Note: Though we’ve printed quarterly issues since 1999, we’ve digitized from the current issue back to Spring 2008. Older issues have not been digitized for display on our site.
Life at the Old Trout Farm
Cover Story — Home to all manner of creativity, the Santa Ynez Valley fosters a full measure of sculptors, painters, potters and thespians. The region’s sunny fields and supportive community seem to attract talented people, including one imaginative woman for whom life itself presents an ideal canvas. A petite powerhouse with quicksilver wit, Karen Langley… Continue Reading
Kaylin’s California Tease
Business Profile — (photos by Connie Cody) My mom is taken, but my aunt is hot and single,” reads an infant T-shirt at Kaylin’s Gift Boutique. Others are emblazoned with the words “Boob Man” and “Milk Junkie.” Those fun shirts represent an interesting collaboration between Tom and Joanie Trebbow, the husband-and-wife retail team who own… Continue Reading
Growing Hay in Wine Country
An uncommon and hard-working breed, independent farmers face storms, drought, rocks, plant pests and equipment failure with dogged determination and endless patience. Most rise at dawn, toil seven days a week in all kinds of weather and rarely enjoy anything resembling a vacation. For 22 years, Randy Jacobsen has been farming hay in the Santa… Continue Reading
Strong Roots Grow Deep
—Gary and Barbara Waer left city life and the corporate world behind for the Valley. While some people fit snugly into the corporate world, others chafe under its regimented style and endless committee meetings. The culture of conformity stifles their creativity. And yet sometimes in reaction, a giant leap of faith into a life rich… Continue Reading
Creating Unique Water Environments
Business Profile — To some people, a swimming pool is little more than a hole in the ground lined with concrete and filled with water. For Allen Cooper, however, a swimming pool is a work of art—or should be. Cooper is the owner of Pintado Pools, and for the last six years he has been… Continue Reading
Jay Conner
Business Profile — You might say that sparks flew when Jay Conner first visited the Santa Ynez Valley. A former senior engineer and project manager for Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Conner spent 12 years doing project management and design in residential areas in the Valley. Retired after 42 years of service with the utility… Continue Reading
From Figueroa Mountain
Red-winged blackbird— Many people in the Santa Ynez Valley notice the different birds that come during the winter months and leave in the late spring for the northern regions. One of these species of special interest to me is the Red-winged Blackbird. For years I have seen them on the Chamberlin Ranch, but for the… Continue Reading
Davey Brown
Those familiar with our local backcountry know the Davy Brown name from the creek, trail and campground named for him in Sunset Valley. But few know the fascinating story of the man who inspired these place names or that Brown chose to live in the remote backcountry in his 70s and stayed on until poor… Continue Reading
The Valley’s Own DRX9000 Great! What Is It?
This is the story of how the DRX9000 made its way to the Santa Ynez Valley. No, the DRX9000 is not a fancy sports car or something from Star Trek. It is a non-surgical, spinal decompression system that helps people alleviate painful, debilitating back, neck, and leg problems without going “under the knife.” Dr. Mario… Continue Reading
From Figueroa Mountain; The Monarch Butterfly
In late March, the monarch butterflies hibernating all winter in Mexico, Southern California and the Central Coast begin to migrate north. In order to complete this treacherous migration and complete their life cycle, the monarch butterflies must locate milkweed to feed on and lay their eggs. In my observations, the monarchs seem to go back… Continue Reading