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CEDC awarded three summer Americorps Vistas opportunities Click here for the full media release Click here for more information about CED
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Oxnard High School students receive scholarships A total of 18 Oxnard High School seniors received educational scholarships through the California Strawberry Scholarship Program during a luncheon with friends and family on May 18, according to a media release from the office of Fifth District Supervisor John Zaragoza. |
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Fremont students celebration completion Students of Fremont Intermediate School in Oxnard who participated in the Kaiser Permanente Hippocrates Circle Physician Mentoring Program joined together to celebrate completion of the program with a special ceremony on May 4, according to a media release. |
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Cuídate to release 'Rosa's Story,' Cuídate Ventura County will soon be releasing "Rosa's Story," an animated public service announcement about AIDS, on YouTube. |
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Prom Dress project helps More than 400 prom dresses were collected and distributed in Ventura, Oxnard and Santa Paula by the United Way of Ventura County's Young Leaders Society of Ventura County, the group reported recently in a media release. Prom Dress Project Mega Day events were held in Oxnard and Ventura where high school seniors were able to shop and check out the merchandize donated by the community. The project was developed to help underprivileged young women to access recycled prom dresses. Click here to see full media release at the Ventura County Star Click here to see the entire set of photos |
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Supervisor Zaragoza commends two honorees for receiving Boy Scouts highest rank — Eagle Scout Aaron Duarte, center, and Aaron Gonzalez, right, were honored recently by Fifth District Supervisor John Zaragoza after they received the Boys Scouts of America's highest rank — Eagle Scout, according to a recent media release. Click here full media release Click here for the media release en español |
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More than 75 young people from across Ventura County gathered on April 24 at Oxnard Beach Park for a clean-up project developed by the United Way’s Young Leaders Society, the organization reported in a media release this week. The event was part of the Global Youth Service Day, a global call to action to engage youth and their families in volunteer service in their local communities. Noemi Bibian, a local Oxnard resident brought her husband and two children to lend a hand. “It was great to see so many young faces volunteering,” she said. “The event was well organized and everyone walked away feeling very accomplished. The prizes were great and it was a great way to show my family how good it feels to volunteer.” Volunteers were treated to breakfast burritos provided by El Pescador, a family-owned restaurant in Santa Paula and Fillmore and received the latest Live United Black T-shirt for their participation. The two-hour beach clean-up started at the Oxnard Beach Park and went for a two-mile stretch of sand from Oxnard Shores to Hollywood Beach and back. Upon their return, a free lunch was provided to the droves of hardworking volunteers who collected bags full of small plastic bottle caps, cigarette buds, and tangled plastic bags. Volunteers were also awarded prizes for the most amount of trash collected, most creative find and other categories. The YLS Beach Clean-up was sponsored was Wells Fargo, I-Cycles, Rabobank, Conejo Awards and Q104.7 F.M. YLS Board Member Daniel Estrada of Rabobank was one of the lead organizers of the project. “As a new member of the YLS Board I learned about this opportunity and wanted to put my skills to good use," he said. "The Oxnard Beach Clean-up was successful because all of us came together for the common good to help make our community a better place.” Click here to see other photos of the event. Click here for a short video of the event. Established in 2005, the Young Leaders Society of Ventura County promotes and encourages the spirit of advocacy, philanthropy and volunteerism by providing educational scholarships, career and life mentorship, and leadership engagement opportunities that help support and improve the lives of young people. The Young Leaders Society seeks to position itself as the premier philanthropic, leadership and networking organization for Ventura County young leaders. For more information visit www.ylsvc.org |
El Centrito holding community ball Event will serve as fundraiser for family education center By Mariana Llamas-Cendon El Centrito Family Learning Centers will explore a new way to raise funds through a community ball, Baile de Primavera (Spring Ball), on Saturday, April 17 at Casa Lopez Banquet Hall & Mexican Restaurant in Oxnard. Follow the money |
Mis Padres y Yo Program, above, and the computer lab at the Downtown Technology Center, below, are some of the programs that will benefit from the "Baile de Primavera" rundraiser at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 17 at Casa Lopez Banquet Hall and Mexican Restaurant in Oxnard. Photos courtesy of El Centrito
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Oxnard youth contestant on 'Su Belleza Latina' The community is invited to vote for Mayra Zavala of Oxnard, who is competing for the "Nuestra Belleza Latina" crown, which can be seen at 8 p.m. Sundays on Univision canel 34, Paragon Talent in Oxnard reported this week. Zavala is representing Ventura County in the contest. For more information, call Paragon Talent at 805.402.8532 or visit www.paragontalent.com |
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Prom Dress Project a success More than 225 dresses were collected during the "Prom Dress Project" in March, reports Nancy Rodriguez of Q104-7fm/KCAQ. The United Way of Ventura County's Young Leaders Society of Ventura County partnered with Gold Coast Broadcasting and Four Seasons Cleaners to present the program that provides dresses to young women so they can attend their proms. The program will hold: Ventura Mega Day Fitting Oxnard Mega Day Fitting Click here for more information |
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Free child passenger safety seat check-up scheduled for March 27 The office of Ventura County Supervisor John Zaragoza and the California Highway Patrol will present a free passenger Safety Seat Check-up from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 27 at the Mandalay Bay Women's and Children's Medical Group, 2000 Outlet Center Drive, Oxnard. No citations will be issued. No questions will be asked regarding immigration, driver license status, registration or insurance. For more information, call Officer Steve Reid at 805.477.4100. Inspecciones de asiento de seguridad infantil gratuita, Sabado 27 de Marzo La Oficina del Supervisor del Condado de Ventura John Zaragoza y el Departamento de Patrulla de Caminos de California |
UPDATE: Community support needed to keep 'Lost Souls' (Animas Perdidas) A scheduled airing of "Lost Souls" (Animas Perdidas), a film by Monika Navarro, may be delayed due to a KCET pledge drive, Navarro reported Monday. The program was scheduled to be presented at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23 on PBS. Navarro, daughter of Ventura attorney Gabriella Navarro-Bush, is the director, producer and co-writer of the film, which follows brothers Augie and Gino, who were living the American dream. Raised and educated in the United States since childhood, and proud veterans of the U.S. military, they were both forced to leave the U.S. in 1999 when they were deported to Mexico. Within two weeks, one of the brothers overdosed on heroin in a seedy Tijuana hotel room. His body, unclaimed for two months, ended up in a mass grave for "Lost Souls," (Animas Perdidas). "I am writing to ask your support. KCET is currently doing their Spring pledge drive and has cancelled ... (the) broadcast of "Lost Souls" (Animas Perdidas) on Independent Lens at 10 p.m. to extend their pledge drive. If you can reach out to your network and ask folks in Ventura County to call or e-mail KCET and ask them to air the show as scheduled," she wrote in an e-mail message. "If folks can donate $10 or $20 to support their local PBS station, they may meet their pledge goals and be able to air my film," she said. "Any support will help, as personal calls and e-mails make a big difference." To contact KCET, call 1.323.953.5238 or send an e-mail to viewerservices@kcet.org Click here for more information |
Monika Navarro |
Café on A Foundation receives Rebozo Festival grant The Foundation, Education and Employment Resources Development/Café on A, and its “Dirty Little Secrets Writing and Sharing Project,” has been selected to receive the proceeds of this year’s Rebozo Festival, which will celebrate its sixth year from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 23, at the historic Adolfo Camarillo Ranch in Camarillo. The project focuses on empowering young women who have suffered domestic violence, gang affiliation, spousal abandonment, and/or sexual abuse, through the power of writing and the arts. The Foundation provides educational, community and cultural enhancement services to the local community. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and supporters, the Rebozo Festival has raised thousands of dollars each year for worthy non-profit organizations in the local area, the group reported in a media release. Past recipients include the Oxnard Union High School District Mariachi Program, the Oxnard College Women’s Re-Entry Program, the United Way Farmworker Freeze Fund, Inlaketch Cultural Arts Center and Parents of Murdered Children Inc. The Rebozo Festival features a Mexican inspired brunch, Mariachis, a fashion show highlighting the rebozo (shawl), auction and a “Tiendita,” where you can purchase exclusive items including rebozos from Oaxaca. Tickets are $35 and brunch will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information and purchase locations, Click here |
Board of Supervisors recognize Genero Gomez for patriotism The Ventura County Board of Supervisors presented Genero Gomez with a resolution on Tuesday, March 2, honoring the Korean War veteran for his years of service to the nation. Gomez, 79, was one of nine brothers who served in the U.S. military. Supervisor Zaragoza met Gomez last November at the Veterans Day ceremony at the El Rio community center. Every year the El Rio Lions Club sponsors the ceremony to honor local veterans. While there were a number of veterans present, “What really impressed me was how many of their sons or daughters were currently serving in the military," Zaragoza said in a media release. “Out of that group of proud Americans, one person stood out to me. That was Mr. Genaro Gomez." Gomez asked Zaragoza if I could help getting the halyard fixed on the flag pole at the Albert Solis Library in El Rio. Gomez had been told that funds were not available to take care of this much needed repair. As the two men talked further, Zaragoza said he learned that Gomez goes to the library every day and raises the United States flag, and then goes to the El Rio Community Center and raises the flag there, also. He then returns every evening to finish the job by taking the flags down at both locations. For his part, Gomez just continues to quietly and consistently do what he has done for years — honor the United States flag. If it is raining, he takes down the flag right away. When the weather clears, he puts it back up. When the flag needs to be replaced, he replaces it with his own personal funds, never asking for the County or anyone else to reimburse him. Gomez said he loves this country, and does this out of respect for the flag and what it represents. Gomez was born in Flowing Wells California. His father worked for the railroad throughout the Imperial Valley, and over time the Gomez family ended up in Ventura County. Genaro attended Somis Elementary School and later Oxnard High School. Garcia has a long tradition of serving his county. After graduating from high school, he joined the Army, because he thought it would be good adventure. That adventure took him to a freezing fox-hole in Korea, where he thought he would never get warm again. After returning to sunny California, Gomez married and started a family, raising two sons and one daughter. Zaragoza said Gomez’s story is one that he can easily relate to, because both families have a strong military involvement. “The Zaragoza family is a proud military family. My father was a WW II Veteran, one of my uncles died in the Korean War, one of my brother served in Vietnam, my son served in Operation Desert Storm and two of my nephews served in Iraq." Zaragoza and the Board of Supervisors honored Gomez by adopting a County Resolution, praising and commending him for his work. Zaragoza’s office also arranged with Congresswoman Lois Capps Office for Gomez to receive a flag which flew over the Capital Building in Washington, DC. For more information on this ceremony to honor Gomez, call the office of Supervisor John Zaragoza at 805.654.2613. |
Courtesy photos Supervisor John Zaragoza, right, presents a county resolution to Genaro Gomez of El Rio, honoring him for his patriotism.
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The Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. was scheduled to hold an open house for its Central Station Affordable Townhomes on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 280-294 Main St., Fillmore. For more information on the open house, call Alex Castilla at 805.672.2580. Cabrillo announced this week that it has received certificates for occupancy of the new development that was just completed by its construction team. The new development will be home to farmworkers and local lower-income families and features a mix of affordable rental and ownership homes. The development has 29 homes — 21 are affordable rental homes and eight other townhomes are available for ownership to local families living in the Fillmore area earning between 30-50 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), Cabrillo reported in a media release. The homes have three bedrooms and two bathrooms each, and range in size from 1,140 to 1,337 square feet. The development also features a community room, five courtyards, a tot lot, and on-site garage parking. A landscaped bike path runs alongside the community with a decorative railing to match the existing bike path near Fillmore City Hall. The site is two blocks east of the city’s downtown center, close to shopping, transportation and other services. “The Central Station community will provide more housing choices for individuals and families in the Fillmore community who want to rent and buy homes at affordable prices,” Eduardo Espinoza, CEDC’s project manager for the development, stated in the release. “Increasing the supply of home choices for lower-income renters and owners ultimately benefits the entire community.” The new community will be professionally managed on-site by CEDC’s Property and Asset Management Division, which manages each of the CEDC’s 15 other apartment communities in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. CEDC’s Community Building and Neighborhood Revitalization Division will facilitate the formation of both a tenant council and an on-site homeownership council at Central Station. For more information about Central Station, call Jennifer Koch, CEDC’s communications manager at 805.672.2575. |
The United Way's Young Leaders Society of Ventura County has announced that it will be a partner of the Prom Dress Project to help young women with their dream of going to a prom by providing them with a gown. The public is requested to drop off their new or used gowns during the month of March at the following Four Seasons Cleaners from 7 a.m. > 1746 So. Victoria Ave., Suite A, Ventura, in the Montalvo Square Center (Next to Longs Drugs), 805.654.8181. > 4020 E. Main St. #B 3-2, Ventura, in the Target/Bed Bath & Beyond Center (Next to Eggs & Things), 805.658.0286. > 2051 No. Rose Ave. #300, Oxnard, in the Wal-Mart/Vons Center (Next to Vons), 805.485.0799. The program is sponsored by Gold Coast Broadcasting Inc., Four Seasons Cleaners and the United Way's Young Leaders Society of Ventura County. To sign up for a prom dress, visit www.ylsvc.org |
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CSUCI to hold dedication of Irene The public is invited to a dedication ceremony for the Irene and Jorge Garcia Chicano Studies Collection at CSU Channel Islands, the university reported in a media release. The event is sponsored by the John Spoor Broome Library and the Chicana/o Studies Program and will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16 at the Library’s Exhibition Hall. Food and refreshments will be provided. Limited parking is available on campus. A daily permit is $6. Free parking is available at the Camarillo Metrolink Station/Lewis Road parking lot in Camarillo with bus service to and from the campus. Riders should board the VISTA Bus to the campus; the fare is $1 each way. Buses arrive and depart from the Camarillo Metrolink Station every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. For exact times, check the schedule at www.goventura.org. For more information, contact Jose Alamillo, associate professor of Chicana/o Studies at CSU Channel Islands at 805.437.2685 or jose.alamillo@csuci.edu; or Amy Wallace, dean of University Library at 805.437.8911 or amy.wallace@csuci.edu |
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¡Via el Arte de Santa Barbara! receives grant The California Arts Council (CAC) has awarded ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! a $15,000 grant for its 2009-2010 season to support its goal of providing a high-quality, affordable, accessible, youth-friendly performing arts venue to students and community members of Santa Barbara County, the organization reported recently. A collaboration between UCSB Arts & Lectures, the Marjorie Luke Theatre, Guadalupe Cultural Arts & Education Center, and Isla Vista Youth Projects, Viva el Arte reaches out to Santa Barbara’s Latino communities with free public performances and educational outreach. The grant reflects the CAC’s appreciation of Viva el Arte’s dedication to serving the cultural needs and interests of these communities and the recognition is a great honor. “This allows Viva el Arte and its partners to bring top performers to communities and families that may never have an opportunity to experience them,” said Karen Evangelista, Executive Director of the Guadalupe Cultural Arts & Education Center. “With such funding this program will continue to show the success that it brings through the arts, inspiring our youth and allowing the community that it serves to enjoy their traditional music from the various regions of Mexico and Latin America. We thank you and our community thanks you.” “Now in our successful 6th season, we’re very excited to be able to offer our free family concerts featuring world-class performers,” said Rick Villa, General Manager for the Marjorie Luke Theatre. “Gifts like yours enable us to continue our efforts.” “Over the last five years, Viva el Arte has become a model for successful collaboration and community outreach,” said Viva el Arte Grantwriter Heather Silva. “We are extremely honored to have the support of the California Arts Council and for the program to be recognized on a statewide level.” Viva el Arte has an established record of impact on the community. Not only does it serve as a model of collaboration by pooling resources from likeminded organizations, it has also filled a gap in arts, educational, youth, and cultural programming. Each year, the program includes a variety of traditional music and dance such as son jarocho, folklorico dance, cumbia, banda, and mariachi that represent regional styles from various states in Mexico, and last year, alone, Viva el Arte reached over 15,000 community members. “Isla Vista residents are thrilled to have Viva el Arte performers come to their community,” said UCSB Isla Vista Liaison Catherine Boyer. “Our families love the special night out and our school is transformed into a grand theater filled with music, dance and applause. ‘Que viva!’” |
Wells Fargo presented $50,000 to FOOD Share, Ventura County’s largest regional food bank, in its continued effort to support the non-profit food bank which serves 55,000 people each month, the institution reported recently in a media release. “In November, FOOD Share kicked off its annual Tackling Hunger campaign, with a goal of raising $100,000 to purchase healthy food for distribution to our 150 partner agencies in Ventura County,” said Bonnie Weigel, CEO at FOOD Share. “In the same moment we kicked off the campaign, Wells Fargo met half of our goal with this generous donation.” This is the second recent donation from the Wells Fargo Foundation, which also granted $10,000 to FOOD Share in August 2009. In 2008, the financial foundation’s charitable contributions to nonprofit organizations throughout the Ventura County region totaled more than $400,000 by awarding 149 grants. “With the economy today, children and the elderly are hit the hardest when it comes to the essential need of nutritious food,” said Ernie Pineda, Wells Fargo Pacific Coast Community Bank district manager and newly appointed FOOD Share board member. “It is our responsibility as a corporation, and as individuals, to support nonprofits to help bridge the gap of basic needs in our communities.” Pineda also said local managers of Wells Fargo banking stores play a vital role in connecting with the local community to help bring attention to agencies that serve the region. Photo, featuring from left, Food Share grants manager Kristy Pollard, Ernie Pineda of Wells Fargo and Bonnie Weigel, CEO of FOOD Share, courtesy of Wells Fargo and Consortium Media Services. |
Ventura County Fifth District Supervisor John C. Zaragoza has been installed as chair of the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District Board. The APCD seeks to protect public health and agriculture from the adverse effects of air pollution. Supervisor Zaragoza has always been concerned with public health and safety and is aware of the responsibility that goes with his new appointment, Zaragoza's office reported in a media release. His first duties included the appointment of two board members to the Air Pollution Control District Standing Committee, a group that reviews the district’s proposed budget, air pollution control policy matters, and recommends personnel to the Air Pollution Control District Hearing Board; and one Board Member as the district’s representative to the South Central Coast Basinwide Air Pollution Control Council, a steering committee that helps coordinate air quality control activities by and between the Tri- Counties Air Pollution Control Districts. For issues concerning air quality in the County of Ventura please contact the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District Office at 805.645.1400. Photo featuring Fifth District Supervisor John Zaragoza chairing the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District board courtesy of the office of John Zaragoza. |
The Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project is seeking bilingual volunteers for its first community meeting of 2010 on Saturday, Jan. 30 at Harrington Elementary School, 2501 S. Gisler St., Oxnard. Volunteers will be packing food bags from 2 to 4 p.m., with the meeting taking place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. "We can use help with children's crafts projects during the meeting," reports Donna Foster of MICOP "We can also use help from bilingual speakers to register people in the lines. Our list of registration questions is growing due to information needed by various agencies that help us supply food and diapers." For more information, call 805.320.0118, send an e-mail to mixtecoproject@yahoo.com or visit www.mixteco.org |
El Concilio a collection point for Haiti earthquake victims "Dear Friends — As you have all heard by now, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake epicentered off Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, hit the nation on January 12, 2010," El Concilio del Condado de Ventura in Oxnard reported in a media release. "Most of Port-au-Prince has been destroyed, including buildings and infrastructure. Deaths have been estimated in the tens of thousands, while rescue efforts for trapped and injured continue ... Despite the death and destruction, there are survivors and they need our help, too. "Angelica Lopez, community volunteer/organizer, will be collecting clothing and shoes for babies, children and adults, as well as blankets for the thousands who have been left homeless and with nothing." Please find anything you can to donate and drop off any donations between 9 a.m. and noon Sunday, Jan. 17: El Concilio, 301 So. C St. Oxnard. "Donations will be dropped off to the head organizer for Helping Hands for Haiti in the Los Angeles area during the week," El Concilio reported. "Angelica Lopez will also be working on a donation page through Direct Relief Int'l, in which 100 percent of the donations will be going to the relief efforts....stay tuned for that!" For more information, call 805.486.9777. |
The "De Colores Art Collection," a future collection of Latin-American artwork, will have a home at the new Santa Paula Art Museum along with the annual De Colores Arts Festival (in September), said artist Xavier Montes, the founder of the De Colores Art Festival. "The collection is in its infancy and will have its own criteria for aquisitions, but more on that in time," Montes said. "This coming year will mark the 17th year of the art show and what better way to come home after being in Ventura for two years, but to the new Santa Paula Art Museum scheduled to open Feb. 13 & 14, 2010. "There are lots and lots of people to thank for making this Santa Paula Dream come true, and the list keeps getting longer and longer," Montes said. "And that's a good thing, that people are coming together, and we'll name them soon enough, as we get closer to the opening along with the history of the De Colores Art Show and Festival." The Santa Paula Art Museum is at 117 N. 10th St. For more info on the Grand Opening weekend go to: www.SantaPaulaArtMuseum.org Photo, featuring from left, Santa Paula Art Museum board member Xavier "The Big X" Montes, executive director Jennifer Heighton and boardmember John Blanchard outside the museum, is courtesy of Xavier Montes. |
Mexican Consulates presenting drawing contest for children to commemorate nation's Independence/Revolution Mexico in 2010 is celebrating two very important dates in its history, 200 years since the start of its independence and 100 years marking the beginning of the Mexican Revolution. "Throughout history, many countries have struggled to free themselves from others which have dominated them," the Mexican Consulate in Oxnard reported in a media release. "This process is called Independence. In Mexico, it began on Sept. 15, 1810. "A revolution is a social movement through which the inhabitants of one country aim to improve their life conditions. In Mexico, we had a revolution that began on Nov. 20, 1910." To commemorate these important dates, Mexican Consulates are presenting a drawing contest for children (ages 7 to 11) dedicated to these important events. The contest is open to children worldwide. Some of the rules include: Submissions can be made on 12-inch by 12-inch cardboard or paper, using brushes, pencils, acrylics, water paints, crayons and other techniques. Those submitting the entries must sign and date their drawings. They must also write on the back of their drawing their complete name, age, address, home telephone number, email, school name, place of birth and their parent's place of birth. All details on the contest can be found at www.bicentenario.gov.mx/niños2010/ or at www.pandillatelmex All entries can be sent between Jan. 15 and June 30 to: Rogelio A. Flores, Consul, Mexican Consulate, 3151 W. Fifth St., Oxnard, CA 93030. The winners will be announced Aug. 12 by the Mexican Consulates and Embassies through the web page http://www.ime.gob.mx Winners will receive one of the following prizes — a laptop, a digital camera or a drawing kit with a set of books. |
Check out the Ventura County Star for a profile on Fifth District Supervisor John Zaragoza. The longtime Oxnard city councilmember and business owner took over a Ventura County Board of Supervisor seat held for 32 years by Supervisor John Flynn. Zaragoza has put his own quiet stamp on the position, according to the article written by Ventura County Star reporter Tony Biasotti. Supervisor Zaragoz steps out of Flynn's shadow — Ventura County Star Photo at right of courtesy of John Zaragoza at Nyeland Acres Harvest Festival |
We are waiting to get official word that the fight between Rolando Reyes (31-4-2) of Oxnard and Ali Funeka (30-2-3) will be shown on the Showtime telecast on Feb. 6 with the Edwin Valero-Antonio DeMarco bout. Thanks go out to one of our loyal Amigos805.com readers for this tip. In December, the IBF ordered the fight between two-time world title challenger Funeka and IBF world ranked Reyes for the vacant lightweight title. Courtesy photo |
It was an evening to enjoy the holidays, be with friends and celebrate the latest edition of a locally produced Latino publication in the 805 region. Natty Rios-Sipes, editor-in-chief of Diva Tú!, a women's bilingual lifestyle magazine, showed off the Winter edition of the magazine at a celebration held Dec. 29 at Casa Lopez Mexican Restaurant & Banquet Hall in downtown Oxnard. Diva Tú! was launched in July 2008 to serve readers in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties by providing articles on beauty, fashion, health, glamour, home & garden, arts, finance, culture, community, tourism, music, education, entertainment and society, Rios-Sipes said. "The original name was Diva Latina del Sur de California. This is a fresh new concept, which goes beyond the stereotypes of our society, and pays special tribute to all women," Rios-Sipes stated in a media release. "Diva Tú! is geared toward today’s modern woman who not only works both inside and outside the home, but also is the heart and soul of her family, whether she is a loving daughter, wife, mother, career women or friend." This latest edition includes a fashion spread to commemorate the Centennial of the Mexican revolution, with photos of local Latino leaders in traditional dress. Rios-Sipes came up with the original concept for Marie Gregorio-Oviedo's 1910-2010 (R)EVOLUTION Calendar. This issue also covers "New Trends in Plastic Surgery" and stories about a local community leader, a celebrity hair stylist, an individual recognized for his unique technique in growing orchids and stories on personalities from Univision. Diva Tú! is a media partner of Amigos805.com and another example locally-based media serving the community. Rios-Sipes has a mass media communications degree and worked for Univision and Telemundo networks as an evening news anchor and field reporter. She also did special reports for the national television magazine program “Dia a Dia con Natty Rios.” When she is not producing a magazine, Rios-Sipes has been the owner and operator for 23 years of Paragon Studios, a talent management company, which trains young people to have self confidence in pursuing their careers. Many of her students can be found within the pages of Diva Tú! The magazine will hold its final community celebration for the winter edition from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16 at Art Gallery de Placencia, 34 Carillo St., Santa Barbara. For more information, call 805.402.8532 or e-mail paragonstudios8@mac.com Photo by Carlos J. Licea/Amigos805 Click on image above to see entire set of photos of event courtesy of Flickr |
Community comes together to help those in need Children take a peek, right, at the holiday gifts. A record 260 families received food, clothing and diapers — with the children receiving Christmas gifts — at the Mercy Ministries food pantry event on Saturday, Dec. 19 in the El Rio neighborhood of Oxnard. The food pantry, which typically serves 150 families each week, received help this year when the Gold Coast Hispanic Business Council and the United Way of Ventura County's Latino Action Team combined to host a Holiday Toy and Canned Food Drive at Casa Lopez Banquet Hall and Mexican Restaurant in downtown Oxnard. Latino Action Team members also volunteered to help out at the Dec. 19 food pantry event. Click on image above to see entire set of photos of event |
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Gold Coast Hispanic Business Council & United Way's Latino Action Team join to help community The Gold Coast Hispanic Business Council teamed up with the United Way of Ventura County’s Latino Action Team and Casa Lopez Banquet Hall and Mexican Restaurant to host a “Holiday Toy & Canned Food Drive” on Dec. 17 at Casa Lopez in downtown Oxnard. The event benefited Mercy Ministries. Since January 2008, Mercy Ministries has been operating a food pantry every Saturday in the Nyeland Acres/El Rio neighborhood of Oxnard, where it feeds about 150 families. Video produced by Frank X. Moraga/Amigos805.com |
CSUCI to host Nobel Prize Laureate, receives National Science Foundation and ‘Fast Track’ nursing program grants, recognized in 2008 Campus Votes Challenge California State University, Channel Islands recently reported a number of events and programs. Nobel Prize Laureate and Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient to Visit CI Campus on Feb. 26, 2010. For the full media release, visit media release The university received a $300,000 National Science Foundation Grant. For the full media release, visit media release CSUCI received a $250 grant that allows it to develop a “Fast Track” Nursing Program. For the full media release, visit media release The university also received honorable mention in the 2008 Campus Votes Challenge. For the full media release, visit media release |
New video of Ignacio Carmona receiving resolution from Ventura County Board of Supervisors Ignacio Carmona received a resolution from the Board of Supervisors on Dec. 14 for his lifetime of achievement and community service. The resolution was presented to Carmona by Video produced by Frank X. Moraga/Amigos805.com |
Volunteers needed for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program The United Way of Ventura County is recruiting tax preparation volunteers for its "Earn It! Keep It! Save It!" Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). Volunteers prepare income taxes for those with income below $49,000 by filing their tax returns for free and taking advantage of every tax credit for which they are eligible such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, worth up to $5,657 to families with two or more children — even if they pay no income tax. Last year, 65 percent of the clients served in Ventura County were Latino. Sites are located at four job and career centers in Santa Paula, Ventura, Oxnard and Simi Valley and at El Concilio del Condado de Ventura in Oxnard and the Housing Authorities of Oxnard and Ventura. Tax preparation experience is not required. Three days of training for the volunteers is provided in December and January by the IRS. The volunteers will work at the tax sites from Feb. 1 through April 14, 2010, a minimum of four hours per week. For to register as a volunteer go to www.volunteerventuracounty.org click on “sign up” for “Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Volunteers needed.” For more information, contact Susan Englund at 805.485.6288, ext. 276 or senglund@vcunitedway.org The "Earn It! Keep It! Save It!" program is a collaborative project between the United Way of Ventura County, the Human Services Agency, the Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. and the IRS. |
Four CSUCI students recognized at Media Arts Festival Four local university students have been recognized for their films at the annual California State University Media Arts Festival held Nov. 7 at CSU Fullerton, according to officials at California State University Channel Islands. The students, from CSUCI's Arts Program, include Charlotte Ferguson, director and producer, who received a second place award for her Interactive entry, "Velouria Vodka;" Kellam Cunningham, director, and Luke Sommer, producer, who received a second place award for their Television entry, "Xtreme Dog Walking;" and Katherine Thompson, director and producer, who received a third place award for her Interactive entry, "KMTdesign.com." The finalist projects were screened at the Festival, where the first place Rosebud Award winners were announced. The local students were among 30 finalist selected for awards within nine categories from the 23-campus CSU system. To see the full media release visit: www.CSUCI.edu |
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The City of Oxnard celebrated “A Storybook Christmas” with the annual Christmas Parade around A, Fifth and C streets on Dec. 5 in downtown Oxnard. This clip shows the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish School float, a performance by Mariachi Estrellas de Jalisco and members of Ramirez Tae-Kwon DO. Video clip by Carlos J. Licea/Amigos805 Please go to our YouTube channel |
Thanks to the support of volunteers, and donations of toys, food and other goods by the community, the Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project held its annual "Fiesta Navideña" at Harrington Elementary School in Oxnard, and at Rio Real School in Nyeland Acres on Dec. 5. Video clip by Carlos J. Licea/Amigos805 Please go to our YouTube channel |
Community Photo Gallery — Your View of the 805 Region |
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Car clubs come together to benefit children this holiday season
Photos courtesy of Jess Gutierrez To purchase photos from Jess Gutierrez, contact mail@amigos805.com Click on image to see entire set of photos of event |
Deadline approaching for matching grant El Concilio is part of the Ventura County Together coalition. "It would really be a terrible shame if we can’t take advantage of AMGEN’S generosity just because we all assumed someone else would give or because we couldn’t live without going to the movies this weekend," she said. "I am including some basic information about Ventura County Together so that you can see for yourself what a great idea this is." Ventura County Together |
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Pedro Nava and a few close friends
Photos courtesy of Tracy Saunders/Artisfactions.com Click on image to see entire set of photos of event |
Time has run out for nominations Tania I. Corona reports that time has run out to submit your application for nominations to El Concilio del Condado de Ventura's Latino Leadership Awards. Nominations were being accepted for any individual, organization or business that has made outstanding contributions to the betterment of Ventura County's Latino community. The Latino Leadership Awards were established in 1990. Recipients will be notified by early December 2009. "Service Above All" is the theme of the upcoming 21st annual celebration scheduled for March 20, 2010 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. With the tax year coming to a close, now is also the time to consider sponsoring the annual event that raises funds for youth education, English-language and citizenship preparation programs. Sponsorship categories range from Premier ($15,000), Title Sponsor ($10,000), Presenting Sponsor ($5,000), Corporate Sponsor ($2,000) and Table Sponsor ($1,500). Individual tickets to the awards dinner is $125. To obtain a sponsorship form, Click here |
Award Honorees at the 20th Latino Leadership Awards!
For more information, call Tania I. Corona at 805.486.9777, ext. 273, or e-mail her at ticorona@elconcilioventura.org So what your you waiting for? |
Ceremonies honors sacrifices made by those to maintain nation's freedom Veterans Day was remembered in ceremonies held in El Rio and at Plaza Park in downtown Oxnard. Fifth District Supervisor John Zaragoza was the guest speaker of the El Rio Lions Club Annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov. 11 at the Roger Jones Community Center in El Rio. The event was attended by many veterans and current active duty military from the area. “It was an honor to be invited to this moving ceremony. I was proud to see how many of the veterans in attendance have sons, daughters, or family members who are currently serving, many in the same branch as their fathers before them,” Zaragoza stated in a media release. Zaragoza presented the El Rio Lions Club with a resolution from the Board of Supervisors, recognizing the sacrifice made by the nation’s veterans. Following Zaragoza’s remarks, a flower wreath was placed at the base of the flag pole as the flag was lowered to half staff in honor of the fallen members of the military. “Taps” was played by an El Rio veteran. At the conclusion of the ceremony, all veterans and active duty military were invited to the microphone to announce the military branch in which they served, when and where. Zaragoza also attended the Veterans Day Memorial ceremony held Nov. 11 at Plaza Park in downtown Oxnard. The ceremony was held at the historic war memorial structure dedicated to fallen soldiers and included speeches and a performance by Christine Portillo. (Please see the Amigos805 video on Flickr for a portion of that performance) Zaragoza addressed the veterans and other community members at the conclusion of the ceremony. “We are here to honor and commemorate these fallen heroes, and those who come home with their stories of war," Zaragoza said. "Today, we are reminded that if it were not for the men and woman of the armed forces, we would not have the liberty we enjoy today. Thank you.” |
Nov. 13, 2009 Tressie Nickelberry, the NAACP and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) will hold a press conference at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 16 in front of the County of Ventura Administration Building to announce the filing of Nickelberry's discrimination lawsuit in federal court against the County of Ventura, Tressie Nickelberry v. Ventura County Probation Agency, et al, LULAC reported in a media release. John R. Hatcher III and Bishop Broderick A. Huggins will be present to speak on behalf of the NAACP, and Gil Guevara, president of the Ventura County branch of LULAC, will speak on behalf of that organization's support of the lawsuit and their attempts to address discrimination with county officials. For more information, call Gregory Ramirez at 805.988.0285, or John R. Hatcher, III at 805.485.2121.
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Probation officer files discrimination suit — Ventura County Star Click here |
Participants get to visit variety of Ventura County wineries Leah Lacayo is going on a wine tour and she is inviting the community to come along, according to a media release from the California State University, Channel Islands Alumni & Friends Association. Lacayo is the group's new president. The "Community Wine Tour," beginning with registration at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, will visit a number of local Ventura County wineries and dining establishments. Activities begin and ends at Camarillo Custom Crush (featuring Stafford Wines), 300 S. Lewis Road, Suite C, south of Highway 101 on Lewis Road. The tour continues to Cantara Cellers in Camarillo, arriving at Heritage Square in Oxnard for hors d'oeuvres at La Dolce Vita and tastings at Rancho Ventavo Cellers. There is a $50 donation for members, $65 for non-members (which includes an annual Alumi & Friends membership dues). Riding shotgun with Lacayo on what is called a "mobile mixer" will be husband Hank Lacayo, Jane Rush, wife of CSUCI president Dr. Richard Rush and other VIPs. For reservations or more information, contact Tania Garcia at 805.437.8952, or e-mail Tania.Garcia@csuci.edu |
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Congress of California Seniors hold grand opening
For more information, contact: info@seniors.org or visit www.seniors.org Photo courtesy of Tracy Saunders Click on image to see entire set of photos of event |
Sisters visit from Mexico to sell items to raise funds for job training center for women Nov. 5, 2009 Hand made embroidered linens, artifacts and religious articles could be found in abundance at Sacred Heart Church in Ventura on Nov. 8 when the The Poor Clare Catholic Sisters from Chalco, Mexico visited the church to sell items to raise funds to complete a skills training classroom, and to purchase equipment and program materials needed for the training center’s operation. Visiting the church were Sister Teresa Hernández Obando and Sister Acensión Pachco. The Sisters recruit and prepare indigenous women and poor families for employment in Mexico, Lupe Anguiano stated in a media release. Stewards of the Earth, a California non-profit organization, headed by Anguiano, is working with the Sisters to implement two computer training programs one in Chalco, the other in Chiapas, Mexico — one of the areas where the Sisters recruit poor indigenous women and families. Knights of Columbus sold hot dogs and hamburgers at the event, with funds from the food sale donated to the Sisters. Sacred Heart Church has supported the work of the Sisters for the past five years. Among those cooking at the event were Chris Reeve, Parish John Herrera and Tom Bergstrom. |
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Program seeks to fill critical needs in the community A food bank, programs helping those needing rental assistance, several free health-care clinics and an information and referral hotline were the beneficiaries of a countywide coalition of social service agencies that issued checks totaling $30,000, officials from Ventura County Together announced in a media release. "We are extremely pleased that Ventura County Together's first allocation of resources is being released to support critical needs in our community," Claudia Harrison, executive director of First 5 Ventura County, one of the founding VCT partners, stated in a media release. "The release of these funds is a testament to the importance of collaboration in support of critical needs that continue to exist in our community today." The funds, in support of critical social services, have been issued to: > FOOD Share ($9,000), the county's main food bank, and its partner agencies. First 5, the Ventura County Community Foundation and United Way of Ventura County contributed the first $10,000 for the program. VCT is also raising funds through the recent launch of a countywide campaign "The Buck Starts Here," which received an important boost three weeks ago when the Amgen Foundation announced it would provide matching funds for all dollars raised prior to Dec. 4, 2009, up to $150,000. "Thanks to the very generous support of the Amgen Foundation, we have the potential to realize $300,000 for this important project," Harrison said. "We are most hopeful local residents and businesses will recognize the significance of this challenge grant and will step forward in support of this important effort." VCT's first round of checks should make a real difference, she said. For example, FOOD Share's check will be used to purchase diapers, infant formula and Pediasure for dozens of low-income families. "These food items provide important nutrition as the clients we serve do not always have access to complete and nutritious food sources," said Bonnie Weigel, executive director of FOOD Share. "Coupled with diapers this purchase will help fill part of the enormous gap that currently exists for these core staple items that families most need." Fred Bauermeister, executive director of the Simi Valley Free Clinic, welcomed the $2,250 grant. "This grant will allow us to provide our patients with $23,500 worth of diagnostic labs so our doctors can diagnose and provide the most effective plan of care for our patients," he said. The VCT coalition currently includes 30 social service organizations and is headed by United Way, First 5 Ventura County, the Ventura County Community Foundation and the Community Commission for Ventura County. For information regarding "The Buck Starts Here" campaign, visit www.venturacountytogether.org For more information on Ventura County Together, call Claudia Harrison at: 805.648.9990 |
Former NBC4 TV anchor/reporter launches program on Nov. 2 David Cruz is teaming-up with Gold Coast Broadcasting LLC to launch a new, bilingual news/talk radio program from 6 to 9 a.m. weekdays starting Monday, Nov. 2 on KUNX AM-1590, an affiliate of the Radio Formula Network, the company reported in a media release yesterday. “We’re really excited to be working with David. He brings decades of network TV and Radio news experience to bridge the two largest audiences in our community,” Chip Ehrhardt, executive vice president/general manager of Gold Coast Broadcasting LLC, stated in the release. The program’s format is patterned after the nation’s first syndicated bilingual news talk program pioneered by Cruz on CNN Spanish Radio and NotiCentro. That program reached nearly 500 stations in the United States and Mexico immediately prior to joining KNBC, Channel 4 in 1996 as anchor-reporter. The new radio program was jointly announced by Ehrhardt and Miles Sexton, CFO/director of business development of parent company Point Broadcasting. “We’re living in an increasingly diverse bilingual and bicultural community. That’s why this program will invite listeners, irrespective of whether they speak English or Spanish, to join us daily to discuss and help solve the very challenges facing us together,” Cruz stated in the release. The program’s daily content will include live interviews with elected officials in Washington and Sacramento, along with interviews with regional and local community leaders and experts in healthcare, education and law enforcement. “Cruz is an experienced simulcast translator who communicates the sense of the message to listeners in either language. He does it so seamlessly you soon forget that you’re listening to two different languages,” Ehrhardt said. Cruz, now a financial executive with New York Life Insurance Co., is producing and moderating the bilingual public affairs broadcast as a public service to the community. “He’s not doing this for compensation. He’s doing it to give back to the region that’s been his home for 13 years, since coming to Southern California which makes this project all the more important to him…and us,” Ehrhardt said. “As part of the broadcast project, Cruz is recruiting students from area community colleges to serve as interns and learn both the production and on-air aspects of the industry.” “To me, one of the most exciting aspects of the program will be developing the next generation of broadcast journalists and talent. That’s how we found Leah Grullon, a dynamic, bilingual television talent from the Dominican Republic. I know Ventura and Santa Barbara County listeners will enjoy her,” Cruz said. Gold Coast Broadcasting LLC, licensee of six radio stations servicing the communities of Ventura County, California. The stations include Rhythmic Contemporary Hits formatted KCAQ (Q104.7 FM); Popular Contemporary Hits KFYV (Live 105.5 FM); Rock station KOCP (The Octopus 95.9 FM); News/Talk station KVTA (1520 AM); Talk/information station KKZZ (1400 AM) and KUNX which is a Spanish Language News/Talk station (1590 AM) where Cruz’s AM-Drive program will air. Gold Coast Broadcasting LLC recently announced the rehiring the popular morning-show team of Rico & Mambo for its top-rated station, KCAQ (Q104.7 FM). |
O'Connell to visit Oxnard State Superintendent of Education Jack O'Connell will visit the Oxnard School District on Tuesday, Nov. 3 to highlight the extraordinary academic acheivements at local schools, the district reported Friday. O'Connell will visit the district office, Sierra Linda and Ramona School, with a media conference planned for 10:45 a.m. at Ramona School. For more information, call 805.487.3918, ext. 298. |
O'Connell visits much-improved Oxnard schools— Ventura County Star Click here |
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A Hollywood celebration
Photos courtesy of Natti Rios-Sipes/Diva Tu! Click on image to see entire set of photos of event |
Group sought to get out vote Nov. 3 Parents, volunteers and school board members spread out throughout Oxnard this past weekend in an effort to get out the vote for the Oxnard School District parcel tax, Measure E, that will be on the ballot today, Tuesday, Nov. 3. The volunteers were seeking to knock on the doors at the homes of more than 2,000 voters on Saturday, Oct. 31, said Abel J. Guillén, vice president of Caldwell Flores Winters Inc., a group that provides planning and financial services to more than 130 school districts. “The walk (focused) on parents and likely supporters of the measure and will demonstrate what people are trying to do locally to fight back against budget cutbacks by raising over $3 million locally through this measure,” Guillén stated in an e-mail. “We (focused) our efforts in La Colonia neighborhood.” |
Oxnard school tax measure soundly defeated — Ventura County Star Click here |
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Celebrating the community
Photos courtesy of Tracy Saunders/Artisfactions.com Click on image at left to see entire set of photos of event |
Development is winner of 2009 Multi-family Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. celebrated the grand opening of its newest affordable rental community — Paseo Santa Clara — on Oct. 24 at the master-planned community of RiverPark in Oxnard. The apartment community was developed for extremely low income residents, Cabrillo reported in a media release. Paseo Santa Clara has 140 apartment homes for individuals who earn 20 percent to 50 percent of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Area Median Income. Individuals and families moved into the development in June. The new community includes 24 units for individuals who have special needs, including 15 units for individuals with mental illness and nine units for individuals who are developmentally disabled. On-site services are provided by Ventura County Behavioral Health and the Tri-Counties Regional Center. Paseo Santa Clara is CEDC’s first state-of-the art Green Point Rated project, the organization reported. All apartment homes are equipped with tankless water heaters, EnergyStar appliances, radiant barriers, with solar panels installed on roofs, energy-saving light fixtures installed in the community rooms and common restrooms. The grounds feature water-saving landscaping. Cabrillo won the 2009 Multifamily Project of the Year award for Paseo Santa Clara from the Southern California Association of NonProfit Housing at the association’s annual conference on Sept. 25. “CEDC is proud to receive this prestigious award for our Paseo Santa Clara and Paseo Del Rio Apartment community,” Rodney Fernandez, Cabrillo's executive director, stated in the release. “Our real estate development and construction team worked tirelessly to make this new community so beautiful and well-constructed incorporating many green features. Families who are now living there have already told us they are thriving because of the affordability and because of efforts led by our Community Building and Neighborhood Revitalization team.” Cabrillo owns and professionally manage all of these New Urbanist-designed apartment homes, which have been designed as stacked flats and townhome-style apartments over tandem garages, the organization reported. Sweeping community courtyards and streetscapes blend these two new walkable communities with other RiverPark communities and have been constructed with many state-of-the-art green-building details, three play areas for children and two community rooms. Paseos are close to shopping centers, new schools, jobs and public transportation. “We are excited to provide homes for families at affordable rents at this beautiful, new property,” Luz Soto, CEDC’s director of property and asset management, stated in the release. “Homes that are affordable create opportunities for people to build assets, provide for their families and realize dreams that otherwise would be out of reach especially for so many individuals who need rental homes they can afford during these difficult economic times.” CEDC honored Ernie Whitaker, a former manager with the City of Oxnard’s Housing Dept., at the event by posthumously naming one of the two community rooms after him. Fernandez unveiled a plaque, top left photo, in Whitaker's honor to Ernie’s wife, Elynor, at the dedication. Also in attendance was Fifth District Supervisor John Zaragoza, top right photo, standing next to Marie Lakin who was representing Pedro Nava, and Roy Jasso, CEDC board president. Jasso is also pictured, bottom photo, with Karen Flock, CEDC real estate development director. CEDC is a private non-profit community development corporation that provides comprehensive housing services, through a community building approach, in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Since its incorporation in 1981, CEDC has built more than 1,347 units of affordable for-sale and multi-family rental homes, manages 693 affordable rental units, and has helped more than 400 families into home ownership through education, counseling, and lending services. CEDC is a chartered member of NeighborWorks®, a national network of more than 220 community development and affordable housing organizations. This year marks CEDC’s 28th year of operation. |
CLU guarantee expands to Berkeley, Davis Students can get private education at public price California Lutheran University is expanding a popular program that provides a private school education at a public school price to include students accepted at University of California, Berkeley, and University of California, Davis, for the 2010-2011 year. The CLU Guarantee Scholarship: Private Education, Public Price allows incoming students who are also admitted to one of four UC schools to attend CLU for the cost of attending the public university, the university reported in a media release. The other universities are UCLA and UC Santa Barbara. The program started with incoming freshmen during the 2008-2009 year and expanded to include transfer students last year. The savings on tuition, books and living expenses for students will amount to about $17,000 a year, university officials reported. If students maintain a 3.0 grade point average and make satisfactory academic progress, they can renew the scholarship each year. The amount will increase every year that the cost of attendance goes up. There are currently 56 students receiving CLU Guarantee Scholarships totaling nearly $1 million for the 2009-2010 year. More than 40 percent of the recipients are first-generation college students. During these tough economic times, the expansion of the program will provide more students with the opportunity to enjoy the high-quality education, small class sizes and experience of working closely with faculty that a small private university like CLU offers, the university reported. The university’s goal is to expand the group of scholarship recipients to at least 100 students over the next year. The scholarship amount for the 2009-2010 year is $16,918. This is the difference in the price for full-time residential students attending CLU, which is $43,780, and the average price of attending UCLA or UCSB, which is $26,862. The 2010-2011 scholarship amount will be announced in spring after the universities have updated their fees. The CLU Guarantee Scholarship is open to everyone applying for the traditional undergraduate program and the Adult Degree Evening Program. It has no income or residency requirements. Students can also receive institutional, state and federal aid based on need to further reduce their cost. |
The whole family was invited to explore the Mexican tradition of Day of the Dead in Santa Barbara on Saturday, Oct. 25, according to a media release from the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Museum visitors will be able to enjoy art activities, performance of traditional music & dance, altar displays, and refreshments. Also, on the same day, visitors had the chance to see the re-opened Marlene and Robert Veloz Children’s Gallery as a new Family Resource Center. Featuring original paintings and sculpture from the permanent collection, the resource center gives children and families the opportunity to discover works of art, make their own masterpieces, listen to stories, or go on a treasure hunt. This dynamic drop-in center is a source of information for families, including family guides, ArtVenture camps, classes, workshops, and special events and celebrations.The Santa Barbara Museum of Art is at 1130 State St., in downtown Santa Barbara. |
Community members turned out in large numbers on Saturday, Oct. 24 for the 2009 Harvest Festival sponsored by the Nyeland Acres Neighborhood Center, Fifth District Supervisor John Zaragoza reported in a media release. Zaragoza said he was ‘happy to be a judge’ for the children’s costume contest and pumpkin carving contest. Community member Mike Barber generously donated two brand new bicycles to be awarded as grand prizes. And of course no event would be complete without delicious food and treats, Zaragoza said. "A big thank you goes out to Jeannie Garcia, Chole Trevino, Rev. Marilyn Noorda, Rev. Edgar Mohorko, and all the other volunteers who donated their time and efforts to organize this event," he said. "It was such a pleasure to see the Neighborhood Center being put to use and being enjoyed by members of the community," he said. "We look forward to enjoying many more events like this in the future." |
Oxnard College dedicates new Student Services/Administration building Oxnard College was scheduled to hold a dedication ceremony on Oct. 22 for its new Student Services and Administration building. The event included the placement of a commemorative plaque, with community members then scheduled to take a guided tour of the building. "The student Services and Administration building was designed to be the first point of contact for students," Dr. Richard Durán, the college's president, stated in a media release. "By consolidating services under one roof — admissions and records, assessment, financial aid, counseling, disabled sutdent services, health services, student business office, the transfer center and student outreach — students can conveniently use this resource to receive critical academic and administrative support." The 38,000-square-foot building features a two-story student services building and a one-story food services building at the center of the campus main quad. It was constructed as part of the Measure S Bond program approved by voters in 2002. "The board is extremely grateful for the support from the community through Measure S," Robert Huber, chair of the board of trustees, stated in the release. "This state-of-the-art facility and the services provided clearly demonstrate Oxnard College's commitment to sudents on its vital and growing campus." For more information, call Laurie Nusser at 805.652.5508 or e-mail to lnusser@vcccd.edu. For more details, Click here |
El Concilio offering family education programs Eight-week sessions on civics (bilingual) for the citizenship naturalization examination, ESL classes/conversation, financial literacy and computer classes have just begun this week at El Concilio del Condado de Ventura. “The skills learned in our programs provide a gateway for our clients to acquire an improved quality of life by increasing their chances to further their education and learning to navigate through the vast body of knowledge which is available to them,” the organization reported in a media release.“Our parent participants become equipped with the ability to assist and support their children’s academic development by demonstrating ‘a culture of learning’ and passing this on to the new generation.” Classes, from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays, will be held at 301 So. C St., Oxnard. To register, call 805.486.9777, ext. 221. For more information, visit: http://www.elconcilioventura.org/ |
Rico & Mambo return to KCAQ 104.7 FM KCAQ 104.7 FM has welcomed back this week "prodical sons" Rico & Mambo to its 7:30 a.m. slot, according to Pablo Ortiz at Gold Coast Broadcasting. As a result, there will be a new line up at the station. 5:30 to 10 a.m. — Rico and Mambo, with Nancy Rodriquez and Kid Spin 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — The Mid Day Mix with Alynette and DJ Divine 2 to 6 p.m. — Quay in the Afternoon (from Clubhouse) 6 to 10 p.m. — Santiago at Night (moved from afternoon drive) 10 p.m. to Midnight — The Love Pad with Big Bear (moved from Clubhouse, and Big Bear is still Program Director) Overnights are mixes and music form Q104-7 favorites DJ Scratch, Fred Rock and Larz (was evenings). For more details, Click here
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El Rio Sewer project gets $8 million federal stimulus grant The State Water Resources Control Board has conditionally approved an $8 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant for the El Rio Sewer Project, according to a media release by Fifth District Supervisor John Zaragoza. The County of Ventura has also been approved for an extended 30-year term and a reduced interest rate of 1 percent for additional financing through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program, also approved as part of ARRA funding. So far, the county has secured about $26 million in federal, state, and local grants for the El Rio Sewer Project has an estimated cost of about $35 million. With long-term, low-interest financing approved for the balance, all needed funding is now in place for the project, Zaragoza said. Without the county’s efforts to secure grants, ARRA funds, and the low-interest loan, single family residential property owners in El Rio would have paid about $150 a month in sewer charges. With the additional grants and funds, sewer charges will now be less than $65 a month per residential unit, he said. With this funding, the county will be able to complete the entire El Rio Sewer System Project by the end of 2011, he said. El Rio property owners will be connecting to the new sewer collection system and abandoning their septic tanks as the project is completed in phases. To see the full media release, Click here |
The United Way of Ventura County's Day of Caring came to Mercy Ministries in El Rio on Saturday, Sept. 26 to help sort and bag food for families in need in the area. The Mercy Ministries project was coordinated by the United Way's Latino Action Team. Participants of the Day of Caring event at Mercy Ministries were among a group of more than 600 volunteers who worked on various projects countywide. Fifth District Supervisor John Zaragoza, center, brought along members of his staff to help with the project. Some of the other participants included Latino Action Team member Irma Lopez, in hat, and Aurelio Jauregui, chair of the Latino Action Team. |
My Alley Band of young musicians were a hit at Santa Paula’s annual Citrus Parade. The kids had a ball. As I told you in my last e-newsletter, I felt that my young protégés “Little X’s” after various other performances around town were ready to bring it up a notch. To hit the big time. Our float, decorated by the kids’ families and friends was great, colorful and really fit the parade theme, “Sweet Fruit, Sweet Life”. Like the sweet fruit that we nurture in the Santa Clara Valley so too are our children, sweet fruit that we must nourish with love, kindness, and music so that they can have a sweet and fruitful life. — Xavier Montes |
Ventura College students publish works in VC Voices Twenty-four students from creative writing, composition and literature classes at Ventura College have had their work selected for publication in the 2009 edition of the VC Voices. Of more than 100 pieces submitted for consideration, these selections were chosen for the anthology magazine after three rounds of judging by a committee of English faculty. The edition offers a wide variety of themes and genres. The publication is funded by the Associated Students of Ventura College, with assistance of the graphic design department and the on-campus Canon Business Solutions printing facility. The magazine is used in more than twenty classes as a teaching tool, and will be available for purchase from the Ventura College Bookstore this month. The winning students’ work was read and the students honored at a gathering in May. Editor Jennifer Garcia, English instructor said that examples of descriptive narratives, argument and research essays, literary analysis and short fiction are all available in the collection. Art styles selected also cover a wide range, including watercolor, pencil drawing, mixed media, photography and ceramics. |
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Students honored Included: Authors: Artists: |
 In Your Words:
The 16th annual Oxnard Salsa Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 25-26 in downtown Oxnard. We talk to new Festival Director Elizabeth Alvarez about preparation for the event, the second annual Ventura County Salsa Dash on July 11 and efforts by the festival to support local charities and nonprofits. How many people do you expect to attend this year’s festival and what will they see? “We will have over 45,000 people for the two-day festival. It’s a celebration of everything salsa — food and the dance. Last year, we served over 75,000 samples of salsa. We do have arts and crafts booths (150 vendors) and especially invited those with handmade arts and crafts. We have two food courts and this year we will also have a tiny dance floor in the shade. We got a ‘Kids Korner’ where children will be able to do arts and crafts. The festival starts off each day with a Clave Parade. The foundation of Salsa is the Clave and so the children will have the little blocks of wood and play in time with the Salsa mascot and parade from the Pagoda to the main Salsa stage.” We see this year you have such performers as Nuestro, Louie Cruz Beltran, Angel Lebron y Su Sabor on Saturday, and Orquestra Charangoa, Opa Opa! and Leslie Paula and the Latin Soul band on Sunday. How important is the music to the event? “The reputation for the music at the festival goes all the way to New York. I’ve regularly received information from salsa bands that want to take part. We only have six slots, but we get 13 to 16 requests.” Why was the festival created? “The festival is a gift to the city from the Oxnard Downtown Merchants Association, created so that people could have a positive experience in downtown Oxnard. Ruth Ballen (the former festival director) really created a professional and beautiful event. It is a safe and family event and the Downtowners are dedicated to keeping it a free event. It has free parking and free admission.” How important is the Salsa Festival to local charities? “We raised $60,000 last year. It’s just developed in the last two years and really took off last year with ‘Dancing with our Community Stars.’ We were all surprised. The Rose Parade raised $100,000 last year for charity and we were able to raise $60,000 in just our second year. The quality of the festival is so high, it’s family friendly and we have invited powerful community groups this year: City Impact, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme, the United Way of Ventura County, KCLU, the San Buenaventura Friends of the Library and Food Share. These groups have partnered with us because they know we can help them meet their goals. Times are so tough right now for charities and so this is a fun way to raise money.” How are preparations going for the kick off event, the Salsa Dash? “We will have a huge turnout this year. Last year, our first year, we had 350 entries and this year we expect 600 entries. They will be going through the historic part of Oxnard. We set up a friendly competition between the Oxnard Police and Fire departments on how many members will be participating. The timing of this year’s event is great. It is two weeks before the festival. We have a wonderful keynote speaker. Audrey Duffy is a two-time lymphoma cancer survivor.” How important are the sponsors and the volunteers toward the success of the festival? “We couldn’t do it without the support of the City of Oxnard and all the sponsors. Our main committee has 16 members and we have a total of 250 volunteers. We have a tiny staff, myself and my assistant and a few dedicated consultants. We’ve received amazing support from Time Warner Cable, Gold Coast Broadcasting, the Ventura County Star, Univision/Entrevision and Amtrak. Most people have been so nice and accommodating. I feel people are really supportive of the festival.” The Oxnard Salsa Festival:
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The Oxnard Salsa Festival will kick off its 2nd annual Ventura County Salsa Dash with registration at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, July 11, 2009 at Heritage Square in downtown Oxnard. The Kids Fun Run begins at 7:30 a.m., with the Salsa Dash beginning at 8 a.m. The race starts at Heritage Square and then travels through the business district in downtown Oxnard before heading to the Henry T. Oxnard National Historic District. The race concludes at Plaza Park with salsa music, refreshments and an awards ceremony, according to festival organizers. Kalani Chiropractic is the title sponsor of the Salsa Dash. Other sponsors include Road Runner Sports, Alert Real Estate Services, the Ventura County Star and the Oxnard Downtowners. Funds raised by the Salsa Dash benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Pre-registration is $25 for the 5K run, $30 for the 10K run and $15 for the Kids Fun Run, with an additional $5 for onsite registration. To register online, visit the festival's web site at www.oxnardsalsafestival.com. For more information, call 805.247.0197. |
Everyone loves a parde and the folks in Santa Paula are no exception. The city will hold its annual Kiwanis Citrus Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 18 on Main Street. This year's theme is "Sweet Fruit, Sweet Life." Local artist and musician Xavier Montes is getting a little help in this year's event. "I am entered in this parade with my newly formed Conjunto Callejon (the Alley Group). My young neighbors (between the ages of 8 and 10) saw me carrying instruments in and out for gigs. They finally got the guts to ask me for guitar lessons. It's been a blast ever since. This started in December. In May, I organized a 'recital' on Mother's Day. We made our debut for their moms. In late May, we performed at a talent show at Grace Thille School and our group was a hit. So I decided that we were ready for the big time — the annual Santa Paula Citrus Parade. I call our group the Conjunto Callejon. 'Callejon' means alley and since we all live in the alley between Mill Street and 10th, I felt it was a fitting name. Please come and see/hear us play "De Colores" and other songs as we Parade down Main Street." — Xavier Montez |
In Your Words: An interview with Irma J. Lopez, one of the founders of the Rebozo Festival and a local representative for a June 28 fundraiser in Camarillo in support of State Sen. Gloria Romero for California Superindendent of Public Instruction. A record 800 people attended. Last year we had 725. In our first year we had 225, then 300 the second year. Then when it went over 400, we moved it to the Camarillo Ranch. We’re really pleased that people have liked the event and are attending it. Each year you select a local charity. This year you chose Parents of Murdered Children of Ventura County. How much money do you expect to raise from the event? Even with our expenses going up we think we’re going to give them at least $25,000 and that’s not bad for a one-day event. They were really glad to be chosen for our (fundraising) event. One of the secrets is that we don’t charge $150 to get in. We do it all by volunteers and so we are able to keep the price down. Will you be holding the event again next year at the Camarillo Ranch or seek another location? We’re in the process of looking at that right now. It’s $3,000 to rent the facility, plus $1,000 for a clean up fee that we get back. When you are working for a charity and you have to pay $3,000, that’s a lot. We would like to be back there, but if we could get it for less, even $2,000, it would help. We’re also looking at the Olivas Adobe (in Ventura) and we would love to get it back in Oxnard. We just need a facility large enough to hold us. You are also a contact person for a fundraiser in support of State Sen. Gloria Romero, 24th District-Los Angeles, for California Superintendent of Public Instruction (http://www.gloriaromero.org/). Why are you involved in such an effort? She is running for the Jack O’Connell’s position. He is being termed out. She is the chair of the Senate Education Committee, which was the same position held by State Sen. Gary Hart. She has a PhD., has been in the senate (since 2001) and I think she is really qualified. Eli Broad and Richard Riordan had a really big fundraiser for her (June 16), making her a viable candidate. She has been coming here for the last four or five years. She held a fact-finding event on agriculture at the Oxnard Library and a couple of years ago spoke at a dinner for the Latino Peace Officers Association. She has become friends with many people in the area and she is doing the right thing, not only getting financial support, but going out and meeting people so they can get out the vote for her. Romero held a fundraiser at the home of Alfredo and Yolanda Plascencia from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 28 at 1031 Corte Barroso, Camarillo. For information, call Lopez at 805.797.6203 or Jim Hensley at 805.382.7959. |
Thanks for your support We are approaching the one-month anniversary since the launch of www.Amigos805.com and we have been very thankful for all the support we have received from the community and the suggestions for improving our web site. We have implemented a number of changes already, and plan to add new features in the coming months. Here are some of the comments we have received. Thank you very much for all your kind words and encouragement. Your friends at Tres Amigos… “Congratulations on your new amigos805.com business venture. Long overdue … The internet is the ‘new journalism.’ It's how the vast majority of people are communicating, including Latinos. Great coverage. Best part is that you're covering the LOCAL SCENE.” — Jess Gutierrez (Publisher, Latino Life & Style, Gente Magazine, veteran columnist and photographer) “Congratulations. I think that it is a terrific idea to launch Amigos805.com during these difficult times for the newspaper industry. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and interest in the Latino community in order to come up with a project as well-planned as Amigos805.com. I wish you and your group much success…” — Josie Tizcareno Pereira (Former editor, Mi Estrella). “Group of Latino Journalists in Ventura County, Calif. launches new web site to provide local news that otherwise does not get covered. Among those launching amigos805.com are former Ventura County Star Diversity Director Frank Moraga (a lifetime NAHJ member) and former Mi Estrella de Condado de Ventura Managing Editor Mariana Llamas-Cendón.” — Notice from Parity Project update sent out by Kevin Olivas, Parity Project director, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Washington, D.C. “Felicidades, Amigos! Your site look great. Mucha suerte Frank, Mariana y Carlos …” — Cesar Arredondo (Los Angeles-area writer, videographer) “Hi Carlos, Mariana and Frank. Wow! This is a great resource for the community. Very ambitious. I think you've got a hit.” — Vickie Linares (graphic artist) “Congratulations on your new venture and thank you for including me in the group responding to the question of the week.” — Carmen Guerrero, (Dean, Career and Technical Education, Oxnard College) |
In Your Words: An interview with Margaret Cortese of Teatros de las Américas. Her group recently presented “El Pasatiempo Nacional / The National Pastime,” focusing on life in contemporary Cuba, the love of baseball and gay relations. The play was presented in Oxnard, Ventura and Hollywood. How was the latest play received in the community? “People have liked it a lot. The only critique I’ve heard is some people saying it’s too long. Otherwise they liked it. The production in L.A. brought out a lot of Cubans. We had a discussion (at the end of the play) and they were going at it strong.” Besides life under the Castro regime, the play also deals with issues regarding the gay community in Cuba. Was that part of the strong discussion by those who attended the performances? “We kind of felt that not much has been done to address the life of gay people (in Cuba)… Half the discussion was about the gay issue and half about the Cuban situation.” Was the play well attended throughout its run? “As I was leaving (the Hollywood) performance, someone thanked me for putting it on there. I told him I was disappointed by the attendance, but they said for L.A. (80 people) that is pretty good attendance. They said sometimes only eight people show up. (Locally), it’s been a big challenge. It has varied. We had a very full house (at the gala), but it’s been very disappointing at times. The average size of the audience is 30 ... Here at the Café on A, the average number of seats is 60.” Two years ago you left your permanent home in Oxnard do traveling shows throughout the county. How has that impacted audience attendance? “For 10 years we were in one pace and the numbers were better. The fact that we are traveling around has hurt our audience numbers. It’s been very difficult. I’ve sort of wanted to stay in Oxnard, but the rent in the downtown area is $2 a square foot and we need 2,000 square feet. That is a very high cost … Finding a home is a pretty big financial challenge.” Teatro’s next performance is Teatro Infantil / Children’s Theater, 6 p.m. June 6 at the Preus-Brandt Forum at California Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks; 5 p.m. June 7 at Casa del Mexicano, 218 S. 11th St., Santa Paula, and 5 p.m. June 13-14 at Café on A, 438 So. A St., Oxnard. |
"Latino Community Pulse:" "What do you feel is the most urgent issue affecting the Latino community in the region and what would be your top solution?" I believe that the same problems that are plaguing all parts of our society plague the Latino community — all under-served populations, including the Latino population, suffer to a higher degree from social problems because of under representation, lack of information, and lack of resources. 1) One issue of tremendous concern is the education of our children, all of our children. Our system is horrible. The schools value attendance over health, and test scores over learning. It has been said a thousand different ways: children love to learn, and the system today stiffles the natural inclination to learn and explore even in the youngest of our children. 2) We adults, all of us, of all backgrounds, must LIVE as examples of healthy and happy humans. Every day I see parents acting in destructive, unkind and unhealthy ways, in front of their own, and other children. We must, each of us, take responsibility for living truly well and healthfully, as examples to our children of a life worth living. — Elizabeth Alvarez, Oxnard Salsa Festival director
"In my opinion, apathy is not only an urgent issue but also a continuing issue. Racism is alive and well in the region. We hear it regarding many issues: immigration, low employment, high taxes, cost of education, out-of-control state budget, anti-affordable housing, translation of government documents into Spanish, providing translation services of any kind, cultural events. All these and more are blamed on undocumented peoples – translate that into Latinos, making the assumption of course that all the undocumented are Latinos! The silence from many Latinos is deafening. Where is the outcry denouncing the misinformation being bandied about? Our people are not the cause of the current economic conditions yet the majority of Latinos do not respond to all the negative rhetoric. This apathetic behavior is hurting all of us, not just the undocumented. There are a handful of people working to support the various issues facing Latinos. These few are the targets of hate-mongers and yet many of us just sit back allowing it to continue by our non-involvement. Afteral,l they are not attacking us, right? This apathetic behavior, in my opinion, is a contributing factor to not resolving the many other urgent issues facing Latinos. — Carmen Guerrero, Dean — Career and Technical Education, Oxnard College |
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Providing individual counseling, group workshops, media distribution and other communications training services. |
Cabrillo scheduled to hold open house Feb. 28 for its 
De Colores Art Collection coming to new Santa Paula Art Museum
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Students at CSUCI pitch in to help community
Santa Barbara Museum holds Dia de los Muertos Free Family Day
