Category: News

Ventura County Community Foundation Receives $200,000 from Amgen Foundation for Thomas Fire Relief

VENTURA COUNTY — The Amgen Foundation recently granted $200,000 to the Ventura County Community Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund, which helps support mid- and long-term relief and rebuilding efforts. “The Thomas Fire has deeply impacted our community and Amgen staff members,”…

‘Music for Healing and the Community’ Concert Raised $32K for Local Flood Victims

SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Symphony, Montecito Bank & Trust and Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts partnered to raise and contribute $32,000 to United Way of Santa Barbara County for flood disaster relief with a free community…

Vandenberg Spouses’ Club Continues to Expand Cinderella’s Closet, Opens Permanent Facility

CENTRAL COAST — The Vandenberg Spouses’ Club (VSC) launched the Cinderella’s Closet program in 2017, collecting formal attire and accessories that could be borrowed and worn to local military events. On Monday, January 22, they took a significant step forward…

Museum of Ventura County update for Jan. 26

Major funding for these programs is made possible in part by the City of San Buenaventura and the County of Ventura. Grab a lunch and head on over to the Museum every Thursday between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for music by local talent.…

Early Academic Outreach hosts its annual Education, Leadership, and Careers Conference for high school juniors

By Andrea Estrada • UCSB UC Santa Barbara’s Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP) will host 400 high school juniors Saturday, Jan. 27, for the sixth annual Education, Leadership, and Careers Conference. In addition to hearing keynote speakers U.S. Rep. Tony…

El Concilio Family Services announces 2018 Latino Leadership Award Winners

Awards ceremony to be held April 6 at Oxnard Performing Arts Center OXNARD — El Concilio Family Services has announced the 2018 Latino Leadership Awards Winners — Dr. Tiffany Morse, René Corado, Rick Torres, Consuelo Camberos, Leticia H. Cazares, M.S.; Lilian Bello,…

SBCC Board of Trustees Elects New Officers

Veronica Gallardo, Board President Jonathan Abboud, Board Vice President At its organizational meeting on January 18, the Santa Barbara Community College District Board of Trustees elected Veronica Gallardo as president of the board for the 2018 calendar year. This organizational…

Feb. 1 — Assemblymember Monique Limón, SBA, WEV and EDC-VC to present Small Business Recovery Workshop

VENTURA — Assemblymember Monique Limón (D – Santa Barbara), the Small Business Administration, Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) and the Economic Development Collaborative — Ventura County (EDC-VC) will present a Small Business Recovery Workshop from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1…

Marjorie Luke Theatre update for Jan. 25

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   Upcoming Events Earthwalk Friday, February 2  7pm & 9pm Walker Creations presents the epic film adventure of the Walker Brother’s incredible 14-month, 5,000-mile trek by foot and paddle from Alaska to Mexico. Featuring…

Límon issues statement on Governor Brown’s final State of the State Address

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Monique Limón (D – Santa Barbara) issued the following statement on the State of the State Address presented today by Governor Jerry Brown. I congratulate Governor Brown on his last State of the State address of an incredibly…

Carnegie Art Museum update for Jan. 25

Click here to see the entire e-newsletter   FREE FAMILY DAY Spend an afternoon exploring, creating and letting your imagination soar.  Drop in for free, hands-on family fun.  Families with children of all ages and abilities are welcome.  Materials are…

SBCC Express to Success Program Receives Exemplary Award

From left: Chancellor Oakley, Julie Bruno, Kathy Molloy, Vice Chancellor Alice Perez, President Estolano, Vice President Epstein and Joseph Quintana. 2018 is off to a good start at Santa Barbara City College. Recognized as one of two colleges to receive…

Carlye Salon in Santa Barbara Offers a ‘Day of Love’ on Feb. 5 for Those Impacted by the Thomas Fire & Flood

SANTA BARBARA —  Carlyle, a full-service salon and style bar in Santa Barbara, is hosting a ‘Day of Love’ on February 5, 2018, offering a full day of complimentary salon services for those impacted by the Thomas Fire and Flood. The…

EDC-VC Announces Additional Resources Available for Thomas Fire and Flood Victims

VENTURA COUNTY — The Economic Development Collaborative–Ventura County’s special services coordinator, Clare Briglio, has announced additional resources now available for businesses recovering from the impact of the Thomas Fire and subsequent floods and mudslides. “New federal declarations have secured additional…

Jackson Introduces Bill To Help Montecito and Other CA Homeowners Recover Mudslide Losses

SACRAMENTO – To help residents whose homes were devastated or destroyed in the recent Montecito mudslides, State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) has just introduced a bill to ensure that fire insurance policies cover losses incurred from fire-induced mudslides. Senate Bill 917 clarifies…

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley offer Fifth Grade Transportation throughout Conejo Valley

THOUSAND OAKS — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley is taking reservations for reliable after school van transportation to five local Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the Conejo Valley. Parents can choose from the Club closest to their…

Family Service Agency Helps Santa Barbara Community Recover

Services are available for students, families and individuals SANTA BARBARA — In light of the recent tragedies that have impacted our community in the past week, Family Service Agency (FSA) announced that efforts to assist those affected by the recent natural disasters…

Museum of Ventura County update for Jan. 18

Major funding for these programs is made possible in part by the City of San Buenaventura and the County of Ventura. Thank You to Union Bank for a Wonderful Evening Over 350 people attended the opening reception of the new Neal Barr…

Dreamers, Arizona Rep. Grijalva, Jewish and Latino Faith and Community Leaders Urge Congress not to Delay DREAM Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The DREAM Act must be passed immediately to protect the nearly 800,000 Dreamers whose lives are in limbo pending congressional action, Dreamers, Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-AZ, and Jewish and Latino faith and community leaders said during a Capitol…

Carnegie Art Museum update for Jan. 17

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   ART SALE FUNDRAISER If you haven’t seen the new additions to the Cellar Gallery Art Sale… ends February 18th! Don’t miss this opportunity to add an small masterpiece to your collection. Enjoy the…

Ventura County Recognized for Energy Management Commitment

VENTURA —The Building Operator Certification (BOC®) program is recognizing the County of Ventura in California for its commitment to professional development for building operators and to energy management. Making the investment in their local government and special districts operator teams prepares…

Bilingual report — County of Ventura: Individual Assistance Approved for Victims of Thomas Fire

VENTURA —  The Department of Homeland Security announced on January 15 it had amended its major disaster declaration for the state of California to include the County of Ventura and the City of Ventura as areas eligible for individual assistance…

Bilingual report — Learn More at Public Forum on Jan. 31: Oxnard Considering Joining LA County’s new Clean-Energy Provider

OXNARD — Oxnard residents and local business owners are encouraged to attend a public forum to learn more about a new Los Angeles County program, known as the Los Angeles Community Choice Energy (LACCE) program, that promises cleaner and potentially less…

Hospice of Santa Barbara Provides Community Gathering Space to Those Affected by Jan. 9 Storm

SANTA BARBARA — In light of the devastating events that occurred during the Jan. 9 mudslide, Hospice of Santa Barbara is providing counseling services to individuals and families who may be struggling during this difficult time. In addition to collaborating closely…

CSUCI faculty member gets NEH grant to research 19th century wine industry

CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Assistant Professor of History Julia Ornelas-Higdon, Ph.D. has received a $42,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to help her research a more complete history of the California wine industry. “We tend to…

Rene ‘El Lustrador’ Corado to sign agreement with Bird Art Museum of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

GUATEMALA — The Bird Art Museum of Atitlan, announced that The Biologists, Dr. Linnea Hall, Executive Director and Lic. René Corado, Collections Manager of the Bird Museum of Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology (WFVZ) of Camarillo, California, will sign a Cooperation…

Economic Development Collaborative — Ventura County Adds Staff Dedicated to Fire Relief

VENTURA COUNTY — The Economic Development Collaborative –Ventura County (EDC-VC) has announced the addition of Clare Briglio as a full-time staff member dedicated to outreach and coordination of the fire relief efforts being delivered by EDC-VC’s Small Business Development Center…

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley Announce Newest Member to Board of Governors

AGOURA – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley is pleased to announce a new member to its Board of Governors, Michael Tiemeyer. Tiemeyer has worked as an executive in multiple industries including banking, financial services, health care, information…

Museum of Ventura County update for Jan. 11

Major funding for these programs is made possible in part by the City of San Buenaventura and the County of Ventura. An Evening with Neal Barr We’re rolling out the red carpet for an evening of high-fashion fun and everyone is invited!…

Limón issues statement on budget, Thomas Fire and mudslides

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Monique Limón (D – Santa Barbara) issued the following statement on the Budget presented today by Governor Jerry Brown. The Budget proposal released by Governor Brown addresses the devastation in our community from the Thomas Fire and subsequent…

Jackson releases statement on mudslide recovery, rescue efforts

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY –  State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) released the following statement today on the mudslide in Santa Barbara County: “Today has been another heartbreaking and difficult day, as the search and rescue effort continues and the number of casualties has…

Bill approved would help parents protect children from Equifax hack

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) legislation AB 608, prohibiting credit reporting agencies from charging fees when parents or guardians freeze their children’s credit reports, is one step closer to becoming law. “Agencies should not be collecting fees from parents…

Social Justice Fund for Ventura County update for Jan. 10

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   Creating Change, Not Charity Almost a year ago we invited Ventura County to unite and learn about the harmful effects of implicit bias in our community’s schools. We brought together community activists, nonprofit leaders,…

Carnegie Art Museum update for Jan. 10

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   2018 Going Forward The Museum hopes all its visitors, students, and members will surpass the recent fire and flood emergencies to face a bright New Year.  Art can ease feelings, be a vacation…

Marjorie Luke Theatre update for Jan. 10

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   Happy New Year! The Luke Theatre is still in the holiday spirit as we have 3 rescheduled events this month due to the Thomas Fire. Please come support our local performing arts groups and…

Uber Eats Launches in Ventura County

New App Makes Getting Great Food as Easy as Getting a Ride VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County residents and visitors can now order much of their favorite food from local restaurants and have it delivered by Uber Eats seven days a…

Museum of Ventura County update for Jan. 6

Major funding for these programs is made possible in part by the City of San Buenaventura and the County of Ventura. Pop-up Exhibit:  Seeking Safety During the Thomas Fire, the Milligan home in Santa Barbara was evacuated and their art collection was brought…

Efforts ongoing to protect Ventura County communities from flood hazards following destabilized hillsides resulting from Thomas Fire

VENTURA COUNTY — Acres of land and vegetation now compromised by the Thomas Fires will have a recovery team consisting of Federal, State, Ventura County and City departments. The team is on high alert as these regions are extremely susceptible to debris…

Oxnard’s’ Successor Agency Continued Boondoggle or Fiduciary Leadership in 2018

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 Imagine…

Jackson, Muratsuchi to reintroduce legislation to halt new federal offshore oil drilling

SACRAMENTO – In response to the Trump Administration announcement today to expand offshore oil and gas drilling in federal waters,  State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) andAssemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) are reintroducing legislation to ensure that pipelines and other infrastructure cannot be built in California…

Gold Coast Transit District Board of Directors Approves New Contract Agreement with SEIU Local 721

OXNARD — Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD) is pleased to announce that the GCTD Board of Directors approved a three-and-a-half-year contract with GCTD’s Administrative Support, Mechanical and Bus Operator Units who are represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721…

Studio Channel Islands Welcomes Three New Board Members

CAMARILLO — Studio Channel Islands recently announced the addition of Mark Barney, Mary DiCesare and Bill Little to its board of directors. Barney, a partner with Ventura law firm Ferguson Case Orr Paterson (FCOP), specializes in transactional law, real estate and…