SANTA BARBARA — The second in a series of lectures examining the juvenile justice system in the United States will take place at UC Santa Barbara at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, the university reported in a media release. The…
Category: Education
Mexican Consulate announces free Spanish language textbook program
The Mexican Consulate in Oxnard has reported that it is accepting applications for the annual Free Spanish Language Textbook Program through March 9. The collection of 55 books each include both textbooks and children’s fiction book in Spanish, used…
Volunteers to provide free tax preparation starting Jan. 30
Effort will return thousands of dollars to low-wage earners CAMARILLO — Low to moderate income workers can receive free help with tax preparation and income tax filing at a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site located throughout Ventura County beginning…
Commentary: Let’s have coffee
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor How do you go about managing your time, assuming that you do? Not everyone does, after all. Some of us are quite content to “go with the flow,” reacting to whatever blows toward us from the…
Verizon presents $17,200 check to Santa Barbara City College’s MESA program
SANTA BARBARA — Verizon presented a check for $17,200 to Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) Acting Superintendent/President, Jack Friedlander to support the college’s innovative MESA (Math, Engineering, Science, Achievement) program, college officials reported in a media release this week. This…
Commentary: American Library Awards 2012
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor If the Pulitzer Prize is the Oscar of the book world, the American Library Awards for books is up there with the Nickelodeon Awards, sans the green slime. The ALA announced their Youth Media Awards of 2012…
CLU examines farmworker health risks with a $150,000 grant to fund Oxnard pesticide study
THOUSAND OAKS — California Lutheran University has received a $150,000 grant to research environmental justice in Oxnard, the university reported this week in a media release. The California Wellness Foundation awarded the two-year grant for two professors and selected…
UCSB’s Ríos receives $300,000 grant to study gang-associated youth
SANTA BARBARA — Victor Ríos, associate professor of sociology at UC Santa Barbara, has received a $300,000 grant from the William T. Grant Foundation for a study examining how the interactions between gang-associated youth and their parents, school professionals, police…
Don’t wait for last-minute foreclosure help
Amigos805.com staff report It was a full house at a foreclosure crisis educational forum held Jan. 21 at the Oxnard Public Library, reported David Cruz during his morning radio show Jan. 25 on KOXR AM-910. He made his comments during…
Bilingual report: Breakfreee.org free financial seminar set for Jan. 26 in Oxnard
Breakfreee.org is sponsoring a free session on finances from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26 at the Downtown Oxnard Management District office, 445 So. B St., Oxnard. This presentation will be given primarily in Spanish. Supported by California Lutheran University, the…
Volunteers needed for MICOP’s monthly meeting on Jan. 28
The Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project will present its first monthly community meeting of 2012 starting at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 at Harrington Elementary School, 2501 Gisler St., Oxnard. “If you’re available and would like to help out we will need…
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) to hold orientation classes starting this week
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) will hold a series of orientations starting this week in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, the organization reported recently in a media release. The orientation classes will be held: 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24…
Social Justice Fund, CLU, CAUSE to present educational summit on Jan. 27
“The 100% Summit: A Tale of Two Counties — Bridging the Widening Gaps in Ventura County” will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27 at the Camarillo Methodist Church Hall, 291 Anacapa Drive, Camarillo. Presented by…
De Colores Art Show to hold closing reception on Jan. 20 in Santa Paula
Xavier ‘Big X’ Montes will turn over show to artist Andrea Vargas at event on Jan. 20 Amigos805.com staff report For 18 years, Xavier ‘Big X’ Montes has led efforts to bring Latino art and culture to Santa Paula and…
¡Viva Arte de Santa Barbara! to present Los Soneros del Tesechoacán Jan. 20-22
¡Viva Arte de Santa Barbara! will present Los Soneros del Tesechoacán (Tay-say-chwa-KAHN) with free concerts at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20 at Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Road, Goleta; at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21 at Guadalupe City Hall; and at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22 at the Marjorie…
Commentary: Who are you?
By Boyd Lemon / Guest contributor Since the new age of introspection starting in the 1960s we are often told, “Know who you are.” Or, as Descartes put it centuries ago, “Know thyself.” Have you ever wondered what that really…
Westside Action Summit set for Jan. 21 in Santa Barbara
Community members from Santa Barbara’s Westside to discuss challenges facing neighborhood and work to develop solutions SANTA BARBARA — Join residents of Santa Barbara’s Westside on Saturday, Jan. 21 for a public portion of the Westside Neighborhood Action Summit to identify…
Tri-Counties Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Association earns certification
VENTURA COUNTY — The Tri-Counties Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Association (SMACNA) Apprenticeship program recently completed a stringent audit and was awarded the American Welding Society’s (AWS) official certification as an approved testing facility (ATF), the association reported this…
Commentary: National Stalking Awareness Month
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor January is National Stalking Awareness Month, a time to focus on a crime that affects 3.4 million victims a year. This year’s theme —“Stalking: Know It. Name It. Stop It.” —challenges the nation to fight this dangerous…
Community urged to attend VCCCD meeting on Jan. 17 to avert cuts at college district
The community is urged to attend the Ventura County Community College District meeting on Tuesday Jan. 17 to voice its opposition to proposed cuts to college educational programs at Oxnard, Ventura and Moorpark. The meeting will be held from 5 to…
Small Business Development Center to present free workshops starting Jan. 17
The Small Business Development Center will present a series of free workshops starting Jan. 17 at the Economic Development Collaborative – Ventura County, 1601 Carmen Drive, Suite 215, Camarillo. > Mary Anne Rooney, SBCD advisor, will present the workshop — “Starting…
Commentary: Do your homework. Rules are changing
By Michael and Stephen Szakos / Guest contributors As we continue to work on short sales throughout the community, we are finding out that the banks are changing the rules constantly, even from client to client. It is vital to obtain help…
Latino Links: Economic trends
The mortgage crisis has hit the Latino community particularly hard. The Center for Responsible Lending reported last year that Latinos were twice as likely to have lost their homes to foreclosure, or are seriously delinquent, compared to white borrowers. Latinos…
Commentary: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier /Guest contributor Soon we will celebrate and enjoy the holiday that commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In 1957, he was cited as one of the most admired religious leaders in the world. Time Magazine selected him, in 1957,…
Bilingual report: Das Williams announces Assembly fellowship
SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Das Williams this week announced that application information for the 2012-2013 Jesse Marvin Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program is available in his district and Capitol offices. The Assembly Fellowship Program provides the opportunity for aspiring public servants of…
Boys & Girls Clubs receive $600,000 to help juvenile offenders
Re-entry mentoring grant from Department of Justice one of only nine across nation OXNARD — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme is seeking to reduce repeat crimes among juvenile offenders in Ventura County by…
Commentary: Hope for tomorrow
By Michael and Stephen Szakos / Guest contributors Over the past few weeks, we have shared some sad stories with you. Some tragic. Some seeming without hope. There is hope and there are answers! A family we helped recently purchased a new…
Commentary: The truth shall set you free
By Michael and Stephen Szakos / Guest contributors Happy New Year! May 2012 be a tremendous year for each of you. A fresh start. A new beginning. We know that 2011 was a very difficult year for many of you for various…
Commentary: Reflecting on 2011, working together in 2012
Dear Editor: As 2011 comes to a close one cannot help reflecting on the past while looking ahead to the future. For me, as I enter my fourth year on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, I feel very grateful.…
Commentary: Top ten in local education
By Denis O’Leary / Guest contributor We will see many lists within the next few days. I would argue that education is a topic of utmost importance and yet we will not see a resume of last year in this subject.…
Commentary: The management of time
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor Here we are on a collision course with 2012, and many of us haven’t even begun to write down our resolutions. Assuming the Mayan predictions aren’t true and that we actually will live through…
Commentary: Hope For 2012
By Michael and Stephen Szakos / Guest contributors All of us on Team Szakos hope you had a wonderful holiday with your family and friends and we wish you nothing but the best for 2012! As we read in the news, watch…
New board members join Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme
OXNARD — Stephen MacIntosh, general manager of Republic Services, Inc.; Stuart Nielson, attorney with Arnold LaRochelle Mathews VanConas & Zirbel LLP; Robert Sills, community advocate; and Police Chief Jeri Williams, Oxnard Police Department have joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of…
NASCAR champion Tony Stewart volunteers as spokesperson for local Boys & Girls Clubs fundraiser
OXNARD — Three-time and reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart has volunteered to help the Boys & Girls Clubs Million Dollar Raffle as its spokesperson and has donated a VIP NASCAR experience that includes a personal meet-and-greet with…
Commentary: Radio program an effective way to reach hardest hit segment of home mortgage crisis
By Michael and Stephen Szakos / Guest contributors To the morning radio audience along California’s Central Coast, Michael and Stephen Szakos of TEAM SZAKOS Real Estate are fast becoming the Batman and Robin of the continuing home mortgage crisis, as the duo…
Commentary: College trustees must act to investigate source of leaked document
By the League of United Latin American Citizens President Franklin D. Roosevelt was fond of saying — “In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way.” On Tuesday night (Dec. 13) the Ventura…
Authors, illustrators to read, sign children’s book Dec. 18 at Museum of Ventura County
Local children’s book authors and illustrators, including Kathleen Contreras of Ventura, Jody Fickes Shapiro of Ventura, Carol Heyer of Thousand Oaks, Valerie Hobbs and Marnie McGee of Santa Barbara, Alexis O’Neill of Simi, and Amada Irma Perez of Ventura, will…
United Way’s Latino Action Team holds successful book drive
The United Way of Ventura County’s Latino Action Team hosted its first-ever “Donation to the Imagination” holiday book drive in partnership with the Oxnard Public Library to benefit low-income children living in Oxnard. The community was asked to donate new and/or…
Commentary: The American Dream — Part II
By David Magallanes /Guest contributor I realize that for a lot of Americans these days, the only hope of coming even close to attaining the American dream of our immediate ancestors is — well, getting a job, a virtual mirage for so…
CSU Channel Islands names Trinidad vice president for finance, administration
CAMARILLO – Ysabel Trinidad has been named the new vice president for finance & administration at CSU Channel Islands (CI), the university reported in a media release. Trinidad replaces Joanne Coville, who left in June to become vice president for Business Affairs and…
Commentary: ‘Save Your Family First’ free foreclosure prevention clinics held each Wednesday
By Michael and Stephen Szakos / Guest contributors Among the downtown Oxnard storefronts, a weekly gathering is attracting local residents trying to save their homes. Each Wednesday night, volunteers are working with homeowners facing foreclosures. The situation is all too…
LULAC urges community to attend college board meeting on Dec. 13
The League of United Latin American Citizens — Ventura County District 17 is urging LULAC members, Hispanic community leaders and other community members to attend the Ventura Community College District board meeting to support VCCCD Trustee Art Hernandez. LULAC Trustee…
UCSB student accepts White House award
SANTA BARBARA — A UC Santa Barbara student studying ocean ecology accepted the 2010 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring from President Obama on Monday, Dec. 12, on behalf of Ocean Discovery Institute. This is the…
Commentary: Books make the best gifts
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor Have you had enough of circling the parking lot, standing in line and walking the mall for Christmas gifts yet? I avoid it because for me, it’s a waste of gas, precious time, there…
Bilingual report: Williams to host Emergency Preparedness Resource Fair and Workshop on Dec. 10 in Goleta
GOLETA — More than 20 agencies and community organizations will provide information and answer questions on how to prepare your family, pets and workplace in case of an emergency or disaster. This is part of the Emergency Preparedness Resource Fair…
Bilingual report: Rescheduled La Colonia Resource Fair set for Dec. 11
Health screenings, services for Mixteco families, education programs planned Visitors will receive a variety of services at La Colonia Resource Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 at Del Sol Stadium, 1500 Colonia Road, in La Colonia neighborhood of…
Deadline nears for United Way’s Latino Action Team holiday book drive
The deadline is Saturday, Dec. 3 for those wishing to donate books to the United Way of Ventura County’s Latino Action Team book drive, “Donation to the Imagination.” “Tis the season to help spread holiday cheer!” the organization reported. Please…
El Concilio extends deadline for education awards
El Concilio Family Services this week announced that it is extending the nomination deadline to Dec. 30 for its Latino Leadership Awards — “Excellence in Education” to honor individuals who have made an outstanding contribution in the field of education.…
Commentary: Belly Dance—Is it about the “Belly”?
By David Magallanes /Guest contributor We Westerners have a funny way of looking at things sometimes. The Eastern world must stare at us in disbelief sometimes, wondering, with mouths agape, how we could ever arrive at our conclusions. Of course, we…
UCSB scholar presents new reading on Mayan hieroglyphics
SANTA BARBARA – By presenting a new interpretation of a Maya hieroglyphic verb, Gerardo Aldana, associate professor of Chicana and Chicano Studies at UC Santa Barbara, has revised the understanding of one of the longest-studied texts in Maya archaeology, UCSB…