Concerts, fiestas, theater performances starting to fill up the upcoming calendar Amigos805 staff report There’s nothing to do around here. Can’t recall how many times that refrain has been said by teenagers and others living in the 805 region. However,…
Commentary: Start planning ahead for a hot time at Oxnard Salsa Festival
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 So you think you have until next month to even start thinking about the 21st annual Oxnard Salsa Festival, scheduled for July 26 and 27 in downtown Oxnard. Well, if you are planning on…
Local
CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Community Foundation and the Ventura County Housing Trust Fund have teamed up to create the first permanent revolving fund in Ventura County dedicated to building farmworker housing, the organizations reported in a media release. The…
Business: How to avoid distractions when working from home
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Telecommuting has made great strides over the last decade. U.S. Census Bureau statistics have identified key telecommuting trends, noting that 45 percent of the American workforce holds a job that is compatible with at least…
Local business information
> The Institute for Global Economic Research (IGER) at CSU Channel Islands (CI) and the Port of Los Angeles will present “Meet Consul Generals and Export,” a free workshop on the opportunities and nuances of conducting trade in some of…
Health: Relaxation techniques to calm your nerves
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Since 2007, the American Psychological Association has commissioned an annual nationwide survey to examine the state of stress across the United States and understand its impact. The 2013 survey found that people continue to experience…
Local health information
> Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. will provide information on Covered California and free health screenings at selected locations throughout the month of June in various locations in Ventura County. Visit the organization’s online calendar at http://www.clinicas.org/outreach/calendar/2014-06 to find times,…
Jesus Sanchez receives prestigious Marian Hancock Scholarship at awards banquet
SANTA MARIA — The Allan Hancock College Foundation’s 45th annual awards banquet was an evening to remember for hundreds of students, especially Jesus Sanchez, who received the prestigious Marian Hancock Scholarship on May 22, college officials reported in a media release. “It…
El Concilio profile: Alejandro Rangel Jr.
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Registration is now closed. Click…
VCCF, Ventura County Housing Trust Fund create first sustainable loan pool for local farmworker housing
CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Community Foundation and the Ventura County Housing Trust Fund have teamed up to create the first permanent revolving fund in Ventura County dedicated to building farmworker housing, the organizations reported Tuesday in media release. The $100,000…
Hospice of Santa Barbara offers support, free bereavement services, tips for those affected by Isla Vista shooting
SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara is shocked and saddened by the shooting in Isla Vista. Our support goes out to the victims, their families and the university and community members impacted by this tragedy, hospice officials reported Tuesday in a media…
UC Santa Barbara Memorial Service to be held at 4 p.m. May 27
SANTA BARBARA — A memorial service to honor the six students who died as a result of the tragedy in Isla Vista will take place at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, in Harder Stadium. The ceremony is expected to last approximately…
Bilingual commentary: Oxnard: A large city?
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 People…
El Concilio profile: Vanessa Prado
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Registration is now closed. Click…
CSU Channel Islands’ Amanda Quintero elected vice president of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institution Educators
CAMARILLO — Amanda Quintero, director of Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives at CSU Channel Islands (CI), has been elected vice president of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institution Educators (AHSIE), the university officials reported in a media release. The alliance supports the work…
Book to be published next month by Allan Hancock College English professor Marc García-Martínez
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College English professor Marc García-Martínez, Ph.D., will soon join world-renowned researchers Jane Goodall and Noam Chomsky as authors whose works have been published by the San Diego State University Press (SDSU Press), college officials reported…
El Concilio profile: Jorge Ochoa
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here to register or to…
Pink Soiree a successful event. Now seeking committee members, team leaders for Oct. 11 ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer’ event
VENTURA — Organizers of the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk report they had a successful “Pink Soiree — Make Strides for Pink” kickoff event on May 14 at Discovery Ventura. They are now seeking committee members…
Bilingual commentary: Immigration and the GOP
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 The…
United Way of Ventura County: Smith to retire. Successor sought
CAMARILLO — David M. Smith, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Ventura County since October 2001, has announced his retirement effective Dec. 15, 2014, the organization reported Monday in a media release. A search for Smith’s successor will…
La Casa de La Raza to present talk with Favianna Rodriguez on May 23 in Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA — La Casa de La Raza will present “Noche de Cultura,” a talk with Favianna Rodriguez, at 6 p.m. Friday May 23 at La Casa de La Raza-601 E. Montecito St, Santa Barbara. Rodriguez is a celebrated printmaker and digital…
El Concilio profile: Thomas D. McCollum
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here to register or to…
Mariachi Divas, Memo & Friends to perform at California Strawberry Festival on May 17-18
OXNARD — Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Divas will perform at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 17 at the California Strawberry Festival, 3250 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. Mariachi Divas’ new CD “Mi Manera” features 13 new recordings including “A Puro Dolor,” “La Fuente,” “Poppuri,”…
Rebozo Festival to celebrate 10-year ‘Diamond’ anniversary on May 18
CAMARILLO — The Rebozo Festival will present its 10-Year ‘Diamond’ Anniversary Celebration from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 18 at Camarillo Ranch, 201 Camarillo Ranch Road, Camarillo. The event features a special performance by Grammay Award winner Graciela…
Bilingual commentary: Why is everything so dim?
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 One…
Guest commentary: Is a free higher education a right or a privilege?
Educar un muchacho es perder un buen pastor/ To educate a boy is to lose a good shepherd 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…
El Concilio profile: Frankie Villasenor Guzman
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here to register or to…
Guest commentary: Happy Mother’s Day Santitos and all the immigrants of the world!
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 My saintly…
Bilingual commentary: Patron of the arts
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 I…
Guest commentary: Stereotype — All Asians are Chinos. Glen Omatsu and ethnic solidarity
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 Asians…
May cover story: The search is on for summer jobs for youth
Variety of training, placement programs are available for youth if they know where to look By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 Monique Marquez recalls when she was 16, in high school and went looking for her first summer job. “I…
Commentary: El Concilio Family Services celebrates 25th annual gala
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 El Concilio Family Services has struck it rich on its 25th silver anniversary with a wealth of deserving community leaders as it presents its “Latino Leadership Awards” gala on Saturday, May 31 at the…
Local
SANTA BARBARA — Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is holding its “Share Your Lunch” campaign from May 1 through 31. The program enables the community to help close the summer food gap by donating the amount one might typically spend…
Business: Online reviews can benefit shoppers, retailers alike
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Word-of-mouth has long been an ally of small business. Customers who have positive experiences with a small business often share those experiences with friends, family members and coworkers, and that word-of-mouth can help hardworking small…
Local business information
> CSU Channel Islands’ Martin V. Smith School of Business and Economics will hold its final Spring 2014 Speakers Series program with a presentation by Joe Schroeder, president/CEO of Ventura County Credit Union, from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, May…
Health: Get on the road to recovery by identifying depression
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Nearly everyone feels down at one point or another. But when feelings of sadness stretch on and are accompanied by other symptoms, normal sadness might have given way to depression. The Centers for Disease Control…
Local health information
> Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation will present ‘Motion by the Ocean Walk / Run’ on Sunday, May 4 at San Buenaventura State Beach, Ventura. Proceeds of the event will benefit the new Community Memorial Hospital. The event includes 1/5/10k courses,…
El Concilio profile: Susan Carrasco
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here to register or to…
Bilingual commentary: Reinvest in higher education
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 Das Williams / Guest contributor “Education…
Bilingual commentary: The Church and Latinos
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 This…
Oxnard College to present Juan Felipe Herrera on April 30
OXNARD — UC Riverside English Professor and California State Poet Lauret Juan Felipe Herrera will read poems from his many books and discuss his journey from being a migrant worker to a published poet and a voice for the Mexican…
Rick Najera’s LatinoLogues to be presented May 1-3 at Oxnard College
OXNARD — The Oxnard College Institute for Latino Performing Arts will present Rick Najera’s “LatinoLogues” at 7 p.m. May 1, 2, and 3 in the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, 4000 So. Rose Ave., Oxnard. LatinoLogues is the longest running and…
Guest commentary: Academe as a plantation — A false consciousness
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 The…
Sixth grader from César Chávez Elementary School in Oxnard wins California Strawberry Festival’s 2014 Youth Art Design contest
OXNARD — From an all-time record of 1,800 entries, the “berrilious” design of 11-year-old Itzel Gonzalez from César Chávez Elementary in Oxnard was selected as the winner of the 31st Annual California Strawberry Festival Youth Art Design Contest, the festival’s organizers…
El Concilio profile: Edlyn Vallejo Peña
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here to register or to…
Guest commentary: Cops in OSD schools
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 This week…
Guest commentary: Successful partnership continues to benefit McGrath State Beach
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 Melissa Baffa / Executive director of Friends…
Bilingual commentary: Cold War II?
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 One…
Bilingual report: PODER to voice opposition to Santa Barbara gang injunction on April 22
SANTA BARBARA — PODER (People Organized for the Defense and Equal Rights of Santa Barbara Youth) will gather with other community members to voice opposition to the gang injunction prior to City Council’s first-ever public vote on the matter at 4…
Oxnard College to present Ballet Folklórico Mestizo performance April 25-26
OXNARD — Oxnard College to present the Spring Show 2014 performance of the Ballet Folklorico Mestizo, with special performances by Oxnard Scholars After School Program, Lemonwood and Ramona Folklórico Students and Angels on Harps, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 25…