Latino couple reflects on love for the outdoors OXNARD — Fifteen years ago, Juan, an at-risk youth from south-central Los Angeles, stepped off a bus in Grand Teton National Park and saw the stars for the first time in his life.…
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: Gratitude
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor Because of the expectations of our culture, we might feel that we never quite achieve “success,” or “contentment.” After all, whenever we do attain a degree of success or fulfillment, there’s always the next goal, the new…
Guest commentary: Forgotten Memories — Wasted Years
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 By…
A new book co-authored by a UCSB researcher details how the Maya have farmed sustainably and survived for millennia
By Jim Logan / UCSB History has not been kind to the Maya, an indigenous people of Mesoamerica. They’re usually portrayed as the hapless victims of European colonialism who collapsed and disappeared as a result of overpopulation and environmental degradation. A…
UCSB’s Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science is named an outstanding regional role model
By Julie Cohen / UCSB The UC Santa Barbara chapter of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) has received the 2015 Outstanding Regional Network Role Model Award. This award marks the fourth in as many years bestowed…
Bilingual commentary: Obesity…And We Wonder Why?
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor There was an interesting juxtaposition of articles in this past week’s Ventura County Star. One of them* was entitled “Americans becoming more obese,” as in, what else is new? In the same section of the newspaper, there…
Museum of Ventura County to present sneak preview of ‘Bordertown’ on Nov. 20
VENTURA — The Museum of Ventura County will present a sneak preview of “Bordertown,” a new Seth MacFarlane comedy to debut on Fox in January 2016, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20 at 100 E. Main St., Ventura.…
CLU Professor Edlyn Peña joins national autism panel
THOUSAND OAKS — A California Lutheran University faculty member has been appointed to a reconfigured federal autism panel that will convene next week after a long hiatus. Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell named Edlyn Peña, an assistant…
Bilingual commentary: Avoiding What We Don’t Understand
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor This past week, I decided to confront something that I had studiously avoided all my life because I just didn’t understand it. Abstract art. I had grown up surrounded by the classical art created by my Mexican…
Emmy Award-winning journalists join Oxnard College’s Latino Thought Makers for ‘Politics in America’ talk on Nov. 12
OXNARD — Oxnard College Institute for Latino Performing Arts will present a special evening of political discussion and debate on Thursday, Nov. 12 with award-winning journalists Myrka Dellanos, Ruben Navarrette Jr. and Julio Varela as part of its continuing Latino Thought Makers Live…
Gold Coast Health Plan to recognize Diabetes Awareness Month with resource fair on Nov. 7 in Oxnard
OXNARD — Gold Coast Health Plan will recognize Diabetes Awareness Month in November with a “Diabetes Awareness Resource Fair” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Oxnard Public Library, 1251 S. A St., Oxnard. The program will feature…
2015 Día de los Muertos Celebracion to be held Nov. 7 in Camarillo
CAMARILLO — One of the final Day of the Dead events will occur this weekend when the 2015 Día de los Muertos Celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at Conejo Mountain Funeral Home, Memorial Park and…
November cover story: Area agencies prepare to wage war on hunger
Holiday season is typical time for organizations to raise awareness of those in need in the region From Amigos805 staff reports Given the rebounding economy and the stereotypical image of a laid-back Golden State, the statistics seem stark. One in…
Local news briefs
SANTA BARBARA — Award-winning author Reyna Grande will be presented with UCSB’s 12th annual Luis Leal Literature Award during a ceremony at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, in the McCune Conference Room, 6020 Humanities and Social Sciences Building at UCSB.…
Commentary: Paying homage to sacrifices of veterans of all eras
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 It was a cool, foggy evening when our bus finally arrived at the U.S. Naval Recruit Training Center in San Diego. We had just witnessed a bunch of Marine recruits being dropped off at…
Bilingual commentary: “After 17”
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor Country-Western music is well-known for its ability to powerfully express the heartaches, the grudges, the pleasures and the joys that we experience in our lives. It often sings of our delights, tragedies and transitions — including those…
Business: WEV to present free Spanish self-employment sessions
Orientations will be held Nov. 4 in Oxnard, Nov. 11 in Fillmore and Nov. 12 in Ventura From Amigos805 staff reports Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV). will hold free, one-hour informational sessions facilitated by Spanish Program Coordinator Leticia Sandoval in Ventura…
Local business information
> The EDC-VC and EDD will present a “Federal / State Basic Payroll Tax Seminar” from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3 at the Ventura EDD Tax Office, 4820 McGrath St., Suite 200, Ventura. Participants will receive information…
Health: Open Enrollment for Covered California begins Nov. 15
Period is one time of year when most Californians who need insurance cannot be denied by a health plan. Deadline is Feb. 15 By the Ventura County Health Care Agency VENTURA COUNTY — Open Enrollment starts Nov. 15 and continues…
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 November in Ventura County. Click here to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County…
More Día de los Muertos events coming this weekend, beyond
From Amigos805 staff reports Día de los Muertos events will continue this weekend in Camarillo, Goleta, Nipomo, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Santa Paula and Ventura. Camarillo • CSU Channel Islands will present its annual Día de los Muertos celebration 4…
SBCC Center for Lifelong Learning presented Día de los Muertos celebration
SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Community College SBCC Center for Lifelong Learning (the CLL) hosted its free family-friendly Día de los Muertos celebration on Oct. 24 at the Schott Campus to commemorate the dead through a 4000-year-old Mesoamerican tradition. Children of all ages…
Bilingual commentary: Success built upon failure
By David Magallanes/ Guest contributor There are times when we seem to be floundering in a sea of failure. Our dreams and goals don’t seem to be taking shape as we had planned, and that sturdy boat in which we had…
Guest commentary: The lonely book review
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 Not…
Channel Islands High School graduate and assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff to President Bill Clinton, Maria Echaveste to speak at CSU Channel Island on Oct. 27
CAMARILLO — “From La Colonia to the Clinton Administration, and to Cal: Learning and Leadership — A Conversation with Maria Echaveste” will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27 CSU Channel Island. The public is welcome to attend. Growing up…
CI Science Carnival unleashes the curious kid in all of us on Oct. 24
CAMARILLO — Slime, banana pianos and the ever-popular screaming Gummi bears will be among more than 80 exploding, oozing, glowing and just plain fascinating hands-on science activities at CSU Channel Islands(CI)’s Seventh Annual Science Carnival, the university reported in a media…
Bilingual commentary: The Love of Math
By David Magallanes/ Guest contributor In a recent newspaper article (I still read the paper version daily), an event in our county and elsewhere caught my attention: a “TriMathlon.” I had never seen this clever play on the word “triathlon,” which refers…
The OC Literature, Arts and Lecture Series Fall 2015 to present ‘Réne Corado — From Shoeshine Boy to Scientist’ on Oct. 21
OXNARD — The OC Literature, Arts and Lecture Series Fall 2015 will present “Réne Corado — From Shoeshine Boy to Scientist” from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard.…
Oxnard College Institute for Latino Performing Arts to present ‘An Evening with Actors Judy Reyes, Reynaldo Pacheco and Julissa Arce’ on Oct. 21
OXNARD — Oxnard College Institute for Latino Performing Arts will present a special evening with actress Judy Reyes and immigrant rights activist Julissa Arce with host Rick Najera at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21 as part of Oxnard College’s Latino Thought Makers…
A UCSB professor’s personal experience with issues of immigration shapes her academic passions
By Nora Crutcher / UCSB Narayani Lasala-Blanco knows firsthand the struggles Latino and other immigrant families face when they come to the United States. She experienced them herself, as a child living in Santa Barbara in the late 1980s. Now an…
Bilingual commentary: The Anti-Islam Protesters
By David Magallanes/ Guest contributor Last week I wrote about the Golden Age of Islam (http://amigos805.com/bilingual-commentary-the-golden-age-of-islam)—the time during which Islam thrived and contributed to civilization in Europe and the Middle East. This week, we explore the grim experience of Muslims in our…
A UC Santa Barbara researcher’s book on Spanish-language radio earns national awards and a place in the national conversation
By Jim Logan / UCSB Dolores Inés Casillas, an associate professor in the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies at UC Santa Barbara, picked a good time to write a book about the ways Latinos use Spanish-language radio. Not that…
Día de los Muertos events beginning this weekend
Día de los Muertos events are beginning this weekend in many locations in the 805 region. The Carpinteria Library will present “La Catrina,” a Día de los Muertos celebration, from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 at 5141 Carpinteria Ave.,…
De Colores Art Show to hold opening reception on Oct. 17
SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Art Museum will present the 22nd “De Colores Art Show: Campesinas,” opening with a reception from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 at 117 N. Tenth St., downtown Santa Paula. The De Colores Art Show is an annual…
Santa Barbara Art Museum to present ‘Looking In, Looking Out: Latin American Photography starting Oct. 18
The Santa Barbara Art Museum will present “Looking In, Looking Out: Latin American Photography” from Oct. 18 through Feb. 14 at 130 State St., Santa Barbara. Selected from the museum’s permanent collection, the 47 works explore various aspects of Latin American history and…
Bilingual commentary: The Golden Age of Islam
By David Magallanes/ Guest contributor In the midst of turbulence and social upheaval in the Middle East today, and with prejudicial hatred against Muslims increasing throughout our country, it is hard for us to comprehend a time in which Islam was highly…
Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hern to perform in Oxnard on Oct. 11
OXNARD — Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hern will perform will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 S. Hobson Way, Oxnard. The USA 2016 Tour is entitled “The Force and the Passion…
CLU’s International Film Festival to present ‘Even the Rain’ on Oct. 7
THOUSAND OAKS — CLU’s International Film Festival will present “Even the Rain” (Spanish) at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7 at the Carmike Thousand Oaks 14, 166 W. Hillcrest Drive. With ample irony, Even the Rain explores the effects of Spanish imperialism,…
UCSB Multicultural Center’s Cup of Culture to present film screening of ‘Cartel Land’ on Oct. 7
SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Multicultural Center’s Cup of Culture Film screening of “Cartel Land” will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7 at the UCSB Multicultural Center, UCSB. Hailed by The New York Times as “urgent and…
Carnegie Art Musem to present ‘Artist’s Gallery Talk — Carmen Abelleira — Reclaimed Stories’ on Oct. 8
OXNARD — The Carnegie Art Musem will present “Artist’s Gallery Talk — Carmen Abelleira — Reclaimed Stories” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 at 424 S. C St, Oxnard. The creator of the museum’s newest “Celler” exhibit, “Reclaimed Stories,” she will share…
October cover story: Day of the Dead coming to life in 805 region
Cities from Camarillo to Santa Maria will present numerous activities during Día de los Muertos celebration to honor departed souls By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 About three decades ago most of the general public in the 805 region had not…
Commentary: Campesinas are the focus of this year’s De Colores Art Show in Santa Paula
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 For Xavier Montes, the inspiration for this year’s De Colores Art Show hit close to home to the aunt who raised him. “When I see women working in the fields, I think of Carmen, my mother…
Local news briefs
OXNARD — CSU Channel Islands will present the 2015 Science Carnival from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School, 2900 Thurgood Marshall Drive, Oxnard. Free to the public, the event provides students through grade 8…
Finance: WEV to present free Spanish self-employment sessions
Orientations will be held Oct. 8 in Ventura, Oct. 13 in Port Hueneme, Oct. 15 and 26 in Santa Maria From Amigos805 staff reports Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV). will hold free, one-hour informational sessions facilitated by Spanish Program Coordinator Leticia…
Local business information
> Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin will present a “Manage Your Money Financial Literacy Workshop” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14 at CSU Channel Islands, Malibu Hall Room 100. Learn how to manage student loans, everyday tools to save money, common…
Health: ‘Think Pink’ for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Breast Cancer Awareness month offers an opportunity to take steps to detect the disease By the Ventura County Health Care Agency VENTURA COUNTY — This October, Ventura County Health Care Agency is proud to participate in National Breast Cancer…
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 October in Ventura County. Click here to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County Health…
Social Justice Fund for Ventura County announces 2015 grantees
CAMARILLO — The Social Justice Fund for Ventura County (SJF) has awarded almost $30,000 to five local organizations that inspire and educate young leaders who work to improve fairness and justice in their communities, the organization reported in a media release.…
Bilingual commentary: The Lessons of Trees
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…
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara! to present Patricio Hidalgo y el Afrojarocho through Oct. 4
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara! will present Patricio Hidalgo y el Afrojarocho in free family performances from through Oct. 4 in various locations in Santa Barbara County. Hidalgo is a world-renowned musician and poet and a third-generation jaranero, a master of the music…
Teatro de las Américas, Oxnard College to present ‘Songs of the Mediterranean’ dinner, concert fundraiser on Oct. 1
Teatro de las Américas and Oxnard College continue their 2015 Season of Concert-Dinners with “Songs of the Mediterranean” from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1 at The Bistro at Culinary Arts Building at Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. In this third edition, guests…
CSU Channel Islands is among seven minority-serving institutions singled out for national recognition
CAMARILLO — Family-friendliness, workplace diversity, salaries and professional development opportunities were some of the criteria that recently put CSU Channel Islands(CI) among the “2015 Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs at Minority-Serving Institutions,” university officials reported this week in a…
UCSB receives $2.6M grant from the U.S. Department of Education under the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program
By Andrea Estrada / UCSB UC Santa Barbara has been selected to receive a $2.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education for Opening New Doors to Accelerating Success (ONDAS), a new Title V program. The five-year grant is…
Bilingual commentary: The Math Crisis
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 Mathematics…
Latino Thought Maker Series to present ‘An Evening with Marco Antonio Regil & Scott Montoya’ at Oxnard College on Sept. 24
OXNARD — The Oxnard College Institute for Latino Performing Arts will present its second performance of Latino Thought Makers at Oxnard College Performing Arts Center at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24. The live show, hosted by comedian Rick Najera, will…
Javier Gomez to present Día de los Muertos free pre-planning art workshops starting Sept. 26
OXNARD — Javier Gomez will present the annual Día de los Muertos free pre-planning art workshops starting Sept. 26 at 250 E. 5th St., Oxnard. All workshops will be held from noon to 3 p.m. The schedule includes: Sept. 26 —…
Bilingual report: Teatro de las Américas to present ‘Our Lady of the Clouds’ on Sept. 27
OXNARD — Teatro de las Américas will present ‘Our Lady of the Clouds’ at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27 at the Oxnard College Black Box Theatre, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The play is directed by Pantelis Palamidis. Written by Arístides…
LEON awarded Santa Barbara County resolution in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month
SANTA BARBARA — Latino Elders Outreach Network (LEON) was presented with a Santa Barbara County resolution in honor of Hispanic Heritage month. On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, First District Supervisor Salud Carbajal presented the award in recognition of the…
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! recognized by Santa Barbara County Supervisors on 10th anniversary season
SANTA BARBARA — The County of Santa Barbara has honored ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! on its tenth anniversary season with a resolution of the Board of Supervisors recognizing the program for its innovative and diverse contributions to community cultural life throughout the…
UCSB professor’s new biography of labor leader César Chávez is one of few in the U.S. to be written in Spanish
By Jim Logan/ UCSB When César Chávez founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW), he did it mostly in Spanish. For more than 30 years, he inspired millions of people — and hundreds…
Bilingual commentary: Speaking “American”
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 For…
Guest commentary: On the ‘Bacon Trail’ — Part 2
The Precursors 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. Note: The following…
California Secretary of State Alex Padilla to be keynote speaker at CAUSE’s ninth annual ‘Raising Justice — Building Community’ celebration on Sept. 17
VENTURA — California Secretary of State Alex Padilla will be the keynote speaker at CAUSE’s ninth annual ‘Raising Justice — Building Community’ celebration on Thursday, Sept. 17 at the Ventura Beach Marriott, 2055 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura. “Join us in reaffirming our…
Ballet Folklórico de Los Angeles opens ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara!’s 10th anniversary season on Sept. 11
SANTA BARBARA — Ballet Folklórico de Los Angeles opens ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara!’s 10th anniversary season with free performances at Isla Vista School (Sept. 11), Guadalupe City Hall (Sept. 12) and the Marjorie Luke Theatre (Sept. 13). The company…
CSU Channel Islands Nursing alumnus / MBA candidate wins prestigious Trustee Scholarship
CAMARILLO — Registered nurse Gabriel Guillén is one of the recipients of the CSU Trustees’ Award, the CSU system’s highest for student achievement. The married father of four is attending CSU Channel Islands (CI) with plans to graduate in May of 2016…