Issuu

The Ladies Issue 2026

There’s a certain presence carried by the women who shape life along the Santa Barbara coast. You see it in big ways, but more often in the quiet ones; in how they lead, care for others, build something of their own, and stay deeply connected to the community around them. This issue is a small reflection of that.

We’re grateful to share the story of Dr. Susanne Ramos, whose practice has evolved into Ramos Women’s Wellness Center. What began as a focus on OBGYN care has grown into something more comprehensive, supporting women through multiple stages of life. It’s thoughtful, it’s personal, and it feels very much in step with what many women are looking for today.

With Mother’s Day approaching, we also wanted to include a few simple ideas for spending time together. Nothing elaborate, just meaningful ways to slow down and be present. Often, those are the moments that stay with us the longest.

It’s a privilege to be able to tell stories like these. Santa Barbara is full of women doing incredible things, many of them quietly, and while we can only feature a handful, the hope is that this issue feels representative of something larger.

Thank you for letting us be part of your home each month. We’re grateful for it.

MATT DEMARCUS, PUBLISHER

@SANTABARBARACOASTCITYLIFESTYLE

May 2026

PUBLISHER

Matt DeMarcus | matt.demarcus@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Sara DeMarcus | sara.demarcus@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Lena Ibarra

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sara DeMarcus, Josh Nissan, Matsumoto Mari, Mel Boban, Sheena Steedman

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Janie Jones, Scott Moore

Corporate Team

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

Swap Your Electric Bill for a New Roof + Solar

One Monthly Payment. Dual Upgrade. Major Savings.

Instead of wasting money on rising electric bills, you can replace it with a single predictable payment that covers a brand-new roof AND a custom solar system—all through SolaRoof by August Roofing.

9 No More Utility Surprises

9 Get a New Roof + Solar in One Easy Package

9 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit – Act Before It Changes! Why Now?

A federal bill could slash or eliminate the 30% solar tax credit starting January 1. With Santa Barbara’s lengthy permitting process, now’s the time to lock in your savings.

9 Take control of your energy.

9 Upgrade your home.

9 Pay less over time.

Photography by Clint Weisman, Clint Weisman Studio

UPCOMING EVENTS

business monthly

From Daycare to Grooming, Camp Canine Does It All

Camp Canine offers a comprehensive, all-in-one pet care experience rooted in safety, enrichment, and personalized attention. Located in Santa Barbara, the locally owned business is known for its cage-free daycare, overnight boarding, and professional training programs. The dedicated team is focused on individualized care, including convenient mobile grooming services that bring expert care directly to your door. 803 E. Montecito St., Santa Barbara; 805-845-2267; campcaninesb.com

Scan to read more

Custom Hat Bar Experiences for Your Events

Flame Kissed offers a distinctive, hands-on retail and event experience rooted in Western-inspired style and personal expression. Based in the Central Coast, the brand is known for its custom hats and mobile hat bar, where guests design one-ofa-kind pieces with curated bands, feathers, and branding. Founder Natascha Ruiz brings the mobile hat bar to Santa Barbara events, creating elevated, interactive experiences for weddings, parties, and private gatherings. flamekissedstore.com

Experienced Legal Defense and Injury Advocacy in Santa Barbara

Valhallaw provides client-focused legal representation rooted in strength, strategy, and experienced advocacy. Serving Santa Barbara and surrounding communities, the firm handles personal injury, DUI, medical malpractice, and more with a hands-on, results-driven approach. Led by William L. Redell, Valhallaw is committed to guiding clients through complex legal challenges with clarity and confidence. 805-450-5691 santaynezpersonalinjury.com

Photography by santaynezpersonalinjury.com

Photography by campcaninesb.com

Photography by Lena Britt Photography

The Architecture of Health

Hormonal Balance, Strength, and Midlife Metabolism

ARTICLE BY JOSH NISSAN

For many women, midlife is not a decline — it is a recalibration.

The hormonal transitions of perimenopause and menopause influence far more than reproduction. Shifts in estrogen and progesterone affect muscle mass, bone density, metabolic efficiency, sleep architecture, and mood. Layer modern professional and family demands onto that physiology, and the need for a strategic approach becomes clear.

The goal is not to fight these changes, but to adapt intelligently in a way that preserves strength, clarity, and long-term independence.

RESISTANCE TRAINING AS A LONGEVITY INTERVENTION

Progressive resistance training is among the most consistently supported interventions in the scientific literature. Hypertrophy-oriented strength training — designed to increase muscle fiber size through controlled resistance and progressive overload — preserves lean mass, improves insulin sensitivity, enhances mitochondrial function, and protects bone density.

After age 40, women may lose 3–8% of muscle mass per decade without intervention. This decline affects not only aesthetics but metabolic regulation, glucose disposal, and long-term functional independence. Effective programming does not require extremes. It requires precision.

A well-structured 45-minute session performed two to four times per week may include:

• Squats, lunges, deadlifts, presses, and rows

• 6–12 controlled repetitions per set

• Full range of motion

• Gradual increases in resistance over time

Whether in a private home gym, a local performance studio, or integrated alongside Pilates, the aim is not exhaustion. It is sufficient mechanical tension to signal the body to maintain muscle mass and, ideally, build it.

For women already operating under sustained cognitive and emotional demand, chronic high-intensity training can compound physiological stress. Strategic strength work often produces more durable outcomes than constant metabolic conditioning.

NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION AND RECOVERY

Cortisol is essential for adaptation. However, persistent sympathetic dominance — driven by stress, inadequate sleep, or excessive intensity — can impair recovery and increase inflammatory burden.

Parasympathetic practices are therefore not indulgent; they are therapeutic. Restorative yoga, walks, or Tai Chi at Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden help restore autonomic balance and improve anabolic signaling. Recovery is not the absence of discipline. It is part of the strategy.

THE MICROBIOME AND INFLAMMATORY HEALTH

Emerging metabolic research continues to highlight the relationship between gut microbial diversity and systemic inflammation. The microbiome influences immune signaling, estrogen metabolism, and insulin sensitivity.

Rather than relying solely on generalized probiotics, a more refined strategy emphasizes fiber diversity, polyphenol-rich foods, targeted prebiotics, and individualized nutritional assessment. Supporting microbial balance may improve inflammatory tone and metabolic stability.

For women in midlife, this translates into steadier energy, improved recovery, preserved lean mass, and clearer cognition.

A FRAMEWORK FOR DURABLE VITALITY

Longevity is not built on intensity alone. It is built through:

• Progressive resistance training

• Intentional nervous system regulation

• Targeted nutritional strategy

When aligned, these elements support structural longevity; the capacity to remain strong, metabolically resilient, and physically capable for decades.

At this stage of life, strength is not about proving capacity. It is about preserving it.

Josh Nissan is a Loma Linda University–trained physical therapist with more than a decade of clinical experience integrating structural strength, metabolic wellness, and non-invasive body contouring in Santa Barbara.

bodysculptingsantabarbara.com

DIY DAY

INSPIRATION FOR A MOTHER/ DAUGHTER DIY DAY

WITH MOM

ARTICLE BY MEL BOBAN

An afternoon spent together is priceless with today’s busy schedules. Instead of going out, staying in can provide quaint, quiet one-on-one time for a mother and daughter (or multiple daughters). Finding time on calendars is the hard part, and filling that time is all fun from there. Here are a few favorite ideas for inspiration that may spark excitement for planning those special times together.

01 Interview Journaling

Storytelling makes for the best memories. Structure memory recall by filming or journaling interview-style question-andanswer sessions, cataloging information for future generations. Videos and notes with detailed family adventures are priceless, and we all always wish we had more of them.

02 Charm Necklaces 03

Custom DIY charm necklaces and bracelets are trending. Gather a theme idea: birthstones, family initials, travels or even favorite hobbies, and procure charms from your local craft store or online shop. Selecting charms for each other also could be a fun way to bring delight to the crafting occasion. Necklaces and bracelets can be made for each other, or as future gifts for upcoming occasions such as a family wedding, a birthday milestone or an anniversary.

Text conversations around kitchen tips or ingredient procurement seem endless. Spend some time together in the kitchen preparing favorite family recipes, sharing Mom’s best tips and tricks. Choosing freezer-friendly meals is a great way to walk away with meals for upcoming busy days. There’s nothing like Mom’s recipes!

Meal Prep

04

Photo Archive Day

Printed photos are often stored in boxes or tubs with little organization. Perhaps you have photos of your own, or even a grandparent who has passed, that need an organization overhaul. While these projects can be daunting, ‘many hands make light work.’ Group the photos by decade and file them in order. Consider purchasing a photo scanner to digitize the files for future generations. Photo organization always brings storytelling, laughter and warm memories.

SAVOR LIFE & FIND YOUR True Wealth

ARTICLE BY SHEENA STEEDMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT MOORE

The soft morning light filters through the curtains as you awake to birdsong and a gentle breeze. Stepping onto the balcony, you behold endless vineyards rippling in the Tuscan hills and can’t believe this paradise is real.

Walking downstairs, you’re greeted by many new faces of people smiling and excited to see you, new friends, gathered around a long wooden table immaculately set with steaming quiche, luscious fruit, warm bread, and Italian cappuccino.

This is just the beginning of days spent practicing yoga in nature’s rhythms, discovering ancient towns, and pausing to savor beauty at every turn.

Indulge in Tuscan serenity, savor life’s richness, and rediscover yourself

If you can envision waking up like this, you’re ready for a yoga retreat with Scott Moore.

Retreats are an investment—in your truest self—the part of you that gets lost in the rush of daily life.

We frequently invest our money into stocks, bonds, and real estate, yet fail to invest in the one irreplaceable resource that makes it all possible, ourselves—our true wealth.

On this journey, all details have been meticulously planned so you can stay within your budget and fully relax into the experience.

After immersing in the richness of the present moment, slowing down and savoring life, you’ll return replenished and ready to bring this mindset of appreciation into your everyday world.

Reap the returns of a broadened perspective and renewed vitality—the dividends are endless.

Find out more about upcoming retreats with Scott Moore in destinations like Tuscany, Sardinia, Bordeaux, and the French Riviera at scottmooreyoga.com/retreats .

AFTER DECADES IN OBSTETRICS, DR. SUSANNE RAMOS IS HELPING WOMEN NAVIGATE THE CHALLENGES OF MIDLIFE WITH AN INDIVIDUALIZED, EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH.

MIDLIFE, RECONSIDERED

Dr. Susanne Ramos has a rare perspective on time. On any given day, she may sit across from a patient she first met decades ago. Years earlier, the conversation may have centered on a due date, an ultrasound, and the anticipation of welcoming a new baby. Today, it may focus on sleep that no longer comes easily, shifts in energy and mood, or the subtle yet unmistakable changes that come with midlife.

The questions may have changed, but the relationship often hasn’t.

For more than three decades, Dr. Ramos has cared for women across Santa Barbara County as an obstetrician-gynecologist, guiding patients through some of life’s most meaningful moments. From the intensity of childbirth to the ongoing complexity of reproductive health, her work has long been rooted in both clinical expertise and continuity of care. But those long-term relationships have also given her a unique perspective, one that extends far beyond pregnancy and early adulthood.

ARTICLE BY SARA DEMARCUS

Many of the women whose children she once delivered are now returning with a new set of questions. “Seeing patients regain their vitality and confidence during midlife is just as rewarding as delivering babies was early in my career,” she says.

Over time, Dr. Ramos began to notice a pattern. Women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond were experiencing symptoms that affected their daily lives: fatigue, sleep disruption, brain fog, hot flashes, and changes in sexual health. Yet many felt those concerns were often minimized or dismissed.

“I began to recognize a gap in care for women once they moved beyond the childbearing years,” Dr. Ramos explains. “Many women were experiencing symptoms related to hormonal changes but felt their concerns weren’t fully addressed.”

That realization became difficult to ignore. Women she had cared for for years were returning with concerns that weren’t being addressed, and she knew they needed more than reassurance. It led her to broaden her focus and establish the Ramos Women’s Wellness Center, an integrated practice that supports women through midlife and beyond with a more comprehensive approach to care.

At the center of that model is a collaborative team. Alongside Dr. Ramos, Nurse Practitioners Andrea Strand and Kirsten DiBenedetto bring complementary expertise in hormone therapy, nutrition, preventive care, and women’s health across every stage of life. Together, the team works closely with patients to create individualized care plans that address not only medical concerns, but overall well-being—reflecting a more integrated approach to women’s health.

To further deepen her expertise, Dr. Ramos pursued certification through The Menopause Society, ensuring that her patients have access to current, evidence-based guidance during perimenopause and menopause. The shift reflects a broader evolution in how women approach their health, particularly in communities like Santa Barbara, where wellness is often viewed as an essential part of overall quality of life.

“Women are far more proactive and informed about their health than when I first began practicing,” she says. “Many come to appointments with thoughtful questions about hormone balance, bone health, cardiovascular health, and long-term wellness.” Rather than simply managing symptoms, many women are seeking a deeper understanding of what’s happening in their bodies and what options are available to support them.

At the Ramos Women’s Wellness Center, that philosophy translates into care that considers the whole person. Treatment plans may include hormone therapy, support for sexual health, and lifestyle strategies designed to promote long-term vitality.

The practice also offers specialized treatments designed to address concerns that were once rarely discussed. Among them is MonaLisa Touch®, a non-surgical treatment designed to improve comfort and address common symptoms associated with menopause. CONTINUED

“These are issues that many women previously felt uncomfortable talking about,” Dr. Ramos says. “But they’re very common, and very treatable.”

In addition to medical care, the center offers aesthetic treatments, including laser skin rejuvenation, laser hair removal, and other non-surgical therapies. For many patients, these services are not about transformation, but about maintaining a natural, refreshed appearance that aligns with how they feel. Underlying it all is a philosophy that has evolved alongside her career.

When Dr. Ramos first began practicing medicine, women’s healthcare was largely focused on reproductive health and the treatment of disease. Today, she sees wellness as a broader, more integrated concept; one that includes hormonal balance, physical vitality, emotional well-being, and confidence.

“Women’s wellness today means supporting the whole person,” she says.

For Dr. Ramos, that evolution feels like a natural extension of the relationships she has built over time.

Many of her patients have trusted her with some of the most important moments of their lives. Now, they are returning with new questions, seeking guidance through a different stage—one that can be just as complex, and just as important. The conversations may look different today. But the trust remains the same.

And for Dr. Ramos, continuing to guide women through each stage of life is exactly what drew her to this work in the first place.

For more information about Ramos Women’s Wellness Center, visit ramoswomenswellness.com or call (805) 898-4443.

WHAT YOUR BODY MAY BE TELLING YOU

For many women, the transition into midlife doesn’t arrive all at once. Instead, it often shows up gradually— in small, subtle ways that can be easy to overlook. If something feels different, it’s worth paying attention.

Some of the most common signs include:

• Changes in sleep

Waking during the night or struggling to fall asleep without a clear reason.

• Lingering fatigue or brain fog

Feeling unusually tired, forgetful, or less focused than usual.

• Hot flashes or night sweats

Sudden waves of heat or disrupted sleep that affect daily life.

• Shifts in mood or anxiety

Increased irritability, anxiousness, or emotional changes that feel out of character.

• Changes in sexual health or comfort

Discomfort, dryness, or a noticeable shift in libido.

Individually, these changes may seem manageable. Together, they can begin to affect how a woman feels day to day. With the right support and information, many women find they can better understand what’s happening in their bodies and take steps toward feeling like themselves again. For many women, these are the same conversations they’re now bringing back to physicians they’ve trusted for decades.

Bringing Joy

Back into the Kitchen

Chef Dennis Prescott Talks Falling in Love with Feeding People and the Connection Food Creates

Find the things that you love. Take the stress out of food. Feed people because all they really care about is spending time with you. Bring joy back into the kitchen.”

Whether you know him from the Netflix hit Restaurants on the Edge or from his absolutely mouth-watering food photos as @ dennistheprescott on the ‘gram, this former-musician turned internationally-renowned Chef is an amazingly talented, thoughtful, and globe-trotting force to be reckoned with. When it comes to inspiration for creating experiences around food and your community, as well as creating travel bucket lists to some of the world’s most unique and delicious destinations off the beaten path, Chef ‘Dennis The Prescott’ is a culinary change maker whose feed you’ll want to feast on

Originally an aspiring musician, Canadian-born Dennis Prescott’s journey began while in university with a single invitation from another solo musician who asked him to tour with them around the US. This eventually took him to Nashville where they began making records and pursuing their musical dreams.

Yet, in the midst of all of this, Dennis was not taking care of himself — eating take out, dollar menus, etc, had become a way of life. A friend had a “come to Jesus” moment with him and stressed that he needed to start taking care of himself. Having no idea exactly what that meant or how to do so, the advice was simple: “You need to start eating better.”

The Start

“Go to the library and borrow some cookbooks,” his friend suggested. Dennis went to a nearby library and borrowed three books only to have his friend ask why he chose those in particular. Dennis remembers saying verbatim, “I don’t know? The guy on the cover looks kinda good looking, and I feel like I could probably pull these recipes off, and he seems really happy too!” As it turned out they were three books by Jamie Oliver; it’s just that he had no idea who Jamie Oliver was at the time.

Flash forward and Dennis’ first dinner-hosting experiment was made up of twenty people from the music studio, all sitting in camping chairs with beer koozies and makeshift tables in his apartment.

“I remember at the time this moment of, okay, the food is on the table, it’s a stressful thing, and then everybody tucks in and they take their first bite, and there’s a moment of hush that kind of came over everyone; it got really quiet just for a second, and then everyone started talking and getting into it and I fell in love with food right there at that moment.

What eventually followed were 13 episodes over nine months where the Restaurants on the Edge team traveled to and filmed restaurant revivals that included three in Canada, one in the continental US, one in Hawaii, and others outside of North America, including Hong Kong, Slovenia, Austria, Malta, St. Lucia and Finland.

“When you get off the beaten path a little bit, you learn the difference between vacation and travel.

Travel Recommendations for Foodies

“Slovenia borders Italy and Croatia, which is to say there are a lot of shared values in and around food; they have really great cheese, dairy, beef, pasta, but very few tourists, hardly any. So if you love Italy, that kind of specific travel and food experience, particularly Northern Italy, because you can see the Alps from where they are. It’s picture perfect, a beautiful place, and also where orange wine is from.”

Dennis also highly recommends Costa Rica, Hawaii and Finland.

“Most people love the idea of travel, but we tend to pick the same places when we travel, and there is nothing wrong with that, they are amazing for a reason, but when you get off the beaten path a little bit, you learn the difference between vacation and travel.”

Restaurants on the Edge is important and meaningful to Chef Prescott because it tells stories of hope and joy and redemption around the kitchen. Oftentimes the food space can be very stressful, but he believes that at the end of the day, people just want to spend time with other people that they love.

One of the most common fears Dennis hears from people cooking and/or grilling at home is, ‘where do I start? I don’t know how to get going, so I just don’t.’

Rather than overcomplicating it, Dennis recommends cooking the things that bring you joy — things that are on a restaurant menu you can’t NOT order because you’re so pumped that those dishes are on there.

“Find the things that you love. Take the stress out of food. Feed people because all they really care about is spending time with you. Bring joy back into the kitchen.”

ARTICLE BY KALI KASORZYK

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

BECKY HILLYARD

From Side Hustle to Style Empire

The power of taste, trust, and the courage to “just start.”

She didn’t have a business plan, a media budget, or even a name anyone could pronounce. What Becky Hillyard had was taste, a young family, and the instinct to just start. Today, her lifestyle brand Cella Jane commands an audience the size of Vogue’s, she’s nine collections strong with Splendid, and she’s built it all while raising three kids — refusing to sacrifice one for the other. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Becky shares what it really takes to build a brand, a career, and a life you love. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full conversation.

Q: WHEN DID YOU KNOW CELLA JANE WAS MORE THAN A HOBBY?

A: Two moments. Women started emailing me saying they bought something I recommended and felt amazing — asking me to help them find a dress for a wedding. That felt incredible. Then I looked at my affiliate numbers for one month and realized I could cover our mortgage. I thought, I can actually do this. I never set out to build a business. I started it because I genuinely loved it.

Becky in Splendid x @CellaJaneBlog Spring 2026 Collection

Q: WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST RISK YOU EVER TOOK WITH THE BRAND?

A: Designing my own collection. It’s easy to point at items on a website and say I love these. But to create something from scratch, put your name on it, and wait to see if people connect with it — that’s terrifying. I had an incredible partner in Splendid, and women loved the pieces. It was the biggest risk and the biggest accomplishment.

Q: HOW HAS INFLUENCER MARKETING CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED?

A: When I started, brands didn’t know whether to take it seriously. Now it’s a legitimate line item in their marketing budgets — sometimes bigger than TV. Because what we’ve built is trust. People trust a real recommendation from someone they follow far more than a commercial. There’s no question about it now.

Q: YOU’RE A MOM OF THREE RUNNING A FULL BRAND. WHAT DOES YOUR DAY ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE?

A: I try to get up at five and not hit snooze — that first hour before the house wakes up is the most productive, most peaceful hour of my day. Then it’s all hands on deck with the kids and school drop-off. After that I work — planning content, connecting with my team, editing. After pickup, the day shifts completely and it’s all about them. I’ve learned to protect both halves fiercely, because both matter.

Q: WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO BUILD SOMETHING OF THEIR OWN BUT KEEPS WAITING?

A: Don’t wait. Don’t wait for the perfect camera, the right strategy, or enough followers. We find every excuse to stay comfortable. Just start, be consistent, and be authentically yourself. The right people will find you — and they’ll stay.

This conversation is just the beginning. Becky goes deeper on the risks that almost stopped her, the design process behind her latest Splendid collection, and what she’d tell her 2012 self today. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle Podcast.

“Trust is the only metric that actually compounds.”

— Becky Hillyard

FEATURING BECKY HILLYARD

eat kind

EMBRACING A PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUR BODY

Wellness isn’t about restricting — it’s really about giving. Giving to yourself and to your body in a way that allows them both to thrive. The cool part? The things that give to your body naturally give to your mind, your hormones, your earth, your relationships, and so on — it’s all beautifully interconnected in that way. Eat your greens, cook at home, choose local produce and quality meats, don’t be scared of healthy fats — but also support local farmers, move in a way that makes your body and mind feel good, prioritize times of mindfulness and stillness.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 6 oz. filets of wild caught salmon

• 1 Tbsp. avocado oil

• 1 Tbsp. coconut aminos

• Zest and juice from one lemon

• 1 Tbsp. stone ground mustard

• 1 4 oz. container coconut yogurt, unsweetened

• 2 Tbsp. fresh dill, minced

• 2 Tbsp. capers, drained and minced

• Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. Marinate the salmon in the lemon juice, coconut aminos, and stone ground mustard for up to two hours.

2. Drizzle salmon with avocado oil, sprinkle with salt and ground pepper, and broil on high for five to seven minutes, until cooked to desired temperature.

3. Mix coconut cream, lemon zest, dill, capers, and ground pepper together.

4. Top salmon with coconut cream, serve with roasted or sautéed veggies, brown or cauliflower rice, or fresh greens. Enjoy!

simple roasted salmon with dill coconut cream

Hats. Events. Art.

Flame Kissed is a Santa Ynez Valley–based studio creating handcrafted hats, a mobile hat bar, and western & wildlife art for modern living

Rooted in heritage and refined for today, each offering is thoughtfully designed to be worn, displayed, and enjoyed

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 oz- Cucumber & dragon fruit gin

• 3/4oz- Toasted black sesame Velvet Falernum

• 1/2oz- Lime juice

• Topped with ginger beer

• Hawaiian black lava salt & black sesame

GARNISH

• Small paint brush

• Simple syrup

• Hawaiian black lava salt mixed with a pinch of black sesame

INSTRUCTIONS

Infused Gin: Infuse 1 whole peeled and cut cucumber in gin for a week. Strain the cucumbers out. Add 1 tablespoon of organic dragonfruit powder and mix very well with a whisk. To make the syrup, toast 1/2 cup of black sesame at 350 for 10 minutes. Take it out and let it cool. In a mortar and pestle, grind the toasted black sesame, but not too fine. Add the sesame into one bottle of John D. Taylor’s Velvet Falernum. Let that set for about 2 to 3 days and use cheese cloth to strain out the fine bits of sesame. Juice one fresh lime and strain to remove the pulp.

Cocktail: Paint a strip of simple syrup down a Collins glass. Take a spoon full of Hawaiian black lava salt mixed with black sesame and layer that down where the painted simple syrup was placed. In a shaker tin combine: 1 1/2oz cucumber dragon fruit gin, 3/4oz toasted black sesame Velvet Falernum, and 1/2oz lime juice and shake that up! Fill the painted glass with ice (I use crushed ice) and strain over the ice. Top with your favorite ginger beer (my choice is Fever Tree ginger beer).

ARTICLE BY MATSUMOTO MARI PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

The Magic Dragon

Make a Statement With This Stylish Cocktail

Brent Clay Billy Redell

Zak Kaslow

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

APRIL 23RD – 26TH & MAY 1ST – 3RD

Santa Barbara Fair & Expo

Earl Warren Showgrounds: 3400 Calle Real | 11:00 AM

The Santa Barbara Fair & Expo returns to Earl Warren Showgrounds for two weekends of entertainment, carnival thrills, and community fun, running April 23-26 and May 1-3, 2026. This year’s theme, “Your Beach Town Fair,” celebrates SB’s vibrant coastal spirit with fun-inthe-sun festivities for all ages and is the perfect backdrop for one of the community’s most beloved annual traditions!

MAY 2ND

Roar and Pour at the SB Zoo

Santa Barbara Zoo: 500 Ninos Drive | 5:00 PM

Roar and Pour returns with an unforgettable evening at the Zoo, where guests enjoy tastings from 25+ local wineries, along with food trucks, live music, and after-hours animal encounters. Highlights include train rides and giraffe feedings, with VIP tickets offering early entry and exclusive experiences. A lively, rain-or-shine celebration blending wine, wildlife, and community.

MAY 3RD

C.A.R.E.4Paws’

Happy

Tails Celebration & Fundraiser

Cabrillo Pavilion: 1118 E Cabrillo Blvd | 3:00 PM

Join C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Happy Tails Celebration & Fundraiser at SB’s seaside Cabrillo Pavilion. This event reflects the power of community supporting community and benefits Central Coast animals and pets in need. Enjoy a vegetarian dinner by Whiskey ‘N Rye, drinks on the oceanfront terrace, exciting live and silent auctions, and “happy tail” stories from families we serve. For tickets, visit care4paws.org/happytails

MAY 5TH – 6TH

The Blue Man Group Performing at the Granada Theatre

The Granada Theatre: 1214 State Street | 7:30 PM

Blue Man Group brings its globally acclaimed, high-energy performance to Santa Barbara for two nights of immersive entertainment. Known for its signature blend of music, comedy, and multimedia theatrics, the show delivers a wildly interactive experience for all ages. May 5–6, 7:30 p.m., The Granada Theatre; tickets at granadasb.org

MAY 8TH

VNA Health’s 25th annual Mother’s Day Luncheon

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort: 633 E Cabrillo Blvd | 11:00 AM

The 25th Anniversary of the VNA Health Mother’s Day Luncheon is set for Friday, May 8, 2026, in the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort! 100% of the Luncheon’s proceeds raised support VNA Health’s charitable mission and Community Care programs, bringing hope, health, and comfort to families throughout our community regardless of adequate insurance or resources.

MAY 22ND – 24TH

Gem Faire Returns to Earl Warren Showgrounds

Earl Warren Showgrounds: 3400 Calle Real | 12:00 PM

The Gem Faire returns to Earl Warren Showgrounds, offering a vibrant marketplace of fine jewelry, gemstones, beads, crystals, and minerals. Attendees can browse directly from wholesalers, discover unique artisan pieces, and enjoy jewelry-making supplies at competitive prices. The event welcomes both collectors and hobbyists for a hands-on, treasure-hunting experience. More details: earlwarren.com/events/gem-faire