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 update: Teatro concludes its ‘Readers’ Theater’ series June 24-26

Teatro de las Américas concludes its Readers’ Theater series with its third production, “The Immigrant Experience.” Written and produced by Ángela Cruz and the Actors’ Workshop, the one-act play is based on stories collected by the Actors’ Workshop about the…

Commentary: Reminiscences and wisdom

By Boyd Lemon / Guest contributor Ever since I read “The Old Man and the Sea” for high school English, I have been an ardent fan of Ernest Hemingway, but I was disappointed when I read “The Moveable Feast” at the…

Commentary: Staying healthy in an unhealthy nation

By David Magallanes / Guest contributor Summer is at last arriving! Here on the coast, the sun manages to finally break through the clouds every day and bestows upon us a tempered warmth that invites us all to head for the…

Commentary: Staycations

By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor School is out, summer is officially here, and the kids want to go on vacation. What do you do when you have limited resources and time? You ‘staycation.’ “What’s that?” the kids said when I…

Film screening of ‘Memories of a Mexican’ on June 23

  The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation will present the film screening for “Memories of a Mexican” at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 23 at Presido Chapel at El Presido de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park, 123 E. Canon Perdido…

Bilingual update: Breast cancer awareness lecture set for June 21

The Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC) education will present a lecture on the non-medical challenges that can accompany a breast cancer diagnosis, including insurance, financial resources, housing, and transportation from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 21 at the Tannahill Auditorium, Schott Center,…

EDC-VC to hold free manufacturing seminar June 22

The free business and information seminar “Strengthening Manufacturers: Manufacturing from start to success,” begins with registration at 8 a.m. Wednesday, June 22 at the Ventura County Office of Education, 5100 Adolfo Road, Camarillo. The forum will be from 8:30 to…

Tortilla art dinner/dance fundraiser set for June 24

A dinner/dance fundraiser and exhibition of the tortilla art of Gloria Hidrogo will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, June 24 at Sugar Beets Restaurant & Bar, 455 So A St., Oxnard. “Gloria was invited to exhibit her tortilla art…

Commentary: New in downtown Ventura

By Boyd Lemon / Guest contributor I lived in Ventura from 2003 to 2007 and after living in Boston and then Paris for four years, moved back to Ventura three months ago. I wouldn’t give up my adventures in Boston…

Mente sana/cuerpo sano talleres 18, 25 de junio

La Casa de la Raza en Santa Barbara te invita a una serie de talleres enfocados en la salud familiar. Cuidado de ninos y comida! sabado 18 de junio – 11-1 pm Derechos de los inmigrantes y como apoyar a la…

‘Stuff the Bus’ campaign set for June 21

On Tuesday, June 21 — the longest day of the year — United Way of Ventura County will launch its second annual “Stuff the Bus” campaign which is part of its Day of Action, the organization reported in a media…

Commentary: It’s not easy being a pescetarian

By David Magallanes/ Guest contributor Wikipedia, the online free (but very informative) encyclopedia, defines what I practice: Pescetarianism is the practice of a diet that includes seafood, and excludes other animals. In addition to fish and/or shellfish, a pescetarian diet typically…

Groups present redistricting workshop on June 18

In preparation for the California Redistricting Commission public hearing, a redistricting workshop will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 18 at Driffill Elementary School, 910 So. E St., Oxnard. The commission has submitted an initial proposal that…

MICOP to hold monthly meeting on June 18

The Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project presents its monthly community meeting from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 18 at Harrington Elementary School, 2501 Gisler St., Oxnard. English-speaking volunteers needed for literacy program. Call Donna Foster at 805.483.1166, send an email…

Commentary: Toes in the sand. Nose in a book

By Mona AlvaradoFrazier /Guest contributor This catchy  headline is the title for Border’s summer book list. Now if we could just find the time to read the entire list and have the money to buy all the books. Since that’s…

Ventura County Contractors Association announces 2011 scholarship recipients

  Twelve students receive scholarships to continue education in the construction industry Francisco Cancinco of California Polytechnic at Pomona; Eric Pinuelas, Adolfo Camarillo High School and John Lopez of California Polytechnic at San Luis Obispo were among the 12 Ventura County students…

Capps reports new potential funding for region’s military bases

  Key federal funding for the construction of a new education center at Vandenberg Air Force Base and a training facility at Naval Base Ventura County was included in H.R. 2055, the Fiscal Year 2012 Military Construction-VA Appropriations bill that…

Commentary: Das Williams says no to Ormond Beach project

Dear Friends, A proposed 1,500-unit housing project adjacent to Ormond Beach in South Oxnard will be before the City Council on Tuesday, June 14. I have strongly opposed this project and continue to do so, joining the Environmental Defense Center (EDC),…

Latino Links: Political Trends

The proposed redistricting for California is a “Worst-Case Scenario” for Latinos in California, according to a news report on June 11 by New American Media. The first batch of political maps by California’s new Citizens Redistricting Commission is having exactly the…

Claudia Pardo’s ‘Atmostfear’ opening reception on June 11

The opening reception for “Atmostfear,” new painting by Claudia Pardo, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 11 at the Upfront Gallery, 267 So. Laurel St., Ventura. The exhibit will continue through July 2. Call 805.405.4954 for more…

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: 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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Free business seminar set for May 31 in Oxnard

“Business Strategies and Retirement Plans for Small Businesses” will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 31 at the Downtown District Oxnard Management office, 445 So. B St., Oxnard, next to Plaza Park. This free presentation is sponsored by www.breakfreee.org…

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…

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…