In a major boost for regional recreation and public health, the City of Solvang has awarded a $450,000 grant to support the construction of the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Complex — a transformative, once-in-a-generation project designed to restore year-round public swim access to the Valley.

The grant, which will be disbursed upon groundbreaking and is available for up to three years, represents a significant show of support for the capital campaign currently underway. Local leaders say the funding not only marks a pivotal step forward but also sends a powerful message to other potential donors across Santa Barbara County.

“This grant is not only a critical step forward — it’s a call to action,” said Lisa Palmer, Board President and Campaign Chair of the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Foundation (SYVCAF). “We are deeply grateful to the City of Solvang for making this bold investment in the health and safety of our Valley. We hope it inspires matching contributions and additional support from public and private sectors alike.”

The need for a new facility has grown urgent since public access to the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School (SYHS) pool was discontinued in 2020. Since then, Valley residents have had no public swim options, and SYHS athletes have been unable to host CIF-sanctioned events due to the limitations of the current 60-year-old pool.

The proposed complex, to be built on the SYHS campus, aims to change that. Plans include a 33-meter competition pool to support student athletics, local clubs, and lap swim, alongside a 25-yard warm-water recreation pool designed for swim instruction, aqua therapy, fitness classes, and affordable community access.

“Access to a public pool isn’t a luxury — it’s essential,” said Solvang City Manager Randy Murphy, who also serves on the project’s Campaign Steering Committee. “Solvang is proud to be part of a regional solution that will benefit families, students, and seniors alike. We believe this investment will help build momentum and partnerships throughout Santa Barbara County.”

The Aquatics Complex will offer comprehensive programming for all ages and abilities, including learn-to-swim classes, rehabilitation services, senior wellness programs, and space for competitive events — filling a longstanding gap in the Valley’s recreational infrastructure.

To learn more about the project or to contribute, visit syvpool.org.

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The Solvang Chamber of Commerce is excited to bring back the Summer Music in the Park Series, presented by the Solvang Chamber of Commerce. The family-friendly concert series features 11 different live musical performances every Wednesday, starting at 5 p.m.

Sean Wiggins & Lone Goat will kick off the Music in the Park concert series on Wednesday, June 18. The concerts will run all summer through the end of August with a different genre each night, including classic rock ‘n’ roll, blues, country, and jazz. 

Concerts will take place outdoors at Solvang Park, located at 1630 Mission Drive. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and blankets for maximum comfort. While enjoying the music, guests can also indulge in delicious food and beverages available from numerous local restaurants. Alcoholic beverages will also be permitted at the park; however, we urge all attendees to consume responsibly and be mindful of their drinks at all times.

The lineup of expected acts throughout the summer:

Sean Wiggins and Lone Goat (June 18): While lead singer Wiggins weaves her own original tunes into her shows, she is known for adding her own soul into your favorite covers. So, when you come to see the duo or the band, you will hear a mix of originals and covers with a fresh take.

T-Bone Ramblers (June 25): This Central Coast-based blues and rock band has been performing for over 53 years. Their music blends classic blues with rock influences, earning them a dedicated following in the local music scene.

Dirty Cello (July 2): From Iceland to Italy, and all over the U.S., San Francisco-based Dirty Cello brings the world a high energy and unique spin on blues, rock, and Americana. Led by vivacious cross-over cellist, Rebecca Roudman, Dirty Cello is cello like you’ve never heard before. 

Do No Harm (July 9): Do No Harm is a five-piece, multi-genre, Santa Barbara-based band, keeping your favorite rock, R&B, soul, motown, disco, blues, Latin, country, and jazz hits alive.

Rincons (July 16): The Rincons, who have also been known as The Dusty Jugz, are a local rock band. They have played at many local venues including the High Roller Tiki Lounge in Solvang and Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez. 

Out of the Blue (July 23): This band has been bringing classic rock ‘n’ roll to Santa Barbara and Ventura counties for about 10 years now, impressing audiences with band members musicianship.

Knee Deep (July 30): Knee Deep, out of San Jose, delivers a powerful sound, tight three- and four-part harmonies over a broad spectrum of material from ’60s, ’70s, ’80s & ’90s and beyond.  

Nataly Lola and Ghost/Monster (Aug. 6): Nataly Lola is an award-winning singer-songwriter, composer, and independent recording artist from the Central Coast who performs with her full band Ghost/Monster.

The Waymarkers (Aug. 13): This Santa Barbara band classifies its style as “High Energy Celtic Music,” drawing inspiration from Galicia, Scotland, Ireland, Brittany, and more!

Kelly’s Lot (Aug. 20): Kelly’s Lot was formed in 1994 by Kelly Zirbes, a folk singer/songwriter with a heart for the blues. With 17 CDs and lots of touring in the USA and Europe, the band celebrates 30 years of performing.

Soul Kool (Aug. 27): Soul Kool plays 7 different genres of music, including R&B, Oldies, Old School, Classic Rock, Country, Blues, and Latino music. Even though we are from the Central Coast we do travel to the Central Valley and to Southern California. 

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Almost halfway through Pride Month, which June is designated as for the LBGTQIA+ community, Solvang was again the site for the fourth annual SYV Pride Parade on Saturday, June 14.

The parade was again put on by SYV Pride with the 2025 theme “Lead With Love.” The local organization describes itself as “the first registered 501(c)3 nonprofit in the Santa Ynez Valley dedicated to supporting and celebrating the local LGBTQIA+ community.”

The parade led off by highlighting the “rainbow” theme with vehicle carrying local dignitaries — like Buellton Mayor David Silva and Santa Barbara County Supervisor Joan Hartmann, among others — all a different color. After them a few more colorful vehicles and float followed the parade path down Alisal Road, through Copenhagen Drive (where most of the parade viewers were situated), then to 2nd Street and Oak Street back to Alisal.

Alyce Barrick, co-owner of Queen Cup Coffee in Santa Ynez and vice president of the SYV Pride Board, is pleased to see how the event has lasted and evolved.

“It just keeps getting bigger and bigger,” she said after the parade. “Just today, going down Alisal I was worried the turnout might drop off from last year, but then we turned onto Copenhagen and the sidewalks were packed with people; it was a great thing to see.”

Lauren Lastra, SYV Pride Board present and founding member, said as the parade, Pride Festival, and other events this month continue to affirm themselves as local June staples, more support will be easier to come by.

“Mainly, this organization and event is all volunteer; we rely on the volunteers’ work and donations from the area,” she said. “For this year, we were able to get a huge private grants to help us out, and continue to get more established, we hope we can get even more private donations.”

As Barrick noted, most of the parade viewers were concentrated on Copenhagen Drive. Among them was the Morgan family — Andrew and Micaela and their children Xabelle and Lorenzo. The Morgans have been regular visitors to the parade.

“We’ve been to this all four years,” Micaela Morgan said. “We like to impress upon the kids on inclusivity and tolerance, which is especially important this year.”

The last comment may have referred to the controversy and protests in Los Angeles over federal immigration raids, and that fact that June 14 was also the day of the “No Kings” protests all over the nation.

Many in the parade gave a nod to those protests in Solvang, some with signs like “No Kings, just Queens,” and similar messages among the parade route.

After the parade, the SYV Pride Festival was held at Solvang Park, where food and drink, as well as a kids area with bounce houses, and several booths offering products and services for those in the LGBTQIA+ community.

At the park, the crowd got to hear addresses from Silva, Hartmann, and Lastra. Silva, who last year announced his candidacy for the mayor’s seat in Buellton, this year came to his first Pride Parade as the actual mayor after winning the election last November.

“I remember as a kid thinking I would never see an openly gay person becoming the mayor of Buellton, and now here I am as the mayor,” Silva said to cheers from the crowd.

Other organizations with a presence included the Allan Hancock College Gay Straight Alliance; Free Mom Hugs, offering hugs for those people seeking a moment of comfort and support, with a “lounge” set up for people to relax; and a booth for the Santa Barbara chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).

Georgia Noble and Gary Welterlen manned the PFLAG booth, and Noble explained how the group worked.

“We take people who are struggling with the acceptance, because it’s a process,” she said. “We take people where they are, and create a safe space, and then do a lot of educating.”

Noble said she’s been with PFLAG for 11 years now; she got involved with the group when her son came out as gay.

“My son was in the gay men’s choir and took me to a rehearsal,” she said. “The members thanked me for being there, because a lot of parents had rejected them, and then I had the choir sing this Irish blessing, and I wept through the whole thing. And that’s when I decided to get involved.”

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The Santa Barbara Zoo is pleased to introduce Tamur (pronounced tuh-MOOR), a 5-year-old male Amur leopard, who arrived from the San Diego Zoo as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP). Amur leopards are the most endangered big cat on Earth.

Tamur’s arrival marks an exciting new chapter in the zoo’s commitment to conservation and education. The move was recommended by the AZA’s SSP, a collaborative program designed to maintain a genetically diverse and stable population of animals in human care, with the ultimate goal of supporting species conservation efforts worldwide.

“Welcoming Tamur is a powerful reminder of the critical conservation work we do here every day,” said Dr. Julie Barnes, vice president of animal care at the Santa Barbara Zoo. “The Santa Barbara Zoo is deeply committed to protecting endangered species like the Amur leopard. Every animal move is carefully planned with the future of the species in mind, and we’re proud to play a role in helping ensure their survival.”

While Tamur is still acclimating to his new habitat and may not always be visible, zoo guests are encouraged to stop by and welcome him during their next visit.

Farewell to Marta and Ajax

In related news, the zoo’s beloved Amur leopards Marta and her mother Ajax have recently departed Santa Barbara to contribute to the conservation mission at other AZA-accredited institutions.

Marta, born on Aug. 6, 2021, made history as the first Amur leopard born at the zoo in over 20 years. She now resides at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Ohio, where she will play a crucial role in the genetic health of the population. Her mother Ajax, recognized as one of the most genetically valuable female Amur leopards in North America, also moved to a new home at the Nashville Zoo as part of the SSP’s ongoing efforts.

Tamur is generously sponsored by Premier Foster Feeders Marta Holsman Babson and Henrietta Holsman Fore. To learn more about how to support the zoo’s Amur leopards as an animal sponsor, please visit https://sbzoo.pivvit.com/foster-feeder.

About Amur leopards

Amur leopards are the most endangered big cats in the world. They have also been called the Korean leopard, Far East leopard, and Manchurian leopard, which echoes their historic range, spanning the Korean Peninsula into northeast China’s Jilin and Heilongjiang Provinces, and across the border into the Russian Far East and Amur River basin, from which the species now takes its name.

Just under 100 are estimated to remain in the wild, in a small area between Vladivostok, Russia, and the Chinese border, along with a few scattered individuals in China. Their threats include poaching, forest fires, development, and, at this point, inbreeding. Approximately 200 Amur leopards are in human care, primarily in zoos in North America, Europe, and countries of the former Soviet Union, and are part of globally cooperative conservation breeding programs.

Zoo Brew coming Saturday, June 7

The zoo will be hosting the return of Zoo Brew, the annual fundraiser that caters to beer and zoo lovers alike! Zoo Brew will take place on Saturday, June 7, from 5 to 8 p.m., with a VIP hour from 4 to 5 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at sbzoo.ticketsauce.com/e/zoo-brew-2025/ticketsere.

Guests are in for a “brew-tiful” day of sipping on a whole herd of beverages and interacting with the local brewers who crafted them, all while admiring the zoo’s hilltop ocean view. VIP ticket holders will also enjoy early entry and appetizers. This year’s event features 25+ beverage makers from California, including beer, cider, hard seltzer, wine, and more. Pub food, non-alcoholic beverages, and merchandise are also available for purchase.

General admission tickets are $75 per person and include unlimited beer tastings and a Zoo Brew 2025 commemorative tasting cup. VIP tickets are $110, and include all general admission perks, plus early entry/VIP hour (4 to 5 p.m.) and appetizers. All proceeds benefit the animals at the Santa Barbara Zoo. For ages 21+ only. For more information about Zoo Brew and to see participating partners, go to www.sbzoo.org/zoo-brew or call (805) 962-5339. 

The Santa Barbara Zoo strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage and participate fully. To request accommodations or for inquiries about accessibility, please email the accessibility team at welcome@sbzoo.org.

About the Santa Barbara Zoo

The Santa Barbara Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. for members and 9:30 a.m. for general admission until 5 p.m. General admission is $35 for adults, $25 for children 2-12, and free for children under 2. Buy online and save $7 per ticket. Parking is $11. The Santa Barbara Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). AZA zoos are dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great visitor experience, and a better future for all living things. With more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and is the public’s link to helping animals in their native habitats. Visit sbzoo.org.

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The weather was cool and cloudy and threatened rain, but that did not deter the over 1,200 people who attended the 9th annual Touch a Truck fundraiser at Bethania Lutheran Church on Saturday, May 3. Throngs of excited children explored all the different vehicles that were on display in the three parking lots behind the church. It was a day of family fun and exploration.

On display were earthmovers, a garbage truck that seemed to be a favorite, vehicles from the fire department, the SWAT team, the police department, emergency and rescue vehicles, construction, safety, and farming equipment, a PG&E truck, the Solvang Trolley, Dennis Beebe’s 1942 Ford-built Jeep, and colorfully decorated food trucks, to name a few.

Children excitedly climbed into the driver’s seat, anxious to explore the inside of vehicle after vehicle under the guidance of friendly professionals who spent time explaining to the children the different gadgets. Periodically horns honked, sirens screamed, buttons were pushed, and loudspeakers on police vehicles conveyed the voices of delighted children. Families with sensitive ears could attend during the designated “No Horn” hour from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

The family-friendly event also featured a range of entertainment, including face painting, custom helmet fittings, raffle prizes, and concession stands.

“One of my favorite events we do in the year is the Touch a Truck event. It brings people of all ages in the community together for such a fun time,” said Pastor Chris Brown. “It was one of our preschool parents who brought the idea of this event to us, and I thought it would be a great fundraiser. My hope this year is to raise $20,000. All of our sponsors are community members, and all of our trucks are community businesses. It’s a great representation of the community coming together. We would like to thank all of our sponsors, participants, and community members who came out to support our school.”

“We are very excited to open our doors to the community with our annual Touch a Truck event,” said Lola Gonzalez, one of the 100 volunteers who helped with the event. “We are also happy that we’ve had over 1,000 people attend the event. We had more vehicles this year for the kids to enjoy, and we have wonderful raffle prizes. Each preschool classroom comes up with a themed basket to be raffled off, and they are beautiful.”

“It was a big team effort from parents and our wonderful staff,” said Cat Uhl, chairperson for the event. “Our community family helped, sponsoring businesses and vehicle participation. We had more and different trucks this year, thanks to Valley networking. I am looking forward to another successful year. It’s fun to see the kids’ excitement. I was on the committee for four years, and this is the first time being the chairperson for the event.”

“It is amazing to see even 1-year-old children so enthralled in touching these enormous vehicles, pushing all the buttons, and climbing all over these giant machines. Even at that age, big trucks are magic to their imagination. It was wonderful to see the joy in the children’s faces,” said Jennifer Bennett.

All of the proceeds benefit Bethania Preschool and After School programs.

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By Joanne Clark

Contributing Writer

Camryn Kemp, 21, of Ballard recently returned home from an 18-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in the Colorado Fort Collins Mission in the north–central part of the state.

Throughout her mission, she served in five areas: Longmont, Johnstown, Fort Collins, and Longmont/Lyons/Estes Park, all in Colorado, and Casper, Wyoming.

Camryn is the daughter of Dr. Daryl Kemp and his wife, Tiffany, and has two sisters. The Kemp family has lived in Ballard for 30 years. Camryn attended Ballard School through the fifth grade, was subsequently homeschooled, and then graduated from Heartland Charter School in 2022.

When asked why she decided to serve a mission, Camryn replied, “Before my mission, I had a belief in God and in Jesus Christ. I saw that it made those around me happy, and I knew it could make me happy too. I had experiences before my mission that helped me see that Christ could change my life.

“I chose to serve because I wanted others to know that God is real and that He loves them. I wanted others to know that they are not alone.”

Besides teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people in the areas she served, Camryn actively shared the love of Christ by doing various kinds of service.  

She and other missionaries like her were involved at a food bank for the community, clearing out the building and organizing food storage; cleaning up and preparing for an outdoor camp where a pioneer reenactment was to take place; doing yard work for a community resident; helping to set up and running activities for an event to honor first responders; clearing and cleaning out pastures for incoming horses at a horse boarding ranch; and, when called upon, going to hospitals and praying with families whose loved ones were in critical care units with life-threatening health conditions to offer comfort. 

Camryn said she loved interacting with many different people in many different circumstances, stating that “Missionary work is the best work!”

“During my mission, I met my best friend, Jesus Christ,” she said. “He changed my entire life. He has changed my life and changed my world. I love Him.”

Camryn is presently working, trying to continue serving in the community, and preparing to go to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, this fall.

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Amanda Lankford, a Simi Valley resident and sergeant in the Los Angeles Police Department, said she wanted to give herself a Mother’s Day present, so on May 10, the day before Mother’s Day, she came up to Solvang and ran in the Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon.

Then, she got a bonus present: A first-place finish in the women’s race as she broke to tape at 1 hour, 30 minutes, and 46.12 seconds, 1:46 before her closest finisher.

Lankford was one of 1,639 runners to compete in the annual 13.1-mile race, which takes participants from Solvang up to Los Olivos and back, ending at the finish line on Copenhagen Drive.

“This race has been on my bucket list for a while,” Lankford said after the race. “It’s a Mother’s Day present to myself, and a chance for me and my family to enjoy Solvang. I wasn’t necessarily expecting to win, but it was great that I had a good showing.”

After Lankford, Heather Montgomery came in second at 1:32:31.45, and Lisa Gibbs rounded out the top three with a time of 1:33:40.45.

Lankford said she really enjoyed the race, though the conditions weren’t quite what she expected.

“It was warmer than I thought it would be,” she said. “But I got through it. Plus, it was just a beautiful course; this area has a lot of scenery.”

The race conditions were warmer than usual for most of the contestants. While past Wine County Half-Marathons were run under a cloud cover and cooler temperatures, this year’s edition saw the race start under sunny skies, which remained throughout.

Before Lankford won the women’s race, the men’s race saw a familiar face breaking the tape: Josef Gertner of Orcutt, who finished in 1:13:49.16, winning the race for the third straight year.

“I ran a little faster last year [1:11:19], so it’s a kind of disappointing for me,” Gertner told race announcer Angela Warren after he crossed the finish line. “However, it’s just beautiful out here, and the organizers do a wonderful job of getting this together, so thanks to them for that.”

Rounding out the top three for the men were Matt Scurria (1:13:33.52) and Chris Gregory (1:16:55.10).

Gregory, from Carpinteria, has been a yearly presence in the Wine Country race with this year’s being his fifth by his count, and his finished first in 2022.

“It’s kind of my baseline, you know,” he said. “Every year, no matter what’s going on in my life, I tell myself ‘I’m going to do the Wine Country race this year.'”

Gregory has had a lot going on in his life in the past year. He got married shortly after last year’s race and he and his wife Meredith had a baby girl, Luna, afterward. He also had to recover from an injury.

“A month after last year’s race I suffered a stress fracture,” Gregory said. “So, I was out for the rest of the year and have been coming back slow.”

Gregory said the Wine Country race was his third race of the year, “although one of them was a stroller race with Luna, so I don’t know if that counts.”

In addition to the men’s and women’s races, the event also had the relay, where two runners could complete the course, with the switchover in Los Olivos, where the course turns back toward Solvang.

In the relay, the team of The Bros finished first with a time of 1:33:05.58, followed by KiBri at 1:36:01.99 and Will Run FASTER for Wine at 1:37:43.06.

After the race, participants were treated to the Wine and Musical Festival at Solvang Park, just a short walk from the finish line, featuring wine, food, and live music, as well as a photo area and booth along the concourse for running needs.

One of the booths was manned by representatives of the Golden State Challenge, a program where runners can track their performances over a group of running events in California, of which the Wine Country Half Marathon is one, in order to “experience the diverse beauty of the Golden State one stride at a time,” according to the GSC website (goldenstatechallenge.com).

“We do this to highlights the events here in California,” said Gretchen Schoenstein, community lead for the GSC. “We started in Huntington Beach in February, and this (Wine Country) is the second one, with the Bay to Breakers in San Francisco to follow [on May 18]. We have three of them in Northern California and five down in Southern California.”

Schoenstein said the Challenge ends in November at the Golden Gate Half Marathon & 5K in San Francisco.

“The Golden Gate one is really cool because you get to run across the Golden Gate Bridge if you do the half,” she said. “To qualify for the Challenge, they just have to do two of the races to get a prize, three to get another prize, and four to get a special medal.”

With the Bay to Breakers having been held last Sunday, May 18, the next race in the Challenge will be the Napa to Sonoma race on July 19 and 20, with subsequent races in Huntington Beach (Sept. 14), Long Beach (Oct. 4 and 5), Malibu (Nov. 16), and the Golden Gate event on Nov. 2.

As for the next Wine Country Half Marathon, organizers are already preparing for the next one on May 9, 2026, and runners can already register by going to santabarbarawinehalf.com

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Despite cloudy skies that followed overnight rain, the Santa Ynez Airport drew a sizable crowd to its annual Airport Day on May 17.

Those who came to the free event at Kunkle Field off Highway 246 were greeted by a sea of aircraft on the runway, about 44 total, with pilots on hand to discuss their planes to curious onlookers.

And as in past years, the day was highlighted by the awarding of three aviation scholarship given to flight students in the Santa Ynez. The recipients were Kyle Mahon, Cristian Sotelo, and Jonas Weinman, and they were presented with their scholarship on the lawn in front of the airport office by Bill Krauch, longtime member of the Santa Ynez Airport Authority.

“We have three candidates who have been pursuing their aviation careers at their own expense,” Krauch said. “We expect this scholarships to expedite the process for them to become commercial pilots.”

Krauch also introduced two important members of the scholarship team: Jerry Long, who is the chief fundraiser for the scholarships, and Ryan McGill, a commercial airline pilot who oversees the students’ instruction.

One of the three scholarship winners, Mahon, has been an employee of the airport for two years and has had aviation in his blood.

“My father and grandfather were pilots and I’ve always just been around it,” he said. “I tried to be around it as much as possible, and one day I came to the airport to ask if they were hiring, they said they were, and I started working here. I’ve just met a lot of amazing people.”

Mahon hopes to use his scholarship to be a corporate or airline pilot for his career.

“I don’t know which way I will go on that right now, but I’ll just use this money to my advantage and see where it takes me,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sotelo has much of his training done and is close to getting his private pilot’s license.

“I’m getting the license pretty soon,” said Sotelo, who wants to pursue a career with the military or with Cal Fire. “I’m definitely toward the end of that with 40 hours done and a couple more to go, and the scholarship will go toward that. There more training for that and after that getting my instrument rating.”

While the other two recipients are working toward their licenses, Weinman has already obtained his, and his scholarship will go toward getting his instrument rating.

“The instrument rating is an attachment onto my private pilot’s license, which allows me to fly in clouds and in bad weather,” he said. “Basically, it’s being able to fly without being able to see anything outside and just going off your instruments.”

Weinman has long had an interest in aviation, but he said it was really piqued a few years ago.

“I’ve always loved planes, and I’ve always loved airports and everything,” he said. “But it really struck probably when I was around 15 years old and I went up on a ‘discovery’ flight as a passenger and really got hooked after that.”

Weinman is hoping to become a commercial pilot after all his training is done. “Yeah, I’m definitely looking at a career in the airlines,” he said.

While the aspiring aviators were getting their scholarship, down at the runway, many pilots, professional and otherwise, were engaging with crowd members on their planes.

One such plane stood just by the steps down to the tarmac; it was on display for a cause. The aircraft was part of SafeLaunch, an anti-drug program based in Santa Barbara that provides “parents and decision makers with information and support that they need to prevent adolescent drug and alcohol use before it starts,” as its website, safelaunch.org, states.

Co-founder Ron Cuff, a retired Naval aviator, was manning the group’s table in front of a white plane that doubled as a canvas of sorts as kids were invited to paint on the side of the plane, which in the window had names of youths who died from drugs. Cuff also present youths with a card containing an anti-drug pledge which he had the youths recite aloud.

“This is our 71st aviation event overall, and we’ve been to this event [in Santa Ynez] four or five times now,” Cuff said. “We have our presentation here at the table, showing how companies try to market drugs to kids with deceptive advertising. I’m all for free enterprise, but not when you try to advertise drugs and alcohol and poison our kids with it. There’s a limit to ‘free enterprise'”

Meanwhile, on the other end of the runway, another pilot used his plane to engage with people. Joey Hickox’s plane was red and white with the Chick-fil-A logo on the tail. The branding was appropriate as Hickox’s is the owner of the Chick-fil-A franchise in Santa Maria.

“I have my restaurant there, and I bought a plane and after about a year I had to repaint, so I got permission from corporate to put the logo on the tail and fly around with it,” he said. “I heard about this event and this is the first time I’ve been to this one. I love flying and was in the Air Force for 30 years, and was a good way to combine my job and my hobby.”

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Santa Barbara County nonprofit, Santa Ynez Valley Pride (www.SYVPride.org), is planning for the fourth annual Pride celebration to take place in the region’s various wine country towns, a multifaceted lineup of events spanning June 1-30, 2025.

“This year’s Pride theme, ‘Lead with Love,’ is about a bold and brave kind of love that requires action. It will ask us to stand up for all members of our community, especially our trans and immigrant neighbors,” said Lauren Lastra, president of SYV Pride. “It will require that we act with kindness in the face of adversity and that we garner strength and hope through community. It will empower us to create safe spaces throughout the Valley where folks can unapologetically be themselves and know that they belong here.” 

Formed in 2022, SYV Pride’s mission is to create a safe, supportive, and empowering home for the local LGBTQ+ community in the Santa Ynez Valley through the education and celebration of LGBTQ+ culture. In June 2022, SYV Pride organized and successfully completed its inaugural Pride celebration held in varied locations throughout the Santa Ynez Valley.

Pride month (2025) with SYV Pride is blasting off on Sunday, June 1, with a Pride Brunch at Brave & Maiden Estate in Santa Ynez, followed by a disco-themed Pride kick-off event at the Future Perfect Wine tasting room in Los Olivos. Beginning Tuesday, June 3, continuing each Tuesday in June, the legendary Maverick Saloon in the town of Santa Ynez will host “Gayraoke.” On Thursday, June 12, Stolpman Fresh Garage hosts “All Colors of the Rainbow,” a wine event in Los Olivos.

The month’s main attraction arrives on Saturday, June 14, as the SYV Pride Parade (11 a.m.) will roll through downtown Solvang with floats, music, and more, ending with a family-centric Pride Festival at 12 p.m. in the center of town, in and around Solvang Park (corner of Mission Drive and First Street). Festival attendees should expect a kid-friendly afternoon complete with bounce houses, face painting, vendor booths, a beer and wine garden, food vendors, and live music, including a performance by The Molly Ringwald Project and tunes by DJ Darla Bea.

The June 2025 SYV Pride celebration is open to the public with ticketed and non-ticketed events. Event updates will be announced on the SYV Pride website (www.SYVPride.org), and Instagram and Facebook feeds: @SYV.Prideand facebook.com/SYVPride. Proceeds, in part or in whole, and donations from all events will benefit SYV Pride.

SYV Pride wishes to thank sponsors and supporters, including: Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians; Farmacy Santa Ynez, Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden; Allan Hancock College; Lefty’s Coffee Co.; Rio Vista Chevrolet; and Carla & Jon Mead.

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Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital (SYVCH) is proud to announce that it has earned a 5-star rating from the National Rural Rating System (NRRS), which recognizes excellence and commitment in rural healthcare. SYVCH has also been named to the National Rural Honor Roll.

This designation is a testament to SYVCH’s dedication to delivering high-quality care and meaningful patient experiences. The NRRS evaluates hospitals based on rigorous standards, including patient satisfaction, quality of care and overall hospital performance.

“We take great pride in being a trusted source of care for the Santa Ynez Valley community,” said Katie Gorndt, vice president of Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital. “This recognition is especially meaningful because it underscores the trust our community places in us and highlights our commitment to delivering exceptional care.”

The 5-star rating reflects SYVCH’s ongoing commitment to meet the unique healthcare needs of the rural community it serves. This recognition highlights the hospital’s success in providing outstanding medical services, despite the challenges often faced by rural healthcare facilities.

The 2025 National Rural Honor Roll honorees include rural hospitals that have met the highest standards for patient experience, based on cumulative ratings submitted by Oct. 31, 2024. This annual recognition reinforces NRHA’s commitment to supporting and uplifting rural health care facilities as pillars of their communities.

Since 1964, the not-for-profit SYVCH has provided high quality outpatient surgical services, inpatient care, comprehensive imaging, on-site laboratory, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, cardiac clinic and 24- hour emergency services to the community.

The National Rural Honor Roll was created to honor rural and critical access hospitals and clinics that consistently deliver exceptional healthcare, showcasing them as leaders in patient-centered care within their communities. Facilities included on the Honor Roll receive recognition for their dedication and excellence that sets them apart, demonstrating their commitment to patient well-being. For more information visit RuralRatings.US

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