The holiday season in Santa Barbara is about to shine brighter than ever as the beloved ZooLights event returns to the Santa Barbara Zoo! From Nov. 13, to Jan. 12, 2025, visitors will be treated to a dazzling spectacle of festive lights and magical displays, creating an unforgettable holiday experience for families and friends alike.

This year’s ZooLights promises even more wonder, with over 50,000 LED bulbs illuminating handcrafted silk-covered lanterns in stunning animal and nature scenes. The 2024 edition introduces exciting new features, including a tropical habitats showcase and a trip back in time with an extinct animals exhibit featuring dinosaurs. Attendees can explore interactive and immersive displays while savoring seasonal snacks and warm drinks available for purchase throughout the Zoo.

Event Details

ZooLights will be open on select evenings from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets start at $23 for adults and $21 for children aged 2–12, with Santa Barbara Zoo Members receiving a $2 discount. Guests are encouraged to book early, as tickets for this popular event sell quickly. For specific dates and ticket reservations, visit sbzoo.org.

In line with the Santa Barbara Zoo’s commitment to inclusivity, the ZooLights team is available to assist with accessibility accommodations. Contact welcome@sbzoo.org for more information.

Don’t Miss Thanksgiving at the Zoo

For those looking to add a unique twist to their holiday celebrations, the Zoo is also open on Thanksgiving Day for a fun outing before or after your feast. Reservations are required for all visitors, including members, with general admission available until 2:30 p.m. and member admission until 3 p.m. The Zoo will close promptly at 3:30 p.m.

Celebrate the holidays with the perfect combination of seasonal cheer and the wonder of wildlife at ZooLights 2024. It’s a tradition you won’t want to miss. For specific dates and ticket reservations, visit sbzoo.org.

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The Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church will be the new location for the annual Solvang Christmas Nativity Pageant, which will be held for one day only, on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 5 p.m. The pageant has historically been held at Solvang Theaterfest, under the guidance of Janette Swanson, but a new venue had to be found, and the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church grounds were offered.

“Janette Swanson has been organizing the event for the past 40 years,” said Autumn van der Linden, the office manager of the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church. “There was no pageant held last year, as Swanson just couldn’t do it any longer. She had to do a lot of fundraising throughout the year, getting sponsors from the community, which allowed the event to be ‘free of charge’ to the public.” 

Swanson had sent out a mass email hoping to find someone who was interested in picking it up.

“I had just started working at the church as office manager, and I received an email in August of 2023 from Janette Swanson, who I did not know at the time, asking if anyone was interested in taking over the annual Solvang Nativity Pageant and that they should contact her,” van der Linden said. “My first thought was that I hoped someone would step up and take it over, as I have a heart for Christmas and hoped my two children would one day be a part of the pageant. It doesn’t feel like Christmas without a Christmas pageant and seeing all the kids participating.”

But van der Linden couldn’t let the idea of getting involved out of her mind. She had been involved in leading Christmas choirs in her hometown, and she was tempted to reply to the email.

“I asked people what they thought, and everyone said it was a huge job, and since I had just arrived in the Valley and knew very few people, I should pass. Sadly, there was no Nativity Pageant last year,” she said. “But in February 2024 I received another email from Janette, and I decided to take on the project. Since then, Janette and I have met a few times, and she has given me contact information and basically the whole show in a binder. After praying about it, I knew in my heart that I was not so interested in fundraising that was required to put on the pageant as I was in sharing the story of the Nativity with the community. So, I got to work.”

She started with the information that was in the binder Swanson had given her.

“The cost of renting Theaterfest was $7,000 a day, and I just couldn’t afford that, plus the politics involved in fundraising was something I didn’t want to become involved in,” she said. “I asked the church elders if this was something they would be interested in hosting, and they agreed to have the pageant held on the property. Ruthy Gallo, the children’sministry director, agreed to help me with the event and without her help and support, I would not have agreed to take on this project.”

Van der Linden has been busy recruiting for the program.

“I’ve sent out a flyer to all the schools and churches inviting any preschool through fifth-grade children who want to join in the choir,” she said. “They can show up on Tuesday, Dec. 3 or 10, at 3:30 p.m. There will be a final rehearsal on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m. Rehearsals will be held in the main sanctuary at the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church. Costumes will be provided for the performance. Adults and teens who wish to join the adult choir are welcome as well. Rehearsals will be on Saturday, Nov. 30, and Dec. 7 at 9 a.m. and on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m.

“Alan Satchwell will be the choir director for the adult choir. All are welcome. If you are unable to make it to rehearsals, that is OK. We would still love to have you sing with us on Dec. 15. Simply email autumn@syvpc.org to let us know. It’sall traditional Christmas music, which almost everyone knows.”

Members of Arts Outreach’s Valley Glee Club will be performing. Ballet dancer Lauren Thill will be dancing to the strings of harpist Emma Tesdahl. And Santa Barbara Strings, an eight-piece stringed group directed by Mary Beth Woodruff will also be performing at the pageant.

“Besides the musical entertainment, there will be live animals in the garden from 4 to 5 p.m.,” van der Linden said.”Many local 4-H kids will be bringing their animals, and Seein’ Spots Farm will also be bringing their rescued donkeys and mules, and we may possibly have a camel from Atascadero joining us. Everyone will be able to mingle and pet them as well.

“There will also be an opportunity to take photos in front of a Bethlehem backdrop, which could make great Christmas cards.”

The Nativity Pageant will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. in the main sanctuary with C.J. Jackson as narrator. 

“The event is free of charge and open to the public. Attendees can come in costume if they like, dressed as their favorite Christmas biblical character,” she suggested. “The event will be held indoors, so no need to bring blankets or chairs.”

Following the pageant, there will be Christmas crafts for the children to make, food and refreshments available for purchase, and a Christmas Marketplace for adults who wish to do some Christmas shopping. Cash only — no credit cards please. 

“God has illuminated the path every step of the way, and I know He’s going to make this an amazing community event,” said van der Linden. “Come — it’s free, bring your friends and all your kids and enjoy being a part of the Christmas spirit and the ‘reason for the season.’”

For more information, email autumn@syvpc.org or call (805) 688-6323 between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church is at 1825 Alamo Pintado Road in Solvang. 

Feature Image: A Nativity scene from last year’s “A Night in Bethlehem,” which was held last year at the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church, is shown. Pictured from left are Greg Millikan, John Donati, Rob Wolf, Dennis Hartman, and Joyce Millikan. Contributed Photo

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Communities across California’s Central Coast gathered on Nov. 11, 2024, to commemorate Veterans Day, a national observance honoring those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Marking the significance of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month—when World War I’s ceasefire began in 1918—the ceremonies reflected on the sacrifices and contributions of military service members throughout history.

In Lompoc, a ceremony led by U.S. Space Force Col. Dorian Hatcher highlighted the importance of honoring the legacy of veterans and supporting active-duty service members. Veterans, families, and local residents attended the event, which served as a reminder of the enduring values upheld by those in uniform.

In Santa Maria, a ceremony at the Freedom Monument featured remarks from U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Jewell. The event focused on the courage and commitment of those who have served, paying tribute to their sacrifices and the impact of their service on the nation’s history.

At Pine Grove Cemetery in Orcutt, U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Schiess led a ceremony hosted by American Legion Post 534. This gathering included participants from allied nations such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. A ceremonial wreath was placed to honor veterans from World War I through the present, with reflections on their critical role in safeguarding freedom and peace.

The ceremonies underscored Veterans Day’s enduring significance—a day to reflect on the courage, commitment, and sacrifices of those who have served in the U.S. military. Across the region, attendees came together to express gratitude, honor the fallen, and reaffirm their commitment to supporting America’s heroes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Hailed as “the best wine book you’ve never read,” “The Mad Crush” has made a celebrated comeback this fall with a new, expanded second edition that enriches its cult legacy. This revised edition offers an additional 30 pages of storytelling and a fresh afterword by author Sean Weir, deepening the journey into San Luis Obispo County’s Arroyo Grande Valley and the heritage of California’s Central Coast winemaking.

Since its debut in 2015, “The Mad Crush” has captivated wine enthusiasts with its candid look at winemaking, offering a glimpse of the struggles and rewards of a singular vineyard endeavor. Now retitled “The Mad Crush: An Obscure California Vineyard and the Quest to Make One Great Wine,” the second edition dives deeper into the vineyard’s century-long story and the people determined to keep its legacy alive. Both humorous and touching, the memoir is a tribute to the resilience and spirit that define California’s winemaking culture.

Available now on Amazon in print ($14.99) and Kindle e-book ($11.99), and locally at Paso Robles’ Grapes & Grains and Spare Time Books, the memoir is also carried at Saucelito Canyon’s tasting room in San Luis Obispo, where the story began.

More than a winemaking guide, “The Mad Crush” is “an indomitable tale of mentorship, natural history, and the countercultural heritage of California,” says Weir. “This new edition weaves in additional details, remembrances, and anecdotes that make for an even richer reading experience.”

The story centers on the 1974 discovery of a forgotten Zinfandel vineyard in a remote California canyon. The vineyard had been abandoned for years before Bill Greenough, a young man from Montecito with a pick, shovel, and an ambitious dream, revived it. Trading his comfortable upbringing for rural life, Greenough spent 20 years tending to the historic vines, a journey culminating in a memorable 1995 harvest season. That year, Weir, then new to the vineyard, joined Greenough and an eclectic crew for a season that would shape his own life’s path and inspire the memoir.

Set in the upper Arroyo Grande Valley, “The Mad Crush” reveals the layers of history, challenges, and beauty inherent in making wine “the hard way.” From Greenough’s storytelling about the vineyard’s origins to tales of his bohemian life in Santa Barbara’s Mountain Drive community, the memoir captures a story rich with California’s rugged charm and colorful past.

As the 50th anniversary of Greenough’s restoration work approaches, the second edition of “The Mad Crush” offers readers the perfect way to relive, and savor, this remarkable winemaking journey.

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The 12th Annual Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down took place at the Santa Maria Fairpark on Saturday, Oct. 26, marking another successful year of service and support for veterans across the county. The Stand Down event, modeled after similar initiatives nationwide, aims to provide vital services to homeless and at-risk veterans, extending support and appreciation to those who served. This year’s Stand Down attracted hundreds of veterans, ages ranging from 22 to 94, with services tailored to address a wide variety of needs.

Held with the collaboration of local organizations, Vandenberg Space Force Base, and countless volunteers, the Stand Down event offered veterans everything from fresh clothing and haircuts to medical services like flu shots, dental and vision care, and readjustment counseling. Also available were social services, legal aid, and employment counseling to help veterans navigate post-service life. A dedicated Pet Zone, complete with grooming and veterinary services, allowed veterans to bring their furry companions to receive care as well.

Vandenberg Space Force Base airmen and Guardians played a prominent role in this year’s Stand Down. Volunteers from Vandenberg served meals, handed out clothing, assisted veterans with transportation, and provided support throughout the day. Col. Dorian Hatcher, Deputy Commander of Space Launch Delta 30, was among those offering assistance, helping veterans navigate the event and manage their appointments. Col. Mark Shoemaker, Commander of Space Launch Delta 30, also addressed the gathered veterans, expressing gratitude and highlighting the community’s ongoing commitment to serving those who have served.

As the final numbers of veterans served are tallied in the coming weeks, the event’s impact is already clear. Many veterans expressed gratitude for the resources available to them, and organizers noted the importance of these services in helping veterans regain stability and a sense of community.

The Stand Down’s success reflects a strong partnership between community members, organizations, and the veteran community. Through events like these, Santa Barbara County continues to honor its commitment to supporting veterans, ensuring they receive the care and resources they need. To get involved or to donate, visit sbcountystanddown.com.

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Happy Endings Animal Rescue Sanctuary held a sold-out fundraiser, “Rock for Horses” on Saturday, Oct. 12, at Buttonwood Farm Winery and Vineyard in Solvang.

The sanctuary was founded in 2007 by C.C. Beaudette-Wellman. It is an all-volunteer organization, dedicated to providing rescue for abused and neglected horses in the Santa Ynez Valley. It has expanded the rescue program to assist senior citizens who are struggling to feed their horses. Their programs include rescue, rehabilitation, adoptions, public education, sanctuary, and an equine-based therapeutic program for at-risk youth called the Horse Angels Program. 

The setting for the event was in the outdoor garden at Buttonwood surrounded by peach orchards, olive trees, and vineyards. Twinkling lights were scattered throughout the garden with wooden tables dressed with foliage. 

“There was another animal fundraiser scheduled on the same weekend that we had initially planned ours, so we had to postpone our fundraiser until October,” said Alexandra (Aiya) Wellman, Beaudette-Wellman’s daughter.

As guests entered the garden, mostly dressed in Western wear, they were greeted warmly by Beaudette- Wellman. Guests mingled, enjoying Buttonwood wines, and perused the silent auction items. Music was provided by Bad Habit.

“We’re here to help save the horses and have a good time and eat some great food,” said Karen and Thad Miller upon entering the event. 

The guests were treated to a dinner of top sirloin, chicken, and vegetarian enchiladas. The catering was a community effort. Frank Kelsey Jr. and Sr. handled the barbecue; Christine Cunningham made her famous enchilada casserole, sponsored by Rio Vista Chevrolet; Craig from Hook’d restaurant (at Lake Cachuma) donated the watermelon salad, which was prepared by Blair Millar; and Catering by Kelli sisters Kelli Davidson, and Kris Krebs prepared a variety of appetizers and desserts created especially for the event.

“We do this for the love of the organization who cares so deeply for horses,” said Davidson. “My sister and I are both equestrians, so this event is near and dear to our hearts. It is a labor of love.” 

When guests were seated, Beaudette-Wellman gave a short speech thanking everyone for coming and announcing their Volunteer of the Year. 

“It’s mind-blowing how our community has stepped up in a way that warms my heart and tonight is a perfect example of a community effort and that it takes a village! This community’s generosity is staggering and most humbling,” said Beaudette-Wellman. “This year I would like to present the Volunteer of the Year Award to Stephen Blake Harris who has stepped up beyond all imagination and has always risen to the challenge to take on more responsibilities and is well on his way to becoming a wonderful horseman.”

Beaudette-Wellman thanked all those who donated their time, talents, and auction items as well as Neil Schmidt, manager of Buttonwood, and Buttonwood Property Management Inc., for offering the venue. She thanked the late Betty Williams for her devotion to nurturing Buttonwood throughout the years. She also thanked God for “giving me the ability to save lives, and the emotional fortitude to see the worst of humanity at times. It is completely through Him that I am able to do any of this,” she said. She also thanked her husband and daughter for “helping me in this journey. I would not be able to do this without your love and support.”

Beaudette-Wellman continued, describing how Happy Endings contributes to the community and thanking her board and volunteers for their continued help and encouragement.

“Happy Endings Animal Rescue Sanctuary was Founded in 2007 as a 501 c (3) to heal and give sanctuary to animals who need assistance or have no hope of a decent life. We nurture children through our free programs to create new generations of animal lovers and caregivers, as well as educate the public on the proper care and respect for all animals. We teach children to be humanitarians through the vision of our foundation. We believe that through careful nurturing and love, all animals and humans can live a peaceful existence provided with the proper resources, information, and motivation. We are most grateful for the gift of compassion and the opportunity to be of assistance to those in need. We will continue with a strong and determined mission to give children the opportunity to explore infinite possibilities, restore broken hearts, encourage the discouraged and heal the hurting for humans and animals alike,” she said. “And thank you to my amazing board members for helping me every single day and encouraging me when I need it and my incredible volunteers for without them I would be crippled! I am grateful that we have become family! I would also like to thank all my dear friends who lift my spirits, and encourage, and help me, you are my Angels.  This whole event is filled with love from all of you, thank you. It doesn’t get any better than that,” she said in conclusion.

The event raised more than $20,000 for the horses and the various programs the sanctuary offers.

Throughout the evening, Courtney Maland of Sunken Treasure SYV was available and happy to oblige, free of charge, those wishing a chair massage.

“This is the fifth-year volunteering chair massages for those who are in need,” said Maland, massage therapist, intuitive bodyworker, and energy alchemist. “I love being here and I love the people and giving back to my community. C.C. used to be my neighbor, so I love to help out.”

The time and effort Beaudette-Wellman has put in to help horses and other animals was not lost on one person very close to her.

“My mother is the most selfless human I have ever known,” said her daughter Alexandra. “All my life I can remember she has dedicated her life to rescuing animals. She did wildlife rescue for 30 years but now focuses on domestic horses. She remains as dedicated today as she was 45 years ago.” 

For more information about the organization and the many programs Happy Endings offers, visit HappyEndingsAnimalRescueSanctuary.org.

Feature image: Fundraiser held at Buttonwood Farm and Winery for C.C. Beaudette-Wellman’s rescue program.

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Lloyd Sorensen has led, by all measure, an incredibly exciting and adventurous life — in the air, on land, and on and under the sea. 

A 445-page book titled “Three Oceaneers” documents 25 years of his work and adventures as an underwater diver along with his two lifelong best friends, Dave Schiefen and Richard Hegeman. One of Sorensen’s many adventures included working as a diver on the “top-secret” Project Jennifer, the codename applied to the CIA project that salvaged part of a sunken Soviet submarine in 1974. The Soviet ballistic missile submarine sank off the coast of Hawaii on April 11, 1968. In July 1974, salvage operations conducted from the Hughes Glomar Explorer recovered the forward 38 feet of the submarine. The recovered section included two nuclear-tipped torpedoes, various cipher/code equipment and eight dead crewmen.

Sorensen was born in 1938 in Santa Cruz. His father worked in highway construction all over California, so the family was constantly moving. By age 3, his family had moved 10 times. His mother insisted on living in one place and owning a home. His father found a house in Oakland Hills and with a $10 down payment, it was purchased.

He graduated from high school in Oakland in 1956 and attended junior college for a short time, working part-time at Continental Can Company, making beer cans to earn money to continue his education.  One of his high school friends went on to attend the California Maritime Academy (CMA) and Sorensen became interested in the CMA, soon applied and was accepted. The CMA was a three-year, 24/7, quasi-military program, which included ocean deployment on a ship converted for the purpose of teaching and included classrooms. Sorensen maintained records of his ocean deployments while at CMA. As a student, he traveled to numerous ports in the United States and foreign countries and logged in more than 25,000 miles.

Sorenson graduated from the CMA in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree in marine engineering. Before receiving his degree, he was required to pass the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Engineers exam, which he did, earning him a third assistant license for steam or motor vessels of any horsepower. Then he became a member of the Marine Engineers Union. He soon moved to New York City to live with a friend, and soon went to the local union hall to register for upcoming jobs and to his astonishment, a position was open on a freighter leaving that night! Sorensen was on his way to South America. 

Upon his return from South America, he served on the SS United States Cruise Liner and traveled to Europe from March 28, 1961 to April 12, 1961.

“The SS United States was the most luxurious, fastest, and largest ship at the time. It took only five days to cross the Atlantic from New York to France,” said Sorensen. “But that was just one of many I worked on.”

Sorensen continued to ship out from New York City on several merchant ships to South America through August 1961. He happened to be in Santa Barbara for Old Days and was introduced to Sharon Anne Nelson, a TWA flight attendant out of Los Angeles who lived in Santa Monica.  Lloyd and Sharon soon became a couple and were married in Portland, Oregon, her hometown, six months later, on Feb. 17, 1962. After their wedding, they moved to Oakland, California, and Sharon was transferred from Los Angeles. She flew domestic flights out of San Francisco, until air turbulence during a flight caused her to take a rough fall and a subsequent examination revealed she was three months pregnant. No more flying; she was grounded.

They have now been married for 62 years. They have two children: a son, Stephen Lloyd and a daughter, Kristen Anne.

From 1962 to 1965, the Sorensens lived in Oakland. He worked as a tugboat skipper moving barges around the San Francisco Bay. He left the operations after his tugboat sank when it was hit by a ship. Fortunately, he was not on the tugboat, but on a barge being moved by the tugboat.

“When he worked on the tugboat, he was gone two days and nights a week and was then home for three days,” said Sharon.

By 1965, Hegeman and Schiefen, Sorensen’s classmates and friends from the CMA, were already working for General Motors Sea Operations. He joined them at General Motors in May 1965 and moved his family to Goleta. Sorensen, Schiefen, and Hegeman all started as engineers aboard a research vessel and were also trained as divers to support underwater work. They assumed roles as project engineers and program managers. The GM engineering services were performed in support of government projects which were highly classified in nature. 

“General Motors had a sea operations division: The Santa Cruz Acoustic Range Facility (SCARF), a research vessel called the Swan. It was a mine sweeper that was converted into a research vessel,” Sorenson said. “Dave was the first one to sign on, then Dick came on second and I came on third, as engineers on the ship. Part of it involved installing underwater sounding equipment for the Navy, which they needed. A system on Santa Cruz Island put an instrument on the bottom of subs and ships for noise trials. I got a Rolex watch after 1,000 dives.”

An article about SCARF in a Santa Barbara Marine Museum newsletter explained that bottom-mounted sensor arrays in 4,000 feet of water tracked submarine and surface ship movements. As submarines transited by the vertical string of hydrophones, noise measurement information was gathered. Underwater cables transmitted the information to the shore station, and an Underwater Communications System (UQC) allowed the shore station (located on the south side of Santa Cruz Island) to communicate with the submarines. This monitoring was vital in recognizing submarines’ vulnerabilities and recommending corrective actions to reduce radiated noise. The entire shore facility and its in-water system were removed in 1990, and the area was returned to its natural state.

“But one of the most interesting jobs I had was on the Hughes Glomar Explorer, a top-secret CIA project that salvaged part of a sunken Soviet diesel-electric submarine K-129 in 1974. The cover story was we were mining for magnesium nodules,” Sorensen explained. “When we pulled it up there were bodies on board, so we buried them at sea. There were also three warheads on the sub, and when it was lifted out of the water the left part of the sub broke and fell back into the sea. The recovery machine was called the Clementine.”

Sorenson, fortunately, was able to avoid that kind of catastrophe.

“We had a really strict diving program with General Motors, so no one was ever injured in our group,” continued Sorensen. “They even had a doctor, Dr. Geer, who made sure we were always in good health. The divers covered for each other when the sharks appeared. One guy would do the work and the other two divers would keep the sharks away using Billy-clubs.”

And all of it was done top-secret.

“There have been a lot of books and stories written about that job, but that was long after the job was over. The CIA kept it under wraps for years, but then the story finally came out,” he said. 

Sharon remembers that time well.

“One of the benefits when he was diving around Santa Cruz Island in his spare time was the lobsters. They would dive for lobsters, abalone, and all kinds of fish. We were eating well when we hadn’t any beef on hand,” Sharon recalled.

“I’ve been around the world putting in sound systems – 166 ports around the world,” her husband stated.

“I went on some of the trips with him, but a lot of the assignments were secretive, so I just stayed home with the kids and didn’t ask questions,” continued Sharon. “He was gone six months out of the year. It took a little adjustment on my part when he came home, as you can imagine.” 

In 1982, Sorensen and several members of the underwater team left General Motors and formed their own company. They continued to perform sensitive operations laying underwater fiber optic cable throughout the world.

“When General Motors decided to cancel their program, 14 of us started MariPro Corp. and took on one of the contracts with the Navy, who was our basic customer,” Sorensen said.

MariPro’s offices were located in Santa Barbara on the airport property in a building outside of the airport. In 1968, Sorensen commented to his wife that he was going to learn how to fly, something he had wanted to do since he was a boy. He did just that and then bought a 1948 Cessna 140, which he flew from the Santa Ynez Airport to Santa Barbara.

“The timing was exactly the same as driving, by the time you take the plane out of the hangar and eventually get it in the air,” commented Sorensen. “But I did that for years. I logged 900 trips to work alone.”

During his career, Sorensen logged more than 1,500 underwater working dives in support of projects around the world, and numerous recreational dives. He retired from MariPro in 2010.

“He remained working for an extra 10 years because he enjoyed the work and working with his friends so much,” said Sharon. “The three of them are the best of friends to this day. They got to travel around the world together; they did work for the United Nations, and installed eight sounding systems around the world, initially to detect nuclear testing. They worked on Amchitka Island in the Aleutian Chain of Islands in southwest Alaska, a part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. They spent their lives together. They’ve been friends since school.”

“It was cold, diving off Amchitka,” Sorensen recalled. “You had to dive in dry suits, but they don’t look anything like they do now.”

Sorensen reflected on his life.

“I’ve lived a life well spent. But I never learned to cook because I’ve always had someone to cook for me,” said Sorensen, smiling. “Kidding aside, I’ve been very blessed. I have been married for over 60 years to my beautiful wife, have two wonderful children, a son and daughter, no grandchildren yet, just grand dogs, and I’ve traveled the world.

“When I was in the Merchant Marines one day it occurred to me that I was enjoying the fruits of my labor while I was young, seeing that most of the passengers on these freighters were old people. So, I said to myself, ‘That’s not right — you should be able to travel when you are young.’ I have been very fortunate to be able to see the world during my whole working life.”

When asked what his favorite place was that he’d visited, he said, “I think my favorite place in the world is Kauai, Hawaii — but there have been so many beautiful places I’ve seen in my life, it’s hard to choose just one.”

Note: Eusebio Benavidez contributed information for this article.

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The quiet little town of Los Alamos came alive during its annual Old Days celebration, Sept. 27-29. Saturday saw crowds of people viewing the annual car show and shoppers gearing up for the holidays purchasing gifts from the vendors. But Sunday held the most fun when the “Biggest Little Small-town Parade” weaved its way through town.

On Sunday at 9 a.m., a 5K run sponsored by CalSwoosh began with many runners participating in the event. The run/walk is a fundraiser for the nonprofit sports club part of CalSwoosh, which uses the proceeds to help underprivileged kids play sports. Trophies were awarded to the first overall male and female finishers. Medals were awarded to the top three finishers in seven divisions. 

Following the 5K run, hundreds of people began to gather along the streets of Los Alamos, awaiting the arrival of the parade, which featured dancing horses, fun floats, beautifully costumed dancers, and marching bands. 

Seeing the parade approaching, singer and songwriter Larry Barbro, owner of HotSpot Local, began to perform the national anthem while everyone stood silently with hands over their hearts. 

The theme of this year’s parade was “Past Meets Present” with 26 float entries participating.

James H. Bray (Jim) was the parade’s announcer. Bray is an extremely active member of the community with affiliations too numerous to mention. In 2023, he was honored as Citizen of the Year by the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce for his many contributions to the community. He is also a member of the Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary. Awaiting the parade Bray told various anecdotes about the history and trivia of Los Alamos. 

This year’s parade Grand Marshals were Dan and Charlene Chabot. The Chabots moved their family to Los Alamos in 1973, just a few years after Dan graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Dan initially worked for a couple of thelarge defense contractors in Santa Barbara. In 1983, he joined MariPro (marine professionals). MariPro designs,manufactures, and installs shallow and deep-water ocean systems for the U.S. Navy, foreign navies, and commercial clients at unique locations all over the world. Dan retired from L-3 Communications/MariPro in 2019 after over 10years as the vice president/general manager of the MariPro Division. Quickly after moving to Los Alamos, Dan became involved in the community. He was on the Los Alamos Olga Reed school board for over nine years, eight years as the president. Dan also joined the Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club and served a couple of terms as a director. Presently, Dan is on the Board of Directors for the San Antonio Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency. In addition, Dan is currently the president of the Santa Barbara County Cattlemen’s Association.

The King and Monighetti families led the parade, carrying the U.S. flag, which has been their tradition since 1966. They were followed by four members of the Boots-n-Chutes All Airborne Association from Lompoc, members of the Santa Maria Elks Lodge 1538 Officer Wagon, Supervisor Bob Nelson driving a John Deere tractor, the Grand Marshals Dan and Charlene Chabot, 105.9 Krazy Country, members of the Garcia Dance Studio, Coastal Hay & AG, New Generation Cow Girls, and Coastal Vineyard Care Association riding in a 1949 red Ford truck. Over 50 members of theOrcutt Academy High School Band marched in unison filling the air with music. Then came the Surf Soccer Club, Element Christian Church, 1933 and 1944 John Deere tractors, and Maureen Albrecht riding a 1955 Low Boy tractor. Following the tractors were the Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club, 363 Associates, and the Juan Chavez family participating in remembrance of their father, Miguel Chavez, whose birthday fell on Sept. 28 (He died in 2022 but had enjoyed participating in the Old Days parade). They were followed by El Vogel Villanueva Zacatecas on dancing horses accompanied by a small band, the Depot Bar and the Los Alamos Gallery riding in a vintage caboose, the Klein Dance Arts team, the Gutierrez family with a beautifully dressed woman riding her horse decorated in floral garlands, Righetti FFA, members of the Olga Reed and Orcutt Academy schools, Charlie Gonzales in a 1928 Ford, with the final float from Ballet Folklorico Corazon de la Costa riding their dancing horses.    

The winners of the parade were: Best Use of Theme — Element Christian Church; Best Junior Equestrians — New Generation Cowgirls; Best Equestrian Group — Lienzo Charro, Juan Chavez; Best Military — Boots-n-Chutes; Best Community Service — Righetti FFA; Best Antique Vintage — Charlie Gonzales’ 1929 Model A Ford; Best Performing Group — Ballet Folklorico Corazon de la Costa; Best Grammar School — Olga Reed and Orcutt Academy schools; Best High School — Orcutt Academy High School; Best Tractor — Topa Topa Flywheelers; Best Float — Surf Soccer Club boys and girls.    

“This year’s weekend event was reminiscent of pre-pandemic Old Days,” Williams said. “It was such a great feeling to see the crowds back and enjoying themselves. We are very lucky to have a talented group of volunteers who make the magic happen each year.”

Photos by Devyn Marseilles

Feature image: Members of the Santa Maria Elks Lodge 1538 ride in their Officer Wagon pulled by two horses at the Los Alamos Old Days Parade on Sept. 29.

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For the third straight year, the Red River Ranch in Los Olivos saw its lawn became of sea of cars, from antiques, to race cars, to sleek sports cars, wood-paneled wagons, and some of the old classics, just to name a few. And in the middle was the attention-getter: A sleek, black set of wheels fresh out of the Batcave.

That’s right! For the first time, the original Batmobile — the one designed for the TV show by the late, renowned Hollywood car creator George Barris — front and center at the third annual Cars & Cowboys Car Show on Saturday, Sept. 28.

A healthy crowd descended upon the ranch owned and operated by Al and Denise Frink and enjoyed not only the cars, but food and drink, a show by musician Rich Freeman, a live auction, and music provided again by the Motown sound of the Blue Breeze Band.

And 100 percent of the proceeds went to a worthy cause: the Santa Ynez Valley Meels on Wheels program.

Pam Gnekow, CEO of Santa Ynez Valley Outreach, the organization that run the local Meals on Wheels, addresses the crowd just before the auction part of the event to thank everyone for coming and to explain the necessity of Meals on Wheels.

“I can’t tell you what this means when you see these cars, see these people,” Gnekow said. “I see my friends, I see new friends made since this car shown started.” She then turned to Al and Denise Frink who have held the Cars and Cowboys and said “we couldn’t do this without you. Thank you so much!”

Gnekow went to explained how the Meals and Wheels serves up to 409 meals a day for local seniors, how the City of Buellton helped her find a new building and Santa Barbara County provided money for remodeling. And then she summed up why Meals of Wheels is such an important service for the Valley.

“We gave over 1.9 million pounds of food last year through the program,” she said. “And I still get questioned, ‘do people really need more food,’ and that just burns me, when anybody would stand in line for an hour to get some produce from us, which is what happens.

“So is there enough food? I’m gonna say no. As long as people are standing in line, as long as senior need to be fed we’re going to keep doing it.”

After that address, Gnekow explained how she was able to find a new auctioneer for the live auction about to happen.

“When I was thinking about an auctioneer for this, I thought I’d just really like to have a woman do this,” Gnekow said. “So I started looking, and someone told me there was this real badass woman from Arkansas [actually, Oklahoma] and I contacted and asked her if she would do it, and she said yes.”

With that, Carla Harrison a Cal Poly SLO graduate who now lives in Soper, Oklahoma, (Gnekow later corrected that publicly) took the stage and conducted the subsequent auction of goods, services, and experiences donated by local businesses.

Commenting after the auction, Harrison said she got interesting in calling auctions because her dad did that at livestock shows. She also said she was very receptive from the start to the idea of doing Cars & Cowboys when Gnekow asked her, but a little divine intervention ultimately convinced her to say yes.

“I was close to committing to it, but still wasn’t completely sure, so I prayed on it and then got my Bible,” Harrison said. “I opened the Bible to a random page, and it opened to the book of Numbers, like numbers I’d be yelling out at the auction. It was right then that I had to say yes.”

While the auction was going on in the big tent set up on the Red River Ranch property, there were still people admiring the multitude of cars on the lawn. Two Orange County residents were looking at some of the vehicles, one of was familiar with the property.

“My family’s good friends with Al Frink,” said Brooke Garcia of Newport Beach. “We’ve known him for a long time and they’ve invited us up here a few times and it’s a beautiful place.”

Garcia’s boyfriend Hunter Hesslin, said he enjoyed looking at the cars, but wasn’t as much of an automobile buff as his father.

“Yeah, my Dad is big into cars, so I’m here taking some photos for him,” he said. “I was thrilled to see the Batmobile here like everyone else, but the one I really liked is the Lamborghini they have here.”

Some of the cars had the owners/drivers standing by to talk shop with the attendees. Brian Bolton, who was born in the UK but now lives in Ballard, was showing off his 1968 Land Rover Series 2A, along with his brother-in-law John Harrison.

“This is a 1968, but it evolves from a 1948, which was the first utility vehicle,” Bolton said. “It was a non-runner [non-operational] in England, but we were able to fix it and register it as operational here. It only goes about 45 mph tops, but I use it every two or three days to tow things or just drive it around; fortunately there’s not a lot of traffic where I live.”

While Bolton had his vehicle for this show and even put a rope around the front bumper (“just for the hell of it,” he said), he said he doesn’t bring the Land Rover out for just show too often.

“It’s not about showing; it’s about the experience with the vehicle,” he said. “When I drive it, I see my dad and the feel of it. It’s a connection.”

Those attending the Cars & Cowboys Car Show on Sept. 28, got to see all kinds of cars on the Red River Ranch property. Photos by Mike Chaldu.

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