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'Homelessness in Ventura County...'
subject of March 24 discussion at Oxnard College

"Homelessness in Ventura County:  Problems and Solutions" will be presented from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 24 at Oxnard College in the Clock Tower Auditorium, LS 8. Will Reed, from Oxnard’s Commission on Homelessness, Lynn Bulock, from the County House & Homeless Coalition, Tina McDonald, from RAIN Traditional Living Center, Unitarian Minister Jan Christian and homeless people will explore solutions to homelessness in Ventura, according to a media release. The program is part of the Oxnard College Literature, Arts and Lecture Series funded by Oxnard College and the Oxnard College Foundation. The series is free and students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to attend.  Visitors can park free in the A and B parking lots located near Bard Road.  For directions to the college or a flyer, contact series coordinator Shelley Savren at ssavren@vcccd.edu or 805.986.5800, ext. 1951.

 
 

Michele Serros to appear for reading a book-signing March 24 at Moorpark College

Michele Serros will appear for a reading and book-signing as part of the celebration of SWAN Day (Support Women Artists Now) at 1:30 p.m. March 24 at Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Road, Theatre Arts Building Room 11, Moorpark. Serros will be one of a number of women artists performing and displaying art on campus. Everyone is welcome to attend. There is no admission fee. For information, contact Sandra Hunter at hunter@vcccd.edu

 
 

CSUCI hosting 5th Annual Children's Reading Celebration
and Young Author's Fair

Children all over Ventura County are invited to CSU Channel Islands Broome Library from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, March 20 for the 5th Annual Children’s Reading Celebration and Young Author’s Fair, the university reported in a media release. The event is sponsored by CI’s John Spoor Broome Library, the English Program, the Ventura County Reading Association, Target Foundation, and the Ventura County Office of Education. The celebration is open to the community with free admission and parking. Many exciting activities have been planned for children to promote reading, writing and creativity. There will be an interactive author presentation, storytime, bookmark making, story writing and creation of concertina books. The Celebration will feature an appearance by children’s author Alexis O’Neill who wrote The Recess Queen as well as The Worst Best Friend. CI students in the English Program, as part of their service learning component, will be reading aloud to children. Children will also receive a signed copy of The Recess Queen to take home with them free of charge. This is funded by an early childhood literacy grant from the Target Foundation. If a child’s school participates in the Ventura County Reading Association’s Young Author’s Fair, that child can write a book and have his teacher enter it to be displayed and read at the Celebration on March 20. Assistant Professor Elnora Tayag, an Instruction and Outreach Librarian at CI’s Broome Library, stated that, “In an era where we see so much of our print media struggling to exist, we want to cultivate in children an appreciation for all aspects of print culture.” For information and to RSVP please visit: http://www.library.csuci.edu/reading

 
 

Latest exhibition to benefit Food Share holding reception March 18

A reception for “Spring ’10,” the latest in a rotating exhibition to benefit FOOD Share, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 18 at the First floor lobby of the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach, 450 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura. Music will be provided by harpist Xavier "Big X" Montes.

Visitors to the reception will get to meet the artists and view more than 70 pieces of fine art, FOOD Share reported in a media release.

This rotating exhibit has a twist by providing donations through the sale of art to FOOD Share, Ventura County’s largest regional food bank, with a program dubbed Art Share.

Currently on display through May 31 are works from 11 local artists: Elizabeth Azcarate, Tammy Carlson, Pat Richards Dodds, Lois Freeman-Fox, Dorothea Heger, Sarah Kalvin, Lynn Letourneau, Tina O'Brien, Beatrix Rohlsen, Francine L. Tissot and Gerald Zwers.

“Gallery at the Crowne is the first gallery to showcase art that will benefit FOOD Share through the Art Share program,” said Terry Bray, curator. “I want buyers to realize when they look at their art purchase they have helped to financially support an artist, helped others in our community that may be battling hunger and maybe even changed a life.”

Bray said art sales since November 2009 have resulted in a cash donation that will allow FOOD Share to purchase over $900 in food for those in need.

“FOOD Share is delighted our local artists are painting a brighter future for the friends we serve in our local communities,” said Bonnie Weigel, CEO of FOOD Share. “Terry has done an amazing job at securing beautiful art to benefit our programs and services.”

“We are most excited about this rotation of artwork as several pieces depict local scenery in and around Ventura reminiscent of what the city is all about: that Ventura is a great place to live, work and visit,” said Douglas Wood, general manager of the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach hotel.

For more information, call 805.795.6076; 805.648.2100 or visit www.cpventura.com

 
 

'The Science of Heart Rhythm Meditation'
subject of March 17 talk at Oxnard College

"The Science of Heart Rhythm Meditation" will be presented from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 17 at Oxnard College in the Clock Tower Auditorium, LS 8. Meditation teacher Puran Bair, founder of the Institution for Applied Meditation, will introduce heart rhythm meditation as a method to energize the heart and help people relieve stress, enhance the immune system, and fulfill their passions and purpose in life, according to a media release. The program is part of the Oxnard College Literature, Arts and Lecture Series funded by Oxnard College and the Oxnard College Foundation. The series is free and students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to attend.  Visitors can park free in the A and B parking lots located near Bard Road.  For directions to the college or a flyer, contact series coordinator Shelley Savren at ssavren@vcccd.edu or 805.986.5800, ext. 1951.

 
 

Writing workshops for veterans set for March 16 through April 27 at Oxnard College

Oxnard College will be presenting a series of free writing workshops for anyone who has served in any war and is looking for a supportive environment to share experiences, the college reported in a media release. "Oxnard College is aware that many students are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with stories to tell.  This program offers a time to reflect and write. The workshop will culminate with an anthology, and participants, as well as war veterans from the community, will be invited to submit work." The workshops — March 16, 23, April 6, 13, 20 and 27 in the Student Lounge — will be facilitated by Elijah Imlay, a published poet whose work appears in Veterans of War, Veterans of Peace. He is a member of California Poets in the Schools and Maxine Hong Kingston’s Veteran Writers’ Group and has facilitated writing workshops for veterans of war in the past. Imlay was attached to the 101 Airborne, stationed in Vietnam in 1971. His poetry manuscript, Monsoon Blues, which recounts his experiences in Vietnam, is  forthcoming from Tebot Bach Press. He works as a psychotherapist in the Transitions Program at Ventura County Behavioral Health. He is also a mentor for the Institute for Applied Meditation. The workshops are sponsored Oxnard College, Poets & Writers Inc. through a James Irvine Foundation grant and PEN Center USA Freedom to Write.  Oxnard College disabled student veterans are encouraged to attend. For more information, call Leo Orange at 805.986.5830 or lorange@vcccd.edu

 
 

'New Work,' featuring art of Xavier 'Big X' Montes, Luis Bermudez, opening March 13

"New Work," featuring the artistic talents of Xavier "Big X" Montes, Luis Bermudez, Christina Carroll, Maggie Smith-Fleisher, Richard Flores, Pam Guhrs-Carr, Lucy Madeline, Terry Martin, Dena Palser, Robert Rheem, Marilyn Richeda, Francis Scorzelli, Charles Sherman, Carroll Simpson, and Nina de Creeft Ward, will be presented March 13 through April 24 at the Beatrice Wood Center, 8560 Ojai-Santa Paula Road, Ojai. The opening reception will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 13. For more information, visit www.Beatricewood.com or call 805.646.3381.

 
 

¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! bringing Mariachi Reyna
de Los Angeles to Santa Barbara region March 12-14

¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! brings Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, America’s first all-female mariachi ensemble, to Santa Barbara County for three days of free concerts and community outreach March 12-14, ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! reported in a media release. "Formed in 1994 and guided by the mentorship of legendary ranchera vocalist Lola Beltran, Mariachi Reyna has taken the history of women in mariachi music from being solely singers to making up the full complement of a musical ensemble. The musicians of Mariachi Reyna have established a unique genre of mariachi and inspired many women to follow in their footsteps. The group’s pioneering efforts have given voices to Latinas in a cultural and musical tradition that has long been male-dominated. Mariachi Reyna has performed with notable musicians such as Vikki Carr, Guadalupe Pineda, Miguel Aceves Mejia, and Lucha Villa, has recorded three albums, and was also the subject of the documentary film “COMPAÑERAS.” Current director Jose Hernandez, who has provided much of the vision and musical arrangements," states of the group, “You will relish their dynamic expression which fuels the intensity and power characteristic of the mariachi. Experiencing this embrace will instill within you an exceptional taste of mariachi with passion—the passion of Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles,” Viva el Arte stated in a media release. The free performances will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, March 12 at Isla Vista School, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 13 at Theater Royal in Guadalupe and 4 and 7 p.m. Sunday, March 14 at The Marjorie Luke Theater in Santa Barbara. Concerts are followed by free receptions with the artists. For information, contact the Guadalupe Cultural Arts & Education Center at 805.343.2939; The Marjorie Luke Theatre, 805.884.4087, ext. 7; or the Isla Vista School 805.893.4979, or visit www.myspace.com/vivaelartedesantabarbara or www.facebook.com/vivaelarte

 
 

'Immigration: What Do We Want?' discussion planned for March 11

“Immigration: What Do We Want?” a roundtable discussion, will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 11 at Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 3327 Old Conejo Road, Newbury Park. The program will include a discussion on the principles for reform, organizing education and actions, and training and role playing on how to call your representative and respond to members of church congregations, friends and family with the facts about comprehensive immigration reform. Prof. Jose Alamillo, CSUCI, Chicano/a Studies, will give a brief history of immigration law. For more information, call 805.492.8751.

 
 

Discussion of Oxnard 2030 General Plan set for March 10

Chris Williamson, Oxnard’s senior planner, and Mike Stubblefield, local Sierra Club Chair, will discuss Oxnard’s proposed 2030 General Plan at the GOOD CLUB meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, at the Café on A, 438 So. A Street, downtown Oxnard, according to a media release by Carmen Ramirez. They will discuss the history, process, legal requirements and details of the proposed 2030 General Plan for the City of Oxnard, which was put on hold by the Oxnard City Council at the meeting of Feb. 9. Williamson will reprise his presentation to the City Council on Feb. 9. Stubblefield will discuss the Sierra Club's concerns about the General Plan. In early February, hundreds of people sent letters to the Oxnard City Council and several dozen testified during a standing-room only public hearing, to express their concerns about the 2030 General Plan's proposals for Ormond Beach wetland area, Jones Ranch, water supply, traffic, school placement, industry, jobs and housing affordability issues, Ramirez said. Visitors are welcome. For more information, call Ramirez at 805.485.8026 or send an e-mail to ramirezmcar@gmail.com

 
 

'Understanding Women in the Middle East'
subject of March 10 presentation at Oxnard College

"Understanding Women in the Middle East" will be presented from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 10 at Oxnard College in the Clock Tower Auditorium, LS 8. In celebration of International Women’s Day, Syrian born Nahed Sammani Stefany, MFT, will discuss women’s contribution to Middle Eastern society, including the workforce, politics, religion and culture, and will address the misunderstood stereotypes of Arabic women, according to a media release. The program is part of the Oxnard College Literature, Arts and Lecture Series funded by Oxnard College and the Oxnard College Foundation. The series is free and students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to attend.  Visitors can park free in the A and B parking lots located near Bard Road.  For directions to the college or a flyer, contact series coordinator Shelley Savren at ssavren@vcccd.edu or 805.986.5800, ext. 1951.

 
 

Public invited to 'El Carnaval de los Huehues
de Tlaxcala' March 7 at Oxnard College Park

The public is invited to attend "El Carnaval de los Huehues de Tlaxcala" from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 7 at Oxnard College Park at Rose Avenue and Channel Islands Blvd., the Mexican Consulate of Oxnard reported this week.

Visitors are invited to learn about the cultural traditions, music and dances typical of the Mexican state of Tlaxcala. Participants from other Mexican states will also attend the event.

For more information, call 805.832.5992 or 805.890.9700.

 
 
 

Mexican Consulate providing passport,
matricula consular services March 6, 7 in Santa Barbara

The Mexican Consulate in Oxnard announced this week that it will provide passport and matricula consular identification card services on March 6 and 7 at the Schott Center, 310 W. Padre St. in Santa Barbara.

For more information, call 805.984.8738, ext. 100, 105 or 111, visit www.consulmexoxnard.com or send an e-mail to consul@consulmexoxnard.com

 
 
 

Ñuu Savi Club to perform at 'Rhythms of Life: Dance for AIDS' benefit on March 6

The Ventura County AIDS Partnership (VCAP) will host "Rhythms of Life: Dance for AIDS" at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 6 at the Ventura Center for Spiritual Living, 101 S. Laurel St., Ventura. The community driven, family oriented, multi-cultural dance performance tells the story of AIDS locally and globally, VCAP reported in a media release. More than 300 guests are expected to be entertained by a cast of 100 performers and volunteers. "We are pleased to announce that Ñuu Savi Club is joining us on the Dance for AIDS stage! Founded in 2008 by a group of Oaxacan leaders, their mission is to preserve and expose the indigenous and mestizo culture through cultural events," VCAP stated in the release. "We believe Dance for AIDS is a great opportunity to share our culture through dance, while we are supporting a good cause since HIV/AIDS is a global issue affecting millions of people regardless of color, race and/or sex gender," Ñuu Savi Club stated in the release. Also performing is Baile Folklorico's Planned Parenthood's Teen Success support group that empowers teen mothers to maintain their current family size, finish school, and plan positive futures for themselves and their children. Teen Success participants want to give back to the community in an active, fun and cultural way. ant to give back to the community, and are excited to be able to do so in an active, fun and cultural way. Says one participant, "Teen Success teaches us to open up and not be afraid to follow and achieve our dreams. It helped me get over my fear to go to college." Rhythms of Life: Dance for AIDS is sponsored by FASTSIGNS of Ventura, Kaiser Permanente, Goldcoast Broadcasting, Bestofhealth.com, Montecito Bank and Trust and Social Good Consulting. Tickets are $25 for students, $50 for the general audience, $75 preferred seating, $125 VIP and $20 for the After Party. For tickets to Dance for AIDS, please go to www.danceforaids.org, email madhu@vcaidspartnership.org or call Madhu Bajaj at 805.485.6288, ext. 232.

 
 

CAUSE Women's Social, Economic & Environmental
(SEE) Justice Advocacy Day set for March 6 at Oxnard College

The Central Coast Alliance for a Sustainable Economy will present the "8th Annual CAUSE Women's Social, Economic & Environmental (SEE) Justice Advocacy Day," from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 6 at Oxnard College, 4000 So. Rose Ave., Oxnard.

Working women leaders from throughout the region will present information on women's leadership development, community organizing training, and issues policy advocacy education and action.

Irene Pinkard, the first African-American woman to serve on the Oxnard City Council and Ana Rizo, mayor of the City of Maywood, will be the keynote speakers.

The program includes a "Women's Advocacy Panel," from 1 to 2:30 p.m. with scheduled panel members Stan Hakes, chief of staff for Ventura County Supervisor John Zaragoza; U.S. Rep. Lois Capps: Cheri Orgel, field representative for California Assemblymember Julia Brownley; Callie Hurd, field representative for California State Sen. Fran Pavely; Henry Gonzalez, Ventura County Agriculture commissioner; Ana Del Rio Barba, Oxnard Elementary School Board member and California Assemblymember Pedro Nava.

For more information, call Maricela Morales at 805.658.0810, ext. 203, or send an e-mail to maricela@costalalliance.com

 
 

International Women's Festivals set for March 5-6

The International Women's Festivals: "Bringing All Our Worlds Together," will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 5 and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 6 at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara.

Scheduled speakers include filmmaker Martha De Laurentis, author Mimi Donaldson, Dr. Nina Craft, Deborah Hutchison and Mary Schnack.

Nonprofit partners include the National Association of Women Business Owners, Women's Economic Ventures, SCORE, Girls Inc., Green2Gold, Future Women CEO's, UCSB Women's Center and UCSB Career Services California Women's Foundation

For more information, call Tracy Saunders at 805.641.0824 or visit www.womensfestivals.org

 
 

Consulado de Mexico de Oxnard y Los Angeles
celebrating Oaxaqueña month of culture

The Consulado de Mexico de Oxnard y Los Angeles is celebrating Oaxaqueña month of culture with a reception at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 5 at the Consulado de Mexico en Los Angeles, 2401 W. 6th St., Los Angeles.

For more information, call 213.351.6845 or send an e-mail to mbermudez@sre.gob.mx

Celebrando el Mes de la Cultura Oaxaqueña

Evento Conjunto del Consulado General de México
en Los Angeles y el Consulado de México en Oxnard.

Viernes 5 de marzo, 6:30 p.m., Consulado General de México en Los Angeles, 2401 W. 6th St., Los Angeles.

Para mayor información y confirmar su asistencia comunicarse al Departamento de Asuntos Culturales del Consulado al 213.351.6845 o al correo mbermudez@sre.gob.mx

 
 
Celebrando las artes plásticas se presentará la exposición “Me rento para soñar” una colección integrada por siete pinturas al oleo, nueve esculturas de material reciclado, ocho dibujos, ocho piezas de cerámica de talavera, 10 grabados y 17 ilustraciones del talentoso artista visual Álvaro Santiago. Esta exposición ha venido itinerando por varios países con el apoyo de la Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores y por primera vez se presenta en Los Angeles.
 
 

Oxnard College to explore life of William Shakespeare

Theatricum Botanicum's Artist Educators Willow Geer and Mike Peebler will present "Shakespeare’s Life & Language," exploring the life and times of Shakespeare complete with Elizabethan song and dance, and delving into the rhythms and rhetoric of Shakespeare's text from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 3 at Oxnard College in the Clock Tower Auditorium, LS 8. The program is part of the Oxnard College Literature, Arts and Lecture Series funded by Oxnard College and the Oxnard College Foundation. The series is free and students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to attend.  Visitors can park free in the A and B parking lots located near Bard Road.  For directions to the college or a flyer, contact series coordinator Shelley Savren at ssavren@vcccd.edu or 805.986.5800, ext. 1951.
 
 

Det. J. Rafael Tovar talks about catching, arresting and the social impact of serial killer John Wayne Gacy during March 1 presentation at CLU

Det. J. Rafael Tovar, retired investigator for the Des Plaines (Illinois) Police Dept., who caught and arrested John Wayne Gacy for the murders of 33 young men from the Chicago area, will speak at 11 a.m. Monday, March 1 at California Lutheran University in the Lindring Events Center.

He will discuss Gacy’s childhood, young adulthood and psychological assessment, his adult life when the killing spree began, evidence recovered at the scenes and the culmination of the investigation resulting in Gacy’s arrest, prosecution and execution. The social impact of the victims, community, and the justice system at large will also be discussed.

Tovar is a 39-year veteran of law enforcement who retired as a detective with the Des Plaines Police Dept. He is also president of A. Rafael Tovar Consultants and Investigations. As a career law enforcement professional, Rafael worked patrol for several years before being promoted to detective where he specialized in narcotics enforcement for more than 20 years, working undercover narcotic operations and supervising a narcotics team. Rafael’s prestigious career in narcotic interdiction resulted in numerous awards including two International Narcotics Officers Association Awards, four MEG Directors Awards, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Law Enforcement Excellence Award, ATF Excellence Award and two letters of recognition from the U.S. Attorney General’s Office. His narcotics investigations extend beyond the Chicago area, and he has testified in federal courts in New York, Florida, Oregon and Illinois.

Tovar is known as a versatile and successful investigator — skills he honed as a patrol officer, according to a Sept. 30, 2009 story in the Chicago Tribune.

When he started in 1970, Tovar was the first Spanish-speaking officer in the suburbs. Neighboring departments often asked him to translate witness interviews in homicide investigations, the Tribune reported.

The program is sponsored by the The Center for Equality and Justice and Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies. For more information, call Schannae Lucas at 805.493.3391.

Click on the photo of Tovar for the full media release.

 
 

Media coverage of Latino workers in New Orleans
subject of Feb. 24 presentation at California Lutheran University

California Lutheran University Professor Russell L. Stockard Jr. will discuss media coverage of Latino workers who moved to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24 at CLU in Thousand Oaks, the university reported in a media release.

Stockard Jr., associate professor of communication, will present “Framing Disaster Migration: Media Coverage of Latino Workers in New Orleans Post-Hurricane Katrina” in Soiland Humanities Center #119. Latino workers have traveled to New Orleans from other parts of the United States and the world to take part in the reconstruction of the city. Stockard will discuss how the media have depicted the movement of Latinos to one of the last major American cities without a sizable Latino presence.

Stockard, who graduated from high school in New Orleans, has conducted ongoing disaster research on Hurricane Katrina and also taught a class on the subject. He presented a paper on media coverage of Latino workers post-Katrina at the Latino American Studies Association conference in Rio de Janeiro this past summer. His research on New Orleans and the Gulf Coast is part of a longstanding interest in Caribbean and Latin American studies.

A CLU professor since 1991, Stockard earned a doctorate in communication from Stanford University.

The free event is part of the Center for Equality and Justice Faculty Lecture Series. Soiland Humanities Center is on Memorial Parkway. Visitor parking is available in the parking lots on Mountclef Boulevard north and south of Olsen Road. Street parking is by permit only Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, contact Gregory Freeland at freeland@callutheran.edu or 805.493.3477.

 
 
 
 

Heart Health Fair coming Feb. 20

A Heart Health Fair designed primarily for those who do not have access to medical services, will be held from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, at the Castillo Street entrance, first floor. The fair will include blood pressure screening, cardiac risk profile and a blood chemistry panel for $15. There will also be free nursing consultations, exercise tips and heart-healthy snacks and recipes. Those attending the fair should not eat 10 hours prior to the blood chemstry panel, but should continue to drink water and take prescribed medications. For more information, call 805.879.8992.

Click on images to see English and Spanish versions of flyers

 
 
 

Groups partner to host Mega Tax Day on Feb. 20 at El Concilio

The Ventura County Financial Empowerment Partnership is seeking to increase the number of individuals and families who receive no-cost tax preparation assistance by sponsoring a Mega Tax Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20 at El Concilio del Condado de Ventura, 301 So. C St., Oxnard, the partnership reported this week in a media release.

The event is designed for those who made under $49,000 in 2009, and who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit of up to $5,657.

Enacted by Congress in 1975 to offset the burden of social security taxes on low-wage workers, the EITC has been widely praised for its success in supporting work and reducing poverty, said Susan Englund, United Way's vice president of Community Impact.

“The EITC can boost a family’s income, but the rules are somewhat complicated and so not everyone who applies for it will receive it,” Englund said.

Other community organizations will be at the event offering information on financial literacy, childcare and other services.

Organizers suggest that the following items should be brought to the event: Social Security card for each family member or ITIN number, W2 forms for all jobs worked in 2009, all 1099 forms from other income, child care provider information, information on the amount of Economic Stimulus Payments in 2009, picture i.d. for each adult filing, and for direct deposit, you will need to bring a bank routing and account number. Taxes will be prepared on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Ventura County Financial Empowerment Partnership is a community collaborative that includes the United Way of Ventura County, the Business and Employment Services Deparment of the Health Services Agency of Ventura County, Cabrillo Economic Development Corp., FileYourTaxes.com, the Central Coast Alliance for a Sustainable Economy and the IRS.

Trained volunteer tax preparers are now available to prepare federal and state tax returns at El Concilio in Oxnard, Housing Authorities of Ventura and Oxnard, and in the Job & Career Centers in west Oxnard and Santa Clara Valley, Ventura and East County. The public is encouraged to call 2-1-1 for a complete list of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) locations throughout Ventura County.

For individuals unable to visit a VITA site, there is a self-filing online link available by visiting www.vcunitedway.org

For more information on VITA days and hours of operation, call 2-1-1.

 
 

MICOP seeking volunteers for Feb. 20 community meeting

The Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project will hold its monthly community meeting at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20 at Harrington Elementary School, 2501 S. Gisler St., Oxnard. Food will be prepacked by Mixtec community volunteers the night before the community meeting.

"We need help with registering the long line of families that are waiting to enter the meeting," said Donna Foster of MICOP. "Because of stricter guidelines from our funders and collaborators, we have more information to intake from each family and it takes time to do that. If you speak Spanish we can really use your help! If you don't, but are good at listening and writing, we can team you up with someone who does speak Spanish. We also need help with the children. We have crafts to keep them busy, but we also need to make sure that the children are safe and not littering or doing anything disruptive to the school grounds while their parents are listening to the information at the meeting. We appreciate all your help, support, good thoughts and energy!

" If you have any questions feel free to email me at mixtecoproject@yahoo.com or call me at 805.320.0118."

 
 

Guantanamo Bay subject of Oxnard College Feb. 17 discussion

Attorney Michael Rapkin will speak on "Guantanamo: Politics, Fear stuff the Constitution under the rug," from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17 at Oxnard College in the Clock Tower Auditorium, LS 8.

Rapkin will address conditions in Guantanamo Bay, why Congress hasn’t closed it, how public fear has kept the President from his promises, status of habeas corpus and criminal cases in federal court, his own detainee cases, torture and the rule of law, according to a media release.

The program is part of the Oxnard College Literature, Arts and Lecture Series funded by Oxnard College and the Oxnard College Foundation. The Feb. 17 event is also funded by the Poets & Writers Inc., through a James Irvine grant. The series is free and students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to attend.  Visitors can park free in the A and B parking lots located near Bard Road.

For directions to the college or a flyer, contact series coordinator Shelley Savren at ssavren@vcccd.edu or 805.986.5800, ext. 1951.

 
 

Grand opening for Santa Paula Art Museum set for Feb. 14

The Santa Paula Art Museum will hold its grand opening from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14 at 117 N. 10 St., Santa Paula, next to the California Oil Museum.

Artist/musician Xavier Montes reports that the museum will be the home for the renowned Santa Paula art collection, which was started in 1937, and will also be the home to the "De Colores Collection," featuring the works of local Latino artists and others from the surrounding area.

The museum will also be the home to the De Colores Arts Festival, showcasing Latin America art, music, food, arts and crafts. The exhibit will run from Sept. 5 through Dec. 26, with the arts festival held on Sept. 5.

For more information, visit www.santapaulaartmuseum.org or call 805.229.6110.

Photo at right of Xavier Montes and Jennifer Heighton, executive director of the Santa Paula Art Museum on the steps of the museum.

 

 
 

4th Annual Latin Jazz Concert coming to Ventura Feb. 13

Legendary Percussionist Pete Escovedo will perform at the Ventura Music Festival's 4th Annual Latin Jazz Concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb.13 at the Ventura High School Theatre, 2 North Catalina, Ventura.

A journeyman percussionist and band leader, Escovedo was a key player in “Santana,”the most influential Latin Rock group in history, festival organizers stated in a media release. He has also performed or recorded with Herbie Hancock, Anita Baker, Arturo Sandoval, Sheila E, Chick Corea and many others.

"Our yearly “Latin Jazz” concerts, held around Valentine’s Day, have been a smashing success for the last three years. When Pete Escovedo takes the stage with his Timpales, you’ll see why these shows bring fans from far and wide to enjoy this lively music, so important to our local heritage," organizers stated.

The concert is sponsored by Sandra & Jordan Laby, Aera Energy LLC.

For tickets: $40 $30 $15 (student), call the festival office at 805.648.3146 or visit tickets

For more information, visit www.peteescovedo.com or Ventura Music Festival

 
 

Hector Villagra of ACLU to speak Feb. 13 in Newbury Park

Hector Villagra, lead attorney for the ACLU-Southern California Affiliate in Los Angeles, will speak from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13 at the Newbury Park Library, 2321 Borchard Road, Newbury Park.

Villagra will speak on past and current ACLU positions on immigration cases.

The event is free and open to the public and presented by the Ventura County Chapter of the ACLU. For more information contact R. Henry at 805.578.0563 or e-mail aclu.vc@verizon.net

 

 
 

'Mixteco-Speakers' in California subject of program on Feb. 8

Members of the Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project will take part in a panel discussion from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 8 at the Ventura County Medical Center, 3291 Loma Vista Road, Ventura, in the large auditorium.

Presented by VCMC, the program, "Mixteco-Speakers in California," features Sandra Young, founder of MICOP, with MICOP panel members Arcenio Lopez and Elizabeth Gomez.

This course is designed for all health care workers who interact with the Mixteco-Speaker population in Ventura County, according to a media release. By the end of this course the participant will be able to describe beliefs and challenges specific to the Mixteco-speaker, medical and support referral services including interpreting available in Ventura County, the incidence of domestic violence, plus cultural norms in child bearing and rearing.

Pre-registration is required. To RSVP, call VCMC/SPH Nursing Education at 805.652.6045 or send an e-mail to vcmc.nursinged@ventura.org

 
 
 

Bilingual poll workers subject of upcoming LULAC meeting

Danny Chavez, bilingual program supervisor for the Ventura County Elections Division, will talk about the bilingual registration program at the next League of United Latin American Citizens District 17 meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 6 at Clinicas del Camino Real, 200 So. Wells Road, Saticoy. The division is seeking volunteer bilingual election officers for the June 8 election. For information on the program, call Chavez at 805.654.2745. For information on LULAC meetings, call Gil Guevara at 805.231.6581 or e-mail to gilbertguevara2@verizon.net

Click on images to see English and Spanish versions of election officer flyers

 
 
 

Big Brothers Big Sisters plan Noche de Amor

The Big Brothers Big Sisters Latino Advisory Council is inviting the community to attend “Noche De Amor,” A Night of Love, an elegant evening to support the group’s Hispanic Mentoring Initiative on Saturday, Feb. 6 at Casa Lopez in downtown Oxnard.

The 5 p.m. VIP reception, ($125 per couple) hosted by Tequila Alquimia, includes dinner, dancing and an auction. The 6:30 p.m. dinner, dance and auction are $75 per couple, $40 per person. Call Terri Felix at 805.484.2282, ext. 23 or visit www.bbsvc.org

 
 

Missionaries of the Holy Spirit
presenting dinner/dance Feb. 6


The Missionaries of the Holy Spirit are presenting a dinner/dance at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard.

Proceeds from the annual event goes to support the educational studies of students who want to become priest.

Tickets, $50, are available at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 500 N. Juanita Ave., Oxnard.

For more information, call Dolores Ochoa at 805.217.0005.

 
 

The Artist Cantine holding 'The Bohemian Nights' Feb. 6 in Oxnard

Artist Agustin Bravo is hosting "The Bohemian Nights" from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Feb. 6 at The Artist Cantine at The Palms Outlet Center, 2000 Outlet Center Drive, Suite 220, Oxnard.

Exhibiting artists include Lalo Garcia, Montecello Miller, Meli Calkins, Sheena Lad, Ennio Deras, Lix Mario Ramirez, Frank Martinez, Amanda Unzuetz, Lexington Antonio Salazar, Sarvelio Lopez and Agustine Bravo.

Music will be by Roberto Ramirez, Gabriela Crow, Sajama and El Censo de Emilio Carballido Director Felipe Cortez.

The free event also features poetry, food and wine, reports Xavier Montes.

For more information, call 818.270.8331.

 
 

Vita Art Center presents:
"Games People Play"

The Vita Art Center at the Bell Arts Factory is presenting "The Games People Play," with an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5 at 432 Ventura Ave., Studio 30, Ventura, according to Mary Perez, program director.

The series of collaborative mixed media works, each piece based on a childhood game, was created by Jennifer Guernsey, Amy Schneider and Jill Shanbrom.

Each piece in "Games People Play" is based on a childhood game. While maintaining the traditional rules of each game as an integral element of their creative process, artists have also added a few new rules of their own!, the gallery reported in a media release. Along with "Telephone" gallery vistors can view their unique take on many other childhood games such as Hopscotch, Hangman and TicTacToe.

The exhibit is open from Feb. 5 through Feb. 26. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and weekends by appointment.

For more information, contact Perez at 805.644.9214 or maryperez@vitaartcenter.com or visit www.vitaartcenter.com

 

 

 

 
 

Xavier Montes performing at Gallery 255 grand opening on Feb. 5

Gallery 255 will be celebrating it’s name change with a grand opening during February’s First Friday: 5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 5, reports Xavier Montes, who will be providing music from 6 to 8 p.m. Copies of his lastest CDs will be available for purchase.

Sandra McCullough, gallery owner changed the name of her gallery to reflect the caliber of contemporary art being exhibited in the gallery. Gallery 255 will continue to showcase the resident artists of the Sea Breeze Art Studios, but will also include off-site contemporary artists several times a year.

McCullough opened her business in May of 2004 as Sea Breeze Art Gallery and Studios. In March 2009, she divided the large gallery space into two smaller spaces creating Gallery 255 and the Laurel Gallery, managed by Robert Rush. Gallery 255 remains in the same location, under the same management with specific hours four days a week. The 14 art studios where 21 resident artists work retains the name Sea Breeze Art Studios. For more information, call 805.861.0624.

 
 

Photography and oral history show to open at CSUCI

CSU Channel Islands is hosting a photography and oral history exhibit created through a partnership with California Rural Legal Assistance and award-winning photographer David Bacon, the university reported in a media release. The show, titled “Living Under the Trees,” opens on Feb. 4 and presents a series of photographs and oral history panels focusing on the current housing needs of the Mexican indigenous farm workers in California. Many of the photographs were taken in the farming areas surrounding the CI campus.

Dr. Kathleen Contreras, a lecturer in the University’s Education program, said that she had seen the exhibit in Santa Paula and thought that bringing the show to CI and its neighbors would be a meaningful way to promote dialogue and cultural interchange within the community. Bacon’s work contrasts the bounty of California’s agricultural industry with the living conditions of its migrant workforce.

“We have students who are children of migrant workers so it seemed appropriate for members of our University community and the public to be able to view Bacon’s photographs and read the oral history panels which are first-hand accounts of the workers’ experiences here in California,” Contreras said. “David Bacon really worked in the capacity of a photojournalist to put this exhibit together.”

To introduce the show, a hosted reception for David Bacon, the CRLA staff and members of the indigenous community will be held on Feb. 4, from 6 to 8 p.m., in Broome Library Room 1320 at the campus. University students, faculty, staff, and the public are invited to attend. The exhibit is sponsored by the History, Chicana/o Studies, and Education programs and will run through March 4.

For additional information about the photography and oral history exhibit, contact Dr. Kathleen Contreras at 805.437.8976 or kathleen.contreras@csuci.edu

 

 
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