OXNARD — Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Divas will perform at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 17 at the California Strawberry Festival, 3250 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. Mariachi Divas’ new CD “Mi Manera” features 13 new recordings including “A Puro Dolor,” “La Fuente,” “Poppuri,”…
Category: News
Rebozo Festival to celebrate 10-year ‘Diamond’ anniversary on May 18
CAMARILLO — The Rebozo Festival will present its 10-Year ‘Diamond’ Anniversary Celebration from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 18 at Camarillo Ranch, 201 Camarillo Ranch Road, Camarillo. The event features a special performance by Grammay Award winner Graciela…
El Concilio profile: Frankie Villasenor Guzman
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here to register or to…
May cover story: The search is on for summer jobs for youth
Variety of training, placement programs are available for youth if they know where to look By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 Monique Marquez recalls when she was 16, in high school and went looking for her first summer job. “I…
Commentary: El Concilio Family Services celebrates 25th annual gala
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 El Concilio Family Services has struck it rich on its 25th silver anniversary with a wealth of deserving community leaders as it presents its “Latino Leadership Awards” gala on Saturday, May 31 at the…
Local
SANTA BARBARA — Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is holding its “Share Your Lunch” campaign from May 1 through 31. The program enables the community to help close the summer food gap by donating the amount one might typically spend…
Business: Online reviews can benefit shoppers, retailers alike
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Word-of-mouth has long been an ally of small business. Customers who have positive experiences with a small business often share those experiences with friends, family members and coworkers, and that word-of-mouth can help hardworking small…
Local business information
> CSU Channel Islands’ Martin V. Smith School of Business and Economics will hold its final Spring 2014 Speakers Series program with a presentation by Joe Schroeder, president/CEO of Ventura County Credit Union, from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, May…
El Concilio profile: Susan Carrasco
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here to register or to…
Oxnard College to present Juan Felipe Herrera on April 30
OXNARD — UC Riverside English Professor and California State Poet Lauret Juan Felipe Herrera will read poems from his many books and discuss his journey from being a migrant worker to a published poet and a voice for the Mexican…
Rick Najera’s LatinoLogues to be presented May 1-3 at Oxnard College
OXNARD — The Oxnard College Institute for Latino Performing Arts will present Rick Najera’s “LatinoLogues” at 7 p.m. May 1, 2, and 3 in the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, 4000 So. Rose Ave., Oxnard. LatinoLogues is the longest running and…
Sixth grader from César Chávez Elementary School in Oxnard wins California Strawberry Festival’s 2014 Youth Art Design contest
OXNARD — From an all-time record of 1,800 entries, the “berrilious” design of 11-year-old Itzel Gonzalez from César Chávez Elementary in Oxnard was selected as the winner of the 31st Annual California Strawberry Festival Youth Art Design Contest, the festival’s organizers…
El Concilio profile: Edlyn Vallejo Peña
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here to register or to…
Bilingual report: PODER to voice opposition to Santa Barbara gang injunction on April 22
SANTA BARBARA — PODER (People Organized for the Defense and Equal Rights of Santa Barbara Youth) will gather with other community members to voice opposition to the gang injunction prior to City Council’s first-ever public vote on the matter at 4…
Bilingual report: ‘Noche de Poesia, Canto y Literatura’ to be held April 26 in Santa Ana
Update: event sold out SANTA ANA — The 6th Annual “Noche de Poesia, Canto y Literatura,” in honor of poetry month, will be held from 4:40 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 26 in Santa Ana, reports Santa Maria poet Enedina Castañeda.…
Ventura County hospital leaders to report findings from community health-needs assessments on April 29
CAMARILLO — Representatives of hospitals, health systems and the Public Health Department will present a “state of Ventura County’s health” during the “Public Health and Hospital Needs Assessment Findings” session at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 29 at the VCCF Nonprofit…
El Concilio profile: Frank P. Barajas
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Service 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here to register or to…
Ninth annual Noche de Fiesta to be held April 16 at CSU Channel Islands
CAMARILLO — The ninth annual Noche de Fiesta, presented by El Club de Español, will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16 in Malibu Hall 100. Come celebrate the diversity of the Hispanic cultures as we feature…
El Concilio Family Services announces 25th Annual Latino Leadership Award winners
OXNARD — Two university professors, a college and career counselor, an attorney, a coordinator of a college-readiness program, a gifted high school student, a successful high school and a police sergeant will be recognized when El Concilio Family Services presents…
Ventura College Santa Paula to present ‘Panel Discussion: Transforming Adversities to Resounding Victories!’ on April 10
SANTA PAULA — Ventura College Santa Paula will present the ‘Panel Discussion: Transforming Adversities to Resounding Victories!’ from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 10 at 957 Faulkner Road, Santa Paula. Featured panelists include: Councilwoman for the City of Oxnard, Carmen…
Earth Day volunteer event to be held April 12 at McGrath State Beach
Beautification event to be co-hosted by Ventura County Supervisor Zaragoza, SoCal Gas VENTURA – Friends of Channel Coast State Parks, the nonprofit cooperating association that serves the Channel Coast district of the California State Parks, will be joining with Ventura…
Guest commentary: You can make a difference by supporting the CAUSE Summer Youth Fellowship
By Marcos Vargas / Executive director of the Central Coast Alliance for a Sustainable Economy Friends, Here’s an exciting opportunity to open your heart for the hardworking youth who give so much outside of school to lead organizing campaigns for…
Bilingual commentary: Internet marketing — The new frontier
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 We…
Guest commentary: Criminal justice professionals assist Future Leaders of America
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 Mona AlvaradoFrazier/ Guest contributor Criminal…
April cover story: Empowering youth, adults through education
Ventura-based GOCARE Inc. seeks to expand its efforts to business education in Nicaragua By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 Nicaragua is the poorest country in Central America and the second poorest in the Western Hemisphere. Much of the nation’s infrastructure was…
Commentary: Segue Career Path Mentors offer inspiration one student at a time
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 You just never know when that moment of inspiration arrives — when you are set on a career path that will guide the rest of your life. My moment of inspiration came after I…
Local
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara), along with many of her colleagues, demanded that the House of Representatives vote on a comprehensive immigration reform bill by signing a discharge petition on H.R. 15, the bipartisan Border Security, Economic…
Local business information
> Allan Hancock College to present its second annual “54-hour Startup Weekend Santa Maria” on April 4-6. “Bring your business idea, and we’ll help make it happen,” said Anne Cremarosa, director, Small Business Entrepreneurship Center, and one of the organizers…
Poder and the Coalition of Sustainable Communities to hold documentary screenings, forums on immigration on April 1
SANTA BARBARA — Poder and the Coalition of Sustainable Communities will hold a series of free documentary screenings and forums in Spanish to address the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement expansion of detention centers in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria from…
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara will present Julia Barbosa Landois on April 3
SANTA BARBARA — The Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara will present Julia Barbosa Landois at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 3 at 653 Paseo Nuevo, Upper Arts Terrace, Santa Barbara. Visit http://www.mcasantabarbara.org/node/187 for more information.
César E. Chávez events scheduled for March 28-30 in Oxnard
OXNARD – The community premier of the film “Cesar Chavez” will be held at 7:45 p.m. Friday, March 28 at the Plaza Cinemas 14 in Oxnard, organizers reported in a media release. An educational premier will be held at 9…
Santa Paula High School, Latino Town Hall to present two-day leadership conference on March 25-26
SANTA PAULA — Santa Paula High School, Latino Town Hall and other community partners will be hosting a two-day leadership conference during spring break for 100 students from the Santa Paula community on Tuesday, March 25th and Wednesday March 26th,…
Closing weekend for Teatro de las Américas’ “Three Faces of Love” in Oxnard
OXNARD — Teatro de las Américas will present the closing weekend of “Tres Caras de Amor / Three Faces of Love,” three one-act plays about love at various stages of life at at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 21…
Chicana and Chicano Studies scholar to receive II Galardón Don Luis Leal
UCSB’s María Herrera-Sobek is the first woman to be so honored By Kateri Wozny / UCSB María Herrera-Sobek, professor of Chicano and Chicana Studies at UC Santa Barbara, has been named to receive the II Galardón Don Luis Leal…
UCSB professor receives the Outstanding Latino/a Faculty in Higher Education Award
Aída Hurtado honored for her innovative research in Chicano/a studies By Julie Cohen / UCSB SANTA BARBARA — For the second time, Aída Hurtado, a professor and Luis Leal Endowed Chair in UC Santa Barbara’s Department of Chicana and Chicano…
Acuña Art Gallery @ The Café on A to present ‘Our Town Our Children’ on March 22
OXNARD — The Acuña Art Gallery @ The Café on A will present “Our Town Our Children,” a social awareness art project, from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 22 at 438 So. A St., Oxnard. The program features award-winning…
Oxnard College to present ‘Latinologues’ on March 12
OXNARD — The Oxnard College Literature, Arts and Lecture Series will present “Latinologues” from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 12 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, 4000 So. Rose Ave., Oxnard. Award-winning actor-writer-director-producer-comedian Rick Najera will entertain the…
Rigoberto Vargas, Marvelle Berry appointed to board of Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme
OXNARD — Rigoberto Vargas and Marvelle Berry have appointed to board of Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme, the organization reported this week in a media release. Vargas is public health director at the Ventura County Health…
Castañeda appointed as new executive director of El Centrito Family Learning Centers
OXNARD — The Board of Directors of El Centrito Family Learning Centers in Oxnard has announced the appointment of Joseph A. Castañeda as its executive director, the organization reported in a media release. Castañeda will lead the organization’s team in delivering…
Bell Arts Factory to present opening reception for Frank Romero exhibit on March 7
VENTURA — The VITA Art Center at the Bell Arts Factory will present the opening reception for Frank Romero exhibit from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 7 at 432 No. Ventura Ave., Ventura in Studio 30. The exhibit will continue…
‘From Hell to Healing — The Art of Vietnam Vets’ opening reception to be held at Bell Arts Factory on March 7
VENTURA — The City of Ventura, the Big Read and Bell Arts Factory will present “From Hell to Healing — The Art of Vietnam Vets” featuring the works of Vietnam veterans Jess Gutierrez, Orlando Menchaca, James Graca and Michael Arndt from 5:30…
Opening reception for ‘Mujer’ exhibit to be held at Bell Arts Factory on March 7
VENTURA — The Tool Room Gallery at the Bell Arts Factory will present the opening reception for “Mujer” from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 7 at 432 No. Ventura Ave., Ventura. The exhibit features the work of Judy Baca, Gayel…
Las Contemporañeas at the Museum of Ventura County to present inaugural Latina Short-Film Festival on March 8
VENTURA — Las Contemporañeas at the Museum of Ventura County will present the inaugural Latina Short-Film Festival (LSFF) on Saturday, March 8. The LSFF begins with a dessert and champagne reception from 6:30-7:15 p.m. followed by an award to keynote speaker,…
March cover story: Health care issues take centerstage
Affordable Care Act March 31 deadline, new health agency chief and health plan’s improvement of services top the list By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 With the deadline looming for open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace, the announcement of…
More local business information
> California Lutheran University will present “The Equipped Mind,” a free public workshop to help entrepreneurs deal with the psychological issues that come with launching new businesses, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 9, in Lundring Events Center on…
Leah Lacayo elected president of Ventura County Fair board
VENTURA — The board of directors of the Ventura County Fairgrounds has elected Leah Lacayo president, the organization reported in a media release. The board also elected Bonnie Weigel vice president. Lacayo is serving her second appointment to the board of…
Comedian Gabriel ‘Fluffy’ Iglesias to perform Feb. 22 at Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA — Comedian Gabriel ‘Fluffy’ Iglesias to perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 the Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St., Santa Barbara. Iglesias is launching his 2014 world tour, “Unity Through Laughter” with stops across the U.S. and internationally…
‘Love, Hate and Everything in Between’ to be presented Feb. 14 at Café on A
OXNARD — The Valentine’s Day event ‘Love, Hate and Everything in Between’ will be presented from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14 at Café on A, 438 So. A St., downtown Oxnard. Organized and curated by Gee Gee Ontiveros and…
UCSB Conference on Feb. 21-22 to examine the historiography of the Chicano Movement
Special guest panel will discuss ‘The Blowout Generation and Sal Castro’ By Andrea Estrada / UCSB In March 1968, thousands of Chicano students walked out of their East Los Angeles high schools to protest decades of inferior or discriminatory education…
CSU Channel Islands’ Pilar Pacheco receives statewide award for excellence in community engagement
CAMARILLO — Pilar Pacheco, associate director of the Center for Community Engagement at CSU Channel Islands, has earned a prestigious statewide recognition for her impact on service-learning and campus-community partnerships throughout Ventura County and the CSU system, the university reported Thursday in…