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…
Moorpark College Theatre Arts announces auditions for Spring 2019 production of ‘SPAMALOT’
MOORPARK — Moorpark College Theatre Arts is pleased to announce auditions for its upcoming Spring 2019 production of SPAMALOT; a production based on the uproarious Monty Python comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Auditions will be held Dec. 17, 18…
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…
Museum of Ventura County update for Dec. 12 — Free Las Posadas Celebration, New Exhibit Sneak Peek, Documentary Screening, and more
Major funding for these programs is made possible by the City of San Buenaventura, the County of Ventura and private and community donors. Exhibit Sneak Peek! Click for a Sneak Peek Look at Wrapped With Care at The Ag Wrapped With Care,…
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…
Santa Maria Joint Union High School District AVID students, peers visit Levi Stadium for PAC-12 Championship Sports Career Education Day and College Fair
SANTA MARIA — Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Avid students and their peers recently took over Levi Stadium for the PAC-12 Championship Sports Career Education Day and College Fair in the San Francisco Bay Area. About 200 Saints, Panthers…
Jackson Bills, Including Ban of New Offshore Oil Drilling, to Become Law on Jan. 1
SACRAMENTO – Among the numerous bills authored by State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) this year, the following will take effect on January 1, 2019: Senate Bill 834, No New Offshore Oil: SB 834 blocks the Trump Administration from expanding federal oil…
Ventura County announces addition to health care leadership team
VENTURA — Bill Foley has been selected as the new Director of the Ventura County Health Care Agency. The appointment was made by County Executive Officer Mike Powers with the unanimous approval of the Board of Supervisors. “The Health Care…
Two New Trustees Join Ventura County Board of Education
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Board of Education welcomed two newly-elected trustees at its meeting tonight in Camarillo. Rob Collins and Mike Teasdale were formally sworn in as trustees following their election victories in November. Collins now represents trustee area…
Three Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Board of Education Members sworn in
SANTA MARIA — Three re-elected Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Board of Education members were sworn in during the Dec. 11 meeting. The meeting was held at the Support Services Center on Skyway Drive. Superintendent Dr. Mark Richardson administered…
Professional Athletes and Southeast Ventura County YMCA Join Forces to Create California Strong
VENTURA COUNTY — In response to the recent tragedies in California, professional baseball players Christian Yelich, Ryan Braun and Mike Moustakas, along with Rams’ quarterback Jared Goff, have joined forces with the Southeast Ventura County YMCA to create California Strong.…
Drop Off Your Christmas Tree At Agromin, Get Free Potting Mix
VENTURA COUNTY — Agromin, the green waste recycler for most of Ventura County, is accepting Christmas trees at three of its locations from December 26 through January 19. Residents who drop off their trees will receive a free bag of…
Wild California condor chick fledges in Santa Barbara County for first time since 1982
SANTA BARBARA — For the first time in more than three decades, an endangered California condor chick has successfully fledged from a cliff-side nest in Santa Barbara County. Last month, condor number 933 took its first short flight after six months…
CSUCI Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) receives $25,000 boost from grant
CAMARILLO — Enrollment will begin right after the new year for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) for the spring semester with climate change, psychopathology, antebellum America and Sherlock Holmes among the offerings. CSUCI’s popular OLLI…
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County: Holiday Angels Program Returns
VENTURA COUNTY — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) is proud to once again partner with Harbor Freight, First Bank (Westlake Village), Student Corps, and individual donors for the organization’s Holiday Angels gift-giving program. BBSVC’s Holiday Angels opportunity for…