Santa Ynez Valley Star December A 2018 by Santa Ynez Valley Star

December 4-December 17 , 2018

Every Issue Complimentary Every Time

www.santaynezvalleystar.com

City manager ready to hit the road Retiring Brad Vidro served Solvang as city manager for 12 years By Raiza Giorgi

publisher@santaynezvalleystar.com

rad Vidro says he hadn’t seen as many parades in his life as he has during his 12-year tenure as Solvang’s city manager, and this year he will be the grand marshal of the Julefest parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. Vidro, who will retire on Dec. 28, said he will miss being an official part of the city but plans on continuing to be involved. Still, he said, he will be proud to “hand over the keys’ to whoever is chosen to replace him. “I have had a hand in the process of choosing who will follow, and I think the council has a great set of candidates to pick from. I just hope that whomever they choose really becomes part of the community as I feel I have,” Vidro said. The council might have to hire an interim city manager if one isn’t hired before Vidro leaves, but he is confident a good person will be found. Vidro said one of the projects he was very excited during his tenure was the building of Sunny Fields Park. He called the park a great community asset and expressed gratitude for all the organizations and businesses that stepped up to create it. Vidro was born and raised in Michigan and got his degree in civil engineering from Michigan State University. For his first job he moved to San Francisco to work for Caltrans, which was a big transition. After five years there his family relocated to South Lake Tahoe, because they had spent winters skiing there and loved it. He became the city’s public works director for 17 years before an opening in San Luis Obispo drew him to the Central Coast. Marlene Demery, then Solvang’s city man-

Photo by Raiza Giorgi Retiring City Manager Brad Vidro believes Solvang is in great shape, and now he is ready to do some traveling.

ager, happened to be on the panel and asked Vidro to apply to be public works director in Solvang. A year after he came to Solvang, he stepped into Demery’s shoes when she retired. “I had visited Solvang before briefly, and coming here I pretty much knew the territory as Tahoe is also a tourist destination,” he said. In his time as city manager, Vidro said, he was glad to see the city’s volunteer fire department consolidate with Santa Barbara County Fire so that residents had access to 24/7 protection. He is also proud of the reconstruction of Copenhagen and First streets and recent sew-

er system repairs to avoid flooding in heavy rain storms. “I know it’s not glamorous, but having a city that runs efficiently and not flooding is important to me,” Vidro said. The biggest change he has seen in his time is the explosion of wineries and tasting rooms. When he started there were six tasting rooms in town and now there are 17, he said. Vidro said that he has heard people say Solvang isn’t very business friendly, but he disagrees. He points to numerous improvements. “I don’t make up the codes, the state does, and we have to enforce them,” Vidro explained.

The city’s sign ordinance process, for example, became more flexible when the city recently modified the regulations to get approvals more easily. Vidro says his routine involves walking the city often to talk with business owners and residents to hear issues or get ideas. “I feel like I am leaving the city in a great spot with solid processes in place,” he added. Next, he plans to spend a year traveling with his wife, Debra. “Right after I retire we plan on going on a several-week long-camping trip to visit a few national parks. We also plan on spending our 25th wedding anniversary in Spain and Portugal later in the year,” Vidro said.

Nielsen’s Market Serving Our Valley For Over 107 Years

608 Alamo Pintado Rd., Solvang • 805-688-3236 • www.nielsensmarket.com

2 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 4-December 17 , 2018

Photo contributed The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is seeking donations to replace a truck lost Oct. 15 in a traffic accident.

Foodbank seeks help to replace crashed truck

“Losing a truck as useful as ‘Old Reliable’ at this time poses a real impediment to he Foodbank of Santa Barbara meeting the needs of those facing hunger in County is asking the community to our community through our programs and help replace supplies and equipment our 300 nonprofit partners,” added Foodbank lost in a traffic accident on Oct. 15, including director of operations Paul Wilkins. “Logisa refrigerated food transport truck and the tics have been impaired since the accident.” electric pallet jack and food that were on To contribute, the public may donate board. online by going to foodbanksbc.org and The estimated replacement cost is clicking on the “donate” tab, or by sending $145,000. a check made out to Foodbank of Santa BarTo continue normal operations, the Foodbara County to either 4554 Hollister Ave., bank has leased a truck for three months Santa Barbara, 93110 or 490 West Foster until a replacement arrives. Road, Santa Maria, 93455. Credit card An anonymous donor has pledged a payments will be taken by phone at 805-937$50,000 matching gift that requires the 3422, ext.106. Foodbank to raise an additional $50,000 in The Foodbank hopes to buy a refrigerindividual donations. Several donors have ated box truck outfitted with a liftgate that already pledged $4,000 toward replacements will allow pick-ups from smaller growers, costs. support a greater variety of collection by Aera Energy LLC has offered to fund a the Backyard Bounty Program, and enable full-service lease payment for November, distributions to smaller agencies that lack a December and January while the new truck loading dock. is procured. A refrigerated truck reduces food waste by “We so grateful for the support that has al- slowing spoilage and keeping fresh produce ready come from our friends at Aera Energy, fresh and safe longer. individuals and our generous anonymous doIn fiscal year 2018, the Foodbank distribnor with the matching gift,” noted Foodbank uted 10 million pounds of food, including 4 CEO Erik Talkin. ”In the thick of the holiday million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables, season, we see hunger increase as local food to more than 173,000 unduplicated clients production and tourism slow down and many throughout Santa Barbara County. working people in our county face reduced work hours and wages.” For more information, visit www.foodbanksbc.org.

Staff Report

File photo In September, Solvang city officials and others attended the temporary installation of a large beer stein sculpture in the median of First Street.

Stein sculpture removed amid accusations Staff Report

he large beer stein sculpture that was installed temporarily in the median of First Street in Solvang was removed in November after accusations against the late artist who made the piece began to circulate in town. Multiple people reported getting a flyer on their vehicles that alleged that the sculptor of the beer stein, Morris Bear Squire, had harassed and tried to kidnap two young girls from Solvang. The flyer was reportedly made by the mother of the two girls, who were not identified. However, court records indicate a person named Morris Bear Squire was charged in 2010 with two misdemeanor counts of battery and

annoying/molesting a child. “The purpose of the public art piece was to fill a void left by the removal of the oak tree, not create controversy in the community. We will be pursuing a replacement piece with the City Council subcommittee that was created to look at public art in other locations in Solvang. That subcommittee consists of council members Joan Jamieson and Karen Waite,” according to City Manager Brad Vidro. The giant beer stein was made by the late artist, hospital administrator and psychologist Morris Bear Squire, and it is on loan from the Morris B. Squire Foundation in Santa Barbara. The nonprofit foundation focuses on creative empowerment through the arts. Calls to the foundation were not returned.

ONLY $10 EACH when you order 25!

1693 Mission Dr, C101, Solvang • 805 686 0705 • inklings.biz

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

BOOK LAUNCH at THE BOOK LOFT  Wednesday December 12  2 to 4 PM - Reception to follow NEWS STAFF Raiza Giorgi

ADVERTISING STAFF Shana DeLeon

publisher@santaynezvalleystar.com

ads@santaynezvalleystar.com

Publisher & Editor

Director of Advertising

Dave Bemis

Amberly Lahr

Copy Editor

Advertising Sales Assistant

news@santaynezvalleystar.com

amberly@santaynezvalleystar.com

REPORTERS Victoria Martinez

PRODUCTION STAFF Ebers Garcia

news@santaynezvalleystar.com

design@santaynezvalleystar.com

Managing Editor

Kyah Corff

Intern Reporter

reporter@santaynezvalleystar.com

805-350-8786

Design & Pagination

The SY Valley Star is proud to be a member of:

©2018 Santa Ynez Valley Star LLC No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied or distributed without the authorization of the publisher. Digital copies available at: issuu.com/santaynezvalleystar

The Luminous Fish is a saga of two Hispanic families and one Anglo family set on the Central Coast of California in the midst of a modern crisis.

December 4-December 17 , 2018 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 3

‘Train for the worst, hope for the best’ Local Jews, deputies discuss ‘active shooter’ training By Raiza Giorgi

publisher@santaynezvalleystar.com

ven though 11 people were killed by a gunman Oct. 27 at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, the casualties would have been higher if the worshippers had not trained for “active shooter” situations, said Susie Pierson, president of the Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community. “Fear is rational, but providing the tools to overcome it is helpful in these scenarios. I used to teach at a high school in San Francisco, and now it’s a fortress of security. It’s the sad reality,” Pierson told a group of about 30 people Nov. 13 at the Wildling Museum of Art and Nature in Solvang. The group discussed the mass killing and heard about how it applies locally from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department and the regional director for the Anti-Defamation League, the nonprofit organization that is dedicated to stopping the defamation of Jewish people and to securing justice and fair

treatment for all. “The best advice I can give is, ‘See something, say something,” said Lt. Eddie Hsueh, Solvang station commander of the Sheriff’s Department. “Locally there have been more than a dozen mass casualty situations in the past few years just in Santa Barbara County. Situations like the Isla Vista shooter and the Goleta Post Office happened because people didn’t communicate,” Hsueh added. The Goleta postal facility shootings were a spree killing by Jennifer San Marco, a former Postal Service employee who shot and killed seven people in Goleta on Jan. 30, 2006, before taking her own life. The Isla Vista killings happened in May 2014 when Elliot Rodger shot six people and injured 14 others near the UCSB campus before killing himself inside his car. The most recent local event happened in November at the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks when a gunman opened fire at the bar, killing 12 people. “Unfortunately we can’t predict when these events will happen, but we can educate people on what to do if they find themselves in this situation. With a little training, there is a higher likelihood that people will survive. The most important thing is communication — talking and having a plan,” Hsueh said.

Deputy Charlie Uhrig echoed that advice, and noted that many people are too engrossed in their mobile devices to be aware of their surroundings. “The other day I flew on an airplane and I think I was the only one paying attention to the flight attendant, and if in a critical situation I would probably be one of the only survivors as I knew where the exits were and what to do,” he said. The best advice he ever got was “train for the worst and hope for the best,” Uhrig said. The Sheriff’s Department is sending Deputy Mike Guynn to active-shooter training so that he can teach groups how to prepare. As the conversation at the museum came back to the synagogue shooting, ADL spokeswoman Cyndi Silverman said that Jews have faced a lot of hatred, and while they can’t control other people there are protective measures and steps they can take. “The haters really do hate us. I have met with FBI agents that study the psychology of extremist groups and, for whatever reason, they hate other people. We can’t

be fearful every time we gather for prayer or host an event. We can be prepared, though,” Silverman said. More information is available at www. adl.org. Groups who want to schedule active-shooter training with Guynn can call the sheriff’s Solvang substation at 805-688-5000.

County reduces park fees for veterans

Staff Report

he annual day-use fee for military veterans at Lake Cachuma and Jalama Beach has been reduced to $10. Until a recent vote by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, the annual fee had been $50 for veterans living in the county and $60 for veterans living elsewhere. Passes are good for one year from the

date of purchase. They are available at both parks and at the office of the county Parks Division, 123 E. Anapamu St. in Santa Barbara. Plans are being made to sell the passes at the Lompoc and Santa Barbara Veterans Memorial Buildings as well. For more information about county parks, go to www.countyofsb.org/parks.

H&D Roll Off is now offering 14cu yard roll off dumpsters for your waste needs • $240 for a week rental and up to 1 ton of weight. • From garage clean out, small remodels, to landscaping projects we are your solution. • Started with the idea of having a dumpster small enough to fit in your driveway but big enough for your needs. In the Santa Ynez Valley

(805) 931-6219

Also Serving the Lompoc Valley (805) 619-9070

4 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 4-December 17 , 2018

County changing emergency-alert systems to notify more people By Giana Magnoli

Noozhawk Managing Editor Photo contributed Circle V Ranch Camp alumni, staff, family and friends raised money for the camp in the Hike4Kids Benefit at Echo Mountain in Altadena.

Circle V donations, matching gift raise $60,000 Staff Report

onations from more than 250 people and organizations raised more than $30,000 for Circle V Ranch Camp at the camp’s 2018 Hike4Kids fundraising event, and an anonymous matching gift brought the total to $60,000, Camp Director Ray Lopez said. In September, more than 100 friends, family, alumni and staff members of Circle V participated in the hike at Echo Mountain in Altadena. “Since the Whittier Wildfire … forced the closure of Circle V on July 8, 2017, we have been focused on raising money to rebuild and reopen in 2019. So, in 2018, we held our second-ever Hike4Kids benefit in Los Angeles County, where many of our counselors and alumni live. We are so blessed to have so many generous donors step up and step out for this hike,” Lopez added. “Funds are still urgently needed to get Circle V open again,” said Advancement Director Gina Doyle of St. Vincent de Paul Los Angeles, which owns the camp. “Please consider donating to Circle V … during this season of giving; and tax

benefits can accrue if you give before the end of 2018.” The Circle V Ranch Camp and Retreat Center was founded in 1945 and has been located since 1990 across from Cachuma Lake at 2550 Highway 154 on 30 acres in the Los Padres National Forest. During autumn, winter and spring, Circle V is available for rental to other nonprofit groups and organizations. During the summer, Circle V Ranch Camp sessions offer six days and five nights of traditional supervised fun for boys and girls ages 7 to 13 and leadership training for youth ages 14 to 17. In summer 2016, the camp hosted more than 1,000 children. Since it was closed by damage during the Whittier Fire in July 2017, Circle V has worked to rebuild its water treatment facilities, craft and health cabins with a goal of reopening in 2019. Donations to help reopen are welcomed at https://svdpla.org/donate/rebuild-camp. For general information, visit www.CircleVRanchCamp.org.

2018

SOLVANG

NISSE ADVENTURE

Visit the Solvang Visitor Center to begin!

CANDLELIGHT TOURS

Dec 1, 8, 15 & 22

SANTA

PARADE

SKÅL STROLL

Dec 1, 8, 15 & 22 12pm-4pm

December 8 11am

December 15 & 16 11am-4pm

Visit SolvangUSA.com/Julefest for more events

oing into the winter storm season, Santa Barbara County is changing its emergency-alert protocols in an effort to notify more people, more quickly, of developing problems. In November, emergency-services managers gave an update to the Board of Supervisors on the county’s Aware & Prepare alerts and other notification methods, including Wireless Emergency Alerting (WEA) messages. Only 12 percent of people countywide, or 52,850 residents, are signed up to receive emergency alerts, according to Assistant County Executive Officer Terri Nisich. About 10 percent of residents are signed up for Nixle alerts at nixle. com. “It tells us we have more work to do to get folks signed up in our system,” Nisich said. Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann called the 12 percent registration rate abysmal, and county leaders hope to boost that number by using utility company account information to automatically sign up people for alerts, which recent legislation approved. County leaders also are working to improve emergency messaging so people respond appropriately to alerts, taking action to prepare and evacuate when they need to, said Rob Lewin, director of the county Office of Emergency Management. They’re embracing the Ready! Set! Go! wildfire preparedness model for storms, and the OEM will send out weather advisories, evacuation warnings and evacuation orders in advance of potentially dangerous storms that could cause debris flows in recent burn areas. Gone are the words “voluntary” and “mandatory” related to evacuation notices, Nisich said. Survey results after the Holiday Fire in July told the county that people want information about incidents such as wildfires even if they are not directly impacted or in the evacuation zone, and that many people thought they were signed up for alerts but may not have been. “There is a lot of confusion out in the community, and that’s something we need to address,” Nisich said. The county’s new emergency alerting protocols put dispatchers on the front line of making notifications to the public for incidents in unincorporated areas, which is where most people were affected during the recent Thomas Fire, Whittier Fire, Alamo Fire and Montecito debris flows. During a disaster response, it typically takes an hour or two to activate the Emergency Operation Center and Joint Information Center and its Santa Barbara-based county dispatchers who send out the earliest emergency alerts, according to Lewin. Dispatchers as well as fire and sheriff re-

sponders in the field have gone through recent trainings on the alert protocols, which have incident commanders determine whether and where evacuations are needed and notify dispatch, which sends out the alerts. “It’s a culture shift for them,” Undersheriff Sol Linver said, adding that dispatchers are trained to make sure they answer 9-1-1 calls quickly, and that now someone needs to break away from the calls to send out an alert. “They’ve done a good job adapting to that,” and they practice weekly and with unannounced exercises, he said. The 9-1-1 call-takers get flooded during disasters, and during the Holiday Fire, 90 percent of the callers were asking for information, sheriff’s spokeswoman Kelly Hoover said. In cases where the callers are not in danger, dispatchers may hang up so that important calls such as one about a heart attack don’t go unanswered, according to dispatch supervisor Joe Ayala. The public’s desire to talk to someone during emergencies also has been shown in the thousands of calls to the county’s 2-1-1 information line, and the Emergency Operations Center’s call center set up during the Thomas Fire and Montecito debris flows. “I thought the time of call centers were kind of passé, but nope, they want to talk to a person,” Lewin said. In response to feedback from recent disasters, the county plans to send out quick, general notifications first — such as, “There is a wildfire in the Goleta area; be aware and take precautions to stay safe” — and then follow-up messages to target people who need to shelter in place, evacuate or take other action. “Any time anyone feels unsafe, they should take immediate action and not wait for notification to evacuate,” Nisich said. Ayala said at a recent Emergency Public Information Communicators meeting that members of the public want to know “what the big scary thing is, what they need to do about it and where they can go for more information.” Dispatchers typically send out a WEA alert first to let people know something happened, then use the Aware & Prepare alerts to send texts and emails, and, lastly, send robo-calls to landlines and cell phones, according to Ayala. “The important thing to remember here is that the more contact methods they enter into the system (text, email, cell, landline, etc.), the better the chance that we will be able to reach them in an emergency,” OEM Emergency Manager Brian Uhl said. People can choose the preference of how they are reached — email first, for example — and the Everbridge system will keep trying to reach ALERT SYSTEMS CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

December 4-December 17 , 2018 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 5

CUSTOMIZE YOUR

Unique Holiday Party

AT THE SANTA YNEZ VALLEY MARRIOTT Allow the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott to create the Holiday Party you have always dreamed about hosting for your family, friends and staff. You give us your party vision and our Events Staff will translate it into a one-of-a-kind memory.

OUR OFFER INCLUDES: • Waived Venue Rental Fees • Delicious and Popular Holiday Menus Including Action Stations: Herb Crusted Prime Rib, Slow-Roasted Turkey and BBQ Fare Created by Chef James and his Team • Complimentary Holiday Décor for your Party • Complimentary Linens, Stemware, Place Settings • Complimentary TWO (2) Hour Bartender Service • Complimentary Chef’s Choice Dessert Station (no group limit)

Weekday Availability in November, December and January. Limited Weekend Availability, so please call today at (805) 325-2000

555 McMurray Rd | Buellton, CA 93427 | 805.688.1000 Marriott.com/SBASY *Operated by Harrell Hospitality Group, LLC under license from Marriott International, Inc. or one of its a liates.

6 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 4-December 17 , 2018

ASPHALT

CONSTRUCTION We can build it!

DOORS & WINDOWS

EQUINE SERVICES

Wild Wood Door Factory, Inc.

Nojoqui Horse Ranch

Custom Interior & Exterior Doors & Windows Hardware & Mouldings

COMMERCIAL PARKING LOTS RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAYS

Specializing in Commercial, Residential & Agricultural Properties 1674 OAK STREET, SOLVANG, CA 93463

805.697.7530

Lic. #1022233 Bonded & Insured

Contractors Lic. No 976838

• www.Coastgc.com admin@coastgc.com

805-665-3292

Licensed ~ Bonded ~ Insured

LANDSCAPING

MORTGAGE LOOKING INTO

A REVERSE MORTGAGE?

• Tax Free Retirement Income • Use $ for Whatever You Need • Eliminate Mortgage Payments

Landscape & Maintenance

Interested? Give us a call

805-686-2321 805-686-2321

245.0633

PLUMBING

805-693-1339

100 EASY STREET, BUELLTON, CA 93427 www.wildwooddoorfactory.com • aaronh@wildwooddoorfactory.com

MOVERS

Complements of David Brown, Branch Manager

1603 Copenhagen #6, Solvang, CA 93463 NMLS #253068

1603 Copenhagen #6, Solvang, CA 93463 NMLS #253068 x

HighTechLending, Inc., Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. NMLS #7147. Licensed in AZ# 0912577, CA# 4130937, FL #7147, HI #7147, OR #ML4386, TX #7147, WA #7147, UT #8874117, NC #L-165611, NJ #7147, PA #4982, IL #MD-6761112, MD #21762. 2030 Main Street #350, Irvine, CA 92614. NMLS Consumer Access: www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

325-1941

3000 Alisal Rd • Gaviota, CA 93117

www.nojoquiranch.com Amber Giorgi Mallea, Owner/Trainer

PEST CONTROL Voted #1 Best Pest & Termite Co. • Look for the Ant on the Truck •

• Since 1987 •

DP MOVER Free Estimates AFFORDABLE RESIDENTIAL MOVER

Download a Free Real Estate Mobile App

PO Box 903 • Santa Ynez, CA 93460

syvgreenscapes@verizon.net • Lic. #885846

805

(Must Maintain Property Tax & Homeowners Insurance)

• Landscape Design & Installation • Irrigation • Weed Abatement • Fencing • Hardscape Design & Installation • Pest Management • Landscape Maintenance

805

• Full Service Equine Boarding & Training • Private riding trails overlooking Valley & ocean • Colt Starting, Reining, Lessons & Trail Rides • Full Service rates start at $375/month • Open Tuesday—Sunday, closed Mondays

805.618.1896 CaPUC Lic Insured and Bonded

PLUMBING

POOL SERVICES

Residential & Commercial Plumbing Fixtures Gas & Water Heaters Remodel | New Construction Service Maintenance

POOL AND SPA MAINTENANCE

Pests carry harmful bacteria and diseases! Call us today and take the worry out of tomorrow!

Free Limited Termite Inspection Free Estimates

Same Day Service Monday-Saturday Eco Smart Products

805-688-7855 www.oconnorpest.com

Kevin O’Connor President

TREE SERVICE

We keep it flowing!

We’ll keep your pipes flowing,we won’t drain your wallet, and we’ll be there on time! Serving the Santa Ynez Valley.

805.691.9905

1674 OAK STREET, SOLVANG, CA 93463

Contractors Lic. No 976838

admin@coastplumb.com • www.Coastplumb.com Licensed ~ Bonded ~ Insured

Your Local On-Time & Dependable Plumbing Specialists

REAL ESTATE

Owner and Operator

Javier Castillo Hernandez

805.691.9129

Cell:

805.636.8391

REAL ESTATE

Locally Owned and Operated Contact Scott for your free water test and service quote

805.364.2761 turnerpools.com

VETERINARIAN Buellton Veterinary Clinic 914 W. Highway 246 Buellton, CA 93427

Open 7 days a week for all your boarding needs. Direct Boarding Line (805) 693-9666 Hospital Hours: Monday-Saturday 8am-5:30pm (805) 688-2334 Visit us at buelltonvet.com for more information

WINE SHIPPING FedEx ~ UPS ~ GSO

New Loca tion

We Ship Wine Worldwide New consignment and Gifts in time for Christmas

805-688-3694

85 W. Highway 246, Ste 109 Buellton, CA 93427 Monday-Saturday: 9:30 am - 5:30 p.m. Pack & Ship• Wine Shipping• Document Shredding• Copy Printing Key Cutting • Office Supplies • Boxes of All Sizes Computer Stations • Laminating• Binding • Greeting Cards

December 4-December 17 , 2018 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 7

Lake Cachuma becomes flashpoint over water supply In chronic drought, local water agencies want more allocations from reservoir while Santa Barbara County’s caution has frustrated some managers By Melinda Burns Contributing Writer

here are the rains of yesteryear? The wet winter of 2017 is a distant memory as Santa Barbara County, like a thirsty desert survivor, staggers into its eighth year of drought. As of November, the water level at Lake Cachuma, once the main water supply for the South Coast and the Santa Ynez Valley, has dropped back to 31 percent of capacity, a mark the reservoir hit in October 2014 on the way down to a record low of 7 percent in October 2016. “I think the dry conditions have just worn everybody out,” said Chris Dahlstrom, general manager for ID1 — the Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District, Improvement District No. 1 — which is one of five agencies that draw from Cachuma. “It would be a great thing to get a good winter.” Yet little rain is in the forecast. A weak-to-moderate El Niño condition developing in the equatorial Pacific Ocean may not hold much promise for Southern California, said Eric Boldt, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Oxnard. “Right now, it doesn’t look very favorable for a wet year,” he said, “but there’s still some time to reverse course.” As the drought drags on, it’s not surprising that a dispute is simmering over allocations from the lake for the South Coast and the Santa Ynez Valley. For now, the county has prevailed with a

Santa Barbara County photo As Santa Barbara County enters its eighth year of drought, Lake Cachuma has shrunk to 31 percent of capacity, the water level of October 2014. The wet winter of 2017 brought some relief, but those gains have been erased by persistent dry weather.

gradualist approach that releases some water now for sure and some in the spring ... maybe. “When we get down to the bottom of the barrel here and we’re counting drops, we’ve got to be very careful,” said Tom Fayram, deputy director of the county Public Works Department. “We’re making sure the water’s there before we allocate it. It’s very logical: We don’t want to come up short.” Fayram has not forgotten what happened in 2013, when Cachuma levels dropped below the halfway mark on the heels of one of the driest years on record. Back then, following the Goleta Water District’s lead, the water agencies broke with past practice and failed to take a voluntary 20 percent cut in their allocations for the next

water year. As the drought deepened, their allocations for 2014-2015 were cut by 55 percent. In 2015-2016, they got zero allocations from the lake. But water managers who must answer to drought-fatigued residents of Santa Barbara, Montecito and the Goleta, Carpinteria and Santa Ynez valleys are frustrated by what they view as an excess of caution. “All of the purveyors are on the same page, but we can’t seem to find a common ground with the county,” said John McInnes, general manager of the Goleta Water District, the single largest user of Cachuma water. “It makes for a difficult discussion when we’re already so hard-pressed for water supply to meet the needs of our customers.

There’s water sitting in the lake and it’s not being released.” A Shrinking Lake In some ways, the South Coast is in a worse fix today than in 2014, even though a supply of desalinated water is now online in Santa Barbara. Levels of groundwater — the ultimate drought reserve — are at historical lows and dropping as a result of heavy well pumping in recent years. In addition, water agencies in Montecito, Santa Barbara and the Carpinteria and Goleta valleys have taken on substantial water debt by buying additional supplies of state aqueduct water from districts around California. As part of the deal, they must return an equal amount of water to those districts within 10 years. The dispute over Cachuma water began last summer, when the water agencies unanimously asked the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the owner and operator of the lake’s Bradbury Dam, for 40 percent of their normal allocations for the water year that runs from October through September 2019. “The water agencies pay for and operate Cachuma and are experts in water supply,” Bob McDonald, general manager of the Carpinteria Valley Water District, said recently. “We have the history of the lake with very little rain and in wet periods. We project what the evaporation demands will be, and the releases downstream. “We did all the modeling to show that this was a reasonable allocation.” But the county, which holds the master water service contract for the Cachuma Project with the bureau, did its own analysis and came up with a more conservative recommendation, which it forwarded to the bureau along with the agencies’ request. Either cut the allocations to zero for the entire water year, Fayram advised, or adopt a two-step approach, allocating 20 percent now and 20 percent in the spring, depending on how much remains in the lake after the winter. When the bureau sided with Fayram’s twostep recommendation, the water managers cried foul. “I’m not OK with the role the county is LAKE CACHUMA CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Letters to the editor should be no more than 300 words in length. Send letters to: Raiza Giorgi, PO Box 1594, Solvang, CA 93464 or email to: news@santaynezvalleystar.com Please include your name and address and phone number.

Staff Report

Gas pipeline puts our water at risk

f we want to continue to have clean water for drinking and ag use, we need to step up. A company called ERG is planning a huge increase in oil production between Los Alamos and Santa Maria. These hundreds of oil wells would require a large amount of natural gas to power the steam-generator engines. The gas would be supplied by an 8-inch-diameter pipeline to deliver 25 million standard cubic feet per day of natural gas. To put that in

perspective, it is more natural gas than all residential use of natural gas in the entire county. Natural gas is methane, a highly flammable, combustible gas that can result in pipeline explosions, water pollution and toxic air releases. ERG’s natural gas pipeline would overlay the San Antonio Creek Groundwater Basin in Los Alamos, our primary source of water. The natural gas pipeline would go under Highway 135 and San Antonio Creek. The San Antonio groundwater depth is pretty shallow there, at approximately 130 feet below ground surface near Highway 135.

Construction of the pipeline puts the stream and groundwater at risk. On an on-going basis, the gas pipeline presents a significant danger of explosion and leaks. The pipeline would run adjacent to U.S. 101 for about 1,900 feet. A gas release in these areas could readily encounter ignition sources from vehicles traveling on these highways. Recent accidents in California involving natural gas pipelines are a reminder that gas pipelines near roadways can pose a serious hazard to the public. Given traffic volumes on U.S. 101, and that occupants of vehicles

could be directly exposed to a vapor cloud fire hazard due to the gas pipeline, this impact is significant. For the sake of our water quality, and our safety, we need to be there when this matter comes before our Planning Commission and our Board of Supervisors. Even if you choose not to offer public comment in person or by mail, your presence at the public meetings is effective in itself. Seth Steiner

8 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 4-December 17 , 2018

Landsby wins ‘Harvest Cup’ in Scarecrow Fest

ley Cottage Hospital; Most Danish, The Home Connection; Spookiest, The Landsby / Mad & Vin; Most Humorous, a tie between Coast Plumbing Solutions and The Stone Cow; and Best “Actual” Scarecrow (meaning, scarecrows made with more traditional materials), The Good Life. In addition to the seven category winners determined by public voting, anonymous judges awarded a “Best Scarecrow” title to an overall Solvang winner, The Landsby and Mad & Vin, which went on to win the Harvest Cup. In Los Olivos, where about 20 businesses participated, the winners were: Best Los Olivos Scarecrow, Stolpman Vineyards; Most Humorous, Bien Nacido & Solomon Hills Estate Wines; Spookiest, Zinke Wine Co.; Best Business Theme, Stolpman Vineyards; Best Natural Materials, Honey Paper The Buellton Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau sponsored this year’s annual Buellton Scarecrow Fest, where the winners were: Windmill Nursery, Best Use of Natural Materials; Jim Vreeland Ford, Most Humorous; Zaca Center Preschool, Best Use of Business Theme; and Santa Ynez Valley Marriott, Spookiest. Buellton’s “Best Scarecrow” winner, Sideways Inn, represented the city in the Valley-wide contest.

Staff Report

he Landsby and Mad & Vin in Solvang won the “Best in the Valley” title in the month-long Santa Ynez Valley Scarecrow Fest. The hotel, restaurant and bar will hold the “Harvest Cup” trophy through the end of the 2019 festival. Results of the contest were announced Nov. 15 at a mixer of all three Santa Ynez Valley chambers of commerce at the Solvang Festival Theater. The sixth annual Scarecrow Fest, sponsored by the Buellton, Santa Ynez and Solvang chambers of commerce and Visit Santa Ynez Valley, included nearly 150 scarecrows displayed in Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Solvang. They were crafted by local businesses, organizations and individuals During the festival, visitors and residents were encouraged to play, stay and enjoy the scarecrow sights and many local events in October. The overall winning scarecrows from each town were eligible for the Harvest Cup trophy. The valley’s first Scarecrow Fest was held in Solvang in 2010. During this year’s ninth annual festival in Solvang, residents, tourists and merchants voted for scarecrow winners in seven categories, with about 90 scarecrows from which to choose. Those winners were: Best Photo Opportunity, a tie between Holiday Inn Express and ZFolio Gallery; Best Use of Recycled Materials, Wandering Dog Wine Bar; Best Use of Business Theme, Santa Ynez Val-

Photo contributed The scarecrow at Landsby/Mad & Vin won “Best in the Valley’ in this year’s festival.

Solvang’s leading businesses serve locals and tourists By Kenneth Hardwood

Economist, Solvang Chamber of Commerce

olvang is a destination for visitors, yet two of its three leading employers serve mostly local people. Here are the city’s larger small businesses. The Alisal is a premier ranch and resort for visitors, where locals dine and golf. Atterdag Village mainly serves seniors who live on the campus. Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital serves all, but locals outnumber visitors. The Alisal’s number of employees is notably larger than the numbers of employees at Atterdag Village or Cottage Hospital. Employment at The Alisal tends to be greater in summer than winter. Employment at Atterdag Village and the hospital tends to be less seasonal. The Alisal is organized

for profit, while Atterdag Village and Cottage Hospital are nonprofit. All three are service-producing ventures. None is primarily a producer of goods. The number of employees at these three businesses grew considerably during the years after the great economic recession of December 2007 through June 2009. From 2009 to 2017, the Alisal’s number of employees grew by 8 percent. Employees of Atterdag Village grew by 36 percent, and Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital added 13 percent to its number of employees. Demand, productivity, and capital investment played parts in the rates of growth. Details of employment year by year are on page 105 of the award-winning Comprehensive Annual Financial Report of the City of Solvang for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017. The report is on the city’s website.

Questions about the 2018 Santa Ynez Valley Scarecrow Fest may be directed to Anna Ferguson-Sparks, Stiletto Marketing, at 1-877327-2656 or info@stilettomarketing.com.

Thrift Store Eclectic Collection of Previously Owned Treasures & Goods All Volunteer Local Thrift Store Supporting Worthy Local Causes If we don’t have it, you don’t need it.

Santa Ynez Valley Opportunity Shop 3630 Sagunto Street • Santa Ynez • 688-8005 Across the street from The Vineyard House

Tuesday through Sunday • 10am-4pm

December 4-December 17 , 2018 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 9

o ALERT SYSTEMS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 people via different methods until someone “confirms” they received the message, he noted. Recent state legislation from Assemblywoman Monique Limon, D-Santa Barbara, says emergency communications must be available in the second-most-spoken language in a county, and CalOES is working on prepared messaging to use statewide, Lewin said. Nisich said that making sure information goes out in English and Spanish is at the “top of our list.” While there typically are people available to translate and interpret materials once the EOC is activated, it doesn’t always happen before that. Ayala noted that just two of the county’s dispatchers are bilingual, and there is work to do on getting translated information out quickly. “This is not just a unique problem to us; this is a statewide problem,” Lewin said of providing emergency communications in multiple languages. The county used Nixle and robo-calls to landlines before 2016, when it launched the Everbridge software that’s the base of Aware & Prepare text, email and robo-call emergency alerts. “We utilize every possible alerting method except for sirens; we use ‘em all,” Lewin said at a recent meeting of the Emergency Public Information Communicators. The county has issued more than 330 emergency alerts in the past 12 months and is the sixth-largest user of WEA alerts in the United States, he added. The WEAs target all cellphones in a specified geographic area without requiring any kind of signup, but messages have a 90-char-

acter limit. The county also can use the Emergency Alert System to interrupt local radio and television station programing with emergency broadcasts. A list of the participating radio stations is online here. Residents can register for Aware & Prepare emergency alerts from Santa Barbara County by visiting the ReadySBC.org website or AwareAndPrepare.org and click on the red button that states, “Register for Alerts.” To confirm registration for Aware & Prepare, visit the ReadySBC.org website or AwareAndPrepare.org. Click on the hyperlink below the red “Register for Alerts” button to get to the login page. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts and check their status/change preferences by clicking the login link below the red button. (Santa Barbara County photo) Sign in using the username and password created at registration to check and change preferences. OEM staff can be reached during normal business hours at 805.681.5526 or oem@sbcoem.org, but Uhl encourages people to try to log in before contacting OEM with questions. The Nixle system sends 138-character messages, and residents can sign up by texting their ZIP code to the number 888777. Click here for a list of resources, including how to sign up for alerts and where to find city-specific emergency information. The revised debris flow risk maps for recent burn areas from the Thomas Fire and Whittier Fire are available on the county’s emergency website, ReadySBC.org, in addition to winter storm preparedness materials. Noozhawk managing editor Giana Magnoli can be reached at gmagnoli@noozhawk.com.

CD Rates 1.0 to 2.35%

Charitable Gift Annuity Rates 4.4 to 9.0%

YOU BENEFIT. PATIENTS BENEFIT. THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY BENEFITS. A Cottage Health charitable gift annuity provides you a guaranteed income for the rest of your life. Consider trading in your low-interest CD or appreciated stock for a charitable gift annuity supporting Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital. For details on this program and to obtain a complimentary, no-obligation proposal, please contact Carla Long, Director of Planned Giving for Cottage Health, 805.879.8987/805.879.8982 (clong@sbch.org); or June Martin, SYVCH Foundation Administrator, 805.691.9509 (j2martin@sbch.org). CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY SAMPLE RATES (EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2018):

$10,000 gift with one income beneficiary

AGE: 60 PAYOUT RATE:

AGE: 65 PAYOUT RATE:

AGE: 70 PAYOUT RATE:

AGE: 75 PAYOUT RATE:

AGE: 80 PAYOUT RATE:

AGE: 85 PAYOUT RATE:

AGE: 90+ PAYOUT RATE:

4.7% 5.1% 5.6% 6.2% 7.3% 8.3% 9.5%

Subscriptions Now Available Why go looking for a copy of the Santa 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 is received and continue for one year there after. To subscribe, email amberly@santaynezvalleystar.com, go online to www.santaynezvalleystar.com, or fill out Local singer the form below and mail to PO Box 1594, Solvang, CA 93463: showcases talent beyondsuccess Shotgun spells years BehindTheLens for her NAME: _____________________________________________________________ local woman March 7 - 20, 2017 • Vol. 2, No. 3

December 2016 • Volume 1, Number 11

Every Issue Complimentary Every Time

Novem ber

www.santaynezvalleystar.com

Every Issue Complimentary Every Time

21 - Dec

ember

TEEN STAR

www.santaynezvalleystar.com

4, 201 7

Every Issu

SOLVANG

May 16 - June 5, 2017 • Vol. 2, No. 8

www.santaynezvalleystar.com

Every Issue Complimentary Every Time

CITY/STATE/ZIP: _____________________________________________________

Ashley Carroll travels news@santaynezvalleystar.com een Star Santa Barbara judge Catherine Remak thought there the world to compete was a typo next to Elizabeth Padfield’s name because her maturity and depth of range were astounding during the competition in trap shooting on Feb. 25 at the Arlington Theatre.

Sunrise Armour Ranch Road photo by George Rose, photo graphic by Aimée Reinhart Avery

Local photojournalist has a A prolific, award-winning career

CREDIT CARD NO.: ___________________________________________________ EXPIRATION: _____________________________________________CCV________ SIGNATURE: _________________________________________________________

www.s

antayn

DERS

ezvalle ystar.co

ore than 100 people turned out for a recent community meeting organized by a group opposed to the “Camp 4” property in Santa Ynez becoming part of the Chumash reservation. Members of the Santa Ynez Valley Coalition, which was created to defeat legislation that would take the rural land “into trust” for the tribe, focused on land use and preserving the valley’s rural character. At the meeting on April 27 at the Solvang Veteran’s Memorial Hall, coalition members recounted the history of land-use master plans called the Valley Blueprint and the Valley Plan and said they would release more information in the coming weeks, organizers said. The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians announced in January that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) had placed the tribe’s 1,390 acres known as “Camp 4” into federal trust. “Camp 4 is officially part of our reservation so we can begin the process of building homes on the property for tribal members and their families and revitalizing our tribal community,” Tribal Chairman Kenneth Kahn said in a prepared statement that was part of that announcement. The tribe bought the Camp 4 property in 2010 from late actor, vintner and hotelier Fess Parker, and they soon began the process of placing the land into federal trust, which makes it part of the tribe’s sovereign nation. Those efforts have been loudly opposed

E l Ran T

he Hea rt

Young st they a udents tell w re than h kful fo at r

Staff Repo rt

s Thanksgi first-grad ving approach ers from ed, Mrs. School Ms. Hekhuis’ classes Wright and shar at thankful ed with the Star wha Solvang for t they are I am than this year. kful for… my brot my dad. her, my little sister, my mom, and

my frien ds

my fami me food ly because my — Allie and wate mom and r my siste dad rs are nice give to me. I am than — Hen kful for ry my class room my siste — Xan rs der

my fami — Mig ly and my uel baby brot her. my dad my fami — Bria for help ly beca na nice to ing me use they them. are nice to me. I am my class room — Jose fine

ch of th o Ma

rket

2886 M o CAMP 4 CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 e ission Drive • Santa Yn ez Solvan g • 805- Valley elranc homar 688 43 ket.com 00 2886 Mission Drive • Solvang • 805-688-4300 o

El Rancho Market The Heart of the Santa Ynez Valley elranchomarket.com

news@santaynezvalleystar.com

“Your voice is the instrument and I felt like we were in the 1930s,” by Raiza Giorgi Remak said. news@santaynezvalleystar.com Elizabeth, 12, a seventh-grader at Solvang Elementary School, ultimately didn’t win the competition but she definitely left an impression on the hundreds of people who came to see the performances. Nolan shley Carroll does everything she Montgomery can keep her concentration betweenof Dos Pueblos High School was crowned the winner. “Being and on stage was mind blowing and I had such a great time. rounds by wearing dark glasses Performing is about bringing a smile to people’s faces, and that’s what I listening to music as she pushes through each strive for when I perform,” Elizabeth said. trap-shooting match. She’s no stranger to the stage as she has performed in the valley for His career includes images of natural disasHer process is definitely working, because Story by Raiza Giorgi various functions-singing the national anthem at Fourth of July and porters, Super Bowls and Hollywood’s the biggest 22-year-old from Solvang won her first Photos by George Rose traying Poppins in last year’s production with the Arts Outreach celebrities. World Cup gold medal in Acapulco onMary March Summer Theater. Rose started his professional journey 19. more This popular eorge Rose loves to post pictures of the than 40 years ago when he was in college, “I keep my pre-shooting routine going and event along with Teen Dance Star are now in their seventh to season of crowning hardworking students, and creator and executive Santa Ynez Valley landscape, especially studying art history. He fell into photography I’ve met with sports psychologists help me Photo contributed producer Lambert, a former valley resident, talks about his efforts. along Armour Ranch Road where new while he was a copy messenger for the withProgmy mental focus and staying calm.Joe It can Solvang native Ashley Carroll father, Charlie “I am to really and humbled bycredits their her hard work andCarroll, what’swith instilling in her the love of shooting clays and a blacktop paving contrasts starkly with the epic ress Bulletin, a small newspaper in Pomona. be hard when you have people talking you impressed sense of responsibility and safety around firearms. really amazing landscape of meadows and mountains beyond it. “I used to hang out with the sportsbetween editors,matches, and I really try to pick a is they set their goals to get into the show, or into the top 10 and they keep pursuing their dreams,” Lambert However, his stunning landscapes are just and they helped me with my interestsong in phoand focus on it,” Carroll said. or participating in league events.said. My friends Union High School Carroll has been attending Star drew all around Santa “retirement photos” for Rose, who made an tography. I would make the plates on plastic, Carroll has been trap shooting This sinceyear’s she Teenwould wantcontestants me to go tofrom a party with them andBarbara the University of Colorado and working on at the Arlington Theatre. The finalists award-winning career in photojournalism that which would get transferred onto thewas printing in second grade. It was anCounty activityperforming that I their knewhearts if I didout I wouldn’t get enough rest or her general education. She believes this will weredid Jillian GarnettgetofinSan Marcos School (12th Grade), Elizabeth spanned from the days of spending hours with equipment, and back then it was theshe cusp of her father, Charlie Carroll, and togethtrouble andHigh not be allowed to shoot,” be a big year for her shooting. She moved to of SolvangCarroll Schoolsaid. (7th Grade), James McKernan of BishopColorado Springs to be close to the Olympic film in the darkroom to the more immediate the turning point of technology,” Rose said.is now the coach for thePadfield er. He Santa Ynez High School (12th Trujillo of Dos Pueblos High gratification of making and manipulating digital In the late 1970s and early 1980s Valley Rose Sportsman Association’sDiego Scholastic Trap Grade), shootingNicole has also allowed her to Training Center, which is also the headquarPhoto Daniel Dreifuss (11th Grade), Daniel Geiger of Pioneer Valley High School images. spent six years as a staff photographer forTarget the byProgram, Clay in whichSchool hundreds participate in a sport and travel all around the (11th ters for USA Shooting. She placed second Seventh-grader Padfield of Solvangtwice wowedfor theacrowd with her rendition of “Summertime” by Georgeprimarily Gershwin. The judges were stunned to HeElizabeth has been nominated Pulitzer Los Angeles Times, focused in the of kids from all around the Central Coast world for competitions. TEEN Recently went toON PAGE for the learn her age and said her vocal talents were astounding. STAR she CONTINUED 11 2016 Olympic team trials and is still Prize. entertainment industry. He has photographed participate. Azerbaijan, a former Soviet republic east of deciding if she wants to go for the next Olym“Photojournalism is such an admirable profes- figures from Elizabeth Taylor, Zsa Zsa“He and wouldn’t let me shoot until I could Turkey. pic tryouts. sion because it can really capture the story for Eva Gabor to Meryl Streep, Sidney hold Poitier, the gun up on my own for a good “It was a beautiful country and one of the “A highlight for me was meeting Kim the reader. I was really lucky to have my career amount of time. We would set up boxes in the cleanest places I’ve been to. The streets were Rhode, who has been an inspiration to women GEORGE ROSE CONTINUEDliving ON PAGE 20 and I would practice for hours in the heyday of print journalism,” Rose said. room impeccable and the people were beyond hos- in shooting. After talking to her it became until I was ready,” Carroll said. pitable,” she said. really clear to me that I can achieve this as She she believes that more kids should take Carroll also won bronze in the HH Sheikha well,” Carroll said. lessons and learn their way around a gun. Fatia Bint Mubarak Women’s International Rhode became the first athlete to win an “Guns actually kept me out of trouble, beShooting Championship in the United Arab individual medal during six consecutive sumcause every Friday night and most weekends Emirates on April 13. SHOOTING CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 my dad and I were at the trap range practicing Since graduating from Santa Ynez Valley

George Rose loves taking photos of Santa Ynez Valley landscapes like this Happy Canyon rainbow shot.

ry Tim

by Raiza Giorgi

TELEPHONE:_______________________EMAIL:____________________________

ary Eve

FIRST-GRA

SYV coalition says Camp 4 impacts larger than they seem

by Raiza Giorgi

ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________

e Com pliment

SCHOOL

o THANKFUL

— Jose — Coli n — Jaxs on D ON PAGE 28

CONTINUE

10 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 4-December 17 , 2018

Bill Powell has played at the Alisal for 50 years A grand piano career By Pamela Dozois

Contributing Writer

gentleman in a tuxedo at a grand piano, serenading dinner guests, evokes memories of an elegant and romantic past. That experience is not lost, however. It can be had in the Oak Room at the Alisal Guest Ranch, where pianist Bill Powell has been taking requests from dinner guests for more than 50 years. It is a remarkable run by any standard. It might even be the longest-running continuous engagement of a musician in the same lounge. Powell began playing piano at the Alisal in 1968, and the ranch recently threw a big party to celebrate his 50th anniversary. When asked whether he has played all his life, he says, “Not yet!” Born in Santa Paula, Powell began playing the piano and stand-up bass at age 8. His mother played piano, and his father wanted all of his children to get a college education and to play a musical instrument. “My mother hired a piano teacher who tried to teach me classical piano. I would practice what she had taught me, but mostly I was interested in playing boogie-woogie,” said Powell. “The woman suggested to my mother that she find another piano teacher, which she did. Whatever I have accomplished in my career I owe to Sully Ress. I studied with him for two years and he was a fabulous piano teacher. I learned everything I needed to know from him. He was so organized, and an amazing teacher. Unfortunately, he died young.” Powell played piano in high school and in his first year of college he got a job playing piano and stand-up bass with I. Newton

Photo by Jeffrey Bloom Photography Bill Powell practices on the grand piano in his home.

Perry, who, at the time, was known as “Mr. Music” in Santa Barbara. “If anyone needed a musician, Perry was the one to contact,” said Powell. “He hired all kinds of musicians and formed the I. Newton Perry Orchestras, which played big band tunes and great American standards. If someone said, ‘I like the guys in the blue jackets’, we would just switch from our red jackets to our blue jackets and off we went. I was rarely out of work.” “I thought I was in show business. I even played piano in the window of the Biltmore Hotel, which was a big deal for me at the time,” he mused. “While I was working for Perry I had to learn to play a lot of standard show music. That’s my strong suit,” said Powell. “There’s a 90 percent chance I would know

how to play any song a guest requests from the great American songbook.” After graduating from UCSB, Powell went into the Army and played in the Army Band for two years. After his discharge, he contacted a friend from UCSB who offered him a job as a band, orchestra and chorale teacher in Nipomo. “The first day I started teaching at Nipomo Elementary School was the first night I started playing at Mattei’s in Shell Beach, now McClintock’s,” said Powell. “My day job was teaching music and my night job was playing music. I continued to play piano at night throughout my entire teaching career.” The next year, Powell began teaching fifth grade at Blochman School in Sisquoc, be-

coming principal of the school in 1969 until his retirement in the early 1980s. “You might say I kept my night jobs and retired from my day job,” Powell joked. Powell was asked to play piano at the Alisal’s Oak Room when it opened in 1968 and he has played there ever since. He also played at Fess Parker’s Inn and Spa every Thursday night for its “open mic” singalong. He played there for 10 years until Parker passed away. Powell’s musical career has taken him to many venues in California. In the mid’50s he played at the Thunderbird in Palm Springs, where he rubbed shoulders with many celebrities including Hoagy Carmichael, Lucy and Desi Arnaz, Phil Harris and Alice Faye, Ruby Keeler, Jack Jones, and Jack Webb from “Dragnet,” among others. He also has played at the renowned Beverly Wilshire Hotel Lounge in Los Angeles. At the Alisal, Powell has met Don Knotts, Tom Poston, Jo Stafford, Paul Williams, Jane Russell, Rosemary Clooney, and with John Forsythe and Cheryl Ladd, with whom he became good friends. Powell also recalls getting together with the late Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald’s, to play a few musical numbers. He has been married for 20 years to his wife, Sue, whom he met at the Alisal. He also has two daughters (one deceased), four granddaughters and a great-granddaughter, none of whom play the piano. Powell continues to entertain guests in the Oak Room and dining room at the Alisal Guest Ranch on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Powell has recorded five CDs, which are sold at the Picket Fence in Solvang. “Don’t listen to my CDs while driving or operating heavy equipment,” he warns. “They are very relaxing.”

Ages 6-12 yrs old, 7:30am - 6pm

Leslie Garcia

MKT-9811A-A

Financial Advisor 1090 Edison St Ste 101 P O Box 599 Santa Ynez, CA 93460 805-688-9079

www.edwardjones.com

Member SIPC

Wed, Jan 2: Rancho Bowl-SM Wed, Dec 26:MOXI Museum -SB Thurs, Jan 3: Movies -SM Thurs, Dec. 27:Ice in Paradise-SB Fri, Dec 28: Park Hopper/Scavenger Hunt Fri, Jan 4: Rock ‘n Jump Space is Limited

December 4-December 17 , 2018 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 11

snakes, grasshoppers, and even manure. At the zoo, they eat grains, fruits and vegetables. We have two males, named Lucky and Charming. They both love to have their bellies rubbed and will roll over for scratching. Visiting the barnyard is free. You can feed the sheep and goats with special food pellets for sale in the Explore Store (right next door) between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. or until the food runs out. -- Michele, Curator of Mammals Does your child have a question about an animal at the Santa Barbara Zoo? Post it on our Facebook page (facebook.com/santabarbarafamilylife) for a chance to get free zoo tickets.

Ask the Zookeeper

Zoo animals include goats, sheep and hogs “Tell me about the zoo’s barnyard animals.” – Scotty, age 10 The three breeds here all played an important role in U.S. ranching history: San Clemente Island goats, Navajo-Churro sheep, and Guinea hogs. But they are no longer widespread. In fact, the Livestock Conservancy lists the sheep and hogs as threatened, with a population of less than 5,000, and the goats as critical, with less than 1,000. Legend has it that Spanish explorers first brought goats to the island, but that isn’t true. The goats came with a sheep rancher in 1875. They became wild (or feral), and numbers once grew to more than 15,000 on just a 57-squaremile island! They were destroying the island’s native plants and disrupting its ecology, so the U.S. Navy’s biologists stepped in to help restore the island. To learn more, visit the San Clemente Island Goat Foundation. Here at the zoo we have five male goats: older goats Zebadiah (Zeb) and Montgomery

Photos contributed Guinea hog.

(Monty), and three young brothers: Montana, Bradshaw and Elway. The Spanish did bring Navajo-Churro sheep to the Southwest more than 400 years ago. This breed has a lustrous “double-coated” fleece, which can grow about an inch a month! Their wool is often used for rug weaving by the Navajo people. The Navajo shared sheep with early European migrants, which helped them survive their journey to California. The zoo has five female sheep. Their fleece

Only one resort blends gaming, beauty and adventure in Santa Barbara wine country. Escape to Chumash Casino Resort, where stunning scenery and endless excitement combine for an exceptional experience.

3 4 0 0 E H i g h w a y 24 6 , S a n t a Yn e z · 8 0 0 -24 8 - 6 2 74 · C h u m a s h C a s i n o . c o m Chumash Casino Resort supports responsible gaming. For information about problem gambling, call the Problem Gambling Helpline at 1 - 80 0 - 522- 470 0. Mus t be 21 year s of age or o l d e r. C h u m a s h C a s i n o R e s o r t r e s e r v e s t h e r i g h t t o c h a n g e o r c a n c e l p r o m o t i o n s a n d e v e n t s .

is trimmed twice a year, and the left-over cut hair is a favorite item of many other animals. The leopards love to rub the wool’s oils on their fur, and birds use it for their nests. Guinea hogs come from western Africa, and were thought to be one of the first breed of pigs brought to the U.S. In the wild they eat weeds, bird eggs,

San Clemente Island goat

12 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 4-December 17 , 2018

Photo by Raiza Giorgi Mother and son team Gail and Justin Puccinelli pick up trash along Highway 154 near Los Olivos.

Clean Team looking for more volunteers

Staff Report

embers of the Valley Clean Team were picking up trash the morning of Nov. 17 along Highway 154 between Los Olivos and Highway 101. “I’m doing my part to keep our valley a beautiful place to live,” Justin Puccinelli said. He and his mother, Gail, were volunteering for the first time with the group that meets every Saturday in various locations throughout the valley. The informal group was started in 2011 by retired New York lawyer Bill Connell. It

welcomes all volunteers. Each one is given a trash bag and an assigned stretch of road to clean along the shoulder. The bags are then picked up after an hour and taken to the dump on Foxen Canyon Road. “Perhaps our community population is a little less likely to toss trash out the car window, and we are also a little more likely to pick up after ourselves,” said Brooks Firestone, a regular Clean Team volunteer. Anyone interested in helping can follow the team’s Facebook page or email wconnell@ connellandersen.com.

Spooner Creek Artwork Frames, Wisconsin

HOLIDAY SALE

CONTINUING UNTIL DEC 9th, 2018

Plus extra discounts of off the floor furniture pieces

20% OFF

All Merchandise (excluding net priced items) Coupon Valid from Dec 1st - Dec 9th

Many great gifts for the entire family.

• Available with physician orders • Specially designed recliners, each with its own television and Internet access available • Flexible hours • Recognized for consistent top scores in patient satisfaction

Talk to your physician about staying local. For more information, call (805) 686-3969.

Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital’s highly experienced team will work closely with your physician on an individualized plan of care.

Viborg Rd.

Alamo Pintado Rd.

When infusion treatment is needed, our dedicated suite offers the convenience and comfort of being close to home.

246

Proudly selling USA and locally made products

h e riv nD sio s i M

Solvang

2050 Viborg Road, Solvang, CA 93463 cottagehealth.org/syvch

425 Alisal Road

805-686-4553

www.SolvangHomeConnection.com

December 4-December 17 , 2018 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 13

Here are some gift ideas for your family genealogist By Sheila Benedict

Contributing Writer

t is holiday time, and if you are looking for something different to purchase for a family member, here are some ideas for both the naughty and the nice. If you are an avid genealogist already, make sure your bookshelf is filled with good texts. One or two columns back, I gave a list of books that deserve a space on your bookshelf. One that was mentioned is “Genealogy Standards,” 50th anniversary edition, written by Board for Certification of Genealogists, published by Ancestry.com in 2014. About two weeks ago, it was announced that the book is being revised to add standards that apply to DNA evidence. The goal is to have it ready to purchase by March 2019. Others to consider are books by Robert Charles Anderson, Blaine Bettinger, Val Greenwood, Thomas Jones and Elizabeth Shown Mills. If you do California research, I’ll suggest the book I wrote for the National Genealogical Society, “Research in the States – California,” published in 2015. There are many others for both beginning and advanced researchers. Also, if you prefer e-books, Kindle, or other sites that offer books to read on your phone, tablet, or computer, those are available as well.

Regarding DNA testing, many people give test kits to family members, and testing companies offer holiday specials. There are four companies that most genealogists use because their pricing is competitive: 23&Me, AncestryDNA, FamilyTreeDNA, and MyHeritageDNA. Their websites can explain the difference between the various tests offered. You might consider a gift subscription to the various online research companies. You can usually go to Google search and a list of those sites, too numerous to list here, will come up. Whatever your interest, I can guarantee there is a book or a website that can offer information for you. However, and I have said this several times, there is nothing better than going to the place where your ancestors lived. The experience is amazing and should be considered. Seven of us, including a 9-, 11-, and 18-year old, went to Ireland last spring and the young people got to walk the ground where some of their ancestors once walked. That is a gift that can never be forgotten, and it was a gift for me to see them there. Maybe Santa will be especially generous to you! Have a wonderful Christmas and the happiest New Year in 2019! Sheila Benedict is a professional forensic and family genealogist. Send questions to news@ santaynezvalleystar.com so they can be answered in future issues.

Photo contributed Pictured from left to right are Director of Operations Gary Hall, board members Barbara Waer, Pastor Chris Brown, Dr. Catherine Streegan, Executive Director Chris Parker, and board members Chris Nielsen, Linda Johansen, Martha Nedegaard, Janeen Cassidy and Kelly Gray.

Atterdag breaks ground for new rehab wing Staff Report

tterdag Village of Solvang hosted a ground-breaking ceremony Nov. 16 for its new Care Center Rehabilitation Wing, which will provide a separate short-term rehabilitation facility for local seniors recovering from illness or injury.

“Often seniors in our community have needed to stay in Santa Barbara while convalescing; the new wing will help many recover close to home, family and friends, “Executive Director Chris Parker said. “The people of the valley have always supported our mission of caring for the elderly, and we have been blessed with many supporters for this project.”

December events at Santa Ynez Valley libraries All events are free to the public. Many programs are funded by the Friends of the Library of SYV and Buellton Friends of the Library. All libraries will be closed on Christmas day, and the Los Olivos and Santa Ynez libraries will also be closed on Saturday, Dec. 22

Special Events: TED & Conversation

Thursday Dec. 6, 10:30 -11:20 a.m. Solvang Library Watch one or two short talks from the famous TED Talks series together, and share thoughts on the topic together afterward. Participants choose the topic- bring a friend! Monthly on first Thursdays.

to share what you’ve been reading with other library readers, hear about their recent favorites! This month the focus is on any book containing or related to the holidays (even peripherally!) Sign up online or at the library.

Maker Craft: Bath Bombs!

Saturday Dec. 15, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Buellton Library Have fun and learn a little science as we create holiday bath bombs from simple ingredients. Make a gift or keep for yourself. All materials will be provided. Please sign up online or at the library.

Buellton Bookworms Book Club

Friday Dec. 21, 1:00 – 2:30p.m. Buellton Library Join our monthly discussions! Copies of the book can be checked out from the service desk. Meets monthly on third Fridays.

Maker Craft: Bath Bombs!

Adam Miller: Folksinger, storyteller, Saturday Dec. 8, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Solvang autoharp virtuoso

Library Have fun and learn a little science as we create holiday bath bombs from simple ingredients. Make a gift or keep for yourself. All materials will be provided. Please sign up online or at the library.

B.Y.O. (Bring Your Own) Book Club

Tuesday Dec. 11, 6:00 p.m. Wandering Dog Wine Bar, Solvang 1539 Mission Dr. A book club with no obligations, just great conversation. Meet us at the Wandering Dog

Friday Dec. 21, 10:00 a.m. Los Olivos A free holiday concert for all ages. This event will be in the Los Olivos Community Hall, 2374 Alamo Pintado Avenue. Groups, please contact Solvang library to reserve space

Movie: A Christmas Story

Saturday Dec. 22, 1:00 p.m. Solvang Library Free matinee on the 4th Saturday of each month. Showing in December: A Christmas Story- the hilarious 1980’s classic starring

Darrin McGavin and Melinda Dillon!

RECURRING PROGRAMS Preschool Storytimes:

Bringing your preschooler to storytime will help get them ready to read! Stay for a craft or play session afterward and make a new friend. Mondays 11:00 a.m., Buellton Library Tuesdays 10:30 a.m., Solvang Library Wiggly Storytime: Wednesdays 10:30 a.m., Solvang Library Short stories, songs, rhymes, and activities for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Be ready to participate with your child, and spend some time being silly together.

Tail Waggin’ Tutors:

Wednesday Dec 6 & 20, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Buellton; Thursdays, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., Solvang (Dogs on vacation Dec. 27!) Practice reading skills with a furry friend! A great way for young readers to practice: reading aloud to the kindest, least judgmental listeners around. Drop in for a 10-15 minute individual session with a “tutor.”

Coding Club: GameMakers Fun!

Saturday, Dec. 8, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., at Buellton Library Saturday Dec. 15, 4-5 p.m., at Solvang Library. Come play games created by other kids on Scratch! This month ends the Fall GameMakers Class, and these two sessions are open to everyone. Please reserve a space, or bring

your own laptop or tablet.

One-on-One Tutoring:

E and Audiobooks on your Mobile Device: Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 p.m., Buellton Library. Drop in for a free 20 minute session with volunteer Bethany C., and start accessing the library’s free online materials. Bring your device (E-reader, tablet, laptop, or smartphone).

LIBRARY HOURS BUELLTON:

140 W. Highway 246, 805-688-3115, BuelltonLibrary@santabarbaraCA.gov Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Friday & Saturday noon –5:30 p.m.; Closed Sunday & Thursday

LOS OLIVOS:

Historic Grange Hall, 2374 Alamo Pintado Ave. Saturday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

SOLVANG:

1745 Mission Drive 805-688-4214, SolvangLibrary@santabarbaraCA.gov Tuesday & Friday 10 a.m. -5 p.m.; Wednesday & Thursday 10 am-7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. -4 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday

SANTA YNEZ:

3598 Sagunto Saturday 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

14 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 4-December 17 , 2018

Local travelers mesmerized by Africa trip By Linda Johansen Contributed

Linda Johansen of Solvang and 10 other adventurous travelers explored South Africa, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, and Botswana from Oct. 9 through Oct. 24. Surviving the long flights proved to be almost as daunting as any encounter with a wild animal. The travel time alone is almost 35 hours when you add in transportation to the airport, flights with connecting times, and transfers to the hotels. But our group all agreed that the trip was well worth all the travel inconvenience. Highlights of the trip were Cape Town with a gondola ride up to Table Mountain in Stellenbosch, which is the wine region of South Africa, and the Devon Valley Hotel in the vineyards. We thoroughly enjoyed the Entabeni Conservancy Private Game Reserve and the Hanglip Mountain Lodge where we each had our own bungalow complete with mosquito netting draped around our four poster beds and the watering hole directly in front of our units so game viewing was readily available. In the evening a parade of elephants moved into our compound and we were not allowed to leave our bungalows until they gave the allclear call in the morning. In Botswana we experienced land and water safaris in Chobe National Park Game Reserve and enjoyed our stay at the Chobe Marina Lodge right on the river. We all almost blew over at the Cape of Good Hope. Victoria Falls,

River, which was incredible. The canyons are much like our Grand Canyon and home to Victoria Falls and a series of other falls. We walked along the river and saw several of the beautiful falls with multiple rainbows. Even though this is the dry season and the water was low, the falls were very impressive. Five of us went for a thrilling helicopter ride over the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls. We enjoyed the local cuisine, especially the ethnic dishes, and we voted the wart hog as our favorite meat dish. The crispy long worms, not so much, but several of us ate them and received a “worm eating” certificate. Some of us loved the “Pop,” as Photos contributed the natives called it, Linda Johansen of Solvang led a group of 10 travelers through South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana in October. which is white ground one of the original wonders of the world, was a cape buffalo, rhino, a lion and the corn meal and a staple breathtakingly beautiful, and our visit to a naelusive leopard. Several of us witfood for locals. Pop tive tribe’s village in Zimbabwe was extremely nessed a female leopard feeding on an is served with many interesting. antelope that she had pulled up into a different sauces that We enjoyed seven game drives in 4x4 tree for safe keeping. you would pour vehicles, seeing the most incredible wildlife up We were all lucky enough to see the over it for additional close and personal. Small herds of elephants black and white rhino, which are distinflavoring. passed within feet of our vehicles as did rhino, guished by the shape of their heads and The travel group saw many native speWe enjoyed several lions and cheetahs. We also enjoyed two cruise mouths, and who are illegally poached cies, such as lions, throughout the trip. barbecues as well as safaris along the Zambezi River, where we for their horns. Poachers are killing the traditional dancers and had close encounters with crocodile, hippos, elephants as well for their tusks and take no drummers, and we all had African drum lessons elephants and some beautiful birds. mercy as they poison entire watering holes. The one night. African crocodiles have a sensory cell that African government has a shoot-to-kill policy Africa is magical in so many ways, and I has evolved to cover their entire bodies. It will for poachers, and those that are incarcerated can’t wait to return to visit the people and enjoy identify any movement in the water, so we serve up to 50 years or more. It is incredible the mesmerizing wildlife again. were told note to move if we fell off the boat. to think that anyone would kill or harm any Between the hippos, crocodile, snakes and of these magnificent animals. We all enjoyed Trips in 2019 will be Japan in March, New other animals, I don’t think we would have had an elephant reserve where we got to love on Brunswick and Nova Scotia in June, and a chance to make it to shore regardless. these gentle giants, and a few of us went on an Croatia in October. For more information, Many of us were lucky enough to see the elephant safari. call me at 805-686-1644 or email me at “big five,” which includes an African elephant, Several of us zip-lined over the Zambezi lindyjo2003@yahoo.com.

Ancient solstice holiday was celebrated widely

By John Copeland Contributed

he nights are feeling pretty long right now. Friday, December 21, will be the winter solstice — the shortest day and longest night of the year — marking the arrival of winter. Depending on where you are that day, it may seem as if the darkness lasts all day and night. The solstice occurs simultaneously around the globe when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, which is at 23.5 degrees south of the equator. East of the Mississippi on the 21st, winter will officially arrive at 5:23 p.m. EST. In the middle of North America it will arrive at

4:23 p.m. CST, and in western Europe at 10:23 p.m. UTC. Here in the Santa Ynez Valley, winter will arrive at 2:23 p.m. PST. And, by the way, while the northern hemisphere is experiencing the start of winter, the southern hemisphere is basking in the sunshine of the first day of summer. I know, it’s a little odd that the seasons change during the afternoon or evening instead of at dawn or dusk. But our seasons are driven by Earth’s orbit around the sun. Earth wobbles on its axis, tilting toward the sun for part of the year and then tilting away from the sun, which alters the intensity and duration of sunlight falling on the northern and southern hemispheres. From the summer solstice in June to the winter solstice, the points on the horizon where the sun rises and sets move southward each day; the high point in the sun’s daily path across the sky, at noon, also moves southward each day. On December 21st, the sun’s path reaches its southernmost position and begins the long journey north again. However, for a few days both before and after the winter solstice, the change in the sun’s position over the equator is so slight that it 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. Here in the northern hemisphere, December is the darkest time of the year. It was once both the most dreaded and most hopeful of times. For thousands of years, humans considered the winter solstice the start of the new solar year. After the longest night, the sun is seen as growing stronger and the concept of rebirth became strongly associated with the winter solstice. No one is really sure how long ago humans recognized the winter solstice and began celebrating it as a turning point. Many cultures have solstice festivals. At their root is the ancient fear that the failing light would not return unless humans intervened. In ancient times, our ancestors 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, tradition 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, evergreens, colored glass ornaments and wassail bowls — all have origins lost in time but are traditions designed to make the season bright. Long ago when winter snows and cold cloaked the earth, people would gather around central hearths. They didn’t gather

just because it was warm and cheery inside — they did so because nature, so green and welcoming just months before, had become cold, dark and terrifying. The dark months were a time when everyone knew evil forces were lurking just out of sight, waiting to claim a victim or two. To wander outside was to invite death. It became custom to hold loud, cheery celebrations at that time, in hope that the din would convince any lurking evil that there were just too many humans gathered in this one place to take on. Charms became part of the tradition surrounding this party as a further way of protecting loved ones. Unlike other holy days, the winter solstice became a cause for great celebration and joy, a party held in the face of earth’s darkest hour. Our ancestors celebrated with food and drink, sang songs and told stories before enormous fires. They convinced themselves that their laughter and song in the face of the darkness could influence the entire universe. The Yule log is probably the oldest winter solstice tradition there is. A Yule log is burned throughout the solstice night to provide a light in the darkest night, symbolizing hope and a belief that the sun ANCIENT SOLSTICE CONTINUES ON PAGE 20

December 4-December 17 , 2018 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 15

Servicing patients in the Santa Ynez valley for the past 7 years. Come see our new location

Offering diagnostic hearing tests hearing ad sales/programming/maintenance We work with all top hearing aid manufacturers Complimentary hearing screening and otoscopic exam.

Vanessa Hertler A Central Coast native with deep roots in northern Santa Barbara County, Vanessa specializes in providing top rated audiological services including diagnostic hearing tests and hearing aid sales, programming, and maintenance. As a former small business owner she served the community as a board member of the Santa Maria Women's Network, a speaker for business workshops, and was co-host of a radio show helping other local business owners develop marketing and business management skills. With over nine years of experience in the pharmaceutical and medical industries, as well as six years focused on quality of life care for the elderly, Vanessa looks forward to continuing service to the community through education and maintenance of auditory health. Trained by renowned Doctor of Audiology, Dr. Melissa Alexander, Vanessa has developed a passion for improving quality of life for her patients through evaluating their individual hearing needs and providing necessary advice or tools to help them live life to the fullest.

Melissa Alexander, Au.D CCC-A Formerly of House Ear Clinic, Dr. Melissa Alexander has become one of the top audiologists in the Los Angeles area. She is passionate about providing highly individualized care and educating her patients on the latest hearing devices, including digital hearing aids, invisible hearing aids, sound therapy for tinnitus management and bluetooth technology. Visit our website for more info:

www.AlexanderAudiology.com

alexanderaudiology.com 1607 Mission Dr #201 Solvang CA 93463 phone 805-322-4522 fax 805-322-4701

16 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 4-December 17 , 2018

New groups carry on Turkey Bingo tradition Staff Report

he competition was fierce to win one of 60 turkeys at the annual Turkey Bingo event on Saturday, Nov. 17. For half an hour before the doors opened, several hundred people waited patiently outside the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall to secure a seat. Once seated, people spread multiple Bingo cards around them, and emcee Frank Kelsey drew the bingo balls and announced the numbers. This year’s event was turned over to the Solvang School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and the Solvang Arts and Music (SAM) Foundation by the Alpha Pi sorority that had organized it for the past 30 years. The biggest change for participants was the shift from 10 cents per bingo card to a flat rate for the evening. SAM and PTO also held a raffle throughout the event with prizes focused on food and family fun for the holidays. “I know that people have been talking about the change from using dimes to the flat rate, but regardless of the organization taking over it would have changed anyways. The point is, the tradition continues and we all get to have a good time with

Photos Contributed Emcee Frank Kelsey called out the Bingo numbers to a packed house in the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall on Nov. 17.

Solvang Elementary School student Campbell McClurg was busy selling pizza during the annual Turkey Bingo event on Nov. 17.

our family and friends,” Kelsey told the audience, who applauded. “Our committee was amazed by the turnout and the willingness of so many members of the community to embrace the changes we made to Turkey Bingo this year,” said Victoria Martinez, president of

The event was begun in 1913 by the Hejls Minde 23 Chapter of the Danish Society of Dania of California and Nevada. The wives of the Dania men started the Danish Ladies Society, Dannebrog of Dania, and took over the event in 1937. The Alpha Pi sorority then took over in the late 1980s.

Photo Contributed “Unforgiving,” a photograph by Cheyne Walls, was a winner in 2016.

Wildling announces call for submissions Staff Report

Artists have until May 20 to submit work for a juried show called “Celebrating the National Lands of California” at the Wildling Museum of Art and Nature in Solvang. A total of $4,000 will be awarded for first-, second- and third-place winners. Entries in any “wall-hung medium” will be accepted as long as they represent one of

the national parks, monuments, preserves or recreation areas in California. The exhibit, which will open July 20, is intended to increase awareness of the federal lands in the state and to celebrate and discuss “wildness,” nature and preservation, a museum spokesman said. Artists can submit digital images of their work for judging at www.callforentry.org. For more information, go to www.wildlingmuseum.org.

the Solvang School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). “We are happy to find an organization that will continue the tradition of over 100 years of Turkey Bingo,” said Alpha Pi President Pam Johnsen. “We are happy to ‘pass it on,’ as it was to us.”

December 4-December 17 , 2018 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 17

Buellton

206 E Hwy 246, Buellton

off 2⁵⁰

of one 5⁰⁰ Retail Item Purchase

This coupon cannot be used for fuel, lotto, lottery, tobacco, or alcohol purchases. Expiration date 2/1/2019. Limit 1 coupon per customer.

Any copies or reprints made of this coupon will be void. Coupon valid only at the Chevron located at 206 E. Hwy, Buellton CA 93427

Photo contributed NatureTrack Film Festival co-directors KC Murphy Thompson, Sue Eisaguirre and Holly Cline, from left, accept the Best in Fest award for Best Charitable Film Festival at FestForums.

NatureTrack Film Festival wins ‘Best in Fest’ Staff Report

he NatureTrack Film Festival, based in Los Olivos, was honored with the “Best in Fest” award for Best Charitable Film Festival at the recent FestForums conference at the Hilton Santa Barbara Resort. The barely one-year-old film festival, which launched earlier this year with a focus on nature-related films, was recognized for its educational and charitable alignment with the NatureTrack Foundation. Addressing cutting-edge technology, talent, ticketing, sponsorships, scheduling, merchandising, operations, sustainability, charitable

Elna’s Dress Shop 1673 Copenhagen Dr. www.elnas.com

work, innovation and safety, FestForums brings together leaders of festivals and events of all sizes for collaboration, professional development and entertainment. The concept of a film festival dedicated to the outdoors and situated in the stunning natural setting of the Santa Ynez Valley originated with Sue Eisaguirre, the festival founder and director, who considered a nature-based film festival an extension of the nonprofit https://naturetrack. org NatureTrack Foundation that she started in 2011. NatureTrack introduces children to outdoor spaces in Santa Barbara County by providing cost-free outdoor field trips. Using local trails

Esko Esko

485 Alisal Rd. www.eskoesko.com 50% sale on items in the store

First Street Leather 1634 Copenhagen Dr, Solvang, CA 93463 16% off for S3W • www.firststreetleather.com

Hanson’s Shop Jewelers 467 Alisal Rd www.clocksclocks.com

Gerda’s Iron Art 10% off

Home Connection

425 D. Alisal Rd www.homeconnect.com Holiday Open House CelebrationSaturday Dec 1st from 5pm to 8pm Enjoy Music & Refreshments in Courtyard

Mie’s Beads 1539 Mission suite A miesbeads.com

Picket Fences 1588 Mission Drive • 10% Free Gift Wrapping S3W 15%

Solvang Shoe Store 1666 Copenhagen Dr. www.solvangshoe.com

Thomas Kinkade

Places in the Heart 1663 Copenhagen Dr.

Valley Hardware &Garden Center

and beaches throughout the county, NatureTrack instills students with leadership skills, attitudes and habits for lifelong learning, inspiring them to be respectful stewards of the natural world. Since 2011, more than 18,000 students have taken a NatureTrack field trip, and demand has increased every year. The NatureTrack Film Festival is in the final stages of reviewing hundreds of film submissions from around the world for the second festival on March 22 – 24. Through Dec. 1, fans can get a 20 percent discount on tickets at www.naturetrackfilmfestival.org.

off 5⁰⁰

This coupon cannot be used for any other fuel or pre-packaged propane tank purchase. Expiration date 2/1/2019.

Limit 1 coupon per customer.

Any copies or reprints made of this coupon will be void. Coupon valid only at the Chevron located at 206 E. Hwy, Buellton CA 93427

off 5⁰⁰

of one 10⁰⁰ Bulk Propane Purchase

This coupon cannot be used for any other fuel or pre-packaged propane tank purchase. Expiration date 2/1/2019.

Limit 1 coupon per customer.

Any copies or reprints made of this coupon will be void. Coupon valid only at the Chevron located at 206 E. Hwy, Buellton CA 93427

Candle Light Tours Every Saturday • Santa & Mrs. Claus Dec. 1,8,15 & 22 • Solvang Third Wednesday Beer & Wine Walk 3-7 pm December 19th • SYV Jazz Music 15,16,19 and 22 from 1-4 pm

The Book Loft

Solvang Bakery

1660 Mission Drive • www.bookloftsolvang.com

438 Alisal Road • www.solvangbakery.com

Nov. 30 Dec. 1 & 2 ............................. COOKBOOKS 30% DISCOUNT Dec. 7, 8 & 9 ..................................CALENDARS Buy 3, get 1 free Dec. 14, 15 & 16 ......................... HOLIDAY BOOKS 25% Discount

Dec 1 and 2 .........................................Ginger House Workshop Dec 7 8 9 .......................... Cookie Boxes 10% off with this ad Dec 14 15 16 ...... Holiday Cookie Boxes 10% off with this ad

Restaurants

Mad & Vin 1576 Mission Drive, | thelandsby.com/dining

Fitzpatrick’s Tavern 490 1st Street | fitzpatrickstavern.com

1665 Copenhagen Dr. syvhardware.com

Cecco Ristorante 475 1st Street #9 | ceccoristorante.com

Root 246 420 Alisal Road | root-246.com

Wildling Museum 1511 Mission Drive

Cali Love Wine

www.wildlingmuseum.org December 2, 8th Annual Holiday Boutique 1 to 5 pm Unique Holiday Gift Items

of one 10⁰⁰ Bulk Propane Purchase

1651 Copenhagen Drive, | calilovewine.com • 20% off bottle

Carivintas Winery

476 1st St. • carivintas.com • 2 for 1 tasting

D. Volk Wines

1588 Mission Drive • dvolkwines.com 2 for 1 tasting

Lucas & LeWellen Vineyards 1645 Copenhagen Drive • llwine.com Special 2 for 1 case sales

Solvang 3rd Wednesday: Dec. 19

Wineries Toccata

www.llwine.com • 1665 Copenhagen Dr, Special 2 for 1 case sales

20 Mile Wines 1603 Copenhagen Drive #1 | olivehouse.com

Succulent Cafe serving breakfast, lunch & dinner, made from scratch, in the heart of Solvang.

Tower Pizza 436 Alisal Road Unit C | Towerpizzasolvang.com $5 off orders $25 or more

Casa Cassara Winery & Vineyard 1607 Mission Dr. # 112 • 2 for 1 tasting and 10% off on any wine purchase

The Good Life Cellars 1672 Mission Drive | thegoodlifecellar.com

Dascomb Cellars

Wandering Dog Wine Bar

1659 Copenhagen Dr. Ste B | dascombcellars.com 2 for 1 wine tasting

20% off a bottle of wine with this ad, 1539c Mission Dr, wanderingdogwinebar.com

www.solvangthirdwednesday.com

18 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 4-December 17 , 2018

Local author to sign books Dec. 8 Staff Report

ocal author and illustrator Robert Byrne will sign copies of his new children’s picture book, “Like Mother Like Daughter,” from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at The Book Photos contributed Loft in downtown Author and illustrator Robert Byrne Solvang. The book’s main character, Bobbie, is challenged by attention-deficit disorder that makes her impulsive and creative and leads her to meet interesting people and see interesting places. Her family accepts and loves her for who she is, and appreciates how special she is. Byrne has lived in the Santa Ynez Valley

since 2002. His experience spans both traditional and digital illustration, and he is known for fine art illustration, celebrity portraits, graphic design and computer animation. Over the last Robert will sign copies of his new book, 15 years he “Like Mother Like Daughter,” at The has been the Book Loft on Dec. 8. featured artist for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Awards, and he is an award-winning member of The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles. The Book Loft is at 1680 Mission Drive in Solvang.

Why go to the dentist when you can go see Dr. Haws? Photos by George Rose “Umbrellas, Las Vegas,”

Photo exhibit displays the ‘Art of Travel’ Staff Report

ork by photographers George Rose and Felice Willat is featured until Dec. 31 in a show called “The Art of Travel” at Gallery Los Olivos. Both photographers are artist-members of GLO. The exhibit features traditional photographic print-on-paper images as well as dye sublimation prints on aluminum. Willat is an award-winning travel photographer and publisher whose images of Burma, Morocco, China, Vietnam and Argentina capture the beauty of human “lifescapes” across cultures. She is the author of “The

Quiet Between, Song of Burma,” a book of her photography and poems. Rose, a former photojournalist and Getty Images travel photographer, is widely known for his California wine country photography. He is the author of several books, including “Vineyard: Sonoma County” and the upcoming “Wine Country: Santa Barbara County.” Gallery Los Olivos is a cooperative artist-member gallery in the heart of Los Olivos at 2929 Grand Ave. December hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, go to www.GalleryLosOlivos.com or call 805-688-7517.

Kristin- 19 years

Debbie-22 years

Brooke- 23 years

Because of these ladies, our patients have the Healthiest Gums in the Valley Accepting New Patients

805-688-9546

593 Avenue of Flags, Suite 101, Buellton, CA 93427

December 4-December 17 , 2018 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 19

Chef teaches kids to love good food Bethany Markee is a child nutritionist, not just a cafeteria manager By Pamela Dozois

Contributing Writer

ethany Markee, director of child nutrition for the Orcutt Union School District, is a powerhouse of energy, drive, enthusiasm, and passion for good food, belying her diminutive stature. She oversees the nutrition program for 10 public schools throughout the district – no small feat. Her goal is to teach her students how to prepare food and make healthy choices as well. Markee started full-time in the restaurant industry when she was 14 as a line cook in Skowhegan, Maine. “I have always been very independent, wanting to earn my own money,” she said. “At 14 I wanted to work in a restaurant, so I asked for a job at a local establishment. The owner hired me as a dishwasher, but I was so little I couldn’t reach the sink to wash the big pots, so I had to stand in one sink to wash the pots in the other. The owner saw me and picked me up out of the sink and put me in the prep area, saying, ‘I hope you can cook’, and walked away. I just figured it out and became one of his best line cooks. I worked there for almost four years.” Markee attended Skowhegan High School, a technical school, which offered a two-year culinary arts program. After graduating she attended a two-year culinary college, graduated and immediately headed to California. “In high school I was a long-distance, cross country runner and I qualified to compete in an event in California. As soon as I saw California, I said to myself, ‘I’d love to live here’. So when I finished culinary school I just packed up my belongings, put my clothes in a garbage bag and headed for California with a friend. I’ve worked at California Pizza Kitchen, Sodexho, and at the Marriott. I moved to Boston for a bit, then to New York, but returned to the Santa Barbara area,” said Markee. “I have always been very driven. I was fortunate to funnel my energy in the right direction. Thank goodness, it could have gone sideways. I grew up in the restaurant business.

Photos by Devyn Marseilles Students from Bethany Markee’s nutrition class are ready for the pizza party to begin. Pictured from left are Samantha Reasner, Nicole Ante, Arely Antonio and Marisol Hernandez.

The three junior chefs who cut all the pizzas to perfection are, from left, Sam Nickell, Emiliano Olivo and Alex Ante.

In the restaurant business, you either survive or you don’t,” she said. Markee has two children, a girl almost 16 and a boy 11. “Having kids, I started paying more attention to what we are feeding our children. I began to educate myself on child nutrition, and I was not happy at what I found, so I decided to make some very conscious changes,” said Markee. “I found my way into child nutrition through the Orfalea Foundation. Paul Orfalea (founder of Kinko’s) donated a tremendous amount of money to schools to educate food service workers how to cook from scratch.” Markee was then hired as the Food Service Director at Solvang School, where she worked for five years. “While working full time at Solvang School during the day I also worked full time evenings, sometimes working 90 to 100 hours

a week,” she said. “I worked at Root 246, Succulent Café, and for the Dargan’s Corp. in Santa Barbara, at Pizza Mizza, and the Padero Beach Grill in Carpinteria.” While teaching cooking classes at Solvang School, focusing on healthy food and nutrition, and making everything from scratch, Markee said she saw a huge shift in food consciousness. “I talked to the students about the changes we were making and the kids got on board,” said Markee. “We partnered with Veggie Rescue, taking in approximately 9,000 pounds of free, organic, fruits and vegetables each year. It

Photos contributed Chef Bethany Markee, director of child nutrition for the Orcutt Union School District, prepares vegetables.

was like Christmas every day. We quadrupled the number of students who ate breakfast and lunch at Solvang School. All of the 10 schools that I oversee now receive organic produce from Veggie Rescue. It’s fantastic!” Markee is in her eighth year of teaching child nutrition and her third year at Orcutt Union School District. “Bethany is the first director of children’s nutrition who gets up close and personal with the kids, who teaches them healthy eating, cooking and nutrition. The cooking class she’s started has been magical for the kids who are participating. They love going to class and are excited about learning how to be junior chefs,” said Joe Dana, principal of Olga Reed School in Los Alamos and The Orcutt Academy. A “pizza party” fundraiser was recently held at Full of Life Flatbread in Los Alamos for the Orcutt Union School District Culinary Arts Program, with the help of Clark Staubb, owner of Flatbread. The restaurant, which is usually closed on Wednesday, opened its doors to the families of the children at Olga Reed School and The Orcutt Academy who participated in the cooking class taught by Markee. The students took a field trip in the early afternoon, visiting Flatbread to learn from Staubb about wood fired pizza, locally sourced CHEF CONTINUES ON PAGE 25

225 McMurray, Unit E, Buellton, CA 93427

805-691-9890

Open Monday~Friday 10:30~9. Saturday & Sunday 9~3 for brunch followed by dinner. Closed Tuesday

DANISH MILL BAKERYINC. & Coffee Shop Proudly Serving You Since 1960

50% OFF One large pastry with this ad

BREADS, COOKIES & DANISH SPECIALTIES

Now taking orders for the holidays!

1682 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang • 805-688-5805 Must bring ad to validate special

Monday Night Special:

Free dessert

with the purchase of an entree!

20 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 4-December 17 , 2018

o ANCIENT SOLSTICE CONTINUES FROM PAGE14 will return. In Scandinavia, Yule ran from several weeks before the winter solstice to a couple weeks after. The Yule log gets its name from the Scandinavian tradition, but the ritual burning of a special log during winter solstice took place as far west as Ireland, as far south as Greece, and as far north as Siberia. In our times, Christmas has appropriated Photo contributed Members of the public and St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church enjoy the 2017 Christmas luncheon festivities.

Women, girls invited to charity Christmas lunch Staff Report

ocal women and teenage girls are invited to a gala Christmas luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, to raise scholarship money for the preschool at St. Mark’s in-the-Valley Episcopal Church in Los Olivos. The Women’s Guild of the church has organized the benefit luncheon for decades. “This luncheon has been a Santa Ynez Valley tradition for more than 40 years. We welcome all ladies, young and young-at-heart, to join us in celebration of the Christmas season,” said Sue Doherty, a co-chair of the event. The afternoon opens with a reception featuring sparkling wine, beverages and appetizers, and an opportunity to shop in a “boutique” featuring gift baskets, wreaths, garden items, Christmas decorations, arts and crafts, baked goods and treats. At 12:30 p.m., a lunch created by New West Catering will be served by men of the parish.

most of the ancient winter solstice practices and customs and has become the most culturally pervasive and successful festival of all time. Yet, for all the light and joy of Christmas, it requires the darkness as well. But once we are past that moment of darkness we can look forward to brighter skies. As we move into January and February, the days get longer. It speaks well for the human spirit that at winter solstice time, people radiate warmth and fellowship on these dimmer days.

Let us do your Christmas baking!

Throughout the event, entertainment will be provided by members of St. Mark’s choir under the direction of Marnie Olmstead. There will also be a Christmas Carol sing-along for everyone in attendance. “In addition to the reception, boutique, delicious meal and caroling, we also will have a raffle featuring items donated by local merchants. All proceeds stay in the community to support programs for local families and scholarships for St. Mark’s Preschool,” added co-chair Tasha Morphy. The price of the luncheon is a donation of $40 per person. The event has limited seating and traditionally sells out, so reserving early is highly recommended. Advance reservations are required. To make a reservation and buy tickets, go to sit www.smitv.org/womens-guild-christmas-luncheon.html.

- Pies Pumpkin Apple Cherry W/ Coconut and pecan streusel Pecan French Silk Chocolate * All Pies 9” - Other Desserts Apple Bread Pudding 9”: Seasonal Coffee Cakes:

$ 15.00 $ 17.00 $ 20.00 $25.00 $25.00

- Rolls Plain, Italian Herb or Cranberry Cinnamon

per

$ 12.00 dozen

Make Christmas Morning Special with these Breakfast treats

Scones: Apricot, Raspberry, Cranberry White Chocolate, Maple Walnut $ 4.00 each

Muffins : Apple Streusel, $ 20.00 Morning Glory, Pumpkin, Bran $3.00 each $ 24.00 Cinnamon Rolls $3.50 each

Please call in all orders 805-686-9582

* Holiday orders can be picked up by Saturday December 22nd by 2:00 PM * Pattibakes will be closed for the holidays December 23rd through January 1st

240 E. Hwy. 246, Suite 109 Buellton

For more information, call 805-688-4454 or visit www.SMITV.org.

Order Your Holiday Pie Christmas Pick-Up Hours:

Monday December 24, 7:30am~12:00pm

Customer Name: ________________________________

Phone:____________________________________

Email Address: __________________________________

Order Total: $______________________________

Pies

Quantity

Price

Pumpkin

_________

$25

Pecan

_________

$28

Chocolate Pecan

_________

$30

Apple

_________

$27

Signature Holiday DessertsQuantity

Price

Holiday Cheesecake_________ $45

Flavor:

Traditional

Pumpkin

Buche de Noel

_________

$75

Dessert subtotal: $_____

Pie subtotal: $_____

Holiday Essentials

Quiche

Quantity

Spinach & Swiss or Bacon & Chedder

Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls Traditional Dinner Rolls Fig Walnut Rolls

Price

_________ $30 _________ _________ _________

12 /doz 12/doz $ 15/doz

Essentials subtotal: $_____ Completed forms can be emailed to amy@thebakers-table.com or delivered to The Baker’s Table by Friday, December 21, 2018, to ensure availability of your special

3563 Numancia St., Ste. 104 • Santa Ynez, CA 93460

(805)

688-4856

Open Tuesday-Sunday •

7:30am-2:30pm

www.thebakers-table.com

Local Daily Dinner Specials

3 course meal: salad/entree/dessert Mon: Slow Roasted Brisket $12 (veggies, mashed potatoes + gravy salad & dessert) Tues: St. Louis Rib Night $16 (vegies, potatoes + gravy, salad & dessert) *Go large for full rack $21 Wed: Chicken Dinner- roasted or BBQ style $15 (veggies, potatoes, salad & dessert Thurs: Burger Night $11 (fries, salad & dessert) *No substitutions *1st come 1st served Breakfast served Sat/Sun/Holidays *Good until gone

Hours: Mon-Thurs 11 AM- 8 PM Fri 11 AM- 9 PM Sat 7:30 AM- 9 PM

Buy one Entree get one Free Valid Dec 4th - 17th *Must present coupon Not valid with local daily dinner special Free entree equal or lesser value

December 4-December 17 , 2018 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 21

Pirate athletes honored on all-league teams By Brian Stanley Contributing Writer

eading the Santa Ynez Pirates football team in All-Channel League selections is senior Jasper Kadlec, named Utility Player of the Year for the 2018 season. “Jasper did so much for us this year, receiving, rushing, defense and returning kicks,” said Santa Ynez football head coach Josh McClurg. “He never left the field.” Playing both sides of the ball, Kadlec collected 565 receiving yards, pulling in 10 touchdown grabs, and 154 yards rushing on offense while recording 32 tackles and one interception on defense. On kick-off returns Kadlec tallied 337 return yards. Kadlec finished the season averaging 99.2 all-purpose yards per game for the Pirates. Santa Ynez received seven First Team and eight Second Team selections for the AllLeague team, with most of the picks going to the defensive unit. “Our entire starting defense was either first or second team,” McClurg said. “I think it says a lot about our guys playing as one unit and not 11 individuals. We were truly a noname defense. There was not one superstar on defense for us.” Leading the way on the First Team defense was senior lineman Juan Sanchez, who McClurg says could have easily won the Utility Player of the Year award as well. Sanchez “started at defensive line, he was also the best punter in the league, he played quarterback for two games, started at offensive line for two games, and started at fullback two games.” Sanchez finished the season with 51 tackles, including 18 solo. Joining Sanchez on the First Team defense are junior lineman Tyler Germani, senior linebackers Vinny Vacca and Alex Lammers, and senior defensive back Dylan Hamilton. Second Team defensive selections were senior defensive backs Nathan Crandall and Eddy Sanchez, senior lineman Misael Hernandez, senior linebacker Mateo Baca and junior linebacker Dean Tipolt. “Lammers, Vacca, Crandall, and Eddie Sanchez were our vocal leaders out there and they made all of our checks and adjustments,” McClurg said. “We ask a lot of our

guys mentally in our defensive scheme. It is not easy to play in our scheme, and our group this year really stepped up to the plate.” The Pirates starting defensive unit finished collectively with 678 total tackles, holding opponents to an average of 16.6 points per game. Making the First Team offensive unit were senior running back Cash Transeth and senior lineman Marco Lazarit. The Pirates included in the Second Team offense were sophomore wide receiver Cameron Prendergast and senior lineman Luis Samaan. Receiving Honorable Mentions from the Channel League were seniors Michael Nuzzolio and Eduardo Silva, junior Quincy Valle, and quarterbacks Anthony Gills, a junior, and Bennett Redell, a sophomore. “Gills and Redell deserved their honorable mention recognition. I hope that those two have the best off-season in the weight room and working with the guys,” McClurg said. “We will lean heavily on both of them next year in one way or the other, and I’m sure in new ways as well.” The Pirates football team finished with a 6-5 overall record, 3-2 league record and the team’s first CIF Southern Section playoff appearance since the 2013 season.

BOYS WATER POLO

Earning First Team All-Channel League honors for the Santa Ynez boys water polo team were senior team captain Keller Haws and junior Henry Allen. “The balanced attack of both (Haws and Allen) led us to be a competitive team in the Channel League,” said Santa Ynez boys water polo head coach Jake Kalkowski. Allen, a three-year starter on varsity, led the Pirates in scoring this season with 104 goals. The junior utility player also collected 48 steals and 15 assists. “He would often occupy the center position and control more of our half-court offense. He did a great job developing the other players and helping them to become better,” Kalkowski said. Wrapping up his high school career as a four-year starter for the Pirates, Haws scored 92 goals, captured 76 steals and 30 assists. “His strength was in our transition game as he was a quick swimmer with great anticipation. He led us on many of our fast break opportunities,” Kalkowski said. “His game knowledge helped out tremendously on defense as well, as he led our team in steals.” Making the All-League Second Team for the Pirates were senior Jacob Theilst and junior Clayton Davidson. Senior Mateo Del

Solar received an Honorable Mention from the Channel League. The boys’ water polo team tallied a 17-12 record this season, going 4-4 in league play and earning a CIF Southern Section Division 3 playoff berth.

GIRLS GOLF

The Pirates girls golf team received four Second Team All-League selections in Santa Ynez’s first season in the Channel League. Leading Santa Ynez’s selections were senior Gracie Church and junior Morgan Blunt, and both were also named team Co-Most Valuable Players. Blunt led the Pirates with a season average low score of 49.2, shooting her best round of the year of 42 against the Dos Pueblos Chargers at Glen Annie Golf Club. She was also named Female Athlete of the Week by the Northern Santa Barbara County Athletic Round Table (NSBCART) at the first luncheon of the season. Church wasn’t far behind Blunt with her season average score, shooting an average of 49.3. Church, the only senior selection for the Pirates, shot a season best 44 against Santa Barbara at the Santa Barbara Golf Club, Dos Pueblos at Glen Annie, and Cabrillo at The Mission Club. Also making the Second Team were juniors Marina Vengel and Olivia Cortopassi. Vengel received the Most Improved honor from her

team while Cortopassi, who advanced to Day 2 of the league finals, was awarded the Pirates’ Coach’s Award. As a team the Pirates finished the season with a 9-8 record while going 4-6 in the Channel League.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Leading the All-League selections for the Pirates’ girls volleyball team was junior Kylie Clouse, who was named to the Channel League First Team. Named to the Second Team for Santa Ynez was senior Gillian Wilks, and senior Lauren Fieldhouse and juniors Amanda Krystikowiak and Rylynn Ibarra received Honorable Mentions. Santa Ynez closed out the season going 1411 overall and 5-5 in league play.

GIRLS TENNIS

Making the All-Channel League First Team in girls tennis for Santa Ynez was junior Claire Collison. The Pirates’ No. 1 singles player was also honored with Female Athlete of the Week by the NSBCART in September. Freshman Sophia Curti was named to the girls tennis Second Team. Receiving Honorable Mentions for the Pirates were junior Lauren Thorburn and freshman Emmy Withrow. Girls tennis finished the season with a 13-10 record, going 3-7 in the team’s first season in the Channel League.

Retirement..

At Atterdag Village of Solvang we take care of the cooking and cleaning so you can enjoy your retirement. We offer many life enriching activities and our wellness program is designed to improve vitality and help you achieve your fitness goals. Call to learn more about what makes Atterdag Village a wonderful place to live.

Located in the heart of downtown Solvang, our boutique firm offers services in family law and estate planning. To find out about discounted services for First Responders and parent intro specials for estate planning, please contact erin@erinzivic.com.

1641 Mission Drive, Suite 304, Solvang, CA 93463 | 805.380.2505 | erinzivic.com

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. A Non-profit, Continuing Care Retirement Community • Lic# RCFE421700369 COA #152

22 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 4-December 17 , 2018

o LAKE CACHUMA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

Winter Sports Home Schedule

* League Contests Wrestling Day Date Wed 12/5 * Fri-Sat 1/11-12 Wed 1/16 *

Opponent Dos Pueblos SYHS Tourney Lompoc

Boys Basketball Day Date Tue 12/4 Wed 12/12 Tues 1/8 Thur 1/10 Thur 1/17 Tue 1/22

* * * *

Opponent Var Orcutt Academy 6:30 Coastal Christian (DH with Girls JV) - Dos Pueblos 7:00 Santa Barbara 7:00 Cabrillo 7:00 San Marcos 7:00

Mon

* Lompoc * * * * *

1/28

Boys Soccer Day Date Tue 12/4 Thur 12/13 Sat 12/15 Tue 12/18 Tue 1/15 Thur 1/24 Mon 1/28

Girls Basketball Day Date Thu-Sat 12/6-8 Tue 12/11 Wed 12/12 Thu 12/13 Tue 12/18 * Thu 12/20 * Tue 1/15 * Thur 1/24 * Wed 1/30 * Girls Water Polo Day Date Tue 12/4 Thur 12/6 Tue 1/8 Tues 1/15 Thurs 1/24

WI JV 4:00pm 5:00pm TBA TBA 4:00pm 5:00pm

Var 6:00pm TBA 6:00pm

JV 5:00 - 5:30 5:30 5:30 5:30

FS 3:30 3:30 4:00 4:00 4:00 4:00

7:00

5:30

4:00

Opponent Pioneer Valley San Marcos Carpinteria Cabrillo Lompoc Dos Pueblos Santa Barbara

Var 5:30 5:00 11am 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:00

JV 3:30 3:15 9am 3:15 3:15 3:15 3:15

Opponent SYHS JV Tourney Morro Bay Coastal Christian (DH with Boys FS) Nordhoff Cabrillo San Marcos Lompoc Santa Barbara Dos Pueblos

Var - 6:30 - 6:30 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00

JV TBA 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:30 5:30 5:30 5:30 5:30

playing,” McDonald said. McInnes said the cutback to 20 percent of allocations — at least for now — would force the district to continue longstanding Stage 3 drought restrictions for Goleta Valley customers. These rules generally prohibit outside watering more than two days per week or between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. “This is a lifeline resource we’re talking about,” McInnes said. “We are trying to determine if the county has been acting in the purveyors’ best interest.” Joshua Haggmark, the City of Santa Barbara’s water resources manager, said the cutback “means more costs to our ratepayers to address our water shortage and increased groundwater pumping.” Santa Barbara’s Stage 3 restrictions, like Goleta’s, limit the hours of outside irrigation. In Montecito, Jameson Lake has been offline since the Thomas Fire last December. Seventy percent of the community’s water supply is imported from the state aqueduct. It’s harder to plan for the future without knowing exactly how much will be available from Cachuma, said Doug Morgan, a member of the Montecito Water District board. Regarding the county’s recommendation,

he said, “I think it was an overreach of their responsibility.” There are many competing demands on Cachuma beyond the allocations for South Coast residents. Water from the lake must be released yearly for endangered steelhead trout and downstream users, such as Lompoc Valley farmers. A “minimum pool” must be reserved to keep the lake alive. In addition, the water agencies are storing a large “carryover” account at Cachuma, made up of unused portions of their allocations from previous years. Finally, huge losses to evaporation must be taken into account — more in warm and windy weather, and less as the lake gets smaller. Fayram believes it is the county’s responsibility to take a long-term view of Lake Cachuma’s supply. “If you end up with an overdrawn lake, who’s going to make up that water?” he asked. Melinda Burns is a freelance journalist based in Santa Barbara. This article first appeared in Noozhawk on Nov. 10. To learn more about the program and the school visit www.solvangschool.org.

Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail”

“

William Serritslev, CPA One advisor for your financial and tax life

Find out more at solvangcpa.com

WE TREAT YOUR PROPERTIES AS OUR OWN!

OFFICE FAX

(805) 686-9120 (805) 686-5402 BRE #01777954

1 7 5 M C M U R R AY R D. S T E E . BU E L LTO N, C A 9 3 4 2 7 * * *

Opponent Dos Pueblos Cate Santa Barbara Lompoc Cabrillo

Var 3:15 3:15 3:15 3:15 3:15

JV 4:15 4:15 4:15 4:15

R P L M A N AG E M E N T. C O M

1006 E Clark Ave

BANK STATEMENT LOANS!

ORCUTT COUNTRY HOME

$995,000

Up to 90% LTV no MI Credit Scores Down to 600

Girls Soccer Day Date Wed 12/5 Tues 12/11 Tue 1/8 Thur 1/10 Thur 1/17 Tue 1/22 Wed 1/30

12 Mo. Personal Bank Statements

* * * * *

Opponent San Luis Obispo Morro Bay Dos Pueblos Santa Barbara Cabrillo San Marcos Lompoc

Var 5:30 5:30 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:00

JV 3:30 3:30 3:15 3:15 3:15 3:15 3:15

12 Mo. Business Bank Statements Loans up to $3 Million DTI up to 50% Considered Primary, 2nd Homes & Investment Properties Interest-only Available

Alicia Murillo Sethi Marie Vann

NMLS# 352058 | Lic#01733993 LOAN OFFICER

Lic# 01419554 REALTOR®

2 yr Self-employment Required No Tax Returns Required!

LIC#01844354 | NMLS#352390

Real Estate & Home Loans

805.331.7598 pbnassoc.com | hablo español

December 4-December 17 , 2018 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 23

By Raiza Giorgi

Flight scholarship students complete first part of training

publisher@santaynezvalleystar.com

he first time taking off in an airplane is something that local flight scholarship winner Luke Borders will never

forget. “The feeling of flying on your own is something few people get to experience and I am excited to keep going,” Luke, 15, of Santa Barbara said. The scholarships were awarded to three local students, including Luke, Rawly Szpak and Ryan Casey. The scholarships are available for all Santa Barbara County students age 14-17, and at least two are awarded at the annual Airport Day usually held in May at the Santa Ynez Valley Airport. The scholarship pays for aircraft rental and a flight instructor for the first several hours of flight instruction needed for earning a private pilot’s license for a powered airplane or glider. The students have spent hours learning on simulators and ground instruction from pilot Robert Perry, who donates his time to help the students learn about aviation. They also spend at least 10 hours of flying time with local certified flight instructor Yves Bajulaz. “It’s a great program because it teaches the students responsibility and showing up. They are told things once and expected to retain that knowledge and are tested from day one. It helps their determination and if they have the stamina to keep going,” Bajulaz said. Perry said that a lot of people get confused

Flight scholarship winner Rawly Szpak, left, wants to become a Navy fighter pilot, while Luke Borders loves flying but isn’t sure it will become a career.

Photos by Raiza Giorgi Flight instructor Yves Bajulaz is pictured with Airport Flight Scholarship winners Rawly Szpak and Luke Borders and ground instructor and pilot Robert Perry.

by all the levers and dials on the plane’s dashboard, but by the end of the program they get it down. “People also think that you have to have specialized skills or extensive math, but it’s really simple. Two basic skills in life that apply here are showing up on time and reading the directions,” Perry said. Luke isn’t sure where his future will take him or whether aviation will be a career or

Allan Hancock College

COMMUNIT Y EDUCATION

College for Life Prepare for your citizenship exams with Community Education! It’s never too late. Join us for a class today!

Call us today at 1-805-922-6966 ext. 3209 or visit www.hancockcollege.edu/communityeducation

a hobby, but Rawly is excited to spend two years at Hancock College and then enter the U.S. Navy to become a fighter pilot. “I love this country and I want to serve it well,” Rawly said. The flight scholarships get the students only so far, and then they have to pay for further instruction and testing before they get their pilots license. Anyone interested in helping the students can make a tax-deductible dona-

tion through the Santa Ynez Airport Authority, which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The scholarships are made possible by the Chumash Foundation, Santa Ynez Valley Rotary Club and the Santa Ynez Airport Authority. Local students interested in aviation can participate in the Youth Aviation program of the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association, EAA Chapter 491. The group meets at Hangar J6 at the end of Airport Road at 10 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month. Membership is free for all students from 8 to 17 years old. Applications for the Airport Day 2019 Flight Scholarship are available in the airport office at Santa Ynez Valley Airport or online at www.eaa491.org/scholarship. For more information, email Perry at CaptainBobsPlaneTalk@gmail.com.

24 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 4-December 17 , 2018

Photo Contributed Representatives of Hancock College administration, staff and students, as well as Marian Regional Medical Center staff and supporters, pose with the architectural rendering of the new sign for the college’s Building M.

Hancock renames building to honor Marian Medical Center

Staff Report

ancock College’s long-time partnership with Marian Regional Medical Center is being celebrated with the renaming of Building M as the Health, Science & Mathematics Building, in recognition of Marian’s nearly three decades of financial support to the college’s nursing program. “For nearly 30 years, Marian has provided in excess of $3.5 million to help support and expand our nursing programs,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers. “We think that’s cause to celebrate and to acknowledge their participation in a very public

and long-lasting way. “The ongoing success of our nursing programs is in large part due to the partnership with Marian,” Walthers said. In 1990, Marian helped the college develop an RN program to connect with its existing LVN program. The college was then able to fast-track RN training and graduate more nurses, meeting industry demand. During a Nov. 14 re-dedication ceremony, Marian Regional Medical Center President and CEO Sue Andersen announced to the crowd of 150 that as part of its commitment to the RN program, Marian would be increasing its financial support.

“It has been our pleasure to be part of this very successful partnership for the past 28 years and counting,” said Andersen. “We are thrilled to be able to take this next step, not only for current and future students, but for the community at large, which benefits from the excellent nurses who graduate from this program.” Among those in attendance were Marian Regional Medical Center and Hancock representatives, along with Hancock nursing faculty, former faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

More information about the college’s twoyear LVN-RN ladder program can be found on its nursing program website.

We feature beautiful jewelry from the Southwest, Mexico, Thailand and Italy, as well as Western art, handcrafted silver bits and spurs and more.

Because everyone needs a treasure... Thursday - Monday 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM

3551 Sagunto St. Santa Ynez, CA

(805) 688-0016 • info@CharlottesSY.com

December 4-December 17 , 2018 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 25

17 jail custody officers graduate from Hancock academy

Staff Report

eventeen recruits graduated from Hancock College’s CORE Custody Academy on Nov. 21, during a ceremony at the college’s Public Safety Training Complex at the Lompoc Valley Center. Sixteen of the 17 graduates will be employed as custody deputies for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. “What we saw here today is what community college is all about,” said Hancock College Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers. “We are preparing outstanding men and women for public service. We are honored and grateful for the courage, dedication and commitment our graduates are demonstrating as they enter the law enforcement profession.” The graduates completed a comprehensive course in California Standards and Training for Corrections, which included 220 hours of instruction. The six-week academy is designed to prepare students mentally, morally, emotionally, and physically to work as correctional officers. According to Santa Barbara County Sherriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kelly

Hoover, the graduates also received specific Direct Supervision training, which will be the inmate management strategy at the new North County jail where many of them will likely be assigned when it opens in 2019. The graduates range in age from 21 to 51 years old and entered the academy with a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. They include Steven Akiyoshi, Mayra Andrade, Alejandro Barba, Jorge Batalla-Velasquez, Anthony Castillo, Arianna Espinoza, Tyler Fielding, Jason Kamiya, Bradley Luis, Christian Mejia, Joel Mena, Carlos Nunez, Ignacio Rosiles, Zach Salce, Kevin Trejo, Jasmine Velasquez and Jerrett Wilson. Andrade was chosen as the class valedictorian, Wilson received the Leadership Award, and Batalla-Velasquez received the Ron Battles (Most Inspirational) Award.

s ’s wa Olsen akery to l st b the 1 traditiona es s r u e f o f o dh rbrea ng! e g n i g lva in So

• fruit cake • famous gingersnaps • klejner • Christmas stollen coffee cake • peppernuts • xmas kringle • xmas jule cake Jule L creat og i begi on week ns one bef xmas ore

To learn more about the CORE Custody Academy or the law enforcement training program at Hancock, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/pstc or call 1-805-922-6966, ext. 3284.

New Frontiers can help with your

NEW FRONTIERS

HOLIDAY

Photos contributed Chef Bethany Markee gives her “We are cookin” students a pep talk before the guests arrive.

o CHEF CONTINUES FROM PAGE 19

food and operating a restaurant. They then busied themselves setting the tables with cutlery and water, preparing for the many guests who were to attend. The children made the salad and all the pizzas from scratch, and served them to a packed house of hungry people, making sure everyone was well catered to. Colton Stewart, a former culinary student at Solvang School who now works as a junior chef in a local restaurant, was on hand to assist Markee by cooking the pizzas in the oven, a very hot job. Stewart anticipates going to culinary school in the future. “It was fun making and chopping the pizzas, but I like people and I liked going around and visiting the tables a lot, making sure everyone had everything they needed,” said student Sam Nickell. “I learned many types of slices for better ways to cut food so if I ever have to cut something, I’ll know how to do it,” said William Woodside. “I liked greeting all the people at the front

desk, being a hostess,” said Sofia Rubalcava. “Clark Staubb is just amazing and a wonderfully generous person,” said Markee. “I was so impressed with the children at the pizza party at Flatbreads. They did such a great job and it was a magical evening. I hope there are many more to come.” “This fundraiser gave many of our local families an opportunity to experience a cornerstone of the restaurant scene here in Los Alamos, and the families were so excited to be a part of this event,” said Dana. “One grandmother drove all the way from Los Angeles to experience the evening. All I can say is, I hope we can have more of these evenings.” “I’m grateful that I have this opportunity of working in the field of child nutrition and I acknowledge this, but I am focused on doing more,” said Markee. “There is so much that needs to be done. I don’t need a lot of sleep, so that’s a good thing. I am fortunate to have a lot of energy and drive because that’s what it takes – this is absolutely 100 percent my passion.”

RESER

FEAST & GIFTS STANDING RIB ROAST, HAM, TURKEY

NO: ANTIBIOTICS, ADDED HORMONES, NITRITES, NITRATES

Oysters, sausage, duck and more. Call for more info.

BAKERY YULE LOG • PIES • CHEESECAKE • COOKIE TRAYS DELI ROAST TURKEY BREAST • POTATOES & GRAVY

SALADS • VEGGIES • MUCH MORE! FULL HOLIDAY DINNER MENU AVAILABLE

(with gluten free and vegan options)

GIFTS! CANDLES • CHOCOLATES • MUCH MORE!

BATH AND BODY CARE GOODIES • STOCKING STUFFERS

1984 Old Mission Dr. • Solvang Mon.-Sat. 7-8, Sun. 8-8 805.693.1746 www.NewFrontiersMarket.com

V E YO U

RS NO

26 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 4-December 17 , 2018 ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A NEW DENTIST? SCHEDULE TODAY! (805) 920-8052 678 Alamo Pintado Rd., Solvang johnsonfamilydental.com

ITOR USE E IT! LOS fits l Bene ! Denta Most ire 12.31.18 exp ebsite r visit ou for

Vreeland

Sousa

Schaeffer

Johnson

4 local residents complete boot camp SYV Star Staff

our Santa Ynez Valley residents recently graduated from boot camps for the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Coast Guard. The Marine Corps graduates include Cody Sousa, son of Rodney and Sandy Sousa. He attended the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) boot camp in San Diego and graduated on Oct. 19. He will be attending tech school at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, also known as 29 Palms. Travis Vreeland, son of Dan and Kathy

Vreeland, attended MCRD and will be completing his School of Infantry training followed by Military Occupational Specialty training as an anti-tank missileman. He will continue as a reserve in the Marines Corps. Ben Schaeffer, son of Dave and Lisa Schaeffer, attended MCRD and will also be completing SOI at Camp Pendleton for reconnaissance training. He has committed to five years of service. Brenden Johnson, son of Todd and Marla Johnson, graduated from boot camp with the U.S. Coast Guard in November. He will be serving in North Bend, Ore.

Save BIG on Dental Crowns!

FREE .

New Patient SAVINGS!

New Patient Special

INCLUDES: Digital X-Rays, Exam & Second Opinions.

Cleaning SAVINGS!

$895

Santa Barbara

best of

santa barbara

WINNER

santa barbara®

Santa Barbara

2 0 1 7

Winner

Crown Special Regularly $995

Voted BEST Dentist 5 years in a row! 1. New Patient Exam retail price, $295. New Cash patients only. There may be future costs based on diagnosis. Offer is subject to change and cannot be combined. Treatment must be rendered by December 31, 2018. 2. (1) crown per patient. See office for complete details. Valid on non-covered services only. Offer is subject to change & cannot be combined. Voted best dentist on the central coast by the Santa Barbara’s Independent. ©2018 Steven G. Johnson

www.johnsonfamilydental.com

Photo Contributed The Hancock College Foundation awards hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships each year. Last year, Annalise Ketz received the Marian Hancock Scholarship from college Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers.

AHC Foundation Scholarship online application now open Staff Report

Hancock College students can now apply online for more than half a million dollars in scholarships provided through the Hancock College Foundation. “We encourage all Allan Hancock College students to go online and apply early,” said Natalie Rucobo, advancement officer. “There is no application fee. It costs students nothing, and the rewards could be significant.” The application period is open through Feb. 20. Last year, the foundation awarded 420 scholarships worth more than $500,000 to 370 students. Scholarships ranged from $500 to $10,000. To be eligible for most scholarships, students must complete six or more units at

Hancock in both the fall 2018 and sp ring 2019 semesters and have a cumulative 3.0 or higher grade point average. Students can complete the entire application process and view all scholarship opportunities at www.hancockcollege.edu/ scholarships. “We are so grateful to our community donors who have built the scholarship program with their amazing generosity,” Rucobo said. “The foundation is able to reward hundreds of students for their hard work thanks to the tremendous community support.” Questions about the online application should be directed to scholarships@hancockcollege. edu or to the Hancock Financial Aid office at 1-805-922-6966, ext. 3200, or toll-free at 1-866-342-5242, ext. 3200.

Dr. Iris Radler, MD OBGYN

Caring for Our Community

From prenatal care to childbirth, for family planning counseling and gynecologic procedures, Dr. Iris Radler offers comprehensive woman-centered services — for all ages. In a friendly and soothing environment, Dr. Radler partners with you in your healthcare decisions. Well Woman Examinations Cervical Cancer Screenings Tubal Ligation Cesarean Delivery For appointments (805) 736-1253

Hysterectomies Birth Control Vaginal Delivery Prenatal Care For more information, visit LompocVMC.com/Radler

December 4-December 17 , 2018 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 27

Publishes December 18

Holiday Guide Ad Deadline Dec. 7

The Doctor Can See You NOW NEW Urgent Care Hours – NOW serving patients from 8:00 am-7:00 pm every day of the week.

We are staffed by a full medical team, with board-certified physicians during all hours of operation. Services are available without an appointment and during extended evening and weekend hours for conditions that need prompt attention, but are not life threatening.

Publishes January 1

Health & Wellness

aThe flu & other acute illnesses aCuts requiring stitches aSprains & strains aAsthma attacks aOther urgent concerns

Ad Deadline Dec. 21

Publishes January 15

Restaurant Week Ad Deadline Jan. 4

Same Day Appointments Call your PCP’s office to see if there is a same-day appointment before you visit the Urgent Care department. Download the Sansum Clinic Urgent Care “Wait Time” App on Apple iTunes. On the App Store, search Sansum Urgent Care.

Contact Advertising sales rep Shana DeLeon ads@santaynezvalleystar.com

Pesetas Urgent Care in Santa Barbara • 215 Pesetas Lane • (805) 563-6110

S O L VA N G

There's always something to see or do in the SYV. Go to VisitSYV.com/events for a full list of activities, and get inspired by December highlights below. HOLIDAY WINEMAKER DINNER

BUTTONWOOD HOLIDAY BAZAAR

SOLVANG JULEFEST

nativity

pageant

Special Musical Artists: Julie Meyer | Maurice Sklar Inner Light Gospel Choir

December 15, 2018 5:00 pm & 7:00 pm free admission

Solvang Festival Theater 420 Second Street, Solvang CA

Share your #SYVibes

www.SolvangNativityPageant.com

28 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 4-December 17 , 2018

NOW PR OVIDING

NEWS / TALK RADIO o n 10 6 . 3 F M t o t h e SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

December 4-December 17 , 2018 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 29

SY student a finalist in film festival contest

Staff Report

sabella Escobedo, a senior at Santa Ynez High School, is one of five high school students who have been chosen for a student screenwriting and filmmaking competition at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Over the next few months, she and the other finalists will be guided and mentored by successful industry professionals through all stages of production as they prepare for the final competition and screening at the film festival in February. Isabella’s interest in filmmaking began in the summer following her sophomore year when she attended a digital media, film and

journalism leadership forum in New York. She intended to gain skill and experience to improve her writing but acquired a budding passion for visual storytelling. Eager for more, in the following summer she attended a highly competitive and comprehensive film academy at Chapman University in Orange. Upon returning from the summer academy, she entered the Santa Barbara Public Library’s Teen Film Festival and earned the award for Best Drama. After graduating from Santa Ynez High School next May, she hopes to attend a fouryear university to major in film production. For more information, contact Kim Garcia at 408-623-8632.

The Valley’s only ALL-inclusive local “Frame to Finish” company. Building, Interior Design, Custom Cabinetry, One of a Kind Furniture Pieces and Exterior Finishes. Leonard Custom Works - we do it ALL. 84 Industrial Way, Suite A Buellton, CA 93427 805-728-6402

www.leonardcustomworks.com General Contractor License# #818401

Our holiday gift to you...

Present this ad to receive 20% off your bill at Sideways Lounge VALID SUNDAY-WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2018. ONE USE PER AD

114 E HWY 246

BUELLTON, CA 93427

(805) 688-8448

@SidewaysLounge

30 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 4-December 17 , 2018

Vegas headliner to perform for Toys for Tots Staff Report

as Vegas headliner Terry Fator — a ventriloquist, impressionist, singer and comedian — will entertain during the Chumash Casino Resort’s annual Toys For Tots fundraiser at the Samala Showroom at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Central Coast Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, which serves children in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Fator, the 2007 winner of “America’s Got Talent,” collected his $1 million and went on to sign as the headliner at The Mirage hotel and casino in Las Vegas with a five-year, $100 million contract, one of the largest entertainment deals in Las Vegas history. He’s still performing at The Mirage, but he also takes his act on tour to selected cities across the nation. Fator’s ventriloquism career began when he was in fifth grade. While researching for an assignment, he came across a book about ventriloquism and started learning about it. Before he became famous for his ventriloquism, he toured as the lead singer for a band called “Freedom Jam” in 1987-88. The group performed at more

than 200 high schools and middle schools across the United States and Canada. In 1988, he was the lead singer of a show band called “Texas the Band” and incorporated his puppet Walter T. Airedale into his shows. When a record label representative came to hear the band, he told Fator that he had to stop doing impressions and wanted him to sing in his own voice. Fator tried it for a few weeks and hated it. He preferred to do impressions and eventually left the band. He performed as comedian and ventriloquist for many years with little success. He was discouraged and contemplated pursuing another career, but his family encouraged him to continue. In 2007, Fator made his first appearance on “America’s Got Talent” in the competition show’s second season. He assumed he would appear for a few episodes to gain exposure that might help him get future gigs. Instead, he won the contest. Tickets for the show are $49, $59, $69, $74 and $79, available at the casino or at www. chumashcasino.com.

Did you know a group of ladybugs are called a “Loveliness”?

The majority of coccinellid species such as Ladybugs are generally considered useful insects, because many species prey on herbivorous homopterans such as aphids or scale insects, which are agricultural pests.

Certified Estate & Trust Specialist

California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization • Estate Planning & Review • Conservatorship & Incapacity Matters • Trusts • Business Law: Corporations, Partnerships, LLCs • Probate Law • Second Opinion & Updates

688-3939

www.LanaClarkLaw.com 1607 Mission Drive, Ste. 107 • Solvang

virtual reality arcade

Photo contributed Terry Fator

Someone not feeling well?

hundreds of games and experiences

We will welcome your out of town guests during the holidays! BUELLTON MEDICAL CENTER Family Practice

195 W. Hwy 246 • Buellton, CA 93427

M-Th 8 am-6 pm, Fri 8 am-4:30 pm, Sat 9 am-2 pm, Sun Closed

320 Alisal Rd. Suite 10 Solvang CA 93463 (805) 325-9769 www.spacevrsolvang.com

Ph: 805

686-8555 Fax: 805-686-8556

E-mail: info@buelltonmedicalcenter.com www.buelltonmedicalcenter.com

se habla español

December 4-December 17 , 2018 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 31

To submit an event for publication, email the information to news@santaynezvalley star.com. To see more information online, go to www.santaynezvalleystar.com.

December 4

Julefest Nisse Adventure – Through Jan. 6. Solvang Visitors Center, 1639 Copenhagen Drive. Scavenger hunt to find images of the mischievous elf-like Danish figure, the Jule Nisse. Pick up a map and return to receive a prize. Free; www.solvangusa.com. Atterdag Auxiliary and residents Christmas Party – 3-4:30 p.m. Atterdag Village, 636 Atterdag Road, Solvang.

‘Like Mother Like Daughter’ Book Signing – 1-3 p.m. The Book Loft, 1680 Mission Drive, Solvang. Santa Ynez Valley Chorale 40th Anniversary Celebration — 7:30 p.m., Solvang Veterans Hall, 1745 Mission Drive. Enjoy two celebrations in one holiday concert when the Santa Ynez Valley Vaster Chorale, youth ensemble, professional orchestra and special guests present a joyful program of classical (and not so classical) holiday music celebrating Christmas and the chorale’s 40th anniversary. For tickets go to www. syvchorale.org/

December 5

Santa Ynez Valley Chorale Private Gala — 6 p.m., Solvang Veterans Hall 1745 Mission Drive. $100 donation for champagne, wine, beer, and scrumptious appetizers at 6 p.m. and concert at 7:30. For tickets go to www. syvchorale.org/

December7

Solvang Candlelight Walking Tours —free, 5:30 p.m., departing for 60 minutes from the Solvang Park Gazebo, Mission Drive at First Street. A costumed tour guide will provide guests with a complimentary souvenir battery-powered LED candle; share history and fun facts about Solvang while strolling and caroling along village sidewalks.

Eat Out! Rooster Creek Tavern in Arroyo Grande– 4:30-7:45 p.m. Depart from Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang. $10/person plus the cost of your meal; www.cityofsolvang.com.

Making Sense of the Mediterranean Diet –11 a.m.-12 p.m. Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital, 2050 Viborg Road, Solvang. Free; 805-688-6431. Community Tree Lighting Ceremony — 4-6:30 p.m., Mission Drive and First Street. Begin with a free visit with Santa Claus from 4-6 p.m. and then, starting at 5 p.m.., enjoy free live entertainment with area bands, choirs and caroling culminating in ballerinas from Fossemale Dance Studio performing around the 20-foottall tree. Walk, Shop, Mingle & Jingle — All day, sponsored by the Solvang Chamber of Commerce; discover exclusive happenings at Solvang merchants, live music, discounts and deals. 25th Annual California Blind & Disabled Golf Classic – Dec. 7-9. Zaca Creek Golf Course, 223 Shadow Mountain Drive, Buellton; www.oldeschoolgolfschool.com or 805-698-6224.

December 8

Santa Sprint Fun Run — 10 a.m. check in, 10:30 a.m. start, Solvang Park. Sprint ¾ mile through Solvang, dressed in your best festive Christmas gear. www. cityofsolvang.com Julefest Parade — 11 a.m. The parade originates at Solvang Veterans Hall (1745 Mission Drive), travels west on Mission, turns left on Fourth Place, turns east on Copenhagen Drive, and ends on Alisal Road near the post office. More than 400 participants and more than 50 entries march, trot, cruise and stroll in this annual event. Enjoy the parade as well as free post-parade visits with Santa in Santa Village in Solvang Park. Wildling Holiday Family Craft — 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 1511-B Mission Drive, Solvang. Learn to upcycle common household “trash” into a creative project for your child to treasure. www.wildlingmuseum.org/home-new/ calendar/kidkraft/ Holiday Market — 1 p.m. The Landsby, 1576 Mission Drive, Solvang. Shop, Wine, Dine. Featuring Rachel Brown Art, Lore Klapp Ceramics, Humble & Grand, Copenhagen House, Landsby Goods. Music by Connor Cherland. thelandsby.com/ 2nd Saturday Artisans – 12-5 p.m. Grange Hall, 2374 Alamo Pintado Rd., Los Olivos; info@santaynezvalleyarts.org.

Brave & Maiden Winemaker Dinner — 5:30 p.m., 649 N. Refugio Road, Santa Ynez. Winemaker Joshua Klapper guides guests through a four-course dinner with paired wine. For tickets www.visitsyv.com/event/holiday-winemaker-dinner/ Walk, Shop, Mingle & Jingle — All day, sponsored by the Solvang Chamber of Commerce; discover exclusive happenings at Solvang merchants, live music, discounts and deals. Los Alamos Holiday Stroll & Tree Lighting — 5:30 p.m. Arthur Ferrini Park. Event begins with the annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony in the center of town. From contemporary art to fine locally produced wines to delicious cuisine, each Los Alamos business offers something to be discovered in a festive holiday atmosphere.

December 9

Santa Ynez Valley Chorale 40th Anniversary Celebration — 3 p.m., Solvang Veterans Hall, 1745 Mission Drive. Santa Ynez Valley Master Chorale, youth ensemble, professional orchestra and special guests present a joyful program of classical (and not so classical) holiday music celebrating Christmas and the chorale’s 40th anniversary. For tickets go to www.syvchorale.org/ Walk, Shop, Mingle & Jingle — All day, sponsored by the Solvang Chamber of Commerce; discover exclusive happenings at Solvang merchants, live music, discounts and deals.

December 1O

Kind Kids – 3:45-4:45 p.m. Children ages 6 and up will complete tasks and projects around town. $20/child (supply fee); www.cityofsolvang.com.

December 14

Pediatric Flu Shot Clinic – 1-4 p.m. Sansum Clinic, Pediatrics, 1225 North H. Street, Lompoc. By appointment only: 805-737-8760. Terry Fator Live!– 8 p.m. Chumash Casino Resort, 3400 East Highway 246 Santa Ynez. $49 and up; www.chumashcasino.com/ entertainment.

December 15

Every Monday

Solvang Nativity Pageant — 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., free, Solvang Festival Theater (420 Second St.). The Christmas Story comes to life. Enjoy performances by a choir, actors in traditional costumes, and live animals on stage. (In the unlikely event of rain, performances will be held in an alternate location to be announced).

Divorce Care Recovery Seminar and Support Group – 6:30-8:30 p.m. Santa Ynez Valley Christian Academy Library, 891 N. Refugio Road, Santa Ynez; Louise Kolbert at 805-688-5171.

Holiday Wreath Making Workshop – 9-11:30 a.m. Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden, 151 Sycamore Drive, Buellton. $40/adult, $30/member and $10/child; www. santaynezvalleybotanicgarden.org.

Skål Stroll! —Julefest two-day passport Wine & Beer Walk; More than a dozen participating wineries and breweries; guests will get to judge traditional Gløgg-making skills at some of the wineries. Tickets, $45, include tastings at all locations and a souvenir glass; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. both days. www.eventbrite.com/e/2018-solvang-julefest-skal-stroll-tickets-47691185620 VIP Solvang Candlelight Walking Tours — Start at 4:30 p.m. from the Solvang Park Gazebo, Mission Drive at First Street, for 90 minutes. Stroll and carol with a battery-powered LED candle with a costumed tour guide around downtown sharing insider heritage and history; concluding with a private meet & greet with Santa Claus, hot cocoa and cookies at the Hotel Corque; $25 per person (under age 2 free) with 25 guests per tour maximum. www.solvangusa.com/events/vip-candlelight-tours/ Solvang Candlelight Walking Tours — 5:30 p.m., free, departing from the Solvang Park Gazebo, for 60 minutes. A costumed tour guide will provide guests with a complimentary souvenir battery-powered LED candle; share history and fun facts about the Solvang while strolling and caroling along village sidewalks. SYV Jazz Music — 1-4 p.m. Solvang Park Timber Hawkeye Book Talk — 5 p.m., Bloom Yoga, 1992 Old Mission Drive, Suite 130, Solvang. Free book talk, discussion, and Q&A with Timber Hawkeye, bestselling author of “Buddhist Boot Camp” and “Faithfully Religionless.” Discover the benefits of mindful living and how to be at peace with the world, both within and around us. For more information, www.BuddhistBootCamp.com

December 16

Senior T’ai Chi, 9:15 a.m.; Arthritis Exercise Class, 10:15 a.m.; Creative Coloring, 1 p.m. every other Monday; Senior Issues, 1 p.m. every other Monday; Solvang Senior Center, 1745 Mission Drive; 805- 688-1086.

Every Tuesday

Knitting, 9 a.m.; computer class, 9:30 a.m.; bridge and poker, 1 p.m.; Solvang Senior Center, 1745 Mission Drive; 805-688-1086. 2-Step Lessons – 6:30 p.m.; 8 p.m. - Industry Night and Karaoke Party. Maverick Saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. Visit www.themavsaloon.com.

Every Wednesday

SYV We Support the Troops – 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Volunteer to pack care packages on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Bethania Lutheran Church, 603 Atterdag Road, Solvang. 805-245-4951. Yoga, 9:15 a.m.; Bingo, 1 p.m.: Solvang Senior Center, 1745 Mission Drive; 805-688-1086. Knit and Crochet - 1 p.m., Buellton Senior Center, West Highway 246, Buellton; 805-688-4571. Health Hearts Grief Support Group – 2-4 p.m. Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church, 1825 Alamo Pintado Road. Free. To R.S.V.P. call 805-693-0244. Solvang Farmers Market - 2:30-6:30 p.m., First Street between Mission Drive and Copenhagen Drive, Solvang. Crafternoons – 3:45-5:45 p.m. Arts Outreach, 2948 Nojoqui Ave. Suite 9, Los Olivos. $10/child; 805-688-9533.

Every Thursday

Chair Exercises - 10 a.m., Buellton Senior Center, West Highway 246, Buellton; 805-688-4571. Arthritis Exercise Class, 10:15 a.m.; poker, 1 p.m., Solvang Senior Center, 1745 Mission Drive; 805-688-1086. Brain Injury Survivors of Santa Ynez Valley - 12-2 p.m., Bethania Lutheran Church, 603 Atterdag Road, Solvang. Jodi House Brain Injury Support Center offers a support group for brain injury survivors and caregivers; www.jodihouse.org.

Every Friday

Pilates - 10 a.m., Solvang Senior Center, 1745 Mission Drive; 805-688-1086.

SYV Jazz Music 1-4 p.m. Solvang Park

Bingo - 1 p.m., Buellton Senior Center, West Highway 246, Buellton; 805-688-4571.

December 17

Every Saturday

Holiday Lights & Sights Trolley Tour — 6-7:15 p.m. Features the best of seasonal decor throughout Solvang and Santa Ynez Valley; festive music and hot chocolate will be provided on board by Solvang Parks & Recreation Department elves. Only two trips offered each night, departing from Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall, 1760 Mission Drive. Tickets are $13 per person in advance (sell-out expected). To reserve, call 805-688-7529.

Continuing Events

U-Pick Berries – 9 a.m. daily for the season. Summerset Farm and Dale’s Nursery, on the corner of Edison and Baseline off Hwy-154; 805-245-0989.

Cachuma Lake Nature Walk – 10-11:30 a.m.; 805-6884515 or www.sbparks.org. Junior Rangers Program – 12:30-1:30 p.m. Neal Taylor Nature Center, 2265 Hwy-154, Santa Barbara. Children 3 and up; under 10 years must be accompanied by an adult. $3/person. Nature Center admission is free. Visit www.clnaturecenter.org.

Coming up

Log onto www.cityofsolvang.com, www.buelltonrec.com or www.visitsyv.com to see a full schedule of programs and events that range from adult and youth sports to teen dances, field trips, excursions and more.

32 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 4-December 17 , 2018

$2,475,000 | 1390 Via Dinero, Solvang | 4BD/4½BA; 6±acs Laura Drammer | 805.448.7500 | Lic # 01209580

$1,350,000 | 1675 Linda Vista Dr, Santa Ynez | 3BD/2BA

Bryan R Uhrig / Barbara Neary | 805.331.3191 / 698.8980 | Lic # 01467861 / 01491532

$5,925,000 | 2775 Roundup Rd, Santa Ynez | 5BD/7BA Nancy Kogevinas | 805.450.6233 Lic # 01209514

$3,900,000 | 3251 Short Rd, Santa Ynez | 4BD/3BA Carole Colone | 805.708.2580 Lic # 01223216

$2,995,000 | 3169 Montecielo Dr, Santa Ynez | 4BD/3½BA Brett Ellingsberg | 805.729.4334 Lic # 01029715

$2,799,000 | 1500 Jennilsa Ln, Solvang | 4BD/6BA Laura Drammer | 805.448.7500 Lic # 01209580

$2,639,000 | 1043 Ladan Dr, Solvang | 4BD/5BA andy Freed / Kellie Clenet | 805.895.1799 / 705.5334 Lic # 00624274 / 01434616

$1,980,000 | 4001 Long Valley Rd, Santa Ynez | 3BD/2BA+GH Carole Colone | 805.708.2580 Lic # 01223216

$1,975,000 | 2903 Lorencita Dr, Santa Maria | 3BD/6BA Suzy Ealand / Ken Sideris | 805.698.9902 / 455.3159 Lic # 01766178 / 00603730

$1,689,000 | 5010 Baseline Ave, Santa Ynez | 4BD/2½BA; 5±acs Claire Hanssen / Carole Colone | 805.680.0929 / 708.2580

Lic # 00887277 / 01223216

$1,395,000 | 2650 Santa Barbara Ave, Los Olivos | 3BD/3BA Bob Jennings | 805.570.0792 Lic # 01103054

$1,075,000 | 648 Ivy Ln, Solvang | 4BD/3BA Deanna Harwood | 805.325.1452 Lic # 00999839

$1,062,000 | 1224 Sawleaf Ln, Solvang | 3BD/3½BA Deanna Harwood | 805.325.1452 Lic # 00999839

$980,000 | 2625 Santa Barbara Ave, Los Olivos | 3± acs Nina Stormo | 805.729.4754 Lic # 01341678

$769,000 | 670 Shaw St, Los Alamos | 3BD/3BA+ Studio Suzy Ealand / Ken Sideris | 805.698.9902 / 455.3159 Lic # 01766178 / 00603730

$697,000 | 3153 Riley Rd, Solvang | 3BD/2BA Karin Aitken | 805.252.1205 Lic # 00882496

$679,000 | 1358 Cheyenne Ln, Santa Ynez | 3BD/2BA Carole Colone | 805.708.2580 Lic # 01223216

$639,900 | 747 Onstott Rd, Lompoc | 4BD/3½BA Todd McChesney | 805.563.4030 Lic # 00864365

$579,900 | 260 Valley Station Cir, Buellton | 3BD/3BA Deanna Harwood | 805.325.1452 Lic # 00999839

$549,000 | 3876 Celestial Wy, Lompoc | 4BD/3½BA David & Marlene Macbeth | 805.689.2738 Lic # 01132872 / 00689627

$389,000 | 2043 Village Ln, Solvang | 2BD/2½BA Glynnis Mullenary | 805.705.5206 Lic # 01748187

MONTECITO | SANTA BARBARA | LOS OLIVOS

$2,650,000 | 1015 Ladan Dr, Solvang | 5BD/5½BA + GH

Drammer / Anderson / Hurst | 805.448.7500 / 805.618.8747 / 680.82

Lic # 00826530 / 01903215 / 01209580

Do you know your home’s value? visit bhhscalifornia.com

©2018 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Info. is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Sellers will entertain and respond to all offers within this range. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information.