Once again, the Stomp-ing Out Hunger Project was successfully completed on Saturday, April 12, with more than 200 kindhearted people gathering to set up and assemble a record 145,000 meals bound for Uganda and Ecuador. 

For the fifth year, Teri Harmon 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 are 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.

People from all over the Santa Ynez Valley and beyond came to help, along with teams of people from Montecito Bank & Trust, Solvang Rotary, Dr. Morelli’s DDS office, Valley Christian Fellowship, Bank of California, Bible study groups, PEO Sisterhood, Presbyterian Church, Bilancia Pilates, and others. The biggest representation of support came from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with its 50+ members and 10 missionaries who helped to carry the heavy boxes of food packets and restock the bins as the stompers needed. Mary Jones and her team helped behind the scenes, and members of the Santa Ynez High School tennis team helped to set up the event the day before.

“This was no easy task given the number and weight of supplies that needed to be set out,” said Teri Harmon.

Teri and John Harmon’s family and friends from San Diego attended for the fifth year and were instrumental in running the whole project that was held at the Presbyterian Church’s Family Center in Ballard, with everyone wore matching T-shirts.

“Overall, it was a very large team effort to benefit children in need of food and nutrition,” said Harmon. “The organization Kids Around the World is the NGO that administers the food program and gets the assembled food packets to their intended destination once the boxes are packed. Each assembled bag contains six meals, and 36 bags are then packed into one box (216 meals per box) that can feed a child for an entire school year. This year, over 670 boxes were packed by the volunteers, thereby setting another event record for the number of meals packed (145,000+) in 4 hours,” Harmon explained.

Harmon has had previous experience with serving the children the food packets in Swaziland, Uganda and Ecuador and has seen firsthand how important these meals are to those that qualify and need to receive them.

Harmon said that the team that packed the most this year, and in previous years, was led by Athena McCandlish. Her team was Tanner McCandlish, Russell McCandlish, Karina Miller, Shiva Miller, Levi Miller, Scott Miller, and Harmony Miller.

“Athena’s team was the first to start packing and last to leave,” Harmon said. “Solvang Rotary members organized by Walt and Kay Alves also stayed to the end, limping out with big smiles, knowing they had just completed something special.”

“Thank you stompers. Once again, you made a big contribution and difference in the lives of many children in need,” she said in conclusion.

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A multi-sensory community gathering called “Seduction of the Senses” was held from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 8, at the Strange Family Tasting Room in Los Olivos.

This unique event showcased the collaborative efforts of three local professions: Chef Brittany Rice, artist Michelle Feldman, and apothecary Cassaundra Einolander. The evening was designed to captivate and delight all of the senses. Set within the aesthetically captivating Strange Family Tasting Room, guests enjoyed an evening exploring a multitude of senses. Along with wine tasting and mocktail delights, still-life paintings of Feldman were on exhibit, and small bites by Rice, of Rustik Farm Co., enhanced the taste dimension accompanied by four of the Strange Family’s finest wines. Additionally, Einolander, of Goat Barn Apothecary, presented a selection of herbal remedies and body care.

“I initiated this collaboration, envisioning a holistic sensory experience in an inviting environment for everyone to enjoy,” said Feldman. “This evening promises to be an enchanting journey through taste, smell, feel, and sight.”

Feldman describes what inspired her to form this collaboration.

“When I first entered the Strange Family Tasting Room, I was immediately struck by how closely its atmosphere resonated with my still-life artwork. The jewel tones and classic ambiance perfectly complemented my still-life style. I was so inspired by the space that I created still-life oil paintings of objects in the tasting room that will be displayed the evening of the event,” said Feldman. 

“The tasting room permanently features a diverse range of art in a salon-style display, aligning well with my genre,” she continued. “I was thrilled when they agreed to showcase my work and saw an opportunity to curate a larger event that would involve our greater artistic community. From the outset, the tasting room manager, Nicole Nalius, emphasized the importance of the space as a community gathering place. This inspired me to collaborate with other vendors to enhance the sensory experience.”

Feldman said the different senses blend together perfectly in her event.

“I believe viewing art as well as tasting wine are profound sensory experiences, essential for human exploration,” she said. “When you compliment those with additional experiences, they only heighten each other.”

Feldman also praised her partners in this undertaking.

“Bringing in chef Brittany Rice to do the food was an easy fit. Her expertise as the winemaker at Sunstone gives her the unique qualification to create a special food-wine pairing,” she said. “I was also looking to bring in a vendor that explores body care and touch and I was thrilled Cassaundra Einolander from Goat Barn Apothecary, could join. Cassaundra is also a chef and an artist, and she understands the importance of well-being and quality products. Her locally grown and handcrafted herbal wellness products are carefully formulated for an enhanced lifestyle. 

“Everything for this event fell easily into place. The community is encouraged to gather during our event. There is no pressure to purchase anything. My hope is that it brings the sensation of joy and good feelings to everyone in attendance.” 

Feldman is an accomplished artist who studied the fundamentals of oil painting through the lens of classical realism, focusing on still life, while cultivating a unique style that showcases her passion for paper, text, and the interplay of light and shadow. She views art as an immersive experience that engages the senses, evoking sight, memory, and emotion. 

Rice combines culinary mastery with a deep understanding of agriculture wellness, creating a sensory experience that delights the palate.

Goat Barn Apothecary is located on a small family homestead atop Figueroa Mountain. All of its herbs are either organically grown in its garden or sustainably wild-harvested from the family land, carefully hand-processed in small batches to create nourishing wellness products.

The Strange Family Tasting Room features botanical décor and a warm vibe, creating an inviting atmosphere that encourages relaxation, conversation, and enjoyment. 

This event was free to attend, with a limited number of food and wine pairings, that could be purchased in advance by contacting the tasting room at (805) 315-3662.

For more details, visit Michelle Juliet Feldman at www.michellejuliet.com, on Instagram, and Facebook;  Rustik Chef  at www.rustikchef.com, on Instagram and Facebook; Cassaundra Einolander on Instagram @goat_barn_apothecary; and Strange Family Vineyards at www.strangefamilyvineyards.com

For more information, visit michelle@thegivingink.com or email hello@thegivingink.com 

The Strange Family Tasting Room is at 2933 Grand Ave., Los Olivos.

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Several years ago, the Santa Ynez Chamber of Commerce put a call out to artists in the Valley to paint a series of wooden horses that would be displayed throughout Santa Ynez. The call was answered, and many local artists painted large wooden horses, which can be seen at various locations throughout the township. 

One of the artists was Maryvonne LaParliere, who specializes in decorative painting, intricate hand-painted furnishings and décor, murals, trompe l’oeil, and fine and decorative art. She painted a colorful scene of the surrounding environs. It was displayed on the corner of Edison Street and Highway 246. Then in August 2023, it was stolen. This was the second piece of art she’d had stolen, the first being a mural she’d painted for Santa Barbara.

“I reported the theft to the police and put the information on all manner of social media, but it was never located, nor was the thief,” said LaParliere. “By October I had heard nothing back, so I sent a letter to Linda Small, the executive director of the Chamber, as well as to every board member to express my disappointment, as I was still upset about the matter. Heather Bedford, the owner of Inkings, sent me a nice letter offering her horse to me. She had requested a horse to paint herself but had never gotten around to it, so she offered it to me to paint in compensation.” 

LaParliere painted it over the course of a year, here and there, whenever she had time, using high-end professional acrylic paint with three coats of primer and two coats of varnish to protect it from the elements.

In March, she received a call from Small asking how the project was coming along. Although LaParliere had just finished the piece, she was hesitant to donate it again. She wanted to make sure that it would be on display in a safe place.

“I wrote to Krissy Castillo, director of the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum and Parks-Janeway Carriage House, my thought being to donate it to the museum, but she was on leave,” LaParliere said. “In March, she emailed me about the unveiling of my new horse on their patio, behind the wrought iron gate.”

An unveiling of the newly painted and donated “town horse” was held at the annual meeting of the Santa Ynez Chamber of Commerce on March 20 at the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum. The horse now resides outside the Carriage House in the patio section of the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum so passersby can see it in all its glory,and remain safe. Many of LaParliere’s art pieces are also in the homes of well-known celebrities.

“I was so happy to donate the horse, which I call ‘Lucky One,’ to the Museum and Carriage House,” said LaParliere.“Horse and Carriage, it’s perfect and protected.”

The Chamber was also happy to have another piece of art in the museum.

“The Santa Ynez Chamber of Commerce is so pleased that we’ve been able to facilitate this donation of Maryvonne LaParliere’s beautiful pony ‘Lucky One’ to the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum.  It seems fitting to have had the pony unveiling at our Chamber’s Annual Meeting of Members,” said Small.

LaParliere is presently working on recreating one of Hans Christian Andersen’s papirklip pieces on a pillar upstairs in the newly reopened Hans Christian Andersen Museum.

For more information, visit laparliere.com, mv@laparliere.com or call (434) 962-3407.

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The Santa Ynez Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting at the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum on March 20. Linda Small, the executive director of the Chamber, presented a slideshow that reviewed what the Chamber accomplished in 2024 and some of the highlights of future events in 2025.

Emphasized at the meeting was the unveiling of a horse that was painted by local artist Maryvonne LaParliere and donated to the Santa Ynez Historical Museum and Carriage House.

Artistically painted wooden horses graze around Santa Ynez thanks to the work and collaboration between the Santa Ynez Chamber and community artists, a project that was conceived by the Chamber several years ago and which has been well-received by merchants and visitors alike. 

The horse that LaParliere had originally painted was stolen from the corner of Edison and Hwy. 246 in 2023. The new horse now resides outside the Carriage House in the patio section of the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum.

Other subjects covered in the slideshow were sponsored business workshops that took place throughout the year that are of interest to Chamber members and community issues affecting the Santa Ynez Valley. The Chamber purchased four trash receptacles that were much needed in the Santa Ynez township; the Chamber brought on 20 new members in 2024; the Chamber held four social mixers where Chamber members networked and showcased their businesses. Regarding marketing efforts, the Chamber placed ads promoting the Santa Ynez township in a variety of popular traveler and destination guides and created a full-color brochure with a map to promote Santa Ynez and its Chamber members. Brochures are placed in hotels and high-traffic locations; the Chamber produced a 2025 calendar highlighting historical town photos and participating Chamber members; the Chamber held a traditional Christmas tree lighting for the local community in early December and promotes special holiday activities throughout the season.

“The main efforts of the Chamber are to promote the township in order to increase town recognition and to build economic vitality,” said Small. “The Chamber is trying to get visitors and Valley locals alike to drive a little farther beyond Solvang to experience and discover all that Santa Ynez has to offer: excellent restaurants, unique retail shops, including high-quality Western clothing and jewelry, wine tasting rooms, and more.”

Emphasized during the meeting was the Chamber’s 2025 Old Santa Ynez Days, its largest event of the year, to be held Saturday and Sunday, June 21 and 22. The Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Old Santa Ynez Day Rodeo committee, has planned a fun-filled community event for Saturday, June 21, featuring vendors, kid activities, live music, a beer garden, food trucks, and more. The Santa Ynez Rodeo will be held both Saturday, June 21, and Sunday, June 22. 

For more information and tickets to the rodeo, visit www.syvrodeo.com. The Old Santa Ynez Days Rodeo is a Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) qualifying rodeo.

For more information, visit https://santaynezchamber.org.

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A native of Asheville, North Carolina, artist Mary Kay West has been on a journey of discovery since she was born. Accomplished as an artist, adept as a practicing yogi, learned as a psychologist, and elegant in style and carriage, West has a knowledge of self that emits an aura of beauty and peace from within and without.

She discovered her innate talent as an artist in 2003 when she was admitted to the Fine Arts League of Asheville with master artists Benjamin Long III and John Mac Kah. She completed studies in classical drawing and painting in 2007 and moved to the Santa Ynez Valley to paint full-time. West specializes in sharp-focus still life, birds, and, more recently, trompe l’oeil. Her work has been described as timeless, vibrant, and masterful, earning her the designation of Associate Living Master by the Art Renewal Center. She currently lives and works in Guadalupe and teaches painting classes in Los Alamos and Santa Barbara.

 “I sold my first painting at 12,” said West. “A neighbor commissioned me to do a portrait of her dog. My mother was a well-known artist in the area, so I used to accompany her to her art shows. She was a watercolorist, but she taught me the basics of color and drawing. My father built me an arts and crafts station in my home, and both my parents encouraged creativity.

“My father also encouraged critical thinking and to develop an inquiring mind. He didn’t teach me things, he taught me how to learn, and there’s a critical difference. I had an ideal childhood, but adolescence kicked in, and I left home at the tender age of 16. I was in love and pregnant, and in North Carolina at that time, that would have disgraced my parents.”

West decided to flee for freedom, and the free spirit in her would not be curtailed, even though the police were looking for the runaways.

“My boyfriend and I drove from North Carolina straight through to Santa Barbara in his little Austin Healey, with the police looking for us. We rented an apartment, got married, and my daughter was born. We remained there for about a year, telling no one where we were,” she said. “That is my one regret. At the time I didn’t realize the pain it would cause my parents. But I was a free spirit and needed to venture out on my own.”

Realizing it was time to go home after reconnecting with her parents, the couple returned to North Carolina where West attended college.

“I attended the University of North Carolina and the University of Tennessee and received a degree in clinical psychology,” she explained. “I worked for the state as a clinical psychologist for 14 years, all the while wanting nothing more than to be able to express myself creatively.” 

“On an existential level, I have always questioned the reason for being, what is the purpose of life, and I knew that being a psychologist wasn’t it,” she said emphatically. “As we mature, we hopefully realize the difference between living an authentic life or putting on an act. That’s what we are taught as kids — to do what we should do versus following our own inner drive.”

West decided to take up yoga because her job was not fulfilling,

“I started doing yoga as a clinical psychologist because I was so depressed,” she admitted. “What I discovered was that Western psychology was missing the boat. Western psychology focuses on dysfunctional behavior, while the higher yogic practice addresses the root of the problem, which is identification with the ego — our ego is the source of all our suffering. So, I quit psychology and started teaching yoga full-time and creating wearable art, which was sold at Macy’s. I then divorced my husband after a 14-year marriage. A year and a half later I remarried.

“A few years later I learned that master artist Benjamin Long III moved to Asheville from Italy. He started an atelierand I studied with him for four years. My second husband and I divorced after a 15-year marriage, and I subsequently moved back to Santa Barbara to be closer to my daughter, Lia. She had grown up in North Carolina but went to college at the University of California Santa Barbra. She has her doctorate in political science.” 

West continued to focus on her art, painting daily, teaching yoga, and eventually began teaching painting. 

“I continued to do my art, and by then I was displaying my work in Portico Gallery, and at Classic Art Gallery in Carmel,” she said. “I also continued to teach yoga, having done so for 40 years. I stopped teaching classes about eight years ago and have been focusing on my art ever since, although I still practice yoga on a personal basis. I have been teaching art for the past 18 years, once a week in Los Alamos, to carry on the classical realist tradition.”

West has recently been designated as a signature member of the California Art Club, a significant accomplishment.

“I am honored to represent the premier organization for artists in California,” she said. “Now my art can be seen at American Legacy Fine Arts in Pasadena.”

West’s art can also be viewed at Classic Art Gallery in Carmel, and Portico Gallery in Santa Barbara, as well as the permanent collection at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wisconsin.

Recently, her students from Central Coast Art League (CCAL), West’s atelier, held an exhibit at Café Joy at PARc PLACE in Solvang. The opening was extremely well attended and featured the art of some of her students: Nicole Burnett, Diane Connors, Michelle Feldman, Sally Jones, Pamela Macall, Karen Tuttle, and Rachelle Witt. West’s art was also on display. This impressive group of women meets once a week in Los Alamos under the guidance of West. The exhibit will remain at Café Joy until the end of June.

For more information, visit marykaywest.artspan.com or email mrykywest@yahoo.com

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Tom B. Burgher, the CEO of SLOPOKE Events, recently announced Derek Harrison as the featured artist and awards jurist for the 15th Anniversary SLOPOKE Art of the West Exhibition and Sale, which will be held Oct. 31 through Nov. 2 at the Octagon Barn Event Center in San Luis Obispo.

“We are pleased to announce that Derek Harrison is our Featured Artist and Awards Jurist for SLOPOKE 2025,” said Burgher. “He joins an august group of professional artists serving as awards jurist and featured artists. He is a full-time realist painter residing and working in Santa Barbara, a juried member of the California Art Club, and he was featured by Southwest Magazine as one of the 21 artists under 31 collectors should watch.” 

After studying at the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, Harrison continued learning at workshops, seminars, and mentoring with well-known Western artists Jeremy Lipking and Morgan Weistling, as well as popular figurative painter Sean Cheetham. 

“Derek’s work focuses on the human form in western landscape settings with a nod to 19th-century painting but with a 21st-century flare,” Burgher explained. “He has received significant recognition as a young artist in print, film, and social media. Typically creating 10 major works a year, he has shown in numerous art fairs and gallery exhibitions worldwide, has had his work featured in several magazines and books and has won awards for his portrait and figurative pieces. An adjunct professor at Westmont College, he also teaches at the Los Angeles Academy of Fine Arts, the Scottsdale Artists School, and his own workshops in southern California.”

Harrison is eager to be a part of the event.

“I’ve always heard wonderful things about SLOPOKE,” he said. “It is my honor to be the featured artist and awards jurist of this year’s SLOPOKE. I love San Luis Obispo and many of my recent pieces were done from that wonderful location.”

SLOPOKE 2025 is set for the weekend of Nov. 1-2 with the Opening Reception for ticket holders from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at the Octagon Barn Event Center in San Luis Obispo. It is the event’s first year in SLO after spending the previous eight years being held at Flag Is Up Farms in Solvang.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at Eventbrite.

The Octagon Barn Event Center is at 4400 Octagon Way, San Luis Obispo.

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

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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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