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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After a season in which it finished the season 22-4, going undefeated in the Mountain League, and winning CIF Central Section Division II  before losing in the California state semifinals, the Santa Ynez Pirates boys volleyball team saw numerous members selected All-Mountain League by the coaches, SYHS volleyball coach Chip Fenenga announced recently.

Sophomore right-side hitter Nate Biron was named the Mountain League MVP. He led the Pirates with 343 kills, 54 aces, and was the top passer on the team. Biron finished, according to the Max Preps website, as the fifth-most efficient hitter in the United States.

“Nate could do it all and was such a hammer from the right side for us this year,” Fenenga said. “He is competitive, athletic, and able to play multiple positions.“

All-League first-team awards went to senior Ben Stuerman, senior setter Manny Sanchez and sophomore outside hitter sophomore Anders Dietenhofer.

“Manny was the setter for this team and performed at an elite level all season,” Fenenga said. “He had almost 900 assists this year and was a team leader and captain.”

Deitenhofer was especially efficient and powerful as a hitter with 266 kills, 42 aces, and 227 digs. “At the end of the season, no one was hitting at his level and range,” the coach said.

Ben Stuerman was the senior team captain and physically the most dominant player for the Pirates leading the team in blocks with 28, while adding 300 kills. “Ben was asked to move from his middle position to outside and teams had so much trouble matching up to his strength, his block and effective hitting,” Fenenga said. “He also was one of Max Preps top 50 in the nation.”

All-league second-team recognition went to middles Jadon Bailey and Wyatt Minus. Wyatt primarily was a blocking force, at the net matched up against opponents top middles. He hit efficiently and was second on the team with 22 solo stuff blocks. Bailey had 115 kills and 18 stuff blocks. “Both of these athletes were forces in the middle that opponents had to honor,” according to Fenenga.

Pirates defensive specialist libero Will Losson was also selected to the second team. He led the Pirates with 256 digs and was the most effective server for the Pirates including a key run at Arroyo Grande in the fifth set of a regular season match with the Pirates down 13-10. Losson served an ace and the next four points for the win. Losson also gave the Pirates a 14-10 lead in the fifth set of the teams’ CIF Central Section second-round game 5 win, after being tied at 10-10.

Honorable Mention went to senior Griffin Bruner. He had 229 serves along with 12 aces and 68 digs. “Griffin was a key part of our run as a talented athlete, returning to play volleyball his senior year,” Fenenga said. “His impact as a server and defensive specialist was vital to our success. He is fast, smart and aggressive. He had some remarkable digs that sparked us against league rivals San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande.”

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On the evening of Sunday, June 8, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office answered a call for help from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, deploying 32 deputies to Los Angeles to assist with civil unrest that has gripped the region in recent days. The officers, drawn from the department’s Sheriff’s Response and Special Enforcement Teams, arrived in downtown Los Angeles late Sunday night and worked into the early morning to provide building security and public safety support.

They join a growing force of law enforcement and military personnel now operating in the greater Los Angeles area in response to escalating tensions, protests, and violent disturbances sparked by federal immigration enforcement actions and broader frustrations with government authority.

Sheriff Bill Brown emphasized that the deployment is strictly a mutual aid agreement and not linked to federal immigration enforcement.

“Members of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office are not engaged in immigration enforcement activities in Los Angeles,” Sheriff Bill Brown said. “But rather our role is to assist allied law enforcement agencies and help them ensure the safety and security of their communities in response to these violent disturbances.”

Brown condemned the violence that has erupted, noting that while peaceful protest is a constitutional right, the situation in Los Angeles and elsewhere has deviated far from lawful demonstrations.

“The events unfolding in Los Angeles, other cities in California, and across the nation are far from peaceful First Amendment protests,” Brown said. “We are witnessing destructive attacks on private property and targeted attacks on law enforcement officers, both of which are completely unacceptable. Our agency remains committed to ensuring public safety and supporting our law enforcement partners and the Southern California community. Over the past 15 years, Santa Barbara County has repeatedly benefited from mutual aid resources from both the city and the county of Los Angeles during our front country wildfires, and we are reciprocating with our support in their time of need.”

The call for mutual aid follows a week of rising violence and political division. On Saturday, June 7 a protest near a Home Depot in the city of Paramount began peacefully but spiraled out of control as reports emerged that federal agents were staging immigration enforcement operations in nearby office spaces. Social media footage showed tear gas, looting, and burning vehicles. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department declared the gathering an unlawful assembly and attempted to disperse the crowd.

By that night, similar unrest reached downtown Los Angeles, with the LAPD declaring an unlawful assembly and warning protesters of arrest if they did not disperse.
The situation escalated further on Sunday when the federal government, under a directive from President Donald Trump, deployed National Guard troops from California’s 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team to protect federal property and law enforcement personnel. According to U.S. Northern Command, around 300 soldiers were initially deployed, with the potential for more.

Citing recent threats to immigration detention centers and attacks on federal officers, the White House invoked a rarely used federal statute — 10 U.S.C. 12406 — to justify the use of military personnel in domestic operations. The order allows the National Guard to be used for up to 60 days or longer at the Secretary of Defense’s discretion.

Simultaneously, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the results of an extensive enforcement sweep in Los Angeles. According to a June 8 press release, agents arrested more than a dozen undocumented immigrants described as “the worst of the worst,” including individuals with convictions for violent crimes such as murder and sexual assault.

“These rioters in Los Angeles are fighting to keep rapists, murderers, and other violent criminals loose on our streets,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Instead of rioting, they should be thanking ICE officers who are making our communities safer.”

The ICE statement — and the timing of the arrests — has inflamed public sentiment. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the federal actions and warned of the toll they are taking on already anxious immigrant communities.

“This morning, President Trump deployed the National Guard into Los Angeles,” Bass wrote in a social media post on Monday, June 9. “The fear people are feeling in our city right now is very real. It puts our neighborhoods at risk. This is the last thing we need.”

Bass emphasized that the city stands with all its residents, regardless of immigration status, and urged demonstrators to remain peaceful. Still, as the violence mounted, she made clear that criminal activity would not be tolerated. “ANYONE who vandalized Downtown or looted stores does not care about our immigrant communities,” she added in a June 10 post. “You will be held accountable.”

The deployment has ignited a renewed debate about the role of federal authority in local jurisdictions, particularly in California, where state leadership has long pushed back against federal immigration policies.

Governor Gavin Newsom called the federalization of troops a dangerous precedent. “The federal government is now turning the military against American citizens,” Newsom said in a televised address. “This is unprecedented and threatens the very core of our democracy.”

Monday, June 9, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that 700 active-duty U.S. Marines from Camp Pendleton would also be deployed to Los Angeles, citing ongoing threats to federal facilities and law enforcement. Hegseth defended the decision, saying, “We have an obligation to defend federal officers — even if Governor Newsom will not.”

In contrast, many Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez residents remain uneasy about the militarization of California’s largest city. Local leaders and advocacy groups have expressed concern about the broader implications for civil liberties and public trust in government institutions.

Despite the tension, Sheriff Brown reiterated the professionalism and limited scope of Santa Barbara’s involvement.

“We hope for a swift restoration of order in Los Angeles,” Brown stated. “Allowing all law enforcement personnel to return to their homes safely.”

As the situation continues to evolve, all eyes remain on Los Angeles — where the clash between local control, federal enforcement, and public unrest may define the next chapter in the ongoing national conversation about justice, immigration, and civil order.

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The many movers and shakers in the region gathered at Craft House at Corque in Solvang to discuss the economic direction on Thursday, June 5, at the 2025 Santa Ynez Valley Economic Summit.

For the second straight year, Danna Stroud, community-based solutions regional manager at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), was the keynote speaker for the event, talking about the job situation statewide. Other speakers included Solvang Mayor David Brown, Santa Barbara County Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, Buellton City Manager Scott Wolfe, EconAlliance CEO Janelle Osborne, and Santa Barbara Vintners CEO Alison Laslett. There were also two three-person panels who took time to field questions from the audience.

Brown took the floor first to talk about Solvang, and said the city had a unique position in the area as a tourist destination.

“We are a town of 6,000 that draws 5 million tourists a year,” Brown said. “The town offers an immersive experience of an earlier time and is on the national radar.”

Brown pointed out the attention Solvang has gotten with travel columns and awards, such as the “Best Small Town in the West” it earned from online voters in the USA Today/10Best travel series. Solvang was also in the top 5 for the series categories of “Best Small Town Food Scene” and “Best Main Street”

While Brown painted a positive picture of his city, he said there are still issues it needs to confront.

“Our housing is still our most urgent issue,” he said. “We need more units and its tougher to do it without extending the Urban Growth Boundary.”

Brown said the town needs to become more water-independent, and transportation needs to be addressed, as Solvang has a main thoroughfare, Mission Drive, that doubles as a state highway and for many is the only way in and out of town, with Brown admitted can be a concern if there is an evacuation situation.

However, the mayor said the situation still looks rosy in Solvang. “We will continue to build a vibrant and solid future.”

Later on, Wolfe took the podium to talk about Buellton’s state and its role in the Valley.

“Buellton has really involved in the six years that I’ve been here,” he said, pointing out a public arts program, a new library that opened this year, and an expansion of social services.

Wolfe likened Buellton’s situation to a fictional town in a family-favorite animated movie.

“If you all have ever seen the movie ‘Cars,’ they have the town of Radiator Springs, that died when the highway went past it,” Wolfe explained. “Well, that was Buellton in 1968. The highway moved a few blocks away, but there was an area [Avenue of Flags] that needed to be redeveloped.”

That was done partly thanks to the Pea Soup Andersen’s restaurant that has been closed for a few years now, but will be replaced by a development that will include a new Pea Soup Andersen’s. Wolfe also pointed out a flags project on Avenue of Flags, and a proposed hotel, market, and coffee shop in the lots next to the Sideways Hotel and Flying Flags RV Resort.

“Buellton is in a big shift,” Wolfe said, “and has gone through bigger changes in the last three years than in the previous 50.”

Brown, Wolfe, and Hartmann also conducted a panel discussion on needs for the area, and much of it centered on providing activities for children and teens.

To that end, Wolfe mentioned a bowling alley project that the city has been trying to get off the ground for multiple years and multiple owners. While pointing out the agreement the city made in partnering in the developing Children’s Museum, he said that most of the efforts to bring in activities would be through the private sector.

Hartmann said while they were always looking at stuff to add, there were activities that families could enjoy if they know where to look and pointed out the zipline attraction that operates near Buellton and Highway 146. Brown said that Solvang’s population tends to skew older, so they are always in search of activities that seniors can take part in.

The three also discussed the issues of transportation, keeping homes protected against possible fire, and affordable housing, which Brown and Wolfe both agreed was difficult for having to deal with the state government and codes.

A second panel made up of Buellton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kathy Vreeland, Visit SYV CEO Shelby Sim, and Anna Ferguson Sparks of Stilletto Marketing, which serves Solvang, discussed tourism issues.

Sim, who defined his job as putting “heads in beds” at local hotels, said this year was going better than 2024. “Nature helped us out this year,” he said, describing the lack of heavy rain that hindered tourism at the beginning of 2024. “Los Angeles has been a great source for visitors who want to come up, and we get 85% of our visitors from Southern California.”

Vreeland recognized the double-edged sword in Buellton of citizens wanting less distractions in town, but then pointed out that the Transient Occupancy Tax, paid mostly by tourists, represents 38% of the city budget.

“Some complain, but we want them to come in here,” she said. “We have to deal with it, but we are measuring our success with tourism.”

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The Solvang City Council, in its Monday, June 9, regular meeting approved a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management to activate a new emergency mapping platform.

City Management Analyst Olivia Uribe-Mutal introduced the item and said approval would allow the city to participate in ReadySBC.com, which provides alerts and information in times of emergency and the platform known as Genasys EVAC.

Uribe-Mutal described Genasys EVAC as a “zone-based emergency response tool” that enhances the ability of public safety agencies to plan, coordinate, and communicate protective actions during emergencies. Santa Barbara County selected Genasys EVAC as a countywide tool to complement existing alerting platforms, such as Everbridge, and to streamline multi-jurisdictional coordination.

The platform is composed of an internal user interface for first responders and emergency managers to access real-time decision-support data including hazard overlays, population metrics, evacuation sites, and critical infrastructure; and A public-facing map accessible via the ReadySBC.org website and the Genasys Protect mobile application, displaying live evacuation statuses, road closures, and shelter information. The system enables rapid, zone-based communication during emergencies and is designed to ensure

“The Genasys EVAC is a significant step forward for those of us in emergency management,” Uribe-Mutal said. “Solvang will be able to manage and update its own emergency zones. We’ll be able to gain additional support and improve our situational awareness in rapidly evolving events. We’ll also be fully integrated with the county during these events.”

This will be a no cost to the city, Uribe-Mutal pointed out, as it is covered by a Homeland Security grant through fiscal year 2027-28, and will allow Solvang to keep control of its own data on the system.

In discussions with Santa Barbara County Emergency Manager Stacy Silva, there was confusion over maps. The council has just approved the Fire Severity Zone Map (FSZM) from the state as part of the Consent Calendar, and Councilmember Mark Infanti noted that the zone where he lives has a yellow (or moderate fire hazard) marked on part of his parcel and asked if he would be getting an alert. Silva however, told the council that the county system had nothing to do with that map and emergency zones would be determined locally for the purposes of the specific incident.

After Silva completed an overview of the system, Mayor David Brown asked if ongoing training for the system would be the responsibility of the county or city and what would the cost be when the grant ran out. Silva said the city would be responsible for the training, but then City Manager Randy Murphy said any costs after the grant would be negligible.

Ultimately, Infanti moved to approve the MOA with Councilmember Elizabeth Orona seconding, and the motion passed 5-0.

In other business, council approved the awarding of a project to replace deteriorating pipes in the Nyborg Estates neighborhood to Tierra Contracting Inc. The item contained a dispute because out of the 13 bids, Tierra actually submitted the second lowest, with Joseph Engineering getting the low bid.

However, Facility Director Jose Acosta said Joseph’s application wasn’t complete at the bid deadline, so they went with the next lowest.

Crystal Joseph, the owner and vice president of Joseph Engineering, was at the meeting and during public comment, said the application was incomplete due to a clerical error but was still the lowest bid, and asked if council could delay the item.

City Counsel Chelsea O’Sullivan and Murphy said the council had the right to waive the decision on the bid but weren’t required to. The council opted to approve the Tierra bid after Elizabeth Orona commented that Acosta “took the lowest from your perspective.”

To begin the meeting, council welcomed Scout Leo Brownstein from Troop 33 in Santa Barbara to conduct a presentation on flag etiquette as part of his Eagle Scout Project. Brown said he thought a presentation like this would be a great idea when he from a constituent about seeing some flags not at half staff during the mourning period for former President Jimmy Carter, who died last December.

After receiving a proclamation from the city, Brownstein made his presentation with the help of fellow Scouts Nathan and Noah Cortez from Troop 87 in Orcutt, who displayed the proper way to fold a flag.

The City Council will meet next on Monday, June 23, at 6:30 p.m.

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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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By Dr. Hyun K. Lee

Quitting any addiction is usually a pretty daunting thought. It is automatically assumed that it’s going to

be a difficult journey, but when it revolves around an element that’s vital to everyone’s life, it seems even harder.

As far as addictions, it’s not the first that comes to mind, but addictions to sleep medicine are common, and people can be dependent on them for decades. Kicking the habit usually entails side effects like sleeping problems, anxiety, fear, headaches, nausea, dizziness, and depression, but quitting with the aid of Korean Constitutional Medicine can help you eliminate your addiction and all the side effects in about a week.

Sleeping problems can originate in a variety of ways inside the body, but the end result is always the

same — the lack of oxygen and nutrition to the brain.

The heart is usually the culprit for this, though the reasons vary per person. Your heart is like an engine,

and it “overheats” when it is overtaxed. It can overheat due to general stress, stress from the liver, and stress from the lungs. Whenever the heart is not doing its job, there is a lack of oxygen and nutrients to the brain, which results in sleep problems.

When a person has stress, the liver overworks itself and “overheats.” The liver is not able to provide enough blood support for the heart, which creates stress on the heart that results in the lack of support to the brain.

If imbalanced lung energy is at fault, it’s because lung energy, which is a cooling energy, has been weakened for some reason and is no longer able to “cool off” the overheating heart enough to balance its function. The imbalanced heart function again causes a lack of brain support.

Having low chi is also a common cause of lack of brain support, as all of the essentials are not being circulated upwards to the brain. Discovering where the problem originates — if it’s in the liver, the lungs, or low chi — is the key to rebalancing the body. Once the stress is taken off the organs, your heart is able to function happily again. Oxygen and nutrient delivery to the brain is replenished, and your sleep patterns are thus restored. Both acupuncture and herbs assist this process and also eliminate the side effects that come with removing your dependency.

Wherever your addiction lies, acupuncture and herbs are usually very helpful tools in beating the habit.

Whatever road to non-dependency you take, it’s important to keep trying and find the avenue that’s right for you. Always have faith that success will be yours!

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

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One of the blessings of living on the Central Coast is the weather, and Elna’s Dress Shop wants to create something that inspires, brightens, uplifts, and puts a smile on your face. If you are going to make one addition to your wardrobe this season, make it a print. From polka-dots, stripes, florals, or checks, every pattern offers a world of stylish possibilities.

This is added to some of the basic items you have in your wardrobe: a pair of black, navy, grey, white, and tan pants. Brown pants in the fall are also important. Also a basic is black dress and/or black skirt. Let’s not forget a pair of denim pants, skirt, or dress for all seasons: fall, winter, spring or summer.

Pick a basic piece of clothing that you feel is incredibly striking while also being understated and yet gives you
confidence. We will help you build a complimentary new piece of clothing to update your wardrobe.

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

Let us make suggestions, coordinating fashions with your lifestyle in mind. Wardrobe building is a free service at Elna’s. All local customers are entitled to a 10% discount. If you aren’t on our mailing list, come in and sign up. Our service includes a 25% discount the month of your birthday if on the list. Also, don’t forget the third Wednesday of each month is a 20% discount on all merchandise excluding Danish Costumes and already discounted clothing. You can call my cell number: (805) 570-3400.

Elna’s is open Monday, closed Tuesday, open Wednesday to Sunday. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are located at 1673 Copenhagen Drive in Solvang.

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Alma Rosa Winery, a leading Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Rhône variety wine producer from Santa Barbara County’s Sta. Rita Hills AVA, announced today that the winery’s sixth annual Peace of Mind: 10,000 Steps in the Right Direction fundraising walk raised a total of $256,285, surpassing previous walks in both attendance and funds raised, and bringing the total amount raised to date to over $1.2 million. All proceeds raised benefit One Mind and Santa Barbara County’s Mental Wellness Center.

Alma Rosa Proprietors Bob and Barb Zorich launched the annual Peace of Mind fundraising walk in 2020 to support community services for mental health, as well as research on the causes, treatment, and potential cures for mental health diseases. On Saturday, May 17, around 275 participants gathered at the base of Alma Rosa’s 628-acre estate to participate in this year’s 10,000-step, approximately 4.5-mile walk across the hillside vineyards. Participants were greeted at registration with juice from Pressed Juicery, coffee from Starbucks in Buellton, and brain booster performance shots from Magic Mind, three of Peace of Mind’s official event sponsors.

Adding to the excitement, the Santa Barbara Rotary Club hosted a raffle offering attendees who registered as a group of five or more people the opportunity to win two free wine-tasting parties at Alma Rosa Winery. The event began with personal and inspiring speeches about the importance of mental health awareness and support from Alma Rosa General Manager Emeritus Debra Eagle, One Mind’s co-founder and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer Brandon Staglin and Mental Wellness Center’s CEO Annmarie Cameron.

“Each year, we’re moved by the growing support for Peace of Mind and its meaningful impact on mental health awareness and care in the Santa Barbara County community,” said Bob Zorich. “To surpass $1 million raised is an important milestone for this 6-year-old effort. Thanks to the compassion, generosity, and unwavering spirit of our participants, partners, and sponsors, we are growing awareness and reducing the stigma while supporting mental health research and care in our community.”

While completing the course, walkers were fueled by complimentary snacks and beverages from Peace of Mind sponsors, including bars from David Protein, LMNT’s electrolyte drink mix packets, Leisure Project’s non-carbonated electrolyte refreshers, Culture POP’s probiotic sodas and water provided by Suzy Zimmerman State Farm Insurance. Sunscreen was provided by Vacation Sunscreen. At the summit of the Attente block, the highest point of the estate, participants enjoyed a splash of the Alma Rosa Brut Rosé before returning to the winery’s historic Ranch House nestled amid ancient oak trees for an intimate reception featuring a tasting of the latest releases from Alma Rosa’s Winemaker Samra Morris, as well as from other local wineries including The Hilt Estate, Peake Ranch Winery, Sanford Winery and Clementine Carter Wines. The reception also featured live music by local Santa Barbara duo Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan, along with food available for purchase from Santa Barbara Food Connection. Richard Sanford, Alma Rosa Winery’s original founder, current winery ambassador and pioneering Central Coast vintner, was also present during the reception to mingle with guests.

The Zorich’s support of the walk is a part of their ongoing efforts to support mental health research, awareness and care in Houston and across the country. The winery is grateful to have received generous corporate donations from Rio Vista Chevrolet in Buellton, Wine Direct, The Towbes Group, CenCal Health, Acme Hospitality, Montecito Bank & Trust, SCI Specialty Construction, Garcia Architects, 1st Century Bank, C&D, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and Sister Cities/Rotary Club. Over the last six years, the winery has raised over $1.2 million for One Mind and Santa Barbara County’s Mental Wellness Center.

For more information about Alma Rosa’s commitment to mental health awareness and support, please visit www.almarosawinery.com/peace-of-mind.

About Alma Rosa Winery

Alma Rosa Winery, a leading wine producer from Santa Barbara County’s Sta. Rita Hills, is dedicated to making Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Rhône variety wines that express the unique terroir of the appellation. Alma Rosa’s wines are layered, vibrant and balanced, reflecting the cool climate impact of the Pacific Ocean breezes that are funneled through the east-west transverse mountain range of the region. The winery was founded in 2005 by Richard Sanford, who was the first to plant Pinot Noir in the Sta. Rita Hills in 1971. Today, the winery is owned by Bob and Barb Zorich, who purchased the winery in 2014. In 2019, Samra Morris took the helm as winemaker and redirected the trajectory of the wines to be amongst the best in California.

For more information about Alma Rosa Winery, please visit almarosawinery.com.

About One Mind™

One Mind is at the forefront of a transformative movement in mental health, delivering innovative solutions to address critical gaps in mental health research, care, workplace wellness, and public perception. Guided by science and lived experience, we fund groundbreaking research, accelerate innovation, enhance workplace wellness, and engage the public to reshape mental health care and awareness. With science as our cornerstone, and people at the heart of what we do, our programs are setting new standards for effective interventions and redefining the future of mental health.

About Mental Wellness Center

With 78 years of service to the Santa Barbara community, Mental Wellness Center has been the leading provider of mental health support to adults, families, and youth. The organization instructs in mental health education to nearly 5,000 local students, operates a residential services program which is home to community members in seven residential sites, and serves individuals and families impacted by mental illness through support groups and social connection programs like its onsite recovery day program that sees hundreds of individuals, both housed and unhoused, living with severe mental illness.

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Fossemalle Dance Studio welcomes Hannah McNany as a new ballet teacher to their staff of dance teachers and choreographers. McNany has been dancing since she was 3 years old, ultimately receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance and completing a four-year satellite program with the Royal Academy of Dance in London, England.

Additionally, McNany’s ballet background includes training with the Santa Clarita Ballet, Los Angeles Ballet, Ballet Met, performing with Peter & Co., and Quicksilver Dance, along with many others. She is also a SAG/AFTRA member and has appeared in many commercials, movies, and TV series.

McNany initially reached out to Christine Fossemalle, the owner of Fossemalle Dance Studio, about taking an adult ballet class. She took her class, and Fossemalle immediately recognized McNany’s technique and skills and ultimately asked if she would be interested in teaching ballet at her studio.

“With my 40-plus years of experience observing dancers along with my extensive training, I could tell
that Miss Hannah’s technique and skills were there from the very first barre exercises; then moving to
the center, as we say in ballet terminology, her knowledge and artistry continued to please and
encourage my thoughts towards having her watch my classes first and then come and teach for me,”
said Fossemalle. “That was our evolution, and the outcome was positive, and I am delighted
she is joining our team of dedicated teachers.”

Dance has been a part of McNany’s DNA from childhood.

“I started dance lessons at the age of 3 in Alabama, where I was born,” said McNany. “Both my parents are from the United Kingdom and immigrated to the United States in 1981. My dad is a rocket scientist and was the head of propulsion for JPL, which is what brought us to California when I was 7 years old. My mother is retired from Cunard Cruise Lines, so as a youth I was able to do a lot of traveling.”

After arriving in California, McNany continued her dance by taking classes at the Santa Clarita Ballet Academy and studied there through her grade school and high school years.

“I knew I wanted to get a degree, so I attended San Jose State and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance,” she said. “In my last year of college, one of my professors, Gary Masters, offered me a place in the Limón technique-based dance company, San Jose Dance Company. I stayed with them for quite a few years, then moved to San Francisco and started freelancing as a dancer.”

McNany toured with a number of different companies in San Francisco while continuing to teach ballet.

“I wanted to become a teacher in classical ballet teaching studies, so I enrolled in the Royal Academy of
Dance (R.A.D.) in London, England, and completed their four-year satellite program,” she said.

In the meantime, she continued teaching, got married to her husband, Colin, who was a winemaker in the Santa Cruz Mountains, moved to Manhattan Beach, and had two children.

“Since my husband was originally from Southern California, we used to visit his cousin in the Santa Ynez
Valley for family celebrations, and we fell in love with the region,” said McNany. “In 2019, we started our own wine brand, Marbeso, in Buellton. After years of commuting, we decided to move the family to the Santa Ynez Valley in 2023.”

She said they found the perfect house, built in 1883, in Los Alamos. The building originally sat on the Alisal and was moved to Los Alamos, the home being the second oldest in the town.

“Now that my son is almost school age, I was ready to get back to teaching ballet, and I look forward to
working with Christine in the fall,” McNany said. “I will be teaching six classes of various ages, groups, and levels.”

Fossemalle said McNany will be teaching some of her longtime students at the studio.

“For ballet, it is important and beneficial to have another set of eyes that compliments and broadens the training, both technically and artistically,” said Fossemalle. “Miss Hannah will bring our students her ballet expertise, her extended experience as a teacher and performer, and her desire to share her knowledge with the next generation.”

“I am very happy to share my students, both newcomers and current, with Miss Hannah, as she seems as passionate as I am about dance. Hannah will provide and ensure excellence in the field of ballet for newcomers as well as experienced dancers.”

McNany is equally pleased to be instructing at the studio.

“I am very much looking forward to teaching at the Fossemalle Dance Studio and passing along my
passion and knowledge of ballet with the students of the Valley,” she said.

Classes start on Sept. 2. They encourage early fall registration as their enrollment is limited to 10 to 12 students per class to provide the best possible attention to detail required for the Art of Dance.

Fossemalle Dance Studio is at 3595 Numancia St., Santa Ynez. For more information, call (805) 688-8494 or visit www.fossemalledancestudio.com

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