Laguna Art Museum has announced the return of its signature fundraising event, the 44th Annual California Cool Art Auction, a vibrant celebration of California art, creativity and community. Featuring works by more than 100 distinguished California artists, the auction will take place February 14 through March 7 with online bidding hosted on Bidsquare and an in-person gala event at the museum.

Beginning February 14, auction works will be available to preview in person at Laguna Art Museum with paid admission, offering collectors and art lovers an opportunity to experience the breadth of contemporary California art up close. Online bidding opens the same day via Bidsquare, allowing participants from near and far to take part in this highly anticipated annual event.

The auction culminates on Saturday, March 7, at 6 P.M., when the museum transforms into a lively gathering space for artists, patrons and supporters. The evening will bring together more than 100 participating artists for an immersive celebration featuring live auction moments, exclusive artworks and special programming, all in support of Laguna Art Museum’s exhibitions and education initiatives.

“The California Cool Art Auction is a powerful reflection of the creative spirit and generosity that defines California’s art community,” said Julie Perlin Lee, Executive Director of Laguna Art Museum. “Each year, artists and supporters come together to make this event both meaningful and memorable, directly sustaining the museum’s mission and future.”

This year’s auction features an impressive lineup of distinguished California artists including giants of the art world, Fred Tomaselli, Shepard Fairey, Kim Manfredi, Jane Bauman and Ed Ruscha, among many others. Leading the live auction is acclaimed auctioneer Zack Krone, founder of California Coast Auctions. An Orange County native and longtime supporter of the museum, Krone is known for his engaging style and deep connection to the regional art community.

Registration for online bidding is open now via Bidsquare. Tickets for the exclusive March 7 live event are now available. For ticket purchases, auction details or to learn more, visit https://lagunaartmuseum.org/art-auction.

Proceeds from the California Cool Art Auction directly benefit Laguna Art Museum, made possible through the generosity of participating artists who donate their work and the supporters who champion the arts in Southern California.

Laguna Art Museum is currently seeking additional sponsors for the 44th Annual California Cool Art Auction. Sponsorship opportunities include exclusive access, early art previews and invitations to VIP events, all while supporting the museum’s mission. For sponsorship information and full event details, visit lagunaartmuseum.org. To stay connected and learn about upcoming events, follow the museum on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Event Sponsors:

John Moran Auctioneers, Nolet’s, Catering by Mix Mix

Participating Artists:

Kim Abeles, Caesar Alzate, Charles Arnoldi, Charles Arnoldi and Woods Davy, Dawn Arrowsmith, Edward Barbini, Marlo Bartels, Jane Bauman, Edith Baumann, Billy Al Bengston, Kelly Berg, Sandow Birk and Elyse Pignolet, Carole Boller, Jorin Bossen, Justin Bower, Sandra Jones Campbell, Mindy Cherri, Kevork Cholakian, Alex Couwenberg, Michael Davis, Woods Davy, Gianne de Genevraye, Einar and Jamex De La Torre, Guy Dill, Laddie John Dill, Tom Dowling, Julie Easton, David Eddington, Sam Erenberg, Ned Evans, Shepard Fairey, Vincent Farrell, Asad Faulwell, Karen Feuer-Schwager, Baldemar Fierro, Jacques Garnier, Mark Garry, Sara Genn, Eric Gerdau, Jeff Gillette, Joan Gladstone, Jimi Gleason, Nikolas Soren Goodich, Kristina Grace, Jennifer Gunlock, Chris Gwaltney, Robert A. Hansen, Kelly Hartigan Goldstein, Laurie Hassold, Fredric Hope, Georgeana Ireland, Kathy Jones, Jeremy Kidd, Justin N. Kim, Jennifer King, David Krovblit, Tom Lamb, David Michael Lee, Jason Li, Jean Lowe, Shana Mabari, Victoria MacMillan, Kim Manfredi, Liz Markus, Adam Mars, Kaydad Maseeh, Jane McCracken, Elizabeth McGhee, Ray McSavaney, Pierce Meehan, Yevgeniya Mikhailik, David Milton, Nancy Mooslin, Andy Moses, Adam Neeley, Glenn Ness, Lindsey Nobel, Elizabeth Orleans, Naida Osline, Fabia Panjanian, Soojung Park, Kenton Parker, Ruth Pastine, Anne Austin Pearce, R.T. Pece, Tony Pinto, Astrid Preston, Bret Price, Gregory Price, Ben Quinn, Robert Redding, Michael Rey, Chris Richter, Ann Marie (A.M.) Rousseau, Jeffrey Rovner, Ed Ruscha, Bradford Salamon, Jeff Sewell, Rena Small, Fred Tomaselli, Robert von Sternberg, Marnie Weber, Roger Weik, Kirsten Whalen, Patrick Wilson, William Wray, Kevin Yaun, Scott Yeskel, Peter Zokosky

WHEN:

Saturday, March 7, 2026

6 – 9 P.M.

WHERE:

Laguna Art Museum

307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

The Art Auction will be on view in all galleries on the Main Floor.

Credit: Laguna Art Museum.

 ReflectSpace at Glendale Central Library is pleased to present Dreams Gather Here, a solo exhibition by Rachel Hakimian Emenaker, on view from February 17 through April 26, 2026. The exhibition explores how the cultural memory of diasporic communities is preserved in the history of material objects. Moving across geographies that include Armenia, Lebanon, Russia, South America, and the United States, Emenaker’s work reflects on how people, objects, and gestures carry memory through time, forming the foundations of new futures and new cities.

With an American father and a Syrian Armenian mother, Emenaker’s childhood was spent in Suriname (South America) and Russia. She grew up multilingual and multicultural, immersed in Dutch, Russian, Armenian, American, and Surinamese cultures. Emenaker moved to the United States as an adult to start her university education in art.

Employing batik (wax and dye), sculpture, tile, and other media, Emenaker’s work is a meditation on diasporic architecture. Fragments, inherited gestures, and long-traveled materials converge in sculptural and installation-based works that speak directly to communities like Los Angeles, Moscow, Kessab, and Van—cities that witness, absorb, and hold countless migratory stories and dreams.

“For communities shaped by migration, grief, and rupture, dreaming can be a way of re-remembering and reimagining,” says Emenaker. “Dreams often become portable homes, a place to rest when permanence is impossible.”

Dreams Gather Here allows us that precious moment to pause and reflect on what dreams and home may mean to us.

An opening reception with the artist will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM at ReflectSpace, located inside Central Library 222 East Harvard Street Glendale, CA 91205. For more information, visit ReflectSpace.org.

About the Artist
Rachel Hakimian Emenaker is a Los Angeles-based artist working across installation, craft, sculpture, painting, sound, and textiles blending Eastern and Western art and craft traditions. She earned her MFA from UCLA. Her work has been presented in solo exhibitions at Grand Central Arts Center, Luce Gallery in Turin, UCLA Broad Art Center, Guest House in Inglewood, the American University of Armenia, and Earl and Virginia Green Gallery, as well as multiple group exhibitions in Southern California. She received the 2024 Dedalus MFA Fellowship and the 2023 UCLA Elaine Krown Klein Fine Arts Scholarship.

Exhibition Dates:

February 17 – April 26, 2026

Opening Reception:

Saturday, February 28, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Artist Talk: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 6:30 PM; more information can be found at ReflectSpace.org

Location:

ReflectSpace / Glendale Central Library

222 East Harvard Street

Glendale, CA 91205

Phone: (818) 548-2021

Credit: REFLECTSPACE

Live events bring energy and excitement that can’t be replaced by screens. Concerts, sports games, and theater shows create shared moments that people remember long after the event ends. As interest in live entertainment continues to grow, so does awareness around ticket pricing and how quickly costs can rise.

Finding ways to manage these expenses has become part of the planning process for many event-goers.

Why Ticket Savings Matter

Tickets for popular events often come with premium prices, especially for high-demand shows or last-minute plans. Looking for seatgeek promo codes allows fans to enjoy the events they love while staying mindful of their budget.

Savings help make attending live events feel more accessible rather than occasional.

Planning Ahead for Better Value

Smart event planning often starts before tickets are purchased. Comparing options, choosing the right time to buy, and checking available discounts all play a role. Using promo codes for seatgeek fits naturally into this process and adds an extra layer of confidence before checkout.

This approach supports intentional spending without reducing the experience.

Entertainment That Fits Modern Lifestyles

Modern lifestyles are busy and flexible. People often make plans around work schedules, travel, and family time. Having access to savings makes it easier to say yes to spontaneous events without worrying too much about cost.

Entertainment becomes more adaptable when expenses feel manageable.

Making the Most of Shared Experiences

Live events are often about connection, whether it’s cheering with a crowd or sharing music with friends. When ticket prices feel reasonable, the focus stays on the experience rather than the expense.

Savings help remove hesitation and encourage participation.

Turning Live Entertainment Into a Balanced Choice

Enjoying live events doesn’t have to feel expensive or stressful. With the right promo codes, ticket purchases can align better with everyday budgets. Small savings applied at the right moment help turn concerts and games into memorable experiences without unnecessary financial pressure.

Laguna Art Museum (LAM) presents LCAD MFA: Undercurrents, on view from February 13 through May 30, 2026. The exhibition features a curated selection of work by the 2026 Master of Fine Art graduates of Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD), offering a compelling glimpse into the evolving practices of emerging contemporary artists.

The artists in Undercurrents are contemporary storytellers who merge time-honored techniques with deeply personal, modern perspectives. Grounded in close observation of the physical world, their works reveal imaginative and emotional depths that extend beyond the rational and expected. Like a celebration shaped by subtle currents of serenity, joy, unity and melancholy, the exhibition presents a nuanced portrait of what it means to live, reflect and create in today’s world.

“Undercurrents reflects a thoughtful and probing moment in contemporary art practice,” said Julie Perlin Lee, Executive Director of Laguna Art Museum. “These artists demonstrate a remarkable sensitivity to both material and meaning, and we are proud to present their work at a point when their voices are taking shape and gaining momentum.”

Visitors will encounter a wide range of media and approaches, each work offering insight into the distinct artistic inquiries of LCAD’s MFA graduates. LCAD MFA: Undercurrents invites audiences to engage with the passion, curiosity and experimentation that define this new generation of artists.

For more information about, LCAD MFA: Undercurrents visit lagunaartmuseum.org. To stay connected and learn about upcoming events, follow the museum on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Credit: Laguna Art Museum

New tourism identity celebrates the authenticity and diversity of inland Southern California

 Greater Ontario California (GOCAL) announces the launch of The Inlands, a new regional identity uniting and promoting one of California’s most distinct destinations. Developed in partnership with Visit California, The Inlands is rooted in authenticity and built for travelers seeking discovery. The Inlands brings together four subregions: High Desert, Inland Mountains, West End and Southern Vineyards, each offering its own sense of place while sharing a collective energy that is unmistakably Southern California.

The initiative builds on the region’s rebranding from the Inland Empire Rural Region to The Inlands, a name that better reflects its unique character and celebrates the area’s diverse rural, agricultural and recreational experiences. From boutique wineries and mountain towns to creative hubs and wide-open desert, The Inlands captures the real Southern California locals experience every day.

“This launch is the result of years of collaboration between destinations that share one goal: to put our region on the map,” said Michael Krouse, President & CEO of Greater Ontario California (GOCAL). “The Inlands unites us under one powerful story–one that celebrates our collective identity and the authentic spirit of inland Southern California.”

“This rebrand reflects how far our region has come,” said Kelsie Woodward, Director of Marketing & Communications, GOCAL. “The Inlands marks a new chapter that embraces collaboration, celebrates our growth and invites people to see this region with fresh eyes.”

The launch marks the start of a multi-year effort to strengthen community pride and build awareness of the Inlands as a meaningful part of California’s travel story. For more information and to stay up to date on upcoming events and attractions, visit theinlands.com and follow @theinlands on Instagram.

About The Inlands

The Inlands brings together the destinations of inland Southern California, known for its natural landscapes, vineyards, dining and entertainment. Encompassing the High Desert, Inland Mountains, West End and Southern Vineyards, the region connects communities that offer countless ways to explore, unwind and enjoy. From outdoor adventures and local attractions to family-friendly events and live performances, The Inlands captures the spirit of an area filled with activity and discovery, offering a fresh way to experience California just beyond the coast. A regional initiative developed by GOCAL, The Inlands highlights the stories, landmarks and cultures that define inland Southern California.

Credit: The Inlands

Toyota Arena in Ontario is kicking off 2026 with a packed winter lineup, bringing major touring acts, live sports and family-friendly entertainment to audiences across the region. From chart-topping artists and iconic comedians to high-energy wrestling and sports spectacles, the upcoming slate features a wide range of live entertainment.

Highlights include:

Jan 16 – 17: Pendleton Whiskey Velocity Tour, a high-energy motorsports showcase featuring rising talent and legendary riders

Jan 23: Katt Williams – The Golden Age Tour, featuring all-new material following sold-out 2025 performances

Feb 11: AEW Dynamite, featuring live professional wrestling action from one of the fastest-growing promotions in the industry

Feb 20: Conjunto Primavera, Latin music concert featuring Banda Cuisillos, Los Rieleros del Norte and Montez de Durango

Feb 21: Tobymac – Hits Deep Tour, one of his largest arena tours to date

Feb 24: Harlem Globetrotters – 100 Year World Tour, celebrating a century of iconic basketball moments and fan-driven entertainment

In addition to major touring events, Toyota Arena hosts a full slate of winter sports programming, including Ontario Reign hockey and Empire Strykers arena soccer home games throughout the winter season. 

Toyota Arena in Ontario continues to draw top national tours while serving as a go-to destination for large-scale live entertainment, with the nearby ONT Field development expected to open later in 2026. For a full lineup of events and ticket information, visit toyota-arena.com/events. 

Credit: Toyota Arena.

Seniors everywhere keep an ear tuned to the hush of a living room, listening for a ringtone that never seems to break the air. The question, whispered in apartments, family homes, and retirement communities alike, takes on the weight of longing: “Why don’t they call?” Each quiet hour stretches, and the absence of familiar voices can press heavier than any ache of age. 

Yet beneath that silence lie ordinary reasons, solvable barriers, and hopeful paths back to conversation—paths that honor seniors’ need for connection and safeguard the dignity carried through decades of life experience.

The Long Quiet Between Rings

Time behaves differently for seniors than for their younger relatives. A single afternoon can feel wide as a prairie when calendars no longer revolve around deadlines or carpools. In contrast, adult children race from early commutes to late laptop glow, letting days tumble forward without a pause to dial. This mismatch creates aching gaps that seniors interpret as indifference, even when love remains unchanged. 

Studies tracking cortisol levels suggest that prolonged social silence heightens stress, disturbs sleep, and chips away at a senior’s immune resilience. Acknowledging that modern busyness—rather than diminished affection—causes most of the missed calls softens the sting and sets the stage for honest discussion.

Life’s Competing Choruses

Family roles evolve subtly over decades, and seniors often move from orchestrators to observers without clear markers. While sons and daughters once waited for household cues from parents, the grown generation eventually becomes the keeper of schedules. Seniors may hesitate to initiate calls for fear of seeming intrusive, while relatives mistakenly believe that peace and quiet serve an elder’s best interests. 

Cultural scripts further complicate matters; in some households, daily contact signals respect, while in others, stoic independence ranks as virtue. Naming these unspoken expectations gives seniors permission to state a preference—sometimes a brief check-in each morning, sometimes a leisurely weekend recap—turning vague hopes into practical habits.

Phones, Apps, and Hurdles

Contrary to stereotypes, countless seniors navigate smartphones, tablets, and video chats with enthusiasm; the true obstacle lies in constant software changes designed for younger reflexes. Icons shrink, passwords multiply, and notification menus hide behind ever-new layers. When a single tap feels risky, seniors retreat, waiting for the more confident caller to lead. 

Family members can remove such friction through simple tweaks: enlarged text, uncluttered home screens, voice-command shortcuts, and printed cue cards taped near chargers. Once technology becomes a partner rather than a puzzle, conversations flow—grandchildren share digital drawings, friends trade garden photos, and seniors replace awkward silence with laughter captured through tiny speakers.

Small Rituals, Big Results

Lasting connection seldom arrives by accident; it thrives on rituals that respect every participant’s rhythm. Seniors find relief in regularity—perhaps a Tuesday-night story swap or a Sunday-morning weather report. Brief messages sent by seniors, such as a shared memory or a snapshot of blooming hibiscus, provide gentle reminders without appearing demanding. 

Adult children, siblings, and friends can rotate call duty, code reminders into calendars, and treat those alerts as non-negotiable appointments. Community volunteer programs, intergenerational pen-pals, or neighborhood “call circles” widen the net, ensuring that even when relatives miss a slot, kind voices still reach seniors who rely on human contact for emotional balance.

Conclusion

The persistent question “Why don’t they call?” blends heartache with hope, proving that the desire for connection endures long after careers wind down and children leave home. When seniors, families, and supportive networks confront time mismatches, shifting roles, technological tangles, and the need for routine, phone lines buzz again. 

Each carefully scheduled ring does more than pass minutes; it reinforces worth, brightens perspective, and lets seniors know that their stories remain essential threads in the family fabric. In the gentle chime of a handset or the glow of a video screen, seniors hear the assurance that they are still cherished, still remembered, and never truly alone.

 Switzer Learning Center is proud to announce that its campus, located in Torrance, California, has been selected as the District 4 Outstanding Property Winner in the 2025 Torrance Commercial Beautification Awards, presented by the City of Torrance Environmental Quality and Energy Conservation Commission (TEQECC).

The award recognizes local businesses that demonstrate exceptional pride in the maintenance, appearance and environmental stewardship of their commercial properties. 

“We are honored to be recognized by the City of Torrance,” said Jeremy Deming, Executive Director of Switzer Learning Center. “Over the past year, we’ve implemented improvements that not only enhance our campus but also reflect our commitment to sustainability and creating an environment where our neurodiverse students thrive. These upgrades have been meaningful not just for our students and staff, but for the surrounding community. We’re grateful for the City’s recognition and proud to continue our commitment to Torrance after nearly six decades of service.”

Recent enhancements include:

• Replacing all campus grass with water-efficient artificial turf, reducing water use and ongoing maintenance
• Re-landscaping the cul-de-sac island in partnership with the City of Torrance, adding drought-tolerant and native plants
• Installing new perimeter fencing to support campus safety and neighborhood aesthetics
  

Deming attended the December 4 recognition ceremony, alongside Switzer’s Director of Facilities and IT, Jason Steen, where TEQECC commissioners presented honorees with certificates acknowledging their contributions to the city’s beautification and environmental quality.

About Switzer Learning Center

Switzer Learning Center is a WASC-accredited non-public school and behavioral health center in Torrance serving neurodiverse students in grades 5–12. Switzer supports students with social, emotional, behavioral and learning differences through small classes, credentialed teachers, licensed therapists, and integrated therapeutic services. For nearly 60 years, Switzer has partnered with school districts across Los Angeles County to help students build academic confidence, emotional regulation and readiness for their next step. Learn more at www.switzercenter.org.

Credit: Switzer Center.