TVs Eight (one in almost every room, including the master bedroom, which has a 65-inch flat screen, plus a large monitor for his computer)
HIS STORY: After 11 years with the Indianapolis Colts, Dwight Freeney left the snowy plains of Indiana and headed west. On the field he’s known for his pass rush, lightning speed, and signature spin move, which earned him seven consecutive spots in the Pro Bowl and a Super Bowl ring in 2007. But at home, life is quiet and simple. The 33-year-old enjoys watching movies and playing video games and poker with his friends. He also likes trying new restaurants in his foodie ’hood. “It’s like Cheers over there,” he says of Italian hotspot Bencotto. “They know me!” After Dwight signed a two-year contract with the Chargers last year, his interior designer, Tammy Westgerdes of TJ West Designs, found this penthouse unit for him. It wasn’t even on the market. Designed by starchitect (and former occupant) Jonathan Segal, the space is characterized by its modern grayish tones, sweeping city views, and exposed cement beams. When Dwight injured his quad in the second game of the season, his new home turned out to be the perfect place to rest and recover. As for missing Indiana and getting used to SD, that seems to be on the mend, too. “It’s a nice city, very laid-back,” he says of San Diego, while reclining on a sofa overlooking the bay. Laid back, indeed.
Dwight Freeney on his patio
Sliding glass pocket doors create that quintessential SoCal indoor/outdoor feel on the home’s lower level.
Urban Backyard
Wispy olive trees frame a large patio, complete with a fire pit and West Elm sofas. Linear-patterned porcelain flooring blends with black lava rocks, adding contrast and texture to the courtyard, which connects the entry, main living area, and kitchen. (Midcentury modern patio chairs by Bertoia, available at Design Within Reach)
floor to ceiling windows
Floor-to-ceiling windows in Dwight’s master suite highlight the home’s stunning city and bay views.
Dwight Freeney’s Nike Jordans in his bathroom/closet
Dwight estimates he has more than 400 pairs of Nike Jordans, with about two in rotation at any given time. We found dozens in his bathroom/closet. (Size 13.5!)
Dwight spends the majority of his time in the master suite. The Technogel bed is a favorite among pro athletes; the portable massage table at the foot of it stands as a reminder of his ongoing injury and rehab. A painting by local artist Kurt Stell is one of several pieces he acquired from Segal. In the background is Dwight’s 65-inch, 4K ultra-HD Sony TV. Imagine the grin on his face as he explains the details of this beauty, and how a relentless Best Buy salesman convinced him to purchase it. (“The guy is talking it up, and I know what he’s doing, but I can’t help myself!”) The screen is positioned just so, in front of his favorite Leathercraft recliner. “I’ve had this chair forever. I’ve been through a lot with it,” he says of the furniture item that’s seen him through five surgeries. “This is my favorite spot by far.”
The custom metal and glass stairway leads to the guest rooms and master suite upstairs, without obstructing the view. The open layout on the lower level allows for six different seating areas, including a cozy alcove with a gas fireplace in the entry and a poker table.
glass stairway
Big Picture
Dwight sits in his home theater on a sofa designed by Westgerdes, with a special kind of foam that prevents the sitter from sinking too low. She also customizes the height and length of her cushions—a plus for Dwight, who weighs in at about 265 pounds and is 6’1″. The footballer loves popcorn, and Gladiator and Braveheart are two of his favorite movies.(Contempo popcorn machine made by Paragon, available on Amazon.com.)
Part intimate boutique, part full-service interior design studio, Cody’s Home + Gift has something for every nook of your sanctuary. The Hillcrest shop is stocked with rugs, light fixtures, and innovative finds, including preserved butterfly artwork and a new line of eco-friendly dog toys. For a personalized touch, Cody’s also offers custom design work, ranging from sofas and throw pillows to full-on residential and commercial furnishing projects. Among the different lines sold at the shop is a rotating selection of works by local artists. This month, the shop features pieces by Leslie Jordan, who transforms reclaimed wooden tennis, badminton, and squash rackets into mirrors. 142 University Avenue, Hillcrest
Bringing together the design motifs of two cultures, Little Italy’s Modmatter, curated by Louise Girling (pictured), will host its first exhibition, Span: From Mexico to Portland, featuring architectural firm Manada and ceramist Lilith Rockett. The show incorporates innovative home décor and furniture pieces from Manada, led by Katerina Alatzia and Alejandro Tapia, including the Wirt, a multi-purpose carry-all, and the award-winning 42 Bed, a solid wood daybed that doubles as a desk. Also on display are Rockett’s minimalist and utilitarian-style porcelain bowls, cups, and plates. The pieces—all of which are for sale—will be on view through the end of May, by appointment. 2064 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy
At home with the founder of Jazzercise, Judi Sheppard Missett, and her husband, Jack Missett
By Kimberly Cunningham | Photography by Robert Benson
Judi and Jack Missett
Judi Sheppard Missett and her husband Jack
NEIGHBORHOOD: Vista
STATS: 1 acre, with 5,103 square feet of house, including 4 bedrooms, 6.5 baths, a sauna, dance studio, 3-car garage, and dog chambers
THEIR STORY:
At the home of Judi Sheppard Missett, founder and CEO of Jazzercise, the principles by which she started her company reign supreme: balance, movement, and a little bit of pop. Judi and her husband of 47 years, Jack Missett, a former TV news reporter, live in a property that was first featured by San Diego Magazine in 2004. When the Missetts moved in two and a half years ago, they enlisted its original architects, Michael Batter and Janice Kay, as well as Wurfl Construction, to perform a major remodel that nearly doubled the house’s size. Today, it’s a place where the former professional dancer turned fitness guru dreams up choreography for her empire and enjoys the little luxuries of success. She says: “When you have movement in your life, it creates movement in other parts of your life and keeps you moving forward in the best possible way.”
swimming pool
LAP OF LUXURY
For Jack, a triathlete, swimming is part of his daily workout, so he wanted a pool closer to Olympic size. During the renovation, the architects doubled the size of the original pool. They also added a spa, sauna, and outdoor fireplace. Why Vista? “It’s just a few miles from the beach, but the sun comes out a lot more often here,” says Judi, who grew up in rural Iowa. “Yes, there is life north of Del Mar!”
Judi commissioned Abel and Brothers Custom Iron in San Marcos to design these dancing sculptures. The couple expanded the existing deck off the master suite and built balconies off the upper guestroom and Judi’s study.
koi pond
OH, KOI!
The lower level opens to a koi pond and expansive backyard. Elfi Lawrence of Lawrence Design supervised the landscaping, with design assistance from Roshan Skiver. Jack oversaw most of the project. The goal was to make the outside as interesting as the inside. He wanted the patios and decks to be easily accessible via floor-to-ceiling windows, sliding pocket doors, and an exterior staircase, facilitating that indoor/outdoor feel, which comes in handy during parties and meetings. Another priority: creating a place just for Jack. “He wanted a space of his own,” Judi says. “So the art studio (pictured in the background) became his little retreat.”
front of the house
THE WHITE HOUSE
“This house really looks like it belongs on the beach,” says Judi, noting the all-white color, a trademark of Batter Kay. During the expansion, the Missetts converted the original garage into a 1,100-square-foot dance studio and built a larger three-car garage off to the left. The architects found it both fun and challenging to keep the new plans consistent with their initial design. “The original building had such a strong geometry to it,” Michael Batter explains. “Now we had all these separate structures and had to relate them back to the original building. It became the play of the curves.” Here, Jack polishes the hood of his 1956 two-tone Nash Metropolitan.
cherry-red Egg chair
This cherry-red Egg chair and ottoman, Arne Jacobsen’s iconic 1958 design for Danish furniture company Fritz Hansen, is a favorite of Judi’s. (Available at Design Within Reach)
entryway
The front door opens to a grand, light-filled foyer with tall ceilings and a staircase leading to the master suite and Judi’s study. A Christmas card from the White House, signed by the Obamas rests on the table!
master bedroom
Neutral gray walls and linens complement the original painting by Roy Lichtenstein that hangs above the couple’s bed. “I love the colors of Pop Art,” Judi says. “And the subject matter is lighthearted.”
dining table
“I like angles, that sharpness,” she says of her zigzag dining chairs. “I think it’s because it’s all about movement.” In the background: an original soup can painting by Andy Warhol’s assistant Steve Kaufman. (Chairs available at Cassina USA)
dance studio
JAZZ HANDS!
Today, Jazzercise extends to 32 countries, with more than 7,800 franchises worldwide and 35,000 classes per week. Judi’s legacy has become a family affair. Her daughter, Shanna Missett Nelson, serves as the company’s president. Both continue to teach at the headquarters in Carlsbad. Here, the duo practices a routine in the at-home dance studio, accessible via a separate entrance to avoid traffic through the main house. Judi requested a maple floor with some spring, and based on this photo, it’s easy to see why. The space also showcases some of the family’s collectibles, such as an autographed Michael Jordan jersey, a vintage Coca-Cola soda fountain, and original sketches by Dr. Seuss. But above all, it’s a place where Judi choreographs routines for future Jazzercise classes. She loves the convenience of it. “It’s easier,” she says. “The creative process isn’t something you can schedule.”
Implementing a farm-to-table model hardly deserves acknowledgement these days. It’s not a stretch. It’s not innovative. “It’s the bare f**king minimum,” says Herb & Sea‘s executive chef Aidan Owens.
When I arrive at the Encinitas restaurant, I’m ready to talk sustainability, farm-to-table stuff, with Owens. “Did you see the chin on that?” he says of the extra big jiggly chin on the sheephead that just arrived with the day’s fresh catch. I did. It was Jay Leno adjacent.
I learn quickly that he somehow oozes both charm and stone-cold honesty. Maybe he could construct a new dish with chin goo, like he did when he had a bunch of tuna scraps and voila’d it into a smooth and crowd-pleasing ‘nduja. “I want to know what’s in there,” he says.
Courtesy of Herb & Sea
The instinct to look closer, to dig into what others might discard, says a lot about the chef’s approach. I guide him back to our topic, but he has something else on his mind. “We’re overcomplicating food—what happened to just cooking good food and having fun with it?”
Owens grew up on a farm in Byron Bay, Australia, where sustainability wasn’t a concept you chat about so much as a way of life. Think dirt roads, backyard chickens, pulling vegetables straight from the ground, and a mother who believed that if you couldn’t pronounce the ingredients on a package, you shouldn’t eat what was inside.
Food wasn’t precious or performative. Making it was what you did because you were hungry and that’s still what inspires Owens today. “I like to cook good food because I like to eat good food,” he says.
His approach to sustainability at Herb & Sea began so naturally that it felt just like instinct. “I was just like, ‘Let’s order food from the people who live and work here,’” he says.
Courtesy of Herb & Sea
And why wouldn’t he when lives in San Diego? Cities all over the world vie for our goods. Our tuna is sent overseas. Our spiny lobsters hit dinner plates in China and Japan. Not to mention California’s producing a third of the country’s vegetables and three-quarters of its fruits and nuts.
“Why would we outsource when it’s all here?” Owens asks.
Sustainability, in this context, is about cooking what exists in abundance, nearby, right now. “I love the local fish here. It’s f**king delicious and San Diego citrus, I mean, it is so f**ing good,” he says.
Instead of importing ingredients, Owens also looks for nearby alternatives. “You can find really cool things in the local waters,” he says, pointing out that stingray cheeks taste similar to scallops.
Courtesy of Herb & Sea
Whatever he finds in that sheephead chin might just be the next substitute for marrow. But to make this work, it means getting diners amped up about the slightly unfamiliar.
Tasting menus, where diners are completely in his hands, become an opportunity to gently push boundaries. “I’ll serve mackerel, because people think they hate it,” Owens says, noting that the abundant local fish can have some fishiness. “But when it’s fresh, it’s arguably one of the best fish in the ocean.”
He also tweaks the language on the menu so people might feel more compelled to give dishes a try without preconceived notions. He might use “lengua” instead of “tongue.” “Whelk” instead of “snail.” When he puts “stingray throat” on the menu, he disarmingly calls it “skate.”
To reduce waste, scraps aren’t always discarded but rather turned into something new. Sometimes they’re smoked, cured or fermented. Apples going bad turn into apple ponzu. Lemons turn to marmalade, which stretches their usefulness far beyond peak season. “And it’s super tasty on our pizza,” he says.
What makes the food even richer, is the relationships he’s built with farmers. Though it didn’t always feel natural, Owens sought personal connection first. He recalls approaching a fisherman at the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market. “I was awkward,” he says. “I went up to him and said, ‘I like your fish.’”
Owen’s is now so close to his suppliers—like fishermen Ryan Sebo and Joe Daly—that he gets texted pictures of fresh catches right as they flop on the boat. The messages always ask if he wants first dibs. “I say yes to a lot of fish,” Owens says, noting that Herb & Sea can go through 2,000 pounds of seafood a week.
Courtesy of Herb & Sea
The next evolution of sustainability, in his view, will be chefs working directly with producers such as his alliance with Sebo, cutting out middlemen and purveyors where possible. “It will put more money in the pockets of the people doing the work,” he says.
It will mean that chefs can’t just know their local farmers and producers, but they’ll choose to work with the ones who have the best practices. Dining and sustainability will become much less about the final plate. “It will be more about the impact that plate has on the Earth,” he says.
Ultimately, he believes sustainability doesn’t need to be loud. It doesn’t need hashtags. It just needs to be honest.
“We aren’t saving lives. We’re feeding people good food,” he says.
And yet, in feeding people well—simply, thoughtfully, responsibly—something meaningful happens. Guests leave satisfied. Ingredients are respected. Local ecosystems are supported and food returns to what it has always been at its core: nourishment, pleasure, and a quiet reflection of the place it comes from.
At home with restaurateur and entertainment venue mastermind Ty Hauter
By Kimberly Cunningham | Photography by Found Creative Studio
Ty Hauter, his wife Suzannah, and daughter Presley Royce
Neighborhood Coronado
Stats 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms plus a detached guesthouse
FIREPLACES fireplaces 10 (one in every room)
THEIR STORY: Meet Ty Hauter, the former bouncer turned businessman who has been instrumental in revamping San Diego’s East Village. His company, Good Time Design, owns and operates 11 local restaurants and bars, including the original Whiskey Girl, Bub’s at the Ballpark, and Southpaw Social Club. The most recent, Moonshine Flats, a 10,000-square-foot country rock bar and entertainment venue, just opened in February. He also bought the Palm Restaurant on J Street and has plans for a new concept, set to open this summer. So how does he bring the hustle and bustle of his work life home? He doesn’t, really. Ty and his wife, Suzannah, share a surprisingly quiet existence at their new house in Coronado. As with all of his projects, quality mattered. To help with the details, Suzannah recruited Darcy Kempton of Simply Stunning Spaces, who crafted a cozy yet streamlined look. Paint colors and fabric swatches aside, the house has one star attraction: the couple’s 18-month-old daughter, Presley Royce. She’s a one-of-a-kind design.
One of San Diego's most historical neighborhoods keeps it fresh with dive-in movies and a bait shop bistro, plus craft beer and yoga, of course
By Dayna Crozier
Point Loma
1. NEW Modern Times Beer that lives up to the hype! Cool, bright tasting room, too. 3725 Greenwood Street
2. NEW Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens The famous brews now flow in a spectacular beer garden, complete with an outdoor bocce ball court. 2816 Historic Decatur Road, Liberty Station
3. NEW Pummarò This rustic Italian restaurant, related to La Jolla’s Osteria Romantica, serves wood-fired pizza, calzones, and pasta. 1101 Scott Street
4. NEW Fathom Bistro, Bait, and Tackle Sunny days are made for craft beer, burgers and decadent dogs on the tiny fishing pier. 1776 Shelter Island Drive
5. The Pearl Sustainable menu, Dive-In Theatre, and bingo lure locals to this fabulously retro boutique hotel. 1410 Rosecrans Street
6. Sessions Public This gastropub serves top-notch beer, craft cocktails, and great brunch. 4204 Voltaire Street
This Month in Point Loma
February 7 Friday Night Liberty for free arts and culture at Liberty Station
February 12–15 Valentine’s Date Nights at The Pearl
Wednesdays Fishermen’s Farmers Market, 4900 North Harbor Drive, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
7. Yoga Six Yoga tailored for each level and purpose, in a luxury studio. 2850 Womble Road, Liberty Station
8. Tender Greens Local farm-fresh food served quick in a bright room or breezy patio. 2400 Historic Decatur Road, Liberty Station
9. Point Loma Seafoods Have a beer by the bay while shopping for fresh seafood. 2805 Emerson Street
10. NTC Arts & Culture District Liberty Station’s historical grounds also house galleries, studios, and performances. Liberty Station
11. The Bar Method Sculpt your body and gain balance and stamina with this non-impact workout. 2751 Roosevelt Road, Liberty Station
12. Con Pane Rustic Breads & Café Coffee, sandwiches, and pastries—plus the crusty Point Loma Sourdough is some of the best we’ve tried. 2750 Dewey Road, Liberty Station
13. Supannee House of Thai Try its extensive specialty curry list, summer rolls, or sweet and sour chicken. 2907 Shelter Island Drive
14. Bali Hai Glittering skyline views with Pacific Rim-inspired dishes and tiki drinks like the infamous Mai Tai. 2230 Shelter Island Drive
15. Harbor Town Pub Trivia, karaoke, taco Tuesdays—there’s something for everyone at this local pub. 1125 Rosecrans Street
Torch Heroes: Why San Diego’s Most Trusted Businesses Win by Doing the Right Thing
In a world overflowing with shortcuts, marketing fluff, and “good enough,” there are still companies that choose a different answer. And in San Diego, there are plenty of them.
2025-Torch-SD-09131839 (2)
In a world overflowing with shortcuts, marketing fluff, and “good enough,” there are still companies that choose a different answer.
Integrity guides how they show up every day. They make hard decisions, hold themselves accountable, and build trust the old-fashioned way, one action at a time. At the Better Business Bureau, we call these businesses Torch Heroes: leaders who demonstrate that ethical leadership strengthens businesses and drives long-term success.
And in San Diego, there are plenty of them.
Take House Collective Marketing Solutions, a Carlsbad-based digital agency that won the 2025 Torch Award for Ethics for its people-first approach to marketing. Instead of pushing flashy campaigns, the team often takes a step back to make sure clients’ foundations are strong before going big. Their philosophy? Truth over transaction builds partnerships that last.
Or look at Young Black & N’ Business, where integrity shows up through community action. When a local school lost art funding, founder Roosevelt Williams III and his team stepped in with workshops, mentorship, and hands-on support to help restore creative opportunity. That kind of engagement reflects ethical leadership rooted in real impact.
And in Vista, Lotus Sustainables carried its commitment to ethics all the way to the product line. After discovering defects in a shipment of eco-friendly products, the company issued full refunds and redesigned its offerings at its own expense, a choice that shaped its identity and reinforced to customers that ethics guide every decision.
In North County, Greenway Landscape Design & Build brings integrity into everyday service. When a client’s glass was damaged, likely not by their crew, owner Scott Lawn chose responsibility over blame and covered the repair personally. For Greenway, doing the right thing serves as a north star, guiding every interaction through transparent pricing, accountable partnerships, proactive communication, and follow-through long after the job is done.
Other honorees include At Your Home Familycare, whose leadership turned down a lucrative state contract during the pandemic to protect vulnerable clients and staff, and Bill Howe Family of Companies, where hiring practices, training, and service centers around shared values, every day, on every call.
What connects these diverse businesses, from marketing to nonprofit support to home services, isn’t size, industry, or revenue. It’s something deeper: a commitment to trust as a business strategy.
In San Diego’s competitive marketplace, that trust gives companies an edge. Clients invest in relationships. They refer friends. They stay loyal when others fade.
As one Torch Award winner puts it, integrity isn’t a section in the employee handbook. It’s the operating system of the company, the invisible code that determines every choice, every day.
And that’s exactly the point of the BBB Torch Awards for Ethics: to spotlight companies that dispel the myth that ethics and success are at odds. These businesses show that when leaders choose honesty, fairness, and accountability, especially when it’s hard, they build brands that matter.
At BBB, we see nominations come in from clients, employees, and business partners who have witnessed ethical leadership up close. These submissions aren’t polished promotions. They’re stories of moments when a company chose people over profit, clarity over confusion, and trust over convenience.
The nomination window for the 2026 Torch Awards for Ethics is open through March 31, 2026, and there are more Torch Heroes waiting to be recognized.
Who comes to mind in San Diego’s business community?
A vendor who always delivers — and always explains why.
A competitor who chooses the high road even when shortcuts tempt.
A team within your own company whose day-in, day-out choices reflect deep character.
And yes, businesses can nominate themselves. We encourage it. If you’ve built your business on principles rather than buzzwords, we want to hear your story.
Because in a world full of noise, integrity still deserves the spotlight, and San Diego is full of stories worth telling. Nominate your hero now.
