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."

Local health information

> The Ventura County Health Care Agency provides a calendar of upcoming health events, including flu clinics during February, at http://www.vchca.org/events  En español           > Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will provide information on Covered California and free health…

UCSB is officially recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities

University joins Riverside, Santa Cruz and Merced campuses as Hispanic-Serving Institutions By Andrea Estrada / UCSB For as long as she can remember, Jocelyn Ramirez enjoyed tinkering with electronics and, in general, figuring out how things work. So as a Paloma…

Guest commentary: Reflections on the Chicano Art Movimiento — A primer

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 LATEST…

Adolfo Camarillo High School Mariachi program is seeking donations

Friends of Adolfo Camarillo High School Mariachi: Economic times such as these reduce government funding. Budgets cuts have cost the school system millions of dollars. Groups such as the ACHS Mariachi must raise most of their funding on their own.…

Bilingual commentary: Free community college — Doing our homework

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 Certainly,…

UCSB Multicultural Center to present discussion on ‘Mass Deportation and Global Capitalism’ on Jan. 27

SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Multicultural Center to present discussion on ‘Mass Deportation and Global Capitalism’ at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27 at the MCC Lounge. In the spring of 2014, President Obama’s administration reached a landmark of more than…

Guest commentary: The Beginning of the end of the public university

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. “The best of times …the…

Guest commentary: Debt peonage of a new sort

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 Frank P. Barajas / Guest contributor…

Guest commentary: Conscientious objector

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 contributo My brother…

Daniela Ramirez reports on fundraising campaign to launch ‘Eco AlterNATIVE tours: Indigenous Owned Business’

OXNARD — “We are excited to share with you our dream of launching Eco alterNATIVE Tours Sierra Tarahumara, an Indigenous Cultural Tour Company! We have launched a fundraising campaign to start this amazing project,” Daniela Ramirez reported in a media release.…

Bilingual commentary: Dante’s View: A hellish beauty

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 One…

UCSB Multicultural Center to present Cup of Culture film screening of ‘Who is Dayani Cristal?’ on Jan. 21

SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Multicultural Center to present Cup of Culture film screening of ‘Who is Dayani Cristal?’ at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 at the MCC Theater. Following a team of dedicated staff from the Pima County Morgue in…

Guest commentary: Paris is the ‘Capital of the World’ …

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 An…

Women’s Economic Ventures to hold free Spanish-language Self-Employment Training orientation sessions in Ventura County on Jan. 17, 20 and 27

VENTURA COUNTY— Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) Women’s Business Center is holding free informational orientation sessions in Ventura County to help you determine your readiness for one of WEV’s business courses, the organization reported in a media release. Orientation is required…

Bilingual commentary: The new age of marketing

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 Much…

Guest commentary: Report Card

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. Should Latinos get a pass…

Comedian Cristela Alonzo to perform in Oxnard on Jan. 16

OXNARD — Comedian Cristela Alonzo, star of ABC’s “Cristela” sitcom, will appear at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the Oxnard PACC…

Friends of Ben Saiz establish Ben Saiz Memorial Scholarship through the Ventura College Foundation

VENTURA — Friends of Ben Saiz have established the Ben Saiz Memorial Scholarship through the Ventura College Foundation, organizers reported in a media release. Please help us with a tax-deductible donation, or please forward to anyone who may be interested in…

Bilingual report: emPower hosts Spanish language home energy workshop on Jan. 12 in Oxnard

OXNARD — emPower Ventura County invites local Spanish speaking homeowners to learn how emPower can help them access easy and affordable home energy upgrades during a free dinner workshop from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12  at the Oxnard Public Library, Salon B,…

Bilingual report: The Wellness Center / El Centro de Bienestar in Oxnard to launch Latino Indiginous Program in Spanish starting Jan. 13

OXNARD — The Wellness Center / El Centro de Bienestar in Oxnard will launch a Latino Indiginous Program in Spanish from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting  Jan. 13 at 2697 Saviers Road in the Centerpoint Mall, Oxnard.…

Forum on ‘California Crossroads Tour: Taking Back our Health and Communities’ to be held Jan. 14 in Oxnard

OXNARD – “When Governor Jerry Brown began his historic fourth term this month, he vowed to position California as a leader in the fight against climate change, in part by moving the state to 50 percent renewable energy by 2030.…

Bilingual commentary: Immigration — Our grand national dilemma

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 Yes,…

Local News

CAMARILLO — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County is celebrating January’s National Mentoring Month with a new Match Story each week, highlighting four successful mentoring relationships in Ventura County. The first match story features Micah Garside-White, who was 12…

Finance: How senior donors can avoid scams

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Con artists masquerading as charities can victimize anyone, but seniors are especially vulnerable to such criminals. Men and women who perpetrate charitable fraud often target older men and women, feeling that seniors are more likely…

Local business information

> State Treasurer John Chiang to be keynote speaker at Economic Development Collaborative — Ventura County annual meeting from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15 at the Spanish Hills Country Club, 999 Crestview Ave., Camarillo. Chiang will talk about…

Health: Immunizations important for adults, too

By Metro Editorial Services (MS) New parents can easily become overwhelmed by the number of pediatrician visits their children need. By the time a child celebrates his or her fifth birthday, he or she has seemingly been administered dozens of…

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 January in Ventura County. Visit http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2015-01 to find times, dates and locations.   > The Ventura County…

Bilingual commentary: Walking in front of cars

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…

Armando Durón to discuss the art of Gilbert ‘Magu’ Lujan at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula on Jan. 8

SANTA PAULA — Chicano art collector and expert Armando Durón will discuss his relationship with the late artist Gilbert “Magu” Lujan over the course of several decades, as well as interpreting the artwork of Magu currently on view from the…

VCCCD Board to confirm Luis Pablo Sanchez as Moorpark College president

VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees will consider action to confirm Luis Pablo Sanchez, JD, LLM, as President of Moorpark College at its public meeting on Jan. 20, district officials reported Tuesday, Dec. 23 in…

Guest commentary: The Si Se Puede Bucket List ‘2015’

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 LOVE LIFE:…

Letter from Supervisor Zaragoza

As the year 2014 comes to a close, I want to express my gratitude; I am very thankful for the opportunity to serve the residents and businesses of the Fifth District as your representative on the County Board of Supervisors.…

Bilingual commentary: Our Star in the East

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…

Extraordinary service at El Centrito wins Ventura County mother prestigious volunteer award

OXNARD — Maria Teresa Torres, a parent and volunteer, has received The Carl & Roberta Deutsch Foundation’s prestigious Halo Award for her outstanding service with El Centrito Family Learning Centers, the organization reported this week in a media release. For her work training parents…

Guest commentary: Mexico — U.S. San Ysidro Border

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 It began…

Women’s Economic Ventures honors Spanish Self-Employment Training fall graduates

Next orientation begins Jan. 6 SANTA BARBARA — A ceremony was recently held in honor of 12 new local entrepreneurs who graduated from the Spanish Self-Employment Training Course offered by Women’s Economic Ventures’ (WEV) Women’s Business Center, the organization reported…

Bilingual commentary: Mexican Jewish Roots

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 “Where…

MICOP to present ‘Pasatono Orquesta’ at Oxnard College on Dec. 15

OXNARD — The Mixteco / Indígena Community Organizing Project, the Latino Performing Arts Institute at Oxnard College and the Oxnard College Arts Collaborative will present “Pasatono Orquesta” at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Building,…

Guest commentary: Stupid America! Student unrest

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. How Chicanas/os lost their swagger…

Bilingual commentary: Ancient Greek telenovelas

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 A…