Santa Ynez Valley, CA June 2024

Workplace Violence Training Workplace Violence Training by July 1, 2024 by July 1, 2024

Contact Pacific HR today to ensure your business is fully compliant with the latest state regulations.

Don't wait until it's too late—we offer expert guidance to ensure you and your staff are prepared and compliant.

Eddie Hsueh retired as a Lieutenant from the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office in 2020 after a 38-year career in law enforcement. He now leads Peacekeeper Security Services Inc. as CEO, providing security consulting, training, and services. He holds licenses as a Private Patrol Operator, Private Investigator, and state-certified trainer. Eddie has a BS in Criminal Justice and is pursuing an MA in Organizational Leadership.

Welcome to the Gentlemen’s Issue

As a father of two young boys (6 and 2), it makes me feel truly humbled and honored to celebrate fathers and their importance in this world. To the fathers, father figures, and even the “fun uncles” in our lives, your positive influence makes the most significant difference in a child’s life. You are needed, you are appreciated, and you are valued more than you may ever know.

As I write this article my children are dumping water outside and causing mayhem in the garden to my wife’s chagrin. But I know that at a moment’s notice, they will be asking to take their driver’s license test or be “too cool” to hang with their old man. Although I’ve only been a father for 6 years, the responsibility of laying the foundation for my young boys to grow into future gentlemen is something that I do not take lightly.

I feel truly blessed to have had such a wonderful example of a father who worked insanely hard to provide for my sister, mother, and me. My father has been a landscape contractor in the Valley for 38 years and is still going strong today. His daily actions showed us that no matter how chaotic, stressful, or beautiful things may be, you just keep working, improving your home, and showing up. I can’t think of a better person to show me how to be a father, and for that, I am thankful every day.

When Sara was pregnant with our oldest, a dear friend shared a list of “Rules to Teach Your Son” - below are some of my favorites.

1. Never shake a man’s hand while sitting down.

2. Don’t enter a pool by the stairs.

3. The man at the BBQ Grill is the closest thing to a king.

4. When entrusted with a secret, keep it.

5. Play with passion or don’t play at all.

6. If you need music on at the beach, you’re missing the point.

7. Ask your mom to play. She won’t let you win.

8. Manners maketh man.

To my sons, Rollie and Grant: I love boys so much, I will be there for you both as long as I live. To my father, Tom: I am honored to be your son, and thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for us.

Happy Father's Day!

Cheers,

June 2024

PUBLISHER

Sara DeMarcus | sara.demarcus@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Matthew DeMarcus

matthew.demarcus@citylifestyle.com

MARKET AREA COORDINATOR

Drew Stephens

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jenna Craig, Matt DeMarcus

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Christian Rodriguez, Matt DeMarcus

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Adam Finley

city scene

1: The Coffee House has hosted many of the Hidden Wings art. Stop by and support! 2 — 6: A collection of youngsters involved with the Central Coast Classic Association & Junior Rodeo. 7: Katie leading her daughters down the “Wright” path.

Soundbath

Reiki

Yoni Steam

business monthly

Solvang Kicks Off Music In The Park

Starting June 19 the Solvang Chamber of Commerce is excited to bring back the Summer Music in the Park Series, presented by the Solvang Chamber of Commerce. The family-friendly concert series features eleven different live musical performances every Wednesday, starting at 5 pm and ending around 8 pm. Concerts will take place outdoors at Solvang Park, located at 1630 Mission Dr. June 19: Sean Wiggins & lOne gOat, June 26: Kelly's Lot

Scan to read more

Rotating Selection: The Good Life Craft Beer + Wine Cellar

A hybrid of sorts; part bottle shop, part tasting room, part bar.  You can purchase bottles to go while visiting the shop, or online.  They offer preset tastings of both beer and wine daily. You can sit and enjoy a glass in their cozy underground cellar or on their quaint outdoor patio  (all guests must be 21+).  Their selections are constantly rotating so you will always find something new and delicious!

Scan to read more

Congratulations SYHS Class of 2024!

Congratulations on reaching this incredible milestone in your lives! As you stand on the precipice of endless possibilities, remember that your journey is just beginning. Embrace the challenges ahead with courage and determination, knowing that each obstacle is an opportunity for growth. Believe in yourselves, chase your dreams relentlessly, and never underestimate the power of hard work and resilience. The world is waiting for your unique talents and contributions. Go forth and conquer! Go Pirates!

Scan to read more

Photography by @visitsyv

For Your Barbecue Pleasure

A CENTRAL COAST TAKE ON TRADITIONAL BARBECUE

Whiskey ‘N Rye Smokehouse

Tucked away in Atterdag Square, in the heart of downtown Solvang, you’ll likely smell the scents of the smokehouse drifting through the quaint streets of town. Whiskey ‘N Rye with its rich design and vibrant bar offers you a sophisticated BBQ dining experience, while also making you feel like part of their family. With the tagline, “For Your Barbecue Pleasure,” Whiskey ‘N Rye specializes in sauces from Kansas City to the Carolinas and Texas, all under one roof. With a broad menu that appeals to anyone from a meat lover to a vegan, most dishes on the menu offer up an element that’s either smoked or grilled. “Elevated comfort food” and “fun and approachable” is how Don Conner, Owner, and Matthew Negrete, Director of Operations, describe their Americana restaurant. I sat down with them to discuss Whiskey 'N Rye and how they turned a passion for BBQ and spirits into a memorable experience for all guests.

When asked how they differentiate themselves from other restaurants in the Valley, Don and Matthew shared the following,

“Outside of having an emphasis on barbecue, we pay special attention to customizing and scratch-creating with over 100 different ingredients being used. If you’ve experienced our food, it’s very flavorful. We spend a lot of time customizing and creating unique flavor profiles. Portions... we don’t skimp on portions here. When you look at it from a complete picture of value, one of our most popular items is our Sampler Trio: brisket, ribs, pulled

pork, and two sides. It’s enough to feed 2-3 people and all for $55. As to the quality of food, we put out and price point, the value is pretty amazing, and that’s why we’ve become so successful.”

Even the way that the team approaches each guest is special. When I asked how they go about attracting customers, they quickly informed me that they do not refer to the people coming in as “customers” but rather they are guests. “It’s a valued mindset from the moment they walk in the door. We want to be in a constant state of growth and refinement. We meet weekly with our management staff, Head Chef, and Culinary Director to discuss feedback and reviews. The way we invite guests to come is quite literally doing it on a oneon-one basis. We go throughout the Valley and introduce ourselves, say hi, and put a face to the business. With any new initiative, like brunch, we want to get the word out locally and draw that business from a personal perspective.” It is truly amazing how much the entire team prioritizes the local experience and feeling of being welcome. To further show their support for our local community, Whiskey 'N Rye is a sponsor of Theaterfest, and Music in the Park, and is involved in the Pirate Sports Programs and donating meals as a part of one of Ballard School's initiatives.

Whether you are a whiskey fanatic, beer/ wine lover, or opt for a non-alcoholic drink, there are options for everyone. “We have a bar manager with over 10+ years of experience in whiskey, and that’s a big impetus for us in our growth. We want to grow our 150 whiskey selections to over 250.” As for their food options, “We’re constantly looking at the products we’re serving. We have fan favorites, but being able to tweak the menu brings a fresh perspective. We want our restaurant to be a place for the locals and regulars to visit. We’re ready to work double-time to make that happen. We realize the importance of having high-quality menu options that are consistent.”

“As to the quality of food, we put out and price point, the value is pretty amazing, and that’s why we’ve become so successful.”

“We want our restaurant to be a place for the locals and regulars to visit. We’re ready to work double-time to make that happen. We realize the importance of having highquality menu options that are consistent.”

The future for Whiskey 'N Rye looks very promising and bright! As a local, finding my go-to “brunch spot” has proven to be a challenge over the years. They have recently launched a Saturday and Sunday brunch, which I am so excited about. Whether I am planning Father's Day, a fun family meal, or a mid-morning brunch date with my girlfriends... Whiskey 'N Rye will be at the top of our list! Another really exciting offering is their 34-foot food truck. “We’re going to be able to have an off-shoot of our business and do pop-ups and catering, bringing Whiskey ‘N Rye to the people. We’re also expanding our patio seating area to accommodate even more guests. We try to invest in people and processes to create an environment where people are happy to be a part of an experience.”

Whiskey ‘N Rye is open Friday-Monday for Brunch/Lunch/Dinner, and Tuesday-Thursday for Dinner. To see the complete menu and make a reservation, visit https://www.whiskeynrye.com/.

Photography by Shelby

Caitlin Photography

OLD SANTA YNEZ DAYS

Saturday, June 22

Sunday, June 23

Kids 12 and under are free with an adult ticket

$35 per day or $50 for the weekend

Tickets are also available for sale at our Rodeo Headquarters, KJ Murphy's Custom Cowboy Hatter, 3569 Sagunto St . in Santa Ynez and at Ranch-N-Back, 1108 Edison St., Santa Ynez

Whether you are a new golfer or have been playing for decades, we all want the same thing—to be a single-digit handicap (or better). In some professions, golfing with clients is a must, and slicing off the tee box can kill the deal.

ARTICLE BY DANIEL SCHOWENGERDT

01.

Get fit for equipment.

If you’ve been playing with the same clubs for 5+ years, it’s time to take advantage of the new equipment. Newer clubs have lower and deeper center of gravity (CG), creating an easier launch off the face. Even off-center strikes can produce a straight shot with the right set of clubs. Any major golf store will fit you for free—just make sure you get the correct length club and size grip.

On drivers and hybrids, some of the newest equipment have premium shaft options off the rack. The shaft is the engine of the club, so getting custom shafts will add distance and forgiveness—guaranteed.

As for the putter, you use it more than any other club in your bag on every round of golf. It should be the most tailored club in your bag.

Perfecting Your Golf Swing

02.

Read quality golf books for a higher golf IQ.

There are thousands of golf books, but don’t worry, you only need to read a handful of them to up your golf IQ. Here are some top reads:

Short game: Dave Pelz’s Short Game Bible by Dave Pelz

Mental game: Golf is Not a Game of Perfect by Bob Rotella Mechanics: Practical Golf by John Jacobs

Ball flight laws: The Practice Manual by Adam Young (only read the first 50 pages)

03.

Practice your short game every day.

You don’t even have to spend time away from your family while practicing if you don’t have a golf simulator. You can practice putting and chipping on the carpet while watching TV with your family.

Chipping and the bump and run: The only mechanical advice I will give is the most important lesson you can learn in the short game. When you miss your approach shot you must be able to chip the ball within 8 feet of the hole for a one putt. Try this shot from Dave Peltz’s short game book. It gets me up and down from 25 yards out to just off the green.

FATHER'S

by Christian Rodriguez

DAY IDEAS

Do Something That The Dad In Your Life Will Love

ARTICLE BY MATT DEMARCUS | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Photo

Nestled in the Santa Ynez Mountains is one of the Valley's most amazing resorts that my family loves to visit. Whether it is the golf course, the pool on a hot day, or the majesty of the bass lake, my family and I truly admire this gem in the SYV.

This has been quite a fun hike for my wife and I over the years, and we’re excited to start to introduce it to our children. It’s a relatively short but fairly steep hike that puts you behind and overlooking the Wind Caves. Try and climb the tower at the end if you dare!

We always find ourselves driving passed the new coffee shop in Buellton by Valley Station Road, and my wife and I love their breve lattes! Grace and Ryan have done a fantastic job in creating a wonderful space and some truly delicious coffee, we love seeing their hard work pay off.

1. ALISAL RANCH

2. GAVIOTA STATION HIKE

3. LITTLE KING COFFEE

Photo by Christian Rodriguez

If you ask my children what their favorite store in the Valley is, they will in unison yell out “ACE Hardware!” The friendly staff and abundant selection make this place not only an essential stop for all my eclectic home improvement needs but also a fun popcorn break for the kiddos on busy weekends.

This weekend is fun! Summertime. Parade. Western roots. We're in! When the national anthem plays, you will find my wife crying every single time. My kids are getting to the age where they want to find ways to participate so, obviously, this is a great annual treat for us in June.

Since 2014 I’ve been a mug club member and couldn’t be more grateful for their Los Olivos taproom throwing a wrench in my wife’s wine-tasting plans. The open grass area has been a godsend for my children to burn off some energy while I enjoy an Agua Santa on those hot summer days.

5. HARRISON’S HARDWARE

6. FIGUEROA MOUNTAIN BREWING COMPANY

4. OLD SANTA YNEZ DAYS PARADE & RODEO

2024 OSYD Rodeo HQ - Photo by Lauren Maeve Photography

PAST. PRESENT. FUTURE. PIRATE

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

June - Trace Agin, Past Pirate Inspired By The Rodeo

Some people were born to be a Pirate and one of the best examples is Trace Agin. Trace played baseball, basketball, and volleyball. In basketball he was 2x all-league, in volleyball he was a member of 3x CIF-SS Championship teams, being all-league his senior year. After high school, Trace pursued basketball at SBCC where he received 2 all-league awards. Which led him to play at D-II Sonoma State University. The highlight of his senior year was receiving team Defensive Player of the Year.

The sport of rodeo also began to emerge as a favorite during his college years. He currently competes in two rodeo events: Xtreme Bronc Riding and Steer Wrestling. With his brother Wade, they quickly climbed the ranks in the family event of Xtreme Bronc Riding, aka Wild Horse Racing. At this point they have won 9 World Titles together with a couple of different riders, Josh Lair and Dj Stoneburner. Throughout Trace’s XBR career, 1999-Present, he has been a 5x Cheyenne Frontier Days Champion and 5x XBR NFR Champion. At Cheyenne, it makes him the all-time winningest cowboy in the event. Trace also has 14 wins at Santa Maria Elks Rodeo, his hometown show.

Rodeo is also where Trace met his beautiful wife Rhianna Morris. With the help of his family Bill, Kriss, Wade, and Cheyenne the couple moved back home to be a part of the family business. Together they decided to raise little Pirates of their own. They have 4 kids together: Rylan (16), Morgan (13), Jacee (6) and Jett (4). The oldest, Rylan, was a member of this year’s Girls Basketball undefeated league team and 1st Team All-League player. Who knows what path the other 3 will follow but one thing is for sure... they will be Pirates!

Honor the Past. Represent the Present. Prepare the Future. Sponsored by the Freedom Fighter Family

Nominate A Pirate Here

Los Olivos Outfitters

ARTICLE BY MATT DEMARCUS

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

I sat down with the owner of Los Olivos Outfitters, Josh Hartley, to discuss his love for the SYV, his commitment to lifelong creativity, and his plans for what he and Jory Brigham are creating.

WHERE QUALITY MEETS CREATIVITY

“THE SHOP AND GALLERY ARE SORT OF A DREAM COME TRUE BECAUSE IT’S AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK MORE CLOSELY TOGETHER AND PUT OUR COLLECTIVE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE DESIGN WORLD TO WORK IN A PROJECT THAT’S RIGHT HERE ON OUR BELOVED CENTRAL COAST.”

TWO BEST FRIENDS OPENING UP A SIDE-BY-SIDE MEN’S BOUTIQUE AND GALLERY SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF A MOVIE. HOW LONG HAVE YOU TWO BEEN DREAMING THIS UP?

It’s been a long time coming. Jory and I have been best friends for the last 30 years and we have always supported each other in our creative careers. Jory is an internationally-known and award-winning woodworker and designer, while I’m a product designer, focusing on eyewear.

The shop and gallery are sort of a dream come true because it’s an opportunity to work more closely together and put our collective decades of experience in the design world to work in a project that’s right here on our beloved Central Coast.

WHAT INITIALLY DREW YOU TO OPEN A STORE IN THE SYV?

Jory was born here in Los Olivos, my wife was born and raised in the valley, I grew up on the Central Coast as well in San Luis Obispo. Jory and I knew we wanted to collaborate on a creative project and Los Olivos seemed like the perfect location.

ONE THING THAT WE HAVE FOUND SO INSPIRING IS YOUR ABILITY TO BET ON YOURSELF. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU, JORY, AND YOUR FAMILIES?

I am a big believer in intuition. Jory and I share that quality and I think it’s served us well. One of the great things about this project is that it’s ours and we can include our families. Jory’s kids are older and have helped a lot, my daughter is a toddler so she hasn’t quite found her job at the shop yet.

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.”

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY’S ONLY BOTTLE SHOP, TASTING ROOM &

BAR

We feature over 40 local, small production wines (without tasting rooms!) and a weekly rotating selection of over 50 California Independent craft breweries.

+ Neighbors Night every Tuesday from 6pm - 9pm with discounts for Santa Ynez Valley residents

+ Live music every Saturday night at 8pm

+ “Meet Your Maker” monthly event featuring one of our producers on site to meet and pour for our guests

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

JUNE 8TH

Los Olivos Jazz & Olive Festival

Lavinia Campbell Park: 2398 Alamo

Pintado Avenue, Los Olivos, Ca | 1:00 PM

Spend a Saturday afternoon tasting wine from 26 local wineries, listening to worldclass, professional jazz musicians, and sampling 26 different olive-themed dishes prepared by local chefs. The Jazz and Olive Festival is presented by the Los Olivos Rotary Club and all funds generated from the event are used for the charitable projects supported by the Rotary Club.

JUNE 15TH

Rio Golf Tournament Fundraiser

Alisal River Course: 150 Alisal Road, Solvang, Ca | 7:30 AM

One of the largest fundraising efforts for Pirate Football. Join us for a fun-filled day of golf and afternoon festivities in support of The SY Pirate Football Program. Your registration includes 18 holes of Golf, a Cart, a Goodie Bag, and an Extraordinary SYV Tri-tip & Chicken Dinner.  Great prizes await during the Live auction, Raffle, and Hole-in-one contest.

JUNE 15TH

Chef In Residence with Na Na Thai

Fess Parker Winery: 6200 Foxen Canyon Rd, Los Olivos, CA | 6:00 PM

Exclusive dinner in the winery fireplace room with Nik and Ashley Ramirez from Na Na Thai and special guest Third Window Brewing. They will have a fabulous multi-course dinner paired with Fess Parker wines. As a special treat, one course will be paired with a Pilsner from Third Window Brewing made with Fess Parker Home Ranch barley.

realty report

events

CONTINUED

JUNE 21ST – 22ND

Old Santa Ynez Days: KickOff Party and Grand Parade

Downtown Santa Ynez

The 60th Anniversary Kick-Off Party (6/21) at 6 PM and Parade (6/22) at 10 AM to watch the parade filled with horses, wagons, floats, dogs, and more! This year, they are honoring the SYV Elks as the Grand Marshal. After the parade, stick around to peruse not only the fabulous local boutiques but also the artisanal vendors for the day.

JUNE 22ND – 23RD

Old Santa Ynez Days Rodeo

Santa Ynez Chumash San Carlos Property: CA 246 + Meadowvale Road | 1:00 PM

The 5th Annual Old Santa Ynez Days Rodeo is presented by The Santa Ynez Valley Western Heritage Foundation. This two day event is a Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) qualifying rodeo. Join us for a fun-filled family event as we celebrate our western culture in the heart of beautiful Santa Ynez, California.

JUNE 24TH – 27TH

Safety Town

SYV Presbyterian Church: 1825 Alamo Pintado Road, Solvang, Ca | 9:00 AM

Safety Town is a miniature city built to scale for kindergarten-age children to practice safety skills. The purpose of Safety Town is to provide children an opportunity to evaluate “safe” from “unsafe” while learning overall safety practices. Through crafts, songs, guest speakers, and other age-appropriate activities, participants learn about pedestrian, bicycle, school bus, water, fire, earthquake, and home safety.