Arts + Culture

This is Where Gratitude Begins

Article and Photography by Anna Maria Stump When the entire city of Santa Barbara is encased in fog, a gentle mist carries the sound of the fog horn from the end of the breakwater right into my living room. As I soak in the repeating hum, there are two grounding elements around this city that are always visible: The Channel Islands, our captivating front yard, and Mt. Figueroa, our majestic backyard.   In the golden light of a Santa Barbara morning, you can feel a kind of quiet thanks. The...

Food + Beverage

Happy Beginnings

Early childhood education programming and support with local nonprofit Storyteller Article by Meaghan Clark Tiernan | Photography by Provided “We are helping families rewrite their story,” says Gabriella Garcia, Executive Director of Storyteller.  The Santa Barbara nonprofit has been supporting families in need for 37 years. What started as a small, roped-off section of the Transition House parking lot is now a local institution with three campuses dedicated to providing a safe play space...

Food + Beverage

Thanksgiving Casual

Herb roasted chicken breast with farro, butternut squash + shaved brussels sprout salad Article by Mia Pasqualucci, Healthy Warrior SB | Photography by Josh Gruetzmacher Sometimes keeping Thanksgiving casual is the way to go. Skip the laborious turkey. Choose an alternative grain. Honor seasonal produce, and be generous with the goat cheese. Ingredients: Chicken breast: 1 per person, look for an organic free-range option  Farro : 1/2 cup dry per person (it will double in size once...

Arts + Culture

Kyle’s Kitchen Turns 10

A decade of great food and greater purpose Article by Collin Harmon | Photography by Provided It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since Kyle’s Kitchen first opened its doors in Santa Barbara. From day one, this spot has been about so much more than burgers and fries. It’s about community, inclusion, and celebrating the idea that everyone has something meaningful to bring to the table. "What began as a family mission has grown into a movement fueled by connection, compassion, and the...

Life + Culture

Full Hearts, Busy Farm

Article by Meaghan Clark Tiernan | Photography by Emmy Pickett “[My mother] would be over the moon if she knew where things landed after her passing,” says Leanne Schlinger McIntyre.  McIntyre owns and operates Full Moon Farms, a 20-acre property in the Santa Ynez Valley. It was her mother’s dying wish to keep the farm in the family–and McIntyre wouldn’t have it any other way.  McIntyre’s mother, Angela Slater, purchased the historic property in 1999. An avid equestrian, Slater founded Grand...

Arts + Culture

Pie Season

Article by Collin McShirley | Photography by Provided The holidays in Santa Barbara have a way of wrapping itself around you like a favorite blanket. The air turns crisp, kitchens come alive, and gatherings seem to slow down long enough for everyone to savor the flavors of the season. For me, pies have always been at the heart of that feeling. They are more than desserts. They are touchstones of tradition, both personal and shared, and they embody the warmth that makes this season so special. ...

Food + Beverage

In The Kitchen

Article by Brittany Meadth | Photography by Josh Gruetzmacher Last summer, I hosted a three-day Mommy and Child cooking class—an experience I’ll never forget. Each day built upon the last, as we explored everything from the perfect French omelet and the art of sourdough bread to table setting, roasting chicken, and creating delicious desserts. It was heartwarming to see the kids fully immersed, whisking, kneading, and learning alongside their moms. To make the final day extra special, I...

Arts + Culture

Mezcal is Life

Article by Meaghan Clark Tiernan | Photography by Tristin Tracy & Juan Pablo Barbara A third-generation maestro based in San Dionisio Ocotepec (about 90 minutes southwest of Oaxaca), Jose Manuel Mendez is more than someone who makes mezcal. Fuego Y Humo’s mezcalero is a craftsman, a true creative. His work is earnest and tough—there is no AI tool that will harvest 180 pounds of Tobala or mill by tahona. However, the traditional, artisanal way is what attracted Mendez’s mezcal to Elliott and...

Arts + Culture

Our Coffee Community

Article by Zoe Echternacht | Photography by Josh Gruetzmacher Zoe here, your resident lover of food, all things local, and owner of the Instagram @bitemesb. Originally from Santa Barbara, I've had the joy of watching the food scene expand over the years. What's been especially thrilling in the last five years is the growth of the coffee roasting community. Now we have a solid foundation of business owners passionate about bringing great coffee and good vibes to town. Here, I find out what...

Life + Culture

Fall at the Farmers Market

What’s in season and how I’m using it Article by Collin Harmon | Photography by Josh Greutzmacher There’s something about fall in Santa Barbara that's grounding—cool mornings, softer light, and the rich colors of the season starting to show up at the farmers market. The market is one of my favorite weekend rituals, and each week feels like a new celebration of what’s growing locally. This time of year, some of my favorite produce shows up: persimmons, figs, pomegranates, delicata squash, and...