Santa Ynez Valley Star • June 6, 2023

SYHS's Class of 2023, 170 strong, turns the tassels

Speakers talk of fear, perspective, and the future

By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

On the first evening of June, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School's newly renamed Rio Memorial Field had a different look: A large stage with a "2023" sign in lights and video boards on either side of it, not to mention '80s rock music blaring from the portable speakers facing the stands. The appearance took on the air of an imminent rock concert.

However on this evening, the "rock stars" would be the 170 SYHS seniors who would graduate in the school's 2023 Commencement ceremony.

In front of an enthusiastic crowd of family and friends, the senior class heard addresses from three of their fellow students, Principal Michael Niehoff (who last month announced he would not be returning next year), and Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year Gregory Wolf, who would later play a rendition of Pink `Floyd's "Wish You Were Here," for the crowd.

The soon-to-be graduates filed out of the SYHS gym toward the stagefront seats to the tune of the

traditional "Pomp and Circumstance" at around 7 p.m., a later start for the ceremony than in previous years.

After everyone was seated, Rye Winans came up to the stage and led everyone in the Pledge of

Allegiance, which was followed by the national anthem, sung by Opal Ray.

After a welcome address from seniors Natalia Contreras (in English) and Ada Degollado (in Spanish), Niehoff announced

two special recognitions. The first was that a seat that was set aside by the Class of 2023 for Connor Graciano, whose death as a ninth-grader kept him from being in the Class of 2023. The

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Community | 15 Program at Solvang Vets Building honors the fallen on Memorial Day

News Briefs

2

• State Route 154 Safety Committee to meet June 14 in Solvang News

3

• Senate passes farm-backed bill on fire insurance

Opinion

• LEE PITTS: Dog house days

8

Community 11

Old Santa Ynez Days goes wild later this month

Arts/Nonprofits 16

Local jazz singer Chris Di Pego enjoys another artistic outlet Lifestyles

20

• HOLIDAY HISTORY: How our famous flags came to be Calendar 23

• Government meetings and event

Santa Ynez High graduating senior Nathaniel Keating was one of three student speakers at the school's Commencement. Photos by Mike Chaldu

Santa Ynez High graduating senior Elle Arvesen addresses her fellow students at the SYHS Commencement on June 1

New Santa Ynez High graduate Alondra Guerra does a little dance coming down from the stage after getting her diploma.

Graduate Ada Degollado (right) is shown with her brother, Noe Degollado, who came up from San Diego to surprise Ada at the ceremony.

SOLVANG

mittee include: County Supervisor Joan Hartmann, Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte, County Supervisor Laura Capps, Solvang Mayor Mark Infanti, and Buellton Mayor Dave King.

The meeting will begin with presentations on the latest safety and improvement efforts, followed by a question-and-answer session with representatives from various agencies.

State Route 154 Safety Committee to meet June 14 in Solvang

The State Route 154 Safety Committee will convene at 5:30 p.m. on June 14 at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Building to discuss the latest traffic safety and improvement efforts with a specific focus on the Los Olivos community. Representatives from Caltrans, California Highway Patrol, County of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), Senator Monique Limón, Assemblymember Gregg Hart, and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians will be present at the meeting to provide updates, answer questions, and address concerns.

State Route 154 is a California state highway that runs between U.S. 101 in Santa Barbara through the San Marcos Pass, Los Padres National Forest, Santa Ynez Valley, and Los Olivos, and State Route 246.

SBCAG Board of Directors formed the committee in 2019 to convene public agencies to address safety-related concerns among committee members and the public. SBCAG directors appointed to the com -

Presentations will be in English with simultaneous interpretation in English and Spanish. Written comments for the committee can be submitted in writing until 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, submitted via U.S. Postal Services to 260 N. San Antonio Road, Suite B, Santa Barbara, CA 93110; or electronically by email at info@ sbcag.org.

More information about the meeting, including updated State Route 154 Frequently Asked Questions and public participation options, will be presented on the committee agenda and posted online at https://bit.ly/3WusovS by June 6.

Second annual SYV Pride Parade in Solvang to highlight month-long celebration

Santa Barbara County nonprofit Santa Ynez Valley Pride (www.SYVPride.org) has plans in place for the second annual Pride celebration to grace the region’s various wine country towns, a multi-faceted month of events spanning June 1-30, 2023.

The month’s main attraction arrives on Saturday, June 24, as the SYV Pride Parade will roll through downtown Solvang with floats, music, and more, starting at 11 a.m., and ending with a family-centric

Pride Festival at 12 p.m. in Solvang Park (on the corner of Mission Drive and First Street). Festival attendees should expect a kid-friendly afternoon complete with live music, a bounce house, a beer and wine garden sponsored by Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. and Camins 2 Dreams winery, food vendors such as Rudy’s Fresh Mexican Food and The Doggy Door hot dogs, and an inspirational lineup of special guests and speakers.

The parade is one of many activities and events happening over June, which is Pride Month, including the legendary Maverick Saloon in the town of Santa Ynez hosting “Gayraoke” on each Tuesday of the month; a fine art pop-up gallery and reception, “All Dressed Up, Everywhere to Go,” at Crawford Family Wines in Solvang on Thursday, June 8; and a family-friendly Silent Disco, closing out the month, at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church in Los Olivos, on June 30, among other events.

The SYV Pride foundation is the first registered 501(c)3 nonprofit in the Santa Ynez Valley that is dedicated to supporting and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community.

The June 2023 SYV Pride celebration is open to the public with ticketed and non-ticketed events. Event updates will be posted to the SYV Pride website (www.SYVPride.org), and Instagram and Facebook feeds: @SYV.Pride and facebook.com/SYVPride.

Elverhoj Museum to hold Solstice Sundowner Benefit Party

The Eleverhoj Museum of History and Art in celebrating the year's longest day at the Solstice Sundowner Benefit Party on Saturday, June 17, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.

The merrymaking starts with beverages overlooking the vines and includes fine food, a spirited auction and live entertainment topped with plenty of "hygge" (comfort) around the glowing Solstice "Sankt Hans Aften" (summer celebration) bonfire!

The festivities take place at the Stonecrest Estate at Kærskov Vineyard, a beautiful site above Alamo Pintado Road in Solvang.

For tickets, go to elverhoj.org/solsticetickets?utm_term=2023-06-01.

SANTA YNEZ

Chumash Resort recognized once again as AAA Four Diamond-rated property

The Chumash Casino Resort Hotel, Corque Hotel in Solvang and Willows, the tribe’s fine-dining restaurant at the Chumash Casino Resort, have once again been awarded with the special distinction of being recognized as AAA Four Diamond-rated properties.

The American Automobile Association (AAA), which evaluates and awards the designation to an exclusive class of hotels and restaurants across North America, inspects and approves properties for this annual distinction. AAA consistently awards this distinction to less than 10% of the hotels and restaurants that it inspects.

Chumash Casino Resort Hotel has received the award every year since it was first honored in 2004. Willows has earned the honor in consecutive years since 2005, and Corque Hotel’s run of awards began in 2011.

“Our tribe is proud to be recognized once again for the fine hospitality and accommodations our guests experience at our hotels and restaurant,” said Kenneth Kahn, tribal chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. “This is a testament to the strong leadership and talented Team Members who consistently provide a memorable experience for our guests. It’s an honor to achieve these AAA Four Diamond ratings.”

For this year’s 2023 list, the Chumash Casino Resort Hotel and Corque Hotel were part of just 6.5% of hotels inspected by AAA to earn the Four Diamond-rated designation. AAA notes that the hotels in this elite group have “upscale style and amenities enhanced with the right touch of service.”

Senate passes farm-backed bill on fire insurance

Legislation aims to expand insurance options for farmers affected by wildfire risks

By Caleb Hampton Guest Contributor

CALIFORNIA — Wildfires that raged across California over the past several years have devastated farms, spoiling crops and burning farm buildings. After the flames were extinguished, the threat of wildfires has continued to cost farmers in other ways.

Since the Thomas and Tubbs fires in 2017, farmers in parts of the state have seen the premiums on their property insurance policies rise exponentially. Some have had their policies dropped altogether.

“We started being targeted for living in an area that was susceptible to wildfires,” said Peter Nissen, a Napa County winegrape grower and president of the county Farm Bureau. “In certain zip codes, insurance carriers would not renew — or not even entertain in the first place — a property’s ability to get insurance.”

Last week, the California State Senate passed legislation that would build on solutions signed into law in 2021 to improve insurance options for farms exposed to wildfire risk.

The California FAIR Plan, the state’s insurer of last resort for those struggling to find coverage options, covers residences. But the FAIR Plan long excluded commercial farm structures. Structures such as tasting rooms, outbuildings, packing houses and storage facilities, some containing thousands of bottles of wine or other valuable commodities, became impossible for many farmers and

vintners to insure.

“Just like any business, you want to be able to have insurance to manage your risk,” said Peter Ansel, policy advocate for the California Farm Bureau, adding that the problem threatened the viability of farm businesses.

Without insurance, business owners, like homeowners, are generally ineligible for the loans they need to establish their operations.

“If you are a homeowner, you typically can’t get a mortgage to buy that home without being able to access insurance,” Ansel said. “When we’re talking about farmers, they need to be able to access loans to build those farm operations and facilities.”

In 2021, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 11 to include commercial farm structures in the FAIR Plan. It was an important step, farmers say, but the policies were ex -

pensive and did not provide comprehensive coverage for many farms.

“People have had to get creative to meet the insurance threshold their lender requires,” Nissen said. “Before, they might have had one policy that covered five or six properties. Now, they may have several different policies to get the proper coverage because no one will cover everything.”

The FAIR Plan was not meant to be a permanent solution.

“The goal is to get back into the competitive market where the rates will hopefully be better and the policies will be comprehensive,” Ansel said. To the extent that they have reassessed the risk profile of certain areas, “that’s also what insurance companies want,” he added. “They want to be able to compete and write more policies for businesses.”

The FAIR Plan has a clearinghouse where insurance companies can browse

its policies and make coverage offers. However, the clearinghouse lists only residential policies, not commercial ones, preventing farmers from bringing all their properties back under the same competitive insurance policy.

“You could find yourself in a scenario where your residential policy would end up on the clearinghouse list, but the policies written for the building across the driveway would still be in the FAIR Plan,” Ansel said.

Senate Bill 505, authored by state Sen. Susan Rubio, D-Baldwin Park, and sponsored by the California Farm Bureau, would add commercial policies to the FAIR Plan clearinghouse so that they can re-enter the competitive market and get better insurance coverage. It passed the Senate last week and now goes to the state Assembly.

“California’s farmers and ranchers need insurance options to safeguard their ability to continue producing the food that America needs,” said California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson. “Senate Bill 505 provides agricultural producers who turned to the California FAIR plan the ability to return to the competitive insurance market.”

The legislation is supported not just by farmers but also insurers, brokers and agents, he added.

“California businesses do best when they have more choices for insurance coverage,” said California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, who co-sponsored the bill with the Farm Bureau. “Giving them more options must be our top priority.”

Caleb Hampton is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. He may be contacted at champton@cfbf.com.

A firefighter contends with a brush fire. Contributed Photo

NEWS BRIEFS

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Chumash Casino Resort is located at 3400 E. Highway 246 in Santa Ynez. For reservations or more info, go to chumashcasino.com.

SYHS holds annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony

Santa Ynez Valley Union High School recently celebrated the Class of 2023 with the annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, May 16.

Ninety-four seniors received well over $200,000 in scholarships, as well as dozens of department awards. This represents well over 50 percent of the seniors getting recognized by various community members for their outstanding curricular and co-curricular accomplishments.

Nearly 50 community groups, nonprofit partners and individuals were responsible for supporting these seniors and the Class of 2023. The entire list of Scholarship Partners and Sponsors can be seen online at tinyurl.com/SantaYnez2023Scholarships.

SYHS Head Counselor Danielle Lageman said that she and the entire coun

seling department are appreciative each and every year of the tremendous support from so many community partners.

“Our seniors are very fortunate to have such an engaged group of partners and supporters that help make their college and career plans possible,” said Lageman.

The Class of 2023, along with the entire staff at Santa Ynez Valley High School would like to thank the community for all of the continual support.

SANTA BARBARA

Cottage Urgent Care offers $35 physical exams for students engaging in sports and summer activities

Cottage Urgent Care is pleased to offer discounted pre-participation physical examinations for students engaging in sports and summer activities. Students can benefit from these examinations at a discounted rate of just $35 across all Cottage Urgent Care locations.

During the exam, a board-certified advanced practice provider, either a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, will assess the student’s overall health, evaluate fitness levels and address any recent health changes and concerns. In Califor -

nia, students who plan to engage in sports or summer activities, such as camp, must undergo physical examination.

Pre-participation physical exams are offered at all 15 Cottage Urgent Care locations. These locations are conveniently located along the coast in San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Orcutt, Buellton, Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Ventura, Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Camarillo.

While appointments are highly encouraged, walk-ins are also welcome. Cottage Urgent Care locations are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 365 days a year. To schedule an appointment or for more information, visit cottagehealth.org/urgentcare.

SANTA MARIA

Concerts Announced for Santa Barbara County Fair

The Santa Barbara County Fair has announced its concert lineup for this year's fair, which happens July 12-16. All four concerts are free with paid admission to the fair.

The fair kicks off on Wednesday, July 12, with a tribute band highlighting the best songs from the Eagles and Creedence Clearwater Revival.

On Thursday, July 13, Grammy, CMA and ACM award winner Ashley McBryde will perform. The Grand Ole Opry member’s 2018 major label debut "Girl Going Nowhere" charmed listeners and critics, all en route to landing a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album.

Country Superstar Uncle Kracker will take the stage on Friday, July 14. Uncle Kracker is a multi-platinum artist, with such No. 1 hits such as “Follow Me,” “Smile,” and Kenny Chesney duet “When The Sun Goes Down.”

Switchfoot will close out the lineup on Saturday, July 15. The band has sold almost 10 million copies worldwide of their 12 studio albums (including their 2003 double-platinum breakthrough "The Beautiful Letdown" and 2009's Grammy Award-winning "Hello Hurricane"), racked up a string of alternative rock radio hit singles, and performed sold-out tours with over 5 million concert tickets sold in over 40 countries around the world. Presale tickets will be available online, at the Fairpark box office, and presale outlets from June 9 to July 9. The Santa Barbara County Fair takes place July 1216 at the Santa Maria Fairpark. For more information go to santamariafairpark.com.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Diablo Canyon Power Plant operated safely in 2022

Conclusion announced during Wednesday evening public meeting in San Luis Obispo

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — The Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) received its annual assessment from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regarding the safety of Diablo Canyon Power Plant. The NRC, during a public meeting held on Wednesday evening at the San Luis Obispo County Government Center, confirmed that PG&E operated the facility safely throughout 2022.

"The NRC's assessment places Diablo Canyon among the highest performing plants in the U.S. nuclear industry. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our

skilled colleagues and our unwavering commitment to meeting both PG&E's and the NRC's stringent performance standards," stated Paula Gerfen, PG&E senior vice president and chief nuclear officer.

The public meeting served as an opportunity for the NRC to review how PG&E successfully met a range of industry-wide safety and performance objectives in 2022.

PG&E is actively planning to submit a license renewal application for Diablo Canyon Power Plant by December 2023. This action aligns with the direction set forth by the State of California in Senate Bill 846. During the public meeting, NRC staff provided an overview of the license renewal process, including the safety and environmental reviews that will be conducted. There will be further opportunities for public engagement throughout the relicensing process.

Photo by John Lindsey

Staff Report

Residents in Santa Ynez Valley, and beyond, show huge heart for lost dog

Search, rescue of Regina and Benny Jensen's German shepherd Puppy involved many generous individuals

By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

Regina and Benny Jensen adopted a 4 1/2-year-old German Shepherd named Puppy. Puppy’s owner was forced to give him up because he had lost his home in Santa Barbara and had to relocate.

“I had been aware of this dog for a couple of years,” said Jensen. “As a trauma therapist, I had observed the dog who had a barking problem. So, when Puppy’s owner had to give her up, I volunteered to take her. She was put into my car by her owner and I suspect that she ran away in an effort to find him.”

Jensen said she could understand why Puppy took off.

“When we first got her, she was shaking with fear at being given away by her owner and didn’t understand what was happening. She had not yet had the time to bond with us or to realize that this was to be her new forever home, as we had only had her for little more than a day,” explained Jensen. “Our backyard is completely fenced in and it was astonishing how she escaped. When my husband, Benny, gingerly opened one of the gates to check on another gate, Puppy darted out from behind him and she was off and running.”

After looking all over the neighborhood for her, the Jensens reached out for some professional help. Information on Puppy’s escape traveled like wildfire with people coming from Santa Maria and Los Angeles to help look for her, even staying overnight.

“Camilla Persson of Vandenberg Village was the first one to help me,” said Jensen. “She faithfully kept my spirits up and informed me of possible sightings, encouraging us to remain hopeful and do what needed to be done to find and catch Puppy.”

Persson suggested that Jensen get in touch with Stephanie Statom.

“Stephanie tirelessly made and distributed extremely large posters that she made herself that had been designed by Jenn from Dog Days Search and Rescue, in Los Angeles, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, volunteer-

based, animal search and rescue group whose primary focus is to help lost animals reunite with their owners," Jensen said. "There was no current picture of Puppy for the poster, so a picture of a lookalike dog was used instead and posters were hung, not only locally, but in neighboring towns as well.

“While Stephanie talked to people and mapped out the area that Puppy seemed to have chosen for her new home in the wild, we set up a feeding station, as Jenn had suggested. A neighbor, Carolyn, who lived on Alamo Pintado, graciously gave us special permission to set up a feeding station at her place. I bought Puppy’s favorite dog food and now we just had to wait and see. Jenn drove all the way from Los Angeles to set up a dog-trap and camera and slept in her van all night. And Debra from Santa Maria flew her drone with an infrared camera to see if they could find her. Julia De Sieno found a shepherd, but it was a male.”

Days turned into weeks, with no Puppy sightings, but after 23 days of constant searching, a miracle happened.

“It must have been the work of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, or why else would the dog suddenly turn the other way and run along Alamo Pintado Road

all the way to Buttonwood Farm where Stephanie had posted one of her posters?" Jensen said. "How could staff members at Buttonwood, Lee Gottheimer and Noah Hunt, have been so quick-thinking after seeing the shepherd, to close the door of the barn into which Puppy had run, and then, dash to the poster to find out where to contact us? It was a miracle.

“Benny and I rushed over to Buttonwood and there in the barn was the fugitive Puppy, half-starved, skinny and shivering, but alive ... we are so happy she is home. Now we are just trying to fatten her up and let her bond with us. She is doing much better now.”

But Jensen’s question is: “What might have happened if all those sweet people had not helped, together building this golden net of support and caring? Every phone call makes a difference! We would not have found Puppy if not for the community of people who came together to help. I am eternally grateful to everyone.”

This is a tale with a happy ending but Jensen cautions, “Listen to the professionals. They know what they are doing and exercise extreme caution. Dogs like to run!”

In appreciation to all those who helped out, Jensen is giving out gift certificates for

$100 to her Good-as-New store in Solvang, which is filled with “high-end resale items.” If you didn’t already get one, or a donation, contact Jensen at (805) 688-6909.

Regina Jensen sit on the back porch with Puppy, the adopted German shepherd who ran away and went missing for almost two weeks. Jensen found Puppy thanks to the coordinated efforts of many community members. Contributed Photos

When the recently rehomed German shepherd Puppy ran away, there was no current picture of the dog for the "missing" poster, so a picture of a lookalike dog was used instead and posters were hung not only locally, but in neighboring towns as well.

By Lee Pitts Columnist

Ilove all animals, with only two exceptions: rattlesnakes and cats. Rattlesnakes are deadly serpents sent by the Devil, and cats are just annoying balls of fur.

As kids, we went to a ranch owned by a bar buddy of my dad's that was infested with rattlers. We went to Yale T Richardson's ranch to cut firewood and to shoot at beer cans with a 22 rifle that my brother and I owned in partnership. It was drummed into my empty head before going to Yale T's

Dog House Days OPINION

that rattlesnakes should be killed every chance you got. If you saw one by the side of the road you always stopped to chop its head off with a shovel carried specifically for that purpose.

There were plenty of beer cans at Yale T's, but I remember being very disappointed that I never came face to face with a rattlesnake because I wanted to test a theory I'd heard that said if you point a rifle at a rattler, you couldn't miss because the snake will look at the end of the gun and follow it with its eerie eyes. This is supposedly why snake charmers play a clarinet-like instrument called a "pungi" because the snake will be mesmerized and follow the musical instrument with its head. As part of my research, I tried to get my sister to play her clarinet in front of one of Yale T's rattlers, but she wasn't will ing to make the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of science.

I paid for my college education by

working in the dry, dusty oilfields, which were known for two things: being extremely hot and harboring a sizable snake population. On my first day, I was told that since we'd be working close to the "doghouse" at headquarters, I could just leave my Roy Rogers lunch bucket there. The fact that someone even acknowledged my existence should have been a red flag, but I was greener than a gourd and didn't yet appreciate how mean roughnecks, roustabouts, pumpers, and mechanics could be. When I opened my lunch bucket, instead of finding a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a Twinkie, I stared straight into the beady eyes of a coiled rattlesnake. How was I supposed to know it was dead? Ha, ha, very funny, guys.

which we were instructed to carry with us at all times. Basically, it was a rubber tube that when pulled apart revealed a razor sharp blade and a suction cup with which to suck out the venom. I was told that I'd need to make a deep "X" cut through the fang marks left by the rattler. I've always wondered if I'd have had the courage to do such a thing or if I'd just be a sissy and die.

I've lived virtually my entire life in rattlesnake country and I kill about one per year. My wife likes to garden and I'm afraid she'll be bit by one, so I gave her my rattlesnake kit and a pair of catcher's shin guards for protection.

Because I live in California and cannot buy snake skins legally, my friends often bring me rattlesnake skins which I incorporate into my leather work. One neighbor brought

tles. But before I did that, I put the skin to good use.

I have an acquaintance who I think is a closet PETA member who always wants to borrow my tools that he never returns. Despite my kindness, he never hesitates to tell people that I'm evil because I chop the heads off rattlesnakes. When he called up wanting to borrow a leather hole punch, I harkened back to my doghouse days. I wrapped my neighbor's huge snakeskin in a coil and placed it in a toolbox. Then when the leach arrived, I acted busy and told him that the hole punch was in the toolbox on my workbench. As he opened the toolbox, I rattled a plastic butter container full of pebbles, and as he ran out of my garage at a world record-setting pace, I yelled, "Hey, you forgot the hole punch."

Santa Ynez High School renames football field in honor of Rio family

The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School

Board approved renaming the school’s football field in honor and memory of Jeff and Carl Rio on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Rio Memorial Field will

now be the official name where both the football and soccer teams play their home games. SYHS head football coach and P.E. teacher Josh McClurg made the proposal for the name change during the April board meeting. McClurg, a 1994 graduate of SYHS, was coached by Jeff Rio and then coached with Carl Rio.

“It is rare to find a family that had such a lasting impression on an athletic program,” said McClurg. “Between Jeff’s time as a player and team leader in the mid-'80s, to his time as a coach

in the '90s, and then to Carl coaching from 1999 until 2014, they were involved in the football program for four decades.”

Jeff Rio passed away tragically in a car accident in 1996. Fittingly, the celebration of life for Jeff was held at the football stadium, which will now be named after him and his father.

Former Pirates head football coach Ken Gruendyke said, “The whole place was packed, and it was unbelievable ... it was something I will never forget.”

After Jeff’s passing, Carl did

not attend a football game until 1998. After he saw all of the players wearing black armbands with “Rio” on them and a banner with #66, McClurg said that Carl realized that Jeff was still part of the program’s culture and decided to help with the program. Carl became the equipment guy, assistant trainer, boosters member, and a father figure to so many young men. Just like his son, he became a huge part of the program. Also, tragically, Carl passed away in 2016 from a battle with cancer.

The football program already has numerous ways they honor the memory of the Rio family. The tunnel they run out of has #66 (Jeff’s jersey number), Carl’s ride (the football golf cart), Carl and Jeff’s picture in the locker room, the Rio Memorial Golf Tournament, the Jeff Rio Memorial Scholarship, and now Rio Memorial Field. The 2023 Pirates football team will officially play the first game at Rio Memorial Field on Sept. 8. At that time, the football boosters will unveil a new sign and press box.

The Santa Ynez High football field will be named in honor of former coaches Carl Rio (left photo) and his son Jeff (right photo). Contributed Photos

Competitors get out for early run in Wine Country Half-Marathon

Around 2,200 runners take part in the Santa Ynez Valley event and the post-race Wine Festival afterward

Staff Report

The runners were out in force in Solvang on Saturday, May 13, as the city again was the focal point of the Wine Country Half-Marathon.

Around 22 runners took part in the 13.1mile race, which took them from downtown Solvang, then passed through Los Olivos, up Corkscrew Hill before the a run down Ballard Canyon to the grand finish on Copenhagen Drive back in Solvang. Along the way, the competitors passed the horse ranches, fruit

orchards, lavender farms, and vineyards of the Santa Ynez Valley.

After all that, the first person to cross the finish line was somebody running the race for the first time — Josef Gertner of Orcutt, who finished the race in 1:11:18.68.

Coming in second nearly four minutes later was Chris Gregory of Carpinteria, last year's race winner, at 1:15:13.57, and coming in third was Thompson Ogilvie of Santa Ynez at 1:18:33.54.

Gertner said his first experience with the Solvang race was an enjoyable one.

"It was good; a beautiful morning and no wind," he said.

Gertner moved to the Central Coast about a year ago from Colorado, he said, and is currently a P.E. teacher at Fillmore Elementary

School in Lompoc.

"I didn't realize they had this event, but a friend told me about it, and I decided to enter," he said. "It was a beautiful course, I liked running past the vineyards."

Lindsey Young of Long Beach finished first among the female competitors with a time of 1:28:25.95. Rebecca Glusac (1:30:57.69) of Santa Barbara, and Kirsty Michealsen (1:32:44.56) of Buellton, finished second and third.

For Young, the race was part of a family outing.

"We wanted to do something special for Mother's Day [which was the day of the race], and we all decided to come up here," she said. "My mom was the one who said we should come. I'm here with my sister, my mom, my

brother-in-law, his brother, his sister, and my boyfriend are all running in the race."

Another category in the half-marathon was the relay, where one person ran the leg of the race to Los Olivos and tagged off to another person who ran the last half back to Solvang.

D&G Relay of Bismark, North Dakota, won the relay with a time of 1:37:48.17. Spring Chickens of Los Alamos placed second at 1:44:09.50, and NETZERO of Irvine finished third at 1:46:18.70.

After the race, the competitors were able to enjoy themselves at the post-race Wine Festival at Solvang Park, located close to the finish line.

Organizers announced that the Wine Country Half-Marathon would return next year, scheduled for May 11, 2024.

The top three women's finishers (from left) Kirsty Michealson (third), Rebecca Glusac (second), and Lindsey Young (first) pose for a photo at the Wine Country Half-Marathon.

Lindsey Young, of Long Beach, celebrates after winning the women's race.

Josef Gertner, of Orcutt, breaks the tape in Solvang as the top finisher in the Wine Country Half-Marathon.

The top three men's finishers (from left) Chris Gregory (second), Josef Gertner (first), and Thompson Ogilvie (third) pose for a photo at the Wine Country Half-Marathon. Photos by Mike Chaldu

Runners head down Atterdag Road in Solvang on their way to the finish line on Copenhagen Drive during the Wine Country Half-Marathon on May 13.

A sign for three specific runners reminds them of what awaits them after their race is over at the Wine Country Half-Marathon in Solvang

Old Santa Ynez Days goes wild

Annual event features a ‘Kick-Ass Kick-Off Party,’ Hometown Parade, Street Fair and PRCA Rodeo

Staff Report

“Back in the day,” while other townships in the Santa Ynez Valley were gentle, quiet and focused, Santa Ynez was the “Wild Town.” Indeed, there was allegedly a sign with one end pointing to Ballard “1/2 mile to Virgin City” and the other pointing to Santa Ynez “1 ½ miles to Buzzard’s Glory.” This year, Ol’ Santa Ynez is going wild again from June 23-25.

Old Santa Ynez Days will kick off in high gear with a “KickAss Kick-Off” party at the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum

on Friday night, June 23. It’s a kick-up-your-heels event with a traditional Pig Roast sponsored by The Pork Palace and dancing to the always entertaining Cash Cooper Band.

The Santa Barbara County

Cattlewomen are this year’s Old Santa Ynez Days Grand Marshals and will be just one contingent of many equestrian and locally noteworthy entries to the hometown parade, which begins at 10 a.m. and travels from

Meadowvale to Edison down Sagunto Street.

Following the parade, visitors will be treated to small-town fun with live music by The Cadillac Angels, the traditional Santa Ynez tortilla toss, free games,

a petting zoo and crafts for the kids, a beer garden hosted by Solvang Brewery, food trucks dishing up a wide variety of deliciousness, a giant street line dance and a plethora of Central Coast artisans offering their wares in the heart of downtown.

Of course, what would the weekend be without the rodeo?

The PRCA sanctioned Old Santa Ynez Days Rodeo begins Saturday afternoon and runs through Sunday. See bull riding, saddle broncs, roping, barrel racing, mutton busting, and even a stick horse race (hey, kids only).

The once-sleepy town of Santa Ynez is all fired up to showcase both the renaissance of the town and the traditions to which it holds. Details and links to tickets for the Kick-Ass Kickoff and the Rodeo can be found at oldsantaynezdays.com

2022 Santa Ynez Old Days Grand Marshals Joe and Alice Olla (left) lead the way during the parade. The Olds Days event and activies return on June 23 and last through June 25. Contributed Photo

LOOK FOR ELNA’S DRESS SHOP “FASHION CHATTER” IN THE NEXT SANTA YNEZ VALLEY STAR NEWSPAPER

Honorary plaques, seat naming campaign unveiled at Solvang Theaterfest’s Donor Recognition Reception

On May 23, the Solvang Festival Theater was the festive site for a celebration honoring the more than 450 donors who supported the Imagine! capital campaign to rebuild much of the Solvang Festival Theater. The capital campaign raised over $5.1 million over four years. Donors

marveled at the transformation of the theater that was completed in July 2022, and viewed the large bronze plaques bearing their names. Many individual plaques recognized parts of the theater especially named for donors.

The celebration also included the unveiling of the plaque naming the iconic box office tower after Judge Royce R. Lewellen, who was one of the Solvang Festival Theater’s founding community members and continued to support the theater throughout the years. Donors contributed over $550,000 in honor of Lewellen. The main entrance gate

now bears the names of donors Lloyd and Ken Mills.

The Walker family chose to put their name on the lawn lobby. A large stone from their property was brought in to bear their plaque.

“Tonight is the culmination of years of effort that go all the way back to 2015,” said Chris Nielsen, past chairman of the Theaterfest board of directors. “It was a lot of hard work by the board and a lot of commitment, not only by the board of directors but also by the community around us. Now we have a theater that will be here

for generations to come.”

In addition to thanking all the donors for their generous contributions to the Imagine! campaign, the reception included the announcement that Solvang Theaterfest will soon launch a seat-naming campaign. The launch is expected in June, although those attending the celebration were given the opportunity to donate before the launch.

Solvang Theaterfest is the 501 (C ) (3) nonprofit corporation that owns and operates Solvang Festival Theater. It is managed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors.

More than 450 donors honored for supporting the Imagine! capital campaign Staff Report

Polly Firestone Walker and David Walker sit atop the stone placed in the Theater Lobby Garden that features their honorary donor plaque. Contributed Photos

Ann Foxworthy Lewellen (left of plaque) and Mike Lewellen (right of plaque) are surrounded by other donors who contributed to the Royce and Ann Lewellen Memorial Tower.

National Charity League presents its graduating class of 2023

Santa Ynez Chapter serves more than 14 local philanthropies with hands-on support.

By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

The National Charity League, Inc. (NCL), Santa Ynez Valley Chapter presented the graduating class of 2023 on Sunday, April 23, at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church to celebrate and recognize its six years of community service.

The mother-daughter teams volunteer throughout the community with multiple philanthropic organizations, including Friendship House, People Helping People, Solvang/ Buellton Parks and Recreation, just to name a few.

This year’s graduates are Ava Hamaoui, Zoë Kazali, Mae Urquidez (Dunn School), Lily Mazza, Hannah Allen, Khaki Allen, Quinby Janes (Dunn), Sophia Lawrence (Dunn), Allie Linane, and Gabbie Robles. Most of the girls will be graduating from Dunn School and Santa Ynez Valley Union High

School this spring.

Gabbie Robles, who is also currently the Santa Ynez Valley Youth Recreation Queen, received the award for the most community service/philanthropy hours, almost 400 hours.

Several students expressed their appreciation for what they have learned and accomplished during their time with the National Charity League.

“Santa Ynez National Charity League has been a part of my life for the past five years," said Allie Linane, NCL graduate. "During this time, I have learned about leadership, serving in various roles from parliamentarian, secretary, and president. I have been exposed to cultural events such as teas, theater and opera. I have seen areas of my community that needed help and was able to volunteer my time to help make a difference. I have done all of this with an amazing group of girls that I am so grateful to call my friends. NCL kept us connected for years and I am so thankful for that. I am happy to have been a part of the National Charity League and appreciate all of the hard work from the moms that make it possible.”

“NCL has taught me that no mat-

ter how small your actions may seem, you can always make a positive difference in your community or in someone’s life," said Ava Hamaoui, a student at the Savannah College of Art and Design. "Living in such a small town, it is really special being able to observe and experience first-hand the impact NCL makes.”

“My time in National Charity League has taught me great leadership skills, to appreciate and learn about culture, how to serve my community, and, above all, how to build meaningful relationships and support others," said Mae Urquidez of Dunn School. "I am so grateful that I have been a part of this wonderful organization that has shaped me into who I am today.”

Established in Los Angeles in 1925, and incorporated in 1958, the National Charity League, Inc. is the nation’s premier mother-daughter nonprofit organization. The Santa Ynez Chapter was organized in 1994 and serves more than 14 local philanthropies with hands-on support.

By incorporating mission-based programming, National Charity League develops socially responsible community leaders and strengthens

the mother-daughter bond through philanthropy, culture, and leadership. Through the mother-daughter relationship, with focus on NCL, the organization strives to develop strong women leaders serving and impacting communities today and for generations to come.

The NCL honors the mother-daughter bond by together learning, growing and modeling responsibility and graciousness. It empowers women with the skills and confidence to lead. It nurtures through mentorship, inspires a legacy of social awareness and compassion, provides a depth of support in local communities and integrity and excellence in

everything they do. National Charity League recognizes the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences to meet the needs of the communities it serves.

Currently, the philanthropic organization has over 200,000 members and alumnae in hundreds of chapters across the nation. Last year, members contributed more than 2.7 million volunteer hours to more than 6,000 local philanthropy partners and their chapters, resulting in a $68.7 million fiscal impact. National Charity League will proudly celebrate its 100th Anniversary in 2025. For more information on how to get involved, visit nationalcharityleague.org.

The National Charity League graduating class of 2023 are (from left) Ava Hamaoui, Zoë Kazali, Mae Urquidez, Lily Mazza, Hannah Allen, Khaki Allen, Quinby Janes, Sophia Lawrence, Allie Linane, and Gabbie Robles.Contributed Photo

Airport Day attracts many aviation enthusiasts

More than 1,000 attend annual event; flight scholarships rewarded to three aspring pilots

By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

The Santa Ynez Valley Airport held its annual Airport Day, a celebration of local aviation, on Saturday, May 20, with more than 1,000 people attending the event. It was hosted by the Santa Ynez Valley Airport Authority (SYVAA), with more than 40 aircraft on display and pilots available to explain general aviation and provide descriptions of their aircraft and stories of their flying experiences to the visitors.

“There were more planes involved in the event this year than last year,” said Bill Krauch, chairman of the 2023 Santa Ynez Valley Airport Day event.

During a noon ceremony, winners of flight-training scholarships were announced. The winners of the Full Ride Aviation scholarships, valued at $18,500 each, were Dallas Harvey and Rye Winans, with a partial scholarship valued at $4,000 (to date) going to Asa Radelfinger. The scholarships were sponsored by the Santa Ynez Valley Airport Authority and from generous donations it received in support of the scholarship fund.

The tarmac was covered with planes spanning nearly the full history of aviation. Resting in the shade of the wing of his aircraft, Ted Bowman explained that he was the owner of a 1988 six-seater Bonanza A 36.

“I learned to fly in Santa Paula about 35 years ago and flew off and on. About three years ago, in 2020, we bought this little plane when we thought the time was right. This is the only airplane I’ve ever owned,” said Bowman. “We pretty much bought it as is. The previous owner was a retired pilot in Oregon and it was his ‘baby.’ So, it was in excellent condition. We wanted to find just the right plane. It has the latest

glass panel instrumentation.”

“This is like our family’s Suburban; we just load everything into it and take off,” he continued. “I have two boys who play ice hockey. They were playing in Los Angeles, so instead of driving, which would have taken us three hours, we flew there instead in 38 minutes landing at Hawthorne Municipal Airport. We also fly the plane all over the western United States.”

Another local aviator, Jourdi de Werd, offered some information on

his 2014 Cirrus SR22T.

“It’s the only single-engine plane manufactured with a parachute, so if the engine fails, for any reason, the pilot deploys the parachute at a minimum of 600 feet above ground and it lands safely,” said de Werd. And he had pictures to prove it, which were displayed on the nose of the aircraft.

“I purchased it on Dec. 23, 2014, as a gift for my wife because she refuses to fly in any plane that does not have two engines or a para-

Airport pretty much every week. It takes 38 minutes, no matter what the traffic is like on the ground. It’s a real business tool. Flying allows me to do more business in less time and therefore spend more time with my family.”

All of the aircraft were impressive, but the show-stopper was a giant helicopter, a Sikorsky HH60L “Lima” Black Hawk, converted to a Fire Hawk. It was acquired in 2019 and flown directly from the Sacramento National Guard to the Valley without having to be disassembled and then reassembled, according to Senior Deputy George Deluca, chief air support pilot for Santa Barbara County.

Deluca explained that the helicopter has a 1,000-gallon water tank beneath it with a retractable snorkel to pump the water into the helicopter. It also has an externally mounted rescue hoist capable of lifting 600 pounds. It is used for extinguishing large wildland fires and for multiple injury and mass casualty rescues. Because of its weight, 22,000 pounds, it can only land at Sierra Vista Hospital.

Demonstrating its capacity to extinguish fires, the helicopter made a water drop to the delight of spectators.

“This helicopter is a game changer for the citizens of Santa Barbara County,” said Deluca.

chute,” he said. "She gets extremely nervous when she flies in small planes with only one engine. I have been happily married for over 30 years, so I know the right thing to buy her.”

De Werd is an investment banker specializing in mergers and acquisitions.

“I fly about 300 hours a year and if I’m in town, I attend this airplane show every year,” he said. “I use the plane for work in Los Angeles landing at Hawthorne Municipal

The Santa Ynez Valley Airport supplied the food for the free barbecue lunch, which the Rotary Club of Solvang cooked for the visitors to enjoy. There were also educational programs providing first aid and emergency response techniques taught by trained first responders, information on aviation education, and careers.

The event was sponsored by the Santa Ynez Valley Airport Authority and the many generous donations it received to support this event.

Airport Day successfully brought out many aircraft enthusiasts, both young and old, to spend the day celebrating their love of aeronautics.

Dallas Harvey, one of three to be award flight-training scholarship at Santa Ynez Valley Airport Day, receives his scholarship from SYVAA Board Member Ryan McGill.

Ted Bowman is the owner of a 1988 six-seater Bonanza A 36, which was on display at the Santa Ynez Valley Airport's Airport Day on May 20.

Pictured during Airport Day is a Sikorsky HH-60L “Lima” Black Hawk, which was converted to a Fire Hawk and is used for extinguishing large wildland fires and for multiple injury and mass casualty rescues. Photos by Devyn Marseilles

Program at Solvang Vets Building honors the fallen on Memorial Day

Event culminates a weekend of recognition around the Santa Ynez Valley

By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

While many may look at Memorial Day Weekend as a welcome extra day off, those who attended, and spoke at, the program May 29 at Solvang Veterans Memorial Building, let everyone know the real meaning of the day and weekend.

The program at the vets building is an annual event in Solvang, and again retired Air Force Lt. Col. Alvin Salge, also the Commander of VFW Post 7139, was there to preside as emcee.

"Today, Memorial Day, we honor veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of the United States in all of our wars, from the Revolutionary War through the Afhanistan War," Salge said in his introduction. He then uttered a quote from the Bible that read: "There is no greater love than this; that a person who would lay down his or her life for the sake of their friends.

"Remember when veterans signed up for military service, they pledged to protect the United States even willing to give their lives if necessary," Salge continued. "These active duty service men and women need special recognition on this day."

The start of the program saw the audience leave the hall to witness the raising of the flag by the local Scout troops, as well as a gunfire salute by the local Honor Guard, playing of taps, and presentation of the Honor Wreath for the fallen servicemembers.

Back inside the hall, The Rev. Chris Brown of the Bethania Lutheran Church gave the invocation and benediction, World War II veteran Matt Landers

read a poem titled "Farewell to the Greatest Generation," and the Santa Ynez Valley Chorale, directed by David Torres, performed throughout the program.

The event's keynote speaker was Maj. Gen. Douglas Schiess, the commander of the Combined Force Space Component Command, of which Vandenberg Space Force Base is a part.

"Today, we gather to observe Memorial Day, a day that carries both grief and sadness, but also tremendous gratitude and admiration," Schiess said. "We come together to remember the lives and sacrifices of the brave servicewomen and men who gave the last full measure of devotion to our nation so that we may enjoy the freedoms we hold dear."

With that, he told of one servicemembers' death that hit home with him, Staff Sergeant Austin Bierens of Umatilla, Oregon, who died in northern Syria at the age of 25 in 2017 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

"I was the commander who gave the order for him to deploy for our freedom; Staff Sgt. Bierens was there to protect a unique space asset that saved service members lives," Stiess recalled. "His death was not from combat, but he was deployed in a remote location in Syria and suffered a medical emergency. [Schiess' wife] Debbie and I were there to welcome home his remains with full honors when he arrived for the last time."

The second speaker was one

The resulting fight, has come to be known as the Battle of Foxtrot Ridge. The fighting, much of it in pre-dawn darkness was fierce and confusing. When it was over, the Marines had suffered 13 men killed and 44 wounded, killing 230 of the enemy during the nine-hour battle."

In his speech, Smith gave his memories of the people he knew who died in that battle, and also reminded the audience of those who were killed in Vietnam, but didn't actually die there, having succumbed to the cancer cause by Agent Orange or those that took their own lives.

"It was part of the bargain we all made," Smith said. "The reason we were all willing to die for one another. As long as I have memory, I will think of them every day."

Salge wrapped up the program by reading the names of those from the Santa Ynez Valley who died fighting for their country, war by war.

that Salge called an "American hero." Retired U.S. Marine David Smith, who later would teach at Santa Ynez High School, survived a battle in Vietnam known as the Battle of Foxtrot Ridge, which happened on May 28, 1968.

"I asked Col. Salge to allow me to speak this Memorial Day because it is the 55th anniversary of 28 May 1968, a date that I have remembered for all these years, my own special Memorial Day," Smith said.

The battle is described in the book "Foxtrot Ridge: A Battle Remembered" by Mark William Woodruff: "The 88 Marines of Foxtrot Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment were engaged by an NVA battalion of over 500 men near Khe Sanh.

Afterward, audience members were treated to a free barbecue lunch provided by Pam Gnekow's Outreach Foundation and served by members of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The program at the Veterans Building was the final event of the weekend marking Memorial Day.

On Saturday, May 27, American flags were placed on the graves of fallen servicemembers at four local cemeteries — Mission Santa Ines, Chalk Hill, Oak Hill, and St. Mark's — with short ceremonies held at those same cemeteries Monday morning. Also, on Saturday and Sunday, May 27-28, members of VFW Post 7139 gave out poppies, considered a symbol to remember those who died in World War I, in front of the Buellton Albertson's.

Members of American Legion Post 160 (from left) Jeff McKeone, Bill Grove, and Joe Gonzalez fire their guns in salute during a Memorial Day ceremony at St. Mark's-in-the-Valley cemetery. Not pictured: Bugler Jeff Willis. Photo by Mike Chaldu

Local jazz singer Chris Di Pego enjoys another artistic outlet

continued. “I also sang for years at ‘Thursday Nights’ at Fess Parker’s Inn and Spa with Marcie and Fess and my husband, Jerry, playing the snare.”

By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

Chris Di Pego has been tickling the ears of her listeners with her beautifully smooth, yet powerful voice and her unique and versatile singing style since she was a young girl.

“Singing has always been my passion, that and my art. I started singing at a beer bar in college at Arizona State University, mostly pop music during the '70s,” said Di Pego. “Singing has always been a huge part of my life.”

After college she instantly joined a show group called “Fantasy” singing in various locations around the United States and appearing on shows with Bob Hope. She also started writing music and collaborating with song writers as well as writing her own.

“When I returned from being on the road, I did the club scene in Los Angeles singing at Bob Burns in Santa Monica, numerous restaurants and dinner clubs,” she said. “I had a single out with Frankie Valli called ‘Where Did We Go Wrong.' I’ve been performing for more than 30 years.”

During her time in Los Angeles, she opened her own business called Pretty Penny, selling her novelty ladies accessories to Nordstrom.

“When we moved to the Valley, I started singing locally at Theaterfest and various venues throughout the Valley,” Di Pego

Her husband is Gerald Di Pego, a playwright, producer, and film writer of “Phenomenon,” “Message in a Bottle,” “The Forgotten,” “154 and Paradise,” and “Words and Pictures” to name just a few of his accomplishments.

They have been married for 31 years. They met over a hedge in Santa Monica, but it wasn’t until five years later she says, that they ran into each other and both were available.

“He asked me to a Christmas party at his house and that was it,” she said.

The Di Pegos raised two standard poodles they had for 14 years. They now have a 1.5-year-old miniature poodle named Gage.

Not only is Di Pego a jazz singer, who likes to take standard songs and do her own thing with them, she is also an artist, who favors abstract art and various crafts. Her work is presently hanging in Sainte Marie, a new store in Solvang that is an in-house fashion boutique, and also her art is soon to be viewed at L’Angolino Restaurant in Solvang.

DiPego performed jazz in the courtyard of Sainte Marie in Solvang on Saturday, May 27. Next, she will be performing at Red Tail Ranch in Buellton on July 8 along with Chris Judge on guitar, Brendan Statom on stand-up bass, and singer, songwriter and poet Ruben Lee Dalton.

For more information, call (805) 2459349.

December 26, 1923 – January 31, 2023

She is also an accomplished artist who has her works displayed in town

Jazz singer Chris Di Pego will perform at Red Tail Ranch in Buellton on July 8. She will be performing with Chris Judge on guitar, Brendan Statom on stand-up bass, and singer, songwriter and poet Ruben Lee Dalton Contributed Photos

Fossemalle Dance Studio presents 34th season of 'An Invitation to Dance'

Tickets are currently on sale and will be available exclusively at the Fossemalle Dance Studios

Staff Report

The Santa Ynez Valley Performing Arts Company, housed at the Fossemalle Dance Studio, is presenting its 34th Season of “An Invitation to Dance" under the direction of Christine Fossemalle, assisted by Sonia Ibarra Corona.

The performances will be held at the Santa Ynez High School Little Theater on the evenings of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, June 22-24 at 7 p.m. The latecomers will be seated during the first short pause.

The wide range of ages and expertise from their dancers, associated with their mutual support and camaraderie, makes for entertaining performances of ballet, lyrical, jazz, hip-hop, and tap choreographies.

They are also presenting another generation of newcomers, showcasing the technical as well as artistic evolution of their young dancers and celebrating their graduates: Lily Barnes and Amelie Loya.

For their dancers, these performances are

either the reward of their first year of involvement; for many others, it is the compiling effect of years of devotion to their craft; for the graduates, it is a decade or more of commitment to strive for their best prior to beginning a new stage in their life. The studio wished them the very best.

Furthermore, they are happy to welcome back one of their 2022 graduates as a guest artist for the season: Camryn Kemp.

In addition to her continued daily training and dedication to her dance in college, Kemp has always been a role model at the studio, with an exquisite work ethic. The studio values those qualities and are delighted to encourage, nurture and reward them. They are certain that her presence and contribution will inspire a new generation.

Each dancer has the same desire to express themselves through dance and cherish these upcoming performing moments in the process. For the teachers, they appreciate the continued opportunity to share their passion with the dancers.

Tickets are currently on sale and will be available exclusively at the Fossemalle Dance Studios in Santa Ynez. For more information, call (805) 688-8494.

The studio's dancers will have three nights of performances June 22-24 at the Santa Ynez High Little Theater. Contributed Photo

Celebrating June 14: How our famous flags came to be

It was a large flag, and he wanted it as soon as possible. Pickersgill delivered the flag six weeks later.

"Old Glory."

By John Copeland

June 14, which is on a Wednesday in 2023, is a birthday we often overlook. It is the birthday of the American flag. As children, most of us heard the story about Betsy Ross sewing the first flag. But what about a couple of America’s famous flags, the Star Spangled Banner and Old Glory? Those are both tales that also deserve to be remembered.

The Star Spangled Banner

In the early years of the 19th century, numerous disagreements between the United States and Britain had led the US to declare war on Britain. The British Navy, the mightiest in the world, began lining up outside Chesapeake Bay, between Virginia and Maryland, threatening to halt shipping traffic into the port.

Major General George Armistead was the commander at Fort McHenry in the Baltimore harbor on the Chesapeake. He wanted to send a strong message that America would defend its harbors. One way to do this was to hoist an oversized American flag above Fort McHenry and it would become one of the most famous American flags — the Star Spangled Banner.

Armistead knew just where to go for his flag: Flag maker Mary Pickersgill of Baltimore. Pickersgill was well-known and highly regarded.

Armistead ordered a garrison flag measuring 30 by 42 feet with 15 stars and 15 stripes.

On Sept. 13, 1814, Baltimore’s Fort McHenry withstood 25 hours of bombardment by the British Navy. The following morning, the fort’s soldiers hoisted the enormous American flag, a sight that inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem he titled “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Originally set to the tune of an old English drinking song, it would later be adopted as the U.S. national anthem.

The modern meaning of our flag was forged in December 1860 when Major Robert Anderson, acting without orders, raised the Stars and Stripes over Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor in defiance of the new Confederate States of America. The Confederates opened fire on Fort Sumter and the garrison surrendered shortly after.

In the weeks after Fort Sumter, our flag took on a new meaning and was used throughout the North to symbolize the American nation and the rejection of secessionism. For the first time, American flags began to be mass-produced rather than individually stitched. Even using Eli Whitney’s application of mass production, manufacturers could not keep up with demand for American flags.

Old Glory

In 1831, Captain William Driver, a shipmaster from Salem, Massachusetts, was presented a flag of 24 stars by before he departed on a voyage. As the banner opened to the ocean breeze, Driver exclaimed, "I name her “Old Glory,'" and Old Glory accompanied the captain on his all voyages.

Driver retired from the sea in 1837, taking his treasured flag with him. He settled in Nashville, Tennessee. On patriotic days he displayed Old Glory on a rope from his house to a tree across the street. By the time the Civil War broke out, nearly everyone in and around Nashville was familiar with Driver's

When Tennessee seceded from the Union in 1861, Driver feared that Old Glory might be confiscated or destroyed by the Confederates. He sewed the flag inside a comforter hiding it. The Rebels were determined to destroy Old Glory, and repeatedly searched his home, but could discover no trace of the banner.

The Union army captured Nashville, in 1862, and raised a small American flag over the capital. Folks asked Driver if Old Glory still existed. Driver began ripping the seams of his bedcover and as the stitches unraveled, the onlookers peered inside and saw the 24-starred original Old Glory!

Driver gently gathered up the old flag and returned with the soldiers to the capitol. Though he was 60 years old, the captain climbed the tower to replace the smaller banner with his beloved flag. The Sixth Ohio Regiment cheered and saluted — and later adopted the "Old Glory" nickname — as the motto of the regiment, telling and retelling the story of Captain Driver's devotion to the flag we honor even today. His Old Glory became a nickname for all American flags.

Flag Day was first celebrated in 1877, on our flag’s 100th birthday. But, the idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the flag is believed to have first originated in 1886 when Bernard Cigrand proposed an annual observance of the birth of the flag in an article he penned titled, “The Fourteenth of June” and published in the old Chicago Argus newspaper. It was another 30 years before it became national observance. President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation calling for a nationwide observance of Flag Day on June 14, 1916. However, Flag Day did not become official until August 1949, when President Harry Truman signed legislation from Congress and proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day. In 1966, Congress also requested that the president issue annually a

proclamation designating the week in which June 14 occurs as National Flag Week.

Flag Day is a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag, its designers, and makers. Our flag is representative of our independence and our unity as a nation, with liberty and justice for all.

This year, instead of overlooking Flag Day, let us be reminded of what the day represents. Our flag has never been just a flag. Our flag is a time capsule that embodies the very essence of what it means to be American. Our flag is recognized on the 14th of June because that day in 1777 marked the beginning of its unparalleled journey of representing the past, present, and future of the United States of America.

Visitors to the National Museum of American History in 1989 look up at the Star-Spangled Banner.

Photo courtesy Smithsonian

More on posture balance: Aligning the spine

weakness; T7 stagnation results in pancreatic and abdominal issues, diabetes, infections and ulcers; chi stagnation in the area of T8 and T9 causes kidney function issues, adrenal, renal, and dermatology problems like hives; stagnation in the areas of T11 and 12 are also related to kidney and skin problems; finally, stagnation in T12 is related to the small intestine and lymph node circulation problems.

GOOD MEDICINE

By Dr. Hyun K. Lee

In my last article, I pointed out the importance of maintaining proper alignment of the jaw. We learned that if the jaw is out of balance, it sends a ripple effect through the brain and down the back, misaligning the spine.

Down the spine runs one of your body’s many meridians. If your spine is in less than perfect shape, it causes a compression on this meridian. The flow of chi throughout the area becomes stagnated and problems begin to arise. Where this compression/stagnation falls determines what these symptoms will be.

The spine is divided up into 5 sections: the upper most area located in the neck called the cervical spine, the mid-back area called the thoracic spine, the lower back called the lumbar spine, and the lowest areas of the back and pelvis called the sacrum and coccyx. In medical terminology, each vertebrae have a designated letter and number attached. For the cervical area a C is assigned, for the thoracic a T, and so on. Each one of these vertebrae affects a certain area or organ function in your body. We won’t be focusing on the cervical portion of the spine for now, but putting our attentions to the thoracic and below.

Chi stagnation in the area of T1 causes asthma, coughing, being easily out of breath, voice, and esophagus problems; T2 stagnation results in heart problems and cholesterol buildup; T3 stagnation causes lung and chest area diseases including breast cancer and makes the patient prone to catching colds, bronchitis, and flu easily; stagnation around the T4 area creates issues like gallstones, acid reflux, and herpes found around the torso; T5 stagnation causes liver and blood circulation diseases, arthritis, and joint issues; stagnation in the T6 area results in digestion problems and stomach pain or

Chi stagnation in the Lumbar area of L1 is related to issues with the large intestine and groin area problems; L2 issues include appendix and pelvis problems and weak vein circulation; L3 problems include the reproductive system or genital problems, bladder or urine issues, and knee pain; L4 stagnation causes issues with the prostate as well as knee pain; stagnation in the L5 area causes limb problems, as well as issues concerning the soles of your feet, and general circulation problems; finally, any stagnation in the areas of the sacrum and coccyx cause rectal, anus, and large intestine problems like hemorrhoids.

It’s important to practice balance in every way in your daily life. Exercising with proper posture, meditational posture, and even dressage postures all help keep your vertebrae in line. For women, consider how you wear your purse. If it’s pulling on one side of your body, causing you to have one shoulder higher than the other, remedy this situation. For everyone, pay attention to how you hold your phone while you talk and multitask. Even things as simple as alternating ears with a Bluetooth, chewing evenly on both sides of your mouth, and avoiding food that is too difficult to chew are important to keep in mind. It may also be of note, if you’re suffering from teeth grinding, this is a good indication of jaw misalignment. It is actually the body’s way of trying to heal this situation.

If we support our structure and are mindful of its moment-to-moment condition it can go a long way to not only our present state of comfort, but our long-term health and vitality. Living in the present and observing all that is happening in it, both around us and within us, is always a good place to be.

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

Soup's on! Summer's simmering delight

Gazpacho

If I said to you, "Soup's on," you'd probably say, "Barbie, who eats soup when it's 100 degrees outside?" To that, I would answer, "Everyone, when the soup is cold."

When we lived in Santa Barbara, many of our summer party menus started with cold soups. We always served a version of Gazpacho as an appetizer for a Mexican dinner. And when zucchini was at its peak in the summer, we served a cold curried zucchini soup. It was fun but a challenge to come up with something different that would blend with the theme of the party.

The recipes for this month are from my Assistance League of San Luis Obispo County cookbook, Recipes From the Heart of the Central Coast, and from the Las Aletas Auxiliary Assistance League of Santa Barbara cookbook, Cafe Las Aletas. The local book was published in 2001, and the Santa Barbara book was published in the 1960s. I still use both books regularly since good recipes never go out of style.

I hope you will enjoy preparing these cold summer soups. Be creative in how you serve the soups. Use those crystal water goblets tucked away on the top shelf or coffee mugs with funny sayings — you get the idea.

Ingredients:

• 2 large tomatoes, peeled

• 1 large cucumber, pared and halved

• 1 medium onion, peeled and halved

• 1 green pepper, quartered and seeded

• 1 small jar diced pimento, drained

• 2 (12 ounce) cans tomato juice

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar

• 1/8 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt

• Dash coarsely ground black pepper

• 1 clove garlic, pressed

Directions:

In blender, combine 1 tomato, 1/2 onion, 1/4 green pepper, 1/2 cup tomato juice, pimento and 1/2 cucumber. Blend (puree) 30 seconds. In a large bowl, mix puree with remaining tomato juice, olive oil, vinegar, Tabasco

sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Chop separately remaining vegetables. Serve Gazpacho with chopped vegetables, garlic croutons, and sour cream.

Serve soup with condiments of sour cream, sunflower seeds, crisp bacon bits and garlic croutons. Serves 6

• 4 cups buttermilk

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

• Dill weed for garnish

Directions:

In Dutch oven, saute onion, zucchini and green onions in oil and broth until onions are soft. Add curry powder, cumin and honey. Cook 3 to 4 minutes. Cool partially. Puree in blender in batches, mixing in buttermilk. Season with salt and pepper and mix well. Serve after soup has been completely chilled. Sprinkle top of soup with a little dill weed before serving.

Cold Cucumber and Spinach Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch scallions, sliced

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 4 cups diced cucumbers

• 3 cups chicken broth

• 1 cup chopped spinach

• 1/2 cup sliced, peeled potatoes

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• lemon juice to taste

• pepper to taste

• 1 cup light cream

• Thin slices of cucumber, radishes, and scallions for garnish

Directions:

Cold Avocado Senegalese Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons curry powder

Gazpacho with Shrimp

Ingredients:

• 1 large can tomatoes

• 2 cans beef bouillon

• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 teaspoon basil

• 1/2 cup chopped green onion

• 1 can frozen avocado dip

• 1 cup Cocktail shrimp (more if desired)

Directions:

Blend tomatoes in blender; pour into a large bowl and add bouillon, lemon juice, olive oil, basil and onion and shrimp and mix. Chill. Before serving, add thawed dip and mix well.

In saucepan, saute scallions in butter until softened. Add cucumbers, chicken broth, spinach, potatoes, salt, lemon juice and pepper. Simmer until potatoes are tender. In small batches, puree mixture in blender. Transfer mixture to bowl and add cream. Chill for several hours. Serve in chilled bowls or glasses and garnish with thin slices of cucumbers, radishes and scallions.

Cold Curried Zucchini Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chicken broth

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 onion, diced

• 4 medium zucchini, chopped

• 6 green onions, thinly sliced (white and green part)

• 1 tablespoon curry powder

• 1 to 2 teaspoons honey

• 2 teaspoons cumin

• 2 cups chicken broth 1 ripe avocado, peeled and sliced

• 1 1/2 cup half and half (light cream)

• 2 teaspoons lime juice

• 1/2 teaspoon onion juice

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Simmer curry powder in a little chicken broth for 5 minutes. Add remaining broth and mix well. Put avocado, cream, lime and onion juices in blender and blend until smooth. Remove from blender and stir into curry broth. Add salt and pepper to taste. If consistency is not like heavy cream, add cream or broth. Chill overnight. Serve in chilled bowls with a dab of sour cream and a slice of avocado on top. Enjoy summer and get ready to holler' "soup's on!"

Cheers!

Barbie Butz is an independent columnist for Santaynez Valley Star; you can email her at bbutz1@outlook.com.

Barbie Butz Columnist

CLASS OF 2023

second announcement was that senior Zoe Kazali underwent life-saving heart transplant surgery over the weekend.

"[She] is already impressing her doctors at Children's Hospital Los Angeles with the strength that makes her such a valuable member of our community," Niehoff said. "We're thinking of you, Zoe Kazali."

The principal then went on to list the graduating class' achievements.

"The Class of 2023 has produced 33 graduates of the highest honors, 25 CSF lifetime members, 35 National Honor Society members, 39 are receiving the Golden State Seal of Merit Diploma, and 19 have earned their California State Seal of Bi-literacy," Niehoff said, also pointing out that the senior class had received over $200,000 in scholarship awards.

Elle Arvesen was the first student speaker for the Commencement and her speech touched on the theme of fear and failure, touching on her theater experience to explain how she dealt with it.

"One thing I have learned is that I will fail; I will fail over and over again," she said. "I have forgotten lines; I have embarrassed myself trying to make people laugh, I've struggled to find myself in the different roles I portray.

"However, every time I have failed, I have learned from the failure and continue to do what I love to do. I have persevered."

It was that perseverance that Arvesen said carried her and her classmates through some tough times.

"I applaud my classmates for their perseverance through one of the most difficult times of our high school experience, and maybe our lives, the COVID-19 pandemic," she said. "Overwheling feelings of anxiety and fear plagued us as the news blared behind us reporting on tragedy upon tragedy.

"After what felt like forever, we finally arrived at the end of this dark time, ready to tackle the rest of high school, and we did it."

The next speaker was Nathaniel Keating, who spoke of his feelings of being an "outsider," because he moved to the Santa Ynez Valley just a few years ago, into an area where everyone had lived their whole lives, it seemed.

"I was someone who didn't feel wholly a student here," he said. "I came to the Valley three years ago, the summer before

my sophomore year. I had trouble accepting this opportunity because I felt someone more representative of the area should be up here, but due to a few people encouragement and guilt tripping, now I am here."

Eventually, Keating said, he had a different viewpoint of his "outsider" status.

"In retrospect, I believe my late arrival, my outside perspective, was one of the most valuable parts of my early time at this school," he said. "It made me appreciate

what I'm now a part of."

Keating went on to say that although he appreciates the Santa Ynez Valley, it can be a bit of a "bubble."

"Sometimes, you need to enter a new environment to spark change, and to provide the opportunity to appreciate what one has always had," he said. "My experience as an outsider looking to join your community pushed me to change and adapt in ways I wouldn't have otherwise and made me rec -

ognize what I left behind.

"It's my hope that my classmates, as we take charge of the coming shifts in our lives, emerge better from them, and appreciate all the Valley has to offer."

Senior Class President Matteos Damanias was the final student speaker, and in his speech he stressed the importance of looking in the future.

"The best time and worst times of your life, the highest highs and lowest lows, they're all behind us," he said. "It's easy to be overwhelmed by this — the realization of things we've done and choices we've made; our greatest successes and gut-wrenching regrets, but it's all locked into the past."

Damanias informed his classmates that now high school is done, the decisions they make is now up to them and them only.

"Is this it? Is this the end of a chapter of our lives?" he asked, and then answered, "Some may see it that way, but I've always hated that analogy. The rest of your life isn't like a book; the next few chapter aren't written down for you in any way. I prefer to think in this leap of faith, we are not taking a step, but after 12 years of learning how to fly, we're finally putting our wings to use."

Before the students were handed their diplomas, Niehoff, in his last address as the school's principal, gave his viewpoint on how different generations view each other — mainly how older generations look at the younger ones.

"Ever since I became an educator 30 years ago, I have all too often heard adults speak ill of students," he said. "For example, I had heard too many times how young people are lazy. It almost seems like each generation misrepresents or misunderstands the next generation."

Niehoff went on to recite many common complaints he's heard, while encouraging the graduates and audience members to say "We disagree." The principal's hypothetical statements of today's young people being "lazy," "selfish," "irresponsible" were all met with yells of "we disagree" from the graduating class.

In closing, Niehoff urged older generations to respect and appreciate the accomplishment of the next ones, and urged his graduating class not to fall in the same trap of looking down at the next ones themselves.

"Don't let your peers put the younger generation down," he said. "They might be different, but they're not worse."

Outgoing Santa Ynez High Principal Michael Niehoff addresses the student during the school's Commencement on June 1. Photos by Mike Chaldu

Santa Ynez High teacher Gregory Wolf performs the Pink Floyd song “Wish You Were Here” for the graduating seniors and audience at the Commencement.

CALENDAR

GOVERNMENT MEETINGS

TUESDAY, JUNE 6

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

At County Administration Building, Fourth Floor, 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara

For more info: countyofsb.org

THURSDAY, JUNE 8

BUELLTON CITY COUNCIL, 6 P.M.

At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton

For more info: cityofbuellton.com

MONDAY, JUNE 12

SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL, 6:30

P.M.

At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang

For more info: cityofsolvang.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14

STATE ROUTE 154 SAFETY COMMITTEE, 5:30 P.M.

The latest traffic safety and improvement efforts for all users of the Highway 154 corridor which includes the communities of Los Olivos and Santa Ynez will be discussed by Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol, County of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, and local/State elected officials.

At Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang

More information and meeting agenda available at bit.ly/3WusovS.

LOS OLIVOS COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT, 6 P.M.

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

For more info: www.losolivoscsd.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 15

BUELLTON PLANNING COMMISSION, 6 P.M.

At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton

For more info: cityofbuellton.com

Solvang Design Review Committee, 5 p.m.

At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang

For more info: cityofsolvang.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 16

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY BUDGET HEARING, 9 A.M.

At County Administration Building, Fourth Floor, 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara

For more info: countyofsb.org

TUESDAY, JUNE 20

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY BUDGET HEARING, 9 A.M.

At County Administration Building, Fourth Floor, 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara

For more info: countyofsb.org

EVENTS

THURSDAY, JUNE 8

WINEMAKER MEET & DRINK WITH EMMY FJERSTAD, 4 TO 9 P.M.

Join us on Thursday, June 8, for a Meet and Drink event with Emmy Fjerstad, owner and winemaker of Forsu Wines. Enjoy two glasses of wine with two delicious plates that pair perfectly. No reservation required, just come ready for a fun evening of wine and conversation. Don't miss out on this special opportunity to connect with a talented winemaker and taste some amazing wines. See you there!

At Clean Slate Wine Bar, 448 Atterdag Road, Solvang

For more info: cleanslatewinebar.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

At Lavinia Campbell Park, 2398 Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos

For more info: jazzandolivefestival.org

SPIDER-HERO KATE! SUMMER READING KICKOFF PARTY, 10:30 TO 11:30 A.M.

Come meet a Spider-hero! Stories and activities with Spider Hero Kate start at 10:30 am! Afterwards you can sign up for summer reading and get your face painted or get a fun (fake) tattoo! This event begins the program Summer Reading 2023: All Together Now. At Solvang Library, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang

For more info: Solvang Library (805) 6884214

SUNDAY, JUNE 11

MAMBO SOUL AT SOLVANG THEATERFEST, 3 TO 5 P.M.

Passionate, spirited, Latin-fusion band Martin Franco’s Mambo Soul celebrate the San Francisco Bay Area with a conscious party vibe of urban salsa, tropical cumbia, merengue, reggaeton, latin rock, latin jazz, heavy funk and roots reggae, providing a spark of collective excitement for all their musical offerings.

FRIDAY, JUNE 16

WINE TO GLADDEN THE HEART

Enjoy an early summer evening in the historic gardens of Old Mission Santa Inés, with wine tasting, appetizers, and music. Featuring premium wines and hor d’oeuvres from Santa Ynez Valley wineries and restaurants. All proceeds go to the restoration and maintenance of this historic treasure.

At Old Mission Santa Inés, 1760 Mission Drive, Solvang

At Solvang Library, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang

For more info: Solvang Library (805) 6884214

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.

SPORTS AND RECREATION

ONGOING

PICKLEBALL, TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS 6:30 TO 8:30 P.M. Pickleball — part Ping-Pong, part badminton, lots of momentum — is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. The games can be fast-paced and deliver a good workout. 2 person teams/ or singles. All are welcome!

At Buellton Rec Center, 301 Second St., Buellton

For more info: buelltonrec.com

DROP-IN ADULT BASKETBALL, YEAR ROUND, MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS 6 TO 7:15 A.M.

Start your day with a pick up game of basketball with friends.

LOS OLIVOS JAZZ & OLIVE FESTIVAL, 1 TO 4 P.M

Spend a Saturday afternoon in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley, tasting wine from 30 local wineries, listening to world-class, professional jazz musicians, and sampling 30 different olive-themed dishes prepared by local chefs. This fundraiser allows our club, The Rotary Club of Los Olivos, to support a wide range of local and international charities. The Los Olivos Jazz and Olive Festival is held in downtown Los Olivos at the Lavinia Campbell Park. Get your tickets now: jazzandolivefestival.org/?page_id=25

For more info/to get tickets: www.osvhub. com/mission-santa-ines/forms/gladdentheheart

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 www.cityofgoleta.org/city-hall/goleta-valley-library

At Buellton Rec Center, 301 Second St., Buellton

For more info: buelltonrec.com

OPEN BASKETBALL, ONGOING, MONDAYS, 7:30 TO 9:30 P.M.

Start your day with a pick up game of basketball with friends.

At Buellton Rec Center, 301 Second St., Buellton

For more info: buelltonrec.com

FOR INFO ON THESE AND OTHER PROGRAMS, GO TO BUELLTONREC.COM