> CSU Channel Islands’ Martin V. Smith School of Business and Economics will hold its final Spring 2014 Speakers Series program with a presentation by Joe Schroeder, president/CEO of Ventura County Credit Union, from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, May…
Category: Business
Bilingual commentary: Internet marketing — The new frontier
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 We…
April cover story: Empowering youth, adults through education
Ventura-based GOCARE Inc. seeks to expand its efforts to business education in Nicaragua By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 Nicaragua is the poorest country in Central America and the second poorest in the Western Hemisphere. Much of the nation’s infrastructure was…
Local
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara), along with many of her colleagues, demanded that the House of Representatives vote on a comprehensive immigration reform bill by signing a discharge petition on H.R. 15, the bipartisan Border Security, Economic…
Business: Regaining your work-life balance
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Balancing work and family life is a major challenge for many professionals. Many established professionals find it stressful to juggle the demands of successful careers with the obligations they have to their families and regaining…
Local business information
> Allan Hancock College to present its second annual “54-hour Startup Weekend Santa Maria” on April 4-6. “Bring your business idea, and we’ll help make it happen,” said Anne Cremarosa, director, Small Business Entrepreneurship Center, and one of the organizers…
Chicana and Chicano Studies scholar to receive II Galardón Don Luis Leal
UCSB’s María Herrera-Sobek is the first woman to be so honored By Kateri Wozny / UCSB María Herrera-Sobek, professor of Chicano and Chicana Studies at UC Santa Barbara, has been named to receive the II Galardón Don Luis Leal…
Bilingual commentary: Leaping over the wage gap
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…
Rigoberto Vargas, Marvelle Berry appointed to board of Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme
OXNARD — Rigoberto Vargas and Marvelle Berry have appointed to board of Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme, the organization reported this week in a media release. Vargas is public health director at the Ventura County Health…
March cover story: Health care issues take centerstage
Affordable Care Act March 31 deadline, new health agency chief and health plan’s improvement of services top the list By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 With the deadline looming for open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace, the announcement of…
Business: Improving office productivity
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Productivity is paramount to a company’s success. A productive staff tends to meet or even exceed its goals, strengthening a company along the way. As a result, business owners often find themselves looking for ways…
More local business information
> California Lutheran University will present “The Equipped Mind,” a free public workshop to help entrepreneurs deal with the psychological issues that come with launching new businesses, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 9, in Lundring Events Center on…
Leah Lacayo elected president of Ventura County Fair board
VENTURA — The board of directors of the Ventura County Fairgrounds has elected Leah Lacayo president, the organization reported in a media release. The board also elected Bonnie Weigel vice president. Lacayo is serving her second appointment to the board of…
Guest commentary: Obamacare — Greed and Health Care gap
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 In…
Business: What are consignment shops?
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Consignment stores have grown in popularity in recent years, particularly among bargain hunters. In addition to offering great deals, such shops also buy clothing, giving shoppers a chance to make a little money when retiring…
More local business information
> Dave Power, founder of J.D. Power and Associates, will be the first speaker in the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics at CSU Channel Islands’ Spring 2014 Speaker Series, “Lessons from Successful Entrepreneurs and Executives,” from noon…
More local financial news
> California Lutheran University this summer will open a Westlake Village center to house a new business incubator and provide expanded facilities for its Community Counseling Center and School of Management, the university reported in a media release. At the…
Bilingual commentary: The Demise of the Mall?
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…
Bilingual report: Rep. Brownley reports on $1.5 million in overdue federal benefits delivered to Ventura County
THOUSAND OAKS – In the year since Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) took office, Brownley and her staff have successfully delivered $1.5 million in overdue federal benefits to her Ventura County constituents, Rep. Brownley reported Friday in a media release.…
El Concilio wins award from Bank of America
OXNARD — El Concilio Family Services in Oxnard was selected by Bank of America for a $3,000 award to support its effort to enhance the community, El Concilio reported in a media release. “El Concilio relies on the contributions of committed…
Business: 4 Steps to becoming a Certified Personal Trainer
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Kelly Smith was like most young moms —she struggled with her weight after having her second child, but eventually managed to shed the pounds through setting and achieving fitness goals. But the triumph of getting…
Local business information
> CSU Channel Islands will host Federal Reserve Economist Gary Zimmerman from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16 in the university Grand Salon in Camarillo. Zimmerman, senior economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, will discuss the bank’s…
Rep. Brownley announces $850,000 in funding for Clinicas del Camino Real to improve health access
VENTURA COUNTY — Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will receive more than $850,000 in funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Community Health Center Program, Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village), reported in a media release. Through its 13…
Assemblymember Das Williams recognized for work on Gold Coast Transit District bill
OXNARD — Gold Coast Transit (GCT) awarded Assemblymember Das Williams a special proclamation and his very own GCT bus stop sign at the Nov. 6 board of directors meeting in recognition of his leadership and sponsorship of Assembly Bill 664, the…
Local news
Santa Barbara County Second District Supervisor Janet Wolf recently visited the Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL) at SBCC Wake Campus, where she met staff and teachers and toured the campus with CLL Executive Director Andy Harper. Supervisor Wolf visited CLL…
Bilingual commentary: On strike for more pay
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 On…
Bilingual commentary: The Importance of becoming a webmaster
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 Many…
Guest commentary: The Affordable Care Act: What is it?
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 Robert Freeman / CenCal Health…
Cover story: Migrant students introduced to college life
CSU Channel Islands hosting its first Migrant Summer Leadership Institute By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 Building multidimensional shapes out of plastic tubing and using Mentos and soda to propel race cars. While at first glance the exercises seem like children’s…
Growing share of Latinos get their news in English
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The language of news media consumption is changing for Hispanics: a growing share of Latino adults are consuming news in English from television, print, radio and internet outlets, and a declining share are doing so in Spanish,…
Bilingual commentary: Careers and jobs in a technical 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 David Magallanes / Guest contributor Not…
Trula Breuninger named new interim CEO at Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics (SBNC) has announce the appointment of Trula Ann Breuninger, MPH, MBA, as interim CEO, the organization reported Thursday in a media release. Breuninger’s extensive experience as a leader of community health, as well as…
Network of Emerging Leaders (NEL) to hold monthly reception on July 19 in Oxnard
OXNARD — NEL (Network of Emerging Leaders) will hold its free monthly social gathering from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 19 at 5th St. Steak & Seafood, 231 W. Fifth St., Oxnard. “The Network of Emerging Leaders is a group of…
Bilingual report: Farmworker Fair to be held on July 21 in Oxnard
OXNARD — The California Employment Development Dept. will present the 6th annual “Farmworker Fair — Feria Campesina” from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 21 at the EDD office/West Oxnard Job & Career Center, 635 So. Ventura Road, Oxnard. The…
‘Dia de las Comidas’ fundraiser for Hospice of Santa Barbara to be held on July 11
SANTA BARBARA — The third annual “Dia de las Comidas” will be presented from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 11 by Hospice of Santa Barbara Inc. Three popular family-owned restaurants will open their doors to support Hospice’s Latino…
SCORE Ventura Hispanic Program to present free workshop, mixer on June 20
OXNARD — The SCORE Ventura Hispanic Program to present a free workshop, mixer from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20 at The Kitchen, 529 So. A St., Oxnard. The Best of SCORE Expo for business owners and startups will feature…
Network of Emerging Leaders (NEL) to hold inaugural event on June 21
OXNARD — NEL (Network of Emerging Leaders) will hold its inaugural free event from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 21 at 5th St. Steak & Seafood, 231 W. Fifth St., Oxnard. “We are a group of young and excited young…
Response to Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics appeal provides much needed ‘Shot in the Arm’
Outpouring of financial and community support to avert local healthcare crisis is helping, on multiple levels SANTA BARBARA — After an urgent announcement to the community two weeks ago about Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics’ (SBNC) current financial challenges, members of…
El Concilio Family Services presents 2013 Latino Leadership Awards
Click on photo to see a slideshow from the event. OXNARD — El Concilio Family Services held its 24th annual Latino Leadership Awards on June 7, 2013 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Awards went to Haida Jimenez, (a counselor…
Ventura County internship program gives students head start for career in public works
VENTURA — In an effort to introduce students to the different facets of public works and nurture interest in civil engineering, Ventura County offers a student internship program with the ultimate goal of students transitioning into professional public works careers.…
Women’s Economic Ventures celebrates 80 SET graduates
Next Santa Barbara orientations for its Self-Employment Training (SET) program to be held June 13, 25 SANTA BARBARA — Women’s Economic Ventures recently held a graduation ceremony at the Montecito Country Club in honor of 80 new local entrepreneurs (40 from Santa Barbara County)…
Guest commentary: The American nightmare — Death of the peasant landlord
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 When…
El Concilio profile: Ventura County Mexican American Bar Association
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Service 2013 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Friday, June 7, 2013 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. The event is…
Women’s Economic Ventures to present small business workshop in Spanish on June 6
SANTA BARBARA — Women’s Economic Ventures, in collaboration with the Housing Authority of Santa Barbara, will present a workshop in Spanish providing training on the most important aspects of starting and running a successful small business from 6 to 8:30…
Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinic’s financial challenge
Board reviewing options this month to keep health care provider in business By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 A cancer prevention fair providing free screenings at Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinic’s eastside location drew more than 350 people in May 2012.…
CEDC, VCCDC to host ‘Community Resource Fair’ on June 1
CEDC event celebrating Homeownership Month will feature home-buyer education workshops, and foreclosure prevention workshops VENTURA — Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. (CEDC) and Ventura County Community Development Corp. (VCCDC) NeighborWorks® HomeOwnership Center will host its annual NeighborWorks® Week event on Saturday,…
Bilingual commentary: The nature of work
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 In…
El Concilio to present free legal fair on June 1
OXNARD — El Concilio Family Services will present a free legal fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 1 at 301 So. C St., Oxnard. Free legal consultation will be available for: Financial plannning Personal injury Immigration Restraining…
Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics issues urgent appeal to avert local healthcare crisis
Leadership reports on current financial challenge and steps toward sustainability SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics (SBNC), which for 40 years has provided essential medical and dental care to patients, regardless of their ability to pay, is facing a financial…
Oak Park’s De Castro named to the ‘California Super Lawyers’ list
OAK PARK — David M. De Castro has been named to the California Super Lawyers list as one of the top attorneys in California for 2013. No more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by…
Rigoberto Vargas named Public Health Director for the Ventura County Health Care Agency
VENTURA COUNTY — Rigoberto Vargas, 44, has been promoted to Public Health Director for the Ventura County Health Care Agency, the agency reported in a media release. The announcement comes as the Ventura County Public Health Department celebrates National Public…
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County’s Bowl for Kids’ Sake raises $60,000
Big Brothers Big Sisters’ fundraiser connects caring community with Big Brothers Big Sisters youth mentoring programs VENTURA COUNTY – Bowl for Kids’ Sake, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ signature fundraiser nationwide, recently raised more than $60,000 for the youth mentoring programs…
Time to gather your information before April 15 tax day
Free preparation service available for low-, moderate-income earners By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 The hours are ticking away until midnight Monday, April 15. So where are you in the preparation of your 2012 tax return? Yes, some overly ambitious souls…
Deadline approaching for El Concilio’s annual Latino Leadership Awards nominations
Nominations will close at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30 for El Concilio Family Services 24th annual Latino Leadership Awards, the Oxnard-based organization reported this weekend. El Concilio has expanded the criteria beyond education for the annual awards to be presented June 7,…
Bilingual report: New laws — Driver’s licenses for young immigrants and more
More than 500 new laws, ranging from driving to marriage and online privacy, greet California residents starting Jan. 1, 2013 By César Arredondo / Amigos805 More than 500 new California laws go into effect in 2013 — more than 200…
Bilingual commentary: Baby steps
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor When I was younger (and more foolish), night would come and once again I would question why I dared to think that I could do it all. Like the superwoman who believes that she can…
First ‘Longevity’ meeting of year set for Jan. 2
VENTURA — A free meeting at which anyone can learn about longevity with good health will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2 at 702 County Square Drive, Ventura, organizers reported in a media release. This meeting has…
Time running out to submit news, calendar events for January print edition
The deadline is noon Friday, Dec. 28 to submit news releases, calendar events for possible inclusion in our 10,000-copy January print edition. The edition is distributed throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Send your submissions to fmoraga@amigos805.com
FOOD Share inches closer to overall goal to raise 200,000 pounds of food
Regional food bank and The Collection at RiverPark’s first annual Can Tree Collection drive garners support from community, raised 57,000 pounds of canned food for hungry VENTURA COUNTY — Oxnard’s newest outdoor shopping and dining destination, The Collection, during Dec.…
Ros of Lamia Financial to rejoin board of Partnership for Philanthropic Planning of Greater Los Angeles
THOUSAND OAKS — Juan C. Ros, CFP®, a wealth manager and philanthropic specialist with Lamia Financial Group, LLC, in Thousand Oaks, will rejoin the board of directors of the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning of Greater Los Angeles (PPP-LA), Lamia reported Thursday…
Public Utilities President Mike Peevey to speak at CI’s Lacayo Institute on Dec. 10
CAMARILLO – The Lacayo Institute for Workforce & Community Studies at CSU Channel Islands (CI) will host its first Lacayo Forum on Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, featuring Michael R. Peevey, President of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The Lacayo…
CLU gets $1.6 million Upward Bond grant
THOUSAND OAKS — The U.S. Department of Education has awarded California Lutheran University a $1.6 million grant to continue and expand its TRIO Upward Bound Math and Science Center over the next five years, the university reported Thursday in a…
Santa Barbara: Housing Authority opens new affordable housing development
SANTA BARBARA — The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara, community leaders and invited guests celebrated the grand opening – and ahead-of-schedule completion – of the Bradley Studios, the organization reported in a media release. Since January, the Housing…
Bilingual report: Oxnard officially launches Spanish broadcast of city council meetings
OXNARD — In an effort to reach Spanish speaking residents, provide easier access to information about city government, and create an inclusive decision making process for all residents of Oxnard, the City of Oxnard will officially begin broadcasting city council…
Time running out to submit holiday events for our December print edition
Due to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday weekend, we will be moving up our deadline to include all your upcoming holiday and other calendar events in our Dec. 1 print edition of Amigos805. Please submit all your events, news, photos as…