SACRAMENTO — When it comes to votes on key consumer rights bills, the 2011 Consumer Federation of California (CFC) scorecard found that Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) has sided with consumers 100 percent of the time. The first-term Assemblymember, has…
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: Four possible solutions to avoid foreclosure
By Michael and Stephen Szakos / Guest contributors Just a week ago, we held an educational forum at the Oxnard Public Library. A large number of community members attended and walked away informed and armed with knowledge to move forward. “We were…
Juvenile justice system to be examined at UCSB Lecture Series on Feb. 1
SANTA BARBARA — The second in a series of lectures examining the juvenile justice system in the United States will take place at UC Santa Barbara at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, the university reported in a media release. The…
Mexican Consulate announces free Spanish language textbook program
The Mexican Consulate in Oxnard has reported that it is accepting applications for the annual Free Spanish Language Textbook Program through March 9. The collection of 55 books each include both textbooks and children’s fiction book in Spanish, used…
Latino Links: Economic Trends
A majority of Latinos (54 percent) believe the nation’s recession has hit them harder than any other group in the United States, according to a survey released last week by the Pew Hispanic Center. The survey found: 75 percent said…
Donations sought to aid Tarahumara Indians
California residents respond to crisis of drought and famine in Northern Mexico, home to the Tarahumara Indians OXNARD— The LUCHA-Tarahumara Relief Fund is still accepting donations to benefit the Tarahumara Indians, the organization reported recently. Tax-deductible donations can also be…
Volunteers to provide free tax preparation starting Jan. 30
Effort will return thousands of dollars to low-wage earners CAMARILLO — Low to moderate income workers can receive free help with tax preparation and income tax filing at a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site located throughout Ventura County beginning…
Food Network viewing party of the Kitchen segment set for Jan. 30
A viewing party for the Jan. 30 segment of the Food Network’s popular “Diner’s Drive-Ins and Dives” show, featuring the Kitchen in Oxnard, will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30 at 529 So. A St., Oxnard. Big screen…
Commentary: Sometimes You need to ignore the network news and enjoy the beauty all around you
By Boyd Lemon / Guest contributor We are constantly bombarded in the media by all all of the heart breaking, gut-wrenching tragedy that permeates our world. But if you look around, you will see amazing beauty, too. Look at it,…
Election 2012: Endorsements coming fast
Race for Congress features former harbor commission president Amigos805.com staff report For those who have been watching, or seeking to avoid the nonstop media coverage of caucuses and primary races in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida — our time…
Commentary: Let’s have coffee
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor How do you go about managing your time, assuming that you do? Not everyone does, after all. Some of us are quite content to “go with the flow,” reacting to whatever blows toward us from the…
Verizon presents $17,200 check to Santa Barbara City College’s MESA program
SANTA BARBARA — Verizon presented a check for $17,200 to Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) Acting Superintendent/President, Jack Friedlander to support the college’s innovative MESA (Math, Engineering, Science, Achievement) program, college officials reported in a media release this week. This…
Commentary: American Library Awards 2012
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor If the Pulitzer Prize is the Oscar of the book world, the American Library Awards for books is up there with the Nickelodeon Awards, sans the green slime. The ALA announced their Youth Media Awards of 2012…
CLU examines farmworker health risks with a $150,000 grant to fund Oxnard pesticide study
THOUSAND OAKS — California Lutheran University has received a $150,000 grant to research environmental justice in Oxnard, the university reported this week in a media release. The California Wellness Foundation awarded the two-year grant for two professors and selected…
UCSB’s Ríos receives $300,000 grant to study gang-associated youth
SANTA BARBARA — Victor Ríos, associate professor of sociology at UC Santa Barbara, has received a $300,000 grant from the William T. Grant Foundation for a study examining how the interactions between gang-associated youth and their parents, school professionals, police…
Don’t wait for last-minute foreclosure help
Amigos805.com staff report It was a full house at a foreclosure crisis educational forum held Jan. 21 at the Oxnard Public Library, reported David Cruz during his morning radio show Jan. 25 on KOXR AM-910. He made his comments during…
Bilingual report: Breakfreee.org free financial seminar set for Jan. 26 in Oxnard
Breakfreee.org is sponsoring a free session on finances from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26 at the Downtown Oxnard Management District office, 445 So. B St., Oxnard. This presentation will be given primarily in Spanish. Supported by California Lutheran University, the…
Volunteers needed for MICOP’s monthly meeting on Jan. 28
The Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project will present its first monthly community meeting of 2012 starting at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 at Harrington Elementary School, 2501 Gisler St., Oxnard. “If you’re available and would like to help out we will need…
Democrats continue to see gains in Latino voters in Florida
The number of Latinos registered in Florida as Democrats grew at an accelerated rate, according to data compiled and released this week by the Pew Hispanic Center in Washington, D.C. The final registration statistics for Florida’s Jan. 31 presidential primary…
EDC-VC releases latest ‘Economic 411 Report’
By Bruce Stenslie / Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County California’s Labor Market Information Division released its December 2011 report … continuing for a fifth month in row improvements across our key indicators. For the details see www.calmis.ca.gov/file/lfmonth/vent$pds.pdf There are two key…
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) to hold orientation classes starting this week
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) will hold a series of orientations starting this week in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, the organization reported recently in a media release. The orientation classes will be held: 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24…
Social Justice Fund, CLU, CAUSE to present educational summit on Jan. 27
“The 100% Summit: A Tale of Two Counties — Bridging the Widening Gaps in Ventura County” will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27 at the Camarillo Methodist Church Hall, 291 Anacapa Drive, Camarillo. Presented by…
Former Lt. Gov. Bustamante endorses Herrera for Congress
OXNARD – Jess Herrera, candidate for Congress in the 26th District, received the endorsement of former California Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, the highest elected Hispanic official to ever serve the State of California, the Herrera campaign announced in a media…
Garcia celebrates 101st birthday in Oxnard
Maria Garcia of Oxnard recently celebrated her 101st birthday. She was born in Jerez, Zacatecas on Jan. 13, 1911. Garcia, is the grandmother of four young mariachi players, Ely, Stephanie, Luis and Denise Garcia, said Javier Gomez, founder of the Inlakech…
Santa Barbara Supervisor Carbajal endorses Hannah-Beth Jackson for Senate
Democrat supported by more than 50 current and former local elected leaders Supervisor Salud Carbajal announced on Jan. 20 that he has endorsed Hannah-Beth Jackson for State Senate – joining colleagues Doreen Farr and Janet Wolf along with Assemblymember Das Williams,…
Latino Links: Media Trends
Hispanics view the Internet as a virtual “Plaza del Pueblo,” or town square, a place where they can be inspired and motivated to join the conversation, according to a new “Report on Hispanic Digital Influencers” released recently by 360i Digital…
De Colores Art Show to hold closing reception on Jan. 20 in Santa Paula
Xavier ‘Big X’ Montes will turn over show to artist Andrea Vargas at event on Jan. 20 Amigos805.com staff report For 18 years, Xavier ‘Big X’ Montes has led efforts to bring Latino art and culture to Santa Paula and…
¡Viva Arte de Santa Barbara! to present Los Soneros del Tesechoacán Jan. 20-22
¡Viva Arte de Santa Barbara! will present Los Soneros del Tesechoacán (Tay-say-chwa-KAHN) with free concerts at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20 at Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Road, Goleta; at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21 at Guadalupe City Hall; and at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22 at the Marjorie…
Foreclosure crisis educational forum set for Jan. 21 in Oxnard
A free foreclosure crisis educational forum will be presented from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Oxnard Public Library, 251 So. A St., Oxnard. Presented by Mike Szakos & Associates, the program will feature a variety of companies…
Children’s Resource Network to hold rally on Jan. 22
Childrens Resource Network — “Helping local children in need with clothing and school supplies,” in partnership with the Mexican Consulate in Oxnard, is holding a series of mobile rallies at 9 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 22 at Rancho Santa Maria, 1580…
Commentary: Who are you?
By Boyd Lemon / Guest contributor Since the new age of introspection starting in the 1960s we are often told, “Know who you are.” Or, as Descartes put it centuries ago, “Know thyself.” Have you ever wondered what that really…
Commentary: Reflections on Martin Luther King Day
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor As I write, we celebrate the life and message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a genuine American hero of the highest order. I am pleased as I compare the plight of the African Americans (called…
Westside Action Summit set for Jan. 21 in Santa Barbara
Community members from Santa Barbara’s Westside to discuss challenges facing neighborhood and work to develop solutions SANTA BARBARA — Join residents of Santa Barbara’s Westside on Saturday, Jan. 21 for a public portion of the Westside Neighborhood Action Summit to identify…
Tri-Counties Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Association earns certification
VENTURA COUNTY — The Tri-Counties Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Association (SMACNA) Apprenticeship program recently completed a stringent audit and was awarded the American Welding Society’s (AWS) official certification as an approved testing facility (ATF), the association reported this…
Commentary: National Stalking Awareness Month
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor January is National Stalking Awareness Month, a time to focus on a crime that affects 3.4 million victims a year. This year’s theme —“Stalking: Know It. Name It. Stop It.” —challenges the nation to fight this dangerous…
Community urged to attend VCCCD meeting on Jan. 17 to avert cuts at college district
The community is urged to attend the Ventura County Community College District meeting on Tuesday Jan. 17 to voice its opposition to proposed cuts to college educational programs at Oxnard, Ventura and Moorpark. The meeting will be held from 5 to…
Small Business Development Center to present free workshops starting Jan. 17
The Small Business Development Center will present a series of free workshops starting Jan. 17 at the Economic Development Collaborative – Ventura County, 1601 Carmen Drive, Suite 215, Camarillo. > Mary Anne Rooney, SBCD advisor, will present the workshop — “Starting…
Commentary: Do your homework. Rules are changing
By Michael and Stephen Szakos / Guest contributors As we continue to work on short sales throughout the community, we are finding out that the banks are changing the rules constantly, even from client to client. It is vital to obtain help…
Latino Links: Economic trends
The mortgage crisis has hit the Latino community particularly hard. The Center for Responsible Lending reported last year that Latinos were twice as likely to have lost their homes to foreclosure, or are seriously delinquent, compared to white borrowers. Latinos…
Commentary: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier /Guest contributor Soon we will celebrate and enjoy the holiday that commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In 1957, he was cited as one of the most admired religious leaders in the world. Time Magazine selected him, in 1957,…