Event features department presentations, financial aid application workshops, free lunch, and more VENTURA —Ventura College will hold an open house available to all those interested in learning more about the college and its programs and services, as well as those who would like…
Jazz Ambassadors of the U.S. Army Field Band will present a free community concert at the Oceanview Pavilion’s Performing Arts Theatre by the Beach on March 12
PORT HUENEME — The Jazz Ambassadors of the U.S. Army Field Band will present a free concert in Oceanview Pavilion’s Performing Arts Theatre by the Beach located at 575 E. Surfside Drive Port Hueneme, CA Saturday March 12. The concert…
Art Exhibition, with reception on Feb. 10, to Benefit Hospice Nonprofit
SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara welcomes local artist Jim Hill, who will display his art at the Leigh Block Gallery located within Hospice of Santa Barbara — 2050 Alameda Padre Serra, Suite #100, Santa Barbara – beginning February…
CSU Channel Islands professor helps create ‘Latinos and Baseball’ exhibit at the Smithsonian
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CI) Professor of Chicana/o Studies Jose Alamillo, Ph.D., helped launch an exhibit for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History called “Latinos and Baseball: In the Barrios and the Big Leagues.” Alamillo and other scholars from across…
UCSB to present ‘Juan Felipe Herrera — An Evening with the 2015-16 United States Poet Laureate’ on Feb. 1
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures will present ‘Juan Felipe Herrera An Evening with the 2015-16 United States Poet Laureate’ at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1 at UCSB’s Campbell Hall. U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera is the first Latino…
Local NAMI Chapter Offering ‘Family-to-Family’ Educational Course for Family Members of Adults Living with Mental Illness
SANTA BARBARA — The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Southern Santa Barbara County is inviting family members of adults living with serious mental health conditions to register for its upcoming “Family-to-Family” education program. The free, 12-session course is designed…
Ventura College named one of top 150 in the nation
VENTURA — Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees, along with Chancellor Bernard Luskin congratulate Ventura College President Greg Gillespie. The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program this week named Ventura College one of the nation’s top 150 community colleges eligible to…
Boys & Girls Club members proudly display National Fine Arts pieces at Carnegie Art Museum Feb. 5-7
OXNARD — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme invites the community to its annual National Fine Arts Exhibit Feb. 5-7 at the Carnegie Art Museum, 424 South C Street, Oxnard. The private Club reception and…
Las Contemporaneas of the Museum of Ventura County to present ‘Luminarias’ film screening fundraiser on Feb. 6
VENTURA — Las Contemporaneas of the Museum of Ventura County will present the film screening of “Luminarias,” a fundraiser to support the second annual Latina Film Festival, at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave.,…
Reserve tickets for ‘El Bracero — A Mariachi Opera’ return performance at Oxnard College on Feb. 6
OXNARD — Back by popular demand!! “El Bracero — A Mariachi Opera,” will return at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. El Bracero is a dynamic one-act “Mariachi Opera”…
Money in the pockets of working Californians
By Hannah-Beth Jackson Last year, California created the state’s first-ever Earned Income Tax Credit. This tax credit, which I supported, will put money back into the pockets of California’s low income working families to help pay for groceries, catch up…
CSU Channel Islands’ Student Affairs division earns national award for excellent diversity, staffing practices and work environment
CAMARILLO — Excellent diversity, staffing practices and work environment are among the reasons CSU Channel Islands (CI)’s Division of Student Affairs has won a designation as one of the “Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs” for a second year in a…
Bilingual commentary: Equal Opportunity in Creation
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor David Magallanes Some of us in our Western culture turn to the Bible to teach us something about the nature of ourselves as human beings, about our origins and early history. Others of us who are less…
Oxnard College Presents CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase PLUS Lalo Alcaraz from Fox’s New Animated Comedy, Bordertown LIVE, Feb. 3
Writer-Director-Comedian Rick Najera Blends Hollywood Comedy Sketch Show with Local Performers at Oxnard College Performing Arts Center as Part of Growing Latino Thought Makers Series OXNARD — Oxnard College Institute for Latino Performing Arts presents the much-anticipated CBS Diversity Sketch…
Jackson Introduces legislation to protect Californians from unsafe drone use
SACRAMENTO – State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) has just introduced a bill to set comprehensive limits around the use of drones near critical infrastructure such as bridges and power plants as well as in state parks and wildlife refuges,…
The Collection at RiverPark expands fashion empire adding Victoria’s Secret to its growing retail roster
OXNARD — The Collection at RiverPark, Oxnard’s premier retail, dining and entertainment destination, announced this week that Victoria’s Secret will join its budding line-up of fashion retailers this summer. Victoria’s Secret is the largest retailer of women’s lingerie and other…
Pew Research Center: Millennials Make Up Almost Half of Latino Eligible Voters in 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Hispanic Millennials will account for nearly half (44 percent) of the record 27.3 million Hispanic eligible voters projected for 2016 — a share greater than that of any other racial or ethnic group of voters, the Pew Research…
‘An Evening with 2015 Women’s World Cup Champion Carli Lloyd’ to be held at Arlington Theatre on Jan. 26
SANTA BARBARA — “An Evening with 2015 Women’s World Cup Champion Carli Lloyd’ to be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26 at the Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara. “Carli Lloyd isn’t just on a roll. She has morphed into a…
UCSB to present ‘Culture Clash Muse & Morros: True Stories – Real People’ on Jan. 27
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures will present ‘Culture Clash Muse & Morros: True Stories – Real People’ at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27 at UCSB’s Campbell Hall. For 30 years, Culture Clash has scoured the nation searching for the…
Bilingual commentary: The Stars and Planets at Christa McAuliffe Elementary School
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor David Magallanes With so many children admiring celebrities these days and questionably holding them up as role models, it was refreshing this past Friday to attend McAuliffe Elementary School’s (Oxnard School District) annual “Astronomy Night.” The school…
Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care Announces Rosanna Dellegrotti MSN, RN as Quality, Compliance & Education Director
SANTA BARBARA – Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care (VNHC) welcomes Rosanna Dellegrotti MSN, RN, as new Director of Quality, Compliance & Education. Ms. Dellegrotti has more than 35 years of nursing experience; 22 years being in critical care and has held…
Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care Welcomes Kyrie Belme as Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator
SANTA BARBARA — Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care(VNHC) is pleased to announce Kyrie Belme as Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator. Belme brings experience working with local nonprofits and a flair for creativity. As Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator, Belme will assist…
Girls Inc. Carpinteria Launches Literacy Initiative to Prepare Students for Academic Success
CARPINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is kicking off the New Year with the implementation of a new after-school reading and literacy program at Carpinteria Unified School District school sites and on the Girls Inc. Carpinteria campus. The Literacy Initiative is…
Bilingual commentary: The Power of Parents
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor We parents may not be aware of the power we possess to literally make or break the lives of our children. Teachers likewise exert enormous power over the lives of their students. As parents and teachers, we…
“Remembering Our Fallen” Traveling Portrait Exhibition on Display throughout Santa Barbara County
Deeply moving memorial exhibition features 721 photo portraits of California’s fallen SANTA BARBARA — The community is invited to the “Remembering Our Fallen” memorial exhibition that is on display in Santa Barbara County during the month of January. The deeply moving…
Santa Barbara Humane Society Unveils New Logo for New Year
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Humane Society is pleased to unveil a new logo with a contemporary color palette as we celebrate a new year. “Since 1887, the Santa Barbara Humane Society has been a resource for animal advocacy and education,”…
Guest commentary: Adelante… into the New Year with Café on A
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 It is…
The Collection at RiverPark announces Stefanie Muegel, Jill Almonia as new marketing team
OXNARD — The Collection at RiverPark, Oxnard’s premier fashion retail, dining and entertainment destination, recently announced Stefanie Muegel as the center’s Marketing Manager, and Jill Almonia as the Marketing and Business Development Coordinator. At The Collection, a CenterCal Properties, LLC…
Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care Welcomes Scott Gordon as Annual Giving Coordinator
SANTA BARBARA — Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care (VNHC) is pleased to announce the addition of Scott Gordon as Annual Giving Coordinator. Gordon brings years of experience working in various professions including development, software and management, along with a background…
Bilingual commentary: What Is A Secular Catholic?
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor In the Jewish American community, many within the group quite proudly and nonchalantly refer to themselves as “secular Jews.” Within the U.S. Latino community, on the other hand, many are secular Catholics, but they don’t go around…
‘El Bracero – A Mariachi Opera’ to be presented at Oxnard College on Jan. 16
OXNARD — “El Bracero — A Mariachi Opera” will be presented at 7 p.m. at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Theater, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. Featuring Mariachi Aguilas de Oxnard and Ballet Folklorico Mestizo. Set in the 1950s at…
emPower Hosts Free Energy Efficient Furnace Workshop in Santa Maria on Jan. 19
Jan. 19 workshop to be held at Veterans Memorial Building SANTA MARIA — With Santa Barbara County now firmly in winter, emPower Central Coast will be offering advice and information on selecting a new high-efficiency furnace during a free, Jan. 19 workshop. …
Guest commentary: Justice in the New Year
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 At…
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! to present Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano in free family concerts in Goleta, Gudalupe, Santa Barbara and Isla Vista from Jan. 8 through 10
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! will present Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano in free family concerts in Goleta, Gudalupe, Santa Barbara and Isla Vista. The Grammy-winning ensemble performs music from latest recording, Tradición, Arte y Pasión, as well…
Classes start Jan. 11 for English as a Second Language Basic English course at Oxnard College
OXNARD — Classes start for English as a Second Language Basic English course at Oxnard College. Free books available. Classes include: ESL R046 — English Conversation 4; ESL R065 — Prep for Academic Reading & Writing; ESL R056 — Reading Skills…
Local Hospice Nonprofits Partner to Ensure No One Dies Alone
Hospice of Santa Barbara is partnering with Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care to revitalize its work in the national No One Dies Alone program. The organizations will provide training that will allow their volunteers to offer compassionate bedside presence for…
Foodbank of Santa Barbara County Publishes Report on Distribution to Foodbank Non-Profit Partners
SANTA BARBARA — The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County worked with over 300 nonprofits and programs countywide (one of them isyour favorite) in 2015 to help serve the community by providing healthy food and produce. “Without the support of the Foodbank of Santa…
United Way of Ventura County: 36 hours left to make a difference
President’s Message Click here for the entire January 2016 E-newsletter Dear Friends, I returned from serving in the Peace Corps as a teacher in the 5th poorest country in the world just two weeks prior to 9/11. What was so…
El Centrito Family Learning Centers thank you
Joseph Castañeda Carrera / El Centrito Family Learning Centers Season’s greetings to you and yours! El Centrito Family Learning Centers thank you for believing that every child and every family deserves the opportunity to reach their greatest potential. To donate in support…
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Welcomes New Project Manager
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) has hired Toby Seiler as Project Manager to its Multi-Family Housing Development (MHD) Department, announced PSHH President & CEO John Fowler Working out of PSHH’s San Luis Obispo headquarters, Seiler will be responsible for project management…
Bilingual commentary: Dream Boards and Visualization
By David Magallanes / Guest contributor As we approach, thankfully, the transition to a new year in our lives, many of us harbor a sense of responsibility to “make resolutions.” The problem is that we fail to understand the process that would be…
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County looks forward to celebrating National Mentoring Month 2016
/ Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County VENTURA COUNTY — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) is looking forward to celebrating National Mentoring Month for January 2016. The National Mentoring Month campaign will acknowledge the ‘Bigs’- adult…
Local PODS® Moving and Storage Serves As “Santa’s Sleigh” For 12th Annual Santa Claus Park Toy Giveaway
/ PODS Local moving and storage company, PODS teamed up with Ventura County’s most popular running event, the Santa to the Sea ½ Marathon and 5K, to collect unwrapped toys for the 12th annual Santa Claus Park toy giveaway taking…
FOOD Share ends successful 4th annual CAN-tree Collection weekend with 201,200 pounds of food
/ FOOD Share The Collection at RiverPark and Cumulus Media hosted FOOD Share’s successful 4th annual CAN-tree Collection drive in support of the regional food bank’s annual Tackle Hunger campaign, bringing in 201,200 cans of food (one can of food…
Shoppers Make Mad Dash To Christmas Shopping Finish Line, Centerpoint Mall Offers Many Deals And Savings
/ Centerpoint Mall As the last week of Christmas shopping gets into full swing, millions of people are still finalizing their shopping lists. And to help meet the last-minute Christmas crush, Centerpoint Mall has many deals and savings at the…
Surfer Santa and Scrooge, the new favorites at The Collection at RiverPark
/ The Collection at RiverPark While most shopping centers promise children a chance to meet and take a picture with Santa Claus, The Collection at RiverPark goes a step further and surprises customers with the opportunity to meet other lively…
Local Holiday Toy Drive Receives Donations for Foster, Low-Income Children
/ Foster VC Kids / Children’s Services Auxiliary Currently there are 1,000 children in foster care and thousands of additional low-income kids in Ventura County, and these youth are in need of toys and other gifts this holiday season. In an…
Women’s Economic Ventures to present free Spanish Self-Employment Training Orientation in Ventura County
/ Women’s Economic Ventures Have you wanted to run your own business, but don’t know where to start? Or do you already own a business and want to expand? Learn how to make those dreams a reality with Women’s Economic…
Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara Members Awaken the Force with Hour of Code
/ Girls Inc. Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara’s Goleta and Santa Barbara Centers were buzzing on Friday afternoon, as the local affiliate hosted the “Hour of Code” to introduce girls to coding and computer science. Approximately two dozen girls…
California LULAC will focus on new voting rights cases in 2016
Plan will impact scores of California cities and school districts CAMARILLO —The California League of United Latin American Citizens will partner with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) and private attorneys in a significant expansion of cases brought…