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."

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…

El Centrito to hold ‘Gran Baile de Primavera’ on April 30

El Centrito Family Learning Center will present  its annual “Gran Baile de Primavera” at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 30 at Casa Lopez Mexican Restaurant & Banquet Center, 325 So. A St., Oxnard. Funds raised will support El Centrito’s successful educational…

Children’s Day/Dia de los Niños set for April 30 in Oxnard

Children’s Day, Dia de los Niños, with the Mixteco/ Indigena Community Organizing Project!, will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 30 at Harrington Elementary School, 2501 Gisler St., Oxnard, the organization reported recently in a media release. “The…

Latino Links: Technology Trends

Hispanics online tend to be younger, use the Internet more when making purchasing decisions and prefer English-language online media, according to results from a new survey conducted by AOL Advertising in partnership with the consulting group Cheskin Added Value. Hispanics…

Bands announced for July 30-31 Oxnard Salsa Festival

An electrifying blend of Salsa, Latin, and Cuban sounds will fill downtown Oxnard with excitement and sizzling sounds during the 18th annual Oxnard Salsa Festival, July 30-31, 2011 at Plaza Park, Fifth and “B” Streets, in downtown Oxnard, festival organizers…

Author/columnist Lopez to speak April 25 in Thousand Oaks

Distinguished Speakers Series presents Steve Lopez, 8 p.m., Fred Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. The award-winning journalist and author of “The Soloist” joined the staff of the Los Angeles Times in May 2001 after…

Latino Business Expo VIP mixer set for April 25

The VIP mixer for the Latino Business Expo will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 25 at The Kitchen Craft Beer Brewery & Bakery, 529 So. A St., Oxnard. This is the last chance to get free tickets to…

Deadline is April 29 for Teatro art contest

Teatro de las Américas announces an art contest to create the  logo for its next production: “Yerma” by Federico García Lorca. Due to the fact that the play will be presented in late May, the deadline for submission is April…

Sugar Beets Restaurant & Bar open for Easter brunch on April 24

Sugar Beets Restaurant & Bar in Oxnard will be officially open for Brunch on Sunday’s starting on Easter Sunday. Chef Martin Ledesma promises to bring style and creativity to the Sunday menus including all your traditional favorites of a carving…

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 Previous videos:  

Guest column: Are we clinging to our jobs?

By David Magallanes / Guest columnist In a recent Beetle Bailey cartoon1 in my local newspaper, General Halftrack walks into headquarters and sees his two female secretaries in full party mode. He asks, “Champagne?  Party hats?  Decorations? What day is this?!”…