENOUGH.”

SoCalGas Donates $1 Million to Help Those in Need During Coronavirus Pandemic

Funding to assist laid-off workers, provide food and bill payment assistance to those in need LOS ANGELES — Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) announced on March 20 it will donate $1 million to nonprofit organizations throughout its service area to support the…

Bilingual report: CenCal Health Presents 2019 Annual Report in Digital Format

Health Plan Report Accessible Via Phones, Tablets, Lap and Desktops, in both English and Spanish SANTA BARBARA — CenCal Health, the publicly-sponsored health plan for Medi-Cal in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, announced today the release of its 2019 Community Report. The…

Commentary: A time to remember our community leaders

By Frank X. Moraga • Amigos805 Sometimes when you hear sad news about the passing of someone you knew, your mind can race back to some odd or funny memories about them. For me, the memories include a Dallas Cowboys jersey and…

Santa Paula Art Museum March Events

  Event Name: Class: Plein Air Outing (Ages 16+) Date/Time: Saturday, March 7, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Location: Santa Paula Art Museum’s Cole Creativity Center, 123 N 10th Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060 Cost: $55.00 per person…

Santa Barbara City College — The Bridge – October 2019

Santa Barbara City College’s Community Newsletter OCTOBER, 2019 Superintendent/President finalists selected The SBCC community is invited to attend public forums on Oct. 24 for the two finalists for the position of Superintendent/President: Utpal K. Goswami, current President of Metropolitan Community College in…

CSUCI’s MVS School of Business & Economics receives grant to launch peer mentor program

CAMARILLO — The Martin V. & Martha K. Smith Foundation has awarded CSU Channel Islands’ (CSUCI) Martin V. Smith (MVS) School of Business & Economics a $34,000 grant to launch a pilot peer mentorship program for business students. The new MVS…

Nov. 2 — In Honor of ‘Women in the Military’ Theme, Eileen McDargh, CEO of The Resiliency Group, to Present ‘Mama Was A Wasp’ at 23nd Annual Military Ball Presented by Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation

SANTA BARBARA — The Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF) will host the 23nd annual Military Ball at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort on Saturday, November 2, and is pleased to welcome a special guest speaker who will address an expected…

Nov. 15 — Ritmo Y Sonido Latino: Los Pinguos at UCSB

SANTA BARBARA — Ritmo Y Sonido Latino: Los Pinguos to perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15 at the UCSB MultiCultural Center Theater. Los Pinguos came to the United States from Buenos Aires, Argentina, with a mixture of Latin rhythms, reggae,…

May 3-4 — CSUCI “Arts Under the Stars” features astrophysicist Fiorella Terenzi and a galaxy of original student performances

CAMARILLO —An Italian-born astrophysicist/musician known for taking radio waves from faraway galaxies and turning them into music will play a central role in CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)’s 8th annual “Arts Under the Stars.” The public is invited to the show,…

SMHS Family and Consumer Science students victorious at recent competition

SANTA MARIA — Four SMHS Family and Consumer Science students were victorious at a recent regional Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) competition in Vacaville. The FCCLA is a national career, technical and personal growth organization with 160,000 members…

Santa Paula Art Museum update for Feb. 3 — Student Show Opens

SANTA PAULA ART MUSEUM JEANETTE COLE ART CENTER & COLE CREATIVITY CENTER iSpy Joy During school tours, we supply young visitors with iPads and close-up images from our exhibits, and they search for the matching artwork. Their joy in finding…

Bilingual report: Ventura County Medical Center Receives National Recognition for Meritorious Outcomes for Surgical Care

VENTURA COUNTY — The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP®) has recognized Ventura County Medical Center as one of 83 ACS NSQIP participating hospitals that have achieved meritorious outcomes for surgical patient care in 2017. As…

Through Dec. 20 — Thousand Oaks Certified Farmers’ Market Extends their Market Season for the Holidays

THOUSAND OAKS — The Thousand Oaks Certified Farmers’ Market will extend their market season with a special ‘Holiday Farmers’ Market’ at the Oaks Shopping Center in Thousand Oaks. The market will run through December 20 at a new location with special…

Nov. 13 — Assemblymember Irwin to host Women’s Self-Defense Workshop

Aimed at empowering women and helping them to better protect themselves SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin is hosting “Empower + Protect: A Self-Defense Workshop for Women,” an educational event aimed at guiding women through self- defense instruction. The workshop is being…

Nov. 18 — Bilingual report: Health Fair in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA — A Health Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 227 N. Nopal St.,  Santa Barbara. Free health screenings, resource tables, entertainment, activities for the entire family. Click on…

Sept. 16 — Oceanview Pavilion presents LIVE Championship Wrestling from Hollywood

PORT HUENEME — Come and join us at the beautiful Oceanview Pavilion located at 575 E. Surfside Drive Port Hueneme, CA 93041, for the return of LIVE Championship Wrestling from Hollywood. This incredible television production and one of a kind FREE event will…

Aug. 8 — Democratic Club of the Conejo Valley to present General Meeting on Single-Payer Healthcare

WESTLAKE VILLIAGE — The Democratic Club of the Conejo Valley to present General Meeting on Single-Payer Healthcare, featuring Ryan Skolnick and speaker from the California Nurses Association. Click here for more information. North Ranch Center 1400 N. Westlake Blvd. Westlake…

Assemblymember Limón Works To Pass Bill Opposing the Federal Administration’s Expansion of Offshore Oil Drilling Through The California Assembly

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) jointly authored Assembly Bill 1775 with Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) that passed the Assembly Floor on a bipartisan vote of 45-24. The bill, introduced in response to the Trump Administration’s announcement of their intention to expand offshore oil and gas drilling in federal waters, will…

Marjorie Luke Theatre update for Feb. 27

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   Upcoming Events Puppet Palooza Santa Barbara! The Muppets Take Santa Barbara Friday, March 2nd 6:30pm Puppetpaloozasb presents The Muppets—and the remarkable performers who bring them to life—will enthrall audiences with an evening of story-telling, interviews,…

March 8 — 14: Dred Scott, Wong Kim Ark & Vanessa Lopez

SANTA BARBARA — While the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees citizenship to those born or naturalized in the U.S., this Constitutional right has endured attacks since its passage in 1868, and it continues to be at risk today. 14: Dred Scott, Wong Kim Ark…

March 28 — League of Women Voters of Ventura County to Sponsor Forum on the Oxnard Recall Special Election

VENTURA COUNTY — The League of Women Voters of Ventura County (LWVVC), a nonpartisan political organization, is presenting a forum on the Oxnard Recall Special Election. This forum is free and open to the public and will be held on Wednesday, March 28 from 7:00 pm…

Ventura County School Closures for Wednesday, Dec. 13

*** UPDATED TO REFLECT CHANGE OF STATUS FOR RIO SCHOOL DISTRICT *** Due to air quality concerns, some Ventura County school districts will remain closed through the remainder of this week (Dec. 13, 14 and 15). This includes school sites…

Jan. 20 — Ventura County Arts Council presents ‘Emerging Artists: A Student Reading’ in Oxnard

OXNARD — The Ventura County Arts Council will present “Emerging Artists: A Student Reading” from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20 at the Oxnard Downtown Main Library. 251 S. A St., Oxnard. Presented by Oxnard Friends of the Library Foundation – Hosted…

Jan. 21 — BBSVC celebrates volunteers & first responders for National Mentoring Month

VENTURA COUNTY — January is National Mentoring Month, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) is celebrating with some very special events and activities, with a message of volunteerism and thanking First Responders in Ventura County. All month long,…

Local Engineers Provide Career Advice at Cal State Northridge

NORTHRIDGE — Two local engineers from Ventura County have made a presentation at California State University, Northridge for career guidance to students. It was arranged by the student chapter of The American Society of Civil Engineers at the University. Engineering students of…

Sept. 30 — California Welcome Center in Oxnard Welcomes Hannah Hubbard at ‘Meet the Artist’

  OXNARD — The California Welcome Center (CWC) located at the Collection Shopping Center in Oxnard welcomes the community to ‘Meet the Artist’ featuring Hannah Hubbard on Saturday, September 30 from 2 pm to 4 pm. The event is free and open…

Latino News Notes: Pew Research Center Hispanic Trends

By the Pew Research Center Click here for the entire newsletter Unauthorized immigrants covered by DACA face uncertain future 115th Congress sets new high for racial, ethnic diversity Blacks and Hispanics face extra challenges in getting home loans Less than…

Latino News Notes: Trump Team’s Meeting With Latino Leaders Gets Mixed Reviews

By Adrian Florido • NPR It was billed as a “listening session,” a chance for Latino leaders from across the country to sit down with members of President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team and talk about the issues important to them and to their…