Food drives during the holidays help, but don’t solve daily issue for those in need By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 It was a bountiful gathering, nearly 200,000 pounds of food collected during the weekend of Dec. 5-7 to provide…
Category: News
Commentary: Legislators tout bill successes, announce new laws in 2015
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 The holiday season is over as the public readies for the challenges and opportunities to come in 2015. They include a slew of new laws enacted on Jan. 1. State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson in late December…
Local News
CAMARILLO — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County is celebrating January’s National Mentoring Month with a new Match Story each week, highlighting four successful mentoring relationships in Ventura County. The first match story features Micah Garside-White, who was 12…
Local business information
> State Treasurer John Chiang to be keynote speaker at Economic Development Collaborative — Ventura County annual meeting from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15 at the Spanish Hills Country Club, 999 Crestview Ave., Camarillo. Chiang will talk about…
Local health information
> Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will provide information on Covered California and free health screenings at selected locations throughout the month of January in Ventura County. Visit http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2015-01 to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County…
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara! to present Mariachi Flor de Toloache Jan. 9 through 11
SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara! will present Mariachi Flor de Toloache at 7 p.m. Friday at Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Road; at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Guadalupe City Hall, 918 Obispo St.; and at…
Armando Durón to discuss the art of Gilbert ‘Magu’ Lujan at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula on Jan. 8
SANTA PAULA — Chicano art collector and expert Armando Durón will discuss his relationship with the late artist Gilbert “Magu” Lujan over the course of several decades, as well as interpreting the artwork of Magu currently on view from the…
Director Jesus Trevino to present film screening at Santa Paula Art Museum on Jan. 8
SANTA PAULA — Award-winning film and television director Jesus Trevino will present a film screening of “Talkin’ Bout My Generation” at 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8 at the Santa Paula Art Museum, 117 N. 10th St., Santa Paula. Trevino will…
VCCCD Board to confirm Luis Pablo Sanchez as Moorpark College president
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees will consider action to confirm Luis Pablo Sanchez, JD, LLM, as President of Moorpark College at its public meeting on Jan. 20, district officials reported Tuesday, Dec. 23 in…
Letter from Supervisor Zaragoza
As the year 2014 comes to a close, I want to express my gratitude; I am very thankful for the opportunity to serve the residents and businesses of the Fifth District as your representative on the County Board of Supervisors.…
Latin Legends War, Tierra and Malo to perform in Oxnard on Dec. 27
OXNARD — Latin legends War, Tierra and Malo will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets, $33 to $83, are available at http://oxnardpacc.com, by…
Extraordinary service at El Centrito wins Ventura County mother prestigious volunteer award
OXNARD — Maria Teresa Torres, a parent and volunteer, has received The Carl & Roberta Deutsch Foundation’s prestigious Halo Award for her outstanding service with El Centrito Family Learning Centers, the organization reported this week in a media release. For her work training parents…
Women’s Economic Ventures honors Spanish Self-Employment Training fall graduates
Next orientation begins Jan. 6 SANTA BARBARA — A ceremony was recently held in honor of 12 new local entrepreneurs who graduated from the Spanish Self-Employment Training Course offered by Women’s Economic Ventures’ (WEV) Women’s Business Center, the organization reported…
MICOP to present ‘Pasatono Orquesta’ at Oxnard College on Dec. 15
OXNARD — The Mixteco / Indígena Community Organizing Project, the Latino Performing Arts Institute at Oxnard College and the Oxnard College Arts Collaborative will present “Pasatono Orquesta” at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Building,…
Memorial for Ben Saiz to be held Dec. 11 at Ventura College Santa Paula campus
VENTURA — A memorial for Ben Saiz will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11 at the Ventura College Santa Paula campus, 957 Faulkner Road, No. 106, Santa Paula. The memorial, commemorating his life, will be held…
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing, USDA hand house keys to 12 Atascadero families
ATASCADERO — Twelve families who worked together to build the majority of their brand new homes under the supervision of Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) received the keys to their homes during a ceremony held on Dec. 4, the organization reported this…
Guest commentary: Women’s Economic Ventures encourages shoppers to buy gifts from local businesses this holiday season
SANTA BARBARA — As the holidays are approaching, many are thinking of the right gift to give friends and family members. Many people plan to head to the mall or department stores to purchase this season’s hottest items, but Women’s…
Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard to present opening reception for ‘Monumentum: Drawings + Paintings by Ramon Ramirez’ on Dec. 13
OXNARD — The Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard will present “Monumentum: Drawings + Paintings by Ramon Ramirez,” with the opening reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 at 424 S. C. St., Oxnard. The exhibit will open Dec. 14…
December cover story: Holiday charity event ready to hit the streets
Santa to the Sea Half-Marathon on Dec. 14 to benefit numerous charities in the region By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 It’s beginning to look a lot like — breathing hard, wheezing, thirst and aching muscles. Yes, ’tis the season…
Homeless Santa relocates from Carpinteria to find meaningful service in Oxnard
What some were thinking was a bit of typical Oxnard oddity has turned into a signature event. It was in 2002 when it was announced that Santa was being evicted from Santa Claus Lane just north of Carpinteria to make…
Local news
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands has been named one of the nation’s top universities for Hispanic students by BestColleges.com, an independent, research-based college-planning website for students and families, university officials reported in a media release. The university ranked 19th on…
Local business information
> Mark Sylvester, ambassador for 805connect and CEO of introNetworks, will present the talk “Do connections really matter?” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3 at the Cal Lutheran Westlake Center, 31416 Agoura Road, Westlake Village. Sylvester has been building online…
Local health information
> Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will provide information on Covered California and free health screenings at selected locations throughout the month of December in Ventura County. Visit http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2014-12 to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura…
El Concilio Family Services elects 2015 board of directors
OXNARD — El Concilio Family Services recently elected new leadership to its 2015 Board of Directors including new board members, the organization reported Monday. The new officers are: Ernie Villegas, Chairman of the Board; Richard Jaquez, Vice-Chairman; Eduardo Miranda, Secretary;…
7th annual Oxnard Tamale Festival to be held at Plaza Park on Dec. 6
OXNARD — The Seventh annual Oxnard Tamale Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at Plaza Park in downtown Oxnard. Presented by City of Oxnard Recreation & Community Services and Oxnard College, the free…
Finalists for Moorpark College president to participate in public forum on Dec. 1
MOORPARK — Following a nationwide search process, the Moorpark College President Search Committee has narrowed its selection to three finalists for the position of President, the Ventura County Community College District reported in a media release. The finalists, in alphabetical order,…
Guest commentary: I am thankful my Chicano sons are alive
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 am…
UCSB’s David López-Carr named AAAS Fellow
A professor of geography joins the ranks of UCSB faculty members honored for their contributions to the advancement of science By Julie Cohen / UCSB UC Santa Barbara’s David López-Carr has been named a fellow of the American Association for…
Guest commentary: ‘There will be no change.’ Debunking the illusion
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 Recent…
Oxnard College’s Latino Thought Maker Series to present ‘An Evening with Esai Morales’ on Nov. 20
OXNARD — Oxnard College’s Latino Thought Maker Series will present the free program, “An Evening with Esai Morales” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center Auditorium, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. A self-described “actorvist,” award-winning…
Guest commentary: Acuna Art Gallery at Café on A in Oxnard needs your support
To Friends of the Café on A: You are probably aware of the work that we have been doing in the greater Oxnard community for two decades. About 15 years ago we, with the help of people like you, we…
Oxnard College to present Mariachi Aguilas de México, Ballet Folklórico Mestizo Nov. 21 through 23
OXNARD — Oxnard College will present a weekend of traditional Mexican music and dance featuring Mariachi Aguilas de México, with a special performance by Ballet Folklórico Mestizo, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 and 5 p.m.…
Nominations close Nov. 14 for El Concilio Family Services’ 2015 Latino Leadership Award
OXNARD — Nominations close at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14 for the 2015 Latino Leadership Awards presented by El Concilio Family Services. The Latino Leadership Awards were established in 1990 in order to recognize Individuals or organizations that have made…
Final performances of Teatro de las Américas’ ‘La Patas de Hilo’ to be held Nov. 14-15
OXNARD — The final performances of Teatro de las Américas’ “La Patas de Hilo,” a Román Calvo’s musical comedy, will be held at 8 p.m. Nov. 14 and 15 at the Oxnard College Black Box Theater, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. Directed…
Grupo Yodoquinsi to present ‘An offering for our ancestors’ at the Bell Arts Factory on Nov. 10
VENTURA — Grupo Yodoquinsi from Mexico will present a free ‘An offering for our ancestors’ performance at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10 at the Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura. The group will perform with all prehispanic instruments, reports…
UCSB Multicultural Center to present the Cup of Culture film screening of ‘Documented’ on Nov. 12
SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Multicultural Center will present the Cup of Culture film screening of “Documented” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12 at UCSB. In 2011, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas outed himself as an undocumented immigrant in…
Art Program at CSU Channel Islands to present ‘Rafael Perea de la Cabada: The Impossibility of Logic’ with opening reception on Nov. 13
CAMARILLO — The Art Program at CSU Channel Islands will present “Rafael Perea de la Cabada: The Impossibility of Logic” at the John Spoor Broome Library Gallery from Nov. 13 through Jan. 23. The exhibit will open with a free public…
UCSB Multicultural Center to present ‘A Journey Through Brazil and Haiti with Alafia Dance Ensemble’ on Nov. 14
SANTA BARBARA – The UCSB Multicultural Center will present “A Journey Through Brazil and Haiti with Alafia Dance Ensemble” at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14 at the MCC Theater, UCSB. Alafia Dance Ensemble delivers program of music and dance from Brazil…
UCSB Multicultural Center to present “The Tree & The Donkey Who Loved to Sing’ on Nov. 15
SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Multicultural Center will present “The Tree & The Donkey Who Loved to Sing AKA ‘El Árbol’ with Cascada de Flores” at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 at the MMC Theater, UCSB. Children of all ages…
Pulitzer Prize Nominee Victor Villaseñor to speak at fundraiser for Affordable Housing in Ventura County on Nov. 6
CAMARILLO — Pulitzer Prize Nominee Victor Villaseñor will be the guest speaker at the Ventura County Housing Trust Fund “Affordable Housing Fundraiser” from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6 at Camarillo Ranch, 201 Camarillo Ranch Road, Camarillo. Villaseñor will…
UCSB Multicultural Center to present ‘The Story of Salsa’ panel discussion, concert on Nov. 6
SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Multicultural Center will present “The Story of Salsa” panel discussion from 6 to 7:30 p.m.Thursday, Nov. 6 at UCSB. The all-star panel discussion on the origin, cultural meaning, and current global boom of salsa music…
Oxnard Public Library to present ‘Oz’ Sanchez: ‘Know No Limits’ talk on Nov. 8
OXNARD— The Oxnard Public Library will host veteran and motivational speaker Oscar “Oz” Sanchez for a presentation at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Oxnard Public Main Library, 251 S. A St., in meeting room B. A Paralympic gold Medalist and…
November cover story: Groups in region busy helping those in need
Food banks, private businesses, others lending aid this holiday season By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 While hunger and finding a safe and warm place to sleep remain year-round challenges for many people in the 805 region, the need is…
Local news briefs
SAN LUIS OBISPO — SLO RISE (Respect, Inspire, Support, Empower) has announced a change in office hours to meet funding cuts and increasing demand, the organization reported in a media release. “This decision was made after much deliberation,” Jennifer Adams,…
Local business information
> The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) will present its next “Hispano Mixer” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 at the Heritage Cultural Center, 141 W. Fifth St., Suite E, downtown Oxnard. Patty Centurion of Surepath Financial…
Local health information
> Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will provide information on Covered California and free health screenings at selected locations throughout the month of November in Ventura County. Visit http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2014-11 to find times, dates and locations. > The Ventura County…
Oxnard Public Library to present film interview of Vietnam veteran Salvador Castaneda on Nov. 4
OXNARD — Oxnard Public Library will host Regina Gonzalez as she screens and comments on a 45-minute film interview of her late father Salvador Castaneda, which is interspersed with video clips he took in Vietnam at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov.…
Guest commentary: Acuña Art Gallery @ Café to celebrate Día de los Muertos
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 On Oct.…
Commentary: Día de los Muertos has arrived. Variety of events scheduled for 805 region
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 You can almost feel it. That special time of year when the veil between life and death is at its thinnest. Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead is upon us with a number of…
Author and human rights activist to receive UCSB’s annual Leal Award
Stella Pope Duarte’s novels and short story collections address barrio life in the Southwest and the role of women in Chicano culture By Andrea Estrada / UCSB Author Stella Pope Duarte is this year’s recipient of UC Santa Barbara’s Luis…