VENTURA COUNTY — The United Way of Ventura County has launched its “Stuff the Bus” campaign to collect new school supplies through July 23. The supplies will be “stuffed” into backpacks for children from low-income families, the organization reported in…
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: Peoples’ Self-Help Housing helps to fight summer brain drain
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 With statistics showing that children lose one to three months of learning during the summer when they are out of school, it’s vital that parents find alternatives to keep those young minds active and…
Bilingual commentary: Americans—Not A Lazy People
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor Sometimes…
Bilingual report: Women’s Economic Ventures celebrates Spring 2015 WEV en Espanol’s Self Employment Training graduates
Next Spanish orientation to be held July 1 in Port Hueneme On Wednesday, June 17th, Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) celebrated the accomplishments of twelve men and women from WEV en Español’s Advanced Self-Employment Training (SET) program during a graduation ceremony…
Local business information
> Ventura SCORE will present the small business workshop “How to manage your time and become more effective” at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 1 at the SCORE Office Thousand Oaks, 516 Pennsfield Place, Suite 206. Learn how you can free…
Health: ‘Golden Future 50+ Senior Expo’ set for Ventura
The “Golden Future 50+ Senior Expo, Southern California’s Premier LIfestyle, Health & Active Aging Expo” will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 18 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, in the San…
Local health information
> Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will provide information on Covered California and free health screenings at selected locations throughout the month of July in Ventura County. Click here to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County…
‘Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery’ screening to be held July 1 in Santa Paula
VENTURA — The Museum of Ventura County will present the next screening of “Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery,” an award-winning documentary by Santa Paula-born filmmaker Walter Dominguez at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 1 at the Regency Santa Paula 7 theater…
BGCOP appoints new members to its board of directors
Strategic business developer and bookkeeping/tax manager join the club’s leadership team OXNARD — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme announces the addition of Gregory Siuta and Veronica Quintana to its board of directors. Siuta,…
Bilingual commentary: The Bat Mitzvah
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor This…
New LULAC Council in Paso Robles to serve San Luis Obispo
By Dave Rodriguez / State President California LULAC Last Thursday it was my pleasure to swear in our officers for the new council in Paso Robles. President Steve Orduno and his team organized opening ceremonies with a crowd of about…
Bilingual report: ‘Movement, Balance and Health!’ conference for older adults to be held in Oxnard on June 27
OXNARD — A “Movement, Balance and Health!” conference for older adults will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 27 at the Oxnard Family Circle ADHC at “The Palms” Outlet Center, 2100 Outlet Center Drive, Unit 280,…
Women’s Economic Ventures to present free Spanish self-employment training orientation in Ventura County on July 1
VENTURA COUNTY — Women’s Economic Ventures will present free Spanish self-employment training orientation in Ventura County. Have you wanted to run your own business, but don’t know where to start? Or do you already own a business and want to expand?…
Javier Read de Alaniz named UCSB’s 2015-16 Plous Award Winner
Read de Alaniz will showcase his research in chemistry when he delivers the annual Plous Lecture next spring By Andrea Estrada / UCSB Javier Read de Alaniz, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UC Santa…
Bilingual commentary: The plight of Middle Eastern women
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor Recently,…
Guest commentary: The blessing of fatherhood
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By Armando Vazquez / Guest contributor My…
Santa Paula Art Museum to present ‘John Nava: Selected Paintings and Tapestries’ starting June 20
SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Art Museum will present “John Nava: Selected Paintings and Tapestries,” a survey of works by internationally renowned painter and tapestry designer John Nava from June 20 through Nov. 8 at 117 N. 10th St., Santa Paula.…
Bilingual report: ‘Saturday Sidewalk Coffee Session’ with Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin to be held June 20 in Oxnard
OXNARD —A “Saturday Sidewalk Coffee Session” with Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin to be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 20 at Heritage Square, 230 W. 7th St., Oxnard. Constituents of the 44th Assembly District can join Irwin for coffee…
UCSB announces winners of top awards
By Andrea Estrada / UCSB Three remarkable graduating seniors at UC Santa Barbara have been named winners of the university’s top awards for their scholastic achievement, their extraordinary service to the university and the community, and their personal courage and…
Bilingual commentary: Is this how Dementia feels?
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor I…
Bilingual report: Tickets now on sale for 20th annual Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival
SANTA BARBARA — Tickets are now on sale for the Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival, which returns to the Santa Barbara Bowl on Saturday Aug. 8 to celebrate it’s 20th Anniversary. Performing at this year’s milestone Festival will be: Ballet Folklorico de…
CLU student gets national research fellowship
Oxnard resident spending the summer in a Texas lab HOUSTON — A California Lutheran University student is researching muscle and neuronal development at the Baylor College of Medicine this summer as the recipient of a prestigious fellowship, the university reported…
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! awarded NEA grant for presenting performances, sharing cultures
SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! has received a grant of $20,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts to further its program of performances and educational outreach in 2015-2016, the organization reported in a media release.…
The UCSB Library acquires major Chicano/Latino graphic art collection from San Francisco’s Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts
By Andrea Estrada / UCSB The UC Santa Barbara Library has acquired two individual art collections from the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts (MCCLA) in San Francisco’s Mission District, university officials reported in a media release. Together they consist…
El Concilio profile: Many Mansions and One Step a la Vez
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services’ 2015 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, June 6 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here or call 805-486-9777 for…
Assemblymembers tour Oxnard nonprofit preschool center
Visit highlights local and statewide issues in early childhood education for agricultural families Oxnard, CA – The Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF) is a non-profit, community-based organization that was established in 1963 in order to serve disadvantaged individuals and families throughout…
Guest commentary: Power Corrupts, Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely!
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By Armando Vazquez / Guest contributor The…
Gold Coast Health Plan to present 4th annual Community Resource Fair on June 6 in Oxnard
OXNARD — Gold Coast Health Plan will present its 4th annual Community Resource Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at Plaza Park, 500 S. C St., downtown Oxnard. The event includes free health screenings and resource…
VCCDC to present 3rd annual ‘Homeownership Fair’ on June 6 in Oxnard
OXNARD — The Ventura County Community Development Corporation will present its 3rd annual “Homeownership Fair — A Dream Within Your Reach,” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at 2231 Sturgis Road, Suite A, Oxnard. Held in collaboration…
June cover story: Stopping the summer brain drain for students
While Hispanic students have been making gains in classrooms during the year, summer becomes a crucial time to maintain those educational achievements By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 Summer vacation time is upon us. K-through-12 schools are busy completing their…
Commentary: June is a time for new faces at two area nonprofit organizations
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 While change is in the air for two 805 area nonprofits, the new faces of those organizations will be quite familiar to local residents. Marcos Vargas has left his position as executive director of…
Bilingual commentary: The mess we leave behind
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor I…
Local news briefs
VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation awarded more than $563,000 in scholarships to 284 Ventura College students in May, the organization reported in a media release. Awards ranged from $500 to $9,500 and were presented by the foundation to recipients…
Finance: Consuls general from Asian countries to visit CSUCI
Panel talk to focus on how local businesses can trade with emerging Asian markets CAMARILLO — Small and medium-sized businesses in Ventura County can and should be trading with emerging Asian markets, according to CSU Channel Islands (CI) economic expert…
Local business information
> The Maritime Advanced Systems & Technology (MAST) will hold an open house and technology expo starting at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 10 at the Port of Hueneme, 333 Ponoma St., Port Hueneme. MAST fosters leading-edge technological innovation and integration…
Health: Drugged driving risks and realities campaign
By Ventura County Behavioral Health As part of a new effort to support personal and public safety, the Ventura County Behavioral Health Department aims to reduce DUIs due to marijuana, prescription and over-the-counter drugs using a grant from the California…
Local health information
> Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will provide information on Covered California and free health screenings at selected locations throughout the month of June in Ventura County. Visit http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2015-06 to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County Health…
Museum of Ventura County to present gallery talk, tour on ‘We Remember: Ventura County to Vietnam and Back’ on June 3
VENTURA — The Museum of Ventura County will present the Gallery Talk & Tour on “We Remember: Ventura County to Vietnam and Back” at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 3 at 11 E. Main St., Ventura. Led by co-curators Anna Bermudez,…
‘Oxnard Home and Energy Workshop and Dinner’ to be held June 2
OXNARD — The “Oxnard Home and Energy Workshop and Dinner” will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 2 at the Oxnard Public Library, Meeting Room B, 251 S. A St., Oxnard. Join the County of Ventura’s emPower…
El Concilio profile: Christopher Williams
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services’ 2015 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, June 6 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here or call 805-486-9777 for…
Café on A hosts mask-making workshop to benefit mental health
Click on courtesy photos above for a larger image OXNARD — Café on A in downtown Oxnard recently hosted a mask-making workshop to benefit mental health. “This what the Oxnard Multicultural Mental health Coalition refers to when we are advocating…
Bilingual commentary: Mental health in the Latino community
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By…
Sergio Arau, film director of ‘A Day Without a Mexican,’ to be keynote speaker at Social Justice Fund for Ventura County’s 6th annual Currents of Change fundraiser on May 31 at Camarillo Ranch
CAMARILLO — Sergio Arau, film director of “A Day Without a Mexican,” will be the keynote speaker at Social Justice Fund for Ventura County’s 6th annual Currents of Change fundraiser on from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 31 at Camarillo…
El Concilio profile: Capt. Lawrence Vasquez
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services’ 2015 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, June 6 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here or call 805-486-9777 for…
Guest commentary: STEM investment, new engineering school needed at CSU Channel Islands
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, D-Thousand…
Allan Hancock College honors graduating first-generation college students during special ceremony
SANTA MARIA — The TRiO College Achievement Now (CAN) program at Allan Hancock College celebrated the perseverance and success of dozens of its students who graduated this week and transferred to four-year universities. The TRiO/CAN recognition ceremony was held May…
Bilingual commentary: ‘All You Can Eat’
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor Editor’s…
UCSB undergraduate María Prado is named a Woodrow Wilson-Rockefeller Brothers Fund Foundation Fellow
By Jessica Fenton / UCSB UC Santa Barbara undergraduate María Prado has been named one of nine new Woodrow Wilson-Rockefeller Brothers Fund Foundation (WW-RBF) Fellows for Aspiring Teachers of Color, university officials reported in a media release. Selected through a…
Clinicas del Camino Real to present ‘National Women’s Health’ events May 15-16
OXNARD — Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will hold a “National Women’s Health Fair 2015” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16 at 1300 N. Ventura Road, oxnard. The event is part of National Women’s Health Week, with other…
Traumatic childhood fuels resilience in CSU Channel Islands professor named an ‘Exceptional Emerging Leader’
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands Professor of Early Childhood Studies Carola Matera was five years old when soldiers showed up at her home in Argentina during the “Guerra Sucia” or “Dirty War,” university officials reported in a media release. Matera’s mother told her to…