Editor’s note: Well, that was easy. Opened up my early ballot form, selected my candidates and propositions, sealed it and dropped it off at the local election office. Your turn! By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 One sentence stands out…
Category: Education
SBCC’s Scheinfeld Center partners with Pelican Products for their Global T Immersion Micro-Internship Program
SANTA BARBARA — On November 10, Santa Barbara City College’s Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, along with its business partner, Pelican Products, hosted 22 Hawthorne Math & Science Academy High School students and staff, for a Global T Immersion Micro-Internship.…
SBCC Career Skills Institute Partners with Local Industry to Provide Free Career Advancement Training to Employees and Job Seekers
Over 25 certificate programs deliver huge return on small investment of time SANTA BARBARA – The growing need for competitive skills in the local and global economy has placed mounting pressure on job seekers, business owners, and employees. The Career Skills Institute…
UC Santa Barbara undergraduate one of only 10 college students nationwide selected as a Frederick Douglass Global Fellow
By Shelly Leachman / UCSB It’s a long way from Wilmington to London. But Georgina Aguilar will soon make the trek from her home city of nine square miles and 57,000 people to 600-square-mile London, nine million people strong. And…
emPower Continues Celebrating Energy Action Month Beyond October
VENTURA — With Energy Action Month in October coming to a close, emPower Central Coast is challenging the community to continue taking care of the little loose ends that together are having real consequences on home energy bills. Energy Action Month…
U.S. Dept. of Education awards CSU Channel Islands $6 million grant to promote STEM education
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CI) has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education for nearly $6 million to help Hispanic and low income students gain greater access to a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The grant is…
Guest commentary: History of Professors — Stories to Connect with Students, especially First Gens. Part 1
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. Frank P. Barajas. Courtesy photo.…
RISE Receives $20,000 Grant from The Mary Kay Foundation to Help Maintain Critical Shelter Programs
Domestic Violence Shelters Nationwide Receive $3 Million in Unrestricted Funds SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY – During Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, RISE received a $20,000 unrestricted grant from The Mary Kay Foundation to help combat domestic violence and provide…
El Concilio Family Services announces nominations now open for 28th annual Latino Leadership Awards
OXNARD — El Concilio Family Services has announced that nominations are now open for 28th annual Latino Leadership Awards. We are asking for award nominations of individuals or businesses that have made an outstanding contribution in enhancing the educational experience of…
Spring Registration for SBCC Career Skills Institute Opens Dec. 13
Spring Semester features more than 50 classes and the opportunity to earn Digital Badges in 19 career advancement areas SANTA BARBARA — SBCC Career Skills Institute is pleased to announce that registration begins December 13 for over 50 short courses…
Homeowner Workshop on Dec. 6 Provides Tips for a Warm and Efficient Home
SANTA BARBARA — With temperatures quickly dropping, the County-operated emPower Central Coast program is inviting homeowners to its free home energy efficiency workshop Dec. 6 to discuss home upgrades that will keep you comfortable no matter the season. The workshop will be…
Museum of Ventura County to present community outreach meeting on Nov. 10 at the Mexican Consulate in Oxnard
OXNARD — The next Community Outreach Meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10 at the Mexican Consulate, 3151 W. Fifth St., Suite E 100. “We have been getting valuable feedback from you, our Museum family, at our Community Outreach Meetings–thank…
VIP student scientists, self-carving pumpkins and elephant toothpaste all part of 2016 Science Carnival on Nov. 5
CAMARILLO — Crowd-pleasers like exploding pumpkins, screaming Gummi bears, banana pianos and colored fire will have an encore performance at the 2016 Science Carnival, but some new activities will make their debut, too. The CSU Channel Islands (CI) 2016 Science Carnival will…
Santa Paula Art Museum to present Gallery Talk: Sergio and Diane Hernandez on Nov. 10
SANTA PAULA — Join us on Thursday, November 10, at 3:00 p.m. for a gallery talk with featured artist Sergio Hernandez and his wife Diane. The pair will share the story of Con Safos magazine, one of the earliest Latino literary publications,…
UCSB’s Mario Garcia being honored in separate events for distinguished contributions to the history of Latino activists
By Jim Logan / UCSB Few scholars have done more to document the lives and activism of Mexican-Americans than Mario García. For more than four decades the professor of Chicano and Chicana studies and of history at UC Santa Barbara has given voice to the…
Family Service Agency announces $500K in funding for evidence-based Holistic Defense Program
SANTA BARBARA — Family Service Agency (FSA) has received a $498,524 grant from the Laura and John Arnold Foundation to conduct a pilot study of Adult Holistic Defense Case Management (AHDCM) in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Public Defender’s Office.…
The White House recognizes CSU Channel Islands for community service
CAMARILLO — For the sixth year in a row, CSU Channel Islands (CI) has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll —and for the first time, CI was recognized “with distinction.” Being named to the Honor Roll is the…
‘El Camino de Santiago’ in Spain with SBCC Study Abroad in Spring 2017
SANTA BARBARA — From March 23 to April 3, 2017, coinciding with Santa Barbara City College’s Spring Break, the Study Abroad Office of Santa Barbara City College will be conducting a trip to the northern Spanish region of Galicia to participate in…
Mental Wellness Center Extends Family Advocate Hours for Community Members
SANTA BARBARA — The Mental Wellness Center is pleased to announce it has extended the hours of its Family Advocate, offering everyone in the community access to information, support and resources related to mental health for a family member or…
Governor signs Jackson’s bills on Title IX rights, teaching healthy relationships skills in school
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill by State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) to ensure that students and schools are aware of their rights and responsibilities under Title IX, the landmark federal law that prohibits gender discrimination in education. Senate…
Ventura County Public Works Agency gives lessons on Ventura County water use at CSUCI’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) can add college educators to its impressive body of work. The agency has been invited to lead an 8-week course for California State University, Channel Islands’ Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLL)…
Bilingual commentary: The Rose Bush
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 David Magallanes…
United Way of Ventura County provides update on ‘Building Healthy Smiles’ initiative
Dear Friends, We have so much to share with you in this newsletter. Thanks to your generosity, our programs are expanding and serving more local residents throughout Ventura County. Please scroll down and take a moment to read more about…
Hispanic Heritage Month: One month is not enough
Too many issues and events to squeeze into one month of reflection and celebration By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 Many folks wonder why Hispanic Heritage Month is divided between September and October. Yes, at least we get a month,…
‘California’s water crisis must be attacked now to guarantee water will be flowing from taps’
LAS VEGAS — “California’s water crisis must be attacked now to guarantee water will be flowing from taps,” veteran water expert Mohammed Hasan told the Tri-State seminar in Las Vegas this Tuesday. Addressing water professionals from California, Nevada and Arizona, Hasan discussed…
CSU Channel Islands now accepting applications for Fall 2017
OXNARD — CSU Channel Islands (CI) is currently accepting admissions for the fall of 2017. Enrollment staff members advise high school seniors and transfer students to apply early at www.csumentor.edu “The college application process can be stressful for students,” said CI Assistant Vice…
Foster VC Kids, Ventura County Office of Education Collaborate on Innovative Support Systems for Foster Youth
Parent Teacher Forum to be held Oct. 11 VENTURA COUNTY — School stability is extraordinarily difficult for youth that experience life in foster care. Less than 50% of foster youth graduate from high school and only 3% go on to…
LULAC Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by Urging Latinos to Register to Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Hispanic Heritage Month is a time when our nation reflects on the contributions Hispanics have made to our history and culture. For the third year, LULAC joins the Hispanic Heritage Month of Action campaign in an effort to encourage the…
Spanish-language presentation on farmworkers labor rights to be held Oct. 20 in Oxnard
VENTURA COUNTY — The California Rural Legal Assistance invites farmworker community members to join us for the following Spanish presentations on labor rights in Santa Paula and Oxnard. Santa Paula Date: October 11, 2016 Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: Police StoreFront, 431 N.…
Rick Najera’s Latino Thought Makers Series Returns to Oxnard College Performing Arts Center for Fourth Season on Oct. 12
2016-2017 Season Kicks Off October 12 with Hollywood & Politics featuring Award-winning Actor Emilio Rivera, Columnist Ruben Navarrette Jr. & Radio HostWendy Carrillo OXNARD — In collaboration with the Ventura County Community College District and Oxnard College, Rick Najera’s Latino Thought Makers Live Series will return…
California Rural Legal Assistance to present information sessions on renters, workers rights on Oct. 28
OXNARD — The California Rural Legal Assistance will present: INFORMATION SESSIONS / PRESENTACIONES DE INFORMACION SECOND AND LAST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH / SEGUNDO Y ULTIMO VIERNES DE CADA MES Friday-Viernes October 14 and October 28 14 de Octubre y 28 de…
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! to present Yolotecuani through Oct. 23 in free concerts
SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! presents the local premier of Yolotecuani, music and dance of Tixtla, from the state of Guerrero, Mexico. Yolotecuani offer free family concerts on Friday, October 21, 7 pm at Isla Vista School;…
The Blackboard Gallery – Studio Channel Islands to present ‘In the Dark-a pop-up exhibit’ on Oct. 29
CAMARILLO — Something new and exciting is brewing at the Blackboard Gallery at Studio Channel Islands in Camarillo. For one night only there will be an exhibit like never before, a pop-up spectacle for only the bravest artists and their victims.…
E.P. Foster Library presents ‘California’s Water Crisis and Solutions’ on Oct. 9
VENTURA — E.P. Foster Library presents “California’s Water Crisis and Solutions” with engineer and local author Mohammed A. Hasan from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9 at the E.P. Foster Library, 651 E. Main St., Ventura, Topping Room. “There is a…
Oxnard native who helped animate Disney’s “Zootopia” to speak at CSU Channel Islands on Oct. 19
CAMARILLO — An Oxnard native who went on to become the first female Head of Story for Walt Disney Animation Studios on the film “Zootopia” will speak at CSU Channel Islands (CI) on Wednesday, Oct. 19. Josie Trinidad is currently Head of Story…
Marjorie Luke Theater announces Yolotecuani to perform on Oct. 23
SANTA BARBARA — The Marjorie Luke Theater has announced the Oct. 23 performance of Yolotecuani at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23. From Tixtla, Guerrero, Mexico, an area rich in traditions, public celebrations and fiestas, comes Yolotecuani. With a 30-year career sharing the traditional…
Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present ‘Before I Die’ wall through Oct. 23
SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara, in collaboration with the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA), seeks to help bring death to life with a “Before I Die” wall, inspired by artist Candy Chang’s first installation on the side of an…
October is Energy Awareness Month; County Leadership Promoting Responsible Energy Use. Workshop set for Oct. 24
CENTRAL COAST — The County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday proclaimed October as Energy Awareness Month, highlighting the county’s commitment to promoting responsible and efficient energy use, and encouraging citizens to do the same. “As residents of one of the…
Dia de los Muertos Altar and Speakers Put Inequity to Rest at SBCC on Nov. 2
SANTA BARBARA — “Putting Inequity to Rest” is both title and theme of a three-hour event at the SBCC West Campus Lawn to celebrate Dia de los Muertos on November 2, 2016. Organizers from the SBCC Student Equity Committee (SEC) invite students and…
Registration Open for First-Ever Global Competence Summit for Educators, Hosted by SBCC Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation on Nov. 4
SANTA BARABARA – With one in five jobs in California tied to global trade, and studies showing a lack of student preparation for careers in a global economy, the Nov. 4th Global Competence Summit aims to give high school and community…
2016 Día de los Muertos Celebracion to be held Nov. 5 in Camarillo
CAMARILLO — The 2016 Día de los Muertos Celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 at Conejo Mountain Funeral Home, Memorial Park and Crematory in Camarillo. The 2016 Día de los Muertos Celebration will feature a vintage lowrider car show,…
Latino Thought Makers Series to present ‘Hollywood and Politics’ at Oxnard College on Oct. 12
2016-2017 Season Kicks Off October 12 with Hollywood & Politics featuring Award-winning Actor Emilio Rivera, Columnist Ruben Navarrette Jr. & Radio HostWendy Carrillo OXNARD — In collaboration with the Ventura County Community College District and Oxnard College, Rick Najera’s Latino Thought Makers Live Series will return to…
‘El Proximo Paso’ Event Provides College Information to Spanish-speaking Parents and Teens
SANTA BARBARA — The young members of the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara’s Teen Night program recently hosted an innovative event to address what they had identified as the most pressing challenge for Santa Barbara teens – information…
Mixteco/Indígena Community Organizing Project to present Día de los Muertos Celebration on Nov. 6
OXNARD — The Mixteco/Indígena Community Organizing Project will present “Día de los Muertos: An Annual Indigenous Celebration” from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6 at Heritage Square, 731 S. A St., Oxnard. The event includes an altar contest, food, music,…
Intergenerational Art Program at Channel Islands Art Center Brings Children and Seniors Together on Oct. 9
CAMARILLO — Art to Heart, an intergenerational art program which bring seniors and children together to learn from and inspire each other side-by-side, begins Wednesday, October 5th. Studio Channel Islands Art Center in Camarillo is now taking applications for their…
Prestigious Ojai Studio Artists Tour set for October 8, 9 & 10
OJAI — The 33rd annual self-guided Ojai Studio Artists Tour – one of the exemplary art events in California – is set for Columbus Day weekend, October 8, 9 and 10. “We have over 50 studios on the tour this year,”…
Two of SBCC Engineering’s Best Named Great Minds in STEM™
SANTA BARBARA — A current student and an alumnus of the Santa Barbara City College Engineering program were both awarded top recognitions by Great Minds in STEM™ for their achievements in engineering and technology. Ana Isabel Espinoza-Agundis, a mechanical engineering major, was awarded…
GranVida Educates Community on Memory Care Services
CARPINTERIA — Most seniors expect to live out their lives enjoying time with their families and making more memories to cherish, however more than 5 million Americans are affected by Alzheimer’s disease, leaving them dependent on others to help them…
SBCC President Beebe shares Results of Community Survey
SANTA BARBARA — On his first day as Superintendent/President of Santa Barbara City College, Anthony E. Beebe sent out a community survey asking “If only I were the new SBCC President, I would…” The survey was released on July 1, 2016…
Braille Institute Offers More Than 70 Fall Classes to Help People with Low Vision Pursue Passions and Stay Active in Our Communities
Free, innovative classes build confidence and skills to help people return to activities they love SANTA BARBARA —Free fall classes at Braille Institute Santa Barbara offer life-enhancing and life-changing experiences to anyone in the tri-county area facing the challenges of vision loss. The fall…
City National Bank in Partnership with United Way of Santa Barbara County Provide Free Back-To-School Backpacks and Supplies to Local School children
SANTA BARBARA — Recently, students at Franklin Elementary School received backpacks filled with school supplies. The backpacks were distributed to K-2nd grade students in need, compliments of City National Bank. Each backpack included a pink eraser, No. 2 pencils, a pencil sharpener,…
Graduation Ceremony Honors Students Forging New Lives Outside of Prison
SANTA BARBARA — Thirty formerly incarcerated individuals intent on turning their lives around, including students from Santa Barbara City College’s EOPS (Extended Opportunity Programs and Services) program, were honored at the Santa Barbara Day Reporting Center (DRC) commencement ceremony on…
PR Pros Launch Scholarships for Area Students – New PRSA Gold Coast Chapter Launches Program to Support Tri-County College Students
CENTRAL COAST — The newly formed Central Coast chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is offering two scholarships to recognize outstanding individual college students who are committed to studying communication or public relations in the Tri-Counties area. The…
CSU Channel Islands Reports Record Enrollment for Fall 2016
CAMARILLO — California State University Channel Islands (CI) is reporting its largest entering class of undergraduates in history at 2,152 students. The class includes 1,021 freshmen and was selected from a record number of freshman 10,312 applicants, an increase of nearly 9…
Nationally Recognized Afterschool Program Open for Registration through Santa Barbara Family YMCA
SANTA BARBARA – As the school year begins, the Santa Barbara Family YMCA is registering children in kindergarten through middle school for its afterschool programs available at Hope Elementary School and Hope Elementary School. YMCA Afterschool is recognized as the premier…
Resolving the ‘Hispanic Paradox’ — Study co-authored by a UCSB researcher reveals Latinos age slower, neutralizing higher health risks of obesity and diabetes
By Jim Logan / UC Santa Barbara A new paper co-authored by a UC Santa Barbara researcher reveals that Latinos age at a slower rate than other ethnic groups. The findings, published in the current issue of Genome Biology, may one day…
The CLL Celebrates Three Years of Lifelong Learning
More than 350 classes and workshops with 70 brand-new classes to “Fall” in love with SANTA BARBARA — Going back to school isn’t just for kids this fall. Grown-ups can discover their passion at every age at the SBCC Center for…
It’s Back to School Time with Santa Barbara Humane Society!
SANTA BARBARA — Just in time for back to school, nonprofit Santa Barbara Humane Society is bringing valuable learning experiences to children in elementary schools throughout Santa Barbara County through its Humane Education program. “Our classroom presentations align with our…
Ventura County Education Leaders Endorse Carla Castilla For 3rd District Supervisor
CAMARILLO – Dr. Mark Lisagor, current President of the Ventura County Board of Education; Christina (Tina) Urias, Santa Paula Unified School District Board Member; Bob Rust, Pleasant Valley School District Board Member, announced their support of Carla Castilla to succeed retiring…
Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Alumna and National Scholar Andrea Delgado Takes ‘Strong, Smart, and Bold’ Experience Abroad
Harvard pre-med student gains first-hand healthcare experience in Latin America CARPINTERIA — Andrea Delgado of Carpinteria joined Girls Inc. of Carpinteria when she was just five years old, attending the nonprofit’s After-School Enrichment and Summer Camp programs. Now, the 21-year-old is entering…
In a new paper, UCSB scholar says ancient hieroglyphic texts reveal Mayans made a major discovery in math, astronomy
By Jim Logan / UC Santa Barbara For more than 120 years the Venus Table of the Dresden Codex — an ancient Mayan book containing astronomical data — has been of great interest to scholars around the world. The accuracy…
NAMI Southern Santa Barbara County to Offer Family-to-Family Education Program for Families of Adults Living with Mental Illness
SANTA BARBARA — NAMI Southern Santa Barbara County, a program of the Mental Wellness Center, will offer its Family-to-Family Education Program for family members of adults living with mental health conditions. The free, 12-session course is designed to help all…
VCCDC Receives $35,000 From Wells Fargo To Help Women In Ventura County Achieve Homeownership & Financial Stability
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) was recently awarded a $35,000 grant by Wells Fargo to support its Mi Casa Mi Hogar (My House My Home) Program which is designed to assist a highly vulnerable population – women…
United Way of Ventura County reports on Stuff the Bus program, 12th Annual Spirit Awards Gala honoring Hank Lacayo
President’s Message Dear Friends, Summer has been busy at United Way. Thanks to the generosity of donors contributing at 70 collection sites across Ventura County and the generous time of our volunteers, our Stuff the Bus program again exceeded our expectations.…
Cal Lutheran receives $1.2M federal grant
TRIO programs will now reach county’s junior highs THOUSAND OAKS — The U.S. Department of Education has awarded California Lutheran University a $1.2 million grant to provide Ventura County’s only federal TRIO program serving middle school students. The Talent Search…