Click here for the entire e-newsletter President’s Message Dear Friends, For the first several months of 2018, almost all of Gareth Williams’ meals came from just a crockpot and toaster oven. Since early December, he had been living out…
Category: Education
Santa Paula Art Museum update for June 4
Artist Talk: Traveling with Paints, The Joy of Painting in Foreign Lands Saturday, June 16, 2018, at 2:00pm at the Santa Paula Art Museum. Admission to the talk is included with regular museum admission, which is $4 for adults, $3 for…
EDC-VC update for June 4
Click here for the entire e-newsletter President’s Message Bruce Stenslie May 10th was a red letter day as EDC-VC joined local officials, First 5 Ventura County and Gus and Alma Ferrel, owners of ABC Kids Preschool, to cut the ribbon at…
LULAC announces ExxonMobil/LNESC Scholarship Program Opportunity for students in Oxnard. See more LULAC news here
Deadline is June 29 OXNARD — The League of United Latin American Citizens this week announced the ExxonMobil/LNESC Scholarship Program Opportunity for students in Oxnard and elsewhere nationwide. Sponsored by the Exxon Mobil Corporation, the LULAC National Educational Service Centers (LNESC)…
Bilingual report: City of Oxnard Notice of Data Breach
OXNARD – The City of Oxnard takes seriously the security and protection of its customers’ confidential information. Last week, the city was alerted about unauthorized charges on credit cards used by customers to pay their utility bills. The following information outlines…
Guest commentary: The Death of Gracia Alkema
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 Rodolfo…
Oxnard and Port Hueneme Youth Invited to Attend Fun and Exciting Summer Camps
OXNARD — Registrations are now open for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme’s Summer Camp program, where kids can have fun with friends and learn at the same time. The summer program runs June 18…
Oxnard School District announces Summer Nutrition Program offered at select locations
OXNARD — The Oxnard School District’s Child Nutrition Services department will offer a Summer Nutrition program at five school sites and three community beginning on Monday, July 2, 2018 and ending on Friday, July 27, 2018. Studies show that children are…
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara update of May 31
Click here for the entire e-newsletter Summer 2018 is gearing up to be an exciting time at MCASB! Don’t miss your last chance to see Cecily Brown: Rehearsal and Bloom Projects Exchange Series: Midori Hirose, Of The Unicorn (and the Sundowner Kids) before we say goodbye on…
As Newly Appointed Assembly Banking Chair, Limón Advances Multiple Bills Securing Critical Protections for Consumers Seeking Capital
SACRAMENTO — Merely an hour after passing major legislation across the Assembly Floor that protects consumers from auto title lending practices that commonly result in borrowers losing their cars (AB 2953), Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) advanced additional consumer protection legislation in…
Limón Bill Ensuring Inclusive Emergency Communications Passes the Assembly Floor
SACRAMENTO — Assembly Bill 1877, a bill by Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) which requires natural disaster-related emergency communications to be made available in the most commonly spoken language other than English, just overcame a major legislative hurdle, passing the Assembly…
Museum of Ventura County update for May 31
Major funding for these programs is made possible by the City of San Buenaventura and the County of Ventura. Ventura Artist John Robertson’s Paintings Provide Background to Wearable Art Fashion Show Correction: A previous email listed John Robertson’s name incorrectly. We are…
Jackson Urges Congressional Courage to Stop Gun Violence
SJR 24 calls on Congress to reauthorize and strengthen the federal assault weapons ban and urges CalPERS to divest its gun holdings SACRAMENTO – A resolution by State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) urging Congress to reauthorize and strengthen the federal assault weapons…
SBCC Career Skills Institute 2018 Medical Assistant Graduates off to Great Things
SANTA BARBARA — Family and friends of 22 new SBCC Career Skills Institute Medical Assistant Program graduates cheered on the class during a May 10 ceremony and celebration at the Wake Campus. Over 85 percent of those who complete the…
CEC Launches Solarize Santa Barbara
Solarize program takes a new step to include energy storage options. Workshops to be held June 6, July 11 SANTA BARBARA — The Community Environmental Council (CEC) announced the launch of Solarize Santa Barbara – a community-led, solar group-purchasing program for residents…
San Marcos High School Students Ignite Passion for Foster Youth Through Student-Organized Foster Program
SANTA BARBARA — Students at San Marcos High School are creating excitement and bringing awareness to the ongoing needs of foster youth and it’s causing a ripple effect throughout the community. Not only that, but it’s having a huge impact…
Global Trade Experts Share Expertise, Resources at E-Commerce Summit
CENTRAL COAST — World Trade Month is celebrated across the globe each May, and the South Central Coast celebrated by bringing global trade organizations from across the region together on Friday, May 11 to help the local business community understand…
Carnegie Art Museum update for May 25
Click here for the entire e-newsletter CAM STUDIO GALLERY The first exhibit of photography and lens-based art by The Oxnard Plain Collective will open with a Reception on Thursday, June 7th from 5:30-7:30pm at CAM Studio Gallery beside the Carnegie Art Museum. The Oxnard Plain Collective…
Limón Bill Ensures Accountability for Harm Caused by Lead-Based Paint
SACRAMENTO — Assembly Bill 2803, a bill by Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) which seeks to hold paint manufacturers accountable for harm caused by lead-based paint production, just overcame a major legislative hurdle, passing the Assembly Floor on Monday, May 21st.…
50 Home Challenge Energy Champions Honored by Local Officials
SOLVANG — The first 50 Home Challenge – Solvang participants to complete extensive home energy efficiency projects recently celebrated the milestone with city and county officials at Solvang City Hall. Solvang Mayor Jim Richardson and Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann…
Global T Program Offers High School Teachers Interactive Lesson Plan on International Trade and Logistics
CENTRAL COAST — The T-Shirt that Travels the World™ module is a fun and interactive Global Trade & Logistics module for high school curriculum High school teachers looking to get an early jump on fall lesson planning may want to consider…
Rio School District Funds Summer Writing Program for 75 Students in Partnership with South Coast Writing Project of UCSB
OXNARD — Rio School District (RSD) is partnering with the South Coast Writing Project (SCWriP) at UCSB to fund a summer writing program for up to 75 students entering grades 3-9 in the district in September 2018. When: June 18-June 29, Monday…
SBCC Named #1 Community College by Value Colleges
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College has been named Number One of the Top 50 Best Value Community Colleges for 2018. Value Colleges, an organization that provides prospective students with a practical guide to the most financially sound investments…
Bilingual report: Oxnard Urges Residents and Businesses to Become more Energy Conscious and ‘Do Your Thing’***
OXNARD — Oxnard is urging all residents and businesses to become more energy conscious. The Oxnard City Council this week adopted a resolution to support a campaign by Energy Update California (EUC) called “Do Your Thing.” The campaign aims to motivate…
Ventura College announced Veteran’s Promise Applications Open
VENTURA — The VCF William and Helen Scarpino Veterans Promise is funded by donors who cover the costs of VC enrollment fees for the FIRST YEAR of U.S. veteran and U.S. active duty military students! This allows these students to reserve their…
Heather Castillo, CSU Channel Islands dance faculty who created ‘Arts Under the Stars,’ receives President’s Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning
CAMARILLO — She pulls together the campus-wide “Arts Under the Stars” program every year and still finds the energy to inspire her students by dancing onstage with singer Selena Gomez at the 2017 American Music Awards. And that’s just a fraction…
Rabobank’s Brae Grensky to Serve as Chair of the 2018 Santa Barbara Heart Walk
Santa Barbara Heart & Stroke Walk/Run will take place on Saturday, September 29 SANTA BARBARA — Rabobank Assistant Vice President, Banking Services Manager Brae Grensky will serve as Chair of the American Heart Association’s 2018 Santa Barbara Heart & Stroke Walk/Run for the first…
Carnegie Art Museum update for May 18
Click here for the entire e-newsletter Programs and Events CAM Book Club Join fellow art and book lovers at our next CAM Book Club discussion. Book selections focus on making connections with art and history inspired by current exhibitions…
Social Justice Fund for Ventura County update for May 18
Click here for more information We are writing to provide you with an update on our Implicit Bias grantees and their accomplishments. The Social Justice Fund made grants last year totaling $25,000 for projects dealing with Implicit Bias in Education.…
Sociology major’s research on “adulting” suggests Millennials are delaying marriage and home ownership
CAMARILLO — Growing up in Santa Barbara with five generations of women got 25-year-old CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Sociology senior Jazzmyn Martinez wondering about the changing definition of “adulting” through the decades. The research project she launched, called “When Adulting Gets Real: Examining…
Bilingual commentary: Secret of a Long Life
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local 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 •…
Jackson Bill to Help Montecito and Other California Homeowners Recover Mudslide Losses Passes off Senate Floor
SACRAMENTO — Legislation by State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), to help Montecito and other California homeowners whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by fire-induced mudslides, passed off the Senate Floor today on a 25 to 11 vote. Senate Bill 917 clarifies…
kidSTREAM to Make Lasting Positive Social and Economic Impact on Community, Study Says
CAMARILLO — KidSTREAM, an emerging children’s museum based in Camarillo, recently released the findings of two published studies that assessed needs and measured the expected economic and social impacts that would be created by the museum when in full operation. The…
Oxnard Salsa Festival update for May 16
Reserved Seating on Sale Now! 25th Oxnard Salsa Festival July 28-29, 2018 @ Plaza Park 500 S B Street, Oxnard CA 93030 GET CLOSER TO THE MUSIC! Reserved Table Seating and Club Salsa! Enjoy premium seating near the Festival dance floor and stage. Enjoy…
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County celebrates its biggest Golf Classic in 45 Years!
VENTURA COUNTY — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) on May 7 held its most successful Golf Classic since the first tournament in 1973, by grossing over $250,000. The Golf Classic is already BBSVC’s top-performing signature fundraising event, which delivers…
Ventura County Civic Alliance update for May 15
Livable Communities Newsletter Vol. 12, No. 46 May 2018 Quick Links – See the Current State of the Region Report – Last Quarter’s Newsletter Join us at the Ventura County Civic Alliance! Welcome to Our Spring 2018 Livable Communities Newsletter! This…
CSUCI’s international profile rises with Peace Corps recognition and Model UN awards
CAMARILLO — After graduating from CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) in 2017 with a degree in Psychology, Karina Casarez is now with the Peace Corps, living in the Bago region of Myanmar in a small town called Paungde. “Sometimes it’s still incredible for me…
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara announces changes to membership
Click here for the entire e-newsletter We are excited to let you know about some changes to MCASB Membership. Along with a logo refresh, we will be rolling out new membership options on May 17, 2018. Our new membership structure ensures a…
Teen holds book drive for young victims of Thomas Fire
VENTURA — In the wake of the Thomas Fire, Lydia Kresin, a 10th grader from Windward School in LA, talked to her friends about how they could help. Lydia contacted Susan Mikula, Children & Teen Services Manager at Ventura County…
Successful Community Partnerships Help Open New ABC Kids Preschool
OXNARD — ABC Kids Preschool recently held its grand opening on the campus of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme, 1900 West Fifth Street, Oxnard. ABC Kids Preschool is the fifth preschool to open as…
Summer Adventures for Adults Right Here at Home; Registration Now Open at SBCC School of Extended Learning
SANTA BARBARA — If a grand expedition or safari is out of the question this summer, SBCC School of Extended Learning is the perfect spot for adult students, professionals and retirees to fill their summer bucket lists. The benefits of…
Ventura County Civic Alliance update for May 11
Kirsten Barajas from Juan Soria Elementary in Oxnard named Teacher of the Year
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Office of Education is pleased to announce that Kirsten Barajas of Juan Soria Elementary School in the Oxnard School District is the 2018 Ventura County Teacher of the Year. Barajas and her students found…
Winners of the VC Innovates 2018 Pathfinder Awards Announced
CAMARILLO — VC Innovates 2018 Pathfinder Awards on May 10 were presented to this year’s most innovative educators, business and community partners for their support of Career and Technical Education. Twenty-five award recipients selected by each of the education partner school…
Santa Paula Art Museum update for May 10
Encourage Creativity Support Scholarships for Arts Education in Our Community A creative community is a stronger community. Did you know that 72% of today’s business leaders say that creativity is the number one skill that they are looking for when…
Ventura County Teachers Honored for Innovation in the Classroom
VENTURA COUNTY — Teachers from throughout Ventura County are being honored with $13,000 in grants for developing innovative lessons for their students. At a ceremony tonight in Oxnard, the Ventura County Office of Education presented 22 IMPACT II grants to 30 teachers from 12…
Moms will bring home newborns sporting red hats for a cause
The Children’s Heart Foundation Joins Forces with the American Heart Association Little Hats, Big Hearts Efforts in the Central Coast CENTRAL COAST — In honor of Mother’s Day, the American Heart Association and The Children’s Heart Foundation brings Little Hats,…
Florence Nightingale is Alive and Well at GranVida Senior Living and Memory Care
In honor of National Nurses Week from May 6th to May 12th, GranVida Senior Living and Memory Care is excited to highlight the contributions of Director of Resident Care Patricia Garcia CARPINTERIA — GranVida Senior Living and Memory Care nurse Patricia Garcia…
Santa Paula Art Museum update for May 5
Museum of Ventura County update for May 4
Major funding for these programs is made possible by the City of San Buenaventura and the County of Ventura. Kids Enjoy Music and Drawing at Museum’s Main Street Location Join us for Free First Sunday,May 6, at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E.…
May is Military Appreciation Month
VENTURA — Military Appreciation Month is a time for Americans to recognize those who have answered the call to serve their country. The country’s military personnel and veterans have endured difficult conditions to protect the United States and many have…
CSUCI student among 18 across the nation chosen for American Committees on Foreign Relations program
CAMARILLO — A CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) graduating senior is among 18 students nationwide who were chosen to participate in the American Committees on Foreign Relations (ACFR) Young Leaders Initiative in June. Communication major/Psychology minor Alexis Mumford, 22, will travel to Washington D.C.…
Student Entrepreneurs Impress at the 8th Annual Scheinfeld Center New Venture Challenge
SANTA BARBARA — Local student entrepreneurs dazzled both the judges and the packed SBCC Fé Bland Forum audience at the 8th Annual Scheinfeld New Venture Challenge business plan and pitch competition on Friday, April 27. Students from Santa Barbara City…
First 5 Ventura County Celebrates 20th Anniversary at State Capitol on May 2nd
F5VC Executive Director and Program Manager join three legislators in receiving awards for backing bills benefitting young kids SACRAMENTO — First 5 Ventura County celebrated the 20th anniversary of the statewide First 5 network with a Family Fun Day and awards presentation…
Santa Paula Art Museum to Launch Creative Classes in Summer 2018
SANTA PAULA — Explore your creative side! In summer 2018, the Santa Paula Art Museum will launch an innovative studio art program in its newly renovated Cole Creativity Center for children, teens and adults. Professional teaching artists will lead students…
Boys & Girls Club Announces New Director of Major Gifts & Resource Development and Director of Operations
OXNARD — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme announce two new employees, Nicole Eads is the new director of major gifts and resource development; and Ashley Lyden is the new director of operations. “Nicole and…
Second Grader From Art Haycox Elementary School Selected Winner of California Strawberry Festival 35th Anniversary Celebration Youth Art Contest
OXNARD — Out of 1,633 entries from kids in kindergarten through sixth grade, the creative strawberry design of 8-year-old Allison Chavez from Haycox Elementary School in Oxnard was selected as the grand prizewinner of the California Strawberry Festival 35th Anniversary…
Oxnard single-mom fosters nine teenagers in addition to her own sons, and shares her story for Foster Care Awareness Month in May
Oxnard Mother Answers the Call – Celebrating Foster Care Month. Aspiranet partners with families to provide support through foster care and adoption to help ensure success at home, at school and in the community. VENTURA COUNTY — It begins with “the call”…
Long Time Contributor to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley Takes the Helm
AGOURA HILLS — Driven by a need and passion to serve others, long-time contributor to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley, and local philanthropist, Linda Catlin now assumes the position of Board Chairman for the organization. Catlin’s participation…
Hospice of Santa Barbara Hosts Compassionate Care of Carpinteria Community Breakfast
SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara recently had the privilege of inviting its supporters and community members to its Compassionate Care of Carpinteria (CCC) Community Breakfast on April 26. Compassionate Care of Carpinteria is a new program that offers…


