VENEZUELA STRONG
Over the summer, 15-year-old Liam Halback, a Carlsbad resident and sophomore at Pacific Ridge School, launched Venezuela Strong to raise awareness and funds for people affected by twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24. Halback also had family members living in Venezuela who were affected by the earthquakes as well. To support his cause, purchase a trucker hat with the “Venezuela Strong” logo at venezuelastrong.com.
WORLD RECORD
According to the North Coast Vettes Corvette Club, Carlsbad resident Bill Hatch holds the world record for “Longest Ownership of a Vehicle from New.” He purchased his 1957 Corvette 69 years ago on Aug. 12, 1957. The club hosted a party to celebrate the new record and document all of the necessary facts to help support its application for the Guinness World Records.
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Michelle Risling is the new artistic director for the San Diego North Coast Singers, a collection of three youth choirs serving K-12 grades and a select women’s chamber chorus. Risling grew up as a member of the youth choirs, which inspired her to pursue music professionally. According to the organization, as a conductor, Risling creates a thematic, well-thought-out repertoire that spans different cultures.
GEOSPATIAL INTELLIGENCE
Christa Farmer of San Diego, a geospatial intelligence student at Delta State University in Mississippi, explored emerging technologies and connected with industry professionals during the 2026 Esri User Conference in San Diego last month. The conference brought more than 18,000 attendees from over 100 countries to examine how geographic information systems and location intelligence are being used in government, business, defense, conservation and emergency response.
FALL SPRUCE UP
The San Diego chapter of The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is inviting homeowners and renters to schedule an hour-long consultation with a professional interior designer in return for a $125 donation to ASID as part of its Fall Spruce Up program. The donation supports the local chapter’s educational programs. Clients may register online until Sept. 7, and consultations will be held in late September and October. To register, visit 2026 Fall Spruce Up – One Hour Professional Design Consultation (Coast).
