Category Archives: Featured News

Fifteen year-old Liam Jones was introduced to go karting by his grandfather

Liam takes part in many Go-Karting events around the country. Photos by Evan Brown photography and Patricia Schallert

by Patricia Schallert

Go-Karting is a motorsport that is enjoyed by people of all ages, but it is especially great for kids who are interested in racing. Young people can start competing in Go-Karting competitions at a young age because the sport has a low barrier to entry and has less regulations than traditional car racing.

When you look at some of the biggest names in Formula 1 racing, many of them started their motorsport career racing Go-Karts. Many of them still love to Kart and attribute their success on the racing circuit to Go-Karting.

Liam Jones, a 15-year-old sophomore at Ventura High School who runs in track and field events, was introduced to go karting because of his grandfather’s interest in NASCAR and Formula 1 car race events.

Seeing this interest, his grandparents bought him a “Shifter Go-Kart” when he was 13, he began training and has been racing ever since.

 Now he takes part in many Go-Karting events around the country with great success. Currently he is racing two times a month.

His championships include:

2021 Los Angeles karting championship Pro Shifter 2 – 3rd place in championship 1 win, 2 Podiums in Fontana.

2022 Los Angeles karting championship Pro Shifter- 3rd in championship,

1 Win, 3 podiums also Fontana,

Ranked #25 nationally out of 212 drivers

4th in the 2022 Skusa PKC, with 1 podium

2022 was his first season in the Top tier Pro class

Reflecting on his racing goals, Liam eventually wants to race cars and compete in NASCAR and Formula 1 racing.

When not physically working on his go kart, he uses realistic, simulated experiences on his computer that translates directly into concrete instruction, with time measured results. Many professional drivers use this program to improve their skills and stay competitive. Liam reports it is very fun and instructive.

Liam’s Go- Kart career began with shifting, understanding the use of the throttle, the sound of the engine when shifting happens, and to use both feet when he drives. Liam’s most important skill that he had to learn was to stay focused in the simulations and in real racing events.

Even though Liam is still in school, he continues to work on his basic Go-Kart skills. With his coach and support team in Fontana, he is learning everything about his go kart, including how to recognize and fix it when there is a problem and build it, so it is most efficient when he’s racing. He learns from other racers and uses his own successes and failures from his personal racing experiences.

Liam also learned rudiments of racing at a young age by going to Jim Hall’s racetrack when it was in Ventura at the Fairgrounds. He learned to race on rented go- karts until his grandparents bought him the “Shifter” The Shifter is manufactured in Riverside and has a TM KZ R1-125 cc engine that hits speed of 50 on the raceway and can go over 100 mph.

The Shifter Go- Kart made by “Factory” is from Riverside and they specialize in Go-Kart designs for each individual driver. “Factory Karts”, are a team of passionate and professional people whose goal is to bring karting to the mainstream sports market. They are also Liam’s support team when he is in Fontana.

Shifters are some of the best Go- Karts to drive according to Liam and a great way to prepare young drivers for professional race car driving. Liam’s support “Shifter team” help him keep his Go Kart in top shape. He’s raced in New Orleans, Utah, and California.

With professional Go-Kart racing, there is a weight restriction as there is in professional car racing. The weight needs to be no more than 390 pounds and after each race, Liam and his Go Kart are weighted together. Liam keeps his weight in check by running track and cross-country events at Ventura High School.

A new Go Kart track is being built in Winchester, CA. Liam says the best kind of Go-Kart track incorporates every element a driver could want with blind crests, dramatic downhill elevations, sweeping-flowing corners built into the side of a double-mountain peak and a blend of slow, medium, and incredibly high-speed corners that will produce many overtaking opportunities. The result is a track with the look and feel of a small Formula 1 circuit.

Race season is from March to November.

Congressman Salud Carbajal Visits Ventura Port District to Survey Winter Storm Damage

Ryan Sutherland, Harbor Patrol Officer II; Brian D. Pendleton, Ventura Port District General Manager; Michael Blumenberg, Port Commission Chair; Salud Carbajal, US Congressman; Jackie Gardina, Port Commission Vice-Chair; John Higgins, Harbormaster; Todd Mitchell, Senior Business Operations Manager; and Taylor Plasch, Harbor Patrol Officer I.

California Congressman Salud Carbajal, U.S. Representative of California’s 24th District, visited the Ventura Port District recently to survey the impacts of the early January Atmospheric River Rain Events to the Ventura Harbor area.

In the past weeks, severe winter storms have caused damage, including significant coastal beach erosion, debris flows into the Harbor and surrounding beaches, the District’s public launch ramp, private boats and docks within the City’s Ventura Keys, and City streets within the Harbor. Debris removal and repairs were hampered by the volume of material and extended period of rain, wind, wave action and storm surge. “These conditions presented risks to the public and having Congressman Carbajal assess the damage first-hand provided him with a good perspective of the impacts Ventura Harbor faces in recovery,” said the District’s Chair Michael Blumenberg.

“The efforts by our District’s staff, in particular the Ventura Harbor Patrol, are commendable. Our Harbor Patrol officers offer around the clock support to help safeguard the public and property whenever possible and went above and beyond during this series of events,” said Brian Pendleton, the District’s General Manager. “We will coordinate closely with the City and County in our recovery efforts for the Harbor area,” said Pendleton.

“I’m grateful to the Ventura Port District for helping me get an up-close look at the impact that the high surf and heavy rains of this month’s storms had on the Harbor and the Keys neighborhood. As the new representative for the harbor and the City of Ventura, I’m committed to supporting our Harbor residents, businesses, and industries in both these short-term recovery efforts and their longer-term maintenance needs,” said Congressman Salud Carbajal. “I have already joined local officials and the State of California in urging the Biden Administration to expand their major disaster declaration to include Ventura County, and I will continue to work with FEMA and other federal officials to ensure our entire region gets the support it needs to repair and rebuild.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on January 4, 2023, as a result of the winter storms with the City of Ventura following suit on January 6, 2023. The Board of Port Commissioners also declared a state of emergency for the Ventura Port District at its meeting on January 18, 2023, to authorize the General Manager to take any action required to respond to the emergency. Blumenberg stated, “It is important to have these measures in place to restore District assets and coordinate response efforts with local and state officials.”

Ventura County officials have declared that the cost of damages from these winter storms is expected to top $30 million.

Why We March

The march started at Plaza Park. Photos by Patricia Schallert

by Shane Meserve, President Justice For All Ventura County

Several hundred people gathered at Plaza Park in downtown Ventura on Saturday, January 21st to honor free speech in the United States and to state our concerns on a number of fronts. Many people, from over a dozen elected officials from all over the County, to local citizens, spoke about their hopes, fears and the realities of living in the United States in 2023. Although there has been much progress made on behalf of equal rights and justice over the past 50 years, there is still more work to be done.

We gathered to march on behalf of women’s rights, as we have since 2017 when the national Women’s March was founded. Each year on this date, we gather to hear about the state of the union and the challenges America faces in the future. We work to bring together people and organizations who are working towards a greater good and will continue to encourage education, cooperation, organization, and registration for all.

While California recently voted to enshrine the right of reproductive health care in the state constitution, millions of women in this country do not have the same. Many legislators have or are attempting to enact laws to restrict these very personal decisions. California is bearing the brunt of people coming from other states to receive health care services. There is a cost to that that needs to be recognized.

We march to protect our freedoms and to side with the future. Racism and prejudice based on a person’s background, ethnicity, sexual orientation is unfortunately still alive and rearing its ugly head throughout our nation. While the right to marry whomever you choose is legal in many states, twenty-five states have both statutes and constitutional amendments to prevent same sex marriages.

We march for the rights of the disadvantaged and the oppressed and to support working families. With over 33 million Americans living in poverty, not enough attention is being paid to their needs. For a society to be successful, we must find ways to assist the disadvantaged through education, mentoring and compassion.

We march for voter’s rights. Many communities are under attack to limit constituent determination through decreased voting hours, options and other interference. This attack is often from those elected to lead their community.

We also march to help the environment. Human made pollution, whether it be through air, water or land contamination, is making citizens ill, degrading our natural resources and costing us billions of dollars annually in remediation and health care. Society already has many solutions but is lacking the political will to reverse much of the problems we’ve caused.

If you’d like to learn more about what Justice For All Ventura County is doing in our community, or to join us by volunteering or donating, please go to JusticeForAllVC.org

Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC) announces the company’s first design competition

Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC) announces the company’s first design competition, which will recognize one artist, 18 and older, to submit an original image that represents one of its three upcoming productions:  Selling Kabul, The Children or Seared. The artist can use any medium as long as the image can be submitted in a digital form (PDF 17”x17” at 300dpi). The winner will receive a $500 cash prize and the opportunity to partner with ETC’s artistic and managing directors to design the artwork for the entire 45th season.  If the winning artists images are used to promote the season, the winner will receive an additional $2,500.

Interested individuals can obtain additional information about the contest at https://etcsb.org/design-competition/. Deadline for submissions is February 28, 2023, and the winner will be announced on March 15, 2023.

Interview with Brett Reed, Ventura’s Fire Marshall

Brett Reed began his career in the fire service with the Mammoth Lakes Fire Department.

Q. When were you promoted to be Fire Marshal in Ventura?

A. I was selected as the City’s Fire Marshal in June of 2022

Q.What is your experience in fire departments and specifically in Ventura

A.I began my career in the fire service with the Mammoth Lakes Fire Department in 2006 as a volunteer firefighter, was hired full-time as a firefighter and fire inspector in 2007, and served that community for 13 years. With Mammoth Fire, I gained a tremendous amount of experience in wildland and structure firefighting, as well as fire prevention experience as the only fire inspector. I have a strong background in risk reduction and have completed State Fire Inspector Training and have completed numerous courses through the National Fire Academy for fire inspection principles, fire and arson origin, cause determination, and I am a certified Code Council Inspector and Plans Examiner. Upon leaving Mammoth, I held the ranks of Fire Engineer and Fire Inspector II.

I was hired with Ventura Fire in January 2019 as a Fire Prevention Specialist. My role in that position was to perform inspections for fire protection systems and fire code requirements for new construction. I was also responsible for performing plan reviews for permit applications for fire protection systems and new construction. In 2020, I promoted to Fire Prevention Supervisor where I was responsible for supervising our fire inspectors and hazardous materials inspectors. I also oversaw the fire prevention permitting process and plan review processes.

Q. How is one selected to be fire marshal

A. The selection process for fire marshal is an application and interview process. As with everything, there are many different paths to becoming a Fire Marshal, however, the qualifications and experience needed are similar among differing agencies and cities. Fire Marshals typically start their career as either a Fire Inspector or Firefighter and promote through the ranks in either Fire Operations or Fire Prevention.

Q. What are the duties of fire marshal

A. It is the Fire Marshal’s responsibility, as the Fire Prevention Division Manager, to oversee the community risk reduction programs of the division including the development fire plan review and inspection, hazardous materials enforcement, occupancy inspections, defensible space inspections, fire review for special events, and fire operations support programs. Essentially, any program that addresses fire prevention, the Fire Marshal has a hand in overseeing and related experience is always valuable.

Q. The phrase “The fire Marshall is going to shut you down” is well known. Can you shut down a business and/or music venue

A. The California Fire Code authorizes the Fire Marshal to take certain steps when it is determined that fire code violations exist. If a facility is overcrowded the fire code states that fire code officials “shall be authorized to cause the event to be stopped until such condition or obstruction is corrected.” If a facility, or building is determined to be unsafe as described in the fire code, we are authorized to evacuate the building and take other steps to assure the condition is made safe. Our intent would be to correct unsafe or life-threatening situations and not to shut the business down.

Q. What happens if they refuse to shut down?

A. If a facility refuses to cooperate with the orders of the fire department, we will request assistance from law enforcement to assist in our efforts.

For further information contact the Fire Prevention Division at 805-658-4717. Contact Fire Marshal Brett Reed directly at [email protected].

Ventura Downtown Lions Club was chartered on April 27, 1923

Gala Lions Club celebration held at Crowne Plaza. Photos by Patricia Schallert

On Saturday, January 7, the Ventura Downtown Lions Club held their 100th birthday celebration at the Crowne Plaza.

The hundreds attending included Ventura Lions, club members from throughout Southern California and invited guests and dignitaries.

They enjoyed an evening of appetizers, cocktails an outstanding dinner and inspirational speeches.

Ventura Lions president Patrick D. Pothier welcomed all prior to the invocation by Lion Tom Hundley and pledge of allegiance led by Ed Rogoff.

Speakers and awardees included past presidents, district governors, VIP guests and First VP Maya Zumaya who will be the 100th President when she takes office on July 1, 2023.

The keynote speaker was International President Brian Sheehan who got the crowd cheering on their feet with his enthusiastic presentation.

Patrick Pothier stated “It is my great honor as President of the Ventura Downtown Lions to invite you to our 100th Birthday Celebration. Our history is rich in Lionism and in giving back to the community we love.”

“Our Club was chartered on April 27, 1923, by 51 outstanding local businesses and community leaders. One of them was Fred W Smith who went on to become President of Lions Clubs International for 1947 – 1948, and another was Charles Rea, the then Mayor of Ventura. Another was Erle Stanley Gardner, an attorney who became famous as the author of Perry Mason detective stories. While we’re celebrating our 100th Birthday, we can also celebrate that we have never had a repeat President, having 100 Presidents in 100 years. No other club can make that claim.”

“Our Club and its members have a rich history of civic service and of service to the community and beyond. There have also been 10 Members who have been the mayor of Ventura, and at least 20 who were city council members. Many have served as public officials on various public boards and commissions, on private boards and nonprofits, and as public officials in a wide variety of capacities. “

“While our history is rich, and our present is just as rich. We are dedicated to providing assistance to individuals and community organizations that are in need and support. These efforts include, but are not limited to, providing camperships for deaf children, free eye exams for those in need, scholarships for local students, Thanksgiving baskets for families that are food insecure, as well as supporting the Salvation Army food pantries. We participate in both community and beach clean-up days and we recognize America’s hero’s – the Military Veterans and First Responders. We support those suffering from diabetes and the researchers seeking a cure, efforts to help and assist those dealing with mental health issues, and a wide range of other worthy matters.”

“While our past and present is exciting, our future looks even brighter. As we celebrate the past 100 Years of Service at this Gala, we also begin to look forward to the next 100 years, and we are excited about what the future holds for us and the rest of the Lions around the world.”

VUSD ratifies contracts

“The future is bright for Ventura Unified.”

The Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) Board of Education voted unanimously on January 3, 2023, in a special board meeting to ratify the Ventura Education Support Professionals Association (VESPA) and Ventura Unified Education Association (VUEA) contracts. This occurred after an intensive months-long negotiations cycle. 

The board sated “We want to acknowledge that this was a very challenging and trying negotiations cycle that had varying impacts across the school community. However, despite the intense process, the agreement we reached has positioned Ventura Unified to be able to recruit and retain the best and brightest staff and educators for the foreseeable future.”

The new contract provides VUSD employees with the following:

1) 10.0% salary schedule increase in 2022-23 retroactive to July 1, 2022.

2) 2.0% off-schedule bonus based on the new 2022-23 salary schedules.

3) Move to a new Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) for health and welfare benefits in 2023-24. The new GPO will offer the same or equitable PPO and HMO products as currently offered.

 “The move to a new GPO will provide our employees with similar and even more options to health care than they have had in the past while allowing the District to control its health and welfare costs. This is essential for the District to plan for the future in an environment of declining enrollment. But, more importantly, our employees will be able to choose from additional choices that were not available to them in the past, including the opportunity for cash in lieu of insurance for those already insured under another plan,” stated Ms. Gina Wolowicz, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.

“The future is bright for Ventura Unified. The District and the associations left the negotiations table with a renewed commitment to working together to provide a quality educational experience for all students,” stated Superintendent Dr. Antonio Castro. 

“As a school community, we have been through several very difficult events in the last five years. Therefore, it is important to spend time to connect, reengage, and rebuild relationships that have suffered during the pandemic. We show people we appreciate them by honoring their work, recognizing their commitment to our community’s children, and providing competitive compensation. I know I speak for my colleagues when I say that we recognize that our great schools are a direct result of having an incredibly dedicated and talented staff. They go above and beyond to serve our students and their families daily. We are deeply grateful for their commitment and the love and support they show our students,” stated VUSD Board President Sabrena Rodriguez. 

Ventura Harbor Village recognized with Jewel Key Award

Brian Pendleton, Ventura Port District General Manager, and Chris Stephens, Ventura Port District Board Chairman, accepted the award presented by Victor Dollar, Brighton Management Senior Vice President, and Stephanie Caldwell, Ventura Chamber of Commerce President & CEO.

The Ventura Port District has been honored with the prestigious Jewel Key Award by the Ventura Chamber of Commerce at the 2022 Poinsettia Awards for beautification of the Ventura Harbor Village. The Chamber selects the recipient of this significant annual award based on overall improvements over the past year.

Ventura Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Stephanie Caldwell shared that the Poinsettia Award Selection Committee was eager to spotlight the great work that has been taking place in Ventura Harbor Village, from the hardscaping and way-finding signage, to paint colors and awnings.

“The reinvestment by the Ventura Port District in Ventura Harbor Village has created an even more vibrant shopping, dining, and entertainment district for visitors and locals alike,” stated Caldwell. “Ventura Harbor Village is not only a great place to spend an afternoon, but also a beautiful display of all that Ventura has to offer.”

Ventura Harbor Village’s line up of ongoing enhancements include a coastal-inspired paint refresh, new sustainable landscaping, new nautical inspired wayfinding signage program, tenant improvements, roofing improvements, new tenant signage guidelines, the addition of colorful murals by local artisans, expansion of the sea-themed holiday décor and lighting program, new trash enclosures, and new Village offerings.

“We are honored to accept the Jewel Key Award and thank the Chamber for recognizing the Ventura Port District’s efforts to revitalize Ventura Harbor Village as a first-class visitor destination,” says Brian Pendleton, Ventura Port District General Manager. “The Port District continues to allocate funds to elevate this popular seaside attraction and we thank our business partners whose entrepreneurial spirit is thriving throughout the Harbor Village.”

New Ventura City Councilmembers sworn into office

Front row – Jim Friedman, Jeanette Sanchez-Palacios, Sofia Rubalcava, Jim Duran, and Liz Campos. Back row – Lorrie Brown, Joe Schroeder, Mike Johnson, Doug Halter, and Bill McReynolds.

The City of Ventura has sworn in four newly elected Councilmembers at the City Council reorganization meeting hosted on Monday, December 12, 2022.

The oaths of office for council districts were taken for Liz Campos (District 1), Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios (District 4), Bill McReynolds (District 5), and Jim Duran (District 6). The new members join the seven-seat Council, which includes Councilmembers Joe Schroeder (District 7), Doug Halter (District 2), and Mike Johnson (District 3).

The Council also held nominations for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor’s elections. Joe Schroeder was selected as Mayor, and Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios was selected as Deputy Mayor.

The Council selects both titles of Mayor and Deputy Mayor among its members every two years. The mayor’s duties are to preside over the sessions of the Council, sign official documents, and act as the official head of the City. The mayor has the power to administer oaths and affirmations but has no power of veto. The Deputy Mayor shall act as Mayor in the absence or disability of the mayor.

During the meeting, the Council, City staff, and community members also recognized and thanked outgoing members, including Mayor Sofia Rubalcava, who served from 2018-2022; Councilmember Jim Friedman, who served from 1995-2003 and again from 2018-2022; and Councilmember Lorrie Brown, who served from 2018-2022.

The City Council meeting and oath of office ceremony are available on the City of Ventura’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/CityofVentura.

To learn more about the Ventura City Council, visit www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/CityCouncil.

Aera Energy and the Gene Haas Foundation help Ventura teens explore STEAM

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura makes positive and lasting impacts on the lives of Ventura teens.

Aera Energy and the Gene Haas Foundation are helping get middle and high school teens at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura (BGCGV) excited about STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics). STEAM weaves in critical thinking with experimental and dynamic learning at its core. Each organization donated $25,000 — for a total of $50,000 — to elevate STEAM programming at each of the club’s four locations in Ventura, Saticoy and Oak View.

The expanded programming will begin in 2023 and continue thereafter. The club will be adding a STEAM programs manager, who will focus on middle and high school STEAM programs at all four club sites: Harrison, LeFevre, West End Teen Center and Oak View Teen Center.

“Our clubs offer a nurturing environment where youth can thrive,” said Patti Birmingham, chief executive officer, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura. “Aera Energy and the Gene Haas Foundation are making it possible for our teens to explore careers in STEAM and have hands on practical experience, which can translate to great paying jobs for them. Most of our youth do not realize how many local careers are within their reach.”

This gift from Aera Energy and the Gene Haas Foundation will also provide BGCGV with funding to purchase 3D printing and robotic supplies, tinkering and circuit-building kits. The club will also be able to enhance its existing coding and engineering programs and start a cybertechnology program, enabling the club to connect with and inspire more teens to reach their fullest potential.

BGCGV is also providing career exploration programming to its teens, with both virtual and inperson tours of local businesses — recognizing that there are many paths to STEAM careers. It’s also providing teens access to a variety of careers that can be attained right after high school, through technical training or through institutions of higher learning.

“The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura makes positive and lasting impacts on the lives of Ventura teens,” said Erin Larner, manager of operations for Aera-Ventura. “We’re excited to help amplify their work to help teens learn about science, technology, engineering, arts and math fields, explore potential careers, and help them realize their full potential. This is one of the ways we at Aera are working to improve the lives of residents in the communities where our employees live and work!”

“The Gene Haas Foundation is proud to support all of the clubs of Greater Ventura,” said Joanne Haas, Director of Community Grants California and Nevada. “We appreciate all of the hard work and dedication that goes into providing a nurturing environment and educating the kids of our community.”