Santa Ynez Valley Star • January 7 - January 20, 2025
Santa Ynez Valley Year in Review 2024
An entire year of events and happenings, both good and bad
By the Santa Ynez Valley Star Editorial Board
The Santa Ynez Valley saw quite a few news stories and events happening in the region that includes Buellton, Solvang, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, Los Alamos, and other surrounding areas. The area got a visit from a sitting U.S. president while waiting to see who would be the next Commander-in-Chief; meanwhile, Buellton and Solvang elected new mayors and City Councilmembers who were actually familiar faces. Santa Ynez High School welcomed a new principal, and saw three of its sports teams win CIF titles. An unwelcome development was the Lake Fire, which prompted some evacuations, although nearby cities were relatively unharmed. As usual, we got to enjoy our annual events like Danish Days, the Solvang Vikings Car Show, and Julefest.
Here’s a roundup of the news in our pages throughout 2024:
Locals shocked at sudden closure of Pea Soup Andersen’s
Published Jan. 16: Shortly after the start of 2024, residents, diners, city
14
Solvang celebrates a Danish New Year
A new wrinkle in the Julefest calendar, afternoon event and concert draws a sizable crowd at Solvang Park
By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com
Santa Ynez Valley residents and tourists got an early start to 2025 on the afternoon of Dec. 31, as a big crowd filled up Solvang Park at an after -
noon New Year’s bash.
For the first time, the City of Solvang put together a New Year’s Eve party as part of its Julefest celebration. However, instead of staying up and counting down until midnight in U.S., the attendees celebrated with the country of Solvang’s found-
ers: The countdown came at 3 p.m., when the clock struck 12 in Denmark.
Solvang’s first New Year’s Eve celebration came out of a desire for a post-Christmas activity to bridge the gap between Dec. 25 and the
News Briefs . . . . . . . . . Pg. 2
• Buellton announces city’s January featured art News Pg. 3
• Solvang Tree Burn puts the cap on Julefest
Sports Pg. 6
• Dunn School graduate is selected first overall in MLS Superdraft Community Pg. 8
• Solvang Nativity Pageant draws crowds beyond expectation
Arts & Nonprofits Pg. 9
• Mezzo-soprano Tivoli Treloar teams with pianist Lucy Tucker Yates in next show of SYV Concert Series
Lifestyles Pg. 12
• Starting the year on Jan. 1 is relatively new in world history
Spotlight Pg. 14
• 2024 Year in Review
Calendar . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 19
• Government meetings and events
Spotlight | Pg. 10 Santa Ynez Valley Librarian Carey McKinnon retires
Folks gather at the Solvang Park Christmas tree before the Solvang New Year’s Eve Celebration. The park would fill up before the afternoon was over. Photo by Mike Chaldu
NEWS BRIEFS
BUELLTON
City announces January’s featured art Each month over the coming year, the City of Buellton will feature a different design and showcase the contributing artists from their community art project , “Exploring the Ocean.”
January’s featured art is sponsored by Kat & Squirrel: Making Learning Fun, and includes artwork from Hazel, Zaeah Miller, Christopher Garcia, Felicity Knaup, Ceci, and Yaletzi. You can see their original artwork at buellton.art/2025-january-oceanart- feature/
This project is made possible by Buellton’s Art & Culture Program, the California Nature Art Museum (our nonprofit partner), monthly sponsorships, and the support of the Buellton community.
Go to Buellton.Art to:
• See all of the banners and the original art for each design
• Learn about Buellton’s Arts & Culture Program and see how you or your organization can apply for a grant
• Visit our “Shop the Art” store, where you can purchase the art on posters, magnets, totes, water bottles, and more.
For more info, call Kristin Neperud Merz at (805) 246-5657 or cell (773) 983-3306, or kristin@unscribbled.com
City Of Buellton to celebrate the grand reveal for new California Poppy Mosaic
The City of Buellton invites community members and art enthusiasts to the official reveal for a stunning new public artwork, the California Poppy Ceramic Mosaic, on Fri-
day, Jan. 17, at 12 p.m. This free event will take place at the eastern facade of the Buellton Post Office, located at 140 W. Highway 246.
Created by local artists Veronica Medina — owner of Community Clayworks — and Staci Curry, the mosaic celebrates the beauty of California poppies and Buellton’s environmental heritage. Funded by the City of Buellton Arts & Culture Program, the project aims to enhance the visual appeal of the area while fostering a sense of community pride.
The mosaic also serves as an interactive “selfie wall,” inviting residents and visitors to engage with the artwork and share Buellton’s unique charm. A commemorative plaque recognizes the city’s support for public art and its cultural development initiatives.
Join Mayor David Silva, members of the Buellton City Council, and the community in celebrating this vibrant addition to Buellton’s public art landscape.
About the Project:
• The California Poppy Ceramic Mosaic was designed to:
• Highlight the natural beauty and environmental heritage of Buellton.
• Enhance the aesthetics of a prominent downtown location.
• Serve as a community landmark and point of pride.
• Promote the integration of art into daily life through public installations.
This project reflects the City of Buellton’s commitment to fostering creativity and culture through its Arts & Culture Program.
“Creating this mosaic has been a wonderful opportunity to showcase how art can bring a community together,” Medina said.
“At Community Clayworks, we strive to inspire people of all ages to express themselves and connect with others through the art of ceramics.”
For more information about Community Clayworks and its offerings, visit communityclayworks.com or @community_clayworks or contact Veronica Medina at veronica@ communityclayworks.com.
LOS OLIVOS
Temporary traffic signal at Highway 154/Roblar Avenue intersection now operational
A project to install a temporary traffic signal at the intersection of Highway 154 and Roblar Avenue near Los Olivos is now complete
This temporary traffic signal will alleviate the increased traffic at this intersection due to the ongoing roundabout construction at Highway 154 and Baseline Avenue.
Caltrans conducted an intersection analysis, resulting in the recommendation to provide a temporary signal instead of a four-way stop, to reduce delays and enhance safety at Highway 154 and Roblar Avenue during the construction project.
“The community spoke, and Caltrans listened,” Supervisor Joan Hartmann said. “This temporary all-way stop at SR 154 and Roblar is a direct result of residents raising concerns about safety. We’re grateful for Caltrans’ responsiveness and collaboration in taking this important step to protect our community, as this is one step on a broader set of safety measures Caltrans is implementing.”
“I am very gratified to see Caltrans has responded positively to my request, on behalf of the residents of the Santa Ynez Valley, to address the traffic congestion caused by construction of the new roundabout at 154 and Edison,” said Assemblymember Gregg Hart. “This all-way stop at State Route 154 and Roblar Avenue will improve safety and traffic flow and also allow construction of the much-needed roundabout to proceed quickly.”
The temporary traffic signal at Roblar Avenue and Highway 154 will be in place until the completion of the Baseline Avenue/ Highway 154 roundabout project, which is expected to be complete by this summer 2025.
The contractor for this $8.3 million project is Granite Construction Company of Santa Barbara.
SANTA MARIA
The Santa Maria Philharmonic’s annual Youth Showcase coming Jan. 11
The Santa Maria Philharmonic will present its 11th Annual Youth Showcase, on Jan. 11, at 3 p.m. in Shepard Hall, at the Santa Maria Public Library.
The Youth Showcase is a recital by audition for serious musicians ages 8 to 18. In addition to providing fine classical listening experiences for all with public concerts in its subscription season, the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society (SMPS) helps fill the void in public arts education by providing unique musical opportunities for children in our valley. This is highlighted in this annual celebration of new talent along our coast.
This year’s performance is not to be missed. With seven talented young local musicians performing with musical maturity and enviable virtuosity, the program includes an array of instrumental works including a movement from Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, Mendelssohn’s Rondo Capriccioso for piano, and other exciting works!
The showcase is presented free to the public, but as seats are in high demand, we ask that you make advanced reservations. Please visit us at SMPHILHARMONIC.org to register your seats, or to donate to support the SMPS mission to champion arts in the Santa Maria Valley.
The Mission of the SMPS is to maintain and strengthen cultural values; to preserve the classical music art form; to enrich musical experiences in the community; to provide fine, live musical performances; and to provide cross-generational educational events in the Santa Maria and surrounding valleys.
Baseline Avenue/Edison Street is currently closed at its connection to Highway 154. A new traffic alignment on Highway 154 at the intersection of Baseline Avenue/Edison Street remains in effect through June. 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. Businesses are open and accessible along Baseline Avenue/Edison Street during construction.
Solvang Tree Burn signals end of another Julefest
Large crowd gathers at Mission Santa Ines to see bonfire supervised by Santa Barbara County Fire personnel
By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com
Seeing a glow in the sky caused by giant flames could be sign of panic in some cases, but on Friday night, Jan. 3, it was just the sign of Solvang’s annual Julefest ending and a chance to dispose of Christmas trees safely.
So it was with the 33rd annual Solvang Tree Burn, which the city likes to stage as the official end to its monthand-a-half holiday celebration.
The huge pile of trees, which people were still adding to as the event began, sat in the field across the parking lot from Mission Santa Ines, surrounded by a sizable crowd already surrounding the pile at 5 p.m.
While waiting for the sun to completely go down, the audience was able to get food and refreshment from three local food trucks: Rudy’s Mexican Restaurant, Whiskey ‘N Rye Smokehouse, and Crave Mini Donuts, and listen to some DJ-supplied music.
Like in past years, the event began with a ceremonial (and respectful) flag-burning conducted by the Boy Scout Troop 41, who cut up the worn flag before tossing the pieces into a small fire pit.
After that, the firefighters from the Santa Barbara County Fire Stations 30, 31, and 32 gave a fire-safety demonstration, explaining the dangers a dry Christmas tree can pose and then lighting up three trees set up apart from the big pile to show just how fast a tree fire can ignite and spread.
Just as predicted, the lit tree was engulfed in flames in no time, but a member of the Boy Scout troop was there with an extinguisher to put out the flames before they had a chance
to spread further.
After igniting flames on the other two trees and letting them burn before Scouts again came to the rescue, extinguishing the flames, and then it was on to the main pile.
The county firefighters went around and lit it at evenly spaced points on the pile, and just like the single trees just minutes earlier, the pile went up sky-high in flames for the crowd to marvel at. Everybody got their chances to document the
fire with their cameras and cellphones before the heat got intense enough for them to back away.
The weather cooperated with the burn for the second straight year after heavy rains just after the new year in 2023. It was a good sight for Solvang Parks and Rec Director Jenny McClurg.
“Another successful burn,” McClurg said as the fire continued to burn under the watchful eye of the fire officials. “I’m glad we were able to
get good weather, and we got a great crowd. Its the best one we’ve had in a while.”
Also enjoying the sight was Brett Campbell, his wife Mary Kate, and their son Christopher Jay, 5, of Santa Ynez.
“We had a great time coming out to see this,” Brett said as the fire started to die down and the crowd began to disperse. “There’s always neat things like this to bring the family to and hope to do this again next year.”
SPORTS
SYHS girls wrestling program growing by the year
Girls team prepping for upcoming dual meets, while boys wrestlers look to this weekend’s Pirate Invitational
By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com
As the new year, and the winter sports season, is upon us, one of Santa Ynez High School’s newest athletic programs, girls wrestling, is continuing to grow, which is satisfying to head coach Chantalle Castellanos.
“We are in our fourth year now; we started in 2021,” she said. “We were just coming back from COVID, and the next year it really opened up, it was the first year we didn’t have to deal with testing and all that crazy stuff.”
It was also a chance for the girls to wrestle other girls, Castellanos said.
“This [a girls program] has really brought it to the forefront,” she said. “Before, you had girls talking about doing this, but kind of off to the side. Now you see many of them come in, and culturally, not expect them to be doing something like this. But they do, and it really empowers them.”
One example of that is senior wrestler Malia Ortiz, who is coming off a junior year in which she won a CIF Central Section division title.
“Malia was our captain last year, and she is the ideal lead-by-example person,” Castellanos said. “She doesn’t lead verbally so much, she’s very quiet. But, by example, if I need something, I don’t have to tell her ‘Hey, could you ...’ She knows what needs to be done.”
Ortiz will be a top competitor on a team that has 12 girls this year, a bigger team than the program has had, according to Castellanos. Another wrestler the coach is high on is Ariella Contreras.
“Ariella is a junior this year, and this year or next year, I really see it happening for her,” Castellanos said. “She has three brothers who were in this program, and she’s very technical, but also an emotional competitor, which has its ups and downs. Sometimes it’s the timing for athletes, but I think it’s going to work out for her.”
The Pirate girls just finished competing in the California Invitational in Morro Bay on
Jan. 4 for their second non-conference game against the Warriors, and won again 80-65. Skidmore and Pritchard again led the way with a team-high 17 points each, while Jayden Mendoza added 15, and Ikenna Ofiaeli has 14 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.
Santa Ynez (8-6) had a game against Bishop Diego on Monday night (Jan. 6) and closes out its non-conference schedule at home vs. Mission Prep on Tuesday, Jan. 7, before starting its Sunset League season at Nipomo on Jan. 14.
Girls basketball takes Silver Bracket title at Arvin tournament
Right after Christmas, the Santa Ynez High girls basketball team traveled north for the Arvin Holiday Showcase and went 3-0 to capture the Silver Bracket championship, ending with a 45-26 win over Bakersfield. The Lady Pirates’ first two wins were against Hanford (59-36) and Lindsay (68-28).
Helina Pecile was named the tournament MVP for the Silver Bracket, scoring in double figures for each game. She had 12 points and 9 rebounds in the game against Bakersfield, and had 16 points in the game against Hanford. Kylie LaPointe had 8 points and 8 steals in the title game, and scored 17 against Lindsay.
Santa Ynez returns to action Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Mission Prep, and then will start Sunset League play at Cabrillo on Friday, Jan. 10.
Boys soccer hits the win column
After a rough start to the season, the Pirates boys soccer fashioned a little winning streak before going on the holiday break.
Jan. 4, and will travel to San Luis Obispo High on Wednesday, Jan. 8, for it first dual match of the season against the Tigers.
Meanwhile, the Santa Ynez boys wrestling program has gotten its season in gear. The Pirates defeated St. Joseph 55-23 in their first dual match of the season on Dec. 18.
Coach Raul-Omar Sandoval feels positive about his overall squad this year (“They’re a great group”) and is gearing up for the annual Pirate Invitational this weekend, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 10-11, at SYHS.
Sandoval said Ben Flores, Joey Duarte, and Andrew Badger are the individuals he expects to excel this year. All three had wins in the dual meet, Flores and Duarte by pinfall.
Boys basketball squad places third in the Carpinteria Tournament
During the holiday break, the Pirates boys basketball team traveled south to take part in the Carpinteria Tournament Dec. 20-23. There, SYHS defeated Channel Islands 74-35, lost to Arroyo Grande 60-37, and then beat Foothill Tech 56-44 to earn third place in the tourney.
Mason Skidmore and Jude Pritchard led a balanced scoring attack with 14 points each in the final game against Foothill Tech, while Pritchard (23) and Lucas Ollenberger (21) topped the 20-point mark in the first game against Channel Islands.
The Pirates went back to Carpinteria on
Santa Ynez earned its first win of the season on Dec. 17, beating Morro Bay 3-1. Austin Willis scored twice on penalty kicks (Evan Eliason and Luis Garcia drew the fouls) and Eliason scored off an assist from Marco Rivera to give the Pirates a 3-0 lead at halftime. Jack Peterschick was named the man of the match by coach Hector Garcia for his strong defensive play.
Two days later, the Pirates went to Mission Prep and beat the Royals 6-0. Rivera and Jackson Elliott had two goals apiece, with Eliason and Cristian Sandoval (the man of the match) adding a goal apiece. Goalkeeper Diego Medina earned his first shutout.
Santa Ynez (2-8-1) is back in action Tuesday, Jan. 7, at home against Templeton.
(Top) Santa Ynez High wrestler Malia Ortiz (right) talks with teammate Camila Martinez in between training sessions at a recent practice. Ortiz is coming back for her senior year after winning a CIF Central Section individual championship last year. (Bottom) Santa Ynez High wrestler Ben Flores has his St. Joseph opponent down during the teams’ dual match Dec. 18 at Santa Ynez. Flores would eventually score a pin in the Pirates’ 55-23 victory. Photo by Mike Chaldu
Dunn School’s Manu Duah selected No. 1 overall In MLS Superdraft by San Diego FC
Soccer standout makes history as highest-selected UCSB athlete and second Dunn alum to go No. 1 in the league’s draft Staff Report
Manu Duah, a 2024 graduate of Dunn School in Los Olivos and standout soccer player, was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft by expansion team San Diego FC. The historic selection on Dec. 20 follows Duah’s signing of a three-year Generation adidas developmental contract, making him the highest-selected athlete in UC Santa Barbara’s history across all sports drafts.
Duah, a dynamic defensive midfielder originally from Ghana, played spectacularly during his just-completed freshman season at UCSB, where his speed, technique, and ability drew national attention. His historic achievement is the culmination of years of dedication that began on the fields of Dunn School, where he was known for his remarkable talent and leadership.
“From the moment Manu arrived at Dunn, he stood out—not just as a gifted player, but as a driven and humble individual,” said Dunn School Director of Athletics Kelsey Sullivan. “Manu’s journey is a testament to his hard work and talent. We were delighted to have him in the kind of supportive environment at Dunn that fosters both athletic and personal growth.”
Duah is the second Dunn School boys soccer alumnus to be drafted No. 1 overall in the MLS SuperDraft. He joins Abu Danladi, also from Ghana, who was selected first by Minnesota United in 2017 after an illustrious career at UCLA. Like Danladi, Duah developed his skills at Dunn under the guidance of top-tier coaches and a program committed to excellence.
“Having two No. 1 picks in the MLS Draft is an extraordinary achievement for Dunn School and speaks to the strength of our soccer program,” said Dunn Head of School Kaylan Balaven. “Manu and Abu represent the very best of what our school strives for: developing well-rounded individuals who excel in their passions and inspire others.”
Duah’s selection is also a landmark mo-
ment for San Diego FC, as he becomes the first-ever pick in the franchise’s history. “Being the first pick for an expansion team is an honor,” Duah said. “I’m grateful for the support I’ve received from my coaches, teammates, and the Dunn community. Dunn gave me the foundation to dream big and work hard, and I’m excited for this next chapter.”
During his time at Dunn, Duah was instrumental in leading the Earwigs to multiple CIF-Southern Section playoff berths, earning accolades for his technical prowess
and sportsmanship. His coaches recall his tireless work ethic and ability to inspire his teammates.
“Manu was more than an extraordinary player — he was a leader,” said Dunn alumnus, former professional player, and current head coach Sahid Conteh, who also starred at UCSB. “He set a standard that elevated everyone around him.”
Manu’s journey from Dunn School to UCSB and now to the MLS has inspired the next generation of student-athletes at Dunn.
As the school celebrates this milestone, it reaffirms its commitment to nurturing talent and character across all disciplines.
About Dunn School: Dunn is a boarding and day school (grades 6-12) in Los Olivos. Founded in 1957, Dunn School has remained true to its mission of providing Whole Student Education, empowering students to reach their fullest potential for a life of learning and responsible leadership.
After being taken as the first overall pick in the Major League Soccer Superdraft, Dunn School graduate Manu Duah celebrated with (top, from left) Dunn junior Isaac Bakwira, 2024 Dunn graduate Oliver Vachon, and Dunn soccer head coach Sahid Conteh, and (bottom left) Dunn Director of Athletics Kelsey Sullivan. Contributed Photos
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
Sheriff’s Office reminds the community: In case of emergency, call if you can — text if you can’t
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the community that they have the option to send text messages to 9-1-1 during emergencies when voice calls are not feasible or safe.
The service operates under the principle, “Call if you can — text if you can’t.” It is especially beneficial for individuals who are speech-impaired, hard of hearing, deaf, or in situations where making a voice call could endanger their safety.
Susan Farley, manager of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Dispatch Center, highlighted an additional advantage: “We have observed that text to 9-1-1 often remains functional during widespread voice cell phone outages.” However, community members are still encouraged to make a voice call if possible and reserve texting for instances when voice communication is not an option.
Critical Information for Texting 9-1-1
The most crucial detail to include in a text to 9-1-1 is the exact location of the emergency. Unlike voice calls, texts do not automatically provide location information to dispatchers.
“The precise location is the most helpful information for us,” said Farley. “Occasionally, texts may be routed to the wrong agency, but we can transfer the details to the appropriate agency.”
Guidelines for Using Text to 9-1-1
• Only use for emergencies. This service is not intended for general inquiries.
• Include a data or text plan. Phones must have an active plan to send messages.
• Avoid roaming mode. Texts will not be delivered when roaming.
• Use plain language. Avoid abbreviations, emojis, photos, or videos.
• Messages can be translated – but it could take a moment. Automated translation is not yet available, so messages are currently manual translated.
• One recipient only. Texts cannot be sent to multiple recipients simultaneously.
All Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office call takers and dispatchers are trained and equipped to respond to 9-1-1 texts. The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public of this additional way to reach help
during an emergency. For non-emergencies, you can reach the dispatch center at (805) 683-2724 or Sheriff’s Headquarters at (805) 681-4100. Texting is not available for non-emergencies.
‘They Count, Will you?’: Volunteers needed for the 2025 Homeless PointIn-Time Count
Hundreds of volunteers are needed on Jan. 22, 2025, from 5:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. for the countywide 2025 Homeless Point-In-Time Count.
The Point-In-Time Count is the annual count of individuals and families experiencing homelessness on a given day. It is put on by The Santa Maria/Santa Barbara County Continuum of Care (CoC), in partnership with the County of Santa Barbara and The Santa Barbara Alliance for Community Transformation (SBACT).
Teams of volunteers will canvas assigned routes throughout Santa Barbara County and will briefly document who is experiencing homelessness. This information is used to plan local homeless assistance systems, justify funding, and raise public awareness.
All volunteers are required to attend a training session. In this 1-hour session, volunteers will learn more about the importance
of the count, review canvassing best practices, explore the Point-In-Time survey tool, go through Frequently Asked Questions and more. To make this training as accessible as possible, online trainings are offered on varied days and times between Jan. 14 and 17. Only one training is required. To volunteer, please sign up at countyofsb.pointintime. info/. Volunteers can register as individuals or in teams. The final day to sign up to volunteer is Jan. 17, 2025. Spanish training is available upon request, please email pit@ sbact.org by Jan. 13, 2025.
“The Point-in-Time Count results affect everything from homelessness services offered to how much funding is available. It is important we have an accurate count, and we cannot do that without the help of many volunteers. Homelessness is a community-wide problem, and it requires a community-wide solution,” said Matthew Rector, housing program specialist senior with the County of Santa Barbara Community Services Department.
The Point-In-Time count is only possible with a community-wide effort by the incredible support of many volunteers and partners. All are welcome; please go to countyofsb. pointintime.info/ and let us know if you plan to participate.
Solvang Nativity Pageant draws crowds beyond expectation
The annual holiday event is held at a brand new venue: Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church
By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer
The Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church was filled to overflowing at the Solvang Nativity Pageant, which was held on Sunday, Dec. 15. This was a new venue for the annual pageant that has historically been held at Theaterfest over the past 40 years.
There was not a seat to be had anywhere in the sanctuary. The event was also livestreamed for the overflow.
The event began at 4 p.m., where attendees could visit with live animals in a garden setting. There were different varieties of goats who were very vocal, piglets who never left each other’s side, sheep, and a donkey with staff members, dressed as shepherds, tending their flocks. There was also a Bethlehem Creche scene where guests could take family photos.
The doors to the Sanctuary opened at 5 p.m. The area sprang to life as music filled the air. When everyone was seated, Autumn van der Linden, the office manager of the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church and organizer of this year’s event, took the stage to introduce Janette Swanson, the woman who had produced the Nativity Pageant over the past 40 years and had handed the baton to van der Linden this year. Swanson welcomed everyone and said a short prayer.
Then C.J. Jackson, the narrator, began to tell the story of the Nativity, a story about the birth of “the most significant person in human history, Jesus.” It began with the Annunciation when the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary, telling her, “To fear not, that she had found favor with God.” He told her that she was with child, a son to be named Jesus.
Members of the Valley Glee Club and the Los Olivos Arts Outreach sang “Little Drummer Boy.”
Jackson continued with the story, recalling the visit Mary made to her cousin Elizabeth to tell her the great news.
Harp-playing angels Emma Tesdahl, Adira Hall, and Gina Tesdahl entered the stage and entertained the audience, while Lauren
Thill performed an interpretive ballet dance to “Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song)” sung by van der Linden and accompanied by Nancy Swanitz on piano.
The narrative continued with the birth of Jesus in a stable; the frightened shepherds tending their flocks and the appearance of an angel saying “do not be afraid, I bring you tidings of great joy, a savior is born and is laying in a manger”; the visit of the three wise men with King Herod in their search for the newborn king; the jealous King Herod desperately wanting to find out where this “new king” was in order to kill him; the visit to the manger of the Magi bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and returning home another way
so as not to inform Herod of the location of the baby Jesus.
The story was interspersed with an array of little angels and shepherds singing “Away in a Manger,” adorably miming all the words; the adult choir, led by Alan Satchwell, singing “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” “We Three Kings,” and “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”
Jackson closed the narrative by reading a poem written by Dr. James Allan Francis, “One Solitary Life,” about the life of Jesus.
The audience then stood and sang “Joy to the World” and exited the sanctuary to gather outside in the garden and join in a circle under a full moon to sing “Silent Night” together.
Then everyone retired for light snacks and goodies, including freshly made pizza donated by Pizzeria Lucca, along with an assortment of chili and all the trimmings. Children busied themselves making a variety of crafts as parents picked up some baked Christmas treats.
The pageant cast consisted of Larry Sommers as Angel Gabriel; Jenavieve de la Vega as Mary; Daniel de la Vega as Joseph; Marilyn Sommers as Elizabeth; and Courtney de la Vega as the Angel of the Lord. Shepherd soloists were Anna Scionti, Judah Kiser, and Rylee De La Vega; the angel soloist was Bella De LaVega; King Herod was played by Larry Skahill; the priest was Marty Scionti; the
(Left) The Magi (Glenn Beede, Nathan VanBergen, and Gabe Clow) visit the manger bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, during the Nativity Pageant at Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church. (Right) Lauren Thill performed an interpretive ballet dance to “Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song)” Photos by Devyn Marseilles
(Left) An array of little angels and shepherds mime the words to “Away in a Manger” during the Solvang Nativity Pageant on Dec. 15 at Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church. (Right) Shepherds tend to the animals in the garden at Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church on Dec. 15 before the Nativity Pageant.
ARTS & NONPROFITS
Mezzo-soprano Tivoli Treloar teams with pianist Lucy Tucker Yates in next show of SYV Concert Series
Musicians to perform at St. Mark’s in the Valley Church on Saturday, Jan. 11
Staff Report
The Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series proudly announces the third concert of its 2024-25 season, featuring upand-coming mezzo-soprano Tivoli Treloar and distinguished pianist Lucy Tucker Yates, at St. Mark’s in the Valley Church at 2901 Nojoqui Avenue in Los Olivos. This concert will take place on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 7 p.m.
“I am delighted to introduce the talented mezzo-soprano, Tivoli Treloar to the Santa Ynez Valley,” said Artistic Director Dr. Robert Cassidy. “When I first heard her when she was a fellow at the Music Academy of the West, I was immediately captivated by her artistry and stage presence. She will be collaborating with the celebrated director and pianist Lucy Tucker Yates, who is on the faculty at UCLA.”
Treloar writes, “As for the recital program, I plan to include works in Spanish, German, French, and English, by composers including Korngold, Obradors, Poulenc, and Kurt Weill. The theme will center around pieces composed between the two world wars and will be entitled ‘In Between.’”
Treloar is pursuing her Master of Music in Vocal Arts at The Juilliard School, where she is a proud recipient of the Kovner Fellowship. This season with Juilliard Opera, Treloar sings Dorabella in “Cosi fan tutte” and covers Blanche de la Force in “Dialogues des Carmélites.” Last season, she sang the title
role in “Erismena” and covered Sesto in “La Clemenza di Tito.” As a studio artist at Wolf Trap Opera, Treloar also covered “Dorabella” in “Così fan tutte” and sang “Madeleine” in “Silent Night.”
In 2023, Treloar made her professional debut with Long Beach Opera, singing the role of The Lover in the acclaimed premiere of Kate Soper’s “The Romance of the Rose,” directed by James Darrah and conducted by Christopher Rountree. In the summers of 2022 and 2023, Treloar was a Lehrer Vocal Institute Fellow at Music Academy of the West. Treloar is from Southern California, where she graduated summa cum laude with her Bachelor’s degree in music from UCLA. With Opera UCLA, she performed as Galatea in “Acis and Galatea,” Cherubino in “Le Nozze di Figaro,” and Athena in the premiere of Kay Rhie’s “Quake.”
This year, Lucy Tucker Yates directed two premieres: Carolina Uccelli’s “Anna di Resburgo” for Teatro
Nuovo, and Alyssa Weinberg’s “ISOLA” for Long Beach Opera. Her third opera by a woman composer in 2024 was Pauline Viardot’s “Le dernier sorcier” with Sing for Hope at the Bard Music Festival. She has performed as maestro al cembalo for Rossini’s Maometto II, Teatro Nuovo, Lincoln Center; and O+E (Orfeo ed Euridice), Seattle Opera, in her own elegantly poetic English version. For LA’s The Industry she played keyboards on “Star Choir, Sweet Land,” and “The workshop of the Comet/Poppea.” She was onstage continuo fortepianist for Aureliano in Palmira at the Rossini Opera Festival. Having begun her career as an internationally acclaimed soprano, Yates sang roles including Violetta, Gilda, Rosina, Beatrice di Tenda, Nedda, and Fiordiligi, with directors such as Gian Carlo Menotti and Franco Zeffirelli. Her time in Italy led to her teaching and translating Italian poetry. She is director of language studies at Teatro Nuovo; lecturer in opera at UCLA; a pianist-mentor for the Prima Voce Emerging
Artist recital series in Los Angeles; a writer for the Santa Fe Opera; and Italian Diction Coach for the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program of the Metropolitan Opera. St. Mark’s in-the-Valley provides an intimate concert experience with seating for just over 100. St. Mark’s is pleased to offer the SYV Concert Series as a community arts enrichment program. All people are welcome to enjoy these concerts, and student tickets are free. Please secure tickets in advance online at smitv. ejoinme.org/SYVCSTickets
About St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church: Formed in 1926 and serving the Santa Ynez Valley at its present location in downtown Los Olivos since 1979, St. Mark’s practices a spacious Christianity and welcomes people of all faiths or none. St. Mark’s is a nofee community center for non-profit groups and community meetings, an arts venue for musical and cultural events, a welcome center for residents and area visitors, and home to a vibrant, inclusive faith community. St. Mark’s top-flight, non-sectarian professional preschool serves Santa Ynez Valley families with quality early childhood education. The County-permitted SYV Community Kitchen at St. Mark’s serves as a regional food hub. St. Mark’s is also grateful to be home to the area’s Jewish community and a local Zen sangha (part of Santa Barbara Zen Center). Open doors, restrooms, free Wi-Fi, a shady courtyard, gardens, a labyrinth, and water for pets are available for visitors and area residents all day, every day. For more information, please visit St. Mark’s in the Valley Episcopal Church in Los Olivos (smitv.com).
TIVOLI TRELOAR
LUCY TUCKER YATES
‘It was time’:
Valley Librarian Carey McKinnon retires
Longtime familiar face at Solvang, Los Olivos, and Santa Ynez libraries embarks on a new chapter of her life
By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer
Many patrons of the Solvang Library may have noticed the absence of a familiar and friendly face from behind the front desk and the stacks of books at the library. And indeed, you would be right. After 25 years of serving the community and its children, Carey McKinnon, the branch supervisor of the Solvang, Los Olivos, and Santa Ynez li -
braries, has decided to retire. Her last day was Dec. 14.
“It was time,” said McKinnon. “My husband Jeff McKinnon, who, for many years, was the drama teacher and the director of the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Theater Group, retired earlier this year, and we thought it was time to open the next chapter of our lives.”
It was either by luck or serendipity that McKinnon found her way to working at the Solvang Library all those years ago.
“My husband and I had been living in Chicago with our two children when he decided he had an urgent desire to return to California,” she said. “I was hesitant at first because I loved my life in Chicago. I had a job working as a researcher for a law firm, which I enjoyed. We had two chil -
dren, and there was so much to do there, with great theater and restaurants.”
But she agreed to the move, with one stipulation: that they return to the Santa Ynez Valley to live. Carey had grown up for the most part during the ‘70s and ‘80s in Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley, where her grandparents had a winery called Carey Cellars on Alamo Pintado Road, now the site of Lincourt Vineyards. Plus, she and Jeff had a history locally, having initially met each other while doing an internship at PCPA. They both went their separate ways to different universities, Carey going on to graduate school to receive her Master’s degree in theater and communications from Temple University in Philadelphia. But they remained in touch with each other over the
years and were married in 1990.
Settling in Solvang, Jeff had found a teaching job in Carpinteria, and while raising their two daughters, Carey thought a part-time job would be fun.
A friend of Carey’s mentioned seeing an ad in the local paper that the library was looking for help. She said she applied but didn’t get the job. Instead, she was told about another position that was open, that of branch supervisor. She applied, and instead of the part-time position she had initially looked for, she found herself with a full-time job and a new career.
“I took the job immediately because it was a great opportunity, and I love a challenge — plus it was close to home. So, my dream of living a relaxed life in the Valley with a part-time job went out the door,”
she said. “It was my first and only library job. And I have loved everything about working at the Solvang Library these past 25 years.”
McKinnon knows at least one thing she plans to do with her expanded leisure time.
“Now I will have more time to read some of the books that are on the shelves of the library,” she said. “I have great admiration for writers and there are so many to explore.”
Over the years, she said she was fortunate enough to partner with community groups and create some interesting programs, such as Story Time and family-focused events, lectures, an online children’s book club during COVID, Community Reads, and Read Aloud events, to name but a few.
On Dec. 12, The Friends of the Library of Santa Ynez Valley gave her a going-away party, where close to 100 community members, library patrons, volunteers, and friends got together to wish her well in her new endeavors. She was presented with a crystal award in recognition of her years of service to the community.
As the Valley grows, McKinnon sees the need to enlarge the library.
“I would very much like to work behind the scenes with the Friends of the Library of Santa Ynez Valley and the City of Solvang to build a larger library for the community,” said McKinnon. “Our library is quite small, and I would like to see it expanded to incorporate spaces for a community meeting room, room for after-school homework help, and English as a second language tutoring. But there are many other things I would like to do as well, like gardening and hiking, and my list is growing.”
It has always been important to McKinnon to recognize what community service means.
“When you have a public service job, it’s important to remember that you aren’t working for the institution; your real job is working for the people you serve,” said McKinnon. “It has always been very important for me to recognize that.
“I have loved working at the library, but mostly I will miss seeing the faces of the children, the parents, and those of the community and the many visitors who find their way to the library.”
Retiring Solvang Librarian Carey McKinnon was given a farewell party by library staff on Dec. 12. Photos by Lida Sideris
STAR LIFESTYLE
Starting the year on Jan. 1 is relatively new in world history
By John Copeland
Celebrating the start of the new year is one of the oldest of all humanity’s holidays. Cultures around the world have been celebrating the start of the new year for at least 4,000 years. However, January has not always the first month of the year. In terms of human history, even celebrating New Year’s on Jan. 1 is a relatively new phenomenon.
Many other ancient societies celebrated their New Year on dates tied with the seasons: The Egyptians, Phoenicians, and Persians began their new years at the fall equinox, and the Greeks celebrated theirs on the winter solstice. Today, most New Year’s festivities begin on Dec. 31, the last day of the Gregorian calendar, and continue into the early hours of Jan. 1.
Four-thousand-year-old Babylonian cuneiform clay tablets, discovered in Iraq, are the earliest record of festivities celebrating the arrival of the new year. However, the Babylonian New Year began with the first visible crescent moon after the spring equinox. In ancient Babylon, the New Year festival, called Akitu, was celebrated for 12 days. The cuneiform tablets reveal the Akitu was the most significant observance of the year.
Several other ancient cultures also celebrated their New Year on other dates also tied to the seasons, like the spring equinox, fall equinox, and the winter solstice. One quickly gets the idea that New Year’s is among the oldest and most persistent of human celebrations.
The various dates for New Year’s Day beg the question: How did January become the first month on our calendar and the beginning of our new year? As a day, Jan. 1 has
no astronomical or agricultural significance for beginning the year. However, like many of our festivities that occur throughout the year, we can blame the Romans. In fact, the month of January did not even exist until around 700 BCE, when the second king of Rome, Numa Pontilius, added the months of January and February to the Roman calendar.
The month of January is associated with the god Janus. Janus was the one Roman god that has no Greek counterpart. In prayers, his name was evoked even before that of Jupiter. According to some worshipers, Janus was the custodian of the universe, but to the Romans, he was the god of beginnings and endings, presiding over every entrance and departure. Because every door or passageway looks in two directions, Janus is always depicted as two-headed; one face looks back into the past, the other peers forward to the future.
In 46 BCE, Julius Caesar reformed the Roman calendar, introducing a new, solar-based calendar that was a vast improvement over the previous Roman calendar,
which, over the years, had become wildly inaccurate. The Julian calendar decreed that the new year would occur with Jan. 1. From that time on, within the Roman Empire, Jan. 1 was observed as start of the new year.
After Rome’s decline and Christianity’s spread through Europe, the church considered New Year’s celebrations to be pagan and unchristian. In 567 CE the Council of Tours abolished Jan. 1 as the beginning of the year. Throughout medieval Christian Europe, the New Year was again celebrated on a variety of dates: Dec. 25, the birth of Jesus; March 1; March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation; and Easter. Back then, there was no uniform calendar through most of the Middle Ages.
Then during the late 1500s, at the urging of Pope Gregory XII, Aloysius Lilus came up with a modification to the Julian calendar, making it more accurate. Named the Gregorian calendar, after the pope, it is the calendar most of the world still follows today. The Gregorian calendar restored Jan. 1, as New Year’s Day. Although most Catholic countries adopted the Gregorian
calendar almost immediately, it was only gradually adopted by Protestant countries.
The British, for example, did not adopt the Gregorian calendar until 1752. Until then, the British Empire, and the American colonies, still celebrated the new year in March.
For us in the Northern Hemisphere, January is a logical time for a new beginning. On the December solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, we experience the shortest day of the year. By the beginning of January, our days are lengthening again. This return of longer hours of daylight had a profound effect on societies that were tied to agricultural cycles. It even exerts an emotional effect on people living in cities today.
I think the ancient Romans were on to something with Janus. As the god of new beginnings, gates, and doors, the first hour of the day, the first day of the month, and the first month of the year, Janus is a good symbol for starting the New Year. He looks forward to the future of the coming year and back in contemplation to the year just past.
This makes me think about New Year’s resolutions. Do you make them? It is believed that the Babylonians were the first to make New Year’s resolutions, and people all over the world have been making and breaking them ever since.
The Romans had a similar tradition of making New Year’s resolutions. A common resolution in ancient Rome was to ask forgiveness from enemies of the past year.
Early Christians believed the first day of the New Year should be spent reflecting on past mistakes and resolving to improve oneself in the new year.
Whether or not our ancestors took their resolutions seriously and always achieved what they resolved to do is unknown. Today, when we make resolutions, we’re tapping into that ancient and powerful human longing for a fresh start.
And then there is putting the past year to rest.
Any regrets about the past year? To help focus on the future, write down your regrets on a scrap of paper and toss it in the fire. Janus, the two-faced god of the new year, would approve!
HOLIDAY HISTORY
Gluten intolerance attributed to cool intestinal temperature
GOOD MEDICINE
By Dr. Hyun K. Lee
You may have been hearing more about gluten lately, but perhaps have not been certain what it is or why a lot of health foods are labeled “gluten-free.” Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley and is indigestible to some people. A more advanced intolerance is called celiac disease and is on the rise.
Gluten issues commonly cause chronic diarrhea, bloating, gas, and constipation as well as a host of other issues such as joint pain, abdominal pain, malnutrition, infer -
tility, fatigue, and the list goes on, varying per patient.
Western medicine says that those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease cannot digest this protein, and when eaten, it triggers an autoimmune response, provoking the body to attack itself and destroy healthy tissues, especially the villi in the small intestine.
Korean Constitutional Medicine attributes gluten intolerance to a lack of heat in the intestines, which is common especially among So Um In constitutional types.
Wheat, rye, and barley are termed “cool foods” that are not on the constitutional list for So Um In types, but rather on their opposite, So Yang In types. For So Yang In types, their intestinal area is already hot, and they have general problems with heat, so these foods are better for them. For So Um In types, however, they have issues with lower organ temperature and need “hot foods.” In the grain department, they thrive on brown and white rice, especially. Other foods that are better for the So Um In constitution are (but not limited to): honey, leeks, ginseng, dates, ginger, garlic,
onions, curry, and spicy foods, which all increase the temperature in the intestines. When the temperature in the intestines is too cold, your body can no longer take all the nutrients from the food you eat, and the food becomes only partially digested. Coolness creating a malfunction in the small intestine causes gas and bloating, and the digestion process is rendered incomplete. When this occurs, the large intestine becomes stressed, and it slows down to create constipation in some sufferers. In others, the liquid that was not properly removed in the small intestine remains, and causes diarrhea when it hits the large intestine. For many with gluten intolerance, these issues are unstable, and can vacillate from constipation to diarrhea often.
When the intestines are no longer taking the nutrients that they are supposed to, and are instead dumping them, this causes a lack of nutrition in the blood, which makes organs weak and causes fatigue. The blood also cannot cleanse itself as well any longer, which leads to a buildup of toxins in the joints that creates pain. Having coolness in the lower abdomen
also makes fertility difficult. To deal with the effects of gluten intolerance and celiac disease, it is essential for the sufferer to build their immune system with acupuncture and herbs. Limiting stress, exercising, and keeping a happy mind is ideal for all types. Constitutional food is also a must. Keeping a food diary is also a helpful thing to do, so that you may track how you feel after meals and really get to know what your body likes and dislikes; one body is always different from the next. Over time, your immune system will improve and build strong organs and things will go back to a healthy normal. So Um In types should also always eat on time, to a schedule, and consume smaller meals throughout the day. (Do not skip meals as this stresses out your organs.)
Larger meals can be difficult on this constitution’s digestive system. Buffets should also be avoided as the temptation for larger meals is so much higher.
It is a new year, and a great resolution to make is that of your health. Improving your immune system eliminates so many problems, including gluten intolerance. Happy New Year.
Out with the old, in with the new can apply to fashion, too
ELNA'S FASHION CHATTER
By Sue Manning
Although it is still “officially” winter in Solvang, the fashion world is buzzing about 2024 spring and summer. It is not that you can’t stay up to date on gorgeous winter fashions, as this is the time you will get the best buys on winter apparel.
Retailers need to clear out winter merchandise to make room for the fashion trends for the season ahead.
Yes, we have bought for spring and I am going to the clothing market in San Mateo for summer in January, that is why you can save 50 percent off selected winter ladies apparel right now at Elna’s Dress Shop.
I think you should wear whatever you want; just wear it for yourself. If you feel comfortable with a style, go for it!
Remember, our staff — Sue, Carol, Sandy and Selina —are experts when it comes
to coordinating a look and extending your wardrobe, and this service is free! We want you to enjoy what you wear and wear it with pizzazz. If you have any items of clothing that you’re having a hard time coordinating, bring them in — we like a challenge!
Denim is always in style, and quite frankly, I think everyone has something denim in their clothing apparel.
We immediately think of jeans and jackets — we have denim pants in Slimsation by Multiples and French Dressing.
I would like to give a big thanks to everyone who supported Elna’s Dress Shop this past year. You really make our season brighter. We have made so many wonderful friends from my customers and we are so glad we can carry on the tradition of assisting you with your clothing choices and Danish costumes.
Elna’s is open Monday, closed on Tuesday, open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Spring and summer clothing will be hitting the shelves soon at Elna’s, but until then, there will be sales on the remaining winter fashions. Star file photo
YEAR IN REVIEW
YEAR IN REVIEW
leaders, and more in Buellton were shocked at the sudden closure of longtime city landmark Pea Soup Anderson’s restaurant after it was sold. The new owner was unknown for a while, though it eventually was disclosed that it was purchased by local developer Ed St. George, who plans to reopen the restaurant as part of a new mixed-use development on the site.
Solvang Christmas Tree Burn spells end to Julefest
Published Jan. 16: After a year’s absence, crowds were able to return in early 2024 at Mission Santa Ines in Solvang for the annual Christmas Tree Burn, which signaled the end of the city’s month-and-a-half long Julefest and the holiday season in general. (For the story on this year’s Christmas tree burn, go to page 3).
SYHS girls wrestling team earns historic victory
Published Jan. 16: The Santa Ynez High School girls wrestling team reached a huge milestone on Jan. 10, 2024, with a 36-21 victory over visiting San Luis Obispo High. It was the first-ever league dual match win for the Lady Pirates since establishing a girls team in 2021.
Solvang museum gets new name for new era
Published Feb. 6: The local wildlife art museum, originally founded by local artist Patti Jacquemain in 2000 and located on Mission
Drive in Solvang since 2013, held a reception in January at the former Wildling Museum to christen its new name — the California Nature Art Museum.
Jr. Entrepreneur Fair returns to Solvang Veterans Hall
Published Feb. 6: Launched in 2023, the Jr. Entrepreneur Fair returned to Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall, presented by the Parks and Rec Department and sponsored in part by the Solvang Chamber of Commerce. School-age kids and teens again sold their products, homemade or otherwise, to make some money and learn a little bit about business. The event went so well, the city hosted another one in July during the Concert in the Park series.
Wine flows at the Garagiste Festival in Solvang
Published Feb. 20: The Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall again hosted The Garagiste Festival: Southern Exposure, as the 10th anniversary festivities happened on the weekend of Feb. 9 and 10. The event brought aficionados eager to savor handcrafted local wines poured by some 30 micro-production wineries.
Valley horse healer stresses communication in dealing with animals
Published March 5: Santa Ynez Valley resident Tammy Golden is an animal intuitive healer, behavior consultant, and herbalist who works mostly with horses who have psychological, emotional, behavioral, and physical issues. In talking to the Santa Ynez Valley Star
in February, she explains how she listens to her animals through what she calls a universal language: their body language combined with energy.
Pirates baseball starts new era under Gladstone
Published March 5: The Santa Ynez High baseball team began a new era in 2024 as Craig Gladstone, who had long been involved in youth baseball in the area and had been pitching coach at Dunn School, took over the program. Gladstone talked about building a new culture as his team jumped out to a 4-0 start, on its way to a 11-13 overall record, but is ready to make more progress in 2025.
Bethania Church hosts second SYV Empty Bowls fundraiser
Published March 19: After launching the first Empty Bowls fundraiser in the Santa Ynez Valley in 2023, and with much more time to plan and prepare, Veronica Medina and a host of volunteers brought 2024’s fundraiser to the source, as a robust crowd came to the Bethania Lutheran Church in Solvang on March 9 to pick out a handmade bowl and sample the various soups supplied by local chefs and eateries.
Hartmann wins re-election to District 3 county seat
Published March 19: In the March 5 election, which saw voters entering their choices in the presidential primaries and those of many state offices, Santa Barbara County District 3 Supervisor Joan Hartmann won reelection over challengers Frank Troise and Jenelle Osborne,
getting 58.86 percent of the vote to avoid a November runoff.
Buellton Wine & Chili Festival sees a lot of green
Published April 2: For the 10th time, the Buellton Chamber of Commerce vintners, brewers, chefs, and cooks had a chance to show off their offerings for the Wine & Chili Festival. And, in 2024, the event fell on an already festive day — that of St. Patrick. The May 17 date certainly wasn’t lost on the many attendees to the festival, as most of them came decked out in the traditional Irish colors, with many adding fancy hats and emerald-green beads and necklaces.
Buellton school district introduces allelectric bus
Published April 2: On Monday, March 25, Buellton Union School District bus driver Miguel Garcia drove a new Blue Bird All Electric 80-passenger school bus from Jonata Middle School around the block and back on the vehicle’s maiden voyage, with JMS students, and district and city officials. The round-trip may have been a short one, but for BUSD officials, it represent the first step in a number of improvements for the district’s campuses.
Flying Miz Daisy makes its presence felt in Solvang
Published April 16: Visitors to Mission Santa Ines on Saturday, April 6, got to experience the Flying Miz Daisy market, which founder Char Goetz explained is not your typical “swap meet” or “flea market.” While some of the vendors deal in straight antiques, many
handcraft their products out of repurposed materials, whether it be furniture, home decor, jewelry, or clothing.
Rainy forecast couldn’t curtail egg hunters at Buellton Easter event
Published April 16: The day before Easter Sunday drew sizable crowds, despite the threat of rainy weather, to Buellton’s River View Park for the 33rd annual Easter Eggstravaganza on March 30. The leadup to the popular egg hunt was greated with mostly sunny skies, although the event had to be curtailed somewhat with the possibility of the wet weather.
Ballard School hosts an old-fashioned Jamboree
Published May 7: Visitors to the Little Red School House in Ballard, which was built in 1882, traveled back in time on Sunday, April 21, to attend the Old-Time Ballard Jamboree, a fundraiser for the school which happens every other year. This year was the ninth time for the event, which was started in 2006. Many of the participants, both children and adults, were dressed in vintage attire depicting the late 1800s.
Economic Summit puts SYV issues under the microscope
Published May 7: Numerous local, county, and state official and economic leaders gathered April 19 at the Craft House at Corque in Solvang to discuss several issues at the Santa Ynez Valley Economic Summit 2024. Among the topics covered at the summit were viticulture, city insights, finances, tourism, and housing, with the intention of mapping a successful
YEAR IN REVIEW
and innovative future for the region.
Valley greets the return of the Rancheros Visitadores
Published May 21: An event that has been interrupted way too often in recent years was back on in Solvang on May 4, as the Rancheros Visitadores riders made their way through town. In all, an estimated 750 cowboys from 37 states and six countries came up from Santa Barbara — either on horseback or in horsedrawn wagons — and paraded up Alisal Road past a throng of spectators lining the street and waving American flags given out before their arrival.
Buellton resident named Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year
Published May 21: For the second straight year, an educator with ties to the Santa Ynez Valley won Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year honors. For 2025, it was Buellton resident Laura Branch, a science teacher at Ernest Righetti High School (ERHS) in Santa Maria for the past 25 years. The Santa Barbara County Education Office shared the news during the May 9 County Board of Education meeting.
Crowds see planes on display for SYV Airport Day
Published June 4: On Saturday, May 18, Santa Ynez Airport (also known as Kunkle Field), opened up its runway to visitors to see planes and other aircraft for its ninth annual Airport Day. The event was also noted for hopefully giving the push for future aviators as four Santa Maria Valley students ages 16-19 were
awarded flying scholarships to cover training at the airport and the costs involved with getting a pilot’s license.
Veterans Hall ceremony marks Memorial Day
Published June 4: The VFW Post 7139 hosted its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27. For longtime Post Commander Alvin Salge, it was notable as he announced that it would be his last as post commander: Marine Sgt. Jeff Willis (who would be the ceremony’s featured speaker) took over the position on July 1.
SYHS athletes announce college destinations
Published June 4: Santa Ynez High School held an on-campus ceremony as three Pirates athletes — Dallas DeForest (football, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy), Jessie Rae Flynn (track and field, Chico State), and Colin Bowman (club hockey, Liberty University) announced their plans for college. They followed the lead of women’s soccer players Keira Hazard (Cal Lutheran) and Charlotte Lewis (Cal State Bakersfield), who announces their college choices earlier in the year.
SYHS’s Class of 2024 graduates: ‘Now we get to run’
Published June 18: In front of a full grandstand of adoring family and friends at Rio Memorial Field, senior students at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School said goodbye to their high school years and took the first big step to their respective futures. One hundred and ninety-nine Class of 2024 graduates re-
ceived their diplomas May 31 in a brisk, efficiently run hour-long ceremony on a sunny Friday afternoon.
‘Earwigs can fly!’: Dunn School graduates 45
Published June 18: In his address at his school’s 2024 Commencement on June 1, Dunn School Head of School Kalyan Balaven mentioned how he had heard suggestion of changing the school mascot from the Earwig, but decided that the name fit the school. Compared to other high schools in the area, Dunn is considered a different animal — or insect if you will — and it was the student speakers who reminded the audience what made the school, and the people in it, so special.
Old Santa Ynez Days was awash in red, white, and blue
Published July 2: Downtown Santa Ynez was filled with families and visitors, young and old, anxious to partake in the 60th annual Old Santa Ynez Days Street Faire and Grand Parade, which was held on Saturday, June 22. The theme was “Where the West Went Wild.”
Solvang’s Pride Parade coming into its own
Published July 2: For the third year, the local LBGTQIA+ community, and those that support it, a lot of love and celebration June 22, when the local group SYV Pride put on another Pride Parade through the streets of downtown Solvang. In what’s becoming a spring-into-summer tradition, several people either on floats or vehicles or walking the route celebrates their pride in colorful costumes and accessories emphasizing the rainbow theme associated with that pride.
Lake Fire brings concern to Santa Ynez Valley
Published July 16: Santa Ynez Valley residents, and business and animal owners found themselves preoccupied in July with the Lake Fire, which start July 5 in the Zaca Lake area by Los Alamos and Los Olivos. Although there were evacuations and some damage in the outlying areas, the more-populated parts of the Valley came out unscathed from the blaze that eventually covered over 38,000 acres before being contained.
Solvang’s 4th of July celebration filled with ‘Life, Liberty, and Love’
Published July 16: The streets of Solvang were filled to overflowing with people from near and far anxious to take part in the 29th annual 4th of July Independence Day parade whose theme was “Life, Liberty, and Love.” Later that day into the night, the celebration moved to Mission Santa Ines and the annual fireworks show.
Buellton mayor: City is ‘going places’ and going strong
Published July 16: Buellton Mayor Dave King gave his annual State of the City address on Thursday, July 11, at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott and, fortunately he had some good news to share. “The theme of this year’s address is that ‘We are going places,’” King said after introducing many City Council and staff members in the audience.
SYHS starts first year under new principal/ superintendent
Published Aug. 6: After a year of having two
YEAR IN REVIEW
interim principals, Santa Ynez High School began the 2024-25 academic year with new principal/superintendent Kimberly Sheehan, who had been announced as the school’s new leader on April 16. She began the school year by limiting students use of cellphones (instead of an outright ban) and letting SYHS seniors have their own reserved parking spaces in the school lot.
Growing Minds Farm Education has a supporter in local farrier
Published Aug. 6: Robert Barnes has been shoeing horses for 38 years, 34 of which have been in the Santa Ynez Valley for his business, Black Iron Farrier. He comes from a long line of farriers; his father and grandfather were both horse shoers. One of his favorite projects is his affiliation with Growing Minds Farm Education, a newly established organization whose mission is to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive community through hands-on education in local agriculture for children in Santa Barbara County.
YMCA plan to go 24/7 meets opposition in Santa Ynez
Published Aug. 20: A proposal by the Channel Islands YMCA to the Stuart C. Gildred Family YMCA facility in Santa Ynez to expand its hours to 24 hours a day met opposition in August from neighbors Deanna Harwood and Frank Betts, whose backyards are adjacent to the facility. Harwood and Betts cited noise and safety concerns as the reasons for the opposition. Their appeal was postponed by the County Planning Commission and finally denied on Nov. 6, but the YMCA has not
yet expanded the hours as of press time.
Traffic, development at Alamo Pintado a hot topic at Solvang council meeting
Published Aug. 20: The Solvang City Council got plenty of non-agenda Public Comment in its Monday, Aug. 12, all having to do with traffic and proposed development at Alamo Pintado Road. Thirteen speakers used their respective three minutes talking about the area around the Alamo Pintado Road and Highway 246/Mission Road intersection. Long a point of contention with members of the public, topics dealt with the controversial Wildwood development proposal at Alamo Pintado and Old Mission Road and the prevalent speeding and traffic jams in the area.
First couple’s visit to SYV elicits various reactions
Published Sept. 3: President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden paid a weeklong visit to the Santa Ynez Valley, reportedly staying at the estate of Joe Kiani, after the president had spoken at the Democratic National Convention. While Biden himself didn’t make an public appearances other than attending mass at Mission Santa Ines, the first lady was spotted around the Valley, notably at the Book Loft in Solvang. Meanwhile, conservative members of the community met in Buellton to organize a anti-Biden demonstration and conduct a caravan through the Valley they dubbed the “Trump Train” in support of former and future president Donald Trump.
Defense sets the tone in Pirates football’s big opening-night victory
Published Sept. 3: The Santa Ynez High football team opened the 2024 with a bang, forcing six turnovers by visiting Dos Pueblos, most of them in Chargers territory, and took advantage, turning most of those turnovers into points, as the Pirates romped to a 48-0 victory.
Fomerly vacant corner lot becomes Buellton’s ‘green spot’
Published Sept. 17: A previously vacant lot, located at the corner of Central Avenue and 2nd Street in Buellton, became a hub of green activity, thanks to a gardener with a vision and a number of organizers and volunteers. Oh, and a little bit of help from the city. Artist Annie Yakutis and her husband, Greg Erickson, hosted the reception for the Buellton Community Garden, which included such local luminaries as County Supervisor Joan Hartmann, and Mayor Dave King, City Councilmembers Elysia Lewis and David Silva, and City Manager Scott Wolfe from Buellton.
Praise, and some concerns, over proposed Highway 246 project
Published Sept. 17: The Buellton Planning Commission met for its regular meeting on Thursday, Sept. 5, and had order of business: A Preliminary Review of the “Highway 246 Commercial Center” on a collection of small parcels at the corner of Highway 246 and Avenue of Flags. The project, which would be commented on in various meeting for the rest of the year, included a hotel, market, and coffee shop that would have a giant coffeepot as part of the drive-thru.
Danish Days was awash with Danish flags and Viking helmets
Published Oct. 1: The 87th annual Solvang Danish Days, a three-day cultural event, was held Sept. 20-22 in celebration of the establishment of Solvang by Danish Americans in 1911. The multiple weekend events were well attended and filled with fun, food, Æbleskiver Eating and Lego Building Contests, axe-throwing, street vendors, multiple festivities, parades, Danish Maid Kaeley Reid, live entertainment, street dancing, and family activities, offering attendees a total Danish experience. The theme of this year’s event was “Det Dansk, Det Dejligt” — “It’s Danish, it’s delightful!”
Carnival serves as fundraiser, sneak peek for Children’s Museum
Published Oct. 1: Ashley Jenkins continues to beat the drum for the work-in-progress Santa Ynez Valley Children’s Museum at the former Willemsen property on 202 Dairyland Road in Buellton. The founder and board president hosted a fundraising event on Sept. 14, a Carnival event with several games for all ages, free tacos, and a silent auction for various prizes, as well as a separate option for a lot of homemade desserts.
‘Past Meets Present’ at annual Los Alamos Old Days
Published Oct. 15: The 78th annual Los Alamos Old Days celebration, a three-day event, was held on the weekend of Sept. 27-29, featuring a Classic Car Show, an Artisan’s Faire, the Old Days Stampede 5K Run, dinner and dancing at the Men’s Club, food, music and
YEAR IN REVIEW
games for the children, and the Biggest Little Hometown Parade. The theme of this year’s event was “Past Meets Present, A Time To Remember.”
Mayor Infanti gives scoop on the state of Solvang
Published Oct. 15: On Friday, Sept. 27, many Solvang elected officials, businesspeople, and residents gathered at the Craft House on Corque to hear Mayor Mark Infanti give the State of the City award. The audience was also treated to a keynote speaker — Jesper Kamp, who is the Danish Consul General for Silicon Valley and spoke of the business relationship between the U.S. and Denmark. In his address, Infanti said there was cause for concern in the city. “Expenses are going up, but revenue has not,” he said. “Shortly that’s going to be a problem.”
Motor buffs admire fancy wheels at Solvang car show
Published Nov. 5: For the second year, the annual car show in Solvang was put on by the Vikings of Solvang, a noted community group, who took it over after the organizers of the Wheels ‘n’ Windmills decided to retire that particular event. The events showed several different kinds of cars, and every owner had a story to tell about their vehicles, it seemed. The money raised went to the Vikings of Solvang Endowment Fund, a 501(c) (3) organization which provides funding for the medically related needs of qualified individuals and health care organizations in the Santa Ynez Valley and throughout Santa Barbara County.
SYHS Theatre Group performs ‘Little Women’ in November
Published Nov. 5: The Santa Ynez High School Theatre Group is preparing for six weekend performances of a literary classic, “Little Women.” The shows will be the first under the direction of Amy Curti, a 1991 graduate of SYHS who took over for Jeff McKinnon, the founder of the group who retired earlier this year.
Buellton, Solvang elect new mayors
Published Nov. 19: While the nation was electing Donald Trump again as president, the SYV cities of Buellton and Solvang were electing new mayor for the upcoming twoyear cycle. In Buellton, challenger David Silva unseated Mayor Dave King, while in Solvang, David Brown defeated Jamie Baker and Denise El Amin to replace Mark Infanti. Also, Infanti and Claudio Orona were elected to Solvang Council seats, and Elysia Lewis and John Sanchez were voted in on the Buellton council. All ran unopposed.
Crowds
come out for multiple Solvang veterans events
Published Nov. 19: This year, local residents and tourists in Solvang had two chances to celebrate Veterans Day on the second weekend of October. In addition to the traditional ceremony at the Solvang Veterans Hall on the actual holiday, a county veterans group held an event two days earlier at Solvang Park, with food, games, live music, and other fun.
SYHS athletic teams capture CIF titles
Published Nov. 19: On Nov. 12, the Santa
Ynez High girls tennis team captured the school’s second CIF Central Section championship in two weeks, beating Clovis West 5-2 in the Division II championship match. Earlier in the month, the Pirates’ girls golf team won its second straight CIF title, a few months after the boys golf team won a CIF title of its own. In addition, Malia Ortiz (wrestling and pole vault), Santino Alvaro (wrestling), and Vince Casey (long jump and 4x100 relay) won individual CIF championships.
Solvang’s Turkey Trot personifies the term ‘fun run’
Published Dec. 3: Much of the crowd waiting to take part in Solvang Parks and Rec’s 13th annual Turkey Trot could be found in the usual running attire shorts, tank tops, T-shirts, maybe a headband or a few, but many chose a more festive choice of garb for the event, that was held on Thanksgiving morning for the second time. Among the record crowd of approximately 225 participants were some who got a little creative with their jogging threads, making the event a real fun run.
Valley communities celebrate Christmas with style
Published Dec. 17: As December descended upon the Santa Ynez Valley, communities commenced with colorful and celebratory events. On the weekend of Dec. 6-8, events in Solvang, Buellton, Santa Ynez, and Los Olivos ushered in the holiday season. And Solvang’s Julefest, as usual, stretched it out over a month with a big parade and various events, ending with the Solvang Tree Burn on Jan. 3.
NATIVITY PAGEANT
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
Roman soldier was played by John Spradly, and the Magi were Glenn Beede, Nathan VanBergen, and Gabe Clow.
A special thanks to Santa Barbara Strings, directed by Mary Beth Woodruff; Valley Glee Club & Los Olivos Arts Outreach directors, Lacie Johnson, and Megan Linton;
SOLVANG NEW YEAR
Children’s Choir and parents; and the Adult Choir, directed by Alan Satchwell.
“It was an absolutely fabulous evening, a true way to enjoy Christmas and the blessings it brings,” said Diane Kees. She and her late husband Wayne donated the stainedglass windows for the church.
“It was thrilling conducting the adult choir in such a beautiful setting, the Presbyterian Church,” said
Solvang Tree Burn, according to Candice Libera, the marketing and events coordinator for Solvang’s Parks and Rec Department.
“We have over a month of stuff going on for the Christmas season, and we always end it with the tree burn in early January,” Libera said. “But we found that the schedule was kind of bare between Christmas and the tree burn, and just wanted something else to fill in the gap. And having something to do with New Year’s Eve was an obvious choice.”
And, of course, Solvang is known for being founded by Danish immigrants, and conveniently, Denmark is nine hours ahead, so the folks at Solvang Park were able to ring in 2025 at a decent hour.
“It’s great because we can bring in the families, and everyone’s fresh,” Libera said. “And we were able to get a great band (The Molly Ringwald Project), and Whiskey and Rye were able to bring their food truck in and have their own space.”
In addition, there were activities like (toy) ax throwing, cornhole and other games, as well as a booth offering face painting and henna tattoos from Buzzle Bee, a Los Olivos business. However, the real focal point was The Molly Ringwald Project, the popular local band belting out some of the 1980s’ most memorable hits such as “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This,” “Hungry Like the Wolf,” and “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”
The band was met with an enthusiastic crowd. One of the audience members, Wendy Demandante, was one of the first to start dancing in front of the stage, but eventually, the makeshift dance floor filled up leading to the countdown.
“This was really a great event, and I’m having a good time,” Demandante, who’s from Colorado but has family in the area, said. “It’s one of the reasons I like coming back here.”
Over to the side of the stage, Rashaad Jones
Alan Satchwell, the adult choir director. “In all my years of choir directing, this was a highlight.”
“It was a beautiful night with adorable children, lovely music, and so well attended,” said Patti Rogers. “I think everyone in the Valley was here tonight, especially all the children. It’s so nice to see all these folks together celebrating Christmas and the birth of Jesus.”
“The production quality was out-
and Amanda York, from Monterey, were showing some fine dance moves of their own.
“We do a lot of ballroom dancing so whenever we can get some live music we like to practice,” Jones said.
The couple said they were visiting Santa Barbara and decided to drive up to Solvang for the event before spending New Year’s Eve back down there.
“We heard about this thing they were having and decided to check it out,” Jones said.
“That’s the good thing about coming up here; there’s always something going on,” York added.
Meanwhile, over at the Whiskey ‘N Rye truck, Director of Operations Matthew Negrete was busy taking and getting out orders on the new vehicle.
“We just got this truck about two and half months ago, so we can get into some catering,” said Negrete, whose restaurant is on Atterdag Road. “When we found out they were doing this, we were able to contact the city and get the chance to set up here. We’ve been doing great today, and it’s great way to get our name out to the community and serve it.”
Eventually, the time came for the countdown to the “New Year,” as The Molly Ringwald Project’s singer Roxy counted down to 3 p.m. to loud cheers from the audience.
Also, in attendance was Solvang City Manager Randy Murphy, and he and Libera both agreed the event was a success, and could lead to more things added to future Julefests.
“This has been great, and it’s just shows what kind of community this is,” Murphy said. “I don’t remember how this idea came about, but we had people that saw an opportunity and made this happen.
“I think there are more possibilities for next year; we’ve been talking about setting up an ice skating rink somewhere, and thinking of other stuff to fill the gap until the tree burn, so we’ll see.”
So, until the next New Year’s afternoon party, cheers!
standing, with glorious costumes, superb lighting, and choir direction. And the children’s choir was beyond adorable with the little ones following the hand gestures given by the choir leader. It was beyond delightful,” said M. Rodriguez.
“I am extremely grateful that I was given the opportunity to be part of bringing this long-time Christmas tradition back to the Valley. I believe it was well re-
ceived, and it seemed as if the community really enjoyed having this family event in Solvang again,” said van der Linden. “The food and fellowship time that followed the pageant was a really nice addition (Thank You, Ruthy Gallo). God’s hand has been at work throughout this entire process, and I believe that was made evident on Sunday night. I am already looking forward to next year’s show.”
The Solvang New Year’s Celebration saw a rousing performance from The Molly Ringwald Project that had many in the audience dancing. Photos by Mike Chaldu
CALENDAR
GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
TUESDAY, JAN. 7
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 9 A.M.
County Administration Building, 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara For more info: countyofsb.org
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 8
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION, 9 A.M.
Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Administration Building, 511 Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria For more info: countyofsb.org
LOS OLIVOS COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT, 6 P.M. Los Olivos Grange Hall, 2374 Alamo Pintado Ave, Los Olivos For more info: losolivoscsd.com
THURSDAY, JAN. 9
BUELLTON CITY COUNCIL,
6 P.M.
At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton For more info: cityofbuellton.com
MONDAY, JAN. 13
SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL, 6:30 P.M.
At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak St., Solvang For more info: cityofsolvang.com
TUESDAY, JAN. 14
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 9 A.M.
Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Administration Building, 511 Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria
For more info: countyofsb.org
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 15
SANTA YNEZ COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT, 5:30 P.M.
At Community Services District Building, 1070 Faraday St. For more info: sycsd.com
THURSDAY, JAN. 16
SOLVANG DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE, 10 A.M.
At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak St., Solvang
For more info: cityofsolvang.com
BUELLTON PLANNING COMMISSION, 6 P.M.
At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton
For more info: cityofbuellton.com
TUESDAY, JAN. 21
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
EVENTS
SATURDAY, JAN. 11
ST. MARK’S SANTA YNEZ VALLEY CONCERT SERIES, 7 P.M.
In Los Olivos, the St. Mark’s Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series brings exceptional musical performances to the heart of wine country. Hosted in the stunning sanctuary of St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church, the series showcases world-class talent spanning classical, jazz, folk, and contemporary genres. Known for its superb acoustics and intimate setting, the venue enhances every performance, creating a profound connection between artists and audience. This year’s series kicks off with mezzo-soprano vocalist Tivoli Treloar, who is pursuing her Master’s in vocal arts at The Juilliard School and had featured roles this season with the Juilliard Opera. Whether you’re a seasoned music enthusiast or a casual listener, the St. Mark’s Concert Series offers an unforgettable experience. Join us for an evening of inspiring music and discover the magic of live performance in this enchanting setting.
At St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church, 2901 Nojoqui Ave., in Los Olivos
For more info: smitv.org/20242025-santa-ynez-valley-concertseries.html
12 DAYS OF WINTER TOUR, 8 P.M.
Three Southern California singer/ songwriters hit the road to melt hearts and share the soul of Americana music as Cathryn Beeks, Sande Lollis, and Micah Justice play together at Lost Chord Guitars in Solvang.
Beeks has been sharing original music and shining a light on the folks who make it since her first podcast in San Diego in 2004 called “The Listen Local Show.”
Lollis is an award-winning San Diego-based vocalist and songwriter renowned for her ability to weave captivating stories through her music. Justice is a seasoned singer-songwriter, known for her dynamic sound and thought-provoking lyrics.
At Lost Chord Guitars, 1576 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang
For more info: lostchordguitars. com, click on “Shows” link
SATURDAY,
JAN. 18
APRÈS-SKI WINTER RELEASE PARTY
Join us for our 3rd Annual AprèsSki Winter Release Pick Up Party! New Wines have been bottled and are ready to be tasted alongside a delightful Alpine-themed food pairing. This event is open to the public. You don’t have to be a club member to enjoy this event. Once you have purchased your ticket, we will contact you to confirm your RSVP time slot between the hours of 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those available time slots are 11:30, 1:00, 2:30. Please message us if you have a preference.
At Dreamcôte Wine Co., 2933 San Marcos Ave Los Olivos
For more info: dreamcotewines. com/happenings
STARTING SUNDAY, JAN. 19
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY RESTAURANT WEEKS
Mark your calendars! Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Weeks is back from Jan. 19 to Feb. 1, offering a delectable journey through our region’s finest flavors. Indulge in specially crafted prix fixe menus that celebrate local culinary artistry, perfectly paired with world-class Santa Ynez Valley wines.
Exceptional Dining Experiences: Participating restaurants will present exclusive three-course prix fixe menus at enticing price points: $30, $40, or $50 (plus tax and gratuity). It’s the perfect chance to sample the best our talented chefs have to offer!
Wine & Tasting Room Perks:
Enhance your experience with two-for-one tastings and special discounts on bottle purchases at participating wineries and tasting rooms.
Stay Connected: Get a sneak peek of menus and more by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Calling All Restaurants: Want to join the festivities? Reach out today to learn how to become a part of this celebrated event.
Don’t miss this delicious opportunity to explore the Santa Ynez Valley’s culinary delights! Please note: Participating restaurants, hours, and menus are subject to change. For more info: visitsyv.com/restaurant-weeks/
FRIDAY, JAN. 24
QUEEN NATION AT THE CHUMASH CASINO RESORT, 8 P.M.
Queen Nation, the acclaimed tribute band dedicated to celebrating the electrifying spirit and legacy of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame music group Queen, makes its return to the Chumash Casino Resort’s Samala Showroom with a “Queen Re-Imagined Symphonic Rock Show” on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. Tickets for the show are $20, $30 and $40. Formed in 2004, Queen
Nation promotes itself as one of the most accurate re-creations of a ‘70s and ‘80s Queen concert in the United States.
At Chumash Casino Resort, 3400 Highway 246, Santa Ynez For more info: chumashcasino. com/entertainment
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
