By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 Following a police shooting earlier this year in La Colonia neighborhood of Oxnard, residents faced the situation with anger, fear and frustration. But group decided to take the situation and use it as one…
Category: Cultural
Travel commentary: They keep coming back for more — Rancho de Chimayó, New Mexico
By Stacey Wittig / Vagabonding Chica – Travel Writer Pale pink, lighter than the color of ballet slippers, is not a color that I expect to find in a Mexican restaurant. Yet I am sitting outdoors at a table dressed…
Teatro de las Américas inaugurates new theater in Oxnard with two short plays
OXNARD — Teatro de las Américas inaugurates its new theater in Oxnard with two short plays by Oscar Liera: “El gordo / The Big One” & “La pesadilla de una noche de verano / Midsummer’s Nightmare.” Teatro de las Américas…
Guest commentary: The Inconvenient truth — Erasure of memory
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 Every…
Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara begins July 31
SANTA BARBARA — The 89th annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta in Santa Barbara will be presented from July 31 through Aug. 4 in downtown Santa Barbara. The event features the opening “La Fiesta Pequeña” at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, musical…
CSU Channel Islands to host Migrant Summer Leadership Institute
More than 100 students and 40 parents from all around California will learn about college in multi-day residential institutes CAMARILLO – CSU Channel Islands will host its first Migrant Summer Leadership Institute (MSLI) for migrant high school students and their parents from Friday,…
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,…
Oxnard writers earn fellowship, awards
OXNARD — Two Oxnard writers received fellowships and an award from “A Room Of Her Own,” (AROHO) Foundation. Florencia Ramirez received the Gift of Freedom $5,000 award for her creative non-fiction work. Mona AlvaradoFrazier received the Courage Fellowship Award. These…
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…
Guest commentary: Sometimes you have to shout to be heard
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 Why…
Tito Puente Jr. to kick off Oxnard Salsa Festival entertainment on July 26
OXNARD — Tito Puente Jr. will kick off the Oxnard Salsa Festival’s line up of entertainment with a Friday Night Concert from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 26 at Oxnard Plaza Park, 500 So. C St., Oxnard. The son…
Bilingual commentary: Sunshine: Friend or foe?
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: Por eso estamos como estamos
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 A…
Celebration to honor Public Health Director Vargas set for July 18 in Oxnard
OXNARD — A Celebration to honor recently appointed Ventura County Public Health Director Rigoberto Vargas will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 18 at Downtown Sol, 328 W. Third St., Oxnard. Sponsored by the League of United Latin…
Leslie Paula & the Latin Soul Band to perform July 20 in Ventura
VENTURA — Music Under the Stars in Ventura will present Leslie Paula & the Latin Soul Band from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 20 at the historic Olivas Adobe, 4200 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura. The entire series will be…
Old Spanish Days’ ‘La Fiesta del Museo’ set for July 20 in Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA — Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara will present its annual “La Fiesta del Museo” from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 20 at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, 136 E. De La Guerra St., Santa Barbara. Dinner…
Flamenco dance performance to be held July 20 in Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA — The Marjorie Luke Theatre in Santa Barbara will present ‘Romeria de Verano 2013’ from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 20 at 721 E. Cota St., Santa Barbara. Students from the Linda Vega Dance Studio and ¡FLAMENCO! Santa…
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…
Bilingual commentary: Dancing into middle age
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 My…
PODS Mini Art Galleries popping up in Ventura
Hover over each image to see a description. VENTURA — ArtWalk Ventura’s pop-up PODS® Mini Art Galleries are a new addition to the local art festival this year, PODS reported in a media release. Artists are actively transforming 16 PODS® containers from…
Guest commentary: Erosion of respect for the law
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 It…
Region provides new Mexican cónsul challenges, opportunities
Large territory, limited funds are some obstacles for Mexican national community By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 As the crow/seagull flies, it’s almost 200 miles between Point Mugu and Paso Robles. That is almost as far (215 miles) as from…
Groups in region to benefit from Oxnard Salsa Festival dancing fundraiser
OXNARD — Several local community groups, including the Rebozo Festival and Teatro de las Américas, will benefit from the 2013 “Dancing with our Community Stars Dance Contest & Charity Fundraising” taking place during the annual Oxnard Salsa Festival, July 27-28…
Commentary: July offers some entertainment, lots of help
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 The summer months are always a challenge for folks. Who would want to be cooped up in offices? It’s time for summer vacations, time to be outside to enjoy beautiful weather and get away…
Commentary: Spain pilgrimage draws seekers
By Stacey Wittig / Vagabonding Chica – Travel Writer Discovery is what I love most about traveling. When I have a tentative agenda, I have time to stumble upon new places. Once on foreign soil, I seek out events or…
Peers honor A to Z Law paralegal with countywide award
OXNARD — Arnold LaRochelle Mathews VanConas & Zirbel LLP (A to Z Law) recently announced that Maria Godinez has been named Paralegal of the Year by the Ventura County Paralegal Association. Godinez, who works primarily with the Oxnard firm’s Probate and Estate…
Guest commentary: A Never Ending Story
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 There…
Huckleberry Finn figures prominently in new book by UCSB expert in immigration law, policy
SANTA BARBARA — This is the overarching question that frames John S.W. Park’s new book, “Illegal Migrations and the Huckleberry Finn Problem” (Temple University Press, 2013), and it’s a question that has confronted many American citizens time and again throughout…
Bilingual report: Mexican Consulate to hold book donation ceremony on June 27
OXNARD — The Mexican Consulate in Oxnard will hold its annual book donation ceremony at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 27 at Juan Lagunas Soria Elementary School, 3101 Dunkirk Drive, Oxnard. More than 40 educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, community centers, churches, clubs…
Guest commentary: Summer Reading-Latino Lit Lista
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editors 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 The…
Pew Hispanic Center reports on diverse origins of Hispanics
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The nation’s Latino population is diverse. Represented among the 51.9 million Latinos in the United States are individuals who trace their heritage to more than 20 Spanish-speaking nations worldwide. But one group — Mexicans — dominates the nation’s…
Bilingual commentary: Knowing oneself
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 Across…
Guest commentary: Why Mexicans don’t trust government
“No hay mal que dure cien anos, ni cuerpo que lo aguante” 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…
Deadline is June 20 to register for ‘Young Writers Camp” in Ventura, Santa Barbara counties
The deadline to register is June. 20 for South Coast Writing Project presents “The 2013 Young Writers Camp” July 15-26 at UC Santa Barbara and California Lutheran University, July 15 through Aug. 1 at Oxnard and Ventura colleges. The students, third…
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…
‘Festival Guelaguetza Oxnard’ to be held June 23 at Plaza Park
The Organizacíon Cultural Oaxaqueña Ñuu Savi will present “Festival Guelaguetza Oxnard” from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 23 at Oxnard Plaza Park, 500 So. C St., Oxnard. The free event features Balet Folklorico Nueva Antequera, Los Diablos de…
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…
Guest commentary: A father’s wail — Why do you kill my son?
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 Two of…
Bilingual report: Registration open for ‘Creative Writing in Spanish’ class in Santa Maria starting June 18
SANTA MARIA — A new “Creative Writing in Spanish” class will be offered from June 18 through July 9 through Allan Hancock College Community Education in Santa Maria. In the class, students create and share their own writing with other students in English…
Immigration reform talk to be held June 12 in Newbury Park
NEWBURY PARK — Maricela Morales, deputy executive director of the Central Coast Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE), former mayor of Port Hueneme and daughter of immigrant parents, will speak about he current U.S. House and Senate immigration bills and…
Services for Johnny ‘Tony’ Barrios to be held June 11
VENTURA — Johnny “Tony” Barrios, a Ventura native, who received a Bronze Star in World War II, raced Olympic champion Jesse Owens on horseback and ran Tony’s Pizzaria in downtown Ventura for more than 50 years died May 26, at home…
UC Santa Barbara to present ‘Latina Mother / Adolescent Daughter Communications’ program on June 10
SANTA BARBARA — The Gevirtz Graduate School of Education at UC Santa Barbara will present a free “Latina Mother / Adolescent Daughter Communications” lecture by Dr. Laura Romo from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, June 10 at Faulkner Gallery, Santa…
Pew Hispanic Center releases report: ‘Inside the 2012 Latino Electorate’
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A record 11.2 million Latinos voted in the 2012 presidential election, but Latinos’ voter turnout rate continues to lag other groups significantly, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data released this week by the…
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…
Bilingual commentary: Back to where we came from
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…
Commentary: Discover Tucson’s Triple Crowned Casino del Sol
By Stacey Wittig / Vagabonding Chica – Travel Writer Forbes Travel Guide, creators of the original Five-Star ratings system and leading travel authority recently announced that Casino Del Sol in Tucson has received three top rankings for their hotel, Hiapsi…
Guest commentary: Chingaderas — It’s the system stupid
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…
Rebozo Festival Inc. to kick off Salsa Festival dance fundraiser with wine tasting on June 4
OXNARD — Rebozo Festival Inc. will kick off Salsa Festival dance fundraiser with a wine tasting from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 4 at Downtown Sol, 328 W. Third St., downtown Oxnard. Rebozo Festival Madrina and Salsa Festival Community Star…