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."

Redistricting meeting set for May 25 in Oxnard

The Office of Ventura County Supervisor John C. Zaragoza will hold a Town Hall Meeting regarding the proposed Supervisorial Redistricting Program at 6 p.m. Wednesday May 25 the Oxnard Public Library at 251 So. A St., Meeting Room B, Oxnard.…

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…

Judges, donations needed for May 21 Rio Science Fair

Donations and about 20 judges are needed for the annual Rio School District Science Fair for Migrant Education Students on Saturday, May 21. “I am writing because we urgently need your help,” said Adolfo Murillo. “This year I will again…

‘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

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…

RSVP for May 22 Kinship Family Fun Day

Kids & Families Together and the Ventura County Leadership Academy are hosting their 3rd annual “Kinship Family Fun Day” for kinship families from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 22 at the El Sueño Equestrian Center, 520 Kingsgrove Drive, Somis. Space is limited…

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…

Youth Empowerment Summit set for May 6 at Oxnard College

The Young Leaders Society (YLS) will present its annual the “Youth Empowerment Summit from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, May 6 at Oxnard College, 4000 So. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The Youth Empowerment Summit was developed by YLS in 2008 to…

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…

ARTS Obispo to present monthly artwalk on May 6

ARTS Obispo will present its monthly first Friday “Arts After Dark” artwalk from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 6 in downtown San Luis Obispo. The event features an exhibit of established and emerging local artists in 28 venues including…

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…

Williams pesticide regulation bill passes committee

Assembly Bill 1176, which would implement enforceable timelines under the Toxic Air Contaminant Act with respect to pesticides, passed the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee on April 26, Assemblymember Das Williams, D-35 Assembly District, reported recently. The proposed legislation…

‘Pleasure of Nuestra Lengua’ set for May 2 at UCSB

“The Pleasure of Nuestra Lengua” with Rubén Albarrán and Ofelia Medina will be presented at 8 p.m. Monday, May 2 at UCSB Campbell Hall. Presented by the University of Guadalajara Foundation/USA, the Department of Spanish and Portuguese/UCSB and UC-Mexicanistas, Casa…

Latino Links: Political Trends

More than 6.6 million Latinos voted in last year’s election — a record for a midterm, according to an analysis released recently by the Pew Hispanic Center. Fueled by their rapid population growth, Latinos also were a larger share of…

March set for May 1 in La Colonia

A march in honor of the International Day of Workers will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 1 at Camino del Sol Park, corner of Rose and Camino del Sol avenues in La Colonia neighborhood of Oxnard. For more information,…

Free business directory advertisement

As Amigos805.com celebrates its two-year anniversary in May, we wish to thank our supporters by providing a free business directory advertisement during the month — a $65 value. The advertisement is available to businesses, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations. The…

Javier Gomez, Avie Guerra to be honored April 30 at CSUN

Javier Gomez of the Inlakech Cultural Arts Center in Oxnard and late community advocate Avie Guerra will be recognized at the 17th annual “La Raza Alumni Association Scholarship Recognition Dinner,” starting at 6 p.m. with a reception on Saturday, April…

Spanish language book fair set for April 29-May 1 in Los Angeles

Santa Maria Valley author/educator/poet Enedina Castañeda reports this week that LéaLA, touted as the inaugural Spanish-language book fair, will be held April 29, 30 and May 1 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Click here for a link to the…

Social Justice Fund of Ventura County to hold event on May 1

The reception this year will include the presentation of the winners of its youth ARTsLAM! Contest, a performance by the jazz group “The Gentlemen,” silent and live auctions, a chance to view the exhibits at the gallery and a presentation…