Life + Culture

Operation Blankets of Love

Teaching Kindness Through the Humane Education Learning Program Article by Alicia Doyle | Photography by Provided Eighteen years ago, Eileen Smulson visited a local animal shelter on a cold, rainy day and witnessed something that would change her life: puppies shivering on hard cement floors with no blankets to comfort them. “In about one month, I collected a few hundred items. And I thought, ‘wow this is my calling,’ and I made it into a nonprofit,” says Eileen, founder and CEO of...

Education

Dogs, Children and Summer Safety  

Ensuring a Safe Environment for All Article by Bailee Gates | Photography by Provided Summer is here, and that means kids are out and about doing kid things, like running, swimming, playing, screaming and making loud noises. So, what does this have to do with dogs? It’s easy to overlook how these activities may affect the family dog or other dogs around us. Dogs can view kids’ rambunctious behavior as prey-like and over stimulating, as it simulates prey behavior, which dogs may be interested...

Life + Culture

Bella’s Bakes

Lighting Up Lives With Custom Cakes Article by Tracy Marcynzsyn | Photography by Provided Mixing creativity, compassion and initiative, local teen Isabella Gertz concocted a recipe to serve up joy to families in need. After visiting a local food bank, the 16-year-old Agoura High School junior had a lightbulb moment that sparked her into action. “I realized that while families often receive basic necessities, birthdays and celebrations are frequently overlooked,” shares Isabella. Inspired to...

Education

Pacifica High School’s John Beck

Honored as 2026 Ventura County Teacher of the Year Article by Tracy Marcynzsyn | Photography by Provided Pacifica High School English teacher John Beck learned that he was chosen as Teacher of the Year during a surprise visit to his classroom. Beck’s family members joined representatives from the Ventura County Office of Education and Oxnard Union High School District to congratulate him. “We are incredibly proud to honor John Beck as the 2026 Ventura County Teacher of the Year,” said...