Arts + Culture

Local Author Pens Perfect 40!

An enlightening self-help guide for millennial women approaching age 40 Article by Tracy Marcynzsyn What sparked you to write this book? The idea emerged from my personal journey. Around age 37, I entered a phase where I felt discontent with myself and began journaling. I discovered that my dissatisfaction stemmed from a fear of aging, particularly the approaching milestone of turning 40. I was surprised to find a dearth of information on this specific fear. I was motivated by the...

Travel

Love at First Sail: Why Rivers Capture Traveling Hearts

Top 10 Reasons to Love a River Cruise Article by Shantha Mony | Photography by Ama Waterways Discovering new experiences brings a unique thrill that’s often just around the riverbend. Imagine finding a hidden treasure that opens up a whole new perspective on traveling—a gem called river cruising. With its up-close and personal approach, river cruising escorts you to the heart of destinations the majestic ocean liners merely wave to from afar. If an adventure is what you seek, consider...

Travel

We Loved AmaWaerways' Active River Cruises

Article by Melissa Curtin | Photography by AmaWaterways Exhausted and happy, we arrived in Melk, Austria after a 17-mile bike ride along the Danube River. Passing by charming cottages and family farms, whisking through vineyards and cobblestone villages, we admired the picture-perfect countryside of the stunning Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and region known for its natural beauty. This dreamy ride was one of the active daytrips available on board our “floating boutique hotel”...

Finance + Legal Services

Local Nonprofits Awarded $1.1 Million

Montecito Bank & Trust Gives Back at 2023 Community Dividends Event Article and Photography by Area nonprofits celebrated the holidays early last November at Montecito Bank & Trust’s annual Community Dividends awards luncheon. For the past 21 years, this special tradition boosts the impact local nonprofits make in their communities. Through its unique Community Dividends giving program, Montecito Bank & Trust has granted more than $22 million to local Santa Barbara and Ventura County...

Arts + Culture

Sugar Plum Fairy Fundraiser

Article and Photography by Pacific Festival Ballet kicked off their traditional Christmas season celebration that leads up to their wonderful annual “The Nutcracker” ballet with their Sugar Plum Fairy fundraiser event at North Ranch Country Club. Dancers of all ages and parents enjoyed seasonal treats, displays and a small performance. Pacific Festival ballet is a unique and treasured cultural gem in our Conejo Valley and Santa Rosa Valley community.  

Arts + Culture

A Love Letter to Our Community

Article by Kim Pagano In our local community, love and dedication is the invisible thread that weaves us together. From the bustling farmers' markets to the cozy neighborhood gatherings, our community shares warm connections. As we navigate our everyday life, it's the love for our community that provides a steady anchor. It's the knowing smiles exchanged at our community coffee shops and grocery stores, the laughter echoing through all the community organizations and events, and the helping...

Arts + Culture

10 Ways to Create More Love in Relationships

Article by Barton Goldsmith Expressing your love shouldn’t be reserved for special occasions like Valentine’s Day. It should be a constant in your relationship—and that means doing more than just repeating the “three little words.” Here are some tips to get you started.   1.     Use terms of endearment. Coming up with and calling your partner by an affectionate pet name will elicit a positive response, no matter what you are going to talk about. 2.     Be supportive in a crisis. When the...

Arts + Culture

Lovin' the Conejo!

To Live Here Is to Love It! Article by Tracy Marcynzsyn Conejo Valley residents count quality of life high on their list of things to love about the area. From incredible places to dine and drink, award-winning schools and beautiful open spaces to generous volunteers, arts and cultural events, there’s so much to love about the Conejo! Here, we celebrate a few favorites! Dine & Drink Wine tastings featuring selections from Malibu Coast AVA and Napa vineyards paired with live music make ...

Life + Culture

Health Is Your Wealth

Be the Best Version of Yourself Article by Kim Pagano We all know what that should mean, but with all of our knowledge many of us still don’t eat right or take enough time for ourselves. We need to put ourselves at the top of the list before our cars and even our homes. Do you plan for health and wellness maintenance? Most people make a list or a plan for everything else. Let's start this year with a list about keeping ourselves healthy if you're not already doing that. Most of us already...

Life + Culture

CASA of Ventura County Advocates for Youth

Article by Barbara Rangel At CASA of Ventura County, we passionately believe that every child impacted by abuse or neglect deserves safety, stability and the chance to flourish, alongside a caring, dedicated advocate. Established in Ventura County since 1985, our journey began within larger nonprofit entities, and in June 2011, we proudly emerged as an independent 501(c)(3) organization. CASA of Ventura County is committed to recruiting, nurturing and empowering individuals who become sworn...