By David Magallanes / Guest contributor It is becoming more and more difficult to sell to our young people the idea that going to college will allow them to better their lives, be a success, or, in general terms, to achieve something…
Oxnard Salsa Festival participants of ‘Dancing with Our Community Stars’ event
Pedro Chavez of Big Brothers, Big Sisters Ventura County, Yvonne Gutierrez of El Concilio Family Services in Oxnard and Martin Hernandez of Interface Children & Family Services are among of group of community members who will be participating in the…
Guest Commentary: Successful business networking tips
By Shawn McCarthy / Guest contributor Networking is the process of developing contacts and relationships to increase your business, enhance your knowledge, expand your sphere of influence or serve the community. In its most basic form, “business networking” is leveraging your…
FOOD Share receives more than 124,000 pounds of donations
Due to the success of the 2012 ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ food drive, FOOD Share, Ventura County’s regional food bank, recently added nearly 125,000 pounds of donated food to the shelves of its Oxnard warehouse distribution center, the organization reported this…
El Concilio profile: Lorenzo “Lencho” Moraza
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Service 2012 Latino Leadership awards — “Excellence in Education.” The awards gala will be held on Friday, June 1, 2012 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click…
Cancer Prevention Fair served community in Santa Barbara
EDC-VC receives county funding to promote job growth
Community Development Block Grant funding for loans programs and business assistance CAMARILLO – To spur new hiring and employment growth, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors recently approved $442,502 in funding for the Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County’s business assistance and…
‘Connecting the Oaxacan Communities’ talk set for May 24 in Ventura
The Ventura County Community Foundation, the Fundación Comunitaria Oaxaca and the International Community Foundation will present the “Connecting the Oaxacan Communities” panel presentation from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 24 at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main…
Bilingual report: Public Safety Fair set for May 26 in Oxnard
A “Public Safety Fair” featuring the Oxnard Police Department, the California Highway Patrol and the Oxnard Fire Department, will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 26 at Southwinds Park at Courtland and Clara streets in Oxnard.…
MICOP seeks volunteers for May 26 community meeting
Volunteers are needed to set up and staff the children’s crafts area and provide clean up assistance when the Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project present its next monthly community meeting on Saturday, May 26 at Harrington Elementary School, 2501 Gisler St. in…
CLU Upward Bound receives $3 million
Grants will continue current services, allow expansion THOUSAND OAKS — The U.S. Department of Education has awarded California Lutheran University more than $3 million to continue and expand its TRIO Traditional Upward Bound services, the university reported this week in…
Businesses to benefit from SCORE, SBDC partnership
Memorandum of Understanding formalizes organizations’ working relationship CAMARILLO –Startups and growing businesses have long benefited from business assistance services from the EDC-VC’s Small Business Development Center of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties and Ventura County SCORE. Now the two nonprofit organizations…
Bilingual commentary: The graduation ceremony
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor This past week, my beloved daughter received her master’s degree in education from Cal Lutheran, a prestigious and highly recognized university here in Ventura County. Her mother and I, together with her husband and two sons,…
El Concilio profile: Roxanne Reyna Miranda
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Service 2012 Latino Leadership awards — “Excellence in Education.” The awards gala will be held on Friday, June 1, 2012 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click…
Safety improvement project scheduled for Nyeland Acres
Ventura County Supervisor John Zaragoza, in his capacity as chair of the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC), on Friday announced that major safety improvements will soon be constructed on the portion of Ventura Boulevard within Oxnard city limits adjacent to…
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme takes honors at national conference
OXNARD — The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme (BGCOP) recently received two prestigious Merit Awards for Program Excellence from Judith J. Pickens, senior vice president, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the organization reported in…
Local student awarded full-tuition scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs, University of Phoenix
OXNARD – Boys & Girls Clubs alumni Kara Brown was one of 20 recipients nationwide to receive a full-tuition scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and University of Phoenix to complete an undergraduate or master’s degree. More than 200 Boys…
Bilingual commentary: ‘Today, we are all Mixteco’
By Denis O’Leary / Guest contributor The Mixteco/Indígena Community Organizing Project (MICOP), has started a campaign against racism and bullying of the Mixteco community in Ventura County. MICOP estimates that there are more than 20,000 indigenous Mexicans in Ventura County, mostly Mixtecos…
El Concilio profile: Kristine Guzman
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories in May profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Service 2012 Latino Leadership awards — “Excellence in Education.” The awards gala will be held on Friday, June 1, 2012 at the Oxnard Performing…
Clinicas del Camino Real is celebrating Women’s Health Week
Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. is hosting events this week in honor of National Women’s Health Week (May 13-19), the health care provider reported Thursday in a media release. Clinicas invites the community to visit one of its 13 locations…
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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…
CSU Channel Islands celebrates opening of new entrance
University officials, political leaders and the public gathered on May 11 for the official opening of a new four-lane University Drive main entrance road at California State University, Channel Island. The public dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony included a presentation by…
Bilingual commentary: Filing … not piling
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor Some time ago I felt completely inundated by mail, receipts and documents that I would receive — and, as a result, accumulate — day after day after day. The very volume of that paper was overwhelming…
Indigenous community to launch anti-bullying campaign on May 17
Indigenous Mexican leaders of Ventura County will publicly launch the “No Me Llames Oaxaquita!” (Don’t call me little Oaxacan!) campaign at a press conference at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 17 at the Center for Employment Training, 761 So. C St., Oxnard,…
8th annual Rebozo Festival, ‘Bringing Culture to Ventura County,’ set for May 20
Las Madrinas del Rebozo of Ventura County will be presenting their 8th Annual Rebozo Festival at the historic Camarillo Ranch House from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 20 in Camarillo. Las Madrinas, translated to “The Godmothers” are a…
Memo & Friends to perform May 20 at California Strawberry Festival
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 When the 29th annual edition of the California Strawberry Festival rolls around this coming weekend, the sounds of “Smooth Latin Soul & Raggae” will be heard from the Festival Stage come early Sunday…
El Concilio profile: Margaret Cortese
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories in May profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Service 2012 Latino Leadership awards — “Excellence in Education.” The awards gala will be held on Friday, June 1, 2012 at the Oxnard Performing…
Five Wishes celebration held in Santa Barbara
More than 200 community members took part recently in the Second Annual Community-Wide Gathering and Celebration of the Five Wishes held at the Rockwood Woman’s Club in Santa Barbara. The Alliance for Living and Dying Well, a collaborative of Santa…
Free Oaxacan dance performance set for 6 p.m. May 11
The Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project is co-sponsoring a free evening of Oaxacan dance, music, hot chocolate and bread with the Rio School District and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May…
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…
Bilingual commentary: Children, schools and food
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor Children delight us, although at times they may bother or even anger us. But our children are our treasure, and nothing is more important than their upbringing and their health. The success of our efforts is…
LULAC urges public to attend May 10 Rio School District meeting
The League of United Latin American Citizens — District 17 — is urging the public to attend the next Rio School District board meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 10 to show support for three trustees who may face a…
CLU honors alumna for language work
Julie Sykes’ digital games immerse users in Spanish THOUSAND OAKS — The California Lutheran University Alumni Association Board of Directors presented the 2012 Outstanding Young Alumna Award to a University of New Mexico faculty member who uses technology to teach…
Capps announces $3.2 million in grants to Clinicas to expand health services
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) on Monday announced that Ventura-based Clinicas Del Camino Real has been awarded two grants totaling nearly $3.2 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to fund renovation and construction projects…
Commentary: Single-member district elections will better serve Oxnard
By Denis O’Leary / Guest contributor Be it a smiling teacher at the door as a child walks in the classroom, a new school site or solar panels on the playgrounds to generate clean electricity, there are many ways to educate the…
El Concilio profile: Oliva Barajas
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories in May profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Service 2012 Latino Leadership awards — “Excellence in Education.” The awards gala will be held on Friday, June 1, 2012 at the Oxnard…
Amigos805 goes on KPCC’s ‘Patt Morrison’ show on 89.3 FM to discuss Cinco de Mayo
Dr. David Hayes-Bautista and Amigos805’s Frank X. Moraga joined KPCC’S Patt Morrison on 89.3 FM in a discussion Friday on the true history behind Cinco de Mayo and the battle against big American marketing efforts to turn the holiday into ‘Cinco…
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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: Colleges fight to survive time of change
State budget cuts, capped enrollment make community college today a challenge Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of stories on the state of affairs in the California community college system. This story addresses the problems facing Latino students. Next…
Bilingual Commentary: Cinco de Mayo. Not Cinco de Drinko
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 A cultural battle is being waged on the streets of America and those fighting it must at times feel like the Mexican patriots on May 5, 1862 — shivering during a cold morning in…
Bilingual commentary: The month of April
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor For several reasons, I love the month of April. Besides the fact that it’s the month of my birthday, here in Ventura County we can’t deny that April is the month of the finest…
Bilingual commentary: The Eighth Annual Rebozo Festival
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor The garden party to rival all garden parties is right around the rosebush. The Eighth Annual Rebozo Festival will take place on Sunday, May 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Camarillo. If you…
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…
Bilingual report: Briefs/Breves
COLLEGE ACCREDITATION VISIT: The Ventura County Community College District was visited by a site team from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges on April 16. The team was looking at the district’s…
Bilingual report: Fiesta de Mayo events continue to grow
Amigos805 staff report Give us a day and we will take a month. Give us a month and we will take a couple of months. That seems to be the trend with the Latino community as it tries to fit…
Deadline approaches to RSVP for May 4 ‘Youth Empowerment Summit’ at Oxnard College
The registration deadline is Tuesday, May 1 for the annual “Youth Empowerment Summit,” which will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, May 4 at Oxnard College, 4000 So. Rose Ave., Oxnard, the Young Leaders Society reported…
Cinco de Mayo symposium set for May 4 at UCSB
The Symposium “Cinco de Mayo: Twenty-First Century Perspectives,” will be presented from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 4 at the University of California, Santa Babara in Mosher House — Alumni Hall. Presented by 150 De Mayo Puebla Defensa…
‘Social Justice Center Stage’ will be held May 6 in Thousand Oaks
“Social Justice Center Stage,” the Social Justice Fund for Ventura County’s third annual community fundraiser/celebration, will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 6 at Larry Janns’ Four Friends Gallery, 1408 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. The program includes…
Cuban combo Tiempo Libre headlines Ventura Music Festival’s outdoor jazz concert on May 6
Group’s signature high-voltage fusion sound was developed while listening to forbidden American music growing up in Havana VENTURA — Three-time Grammy-nominated Cuban jazz combo Tiempo Libre will headline Ventura Music Festival’s annual Sunday afternoon outdoor jazz concert on May 6…
Free dental clinic in Santa Barbara draws large crowd on April 28
Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics hosted a free dental clinic on Saturday, April 28 where attendees were offered free dental services, which included cleanings, fillings, and extractions, the medical provided reported in media release. Due to the overwhelming need for affordable…
Official gives successful marks to McGrath State Beach Park clean up
More than 100 volunteers participated April 21 in an event to clean up and beautify McGrath State Beach Park, the office of Ventura County Fifth District Supervisor John Zaragoza reported recently in a media release. Projects completed included painting the…
Montalvo Elemenary School student wins Strawberry Festival’s youth art contest
VENTURA — Eight-year-old Alys Campos, a second grade student at Montalvo Elementary School in Ventura, has been declared the winner of the 2012 California Strawberry Festival Youth Art Design Contest, sponsored by Valu Plus Food Warehouse, Festival Chairwoman Daisy Tatum…
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…
Conference for Social Justice in Education to be held April 28 at CSU Channel Islands
The School of Education at CSU Channel Islands will present the 4thAnnual Conference for Social Justice in Education on Saturday, April 28 at the university. The daylong conference, free and open to the public, is to showcase the social justice…
‘Open Eyes Art Project’ to hold first wall installation on April 29 in Oxnard
Downtown Center for the Arts and the Oxnard Downtown Management District to celebrate first in planned series of public wall art installations during 4th Annual Wine & Art Walk OXNARD — A digitally produced mural of an original art work will…
University students launch iCLU radio
THOUSAND OAKS — California Lutheran University’s new student-run radio station is live. At a time when other universities are closing student stations for financial reasons, Internet station iCLU has begun streaming from a studio located in the year-old center housing…
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…
Earth Day beautification event set for April 21 at McGrath State Beach
Ventura County Supervisor John Zaragoza, Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), Friends of Channel Coast State Parks, Oxnard City Corps, and California State Parks officials have announce a beautification and maintenance event from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 21…
Thank you for supporting our May print edition of Amigos805
Dear reader, Thank you very much for supporting our efforts to make Amigos805 your key source of news for and about the vibrant Latino community in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. Your reaction to our first…
Commentary: The morning run
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor Every day we read or hear that we as Americans must be doing more exercise if we are to ward off some pretty serious issues, such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and an entire litany…
Commentary: When stress eats holes in your brain
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor It sounds like something out of science fiction, but this is no Sci-Fi novel where Zombies eat brains. A recently released Yale University study, says that stress causes the brain to shrink. Houston neuroscientist and author…
Oxnard College to present Ballet Folklórico Mestizo performance April 20-21
Oxnard College to present the 31st anniversary performance of the Ballet Folklorico Mestizo — a cultural fusion of indigenous and European influences in dance and music, organizers reported in a media release. The program features traditional dances from six regions…
Flamenco Arts Festival to present ‘Concierto Para Los Niños’ on April 21
The Flamenco Arts Festival will present its annual “Concierto Para Los Niños” at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at the Marjorie Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota St., Santa Barbara. Shirin Rajaee, anchor/reporter at KEYT, will serve as master of ceremonies in…
Children’s Day/Dia de los Niños set for April 21 in Oxnard
Children’s Day, Dia de los Niños, with the Mixteco/ Indigena Community Organizing Project!, will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at Harrington Elementary School, 2501 Gisler St., Oxnard, the organization reported recently in a media release. MICOP…
Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet to perform April 20-22 in Santa Barbara region
¡Viva Arte de Santa Barbara! will present Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company with free performances at 7 p.m. Friday, April 20 at Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Road, Goleta; at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at Guadalupe City Hall,…
Free folklorico dance workshop set for April 22 in Santa Barbara
A free “Folklorico Dance Workshop with Grandeza Mexicana” will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 22 at Casa de La Raza, 601 E. Montecito St., Santa Barbara. The workshop is presented by Casa de La Raza and ¡Viva…
New video produced of Prom Dress Project distribution
Nancy Michelle Rodriguez reports that more than 500 prom dresses, a new record, were collected and presented to young women during a fitting held recently at Pacifica High School in Oxnard. “I’d like to thank those of you who donated…
Easy way to get email updates from Amigos805
Now there is an easier way to sign up for the Amigos805 enewsletter if you are seeking regular email updates on issues and events for and about the vibrant Latino community in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. Just…
So. Cal Gas Co. presents $20,000 to Boys & Girls Club
The Southern California Gas Co. presented a $20,000 grant to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme on April 12 as part of a 2011 Education Initiative, the organization reported in a media release. The presentation,…
SBCC’s foster youth students program receives grant from Vons Foundation
SANTA BARBARA — The Vons Foundation has presented a grant of $2,500 in its continued support to benefit the Santa Barbara City College’s foster youth students, the Foundation for Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) reported this week in a media…
Arts in Public Places RFP workshop set for April 14 in Oxnard
The Black and Brown Youth Arts and Cultural Alliance will hold a Request for Proposal workshop for Arts in Public Places (AIPP) projects in Oxnard at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 14 at the Acuna Gallery @ Café on A, 438…
Commentary: The elephant in the room — Chronic unemployment
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor No one wants to look at it. After all, maybe it will just go away. We avoid even mentioning it, lest we give it power, lest it be true. If we do discuss it,…
Four Oxnard teens enhance leadership skills at National Keystone Conference
OXNARD — Four members of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme (BGCOP) were among the more than 1,500 teens who recently attended the National Keystone Club Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, the organization reported in…
Bell Arts Factory celebrates First Friday with art exhibit, reception
Works of artists Andrea Vargas, Jon Nelson, Pricisila Cisneros and Ryan Carr were showcased when the Bell Arts Factory presented “Ventura’s New ARTist City” on April 6 in Ventura. On exhibit will be some of ventura’s best young artists Their…
College district accreditation commission visit set for April 16
The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) will be visited by site team members representing the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Commission) on Monday, April 16, the college district reported in…
Santa Paula celebrates first ‘Cruise Night’ of the season
From the muscle cars of the ’60s and ’70s, to vintage Model A Fords — Santa Paula celebrated in style when it held its first “Cruise Night” of the season on Friday, April 6 throughout downtown Main Street. From 10th…
Community celebrates Easter
A number of churches and organizations celebrated the Easter holiday this past weekend in the 805 region. Besides activities at the churches, community members also took to the street to highlight the religious holiday. A small group of individuals demonstrated…
Contributor Magallanes has column highlighted in New American Media
Amigos805 guest contributor David Magallanes had his column highlighted in New American Media on April 9. The column, Is U.S. education unraveling?, was originally published in Amigos805 on March 29. Under the headline “A Sense of ‘Despair’ Hangs Over Community College Campus,”…
Bilingual report: Teatro holding sushi fundraiser on April 9 in Oxnard
Teatro de las Américas will be present its next sushi fundraiser at 7 p.m. Monday, April 9 at Genmai Sushi, 3623 W. Fifth St., Oxnard. “Meet the cast of “Zapatera; meet friends of Teatro; enjoy good food and have a…
CSU Channel Islands celebrates ‘Noche de Fiesta’
Brazilian music, regional Latino food and dancers created a colorful atmosphere in Malibu Hall at California State University, Channel Islands, when students presented the seventh annual “Noche de Fiesta” on Wednesday, April 4. The diversity of the Latin American cultures…
Commentary: Media panel persecution (I mean, candidates panel presentation)
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 It was certainly an educational meeting for us all at the Latino Issues Forum, held Thursday, April 5 in a hotel ballroom in Oxnard. The forum, featuring questions put to candidates for the 26th…
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…
Community turns out to pay respect to Raymond ‘Porky’ Duran
Hundreds of friends, La Gente car club members and members of the community gathered on Wednesday, April 4 to pay their respects to Raymond “Porky” Duran, who died unexpectedly. The funeral mass was held at Santa Clara Church near downtown…
Commentary: What do daughters want?
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor My daughter is my emotional salvation. I don’t know where my perspective in life would be centered without her existence. She is the center of my emotional mass, very much the heart of my…
UCSB sociologist to give ‘Plous’ lecture on crime and desistance among marginalized youth
SANTA BARBARA — Victor Rios, associate professor of sociology at UC Santa Barbara and a specialist in the interplay between institutions of social control, juvenile crime, and gang-associated youths, will give the Harold J. Plous Award Lecture on Wednesday, April 18, the university…
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…
Community comes out in force for 50 awards at Chávez celebration
Community members crowded around a makeshift stage at the playground of César Chávez School in La Colonia as the United Farm Workers Union honored 50 community members and organizations during the celebration. Below are a few images from the celebration.…
KFI AM640 adds ‘The David Cruz Show’
LOS ANGELES – America’s top-rated talk radio station has added The David Cruz Show to its line-up and will start airing the program Sundays 6 to 8 p.m. The multiple Emmy-Award winning network television journalist and former NBC4 TV News Anchor…
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…
Amigos805 print edition is now hitting the streets — See distribution list
Click on image above for PDF version of the April 2012 edition of Amigos805 Hello everyone. The bilingual print edition of Amigos805 is now hitting the streets. Click here for our distribution list, which is growing by the hour In…
Commentary: Is U.S. education unraveling?
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor As I walk across campus at the community college where I teach, I sometimes get the impression that I can almost hear my own footsteps as I walk toward my classroom or to an office…
Commentary: In honor of César Chávez Day
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier/Guest contributor On Monday, March 26, 2012, Secretary of Labor, Hilda L. Solis, hosted the Induction of the Pioneers of the Farm Worker Movement into the Labor Hall of Fame and the naming of the César E. Chávez…
MICOP to hold meeting on March 31 in Oxnard
The Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project will present its next monthly community meeting on Saturday, March 31 at Harrington Elementary School, 2501 Gisler St. in Oxnard. “If the weather is nice we plan on having the children outside, so if you…
EDC-VC to present international shipping workshop on March 28
The Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County’s Small Business Development Center of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties is presenting a series of free workshops held at EDC-VC, 1601 Carmen Drive, Suite 215, Camarillo. “Introduction to International Shipping and Logistics,” presented by SBDC…
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…
César Chávez Celebration set for April 1 in Oxnard
The 16th annual César Chávez Celebration, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the United Farm Workers union, will begin with a mass at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 1 at Cristo Rey Church, 531 Cooper Road in La Colonia neighborhood of Oxnard. The march…
Laurus College celebrates its fourth campus opening in Oxnard during ribbon-cutting ceremony
OXNARD — Business leaders and entrepreneurs from Ventura County met the students and staff of Laurus College’s Oxnard Campus at a ribbon cutting Ceremony on March 21, the institution reported in a media release. The ceremony celebrated the opening of…
Bilingual report: Free bilingual tax assistance provided by VITA-United Way of Santa Barbara County
The United Way of Santa Barbara County is coordinating free tax preparation and filing services through June for the community through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and Financial Empowerment Partnership, the organization reported in a media release.…
Commentary: My Role Models — Teenage Entrepreneurs
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor Last month I wrote about my visit to Solvang and how I watched what books my hand went for in the book section of a store that sold mystical items (candles, crystals, amulets, etc.).…
CLU honored as community-service leader
University’s service learning, volunteering highlighted THOUSAND OAKS — For the second year in a row, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the U.S. Department of Education honored California Lutheran University as a leader in volunteering, service learning…
Ventura County film industry launches database
Ventura County Film411 to be a vital resource for production companies and industry professionals CAMARILLO — To promote Ventura County as an ideal location for film, television and commercial production and to help the local economy grow, the Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County launched the online directory…
Tequila tasting on tap for ‘Pacifica High School PTSA Fundraiser’ on March 23 in Oxnard
The second annual “Pacifica High School PTSA Fundraiser” will be held Friday, March 23 at Sugar Beets Restaurant, 455 So. A St., Oxnard. Dinner, tequila tasting, dessert, dancing and a silent auction are scheduled for this event ($40 per ticket),…
Commentary: Time to celebrate the life of César Chávez
By Denis O’Leary / Guest contributor This year marks the 50th anniversary of the United Farm Workers. Oxnard has benefited greatly, as has the nation from the advocacy and laws that have come about from the UFW. César Chávez was the catalyst…
Mariachi Los Comperos de Nati Cano to perform free concerts March 23-25 in Santa Barbara
¡Viva Arte de Santa Barbara! will present Los Camperos de Nati Cano with free concerts at 7 p.m. Friday, March 23 at Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Road, Goleta (805-893-5037); 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24 at Guadalupe City Hall,…
‘Latin Lit Lovers’ celebration set for March 24 in Ojai
‘Latin Lit Lovers Mexican Dinner Buffet,’ a celebration of the great works of Latin writers de romance, folkloricos, ficcione, prosa & poesia from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24 at Los Caporales Resturant & Bar, 307 E. Ojai Ave.,…
‘Bowl For Kids’ Sake’ fundraiser set for March 24 in Simi Valley
Fundraiser allows community to ‘Start Something’ to help children who face adversity Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County is appealing to everyone who cares about kids to support Bowl for Kids’ Sake, the mentoring organization’s biggest annual public fundraiser…
‘Dance Across the Divide’ performance set for March 24 at Oxnard College
“Tapestry,” Education & Awareness Woven Together By Innovative Choreography — the 2012 debut performance ($30) will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, 4000 So. Rose Ave., Oxnard. Contact Amy Edwards at 805-986-5800, or…
CEDC receives certificates of occupancy for 18 farmworker apartments in Oxnard
VENTURA —The Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. in Ventura announced on Thursday that it has received “certificates of occupancy” from the City of Oxnard for its newest affordable, apartment community for farmworkers, Camino Gonzalez. The $9.5 million project, located on a…
‘Starting a Small Business Workshop’ set for March 19 in Camarillo
The Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County’s Small Business Development Center of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties is presenting a series of free workshops held at EDC-VC, 1601 Carmen Drive, Suite 215, Camarillo. “Starting a Small Business Workshop” is a monthly workshop…
Bilingual report: Free citizenship fair set for March 17 in Santa Barbara
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, in partnership with Santa Barbara City College, will provide a free “Naturalization Information Session” for legal permanent residents and interested naturalization applicants from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 17 at the Selmer O.…
Chicano artist Leo Limón celebrated in book released by UCSB’s CEMA
SANTA BARBARA — The life and work of the prolific and socially conscious Chicano artist Leo Limón is the focus of a book recently published by UC Santa Barbara’s Chicano Studies Institute and the California Ethnic and Multicultural Archives (CEMA),…
Book donations sought March 15 to benefit students of cultural studies in Arizona
Local Latino journalist/photojournalist Jess Gutierrez this weekend announced that he is seeking donations of books to benefit students of cultural studies program in Arizona. “Friends, I need your help,” Gutierrez stated in a media release. “As a writer, photojournalist, and…
Commentary: Martyrdom
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor We all know members of our family who are “martyrs.” My American Heritage Dictionary defines a martyr, in the most literal sense, as “one who chooses to suffer death rather than renounce religious principles.”…
Bilingual report: Teatro seeking donations for garage sale, holding equipment sale
Teatro de las Americas is starting the year raising the money needed to bring you three plays later in the year, the organization reported on Wednesday in a media release. “We begin with a garage sale on Saturday, March 24, at…
Santa Barbara Symphony to present ‘Latin Passion’ on March 17, 18
The Santa Barbara Symphony will present “Latin Passion,” with an evening performance from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 17 and a matinee from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 18 at the Granada Theater, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. Featuring, Carlos Miguel Prieto,…
Commentary: Your Ventura County Museum
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier /Guest contributor On Sunday’s I take a little longer reading the Arts and Culture section of the newspaper because of the variety of museums, theaters, and cultural events in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Ventura Counties. I’m…
Oxnard youth receives California Workforce Association’s scholarship
OXNARD — The California Workforce Association awarded Magdalena Carriedo, a member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme (BGCOP), with the Dwight Brydie Scholarship at its 13th Annual Youth Conference, Jan. 18, in Long Beach,…
SBCC Foundation holds ‘VIP Kick-Off Party,’ campaign on March 14
A student rally will also take place directly before the VIP night SANTA BARBARA — The Foundation for Santa Barbara City College will host a VIP kick-off party and call night as the official start of the college’s Campaign for…
Youth benefit with dental services during ‘Dental Day’
Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics’ Dental Resident Dr. Cherry Ma, right, examines Abigail Perez’s teeth at the Direct Relief International (DRI) Dental Day, which was held March 10 at Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics’ Dental Clinic, the organization reported Monday in a…
Donations being accepted for ‘Prom Dress Project’
The Young Leaders Society has officially launched the annual Prom Dress Project, a prom dress recycling program for underprivileged students. The deadline to drop off prom dresses is March 30, reported Nancy Rodriguez of the Young Leaders Society, a program…
Commentary: The Sunbelt strategy
By Frank P. Barajas / Guest contributor What do California State University Professor Rodolfo F. Acuña, Henry David Thoreau, and Abraham Lincoln have in common? Before I tell you, you need to know that the narratives of Acuña (a founder of Chicano…
Commentary: The Dementia scare
By David Magallanes /Guest contributor My morning earlier this week, like most mornings, was peaceful. I had read my newspaper and once again felt that I was aware of local, state, national and world news. I had settled into some…
Mexican Consulate releases calendar of events for March
The Mexican Consulate in Oxnard on Wednesday released its calendar of events for March. Click here for a PDF version of the calendar. Visit www.consulmexoxnard.com
History of Cinco de Mayo subject of UCSB lecture on March 8
UCLA’S David Hayes-Bautista discusses significance of American holiday As the 150th anniversary of the first Cinco de Mayo approaches, David Hayes-Bautista, professor of medicine and director of the Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture at the School…
Commentary: National Women’s History Month
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier /Guest contributor Since 1911 in Europe, March 8 is the day to celebrate International Women’s Day. In 1978 in California, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women began a “Women’s…
Art Beat springs forward on March 10 with a cultural re-awakening in Downtown Oxnard
Event mixes provocative and engaging programs in closely connected venues. OXNARD — On March 10th, just a few hours before the clocks up an hour for daylight savings, Downtown Oxnard gets an early jump on a new season of cultural…
FOOD Share to hold meetings March 10, 31 for potential volunteers
FOOD Share — Ventura County’s Food Bank, will hold a meeting for potential volunteers at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 10 and 10 a.m. Saturday, March 31 at 4156 Southbank Road, Oxnard. FOOD Share has many opportunities to help and support…
Small Business Development Center adds advisors
Trio join roster of about 30 business experts available free to companies CAMARILLO — Three business advisors with expertise in developing cash flow, productivity, accounting and taxation have joined the Small Business Development Center of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties,…
Bilingual report: Teatro still seeking art entries for ‘The Prodigious Shoemaker’s Wife’
Teatro de las Américas is providing a new e-mail address for those who have submitted art entries for “The Prodigious Shoemaker’s Wife / La zapatera prodigiosa,” the organization reported this week in a media release. We did not receive any entries…
Ventura County AIDS Partnership will wind down operations in 2012
No new grants will be awarded during the fall of 2013 The Ventura County AIDS Partnership announced this week that it is winding down its operation during 2012, with no new grants to be awarded during the fall of 2013.…
CLU students rally against Cal Grant cuts in Sacramento
Students from throughout state to descend on Capitol THOUSAND OAKS — Five California Lutheran University students will travel to Sacramento on March 7 to protest a proposed cut to Cal Grant awards for students at independent nonprofit colleges, the university…
Mexican Consul Flores appears on program in support of Children’s Resource Network
Brad Pomerance, of Headline News — Charter Local Edition, interviews Lisa Ray, president and chief executive officer with the Children’s Resource Network of the Central Coast in Pismo Beach and Mexican Consulate General of Central California Rogelio Flores. Children’s Resource Network…
CLU graduate students to be consultants for area businesses
SBDC’s Ray Bowman teaches new MBA class CAMARILLO — Twelve California Lutheran University MBA students are blending academics with real-world experience as they explore the field of small business consulting by providing services to three local businesses, the Economic Development…
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…