Kacy Caplan has been chosen as Santa Ynez Valley Youth Recreation Queen for 2025. She will represent the Santa Ynez Valley and perform the various duties that the title Queen requires.  

Caplan is the daughter of Robyn and Brian Caplan and her grandmother is Paula Albrecht. She also has an older sister, Boe, and a twin brother, Cole. She is currently a junior at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. Caplan says she is looking forward to raising funds for the youth in the Valley so that they can experience the same outstanding programs and facilities that she has benefited from and has had the opportunity to enjoy. She believes in giving back to the community that has given her so much.

“Growing up in the Valley, I have had the opportunity to experience so much, such as raising turkeys and pigs in Lucky Clover 4-H, playing in a variety of sports, dancing, and spending time with my friends at our local parks,” stated Caplan in her application letter. “In high school, I took on leadership roles such as FFA President and ASB class officer. I am also a varsity athlete in girls’ golf (for three years) and track (for two years). The incredible sports facilities in our community, many of which have been built and maintained by SYV Youth Recreation, have had a lasting impact on student athletes, just like me.

“Beyond school, I am also an active member of the National Charity League, where I have volunteered at numerous community events, including the Youth Rec Queen events in years past. I have seen first-hand how much SYVRC has provided for local youth, and I am grateful for the excellent opportunities it has given me, and many others.” 

Caplan said she is proud of serving SYV Youth Rec, whether or not she is Queen.

“Ever since I started volunteering at the youth Rec Queen events, I have had people ask me if I wanted to become queen. I would always respond with a ‘maybe,’ to not seem like the only reason I was volunteering was to become queen, because that was not the case at all,” said Caplan. “However, the more people asked (which was not a ton) themore I saw it as a great opportunity and something I would love to do. I was really surprised when I became Rec Queen, and I am very honored to be given this position.”

Caplan explained what some of her duties are, now that she has been chosen Rec Queen.

“A lot of my duties revolve around the three main events. For instance, I help a lot with the auction part of the events: asking businesses and people for donations, picking those donations up, setting up baskets for different items, making sure it is all organized, and, of course, showcasing the items during the live auction,” she said. “All the money made at the auction goes to the Youth Rec, and they use this money to help the youth in our Valley. For example, they have built several facilities at the high school, including the weight room, supplying all the weight systems, the swimming pool, the softball diamond, the tennis complex, rebuilt the baseball complex and built the Ag Barn for the FFA. They also built the enclosure for the paint booth at the auto shop and continue to help the various teams and clubs at the high school. Amazingly, I have been chosen to help run these events, because I want to give back to the community that has blessed me with so many great things.”

Caplan is looking forward to attending college after she graduates from SYHS next year.

“After graduation, I plan to attend a four-year college outside the state. I want to major in ag communications,” she said. “I have a few schools in mind, such as Texas A&M and Kansas State.”

Caplan realizes the work that is involved with being Rec Queen, and is honored to be a part of it.

“I was really surprised when I became Rec Queen. However, after the initial feelings wore off, I was very honored,” she said. “Getting closer to the events, I realize that it is going to be a lot of work, but it is also going to be a lot of fun.These events are really fun to attend and volunteer at. Knowing that these events are helping raise money for the youth in our Valley makes all the work worth it in the end.”

SYV Youth Rec got a fitting and deserving individual to take the Queen’s crown (which in this case is embroidered on a 10-gallon hat), according to Frank Kelsey, the executive director of Santa Ynez Valley Youth Recreation. 

“We chose Kacy based on her interest in our program and her outstanding success as a student at Santa Ynez High School,” Kelsey said. “For the last several years she has attended and helped at all of our events. Kacy is an athlete, an ASB officer, and president of the SYFFA.”

The events which Queen Kacy Caplan will preside over are as follows:

• The Kick-Off event will be a barbecue and auction held at noon on Sunday, April 27, at River View Park in Buellton.
• The second event will be held on Monday, May 5, at Gainey Winery in Santa Ynez. It will feature a luncheon and an auction.
• On Friday, May 16, New Frontiers Market will be donating 5% of its sales to the Santa Ynez Valley Rec Queen Campaign. Come shop, meet Queen Kacy Caplan, and help her with this fundraising event.   
• The final event will be held on Friday, May 23. A dinner and auction will be held at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Solvang. 

“I look forward to raising funds for the youth in our Valley to experience the same outstanding programs and facilities that I have,” Caplan said. “We are ready to start the 2025 Queen’s Campaign and I would greatly appreciate your support! Please save these dates for upcoming events — I cannot wait to celebrate with my family, friends, and all of you!”

SYV Youth Rec was started in 1955 to raise money to build a pool at the high school. It was completed in 1965 andSYV Youth Rec has raised over $4 million for local youth programs and facilities and has funded many projects at Santa Ynez High School, fields at local elementary and middle schools, and the volleyball, baseball, and soccer fields at Sunny Fields Park, among other accomplishments.

For more information on SYV Youth Rec, or information on attending the events or donating to Caplan’s campaign, visit www.syvyouthrec.org. 

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After spending the last eight years in Solvang, The 15th Anniversary of the SLOPOKE Art of the West Exhibition and Sale will take place on the weekend of Nov. 1 at the Octagon Barn Center in San Luis Obispo. 

SLOPOKE is an annual juried art show that promotes the culture and spirit of the American West. Historic imagery is integrated with scenes of the 21st Century west to tell the ongoing story of the individuality, creativity, and grit of all American people. From 2017-24, the event was held at Flag Is Up Farms in Solvang.

SLOPOKE will open on Friday, Oct. 31, with a reception for ticket holders from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. It will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1 and 2, closing on Sunday night.  

“The Opening Reception is on Halloween and it will be very special and lots of fun as we encourage folks to come in costume as their favorite western movie star or their favorite historic artist,” said Tom Burgher, CEO of SLOPOKE Events. “All ticket holders are invited.”

Originally launched as the SLOPOKE Western Art Rodeo in Pismo Beach in 2011 through 2016 when founders Tom and Sherie Burgher owned and operated Seaside Gallery. SLOPOKE has since been presented annually from 2017 to 2024 at Flag Is Up Farm in Solvang, a thoroughbred horse ranch owned by Monty and Pat Roberts. This year Burgher announced that it will be returning to San Luis Obispo County for the much-needed larger facility, ease of access, and increased parking capacity offered by the recently restored Octagon Barn Center.

“SLOPOKE has grown in popularity and even national recognition as a quality, annual art event that brings experienced and emerging artists together every year,” said Burgher. “It is designed to benefit artists, who often have a challenge finding a market for their creative product, by keeping the cost of participation low while giving broad reach to their art through traditional and social media outlets. It provides art lovers an opportunity to view and buy professional art without the need to travel to major urban art fairs.”

Located on South Higuera Street close to the 101 freeway, the Octagon Barn is one of only 60 such surviving barns in the United States. Unique to San Luis Obispo, historically the design was cheaper to build than a traditional rectangular barn because a larger area could be covered using less material. Known as The Octagon Barn Center, it was recently restored by the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo as a regional event center that is close to hotels and restaurants. It provides 5,000 square feet of exhibit space, modern restrooms, and parking for 120 vehicles. A portion of the proceeds from the show will benefit the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo.

“Nominally 35 artists are juried into the show based on their artistic skill, imagination, and the marketability of their work whether painting, sculpture, photography, or other media,” said Burgher. “All genres from realism to unidentifiable are considered based on these merits. Original art competes for Best of Show, Best Painting, Best Sculpture, Best Animal/Wildlife Art, Best Figurative Art, Best Depiction of the 21st Century West, and People’s Choice awards determined by an independent Featured Artist/Awards Jurist. Generally, a good mix of experienced and emerging artists are presented to art collectors at reasonable prices and without the need to travel to a large metropolitan area to see new art.” 

Artists may apply at slopokeartshow@gmail. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Eventbrite.

For more information, call (805) 569-1235 or visit www.the-slopoke.com and Facebook/Instagram @slopokewesternartshow.

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Solvang Rotary and Linda Vista Foundation joined forces on Feb. 8-17 for some challenging philanthropic work in Guatemala for the third year in a row. 

Solvang Rotarians Linda Johansen, Jan Clevenger, Dr. Art Kaslow, Dr. Bobby Brugnone, and Joe Brown teamed up with Linda Vista Foundation CEO Stu Gildred and his sister Tiffany Enermann as well as his new Director for Latin America Ana Paula Perez Martinez. 

“Because there were only five Solvang Rotarians leaving from the Solvang area this year, we had to improvise our round-trip transportation to the LAX airport,” Johansen began. “To the rescue was fellow Rotarian Tresha Sell and Rio Vista who offered to provide the group with a van and driver in each direction. We were lucky enough to have Maynard Bentley, a dear friend to some of us, be our driver. Thank you Rio Vista, the Sell family, Maynard, and employee Tyler for getting all the arrangements made to help us. It takes a village for sure on these trips whether it be additional funding from private Rotarians or our Club, or both. We love and appreciate so much our village of helpers as we all pay our own way as well as help to pay for all of the services that we provide in the underserved communities.”

And once the group got to Guatemala it was more planning for transportation.

“We have always flown Avianca for this mission from Los Angeles directly into Guatemala City and stayed there overnight before leaving early the next morning for a long drive to our first destination,” Johansen continued. “We rented two vehicles and divided up our team with Stu Gildred driving in the lead car followed by Dr. Bobby Brugnone and his team members. We communicate between the cars with our high-tech walkie-talkies for directions and entertainment. This helps to keep these long difficult dirt road drives bearable. We have always made those long car rides fun with joke-telling and games.”

Johansen explained that the group’s mission was dedicated to projects for the underserved in the remote mountainous village of San Martin Chiquito, particularly the indigenous Mam tribe, who are of Mayan descent. They speak no Spanish, only Mam. 

“We all stayed at the nonprofit called Local Hope and Xela Aid Eco Guest House facility and worked in the same compound as well. For our afternoon arrival at Xela Aid, we were greeted by the staff and school children who treated us to a dancing performance in their native costume in the inner courtyard,” Johansen said. “It was wonderful and the children were so adorable. One by one the children managed to get our entire group out on the dance floor with them. The program ended with the children giving us all handpicked bouquets of flowers for our rooms. There were lots of hugs for the children and they all hugged us right back! These adorable pre-school-aged children were part of a scholarship fund established for 50 students into the Montessori program.”

The group’s projects at Local Hope Xela Aid were the completion and delivery to local families of handmade chicken coops with chickens for a sustaining project for the families, water filter systems, working in the computer lab with students, aid for the special needs classrooms, guitar lessons and several days of intense dentistry.

“The dentistry was tough as the indigenous adults and children that we saw had received absolutely no dental treatment, so it was a bit like a war zone in there. There were a lot of infections and extractions and it was absolutelyheartbreaking to see little children in this condition,” said Johansen.  “We all wanted to scoop them up in our arms and bring them home to a better life, which included better dental and health care.”

Johansen provided some impact numbers from 2024 for Xela Aid which was founded by humanitarian Leslie Baer Dinkel: Health care, 6,362 patients served; safe water, 27,610 served; 23,425 emergency food; 8,626 hot meals for children and seniors; 72,864 Pre-K learning participant hours; 83,160 Study Center participant hours; computer lab, 64,080 participant hours; and special needs, 94,438 learning, physical and therapy hours. The number of people served in 2024 was 16,626.  

“Again, one person had a vision that turned into this reality for the community of San Martin Chiquito. One person’sefforts can and does make a profound difference,” said Johansen.

“Before leaving Xela Aid, we all took advantage of the indigenous women and their weaving skills by shopping in their co-op store, where all participants divide the monies,” she continued. “The women of this tribe have found great power in knowing that their weaving skills are valued and are banding together in many different co-ops to sell their stunningly beautiful hand-woven items. The women are now very successful in their own right and helping to provide for their families.”

The group departed Xela Aid, driving over three hours on marginal roads to their next stop, which was San Jose La Maquina, which is where they stayed for several nights for their well dig project.

“The villages are so remote and have no hotel facilities or ever receive tourists, so we stay as close as possible with the well-digging crew in whatever community that they find with a hotel that is habitable for us all,” said Johansen. “Last year’s ‘find’ had brown water coming out of the tap, so thank heavens for wet wipes.

“We eat breakfast starting at 5 a.m. with the crew as well as dinner later every evening about 7 p.m., having about 30 minutes to wash up after the day’s well dig. We initiated Jaime and staff after dinner to play Left Right and Center, which is a gambling game at $3 per game, which was fronted for them. We had an absolute blast playing with them andwe all forgot all of the aches, pains and emotional angst that comes when you volunteer in these remote villages.”

Johansen explained that they have worked with the same water well company, Asocaviva, and owner Jaimie Torres and his amazing crew, including Carla Castellanos who teaches the women and children in each remote village they serve. 

“They speak only Spanish and we women step up to help Carla with the classes when we aren’t helping with the well dig,” said Johansen. “She has put an incredible amount of time into her lessons, trying to speak English as well so that they are all exposed to some English vocabulary. We do songs, skits, interactive games and arts and crafts. The lessons are all built around oral and physical hygiene as well as environmental hygiene, trying to teach them about sanitation and bacteria. We even have ‘poop’ props that we use in our skits, and the women and children hang on to every word and repeat it all back to us and interact with these lessons. 

“It is wonderful to be able to hug and love all these remote villagers that see little or no visitors ever. To let them know they matter, and that we care about their wellbeing is a beautiful gift. It is even more remarkable how Jaime finds these remote locations and makes sure that they get the coveted staple in life, clean water.” 

However, the task isn’t without its difficulties.

“The unfortunate part of the well dig is the remote villages are at least 1½ to 2 hours’ drive from our hotel location in each direction,” explained Johansen. “The roads are always dirt and the conditions very hash with huge potholes and rocks. As the crow flies, this year’s well community was less than 15 miles from our hotel site, and it took us almost two hours one way to get where we needed to be.”

And the conditions weren’t optimum, either.

“Dusty is the understatement as we followed the well crew truck and another vehicle,” Johansen continued. “You could barely see where you were driving. As is customary in Guatemala, our car rental had no wiper blades so Bobby had to improvise with our car windshield wipers stuffing newspaper, tissue paper and toilet paper under the wipers so we could see a bit. You certainly learn how to improvise with what you have on these remote philanthropic trips. Whether you are digging ditches, building chicken coops, water filter kits, home structures or doing dentistry, you just do the best you can with what you have available to you, knowing that it matters and that doing something is always better than doing nothing.

“At the well site, the local women along with the pastor’s wife, made our lunch daily and served us food for our celebration and prayer vigil when the well came in with fresh water. This well was dug to 249 feet as the water is still contaminated with bacteria and fecal matter if you don’t dig deep.”

Once the well was completed the group, including the villagers, held a celebration. 

“The celebration for the completed water well is always wonderful, with children playing in the fresh water as it shoots out of the pipe,” said Johansen. “We celebrated in their beautiful parish and the village pastor led the service. Stu Gildred from Linda Vista as well as Jaimie Torres from Asocaviva also shared beautiful words to the members of the community. Jaimie and Asocaviva always give out beautiful white bibles to the women in the villages. These bibles are so coveted even though most of the villagers are illiterate.”

“Our last breakfast with the crew at 5 a.m. before leaving for the well dig was filled with special comments and lots of hugs as Jaime was presented his own game of Left, Right and Center to take back to his family and to play on the well digs. They rotate a week of work on and off and have a long waiting list of villages to receive water wells,” said Johansen. “We know there will be lots of fun and laughter for them with their new game, especially since their currency, the Quetzal, is certainly not as valuable as U.S. money.” 

Following the well-dig celebration, the group drove four to five hours to Lake Atitlan, where they stayed at the Sacred Tree for a little rest and relaxation before returning home.

“We visited several school sites and found some projects to help with in the Santa Cruz La Laguna area which is on the other side of the lake,” Johansen said. “Travel around Lake Atitlan is by boat taxi, so that is always an adventure as well. You are never dry when you get to your destinations and getting into the small boats from the higher docks takes a village and is an adventure in itself.”

Members of the group were left satisfied with an interesting trip all in the name of a good cause.

“Our hearts are full and our souls fed from another successful trip to Guatemala with the Linda Vista Foundation and the Solvang Rotary. Next year’s destination will be Colombia and we are working out all of the details for that trip now,” said Johansen. “There is never a shortage of projects to work on, and there is a great need in this world. Be a part of the change, make a difference and give to the underserved. Your life will be changed in the most profound ways.”

If you are interested in helping or joining a possible humanitarian trip with the Solvang Rotary and Impact Adventures and Linda Vista Foundation, contact Linda Johansen at lindyjo2003@yahoo.com.

“In 2024, over 40,000 lives were directly impacted by the initiatives Linda Vista Foundation supported,” Johansen said.”More than $150,000 in grants were distributed to 17 incredible organizations working tirelessly to achieve meaningful change in their communities. These numbers reflect not just the power of funding, but the transformative impact of collaboration and shared purpose. Each life touched, each community uplifted, is a testament to the power of what we can achieve together. Let’s keep building bridges, fostering hope, and driving progress in Latin America. You too canhelp in whatever capacity is right for you. Join our team and make a difference!”

For those inspired by the group’s recent service trip, Impact Adventure Tours offers the opportunity to embark on a transformative journey to Mexico, Colombia, or Guatemala. Specializing in customized trips for groups of up to 14 people, they combine meaningful service work with immersive cultural experiences. Whether it’s volunteering, exploring, or both, each trip is designed to create a lasting impact. 

To learn more or to plan a trip, visit impactadventuretours.com or contact Ana Paula Perez at lindavistafoundation@gmail.com.

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As the Fossemalle Dance Studio is “bourree-ing” (a ballet term consisting of tiny steps in any direction, and in their case, forward) towards the 40th anniversary of its dedication to teaching the Art of Dance, it is announcing a special week of summer camps starting Monday, June 23, through Friday, June 27.

There will be four different camps to choose from according to age and level of expertise, each being limited to 10 students to provide proper instruction as well as attention to detail.

It will also celebrate the return home for the summer of one of the studio’s 2022 graduates, Miss Camryn Kemp, who will be instructing, as she has done before, alongside Christine Fossemalle, the founder and director of the studio.

“First it was Miss Amanda; it is now Miss Camryn who is returning for the summer to help teach the students who will beattending our summer camps. It makes me feel very content to witness their desire to contribute their talents to our cause,” said Fossemalle.

There are two camps in the morning from 9 a.m. to noon, one being a Ballet, Tap and Jazz Camp for 7-year-olds and up, taught by Kemp.

The other and most popular one will be the Nutcracker Camp for youngsters 8 years and up with some ballet expertise, which will also be taught by Kemp.

The afternoon camps will be from 1 until 3 p.m., which is a newly created Disney Camp for 5- and 6-year-old boys and girls. This is an educational and fun camp with the famous classical Disney tunes and instruction suited for that age group.

Finally, the Sleeping Beauty camp, taught by Fossemalle requires ballet expertise and is for 12-year-olds and up.

“These are exciting, fun, and educational camps that provide your children with the opportunity to discover the art of dance or enhance their technical and artistic skills, taught with tender loving care and attention to detail. It will be a week of joy, challenges, and camaraderie to celebrate our 40th year of dedication to the Art of Dance,” said Fossemalle. “We encourage prompt registration though as the enrollment is very limited.”

Fossemalle Dance Studio is at 3595 Numancia St., Santa Ynez. For more information, call (805) 688-8494 or visit www.fossemalledancestudio.com

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Chef Alex Reyes is celebrating the one-year anniversary of the opening of his fusion restaurant, AR Restaurant & Catering, in the Buellton Town Plaza. He is also celebrating the 10th anniversary of his catering business AR Catering, which is located in Lompoc.

“I have always loved cooking, and eating as well,” he said, smiling. “I come from a large family — three brothers and three sisters — so my mother was always cooking. I learned from watching her from a distance, even hiding under the table to learn my mother’s cooking secrets. She would always shoo me out of the kitchen saying that she wanted me to be a lawyer or president of the United States, but my passion has always been cooking.

“She is very proud of me now, even though I’m not in the White House. Come to think of it, I should have named this restaurant The White House, but because my catering business is called AR Catering, I decided to call it AR Restaurant. I think I will name my next restaurant The White House,” he said humorously, with his mother in mind. 

Reyes said he started cooking on his own, working in the early 2000s at various restaurants in Santa Barbara. He attended Santa Barbara City College and enrolled in the school’s culinary arts program, but it didn’t offer him what he was looking for.

“By the time I enrolled, I had already three years of cooking experience. Educational experience is different from practical experience,” he said. “I wasn’t learning anything in the classes, so I didn’t finish. I continued to work in different kitchens, and when I thought I’d learned all I needed to know in that kitchen, I’d move on to the next — learning baking, pastries, salads, and steaks — and I developed my own style of cuisine. That’s when I felt I had the tools and the knowledge to venture out on my own. 

“So, I started a catering company. I began with a catering kitchen in Goleta and eventually moved to Lompoc. We’vebeen servicing customers from Carpinteria to Paso Robles and we have a contract with the Vandenberg Exchange where we go twice a week and we also service Space X employees. But I felt there was a missing piece in the catering business and I wanted to open a restaurant.”

After meeting a woman who owned her own restaurant, an opportunity arose for Reyes and he decided to take the plunge.  

“I wasn’t really looking for a space at that time, but I became friends with Francesca Agate, the owner of La Botte Bistro, who’d previously occupied this space,” he said. “She said she was looking to move back to Lompoc and that ‘I was her guy’ to take over the spot. We’ve become close friends and we’re like family now.”

Reyes’s vision was simple and heartfelt: to celebrate the Valley’s incredible bounty by crafting delicious, locally inspired dishes at a reasonable price.

“My goal in opening this restaurant was for it to be a place where locals could come and get a great meal and still have money left in their pocket,” he said. “It also offered me the opportunity of increasing my catering business by having a place for potential customers to come and sample my dishes.” 

Reyes said that he tries to use organic ingredients, locally sourced, including wines, which can also be paired with his dishes and beer. He also has vegetarian offerings.

“For my birthday, I was treated to a dinner at AR Restaurant & Catering in Buellton,” said Will Ambler, a Buellton resident. “My parents had heard good things from people who had eaten there, so we decided to give it a try. It is a cozy bistro with a friendly staff and an interesting menu. We ordered some wine and a starter to share, (pork belly with a spicey coleslaw). The presentation was great and the taste was even better. The main dish was equally visually appealing, and very tasty (Ahi and blackened salmon tacos). And the dessert did not disappoint (flowerless chocolate cake). 

“Since my dinner at AR Restaurant, I have told everyone, if they get the chance, ‘Go try it!’ The prices are reasonable and the food was great.” 

Reyes appreciates the support he gets from customers in Buellton.

“During the short time I’ve been here, the locals have been very welcoming and very loyal. Sometimes they just run in to pick up a meal to-go and some come in several times a week to eat,” he said. “We also partner with DoorDash for those who don’t want to venture out.

“Having been here for a year now, I can say that I am extremely happy I decided to open a restaurant in Buellton. The ultimate goal for any chef is to have your own restaurant and I am extremely happy to be here in this spot. I’m excited to spread the word and share my passion for cooking with the Valley.”

Catarina Agate, owner of Mama’s Café and La Botte restaurant in Lompoc, who dropped by to say hello, said Reyes’sdedication to his job, and his business, shows through.

“You must love what you are doing to have a successful restaurant and cater to the people with love,” she said. “And Alex loves what he does, and he is an unselfish worker.”

AR Restaurant & Catering is at 225 McMurray Road, Suite A, Buellton. Hours of operation are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., closed Sundays and Mondays. They offer a 15 percent discount, on Tuesdays only, to local residents. AR Restaurant & Catering will also be offering a Mother’s Day Dinner, a three-course meal paired with wine.

For more information, call (805) 697-7337 or visit arrestaurantandcatering.com

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EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the uncut version of the story. A condensed version of this story can be found in the March 18 print issue of the Santa Ynez Valley Star.

Linda Johansen was no sooner home from one of her trips to far-off lands than she was off again to Costa Rica with another intrepid group of adventurers from the Santa Ynez Valley. Their journey was replete with a jungle hike, an encounter with an iguana, monkeys, and alligators, whitewater rafting, traversing suspended bridges, zip lining through the jungle, torrential rain, and a soggy nature cruise … a journey not for the faint of heart. 

Johansen will combine her commission from the Costa Rica trip with the March Mediterranean trip to give largerdonations to the Santa Ynez Aquatics organization as well as the Olive Crest Hope Refuge, which aids in the recovery of young sex-trafficked victims from Santa Barbara County. 

“There is a saying, that ‘nature feeds the soul’ and that is so true of Costa Rica. Our adventurous trip started from the earliest bus charter ever, at 2 a.m. the morning of Jan. 17, which happened to be the day after my 76th birthday, which seems almost impossible to believe,” said Johansen. “We attacked and conquered Costa Rica from Jan. 17 to Jan. 29 with one exhilarating adventure after another. The local saying ‘Pura Vida,’ which translates into ‘the simple life,’ is far from the truth as there is nothing simple about some of these amazing adventures and challenges we all faced and conquered with joy, laughter, and so much love as we cheered each other on.”

Johansen’s clients ranged in age from the 40s to over 80, and she said they all embraced each adventure with new-found confidence and exuberance, giving her heart attack symptoms daily. 

“What a wild ride of adventure we all had from torrential rains in the cloud and rain forests, to hiking in the jungles near Arenal and the volcanos and crossing eight suspended bridges in the tree canopy gasping in wonder at all of the beautiful flora, fauna, and animals we saw,” she said. “It was breathtaking, and a very steep hike up the mountainside to get there, but it was well worth the effort!” 

“Costa Rica is the birthplace of zip lining, and boy did we zip through the tree canopies and jungle at break-neck speed,” Johansen continued. “There were eight challenging zip stations that had long and fast runs through tunnels in the jungle foliage. We all experienced ‘coming in hot’ meaning way too fast, but you could barely get the words or scream out before the run concluded! It was incredible that the oldest people on the trip did all of these adventurous activities and had such fun. When I grow up I want to be just like them — but then again, I think I am already right there with them. 

“My point here is that age is irrelevant if your mind and body will cooperate. Some might say we are crazy or experiencing a bit of dementia, but I say, ‘Well done people and thank you for sharing these wonderful adventures with me. I think you are all awesome.’”

The group stayed three nights in Tortuguero National Park which took them almost two hours to reach by boat through the jungle waterways. 

“The Evergreen Lodge was an incredible experience in the jungle and nature,” Johansen said. “We saw amazing wildlife, with slow-moving sloths, abundant in the trees, green and scarlet macaw, vibrant and beautiful species of so many birds including the Toucan distinguished by their long colorful beak.”

Johansen said that her group never saw any jaguars, but through conservation efforts, they have brought them back in great numbers, which was wonderful to hear. However, they did see huge crocodiles floating near the river banks, as well as caiman belonging to a subfamily of reptiles that are related to alligators. There were manatees in the rivers, but we never were able to see one, which is probably a good thing, since swimming with the manatee is still on her bucket list.

“We did visit the Sea Turtle Research Station and learned about the endangered green sea turtle and that they are working tirelessly to increase their numbers by identifying the nesting sites and monitoring and guarding them during hatching,” Johansen said. “Green sea turtles can lay 80-200 eggs at a time and few make it to maturity, but in the wild, they can live up to 90 years which is incredible. Costa Rica is very environmentally engaged, guarding all of their natural resources, which is remarkable for their country and for all of us who want to visit.”

Johansen explained that Costa Rica is a small country with coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean side. While the country is compact, it takes several hours to drive between the two coasts. The Pacific side is known for its stunning white-sand beaches, vibrant surf towns, and diverse ecosystems. The Caribbean coast offers a different vibe with lush clouds and rainforests, vibrant culture, and unique wildlife. The Caribbean coast gets a lot more rain as well. Fortunately, Costa Rica is leading the way in many environmental areas, so these beautiful natural areas should be preserved for future generations to enjoy.  

“We visited a cacao plantation in the Tirimbina Rainforest and learned all about the cacao bean and chocolate, ‘the food of the gods’ as legend has it,” Johansen continued. “We floated down the Penas Blancas River on a river safari and had lunch with a local generational family. We heard about their life, customs, and shared stories. The food was grown on their property and lovingly prepared, just for us, by two sisters who had never married and were very old. They greeted us with toothless smiles, but warm hugs. I loved them and we took our picture all together.

“They are happy with relatively nothing, dirt floors, spotless and hard-packed from constant sweeping, so even though the floors are dirt, you never see any loose dirt. They did have a wood-burning stove and they slept in hammocks, not beds, and still had out all of their holiday decorations including the Christmas tree at the top of the wooden stairs in the designated sleeping area. We learned that the custom is to not take down all of the holiday decorations until they have one last family gathering when they all agree, the decorations can come down.  It was almost a month after Christmas when we were there and they said they had no date for a family gathering yet. They live a very simple happy life, livingoff their land along a beautiful river, very lush green and tropical.”

After all of the activities of the week, many of the travelers had spa treatments to work out their kinks while at the Hotel Lomas del Volcan.

“What an exquisite room for massages, a patio-like setting in the jungle, open to the elements, with soft raindrops lulling you to sleep. What a great way to start winding down our trip with only two nights left on the Pacific Coast at the Los Suenos Marriott located on the beach with a marina and golf course,” Johansen added. 

“The hotel was beautiful with a massive pool with a lazy river flowing through the pool area.  It was an amazing resort, but it was a lot more humid and very hot compared to the Caribbean coast. We all enjoyed playing LRC there at $3 per game as well as a new card game called Golf and Five Crowns.”

Their last night was once again spent in San Jose, which is the largest city and the capital of Costa Rica.

“We stayed the first night of our arrival and the last night of the trip at the wonderful Double Tree Cariari Hotel,” Johansen said. “It is a very nice hotel with a beautiful large bar area for games and drinks. Our last dinner celebration together is always spent thanking our guide in our ‘Danish’ custom and fashion with heartfelt words of praise and thanks, and singing our Danish Skal song to them. Our guide Marta loved our Skal song, all the words and card of thanks and the envelope filled with tips from the group.”

Before the excursion ended, the group had an encounter that proved the adage “it’s a small world.”

“As we were all finishing our farewell dinner and program I heard a familiar voice yelling out to me and some of my other guests,” Johansen said. “Lo and behold, heading directly to our table were good friends Mark and Robyn Massie, who lived in the Valley many years before moving out of state within the last two years. They actually knew five people at the table extremely well.  What a wonderful ending to an amazing and adventurous trip to Costa Rica. Seeing our friends from Solvang gave us the urge to get back home to our way of life in Solvang, our family, and our friends. There truly is no place like home!”

Future trips available are to South America in September of 2025, and Thailand and Siem Reap Cambodia in February of 2026.  For more information, email Johansen at lindyjo2003@yahoo.com.

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For the fifth year, Teri Harmon has once again partnered with “Kids Around the World” a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, to participate in “OneMeal,” which empowers groups to be a part of the solution of child malnutrition. Her event, called“STOMP-ing Out Hunger,” gathers together local volunteers to assemble food packets that will be sent to children living in impoverished villages in Uganda and Equador. This food is distributed in different care points, such as orphanages, schools, homes, churches, and community feeding centers within each country.

“This will be our fifth ‘Stomping-ing Out Hunger’ party and I am calling on all previous and new stompers to once again gather on Saturday, April 12, at 11 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church Family Center in Ballard to help assemble food packets that will be sent to Uganda and Ecuador,” Harmon said. “Last year, we not only set a record for the most meals (140,000) packed by our teams, but we did it in one hour less time, in less than 3 hours! I think we have this down pretty well now. The event should be over by 3 p.m. I’m hoping to beat last year’s record.”

Kids Around the World provides all the ingredients, such as rice, lentils, freeze-dried vegetables, and vitamin packets tobe assembled by Harmon’s team of volunteers. She explained that all these ingredients go into one bag and one bag contains six meals. Thirty-six of these bags go into one box which is then sealed, placed on pallets, and packed into trucks, which are then returned to Kids Around the World in San Clemente. Amazingly enough, one box can feed one child for an entire school year.

“Each assembly table will have an eight-plus-person team that will scoop or pour the ingredients into the packets, then seal and put them into boxes that will then be loaded back onto the truck bound for the container in which they will be shipped and then served by volunteers,” explained Harmon. “Chaperoned kids age 10 and up, along with adults up to 99 years old are asked to volunteer at this fun and worthy event.

“Let’s do this together. If you want to help sponsor this, it will cost me over $40,000 to get this done which representsthe expenses for the food ingredients/packets and shipping. Any donations are appreciated and welcome.” 

Harmon explained the whole team concept.

“You can form your own team and wear matching outfits shirts or hats, or face paint if you want, or not; do whatever you want to help get into the spirit,” said Harmon. “If you are planning on running your own team, you will need 8-plus people. One will need to be the designated Table Captain and will communicate directly with me beforehand to confirm your team member names and participation. At the Family Center, your team will be briefed by our event organizers on how easy it is to prepare and measure the ingredients correctly for packing. Trust me, this is easy stuff — anyone can do this and you will have lots of help.” 

Harmon explained that eight people per assembly line is optimal, but it can be done with fewer, if need be. There’s a rice person, a lentil person, a bag and vitamin person and a vegetable person, although the bag and vitamin person can double as this is pretty easy, two sealer people, which is the most important task (not great for your children), and a sticker and box person. The Table Captain can do this role easily. The Table Captain is responsible for getting his/herteam to the event after confirming with me who is on their team. 

“It’s a scoop, fill, seal, and pack assembly line with breaks for snacks etc. Some people can stand while others sit andyou can switch off,” said Harmon.

In short, here’s what you need to do to be a part of this fun event. Harmon suggests that you look over the following paragraph and RSVP back to her.

• You can form your own team and forward Harmon their names or follow up later with the names.
• You can join any team or be assigned where needed. There will hopefully be lots of people who just show up and help. Please let Harmon know if that’s your plan.
• Harmon is also looking for young groups (ages 13 and up) to help set up at 8:30 a.m. and help during the STOMP event. These strong kids are very important to the success of the event and the preservation of our backs!

“Because we need to order the packing supplies and materials early, I will need your RSVP information before April 1, preferably sooner,” said Harmon.

“I’ve had a few people who were unable to attend and expressed an interest in just donating money for the packing costs,” said Harmon. “My website is live and ready for donations. Please visit katw.org/stomp or mail me a check payable to Kids Around the World, c/o Teri Harmon, PO Box 1899, Santa Ynez, CA 93460.

The Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church is at 1825 Alamo Pintado Road, Solvang.

For more information or to RSVP, call (805) 688-6776, fax (805) 693-8842 or email Terisue.harmon@gmail.com.

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Café Joy at PARc PLACE in Solvang is hosting an art exhibition by the Central Coast Art League (CCAL) featuring the art of an impressive group of women who meet once a week in Los Alamos under the guidance of renowned instructor Mary Kay West. The event will run from March 15 through April 15, with an opening reception from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 15, where attendees can meet the artists and view their work.

The CCAL has cultivated a community of talented artists passionate about classical realism and representational art. CCAL offers a unique atelier setting that honors the techniques of the old masters while embracing the innovations of modern technology in fine art. During the reception, visitors will have the opportunity to view a diverse range of artworks created by dedicated students, including Nicole Burnett, Diane Connors, Michelle Feldman, Sally Jones, Ruth Kelsey, Pamela Mack, Karen Tuttle, Sandy Wilson, and Rachelle Witt.

In a press release, it states that West, a native of Asheville, North Carolina, brings a wealth of experience to her teaching. With a background in psychology and yoga, she discovered her true calling as an artist in 2003. Since then, her work has garnered acclaim for its timeless quality and vibrant detail, earning her the designation of Associate Living Master by the Art Renewal Center. West’s paintings, particularly her sharp focus on still life and trompe l’oeil, can be found in prestigious galleries and museums across California and beyond.

“The venue complements the artistic vision of the CCAL,” said Georgina Gettman, a contemporary artist and owner of Café Joy and Sainte Maria boutique. “Café Joy is about the senses; it is a very artistic and creative environment. I like to share the space with local artists. I knew of West’s work, and I’ve also always admired the work of Rachelle Witt, one of the students in West’s group. So, I invited the group to do an exhibition in the café. The springtime sounded like a good time to do it with all the flowers in bloom, and I thought it would work out nicely. There will be over 40 still life oil paintings to view.”

Café Joy opened at Christmas and Gettman said, “It was a Christmas present to myself.” The café is a European-style coffee house that offers a variety of European-style coffee and pastries made by Chef Mauro Lozano from Madrid, Spain.

“We invite the community to join us in celebrating the creativity and dedication of these artists,” Gettman said. “The reception will feature Cafe Joy’s apothecary elixirs, cocktails, and decadent European desserts inspired by the classical paintings, and the chance to engage with the artists and learn more about their creative processes.”

For more information about the Central Coast Art League and upcoming events, please visit www.centralcoastartleague.com.

Café Joy is at 1623 Mission Drive, Ste H, Solvang. It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (505) 270-2332, visit shopsaintemarie@gmail.com or Instagram @shopsaintemarie.

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Residential designer Zachary Ulrick is the author of a new book titled, “Homeowner’s Shepherd — A Guide to Your First Construction Project.” It provides invaluable information for those who are thinking about building a new custom home, remodeling, or adding an additional building on their property. 

Starting a construction project requires careful planning and consideration. Readers will be informed of the budgeting process as they explore how to select an architectural style, hire an architect or designer, navigate the permit process, and choose a general contractor.

The book also provides a basic guide to the types of questions to ask and familiarize yourself with the terminology encountered throughout the various project phases. Ulrick adopts a supportive tone throughout the book, reflecting his experience in guiding clients since opening his business in 2015. He designs custom homes, barns, and guest houses for his clients. He will celebrate his 10th year in business this March.

“Entering a construction project for the first time can be a daunting task,” said Ulrick. “My book ’Homeowner’sShepherd’ simplifies this complicated process in a concise guide. Readers will gain enough knowledge about the various stages of their project to feel confident and know what to expect as they navigate this journey.”

“The reason I wrote this book is because all my clients who are building or renovating their own homes sometimes feel like they are in over their heads. It’s a very daunting experience,” he said. “I wanted to create a book that they could use to make their experience more enjoyable, less stressful, and more informative.”

Born and raised in the Valley, Ulrick grew up in Solvang on Laurel Avenue, and attended Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.

“I tried to move away as many kids do, but returned to the Valley, and met my wife, Brooke,” he said. “We have one daughter, Orli, who is 6 years old and in kindergarten at the Christian Academy, where my wife taught before our daughter was born.”

Ulrick feels that he came upon his career in an unusual manner, starting a business while still in school. 

“I went to Santa Barbara City College and received a three-year degree in drafting, and during that time I started my own business, Ulrick Design, which provides all the plans that are needed for residential projects,” he said. “The business became very successful. I typically have 15-20 clients at a time or 40 or more projects a year, excluding the smaller projects. I recommend builders that I trust, and then I like to be onsite during construction in a supportive role to the client and the builders and sub-contractors.”

Ulrick has received high praise for the way he conducts business and his focus on his clients and their needs.

“The feedback I have received since starting my business is that my timeline is shorter, people can reach me quickly and get updated progress reports more rapidly. I used to work in construction before becoming a draftsman, which givesme a clear vision of how to design construction plans and the details of the project. Architects generally have no hands-on practical building experience,” he explained. “I also provide the technology required, providing 3D renderings of the project, which I think gives my clients a clear understanding of the design and proposed final outcome. I help my clients understand the permitting process and budgetary constraints. Santa Barbara County is a really difficult place to obtain permits even for something as simple as a remodel or an addition. I help navigate the red tape involved.”

Ulrick has an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to help others.

“I’ve always gravitated towards mentors who have shepherded me along the way and I hope to do the same for those wishing to build their dream homes,” said Ulrick. “In my book, I’ve tried to do a good job distilling the information I have gleaned over the years into something that would serve any project. This book not only prepares readers for the logistical aspects of construction but also empowers them to make informed decisions, turning their dream homes into a tangible outcome.” 

“Homeowner’s Shepherd” is self-published and available on Amazon or locally at The Book Loft. For more information, visit www.ulrick-design.com.

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Brigette Braly has a deep interest in mental, physical, and spiritual health and community. She grew up in the Valley and in August 2023 opened her first yoga studio, called SHIFT Studio, in Santa Ynez, which offers daily yoga classes in multiple forms, along with infrared sauna therapy, a cold plunge, and massage therapy to help the community to reach these goals, one shift at a time. 

“I come from a family of entrepreneurs where ‘doing your own thing’ was always talked about,” said Braly. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I always considered myself a late bloomer. During COVID, the only commercial yoga studio had closed and I started looking into opening up my own yoga studio. I looked into the legal aspects of owning my own business then went looking for available spaces to open up my new yoga studio. All of a sudden, things fell into place so I felt compelled to pursue it.”

Becoming a yoga teacher was not a part of Braly’s life plan. Initially, her dream was to go to Italy. She attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she studied Italian and learned yoga. 

“After graduating, I went to culinary school in Italy. Spending one year in Italy studying was fabulous. I returned to Los Angeles and after working in a kitchen for several years I realized that it was not my calling, yoga was,” she explained.”Yoga was a lifesaver for me. I realized all that yoga gave me through all the different chapters of my life and I acquired my first-level certification 10 years ago while living in LA.”

“Growing up, school was very difficult for me since I had ADHD,” she said emotionally, recalling the past. “Yoga has taught me how to focus, breathe, slow down, and to actually feel my body. Meditation has also been a valuable tool.”

But living in Los Angeles was not for her. Braly moved back to the Valley in December 2019, just before the COVID pandemic broke out.

“When I returned home, having been away just shy of 10 years, I started teaching yoga at Juicy Life in 2020. When it closed, I started to consider doing something on my own,” she said. “It took me a year or so to get the ball rolling. I looked at a few places but none of them felt right. Then I found the perfect spot. Originally I didn’t consider this space as viable as the rent was just a little more than I wanted to spend. But once I saw it, I loved it. It’s in the perfect location in a beautiful building in downtown Santa Ynez. I contacted Renee Allen Properties and met with the owner of the building Arthur Osha and we started having existential discussions immediately. We seemed to hit it off. He had other offers he said, but he liked the idea of a yoga studio and we eventually signed contracts.”

SHIFT offers daily yoga classes given by one of its 10 teachers. 

“All of the instructors here have been teaching yoga for between 10 and 15 years; they are well qualified,” she said.“The studio also offers infrared sauna therapy, a cold plunge, sound baths, and massage therapy. Celeste Pearlman is our massage therapist who is certified in 14 different massage techniques. She previously worked at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara and the San Ysidro Ranch. 

“This spring we are looking forward to offering facials and breath work. We also offer a group meditation every Sunday, following class, for whoever wants to join in. My goal is to share all the tools we’ve accumulated and to not do life alone.”

For Braly, it’s more than what’s being  done inside the business.

“It’s so much fun to see people get into some really deep conversations in the parking lot after class. I love that,” she said. “It’s really a big honor for me to have a business in the town I grew up in and love.”

SHIFT Studio is at 3563 Numancia St., Suite 103, Santa Ynez.

For more information visit Instagram @shiftstudiosyv, info@shiftstudiosyv.com or call or text (805) 717-5071 or visit www.shiftstudiosyv.com, which she said is “a work in progress” where you can find the names of all the yoga teachers and substitutes.

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