By David Magallanes / Guest contributor Some time ago I felt completely inundated by mail, receipts and documents that I would receive — and, as a result, accumulate — day after day after day. The very volume of that paper was overwhelming…
Category: Cultural
Indigenous community to launch anti-bullying campaign on May 17
Indigenous Mexican leaders of Ventura County will publicly launch the “No Me Llames Oaxaquita!” (Don’t call me little Oaxacan!) campaign at a press conference at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 17 at the Center for Employment Training, 761 So. C St., Oxnard,…
8th annual Rebozo Festival, ‘Bringing Culture to Ventura County,’ set for May 20
Las Madrinas del Rebozo of Ventura County will be presenting their 8th Annual Rebozo Festival at the historic Camarillo Ranch House from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 20 in Camarillo. Las Madrinas, translated to “The Godmothers” are a…
Memo & Friends to perform May 20 at California Strawberry Festival
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 When the 29th annual edition of the California Strawberry Festival rolls around this coming weekend, the sounds of “Smooth Latin Soul & Raggae” will be heard from the Festival Stage come early Sunday…
El Concilio profile: Margaret Cortese
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories in May profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Service 2012 Latino Leadership awards — “Excellence in Education.” The awards gala will be held on Friday, June 1, 2012 at the Oxnard Performing…
Free Oaxacan dance performance set for 6 p.m. May 11
The Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project is co-sponsoring a free evening of Oaxacan dance, music, hot chocolate and bread with the Rio School District and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May…
Bilingual commentary: Children, schools and food
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor Children delight us, although at times they may bother or even anger us. But our children are our treasure, and nothing is more important than their upbringing and their health. The success of our efforts is…
LULAC urges public to attend May 10 Rio School District meeting
The League of United Latin American Citizens — District 17 — is urging the public to attend the next Rio School District board meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 10 to show support for three trustees who may face a…
CLU honors alumna for language work
Julie Sykes’ digital games immerse users in Spanish THOUSAND OAKS — The California Lutheran University Alumni Association Board of Directors presented the 2012 Outstanding Young Alumna Award to a University of New Mexico faculty member who uses technology to teach…
Capps announces $3.2 million in grants to Clinicas to expand health services
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) on Monday announced that Ventura-based Clinicas Del Camino Real has been awarded two grants totaling nearly $3.2 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to fund renovation and construction projects…
Commentary: Single-member district elections will better serve Oxnard
By Denis O’Leary / Guest contributor Be it a smiling teacher at the door as a child walks in the classroom, a new school site or solar panels on the playgrounds to generate clean electricity, there are many ways to educate the…
El Concilio profile: Oliva Barajas
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories in May profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Service 2012 Latino Leadership awards — “Excellence in Education.” The awards gala will be held on Friday, June 1, 2012 at the Oxnard…
Amigos805 goes on KPCC’s ‘Patt Morrison’ show on 89.3 FM to discuss Cinco de Mayo
Dr. David Hayes-Bautista and Amigos805’s Frank X. Moraga joined KPCC’S Patt Morrison on 89.3 FM in a discussion Friday on the true history behind Cinco de Mayo and the battle against big American marketing efforts to turn the holiday into ‘Cinco…
Amigos805 May print edition has hit the streets
The May print edition of Amigos805 has hit the streets in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Click on the image above to see a PDF of the edition.
Bilingual Commentary: Cinco de Mayo. Not Cinco de Drinko
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 A cultural battle is being waged on the streets of America and those fighting it must at times feel like the Mexican patriots on May 5, 1862 — shivering during a cold morning in…
Bilingual report: Briefs/Breves
COLLEGE ACCREDITATION VISIT: The Ventura County Community College District was visited by a site team from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges on April 16. The team was looking at the district’s…
Deadline approaches to RSVP for May 4 ‘Youth Empowerment Summit’ at Oxnard College
The registration deadline is Tuesday, May 1 for the annual “Youth Empowerment Summit,” which will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, May 4 at Oxnard College, 4000 So. Rose Ave., Oxnard, the Young Leaders Society reported…
Cinco de Mayo symposium set for May 4 at UCSB
The Symposium “Cinco de Mayo: Twenty-First Century Perspectives,” will be presented from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 4 at the University of California, Santa Babara in Mosher House — Alumni Hall. Presented by 150 De Mayo Puebla Defensa…
Cuban combo Tiempo Libre headlines Ventura Music Festival’s outdoor jazz concert on May 6
Group’s signature high-voltage fusion sound was developed while listening to forbidden American music growing up in Havana VENTURA — Three-time Grammy-nominated Cuban jazz combo Tiempo Libre will headline Ventura Music Festival’s annual Sunday afternoon outdoor jazz concert on May 6…
Free dental clinic in Santa Barbara draws large crowd on April 28
Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics hosted a free dental clinic on Saturday, April 28 where attendees were offered free dental services, which included cleanings, fillings, and extractions, the medical provided reported in media release. Due to the overwhelming need for affordable…
Montalvo Elemenary School student wins Strawberry Festival’s youth art contest
VENTURA — Eight-year-old Alys Campos, a second grade student at Montalvo Elementary School in Ventura, has been declared the winner of the 2012 California Strawberry Festival Youth Art Design Contest, sponsored by Valu Plus Food Warehouse, Festival Chairwoman Daisy Tatum…
Carmen Ramirez to hold campaign kick-off event on April 26 in Oxnard
Oxnard City Councilmember Carmen Ramirez will officially begin her campaign for mayor of Oxnard with a press conference at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, April 26 in front of the Oxnard Public Library, 251 So. A St., Oxnard. “I believe I can continue…
Conference for Social Justice in Education to be held April 28 at CSU Channel Islands
The School of Education at CSU Channel Islands will present the 4thAnnual Conference for Social Justice in Education on Saturday, April 28 at the university. The daylong conference, free and open to the public, is to showcase the social justice…
‘Open Eyes Art Project’ to hold first wall installation on April 29 in Oxnard
Downtown Center for the Arts and the Oxnard Downtown Management District to celebrate first in planned series of public wall art installations during 4th Annual Wine & Art Walk OXNARD — A digitally produced mural of an original art work will…
Carmen Ramirez enters Oxnard’s mayoral race
Oxnard City Councilmember Carmen Ramirez has declared her candidacy for mayor of the city of Oxnard. She made her official announcement on the David Cruz show on KOXR AM-910 on Monday, April 23. “I have decided I want to throw my hat in…
Thank you for supporting our May print edition of Amigos805
Dear reader, Thank you very much for supporting our efforts to make Amigos805 your key source of news for and about the vibrant Latino community in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. Your reaction to our first…
Commentary: The morning run
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor Every day we read or hear that we as Americans must be doing more exercise if we are to ward off some pretty serious issues, such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and an entire litany…
Commentary: When stress eats holes in your brain
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor It sounds like something out of science fiction, but this is no Sci-Fi novel where Zombies eat brains. A recently released Yale University study, says that stress causes the brain to shrink. Houston neuroscientist and author…
Oxnard College to present Ballet Folklórico Mestizo performance April 20-21
Oxnard College to present the 31st anniversary performance of the Ballet Folklorico Mestizo — a cultural fusion of indigenous and European influences in dance and music, organizers reported in a media release. The program features traditional dances from six regions…
Flamenco Arts Festival to present ‘Concierto Para Los Niños’ on April 21
The Flamenco Arts Festival will present its annual “Concierto Para Los Niños” at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at the Marjorie Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota St., Santa Barbara. Shirin Rajaee, anchor/reporter at KEYT, will serve as master of ceremonies in…
Children’s Day/Dia de los Niños set for April 21 in Oxnard
Children’s Day, Dia de los Niños, with the Mixteco/ Indigena Community Organizing Project!, will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at Harrington Elementary School, 2501 Gisler St., Oxnard, the organization reported recently in a media release. MICOP…
Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet to perform April 20-22 in Santa Barbara region
¡Viva Arte de Santa Barbara! will present Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company with free performances at 7 p.m. Friday, April 20 at Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Road, Goleta; at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at Guadalupe City Hall,…
Free folklorico dance workshop set for April 22 in Santa Barbara
A free “Folklorico Dance Workshop with Grandeza Mexicana” will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 22 at Casa de La Raza, 601 E. Montecito St., Santa Barbara. The workshop is presented by Casa de La Raza and ¡Viva…
New video produced of Prom Dress Project distribution
Nancy Michelle Rodriguez reports that more than 500 prom dresses, a new record, were collected and presented to young women during a fitting held recently at Pacifica High School in Oxnard. “I’d like to thank those of you who donated…
Easy way to get email updates from Amigos805
Now there is an easier way to sign up for the Amigos805 enewsletter if you are seeking regular email updates on issues and events for and about the vibrant Latino community in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. Just…
Arts in Public Places RFP workshop set for April 14 in Oxnard
The Black and Brown Youth Arts and Cultural Alliance will hold a Request for Proposal workshop for Arts in Public Places (AIPP) projects in Oxnard at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 14 at the Acuna Gallery @ Café on A, 438…
Commentary: The elephant in the room — Chronic unemployment
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor No one wants to look at it. After all, maybe it will just go away. We avoid even mentioning it, lest we give it power, lest it be true. If we do discuss it,…
Four Oxnard teens enhance leadership skills at National Keystone Conference
OXNARD — Four members of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme (BGCOP) were among the more than 1,500 teens who recently attended the National Keystone Club Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, the organization reported in…
Bell Arts Factory celebrates First Friday with art exhibit, reception
Works of artists Andrea Vargas, Jon Nelson, Pricisila Cisneros and Ryan Carr were showcased when the Bell Arts Factory presented “Ventura’s New ARTist City” on April 6 in Ventura. On exhibit will be some of ventura’s best young artists Their…
Santa Paula celebrates first ‘Cruise Night’ of the season
From the muscle cars of the ’60s and ’70s, to vintage Model A Fords — Santa Paula celebrated in style when it held its first “Cruise Night” of the season on Friday, April 6 throughout downtown Main Street. From 10th…
Community celebrates Easter
A number of churches and organizations celebrated the Easter holiday this past weekend in the 805 region. Besides activities at the churches, community members also took to the street to highlight the religious holiday. A small group of individuals demonstrated…
Bilingual report: Teatro holding sushi fundraiser on April 9 in Oxnard
Teatro de las Américas will be present its next sushi fundraiser at 7 p.m. Monday, April 9 at Genmai Sushi, 3623 W. Fifth St., Oxnard. “Meet the cast of “Zapatera; meet friends of Teatro; enjoy good food and have a…
CSU Channel Islands celebrates ‘Noche de Fiesta’
Brazilian music, regional Latino food and dancers created a colorful atmosphere in Malibu Hall at California State University, Channel Islands, when students presented the seventh annual “Noche de Fiesta” on Wednesday, April 4. The diversity of the Latin American cultures…
Commentary: Media panel persecution (I mean, candidates panel presentation)
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 It was certainly an educational meeting for us all at the Latino Issues Forum, held Thursday, April 5 in a hotel ballroom in Oxnard. The forum, featuring questions put to candidates for the 26th…
Latino Issues Forum set for 6 p.m. April 5 in Oxnard
Join us in a historic event which will help decide who is elected to represent Ventura County in the U.S. Congress, the League of United Latin American Citizens reported in a media release. Clinicas Del Camino Real, LULAC, Latino Town…
Community turns out to pay respect to Raymond ‘Porky’ Duran
Hundreds of friends, La Gente car club members and members of the community gathered on Wednesday, April 4 to pay their respects to Raymond “Porky” Duran, who died unexpectedly. The funeral mass was held at Santa Clara Church near downtown…
Commentary: What do daughters want?
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor My daughter is my emotional salvation. I don’t know where my perspective in life would be centered without her existence. She is the center of my emotional mass, very much the heart of my…
UCSB sociologist to give ‘Plous’ lecture on crime and desistance among marginalized youth
SANTA BARBARA — Victor Rios, associate professor of sociology at UC Santa Barbara and a specialist in the interplay between institutions of social control, juvenile crime, and gang-associated youths, will give the Harold J. Plous Award Lecture on Wednesday, April 18, the university…
Gutierrez captures spirit of César Chávez Celebration
Friend of Amigos805 Jess Gutierrez (photographer, writer, publisher and all things local Latino media) was busy Sunday, April 1 capturing images at the 16th annual César Chávez Celebration, which began with a mass for field workers at Cristo Rey Church, 531 Cooper Road in…
Community comes out in force for 50 awards at Chávez celebration
Community members crowded around a makeshift stage at the playground of César Chávez School in La Colonia as the United Farm Workers Union honored 50 community members and organizations during the celebration. Below are a few images from the celebration.…
KFI AM640 adds ‘The David Cruz Show’
LOS ANGELES – America’s top-rated talk radio station has added The David Cruz Show to its line-up and will start airing the program Sundays 6 to 8 p.m. The multiple Emmy-Award winning network television journalist and former NBC4 TV News Anchor…
Capps celebrates César E. Chávez’s birthday
“César Chávez’s campaigns for farm worker justice changed the face of agriculture in this country, by improving living standards for migrant workers, reducing the use of harmful chemicals on farms, and awakening Americans to the process by which agricultural products…
Amigos805 print edition is now hitting the streets — See distribution list
Click on image above for PDF version of the April 2012 edition of Amigos805 Hello everyone. The bilingual print edition of Amigos805 is now hitting the streets. Click here for our distribution list, which is growing by the hour In…
Commentary: In honor of César Chávez Day
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier/Guest contributor On Monday, March 26, 2012, Secretary of Labor, Hilda L. Solis, hosted the Induction of the Pioneers of the Farm Worker Movement into the Labor Hall of Fame and the naming of the César E. Chávez…
MICOP to hold meeting on March 31 in Oxnard
The Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project will present its next monthly community meeting on Saturday, March 31 at Harrington Elementary School, 2501 Gisler St. in Oxnard. “If the weather is nice we plan on having the children outside, so if you…
César Chávez Celebration set for April 1 in Oxnard
The 16th annual César Chávez Celebration, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the United Farm Workers union, will begin with a mass at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 1 at Cristo Rey Church, 531 Cooper Road in La Colonia neighborhood of Oxnard. The march…
Commentary: My Role Models — Teenage Entrepreneurs
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor Last month I wrote about my visit to Solvang and how I watched what books my hand went for in the book section of a store that sold mystical items (candles, crystals, amulets, etc.).…
Tequila tasting on tap for ‘Pacifica High School PTSA Fundraiser’ on March 23 in Oxnard
The second annual “Pacifica High School PTSA Fundraiser” will be held Friday, March 23 at Sugar Beets Restaurant, 455 So. A St., Oxnard. Dinner, tequila tasting, dessert, dancing and a silent auction are scheduled for this event ($40 per ticket),…
Commentary: Time to celebrate the life of César Chávez
By Denis O’Leary / Guest contributor This year marks the 50th anniversary of the United Farm Workers. Oxnard has benefited greatly, as has the nation from the advocacy and laws that have come about from the UFW. César Chávez was the catalyst…
Mariachi Los Comperos de Nati Cano to perform free concerts March 23-25 in Santa Barbara
¡Viva Arte de Santa Barbara! will present Los Camperos de Nati Cano with free concerts at 7 p.m. Friday, March 23 at Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Road, Goleta (805-893-5037); 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24 at Guadalupe City Hall,…
‘Latin Lit Lovers’ celebration set for March 24 in Ojai
‘Latin Lit Lovers Mexican Dinner Buffet,’ a celebration of the great works of Latin writers de romance, folkloricos, ficcione, prosa & poesia from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24 at Los Caporales Resturant & Bar, 307 E. Ojai Ave.,…
‘Dance Across the Divide’ performance set for March 24 at Oxnard College
“Tapestry,” Education & Awareness Woven Together By Innovative Choreography — the 2012 debut performance ($30) will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, 4000 So. Rose Ave., Oxnard. Contact Amy Edwards at 805-986-5800, or…
CEDC receives certificates of occupancy for 18 farmworker apartments in Oxnard
VENTURA —The Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. in Ventura announced on Thursday that it has received “certificates of occupancy” from the City of Oxnard for its newest affordable, apartment community for farmworkers, Camino Gonzalez. The $9.5 million project, located on a…
Bilingual report: Free citizenship fair set for March 17 in Santa Barbara
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, in partnership with Santa Barbara City College, will provide a free “Naturalization Information Session” for legal permanent residents and interested naturalization applicants from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 17 at the Selmer O.…
Chicano artist Leo Limón celebrated in book released by UCSB’s CEMA
SANTA BARBARA — The life and work of the prolific and socially conscious Chicano artist Leo Limón is the focus of a book recently published by UC Santa Barbara’s Chicano Studies Institute and the California Ethnic and Multicultural Archives (CEMA),…