By Boyd Lemon / Guest columnist I lived in Paris for most of a year — from June 2010 to April 2011 — a dream I shared with many people for a long time. I found living in Paris full…
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."
Pregúntale a tu abogado viernes 10 de Junio en Oxnard
Foro sobre asuntos legales, este viernes 10 de Junio de 5 a 8 AM en el Consulado de México, 3151 W. Fifth St., Oxnard. 805.984.8738, ext. 112 y 103, www.consulmexoxnard.com
Commentary: The Kiss
By David Magallanes/ Guest columnist Walking into my home, you might suddenly get the feeling that you’d entered an art museum. Before you jump to any conclusions, I can’t draw or paint my way out of a paper bag. But my…
Latino Professional Network event set for June 9 in L.A.
Poet Enedina Castañeda of Santa Maria reports that the Latino Professional Network will present its “Fuego!” networking event at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 9 at the Belasco Theater, 1050 So. Hill St., downtown Los Angeles. “1,200 successful Latino leaders from L.A.,…
Commentary: SouthShore development deserves a yes vote from Oxnard Council
By Maria Elena Cruz / Member LULAC District Board In a few days the Oxnard City Council will make a crucial decision — whether to approve or deny an important new proposed community development in South Oxnard. Your involvement as…
LULAC District 17 seeks community support at June 9 Rio School District meeting
The League of United Latin American Citizens — Ventura County District 17, is seeking community members to come out to support Rio School District Trustees Eleanor Torres, Henrietta Macias and Ray Rodriguez during the Rio School District board meeting at…
Commentary: Summer reads for teens
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier /Guest contributor Secretary of Education Arne Duncan described summer learning loss as “devastating.” Researchers often refer to this loss as the “summer slide.” Studies show that students’, who read more, read better; they also write better, spell…
Updated: Zaragoza announces his bid for re-election
Ventura County Supervisor John C. Zaragoza has announced his bid for re-election at a media conference held Monday, June 6 at the Ventura County Government Center. “I am proud of my achievements as a County Supervisor. In a short time,…
Community urged to call in to fight Oxnard redistricting
Oxnard residents are being urged to call the California Redistricting Commission to voice their opposition to a proposal that would split Oxnard into two Assembly District. Half of Oxnard’s residents, as well as Santa Paula and Fillmore, would be split and go…
Mexican Consulate posts June activities
The Mexican Consulate in Oxnard has posted its events calendar for the month of June. Click here to get PDF of June calendar.
Latino Links: Political Trends
The Tequila Party is coming to a state near year. Latinos seeking to counter the influence on immigration policy by the tea party movement have launched the movement with the slogan “Your shot at change,” according to a report in…
Guest column: Getaway — The jewell of the Central Coast
By Boyd Lemon / Guest columnist Last week I suggested downtown Ventura as a getaway for my 805 amigos who need to get away for a couple of days, but didn’t want to get on an airplane or drive for…
Amigos805.com video calendar for June
Welcome to the Amigos805.com video calendar for June 2011. We are launching a new format for the calendar this month courtesy of Vuvox.com Please click on the moving icons on the collage to get video information on events during the…
Events in Santa Paula, Oxnard make for a busy weekend
Mobile consulate services, concert, Cabrillo celebration among activities The Mexican Consulate in Oxnard will kick off a busy weekend with its mobile consulate services from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 4 at Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe,…
Lacayo Institute at CSU Channel Islands receives $60,000 grant from Southern California Gas Co.
The Henry L. “Hank” Lacayo Institute for Workforce & Community Studies (HLI) at California State University, Channel Islands, has recently received a grant for $60,000 from the Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas), the university reported on June 2. The HLI…
Guest column: What do men want?
By David Magallanes / Guest columnist In 2000, Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt starred in the romantic comedy “What Women Want.” As the movie progresses toward its happy ending, Mel’s character, Nick Marshall, brings his Martian orbit closer to that of…
Das Williams: Bills garner bipartisan support on way to State Senate
Assemblymember Das Williams on June 1 shepherded two bills off the Assembly floor and on to the State Senate. Both bills, AB 1303 and AB 178, passed with bipartisan support, Williams’ office reported in a media release. “I am pleased…
Review: Summer reads for children
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor Studies show that children who read four or more books over the summer fare better on reading-comprehension tests in the fall than their peers who read one or no books. Here are some Américas…
MICOP offering unpaid internship
The Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project has an opening for an unpaid internship starting Monday, June 13. Internship Responsibilities MICOP seeks a 10-hour per week Technology Intern from June 13 through Aug. 15. The Intern’s responsibilities will include: Improving our Excel…
Seminario gratuito: ‘Crisis Financiera’ 2 de Junio
Seminario gratuito: “Crisis Financiera”, 6:00 PM, 2 de Junio, CET, 761 So. C St., Oxnard. Presentado por: Las Oficinas Legales De Los Abogados Malathi Benjimin y Raymond Perez. Llama 805.486.5343 o 805.617.4636.
Latino Links: Demographic Trends
While Americans of Mexican origin continue to dominate the number of Hispanics living in the U.S., those of Dominican, Guatemalan and Colombian origin grew at a faster rate during the past decade, according to a report released recently by the…
Santa Barbara Museum of Art offering free admission to servicemembers, families
The Santa Barbara Museum of Art is a Blue Star Museum, offering free admission to active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day. More than 1,000 museums across the nation are part of the Blue…
Cabrillo celebrates 30th anniversary with Family Festival on June 4
The Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a family festival and resource fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 4. The event, “Pathways to Peace and Prosperity,” is free to the public and will take place at Plaza Park,…
Guest column: A perfect weekend in downtown Ventura
By Boyd Lemon / Guest columnist Sometimes after weeks or months of the weekly grind, you just need to get away from your everyday life — to recharge. If you live in the 805 outside downtown Ventura, the perfect weekend getaway…
Guest column: Unconditional support
By David Magallanes / Guest columnist If we stay tuned to the cosmos in which we’re immersed, we will occasionally punch through the veil that separates us from the essence of all that is real, in the truest sense of the…
Oxnard High School Academic Decathlon Team receives recognition
Ventura County Fifth District Supervisor John C. Zaragoza congratulated Oxnard High School’s Academic Decathlon Team “A” with a presentation of commendation at the County of Ventura Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, May 24, the supervisor’s office reported in a…
Mariachi Charro Suit fundraiser set for May 26
A “Mariachi Charro Suit Fundraising Dinner Showcase” will be held Thursday, May 26 at Sugar Beets Restaurant, 455 So. A St., Oxnard, Xavier “Big X” Montes reports. The event features students from the Inlakech Cultural Arts Center in Oxnard, including…
Foro gratuito VIH/Sida 26 de Mayo
Foro gratuito VIH/SIDA, 6-8 pm Jueves 26 de Mayo, Ventura County Public Health, 2240 E. Gonzales Road, Suite 200, Oxnard. Informes e inscripciones: Ventanilla de Salud de lat Agencia de Salud del Condado de Ventura y el consulado de México…
BPA in baby products bill passes key Assembly vote
Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) provided a key floor vote and co-authorship for proposed legislation that would restrict the use of Bispenol-A (BPA) in certain baby products, Williams reported Tuesday in a media release. “I am pleased to co-author this…
Review: ‘Folsom Lockdown’ – Book of Poetry
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor A few days ago, I had the pleasure of hearing Melinda Palacios read several of her poems. She was a guest poet at the Carnegie Museum’s 2011 Arcade Poetry Series in Oxnard. I’m a…
Community celebrates LULAC state convention in Oxnard
Community members celebrated the 64th annual California State Convention of the League of United Latin American Citizens held May 20-22 at the Residence Inn Marriott in Oxnard. The event was hosted by LULAC District 17 and was scheduled to include…
Deadline is May 25 for ‘Reina de las Fiestas Patrias’
The deadline is May 25 to apply for “Reina 2011 – 2012,” the Mexican Cultural Committee reported recently. Youth must decendents of parents of Mexican heritage, must be residents of Ventura County, must be between the ages of 16 and…
Latino Links: Technology trends
The affinity of Hispanics toward their mobile devices offers an opportunity for civic engagement as we head into the 2010 U.S election season, according to a recent CNN story. “The use of cell phones builds upon the cultural affinity for…
El Concilio holds annual Car & Cycle Show on May 22
El Concilio Family Services will present its Third Annual Car & Cycle Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 22 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Program sponsors include Amigos805.com, Ayala’s Earthworks Services, Cabo Seafood Grill & Cantina, Casa Lopez Mexican Restaurant, Commercial…
MICOP seeking volunteers for May 21 community day
The Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project is seeking volunteers for this weekend’s monthly community meeting. The community meeting will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 21 at Harrington Elementary School, 2501 So. Gisler St., Oxnard; and Saturday, May 21…
Clubes Zacatecanos celebrar aniversario con baile 21 de Mayo
La Federacion de Clubes Zacatecanos de Oxnard California invita a celebrar su 1er aniversario y su cene baile y coronacion de reyna “Señorita Zacatecas” el día 21 de Mayo en el Oxnard Elks Lodge, 801 So. A St., Oxnard. Amenizada…
Guest column: A path to non-retirement
My father retired, suffered from lack of purpose and, depressed, died four years later. He had even started drinking in his final days, though I had never known him to touch a drop of alcohol. He had to retire (company…
Bilingual report: Teatro de las Américas will present Federico García Lorca’s ‘Yerma’ May 20-22
Teatro de las Américas continues its series of Readers’ Theater with the production of “Yerma” by Federico García Lorca, 8 p.m. Friday, May 20 at the Santa Paula Art Museum, 117 N. 10th St., Santa Paula; 8 p.m. Saturday, May 21…
LULAC holding state convention May 20-22
The 64th annual California State Convention of the League of United Latin American Citizens will be held May 20-22 at the Residence Inn Marriott, 2101 Vineyard Ave., Oxnard. Hosted by LULAC District 17. As part of the conference, a workshop…
Guest column: Just asking for it
By David Magallanes / Guest columnist “Why me?” we must have said to ourselves at one point or another in our lives. Or maybe we always say that to ourselves. Think of the person in the parking lot driving the truck…
Visita oficial de Funcionarios de la Secretaría de Desarrollo Social de Oaxaca
Invitación al público en general. Visita oficial de Funcionarios de la Secretaría de Desarrollo Social de Oaxaca a Oxnard, CA. Dónde: Miércoles 18 de Mayo, 6 PM Consulado de México, 3151 W. 5th St, Oxnard Foro dirigido a integrantes de Clubes…
‘Una Noche en México’ set for May 20 at RMHS
The Rio Mesa High School Folklorico Club presents “Una Noche en México” at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 20 at the Rio Mesa High School Gym, 545 Central Ave., oxnard. Mariachi Inlakech will perform at 6 p.m., followed by a performance…
Boxer Brandon Rios shows that dreams can come true
Click here to see full-screen photo slideshow. Photos courtesy of Garcia Boxing Academy. By Mariana Llamas-Cendon / Amigos805.com At 24 years of age, Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios is a professional in the boxing ring. As an amateur fighter Rios had won…
Latino Links: Health Trends
While strokes and heart disease account for one in four deaths among Hispanic men, and one and three deaths among Hispanic women, Hispanics are less likely to recognized signs and symptoms of the disease, the American College of Emergency Physicians…
Bilingual report: Das Williams announces district office staff
First-term State Assembly Member Das Williams announced this week that he has hired the following District Office staff: Williams hired former SEIU 721 political coordinator Jeannette Sanchez as his district director, Senior Field Representative Hillary Blackerby, who held the same…
Mexican Consulate posts latest video update
The Mexican Consulate in Oxnard has released its latest video update. *** El nuevo Boletín Digital Consultanos es una herramienta audiovisual que provee información sobre las actividades del Consulado. Click here for a link to the video
Guest column: Life on The Avenue
By Boyd Lemon / Guest columnist I agonized over what to write about in my first column for Amigos 805. There are so many serious issues facing us: Osama Bin Laden, the economy, immigration, health care. There’s no end. The…
CAUSE benefiting this year from proceeds of Rebozo Festival
7th annual event returns May 15 to Camarillo The Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy’s (CAUSE) Centro Mujer program will benefit from this year’s edition of the Rebozo Festival on May 15 in Camarillo. The festival has grown from…
Boys & Girls Club of Ventura seeking speakers
The Boys & Girls Club of Ventura is continuing its popular twice weekly community leaders ‘Speakers Series’. Board member and Past President, Pediatrician Susanne Lammot, M.D., the creator of this dynamic Club program for teens is encouraging community members to…
Guest column: I’ll take that…
By David Magallanes / Guest columnist Would you like death or taxes with that? That’s how it feels sometimes as I write out quarterly checks for estimated taxes to the state and federal tax collection agencies. After going through this tasteless…
‘Big X’ Montes to have busy schedule starting May 11
Xavier “Big X” Montes will be performing from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 11 at the Santa Paula Senior Center, 530 W. Main St., as part of the “Cinco de Mama” celebration. The event features a tostada bar. $3…
‘Harvest of Loneliness: the Bracero Program’ set for May 11 at UCSB
The film screening of the documentary “Harvest of Loneliness: the Bracero Program,” will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 11 at the UCSB Multicultural Center. The documentary explores the historical accounts of migrant Mexican farm workers brought into the U.S.…
Teatro presenting light design workshop on May 14
Teatro de las Américas is presenting the workshop “Introduction to light design for the stage” from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 14 at 816 Wagon Wheel Road, Oxnard. There is no charge for the workshop. The workshop will…
Rebozo Festival coming May 15 to Adolfo Camarillo Ranch
The 2011 Rebozo Festival will celebrate its seventh year from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 15 at the historic Adolfo Camarillo Ranch in Camarillo. This unique cultural event features a Mexican inspired brunch, Mariachis, a fashion show highlighting…
Mini-Grants for musicians available from ARTS Obispo
San Luis Obispo County musicians are encouraged to apply for ARTS Obispo’s Mini-Grant program that provides financial assistance up to $500 to individuals of all ages, the organization reported recently in a media release. ARTS Obispo set up this program…
Gran Vaqueria set for May 6 in Moorpark
Club de Migrantes Mun-Ha will present Gran Vaqueria from 6 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, May 6 at the Boys & Girls Club of Moorpark, 200 Casey Road, Moorpark. The event includes performances by Orquesta de las Misiones Culturales accompanied by…
Amigos805 video calendar for May
Click on image to go to video
Guest column: My Dreams, My Advisors
By David Magallanes / Guest columnist In the past, I’ve made some pretty big life decisions based on my dreams. I consider my dreams to be my “advisors” who know me far beyond anything I can imagine. They know my inner…
Ballet Folklórico Mestizo event on May 6-7 to open Oxnard College Performing Arts Center
Oxnard College will celebrate the opening of its new theater when Ballet Folklórico Mestizo performs at 7 p.m. Friday, May 6 and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 7 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, 4000 So. Rose Ave., Oxnard. Under the direction of Oxnard…
805 region gets ready to celebrate Cinco de Mayo
A variety of Cinco de Mayo celebrations will be found up and down the coast this week in the 805 region. History lesson: While some may believe Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexican independence Day, the event actually honors the day…