Page 10 - Sanger Herald 5-9-19 E-edition

Lifestyles
SANGER HERALD • 2B • THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2019
Mother of the Year hugs her mother when she learns of the Sanger honor
Sanger
By Mike Nemeth
Sanger Herald
Karen Pearson wasn’t exactly prepared for the news.
Tammy Wolfe, president and chief executive of the Sanger District Chamber of Commerce, put the word out to a select group of Pearson’s friends and relatives that she planned to surprise her administrator with news that she had been named the chamber’s Mother of the Year. Pearson will be honored along with various others at the Sanger Chamber Annual Awards Banquet on May 17 at the Sanger Community Center.
“My mother always told me to never leave the house without your lipstick and sunglasses,” Pearson said.
Pearson remembered her lipstick, and her mom, Edith Alcorn who was there
Mike Nemeth / Sanger Herald
Karen Pearson hugs and kisses her mom, Edith Alcorn.
service to the country, her kids.”
Andrew and Rebekah Pearson nominated their mother for consideration. “She stopped working so that she could be home with us,” they wrote. “She raised us to treat people kindly and with respect. She instilled in us compassion, a good work ethic and integrity.
“She spends countless hours volunteering with the Sanger Chamber of Commerce, Sanger Faith Community Church as well as the California Air National Guard 144th Fighter Wing.”
At the 144th, Pearson organizes a support group for the families of those who are overseas or on temporary duty at another location. She serves as a liaison between service members' families and the
Air Force. David Pearson, her husband, said, “She’s the maintenance squadron Room Mom.”
Rebekah has been deployed to Australia in the Air Force. Andrew, an Air Force veteran, now works for Lockheed Martin.
Lt. Col. Cesar Gonzalez, commander of the 144th, also wrote a recommendation letter for Pearson. “In the last year and a half, we have been out eight times doing exercises across this nation and in Canada in order to prepare us for our three month deployment in Europe with the F-15C fighter aircraft,” he said. “Every time our members were away from their families, we had Karen Pearson there hosting coffee socials, bringing families together during weekends, and just keeping everyone informed
of their loved ones.”
Her husband is a fan. “She deserves it for
everything she does and everything she has done,” David said. “She truly sacrifices everything for her children.”
Toni Avila-Sanchez told Pearson that she would have to make a 10-minute presentation before the Sanger Woman’s Club.
“An interpretive dance?” Pearson asked.
“No,” Avila-Sanchez said.
Pearson has a larger than life personality. She moved to Sanger in 1977, attended its schools and graduated from Sanger High. She has been married to David for 25 years. She met him at a church youth group.
“I’m so nervous, I’m shaking,” Pearson said. “OK. Can we get back to work now?”
for the announcement, gave a slight nod. Photos were part of the surprise, and Pearson made sure she looked presentable.
Char Jones, who Pearson described as her “bestie,” praised the selection. “I’m beyond proud of her,” Jones said. “I can’t even stand it.
She’s amazing. She gives and gives and gives some more.”
Wolfe said the selections this year were made by an independent panel that used a standardized rubric to judge nominations. “Karen rose to the top,” she said. “Her parenting, skills, her
Ventura Stars Circus opens in Parlier tonight
By Mike Nemeth
Sanger Herald
During the day, Ayelen Ventura studied mathematics, working to pass the year-end exam that would allow her to complete eighth grade.
Like her little sister Didi, she’s home schooled.
But come 7:30 p.m., Ventura takes on an entirely different role, one she has trained for most of her life. She’s an aerialist with the Ventura Stars Circus, a family-run operation featuring performers with serious credentials within the industry.
“I’m a sixth-generation performer,” Ventura said one afternoon last week outside the travel trailer she shares with her family. “It feels different than everybody else. But it’s fun. It’s unique.”
Ventura Stars Circus set up its big top, red-and- white striped tent at the corner of Seventh and L streets in Sanger and began performing nightly on April 25. The show continued until May 6. Joining Ventura in the center ring was juggler Josue Rodriguez; Gustavo with his act of very talented and fashion conscious miniature poodles; Gerson Vasquez, “The Human Dragon,” who plays with fire; Oderel Gombo, a contortionist from Mongolia; and others. Ventura’s little sister Didi plays Pepe Grilla the clown.
Ventura Stars Circus heads to Parlier from May 9 to 13. For additional information, go to Ventura Star Circus on Facebook
Share the story of the Risen Savior
I love this time of year, especially here in our valley. Riding my V-Star 1100 Motorcycle by an orange grove with the overwhelming fragrance of blossoms is my favorite.
I thoroughly enjoy how spring comes with a burst of energy and new life. Sprouts thrust through the packed soil, and trees throb with an inner life until their buds explode in Technicolor bloom.
All nature demands expression. The
Mike Nemeth / Sanger Herald
Ayelen Ventura, left, is a sixth-generation circus performer. Josue Rodriguez, above, performs in Sanger last week.
brings it up a notch when he brings out the multiple volleyballs and the rings. But one of the best parts is when he breaks out the hats. He juggles them, spins them outward and catches them like a Frisbee. Then he does all that and puts one after another in rapid sequence on his head.
Vasquez, the Human Dragon, is a crowd favorite. “He plays with fire,” Ayelen said. “Torches. People like it. He’s won various competitions.”
Gombo, the contortionist, speaks a combination of Mongolian, English and Spanish. Ayelen said he’s teaching Didi how to do some of what he has mastered. Ayelen also learned the skill when she was younger, studying under a teacher who expected nothing but perfection.
She said Gombo is skilled. “He’ll be in the Scorpion and can lift himself into a handstand,” she said. And then she described what that looked like. The Scorpion is a yoga pose where the practitioner pulls up his legs backwards over the head. “On your chin. And his legs can touch the floor.”
Daiana Ventura said she no longer performs but has done “everything” in the circus. She danced, performed on the trapeze and even did a stint as a magician.
The reporter can be contacted by email at nemethfeatures@gmail.com or by phone at the Herald at (559) 875-2511.
of Holy Spirit-filled believers. Today we have the same message. As we have just celebrated resurrection Sunday, we are commissioned to share this message of truth to our needy world. Who will share the story with today?
Pastor Sam Estes is city advance director and facilitates the Sanger Community Task Force that meets the first and third Tuesdays every month. He can be reached at pastorsam@ communitiesinc.org.
or venturastars_circus on Instagram.
The circus was started by Ventura’s dad, Fernando Ventura, who works for Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. Ayelen Ventura said he comes a couple times a week to help operate the shows and take care of various needs. But her mom, Daiana, manages the day-to-day operations, she said.
Fernando Ventura worked for about four years in the Cirque du Soleil resident show in Tokyo, “Zed.” He currently performs for “Mystere”
resurrection of Jesus was not about springtime. There was nothing natural about it. In fact, it defied nature.
Let’s consider some of these facts: Christ was crucified on a cross. His body placed in a tomb. It disappeared. His friends and followers expected that his death was permanent, and they seemed resigned to that fact.
Grief and terror crumpled their faith.
But something happened when they entered the tomb and the angel declared, “He is risen!”
The resur-rection of
at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino, Cirque du Soleil’s longest running show.
“He grew up in the circus,” Ayelen said of her dad. “My dad does the trapeze. Flying trapeze. They do flips. My dad was also a clown. He started when he was 5. He would do trapeze as a clown (when he first started) so he would joke around.”
In the trailer next door parked on the gravel lot, Ayelen’s maternal grandfather, Ricardo Civarela, emerged and said hello. Ayelen said he also
did trapeze but now mostly helps out with running the show from the sidelines. “One time, he did it (flying trapeze) with broken fingers,” she said.
Ayelen said Ricardo met his wife, Gina, after Gina walked past his circus a number of times. They got to know each other and Gina agreed to marry him.
Ayelen said her dad’s parents met much the same way. “Both our families had the same story but certain things are different,” she said.
The families originally come from Chile and Argentina. Ayelen speaks Spanish fluently.
Ventura Stars Circus began the year, its first, performing in Pahrump, Nev. Ayelen said they plan to continue their tour throughout the rest of the year. She said her family had visited Sanger before with another circus. “It went really well so we decided to return,” she said. “We’re planning to
go all over the state of California.”
The flavor of Ventura Stars is more like seeing performers — the good ones — hit the stage for NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” They know their stuff and how to wow audiences. They’re very skilled and know how to engage even the youngest in the audience.
For instance, Didi in her Pepe Grilla act is fearless and performs with Rodriguez the juggler. He changes costumes and appears as a clown as well. His clown persona is Pepe Grillo.
Of her sister, Ayelen said, “Didi makes friends with any kids who come over.” And a day before, she was recognized in Wal-Mart and a woman gave her a gift card because she was so impressed with her act, Ayelen said.
Rodriguez has been performing his entire life. His juggling act includes the bowling pins but he
gave them peace. Later, he cooked breakfast on the seashore and challenged the disciples to share his message with the entire world.
Jesus’ resurrection encounters with the disciples brought freedom and forgiveness, issued challenges and gave courage. His work here on earth in his physical body was done. Their work of taking the message of the living Christ was just beginning.
His message has persisted in a pagan world conquered by a handful
PASTOR’S CORNER
Jesus separates Christianity from
all other religions.
It is the validation
of his life and
death. He broke
the power of sin
and death. As a historical fact,
his resurrection
can be accepted by anyone, but the power of his resurrection can only be accepted and appropriated by those who choose to respond to his call.
Jesus’ friends had personal encounters with the risen Christ that ignited their faith. First, there was
Mary Magdalene who didn’t recognize Christ until he spoke to her. Then he walked and talked with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.
When they finally realized the walking with them
Pastor Sam Estes
person
was the risen Christ, they exclaimed, “Did not our hearts burn inside us?” They couldn’t wait to tell the others.
Jesus appeared to his 11 disciples in the upper room and dissolved all their fears and doubt. He