Coming to the Viking Charities Classic Car Show, one is expected to see a wide variety of cars and other vehicles, mostly of the ‘classic’ variety, but sometimes you come across something a little different.

So it was as this reporter was going down Copenhagen Drive in Solvang shortly after arriving, and someone stopped to ask me where the “rat-rods” were. Not only didn’t I know where they were, I didn’t know what they were and I politely told the person I hadn’t seen them.

However, after walking just half a block, I found three of the so-called “rat-rods” parked right next to each other, and the owner of one of them, Ray Venegas from Chino Hills, was more than happy to enlighten me.

“In the 1940s and ’50s, people were putting together and racing jalopies,” Venegas explained. “But then that died out, and so the ‘rat-rod’ guys came along, the cars with big engines and they put their own stuff on it.” 

Venegas used as an example the cars they brought to the show: “If you want to put a cat on [the front bumper] you can. Ifyou want to show off a gold-plated engine [pointing to another rat-rod] you can do it. You can do whatever you want with it.”

Mark Goodacre of Temecula, who along with Venegas belongs to a Southern California car club called the 5150s, elaborated on the rat-rod concept.

“It’s just everyone doing something a little different with their car; with rat-rods there are no two completely alike,” Goodacre said. “And there are no big rules to follow; in fact, I call my car ‘Defiance,’ because I’m defying the rules.”

And so it was on this October day as everyone seemed to have a story about their car, and enjoyed hearing others.

This was the second year, the annual car show in Solvang was put on by the Vikings of Solvang, a noted community group, who took it over after the organizers of the Wheels ‘n’ Windmills decided to retire that particular event.

All money raised from the show and the gala dinner the night before goes to the Vikings of Solvang Endowment Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization which provides funding for the medically related needs of qualified individuals and health care organizations in the Santa Ynez Valley and throughout Santa Barbara County. Some of the money also goes toward the Vikings’ annual Christmas party for underpriviledged kids, coming in December.

Anyone walked through the streets of downtown Solvang got to see a eclectic mix of vehicles.

Dave Lazarro of Buellton had on display his white 1999 Pontiac Trans Am, with a Daytona 500 logo on the door.

“I found this one in Pennsylvania,” said Lazarro, who said he usually likes to buy Trans Ams. “It was built as a pace car, but it’s not the pace car for NASCAR races — there’s only two of those.”

“I like to show this off all over the area, from Paso to Carpinteria,” he said.

A little farther down the street was a pink 1957 Ford Thunderbird owned by Holly Foley of Fremont, who had the backseat and rear decked out in all sorts of artifacts of the time, like Barbie dolls, lunch pails, and Coca-Cola souvenirs.

“Some people use props on their cars for these things, and I just wanted to put some stuff up there that represents the car’s year,” Foley said. “The only problem is people see that there and they think the stuff’s on sale, and I have to tell them ‘no, it’s just for show.'”

Foley estimated she goes to about 80 car shows a year, but this was her first time at the Solvang one.

“I found out about it on a car website somewhere,” she said. “I’m really liking it here. Hey, you got the best pastries.”

The entries were rated by a panel of judges in several categories and awards were handed out in an afternoon ceremony at Solvang Park. The winners included:

Class AA – Modified – T-Bucket/Hot Rod (Open) to 1948: Winner – Victor Velasco – Yellow 1923 Ford T Bucket; Runner Up – Mary Jones – Red 1927 Ford T Bucket

B – Stock – 1955-1957 Chevy: Winner – Hank Baier – 1955 Chevrolet 210

BB – Modified – Hot Rod (Coupe/Sedan) to 1932: Winner – Tildon Courson – Red 1930 Studebaker Dictator Club Sedan

C – Stock – 1960-1999 GM (Excl. Class F): Winner – Mel Tomlinson – Blue 1969 Chevy Impala SS

CC1 – Modified – Hot Rod Coupe 1933-1948: Winner – Mike Zapata – Sunset Orange Pearl 1948 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible

CC2 – Modified – Hot Rod Sedan 1933-1948: Winner – Byron Beaver – Green 1937 Ford Tudor Humpback Sedan

CG – Modified – Mercury Cougar ( to 1999): Winner – Georgina May – Blue 1967 Mercury Cougar

D – Stock – 1960-1999 Ford/Mopar/Other (Excl. Class F): Winner – James Mintie – Blue 1969 Mercedes 280SE

DD – Modified – 1949-1959 All Makes (Excl. Class FF): Winner – Tina Almazan – Blue 1951 Ford Shoebox

EE – Modified – 1960-1999 All Makes: Winner – Merle Heggen – Blue 1969 Chevy Nova

F – Stock – 1964-1999 Camaro/Challenger/Cuda/Firebird/Mustang: Winner – Neal McCarter – Turquoise 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible

FF – Modified – 1955-1957 Chevy: Winner – Jerry Fults – Blue 1957 Chevy 210

G – Stock – Corvettes to 1999: Tom Jordan – Nassau Blue 1966 Chevy Corvette Stingray

GG – Modified – Camaro/Challenger/Cuda/Firebird/Mustang to 1999: Winner – Dan Lazzaro – White 1999 Pontiac Trans Am

H – Stock – Trucks, El Camino, Ranchero to 1999: Winner – Steve Donovan – Turquoise 1962 Ford F-100

HH1 – Modified – Trucks to 1949: Winner – Mike Murphy – Tan 1934 Ford Pickup

HH2 – Modified – Trucks, El Camino, Ranchero to 1950-1999: Mike Buckels – Winner – Aqua 1965 Chevy El Camino

I – Stock – Sports Car (Foreign or Domestic) to 1999: Winner – Daniel Redmon – Gray/Blue 1957 Mercedes 190SL

II – Modified – Sports Car (Foreign or Domestic) to 1999: Winner – A.C. D’Augustine – Red 1965 Ford Cobra

MS – Modified – Military Vehicles to 1999: Winner -Dennis Beebe – Tan 1942 Ford GPW (Jeep)

RS – Modified – Rat Rods (any year): Winner – Robert Wong – Copper 1936 Ford Pickup Rat Rod

Feature image: A row of rat-rods is shown on Copenhagen Drive in Solvang during the Viking Charities Car Show in Solvang on Oct. 19.

The post Motor buffs admire fancy wheels at Solvang car show appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

SOLVANG

Candidate forum planned for mayoral candidates on Oct. 23

A Candidate Forum for the three City of Solvang mayoral candidates is planned for Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m. at the City Council Chambers on Oak Street. A translator will be provided.

Jamie Baker, David Brown, and Denise El Amin are running for the city’s mayoral seat in the Nov. 5 election.

You can attend in person, via Zoom, or watch on the City of Solvang YouTube Channel. Details for the links to Zoom and YouTube will be made available closer to the Forum. The League will require preregistration to attend in-person and the link will be open the week before the Forum.

The Forum is being moderated by the Santa Barbara League of Women Voters. 

Solvang takes second place as ‘Best Christmas Town’ in Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards

Solvang (SolvangUSA.com), affectionately known as “The Danish Capital of America,” has been voted as second “Best Christmas Town” in the 2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards, the results for which were publicly announced on Oct. 3. The unique Southern California wine country destination joins category winners in the top 10 spots: Grapevine, Texas, at No. 1; followed by Healdsburg, California; Fredericksburg, Texas; Santa Claus, Indiana; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Aspen, Colorado; Frankenmuth, Michigan; Leavenworth, Washington; and Prescott, Arizona, at No. 10.

Solvang was nominated by a panel of travel experts and the Newsweek editors for the Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards in the category of “Best Christmas Town.” The awards contest and online voting launched for the holiday-themed category on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 12 p.m., and online public voting ran through Thursday, Sept. 26.

“We’re less than two months away from the start of our annual Solvang Julefest holiday celebrations, and this Newsweek award win provides an extra dose of inspiration for our city as we make this year’s Julefest even more ‘Christmassy’ than the last,” said Solvang City Manager Randy Murphy.

One of the California Central Coast’s largest holiday event productions, Solvang Julefest will run this season from Nov. 29 through Jan. 5, 2025.

Solvang’s Maxon Horton named to Dean’s List at Biola University

Maxon Horton, an art major from Solvang, was named to Biola University’s Dean’s List for academic excellence.

Horton was one of approximately 1,500 students who were named to the dean’s list in spring 2024. Biola students are placed on the dean’s list to honor those with a GPA of 3.6 or higher while enrolled in 12 or more credits and whose cumulative GPA is at least 3.2.

“Inclusion in Biola University’s Dean’s List is reserved for students who demonstrate exceptional performance in their academic studies. This honor signifies hard work, engagement, and investment in scholarship,” said Dr. Tamara Anderson, senior associate provost. “These attributes are the building blocks of continued success, not only in the classroom, but in the workplace and in the student’s personal lives. We celebrate these students and their achievement, looking forward to their future accomplishments.”

Founded in 1908, Biola University is committed to the mission of biblically centered education, scholarship and service — equipping men and women in mind and character to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. With more than 5,000 students at its Southern California campus and around the world, Biola’s eight schools offer more than 250 academic programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Recognized as the most comprehensive Christian university, ranked highest in North America for operationalizing its mission (OCIG) and ranked as one of the “Best National Universities” by U.S. News and World Report, Biola offers its students a premier educational and co-curricular experience. For more information, visit biola.edu or call (562) 777-4061.

‘The Visual Feast of Roland Petersen’ debuts Oct 26 at Elverhøj Museum

In a community as appreciative of art as Solvang, it takes something special to get people really excited about an art event. The upcoming exhibition of acclaimed Bay Area painter, Roland Petersen’s paintings at Elverhøj Museum of History and Art (October 26-January 5) is that kind of event: colorful and bold, exciting, and revelatory—and for an artist who has been at work for more than 5­0 years—wonderfully current and fresh.

The Danish-born American painter was born in 1926 in Endelave, Denmark. He received a B.A. and M.A. degree from U.C. Berkeley before studying with Hans Hoffman at his School of Fine Arts in Provincetown. Recipient of both Guggenheim and Fulbright Fellowships, Mr. Petersen’s work is in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Hirshhorn Museum, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art to name a few.

A seminal Bay Area painter, printer and emeritus professor at U.C. Davis, Petersen makes his mark at Solvang’s Elverhøj Museum with vibrant figurative art. His works synthesize gestural abstract expressionism, painterly realism, and advanced color theory using rich, saturated colors, thick pigment, and striking geometric designs to bring still life, figures, and landscapes together into complex constructs.

An opening reception will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend. There is no charge for admission.

Elverhøj Museum of History and Art, located at 1624 Elverhoy Way in Solvang, is open Thursday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Suggested donation is $5. For more information, visit elverhoj.org.

BUELLTON

City unveils featured art for October

Each month over the coming year, the City of Buellton will feature a different design and showcase the contributing artists from their community art project — “Exploring the Ocean.”

October’s featured art is sponsored by Pacific Gas and Electric Company and includes artwork from Eric Beltz, Michael Escobedo, Eli Smith, Cristian R.Villa Tellez, Austin Andrade, and Georgia McKeen. You can see their original artwork at buellton.art/2024-october-art-feature/.

This project is made possible by Buellton’s Art & Culture Program, the California Nature Art Museum (our nonprofit partner), monthly sponsorships, and the support of the Buellton community.

Go to Buellton.Art to:

• See all of the banners and the original art for each design
• Learn about Buellton’s Arts & Culture Program and see how you or your organization can apply for a grant 
• Visit our “Shop the Art” store, where you can purchase the art on posters, magnets, totes, water bottles, and more. 

SANTA YNEZ 

40th Annual Vaquero Benefit Dinner and Auction coming Saturday, Nov. 9

It’s time once again for the Annual Vaquero Benefit Dinner and Auction at the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum in celebration of the traditional Vaquero spirit and way of life. This popular event honoring the ”2024 Vaquero of the Year” will take place on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 5 to 9 p.m. in the beautiful courtyard setting of the museum, located at 3596 Sagunto St. in historic downtown Santa Ynez.

The lifestyle of the Californio Vaquero and its influence on modern ranching in California is celebrated through this event including the naming of the favorite “Vaquero of the Year.”  This year that honor goes to local Santa Ynez horseman, Realtor, ”Ranchero” and popular valley friend Joe Olla. Along with the honorary presentation and auction there will be opportunity shopping, and the traditional multi-course dinner served to guests in the museum courtyard, along with a chance to bid on exciting packages, including getaways and unique dining experiences.

This annual event benefits the Santa Ynez Historical Museum and Parks-Janeway Carriage House by providing valuable funding for various programs throughout the year. Projects include the new Carriage House design, educational programs, “Wild West” Summer Camp, Old Santa Ynez Days, special exhibits, as well as community outreach by providing a central location for local meetings and gatherings, all of which benefit the valley.

Don’t miss this annual celebration.  Early Bird tickets through September for the Benefit Dinner are $200 per person. Tickets are available by calling (805) 688-7889 or online at santaynezmuseum.org/40th-annual-vaquero-benefit/.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Official secure ballot drop boxes now available throughout Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara County elections officials have announced that 30 official ballot drop boxes are now available in the county for the upcoming Nov. 5 General Election.

“The ballot drop boxes provide a secure and easy way to return a completed and signed ballot,” says Joe Holland, Santa Barbara County registrar of voters. “I encourage voters to use an official drop box to return their ballot; drop box locations are listed in the voter’s guide and on the Elections Office website, sbcvote.com.”

All registered voters will receive their ballot in the mail in early October. Voters are encouraged to vote their ballot and return it early before Election Day, Nov. 5. Drop boxes are available 24 hours a day, beginning Monday, Oct. 7 until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5. A list of drop box locations can be found online at countyofsb.org/3265/Current-Ballot-Drop-Box-Locations-by-Area.

“Using the ballot drop box ensures that the ballot will arrive at the Elections Office to be processed and counted timely,” added Holland.

If a voter does not receive their ballot, they should contact the Santa Barbara County Registrar of Voters office at (800) 722-8683. 

Voters may mail their ballot with no postage required, postmarked by Election Day, Nov. 5. The United States Postal Service advises voters to mail their ballots early to reach the elections office in time to be counted.

Ballots may also be returned to the County Elections offices in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria or to a polling place on Election Day. 

To make address and other updates to voter registration, or for eligible citizens to register to vote, go to registertovote.ca.gov. Voters can verify the accuracy of their voter registration at sos.ca.gov/elections/registration-status or sbcvote.com.

Santa Barbara County Elections can be reached at sbcvote.com or by calling (800) 722-8683.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Benevolent Posse donates lifesaving AEDs

New lifesaving AEDs (automated external defibrillator) for immediate installation into the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicles for use in the field have been donated by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Benevolent Posse (SBCSBP). 

The initial donation of these 26 AEDs will replace the current inventory of these vital lifesaving devices as they are cycled out of service. 

“This is an exciting milestone on our way to supplying 70 new AED units — one for each patrol car in the entire county — to keep Santa Barbara County residents safe with lifesaving equipment,” said Sean Koffel, president of the SBCSBP Board of Directors. The SBCSBP is currently raising additional funds to replace every one of the old AED units.

Immediate access to these state-of-the-art AED devices can improve chances of survival by up to 60 percent. AEDs have a lifespan of about 15 years, meaning that this donation will help Santa Barbara County citizens and first responders for years to come.

This donation is the result of the generosity and hard work of the SBCSBP’s supportive community across multiple fundraising events and donor outreach campaigns. The Posse will continue its AED fundraising campaign efforts with the goal of replacing the entire inventory of AEDs by the end of 2024.

The Sheriff’s Office is adding plaques to each AED to honor the names of donors responsible for the purchase of that AED and this important upgrade in our county’s lifesaving infrastructure. The donors will be informed each time their AED saves a life in the field.

The SBCSBP Board is making a special donation of an AED in honor of long-time SBCSBP Board Secretary Marianne Freeman after her passing last year — to honor her extraordinary service to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Benevolent Posse.

The SBCSBP is a 501(c)(3) organization focusing on enhancing relationships between the community and County law enforcement while raising funds to fill the gap between a constrained county budget and the County’s increasing public needs. If interested in supporting the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Benevolent Posse or to learn more about the SBCSBP, the AED campaign and additional ways to support County law enforcement, visit the SBCSBP website at SBSheriffsPosse.org.

County receives $4.7 million electric vehicle infrastructure grant

Santa Barbara County has received a proposed grant award of $4.7 million from the California Energy Commission to develop electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This was the second-highest recommended grant award given. This grant requires a $2.3 million match from the county in staff time and capital investment. 

The funds will support the county with its Zero Emission Vehicle transition by installing 114 Level-2 and 36 level-3 charging ports at 14 locations throughout the county.  The competitive grant was put together by the county’s General Services Department, with support from the Community Services Department and Terra Lumina Consulting.

The grants were offered to fund projects that:

• Support electrification of light-duty government fleets in California by providing reliable and readily accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure dedicated for these fleets.
• Support local government goals of sustainability and/or climate action plans.
• Reduce vehicle emissions in disadvantaged and/or low-income communities

The County of Santa Barbara has made significant strides in its electric vehicle program, which has grown steadily since 2013. What began with the introduction of just four all-electric vehicles into the county’s motor pool has since expanded into a fleet of 93 electric vehicles. As the county progresses with its Zero Emission Vehicle Policy, the goal is to install sufficient charging infrastructure to sustain the entire vehicle fleet and ensure vehicles are adequately charged when needed. To support this growth, the County has also developed an extensive network of charging stations. A total of 217 charging stations have been deployed throughout the region, ensuring easy access for both the County’s vehicle fleet, employees, and the public. The success of the transition to an all-electric vehicle fleet is a major lever in reducing operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions. 

The deadline to install the new chargers is April 30, 2028. Once they are installed the County will have more than 367 chargers installed at County facilities throughout the county.

The post Santa Ynez Valley News Briefs appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

Andrew Murray, who has been making wine in Santa Barbara County for over three decades under his eponymous wine project, Andrew Murray Vineyards, has acquired Qupe, a historically significant brand known for its cool-climate Syrah and Chardonnay. 

Qupe will join an impressive and diverse range of wines, including the Rhône-inspired Andrew Murray Vineyards and Bordeaux-inspired E11even Wines by Andrew Murray. All of Murray’s projects share a common theme: They draw fruit from the breezy, cool climate East-West valleys along California’s Central Coast, including Santa Maria Valley, Los Alamos Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Ynez Valley, Arroyo Grande Valley, and Edna Valley. Murray, a cool-climate Syrah enthusiast, believes that all great wine is made in the vineyard, especially in coastal regions.

When pioneering winemaker Bob Lindquist founded Qupe in 1982, in the Santa Maria Valley AVA of Santa Barbara County, he was still working at Zaca Mesa Winery, just down the road on the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail. In the years that followed, Lindquist transformed Qupe into a national leader in producing restrained, beautiful, and long-lived cool-climate Syrah and Chardonnay.

Murray believes the brand has finally found its rightful home. 

“I just tasted through the Qupe Syrahs in barrel, and they’re so fresh, balanced, and a touch more concentrated,” he said.”Qupe has resonated with consumers on a national level for decades. I used to be haunted by their success because they would often out-perform us in the market. So, to say it’s an honor to now own Qupe, a legacy brand, is the understatement of all understatements. We’re confident we can carry Qupe’s reputation for balanced, delicious wines into the future,while adding our own creative expression to this inimitable wine brand.”

Murray’s own career trajectory has been equally impressive. Shortly after founding his wine brand in 1990, his wines became darlings of the critics, with Murray even appearing on the cover of Food & Wine Magazine. From there, the Andrew Murray collection of wines grew in prominence both culturally and critically. Notably, Jeb Dunnuck selected Murray’s Watch Hill Syrah as one of his Top 100 wines of 2023, while Antonio Galloni of Vinous said in his Santa Barbara report earlier this year, “These new releases from Andrew Murray are among the most impressive I tasted for this report. The 2022 Syrahs … are especially brilliant. I was struck by the deep personality and site character of these wines. As good or great as the top selections are, the Tous les Jours Syrah is one of the great values in wine.” 

Early in his career, storied wine critic Robert Parker praised Murray in The Wine Advocate, writing, “Andrew Murray Vineyards is one of the shining stars in the Santa Barbara firmament. Extremely low yields … and a dedication to hillside vineyards, ripe fruit, and non-interventionist winemaking have propelled this estate to the top echelon of the Rhone Ranger hierarchy. Production is small, … but these wines are well worth seeking out.”

Murray intends to preserve the core sensibilities of Qupe: site-driven wines of balance, made thoughtfully with minimal intervention, and always with the customer in mind. “I am inspired by vintage variation and wines of terroir, as Bob was. But, just like him, I’m also very aware of the customer’s need for consistency and quality,” he said. “Qupe has always been a brand one can rely on for wines of pleasurable restraint, and I don’t intend on changing that.”

Chad Melville, of Melville in Sta. Rita Hills, a leading producer in Santa Barbara County, considers Murray’s acquisition a boon for California wines. 

“Andrew’s a methodical guy; he thinks a lot before he makes a move, and when he does, it’s considered and successful,” Melville said. “Andrew and I both have such admiration for Bob Lindquist and his legacy surrounding Syrah. I remember when Andrew got into the business back in the ’90s and the foresight he had about California Rhones. Now he owns Qupe, one of the most iconic Rhone brands in the country. I’m so proud of him for acquiring a brand he’s loved from afar for so long. It’s definitely in the right hands.” 

Murray took ownership of Qupe on Oct. 2 and has already secured much of the same fruit sources for 2024 and beyond, while also scheduling his first Qupe bottling in early November. “We’re bringing it back home, just a stone’s throw from where Bob conceived and crafted his first vintage of Qupe over 40 years ago. I am deeply moved and excited about the future of Qupe.”

Pronounced Kyoo-pay, Qupe is the Chumash word for the poppy, the official flower of California, and produces 20,000 cases a year. The brand’s portfolio focuses primarily on Syrah and Chardonnay and is distributed nationally. Historically, Qupe has had a strong presence both on- and off-premises, performing well with consumers who enjoy wines made to accompany a meal. With Qupe’s continued relevance and ubiquity, Murray plans to explore new markets across the nation.

To learn more about Andrew Murray Vineyards and Qupe, please visit andrewmurrayvineyards.com/qupe.

Feature image: Los Olivos winemaker Andrew Murray, seen here picking grapes on his vineyard, has acquired the historically significant wine brand Qupe. Photo by Craft & Cluster.

The post Winemaker Andrew Murray acquires historic Syrah producer Qupe appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

By Elna’s Dress Shop

I love fall! The season excites me with the first crisp chill in the air and the changing colors in the vineyards, bushes, and trees. It also brings a shift in the colors of new fall clothing.

October has always been one of the most exciting months in the apparel industry, with fall fashions at their peak—perfect for experimenting or personalizing your style. Copying magazine looks from head to toe is the easy way out.

Instead, try mixing prints with denim, adding a touch of sparkle to a simple outfit, or incorporating lace into a sweater, blouse, or tee. The goal is to take this season’s trends and make them your own. To get started:

1. Add a new accessory to your black, white, grey, navy, or brown pieces. A textured gray or statement jewelry piece can prevent your outfit from feeling too stark.
2. Introduce a bold color, like wine, rust, or turquoise, which complements all skin tones.
3. Add a menswear-inspired white blouse—pair it with jeans, layer it under a sweater, blazer, or cardigan, or wear it open as a jacket.
4. If you have grey, navy, brown, or denim pants, pair them with a top in burgundy, rust, or royal blue.

Have fun and experiment with color! While the clothing industry is changing, fashion remains important to our lives and the economy.

At Elna’s Dress Shop, we’re here to navigate these changes with you, offering the best selection of clothing for versatile looks. Don’t forget the basics—black, brown, navy, grey, and denim can pair with so many options. Remember: It’s not just about fashion; it’s about you and what makes you feel comfortable. Stop by anytime!

Don’t miss our 60 percent OFF sale on selected items!

Elna’s is open Monday, closed on Tuesday, and open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. We look forward to seeing you!

The post Fall into fashion with Elna’s Dress Shop appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

Local artist Michelle Juliet Feldman is holding an art exhibit at the Los Olivos General Store from now through Nov. 10. Her exhibit includes unique landscapes that capture the hills, oaks, and light that are a special part of the Santa Ynez Valley, as well as abstract seascapes inspired by the Santa Barbara coast. The exhibit includes original oils on panel and rice paper. Most notably, there are exclusive prints of the Landscape Series printed on a special, archival rice paper, produced in her studio and only available through local exhibits.

Feldman received a BA degree in design from UCLA and studied printmaking at Tulane University. After successfully establishing her first stationery store, Honey Paper, in Los Olivos, she rebranded and opened a store in Solvang, The Giving Ink, a name that reflects her vision of art as a powerful medium to connect to the community. After the COVID pandemic, as a single mom, she said it became overwhelming for her to raise her twin children and run a business the way she wanted.  

Since the closing of her Solvang store, Feldman has blossomed from her love of paper and design to painting and printmaking, along with her passion to use art as a way to connect people and heal herself. 

“When I was a child I loved to draw and create art, and it was never supported,” said Feldman. “I never felt like I was good enough. And I struggled under that shadow most of my life.”

“I had a nest egg from the sale of my store in Solvang and began to create maps for weddings, wineries, and other commercial establishments. But I realized I was creating for clients, not for myself,” she said. “I felt the urge to pick up a paintbrush, and it felt good. Because I had so little faith in myself, I began to paint in secret, literally, in the darkness. I recognized that what I was doing made me feel good about myself and that it was something I should do more of. So, I began painting landscapes that were inspired by our local surroundings. It became like a kind of meditation which allowed me to look inward and connect with my inner self and my environment — a healing of sorts.”

It wasn’t just a solitary venture for Feldman, though.

“At the same time, I was fortunate enough to be invited into a small group of people to take art classes, which are given by a very well-known and accomplished classically trained artist and oil painter. I began taking her classes where she taught classic realism still life,” she explained. “She is teaching me the tools and skills I need to execute the kind of art I am interested in painting. All of this happened at the same time and both my art and I have blossomed since then, with my show at the Los Olivos General Store. The exhibit opened at the beginning of the year and has resonated with locals as well as visitors to the degree that it has surpassed sales of any artist previously in that space.”

Feldman said she built a little studio in her home, which allows her to be with her children, who turned 14 years old this month, and flexible to their needs. But she really misses her shop, the connection to her customers and the social aspect of owning a store.

“My store was a part of my passion for art, for things that are meaningful and beautiful and creative,” she said. “I miss the social interaction. But the shop required me to do things for other people, thus it was called The Giving Ink. But my art, I do for myself. It became a journey inward to connect me to my authentic self. I’m now living my life using all of my senses to create and live a full life. I wake up every day and think ‘This day is awesome,’ which is something I never did before.” 

Feldman has been hard at work on several series of paintings, which are showcased on her website. These include Seascape Series, a reflective journey that seeks calm and clarity; Landscape Series, a celebration of nature’s beauty presented through oil on panel and rice paper; a Classic Realism Still Life Series, an exploration of how we perceive and translate the world onto a two-dimensional surface; Etching Series, dry point engravings of inspirational quotes and images, hand-painted to infuse personal touch and heart into each piece all of which is available online.

“I am so grateful to live in this beautiful Valley where I am continually inspired by the landscapes and to the Los Olivos General Store for their support in featuring my work,” she said.
 
Looking to the future, Feldman says she envisions hosting local exhibits, expanding online sales, and facilitating intimate workshops in her home to strengthen community ties.

The Los Olivos General Store is at 2900 Grand Ave., Los Olivos.

For more information, email hello@thegivingink.com, on Instagram @thegivingink_mjuliet, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

Feature image: “Letters” is a print by Michelle Juliet Feldman.

The post Local artist finds her authentic self through her art appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

The Santa Ynez High School Pirate football will Go Pink on Friday, Oct. 18, in recognition of Cancer Awareness Month and to help fundraise for a local Pirate family who have been facing one of the biggest fights of their life.

“Go Pink Night is a very meaningful tradition for our football family as players, coaches, and fans honor all women and men who are fighting cancer, and we re- member those special to us who have fought the battle and have lost,” said head football coach Josh McClurg. “We lost [longtime football program supporter] Carl Rio a few years ago and it has hit us a few times within our own football family. This year, we have a friend, a Pirate parent, Trish Robinson, who is fighting a rare connective tissue disease attacking her lungs called anti synthetase syndrome with overlapping inflammatory myositis. This affects less than 3,500 people in the U.S. with no cure to date. However, with proper care and treatment, it can go into remission. She is currently undergoing treatment, which is going to take time and patience! We want Trish and the Robinson Family to know we stand with them and want to help as best we can.”

Santa Ynez High School Football Boosters will hold a fundraising raffle at the Oct. 18 game that will include a:

• Pirate football helmet signed by all the players
• Custom Pirate cooler
• Gift certificate for a letterman’s jacket from Dellavalle Embroidery

The fundraiser will also include a bake sale. This year, 100 percent of the proceeds from the fundraising effort will go to Trish and the Robinson Family.

If you would like to make a donation, please contact the SYHS Football Boosters at sypiratefootball@gmail.com or visit our website at sypiratefootball.com.

The JV game begins at 4 p.m. and the varsity game kicks off at 7 p.m.

Feature image: Trish Robinson, seen here with her daughter Cassidy, a cheerleader and track athlete at SYHS, is fighting a rare connective tissue disease called anti synthetase syndrome and will be the focus of the Go Pink football fundraising effort on Oct. 18. Photo contributed by SYHS.

The post Santa Ynez football boosters fundraise for a Pirate family appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

GOVERNMENT MEETINGS

THURSDAY, OCT. 24

Buellton City Council, 6 p.m.

At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton

For more info: cityofbuellton.com.

MONDAY, OCT. 28

Solvang City Council, 6:30 p.m.

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

For more info: cityofsolvang.com.

MONDAY, NOV. 4

Solvang Planning Commission, 6 p.m.

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

For more info: cityofsolvang.com.

EVENTS

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23

Solvang Candidate Forum, 6 to 8 p.m.

A Candidate Forum for the three City of Solvang Mayoral candidates — Jamie Baker, David Brown, and Denise El Amin — is planned for Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m. at the City Council Chambers on Oak Street. A translator will be provided. You can attend in person, via Zoom or watch on the City of Solvang YouTube Channel. Details for the links to Zoom and YouTube will be made available closer to the Forum. The League will require preregistration to attend in-person and the link will be open the week before the Forum.

The Forum is being moderated by the Santa Barbara League of Women Voters.

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

For more info: cityofsolvang.com or lwv.org/local-leagues/lwv-santa-barbara (League of Women Voters).

SATURDAY, OCT. 26

The Visual Feast of Roland Petersen, 4 to 7:30 p.m.

The Elverhoj Museum is holding an opening reception for the new exhibit featuring Roland Petersen. The Danish-born American painter was born in 1926 in Endelave, Denmark. He received a B.A. and M.A. degree from UC Berkeley before studying with Hans Hoffman at his School of Fine Arts in Provincetown. The opening reception will be held on October 26 from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend. There is no charge for admission, but a donation of $5 is suggested.

At Elverhøj Museum of History and Art, 1624 Elverhoy Way, Solvang

For more info: elverhoj.org.

SATURDAY, NOV. 2

Buellton Rec Holiday Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Buellton Rec’s 16th Annual Holiday Bazaar will be happening at River View Park. Come support our local artisans — over 60 vendors with beautiful handmade items, and Cal Taco Food Truck for those who are a little hungry.

At River View Park, 151 Sycamore Drive, Buellton

SUNDAY, NOV. 3

An Evening with Shawn Colvin & KT Tunstall, 7 p.m.

Discover the magic of Scottish singer/songwriter KT Tunstall, famous for hits like “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” and “Suddenly I See.” Also experience the soulful depth of Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Shawn Colvin, renowned for “Sunny Came Home.” Don’t miss the chance to be mesmerized by these incredible artists!

At Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd St., Solvang

For more info: solvangtheaterfest.org.

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 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.

Feature image: The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians will host California-style Native American singing, dancing, food, and games at the 18th annual Santa Ynez Chumash Culture Day from 12 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 19, at the corner of Highway 246 and Meadowvale Road in Santa Ynez. Photo Courtesy of Santa Ynez Valley Chumash.

The post October Calendar of Events appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

The 14th annual SLOPOKE Art of the West Exhibition and Sale was held Sept. 27-29 at Flag Is Up Farms in Solvang. This was the eighth year the event was held at Monty and Pat Roberts’ thoroughbred horse ranch. 

Tom and Debbie Loucks who now operate the California Horse Center on Flag Is Up Farms welcomed the 30 painters, sculptors, and a photographer who exhibited more than 300 works of art in their beautifully renovated event barn.

“It is a perfect venue for this first-class art show, a reception, or convention,” said Tom Burgher, president of Entreprise LLC, which produces the Annual SLOPOKE exhibit.

The SLOPOKE opened Friday evening, Sept. 27, to the foot-tapping original music of Chris Murphy and the Silver Mountain String Band from Los Angeles.

The 2024 SLOPOKE featured artist and awards judge who juried the award-winning art was nationally renowned wildlife artist Ezra Tucker, who started his fine art career in Solvang, where he and his wife Nancy raised their three children until 1999 when they relocated to Monument, Colorado.

Photos by Devyn Marseilles

The artists selected for awards include Lisa Skelly, who won Best of Show for her painting “Rock Steady”; Ariel Anton, who won Best Painting for her oil on canvas titled “Saving Some for Later”; and Pat Roberts, who received Best Sculpture for her narrative bronze “Javalina Havoc.” Each received the coveted silver SLOPOKE western belt buckle.

Three other artists received sponsored awards: Rick Hill received the Best Wildlife/Animal Art award, sponsored by Art of the West magazine for his colored pencil painting “Team Work”; Lee Rue received Best Figurative Art award, sponsored by Western Art Collector magazine for “A Place Called Home”; and Barbara Freund was the first recipient of a new award category of Best Depiction of the 21st Century West, sponsored by Southwest Art Magazine for her painting “21st Century Chuckwagon.” 

The People’s Choice Award sponsored by Western Art and Architecture magazine was awarded to Kelly Lewis at the close of the SLOPOKE on Sunday.

“The voting included patrons and artists and was surprisingly tight across all 30 artists,” said Burgher. “People were impressed with the quality and attractiveness of the art in this year’s SLOPOKE. Each of these artists receives a full-page advertisement in a future issue of these fine art journals.” 

Finally, in a gesture of gratitude for Tucker’s service as awards judge, Burgher presented him with a specially minted SLOPOKE belt buckle of a different design from those awarded to the artists.

Next year the 15th Anniversary SLOPOKE is scheduled for Sept. 26-28, 2025.

“Mark the date on your calendar now so you don’t miss this spectacular event next year,” said Burgher. “We already have 11 artists seeking acceptance for SLOPOKE 2025, so artists who want to exhibit should request an application now at slopokeartshow.com.”

Feature image: SLOPOKE 2024 artists and their assistants pose outside the California Horse Center event barn at Solvang’s Flag Is Up Farms on opening night.

The post SLOPOKE 2024 wraps up at Flag Is Up Farms appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

Sable Offshore, a convenient creation of ExxonMobil, seeks to reopen the same failed oil pipeline that caused the catastrophic spill of May 2015. Almost 150,000 gallons of toxic and cancer-causing crude flooded our water and beaches, contaminating one of the most biologically diverse areas of the West Coast and leaving taxpayers with the economic consequences.

The U.S. remains, by far, the world’s biggest oil producer. And job growth in clean energy fields continues to far outpace employment in fossil fuel industries.

Now ExxonMobil’s proxy wants to start up the same old corroded pipeline, after what they say will be “repairs.” Against all common sense and with a dangerous level of arrogance they are asking for a special waiver to allow them to avoid employing a protection system that prevents corrosion. This is the definition of irresponsibility.

The Board of Supervisors, Gov. Newsom and the State Fire Marshal can and must stop this corruption of our system of regulatory control of public health and safety hazards.

And, we are not powerless to tilt the balance. Sit-ins, boycotts, protest marches, and civil disobedience can help tilt the balance and save the county from the next inevitable, toxic catastrophe.

Seth Steiner
Los Alamos

The post LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Avoiding the next catastrophic oil spill appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

The Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge #2640, in collaboration with Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, has a tradition of honoring a senior at the high school who exhibits the values of hard work, community, and school service and academic excellence.

For the month of September, the staff at the high school has selected Josue Salinas. He is described as a student with true integrity, is an excellent role model, and someone everyone on campus likes to be around!

As a freshman, Josue played soccer and currently represents SYHS on the cross-country team, serving as team captain. He is also on the track team. He excels in both. Last year he was the treasurer of the Organization of Latinos and Americans.

Josue has a weighted GPA of 3.9 and is currently enrolled in three AP courses and one concurrent Allan Hancock College course. Over the summer, he took an accelerated college-level precalculus course.

Josue plays instruments at his church. He also helps young students by training them in running.

Josue will be a first-generation college student, hoping to attend Cal Poly SLO or Cal State Long Beach, majoring in mechanical engineering. He dreams of working for NASA one day and plans to continue running and training.

Santa Ynez Valley Elks is pleased to honor Josue Salinas as our September Student of the Month. Congratulations to Josue and his family!

Feature image provided by the Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge #2640.

The post Josue Salinas named SYV Elks September Student of the Month appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.