SACRAMENTO – A law authored by State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) to encourage young people to vote by allowing voter pre-registration beginning at age 16 has just taken effect. In 2014, Jackson authored Senate Bill 113 and Governor Jerry Brown signed it…
Category: News
Montecito Family YMCA: 7 Healthy Habits for Your Family to Help Solve Childhood Obesity
California now ranked No. 1 in percentage of children considered overweight or obese; Childhood obesity has more than tripled during the past 30 years MONTECITO – September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and while the dangers of childhood obesity are…
Mental Wellness Center Extends Family Advocate Hours for Community Members
SANTA BARBARA — The Mental Wellness Center is pleased to announce it has extended the hours of its Family Advocate, offering everyone in the community access to information, support and resources related to mental health for a family member or…
CenCal Health Launches Campaign to Educate Provider Community on Behavioral Health Services in SB, SLO Counties
CENTRAL COAST – CenCal Health, in partnership with the Central Coast Medical Association, The Holman Group, Santa Barbara County Behavioral Wellness and San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health Department recently hosted three seminars in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and San…
Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics Awarded $11,000 to Support their Continued Leadership in Community Health Care
Foundation recognizes health center as vital member of California’s safety net SANTA BARBARA — Blue Shield of California Foundation has just awarded a grant of $11,000 in unrestricted funds to the Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics in recognition of their critical role in…
Santa Barbara Heart & Stroke Walk/Run Raises More Than $210,000 to Fight Heart Disease and Stroke
CENTRAL COAST — More than 1 in 3 Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease. Santa Barbara resident and owner of Tri-County Produce, John Dixon is all too familiar with this devastating disease. He was born with heart disease and had…
Governor signs Jackson’s bills on Title IX rights, teaching healthy relationships skills in school
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill by State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) to ensure that students and schools are aware of their rights and responsibilities under Title IX, the landmark federal law that prohibits gender discrimination in education. Senate…
Ventura County Public Works Agency gives lessons on Ventura County water use at CSUCI’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) can add college educators to its impressive body of work. The agency has been invited to lead an 8-week course for California State University, Channel Islands’ Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLL)…
Ventura County Heart & Stroke Walk/Run Raised Nearly $150,000 to Fight Heart Disease and Stroke
CENTRAL COAST — Cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer of both men and women in the U.S. – killing about 2,200 Americans each day – one every 40 seconds. To combat these statistics, the American Heart Association (AHA) hosted…
United Way of Ventura County provides update on ‘Building Healthy Smiles’ initiative
Dear Friends, We have so much to share with you in this newsletter. Thanks to your generosity, our programs are expanding and serving more local residents throughout Ventura County. Please scroll down and take a moment to read more about…
Hispanic Heritage Month: One month is not enough
Too many issues and events to squeeze into one month of reflection and celebration By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 Many folks wonder why Hispanic Heritage Month is divided between September and October. Yes, at least we get a month,…
‘California’s water crisis must be attacked now to guarantee water will be flowing from taps’
LAS VEGAS — “California’s water crisis must be attacked now to guarantee water will be flowing from taps,” veteran water expert Mohammed Hasan told the Tri-State seminar in Las Vegas this Tuesday. Addressing water professionals from California, Nevada and Arizona, Hasan discussed…
El Carrillo Affordable Housing Development Celebrates 10 Years of Housing the Homeless
SANTA BARBARA — The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) celebrated the 10th Anniversary of El Carrillo, the first development of its kind in Santa Barbara to offer permanent, affordable housing with supportive services for homeless individuals.…
Community Philanthropy Teams Up to Fund New Vehicle for Youth and Family Services YMCA
SANTA BARBARA – Noah’s Anchorage, a program of Youth and Family Services YMCA, was the grateful recipient of a new vehicle to aid in the necessary daily transportation of youth in the program. The vehicle purchase was funded by donations from the…
Annual Safety Awards Day Recognized by Gold Coast Transit District
OXNARD — On October 5th Gold Coast Transit District celebrated its Annual Safety Awards Day. Each year, GCTD recognizes those drivers who have achieved a track record of safe driving as well as members of the “Million Mile Club” who have…
CSU Channel Islands now accepting applications for Fall 2017
OXNARD — CSU Channel Islands (CI) is currently accepting admissions for the fall of 2017. Enrollment staff members advise high school seniors and transfer students to apply early at www.csumentor.edu “The college application process can be stressful for students,” said CI Assistant Vice…
Lloyd Properties donates 860 acres to local land trust
VENTURA — The Lloyd Ranch has been a part of the Ventura community for over a century, providing stewardship of a large section of the Ventura hillsides since the early 1900’s and contributing to Ventura’s economic vitality for decades. On Sept.…
You Can’t Buy Love – But You Can Adopt It!
Santa Barbara Humane Society Celebrates Adopt-a-Dog Month with “Name Your Price” Adoption Promotion SANTA BARBARA — October is national Adopt-a-Dog Month, a public awareness campaign to bring attention to the millions of homeless dogs living at animal shelters throughout the…
LULAC Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by Urging Latinos to Register to Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Hispanic Heritage Month is a time when our nation reflects on the contributions Hispanics have made to our history and culture. For the third year, LULAC joins the Hispanic Heritage Month of Action campaign in an effort to encourage the…
Rebozo Festival announces 2017 grant application now open
CAMARILLO — Rebozo Festival, Inc. is pleased to announce that awards of up to $20,000 will be granted to qualified non-profit organizations that focus on the cultural, social and/or educational needs of the Ventura County community. The application process will close…
Ventura College Puts Chicano Art on Display through Nov. 17
Featured artists from the private collection of VC professor SANTA PAULA — Ventura College presents a Chicano Art Exhibit, “The Imagery of Chicano: a Perspective of Chicanismo in Contemporary Art” through Nov. 17 at the Ventura College Santa Paula site, 957…
Snap a “Selfie” for Hunger Action Month
VENTURA COUNTY — September is Hunger Action Month, and FOOD Share is asking everyone to share the message that 1 in 6 Ventura County residents is still food insecure. That’s 136,000 of our children, families, and seniors who lack, at…
Spanish-language presentation on farmworkers labor rights to be held Oct. 20 in Oxnard
VENTURA COUNTY — The California Rural Legal Assistance invites farmworker community members to join us for the following Spanish presentations on labor rights in Santa Paula and Oxnard. Santa Paula Date: October 11, 2016 Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: Police StoreFront, 431 N.…
Rick Najera’s Latino Thought Makers Series Returns to Oxnard College Performing Arts Center for Fourth Season on Oct. 12
2016-2017 Season Kicks Off October 12 with Hollywood & Politics featuring Award-winning Actor Emilio Rivera, Columnist Ruben Navarrette Jr. & Radio HostWendy Carrillo OXNARD — In collaboration with the Ventura County Community College District and Oxnard College, Rick Najera’s Latino Thought Makers Live Series will return…
California Rural Legal Assistance to present information sessions on renters, workers rights on Oct. 28
OXNARD — The California Rural Legal Assistance will present: INFORMATION SESSIONS / PRESENTACIONES DE INFORMACION SECOND AND LAST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH / SEGUNDO Y ULTIMO VIERNES DE CADA MES Friday-Viernes October 14 and October 28 14 de Octubre y 28 de…
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! to present Yolotecuani through Oct. 23 in free concerts
SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! presents the local premier of Yolotecuani, music and dance of Tixtla, from the state of Guerrero, Mexico. Yolotecuani offer free family concerts on Friday, October 21, 7 pm at Isla Vista School;…
Santa Paula Art Museum to hold Día de los Muertos Free Family Day on Oct. 30
Free Family Day: Dia de los Muertos Celebrate Dia de los Muertos on Sunday, October 30, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Create paper flowers, La Catrina bonnets and El Catrin sombreros, decorate sugar skulls, and enjoy a storytelling…
Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center Hosts Halloween Spooktacular and Open House
SANTA BARBARA — Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center invites the community to its second annual Halloween Spooktacular and Open House on Wednesday, October 26 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Hearts’ riding facilities, located at 4420 Calle Real in Santa…
Day of the dead Guatemalan celebration Fundraiser for El Lustrador Foundation to be held in Los Angeles on Nov. 1
By Lea Spicker LOS ANGELES — Gran Venta de Fiambre, a beneficio de “El Lustrador Foundation,” 1 de noviembre, 5:30 a 7:30pm, 1 de noviembre, 2003W 8th St., Los Angeles. The centennial Guatemalan specialty dish, Fiambre blanco or rojo. It’s a…
Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard to present Día de Los Muertos Free Family Day on Oct. 22
OXNARD – The Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard will present a Día de Los Muertos Free Family Day from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at 424 South C St., Oxnard. Click here for more information.
Dia de los Muertos Altar and Speakers Put Inequity to Rest at SBCC on Nov. 2
SANTA BARBARA — “Putting Inequity to Rest” is both title and theme of a three-hour event at the SBCC West Campus Lawn to celebrate Dia de los Muertos on November 2, 2016. Organizers from the SBCC Student Equity Committee (SEC) invite students and…
2016 Día de los Muertos Celebracion to be held Nov. 5 in Camarillo
CAMARILLO — The 2016 Día de los Muertos Celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 at Conejo Mountain Funeral Home, Memorial Park and Crematory in Camarillo. The 2016 Día de los Muertos Celebration will feature a vintage lowrider car show,…
Latino Thought Makers Series to present ‘Hollywood and Politics’ at Oxnard College on Oct. 12
2016-2017 Season Kicks Off October 12 with Hollywood & Politics featuring Award-winning Actor Emilio Rivera, Columnist Ruben Navarrette Jr. & Radio HostWendy Carrillo OXNARD — In collaboration with the Ventura County Community College District and Oxnard College, Rick Najera’s Latino Thought Makers Live Series will return to…
Carnegie Art Museum to present ‘Fiesta Noche de los Muertos’ on Oct. 8
OXNARD — The Carnegie Art Museum will present “Fiesta Noche de los Muertos — Exhibit Reception and Fundraiser,” from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 at 424 S. C St., Oxnard. A magical evening of giving with music by Duet…
‘El Proximo Paso’ Event Provides College Information to Spanish-speaking Parents and Teens
SANTA BARBARA — The young members of the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara’s Teen Night program recently hosted an innovative event to address what they had identified as the most pressing challenge for Santa Barbara teens – information…
Mixteco/Indígena Community Organizing Project to present Día de los Muertos Celebration on Nov. 6
OXNARD — The Mixteco/Indígena Community Organizing Project will present “Día de los Muertos: An Annual Indigenous Celebration” from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6 at Heritage Square, 731 S. A St., Oxnard. The event includes an altar contest, food, music,…
Two of SBCC Engineering’s Best Named Great Minds in STEM™
SANTA BARBARA — A current student and an alumnus of the Santa Barbara City College Engineering program were both awarded top recognitions by Great Minds in STEM™ for their achievements in engineering and technology. Ana Isabel Espinoza-Agundis, a mechanical engineering major, was awarded…
SBCC President Beebe shares Results of Community Survey
SANTA BARBARA — On his first day as Superintendent/President of Santa Barbara City College, Anthony E. Beebe sent out a community survey asking “If only I were the new SBCC President, I would…” The survey was released on July 1, 2016…
Gov. Jerry Brown signs bill authored by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson to streamline the environmental review process
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Jerry Brown has just signed a bill authored by State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) to help expedite the environmental review process under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), California’s landmark law for evaluating and mitigating the environmental impacts…
Braille Institute Offers More Than 70 Fall Classes to Help People with Low Vision Pursue Passions and Stay Active in Our Communities
Free, innovative classes build confidence and skills to help people return to activities they love SANTA BARBARA —Free fall classes at Braille Institute Santa Barbara offer life-enhancing and life-changing experiences to anyone in the tri-county area facing the challenges of vision loss. The fall…
EDC-VC’s Small Business Development Center Receives Funds for Doing What Matters for Jobs & the Economy Initiative
CENTRAL COAST — The Business & Entrepreneurship Center at Cuesta College (BEC) recently awarded $25,000 to the Economic Development Center-Ventura County’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as part of the Doing What Matters for Jobs & the Economy initiative. The funding,…
City National Bank in Partnership with United Way of Santa Barbara County Provide Free Back-To-School Backpacks and Supplies to Local School children
SANTA BARBARA — Recently, students at Franklin Elementary School received backpacks filled with school supplies. The backpacks were distributed to K-2nd grade students in need, compliments of City National Bank. Each backpack included a pink eraser, No. 2 pencils, a pencil sharpener,…
Graduation Ceremony Honors Students Forging New Lives Outside of Prison
SANTA BARBARA — Thirty formerly incarcerated individuals intent on turning their lives around, including students from Santa Barbara City College’s EOPS (Extended Opportunity Programs and Services) program, were honored at the Santa Barbara Day Reporting Center (DRC) commencement ceremony on…
PR Pros Launch Scholarships for Area Students – New PRSA Gold Coast Chapter Launches Program to Support Tri-County College Students
CENTRAL COAST — The newly formed Central Coast chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is offering two scholarships to recognize outstanding individual college students who are committed to studying communication or public relations in the Tri-Counties area. The…
Commentary: The eternal gift of art from maestro Francisco Magdaleno
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…
CSU Channel Islands Reports Record Enrollment for Fall 2016
CAMARILLO — California State University Channel Islands (CI) is reporting its largest entering class of undergraduates in history at 2,152 students. The class includes 1,021 freshmen and was selected from a record number of freshman 10,312 applicants, an increase of nearly 9…
United Way begins Campaign Year with the most Profitable Event in its History
CAMARILLO —United Way of Ventura County raised a record net profit of $75,000 at its recently rebranded Spirit Awards Gala. “We are thrilled by the outstanding result and this sets the pace of our campaigns that kicks off next month,”…
Bilingual commentary: The Borderline
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 Barbara Neighborhood Clinics Receives National Award for Innovation in Care
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics was honored by BD, Direct Relief and the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) with an Innovations in Care Award at the 2016 Community Health Institute and EXPO in Chicago. Part of the…
Resolving the ‘Hispanic Paradox’ — Study co-authored by a UCSB researcher reveals Latinos age slower, neutralizing higher health risks of obesity and diabetes
By Jim Logan / UC Santa Barbara A new paper co-authored by a UC Santa Barbara researcher reveals that Latinos age at a slower rate than other ethnic groups. The findings, published in the current issue of Genome Biology, may one day…