Category: Cultural

Bilingual commentary: On César Chávez Day, let us continue his fight for justice and opportunity for all

By State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson / District 19 SACRAMENTO – “This weekend, across California and the nation, we will remember the extraordinary life and contributions of César Chávez. As president of the United Farm Workers, Chávez shone a national spotlight on the…

Bilingual commentary: Lost …

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 At…

Santa Paula High School, Latino Town Hall to present two-day leadership conference on March 25-26

SANTA PAULA — Santa Paula High School, Latino Town Hall and other community partners will be hosting a two-day leadership conference during spring break for 100 students from the Santa Paula community on Tuesday, March 25th and Wednesday March 26th,…

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…

Bilingual report: UFW founder Dolores Huerta partners with Covered California to promote Latino enrollment

Human Rights Activist Featured in Radio Ads and Video Urging Californians to Sign Up for Health Insurance Coverage SACRAMENTO — Covered California™ announced that Dolores Huerta, co-founder of United Farm Workers and a longtime civil rights leader, will appeal to…

Bilingual commentary: Music by which we grieve

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…

Oxnard College to present ‘Latinologues’ on March 12

OXNARD — The Oxnard College Literature, Arts and Lecture Series will present “Latinologues” from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 12 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, 4000 So. Rose Ave., Oxnard. Award-winning actor-writer-director-producer-comedian Rick Najera will entertain the…

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…

Guest commentary: Access — Coming Home

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 I…

Castañeda appointed as new executive director of El Centrito Family Learning Centers

OXNARD — The Board of Directors of El Centrito Family Learning Centers in Oxnard has announced the appointment of Joseph A. Castañeda as its executive director, the organization reported in a media release. Castañeda will lead the organization’s team in delivering…

‘From Hell to Healing — The Art of Vietnam Vets’ opening reception to be held at Bell Arts Factory on March 7

VENTURA — The City of Ventura, the Big Read and Bell Arts Factory will present “From Hell to Healing — The Art of Vietnam Vets” featuring the works of Vietnam veterans Jess Gutierrez, Orlando Menchaca, James Graca and Michael Arndt from 5:30…

Las Contemporañeas at the Museum of Ventura County to present inaugural Latina Short-Film Festival on March 8

VENTURA — Las Contemporañeas at the Museum of Ventura County will present the inaugural Latina Short-Film Festival (LSFF) on Saturday, March 8. The LSFF begins with a dessert and champagne reception from 6:30-7:15 p.m. followed by an award to keynote speaker,…

‘Beyond the Latino Sports Hero: The Role of Sports in Creating Communities, Networks and Identities’ to be presented in Simi Valley on March 8

SIMI VALLEY — CSU Channel Islands will present the Spring Lecture Series talk “Beyond the Latino Sports Hero: The Role of Sports in Creating Communities, Networks and Identities” at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 8 at the Simi Valley Public Library,…

‘Latinologues’ to be held at Oxnard College on March 12

 OXNARD — The Oxnard College Literature, Arts and Lecture Series will present “Latinologues” from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, 4000 So. Rose Ave., Oxnard. Award-winning actor-writer-director-producer-comedian Rick Najera will entertain the audience with monologues…

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…

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…

Bilingual commentary: Desiderata — Part VII Achievements and Plans

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 American…

Ramon Ayala to perform on Feb. 21 at the Majestic Ventura Theater

VENTURA — The Majestic Ventura Theater will present Ramon Ayala in concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21 at 26 So. Chestnut St., Ventura. Tickets are $49 to $80. Call 805-653-0721 or visit http://www.venturatheater.net/event/435641-el-gran-silencio-inspector-ventura/ for more information.

Comedian Gabriel ‘Fluffy’ Iglesias to perform Feb. 22 at Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA — Comedian Gabriel ‘Fluffy’ Iglesias to perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 the Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St., Santa Barbara. Iglesias is launching his 2014 world tour, “Unity Through Laughter” with stops across the U.S. and internationally…

Institute for Latino Performing Arts to present CBS Diversity Comedy Showcase on Feb. 22 at Oxnard College

OXNARD — The Oxnard College Institute for Latino Performing Arts presents “CBS Diversity Comedy Showcase” on Saturday, Feb. 22  in the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center Auditorium, 4000 So. Rose Ave., Oxnard. There is a 6 p.m. reception, followed by the main…

Guest commentary: Tickets now available for inaugural Latina Short Film Festival on March 8

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 Mona AlvaradoFrazier/ Guest contributor Las…

UCSB Conference on Feb. 21-22 to examine the historiography of the Chicano Movement

Special guest panel will discuss ‘The Blowout Generation and Sal Castro’ By Andrea Estrada / UCSB In March 1968, thousands of Chicano students walked out of their East Los Angeles high schools to protest decades of inferior or discriminatory education…

Bilingual commentary: The enduring symbolism of roses

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 Valentine’s…

CSU Channel Islands’ Pilar Pacheco receives statewide award for excellence in community engagement

CAMARILLO — Pilar Pacheco, associate director of the Center for Community Engagement at CSU Channel Islands, has earned a prestigious statewide recognition for her impact on service-learning and campus-community partnerships throughout Ventura County and the CSU system, the university reported Thursday in…

Angeles Small named executive director of Social Justice Fund for Ventura County

CAMARILLO — Angeles Small has been named executive director of the Social Justice Fund for Ventura County, the organization reported in a media release. Small has more than 15 years of experience in the management and development of organizations in United…

Bilingual commentary: Desiderata — Part VI — Comparing ourselves

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…

¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! to present Perla Batalla in free concerts Feb. 7-9

SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! presents Grammy-nominated vocalist Perla Batalla and her combo in free family concerts at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 at Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Road, Goleta (805-893-5037); 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 at…

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…

UCSB to honor ‘City of Night’ author John Rechy with Luis Leal Award for Distinction in Chicano/Latino Literature

SANTA BARBARA — Novelist John Rechy is this year’s recipient of the UC Santa Barbara’s Luis Leal Award for Distinction in Chicano/Latino Literature, university 0fficials reported in a media release. The award will be presented during a ceremony at 4 p.m.…

Guest commentary: Agrarian Year Up program would benefit area youth, restore Ormond Beach

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 We at…

Bilingual commentary: Young Latinos and the New Economy

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 The…

CSU Channel Islands’ Antonio Jiménez Jiménez named administrator of the American Translators Association’s Educators Division

CAMARILLO — Antonio Jiménez Jiménez, Associate Professor of Spanish at CSU Channel Islands (CI), has been named administrator of the American Translators Association’s (ATA) Educators Division. Based in Alexandria, Va., the ATA is the nation’s largest professional organization for translators and interpreters, with…

Jan. 31 nomination deadline approaching for El Concilio’s Latino Leadership Awards

OXNARD — The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31 to submit nominations for the 25th annual El Concilio Family Services’ Latino Leadership Awards, to be presented at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 31 in Oxnard. “Since 1990, El Concilio Family Services has recognized…

Guest commentary: Chrysler’s follow up to “To the Farmer in All of Us’ Superbowl commercial needs to be more inclusive

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…

Hospice of Santa Barbara to present bilingual support groups for parents, children starting in Feburary

SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara will present free support groups, in both English and Spanish, for adults and caregivers of bereaved children and teens every Wednesday from Feb. 19 through April 9, the organization reported Tuesday in a media release. 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…

Consulate of Mexico and the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking to hold forum on Jan. 23 in Oxnard

OXNARD — Consulate of Mexico and the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking will hold forum “Abolish Salvery & Trafficking of People and the Signing Ceremony of MOU” from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23  at El Alfarero Assembly of…