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...

Health + Wellness

Cancer Support Community V/V/SB

Celebrating 35 Years of Compassion and Community Article by Monica Murrietta, Executive Director | Photography by Ben Malkin & Provided Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara marked its 35th anniversary with an evening of gratitude, reflection and celebration at the Westlake Yacht Club. The milestone gathering honored the donors, volunteers board members, staff and founding members whose dedication has sustained the organization’s mission for more than three decades: ensuring...

Life + Culture

Oaks Christian Community Gala

Annual Dinner Auction Gala Raises More Than $2M Photography by Ben Malkin Coming together at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village in April, the Oaks Christian community raised more than $2 million in support of the school’s mission at its annual Dinner Auction Gala. Inspired by the generosity of Oaks Christian founder Dallas Price-Van Breda’s surprise matching gift challenge—pledging to match up to $1 million raised through auctions, direct donations and the Moment to Give campaign—the...

Education

Little Kitchen Academy

Where Confidence Is Made From Scratch Article and Photography by Little Kitchen Academy (LKA), the premier Montessori-inspired cooking academy for children and teens ages 3 to 18, is opening its newest flagship location at The Oaks in Summer 2026. The new academy brings Conejo Valley families something they've been quietly searching for: a trusted partner in their child's growth, where real-life skills, confidence and curiosity are built one class at a time. At first glance, it looks like a...

Life + Culture

Back to School, Back to Routine, Back to What Matters

Article by Kim Pagano There’s something about that fresh start. Store shelves are filled with backpacks and school supplies, calendars begin filling up and families everywhere start preparing for a new season of routines, responsibilities and opportunities. Whether your children are heading to kindergarten, high school or college or you’re watching grandchildren begin another year, back-to-school season has a way of reminding us just how quickly time passes. As a mom and nana, I find myself...

Life + Culture

Dog Days Promote Youth Literacy

Article by Alicia Doyle | Photography by Provided Therapy dogs are becoming a welcome—and increasingly familiar—presence in educational spaces, offering comfort, confidence and a calm environment for students navigating academic pressures. One local volunteer is helping bring that sense of ease to children through a unique reading program that pairs young readers with attentive, nonjudgmental listeners. A Calm Presence in a Busy World Mindy Levine, a longtime resident of the Bridle Path...

Education

A+ Schools

Educational Options for All Learners Article and Photography by Educational opportunities for students in preschool through college abound in the Conejo Valley. Top-quality academics, extracurricular activities and innovative programs build strong foundations that support students’ growth and learning for a lifetime. The following schools represent some of the best educational institutions around. Carden Conejo School 106 W Janss Road Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 CardenConejo.com ...