Fitness

Father's Day Gift Guide

Shop local for the guy who already has it all Article by Samantha Durbin | Photography by Provided You're not alone if you find it hard to shop for the dads in your life. But we live in a mecca of cool, coastal style and endless adventures. If he's a surfer, he could always add to his quiver. If he cooks, he needs a new tool. If he walks, he needs new shoes. But seriously, he deserves a special day to be recognized as your rock. We're deeply impressed with the craftsmanship of Grand Central...

May 2025

Arts + Culture

Rising From Ruins

Revisiting Santa Barbara’s Big One 100 years later Article by Tracy Marcynzsyn | Photography by Provided At 6:42 a.m. on June 29, 1925, the city of Santa Barbara shook for 18 seconds as a 6.3 magnitude earthquake rocked the town, claiming 11 lives and forever transforming the landscape of the downtown area. One hundred years ago, “The twin towers of Mission Santa Barbara collapsed, and 85% of the commercial buildings downtown were destroyed or badly damaged. A failed dam in the foothills...

May 2025

Arts + Culture

Sketchbook #28

The scribbled thoughts and emotions of artist Peter Horjus Article by Samantha Durbin | Photography by Colette Cosentino Horjus, Alex Noble, Trinity Wheeler “I was the kid who drew the covers for programs in grade school and the cartoonist for our high school paper. Innately, and through early learning, I owe to my dad firstly, respectfully, and gratefully.” ~PH The Horjus artistic gene is a strong one. Peter Horjus was raised by an artist father who encouraged him to draw wherever possible...

May 2025

Arts + Culture

On Fatherhood

Local dads reflect, relate, and revel in it Article by Samantha Durbin | Photography by Provided, Char Beck, Josh Gruetzmacher Charles Hopper CEO of Santa Barbara Zoo What animal would you want to be and why? “The Giant Pacific Octopus (GPO) is a curious, adaptable, and smart cephalopod. With three hearts and the ability to sense the world through hundreds of independent sensors constantly processing information across eight arms, the GPO can juggle several tasks independently, exactly...

May 2025

Arts + Culture

Tidy Seas

A nonprofit keeping our oceans, beaches, and streets debris-free Article by Meaghan Clark Tiernan | Photography by Nathan Cannon “Being dirty never really bothered me,” Ryan Wong says.  The Santa Barbara native grew up going to the ocean often—diving, fishing, or surfing. He’s also a motorcycle mechanic and service manager. Needless to say, he’s never been afraid of getting messy. But on a trip back from Catalina Island when he and his neighborhood buddy Ryan Hughes noticed a boat dumping...

May 2025

Arts + Culture

Local Legacy

Pete Jordano of Jordano's Foodservice makes things better Article by Samantha Durbin | Photography by Emily Merrill "If business or life gets tough, you need to be prepared for change." ~Pete Jordano When people describe the former CEO of Jordano's Foodservice, Pete Jordano, the simple yet powerful adjective "kind" is often said. Given his reputation as a wise and thoughtful leader of the leading independent foodservice distributor in Central and Southern California, we want to pay tribute to...

May 2025

Arts + Culture

Groundbreaking

Victoria Strong is a fighter Article by Meaghan Clark Tiernan | Photography by Emily Merrill Since 2008, when her oldest daughter was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) at six months, Victoria Strong fought to keep Gwendolyn safe, alive, and happy.  “There was such a fight for everything—every dollar, every insurance [claim], even just going to the hospital,” she says; so much that she had to be “10 steps ahead just to get through the day.”  That fight manifested itself into...

April 2025

Arts + Culture

Mother's Day Gift Guide

Treat your shero to these local treats Article by Samantha Durbin | Photography by Provided She wears many hats, and sometimes, she's too busy to buy her own hat. And in this town, you can't have too many hats. Know this: Mother's Day is her second birthday, and she gets to celebrate however and with whoever she wants. In case she doesn't say what she wants, here are some ideas inspired by the hometown she knows and loves. Cheers to the mothers who make daily magic happen. This mother of...

April 2025

Life + Culture

Pouring Passion

Chiara Shannon blends wisdom with wine Article by Tracy Marcynzsyn | Photography by Emily Merrill Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? —Mary Oliver   Wine expert Chiara Shannon’s choice of Mary Oliver’s question speaks volumes about her outlook on life and work. Pouring her passion for wine into creating a meaningful career in which she can share her knowledge to inspire and educate others, Chiara discovered her inner oenophile more than 20 years ago. ...

April 2025

Wellness

Moving Through Menopause

Article by Laura Abrignani, RN, NP, MSN, MSCP | Photography by Marra Creative Studio In some cultures, women are celebrated for their resilience and revered and respected as they enter menopause.  In Chinese culture, menopause is known as the “Second Spring.” It represents a renewal of energy, shifting from the reproductive phase to a time for nourishing and conserving the self. Women are beautifully celebrated for their gifts of wisdom, innate confidence, and life experience.   In the US...

April 2025