A record number of 131 services were provided to the 479 veterans who attended the eighth annual Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down on Oct. 19 at the Santa Maria Fairpark.

More than 625 volunteers helped at the day-long gathering.

This year, of the 479 registered veterans, 144 listed themselves as homeless. There were 38 female veterans, including eight classifying as homeless. In Stand Down’s first year in 2012, 229 veterans attended.

This year, the ages of veterans ranged from the 21-30 group to three veterans ages 91-96. The bulk of the veterans were between the ages of 51 and 70.

This year included an effort known as the Stand Down Homeless Assistance Project, run by the Stand Down organizers, 5^th District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino and coordinator Sandy Agalos.

“We are case-working with homeless veterans during the year, so we don’t see them here next year as homeless,” Lavagnino said.

The record 131 services included new providers this year, such as Cal Poly Low-income Tax Clinic, California Rural Legal Assistance, Disabled Veterans National Federation, Lompoc Pride Alliance, Mission Hope Center, SMAT, Cosmoton Barber Academy, SLO Veterans Service Collaborative, Rotaract and more.

Among the services available to veterans during Stand Down were medical and dental care, showers, clothing, hygiene products, legal aid, housing services, pet care and grooming, food, transportation from the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Habitat for Humanity, haircuts, college guidance, child support case guidance, behavioral wellness, probation department warrant checks and more.

Among the 627 volunteers were 150 active duty men and women from Vandenberg Air Force and 12 Vandenberg civilian employees. The military members helped stage the event, monitored the veteran gate, served as one-on-one escorts, restocked and sorted items in the convention center and served food, among other duties.

During the recent Stand Down Committee appreciation luncheon, Lavagnino recognized Lompoc resident Ken Ostini as Volunteer of the Year and Walgreens and Rebecca Petersen as Stand Down Organization of the Year.

This year, the supervisor also recognized two people as Stand Down County Employees of the Year: Senior Office Assistant Carolina Carrillo and Animal Services Department Community Outreach Coordinator Stacy Silva.

Ostini, an Army veteran, has worked with Stand Down on the transportation and budget committees.

“Ken suggested that the event be called the Santa Barbara County Stand Down to expand the event beyond Santa Maria, to serve the entire county of Santa Barbara,” Lavagnino said. “Each year, Ken organizes collection drives, puts up banners and promotes Stand Down in Lompoc. Ken even rides the bus with the veterans on the day of Stand Down. Ken modestly gives credit to others. Thank you, Ken, for being an inspiration to us all.”

Walgreens and employee Rebecca Petersen were named Stand Down Organization of the Year. This year alone, Walgreens administered 88 flu shots during Stand Down.

“We are a military family,” Petersen said. “There isn’t a year that goes by that I am still not met with a situation or a moment that brings tears to my eyes. We are also guaranteed to have many laughs throughout the day from the amazing men and women who have served.”

For the first time, county employees were honored as well. Carolina Carrillo was named County Employee of the Year for Stand Down. Carrillo is an Office Assistant Senior in the county’s Department of Social Services. She is a military spouse as well.

“Carolina has single-handedly streamlined our volunteer and service provider registration to go paperless,” Lavagnino said. “She worked behind the scenes to make sure our registration ran smoothly. This year during Stand Down, Carolina even worked at three locations.”

Animal Services Department Community Outreach Coordinator Stacy Silva was also named County Employee of the Year for Stand Down. Silva ran the event’s Pet Zone, which had 40 volunteers this year. There was also an Animal Services vehicle to carry animals for vets traveling from Santa Barbara to Santa Maria that day. This year, 41 pets went through the area, with 28 dogs groomed and 71 veterans given dog and cat food.

“Stacy poured her heart and soul into making Pet Zone great,” Lavagnino said. He added that “It has been demanding but she has given back in ways that cannot be measured.”

Veterans took advantage of the Stand Down services, including 101 who got haircuts and 30 who went through Dignity Health assessments. There were 60 vision screenings, and 394 bus tokens were given to assist with follow-up appointments.

One hundred veterans signed up for Santa Maria Public Library cards. The American Red Cross gave out 1,500 bottles of water, 150 rolls of toilet paper, 600 trash bags and 150 tooth brushes. Thirty veterans received follow-up appointments for United Way Home for Good and 24 were served by New Beginnings Counseling Center.

Raytheon, RG Next and InDyne Inc. spoke with more than 100 veterans about jobs and 26 met with the Probation Department. Forty-two veterans made contact with Santa Barbara County Legal Aid. The Santa Barbara Public Defenders Office helped veterans with outstanding traffic warrants and other legal matters. One vet even had an out-of-state criminal case handled and dismissed, while five veterans were able to get traffic warrants heard and dismissed.

Stand Down 2020 will take place Oct. 17 at the Santa Maria Fairpark.

For more information, see http://sbcountystanddown.com. For images from the 2019 event and past years, see Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down on Facebook.

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The public is invited to the seventh annual “Gingerbread Wonderland” benefit from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church, one of many events that are part of Los Olivos’ “Olde Fashioned Christmas.”

The free event displays dozens of hand-crafted gingerbread houses created by local schoolchildren, families, organizations and businesses.

Guests can vote for, and enter to win, their favorite gingerbread house creations using $1 raffle tickets available for purchase at the event, which is a fundraiser for Arts Outreach and the church’s preschool. 

According to event organizers, several messages from the North Pole have indicated that Santa Claus will be in the church’s common room from 4 to 8 p.m., providing a cozy place for kids to share their Christmas wishes with the jolly man and for parents to take their own pictures.

There also will be opportunities for children to create and decorate Christmas ornaments and crafts in the church courtyard. Diane Byington and her Solvang Conservatory students, accompanied by St. Mark’s music director Beverly Staples, will be providing seasonal music to enhance the merriment along with performances by Valley Glee.

For those who would enjoy some delicious food and beverages during Gingerbread Wonderland, the courtyard at St. Mark’s will have complimentary coffee and hot apple cider, as well as baked goods and food available for purchase.

Gingerbread Wonderland is a popular family-friendly gathering as part of long-time annual Los Olivos Olde Fashioned Christmas festivities.

“We are so grateful for the community members of all ages who come out to support Arts Outreach and St. Mark’s Preschool. All these gingerbread designs make the Christmas spirit come vibrantly alive!,” said Yvonne Lowe, St. Mark’s Preschool director.

 “Once again, we are thrilled to host all these family-friendly activities for the entire community as well as visitors. This day is a wonderful way to welcome the Christmas season,” added The Rev. Dr. Randall Day, St. Mark’s Priest and Rector.

For more information on making a gingerbread house creation, participating in, supporting or attending 2019 Gingerbread Wonderland, contact Yvonne Lowe, St. Mark’s Preschool Director, at (805) 688-1815, or Sandie Mullin, Arts Outreach Executive Director, at (805) 688-9533 or visit www.smitv.org/gingerbread-wonderland.html

For complete details on all Los Olivos Olde Fashioned Christmas activities, visit www.losolivosca.com/los-olivos-olde-fashioned-christmas/.

For more information about the nonprofit preschool, which welcomes all children from 2 ½ years old to pre-kindergarten, contact Yvnne Lowe directly at (805) 688-1815 or yvonne@SMITV.org 

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Contributing Writer

The Little Mermaid is a classic story that turned 182 years old this year. Written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1837, this story has been told and retold in many ways, with the most famous done in 1989 by the Walt Disney Company.

Disney produced an adaptation that put Ariel in the front and center in its massive corporate branding machine, and she’s been there ever since. Disney made the original, and much darker material, into something that resonated with today’s audiences.

Today, there are multiple adaptations and retelling of that 1989 animated film, including a live-action re-make in the works, a live broadcast on ABC, theme park attractions, and even theatrical productions. This includes one playing in Santa Maria at Hancock College’s Marian Theater through Dec. 22.

PCPA goes all out in their production, and the spectacle is awe-inspiring. The play itself is based on the 1989 film, so it includes many familiar things, but also expands on the original material with new scenes and songs.

Something that makes the show stand out from other PCPA productions is that this one has collaborated with New York City’s 2 Ring Circus to bring breathtaking aerial feats to life on stage. This helps make the action to look as if you’re under the sea, swimming with all the sea creatures, or on a ship watching sailors climb the tall mast.

The cast is massive, which includes the 2 Ring Circus performers, and all your favorite PCPA resident artists in roles that seem custom made for them.

Erik Stein is King Triton, George Walker nearly steals the show as Scuttle, and Guest Artist Katie Emerson does a great job of bringing the titular character to life.

Kitty Balay does an outstanding job with her performance as Ursula.

Most of all, however, Kitty Balay simply is Ursula, and they really couldn’t have anyone better for that role.

These actors are fantastic, but perhaps the real stars of the show are the costume and design teams. The costumes are bright, vibrant and just what you would expect in a production like this. I can only imagine how much fun working on the costume for Ursula was.

PCPA has another well-deserved feather in their cap for this holiday season production. It is a real crowd pleaser and one that the whole family will enjoy. Our 4-year-old daughter was enthralled throughout a recent matinee.

These shows will undoubtedly sell out. Everyone will want to see this.

Tickets are $38-$50 and performances are only at the Marian Theater in Santa Maria. Call the box office at 805-922-8313 or visit www.pcpa.org for more information.

George Walker as Scuttle
Katie Emerson* as Ariel
Daniel Geiger as Flounder

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reporter@santaynezvalleystar.com

Valley Christian Fellowship is holding a OneMeal packing event from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Santa Ynez Christian Academy, 891 Refugio Road at Highway 246 across from Santa Ynez High School.

Following the event there will be a Christmas celebration that includes a soup lunch, bounce house and crafts, snow cones, a family photo booth, and an artificial snowball fight.

After the boxes are packed with food packets, members of OneMeal pick them up and they are shipped to various destinations all over the world.

According to statistics from the Kids Around the World website, one in seven kids in the world suffers from the effects of food insecurity, living in a chronic state of malnutrition. The OneMeal program ensures that tens of thousands of impoverished children have a warm, nutritious meal each day.

The OneMeal program has been in existence for the past 15 years serving impoverished communities throughout the world.

The church is raising $15,000 to purchase the food in bulk, which will then be measured and placed into small packets then sealed in an assembly-line fashion.

“We are hoping that 200 people will show up to help out,” said Casey Groves, Youth Pastor. “Anyone wishing to help with this event is welcome to join us.”

The participants will be packing 8,333 food packets, which is 50,000 meals. Each packet can feed 6 people and contains red lentils, rice, and a PhytoBlend, which is a combination of 24 essential vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.

Each packet contains red lentils, rice and a PhytoBlend that is a combination of 24 essential vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.

“You can eat this meal every day and be perfectly healthy,” said Jay Marshall, Senior Pastor at Valley Christian Fellowship. “It is designed to provide all the necessary nutrients for healthy growth.”

“My son, Chris Marshall, has been with Kids Around the World since 2005 and serves as the Vice President of Global Advancement. He has led teams of volunteers all over the world to provide outreach to children and communities that have known nothing but poverty, hunger, natural disaster, and war. They build playgrounds in many impoverished countries in order to bring hope to children around the world,” said Marshall.

“By bringing the playgrounds and the food into these Third World countries, it opens the door for children to learn about the Bible and God’s love for them. The local authorities get all the credit for providing the food and playgrounds and thus makes them more amenable to allow Christian workers to teach the Bible,” continued Marshall.

This is the first year that Valley Christian Fellowship has participated in this event and according to Marshall they don’t expect it to be their last. Their goal is to pack 232 boxes of food, which costs roughly $54 per box with shipping included. The food from this event will be going to an impoverished community in Peru.

“We anticipate that people will really enjoy this project and want to keep doing it in the future,” said Groves.

“Our church sponsors 10 different mission organizations. We give over $50,000 a year to support these missionaries. It’s highly unusual for a church our size to have produced so many missionaries, now 15 families teaching the word of God. A lot of our youth have become full-time Christian missionaries in countries around the world,” said Marshall.

“There are so many people in this valley who want to get behind causes that make a long-term difference. We not only want to feed the children physically, we want to feed them spiritually, knowing that the long-term power and strength is going to come from God,” said Marshall.

From Dec. 29 to Jan. 1, a group from Valley Christian Fellowship will go to an orphanage in Vencente, Mexico, to build a playground and to minister to the children. Families are welcome to attend.

Everyone in the valley is invited to join in the OneMeal packaging event or to make a donation to the program by visiting vcfconnect.org/giving or calling 805-688-5171.

For more information about the OneMeal Program, visit www.kidsaroundtheworld.com.

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Zoo officials say you can help protect reindeer by getting creative with concealing presents this year: Use recycled wrapping paper, cloth bags, newspaper or cookie tins instead of buying new gift wrap. Reducing the demand for paper saves old-growth forest habitats in reindeer and caribou territory, which is the only source of food for most animals that overwinter in the north.

By Wendy Campbell

Contributed

In keeping with the holiday season, two female reindeer will be on view at the Santa Barbara Zoo from mid-November through Jan. 1. Cookie and Peppermint will live temporarily near the zoo’s hilltop.

Reindeer and caribou are well-suited for harsh winters; they have two “toes” on each foot, which spread out and act like snowshoes to keep them from sinking into snow, soft ice, and wetlands. Rear “dew claws” add traction and help keep animals from slipping when they run. The undersides of their hooves are hollow, allowing the animals to dig through snow in search of food.

Listen carefully when the reindeer walk to hear a “click, click, click.”  It’s not their hooves, but a tendon that snaps over their ankles. The sound may help keep the herd together in blinding snowstorms.

Reindeer are the only deer species in which both males and females sport antlers. People sometimes call antlers “horns,” but the two are very different. Horns are made of protein, like fingernails and hair, and don’t ever shed. Antlers are made of bone, and are an extension of an animal’s skull. Antlers also are shed every year.

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between reindeer and caribou? The two are actually subspecies of the same species, and location also defines them. Caribou are wild reindeer that live only in North America and Greenland. Reindeer refers to wild populations in Europe and Asia, and to all of the species in human care worldwide.

Cookie and Peppermint are on loan from Windswept Ranch in the foothills above Antelope Valley near Tehachapi, California. The facility is home to a collection of animals including camels, llamas, zebra, alpacas, sheep, goats, horses, deer and reindeer. Many of the animals have been rescued or rehabilitated. For more information, visit the Windswept Ranch website at www.capettingzoo.com.

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People who want to begin the new year with a plan to lose weight and improve their health can save 50 percent on their first two sets of classes at Sansum Clinic by registering before the end of 2019.

The program discount includes support from a physician and a staff of weight-loss counselors from the Doctors’ Weight Management Team. Orientation session will begin in January.

Sansum Clinic endocrinologist Dr. Christopher Donner forged the partnership between HMR Weight Management Program and Sansum Clinic in 1986 and continues to lead the Doctors’ Weight Management program, known for its fast and safe weight loss.

The program addresses high blood pressure, diabetes (and pre-diabetes), metabolic syndrome, joint pain, and other illnesses and conditions associated with weight management and obesity. Patients use HMR Weight Management’s meal replacements as the foundation of the diet. Classes meet weekly at Sansum’s Hitchcock site.

To get more information about the discounts or sign up for an orientation session, email hmrprogram@sansumclinic.org or call 805-563-6190.

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Organizers of the 96th annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta have announced an open call to pre-audition on Saturday, Jan. 4, for Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta 2020.

The pre-audition is an open call to any dancer interested in trying out for Spirit or Junior Spirit of Fiesta 2020. Some pre-audition participants will be selected for the audition finals to be held April 18.

Application forms, participant guidelines and other required materials can be found at www.sbfiesta.org.

Participants must be residents of Santa Barbara County. Junior Spirit participants must be 8-10 years old at some point during the week of Fiesta, Aug. 2 through Aug. 9. Spirit participants must be between 16 and 20 years old during that week. Birth certificate verification will be required.

Contact the Old Spanish Days office, 805-962-8101 or info@sbfiesta.org, for more information.

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As cooler weather kicks in, so does the inevitable wardrobe of warmer knits with color and print. Earth tones underscore the warm vibes that extend toward not just turtlenecks, but also long sweaters and pullover sweaters, either tunic style or just below the waist.

While neutrals are a safe fall choice, there is something to be said about a coat that can instantly brighten the dreariest of days. To provide plenty of impact, try a statement stunner in a pretty pastel or a warm hue like cinnamon, wine, evergreen, turquoise, red or apricot.

There are so many exciting ways to update and brighten your wardrobe right now, so go bold in pieces that work for you and, above all, something that makes you feel special. A new scarf, necklace or top can do this.

Fashion accessories are great gift ideas. Consider tie-dyed silk scarves, famous artist museum scarves, hand painted leather handbags and wallets to match, small totes, shoulder bags, necklaces, earrings of many colors and styles.

Sue Manning owns Elna’s Dress Shop.

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The Blue Angels choir, accompanied by a professional chamber orchestra, will present a variety of favorite Christmas carols and anthems, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church.

The free concert, titled “Love Came Down at Christmas,” will include newer songs such as “Mary Did You Know” and older favorites such as “Joy to the World, ” “Silent Night, ” and the “Halleluiah” Chorus.

There will be the lighting of the Advent Candle and special Advent readings by the Morrow family.

The Santa Ynez High School Concert Choir will also be participating. Pianist David Alm will join the choir, and organist Jim Tobin will present the prelude and postlude and accompany the congregation at the end of the concert with the singing of carols.

Immediately following the concert, families are invited to adjourn to the church’s family center for “A Night in Bethlehem” hosted by the Children’s Ministries, which includes dinner. Meet Mary and Joseph, see live animals, enjoy cookie decorating and crafts, plus a cakewalk. 

The Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church is at the corner of Alamo Pintado and Baseline in Ballard; ample parking is available adjacent to the church. For more information, call the church at 805-688-6323.

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The Santa Ynez Valley Chorale and Chamber Orchestra will perform their holiday concert series, “Christmas Around the World,” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall.

Under the direction of Dr. Michael Eglin, the chorale and orchestra promise to fill hearts with the joy of the holidays through music.

“This is a special way to celebrate the holidays in the valley, and one not to be missed,” said Eglin. “We chose pieces from around the world, including beloved and familiar carols, forgotten classics and new, hauntingly beautiful fare. The selections are purposefully eclectic. Some are traditional, others modern. Some are chants or carols based on specific texts in the Bible, while others celebrate poems or were written for opera.”

The program includes Christ Church Bells, an American Colonial folk carol; Riu, Riu, Chiu, a Spanish Christmas carol; African Alleluia, a rhythmic celebration based on traditional African music, and Salvation is Created, a Communion hymn based on a Ukrainian chant melody.

The program also includes more familiar pieces, including the beloved The First Noel, O Sing a Song of Bethlehem, and Carol of the Bells.

 Ticket prices are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors (65 and over) and youth (18 and under) and there is a $2 processing fee for tickets purchased online.

Chorale president Erica Miller said she is proud of the board’s decision to lower prices from previous years.

 “We want everyone in our community to be able to attend this concert so we’ve significantly lowered the prices. We have to cover our costs, such as renting the Veterans Building, but our goal is to keep prices down and fill the hall with an audience that goes away touched by the joyful message behind our choral music,” she said.

Tickets may be purchased at The Book Loft and El Rancho Market, from chorale members, online at www.syvchorale.org, or at the door.

 The chorale is a nonprofit organization, coming into its 41st year of presenting beautiful choral music in the Santa Ynez Valley. The chorale includes novice and professional singers from their teens into their eighties, brought together by a love of music and the joy of singing.

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