VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation has received a $2 million donation from the Helen Yunker estate. Honoring Yunker’s request, the donation will establish endowments for the Ventura College Music Department and the Opera and Musical Theatre program. The gift…
Bilingual report: After Applying for FEMA Assistance, it’s Important to Keep in Touch
SACRAMENTO — Immediately after a disaster, keeping in touch with family is important. It’s also important to keep in touch with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after you have registered for disaster assistance. Many survivors of the November wildfires…
Assemblymember Irwin and State Treasurer Chiang host press conference to announce the launch of CalABLE Accounts
SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) and California State Treasurer John Chiang announced the roll out of CalABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Accounts. These special accounts, which were created by Assemblymember Irwin’s 2015 bill AB 449, are designed…
Registration is Now Underway for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley 2019 Winter Sports Leagues….Free Basketball Clinic is Offered
AGOURA HILLS — Registration is now underway for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley’s Winter 2019 coed Jr. NBA Basketball League. The season kicks off with a free Basketball Clinic offered from January 6-27, on Sundays, at the…
SBCC Announces Executive Vice President of Educational Programs
Dr. Pamela Ralston. Courtesy photo. After an extensive and competitive search process, SBCC is pleased to announce that Dr. Pamela Ralston has been selected as the College’s permanent Executive Vice President of Educational Programs. Dr. Ralston has extensive experience in…
Marjorie Luke Theatre update for Dec. 18 — Where Dreams Take Stage!
Click here for the entire e-newsletter Click Here to Donate now! Brad Hall shares the importance of The Luke to the entire Santa Barbara community.
Santa Maria’s Delta High School students getting help meeting their post-secondary educational goals during ‘College Thursdays’
SANTA MARIA — Delta High School students are getting help meeting their post-secondary educational goals during “College Thursdays”. The workshops, held afterschool and in the evening, feature instruction on how to complete college financial aid forms, scholarships and applications, according to…
SBCC Board of Trustees elects new officers for 2019
Robert Miller Board President Dr. Peter Haslund Board Vice-President At its organizational meeting on December 13, the District Board of Trustees elected Robert Miller as president of the board for the 2019 calendar year. Dr. Peter Haslund was elected board…
Miller YMCA Youth & Government Delegation Makes Lunches for the Homeless
NEWBURY PARK — Thirty members from the Miller YMCA Youth & Government delegation made over 300 lunches that were then delivered to East Rancho Dominguez Community Center in Compton to help feed the homeless. This is the fifth year that…
CSUCI Biology faculty receives grant to help increase STEM degrees among minorities
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Biology Lecturer Caryl Ann Becerra, Ph.D., has received $35,000 for a project called “California State University Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (CSU-LSAMP).” LSAMP stands for the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program, which…
Ventura County Community College District Welcomes New Board Members and Elects Board Officers
CAMARILLO — The Board of Trustees of the Ventura County Community College District held its annual organization meeting Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, and welcomed new members Gabriela Torres, Area 5 and Josh Chancer, Area 1. Chancellor Gillespie administered the oath…
Bilingual report: County of Ventura announces launch of Clean Power Alliance
Residents and businesses will soon enjoy the advantages of clean, renewable power at competitive rates VENTURA COUNTY — The County of Ventura is proud to announce that the unincorporated areas of the County will soon enjoy the advantages of clean,…
More than 40 Santa Maria Joint Union High School District students receive scholarships generated by the ‘Patch’
SANTA MARIA — Scholarships generated by the “Patch” were recently awarded to more than 40 SMJUHSD students who worked on the agritourism project at Los Flores Ranch. The “Patch” made $13,000 in scholarships to students a reality. They collectively contributed 2,814…
CSUCI-led VC STEM network receives $75,000 grant from Amgen Foundation
CAMARILLO — A recently-released White House five-year strategic plan to promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning indicates that Ventura County is already ahead of the curve, thanks to the CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)-led Ventura County STEM (VC STEM) network.…
Thousand Oaks Disaster Recovery Center to Close on Dec. 17
SACRAMENTO — The Thousand Oaks Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Ventura County will close permanently at 7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 17. The DRC, located at 173 Moorpark Rd., Suite A, Thousand Oaks, is open today, Saturday, Dec. 15 from 9 a.m.…
United for Literacy Forum Emphasizes Power of Bilingual Education
SANTA BARBARA — Local education experts discussed how effective bilingual instruction plans help raise GPAs and reduce drop out rates during a recent forum presented by United Way of Santa Barbara County. The United for Literacy Education Forum, held Nov.…
Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. Distributes Toys Throughout Ventura County
VENTURA COUNTY — It has been a time honored tradition during the holiday season for Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. to distribute toys to its pediatric patients. The tradition continues this year as Clinicas’ Toy Giveaway will again take place at…
Carnegie Art Museum update for Dec. 14
Click here to see the entire e-newsletter Give the Gift Art Help CAM Cornerstones fund art exhibitions, education, and programs by giving the GIFT of ART. Membership never looked so BRIGHT! Now through the New Year CAM members receive a…
Santa Barbara Museum of Art update for Dec. 14
SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara, announces the following exhibits. Exhibition Openings A Brilliant Spectrum: Recent Gifts of Color Photography to the Collection January 27 – May 5, 2019 Representing a broad…
‘Esteban’s Caravan: From Hope to an American Cage’ by local author Denis O’Leary now available
VENTURA COUNTY — Local author and educator Denis O’Leary has announced the publication of his new book — “Esteban’s Caravan: From Hope to an American Cage,” now available on Amazon.com. Published by Floricanto Press, “Esteban’s Caravan is the compelling story…
Coming to America — Understanding the migrant caravan requires an awareness of Central America’s recent history, social scientists say
By Andrea Estrada • UCSB . The migrant caravan that traveled from Central America to the United States last month generated headlines — and angry rhetoric — long before it arrived. The situation reached fever pitch the Sunday after Thanksgiving when…
Bilingual report: Federal resources available for under-insured Hill and Woolsey fire victims
VENTURA — Some homeowners affected by the Hill and Woolsey fires are discovering that they may be under-insured for their losses. Help is available. The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides housing assistance for people who have lost their homes as…
Bilingual commentary: The Invasion of Automation
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local 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 •…
Bilingual report: The PACC Welcomes Nonprofits to Apply for Rental Credit
OXNARD — The PACC has announced its annual rental credit program and welcomes 501c3 nonprofits in good standing within the City of Oxnard to apply. Details on eligibility, the current application, sample grant, and scoring rubrics are all available on The…
Community Environmental Council and Santa Barbara Channelkeeper join effort to keep film plastic out of waste stream, serving as additional public drop-off locations
Click here for the entire e-newsletter SANTA BARBARA, CA – The Community Environmental Council (CEC) and Santa Barbara Channelkeeper (SBCK) are pleased to work together with Ablitt’s Fine Cleaners to collect and repurpose hard-to-recycle plastics. Sasha Ablitt, owner of Ablitt’s Fine…
Ventura County general fund ends fiscal year in a strong position
VENTURA — Through a combination of strong management efforts and thoughtful, conservative fiscal projections, the County ended last fiscal year with savings of $43 million. The savings were bolstered by an unexpected one-time receipt from the state of $10 million…
Pioneer Valley High School culinary arts students learn about food handing production
SANTA MARIA — Culinary Arts students at Pioneer Valley High School are getting a first-hand look at how a restaurant handles food production in an effort to help them prepare and earn a ServSafe Managers Certificate. The certificate, which is valid…
CSUCI receives two separate grants to empower immigrants and transfer students
CAMARILLO — Vulnerable student populations at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) are benefitting from two separate grants from one local and one national organization. Professor of Chicana/o Studies Jose Alamillo and Assistant Professors of Sociology Luis Sanchez and Karina Chavarria applied for…
SBCC Arts & Crafts Fair Draws Big Crowds to Local Talents
SANTA BARBARA — From hand-knit scarfs to intricately crafted jewelry, thousands of unique creations were on display December 1 at the SBCC School of Extended Learning annual Arts & Crafts Fair. Shoppers filled the SBCC Wake Campus, 300 N. Turnpike…
Jackson Introduces Bill to Reduce Gun Violence
SACRAMENTO– Based on research by the UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program (VPRP), which found an increased risk of future violence among firearm owners with certain alcohol-related convictions, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) introduced legislation today to restrict gun ownership among…