Category: News

Angeles Small named executive director of Social Justice Fund for Ventura County

CAMARILLO — Angeles Small has been named executive director of the Social Justice Fund for Ventura County, the organization reported in a media release. Small has more than 15 years of experience in the management and development of organizations in United…

¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! to present Perla Batalla in free concerts Feb. 7-9

SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! presents Grammy-nominated vocalist Perla Batalla and her combo in free family concerts at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 at Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Road, Goleta (805-893-5037); 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 at…

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…

UCSB to honor ‘City of Night’ author John Rechy with Luis Leal Award for Distinction in Chicano/Latino Literature

SANTA BARBARA — Novelist John Rechy is this year’s recipient of the UC Santa Barbara’s Luis Leal Award for Distinction in Chicano/Latino Literature, university 0fficials reported in a media release. The award will be presented during a ceremony at 4 p.m.…

CSU Channel Islands’ Antonio Jiménez Jiménez named administrator of the American Translators Association’s Educators Division

CAMARILLO — Antonio Jiménez Jiménez, Associate Professor of Spanish at CSU Channel Islands (CI), has been named administrator of the American Translators Association’s (ATA) Educators Division. Based in Alexandria, Va., the ATA is the nation’s largest professional organization for translators and interpreters, with…

Jan. 31 nomination deadline approaching for El Concilio’s Latino Leadership Awards

OXNARD — The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31 to submit nominations for the 25th annual El Concilio Family Services’ Latino Leadership Awards, to be presented at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 31 in Oxnard. “Since 1990, El Concilio Family Services has recognized…

Hospice of Santa Barbara to present bilingual support groups for parents, children starting in Feburary

SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara will present free support groups, in both English and Spanish, for adults and caregivers of bereaved children and teens every Wednesday from Feb. 19 through April 9, the organization reported Tuesday in a media release. The…

Consulate of Mexico and the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking to hold forum on Jan. 23 in Oxnard

OXNARD — Consulate of Mexico and the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking will hold forum “Abolish Salvery & Trafficking of People and the Signing Ceremony of MOU” from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23  at El Alfarero Assembly of…

Bilingual report: Rep. Brownley reports on $1.5 million in overdue federal benefits delivered to Ventura County

THOUSAND OAKS – In the year since Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) took office, Brownley and her staff have successfully delivered $1.5 million in overdue federal benefits to her Ventura County constituents, Rep. Brownley reported Friday in a media release.…

El Concilio wins award from Bank of America

OXNARD — El Concilio Family Services in Oxnard was selected by Bank of America for a $3,000 award to support its effort to enhance the community, El Concilio reported in a media release. “El Concilio relies on the contributions of committed…

Local news

Children’s Resource Network of the Central Coast reported that it received more than 670 Christmas gifts. “We were able to give to every single child brought to us in need of Christmas presents,” organizers reported in a media release. “A big hug…

Bilingual report: Rep. Brownley’s bill benefitting Ventura County sent to president’s desk

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate sent to the President’s desk on Dec. 20 legislation passed last week by the House that includes a provision spearheaded by Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) that will directly benefit Ventura County. Brownley originally introduced the…

El Centrito Family Learning Centers in Oxnard thanks supporters

Dear El Centrito Family & Friends, We are inspired by the tremendous community support our holiday campaign has received. Thank you for your generous donations that nurture our roots and support us as we reach for new heights. The El Centrito…

Wells Fargo, Santa Barbara County community help make Foodbank Turkey Drive a success

$26,100 raised and 2,075 turkeys and 2,000 chickens distributed for Thanksgiving SANTA BARBARA — Thanks to Wells Fargo and the entire Santa Barbara County community, 2,075 turkeys and 2,000 chickens were distributed this Thanksgiving season, officials with Foodbank of Santa…

Guest commentary: A home for the holidays

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 Many…

December cover story: The magic of the season comes to 805 region

Religious and cultural celebrations, giving campaigns mark the holidays By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 The lighting of the Christmas tree, holiday parades, religious and cultural observances and, above all, the spirit of giving mark the return of the holiday…

Bilingual report: Promotoras y Promotores Foundation to present bilingual program on the Affordable Care Act on Dec. 5

OXNARD —  The Promotoras y Promotores Foundation will present a bilingual information program on the Affordable Care Act and Covered California from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 at its offices, 1500 Camino Del Sol, Room 21, in the…

Bilingual report: Casa Dolores to hold Latin American arts & crafts sale on Dec. 7 in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA — Casa Dolores will hold its annual Latin American Arts & Crafts sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at 1023 Bath St., Santa Barbara. The event features Latin American artists from the Santa Barbara and Ventura areas.…

Guest commentary: Latina Voices, vision and stories

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editors 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 Storytelling…

Dr. Robert Gonzalez to leave position as director of Ventura County Health Care Agency

VENTURA COUNTY — Dr. Robert Gonzalez will leave his position as director of Ventura County Health Care Agency upon completion of recruitment for his successor, Ventura County Executive Officer Mike Powers announced in a media release on Nov. 14. “Dr. Gonzales…

CSU Channel Islands director of Admissions & Records wins national award

Ginger Reyes named 2013 Mid-Level Student Affairs Professional by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators CAMARILLO — Ginger Reyes, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs and director of Admissions & Records at CSU Channel Islands (CI), has been named a leader in…

Rep. Brownley announces $850,000 in funding for Clinicas del Camino Real to improve health access

VENTURA COUNTY — Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will receive more than $850,000 in funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Community Health Center Program, Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village), reported in a media release. Through its 13…

UCSB to present talk on race, government on Nov. 13

SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Interdisciplinary Humanities Center will present Kenneth Prewitt, author of “TALK: What is Your Race? — And Why the Government Should Ask,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13 at the Mosher Alumni House. Prewitt is a Carnegie Professor of…

Bilingual report: Teatro de las Américas to present ‘Cielito Lindo’ Nov. 15 through Dec. 7

OXNARD — Teatro de las Américas will present “Cielito Lindo” by Gustavo Ott on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. from Nov. 15 through Dec. 7 at its theater, 880 Wagon Wheel Road (corner with Ventura Road at the 101 Freeway),…

Former migrant worker turned motivational speaker to give presentation at Allan Hancock College on Nov. 7

SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria will present guest speaker Raúl Lomelí, co-founder and executive chairman of Saber es Poder (Knowledge is Power), a Spanish-language media and empowerment network, on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.…

November cover story: Holiday helping season is under way

From food drives to toy donations, groups already helping those in need By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 As the 805 region enters the holiday season, the time is here for local organizations to step up their efforts to help…

Local news

Santa Barbara County Second District Supervisor Janet Wolf recently visited the Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL) at SBCC Wake Campus, where she met staff and teachers and toured the campus with CLL Executive Director Andy Harper. Supervisor Wolf visited CLL…

Organización en California de Líderes Campesinas to conduct candlelight vigil, ‘Apron Project’ exhibit on Oct. 25 in Oxnard

OXNARD — Líderes Campesinas will hold a vigil against domestic violence from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25 at Our Lady of Guadalupe, 500 No. Juanita Ave., Oxnard. As a united community, we will remember women who have died as…

Bilingual report: Santa Maria performance poet Enedina Castañeda appears in Hollywood

  HOLLYWOOD — Poet / Poetisa Enedina Castañeda of Santa Maria performed with other Latin-American poets Oct. 8 at the Celebrity Centre in Hollywood. It’s a preliminary event for an international upcoming event in 2014 (embracing the arts in all its…

Guest commentary: No place to call your own

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editors 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 Fires…

Chicano Art Collection of Ben Saiz opens Oct. 21 at Ventura College Santa Paula. Reception is Oct. 25

SANTA PAULA — The Chicano Art Collection of Ben Saiz will open Monday, Oct. 21 at Ventura College Santa Paula, 957 Faulkner Road, 106, Santa Paula. Curated by Xavier “Big X” Montes, the exhibit features original works of art by Diego Rivera, David…

El Centrito Family Learning Centers opens new toddler program

OXNARD — El Centrito Family Learning Centers, in partnership with First 5 Ventura County and the Ocean View School District, opened the new Little Dolphins Early Learning Program on Aug. 28, at the Ocean View Early Education Site (OVEES), creating…

Panel discussion examines plight of ‘Out of Status’ students throughout history on Oct. 15 at UCSB

SANTA BARBARA — They are among California’s highest achievers. High school graduates — in many cases their class valedictorians — community volunteers and now university students. They are hardworking seekers of their own version of the American Dream. They are also…