The Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge recently announced its choice for December Student of the Month, and the honoree is Santa Ynez High senior Danielle Hyland.

Danielle is known an exceptional student whose academic drive, leadership, and compassion make her a standout in every setting. She is an only child who was adopted from China at the age of 3, and she has proudly called the Santa Ynez Valley home for many years.

Danielle speaks warmly about her close-knit family and the steady support she receives from her parents. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Tillie and Bailey, and she brings a wide range of talents and interests to everything she does — from seven years of dance and violin to basketball, track, and eventually discovering a true love for tennis in eighth grade.

One of the achievements Danielle is most proud of is her leadership as president of the SYV Medical Club. She recognized that students interested in health care didn’t yet have a space on campus to explore careers, connect with peers, and learn from professionals. So she helped build that community herself — organizing projects and guest speakers and creating real opportunities for students to envision futures in medicine and service.

Danielle’s commitment to helping others extends far beyond the classroom. She is a tennis co-captain, a CIF individual competitor, and a member of last year’s CIF Central Section championship team. She also works as a waitress at the Copenhagen Sausage Garden in Solvang, balancing her job with school and athletics. Perhaps most remarkable is her nearly 200 hours of volunteer service at Cottage Hospital, where she has been able to observe health-care professionals firsthand. Those experiences have strengthened her desire to become a nurse and reinforced her passion for caring for people in meaningful, practical ways.

After graduation, Danielle plans to pursue college — either beginning at SBCC or attending a four-year university such as San Diego State, Cal State San Marcos, or Cal State Long Beach — with the goal of entering the nursing field. She is excited to build a career where she can help people, comfort those in need, and make a real difference in her community.

And if Danielle could share one piece of advice with younger students, it would be this: Don’t let anyone stop you from believing in yourself. Have confidence, stand up for yourself, give yourself grace, and remember that perfection isn’t the goal — growth is.

The post Danielle Hyland named SYV Elks Lodge Student of the Month for December appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

Michele Miller Maxwell of Santa Ynez has been named to Southern New Hampshire University‘s (SNHU) Fall 2025 President’s List. The fall terms run from September to December.

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.7 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

SNHU is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with a 93-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults. Now serving more than 200,000 learners worldwide, SNHU offers approximately 200 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH. Recognized as one of the “Most Innovative” regional universities by U.S. News & World Report and one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, SNHU is committed to expanding access to high quality, affordable pathways that meet the needs of each learner.

Nazareth University student Alexander Kobayashi of Buellton earns Fall 2025 Dean’s List honors

Nazareth University is proud to announce that Alexander Kobayashi of Buellton has been named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2025 semester.

A student’s grade point average must be at least 3.5 or above, and they must complete 12 credit hours of graded work that semester in order to be included on the dean’s list at Nazareth.

Nazareth University in Rochester, New York, is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Its broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of big universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture.

Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing them for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth graduates launch lifetimes of changemaking leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.

Kielson Lawton and Lulu Simpson earn Dean’s List honors at College of Charleston

College of Charleston congratulates more than 1,900 students named to the Dean’s List for Fall 2025, with two of them hailing from Los Olivos.

Kielson Lawton has not decided on a major yet, while

Lulu Simpson is majoring in sociology

Located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina, the College of Charleston is a nationally recognized, public liberal arts and sciences university. Founded in 1770, the College is among the nation’s top universities for quality education, student life, and affordability. Its beautiful and historic campus, combined with contemporary facilities, cutting-edge programs, and accessible faculty, attracts students from across the U.S. and around the world.

The post Michele Miller Maxwell named to SNHU President’s List appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

After a month of non-league opponents and preseason tournaments the Santa Ynez High boys and girls basketball teams began Sunset League play at the start of the new year. And both posted their first league wins in convincing fashion on Friday, Jan. 16.

Boys defeat visiting Templeton

The Pirates boys squad finished with a 9-9 record in the preseason before falling to Righetti in its league opener to assure they would not go 8-0 like they did last year. On Jan. 16, they defeated visiting Templeton 57-43 to assure they won’t finish 0-8 in league like they did two years ago.

Jude Pritchard, who has a team-high 15.7 points per game so far this year, and Wesley Satterthwaite had 14 points to lead the Pirates. Gael Villalobos had 12 points and 7 rebounds. Satterthwaite also had 7 boards.

“They played us close for three quarters. Their 3-2 zone defense was tough to penetrate,” SYHS head coach Rod Caughell said after the game. “Fortunately, we shot very well from the outside, which can be a weakness with the 3-2, and we were able to open it up in the fourth quarter.”

Caughell also had praise for the Pirates defense.

“We played great defense,” he said. “Templeton’s a great three-point shooting team, but our guys kept their hands in the face. We broke away in the fourth, with some turnovers and they missed some foul shots.”

The Templeton win followed a Jan. 13 loss to Righetti by the score of 70-57. Pritchard led the way for the Pirates with 18 points, while Mason Skidmore scored 12 points and Lucas Ollenburger added 11.

The loss and win over Templeton, showed how erratic the team could be, according to Caughell.

“We’re just a Jeckyll-and-Hyde team,” he said. “Sometimes we don’t show up with the necessary energy to win, and other times we can’t be beat with our level of intensity.”

Caughell believes that his team will do well if they can keep up the energy it had against Templeton.

“We got about four guys who can score in double digits easily,” the coach said, identifying Pritchard and Ollenburger as the go-to guys on the team. “Like I said, if we keep the level of intensity for every game, we’re in good shape.”

The Pirates 1-1 in league and 10-10 overall, traveled to Paso Robles on Tuesday, Jan. 20, and will go to Lompoc on Friday, Jan. 23, before returning home for a non-league game against Carpinteria on Jan. 27.

Girls squad romps at Cabrillo for first league win

In a game against a winless opponent, things turned out as expected for the Pirates girls basketball team as it won easily in the Conquistadores gym 69-32.

Lexi Molera was top scorer for the Pirates with 18 points on six 3-pointers, while Helina Pecile had 12 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 steals, and Rylan Agin (12 points, 8 rebounds) and Jazmine Juarez (10 points) also shined.

That first league win followed two losses, to Morro Bay (45-42) and Righetti (65-39).

“It’s a tougher league this year, and we have to contend with Morro Bay and Righetti, so that’s tough,” SYHS head coach Jennifer Rasmussen said. “However, I just want to get this team ready for the postseason, and I think if we can get the playoff berth, we can get a run like last year.”

The Pirates last year made it all the way to CIF Section Finals before losing, but then got a state-playoff berth and won a game before being eliminated. So far this year, SYHS stands at 9-6 with a 1-2 Sunset League record.

The girls team returned home on Tuesday, Jan. 20, against Atascadero, and will play Lompoc at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23 (tonight).

Pirates soccer scores season high in win over Dunn

The SYHS boys soccer team had it highest scoring output on the season on Saturday, Jan. 17, in a 5-0 win over Dunn in Los Olivos

Hector Gonzalez, Osvaldo Muro, Vince Guerrero, Danny Garcia, and Yahir Torres scored the goals for SYHS, while Luis Garcia (2), Walker Sweetland, Marcos Rivera and Mario Zepeda got assists.

“As the season comes to an end, the team is getting stronger and ready to compete for a spot into the playoffs,” said Rivera.

Head coach Hector Garcia’s team, with a record of 5-3-3 (1-1-2 in the Sunset League) played at Atascadero on Tuesday, Jan. 20, and will travel to Nipomo on Friday, Jan. 23.

Girls soccer shuts out Cabrillo

The SYHS girls soccer team stayed undefeated in the Ocean League with a 3-0 win over the Cabrillo Conquistadores on Jan. 9.

Hannah Ricci, Isabella Rubio, and Mia Pulido scored second-half goals to lead the Pirates to victory.

After taking last week off, the Pirates played Mission Prep on Tuesday and will play Nipomo at home Friday, Jan. 23

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Reuniting lost pets with their owners could be made a little easier, and ease the burden on local animal services, after a decision by the Buellton City Council in its Thursday, Jan. 8, meeting, the first of 2026.

After a presentation by Linda Greco, the president of the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation (SBACF), and Sarah Aguilar, the director of the county’s Animal Services, the City Council members voted to set aside $1,500 for the installation of five DIY (Do It Yourself) Pet Microchip Scanners, to be placed at different spots in the city: City Hall, the PAWS Dog Park at the corner of La Pita Place and Dawn Drive, the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society on Commerce Drive, and two more sites to be determined.

The Pet Microchip Scanner is a device that can get information on the animal through scanning a microchip embedded in the animal. The SBACF plans to install 20 of the scanners, inside a mounted plastic box, at various sites around Buellton.

During her presentation, Greco explained that any individual using the scanner could find out who the owners are, where they live, and can contact them to return the pet without it going into the county system.

“It’s exciting that it empowers our community to be a part of the story,” she said. “They can be a part of that reuniting with the animal. They get to be a part of that ‘win-win,’ instead of taking it to Animal Services and then wondering what happened to it.”

Aguilar also addressed the council, adding the benefit it gives to those working in Animal Services.

“The volume of stray animals is far more than we get of any other type of intake,” she said. “In 2025, we took in nearly 4,300 animals who entered system as strays. We found that most strays are found within a mile of their homes, and if taken to the shelter, that means their taken into the system, which makes it harder to be reunited with them.

“The microchip scanners can allow pets to be reunited with their owners without having to go to animal services to reunite, and take away an extra layer of process.”

Also after a question from Councilmember Hudson Hornick about the role of the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society in Buellton with strays, Vice Mayor Carla Mead, who chairs the SYVHS board, noted that the facility is not officially equipped to take in strays and must send any they get to the county facility in Santa Barbara.

The proposal drew a positive reaction from the council.

“I think this is a wonderful idea, to the point of doing the right thing,” he said, and said he was for authorizing an amount to get five machines installed. City Manager Scott Wolfe said the amount for $1,500 could be authorized with a location to two recommended.

Aguilar had earlier offered “heat maps,” that show the locations of found strays, but Wolfe suggested the PAWS Park at La Pita Place was an obvious choice, while Councilmember John Sanchez suggested the Humane Society, and City Hall was given as another location. Two other sites would be determined.

Councilmember Elysia Lewis moved to approve the financial authorization and the issuance of heat maps, with scanners to be built at the three approved locations. Sanchez seconded and the motion passed 5-0.

In other business:

• In the first of two proclamations, the council recognized the month of January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. After Mayor David Silva read the proclamation, Ann McCarty, Executive Director of the North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center and member of the Human Trafficking Task Force, said a few words.
• “Human trafficking not a distant problem, it is happening in our community, and it thrives in silence,” McCarty said. “This [proclamation] is doing more than issuing a piece of paper … you’re sending a message that the city is watching, that there is no safe haven for those who exploit or harm others. You’re telling survivors they’re seen.”
• The second proclamation was to declare the following day, Friday, Jan. 9, Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in the City of Buellton.
• Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Sgt. James Kurowski was on hand to accept the proclamation, saying, “Thank you to the board, thank you to the audience, and we look forward to our continued relationship and service to Buellton.”
• The council approved budget amendments from operational changes related to the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget through the first quarter ending Sept. 30, 2025. Finance Director Shannel Zamora said the latest amendment put the city at an operational deficit of $594,132.

The City Council meets next on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 6 p.m.

The post Buellton City Council gives green light to pet microchip scanners in town appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

Holding its first meeting of the year, the Solvang City Council on Tuesday, June 12, spent a while talking with staff about how they can properly interpret and enforce the upcoming draft ordinance on city signage.

Community Development Director Rafael Castillo introduced the discussion item Discussion and direction on Draft Title 11, Chapter 13 Sign Ordinance Amendments, with the councilmembers seemingly frustrated at times over what they would be able to enforce.

Castillo said in his report the city staff has prepared a working draft of comprehensive, content-neutral sign ordinance amendments intended to modernize regulations, improve legal defensibility, streamline permitting, and preserve Solvang’s character, with the goal of adoption in Spring 2026 alongside a companion sign handbook. He requested City Council direction on:

two key policy issues needed to refine the draft:

The appropriate level of review authority for permanent signs, whether all permanent signage should be approved administratively by staff, remain entirely under Design Review Committee approval, or proceed as currently drafted allowing staff approval of blade/suspended signs only with all other permanent signage reviewed by the DRC.

The maximum amount of permanent signage allowed per business, whether to maintain the proposed cap of up to 20 square feet or building frontage (whichever is less) inclusive of all permanent signage, modify the standard to be based on linear frontage as recommended by the Planning Commission, or provide alternative direction.

Based on Council input, staff will finalize the draft ordinance and return it to the DRC and Planning Commission for formal recommendations prior to City Council adoption.

At its special joint meeting with the Planning Commission on March 13, 2025, city staff received direction on proceeding with proposed sign ordinance amendments. City staff has commenced amending the sign ordinance based on comments and feedback received from the workshop and its November meeting with the City Council.

Staff has taken the draft sign ordinance to the Design Review committee in three sections to receive input and discussion. The DRC discussed the sign ordinance at its June, August, and October meetings of 2025. The

Planning Commission has reviewed a draft of the draft revisions at its November 2025 meeting and provided additional comments on the draft ordinance.

Discussion on City Council was on two points: whether sign approvals would be done by city staff, by the city’s Design Review Committee or approvals would fall under draft ordinance, which allows blade/suspended signs to be reviewed and approved at a staff level, and all other permanent signage needs to be reviewed and approved by the DRC.

The second topic was maximum signage and whether to keep at the current policy that allows a total of 1 square foot of signage per linear feet for “dominant” building

frontage, and ½ square foot per linear feet of “subordinate” square footage for permanent signs, or just have it at a max of 20 square feet.

When Mayor David Brown asked for guidelines on the discussion, Castillo said that review for signage was limited to “time, place, and manner,” but not content, a policy necessitated by Supreme Court cases like Reed v. Town of Gilbert, which protected free speech on signs.

Councilmember Elizabeth Orona than asked “So signs are exempt from color governance?” When Castillo confirmed that they were, she answered, “That’s a big departure. We have a color palette. We have no method to find aesthetic consistency between a sign and building.”

City Counsel Chelsea O’Sullivan explained, “This is a whole other thing in case law. All content restriction is struck down. We’re trying to come up with something realistic.”

Elizabeth Orona wondered if the city design book that’s currently being worked on could leverage sign design to be more consistent

Castillo suggested while they can’t reject anything on content, they can mentioned to prospective business that the designs in the book are “preferred” and people would fall in line with that.

“Anything you can do to streamline is ideal,” Brown replied. “Call it a brand book or preferred methods. If you called it the standards, they would follow.”

Later, during Public Comment, Esther Jacobsen Bates, chair of the DRC, called in by Zoom (though speaking as a private citizen) said she thought all the approvals should fall to the DRC.

She also brought up the subject of murals in town, which she believed were a category unto themselves and should be reviewed by the DRC.

“DRC should be authority on that,” Jacobsen Bates said. “Have shared mural standards, and recognize that not every wall needs to have a mural, and we should review those carefully.”

Ultimately, the council gave direction to determine maximum signage by linear feet, give the DRC authority on the murals, and keep approval authority as it is in the draft ordinance.

Castillo thanked the council and said, “It’s been a long journey and you will see the final draft soon; I should get this in your hands by March.”

The City Council will meet next on Monday, Jan. 26, at 6:30 p.m.

The post Solvang City Council discusses draft signage ordinance at latest meeting appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

GOVERNMENT MEETINGS

MONDAY, JAN. 26

Solvang City Council, 6:30 p.m.

At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak St., Solvang

For more info: cityofsolvang.com

TUESDAY, JAN. 27

Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, 9 a.m.

At Betteravia Government Center, 511 Lakeside Pkwy, Santa Maria

For more info: countyofsb.org

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28

Santa Barbara County Planning Commission, 9 a.m.

123 East Anapamu Street, Room 17, Santa Barbara

For more info: countyofsb.org

MONDAY, FEB. 2

Solvang Planning Commission, 6 p.m.

At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak St., Solvang

For more info: cityofsolvang.com

TUESDAY, FEB. 3

Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, 9 a.m.

County Administration Building, 105 E Anapamu St., Santa Barbara

For more info: countyofsb.org

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 4

Santa Barbara County Planning Commission, 9 a.m.

123 East Anapamu Street, Room 17, Santa Barbara

For more info: countyofsb.org

THURSDAY, FEB. 5

Buellton Planning Commission, 6 p.m.

At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton

For more info: cityofbuellton.com

EVENTS

FRIDAY, JAN. 23

SYV Concert Series: Takacs Quartet, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Experience an unforgettable evening of chamber music with the world-renowned Takács Quartet as part of the SYV Concert Series. This celebrated ensemble brings precision, passion, and depth to every performance. The program features Beethoven’s String Quartet, Op. 18, No. 2, Nokuthula Ngwenyama’s “Flow,” and Dvořák’s String Quartet No. 13 in G Major, Op. 106. Performers include Edward Dusinberre and Harumi Rhodes on violin, Richard O’Neill on viola, and András Fejér on cello.

General admission tickets are $25, with students allowed in for free; Patron tickets are $45. You can purchase season passes or individual tickets online.

At St. Mark’s in the Valley, 2901 Nojoqui Ave., Los Olivos

For tickets more info: www.smitv.org/syv-concert-series.html

THURSDAY, JAN. 29

Adult Art Workshop: Animal Portrait Paper Mosaics, 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Join the California Nature Art Museum and Artist Katherine Taylor of Poetry Frog for a paper mosaics workshop on Thursday, Jan. 29 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Katherine will guide attendees through planning and arranging their very own animal portrait with a variety of colorful and patterned paper options. Attendees should may either bring an animal photo that they connect with (such as a pet photo), or may choose from one of the provided examples. This is an entry-level class, but experienced artists are always welcome.

The class fee for this workshop is $35 for CalNAM members and $40 for CalNAM non-members, per participant, all supplies included. Advance registration is required, 15 attendees max. This class is best suited for ages 14 and over.

At California Nature Art Museum, 1511-B Mission Drive, Solvang

For tickets/moreinfo: www.calnatureartmuseum.org/news/paper-mosaics-jan25

FRIDAY, JAN. 30

Firestone Vineyard Stand-Up Comedy, 6 to 9 p.m.

Get ready for a night of big laughs and great wine at Firestone Vineyard. Next Stop Comedy brings a fresh lineup of top comedians straight to Los Olivos for an unforgettable comedy experience. Expect high-energy performances, surprise comics, and nonstop laughter in an intimate vineyard setting. This show is perfect for date night, a fun outing with friends, or anyone who loves live comedy. Lineups change every time, so no two shows are ever the same. Please note: content may include adult humor.

Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Seating is limited, so arrive early to grab a great seat and enjoy a glass of wine before the show.

FRIDAY, JAN. 30

Hank Azaria and the EZ Street Band, ‘A Springsteen Celebration,’ 8 p.m.

Known for their high-energy, authentic renditions of rock icon Bruce Springsteen’s persona and greatest hits, Hank Azaria and The EZ Street Band will bring “A Springsteen Celebration” to the Chumash Casino Resort’s Samala Showroom at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30. Tickets for the show are $20, $30, $40, $50 and $55.

The EZ Street Band features professional musicians, many with Broadway or major touring experience, with front man Azaria, who is especially recognized for voicing characters on the popular television show, “The Simpsons.” Originally planned as a surprise performance for his 60th birthday party in April 2024, Azaria’s inspiration to put on an authentic Springsteen performance ultimately grew into forming a tribute band just a few months later.

At Chumash Casino, 3400 E. Highway 246, Santa Ynez

For tickets/more info: tickets.chumashcasino.com/Events/2026/1/30/hank-azaria-the-ez-street-band

SATURDAY, JAN. 31

Easy Street Wine Collective Open House, 12 to 3 p.m.

Join us at the Easy Street Wine Collective — a unique custom crush facility where top Santa Barbara County winemakers come together to share space and equipment, and, more importantly, their passion, expertise, and camaraderie. At this open house event, you’ll have the rare opportunity to meet multiple winemakers, each pouring their limited-production, hand-crafted wines. Discover the stories, techniques, and inspiration behind each bottle as the winemakers themselves take you through tastings in the very space where the magic happens. Meanwhile, Chef Melissa from Clean Slate will ensure you’re well-fed, and there will be live music to set the mood and add to the fun. Tickets are $99.

At East Street Wine Collective, 90 Easy St., Buellton

For tickets/more info: www.eventbrite.com/e/easy-street-wine-collective-open-house-tickets-1246204333709

ONGOING

TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS

Storytime at Solvang Library, 10:30 a.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Join us indoors on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.

Come to enjoy songs, stories, movement, and a warm welcome. Please make a reservation at www.cityofgoleta.org/city-hall/goleta-valley-library

At Solvang Library, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang

For more info: Solvang Library (805) 688-4214

WEDNESDAYS

Solvang Farmers Market, 2:30 to 6 p.m.

Each week, the farmers in the marketplace display a colorful bounty of agricultural products grown right in our backyard. Seasonal diversity is available year-round rain or shine. Come. Shop. Socialize. Certified — the only way to buy! Join us in downtown Solvang every Wednesday on First Street, between Mission Drive (Highway 246) and Copenhagen Drive.

Wine Wednesdays in Buellton, 4 to 8 p.m.

Please join us for an evening out with family fun for all in Buellton, hosted by Esfuerzo Wines and The Birria Boyz. This event will take place each Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Each week we will have guest food vendors, live music and much more to be announced. We hope to see you there!

At 140 Industrial Way, Buellton

For more info: info@esfuerzowine.com

SPORTS AND RECREATION

ONGOING

Pickleball, Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Pickleball — part Ping-Pong, part badminton, lots of momentum — is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. The games can be fast-paced and deliver a good workout. 2 person teams/ or singles. All are welcome!

At Buellton Rec Center, 301 Second St., Buellton

For more info: buelltonrec.com

Drop-In Adult Basketball, Year Round, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 6 to 7:15 a.m.

Start your day with a pick up game of basketball with friends.

At Buellton Rec Center, 301 Second St., Buellton

For more info: buelltonrec.com

Open Basketball, Ongoing, Mondays, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Start your day with a pick up game of basketball with friends.

At Buellton Rec Center, 301 Second St., Buellton

For more info: buelltonrec.com

For info on these and other programs, go to buelltonrec.com

The post Calendar January 23 – February 5 appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

PART TWO OF TWO

The Santa Ynez Valley spent 2025 maintaining a lot of traditions, welcoming its usual crowds of tourists while trying to keep the things that make the area livable for its residents. Longtime annual events like Danish Days, the 4th of July fireworks show, and Julefest continued to roll along, while newer yearly staples like Buellton’s Fall Fest, the Holiday Lights Festival and the Viking Classic Car Show in Solvang solidified their footprints into the local culture. Cities also saw some transition, and people looked to the future with projects taking shape and (hopefully) moving slowly but surely. Here’s a look at 2025 for the Santa Ynez Valley, from Month 7 to 12.

July

The seventh month of the year kicked off with, of course, the Fourth of July parade and the annual fireworks show at Mission Santa Ines. The parade came off beautifully over sunny skies, taking on the theme of “Anything is Possible in America,” to celebrate the country’s 249th birthday. The day and evening was topped off by the city’s annual fireworks show that night after attendees enjoyed activities, food, and live music until the sun went down, and local pyrotechnician Kief Adler took care of the fireworks.

Also during the month, Highline Adventures, the outdoor park between Buellton and Solvang, introduced its new feature, Skynet Playground, an elevated netted zone designed for safe climbing and bouncing for all ages. Meanwhile, the Buellton City Council approved the establishment of a private school, Hundred Hills School, by the new library, after a contentious meeting with both advocates and opponents speaking out.

August

The month began with the naming of Santa Ynez High student Addie Madrid as 2025’s Danish Maid, who would preside over the city’s Danish Days festival in September. Addie, 17, was the fourth in her family to earn the title, after her grandmother, mother, and older sister served as Danish Maids.

Santa Ynez High made news by announcing a new sport, girls flag football would be making its debut in the fall, with Hannah Wright and Maddie Quiroga, both SYHS grads serving as co-head coaches. With school also opening for session in August, the SYHS football team began its season with a big win over Dos Pueblos. In other news, national politics was at center stage on Aug. 16, as local protesters in Solvang took part in a nationwide “Protect Our Checks” demonstration against President Trump’s proposed policies on Social Security.

September

Like every year, September is noted for its annual Danish Days, a three-day festival celebrating the city’s culture. As Danish Maid Addie Madrid presided, crowds enjoyed several activities, including folk dancing, and, of course the popular aebleskiver eating contests held on Saturday and Sunday. Another local staple, the Cars and Cowboys car show, found itself at a new site, Rancho San Marcos Golf Course, and offered many great vehicles to view and good food, all to raise money for Buellton’s Meals on Wheels.

Also in September, two local citizens took on important jobs. Carla Mead was sworn in as Buellton’s new City Councilmember after winning a special election in August, and Tori Martinez was promoted to SYHS principal — with Kimberly Sheehan remaining as district superintendent.

October

Santa Ynez Valley communities ended the month with frights and fun, as Solvang again put on its latest haunted house production at the Solvang Festival Theater for the second year in a row, while Santa Ynez had it’s own program on Sagunto Street, featuring a costume contest and movie viewings. All this after a month of pumpkin patches doing business and businesses putting up their displays for the Scarecrow Fest.

Meanwhile, another event that’s becoming an October staple, the Viking Classic Car Show, took place for the third year with 250 entries being displayed on Solvang streets. Also, Solvang, nearing 40 years as an incorporated city, held its State of the City address, noting its dedication to tourism, but also that it needs to serve the people who are there year-round.

November

Buellton celebrated its big (and getting bigger) annual event, the Fall Fest for the fifth time, which according to organizers was the most successful one yet. Avenue of Flags was awash with carnival rides, food booths, vendors, and activity. Oh yes, and music too, as two stages provided live entertainment all day for three days, with reggae legend Paco Banton a highlight on the Saturday night show.

A couple of other annual events happened also: Veterans Day came and a ceremony was again held at the Solvang Veterans Hall honoring those who served, while a crowd looking to start off Thanksgiving morning on an energetic note took part in the Turkey Trot at Sunny Fields Park in Solvang. In other news, the effort to get a new aquatic center built on the campus of SYHS got some help and both the Solvang and Buellton City Councils pledged money toward the effort.

December

The last month of the year arrived, and for Solvang, that meant Julefest, the weeks-long celebration of Christmas and New Year’s. The city got it kicked off with its tree lighting on the first Friday of December, with the usual holiday entertainment, and its Christmas parade the next day. However, Solvang wasn’t the only city doing Christmas stuff: Santa Ynez, Buellton, and Los Olivos had their own trees lit, with Buellton really doing it up with its Winter Fest that offered a large patch of manmade snow, along with rides, food, Santa, and the adjacent Holiday of Lights at the SYV Botanical Garden.

Later in the month, the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church reminded us of “the reason for the season,” with its annual Solvang Nativity Pageant, retelling the story of Christ’s birth, and then Solvang rang in the New Year a little early on the afternoon of Dec. 31 with the Copenhagen Countdown, as the crowd celebrated 2026 at 3 p.m., the same time it hit New Year’s in Copenhagen, Denmark, amid a spirited concert by local band favorite The Molly Ringwald Project.

Here’s wishing a fantastic 2026 to all in the Santa Ynez Valley.

The post Another trip around the sun for the Santa Ynez Valley: Part Two appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

By Linda Johansen

Special to the Santa Ynez Valley Star

From Sept. 11-24, 2025, a group of local friends traveled to South America with Linda Johansen and Collette Tours. The “Essence of South America including Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil featuring one of the 7th Wonders of the World” at Iguazu Falls was an incredible trip in all regards. The tour company provides our “hometown” pickup, which makes it all so easy to enjoy, especially with libations and warm pastries on the bus, followed by lots of laughter to set the mood and tempo for the trip.

We flew via Miami on American Airlines with a total of 12 hours of flying time to arrive in Santiago, which is the cultural hub of Chile. Santiago is nestled in the valley of the snow-capped beautiful Andes mountain range. The city is a blend of modern and colonial architecture and is rich in history.

We visited the Chilean Museum of Pre Columbian Art, which is dedicated to the study and display of pre-Columbian artworks and artifacts from Central and South America.  We were completely enthralled with the display of such beautiful artwork that our local guide explained in detail to us.

Following the museum, we went to the Mercado Central de Santiago and were joined by a local chef. We walked through the fish market, stopping along the way to learn about the local seafood and to pick up some ingredients. We then all participated in a hands-on cooking experience at the chef’s restaurant and thoroughly enjoyed all the fresh foods and lunch that we helped to prepare.

After two nights in Santiago, we flew to Mendoza, Argentina, on an early flight arriving in the desert region of Mendoza known for its vineyards and Malbec wine and the stunning views of the Andes Mountains. Upon arriving at the vineyard, we were greeted with a pick-me-up taste of yerba mate tea, a traditional South American caffeinated drink. Our guide demonstrated how to make a cup, and explained the cultural significance of the beverage that brings many Argentinean families together for their daily “mate breaks.” After our “mate break,” we enjoyed a tour of the vineyard followed by wine tasting and lunch prepared by a private chef that was absolutely delicious.  

The following morning, we visited the region’s renowned wines with a visit to a family winery. Wines were selected to show the richness of the terroirs and how to appreciate the unique qualities of the Lujan de Cuyo wine-producing sub-region with its dry, almost desert-like climate with irrigation from the Mendoza River’s pure Andean meltwater.

Mendoza is a city in western Argentina. It is the capital of the Mendoza Province and is known for its wine production. Mendoza is surrounded by mountains, making it a popular destination for adventure seekers.

The next morning, we flew to Buenos Aires for four nights and we were all elated in that there was no treacherous bus ride over the Andes. Buenos Aires is fabulous with so much history and it radiates Latin-infused rhythm mixed with European heritage. We enjoyed a guided tour of Buenos Aires, sampling the local eats and exploring the fusion of flavors that comes with the city’s Spanish, Italian, and Jewish influences. Our panoramic tour included the San Telmo, Puerto Madero, La Boca, and Recoleta neighborhoods. We then settled into the elegant Recoleta neighborhood at the beautiful Palladio Sofitel Hotel. The area is full of historical and architectural charm.

The day began with an impact moment focused on the work of the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, a human rights organization that has helped to restore the identities of children taken during Argentina’s military coup from 1976 to 1983. We met a child whose mother and father were young students at the university. The mother was abducted by the military from school when her son was just 10 days old. The father took the son to the country so he wouldn’t be taken as well, and they both were sequestered by family trying to save them.

The son explained to us that his mother’s remains had recently been found in Bueno Aires in a mass grave.  They were able to identify her remains, and she had been shot eight times within about a week of her kidnapping by the government. The military was also kidnapping young children and babies and placing them with military families during this time. So anyone that disagreed with any government decision or spoke out in a negative way about the government during that time was taken away and killed, said to be a total of 30,000 people. They are just now finding mass graves in and around Buenos Aires.

Every Thursday, grandmothers and older mothers march in silent protest in the plaza called the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo with a diaper wrapped around their head to symbolize the babies that were taken away and given to the military families. Some of these children have now been found as adults by an organization that is trying to relocate and reunite children taken from their parents and placed with military families. Many have been identified now. Paintings of diapers in a large circle on the tiles of the plaza symbolize the children taken, and the Abuelos march in silent protest every Thursday still.

While in Buenos Aires, we visited the Recoleta Cemetery, which has beautiful old and historical large mausoleums for above-ground burial that is more for the privileged. Eva Peron, the legendary “Evita,” is buried there. We also visited the Palermo neighborhood with their colorful murals, all painted by local artists on an ongoing basis.

Our group all enjoyed our full-day excursion to Uruguay via an hour-long ferry ride across the Rio de Plata to Colonia del Sacramento. We traveled into the countryside to a family-run cheese farm. We enjoyed our tour of the farm and their homemade cheeses with a fabulous gourmet lunch and local wines. The owner joined us for part of the day as well. Upon our return to Buenos Aires early that evening, we enjoyed an amazing dinner with a beautiful tango show by professionals. We witnessed some stunning dance and acrobatic moves, which was impressive, as well some of us taking two hours of tango lessons which proved to be very challenging.

Our next cultural experience was in the countryside to explore Argentina’s Pampas region in San Antonio de Areco, which is know for the gaucho culture. We spent most of the day at a traditional Estancia, which happened to be the same one that I had been at years earlier with a dear girlfriend. The beautiful sprawling ranch land and rustic house was exactly the same, but they had added some other amenities to the property with a large public room for groups that was a bit crowded due to the torrential rain that day.

We all braved a beautiful carriage ride around the property in the pouring rain and gathered for the traditional lunch with flame-cooked meats and wine. All the outdoor cultural activities were canceled due to the increment weather, so the ping-pong table at the center proved quite popular with some great players.  On my previous trip, we actually rode horses around the estancia with a gaucho followed by the same locally oriented folklore show with gaucho horsemanship we should have seen., but couldn’t due to the weather.

We arrived back in Buenos Aires later just in time for dinner. It was an early night as we all had to repack and organize luggage that night for our early morning flights to Iguazu Falls, Brazil. Intra-country travel always has different and more strict weight limitations for flights, which always prove to be very tricky. That hotel allowed us to store our luggage not traveling with us for two nights, and we had to pack a 22-pound bag for carry on for two nights and three days. That is not an easy task by any means, but we all managed to do it.

I added Brazil and Iguazu Falls onto our Collette tour. It is right there, and one of the 7 Wonders of the World, and really not to be missed. It is stunning and even though that was my second visit there, it moved me just as much if not more this trip. It seems that the older I get, I appreciate things more and things seem more important to me. The falls is huge and breathtaking. The words of Eleanor Roosevelt are all over the place in their promotional materials because she exclaimed “My Poor Niagara” upon seeing the Iguazu Falls. The falls, which border Argentina and Brazil, are majestic, overpowering, and consist of over 275 waterfalls.

There are long walkways with beautiful viewing locations for pictures in both countries. There are notable differences between the Iguazu and Niagara: Iguazu Falls has just under 2 million visitors a year, while Niagara has 12 million; Iguazu Falls’ longest drop is 80 meters at Devil’s Throat while Niagara’s is only 62 meters. Iguazu Falls has over 275 waterfalls, while Niagara has only four and Iguazu Falls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while Niagara Falls is not.

It is well worth the effort to get to Iguazu Falls, even with its very difficult visa service. Thank goodness for Manny Valdes, who helped many of us with the process. The Rainforest Ecological train in the national park is fun and the jet boat up the river and dunking under the falls is a real adventure and thrill ride. Three of us took the front seat and were soaked in spite of all the rain gear they give you to stay dry. They compare Iguazu Falls to Victoria Falls, which is in Zimbabwe and Zambia, Africa, and I feel so privileged as I have been to all three of these incredible falls and countries several times. Life is good!

Our last day in Buenos Aires was a blur as we tried to fit everything in. We went to the Opera House, which was stunning, and the Crypt Mausoleum,or Catacombs, which is an underground museum — also fascinating. The owner. upon hearing that we were from California, came out to meet us and talk to my group.

Jorge Eckstein, called “Don Jorge” by his loving staff, bought the two-story villa to remodel it into a restaurant in 1985. He had to buy the property without ever seeing the inside. After the sale was final, they had to put a ladder up to the second-story balcony and go in one of the bedroom patio doors as there was no key to the villa ever found. What they found is the city’s most important archaeological site, a portal to an underground labyrinth with caverns and tunnels leading everywhere. The soon realized the value of this important historical find.

The restaurant idea was scrapped and Mr. Eckstein started renovating in 1985 and continues to this day because of the profound historical value of the site. It is a museum and also used as an event center with the artifacts and beautiful historical pieces that have been unearthed. It was so interesting and we had a lovely visit from Mr. Eckstein.

When he asked where we were from, we all said Solvang. He promptly told us he had been to Solvang many times as he goes to Santa Barbara a few times a year. His son, Dr. Miguel Eckstein, is a psychological and brain science professor at UCSB and works in neuroscience. Dr. Eckstein’s bio is very impressive with over 200 publications of his work and numerous fellowships and awards. He is highly credentialed and has degrees from Berkley and UCLA as well as doing research at Cedars Sinai and NASA before coming to UCSB.

I will be reaching out to both Don Jorge as well as his son and hope to meet them on his next visit to Santa Barbara and Solvang. This is the BONUS of travel, meeting such amazing people along the way! It’s a small world really, and this type of thing happens often in my travels.

The Collette Essence of South America tour proved to be yet another adventurous and beautiful trip for all of us. We leave the countries behind, but relive the adventures every time we tell the stories of all the fun we have had. Looking back at all of your pictures brings each and every moment back to you in full detail. Travel affords the best education for you as you learn about each culture and country. We are so diverse, yet so similar in so many ways. I marvel at the spirit of joy you find, even in the poorest of countries. The resilience of the people and the kindness of most people to help one another truly is inspiring and beautiful to witness.

Again, rounding the coast on Highway 101 on our chartered bus we always exclaim “there is no place like home,” and we all sincerely mean that even though the trip was magical in so many ways and we had the very best time. Coming home feels so good and sleeping in your own bed at last is the greatest!

The commission from this trip was donated to the SY Aquatics Foundation and Olive Crest. Our trip in February to Singapore, Thailand, and Cambodia will be dedicated to People Helping People and new trips that are available to book will be to Iceland with a stopover on the return in New York in September 2026, and India and Nepal in February of 2027, a fall trip for 2027 is undecided at this time.  Email for details and reservations to Linda Johansen at: lindyjo2003@yahoo.com. Buellton Recreation will be sending out the two new listed trips shortly. There are only 24 seats for Iceland and 17 for India.

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With rains hitting the Santa Ynez Valley in the days leading up to Jan. 1, organizers of the second annual Copenhagen Countdown on New Year’s Eve at Solvang Park had concerns about whether the event would come off.

However, Solvang Parks and Rec Marketing and Events Coordinator Candice Libera said a conversation with the day’s booked entertainment, the local ‘80s tribute band the Molly Ringwald Project, put to rest any thoughts that the Countdowns would be canceled.

“With the rain coming down earlier in the week and forecast throughout today, we really wondered about having to call it off,” said Libera, who added that many attractions and vendors, like face painters, had to be eliminated. “However, when we talked to the band, they said ‘we’ll be there, no problem,’ and I figured, OK, if they can come here and play, then we can go forward with it.”

And so it was, as the six-piece Molly Ringwald Project entertained a loud and enthusiastic crowd on the afternoon of Dec. 31 in the newest part of the city’s Julefest Celebration.

Starting at 2 p.m., band played their customary 1980s favorites such as “Don’t Stop Believing,” “Heartbreaker,” and “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” as the audience cheered and danced up a storm — so to speak — and those who chose to sit could do so in canopies provided to protect them from any rains, which during the show were at a minimum.

The City of Solvang began the new tradition of a Copenhagen Countdown in 2024, the idea being to bring families to a New Year’s celebration without having to stay up until midnight, and have something to bridge the gap between Christmas and the Solvang Tree Burn that signifies the end of the city’s Julefest.

It was an event that was welcome by locals as well as out-of-towners. A group of Solvang residents, led by Kim and Matt Farris were celebrating in style, having a table set up in their little spot in the park, with food and drink at the ready.

“This is such a great event, and it’s a really good crowd here,” Kim Farris said while enjoying the music. “All the things they’ve done this month have been good for everyone here, and I’m glad Solvang has found its niche as a holiday destination.”
Visiting from out of town was Sophia Hsu, from LA County, who was celebrating her birthday, and was even invited by the band to say a few words.

“I just want to say ‘God Bless America’ and please pray for America,” Hsu said to a rousing ovation.

After the event, Hsu, who could be seen dancing to the music with her husband, Cliff, said her words came from her religious faith and love for her adopted country.

“I came here 40 years ago, and I feel the spirit of this country and the holiday spirit,” she said. “God came back into my life, and I went back to my native Taiwan to spread his word, and have come back, and I just wanted to let people know this is a wonderful country and we need to stay united.”

Halfway through the band’s set, its members stopped at 3 p.m., when it officially became the new year in Solvang’s sister city of Copenhagen, Denmark, to count down to zero and celebrate the “new year” in Solvang. After that, the MRP played some more of the ’80s hits, ending with “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds, which was in the movie “The Breakfast Club,” which co-starred, of course, Molly Ringwald.

Afterward, as the band started packing up for a gig in San Luis Obispo later that night, members of the MRP expressed how much it meant to play in the event.

“Solvang’s always been good to us,” said Rob Cantrell, who in addition to being the bass player is also a teacher and girls soccer coach at Santa Ynez High. “We started out here in the Valley and we always loving playing here. We would have come for this show no matter what the weather.”

Guitarist/vocalist Ian Musgrove echoed those thoughts and pointed out the crowd for the New Year’s Eve afternoon event.
“The crowd was great today; they were really into it and there was dancing all over the place,” he said. “That’s what makes it super-special to come to play in the Valley.”

With the success of the first two Countdowns, there’s no doubt that people will be around for the next one on Dec. 31, 2026.

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For the fourth year, the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden was the backdrop of colorful holiday displays over the first three weekends of December, as the Holiday Lights Festival was held at the garden next to Buellton’s River View Park.

On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday from Dec. 5-21, visitors could walk the paths from 5 to 9 p.m. and see glittering display along with the usual flora. Holiday displays were shown along with likenesses of forest creatures, butterflies, and mushrooms, among others — all in a wide variety of colors.

Lighted displays also covered makeshift tunnels to walk through as well as makeshift huts and tents that kids could go into.

And there was even live entertainment for anyone waking through the enchanted holiday garden.

On Dec. 20, the next to last day for the festival, a choir with the PCPA Youth & Community Arts program, based at Allan Hancock College, were singing Christmas carols on a temporary stage amid all the lights. It was one of a few programs the group were doing this holiday season.

“We started rehearsals for this, maybe three weeks ago,” said Samantha Nakagaki, intern for the Youth & Community Arts program. “We actually had three shows: One was an hour-long show we did at the Santa Maria Inn, a 10-minute version for the Rotary Club, and this 30-minute show that we’ll do for the last time tomorrow.”

Nakagaki said Youth & Community Arts is an offshoot of the main PCPA theater group which aims to reach the public.

“Our main thing is to come out to the community and do outreach, and just connect with the people,” she said. “Earlier in the fall, we did a local school tour where we did performances for about 8,000 kids total.”

In addition to the live performances from the PCPA group, there were other attractions at the park in addition to the lights, as food and drink was available with local food trucks set up, and a holiday market was set up, with local vendors ready to sell their seasonal treats and gifts. Also, Santa Claus was available for photos, and numerous musical performers got to play for the crowds depending on what night they came.

The Holiday Lights Festival was held with the help of numerous sponsors: Gold sponsor The Woods-Claeyssens Foundation, Silver sponsor Rio Vista Chevrolet, Bronze sponsors VisitSYV and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, and Ornament sponsors Discover Buellton, Nancy and Gary Brown, Mechanics Bank, Santa Ynez Valley Rotary, Santa Barbara Lights, and En Fuego Events.

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