Santa Ynez Valley Star • December 6, 2022

Crowds Salute Community Heroes With Santa Ynez Veterans Day Parade

By Mike Chaldu news@santaynezvalleystar.com

Crowds lined up along Sa gunto Street in Santa Ynez on Saturday, Nov. 12, for

the 2022 Salute to the Vets Parade, held the day after Veterans Day.

Twenty-five entries were en tered into the parade, led by Grand Marshal Alvin Salge, commander of VFW Post 7139 in Santa Ynez Valley. Among the entries were the Flat Fender Friends' caravan of jeeps, the Lompoc and SYV chap ters of Daughters of the Revolution, numerous women dressed up as the pin-up girls of the 1940s, the 11th Mounted Cavalry Unit, and the

Widows Sons motorcycle contin gent representing the Vietnam Vets.

The parade kicked off the second annual Salute to the Vets celebra tion and led back to the Maverick Saloon on Sagunto Street for the in-person event, featuring live mu sic, local veterans programs and services booths, pin-up girl contest, food and drink, and military vehicle displays.

The parade and celebration at Maverick Saloon was presented by

the Santa Barbara County Veterans Foundation, a nonprofit organiza tion dedicated to support and help ing our local veterans and keeping the money in the tri-county area.

Drew Wakefield, a motivational speaker and radio host who's billed as "Mr. Santa Barbara," was the emcee for the parade and had high praise for Santa Ynez and the event that debuted last year.

News 2

• Kyle Abello retires as recreation al supervisor at Buellton Rec Community 8

• Solvang Senior Center sets goal for every local senior to join in the next year

Sports 12

• SYHS girls basketball team takes third place in the Santa Maria Tournament Opinion 13

• Lee Pitts: Some 'groundbreaking' ideas should probably remain buried Education 14

• SYHS senior Elle Arvesen named Elks October Student of the Month

Arts/Nonprofit 15

• Grammy winner Johnny Mathis to perform his Christmas hits at Chumash Casino Resort

Parade kicks off Salute to Vets event and activities at Maverick Saloon the day after Veterans Day

News | 6 First Empty Bowls fundraiser to be held in Los Olivos is a success on short notice

VFW Post 7139 Commander Al Salge (in back seat) was the grand marshal of the Salute to Vets Parade in Santa Ynez on Nov. 12. Photo by Mike Chaldu

Local Elections Inch Toward Finish Line

King jumps ahead of Lewis in Buellton mayoral vote; Solvang's District 4 City Council race tightens up

By Mike Chaldu news@santaynezvalleystar.com

After falling behind in early results for the Buellton mayoral race, cur rent Vice Mayor Dave King has jumped ahead of City Council member Elysia Lewis after the second update of results from the Nov. 8 General Election. With 65 percent of the ballots count ed, King holds a 1,053-1,018 lead in to tal votes (50.63 percent to 48.94 percent). Lewis still holds the lead in mail-in ballots (970-946), but King holds a better-than2-to-1 edge at the polls (107-46). Lewis originally held a 50.59-percent-to-48.77percent lead in the first release of results.

Meanwhile in Solvang's District 4, Eliz abeth Orona, a technology sales executive who held a 57.14-percent-to-42.86-per cent edge over incumbent Robert Clarke in the early results, has now seen that lead dwindle to less than 2 percent (50.60 per cent to 49.00 percent). In total votes, Oro na leads Clarke by just 11 votes (330-319).

In other races:

BUELLTON

Meanwhile, in Buellton's City Council elections, Hudson Hornick (District 1) and David Silva (District 4) have main tained their double-digit leads over Tom

Widroe and Art Mercado, respectively. Hornick is up on Widroe 55.40 percent to 44.5 percent, while Silva has the advan tage over Mercado 55.44 percent to 43.55 percent.

SOLVANG

Running unopposed for the Solvang mayoral seat, current Mayor Pro Tem Mark Infanti has not seen much of a change as the election update shows him with 94.06 percent of the vote.

In District 3, the other Solvang coun cil seat up for grabs, small business owner David Brown and local chef Louise Smith were in a near-dead heat early, but Brown has jumped ahead 46.60-41.75 with the second voting update, although in the vote count, he's just 15 votes ahead (144-129).

In the Solvang City Council meeting on Monday, Nov. 28, the council agreed to hold a special meeting Dec. 9 to discuss certification of the Nov. 8 results. If the results are approved, the council said, the new City Council will be installed at the

next regularly scheduled meeting Dec. 12.

OTHER RACES

Two seats were up for grabs in the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District Board of Trustees. In the Short Term AtLarge District seat, contractor/business owner Christopher F. Johnson (39.38 percent) has moved ahead of Santa Ynez High parent/volunteer Anna Schryer (35.96 percent), with retired executive Lee Rosenberg running third at 24.10 percent.

In the Trustee Area 2 race, college admin istrator Sheri Noble continues to lead over vocational nurse Denise El Amin — 58.82 percent to 40.92 percent.

Solvang's Measure U, a proposed onecent sales tax billed as being aimed at tourists and visitors more than residents, looks to be on its way to passing as 63.27 percent of voters have voted yes.

In the Los Olivos Community Services District, four candidates vied for three seats, with Julie Kennedy (30.46 percent), Lisa Bertero Palmer (25.54), and Greg Parks (23.26) leading, and Thomas A. Nelson (19.78) trailing. In the race for the district's short-term seat, Brad A. Ross led Jeanne Hollingsworth 67.86 percent to 31.55 percent.

In the Los Alamos Community Services District short-term seat election, Charles Gonzales led Kristi Gnesa-Williams 52.23 percent to 46.41 percent.

ADVERTISING

Amberly Lahr Director of Advertising ads@santaynezvalleystar.com

Jen Rodman Ad Designer

PRODUCTION TEAM

Benson Moore, Evan Rodda, Neil Schumaker

Dave King Elysia Lewis

Liz Orona

Robert Clarke

Abello Retires as Recreational Supervisor at Buellton Recreation

By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

Kyle Abello will be retiring from Buell ton Recreation at the end of this year. He has been the department's recre ational supervisor from Buellton Recreation’s inception 20 years ago.

“I decided to retire because I am interested in exploring new adventures and spending more time with my family,” said Abello. “When my kids are out of school I will be able to spend more time with them and actually go on sum mer vacations with them.”

His official retirement will be sometime in the new year following the acquisition and training of his replacement.

“It was important for me to leave with enough lead time for a successor to be on board before our busy summer season starts,” Abello stated.

The busiest season for Buellton Recreation is the summertime because the organization offers a multitude of camps for different ages, major special events, and a host of programs aimed at kids when they are out of school for the summer.

“Kristen Thomsen, recreation center coor dinator, and Paul Smith, youth recreation co ordinator, have such a depth and breadth of recreational experience that goes back to my first meeting with Kristen as a sophomore in

Diego with a major in biology and a minor in the humanities, Abello received a call from Thomsen who said there was a brand-new po sition open for the City of Buellton, which she thought he would be perfect for and suggested he try out for it.

“I had not thought about working in the field of recreation but it has been the best choice I ever made,” said Abello. “I was their first em ployee, so initially it was a trial position. One of the questions on the application was what I would bring to Buellton if I was hired. A thought came to me at that moment of a Com munity BBQ Bonanza, which I implemented upon being hired. The event has become a be loved annual celebration in Buellton and it just

tween people who have a skill or talent and those who want to experience something new. I feel that what has been most important are the relationships we have built to create a new recreation facility and programs for the public,” he explained. “What I am most proud of are the partnerships we’ve developed over the past 20 years — some of those include the Sant Ynez Valley Botanic Garden Foundation, PAWS off-leash dog park, the partnership between the City of Buellton and the Buellton Union School District to build a Rec Center, and the City of Solvang’s cooperation on recreation al programs and events such as the Haunted House, Easter Eggstravaganza, and the Buell ton BBQ Bonanza.

the Rec Center in the best of hands.”

Abello has been grateful for the support he's gotten over the years.

“I would like to thank the City Council, staff, and the entire community for the opportunity of having served for 20 years, bringing recre ation to Buellton and the Valley,” he said.

Abello has no immediate plans of what he will be doing in the future. He currently serves on the College School Board, in the district where his children attend school. He previously served on the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District Board, the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation Board, and the Santa Ynez Valley Chorale Board.

“I am exploring a few options and I am open to new possibilities,” said Abello. “I am not leav ing the Valley; I have been here since I was 4 years old. I am incredibly excited to start this new chapter of my life and to find something else which I will love to do for the next 20 years.”

For more information or to share some great memories, email kabello@ucsd.edu.

Volunteers prepare tri-tip sandwiches during the Buellton BBQ Bonanza at River View Park earlier this year. The BBQ Bonanza was the first idea Kyle Abello had when he was hired as the Buellton Recreation Supervisor 20 years ago. Star File Photo

Kyle Abello will be retiring from Buellton Recreation as of the end of this year. He has been the Recreational Super visor for the past 20 years. Photo by Devyn Marseilles

By Mike Chaldu

s the holiday season begins and many Christmas shoppers are starting to get presents for faraway friends and rela tives, a group in Solvang is getting packages together for some special recipients — U.S. service members serving abroad.

Of course, for this group of volunteers it's not just a Christmas thing; the local organiza tion, called We Support The Troops, does this every month.

We Support The Troops, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation that relies solely on do nations to purchase and ship care packages to U.S. troops and military K-9 dogs stationed around the world. The group relies on dona tions, which go to the purchase, packaging and sending of the care packages to service mem bers.

A staff of approximately 15 volunteers were at the Solvang Veterans Hall on Nov. 30, led by We Support The Troops President and Founder Pat Sullivan.

Sullivan, who spent 26 years in the U.S. Air Force before retiring in 1993, launched the or ganization 18 years ago.

"I really wanted to help with the effort of getting troops supplies they needed, so I start ed this in 2004," she said. "We do this on the fourth Wednesday of each month, and I can usually get between six and 15 volunteers to help out. We can usually get the boxes packed and sealed in about 3 to 5 hours."

After they are prepared, the care packages to

countries such as Iraq, Iran, Syria, Saudi Ara bia, and Djibouti (Horn of Africa).

"We even send packages to Poland right now, because we have troops conducting ex ercises with NATO," Sullivan said. "Really, it depends on where we get emails from, asking for stuff. If we get someone from a new place with some requests, we'll get that done."

And boxes were getting filled by the volun teers, many in two-person teams as Sullivan paired new volunteers with a more experienced one. Items were stacked according to category, with volunteers taking a little bit from each ta ble according to what each recipient requested.

Among the items packed were jerky, snacks of all sorts, hygiene items for both men and women, batteries, flashlights, assortment of

clothing, books, DVD’s, items for children and special treats and requested equipment for ca nines.

Also, because it's now the Christmas season, there was also a couple of tables containing holiday decorations for some of the service members to put in their quarters.

Two volunteers were found finding some decorations to put into a package.

Loren Burcardi, of Santa Ynez, was volun teering for the first time.

"I haven't done this before, but last night I was watching the news and they had a report on this organization and I found out they were doing this today," Burcardi said. "I love our soldiers, and I really wanted to do something to help them out."

Showing her the ropes was Susie Snow, also of Santa Ynez, and her roots in the area go way back.

"My father was in the military and I lived at Vandenberg back when it was still known as Camp Cooke," she said. "I found out about this organization, found out they needed staff, and have been helping out here ever since."

Another volunteer, Carol Millard of Buell ton, also cited family reasons for her involve ment.

"I've been doing this for about 10-15 years," she said. "My brother served in Vietnam and I have an uncle who lost his life in World War II, so I do this partly because of them. Also, my mother was always so patriotic and supported the troops, so I followed her lead."

While most of the individuals helping out Sullivan in her efforts Nov. 30 were locals, there was also assistance from a couple of outof-state helpers.

Luke Jackson, from Oregon, and Tate Man sfield, from Utah, are missionaries with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and were more than willing to volunteer for this cause.

"It's awesome what they do here to help out the troops," Jackson said. "It's cool, and I'm re ally happy to be a part of it."

We Support The Troops generally meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Solvang Veterans Hall and welcomes volun teers.

The organization also welcomes monetary donations as that is its sole source of income. A tax-deductible donation can be sent by mail to: WE SUPPORT THE TROOPS, INC., P.O. Box 915, Santa Ynez, CA 93460.

For more information on the organization, go to www.we-support-the-troops.org.

Sullivan

Bowls Are Filled So Others Can Eat

any bowls were filled on Nov. 11 at St. Mark's-in-the-Valley Espicopal Church in Los Olivos, the location of the first Empty Bowls fundraiser in Los Olivos.

Like with the other Empty Bowls fundraisers that have been held in other Central Coast cities, attendees are invited to pick a unique, handmade bowl and enjoy a simple dinner of soup and bread. All the proceeds for this event were to benefit the food distribution program at Bethania Lutheran Church in Solvang.

Different kinds of soups were provided by local restaurants, including Coast Range (vegetarian minestrone), Pico (escarole with Parmigiana broth), Clean Slate (curry lentil), New West Catering (Pho with pork and shrimp meatballs, a popular choice), Campo del Sol (carne de sol), Lucky Hen Larder (spicy pinto beans and sirloin chili) and Ramen Katori (pork and kimchi soup with tofu).

Before getting their soup, attendees were able to pick from about 350 to 400 bowls made for the occasion. Most of those bowls were made at Community Clayworks in Buellton, whose owner Veronica Medina, organized the event — and apparently not with a lot of lead time to do so.

"My dear colleague and teacher at the studio, Stacy, said to me 'hey, how do you feel about doing an Empty Bowls in Santa Ynez Valley'" Medina said at the event. "Well, I always wanted to do that, and I figure we had just enough time if we could pull the right people together."

And pull them together Medina did. Not long after she met Chef Budi Kazali, who owns the Ballard Inn, and he was able to organize the chefs who took part in the fundraiser. Then she talked with the Rev. Randall Day of St.Mark's-in-the-Valley, who offered the church's dining room and courtyard for the event.

After that, Medina had to find a cause to raise money for, and found that by happenstance.

"I was crossing the street to Solvang School to pick up my daughter and crossed by Bethania (Lutheran Church) and people are over there bagging up produce and their 100 percent committed to it. And now 100 percent of our proceeds will go to that produced program; and 95 percent of the people they serve live in the Valley."

Medina said all the elements came together in a matter of "days." And she was surprised at how easy it was to get the people she wanted.

"I didn't even have to make the ask at these restaurants," she said. "People were literally offering. It was incredible."

Attendees arrived at two different scheduled

sittings, with the dining room tables filled to capacity for the first session at 5 p.m. Lines were consistently forming, with the New West Catering station, where Jeff Olssen was serving his pho with shrimp meatballs, especially busy. Later on Medina addressed the crowd and thanked all who came, and was also appreciative of the community's efforts in getting the event off the ground.

"I look at all of you and I'm reminded of the incredible kindness and generosity in this Valley and it's really something to be proud of. It's all of these overlapping communities coming together, and it just feels beautiful and I'm proud to be part of all of you."

Deputy Successfully Resuscitates Patient Found Overdosing

ministered a single dose of naloxone to the patient, who regained consciousness before being transported by ambulance to an area hospital. The patient is expected to survive.

GOLETA — A Santa Barbara County Sheriff's deputy on proactive patrol in Go leta successfully resuscitated a man he found overdosing. On Monday, Nov. 28, at approx imately 11:49 p.m., the deputy noticed an adult male lying on his back on the sidewalk near the 5900 block of Hollister Avenue. The deputy stopped to check on the subject and found him unresponsive. The deputy recog nized the signs of an apparent overdose and requested an emergency medical response. While medics were en route, the deputy ad

The Sheriff’s Office would like to high light this incident as an example of the dan ger of fentanyl use, the importance of carry ing naloxone, and recognizing the signs of overdose which may include:

• Difficulty waking up

• Slowed breathing

• Confusion

• Blue or pale lips and fingernails

If you notice these signs, call 911 immedi ately and give naloxone. An individual who is experiencing an opioid overdose needs im mediate medical attention. An essential first

step is to get help from someone with med ical expertise as quickly as possible. There fore, members of the public are encouraged to call 911 when they suspect an overdose is occurring. California's 911 Good Samari tan law, AB 472, provides limited protection from arrest, charge, and prosecution for peo ple who seek emergency medical assistance at the scene of a suspected drug overdose.

Naloxone is a potentially lifesaving med ication designed to help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose in minutes. Opioid overdose can be due to many factors in cluding deliberate misuse of a prescrip tion, illicit opioid use (such as heroin), or use of an opioid contaminated with other even more potent opioids (such as fentan

yl). Overdose can also occur when a patient takes an opioid as directed but the prescrib er miscalculated the opioid dose, when an error was made by the dispensing pharma cist, or when the patient misunderstood the directions for use. In each of these, it is vital to recognize and be prepared for a possible life-threatening opioid overdose emergency. The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public that its community partners at Pacific Pride Foundation (PPF) offer free naloxone at their syringe exchange pro gram and at their Santa Barbara and Santa Maria offices. Please visit PPF’s website, PacificPrideFoundation.org, for more in formation about Naloxone distribution and overdose prevention.

First Empty Bowls fundraiser to be held in Los Olivos is a success on short notice

Soup is served Nov. 11 during the Los Olivos Empty Bowls fundraiser at St.-Mark's-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church in Los Olivos. Photos by Mike Chaldu

Empty Bowls organizer Veronica Medina thanks the crowd for attending the fundraiser.

Sheriff's Office takes opportunity to warn public of fentanyl danger, offers life-saving tips

COMMUNITY

Sleeping Bag Drive Started For Those Experiencing Homelessness Natural History Society to Hold Talk by Noted Acorn Expert

Santa

Dec. 12

More than 1,900 people are experienc ing homelessness in Santa Barbara County. To help these individuals and families stay warm this winter, the Santa Barbara County Public Defender’s Office is ac cepting donations of sleeping bags, hats, gloves, jackets, clothing, socks, shoes, hygiene products, thermal underwear, scarves and backpacks.

New or lightly used donations are being ac cepted during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Public Defender’s offices. The Santa Barbara office is located at 1100 Anacapa St. The Santa Maria office is located at 312-P East Cook St., Building A. Physical donations may be made through 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 12. Finan cial donations will also be accepted, for the pur

chase of new sleeping bags and undergarments, and are tax deductible through the Public De fender’s partnership with Family Service Agen cy of Santa Barbara. Financial donations may be made online through the following website, 2022 SleepingBagDrive|FamilyServiceAgen cy(givebox.com). Donations of items will not be accepted at Family Service Agency.

Walt Koenig, who's also a zoologist and researcher, will speak at Solvang Library on Dec. 7

Staff Report Staff Report

In order to receive donated goods, those ex periencing homelessness will need to attend a distribution event on Friday, Dec. 15, from 12 to 2 p.m. or until supplies last at each office of the Public Defender. Homeless outreach teams and community partners are currently working to inform clients of the donations that will be made available to them at the event. For more information, contact the County Public De fender’s office: In Santa Barbara, call (805) 5683470; in Santa Maria, call (805) 346-7500.

For more information about the County of Santa Barbara government organization, go to countyofsb.org.

The Santa Ynez Valley Natural His tory Society invites the public to a lively in-person program with zool ogist, researcher and acorn woodpecker ex pert Walt Koenig on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. at the Solvang Library, 1745 Mission Drive. His lecture is titled "Acorn Boom or Bust: What Makes A Good Or Bad Acorn Year In California?” and will be followed by a Q&A.

This talk is co-sponsored by the Solvang Library and will also be live-streamed via Zoom on a link emailed to SYVNHS mem bers and friends of the Society. To register go to engagedpatrons.org/EventsCalendar and click on the event.

Koenig will be discussing his work with

Barbara County Public Defender’s offices accepting donations until

Walt Koenig, a zoologist and acorn woodpecker expert, will deliver his lecture "Acorn Boom or Bust: What Makes A Good Or Bad Acorn Year in California?" at the Solvang Library on Dec. 7. Photo courtesy of Bruce Lyon

Solvang

The holiday season is filled with giving and connecting with loved ones. Sad ly, not all senior citizens experience this same joy. For some, the holidays can be a lonely time when family is unable to visit. The CDCreports that social isolation is associated with an increased risk of dementia by about 50 percent and higher rates of depression and anxiety.

People who have more social connections live longer, are healthier, and are less likely to be depressed, according to the National Acad

members rely on us all year long and especial ly during the holidays.”

Recently the center reached their ini tial fundraising goal of $3 million dollars to build a brand-new Senior Center in 2023. This achievement was made possible through support from foundations, businesses and in dividuals in the community. Construction of the new center will begin soon with plans to break ground in spring 2023. Completion is slated for spring 2024.

“Due to the significant impact inflation has had on the cost of building materials since we first set our fundraising goal, we are con tinuing to raise additional funds to ensure all costs associated with completion of the build ing and furnishings have been covered,” says

double our current space for programs and services as well as provide a much-needed community space for meetings and events,” Albertoni explains.

In order to reach its fundraising goal, the Solvang Senior Center is planning several events in 2023 but asks the community to help them begin this additional effort by be coming a member.

“Our goal is to have every senior in Solvang — even better, the Santa Ynez Valley — join the Solvang Senior Center by the end of next year,” says Albertoni. “By joining the center, or gifting a membership to a senior you know, we can increase engagement as well as a sense of community.”

With a population of over 1,800 residents 65 years or older in Solvang alone, the center’s goal could well surpass $100,000 in annual dues for the nonprofit organization if seniors throughout the Santa Ynez Valley joined or renewed their membership.

Those wishing to join or gift a $40 an nual membership to someone 55 years and older may sign up online by visiting www. SolvangSeniorCenter.org or calling (805)

688-3793. Albertoni welcomes general mem bership donations for seniors who cannot otherwise afford a membership. With Giving Tuesday approaching on Tuesday, Nov. 29, the Solvang Senior Center invites all locals to consider an end-of-the-year donation to wards their capital campaign supporting the entire Santa Ynez Valley.

Solvang Senior Center members take part in a virtual cycle class at the center. The center is looking for new members as it breaks ground on a new building in 2023.

Courtesy Photo

SPORTS

Santa Ynez High Boys, Girls Basketball Get Seasons Started

Pirate girls take third place in the Santa Maria Tournament

By Mike Chaldu news@santaynezvalleystar.com

The Santa Ynez High School girls bas ketball team kicked off its 2022-23 season by taking three of four games and capturing third place in the Santa Maria Tournament last month.

The Pirates won third place after defeating Carpinteria 48-44. Freshman Lexi Molera led SYHS with 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and was selected to the All-Tournament Team.

Sophomore Kylie LaPointe added 15 points, 6 steals, 3 assists and 6 boards, while freshman Rylan Agin added 7 points, includ ing a 3-pointer and a bank shot down low with 30 seconds left to secure the lead. Freshman Helina Pecile contributed 3 points, 6 boards, 4 assists and 4 steals.

We are a young team, improving each game," said Pirates girls basketball coach Jen nifer Rasmussen.

SYHS began the tourney, and season, with a 48-24 loss to Bishop Diego, but then came back to beat East Bakersfield 52-23 and Val ley Christian Academy 43-40 before meeting Carpinteria.

Since then, the Pirates have suffered nonleague losses to Cabrillo and Nipomo, and

played in the Lompoc Tournament over the weekend (results unavailable at press time).

Boys basketball

The Pirates boys basketball team got off to a good start with wins over Lompoc (58-55) and Cabrillo (63-46). Jackson Ollenburger led all scorers with 31 points against Cabrillo. Caleb Cassidy had another strong game col lecting 12 boards and stealing the ball 5 times.

The Pirates on Wednesday, Nov. 30, suffered their first loss 66-58 at Mission Prep despite 23 points from Ollenburger and 18 points and 12 rebounds from Cassidy.

Wrestling

The Santa Ynez girls wrestling team kicked off its season Nov. 19 at the Lompoc Girls Varsity Tournament. With six Lady Pirates competing in five different weight classes, the team finished the day with four athletes placing top 3. Girls wrestling coach Chantalle Castellanos said five of the six wrestlers were competing in their first-ever wrestling match es.

The four SYHS wrestlers with third-place finishes were: Freshman Sinai Lara at 103 lbs., sophomore Malia Ortiz at 113, junior Kylie Franson at 133, and freshman Anelly

Tovalin at 152.

The girls wrestlers will compete next at the Coyote Classic at East Bakersfield this week end (Dec. 9-10).

Cross Country

While the winter sports are starting up, the Pirates cross country team was the last fall team to see action, going up to Woodward Park in Fresno for the CIF Central Section Championships.

"Unfortunately, Conner 'Goblin' Satterb lom fell ill that morning and was unable to race," cross country coach Todd Ruskauff said. "Ricardo Carmona and Cole Snodgrass were also struggling with illnesses but made it to the line. Before the start of the race, as all the teams were striding and shouting their cheers, the boys put their hands in and shout ed “GOBLIN!” much to the confusion of ev eryone in earshot."

Ruskauff said the boys ran well, but only Mario Zepeda Rosas got a PR with a time of 21:49.79.

Although the Pirates did not score as a team in the D3 girls race, because they only had four runners, the coach said they all ran well with Brooke Phelan PRing at just over 21 minutes, though an exact time was tough to come by as there were timing issues that have not been fixed yet.

The Santa Ynez High girls basketball players pose with their trophies after winning third place in the Santa Maria Tournament. The Pirates won three games in the tourney. Courtesy Photo

By Lee Pitts Columnist

Years ago, I got a call from a college student who was doing his Senior Project in order to graduate. He told me he had a groundbreaking idea and wanted my opinion of it. I asked him what his big idea was, and he replied, “contain erized shipping.” As the son of a long haul trucker, I had to break the news to him that his idea was already being implement ed as everything from cheap Chinese toys to apples and oranges are now shipped in modules that can easily be craned on to a truck’s trailer or a railroad car.

“I realize that,” he said. “My idea is to use those same containers to haul live stock.”

Whoa! Now that was a new idea! I sup

OPINION

Boxed Beef

pose the caller wanted to duplicate Fred Smith’s outlandish scheme he outlined in a Yale economics class paper that earned him a C grade. The caller wanted to do for livestock what Fred Smith had done for important paperwork and packages when he later created Fed Ex based on that col lege paper.

“Shipping livestock in containers is the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard,” I told the young man. “That’s something a lonely sheepherder might think up, but certainly not an intelligent cattleman.”

Believe me, if it would have been a great idea I’d have stolen it and with all the mon ey I made I would’ve bought a big, beauti ful ranch where it rains on a semi-regular basis and I would have stocked it with the prettiest cows you ever laid your eyes on. I’d have bought a fairly recent model pick up with a heater and air conditioner that work, a dog that didn’t chase cows and a horse that did; maybe even a brand new vacuum cleaner for my wife.

I proceeded to outline all the reasons why containerized shipping for livestock would never happen. “Ranchers would have to buy these containers and have a big crane at the ranch to load them. Then

they’d ship them to an auction market which would also have to have several big cranes like those that dot the landscape in Long Beach and Seattle. That would be a sizable investment and would probably be a deal breaker right there. They’d have to unload the cattle to sell them and then load them again to ship them and it has been my experience that getting cattle to enter a dark confined space is hard enough the first time but to have to do it multiple times would drive a man to drink. Besides, what’s the benefit?”

“I’ve interviewed several truckers for my paper and they all said that one of their biggest problems is finding back-hauls. With my system that problem is eliminat ed.”

“Not really,” I replied. “It’s not like you can pour a bunch of oranges into a con tainer previously used to haul hogs. At least not without giving the oranges a rather rank aftertaste.”

“You don’t get it, do you?” said the stu dent. “The trucker would unload hog modules in California and load other con tainers holding citrus, computers, veggies or cheap stuff from China. Bingo, the problem of backhauls is solved.”

“Have you actually tried picking up a container with cattle in it? What about the acid rain that falls out if you get my drift? Not to mention what happens when the load shifts and hogs or feeder cattle start falling from the sky. I’m sorry but I think you should probably pick another topic.”

You can imagine my surprise years later when I put together a load of Polled Here ford heifers to be shipped to Japan. When I arrived at the airport in Oakland I found out they were to fly there in shipping con tainers that looked remarkably like those you see on trucks now days. A couple years after that I did a story about lambs being shipped here by the boatload from Aus tralia that fattened on the trip over and they were handled exactly like container ized cargo. I was shocked and disgusted to discover that your average wether from Australia has been on more cruises than I have.

The young college student who called me with his BIG IDEA never phoned again but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the Australian gazillionaire sheepherd er who owns the ships bringing all those lambs here in containers.

Welcome to Freedom

EDUCATION

Elle Arvesen Named October Student of the Month

scholarship for her leadership experience from the Global Leadership Connection.

Dunn Middle School Holds Open House To Showcase To

es of the school,” said Christy Nordgren, Dunn’s Middle School dean. “They’ll be able to answer visiting families’ questions and share their own experiences at the school.”

Staff Report

In describing the value of the sixthto eighth-grade experience at Dunn School, one current family called it “the unicorn of middle schools.”

The Santa Ynez Valley Elks are proud to honor Elle Arvesen as our Octo ber Student of the Month. Elle was chosen by the teachers and staff at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.

Since her freshman year, Elle has been ac tive in several clubs and activities at the high school, and this year is the co-president of the Theatre Group, president of the Jour nalism Club, senior class vice president in the Associated Student Body, and a mem ber of the CLEAR Environmental Club. Since 2020, Elle has been a member of the National Honors Society and the California Scholarship Federation. She received a $100

Since 2013, Elle has been very active in the Los Olivos Lucky Clover 4-H Club in a variety of leadership and community service roles as the club’s reporter, vice president, and president. Since 2017, Elle has been active in Arts Outreach Youth Community The atre. Elle is also a teen columnist and writes a monthly column for the Santa Ynez Valley News.

Elle is considering careers in theater and English. She wants to attend a four-year college, double-majoring in theater arts and English. Elle is a young scholar with a bright future and the Elks are proud to award her this honor and $100.

The Dunn School Admissions Depart ment is poised to demonstrate exactly what that experience feels like in the second of two open house events for local families — the first was held on Dec. 1, and the second Open House will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. Both events will be held on campus at the Cindy Bronfman Leadership Center.

Visitors will receive information on the admissions process and financial aid, will meet with teachers and take a campus tour led by current students.

“Some eighth-graders will act as ambas sadors, be the tour guides and be the voic

The experiential nature of student-led tours and learning by doing is in line with the school’s mission to deliver Whole Stu dent Education — a foundation dating back 65 years to its founder Tony Dunn — and the philosophy is built to allow mid dle schoolers the unique opportunity to discover the person they are becoming in a supportive environment.

“Whole student education is relation ship-based teaching and learning through a variety of contexts,” said Nordgren. “It’s us being responsive to students’ adolescent development. It’s important really knowing the age group of the students we serve and know that they grow and change through challenging circumstances.”

To RSVP to attend an open house, please call (805) 686-0650 or email admissions@ dunnschool.org.

‘Unicorn of middle schools’ welcomes students entering grades six through eight

Prospective New Families

From the Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge

Santa Ynez High senior Elle Arvisen, the Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge October Student of the Month, receives her $100 check from Exalted Ruler Robert Ramirez. Photo Courtesy of Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge

Dunn Middle School students pause during a hike on an outdoor education trip to Pinnacles National Park this past fall. Photo Courtesy of Dunn School

Grammy Winner Johnny Mathis To Perform His Christmas Hits At Chumash Casino Resort Samala Showroom performance scheduled for

Friday, Dec. 16

Staff Report

Johnny Mathis, the Grammy Award win ner and platinum-selling singer-song writer, who has been entertaining fans for over 60 years, will treat the Samala Show room audience to “A Johnny Mathis Christ mas” at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16, at the Chu mash Casino Resort. Tickets for the show are $69, $79, $89, $99, and $109.

Mathis started his career with singles of standard music before finding success as an album artist, with 18 albums achieving gold status and six reaching platinum status. He enjoyed early success and a record deal with Columbia Records, but it wasn’t until a 1957 appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” that he received national recognition. He quickly became a household name, with his second single, “Chances Are,” selling over 1 million copies. Over the course of his career, Mathis has had 34 songs on the Billboard Hot 100

chart, with “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late” notably debuting at No. 1 in 1978.

His album “Johnny’s Greatest Hits” went on to become one of the most popular albums of all time and spent 490 continuous weeks (almost 10 years) on the Billboard 200, before being eclipsed by Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” in 1983, when it reached 491 con tinuous weeks.

In 2003, Mathis received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for three recordings: “Chances Are,” “It’s Not for Me to Say” and “Misty.” With 66 years un der his belt, Mathis continues to be Columbia Records’ longest-signed recording artist.

Don’t miss an opportunity to experience “A Johnny Mathis Christmas” in one of the most popular music venues in Santa Barbara County. Located on Highway 246 in Santa Ynez, the Chumash Casino Resort is an age 21-and-older venue. Tickets for all events are available at The CLUB at Chumash or online at www.chumashcasino.com.

The legendary singer Johnny Mathis will treat the Samala Showroom audience to his Christmas renditions on Friday, Dec. 16, at the Chumash Casino Resort. Photo Courtesy of Chumash Casino Resort

ARTS & NONPROFITS

One805 Receives Significant Grant From Direct Relief International

Staff Report

One805 received a grant of $144,000 from Direct Relief to continue funding essential mental health services for Santa Barbara County firefight ers through 2023.

One805 provides critically needed ser vices and equipment for Santa Barbara’s first responders. This includes a mental wellness initiative that provides critical counseling and therapy to our firefighters and first responders who fight on the front lines to keep our community safe.

One805 Board Member and retired fire fighter Tony Pighetti, who runs the pro gram, said: “Due to what they see on a daily basis, the suicide rate among first respond ers is nearly double that of the general pop ulation. Culturally competent, confidential counseling is only made possible through the extraordinary support of generous do nors like Direct Relief, and this program is directly saving the careers, families, and lives of our First Responders.”

When One805 asked Direct Relief if they would contribute to the vital mental health program they agreed without hesi tation, demonstrating extraordinary gener osity and humanity by donating $144,000 to Fund One805’s mental wellness

program through 2023.

“It’s a particular privilege for Direct Re lief to join in this critically important effort to support firefighters and first responders in our home community, whose members have carried Direct Relief on its shoulders for 75 years and provided unfailing support to extend help wherever it is needed,” said Direct Relief CEO Thomas Tighe. “Direct Relief’s broad global engagements provide a unique perspective on many things, and one of them is the men and women serv ing in these roles locally are exceptionally good at extraordinarily difficult jobs that get more challenging each year. They encoun ter uncommon personal risks serving others every day, and this effort is essential to help ensure appropriate supportive services are there for them, too.”

One805 CEO Kirsten Cavendish Weston-Smith commented: “We are ab solutely thrilled to receive this substantial grant from Direct Relief. In the same way that the 911 calls never stop coming in, our first responder’s need for counseling and equipment never goes away. We hope this donation will inspire other businesses in Santa Barbara County to step up and make a multi-year donation to One805.”

In June 2022, the organization that had previously been running the program abruptly and unexpectedly pulled out of Santa Barbara County, leaving all first re sponders unsupported — even those in the middle of counseling. One805 stepped in and set up a program, almost overnight, to

ensure coverage continued uninterrupted.

“We need more local businesses to step up and follow Direct Reliefs example with some sizable contributions, because we need to keep this program funded three years in advance, so it can never fail again,” said Richard Weston-Smith, COO of One805.

Santa Barbara County Fire Chief, Mark Hartwig commented: “Many of us know that Direct Relief addresses needs across the globe, but few of us know of the the commitment they have demonstrated lo cally. They have made significant contribu tions to the Firehawk and other equipment, and now they are generously contributing to One805 so that our firefighters and their families can receive the best mental health services as they deal with the daily stresses associated with with their role as first re sponders.”

Direct Relief provides critical medical supplies to 50 states, and countries around the world, regardless of politics. The group has delivered 10,900 shipments to 1,765 Healthcare organizations in 2022. These contributions were sent to 52 U.S. states and territories, and 81 countries at a value of $1.1 billion wholesale.

One805 is an all-volunteer nonprofit that supports all of the primary care agencies for Santa Barbara County first responders. All the County chiefs sit on its Advisory Coun cil, so funds raised go directly where they are most urgently needed. Visit one805.org to see how you can donate, as an individual or corporate donor.

One805, an all-volunteer nonprofit that supports the primary care agencies for Santa Barbara County first responders, has received a $144,000 grant from Direct Relief for funding of essential mental health services for first responders. Photo Courtesy of One805

By Dr. Hyun K. Lee Columnist

Head Massage Can Be Healthfully Beneficial

Decades ago (and beyond), brushing one’s hair 100 times was a common beauty ritual. It was thought that it kept hair healthy, smooth, shiny, and lovely, but there was another factor that was also very ben eficial to that age old practice — head massage.

Head massage might not be quite as com mon as a shoulder or back massage, but it is

LIFESTYLE

Good Medicine

both healthfully beneficial as well as enjoyable. It can assist greatly with hair loss issues, men tal diseases, headaches, memory loss, eyesight issues, most upper body diseases, as well as uri nation and reproductive problems.

When you brush your hair or massage your head, it stimulates your skin and organs through a variety of acupuncture points that are found on your head, especially down the middle of the top of your head. This area is known in Kore an Constitutional Medicine as the “Hundred Meeting Point,” as it is a meeting point for your body’s chi.

As you brush your hair, you may not be aware of which acupuncture points need to be ad dressed, but they are stimulated nevertheless. That is why most people tend to feel quite won derfully after they visit a salon or a barber shop to get their hair done. Stimulating these points does everything from relieve pain and pressure to eliminating stagnation that is helping to cause other problems.

Hair loss is another issue that can be reversed

or staved with hair brushing and massage. It should be noted first that hair loss is in most cases is caused by heredity. In this event, it is not possible to eliminate the oncoming of hair loss entirely, but these methods (plus acupuncture, herbs, and constitutional diet) can hold off the onset for many years if caught early or slow its progression. If your hair loss is unrelated to your genetics, it is primarily caused by weak blood condition. Korean Constitutional Medicine be lieves that weak functions of the kidneys, lungs, and blood cause poor hair condition.

Hair receives its nutrition from the blood, so if the nutrients it needs are not plentiful, you will begin to see itching and dandruff, dullness in your hair, a thinning out in the hair shaft, thinning of the hair generally, and easy break age. Noting these conditions is a great sign of your inner health. If you suffer from these prob lems, it is advisable to address your nutrition and kidney and lung functions.

Alopecia is another issue involving hair loss. It is caused by stressed organs or virus and is relatively easy to fix with proper constitutional nutrition, acupuncture, and herbs.

The best start to proper hair brushing is to begin with a brush or comb that has natural

fibers as bristles instead of plastic. Brush your hair, being certain to press firmly without hurt ing yourself down the length of your head, then through the length of your hair. Do this all over your head about 100 times at a moderate pace. If you are massaging your head, press firmly, working all over your head in circles. Pay more attention to the areas you feel a slight “sinking.” Stagnation likes to reside in these areas. Doing this while you shampoo or condition your hair is convenient. Another form of scalp stimula tion is to firmly tap your head (again, don’t hurt yourself) with the tips of your fingers moving all over your head, but being certain to stimulate the Hundred Meeting Point area. This particu lar method is a great way of quickly energizing yourself in moments of mental or physical fa tigue.

A promissory note for 10 (or more) head massages and/or hair brushings makes a lovely intimate and healthy gift to a loved one in any Christmas stocking.

Remember, beautiful hair (and as much of it as you can genetically maintain) comes from the inside out. Your physical appearance is al ways a great indication of your inner health, so take care and Season's Greetings.

By John Copeland Columnist

Winter Solstice — When The Sun Seems to Stand Still

The nights are feeling pretty long right now as winter nears. It will begin on the solstice, Wednesday, Dec. 21, which will be the shortest day and longest night of the year. Here in Santa Ynez, winter arrives at 1:47 p.m.

I know, it seems little odd that we change seasons at 1:47 p.m., but the solstice is an as tronomical event and driven by the clockwork of Earth’s orbit around the sun. As Earth trav els around the sun, it wobbles on its axis tilt ing toward the sun part of the year and then tilting away from the sun, altering the inten sity and duration of sunlight falling on the Northern and Southern hemispheres, driv ing the cycle of the seasons. As the North ern Hemisphere sees the start of winter, the Southern Hemisphere will be enjoying the first day of summer.

The solstice occurs simultaneously around the globe when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, which is located at 23.5° south of the equator. On the 21st, winter of ficially arrives east of the Mississippi, at 4:47 p.m. (EST), in the middle of North America, at 3:47 p.m. (CST) and in western Europe

Holiday History

at 9:47 p.m. (UTC).

From the summer solstice in June, to the winter solstice, the point on the horizon that the sun rises and sets moves southward each day. On Dec. 21, the sun’s path will reach its southernmost position and on Dec. 22 will begin the long journey north again. Howev er, for a few days both before and after the winter solstice, the change in the sun’s posi tion over the equator is so slight that appears to be standing still, which is what the word "solstice" means. The word is derived from the Latin words "sol" (sun) and "sistere" (to stand still).

Winter inspires both joy and woe. No one is really sure how long ago humans recognized the winter solstice and began celebrating it as a turning point. Many cultures the world over have solstice festivals. At their root: the ancient fear that the failing light would not return unless humans intervened. Our ances tors were determined to brighten the darkest month of the year.

At least 5,000 years of human history have given this season many layers of folklore, tra dition, and celebration. Across time, people not that different than us have marked this change of seasons with festivals of light and ceremonies of renewal. The Yule log, ever greens, colored glass ornaments, and wassail bowls, may have origins lost in time but re main traditions designed to make the season bright.

Romans welcomed winter with the festival of Saturnalia, honoring Saturn, the god of ag riculture. People decorated their houses with evergreen branches and lit lamps all night to ward off the darkness.

The ancient Celts hung golden apples and lit candles on oak trees to celebrate the winter solstice.

Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights celebrated in countries all over the world. In 165 BCE there was a great battle between the Maccabees and the Syrians. The Jews won the battle, and when they went to their temple, they found that the Syrians had allowed their sacred light to go out. They only had oil for one day. The miracle of Hanukkah is that the oil lasted eight days until a messenger could return with more. There are nine candles in the menorah. One of them is used to light the other candles, and the other eight stand for the eight days that the oil kept burning

In Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, Anasazi Indians, who were expert sky watchers, carved spiral designs into rock to track the seasons and record the passage of time. In Chaco Canyon is a petroglyph called the Sun Dag ger because of the way the sun's wedge-shape beams strike it in midday during the winter solstice

In our times, Christmas has appropriated most of the ancient winter solstice customs, steeping it in superstition and folk belief. Christmas is the most culturally perva sive and successful festival of all time. Yet, for all the light and joy of Christ mas, it requires the darkness as well. Folklore of the season, from around the world, is full of stories witches, elves, trolls, vam pires and even werewolves that roamed the hours of extended darkness at this time of year. Even ol’ St. Nicholas was accompanied by menacing companions in several European countries.

Like the Krampus, they carried a sack, not unlike Santa’s, but instead of giving out gifts, they would stuff the bag full of bad children to be taken away and eaten!

Christmas has a magic that is difficult to grasp and even more difficult to explain. It brings together traditions, ideas, and customs from all over the world and from all times in human history.

If all human civilization could write the complete story of Christmas past, and would be made up of Christians and non-Christians alike. Surprisingly, the tale would not begin in Bethlehem, but two thousand years ear lier in the cradle of civilization. There would be Babylonians, Greeks and Romans, whose ancient customs became part of Christmas celebrations. It would include early Europe ans hanging fir sprigs and winter greenery to renew life and protect against the cold blasts of Arctic wind. People who had not yet heard of the Christ child would be burning Yule logs. And the tale would contin ue for another two thousand years af ter Wise men gathered beside a man ger in a stable. Each generation would add to the customs of Christmas. In the end, it would include the story of each of us who has ever hung an ornament on a tree or presented a gift to someone special.

May your celebra tions of this season draw deep from the abundant joy and hopes and enduring traditions of all our ancestors and fill your home with warmth and good cheer.

FOOD & DRINK

Friends Come Together To Open New Restaurants

By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

There is a team behind the two new est restaurants in Solvang — Coast Range & Vaquero Bar and Campo del Sol, both located on Mission Drive just doors down from each other.

The team are good friends, business part ners, and lovers of the hospitality business: Chef Steven Fretz, Chef Anthony Carron, Chef Christopher Fox, Chef Ryan Foley, Hillary Calhoun, and Joseph Sabato. Fretz and Carron oversee the workings of Cam po del Sol, while Fox and Foley take care of business at Coast Range & Vaquero Bar.

Carron and Fretz were corporate and executive chefs respectively for the Mina Group, which is owned by Michael Mina of San Francisco, who owns many restaurants around the world. Fretz worked as a chef for many of Mina’s restaurants, traveling around the country setting up restaurants and menus for the group. Fretz subsequent ly went to work for Curtis Stone, another famous restaurateur, and from there he and Carron created a company called Top Round, a fast-food chain throughout the country.

The husband-and-wife team of Carron and Calhoun own a ranch in Woodstock, and Fretz would visit all the time, enjoying the environment and their friendship.

“Then the pandemic happened and Sol vang was the place to be at that time, not in the city,” said Fretz. “Since everything was closed down, and to escape the boredom, we decided to throw our own cook-out events and put fliers up on the neighbors’ doors in viting them to join us. We didn’t think much would come of it, but everyone showed up and then some. We had some great times and met some fantastic people at these im promptu parties.”

Those meet-ups led to other things.

“During this time, we were thinking about opening a restaurant and the Manda rin Touch was on the market,” said Fretz. “At

one of the many social events that were held at the ranch, we struck up a friendship with Ryan Muzzy, a real estate investor. With the help of many friends and investors, our group opened Coast Range and the Vaquero Bar in 2021.

“This was the 47th restaurant that we’ve opened including all of our fast-food restau rants. We have great people that have been with us for 10-plus years. Both Chef Foley and Chef Fox have worked with us in a lot of different restaurants. We are a family — we’re very close and we could never have acquired these two restaurants without all

the people involved in this venture working closely together.”

After opening Coast Range & Vaque ro Bar, the group set their eyes on another property that was for sale, and another ven ture.

“We’d heard that the Succulent Café was up for sale and we approached them,” ex plained Fretz. “We asked them what they wanted and they gave us a price and we didn’t haggle with them. It was a clean tran sition. We kept their entire staff. We gave them a week’s paid vacation and those who wanted to stay on were rehired the follow

ing week for training. We decided to open a Mexican restaurant and called it Campo del Sol. We opened in two weeks. Artist D.J. Neff created all the artistic aspects of the restaurant and we opened Sept. 1, 2022. Business at both restaurants has been great.”

Born in California and raised in Oregon, Fretz spent his early adult years in Park City, Utah. He describes himself as a ski-bum during the day who worked in the restaurant business at night.

Fretz said that he learned a lot from work ing in the restaurant business and developed a passion for the hospitality industry.

“I attended the Culinary Academy in San Francisco when I was 20 years old because I enjoyed cooking and it became my passion,” he said. “There are chefs that are perfectly happy staying in the kitchen and there are other chefs who enjoy having their hands on all aspects of the business. I’m one of the latter.”

Another thing Fretz enjoys is the region in which he is doing business.

“We really want to be a part of this com munity and this area has been really good to us,” said Fretz. “I’ve lived in so many large cities around the world and its so nice to be in a small town where you know everyone. There is so much here, from the ocean to the mountains, there’s so much to do.

“All in all, this has been pretty extraor dinary,” said Fretz in closing. “We’ve been blessed to have been well received and look forward to serving the community.”

Campo del Sol is at 1557 Mission Drive, Solvang.

For more information on the menu and catering service, call (805) 702-3466 or vis it info@campodelsol.restaurant or www. campodelsol.restaurant. It is open weekends from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Coast Range is at 1635 Mission Drive, Solvang.

For more information, call (805) 624-5420 or visit information@coastrange.restaurant. Hours are Wednesday to Monday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (no reservations required). The restaurant is open for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. (reservations recommended). Vaquero Bar hours are Wednesday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 12 midnight.

Coast Range and Vaquero Bar and Campo del Sol sit just a few doors apart on Mission Drive in Solvang

The team behind the Solvang restaurants Campo del Sol and Coast Range & Vaquero Bar consists of (from left)

Chef Ryan Foley, Chef Christopher Fox, Hillary Calhoun, Chef Anthony Carron, Chef Steven Fretz, and Joseph Sabato. Photo by Sara Prince

Artist D.J. Neff created all the artistic aspects of the restaurant, traveling to Mexico to obtain authentic décor. Photos contributed

Just a few steps up from Mission Drive is Campo del Sol, a colorful new restaurant which serves authentic Mexican food delighting any palate.

"The people love us up here. They welcome us up here," he said. "We're not castigated because we're wearing our red, white, and blue and waving our flags."

Wakefield also complimented the work done by the Veterans Foundation.

"No money stays in the organization and in people's pockets," he said. "Everything that's raised is given away to feed people and house people. They pick up people and take them to doctor's appointments; if they need assistance with anything, they're there."

For more information on the organization, go to syvalleyvets.org.

LIBRARY ACORN PROGRAM

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

the California Acorn Survey, a statewide effort to quantify patterns of acorn production by California oaks. Masting, which is a highly variable, synchronized seed produc tion within a population of plants, is well known among oaks. How and why oaks mast, however, is poorly un derstood, despite the strong ecosystem effects that acorn crops have on populations of animals, both in California and elsewhere. The goals of the survey are to gain an un derstanding about how trees synchronize their reproduc tive efforts and the interac tions between acorn produc tion and other life-history traits, both of the trees and the animals that depend on them.

Koenig got interested in

California oak woodlands as an undergraduate at Stan ford, after which he moved across the bay to UC Berke ley where he studied social behavior of the acorn wood pecker at UC’s Hastings Reserve in upper Carmel Valley. After a year at Occi dental College, he returned to Hastings as a research zoologist for UC's Museum of Vertebrate Zoology until 2008, when he followed his spouse to Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology as a senior sci entist. He and his wife are now retired and back in the upper Carmel Valley, where she studies Irish and Cape Breton Island fiddling while Walt hangs out in his old office at Hastings and heads the California Acorn Survey. Find more information on Walt Koenig and SYVN HS on their website at syvnature.org

No waiting list

One Bedrooms

Independent Living

The Santa Ynez Valley Jazz Band plays for the crowd at the Salute to Vets parade.

Parade emcee Drew Wakefield kept the crowd entertained during the Salute to Vets parade in Santa Ynez. Photos by Mike Chaldu

The 11th Mounted Cavalry Unit marches down Sagunto Street in Santa Ynez during the Salute to Vets parade.

GOVERNMENT MEETINGS

TUESDAY, DEC. 6

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

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

For more info: countyofsb.org

THURSDAY, DEC. 8

BUELLTON CITY COUNCIL, 6 P.M.

Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton

For more info: cityofbuellton.com

MONDAY, DEC. 12

SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL, 6:30 P.M.

At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang

For more info: cityofsolvang.com

TUESDAY, DEC. 13

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT, 5:30 P.M.

At Board Room, Administration Office, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, 2975 East Highway 246, Santa Ynez.

For more info: syvuhsd.org

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14

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, DEC. 15

BUELLTON PLANNING COMMISSION, 6 P.M.

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

EVENTS

SATURDAY, DEC. 10

MAKERS ELVERHOJ MARKET, 11 A.M. TO 4 P.M.

CALENDAR

Come meet talented local artisans and crafters while shopping handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gifts, all made locally and sustainably. There will be a variety of handmade works with a wide range of prices including jewelry, ceram ics, fabric arts, wood crafts and textiles.

At Elverhøj Museum of History & Art, 1624 Elverhøj Way, Solvang

For more information and list of attending artisans: elverhoj.org/events

TUESDAY, DEC. 13

NEIGHBORHOOD CHRISTMAS DECORAT

ING CONTEST, 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M.

Calling all City of Solvang residents and busi nesses to deck the halls and embellish your house/business with lights and decorations galore. Please obtain rule and registration form at www.cityofsolvang.com or at the Parks and Rec office, 411 Second St., Solvang. Forms must be turned in by Dec. 12. Judging will take place Dec. 13. Winners will be publicly announced! Get your, neighbors involved, and start a wonderful; festive holiday tradition.

For more info: cityofsolvang.com or www. solvangcc.com

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14

SATURDAY, DEC. 17

MAKERS ELVERHOJ MARKET, 11 A.M. TO 4 P.M.

Come meet talented local artisans and crafters while shopping handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gifts, all made locally and sustainably. There will be a variety of handmade works with a wide range of prices including jewelry, ceram ics, fabric arts, wood crafts and textiles.

At Elverhøj Museum of History & Art, 1624 Elverhøj Way, Solvang

For more information and list of attending artisans: elverhoj.org/events

ONGOING EVENTS

RUNNING

THROUGH DEC. 10

HOLIDAY HALLWAY BOOKSALE

Started Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 3 p.m., and will go through Saturday, Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. The book sale will be set up in our lobby hallway. Come browse for a special gift: we have books, DVDs, and audio. The tables will be refreshed daily.

At Solvang Library, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang

For more info: Solvang Library (805) 6884214

RUNNING

THROUGH DEC. 23

A COWBOY CHRISTMAS, 2 TO 8 P.M.

Starting Oct. 18, Storytime is moving inside and expanding to both Tuesday and Wednes day mornings.

Come to enjoy songs, stories, movement, and a warm welcome. Please make a reservation at www.cityofgoleta.org/city-hall/goleta-valley-li brary

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 dis play 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 & RECREATION

ONGOING

PICKLEBALL, TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS 6:30 TO 8:30 P.M.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND SIGHTS, 6 AND 7:30 P.M.

Join us for the Christmas light tour through the Santa Ynez Valley. See the many houses that get into the Christmas spirit! Christmas music and hot chocolate are sure to be served. No Grinches allowed! Two tours scheduled: 6 to 7:15 p.m. or 7:30 to 8:45 p.m., $15/per per son. Trip departs from the Solvang Vets Hall parking lot at 1745 Mission Drive in Solvang. For more info: cityofsolvang.com or www. solvangcc.com

The North Pole has taken over our stable! We are excited to announce a magical new SYV holiday experience this Christmas. A Cowboy Christmas is an immersion of holiday magic for all ages hosted at the stables of SYV Horse & Pony Rides at River View Park in Buellton. Guests of all ages will enjoy an array of magical experiences that include a petting zoo, hayrides, pony rides, bounces house and many more activities. A Cowboy Christmas runs 17 select days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Limited daily tickets available. Tickets on sale now: $20 Adults / $14 Kids (Children under 3 are FREE). Each paid admission includes a complimentary 5-Hole Punch Card. VIP and Season Passes also available.

At SYV Horse & Pony Rides at River View Park, 151 Sycamore Drive, Buellton

For more info: www.syvcowboychristmas.com

TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS

SOLVANG LIBRARY - OUTDOOR STORYTIME MOVES INSIDE!, 10:30 A.M., TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAY STARTING ON OCT. 18

Pickleball — part Ping-Pong, part bad minton, 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 basket ball with friends.

At Buellton Rec Center, 301 Second St., Buellton

For more info: buelltonrec.com

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

Start your day with a pick up game of basket ball 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