SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) on Wednesday unveiled new legislation to create a middle class Scholarship program aimed to make higher education more affordable for working families. The proposal, which was introduced by Speaker John A. Pérez, (D-Los Angeles),…
Category: Education
Commentary: What’s romantic love all about?
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor As it turns out, I use this column not just to inspire and inform, but also to put myself through inexpensive therapy. Just as in “real” therapy, which is well worth the cost as…
‘An evening of Andean music with Quijeremá Al Son del Tunduki’ set for Feb. 11 at UCSB
“An evening of Andean music with Quijeremá ?Al Son del Tunduki” will be presented at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 at the UCSB Multicultural Center Theater. Quijeremá is a dynamic force driven by sweeping bandola choruses with a firm foundation…
OHS Winter Drum Line to hold car wash on Feb. 11
The Oxnard High School Winter Drum Line is sponsoring a car wash and BBQ from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 at Oxnard High School parking lot, 3400 W. Gonzalez Road, Oxnard. All proceeds from this event will…
District colleges placed on probation
The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges has moved all three of the Ventura County Community College District’s (VCCCD) colleges to “Probation” status due to deficiencies identified by the commission pertaining to the board…
Events on Feb. 10 to highlight community organizations
2-1-1 and El Centrito Family Learning Centers celebrate successes One organization provides a link to a variety of community services at the touch of a finger. The other organization provides a variety of educational programs for youth and their parents. On Friday,…
Commentary: You can always make something out of nothing — Simms Taback
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor The other day I visited our local county museum and found one of my favorite “read to the kids” books. A retrospective journey through the career of Simms Taback filled half of the large…
Bilingual report: Mexican Consulate announces teacher exchange program
The Mexican Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Public Education invite educative authorities from Mexico and the United States to nominate candidates for the “Teacher Exchange Program Mexico-United States 2011,” the Mexican Consulate in Oxnard reported this week in a media release.…
UCSB graduate student Jaramillo awarded prestigious fellowship
SANTA BARBARA — UC Santa Barbara graduate student Alejandra Jaramillo has been awarded a prestigious fellowship with the UNESCO-L’Oréal Fellowships for Young Women in Life Sciences for 2011. She is one of only 15 recipients worldwide, the university reported Tuesday…
Commentary: Four possible solutions to avoid foreclosure
By Michael and Stephen Szakos / Guest contributors Just a week ago, we held an educational forum at the Oxnard Public Library. A large number of community members attended and walked away informed and armed with knowledge to move forward. “We were…
Juvenile justice system to be examined at UCSB Lecture Series on Feb. 1
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…
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…
Donation to the Imagination
In the tradition of holiday spirit of giving, the Downtown Main Library is a drop-off location for the “Donation to the Imagination” holiday book drive, sponsored by United Way, the Oxnard Public Library reported on its website From now until…
Bilingual report: Health seminar for women on Nov. 19
“Women to Women: Living longer, living smarter,” a free health seminar for women, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Ventura County Behavioral Health, 1911 Williams Drive, Oxnard. Participants will learn about successful…
Commentary: Our own personal ‘Arab Spring’
By David Magallanes /Guest contributor Like many of you, I’ve followed — with some degree of fascination, trepidation and hope — the blossoming that took place during what has been dubbed the “Arab Spring” this past year. We watched as people…
Tickets available for MABA’s annual Scholarship Dinner on Dec. 1
Tickets are available for the annual Mexican American Bar Association Scholarship Dinner beginning with a reception at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, 600 E. Esplanade Drive, Oxnard. Justice Carlos R. Moreno (Ret.) will be…
Volunteers needed for MICOP’S monthly meeting on Nov. 19
The Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project presents its monthly community meeting starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 at Harrington Elementary School, 2501 Gisler St., Oxnard. Volunteers with bilingual skills are needed to help 300 people who will be filling out…
Commentary: Meditation can change your life
By Boyd Lemon / Guest contributor When I moved to the 805 (Oxnard) in 2003 I began practicing meditation for 30 minutes each morning, as I had learned at the Self Realization Fellowship in Pacific Palisades. It is a practice…
Commentary: The Chrysalis
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor When my daughter had her quinceañera celebration some thirteen years ago, I thought about the Latinas in her age group who didn’t have one. Either the family was too financially stressed, or they simply didn’t believe…
Marching bands to compete at Oxnard High School on Nov. 12
More than 20 high school marching bands, with more than 1,400 musicians, will compete at the Oxnard High School Marching Band & Auxiliary’s 27th annual Field Show Competitition from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 at Bud Houser Stadium,…
Commentary: Honor, integrity, sacrifice
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier /Guest contributor Many Americans mistakenly believe that Veterans Day is the day America sets aside to honor American military personnel who died in battle or from wounds sustained from combat. That’s not quite true. Memorial Day is the…
Bilingual report: Deadline is Nov. 7 for El Concilio’s Latino Leadership Awards
The deadline for nominations for the 2012 El Concilio Family Services annual Latino Leadership Awards “Excellence in Education” is today, Monday, Nov. 7. El Concilio will be honoring individuals who have made an outstanding contribution in the field of education.…
Oxnard City Council on Nov. 8 to discuss Spanish-language broadcast
Oxnard City Councilmember Carmen Ramirez distributed the following information regarding the 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8 meeting focusing on simultaneous broadcast in Spanish of Oxnard City Council meeting: “To people who care about the people of Oxnard — Approximately 30% of Oxnard’s homes are Spanish-speaking.…
Víctor Ríos to talk about the impact of juvenile justice policies on Latino youth on Nov. 8 in Santa Barbara
Víctor Ríos to talk about “Punished: Policing the lives of Black and Latino boys’ at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8 at the UCSB Multiculture Center Theater, the university reported in a media release. Ríos analyzes how punitive juvenile crime policies…
Oxnard College to present the migrant farm worker documentary ‘The Purepecha…’ on Nov. 9
Award-winning writer, director and producer Cheryl Quintana Leader will present her short documentary “The Purepecha: Poorest of the Poor” from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Complex, 4000 So. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The…
CLU to present Reel Justice Film Series – ‘Which Way Home’ on Nov. 9
California Lutheran University will present the Reel Justice Film Series — “Which Way Home” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks, in the Lundring Events Center. As the United States continues to build a…
Commentary: Tips on places to sleep when you travel
By Boyd Lemon / Guest contributor The holidays are coming soon, and you might be traveling to visit family or friends, and for myriad reasons cannot spend the nights in their home. After that, before you know it, you may…
Commentary: The power of Mexican mythology
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor We must not lose sight of the reality that Mexico is the confluence of two very distinct cultures: one European, and the other indigenous, with its own cultures, beliefs, practices, religions and mythologies. In…
Bilingual report: Registration suggested for Nov. 5 college family conference at CSU Channel Islands
The Oxnard Union High School District will present the “College Family Conference: Making it Happen,” from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 at CSU Channel Islands. Advance registration is suggested. Parents and students in the 9th and 10th grade…
Commentary: A lasting legacy
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor A good friend, Josie Salinas, passed on to meet her Creator this past August. She filled her life serving others through her friendship, mentoring, and career. As the first female Native American Spiritual Advisor, she…
UCSB talk on Mexican literature set for Nov. 3-5 in Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA — A group of international scholars and writers will gather at UC Santa Barbara for “The Two Faces of Fiction,” the 14th annual colloquium on Mexican literature. The three-day event begins at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3…
OC 2011 Student Digi Film Festival set for Nov. 4-5
The Oxnard College 2011 Student Digi Film Festival will be held at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4-5 at 7 p.m. at the Oxnard College Performing Arts building, 4000 So. Rose Ave., Oxnard, the college reported in a media…
Ramona Days set for Nov. 5 at Rancho Camulos
Performances by the core cast and dancers from the world famous Hemet Ramona Outdoor Play will highlight the fourth annual “Ramona Days” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 at Rancho Camulos Museum National Historic Landmark in Piru,…
More Día de los Muertos activities planned this week
Community groups, businesses and other organizations continue to add to the Día de los Muertos celebration calendar. Amigos805.com will continue to post updates as they become available. The Centro Mujer Community Center presents its Día de los Muertos celebration from…
Bilingual report: Mexican Consulate publishes Día de los Muertos calendario
The Mexican Consulate in Oxnard on Friday published its Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) calendario featuring events in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Click here or on image above to open a pdf of all events
Bilingual report: Líderes Campesinas to hold annual march Oct. 28
Líderes Campesinas will present its annual March/ Vigil and Apron Exhibit beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 at Iglesia Cristo Rey and concluding at Iglesia de Guadalupe in La Colonia neighborhood of Oxnard. Presented by the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA), Interface Children’s…
Commentary: Boomers and seniors — Learn how to relate to your adult children
By Boyd Lemon / Guest contributor If you have adult children, they are among the most important of your relationships. Unfortunately, many retired people are estranged or emotionally distant from their adult children. Relationships between you and your adult children…
Commentary: Day of the Dead
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier/ Guest contributor The first of November begins the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) festivities. Its roots can be traced back to indigenous cultures. The Aztecs had a celebration in the ninth month of their calendar…
CSU Channel Islands to present ‘Latin Grammys Exhibit’ reception on Oct. 27
CSU Channel Islands will present the opening reception for “The Latin Grammys Exhibit” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27 at the John Spoor Broome Library, Millenium News Center Area. The music museum exhibit was installed in partnership with The GRAMMY…
Author Demetria Martínez to receive UCSB’s Luis Leal Literature Award on Oct. 27
SANTA BARBARA — Poet, novelist, and journalist Demetria Martínez is the recipient of UC Santa Barbara’s 2011 Luis Leal Award for Distinction in Chicano/Latino Literature, the university reported in a media release. The award will be presented during a ceremony…
CVUUF community forum set for Oct. 27 in Newbury Park
The Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is presenting the CVUUF Community Forum David Korten — “American Awakening: From Wall Street Protests to a Main Street Economy,” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27 at Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 3327 Old…
Reservations due on Oct. 28 for ‘Celebration of Justice Reception’
Reservations are due by Friday, Oct. 28 for the Social Justice Fund for Ventura County’s “Celebration of Justice Reception.” The reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3 at Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura, 5654 Ralston St., Ventura.…
Volunteers needed for MICOP’S monthly meeting on Oct. 29
The Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project presents its monthly community meeting starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at Harrington Elementary School, 2501 Gisler St., Oxnard. In conjunction with the Rio Neighborhood for Learning, a community meeting will also be held at…
Hartung appointed director of the Henry L. “Hank” Lacayo Institute at CSU Channel Islands
CAMARILLO — Elizabeth Hartung has been appointed as the new director of the Henry L. “Hank” Lacayo Institute for Workforce & Community Studies (HLI) at CSU Channel Islands, university officials reported Friday in a media release. “I am very pleased…
Oxnard College Foundation presenting 4th annual Tardeada on Oct. 22
The Oxnard College Foundation’s 4th Annual Tardeada will present the Core Ensemble performing the chamber music theater work “Tres Vidas” at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center. Chamber music theater is a unique performance…
Commentary: Chicano Rock!
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor I love museums, big ones, dinky ones, modern, old, doesn’t matter. And I love most music, oldies, new stuff, R & B, even some rap (my kids could not believe me when I played Eminem…
OHS Marching Band & Auxiliary to hold car wash on Oct. 22
The Oxnard High School Marching Band & Auxiliary will hold a “Car Wash, BBQ and E-Waste” fundraiser beginning with the E-Waste event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at Oxnard High School. The car wash will be…
Bilingual report: Promotores celebration on Oct. 23 in Santa Barbara
“Vision y compromiso: La red de promotoras y trabajadores,” a celebration of promotoras month, will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 at the Department of Education, 4400 Cathedral Oaks, Santa Barbara in the auditorium. Food, music…
Residents urged to participate in Great California Shake Out on Oct. 20
SANTA BARBARA — Assemblymember Das Williams urges Californian’s along the central coast to participate in the Great California Shake Out 2011, a statewide earthquake preparedness drill at 10.20 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, his office reported in a media release. “Once…
Real estate fraud town hall meeting set for Oct. 20 in Oxnard
“Don’t Be A Victim!” Real estate fraud town hall meeting, 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20 at the South Oxnard Community Center, 200 E. Bard, Oxnard. Hosted by Ventura County Supervisors Kathy Long and John C. Zaragoza. Call Long’s office at…
Bilingual report: Consulate seeking information for ‘Day of the Dead’ events
The Consulate of México in Oxnard is currently organizing a community calendar for the “Day of the Dead” activities in the Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. A committee of community leaders will be visiting each site with “Ofrendas”…
Supervisor Zaragoza inducted into Oxnard High School Hall of Fame
Ventura County Supervisor and Oxnard High School alumnus John C. Zaragoza was inducted into the Oxnard High School Hall of Fame on Thursday, Oct. 13. “I am honored to receive this great award from Oxnard High School,” Zaragoza stated in…
Bilingual report: Social Justice Fund for VC to hold community workshop on Oct. 19
The Social Justice Fund for Ventura County has announced a series of programs benefiting the community. The “Building a Strong Community” workshop will be presented from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19 at the Center for Employment Training, 761…
Bilingual report: Oxnard Union High School District to present ‘College Night’ on Oct. 20
The Oxnard Union High School District will present “College Night” for parents and students in the 12th grade from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard. The event, with presentations…
UCSB conference on Oct. 14 to highlight new scholarship on César Chávez and the UFW
SANTA BARBARA — New research and scholarship that have altered the general understanding of the United Farm Workers (UFW) movement as well as that of labor and civil rights leader César Chávez will be the focus of a daylong…
L.A. Xicano exhibits opens on Oct. 14 with ‘Art Along the Hyphen: The Mexican-American Generation’
One city, five exhibitions, more than eighty artists. An unprecedented view of Chicano art. Organized by the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center and curated by Chon A. Noriega, Terezita Romo, and Pilar Tompkins Rivas L.A. Xicano is a unique collaboration between the…
Commentary: Ending class warfare in education
Class warfare in education has been waged for years. It must end. Cries from the extreme right have accused President Obama of starting a “class warfare” because corporations and the ultra-rich are being asked to pay their fair share in…
CSU Channel Islands awarded $6 million Federal grant to encourage Hispanic science, math graduates
University will partner with local community colleges, schools in five-year grant-funded effort CAMARILLO – A $6 million federal grant will be used to help inspire and educate the next generation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates at CSU Channel…
Capps announces Federal funding for physical education program for Ventura County schools
WASHINGTON – Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) announced on Tuesday that Ventura Unified School District has been awarded a three year, nearly $983,000 grant from the Department of Education’s Carol M. White Physical Education Program. The federal funding will allow…
‘Migrants/A Journey’ set for Oct. 4 at CSU Channel Islands
“2501 Migrants: A Journey,” will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Oct. 4 at CSU Channel Islands, Broome Library 1360. Presented by the Centers for Community Engagement and Multicultural Engagement, the full-length documentary explores questions of art and…
Destino to hold 2011 Grantee reception in Ventura on Oct. 5
Event set for Oct. 5 at Derby Club California Lutheran University, Padres Promotores de la Educación, Many Mansions and Project College Bound from the Moorpark College Unified School District will be receiving grants from Destino: The Hispanic Legacy Fund, during…
Capps announces federal funds for Oxnard College to help Hispanic students earn degrees in science, math, engineering
SANTA BARBARA — Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) on Thursday announced that Oxnard College has been awarded a highly competitive grant from the Department of Education’s Science Technology Engineering Mathematics program for Hispanic Serving Institutions. Oxnard College has been awarded…
Commentary: César’s last fast
César’s Last Fast: “One man taking on Goliath-like forces in a fight for social justice.” The second of a two-part series: By Mona AlvaradoFrazier/ Guest contributor The Kickstarter campaign to raise money to complete the documentary “Cesar’s Last Fast,” began on…
Bilingual report: Health forum on drugs and alcohol set for Sept. 29
A health conference presented in Spanish on drugs and alcohol will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29 at the Ventura County Public Health Building, 2240 E. Gonzales Road, Suite 200, Oxnard. Presented by Elizabeth Taylor, M.S.…
‘Secure Communities’ forum set for Sept. 29 in Santa Barbara
PUEBLO will present a community forum with Sheriff Bill Brown at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29 at the Presido Springs Conference Room, 721 Laguna St., Santa Barbara. A question and answer session will follow the presentation. Call 805.882.2484 for more…
Nominaciones para los premios Liderazgo Latino de El Concilio 2012
Las nominaciones ya están abiertas para los premios de Liderazgo Latino de El Concilio Family Services 2012. Estos premios serán presentados el sábado 24 de marzo del 2012 en el Oxnard Performing Art Center. Los premios fueron establecidos en 1990…
Palacio to read, sign new novel on Sept. 27 in Santa Barbara
Melinda Palacio will sign and read from her debut novel, “Ocotillo Dreams,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27 at Chaucer’s Books, 3321 State St., Santa Barbara. The book is set in Chandler, Arizona, during the city’s infamous 1997 migrant sweeps and…
Oxnard College Literature, Arts & Lecture Series begins on Sept. 28
American Sign Language professor Kristine Hall will tell her story of growing up deaf in a deaf family, her struggles to communicate with the outside world and get an advanced education, and her journey to becoming a full-time ASL professor…
Commentary: So you want to write
By Boyd Lemon / Guest contributor I am a retired lawyer who, in the past six years, has re-invented himself as a writer. Since then I have met hundreds of people who tell me they want to write, but they…
Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum to offer view of Ventura County’s vital industry
Opens to the public at 11 a.m. Sept. 25 at The Mill in Santa Paula. Museum features bilingual exhibits By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805.com From sugar beets and lima beans to lemon orchards and strawberries, Ventura County residents have witnessed…
Volunteers needed for MICOP monthly meeting on Sept. 24
The Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project presents its monthly community meeting from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 at Harrington Elementary School, 2501 Gisler St., Oxnard. Volunteers are needed to help with children’s arts & crafts programs. Call Donna Foster…
“Blowout” book presentation, signing set for Sept. 21 at CSU Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands’ Chicano Studies program presents Sal Castro and Mario T. Garcia in a book signing for “Blowout: Sal Castro & the Chicano Struggle for Educational Justice,” from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21 at the Broome Library…
Volunteers still needed for Day of Kids on Sept. 24
Tiffany Lopez reports that volunteers are still needed for the annual Boys & Girls Clubs “Day for Kids” from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Boys & Girls Club Martin V. Smith Youth Center, 1900 W.…
Diva Tu! fall issue now available
Diva Tu! publisher Natty Rios-Sipes has announced that the new Diva Tu! Fall issue is now available featuring “Back to School Inspiration” by Kassandra Romero, “Blueprint for Success” by Mariaemma Willis, Fashion “TeenTrends,” “Quinceañeras de Niña a Mujer” and “Social…
UCSB to hold Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Expo at Oxnard College on Sept. 20
UC Santa Barbara and Oxnard College are teaming up for STEM EXPO 2011, a daylong event that will bring middle and high school students from the Oxnard and Santa Paula area together with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) professionals,…
Announcement: Author presentation this weekend
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor This weekend we have an interactive and fun author presentation for children within Ventura County. At the Ventura Bank of Books, we have “My Handy Writing Book: A New, Fun and Easy Way to Write…
Son Jarocho workshop set for Sept. 14 in Oxnard
Visiting artist Andres Flores will provide a special Son Jarocho Workshop from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14 at Arts for Action, 535 So. C St., Oxnard. There is a $5 requested donation. Flores is from Coatzalcoalcos Veracruz and…
Bilingual report: Nominations open for 2012 El Concilio Latino Leadership Awards
Nominations are open for the 2012 El Concilio Family Services annual Latino Leadership Awards, to be presented Saturday, March 24, 2012 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. The awards were established in 1990 in order to recognize individuals that have…
CSU’s ‘Channel Magazine’ features Lacayo Institute
The Henry L. “Hank” Lacayo Institute for Workforce & Community Studies (HLI) has been featured in a new article by Lori Putnam at CSU Channel Islands “Channel Magazine.” Launched last November, the non-profit and non-partisan Institute is named for Hank Lacayo,…
Registration open for Binational Health Week conference
The Binational Health Week 2011 11th annual Health Conference, “Celebrating Healthy Families,” will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14 at Veteran’s Memorial Community Center, 313 W. Tunnell St., Santa Maria. The deadline for organizations to…
Mexican Consulate releases calendar of events for September
The Mexican Consulate in Oxnard on Wednesday released its schedule of events for September. Click here or on the image to view a pdf of the schedule.
Oxnard College announces schedule for OC Literature, Arts & Lecture Series
Oxnard College has announced the schedule for its Literature, Arts & Lecture Series beginning Sept. 28. Sponsored by Oxnard College, all events are held on Wednesdays from 1 to 2 p.m. in the new Oxnard College Performing Arts Building (OCPA),…
Applications available for Rebozo Festival award
Organization/institutions are encouraged to participate in the “Nomination for Appropriations” 2012 Rebozo Festival Awards, festival organizers reported this week in a media release. The awards are presented annually by Las Madrinas of Ventura County. The next event will be held…
Commentary: Recovering from divorce
By Boyd Lemon / Guest contributor Since one in two marriages in the United States ends in divorce, it is a subject many of us think about, but, except for celebrity divorces, not much is written or publically said about…
Latino Health Awareness Month calendar released
In honor of Latino Health Awareness Month, the Ventura County Public Health-Chronic Disease Prevention Program, Oxnard Police Department and The Network for a Healthy California — Gold Coast Region Latino Campaign, have teamed up to promote a number of events in September, including…
Commentary: Complications of diabetes in the United States
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier/ Guest contributor Last week’s article discussed the ‘Diabetes Epidemic’ in the Latino community. I hope you remembered the challenge: eat more green vegetables and begin to exercise fifteen to thirty minutes a day. The other day I mentioned…
Latino links: Educational trends
The number of 18- to 24-year-olds attending college hit an all-time high of 12.2 million in October 2010. A good part of that grow was attributed to a 24 percent jump in Hispanic enrollement, according to a report by the…
Local ballet company’s dance program proves therapeutic for foster children
Imagine being removed from your home and the care of your family only to leave behind everything you have ever known. For no fault of their own, thousands of children are removed from their homes and placed into foster…
Bilingual report: Three bills awaiting governor’s signature
Three pieces of legislation being carried by first-term State Assemblymember Das Williams (D- Santa Barbara) are currently awaiting Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature after successfully navigating the legislative process in both the Assembly and Senate. the office of Assemblymember Das Williams…
MICOP seeking volunteers on Aug. 26, 27
The Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) is seeking volunteers to fill 500 backpacks with school supplies starting at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26 at Harrington Elementary School, 2501 So. Gisler St., Oxnard. MICOP is also seeking volunteers from 4 to…
Commentary: Diabetes in the U.S. Latino community
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier/ Guest contributor Last week I shared a family incident, which many people said they identified with on two levels. One was the “Sandwich Generation,” which I also call the “Quesadilla Generation,” because I often feel like sticky queso pulled…
‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’ set for Aug. 26-28 at Oxnard College
Carmen Guerrero of Oxnard College reports that Moorpark and Oxnard College will present a Moorpark College production on the Oxnard campus “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 26 and…
‘Che’ film, faculty discussion set for Aug. 23 at UCSB
John Foran will be the faculty speaker prior to the presentation “Che: Part One” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23 at the UCSB MultiCultural Center in Santa Barbara. Part of the UCSB Education Abroad Program’s “Word Revolutions Film Series,” the…
Commentary: Chaos
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor Earlier this year I started to read a book that is not your average bedside novel. When people at a party ask me, “What books are you reading now?” I no longer tell them that…
Mora to lead CSU Channel Islands Alumni & Friends board
Fernando Mora has been elected president of the 2011-2012 Alumni & Friends Association Board of Directors for CSU Channel Islands, the institution reported on Wednesday. “This is a very important opportunity for me to give back time and energy to…
Tour de Dreams comes to CSU Channel Islands on Aug. 19
Dreamers without borders will host the Tour de Dreams with a potluck BBQ, discussion, live DJ and Dance at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19 at CSU Channel Islands at the Student Union Treehouse Courtyard. The Tour de Dreams will be…
Lacayo celebrating 80th birthday on Aug. 20
Henry “Hank” Lacayo will celebrate his 80th birthday at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20 during the “Hank Lacayo 80th Birthday Tribute & HLI Fundraiser at Spanish Hills Country Club, 999 Crestview Ave., Camarillo. Join us in celebrating Hank’s lifetime of…
Commentary: Searching For Aztlán—Part IV (final part)
By David Magallanes/ Guest contributor When I was young and my parents would take me and my siblings to Mass on Sundays, we would pass through the main doors at the back of the church, entering the vestibule as the ushers…
OHS Marching Band & Auxiliary to hold car wash Aug. 13
The Oxnard High School Marching Band & Auxiliary is sponsoring a car wash, BBQ and free eWaste recycling event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13 at Oxnard High School parking lot, 3400 W. Gonzalez Road, Oxnard. All…
Danza Folklórícas de México celebrar 14 de Agosto
Danzas Folklórícas de Méxîco de la Federacíon de Clubes Unidos Mexícanos, 1 a 5 p.m. domingo, 14 de Agosto, Pacifica High School, 600 E. Gonzales Road, Oxnard. Con “La Guadalupana” de Club Copándaro, Michoacán; “Los Huehues” de Tlaxcala; “Los Diablitos”…
MICOP seeking donations for ‘Operation Backpack’
The Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project is seeking donations for “Operation Backpack,” its 2011 backpack drive. Backpacks filled with school supplies will be donated to children of indigenous farmworkers. MICOP is seeking supply-packed backpacks (scissors, crayons, pens, pencils, etc.) or cash to…
Mexican Consulate releases information calendar for August
The Mexican Consulate in Oxnard on Monday released its schedule of events for August. Click here to view a pdf of the schedule.