Santa Ynez Valley Star March A 2022 by Santa Ynez Valley Star

March 1, 2022 - March 14, 2022

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STOMP out Hunger Assembles Meals for Needy Children 200 Valley residents volunteer to pack over 130,000 meals for the hungry in Uganda By Pamela Dozois

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o one needs to go hungry in this world. That is the sentiment held by local resident Teri Harmon, who teamed up with 200 generous Valley volunteers in late January to assemble more than 130,000 meals to be sent to children living in impoverished villages in Uganda. The program is called “OneMeal” and is one of three sponsored by “Kids Around the World” a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit that empowers groups to be a part of the solution of child malnutrition. Another of the group’s projects is the “Playground Project.” “I initially partnered with Kids Around the World and one of their projects is to refurbish old playground equipment, which is then sent to third world countries for less than 10 percent of the cost of a new playground,” said Harmon. “I took short-term mission trips to Uganda, Ghana, and Swaziland to install playgrounds in each of these different countries and bring awareness to my team of just how lucky we are to live in the United States. Children need to play as part of their overall development. “This is where they learn to share, interact with each other, and get exercise.”

Photos contributed Barry Resetco pushes his grandniece Tabitha, sitting on bags of rice and lentils, on Jan. 22 during the STOMP out Hunger event in Solvang.

Several tables were set up outside of Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church, where volunteers assembled meals for the STOMP out Hunger event.

Students from Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, and Midland and Dunn schools helped to assemble meals at the STOMP out Hunger event.

And it was that project that led Harmon to her efforts to combat hunger. “Kids Around the World also has a food program in these same impoverished communities called ‘OneMeal’ where they may qualify to receive the vitamin-fortified meals that we assembled on January 22 at the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church at the ‘STOMP out Hunger’ project,” she said. “Kids Around the World have different contacts at different care points, such as orphanages, schools, homes, churches, and community feeding centers within each country and they know which communities are in the most need of food.” Harmon personally sponsored the STOMP out Hunger event and Kids Around the World brought in all the ingredients such as rice, lentils, freeze-dried vegetables, and vitamin packets to be assembled by her team of volunteers. She explained that all of these ingredients go into one bag and one bag contains six meals. Thirty-six of these bags go into one box which is then sealed, placed on pallets, and packed into two vans which were then returned to Kids Around the World in San Clemente. The boxes will then be loaded on cargo ships destined for different countries around the world. One box can feed one child for an entire school year. “I personally have served thousands of these meals and I’ve noticed it is very nourishing for their bodies,” said Harmon. “The kids on the OneMeal program look good. They live from STOMP CONTINUED TO PAGE 23

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Contributed photo Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown is shown in February at the Major County Sheriffs of America Winter Conference, where he was sworn in as the organization's vice president.

Sheriff Bill Brown Sworn In as MCSA Vice President

National sheriffs organization welcomes new leadership at Winter Conference in D.C. Staff Report

anta Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown was sworn in as vice president of the Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) as the organization welcomed new leadership Feb. 8 during the 2022 Winter

Conference in Washington, D.C. Brown was sworn in along with Seminole County (Florida) Sheriff Dennis Lemma, the organization’s new president. They were administered the oath of office by Immediate Past President Peter Koutoujian of Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Major County Sheriffs of America is a professional law enforcement association comprised of sheriffs’ representing counties SHERIFF CONTINUED TO PAGE 23

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Contributed photo Students participate in a painting class at Midland School, a co-ed, college preparatory boarding high school in Los Olivos.

Supervisors Approve Loan for Midland School Renovations

New bathrooms, cabins, faculty housing in the plans for Los Olivos boarding school By Janene Scully

Noozhawk North County Editor

he Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved a tax-exempt loan issued by the California Enterprise Development Authority of up to $6 million at its Feb. 1 meeting, which will help fund campus renewal and renovation plans at the Los Olivos boarding school Midland School. Midland School, which is in its 90th year, is a co-ed, college preparatory boarding high school that focuses on “experiential and place-based learning” and the natural environment of the campus. The school offers many traditional high school classes, as well as other, more unique offerings, such as natural horsemanship, a 10-acre organic farm, an Outdoor Leadership Steward program and more. The current phase of the project involves

renewing and replacing student bathrooms, replacing 24 student housing cabins, and adding new faculty housing to the campus. Since the school was founded by Paul and Louise Squibb in 1932, it has kept a rustic, simple aesthetic and a “needs not wants” philosophy. “Midland has always had a skeptical eye towards change. A well-built building feels fancy to us, even though it’s quite simple,” Midland Head of School Christopher Barnes said. “It’s about the people and the place, not the facilities per se.” Student housing cabins will be relocated out of the Sahm Canyon, which historically has been a flood path, with excessive rain and flooding occurring about every 25 years. While the school’s campus renewal team wanted to simply move the pan-adobe cabins, that would trigger seismic requirements, which Barnes said would cut into a lot of the cabins’ living space, so new buildings instead will be custom built in factories and brought to the campus. MIDLAND SCHOOL CONTINUED TO PAGE 23

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Candidate Filing Opens for June Primary Election County races include two supervisors, sheriff and district attorney, along with state and federal seats By Janene Scully

Noozhawk North County Editor

ast week marked the beginning of the declaration of candidacy and filing period for nomination papers for candidates seeking a number of local offices in the June 7 primary election, according to the Santa Barbara County Elections Division. In addition to a number of federal and state offices, two seats on the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors are up for grabs in 2022. For the Second District, which now includes the eastern Goleta Valley, Isla Vista and a section of Santa Barbara, incumbent Gregg Hart will not be seeking re-election and instead will run for an Assembly seat. So far, Laura Capps, a Santa Barbara Unified School District board member, has announced her intention to run for the seat. Fifth District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino is expected to seek another term on the board representing the north Santa Maria area plus Guadalupe. The five supervisorial districts have a new look after redistricting efforts late last year based on population counts from the 2020 census.

The June primary election ballot will also include the four-year terms for six county offices: sheriff-coroner, district attorney, treasurer-tax collector-public administrator, auditor-controller, clerk-recorder-assessor and schools superintendent. So far, the job of sheriff appears likely to be contested, with Sheriff Bill Brown planning to run for re-election and sheriff’s Lt. Juan Camarena announcing his campaign for the post. Eight county Superior Court judgeships also will be on the ballot. The filing period will close March 11 for races in which an incumbent is running for re-election. The filing period is extended until March 16 for races in which there will be no incumbent on the ballot. In multiple-candidate races, the winner will be the candidate who receives more than 50% of the vote. If no candidate receives at least 50%, the top two vote-getters will face off in a Nov. 8 runoff election. Candidates looking to file paperwork to run for an elected office should make an appointment with the Santa Barbara Elections Main Office or Santa Maria Elections Branch Office. In Santa Barbara, appointments are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Go to https://candidatefiling.as.me/SantaBarbaraOffice or call

805.696.8957. In Santa Maria, appointments are available 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Appointments must be made 48 hours in advance to ensure staff availability at this office location. Go to https://candidatefiling.as.me/SantaMariaOffice or call 805.346.8374. Federal and State Offices Other seats on the June primary ballot include one full U.S. Senate term as well as a partial one to fill the remainder of Vice President Kamala Harris’ term. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., who was appointed to the seat after Harris resigned following her election with President Joe Biden, will be attempting to win the job outright. The local congressional seat, currently held by Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, has attracted interest from multiple candidates. As of mid-February, they include Mike Dawson, Jeff Frankenfield and Michele Ruth Westlander Quaid. Voters also will decide several state offices, including governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general along with electing Assembly members. Redistricting has created the 37th Assembly District that includes Santa Barbara County and small slices of San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties.

Several candidates have already jumped into that race, including Hart, Santa Barbara planning commissioner Gabe Escobedo and Bruce Wallach. The 37th District includes areas previously in two districts and represented by Assemblymen Steve Bennett, D-Ventura, and Jordan Cunningham, R-San Luis Obispo. Cunningham has represented the Lompoc and Santa Maria valleys plus all of San Luis Obispo County, but redistricting has put those communities in two different districts. He chose not to seek re-election after his northern San Luis Obispo residence was placed in a new district with more registered Democratic voters. Go to https://countyofsb.org/care/elections/ candidates.sbc for more candidate information and deadlines at the county Elections Division. In addition to any runoff elections, the November election will include an assortment of city councils, school boards and special district boards with that filing period opening in mid-July. Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.

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County Reports Declining COVID-19 Case Rate However, health department still ‘strongly recommends’ masks after state mandate lifted By Giana Magnoli

Noozhawk Managing Editor

anta Barbara County’s rate of new novel coronavirus cases has dropped to the level of late December, at the start of the Omicron variant surge, according to the Public Health Department. State and county public health officials predict the numbers of new infections and people hospitalized with COVID-19 will keep declining. Public Health reported 157 new positive cases on Wednesday, and said the number of COVID-19-positive people in local hospitals was 78. The county reported the COVID-19-related death of a Santa Barbara resident on Wednesday who was 70 years old or older. This is the 638th death of a county resident from COVID-19 since the pandemic started.

The city of Goleta reopened its City Hall and library branches to the public after closures during the winter surge in Omicron novel coronavirus cases. City Hall’s reception desk, Building and Safety Counter, and Planning and Zoning Counter have also reopened, along with, the Goleta, Buellton and Solvang library branches are also reopening for regular hours of operation next week, starting Tuesday. They’ve been closed to in-person services since Jan. 7. Masks still ‘strongly’ recommended The county’s mask mandate changed Feb. 16, with fully vaccinated people no longer required to wear masks in all indoor, public spaces. “There are still lots of people getting sick, and I strongly recommend you continue to

wear a self-protective, high-quality mask in all public indoor settings,” Public Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg said at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. People may wonder, he said, why the county decided to lift the universal mask mandate when the state did. The Omicron variant has caused fewer infected people to become severely hill and hospitalized, and there is a rapid decline in new infections, Ansorg said. “Secondly, more and more individuals have at least partial immunity either by vaccination or by previous infection which makes everything safer. Thirdly, we cannot stay in an emergency mode indefinitely. We now can safely transition to a more sustainable way of dealing with COVID,” he told the supervisors. More than half of the county’s 83,252

total cases have been reported in the past two months. The actual number of recent infections undoubtedly is higher since Public Health does not collect or report the results from positive at-home tests. A recent study published by the CDC demonstrates that wearing a high-quality mask consistently in public indoor settings “reduces the risk for catching COVID significantly,” Ansorg said. A respirator-type mask like N95s or KN95s provide the best protection, and surgical masks and cloth face masks provide much better protection than wearing no mask, according to the CDC data. The virus is airborne and small particles can be suspended in the air “much like cigarette smoke,” Ansorg said, so being in crowded, indoor spaces with bad ventilation can increase the risk for infection. Noozhawk managing editor Giana Magnoli can be reached at gmagnoli@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @ NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.

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Solvang Officials, Residents Help Bury the Past Many contribute to time capsule that will be unearthed in 25 years By Mike Chaldu

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ost people learn the history of their heritage, family and city thanks to artifacts of the past. The Solvang Chamber of Commerce hopes those living in their town in 2047 can learn a lot when they dig up the time capsule that was buried during a ceremony on Feb. 15. The Chamber hosted a ceremony in the courtyard between Mortensen’s Bakery and the Peasant’s Feast restaurant on the corner of Atterdag Road and Copenhagen Drive, preceding the capsule’s burial in a planter by the walkway next to Peasant’s Feast. The plans are for the capsule to be dug up in 25 years. The site of the burial and ceremony has a special significance for Solvang in that it used to be the location of Dania Hall, a longtime meeting place in town. It was also where the Chamber of Commerce started when a number of local merchants formed the Solvang Businessmen’s Association (SBA) in 1921. Several Solvang residents and city officials gathered to hear speakers at the presentation, which began just as a light rain began to fall in the courtyard. Chamber of Commerce President Dan Cassara, owner of the Casa Cassara wine-tasting room, was the first speaker and referred to the Chamber’s roots in the SBA. “The members of the Solvang Businessmen’s Association reads like a who’s who of Solvang history: Fauroso, Baker, Hansen, Austed, Harksen, Neilsen, Lyons, and Rasmusen,” Cassara said. “These men got together to address the problems they encountered in this rapidly growing town.” He went on to cite the contributions the SBA made to the city, like consolidation the fire department, lighting and sanitation districts, and the city’s waterworks. Cassara then introduced Claudia Orona,

Photo contributed Some of the items for the Solvang time capsule sit on a table before being loaded into the container. The capsule was buried on Feb. 15 and will be unearthed in 25 years.

Solvang Chamber of Commerce President Don Cassara speaks at the ceremony Feb. 15 to bury a time capsule in Solvang.

Esther Jacobsen-Bates drops off her contribution to the Solvang time capsule, a book titled "The Spirit of Solvang."

Solvang city councilmember and mayor pro-tem, whose family operates the Solvang Trolley. Orona expressed how the business

brought them to Solvang and how the town made them feel welcome from the start. “The story of Solvang is very personal to

me. My journey started in 2007 when my parents pooled their resources to purchase the Solvang Trolley,” she said. “It was meant to showcase Solvang as a destination, to show its history and architecture. We saw the value in taking this and remodeling it and continuing on the tradition.” “After 14 years we have found our home in Solvang. We have an ice-cream shop where my mom has seen the children in this town grow up and we don’t claim to have done this ourselves; we had a lot of people who have helped us along the way.” The final speaker was Solvang native and former City Council member Hans Duus, who recounted the history not of Solvang, but the people who were in the area before the city emerged, mainly the Chumash tribe. He noted that Solvang is actually one of the newest cities in the Santa Ynez Valley, while the Chumash predated all the towns in the area and are still here. “Solvang should celebrate its unique culture and heritage, but not at the expense of the people who came before,” he said. After the public speeches, people lined up next to the burial spot to drop in their contributions to the time capsule. Among the items were brochures, books about Solvang, bottles of wine, and written histories of the area by Hans Duus and Laurie Parker. Afterward Cassara was pleased with the effort to bring items that represented Solvang in 2022. “I don’t know when the beginning of this idea was, but I believe it was Tracy (Beard, executive director of the Chamber) who came up with the idea,” he said. “I liked it because I’m a history kind of guy anyway. We just kind of asked people for something they thought would be cool to people in 25 years.” The response of donated items for the capsule, was one of many reasons Cassara thinks so highly of Solvang since moving to the city in 2012. “It’s a neat little town,” he said. “That’s why I retired here. This is small town America.”

8 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H March 1, 2022 - March 14, 2022

Oak-Planting Workshop Set for March 5 at Sedgwick Reserve

Participants can learn how to propagate, plant and identify native oaks Staff Report

he Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society is offering a pop-up workshop oak tree planting Saturday, March 5, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The free workshop will be at the UC Sedgwick Reserve (3566 Brinkerhoff Avenue in Santa Ynez) and led by John Evarts and Brenda Juarez. Participation is limited to 15 people. Advance registration is required and now open for this workshop at syvnhs@syvnature.org or (805) 693-5683. This hands-on workshop in an oak regeneration site at beautiful Sedgwick Reserve will provide step-by-step guidelines for growing native oaks from both acorns and seedlings. In addition to

Photo by John Evarts Instructors compare three species of oaks in close proximity to participants during a 2016 workshop at Sedgwick Reserve. The next workshop is planned for Saturday, March 5.

demonstrating planting methods and techniques for seedling protection from predators, Evarts

and Juarez will cover some basic issues for oak seedling care. All participants will be able to take

home their own seedling and/or freshly potted acorns. After the planting, there is an optional short walk to identify the three arboreal oak species that grow on the reserve. The role of oaks in California’s woodlands the causes of poor oak regeneration and recruitment will be discussed. Participants should bring gloves and wear sturdy walking shoes. Tools and materials will be provided. Evarts is co-editor and publisher of “Oaks of California,” and since 1985 he has been planting and maintaining a wide variety of native oak species on his property near Ballard. Juarez is a docent at Sedgwick Reserve, a graduate of the California Naturalist certification program and a co-founder of the “Oakies,” a volunteer oak-planting group at Sedgwick involved in oak restoration at the reserve during the last decade.

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Colon Health: Avoid the Hurricane of Bad Energy By Dr. Hyun K. Lee Contributing Writer

f there’s one thing that’s been in health-related news more and more in recent years, it’s colon health. From herbal remedies in the stores, infomercials on television, and even celebrity fads, the colon is on people’s minds. So, Dr. Lee is the colon something to pay so much attention to? In a word, yes. The colon might not be one of those things you consider much in a day, but it is one of the more sensitive parts of your body. If you think about it, all of the toxins your body takes in passes through it, so it can harbor bad energy more than any other area in the body. With this stagnation of bad energy comes weakness that, in turn, sets off a chain reaction that works its way upwards.

Issues like constipation are a good indication of a storm of bad energy brewing. All of those toxins that should be eliminated from your system are staying inside of you, festering and slowly causing problems. Because the colon is not a body part to complain immediately, problems can go unnoticed over the years; however, if this situation becomes frequent, the storm could begin turning into a hurricane. When this hurricane of bad energy increases, it moves upward throughout the body, weakening your organs one by one. Toxins move into your bloodstream, enter into the lymph nodes, and begin weakening your immune system. Later, you may begin to notice swelling in the face and feet in the morning. This is caused by the trapped toxins migrating their way into your lungs. Your lungs then create a buildup of liquid in your body which produces swelling. If the hurricane is left to do further damage, you might also notice shoulder pain. Finally, if all of these warning signs have been overlooked, your body is left prone to more serious situations like stroke. So, what to do? The logical theory would be to purchase some type of colon cleanse or con-

stipation medication. These might work wonderfully well in eliminating blockages, much like a plumber would, but if used too often, it can do far more harm than good. Just like pipes in your house can be weakened by chemicals and numerous visits from the plumber, so can your own “pipes”. The best way to keep your system running smoothly is to make it do it itself. After all, that’s its job. It goes without saying that proper constitutional foods are the key to great health. Simply eating food that is not right for you, even if it could be great for another person, can be enough to block you up. In addition to eating properly, massage is a great natural way to keep your intestines doing their job. For the healthy person, massaging their lower abdomen in a circular fashion 100 times clockwise, then 100 times counterclockwise, then 100 times in an up sweeping fashion, and gently pounding on the area 100 times (start lightly and if you feel comfortable with it, you can get harder). The key is to stimulate your intestines (not beat them into submission) every morning. This method stimulates the intestines to keep

doing the right thing on their own. For people

who aren’t as healthy, the more times throughout the day you repeat this exercise the better. Incidentally, for someone who is experiencing body stiffness in the morning, doing this exercise daily before getting out of bed can decrease, and often eliminate stiffness entirely. Good intestinal care means good overall health care. Eating properly, massage, acupuncture, and herbs can keep your pipes running smoothly and efficiently. Remember, the definition of health is your body doing its myriad of jobs properly on its own, without the aid of any medications. Dr. Lee’s office is located in the Viborg Medical Center, 2030 Viborg Road, Suite #107, Solvang. The clinic is held every Wednesday only. Dr. Lee also has ofﬁces in Los Angeles, and Atascadero. To make an appointment in the Solvang office, call 805-693-5162.

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10 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H March 1, 2022 - March 14, 2022

It’s March — Time for Another Changing of the Season By John Copeland Contributing Writer

arch can be a particularly tempestuous month. The Anglo Saxons called it “Hrethmonath,” which translates as “rough month,” referring to March’s blustery winds that often blow John Copeland with a force unfelt all winter and makes it a great month for kite flying. During the Roman Empire, March’s winds often carried the blaring war trumpets of the Roman Legions. March was the time Roman armies went on the offensive. In fact, March is named for Mars, the Roman god of war. Besides its martial heritage, during March we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, spring forward into Daylight Saving Time and on Sunday, March 20, the vernal equinox, also known as the spring equinox and the first day of spring. As we welcome spring in the northern hemisphere, folks living south of the equator are experiencing their first day of autumn. You would think that our seasons would all start at dawn, but seasonal beginnings are determined by astronomical mechanics. The vernal equinox marks the moment the sun crosses the celestial equator, moving from south to north,

and the equinox happens worldwide at the same instance. If you are living on the east coast of the United States, spring will arrive on March 20 at 11:33 a.m. EDT, and in the midwest at 10:33 a.m. CDT; if you live along the continental divide, spring will arrive at 9:33 a.m. MDT and here in California, we’ll welcome spring at 8:33 a.m. PDT. Now, should you happen to live in the United Kingdom, spring arrives at 3:33 p.m. — just in time for tea. I find it curious is there is no world organization that determines the “official start” of the seasons. In fact, there are different ideas on how to define seasons. Astronomers use the vernal equinox as the start of spring, which ends on the summer solstice, when astronomical summer begins. Meteorologists, on the other hand, mark the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere three weeks before the vernal equinox on March 1 and end it on May 31. Our ancestors didn’t understand equinoxes and solstices as events that occur in the course of Earth’s yearly orbit around the sun. Today, we know they are caused by Earth’s 23.4-degree tilt on its axis and motion in orbit. Because of the axial tilt, Earth’s Northern and Southern hemispheres trade places during the year in receiving the sun’s light and warmth most directly. This is why we have an equinox twice a year, spring and fall, when the tilt of the Earth’s axis and orbit combine in such a way that the axis is neither tilted away from or toward the sun.

The word equinox derives from the Latin words “aequus” (equal) and “nox” (night). On the equinox, the daytime and nighttime hours are nearly equal, poised and balanced, but about to tip over on the side of light. The spring equinox is also one of the year’s Quarter Days. These days that mark the four seasonal divisions of the year; summer and winter solstices and vernal and autumn equinoxes. On the first day of spring, we are half way between the winter solstice and the summer solstice. It’s been 89 days since the winter solstice in December to the spring equinox. However, there are 94 days between the Midsummer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox. Because Earth does not orbit the sun at a constant speed, the seasons are not equal in length. I don’t know about you, but I prefer a longer summer than a longer winter. Curiously, the equinoxes themselves are not fixed points in time. They occur about 6 hours later every year, equalling one full day every four years. It all gets reset on a leap year. Our calendar is good, but not perfect. To our forebears, watching the sunrise or gazing at the moon and stars were sources of mystery and continuity. In the millennia before automobiles, electric lights, and televisions, let alone computer tablets and smartphones, our skywatching ancestors recognized the sun’s path across the sky, the length of daylight, and the location of the sunrise and sunset all shifted throughout the year. The shifts corresponded to

the seasons, which signaled the start of the growing season or the onset of winter. The ability to predict the seasons was key to survival in ancient times. Scientists have discovered that many cultures around the world constructed sites that were astronomically aligned to either the equinoxes or the solstices. In Europe, many of the prehistoric Neolithic monuments — standing stones and stone circles — are aligned to the equinoxes, either the rising sun or rising moon. It is probably no coincidence that early Egyptians built the Great Sphinx so that it directly faces the rising sun on the vernal equinox. On the spring equinox, many ancient societies celebrated the start of their New Year. Our ancestors considered that just as dawn is the time of new light, the vernal equinox was the time of new life. For every culture, the spring equinox signaled the time for planting new crops, and for this reason humans have associated the spring equinox with the “rebirth” of our ability to perpetuate ourselves. It is understandable why we have chosen to celebrate such a momentous occasion, and why it has come to represent “rebirth” in a variety of contexts. On March 20, whether you live in the city or out in the country, try and get out and enjoy the first day of spring. It’s one of the most reassuring days of the year as we’ve made it through another winter and summer is not far away.

Why go Looking for a copy of the Santa Ynez Valley Star when you can have one delivered directly to you?

We will save you the time and effort it takes to go out and pick up a copy of the Star. Now you can sit back and let us come to you. Delivery service of our free publication is $48 per year.Your subscription will begin with the first issue after payment received and continue for one year there after. To subscribe, email amberly@santaynezvalleystar.com, go online to www.santaynezvalleystar.com, or fill out the form below and mail to PO Box 1594, Solvang, CA 93463

March 1, 2022 - March 14, 2022 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 11

‘Abraham Lincoln’ is coming to Solvang Nationally renowned presenter and historian to portray ‘Honest Abe’ in program Staff Report

Atterdag Road. Reservations for the event can be made on the calendar page of the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries website, GoletaValleyLibrary.org Voehl has appeared as Lincoln over 1,500 times throughout the United States. “Abe Lincoln, you will find out, was a true humorist telling lots of jokes and stories,” said Friends of the Library board member David Goldstien. “Lincoln often said, ‘That reminds me of a story’ and used that story as part of a discussion he was having at the time.” Following Lincoln’s address, audience members will have an opportunity to talk to President Lincoln directly, and refreshments will be available. This program is offered at no charge

to the public. However, donations to the Friends of the Library will be gratefully accepted to defray the production cost. All current County Health Department COVID-19 standards will be in followed. Please wear a mask. The Friends of the Library of Santa Ynez Valley support library services and programs for the Solvang, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez libraries. You can contact them at friendssyvlibrary@gmail.org.

t’s a little bit past his birthday, but “Abraham Lincoln” will be making an appearance in Solvang this month. Audience members can hear historically correct reminiscences of the 16th U.S. president’s humorous and storytelling side when the Friends of the Library of Santa Ynez Valley bring John Voehl, a nationally renowned Lincoln presenter and To learn more about John Voehl, go historian, to Solvang on Sunday, March to www.abelincolnalive.com. 13 at p.m. The program, titled “Lincoln’s Stories Photo contributed and Jokes,” will take place at Bethania John Voehl, noted Abraham Lincoln presenter and historian, will portray the 16th president in a program Lutheran Church’s Fireside Room on 603 presented by the Friends of the Library of Santa Ynez Valley.

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Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital Volunteer Services Scholarships 2022 scholarship applications now accepted Are you a resident of the Santa Ynez Valley and entering into — or currently enrolled in — a health or clinical field of study? If so, apply for a scholarship today at cottagehealth.org/syvch Applications must be postmarked by March 18, 2022 to be considered.

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Please contact, Volunteer Services for more information at (805) 569-7357 or volunteering@sbch.org

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Wildling Museum announces second annual Earth Day poetry competition Contest open to county adults and youth, entry deadline March 21 Staff Report

he Wildling Museum of Art and Nature is pleased to announce its second annual Earth Day poetry competition with this year’s theme, “Climate Change: Our Impact.” Santa Barbara County writers of all ages are invited to use poetry to interpret the effects of climate change and our role in a variety of ways, with separate judging categories for youth (ages 17 and younger) and adult writing submissions. The competition is intended to honor Earth Day while highlighting the importance of standing up to protect the planet’s dwindling natural resources and working against the threats of climate change. The deadline to submit work for consideration is Monday, March 21, at 5 p.m. Poetry entries will be judged by poets Sojourn-

Photos contributed Sojourner Kincaid Rolle (left) and Chryss Yost, both former Santa Barbara poet laureates, will judge the entries in the Wilding Museum's Earth Day poetry competition.

er Kincaid Rolle and Chryss Yost, both former Santa Barbara Poet Laureates. Adult poetry entrants will have the opportunity to win First Prize ($200), Second Prize ($100), and Third Prize (Family Membership

to Wildling Museum). Youth poetry entrants will have the opportunity to win First Prize ($100), Second Prize ($50), and Third Prize (Family Membership to the Wildling Museum).

The competition will culminate at the annual Santa Barbara Earth Day celebration hosted by the Community Environmental Council (CEC), taking place on Saturday, April 23, at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara. The top three winning poems in both the Adult and Youth categories will be selected ahead of Earth Day with the chance for winners to read at the Santa Barbara Earth Day celebration. Top winners will also be featured on the Wildling Museum website in the Spring of 2022. Competition entrants must reside in Santa Barbara County. No more than three works may be submitted per person. Complete poetry competition guidelines, prize details, and entry forms are available on the Wildling Museum’s website at www.wildlingmuseum.org/ news/2022-earth-day-poetry-competition. Please email info@wildlingmuseum.org or call (805) 686-8315 with any questions.

March 1, 2022 - March 14, 2022 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 13

Sansum Diabetes Research Institute Hails Clearance of Device FDA approves use of first tubeless automated insulin delivery system Staff Report

ansum Diabetes Research Institute (SDRI) is celebrating the recent FDA clearance of a novel, first-of-its-kind medical device developed for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. SDRI was one of 16 clinical research sites across the United States to participate in the pivotal trial of the Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System, the nation’s first tubeless automated insulin delivery (AID) system that integrates with the Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System and a compatible smartphone to automatically adjust insulin and help protect against highs and lows. “Our participants in the Omnipod 5 clinical trial saw a significant increase in their time in range of their blood sugar levels, both during the day and overnight,” said Mei Mei Church, nurse practitioner and certified diabetes care and education specialist at SDRI. Church worked alongside Dr. Kristin Castorino, senior research physician at SDRI, who is part of the team managing the study.

Insulet Corporation developed Omnipod 5 and announced FDA clearance for individuals aged 6 years and older with type 1 diabetes on Jan. 28. Omnipod 5 stands out not only for its tubeless design, but for its feature that allows users can control their insulin pump directly from a smartphone app. In addition, Omnipod 5 is the first AID system to integrate its algorithm (SmartAdjustTM technology), which communicates with the Dexcom G6 CGM to adjust insulin dosing

depending on blood sugar levels and trends, directly into the Pod. Every five minutes, SmartAdjust receives a CGM value and trend, and predicts where glucose will be 60 minutes into the future. The system then increases, decreases, or pauses insulin delivery using the user’s customized glucose target, helping to protect against highs and lows. “Omnipod 5 is the most complex and greatest innovation in the history of our company,” said Dr. Trang Ly, Insulet senior vice president

and medical director at Insulet. “As the clinical data has shown, Omnipod 5 significantly improves time in range and reduces HbA1c in children, adolescents, and adults with type 1 diabetes. It is an undoubtedly life-changing innovation for people with diabetes.” Blood glucose control throughout the day and overnight is a serious challenge for children and adults with type 1 diabetes, and the Omnipod 5 pivotal trial data demonstrated promising results for its clinical research study participants at SDRI as well as the other clinical trial sites. The data showed that Omnipod 5 can help adults and children significantly improve their diabetes management. “The Omnipod 5 system has had a profound impact on my life by significantly decreasing the burden of my diabetes care,” said one clinical trial participant. “I am no longer woken up at night because of out of range blood sugars, and the time that I spend thinking about my diabetes has significantly decreased.” “I am so thankful for this system - I have finally been able to sleep better at night with peace of mind that the system will mitigate my child’s hypoglycemia,” said a parent whose child was in the Omnipod 5 trial.

Welcome to Freedom

14 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H March 1, 2022 - March 14, 2022

We’re on this path together. For 58 years, residents have relied on Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital for excellent health care.

Photo contributed Shown here is an architectural rendering of Harry's House, the new senior care facility that will complete The Golden Inn and Village Santa Ynez campus.

‘Harry’s House’ to Complete Golden Inn and Village

To sustain the strength of this valued community resource, consider donating to a charitable gift annuity and receive payments for life at fixed rates. Following your lifetime, the balance of your annuity will come to Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital as philanthropic support and continue Cottage Health’s legacy of excellence, integrity, and compassion. Your support benefits Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital’s important programs: • Patient care • Tele-stroke

Rona Barrett Foundation, Housing Authority partner for last part of senior facility Staff Report

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he Rona Barrett Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing affordable housing and supportive services for seniors-in-need, has partnered with The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara (HASBARCO) to build “Harry’s House,” a new independent congregate care facility for low-income seniors. The development of Harry’s House will complete The Golden Inn and Village Master Plan, located at 890 Refugio Road in Santa Ynez. “I’m thrilled to see the large construction trucks already on the property,” said Rona Barrett, founder and CEO/president of The Rona Barrett Foundation. “This means the last phase of The Golden Inn and Village campus in Santa Ynez is now underway.” Harry’s House completes the vision of foundation for a community where seniors may access a variety and continuum of care that meets their needs as they age in place. Harry’s House will include 60 studio apartments in a two-story building mirroring the existing Golden Inn and Village style with farmhouse-inspired architecture, porches and outdoor courtyards. “We are honored to be partnering again with the Rona Barrett Foundation to address this vital need,” said Bob Havlicek, executive director for the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara. “We are fortunate to have a stellar project team with Sunseri Construction, Inc. bringing

to life the architectural design of Hochhauser Blatter Architecture & Planning in harmony with The Golden Inn and Village and the Santa Ynez Valley.” The Rona Barrett Foundation and HASBARCO have also engaged The Parsons Group, manager for Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara’s Garden Court and Gardens on Hope,to help develop resident services for Harry’s House. Harry’s House will help to meet the significant unmet demand for a supportive services care development offering meals, activities, transportation and oversight for frail seniors who would enjoy a better quality of life in a more supportive environment. This will allow more frail seniors to be served on site, extending their independence, and delaying the need for skilled nursing or other higher levels of care in a medical setting. “Our goal is to provide a new reality in which income limited seniors can expect housing, services and socialization that are commensurate with private pay models,” said Barrett. “We can no longer settle for treating those who have less, as any less deserving of a safe and supportive home in which to enjoy their golden years.” The award-winning Golden Inn and Village recently marked its fifth anniversary since opening its doors to residents in 2016. With the addition of Harry’s House, the Rona Barrett Foundation expands on its model that could be replicated in communities all around the U.S. as an innovative solution to the lack of affordable housing for low-income seniors. To learn more, please visit www.ronabarrettfoundation.org.

March 1, 2022 - March 14, 2022 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 15

File photo Car enthusiasts can see classic vehicles like these (being shown off at a past Solvang event) at the Pirate Car Show on March 19 at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.

Pirate Car Show Returning to Santa Ynez High March 19 Registration open to show off vehicles on school campus Staff Report

anta Ynez High School’s Pirate Garage will host its ninth annual Pirate Car Show on March 19 to raise money for the school’s auto education program. This year marks a return to a spring event. The show was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and last year’s was delayed until September. Participants who want to show off their cars can register in advance or on the day of

the event. The cost is $25 per car. This year, organizers will be awarding trophies created by SYHS students. In addition, there are raffles sponsored by The Santa Ynez Valley Youth Recreation and food provided by Full of Life Flatbread from Los Alamos at an additional cost. There will also be Pirate Garage apparel for sale, a DJ/ announcer, and many people showing off their cool vintage cars. For more information or to get an entry sheet to enter your car in the show, go to syvpirates.org or contact Gary Semerdjian at gsemerdjian@syvuhs.org or (805) 6886487 ext. 3230.

A ‘ n Affair of the Vine’ toBenefit Local Boys & Girls Clubs

Fundraiser on March 12 to include wine, food, vineyard tours and more Staff Report

he United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County will be holding its fundraiser, now know as “An Affair of the Vine” on Saturday, March 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Alma Rosa Ranch House in Buellton.

This event is replacing the Corks for Kids event and will raise funds to support the UBGC’s three North County clubs located in Buellton, Solvang, and Lompoc. Guests will enjoy an afternoon of wine tastings paired with some seasonal delights, cheeses and chocolates, live music from Out of the Blue, a live auction and raffle and a guided experience through the vineyards. To purchase tickets or learn about sponsorship opportunities go to www.unitedbg.org or call (805) 681-1315.

The Ballard School District

will hold Kindergarten registration on Wednesday, March 9th beginning at 1:00 in the historic Red Schoolhouse. Immunization records, birth certificate and proof of residency are required BEFORE you set up a time for registration. Please email gfloyd@ballardschool.org or call the school office Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at 805-688-4812 for information. Thank you.

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County Women Winemakers, Food Pros Reunite for Women’s Day

Annual event to be held in-person again at Roblar Farm on March 6 Staff Report

s an early nod to International Women’s Day, the fifth annual Women Winemakers Celebration, showcasing the winemaking talents of about twenty Santa Barbara County women winemakers, will be held in the Santa Ynez Valley On Sunday, March 6. The charitable event is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. at Roblar Farm (www.RoblarWinery.com/Roblar-Farm). Proceeds from the 2022 gathering will be donated to Community Health Centers of the Central Coast (CHC), through the Santa Barbara Vintners Foundation, with funds earmarked specifically for women’s health needs in medically underserved families of Northern Santa Barbara County. Tickets to the March 6 event are currently on sale at http://bit.ly/ WomenInWine22. After holding the event in March 2020, just days before the initial COVID-19-induced shutdowns, organizers brought a virtual fundraising event in March 2021 hosted by the women behind the annual Women Winemakers Celebration. “Our being able to safely gather in-person, once again, is so symbolic of the triumph over what we’ve endured during the past two years,” said Santa Barbara County

Contributed photo Some wine and a delicious dish is shown off at the 2020 Women Winemakers Celebration. The next celebration, the first live one in two years, is set for March 6.

woman winemaker Karen Steinwachs, part of the all-female Women Winemakers Celebration event production team and co-founder of the annual celebration. “We’re looking forward to an engaging and welcoming afternoon with our event guests, and we’re so excited to have them taste the fruits of our collective labors … with us.” The three-hour wine tasting — and

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snacking — reception will boast about 20 Santa Barbara County women winemakers who will be on hand to pour tastes of their wines and talk with event guests, as passed and stationary appetizers are offered by one dozen female counterparts in the Santa Barbara County food world. Adding to the event’s outdoor ambience will be live music by Arwen Lewis, an interactive food

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and wine trivia challenge, and the popular “estrogen collection” wine case opportunity drawing. International Women’s Day has been celebrated worldwide since 1909, with a focus on working women’s achievements and issues. In a working environment which sees about 10% of the global wine industry as female lead winemakers, Santa Barbara County continues to see a much higher percentage of women winemakers than most regions in the world — with nearly double the average, and growing each year. Tickets for the March 6 event are available at http://bit.ly/WomenInWine22. Tasting Reception Tickets are $90 per person, and include appetizers, sweets, and wine tastings. Due to the ongoing pandemic, event attendance is limited and advance ticket purchase is required. Proof of vaccination will also be required for event entry, or a negative COVID test result. COVID test kits will also be available for onsite, day-of tests. The March 6 Women Winemakers Celebration will be held at Roblar Farm, conveniently located between the towns of Los Olivos and Santa Ynez. Shuttle and parking information will be distributed to all ticketed event guests prior to the event date. For more information about the March 6 Women Winemakers Celebration, contact Anna Ferguson-Sparks, Stiletto Marketing, at (877) 327-2656 or info@stilettomarketing.com.

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March 1, 2022 - March 14, 2022 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 17

Buellton Wine & Chili Festival is On the Way Annual event to be held at Flying Flags RV Resort on March 20 Staff Report

ine vintages and spicy food will be the attraction this month as the Buellton Wine & Chili Festival returns on Sunday, March 20, to Flying Flags RV Resort in Buellton. Though organizers say they are not yet clear on all the details, they plan on bringing festival-goers a great lineup of wineries, breweries, spirits, along with retail vendors, and food trucks. There will also be entertainment as blues/rock band Paradise Kings, Americana performer The Real Doug Lane, and DJ FIU will play during the event. The festival offers two kinds of tickets to get in: the Hot Chili Ticket (Gen-

eral Admission for 21+) costs $55 and includes a souvenir wine glass, unlimited wine, craft beer and spirits tastings. The Mild Chili Ticket (Guest 13-20 years old) is $20 and for guest 21 and under with no alcohol. Both of those prices are for advance purchase. Tickets purchased at the door will be $65 for the Hot Chili and $25 for the Mild Chili. Proceeds from the Buellton Wine & Chili Festival have been able to donate to and sponsor the programs below on behalf of the Buellton Chamber of Commerce; n College Scholarships for high school students n Safe & Sober Grad Night n PTSA for Buellton schools n Boy Scouts Pack 42 and 007 n Vandenberg Air Force Base Quarterly Awards

n Breakfast with Santa n Chamber member

programs For those seeking safe transportation, the festival’s the Brew Bus can give patrons a ride to and from the event for $20. Pickups will be in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Maria and Lompoc. Santa Barbara pickup: Figueroa Mountain Brewing (137 Anacapa St.) at 10:30 a.m. Goleta pickup: M Special Brewing Co. in Goleta (Building C, 6860 Cortona Dr.) at 11 a.m. Santa Maria pickup: Figueroa Mountain Brewing in Santa Maria (560 E. Betteravia Road #B) at 10:30 a.m. Lompoc pickup: Solvang Brewing Co.

in Lompoc (241 N. H St.) at 11:15 a.m. Bus tickets must be purchased in advance. To purchase festival and bus tickets or to find out more information go to buelltonwineandchilifestival.com.

Food waste recycling is happening here and now! Organic material like food waste creates harmful levels of methane when it’s buried in the landfill.That’s why a new state law requires us to recycle organics. If you live on the South Coast of Santa Barbara County or the Santa Ynez Valley and can’t compost at home, we have you covered! We are pulling organics out of the trash at the County’s ReSource Center and turning them into compost and green energy. Residents should keep food scraps and organic waste in the trash to be sorted out.

Learn more at lessismore.org/organics Brought to you by the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department

18 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H March 1, 2022 - March 14, 2022

Rick and Diana Longoria Sell Namesake Winery in Lompoc After 40 Years Rick Longoria, one of the region's industry pioneers, plans to stay on as a consultant for the new owners By Laurie Jervis

Noozhawk Contributing Writer

ick Longoria, who launched the Longoria Wines label in 1982, has sold his family’s Lompoc winery property, inventory and label to a Maryland couple eager to get a foothold in the Santa Barbara County industry. Longoria said Monday that Brooke and Lindsey Christian of Bethesda “plan to keep the Longoria brand name, and thus want to keep me on as the winemaking consultant and founder of the brand.” Brooke Christian, a Florida native, is the founder and CEO of the Key West Film Festival. He did not respond to an email seeking comment on the purchase. “We’re proud of all that we’ve accomplished in the wine industry, and we’re looking forward to seeing the next chapter of Longoria Wines unfold under the enthusiastic stewardship of its new owners,” Rick and Diana Longoria wrote in a newsletter to club members and colleagues. “We also want to express our gratitude to all of the past and present members of our production and sales teams, as well as our longtime growers, who have all been instrumental to the success of our winery.” While Rick Longoria crafted the label’s notable pinot noir, chardonnay, syrah and other grape varietals, Diana Longoria ran the

Contributed photo Rick and Diana Longoria of Longoria Wines are shown in their vineyard. Rick Longoria has sold the winery to a Maryland couple.

business and, frequently, the tasting rooms. Longoria Wines was one of the first to open a tasting room in Los Olivos, and in 1998, established the first winery in Lompoc’s Wine Ghetto. In the fall of 2014, crews completed seven trips across town in a tractor-trailer, carrying barrels from the Wine Ghetto site to property purchased on East Chestnut Avenue, the former clubhouse for Celite. That site has since

Contact Sean today for all your home financing needs. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY Sean Owen Donner (NMLS ID # 300773 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) CA:CA-DBO300773) is an agent of Draper and Kramer Mortgage Corp. (NMLS:2551) an Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee located at 1431 Opus Place, Suite 200, Downers Grove, IL 60515, 630-376-2100. CA: Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, License No. 4130680. © 2021 Draper and Kramer Mortgage Corp. All Rights Reserved. 04376-02 3/2021.

Laurie Jervis tweets at @lauriejervis and can be reached via winecountrywriter@gmail. com. The opinions expressed are her own. She would happily take the wheel of a Ferrari if given the chance.

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housed the winery, offices, a tasting room and an events room. “Diana plans to take well-deserved time off from managing the financial and retail aspects of our business for 40 years and spend more time with our grandchildren, and pursue other interests,” Rick Longoria said. He acknowledged that while the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to his decision to sell, increased competition both

for tasting room visitors and in the wholesale markets had caused him to scale back production during the past several years. Longoria reflected on his decades making wine and how Santa Barbara County has gained fame as a region. Last fall, Wine Enthusiast honored it as “Wine Region of the Year” during its annual Wine Star Awards competition. “It was very rewarding for me and the other first-generation winemakers to finally see the recognition of our region received by the Wine Enthusiast publication,” he said. “We all believed in the capability of our wine region, and worked with passion and persistence to see it proved.” Looking back, he said, “I’ve seen much change, and most of it has been for the better. “Like most regions in California, our region incorporated new and improved grape growing techniques, which provided better quality fruit. New winemaking techniques, such as cold rooms for extended skin contact, a multitude of new yeast strains custom tailored to specific varietals, the introduction of new varietals such as albarino, tempranillo, gruner veltliiner and others provided opportunities to demonstrate the suitability of our region’s microclimates for a wide range of varietals.”

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March 1, 2022 - March 14, 2022 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 19

Where is our water going? Photo by Vida Gustafson This homemade batch of caramel popcorn is perfectly caramelized and crispy, but will still melt in your mouth.

Make movie night more delicious with caramel popcorn By Vida Gustafson Contributing Writer

do appreciate the convenience of buying pre-made treats. Sometimes time simply dictates that certain things cannot be done from scratch, but every time I make this recipe for a movie night, I’m again reminded that nothing beats homemade. The coating is perfectly caramelized, crispy and yet melts in the mouth, with just a hint of salt to balance the sweetness. Making caramel at home can be tricky, but this recipe is worth braving the perils of scalding hot melted sugar and sticky mess cleanups; just please be aware of sensible safety precautions and keep little ones on the kitchen chair watching you make “magic.” This recipe makes 10 cups of popcorn.

Ingredients

n ½ c unpopped kernels (or 10 cups popcorn) n 2 tbsp safflower or vegetable oil (with a high smoke point) n ¾ c baking soda n 1 tsp salt n 1 ½ tbsp butter n 1 ½ c sugar n ½ c water

Method

I have found the best way to make popcorn on the stove is to add the oil to a large flat-bot-

tomed pot (that you gave a lid for), and heat until almost smoking. Add the popcorn kernels and cover the pot, remove it from the heat for 20-30 seconds and swirl the kernels to cover them in oil. Place the pot back on the heat, shaking a couple of times for the unpopped kernels to make their way to the bottom of the popcorn. Once there is 2-3 seconds of quiet between pops, turn of the heat and pour your popcorn in a separate large bowl. Salt lightly with 1-1 ½ tsp salt. Gather all the ingredients for the caramel. Lightly wipe out the pot you used with a dry rag or paper towel, and add the sugar, water and butter. Cook over medium/low heat, without stirring, for 25-30 minutes or until your caramel turns to a rich amber color. If you stir, the caramel will crystalize (this is bad). You can swirl the pot gently if you wish. The darker the color, the more bitter notes will be in the end product. Be careful though — once it starts to turn, it can go from perfect to burnt quickly. When you decide that the sugar is caramelized enough, add the baking soda and stir it in quickly, before adding all the popcorn and stirring with a long-handled heat proof spatula. Turn the coated popcorn out onto a baking sheet to cool for 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container, not that it’ll stay around for long!

Growing marijuana requires a lot of water, regardless of whether it is grown inside or outdoors. In California, where growers have decades of experience cultivating, plants still require about six gallons of water per plant each day. That adds up to almost 300 million gallons of water for each square mile of marijuana grow each growing season.1 That is almost double the amount of water wine grapes use annually, and about the same water consumed by almond orchards – which is recognized as contributing to aggravated water shortages here in California.2

Support common sense cannabis regulation today:

sbcountycoalition.com 1. High Time for Conservation: Adding the Environment to the Debate on Marijuana Liberalization. BioScience 2015; 65 (8): 822-829. doi: 10.1093/biosci/biv083. 2. “Forget Almonds: Look at How Much Water California’s Pot Growers Use.” Washington Post. 26 June 2015.

20 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H March 1, 2022 - March 14, 2022

Santa Ynez High Baseball Has Promising Start to 2022 Season Pirates aim to leave Channel League, Southern Section on a high note By Mike Chaldu

news@santaynezvalleystar.com

s baseball fans are left wondering when we will see the Major League players take the field this year, the game on the high school is getting into full swing. And for Head Coach Warren Dickey’s Santa Ynez High Pirates, that’s a good thing, especially with the team getting off to a good start early on. The Pirates swept a doubleheader from Orcutt Academy on Feb. 19, taking the first game 6-0 and the nightcap 21-3. Jackson Cloud stood out in the first game, pitching a complete-game one-hitter, striking out eight. Aiden O’Neill went 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Bradley Lood was credited by Dickey for some great defense. In the second game, Santa Ynez wasted no time breaking the game open, scoring 12 runs in the first against the visiting Spartans. Tanner Padfield led the offensive onslaught with five RBI, Mikey Gills drove in three and Cloud, playing first base in the nightcap, belted a homer. One downside in the first game was the loss of shortstop Victor Heredia, who apparently turned his ankle while covering third base on a play and had to take the rest of the day off. But all in all, it was a good day for Dickey and his team. “It was their first game in a little while, they’re young, but we got to play everyone on the roster and experiment with a couple of positions, and that’s important moving on,” he said. The Pirates are coming off a 2021 season where they finished 9-13 overall and 6-9 in the Channel League. After a couple of seasons with unprecedented challenges brought about by COVID-19 and the subsequent rescheduling of fall sports in 2021, Dickey is happy to have a clean slate. “The last two years have been a circus, I don’t even want to talk about those,” he said. “We’re fairly experienced, but with the way the last two seasons have gone, the experience is sparse.” One thing Dickey dealt with was the football season being moved to spring 2021

Photos by Mike Chaldu Santa Ynez High pitcher Jackson Cloud throws a pitch against Orcutt Academy in a complete-game win Feb. 20.

Santa Ynez High head coach Warren Dickey addresses his team Feb. 20 after the Pirates win over Orcutt Academy.

because of the pandemic. “We had to share the football players last year and didn’t get them until late, and by the time they got rolling, the season was over,” he said. “So this is going to be pretty much their first rodeo together, but we’re talented enough athletically. I think it’s just a belief, we’re in a very tough league, but if we take care of our own stuff we’re going to be fine.” Cloud, who had the outstanding outing against Orcutt Academy and and in the season opener took a no-hitter into the last inning

against Pacifica, is penciled in by Dickey as the No. 1 pitcher. “The thing about Jackson this year, he’s one of those kids who decided to go all in,” the coach said. ‘He’s taking it serious this year, and really invested into the baseball end of it. It’s really cool to see a guy’s work and sacrifice. I’m really proud of him right now.” Cloud leads a strong nucleus of returning player for the Pirates this year that includes Heredia, Gills and Owen Hunt. Dickey is looking at Heredia as the Pirates’

No. 2 pitcher, and when he’s not on the mound he’ll be manning the shortstop position and batting leadoff. The head coach is looking at Heredia’s status as day-to-day after the injury against Orcutt Academy. Dickey had some praise for Mikey Gills, the primary catcher, and Owen Hunt, who can play many roles on the diamond. “I think Mikey Gills is the heart and soul of our team,” he said. “He’s got a lot of character, it’s not fluff. He can be hard on himself, but when he gets behind the plate, it’s a whole different story. The pitchers really trust him.” The coach see a lot of potential in Hunt. “He’s just a gifted athlete. He’s a kid you can just drop into any sport and he’s gonna do really well,” Dickey said. “Owen’s got so much potential, he’s a middle of the order guy. He hit like .400 or something last year — by accident. He’s got a lot of upside and I think he’s starting to realize that.” Now, the Pirates are just about ready to start league play in a season that will be their last in the Channel League and the CIF Southern Section. Next year, they move into the CIF Central Section where they will be meeting up again with former rivals from Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo County. With that, the team would like to make a good final impression. “The league is challenging,” Dickey said. “Players are chomping at the bit. We’ve haven’t shown well in the Channel League and we want to show that that’s not us.” The players echo that sentiment. “It’s great to see everyone come together and know what our goal is,” said Padfield, the third baseman. “We want to win the league championship, obviously. That’s always our goal. I think we have a real shot this year.” “Our league is very tough this year; Santa Barbara, San Marcos and Dos Pueblos are very good.” Gills said. “But, we have the guys and the tools to do it. If we work together we can get it done.” Dickey knows it won’t be easy in the league, but he’s still positive. “Nothing is impossible,” he said. “I like to dream the big dream.”

March 1, 2022 - March 14, 2022 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 21

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An evening under the stars to benefit Warrior Angels Rescue Sunstone Winery to host fundraiser helping those affected by the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

arrior Angels Rescue is holding a fundraising gala at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at Sunstone Winery, 125 N. Refugio Road, Santa Ynez. Photo contributed The fundraiser is to benefit the Valerie Edmondson Bolanos is the founder of Warrior Angels Rescue, a people of Afghan- nonprofit that supports the evacuation istan. Warrior of women and girls from Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Angels Rescue coordinates evacuation and resettlement plans for at-risk girls, women, and families from the unfolding

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humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. The gala will feature live music, signature cocktails, Afghan fusion cuisine by celebrity chefs, and a live auction. “Chefs who will be sharing their culinary skills at our event are Chef Felipe Salas, Chef Budi Kazali, and Chef Timur Nusratty,” said Solvang-based founder Valerie Edmondson Bolaños. “Chef Salas is from Ecuador and began his culinary career in 2006 as an intern at the Astrid y Gastón restaurant in Quito, then traveled to Sydney, Australia, where he worked for eight months at Coogee Café before beginning his formal education at Le Cordon Bleu Australia Adelaide,” she continued. “He worked at Noma in Copenhagen, widely considered the best restaurant in the world, before returning to his native Ecuador to start a culinary school. Kazali and Nusratty also bring quite a reputation. “Chef Kazali of The Ballard Inn and Ramen Kotori fame, is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy. After relocating to Boston, Chef Kazali helped to open the James Beard award-winning Blue Ginger with Chef Ming Tsai, where he gained

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expertise in melding the flavors of Eastern and Western cuisines,” Edmondson Bolaños said. “Chef Nusratty brings the authentic flavors of Afghanistan to the evening. (He is) an Afghan-American cook who established the first Afghan restaurant in the U.S. in the Bay Area, home to the largest Afghan population outside of Afghanistan.” Auction items include a one-week stay at Galapagos Safari Camp (www.galapagossafaricamp.com), a two-week stay at WorldMark Resort Fiji, Denarau Island, Fiji (www.facebook.com/WorldMarkFiji/)m and a 64”x120” painting by Delmar León. The live auction will be conducted by Jonathan Holiday. “There may be some more surprises in store,” said Edmondson Bolaños. Entertainment for the evening will be provided by DJ Hecktik, The Santa Barbara Symphony, and Dance Silk Road/Ballet Afsaneh. “Dance Silk Road is a critically acclaimed San Francisco Bay Area performance ensemble,” Edmondson Bolaños said. “They will present the dance, music and poetry of the historic Silk Road networks of Eurasia. “Traditional repertory includes the folkloric

and classical dances of Iran, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Turkey, China and India. It will be a magical evening that you won’t want to miss.” Warrior Angels Rescue wishes to thank its generous sponsors, Microsoft and Daversa Partners, as well as the immense support from local businesses such as Sunstone Winery, The Giving Ink, Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. and many more. Warrior Angels Rescue is asking for support as it builds self-sufficient solutions for Afghan refugees to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. “Our goal is to get these refugees to safety, and then create space for them to heal, recover, and pursue their academic and professional goals,” Edmondson Bolaños said. Warrior Angels Rescue is a volunteered-fueled 501c3 nonprofit with 100 percent of donations going to rescue efforts. For pricing and more information, visit https://www.warriorangelsrescue.org/gala

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March 1, 2022 - March 14, 2022 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 23

o STOMP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 day to day and these meals provide a consistent nutritional balance.” Harmon said she hopes to make this an annual project. “I did one of these events before and I wanted to make it an annual event, but COVID hit and we had to take a break,” she said. “But people are still in need, maybe more so now, so I threw caution to the wind and with a lot of faith and good instincts about our very giving community, I’ve committed to doing one of these projects every year, God willing.” Harmon didn’t hesitate to credit the people who helped her get the project off the ground. “I couldn’t have done this without the help of Joanne Clark’s connections in getting the word out. It was all done by word of mouth,” she said. “Linda Johansen helped get the word out to the Rotarians and I started making a lot of phone calls, emails, and social media posts, and it worked.” When Harmon was initially planning the event, she said she was a little nervous that she wasn’t getting enough RSVPs to put it on. “The RSVPs were coming in slowly, but our amazing Santa Ynez Valley community came in and surprised me. Two hundred people showed

Photo contributed More than 65 waving members of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints came to help assemble meals in Solvang for the STOMP out Hunger event in January.

up to help out,” said Harmon. “It was a Valley-wide effort. Everyone arrived at 11 a.m. and we were finished by 3 p.m.” The volunteers who helped put on the event

o MIDLAND SCHOOL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

“We like all the old buildings, but sometimes it doesn’t make sense and they have to get replaced,” Barnes said. According to Barnes, the project is expected to begin in the summer or fall and be completed by next fall. Meanwhile, the addition of two new faculty homes will begin in the spring or summer, with two more to follow. The campus will be losing one faculty home, so while four new buildings will be constructed, there will be three additional homes once the phase is completed. Duplex-style faculty homes will be built in the meadow adjacent to the school’s Lower Yard, and a barn-adjacent faculty home was recently built near Kit’s Barn on the campus. Midland School’s “campus renewal” project first began in 2013, and the campus renewal timeline on the school’s website shows that many projects have since been completed, including the remodeling and construction of several buildings on the campus, the installation of a generator and the domestic water supply line being buried.

Barnes said the project will cost an estimated $11 million, and much of the funds have already been secured. He said that about one-third of it has been raised through fundraising, while the school already had another one-third, and it has taken out loans for the remaining one-third. The most recent loan approved by the Board of Supervisors will be issued by the California Enterprise Development Authority, a joint-powers authority established by the California Association for Local Economic Development that issues tax-exempt and tax-conduit revenue bonds for commercial and industrial development projects within the state. More information on Midland School, its campus renewal project and how to help or support the project can be found on Midland School’s website. Noozhawk staff writer Serena Guentz can be reached at sguentz@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.

came from many different sources. “Students from Santa Ynez Valley High School, Midland, and Dunn schools helped me to set up all the tables, which were rented, and did

all the heavy lifting,” Harmon said. “There were tables inside the family center, on the patios, outside the church, and up and down the sidewalks. Thirty-five Solvang Rotarians arrived along with six Los Olivos Rotarians, more than 65 members of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, from many different wards, also came to help. “There were family units as well as one man in particular, my Drivers Ed instructor from 1973 (he had also taught my daughter 10 years ago) who showed up to help and mentioned he was glad I had mentioned in my email that volunteers between the ages of 10 and 99 were needed, since he was 94. There were some pretty fast assemblers between Dunn and Midland schools but mostly from very dedicated people who wanted to be there, both inside and outside in the fresh air.” Despite here earlier worries, Harmon was thrilled at the outcome of the event. “It was poetry in motion, everyone working together in the spirit of giving and it was a beautiful day,” she said. “I met so many people for the first time. It was an amazing event. The final count was 130,200 meals beating our previous record of 100,000!” For more information, email terisue.harmon@ gmail.com.

o SHERIFF CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

or parishes with populations of over a half a million people or employing at least 500 sworn members. MCSA has now grown to more than 110 members, representing an estimated 130 million Americans. Brown previously served as a regional representative of MCSA and currently serves as a commissioner on California’s Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission. He is a past president of both the California State Sheriffs’ Association and the California Police Chiefs Association, the only person ever to have filled both of those roles. “I am humbled and honored to have been elected by my peers to be the vice president of the Major County Sheriffs of America,” Brown said. “I look forward to serving in my new leadership role in the organization that represents America’s largest county sheriffs, and to doing my part to ensure that our collective voice is heard by policymakers

on critical crime and public-safety issues that are so important to the communities we protect and serve.” Joining Sheriffs Lemma and Brown on the Executive Board are: Vice President of Government Affairs, Sheriff Michael Bouchard, Oakland County, Michigan Vice President of Homeland Security, Sheriff Mike Chapman, Loudoun County, Virginia Secretary, Sheriff Leon Lott, Richland County, South Carolina Treasurer, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Pinellas County, Florida Major County Sheriffs of America is divided into four regions. During the Winter Conference, MCSA also welcomed Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub as Region 1 representative, filling the seat held by Sheriff Brown. To learn more about the Major County Sheriffs of America, please visit us at www. mcsheriffs.com.

24 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H March 1, 2022 - March 14, 2022

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