Midland

Geologist and teacher Laurie Munger, left, explains the local geological formations to her class with the aid of a Thomas Dibblee map. Students from left, Nico Palleroni, Libang Shi, Zhiyuan Huang and Heather Waldroup.

Founder Paul Squibb instituted a “needs not wants” policy in 1932 and the phrase became a core philosophy for the school, proving its worth to generations of students. Natural wonderland. Working ranch. College preparatory school. Rarely mentioned in a single sentence, much less united in a dynamic enterprise, these terms accurately describe a venerable institution [...]

House of Treasures

House of Treasures is run by a group of some 50 dedicated volunteers. Pictured are eight who gathered at House of Treasures to sort donated items and arrange new displays. From left back row: Helen Bundgen, Mary Brooks, Carol Sherline and Birgit Bielitzer. Front row from left: Nadine Hansen, Mimi Michael, Linda Noonan and Betty Ewing.

All proceeds support the SYV Humane Society. Every time a baby is born in the U.S., four puppies and kittens also enter the world, many of them homeless. Lost in the cities and wandering the streets, their plight moved a group of Santa Ynez Valley residents to found the Humane Society in the early 1970s. [...]

Champions: a Cause for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

“Jack,” pictured with a judge and his handler, calmly accepts his Best of Breed win at the world’s most famous dog show.

Specifically bred as companion dogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels arrived in the United States from Britain in 1952, capturing hearts with their soft brown eyes and sweet nature. Over the last 10 years, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) have posted a 400% increase in American Kennel Club (AKC) registrations and currently rate as the club’s [...]

OstrichLand USA

It’s the good life for this nine-foot-tall ostrich who roams free at OstrichLand USA’s 33-acre spread.

For an unforgettable experience with giant creatures from half a world away, look no further than OstrichLand USA, a local landmark featuring dozens of flapping, galloping and eyelash-batting emus and ostriches. Here, visitors step into a magical place where our feathered friends live 75 years, sprint 45 miles per hour, stand nine feet tall and [...]

True Addiction Clothing Boutique

Michelle Kristoffersen established her successful clothing boutique True Addiction three years ago to provide local women with reasonably priced, contemporary feminine fashion.

While some people crave adventure and others pine for a shaded hammock, a sizeable number get their kicks on freewheeling shopping sprees. Three years ago, in a moment of insight, retailer Michelle Kristoffersen tapped into the latter when she opened a boutique and called it “True Addiction.” “I was trying to come up with a [...]

The Marzullos: Cut Out for Valley Life

spring2010-img-COVER

When a happily married couple values the same things—family, life-long learning and service to others—their union strengthens the very fabric of their community. Year after year, as they share laughter and fellowship with those they meet, the world around them reflects a little more of their unwavering light. One such couple is Rick and Linda [...]

You Can Lead a Horse to Water…and You Can Make Them Cross!

Practice again and again!

Its the wet season and all of us horse enthusiasts are bound and determined to keep our saddles broken in and our horses in shape. We refuse to take time off. Which of course leads us to the age-old question that never ceases to arise, “Hmm, thats a lovely stream up ahead, I wonder if [...]