In a meeting that had even members of the Solvang City Council shaking their heads about new resolutions and procedures, two resolutions were passed and three more had first readings concerning zoning changes proposed by the Planning Department.

The zoning changes were introduced by Planning and Building Manager Rafael Castillo in Agenda Item 7a, which consisted of the five parts, were made to give the city more control over what could and couldn’t be built in the city, and to protect itself against projects being built via the state’s Builder’s Remedy.

The changes also are proposed to align with the City of Solvang’s 2045 General Plan, along with three zoning changes required by the state for the city’s Sixth Cycle Housing Element which was approved by the city in December 2023.

In giving his report, Castillo zeroed in a state law SB-9, that allows for property owners in single-family residential zones to complete the following: Split a single lot, regardless of size, into two lots; construct dwelling units for duplexon each lot, and accesory dwelling unit (ADU), meaning a lot in a Solvang residential zone can have six units per lot.

“Anyone who comes in tomorrow and applies for an SB-9 lot split can get this tomorrow, no public hearing,” Castillo said. “I think that’s not what we want for the valley, that’s not what we want for Solvang. What we have going for us is a great community, with a robust amount of public input.”

To combat that law, Castillo said the city should consolidate the 7-R-1 and 8-R-1 residential areas south of downtown to close the SB-9 loophole, which would provide more local control over housing decisions. A builder would still be able by law, to propose building out on those lots, but it would by subject to public comment and would have to go through city approval.

Castillo also proposed for building form and design to split the downtown area into two zones, one the Village District (DD-1) and the Mission District (DD-2). Castillo said that would give the city the ability to have the say over how buildings look in the downtown area, and could design an illustrated handbook to help local builders and business owners understand the rules.

“The Design Review Committee’s first task for February will be how to meld these into a guidebook,” he said.

When it came time for council questions, Councilmember Elizabeth Orona asked, with the dependency expected of the guidebook from developers, how they would define the guidelines. Castillo replied the guidelines are already defined by the city code, and the guidebook would add photos and illustrations to make it more palatable.

District 3 Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem David Brown asked if having an agricultural component on the Mission Santa Ines would be banned. Castillo answered that they already have permission from the LA Archdiocese to have one if it is proposed. Castillo also said that city permits would be required by the mission for general events, but not church events.

Public comment was generally negative toward the proposed zoning changes, with the main objections being that the changes were being pushed through too quickly, and residents were still concerned about the potential lot splits still being possible.

“It’s not about NIMBYism; we support reasonable developemnt,” said resident Brian Carillo. “The zoning changes are not accompanied by a thorough, transparent analysis on issues. I urge council to pause the process.”

Solvang resident and business owner Aaron Petersen weighed in on the building regulations for downtown.

“We need objective standards, and this is missing too many key elements,” he said. “The detail is admirable, but it needs input from the DRC. Good start, but don’t pass it as law; slow down.”

Castillo, however, said that these developments wouldn’t be final and can be fine tuned.

“There needs to be a starting point,” he said. “There will be changes, but we need a starting point.”

When it came time to vote on the item, Councilmembers Elizabeth Orona and Claudia Orona recused themselves because they lived and/or worked within 500 feet of properties affected by the zoning changes.

The three-man panel of Councilmember Robert Clarke, Mayor Mark Infanti, and Brown consulted frequently with City Attorney Chelsea O’Sullivan to figure out their options, voting on the first resolution 24-1272 adopting an Addendum to the FEIR Solvang Comprehensive General Plan Update and Rezoning.

At first, Infanti moved to reject the resolution, which OK’d required CEQA guidelines, but O’Sullivan advised that if they did, making changes on it later could be difficult. Castillo reminded the council that the Housing Element hinged on passing the resolution, and being behind on the rezone deadline, they needed to shown progress.

Ultimately, Infanti motioned to approve the resolution with Clarke seconding, and it passed 3-0.

The second part, Resolution No. 24-1273, which amended the zoning of one parcel downtown from Tourist Commercial to Park passed quickly by another 3-0 vote.

The next three were first readings: Item 4, Ordinance No. 24-377 contained most of the zoning changes, passed 2-1 with the dissenting vote by Infanti.

Claudia Orona returned for the next first reading, on Ordinance No. 24-376, changing six lots from Recreational to Open Space, with Clarke motion to approve quickly passing 4-0.

Elizabeth Orona returned to make it a full council for the last part, Ordinance No. 24-378, which concerned the Repealing and Replacing Title 11 (Zoning Regulations) of the Solvang Municipal Code and the Official Zoning Map of the City of Solvang. That item passed 4-1, with Elizabeth Orona dissenting.

The council will next meet on Dec. 9, with the transfer to the new City Council, including the swearing-in of David Brown as the mayor, and Infanti and Claudia Orona as district-based councilmembers to take place on that night.

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Santa Ynez High boys basketball coach Rod Caughell, starting the third year of his second stint in the position, said a sign his team’s depth for the 2024-25 season is how he’s running practices.

“I told my wife today it’s the first time in all my years here that I have been able to run a five-on-five scrimmage at practice,” Caughell said the day before the team’s season opener against Carpinteria. “I would be short because I had some players still in football season, and others who weren’t quite ready yet.

“However, this year, with the football players able to join us, and the team being able to play with 10 guys, it’s more than exciting.”

The Pirates got off on the right foot in their season opener at home on Nov. 22 as they defeated Carpinteria 68-63. Jude Pritchard, one of those players fresh off the gridiron, led all scorers with 27 points. Lucas Ollenburger had 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Luke Gianis added 10. SYHS followed that up with wins over Bishop Diego (86-69) on Nov. 27, and Eastside High of Lancaster (51-47) to get off to a 3-0 start.

Santa Ynez is coming off a 2023-24 season in which it made the second round of the CIF Central Section playoffs despite a 12-18 record, including an 0-8 record in the loaded Mountain League. However, this year the Pirates will be playing in the new Sunset League, along with Cabrillo, Morro Bay, Nipomo, and Righetti.

“Last year was tough; we really shouldn’t have been in that league, having to deal with St. Joseph, a highly ranked team in the state,” Caughell said. “And add to that a couple of strong teams in Arroyo Grande and Mission Prep, and it was tough having to battle in that league.

“In the Sunset, I think Righetti will be our main opponent, but every league game will be though. It not like anyone’s dominant.”

The Pirates will go into the season with plenty of experience. They will be returning their top three scorers from last year: Ikenna Ofiaeli, Pritchard, and Jayden Mendoza. 

Caughell is looking at Ofiaeli, who was tops on the team with 13.0 points per game and 8.5 rebounds, to be the focal point of the offense.

“I’m looking for the offense to go through Ikenna,” Caughell said. “He’ll get his touches in the paint, and I look for our guard to penetrate get him the ball.”

The Pirates expect Mason Skidmore and Alex Molera to split time at point guard, while Ollenburger is expected to contribute with points and rebounds.

The Pirates return to action Tuesday, Dec. 3, with a home game against Templeton. Sunset League play will start Jan. 7, 2025, with a game against visiting Mission Prep.

Lady Pirates start 4-1; win second place in SM Winter Tournament

Meanwhile, after a 52-17 win over Atascadero on Nov. 25, the Santa Ynez High girls basketball team is off to a great start at 4-1. Their early season action included a second-place finish at the Santa Maria Winter Tournament at Santa Maria High.

Like the boys team, Coach Jennifer Rasmussen’s squad is welcoming quite a few returning players, like Helina Pecile, Kylie LaPointe, and Rylin Agin, who were the Lady Pirates’ three top scorers last year.

“What’s been nice is that our junior core has been on varsity since they were freshman,” Rasmussen said after her team’s loss to San Luis Obispo in the Santa Maria tournament final. “So this is their third year playing together. It’s been great seeing them get that consistency, and they’re syncing and gelling on the court.”

SYHS went 3-1 in the Santa Maria tournament, which lasted from Thursday, Nov. 21, to Saturday, Nov. 23. The Lady Pirates beat, in order, Bishop Diego (61-29), Santa Maria (58-30), and Simi Valley (57-39) before losing to San Luis Obispo 46-36 in the title game.

Despite the loss, Rasmussen thought the title was a good experience to learn from for her team.

“We played against some tough defenses in the tournament, and especially SLO,” she said. “They were fast and they were tall, so we really were tested on our ability to make something happen and it was the first time we were playing from behind all weekend. So it was good.”

Pecile led SYHS with 13 points in the title game, while Agin, who hit double figures in all four of the tournament games, added 11. A couple standouts in the semifinal against Simi Valley were Lexi Molera, who led the team with 17 points, and LaPointe, who added 15.

SYHS is coming off a 2023-24 season which saw them go 8-0 in the Ocean League, and 18-7 overall, and reach the second round of the CIF playoffs.

This year, the Lady Pirates will move up from the Ocean to the Sunset League, along with Lompoc and Templeton, where they will join Cabrillo, Paso Robles, and San Luis Obispo.

“We’re excited for the competition,” Rasmussen said. “I think we’ve showed we can compete with the bigger schools in the area, and last year we didn’t have any blowouts, so that just showed how good the competition is in this area.”

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Much of the crowd waiting to take part in Solvang Parks and Rec’s 13th annual Turkey Trot could be found in the usual running attire shorts, tank tops, T-shirts, maybe a headband or a few, but many chose a more festive choice of garb for the event, that was held on Thanksgiving morning for the second time.

Among the record crowd of approximately 225 participants were some who got a little creative with their jogging threads, making the event a real fun run.

One group in particular stood out as they seemed to be getting a head start on the Christmas celebration. Sara Mountin, who lives in Vandenberg Village near Lompoc proper, and several relatives, many visiting from Utah, were decked out in red and black sweatsuits with a likeness of Santa Claus on the back.

“I had a lot of family coming and we decided to do something different, coming here and having a little fun with the costumes,” Mountin said. “We ended up finding these at Walmart and ordered a bunch of them.

“It’s just a good way to enjoy the day, and get some exercise before the big meal.”

That was the idea the Solvang Parks and Rec staff had when they decided last year to start holding the event on Thanksgiving morning starting last year.

“The turnout has been outstanding; it’s the largest we’ve ever had,” said Solvang Park’s and Rec Director Jenny McClurg. “This isn’t a competitive race at all — we’re not entering times or naming a winner, people can go the whole 5K, or just part of it. We’re just having people get together and have a good time.”

Longtime Parks and Rec staffer Fred Lageman contributed to the atmosphere as the emcee, counting down to the start of the run, and then keeping the participants going by serving as DJ and putting on songs all throughout the event. Meanwhile, Recreation Clerk Elisa Monroy and the department’s newest employee, Recreation Coordinator Jalen Gragston, were on the move handing out water to those who wanted it, and giving medals for kids and adults who completed a lap.

As McClurg said, there were no winners named, although Santa Maria resident Richie Ortiz did happen to complete the 5 kilometers before anybody.

“It’s great to come out here and do this,” Ortiz said. “Along with this and the half-marathon earlier this year, Solvang puts on some good events.”

Also at the event was Ivan Becerra, who coaches aspiring runners with IB1 Training, based at Sunny Field Park.

“I came to see some of my students who are running in this,” he said. “We knew this was coming on Thanksgiving andwe got quite a few in our program to show up and do this.” 

Keeping with the informal nature of the run, many participants did the 5K with their dogs, while others pushed their very young kids along in strollers, while many runners were shown to be part of a larger group with corresponding running wear.

Oscar Diaz of Santa Ynez came to the Turkey Trot with his family, and they were noticeable with their bright orange T-shirts. Oscar’s shirt showed a list that was probably his planned informal schedule for the day: “Run. Turkey. Beer. Nap.”

“I had a great time doing this,” Diaz said as he relaxed post-race with his daughter Andrea, who is on the Santa Ynez High track and field team, competing in the high jump. “This is just a cool thing to do and brings some team spirit. Now we can go home and have a nice Thanksgiving dinner.”

Also teaming up for an enjoyable morning was the Trot Squad group, some of whom wore special T-shirts made for the occasion. Part of the group was Derek Ferguson, who along with his wife Samantha, moved to Orcutt from Washington, D.C.

“We been in some running events before and wanted to get started out here,” he said. “We found some new friends out here and decided to do this. It’s been a lot of run.”

Of course, with the run over, Ferguson was looking forward to the meal late that day, but he had something else in mind first.

“We’re going over to [downtown] Solvang to find a place where I can have a beer,” he said.

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The Santa Ynez High girls tennis team captured the school’s second CIF Central Section championship in two weeks, beating Clovis West 5-2 in the Division II championship match Tuesday, Nov. 12, on the SYHS courts.

Kate Mazza got the final point, wrapping up her 6-2, 6-2 match at No. 3 singles to clinch the Pirates’ match and championship, which brought celebration and the abrupt end to the two matches still going on.

The title win came 13 days after the Santa Ynez High girls golf team successfuly defended its CIF title won last year.

Santa Ynez got wins in the Nos. 2 to 4 singles to get the five points needed to clinch the match. In addition to Mazza at No. 3, Haley Townes won her match 6-4, 6-0 at No. 2, and Natalie O’Shaughnessy went 6-0, 6-0 at No. 4.

The Pirates began the match by taking two of three in doubles. Townes and Keegan Withrow won their No. 1 doubles match 8-2, and Mazza and O’Shaughnessy took an 8-3 win at No. 2.

“The team showed incredible grit and teamwork throughout the match,” said girls tennis head coach Jennifer Rasmussen.”Haley and Keegan faced a tough start, dropping the first two games. But they didn’t back down — winning eight straight games to seal their victory.

“Our senior duo, Natalie and Kate, showed their experience and leadership, dominating their match 6-3 to set the tone.”

The championship win was a glorious end to a season that saw the Pirates struggle at times as they scheduled competitive preseason opponents and then played in a tough Mountain League. However, the came into the Division 2 tournament as the top seed, and showed it in the first two rounds, beating Righetti High and Justin Garza High by identical 9-0 scores.

“We had a difficult schedule, but we just kept playing the best that we could, and I knew it would prepare for the postseason,” Rasmussen said.

After the first two rounds, Santa Ynez ran into a competitive opponent in Garces Memorial, whom it beat 5-3 in the semifinals.

“We breezed through those first two rounds, but we had a tough match against Garces,” the coach said. “We pulled that out, but they had some solid players and a couple of those matches could have gone either way.”

But things went the Pirates way in that match and continued on to the championship match.

“Every single player gave it their all, and their determination, drive, and teamwork were truly inspiring,” Rasmussen said.”This victory is a testament to their hard work and dedication throughout the season.

We couldn’t be prouder of these incredible athletes.”

O’Shaughnessy and Withrow advance in CIF doubles

O’Shaughnessy and Withrow competed in the indiviual doubles tournament in San Luis Obispo and will play Sectional CIF Individual Doubles Tournament next weekend in Clovis. 

The duo defeated Misamore/Camacho (Nipomo) 8-3 and White/Arias (Lompoc) 6-1, 6-3 on Nov. 8 in SLO.

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After a 3-7 regular season, the Santa Ynez Valley football squad was put in the CIF Central Section Division V playoffs as the ninth seed and had to take a 155-mile trip to the Central Valley and a game against eighth-seeded Arvin on Oct. 8.

And the Pirates were able to make that trip a happy one, rallying to defeat the host Bears 35-21 in the first-round matchup.The victory was the first in the postseason for head coach Josh McClurg, and the first for SYHS since a 28-14 first-round win over Torrance’s North High in 2010, back when the school was still in the CIF Southern Section.

The win also necessitated an even longer road trip as the team traveled to Bishop, 354 miles away, for a game against top-seeded Bishop Union last Friday, Nov. 15.

Against Arvin, who came in at 7-3 and the South Yosemite Horizon League champions, Santa Ynez quarterback Jude Pritchard excelled as a passer and runner: He completed 15 of 18 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns, and led a very balanced Pirates’ rushing game with 49 yards and a score.

The game was nip-and-tuck most of the way, with the Pirates and Bears trading touchdowns on their way to a 21-21 tie into the third quarter, but the SYHS defense stiffened in the last part of the game, and the offense scored twice to put it away.

“That was a great showing; the guys were really locked in as the game went on,” said Pirates head coach Josh McClurg. “I’m always trying to avoid the ‘negative momentum’ from piling up, but we stayed away from that.”

The coach admitted it was potentially tough to take the field after a long bus trip like they did for the game, but he made sure that the players didn’t dwell on that.

“It’s just a matter of putting them in the right mindset,” McClurg said. “I just tell them ‘hey, we know it’s going to be a long ride, but we just have to control what’s controllable.”

The Pirates got off to a great start for the playoff contest as Austin Willis returned the opening kickoff to the Santa Ynez 45-yard line and then six plays later finished the drive with a 12-yard run to put SYHS up 7-0.

The host Bears went on a long 75-yard TD drive to tie it up at 7 at the end of the first quarter, but in the second, the Pirates benefited from a short punt, healthy return and a 15-yard penalty by Arvin to start at the Bears’ 11, and two plays later, Max Andrade caught a 9-yard scoring pass from Pritchard put SYHS ahead. 

Arvin came back to score a touchdown on the next drive and the teams would go into halftime knotted up 14-14. Then, on the first play from scrimmage in the second half, the Bears scored on a 71-yard pass play to give them they’re only lead of the night. However, those would be the last points Arvin would score on the night.

On the next Pirates drive, Brendan Foy would finish it with a 15-yard run to tie it up at 21. Then, Andrade made a play on defense, intercepting an Arvin pass and taking it to the Bears’ 21. From there, Pritchard ran it in from 20 yards out to put SYHS back in front for good 28-21.

Arvin threatened to score in the fourth quarter, taking it down to Santa Ynez’s 21-yard line, but the Pirates’ defense stopped the Bears on a 4th-and-1 and a few plays later Pritchard hit Jaxon Glover on a 10-yard pass for last score of the game.

For its second-round matchup in Division 5 last Friday (Nov. 15) the Pirates (4-7, 1-3 in the Sunset League) faced top seed Bishop Union. The Broncos were 10-2 after a 41-6 first-round win over Sanger West and were undefeated at 5-0.

“I’ve seen film of them in about five games this, and they are a really solid team; they have a lot of big guys and are well-coached” McClurg said last week before the matchup. “I won’t be easy, but I like our game plan and I’ll keep telling the players that they’re only three wins away. Three wins!”

The result of the Santa Ynez-Bishop Union came after press time, but can find the results at santaynezvalleystar.com

Feature Image: Santa Ynez High quarterback Jude Pritchard gets ready to take a snap during the Pirates’ Oct. 25 game against Pioneer Valley. Pritchard passed for two touchdowns and ran for a third in the Pirates’ 35-21 win at Arvin in the first-round of the CIF Central Section Division V playoffs. Star File Photo

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The Solvang City Council took a first step toward a more streamlined sign ordinance after a recommendation from Planning and Building Director Rafael Castillo in the Tuesday, Nov. 12, meeting.

The council held a rare Tuesday meeting on Nov. 12, which was done because the second Monday in the month, when council usually meets, was Veterans Day. Councilmember Elizabeth Orona was absent from the meeting.

During the meeting, the present councilmembers acknowledged Mayor Pro Tem David Brown’s victory in the previous week’s mayoral election. Although the election has not yet been certified, the second post-election update released last Thursday saw Brown getting 58.99% of the vote, with runner-up Jamie Baker getting 26.43%, and Denise El Amin 13.97% to finish third.

Meanwhile, Mark Infanti, who did not seek reelection as mayor, ran unopposed for the District 1 seat and got 96.78% of the vote, while fellow councilmember Claudia Orono ran unopposed for the District 2 seat, getting 96.43% of the vote.

In his presentation for the item Discussion and Possible Action to Provide Staff Direction regarding Updates to Solvang Sign Ordinances, Castillo explained how the sign ordinance was passed in 1990 to keep the town’s architectural character, with the thought to revise it every few years. However, recent revision attempts in 2018 (city officials didn’t bother to put the changes before the council) and 2019 (COVID) weren’t put in.

City staff actually temporarily relaxed signage regulations, particularly A-frame signs and other types of signage during2020 through 2022.

Under current policy, sign placement, whether a new sign, replacement sign, etc. requires approval from the Design Review Committee (DRC). While the sign ordinance is comprehensive, there are times where the ordinance is left up to interpretation, and the ordinance is sometimes in conflict with itself. 

Castillo pointed that one streamlining attempt has submitted signs just going on the Consent Agenda, which tends to pass without much analysis. Another problem Castillo pointed out is the time the process takes and the cost.

“I’m looking for direction on an action to begin revising this,” Castillo said. “I also think this is where the DRC is essential. They know about the ‘brand’ of Solvang, and what we’re trying to maintain.”

One person spoke out on public comment on the issue: Local business owner Aaron Petersen.

“I’m the only person speaking here, but there’s a lot more people I could be speaking for tonight,” Petersen said. “We’re concerned about the sign ordinance. When you’re trying to get a sign permitted, you need to understand the DRC only meets once a month, you submit a sign and they suddenly say ‘oh, something’s wrong with the color,’ sometimes that can push you to 90 days, and you’re still waiting.”

Peterson liked the idea of having a workshop.

“We need people to get together; we need people involved,” he said.

The councilmembers were all in agreement that a workshop under the DRC would be a good idea, although Councilmember Robert Clarke admitted he was just joking when he suggested. However, Infanti and Orona thought it was a good idea, and Brown suggested they try and develop visual examples of correct styles so it would be easier for people to understand what the city wants.

At the end, the council directed Castillo and staff to hold a workshop at the DRC level, but that it would in spring at the earliest.

In other business:

The council voted to approve a request by its transit system manager, RATPDev, for changes in their transit contract. While the changes would cost more money, Public Works Director Rodger Olds pointed out that the transit system is paid for by state and federal funds, so it would not cost the city any money.

With Brown imminent move to the mayor’s seat, Randy Murphy began the discussion on how to fill his vacant District 3 seat. It was quickly decided a replacement would be appointed since a special election would be costly, and, as City Counsel Chelsea O’Sullivan pointed out, the election could not be held until the next general election, which in 2025 would be November.

Murphy said they would start ‘putting out a net’ for candidates right away, while Infanti said the new mayor and councilmembers would probably be sworn in during the next council meeting on Dec. 9.

Feature Image: Solvang business owner Aaron Petersen makes his comments about the city’s sign ordinance during the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Screenshot from Yahoo.

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As is custom, people from the Santa Ynez Valley and beyond paid compliments and respects to those who have served our country, but this year — and maybe in future years — local residents and tourists in Solvang had two chances to celebrate Veterans Day on the second weekend of October.

While the VFW Post 1139 held its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Oct. 11, two days earlier another Veterans Day event was held in Solvang for the first time.

The 4th annual Salute to the Vets, put on by the Santa Barbara County Veterans Foundation, was held at Solvang Park for the first time on Saturday, Oct. 9. The previous two years, the SBCVF had held the event in Santa Ynez, with a parade down Sagunto Street and a gathering at Mavericks Saloon.

This year, the organizers didn’t have the parade, but offered a fun event with a cookout atmosphere: Hamburgers and hot dogs were served to those buying a meal ticket, the local band Out of the Blue played music from the park gazebo, military vehicles were on display thanks to the Flat Fender Friends, and a silent auction was also on display with a plethora of locally donated items.

Jerry Farmer and Henry Schulte, who joined up to form the foundation about 10 years ago, were at the event and said there were a couple of reasons they tried it in Solvang.

“The main thing is that we moved it up in the schedule: last year we had the weekend before the Veterans Day Weekend, and a lot of people weren’t aware,” Schulte said. “In fact, we’d have people come up to us the actual Veterans Day and I had to tell them ‘Oh, we had it last week.'”

Schulte said because of the schedule change, they had trouble securing the Santa Ynez site, and the Solvang Parks and Rec Department were receptive to having it in their city.

“They said it wouldn’t be a problem, and we were able to reserve the park for this,” he said. “And it’s working out well; I like this because it’s more of a family-oriented site, and we’d like to see if we can get a permanent location for this.”

Farmer said the group used to have their events in Santa Barbara, but he said they moved it up to North County because they found there’s more support for veterans here.

“It just really seems like the people of North County seem more in tune with our servicemen and women,” he said. “Moving it up here, it’s been phenomenal.”

In addition to the food, drink, and entertainment, and local radio personality Drew Wakefield MCing the proceedings, the park had numerous booths set up offering services for veterans.

Among them was Kelly Diaz, who was volunteering at the booth advocating for the She Raised Her Hand initiative to recognize female vets like herself.

“We’re just working to increase awareness that there are female veterans out there who need help, and sometimes they’re reluctant to get it,” Diaz said. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been to gatherings and people ask me if I’m a veteran’s wife, and I say ‘no, I’m a veteran.’ And there are a lot of women in my position who deal with that, and it makes them not want to come to VA facilities to seek help.”

There were also booths and the event covering such services and causes as suicide prevention and financial and housing services.

During conversation, Farmer let it be know that the event will be returning to Solvang next year.

“We’ll be doing it at Solvang Theaterfest; we’ve already set it up for the Saturday before Veteran Day,” he said. “And we’re talking to Hancock College and the PCPA about putting on a USO show.”  

The tentative date for next year’s Salute to the Vets event is Nov. 8, 2025.

Meanwhile, on the actual Veterans Day, Nov. 11, the AFW Post 7139 held it’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Solvang Veterans Hall. This more formal affair, a staple of Solvang for years.

The ceremony included a flag raising by the local Boy Scout Troop 41, who also presented the flags of all the service branches inside the hall later; laying of the wreath for POWs/MIAs, and the playing of taps.

Inside, Jeffrey Willis led his first Veterans Day Ceremony since taking over as VFW Post Commander, Pastor Jeff Brown of Bethania Lutheran Church gave the invocation, and Solvang Mayor Mark Infanti delivered a proclamation by the city honoring all veterans.

The Santa Ynez Valley Chorale and Santa Ynez Valley Jazz Band performed musical interludes throughout the ceremony.

The keynote speaker was Brigadier Gen. Frank Kincaid, the deputy commander at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Kincaid reminded the audience that the real meaning of Veterans Day is to honor the bravery of those who fought for our country, and brought up the example of one James Anderson Jr., a 20-year-old U.S. Marine from Los Angeles who, while in Vietnam grabbed a live grenade and put it to his chest, sacrificing himself to save others in his platoon.

“Freedom, as we know, is not free,” Kincaid said. “It demands so much from us and the stakes are high. A veteran’s service is rendered with great sacrifices, like long separations from loved ones, missing signficant life events like the birth of a child, and countless relocation around the world.”

Kincaid also pointed out the physical and mental scars many veterans bring back home with them.

“We must remain steadfast to advocate for veterans benefits,” he said, ” to ensure they have the access to resources and opportunities, to begin to provide, listen to their stories and never forget.”

The final speaker was retired Army Col. Art Kaslow, who a well-know dentist in the area. In his address, Kaslow stressed the importance of young people to understand the sacrifices veterans have made for the country and how many of them need to follow the same path.

“This country is facing a gradual scarcity of youth who will supply future military service,” Kaslow said. “But we can show our approaching generations the history and glory of this generation.”

As an example, Kaslow pointed to a moment with his 4-year-old grandson, who saw an old photo of his grandpa with his Army platoon.

“He asks me ‘do you still have the military clothes?'” he recalled. “And I said, ‘yes, in the closet.’ And he asked ‘couldyou put them on for me?’ And I said ‘uh, no, not right now.'”

However, Kaslow then explained that he remembered the time he would go through his dad’s military mementos, anddecided to put on his old Army clothes for his grandson, who was thrilled to see his grandpa in the military garb.

At that point, someone in the audience asked Kaslow what costume his grandson wore this past Halloween.

“He was an Army soldier,” Kaslow answered to wide applause. 

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The Buellton and Solvang city elections on Nov. 5 looked strangely similar.

New mayors who were halfway through their first terms as City Councilmembers and serving as the current mayor’s second-in-command? Check! Congratulations, David Silva and David Brown.

Two City Council seats each that were transitioning to district seats, and then won by already-established City Councilmembers running unopposed? Check! Congrats, Elysia Lewis, John Sanchez, Mark Infanti, and Claudia Orona.

A city measure to increase the Transit Occupancy Tax from 12% to 14%? Check!

A rundown of our local elections decided on Nov. 5.

Buellton

David Silva, who announced his run for mayor back in June, was victorious with 52.25% of the vote (1,405 votes) as of Thursday, Nov. 21, unseating incumbent Dave King (47.34%, 1,273 votes)

It was just two years ago that Silva hit the campaign trail to win his council seat, and doing that and then running for mayor he feels he learned a lot.

“I feel like I’ve learned our community, when given the opportunity to tell us their opinion to share their thoughts and perspective, really want to be engaged,” he said on Election Night, while with supporters at California Tacos in Buellton.”They want to feel connected to the community. We have a very dynamic group of people who live here, and so that reallyhelped me shed the idea that we live in a bedroom community that just doesn’t care.”

Elysia Lewis and John Sanchez, who held the last at-large seats on the Buellton City Council, saw their seats converted into the districts that happen to live in, and ended up running unopposed for those districts, so they will be returning. For the record, Lewis received 95.73% (516) of the votes in District 2, and Sanchez got 97.37% (222) in District 3.

Buellton voters also had two ballot measures to decide and both of them passed. Measure C, Urban Growth Boundary Expansion Measure, passed with 59.20% of the vote (1,532) votes, and Measure D, City Transient Occupancy Tax Increase, that increased the TOT from 12% to 14% passed with a percentage of 54.40% (1,347 votes).

Solvang

District 3 City Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem David Brown’s earned Solvang’s mayoral seat, getting 58.99% of the vote, with runner-up Jamie Baker getting 26.43%, and Denise El Amin 13.97% to finish third.

Brown will take over the mayoral seat just two years after winning a seat on council.

“It’s all very humbling,” Brown said on Election Night at Fitzgerald’s Pub in Solvang, when the first returns showed him with a sizable lead. “I wasn’t anticipating the outpouring of support, but it’s just great.”

Meanwhile, Mark Infanti, who did not seek reelection as mayor, ran unopposed for the District 1 seat that was formerly an at-large seat and got 96.78% of the vote, while fellow councilmember Claudia Orono ran unopposed for the District 2 seat (also being converted from an at-large seat), getting 96.43% of the vote. 

Like Buellton, Solvang had it’s own measure, Measure E, to increase that TOT from 12% to 14%, and it passed by a wide margin, 67% to 33%, or 2,038 votes to 1,004.

Other races

In the Santa Barbara County Board of Education Trustee Area 4 vote, Guy Walker defeated Patrina Jones, 67.70% to 30.85%

In the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District Trustee Area 5, Chris Johnson won reelection with 70.76% (1,469 votes) over Joshua A. Jones (29.19%, 552)

In the race for Los Alamos Community Services District Board of Directors, four candidates vied for three seats, and the updated results showed Kristy Gnesa-Williams  (30.79%, 399 votes), Michael Nicola (23.61%, 306), and Bradley Vidro (22.92%, 297) in the lead over Peggy Golden (21.45%, 278)

The Santa Ynez Community Services Board of Directors race also had four hopefuls running for three spots, and J. Brett Marymee (30.05%, 1,029 votes), Donald Kelleher (25.99%, 890), and Frank Redfern (23.83%, 816) held the lead over Karen Jones (19.36%, 663).

The Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District had two seats contested: For Division 1 director, Robert Dunlap (70.41%, 2,641) defeated Justin M. Ruhge  (28.71%, 1,077), and in Division 3, Philip Carpenter (55.34%, 3,271) defeated Carol Redhead (43.99%, 2,600).

National Presidential Election

Media outlets across the nation called the election early Wednesday morning, Nov. 6, naming Donald Trump the 47th president of the United States. He has now cleared the election with 312 electoral votes, with Vice President Kamala D. Harris earning 226. 

In Santa Barbara County, 61.37% (109,546 votes) went to Harris and 35.06% (62,576 votes) went to Trump. 

As ballots continue to be counted, further updates will clarify final outcomes across races. Stay tuned for the latest election news as it unfolds.

Other notable results for Santa Barbara County:

U.S. Senate Race  

In a closely watched Senate race, Adam B. Schiff won over Steve Garvey with 61% of the vote (106,173 votes) to Garvey’s 39% (67,884 votes) for the full term, and then 61.15% (103,899) to 38.85% (66,002). 

U.S. House of Representatives

District 24: Incumbent Salud Carbajal retained his seat with 63.34% of the vote (109,826 votes), defeating Thomas Cole (36.66%, 63,552 votes). 

State Senate and Assembly

State Senate District 21: Incumbent Monique Limon (D) won with 65.32% (112,269 votes) against Elijah Mack (R) (34.68%, 59,617 votes). 

State Assembly District 37: Incumbent Gregg Hart (D) kept his seat with 61.82% (104,402 votes), defeating challenger Sara Domingues (38.18%, 64,471 votes). 

Key Proposition Results (Statewide) 

Prop 36 (Increases Sentences for Certain Drug and Theft Crimes): Passed with 60.79% (102,093 votes) in favor. 

Prop 35 (Permanent Funding for Medi-Cal Services): Passed with 65.93% (110,018 votes) approval.

Prop 34 (Restricts Spending of Prescription Drug Revenues): Passed with 50.01% (80,493 votes). 

Prop 33 (Expands Local Rent Control Authority): Defeated with 62.24% (104,338 votes) against. 

Prop 32 (Raises Minimum Wage): Yes votes were ahead in Santa Barbara County with 50.05% (85,235 votes), but the proposition to increase the minimum wage failed statewide with 48.9% (6,746,167) yes vs. 51.1% (7,044,192) no. 

Prop 6 (Eliminates Involuntary Servitude for Incarcerated Persons): Rejected by 51.24% (85,161 votes).

Prop 5 (Local Bonds for Affordable Housing and Infrastructure): This amendment failed with 52.95% (89,225 votes) opposed. 

Prop 4 (Bonds for Climate Risk Mitigation): Passed with 60.16% (102,695 votes). 

Prop 3 (Constitutional Right to Marriage): Passed with a strong 65.71% (112,448 votes). 

Prop 2 (Funding for School and College Facilities): Passed with 58.96% (100,006 votes). 

Feature Image: Solvang Mayoral Candidate David Brown (left) relaxes with supporters at Fitzpatrick’s Tavern in Solvang on Election night. Brown won the election and will be Solvang’s next mayor.

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On Oct. 29, the Santa Ynez High girls golf team successfully defended its CIF Central Section Division 2 title in Visalia at the par-73 Valley Oaks Golf Course. 

The Pirates beat runner up Atascadero by five shots, shooting a team score of 483. Cabrillo (522) and Lompoc (523) finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

Senior Mackenzie Phelan led the Pirates with an 87. Phelan, Katherine Becerra and Sierra Freedman (who both shot 95) all had top 10 finishes in the Division 2 tournament. Other Pirates in the tournament included Addison West (96), Savannah Hudley (110), and Kacy Caplan (112).

“We expect Mackenzie Phelan to advance to the Section Championship; this will be finalized after today’s D3 tournament,” said SYHS golf coach Sara Ovadia. “Players that shoot 91 or lower and finish in the top 25 of players from the D2/area/D3 tournaments advance as Individuals to the Section Championship Monday in Fresno at San Joaquin Country Club where the D1 teams will compete for a D1 title and the other players will compete for a chance to advance to the SoCal Regional tournament.”

The win gives Santa Ynez back-to-back girls golf titles. Combined with the boys golf team, also coached by Ovadia and having won two straight CIF Central Section titles, give the SYHS golf program four straight CIF titles.

SYHS girls tennis wins playoff opener

The Santa Ynez High girls tennis team, the top seed in the CIF Central Section Division II, swept Righetti 9-0 in their first-round matchup.

All the Pirates’ single players won in straight sets, with Danielle Hyland putting a double goose egg on her opponent, winning 6-0, 6-0 at No. 5, while Natalie O’Shaughnessy (6-0, 6-1 at No. 4) and Haley Townes (6-1, 6-1 at No. 2) also had impressive wins.

The doubles team were also impressive as Keegan Withrow/Haley Townes won 8-1 at No. 1, Kate Mazza/Natalie O’Shaughnessy won 8-2 at No. 2, and Claire Tipich/Ainsley Haws won 8-2 at No. 3.

With the win, the Pirates earned a second-round matchup with Justin Garza High of Fresno, which happened last Thursday after press time. If they got past that match, they’ll play today against the winner of Garces Memorial and Bakersfield.

Cross Country competes at Mt. SAC Invitational

Some Santa Ynez cross country runners took part in the Mt. SAC Cross-Country Invitational at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Oct. 25 and 26.

Brooke Phelan was the standout for SYHS at the event, according to cross country coach Gary Semerdjian.

“Brooke was leading the first part of the race and held on to second place at the end, out of 123 runners in her Varsity group,” Semerdjian said. “We have a strong team for a small school.”

“Dimitri Nicolaou, a first-year freshman runner, scored big with a fourth-place finish,” the coach continued. “Alex Sutherland finished eight. Gavin Babcock scored 27th, and Mateo Sotelo scored 34th out of 126 runners.  Varsity boys Josue Salinas placed 12th out of 193 runners.

“Ilan Torres came in at 129th, and Gael Torres finished 137th. Sophomore Adam Lett came in at 19th place, and Gabriel Silva came in at 41st place out of 195 runners.”

The cross country team will next compete in the Ocean League finals this Saturday at 2 p.m.

Pirates athletes get CIF championship rings

Three Santa Ynez High athletes were awarded rings to represent their invidual CIF championships during a lunchtime ceremony on campus Oct. 11.

One of those athletes, Malia Ortiz, was awarded twice, winning last year in wrestling (110 pounds) and the pole vault in track and field.

Also, being honored was Santino Alvaro, who won his CIF title in wrestling (128 pounds).

Not present at the ceremony was Vince Casey, who won his titles in the long jump, and as a member of the Pirates’ 4×100 relay team. Casey graduated last June and is now a student and track and field athlete at Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) in Walnut.

SYHS Athletic Director Josh McClurg said that the rings were made possible by SYHS alumnus Ernie Ortiz, who got together with other alumni to raise money for the rings. McClurg said the group will continue to raise funds, so future individual CIF champs can get their rings also.

Feature image: Santa Ynez High athletes Malia Ortiz (wrestling and track and field) and Santino Alvaro (wrestling) show off the rings they received in commemoration of their respective CIF championships they won last academic year. Photo by Mike Chaldu.

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Coming off a high-scoring loss to Atascadero in its Sunset League opener, the Santa Ynez High football continued to pile up yards and points on Oct. 18, beating visiting Pioneer Valley 54-20.

In a night that culminated the school’s Go Pink week (the SYHS players wore pink socks), the Pirates put up a season-high in points, getting their first league win. It was also their third win of the year, which made them eligible for the CIF Central Section playoffs.

Santa Ynez took it to Pioneer Valley mainly with its ground attack, as the Pirates rushed for 262 yards. Griffin Brunner eclipsed the century mark in rushing for the second straight week, gaining 130 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Quarterback Jade Pritchard contributed with 66 yards rushing and scored four touchdowns.

On defense, the Pirates stiffened up in the second half, allowing just seven points after halftime. Ben Flores (15 tackles) and Ryder McClurg (11 tackles) led the way for the Pirates, while Max Andrade (interception), Jack Swain (interception), and Jaxon Glover (fumble recovery) had key turnovers.

Pirates head coach Josh McClurg said his team intended to establish the run immediately.

“They gave us some looks on defense we hadn’t seen, so we started off with some plays we knew would work,” Pirates head coach Josh McClurg said. “We got a couple of one-off plays, and then we started taking what they gave us and just waited to get into a groove offensively.”

The Panthers gave the Pirates a short field right at the start when they tried to surprise SYHS with an onside kick to start the game. However, the Pirates recovered at their own 49, and after a long pass play, Rider McClurg took it in from 8 yards out for the first score. Then, after a shanked Pioneer Valley punt gave the Pirates another short field, Pritchard took it from 11 yards out for a 12-0 lead.

The Panthers made a game of it in the second quarter, scoring a TD and two field goals, while Brunner scored on a 6-yard run and Pritchard took it in on the 2-point attempt for a 20-13 Pirates lead at the half.

Santa Ynez then broke it open with 21 points in the third quarter, as Pritchard scored three TDs in the period, while Brunner added a touchdown, and backup QB Glover threw a touchdown to Roman Soto to close out the scoring.

“The important thing is we got that third win to get into the postseason,” Coach McClurg said after the game. “We got that monkey off our backs.”

The game on Oct. 18 was the annual Go Pink game in recognition of Cancer Awareness Month and to help fundraise for a local Pirate parent Trish Robinson, whose son is a former Pirates player and daughter is currently a cheerleader. Robinson is fighting a rare connective tissue disease attacking her lungs called anti synthetase syndrome with overlapping inflammatory myositis.

The game included fundraisers like a bake sale, and a raffle for items provided by the Santa Ynez High School Football Boosters, with all proceeds going to Robinson in her fight against the disease.

A week after their win over Pioneer Valley, played their second straight home game, and last of the season, and suffered a 42-9 defeat at the hands of San Luis Obispo High.

The Tigers amassed 342 yards on the ground for the night, with running back Colbin Garrison gaining 203 of those yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns.

The Pirates actually struck first as Diego Pulido, now limited to kicking duties after and early-season injury, kicked a 29-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead. However, the Tigers struck back early and often, scoring three first-quarter touchdowns, and never looked back.

Austin Boucher scored on a 3-yard run in the second quarter for the Pirates, but SYHS would be shut out the rest of the way.

The loss dropped Santa Ynez to 3-6 (1-2 in the Sunset League), pending the Pirates regular-season finale at Righetti last Friday, Nov. 1. CIF playoff pairings were released on Sunday, and the Pirates will have a first-round road game this Friday, Nov. 8. To find out where and against who, see santaynezvalleystar.com.

Feature image: Santa Ynez High quarterback Jade Pritchard is congratulated by teammates after scoring one of his four touchdowns Oct. 18 in the Pirates’ 54-20 win over Pioneer Valley. Photo by Mike Chaldu.

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