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: Finance
Local business information
> The EDC-VC and EDD will present a “Federal / State Basic Payroll Tax Seminar” from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3 at the Ventura EDD Tax Office, 4820 McGrath St., Suite 200, Ventura. Participants will receive information…
Finance: Bill to close the gender wage gap passes off Assembly floor
State Sen. Jackson’s SB 358 would be the strongest equal pay law in the nation From Amigos805 staff reports With women in California making 84 cents for every dollar a man earns, an effort to address pay inequality recently passed…
June cover story: Stopping the summer brain drain for students
While Hispanic students have been making gains in classrooms during the year, summer becomes a crucial time to maintain those educational achievements By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 Summer vacation time is upon us. K-through-12 schools are busy completing their…
Commentary: June is a time for new faces at two area nonprofit organizations
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 While change is in the air for two 805 area nonprofits, the new faces of those organizations will be quite familiar to local residents. Marcos Vargas has left his position as executive director of…
Finance: Consuls general from Asian countries to visit CSUCI
Panel talk to focus on how local businesses can trade with emerging Asian markets CAMARILLO — Small and medium-sized businesses in Ventura County can and should be trading with emerging Asian markets, according to CSU Channel Islands (CI) economic expert…
Local business information
> The Maritime Advanced Systems & Technology (MAST) will hold an open house and technology expo starting at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 10 at the Port of Hueneme, 333 Ponoma St., Port Hueneme. MAST fosters leading-edge technological innovation and integration…
‘Oxnard Home and Energy Workshop and Dinner’ to be held June 2
OXNARD — The “Oxnard Home and Energy Workshop and Dinner” will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 2 at the Oxnard Public Library, Meeting Room B, 251 S. A St., Oxnard. Join the County of Ventura’s emPower…
Guest commentary: More than student loans, they are college mortgages
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 Frank P. Barajas / Guest contributor…
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…
Local business information
> The CLU Center for Entrepreneurship will presernt “Startup Weekend Conejo Valley” at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 1 at the Huddle Campus. The day after the Cal Lutheran New Venture Competition finals, the first Startup Weekend Conejo Valley will be…
Finance: Build a travel budget without compromising your trip
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Many men and women dream of vacationing overseas, where they can experience another country’s culture and history. Such trips tend to be expensive, but travelers who develop a budget in advance of their trips can…
Finance: Rebounding from a late start to retirement savings
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Some people do not have the ability to begin saving for retirement early on. Others may have brushed retirement savings aside for so long that they are now worried that it’s too late to begin…
Local business information
> The Office of Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, District 44, has announced a regional workshop designed to help business owners understand the application process to apply for the “California Competes Tax Credit” from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, March 6 at…
First CEO of Homeboy Industries to speak at CLU’s Corporate Leaders Breakfast on March 3
THOUSAND OAKS — Thomas Vozzo of Thousand Oaks, the first CEO of Homeboy Industries, will discuss his efforts to make the nonprofit more self-sufficient at California Lutheran University’s Corporate Leaders Breakfast in Agoura Hills at 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 3 at the…
Ventura College Santa Paula Site to present information on California Dream Act on Feb. 26
SANTA PAULA — The Ventura College Financial Aid Office will discuss changes in California legislation in regards to AB540 and how undocumented students are now eligible for Financial Aid and other resources from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26 at…
February cover story: Season of love — and money
Tax season is upon us. Time to gather documents, look at filing options By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 Yes, February is here. Time to start thinking about getting that Valentine’s Day gift or even last-minute planning for that spring…
Make the most of your night out this Valentine’s Day
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Chocolates and flowers may be staples of Valentine’s Day, but many couples take it one step further and dine out on February 14. According to the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association’s Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions…
Finance: 2015 industry outlook
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) As much of the world slowly recovers from the far-reaching economic downturn that began in 2008, the International Monetary Fund has predicted a 3.2 percent growth for the global economy in 2015. Some countries, including…
Local business information
> Anna McRoberts, president of Air Bud Entertainment, will kick off the CSU Channel Islands Spring 2015 Speakers Series at noon Friday, Feb. 6 at Malibu Hall 100. Air Bud Entertainment includes a post-production company, a visual effects company and…
Bilingual commentary: Free community college — Doing our homework
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 Certainly,…
Finance: How senior donors can avoid scams
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Con artists masquerading as charities can victimize anyone, but seniors are especially vulnerable to such criminals. Men and women who perpetrate charitable fraud often target older men and women, feeling that seniors are more likely…
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing, USDA hand house keys to 12 Atascadero families
ATASCADERO — Twelve families who worked together to build the majority of their brand new homes under the supervision of Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) received the keys to their homes during a ceremony held on Dec. 4, the organization reported this…
Finance: 7 tips for keeping holiday budgets (and your holiday spirit) intact
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) “No one is so poor that he can’t give a smile, nor so rich that he doesn’t need it.” — Anonymous Holidays are exciting — family visits and special once-a-year meals, celebrating traditions together…
November cover story: Groups in region busy helping those in need
Food banks, private businesses, others lending aid this holiday season By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 While hunger and finding a safe and warm place to sleep remain year-round challenges for many people in the 805 region, the need is…
Ventura County Housing Trust Fund issues $900,000 notice of funding availability for farm worker housing
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Housing Trust Fund (VCHTF) has announce the issuance of its third Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the development of affordable housing in Ventura County, the organization reported in a media release. Linda Braunschweiger,…
Business: Start a recession-resistant business
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) The latest statistics from the Small Business Administration indicate that two-thirds of new businesses survive two years, while about 45 percent survive four years. Such odds inspire curiosity as to how entrepreneurs have the gumption…
Local business news
> The Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County has announced a free listing in 805CONNECT. 805connect is a comprehensive database created to provide an official directory and networking platform to connect all businesses in the 805 area code. More than a simple…
Local business information
> The Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County has launched an enhanced website to ensure that business leaders can easily and efficiently access the latest information to help their companies grow, the organization reported in a media release. The site, www.edc-vc.com, has…
Local briefs
VENTURA COUNTY — Low- to moderate-income workers who had a household income of $52,000 or less in 2013 can receive free tax preparation and income tax filing at a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site located throughout Ventura County, the…
Finance: Tips for newlyweds about to merge finances
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Newlyweds often have a lot on their plates upon returning from their honeymoons. One of the more critical issues newly married couples must address is their finances and how those finances will be combined going…
Finance: How to prepare for tax time
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Although some are ready to say their fond farewells to 2013, thought needs to be given to the 12 months that just passed as tax-filing season approaches. It’s never too soon to begin preparations for…
Local financial news
> California Lutheran University is launching a Veterans Entrepreneurship Institute in January as part of an increased emphasis on preparing people to create their own business opportunities. Nelson Pizarro, an assistant professor of entrepreneurship in CLU’s School of Management, will…