By Sonia Fernandez / UCSB Alma Cortez-Lara immigrated to the United States from Mexico when she was very young, and lived the life of the child of migrant workers. She lived in poor neighborhoods and learned English, serving as the…
Category: Education
Guest commentary: MICOP seeks donations during its annual ‘Backpack Drive!’
Hello friends, With your support, we will outfit 500 indigenous Mixtec youth with backpacks to kick off the 2014 school year. This is an ambitious goal for us, but together we can achieve it! Help the campaign by collecting school…
Young engineers show off skills at the ‘CI Spaghetti Bridge Competition and Celebration’
CAMARILLO — Students from Hueneme High School celebrated their completion of four challenging weeks of college-level engineering courses at CSU Channel Islands (CI) by breaking bridges they’ve worked hard to build during the “CI Spaghetti Bridge Competition and Celebration.” The 40 seniors…
Bilingual report: Forum on domestic violence to be held on July 16 in Oxnard
OXNARD — The Consulate of Mexico and Mil Mujeres will present a “Forum on Domestic Violence & the Signing Ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding” from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 16 at El Alfarero Assembly of God, 375…
VCCF donors award nearly $1.3 million in scholarships to Ventura County students
CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Community Foundation awarded nearly $1.3 million in scholarships at the recent Scholarship Awards Reception at the Ventura County Office of Education, attended by more than 400 students, their families and the donors who made the…
Guest commentary: On being a Chicano intellectual …
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…
July cover story: No summer break for learning
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 One key to success in higher education is early exposure to college and university life. If young people also happen really enjoy what they are doing during that exposure — all the better. College…
El Centrito launching STEAM Summer Camp program
OXNARD — El Centrito Family Learning Centers is launching its 2014 STEAM Academy, which offers hands-on learning opportunities that focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Mathematics (STEAM). The STEAM Summer Camp will serve 75 students in grades 3 through…
Commentary: Santa Barbara at-risk students get help from $7,500 Bank of America grant
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 With a success rate of 79 to 84 percent for students completing college courses with a C grade or better, compared to the college-wide rate of 67 to 70 percent, the Santa Barbara City…
Bilingual commentary: Student hopes and dreams
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 Throughout…
CSU Channel Islands’ Henry L. Lacayo Institute receives Edison International grant
CAMARILLO — A grant from Edison International, parent company of Southern California Edison (SCE), will fund student scholarships in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and an energy conservation innovation lab at CSU Channel Islands (CI), university officials reported Wednesday in a…
Local business information
> Women’s Economic Ventures will present a series of free one-hour orientation sessions” from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 9 in Buellton; Thursday, July 10 in Santa Barbara; Tuesday, July 15 in Santa Barbara; and from noon to 1…
Local health information
> Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will provide information on Covered California and free health screenings at selected locations throughout the month of July in various locations in Ventura County. Visit the organization’s online calendar at http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar to find times, dates…
Guest commentary: Teacher Unions — California tenure 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 Los…
Arcenio J. López becomes executive director of Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project
By Sandra Young / President MICOP Board of Directors OXNARD — Dear friends of MICOP, (June 25) we are officially announcing the realization of a twelve-year dream. As of July 1, 2014, Arcenio J. López takes the helm as Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project’s executive…
Bilingual commentary: Coding for 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 contributor An…
Bilingual report: Community Resource Fair to be held June 28 in Oxnard
OXNARD — A “Community Resource Fair,” featuring free health screenings, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 28 at Del Sol Park, 1800 Camino Del Sol, Oxnard. Presented by Gold Coast Health Plan and sponsored by…
Bilingual report: VCCDC to present ‘Homeownership Fair & Grand Opening Celebration’ on June 28 in Oxnard
OXNARD — The Ventura County Community Development Corporation will present a “Homeownership Fair & Grand Opening Celebration” from 11 a.m.to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 28 at 2231 Sturgis Road, Suite A in Oxnard. “You have a dream of owning your…
Guest commentary: Identity — Are you a Mexican or an American first?
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 What…
United Way of Ventura County to present ‘Stuff the Bus’ on June 21
VENTURA COUNTY — This Saturday, June 21 (the longest day of the year) United Ways around the world invite their communities to improve the conditions in which they live on Day of Action. Locally, United Way of Ventura County will kick off its…
Mexican Consulate to present ‘Jornada Sabatina y Dominical’ in Oxnard on June 21-22
OXNARD — The Mexican Consulate will present “Jornada Sabatina y Dominical y Feria de Salud” from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22 at 3151 W. Fifth St., Oxnard. The program includes information on Matrículas Consulares, passports and…
Bilingual commentary: Dooming ourselves in California? — Part II
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…
Guest commentary: The talented ten percent
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 During…
2nd annual Job Fair to be held June 12 in Santa Maria
SANTA MARIA — The California Employment Development Departement, in partnership with Santa Barbara County Workforce Investment Board, will present the “Second Annual Job Fair” from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, June 12 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 313 W. Tunnel,…
Meghan Corella Morales wins a 2014 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award at UCSB
SANTA BARBARA — Meghan Corella Morales of the Department of Education of UC Santa Barbara’s Gevirtz School has won a 2014 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, presented by the UCSB Academic Senate as part of its slate of awards for research, teaching, and…
Bilingual commentary: Dooming ourselves in California—Part I
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 Dr.…
UCSB announces winners of the Thomas More Storke Award, other top university prizes
By Andrea Estrada / UCSB Three remarkable graduating seniors at UC Santa Barbara have been named winners of the university’s top awards for their scholastic achievement, their extraordinary service to the university and the community, and their personal courage and…
Café on A to hold ‘ART-Extravaganza!’ on June 5
OXNARD — Acuña Art Gallery @ The Café on A will present “ART-Extravaganza!” from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Thursday, June 5 at Acuña Art Gallery @ The Café on A, 438 S. A St., Oxnard Join us as we celebrate all the artists…
Future Leaders of America: Youth pursue careers in medical field
By Richard Castaniero / Future Leaders of America — ric.castaniero@gmail.com OXNARD — Medical professionals from Ventura County gathered on May 31 in Oxnard to present career seminars for students of Future Leaders of America. Career seminar organizer Peter Martinez welcomed the 60 high…
Scholarship open to Oxnard High School District seniors
OXNARD — High school seniors graduating in June 2014 are eligible to apply for the Josie Salinas Educational Scholarship. Students from Oxnard Union High Schools and Santa Clara High are eligible to apply for one of five scholarships. Students must…
Local
CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Community Foundation and the Ventura County Housing Trust Fund have teamed up to create the first permanent revolving fund in Ventura County dedicated to building farmworker housing, the organizations reported in a media release. The…
Business: How to avoid distractions when working from home
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Telecommuting has made great strides over the last decade. U.S. Census Bureau statistics have identified key telecommuting trends, noting that 45 percent of the American workforce holds a job that is compatible with at least…
Local business information
> The Institute for Global Economic Research (IGER) at CSU Channel Islands (CI) and the Port of Los Angeles will present “Meet Consul Generals and Export,” a free workshop on the opportunities and nuances of conducting trade in some of…
Local health information
> Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will provide information on Covered California and free health screenings at selected locations throughout the month of June in various locations in Ventura County. Visit the organization’s online calendar at http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2014-06 to find times,…
Jesus Sanchez receives prestigious Marian Hancock Scholarship at awards banquet
SANTA MARIA — The Allan Hancock College Foundation’s 45th annual awards banquet was an evening to remember for hundreds of students, especially Jesus Sanchez, who received the prestigious Marian Hancock Scholarship on May 22, college officials reported in a media release. “It…
Hospice of Santa Barbara offers support, free bereavement services, tips for those affected by Isla Vista shooting
SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara is shocked and saddened by the shooting in Isla Vista. Our support goes out to the victims, their families and the university and community members impacted by this tragedy, hospice officials reported Tuesday in a media…
UC Santa Barbara Memorial Service to be held at 4 p.m. May 27
SANTA BARBARA — A memorial service to honor the six students who died as a result of the tragedy in Isla Vista will take place at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, in Harder Stadium. The ceremony is expected to last approximately…
El Concilio profile: Vanessa Prado
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Registration is now closed. Click…
Book to be published next month by Allan Hancock College English professor Marc García-Martínez
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College English professor Marc García-Martínez, Ph.D., will soon join world-renowned researchers Jane Goodall and Noam Chomsky as authors whose works have been published by the San Diego State University Press (SDSU Press), college officials reported…
El Concilio profile: Jorge Ochoa
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here to register or to…
Pink Soiree a successful event. Now seeking committee members, team leaders for Oct. 11 ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer’ event
VENTURA — Organizers of the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk report they had a successful “Pink Soiree — Make Strides for Pink” kickoff event on May 14 at Discovery Ventura. They are now seeking committee members…
La Casa de La Raza to present talk with Favianna Rodriguez on May 23 in Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA — La Casa de La Raza will present “Noche de Cultura,” a talk with Favianna Rodriguez, at 6 p.m. Friday May 23 at La Casa de La Raza-601 E. Montecito St, Santa Barbara. Rodriguez is a celebrated printmaker and digital…
El Concilio profile: Thomas D. McCollum
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here to register or to…
Rebozo Festival to celebrate 10-year ‘Diamond’ anniversary on May 18
CAMARILLO — The Rebozo Festival will present its 10-Year ‘Diamond’ Anniversary Celebration from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 18 at Camarillo Ranch, 201 Camarillo Ranch Road, Camarillo. The event features a special performance by Grammay Award winner Graciela…
Bilingual commentary: Why is everything so dim?
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 One…
Guest commentary: Is a free higher education a right or a privilege?
Educar un muchacho es perder un buen pastor/ To educate a boy is to lose a good shepherd 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…
El Concilio profile: Frankie Villasenor Guzman
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here to register or to…
Guest commentary: Happy Mother’s Day Santitos and all the immigrants of the 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 Armando Vazquez / Guest contributor My saintly…
Bilingual commentary: Patron of the arts
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 I…
May cover story: The search is on for summer jobs for youth
Variety of training, placement programs are available for youth if they know where to look By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 Monique Marquez recalls when she was 16, in high school and went looking for her first summer job. “I…