AtHarborHills, innovationand personal connectiongohandinhand. Wethoughtfully incorporateAI-basedtoolstoenhanceourinvestment researchand financial planning process bringingaddeddepthand efficiency to theway we serve ourMontecitoclients.
Because while technology caninformdecisions,it’shuman understanding that gives themmeaning.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Santa Barbara!
There’s a lot of love to be felt across our eden by the beach. This month pays tribute to the local love that abounds from all corners of our community.
We meet couples that create businesses together, friends playing rugby, families ice skating, one making movies around town, and others cuddling with our feline friends.
I was in Vegas recently for the annual Amazon AWS ReInvent Conference. AI continues to be the dominate theme. Although tech can seem complicated and cold, keep in mind that it allows all of us to communicate globally at light speed.
With technology literally in the palm of our hands, we can build new relationships and stay in touch with family and friends more easily than ever before. We can see if a friend wants to play volleyball on East Beach or walk along Butterfly Beach “as soon as I can eBike down there.” So, I have a little love for tech, too.
And through my tech love, I can even watch the Grunion Rugby Football Club on YouTube from anywhere in the world. Established in 1978, Grunion RFC is what SB love is all about. A long-standing Santa Barbara tradition, I would be remiss not to mention the Mermaids RFC. Both have matches at Elings Park on Saturdays throughout the year. Please join in the RFC love by watching or learning about them in our pages.
Much love,
ANDREW SCHMOLLER, PUBLISHER
@SANTABARBARACOASTCITYLIFESTYLE
February 2026
PUBLISHER
Andrew Schmoller | andrew.schmoller@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Samantha Durbin | samantha.durbin@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Jessica Dahl | jessica.dahl@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Mim Jordano
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Sara Stevens
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Meaghan Clark Tiernan, Collin Harmon, Tanner Tait, Josh Nissan, Ally Weiss
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Tristin Tracy
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Kolich
LAYOUT DESIGNER Adam Finley
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle
1
Eric
Miller NMLS #582959 Reverse Mortgage Advisor
Phone: (805) 570-8885 emiller@mutualmortgage.com MutualReverse.com/lo/Eric-Miller 1114 State St., Ste. 320, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Whiskey ‘N Rye, the award-winning smokehouse restaurant in the Santa Ynez Valley, opened ‘Que, a modern quick-service outpost in the Santa Barbara Public Market. ‘Que will serve a signature West Coast BBQ style, which includes Whiskey ‘N Rye’s practice of smoking a variety of meats and vegetables twice daily in an indoor hickory wood chip smoker. Find Whiskey ‘N Rye fan favorites brisket, pulled pork, baby back ribs, and new dishes specific to ‘Que.
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Rosewood Miramar Beach’s Michelin Star and Green Star signature restaurant debuts its bean-to-bar chocolate program. In this new chapter of sustainability, Chef/Partner Massimo Falsini presents a unique in-house chocolate program, bringing the story of domestic Hawaiian cacao to Montecito through bars, cacao tea, and bespoke desserts featured on Caruso’s signature tasting menu.
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Waterhouse Gallery was established in 1984 in Solvang by Diane & Ralph Waterhouse. In 1989, they moved the gallery to State Street in Santa Barbara, then they were offered their current space in La Arcada Plaza. Diane & Ralph opened a second gallery in 2023, on Coast Village Road in Montecito. Both galleries represent some of the finest painters from Santa Barbara and the West.
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We have such amazing, innovative business leaders in our community who are proud to serve you, our residents, with class and quality. We’ve compiled some of our top company picks for the services that might be on your mind this month in an effort to make your lives a little easier.
PacWest Blooms pacwestblooms.com/hire-us | 805.755.2205
Floristry by Bria floristrybybria.com
Aivy Floral Studio aivyflorals.com
Hogue & Co. hoguefloral.com | 805.969.1343
Elevate Floral @elevatefloralsb | 805.696.8251
Alessia Patisserie alessiapatisserie.com | 805.679.5900
Oat Bakery oatbakery.com | 805.335.1628
Renaud’s Bakery & Bistro renaudsbistro.com | 805.687.7565
Want to suggest a monthly pick?
Jeannine’s Bakery jeannines.com | 805.687.8701
Helena Avenue Bakery helenaavenuebakery.com | 805.880.3383
ARTICLE BY COLLIN HARMON
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
LOCAL DUOS BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH CRAFT
In communities across the Coast, there are couples whose shared vision has evolved into businesses that offer comfort, creativity, and connection. Their businesses differ in style and focus, yet each reflects the harmony of two people choosing to build something meaningful together. From wellness to construction to craft beer, these pairs show how partnership can be its own kind of artistry.
“From wellness to construction to craft beer, these pairs show how partnership can be its own kind of artistry.”
At Soul Care Studio and Sauna, Nikki and Ben have created a sanctuary devoted to healing the mind, body, and spirit. Their approach blends infrared sauna sessions, salt therapy, meditation, and a salon devoted to organic, nontoxic hair care.
The studio’s atmosphere is shaped by how their strengths complement one another. Nikki offers deep knowledge of clean products and an intuitive understanding of how to guide clients toward healthier daily habits. Ben brings his passion for caring for the body, a trait he once expressed through years of cooking, winemaking, and craft chocolate. “It’s vitally important to us to offer human connections and a space that grounds people in their bodies,” says Ben. Together, they have built an intentional space.
“We followed our hearts and persisted through many setbacks to open,” says Ben. The process tested and strengthened them, and their clients often share that simply being there helps them feel relaxed and genuinely cared for. Each day reminds Nikki and Ben that their dream has become reality and that there is always room to grow. @ soulcaresb
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A few miles away, another couple is building in a more literal way. Ryan and Valerie of Genuine Sheds and Studios serve Ojai, Santa Barbara, and Ventura County by creating custom structures designed to support creativity and balance at home.
Ryan’s background in construction, electrical work, and midwestern grit forms the backbone of the business. Valerie’s work in art and marketing gives their brand the warmth, clarity, and storytelling that help clients feel connected to the purpose behind each studio.
Their lives mirror those they serve. As homeowners, creatives, and parents, they understand how essential it is to carve out personal space. They recently built their backyard shed for gardening and art, and it has deepened their appreciation for the work they do.
“Many of our clients become friends or acquaintances that we see around town, raise kids with, own businesses we support, or even just follow online,” says Valerie. “We feel so connected to our community and I think we would both agree that’s the absolute best part.” @ genuine.sheds.and.studios
Briana and Brian of Validation Ale are creating community of another kind. Their Santa Barbara breweries have become a gathering place grounded in science, creativity, and a shared love of people.
Brian’s lifelong passion for the craft of brewing blends with Briana’s gift for remembering everyone who walks through the door. They work closely with a trusted team and focus on offering spaces where everyone feels welcome. Their surprise Maroon 5 pop-up concert was a perfect example of what they hope to create. It brought joy to thousands and reinforced their belief that this is a community that shows up with heart.
They stay connected as a couple by communicating openly and adjusting whenever something feels out of balance. @ validationsb
Each of these couples shows that building a business together is also an act of building a life. Their stories remind us that when two people combine their strengths with intention, the result can inspire an entire community.
ARTICLE BY MEAGHAN CLARK TIERNAN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY XAIRO MARTINEZ, PROVIDED
It’s 9 am and I’m standing among a dozen or so jersey-clad gentlemen (and a few women) staring at the TVs over the bar at Dargan’s. Technically, the Irish pub doesn’t open until 11:30 am, but Paul Dargan is a Grunion. And on the television, it’s rugby.
If you’ve been a longtime Santa Barbara resident, you might be familiar with the annual grunion run, where thousands of small, silvery fish spawn on Southern California beaches. The name itself has little to do with rugby, aside from the fact that the nonprofit organization Santa Barbara Rugby Association adopted it as its mascot upon its inception in 1978.
While many in America might still be unfamiliar with the Olympic sport, despite its bronze medalist, Ilona Maher, earning second place in season 33 of Dancing with the Stars, rugby has a revered history.
Grunion Hall of Famer Doug Lynch sat down with me to share some history of the sport he’s been playing for 60 years.
The folklore behind the game’s origins begins with soccer, when a player (supposedly) picked up the ball during a soccer game in Rugby, England, and had to be tackled to the ground. The year was 1823. Two centuries later, it’s one of the most popular sports in the world.
The Santa Barbara Rugby Association’s history dates back to this century, when a group of UCSB grads saw the need for an adult club. So a group of rugby players got “out of the hair of the university rugby group,” as one of the founding Grunion members, Lance Mason described it, and started their own organization. The original players worked in restaurants around town and played rugby in the afternoons or on off-days. “When we started the Grunions, it was a very different town,” Mason says.
The sport itself has seen significant growth in the States for the last three decades. New Zealander Neil Foote, head coach of UCSB’s Rugby club, has been a player since he was in preschool. Since arriving in America about a decade ago, he’s seen exponential growth of the sport, he says, “almost borders on religion in New Zealand.” America, it seems, is just catching up. Foote says that has a lot to do with the growing concern of concussion injuries in American football.
“[It’s] the most team-oriented sport. There’s a place for every body type and size, and athletic skill.”
“We do a lot of safe tackle techniques,” Foote explains. But the high-contact sport isn’t for the faint of heart. Lynch recalls a classic saying about it: “Soccer is a gentleman’s game played by hooligans, rugby is a gentleman’s game played by hooligans.”
(For the uninitiated, a hooligan refers to someone who causes trouble during events like soccer games).
“Rugby can be a game where you can inflict damage to other people, and part of the sport is not doing that. Playing it with a sportsmanship attitude, you’re not going to intentionally hurt him,” Mason, the organization’s first President, said.
That’s the heartbeat of the sport. It exudes a certain rapport that doesn’t exist
in many other sports—people of all sizes and shapes who are amicable and will share a beer with you at the end of each game.
“A lot of players come from different sports and are looking for community,” Foote says about the athletes who join the club team. “It was almost like an instant family,” says Lynch, who joined the Grunions in 1981 when he and his family moved to Santa Barbara.
A large part of that rapport is inclusivity. Foote welcomes everyone on his team—and he literally means everyone. No one is ever cut, even “the worst athlete in the history of athletes, we don’t cut,” and it’s grown to become the largest club sport on campus. “[It’s] the most
team-oriented sport. There’s a place for every body type and size, and athletic skill,” says Mason.
During a recent tournament at Elings Park, when a ball catapulted from the field straight in my threeyear-old’s direction, current rugby president Joe King reassured her, “Those are just big, stinky teddy bears,” fist-bumping a farewell.
Traditions are another core element to rugby. At the end of every match, both teams attend a “drink up” to catch up with new and old friends. Nearly everyone has played around the world—from New Zealand to Canada—so the likelihood you’re playing with an old teammate or joining a team with a former competitor is high. On the field, they’re enemies; off, they’re friends and drinking buddies.
“The camaraderie is a huge part of rugby. That’s why I really enjoy it and have stayed involved over the years,” says Lynch. Now retired, Lynch was the Grunion RFC President for many years and even roped his wife into the organization as “Super Fan.”
“It’s still part of my life mentally [and] emotionally,” Mason adds.
The Santa Barbara nonprofit has seen significant growth over the past four decades, driven by the introduction of the women’s team, the Mermaids, and a youth league, the Stingrays. Their season runs from January to April and hosts games at Elings Park.
To catch one of their games, visit grunionrfc.com
ARTICLE BY MEAGHAN CLARK TIERNAN
It took three visits to Ice in Paradise before my seven-year-old made it onto the ice. It’s easy to understand her hesitation. On a normal day in town, temperatures peak at 70 degrees with bright blue skies and a cool, subtle ocean breeze. It’s rather unsettling to walk into the Santa Felicia Drive facility on a clear, sunny day and feel a cold chill run up your spine.
But that’s the beauty of an ice rink in a surf town, where just two miles away the beaches of Isla Vista are a calling card for UCSB. It’s a juxtaposition that poses a wonderful experience for families around the county. And for those who recall the historic ice rink on the Mesa that shuttered in the ‘80s, a fine-tuned replacement. It wasn’t until 1997 that the origins of an ice rink in Goleta began.
A group called “Asking for Ice” helped to secure approval from the City of Santa Barbara (Goleta wasn’t incorporated at the time) during the Camino Real Marketplace development plan. But four years later, a rink was nowhere in sight. So a handful of ice skating fans—names like Jack Norqual, a lifelong hockey player and former board member of the U.S.A. Hockey Foundation, and Ed Snider, founder and owner of the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers—proposed turning the venture into a nonprofit, which gained traction then approval.
And yet the uphill battle had just begun as the group looked to raise funds. “That was the biggest challenge of all,” says John Ewasiuk, co-president of the nonprofit Greater Santa Barbara Ice Skating Association, which helps to operate the facility. “People only really saw ice in their glasses. They didn’t understand what an ice rink meant to the community.”
It took 14 years to break ground, but in 2015, Ice in Paradise was finally unveiled. The facility is 46,500 square feet and includes two rinks: an NHL-size rink and a studio rink, along with six team locker rooms, a figure skating room, a specially equipped adaptive sports locker room, and a restaurant. “This is a story of ‘Build it, and they will come,’” says Ewasiuk, who has been part of the organization since its inception.
In time, the ice rink has become one of the most popular recreational activities in our community. The nonprofit hosts public skating sessions, adult and youth hockey, figure skating clubs, birthday parties, tournaments, curling, broomball, skate camps, parents’ night out, teen night, you name it. The state-of-the-art facility has even hosted the sled hockey Paralympic team as they prepared for the World Para Ice Hockey Championships in South Korea.
“We give the opportunity for kids and families to do something different,” says Ewasiuk. “It’s a great, healthy environment where they learn self-esteem.”
Now a decade old, the organization continues to expand its offerings with the introduction of a STEM field trip and events celebrating international moments, such as the 2026 Winter Olympics. The expansion of programs might seem exhaustive, but they aren’t close to being done planning. The Goleta organization’s mission to offer affordable ice recreation year-round has been met, but there’s still so much more it can offer.
“It’s a special place,” Ewasiuk says. “I can’t encourage enough people to come see it and get involved.”
iceinparadise.org
Body Sculpting Santa Barbara combines AI precision with clinical expertise
For over a decade, Body Sculpting Santa Barbara has been the trusted choice for individuals seeking transformative, non-surgical body contouring.
I’m Josh Nissan, a Loma Linda-trained physical therapist and microbiome specialist, and owner of Santa Barbara Body Sculpting. My practice is built on a foundation of medical expertise and a deep understanding of the human body.
My extensive clinical background in rehabilitation and systemic wellness informs our unique, whole-body approach to contouring—one that addresses not just aesthetics, but underlying hormonal, stress-related, and metabolic factors that cause stubborn fat and loose skin.
Our mission is simple: to provide a safe, effective, and guaranteed alternative to surgical procedures. We believe everyone deserves the ability to target specific, frustrating areas—without undergoing invasive surgery, enduring harmful side effects, or putting their life on hold for recovery.
We achieve this through our proprietary Trifecta Method, which seamlessly
combines three advanced, AI-driven treatments in each session:
• Smooth AI for tightening and texturing skin.
• Shape AI for toning and defining muscle.
• Sculpt AI for precisely reducing stubborn fat.
This integrated approach allows us to comprehensively remodel the body’s contours with zero downtime.
Our clinical results are powered by a specialized AI system, built by condensing knowledge from over 8,000 curated medical articles and journals. We continuously refine its recommendations through real-world application—a fine-tuning process that directly enhances every treatment protocol we design.
Previously, 79% of our clients achieved visible, satisfying results. Now, with AI optimization, our success rate has risen to 91%, improving outcome efficacy by 18%. This means our clients achieve their desired contoured, confident physique faster and more predictably than ever before.
bodysculptingsantabarbara.com | Contact me for a free consultation: 805.705.1691
ARTICLE BY TANNER TAIT | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
ASAP IS MORE THAN A SHELTER FOR CAT ADOPTIONS
“Animals are unconditional and present, so if anything, they need extra love.”
Have you noticed any cats roaming around your neighborhood? While there is a chance they are lost and looking for home, they may just be community cats out for an afternoon stroll.
Due to the large population of unaltered, free-roaming cats in Santa Barbara County, it’s not always easy to tell when a cat is in need of help. There have also been many instances of healthy, adoptable community cats being needlessly euthanized—and that is what ASAP Cats seeks to fix.
Since 1989, ASAP’s primary goal is to help cats. From monthly adoption events (and yard sales!) to a mobile spay/neuter clinic that alters cats on the go, ASAP has been a pillar of animal welfare in Santa Barbara for decades, advocating and assisting cats through fundraising, adoption services, cat-centric programs, and education.
Operated by a small staff and a dedicated team of volunteers, ASAP is more than a shelter; their
TinyLions™ behavior program helps feral kittens become adoption-ready; their Working Cats program provides additional pathways for cats that require alternate placement; their robust Foster network provides short- and longterm stays for dozens of cats in ASAP’s care, freeing up critical space in the shelter; and the list goes on.
Neonatal kitten training, volunteer opportunities, veterinary internships—ASAP Cats supports cats and pet families in a variety of ways, working to strengthen the bond between humans and felines, especially regarding the ones in our community.
“Whatever animals I come across, whatever I see, knowing I can help and give them something they need…it feels good when you can do something,” says Amy Smith, ASAP’s community cats program director for North County.
Monitoring over a dozen community cat colonies, Amy oversees a team of ASAP feeders and trappers who provide food for over 400 hungry cats every day. ASAP took on the responsibility of caring for these colonies following a merge with Catalyst for Cats in early 2025, emboldening their efforts to serve the cats of Santa Barbara County. “They need an advocate,” Amy says. “Animals are unconditional and present, so if anything, they need extra love.”
Created by a small group of cat lovers wanting to do some good, the unwavering support and advocacy for cats from ASAP has grown exponentially in the 37 years since its inception.
“None of this would be possible without the incredible dedication of our community,” says Executive Director Jessica Wiebe. “Together, we’re building a world where every cat has the chance to live, love, and thrive.”
When I look back at the person I was when Alex and I first met six years ago, I’m amused at how much we thought we already understood about life and partnership.
What has unfolded since two babies, multiple businesses, including Grip Baby, and a move to Montecito, has been the most incredible growth journey of my life. And the most grounding part is how much we have grown not only on our own, but together.
Early on, we decided our relationship would be rooted in wellness. Staying steady when life gets loud and unpredictable. Health became our foundation because it made us better partners and better parents, especially in the chaos of raising two toddlers.
Parenthood exposes every crack you didn’t know you had. I’ve learned that wellness isn’t just physical. It’s emotional awareness, noticing when the other is stretched
ARTICLE BY ALLY WEISS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSH GRUETZMACHER
thin, offering support before tension builds, and being a soft landing during the long days. It’s choosing to take care of each other in small, consistent ways.
Curiosity has become another foundation for us; it means setting your ego aside to understand and listen to what your partner needs from you. Often, that looks like a behavior change or more understanding. When we stay curious, we listen better, problem-solve better, and remain open to new ways of supporting each other. It keeps the relationship moving instead of settling into old patterns.
Creativity and fun are pillars for us. Building our businesses together sparks a playful energy between us.
Creativity shows up in our work, our home, and the way we parent. Fun reminds us that even in the pressure of building and raising little kids, there is room to laugh and enjoy each other.
Santa Barbara has a calming effect on our family. The beaches are our reset button. The creative lifestyle feels natural for us. We have already made friendships here that feel grounding and surprisingly deep.
Visiting the Farmers Market has become a ritual that fills us up and connects us to the community as we pick food for the coming week. Supporting local farmers invests back into the community. Knowing that we are eating locally feels good physically and mentally, and our kids love learning about new fruits and veggies to try.
Exercising together is one of the strongest threads in our marriage. It’s become something we genuinely look forward to. It anchors us. Personal training at Montecito Fitness, Pilates at Homebody Studios, fitness is one corner of the week where we show up for ourselves and for each other.
When parenting feels heavy, we move. When work is overwhelming, we move. When the kids are melting down, we all get in the pool and swim. And afterward, we feel more grounded.
Our relationship feels strong, not because it’s perfect, but because it’s practiced. And in this season of raising two boys who mirror everything we model, there is no greater gift we can give our family than that.
gripbaby.com | loobitup.com
ARTICLE BY MEAGHAN CLARK TIERNAN | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
The Golden Hours is a coming-of-age story following 16-yearold Raven, played by local actor Aislinn Wilson, who grapples with the aftermath of a life-changing accident. It’s a journey of healing, self-acceptance, and the power of unexpected connections. It was entirely filmed in Santa Barbara with a local cast and crew. The film earned the Social Impact & Vision Award at this year’s Ojai Film Festival and recently signed a distribution deal.
We spoke with director Jorrit Van Der Kooi who shares more about his background and why he films in Santa Barbara.
I’ve been making films ever since my parents bought a Video 8 system back in the late 1980s. I was born and raised in the Netherlands, where I studied TV journalism and worked as a freelance director and producer for several Dutch national TV stations. When we moved to Santa Barbara 11 years ago, I shifted my focus from TV to film.
We live in a city with some of the most beautiful backdrops you can imagine, so it’s wonderful to shoot a movie here and film
outdoors. The community is generally supportive when it comes to filming in public spaces and helping at locations. The owners of Intermezzo and Scarlett Begonia, for example, let us use their restaurants for filming, as did Caje Coffee.
WHY WAS IT IMPORTANT TO FIND LOCAL ACTORS TO FILL THE ROLES?
We have a lot of talent locally, and there is usually no need to look elsewhere! I love scouting talent in theater plays or high school productions around town, and I’m impressed by the professionalism of our local actors. Some of our teenage cast members are true “theater kids,” such as Annette McGuire (Lizzy) and Tristan Fleming (Levi) .
WHAT ARE YOU EXCITED TO SEE AT THIS YEAR’S SBIFF?
I love to watch the films at the 10-10-10 screenings at the Arlington. These are student films from local student filmmakers, and it’s a great way to scout new talent and to see some of my actor friends in other films.
The Golden Hours is available to watch on streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime.
The jacket every guy needs in his closet.
From morning coffee runs to dinner dates.
Comfort, style and that lived-in feel he’ll never want to take off.
Designed in Montecito, California. Made in the USA.
