SOLVANG

Inaugural Copenhagen Countdown set for Dec. 31 at Solvang Park

Join us for our first annual Copenhagen Countdown NYE event. A festive celebration featuring the Molly Ringwald Project, a top drawing ’80s tribute band,  performing live from 2 to 4 p.m. in Solvang Park. Ring in the New Year alongside Denmark at 3 p.m. with this European-style countdown to midnight. Enjoy the delectable offerings from Whiskey ‘N Rye Smokehouse, a barbecue-centric restaurant, which will be serving a variety of delicious festive foods along with a beer, wine, and spirits garden. This is a family-friendly event that everyone will love (weather permitting).

Solvang Christmas Tree Burn rescheduled to Jan. 3, 2025

Supervised by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, and one of the largest fire safety demonstrations along the California Central Coast, the Solvang Tree Burn is a powerful safety demonstration at the start of the New Year, heralding the end of the Solvang Julefest celebration. The 2025 Tree Burn, which was announced for Jan. 10 is some publications, is actually scheduled for Friday, Jan. 3, 5:00 PM (weather permitting).

Applications sought for to-be-vacated District 3 City Councilmember seat

On Nov. 12, the Solvang City Council voted to appoint a member to fill the vacant City Council seat of David Brown, District 3, after he was elected the city’s mayor. The position will serve until the next General Municipal Election on November 2026.

The City Council is the legislative body of the city and is composed of five members, one of whom is mayor (serving at large), and four who serve by district. The City Council meets the second and fourth Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Special meetings are called as needed.

Interested parties are encouraged to apply for the vacant City Council seat through the application process. To qualify for consideration, you must be a registered voter and residing within the incorporated City of Solvang and withinDistrict 3, and submit a cover letter, application, and resume to the City Clerk’s Office (cityclerk@cityofsolvang.com) no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. Paper copies will not be accepted.

Upon successful submittal of your cover letter, application, and resume, the City Clerk’s Office will verify you are a registered voter within District 3 in the City of Solvang.

Each verified applicant will be invited to interview in front of the City Council at an open televised meeting of the City Council. Council has scheduled interviews for Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter in the Council Chamber, located at 1644 Oak St., Solvang, CA 93463. Each qualified applicant will be allowed ample opportunity to address the City Council.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (805) 688-5575 ext. 206 or via email at cityclerk@cityofsolvang.com.

Surrey Night Rides now available for the holidays through Jan. 4

The fun doesn’t stop when the sun sets — it’s just beginning! Wheel Fun Rentals is excited to announce LED-illuminated 4-Wheel Surrey Night Rides in Solvang for the holidays. Surrey Night Rides are available Fridays and Saturday nights from Dec. 6 to Jan 4. 

Locals and visitors alike will be able to light up the streets with Wheel Fun Rentals’ flagship Surrey Cycles. Colorful LED lights are mounted onto the canopy and frame of the cycle creating an electrifying twilight experience that pairs perfectly with Solvang’s holiday night sky.

Illuminated Surrey night-time rentals will be available from sunset to 8 p.m. every Friday and Saturday evening through Jan 4 at Wheel Fun Rentals’ Solvang location. Pricing is $35 for a Single Surrey (seats up to three adults and two small children), and $45 for a Double Surrey (seats up to six adults and two small children). For more information on LED-Illuminated Surrey Night Rides, visit wheelfunrentals.com/solvang-night-rides

“It’s hard to believe the Surreys could get even more exciting”, says Brian McInerney, Wheel Fun Rentals’ local Solvang owner. “We’re always looking for fun new ways for guests to enjoy Solvang and our products, and lighting up the bikes really makes for an entirely new adventure.”

Wheel Fun Rentals in Solvang is open six days a week (closed on Tuesdays) and offers an extensive fleet of bike rentals. Available rentals include the flagship 4-wheel Surrey cycles, specialty bikes, multi-speed city bikes, electric bikes, cruiser bikes, self-guided bike tours, and more. For location information, hours of operation, and to learn more about Wheel Fun Rentals in Solvang, visit www.wheelfunrentals.com/solvang.

BUELLTON

Alma Rosa to donate part of wine sales to Mental Wellness Center through rest of 2024

In connection with Giving Tuesday (Dec. 3), Alma Rosa Winery, located in Santa Barbara County’s Sta. Rita Hills AVA, has pledged to donate $10 for every bottle of 2022 Alma Rosa North Slope Pinot Noir ($55) sold online and onsite at the Solvang tasting room to Santa Barbara County’s Mental Wellness Center through the end of 2024. The Mental Wellness Center provides on-the-ground mental health support services within the Santa Barbara community.

Alma Rosa Winery has a strong commitment to giving back, and in 2020, Owners Bob and Barb Zorich, along with General Manager Debra Eagle, launched the winery’s annual fundraising walk, “Peace of Mind: 10,000 Steps in the Right Direction,” to support mental health community services, as well as fund research on the causes, treatment, and potential cures for anxiety and depression. Over the last five years, the winery has raised over $955,000 for the Mental Wellness Center and One Mind. The 2025 Peace of Mind event will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Registration information will be announced in January 2025.

“Anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges continue to negatively impact the lives of many in our community,” says Bob Zorich. “Donations from the 2022 Alma Rosa North Slope Pinot Noir holiday campaign will support the important services that the Mental Wellness Center provides its clients and their families.”

To learn more about Alma Rosa’s “Peace of Mind: 10,000 Steps in the Right Direction” fundraising walk, click here.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Sheriff’s Office welcomes five new sheriff’s deputies 

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office welcomed five new sheriff’s deputies and congratulated them upon their graduation from the Allan Hancock College Basic Law Enforcement Academy. The class of 26 recruits completed a comprehensive 22-week course program in California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), with 862 hours of course instruction. Some of the academy instruction included communication skills, report writing, laws of arrest, search and seizure, firearms, ethics, investigation procedures, patrol techniques, arrest and control, physical training, CPR/First Aid, and emergency vehicle operations.

Just before the graduation ceremony, Sheriff Bill Brown led a swearing-in ceremony where he welcomed new deputies Hector Andrade Jr., Joshua Janecek, Jack Sevier, Melvin Stovall IV, and Christopher Yu. The ceremony, which marks a beginning milestone in each deputy’s career, was shared with their close family members, and included a badge pinning ceremony where recruits have their badges pinned on their uniforms by their mothers, fathers, and significant others. This shared moment marks the culmination of over six months of hard work by the recruit and unwavering support from the family members who stood by them. 

During the graduation ceremony, Sevier was honored with the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course Award for demonstrating the best defensive driving skills.

If you are interested in career in law enforcement or know someone who is, please visit our website at SBSheriff.org to apply. 

Sheriff’s Office welcomes 15 new custody deputies 

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office welcomed 13 new custody deputies upon their graduation from the Allan Hancock CORE Custody Deputy Academy, as well as two lateral-entry custody deputies. All of these new custody deputies were sworn-in by Sheriff Bill Brown on Friday, Dec. 6, just before the Academy graduation ceremony. The graduating CORE Custody Academy Class #18 included Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Custody Deputies Cameron Binnebose, Benjamin Caudillo, Kimberly Corona-Porras, Ramiro Cortez, Jason Dunn, Hannah Garnica, Isiah Hernandez, Frederick Holland, Alberto Lagunas, Noah Lanier, Ignacio Quevedo Jr IV, Joshua Robinson, and Celeste Sedano. The two lateral-entry deputies were Sierra Selby, who previously served as a sheriff’s service technician with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and as a juvenile probation officer for Los Angeles County, and Andres Vivanco, who previously served as a jailer with the Lompoc Police Department.

The class of recruits completed 260 hours of instruction. Some of the instruction included emergency planning in a custody facility, report writing, ethics, investigation procedures, classification of inmates, contraband detection, arrest and control, physical training, and direct supervision training.

Lanier was selected as Class Valedictorian, Binnebose was presented the Santa Maria Elks Lodge Leadership Award, Robinson was presented the Ron Battles “Most Inspirational” award from the Santa Barbara Deputy Sheriff’sAssociation, and Dunn earned the Defensive Tactics award.

If you are interested in career in law enforcement or know someone who is, please visit our website at SBSheriff.org to apply.

Sheriff’s Office reminds the community: In case of  

emergency, call if you can — text if you can’t 

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the community that they have the option to send text messages to 9-1-1 during emergencies when voice calls are not feasible or safe.

The service operates under the principle, “Call if you can — text if you can’t.” It is especially beneficial for individuals who are speech-impaired, hard of hearing, deaf, or in situations where making a voice call could endanger their safety.

Susan Farley, manager of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Dispatch Center, highlighted an additional advantage: “We have observed that text to 9-1-1 often remains functional during widespread voice cell phone outages.” However, community members are still encouraged to make a voice call if possible and reserve texting for instances when voice communication is not an option.

Critical Information for Texting 9-1-1

The most crucial detail to include in a text to 9-1-1 is the exact location of the emergency. Unlike voice calls, texts do not automatically provide location information to dispatchers.

“The precise location is the most helpful information for us,” said Farley. “Occasionally, texts may be routed to the wrong agency, but we can transfer the details to the appropriate agency.”

Guidelines for Using Text to 9-1-1

• Only use for emergencies. This service is not intended for general inquiries.
• Include a data or text plan. Phones must have an active plan to send messages.
• Avoid roaming mode. Texts will not be delivered when roaming.
• Use plain language. Avoid abbreviations, emojis, photos, or videos.
• Messages can be translated – but it could take a moment. Automated translation is not yet available, so messages are currently manual translated.
• One recipient only. Texts cannot be sent to multiple recipients simultaneously.

All Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office call takers and dispatchers are trained and equipped to respond to 9-1-1 texts. The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public of this additional way to reach help during an emergency. For non-emergencies, you can reach the dispatch center at (805) 683-2724 or Sheriff’s Headquarters at (805) 681-4100. Texting is not available for non-emergencies. 

‘They Count, Will you?’: Volunteers needed for the 2025 Homeless Point-In-Time Count

Hundreds of volunteers are needed on Jan. 22, 2025, from 5:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. for the countywide 2025 Homeless Point-In-Time Count.

The Point-In-Time Count is the annual count of individuals and families experiencing homelessness on a given day.  It is put on by The Santa Maria/Santa Barbara County Continuum of Care (CoC), in partnership with the County of Santa Barbara and The Santa Barbara Alliance for Community Transformation (SBACT).

Teams of volunteers will canvas assigned routes throughout Santa Barbara County and will briefly document who is experiencing homelessness. This information is used to plan local homeless assistance systems, justify funding, and raise public awareness.

All volunteers are required to attend a training session. In this 1-hour session, volunteers will learn more about the importance of the count, review canvassing best practices, explore the Point-In-Time survey tool, go through Frequently Asked Questions and more. To make this training as accessible as possible, online trainings are offered on varied days and times between Jan. 14 and 17. Only one training is required. To volunteer, please sign up at countyofsb.pointintime.info/. Volunteers can register as individuals or in teams. The final day to sign up to volunteer is Jan. 17, 2025. Spanish training is available upon request, please email pit@sbact.org by Jan. 13, 2025.

“The Point-in-Time Count results affect everything from homelessness services offered to how much funding is available. It is important we have an accurate count, and we cannot do that without the help of many volunteers. Homelessness is a community-wide problem, and it requires a community-wide solution,” said Matthew Rector, housing program specialist senior with the County of Santa Barbara Community Services Department.

The Point-In-Time count is only possible with a community-wide effort by the incredible support of many volunteers and partners.

All are welcome; please go to countyofsb.pointintime.info/ and let us know if you plan to participate.

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

Theo Anderson has spent countless hours on the Dunn School baseball field, not just during the Earwigs’ games, but using Dunn’s Fungoman machine to take grounder after grounder with one goal in mind — playing shortstop.

With idols like Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz, Anderson has proven that height is an advantage on the left side of the infield. At 6-foot-8, 240 pounds, Theo has followed the careers of tall infielders like De La Cruz and Pittsburgh Pirates star Oneil Cruz closely, finding inspiration in their ability to dominate the position. Now, Theo is set to make his own mark in collegiate baseball, signing his scholarship agreement on Nov. 13 to play for Saint Mary’s College.

“I look up to Elly and Oneil Cruz,” Anderson said. “Because they’ve shown that you don’t have to fit a certain mold to be great at shortstop. Watching them gave me the confidence to push myself and believe I could do the same.”

St. Mary’s, located in the Northern California town of Moraga, is a Division I school that plays in the West Coast Conference. Head coach Eric Valenzuela has coached the Gaels for seven seasons over two stints; he has also coached at Long Beach State. Last year, the Gaels went 34-22 overall and finished third in the WCC with a 16-8 conference record.

Anderson’s signing ceremony took place in front of family, friends, and the Dunn School community in the school’s Assembly Area, where the towering shortstop celebrated his commitment to the Division I program. His signing comes after a stellar 2024 season, where he ended the regular season ranked among California’s top high school players. According to MaxPreps at the time, Theo finished the season with a .577 batting average (tied for 28th in the state), 6 home runs (also tied for 28th), and a slugging percentage of 1.019 (20th). His on-base percentage of .711 ranked him an impressive 12th statewide.

“Theo represents everything we hope a Dunn student can become,” said Kelsey Sullivan, Dunn’s director of athletics. “He is someone who leads by example. He’s an ‘all-in’ kind of man. He builds community and puts others first. He’s a player everyone would want in their lineup. And he has the right balance of kindness and a playful nature to bring joy and success to any locker room.”

The ceremony was a joyous event for the entire Dunn community. Anderson’s parents, David Anderson and Mary Heyden, sat proudly by his side as he signed his scholarship agreement, while teammates, classmates, and teachers cheered him on. Dunn’s Head of School Kalyan Balaven spoke about Theo’s leadership on campus, not only as an athlete but as a student who exemplifies the school’s values of character and hard work.

“If you’ve seen Theo play, it’s a beautiful thing,” Balaven said. “You see laser focus in his eyes, beauty in motion, and you get to see that at school in his relationships with students and in the classroom. He doesn’t just live on the baseball field, he lives throughout this campus in so many ways. When I saw him with his family at the Saint Mary’s campus and saw him in his element, I couldn’t be more proud.”

For Anderson, the day was about more than just the excitement of playing Division I baseball — it was the culmination of years of hard work and the realization of a dream he’s had since he first picked up a bat.

Dunn School is proud to have supported Theo, who has attended since first stepping on campus as a sixth-grader.

“I’ve always loved this game,” Theo reflected after the event. “Getting to take this next step with Saint Mary’s means the world to me. It’s everything I’ve worked for.

“The facilities here, I get to use them all the time. I’m in the batting cage twice a day, and when I first started working out, it was at the Dunn gym over there. This is where I learned how to put the work in. Before, it wasn’t real. But when I got here, it became real and there were facilities and resources to use.”

As the event concluded, Theo posed for photos with his teammates, coaches, and family, proudly wearing his new Saint Mary’s gear. The reception afterward buzzed with congratulations and well-wishes as the community celebrated Anderson.

With a Division I future ahead of him and his sights set on following in the footsteps of some MLB stars, Anderson is ready for the challenges and opportunities that await him at Saint Mary’s.

About Dunn School: Dunn is a boarding and day school (grades 6-12) nestled in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. Founded in 1957 from its campus in Los Olivos, Dunn has remained true to its mission of providing whole student education for more than 67 years through its character-based educational pillars: Emotional Wellness, Physical Readiness, Intellectual Growth, Social Responsibility and Moral Courage.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Shortly after this story was published, the A. Alvarez Fine Art Gallery was closed. A statement from Art Alvarez’s lawyer said, “The A. Alvarez Fine Art Gallery of Solvang was forced to quit due to a lease agreement that was only benefitting the landlord and not the lessee.”

The A. Alvarez Fine Art Gallery was overflowing with guests, with over a hundred people attending the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of Art Alvarez’s new art gallery on Saturday, Nov. 23. They were all there to celebrate and support Alvarez in his new endeavor.

Guests included dignitaries such as Mayor Mark Infanti, Mayor Pro Tem (and Mayor-Elect) David Brown, and City Manager Randy Murphy of Solvang, who all helped Alvarez with the ribbon cutting.

Guests enjoyed wine and charcuterie while perusing the works of award-winning artists. On display were the oil paintings of Joel Phillips; pastels by Kris Buck; watercolors by Karen McGraw; sculptures by Pat Roberts; Disney-inspired oil, pastel, and watercolor prints by Devyn Samara; panoramic architectural ink and watercolor prints by George Rosu; and of course, the distinguished Disney originals by Alvarez himself. All but two of the artists were in attendance to talk to the guests about their work. Unfortunately, Buck and McGraw were unable to attend due to a traffic pile-up on Highway 101. The gallery also displays a collection of vintage airbrushes, an array of Disney memorabilia, and pencil art. 

Alvarez, who previously had another gallery in Solvang, which was off the beaten path and not a good location for an art gallery, was approached by Ed St. George, who was looking for an artist to create historic murals for his buildings. 
“When Ed approached me with his idea of creating historic murals for his buildings and realized I was a former Disney artist, he said, ‘I have a spot for you!’ And that spot was in his newly acquired building, located on Alisal Road near Copenhagen Street,” Alvarez said. “When I saw the space, I jumped at the offer. It is the perfect spot for an art gallery. I didn’t want to create one of those sterile galleries where people are reluctant to enter. I wanted to create one that is warm and inviting. And this is it. I had a soft opening in September, and we’ve had a ton of traffic.”

As Alvarez cut into the red ribbon in front of his new gallery, he spoke to the attending crowd, saying “This is a dream come true. Over the years I have visited thousands of art galleries, all the while dreaming of having one of my own. But what makes it super sweet for me is opening one in my hometown.” 

Both guests and artists were eager to extend their well wishes to Alvarez.

“Art is a great contribution to our city,” said Infanti. “He had another gallery down a pretty little laneway, but it was out of the way, and he didn’t get enough foot traffic. This building used to belong to David Rasmussen, and when he sold it, the new owner divided it into several small shops, and Art had the opportunity to move here and become much more obvious to the public. And it’s been wonderful. I want to say to Art, congratulations, and wish him the best of luck.”

Fellow artists added their praise to Alvarez.

“I am honored to be working together with Art, to be showing my work in the company of so many fine artists,” said Phillips.

“It is a joy to exhibit my work in Art’s new gallery. The paintings and drawings he’s included appeal to all ages and to many different art aesthetics,” Samara said. “I especially enjoyed seeing the kids’ faces light up as they passed the gallery and saw some of their favorite Disney characters on the back wall. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to be exposed to a variety of different types of art and broaden their creative education. All of the artists here are so talented and I feel privileged to be in their company.”

“The A. Alvarez Fine Art Gallery is a beautiful addition to downtown Solvang. It elevates the experience for visitors and locals alike. It is very inviting,” said Ester Jacobsen Bates, one of the guests who attended the opening. “Not often do you get to meet the artists and learn the stories behind their art.”

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a true and inviting art gallery in Solvang. It’s warm, inviting, comfortable, and easily accessible,” said Roberts. “It is nice for the artists too, because of the increased foot traffic they will get in this location.”

“I used to sell my prints to Rasmussens in 1975, and off and on over the years,” said Rosu. “I go out almost every weekend selling my prints at various art festivals all over the United States. I’ve known Art since the 1980s. We used to hang out but lost touch over the years. I was in Solvang recently and saw a sign for his gallery, and one day I caught him in and rekindled our old friendship. He asked me to exhibit my art in his gallery, and I immediately said yes. I am honored to be exhibiting in Art’s new gallery. He is a genius.”

The A. Alvarez Fine Art Gallery is located at 461 Alisal Road, Solvang. For more information, call (805) 691-9058.

The post The A. Alvarez Fine Art Gallery holds grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

Attention all seniors in North Santa Barbara County high schools: Submissions for next year’s opportunity to earn the $5,000 NatureTrack Foundation’s Nancy Stearns Scholarship will be due sooner than you think.

The scholarship is geared for a graduating student (2025) from a North Santa Barbara County high school, so applicants should start thinking about what their essay will include and highlight. For your 500-word essay, the committee is interested in your educational and career intentions as they relate to nature as well as your goals within the field of natural science*. 

In addition to the completed application and essay, the student must submit a full high school transcript. Priority will be given to a student with a financial need to pursue higher education. Support is awarded for up to four years based on acceptable performance and continuation towards a bachelor’s degree in the natural science field. The 2025 cycle for  this year’s Nancy Stearn’s Scholarship is open until March 15. You can find all the info and apply on the organization’s website at https://naturetrack.org, under the “Get Involved” tab. 

Sue Eisaguirre, founder and E.D. of NatureTrack Foundation, is very grateful to Brett Stearns, who pledged to underwrite the scholarship in honor of his wife Nancy, who was a docent for NatureTrack since it began in 2011. “We hope this scholarship will provide students with the opportunity to pursue their college education all while fostering a stronger connection to nature,” Eisaguirre said. Stearns’s ongoing commitment ensures Nancy’s legacy will continue to empower and inspire future generations for years to come. 

Docents and committee members Dennis and Carole Nord noted “Nancy had more love and enthusiasm for nature. She was always up for exploring flowers in bloom, birds to be discovered or the latest botanical mystery.” Nancy Stearns pursued the experience in nature for the K-12 students on field trips in our county and proved her love of nature asextremely contagious.  

This is the fifth year for the essay contest. Previous winners include Catalina Kett, who’s at High Point University in North Carolina majoring in biology with a minor in Spanish; Brynley Ellsworth, who is studying botany at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah; Erin Trathern, who is majoring in environmental engineering at Oregon State in Corvallis, Oregon; and Braiden Flaherty, who is at University of California, Santa Cruz, where he is pursuing marine biology.   

The Nancy Stearns Scholarship is broken up into four disbursements with $2,000 awarded the first year and $1,000 awarded year two, three, and four based on acceptable performance. The award is paid directly to the student’s school tuition account. For more information about the NatureTrack Nancy Stearns Scholarship or other ways you can get involved with the NatureTrack Foundation, please visit NatureTrack.org or call Sue Eisaguirre at (805)886-2047, or email her sue@naturetrack.org. 

*Natural science includes any study of nature. Suggested desirable majors to support (not inclusive): biological sciences (botany, aquatic biology, wildlife, ecology, entomology, horticulture, animal science, plant science, etc.), earth sciences (geology, oceanography, geography, remote sensing, cartography), wildlife sciences, outdoor education, and environmental sciences. Please note it does not include agriculture, health or medicine. 

The goal of this scholarship is to support students who will find a career in support of nature: conserving, preserving, researching or sharing nature with others. If there is another major which will prepare you for that goal, please apply and explain your educational path to that goal.

If you plan to study any other topic and intend to apply your knowledge and skills to the natural world, consider applying for this scholarship; go to naturetrack.org/scholarship-application/.

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In a meeting that had even members of the Solvang City Council shaking their heads about new resolutions and procedures, two resolutions were passed and three more had first readings concerning zoning changes proposed by the Planning Department.

The zoning changes were introduced by Planning and Building Manager Rafael Castillo in Agenda Item 7a, which consisted of the five parts, were made to give the city more control over what could and couldn’t be built in the city, and to protect itself against projects being built via the state’s Builder’s Remedy.

The changes also are proposed to align with the City of Solvang’s 2045 General Plan, along with three zoning changes required by the state for the city’s Sixth Cycle Housing Element which was approved by the city in December 2023.

In giving his report, Castillo zeroed in a state law SB-9, that allows for property owners in single-family residential zones to complete the following: Split a single lot, regardless of size, into two lots; construct dwelling units for duplexon each lot, and accesory dwelling unit (ADU), meaning a lot in a Solvang residential zone can have six units per lot.

“Anyone who comes in tomorrow and applies for an SB-9 lot split can get this tomorrow, no public hearing,” Castillo said. “I think that’s not what we want for the valley, that’s not what we want for Solvang. What we have going for us is a great community, with a robust amount of public input.”

To combat that law, Castillo said the city should consolidate the 7-R-1 and 8-R-1 residential areas south of downtown to close the SB-9 loophole, which would provide more local control over housing decisions. A builder would still be able by law, to propose building out on those lots, but it would by subject to public comment and would have to go through city approval.

Castillo also proposed for building form and design to split the downtown area into two zones, one the Village District (DD-1) and the Mission District (DD-2). Castillo said that would give the city the ability to have the say over how buildings look in the downtown area, and could design an illustrated handbook to help local builders and business owners understand the rules.

“The Design Review Committee’s first task for February will be how to meld these into a guidebook,” he said.

When it came time for council questions, Councilmember Elizabeth Orona asked, with the dependency expected of the guidebook from developers, how they would define the guidelines. Castillo replied the guidelines are already defined by the city code, and the guidebook would add photos and illustrations to make it more palatable.

District 3 Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem David Brown asked if having an agricultural component on the Mission Santa Ines would be banned. Castillo answered that they already have permission from the LA Archdiocese to have one if it is proposed. Castillo also said that city permits would be required by the mission for general events, but not church events.

Public comment was generally negative toward the proposed zoning changes, with the main objections being that the changes were being pushed through too quickly, and residents were still concerned about the potential lot splits still being possible.

“It’s not about NIMBYism; we support reasonable developemnt,” said resident Brian Carillo. “The zoning changes are not accompanied by a thorough, transparent analysis on issues. I urge council to pause the process.”

Solvang resident and business owner Aaron Petersen weighed in on the building regulations for downtown.

“We need objective standards, and this is missing too many key elements,” he said. “The detail is admirable, but it needs input from the DRC. Good start, but don’t pass it as law; slow down.”

Castillo, however, said that these developments wouldn’t be final and can be fine tuned.

“There needs to be a starting point,” he said. “There will be changes, but we need a starting point.”

When it came time to vote on the item, Councilmembers Elizabeth Orona and Claudia Orona recused themselves because they lived and/or worked within 500 feet of properties affected by the zoning changes.

The three-man panel of Councilmember Robert Clarke, Mayor Mark Infanti, and Brown consulted frequently with City Attorney Chelsea O’Sullivan to figure out their options, voting on the first resolution 24-1272 adopting an Addendum to the FEIR Solvang Comprehensive General Plan Update and Rezoning.

At first, Infanti moved to reject the resolution, which OK’d required CEQA guidelines, but O’Sullivan advised that if they did, making changes on it later could be difficult. Castillo reminded the council that the Housing Element hinged on passing the resolution, and being behind on the rezone deadline, they needed to shown progress.

Ultimately, Infanti motioned to approve the resolution with Clarke seconding, and it passed 3-0.

The second part, Resolution No. 24-1273, which amended the zoning of one parcel downtown from Tourist Commercial to Park passed quickly by another 3-0 vote.

The next three were first readings: Item 4, Ordinance No. 24-377 contained most of the zoning changes, passed 2-1 with the dissenting vote by Infanti.

Claudia Orona returned for the next first reading, on Ordinance No. 24-376, changing six lots from Recreational to Open Space, with Clarke motion to approve quickly passing 4-0.

Elizabeth Orona returned to make it a full council for the last part, Ordinance No. 24-378, which concerned the Repealing and Replacing Title 11 (Zoning Regulations) of the Solvang Municipal Code and the Official Zoning Map of the City of Solvang. That item passed 4-1, with Elizabeth Orona dissenting.

The council will next meet on Dec. 9, with the transfer to the new City Council, including the swearing-in of David Brown as the mayor, and Infanti and Claudia Orona as district-based councilmembers to take place on that night.

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Santa Ynez High boys basketball coach Rod Caughell, starting the third year of his second stint in the position, said a sign his team’s depth for the 2024-25 season is how he’s running practices.

“I told my wife today it’s the first time in all my years here that I have been able to run a five-on-five scrimmage at practice,” Caughell said the day before the team’s season opener against Carpinteria. “I would be short because I had some players still in football season, and others who weren’t quite ready yet.

“However, this year, with the football players able to join us, and the team being able to play with 10 guys, it’s more than exciting.”

The Pirates got off on the right foot in their season opener at home on Nov. 22 as they defeated Carpinteria 68-63. Jude Pritchard, one of those players fresh off the gridiron, led all scorers with 27 points. Lucas Ollenburger had 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Luke Gianis added 10. SYHS followed that up with wins over Bishop Diego (86-69) on Nov. 27, and Eastside High of Lancaster (51-47) to get off to a 3-0 start.

Santa Ynez is coming off a 2023-24 season in which it made the second round of the CIF Central Section playoffs despite a 12-18 record, including an 0-8 record in the loaded Mountain League. However, this year the Pirates will be playing in the new Sunset League, along with Cabrillo, Morro Bay, Nipomo, and Righetti.

“Last year was tough; we really shouldn’t have been in that league, having to deal with St. Joseph, a highly ranked team in the state,” Caughell said. “And add to that a couple of strong teams in Arroyo Grande and Mission Prep, and it was tough having to battle in that league.

“In the Sunset, I think Righetti will be our main opponent, but every league game will be though. It not like anyone’s dominant.”

The Pirates will go into the season with plenty of experience. They will be returning their top three scorers from last year: Ikenna Ofiaeli, Pritchard, and Jayden Mendoza. 

Caughell is looking at Ofiaeli, who was tops on the team with 13.0 points per game and 8.5 rebounds, to be the focal point of the offense.

“I’m looking for the offense to go through Ikenna,” Caughell said. “He’ll get his touches in the paint, and I look for our guard to penetrate get him the ball.”

The Pirates expect Mason Skidmore and Alex Molera to split time at point guard, while Ollenburger is expected to contribute with points and rebounds.

The Pirates return to action Tuesday, Dec. 3, with a home game against Templeton. Sunset League play will start Jan. 7, 2025, with a game against visiting Mission Prep.

Lady Pirates start 4-1; win second place in SM Winter Tournament

Meanwhile, after a 52-17 win over Atascadero on Nov. 25, the Santa Ynez High girls basketball team is off to a great start at 4-1. Their early season action included a second-place finish at the Santa Maria Winter Tournament at Santa Maria High.

Like the boys team, Coach Jennifer Rasmussen’s squad is welcoming quite a few returning players, like Helina Pecile, Kylie LaPointe, and Rylin Agin, who were the Lady Pirates’ three top scorers last year.

“What’s been nice is that our junior core has been on varsity since they were freshman,” Rasmussen said after her team’s loss to San Luis Obispo in the Santa Maria tournament final. “So this is their third year playing together. It’s been great seeing them get that consistency, and they’re syncing and gelling on the court.”

SYHS went 3-1 in the Santa Maria tournament, which lasted from Thursday, Nov. 21, to Saturday, Nov. 23. The Lady Pirates beat, in order, Bishop Diego (61-29), Santa Maria (58-30), and Simi Valley (57-39) before losing to San Luis Obispo 46-36 in the title game.

Despite the loss, Rasmussen thought the title was a good experience to learn from for her team.

“We played against some tough defenses in the tournament, and especially SLO,” she said. “They were fast and they were tall, so we really were tested on our ability to make something happen and it was the first time we were playing from behind all weekend. So it was good.”

Pecile led SYHS with 13 points in the title game, while Agin, who hit double figures in all four of the tournament games, added 11. A couple standouts in the semifinal against Simi Valley were Lexi Molera, who led the team with 17 points, and LaPointe, who added 15.

SYHS is coming off a 2023-24 season which saw them go 8-0 in the Ocean League, and 18-7 overall, and reach the second round of the CIF playoffs.

This year, the Lady Pirates will move up from the Ocean to the Sunset League, along with Lompoc and Templeton, where they will join Cabrillo, Paso Robles, and San Luis Obispo.

“We’re excited for the competition,” Rasmussen said. “I think we’ve showed we can compete with the bigger schools in the area, and last year we didn’t have any blowouts, so that just showed how good the competition is in this area.”

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Much of the crowd waiting to take part in Solvang Parks and Rec’s 13th annual Turkey Trot could be found in the usual running attire shorts, tank tops, T-shirts, maybe a headband or a few, but many chose a more festive choice of garb for the event, that was held on Thanksgiving morning for the second time.

Among the record crowd of approximately 225 participants were some who got a little creative with their jogging threads, making the event a real fun run.

One group in particular stood out as they seemed to be getting a head start on the Christmas celebration. Sara Mountin, who lives in Vandenberg Village near Lompoc proper, and several relatives, many visiting from Utah, were decked out in red and black sweatsuits with a likeness of Santa Claus on the back.

“I had a lot of family coming and we decided to do something different, coming here and having a little fun with the costumes,” Mountin said. “We ended up finding these at Walmart and ordered a bunch of them.

“It’s just a good way to enjoy the day, and get some exercise before the big meal.”

That was the idea the Solvang Parks and Rec staff had when they decided last year to start holding the event on Thanksgiving morning starting last year.

“The turnout has been outstanding; it’s the largest we’ve ever had,” said Solvang Park’s and Rec Director Jenny McClurg. “This isn’t a competitive race at all — we’re not entering times or naming a winner, people can go the whole 5K, or just part of it. We’re just having people get together and have a good time.”

Longtime Parks and Rec staffer Fred Lageman contributed to the atmosphere as the emcee, counting down to the start of the run, and then keeping the participants going by serving as DJ and putting on songs all throughout the event. Meanwhile, Recreation Clerk Elisa Monroy and the department’s newest employee, Recreation Coordinator Jalen Gragston, were on the move handing out water to those who wanted it, and giving medals for kids and adults who completed a lap.

As McClurg said, there were no winners named, although Santa Maria resident Richie Ortiz did happen to complete the 5 kilometers before anybody.

“It’s great to come out here and do this,” Ortiz said. “Along with this and the half-marathon earlier this year, Solvang puts on some good events.”

Also at the event was Ivan Becerra, who coaches aspiring runners with IB1 Training, based at Sunny Field Park.

“I came to see some of my students who are running in this,” he said. “We knew this was coming on Thanksgiving andwe got quite a few in our program to show up and do this.” 

Keeping with the informal nature of the run, many participants did the 5K with their dogs, while others pushed their very young kids along in strollers, while many runners were shown to be part of a larger group with corresponding running wear.

Oscar Diaz of Santa Ynez came to the Turkey Trot with his family, and they were noticeable with their bright orange T-shirts. Oscar’s shirt showed a list that was probably his planned informal schedule for the day: “Run. Turkey. Beer. Nap.”

“I had a great time doing this,” Diaz said as he relaxed post-race with his daughter Andrea, who is on the Santa Ynez High track and field team, competing in the high jump. “This is just a cool thing to do and brings some team spirit. Now we can go home and have a nice Thanksgiving dinner.”

Also teaming up for an enjoyable morning was the Trot Squad group, some of whom wore special T-shirts made for the occasion. Part of the group was Derek Ferguson, who along with his wife Samantha, moved to Orcutt from Washington, D.C.

“We been in some running events before and wanted to get started out here,” he said. “We found some new friends out here and decided to do this. It’s been a lot of run.”

Of course, with the run over, Ferguson was looking forward to the meal late that day, but he had something else in mind first.

“We’re going over to [downtown] Solvang to find a place where I can have a beer,” he said.

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The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has announced that its annual Chumash Charity Golf Classic raised $135,000 this year, with proceeds split among People Helping People in the Santa Ynez Valley, Hillside House in Santa Barbara and the Cabrillo High School Aquarium in Lompoc.

The tribe’s annual tournament, which spans three days, was held Sept. 24-26 at the River Course at the Alisal in Solvang.           

“It’s our great honor to provide needed funds for these three worthy organizations and their ongoing projects through another successful Chumash Charity Golf Classic,” said Kenneth Kahn, tribal chairman for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.

People Helping People, which has launched a capital campaign to fund a major construction project at its headquarters in Solvang and expand its services, received $75,000 in proceeds from the charity event. Hillside House and the Cabrillo High School Aquarium, which were selected by Chumash Enterprises employees as beneficiaries, each received $30,000.

People Helping People (PHP), which serves the Santa Ynez Valley, is dedicated to improving the lives of adults and children in the Santa Ynez Valley, Los Alamos, and surrounding communities by addressing emergency and basic needs, furnishing comprehensive integrated family and individual support services, and acting as a catalyst for positive community change. PHP will use these funds to assist with an expansion project.

“The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians inspires us all to build a compassionate community, care for our neighbors and give generously,” said Erica Flores, chief executive officer for People Helping People. “With a heart full of gratitude, People Helping People is honored to receive this leadership gift towards our critical capital project and expansion of our Solvang Service Center in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, serving those with the greatest needs. This gift reflects our shared values and deepens our longstanding relationship. Our connected histories with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians spans across three decades and is strengthened by our collective belief that we can do the most good, for the most people, when we do it together.”

Hillside House offers residential services for people with a variety of intellectual and developmental disabilities. The mission of Hillside House is to provide a home that supports residents’ efforts to maximize their physical, cognitive, social and emotional abilities so they can attain their highest level of independence in an environment where people are treated with dignity and respect. The organization will use these funds to help hire much-needed direct care staff.

Cabrillo High School Aquarium promotes cross-curricular, hands-on education and strives to emphasize its message of global marine awareness. A student-run facility, the program prepares students to go out into the world in their chosen careers. Students are also able to receive scholarships to continue their studies in marine science and environmental fields. The school’s aquarium program will use these funds to support Phase 2 of the aquarium’s long-term expansion project, which includes six new displays, the development of an all-new gallery annex and increasing the facility’s exhibit floor space by nearly 50 percent.

Since its inaugural event in 2005, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ annual golf tournament has raised more than $2 million for local charities and nonprofits. Past beneficiaries have included Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Santa Barbara County, Lompoc Family YMCA, Unity Shoppe, the Alzheimer’s Association California Central Coast Chapter, Good Samaritan Shelter, local schools, local museums, and more.

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has donated more than $30 million to hundreds of groups, organizations andschools in the community and across the nation as part of the tribe’s long-standing tradition of giving. For more information and to access applications, please visit chumash.gov/foundation or call (805) 688-7997.

Feature Image: Kenneth Kahn, tribal chairman for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians (fourth from left); Erica Flores, chief executive officer for People Helping People (fourth from right); and staff and board members for People Helping People pose for a check presentation photo outside of People Helping People in Solvang on Monday, Nov. 4. The Chumash Charity Golf Classic, held in September, raised a total of $75,000 for PHP. Photo Courtesy of Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians

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The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School office staff and administration has chosen SYHS senior Lucas Malloy as the Santa Ynez Valley Elks October Student of the Month.

Lucas is a senior who loves guitar, piano, and banjo. He is also a state lifeguard and loves anything around the ocean, including surfing. One of his favorite classes is advanced auto repair, and he is also in the yearbook class. Lucas is also taking two concurrent enrollment classes, English and economics, that are offered in partnership with Allan Hancock College. He also loves his family farm and the pigs, horses, cows, and chickens.

In addition, Lucas is a recipient of a scholarship to become a pilot at the Santa Ynez Airport. He just completed his first solo flight on Thursday, Sept. 26, and is preparing for his cross-country flight this month.

On top of all those commitments and accomplishments, Lucas maintains an excellent GPA and hopes to attend Hancock College so he can work simultaneously on completing his flight school. Lucas wants to explore many other places as a commercial or private pilot but feels he will come right back to our community because he loves it here.

Lucas accomplished all this before his 18th birthday which is on the Nov. 16. So happy belated birthday and thank you for being a model of what it means to be a Santa Ynez High School student. We are so proud of your accomplishments and know your future is limitless.

Student of the Month is a program sponsored by the Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge. Students are recognized for their grades and school and community involvement. The Elks invest in their communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, meet the needs of today’s veterans, and improve the quality of life.

Feature Image: Santa Ynez High senior Lucas Malloy (center) accepts the prize check for winning October’s Elks Student of the Month from Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler Bonnie Rees (left) and Elks Scholarship Coordinator Pat Merritt. Contributed Photo

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Amanda Russell’s childhood dream was to become a ballerina, and her mother made sure to provide her with whatever she needed to fulfill that dream. And through hard work and dedication, that dream has been fulfilled. She was recently asked to join the staff at Fossemalle Dance Studio in Santa Ynez as a new dance teacher.

“I was basically raised at Fossemalle Dance Studio having started dance classes when I was 5 years old,” said Russell.“My first ballet dance performance was in 2011, and I wore an angel costume with wings and held a little candle. I was in awe of the older dancers and was determined to learn ballet no matter what.

“My mother raised me by herself since I was 2 and she never failed to keep me in dance classes, working several jobs so she could support my passion,” said Russell emotionally.

In time, Russell added jazz, tap, and hip-hop into her curriculum of classes. She began performing in the Christmas tree lighting dances featuring tap and ballet. The opportunities only grew as she moved into the advanced dance classes. 

While attending Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, she taught basic ballet and tap as a side job at the Buellton Rec Center, taking her inspiration from Fossemalle’s classes, which she continued to take. She also occasionally stepped in as a substitute teacher at Fossemalle Dance Studio.

“I was privileged to have the opportunity to perform at the Amargosa Opera House in Death Valley in celebration of the life of Marta Becket, performer, artist, and friend of Christine’s,” she said. “That was a wonderful experience.”

Russell continued to pursue her passion for dance by applying for intensive workshops and auditioning for stage performances. 

“I auditioned with the American Ballet Theater for an intensive workshop and was selected to go to Texas, but I had to decline. But that summer, I auditioned for ’42nd Street’ with Arts Outreach and tapped my heart out. That was the start of my career,” she said. “I continued doing theater at the high school with Jeff McKinnon until I graduated. I would do theater at the high school and then come after school to take dance classes. Those times were hard because of Covid. We had to dance outside and ultimately do our annual performance on Zoom. Miss Fossemalle made sure the stage outside was clean and dry and safe for the dancers.”

Russell would continue her passion for dance as she furthered her education.

“After graduation, I went to Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) intending to study animal science, but quickly shifted my focus back to theater, a field I had experienced, been involved in, and enjoyed in high school,” she said. “I was a part of two SBCC Theatre Group productions which led me to audition for various theater programs throughout the country. I was accepted at three places: Emerson in Boston, Marymount in Manhattan, and at the equally prestigious Pacific Coast Performing Arts Program (PCPA), and I chose PCPA to be close to home and to the beach.”

Due to her heavy dance background, Russell was granted several professional opportunities at PCPA while still a studentin their rigorous acting program. She was an ensemble swing for “Cinderella” (2022), ensemble member and Dance Captain for “BrightStar” (2023), ensemble member and Assistant Choreographer for “Elf” (2023), Assistant Choreographer for “Little Shop of Horrors” (2024), and ensemble member/co-choreographer for “The Clockmaker’sDaughter” (2024). Upon graduation, PCPA granted Russell the Kobelt Family Dance Scholarship in recognition of not only her diligence and commitment to each production but also her knowledge and expertise in the art of dance.

“I was in their two-year acting program and graduated in May of this year. While I was a student there, I was fortunate to be a part of several productions, mostly because of my dance background. I was even given the opportunity to be dance captain as well as assistant choreographer in ‘Elf’ the musical. I loved working with George Walker, the lead in the musical as well as the director/choreographer, and Keenon Hooks, who recognized my dancing skill and asked me to assist him in creating several productions. They both were such great mentors to me.”

After graduation, Russell was asked by Fossemalle to perform in the studio’s anniversary showcase, which included many former dancers from around the country who had graduated from Fossemalle’s Dance Studio. 

“From March through June, I danced at Fossemalle’s Dance Studio, preparing for her 35th Anniversary show which took place in the Little Theater at the high school,” she said. “Christine asked me if I wanted to be in more of the dance productions and I was slightly overwhelmed but thrilled. Christine then asked me to come and be part of the staff.

Fossemalle said she feels proud to have her former student return as a teacher. 

“I knew her passion for performance and dance was strong. I had worked with her before, and I knew of her dedication and dependability and I wanted her to become part of our team,” said Fossemalle. “It makes me feel so special that I have Sonia Ibarra-Corona, who I taught since she was 4 years old and now Amanda Russell, who I taught since she was 5, both now teaching dance with me at the studio with passion and love, sharing the art of dance with the next generation. It’s like passing on my legacy.”

Russell started teaching jazz and tap in September at the studio for beginners and will be adding an adult tap class using her experience training actors how to tap at PCPA.

“I am honored to join the women who shaped my life,” Russell said. “I have come full circle, back to the beginning, and back to my dance home. And I am thrilled to be a part of the team.”

For more information, call Fossemalle Dance Studio at (805) 688-8494.

Feature Image: Amanda Russell (right), shown here with studio founder Christine Fossemalle, is a new dance teacher at Fossemalle’s Dance Studio. Photo by Devyn Marseilles 

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