Dear Fellow LWV Members:

Did you notice the change in our logo? We are now officially called the League of Women Voters of North Santa Barbara County (LWVNSBC)! While the new title feels ideal, it is also a formidable goal to serve all the various North County cities. We hope to gather momentum and members in all the communities we serve to guide us in the work this election season. Advisory Committees for Santa Maria, Guadalupe, Lompoc, and the Santa Yves Valley are being finalized to help with that. If you know influencers in your North County city, please email me here.

1st Vice President and Voter Service Director Alison Wales is working with Lucy Thoms-Harrington, President of the Lompoc-Vandenberg American Association of University Women (AAUW), to produce back-to-back candidate forums on February 1st. The Forums will focus on the Santa Barbara County Supervisor races in District 3 (Lompoc, Buellton, Solvang, and the majority of Goleta) and District 4 (Orcutt, Vandenberg Village, Los Alamos, and rural Sisquoc). The forums will take place from 6:30-8:30pm in the Lompoc City Council Chambers (100 Civic Center Plaza) and will be available on Zoom. The forums will also be recorded for Lompoc TAP TV, the LWVNSBC website and You Tube channel, and may be available on other city government TV stations.

Click here to go to the LVAAUW website to register for the Forum and send in your questions for the question bank. Not sure what county district you’re in? Click here to view a map. In person attendance is always the BEST way to participate. We hope to see LWVNSBC members in person on February 1st.

Our greatly expanded reach means increased costs and we are always grateful for your support! You can donate to LWVNSBC here. If you need tax deductibility, donate to the LWV California Education Fund here or make your check payable to LWVCEF and mail to our P.O. Box 1388, Santa Maria, CA 93456 and we will forward your donation.

Thanks, as ever, to all our dedicated Board Members who have been scurrying around for the past 18 months, bringing the League a very informative website, increasing our social media presence, tabling all over town, recruiting new members, starting local issue committees… and did I mention fund-raising?

We also like to have fun while we learn! Consider joining us at “What the Constitution Means To Me,” by Heidi Schreck, playing March 29-April 14 at the SLO Rep. The play traces the profound relationship between four generations of women and the founding document that shaped their lives. Please email your interest in attending here so we can get a group sales rate for 10+ persons and arrange carpooling. The Saturday matinee on April 6 is the target date for a group. I have seen this play and it is really entertaining!

I will end on a solemn note with notice of the passing of long-time member Russ Weed in early December. Russ and his wife, Pachy, who pre-deceased him, were active LWV members for almost 50 years and will be missed. A celebration of life will be held at the Santa Maria Country Club on Saturday, February 3rd, at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Santa Maria Salvation Army.

Carry on with your LWV support and good works.

Sincerely,



Virginia

This month begins the election cycle for the California primary on March 5th, which includes the Presidential primary and races at state and regional levels. The League of Women Voters is committed to making sure you get accurate information so you can be an informed voter. Ballots go in the mail to every registered voter on February 5th so check out Voter411 to register now or to update your name or address if it's changed.

FEBRUARY

1: Santa Barbara County District 3 and 4 Supervisors Candidate Forum. Presented by Lompoc-Vandenberg AAUW (American Association of University Women) and LWVNSBC. 6:30-8:30pm, Lompoc City Council Chambers (100 Civic Center Plaza), Zoom and TAP TV. Click here to register and suggest questions for the candidates.

Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual celebration of African-American achievement and triumph. As we reflect on the history of African Americans, we want to acknowledge the role of African-American women in the voting rights movement. From Ida B. Wells to Stacey Abrams, and many more, Black women have played a pivotal role in the advancement of voting rights and continue to use their voices to make progress today. In 1976, 40 years after President Gerald Ford's recognition of Black History Month, President Barack Obama stated, "Black History Month shouldn't be treated as though it is somehow separate from our collective American history."

Celebration Events featuring music, speeches by local elected officials, dance, and poetry are planned (Details in our February newsletter):

2/17: Santa Maria Public Library, (Lavagnino Plaza, 421 S. McClelland), 2pm.

2/18: Lompoc Public Library (Grossman Gallery, 501 E. North Ave.), 2pm.

2/24: Pioneer Park (1150 W. Foster, Santa Maria), 11am–5pm.

MARCH

Date TBD: Consider joining us at “What the Constitution Means To Me,” by Heidi Schreck, playing March 29-April 14 at the SLO Rep. The play traces the relationship between four generations of women and the founding document that shaped their lives. Please email your interest in attending here so we can get a group sales rate for 10+ persons and arrange carpooling. The Saturday matinee on April 6th is the target date for a group.

AUGUST

Date TBD: You won't want to miss "The Agitators," Mat Smart’s historical play of rebellion and revolution, personal passion and sacrifice, reverberates powerfully in our America of today. Young abolitionists, Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony, are full of dreams and seemingly common purpose when they meet in Rochester, New York, in the 1840s, forming an unexpected friendship. PCPA (800 College Dr., Santa Maria.) Click here for more information.

LWVNSBC HOLIDAY MEMBERSHIP CELEBRATION

A good time was had by all as we celebrated the Holidays with a luncheon at Trattoria Uliveto Restaurant in Old Town Orcutt. Members and friends had a choice of three pasta dishes to enjoy while catching up. Our featured guest was Marina Owen, CEO of CenCal Health, who spoke on women's health issues, one of our priority topics this year.

LWVNSBC members joining in the fun are left to right: Virginia Souza, Jennifer Dolan, Lisa Thornhill, Lawanda Lyons-Pruitt, and Sara Macdonald.

AS CEO of CenCal, Marina Owen

oversees the overall strategic direction, management, and administration of the organization. She is a UCSB alum and holds a BS degree in Biology/Biological Sciences.

The festivities concluded with a raffle with great items. joyce ellen lippman won a puzzle depicting important women who fought for our right to vote. We also asked guests to bring a toy to donate to CenCal to give away to those receiving services from the organization. Left to right: joyce ellen lippman, Pam Gates, and Sara Macdonald.

Our Voter Service and Program Committees are busy planning for the election cycle -- from voter registration tabling events to issue and candidate forums in multiple North Santa Barbara County locations to inform and educate voters like you.

Won't you join us? We have much work to do and need your help. Join or renew on our website by clicking here. You can pay online or mail your check to LWVNSBC, P.O. Box 1388, Santa Maria, CA 93456. Scholarship funds are available and dues are waived for students of any age.

Have a friend or family member you think would like to receive our monthly newsletter? Just email us here with their permission and we'll add them to our mailing list. Thanks for helping us get the word out.