Dozens of immigrants and their allies gathered by candlelight in Oxnard’s Plaza Park on Dec. 10 to raise an urgent moral call to policy makers for justice for immigrant families, and especially for the children and young people who are being hurt by…
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."
Commentary: ‘Save Your Family First’ free foreclosure prevention clinics held each Wednesday
By Michael and Stephen Szakos / Guest contributors Among the downtown Oxnard storefronts, a weekly gathering is attracting local residents trying to save their homes. Each Wednesday night, volunteers are working with homeowners facing foreclosures. The situation is all too…
Zaragoza’s campaign holds successful fundraiser in Oxnard
Many of Ventura County’s Latino Leaders hosted a fundraising event on Dec. 8 honoring County Supervisor John Zaragoza, according to a media release. Host Committee Chairs Alfredo Placencia and Art Hernandez welcomed guests to Ruby’s restaurant in Oxnard. The packed…
LULAC urges community to attend college board meeting on Dec. 13
The League of United Latin American Citizens — Ventura County District 17 is urging LULAC members, Hispanic community leaders and other community members to attend the Ventura Community College District board meeting to support VCCCD Trustee Art Hernandez. LULAC Trustee…
UCSB student accepts White House award
SANTA BARBARA — A UC Santa Barbara student studying ocean ecology accepted the 2010 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring from President Obama on Monday, Dec. 12, on behalf of Ocean Discovery Institute. This is the…
Oxnard Sister City Committee to install officers on Dec. 14
The Oxnard Sister City Commitee will install its officers at its annual Christmas Party at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14 at Sugarbeets Restaurant, 455 So. A St., Oxnard. Reservations will be accepted until 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13. The committee…
Commentary: Increase your happiness by lowering your expectations
By Boyd Lemon / Guest contributor Lowering your expectations to avoid disappointment is a form of mind control that generates greater happiness. Our minds generally are responsible for determining how “happy” we are in life, assuming we have enough to…
Commentary: Books make the best gifts
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor Have you had enough of circling the parking lot, standing in line and walking the mall for Christmas gifts yet? I avoid it because for me, it’s a waste of gas, precious time, there…
Bilingual report: Latinos ‘Heroes and Hobbies’ exhibit to open Dec. 9
“Heroes and Hobbies” (Heroes y pasatiempos) — an exhibit of paintings by Denis O’Leary, will be presented at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9 at the Mexican Consulate, 3151 W. Fifth St., Suite E-100, Oxnard. O’Leary is a local artist now being discovered for his oil paintings re?ecting ?gures and…
Teatro’s ‘Christmas Tales…’ continues Dec. 10, 11
Teatro de las Américas and MusicaLatitudes will present “Christmas Tales and Chants 2,” a Latin American celebration for the entire family, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 during the Oxnard Downtown ArtBeat at the Carnegie Art Museum, 424 So. C…
Oxnard City Council approves public access channel effort
By a unanimous vote, the Oxnard City Council on Tuesday, Dec. 6 awarded the operation of Channel 25, a public access channel, to Fuerza Latina Health Association, a nonprofit group led by broadcast journalist David Cruz. Cruz, formerly a reporter…
Team Zaragoza/Live United team up for Santa to the Sea charity run
Team Zaragoza/Live United have teamed up for the 2011 Charity Challenge to raise funds at this year’s Santa to the Sea Half Maraton and 5K Run starting at 8 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 in Oxnard. “We are asking you to…
Oxnard City Council to meet Dec. 6 to decide on Channel 25
Community members are urged to turn out in force at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6 at the Oxnard City Council meeting to support efforts to approve an agreement that will reinstate Channel 25 as Oxnard’s public access station. The council…
Toy drive for Mixteco children set for Dec. 7 at CSU Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands’ Center for Community Engagement, the Chicano Studies Department and the School of Education are seeking donations to a toy drive for Mixteco children from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7 at Broome Library 1360. Contact Kathleen…
John Zaragoza re-election fundraiser set for Dec. 8 in Oxnard
A campaign fundraiser for the re-election of John C. Zaragoza to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 at Ruby’s Cafe, 348 So. Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard. Event includes hors d’oeuvers…
Bilingual report: Williams to host Emergency Preparedness Resource Fair and Workshop on Dec. 10 in Goleta
GOLETA — More than 20 agencies and community organizations will provide information and answer questions on how to prepare your family, pets and workplace in case of an emergency or disaster. This is part of the Emergency Preparedness Resource Fair…
Access to cancer care workshop scheduled for Dec. 10
A workshop on “Access to Cancer Care” will be held from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 at St. Paul’s Baptist Church, 1777 Stratham Blvd., Oxnard. The workshop features information on: > New Federal changes to healthcare coverage (Affordable…
Bilingual report: Rescheduled La Colonia Resource Fair set for Dec. 11
Health screenings, services for Mixteco families, education programs planned Visitors will receive a variety of services at La Colonia Resource Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 at Del Sol Stadium, 1500 Colonia Road, in La Colonia neighborhood of…
Commentary: Food — France vs. America
By Boyd Lemon / Guest contributor Many of you who have read my column from time-to-time know that I recently returned from living in Paris for almost a year. One of the first things I noticed about eating in Paris…
Commentary: The “American Dream”—Part I
By David Magallanes /Guest contributor We hear a lot these days about the “American Dream,” often meant to encompass home ownership, meaningful and remunerative employment, the love of family and friends, children or dogs or cats, and enough prosperity to enjoy it…
Deadline nears for United Way’s Latino Action Team holiday book drive
The deadline is Saturday, Dec. 3 for those wishing to donate books to the United Way of Ventura County’s Latino Action Team book drive, “Donation to the Imagination.” “Tis the season to help spread holiday cheer!” the organization reported. Please…
Variety of holiday events coming to downtown Oxnard this week
From a holiday mobile feast, to a tree lighting, a Christmas parade and a tamale festival, downtown Oxnard will be a busy spot this weekend. > Dec. 1 — Up to 10 gourmet food trucks, including Don Chow, Border Grill,…
‘Sabor’ enjoys successful reception, exhibition in SLO
“Sabor — A Tast of Latino American Artists from the Central Coast” enjoyed a successful reception and exhibition at ARTS Space Obispo, SLO Creamery, in San Luis Obispo. “Sabor,” which concluded on Nov. 24, featured the work of seven artists:…
Bilingual report: Teatro de las Americas to present holiday program Dec. 2-4
Teatro de las Américas and MusicaLatitudes will present “Christmas Tales and Chants 2,” a Latin American celebration for the entire family, at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, 4000 So. Rose Ave., Oxnard; 8…
El Concilio extends deadline for education awards
El Concilio Family Services this week announced that it is extending the nomination deadline to Dec. 30 for its Latino Leadership Awards — “Excellence in Education” to honor individuals who have made an outstanding contribution in the field of education.…
Commentary: Loneliness in retirement
By Boyd Lemon / Guest contributor Loneliness is a common complaint of retired people who do not have a partner or spouse. Different people need different amounts of alone time. Some people have a problem ever being alone. Some truly…
FOOD Share seeks to keep up with growing demand
‘Turkey Trot’ on Nov. 24, ‘Tackle Hunger’ among programs this holiday season From participating in an annual race in Ventura, to launching a program that will ultimately collect hundreds of thousands of pounds of donated food this holiday season, officials and…
Commentary: Belly Dance—Is it about the “Belly”?
By David Magallanes /Guest contributor We Westerners have a funny way of looking at things sometimes. The Eastern world must stare at us in disbelief sometimes, wondering, with mouths agape, how we could ever arrive at our conclusions. Of course, we…
UCSB scholar presents new reading on Mayan hieroglyphics
SANTA BARBARA – By presenting a new interpretation of a Maya hieroglyphic verb, Gerardo Aldana, associate professor of Chicana and Chicano Studies at UC Santa Barbara, has revised the understanding of one of the longest-studied texts in Maya archaeology, UCSB…
Donation to the Imagination
In the tradition of holiday spirit of giving, the Downtown Main Library is a drop-off location for the “Donation to the Imagination” holiday book drive, sponsored by United Way, the Oxnard Public Library reported on its website From now until…
FOOD Share’s ‘Tackle Hunger’ campaign continues through Jan. 10, 2012
OXNARD — FOOD Share has set aggressive goals for the Tackle Hunger campaign hoping to collect more $150,000 in monetary donations and more 200,000 lbs of donated food to help restock the shelves of their Oxnard warehouse distribution center. Tackle Hunger…
Clinicas earns primary care medical home designation
VENTURA — Clinicas Del Camino Real Inc. has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety as a Primary Care Medical Home (PCMH). The special designation…
Bilingual report: Health seminar for women on Nov. 19
“Women to Women: Living longer, living smarter,” a free health seminar for women, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Ventura County Behavioral Health, 1911 Williams Drive, Oxnard. Participants will learn about successful…
Commentary: Our own personal ‘Arab Spring’
By David Magallanes /Guest contributor Like many of you, I’ve followed — with some degree of fascination, trepidation and hope — the blossoming that took place during what has been dubbed the “Arab Spring” this past year. We watched as people…
Tickets available for MABA’s annual Scholarship Dinner on Dec. 1
Tickets are available for the annual Mexican American Bar Association Scholarship Dinner beginning with a reception at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, 600 E. Esplanade Drive, Oxnard. Justice Carlos R. Moreno (Ret.) will be…
Commentary: The incredible shrinking Thanksgiving holiday
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor Every year the window for Thanksgiving Day shortens. Philosophically, we can say that thanks giving should be every day and that is something to strive for, but if we talk just about the holiday, wouldn’t…
Volunteers needed for MICOP’S monthly meeting on Nov. 19
The Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project presents its monthly community meeting starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 at Harrington Elementary School, 2501 Gisler St., Oxnard. Volunteers with bilingual skills are needed to help 300 people who will be filling out…
Teatro de las Américas to hold fundraising yard sale on Nov. 19
Teatro de las Américas will hold a Christmas/Navidad Garage Sale & Programa on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 1201 N. C St., Oxnard. Items can be donated by calling Margaret Cortese at 805.231.0127. *** Ayúdenos pagar la renta; resulta que los…
Volunteer tax preparers needed
The Ventura County Financial Empowerment Partnership is currently recruiting tax preparation volunteers. Each year, volunteer tax preparers assist low- and moderate-income earners (under $49,000) prepare and e-file their tax returns, making sure they access all the tax credits to which they…
Bilingual report: Teatro de las Américas / MusicaLatitudes announce holiday celebration
Teatro de las Américas and MusicaLatitudes will present “Christmas Tales and Chants 2,” a Latin American celebration for the entire family Dec 2-4 in Ventura County. Actors from Teatro de las Américas and musicians and singers from MusicaLatitudes gather into…
Commentary: Meditation can change your life
By Boyd Lemon / Guest contributor When I moved to the 805 (Oxnard) in 2003 I began practicing meditation for 30 minutes each morning, as I had learned at the Self Realization Fellowship in Pacific Palisades. It is a practice…
Commentary: The Chrysalis
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor When my daughter had her quinceañera celebration some thirteen years ago, I thought about the Latinas in her age group who didn’t have one. Either the family was too financially stressed, or they simply didn’t believe…
Das Williams to host health and resource fair for veterans on Nov. 10 in Ventura
VENTURA — Assemblymember Das Williams is hosting a Veteran’s Health and Resource Fair to help those who have served in our Armed Forces access to resources available to them, his office reported in a media release. The fair will be…
Artists, fun seekers to ‘occupy Downtown Oxnard’ during Art Beat on Nov. 12
From antiquities to contemporary works inspired by today’s headlines, November Art Beat features diverse cultural offerings along with entertainment in local galleries & nightspots. Art Beat 2nd Saturdays, Downtown Oxnard’s monthly showcase of art, dining and entertainment will feature more…
Marching bands to compete at Oxnard High School on Nov. 12
More than 20 high school marching bands, with more than 1,400 musicians, will compete at the Oxnard High School Marching Band & Auxiliary’s 27th annual Field Show Competitition from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 at Bud Houser Stadium,…
Commentary: Honor, integrity, sacrifice
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier /Guest contributor Many Americans mistakenly believe that Veterans Day is the day America sets aside to honor American military personnel who died in battle or from wounds sustained from combat. That’s not quite true. Memorial Day is the…
Williams receives perfect rating from seniors
SACRAMENTO — First term Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) received a perfect score from the California Congress of Seniors on their annual legislative report card, Williams’ office reported Monday in a media release. Each year the state’s leading senior citizens…
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Bilingual report: Deadline is Nov. 7 for El Concilio’s Latino Leadership Awards
The deadline for nominations for the 2012 El Concilio Family Services annual Latino Leadership Awards “Excellence in Education” is today, Monday, Nov. 7. El Concilio will be honoring individuals who have made an outstanding contribution in the field of education.…
Oxnard City Council on Nov. 8 to discuss Spanish-language broadcast
Oxnard City Councilmember Carmen Ramirez distributed the following information regarding the 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8 meeting focusing on simultaneous broadcast in Spanish of Oxnard City Council meeting: “To people who care about the people of Oxnard — Approximately 30% of Oxnard’s homes are Spanish-speaking.…
Víctor Ríos to talk about the impact of juvenile justice policies on Latino youth on Nov. 8 in Santa Barbara
Víctor Ríos to talk about “Punished: Policing the lives of Black and Latino boys’ at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8 at the UCSB Multiculture Center Theater, the university reported in a media release. Ríos analyzes how punitive juvenile crime policies…
Oxnard College to present the migrant farm worker documentary ‘The Purepecha…’ on Nov. 9
Award-winning writer, director and producer Cheryl Quintana Leader will present her short documentary “The Purepecha: Poorest of the Poor” from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Complex, 4000 So. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The…
CLU to present Reel Justice Film Series – ‘Which Way Home’ on Nov. 9
California Lutheran University will present the Reel Justice Film Series — “Which Way Home” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks, in the Lundring Events Center. As the United States continues to build a…
Commentary: Tips on places to sleep when you travel
By Boyd Lemon / Guest contributor The holidays are coming soon, and you might be traveling to visit family or friends, and for myriad reasons cannot spend the nights in their home. After that, before you know it, you may…
Commentary: The power of Mexican mythology
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor We must not lose sight of the reality that Mexico is the confluence of two very distinct cultures: one European, and the other indigenous, with its own cultures, beliefs, practices, religions and mythologies. In…
Bilingual report: Registration suggested for Nov. 5 college family conference at CSU Channel Islands
The Oxnard Union High School District will present the “College Family Conference: Making it Happen,” from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 at CSU Channel Islands. Advance registration is suggested. Parents and students in the 9th and 10th grade…
Commentary: A lasting legacy
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor A good friend, Josie Salinas, passed on to meet her Creator this past August. She filled her life serving others through her friendship, mentoring, and career. As the first female Native American Spiritual Advisor, she…
UCSB talk on Mexican literature set for Nov. 3-5 in Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA — A group of international scholars and writers will gather at UC Santa Barbara for “The Two Faces of Fiction,” the 14th annual colloquium on Mexican literature. The three-day event begins at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3…
‘Sabor…’ comes to ARTS Space Obispo with reception on Nov. 4
“Sabor ~ A Taste of Latino Artists from the Central Coast,” opens with a reception at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4 during San Luis Obispo’s monthy Art After Dark artwalk at ARTS Space Obispo, SLO Creamery, 570 Higuera St., #165, San Luis Obispo. “Sabor means…
OC 2011 Student Digi Film Festival set for Nov. 4-5
The Oxnard College 2011 Student Digi Film Festival will be held at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4-5 at 7 p.m. at the Oxnard College Performing Arts building, 4000 So. Rose Ave., Oxnard, the college reported in a media…
Ramona Days set for Nov. 5 at Rancho Camulos
Performances by the core cast and dancers from the world famous Hemet Ramona Outdoor Play will highlight the fourth annual “Ramona Days” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 at Rancho Camulos Museum National Historic Landmark in Piru,…
More Día de los Muertos activities planned this week
Community groups, businesses and other organizations continue to add to the Día de los Muertos celebration calendar. Amigos805.com will continue to post updates as they become available. The Centro Mujer Community Center presents its Día de los Muertos celebration from…
Bilingual report: Mexican Consulate publishes Día de los Muertos calendario
The Mexican Consulate in Oxnard on Friday published its Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) calendario featuring events in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Click here or on image above to open a pdf of all events
Bilingual report: Líderes Campesinas to hold annual march Oct. 28
Líderes Campesinas will present its annual March/ Vigil and Apron Exhibit beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 at Iglesia Cristo Rey and concluding at Iglesia de Guadalupe in La Colonia neighborhood of Oxnard. Presented by the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA), Interface Children’s…
Commentary: Boomers and seniors — Learn how to relate to your adult children
By Boyd Lemon / Guest contributor If you have adult children, they are among the most important of your relationships. Unfortunately, many retired people are estranged or emotionally distant from their adult children. Relationships between you and your adult children…