X Games returning to Ventura.

Visit Ventura

Since X Games California 2023, we’ve been working tirelessly to have an answer to this question. We’ve had discussions with city, county, and state stakeholders, received feedback from partners and business owners, and imagined what 2024 could look like.

Needless to say, we’ve been asking ourselves “Is the X Games coming back” as much as you have.

After months of discussions, we’re excited to officially announce that the X Games is returning to Ventura this summer. X Games Ventura 2024 is coming this June.

Yep, you read that right. X Games Ventura 2024!

Looking back at last year’s X Games with over $58 million in media value, there’s a lot to be excited about. Namely, our city’s name next to an international brand. You don’t see that every day.

And there’s also a lot to learn from. We heard community members’ and local business owners’ feedback and valued each email and conversation. We are working with the X Games team to make X Games Ventura 2024 even better this year. As partners, we are excited to work closely with you to build on what we accomplished last year.

While we don’t have all the details yet (including fun partner activations that you can get involved in), we all get to roll up our sleeves with the XG team after the Winter Games.

We’re ready to make this year epic and we look forward to our continued collaboration and driving the economy of our Ventura together.

Stay tuned for a partner kick-off and more communication coming from our team!

We appreciate you — let’s do this!

With excitement,

“I love doing it; I really do,” says Flores.

by Tracy Marcynzsyn

Every weeknight from 5-7 p.m., a committed group of local youth gathers at Westpark Community Center in Ventura to work out and learn to box with Sal Flores, a Ventura businessperson and lifelong resident who works with the city Parks & Recreation Department to mentor at-risk kids, ages 6-18.

“It’s a really nice place to distract yourself instead of being at home; it’s good for you!” says participant Breana Hernandez, 13.

Many of the youth, like ninth grader Rafael Juarez, who started in third grade, look forward to boxing year after year.

“It gives me an outlet and helps me work out,” says Juarez. “It’s helped me build a lot of stamina and make friends; everybody has been like a family.”

Building relationships and connecting with the kids, as well as teaching them boxing skills and promoting physical fitness, drives Flores to dedicate his time to mentoring youth.

“I love doing it; I really do,” says Flores, now in his 12th year as a youth mentor. “I was one of these kids. I live by the code ‘kids don’t know how much you know until they know how much you care.’” Flores recalls spending time as a kid in the same community center where he now teaches.

As a troubled teenager with a tough family life, Flores struggled in his younger years, getting arrested and landing in jail before turning his life around with the help and encouragement of a local mentor in the police force.

“Use the bad experiences for good,” Flores advises. “I used to break into cars, now I own a locksmith company; I used to destroy things, and now I own Ideal Upholstery, where I fix and make things nice again,” says Flores, who founded a local Youth Activity League (YAL; formerly structured as a Police Activity League with the Ventura Police Foundation) to support, mentor and inspire at-risk youth.

Working with local school districts, Flores visits schools twice a week, every other Monday during lunch, to encourage and connect with kids through the Youth Activity League. Bringing lunch (Subway sandwiches this week) and guest speakers, such as probation officer Mark Varela and former WBC Welterweight boxer Victor Ortiz, Flores aims to inspire youth.

“We really try to guide these kids; we bring them lunch, talk about what matters,” says Flores. “We try to show we really care for them and that we’ve been in their shoes. We were stuck and thought we couldn’t be successful. Whatever these kids need, we guide them to resources. We want to teach the value of life lessons.”

Guest speaker Ortiz recently shared his story to encourage teens to overcome challenges. Referring to a broken jaw that impacted his boxing career as a “blessing in disguise,” Ortiz noted that “often adversity brings us blessings or change.”

“I came from a messed-up background,” shared Ortiz, who also participated in a PAL as a kid in Kansas. “I was just hanging on … then as a successful boxer, I learned money wasn’t where it was at. Hollywood wasn’t either. It’s what brings joy that counts. Now I have two boys—they’re what matters. I want to give the youth hope.”

“It’s the experience you give to others. When you have a story kids can relate to, and they see we’re so passionate about sharing our story, it matters,” says Flores, who also serves as a pastor at Redemption Church in Ojai.

Building trust and showing youth that people care can divert kids from turning to gangs when seeking to connect and belong, says Flores.

“They are a part of something,” he explains, pointing out several kids who show up to work out in the boxing program each night, year after year, on their own accord. “Some kids have been here for 5 years,” notes Flores.

Aldahir Benitez began boxing with Flores at Westpark at age 16 to “meet new friends and be with my cousins.” Today, Benitez is employed with the city Parks and Recreation afterschool program and volunteers in the boxing class after his shift.

“I like boxing and interacting with the kids,” says Benitez, noting that “Sal is a great person; he helps everyone that he can, whenever he can.”

Flores beamed watching the young boxers eagerly unwrap and try out a shipment of new boxing gloves recently donated by the city, noting the YAL is currently seeking donations for t-shirts.

“We want all of them to walk with pride,” says Flores. “They show up, committed; most of them have a tough family life.”

With some 58 kids participating in the weeknight boxing program and another 50 teens in the school lunch YAL, Flores is making an impact.

“It’s something we love to do,” says Flores, noting the YAL’s goal is to obtain a dedicated facility to expand programming and reach more kids. “We want to inspire youth.”

For more information, including how to donate to the Youth Activity League, contact Sal Flores at 805.651.8647.

The public is encouraged to be a part of the solution.

by Tracy Marcynzsyn

Braving hecklers and stormy weather, hundreds turned out to support women’s rights at the 8th annual Women’s Rally & March on Saturday, January 20th at Plaza Park.

Presented by Justice For All Ventura County and Planned Parenthood Central Coast Action Fund, the event featured speakers and information booths by community organizations aimed to foster social justice.

“Women’s rights are human rights,” declared speaker Rabiah Rahman “Women’s rights are indistinguishable from environmental justice, from social justice, and racial justice. They can’t silence us, no matter how hard they try! They cannot take away our vote and they cannot take away our right to march.”

A spirited crowd comprising all genders and ages clapped and cheered as they gathered in solidarity to support women’s rights.

“Roe versus Wade and the banning of books” were the main reasons 24-year Ventura resident Kerry O’Connell named for coming to the march. “Some things just really matter,” says O’Connell, who forwent her cribbage tournament in San Diego to attend this year’s march for the 8th year running. “I can’t vote,” says the Australian citizen, “but I can show up in other ways.”

Noting that 2024 is a watershed year for the nation when voters will make decisions on critical issues about leadership, access to health care and social justice, local organizations like the League of Women Voters helmed information booths at the event in an effort to help attendees learn more about how they can participate in ongoing efforts to help the community.

“The state of women’s rights and reproductive rights may seem secure in California, but with national politics and politicians making decisions across the country looming, we can’t be content with the status quo,” says president of Justice for All Ventura County Shane Meserve. “Our progressive beliefs may mean nothing without the right people in office.” JFAVC’s mission is to “motivate, educate, connect and mobilize people to actively engage in their government and future in support of social justice” and the rally and march represents its first large community event of the year.

The public is encouraged to be a part of the solution by attending events, sharing information, donating to offset expenses and volunteering to further the cause. Learn more at www.JusticeForAllVC.org.