Santa Ynez Valley Star • September 03 - September 16, 2024

3 – SEPTEMBER 16, 2024

First couple’s visit to Santa Ynez elicits various reactions

Bidens nearly weeklong stay in the area brings buzz both positive and negative

By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

While the Democratic National Convention was going on in Chicago during the third full week in August, one of its early notable speakers, who just happens to be president of the United States, was staying in the Santa Ynez Valley along with his wife and other family members.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden landed in Air Force One in the wee hours Tuesday morning, reportedly heading to the estate of Joe Kiani. Biden had spoken at the DNC Monday night, the first of the convention, to officially support his vice president, Kamala Harris, as the Democratic nominee for president in this November’s election. Biden had dropped his bid for re-election earlier this summer.

Kiani is an Iranian-born American engineer, entrepreneur, and corporate executive who founded the medical technology company Masimo. In 2021, he was appointed by Biden to serve on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST).

Sports | Pg. 7 Defense sets the tone in Pirates’ big opening-night football victory

News Briefs . . . . . . . . . Pg. 2

• Los Alamos mail theft suspect apprehended using AirTag

News .

. . Pg. 5

• Planning Commission delays decision on YMCA expanded hours

Arts/Nonprofits . . . . . . Pg. 10

• Solvang Theaterfest announces four new board members

Community . .

. . . Pg. 12

• Events being planned for 87th annual Solvang Danish Days

Lifestyle

Pg. 16

• Labor Day is not just the last hoorah for summer

Food & Drink

. . . Pg. 17

• Chumash Casino Resort unveils The Sports Bar At Chumash

Calendar .

. . . Pg. 19

• Government meetings and events

ON PAGE 18

Upon the first couple’s arrival, there was much speculation on the president making informal appearances in the Valley. Rumors swirled of him supposedly having dinner at or visiting a few establishments in the area. However, verifiable media reports said that he stayed at Kiani’s property all week until he was spotted attending Mass at Mission Santa Ines on Saturday evening, his last night in the area. He was joined by his children Hunter and Ashley.

First lady Jill Biden (left) poses for a photo with Book Loft employee Melanie Eckford-Prossor during Biden’s visit to the Solvang bookstore. Photo Courtesy of The Book Loft

NEWS BRIEFS

LOS ALAMOS

Mail theft suspect apprehended using AirTag

Two mail theft suspects have been arrested after they were tracked using an AirTag locator device.

On Monday, Aug. 19, at approximately 7:17 a.m., deputies responded to a report of mail theft that had just occurred at the Los Alamos Post Office. When they arrived, deputies learned that the victim had items stolen from her post office box recently, so she mailed herself a package that included an AirTag locator device. Her mail was again stolen on Monday morning, including the package with the AirTag that she was able to track. It is important to note that the victim did not attempt to contact the suspects on her own.

The suspects were located in the 600 block of East Sunrise Drive in Santa Maria and were found in possession of the victim’s mail, including the package with the AirTag as well as items believe to be stolen from over a dozen additional victims. The suspects are identified as 27-year-old Virginia Franchessca Lara from Santa Maria and 37-year-old Donald Ashton Terry from Riverside.

Lara was booked at the Northern Branch Jail for felonies including possession of checks with intent to commit fraud, fictitious checks, identity theft, credit card theft and conspiracy. She is being held on $50,000 bail.

Terry was booked at the Northern Branch Jail for felonies including burglary, possession of checks with intent to commit fraud, credit card theft, identity theft, and conspiracy. He was also booked on several theft-related warrants from Riverside County. He is being held on $460,000 bail.

The Sheriff’s Office commended the victim for her proactive solution, while highlighting that she also exercised appropriate caution by contacting law enforcement to safely and successfully apprehend the suspects. Deputies are continuing work on this case including contacting additional victims.

BUELLTON

Buellton Community Garden plans official launch Sept. 7

The nonprofit Buellton Community Garden, more than five years in the making, will host an official kick-off from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 7. The public is invited to meet the organization’s founders, volunteers and board of directors. Refreshments will be available.

The Buellton Community Garden (BCG) has 46 gardening beds available, with a handful already reserved. Two of the beds are ADA-compliant. While Buellton residents will have first dibs on securing a garden bed, anyone is welcome to apply.

The Garden is operating under the Buellton Community Educational Foundation’s nonprofit umbrella.

The BCG’s Board of Directors credit Buellton’s Central Coast Agriculture for its investment in the project.

Dignitaries invited to the launch include Santa Barbara County 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, State Assemblyman Gregg Hart, and several officials from the City of Buellton.

Community leaders Holly Sierra, Judith Dale, Bob Blokdyk, Aaron Liggett, and Larry Bishop have provided active support for the project as it has moved from the idea stage to an

established site where planting and harvesting are already happening.

“When we began, this was just a vacant dirt lot. Look at it now,” said Greg Erickson, BCG’s president. “The planting beds are filling with vegetables. Fruit has formed on the new trees. Hollyhocks along the fence are as tall as I am.

“You’ve heard of ‘heritage vegetables’? Future gardeners at BCG will be taking home ‘legacy vegetables’ — abundant produce made possible by the literal spade work of hundreds of volunteer hours. This garden grows the Buellton community,” he said.

Erickson, with his wife, artist Annie Yakutis, is a co-founder of the garden.

For more information on the garden, go to www.buelltongarden.org/ or www.facebook.com/BuelltonGarden

LOS OLIVOS

Full closure Of Edison Street on Highway 154 begins Sept. 3 for roundabout construction project

The Western leg of Baseline Avenue/Edison Street will be closed at its connection to Highway 154 beginning Tuesday, Sept. 3, as the final portion of a detour is completed for an ongoing roundabout construction project.

A new traffic alignment on Highway 154 at the intersection of Baseline Avenue/Edison Street will begin Friday, Sept. 6, and last through February 2025.

Businesses will remain open and accessible along Baseline Avenue/Edison Street during construction. Message and directional signs will be in place to alert the traveling public of detours.

Work includes the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Highway 154 and Baseline Avenue/Edison Street, installation of curb ramps, rumble strips, and a lighting system.

This roundabout project is expected to be complete in Spring 2025. The contractor for this $8.7 million project is Granite Construction Company of Santa Maria.

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at @CaltransD5, Facebook at Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at @Caltrans_D5.

SANTA YNEZ

Charter School continues in state Universal Meals plan

Santa Ynez Valley Charter School continues to participate in the California Universal Meals program, providing two meals free of charge (breakfast and lunch) each day to students.

“The lunch program provides a nutritious meal that contains one-third of the recommended daily dietary allowance of necessary nutrients,” said Santa Ynez Charter School Executive Director John Dewey in a press release.

“For parents, it offers convenience and affordability. The goal of the program is to enhance children’s learning abilities by contributing to their physical and mental well-being. Studies have shown that children whose nutritional needs are met are more attentive in class.”

Dewey said SYVCS follows the USDA “Meal Pattern” which establishes daily and weekly minimums. Per week the school serves at least 3 cups fruit, 4 cups vegetables, 10 oz grains (80 percent whole grain), 10 oz meat, 5 cups milk. They are not allowed to serve trans fat, and have to monitor the amount of calories, fat and salt. Every child is served all of the required food components. Breakfast also has its own pattern, although on a smaller scale.

“California continues to be a national leader in the successful implementation of Universal Meals. Since 2022, Universal Meals has sustained access to nutritious meals for California’s school children, reducing childhood hunger, eliminating stigma for the meal programs, and increasing equity for all,” Dewey continued in the release. “State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, along with the Legislature, understand the value Universal Meals provides to California’s nearly six million public school children and continue to offer their support through robust state funding. In SY 2023–24, approximately 872 million School Nutrition Program (SNP) meals were served in California.”

LOMPOC

Sheriff’s Office welcomes six new custody deputies

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office welcomed six new custody deputies upon their graduation from the Allan Hancock CORE Custody Deputy Academy. The custody deputies were sworn in by Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown on Friday, Aug. 23, just before the graduation ceremony. Brown gave

STAR NEWS

Solvang nominated for 2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Award in ‘Best Christmas Town’ Contest

Contest List, per day). Online voting runs through Thursday, Sept. 26.

Solvang has been nominated for the Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards in the category of “Best Christmas Town.”

The awards contest and online voting launched for the holiday-themed category on Thursday, Aug. 29 and are now live on the Newsweek site (www.newsweek.com/readerschoice). Voting is open to the public and all official contest at sites. google.com/enveritasgroup.com/ readers-choice-portal/terms-conditions (limit one vote per person, per

The Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards present up to 20 nominees in a broad range of categories to be voted on by readers. All nominees are editorially driven, with contributions from a panel of travel experts. Newsweek editors then determine the final lists of “the best of the best in the USA.” Every two weeks, Newsweek publishes an entrants list of up to 20 businesses, services or products by Awards category for public voting, to pick the Newsweek Reader’s Choice Winner (each a “Category List”). Once a Category List is published, voting runs for 28 days for each Category List and at the end of the voting period, once voting is closed and within 10 days,

Newsweek announces and publishes the businesses with the most votes as Reader’s Choice Winners in their respective categories. More information about the Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards may be found here.

“The Newsweek awards nomination couldn’t arrive at a better time for us, as the city is preparing for Solvang Julefest, our annual holiday event, which runs this year from late November through early January. We are accustomed to being referred to as one of the nation’s most ‘Christmassy’ towns, and each time Solvang is named as such our holiday sparkle shines even brighter,” said Solvang City Manager Randy Murphy. Solvang, the Danish-rooted, California Central Coast getaway spot

with a resident population hovering around 6,000, has been nominated for similar “best of” awards in the past, with a specific Newsweek Read-

ers’ Choice Awards nod most recently, when Alisal Ranch was named as one of the 10 “Best Dude Ranch Vacation” winners in February 2024.

Planning Commission endorses Agricultural Enterprise Ordinance

Ordinance seeks to assist struggling farmers and ranchers by providing alternative income opportunities while maintaining a focus on agriculture

The Santa Barbara County Planning Commission has unanimously endorsed the Agricultural Enterprise Ordinance, advancing it to the Board of Supervisors for final approval. This ordinance seeks to assist struggling farmers and ranchers by providing alternative income opportu-

nities while maintaining a focus on agriculture.

The ordinance proposes several new uses for agricultural lands, including campgrounds, farmstays, equestrian facilities, and educational events. These options aim to diversify revenue streams for agricultural operations.

Recent public hearings revealed varied opinions on specific provisions. Concerns were raised about setback distances from neighboring properties, with suggestions ranging from a universal 100 feet to 1,000 feet for row crops and 400 feet for vineyards and orchards.

Composting regulations also sparked debate; some favored increasing the allowed

volume to 1,000 cubic yards, while others opposed composting altogether.

Commissioner John Parke recommended several changes to address these concerns. He supported the proposed setbacks of 100 feet generally, 200 feet from commercial crops, and 400 feet from residences, with flexibility for agreements with neighbors. Parke also proposed limiting campsites to 15 on properties between 40 and 100 acres and removing an agricultural enterprise overlay along Highway 135, though overlays east and west

of Santa Maria and around Lompoc remain. Additional provisions include a quiet time mandate in campgrounds starting at 9 p.m. and closing times for winery tasting rooms at 8 p.m. for permits lacking specific hours. The ordinance permits up to 25 event days annually and 10 days per month for small-scale events like bicycle races and trail runs.

The Board of Supervisors will now review the ordinance, with options to adopt, revise, or reject it, determining its impact on the county’s agricultural landscape.

Lightposts on Alisal Road in Solvang are shown bedecked in Christmas decor last year. Solvang has been nominated as “Best Christmas Town” in the Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards. Contributed Photo

Santa Ynez Tribal Health Clinic marks 50 years of service in the community

Having started in a two-bedroom trailer, clinic now has a state-of-the-art facility in Santa Ynez

The Santa Ynez Tribal Health Clinic (SYTHC), located on the Santa Ynez Reservation at 90 Via Juana Lane in Santa Ynez, is celebrating 50 years since opening its doors in 1974.

Founded by Rosa Pace, a Chumash community member and obstetrics nurse, the clinic was established to help improve health care on the Santa Ynez Reservation. Today, the tribe continues to celebrate a legacy of healing with its state-of-the-art facility that serves its community and the general public, with more than 25,000 patient visits per year.

“We’ve come a long way since the beginning, and I’m proud of all the services we provide,” said Kenneth Kahn, tribal chairman for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. “When my grandmother, Rosa Pace, had a vision, nothing could stop her.”

Pace was instrumental in starting the first Urban Indian Health Clinic on Milpas Street in Santa Barbara, and she went on to secure the grants needed to open a clinic on the Santa Ynez Reservation in 1974.

During her tenure, she added dental and social services to the clinic before eventually retiring in the year 2000. She passed away in 2015 at the age of 86.

Gary Pace, a member of the tribe’s Business Committee and son of Rosa, reflected on his mom’s remarkable legacy.

“My mother, Rosa Pace, was always focused on providing a better, sustainable future for her fellow tribal members and the community, and it’s great to see that her hard work still stands today,” he said. “She was an early member of our tribal government, she helped the effort to bring running water to the Santa Ynez Reservation, and she was influential regarding the tribe’s gaming ventures; however, the Tribal Health Clinic was always her passion. My

family is proud of what she stood for, and we try to do our best to follow her example.”

In its beginning stages, patients were served once a week in a small two-bedroom trailer with no running water and limited equipment. With tribal and community involvement, as well as grants from Indian Health Services (IHS), the clinic was able to obtain much-needed water and tran-

sition into a newer, larger trailer. In 2002, the clinic’s current facility was built on the upper reservation to expand its size and capacity.

“The Santa Ynez Tribal Health Clinic is a community-focused facility for our tribal members and the broader community,” said Jacy Romero, chairwoman for SYTHC’s Health Board. “We see patients from new-

born to tribal elder, and our doors are always open to those who need health care. Our services have expanded to accommodate and provide excellent quality care for our patients.”

SYTHC’s stated mission is to provide the highest quality healthcare, honoring cultural values and incorporating best practices for all.

Led by a team of doctors, practitioners, therapists, dentists, social workers and more, the clinic offers medical, dental, behavioral health, and community and social services. The services are broad, including general family care, general dentistry, pediatrics, chiropractic, optometry, substance abuse programs, podiatry, and behavioral health. The clinic currently has 19 providers and an active patient population of over 8,900.

“I’m most proud of the fact that we serve the entire community,” Kahn said. “We extend a huge thank you to our past and current doctors and administration staff members who have put in the work every day to support our patients over the years.”

SYTHC is a stand-alone subsidiary whose mission is to specialize in the highest standard of quality health care through modern medicine and cultural traditions. The clinic receives funding through various grants, including grants from IHS, and has achieved mature contractor status with IHS and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. It is certified as an FQHC look-a-like Medi-Cal/Medicare facility, and it is one of a few health-care facilities in Santa Barbara County that has attained accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

For more information about SYTHC and its services, please call (805) 688-7070 or visit www.sythc.org.

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians is located in Santa Barbara County. Its reservation was established and officially recognized by the federal government in 1901. Today, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians remains the only federally recognized Chumash tribe in the nation. The tribe is a self-governing sovereign nation and follows the laws set forth in its tribal constitution.

Staff Report

The current Santa Ynez Tribal Health Clinic, located at 90 Via Juana Lane in Santa Ynez, opened in 2002.

Photos Courtesy of Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians

Founded by Rosa Pace, the Santa Ynez Tribal Health Clinic opened its doors in 1974, when patients were served once a week in a small two-bedroom trailer with no running water and limited equipment.

Car insurance rates projected to escalate meteorically

Rising premiums may lead to more uninsured drivers, further increasing

costs

By Barbara Burke Contributing Writer

Many readers have likely noticed a significant increase in their car insurance premiums in the last year. According to finance company Bankrate, when compared to last year, Los Angeles area drivers are paying 26 percent more for premiums.

On Aug. 15, Insurify, a leading insurance tracking company, released a study projecting that auto insurance rates in California will

increase yet more, up as much as 54 percent compared to what they were just last year. The study states that the average annual cost for full coverage on a car was $1,666 in June 2023, compared to $2,417 in June 2024, and will increase to a projected $2,681 for December 2024. Nationwide, premiums have increased by an average of 28 percent, rendering California one of the most expensive states for car insurance, partly because the state imposed a freeze on insurance rates during the COVID lockdown, leading to insurers incurring record underwriting losses estimated at $33.1 billion in 2022. Only drivers in two states will face higher premium increases. In Minnesota, premiums will increase by 61 percent and Missouri drivers will face a 55 percent premium increase, according to Insurify’s projections.

Insurify’s study analyzed two-year median costs for drivers between 20 and 70 with clean driving records on policies with comprehensive and collision coverage with deductibles of $1,000.

“Some insurers are requesting double-digit rate hikes [from regulators] while they struggle to return to profitability, while others are exiting the state entirely.” The report stated.

Insurify also attributes the high premium increases to a combination of inflation, traffic volume, increased accidents and crimes, and also to an unprecedented climate catastrophe that drives weather-related claims in states that historically haven’t experienced much of that type of damage. Insurify emphasized that insurers have experienced an increase in losses caused by the rising costs of repairing vehicles or replacing them.

Bart Baker, a longtime insurance broker and Farmers Insurance representative, opined about the projected premium increases.

“Both home and auto insurance have increased a lot.” Baker said. “I believe it will continue. The increases are due to the cost of repairs which has increased with inflation and to attorneys litigating.”

With increased insurance premiums, more drivers will possibly become uninsured, which may also increase premiums, industry commentators have noted.

“We can bring down car insurance rates by increasing the deductible,” Baker noted, adding, “It’s wise for drivers to check how many miles they’re being rated for — if it’s more than you expect to drive in the next 12 months, have it reduced.”

County Planning Commission again delays Santa Ynez YMCA request for expanded hours

Commissioners not satisfied with proposed adaptive management plan, continues item to Nov. 6

By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

Members of the Stuart C. Gildred Family YMCA in Santa Ynez will have to wait a little longer to find out if they’ll be able to use the facility’s exercise room 24/7, while the neighbors who appealed the proposal will have to wait to see if it will be denied.

The Santa Barbara County Planning Commission heard the item, Harwood Appeal of Channel Islands YMCA Alterations to Hours, at its Wednesday, Aug. 26, meeting.

The YMCA had requested an amendment to its Conditional Use Permit that would allow its members to access its excercise room open 24 hours a day, and it was approved by the Planning and Development Department in March 2023.

However, that decision was appealed by neighbors Deanna Harwood and Frank Betts, who live next door to each other on Calle Pico Court and have their backyards

abutting the YMCA parking lot. Harwood and Betts oppose the 24-hour access because of noise and safety concerns, and the fact their would be no staff member on site during late hours.

That item was continued from the commission’s June 26 meeting when Commissioner John Parke, whose District 3 contains the YMCA, requested three conditions for him to approve the proposal. However, in the most recent meeting, one of the conditions, a working adaptive management plan, did not satisfy him.

The YMCA had agreed to Parke’s other two conditions: Keeping the north section of the parking lot, which is right by the back fences of Harwood’s and Betts’ homes, closed until 7 a.m. instead of 5:30 a.m.; and providing a 24-hour phone number to contact a YMCA staff member if neighbors or YMCA members see a problem.

The YMCA also submitted an adaptive management plan chart, as well as a flowchart, but Parke did not find that sufficient.

“I really don’t understand this adaptive plan,” he said. “These plans I suggest are usually an if-then scenario; if something happens, then the county has a chance to modify or fix it.

“In this plan, there are a lot of internal reviews on there, but no steps where the county gets involved. We have ifs, but no

thens. What I don’t want to see is incidents of trespassing and crime and no way to do anything about it.”

Fourth District Planning Commissioner Roy Reed agreed with Parke’s opinions on the AMP.

“In my experience in the medical field, we do things with algorithms, where it says ‘if that happens, you do this,’” Reed said, expanding on Parke’s ‘if-then’ argument. “I see some nice reporting procedures internally, and then you go to emergency protocols and it says they’re ‘to be reviewed’ instead of putting in actual protocols.”

After that, Betts, one of the appellants, had the floor and agreed about the AMP.

“I don’t believe it met the ask,” Betts said about the plan. “It looks to me more like a corporate project; where’s the transparency? How would the Y resolve that?”

Betts also had questions about the other two conditions.

“The phone number we’re supposed to call; is it going to some kind of YMCA call center or someone local?” he said. “Also, the parking lot still hasn’t been roped off until 7. Recently, they had some chemical truck in that area that was doing its work in the early hours, and it was loud.”

Channel Island YMCA Chief Operations Officer Jennifer Heinen-Stiffler addresses the three action items given to the organi-

zation for the proposal. She said the roping off of the parking lot areas will be done, and that the phone numbers will be shown and readily available inside and outside the building.

She also defended the effort on the AMP.

“The YMCA doesn’t have the background you expect from other industrial companies,” Heinen-Stiffler said. “We did our best.”

Parke, along with Reed and fellow Planning Commissioner Michael Cooney agreed that they would not vote to approve the hours expansion unless there was more work done on the AMP, and said they’d be willing to give another continuance so the YMCA could work with county staff on drafting a more effective plan.

Assistant Director of Planning & Development Jeff Wilson suggested a quick break so he could talk to the YMCA representatives and seek a new date to hear the item.

After the break, Wilson said the item could be continued to Oct. 30. However, Cooney said he would not be present on that date, but encouraged the rest of the commission to go forward with the item without him.

Parke said it would be better if the entire commission was able to discuss the item, so Wilson suggested Nov. 6, and a motion was made and unanimously approved for the continuance to that date.

the keynote speech for the CORE Custody Academy Class #17 that included Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Custody Deputies Justin Albicker-Davies, Raymond “Lamar” Dawson, Cedric Garrett, Andrew Reyes, Sara Rodriguez, and Emily Vasquez.

During his keynote speech, Brown encouraged the graduates to guard their careers by living up to the standards and expectations set by the Sheriff’s Office.

“Don’t sacrifice a thousand tomorrows for a few todays, and don’t settle for a little life,” he said. “Live with purpose and for significance.”

The class of recruits completed 260 hours of instruction. Some of the instruction included emergency planning in a custody facility, report writing, ethics, investigation procedures, classification of inmates, contraband detection, arrest and control, physical training, and Direct Supervision training.

Custody Deputy Raymond “Lamar” Dawson earned Class Valedictorian, Custody Deputy Justin Albicker-Davies was presented the Santa Maria Elks Lodge Leadership Award, and Custody Deputy Andrew Reyes was presented the Ron Battles “Most Inspirational” award from the Deputy Sheriff’s Association. If you are interested in career in law enforcement or know someone who is, please visit SBSheriff.org to apply.

Flying Goat Cellars to host “Eqwinery” exhibit and reception

Flying Goat Cellars celebrates polo, rodeo, riding to hounds, and more with the “Eqwinery” exhibit featured at the Tasting Room & Art Salon. A reception will be held on Thursday, Sept. 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. and all are welcome. Proprietor Kate Griffith has been an equestrian since her youth. She combined her passions for equine and wine in the exhibit, including paintings, lithographs, photos, memorabilia, and gear. In particular, lithos from world class equestrian/ sporting artists Henry Koehler (1927-2018) and Sam Savitt (1917-2000) and vintage illustrations from Harper’s Weekly, A Journal of Civilization, are on display.

A focal point of the exhibit is the revered 10goal polo legend “Memo” Gracida and his wife, Meghan, who own the first class La Herradura Polo Club & Equestrian Center located in Santa Ynez Valley. Griffith first met Memo and his 10-goal brother, Carlos, at Rancho Santa Fe Polo Club when they were playing for Ron Bonaguidi’s Hanalei Bay team over 30 years ago. By coincidence, Memo and Griffith have

both ended up in Santa Barbara County. Flying Goat Cellars is now proud to be the MVP sponsor for the La Herradura Polo Club this season.

Also included in the exhibit are Griffith’s godson David Samaniego and his brother Harrison, who achieved success playing collegiate polo on opposite coasts. Women polo players at La Herradura are acknowledged, including Meghan Gracida, Sara Rotman, Gina Padilla, Suzette Yamani and Kylie Sheehan. A “Tribute to Griff” honors Griffith’s beloved father, who turned 90 this summer. William Francis Roelofson Griffith III aka “Griff” was a rodeo rider in the 1950s. The exhibit showcases photos of Griff bareback bronc and bull riding, along with gear from the era.

Flying Goat is a family-owned luxury brand dedicated to producing age-worthy pinot and sparkling wine from Santa Barbara County. Since its earliest vintages, the brand has achieved award-winning status. Winemaker Norm Yost is uniquely known for launching the county’s first traditional méthode champenoise sparkling wine program in 2005. Wine Enthusiast recently named his 2019 Goat Bubbles Ampelos Vineyard “Best Blanc de Noirs.”

Griffith attributes the name “Eqwinery” to USDF gold medal-winning equestrian Catherine Ryan. Flying Goat Cellars Tasting Room is located at 1520 E. Chestnut Court, Unit A, in Lompoc.

SANTA BARBARA

Sansum Diabetes Research Institute earns honors from two charity evaluators

Sansum Diabetes Research Institute (SDRI) proudly announces that it has earned a FourStar rating from Charity Navigator and the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, the highest honors awarded by the nation’s leading independent charity evaluators. These distinctions place SDRI among an elite group of nonprofits, underscoring its unwavering commitment to financial integrity, accountability, and transparency in its mission to improve the lives of people with diabetes.

Charity Navigator’s Four-Star rating is awarded to organizations that demonstrate sound fiscal management and a commitment to accountability and transparency. This top rating, which only a quarter of evaluated nonprofits achieve, reflects SDRI’s diligent stewardship of donor funds and its effectiveness in carrying out its mission.

“We are delighted to provide Sansum Diabetes Research Institute with third-party ac-

creditation that validates their operational excellence,” said Michael Thatcher, president and CEO of Charity Navigator. “The Four-Star Rating is the highest possible rating an organization can achieve. We are eager to see the good work that Sansum Diabetes Research Institute is able to accomplish in the years ahead.”

Similarly, the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid is the highest level of recognition offered by the organization, which evaluates nonprofits on their openness in sharing information with the public. SDRI’s Platinum status, achieved by fewer than 5 percent of all charities evaluated by Candid, underscores the Institute’s dedication to transparency in its operations, governance, and impact reporting.

“Receiving the top ratings from both Charity Navigator and Candid is further validation that our supporters can trust our commitment to good governance and financial health,” said Elizabeth Thompson, CEO of SDRI. “We hope that it will introduce our pioneering research and important work to new supporters who can help us advance our mission to improving the lives of people impacted by diabetes through research, education, and clinical care.”

For over 80 years, SDRI has been at the forefront of diabetes research and care, impacting lives both locally and globally. With these recent accolades, SDRI continues to set the standard for excellence in nonprofit governance and transparency.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Tickets still available for SB Humane Gala 2024 Great Gatsby FurBall on Sept. 6

On Friday, Sept. 6, Santa Barbara Humane will host the SB Humane Gala 2024 Great Gatsby FurBall from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.

This 1920s-themed event aims to raise essential funds to support Santa Barbara Humane’s mission of placing pets into loving homes and providing critical safety-net resources. These include free and low-cost veterinary care, assistance through the pet food pantry, affordable dog training, and more, all designed to keep pets and their families together and reduce the number of animals in shelters.

Guests will be transported back to the Roaring ‘20s with curated signature drinks, hors d’oeuvres, a delectable dinner made from local ingredients, and exciting silent and live auctions. The Academy Band will keep the energy high with live music, inviting everyone to dance the night away.

Proceeds from the Great Gatsby FurBall will directly benefit thousands of dogs, cats, and the people who love them, ensuring that Santa Barbara Humane can continue to provide vital services to our community.

Individual tickets are now available for purchase. For more information or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, please visit sbhumane.org/Gala.

County Behavioral Wellness accepting annual applications for John Kovacs Scholarship Awards

The County of Santa Barbara Department of Behavioral Wellness is announcing the opening of the application period for its annual John Kovacs Scholarship award, designed for persons who identify as having mental health and/or substance use experience, also known as “peers.” This scholarship program was made available through a generous donation from the John Kovacs Revocable Trust which was gifted to Behavioral Wellness. To honor the memory of John Kovacs, the department established a Memorial Scholarship that awards up to two $2,500 scholarships annually.

Applications are due by Sept. 29. The scoring of applications will occur in October with the announcement of 2024 John Kovacs scholarship recipients occurring at the annual peer celebration occurring in the end of November or beginning of December. For Peers interested in applying, the application can be found online and completed here.

Recipients are selected through a committee process as people who embody tenacity, resiliency and overcoming of barriers. Applicants must self-identify in having lived experience in the process of recovery from mental illness, substance use disorder, or both, either as a consumer of these services or as the parent or family member of the consumer. In addition, applicants must show a demonstrated need and explain how these funds will help bridge an important gap, address an unmet need, or make a significant difference in helping to achieve a life-changing goal.

“The generous gift of this funding was a huge surprise; and we are proud to use these funds to further support remarkable journeys of recovery each year,” said Toni Navarro, director for behavioral wellness.

To learn more about County of Santa Barbara Department of Behavioral Wellness, please visithttps://www.countyofsb.org/274/ Behavioral-Wellness. For assistance accessing Behavioral Wellness services, call the 24/7 toll free Crisis Response and Services Access Line at (888) 868-1649.

SPORTS

Defense sets the tone in big

Santa Ynez benefits from six turnovers, blocked punt in 48-0 win over visiting Dos Pueblos

Story and photos by Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

The fans were barely settling in at Rio Memorial Field for the 2024 high-school football opener on Aug. 30 between Santa Ynez High and Dos Pueblos High when the visiting Chargers fumbled away the ball on the first play from scrimmage. The Pirates took advantage with a touchdown two plays later.

That first play by DPHS set the tone for the evening as a dominant SYHS defense forced six turnovers, most of them in Chargers territory, and also blocked a punt. The offense was able to turn most of those turnovers into points as the Pirates romped to a 48-0 victory.

“It starts and ends with the way the defense played,” Pirates head coach Josh McClurg said after the game. “I knew we had a veteran defense coming in, and they just set the tone all night.”

And according to the coach, it was a

true group effort.

“You couldn’t say there was just one or two guys making all the plays; there were so many on defense that contributed tonight,” McClurg said. “Our goal was to put three or four guys on the ball on every play. We knew we had to stop #13 [Dos Pueblos standout running back Kaleb Williams, who actually finished with 90 rushing yards], and he’s a dog, he really good.

But, I’ll tell you what, the Santa Ynez defense showed up to play tonight.”

In the first quarter, the offensive possessions for Dos Pueblos ended with, in order, a fumble, a blocked punt, and two interceptions.

The SYHS offense converted each of those opportunities into points in building a 24-0 first-quarter lead.

Overall, the SYHS defense had four interceptions — one each by Diego Pulido, Ryder McClurg, Max Andrade, and Luca Clifton — and recovered two fumbles (Pulido, and Asa Radelfinger got credit for those). To top it off, Thomas Brous got credit for the blocked punt, with Clifton recovering the the ball inside DPHS’s 10-yard-line.

When the Chargers did have the ball, the Pirates made sure to shut them down as DPHS could muster only 112 yards of offense on the night.

The SYHS offense, meanwhile was able to take advantage of the favorable field position given to them by the defense. A squad that lost last year’s leading rusher (Dallas DeForest) and receiver (Daulton Beard) to graduation used a very balanced rushing attack to move the ball.

“What we tend to do is see what a team is giving us, and we take it,” McClurg said. “We take away what [our opponents] want to do and make them do something else. We did that tonight.”

The Pirates had 241 yards rushing on the night, with running backs Austin Willis (60 yards) and Greyson Foy (52), and quarterback Jude Pritchard (53) getting the lion’s share of the yards. Meanwhile, Griffin Bruner made the most of his five carries (for 12 yards), finding the end zone on three of them. Austin Boucher and Levi Snow also had rushing TDs for Santa Ynez.

In celebrating the win after the game, Bruner remarked, “hey, I owe it all to the [offensive] line.” So, a tip of the cap to Alex Thompson, Seb Perez, Joey Duarte, Leonardo Castillo, Leonel Castillo, and Davis Gandolfo, who opened holes for the rushers, and gave Pritchard plenty of time in the pocket when he did pass.

With the rushing attack so strong, Pritchard

the second-year starter at quarterback in his junior year, didn’t get a lot of opportunities to pass, completing 8-of-14 for 74 yards, though he did complete a touchdown pass to Pulido in the second quarter to give the Pirates a 34-point lead at halftime.

That TD was an example of Pritchard’s continuing development at the quarterback position, according to Coach McClurg.

“On that touchdown pass, Jude called an audible,” McClurg, referring to a play change on the field. “He saw their cornerback in a vulnerable position and called for that pass to Diego. That wasn’t supposed to happen originally, but Jude made that call, and he was right.”

That scoring play was also part of an outstanding overall game for Pulido, the kicker/ receiver/defensive back: In addition to the TD reception, he converted on all six of the Santa Ynez PATs, and kicked two field goals for 18 points on the night. He also had the interception and fumble recovery on defense.

With a 1-0 record, the Pirates played Lompoc at home last Friday night, Aug. 30 (see santaynezvalleystar.com for the result). The team will play their first road game, against San Marcos in Santa Barbara, this Friday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m., and return home Sept. 13 for the Homecoming game against Mission Prep.

Santa Ynez girls volleyball off to quick start in pre-league season

Girls tennis and girls golf also kicking off fall campaigns

By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

Bringing back nearly all of their players from last season, the Santa Ynez High School girls volleyball has gotten off to a strong start for their 2024 campaign.

On Wednesday, Aug. 28, the Lady Pirates won a non-league contest against visiting Ventura Buena of the CIF Southern Section, taking a three-game sweep by the scores of 25-14, 2510, and 25-15.

The win raised SYHS’s record to 5-2, with all five of their victories coming in sweeps. The team’s only losses came during the Cardinal Classic Tournament as Bishop Diego High in Santa Barbara to Capistrano Valley Christian and Newbury Park, both Southern Section schools.

In the win over Buena, senior Callin Glover led the Pirates with seven kills, while sophomore Ivy Moyer and freshman Scarlet Ollenburger had five apiece.

Earlier in the month, Aug. 22 to be exact, SYHS beat visiting Nipomo 25-13, 25-9, 2513. It was before that match that head coach Amelia Brown expressed how much she looked forward to having a team with familiar faces.

“Last year was a rebuilding year for us,” Brown said of the 2023 team that finished 1720 overall, but made it to the second round of the CIF Central Section Division 3 playoffs. “This year we lost only one player, and it’s been great. We’re really playing like a unit.”

In addition to Glover and Ollenburger, Brown is looking to players like juniors Natalie Bailey and Haley Spry to lead the team this year.

Brown also pointed out junior Emma Johnson as one of her top players. However, during the Nipomo match, Johnson suffered an unspecified leg injury when she landed wrong after a spike attempt. It’s still unclear how much time she’ll miss.

The Lady Pirates will compete in the Mountain League this year, along with Arroyo Grande, Mission Prep, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, and Templeton.

SYHS will be back in action Tuesday, Sept. 3, at Atascadero. Its next home match will be next Thursday, Sept. 12, against Righetti, and league play will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at SLO.

Head coach Jennifer Rasmussen admits that her squad is in a formidable league, the Mountain, along with Arroyo Grande, Lompoc, St. Joseph, and San Luis Obispo.

“There are some tough teams in our league when we reach that part of the schedule,” she said. “I think Arroyo Grande and SLO will continue to be great teams. We’ll keep working on getting our ratings up and prepare for CIF play in our division.”

Rasmussen said she’s looking at players like Withrow, Mazza, and O’Shaughnessy to be team leaders, and also had praise for Townes, who was slotted at No. 2 singles even though she’s a freshman.

Santa Ynez will take part in the California Tennis Classic in Clovis this weekend (Sept. 6-7) in Clovis, and return to the Santa Ynez courts next Tuesday, Sept. 10, against Clovis West.

Santa Ynez girls golf hosts Pirate Invitational

On Monday, Aug. 26, the Santa Ynez girls golf team hosted the 25th Annual Pirate Invitational at the Alisal River Course (par 72). The event had 68 participants representing 17 different high schools from both the Central and Southern CIF sections.

The tournament format was a two-person best ball tournament, the low score between the two players on each hole counting toward the team score.

Girls tennis beats Templeton after hosting trio from NorCal

The Santa Ynez High girls tennis team has also gotten things rolling on their season. The Lady Pirates stand at 2-2 after a 9-0 win over Templeton on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

All the SYHS singles player won rather handily. Both No. 1 singles Keegan Withrow and No. 2 singles Haley Townes won by 6-2, 6-1 scores, while No. 3 Kate Mazza didn’t give up a game, winning 6-0, 6-0. Other singles win were by Natalie O’Shaughnessy (6-1, 6-0) at No. 4, Danielle Hyland (6-0, 6-1) at No. 5, and Skyla Oslin (6-4, 6-0) at No. 6.

In doubles play, the top four singles players for the Lady Pirates paired off, with Withrow/ Townes winning 8-1, and Mazza/O’Shaughnessy taking their match by the same score. The

third singles match saw Rylee Arellano and Violet Quinney win their match 8-6.

Before that, Santa Ynez hosted a trio of teams from Northern California on the campus courts. On Aug. 22, the Lady Pirates defeated a tough Oak Ridge team from El Dorado Hills 6-3. Townes, Mazza, Hyland, and Quinny took singles wins, while Withrow/Townes and Mazza/O’Shaugnessy got SYHS two wins out of the three doubles matches.

The Lady Pirates followed that up with defeats to Chico (7-2) on Friday, Aug. 23, and Rocklin (5-4) the next day.

Hyland got a singles win (6-1, 6-4) against Chico at No. 5, while Arellano and Quinney won 8-1 for SYHS’s only doubles point. Against Rocklin, Mazza, O’Shaughnessy, and Hyland got singles wins, while Mazza and Hyland got the Lady Pirates only doubles wins.

“The first Pirate Invitational was held in 1999 and we are proud to have made this fun early-season 18-hole tournament such a long-standing tradition for our Central Coast high schools to participate in,” Santa Ynez head coach Sara Ovadia said.

Gigi Gunasayan and Maya London of Arroyo Grande earned first-place honors with a team score of 69. Cece Lewis and Emma Dodson, also of Arroyo Grande, had a 71, the same score as Sunny Wang and Alesia Barry of Oaks Christian, but the AG duo earned second place on the tiebreaker, which was the lower score on the back nine.

Nina Xu and Joanna Hong of Oak Park finished fourth at 72, and Our award winners today are copied below. Please note the notation c/o denotes a back 9 card off to break ties. Meaning the lower score on the back 9 between the teams or individuals tied won the card off.

The girls golf team will next see action Wednesday, Sept. 4, with a dual match against San Marcos on the Alisal River Course.

Santa Ynez High girls volleyball player Callin Glover delivers a serve during the Lady Pirates’ match against Nipomo on Aug. 22.

The Santa Ynez High girls volleyball team celebrates after clinching the first set against Nipomo on Aug. 22.

Photos by Mike Chaldu

Santa Ynez High girls volleyball player Ivy Moyer gets ready to deliver a spike in the match against Nipomo. The Lady Pirates beat the Titans in three sets in the Aug. 22 match.

Keegan Withrow currently holds the No. 1 singles slot for the Santa Ynez High girls tennis team, which has started the season at 2-2.

ARTS & NONPROFITS

The Vikings of Solvang support Lompoc school district students with special needs

Organization donates four Pumper Cars, mobility devices that provide kids of all abilities a fun way to exercise

The Vikings of Solvang donated four Pumper Cars to support students with special needs in the Lompoc Unified School District. Pumper Cars are innovative mobility devices that promote inclusion and provide children of nearly all abilities with a fun and vigorous way to exercise.

The donation request was made by Clint Ellison, an adapted physical education teacher serving eight elementary schools in the Lompoc Unified School District. Clint delivers tailored physical education programs specifically designed for students with special needs.

“I am extremely grateful for what the Vikings of Solvang did to help our students,” Ellison said. “The students really enjoy using the Pumper Cars. In fact, much of the time it is difficult to get them out of the cars.”

The Pumper Car is a specialized mobility device designed for children, particularly those with therapeutic and health-related needs. Renowned for its effectiveness, the Pumper Car is an excellent solution for children who are

unable to exercise in traditional ways. It promotes focused exercise, improves coordination, and strengthens muscles, all while offering a variety of activities that enhance fitness, handeye coordination, spatial awareness, social skills, and language development.

Ellison continued, “It was great to have several members of the Vikings come out and witness my students using them. Thank you again, Vikings of Solvang.”

The Vikings of Solvang is a social and philanthropic organization committed to advancing the well-being of Santa Barbara County citizens through medical assistance and volunteerism. A donation of $2,106 was made by the Vikings of Solvang to fund four Pumper Cars for students with special needs in the Lompoc Unified School District. By addressing the medical needs of individuals and supporting healthcare organizations, the Vikings strive to uplift the community. Since its founding in 1974, the Vikings of Solvang has provided over $3 million in medical aid. With members covering all operating costs, every dollar donated goes directly to helping those in need.

For more information, to apply for a grant, or to donate to the endowment fund, please visit vikingsofsolvang.org or email info@ vikingsofsolvang.org.

Staff Report

Members of the Vikings of Solvang and Lompoc Unified School District teachers and students welcome the donation of four Pumper Cars to the district. Photos Courtesy of the Vikings of Solvang

Solvang Theaterfest announces four new board members

Seltzer, Green, Conner, and Keese expected to bring wealth of experience and expertise to panel Staff Report

Solvang Theaterfest has announced the appointment of four distinguished individuals to its Board of Directors: Dr. David Seltzer, Harvey Green, Don Conner, and Bill Keese. Each brings a wealth of experience and expertise that will contribute to the continued growth and success of Solvang Theaterfest, ensuring its mission to enrich the cultural landscape of the Santa Ynez Valley.

Dr. David Seltzer

Seltzer is a retired head and neck surgeon with a long and distinguished medical career spanning Los Angeles and Solvang. With decades of service, including as chief of surgery at Santa Ynez Cottage Hospital, Seltzer was honored as Physician of the Year. Since retiring, he has remained an active member of the community through organizations like the Vikings of Solvang and the Valley Clean Team. A resident of Santa Ynez since 2007, Seltzer brings his deep commitment to public service and community involvement to the Theaterfest board.

Harvey Green

Green is a seasoned educator with over 35 years of experience at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, where he chaired the Social Studies Department and taught Advanced Placement courses. He has also played pivotal roles in various educational initiatives at UCSB, focusing on writing and technology integration. Beyond education, Green has served on several boards, including the River’s Edge Estates Homeowners Association and Manzanita Pub-

lic Charter School. His dedication to the community and passion for education make him a valuable addition to the Theaterfest board.

Don Conner

Conner is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of corporate and consulting experience across multiple industries, including real estate development, construction, and hospitality. A graduate of USC’s Marshall School of Business, Conner has held key positions at major corporations like the Atlantic Richfield Company and the Walt Disney Company. He is currently the owner of two successful hospitality businesses in the Santa Ynez area. Conner’s strategic planning and financial expertise will be instrumental in guiding Solvang Theaterfest through future growth and innovation.

Bill Keese

Keese is a senior software executive with global leadership experience in acquisitions, enterprise software development, and SaaS environments. As the former senior vice president of research & development at QAD Inc., he led strategic product direction and global expansion efforts, contributing to the company’s significant growth. With a background in business systems and programming, Keese has also held senior roles at Hughes Aircraft Company and Raytheon. Keese has lived in the Santa Ynez Valley for 39 years and is a graduate of Cali-

fornia Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, with a degree in business administration and a concentration in management information systems. His technological expertise and experience in scaling operations will be a key asset to the board.

About Solvang Theaterfest

Solvang Theaterfest is a cherished cultural hub in the Santa Ynez Valley, dedicated to providing world-class entertainment and enriching the community through the performing arts. Established to promote and sustain live performances, the Theaterfest brings a diverse array of events, from concerts to theater productions, fostering a vibrant arts scene in the region.

Fall Season Highlights

This fall, Solvang Theaterfest presents an exciting lineup, beginning with the Eli Young Band on Sept. 10, followed by “An Evening with Kevin Nealon” on Sept. 18. On Oct. 5, the inaugural TheaterFestival will feature a full-day street festival followed by a special screening of the family musical “Wonka.” The season concludes on Nov. 3 with a special concert featuring “KT Tunstall and Shawn Colvin Together Onstage,” promising an unforgettable experience for all attendees.

For more information about Solvang Theaterfest, visit www.solvangtheaterfest.org, or call (805) 686-1789.

DAVID SELTZER

DON CONNOR HARVEY GREEN

BILL KEESE

California Nature Art Museum announces new exhibit ‘A Deeper Love: New Paintings Inspired by Coral Reefs’

Husband-and-wife team showing artwork showcasing natural beauty found just beneath the water’s surface

Staff Report

The staff and board of directors of the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum) are pleased to announce its forthcoming exhibition, “A Deeper Love: New Paintings Inspired by Coral Reefs,” coming Sept. 14, with largescale artwork by artists David Gallup and Nansi Bielanski Gallup.

“A Deeper Love” will offer an artistic examination into some of the ocean’s most vibrant, ecologically productive, and fragile landscapes throughout the world. In addition to the intrinsic beauty of coral reefs and the equally breathtaking underwater communities that they support, it is important to note that coral reefs also have a powerful impact on human existence. In fact, it is estimated that up to 1 billion people currently rely on tropical coral reefs as their primary or sole source of food and income. Many of these reef-reliant peoples are among the world’s poorest and suffer disproportionately from the effects of climate degradation primarily inflicted by industrialized nations.

the beauty and importance of coral reefs and their need for protection.

“While it may be easy for most people to walk outside and appreciate experiencing nature in the hills, forests, or meadows where they live, it is much harder to visit a coral reef 50 feet below the surface of the ocean at the edge of civilization,” the Gallups said. “By sharing what we’ve seen, what we’ve learned, and what has inspired us, we hope to make the world’s coral reefs a little more present in the hearts and minds of our community. We humans protect what we love. We hope this show will help us all fall in love with the beauty of our coral reefs a little more, so we’re more likely to protect them for future generations.”

For the sake of all life on our Blue Planet, it is clear that we must know, love, and steward coral reefs and other seascapes. The Gallups are motivated by these challenges, working collaboratively and individually as artists to highlight

“David and Nansi’s work feels important to highlight at the museum because beyond the striking beauty of it, their work so plainly communicates the complexity of life that reef ecosystems support and protect,” said California Nature Art Museum Assistant Director Rachel Metz. “From our first introduction to the Gallups, it was clear to us that the stories and moments they are sharing — glimmers of healthy, high-biodiversity, thriving marine ecosystems — ought to hold space here, as we all continue our collective efforts to promote healthier oceans and cleaner coasts. While primarily depicting seascapes and species not found off the coast of California, our planet is made up of mostly water, and the connectedness of our oceans serve as a powerful reminder of the ecological crises facing them, which negative impacts are not removed from any of us.”

Coral reefs are very sensitive to changes in ocean conditions and have been documented to be in decline dating as far back as the 1950s. Infectious diseases, warming temperatures, ocean acidification, overfishing, certain types of sunscreens, and water runoff contaminated with pollutants can contribute to the decimation of coral reefs.

“David and Nansi have produced a body of

work deserving of a distinguished place in art history. On the surface their paintings make you feel you are in the tropics, inducted into complicated parades of life and color. There, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, we find organisms at their most active,” says accomplished artist Hiro Yamagata.

Yamagata is a renowned painter and artist, based in Los Angeles, and the former colleague and mentor of David Gallup. As a silkscreen artist, Yamagata is recognized for his use of vivid colors in his pieces and is widely considered a pioneer in the medium. Yamagata is also known for his use of laser and hologram technology in his works.

Yamagata continues, “Look deeper and you see that these painting ideas convert the challenges facing our oceans into glorious and joyful celebrations of what we have, and what is at stake. By focusing their profound talents on coral reefs, they shine a light on a world many will never see in person. Their paintings are magnificent essential images of our Blue Planet.”

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.

This painting, “Fiji Shark Diver (Nansi’s Dive),” by Nansi Bielanski Gallup. Photo Courtesy of CNAM

Events being planned for 87th annual Solvang Danish Days

Parade, æbleskiver eating, axe throwing, Lego building, and more on tap during three-day festival Sept. 20-22

Solvang Danish Days (www. SolvangDanishDays.org), the city’s annual Danish heritage festival, returns with a three-day event weekend lineup Friday through Sunday, Sept. 20-22. The 2024 Solvang Danish Days theme — “Det Dansk, Det Dejligt” (“It’s Danish, it’s delightful!”) — will be celebrated during this year’s event, which honors the 1911 establishment of Solvang by DanishAmericans.

The 2024 edition of Solvang Danish Days will once again offer attendees a Danish immersion experience — without the flight to Europe — while helping to preserve Solvang’s authentic Danish heritage. Danish Days guests looking to “live like Vikings” throughout the event weekend have the opportunity to purchase a “Dane For A Day” VIP ticket bundle (only available online), while those looking to gain quicker entrance to the Saturday and/or Sunday Æbleskiver Breakfasts may purchase online tickets for the Breakfasts in advance. Both are currently for sale.

After its 86 previous annual celebrations, Solvang Danish Days continues to mix “old country charm and customs” with a more modern “way of life” through its varied activi-

Staff Report

ties that blend nods to Danish-American traditions with present-day festival staples, while still showcasing everything Danish.

The weekend’s varied offerings include activities for all ages ranging from fan-favorite food events surrounding æbleskiver, the iconic Danish pastry rounds; to a Danish-style beer and wine garden serving the Danish import, Carlsberg beer, alongside local brews, wines, and festival eats; to an axe throwing arena; interactive history lessons at the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art; story time sessions with Hans Christian Andersen; to a guided Solvang Food Tour; and an Old World artisanal crafts marketplace.

Solvang Danish Days boasts plentiful free entertainment with three parades, Danish folk dancers and musicians performing at locations all over town, plus afternoons and evenings of free, live concerts on the Midgaard Pavilion Stage in the middle of downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Viking Beer & Wine Garden. Solvang Danish Days 2024 will, once again, also offer family-friendly pass-times including the popular, and shaded, Lego tent in Solvang Park, and an expanded Kid’s Korner with face painting, activities, and games.

Returning to this year’s event: The two-

day Solvang Danish Days LEGO Building Competition. Onlookers may watch the creative process as three of California’s top brick builders compete against each other with their own, supersized takes on three of Solvang’s prized windmills. Builders will be located in Solvang Park; competition runs Saturday and early Sunday.

Also returning to Solvang Danish Days is the pastry-fueled, all-ages Aebleskiver Eating Contest, which will take place on both Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 a.m., crowning a 2024 victor able to consume the highest count of aebleskiver in just five minutes, all hands-free.

Since the 1960s, Solvang Danish Days has been presided over by each year’s Danish Maid, a tradition that remains an honorable accomplishment for each of the Maids appointed by the Danish Days Foundation Board members to become a specific year’s Danish Days “royalty.” The 2024 Danish Maid is 16-year-old Kaeley Reid, a Solvang resident whose Danish roots stem from her maternal grandfather, Hans “Farfar” Birkholm (1946-2019), who was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. Hans moved to Solvang with his family in 1957 where he met his future wife, Kaeley’s grandmother, Denise “Nisie” Birkholm (1951-2018). Hans and

Denise raised three children in Solvang, including Kaeley’s mother, Karine Birkholm-Reid, who was the 1998 Danish Days Maid.

“As this year’s Danish Maid, I can’t wait to represent Solvang and present our Danish history and culture to both locals and visitors, some of which travel from all over the world to join in our annual Danish Days festivities,” Kaeley said. “I am happy to give back to the community I hold so dear and most importantly, I will be honoring the memory of my grandparents, who left me too soon. I know they will be smiling down on me.”

Solvang Danish Days 2024 is sponsored in part by the City of Solvang, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Visit the Santa Ynez Valley, the Red Viking Restaurant and Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery. Additional sponsors will be announced as the event weekend approaches.

The preliminary 2024 Solvang Danish Days event weekend schedule will be available online at www.SolvangDanishDays.org. More information about Solvang Danish Days including a brief history of the event, parade applications and complete contact information, is also available at the site. You can also find info on Facebook and Instagram at facebook. com/SolvangDanishDays and @DanishDays.

The Solvang Village Band plays on the Carlsberg Pilsner wagon during last year’s Danish Days Parade. This year’s Danish Days Parade will be on Saturday, Sept. 21. Star file photos

Danish dancers perform on Copenhagen Drive during last year’s Solvang Danish Days. This year’s Danish Days will be from Sept. 20-22.

Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program celebrates healing through horses

Program will host 14th annual Cowboy Ball At Foxen Canyon Ranch on Sept. 21 Staff Report

TA member of the Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program shows apprecation to one of the horses during a recent session. The 14th annual Cowboy Ball at Foxen Canyon Ranch this month will raise money for the program. Contributed Photo

for the first time after his first ride here. Another child spoke her first words on horseback. There are tons of physical and cognitive benefits of riding, and the powerful confidence booster it provides cannot be ignored.”

Chumash Indians, the Wedmore Family, Mechanics Bank, Coast Hills Credit Union, Community Bank of Santa Maria, Jose Villa Photography, Lieff Ranch, and 105.9 KRAZy Country.

Program Director Kim Dotzler has been involved with SYVTRP for almost 20 years.

“Year after year, I witness our horses’ profound impact on our participants,” she said.

“One little boy could sleep through the night

he Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program will host its annual Cowboy Ball fundraising event on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 5 p.m. at Foxen Canyon Ranch. The event will feature a top sirloin dinner by Chef Brett Stephen, local wine from Sunstone Winery, beers from Figueroa Mountain Brew Co., live music by Just Dave Band, parking by Zaca Mesa, and a shuttle service by Wine Country Tours. Final day to purchase tickets is Thursday, Sept. 5. The funds raised at the Cowboy Ball support the Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program by providing scholarships, maintaining the herd, and ensuring smooth facility operation. The program serves individuals of all ages and varying abilities, including those with cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, autism, Down syndrome, and more.

The program is deeply grateful to acknowledge Mark Herthel at the Cowboy Ball this year. Mark is a dedicated community leader and philanthropist who has profoundly impacted the Santa Ynez Valley. As part owner of Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center and the co-founder and former CEO of Platinum Performance, he generously provided supplements to the program’s herd at no cost, significantly contributing to their excellent health and longevity. The horses, ages 17-31, are thriving thanks to his support.

The event also offers sponsorship opportunities, and the SYVTRP is grateful to its current sponsors: Wood-Claeyssens Foundation, Foxen Canyon Ranch, Montecito Bank and Trust, Charlotte’s Santa Ynez, Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center, Rio Vista Chevrolet, Santa Ynez Band of

Tickets for the Cowboy Ball event are $150 and include wine, local beers, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and lots of fun. For tickets and event details, visit www.syvtherapeuticriding.org/ events. For more information, contact Jillian Knight at jillian@syvtherapeuticriding.org.

About Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program

Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program serves northern Santa Barbara County and is a PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) Intl. premier accredited center that partners with horses to provide equine-assisted services for children and adults with physical, learning, social, behavioral and emotional challenges — regardless of their ability to pay. More than 50 students attend the riding program each week.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Celebrates Latino Conservation Week

From Sept. 14 to Sept. 22, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden will host a series of bilingual events to celebrate Latino Conservation Week. These events invite the Latino community and others to engage in outdoor activities that promote the preservation of our natural resources. Latino Conservation Week, initiated by the Hispanic Access Foundation in 2014, honors the vital contributions of the Latino community to conservation and environmental stewardship while expanding opportunities for outdoor engagement.

Event Highlights:

• Native Plant Bike Tour: A free

6.5-mile bike tour through downtown Santa Barbara, led by Gardener Lead Abraham Lizama, in collaboration with Boom Boom Bike Room. The tour will showcase native plants in key locations such as Oak Park, Alice Keck, and Chase Palm Park, ending at Night Lizard Brewing Company. Open to all riders, this leisurely ride is accessible and friendly for all abilities.

• CNPLC Program Open House:

A bilingual open house on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., introducing the California Native Plant Landscape Certification (CNPLC) program. Spanish-speaking landscapers can connect with professionals and learn about the program and its resources. The event is free and open to all landscapers interested in native plants.

• GECI Conservation Talk: On

Thursday, Sept. 19, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Luciana Luna-Mendoza, Ph.D., Director of Ecology at Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas (GECI) in Ensenada, Mexico, will host an online Zoom lecture. The talk will focus on the vegetation recovery of Guadalupe Island, highlighting its shared history with the Channel Islands. Registration is required.

• Bilingual Docent Tours: Bilingual guided tours led by Spanish-speaking guides will be offered on Sept. 14, 16, and 22 from 10 to 11 a.m. These tours, led by the Garden’s Horticultural Educator Alejandro Lemus and Lead Gardener Abraham Lizama, are free with Garden admission but require registration.

• Story Walk with Santa Barbara Public Library: A bilingual story walk featuring “It Is (Not) Perfect” by Anna Kang will be available in the Garden’s Backcountry Section

from Sept. 14 to Sept. 21. Admission to the Garden is required to participate.

While most events are free, some require Garden admission. To ensure accessibility, the Garden offers several programs to reduce or eliminate fees. Through the partnership with Museums for All, Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cardholders and their families can enjoy discounted admission at $3 per person or purchase a $20 annual membership. Additionally, families can ‘check out’ a one-week Garden membership using any Santa Barbara Public Library card, allowing admission for two adults and children under 18.

Reservations and Details:

Please note that some events have limited space and may require reservations. For more information on registration and event details, visit the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden’s website.

STAR LIFESTYLE

Some simple exercises can keep the blood circulating

By Dr. Hyun K. Lee

We all know that daily exercise is very important to maintaining good health. But sometimes getting to it can be a painful experience, due to injury, advanced age, painful joints, and stiffness. But that should not deter us from doing something to help our circulatory system.

By Sue Manning

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. Elna’s is a merging of fashion, quality, and versatility.

I take my clue from current trends, putting the freshness of street wear with sophisticated

Every little bit helps. Let’s look to Mother Nature.

Trees, for example, have an amazing life system. When the breeze or wind blows and their leaves rustle and move, this activates a “pump”-like circulation system within them, bringing water from its deep roots to the very tips of each leaf. Without this shaking, the tree’s nourishment could not ascend the tree and supply all its areas with what is needed.

Your body works in much the same fashion, only upside down. Your head is like the root system and your feet are like the leaves. The movement of your feet through daily activity and exercise acts like the wind through the leaves and branches of a tree, pumping blood throughout the full length of your body.

As the rule goes, what goes up must come down, but as you age, it becomes more difficult for the body to pull the blood back up.

This is the main reason for circulatory issues, swelling, and varicose veins. More energy is needed to pull the blood back up and, for most people, they see a decline in energy as the years roll by.

Happily, there are some movements you can do that will be helpful to your circulatory system. They are easy for those who cannot exercise easily due to injury, advanced age, etc. Along the back of the leg above the ankle runs a set of muscles that, when massaged, act as a circulatory exercise for the body.

Lying down on a bed or flat surface, place a round bar, yoga foam roller, or glass bottle (old wine bottle for example) under the back of your leg, several inches above the ankle. Move your legs up and down, tapping and massaging this area on the bottle. Doing so for about 5 to 10 minutes a day is a great way to give your circulation a boost. It helps the heart and gets

the blood flowing. It is also a very simple task to work into a nightly pre-bedtime routine. Also stretching your ankles by pointing your toes like a ballet dancer, and then bringing them back up as far as you can stretching the ankle muscles is very good for circulation. Or you can try pretending to ride a bicycle while laying down, pumping your legs as you would do if you were riding a bicycle. Even doing this for a short time can help with your circulation.

Keeping your blood circulating is most important. And don’t forget to get up from your laying or sitting position to walk. Even for just a few steps, up and down your room, can keep the blood flowing.

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

Fall is coming! Feel free to mix and match

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 and 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 by and you’ll be sure to find something that suits you. 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.

Elna’s Dress Shop is located at 1675 Copenhagen Drive in the heart of Solvang. We are open Mondays, closed on Tuesdays, open Wednesdays Thru Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you need to call us, our phone number is: (805) 688-4525. Our fabulous $5, $10, $15 once-ayear 3-Day Danish Days Sale takes place Sept. 15-17. It is the sale that everyone waits for. Don’t miss out — mark you calendars for it now. The racks are in the back and the savings are fantastic. I look forward to seeing you.

Elna’s Dress Shop in Solvang proudly carries the Jess & Jane clothing line, as well as other kinds of apparel. Star file photo

GOOD MEDICINE

FASHION CHATTER

Labor Day is not just the last hoorah for summer

HOLIDAY HISTORY

By John Copeland

A hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life depend on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving.

— Albert Einstein

Can you believe it’s September? You may have noticed some of the changes that are going on around us. The early sunrises of summer are gone. The days are growing shorter. Evenings have a dash of coolness in them that wasn’t there a few weeks ago. School is already back in session for many. For many of us, our summer vacations are just a pleasant memory and fall lurks just around the corner.

September (Septem) was the seventh month of the ancient Roman calendar. Before Julius Caesar and Siogenes reformed it. The Roman year began in March, which is why September was the seventh month. Caesar’s calendar reform moved September to the ninth month. Through the ages the old name remained, revealing just how much humans are creatures of habit.

Monday, Sept. 2, is Labor Day and for most of us, the last hoorah for summer. It is a somewhat misunderstood and under appreciated holiday. When I was a youngster, I was too concerned that Labor Day meant that school was about to start to care about the meaning or even the name of the holiday.

Why is it called Labor Day? Monday is the day set aside to honor the American worker. As a holiday, Labor Day is 142 years old. I’ll bet many of you may be a bit hazy about how it even became an American holiday. Would you be surprised to learn that this holiday originated in Canada?

Labor Day grew out of railroad labor disputes in Canada and the Eight-Hour Movement of the 19th century. Both movements

advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest. In the 1870s, Canada’s Parliament passed the Trade Union Act, which legalized and protected labor unions in Canada and led to an annual labor celebration in Canada.

The two men who receive most of the credit for the origin of Labor Day in America are Peter J. McGuire and Matthew Maguire. They were active unionists, lived in New Jersey and campaigned for the eight-hour workday. Peter McGuire is credited for coming up with the idea of Labor Day in America, while Matt Maguire is credited for making the idea a reality.

In the 1880s, Peter McGuire was in Toronto for a Labor Day celebration. Inspired by the Canadians, Peter introduced a resolution at a Central Labor Union meeting calling for a street parade of workers on the first Monday in September. According to the New Jersey Historical Society, it was Matthew Maguire, secretary and one of the leaders of the Central Labor Union, who sent out announcements of the parade and invitations to attendees, and even rode in the carriage leading the parade.

But, it doesn’t really matter whose idea it was. What is important to remember, is on that day on a Monday in 1882, 20,000 workers paraded up Broadway carrying banners that

read “Labor Creates All Wealth,” and “Eight Hours for Work; Eight hours for Rest; Eight Hours for Recreation!” The parade was not a demonstration — it was a celebration. There were picnics and fireworks in the evening. It was also an idea that quickly captured the interest of the nation, spreading from coast to coast. Many states legislated their own Labor Day holiday, years before it became a federal holiday.

In 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day nationwide. Since 1894, both the United States and Canada have celebrated their Labor Day holidays on the same day.

Labor Day differs from our other holidays of the year. Many holidays are connected with religions, commemorating the end of wars, or a significant person in history. Labor Day is devoted to, and honors all workers, blue collar, white collar and no collar.

And even though the American work force has changed dramatically since the industrial revolution, many of us still work more hours and take less vacation than our counterparts in other nations. We all desire a good standard of living. Part of the promise of America is that with hard work you can build a better life for you and your family. These days that promise does not feel quite as assured as in the past.

Take a moment to reflect on the American workers who came before us, to build railways, roads, infrastructure, and more. The lifeblood of America has always been its workforce, the people. We should never forget that it has been American labor that helped create the highest standard of living and the greatest production capacity the world has ever known and has helped bring us closer to the realization of our ideals of democracy.

It is not unusual to be impressed by the sight of the architectural landscape of a modern city, or a magnificent bridge, or the technical wonder of a jetliner in flight. But how often do you think about the hardworking people who built these and all of the supporting infrastructure around us?

It often seems that America observes Labor Day weekend with mattress sales, picnics, and barbecues. Labor Day, admittedly, is not the sexiest holiday: There are no fireworks, turkeys to cook, or chocolate-covered bunnies to bite the ears off. Just one Monday off for all the ordinary men and women trying to make ends meet; raising 2.3 kids, trying to save for the down payment of a home, while paying off their credit cards and student debt. Thank you to all hard working Americans for building our country and for keeping the wheels turning and the lights on.

FOOD & DRINK

Chumash Casino Resort unveils

The Sports Bar At Chumash

New third-floor establishment offers variety of beverages, food options, and 20-plus TVs to watch games

The Chumash Casino Resort has unveiled its highly anticipated new third-floor food and beverage experience, The Sports Bar at Chumash. The venue features an expansive wraparound bar with built-in countertop gaming units, marketplace-style food stalls offering a wide variety of food options, over 20 TV screens and two state-of-the-art LED walls showing the day’s top games.

“Our tribe is proud to offer this brand-new sports bar experience, which is unlike any other in the Santa Ynez Valley,” said Kenneth Kahn, tribal chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. “Our food and beverage

team set out to create a comfortable, sportsdriven atmosphere where guests can watch a game while enjoying great food and drinks with friends. We think this will be the place to watch all popular sporting events.”

The full-service, seated dining and bar experience features six eateries, including Bok Bok’s (chicken), Cali Rolls (sushi), Lucky Buns (burgers and sandwiches), Let’s Noodle (ramen and pho), Lovin’ Tacos, and The Sweet Spot (desserts). Behind the bar, there are over 20 beers on draft, including local craft favorites, domestic and imported brews, as well as Valley Fog, the tribe’s own hazy blonde ale. Also behind the bar is the tribe’s Chumash Casino Resort house bourbon, part of a partnership with the Woodford Reserve distillery in Kentucky.

The Sports Bar is open daily from 12 p.m. to

1 a.m. To view complete food and drink menus, visit chumashcasino.com/dining/the-sportsbar.

When dining in with your CLUB Card at The Sports Bar, members of THE CLUB also enjoy full membership benefits, including points on purchase, Reward Points redemptions, comp redemptions, and room charges. Simply present your CLUB Card to your server to earn and redeem benefits.

The Sports Bar experience is also connected to U PLAY Sports, the Chumash Casino Resort’s free-to-play sports picking challenge that’s available online, which allows you to pick your favorite teams with chances to win Slot Free Play, while watching the games live on any of the space’s 20-plus TVs. Throughout the year, U PLAY Sports features challenges based on

professional and collegiate basketball, football and baseball, horse racing and more. Just in time for the highly anticipated NFL season, U PLAY Sports will feature its Pro Football Pick ‘em with chances to win over $100,000 in prizes this season. To play these exciting sports challenges on U PLAY Sports, visit sports. chumashcasino.com.

Located on Highway 246 in Santa Ynez, the Chumash Casino Resort is a 21-andover facility that is owned and operated by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. The casino’s gaming floor is open 24/7 and features 2,400 slot machines, 45 table games, bingo, poker and weekly prize giveaways. For more information on the resort’s eateries, menu items, gaming, entertainment and more, visit www.chumashcasino.com.

SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW AVAILABLE!

Get Santa Ynez Valley Star delivered directly to you.

Your subscription will begin with the first issue after payment received and continue for one year.To subscribe, email office@13stars.media, visit us online at santaynezvalleystar.com, or fill out the provided form to the right and mail to: Po Box 6068, Atascadero, CA 93423

NAME: ADDRESS:

CITY/STATE/ZIP: TELEPHONE: EMAIL:

CREDIT CARD: EXPIRATION/CCV:

SIGNATURE:

Staff Report

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Fox News Channel reporter Matt Finn first posted on X (formerly Twitter) that “the church specifically prayed for the de-funding of Planned Parenthood.” He then elaborated on a subsequent post that “A woman in the pews said the prayer aloud and the priest did not object. A parishioner told us this woman has said this prayer before and the priest allows it in his church.”

Jill Biden spotted in Solvang and Los Olivos

While the president was reportedly content to stay at the Kiani estate, first lady Jill Biden was seen about town on a couple of occasions, in Solvang and Los Olivos.

On Wednesday, Aug. 21, the Book Loft in Solvang was visited by the first lady joined by a number of kids who were purportedly family members.

Book Loft employee Melanie Eckford-Prossor said it was business-as-usual at the bookstore when the staff noticed activity outside.

“There was a cop car parked in the red zone, which usually doesn’t happen, and some other cars there, but we didn’t pay much attention at first,” Eckford-Prossor said. “The shop was pretty busy and then I started to notice people coming in, an someone who looks kind of familiar.

“She had some kids with her and they brought books for purchase, and then she presented her credit card, and I realized who it was.”

According to Store Manager Donna Hernandez, Jill Biden’s arrival didn’t cause too much disruption.

“We very much wanted to

allow them to shop like regular people,” she said. “So I tried not to hover or overly notice them there.”

However, Eckford-Prossor didn’t pass up a chance to talk with the first lady.

“I checked with Donna first to see if it was OK, and I went and talked to her because I used to be an English professor at [Santa Barbara City College] and she’s a working English professor,” she said. “So we talked briefly about English, the mission of the community college, and what she’s teaching this semester, which is amazing to me that you could still have that life [as a first lady] and still be a professor.”

Before leaving, Biden provided a copy of her children’s book, “Willow the White House Cat,” and signed the title page for the staff.

“They were really just nice people,” Eckford-Prossor said of Biden and her group. “No drama, no issues.”

Then on Saturday, Aug. 24, Biden, her daughter, and granddaughter made a visit to the Los Olivos Fashion

House in Los Olivos.

Mary Beth Larkin, creator of the (IN)LARKIN clothing brand and proprietor of the store, said she had the “honor of dressing the First Lady, as well as her daughter and granddaughter during their visit.”

“We are deeply honored to have hosted Dr. Jill Biden and her family at our fashion house,” said Larkin.

“As a small business owner, it means the world to have the First Lady recognize our hard work and dedication. Seeing three generations of Bidens in my designs was a dream come true!”

With the Bidens come protests

On the other side of the coin, there were many in the area who weren’t happy with the Bidens presence in the SYV, even if the stay is temporary.

Pro-Palestinian protesters were spotted in Solvang mid-week, and on Saturday, Aug. 24, a group called 805Patriots organized a pro-Donald Trump rally in Buellton.

Flyers distributed to in-

form people about the rally billed the event as a “Joe Biden in Santa Ynez MAGA Welcome,” and stated that the Bidens were in town for a fundraiser and looking to retire to the Santa Ynez Valley, although neither claim has been substantiated.

One of the people who showed up for the rally was Bix Buckley of Santa Barbara, who was selling some T-shirts for the cause.

Bickley said he came to the rally because he felt the left “are anti-Christian and anti-American. They’ve done everything you can to destroy America in four short years.”

The parking lot in the Albertson’s Shopping Center was filled with pickups and other vehicles carrying pro-Trump and pro-Republican Party flags, which after a series of speakers addressed the crowd took part in a “Trump Train,” a caravan of vehicles that drove through the Valley. Charlie Ward of 805Patriots even planned to come up to the entrance of Kiani’s estate and “make some noise.”

Meanwhile, at another political event at River View Park, 37th District Assemblyman Gregg Hart and 3rd District Santa Barbara County Supervisor Joan Hartmann had a different view of Biden’s presence.

Hartmann said she was pleased the Bidens wanted to visit, but also said it wasn’t a big deal to those on the Democrat side of the political aisle.

“To be honest, I don’t think to many people on our side are considering this important,” she said. “I think the supporters on the other side are making a big deal of it.”

“I think it’s great that they came out here to see our wonderful valley,” said Hart, who maintained he hadn’t seen the president or heard about any events involving him. “I hope both of them are really enjoying it.”

President Joe Biden shakes hands with U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess, U.S. Space Forces-Space commander and Combined Joint Force Space Component commander, before his departure from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Aug. 25. Biden and his wife Jill stayed in the area from Aug. 20-25. U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Ryan Quijas

First lady Jill Biden signs a copy of her children’s book “Willow the White House Cat” during her visit to the Book Loft bookstore in Solvang. Photo Courtesy of the Book Loft

A participant in the “Trump Train” through Santa Ynez Valley has a life-size cutout of Trump in her passenger’s seat in Buellton. Photo by Mike Chaldu

CALENDAR

GOVERNMENT MEETINGS

THURSDAY, SEPT. 5

BUELLTON PLANNING COMMISSION, 6 P.M.

At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton

For more info: cityofbuellton.com

MONDAY, SEPT. 9

SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL, 6:30 P.M.

At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak St., Solvang For more info: cityofsolvang.com

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10

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

County Administration Building, 105 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

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, SEPT. 11

LOS OLIVOS COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT, 6 P.M. Los Olivos Grange Hall, 2374 Alamo Pintado Ave, Los Olivos

For more info: losolivoscsd.com

THURSDAY, SEPT. 12

BUELLTON CITY COUNCIL, 6 P.M.

At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton

For more info: cityofbuellton.com

TUESDAY, SEPT. 17

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS,

9 A.M.

Betteravia Government Administration Building, 511 Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria

For more info: countyofsb.org

EVENTS

SATURDAY, SEPT. 7

PIERCING PARTY AT C&E

JEWELRY, 10 A.M. TO 6 P.M.

SAVE THE DATE & get your appointment booked now! @jes_piercings is back with @threestoriesjewelry for our favorite event, a piercing party where with the purchase of a stud your piercing is free! @threestoriesjewelry will have their entire collection in store and it’s a perfect time to add to your collection or wishlist! You don’t want to miss this. We encourage you to make appointments in advance, please text (805) 720-2640 to reserve!

At C&E Jewelry, 476 First St., Solvang

For more info: candefinejewelry.com

ATTERDAG

VILLAGE HARVEST PARTY FUNDRAISER, 3 TO 7 P.M.

Don’t miss out — grab your tickets today for the Atterdag Village Harvest Party Fundraiser at the charming Montanero Farms! Get ready for a day filled with joy, featuring complimentary local wine and beer, farm-fresh food, a lively auction, and amazing live entertainment. It’s going to be a celebration to remember, and it’s all for a wonderful cause! Every dollar raised will go towards the “People Who Care Scholarships” for low-income seniors in the Santa Ynez Valley. Your support has made a real difference, helping us enhance the lives of our community’s seniors. Individual tickets are available for $160, or gather your friends and family for a table of 10 at $1,500. Join us in making a positive impact — your generosity truly matters. Get your tickets now and be part of this heartwarming event!

At Montanero Farms, 2531 Grand Ave, Los Olivos For more info/tickets: peoplewhocare.com

TUESDAY, SEPT. 10

MUSIC IN THE GARDEN: ELI YOUNG BAND, 7 P.M.

While selling out venues as a headliner from coast-to-coast, EYB has toured with Jason Aldean, Dave Matthews Band, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, and Darius Rucker. They will continue to bring these fan-favorites and more on the road this summer with several festival appearances. Gates open 30 minutes prior to show. Wine, beer, soft drinks and snacks available for purchase.

At Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd St., Solvang

For tickets/more info: app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=220242, solvangtheaterfest.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 14

SYV CHILDREN’S MUSEUM FALL CARNIVAL, 12 TO 3 P.M.

Join us at the museum for a light meal, drinks, and carnival games! This all-outdoor fundraiser is your chance to bet on a favorite number in Chicken Poop Bingo, toss rings on bottles for immediate prizes, and try your luck in our amazing raffles, all while raising money to build the Valley’s first outdoor Children’s Museum! Comfy shoes and a hat are recommended, although we will have shade and seating a-plenty! Please note, every attendee (above infant age) needs a ticket.

At 202 Dairyland Road, Buellton For more info/tickets: syvchildrensmuseum.com/events

SUNDAY, SEPT. 15

ARTIST RECEPTION AT GALLERY LOS OLIVOS FOR JAYNE BEHMAN, 1 TO 4 P.M.

Jayne Behman is celebrated for her passionate commitment to expanding the boundaries of art. She fearlessly explores a wide range of

tools, including cutting-edge A.I. technology. She uses it both independently and alongside other media to craft her masterpieces. Her creations, ranging from paper to fabric and canvas, draw viewers in with their dynamic abstractions and imaginative felt works. These pieces are a perfect blend of creativity and innovation. Jayne will also lead a Q&A session on her techniques and programs. Additionally, she will present her latest experiments in Gelli Printmaking.

At Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave, Los Olivos

For more info: gallerylosolivos.com

HITCHING POST + ‘SIDEWAYS’ WINEMAKER DINNER AT THE HITCHING POST 2, 5 P.M.

Frank Ostini and Gray Hartley host a 20th Anniversary Sideways dinner with a signature menu from the Hitching Post 2 paired with special edition Pinot Noir vintages celebrating the film. Tickets are $150 per person for 5 p.m. reception followed by dinner.

At Hitching Post 2, 406 E Hwy 246, Buellton

$150 per person

For more info/tickets: www.hitchingpost2.com

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 18

AN EVENING WITH KEVIN NEALON, WITH SPECIAL GUEST ANDY WOODHULL, 7:30 P.M.

Kevin Nealon is an Emmy and SAG-nominated actor and comedian who sets himself apart from other comedic performers with his unique sense of humor, dry wit and likable demeanor. Nealon is best known for his nine-year stint as a cast member of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, and received critical acclaim for his role in the hit Showtime series Weeds. Kevin currently produces and hosts his digital series Hiking with Kevin, and tours his stand-up globally. Also appearing will be comedian Andy Woodhull, who has appeared on The Late Late Show with James Cord-

en, Conan, Live at Gotham and The Half Hour on Comedy Central. His Dry Bar comedy special on YouTube has over 9 million views.

At Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd St., Solvang

For tickets/more info: solvangtheaterfest.org/show-details/an-evening-with-kevin-nealon

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