SANTA BARBARA — Dr. Takashi Wada, Director of the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, is joining CenCal Health as Deputy Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Wada will join Dr. Darryl Leong, from Care First Health Plan in Los Angeles, who will…
Category: Local
And the Winner is… Local Youth: Ventura Family YMCA Flag Football Team Builds Teamwork and Confidence in Final Tournament
CENTRAL COAST — Four flag football teams from the Montecito, Santa Barbara, Stuart C. Gildred (Santa Ynez) and Ventura branches of the Channel Islands YMCA competed in their Bowl Games on Nov. 12 at the Carpinteria High School football field.…
Ventura Family YMCA Youth & Government Delegates Host Bill Hearing Night to Prepare for State Conference
CENTRAL COAST — The Ventura Family YMCA Youth & Government team introduced and debated three mock bills on Nov. 28 at the California Court of Appeals. The bill hearing night is part of their preparation for the 69th Model Legislature…
EDC-VC Joins California Trade Delegation Trip to China
CAMARILLO – As part of the ongoing effort to increase trade and investment, particularly in California’s renewable energy and clean tech sectors, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and the California Energy Commission recently led a delegation…
PSHH Resident Receives National Recognition for Community Leadership
PSHH resident Elvia Salazar is a winner of the NeighborWorks America 2016 Dorothy Richardson Award for Resident Leadership. SANTA BARBARA – People’s Self Help Housing is proud to announce that one of its residents, Elvia Salazar, has been selected as one…
Guest commentary: An Immigrant’s Birthday Reflection
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 I…
Gold Coast Transit District, Announces Partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on the “If You See Something Say Something™” Campaign
VENTURA COUNTY — Gold Coast Transit District, Ventura County’s largest public transit provider announced their partnership with the public awareness campaign of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), “If You See Something, Say Something™.” “If You See Something, Say Something™” posters…
Consulado de México en Oxnard: Mensaje de la Canciller Claudia Ruiz Massieu a la comunidad mexicana
December is Model Month at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum
OXNARD — Channel Islands Maritime Museum (CIMM) houses the largest collection of model ships on the West Coast with more than 60 exquisitely-detailed ship models from all over the world and dating back hundreds of years. From Dec.1 through Dec.…
New book by UCSB scholar examines the impact of globalization on an indigenous group in Mexico
By Amy Bentley / UCSB Many miles away from the popular Mexican seaside resort towns of Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas lie the poor, rural villages of Mexico’s Mixtec people, also known as “the People of the Land of…
Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard announces new CAM studio guest artist: Antonio Arredondo Juarez
OXNARD — The Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard has announced its new CAM studio guest artist: Antonio Arredondo Juarez. Antonio Arredondo Juarez was born in Villa Guerrero, Jalisco, Mexico. A graduate of California State University, Channel Islands, he received a Bachelor’s degree…
Hearts Therapeutic Celebrates Inspiring Stories at Annual Pegasus Luncheon
SANTA BARBARA — Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center hosted its 8th Annual Pegasus Luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 13, attracting more than 300 people to the Coral Casino’s La Pacifica Ballroom at the Four Seasons Biltmore Resort in Santa Barbara. The invitation-only…
Bilingual commentary: American Culture Shock
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 David Magallanes…
Santa Paula Art Museum reveals plans for Future Art Education Center
SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Art Museum recently announced some very big news. The Museum will be expanding its footprint to include an existing building adjacent to the current museum site. Once renovated, the new building will provide much needed space…
EDC-VC announces board expansion
CAMARILLO — The Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County announces the addition of Amy Fonzo and Ron Galaviz to its board of directors. Fonzo, manager of external relations at California Resources Corporation, brings a unique blend of leadership, strategic planning and professional experience to…
Channel Islands YMCA Association Welcomes Morgan P. Jones to the Board of Directors
CENTRAL COAST — The Channel Islands YMCA is proud to announce the election of Morgan P. Jones to the Channel Islands YMCA Association Board. Jones has been a community member since 1993, and business owner in Santa Barbara since 2000.…
Wells Fargo Donates $35,000 to PSHH in Support of Affordable Housing
CENTRAL COAST — Wells Fargo has presented a $35,000 grant to Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH), in support of its mission to provide low-income families and individuals with affordable housing, and programs leading to self-sufficiency. Wells Fargo actively supports the revitalization and growth of the economy through community donations to nonprofits, schools and…
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Thanks its Partners with Central Coast Events
CENTRAL COAST — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing hosted two cocktail events, “Thanking Our Partners,” for its major community supporters in October. The events were held at Ventana Grill in Pismo Beach and Blush in Santa Barbara – Oct. 7 and 21, respectively –…
California Strawberry Festival announces new rules for official poster contest
Contest, with $2,000 grand prize, expanded to include variety of mediums OXNARD — Art and strawberries can be a fruitful enterprise. Enter the 34th Annual California Strawberry Festival Official Poster Contest where the winner will receive $2,000 and four VIP tickets to the…
Members of Young Leaders Society Raise $4,000 for United Way of Santa Barbara County Programs
SANTA BARBARA — Recently, members of United Way of Santa Barbara County’s (UWSBC) Young Leaders Society (YLS) bowled the night away at Zodo’s Bowling & Beyond for the 7th Annual United We Bowl event. 96 YLS members participated in a challenge…
House Passes Two Capps Bills
Health care legislation will strengthen nursing workforce, improve access to maternity care WASHINGTON — Rep. Lois Capps (CA-24) on Nov. 15 celebrated the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of two bills she co-authored, the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act (H.R.…
Braille Institute Santa Barbara Recognized By 8th Annual AIA ArchitecTours Event
SANTA BARBARA — Braille Institute Santa Barbara recently opened its doors to over 150 members and friends the American Institute of Architects (AIA) – Santa Barbara, who toured the building and program demonstrations as part of their 8th annual ArchitecTours…
SBCC Career Skills Institute Partners with Local Industry to Provide Free Career Advancement Training to Employees and Job Seekers
Over 25 certificate programs deliver huge return on small investment of time SANTA BARBARA – The growing need for competitive skills in the local and global economy has placed mounting pressure on job seekers, business owners, and employees. The Career Skills Institute…
Volunteers Wanted for ‘Art Comes Alive’ at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum
OXNARD – Channel Islands Maritime Museum is looking for volunteers to participate as historical figures in period costume for its third annual “Art Comes Alive” event, scheduled to take place 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Feb. 18-19, 2017. The event presents…
Birnam Wood Golf Club Raises $250,000 for Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation at Veterans Day Golf Tournament
MONTECITO — The Birnam Wood Golf Club raised more than $250,000 for the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation at their second annual Veterans Day Golf Tournament held Friday. The funds raised will support the UC Santa Barbara Veterans Resource Center, which helps…
Bilingual commentary: Seeking A Savior
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 David Magallanes…
Mental Wellness Center Awarded ALKERMES Inspiration Grant™ for Mental Health Matters Curriculum
SANTA BARBARA — The Mental Wellness Center on Nov. 14 announced receipt of a $15,000 ALKERMES Inspiration Grant to support its Mental Health Matters program, an innovative curriculum that teaches sixth and ninth grade students basic facts about mental wellness, how…
UC Santa Barbara undergraduate one of only 10 college students nationwide selected as a Frederick Douglass Global Fellow
By Shelly Leachman / UCSB It’s a long way from Wilmington to London. But Georgina Aguilar will soon make the trek from her home city of nine square miles and 57,000 people to 600-square-mile London, nine million people strong. And…
Blind and Low-Vision Residents Empowered by Innovative Collaboration Between Braille Institute Santa Barbara and MTD
OXNARD — An innovative collaboration with Santa Barbara MTD provided an interactive demonstration to help blind and low-vision Braille Institute students build confidence and increase safety when using public transportation. MTD brought a full-sized passenger bus to the Braille Institute, which…
Braille Institute Students Give Back With Empty Bowls
SANTA BARBARA — A major joy of participating in the beloved Empty Bowls Santa Barbara event is getting to pick out and take home a beautiful bowl handcrafted by a local ceramic artist. This year, several participants at Empty Bowls…
Guest commentary: The Bourgeois’ Dilemma
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 The…
Guest commentary: Doing the Zombie Dance In Oxnard
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 In…
Gold Coast Health Plan Signs Contract with New Pharmacy Benefit Manager
Ventura County’s Medi-Cal Plan to Begin Partnership with OptumRx in 2017 CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) has finalized its contract with OptumRx to manage the prescription drug benefits for the Plan’s more than 207,000 members. Starting next year, the Minnesota-based…
Shoppers To Find Holiday Deals At Centerpoint Mall On Black Friday And Thanksgiving Weekend
OXNARD — There’s plenty of savings and specials at Centerpoint Mall on Black Friday and beyond at the more than 49 retail, specialty, entertainment and dining outlets ranging from apparel and electronics to toys and gift cards, among others. Centerpoint…
Bilingual commentary: Women Banned Forever
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 David Magallanes…
Marco Quintanar wins ‘Our Hero’ contest sponsored by Entravision Communications
SANTA BARBARA — The votes are in and counted, and the winner is Marco Quintanar, manager of Family Service Agency’s Long Term Care Ombudsman program. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Entravision Communications launched “Nuestros Héroes” (Our Heroes) campaign and focused…
Ferguson Case Orr Paterson Announces Two New Partners
VENTURA — Ferguson Case Orr Paterson LLP (FCOP), Ventura County’s largest law firm, is pleased to announce John Hribar and Lane Lopez as new partners. Hribar’s practice is focused on appeals and civil litigation; Lopez specializes in tax law, business…
emPower Continues Celebrating Energy Action Month Beyond October
VENTURA — With Energy Action Month in October coming to a close, emPower Central Coast is challenging the community to continue taking care of the little loose ends that together are having real consequences on home energy bills. Energy Action Month…
Small Business Development Center Expands Advisor Roster
CENTRAL COAST — The Small Business Development Center of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, which provides free one-on-one consulting to help strengthen the bottom lines of area companies, has added law attorney Virginia Fuentes as a new consultant to its…
Bilingual commentary: “Family Values”
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 David Magallanes…
United Way of Santa Barbara County Hosts 20th Annual Red Feather Ball
SANTA BARBARA — On Saturday, October 15, United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) celebrated its 20th Annual Red Feather Ball at the Four Seasons Biltmore Coral Casino in Santa Barbara. 280 guests enjoyed the fabulous autumn seaside soiree that included cocktails, silent bidding, dinner,…
Union Bank Grants $10,000 to Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Programs
CENTRAL COAST — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) announced it has been generously awarded a $10,000 grant from Union Bank in support of the nonprofit’s Youth Education Enhancement Program (YEEP), focusing on improving the literacy, English and math skills of student residents. Union Bank…
U.S. Dept. of Education awards CSU Channel Islands $6 million grant to promote STEM education
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CI) has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education for nearly $6 million to help Hispanic and low income students gain greater access to a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The grant is…
Guest commentary: History of Professors — Stories to Connect with Students, especially First Gens. Part 1
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. Frank P. Barajas. Courtesy photo.…
RISE Receives $20,000 Grant from The Mary Kay Foundation to Help Maintain Critical Shelter Programs
Domestic Violence Shelters Nationwide Receive $3 Million in Unrestricted Funds SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY – During Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, RISE received a $20,000 unrestricted grant from The Mary Kay Foundation to help combat domestic violence and provide…
Santa to the Sea Run Issues Challenge to Local Businesses and Corporations
VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County’s most festive fitness event has issued a new challenge for area corporations, companies, and small businesses. Taking place on Sunday, December 11th, the annual Santa to the Sea Half Marathon and 5K is asking leaders…
El Concilio Family Services announces nominations now open for 28th annual Latino Leadership Awards
OXNARD — El Concilio Family Services has announced that nominations are now open for 28th annual Latino Leadership Awards. We are asking for award nominations of individuals or businesses that have made an outstanding contribution in enhancing the educational experience of…
‘Tis the Season’ – Oxnard Gears up to Celebrate the Holidays!
OXNARD – Oxnard is gearing up to ring in the holidays with a series of festive events ranging from massive lights displays to holiday boat parades to tempting tamales! Oxnard kicks off the holiday season with the 66th Annual Christmas…
Bilingual report: Teatro de las Américas to present Gala Dinner Fundraiser on Nov. 15
OXNARD — Teatro de las Américas will present its Gala Dinner Fundraiser from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 at The Tower Club, 300 E. Esplanade Drive, Oxnard. The event is designed to engage our local community and supporters to…
Rick Najera’s Latino Thought Makers Holiday Special Comes to Oxnard College, Dec. 7
Nationally Recognized Stage Show to Feature Broadway Star Bianca Marroquin, Last Comic Standing’s Francisco Ramos, Inspirational Comedian Ernie G and award-winning host Rick Najera OXNARD — In collaboration with the Ventura County Community College District and Oxnard College, Rick Najera’s Latino Thought Makers Holiday Special will take…