Santa Ynez Valley Star • October 3, 2023

INSIDE

Danish Days Parade adds old fashioned charm to fun-filled weekend

Community | Pg. 12

Los Alamos Old Days Parade comes back to Bell Street

News Briefs Pg. 2

• Solvang City Council OKs contract with Sheriff's Department

News

Pg. 4

• Prune farmers in California worry about overplanting

Spotlight Pg. 6

• Extreme eating event puts a capper on this year's Danish Days

Sports Pg. 8

• Pirates' 'Hail Mary' makes for happy Homecoming

Education Pg. 10

• Cottage Hospital Foundation awards health-care scholarships to 11 local residents

Community . . . . . . . . Pg. 14

• Car show on Los Olivos ranch helps out local Meals on Wheels

Arts & Nonprofits . . . . . Pg. 18

• 13th annual SLOPOKE art show wraps up at Flag Is Up Farms

Calendar . . . . . . . . . Pg. 23

• Government meetings and events

By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

The 86th annual Solvang Danish Days, a three-day cultural event, was held Sept. 15-17 in celebration of the establishment of Solvang by Danish Americans in 1911. The multiple weekend events were well attended with one of the highlights of the event being the Danish Days Parade on Saturday, Sept. 16.

People, young and old lined the streets of Solvang as approximately 19 entries from across the Santa Ynez Valley and beyond participated in the parade, which honored the 1911 founding of Solvang by Danish Americans. This year’s theme was “Kom Sammen” (Come Together).

The parade started at 2:30 p.m.

with the Color Guard in the lead, followed by 2023 Danish Maid Stephanie Pedersen, 2023 Grand Marshal Bill Villa, Randel McGee as Hans Christian Andersen sporting a very large top hat, all riding in various vintage automobiles. The Solvang Village Band entertained atop the Carlsberg Pilsner Beer

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Viking ships, ‘Hans Christian Andersen,’ and even a cheeseburger float among the parade sights

Danish Maid Stephanie Pedersen led Solvang's Danish Days Parade atop a vintage yellow Mustang.

Photo by Devyn Marseilles

SOLVANG

City Council OKs contract with Sheriff's Department, with reservations

The Solvang City Council unanimously approved a contract with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department for law enforcement services during its Sept. 25 meeting, but none of the councilmembers were particularly enthusiastic about the income.

As relayed by City Attorney Dave Fleischman, the current contract was set to expire Sept. 29, four days after the meeting. The agreement was in the amount not to exceed $2,856,941 for fiscal year 2023-24, for a total contract amount not to exceed $12,545,748 for the term FY 2023-24 to 2026-27. The same kind of contract was also negotiated with the cities of Buellton, Goleta, and Carpinteria.

Fleischman pointed out that the contract was negotiated under a new business model that gave the city more cost certainty, with an escalator clause as a compromise. However, the attorney then pointed out that the Sheriff's Department told him rather late in the negotiations that it was still in talks with the deputies' union, and that any salaries increases would be passed onto the cities.

"This means that our cost certainty has an out," Fleishman said, meaning that the contract doesn't have quite as much certainty as they thought. "The alternative if contract expires and we don't accept this is not good; better to have a contract with a bit of uncertainty rather than none at all."

Still, the timing of the Sheriff's Department revealing the talks with the deputies did not sit well with the council.

"It seems almost deceitful, or bad faith, to keep deputy negotiations from us until the last minute," Councilmember Dave Brown said.

Also concerning was the city not getting enough for what it's paying.

"What concerns me that the increase against our fixed cost," said City Councilmember Elizabeth Orona. "Moving from 7 percent to 11 percent. Increase cost with no additional service concerns me."

Fleishman concurred with Orona on that, and said he tried to get performance metrics written into the contract, but the Sheriff's resisted.

"It's hard when you have a choice of only one vendor," he said.

Another example was given by Mayor Mark Infanti, who pointed out that Buellton had a traffic officer, but when he got sick, he couldn't be replaced because the city didn't have enough staff. He pointed out that people always ask him when they're getting a motor officer, but said they couldn't get one if they wanted one.

Later in public comment on the item, Tracy Beard of the Solvang Chamber of Commerce mentioned how they contracted some sheriff's deputies for $1,280 for a multi-day event in Solvang, but when there was a traffic accident on the 101, they had to leave the event.

Despite the complaints about negotiations, everyone on council and Fleishman were quick to point out that they had nothing against the line officers, who they said were all doing a good job.

After discussion, Brown motioned to approve the contract, and all five members voted with a reluctant "yes."

Councilmember Claudia Orona summed

it up by saying, "Are we getting the services we're paying for?" she asked. "I think it's a scam; however, we can't gamble with public safety."

The next City Council meeting for Solvang is Monday, Oct. 9

Apartment complex evacuated after gas leak

A five-unit apartment building in Solvang was evacuated Wednesday, Sept. 27, after a gas line meter was struck by a contractor digging next to the building, according to Santa Barbara County Fire.

According the the News Channel 3-12 website (keyt.com), SB County Fire answered a call about the gas leak at the apartment building at the 1600 block of Laurel Avenue and put out a CODE 20 media alert.

Scott Safechuck of SB County Fire posted on X (formerly Twitter) that PG&E had been contacted and no roads were impacted by the leak.

SB County Fire reminds residents and workers to call 811 for the utility marking surface before they dig anywhere.

SY Cottage Hospital offering free drive-thru flu vaccine clinic

The Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital (SYVCH) will offer a free drive-thru flu vaccine clinic at the Solvang Veterans’ Memorial Hall parking lot at 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang, on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 8 to 12 p.m. Free flu vaccines will be administered to the community from the comfort of their cars. To reserve a spot, community members are asked to register at cottagehealth.org/syflu

Dr. Janina Meissner-Frisk returns home to Santa Ynez Valley to practice medicine

Janina Meissner-Frisk, MD, family medicine provider and Santa Ynez Valley native, has joined Cottage Primary Care –Santa Ynez Valley — Viborg (2030 Viborg

Road in Solvang), where she will practice primary care medicine alongside Roger I. Lane, MD, and Pablo Rojas, PA-C.

Meissner-Frisk is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and has extensive experience in providing care. She earned her medical degree from Kansas City University College of Biosciences and Osteopathic Medicine. Prior to that, she earned her master’s degree in nutrition from Cal Poly Pomona and undergraduate degrees in biology and chemistry from Westmont College and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Meissner-Frisk feels privileged to partner with patients on their healthcare journey and is excited to return to Santa Ynez Valley, where she grew up.

Cottage Primary Care – Santa Ynez Valley — Viborg has provided high-quality medical care to patients in the Santa Ynez Valley and the surrounding area since 1999. The practice focuses on providing primary care to adults.

Cottage Primary Care — Santa Ynez Valley — Viborg is located at 2030 Viborg Road in Solvang and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments with Dr. Meissner-Frisk, Dr. Lane and Pablo Rojas, PA-C, can be scheduled by calling 805-688-2600 or visit cottagehealth.org/ primary-care/appointments.

BUELLTON

Preschool teams with Botanical Garden to hold fundraiser

Acorn Village is partnering with the Santa Ynez Valley Botanical Garden, a nonprofit organization, to create a Halloween Journey interactive experience for families with young children. This is their second annual fundraiser to support both Acorn Village and the SYV Botanical Garden.

Halloween Journey is a unique theatrical event designed for young children (2-8 years old) and their families to celebrate

the magic and imagination of Halloween through an immersive, age-appropriate interactive experience. The Santa Ynez Botanic Garden will be transformed into the home of fairies, gnomes, talking trees and the majestic throne of the Pumpkin Queen.

This site-specific theater experience will lead young children and their families through the garden to experience six vignettes performed by local Santa Ynez Valley performers. Each tale will end with the gift of a small treasure or charm for children to take away.

This year’s event will occur on two nights. Friday, Oct. 27, and Saturday, Oct. 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. Guests will purchase pre-timed entry tickets to join the experience. To Purchase Tickets, Please go to Ticketsource.us/acorn-village/. for more information about the fundraiser, email Halloween Journey at Halloweenjourneysyv@gmail.com.

LOS OLIVOS

California Coast Classic Bike Tour to arrive at Los Olivos on Thursday, Oct. 6

The California Coast Classic (CCC) Bike Tour returns to the Central Coast with 200 riders traveling the coast highway from San Francisco to Los Angeles, from Sept. 30 through Oct. 6.

The CCC Bike Tour will travel on Highway 1 from 7:30 a.m to 6:00 p.m. at the following schedule.

• Saturday Sept. 30 / San Francisco to Santa Cruz

• Sunday Oct. 1 / Santa Cruz to Monterey

• Monday Oct. 2 / Monterey to Big Sur

• Tuesday Oct. 3 / Paso Robles to Cambria via Highway 46 & SLO County Roads

• Wednesday Oct. 4 / Cambria to Oceano

• Thursday Oct. 5 / Oceano to Los Olivos

• Friday Oct. 6 / Los Olivos to Ventura

The CCC bike tour concludes Saturday, Oct. 7, with a ride from Ventura to Santa Monica.

Please be alert for these riders and follow all rules of the road as they travel through your communities.

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

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Nationwide Alert System test reaching local phones, TVs, and radios on Oct. 4

The Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management reminds community members of the upcoming nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at approximately 11:20 a.m. PDT.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Federal Communications Commission will be conducting this test to ensure that these systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies and disasters. The test messages will display in either English or Spanish depending on the language settings of the wireless device.

“Alert systems are critical tools used by local, state and federal public safety agencies to rapidly warn the community of threats and hazards and provide protective action recommendations that can save lives. We encourage you to learn more about the different types of alerts you may receive in a disaster by visiting the county’s official emergency preparedness website ReadySBC.org,” shared Kelly Hubbard, director for the County Office of Emergency Management.

EAS messages  are transmitted through radio and television with an alert tone or scrolling text across the bottom of the screen. The EAS message will say “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency

Management Agency, covering the United States from 11:20 to 11:50 hours PDT. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.”

WEA messages  are transmitted to cell phones and look like text messages that are accompanied by a distinct attention tone and vibration. The message will read "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed." WEAs are broadcast from local cell towers to any WEA‐compatible mobile device in a geographically targeted area. If you are in the area or travel into the area in which a WEA is active, your cell phone can receive the signal and alert you.

All local radio and T.V. stations will broadcast the EAS test, and all cell phones that are on, not on airplane mode, and within range of a cell tower will receive the WEA test. Although local public safety agencies utilize these same alerting systems during emergencies in Santa

Barbara County, it is important to note that this test will be managed by federal agencies with no local involvement.

In the event the nationwide test cannot be conducted on Oct. 4, the back-up date is Wednesday, Oct. 11.

In addition to being aware of EAS and WEA alerting methods, the Office of Emergency Management encourages the public to register for the County’s local ReadySBC Alerts system. Residents and visitors can register up to 5 locations within the county and multiple contact methods – including text messages, phone calls, emails and TTY/TDD for the deaf and hard-of-hearing – in the order they prefer to be contacted. Registering for local alerts ensures emergency notifications can be received at home, at work and when traveling anywhere in the world.

For more information about this test, visit  Nationwide Alert System Test on Oct. 4, 2023 | Santa Barbara County, CA–Official Website (readysbc.org)

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Lee Pitts column harmful to community

Dear Editor,

I’m disappointed that you would print an opinion that is so hurtful to our community.

The “American Eulogy,” (by Lee Pitts) whether one agrees with it or not, brings the energy of our Valley residents down. Our Valley is quite beautiful, but if the people who live here turn ugly, it will make this a difficult place to live.

I suppose there are members of every senior generation who think “kids these days” are less than what they should be, so in that respect, I should give Lee Pitts some slack. However, I question his reasoning as to why he wants to publicize such a repulsive outlook on life.

It’s so easy to sit back and criticize. It takes no talent or intelligence. It does nothing to help, exacerbates the situation, and creates dissension in our community. Is that what Lee wants? I

hope that that is not the intention of The Santa Ynez Valley Star.

For those of us who work hard to create unity, healing and happiness in the world, Lee Pitts' words are undermining. With suicide rates so high, publishing such vitriol could be detrimental to our community.

We should be focusing on building up our community, inspiring people to do better and have a positive impact. If you can’t help build it up, at least don’t tear it down.

I hope you will take this into consideration and choose your future opinion articles wisely. P.S. I just found Lee Pitts online version of his “American Eulogy” piece. Thank you for removing his derogatory comments about Indians, “blacks,” and Mexicans.

Diane Curriden Solvang

Prune farmers worry about overplanting

By Ching Lee California Farm Bureau Federation

CALIFORNIA — Now that California prune growers are earning a higher price for their crop, with supply more in line with demand, marketers of the dried fruit have a message for them: Don’t go nuts on prunes.

The warning comes as the price of almonds and walnuts has trended down in recent years and growers remove more of those trees. People in the prune business are concerned that farmers looking to replace their nut orchards will overplant prunes.

Yolo County grower Joe Turkovich put it more bluntly: “The point is don’t destroy this industry like you’ve done the others.”

The concerns are understandable, as it was not so long ago that the prune sector faced a “chronic overhang of fruit” it couldn’t sell, which led to depressed prices and growers removing acres, he said.

A walnut grower himself, Turkovich is also pulling out an orchard, “but that doesn’t mean I’m filling that space with prunes,” he said.

Unlike the growth seen in almonds, walnuts, and pistachios, Turkovich said the prune business remains “more of a boutique industry” with demand that has stayed relatively flat through the years.

Whereas farmers treated tree nuts “like the Wild West, just planting everywhere and worrying about it later,” prunes are “a totally different game,” he said. The crop is more sensitive to overplanting, as it doesn’t take “many extra new acres to disrupt the supply-demand balance,” he added.

John Taylor of Taylor Brothers Farms, a prune grower and processor in Sutter County, said adding another 5,000 acres could throw the supply-demand balance “out of whack.” He said the industry has done well marketing 80,000 to 100,000 tons. Once production gets above that, “I think we’ll have some problems.”

“We’re really nervous that people that have taken out all their walnuts will start planting (prunes), which would be upsetting, because the industry can only handle so much as far as

saleable tonnage,” Taylor said.

Thanks to depleted inventory, the price of prunes has improved over what it had been five years ago — and growers want to keep it that way, Turkovich said.

He noted that as a grower-member of Sunsweet, he must first get approval from the cooperative’s management and board of directors to plant more acres. Even some walnut packers are now becoming more strategic about managing supply and production, such as by “telling growers we don’t want your old varieties anymore,” he said.

For those thinking about getting into prunes or adding more acreage, Turkovich said farmers should first consult with their packer rather than planting without a contract. Planting speculatively now and then looking for a buyer when the trees come into production is a “recipe for disaster,” he warned.

“On the one hand, we’re happy that we have a real stable industry,” Turkovich said. “But on the other hand, we know how easy it is to mess it up because we’ve had 20 years of that experience with oversupply.”

California prune plantings have been steadily dropping during the past 20-plus years. State bearing acreage stood at 86,000 in 2000, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. There were 35,000 bearing acres last year, with another 7,000 acres of newly planted trees, according to the California Prune Board.

Donn Zea, the board’s executive director, said the industry would not want acreage to drop below its current level, “and we don’t think that’s going to happen.” He said there has been “significant emphasis” on balancing state inventory, acreage and production with what marketers can ship.

“We need to remain very thoughtful and sober about how many trees go in the ground because markets ebb and flow,” he said. “We don’t need to chase production and ultimately drive price down.

“Said another way: Don’t rush to plant new prune acres but let demand pull through additional supply as we continue to build off a few strong years,” Zea added.

He described the sector as being in “a pretty good spot,” with positive signs that it is “reinvesting for the long term.”

Armed with more scientific research about the health benefits of prunes — including how it can maintain good gut health and may prevent bone loss — Zea said he thinks the industry is in a good position to take advantage of current trends that emphasize food as medicine. No longer is the sector running from the fruit’s long-known effectiveness in relieving constipation. It is now embracing it while also trying to broaden the product’s appeal with younger consumers by promoting prunes as “more than just laxation,” he said.

“We believe there’s a renaissance going on

with a lot of healthy foods, and prunes are right up there at the top,” Zea said.

He noted how the industry began seeing “real market improvement” beginning in the fall 2019 with increased shipments of California prunes. During the height of the pandemic when other agricultural sectors were negatively affected by food-service shutdowns, the prune business boomed, Zea said, as consumers loaded pantries and bought more nutritious packaged foods.

Short crops during the past two years in other prune-producing regions such as South America and France also boosted sales of California prunes, he said. Though some of the sales uptick has subsided, particularly in export markets, Zea said domestic demand remains strong.

“We believe we captured some new customers,” Zea said, adding the prune board has been trying to build on the pandemic-related market surge, though current economic headwinds make it challenging because California prunes command a premium price compared to product from Chile, the state’s main competitor.

The California crop is estimated at 75,000 to 80,000 tons this year, with harvest nearing completion this week or next week.

Grower Turkovich described the quality of his crop as “excellent, real clean, with no insect damage or other defects.” He said his yields are moderate to good, noting that a hot spell in mid-June caused a lot of sun scorch on his fruit, with likely losses totaling 15 percent to 20 percent of his potential production.

With total world prune consumption at around 200,000 tons, Zea said if California ships 80,000 to 90,000 tons, carryover inventory could drop to 20,000 tons, which he characterized as too little. Ideally, there should be at least 40,000 tons in reserve, he said.

But with Chile’s big crop last year and decent production expected in France this year, Zea said global inventories might start to bump up again. Even so, he said he expects the state’s inventory to remain relatively tight, considering continued strong U.S. demand for prunes.

“We’re going to do everything we can to make sure that we can mitigate that supply issue from getting back to where it was a few years ago,” he said.

Prunes are harvested from an orchard in Winters. After years of removing acreage, California prune growers have found their market sweet spot. With prunes earning a higher price in recent years, they now fear there will be a rush to plant more fruit, upsetting the supply-demand balance. Photo courtesy of Ching Lee

As price of almonds and walnuts goes down in recent years, growers remove more of those trees for prunes

Extreme eating event puts a capper on this year's Danish Days

Professional competitive eater returns to Solvang; scarfs down 26 in annual aebleskiver-eating contest

By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

The annual fun-filled Solvang celebration that is Danish Days went out on a high note Sunday, Sept. 17, with plenty of events to keep the town busy for most of the day.

And the big event actually happened just as the day was getting started as the final aebleskiver-eating contest of the weekend happened with a featured contestant: professional competitive eater and internet personality Raina Huang.

On her website rainaiscrazy.com, Huang describes herself as "a competitive eater and also a passionate cook, singer, model, gamer, photographer, designer, and foodie!" She has also has competed in past aebleskiver-eating contests at Danish Days with a personal best of 36 eaten in five minutes during the 2018 Danish Days.

This year, Huang managed to eat "only" 26 of the fried pancake balls, although it was more than her three local competitors.

Huang said she always enjoys coming back to Solvang for an appearance at Danish Days.

"I hadn't really heard of the place before I was invited up a few years ago," she said. "But it's a neat place to come back to, and this event they put on is always a lot of fun."

When asked about her strategy to be able to down so many aebleskiver in a short amount of time, Ruana said it wasn't all that complicated.

"It's not the most exotic food I've ever had," she said. "It's very good, but it's mainly pancakes formed into a ball. I just make sure to take sips of water in between bites — that way the dough dissolves a little faster, making it easier to go down.

"However, I usually prepare some hot water to use in these events, but I forgot to do that before I got here today, but I guess I did alright."

Among Huang's challengers, Santa Ynez Valley resident Victor Angel was the most successful, with 12 eaten in the five-minute limit.

"I figured it sounded like fun," said Angel, 32, who works at the Bit O' Denmark restaurant in Solvang. "I decided to step up and represent the Valley."

Another local who took part was Cody Antunez from Lompoc, who also competed against Huang in last year's contest.

"I always like going up to compete against a professional in these things, and then just be able to enjoy the whole weekend. This is always fun and a great thing for the community."

One of the people helping supply the contestants with aebleskiver and water was the 2023 Danish Maid Stephanie Pedersen, performing one of many duties of hers over the weekend.

Pedersen, 17, a fourth-generation Solvang resident who with her family has been involved in Danish Days her whole life, was thrilled to be representing the event.

"It's just really great," said the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School senior. "I've been coming here forever, and to follow in the footsteps of my mom [Jennifer, the 1974 Danish Days Maid] and my dad, who would ride the Carlsberg Wagon in the parade, is a terrific feeling."

Stephanie also talked about how much it

meant to grow up in a town like Solvang. "I got to grow up in a small, close-knit community and with the Danish flavor you see, it really is like a fairy tale being here," she said.

Aside from the eating contest, and the parade that happened on Saturday, Sept. 16, another feature of the weekend was one of Denmark's most famous products — Legos. The Lego building contest was brought back for this year's Danish Days, with three pro builders putting together their projects:

• Suzanne Hansen, in front of Solvang Home Connection on Alisal Road, building her scene of the Danish Days Parade, with a Lego "float" that you can wheel down the miniature street.

• Ezra Bermudez, next to Mortensen’s Danish Bakery, built a mini-parade float with a flag of Denmark, and a treehouse at the back, towed by a Lego-made jeep.

• Jesse Gros was in front of Solvang Brewing Co., where put together his version of a Viking ship.

When the projects were done on Sunday, a judging panel consisting of Allyson Gail, pro Lego artist and coordinator of the competition; Solvang Mayor Mark Infanti; Solvang School Student Services Director

María Larios-Horton; and Hendrix Farris, 11, a seventh-generation member of a Solvang family.

When the votes were tallied, it ended up being a first-place tie between Hansen and Gros for best creation.

There was plenty else to keep the Danish Days visitors occupied over the weekend. Among the activities were dancers were performing traditional Danish routines on Copenhagen Drive; the Ravens of Odin (a Norse educational group) hosted a Viking Encampment in Solvang Park, which also had a Viking Beer and Wine Garden, as well as live music; Master Storyteller Randall McGee portrayed Hans Christian Andersen and told tales to young and old in periodic performances all over Solvang, and the SLO Axe Co. gave people an opportunity to safely throw axes at targets at their mobile venues.

On Sunday afternoon as things began to wind down, the Danish Day board members — Thomas Birkholm, Ashlee Madrid, Tracy Beard, Eric Calleja, Casandra Farris, Laini Jacobsen, Lexi Ratliff, and Christian Wright — gathered at Solvang Park to thank everyone for coming out.

Solvang Danish Days will return next year from Sept. 20-22, 2024.

2023 Danish Days Maid Stephanie Pedersen provides aebleskiver for contestants in the eating contest.

Competitive eater and internet personality Raina Huang scarfs down aebleskiver during the Danish Days eating contest on Sept. 17. Huang downed 26 of the pancake balls in five minutes. Photos by Mike Chaldu

Melanie Whaley Rowe

1966 - 2023

Melanie Whaley Rowe, age 56, passed away Saturday, July 29, 2023, in Gilbert, AZ, after a battle with lung cancer. Her longtime companion, Heath Sheppard, was by her side.

Melanie was born in Inglewood, CA, on December 22, 1966, to Clifton and Gloria Whaley. The family moved to MA in 1969 and returned to California in 1974, first making their home in Buellton and then Solvang in 1979. After graduating from high school, Melanie attended Santa Barbara Business College. In the late 90’s, she moved to Arizona and worked in the accounting dept of several companies. She ended her career at Arizona Spine and Hip Hospital, where she was known by all and loved by many.

Melanie is survived by her mother, Gloria Whaley, her sister, Heather Weatherby, six nephews, one niece, a great-nephew, and two cousins. Melanie is preceded by her father, Clifton Whaley, whom she loved and missed dearly.

A memorial service was held on August 5, 2023 in Gilbert.

Pirates’ ‘Hail Mary’ makes for happy Homecoming

Santa Ynez overcomes mistakes as Daulton Beard's last-second score defeats Righetti

By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

During the Santa Ynez High's Homecoming football game against Righetti on Sept. 22, Daulton Beard, probably the Pirates' best offensive weapon, was only able to muster three receptions.

But, oh, did he make the most of them.

All three of the senior wide receiver's catches went for touchdowns, the final one being the biggest as Beard hauled in a 34-yard "Hail Mary" pass from quarterback Jude Pritchard with 1.2 seconds left to give the Pirates a 31-28 victory over the Warriors.

Righetti had taken a 28-24 lead, their first of the game, with 36.7 seconds left, but on the Pirates last-ditch drive, Vince Casey made a clutch reception at the Righetti 29-yard line.

Santa Ynez eventually found itself at the Righetti 34 with about 7 seconds left when Pritchard threw a pass into the end zone that Beard was able to leap and grab between two defenders. After a quick conference, the officials signaled touchdown to give the Pirates the lead, and just one play later, the victory.

With its first Mountain League win (11), Santa Ynez moves to 3-2 overall on the season. Righetti, which had scored their goahead touchdown with just 36.7 seconds left, drops to 1-4, 0-2.

"I guess you can call us the Cardiac Kids tonight," Pirates head coach Josh McClurg.

"I'm happy to have the win, but like I just told the team, we can't be making these types of mistakes and expect to win, especially with some of the teams we have on the schedule.

There were actually mistakes made on both sides as Santa Ynez and Righetti both had three turnovers on the night.

It actually looked like the Pirates would run away with the game as they took a three-touchdown lead into the second quarter.

Beard would start the scoring with eight minutes left in the first quarter when he caught his first scoring pass a 60-yarder from Pritchard to make it 7-0 in favor of Santa Ynez.

The Pirates got a break a little later when they recovered a Warriors fumble at the Righetti 39-yard line. From there SYHS was able to move the ball down to where running back Dallas DeForest punched it in from the 1 to make it 14-0.

In the second, the Pirates threatened to score again but was foiled by a Righetti interception deep in its own territory, but Santa Ynez was able to get the ball back and Pritchard hit Beard again for a score, this time for 81 yards, and the Pirates led 21-0 after another Diego Pu -

lido extra point.

The visiting Warriors at that point began their comeback, hitting the end zone for the first time thanks to a 17-yard run by RJ Fuentes to make it 21-7, Pirates. However, the real momentum-shifter was on the next SYHS drive: After the Pirates drove into Warriors territory, Righetti's Vance Abercrombie picked up a Santa Ynez fumble and ran it back 71 yards to close the gap to 21-14 where it would stand at halftime.

In the third quarter, Abercrombie would score again this time on offense with a 10-yard run, and the Warriors drew even at 21-21.

From that point on it would become a defensive battle and no points would

be scored until the fourth quarter when Diego Pulido would kick a 28-yard field goal to go up 24-21, that held until the fireworks in the game's last minute.

It was that defensive stand in the second half that impressed McClurg.

"We had [defensive lineman] Blake Smith, who tipped three Righetti passes in the second half and disrupted their game; he was just great," the coach said. "Also, our strong safety, Rider McClurg, was in charge of making our checks; he's the quarterback out there on defense. He made some pass breakups out there, but it's the stuff you don't see on the stat sheet that he's good at."

But in the end, it came down to Beard.

"We were up against it at the end, but we had Daulton, and when you have Dalton, you have a chance," McClurg said.

The Pirates played at St. Joseph last Friday, and will return home this Friday, Oct. 6, against Nipomo at 7 p.m.

Homecoming Queen and King crowned

During Homecoming halftime festivities, Santa Ynez High announced Jasmin Guerrero as Homecoming Queen and Toby Schmidt as Homecoming King.

Other members of the Homecoming Court included Abby Snow, Brooklyn Ricci, Cierra Cloud, Demory Fausto, Ava Ladinig, Janeth Davalos, Areli Virgen, Hale Durbiano, Omar Virgen, Daulton Beard, Tristen Fausto, Nicky Vacca, Dean van Hirtum, and German Guzman.

Santa Ynez High student Jasmin Guerrero is all smiles after being named Homecoming Queen on Sept. 22.

Newly crowned Santa Ynez High Homecoming King Toby Schmidt(69, second from right) poses with some of his football teammates after the halftime festivities on Sept. 22.

Santa Ynez High wide receiver Daulton Beard falls into the end zone after making the game-winning TD catch in the Pirates' 31-28 win over Righetti on Sept. 22. Photos by Mike Chaldu

EDUCATION

Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital Foundation awards health-care scholarships to 11 local residents

Recipients announced and celebrated at SYVCHF’s Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon in Solvang

Staff Report

SOLVANG — Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital Foundation (SYVCHF) awarded 11 healthcare scholarships, totaling $33,000, to Santa Ynez Valley residents entering or enrolled in a medical health-related field of study and who are committed to pursuing careers in our community. These scholarships help offset the increasing costs of a college education and can be used to pay for tuition, books and other educational expenditures.

“Hospitals, especially rural community hospitals, are experiencing shortages of nurses, technicians and other essential clinical staff,” said Katie Gorndt, vice president and nursing director at Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital (SYVCH). “These scholarships are one more valuable tool we can use to attract and retain a quality clinical staff to serve our community.”

The 2023 scholarship recipients were announced and celebrated at SYVCHF’s Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon held at the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art on Aug. 23. As part of the event, 2022 scholarship recipient Bradley Wick, who recently completed his Bachelor of Science in nursing at Chamberlain University and plans to return to SYVCH, spoke about how SYVCHF scholarship support provided invaluable assistance.

The scholarship program was established in 2021. The first fund, the Auxiliary Honorary Scholarship Fund, honors the legacy of the founding hospital volunteer core created 61 years ago, and now is part of the Cottage Health Volunteer Services. Since then, three additional philanthropic funds have been added thanks to generous community support.

“Community engagement plays a vital role in helping Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital to be one of the best rural hospitals in the country,” said SYVCHF President Judith Dale. “These scholarships are one more way we help advance our local healthcare workforce of tomorrow.”

Named scholarships and this year’s scholarship recipients, including six recent high school graduates and five continuing education adults, are:

Ann Bertero Scholarship Fund (est. 2018)

Gabriela Rodriguez — A 2023 graduate of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, she is attending Westmont College to pursue a Bachelor of Science in nursing.

Jean Pack Scholarship Fund (est. 2019)

Arisa Waters — A 2020 graduate of Dunn School, she is a third-year psychology major at UCLA. Arisa has already completed an EMT (emergency medical technician) program and plans to pursue a career in clinical psychology as a health-care provider.

Ken and Lloyd Mills Family Endowed Scholarship Fund (est. 2022)

Jose Padilla Martinez — A Buellton resident, he attends Santa Barbara City College and is enrolled in the Medical Imaging Program to become a radiological technician.

Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital Foundation Auxiliary Honorary Scholarship Fund (est. 2021)

Diana Corona — A 2023 graduate of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, she is attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo enrolled

as pre-med student with the goal of becoming a surgeon.

Daniel Kozlov — A 2022 graduate of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, he is first-year neuroscience student at UCLA and plans to become a neurosurgeon. At the same time, he is enrolled in an EMT program to become an Emergency Medical Technician and is also working in a UCLA lab studying Parkinson’s disease.

Allison Linane — A 2023 graduate of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, she is attending the University of San Diego, enrolled as a biology student with the goal of either becoming a nurse or physician.

Sofia Monsalud — A 2023 graduate of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, and is attending Cal State Long Beach as a psychology study and plans to pursue a career in this health field.

Jazmin Gonzalez Salinas — A 2023 graduate of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, she is attending Westmont College to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and plans to continue her education to become a Nurse Practitioner.

Jessica Perez — She has worked at SYVCH for the past 12 years as an emergency technician and has also worked at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. She is attending

Santa Barbara City College and is enrolled in the Medical Imaging Program to become a radiological technician.

Gabe Prendergast —  A 2022 graduate of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, he is attending University of San Diego to pursue a Bachelor of Science in nursing and plans to continue his education to become a nurse practitioner.

Chase Sylvia — A 2023 graduate of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, he is attending California State University Long Beach, majoring in kinesiology and exercise science with a goal of becoming a physical therapist.

Earlier this spring, SYVCHF raised nearly $20,000 at Vintage Vogue Valley Fashion Show and Brunch, with more than 100 people in attendance. Proceeds from the event benefitted the SYVCH’s scholarship program.

For more information about how to donate, contact June Martin, Sr. Philanthropy Officer, SYVCHF, at (805) 691-9509 or j2martin@sbch.org.

Up next, SYVCHF’s annual Harvest Gala will be held on Oct. 28 at Craft House at Hotel Corque Ballroom. Proceeds will benefit the Patient Care Fund. To learn more and become a sponsor visit cottagehealth.org/ harvestgala.

(Left photo) Recipients of Santa Ynez Cottage Hospital Foundation show there certificates during a luncheon at the Elverhoj Museum in Solvang. (Right photo) 2022 Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital Foundation scholarship recipient Bradley Wick, who recently completed his Bachelor of Science in nursing at Chamberlain University, spoke about how SYVCHF scholarship support provided invaluable assistance during a luncheon at Elverhoj Museum. Contributed Photos

Los Alamos Old Days parade comes back to Bell Street

The ‘Biggest Little Hometown Parade’ boasts 41 entries this year

By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

The quiet little town of Los Alamos came alive last weekend during its annual Old Days celebration from Sept 22-24.

Saturday saw crowds of people viewing the annual car show and shoppers gearing up for the holidays purchasing gifts from the vendors, but on Sunday, the little town was bursting at the seams with people wanting to partake in the Biggest Little Hometown Parade, which was back on Bell Street.

Due to circumstances beyond their control, the Men’s Club, who sponsors the event, had to have the Old Days Parade on a side street last year. But the town was not happy about that and the Men’s Club volunteers made sure that this year’s celebration and parade was back on Bell.

On Sunday, a 5K run sponsored by CalSwoosh was held at 9 a.m. Thirty-five runners participated in the event. The run/walk is a fundraiser for the nonprofit sports club part of CalSwoosh, which uses the proceeds to help underprivileged kids play sports. Trophies were awarded to the first overall male and female finishers. Medals were awarded to the top three finishers in seven divisions. Brian Justle (30-39

age group) was the top male and overall finisher, completing the run in 15 minutes, 59 seconds, and Anna McGovern (also 30-39) was the top female finisher with a time of 26:45.

Following the 5K run, the Biggest Little Hometown Parade was eagerly awaited by the crowd of onlookers all seemingly pleased that Old Days was back on Bell Street.

Ron Earl sang the national anthem with fervor as everyone placed their hands upon their hearts at the first chords of the song. Jim Glines was the parade’s announcer. There were 41 entries this year, many first-time participants.

This year’s parade Grand Marshal was Laura Beas-Diaz, who is a third-generation Bernal Beas, born and raised and still a resident of Los Alamos. Her and her husband Joel Diaz live in Los Alamos and have two children. She works at Olga Reed as a resources instructional assistant. She also works for the Los Alamos Foundation as their community outreach coordinator, is the secretary of the Olga Reed PTSA, a volunteer for Feed the Valley, delivering meals to local seniors and low-income families; and she assists Shirley Williams with renting out the Men’s Club.

Her family lost everything in a mobile home fire last year, but she says that what really matters is family, friends and community.

“When I received the call that I was this year’s parade Grand Marshal, I started to cry,” said Beas-Diaz. “I was so honored

but felt undeserving.”

Penny Monighetti led the parade carrying the American flag followed by the Santa Maria Elks Lodge 1538 Officer Wagon, Mule Team and Color Guard. Four members of the Bootsn-Chutes All Airborne Association from Lompoc marched behind. Then came George Shaw a veteran of the Korean War riding in his electric scooter.

Beas-Diaz was next, riding in the back of a truck with her two children, cheered on by the crowd. Then came Krazy Country Radio 105.9; members of Olga Reed School and Orcutt Academy; Garcia Dance Studio; Maureen Albrecht riding her tractor; and the New Generation Cowgirls from the Central Coast, whose members range in age of 1 and up.

Following the little ones were Next Generation General Engineering Jeep, the Orcutt Academy High School Band, and Braden Wheeler in a 1929 McCormick Deering Tractor.

Santa Barbara County Supervisor Bob Nelson rode in a John Deere tractor, followed by Lienzo Charro and Juan Chavez, a band, along with dancing horses. Next came Charles Linquiti of the Farmall Club displaying a 1949 and a 1950 restored tractors.

Dancers ages 3 to 17 from the Boscutti Ballet Theatre and Performing Arts from Lompoc danced in their bright red sequenced outfits, followed by Katy Duncan from Price Ranch, Topa Topa Flywheelers, Guillermo Guerra,

Righetti Future Farmers of America, the Crusaders G12 girls soccer team, the Righetti High School boys soccer team, members of Klein Dance Arts, the Men’s Club Float, and bringing up the rear were two live camels who were ready to give rides to intrepid parade goers and a float from the Depot Bar.

The winners of the parade were: Best High School Aged Entry – Righetti FFA; Best Performing Group – Orcutt Academy; Best Contemporary Tractor – Bob Nelson; Best Float - Boscutti Ballet Theatre and Performing Arts; Best Junior Equestrians – New Generation Cowgirls; Best Senior Equestrians – Santa Maria Elks Lodge; Best Military – Boots-nChutes; Best Grammar School – Olga Reed; Best Community Service – Los Alamos Valley Mens Club; Best Use of Theme – The Price Ranch; Best Equestrians – Lienzo Charro, Juan Chavez; Best Antique Restored Tractor – Topa Topa Flywheelers.

“We have an amazing group of volunteers that have worked hard to bring the community an Old Days they are excited about,” said Shirley Williams. “These volunteers have been meeting monthly for the past year and have been dedicated to the process. They are committee chairmen/chairwomen, and they are impressive! They give up time they could be spending with their families to work on this event. This is no easy feat. Thank you to all of you who made this weekend a great success.”

Two camels brought up the rear of the parade ready to give rides to those who wanted adventure.

Bringing up the rear was an unusual float submitted by the Depot Bar and the Los Alamos Gallery.

Caption. Photo by

The Orcutt Academy High School band took the prize for the Best Performing Group.

Penny Monighetti, on horseback, carries the American flag.

Ninety-two-year-old Korean War Veteran George Shaw.

The Righetti FFA won Best High School Aged Entry in the Los Alamos Old Days Parade.

Colorfully clad dancers from the Garcia Dance Studio in Lompoc.

Car show on ranch helps out local Meals on Wheels

Second annual event follows up auto displays with auction to benefit nonprofit

By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

The Santa Ynez Valley Meals on Wheels program got a little help from all kinds of "wheels" on Sept. 16 as the second annual Cars and Cowboys Car Show and Auction benefitted the program that is run by Santa Ynez Valley Outreach.

The event was held at Red River Ranch in Los Olivos and consisted of not only the car show, but a lunch, wine and drinks, live entertainment by the Blue Breeze Band, and an auction to raise money for the Meals on Wheels program.

Of course, the big draw on a sunny Central Coast day at the event was the cars, and there plenty to go around. There were all kinds on display, from American classics to foreign models to racing vehicles to pickups and everything in between, including even a tricked-out Army jeep.

Sitting in lawn chairs by their 1955 teal Thunderbird were Orwin and Alma Rose Middleton of Santa Barbara, along with their dogs Parfait and Winston.

"This is our first time at this particular show, but we usually go to a few to display our cars," Alma Rose Middleton said.

"Yes, we have about 10 cars right now, three of them are the 'adult' ones that we'll use for everyday use," Orwin Middleton said. "The others we usually keep them in the garage, but take them out to shows, like this Thunderbird and my [1960s] Fer -

rari that we also parked nearby."

While the Middletons had the Thunderbird and the Ferrari there, Orwin said he deals mostly in Corvette, a claim backed up by his friend John Shockley of Santa

Maria, who called Orwin "the ultimate Corvette guy."

"Over the years, I think I've lost count of how many Corvettes I've had; I've had a '61 and a '57," Orwin said. "I think I

counted them up one time and had about 100 at that point, but I don't have that much now."

Also at the show was a couple from Santa Barbara, Don and Alta Houston, who were showing their 1939 Packard Station Wagon with the wood paneling.

"I bought it in 1962 for $300," Don Houston said. "I've had from the time I started dating Alta until now and have worked hard to keep it up."

A flyer placed in the back of the Packard says there are only six of that model around today and Don, who belongs to the Santa Barbara Woodie Club, has one of them.

"We don't drive around in it all the time, but sometimes if we have friends visiting and we decide to go wine tasting, they say 'we have to go there in your woodie'"

In the middle of all the activity, Pam Gnekow, the CEO of SYV Community Outreach, which runs the SYV Meals on Wheels program, was thrilled by the turnout.

"These cars are phenomenal, right? I think we'll have the best car show in Central California," she said.

After the event's attendees had the chance to see the cars and the items up for auction, the actual auction began in the dining tent.

Before that, Gnekow was able to go up on stage and express here gratitude for the event, including thanks to Al and Denise Frink, owners of the ranch, for letting them use it for the fundraiser.

"And thank all of you guys who came in and supported," she continued. "This is such a gorgeous place for these cars, and these car owners have gone above and beyond to be here and make it possible."

This Scarab racing vehicle was one of many at the Cars and Cowboys show in Los Olivos on Sept. 16. Photos by Mike Chaldu

SYV Valley Outreach CEO Pam Gnekow addresses the crowd before the auction at the Cars and Cowboys show in Los Olivos. The SYV Meals on Wheels program, which Outreach runs, is the main beneficiary

Spook-tacular fun awaits at Boo at the Zoo

Zoo offers safe trickor-treating and ‘thrills and chills’ on successive weekends this month

Staff Report

SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Zoo is excited to announce the return of its famous Halloween “spell-ebration” Boo at the Zoo on Oct. 20-22 and Oct. 2729, from 5 to 8 p.m. With two full weekends (six nights) of fun for the whole family, there’s plenty of time to get into the Halloween spirit as the zoo offers safe trickor-treating and “monster-ous thrills and chills."

As one of Santa Barbara’s most beloved Halloween happenings, Boo at the Zoo features trick-or-treating, Zoo Train rides, a hay bale maze, creepy-crawly animal encounters, mad science experiments, bounce houses, dancing, and more! Tasty treats and booo-zy adult beverages are available for purchase.

Tickets are on sale now, $25 for adults,

$18 for children (2-12), and Zoo Members get $3 off. Parking is $11/vehicle, free for Zoo Members. Go to sbzoo.ticketsauce. com/e/boo-at-the-zoo/tickets to purchase tickets.

The Santa Barbara Zoo strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage and participate fully. To request accommodations or for inquiries about accessibility, please email the accessibility team welcome@sbzoo.org.

About the Santa Barbara Zoo

The Santa Barbara Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. for members and 9:30 a.m. for general admission until 5 p.m.; general admission is $25 for adults, $15 for children 2-12, and free for children under 2. Parking is $11. The Santa Barbara Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). AZA zoos are dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great visitor experience, and a better future for all living things. With more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and is the public’s link to helping animals in their native habitats. Visit www.sbzoo.org.

The Santa Barbara Zoo is ready to welcome visitors in their best Halloween costumes later this month for the Boo at the Zoo event. Contributed Photo

Los Alamos Old Days was bigger and better than ever

Annual events included Classic Car Show, Artisan's Faire, and Chili Cook-Off

By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

On Friday night, Sept. 22, the old western town of Los Alamos was aflutter with vendors and weekend participants preparing for the 77th annual Old Days celebration, a three-day event, featuring a Classic Car Show, an Artisan’s Faire, and Old Days Stampede 5K Run, dinner and dancing at the Men’s Club, a Chili Cook-Off, food, music and games, and the "Greatest Little Hometown Parade."

The theme of the event was “Red, White, and Country.” The event was sponsored by the Los Alamos Men’s Club, whose volunteers, spearheaded by Shirley Williams, raised $20,000 for their “Back on Bell” campaign to bring Los Alamos Old Days event back to Bell Street.

“Old Days is completely sponsored by community donations and the price tag has now reached $30,000. The Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club is the main sponsor and for the first time ever, specifically raised money to bring Old Days back to Bell Street,” said Kristy Williams, presi -

dent of the Men’s Club in her President’s Message. “The COVID experience was difficult for all of us but was extremely detrimental to our yearly celebration. The Old Days Committee has worked tirelessly to bring our event back to Bell Street and restore it to something the community will be proud of and enjoy.”

The first of many weekend events was the Friday night Chili Cook-Off at the Men’s Club which was won by Whiskey Bent BBQ. It was followed by dinner and dancing to lively music by The Fossils.

This year’s event was one of the largest Old Days celebrations in its history with an array of vintage and antique cars lining Bell Street from one end of town to the other. A plethora of vendors lined the opposite side of Bell Street offering their wares with everything from skin care to hot sauce, beef jerky to cupcakes, with jewelry and art, and homemade crafts by local artisans. Children were treated to an array of fun and games, face painting, and bounce houses in Ferrini Park. There were food trucks, and tri-tip sandwiches available for hungry attendees.

Of course, what would an old-time western celebration be without Cow Pie Bingo. As Saturday evening rolled around, the fun continued with a Cook Your Own Dinner/Dance at the Men’s Club with live music by Different Strings, who played until midnight for

those who wanted to kick up their heels.

The winners of the car show are as follows: Best in Show – 805 Customs; Best Hot Rod – Paul Payton; Best Custom – Tom Foster; Best Classic Truck –Guy Barnick; Best Muscle Car – Cindy Kennedy; Best Rat Rod – Dennis Patton; Best Classic Antique – John Balcorta; Best Patina Car or Truck – Ramerson Garcia; Best Sports Car 2 seater – Jennifer Johnson; Best Volkswagen –Pete Deletorre; Best Classic 1930-1940 Roadsters/Coupes – Sue Ward; Best Low Rider – Sotero Guerrero and the Critics Choice Car Club Special Trophy went to 805 Kustoms.

One of the most unique booths at the Artisan Faire was Tintype Photos by Tyler Tomasello. Also known as Wet Plate Collodion, it is an early photographic process which requires the photographic material to be coated, sensitized, exposed, and developed within the span of about 15 minutes, necessitating a portable darkroom for use in the field. In 20 minutes, you can have an image of yourself resembling that of your ancestors in silver tones. The process is one that was developed in the 1800s and is still in use today.

“The process is more chemistry than it is photography,” said Tomasello, a professional photo journalist. “I chose this career to get away from being a conflict

photo journalist in Afghanistan, and traveling all over the world. I also covered the riots in Los Angeles and all over the country for a variety of news services. This is the first time I have participated in Los Alamos Old Days, but I have done work here in town on various other occasions.”

He said that photographs of what is happening on the ground give people a different prospective. He likes to remain “middle of the road,” photographing things happening from both sides of an uprising. That way he says he learns about what is happening in a more intimate and informed way–both sides of the story.

The local Northern Santa Barbara County United Way also manned a booth hosted by Josh Wong and Melinda Martin. Northern Santa Barbara County United Way has teamed up with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Books Program where kids ages 1-5 receive an age-appropriate book each month for a year, at no cost. It also offers a children’s book title “Strawberry Moon Says Goodnight,” a sweet bedtime story from the perspective of the moon with words in both English and Spanish. It was written by Leadership Santa Maria Valley, Class of 2020, and illustrated by students in the Santa Maria Valley. For a $10 donation one hundred percent of the profits

An array of vintage and antique cars lined Bell Street from one end of town to the other during Los Alamos Old Days

The color and patina of this 1937 Chevy Business Coupe, owned by Aids Glynn, stood out from the rest.

from the sale of this book goes to support literacy programs at Northern Santa Barbara County United Way as well as art programs at Play and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mid-Central Coast.

“I heard someone once say this and I took it to heart, ‘From ages 1-5 years old, kids learn how to read then from 6 and beyond they read to learn,” said Wong who is a huge advocate of children’s literacy.

Another of the booths was manned by Linda Robertson of Santa Maria. Her company named “Bits o’ Kits has been making beautiful gourds for the past 10 years. She says she acquires the gourds in January and February, dries them, removes the insides, cut them into jacko’-lantern faces then stains them. It is a

year-long process and they are keepsakes.

“It is so nice to see so many more peo ple here this year enjoying themselves,” said Debbie Hart, a teacher at Olga Reed School. “I love Old Days. It brings out the community and visitors, too. We see the parents and the kids enjoying the day and a lot of people from out of town come for this event. I just love Los Ala mos Old Days.”

Music by the Rondales filled the Men’s Club and DJ Jay Turner blasted music throughout the town for everyone’s en joyment.

The day came to a close with every one packing up for the night anticipat ing the next day’s events, the 5K run and the Biggest Little Hometown Pa rade on Bell Street.

805 Customs won Best in Show and the Critics’ Choice Car Clun Special Trophy at the Los Alamos Old Days Car Show for his 1964 Kustom International.

(Left photo) Linda Robertson of “Bits o’ Kits” displays the beautiful gourds she made at Los Alamos Old Days. (Right photo) Professional photojournalist Tyler Tomasello is shown at his booth, Tintype Photos, during the Los Alamos Old Days. Photos by Devyn Marseilles

ARTS & NONPROFITS

13th annual SLOPOKE art show wraps up at

Western art exhibition and sale was held for the sixth year at Monty and Pat Roberts’ Solvang ranch

By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

The 13th Annual SLOPOKE Art of the West Exhibition and Sale was held for the sixth year at Monty and Pat Roberts’ thoroughbred horse ranch Flag Is Up Farms.

This unique fine art show celebrates the American West — its scenery, wildlife, ranch life, and history, and offers guests the opportunity to meet the artists.

Twenty-eight painters, sculptors, and a photographer exhibited more than 300 works of art in the newly renovated training barn. Tom and Debbie Loucks, who now operate Flag Is Up Farms, have just completed a year-long renovation of the Training Barn for various uses and the SLOPOKE was the first public event staged there.

“It was a perfect venue for a first-class art show and the weekend visitors all said how impressive the art appeared in this new facility,” said Tom Burgher, president of Entreprise LLC, which produces the SLOPOKE show.

A three-day event, SLOPOKE opened Friday evening, Sept. 22, to the foot-tapping music of the Silver Mountain String Band from Los Angeles, with Chris Murphy, Alex Balderson, and Mark Mason on violin, bass, and guitar, respectively. The winners of this year’s exhibition were then selected. The art show and sale was open to the public on Saturday and Sunday for their viewing pleasure and was very well-attended.

SLOPOKE is a juried art show with an invited feature artist and judge who selects the award-winning art. The 2023 SLOPOKE judge was Peter Adams, president emeritus of the 114-year-old prestigious California Art Club. Over the 26-year term of his service, the CAC grew in membership from about 80 to well over 3,000. The SLOPOKE artists he selected for awards in 2023 included Taylor Crisp for Best of Show, Dong Yang for Best Sculptor, and Rebecca Arguello for Best Painting.

Flag Is Up Farms

Each received the coveted silver SLOPOKE western belt buckle.

Three other artists received sponsored awards: Pat Roberts for Best Wildlife/Animal art, sponsored by Art of the West magazine; Vicki Pedersen for Best Figurative Art, sponsored by Western Art Collector magazine, and Lee Rue, who received the Artist Choice Award sponsored by Western Art

and Architecture magazine.

Each of the artists receives a full-page advertisement in a future issue of these fine art journals.

Finally, in a gesture of gratitude for his service as an awards judge, Burgher presented Adams with a specially minted SLOPOKE belt buckle of a different design from those awarded to the artists.

Each guests received a complimentary keepsake art book featuring this year’s art showcase.

Next year, SLOPOKE is scheduled for Sept. 27-29, 2024, at Flag Is Up Farms. For information on how to participate in next year’s show, inquiries can be sent to Tburgher2@gmail.com or by calling (805) 570-8088.

(Left photo) All the participants in this year’s SLOPOKE pose for a group photo. (Right photo) SLOPOKE judge Peter Adams (left) shows off a specially minted SLOPOKE belt buckle presented to him by Tom Burgher, president of Entreprise LLC, which produces the annual SLOPOKE Art Show, for his efforts as judge. Contributed Photo

(Left photo) Pat Roberts took home the award for Best Wildlife Art with her bronze statue titled “Lomitas.” (Right photo) Lee Rue received the Artist Choice Award for her painting “Crazy Horse,” at the SLOPOKE Art of the West Exhibition and Sale. Photos by Devyn Marseilles

Fundraiser raises money for sustainable consumption practices

IRL Arts Foundation puts on second annual Los Alamos Flea

By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

The IRL Arts Foundation, a Los Alamos-based 501(c) (3) nonprofit, held its second annual fundraising event, held on the same day as but separate from Los Alamos Old Days called “Los Alamos Flea.”

Forty vendors occupied the grassy area in front of the Los Alamos Antiques Depot selling homemade goods and crafts. Later in the afternoon, a wine-tasting event with 20 local winemakers was held next door at The Los Alamos Gallery. Food trucks were available for hungry participants along with live music by the band Hat Trick.

“This is only the second time we have had this event, but this time there are twice the number of vendors as the last

time,” said Katie Smith-Adair, founder of Los Alamos Flea and chairman and president of the IRL Arts Foundation.

The IRL Arts Foundation is focused on sustainability, consumption, and food systems (agriculture). Profits from the nonprofit go toward educating future leaders in food and agriculture and promoting conscious consumption. This year, $8,000 in scholarships were made available to Santa Barbara County residents for continuing education in agricultural, culinary, and sustainability-focused fields and donations to local nonprofits sharing these same values. Their goal is to build a consciousness around sustainable consumption practices.

“The Los Alamos Flea is about community, activism, sustainable goods, earth-conscious agriculture, and fun,” Smith-Adair said. “We will be back in early May for another fundraising festival and for sure we will be back here next year.”

For more information, visit http://irlaf. org/scholarships

Vendors and attendees are shown during the opening hours of the Los Alamos Flea event, where 40 vendors sold their wares on the grassy area in front of The Los Alamos Antiques Depot.

Photo by Devyn Marseilles

Paraskevidekatriaphobia: How scary is Friday the 13th?

link spread to other societies who ignored the Egyptians’ positive association with 13.

Folklore warns that if 13 people sit down to dinner together, one will die within the year. There were 13 seated at the table of perhaps the most famous dinner in history, the Last Supper. Judas was the 13th guest, and we all know how that ended.

Traditionally, there are 13 witches in a coven.

and cats, as well as the superstition that a black cat crossing your path portends bad luck.

Besides Halloween, this October has the last Friday the 13th of 2023. It is a day steeped in history and superstition and one of the more fascinating days on our calendar.

Are you paraskevidekatriaphobic? If Friday the 13th, makes you anxious, you are, and you’re not alone. According to behavioral scientists, trepidation about Friday the 13th is the most widespread superstition today in the United States. Nearly 21 million Americans, roughly 8 percent of our population, are prey to this very old superstition. But not me!

I am a triskaidekaphiliac, a person who is fond of the number 13. I look forward to every Friday the 13th, because I was born on a Friday the 13th and 13 has always been a “lucky” number for me.

For those of you who dread Friday the 13th, the reasons behind your anxiety are pretty much lost in time. One thing we can be sure of is both Friday and the number 13 have foreboding reputations that date to the distant past. It might be a good idea for you to understand just where your apprehension comes from.

Let’s start with 13.

Ancient Egyptians believed humans went through 12 stages of life on earth, and the thirteenth one was the happy afterlife. While they didn’t see 13 as unlucky, it was connected with death. This

The Turks so disliked the number 13 that it was practically expunged from their vocabulary.

It is said if you have 13 letters in your name, you will have the devil's luck. Jack the Ripper, Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer, Theodore Bundy and Albert De Salvo all have 13 letters in their names.

But what about today? Many high rise buildings don’t have a 13th floor. Airports do not have a Gate 13. Airliners lack a 13th aisle. Many towns skip from 12 to 14 when naming their streets. Lots of hotels avoid having a room #13.

Okay, so much for cultural misgiving about number 13. What about Friday?

Friday is the only day of the week named after a woman, the goddess Freya. The other days pay homage to male gods, like Thor and Woden and the sun and moon. Freya represented fertility and sexual love and was strongly linked with spring, birds and cats.

In ancient times, Fridays for Northern Europeans were associated with love and considered a good day for getting married. My wife and I were married on a Friday and we’ve been together over 35 years.

In the Middle Ages, the church recast Freya as a witch, and her day became associated with the evil doings of witches. Given her sacred animal was a cat, this may explain the connection between witches

Some say Friday's bad reputation goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden. It was supposedly on a Friday that Eve tempted Adam with the forbidden fruit and they were ejected from Paradise. Tradition also holds that the Great Flood began on a Friday; God tongue-tied the builders of the Tower of Babel on a Friday; the Temple of Solomon was destroyed on a Friday; and, of course, Friday was the day of the week on which Christ was crucified.

Fridays were the day of executions in ancient Rome and later in Britain.

Then, there's the historical event that ties Friday and 13 together. On October 13, 1307, agents of King Philip IV of France carried out mass arrests of scores of Knights Templars, including Grand Master Jacques DeMolay. The knights were charged with a wide array of offenses including heresy, devil worship and spitting on the cross, homosexuality, fraud and financial corruption. Following the arrests, hundreds of Templars suffered torture intended to force "confessions," and more than a hundred died under torture or were executed. DeMolay was burned at the stake; reportedly, his dying breath summoned both the King of France and Pope Clement to meet him in a tribunal before God within the year. True to DeMolay’s vow both the King and the Pope did indeed die within a year.

The real curious fact is that, like April Fool’s Day, no one has been able to document the existence of Friday the 13th superstitions prior to the late 19th century. Friday the 13th doesn't even merit a mention in the 1898 edition of E. Cobham Brewer's voluminous “Dictionary of Phrase and Fable,” though one does find entries for "Friday,

an Unlucky Day" and "Thirteen Unlucky." If folks who lived in earlier ages perceived Friday the 13th as a day of special misfortune, no evidence has been found to document it. As a result, some scholars are convinced this is a thoroughly modern phenomenon exacerbated by 20th-century media hype.

Ultimately, the complex folk -

lore of Friday the 13th doesn't have much to do with people's fears today. That fear is shaped by personal experience. People learn at a young age that Friday the 13th is supposed to be unlucky, for whatever reason. If you're looking for bad luck on Friday the 13th, you'll probably find it.

I hope you have a wonderful Friday the 13th. I know I will.

Jacques de Molay the 23rd and last grand master of the Knights Templar, leading the order sometime before 20 April 1292 until it was dissolved by order of Pope Clement V in 1312. Illustration from The Secret Tradition in Freemasonry by A.E. Waite, 1911

HOLIDAY HISTORY

by John Copeland

Oriental medicine or Western medicine? It depends

We are very fortunate to live in a time where options are all around us. Though we often take options for granted, it was not very long ago when people lived in a time of limitations, especially where health care was concerned. Back then, the only option you might have to get well was the local doctor, who may or may not have gone to medical school, or some “miracle potion” in fashion at the time. Education on health care was extremely limited back then, and people had no choice but to take what was offered.

Modern times have proven to be a wonderland of education and options. Instead of the town physician, we can now draw our health-care needs from a variety of mindsets, practices, and cultures that span the globe. All of these options allow medicine to be tailored to the patient, to fit both their needs and personalities. Still, for some, the variety of options can be confusing and they might find themselves asking, “What ailments are better handled by Oriental medicine than Western medicine?”

Western medicine is great for a variety of things, and the use of both practices

together is a lovely partnership in a lifetime of health care. For instance, Western medicine is ideal for the physical repair of the body, should any accidents befall you. Some Western medications work very well for internal problems as well, but if you prefer a natural health-care route, Oriental medicine is the best avenue as it focuses on long-term maintenance and disease prevention.

Chronic disease is related to internal organs. Oriental medicine serves your organs through acupuncture and herbs, which assist your own body in fixing its own problems naturally. These lifestyle changes leave you with long-term health and disease avoidance.

Ailments that are particularly well served by Oriental medicine are (but not limited to) stress, fatigue, hypertension, stroke, cardiovascular problems, chronic back, muscle and nerve pain, and mental/ emotional problems. Feminine health

issues are also well cured by acupuncture.

Women between the ages of 40-50 generally have big changes in hormones that negatively affect them in physical and emotional ways. They often complain of chest congestion, increased heartbeat, edema, facial redness, low energy, chronic fatigue, cold feet and hands, sick pain, bone aches, numbness, being easily scared/ jumpy, increased heartbeat, headaches, sleeping problems, emotional sensitivity, hysteria, dizziness, dark vision, ear ringing, frequent urination, incontinence, sexual insensitivity, menstruation cycle changes/ problems, dark circles, and makeup being more difficult to apply than in the past. These diseases all come from unhealthy, toxin-rich blood, which causes changes in circulation and proper hormone production. Acupuncture and herbs (along with constitutional food) help clean the blood and restore a healthy condition. Menopause can also be made easier in

advance by allowing a smooth transition between a woman’s “summer” (adolescence through her 30s) and “winter” (menopause years and beyond) by allowing an “autumn” (40s, prior to menopause), which many women do not get due to their health condition.

Acupuncture and herbs are also great when used in conjunction with Western medicine. They help in faster healing and strengthening of the body before and after surgical procedures.

Whatever your health-care preference, it is important to choose one that both works well and feels right for you. Not every body is built the same, so it can be worth your while to research the available options until you get the perfect fit.

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

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By Dr. Hyun K. Lee

DANISH DAYS PARADE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Wagon and were followed by an array of Vikings in colorful attire.

The Nordhoff High School Ranger Marching Band from Ojai marched down the street wearing their distinctive band uniforms, followed by the Vikings of Solvang, the Viking Ship bearing more Vikings, a charming float surrounded by bubbles from the Bethanian Lutheran Church, representatives of the Atterdag

Village, The Rainbow House, the Santa Ynez Valley Jazz Band, the Honen and Solvang Trolley, SYV Performing Arts (featuring beautifully costumed dancers from the Fossemalle Dance Studio), the Figueroa Mountain Brewery Bus (drenching the crowd with copious amounts of water) followed by Viking motorcyclists. Finally, the world’s largest hamburger float, “It’s 5 o’clock Somewhere” and “Cheeseburgers in Paradise,” pulled up the rear.

Children especially loved the parade as

those riding the floats threw candy to them to gather up and take home or eat while enjoying the parade.

The parade goers quickly dispersed to enjoy the various other fun offerings the weekend provided.

Awards for parade entries were announced on Sunday, Sept. 17, in a few categories. The overall winning entry was the “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” float by the Andersen, Farris, Ineman, Beehler and Kaufman families. Members of the winning group accepted

the award in Solvang Park while in a smaller version of the float, an inflatable cheeseburger on top of a golfcart.

Other winners included:

• Solvang Vikings Ship (Best Family/ Group entry)

• Nordhoff High School Rangers Marching Band (Best Musical entry)

• Solvang Trolley (Best Equestrian/Live Animal entry)

• Santa Ynez Valley Performing Arts (Best Misc. Entry)

Children ran into the street collecting the goodies being offered by the "Cheeseburger in Paradise" float during the Danish Days Parade.

The SYV Performing Arts entry in the Danish Days Parade featured costumed dancers from Fossemalle Dance Studio. Vikings of Solvang set sail in their Viking ship yet again during the Danish Days Parade. Photos by Devyn Marseilles

The Solvang Village Band played while atop the Carlsberg Pilsner Beer Wagon

The Nordhoff High School Marching Band, from Ojai brought music to the Parade.

GOVERNMENT MEETINGS

TUESDAY, OCT. 3

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 9

A.M.

At Betteravia Government Center, 511

Lakeside Pkwy, Santa Maria

For more info: countyofsb.org

THURSDAY, OCT. 5

BUELLTON PLANNING COMMISSION, 6 P.M.

At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton

For more info: cityofbuellton.com

Solvang Tourism Advisory Committee, 3:30 p.m.

At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang

For more info: cityofsolvang.com

MONDAY, OCT. 9

SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL, 6:30 P.M.

At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang

For more info: cityofsolvang.com

TUESDAY, OCT. 10

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 9

A.M.

At Betteravia Government Center, 511 Lakeside Pkwy, Santa Maria

For more info: countyofsb.org

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 11

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, OCT. 12

BUELLTON CITY COUNCIL, 6 P.M.

At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton

For more info: cityofbuellton.com

EVENTS

FRIDAY, OCT. 6

GIRL NAMED TOM WITH SPECIAL GUEST J MAYA, 7 P.M.

Three siblings unlock one harmony to

CALENDAR

unite the world as Girl Named Tom. The trio — Bekah, Joshua, and Caleb Liechty — notably made history as “the only group to ever win NBC’s 'The Voice.'” Along the way, they’ve impressively generated millions of streams across chart-rattling covers such as “River,” “The Chain,” and “Dust in the Wind.” The proud Midwesterners gained further traction with the independent "Another World" EP. Returning to the road with a bang, they performed 100-plus shows throughout 2022 alone. Inking a deal with Republic Records, they served up their debut holiday EP, "One More Christmas," and embarked on a massive arena tour supporting Pentatonix for “A Christmas Spectacular.” Their inimitable harmony will only continue to resound louder in 2023 and beyond. With Special Guest J Maya

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

For tickets and more info: solvangtheaterfest.org

SATURDAY, OCT. 7

VIKING CLASSIC CAR SHOW

Join us on Saturday, Oct. 7, for the free-admission inaugural Viking Classic Car Show in the beautiful Danish capital of America with activities for all and awards for car show exhibitors. All activities are hosted by Vikings of Solvang and benefit qualified individuals in Santa Barbara County with medically related needs. The car show is the highlight of a weekend of auto-related activity: On Friday, Oct. 6, is a fundraising gala dinner at the unique Mendenhall’s Motor Museum of Gasoline Pumps and Petroliana in Buellton (get tickets at vikingsofsolvang.org), and on Sunday, Oct. 8, Santa Ynez High School Auto Shop (aka “Pirate Garage”) hosts the 2nd Annual Santa Ynez Valley Garage Tour featuring local shops, car owner garages and car collections, all free to the general public.

At Downtown Solvang

For more info: vikingsofsolvang.org

FRIDAY, OCT. 13

24K MAGIC (BRUNO MARS TRIBUTE BAND), 8 TO 9:30 P.M.

24K Magic, the tribute band that performs pop star Bruno Mars’ popular hits “Treasure,” “Uptown Funk” and “Leave the Door Open,” will bring their high-energy show to the Samala Showroom at 8 p.m. on Fri -

day, October 13 at the Chumash Casino Resort. Tickets for the show are $20. The members of 24K Magic – Saucedo, Julian Davis (Horns and Rapper), Pedro Talarico (Guitar), Tommy Gruber (Bass) and Danny Alfaro (Drummer) – are world-class professional musicians who have worked with the music industry’s finest. Together, the group delivers the ultimate Bruno Mars concert experience. With flawless vocals, expert musicianship and tight choreography, 24K Magic continues to take their show to new heights.

At Chumash Casino, 3400 Highway 246, Santa Ynez

For tickets and more info: chumashcasino. com/entertainment

SATURDAY, OCT. 14

SANTA BARBARA VINTNERS

FESTIVAL, 12 TO 4 P.M.

Fall in Santa Barbara Wine Country is a spectacularly gorgeous time of year and is quintessentially beautiful California. As part of the weekend’s festivities, many of the region’s wineries are hosting dinners, unique tastings and special events. Join us and taste some amazing wines, meet the fascinating personalities behind them and explore the stunning scenic back roads of our wine country. Visit our website (sbcountywines.com/events/) for additional information about these events.

At Vega Vineyard and Farm, 9496 Santa Rosa Road, Buellton

For more info: sbcountywines.com/events/

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.

Wine Wednesdays in Buellton, 4 to 8 p.m. Please join us for an evening out with family fun for all in Buellton, hosted by Esfuerzo Wines and The Birria Boyz. This event will take place each Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Each week we will have guest food vendors, live music and much more to be announced. We hope to see you there!

At 140 Industrial Way, Buellton

For more info: info@esfuerzowine.com

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