Foster VC Kids seeks to double amount of foster caregivers in Ventura County By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 While National Foster Care Awareness Month actually falls in May, Elizabeth Thasiah wants to raise that awareness immediately because of the…
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: Hispanics more likely to believe humans causing climate change
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 It was an interesting bit of political theater presented in Congress last week. Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe wandered onto the Senate floor during a discussion questioning the science behind climate change. “Do you know…
Bilingual commentary: No girls at the Altar
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 Just…
Local news briefs
CARPINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria has announced that Arianna Lopez, an 18-year-old senior and a long-time Girls Inc. of Carpinteria participant, has been selected as a 2015 scholarship winner in the competitive Girls Inc. National Scholar Program. She was…
Finance: Rebounding from a late start to retirement savings
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Some people do not have the ability to begin saving for retirement early on. Others may have brushed retirement savings aside for so long that they are now worried that it’s too late to begin…
Local business information
> The Office of Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, District 44, has announced a regional workshop designed to help business owners understand the application process to apply for the “California Competes Tax Credit” from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, March 6 at…
Health: News for expectant Hispanic mothers
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Doctors are urging pregnant Hispanic women to be more aware of the potential birth defects that affect children of Hispanic mothers in seemingly higher rates than other ethnicities. According to a major finding in a…
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 March in Ventura County. Visit http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2015-03 to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County…
Bilingual report: Teatro de las Américas to present ‘A Night of Boleros — Our Parents’ Songs’ at Oxnard College on March 5
OXNARD — Teatro de las Américas will present “A Night of Boleros — Our Parents’ Songs” from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 5 at Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. Teatro de las Américas and Oxnard College inaugurate their 2015…
Art exhibit reception for ‘Isabel Martínez: Un diálogo en arte y cultura’ to be held at CSU Channel Islands on March 5
CAMARILLO — The art exhibit “Isabel Martínez: Un diálogo en arte y cultura” will open with a reception from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 5 at CSU Channel Islands. The exhibit, continuing from March 5 through April 4, celebrates everyday women…
Discussion on ‘Understanding Disenfranchisement of Latino Men and Boys’ by Dr. Aida Hurtado to be held at CSU Channel Islands on March 10
CAMARILLO — The discussion “Understanding Disenfranchisement of Latino Men and Boys” by Dr. Aida Hurtado will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 at CSU Channel Islands, Broome Library 1320. Hurtado, a UCSB Professor Luis Leal Endowed Chair of…
Guest commentary: Chaos and the science of mass criminalization
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 In his…
First CEO of Homeboy Industries to speak at CLU’s Corporate Leaders Breakfast on March 3
THOUSAND OAKS — Thomas Vozzo of Thousand Oaks, the first CEO of Homeboy Industries, will discuss his efforts to make the nonprofit more self-sufficient at California Lutheran University’s Corporate Leaders Breakfast in Agoura Hills at 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 3 at the…
Oxnard College to present Tinto Tango in concert on March 4
OXNARD — The 2015 Oxnard College Spring Literature, Arts and Lecture Series will present Tinto Tango in concert and dance performance from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 4 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard.…
UCSB Multicultural Center to present the Cup of Culture film screening of ‘La Mission’ on March 4
SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Multicultural Center will present the Cup of Culture film screening of “La Mission” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 4 at the MCC Theater. Growing up in the Mission District of San Francisco, Che Rivera has always had…
Ventura College Santa Paula Site to present information on California Dream Act on Feb. 26
SANTA PAULA — The Ventura College Financial Aid Office will discuss changes in California legislation in regards to AB540 and how undocumented students are now eligible for Financial Aid and other resources from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26 at…
Bilingual commentary: Threat of the Islamic State
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,…
UCSB Multicultural Center to present film screening, discussion of ‘No Más Bebés Por Vida / No More Babies for Life’ on Feb. 25
SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Multicultural Center will present the Cup of Culture film screening and discussion of “No Más Bebés Por Vida / No More Babies for Life,” the story of Mexican-American women who were sterilized at the Los Angeles County-USC…
Santa Barbara’s Casa Dolores — Center for the Study of Popular Arts of Mexico presenting ‘Banderaware — Colores of a Republic’ through May 31
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara’s Casa Dolores — Center for the Study of Popular Arts of Mexico is presenting “Banderaware — Colores of a Republic” through May 31 at 1023 Bath St., Santa Barbara. The exhibit opened Feb. 24. “Banderaware” pottery…
Guest commentary: Impaction — What goes around comes around
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 Rodolfo F. Acuña / Guest contributor On…
M.A.K.U. SoundSystem to perform during Oxnard World Music and Art Series on Feb. 23
OXNARD — M.A.K.U. SoundSystem will perform during the Oxnard World Music and Arts Series from 7 to 10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23 at La Fonda del Rey, 455 S. A St., Oxnard. M.A.K.U. SoundSystem is an immigrant band from New York City…
Dolores Huerta to speak in Oxnard on Latino Interactive Voter Education Project on Feb. 22
OXNARD — Dolores Huerta will speak on the new Latino Interactive Voter Education Project from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22 at the home of Dr. Manuel and Irma Lopez, 1911 Cascades Court, Oxnard. Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm…
Bilingual report: Clinicas del Camino Real celebrates National Children’s Dental Health Month with Dental Health Fair on Feb. 22
OXNARD — Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month with a Dental Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22 at Del Sol Park, 1500 Camino Del Sol, Oxnard. “Children’s teeth are meant…
Guest commentary: Death pays a visit and I find the meaning of love
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 In the…
Guest commentary: The Latin Mass
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 When…
UCSB Multicultural Center to present screening of Baca’s ‘A Place to Stand’ on Feb. 18
SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Multicultural Center will present a Cup of Culture film screening of “A Place to Stand,” the story of Jimmy Santiago Baca’s transformation from a functionally illiterate convict to an award-winning poet, novelist and screenwriter, at 6…
Suzanne Vega to perform folk music at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza on Feb. 20
THOUSAND OAKS — Suzanne Vega will perform folk music at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., in the Scherr Forum. Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the…
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara! to present M.A.K.U. SoundSystem Feb. 20 through 22
SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara! will present M.A.K.U. SoundSystem at 7 p.m. Friday at Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Road; at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Guadalupe City Hall, 918 Obispo St.; and at 7 p.m. Sunday at…
Guest commentary: The Zapatistas were right!
The Silence of the Lambs 2 7 05 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…
‘Sonido Sabor Latino,’ celebrating ‘El Día del Amor y Amistad / The Day of Love and Friendship,’ to be held Feb. 14 in Oxnard
OXNARD — “Sonido Sabor Latino,” a dinner and dance celebrating “El Día del Amor y Amistad / The Day of Love and Friendship,” will be presented at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard.…
Pacific Mambo Orchestra to perform at Ventura Theater on Feb. 14
VENTURA — The Pacific Mambo Orchestra will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14 at the Ventura Theater, 26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura. Tickets are $25 to $50. The 20-piece, San Francisco-based musical group is leading the rebirth of the Latin…
Bilingual commentary: A cousin’s death
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 Last…
Guest commentary: Support Francisco Romero — Todo Poder al Pueblo!
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 On February…
Guest commentary: Dying communities. Forgotten memories
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 Rodolfo F. Acuña / Guest contributor With…
Author of ‘Solidarity Politics for Millennials’ to speak at CLU on Feb. 10
THOUSAND OAKS — CLU to present the free discussion “Intersectionality and Deep Political Solidarity: The Wonder Twin Powers of Social Justice” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 at California Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks in Ullman 100/101. There are…
Latino Thought Maker Series to present free ‘CBS Diversity Comedy Showcase’ at Oxnard College on Feb. 12
OXNARD — The Latino Thought Maker Series will present the free ‘CBS Diversity Comedy Showcase’ at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12 at Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave., at the Performing Arts Center Auditorium. The showcase, spearheaded by director and head…
National Association to honor UCSB Chicana and Chicano Studies scholar
Aída Hurtado will be recognized for her contributions to the field in a career spanning three decades By Jim Logan / UCSB SANTA BARBARA — Aída Hurtado, a professor in the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies at UC Santa…
Lacayo Vista Leadership Academy to celebrate its first group of Latino/a protégés, mentors on Feb. 7
CAMARILLO — More than 55 percent of Ventura County students in pre-school through 12th grade are Latina/o, yet less than 15 percent of their teachers share their cultural ethnicity. An academy formed to promote Latina/o leadership education will celebrate the…
Bilingual commentary: Un-American Protests
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 As…
Guest commentary: Neoliberalism Privatization
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. Impact on Professors and We the…
Camerata Amistad to perform free concert featuring Hispanic-influenced music at CLU on Feb. 4
THOUSAND OAKS — Camerata Amistad will perform a free concert featuring Hispanic-influenced music at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4 at California Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks, in the Samuelson Chapel. The chamber ensemble of orchestral musicians performs a variety…
Latino Thought Maker Series to present ‘It Gets Better’ free musical at Oxnard College on Feb. 4
OXNARD — The Latino Thought Maker Series will present “It Gets Better,” a free musical performance, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center Auditorium, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. SPEAK Theater Arts, the Gay Men’s Chorus…
Del Pueblo Cafe, Santa Barbara Arts Alliance to present ‘Living Culture’ on Feb. 5
SANTA BARBARA — Del Pueblo Cafe and the Santa Barbara Arts Alliance will present “Living Culture,” an evening of art and music featuring the works of local artists Huicho Mata, Danny Meza and Rafa Ruiz at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5 at…
‘Por El Amor de la Cultura / For the Love of Culture’ to be presented at CSU Channel Islands on Feb. 7
CAMARILLO — “Por El Amor de la Cultura / For the Love of Culture” will be presented from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at CSU Channel Islands in Broome Library 1320. Join New Mexican artist Al Na’ir Lara and…
Make the most of your night out this Valentine’s Day
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Chocolates and flowers may be staples of Valentine’s Day, but many couples take it one step further and dine out on February 14. According to the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association’s Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions…
Commentary: Latino youth doing better in education, but are we?
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 The news can be disconcerting for many of us who have been involved in one way or another in encouraging Latinos, and all young people, to succeed in education and life — high dropout…
Local news briefs
SANTA BARBARA — The University of California at Santa Barbara has been officially recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities. UCSB joins Riverside, Santa Cruz and Merced campuses as Hispanic-Serving Institutions. With six Nobel…
Finance: 2015 industry outlook
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) As much of the world slowly recovers from the far-reaching economic downturn that began in 2008, the International Monetary Fund has predicted a 3.2 percent growth for the global economy in 2015. Some countries, including…
Local business information
> Anna McRoberts, president of Air Bud Entertainment, will kick off the CSU Channel Islands Spring 2015 Speakers Series at noon Friday, Feb. 6 at Malibu Hall 100. Air Bud Entertainment includes a post-production company, a visual effects company and…
Health: Chocolate historically more than just food
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Many cannot resist chocolate, that beloved creamy, sweet confection derived from cocoa beans, milk and sugar. All over the world people love to indulge in chocolate, especially come Valentine’s Day. According to data from Leatherhead…