SOLVANG
VFW to hold Veterans Day Program on Nov. 11 at Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall
The public is invited to honor all veterans at VFW Post 7139’s annual Veterans Day Program on Monday, Nov. 11, in the Solvang Veterans Hall.
VFW Post 7139 will honor and salute all American veterans who throughout our history have unselfishly placed their lives on the line for our freedom and way of life. Veterans Day started as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1918, when fighting ceased in World War I.
Alvin Salge, the adjutant of VFW Post 7139, said the event will include an American Legion Flag posting in front of the Veterans Hall, national anthem and songs by the SYV Chorale, SYV Wind Ensemble, and Vandenberg Space Force Base and local veteran speakers. A free luncheon will follow the program in the American Legion Wing served by Pam Gnekow’s Outreach Foundation and Daughters of the American Revolution. The VFW invites all veterans, their families, and caring citizens to attend. It also welcomes veterans from allied countries who fought beside our servicemen and women.
Veterans Foundation to hold Salute to the Vets event on Nov. 9
The Santa Barbara County Veterans Foundation will hold its 4th annual Santa Ynez Valley Salute to the Vets at Solvang Park on Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The event will include a Pin-up Girl contest, military vehicle display, a flyover, food, beer, wine, silent auction, 50/50 games, prizes, and much more. Live music to be provided by Out of the Blue.
All donations to the SBCVF will benefit Santa Barbara County veterans and their families.
For more info, call (805) 350-2006, or go to salutetothevets.org or sbcvf.org.
Craft House at Corque to host Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 28
Come join us at the Craft House for Thanksgiving dinner!
Leave the prep, the cooking and the cleanup to us! Enjoy a buffet of traditional Thanksgiving favorites with some delicious Craft House additions
Admission for the dinner is $74 for adults, $29 for children and free for children 2 and under.
A 20 percent service charge is to be shared amongst the staff for their work as well as 8.75 percent sales tax that will be added to your final bill.
The menu for this year is not yet finalized, but the Craft House says the menu you see in the photos is from last year, but is a good guideline for what this year’s menu will be like.
Deposit will be refunded to the original form of payment upon your arrival to your reservation. Deposits for any reservation that does not cancel at least 48 hours prior to your reservation will not be refunded. Those who choose to book tickets can do so in the 12, 12:15, or 12:30 p.m. window.
To get tickets or for more info, go to exploretock.com/craft-house-at-corque-solvang/.
Solvang Theaterfest welcomes Terri Simmons as director of development
Solvang Theaterfest is excited to announce the appointment of Terri Simmons as the new director of development. With a rich background in community engagement and event planning, Terri is committed to fostering relationships that enhance the Theaterfest’s mission and expand its impact within the Santa Ynez Valley.
In her new role, Simmons will serve as the primary contact for sponsorships, donations, and fundraising events. Her focus is on building connections with local businesses and individuals who value the arts and the importance of supporting cultural institutions.
“I’m honored to join Solvang Theaterfest, where we have a unique opportunity to create meaningful experiences for our community,” she said. “I look forward to connecting with supporters and helping to make our theater a vibrant hub for entertainment and creativity.”
Ways to Support Solvang Theaterfest: To continue delivering exceptional programs and performances, Solvang Theaterfest welcomes various forms of support:
- Ongoing Operations – Annual Fund: Contributions enable us to expand programs and events, including live concerts and children’s programming, while providing a venue for other local nonprofits to fundraise. Solvang Theaterfest relies on your generosity, even in the best of times.
- Individual Giving: Every donation plays a crucial role in maintaining Solvang Theaterfest as a cherished part of the community. Whether through one-time gifts or sponsorship of concerts, your support helps us keep the lights on and the performances coming.
- Corporate Giving and Sponsorships: Businesses can show their generosity by supporting professional theater and live entertainment. Corporate sponsorships provide valuable exposure through banners and program listings, demonstrating your commitment to the community.
- Stock Gifts: Donating stock can provide tax advantages while benefiting Solvang Theaterfest.
- Planned Giving: Consider including Solvang Theaterfest in your estate planning to make a lasting impact on our future.
- Seat Campaign: Our ongoing seat campaign allows donors to contribute directly to the physical space of the theater, enhancing the experience for all patrons.
BUELLTON
Vegetation fire along Highway 246 causes internet outages in Valley
A series of spot fires in Buellton along Highway 246, collectively known as the Riverview Fire, caused internet outages in the Santa Ynez Valley as the flames burned fiber lines on utility poles.
Santa Barbara County’s Office of Emergency Management Director Kelly Hubbard told keyt.com that the outages caused by the burnt fiber lines made it difficult for the county to get information to residents.
Hubbard reported that people with Comcast, Frontier, Xfinity, and Verizon internet were impacted for 24-48 hours.
“We know we had power outage to a small pocket of the community but we also had a communication outage too,” Hubbard said to keyt.com. ” We believe at minimum cities of Lompoc, Buellton, Solvang and most of Santa Ynez Valley including part of Los Alamos at different times.”
Santa Barbara County Fire Public Information Officer Scott Safechuck reported on X that the fire was first reported at 4:30 p.m. at Highway 246 and Riverview Drive in Buellton. The fire estimated at 25-30 acres at the beginning, growing to more than 64 acres before crew gained full containment.
Safechuck said on X that Air Attack, two air-tankers, and two helicopters assigned to the fire. No structures were ever threatened.
Buellton resident earns scholarships to attend Baldwin-Wallace College
Victoria Bernard of Buellton was among over 660 first-year students welcomed to the Baldwin Wallace University campus this fall who earned more than $12.6 million in merit scholarships. Bernard, a graduate of Dos Pueblos High School majoring in creative writing, earned a $15,000 Fellows’ Scholarship based on outstanding academic achievements in high school.
Bernard is also one of 11 women’s wrestling newcomers to continue their career at Baldwin Wallace University as part of the school’s first-ever women’s wrestling roster.
The Yellow Jackets open the season on Saturday, Nov. 1 when they travel to Tiffin to compete in the Tiffin University Open. BW hosts the first ever home match on Tuesday, Nov. 19, when it hosts a dual match against the University of Mount Union in the Ursprung Gymnasium inside the Lou Higgins Center.
BW’s merit scholarships are awarded to full-time students and are renewable for up to four years with good academic and social standing. BW offers a wide range of financial support to its students — more than $60 million for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Baldwin Wallace University, founded in 1845, was one of the first colleges to admit students without regard to race or gender. An independent, coeducational university of 3,500 students, BW offers coursework in the liberal arts tradition in more than 65 academic areas. Located in Berea, Ohio, 12 miles from downtown Cleveland, BW offers students thecultural, educational and business advantages of a major metropolitan area.
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY
Cottage Primary Care—Santa Ynez Valley welcomes new physicians
Cottage Primary Care is pleased to share that providers Roger I. Lane, M.D., FACP and Pablo Rojas, PA-C, have moved offices to Cottage Primary Care — Santa Ynez Valley, located at 1992 Old Mission Drive, Suite 140, in Solvang (in the New Frontiers shopping center). In addition, the practice welcomes Nicole Sheikholeslami, M.D., to the team.
This move will bring the entire Cottage Primary Care — Santa Ynez Valley medical team together in one convenient location, providing more space and updated facilities. Dr. Lane, Pablo Rojas, PA-C and the practice’s newest physician Dr. Sheikholeslami, join Kathryn Brewer, M.D. and Janina Meissner-Frisk, D.O., in offering comprehensive primary care services to patients at this office.
Sheikholeslami comes to Cottage Primary Care after serving as chief resident in family medicine at Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, where she was honored with the BEE — Being Exceptional Everyday — Award for delivering excellent patient care. She earned her M.D. from Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, a Master’s of Science in medical sciences from Boston University and a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from UCLA, and has authored numerous papers for national medical journals.
Cottage Primary Care — Santa Ynez Valley is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Appointments with the Cottage Primary Care — Santa Ynez Valley team can be scheduled by calling (805) 686-3200 or visiting cottagehealth.org/primary-care/appointments.
Santa Ynez residents enter Biola University for Fall 2024 semester
Biola University is excited to welcome incoming students to the Biola community as they start their journey as an Eagle this fall.
Including among them are two Santa Ynez residents: Lauren Bradley, majoring in psychology, and Pressley Melville, majoring in business administration.
Biola’s incoming class represents an accomplished, diverse group of individuals who hail from 48 countries and 45 states. More than 1,650 undergraduate and graduate students started their journey at Biola for their first day of classes on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
These students are part of the largest incoming class since fall 2019. Biola, located in La Mirada, is a nationally ranked Christian university in the heart of Southern California. The university was recognized as one of America’s best colleges, earning a spot in the higher tier of the “best national universities” category of U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges 2025 rankings.
Founded in 1908, Biola is committed to the mission of biblically centered education, scholarship and service – equipping men and women in mind and character to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. With more than 5,000 students at its Southern California campus and around the world, Biola’s eight schools offer more than 150 academic programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. For more information, visit biola.edu or call (562) 777-4061.
SANTA BARBARA
SBCC Theatre Arts offers Christmas comedy play
The SBCC Theatre Arts Department presents a student showcase production of “Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge” by Christopher Durang, directed by Katie Laris, Nov. 13-23 in the Jurkowitz Theatre.
In this comedy with music, Tony Award-winning playwright Christopher Durang delivers “A Christmas Carol” as you’venever seen it before. It’s a world in which Ebenezer Scrooge’s ghostly visitor has lost all navigational skill, where Tiny Tim is insufferable and Mrs. Bob Cratchit is at the end of her rope. As Scrooge’s ride careens from one Christmas send-up to the next, this is a hilarious holiday production you won’t want to miss!
“Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge” will feature talented Santa Barbara City College student actors: Adrian Arias, Ciara Barnes, AJ DeAugustine, Benjamin Fetter, Tristan Fleming, James Hanasz, Charlotte Hecker, Alex Keever, JT Kelleher, Sebastian Lopez, Jenna Perry, Yildiz Soyal, Piper Steen, Mali Szerwo, and Grace Wilson.
Performances will be in the Jurkowitz Theatre, SBCC West Campus, 900 block of Cliff Drive, on Nov. 13-23. Showtimes are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30pm, Sunday, Nov. 17, and Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2pm. The Sunday, Nov. 17, 2 p.m.performance will be live-captioned for the hearing impaired. Ticket prices are $20 general/$17 seniors (62 and over) and SBCC staff/$10 students. Tickets can be purchased online at theatregroupsbcc.com or by calling the Box Office at (805) 965-5935. Due to the intimate nature of the Jurkowitz Theatre, no late seating is permitted.
Scholarship Foundation begins accepting applications for 2025-26
The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara has begun accepting applications for financial aid during the 2025–2026 academic year. Eligibility requirements and application instructions are available online at sbscholarship.org.
The Scholarship Foundation received 3,619 applications during its recently concluded scholarship awards cycle. In May, the organization awarded more than $7.1 million in scholarships to 1,787 Santa Barbara County students. Scholarship awards for undergraduates at four-year schools averaged $3,301; graduate student awards (excluding those for medical school) averaged $6,251. The Scholarship Foundation also supports students pursuing vocational training. Eligible students may receive up to five years of undergraduate funding and four years of medical/graduate-level funding. The primary criteria for award selection are financial need, academic achievement, and motivation.
The deadline to apply for financial aid from the Scholarship Foundation is Feb. 19, 2025.
“The Scholarship Foundation remains an indispensable resource for students and families in our community. In addition to scholarships, our organization provides free financial aid advisory services countywide,” said Scholarship Foundation President and CEO Melinda Cabrera. “I would encourage anyone in need of assistance with our application or related state and federal forms to contact the Foundation’s Programs team. We are immensely proud of our efforts on behalf of area residents seeking to better themselves through college or vocational study.”
The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara is the nation’s largest community-based provider of college scholarships, having cumulatively awarded in excess of $150 million to some 62,000 county students since its founding in 1962. A nonprofit organization, the Scholarship Foundation also provides free financial aid advising services. For additional information, visit sbscholarship.org.
