Julio Rey is a Ventura College alumnus who played two years for our college as a right guard offensive lineman. Most of our student athletes in Ventura college play here in a junior college school to get better opportunities to take their athleticism to a higher level. Julio is one of those athletes that wanted to take that route in his journey.
I always wondered why athletes take the JUCO route and if it’s the best decision for them. I had the chance to get a one on one interview with Julio and I asked him why did he take this route and if it a good decision. He goes on by saying, “hitting the JUCO route was the best decision I have ever made. Lots of people look down on JUCO, but to me it was a big step and it meant everything to me.”
A lot of athletes do look down on junior colleges and think they can’t get a future out of it but that’s not the case. Ventura College has had over a thousands transfers which went on to play for a division 1 or division 2 school. Jaylen Watson, a two time Super Bowl champion from the Kansas City Chiefs, was one of them.
We talked more about what can be the down side when going through a junior college route and he mentioned injures. Julio has recently came back from an injury which he fractured his tibia and fibula during a game which took a toll on him mentally. Athletes go through so many injuries so I asked Julio, “how do you manage injuries or setbacks that affect your ability to perform?” In our interview he mentions, “injuries come with the sport unfortunately, but it happens to everyone. Rest is the key component to manage an injury,” which he isn’t wrong about. Although sports can come with injuries that will bring a setback in your career they also bring more strength to one. After Julio’s injury, he worked ten times harder to get that scholarship he deserves to continue to play football in a higher level. During the offseason he got a few offers to take his athleticism somewhere else, which he committed to Northeastern State University this year.
Athletes get many opportunities to play somewhere else, but what makes that one school different than the rest. I go on and ask Julio what made him pick Northeastern State University (NSU). He mentions how the coaching staff made him feel this is the best decision for him, “They have successful coaches who joined this year that have NFL and division 1 experiences. The school previously had losing seasons, so seeing this and my head coach being successful, can change the program. Chaffey College is a JUCO in Southern California which previously had a losing seasons ranging from 0-10 record in one year. My head coach from NSU went to Chaffey and caused them to have a winning season record of 11-0. He also was the assistant head coach at Colorado as the offensive coordinator and played with the Browns. Now he has made his life as a coach changing programs and players lives.”
Seeing how junior colleges can change one’s life and take them far is the best part one can witness. Our Ventura College football team had a record of 8-4, which made it to the championship in their conference but came up short. Our offensive lineman pushed over 2,700 rushing yards this season which made history in our football program. I had the great pleasure to interview Julio Rey and learned how much a junior college can change one’s life when wanting to take your athleticism to a higher level.
Views are a refreshing reward after the climb. (photo by George Naugles)
Ventura offers some of the cleanest ocean air in the world, as well as beautiful views, and invigorating walks in between. Various loops & starting points are available.
One favorite loop begins at the Main Street Bridge over the Ventura River and proceeds clockwise along Main, to the Natural History Museum, up staircases to Poli, up to or just below Grant Park, and then on the ridge to the top of the Botanical Garden, then descending into the upper Ventura Botanic Garden and then either through the lower Botanic Garden, west along the Botanic Garden’s west edge (very steep decline) or the Botanic Garden’s east edge (more gradual but still quite steep and with no sidewalk in portions). Crossing over or under the 101 by returning to the shore via San Jon, the pedestrian bridge over the 101, California Street Bridge, or the Figueroa underpass are all fun, with Ventura’s Promenade and Ventura River Trail closing the loop that allows you to return to the Main Street Bridge. The views are spectacular from many points on this loop, the air is very clean when it is blowing in from the ocean unless recent rains have washed polluted water to the surf. Check NOAA or windy.com for the best forecasts regarding wind speed and direction, as well as fog and rain.
Key challenges may include finding public restrooms available when and where you want them, choosing footwear and socks compatible with hills and beach, and finding free parking. So approach this outing with agile flexibility along the loops when and where parking and restrooms are available. Wear bright-colored or white reflective clothing, face oncoming traffic, and keep an eye out for cars when making your ascent on roads where no sidewalk is available. Walk roads designed for cars at your own risk, and use pedestrian walks when possible. Also enjoy delicious meals, refreshments, Farmer’s Market Saturday Mornings, and even the Refill Store as needed along the way. Hiking poles with shoe attachments that cover the pole spikes can be helpful to reduce knee strain on the descent, as long as your shoulders and arms can handle the additional loading. Real Cheap Sports and Target are places you can find them, also known as trekking poles.
This Opuntia’s condensation-sipping spines catch the sunset light.
Just when you thought the perfect marriage didn’t exist, MadeWest Brewery combined beer with Ventura County’s food truck culture in matrimony. From authentic Mexican, Greek, and Asian fusion, you’ll be able to satisfy any hunger cravings.
Game Over Catering is first on the Menu, known for their street tacos. You can put chicken, asada, pastor, and occasionally mariscos (seafood) in your tacos or quesadillas smoothened with cheese. Religiously appearing in the MadeWest parking lot on Wednesdays from 4-7:30pm.
Looking for homemade birria just how mom made it? Look no further, with over 7K followers on Instagram, Birria El Güero shares their family recipes, mom included! Named after the owner’s son who loves birria, Birria El Güero gained popularity with their famous torta de birria. MadeWest plays host to them every Thursday at 3pm.
Make your Friday date night Greek style with Wrapped food truck. Or even lunch because they arrive on the property at 12 noon. Their signature dishes include a Chicken Shawarma Wrap, Shawarma Fries, and Yalanji aka Stuffed Grape Leave. My personal favorite is their Gyro generously stuffed with lamb meat, drenched in Tzatiki sauce. Complete your meal with Baklava for dessert that is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Lamp Gyro from Wrapped
Last but not least and new to the scene is pop-up and catering truck Takeos Grubshack. Their California-style Asian cuisine includes Whole Wings with a variety of flavors, Pho, Korean rice bowl aka Bibimbap, and their popular Korean-style boas. Check their Instagram page to find out where they will pop-up next!
Korean Style Boa by Takeo’s Grubshack
Next time you visit MadeWest, don’t just arrive thirsty, come hungry too!
All Food trucks mentioned operate at Madewest Brewing Company and tasting room at 1744 Donlon St, Ventura, Ca. Check out MadeWest’s Calendar of Events on their website to see when and what food truck will be there today!
March is Women’s History month! An opportune time to highlight women for their contributions. So let’s recognize a special woman and spotlight one of the unsung heroes here at Ventura College. It’s my honor to introduce the Art Professor and new Chair of the Department, Sharla Fell. This is Sharla’s first year as Chair and I have to say that she has hit the ground running. A true inspiration, considering Professor Fell has been here for 25 years, as a single mother of two, working her way up at Ventura College. From the beginning as an emergency fill-in then a part time Art instructor to full time, faculty member and the new Chair. Her subjects are as follows; Drawing, Intermediate Drawing, 2D Design, Color Theory, Photoshop, Digital Photography, Design for Multimedia, Intro to Multimedia, Fashion Design and Art Appreciation. In charge now of a team of incredibly talented Art instructors, Sharla’s hard work and dedicated roles have lifted her to a much deserved position as Art Professor and Department Chair.
Sharla has a unique and natural poise, grace and style about her. When I first met her years ago, I instantly thought of Martha Stewart. Oddly enough they are both from the North East part of the U.S. “Beautiful, incredibly beautiful area of rural and farmland. Farms and natural beauty, it was magical. Both my Grandparents were farmers, it was a wonderful place to start,” says Sharla as she began to share her nostalgic birth place and describe her enchanting childhood in Central New York, The Big Lake, Finger Lakes. Years later, during elementary school she, her parents and siblings, all five of them moved to Chicago. “It was a big change from the farmlands but it was also amazing. Because my parents were both minors in music. We took advantage of the things in Chicago like the Arts and Science Museums, and the Planetarium. It was a really amazing place to grow up, the experiences were incredibly rich.” Recalls Sharla.
She grew up submerged in the Arts. Not only were both her parents classical musicians but her Father was an Engineer, Mother an Artist and Art teacher and Grandmother an Opera singer. Sharla’s family life was bursting at the seams with brilliance and creativity. Imagine an environment inventively vibrant, continuous song, music, museum visits, art projects going on in the everyday surroundings of home. In a flourishing community and city of diversity and Art, San Francisco. Her mother even had a ceramics and painting studio in the basement. “It was like forced labor during the holidays, we were all down there pulling screens, printing cards and making Christmas stuff like crazy,” laughed Sharla. Clearly her creative inspiration in the Arts began as early as she can remember.
When I asked her, “when did you know you were an Artist?” she answered quickly, “last year.” Sharla does not lack a witty sense of humor. She is a well balanced, shining example of strength, elegance, persistence and dedication. Not only as a well educated, hard working professional woman but as a compassionate single Mother.
Her upbringing was delightful and things were not always a flowery Hallmark story. Adult life has its challenges for us all. During her 20’s, Sharla began College as a music major. Her Grandmother, the Opera singer, had been training her to sing and perform. There was one little issue though, “ I just couldn’t do it, I had so much stage fright, I couldn’t perform,” professed Sharla. Accordingly she switched in College to Engineering because her Dad was an engineer and she was inherently good at Math.
From a Music major to Engineering with a Minor in Business she found herself in Arizona and decided to take an Art class for a Humanities credit. Sharla recalls next, “of course I thought, I’ve been doing this all my life, this is where I belong, in the Arts, rather than Engineering.” She was around 21 years old, during her B.A. so she had to add more time to her Art degree and pick up classes. This educational journey took her to a few different Junior Colleges, which she thinks highly of. Sharla attended Chicago, New York and Mesa Arizona Junior College. “They served me well, as I’m teaching in one and have a lot of respect and value for JCs,” Sharla stated. She transferred from Mesa Arizona to Arizona State University and finished earning her Associates in the Arts degree.
“Then I decided to get a Bachelors in Business, because everyone says you can’t make money in the Arts,” relived Sharla. So she did the logical thing and took her GMAT and got ready to enroll in the Business schools. She recalls the next pivotal moment, “I was sitting at a Mall in Colorado, watching all the women walk by in their business suits and high pumps … .and my thought was, “I don’t want the job that I’m getting the degree for, I just don’t want the job. I can get the degree, I can get into the school but I don’t want the job.” With that realization, she started applying for MFA programs and just by chance there was a really good one, in textiles, an amazing opportunity and right in her present area. Colorado State, which is where she completed her MA. Not only did Sharla’s continued educational journey encourage her eminent creative soul but throughout Art school she worked as Floral designer to make ends meet. Her life in the Arts was bound to bloom in one way or another.
Thereafter Sharla moved back to California, to the San Francisco Bay area where she married and started a family. While raising one son, she launched into teaching at the accredited Academy of the Arts in San Francisco. Sharla’s eyes brightened when she exclaimed, “it was really fabulous, really fabulous. My classroom looked out over Alcatraz Island, I loved teaching there.” She later left that job when she had her second son and stayed home with them until they were in Kindergarten. A definitive example of a woman’s passion for teaching and loyalty to her family.
Ventura County, Ojai CA. Sharla loved the area and she wanted to be closer to her sister who lived there. In 1997 she and her little boys were drawn to Ojai’s natural beauty, nestled in the valley of the Topatopa mountain range and moved there. She didn’t waste any time looking for a job teaching Art. By 1999 Sharla was suddenly led to an emergency fill-in position at Ventura College which soon developed into a part time job. Within 4 years, a full time position became available but it was a position that would merge between the Art department and the Multimedia department. The job requested an MFA, someone with an Art background and someone with savvy computer skills. But due to lack of computer graphic classes offered when Sharla was in College, she would need to swiftly expand her knowledge of computers, by taking Photoshop and Illustrator classes and learning software, understanding it well enough to teach it. “The whole multimedia position was very difficult for me, I spent endless hours studying manuals and learning software, I just studied nonstop,” professed Sharla. But she was understanding computers more than she ever had before and she was preparing for classes she had never taught, nonetheless she was ready. Sharla recalls a friend and faculty member telling her that she had earned another Masters, in multimedia, on her own throughout the endless nights. “And then in 2004, the whole Multimedia was shut down,” recalls Sharla. A cut back but her resilience and wisdom is a force to be reckoned with, her gained computer knowledge would be of great value as she was still able to move over some of her best Multimedia classes, Web Design, Photoshop, and some Graphic Design, moved over to an Art Class. Courses which are still offered today.
Sharla presently continues to instruct online and in class Art courses as well as her new role as Department Chair. This first year of any new educational position is notorious for being taxing with its endless hours of learning new techniques that are not taught. Yet as you can see from her record, Sharla’s tenacity is unstoppable. I asked her, really how does she manage to juggle multiple projects while meeting the demands and deadlines expected of a Chair? “It’s been challenging to be honest, the administrative kind of work is not what comes naturally, spreadsheets and numbers, it’s not where I live. I’ve avoided excel sheets all these years, I don’t want to deal with them,” Sharla chuckles. She is not alone though, and she is quick to admit her gratitude for her fellow staff. As someone on the outside looking in, I see a genuine team of masterful players, working together, rolling with change, and deeply engaged with guidance and concern for all students.
“I do rely on our incredible faculty members that we have in our department. I personally should do more but we have people that are professional artists, active in workshops and training, keeping up to date with techniques, gallery owners, art historians progressing, publications and illustrating of characters. In a way they are doing this for the Art department… I am riding on the success of our full time faculty,” chuckles Sharla. “These are people that are just doing it because they are amazing. I’m really lucky to be working with such talented amazing people.”
There is real sacrifice, as an Artist to be in this position however Sharla shares the joy she feels when she sees things getting done. “It’s nice seeing some changes, the showcases and some changes in the Galleries. I like having a little bit of the decision making. After being here 25 years, Senior professor now, it’s been wonderful, a great experience and after all these years I get to have the experience of doing things I would have liked to have done.”
Sharla’s personal Art endeavors and artistic goals have fallen by the wayside as can be expected because she is incredibly devoted to her job. “Some of my own personal interests, like singing and artwork have taken a back seat. Actually I got into the Ojai Studio Artists and I only showed for a year and a half or so and then I took a leave of absence for a year. So I can get a handle on the Chair duties. Finally after all these years I have put up a decent website. I was a single Mom for 25 years, so between full time teaching and being a single Mom, I didn’t get much of my own artwork done,” conveys Sharla.
She humbly mentions in her online website bio that she also, “learned to be an artist by teaching others.” It’s exciting to see her website and social media presence getting more notice and rightfully so as her remarkable art designs take you to a place of nature, enchantment and serene beauty. Artwork that depicts layers of color, texture, and various mediums that generate natural images of flowers, birds and insects. Please see for yourself and follow the links below to see her sensational Artwork in mixed media, textiles, print, fabric, pastels and paint.
Sharla lights up when sharing the joys she experiences teaching students. She expressed, “so many things.Watching the light bulbs go on, those aha moments, or seeing the progress they make, from the beginning of the semester to the end. And I don’t mean just in art skills, I mean in confidence, excitement, interest or curiosity. I enjoy giving critiques and the experience of a critique with students. Trying to elicit their response, instincts and their response to their work. It’s way more than whether they can draw or paint, it’s something way bigger than that. Critiques ignite their minds. Also I do remind my students that every single thing you see is a design, unless its nature. Somebody had to draw that before it became reality. So this is a place for design.”
Her fluid teaching style gives students a chance to find their style as well as learn the importance of self discipline and critical thinking. Although she has a curriculum and an outline to follow she likes to let things organically grow and “Let if Morph.” Sharla encourages students to figure things out on their own, listen and apply the instructions. It appears she has found a flourishing balance for her subjects. She does not enable them, or hold their hand and she will give them the grade they deserve. “The hand holding environment is not the way I work. I tell students to do it first on their own. Do what I’ve asked and if you still have questions then ask. And if we need more time on a project, we take it. I will certainly do what I can to help but my philosophy is, you do it first. It’s not a lack of caring, I think probably some of the most important acts of caring is giving our students the ability to find the information themselves and discover something else along the way,” states Sharla.
When it comes to giving advice for students pursuing a life in the Arts, Sharla understands well and shares some words of wisdom. “You gotta want it, and you gotta work hard for it. Like any creative endeavor, that requires a level of talent and something beyond just training. It’s hard to make a living as a musician, artist, novelist, athlete or anything in the arts. I would encourage students to have a backup plan. Museum and Gallery work, sign painting, mural painting and graphic design is always needed, but there are things out there.” Wise words indeed.
In this day and age, there is a common concern regarding Artificial Intelligence. Sharla’s worry in this area is more about what it may do to individual creativity and a student’s ability to learn enough responsibility and accountability. Getting out into the world of deadlines and consequences may become more difficult for the youth. “I believe in showing up, showing up and being ready, being prepared” replies Sharla.
We here at Ventura College we are quite fortunate to have this influence and guidance. Congratulations Sharla in your new position as Chair and thank you for your compassionate and strong leadership. May your future bear more time and opportunities to explore, create and make more of your own artwork, that you and the world can delight in. “I’m starting with more drawing and painting than I used to. No more Graphic Art and I’m going to say it out loud, “ I’m going to see if I can become an Art Instructor on Cruise ships!” In my retirement, for just one season a year, it could be really fun! It’s just a retirement idea,” Sharla announced, as she gazed up with a smile.
To be an 8th-degree black belt in Kenpo Karate is one of the highest belts one can receive in martial arts. Paul Perce, owner and founder of Perce’s Kenpo Karate, holds one of the highest black belts in all of Ventura County, along with running a successful Karate studio for over 28 years in Fillmore California.
Today we dive into the story of a successful business owner in Ventura County and what they did to get where they are today. Paul Perce grew up in El Rio, Oxnard, where many know that the area has gang-affiliated groups residing there. The parents of Paul Perce didn’t want him and his brother to be involved with gangs, so his parents signed the brothers up for martial arts to keep them occupied throughout the day. Paul continued his love for martial arts for over 26 years training in a variety of arts kenpo, kali, and jiujitsu.
In 1996 Perce’s Kenpo Karate was opened in Fillmore California at the age of 26. He gained management skills by helping to instruct the Flores Brothers’ karate studio in Oxnard. That karate studio was also where he trained for many years. Paul learned the experience he needed and thus took the leap of faith opening his very own Kenpo karate studio. When interviewing Paul, he explained, “When teaching students, it’s very important to pay attention to every detail. That is the key to success.” The key to being successful in running a smooth business is to never overlook the small details, especially when training people of all ages. Perce’s Kenpo Karate has established a long-lasting foundation for Fillmore’s small community. Even though Fillmore is a small town, students of Paul even those based in Los Angeles County travel to Perce’s Kenpo to learn from him. Perce’s studio has created a strong relationship with his students and created an impact on the communities of Fillmore and Ventura. Paul’s plan for his business is to stay established in Fillmore but expand to different schools all around Ventura County teaching after-school self-defense classes.
Overall Paul has established a successful business through his eye for detail, organization, experience, and love for what he does. Establishing a business you don’t have passion for is not going to work if you do not love what you do. For Paul, his passion and love for karate will continue helping him build a proud long-lasting business in Fillmore, California teaching people of all ages the art of Kenpo Karate.
When going to school, it is likely that you will have to study so you are able to maintain your grades and pass your classes. Retaining knowledge through studying is one of the keys to being successful in college classes. Today, I will like to share you some tips that you should consider trying out in your study routine!
1. Plan Out Your Schedule
In college, some of us may have more obligations besides school, such as work and family. It is important to decide which time of the day and week is the best fit for you. With this, a planned study session chunk will help you be more productive and also play a role in determining your time management. You will also get used to having a routine for what you plan to go over for the study session the more you practice this habit.
2. Consider Studying in a Different Space
Many students may feel comfortable to use a singular space to study, whether its their bedroom, the kitchen table, etc. But sometimes, the too familiar surroundings might make you feel that you are not as productive as before. This can make some of us to feel sidetracked, such as looking at the comfy bed in your bedroom that you want to jump back into, or you see the television that’s sitting with its black mirror right in front of you waiting for you to turn it on. Picking a different spot to choose can be out of the comfort zone for many of us, and its okay to feel that way. You may feel emotions that you are not familiar with, but it can also be a good experience once you begin to adapt to the changes. Perhaps a visit at your local cafe or library can be a good starting place.
3. Have Short but Frequent Study Intervals
We can only absorb and recount so much information for a certain period of time, but sometimes it might be harder to recall if we prolong ourselves to study in a shorter period of time. Shorter intervals (i.e. 40 minutes per subject) but is done more frequently can be beneficial for us. This can be done for a few days per week, and you can still achieve the same amount of study time that a longer study session but what is done in fewer days has. Studying for too long for one session can end up becoming stressful, as you’re not only tiring yourself out but you may start to question what information from your notes or textbook is the most important. It may even feel more stressful if you studied for too long as a last minute option.
4. Pick the Right Study Music
Rather than in silence, some students choose to have some background music play as they study. Background music can be beneficial who may not feel comfortable in studying in silence for so long. This can vary from songs with lyrics or songs that are filled with only instrumentals. Choices can range from some soft piano music to even your favorite pop song. Experimenting with the right sounds will determine which works best to help studying can be beneficial to motivate yourself.
5. Stretch in Between Your Studying Sessions
Sitting down for a long period of time can make some of us feel immobilized. Some ways to help yourself stretch include stretching your arms out, moving your neck left and right, shoulder stretching across the chest, spinal twist while sitting, or even giving yourself a hug. Our bodies can feel stiff after a while and the more as we study, the more your body may feel tired. When we stretch our bodies in between study sessions, it is a good reminder for us to not neglect our physical health as we need to be physically present in order to complete our tasks. This can also apply to other obligations such as work outside of studying.
I hope today’s study tips will be of good use of you! Happy Studying!
On Friday February 23rd, The VC Pirates faced Hancock Bulldogs in a fight to stay in the playoff running. That was Sophomore night honoring Tiernan Phillips , Alexis Howery , and Dani Henley . In a pre-game interview with VC Sophomore Alexis Howery about how she feels coming into this match up she expressed, “the last time we played them -Hancock- we had the best energy.” The Pirates had faith that they would be able to bring it home to make it in the playoffs.
VC had a steady start into the game, they had played the Bulldogs prior and came out victorious, 67-44. The first quarter ended with the Pirates trailing by 3 points. The second quarter was a back and forth match between teams both wanting the win, ending with a tie 22-22 going into the half. The game was close in score but VC couldn’t hold out and fell short to Hancock with a 42-56 final game score. VC sophomore Tiernan Phillips was lead scorer in the game with 12pts.
The VC Pirates are headed to Moorpark College on Saturday night, March 9, 2024 to take on the Raiders at 7pm in hopes of keeping their season alive. Click here for schedule and ticket information. See you there!
I have always had a soft spot in my heart for breakfast burritos. Fluffy eggs, crispy potatoes, and melted cheese, wrapped inside a warm flour tortilla. Growing up in Southern California, I’ve been spoiled with authentic Mexican cuisine my entire childhood.
While attending the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, Mexican food was the one thing I missed the most and logically the first thing I ate when I returned in 2016. I have made a personal vendetta since then to find kitchens that embody Spike Lee and “do the right thing” when they put out an order.
Ventura’s Culinary scene has exploded over the last 5 years and is closing in on neighboring Santa Barbara County. Ventura is located about 45 minutes north of Los Angeles, so naturally, the quality of dining is slowly spreading north.
What Makes a Good Breakfast Burrito?
What comes to mind when you think of a breakfast burrito?
For me, the size factor is the first thing I notice. Yes, in this case, bigger is almost all cases, better. And since breakfast burritos are not a diet food, please use the tortilla that is the size of a large pizza.
Next comes the guts. People want a good ratio of fillings in a tortilla. Potatoes should be crispy on the outside, and soft in the middle and they must be peeled as the bitterness of the skin can overpower the subtle flavor of eggs. Eggs are a delicate food and should be treated as such. Scrambled but not burnt. Temperature control is the only way to achieve perfect scrambled eggs and this is a good measuring tool of the skill of the cook.
Selecting the right cheese can help meld the flavors. With so many options to choose from, this is a good way to differentiate your product. Cheese also helps to glue everything together. Beans are an overlooked addition to the breakfast burrito, but no shortcuts here (try this recipe). Ditch the can and make your own if you want to stand out.
Fresh salsa is a must, and it needs to have some bite on the Scoville scale. With no limit to the variations, there is bound to be one that you enjoy.
Exploring the Options
Ventura has no lack of options. I would be amazed if the number of taco shops is less than the locations of Starbucks. Some places have been around for decades and are a crowd favorite of locals. As I mentioned earlier, the culinary scene is growing in this community. New dining options are frequently appearing, especially Mexican restaurants.
If you ask a local, then Corrales will most likely be their first answer.
But is it the best? Read more to find out.
Contenders
I decided to limit my search to a 4-mile radius of Ventura College. From there, I used Yelp to narrow down my choices – here they are.
Corrales – Known for its salsa
DV Mexican Grill – A newcomer on the block
Don Lalo’s Mexican Food – A hidden gem popular with the workforce
Lalo’s Fast Food – Rapidly expanding so they must be doing something right
Judging Criteria
We going to judge this on several factors including taste, egg cookery, cheese selection, ratio of ingredients, crispiness of potatoes, quality of beans, and size of burrito/value for the money. A small number of points will be awarded for overall experience by the staff.
To level the playing field, I am going to order each one identically. Ham, eggs, potatoes, beans, and cheese.
Why Ham? It’s an underrated meat, plus it’s a good way to determine where they are sourcing their products from. I have a feeling someone is going to use cheap lunch meat for this.
The Taste Test
Corrales
Corrales is the fan favorite here in Ventura. They have no website and have been in business for as long as I can remember (and I am 38). If you bring up Corrales most people mention how good their salsa is. But how was my experience?
Price: USD 7.50
This one is a monster. I really wanted to like this one, but it was mediocre in almost every category. Let’s start with the eggs. They were almost missing from this behemoth. Being that this is a breakfast burrito, they should be the star of the show. I also don’t care for the addition of rice in a breakfast burrito, I don’t really see the logic here. Corrales breakfast burrito is basically a beans, rice, and cheese burrito with some eggs (very little), unpeeled potatoes, and cut-up lunch meat. The peel on the potato overpowered the eggs. The mild cheese, which I suspect was a cheap Mexican blend, was only slightly melted. My intuition tells me it was added last minute, and the steam from the eggs softens it, but barely.
I wasn’t a huge fan.
Everything is so bland except the salsa. and I will admit, it was damn good! It had the perfect level of spiciness and salt. Without it – it would’ve fallen on its face. The service level was average.
Final Score: 7.1/10
Verdict: Average. I wouldn’t pay for this burrito but if someone gave it to me for free, I would eat it.
DV Mexican Grill
DV’s Mexican Grill was rated #2 on Yelp and I have never been there, so I had to include this.
Price: USD 12.50
Let’s start with size. It was slightly smaller than the Corrales burrito but still adequate. The ratio of fillings was more inline with what you would expect when ordering a burrito. The ham shines as you can see from the pictures. It’s cut thick like Hamsteak and reminds me of Christmas or Easter. Bonus points for this. It was the best ham of the bunch. The potatoes were slightly under-seasoned but cooked well none-the-less. The cheese was properly melted and appears to be a jack blend, but it is not of high quality as it is kind of bland.
DV includes chips and salsa with each order (Corrales used to but stopped during the Coivd-era) so this was an added bonus. The salsa is great for chips but I didn’t care for it on a burrito though. Tapatio works better for this item.
Although they stop serving breakfast burritos around 2 PM, they still made me one at 5 PM and the staff was very kind to me when I arrived – added bonus!
Final Score: 8.4/10
Verdict: Slightly above average I wouldn’t go out of my way to buy a burrito from them again.
Don Lalo’s Mexican Food
Don Lalo’s Mexican Food is a hidden gem in Ventura and is located in the industrial section of Ventura (near the main Topa Topa brewery). It’s never a slow day as it is located next to many businesses and every time I arrive, nearby workers are there.
Price: USD 8.00
My apologies, I forgot to snap a picture of this one and it’s a shame because this one is a winner in every category.
It’s the largest of all four and I wish I would have thought to weigh it before I ate it. Eating this monster is a guaranteed way to force yourself into a food coma.
Let’s get to the nitty gritty.
The cheese blend here is my favorite of all four. It’s some kind of jack cheese blend, but I can taste the jack. It’s loaded to the point of barely being able to wrap it. Due to the amount of cheese, it is probably the greasiest of the 4, but it’s not excessive. The cheese is properly melted in the scrambled eggs. When the cheese melts, it gets greasy. Deal with it, it’s just food science. The ratio of potatoes to egg is spot on. The ham is a little thin, but I think it works in this case. It has just enough salt to compliment the other ingredients and shocker… the beans are homemade.
We had three salsas to choose from. A Verde, a Red, and a Habenero. Each one is amazing. I don’t really care for green salsa most of the time, but I was so surprised when I tried it. Every one of their salsas has some heat, some spice, and a blend of multi-dimensional flavors. I highly recommend this place. And just as a disclaimer, the habenero salsa is pretty hot.
The man who works at the register is the definition of great customer service. He is always in a good mood, gives you as much salsa as your heart desires, and their kitchen is fast. I mean really fast.
Final Score: 9.3/10
Verdict: A burrito that should set the standard. I would buy this regularly.
Lalo’s Fast Food
Lalo’s was originally in one location near the top of Ventura Ave. Recently they started expanding and have an Italian restaurant and several “fast food” locations, which appear to be limited versions of their main location
Price: USD 13.95
Look at the pictures, They do not lie. They have the perfect ratio of eggs, ham, and potatoes, but I had to add beans as it is not normally included. The eggs were cooked well and you get enough in each bite. I do wish the potatoes had some crunch to them, although they are soft in the middle. The cheese was melted into the eggs and not greasy at all. The ham was slightly above average but not a star.
Salsa was provided and the person who helped was very nice when I requested more. Maybe this was because it’s such a one-dimensional sauce that not too many ask for more. These would be sufficient on a taco but they have no place on eggs. The haberno is hot, I will give it that, but it lacks acidity, and sweetness. Tapatio is a way better option.
Final Score: 9.0/10
Verdict: Would buy it again but I wouldn’t say it is the best.
And the winner is…
Don Lalo’s Mexican Food. And it was hard to decide in comparison to Lalo’s Fast Food. But their salsa, customer service, and price point is what sets them above the rest. You can easily eat half of one of their burritos and save the other half for lunch… its that big.
Do you agree? Join in on the conversation by leaving a reply below, and let’s see what the VC Social community thinks is the best breakfast burrito in town!
There are five movie theaters within 10 miles of Ventura College, but if you’re heading out to see the latest in cinema, the Cinemark Century Ventura, Downtown 10 Theater is hands down, two thumbs up.
The walls leading to the doors are adorned with posters of current and upcoming films with their release dates and lead characters prominently displayed.
Playing now; Poor Things, One Love, and Madame Web
At the front of the building is the classic box office jutting out between the entrance and exit doors. The walls leading to the doors are adorned with posters of current and upcoming films with their release dates and lead characters prominently displayed. Each window of the box office is affixed with a little silver speaker module. It makes you believe you must raise your voice for the person on the other side to understand what you’re saying. Above the office box windows are today’s movie titles and times to choose from, flashing across a screen in red and yellow LED dots that make up the letters and numbers like a 90’s Lite Brite. Inside, the carpet is always a colorful bold, large, print of dark colors. The air is flavored with delicious smells of butter, popcorn, pizza, and hotdogs. You can hear ice clanging into plastic cups, and the click-shh-click, followed by the tiny sound of little bubbles popping from the sugary liquids being dispensed at the colorfully branded soda machines, and the voices of other movie patrons choosing bucket sizes and resolving the amount of butter adequate for them. An employee waits with a scanner to check your tickets and direct you to your theater.
Above the office box windows are today’s movie titles and times to choose from, flashing across a screen in red and yellow LED dots that make up the letters and numbers like a 90’s Lite Brite.
Cinemark Century Ventura Downtown 10 Theater
While everything of the entrance and lobby are still classic the amenities and offerings at this theater put it at the top for locale cinematic entertainment. It is the happy medium of nostalgic experience and new age technology. If you’re the plan-ahead type, or someone who is always just about to be late; you can use the convenient app to order your snacks ahead and grab them on your run down the corridor, Home Alone airport scene style. If you want coffee or adult libations, they have a Starbucks slash bar with its own hours of operation. Popcorn comes in four sizes, five if you count the Kid Pack. For the true popcorn lover and secret menu connoisseurs, there is the unadvertised Pack a Pop which is like a small trash bag in size. The fountain drinks and Icee are self-serve, with a variety of grab and go options of candy and hot items like nachos and hotdogs. Pretzel bites, personal sized pizzas, mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders, and churro bites can all be ordered and are served hot. If you’re looking for a souvenir to commemorate the experience the Downtown Century 10 Theater always has the latest in limited edition popcorn buckets, and cups.
If you’re looking for a souvenir to commemorate the experience the Downtown Century 10 Theater always has the latest in limited edition popcorn buckets, and cups.
Cool popcorn Bucket to commemorate the upcoming Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Movie Release Date March 22, 2024
Once you’ve been dazzled by the atmosphere and ambiance, gather all your goodies and head to your auditorium for the piéce de résistance that sets the Century 10 Theater apart from everything around. All ten of its auditoriums are furnished with Luxury Loungers. Oversized, pillowy, chairs that recline and footrests that literally kick up your feet for ultimate movie watching comfort. Without stadium style seating there is no chance of someone’s head blocking the screen or a child kicking your seat from behind.
Ventura College Women’s Basketball team’s loss Friday night to Allan Hancock was a devastating, but spectacular battle of their regular season finale. The outcome of this game (final score 56-42) won’t overshadow their present and future accomplishments; as they gain experience in sailing turbulent waters together as a team. Tiernan Phillips jetted 12 points, Sam McKenzie 7, Elena Ferrara 4, Alexis Howery 7, Alexa Coubal 7.
The Pirates are coached by Ventura College’s best women’s basketball head coach: Ned Mircetic. As an inductee of the Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame, he is very humble and happy to share his chests full of priceless treasures: invaluable wisdom that has helped past and present players achieve their best in all aspects of their lives. In addition to his way of life philosophy of “basic fundamentals through team play to play hard,” he mentioned his focus is for his players to grind at life, and be at their best as they develop into adulthood. His passion to aid in their intellectual development individually and as a team has encouraged his current players to want to be better. According to Leslie Salazar, he expects them to show up early, be the smartest one, and work hard. Additionally, Alexa Coubal also praised his intelligence and ability to be a great teacher, something many coaches lack.
It is also worth mentioning the pirates exquisitely demonstrated their philosophy “We Play Hard” both individually and collectively as a team. Before the game began, the pirates displayed an unifying force when they honored our flag during the national anthem. It was followed by the women’s basketball team honoring their 3 sophomores: Dani Henley, Alexis Howery, Tiernan Phillps, in a touching ceremony in which they received flowers, and in turn they took them to their families, who were in attendance and ready to cheer them on.
Of course, defeating Allan Hancock would have meant everything to the Pirates, but let’s not forget they had a great season winning 9 out of 12 games. Friday’s defeat does not diminish their chance to be victorious (once again), since there’s another opportunity for our women’s team extend their playoff run this Saturday night against Moorpark College. Be certain coach Ned expects the Ventura College Women’s Basketball team to show up on Saturday, live life, and play with a high degree of intelligence.
VC Social 