Life at La Sonrisa
[caption id="attachment_754" align="alignleft" width="228" caption="Gay and Owen Johnston built their adobe home in Happy Canyon in 1976 and named it La Sonrisa, which means smile in Spanish. "][/caption] A handsome couple celebrating 63 years of marriage, Gay and Owen Johnston have made their home in the Santa Ynez Valley for more than three decades. Bearing a friendly demeanor common among long-time locals, the pair embraces a venerable Valley ethic that celebrates both community service and respect for the land. Residing on a remote hill above Happy Canyon Road, the Johnstons make regular treks into town for mail, supplies and doctors’ appointments, yet ...
Making Wine by Hand and Heart
[caption id="attachment_729" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Mike and Brooke Carhartt at the Carhartt tasting room in Los Olivos. The couple has created a reputation in wine circles for their meticulously crafted artisanal wines made from grapes grown on a mesa above their home."][/caption] A dramatic land of rolling hills, shifting light and affable communities, the Santa Ynez Valley breeds intense loyalty in its native sons and daughters. For winemaker Mike Carhartt, who spent his formative years roping cattle and riding horseback on his family’s Alamo Pintado ranch, the place represents not just a glorious spot on the map but an entire way of ...
On the Road to Dakar
COVER STORY Life as an international motorcycle racer. [caption id="attachment_565" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Quinn Cody, of Santa Ynez, waits for the start of Erzberg Rodeo held on Austria’s Iron Mountain. The famed Erzberg Rodeo, an extreme enduro race, is billed as “man and machine against the mountain.” Quinn Cody traveled to Austria to join some 1500 of the best Enduro riders from 26 nations who came to conquer the mountain in 2008. Only 35 riders succeeded. "][/caption] Whether riding a motorcycle or cranking the pedals of a mountain bike, Quinn Cody prefers his forward motion at a high rate of speed. Tall and ...
Children of the Dirt
[caption id="attachment_524" align="alignleft" width="342" caption="Two-and-a-half-year-old Savana Guglielmo with the family boxer, Trixie."][/caption] Determined and confident, Alicia and P.J. Guglielmo have seized self-employment firmly by the handlebars and started three new businesses in the last six years. Though one of their enterprises has since closed, the other two promise to serve the young couple, their Santa Ynez Valley clients and maybe even the world for many years to come. The Guglielmos approach every project with boundless energy, whether repurposing a catalog store to house motorcycle gear and a mechanics’ bay or designing a swimsuit display for their day spa. When brought to bear ...
Settled In Solvang
[caption id="attachment_423" align="alignleft" width="210" caption="Susy & Bent Olsen"][/caption] The Danes who founded Solvang in 1910 reshaped the landscape with their architecture and social institutions. While their windmills and quaint shops continue to draw visitors and serve residents nearly a century later, it’s not only the cityscape that commands passionate allegiance, but the town’s pastries, those irresistible confections that perfume the air with cinnamon, spice and fresh baked goodness. Since 1970, Bent and Susy Olsen, owners of Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery, have contributed to that ambient aroma, turning out kringles, cakes, cookies and breads from recipes perfected by Bent’s great-grandfather. ...
Louis Lucas & Royce Lewellen-Wine
[caption id="attachment_101" align="alignleft" width="261" caption="Louis Lucas and Royce Lewellen at the annual Santa Barbara Vintner’s Foundation wine auction, a charity fund-raising event held at the Bacara."][/caption] Thirty-odd years ago, the Santa Maria Wine and Food Society welcomed new member Louis Lucas, a grape grower who was about to jump-start Santa Barbara County’s viticultural scene. Over a meal and several glasses of wine, Lucas chatted with Royce Lewellen, a Solvang judge with a penchant for community service, and the pair launched what would prove to be an enduring friendship. In the early 1970s, Santa Barbara County was celebrated more for its university and surf ...
From Solvang to Beijing
[caption id="attachment_83" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers representing the United States of America receive gold medals in Men’s Beach Volleyball at the 2008 Olympics. Silver and bronze medals went to the Brazilian teams."][/caption] It’s no surprise that the physical beauty of the Santa Ynez Valley attracts celebrities looking to escape the limelight. They often find the accoutrerments of fame and fortune—superficiality, social hierarchy, snobbery—are surprisingly absent here, as if the Valley enfolds residents so protectively they are free to be themselves. If they gain local recognition, it’s normally from local achievements. When professional volleyball player Todd Rogers moved to Solvang six ...
Creation Station
[caption id="attachment_123" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Dawn and Patrick Farrier started Creation Station Fabric & Quilt Shop as a home-based business in 1999 and parlayed their success into a Buellton shop and retreat center in 2001. Their business continues to attract hoards of loyal customers from throughout the country. "][/caption] After successful careers in the medical field, Patrick and Dawn Farrier took the unlikely step of filling a converted, '70s-era bowling alley in Buellton with an array of goodies for people who love to sew. Initially driven by a simple desire to make new friends, they launched a creative revolution that reaches well beyond ...
Chef Maili Halme Brocke
[caption id="attachment_75" align="alignleft" width="202" caption="Chef Maili Halme Brocke, who grew up in Ballard, worked in fine dining across the country—including Roy Yamaguchi’s Roy’s in Hawaii and the Bacara—before she opened her own local catering and events business."][/caption] From the one-room schoolhouse in Ballard to the patios and parlors of Montecito’s glitterati, Maili Halme Brocke has traveled a winding road of hard work and well-deserved opportunities. Today, she channels her culinary talents into a prosperous catering business, while deftly cultivating her children’s well-being and future success through the simple magic of home-schooling. “My oldest daughter, Melissa, is dyslexic,” Brocke explains, “and at school ...
Winter 2009-2010
ONE
In keeping with their philosophy of recycling whenever possible, sisters Maria Bellefeuille,...
Reading Meters by Stealth
Buellton city employee John Sanchez on board the Trikke Tribred Pon-E glides silently...
Life at Atterdag
Norman Skau lived at Atterdag College as a child and is now the food service director...
Gigi’s Flying Dog Ranch
Gigi Gustelius high-fives with Bentley after a great run on the agility course at...
From Figueroa Mountain – The Grey Fox
Though the reddish tinge in a grey fox coat resembles the local red fox, it’s easy...
Read More Posts From Winter 2009-2010
Autumn 2009
Making Wine by Hand and Heart
Mike and Brooke Carhartt at the Carhartt tasting room in Los Olivos. The couple has...
Atterdag Village Serendipity Shoppe
Karen admires a drawing from an art collection by Ilona Rymer recently donated to...
Santa Ynez Paint
Vicki and Mike Kappmeyer are surrounded by (left to right) granddaughter Kayla, 11,...
PETROS “California-Hellenic Cuisine” in Los Olivos
Petros Benekos invites diners to explore the glories of Greek cuisine. The Santa...
PAWS Park Unleashed!
Five of the seven board members of the non-profit PAWS Parks of Santa Ynez Valley...
Read More Posts From Autumn 2009
Featured
Life at La Sonrisa
Gay and Owen Johnston built their adobe home in Happy Canyon in 1976 and named it La Sonrisa, which means smile in Spanish. A handsome couple celebrating 63 years of marriage, Gay and Owen Johnston have made their home in the Santa Ynez Valley for more than three decades. Bearing a friendly demeanor common among long-time locals, the pair embraces... [Continue Reading this Article]
Making Wine by Hand and Heart
Mike and Brooke Carhartt at the Carhartt tasting room in Los Olivos. The couple has created a reputation in wine circles for their meticulously crafted artisanal wines made from grapes grown on a mesa above their home. A dramatic land of rolling hills, shifting light and affable communities, the Santa Ynez Valley breeds intense loyalty in its native... [Continue Reading this Article]
On the Road to Dakar
COVER STORY Life as an international motorcycle racer. Quinn Cody, of Santa Ynez, waits for the start of Erzberg Rodeo held on Austria’s Iron Mountain. The famed Erzberg Rodeo, an extreme enduro race, is billed as “man and machine against the mountain.” Quinn Cody traveled to Austria to join some 1500 of the best Enduro riders from 26 nations... [Continue Reading this Article]
Children of the Dirt
Two-and-a-half-year-old Savana Guglielmo with the family boxer, Trixie. Determined and confident, Alicia and P.J. Guglielmo have seized self-employment firmly by the handlebars and started three new businesses in the last six years. Though one of their enterprises has since closed, the other two promise to serve the young couple, their Santa Ynez Valley... [Continue Reading this Article]
Settled In Solvang
Susy & Bent Olsen The Danes who founded Solvang in 1910 reshaped the landscape with their architecture and social institutions. While their windmills and quaint shops continue to draw visitors and serve residents nearly a century later, it’s not only the cityscape that commands passionate allegiance, but the town’s pastries, those irresistible... [Continue Reading this Article]
Louis Lucas & Royce Lewellen-Wine
Louis Lucas and Royce Lewellen at the annual Santa Barbara Vintner’s Foundation wine auction, a charity fund-raising event held at the Bacara. Thirty-odd years ago, the Santa Maria Wine and Food Society welcomed new member Louis Lucas, a grape grower who was about to jump-start Santa Barbara County’s viticultural scene. Over a meal and several... [Continue Reading this Article]
Read More Posts From Featured
Advertisement
