By Fred Alvarez • California Lutheran University The sun is slowly sinking behind Oxnard’s Del Sol Stadium and the hometown Guerreros have taken the field, zipping through their pregame soccer warm-ups. A boom-ch-boom-chick reggaeton beat bumps through the loudspeakers, and the souvenir shop…
Category: Education
VCCDC receives $40,000 from Wells Fargo to help families in Ventura County achieve homeownership and financial stability
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) was recently awarded a $40,000 grant by Wells Fargo Bank for its Changing Lives Through Homeownership Program which provides homebuyer education and counseling services to low-to moderate income families in Ventura and Santa Barbara…
Sept. 15 — Celebrate Chicano Culture with the Museum of Ventura County’s Ayer y Todavía
VENTURA — Experience Chicano culture and history, as well as current struggles and social issues, as seen through the eyes of Chicano artists in Ayer y Todavía, opening Friday, Sept. 15 with an evening of art and music, 6 to…
Sept. 16 — Join MCASB for the Opening of Guatemala from 33,000 km
Click here for the entire e-newsletter Miki Garcia, Executive Director, and Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara Board of Trustees invite you to celebrate the opening of Saturday, September 16, 2017 In Conversation: Co-Curators Miki Garcia and Emiliano Valdés, 4:30 –…
Sept. 28 through Oct. 1 — Flamenco Arts Festival 2017 returns to Santa Barbara
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Featuring. Compañía Patricia Guerrero in the U.S. Premiere of UPCLOSE SANTA BARBARA — “Join us for the 18th season of the Flamenco Arts Festival in the City of Santa Barbara, where breathtaking natural beauty meets a rich reflection of…
Museum of Ventura County to present ‘Chicano Art Panel: The Stories Behind the Art’ on Sept. 28
VENTURA — The Museum of Ventura County will present “Chicano Art Panel: The Stories Behind the Art” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28 at 100 E. Main St., Ventura Artists Wayne Healy, Ignacio Gomez, David Botello and Margaret Garcia…
Sept. 29 through Oct. 1 — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara! announces Buyepongo: Traditional sounds of Central America + Los Angeles Sonic Diversity = Tropical Cumbia Dance Party!
Warm up with free cumbia dance class before each show Summary: Los Angeles- based group specializing in cumbia and Afro-beat music from the coasts of Central America Three opportunities to see them for FREE: Friday, September 29, 7 pm, Isla Vista…
Oct. 1 — Parallel Stories: Richard Rodriguez in Conversation at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Sunday, October 1, 2:30 pm Parallel Stories: Richard Rodriguez in Conversation Timed to coincide with the Getty initiative Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA, the far-reaching and ambitious consideration of Latin American and Latino art in dialogue with Los Angeles taking place…
Registration has begun for English as a Second Language — Basic English class at Oxnard College
OXNARD — Registration begins July 17 for “English as a Second Language — Basic English” class at Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. Free books, free tutoring available. Classes begin Aug. 14. For more information, please contact us at 805-678-5907…
Sept. 1 — ‘¡Ay Chihuahua, A Mariachi Musical!’ performance at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center
VENTURA — “¡Ay Chihuahua, A Mariachi Musical!,” A benefit performance for the Ventura College Foundation, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, Ventura College Performing Arts Center. The foundation offers more than $300,000 per year in scholarships to Ventura College Students. Sponsored by…
Carnegie Art Museum update for July 30
These art exploration classes help kids explore the tools artists use to build works of art from line to texture and everything in between. In each session, students are introduced to one or two building blocks and a different technique…
VCCCD and Santa Paula Unified School District Enter Dual Enrollment Partnership Agreement
CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) and the Santa Paula Unified School District (SPUSD) established a College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) partnership agreement under the regulations of Assembly Bill 288 (AB 288). Effective Jan. 1, 2016, AB…
Bilingual commentary: Education — An Accelerating Divide
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 /…
Museum of Ventura County: A message from the Interim Executive Director
With deep gratitude to our community, I’m delighted to report to you that (July 25) the Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved a one-time contribution of $125,000 to help fund the Museum of Ventura County’s reorganization plan to stem a five-year…
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing to Establish Onsite Learning Centers at Two New Affordable Housing Projects with $60,000 Grant from the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) will establish onsite learning centers at two of its new affordable housing projects with help from a recent $60,000 grant awarded by the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara. PSHH creates affordable housing, educational, health…
Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau update for Aug. 1
Click here for the entire e-newsletter How to have a perfect day at the Ventura County Fair!Want to avoid at least one long line? We recommend that you… Buy your tickets ahead of time! You can buy both ride and…
Santa Barbara Museum of Contemporary Art update for Aug 1
Click here for the entire e-newsletter UPCOMING EVENTS Curated Cocktails: Summer Nights with KCRW Thursday, August 3, 7 – 9 pm MCASB Upper Arts Terrace Enjoy the beauty of warm summer nights, art, and music with a live set…
City of Oxnard Cultural and Community Services update for Aug. 2
DEPARTMENT NEWS 2017 FALL / WINTER REC GUIDE The 2017 Fall/Winter Issue of our Recreation Guide will be available soon. This guide covers programming from September 2017 through January 2018. A digital version is currently available online…
SBCC EOPS Summer Bridge Program Graduation on Aug. 3
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College’s Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) will hold a graduation ceremony for over 125 students who have completed the Running Start, SPARC and Transition Programs. The SBCC EOPS Summer Bridge Graduation will be held on…
SBCC Message from the President — July 2017
Message from the President – July 2017 In the early years, California’s community colleges were very much local community schools. The students were from local neighborhoods; the funding was from local sources; and the trustees, administrators, faculty, and…
Dr. Rodolfo F. Acuña publishes new book: ‘Assault on Mexican American Collective Memory 2010-2015: Swimming With Sharks’
Dr. Rodolfo F. Acuña, author of the classic “Occupied America,” has published his latest book: “Assault on Mexican American Collective Memory 2010-2015: Swimming With Sharks.” This book uses a micro-narrative structure to explore the assault on the collective memory of Mexican…
Registration Now Open for Fall Classes at SBCC School of Extended Learning including classes through the Center for Lifelong Learning
This fall, the School of Extended Learning offers more than 800 classes, including many Center for Lifelong Learning classes! SANTA BARBARA — Trace the footsteps of the “Kings of Swing,” perfect your tandoori chicken recipe and discover your new passion…
Bilingual commentary: Goodbye to a Poet
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 /…
CSU Trustees approve next phase of University Glen on CSUCI campus
Museum of Ventura County — Your Support Makes a Difference
As you may have read recently in the Ventura County Star or Pacific Coast Business Times, the Museum of Ventura County is at a critical financial crossroads. We must secure significant financial support if we are to continue operations and…
Upcoming events at the Carnegie Art Museum
The class will focus on learning about the Zapotec weaving history, design elements and weaving process. Students will work on a hand loom to create a small weaving using plant and insect dyed yarn by master dyer Juana Gutierrez. Student’s…
Dancing With Our Community Stars VOTE TODAY!
Community leaders will dance for the greater good during the 2017 Dancing with our Community Stars Dance Contest and Charity Fundraiser taking place Sunday, July 30th at 1pm. The 2017 line-up will take to the dance floor to raise much-needed funds…
National Science Foundation awards CSUCI grant to cultivate math teachers
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) graduate and undergraduate students who would like to teach high school math will soon be able to apply for $10,000 scholarships, thanks to a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF recently awarded CSUCI…
RISE Launches Public Awareness Campaign
New resources help make the connection between health and relationships SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — RISE is proud to announce the launch of its latest public awareness campaign focused on the relationship between health and experiences of sexual assault/abuse and intimate partner…
Aspiring engineers in CSUCI’s Summer Bridge program to test the strength of their spaghetti bridges
CAMARILLO — After a month of study on various aspects of engineering design, physics and teamwork, 40 aspiring engineers from Hueneme High School will test their skills by building a bridge out of dry spaghetti, then seeing how much weight it…
EDC-VC Business Line: President’s Message
Click here for the entire e-newsletter President’s Message Bruce Stenslie It’s good news that increasingly we’re seeing national media and politicos as well as corporate leaders championing the value and return on investment for early child education. Consider, for example,…
Aug. 5 — Mixteco/Indígena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) to present annual ‘Night in Oaxaca’
OXNARD — The Mixteco/Indígena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) invites the Ventura County community to join in our seventh annual “Night in Oaxaca” celebration on August 5th from 6-9 pm at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. With trilingual interpretation into Spanish, English…
Aug. 23 — El Centrito Family Learning Centers to hold Executive Director Meet & Greet / Open House
OXNARD — El Centrito Family Learning Centers will hold an Executive Director Meet & Greet / Open House at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23 at 450 S. K St., Room 111, Oxnard. Learn all about El Centrito Family Learning Centers Programs…
Aug. 24 — Bilingual report: Farmworker Fair in August– Feria Campesina en Agosto
OXNARD — FARMWORKERS! . . . JOIN US FOR THE FARMWORKER FAIR – FERIA CAMPESINA ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, FROM 1 P.M. TO 4 P.M. AT THE AMERICA’S JOB CENTER OF CALIFORNIA, 2901 NORTH VENTURA ROAD IN OXNARD. DON’T MISS THE…
Ventura College Foundation appoints Anne King Interim Executive Director
VENTURA — The board of directors of the Ventura College Foundation named Anne Paul King as its interim executive director following the resignation of Norbert Tan, effective July 7. King previously served as the Foundation’s development director for the past three…
Accreditation Reaffirmed for Santa Barbara City College
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College received reaffirmation of its accreditation status from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) earlier this month. “I am very pleased that Santa Barbara City College received full reaffirmation of its accreditation…
KCLU journalist wins 3rd national award
Society of Professional Journalists honors fire story WASHINGTON, D.C. — KCLU Radio News Director Lance Orozco received a national award for excellence in journalism on Friday. Orozco picked up the 2016 National Society of Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi Award for…
Oxnard Public Library-sponsored Architecture Tour of Heritage Square to be held July 26
OXNARD — In line with the Oxnard Public Library adult summer reading program where we celebrate those who make our world a more interesting, livable, and beautiful place, we will have an opportunity to take a wonderful docent-led tour on…
Porfirio Gutierrez, artist, master weaver and advocate named CAM Studio Artist in Residence
CAM STUDIO ARTIST IN RESIDENCE Porfirio Gutierrez, artist, master weaver and advocate comes from a long line of traditional Zapotec weavers from Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca, Mexico where his family is still dedicated to this art. He divides his time …
State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson’s Bill to Ensure Healthy After School Program for Kids Advances
SB 55 seeks to build on an existing program created by Jackson legislation to prevent childhood obesity SACRAMENTO – A bill by State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) to extend a program that encourages healthy eating and exercise in California’s after school programs…
Santa Barbara Bowl Announces Spring 2017 Grant Awards
Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation awards over $112,000 to Santa Barbara County performing arts programs as part of its Spring 2017 Education Outreach Grant Program. Santa Barbara, CA, (June 22, 2017) – The Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to…
Oxnard Salsa Festival announces ‘Dancing With Our Community Stars’
Dancing With Our Community Stars VOTE TODAY! Community leaders will dance for the greater good during the 2017 Dancing with our Community Stars Dance Contest and Charity Fundraiser taking place during the 24th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival. The 2017 line-up will…
Bilingual report: Academia de Verano para Jóvenes / The Youth Summer Academy
La academia busca a los estudiantes con el deseo de beneficiarse en su futuro
Bilingual report: Children´s drawing contest 2017: ‘The Monarch Butterfly and its lifecycle in North America’
XXI CHILDREN´S DRAWING CONTEST 2017 “ESTE ES MI MÉXICO” CONTEST Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IME) is pleased to invite you to participate in the XXI Children’s Drawing Contest “Este es mi México”, with the…
Bilingual report: Call for submissions for the Indigenous Literature of America award
Querida Comunidad, La Dirección General de Cooperación Educativa y Cultural tiene el agrado de transmitir la convocatoria al Premio de Literaturas Indígenas de América (PLIA) emitida por la Secretaría de Cultura del Gobierno de la República, el Instituto Nacional de…
Summer Camp at Santa Paula Museums (July 31 through Aug. 4) Offers Adventure in Art and Science
SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Art Museum and the California Oil Museum are teaming up to launch a new summer camp in downtown Santa Paula for children in grades K-5. The week-long Museum Exploratory Summer Camp will be held July 31,…
United Way of Ventura County announces new home at Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation
CAMARILLO — There are many caring nonprofits throughout Ventura County, but one of the leaders is Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC). A long-standing partner with United Way to champion the underserved, CEDC will now house the 72 year old nonprofit at…
State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson Praises Budget That Invests In Strong Future For All Californians
SACRAMENTO – (June 15), the California Legislature passed the 2017-18 state budget. The budget now heads to the Governor for his signature. In response, State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) released the following statement: “Today, we passed a budget that is…
Pacific Coast Business Times announce Latino Business Awards winners. Celebration is July 20
July 20 from 5:50-7:30 p.m. at Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR’S WINNERS: Arturo Hernandez Ventura County Community College District Danna Tejada-Baquero Cuesta College William Flores Antioch University Santa Barbara Veronica Guerrero California Lutheran University April Sanchez VCCF Scholarship…
Commentary: Anticipatory Grief is an Often Overlooked Emotional Stage
Anticipatory grief can be as painful and challenging as the grief felt after the death of a loved one SANTA BARBARA — Those of us who have a loved one who is seriously ill or elderly may show specific symptoms of…
Santa Barbara City College announces new Educational Programs Leadership, other positions
Santa Barbara City College is pleased to announce new leaders in some of our Educational Programs. As a result of various retirements, the College has been recruiting for several new staff and faculty positions as well as leadership within Educational…
Not Too Late to Join! Braille Institute Spring/Summer Classes Underway
Free, innovative classes open to residents throughout Santa Barbara with vision loss due to conditions like Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma, Cataracts and Retinitis Pigmentosa SANTA BARBARA — Braille Institute Santa Barbara may be well into its Spring/Summer term of classes,…
UCSB announces winners of Thomas More Storke Award and other top university prizes
Winners include Paola Dela Cruz-Perez, Kelli L. Forman, Felipe O. Infante, Alejandra Martinez-Ramos By Shelly Leachman • UCSB For their scholastic achievement, their extraordinary service to the university and the community, and their personal courage and persistence, three graduating seniors at UC Santa…
Santa Barbara City College launches the School of Extended Learning
Dr. Melissa V. Moreno appointed to serve as Vice President Santa Barbara City College is pleased to proceed with a reorganization of our existing noncredit and fee-based programs to better meet the needs of our community. These programs are being…
AMAE Honors Outstanding Graduating Seniors
OXNARD — The Association of Mexican American Educators (AMAE), Oxnard Chapter, is proud to honor two outstanding high school seniors for their academic and community accomplishments. Honorees are Jose Orlando Chacon Cerriteno, student at Hueneme High School, and Juan Carrillo, student…
Bilingual commentary: Targeting Women and Girls
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…
Rio Mesa High School Takes Top Honors at the Third Annual ‘Sweets by the Beach’ Student Culinary Competition Held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Mandalay Beach Resort
OXNARD — Rio Mesa High School was awarded the grand prize, winning first place at the recent Third Annual ‘Sweets by the Beach’ Student Culinary Competition held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Mandalay Beach Resort in Oxnard. Three groups, who…
July 22 — Bilingual report: Teatro de las Américas to present Acting Workshop / Taller de actuación
¡Una gran oportunidad aprender de un maestro de teatro! A great opportunity to learn from one of masters of theater! ACTING WORKSHOP FOR TEATRO’S ACTORS James Donlon, Director of Men on the Verge of a His-panic Breakdown starring…
Through July 28 — Bilingual report: Teatro de las Américas to present workshop for children, youth
OXNARD — Doing theater has many benefits, especially for children and youth because it increases confidence in expressing themselves in social and learning situations. Doing theater in Spanish is also advantageous because it enhances development in the young brain when it…
Oxnard Salsa Festival (July 29-30) announces entertainment lineup
Entertainment Lineup Announced! Don’t miss your opportunity to purchase seats or tables ONLINE for the Friday Night Kick-Off Concert featuring Leslie Paula with special guest Yari More! Get them now or it’s first-come, first serve at the gate on Friday night. Plus get…

