Santa Ynez Valley Star • May 16, 2023

Santa Ynez Valley artist’s passion comes full circle

Former Disney designer Art Alvarez is being inducted into the Airbrush Hall of Fame this summer

By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

Tucked away in a charming little alcove, unofficially named Fairytale Lane, is the newest fine art gallery in Solvang, called A. Alvarez Fine Art Gallery and Art Studio.

His parents naming their son “Art” seemed to foreshadow the career path he would take in life, one of a lifelong dedicated artist. Alvarez has been painting since 1980, but his love of art started in childhood.

Alvarez likens his life story to that of Forrest Gump with surprise encounters with “just the right people” at “just the right time.”

“I was one of those kids who couldn’t put a pencil down and was constantly getting into trouble drawing monster hot rods,” said Alvarez who, in his youth, considered himself a rebel artist.

He attributes some of his artistic inspiration to his seventh-grade teacher, Marjorie Hasley, who was not only a teacher, but an artist in her own right. She saw that he had talent and supported it.

Born and raised in Santa Ynez, Alvarez moved to Modesto after graduating from Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.

“At that time, I didn’t know I was an artist and attended Turlock College, focusing on business,” he said.

His parents, Leo and Elvira Alvarez, arrived from Jalisco in the

1950s. Leo gradually built a small empire, selling animals to stockyards while his wife raised their daughter and six sons.

“I was a first-generation American and, of course, like any parent, they wanted me to go into a field they thought would be lucrative and secure and art was definitely

not in the cards,” said Alvarez.

Alvarez quickly landed a job with Foot Locker when the brand was new to the athletic scene, having only 40 stores in the country at the time.

“Because I had played football and baseball in high school, it was

CONTINUED

Art Alvarez works on his latest oil painting for the Old Santa Ynez Day poster at his Solvang gallery. Devyn Marseilles

Santa Ynez

Home Wine Competition results for California Mid-State Fair

The California Mid-State Fair is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 Home Wine Competition. Central Coast home winemakers alike were represented by a solid number of total entries and gold medals awarded.

The fair would like to thank all the volunteers and judges for their time in making the competition so smooth and successful.

NEWS BRIEFS

Thank you to Baker Wine & Grape Analysis, ETS Laboratories, Michael Rose Cellars, The Vintner’s Vault, and new this year, Jacobs Consulting, for their support.

BEST OF AWARDS:

• Best of Show and Best White: Jerry Shoemaker (Santa Ynez) Sauvignon Blanc

• Best of Dessert: Ruth Stewart (Paso Robles) Honey Wine

• Best of Red: Jim McPherson (Cambria) Red Blend

• Best of Rosé: Brad Bunkelman (Santa Maria) Deep Rosé Blend

For the complete list of results, please visit MidStateFair.com.

SYHS entry places third in WaterWise High School Video Contest

The Santa Barbara County Water Agency is has announced the 24th Annual WaterWise High School Video Contest winners. In total, 18 students from two schools throughout the county submitted nine videos. Students were challenged to create 30-second videos centered on the theme, “Does Lawn Belong?”. While the Water Agency and local water providers arrange for monetary prizes to the winning schools, private sector sponsors provide awards for the student winners as follows:

• First Place: “Water IS Life” by Dos Pueblos High School will receive $1,000. Students will win a $500 prize provided by Carollo Engineers.

• First Place Spanish: “Adiós el Desperdicio de Agua” by Dos Pueblos High School will receive $1,000. Students will win a $500 prize provided by La Buena 105.1FM.

• Second Place: “Does Your Lawn Belong?” by Dos Pueblos High School will receive $500. Students will win a $250 prize provided by Geosyntec Consultants.

• Third Place: “Lawn = Yawn” by Santa Ynez High School will receive $300. Students will win a $150 prize provided by Ewing Irrigation.

• People’s Choice Award: “Does Your Lawn Belong?” by Dos Pueblos High School with 212 like’s on YouTube. The school will receive $500, and the students will win a $500 gift card provided by Dudek. We thank our community sponsors for their generous support! View all student video submissions and learn more about our sponsors by visiting High School Video Contest webpage on Waterwisesb.org.

SOLVANG

Rancheros Visitadores ride will not come through Solvang this year

The winter storms from earlier this year continue to have an effect locally. This year, in a delayed reaction, it will cause the interruption of a popular Solvang event.

The Rancheros Visitadores ride, which comes through the city streets of downtown Solvang on its way to a blessing at Mission Santa Ines, will not be coming to Solvang in 2023.

The ride usually starts in Santa Barbara

Members of the Rancheros Visitadores are shown riding down Alisal Road in 2022. It was announced that Solvang is not a part of the Visitadores ride this year. Star File Photo

and follows a trail that eventually leads past the mission and ultimately to Alisal Road. The riders then go up Alisal Road, turn right on Mission Drive, and enter the Mission.

According to KEYT-TV, Rancheros Visitadores General Manager John Balch said, however, the still-muddy trail resulting from those winter storms has caused the organization to bypass Solvang and go directly to Janeway Ranch near Cachuma Lake for the week of horsemanship activities, food, and entertainment that took place starting May 6.

The 60-mile ride was founded by the banker and United Airlines co-founder Jack Mitchell and friends, and Mitchell was the first president and led the group for 25 years. Members and guests have included Edward Borein, Thomas M. Storke, Clark Gable, Ronald Reagan, and Walt Disney.

The Rancheros Visitadores draws about 750 riders from 37 states. Some are from out of the country. The arrival is a spectacular site in the valley that draws thousands of people to see the procession through Solvang and over to the Mission.

BUELLTON

Open Streets event to be held at Avenue of Flags

Avenue of Flags in Buellton will be carfree on Sunday, May 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., as Buellton will hold an Open Streets event.

Open Streets is about getting our community active. We are creating a vibrant public space that invites people to participate in physical activities and learn new ways to improve health and wellness. Open Streets will include a wide spectrum of bike activities for all ages, including a bike rodeo, mountain bike skills course, kids bike races, and EZ Bike Project electric bike demonstrations. Cycling without Age rides for seniors, a giveaway of 10 kids’ bikes, and more.

SANTA BARBARA

Santa Barbara Humane welcomes 47 kittens, expands walk-in adoption hours

When a Southern California animal shelter posted a plea on a message board saying they were overwhelmed with animals, Santa Barbara Humane stepped up and offered to help alleviate some of the burdens by transferring cats into their care. And on Monday, May 8, 47 adorable kittens made the trek from OC Animal Care to Santa Barbara Humane.

Kerri Burns, Santa Barbara Humane’s CEO, said that the organization is always happy to step up and help other animal welfare organizations.

“We are always thrilled when we can help a partner organization when they are struggling,” she said.

The kittens, who range in age from seven weeks to three months old, will be spayed or neutered and will receive microchips and all vaccinations appropriate for their age level. Both the Santa Barbara and Santa Maria campuses had the kittens available for adoption starting Wednesday, May 10.

Potential adopters now have even more of a chance to meet the kittens, thanks to Santa Barbara Humane’s expanded adoption hours. Starting Thursday, May 11, both campuses announced they would be open for walk-in adoptions, Thursday through Tuesday, from 12 to 4:30 p.m. Animal surrenders and veterinary clinic visits will continue to be by appointment only.

All available animals can be viewed on Santa Barbara Humane’s website at sbhumane.org.

Sheriff’s office welcomes one new sheriff’s deputy and seven new custody deputies

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office welcomed a new sheriff’s deputy (previous POST academy graduate) along with seven new custody deputies just prior to their graduation from the Allan Hancock

CORE Custody

Deputy Academy.

On Friday, May 5, Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown led a swearing-in ceremony for Sheriff’s Deputy Brent Farmer and Custody Deputies Javier Aguilera–Mendoza, Alexis Cervantes-Rodriguez, Jaemi Patacsil, Stephanie Rodriguez, Vanessa Stefono, Jonny Torres, and Maleik Wright. The ceremony, which marks a beginning milestone in each deputy’s career, was shared with their close family members. It included a badge pinning ceremony where recruits had their badges pinned on their uniforms by their mothers, fathers, and significant others.

Shortly after the swearing-in ceremony, the new custody deputies, along with their classmates, graduated from the Allan Hancock CORE Custody Deputy Academy. The class of 9 recruits completed 243 hours of instruction. Some of the instructions included emergency planning in a custody facility, report writing, ethics, investigation procedures, classification of inmates, contraband detection, arrest and control, physical training, and Direct Supervision training.

Custody Deputy Rodriguez earned Class Valedictorian and the Santa Maria Elks Lodge Leadership Award, and Custody Deputy Torres was presented the Ron Battles award from the Deputy Sheriff’s Association.

If you are interested in a career in law enforcement or know someone who is, please visit our website at SBSheriff.org to apply.

Foundation grants program extended for self-employed, small business owners

I’m excited to share that a county grant program administered by the Santa Barbara Foundation was extended, and Santa Barbara County residents who were self-employed or run small- or micro-businesses are invited to apply by June 7. The program will conclude for good after this round.

Each grant is $2,500, does not need to be repaid, and is intended to help those who ran small businesses in 2019 and took at least a 10 percent hit to income in 2020 due to pandemic mitigation measures.

The Foundation has about 60 grants remaining to distribute!

Types of businesses this program could help include (partial list): artists, hairstylists, mobile car wash owners, DJs, personal trainers or consultants, household repair service-providers, landscapers, childcare providers, house cleaners, pet care, professionals, graphic designers, photographers, freelance writers, and more.

Tap into Zoo Brew at the Santa Barbara Zoo

The Santa Barbara Zoo announces the return of Zoo Brew, the annual fundraiser that caters to beer and animal lovers alike! Zoo Brew will take place on Saturday, June 3, from 4 to 7 p.m., with a VIP hour from 3 to 4 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at sbzoo.ticketsauce. com/e/zoo-brew-2022.

Guests are in for a “wild” day of sipping on a whole herd of beverages and interacting with the local brewers who crafted them, all while admiring the zoo’s hilltop ocean view. VIP ticket holders will also enjoy early entry, appetizers, and animal encounters. This year’s “brew-tiful” event features 30-plus skilled beverage makers from California, including beer, cider, hard seltzer, wine, and more. Food and non-alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase. Register for Zoo Brew early, as space is limited.

General admission tickets are $75 per person, including unlimited beer tastings and one Zoo Brew 2023 commemorative tasting cup, and VIP tickets are $110. All proceeds benefit the animals at the Santa Barbara Zoo. For ages 21-plus only.

For more information about Zoo Brew and to see participating partners go to sbzoo.org/zoobrew or call (805) 962-5339.

“Concha Loma Pearl…”Beautifully Remodeled · $1,775,000

Crowds enjoy a beautiful day for brews in Buellton

Excellent weather greets 10th annual Buellton Brew Fest at River View Park

By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

Beer lovers from the Santa Ynez Valley and beyond were greeted by sunny skies and all sorts of food, games, entertainment, and, of course, their favorite beverage May 6 at the 10th annual Buellton Brew Fest at River View Park.

According to organizers, the event had between 1,500-2,000 people in attendance and is getting close to where it was before the pandemic hit in 2020.

"This is our 10th year of the Brew Fest; we started it in 2012 and we had to skip a year because of COVID," said Kathy Vreeland, executive director of the Buellton Chamber of Commerce, which put on the event along with En Fuego Events. "We did a virtual one in 2021 and came back last year, but this year we're noticing more turnouts; it's getting close to pre-pandemic numbers."

Vreeland said what she really likes about the Brew Fest is reaching out to a possibly overlooked group — those who like their craft beer.

"We're known as a wine industry kind of area, but we like to celebrate the beer community, and this is one of things that bring people to Buellton," she said.

And being that promoting the city's tourism trade falls under the umbrella of the Chamber of Commerce, Vreeland has another reason to appreciate events like the Brew Fest.

"It also helps them to stay in our hotels and stay in our town, so it serves a dual purpose," she said.

This year's Brew Fest had multiple ways for festival-goers to enjoy themselves. One could get a good craft beer — or hard ciders, seltzers, or other spirits — from about 70 vendors. There were also numerous food trucks to keep the crowds from going hungry.

And in between drinks, attendees could enjoy live bands or DJs from the specially built stage (with canopies to provide some shade), and nearby were lawn games like cornhole and a giant version of beer pong using a volleyball and trash bins made to look like giant red Dixie cups.

Dani Tupper and Krystal Carrasco, both

of Santa Ynez, were taking part in a game of giant beer pong, one in which they came out victorious.

"We were familiar with the event, but I haven't been out here in a few years," Tupper said.

"We're just enjoying a Mom's day out."

For two other attendees, the Brew Fest was just a precursor to a bigger event. David Robles and Malenda Garcia are set to be married in June, and decided to do a little pre-celebration as both had on some casual wedding-like gear for the occasion.

"We were here last year, so we knew it would be a good time," Robles said.

"We heard about the Brew Fest coming up, and figured we could have a combina-

tion bachelor/bachelorette party," Garcia said. "We're having a great time."

On the other end of the serving table, vendors were enjoying the atmosphere also. Figueroa Mountain Brewery is a regular presence at the Brew Fest, and employee Jared Rudder said he has noticed the crowds getting better after the COVID-related downturn.

"Honestly, it's going better than I thought it was going to be," Rudder said. "The crowd seems a lot happier than last year, much more upbeat."

The Figueroa Mountain Brewery was one of many local ones to take part in the event, with Firestone Walker and Solvang Brewing Company, among others, also on the scene.

There were also a lot of vendors from a little bit out of town, including Third Window Brewing Co. out of Santa Barbara.

"We try to get up here for this whenever we can," said Third Window Head Brewer Eric Hansen, who was manning the tent. "It's a fun event."

Moreover, Third Window's interest in the Valley goes beyond just the Brew Fest — the brewery has been looking to put a location in the area.

"We've been working on trying to get something settled down [up here]," Hansen said. "Some Planning Commission plans haven't come through yet, but were definitely looking to get up here on a more permanent basis."

Jared Rudder serves drinks at the Figueroa Mountain Brewery tent during the Buellton Brew Fest at River View Park on May 6.

Dani Tupper makes a toss in a giant beer pong game May 6 as her playing partner Krystal Carrasco looks on. The Brew Fest offered plenty of games and entertainment in addition to the brew

(Top left Photo )David Robles and his fiancee Malenda Garcia made the Buellton Brew Fest the setting for their impromptu bachelor/bachelorette party at River View Park. (Top right Photo )Eric Hansen of Third Window Brewing Co. of Santa Barbara serves up a drink to a Brew Fest attendee at River View Park. Photos by Mike Chaldu

City Council fills Planning Commission vacancy

Scott Gold will return to commission to fill seat after Justin Rodriguez's resignation

By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

The Solvang City Council met for its regular meeting — its first with new City Manager Randy Murphy — on Monday, May 8, and were faced with a vacancy on the Planning Commission.

Item 6A to appoint a new Planning Commissioner came about when Justin Rodriguez, who was appointed to the commission by Councilmember Dan Brown in January, submitted his resignation on April 19. He did not give a reason for his decision to step down in his resignation email.

With that, the council was faced with two options, according to City Administator Wendy Berry: Pick a replacement that night among the three applicants — Denise El Amin, Scott Gold, and Jennifer Dryden

Hess — who were not appointed to the Planning Commission in January, or open up the commission spot to new applicants, in which case it would be vacant for at least a month.

The council decided to take the former option, with Brown making the appointment since it was his January appointment that resigned from the commission. The District 3 councilmember appointed Gold, who has previously served on the Planning Commission and the Board of Architectural Review.

Gold is expected to take his seat on the Planning Commission for its next meeting on June 5. His term lasts until Dec. 31, 2024.

Gold was not present at Monday's City Council meeting, but El Amin was, and she spoke for public comment after the appointment was made.

"I think I'm the only candidate here," El Amin said. "I did submit my name for all the boards but no one has picked me yet, but that's OK.

"But I will keep coming and keep apply-

ing, and one of these days, I'm going to win, and when I do, you guys already know what's coming at you," she added with a smile.

The council approved the appointment by a 4-0 vote, with Mayor Pro Tem Elizabeth Orona absent.

Next, the council heard Item 6B, discussing a possible action to initiate the annual assessment for the Solvang Skytt Mesa Landscape & Lighting Maintenance District. City staff recommended a 5 percent increase to the assessment, which would bring the cost to $1,360.80 per parcel. Public Works Director Rodger Olds cited anticipated utility rate increases and infrastructure maintenance costs as reasons for the increase.

For public comment, El Amin, who lives in the Skytt Mesa area, said for landscaping the city was working under a good contract, but claimed the landscapers do not follow it.

"It's very specific and entails every month what they're supposed to be doing, which they never do," she said. "I object to any more money being spent on this LLC, be-

cause you're not even making the people you're paying the money to do what they're supposed to do."

In response to those comments and a question from Brown, Olds said "The agency (Brightview) has had that contract for the last 4 1/2 years. They have a full crew out there three days a week. They are maintaining everything they need to."

The item was passed by council by a 4-0 vote.

Earlier, Mayor Mark Infante welcomed new City Manager Randy Murphy, who was at his first meeting since his hiring. In his city manager report, Murphy said he appreciated the reception and talked about going to a local car a couple of weekends earlier, and the Strawberry Festival in Santa Maria that same weekend.

Murphy also announced in his report that the City Council and the Tourism Advisory Committee will have a joint meeting on Monday, May 22, at 3:30 p.m. in the City Council chambers. The regular City Council meeting will follow at 6:30.

NAME:

ADDRESS:

CITY/STATE/ZIP:

TELEPHONE:

EMAIL:

CREDIT CARD:

EXPIRATION/CCV:

SIGNATURE:

Memorial Day Ceremony to be Held at Solvang Vets Hall

Anumber of ceremonies and activities will be performed in the Santa Ynez Valley during Memorial Day weekend, culminating in the Memorial Day Ceremony conducted by VFW Post 7139 at 12 p.m. at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall.

"Memorial Day weekend, we remember and honor all servicemen and women who gave their lives to protect us, our freedom, and way of life during all wars from the Civil War to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars," said VFW Post 7139 Commander.

The ceremony will honor all veterans and their families. The ceremony will include The Santa Ynez Valley Chorale, Vandenberg Space Force Base and VFW Post speakers, Boy Scouts, and Flat Fender Club vintage military vehicles. A free lunch will follow the program in the American Legion Wing.

Earlier on Memorial Day, American Legion Post 160 will conduct short ceremonies at local cemeteries. The times are as follows: 10 a.m. at Solvang Cemetery, 10:30 a.m. at Mission Santa Ines, 11 a.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Ballard,

and 11:30 a.m. at the St. Mark's-in-the-Valley Epsicopal Church Memorial Garden.

Leading off the Memorial Day weekend, on Saturday, May 27, volunteers with the American Legion Post 160 and VFW Post 7139 will place American flags on veterans’ graves at the five local cemeteries mentioned above. At Oak Hill Cemetery, over 900 veteran graves will be decorated starting at 9 a.m., and the public is invited to view or assist this solemn observance, and again when they take down the memorials on Monday, 30 May at 3 p.m.

Also, on Saturday and Sunday (May 27-28) VFW Post 7139 Members will hand out Red Buddy Poppies at the front of Albertson's in Buellton from 1 to 3 p.m. The Red Poppies were first distributed after World War I to honor the servicemen and servicewomen who perished in that war.

"The Memorial Day remembrances cover a 233-year span in some 60 military actions that claimed 1.4 million lives," said VFW Post 7139 Commander Alvin Salge. "Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance. America’s collective consciousness demands that all citizens be aware of, and recall on special occasions the deaths of their fellow countrymen during and after wartime. All Valley veterans, residents, and their families are invited to come and join in these solemn events."

For more information, contact Salge at alvinslge@ymail.com or (805) 245-1763.

VFW Post 7139 Commander Alvin Salge speaks during the Memorial Day Ceremony in 2022. The 2023 ceremony will be on Monday, May 29, at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall. Star File Photo

May 29 program will wrap up a weekend's worth of remembrances in the Santa Ynez Valley

By Lee Pitts Columnist

Imust divert from writing about cows and cowboys this week to address a subject that's near and dear to my heart: baseball. A new study from Dartmouth College concluded that climate change is responsible for major league ball players hitting more home runs. According to the Bulletin of Meteorological Study, "Warmer air means the molecules in the air are further apart. And in less dense air, there is less air resistance." The report found that more than 500 home runs between 2010 and 2019 can be attributed to higher average temps resulting from climate change." (I wonder if the Ivy League wizards ever heard of steroids?)

The Everything Excuse

The Dartmouth professors are full of hot air, and their study makes me wonder if they've ever been to a ballgame. I didn't attend Dartmouth, but I can make the argument using the same logic that in less dense air, the baseballs thrown by pitchers would speed up, making it even more difficult for the batters to hit, resulting in more strikeouts and fewer home runs.

I did learn something from the Dartmouth study, though. We now have an everything excuse that can be used in any and all situations. Instead of a child saying he didn't have his homework because the dog ate it, he can just blame global warming. Maybe little green eco-warriors stole it.

No more of your sorry excuses like you drew badly, you need a new rope, the steer ducked, or your horse is off his feed. Instead, just blame a high-pressure area. Or a tsunami in Japan caused by global warming. Heck, blame the poor polar bears.

When you miss your next meeting with your parole officer, just say, "I didn't come because the power went out and the grid went down due to climate change, so I couldn't charge my e-car to get here." Isn't that more believable than saying you were abducted by aliens for a month?

If you forgot and couldn't be there to celebrate your in-law's 50th wedding anniversary, you can always say you had an emergency meeting with John Kerry, the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. Or your non-attendance could be blamed on being asked to go on a secret spy mission on DiCaprio's jet, and you just couldn't say "No," to the greenie gals from the Lettuce League.

If you're having an embarrassing flatulence attack there will be no more blaming of the beans, instead just blame it on nasty weather because Al Gore came to town. (This is known as "The Al Gore Effect" because wherever he goes to preach about the evils of global warming, there is a tendency that rain, sleet, and snow will follow him.) Need more moisture ... just call Al.

Next time you're pulled over by the cops, just remind the officer that a little thing like speeding or driving while texting pales in comparison to what Gina McCarthy, former head of the EPA called, "The greatest threat of our time. Climate change."

I already know the excuse I'm gonna use if I ever miss a deadline. No, it's not gonna be because of a faulty alarm clock or a computer virus. I'll just say I was under the weather. Lit-

erally.

Let's face it, folks, we've been guilty of using some pretty lame excuses in the past. Come on, you got struck by lightning, really? No one believed your identity was stolen, that you were mugged, had a sausage emergency, attacked by hackers, or the check for an overdue bill got lost in the mail. No one believed that you didn't attend your daughter's dance recital due to a hemorrhoidal crisis.

My column may not appear in the Bulletin of Meteorological Study, but it does run in the Kingfisher Times of Kingfisher, Oklahoma, and at the same time I was reading about the Dartmouth study, I read a quote in the Kingfisher Times from one of my favorite writers, Thomas Sowell. Thomas has written 49 books and is the first person in his black, sharecropping family to get past the sixth grade. Regarding climate change, Mr. Sowell wrote, "Would you bet your paycheck on a weather forecast for next week? If not, then why should this country bet trillions on global warming predictions that have even less foundation?"

But, alas, Thomas Sowell didn't go to Dartmouth either. No, he graduated magna cum laude from Harvard.

Protect accountability — Keep the BOE: Proposed constitutional amendment threatens taxpayer rights

sition to a recently proposed amendment to the California Constitution.

and untouchable state government bureaucracy.

By Tom Bordonaro County Assessor,

County Guest Columnist

CALIFORNIA — Accountability is an ideal that is severely missing in our country today. People need to be accountable for their actions, especially when it’s about the responsibility of government to serve the people. If you believe that government owes a higher duty of accountability to taxpayers, then you will share my oppo-

There is a proposal moving through Sacramento right now that will destroy accountability and take away your right to vote for or against the people elected to oversee California’s property tax system. Getting rid of your elected members of the state Board of Equalization (BOE) is a bad idea and a big deal.

If voters pass Assembly Constitutional Amendment 11 (ACA 11), it would eliminate the elected members of the Board of Equalization. This means that the constitutional protections of taxpayers for 144 years would be wiped away and replaced by another unelected, unaccountable,

We are dealing with a significant matter here. The total assessed value of all California properties is $7.1 trillion dollars, resulting in nearly $80 billion in local property tax revenues for 2022. Assessing the value of most properties is done by locally elected county assessors, with the Board of Equalization providing the rules and oversight of those elected officials. In the same way that county assessors are elected, the BOE has four elected members plus the state controller, an elected statewide constitutional officer.

Those who seek to eliminate accountability provided by elected

BOE members, say that California is the only state with an elected tax board. Good for us and those who wrote the California State Constitution in 1879. Those early Californians understood that holding elected representatives accountable is much better than power in the hands of unaccountable state bureaucrats.

When you or other taxpayers have a property assessment question or a property tax problem, you deserve the best, most courteous, and timely help. Elected county assessors are often the first contact for taxpayers. Because of the checks and balances that come with being elected to positions of trust, assessors provide a valuable service to the public. In the same

way, the elected representatives on the BOE report to you and they are held to a high standard of accountability for their decisions and actions.

Nearly all of us have experienced a government department that doesn’t work well — EDD and DMV come to mind as examples of inefficient, costly, bureaucratic, and unaccountable government agencies. It is impossible to believe a bunch of career, civil service, untouchable bureaucrats are going to do a better job than the small and efficient group of five elected board members at BOE. Besides, if you don’t like the way a BOE member is doing their job, you can vote them out in the next election. To me, that is accountability.

San Luis Obispo

ACA 11 aims to eliminate elected Board of Equalization members, eroding taxpayer accountability

A Tribute to the Young Mothers

By Connie Pillsbury

Because I have been teaching children for a long time, I have the privilege of getting to know many young families. Recently, I have noticed an interesting change in focus for families. I believe it is happening all over the country, but it is here that I am personally experiencing this trend.

These young families have made a shift in their focus from the previous generation. They are viewing their family as a unit, as a team, as an institution in and of itself. Instead of “adding” a few children into their busy adult schedule, they are building their lifestyle around the children. And they are having more children. These families don’t stop at two (the magic number when I was young) but are adding more, expanding to five and six children.

Part of this equation, then, is that mom is staying home, often homeschooling or part of a pod or small school. For mom, this is a deliberate decision, concentrating on raising her children and being an important part of their education. This “choice” to build a large family is supported by dad, who is most often the main breadwinner, but also an active participant in child-rearing.

Especially different from the way I was

raised, with babysitters every weekend, these families structure their social life around the children, so that gatherings, parties, and picnics include, rather than exclude, the children. The line of separation between the parents’ adult life and “family” life disappears, and the children are strongly bonded to parents and siblings. This cohesive and loyal unit builds identity and belonging in these children, which is a foundational life value that can’t be replaced.

Of course, I accept that not everyone has the option of staying home. But for those who have chosen this lifestyle and sacrificed perhaps some of their own “career” plans, I salute you and say, “Good for you!” Time and energy invested in building a family has a long-term payback with interest. And strong family units are the backbone of a strong community and country.

So, yes, congratulations to these young families who have chosen to authentically “build” a family, making it their leading priority. This lifestyle choice is a joy to witness, and I pay tribute to every family on this bold and resourceful path. And to the young moms of this new era, Happy Mother’s Day!

Connie Pillsbury is an independent opinion columnist for The Santa Ynez Valley Star; you can email her at conniepillsbury22@gmail.com.

Santa Ynez High’s Greg Wolf named County Teacher of the Year

Social

Gregory Wolf, a social sciences teacher at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School (SYVUHS), has been named the 2024 Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year.

The announcement was made May 4 at a ceremony held at the Santa Barbara County Education Office during the regular meeting of the County Board of Education.

An inspirational teacher who brings joy to learning — and the “undisputable heartbeat” of the social sciences department — Wolf teaches U.S. history, political science, and AP psychology and has served as the social sciences department chair, vice president of the Parent Teacher Student Association, and Associated Student Body (ASB) Activities Director.

As the recipient from Santa Barbara County, he becomes eligible for the California Teacher of the Year award.

Wolf — who has been teaching for 10 years — said he was honored and deeply moved by the recognition.

“Teaching is a very demanding profession that entails a lot of personal sacrifice, but the kids make it more than worth it,” he said. “We have an amazing group of students at Santa Ynez High School, and I am extremely blessed to be able to work with them. They inspire me in unimaginable ways and I look forward

to many more years of serving them to the best of my ability.”

Wolf was nominated by SYHS Principal Michael Niehoff for his outstanding work in creating a model 21st century classroom focused on inquiry-based learning, collaboration and high quality technology integration.

“Greg has created a very dynamic and engaging learning environment where all students are engaged, collaborating and producing amazing and relevant public work,” said Niehoff. “He has made a very successful transition and transformation from a traditional teacher to a learning facilitator.”

County Superintendent of Schools

Susan Salcido said Wolf is an exemplary teacher who was chosen from an impressive pool of candidates and remarkable finalists.

“He embodies all of those qualities the most exemplary teachers possess. From top to bottom, from every corner of the campus, Greg is beloved, appreciated, and known as the ‘go-to’ person for just about everything. In one colleague’s words, ‘Greg is truly the full package when it comes to embodying the soul of an outstanding educator.’ We congratulate Greg and the entire Santa Ynez High School team on this momentous occasion, and look forward to learning more about — and from — Greg in the coming year.”

As Wolf accepted the honor, he said: “Every morning, a question I ask myself is: what can I do today to ensure that the experience of all my students is meaningful and positive? I believe that for all people in education, if that is what drives us, then everything else will work itself out.”

When asked about his teaching philosophy, Greg shared: “My class needs to be a safe space where all students feel seen and heard. My classroom experience is designed to put students at the center of everything. I aim to give students ownership of their own learning with the goal of facilitating engagement, development of critical thinking skills, creativity, and a sense of accomplishment and

fulfillment that will hopefully fuel every student’s desire to pursue success in their own lives beyond the classroom.”

Wolf’s colleague at SYHS, Chris Mullin, who was the 2003 County Teacher of the Year and California State Teacher of the Year, shared that Wolf shuns the “sage on the stage” persona, and puts the kids in charge of the learning.

“In addition to teaching students, Greg is a highly respected leader and trusted guide amongst peers,” Mullin said. “Within our department, Greg is the undisputed heartbeat and he is never more at home than when he is co-planning some sort of activity or parallel instruction technique with another teacher. On breaks, we all congregate in Greg’s room, swapping jokes and successful lessons with one another. His room is a place of collegial laughter and a welcome respite from those occasionally challenging days of high school teaching.”

Andrew Schwab, Superintendent of the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District, noted: “Greg is an outstanding teacher, student advocate, and educational leader. He embodies a student-centered educational philosophy, which is immediately evident even before entering his classroom. Students can often be found working in small groups outside the classroom door.”

Wolf, along with other award-winning teachers from Santa Barbara County, was introduced at SBCEO’s Education Celebration on Thursday, May 11, and will be officially honored at the county’s annual A Salute to Teachers event to be held in November at the Music Academy.

sciences educator called the ‘undisputed heartbeat’ of his department by colleague

Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year Gregory Wolf (center), of Santa Ynez High, is shown with Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District Superintendent Andrew Schwab (left) and SYHS Principal Michael Niehoff after winning the award. Photo Courtesy of SBCEO

SYHS Latino student organization hosts Cinco de Mayo event on campus

Staff Report

The Santa Ynez Valley Union High Organization of Latinos and Americans (OLA) hosted the annual Cinco De Mayo celebration on Friday, May 5, at lunch in the campus plaza.

OLA ASB Representative Ahtziry Guerrero welcomed the students and staff while serving as the emcee as well. Guerrero shared that Cinco de Mayo is a day that commemorates the Mexican army's victory over the French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. She also shared that it's a day that signifies the bravery, resilience, and strength of the Mexican people.

Guerrero also reminded the audience that Cinco De Mayo is not just to celebrate the

victory at the Battle of Puebla, but also the many contributions that Mexico and Mexican-Americans have made to our world. These include art, literature, music, cuisine, and fashion, and that the impact is a large part of California and American culture.

“This celebration is a time to come together and to share in the joy and vibrancy of Latin culture,” said Guerrero. “This is a time to honor the diversity that makes our community so special.”

The day’s performers included Baile (Ballet) Folklorico dancers from Corazon de Oro, Grupo Estilo Movido, and Jonah Alvarado. There was even an audience participation portion where all students were invited to join the Caballo Dorado dance. Students and staff were also invited to enjoy agua frescas from Sano Pecado and homemade horchata from Marisela Rojas.

OLA Advisor and Math Teacher Susie Rodriguez said that it’s extremely important for

students to honor and celebrate their culture.

“By celebrating their culture, it honors our students so they can feel PROUD of who they are while also promoting them to shine in multiple cultures,” said Rodriguez. “For other students, it is a time for them to also participate, appreciate and recognize that this celebration was for everyone at the school, not a specific group.”

OLA Advisor and Spanish teacher Agustin Vizcaino commented on how the students and staff gathered, stayed, and were very engaged in all of the performances and activities.

“It was great seeing both Latino students and staff, as well as non-Latino students and staff come together and truly enjoy the celebration,” said Vizcaino.

Rodriguez added that this event was all about feeling - feeling proud if you are Latino, feeling fun and excited if you were dancing or winning a prize, feeling glad if you got an agua fresca and feeling included if you were

watching the performances.

“It was all positive and good vibes for everyone,” she said.

Guerrero thanked everyone and acknowledged the support of the entire OLA Club and advisors (Rodriguez, Vizcaino, Joanna Zaragoza, and Adriana Palacios), People Helping People, and the entire SYHS student body and staff for a great Cinco De Mayo celebration.

She concluded by challenging the audience to take a moment and reflect on the challenges that communities have faced and continued to face — both in Mexico and around the world.

“Let’s stand together, support each other and work towards a future where every person is valued, respected and given the opportunities they deserve,” said Guerrero. “Let us continue to celebrate the rich and diverse culture of Mexico throughout the year. Gracias a todos!”

Presentation, dance performances, and food bring 'good vibes for everyone'

Members of the Baile Folklorico perform during the Cinco de Mayo celebration May 5 at the Santa Ynez High School campus plaza. Contributed Photo

Santa Ynez High boys golf team wins CIF Central Section Division II championship

It's the first CIF Central Section title for a Pirates team, and CIF championship of any kind for boys golf

Staff Report

The Santa Ynez High School boys golf team made history last Tuesday, May 9, in Visalia by winning the CIF Central Section Division II championship.

This is the first Central Section title for a Santa Ynez high school sports team and the first CIF championship title for boys golf at Santa Ynez.

The Pirates shot a team score of 395 at the par 72 Valley Oaks Golf Course topping the 14-team field, five strokes ahead of Mountain League rival Mission Prep of San Luis Obispo, and Lemoore, who both had 400.

The Pirates were led by freshman Von Gordon (75) and senior Rye Winans (76). Senior Owen Hirth and junior Marcelo Andrade added 81s while sophomore Brayden Mlodzik added an 82.

Gordon and Winans qualified for the CIF Central Section finals at San Joaquin Country Club in Fresno, which took place last Monday. At that tournament the Central Section Division I teams will compete for a team title, and will be joined by the top 25 individuals and ties from the Area, Division II and Division III championships that took place in Visalia the previous week.

The CIF win was preceded by the Mountain League Golf Finals on May 2, which saw the Pirates finish fourth with a team score

of 417. San Luis Obispo and St. Joseph tied for the top spot with both at 389, and SLO earned a card-off win.

Winans led the Pirates with a score of 78, while Hirth had a 79. Brayden Mlodzik (86), Marcelo Andrade (87), and Cody Armenta (87) rounded out the team scores for Santa Ynez.

In other Pirates sports news:

Girls beach volleyball

The Santa Ynez High girls

beach volleyball team swept San Luis Obispo 3-0 in their final league duel April 19 at Pismo Beach, finishing with a Mountain League record of 8-1, two games ahead of Arroyo Grande.

“All three of our matches went to three games," Pirates coach Melissa Rogers said of the final match. "SLO’s squad consists of some very talented athletes. They made some great adjustments against us, which made for some well-fought games. The girls had some rough patches, but did a stellar job of lining out their

games and finishing strong.”

Kaki Allen and Gianna Pecile defeated Tea Aebischer and Ava Van Brasch 16-21, 21-11, 16-14; Sadie Lishman and Jayda Henrey defeated Maggie Calderoni and Nina Moutafov 21-12, 17-21, 1511; and Cailin Glover and Hannah Allen defeated Ana Shalhoob and Lyla Merk 12-21, 21-19, 1511.

Track and field

The Santa Ynez High track and

field team competed at the Russell Cup in Carpinteria and got some wins in the field events: Vincent Casey earned a firstplace in the long jump with a leap of 21' 6.25", and also placed second in the triple jump with a distance of 42' 5.75".

Other event winners for the Pirates included Chase Sylvia, triple jump, 43' 7"; Gabriela Robles, pole vault, 9' 9"; Jessi Rae Flynn, discus, 106' 3".

Madison Dewett earned a second-place finish in the discus with a throw of 100' 3"

The Santa Ynez boys golf team shows off its hardware after winning the CIF Central Section Division II championship in Visalia. From left are Brayden Mlodzik, Owen Hirth, Rye Winans, Assistant Coach John Nicholas, Von Gordon, and Marcelo Andrade. Contributed Photo

Softball slugger, Dunn student headed for Princeton

her over to the Ivy League school.

"Stanford, for instance, looked mostly tech," she said. "With Princeton, I liked the scenery, the culture, the beautiful architecture, and the diversity."

Oh, yes, and Van Akeren was a factor too.

"I liked the coach," Karis said. "She reminded me of my mother."

By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

When people find out that Dunn School student Karis Ford lives in Nipomo and commutes to her school in Los Olivos, they may consider that a substantial commute. However, for Karis, the mileage to and from Dunn is just the tip of the iceberg. Because the high school senior is also a standout softball player who was ranked among the top 20 of this year's Extra Elite 100 by Extra Inning Softball. And because Dunn doesn't have it's own interscholastic softball team, she's hones her skills with a travel team named Firecrackers Rico — based in Huntington Beach.

"My dad drives me down for my practices, and if we hit traffic it's about 4 1/2 hours to get there, and if we don't hit traffic it's about 3 1/2," Karis said. "Fortunately at Dunn, teachers are very accommodating to your needs and requests because I miss a lot for sports; I can get a deadline stretched if I need to."

The busy schedule hasn't hurt Karis in the classroom, though, as she was sporting a 4.35 GPA while taking classes such as Advanced Chem 2 and Advanced Calculus, among others.

And it's that kind of resume that's landed her a scholarship with one of the finest universities in the U.S.: Princeton. Karis, who plays mostly outfield but also some at third, said she was contacted by Tigers softball coach Lisa Van Ackeren in September 2022 and verbally committed in November before making her college choice public at a campus ceremony in April.

"My first contact with Princeton was pretty recent," Karis said. "I was looking at Stanford and UCLA for the most part — they were my two mains — but the timing wasn't right; for Princeton it was."

Karis said a number of factors swung

The Tigers are coming off a 2023 season where they finished 26-19 overall record and went 16-5 in league, tied for first with Harvard.

In Karis, Princeton will have a player who describes herself as a "fierce, aggressive hitter."

"I like to hit for power, hit it really hard," she said. "In the outfield, I have a strong throwing arm, but I was mostly recruited for my hitting."

Karis, who's the daughter of Charles Ford, a tile contractor, and Monica Ford, a registered nurse, gives a lot of credit to her family for making her the player she is.

"My dad, of course, drives me down to practice and back all the time, and my mom tags along when she can," she said. "Plus, my father has been my hitting coach my whole life and he's always working with me on my swing."

"Also, I got interested in playing because I would watch my brother play baseball," Karis added. "When he played baseball, I played tennis, and I soon realized the swing in both sports are about the same, so I switched to softball."

Now that her decision on college is made, Karis can look ahead to her experiences on the East Coast, but not before she attends to "business."

"I'd like to get over to Princeton and get acclimated, but first, I have a bunch of softball to play this summer," she said. "I think I'm going to be busy with my team pretty much every weekend this summer, but I'm looking to get over to the school later in August."

While Karis is looking forward to playing for the Tigers, she's even more excited about what awaits her in the classroom.

"I want to major in psychology, minor in neuroscience and criminology," she said. "My career goal, I want to be a psychiatrist of some sort, forensic psychology or possibly sports psychology."

Dunn School student Karis Ford, who headed for Princeton University in the fall, lives in Nipomo, goes to school in Los Olivos, and plays softball in Huntington Beach. Contributed photo

Karis Ford and her parents have really put in the mileage to get her to an Ivy League school

ARTS & NONPROFITS

Wildling Museum introduces new exhibit ‘Message in a Bottle’

Environmentally conscious work

displayed in the Michele Kuelbs Tower Gallery through February 2024

Staff Report

The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature has announced its new 2023 site-specific installation featuring Northridgebased artist Elizabeth Criss, as well as work by glass artist Sari Scheer.

“Message in a Bottle,” designed for the Michele Kuelbs Tower Gallery, is on view starting this month and remaining through February 2024. This long-term

installation marks the third iteration of the museum’s tower installation program, which aims to highlight Southern California artists inspired by the environment and provides an indoor-outdoor art experience for Solvang visitors.

“‘Message in a Bottle’ is a lively installation that illustrates the harmful impact of single-use plastics on our oceans,” Criss said about her work. “The installation features a dynamic swirl of marine life that celebrates the incredible beauty and diversity of the ocean world, drawing attention to the astonishing richness of our planet’s underwa-

ter ecosystem. Much of the artwork is constructed with discarded plastics, serving as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to reduce plastic waste and promote environmentally sustainable practices.”

Criss is a Los Angeles native, and earned her B.A. in art from California State University, Northridge. Her creative vision explores complex and wondrous aspects of everyday life, with environmental concern for sustainability evident through her use of repurposed materials.

Her artwork has garnered attention from media outlets such as the Los Ange-

les Times, Daily News, and other print, television, and radio platforms.

The exhibit also includes glasswork from Scheer, a talented post-consumer glass artist who creates unique works from recycled wine bottles and window glass. Motivated by the idea of combining creativity and sustainability, she uses her art to promote environmental awareness and encourage people to rethink their relationship with the planet.

Scheer’s artistic process involves repurposing discarded wine bottles into works of art that showcase the versatility and beauty of this often-neglected material.

Criss’ proposal was selected from the museum’s 2023 request for artist proposals focusing on environmental impacts on the ocean.

“We received several strong proposals for the space this year and felt that Elizabeth struck just the right tone with important environmental messaging about the harm of plastics in our oceans while done in a creative and family-friendly way,” said Wildling Museum Executive Director Stacey Otte-Demangate. “The installation also has amazing curb appeal from the street at night, so its important message resonates 24/7. We’re grateful to Elizabeth,

Sari, and their team for all their efforts.”

To learn more about the exhibit, go to wildlingmuseum.org/news/message-in-a-bottle. To learn more about Elizabeth Criss and her work, visit www. facebook.com/ElizabethCrissArtwork. For Scheer’s work, go to www.unwinedglass.com.

The Wildling Museum is located at 1511-B Mission Drive in Solvang. It is open Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesday, and will also be closed on Sunday, May 21.

“Message in a Bottle,” the new installation in the Wildling Museum, hangs in the Michele Kuelbs Tower Gallery. The installation “illustrates the harmful impact of single-use plastics on our oceans,” according to it creator, Southern California-based artist Elizabeth Criss. The work of Sari Scheer, whose process involves repurposing discarded wine bottles into works of art, contributes to the “Message in a Bottle” installation. Contributed Photos

A fun night of tales on tap in Buellton on May 21

Trio of Gerald Di Pego, Cynthia Carbone Ward, and Susan Turner-Cray will take the stage in 'Tell Me A Story'

By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

It has been at least four years since playwright and film writer Gerald Di Pego has staged a show in the Santa Ynez Valley, but he will return to a local stage this month.

“Tell Me a Story” is his 14th production, and it will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 21, at The Grand Room adjacent to Industrial Eats in Buellton.

“I’ve put on a lot of plays and readings in the Valley over the years, then when COVID hit, things came to a screeching halt,” said Di Pego. “But I think this ensemble will deliver an evening of laughter which will put smiles on the faces of everyone who attends.”

Joining him for an evening of tales are two local storytellers, Cynthia Carbone Ward and Susan Turner-Cray. All three will be reading three of their own stories. Ward is a former teacher at Dunn Middle School in Los Olivos, and also Vista de Las Cruces School in Gaviota. She is an author of several books and writer of a weekly blog called “Still Amazed,” a deep and humorous take on life. She has also compiled a website exclusively devoted to interviews, profiles, and “story-talking” called “The Living Stories Collective.”

“There’s something powerful and fundamental about sharing stories; it’s what we’re wired to do, and in a world that is often complex and bewildering, it’s a way for us to give a shape to experience, transport us to another time and place, and above all, connect to one another," Ward said. "'Tell Me A Story' will be a recognition of our mutual humanity and sense of community, a fundraiser for a worthy cause, and a delightfully old-fashioned kind of fun.”

Susan Turner-Cray is an award-winning actress, writer and performer of the one-woman show, which she wrote and starred in, called “Manchester Girl.” She won the prestigious Fringe First Award at The Edinburgh Festival 2004. Cray has performed in a number of other plays and

TV film roles. She has performed “Manchester Girl” in the Valley several times to standing ovations. She is also the current president of the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School PTSA.

“I am delighted to be working with Jerry and Cynthia on this creative project,” said Turner-Cray. “We have had a lot of fun rehearsing. Very grateful that profits will also benefit the high school PTSA and students. Thank you, Jerry!”

DiPego is 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 many accomplishments.

“These stories are filled with laughter and pathos,” said Di Pego. “But be forewarned, there is some adult language used in them. Come out and enjoy an evening of stories told by two outstanding writers.”

“Jerry DiPego is a true local treasure, and Sue Turner-Cray is an absolute dynamo, and honestly, this is a very unusual

event ... one of those sparkling little miracles born of love and community,” said Ward.

Proceeds from this one-night-only event will benefit the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School PTSA, which sponsors a multitude of programs for students.

Doors open at 7 p.m. with wine and snacks available before the show which starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. (Cash only) at the door. The venue is at 181 D Industrial Way, Buellton.

Susan Turner-Cray, Gerald Di Pego, and Cynthia Carbone Ward will be performing in a one-night-only storytelling production, “Tell Me a Story”, at the Grand Room, adjacent to Industrial Eats in Buellton, on May 21. Contributed Photo

Kids explore heavy machinery at Touch-A-Truck event

Vehicles put on display in Solvang as fundraiser to benefit Bethania Preschool and its afterschool programs

By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

The parking lots at Bethania Lutheran Church in Solvang were chock full of vehicles on Saturday, May 6, but the people who arrived on site didn't mind one bit, especially the younger ones. The large vehicles, which included construction equipment, service vehicles, police and fire vehicles, and ambulances were all part of the seventh annual Touch-A-Truck event, which was a fundraiser for Bethania

Preschool and its afterschool programs.

The event drew over 1,000 people in its three hours, according to Lola Gonzalez, the director of Bethania Preschool.

"We had a great crowd, and we had a lot more vehicles than last year, more local and a wider variety," said Gonzalez, who pointed out that this was the seventh annual Touch-A-Truck even though it promotional materials said it was the "sixth annual."

"It's just good to have a family-friendly event and seeing everyone enjoying themselves."

And the people who supplied the machines enjoyed it as well. Justin Rodriguez of Central Coast Paving in Santa Barbara brought up three pieces of equipment his company uses for roadwork, including an

asphalt spreader, which was a popular topic of conversation.

"Mainly, everyone looks at it and just wants to know what it is," Rodriguez said. "Which is great; we're here to explain what each of these pieces do and answer any questions about our job and our company."

All throughout the event, there were scenes of youngsters getting in the vehicles and playing with the controls, pretending they really were operating the machines. Meanwhile, users of the vehicles were there to explain to anyone how things worked.

The back parking area of the church was reserved for the law enforcement and emergency vehicles used by our first responders.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Sgt. Tyler Yeates was on hand to answer any questions about his department's vehicles.

"We've been answering a lot of questions about this one," Yeates said about the department's Special Enforcement Team vehicle, which resembled a military vehicle with its olive green color. "We explain its uses, it capabilities; however, one of the biggest things to tell them is that is isn't a tank."

As the event came to a close and the trucks, equipment and the like were being driven out, Gonzalez assured that there would be another Touch-A-Truck event in 2024.

"We hope to get more vehicles in here next year," she said.

Harrison Smith (top row left) sits in a backloader, one of many construction and service vehicles on display at the Touch-A-Truck event at Bethania Lutheran Church in Solvang. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Special Enforcement Team vehicle (top right) was a popular attraction. Esteban Magana, of Lompoc (bottom right), explores the inside of an ambulance as EMT Rene Zepeda looks on during the Touch-A-Truck event at Bethania Lutheran Church in Solvang.

Photos by Mike Chaldu

The hows and whys of oral family histories

started to document or record a history of your family. However, it is not as easy to do as one might think. First, why interview? Example:

Aunt Grace is 90, dad is 70, time is running out and the family history is basically unknown. What color were grandma’s eyes? Were the ancestors doctors, farmers, merchants, lawyers, railroad workers, entrepreneurs, or some nefarious occupation no one wanted to discuss?

GENEALOGY TIPS

By Sheila Benedict

This month the discussion is about oral and written histories — their fact and fiction. Because of the importance of this topic, this column cannot cover everything and will be continued next month. If someone is writing or telling a history about themselves and their family, and does not do the work to verify what they THINK they know, it is inevitable that possibly 50 percent of what is written or discussed could easily be fiction.

The goal this month is to get some of you

With that example, it is easy to see why the relationship to genealogy and family history research is important plus there is no question being able to talk to someone that might have first-hand knowledge of an event or events can greatly enhance the possibility of getting verifiable data. Therefore, an interview is an excellent method of gathering family historical, social, and cultural information. However, and very important to remember is that it is just the same as any other source — the information given at the interview needs to be checked and rechecked with others such as documents, books and more.

Many historical societies gather databases of oral histories from long-time residents;

there are interviews done by public and private archives for ethnic and religious backgrounds, military personnel who can give background for compiling information on world wars, participants, and so many others. There can be overlap between each of them but that could be important for comparing and contrasting the information. In our recent research history, many new techniques are available to use, especially online databases and of course, DNA — it can play a major role in separating fact from fiction. What would you start with when questioning someone? First Golden Rule is “Never interview a husband and wife at the same time — always interview them separately.” Here is a brief list of questions to ask:

1. State full name (maiden name if married woman), Husband’s name if married (widowed, divorced, etc.), how you met, where you are presently living, occupation, first job/career, and why?

2. Children and grandchildren — names and dates of birth

3. Where were you born? Were you raised in the same place, or if family moved, where?

4. Parent’s names, living or deceased: Where were they born? How did they meet? How long married?

5. Siblings of person being interviewed — Information on them: marriage, occupation, etc.

6. Grandparents and same information asked

7. Collateral family and their relationships

8. First memories, holiday celebrations, and religion

9. Friends, schooling and teachers, sports

10. Politics – TREAD LIGHTLY!

11. Favorite songs, books, movies, television shows, and others

12. DNA results

13. Are any other facts the interviewee would like to add to the discussion? That's the end of part one; part two column comes in June 2023. Good luck!

Copyright ©2023, Sheila Benedict; All Rights Reserved. Email: benedictresearchservices@gmail.com. No reproductions without prior written permission

Santa Ynez Valley Airport Day is coming

Celebrate aviation and scholarships on May 20

Staff Report

The Santa Ynez Valley Airport is excited to announce that the highly anticipated 8th Annual Santa Ynez Valley Airport Day will take place on May 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This fun-filled event promises to captivate aviation enthusiasts of all ages with its thrilling displays and engaging activities.

Building upon the success of previous years, the Santa Ynez Valley Airport Day is expected to draw a crowd of approximately 1,000 attendees, creating an atmosphere of excitement and camaraderie. Visitors will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of aviation, explore various aircraft up close, and witness awe-inspiring aerial displays.

One of the highlights of this year's Airport Day is the presentation of two scholarships to deserving Santa Ynez Valley residents between the ages of 16 and 19. These scholarships aim to support and encourage the next generation of

aviators in their pursuit of aviation education and training. Last year, the prestigious scholarships were awarded to Helen Pruitt-Kennett, who showcased exceptional dedication and aptitude. On March 24, Helen passed her FAA oral and flight exams, attaining her private pilot license. She was accompanied by her instructor, Mike Fountaine.

Airport Day serves as a testament to the Santa Ynez Valley Airport's commitment to fostering aviation excellence within the local community. It provides a platform for aviation enthusiasts, industry professionals, and aspiring aviators to come together and celebrate their shared passion.

Let us unite in celebrating the spirit of aviation and inspire the dreams of future aviators.

For more information, visit santaynezairport.com.

About

Santa Ynez Valley Airport

Santa Ynez Valley Airport is a premier aviation facility located in the scenic Santa Ynez Valley, California. The airport serves as a hub for aviation enthusiasts, training schools, and private aircraft owners. With its commitment to safety, education, and community engagement, Santa Ynez Valley Airport continues to be a vital part of the local aviation landscape. For more information, visit santaynezairport.com.

Helen Pruitt-Kennett (left) with her instructor Mike Fountaine (right) on March 24, celebrating her achievement of receiving her private pilot license. Contributed photo

ARTIST’S PASSION

CONTINUED FROM A1

so easy for me to know what the athletes wanted and I sold everything the store carried,” said Alvarez. “I went from assistant manager to manager within four months.”

However, Alvarez fell into the art scene in a decidedly unexpected way, while on an outing to a car show in Turlock.

“I made friendships with all the managers in the mall, and one day we decided to go to a car show,” explained Alvarez. “It was the first time I had ever been to a car show. They were few and far between at the time. My jaw dropped when I saw a guy painting a car on T-shirts using a metal tube, which blew out colored mists of paint. It was the first time I had ever seen airbrushing and from that moment on, I was hooked.

"I saw all these hot rod T-shirts with crowds of people standing around watching the artist painting them. I also saw a lot of money changing hands. I thought to myself, ‘I can do that,’ eased up to the artist, and asked a few questions. He knew immediately that I was potential competition. He saw the wheels in my head turning and he made it seem like he had the corner on the market and there was no room for me."

However, that meeting did not deter Alvarez.

“The next day, first thing, I went to Aaron Brothers in Modesto and tried to explain to the store manager what the instrument the artist had been using the previous day looked like,” said Alvarez. “She told me it was an airbrush, but that I had to wait until the next day to purchase one. She recommended that I speak to an older gentleman the following day to learn more about airbrushing.

"Bright and early the next day I was at the old gentleman’s counter and he sold me everything I needed to get started airbrushing."

Alvarez said he got hooked on it immediately.

"I took it all home and didn’t sleep for two days — I was so excited, I couldn’t stop airbrushing and having fun, creating, and learning how to control the instrument,” said Alvarez. “Two weeks later I returned to Aaron Brothers to show the older gentleman what I had created and he asked, ‘Who is teaching you?’ and I said, ‘Myself.' He said my work looked great but that I needed a little help with the finer details and he showed me how to adjust the instrument to create a finer line.”

On the advice of his new-found mentor, Alvarez worked for another three weeks practicing with the pen and learning how to mix the paint. He returned to the store to show the man what he had done and the man, Alvarez said, was “absolutely amazed.” He asked Alvarez to return the next day as he had something to show him.

“As I approached his counter, he pulled out five illustrations of automotive design. It turned out that he was an automotive illustrator who worked for major automotive companies in the ad department," Alvarez said. "He was an airbrush expert. That opened my eyes to a new genre: airbrushing. Three weeks later, I was selling my airbrushed T-shirts at an outdoor swap meet in Ceres, California — right out of the back of my car. Within a three-month

period, I was making more money in one or two days at the swap meet than I made as a manager at Foot Locker.

"So, I started doing car shows in Los Angeles and worked with ‘Big Daddy’ Ed Roth, who was my childhood hero and is considered the father of airbrushing and hot rod building. I toured with Ed for two years and became a top airbrush apparel artist opening a store in Puente Hills Mall, California. where 'Back to the Future' was filmed.”

By that time Alvarez was enough of a circuit celebrity that airbrush manufacturers hired him to demonstrate their products at shows. Exhibiting his art work at an art show in Anaheim, representatives from Disney were scouting for background artists to work on "Beauty and the Beast," creating dioramas for windows on Main Street in Disneyland. They saw his work and offered him a job in their Sign Department.

“What was a three-month job turned into a five-year stint with Disneyland in Anaheim,” said Alvarez. “I loved the Disney characters, there was so much life in them. And being associated with even the park’s Sign Department was a dream come true for me.”

At Disneyland, he continued to hone his art.

“At Disneyland, I spent my breaks recreating Disney artwork around my cubicle and around my art station,” continued Alvarez. "One day some Disney Imagineers and executives came by and saw my artwork and asked why I was working at Disneyland and not at the Walt Disney Studio. They recommended me to become an apprentice for Eddie Young, a senior illustrator designer working freelance for the Disney Company. He hired me as an apprentice and that’s where I learned how to do Disney illustrations the ‘Disney way.’ Three months later, I had surpassed him as an illustrator of Disney characters. Young arranged for me to show my work to art directors at Disney’s Burbank offices."

Alvarez interviewed for the upcoming international home entertainment release of "Pocahontas" and three months after quitting Disneyland, he was the senior illustrator/designer for that movie. At a screening of a couple of clips to the marketing and creative people, Alvarez was handed a copy of the "Pocahontas" marketing guidelines. The credits read "Art Director — Vivian Guzman, Illustrator — Art Alvarez."

“Suddenly, I was hit by a wave of emotion,” said Alvarez. “Everything I’d been working for was right there in the words ‘Illustrator — Art Alvarez.’ I wanted to go out into the hallway and scream at the top of my voice like I’d just won the Academy Award for artistry. It was a great feeling.”

Alvarez said that he knew that when he saw that airbrush for the first time that that’s what he wanted to do with his life — he wanted to be the very best airbrush artist and Alvarez has accomplished his goal. He is being inducted into the Airbrush Hall of Fame this summer.

“What I did with airbrushing I now am doing with oils. I am focusing on creating fine art in oils with the same motivation that I had at the very beginning,” said Alvarez. “I want to leave behind a body of art work that people will see and enjoy over and over again after I’m gone.”

Alvarez returned to the Santa Ynez Valley and opened

up his gallery after suffering a personal loss.

“Laura, my wife of 32 years, and I were in the process of moving from Victorville, California, back to the Santa Ynez Valley when she passed away in 2021,” said Alvarez. “It was my goal to open an art gallery in three years, but due to fortuitous circumstances, I opened this past January.”

As he displays his work in the gallery, Alvarez's mind harkens back to those who helped him along the way.

“I am grateful to all the people I met in my life who supported my art and gave me the stepping stones I needed to fulfill my passion,” said Alvarez. “I feel blessed. God provided me with a gift and I have used it to the best of my ability. I am now happy to be back home in the Santa Ynez Valley where it all started.”

The A. Alvarez Fine Art Gallery and Art Studio walls are filled with original paintings and Disney prints, art collections, and works by Kelly Hine, an oil pastels landscape artist, as well as blown glass pieces by artist Seth Brayer, sculpture pieces, and a collection of vintage airbrushes, and Disney memorabilia.

The A. Alvarez Fine Art Gallery and Art Studio will celebrate its Grand Opening from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, May 21, with music, festivities, food, and libations. It is located at 1683-A Copenhagen Drive in Solvang. The gallery is open Thursday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

For more information, call the gallery at (805) 691-9058.

From hot rods to Disney, this collage contributed by Art Alvarez shows an assemblage of his art through the years. Contributed Photo Illustration

GOVERNMENT MEETINGS

TUESDAY, MAY 16

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

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17

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

At Community Services District Building, 1070 Faraday St.

For more info: sycsd.com

THURSDAY, MAY 18

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

MONDAY, MAY 22

SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL, 6:30 P.M.

At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang

For more info: cityofsolvang.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24

LOS ALAMOS COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT, 6 P.M.

At LACSD Board Room, 82 Saint Joseph Street, Los Alamos

For more info: losalamoscsd.com

THURSDAY, MAY 25

BUELLTON CITY COUNCIL, 6 P.M.

At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton

For more info: cityofbuellton.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 1

SOLVANG TOURISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE, 3:30 P.M.

At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang

For more info: cityofsolvang.com

MONDAY, JUNE 5

SOLVANG PLANNING COMMISSION, 6 P.M.

CALENDAR

At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang

For more info: cityofsolvang.com

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

EVENTS

SATURDAY, MAY 20

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY CHORALE PRESENTS BROADWAY MUSIC CONCERT, 3 TO 5:30 P.M.

The Santa Ynez Valley Chorale, now under the direction of David Lozano Torres, will present its Spring Concert featuring Broadway hits on Saturday, May 20th at 3 p.m. at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang. Tickets are $15 in advance and are available on www.syvchorale.org, through Chorale members, at the Book Loft in Solvang or $20 at the door.

At Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall, 1745 Mission Dr., Solvang Santa Ynez Airport Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring the family and friends and celebrate aviation!

Free Intro Flights for kids ages 8-17. Register now at youngeaglesday.org; flights begin at 9 a.m., weather permitting. There will also be aircraft on display with pilots who can explain general aviation and their experiences flying. Free admission, free parking and freee barbecue.

At Santa Ynez Valley Airport, 900 Santa Ynez Airport Road, in Santa Ynez (Off Highway 246)

For more info: santaynezairport.com

ZACA MESA WINERY’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, 12 TO 4 P.M.

Join us for a fantastic day of music, food, wine, community, and pure joy as we celebrate our history and deep roots in the region. Expect a fantastic rock n’ roll concert by classic rock cover band Unfinished Business, mouth-watering California-style barbecue by Gold Land BBQ, delicious wines by Zaca Mesa Winery, fun and games, and more!

At Zaca Mesa Winery, 6905 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos

For more info: zacamesa.com

SUNDAY, MAY 21

SYV OPEN STREETS, 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M.

Join us on the Avenue of Flags in Buellton for Santa Ynez Valley’s Open Streets event! Open Streets events promote community wellness by creating a safe, temporary, carfree space on roads, opening them up as a public park for a day. Free admission event, BYW (Bring Your Wheels). More event details will be available soon, and can be found at the event site linked below. At Avenue of Flags, Buellton

For more info: syvopenstreets.com

MONDAY, MAY 29

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY

The ceremony will honor all veterans and their families. The ceremony will include The Santa Ynez Valley Chorale, Vandenberg Space Force Base and VFW Post speakers, Boy Scouts, and Flat Fender Club vintage military vehicles. A free lunch will follow the program in the American Legion Wing. At Solvang At Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall, 1745 Mission Dr., Solvang

SATURDAY, JUNE 3

NEW CENTER UPDATE — SOLVANG SENIOR CENTER, 5 TO 7 P.M.

Join us to hear the latest about our June groundbreaking and construction and the milestones we've achieved to date — all while enjoying local wines and fabulous appetizers in a gorgeous new garden setting. You'll want to be an integral part of reaching the finish line — creating this multipurpose building as our new community resource! At our early evening event, you'll enjoy wonderful French Maids appetizers, wine, and camaraderie with your friends .... This is a once-in-a-lifetime investment in a stronger, more vibrant SYV.

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 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.

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

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