Santa Ynez Valley Star • March 19 - April 2, 2024

Ballard School hosts an old-fashioned Jamboree

Attendees step back in time at carnival-like event at the

Little Red School House

By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

Visitors to the Little Red School House in Ballard, which was built in 1882, traveled back in time on Sunday, April 21, to attend the Old-Time Ballard Jamboree, a fundraiser for the school which happens every other year. This year was the ninth time for the event, which was started in 2006. Many of the participants, both children and adults, were dressed in vintage attire depicting the late 1800s. Hard to miss was Gina Floyd wearing an enormous red skirt covered in pockets.

“Inside each of the pockets is a prize or candy,” explained Floyd, who worked in the front office of the school for 18 years and retired. She came back to help with the Jamboree. “Kids can have their tickets punched and pick a pocket to retrieve a surprise. It was the idea of a friend of mine, Tracey Cassidy, and another friend and alumni, Christine Forsyth, made it six years ago. It was a wonderful idea.”

On the expansive lawn, old-fashioned booths, and dioramas of times long ago, two of which were created by Forsyth, were on display, with games, sweets, treats and prizes for all to enjoy, especially the children. There were three-legged races,

News | Pg. 3 Economic Summit puts SYV issues under the microscope

News Briefs Pg. 2

• DUI driver arrested and found with ghost gun

News Pg. 5

• Solvang City Council hears grant requests from multiple groups

Sports Pg. 8

• Santa Ynez boys golf wins Sunset League title

Education Pg. 11

• Dr. Kimberly Sheehan named principal at Santa Ynez High Community Pg. 12

• Anglers from all over enjoy another Fish Derby at Cachuma  Arts & Nonprofits Pg. 16

• Photographer Ryan Abbott has an eye for detail and nature’s beauty Lifestyles Pg. 20

mining at Pete’s Mining Cabin, bakery items, an old-fashioned photo booth, craft corners, tug of war contests and more. After winning each game, kids earned “Jamboree Bucks” which they were able to use to purchase priz -

es at “The Mercantile” a room filled with quality old-fashioned wooden toys and games.

Located in the middle of the lawn was the largest circle of musical chairs on the Central Coast,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

• HOLIDAY HISTORY: Anna Jarvis: The 'mother' of Mother's Day Food & Drink Pg. 21

• BARBIE BUTZ: Memory makers and rolls

Calendar Pg. 23

• Government meetings and events

The Little Red School House was the site of the Old-Time Ballard Jamboree, a fundraiser for Ballard School held every two years. Photo by Devyn Marseilles.

SOLVANG

DUI driver arrested and found with ghost gun

A Solvang man has been arrested for driving under the influence and found in possession of an illegal rifle. On Sunday, April 28, at approximately 12:40 a.m., a deputy in the Solvang area stopped a vehicle that was missing a front license plate on Mission Drive at Pine Street. The driver, 23-year-old Eduardo Andres Sanchez, was found to be under the influence of alcohol and was subsequently arrested.

During a search of Sanchez’s vehicle, deputies found a loaded, unserialized short-barreled rifle along with narcotics. Sanchez was booked at the Main Jail for misdemeanor DUI and felonies, including transportation of narcotics for

NEWS BRIEFS

sales, possession of a controlled substance for sales, illegal possession of an assault weapon, manufacturing a short barreled rifle, felon in possession of a firearm, and prohibited person carrying a loaded firearm. He is being held on $250,000 bail.

PCPA, Theaterfest to hold Jeweled Jubilee fundraiser June 15

Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) and Solvang Theaterfest are excited to announce a joint fundraising event to celebrate the significant milestones of PCPA's 60th and Solvang Theaterfest's 50th anniversaries. This fundraising event will take place on Saturday, June 15, at 5:30 p.m. at Solvang Festival Theater, located at 420 2nd St., Solvang.

The evening will be filled with entertainment, including live performances by exceptional PCPA artists, silent and live auctions, and catering from the delicious Catering Connection. Attendees will also enjoy premium seats for the Opening Night performance of "Little Shop of Horrors," a cult classic musical that promises to captivate audiences with its blend of humor, horror, and heart.

Tickets for this exclusive event are priced at $200 per person and can be purchased online at pcpa.org or by calling the PCPA box office at (805) 922-8313. Tickets go on sale May 1.

Join us on June 15 as we raise a toast to six decades of PCPA excellence and five decades of Solvang Theaterfest's cultural contributions. Let's come together to support the arts and create lasting memories in the enchanting surroundings of the Solvang Festival Theater. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit pcpa.org or call the PCPA box office at (805) 922-8313.

SANTA

YNEZ

Planes are shown on display during the Santa Ynez Airport Day in 2022. The event will return to the Santa Ynez Airport for the ninth time on Saturday, May 18. File Photo

Santa Ynez Airport Day coming May 18

The Santa Ynez Valley Airport Authority has announced the ninth annual Airport Day will be held May 18 on the airport grounds from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. About 1,000 people are expected to attend and enjoy free hot dogs and hamburgers while admiring the static display of approximately 30 planes and helicopters to include the Santa Barbara County Aviation Fleet. Guests will be able to talk with local pilots about their interest in aviation and answer any questions.

One of the highlights of the event is the awarding of flying scholarships to students that live in the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District and are between the ages of 16 and 19.  Applications are available at  www.santaynezairport.com/scholarship.

The scholarship amount should provide enough funds to train and receive a private pilot license. The recipient two years ago, Helen Pruitt-Kennett, received her private pilot license and has continued her aviation pursuit by receiving an instrument rating and commercial certificate. She is now studying aeronautical engineering at Stanford University. Last year

scholarships were awarded to Rye Winans, Asa Radelfinger, and Dallas Harvey. They plan to complete their training this summer.

Donations sought for SYHS's Safe & Sober Grad Nite

For more than 25 years the parents of the Santa Ynez High School senior class, with the help of the community at large, have thrown an all-night extravaganza for the graduates on their graduation night.

For the students, this is a well-earned celebration, a last "hurrah" with their classmates before they head into the world. This 2024 class of seniors, like the class before them, have had their celebrations disrupted by the COVID pandemic as they were in lockdown for their eighth-grade graduation experience and much of their ninth-grade year was spent on lockdown and in remote learning.

The 2024 SYHS Safe & Sober Grad Nite Committee, The Santa Ynez Pirate PTO, and the senior class parents aim to make this year’s Safe and Sober Grad Nite a celebration for them to remember!

This event ensures that our seniors are celebrating in a safe, sober, drug-free, and alcohol-free environment. Every year there are reports of seniors who do not survive their grad night, due to drug or alcohol use. We all want to see these young people launched safely into their next chapters to pursue their goals and contribute back to our community.

The Safe and Sober Grad Nite Party has always included age-appropriate entertainment including a DJ, games, hypnotists, tattoo artists, music, dancing, food, and drink specifically designed to attract ALL the graduating class. This year’s event will take it to a new

An unserialized rifle is shown with other evidence confiscated after the arrest of a Solvang man on suspicion of driving under the influence. Photo Courtesy of Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office

STAR NEWS

Economic Summit puts SYV issues under the microscope

Danna

Stroud from the state agency GO-Biz serves as keynote speaker in Solvang forum

By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

Numerous local, county, and state official and economic leaders gathered April 19 at the Craft House at Corque in Solvang to discuss several issues at the Santa Ynez Valley Economic Summit 2024.

The forum was hosted by Solvang Chamber of Commerce in a forum "aimed at fostering economic growth and innovation in the Santa Ynez Valley," as stated by the Chamber.

Among the topics covered at the summit were viticulture, city insights, finances, tourism, and housing, with the intention of mapping a successful and innovative future for the region.

Danna Stroud, community-based solutions regional manager at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), was the keynote speaker for the event. Other speakers included Santa Barbara County Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, Steve Golis and Robert Rauchhaus of the Radius Group, Visit Santa Ynez Valley CEO Shelby Sim, Santa Barbara Vintners CEO Alison Laslett, and Solvang Mayor Mark Infanti, who kicked things off.

Infanti began by welcoming everyone to Solvang, which he reminded everyone was "the Danish Capital of America," due to its origin of being

started by immigrants from Denmark.

He then explained the city's economy in a nutshell, noting that 1.2 million visitors a year come to the town (meaning 3,333 per day).

"Fifty percent of our funds come from the transit occupany tax [TOT] paid by the people who come in," Infanti said. "So for those of you staying in hotels today, thank you. We're getting a little bit of your money and putting it in the city coffers."

The mayor explained because of the amount of money that comes in from tourists, the city makes a huge efforts to have events that draw the tourists and appeal to the residents, such as wine tastings, parade, and a month-and-a-half-long Christmas event (Julefest). Then he said that does bring forth challenges.

The biggest challenges, Infanti said, are traffic and parking. He illustrated

this by repeating the figure of 3,333 people a day coming into town.

"Assuming an average of 3 people per car, that amounts to approximately 1,111 cars per day. We have approximately 800 to 1,000 city and hotel parking spaces," Infanti said. "On a busy weekend, the tourists park in the residential neighborhoods because we don't have enough city parking."

In looking ahead, the mayor said one thing that must be done to improve economic development in his town is to update its permitting process, which has become a laborious process.

"Our city manager has a saying that businesses should feel like there is a red carpet and not red tape," he said.

The next speaker was Hartmann, who addressed the economy from a county point-of-view and said she

was glad to have an event like the Summit, where people from different levels of government and business could converse.

"I think it's tremendously important to do this kind of thing so we can identify trends," the supervisor said. "Sometimes we're working in silos and don't realize we're sharing similar experiences and we can do a lot together if we just cooperate."

Hartmann said the county is doing well financially at the moment, noting that it got a AAA rating, the highest mark, from the Standards & Poor index, and that its reserve funds are well-stocked.

However, she also pointed out that half the county budget comes from the state, and that there's still some uncertainty about funding for county programs until the state releases its revised budget in May.

Hartmann said the county had a

five-year forecast that suggested there might be a downturn, and that's why the county has been putting aside money for the reserve funds.

"So we've got five tight years ahead of us," she said. "But once we get to 2029, 2030, we will have a bit of a windfall because we will have our pensions paid off 100 percent of our pensions and that will free up a lot of money in the county budget."

Steve Golis of the Radius Group was next up to discuss the real estate marking, which he described as "rocking" in the Santa Ynez Valley, but he said possible rent control is a worry among developers, and that dealing with the county can be a hindrance.

"Regionally, Santa Barbara County is viewed as difficult," Golis said. "A lot of red tape; it is what it is."

After showing a sampling of

Keynote Speaker Danna Stroud, of the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), talks about her organization's role in helping small businesses during the Santa Ynez Valley Economic Summit on April 19 in Solvang.

Solvang Mayor Mark Infanti was the first speaker at the 2024 Santa Ynez Valley Economic Summit on April 19, addressing his town's tourism-based economy. Photos by Mike Chaldu

level with the courtyard filled with carnival-style rides, dancing/DJ, games, and food and beverage offerings.

To make this event a reality, we need your help with funding. Your monetary assistance helps pay for entertainment, food, and decorations but most importantly, scholarships to any student who needs help in attending, as our goal is to get 100 percent attendance. Without the generosity of our community partners, this event would not have been successful year after year.

For more information, contact Shannon Hazard, SYHS Safe & Sober Grad Nite Chair, at (805) 886-1955.

LOS OLIVOS

The Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara will be playing a concert at St. Mark’s-In-The-Valley Episcopal Church in Los Olivos, at 7 p.m. Friday, May 10. Contributed Photo

Folk Orchestra returns for Santa Ynez Valley concert on May 10

The Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara will be returning to the Santa Ynez Valley on Friday, May 10, at 7 p.m. at St. Mark’s-In-The-Valley Episcopal Church in Los Olivos for its “Favorites!” concert.

The concert will showcase favorite tunes from the past eight years of Folk Orchestra performances — from Celtic and Spanish melodies to the '60s and bluegrass.  Folk Orchestra fans will have plenty to smile about, and it is a perfect opportunity to experience the magic of the group for the first time. The concert features contemporary orchestral arrangements, expertly woven together by Music Director, and band founder, Adam Phillips, and brought to life by a talented ensemble of local musicians and featuring instruments from around the world — from bagpipes and accordions to middle eastern Ouds. To add a flair of suspense, the Folk Orchestra chose this concert’s sing-along through votes from our loyal audience members. The people’s choice will be revealed at the concert

itself, but not before.

In programming the upcoming concert, Adam Phillips observed, “The Folk Orchestra has played incredible repertoire over the past eight years. It was extremely difficult, but enormous fun, to put together our greatest hits. The musicians are excited to revisit the pieces. This is sure be a concert to remember.”

The Folk Orchestra is able to realize its vision of coming to the Santa Ynez Valley through the generous support of The Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts, a field of interest fund of the Santa Barbara Foundation.

For more information on the band, visit sbfolkorchestrasb.com.

LOMPOC

Gray Hartley and Frank Ostini of Hitching Post Wines named Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Vintners of the Year

Each year the Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance celebrate the region, the vineyards, the wines, and history of this most southern coastal AVA in California. The heritage of this acclaimed winegrowing area is not only shaped by its unique topography, but also by those who craft the area’s exceptional wines. Fittingly, the annual celebration known as “Wine & Fire!” honors a winemaker that has made a significant contribution and impact to Sta. Rita Hills.

While past honorees have been individuals, there’s simply no way to separate the 2024 Vintners of the Year. As early pioneers of Santa Barbara County wines, Frank Ostini and Gray Hartley started Hitching Post Wines in 1979 and advocated for the establishment and promotion of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA.

A chance meeting at the Casmalia Hitching Post restaurant in 1977 between Frank, a chef, and Gray, a commercial fisherman, led to their long-term partnership and winemaking adventures.

Their initial garagiste hobby blossomed into a highly acclaimed winemaking enterprise. With a mission to make wines that were food-friendly and could be served with oakgrilled steaks and foods, they discovered the wonders of Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir. Since 1981, Pinot Noir has been their primary focus and passion. Shying away from the big California style of the day, they choose to mirror more subdued Burgundian style wines that would complement the varied menu items of the Hitching Post 2 Restaurant.

Not owning vineyards, Hitching Post Wines has worked with several vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley and beyond. In 1985, they

sourced their first Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir from Sanford & Benedict, long before the area was a designated wine region. Additional Sta. Rita Hills sources include Fiddlestix Vineyard and Our Lady of Guadalupe Vineyard.

Generous to a fault, Frank, Gray, and Hitching Post Wines have helped raise millions of dollars for Direct Relief via The Santa Barbara Wine Auction, as well as many other local nonprofits.

The dynamic duo will be lauded during the four-day Wine & Fire celebration, and particularly at the La Paulée Dinner to be held at Babcock Winery on Friday, Aug. 16. La Paulée will begin with a sparkling wine reception followed by a barbecue dinner by High on the Hog catering. Wines for the dinner tables will be hosted by member wineries, but in the spirit of La Paulée, guests are encouraged to bring their own special bottles to share at the table.

Other festivities throughout the weekend include a Barn Party Kickoff on Thursday, Aug. 15, at the historic Sanford & Benedict barn; Winemaker Speed Tasting and the Grand Tasting on Saturday, Aug. 17; and Open Houses and special winery events on Sunday, Aug. 18. Participating wineries, restaurants, and food vendors will be announced soon. Full event details and tickets for all the events are now available at www.staritahills.com/wine-and-fire-2024

SANTA BARBARA

Gastroenterologist Dr. Meiselman joins Sansum Clinic

Sansum Clinic, now part of Sutter Health, is pleased to welcome Dr. Mick Meiselman, a board-certified and fellowship-trained gastroenterologist with extensive training and expertise in endoscopic ultrasound, to the organization.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) allows doctors to view, evaluate and better diagnose conditions in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, esophagus, stomach, and nearby organs like the pancreas and liver. Dr. Meiselman uses an endoscope with a scanning probe on the end to see through layers of the digestive tract, providing a more highly detailed view than traditional ultrasound. EUS can detect the type and location of cancer, pancreatitis, gallstones, cysts and other causes of painful symptoms. It is also used to assess the size of tumors and take tissue samples for biopsies which assist in pinpointing cancer in areas of the abdomen that are often difficult to see.

“EUS is more accurate care that actually saves patients time and money in the long run,“ explained Meiselman. “The latest advances in the

use of EUS are safe, effective and minimally-invasive, and they keep patients from unneeded exploratory surgeries.”

In his role, Meiselman will be working with clinic and community gastroenterologists, surgeons, oncologists and doctors when they notice areas of concern in another form of imaging like a CT or MRI, or they have patients with gastrointestinal symptoms which require further investigation. Dr. Meiselman’s coordination with the team at Ridley-Tree Cancer Center will further improve the specialty oncology care provided to its patients.

Meiselman is a fellow with the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), serves as its foundation treasurer, and has served as a faculty member for its provided medical coursework. He earned his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School, and is board certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine. He completed his residency at Cedars-Sinai Hospital/UCLA, and his gastroenterology fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. His previous positions include Director of Therapeutic Endoscopy for Dignity Health in San Luis Obispo, CA, and Chief of Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy for the NorthShore University HealthSystem in Chicago.

Cottage Health recognizes May as Mental Health Awareness Month

The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that one out of every five adults in the United States experiences some form of mental illness every year. However, only half of these individuals receive proper treatment. This National Mental Health Awareness Month, Cottage Health stands with other community organizations to increase public awareness about the significance of mental health and provide access to support and education.

"For more than three decades, our team has been committed to destigmatizing mental health challenges and cultivating a healing environment for individuals who seek support," said Darcy Keep, administrative director of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. "We recognize the apprehension that often accompanies seeking help. However, we want the community to feel empowered and know we are here to support them in their journey."

The Cottage Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine program provides a comprehensive range of services to meet patients' needs and circumstances, including acute inpatient psychiatry and detoxification, residential alcohol, drug, and co-occurring disorders, rehabilitation and several levels of outpatient treatment services in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.

Solvang City Council hears grant requests from multiple groups

Thirteen

By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

The ball got rolling on one part of the annual budget process for the Solvang City Council in their regular meeting April 22, as it heard grant requests from 13 organizations.

Mayor Mark Infanti made it clear the council would not take action on any of the requests, and a budget committee would decide which requests to OK at the Tuesday, May 28, meeting (postponed for one day because of the Memorial Day holiday).

After a request by Mayor Pro Tem Dave Brown during the consent calendar to flip-flop the two discussion items on the agenda, the council led off that part of the meeting with the individual presentations. Each had five minutes to state their case.

Thirteen groups delivered their presentations during the session. They were: Atterdag At Home ($20,000), Bethania Tuesday Food Distribution ($15,000), Bethania Preschool ($10,000), Danish Days ($50,000), Nature Track ($5,000), Solvang Chamber of Commerce ($55,000), Solvang Senior Center ($70,000), Solvang Elementary School Education Foundation ($10,000), Solvang Theaterfest ($100,000), Veggie Rescue ($15,000), SYV Therapeutic Riding Program ($10,000), Solvang Rotary/4th of July Parade ($9,500), and Viking Charities Inc. ($3,159).

Some of the potential grant recipients had presentations already submitted, while others just had a sheet of paper to read off.

Some got creative, like Nature Track, an organization that aims to connect people to nature. One of their favorite features is a device called Freedom Trax, which allows wheelchair-bound

increase the assessment of a Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District (LLMD) in the Skytt Mesa area of Solvang. Solvang Mesa Landscape & Lighting Maintenance District No. 2004-1 was established in November 2004 and must now be evaluated annually for any changes to its assessment.

The city has retained Francisco & Associates to prepare the annual Engineer’s Report for the Solvang Mesa LLMD. The Engineer’s Report outlines the estimated LLMD operations and maintenance budget for the 169-lot single-family residential subdivision, according to the project report. The report is proposing a 2 percent increase to bring the assessment to $1,388.02 per parcel.

people to move along the beach or across rough terrain by putting the wheelchair on top of the device. Eisaguirre brought the group's program director, Abby Pickens, to demonstrate how it worked right there in council chambers.

Others, like Jody Williams, speaking on behalf of the Solvang Elementary School Education Foundation, was pointed out by Infanti as the one who spearheaded the "Mayor for the Day" program that had Solvang School student Finley Henderson touring the city and taking part in the City Council meeting on April 8.

Ellen Albertoni (Solvang Senior Center) and Karen Brown (Atterdag at Home; Meals on Wheels) advocated for their respective senior programs, while Ashley Madrid (Danish Days) and Steve Palmer (Solvang 4th of July Parade) were looking to help out their local staple events with grants or waived fees.

After presentations were done, City Councilmember Elizabeth Orona brought up the decision last year to require all grant recipients to provide documentation on how the grant money is spent.

"Last year we got pretty rigorous about our

methodology and I thought it worked," she said. "But I heard some chatter about whether they [previous grant recipients] were properly reporting on money and how it was spent."

Administrative Services Director Wendy Berry said that the recipients have to provide insurance, receipts, and proof of payment, but some haven't yet. She said she sent emails requesting documentation and that they were planning to move the deadline for those documents to March 31 next year to make it more in line with the grant process.

Elizabeth Orona said she hoped the final reports were coming, because "that's important for transparency."

City Manager Randy Murphy suggested the city could require that repeat recipients have all their paperwork in for the previous year's fund, before getting the current grant.

Orona was open to that, but said "we should not make any exception; being a nonprofit, they should expect that."

In the other discussion item, the council heard the latest about the possible assessment

During public comment on the item, Skytt Mesa resident Denise El-Amin, who had spoken in past meeting about getting the topic on the agenda (to the degree that Murphy called the item "Ms. El-Amin's favorite subject") was against the increase.

"What you're doing is illegal," she said, saying that her previous home was in an LLMD is Duarte, and back then she was told that any increase in an assessment had to be approved by all residents in the district.

"It's time to go legal with you guys, because you evidently don't understand what an LLMD is," El-Amin said. "I bought [my] house 10 years and they offered the same thing. It's been 10 years now and we still don't have a light. I have a $1,388 assessment, and all I've gotten is promises."

After El-Amin's claim, City Councilmember Claudia Orono checked state law on her laptop and said Section 22.500 of the California code "said that these districts can be established and special assessments may be levied."

Infanti agreed that the proposed assessment on Skytt Mesa does have a legal basis.

Ultimately, the council voted 5-0 to approve the resolution, and it will go to a public hearing at the next City Council meeting on May 13.

Nature Track Program Director Abby Pickens demonstrates a Freedom Trax device, which allows a wheelchair user to move along the beach or in outdoor terrain, as Nature Track Executive Director Sue Eisaguirre speaks to the Solvang City Council about her grant request during the April 22 council meeting. Screenshot from YouTube

Dairy cow testing aimed at slowing bird flu outbreak

Outbreaks of the disease have spread to 33 dairy herds in eight states

By Ching Lee California Farm Bureau Federation

CALIFORNIA — To limit the spread of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in livestock, all lactating dairy cows must test negative for the virus before they can cross state lines under new requirements by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The federal order, which took effect Monday, excludes heifers, dry cows and bull calves. Culled cows going to slaughter that do not show signs of illness also are not required to be tested. But they will still need a certificate of veterinary inspection or approval by animal health officials from the state sending the cattle and the state receiving them.

USDA issued the order last week as outbreaks of the disease have spread to 33 dairy herds in eight states — Kansas, Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also confirmed last week that fragments of the virus have been detected in one in five samples of retail milk, with a larger proportion of positive results coming from milk in areas with infected herds. Federal officials acknowledged the findings suggest the virus may be more widespread than USDA’s official count.

Despite the revelations, FDA continued to stress the safety of the commercial milk supply, saying that “pasteurization is very likely to effectively inactivate heat-sensitive viruses, like H5N1, in milk from cows and other species.” The agency also said “additional testing is required to determine whether intact pathogen is still present and if it remains infectious, which determines whether there is any risk of illness associated with consuming the product.”

The new testing requirements are meant to help animal health officials better understand the disease and how it is being spread, USDA said.

“This is an evolving situation, and we’re treating it seriously and with urgency,” Michael Watson, USDA administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,

said during a conference call last week with the American Farm Bureau Federation and other state Farm Bureaus.

He said information and data collected from the tests “are key to helping us determine how best to bolster farm and facility biosecurity and to protect farmers, the farm and plant workers, as well as farm animals.”

Under the rule, lactating cows must be tested within seven days prior to interstate transport. A certificate of veterinary inspection must also accompany the shipment.

Sick cows are ineligible for interstate movement and may not enter the food supply. Cows from herds that test positive are not allowed to be moved out of state for 30 days and will need to test negative before they can be shipped.

Testing is done through milk samples, which must be submitted to a USDA-approved lab.

USDA said it will pay for the cost of testing but not for associated expenses such as veterinary services, supplies, and the collecting and shipping of samples.

The order requires laboratories and state veterinarians to report positive test results to USDA, which will then conduct an epidemiological investigation, including animal movement tracing.

USDA said it is preparing for a surge in testing, noting that samples submitted to its labs are usually returned within one to three days, though positive test results must be confirmed by another USDA lab in Ames, Iowa. The department estimated the turnaround for confirmation at one to two days.

During the AFBF conference call with USDA, several state Farm Bureaus expressed

concerns about testing logistics and potential bottlenecks at USDA labs. Braden Jensen of Idaho Farm Bureau said his state doesn’t have an approved lab.

USDA’s Watson said he realizes “every state won’t have all the resources to do everything we’re asking them to do” but that he expects USDA labs “would be able to handle the influx” of test requests. He said the department stands ready to “help fill some of those gaps” if any state “can’t meet the request that we’re making.”

Watson emphasized that even though the federal order focuses specifically on lactating dairy cows, it can be amended as USDA finds additional information. He said USDA has not determined when the federal order will end but noted previous orders have lasted one to two years.

The testing mandate does not apply to beef cattle, and so far, there have been no reports of beef herds affected by the virus. Dairy cows account for nearly 7 percent of the nation’s total beef supply, according to the Meat Institute, a trade group in Arlington, Virginia, representing meat packers and processors. The organization has called on USDA and CDC to issue additional, specific guidelines for beef processing facilities “to ensure USDA inspectors and meat company workers are protected from infection.”

“It is important to ensure the free flow of healthy animals to slaughter,” Julie Anna Potts, the institute’s president and CEO, said in a statement.

She said federal officials should “anticipate international trade concerns.” However, USDA said the federal order “should not affect U.S. trade,” noting that it has seen

“minimal impacts on markets.”

Since 2022, H5N1 has led to the deaths of millions of wild birds and commercial poultry, including in California. The virus has been detected in more than a dozen different wild mammals in the U.S. and was first confirmed in a Texas dairy herd in late March, with the most recent confirmation on April 19 in an Idaho milking herd.

Federal researchers say they believe wild migratory birds are the original source of the virus and that dairy cows became infected after they consumed feed or water contaminated by infected birds. Researchers have since determined the virus has been spreading between cows and between herds as cattle are moved.

However, they said they have yet to find significant concentration of virus in respiratory-related samples, indicating “respiratory transmission is not a primary means of transmission.” They said there’s also evidence the virus has spread from infected dairy herds to nearby poultry farms “through an unknown route.”

In addition, researchers found H5N1 in a lung tissue sample from an asymptomatic culled dairy cow, which did not enter the food supply. USDA said the finding indicates cows can test positive for the virus even though they show no signs of illness.

In affected herds, about 10 percent to 20 percent of cows become sick. Symptoms include decreased milk production and feed intake; thick, discolored milk; loose or tacky manure; and nasal discharge, dehydration and fever. Most dairy cows recover after about seven to 10 days, USDA said.

Because the virus is shed in milk at high concentrations, USDA warned that anything that comes in contact with unpasteurized milk may spread the virus. They stressed the importance of biosecurity on farms to prevent transmission.

Federal researchers maintain they have not found changes to the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans and between people.

“There’s a lot of effort being made right now to work closely with our federal colleagues at the CDC, FDA in terms of food supply, in terms of worker safety,” Watson said, adding USDA wants to take an approach that minimizes disease risks without being overbearing to industry while giving federal researchers “as much information as we possibly can as soon as we possibly can.”

Livestock are shown at a cattle dairy tour at a California dairy. Photo by Ching Lee

Santa Ynez boys golf wins Sunset League title SPORTS

Pirates boys swimming shares league title with Cabrillo; girls swimming edged out by Lompoc in last event

By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

The Santa Ynez boys golf team clinched the Sunset League championship April 29 after league finals took place at the par-72 Mission Club in Lompoc.

The Pirates actually finished second in the April 29 tournament with a 433 to host Cabrillo's 430; however, SYHS secured the league title through points accumulated from its finishes in league tournaments this year. The Pirates finished with four wins and two runner-up finishes during the season.

Rowan Clarke of Cabrillo and Jonas Smith of Morro Bay shot 75 and were the day’s medalists. Santa Ynez's Von Gordon finished third with a 78.

Other Pirates golfers were Marcelo Andrade (85), Brayden Mlodzik (88), Ernest Suarez (90), Cody Armenta (92) and Seb Perez (92).

Team standings for the League Finals were Cabrillo (430), Santa Ynez (433), Paso Robles (448), Morro Bay (462), and Nipomo (480).

After completing its league schedule, the Pirates moved on to defend last year's CIF Central Section Division 2 championship at the Central Section tournament in Lemoore on Monday, May 6. Cabrillo qualified for the Division 2 tournament. Results were not available at press time.

SYHS boys swimming earn Sunset League co-title; girls edged in meet's final event

The Santa Ynez High boys and girls swimming teams competed in the Sunset League finals Thursday, April 23, at the Lompoc Aquatic Center. On the boys side, Santa Ynez and Cabrillo tied and were declared co-champions.

For the girls, Lompoc edged out Santa Ynez after a climactic 400-yard freestyle relay the Braves won by .04 of a second.

The Lompoc team of Iwa Martinson, Kalani Perez, Arwen Galisky, and Clara Ainsworth finished with a time of 4:11.43, touching just ahead of the Pirates' Jenna Bohnet, Alyssa Villareal, Juliet Kerr, and Weylin Hawkins at 4:11.47.

The league championship was decided by points earned by a combination of dual-meet victories and standings during the season, and performances in the league finals.

Event winners for the Santa Ynez girls included Kerr in the 200 freestyle (2:18.88), Hawkins in the 50 freestyle (25.58) and 100 freestyle (57.20), and Bohnet in the 500 freestyle (6:14.89, with Kerr placing second at 6:27.38).

Event winners for the Pirates boys side included Colton Paulson in the 200 freestyle (1:56.04), Charlie Hall in the 50 freestyle (21.88), Payton Lassahn in 100 breaststroke (1:08.71), and the 400 yard freestyle relay team of Hall, Barrett Johnston, Paulson, and Mias van Tonder (3:28.66).

Girls beach volleyball takes first-round CIF win

The Santa Ynez girls beach volleyball team defeated Central Valley Christian (Visalia) 2-1 in the first round of the CIF Central Section playoffs.

The Pirates were to face Bakersfield Christian on Saturday, May 4, at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

“Sadie Lishman and Helina Pecile played almost flawless volleyball today, controlling the ball well, staying in system and executing with consistency," said head coach Melissa Rogers. "Haley Spry and Ella Miller won their first set, with ease, but CVC bounced back, taking the second. The third set was tight, but we came out on top.”

Match results: 1. Ally Lane/Sophia Fields(CVC) defeated Natalie Bailey/ Kailyn Snekvik (SY) 21-14, 21-14; 2. Sadie Lishman/Helina Pecile (SY) defeated Lola Highstreet/Emma Mihalcin (CVC)

21-18, 21-16. Haley Spry/Ella Miller (SY) defeated Emerson Kroeze/Kate Verhoeven(CVC) 21-15,19-21, 15-12.

SYHS's Bryce Wilczak reaches Mountain League boys tennis semis

The Pirates boys tennis team went up to San Luis Obispo for the Mountain League individual championships, and Bryce Wilczak made it to the second day before being knocked out in the semifinals.

Wilczak started on the event's first day, April 17, with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Arroyo Grande's Evan Ramsey, and then beat Christian Zahry of St. Joseph 6-1, 6-2, to reach the semis. In the semifinal match the next day, Wilczak lost to Mission Prep's Easton Weir 6-4, 6-3, but came back to beat Nathan Bradbury, also of Mission Prep, 8-5 to earn third place.

Also making it to the second day was the doubles team of Lucas Doman and Cooper Haws. The Pirate duo beat Gabriel Dillon and Nolan Keblash St. Joseph 6-2, 6-2. They then lost to SLO's Eliot Chan and Grant Vanclef 6-2, 6-1. Despite the loss, Doman and Haws earned a spot in the fifth-place match on April 18, where they lost to St. Joseph's Cooper Smith and Robbie Kelman 8-5.

Pirates baseball wins two close ones against Morro Bay

The Santa Ynez baseball team won two nailbiters against Morro Bay, winning 1-0 in eight innings up north April 24, and 2-1 at home on April 26.

In the first game, Dallas DeForest scored Bradley Lood on a sacrifice fly for the only run, as Ryan Henrey allowed five hits over seven innings pitched to keep the MBHS Pirates scoreless. In the second game, Ben Flores hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth for both of the SYHS runs, as Tate Minus pitched a complete-game six-hitter for the win.

With an 11-0 loss to Mission Prep last Wednesday (May 1), the Pirates stand as 3-6 in the Sunset League (11-9 overall), pending another game against the Royals on Friday, May 3. They will complete the regular season with games against Lompoc on Wednesday, May 8 (away) and Friday, May 10 (home).

The Santa Ynez High boys golf team is shown after clinching the Sunset League championship. From left are Seb Perez, Von Gordon, Ernesto Suarez, Marcelo Andrade, Brayden Mlodzik, and Cody Armenta. Contributed Photo

EDUCATION

Champions crowned in SBCEO’s Battle of the Books

Event series hosted 250 students from 38 schools across Santa Barbara County Staff Report

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — And that’s a wrap! Elementary and junior high students throughout Santa Barbara County competed in a battle of literary wit at the Santa Barbara County Education Office’s 23rd annual Battle of the Books series. Students across the county prepare yearround for the event by reading, and often re-reading, books from a designated list before tackling friendly “battles” against other teams to test their knowledge through trivia questions on plot, characters, and theme. This year, more than 250 fourth- to eighth-grade students participated in the three unique events, which included two elementary in-person Battles and a junior high school individual virtual Battle. By popular demand, SBCEO also hosted a Battle in Santa Maria for the first time this year, bringing this beloved event to even more students in northern Santa Barbara County. At the elementary level, students are placed on teams with their peers from various schools across the county. Each team comes up with their own name, which they proudly display on their literary “shield” throughout the event. This year, teams were quizzed on 28 different titles during three nail-biting rounds, ending with the final “Battle Royale” showcasing the two top teams.

The winners of the Santa Maria-based elementary Battle hosted on April 16 are:

• 1st place: “Book Badges” with students representing:

are

• Ballard (Ballard School District)

• Fairlawn (Santa Maria-Bonita School District)

• Miller (Santa Maria-Bonita School District)

• Solvang (Solvang School District)

• Tunnell (Santa Maria-Bonita School District)

• 2nd place: “MasterMinds Chicken” with students representing:

• Buena Vista (Lompoc Unified School District)

• Fairlawn (Santa Maria-Bonita School District)

• Jiménez (Santa Maria-Bonita School District)

• Solvang (Solvang School District)

• Tunnell (Santa Maria-Bonita School District)

The winners of the Santa Barbara-based elementary Battle, hosted on April 25 are:

• 1st place: “The One and Only Team 22” representing:

• Monte Vista (Hope School District)

• La Patera (Goleta Union School District)

• Peabody Charter (Santa Barbara Unified School District)

• Foothill (Goleta Union School District)

• Adams (Santa Barbara Unified School District)

• Santa Ynez Valley Charter (College Elementary School District)

• 2nd place: “Significant Events in the Life of Team 10”

• La Patera (Goleta Union School District)

• Foothill (Goleta Union School District)

• Adams (Santa Barbara Unified School District)

• Ellwood (Goleta Union School District)

• El Camino (Goleta Union School District)

At the junior high level, congratulations to Vandenberg Middle School (Lompoc Unified School District), which had the top 11 scorers at the junior high Battle hosted online on April 10.

At the elementary Battle in Santa Barbara on Thursday, April 25, students were discussing how excited they are for next year’s Battle.

“This was so fun, and even if you didn’t win, you get to be on a team with other people who love books. I’m definitely doing this again next year,” said Isla Vista Elementary School Megan Molina, a fourth-grader at Isla Vista Elementary School who competed for the first time this year. Her team was “A Significant Event in the Life of Team 11.”

Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido shared her heartfelt congratulations with the winning teams and all participants

“It’s incredible to see the enthusiasm and commitment to reading demonstrated by all the students at this year’s Battle of the Books," she said. "The level of preparation, dedication, and teamwork at each event is impressive and inspiring. As educators, we know that great readers become lifelong learners, so it's wonderful to see our students achieve and excel through experiences like this one.”

The Santa Barbara County Education Office will also host a Spanish-language version of the Battle of the Books, Batalla de los Libros. The event invites Dual Language Immersion students from across Santa Barbara County to gather virtually on Tuesday, May 21, and compete in Spanish on a list of Spanish-language books they read throughout the year.

The reading lists for next year’s elementary and junior high Battles are scheduled to be released on May 24 at:sbceo.org/battle.

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Pictured

elementary grade students from team “The One and Only Team 22,” winners of the Santa Barbara-based Battle of the Books held on April 25. The team included students Lily M. of Monte Vista; Margot B. of La Patera; Nico P. of Peabody; Keira D. of Foothill; Carlo V. of Adams; and Atalie M. of Santa Ynez Charter. Photo Courtesy of the SB County Office of EducatioN

Dr. Kimberly Sheehan named principal at Santa Ynez High

Current director of operations at The Accelerated Schools in LA will take over  position on July 1

By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

After a long search, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School has found its new leader. Dr. Kimberly Sheehan will take over as superintendent/principal (now a combined position) starting with the 2024-25 school year.

The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District Board announced at its Tuesday, April 16, meeting that Sheehan had agreed to a three-year contract to be the superintendent/principal. The board approved the contract by a 5-0 vote.

Before the vote, members of the board had praise for the incoming principal.

"I'm excited about this," said Board

podium and expressed her gratitude and eagerness to get started.

"I'm thrilled to be here; thanks to the school board," she said. "Honored to work with already amazing established leadership team, and excited to work with the classified certificated staff, the parents, the community, and most importantly, the students. To ensure Santa Ynez and Refugio high schools can see the purpose, passion, and potential of each student."

Johnson stated at the meeting that Sheehan has a three-year contract to run from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027, at a base salary of $220,000 annually.

celerated.org) states, "She is passionate about educational access and is dedicated to implementing operations support to ensure all students reach their fullest academic and socioeconomic potential."

Sheehan graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a bachelor’s degree in communications and public relations. She also obtained her Master’s degree in pupil personnel and administrative leadership from Azusa Pacific University and was awarded her doctorate from USC Rossier and her dissertation study focused on equitable hiring practices.

President Chris Johnson. "I think the administration will move forward very well with Dr. Sheehan."

"We had some amazing candidates and Kimberly knocked it out of the park," said Board Member Sherri Noble. "She shows a wealth of experience and knowledge. I'm excited for this."

After the vote, Sheehan came up to the

Sheehan will be coming to SYHS from The Accelerated Schools, a group of charter campus in Los Angeles. Before that she was a leader in public education for over 20 years, with experience in elementary, middle, and high schools. After beginning her career in education as a high school English teacher and counselor, she went on to work as a principal of an elementary coding and dual language immersion school.

Sheehan's bio on the TAS website (ac -

Sheehan, a former softball player, is a proud mother of three, and enjoys rowing for exercise.

The hiring of Sheehan ends a search of about a year since Michael Niehoff announced in April 2023 he would be stepping down at the of his only year at the helm of SYHS. The school had two interim principals for the 2023-24 academic year, with Mitch Torina serving in the position for the Fall semester, and Andrew Alvidrez taking over for the Spring semester.

DR. KIMBERLY SHEEHAN

Anglers from all over enjoy another Fish Derby at Cachuma

Latest event, the 27th, draws nearly 600 to recently rejuvenated lake

By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

Cachuma Lake was full, the sun was shining, and the fish were biting on the weekend of April 20-21 as nearly 600 anglers fished for fun, and prizes, at the 27th annual Neal Taylor Nature Fish Derby.

The derby is the major fundraiser for The Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake, a nonprofit organization serves as the center of activity for Cachuma Lake, with events and programs meant "to encourage public understanding, enjoyment, and protection of Cachuma Lake, the Upper Santa Ynez River, and the San Rafael Mountain Range Watershed,” according to the center's Mission Statement.

The derby was held from 6 a.m. on Saturday until 12 p.m. and Sunday, and offered cash prizes amounting to more than $5,000 plus thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise prizes awarded in many categories and to anglers of all ages. Certain prizes were designated for children and for teens.

"It really good to see everybody out and enjoying this," McDonald said at the Nature Center. "For one thing, we were wondering about the weather, because we've been getting rain on the weekends, but the sun's come out and it just beautiful today."

The derby has weathered through a difficult stretch, being put on hiatus due to COVID, and the water levels of the lake had caused concern. However, the pandemic restrictions are longer prevalent, and increased rainfall over the past year and a half has filled out the lake.

"Just a couple of years ago, the water was very low, and we had people fishing off the shore, but now that's been filled," McDonald said. "And now we have people coming up over the hill again, and we have such a great turnout today."

McDonald's favorite aspect of the event is the people that she sees coming back year after year.

Also, part of the derby was an area in front of the Nature Center where children could do arts and crafts with the help of the center's volunteers, a Books and Treasures Sale at the center on Saturday, and

live music at the lake's marina.

All of it was music to the ears, and pleasing to the eyes, of Nature Center Executive Director Julie McDonald, who has seen quite a few fish derbies during her tenure.

"I have people telling me they've been coming for over 20 years and telling me 'I came here as a kid and now I'm bringing my own kid'" she said. "I love hearing those stories."

Over at the lake's marina, there was plenty of activity as anglers of all ages were bring-

Chloe King, 11, of Solvang, shows off one of two bass she caught April 20 in the Neal Taylor Fishing Derby at Cachuma Lake. This fish, weighed at 1.72 pounds and another bass she caught at 2.34 pounds, were the third- and second-heaviest fishes caught by a girl aged 11-15, which won her $125 total. Photos by Mike Chaldu

ing in and setting off boats, getting gear and supplies, and bringing in fish to the weighing center to enter it in for the derby.

One coming to the weighing center was 11-year-old Chloe King of Solvang, submitting a bass she caught. The fish was weighed out at 1.72 pounds. That bass, which she threw back in the lake after the weigh, would win her $50 for the third heaviest fish caught by a girl in her age group (11-15).

And to prove Chloe, who came with her

father Shane King, was no slouch at this fishing thing, she also caught another bass, this one 2.34 pounds, which would win her another $75 for second place in that category.

"I hope I can win something, but I'm just having a good time," said Chloe. "My dad and I like to come at least once a month to do some fishing."

While many were turning in their catches for the derby, there were some, like Shawn Johnson of Lompoc, who were just there for

the fishing in general.

"Actually, I'm coming back next weekend [April 27-28] for a bass tournament here," said Johnson, who was bringing in his boat with his fishing companion Andre Gossellin of Santa Barbarba. "I go to the bass tournaments a lot, and I like to do a pre-fish."

Johnson was also pleased that the fishing conditions at Cachuma Lake are getting better.

"Since the water conditions have improved and the lake's more full, it's great," he said. "It really opens up the fishing a lot more when there's more water to explore."

A list of the Fish Derby winners:

Heaviest trout: 1. Ernest Brentwood, 60, Grover Beach (6.61 lbs., $599); 2. Jason Anderson, 70, Cambria (5.16, $300).

Heaviest bass: 1. Aydin Gomez, 13, Santa Ynez (3.44/18.25", $599); 2. John Flynn, 54, Santa Ynez (3.44/18", $300).

Heaviest crappie: Terrance Cochran, 60, Gardena (2.03, $599); 2. Lorraine Pulido, 57, Carpinteria (1.98, $300).

Heaviest catfish: Matthew Hurzaeta, 52, Moorpark (5.07, $599); 2. Philippe Parsy, 38, Santa Barbara (4.85, $300).

Heaviest carp: 1. Pete Dasis, 50, Lompoc (10.09, $300); 2. Becky Dasis, 52, Lompoc (7.23, $150).

THE Neal Taylor “Young Angler Award” First Catch by an angler 15 years or younger Saturday: Cash Franco, 14, Lompoc (2.42 bass, $50).

Sunday: Jose Mendoza, 14 (1.54 crappie, $50).

Heaviest Fish caught by Girl 11-15 years old: 1, Paisley Mitchell, 15 (2.47 bass, $125); 2. Chloe King, 11, Solvang (2.34 bass, $75); 3. Chloe King, 11, Solvang (1.72 bass, $50).

Heaviest Fish caught by Boy 11-15 years old: 1. Aydin Gomez, 13, Santa Ynez (3.44 bass, $75); 2. Camden Emery, 12, Fillmore (3.17 trout, $50).

The Dutch Wilson Prize (fish caught by the oldest angler): Gust Balla Sr., 95, Santa Barbara (2.20 trout).

$25 and new fishing rod each given to first 10 kids 10 and under to catch a fish: 1. Jack Siebenaler, 10, blue gill; 2. Rosalie Shaw, 10, trout; 3. Duke Harmony, 6, from Goleta, blue gill; 4. Luca Kaddatz, 8, bass; 5. Joaquin Kaddatz, 5, bass; 6. Andrew Parra, 6, from Santa Maria, blue gill; 7. Abigail Belluz, 5, from Lompoc, bass; 8. Waylon Estes, 7, from Sisquoc, crappie; 9. Presley Hamby, 7, from Lompoc, trout; 10. Leonardo Sandoval, 9, bass.

Joe Belluz of Lompoc shows off the bass he caught, weighing 3.39 pounds, at the Neal Taylor Fishing Derby on April 20 at Cachuma Lake.

Spring is here and bikes are in bloom with countywide CycleMAYnia

Over 40 events and activities offered for kids, families, adults, and commuters during National Bike Month

Staff Report

SANTA BARBARA — Spring has arrived, marking the perfect time to celebrate the 15th annual "CycleMAYnia" in Santa Barbara County. Throughout May, the public is invited to join over 40 community events and local businesses participating in a Bike Challenge countywide for CycleMAYnia as part of National Bike Month. Details are available online at CycleMAYnia.org.

The 2024 CycleMAYnia theme is “Spring is here. Bikes are in bloom.”

"We're excited to celebrate the 15th anniversary of CycleMAYnia," said Aaron Bonfilio, director of multimodal programs at SBCAG. "This event marks National Bike Month and inspires the community to come together and explore alternative modes of transportation."

Participants in CycleMAYnia have the unique opportunity to win a RadWagon 5 Electric Cargo Bike. By joining any event or bicycling to any participating local business, attendees can collect special flower and herb seed packets. These packets include instructions on how to enter the RadWagon giveaway.

“This engaging initiative not only promotes more sustainable modes of transportation but also connects the community with local businesses, all while providing a chance to win an exciting prize,” Bonfilio said.

This year’s CycleMAYnia calendar features traditional favorites, such as the Chicano Culture de Santa Barbara Cinco de Mayo Mural Ride, Mayors’ Ride, Trail Mix ride in Santa Maria, and many Bike-to-Work Day events, including one hosted for the first time by Santa Barbara City College (SBCC). New additions include the Bike 2 Bird nature ride in Goleta, Bike to Ice Cream in Santa Maria, and a Bike to the Park event in Solvang.

Members of the public can also ride to any of the 24 CycleMAYnia supporting local businesses from Santa Maria and New Cuyama to Santa Barbara and Carpinteria to participate anytime during May. The locations are featured on an interactive map at CycleMAYnia. org/events/bikechallenge.

Other local businesses have stepped forward to support CycleMAYnia, as participants who log their bike trips on Smartride.org in May are eligible for a $200 giveaway from Jersey Mike’s Subs.

“CycleMAYnia 2024 has something for everyone, whether you ride to the local bike repair spot in Lompoc or pedal along with a family ride on Carpinteria’s newest bike path,” said Peter Williamson, program coordinator at SBCAG. “We are especially proud to partner with Cycling Without Age, providing piloted trishaw rides to members for those unable to bike.”

To support inclusivity and accessibility, Cycling Without Age provides piloted trishaws at no cost for individuals with limited mobility wishing to participate in a CycleMAYnia event. These specially designed trishaws can accommodate two individuals on one bench seat or one person in a wheelchair, making the joy of bicycling accessible to everyone. Members of the public are encouraged to call (805) 845-9855, extension 3, to reserve their spot for any CycleMAYnia event at least seven days in advance.

Each flower and herb seed packet that participants receive at an event or local business comes with a unique code, accompanied by instructions on how to enter these codes for a chance to win the grand prize. Those who

participate in multiple events can receive a collectible Stik N Stuck CycleMAYnia patch while supplies last.

CycleMAYnia is a collaborative effort between public entities and private organizations, leveraging community resources and South Coast Measure A Bicycle and Pedestrian funds to foster and support community-driven activities. CycleMAYnia 2024 partners include Rad Power Bikes, MOVE Santa Barbara County, Cottage Health, BCycle, Cycling Without Age, Chicano Culture de Santa Barbara, County of Santa Barbara, and the cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria, and Santa Maria.

Information on the Bike Challenge and a calendar of bike month activities is available on the CycleMAYnia website at CycleMAYnia.org.

History of CycleMAYnia

Founded in 2009, CycleMAYnia began as a community brainstorming meeting aimed at jump-starting a vibrant bike culture in Santa Barbara County. Inspired by events and programs in other towns, the hope was that by engaging the cycling community directly and bringing them into the fold as collaborators, a dynamic calendar of events could be created and co-managed that celebrates National Bike Month in May. Expanding the reach of cycling to a greater number of riders and connecting to

a more diverse demographic brings the joy and benefits of biking to as many people as possible in the greater Santa Barbara area.

A large group of cyclists and riders, including Santa Barbara County Supervisor Joan Hartmann (middle in black jacket) celebrate the 2023 CycleMAYnia in Santa Barbara. Contributed Photo

Cycling Without Age provides piloted trishaws, like this one shown at last year's event, at no cost for individuals with limited mobility wishing to participate in a CycleMAYnia event. Contributed Photo

Los Alamos Men’s Club holds Spring Fling fundraiser

More than 200 attendees treated to Santa Maria-style barbecue, live and silent auctions, and reverse drawing

By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

The Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club (LAVMC) hosted its fourth annual “Spring Fling” dinner and auction on Saturday, April 27, at the Men’s Club. This is the club's largest fundraiser for the year, raising money for its yearly charitable endeavors.

The event was previously known as the “Queen Event,” which was held each spring in partnership with the Santa Ynez Valley Youth Recreation’s Queen Campaign. Due to COVID, the SYVYR chose to opt out of the Queen Campaign, but the Men’s Club decided to press on and hold a Spring Fling event on the same weekend they would typically host the Queen Event and it was incredibly successful.

“Last year we raised close to $40,000 and donated almost $30,000 back to the community. Some of the recipients of the funds were the Grange, Olga Reed School, and various other community-centered non-profits,” said Penny Monighetti, Spring Fling coordinator and assistant to Club Vice President Ray Williams.

“We gave $5,000 to Righetti High School last year to purchase equipment for their soccer team and they came here tonight to help serve and help clean up at the end of the night for us.”

More than 200 people attended the event, which featured a traditional Santa Maria-style barbecue: a ribeye steak, locally grown pinquito beans, salad, and bread. The dinner was prepared by Williams, Dan Iness, Al Bennett,

Billy King, Frank Costa, and Rob Cooper. There was also both a live and silent auction and a reverse drawing.

“We used to have music in the past but we found that most people just like to get together and talk about what’s happening in town and in their own lives," Monighetti said. "It’s a way the community can get together and reconnect with folks they haven’t seen since last year’s get-together. It’s a neighborly sort of gathering.”

This year’s team of auctioneers were Pete Molero, John Miller, and Tiago Ribeir. Some of the items up for bid were wine, flowers for three months, concrete placed and poured, an ocean fishing trip for four, stay at an Airbnb, a half a cord of wood, community club rental, a $500 and $250 gift certificate, eight hours of remodeling, two nights glamping or cabin stay, and a date night basket to name but of few.

Dessert items such as cakes, cupcakes, scones, cream puffs, cookies, tarts, and mini pies were also for sale.

Some of the silent auction items up for bid

were an Old-Fashioned Cocktail basket donated by Valley Gardner; gift certificates from local businesses such as Sisters Gift & Home, the Depot Bar, Priedite Barbecue; wine with tastings from vineyards such as Riverbench Vineyard and Winery, Vincent Vineyards, and Talley Vineyards to name a few. There was also a bowling package from Santa Maria's Rancho

Bowl along with many more great items.

“The live auction and desserts brought in $18,575, while the silent auction brought in $4,505, and the Reverse Draw $18,200, totaling $41,280,” Monighetti said. “Rita McBride and Glenn Rubsamen won $1,820 from the Reverse Draw. The largest bid made was $3,200 on a load of concrete placed and poured donated by R&E Concrete, Famco Development & Holiday Rock.”

“We are greatly supported by our little community,” Monighetti continued. “We had between 75 and 80 auction items and 15 desserts and many silent auction items. The team of auctioneers did a great job. I want to thank everyone who donated in any way to this event. It was truly inspiring to see how generous our little town of Los Alamos is!

“The Los Alamos Men’s Club would like to thank the community for supporting us and also the local businesses for their donations,” said Williams. “It means a lot to the Men’s Club and all the organizations we donate to.”

LAVMC is a 501 C(3) nonprofit and all the funds raised from the event will benefit the local community.

More than 200 people attended the Los Alamos Valley Men's Club Spring Fling, which featured a traditional Santa Maria-style barbecue: a ribeye steak, locally grown pinquito beans, salad, and bread. Photo by Devyn Marseilles

ARTS & NONPROFITS

Photographer Ryan Abbott has an eye for detail and nature’s beauty

Twenty-five-year Solvang resident has some of his work on display at the The Coffee House by Chomp

By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

Photographer Ryan Abbott is exhibiting his photographs for the second time at The Coffee House by Chomp in Solvang.

Taking photographs has been a passion of his since childhood. He has the gift of seeing things that others just pass by and now he is able to share that gift with others.

“All my life, people have told me I have a good eye for detail. I have been taking photographs all my life of things and places I find beautiful,” said Abbott. “When I was diagnosed about two and a half years ago with autism, I linked up with Hidden Wings and I began creating videos for them and donating my time to Hidden Wings. My first video was titled ‘Lavender Harvest.’”

Last year Chomp invited Abbott to display his photography in their coffee shop and people started asking if they could purchase them.

“That’s when I realized I could make money selling my photos. Right now, people are buying them off the wall. I like to take pictures of nature and animal life that live and thrive in the Valley,” Abbott explained. “We go to the Botanical Garden on hikes and I always bring my camera. Walking to the river is where I find my best inspiration.”

Hidden Wings is a path-breaking model of transforming the lives of those with autism and giving hope to those whom society would leave behind, as stated on their website.

“At Hidden Wings we help young people to develop life skills and Chomp gave us permission to hang our students’ work in their coffee

shop,” said Sophia Barnett, a mentor with Hidden Wings.

Abbott has been a resident of Solvang for 25 years having come to the Valley from Omaha, Nebraska.

“Through a series of mishaps, I came to visit my parents who used to live in the Valley but they moved back to Nebraska and I stayed here,” said Abbott. “I got a job at Nielsens Market, now Valley Fresh, and have been working there ever since.”

Abbott has been a student/supporter at Hidden Wings for the past three years. He attends three days a week.

“I was encouraged by Jim Billing-

ton, the founder of Hidden Wings, and when I found out I was on the spectrum, it helped me make sense of my quirkiness,” said Abbott. “Hidden Wings has helped me branch out as a person and to overcome social challenges.”

“We go on a lot of outings, find jobs for our students, and a lot of our students are in college,” said Barnett. “We teach life skills, how to count money, hygiene, cooking, and how to live on their own if they have to. We go on horseback rides, teach sports, play basketball, and we also put on plays. Our students also sell local honey, make soap, arnica balm, bath

salts, lip balms, and lavender bags all of which are sourced locally and are organic. Our students have to be 18 years or older to attend Hidden Wings.”

“Ryan is our star student. He helps us raise donations from people who shop at Valley Fresh, and from people who attend our plays. We then use that money to buy costumes or anything else we may need for our plays.”

In addition to his photography, Abbott also enjoys his time on stage.

“I have been in six plays to date: 'Macbeth,' 'The Grinch,' 'The Night Before Christmas,' 'The Polar Ex-

press,' 'Under the Big Top,' and I will be playing Leonardo da Vinci at the Shakespearian Festival on June 1 at River View Park in Buellton along with the other students. Everyone says I should create an online store for my photos, and I will eventually, I just have to learn how first,” said Abbott, smiling.

For more information on Abbott, email stayintheword33@yahoo.com, visit his Instagram page @ryanabbott64, or visit Hidden Wings on Youtube, or on Instagram @solvanghiddenwings.

The Coffee House by Chomp is at 1693 Mission Drive, D103, Solvang.

Photographer Ryan Abbott is rarely seen without his camera. Some of his photos can be seen on the wall behind him. More of his photos can be seen at The Coffee House by Chomp in Solvang.

A photo taken by Ryan Abbott hangs on the wall at Coffee House by Chomp in Solvang. Contributed Photos

SPOTLIGHT

Solvang resident, longtime educator, celebrates a century of a life well lived

Phyllis Axtell of Atterdag Village will turn 100 years old on May 9

By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

Solvang resident Phyllis Axtell will celebrate her 100th birthday on May 9 surrounded by family and friends. She resides at the Atterdag Village of Solvang. Many may recall having her as their teacher or as the principal of Ballard School.

The third of seven children, she was born Phyllis Mae Graham on May 9, 1924, to Donald John Graham and Anna Jemima Ferguson, delivered on her uncle Garret Ferguson’s farm in Foster, near Carrington, North Dakota. She spent here early childhood on multiple farms.

“We had a car, a Baby Overland with side curtains and a telephone, but little else of the modern world — no electricity, no running water, no indoor plumbing, or bathrooms, only a one- or twoholler outhouse, which was miserable in the winter,” Axtell said in her autobiography in 2017.

Axtell's family worked on the farm.

“The farmwork was done with teams of horses. I do not recall ever seeing a tractor until my grandfather bought a new beautiful green John Deere tractor, which he was really proud of,” she remembered. “We later moved to the Pete Peterson farm which was about a mile from where Grandma and Grandpa Ferguson lived. We had a lot of fun and freedom to go and play wherever we wanted. We would build tree houses, forts, snow caves, ice skate on ponds, wherever our imaginations took us.”

Her father grew grain, raised cattle, sheep, pigs, and chickens, and her mother raised free-range turkeys which she prepared for market.

The family eventually moved to

roads, buildings, dams, etc," she recalled. "He eventually landed a job as executive secretary of the Welfare Board, which was much more in line with his career ambitions.”

But his new job brought another move to Carrington in 1932. She was in fifth grade at the time.

“[At my new school] We were offered Latin, grammar, office skills, band, chorus, physical education, and home economics as well as the regular curriculum,” she said. “We had great teachers some of whom were interesting characters. We enjoyed extra-curricular activities such as sports, band, chorus, drama, public speaking, to name a few.”

After graduating high school in May 1941, she took the $35 she had saved up and headed off to Los Angeles.

movies, or whatever."

A cousin of her best friend one day introduced Phyllis to Creighton Axtell.

"We began dating, and eventually courting," Phyllis said. "We would go to the beach, to the mountains, or play tennis. We were not extravagant. Creighton’s first priority was saving, war bonds, or a bank account or sending money home to his mother. We were married on May 26, 1943, and honeymooned in Muir Woods.”

Creighton at Cal State Northridge and Chapman University.

After retiring from Lockheed, Creighton earned his teaching credentials and taught elementary and secondary school in the Santa Ynez Valley.

another farm, according to Axtell.

“We moved to Hoffert’s farm in Nordmore County. I attended a oneroom schoolhouse, often taught by the Ferguson cousins," she said.

Farmers were self-sufficient, and there was money to be made farming. But her father seemed to have gotten into the farming business too late to reap the benefits of the once high price of wheat.

“My dad had borrowed money from the bank to buy seed and equipment for his farming business. But life was hard on the farm. I recall seeing my mother working in the fields alongside my dad while raising little kids and tending to a big garden, canning vegetables and fruit for winter, sometimes when the temperature outside was about 118 degrees," Axtell said. "It was then that I knew I never wanted to be in the farming business."

Then came a career change for Axtell's father.

“About the time that my brother Donald was born, my dad got a job as foreman on a road job,probably a WPA project as part of FDR’s programs to use unemployed people to improve

“I had been offered a position as ‘nanny’ for a doctor and his wife who had a newly adopted daughter and lived in Seal Beach," Axtell said. "I attended Compton Junior College in 1942 as a pre-med student and also worked at the National Youth Administration while taking care of the Nelson child, and worked at Woolworth’s on Saturdays for 10 cents an hour.”

In December 1941, the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor. Then in February 1942, the war came closer to home with the bombardment of Ellwood by a Japanese submarine off the coast of Santa Barbara.

“At that time the defense plants were testing and hiring people so as soon as I turned 18, I tested and got a job with Lockheed as a stock clerk, then posting in the Kardex system, then as an expeditor, solving shortage problems for whatever was needed for the production for the war effort," Axtell said. "I became acquainted with other young people and we rented an apartment together. We worked swing-shift, so after returning home at 12:30 a.m. we would go dancing or to the Long Beach Pier, to the Palladium, to the

At that time, with only a high school education, Creighton was recruited for his engineering skills to work on the development of America’s first jet at Kelly Johnson’s Skunk Works in Burbank. Once the plane was constructed, he was drafted by the Army Air Corps to serve during World War II. He and Phyllis moved to Wright Field in Ohio, where Creighton served in an engineering role, and later was stationed in Atsugi, Japan.

After he left the service, Creighton and Phyllis eventually moved back to Southern California, where they both worked for Lockheed.

“We bought one acre of land from friends in the Northridge area, as did other Lockheed friends and formed a group of ‘pioneers’ who began designing and building homes," Phyllis said. "We lived there for 15 years, adopting two children, James Robert Axtell in 1954 and daughter Nellana Colleen Axtell two years later.”

Eventually, work would bring the Axtell family up to the Central Coast.

“Creighton was offered a job in management with Lockheed at Vandenberg Air Force Base in 1959," Phyllis recalled. "He moved to Solvang and I followed with the two children after selling our home in Northridge.”

Creighton and Phyllis both spent a lot of time taking night classes, acquiring B.A. and later Master's degrees, Phyllis at UCSB, and

“I, too, went back to school, earning my B.A. and one year of teacher education and was offered a job as teacher/principal of Ballard Elementary School, where I worked for 11 years,” Phyllis said. “I retired for one year then went to work as lead technical editor at Martin Marietta, Vandenberg Air Force Base. I retired in 1987 to continue leading the good life."

A good life seeing the world and appreciating what was at home, Phyllis noted.

“My degrees in history and English inspired me to travel. We traveled extensively through Europe, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, South America, Russia, Africa, Turkey, Mexico, Central America, Greece, Italy, Egypt, Israel, and the United States,” she recalled.

“But our greatest blessings have been from our family. Our kids have been of such comfort and joy in so many ways. My ‘good life’ in Solvang included church, Eastern Star Women’s Club, PEO, hiking, and playing bridge.”

Axtell said she has been very blessed to have lived the life she has.

“I have so much to be thankful for, most of all my loving husband, Creighton. Up until his death in January 2023 at the age of 103, he treated me with surprises and took such good care of me for the nearly 80 years we were married. I am also thankful to all of my family and my many friends. I have indeed been blessed in so many ways.”

To anyone wishing to send Phyllis a birthday acknowledgement, please send it to 636 Atterdag Road, Solvang, CA 93463.

EDITOR'S NOTE: An expanded version of this story can be found online at santaynezvalleystar.com

This is recent photo of Phyllis Axtell who will be celebrating her 100th birthday on May 9.

Photo by Nellana Lobdell

ARTS & NONPROFITS

California Nature Art Museum announces the 2024 Wilderness Spirit Awards honorees

Community Environmental Council, Chumash tribe to be feted at May 19 brunch in Buellton Staff Report

The Board of Directors and staff of the California Nature Art Museum (www.calnatureartmuseum.org) proudly announce Community Environmental Council and Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians as the 2024 honorees for the 18th Wilderness Spirit Award Brunch.

This year's event will be held in The Figueroa Ballroom at the Marriot Hotel in Buellton, on Sunday, May 19, from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The morning will include can't-miss auction items including a six-night stay in Oahu, Hawaii, a sunset cruise, an animal encounter at the Santa Barbara Zoo, a one-night Staycation in Santa Ynez, and much more. There will also be live artist demonstrations from Jeremy Harper, Clare Carey, and David & Nansi Gallup, who will share a sneak peek of their upcoming exhibit, "A Deeper Love: New Paintings Inspired by Coral Reefs" coming to the museum this Fall. The event will also include a wine pull, raffle, incredible food and drink, and of course, a unique chance to support the museum's mission to inspire stewardship of nature through art and education.

This year, for the first time, there will be two honorees. Community Environmental Council (CEC) with the Wilderness Spirit Award, as well as the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians

with the newly announced Sustainability Award.

The Board chose CEC this year in large part due to its success in creating and opening the HUB facility, as well as for their focus on tackling local climate change issues, training climate change activists, and its commitment to diversity and inclusion in its programming. The museum uses solar energy thanks to a CEC program which helped conservation-minded nonprofits convert to solar, which would not have been affordable otherwise.

Each year, the California Nature Art Museum presents the Wilderness Spirit Award to a person or group who strives to bring awareness to natural places through various platforms.

“We are so proud to present this year’s Wilderness Spirit Award to

the Community Environmental Council. With the recent opening of their new Environmental HUB in downtown Santa Barbara, we felt it was the perfect time to honor their many efforts to offer a facility for like-minded groups and individuals to gather and collaborate,” said Stacey Otte-Demangate, Executive Director for California Nature Art Museum. “We admire their outstanding efforts to tackle local climate change concerns, help the region to be more sustainable, and raise awareness through impactful events such as the annual Earth Day Celebration.”

CEC opened the region’s first Environmental Hub, a 10,000-square-foot epicenter for climate action, in downtown Santa Barbara. Since opening in July 2023,

the Hub has hosted more than 5,000 community members at more than 120 educational lectures, workshops, and community-led events.

“More than 50 years ago, we answered an urgent call to protect and preserve the health and integrity of the Central Coast,” said Sigrid Wright, CEO of the CEC. “We strongly believe that by embracing fierce hope, taking collective action, and harnessing a proven blueprint that draws on the best of people and nature, we will ensure our region remains a treasure for future generations.”

This is the first year the museum also recognizes a second honoree with a new Sustainability Award. The museum board wanted to shine a light on the impressive efforts the Santa Ynez

Band of Chumash Indians does to minimize — or even eliminate in some instances — waste from their casino and hotel operations. In addition, they also support other tribal communities in their own efforts to operate more sustainably, and their new Cultural Center and Museum has achieved Silver LEED Certification.

“As the original stewards of this land, our tribe understands the importance of prioritizing sustainability measures andconserving resources at our local businesses,” said Kenneth Kahn, tribal chairman for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. “It’s an honor to be recognized for our efforts to reduce our impact on the environment, and we greatly appreciate being the first recipient of the California Nature Art Museum’s Sustainability Award.”

Tickets are on sale now for California Nature Art Museum’s Wilderness Spirit Award Brunch, sponsored by Schiele Family Foundation, Allan Hancock College, and Louise Clarke and John Carbon along with other supporters. All proceeds from this event enable the museum to continue to provide unique art exhibits and educational programs for the community and visitors, free school tours and children’s activities, and future installations designed to inspire a love of nature and to encourage advocacy.

California Nature Art Museum is open Weekdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except Tuesday and Wednesday) and Weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is supported by the generosity of its sponsors and members. For more information about California Nature Art Museum please visit www. calnatureartmuseum.org.

IBS can cause stress on the body and the brain STAR LIFESTYLE

By Dr. Hyun K. Lee

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder focused in the area of the lower digestive system. For some people, it is a lifelong condition and its symptoms can be disabling and dramatically reduce their quality of life. IBS can affect both men and women of any age, but it seems to affect females more regularly.  IBS, sometimes referred to as spastic or irritable colon, has symptoms which differ from person to person, but the primary shared symptoms are: pain after eating, gas, frequent bowel

movements (three to four times a day), a feeling like you need to use the bathroom immediately, people feel instantly better after using the bathroom, and their habits are irregular in consistency, switching back and forth between diarrhea and constipation.

The biggest problem with IBS is the diarrhea and constipation. Loose bowel movements mean that more liquid is being moved through the large intestine. This liquid, which contains nutrients, should have been removed by the small intestine for use throughout the rest of your body. Frequent constipation means that your body is wasting nutrition. People often feel fatigue because of this.

Constipation is a concern because the lack of removal causes a toxin buildup in the body. This causes stress and fatigue for your other organs and stress on brain cells, which creates emotional changes.

Korean Constitutional Medicine believes the reason for IBS is due to a sensitive large intestine. The stomach and liver energies assist the large intestine. If either of these functions have

stress and are not working properly, they cannot support the large intestine properly. The right balance of elements (primarily wood, ground, and metal energies) is needed for the intestines to work at their ideal capacity.

The good thing is that IBS is a chi-moving problem, not a physical problem of the organs. Acupuncture controls the chi of these organs to create harmony and balance. Paired with herbs, the restoration of proper digestive function, bowel movements, and energy occurs, which brings the body more nutrients, toxin elimination, and happy organs.

Keeping your organs happy is so important. When they are balanced they can withstand the stress of life with ease, much in the same way as a strong immune system keeps you from getting colds and flu. Doing your best for them will make them do the best for you, too!

Dr. Lee’s office is located at 175 McMurray Road, Suite G, Buellton. The clinic is held every Wednesday only. Dr. Lee also has an office in Los Angeles. To make an appointment in the Buellton office, call 805-693-5162.

Anna Jarvis: The 'mother' of Mother's Day

HOLIDAY HISTORY

By John Copeland

Sunday, May 12, is Mother’s Day here in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Mothers’ Day is also observed in several other countries around the world, but on different days of the year.

In the U.S., Mother’s Day is a pretty young holiday, it is a little over 100 years old. But, the tradition of honoring mothers and motherhood is deeply rooted in antiquity.  In ancient times, it was expressed in honoring a “mother” goddess. It is only in the past few centuries that the celebration of motherhood has shifted its focus to our human mothers.

Cybele was venerated as the Mother of the Gods throughout the entire Mediterranean region. Babylonia and Syria knew her as Astarte or Ishtar. The Egyptians honored Isis, as the mother goddess, commonly regarded as the mother of the pharaohs.

Early Christians celebrated a Mother's Day of sorts. On the fourth Sunday of Lent, they paid homage to the Virgin Mary and to the church in which they were baptized. Most of us are familiar with the term “Mother Church.”

In 16th century England, the church decreed honoring all mothers on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Called Mothering Sunday, it was a day

for visiting one's mother. Mothering Day grew into an important holiday in England.

The precursor to our American Mother's Day, like many of our holidays, has it roots in the Civil War.  After the war, Julia Ward Howe, author of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” felt the United States should have a day in honor of mothers. Her idea of a day honoring mothers was actually framed as a day for mothers to come together and protest war and the futility of sons killing the sons of other mothers.

In 1873, women’s groups in 18 American cities gathered and observed Howe’s mothers holiday. Initially, Howe, personally funded many of these celebrations. They died out once Howe stopped footing the bill. The celebration of Mother’s Day as we know it today did not come about until early in the 20th century thanks to Anna Jarvis.

As a child, Anna Jarvis’ mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, was a woman's club organizer in West

Virginia who had high hopes to bring women together to lower infant mortality and improve sanitary conditions.

Ann founded a West Virginia women’s group that, in order to reunite families and neighbors that had been divided between the Union and Confederate sides of the Civil War, held a Mother’s Friendship Day.

When her mother died in 1905, Anna Jarvis began a campaign to create an official Mother’s Day. Anna petitioned the superintendent of the church where her mother had taught Sunday School for over 20 years and on May 10, 1908, the first official Mother's Day celebration took place at Andrew's Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia. Anna Jarvis arranged for white carnations, her mother’s favorite flower, for parishioners to pin to their clothes, and two carnations were given to every mother in attendance. Today, white carnations are used to honor deceased mothers, while pink or red carnations pay tribute to mothers still living. Andrew's Methodist Church is still there, but renamed the International Mothers Shrine.

Anna Jarvis endlessly petitioned the government, business leaders, women groups, and churches to create a Mother’s Day. Her efforts paid off; in 1912, West Virginia became the first state to recognize Mother's Day and other states quickly followed suit. Congressman J. Thomas Heflin of Alabama and Senator Morris Sheppard of Texas presented a joint resolution to Congress for Mother's Day be observed nationwide. The resolution was passed by both houses.

In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed the bill designating the second Sunday in May as a legal holiday dedicated "to the best mother in the world, your mother."

But what about Anna M. Jarvis? Mother's

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Day quickly became a commercial gold mine, centering on the buying and giving of flowers, candies, and greeting cards; a development that deeply disturbed Jarvis.

Anna Jarvis died in 1948, blind and poor in a sanatorium, a lonely, forgotten woman. Ironically, Jarvis never knew that the Florist's Exchange had anonymously paid for her care. She spent half her life fighting for a special "day" for mothers, the other half fighting against it!

There are around 85 million mothers in the U.S. Americans will spend about $671 million on cards for Mother’s Day. We will spend another $1.9 billion on flowers for moms. When you throw in other gifts, brunches, and dinners, it is estimated that it will total $20.7 billion this year. Anna Jarvis, maybe, had a point about the commercialization.

A couple years ago, I expressed ideas of celebrating mother's day while still dealing with COVID-19 pandemic. Things are relatively back to normal now, but my idea about making sure the moms, grandmothers and women in the lives who are deserving of the honor feel appreciated on the special day still hold true: If you really want to give Mom something meaningful, give her your time.   If your mom is at home, give her a day off from any family chores. Someone else can take the responsibility on Mothers’ Day for making or serving the food, clearing and cleaning the dishes, and doing the laundry. Most moms simply wish to connect with their children and spend time with family in any way possible — if not in person, then with a phone call or video chat! Gifts are great, but a chunk of your time is the best and most comforting gift of all.

I am pretty sure that Anna Jarvis and her mother would be approve.

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FOOD & DRINK

Celebrating Mother's Day: Memory makers and rolls

Collecting things is not an uncommon habit and often shows signs early in life. I remember, as a small child, collecting certain small shells each time my family went to the beach. I kept them in a special box in my bedroom. I loved to spill them out and examine each one again and again. I think I must have had that box until I went away to college, and after that, it seemed to disappear, probably when my parents moved after I was married. But collecting can be a good thing. It can be a "memorymaker." For instance, when I started collecting cookbooks, it gave me something to look for when we traveled. We loved antiquing, and we could spend hours haunting antique stores. I tried to find cookbooks that were old and related to the "flavor" of the area we were in, or the period they were published.

From the feedback I often get from readers, I know there are many other collectors just like me out there. It's in our DNA!

When my mother passed, I inherited her collection of recipes that included recipes from my grandmother, my aunt, and my great-aunt. I have so enjoyed reading their recipes and remembering times when our family was together enjoying the results of those dishes.

I recently went through a cute little recipe box of my mother's and found the recipes I'm sharing with you now. The thrill for me was the dates she had included on the recipes. One was dated 1934 and was from her Home Ec class when she was a senior in high school, in Norman, Oklahoma. The second one was dated 1936, the year I was born.

Mother was famous for her hot rolls and she always made a pan of cinnamon rolls for breakfast when she made

hot rolls for dinner. She liked to serve orange rolls, lightly glazed, when she served ham as an entree. Both recipes are just as I found them. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cake yeast

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup lukewarm water

• 1 egg, beaten

• 3 1/2 cups flour

• 1 1/2 tablespoon shortening

Directions:

Crumble yeast into large mixing bowl. Add sugar, salt and water. Add well-beaten egg. Sift flour once before measuring. Add half of the flour. Add melted shortening. After half of flour has been added, add the remainder of flour. Let it rise until double in bulk. Work down. Cover tightly and place in Frigidaire. Shape into rolls about 1 hour before baking. Bake at 450 degrees, 20 to 25 minutes.

Orange Rolls 1936

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk, cooled to lukewarm

• 4 cups sifted bread flour

• 2 cakes yeast

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2 eggs, well beaten

• 1/4 cup melted butter

Directions:

When milk is lukewarm add crumbled yeast and let stand 15 minutes until dissolved. Add 1 cup flour and beat thoroughly. Add salt, butter, beaten eggs, and mix thoroughly. Gradually beat in rest of flour. Cover and let dough stand in warm place until dough has doubled and will hold imprint of finger. Punch down then pat to 1/4 inch thick. Use cloth covered board, lightly floured, and roll dough longer than wide. Spread filling over surface, roll and cut in 1 inch slices, and place in oiled tins, cut side down. Let rise until double. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.

Note: Since there was no recipe for the filling, I'm offering this: Mix 1/2 cup softened butter with 1/2 cup sugar and the zest of 2 oranges. Spread this mixture evenly over the rectangle of dough. Roll-up the rectangle lengthwise into a long tube (similar to how you roll cinnamon rolls). Use a sharp serrated knife to cut the dough into 1 inch slices. Place the dough rounds into greased muffin tins, or lay then in a greased baking dish, like cinnamon rolls. Bake, remove from oven and drizzle with glaze.

Orange Rolls Glaze

Ingredients:

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest from fresh orange

• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice

Directions:

Whisk powdered sugar, orange zest, and orange juice until smooth. Drizzle over warm orange rolls. Cheers!

Hot Rolls 1934

Barbie Butz Columnist

BALLARD SCHOOL JAMBOREE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

along with tables containing many auction items. On the far side of the lawn stood a petting zoo with friendly goats of various sizes and a miniature horse. Pictures of children interacting with the animals were taken by parents making memories, which no doubt will be viewed once again when the children are grown.

“We started setting up on Wednesday,” said Floyd. “It was a huge job but we had lots of help.”

“It takes a village to make this all happen. We had at least 50 volunteers — it is a herculean effort to put on this event,” said Cailen Conroy, who has two children in third grade and was the PTA past president. This year’s PTA president is Gamble Parks and the vice president is Kelsy Hodge. I could not have done all this without Kelsy who did most of the work.”

In another section was the Ballard Vintage Pop-Up sale, somewhat akin to a Ballard estate sale and a pie-baking contest thrown in for good measure. Music by Cole Cassidy, Mark Tuttle, Joe Moyer, Kathleen Sieck, Jackie Herthel, and John Firey filled the air throughout the afternoon. Children performed a line dance for the attendees which they learned in PE class.

A barbecue lunch with all the trimmings was available for purchase with more than 300 served in a short couple of hours.

A tour of the Little Red School House was a highlight of the event with numerous photos of past alumni, students, and prominent people of the time and a video of the history of the school which was

ECONOMIC SUMMIT

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

properties that have been sold or listed over the past year, Golis turned the floor over to Robert Rauchhaus, the senior vice president of real estate and business ventures for Radius. While pumping up local area Solvang, Buellton, and Ballard as "all hot markets," Rauchhaus said the big problem for businesses and developers was, as Golis alluded to earlier the "red tape" in getting something started, pointing out the Wagon Wheel building in Solvang as an example.

"With the amount of regulation in this area, it's shocking anyone is willing to do business," he said. "Developers deal with delays here, and

recorded for the school’s 100th year celebration.

“A lot of people have come in today and have found themselves or their grandchildren or great-grandchildren in the pictures,” said Forsyth, one of the volunteers who helped plan the event.

“After selling everything we hope to glean about $50,000, judging from past years. I suspect we had at least 600 attendees if not more today,” said Conroy. “All the money we raise at this event goes towards field trips, theater programs, music, and physical education.”

“Many from the community attend today’s event to support Ballard School and it’s nice to see the community’s participation,” said Conroy. “All of the participants in the booths are alumni students and so much of the beauty of this event comes from the help of past parents.”

if you're delayed just one week in moving forward, it costs you $3,500 for just the week."

Despite the difficulties, Rauchhaus maintained that while the real estate forecast is tough across the state and nationally, in the Santa Ynez Valley "we're bucking the trend."

It was then time for Stroud, the keynote speaker. Her organization, GO Biz, is a state agency that offers a range of no-cost consultation services to business owners, including small business assistance and how to deal with government entities.

After mentioning that she became acquainted with the Santa Ynez Valley thanks to her travels down to the high school when she was a student-athlete at Paso Robles High, Stroud added levity to the fact she works for a gov-

ernment agency by recalling a famous joke by President Ronald Reagan.

"The nine most feared words in the English language, I think it was: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help'" she remembered. "But, you know, we're always sensitive to what's happening at the local level, but more importantly ... how can we help find some resources to help you overcome some of those challenges?"

Stroud pointed out that California has the fifth-largest economy in the world, larger than most nations.

"I think that speaks volumes to what we have here in the state of California," she said. "We [GO Biz] are the state's first stop for economic development here in California; we are that

entity to engage with our businesses and communities to try and assist with business growth and development."

And to do that takes collaboration, Stroud stressed.

"So, we're in that position to try and help and identify some resources to assist with what you're doing here," she said, pointing out as a hypothetical example being the person to help find a funding source for projects that Hartmann mentioned in her segment.

After going over some of the programs offered by GO Biz that could help local governments and businesses, Stroud wrapped up her presentation with the line that she opened with, though this time a little more seriously: "I am from the government and I am here to help."

The Hercules Big Top was one of the many games offered at the Old-Time Ballard Jamboree on April 21.

Gina Floyd wears an enormous red skirt covered in pockets filled with prizes and candy for the children to find at the Old-Time Ballard Jamboree.

On the expansive lawn, old-fashioned booths were on display, with games, sweets, treats, and prizes for all to enjoy, especially the children, at the Old-Time Ballard Jamboree. Pictured is Trapper John’s Outpost and Grandpa’s Milk Barn.

Photos by Devyn Marseilles

GOVERNMENT MEETINGS

TUESDAY, MAY 7

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 9 A.M.

County Administration Building, 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara

For more info: countyofsb.org

THURSDAY, MAY 9

BUELLTON CITY COUNCIL, 6 P.M.

At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton

For more info: cityofbuellton.com

MONDAY, MAY 13

SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL, 6:30 P.M.

At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang

For more info: cityofsolvang.com

TUESDAY, MAY 14

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 9 A.M.

Betteravia Government Administration Building, 511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria

For more info: countyofsb.org

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT, 5:30 P.M.

At Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, Administrative Building, 2975 East Highway 246 Santa Ynez

For more info: syvuhsd.org

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 9 A.M.

Betteravia Government Administration Building, 511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria For more info: countyofsb.org

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24

SANTA YNEZ COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT, 5:30 P.M.

At Community Services District Building, 1070 Faraday St.

For more info: sycsd.com

LOS OLIVOS COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT, 5:30 P.M.

St Mark’s in the Valley Episcopal Church, Stacy Hall, 2092 Nojoqui Ave, Los Olivos

For more info: losolivoscsd.com

THURSDAY, MAY 16

CALENDAR

SOLVANG DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE, 5 P.M.

At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang

For more info: cityofsolvang.com

BUELLTON PLANNING COMMISSION, 6 P.M.

At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton

For more info: cityofbuellton.com

EVENTS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8

SOLVANG CHAMBER'S CYCLEMAYNIA AT THE PARK, 2 TO 6 P.M.

CycleMAYnia at the Park aims to encourage biking as a means of promoting good health and well-being among our community members. The chamber will have water, pins, and wristbands available for all attendees. For those who choose to ride their bikes to the park, in addition to the aforementioned items, they will also receive a backpack/water bottle, and a little lunch bag. Additionally, the chamber will be distributing maps of bike trails courtesy of SBGAC.

Dr. J's Bicycle Shop will have a tent in the park with free helmets and water bottles for kids who ride their bikes to the event. Dr. J’s is raffling a brand-new kids bike.

At Solvang Park, 1630 Mission Drive, Solvang For more info: CycleMAYnia.org

THURSDAY, MAY 9

ECON ALLIANCE ENERGY FORUM: THE CALIFORNIA ENERGY TRANSITION, 9:30 A.M. TO 1:30 P.M.

Speakers include Mark Nechodom, senior director of science & technology, Western States Petroleum Association ("Energy Realities") and Jennifer Miller, Renewable Energy Section chief, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Pacific Region ("Energy Opportunity — Offshore Wind Pipeline Projects")

Following the success of the 2023 “Evolving Global and Local Renewable Energy Alternatives” forum, this year’s event, “The California Energy Transition,” features local conventional energy projects, the CADEMO OffShore Wind Project, and many more opportunities and challenges.

At Craft House At Corque, 420 Alisal Road, Solvang

To register/for more info: econalliance.org/ event/2024-energy-forum/

SATURDAY, MAY 11

SANTA BARBARA WINE COUNTRY HALF MARATHON, 8 A.M. TO 5 P.M.

This is the only half marathon in Solvang, and is presented by Chumash Casino Resort. This exciting route takes you through the Santa Ynez Valley and finishes in Solvang with a post-race wine festival.

Choose to run the half marathon on your own, or partner with a running buddy and join as a two-person relay to tackle it together.

At Solvang Park, At Solvang Park, 1630 Mission Drive, Solvang.

Start line: 565 Atterdag Road, Solvang. Finish line: 1639 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang. To register, for more info: www. runsipsantabarbara.com

SUNDAY, MAY 12 (MOTHER'S DAY) FLOWERS & CHAMPAGNE MOTHER'S DAY BUFFET, 9 A.M. TO 2 P.M.

Craft House at Corque in Solvang will be hosting a Mother's Day Buffet. Cost is $46 per person, $23 per child ages 3-12. Last seating will be at 1:30 p.m. Glass of Champagne served upon arrival.

At Craft House at Corque, 420 Alisal Road, Solvang

To make a reservation: www.exploretock.com/ craft-house-at-corque-solvang/

SATURDAY, MAY 18

PEACE OF MIND — 10,000 STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, 9 A.M.

Join us for a walk on Alma Rosa Winery's stunning, 628-acre estate in Buellton. Enjoy rare hilltop vistas of the Sta. Rita Hills wine region as you traverse the winery’s ranch from the valley floor through its hillside vineyards and back, approximately 10,000 steps. Splashes of wine will accompany your view at the top vineyard, and you will have the chance to taste Alma Rosa’s wines when you finish the course.

At Alma Rosa Winery, 7250 Santa Rosa Road, Buellton

For more info: runsignup.com/Race/CA/ Buellton/PeaceofMind10000StepsintheRightDirection

AIRPORT

DAY, 10 A.M. TO 4 P.M.

The annual Santa Ynez Valley Airport Day returns to the airport grounds, featuring more

than 30 planes and helicopters on display, including Santa Barbara County’s emergency aviation fleet.

The airport authority estimates 1,000 people are expected to turn out for a day of free hot dogs and hamburgers and an education in aeronautics.

During the event, flight training scholarships will be awarded to students between the ages of 16 and 19 who live in the Santa Ynez High School District. The scholarship provides funds for training and receiving a private pilot’s license.

At Santa Ynez Airport, 900 Airport Road, Santa Ynez

For more info: santaynezairport.com

ONGOING

TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS

STORYTIME AT SOLVANG LIBRARY, 10:30 A.M., TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS

Join us indoors on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.

Come to enjoy songs, stories, movement, and a warm welcome. Please make a reservation at cityofgoleta.org/city-hall/goleta-valley-library At Solvang Library, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang

For more info: Solvang Library (805) 688-4214

WEDNESDAYS

SOLVANG FARMERS MARKET, 2:30 TO 6 P.M.

Each week, the farmers in the marketplace display a colorful bounty of agricultural products grown right in our backyard. Seasonal diversity is available year-round rain or shine. Come. Shop. Socialize. Certified — the only way to buy! Join us in downtown Solvang every Wednesday on First Street, between Mission Drive (Highway 246) and Copenhagen Drive.

WINE WEDNESDAYS IN BUELLTON, 4 TO 8 P.M.

Please join us for an evening out with family fun for all in Buellton, hosted by Esfuerzo Wines and The Birria Boyz. This event will take place each Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Each week we will have guest food vendors, live music and much more to be announced. We hope to see you there!

At 140 Industrial Way, Buellton

For more info: info@esfuerzowine.com