Santa Ynez Valley Star • November 5 - November 18, 2024
Motor buffs admire fancy wheels at Solvang car show
Vikings of Solvang in their second year of running the town’s annual automobile extravaganza
By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com
Coming to the Viking Charities Classic Car Show, one is expected to see a wide variety of cars and other vehicles, mostly of the ‘classic’ variety, but sometimes you come across something a little different.
So it was as this reporter was going down Copenhagen Drive in Solvang shortly after arriving, and someone stopped to ask me where the “rat-rods” were. Not only didn’t I know where they were, I didn’t know what they were and I politely told the person I hadn’t seen them.
However, after walking just half a block, I found three of the so-called “rat-rods” parked right next to each other, and the owner of one of them, Ray Venegas from Chino Hills, was more than happy to enlighten me.
“In the 1940s and ‘50s, people were putting together and racing jalopies,” Venegas explained. “But then that died out, and so the ‘ratrod’ guys came along, the cars with big engines and they put their own stuff on it.”
Venegas used as an example
the cars they brought to the show:
“If you want to put a cat on [the front bumper] you can. If you want to show off a gold-plated engine [pointing to another rat-rod] you can do it. You can do whatever you want with it.”
Mark Goodacre of Temecula, who along with Venegas belongs to
a Southern California car club called the 5150s, elaborated on the rat-rod concept.
“It’s just everyone doing something a little different with their car; with rat-rods there are no two completely alike,” Goodacre said. “And there are no big rules to follow; in fact, I call my car ‘Defiance,’ because
I’m defying the rules.”
And so it was on this October day as everyone seemed to have a story about their car, and enjoyed hearing others.
This was the second year, the annual car show in Solvang was put on by the Vikings of Solvang, a noted
CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
Spotlight
Pg. 2 • VFW to hold Veterans Day Program on Nov. 11 at Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall
. Pg. 3
• Mayoral candidates Baker, Brown take part in Solvang voters forum Opinion
Pg. 6
• COMMENTARY: Israel-Hamas conflict: There is a better way
Education Pg. 8
• SYHS Theatre Group to perform ‘Little Women’ this month
Pg. 10
• Santa Ynez High girls golf team wins second straight CIF title Community .
. Pg. 16
• Veterans receive essential care and support at Veterans Stand Down event in Santa Maria Arts & Nonprofits
. Pg. 17
• Danish artist to create troll for California Nature and Art Museum
. Pg. 18
• PTSD: Bringing your ‘elastic band’ back to shape
Food & Drink Pg. 21
• New Los Olivos market and deli is a family affair Calendar .
Pg. 23
• Government meetings and events
A row of rat-rods is shown on Copenhagen Drive in Solvang during the Viking Charities Car Show in Solvang on Oct. 19. Photos by Mike Chaldu
NEWS BRIEFS
SOLVANG
VFW to hold Veterans Day Program on Nov. 11 at Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall
The public is invited to honor all veterans at VFW Post 7139’s annual Veterans Day Program on Monday, Nov. 11, in the Solvang Veterans Hall.
VFW Post 7139 will honor and salute all American veterans who throughout our history have unselfishly placed their lives on the line for our freedom and way of life. Veterans Day started as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1918, when fighting ceased in World War I.
Alvin Salge, the adjutant of VFW Post 7139, said the event will include an American Legion Flag posting in front of the Veterans Hall, national anthem and songs by the SYV Chorale, SYV Wind Ensemble, and Vandenberg Space Force Base and local veteran speakers. A free luncheon will follow the program in the American Legion Wing served by Pam Gnekow’s Outreach Foundation and Daughters of the American Revolution. The VFW invites all veterans, their families, and caring citizens to attend. It also welcomes veterans from allied countries who fought beside our servicemen and women.
Veterans Foundation to hold Salute to the Vets event on Nov. 9
The Santa Barbara County Veterans Foundation will hold its 4th annual Santa Ynez Valley Salute to the Vets at Solvang Park on Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The event will include a Pin-up Girl contest, military vehicle display, a flyover, food, beer, wine, silent auction, 50/50 games, prizes, and much more. Live music to be provided by Out of the Blue.
All donations to the SBCVF will benefit Santa Barbara County veterans and their families.
For more info, call (805) 350-2006, or go to www.salutetothevets.org or www.sbcvf.org.
Craft House at Corque to host Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 28
Come join us at the Craft House for Thanksgiving dinner!
Leave the prep, the cooking and the cleanup to us! Enjoy a buffet of traditional Thanksgiving favorites with some delicious Craft House additions
Admission for the dinner is $74 for adults, $29 for children and free for children 2 and under.
A 20 percent service charge is to be shared amongst the staff for their work as well as 8.75 percent sales tax that will be added to your final bill.
The menu for this year is not yet finalized, but the Craft House says the menu you see in the photos is from last year, but is a good guideline for what this year’s menu will be like.
Deposit will be refunded to the original form of payment upon your arrival to your reservation. Deposits for any reservation that does not cancel at least 48 hours prior to your reservation will not be refunded. Those who choose to book tickets can do so in the 12, 12:15, or 12:30 p.m. window.
To get tickets or for more info, go to www. exploretock.com/craft-house-at-corque-solvang/.
Solvang Theaterfest welcomes Terri Simmons as director of development
Solvang Theaterfest is excited to announce
the appointment of Terri Simmons as the new director of development. With a rich background in community engagement and event planning, Terri is committed to fostering relationships that enhance the Theaterfest’s mission and expand its impact within the Santa Ynez Valley.
In her new role, Simmons will serve as the primary contact for sponsorships, donations, and fundraising events. Her focus is on building connections with local businesses and individuals who value the arts and the importance of supporting cultural institutions.
“I’m honored to join Solvang Theaterfest, where we have a unique opportunity to create meaningful experiences for our community,” she said. “I look forward to connecting with supporters and helping to make our theater a vibrant hub for entertainment and creativity.”
Ways to Support Solvang Theaterfest: To continue delivering exceptional programs and performances, Solvang Theaterfest welcomes various forms of support:
• Ongoing Operations - Annual Fund: Contributions enable us to expand programs and events, including live concerts and children’s programming, while providing a venue for other local nonprofits to fundraise. Solvang Theaterfest relies on your generosity, even in the best of times.
• Individual Giving: Every donation plays a crucial role in maintaining Solvang Theaterfest as a cherished part of the community. Whether through one-time gifts or sponsorship of concerts, your support helps us keep the lights on and the performances coming.
• Corporate Giving and Sponsorships: Businesses can show their generosity by supporting professional theater and live entertainment. Corporate sponsorships provide
valuable exposure through banners and program listings, demonstrating your commitment to the community.
• Stock Gifts: Donating stock can provide tax advantages while benefiting Solvang Theaterfest.
• Planned Giving: Consider including Solvang Theaterfest in your estate planning to make a lasting impact on our future.
• Seat Campaign: Our ongoing seat campaign allows donors to contribute directly to the physical space of the theater, enhancing the experience for all patrons.
BUELLTON
Vegetation fire along Highway 246 causes internet outages in Valley
A series of spot fires in Buellton along Highway 246, collectively known as the Riverview Fire, caused internet outages in the Santa Ynez Valley as the flames burned fiber lines on utility poles.
Santa Barbara County’s Office of Emergency Management Director Kelly Hubbard told KEYT.com that the outages caused by the burnt fiber lines made it difficult for the county to get information to residents.
Hubbard reported that people with Comcast, Frontier, Xfinity, and Verizon internet were impacted for 24-48 hours.
“We know we had power outage to a small pocket of the community but we also had a communication outage too,” Hubbard said to keyt.com. “ We believe at minimum cities of Lompoc, Buellton, Solvang and most of Santa Ynez Valley including part of Los Alamos at different times.”
STAR
Mayoral candidates Baker, Brown take part in Solvang voters forum
Hopefuls answer questions pertaining to experience, local development, and water, among other issues
By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com
Less than two weeks before the Nov. 5 election, two of the three Solvang mayoral candidates answered questions and stated their cases as to why they should be elected in a voters forum presented by the League of Women Voters.
Current Solvang Mayor Pro Tem David Brown, also the District 3 City Councilmember, and Jamie Baker, owner of the Space VR virtual reality lounge, attended the Oct. 23 meeting at Solvang’s City Council Chambers to answer questions voters had on local issues. Denise El Amin, the third mayoral candidate, declined to attend according to Alison Wales, vice president of the League of Women Voters of North Santa Barbara County, and one of the moderators of the forum.
The meeting, moderated by Wales and Santa Ynez Valley resident and former leadership consultant Ian Jacobsen, began with the candidates’ opening remarks and initial questions from the moderators. Then, after an intermission, Baker and Brown answered questions submitted by the audience and made their closing statements. The candidates were allowed one minute each for their opening and closing statements, and two minutes each to answer questions.
Baker began his opening statement by saying “I love this town” and explained he had that love for Solvang ever since he came to town in 1979. He pointed out that while not many people know of him, he does have am-
the top two issues, but he believed the most important one was “water, water, water,” and the wastewater plant, and said the Housing Element was something that “we have to get right.” Another concern Baker had was with the budget. “I see our expenses going up and revenues staying flat. We need to find more sources of revenue.”
Another question posed to the candidates was how they would balance the city budget if there was a revenue shortfall.
To start, Brown jokingly said he’d probably be yelling at City Manager Randy Murphy about but then, in all seriousness, admitted the responsibility would lie with the council. In that situation, Brown said their would probably be some peril involved, i.e. layoffs, and possible sales of unneeded assets, but said raising residents’ taxes would not be a “proper procedure.”
ple experience in local government, nonprofits, and the arts, which he hopes to bring back to Solvang and “start a new renaissance.”
Brown began his statement by giving a “shoutout to my No. 1 fan,” his wife Karen Brown, and focused on his current status as 3rd District City Councilmember, resident for 30 years, and someone who’s been involved in charities and the community. “I’ve been here a long time, and hope to be here much, much longer,” he concluded.
The first two questions had to do with how the candidates’ experiences have prepared them for a possible mayoral term.
In his answers Baker pointed to his five years as an executive vice president for Los Angeles County’s largest child welfare mental health agency, as well as experience fundraising for various causes, managing staffs ranging in size from 3 to 20. He also pointed out his time working with arts organizations to help his goal to make Solvang more artistic. “This town is in need of more creativity,
and I can help supply that,” he said. Brown focused on his status as Solvang’s current mayor pro tem, where he had a hand in hiring a new city manager, and also pointed to his time as a volunteer umpire in youth baseball. “Whatever decision you make in that job, half the people love it and half of them hate it,” Brown said. “If that doesn’t prepare you for being mayor, I don’t know what does.”
Next, the two candidates were asked what the city’s most significant issues were. Speaking first, Brown prefaced by saying the number of city issues is a long list, but first mentioned the city’s “growth pains” in dealing with the Housing Element, mentioning the controversial Wildwood development on Site C, on the corner of Alamo Pintado Road and Old Mission Road. He also mentioned the remodeling of the city’s wastewater plant, but reiterated the list of issues “goes on and on.”
Baker seemed to agree with Brown on
Baker agreed that tax hikes would not be an option for him, and praised Brown, saying that if he became mayor, he would still have Brown on the council and would appreciate his financil acumen. Baker also pointed out that he sits on the Measure U committee, and that fund ended up being much more than originally thought, so potentially that could help in any shortfall, and that he would use new revenue streams to help out on that also.
After a short intermission, the candidates came back to answer questions submitted by audience members at the forum.
First, the candidates were asked if they supported Measure E, which would raise the Transit Occupany Tax from 12 percent to 14 percent. Baker was in favor said the city would have to “give tourists something back” for the higher fees, while Brown is generally against it, he felt it was important to put it on the ballot, especially with neighboring Buellton has the same increase on its ballot. “What
Solvang mayoral candidate Dave Brown (right) playfully holds up the mayor’s gavel, saying “this fits my hand just right” as fellow mayoral candidate Jamie Baker looks on at the end of the Solvang voters forum on Oct. 23. Screenshot from YouTube
BRIEFS
Santa Barbara County Fire Public Information Officer Scott Safechuck reported on X that the fire was first reported at 4:30 p.m. at Highway 246 and Riverview Drive in Buellton. The fire estimated at 25-30 acres at the beginning, growing to more than 64 acres before crew gained full containment. Safechuck said on X that Air Attack, two air-tankers, and two helicopters assigned to the fire. No structures were ever threatened.
Buellton resident earns scholarships to attend Baldwin-Wallace College
Victoria Bernard of Buellton was among over 660 first-year students welcomed to the Baldwin Wallace University campus this fall who earned more than $12.6 million in merit scholarships. Bernard, a graduate of Dos Pueblos High School majoring in creative writing, earned a $15,000 Fellows’ Scholarship based on outstanding academic achievements in high school.
Bernard is also one of 11 women’s wrestling newcomers to continue their career at Baldwin Wallace University as part of the school’s first-ever women’s wrestling roster. The Yellow Jackets open the season on Saturday, Nov. 1 when they travel to Tiffin to compete in the Tiffin University Open. BW hosts the first ever home match on Tuesday, Nov. 19, when it hosts a dual match against the University of Mount Union in the Ursprung Gymnasium inside the Lou Higgins Center.
BW’s merit scholarships are awarded to full-time students and are renewable for up to four years with good academic and social standing. BW offers a wide range of financial support to its students — more than $60 million for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Baldwin Wallace University, founded in 1845, was one of the first colleges to admit
MAYORAL CANDIDATES
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
I would suggest is building more hotels to bring more revenue, and that would make up for lack of an increase.”
The two were also asked about the proposed Site C apartment complex, Wildwood. Baker said that situation has gotten to the point where it’s in “the lawyer’s laps,” and the council is bound by what they can
students without regard to race or gender. An independent, coeducational university of 3,500 students, BW offers coursework in the liberal arts tradition in more than 65 academic areas. Located in Berea, Ohio, 12 miles from downtown Cleveland, BW offers students the cultural, educational and business advantages of a major metropolitan area.
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY
Cottage Primary Care — Santa Ynez Valley welcomes new physicians
Cottage Primary Care is pleased to share that providers Roger I. Lane, M.D., FACP and Pablo Rojas, PA-C, have moved offices to Cottage Primary Care — Santa Ynez Valley, located at 1992 Old Mission Drive, Suite 140, in Solvang (in the New Frontiers shopping center). In addition, the practice welcomes Nicole Sheikholeslami, M.D., to the team.
This move will bring the entire Cottage Primary Care — Santa Ynez Valley medical team together in one convenient location, providing more space and updated facilities. Dr. Lane, Pablo Rojas, PA-C and the practice’s newest physician Dr. Sheikholeslami, join Kathryn Brewer, M.D. and Janina Meissner-Frisk, D.O., in offering comprehensive primary care services to patients at this office.
Sheikholeslami comes to Cottage Primary Care after serving as chief resident in family medicine at Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, where she was honored with the BEE — Being Exceptional Everyday — Award for delivering excellent patient care. She earned her M.D. from Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, a Master’s of Science in medical sciences from Boston University and a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from UCLA, and has authored numerous papers for national medical journals.
do. Brown pointed out that the project is still a long way from approval and that it could “crater onto itself like a souffle,” before it even had a chance to get started.
Other questions had to do with encouraging more affordable housing, traffic concerns in the Alamo Pintado corridor, and efforts to maintain the Danish style of downtown Solvang. Answers to those can be found on the YouTube broadcast of the forum at www. youtube.com/watch?v=_ulkljas8CY&t=1081s
Cottage Primary Care — Santa Ynez Valley is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Appointments with the Cottage Primary Care — Santa Ynez Valley team can be scheduled by calling (805) 686-3200 or visiting cottagehealth.org/primary-care/appointments.
Santa
Ynez
residents enter Biola University for Fall 2024 semester
Biola University is excited to welcome incoming students to the Biola community as they start their journey as an Eagle this fall. Including among them are two Santa Ynez residents: Lauren Bradley, majoring in psychology, and Pressley Melville, majoring in business administration.
Biola’s incoming class represents an accomplished, diverse group of individuals who hail from 48 countries and 45 states. More than 1,650 undergraduate and graduate students started their journey at Biola for their first day of classes on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
These students are part of the largest incoming class since fall 2019. Biola, located in La Mirada, is a nationally ranked Christian university in the heart of Southern California. The university was recognized as one of America’s best colleges, earning a spot in the higher tier of the “best national universities” category of U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges 2025 rankings.
Founded in 1908, Biola is committed to the mission of biblically centered education, scholarship and service - equipping men and women in mind and character to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. With more than 5,000 students at its Southern California campus and around the world, Biola’s eight schools offer more than 150 academic programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. For more information, visit biola.edu or call (562) 777-4061.
The candidates wrapped up the forum with their closing statements.
Baker again professed his love, and talked about how he ran for office in Solvang four years ago, but had to drop out for personal reasons. Now he said he’s ready.
“I’m a business owner in this town, my kids have gone to school in this town, I know what they love, and what they wish they had here,” he said. “I would like to improve the revenue streams here, and I feel it
SANTA BARBARA
SBCC Theatre Arts offers Christmas comedy play
The SBCC Theatre Arts Department presents a student showcase production of “Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge” by Christopher Durang, directed by Katie Laris, Nov. 13-23 in the Jurkowitz Theatre.
In this comedy with music, Tony Award-winning playwright Christopher Durang delivers “A Christmas Carol” as you’ve never seen it before. It’s a world in which Ebenezer Scrooge’s ghostly visitor has lost all navigational skill, where Tiny Tim is insufferable and Mrs. Bob Cratchit is at the end of her rope. As Scrooge’s ride careens from one Christmas send-up to the next, this is a hilarious holiday production you won’t want to miss!
“Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge” will feature talented Santa Barbara City College student actors: Adrian Arias, Ciara Barnes, AJ DeAugustine, Benjamin Fetter, Tristan Fleming, James Hanasz, Charlotte Hecker, Alex Keever, JT Kelleher, Sebastian Lopez, Jenna Perry, Yildiz Soyal, Piper Steen, Mali Szerwo, and Grace Wilson.
Performances will be in the Jurkowitz Theatre, SBCC West Campus, 900 block of Cliff Drive, on Nov. 13-23. Showtimes are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30pm, Sunday, Nov. 17, and Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2pm. The Sunday, Nov. 17, 2 p.m. performance will be live-captioned for the hearing impaired. Ticket prices are $20 general/$17 seniors (62 and over) and SBCC staff/$10 students. Tickets can be purchased online at www. theatregroupsbcc.com or by calling the Box Office at (805) 965-5935. Due to the intimate nature of the Jurkowitz Theatre, no late seating is permitted.
would be a lot easier to pick up the phone and say ‘Hi, this is the mayor’ to accomplish that.”
Brown said he wants to be mayor because Solvang is a wonderful town, and he thinks he has the experience to be a good mayor.
“I think it would be a simple transition,” he said. “Also, I think that as your mayor, I would be your No. 1 cheerleader. I have the enthusiasm, knowledge, and wherewithal to be your cheerleader and advocate.”
AGRICULTURE Guidance sought by growers after ban on herbicide
San Luis Obispo vegetable grower Tom Ikeda reacted to the EPA decision
By Christine Souza California Farm Bureau Federation
Reacting to the emergency suspension of an herbicide used to control weeds in vegetable crops, farmers and agricultural representatives are asking for more guidance as the sector considers effective alternatives, disposal of existing inventory and potential liability issues.
Unlike typical pesticide cancellations that allow for a phase-out period, the Aug. 6 action by the US Environmental Protection Agency immediately restricts the use, sale, distribution and transportation of Dacthal, the trade name for dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate, or DCPA.
This is the first time in 40 years the EPA has used its emergency authority under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act to suspend use of a federally registered pesticide due to concerns about potential health risks.
San Luis Obispo vegetable grower Tom Ikeda reacted to the EPA decision to ban the herbicide, which he said is used by growers as a preplant treatment in crops including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and onions. “Basically, the agency said, ‘Stop using it,”’ he said.
“In talking to people in my area, they want guidance on what to do with stocks of this material,” Ikeda said. “We’re waiting to see what’s going to come of it because there’s probably tons of product out there that people are wanting to know how to dispose of.”
Since the EPA issued the emergency suspension early last month, it released a frequently-asked-questions document with more information on the path forward. It included a clarification that growers may transport existing inventory of Dacthal to return stocks of the herbicide to the retailer or the registrant.
“The EPA has finally provided needed information for growers who have used DCPA in the past,” said Norm Groot, executive director of the Monterey County
sion of Dacthal is not a food safety issue. EPA said it has not identified risks from consuming foods with residues due to use of DCPA on crops as allowed by registered labels.
The California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association, which represents agricultural commissioners in every county, also said the ban is not related to food safety concerns.
“(Dacthal) is typically applied at the same time the crop is being planted and is not used on vegetable plants during the growing cycle. As such, DCPA is not considered a food safety concern for consumers,” the association said.
Any applications of DCPA on commodities listed on the product label prior to the suspension by the EPA were legal and subject to strict residue tolerances to ensure the safety of consumers, the association added.
Farm Bureau. “Hopefully, a solution can be worked out soon to remove existing stock from farms and return to the manufacturer for refunds and proper disposal.”
A use assessment conducted by the EPA last spring found that DCPA applications were made primarily to broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and dry onions, and mostly in California.
In California, 192,900 pounds and 188,200 pounds of DCPA were applied in 2021 and 2022, respectively, according to a report prepared for the state by the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of California, Davis.
As a top vegetable producer, Monterey County led California counties in applications of 79,000 pounds of DCPA in 2022, with most of the herbicide treatment applied prior to planting broccoli.
“The biggest concern we’re seeing here in Monterey County is for our onions and our broccoli crops, and how those are going to be managed going into the future to control weeds,” Groot said.
With the use of Dacthal suspended,
there are only a few alternatives available to growers, Groot said, noting that these materials require more frequent applications and may involve harsher chemicals.
Soon after the EPA issued the emergency order to remove DCPA from the market, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation announced it is working to support the availability of alternative pesticides to control weeds in affected crops.
DPR said it will prioritize applications for full registration of alternative products. In addition, it is providing assistance to stakeholders to make alternatives available through an emergency exemption for special local needs under FIRA.
The Dacthal ban has introduced liability concerns for growers. Groot said some buyers and shippers are asking growers for assurances that the herbicide was not used on crops purchased, which could lead to the rejection of products even if the herbicide was legally applied before the ban. The situation creates potential contractual disputes and financial losses for farmers, he said.
The EPA and others noted the suspen -
In response to the EPA’s emergency suspension of the herbicide, the association has notified California farmers that they must immediately discontinue use of DCPA products, and that agricultural commissioners will enforce the ban to ensure compliance. This includes physical inspections of farming businesses to make sure pesticide regulations are followed.
American Vanguard Corp., the registrant and sole manufacturer of DCPA, voluntarily stopped sales of the affected products in April. The company submitted cancellation requests to the EPA for federal registrations of the products due to the agency’s assessment that DCPA is harmful, particularly to pregnant women and developing fetuses.
In a statement, the company said it “continues to question EPA’s conclusions in support of the suspension,” adding that the EPA decision is based on test results of one study provided by the company that showed an effect on fetal rodents at certain dose levels. The observed effect was extrapolated to indicate a potential effect upon humans, the company added.
American Vanguard is working with state and federal authorities on a product return program that includes tracking of the remaining stock of DCPA products and removal of the banned herbicide from distribution channels.
Broccoli, shown here growing in the Salinas Valley, is one of the crops potentially affected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to ban an herbicide used to control weeds in vegetable fields. The herbicide, Dacthal, has commonly been used in fields for broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and dry onions in California. Photo courtesy Ag Alert file
Dear Editor,
TIsrael-Hamas conflict: There is a better way LETTER TO EDITOR
he October 2023 Hamas attack on Israeli and other citizens was horrific. Over 1,200 innocent people were beaten, raped, and killed. The Israeli response was to bomb and invade Gaza and Lebanon and to bomb Iran, resulting in killing over 40,000 civillians, including over 15,000 women and children, and driving millions from their homes, turning infrastructure and houses into rubble. Many more civilians have been injured, as well as UN peacekeepers. The announced Israeli goal is to “destroy the Hamas (and Hezbollah) threat to Israel.”
Among those killed were Hamas and Hezbollah fighters and leaders, including the man who planned the original terrorist attack. It can therefore be argued that Israel is achieving its goal. But only for the short term and at a tremendous cost in lives and resources, to say nothing of Israel’s loss of respect and stature in the world.
It is naive to think, in today’s world of asymetrical guerilla and terrorist warfare, that Israel’s strategy has really permanently eliminated threats from Hamas, Hezbollah or other organizations. For every innocent Arab civilian killled, a family becomes an angry source of future terrorists. For every community and its institutions reduced to rubble and chaos, a breeding ground is created for anti-Israeli movements. For every resource devoted to weapons of destruction and resulting reconstruction, resources are unavailable for creating a vibrant economy for both Israeli and Arab societies. For every day that Israeli leaders make clear they have no intention of allowing the creation of a separate Arab Palistinian state, more desperation is created to fuel the vicious cycle of terror and destruction. The Israelis must know that this massive military response to terror is not a long-term solution. They have tried it in the past and failed. They have watched the U.S. try it
On November 5
in Afghanistan for 20 years and fail. There has to be a better way. Within a civilized nation of laws, when horrific acts of violence occur, the perpetrators are found, charged with crimes, tried, convicted, and punished. We must seek a similar system for international justice. There already are both national courts and an International Court. There are excellent intelligence techniques and technologies for tracking down villains. The Israelis themselves have shown how to do this — albeit unilaterally — with the extraction of Adolph Eichmann from Argentina for Nazi war crimes and his trial and execution.
We need world leadership to foster treaties of cooperation, which define international crimes and which facilitate capture of perpetrators. We need leaders who respect the rule of law and who will support the use of national and international courts
ing issues of ethnic, tribal, and religious descrimination, boundaries, and autonomy.
Of course an international system of justice is not without issues. We must show that a limited international justice system dealing with terrorism and crimes against humanity is not the same as establishing a one-world order or eliminating national sovereignty. We must provide a justice system with timely and efficient processes at reasonable costs shared by all. We must contend with opposition from those in industry and politics who profit from arms and destructive responses.
But all of these issues pale in the face of the much costlier cycles of terror and massive retaliation. Vengeance may feel good at the moment and more popular with the angry public, but it is a narcotic that in the long run destroys everyone, when the victim becomes indistinguishable from the terrorist. SHALOM - SALAM - PEACE.
SMOG CHECKS
EDUCATION
SYHS Theatre Group to perform ‘Little Women’ this month
Production is first one for the program under new director and SYHS graduate Amy Curti
By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com
Now entering its 24th year, and first with new director Amy Curti, The Santa Ynez High School Theatre Group is preparing for six weekend performances of a literary classic, “Little Women.”
The production, featuring SYHS students in the cast, is scheduled for three shows on successive weekends starting Friday, Nov. 15, and again on Friday, Nov. 22. Friday and Saturday shows start at 7 p.m., with the Sunday shows beginning at 2 p.m.
The shows will be the first under the direction of Curti, a 1991 graduate of SYHS who has taken over for Jeff McKinnon, the founder of the group who retired earlier this year.
“I was at St. Joseph for the last five years, in Santa Maria, and this is my alma mater, so I’d been kind of patiently waiting for Jeff to retire,” Curti said. “At one point, I knew he was close to retiring, so I contacted him to ask his timeline, and once he did make plans to retire, I applied for the job and got it.
“I did about 11 production during my time at St. Joe’s, all of them musicals. So, I’m kind of easing into this position by just doing a play.”
“Little Women” originated as a classic, coming-of-age novel by Louisa May Alcott, first published in the 19th century. The story follows the lives of the four March sisters — Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy — and details their passage from childhood to womanhood. The story is loosely based on Alcott’s life with her three sisters.
“Jeff [McKinnon] had an advanced theater class last year, and he warned them I was coming, and asked to submit a ‘wish list’ of their three top shows,” Curti said. “So I got the list, and ‘Little Women’ was on there, and that was an easy choice for me. I teach American literature and ‘Little Women’ is one of my favorite childhood stories.”
“Jeff had told me he had some strong female leads in his class that I would get,” she said. “So I started two weeks, teaching my two theater classes, and I saw a few of them in ‘Bye, Bye Birdie’ that the Arts Outreach had put on, so I knew what kind of talent I had.”
One interesting aspect about the play is that the young actors will actually be wearing wireless mics while doing the show.
“This is the first time we’ve had a sound system, and we’ll be putting mics on the students, in addition to the hanging mics [above the stage],” Curti said. “Before that, we’ve just been using natural projection, which I wish the kids could do, but they can’t, so we’ll mic them. Plus, we’ll need to mic them for next semester’s musical.”
Curti started with SYHS in August, and had auditions for the show at the end of the month.
Ah, yes, as Curti disclosed, the group will be doing a musical, “School of Rock,” based on the movie starring Jack Black.
“I’ll be collaborating with Rob Cantrell, who’s the music teacher here and also in the [local band] Molly Ringwald Project,” she said. “He’s a guitarist, so we’re playing with the idea of having live music with that show. It’ll definitely be a bigger production.”
Of course, with theater, there is more than just what’s on the stage. Productions depend on people who know how lighting and sound works, and those that can build stage sets. That’s a fact not lost on Curti.
“We have a lot of outside help: For instance, we have a family here, the Kelseys, who are Civil War re-enactors, and they’ve let us borrow some of their costumes because that’s the time period for ‘Little Women,’” she said. “And we have Chris
Mullin, one of our teachers, who helps us with the sets.”
“However, I’d say that’s something we need to build here; I’m working right now to really learn all aspects of the theater. And I would say a goal would be that we would build a technical theater program here, for students to learn this.”
But, for the moment, the focus is on “Little Women” and the upcoming premiere on Nov. 15 at the school’s Little Theater.
The shows will run on Nov. 15, 16, and 17, and again on Nov. 22, 23, and 24. Showtimes are 7 p.m. for the Friday and Saturday shows, and 2 p.m. for the Sunday shows. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students, and $50 for VIP and can be purchased at www.syvuhsd.org/apps/pages/index. jsp?uREC_ID=1086199&type=d&pREC_ ID=1468892.
(Left) Playing the March family in the SYHS Theatre Group’s production of “Little Women” will be (clockwise from top left) Naomi Ferguson (Jo), Tula Hoover-Jones (Meg), Ruby Andreu (Beth), Addisynn Laliberte (Marmie), and Mattei Gerend (Amy). Contributed Photo (Right) Amy Curti, a member of Santa Ynez High’s Class of 1991, is in her first year as the director of the SYHS Theatre Group after five years at St. Joseph’s High in Santa Maria. Photo by Mike Chaldu
Santa Ynez offense in the pink against Pioneer Valley
Pirates rout Panthers 54-20 for third win of the year, clinching eligibility for Central Section playoff berth
By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com
Coming off a high-scoring loss to Atascadero in its Sunset League opener, the Santa Ynez High football continued to pile up yards and points on Oct. 18, beating visiting Pioneer Valley 54-20.
In a night that culminated the school’s Go Pink week (the SYHS players wore pink socks and accessories), the Pirates put up a season-high in points, getting their first league win. It was also their third win of the year, which made them eligible for the CIF Central Section playoffs.
Santa Ynez took it to Pioneer Valley mainly with its ground attack, as the Pirates rushed for 262 yards. Griffin Brunner eclipsed the century mark in rushing for the second straight week, gaining 130 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Quarterback Jade Pritchard contributed with 66 yards rushing and scored four touchdowns.
On defense, the Pirates stiffened up in the second half, allowing just seven points after halftime. Ben Flores (15 tackles) and Ryder McClurg (11 tackles) led the way for the Pirates, while Max Andrade (interception), Jack Swain (interception), and Jaxon Glover (fumble recovery) had key turnovers.
Pirates head coach Josh McClurg said his team intended to establish the run immediately.
“They gave us some looks on defense we hadn’t seen, so we started off with some plays we knew would work,” Pirates head coach Josh McClurg said. “We got a couple of one-off plays, and then we started taking what they gave us and just waited to get into a groove offensively.”
The Panthers gave the Pirates a short field right at the start when they tried to surprise SYHS with an onside kick to start the game. However, the Pirates recovered
at their own 49, and after a long pass play, Rider McClurg took it in from 8 yards out for the first score. Then, after a shanked Pioneer Valley punt gave the Pirates another short field, Pritchard took it from 11 yards out for a 12-0 lead.
The Panthers made a game of it in the second quarter, scoring a TD and two field goals, while Brunner scored on a 6-yard run and Pritchard took it in on the 2-point attempt for a 20-13 Pirates lead at the half.
Santa Ynez then broke it open with 21 points in the third quarter, as Pritchard scored three TDs in the period, while Brunner added a touchdown, and backup QB Glover threw a touchdown to Roman Soto to close out the scoring.
“The important thing is we got that third win to get into the postseason,” Coach McClurg said after the game. “We got that monkey off our backs.”
The game on Oct. 18 was the annual Go Pink game in recognition of Cancer Awareness Month and to help fundraise for a local Pirate parent Trish Robinson, whose son is a former Pirates player and daughter is currently a cheerleader. Robinson is fighting a rare connective tissue disease attacking her lungs called anti synthetase syndrome with overlapping inflammatory myositis.
The game included fundraisers like a bake sale, and a raffle for items provided by the Santa Ynez High School Football Boosters, with all proceeds going to Robinson in her fight against the disease.
A week after their win over Pioneer Valley, the Pirates played their second straight home game, and last of the season, and suffered a 42-9 defeat at the hands of San Luis Obispo High.
The Tigers amassed 342 yards on the ground for the night, with running back Colbin Garrison gaining 203 of those yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns.
The Pirates actually struck first as Diego Pulido, now limited to kicking duties after and early-season injury, kicked a 29yard field goal for a 3-0 lead. However, the Tigers struck back early and often, scoring three first-quarter touchdowns, and never looked back.
Austin Boucher scored on a 3-yard run in the second quarter for the Pirates, but SYHS would be shut out the rest of the way.
The loss dropped Santa Ynez to 3-6 (1-2 in the Sunset League), pending the Pirates regular-season finale at Righetti last Friday, Nov. 1. CIF playoff pairings were released on Sunday, and the Pirates will have a first-round road game this Friday, Nov. 8. To find out where and against who, see santaynezvalleystar.com.
The referee signals that it’s Santa Ynez ball as Jaxon Glover (30) emerges with a fumble recovery during the Pirates’ 54-20 win over Pioneer Valley on Oct. 18. Photos by Mike Chaldu
Santa Ynez High quarterback Jade Pritchard (10) is congratulated by teammates after scoring one of his four touchdowns Oct. 18 in the Pirates’ 54-20 win over Pioneer Valley.
Santa Ynez High girls golf team wins second straight CIF title
Top-seeded girls tennis
team wins its playoff opener
By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com
On Oct. 29, the Santa Ynez High girls golf team successfully defended its CIF Central Section Division 2 title in Visalia at the par-73 Valley Oaks Golf Course.
The Pirates beat runner up Atascadero by five shots, shooting a team score of 483. Cabrillo (522) and Lompoc (523) finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
Senior Mackenzie Phelan led the Pirates with an 87. Phelan, Katherine Becerra and Sierra Freedman (who both shot 95) all had top 10 finishes in the Division 2 tournament. Other Pirates in the tournament included Addison West (96), Savannah Hudley (110), and Kacy Caplan (112).
“We expect Mackenzie Phelan to advance to the Section Championship; this will be finalized after today’s D3 tournament,” said SYHS golf coach Sara Ovadia. “Players that shoot 91 or lower and finish in the top 25 of players from the D2/area/ D3 tournaments advance as Individuals to the Section Championship Monday in Fresno at San Joaquin Country Club where the D1 teams will compete for a D1 title and the other players will compete for a chance to advance to the SoCal Regional tournament.”
The win gives Santa Ynez back-to-back girls golf titles. Combined with the boys golf team, also coached by Ovadia and having won two straight CIF Central Section titles, give the SYHS golf program four straight CIF titles.
SYHS girls tennis wins playoff opener
The Santa Ynez High girls tennis team, the top seed in the CIF Central Section Division II, swept Righetti 9-0 in their first-round matchup.
All the Pirates’ single players won in straight sets, with Danielle Hyland putting a double goose egg on her opponent, winning 6-0, 6-0 at No. 5, while Natalie O’Shaughnessy (6-0, 6-1 at No. 4) and Haley Townes (6-1, 6-1 at No. 2) also had impressive wins.
Some Santa Ynez cross country runners took part in the Mt. SAC Cross-Country Invitational at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Oct. 25 and 26.
Brooke Phelan was the standout for SYHS at the event, according to cross country coach Gary Semerdjian.
“Brooke was leading the first part of the race and held on to second place at the end, out of 123 runners in her Varsity group,” Semerdjian said. “We have a strong team for a small school.”
“Dimitri Nicolaou, a first-year freshman runner, scored big with a fourth-place finish,” the coach continued. “Alex Sutherland finished eight. Gavin Babcock scored 27th, and Mateo Sotelo scored 34th out of 126 runners. Varsity boys Josue Salinas placed 12th out of 193 runners.
“Ilan Torres came in at 129th, and Gael Torres finished 137th. Sophomore Adam Lett came in at 19th place, and Gabriel Silva came in at 41st place out of 195 runners.”
The cross country team will next compete in the Ocean League finals this Saturday at 2 p.m.
Pirates athletes get CIF championship rings
Three Santa Ynez High athletes were awarded rings to represent their invidual CIF championships during a lunchtime ceremony on campus Oct. 11.
One of those athletes, Malia Ortiz, was awarded twice, winning last year in wrestling (110 pounds) and the pole vault in track and field.
Also, being honored was Santino Alvaro, who won his CIF title in wrestling (128 pounds).
The doubles team were also impressive as Keegan Withrow/Haley Townes won 8-1 at No. 1, Kate Mazza/Natalie O’Shaughnessy won 8-2 at No. 2, and Claire Tipich/Ainsley Haws won 8-2 at No. 3.
With the win, the Pirates earned a second-round matchup with Justin Gar -
za High of Fresno, which happened last Thursday after press time. If they got past that match, they’ll play today against the winner of Garces Memorial and Bakersfield.
Cross Country competes at Mt. SAC Invitational
Not present at the ceremony was Vince Casey, who won his titles in the long jump, and as a member of the Pirates’ 4x100 relay team. Casey graduated last June and is now a student and track and field athlete at Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) in Walnut.
SYHS Athletic Director Josh McClurg said that the rings were made possible by SYHS alumnus Ernie Ortiz, who got together with other alumni to raise money for the rings. McClurg said the group will continue to raise funds, so future individual CIF champs can get their rings also.
(Left) Santa Ynez High cross country runners show off their medals at the Mt. SAC Invitational in Walnut. (Right) (From left) Santa Ynez High girls golfers Sierra Freedman, Savannah Hudley, Addison West, Mackenzie Phelan, Kacy Caplan, and Katherine Becerra are all smiles after winning the CIF Central Section Division 2 championship in Visalia.
Contributed Photos
Santa Ynez High athletes Malia Ortiz (wrestling and track and field) and Santino Alvaro (wrestling) show off the rings they received in commemoration of their respective CIF championships they won last academic year. Photo by Mike Chaldu
Happy Endings Animal Rescue Sanctuary event rocks for horses
Fundraiser held at Buttonwood Farm and Winery for C.C. Beaudette-Wellman’s rescue program
By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer
Happy Endings Animal Rescue Sanctuary held a sold-out fundraiser, “Rock for Horses” on Saturday, Oct. 12, at Buttonwood Farm Winery and Vineyard in Solvang.
The sanctuary was founded in 2007 by C.C. Beaudette-Wellman. It is an all-volunteer organization, dedicated to providing rescue for abused and neglected horses in the Santa Ynez Valley. It has expanded the rescue program to assist senior citizens who are struggling to feed their horses. Their programs include rescue, rehabilitation, adoptions, public education, sanctuary, and an equine-based therapeutic program for at-risk youth called the Horse Angels Program.
The setting for the event was in the outdoor garden at Buttonwood surrounded by peach orchards, olive trees, and vineyards. Twinkling lights were scattered throughout the garden with wooden tables dressed with foliage.
“There was another animal fundraiser scheduled on the same weekend that we had initially planned ours, so we had to postpone our fundraiser until October,” said Alexandra (Aiya) Wellman, Beaudette-Wellman’s daughter.
As guests entered the garden, mostly dressed in Western wear, they were greeted warmly by Beaudette- Wellman. Guests mingled, enjoying Buttonwood wines, and perused the silent auction items. Music was provided by Bad Habit.
“We’re here to help save the horses and have a good time and eat some great food,” said Karen and Thad Miller upon entering the event.
The guests were treated to a dinner of top sirloin, chicken, and vegetarian enchiladas. The catering was a community effort. Frank Kelsey Jr. and Sr. handled the barbecue; Christine Cunningham made her famous enchilada casserole, sponsored by Rio Vista Chevrolet; Craig from Hook’d restaurant (at Lake Cachuma) donated the watermelon salad, which was prepared by Blair Millar; and Catering by Kelli sisters Kelli Davidson, and Kris Krebs prepared a variety of appetizers and desserts created especially for the event.
“We do this for the love of the organization who cares so deeply for horses,” said Davidson. “My sister and I are both equestrians, so this event is near and dear to our hearts. It is a labor of love.”
When guests were seated, Beaudette-Wellman gave a short speech thanking everyone for coming and announcing their Volunteer of the Year.
“It’s mind-blowing how our community has stepped up in a way that warms my heart and tonight is a perfect example of a community effort and that it takes a village! This community’s generosity is staggering and most humbling,” said Beaudette-Wellman. “This year I would like to present the Volunteer of the Year Award to Stephen Blake Harris who has stepped up beyond all imagination and has always risen to the challenge to take on more responsibilities and is well on his way to becoming a wonderful horseman.”
Beaudette-Wellman thanked all those who donated their time, talents, and auction items as well as Neil Schmidt, manager of Buttonwood, and Buttonwood Property Management Inc., for offering the venue. She thanked the late Betty Williams for her devotion to nurturing Buttonwood throughout the years. She also thanked God for “giving me the ability to save lives, and the emotional fortitude to see the worst of humanity at times. It is completely through Him that I am able to do any of this,” she said. She also thanked her husband
and daughter for “helping me in this journey. I would not be able to do this without your love and support.”
Beaudette-Wellman continued, describing how Happy Endings contributes to the community and thanking her board and volunteers for their continued help and encouragement.
“Happy Endings Animal Rescue Sanctuary was Founded in 2007 as a 501 c (3) to heal and give sanctuary to animals who need assistance or have no hope of a decent life. We nurture children through our free programs to create new generations of animal lovers and caregivers, as well as educate the public on the proper care and respect for all animals. We teach children to be humanitarians through the vision of our foundation. We believe that through careful nurturing and love, all animals and humans can live a peaceful existence provided with the proper resources, information, and motivation. We are most grateful for the gift of compassion and the opportunity to be of assistance to those in need. We will continue with a strong and determined mission to give children the opportunity to explore infinite possibilities, restore broken hearts, encourage the discouraged and heal the hurting for humans and animals alike,” she said. “And thank you to my amazing board members for helping me every single day and encouraging me when I need it and my incredible volunteers for without them I would be crippled! I am grateful that we have become family! I would also like to thank all my dear
friends who lift my spirits, and encourage, and help me, you are my Angels. This whole event is filled with love from all of you, thank you. It doesn’t get any better than that,” she said in conclusion.
The event raised more than $20,000 for the horses and the various programs the sanctuary offers.
Throughout the evening, Courtney Maland of Sunken Treasure SYV was available and happy to oblige, free of charge, those wishing a chair massage.
“This is the fifth-year volunteering chair massages for those who are in need,” said Maland, massage therapist, intuitive bodyworker, and energy alchemist. “I love being here and I love the people and giving back to my community. C.C. used to be my neighbor, so I love to help out.”
The time and effort Beaudette-Wellman has put in to help horses and other animals was not lost on one person very close to her.
“My mother is the most selfless human I have ever known,” said her daughter Alexandra. “All my life I can remember she has dedicated her life to rescuing animals. She did wildlife rescue for 30 years but now focuses on domestic horses. She remains as dedicated today as she was 45 years ago.”
For more information about the organization and the many programs Happy Endings offers, visit www. HappyEndingsAnimalRescueSanctuary.org.
(Left) Guests enjoy the evening at Buttonwood Farm and Winery in Solvang on Oct. 12 for the “Rock for Horses” event. (Right) Kisu (in photo) is the Happy Endings Sanctuary’s designated unicorn who works with the children in the Horse Angels Program. Photos by Devyn Marseilles
SPOTLIGHT
Local deep sea diver has real-life tales to tell
Lloyd Sorenson has experienced a lot, whether way above or way below the sea
By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer
Lloyd Sorensen has led, by all measure, an incredibly exciting and adventurous life — in the air, on land, and on and under the sea.
A 445-page book titled “Three Oceaneers” documents 25 years of his work and adventures as an underwater diver along with his two lifelong best friends, Dave Schiefen and Richard Hegeman. One of Sorensen’s many adventures included working as a diver on the “top-secret” Project Jennifer, the codename applied to the CIA project that salvaged part of a sunken Soviet submarine in 1974. The Soviet ballistic missile submarine sank off the coast of Hawaii on April 11, 1968. In July 1974, salvage operations conducted from the Hughes Glomar Explorer recovered the forward 38 feet of the submarine. The recovered section included two nuclear-tipped tor-
pedoes, various cipher/code equipment and eight dead crewmen.
Sorensen was born in 1938 in Santa Cruz. His father worked in highway construction all over California, so the family was constantly moving. By age 3, his family had moved 10 times. Eventually, though, the family settled in Oakland.
He graduated from high school in 1956 and attended junior college for a short time, Sorenson became interested in the California Maritime Academy (CMA), soon applied and was accepted. The CMA was a three-year, 24/7, quasi-military program, which included ocean deployment on a ship converted for the purpose of teaching and included classrooms. As a student, he traveled to numerous ports in the United States and foreign countries and logged in more than 25,000 miles.
Sorenson graduated from the CMA in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree in marine engineering, and passed the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Engineers exam, earning him a third assistant license for steam or motor vessels of any horsepower. Then he became a member of the Marine Engineers Union. He soon moved to New York City, and went to the local union
hall to register for upcoming jobs. To his astonishment, a position was open on a freighter leaving that night! Sorensen was on his way to South America. Upon his return, he served on the SS United States Cruise Liner and traveled to Europe in early 1961.
“The SS United States was the most luxurious, fastest, and largest ship at the time. It took only five days to cross the Atlantic from New York to France,” said Sorensen. “But that was just one of many I worked on.”
Sorensen continued to ship out from New York City on several merchant ships to South America through August 1961. He happened to be in Santa Barbara for Old Days and was introduced to Sharon Anne Nelson, a TWA flight attendant out of Los Angeles who lived in Santa Monica. Lloyd and Sharon soon became a couple and were married in Portland, Oregon, her hometown, six months later, on Feb. 17, 1962, and moved to Oakland, where he became a tugboat skipper. They have now been married for 62 years. They have two children: a son, Stephen Lloyd and a daughter, Kristen Anne.
By 1965, Hegeman and Schiefen, Sorensen’s classmates and friends from the CMA, were
already working for General Motors Sea Operations. He joined them at General Motors in May 1965 and moved his family to Goleta. Sorensen, Schiefen, and Hegeman all started as engineers aboard a research vessel and were also trained as divers to support underwater work. They assumed roles as project engineers and program managers. The GM engineering services were performed in support of government projects which were highly classified in nature.
“General Motors had a sea operations division: The Santa Cruz Acoustic Range Facility (SCARF), a research vessel called the Swan. It was a mine sweeper that was converted into a research vessel,” Sorenson said. “Part of it involved installing underwater-sounding equipment for the Navy, which they needed. A system on Santa Cruz Island put an instrument on the bottom of subs and ships for noise trials. I got a Rolex watch after 1,000 dives.”
An article about SCARF in a Santa Barbara Marine Museum newsletter explained that bottom-mounted sensor arrays in 4,000 feet of water tracked submarine and surface ship movements. As submarines transited by the vertical string of hydrophones, noise measure-
ment information was gathered.
“But one of the most interesting jobs I had was on the Hughes Glomar Explorer, a top-secret CIA project that salvaged part of a sunken Soviet diesel-electric submarine K-129 in 1974,” Sorenson said. “The cover story was we were mining for magnesium nodules. When we pulled it up there were bodies on board, so we buried them at sea. There were also three warheads on the sub, and when it was lifted out of the water the left part of the sub broke and fell back into the sea.”
“There have been a lot of books and stories written about that job, but that was long after the job was over. The CIA kept it under wraps for years, but then the story finally came out,” he said.
Sharon said the secretive nature of her husband’s work kept him away from home a lot, and her in the dark.
“I went on some of the trips with him, but a lot of the assignments were secretive, so I just stayed home with the kids and didn’t ask questions,” continued Sharon. “He was gone six months out of the year. It took a little adjustment on my part when he came home, as you can imagine.”
In 1982, Sorensen and several members of the underwater team left General Motors and formed their own company. They continued to perform sensitive operations laying underwater fiber optic cable throughout the world.
“When General Motors decided to cancel their program, 14 of us started MariPro Corp.
and took on one of the contracts with the Navy, who was our basic customer,” Sorensen said.
MariPro’s offices were located in Santa Barbara on the airport property in a building outside of the airport. In 1968, decided he would learn how to fly, something he had wanted to do since he was a boy. He did just that and then bought a 1948 Cessna 140, which he flew from the Santa Ynez Airport to Santa Barbara.
“The timing was exactly the same as driving, by the time you take the plane out of the hangar and eventually get it in the air,” commented Sorensen. “But I did that for years. I logged 900 trips to work alone.”
During his career, Sorensen logged more than 1,500 underwater working dives in support of projects around the world, and numer-
ous recreational dives. He retired from MariPro in 2010.
Sorensen reflected on his life.
“I’ve lived a life well spent. But I never learned to cook because I’ve always had someone to cook for me,” said Sorensen, smiling. “Kidding aside, I’ve been very blessed. I have been married for over 60 years to my beautiful wife, have two wonderful children, a son and daughter, no grandchildren yet, just grand dogs, and I’ve traveled the world.
Note: Eusebio Benavidez contributed information for this article.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a condensed version of the story. The unabridged version can be read at santaynezvalleystar.com.
Cult Winemaking Memoir Second Edition
“The Mad Crush” Chronicles a Century-Old Vineyard in San Luis Obispo County and the Central Coast’s Winemaking Heritage Staff Report
Hailed as “the best wine book you’ve never read,” “The Mad Crush” has made a celebrated comeback this fall with a new, expanded second edition that enriches its cult legacy. This revised edition offers an additional 30 pages of storytelling and a fresh afterword by author Sean Weir, deepening the journey into San Luis Obispo County’s Arroyo Grande Valley and the heritage of California’s Central Coast winemaking.
Since its debut in 2015, “The Mad Crush” has captivated wine enthusiasts with its candid look at winemaking, offering a glimpse of the struggles and rewards of a singular vineyard endeavor. Now retitled “The Mad Crush: An Obscure California Vineyard and the Quest to Make One Great Wine,” the second edition dives deeper into the vineyard’s century-long story and the people determined to keep its legacy alive. Both humorous and touching, the memoir is a tribute to the resilience and spirit that define California’s winemaking culture.
Available now on Amazon in print ($14.99) and Kindle e-book ($11.99), and locally at Paso Robles’ Grapes & Grains and Spare Time Books, the memoir is also carried at Saucelito Canyon’s tasting room in San Luis Obispo, where the story began.
More than a winemaking guide, “The Mad Crush” is “an indomitable tale of mentorship, natural history, and the countercultural heritage of California,” says Weir. “This new edition weaves in additional details, remembrances, and anecdotes that make for an even richer reading experience.”
The story centers on the 1974 discovery of a forgotten Zinfandel vineyard in a remote California canyon. The vineyard had been abandoned for years before Bill
Greenough, a young man from Montecito with a pick, shovel, and an ambitious dream, revived it. Trading his comfortable upbringing for rural life, Greenough spent 20 years tending to the historic vines, a journey culminating in a memorable 1995 harvest season. That year, Weir, then new to the vineyard, joined Greenough and an eclectic crew for a season that would shape his own life’s path and inspire the memoir.
Set in the upper Arroyo Grande Valley, “The Mad Crush” reveals the layers of
history, challenges, and beauty inherent in making wine “the hard way.” From Greenough’s storytelling about the vineyard’s origins to tales of his bohemian life in Santa Barbara’s Mountain Drive community, the memoir captures a story rich with California’s rugged charm and colorful past. As the 50th anniversary of Greenough’s restoration work approaches, the second edition of “The Mad Crush” offers readers the perfect way to relive, and savor, this remarkable winemaking journey.
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12th Annual Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down
Hundreds of veterans receive essential care and support at Santa Maria Fairpark event
Staff Report
The 12th Annual Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down took place at the Santa Maria Fairpark on Saturday, Oct. 26, marking another successful year of service and support for veterans across the county. The Stand Down event, modeled
after similar initiatives nationwide, aims to provide vital services to homeless and at-risk veterans, extending support and appreciation to those who served. This year’s Stand Down attracted hundreds of veterans, ages ranging from 22 to 94, with services tailored to address a wide variety of needs.
Held with the collaboration of local organizations, Vandenberg Space Force Base, and countless volunteers, the Stand Down event offered veterans everything from fresh clothing and haircuts to medical services like flu shots, dental and vision care, and readjustment
counseling. Also available were social services, legal aid, and employment counseling to help veterans navigate post-service life. A dedicated Pet Zone, complete with grooming and veterinary services, allowed veterans to bring their furry companions to receive care as well.
Vandenberg Space Force Base airmen and Guardians played a prominent role in this year’s Stand Down. Volunteers from Vandenberg served meals, handed out clothing, assisted veterans with transportation, and provided support throughout the day. Col. Dorian Hatcher, Deputy Commander of Space Launch Delta 30, was among those offering assistance, helping veterans navigate the event and manage their appointments. Col. Mark Shoemaker, Commander of Space Launch Delta 30, also addressed the gathered veterans,
expressing gratitude and highlighting the community’s ongoing commitment to serving those who have served.
As the final numbers of veterans served are tallied in the coming weeks, the event’s impact is already clear. Many veterans expressed gratitude for the resources available to them, and organizers noted the importance of these services in helping veterans regain stability and a sense of community.
The Stand Down’s success reflects a strong partnership between community members, organizations, and the veteran community. Through events like these, Santa Barbara County continues to honor its commitment to supporting veterans, ensuring they receive the care and resources they need. To get involved or to donate, visit sbcountystanddown.com.
Veterans received numerous goods and services Oct. 26 during the Veterans Stand Down event in Santa Maria. U.S. Space Force photos by Senior Airman Joshua LeRoi
ARTS & NONPROFITS
California Nature and Art Museum soon to get ‘trolled’
Danish recycling artist Thomas Dambo to build one of his trademark trolls, which will be the first one in California
Staff Report
The California Nature Art Museum in Solvang has announced its most am bitious project to date — commis sioning Thomas Dambo, a world-renowned Danish artist who specializes in creating large, whimsical trolls made from recycled materials, to build his first permanent troll in California.
Dambo who is celebrated for his imagi native and colossal sculptures, breathes new life into discarded resources, showcasing the boundless potential hidden within the world’s trash cans. The recycling artist chose to in stall his first permanent troll in Solvang, the Danish Capital of America, at the California Nature Art Museum. With the community’s help, this troll, whose name, back- story, and design will be kept a mystery until “she” (the only clue that has been revealed to date) will be constructed and installed in the latter half of January 2025.
Dambo has built well over 100 of these large trolls, each with its own unique story and name, in 16 countries, with 52 here in the United States, none of which are in California. This troll will be unique, as it will be the only one to be housed indoors. With the contract now finalized with the artist, the museum is launching an effort to complete the fundraising to build this troll which will quickly become a major visitor attraction in the Santa Ynez Valley and beyond. The museum has raised $120,000 to date and needs $180,000 to complete the campaign. It is also looking for in-kind donations to support the project, such as wooden pallets and used wine barrels. Given the large size of the troll, dozens of pallets and barrels will be required. Dambo always involves the local community during installation, so the museum will soon announce volunteer opportunities to be part of that effort.
“We are so excited and proud to be working with Thomas Dambo and to soon be hosting his first permanent troll in California as well as his only indoor troll. She will welcome vis-
itors to Solvang and the Valley from our tower 24/7 and connect us to the unique Danish culture and heritage here in Solvang,” said
Stacey Otte-Demangate, executive director for California Nature Art Museum. “Most importantly she will be made out of recycled pallets and wine barrels, which speaks to our mission, and our love for the environment and desire to operate as a green business.”
Dambo has been commissioned to create a large, wooden, sustainably built troll to be installed in the museum’s highly visible tower, which faces Mission Drive, a well-traveled entry point to Solvang. The troll will welcome and attract both tourists and locals to the museum and the Santa Ynez Valley and provide special opportunities to engage the community. Dambo’s method of community involvement and his artistic ethics are a perfect match for the museum’s mission, which is “to inspire a love of nature through art.” His trolls reflect an ancient tradition in Scandinavian culture that remains relevant today.
“My mission is ‘Waste No More.’ Our world is drowning in trash while we are run-
ning out of natural resources,”Dambo said. “I spend my life showing the world that beautiful things can be made from trash, and I give new life to discarded materials by turning them into large-scale artworks. These projects come to life using hundreds of tons of recycled materials, working in and with local communities — who are the co-creators of the art that I make — because the mission I follow needs the involvement of everybody. My aim is to build 1,000 trolls using recycled materials all over the world.”
Dambo crafts a unique story for each troll about the importance of exploring and protecting nature. Several months ago, Dambo was featured on “CBS Sunday Morning” and his work was recently profiled in the Washington Post and USA Today. Dambo has an active social media presence and shares stories of his unique trolls from all over the world. Dambo has a large following who enjoy traveling to find his trolls, most of which live outdoors in nature, as an enticement to get people outside. He even has a “troll map” to assist searchers in locating his pieces.
This very special installation would not be possible without the generosity of our early sponsors including the Schiele Family Foundation, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Visit the Santa Ynez Valley, Allan Hancock College, Margaret Weiss and Sterling Collett, and Belinda and Robert Hart. More information about the troll project can be found at www.calnatureartmuseum.org/news/thomas-dambo-at- calnam which also includes a link for online donations. Donations of $500 and above will be listed on a sponsor board in the museum lobby, near the entrance to the Michele Kuelbs Tower, where the troll will soon live.
The California Nature Art Museum is open weekdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except Tuesday and Wednesday) and weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is supported by the generosity of its sponsors and members. For more information, please visit www. calnatureartmuseum.org.
To see Dambo’s completed works, go to www.thomasdambo.com/works
The sculpture “Bruun Idun,” which sits in Lincoln Park in Seattle, is one of 153 troll sculptures made out of recycled materials by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. A new one will soon by installed at the California Nature Art Museum in Solvang. Contributed Photo
STAR LIFESTYLE
PTSD: Bringing your ‘elastic band’ back to shape
GOOD MEDICINE
By Dr. Hyun K. Lee
Post traumatic stress disorder is an alltoo-common effect of military life as well as life’s other more shocking moments or big changes. It can feel as though there is no hope of ever returning to how you once were, and it can put a strain on the relationships you hold most dear.
Within the body, there are yin and yang energies. Yin is a cool, calming, relaxing, lazy
energy. Yang is a hot, active, hardworking, adrenaline-pumping, fighting energy. They work together to create a balance, and when in alignment, bring health and vitality.
Most war or traumatizing situations have an overriding energy of fear and being out of control. These feelings, compounded with a lack of sleep, too much deep thinking, sadness, strong emotion, and a general sensory overload, all make for a very extreme situation for your body. It’s much like pulling an elastic band. If you pull and pull on it over and over again, eventually it will either pull back to a state that is unlike how it was to begin with, or it will snap and break. Either way, what you are left with is an elastic band that is no longer in its original shape.
Everyone’s body is individually programmed, and when that programming is altered, you feel the change. We call this an imbalance, and it produces a sickness in one way or another. The four constitutional types
have organs that work together like yin and yang. In these situations, Tae Yang In types would see their lungs acting as yang energy and their liver acting as yin energy. Tae Um In types see the opposite, with their liver energies becoming over excited and their lung energy trying to balance it. So Yang In types have an over excited spleen, pancreas, and stomach energy, while their kidneys try to pull them back to normal. So Um In types have the opposite, with their kidneys becoming over-excited and their spleen, pancreas, and stomach trying to balance them once more. This entire energy imbalance causes the brain to be out of balance as well, and so PTSD happens.
Korean Constitutional acupuncture, herbs, and diet can balance these organs, yin and yang energies, normalize your brain cells, and return your “elastic band” back to its original shape. It should be noted that it’s not a one-time shot. It takes time to mold your body back into its original state, but it is all natural, working in
concert with your body without side effects, to treat the root cause. Once you are balanced, you’re able to process your experiences in a balanced way. Strong medication cannot say the same as it normally causes an up and down effect that does not cure the real problem. In addition, your entire body benefits greatly from exercise, especially stretching exercises like Pilates. Breathing exercises also help return the balance of yin and yang energies as it changes the state of the diaphragm and muscle support around the organs and helps the six “weather conditions” of each organ. Positive thinking is also a must. It takes effort to retrain yourself and Korean Constitutional Medicine can be extremely helpful to anyone wishing to heal the mind-body connection and get it back to its original balanced state.
Dr. Lee’s office is located at 175 McMurray Road, Suite G, Buellton. Dr. Lee also has an office in Los Angeles and Paso Robles. To make an appointment call (805) 693-5162 or (310) 666-8021.
Come to Elna’s to get an ‘attainable style for all occasions’
By Sue Manning
Itook over Elna’s Dress Shop and it became a merging fashion, quality and versatility shop.
I take my cues from current trends, putting the freshness of street wear with the sophistication of international design for a unique look. The key phrase for Elna’s is “attainable style for all occasions, regardless of age, body type or look.”
Our vision is forever young with effortless street style, timeless beauty, mixing past inspiration with present innovation.
If you are looking for a collection that encompasses just about every piece a girl could need in her wardrobe, look no further than Jess & Jane. The key quality customers rave about is the super soft feel. That gives them the latest trends without sacrificing comfort. We proudly carry Jess & Jane apparel, so stop in and you’ll be sure to find something that suits you.
Fashion can sometimes seem intimidating and inaccessible. We think we need the “total” look, but not all things belong together. Fall gives us the option of being free-spirited, so feel free to mix and match! Forget the norm;
mix prints, textures, and colors. Look for leather, earth tones, plush textures, tapestries, florals, and jewelry with a bold look.
There are new rules on wearing scarves. The thin scarf can be considered an updated take on a choker. It surrounds the neck, but cascades in any direction the wearer desires. Play with color, textures and patterns, and don’t try to match your outfit, rather enhance it with this graphic, bold accent.
In a tough retail market, we pride ourselves on being very customer-oriented. Stop in and see what I mean. If you have a specific top, skirt, or outfit that needs a face lift, come see us. All our associates are personal shoppers for you. No guessing about size — you actually try the garments on and take them home with you. You may discover new lines and stock up on your favorite brands, completing your immediate clothing and accessory needs. Don’t
forget the third Wednesday every month for a 20 percent discount on all regular-priced merchandise, and selected sale items 50 percent off except Danish costumes.
We are open Monday, Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Tuesdays. We are located at 1673 Copenhagen Drive in Solvang. For any immediate questions feel free to email us at sue@elnas.com and follow us on Instagram @elnasdressshop
ELNA'S FASHION CHATTER
(Left) You can find Elna’s Dress Shop at 1673 Copenhagen Drive in Solvang. Look for the building with the blue facade. (Right) Jess & Jane’s latest fashions can be found at Elna’s Dress Shop. Customers love the super soft feel that gives them the latest trends without sacrificing comfort. Star File Photo
Why vote on a Tuesday? Reasons have agrarian roots
By John Copeland
The contentious and dizzying run-up to the election has had many of us reaching for aspirin, antacids, tranquilizers, not to mention many adult beverages. But let’s put that aside for a moment — have you ever wondered why we vote on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November?
The story of Election Day begins with our Founding Fathers and the Constitutional Convention. Hammering out America’s Constitution was a long process and as the convention neared its end, the delegates had not decided on a number of issues. The Constitutional Convention decided that representatives would be elected by the people, senators would be selected by state legislatures, and the president was elected by state legislature-appointed electors of the Electoral College.
However, one unanswered major question remained: when the presidential election should be held, which the Constitutional delegates left undecided. This gave the individual states the power to regulate voting laws. This choice ensured there were several decades of electoral chaos. Between 1788 and 1845, there was a “crazy quilt of elections” held across the country at different times to select each state’s members of the Electoral College.
It is important to remember that I’m talking about white Protestant men with property voting for president on the first Wednesday of December. Before the end of the 1700s,
many states began dropping the property ownership and religious affiliation from voter requirements.
In 1792, Congress passed a law mandating that the states’ selection of the members of the Electoral College must be held within a 34day period before the first Wednesday of December, so most of these elections took place in November. You have to remember that back in the early days of the United States, our society was mostly agrarian. In November, the harvest was finished and winter hadn’t yet set in, which made it the perfect time to vote. Also in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the pace of presidential elections was not a huge issue. Communication was slow and it took election results weeks to be announced. It was not out of the ordinary for folks to travel for an entire day to the nearest county seat, which is where ballot boxes were, to cast their vote. They would then need an entire day to return to their homes. That made Monday unacceptable, because it would require people to travel to the polls by buggy on the Sunday Sabbath. Wednesday was also not an option, because it was market day in many communities, and farmers would not be able to make it to the polls. In 1844, Congress decided it was
time to standardize a voting date. What they came up with was that eligible citizens could take the first Monday of November off to travel, vote on Tuesday, and then take the rest of the day to return to their farms. So, Tuesday would be the day that Americans would vote. Finally, in 1845, Congress legislated that the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November would be Election Day for future presidential elections. Congress also stipulated that Election Day should be the first Tuesday in November after the first Monday so that the day did not conflict with Nov. 1, the Catholic holy day All Saints Day.
Under the new law, the first election took place on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 1848. Whig Party candidate Zachary Taylor won out over Democrat Lewis Cass and Free-Soil candidate, and former president, Martin Van Buren. Taylor’s running mate was Millard Fillmore, who became the nation’s 13th president on July 10, 1850, when Taylor suddenly died. There is definitely a lack of romance behind a Tuesday election day. But it is the intention, not the day of the week that is important. America’s decision-makers required a national voting day because it speaks to the heart of American democracy. It hits at the crux of the
American promise that “all are created equal.” Tuesday was the day most convenient for every class, every heritage, and all industries. It was about creating the highest possible turnout on Voting Day. It was and is about empowering anyone who wanted a say in their nation’s political destiny to have the chance to speak up. Today, there are, of course, other options for folks, like absentee and early voting. Still, there are voters who cannot cast ballots unless they can find a way to get to the polls on Tuesday. In 15 states you do not have an opportunity to vote early or by an absentee ballot, or by mail, which means you have to vote on Tuesday. Many critics believe it is ridiculous to vote on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
But moving the polling day turns out to be no easy task. The weekend voting bill keeps dying in committee. And there is also, of course, no guarantee that moving Election Day would change voter turnout. There’s the simple fact that Americans have gotten used to voting on Tuesday. We are a very traditional county, and that became a tradition a long time ago. If you have not voted already, I hope you all get out and exercise your voice in our American democracy and vote!
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HOLIDAY HISTORY
FOOD & DRINK
Farm Stand: A freshly farmed Thanksgiving
By BeeWench Farm
Many farmers are harvesting the last of the summer/fall crops and applying compost and cover crops to give their soil a health boost before it’s planted again next year. If you have a garden at home, planting a cover crop is a great way to get it ready for next year. Not only does it protect your soil from runoff, but you can boost the nutrients in your soil by planting a great diversity. Legumes, like clover or alfalfa, are very great at taking nitrogen from the air and putting it into the soil for future crops to use. If you don’t have a garden or space for a tree, you can always visit some wonderful farms this time of year. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, you might need some fun places to take family visiting.
If you need a super simple dish to share around the holidays, try either of the recipes. Pears are still delicious this time of year, but you can swap them out for apples in both recipes. Salad seems to be something no one seems to bring to potlucks, and they are super simple and popular. You can make this one after Thanksgiving to enjoy the turkey leftovers. It’s also great with chicken or without protein as a side dish. If you need a super easy and delicious dessert to share, the custard pie is so good. It takes about five minutes to prepare and will be gone just as fast.
If you want to make the best Thanksgiving meal, or bring a delicious dish to a celebration, check out the farmer’s market for the best ingredients.
Seasonal fruits and vegetables for this month are:
Fruits:
• Grapes
• Pears
• Pomegranates
Vegetables:
• Arugula
• Beets
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Sweet potato
• Winter squash
• Brussels sprouts
• Peas
• Mushrooms
• Celery Fall Chopped Salad
Salad Ingredients:
• About 2 cups of cooked turkey shredded
• 1 head romaine lettuce, (8 cups chopped) rinsed and dried
• 2 pears, cored and sliced
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup pecans, lightly toasted on a dry skillet
• 1/2 cup goat cheese (4 oz), crumbled (Stepladder or Black Market Cheese Co.)
Balsamic Vinaigrette Ingredients:
• 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 garlic clove, pressed or finely minced
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
1. In a dry skillet, toast pecans over medium heat for 5 minutes, tossing frequently or until pecans are fragrant and lightly golden. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped romaine, sliced pears, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, crumbled cheese, and turkey.
3. Combine dressing ingredients in a small mason jar. Cover with lid and shake vigorously to combine. If any separation occurs, shake again just before using. Drizzle balsamic vinaigrette over the salad, adding it to taste then toss to combine.
Pear Custard Pie
Ingredients:
• 4 firm pears of any variety cored, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup of unsalted butter melted
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (can sub gluten free flour)
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar for garnish
Optional: sub vanilla extract with almond and add a pinch of cinnamon
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-inch round pan with cooking spray or butter.
2. Arrange the pear slices in the pan. They will rise to the top when it bakes.
3. Put the butter, eggs, milk, salt, granulated sugar, flour and vanilla into a blender. Blend until smooth.
4. Pour the batter over the pears. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the custard is golden and firm to the touch. Dust the top with powdered sugar before serving.
New Los Olivos market and deli is a family affair
Recent college graduate Carly Gandolfo runs Grand Avenue business on property long owned by her grandfather
By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer
Anew market recently opened in Los Olivos — the Gandolfo Family Market and Deli. It is jointly owned by brothers Greg and Dave Gandolfo, whose father, Charles, has owned the property on Grand Avenue for over 50 years. During that time, he leased it out to a variety of people, as he had no interest in it other than being a landlord.
The previous lessee had a convenience store for 14 years, and during that time, the family had talked about starting a business as a family. So, when their lease ran out, the Gandolfos decided it was time to open up a family market, and they had a ready and willing family member to run the new business — Carly Gandolfo, the store manager, who is the daughter of Dave Gandolfo. She graduated from San Diego State University in 2022 with a degree in hospitality.
The Gandolfos were longtime residents of Santa Barbara, dating back generations, and of the Santa Ynez Valley.
At 84, Charles, the family’s patriarch, was born in Santa Barbara as were several generations before him. His ancestors were from Sestri Levante, (Genoa) Italy. He and his wife, Bea, have been married for 65 years and raised three sons, John, David, and Greg, in the Valley. Charles owned a construction company and built eight of the original wineries in the Valley, including Gainey and Roblar.
“My dad [Dave] was raised in the Valley, met my mom, Jayme, at Cal Poly, married and moved to Idaho, and started a dairy farm. So, I was born and raised in Idaho, but went to college in San Diego,” said Carly Gandolfo. “My parents still live in Idaho on their cattle ranch, but my dad visits the store every month to see how things are going.”
Carly is thrilled to be a resident of the Valley.
“Moving to California was always a dream of mine, having spent a month every summer visiting my grandparents here in the Valley,” she said. “I loved San Diego, but I never felt like it was home. The Valley feels like home because everything that I love about San Diego and Idaho, I found here in the Valley. It’s Western, it’s coastal, and it’s a small town; everything I love, plus my family is here.”
Carly has been in the area for a little more
people seem to love but are only available on Fridays and Saturdays. Tommy Palmer does the barbecuing, which he has done forever. Oscar Castillo is our chef and curates most of our menu. He is extremely conscious about what products go into our sandwiches.”
“We try to carry products that you can’t find everywhere. Our cheeses are from around the world, and our meats are from some of the top producers in the country — no additives, no preservatives — all extremely clean products. We also carry locally sourced fruits and vegetables and have a license to sell beer and wine, which you can enjoy on our outdoor patio.”
Running her fledgling business, Gandolfo keeps an ear out on public input to improve the market.
“I’m always listening to people to get their ideas about what we need for our store and the community as a whole,” she said. “A lot of the tasting rooms said they needed a quick bite for their customers, so we provide that.”
Gandolfo has plans for the future of the new market and a little Yuletide surprise.
“Eventually I would like to feature some boutique winemakers in the store and have them come in and pour on Saturdays,” she said. “I would also like to create a little winter wonderland theme on the property next to the market on the weekend of the Christmas Tree Lighting in Los Olivos, which is on Dec. 7, serving hot chocolate, a visit from Santa, something for the kids, and wines by the glass at the store for the adults.”
Gandolfo said she has had a great experience with her new undertaking.
“I love running the store,” said Gandolfo. “It has been challenging at times, but it’s great to be doing something for the community. We are looking to grow and plan on being a part of this community for a long time to come. We are very family-based, and we all work together to make this business a success.”
than a year.
“I moved to the Valley in July 2023 with my boyfriend, Carsen Gentes. He loves it here as well. He’s really into mountain biking, and this is the place for that sport,” she continued.
“While waiting for the store to open I took the opportunity to work at the Carhartt Tasting Room and the Olive and Lavender Farm to familiarize myself with the town and its residents. I was fortunate to meet many of the locals, which was a nice way to get to know the community and for them to get to know me.”
The market property needed renovations that took nearly five months to accomplish, which
included acquiring permits from the county.
“There was a lot of work to be done to get the store ready for opening,” explained Gandolfo.
“So, my uncle Greg and his wife Sarah, both teachers at the Santa Ynez Valley High School, did a lot of the work restoring the premises. It took nearly five months to get the place in order, which included a new roof and, of course, acquiring permits for the building. We opened on May 28.”
“Our focus is on the deli, which provides sandwiches, salads, and charcuterie, but we also sell our deli meats by the pound,” she said.
“Our specialty is tri-tip sandwiches, which
“My grandfather has always been the kindest, most generous, hard-working man and has one of the best reputations in the Valley, so I have a lot to live up to,” she said in closing.
The Gandolfo Family Market and Deli is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Deli hours are Monday and Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Wednesdays through Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The market is at 2948 Grand Ave, Los Olivos.
For more information, call (805) 697-7183 or visit them online at Gandolfo Family Market and Deli.
Three generations of the Gandolfo family: father Charles (center), son Greg (left), and granddaughter and Greg’s niece Carly Gandolfo outside their new store, Gandolfo Family Market and Deli. Carly is the manager of the store, which opened last May. Contributed Photo
CAR SHOW
community group, who took it over after the organizers of the Wheels ‘n’ Windmills decided to retire that particular event.
All money raised from the show and the gala dinner the night before goes to the Vikings of Solvang Endowment Fund, a 501(c) (3) organization which provides funding for the medically related needs of qualified individuals and health care organizations in the Santa Ynez Valley and throughout Santa Barbara County. Some of the money also goes toward the Vikings’ annual Christmas party for underpriviledged kids, coming in December.
Anyone walked through the streets of downtown Solvang got to see a eclectic mix of vehicles.
Dave Lazarro of Buellton had on display his white 1999 Pontiac Trans Am, with a Daytona 500 logo on the door.
“I found this one in Pennsylvania,” said Lazarro, who said he usually likes to buy Trans Ams. “It was built as a pace car, but it’s not the pace car for NASCAR races — there’s only two of those.”
“I like to show this off all over the area, from Paso to Carpinteria,” he said.
A little farther down the street was a pink 1957 Ford Thunderbird owned by Holly Foley of Fremont, who had the back seat and rear decked out in all sorts of artifacts of the time,
like Barbie dolls, lunch pails, and Coca-Cola souvenirs.
“Some people use props on their cars for these things, and I just wanted to put some stuff up there that represents the car’s year,” Foley said. “The only problem is people see that there and they think the stuff’s on sale, and I have to tell them ‘no, it’s just for show.’”
Foley estimated she goes to about 80 car shows a year, but this was her first time at the Solvang one.
“I found out about it on a car website somewhere,” she said. “I’m really liking it here. Hey, you got the best pastries.”
The entries were rated by a panel of judges in several categories and awards were handed out in an afternoon ceremony at Solvang Park. The winners included:
Class AA - Modified - T-Bucket/Hot Rod (Open) to 1948: Winner - Victor Velasco - Yellow 1923 Ford T Bucket; Runner UpMary Jones - Red 1927 Ford T Bucket
B - Stock - 1955-1957 Chevy: Winner - Hank Baier - 1955 Chevrolet 210
BB - Modified - Hot Rod (Coupe/Sedan) to 1932: Winner - Tildon Courson - Red 1930 Studebaker Dictator Club Sedan
C - Stock - 1960-1999 GM (Excl. Class F): Winner - Mel Tomlinson - Blue 1969
Chevy Impala SS
CC1 - Modified - Hot Rod Coupe 19331948: Winner - Mike Zapata - Sunset Orange Pearl 1948 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible
CC2 - Modified - Hot Rod Sedan 1933-1948: Winner - Byron Beaver - Green 1937 Ford Tudor Humpback Sedan
CG - Modified - Mercury Cougar ( to 1999): Winner - Georgina May - Blue 1967 Mercury Cougar
D - Stock - 1960-1999 Ford/Mopar/Other (Excl. Class F): Winner - James Mintie - Blue 1969 Mercedes 280SE
DD - Modified - 1949-1959 All Makes (Excl. Class FF): Winner - Tina Almazan - Blue 1951 Ford Shoebox
EE - Modified - 1960-1999 All Makes: Winner - Merle Heggen - Blue 1969 Chevy Nova
F - Stock - 1964-1999 Camaro/Challenger/ Cuda/Firebird/Mustang: Winner - Neal McCarter - Turquoise 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible
G - Stock - Corvettes to 1999: Tom JordanNassau Blue 1966 Chevy Corvette Stingray
GG - Modified - Camaro/Challenger/Cuda/ Firebird/Mustang to 1999: Winner - Dan Lazzaro - White 1999 Pontiac Trans Am
H - Stock - Trucks, El Camino, Ranchero to 1999: Winner - Steve Donovan - Turquoise 1962 Ford F-100
HH1 - Modified - Trucks to 1949: WinnerMike Murphy - Tan 1934 Ford Pickup
HH2 - Modified - Trucks, El Camino, Ranchero to 1950-1999: Mike Buckels - Winner - Aqua 1965 Chevy El Camino
I - Stock - Sports Car (Foreign or Domestic) to 1999: Winner - Daniel Redmon - Gray/ Blue 1957 Mercedes 190SL
II - Modified - Sports Car (Foreign or Domestic) to 1999: Winner - A.C. D’Augustine - Red 1965 Ford Cobra
MS - Modified - Military Vehicles to 1999: Winner -Dennis Beebe - Tan 1942 Ford GPW (Jeep)
RS - Modified - Rat Rods (any year): Winner - Robert Wong - Copper 1936 Ford Pickup Rat Rod
A plethora of beautiful cars and cycles were on display at the Viking Charities Classic Car Show on Oct. 19. Photos by Mike Chaldu
CALENDAR
GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
TUESDAY, NOV. 5
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 9 A.M.
County Administration Building, 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara For more info: countyofsb.org
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 6
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION, 9 A.M.
County Engineering Building, 123 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara For more info: countyofsb.org
SOLVANG TOURISM AND MARKETING ADVISORY COMMITTEE, 10 A.M.
At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak St., Solvang For more info: cityofsolvang.com
THURSDAY, NOV. 7
BUELLTON PLANNING COMMISSION, 6 P.M.
At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton For more info: cityofbuellton.com
MONDAY, NOV. 11
SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL, 6:30 P.M.
At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak St., Solvang For more info: cityofsolvang.com
MONDAY, NOV. 12
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD, 5:30 P.M. Board Room, Administration Office, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, 2975 Mission Drive, Solvang
For more info: www.syvuhsd.org
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 13
LOS OLIVOS COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT, 6 P.M. Los Olivos Grange Hall, 2374 Alamo Pintado Ave, Los Olivos For more info: losolivoscsd.com
THURSDAY, NOV. 14
BUELLTON CITY COUNCIL, 6 P.M.
At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton
For more info: cityofbuellton.com
EVENTS
The Buellton Fall Festival will return to Avenue of Flags from Nov. 8-10, with carnival rides and games, live music, and plenty of food and drink. Photo Courtesy of discoverbuellton.com.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, NOV. 8-10
BUELLTON FALL FESTIVAL, 4 TO 10 P.M. (FRIDAY), 12 TO 10 P.M. (SATURDAY AND SUNDAY)
The Buellton Fall Festival will be a three-day festival that is “Fun for the Whole Family!” The free-admission event
will take place Friday, Nov. 8, to Sunday, Nov. 10, on Avenue of Flags!
The event will have live music on two stages, carnival rides and games, merchant and food vendors, and beer, wine, seltzer, and kombucha for sale.
The event will include the “Ales on the Avenue”
Craft Beer & Wine Festival on Saturday from 12 to 3:30 p.m. with 15plus breweries, wineries, seltzers, and more.
Located at Avenue of the Flags, north of Highway 246, Buellton For more info: www.buelltonfallfest. com
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, NOV. 8-9
ELVERHØJ’S QUEEN OF ARTS, 4 TO 7 P.M. (FRIDAY) AND 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M. (SATURDAY)
Save the dates! Elverhøj’s Queen of Arts is back for 2024. Local artists share their unique creations at this well-loved Solvang event. Queen of Arts is hosted at the beautiful and
historic Elverhøj Museum of History & Art which welcomes nearly 25,000 visitors annually. Join us for the Friday Sip & Shop from 4 to 7 p.m., and Saturday for the event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a great variety of unique and imaginative work by 20+ regional crafts people.
At Elverhøj Museum, 1624 Elverhoy Way, Solvang For more info: elverhoj.org
SATURDAY, NOV. 9
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY
SALUTE TO THE VETS, 11 A.M. TO 5 P.M.
Come to Solvang Park for a military vehicle display, flyover, food, beer & wine, silent auction, 50/50, games, prizes, and much more! Live music to be performed by Out of the Blue. All donations to SBCVF Benefit –SB County Veterans and their families.
At Solvang Park, 1630 Mission Drive, Solvang For more info: www.salutetothevets. org or www.sbcvf.org
SYV HISTORICAL MUSEUM
40TH ANNUAL VAQUERO BENEFIT, 5 TO 9 P.M.
It’s time once again for the Annual Vaquero Benefit Dinner and Auction at the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum in celebration of the traditional Vaquero spirit and way of life. This popular event honoring the ”2024 Vaquero of the Year” will take place on Nov. 9 in the beautiful courtyard setting of the museum in historic downtown Santa Ynez. This event will honor the Vaquero of the Year, local Santa Ynez horseman, realtor, ”Ranchero” and popular valley friend, Joe Olla. Don’t miss this annual celebration. Sponsorship packages are available.
At Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum, 3596 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez
For tickets or more info: Call (805) 688-7889, info@santaynezmuseum. org, or go to santaynezmuseum.org
SATURDAY, NOV. 16
SOLVANG COMMUNITY CLEANUP, 8 A.M. TO 12 P.M.
Solvang residents — get your trash pile ready or green waste, clean scrap metal, wood or bulk waste (mattresses, unusable furniture, etc). No electronic waste or hazardous waste. Free dropoff, but customers will be required to show a valid photo ID with a matching Waste Management Bill.
At Public Parking Lot 4, 1616 Oak St., Solvang
For more info: Call City of Solvang (805) 688- 5575 or go to cityofsolvang.org
ZACA MESA HARVEST FALL FIESTA, 4:30 TO 6:30 P.M.
Our 2024 Annual Harvest Fall Fiesta will mark the close of our 49th vintage harvested at our historic estate winery and the 51st year since our founding in 1973. With delicious tacos from Tortilleria Mexico and live music performed by Robert Herrera, this celebration is bound to be one for the books!
Tickets are $60 general admission and $50 for winery members.
At Zaca Mesa Winery and Vineyards, 6905 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos
For tickets or more info: www.zacamesa.com/upcoming-events/, call (805) 688-9339 or email events@ zacamesa.com
SUNDAY, NOV. 17
EXPLORE PATHS TO WELLNESS AND GROWTH – THE SANCTUARY, 11 A.M. TO 4 P.M.
Fall is the time of year where decline and decay lead to regeneration and renewal. Its emphasis on the cycle of life lends itself beautifully to this event. The Sanctuary is a collective gathering where wellness, growth, and positivity come together. Experience a day filled with inspiration as you explore different modalities of healing and wellness. Shop our vendors, book a session with our intuitives, and engage in meaningful workshops. With a full bar and
food service available for purchase, this free in-person event has everything you need for inner enrichment, nourishment and discovery. WalkUp experiences and mini workshops will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
At Craft House at Corque, 420 Alisal Road, Solvang
For more info: thesanctuarysyv.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
