Addie Madrid has been chosen as Solvang’s Danish Maid and will preside over this year’s 88th Solvang Danish Days celebration, whose theme this year is “Be Happy–Vaer Glaede!” Madrid will fulfill her “royal” duties during this year’s event weekend — Friday through Sunday, September 19 through 21 — and throughout her year’s reign. She is the fourth woman in her family to hold the title of Solvang Danish Maid. That title was also held by her grandmother, Glen- da Jaeger Madrid (1971); her mother, Ashlee Madrid (1999); and her sister, Aleena Madrid (2022). 

Madrid, who is 17 and will be a senior this year at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, applied last spring to the Solvang Danish Days Foundation for a chance at becoming this year’s Danish Maid. Due in part to her familial background and involvement in previous Danish Days events “every year since I was born,” she was chosen to be this year’s Danish Maid. 

Both sides of Madrid’s family ancestry run deep in the history of Solvang and are rooted in Denmark. According to information provided by the foundation, Madrid’s great-great-grandfather, Viggo Tarnow, came to the United States from Copenhagen in 1914. He settled in Minnesota, where he met and married Cora, later moving his family, including their daughter, Marie, to California. Tarnow taught at Solvang’s Atterdag Folk School and helped to shape what is now the Atterdag Village of Solvang senior care center. His love for the Santa Ynez Valley ran deep, and through his dedication, Addie’s family became woven into the very fabric of Solvang. 

The foundation also stated that Madrid’s great-grandfather, Johannes Jaeger, came from Tindbaek, Denmark, in 1948, with hope in his heart and carpentry tools in his hands. In Solvang, he met and married Marie Tarnow, and together they built not just homes but a life of service and commitment to the community. Johannes became a partner in the Madsen & Jaeger Contracting Firm, and many of the Solvang structures that he helped build still stand today — such as the large windmill on Alisal Road and the Solvang Brewing Company windmill on Mission Drive. Alongside Marie, he gave back to the community through volunteer work at Atterdag College, Bethania Lutheran Church, the Elverhøj Museum of History and Art, and more. 

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It was a picturesque, sunny day in the Santa Ynez Valley on Saturday, July 26, warm, but not too hot, and the perfect day to hold a barbecue. Well, the Valley got two notable ones on this day.

At River View Park, the City of Buellton held its 23rd annual BBQ Bonanza, where all of the city’s residents were invited for a free barbecue lunch and many fun activities to go with it. Meanwhile, later that day in Los Olivos, just past the point where Alamo Pintado Road becomes Santa Barbara Avenue, the Women Winemakers and Culinarians Foundation gave some of the men a chance to show their grilling skills at the inaugural BroBBQ.

The Buellton BBQ Bonanza was started in Buellton more than two decades ago by the city’s Parks and Rec Department to thank the residents of Buellton for their support in making the city a great place to live, and has become a summertime staple in town.

“It’s been a good day today,” said Buellton Parks and Rec Director Paul Smith. “I got to meet a lot of new families, and we’ve been able to get in a lot of activities and entertainment that has just run the gamut of fun things to do.”

Along with the delicious barbecue food being served up, the event also offered plenty of fun things, like blowup waterslides for the kids, games and activities, and even a karaoke machine at one of the booths.

“We even had an Elvis impersonator come in earlier, and he sung the entire ‘Trilogy’ of songs he’s famous for,” Smith said.

Another successful Bonanza came and went, and another one will be planned next summer.

Meanwhile, a little later that afternoon on a property off Santa Barbara Avenue in Los Olivos, the Women’s Winemaker and Culinarians Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is “to empower and support female winemakers and culinarians by fostering a community that champions their craft, creativity, and leadership,” according to the group’s website, put some of the men on the grills for the first-ever BroBBQ.

According to the organization’s Karen Steinwachs, the BroBBQ came about inadvertently due to some complaints about the food at the group’s fundraiser in March.

“We had our big fundraising event where our female chefs displayed their cooking skills, and it was vegan and gluten- and sugar-fee cookout,” Steinwachs said. “Anyway, some of the menfolk came around asking why there wasn’t any meat dishes, and we said ‘Well, if you want some meat cooked so bad organize other barbecue and cook it yourself, and we put the event together.”

Brooke Stockwell, a former Valley chef who recently moved to the Bay Area, came back down to organize the roster of male cooks, dubbed the “GrillMeisters.”

“I was sort of the wrangler of the cooks, and I’m still doing it. We’re all enjoying our wine and conversation and I’m trying to get them to start cooking,” Stockwell said with a laugh.

The team of GrillMeisters are considered locally famous for their barbecuing skills, according to Steinwachs.  Don Layton, Rafik Tadros, Nate “Tater” Stricker, Loren Tarquinio, Mike Mesikip, Dan Dominquez, Ryan Layton, and Randy Jones were out grilling sausages, elk tips, ribs, tri-tip, tofu (!), brisket, lamb lollipops, artichokes, seasonal veggies, and sides! And while savoring the aroma of the different grills, attendees got to sample a number of wines.

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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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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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Saturday, Aug. 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission and parking are free for the show at Nipomo High, located at 525 N. Thompson Ave. in Nipomo.

This spectacular showcase promises an unforgettable experience with activities and offerings for all ages.

What to Expect

• Over 60 qualified dealers: Explore an incredible range of high-quality rocks, minerals, and gemstones offered by more than 60 experienced and reputable dealers.
• Club displays: Marvel at fascinating exhibits of various minerals and rocks that have been carefully collected by our society members.
• Lapidary arts: Witness the artistry of lapidary as skilled artisans demonstrate their craft, showcasing how raw stones are transformed into stunning works of art.
• Exciting raffle: Participate in a raffle for a chance to win beautiful and valuable collectibles. Don’t miss this opportunity to take home a treasure!
• Kids’ activities: Bring the little ones along for fun and engaging activities such as “Spin the Wheel,” designed to entertain and educate young minds.

Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of gems and minerals. Whether you’re here to shop, learn, or simply enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, there’s something for everyone.

For more information about the Annual Gem and Mineral Show, please email joegoetz289@gmail.com or Nipomocowgirl55@yahoo.com, or go online to oms-inc.org.

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It was a lovely spring day in Los Olivos for the Rotary Club’s 19th annual Jazz & Olive Festival, which was held on Saturday, June 7, at Lavinia Campbell Park. The festival is always a popular event, having developed a dedicated following over the years, and this year was no different. 

Jazz music, provided by The Alan Satchwell Quintet, filled the air as nearly 400 guests enjoyed the wines offered by 26 different vintners pouring their latest releases and tasty olive-related hors d’oeuvres, generously provided by 26 O’Chefs. 

The Jazz & Olive Festival was established by the Rotary Club of Los Olivos as a headline community event to showcase jazz musicians, the growing local olive industry, and Santa Barbara County’s premier wines. The annual festival is presented by and the primary fundraiser for the Los Olivos Rotary Club Foundation. All funds raised from the festival support local organizations in need, high school scholarships, and international service organizations. 

The winners of this year’s O’Chefs competition are as follows: Focaccia by Tyler Sprague; Fern’s Famous Olive Dip by Cindy Mathews; Olive Chocolate Brownies by Ann Foxworthy Lewellen; Pasta Salad by Candy Waldron; and Hoisin Beef by Judy Canby. The judges were Elaine Revelle and Sarah Harris.

“There was plenty of wine and a bounty of olive-based treats for all to enjoy,” said Chairperson Beth Sprague, who took over the event in 2022.

For the second year, the Jazz and Olive Festival stage featured local musicians featuring Alan Satchwell on trumpet joined by the Alan Satchwell Quintet, consisting of David Alm on piano, Dave Keif on bass, Darrell Voss on drums, Rich Seversen on guitar, and featured guest singer, Inga Swearengen.

“They were so good last year we decided to have them back this year to entertain all our guests,” said Rotarian Rich Nagler. 
“All the funds raised from this event go to charities our Rotary supports, both local and abroad,” said Sprague.

This past year, Los Olivos Rotary Club gave grants to a variety of community service organizations and youth services: Veggie Rescue, SYV Aquatic, SYV Botanic Garden, SYV Community Outreach, CALNAM, People Helping People ADCAP, Stuart Gildred YMCA, Hidden Wings, Friends of the Library, Little Village, Santa Barbara Food Bank, Arts Outreach, Los Padres Forest Watch, and New Life K9. Youth service grants were given to Lucy Clover H, RYLA Scholarships, Dunn Interactive Club, Santa Barbara Community Rowing, Explore Ecology, Nature Track, Youth Empowered, and the Scouts. 

“Our mission this year is to provide the remaining funds from this year’s event to local organizations who help solve food insecurity in our community,” said Nagler. “Organizations like People Helping People, Meals on Wheels, which serves over 300 house-bound or senior citizens in need, Atterdag at Home, Veggie Rescue, and the Bethania Lutheran Food Program.”

“Despite having a reputation for being affluent, Santa Barbara County has the second-highest poverty rate in the state, with 17 percent of residents lacking resources for basic needs like food,” quoted Nagler. “There has been a considerable decrease in funding and donated food to organizations that provide nutrition and an increase in those in need of assistance. 

“We are so glad to see so many people having a good time and helping our Rotary Club to provide donations and support for these organizations who help solve food insecurity in our community.”

Many Los Olivos Rotarians were on hand to help guests with their needs and enjoy the experience.
For more information on the Los Olivos Rotary Club, visit www.losolivosrotary.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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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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