A free “Folklorico Dance Workshop with Grandeza Mexicana” will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 22 at Casa de La Raza, 601 E. Montecito St., Santa Barbara. The workshop is presented by Casa de La Raza and ¡Viva…
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."
New video produced of Prom Dress Project distribution
Nancy Michelle Rodriguez reports that more than 500 prom dresses, a new record, were collected and presented to young women during a fitting held recently at Pacifica High School in Oxnard. “I’d like to thank those of you who donated…
Easy way to get email updates from Amigos805
Now there is an easier way to sign up for the Amigos805 enewsletter if you are seeking regular email updates on issues and events for and about the vibrant Latino community in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. Just…
So. Cal Gas Co. presents $20,000 to Boys & Girls Club
The Southern California Gas Co. presented a $20,000 grant to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme on April 12 as part of a 2011 Education Initiative, the organization reported in a media release. The presentation,…
SBCC’s foster youth students program receives grant from Vons Foundation
SANTA BARBARA — The Vons Foundation has presented a grant of $2,500 in its continued support to benefit the Santa Barbara City College’s foster youth students, the Foundation for Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) reported this week in a media…
Arts in Public Places RFP workshop set for April 14 in Oxnard
The Black and Brown Youth Arts and Cultural Alliance will hold a Request for Proposal workshop for Arts in Public Places (AIPP) projects in Oxnard at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 14 at the Acuna Gallery @ Café on A, 438…
Commentary: The elephant in the room — Chronic unemployment
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor No one wants to look at it. After all, maybe it will just go away. We avoid even mentioning it, lest we give it power, lest it be true. If we do discuss it,…
Four Oxnard teens enhance leadership skills at National Keystone Conference
OXNARD — Four members of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme (BGCOP) were among the more than 1,500 teens who recently attended the National Keystone Club Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, the organization reported in…
Bell Arts Factory celebrates First Friday with art exhibit, reception
Works of artists Andrea Vargas, Jon Nelson, Pricisila Cisneros and Ryan Carr were showcased when the Bell Arts Factory presented “Ventura’s New ARTist City” on April 6 in Ventura. On exhibit will be some of ventura’s best young artists Their…
College district accreditation commission visit set for April 16
The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) will be visited by site team members representing the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Commission) on Monday, April 16, the college district reported in…
Santa Paula celebrates first ‘Cruise Night’ of the season
From the muscle cars of the ’60s and ’70s, to vintage Model A Fords — Santa Paula celebrated in style when it held its first “Cruise Night” of the season on Friday, April 6 throughout downtown Main Street. From 10th…
Community celebrates Easter
A number of churches and organizations celebrated the Easter holiday this past weekend in the 805 region. Besides activities at the churches, community members also took to the street to highlight the religious holiday. A small group of individuals demonstrated…
Contributor Magallanes has column highlighted in New American Media
Amigos805 guest contributor David Magallanes had his column highlighted in New American Media on April 9. The column, Is U.S. education unraveling?, was originally published in Amigos805 on March 29. Under the headline “A Sense of ‘Despair’ Hangs Over Community College Campus,”…
Bilingual report: Teatro holding sushi fundraiser on April 9 in Oxnard
Teatro de las Américas will be present its next sushi fundraiser at 7 p.m. Monday, April 9 at Genmai Sushi, 3623 W. Fifth St., Oxnard. “Meet the cast of “Zapatera; meet friends of Teatro; enjoy good food and have a…
CSU Channel Islands celebrates ‘Noche de Fiesta’
Brazilian music, regional Latino food and dancers created a colorful atmosphere in Malibu Hall at California State University, Channel Islands, when students presented the seventh annual “Noche de Fiesta” on Wednesday, April 4. The diversity of the Latin American cultures…
Commentary: Media panel persecution (I mean, candidates panel presentation)
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 It was certainly an educational meeting for us all at the Latino Issues Forum, held Thursday, April 5 in a hotel ballroom in Oxnard. The forum, featuring questions put to candidates for the 26th…
Latino Issues Forum set for 6 p.m. April 5 in Oxnard
Join us in a historic event which will help decide who is elected to represent Ventura County in the U.S. Congress, the League of United Latin American Citizens reported in a media release. Clinicas Del Camino Real, LULAC, Latino Town…
Community turns out to pay respect to Raymond ‘Porky’ Duran
Hundreds of friends, La Gente car club members and members of the community gathered on Wednesday, April 4 to pay their respects to Raymond “Porky” Duran, who died unexpectedly. The funeral mass was held at Santa Clara Church near downtown…
Commentary: What do daughters want?
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor My daughter is my emotional salvation. I don’t know where my perspective in life would be centered without her existence. She is the center of my emotional mass, very much the heart of my…
UCSB sociologist to give ‘Plous’ lecture on crime and desistance among marginalized youth
SANTA BARBARA — Victor Rios, associate professor of sociology at UC Santa Barbara and a specialist in the interplay between institutions of social control, juvenile crime, and gang-associated youths, will give the Harold J. Plous Award Lecture on Wednesday, April 18, the university…
Gutierrez captures spirit of César Chávez Celebration
Friend of Amigos805 Jess Gutierrez (photographer, writer, publisher and all things local Latino media) was busy Sunday, April 1 capturing images at the 16th annual César Chávez Celebration, which began with a mass for field workers at Cristo Rey Church, 531 Cooper Road in…
Community comes out in force for 50 awards at Chávez celebration
Community members crowded around a makeshift stage at the playground of César Chávez School in La Colonia as the United Farm Workers Union honored 50 community members and organizations during the celebration. Below are a few images from the celebration.…
KFI AM640 adds ‘The David Cruz Show’
LOS ANGELES – America’s top-rated talk radio station has added The David Cruz Show to its line-up and will start airing the program Sundays 6 to 8 p.m. The multiple Emmy-Award winning network television journalist and former NBC4 TV News Anchor…
Capps celebrates César E. Chávez’s birthday
“César Chávez’s campaigns for farm worker justice changed the face of agriculture in this country, by improving living standards for migrant workers, reducing the use of harmful chemicals on farms, and awakening Americans to the process by which agricultural products…
Amigos805 print edition is now hitting the streets — See distribution list
Click on image above for PDF version of the April 2012 edition of Amigos805 Hello everyone. The bilingual print edition of Amigos805 is now hitting the streets. Click here for our distribution list, which is growing by the hour In…
Commentary: Is U.S. education unraveling?
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor As I walk across campus at the community college where I teach, I sometimes get the impression that I can almost hear my own footsteps as I walk toward my classroom or to an office…
Commentary: In honor of César Chávez Day
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier/Guest contributor On Monday, March 26, 2012, Secretary of Labor, Hilda L. Solis, hosted the Induction of the Pioneers of the Farm Worker Movement into the Labor Hall of Fame and the naming of the César E. Chávez…
MICOP to hold meeting on March 31 in Oxnard
The Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project will present its next monthly community meeting on Saturday, March 31 at Harrington Elementary School, 2501 Gisler St. in Oxnard. “If the weather is nice we plan on having the children outside, so if you…
EDC-VC to present international shipping workshop on March 28
The Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County’s Small Business Development Center of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties is presenting a series of free workshops held at EDC-VC, 1601 Carmen Drive, Suite 215, Camarillo. “Introduction to International Shipping and Logistics,” presented by SBDC…
Santa Barbara human rights activist honored
SACRAMENTO — Dr. Victoria Riskin, a tireless human rights advocate both globally and locally was honored March 26 as one of California’s “Women of the Year,” the office of Assemblymember Das Williams reported in a media release. Riskin, was among…
César Chávez Celebration set for April 1 in Oxnard
The 16th annual César Chávez Celebration, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the United Farm Workers union, will begin with a mass at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 1 at Cristo Rey Church, 531 Cooper Road in La Colonia neighborhood of Oxnard. The march…
Laurus College celebrates its fourth campus opening in Oxnard during ribbon-cutting ceremony
OXNARD — Business leaders and entrepreneurs from Ventura County met the students and staff of Laurus College’s Oxnard Campus at a ribbon cutting Ceremony on March 21, the institution reported in a media release. The ceremony celebrated the opening of…
Bilingual report: Free bilingual tax assistance provided by VITA-United Way of Santa Barbara County
The United Way of Santa Barbara County is coordinating free tax preparation and filing services through June for the community through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and Financial Empowerment Partnership, the organization reported in a media release.…
Commentary: My Role Models — Teenage Entrepreneurs
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor Last month I wrote about my visit to Solvang and how I watched what books my hand went for in the book section of a store that sold mystical items (candles, crystals, amulets, etc.).…
CLU honored as community-service leader
University’s service learning, volunteering highlighted THOUSAND OAKS — For the second year in a row, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the U.S. Department of Education honored California Lutheran University as a leader in volunteering, service learning…
Ventura County film industry launches database
Ventura County Film411 to be a vital resource for production companies and industry professionals CAMARILLO — To promote Ventura County as an ideal location for film, television and commercial production and to help the local economy grow, the Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County launched the online directory…
Tequila tasting on tap for ‘Pacifica High School PTSA Fundraiser’ on March 23 in Oxnard
The second annual “Pacifica High School PTSA Fundraiser” will be held Friday, March 23 at Sugar Beets Restaurant, 455 So. A St., Oxnard. Dinner, tequila tasting, dessert, dancing and a silent auction are scheduled for this event ($40 per ticket),…
Commentary: Time to celebrate the life of César Chávez
By Denis O’Leary / Guest contributor This year marks the 50th anniversary of the United Farm Workers. Oxnard has benefited greatly, as has the nation from the advocacy and laws that have come about from the UFW. César Chávez was the catalyst…
Mariachi Los Comperos de Nati Cano to perform free concerts March 23-25 in Santa Barbara
¡Viva Arte de Santa Barbara! will present Los Camperos de Nati Cano with free concerts at 7 p.m. Friday, March 23 at Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Road, Goleta (805-893-5037); 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24 at Guadalupe City Hall,…
‘Latin Lit Lovers’ celebration set for March 24 in Ojai
‘Latin Lit Lovers Mexican Dinner Buffet,’ a celebration of the great works of Latin writers de romance, folkloricos, ficcione, prosa & poesia from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24 at Los Caporales Resturant & Bar, 307 E. Ojai Ave.,…
‘Bowl For Kids’ Sake’ fundraiser set for March 24 in Simi Valley
Fundraiser allows community to ‘Start Something’ to help children who face adversity Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County is appealing to everyone who cares about kids to support Bowl for Kids’ Sake, the mentoring organization’s biggest annual public fundraiser…
‘Dance Across the Divide’ performance set for March 24 at Oxnard College
“Tapestry,” Education & Awareness Woven Together By Innovative Choreography — the 2012 debut performance ($30) will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, 4000 So. Rose Ave., Oxnard. Contact Amy Edwards at 805-986-5800, or…
CEDC receives certificates of occupancy for 18 farmworker apartments in Oxnard
VENTURA —The Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. in Ventura announced on Thursday that it has received “certificates of occupancy” from the City of Oxnard for its newest affordable, apartment community for farmworkers, Camino Gonzalez. The $9.5 million project, located on a…
‘Starting a Small Business Workshop’ set for March 19 in Camarillo
The Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County’s Small Business Development Center of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties is presenting a series of free workshops held at EDC-VC, 1601 Carmen Drive, Suite 215, Camarillo. “Starting a Small Business Workshop” is a monthly workshop…
Bilingual report: Free citizenship fair set for March 17 in Santa Barbara
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, in partnership with Santa Barbara City College, will provide a free “Naturalization Information Session” for legal permanent residents and interested naturalization applicants from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 17 at the Selmer O.…
Chicano artist Leo Limón celebrated in book released by UCSB’s CEMA
SANTA BARBARA — The life and work of the prolific and socially conscious Chicano artist Leo Limón is the focus of a book recently published by UC Santa Barbara’s Chicano Studies Institute and the California Ethnic and Multicultural Archives (CEMA),…
Book donations sought March 15 to benefit students of cultural studies in Arizona
Local Latino journalist/photojournalist Jess Gutierrez this weekend announced that he is seeking donations of books to benefit students of cultural studies program in Arizona. “Friends, I need your help,” Gutierrez stated in a media release. “As a writer, photojournalist, and…
Commentary: Martyrdom
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor We all know members of our family who are “martyrs.” My American Heritage Dictionary defines a martyr, in the most literal sense, as “one who chooses to suffer death rather than renounce religious principles.”…
Bilingual report: Teatro seeking donations for garage sale, holding equipment sale
Teatro de las Americas is starting the year raising the money needed to bring you three plays later in the year, the organization reported on Wednesday in a media release. “We begin with a garage sale on Saturday, March 24, at…
Santa Barbara Symphony to present ‘Latin Passion’ on March 17, 18
The Santa Barbara Symphony will present “Latin Passion,” with an evening performance from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 17 and a matinee from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 18 at the Granada Theater, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. Featuring, Carlos Miguel Prieto,…