NEWBURY PARK — Maricela Morales, deputy executive director of the Central Coast Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE), former mayor of Port Hueneme and daughter of immigrant parents, will speak about he current U.S. House and Senate immigration bills and…
Category: Politics
Commentary: Odds and ends
A hero in Boston, diversity on cable news networks, death of a Chicano activist and support for a new Latino-focused movie By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 With the week rapidly drawing to a close, this seems like a good…
Commentary: The Immigration Paradigm — The Shell Game
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 When…
Bilingual commentary: Latinos and the Republican Party
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 Once…
Das Williams’ voter registration bill advances to full assembly
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Das Williams’ voter registration bill won support in the Assembly Elections & Redistricting Committee and will now go to the full Assembly for a vote later this year, Williams reported in a media release on Wednesday. AB 131,…
Women’s Political Council off to busy start
Amigos805 staff report The Ventura County Women’s Political Council is off to a busy start, with more events planned as it celebrates the election of its first board of officers this month. A discussion in January on religion and the…
Time running out to submit holiday events for our December print edition
Due to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday weekend, we will be moving up our deadline to include all your upcoming holiday and other calendar events in our Dec. 1 print edition of Amigos805. Please submit all your events, news, photos as…
Commentary: Election season comes to a close. Hopefully, politics as usual will end as well
Highlights of local races in the 805 By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 When the Fox News anchor said something to the effects that we only have about a 1,000 days until the next Iowa caucus, I was pretty sure…
Check out the November print edition of Amigos805
Politics, upcoming cultural events, tips on travel, food and personal finance — you can find all these in the latest print edition of Amigos805. Distributed throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, the 10,000-copy November print edition can be found…
Bilingual report: Control of the presidency, Congress will impact Latino community
DREAM Act, comprehensive immigration reform, education and jobs among top issues By Frank X. Moraga /Amigos805 Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. A day to look forward to. Silenced will be the annoying “I approve this message” campaign advertisements on television, the…
Bilingual report: Latino community playing strong role in local elections
Campaigns mobilize get-out-the-Latino-vote efforts to compete in close elections By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 After months of meet-the-candidates debates and forums, registration walks, multi-media campaign advertisements and battling media releases, the long 2012 election campaign is coming into…
Bilingual report: Latinos will feel the impact of state education ballot measures
Amigos805 staff report The future of education in California will be drastically shaped by the passage or defeat of a pair of education measures on the Tuesday, Nov. 6 ballot. “Most Californians understand the value of education,” said José Alamillo,…
Huerta to speak at Latino Issues Forum rally on Oct. 27 in Oxnard
OXNARD — National civil rights activist, labor leader, and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Dolores Huerta will speak at the Latino Issues Forum (LIF) “su voto primero” (Your Vote First) rally at Plaza Park in Oxnard at 10:30 a.m. Saturday…
Latino Issues Forum to hold voter rally on Oct. 27 in Oxnard
OXNARD — The Latino Issues Forum (LIF), a coalition of Ventura County community based organizations serving the Latino community has organized a second key event in an effort to maximize voter turnout for the Nov. 6 general election, the group…
Students lead effort to hold ‘Town Hall: Investing in Education’ on Oct. 23
OXNARD — A town hall to support Prop. 30 will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23 at the South Oxnard Community Center, 200 E. Bard Road, Oxnard. Presented by Future Leaders of America, the event supports…
Bilingual report: The last day to register to vote is Monday, Oct. 22
The last day to register to vote for the November Presidential General Election is Monday, Oct. 22. Online, potential voters can visit http://registertovote.ca.gov/ for information on registering to vote on the California Online Voter Registration Website. Potential voters can still come…
Brownley campaign announces ‘Latinos for Julia’ committee
SANTA PAULA — The Julia Brownley for Congress campaign on Oct. 20 announced its “Latinos for Julia” committee, made up of Ventura County, Federal and State elected officials and community leaders that have united behind Julia Brownley, the campaign reported…
Strickland supports Oct. 18 fundraiser for La Colonia Boxing Gym
OXNARD — State Sen. Tony Strickland (R-19th District) took part in the “Locked Up for Kids” fundraiser on Oct. 18 at La Colonia Boxing Gym in Oxnard. Strickland is a Republican candidate for the newly-formed 26th Congressional District, (which includes all of…
‘Latino Issues Forum,’ featuring Congressional, State Senate candidates, set for Oct. 20 in Santa Paula
A ‘Latino Issues Forum,’ featuring Congressional and State Senate candidates, will be held from 10 to 11:15 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20 at First 5 of Santa Paula, 217 10th St., Santa Paula. Presented by SEIU Local 721, the Central Coast…
Deadline approaching for Nov. 1 print edition calendar items, advertisements
The deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22 to submit calendar notices, news briefs, community photographs and other items for possible inclusion in the Nov. 1 print edition of Amigos805. The 10,000-copy publication is distributed throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara…
Time running out to place your paid political advertisement
The deadline is quickly approaching to place your political advertisement in our Nov. 1 print edition. Call 805-218-1824 or send an e-mail to: fmoraga@amigos805.com Your paid political advertisement will appear on all pages of our regularly-updated website (averaging 150,000 hits…
Bilingual letter to the editor: The importance of the Latino vote
Our community understands the need for jobs. We need a representative from Ventura County that understands our economic challenges. Farms contribute over $2 billion dollars to our local economy sustaining over 31,000 jobs in our community. Under this current administration Latinos…
Bilingual report: Community organizations call for Friday, Saturday protests to demand support for CA Trust Act from Das Williams
Open letter addressed issued to Das Williams following support for notorious DHS-ICE “Secure Communities” program OXNARD — Oxnard-based Todo Poder al Pueblo Collective has called for a protest to be held in front of Assemblyman Das Williams’ office at the…
Das Williams responds to controversy over California Trust Act: AB 1081
SACRAMENTO — When the Assemblymember last had the first version of AB1081 bill before him for a vote, which was May 2011, there were a number of questions concerning the legislation that could not be answered. Due to that fact, Assemblymember Williams abstained, the…
July 24 is the deadline for information, advertisement submissions for August print edition
The deadline for submission news and calendar event media releases and advertisements for the August print edition of Amigos805 is 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 25. Amigos805 is also offering a summer business card-size advertisement special for the month of August…
Bilingual commentary: State Assemblyman Das Williams draws fire for opposing CA Trust Act, supporting S-Comm
Community organizations call for July 28 protest at?Assemblyman’s offices in Oxnard and Santa Barbara OXNARD — Assemblyman Das Williams (D-35th District) is walking a tightrope among his constituents in this sensitive election year after provoking outrage among migrant justice advocates…
Summer business card-size advertisement special
Amigos805 will be offering a summer business card-size advertisement special for the month of August for all our social media users. For a discount price of $50, your business card will appear in August on our website, e-newsletter and in…
Bilingual commentary: Call for candidates!
By Denis O’Leary / Guest contributor We have all heard about the Presidential election of November 2012. We also survived the June primary elections to decide the candidates who will face off for county, state and federal positions. Yet, local…
News notes: Fisherman’s Wharf lease expiring, Youth Empowerment Program holds ceremony
Five-Year pre-development lease at Channel Islands Harbor expires OXNARD —The Ventura County Board of Supervisors has chosen to allow the current lease at Fisherman’s Wharf, the corner of Victoria and Channel Islands, to expire on July 31, which is the…
News notes: Capps supports effort to keep low student loans, Schiffer departing Museum of Ventura County
Capps applauds passage of legislation to keep student loan interest rates low WASHINGTON — Rep. Lois Capps (CA-23) on Friday applauded passage of bipartisan legislation to prevent the interest rate on Stafford Student Loans from doubling. If Congress had not…
Capps applauds U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Lois Capps (CA-23) supported the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act, or health insurance reform law. “I’m pleased the Supreme Court has affirmed the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act,” Capps stated Thursday…
Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, June 22 to submit events, reserve advertising space for July Amigos805 print edition
The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, June 22 to submit July calendar events, information and reserve advertising space for the July newspaper print edition of Amigos805. A total of 10,000 copies are distributed throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.…
June edition of Amigos805 has hit the streets
The June print edition of Amigos805 is now available. Click on image above for a pdf of the edition. Click here for a list of locations where you can pick up a copy of the 10,000-copy edition. Thank you readers…
Deadline approaching for June print edition of Amigos805
Also check out our Amigos805 On Scene email newsletter on May 24 for discount coupons The deadline is rapidly approaching for the June print edition of Amigos805. Thank you dear readers and advertisers for supporting our efforts to make Amigos805…
Bilingual report: California ‘Schools Under Stress’
Teacher layoffs, large class sizes and increasing student poverty complicate schools’ mission, study says. By Cesar Arredondo / Amigos805 contributor California’s largest school districts are facing many stress factors that undermine the education of millions of students, according to…
Cost analysis underway for Das Williams’ bill to provide financial support for state’s higher education systems
Nontax revenue for higher education systems being considered SACRAMENTO — The Assembly Appropriations Committee is studying the potential fiscal impact of a legislative proposal introduced by Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) that would transfer some state-owned properties to a public…
Amigos805 May print edition has hit the streets
The May print edition of Amigos805 has hit the streets in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Click on the image above to see a PDF of the edition.
Bilingual report: Update / Actualizaciones
A review of stories from our last edition HERRERA WINS LATINO ISSUES FORUM VOTE, STRICKLAND LEADS FUNDRAISING: Jess Herrera came away with the Latino Issues Forum’s vote, but non-forum attendee State Sen. Tony Strickland is winning the campaign financing race…
Carmen Ramirez to hold campaign kick-off event on April 26 in Oxnard
Oxnard City Councilmember Carmen Ramirez will officially begin her campaign for mayor of Oxnard with a press conference at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, April 26 in front of the Oxnard Public Library, 251 So. A St., Oxnard. “I believe I can continue…
Carmen Ramirez enters Oxnard’s mayoral race
Oxnard City Councilmember Carmen Ramirez has declared her candidacy for mayor of the city of Oxnard. She made her official announcement on the David Cruz show on KOXR AM-910 on Monday, April 23. “I have decided I want to throw my hat in…
Latino Issues Forum set for 6 p.m. April 5 in Oxnard
Join us in a historic event which will help decide who is elected to represent Ventura County in the U.S. Congress, the League of United Latin American Citizens reported in a media release. Clinicas Del Camino Real, LULAC, Latino Town…
Gutierrez captures spirit of César Chávez Celebration
Friend of Amigos805 Jess Gutierrez (photographer, writer, publisher and all things local Latino media) was busy Sunday, April 1 capturing images at the 16th annual César Chávez Celebration, which began with a mass for field workers at Cristo Rey Church, 531 Cooper Road in…
Capps celebrates César E. Chávez’s birthday
“César Chávez’s campaigns for farm worker justice changed the face of agriculture in this country, by improving living standards for migrant workers, reducing the use of harmful chemicals on farms, and awakening Americans to the process by which agricultural products…
Santa Barbara human rights activist honored
SACRAMENTO — Dr. Victoria Riskin, a tireless human rights advocate both globally and locally was honored March 26 as one of California’s “Women of the Year,” the office of Assemblymember Das Williams reported in a media release. Riskin, was among…
Zaragoza holds breakfast fundraiser in Oxnard
A group of more than 500 enthusiastic and dedicated supporters crowded into the Casa Lopez Restaurant in downtown Oxnard to celebrate and raise funds to re-elect John Zaragoza to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, the Zaragoza campaign announced in…
LULAC’s March 3 meeting to feature candidate for Congress
The League of United Latin American Citizens — District 17, will hold its monthly meeting featuring a presentation by Assemblymember Julio Brownley, candidate for Congress, at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 3 at Clinicas del Camino Real, 200 So. Wells Road,…
Premier issue of Amigos805 print edition coming in April
The premier issue of Amigos805, a 10,000-copy bilingual print edition, is coming to the region in April to better serve the community in the California Central Coast region. The publication is then scheduled to go weekly starting in May, the…
Williams introduces bills promoting energy efficiency
SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) recently introduced three bills aimed to help promote green energy technology, facilitate guidelines for efficiency upgrades and optimize investments in distributed generation, his office reported in a media release. AB 2339 will require…
UCSB to host Chicano Movement conference on Feb. 17-18
Event will examine impact of movement and how it relates to today SANTA BARBARA — “Chicano Power!,” a two-day conference at UC Santa Barbara to examine the Chicano movement of the 1960’s and ’70s, a major formative period in Chicano history, will begin…
Election 2012: Endorsements, fundraisers in the news
Amigos805.com staff report The election season continues to heat up with a number of candidates reporting endorsements and upcoming fundraisers in the 805 region. Several candidates announced this week that they had received endorsements from the California Democratic Party last weekend…
Capps votes for House Passage of the STOCK Act. Says stronger bill must be signed into law
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) on Thursday applauded the House of Representative’s passage of the Stop Trading On Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act. Capps is a cosponsor of an earlier version of this legislation that would ban insider…
Capps applauds mortgage fraud settlement, urges additional action
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) on Thursday applauded the announcement that the federal government and 49 states, including California, reached a $25 billion agreement with the nation’s five largest mortgage servicers to penalize robo-signing and other bank…
Das Williams unveils middle class scholarship program
SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) on Wednesday unveiled new legislation to create a middle class Scholarship program aimed to make higher education more affordable for working families. The proposal, which was introduced by Speaker John A. Pérez, (D-Los Angeles),…
District colleges placed on probation
The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges has moved all three of the Ventura County Community College District’s (VCCCD) colleges to “Probation” status due to deficiencies identified by the commission pertaining to the board…
Capps critical of bill that would open up the Central Coast to new offshore oil drilling
WASHINGTON —Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) slammed the House Republican leadership’s transportation bill, the so-called “Energy Security and Transportation Jobs Act” (H.R. 3410), which would mandate new oil and gas drilling in the federal waters off Santa Barbara and Ventura counties,…
LULAC to hold membership meeting on Feb. 4 in Ventura
The League of United Latin American Citizens will hold its next monthly membership meeting from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4 at Clinicas del Camino Real, 200 So. Wells Road, Ventura. Contact Jorge Napoles, deputy district director, at jnapoles@clunet.edu or…
Bilingual report: Williams receives perfect score on pro consumer votes
SACRAMENTO — When it comes to votes on key consumer rights bills, the 2011 Consumer Federation of California (CFC) scorecard found that Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) has sided with consumers 100 percent of the time. The first-term Assemblymember, has…
Election 2012: Endorsements coming fast
Race for Congress features former harbor commission president Amigos805.com staff report For those who have been watching, or seeking to avoid the nonstop media coverage of caucuses and primary races in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida — our time…
Democrats continue to see gains in Latino voters in Florida
The number of Latinos registered in Florida as Democrats grew at an accelerated rate, according to data compiled and released this week by the Pew Hispanic Center in Washington, D.C. The final registration statistics for Florida’s Jan. 31 presidential primary…
Former Lt. Gov. Bustamante endorses Herrera for Congress
OXNARD – Jess Herrera, candidate for Congress in the 26th District, received the endorsement of former California Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, the highest elected Hispanic official to ever serve the State of California, the Herrera campaign announced in a media…
Santa Barbara Supervisor Carbajal endorses Hannah-Beth Jackson for Senate
Democrat supported by more than 50 current and former local elected leaders Supervisor Salud Carbajal announced on Jan. 20 that he has endorsed Hannah-Beth Jackson for State Senate – joining colleagues Doreen Farr and Janet Wolf along with Assemblymember Das Williams,…
Bilingual report: Das Williams announces Assembly fellowship
SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Das Williams this week announced that application information for the 2012-2013 Jesse Marvin Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program is available in his district and Capitol offices. The Assembly Fellowship Program provides the opportunity for aspiring public servants of…
Foro sobre el Voto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior el Sábado 14 de Enero de 2012
Con el objetivo de apoyar al Instituto Federal Electoral (IFE), en México, en la promoción del Voto de los Mexicanos residentes en el exterior, particularmente para el registro a la Lista Nominal de Electores Residentes en el Extranjero (LNERE) que vence el…
David Cruz Show to start Jan. 16 on KTLK 1150 AM
LOS ANGLES – Clear Channel Radio – Los Angeles is launching a new program, the David Cruz Show, starting Monday, Jan. 16, 2012. The program will air weekdays 3-6PMon KTLK, 1150AM, the company reported this week in a media release. “This…
Commentary: Reflecting on 2011, working together in 2012
Dear Editor: As 2011 comes to a close one cannot help reflecting on the past while looking ahead to the future. For me, as I enter my fourth year on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, I feel very grateful.…
Commentary: Top ten in local education
By Denis O’Leary / Guest contributor We will see many lists within the next few days. I would argue that education is a topic of utmost importance and yet we will not see a resume of last year in this subject.…
Commentary: Time to turn the calendar to a new year
Amigos805.com staff report We wish everyone a happy and prosperous 2012. Residents of the 805 region and the rest of the nation in 2011 continued to battle back from the effects of the Great Recession. As noted recently by Bill Watkins, executive…
Das Williams: End-of-year report
It’s been an honor to serve you during this time of crisis and though it hasn’t always been easy due to the ongoing budget problems, I look forward to continuing the progress we’ve already made. As 2011 comes to an…
Capps writes to Entravision CEO urging him to reconsider cancellation of ‘Noticias Univision Costa Central’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) on Dec. 21 released a letter she sent to Mr. Walter Ulloa, Entravision Chairman and CEO, to express her concern about the potential cancellation of “Noticias Univision Costa Central,” the only Spanish-language…
Capps slams House GOP leadership opposition to middle class tax cuts
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) on Dec. 20 slammed the refusal of the House of Representatives Republican leadership to bring bipartisan Senate legislation to extend the middle class payroll tax cut to the House floor for an…
Officials, community celebrate completion of the El Rio Sewer Project
Fifth District Supervisor John Zaragoza, State and local officials and representatives from the El Rio Community on Thursday celebrated with a brief ceremony and a ribbon cutting to commemorate the completion of the El Rio Sewer Project, Zaragoza’s office reported…
El Rio Sewer Project ribbon cutting ceremony set for Dec. 15
Fifth District Supervisor John C. Zaragoza will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the completion of the El Rio Sewer Project at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 15 at the Roger Jones Community Center, 2864 Jourdan St., Oxnard. Since 1999,…
Interfaith leaders call on policy makers to stop separating immigrant families, stop endangering children
Dozens of immigrants and their allies gathered by candlelight in Oxnard’s Plaza Park on Dec. 10 to raise an urgent moral call to policy makers for justice for immigrant families, and especially for the children and young people who are being hurt by…
Zaragoza’s campaign holds successful fundraiser in Oxnard
Many of Ventura County’s Latino Leaders hosted a fundraising event on Dec. 8 honoring County Supervisor John Zaragoza, according to a media release. Host Committee Chairs Alfredo Placencia and Art Hernandez welcomed guests to Ruby’s restaurant in Oxnard. The packed…
LULAC urges community to attend college board meeting on Dec. 13
The League of United Latin American Citizens — Ventura County District 17 is urging LULAC members, Hispanic community leaders and other community members to attend the Ventura Community College District board meeting to support VCCCD Trustee Art Hernandez. LULAC Trustee…
Oxnard City Council to meet Dec. 6 to decide on Channel 25
Community members are urged to turn out in force at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6 at the Oxnard City Council meeting to support efforts to approve an agreement that will reinstate Channel 25 as Oxnard’s public access station. The council…
John Zaragoza re-election fundraiser set for Dec. 8 in Oxnard
A campaign fundraiser for the re-election of John C. Zaragoza to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 at Ruby’s Cafe, 348 So. Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard. Event includes hors d’oeuvers…
Bilingual report: Williams to host Emergency Preparedness Resource Fair and Workshop on Dec. 10 in Goleta
GOLETA — More than 20 agencies and community organizations will provide information and answer questions on how to prepare your family, pets and workplace in case of an emergency or disaster. This is part of the Emergency Preparedness Resource Fair…
Das Williams to host health and resource fair for veterans on Nov. 10 in Ventura
VENTURA — Assemblymember Das Williams is hosting a Veteran’s Health and Resource Fair to help those who have served in our Armed Forces access to resources available to them, his office reported in a media release. The fair will be…
Williams receives perfect rating from seniors
SACRAMENTO — First term Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) received a perfect score from the California Congress of Seniors on their annual legislative report card, Williams’ office reported Monday in a media release. Each year the state’s leading senior citizens…
Víctor Ríos to talk about the impact of juvenile justice policies on Latino youth on Nov. 8 in Santa Barbara
Víctor Ríos to talk about “Punished: Policing the lives of Black and Latino boys’ at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8 at the UCSB Multiculture Center Theater, the university reported in a media release. Ríos analyzes how punitive juvenile crime policies…
Oxnard College to present the migrant farm worker documentary ‘The Purepecha…’ on Nov. 9
Award-winning writer, director and producer Cheryl Quintana Leader will present her short documentary “The Purepecha: Poorest of the Poor” from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Complex, 4000 So. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The…
Commentary: The Occupiers
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor We read about them and see them on the daily news: the Occupiers of Wall Street, Chicago, San Francisco, and now even of Ventura. They are protesting the economic conditions that have befallen the…
CVUUF community forum set for Oct. 27 in Newbury Park
The Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is presenting the CVUUF Community Forum David Korten — “American Awakening: From Wall Street Protests to a Main Street Economy,” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27 at Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 3327 Old…
Supervisor Zaragoza inducted into Oxnard High School Hall of Fame
Ventura County Supervisor and Oxnard High School alumnus John C. Zaragoza was inducted into the Oxnard High School Hall of Fame on Thursday, Oct. 13. “I am honored to receive this great award from Oxnard High School,” Zaragoza stated in…
Commentary: Final De Colores Art Show reception set for Oct. 15 in Santa Paula
By Frank X. Moraga / www.Amigos805.com Say it’s not true, but it looks like the final De Colores Art Show will kick off with a farewell reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Santa Paula Museum…
UCSB conference on Oct. 14 to highlight new scholarship on César Chávez and the UFW
SANTA BARBARA — New research and scholarship that have altered the general understanding of the United Farm Workers (UFW) movement as well as that of labor and civil rights leader César Chávez will be the focus of a daylong…
L.A. Xicano exhibits opens on Oct. 14 with ‘Art Along the Hyphen: The Mexican-American Generation’
One city, five exhibitions, more than eighty artists. An unprecedented view of Chicano art. Organized by the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center and curated by Chon A. Noriega, Terezita Romo, and Pilar Tompkins Rivas L.A. Xicano is a unique collaboration between the…
Commentary: Ending class warfare in education
Class warfare in education has been waged for years. It must end. Cries from the extreme right have accused President Obama of starting a “class warfare” because corporations and the ultra-rich are being asked to pay their fair share in…
Capps announces federal funds for Oxnard College to help Hispanic students earn degrees in science, math, engineering
SANTA BARBARA — Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) on Thursday announced that Oxnard College has been awarded a highly competitive grant from the Department of Education’s Science Technology Engineering Mathematics program for Hispanic Serving Institutions. Oxnard College has been awarded…
Capps applauds repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
WASHINGTON — Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) applauded the repeal of the military’s failed and discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy, her office reported today in a media release. Capps has long supported the repeal of DADT and…
Williams sides with consumer protections in votes
SACRAMENTO — As issues relating to consumer protection arose for state lawmakers during the first part of the legislative session, Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) sided with consumers 100 percent of the time, the office of Das Williams reported in…
Capps celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
WASHINGTON — Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) issued the following statement in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 through October 15 every year. “This week we begin celebrating Hispanic Heritage month and will pay tribute to…
Commentary: A Mexican cousin’s view of the U.S.
By David Magallanes /Guest contributor It was their 8/25. It doesn’t resonate with us as well as “9/11” does and always will. The events of August 25, 2011, weren’t of the gasping magnitude of 9/11, but it shook Mexican society…
Das Williams: Legislation secures federal funding for energy efficiency retrofits to state buildings
SACRAMENTO — A bill that Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) has authored jointly with the chairman of the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce to authorize the transfer of additional money to help finance energy efficiency retrofits in state buildings…
Das Williams: Assembly passes tax relief for middle class families
Plan also Closes Tax Loophole and Helps Small Businesses SACRAMENTO — Assembly Democrats and two Republican’s approved a plan on Sept 8 that includes an income tax break for working families and provides an incentive for job creation here in…
Capps applauds outline of American Jobs Act, urges House leadership to bring bill to the floor
WASHINGTON – Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) released the following statement in response to President Obama’s address to Congress and outline of the American Jobs Act. “Tonight, President Obama laid out several straightforward, bipartisan proposals to create jobs and…
LULAC’s first fall meeting set for Sept. 10 in Ventura
The League of United Latin American Citizens will hold its first fall meeting of LULAC District 17 from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 at Clinicas del Camino Real, 200 So. Wells Road, No. 200, Ventura. Contact Jorge Napoles,…
Capps, others introduce legislation to ensure jobs are a priority
Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, joined Rep. John Larson and 57 of her colleagues in introducing legislation on Sept. 6 to ensure that job creation and economic growth are given the same focus and priority in Congress as reducing the…
Das Williams bill to increase public safety clears senate floor
A bill authored by Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) that provides policy guidelines regarding background screening requirements for Emergency Medical Responders, passed the Senate floor on Sept. 6, according to a media release. Assembly Bill 1245 simply states that if…
Bilingual report: Three bills awaiting governor’s signature
Three pieces of legislation being carried by first-term State Assemblymember Das Williams (D- Santa Barbara) are currently awaiting Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature after successfully navigating the legislative process in both the Assembly and Senate. the office of Assemblymember Das Williams…
Bilingual report: Local officials rally to support effort to save McGrath State Beach
Leaders urge families to help prevent closure of McGrath State Park by Voting online for a chance to win $100,000 in National America is Your Park contest Assemblymember Das Williams (D- Santa Barbara) was joined by Senator Fran Pavley (D- Santa…
Williams, Zaragoza seeking public support to keep McGrath State Beach open
Votes can help park win $100,000 for renovations Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) and Ventura County Fifth District Supervisor John Zaragoza are asking 805 residents to vote for McGrath State Beach, which currently ranks 6th in the “America…
Tour de Dreams comes to CSU Channel Islands on Aug. 19
Dreamers without borders will host the Tour de Dreams with a potluck BBQ, discussion, live DJ and Dance at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19 at CSU Channel Islands at the Student Union Treehouse Courtyard. The Tour de Dreams will be…
Latino Links: Political trends
Rick Perry may have a challenge convincing Latinos to support him after the Texas governor announced on Aug. 13 that he was entering the race for the 2012 Republican nomination. Writer Yolanda Gonzalez Gomez reports in the Huffington Post that…
Commentary: The debt ceiling debate: Was it lunacy?
By Boyd Lemon / Guest contributor Polls show that the vast majority of Americans were appalled this week at the debate over the debt ceiling that seemed to take the country to the edge of economic catastrophe. Did this debacle…
LULAC charges mismanagement of Oxnard gang suppression grants
The League of United Latin American Citizens is calling on the city of Oxnard to halt the practice of hiring former Oxnard Police Department Officials as “gang suppression” consultants and hire an external auditor to examine “perceived conflicts of interest,”…
Oxnard City Council to consider Spanish-language broadcast at July 12 meeting
The Oxnard City Council will consider a policy to broadcast meetings of the city council with interpretation into Spanish during its next meeting at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 12 at the council chambers, 305 W. Third St., Oxnard. “LULAC believes…
Das Williams holding ‘State Budget Town Hall Meeting’ on July 8
Assemblymember Das Williams is presenting a State Budget Town Hall Meeting from 4 to to 6 p.m. Friday, July 8 at Oxnard High School, 3400 W. Gonzalez Road, in the Performing Arts Center. Click here for reservations and additional information.
Das Williams states case for approved state budget
While not liking the recently-approved California state budget because of its deep levels of cuts, Assemblymember Das Williams said it is the only solution that “mathematically works” given early refusal by Republicans to let voters extend tax revenues. Democrats on…
Supporters attend Zaragoza reelection breakfast
A group of more than 500 supporters, including local business owners, elected officials, labor representatives and community leaders joined together at Casa Lopez in Oxnard to celebrate the opening event to re-elect John Zaragoza to the Ventura County Board of…
Groups present redistricting workshop on June 18
In preparation for the California Redistricting Commission public hearing, a redistricting workshop will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 18 at Driffill Elementary School, 910 So. E St., Oxnard. The commission has submitted an initial proposal that…
Capps reports new potential funding for region’s military bases
Key federal funding for the construction of a new education center at Vandenberg Air Force Base and a training facility at Naval Base Ventura County was included in H.R. 2055, the Fiscal Year 2012 Military Construction-VA Appropriations bill that…
Commentary: Das Williams says no to Ormond Beach project
Dear Friends, A proposed 1,500-unit housing project adjacent to Ormond Beach in South Oxnard will be before the City Council on Tuesday, June 14. I have strongly opposed this project and continue to do so, joining the Environmental Defense Center (EDC),…
Latino Links: Political Trends
The proposed redistricting for California is a “Worst-Case Scenario” for Latinos in California, according to a news report on June 11 by New American Media. The first batch of political maps by California’s new Citizens Redistricting Commission is having exactly the…
Commentary: SouthShore development deserves a yes vote from Oxnard Council
By Maria Elena Cruz / Member LULAC District Board In a few days the Oxnard City Council will make a crucial decision — whether to approve or deny an important new proposed community development in South Oxnard. Your involvement as…
Updated: Zaragoza announces his bid for re-election
Ventura County Supervisor John C. Zaragoza has announced his bid for re-election at a media conference held Monday, June 6 at the Ventura County Government Center. “I am proud of my achievements as a County Supervisor. In a short time,…
Community urged to call in to fight Oxnard redistricting
Oxnard residents are being urged to call the California Redistricting Commission to voice their opposition to a proposal that would split Oxnard into two Assembly District. Half of Oxnard’s residents, as well as Santa Paula and Fillmore, would be split and go…
Latino Links: Political Trends
The Tequila Party is coming to a state near year. Latinos seeking to counter the influence on immigration policy by the tea party movement have launched the movement with the slogan “Your shot at change,” according to a report in…
Das Williams: Bills garner bipartisan support on way to State Senate
Assemblymember Das Williams on June 1 shepherded two bills off the Assembly floor and on to the State Senate. Both bills, AB 1303 and AB 178, passed with bipartisan support, Williams’ office reported in a media release. “I am pleased…
Oxnard High School Academic Decathlon Team receives recognition
Ventura County Fifth District Supervisor John C. Zaragoza congratulated Oxnard High School’s Academic Decathlon Team “A” with a presentation of commendation at the County of Ventura Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, May 24, the supervisor’s office reported in a…
Redistricting meeting set for May 25 in Oxnard
The Office of Ventura County Supervisor John C. Zaragoza will hold a Town Hall Meeting regarding the proposed Supervisorial Redistricting Program at 6 p.m. Wednesday May 25 the Oxnard Public Library at 251 So. A St., Meeting Room B, Oxnard.…
BPA in baby products bill passes key Assembly vote
Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) provided a key floor vote and co-authorship for proposed legislation that would restrict the use of Bispenol-A (BPA) in certain baby products, Williams reported Tuesday in a media release. “I am pleased to co-author this…
Community celebrates LULAC state convention in Oxnard
Community members celebrated the 64th annual California State Convention of the League of United Latin American Citizens held May 20-22 at the Residence Inn Marriott in Oxnard. The event was hosted by LULAC District 17 and was scheduled to include…
Bilingual report: Das Williams announces district office staff
First-term State Assembly Member Das Williams announced this week that he has hired the following District Office staff: Williams hired former SEIU 721 political coordinator Jeannette Sanchez as his district director, Senior Field Representative Hillary Blackerby, who held the same…
Williams pesticide regulation bill passes committee
Assembly Bill 1176, which would implement enforceable timelines under the Toxic Air Contaminant Act with respect to pesticides, passed the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee on April 26, Assemblymember Das Williams, D-35 Assembly District, reported recently. The proposed legislation…
Latino Links: Political Trends
More than 6.6 million Latinos voted in last year’s election — a record for a midterm, according to an analysis released recently by the Pew Hispanic Center. Fueled by their rapid population growth, Latinos also were a larger share of…
Das Williams to speak on April 20 in Santa Paula
Assemblymember Das Williams, D-35th, will speak on his “Save Public Libraries” bill at a no-host dinner at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 20 at Vince’s Coffee Shop, 827 E. Main St., Santa Paula, 805.525.0314. Presented by the Santa Clara Valley Democratic…
‘Oxnard March for Rights’ set for April 10
The “Oxnard March for Rights” begins at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 10 at Del Sol Park, corner of Rose and Camino del Sol avenues, in La Colonia neighborhood of Oxnard. Organizers said the event features the United Farm Workers union and…
Williams takes part in Dolores Huerta Foundation fundraiser
Assemblymember Das Williams, (D-CA 35th District), took part in a fundraiser for the Dolores Huerta Foundation held March 15 in Sacramento. *** Asambleísta Das Williams, fotografiado aquí con la destacada activista Dolores Huerta, donde compartió el foro y algunas palabras junto con varios…
Healthcare Reform celebrates one-year anniversary
Attendees celebrate the one-year anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act during a presentation held March 28 at the Oxnard Public Library in Oxnard. “The health care law has provided critical benefits for families, seniors, and small businesses…
CAUSE reports library services bill gains supporters
The Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) is a sponsor for a bill introduced by Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) that would give communities a voice on how their public libraries are run, the organization reported this…
Immigration panel discussion set for March 9 in Thousand Oaks
The Democratic Club of the Conejo Valley will present a moderator-led immigration forum beginning with a reception at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 9 at the Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Confirmed speakers include immigration attorney Gabriella Navarro-Busch;…
Lois Capps: House budget bad for California’s security
Cuts to port and border security endanger safety and hurt economy The seven month spending bill passed by the House last month would weaken California’s security by reducing funding for critical security grant programs, Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, stated…
Das Williams: Help me balance the budget
Dear Friends, Last weekend we held our first town hall meeting in Ventura concerning the budget. The nonprofit, Next 10, demonstrated their California Budget Challenge, which allowed attendees to vote on Governor Brown’s proposals to balance the budget. The Ventura…
Latino Links: Political Trends
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805.com While the DREAM Act failed to gain approval from the U.S. Congress, Latinos going to the polls in 2012 are expected to remember the failed proposal and the inability by both parties to achieve…
Public continues to oppose changing ‘Birthright Citizenship’
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 While Arizona Republican lawmakers ponder a variety of legislative bills aimed at cracking down on undocumented immigration in the state, a Pew Research Center Poll released Feb. 24 continues to show the American public…
Latino Links: Political Trends
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805.com The economy, immigration and other hot button issues continue to impact the perceptions Latinos have when supporting Republicans or Democrats, according to a recent poll. Meanwhile, in a demographic trend that could be repeated…
Board of Supervisors make history with appointment
For the first time in about 100 years, a Latino citizen, John Zaragoza, was appointed vice chair of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. The appointment was made at the Jan. 11 Board of Supervisors meeting. Adolfo Camarillo, the only…
Das Williams holding swearing-in dinner Jan. 16
The Das Williams campaign will hold a celebratory dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16 at Casa Lopez Mexican Restaurant & Banquet Hall, 325 So. A St., Oxnard. Sponsored by the Ventura County Firefighters, Williams said the swearing-in…
Latinos gaining in political power nationwide
Key swing states seeing growth of Latino population By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 Latino voters are playing a big role in states that gained congressional seats and Electorial College votes, according to a report released this week by the Pew…
Commentary: Time for Latino voters to get motivated
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 Mid-term elections are usually pretty dull affairs compared to national presidential campaigns. Most voters tend to believe that it’s politics as usual, their vote will really not make a difference and they would rather…