By Hannah-Beth Jackson Last year, California created the state’s first-ever Earned Income Tax Credit. This tax credit, which I supported, will put money back into the pockets of California’s low income working families to help pay for groceries, catch up…
Category: Family
‘El Bracero – A Mariachi Opera’ to be presented at Oxnard College on Jan. 16
OXNARD — “El Bracero — A Mariachi Opera” will be presented at 7 p.m. at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Theater, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. Featuring Mariachi Aguilas de Oxnard and Ballet Folklorico Mestizo. Set in the 1950s at…
United Way of Ventura County: 36 hours left to make a difference
President’s Message Click here for the entire January 2016 E-newsletter Dear Friends, I returned from serving in the Peace Corps as a teacher in the 5th poorest country in the world just two weeks prior to 9/11. What was so…
El Centrito Family Learning Centers thank you
Joseph Castañeda Carrera / El Centrito Family Learning Centers Season’s greetings to you and yours! El Centrito Family Learning Centers thank you for believing that every child and every family deserves the opportunity to reach their greatest potential. To donate in support…
Local Holiday Toy Drive Receives Donations for Foster, Low-Income Children
/ Foster VC Kids / Children’s Services Auxiliary Currently there are 1,000 children in foster care and thousands of additional low-income kids in Ventura County, and these youth are in need of toys and other gifts this holiday season. In an…
CSU Channel Island students offer free in-home service for Latina/os with traumatic brain injury
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CI) Health Science students are seeking Ventura County Latina/os with a traumatic brain injury to take part in a free in-home service called “Trabajadora de Salud,” the university reported in a media release. Assistant Professor of Health…
El Concilio seeks support during ‘Giving Tuesday’ on Dec. 1
Dear Friend,
We are coming to the end of the year and over the last year we have enjoyed support of many of you.
We have served over 17,000 client contacts in the areas of Citizenship, Immigration, Youth Leadership and Development and Direct Client Assistance.
This is a request to join our end of the year campaign by making a donation to El Concilio Family Services.
All donations are most gratefully received regardless of the amount.
Gold Coast Health Plan to recognize Diabetes Awareness Month with resource fair on Nov. 7 in Oxnard
OXNARD — Gold Coast Health Plan will recognize Diabetes Awareness Month in November with a “Diabetes Awareness Resource Fair” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Oxnard Public Library, 1251 S. A St., Oxnard. The program will feature…
2015 Día de los Muertos Celebracion to be held Nov. 7 in Camarillo
CAMARILLO — One of the final Day of the Dead events will occur this weekend when the 2015 Día de los Muertos Celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at Conejo Mountain Funeral Home, Memorial Park and…
November cover story: Area agencies prepare to wage war on hunger
Holiday season is typical time for organizations to raise awareness of those in need in the region From Amigos805 staff reports Given the rebounding economy and the stereotypical image of a laid-back Golden State, the statistics seem stark. One in…
Bilingual commentary: “After 17”
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor Country-Western music is well-known for its ability to powerfully express the heartaches, the grudges, the pleasures and the joys that we experience in our lives. It often sings of our delights, tragedies and transitions — including those…
Health: Open Enrollment for Covered California begins Nov. 15
Period is one time of year when most Californians who need insurance cannot be denied by a health plan. Deadline is Feb. 15 By the Ventura County Health Care Agency VENTURA COUNTY — Open Enrollment starts Nov. 15 and continues…
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 November in Ventura County. Click here to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County…
More Día de los Muertos events coming this weekend, beyond
From Amigos805 staff reports Día de los Muertos events will continue this weekend in Camarillo, Goleta, Nipomo, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Santa Paula and Ventura. Camarillo • CSU Channel Islands will present its annual Día de los Muertos celebration 4…
SBCC Center for Lifelong Learning presented Día de los Muertos celebration
SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Community College SBCC Center for Lifelong Learning (the CLL) hosted its free family-friendly Día de los Muertos celebration on Oct. 24 at the Schott Campus to commemorate the dead through a 4000-year-old Mesoamerican tradition. Children of all ages…
Día de los Muertos events continuing this weekend
From Amigos805 staff reports Día de los Muertos events are continuing this weekend in Oxnard and Santa Barbara. The Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard will present its annual Día de los Muertos program as part of its Family Day from 11 a.m. to…
De Colores Art Show to hold opening reception on Oct. 17
SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Art Museum will present the 22nd “De Colores Art Show: Campesinas,” opening with a reception from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 at 117 N. Tenth St., downtown Santa Paula. The De Colores Art Show is an annual…
Santa Barbara Art Museum to present ‘Looking In, Looking Out: Latin American Photography starting Oct. 18
The Santa Barbara Art Museum will present “Looking In, Looking Out: Latin American Photography” from Oct. 18 through Feb. 14 at 130 State St., Santa Barbara. Selected from the museum’s permanent collection, the 47 works explore various aspects of Latin American history and…
October cover story: Day of the Dead coming to life in 805 region
Cities from Camarillo to Santa Maria will present numerous activities during Día de los Muertos celebration to honor departed souls By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 About three decades ago most of the general public in the 805 region had not…
Health: ‘Think Pink’ for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Breast Cancer Awareness month offers an opportunity to take steps to detect the disease By the Ventura County Health Care Agency VENTURA COUNTY — This October, Ventura County Health Care Agency is proud to participate in National Breast Cancer…
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 October in Ventura County. Click here to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County Health…
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara! to present Patricio Hidalgo y el Afrojarocho through Oct. 4
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara! will present Patricio Hidalgo y el Afrojarocho in free family performances from through Oct. 4 in various locations in Santa Barbara County. Hidalgo is a world-renowned musician and poet and a third-generation jaranero, a master of the music…
Teatro de las Américas, Oxnard College to present ‘Songs of the Mediterranean’ dinner, concert fundraiser on Oct. 1
Teatro de las Américas and Oxnard College continue their 2015 Season of Concert-Dinners with “Songs of the Mediterranean” from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1 at The Bistro at Culinary Arts Building at Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. In this third edition, guests…
Javier Gomez to present Día de los Muertos free pre-planning art workshops starting Sept. 26
OXNARD — Javier Gomez will present the annual Día de los Muertos free pre-planning art workshops starting Sept. 26 at 250 E. 5th St., Oxnard. All workshops will be held from noon to 3 p.m. The schedule includes: Sept. 26 —…
Bilingual report: Feria Campesina to celebrate Ventura County farmworkers on Aug. 30
OXNARD – More than 25 representatives from the Employment Development Department (EDD), other state agencies and local, community-based organizations will join hundreds of Ventura County farmworkers and their families Sunday, August 30 to celebrate the 10th annual Farmworker Fair – Feria…
Mexico U-17 National Team vs. Ventura County Fusion at Ventura College Sportsplex on Aug. 20
VENTURA — Mexico U-17 National Team vs. Ventura County Fusion will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30 the the Ventura College Sportsplex, 4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura. One of the most popular and successful youth national teams in the world…
MICOP to present ‘A Night in Oaxaca 2015’ on Aug. 15
OXNARD — The Mixteco / Indígena Community Organizing Project will present its annual “A Night in Oaxaca 2015” fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 at the Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard. “Join us…
Bilingual report: Inaugural ‘K through 12 Resource Fair’ to be held in Oxnard on Aug. 12
OXNARD — The Office of Jacqui Irwin, in collaboration with the Oxnard Police Activities League and Ventura County Public Health will present the inaugural “K through 12 Resource Fair” from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12 at the Oxnard PAL…
20th annual Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival to be held at Santa Barbara Bowl on Aug. 8
SANTA BARBARA — The 20th annual Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8 at the Santa Barbara Bowl, 1122 N Milpas St., Santa Barbara. Performing at this year’s milestone festival will be Ballet Folklorico de Los…
Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. to present health fair / feria de salad in Oxnard on Aug. 9
OXNARD — Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will present a health fair / feria de salud from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9 at Parque del Sol, 1800 Camino del Sol, Oxnard. The event will feature blood pressure,…
Oxnard Salsa Festival returns to Plaza Park with special ‘Friday Night Concert’ on July 24
Amigos805 staff reports OXNARD — The 22nd annual Oxnard Salsa Festival returns to Plaza Park during the weekend of July 25 and 26. The festival kicks off with a special “Friday Night Concert” featuring Oscar Hernandez and Alma Libre, with…
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! awarded California Arts Council Local Impact Grant
SANTA BARBARA — The California Arts Council announced it plans to award ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! $8,040 as part of its Local Impact program, the organization reported in a media release. The Local Impact program fosters equity, access,…
July cover story: Cultural events heating up summer in 805 region
From performances by Teatro de las Américas to the Oxnard Salsa Festival and Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara, events filling up summer season By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 From theatrical performances to moving to the salsa beat and…
Local news briefs
VENTURA COUNTY — The United Way of Ventura County has launched its “Stuff the Bus” campaign to collect new school supplies through July 23. The supplies will be “stuffed” into backpacks for children from low-income families, the organization reported in…
Health: ‘Golden Future 50+ Senior Expo’ set for Ventura
The “Golden Future 50+ Senior Expo, Southern California’s Premier LIfestyle, Health & Active Aging Expo” will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 18 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, in the San…
Bilingual report: ‘Movement, Balance and Health!’ conference for older adults to be held in Oxnard on June 27
OXNARD — A “Movement, Balance and Health!” conference for older adults will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 27 at the Oxnard Family Circle ADHC at “The Palms” Outlet Center, 2100 Outlet Center Drive, Unit 280,…
Bilingual report: Tickets now on sale for 20th annual Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival
SANTA BARBARA — Tickets are now on sale for the Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival, which returns to the Santa Barbara Bowl on Saturday Aug. 8 to celebrate it’s 20th Anniversary. Performing at this year’s milestone Festival will be: Ballet Folklorico de…
Local news briefs
VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation awarded more than $563,000 in scholarships to 284 Ventura College students in May, the organization reported in a media release. Awards ranged from $500 to $9,500 and were presented by the foundation to recipients…
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 Ventura County. Visit http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2015-06 to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County Health…
Bilingual commentary: Mental health in the Latino community
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor 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…
Clinicas del Camino Real to present ‘National Women’s Health’ events May 15-16
OXNARD — Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will hold a “National Women’s Health Fair 2015” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16 at 1300 N. Ventura Road, oxnard. The event is part of National Women’s Health Week, with other…
Traumatic childhood fuels resilience in CSU Channel Islands professor named an ‘Exceptional Emerging Leader’
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands Professor of Early Childhood Studies Carola Matera was five years old when soldiers showed up at her home in Argentina during the “Guerra Sucia” or “Dirty War,” university officials reported in a media release. Matera’s mother told her to…
11th annual Rebozo Festival to be held in Camarillo on May 17
CAMARILLO — The Rebozo Festival will celebrate its “10-year Diamond Anniversary” from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 17 at Camarillo Ranch, 201 Camarillo Ranch Road, Camarillo. The event will honor the “1st Annual Honorary Madrina of the Year” — the…
El Concilio profile: Marisa Montgomery
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services’ 2015 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, June 6 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here or call 805-486-9777 for…
Bilingual commentary: Mothers
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 Mothers…
Girls Inc. of Carpinteria to present eighth annual Mariachi Encuentro featuring Mariachi Diva on May 9
CARPINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria will present its eighth annual Mariachi Encuentro featuring Mariachi Divas from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 9 at the Girls Inc. of Carpinteria campus, 5315 Foothill Road, Carpinteria. Coinciding with Mother’s Day, Mariachi Encuentro is…
May cover story: Helping youth make the right lifestyle choices
Santa Barbara Healthy Futures program seeks to improve health options for Latino, other youth in the region By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 One in five children between the ages of 6 and 17 is now considered overweight in the…
Commentary: El Concilio Family Services to present Latino Leadership Awards
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 From a university professor and a Vietnam veteran to a successful high school senior, El Concilio Family Services will honor a wide variety of deserving community leaders and programs as it presents its annual…
Local news
CARPINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, a nonprofit organization seeking to inspire girls to be strong, smart and bold, recently hosted its Eureka! College Road Trip, with a group of local eighth-grade students spending Spring Break exploring college campuses between…
Finance: Household budget building how-to
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) The majority of families must live on budgets. Heads of households where money is no object may be able to spend at will, but many men and women must develop budgets so their families’ everyday…
Health: Encourage a love of physical activity in youngsters
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, children and adolescents should engage in physical activity for 60 minutes or more each day. While fulfilling those requirements might not have been a…
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 May in Ventura County. Visit http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2015-05 to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County…
Bilingual commentary: After the demise of parents
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…
Literary Quinceañera for author’s ‘My Very Own Room / Mi propio cuartito’ to be held in Ventura on April 12
VENTURA — In honor of Dia del Niño/Dia del Libro (Day of the Child/Day of the Book) the community of Ventura County is invited to a literary Quinceañera, a special birthday party for Amada Irma Perez’s (Ventura) first picture book, My…
Bilingual report: State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson — On César Chávez Day, let us remember his call for justice, service
SACRAMENTO – The life of civil rights leader and labor organizer César Chávez will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 31. In honor of that day, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) released this statement: “As we approach what would have been his 88th…
Ventura College to host 28th annual Latina Leadership Network Conference through March 28
VENTURA — Ventura College will host the Latina Leadership Network’s (LLN) 28th Annual Conference, “Latina Leadership: Pursuing Equity in the 21st Century” from March 26 through 28, college officials reported in a media release. The conference will focus on the impact…
Café on A to present ‘La Cosecha / The Harvest’ photo exhibit, film screening on March 21
OXNARD — The Dr. Rodolfo F. Acuña Art Gallery & Cultural Center at Café on A will present “La Cosecha / The Harvest” photo exhibit and film screening from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 21 at 438 S. A St.,…
Early Academic Outreach Program brings colleges and universities to high schools in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties
By Andrea Estrada / UCSB The Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP) at UC Santa Barbara will hold its annual spring Higher Education Week, a four-day event beginning on Tuesday, March 10. Representatives from universities, colleges and other institutions of higher…
March cover story: Opening their hearts, home to foster children
Foster VC Kids seeks to double amount of foster caregivers in Ventura County By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 While National Foster Care Awareness Month actually falls in May, Elizabeth Thasiah wants to raise that awareness immediately because of the…
Bilingual commentary: No girls at the Altar
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 Just…