Staff Report

On Friday, Aug. 1, NatureTrack Foundation, in partnership with the Santa Ynez Valley Grange Hall, invites the community to a special summer screening of two remarkable films celebrating nature and the power of connection.

The evening opens with “The Long Kiss,” a charming 2.5-minute animated short by Russian student filmmaker Ivan Khanzhi that follows two river snails in a heartwarming attempt to overcome their natural sluggishness for a chance at love.

The feature film, “Fishpeople” (48 mins), is a stunning documentary presented by Patagonia and directed by local filmmaker Keith Malloy. Winner of Best Feature at the 2018 NatureTrack Film Festival, the film shares the transformative stories of surfers, swimmers, spearfishers, and others whose lives have been changed by their connection to the sea.

This free community event offers a unique opportunity to experience world-class, nature-focused cinema right here in the Santa Ynez Valley. The screening will take place at the Santa Ynez Valley Grange Hall, located at 2374 Alamo Pintado Ave., in Los Olivos. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the screening begins promptly at 7 p.m. All ages are welcome.

About NatureTrack

NatureTrack Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded in 2011 with the mission of connecting people to nature through cost-free, curriculum-aligned outdoor field trips for K–12 students. Based in Santa Barbara County, NatureTrack has since expanded its impact with the Freedom Trax program, which enables wheelchair users to explore beaches and trails with independence and dignity. NatureTrack also produces the NatureTrack Film Festival, celebrating nature through film and fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

Learn more at www.naturetrack.org

About Santa Ynez Valley Grange

The Santa Ynez Valley Grange  No. 644 has served as a cornerstone of community life in the Santa Ynez Valley since its founding in 1937.  As part of the national and State Grange organizations the SYV Grange is dedicated to promoting agriculture, education, and community enrichment.  The historic hall hosts a variety of public and private events, bringing people together in the spirit of cooperation, learning, and local culture.

Learn more at www.syvgrange.org

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The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District has named Sean Yamasaki as its wrestling head coach. 

Yamasaki just graduated from San Francisco State with a BS in Kinesiology with Cum Laude honors. He is a 2020 graduate of Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta.

“We are extremely excited to bring Sean on board as our new wrestling coach,” SYHS Athletic Director Josh McClurg said. “Coach Yamasaki comes from a highly decorated and well-known wrestling family on the Central Coast. His father and brother were highly decorated wrestlers, and his father coached at Dos Pueblos High School as well. 

“Sean has amassed a ton of honors as a high school and college wrestler, and we can’t wait to see him pass his knowledge on to our wrestling team. Our athletes will benefit greatly from his wrestling knowledge from competing at the college level, as well as the top-level coaching staff he is currently assembling.”

At Dos Pueblos High, Sean finished his high school career as one of only three wrestlers in Channel League history to be a four-time league champion. He was a three-time CIF Southern Section top 10 competitor, finishing second, third, and sixth. He was a top 12 finisher at the CIF Southern Section Masters two different years and was named Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Athlete of the Year in 2020. After high school, Sean wrestled for four years at the NCAA Division II level for San Francisco State. He was named team captain and finished in sixth place at NCAA Super Region 6 tournament as well as third in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation conference tournament.
 
“In my opinion, Sean’s biggest accomplishment is being a four-time NCWA Academic All-American,” McClurg said. “This is a great example for our athletes to see that their coach excelled in the classroom and on the mat.”

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July’s featured art is sponsored by Face in Water: Swimming and Water Safety Education and includes artwork from Mauricia Martin, Theresa Reilly, Adam Hrehor, Sohia Briseno, Perla Orellana, and Mila Phonthongsy. You can see their original artwork at buellton.art/2025-july-ocean-art-feature/

This project is made possible by Buellton’s Art & Culture Program, the California Nature Art Museum (our nonprofit partner), monthly sponsorships, and the support of the Buellton community.

Go to Buellton.Art to:

• See all of the banners and the original art for each design
• Learn about Buellton’s Arts & Culture Program and see how you or your organization can apply for a grant
• Visit our “Shop the Art” store, where you can purchase the art on posters, magnets, totes, water bottles, and more.

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The Santa Barbara County’s Agricultural Commissioner’s Office released its 2024 Crop & Livestock Production Report, providing a comprehensive summary of acreage, production, and gross values for the county’s agricultural commodities. 

Agriculture remains Santa Barbara County’s leading industry with a gross production value of $2,009,138,000 in 2024, an increase of 7.1% over 2023.

It is important to note that the values in this report reflect the gross value of agricultural commodities grown in Santa Barbara County. These figures do not account for production costs such as labor, planting, irrigation, and distribution.

Strawberries retained their position as the county’s top crop for the 22nd consecutive year. A combination of increased acreage and yield contributed to a gross value of $860,478,000, marking an 11% increase over the previous year.

Nursery products, which primarily represent cut flowers and potted plants, held steady as the second most valuable crop at $124,473,000, supported by market demand and product stabilization.

Broccoli rose to the third position with a value of $93,423,000, reflecting a 7.7% increase. Despite reduced acreage, higher yields and strong market prices boosted the overall value.

Cauliflower moved up to fourth place with a gross value of $78,258,000, though this represents a 7% decrease due to reduced acreage.

Blackberries entered the top five for the first time with a value of $77,956,000, a 27% increase from 2023. This growth was driven by increased acreage, crop maturity, and improved growing practices.

The agricultural commodity that saw the sharpest decline compared to last year was wine grapes.

“Santa Barbara County’s wine grape production was markedly low, with reduced yields per acre,” said Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer Jose Chang. “Despite this smaller yield, the high quality of the grapes fueled strong demand and robust pricing, especially when compared to other regions.” 

Livestock production value increased despite a lower number of stock. This was because of strong national cattle prices in 2024, driven by low inventory from high demand and prior droughts, increasing the per-animal value.

“In Santa Barbara County, better 2024 rainfall improved pastures, allowing for heavier calves and retention of more young stock, though local herd numbers remained down,” said Chang.

The Fruits & Nuts category dominated by strawberries, accounted for 53% of the county’s total gross production value, totaling $1,064,686,000. Vegetables made up 31% of the total at $628,145,000, while Nursery Products contributed 6% at $124,473,000. Wine grapes followed closely, comprising 3% of the total gross production value at $70,857,000.

The 2024 Crop & Livestock Report is available in English and Spanish. It, as well as other reports since 1916, can be found online at www.countyofsb.org/469/Crop-Reports.

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A sold-out crowd of 300 gathered in boots and fancy hats at the Piocho Ranch on Sunday, June 29, for the 13th annual 2025 Santa Ynez Valley Polo Classic.  

Proceeds from the event benefit People Helping People (PHP), the Valley’s lifeline for vulnerable residents in need of food, shelter, medical care, and connection to other critical services. 

Holding an American flag under a bright blue sky with the mountains as a backdrop, Sean Pitts, one of the owners of Happy Canyon Vineyards, kicked off the main match.  “There is no greater honor than to help People Helping People,” announced Pitts. 

Sean and his wife, Jodi Barrack Pitts, and TJ Barrack are longtime supporters of the Classic. The trio took over running the event when a more elaborate version became an organizational burden for the small nonprofit. It has transitioned from an ultra-chic day in the country to a casual event that is pure Valley, bringing together barbecue, wine, and horses. 

“I just am so grateful to them,” PHP Board President Becky Barieau said. “They chose to maintain the continuity and the legacy of the polo event and it still benefits us. It’s a great thing. It’s a really great thing.” 

“It’s about the community that People Helping People supports that are near and dear to our hearts,” Sean Pitts said, noting PHP’s support of ranch and farm laborers. Jodi Barrack Pitts’ family has been part of the Santa Ynez community for well over three decades. She added, “We really love where we live and we want to give back where we live. And we love what they do.” 

Joel Baker, a local high-goal player and national coach, started the Santa Ynez Valley Polo Classic with People Helping People in 2012. That relationship is especially meaningful to PHP this year as they just helped facilitate the first residents to move into Polo Village, a beautiful, new, affordable housing complex in Buellton. 

The Polo Village development is built on the very land where the Classic started, a polo field formerly owned by Baker. Forty-nine family members and individuals now have permanent housing at this complex designed for seniors, veterans, and working families, along with PHP support services to ensure they stay in that housing. 

This year members of La Herradura Polo Club run by Memo Gracida, the legendary polo player, took to the field in the Polo Classic to face off in two matches. The lone woman on the Red team, Gina Padilla, scored four of the team’s five goals. Despite her success, the opposing team won, leaving Guille Aguero, Brent Hamill, Jim Mintie, and Matt Thake to lift the celebratory bottles of Happy Canyon wines. 

To learn more about People Helping People go to  syvphp.org, or call (805) 686-0295.

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Included is a fire-roasted gourmet dinner, live music by the Bryan Titus Trio, and “action-packed” live and silent auctions led by Auctioneer Kenny Hollister.

Circle JB Polo Ranch is located at 560 McMurray Road in Buellton, for tickets and more information, visit givebutter.com/c/atterdagharvestparty.

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Staff Report

The Santa Ynez Valley Grange, in partnership with Apples to Zucchini Cooking School, is excited to offer two series of cooking classes for both families and adults/teens: Family Cooking will be offered monthly on second Monday evenings starting July 14, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Batch Cooking for adults and teens will be offered monthly on second Sunday afternoons from 2 to 3 p.m., starting July 13.

The classes, led by Chef Bethany Markee, will meet at the Santa Ynez Valley Grange Hall Kitchen at 2374 Alamo Pintado Ave. in Los Olivos.

The Family Cooking class brings the family together to learn side-by-side how to prepare delicious meals. Classes are tailored for children and teens with a family adult. Share your favorite food memories and traditions, build healthy relationships with food and cooking, and let the kids show off all their emerging kitchen skills! The class will meet to prepare a meal and eat it together! 

Recipes to be covered include scratch-made pizza and seasonal garden salad; macaroni and cheese and roasted vegetables; chicken or vegetable soup and freshly baked bread; tomato bisque and toasted cheese sandwiches; and French crepes with a variety of “add-ins.”

Batch Cooking is a class for adults as well as teens who are 14 or older. The group will work with seasonally available local produce, using simple and repeatable cooking techniques such as roasting, sautéing, pickling, making soups, salad dressings, and sauces. Students will get to take home all the food prepared in class.

Attendance is limited to 12 per class. Participants may register online at AtoZcookingschool.org.

To find out more about other SYV Grange programs and membership, please visit syvgrange.org or email President Carey McKinnon at syvgrange@gmail.com. To check out more cooking classes from Apples to Zucchini, visit them at AtoZcookingschool.org or email Markee at bethany@atozcookingschool.org. 

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Staff Report

Rich Gamble, author of the Zack Tolliver series of books, and his wife Ann, will be moving from Los Alamos this fall to be closer to their son, who lives in northern California. They will be holding an “Overstock and Farewell” party from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at the Bedford Winery in Los Alamos. 

“It will be an opportunity offering readers to ‘fill in the blanks’ of books in the Zack Tolliver series, for a reduced price, that they may not yet own, and, of course, the chance for us to see friends and neighbors once more,” said Gamble. “We would love to see all of you there.” 

Gamble says he will continue to write books, and, in fact, his next one is already in the works.

Bedford Winery is at 448 Bell St. in Los Alamos.

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One of the blessings of living on the Central Coast is the weather, and Elna’s Dress Shop wants to create something that inspires, brightens, uplifts, and puts a smile on your face. If you are going to make one addition to your wardrobe this season, make it a print.

From polka-dots, stripes, florals, or checks, every pattern offers a world of stylish possibilities. This is added to some of the basic items you have in your wardrobe: A pair of black, navy, grey, white, and tan pants. Brown pants in the fall are also important. Also, a basic is a black dress and/or black skirt. Let’s not forget a pair of denim pants, skirt, or dress for all seasons: fall, winter, spring, or summer.

Pick a basic piece of clothing that you feel is incredibly striking while also being understated and yet gives you confidence.

We will help you build a complimentary new piece of clothing to update your wardrobe.

A new season, as of Memorial Day first day of summer, brings in new styles. Elna’s Dress Shop is the place to come.

If planning your perfect wardrobe is something you have on your “ to do” list, you must select clothes you haven’t
worn for some time (say a year or more); perhaps it’s time to part with them. They are taking up valuable closet space for all the new “must haves” for the coming season. It is nice to air clothing out, as believe it or not, dust does settle in our closet.

Let us make suggestions, coordinating fashions with your lifestyle in mind. Wardrobe building is a free service at Elna’s.

All local customers are entitled to a 10% discount. If you aren’t on our mailing list, come in and sign up. Our service includes a 25% discount the month of your birthday if on the list. Also don’t forget the third Wednesday of each month is a 20% discount on all merchandise excluding Danish Costumes and already discounted clothing.

We are looking for part-time help. Apply at the store or call for an appointment at (805) 688-4525 or my cell number at (805) 570-3400.

Our hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. We’re open Monday, closed Tuesday, and open Wednesday through Sunday.

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A stroke can come on silently and unexpectedly, but the truth of the matter is that the cause of a stroke has been a smoldering fire, growing in size over time … almost literally. 

A stroke occurs due to the poor function of the heart and kidneys, which results in bad circulation of the body’s fire and water chi elements. 

Ideally, the two need to be kept in constant movement, with one pushing energy upwards and the other pulling it downwards to create an almost gravitational pull of proper energy flow. When this is disrupted, the heat travels too far upwards and problems begin. 

In someone with advanced fire/heat circulation problems, the heat (which causes pressure) travels to the brain and causes weakened veins and arteries to break, which disrupts the blood flow to the brain, thus resulting in stroke. Veins and arteries become damaged with stress and improper care over your lifetime, usually assisted greatly by diabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure medications, which weaken them quite a bit. A blood deficiency and blood clot also weaken the area by disallowing oxygen and nutrition to this location.

The good thing is that your body gives many warning alarms before a stroke occurs. Each alarm is part of your body’sline of defense. In a stressful moment when your body’s fire energy rises, it causes pain in the chest area. You can press in the area of your breastbone and test for pain there. If pain in that area goes ignored and your life continues on as it has, your defense line weakens, and the next line of defense is located in the shoulder area between the spine and scapula. If pain here is ignored, the next alarm is neck pain, and the last alarm is behind-the-ear pain. Pain in this area is very dangerous, and when it occurs, a stroke is usually imminent, typically within the night you feel pain there. It is very important to get to an emergency room if you’re feeling pain there. 

Another lesser sign of a fire/water management problem that you should also keep an eye out for is coldness in the body in and below the abdomen. This means the heat that should be traveling down through to your feet is residing in your upper body instead of completing the cycle of circulation throughout your entire body. In a healthy person, the body will keep the brain area cooler and the feet warmer, with everything in between at a comfortable temperature. 

Stroke is something that is very important to prevent. After you have had a stroke, your body malfunctions, and it is very difficult to work your way back. If you are recovering from a stroke, it is very important to pair your physical therapy with acupuncture, as your body needs to be balanced, well-circulating, and receptive for the retraining. 

For those who have had warning signs and are preventing stroke, a lifestyle change is necessary, beginning with stress management, as stress needs to be seriously limited. In addition, constitutional food, acupuncture to help detoxify the blood, and herbs all help to restore the proper heat and water circulation in the body. 

The body’s aches and pains are often brushed off as general aging, but it is important to see them as your body’s way of communicating problems to you. Covering them up with medications and ignoring them is not the right approach. Listen to your body, and it will tell you all you need to know. 

Dr. Lee’s office is located at 175 McMurray Road, Suite G, Buellton. Dr. Lee also has offices in Los Angeles and Paso Robles. To make an appointment, call (805) 693-5162 or (310) 666-8021

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