Fitness

Making a Spalsh

SYV Community Aquatics Foundation turning a dream into a landmark. Article by Sara DeMarcus | Photography by Matt DeMarcus Some childhood lessons stay with us forever. Riding a bike. Looking both ways before crossing the street. Learning how to tie a shoe. For many families, swimming belongs on that list. It's more than a recreational activity or summer pastime. It's a life skill. One that builds confidence, encourages healthy habits, and, perhaps most importantly, helps keep children safe...

Wellness

Beyond the Supply List

The Back-to-School Checklist designed to help local families prepare for a successful school year. Article by Matt DeMarcus | Photography by N/A Every parent has forgotten something. A permission slip. A sports physical. A school picture order form. Those mistakes are usually easy to fix. The oversights that create the biggest headaches during the school year are often the ones families never realize they're making: routines that aren't in place, risks that haven't been reviewed, and plans...

Arts + Culture

Four Legs, Full Hearts

Pets, families, and the love that needs no explanation. Article by Lena Ibarra | Photography by Lena Britt Photography Some bonds don't need an introduction. They simply exist, and they exist unconditionally. In the way a dog curls at the feet of a sleeping newborn, in the way a child reaches up without looking to find a familiar paw, in the way a whole family leans together for a photo, and someone in the frame has four legs and absolutely no idea they're stealing the shot. I've spent more...

Food + Beverage

Maturation Cycle of Grapes

The maturation cycle of grapes begins with dormancy after harvest is completed during the Fall, and it ends with the harvest of the grapes in late Summer or early Fall of the subsequent year.Dormancy is a period of time which occurs when the grapes have been harvested and the vine senesces or begins to go dormant for the Winter as it prepares itself for the upcoming growing season. It is also that period of time wherein the pruning of the grapevine occurs which will trim much of the previous...

Food + Beverage

AFTERNOON detour

How Sanger Family of Wines is approaching the tasting room experience differently. Article by Matt DeMarcus | Photography by Kathy DeNinno Photography Some of the best afternoons start with a cancellation. Plans fall through, the day opens unexpectedly, and suddenly there’s nowhere to be until dinner. That kind of freedom, unscheduled, unhurried, and slightly unfamiliar, is rarer than it should be, and the instinct is usually to fill it with something productive. The better instinct is to do...

Arts + Culture

Proper Food

Why Luca Crestanelli believes good meals should fit naturally into everyday life. Article by Grace Galloway | Photography by Talia Burkett Helvey|Sister B Studios There are restaurants people visit once for a nice meal, and then there are restaurants people slowly build their lives around. The difference usually has less to do with glamour than familiarity. It’s the feeling of walking into a place and immediately relaxing. It’s knowing your kids are welcome. It’s celebrating birthdays one...

Food + Beverage

Talk Peachy to Me

Eat Happy Kitchen's founder Anna Vocino on farm stands, stone fruit, and effortless summer cooking. Article by Sara DeMarcus | Photography by Provided The best meals usually have a few things in common: locally grown food, people you genuinely enjoy being around, and nowhere to be but where you are. We're fortunate to live somewhere where true farm-to-table living is part of everyday life, not just a restaurant concept. Fresh produce is never too far away, world-class local wine is always...

Health + Wellness

Is Direct Primary Care Worth It?

Is Direct Primary Care Worth It?by Eternity Health PartnersWritten on April 13, 2026Direct primary care (DPC) is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to traditional healthcare, especially for individuals looking for more personalized attention, easier access to doctors, and predictable costs.But one of the most common questions people ask is:Is direct primary care worth it?For many patients, the answer is yes, especially if you value longer appointments, better communication with your...

Professional Services

[mis]Judgement Calls

Practicing Law in a Community Where Everyone Knows Your Name Article by Matt DeMarcus | Photography by Amber Dolyak Conversations carry easily over morning coffee; familiar faces, familiar names, a steady rhythm to daily life. In the Santa Ynez Valley, it doesn’t take long to feel connected. People know each other here, often in ways that go back years. Which means when something unexpected happens, whether it’s a moment that didn’t go as planned or a situation that unfolds quickly, it rarely...

Home + Design

Heavy Work

Behind every finished piece is scale, machinery, and the effort it takes to move and shape stone. Article by Grace Galloway | Photography by Matt DeMarcus | Provided The most memorable homes are often defined by what feels elemental. Materials that belong to the landscape, surfaces shaped by time, and spaces grounded in intention define them. There’s a familiar moment many recognize: coming across a remarkable boulder, weathered, sculptural, and unmistakably natural, and wondering how...