“School of Rock — The Musical,” is a Broadway show, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on the 2003 movie of the same name that starred Jack Black. The musical follows Dewey Finn, an out-of-work rock singer and guitarist who pretends to be a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. After identifying the musical talent in his students, Dewey forms a band of fifth-graders, in an attempt to win the upcoming Battle of the Bands contest.

Three shows are scheduled at the SYHS Little Theatre: Friday, March 14, at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 15, at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; and Sunday, March 16, at 1 p.m. 

Admission to the shows are $10 for students and $15 for adults. Tickets can be purchased at the ASB Webstore, 

www.syvpirates.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1053708&type=d&pREC_ID=1468681 

The post SYHS Theatre Group to present ‘Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock’ appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

TUESDAY, MARCH 4

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

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

For more info: countyofsb.org

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5

Santa Barbara County Planning Commission, 9 a.m.

123 East Anapamu Street, Room 17, Santa Barbara

For more info: countyofsb.org

THURSDAY, MARCH 6

Buellton Planning Commission, 6 p.m.

At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton

For more info: cityofbuellton.com

MONDAY, MARCH 10

Solvang City Council, 6:30 p.m.

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

For more info: cityofsolvang.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 11

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

Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Administration Building, 511 Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria

For more info: countyofsb.org

Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District Board, 5:30 p.m.

Board Room, Administration Office, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, 2975 Mission Drive, Solvang

For more info: www.syvuhsd.org

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12

Santa Barbara County Planning Commission, 9 a.m.

Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Administration Building, 511 Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria

For more info: countyofsb.org

Los Olivos Community Services District, 6 p.m.

Los Olivos Grange Hall, 2374 Alamo Pintado Ave, Los Olivos

For more info: losolivoscsd.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 13

Buellton City Council, 6 p.m.

At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton

For more info: cityofbuellton.com

EVENTS

THURSDAY, MARCH 6

Lane Tanner Tribute Dinner and Stories, 5:30 p.m.

She’s talented, brave, funny, opinionated, colorful, sassy, and one of the very first women winemakers in Santa Barbara County. As Lane Tanner moves from wine production into consulting roles, we honor her with our first Tribute Dinner. Join Lane and friends at Zaca Creek Tavern on Thursday, March 6, for an evening of wine, food, companionship, and many stories, we’re sure!

Dress: Casual, bright colors. Tie-dye encouraged!

Schedule: 5:30, Appetizers and mingling; 6:30, Sit-down buffet meal; 7:30, Stories!

Bring a bottle of wine to share, and particularly if there is a Lane connection. Cocktails and other adult beverages will be available for purchase.

Tickets cost $125 and can be purchased at womenwinemakersculinarians.betterworld.org/events/lane-tanner-tribute-evening

At Zaca Creek Tavern “Buell House,” 1297 Jonata Park Road, Buellton

For more info (on Lane Tanner tribute and other events happening from March 6-9): sbwomenwinemakers.com/events/

SATURDAY, MARCH 8

Solvang Century Bike Ride, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Join the iconic Southern California Solvang Century Ride, now reimagined and re-energized by Planet Ultra! This beloved event offers a thrilling day of cycling through Southern California’s premier riding areas. Spots are limited to 1,000 riders, so register early to secure your place.

Entry Fees (all last-minute prices): Century Ride: $189; Metric Century: $179; Half Century: $159. Packet pickups will be Friday, March 7, from 4 to 9 p.m., at Figueroa Ballroom at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott in Buellton, and Saturday, March 8, from 6 to 8:15 a.m., at the same location.

Starting at Santa Ynez Valley Marriott, 555 McMurray Road, Buellton

For more info: solvangcentury.com

Free Women’s Financial Literacy Event, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Financial literacy empowers women to take control of their financial lives! It reduces dependence on others and systems for financial support. Whether it’s saving money for college, buying a car, negotiating salaries, managing investments, or planning for major life events, financial literacy helps you with independence and self-reliance. Come to this event celebrating International Women’s History Day at the Allan Hancock College Student Union Building, 106 A & 106 B.

At Allan Hancock College, 800 South College Drive, 

Santa Maria

For more info and to register: lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/drf9m77

Einstein Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join us on March 8 at the Santa Ynez Valley Family School campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a vibrant celebration of creativity and science! Come and enjoy delicious food, engaging activities, and exciting entertainment! Featuring fantastic food trucks, Zoo to You, and a bake sale, there’s something for everyone! This event is FREE! All community members are welcome to enjoy some family fun.

At SYV Family School Campus, 5300 Figueroa Mountain Road, Los Olivos

For more info: Call (805) 688-5440 or email  office@syvfamilyschool.org

SUNDAY, MARCH 16

Buellton Wine and Chili Festival, 12 to 4:30 p.m. 

The Buellton Wine and Chili Festival will take place on Sunday, March 16, at Flying Flags RV Resort in beautiful Buellton from 12 to 4:30 p.m.

You get to sample from 30-plus wineries, craft breweries, seltzers, cider, and spirits on-site. We also have over 25 chili and salsa competitors for you to sample from and vote for.

There will also be a wide variety of merchant and food vendors on site, as well as live entertainment including DJ FIU.

This event is located at the majestic Flying Flags RV Resort and next door to Sideways Inn! Purchase tickets and get more info at buelltonwineandchilifestival.com/

At Flying Flags RV Resorts, 180 Avenue of Flags, Buellton

Adult Perfume-Making Workshop, 1 to 4 p.m.

Join the California Nature Art Museum and Artisan Perfumer Susan Farber for a natural perfume-making workshop on Sunday, March 16, from 1 to 4 p.m. During this hands-on, creative experience, you’ll craft a unique, nature-inspired fragrance that honors the forests and florals of California. You’ll explore a carefully curated selection of precious essential oils and absolutes, learn the essentials of perfume structure and formulation, and receive personalized guidance in creating a perfume that is entirely your own. The class fee for this workshop is $130 for CalNAM members and $140 for CalNAM non-members, per participant, all supplies included. Advance registration is required, 10 attendees max. This class is best suited for ages 14-plus. To order tickets, go to calnatureartmuseum.org/news/perfume-making-2025 and click on the “Register” link.

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

For more info: Contact (805) 686-8315 or email Rachel Metz at rachel@calnatureartmuseum.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

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

Ballroom Dancing, Ongoing, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 to 8 p.m.

Have you ever wanted to learn to dance ballroom or just brush up on your skills? Join Instructors David and Jo for an evening of fun. No partner needed and drop-ins are welcome! Adults only. Held in Room B.

At Buellton Rec Center, 301 Second St., Buellton

Aerobic Tap for Seniors, Monday’s 10 to 11 a.m.

Tap dance to Broadway show tunes and get a great aerobic workout. Bring your tap shoes and level of experience! Each 75-minute class will include a preview, warm-up, aerobic workout and cool down. Held in Room A.

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

The post CALENDAR: March 4-17 appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

The Solvang City met Monday, Feb. 24, for its regular meeting, most of which was devoted to a presentation reviewing the Brown Act, the law devoted to transparency in city government.

Councilmember Elizabeth Orona was absent for the meeting.

The meeting started off with the Pledge of Alliance led by Bridget Paris, whom City Manager Randy Murphy thenannounced was the city’s new public works director. Murphy said Paris would start the next day, and Paris took a few moments to address the council.

“This is kind of a homecoming, as I worked for the City of Solvang a while back,” she said. “I look forward to serving this community again.”

A change in the agenda was made to begin the meeting. Presentations usually become before the Public Comment on Non-Agenda and Consent Items, but knowing the Brown Act presentation would be rather involved, Mayor Dave Brown decided to switch the two and put Public Comment first. However, attendance was light for this particularmeeting and no one requested to speak, so council moved on to the presentation.

Assistant City Attorney Craig Steele made the presentation on the Brown Act, titled “Transparency Laws and Due Process — What You Need to Know.”

The Brown Act, officially called the Ralph M. Brown Act after the state Assemblyman who authored it, is a California law passed in 1953 that guarantees the public’s right to attend and participate in meetings of local legislative bodies.

Steele point out the three purposes of the act ensures: Public participation in the decision-making process for a legislative body, public oversight of the decision-making process, and protection of public agencies’ legitimate confidentiality interests.

“I liken it to the old ‘sausage-making’ analogy,” Steele said. “[That means] if people who have business before the city or observe the business of the city get to see how decisions are made in the city, participate in those decisions, and see the process, they have more confidence in the decision whether they agree with it or not, because they got to see it being made.” 

Steele went on to say the main gist of the presentation is to make sure a “meeting” isn’t held and defined what constitutes a meeting. The criteria, according to Steele, is to have majority present; putting it at same time and location;and hear, discuss, or take any action.

One emphasis on the presentation was the direction to avoid “serial meetings” in discussing city matters. Steele described those as a series of direct or indirect communications either in person or electronically by a majority of the body discussing city matters.

“We always caution about unintentionally committing a serial meeting violation,” Steele said. “That could be group emails and texts, comments on an article you read or someone else’s posts, or any social media posts.”

Steele added three takeaways from the serial meetings discussion: Don’t discuss city business with more than one other councilmember outside a meeting, avoid soliciting or airing views on a city matter with other members, and avoid interacting with other members on social media.

The presentation later moved to meeting agendas, which during council discussion harkened to a dispute in the council’s previous meeting on Feb. 10.

In that meeting, Councilmember Mark Infante started a motion to approve an item pulled from the consent calendar approving the contract for an environmental review concerning the controversial Wildwood development project on Alamo Pintado Road, but a speaker opposed to the project immediately called for a point of order, saying that council couldn’t pass something without it being on the discussion agenda. 

Infante brought that up during Steele’s Brown Act presentation for further clarification.

Steele said, as he did at the Feb. 10 meeting, that council was well within its rights to vote on the action, pointing out that the public had commented on it as part of the Consent Calendar comment before it had been pulled. He added that pulling a Consent Calendar item for discussion did not move it off Consent onto the regular agenda.

Steele wrapped up the presentation by noting the council has a higher responsibility than the general public to conducting government meeting correctly and must be above reproach.

In other actions for the meeting:

In his City Manager’s report, Murphy announced three public meetings to be held at Solvang’s council chambers: A discussion on homelessness Wednesday, March 12, at 5:30 p.m.; Measure U Citizen’s Oversight Committee on Tuesday, March 25, at 2 p.m.; and a fire awareness meeting on Monday, March 31, at 5:30 p.m.

The council passed the Consent Calendar, although one item concerning a contract extension worth $765,422 with Extreme Clean Janitorial for cleanup work in Solvang’s public areas.

Mayor Dave Brown asked why the contract was extended rather than put up for bid. City Administrator Wendy Berry said it was done to get the contract in line with the city’s budget cycle, and she and Murphy also expressed great satisfaction with Extreme Clean’s performance. The Consent Calendar was passed with 4-0 vote.

In the one discussion item on the night, the council appointed Councilmembers Louise Smith and Elizabeth Orona to the Ad Hoc Budget Committee with a 4-0 vote.

The City Council meets next on Monday, March 10, at 6:30 p.m.

The post Solvang City Council hears presentation on Brown Act, transparency appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

Wine lovers looking for vintages off the beaten path had plenty of small-production wines to sample in Solvang on Feb. 8, as the Veterans Memorial Hall hosted the 11th annual Garagiste Wine Festival: Southern Exposure.

The event had 31 wineries set up inside the building, all of which offer the best of limited-production wines on the Central Coast.

The Garagiste Festival premiered in Paso Robles in 2011 and is the only wine festival that exclusively features high-quality wines from commercial California “garagiste” winemakers. Unlike other festivals, the wines are poured by the winemakers/owners themselves, offering a rare opportunity to interact with the creative forces behind the wines, while making brand new wine discoveries. The festival expanded to the Santa Ynez Valley in 2013 to highlight the wines of Santa Barbara County and surrounding AVAs, as well as small production wineries from across California.

With that all set up at the Veterans Memorial Hall, wine connoisseurs got to get face-to-face with many small winemakers explaining their creations.

Like BeckersChild Wines, which has found popularity with its Black Widow vintage.

“We have experimented with many varietals, but this Black Widow is our most profitable right now,” said co-owner Greg Becker, who talked about his how he came up with his creation. “It came to the point I hit something that made it silky smooth; the material I use to make it almost has the texture of a Fruit Roll-Up”

Also on hand was Kristin Fione, founder of Adarato Wines. Fione along with many of the other vintners in the building, does her wine business as a side gig.

“I work in the entertainment business, so a small-production operation like this is perfect for me,” she said.

Growing up outside Philadelphia, Fione eventually made her way to California, and then developing a passion for winemaking. She appreciates the chance to come to events like these.

“It’s just a chance to try small wines, and compare the different tastes,” she said. “It’s an amazing source, and I get a great reception when I come out here. And I like to show everyone that Central Coast wines are the best.”

Another winemaker at the festival represents Solvang, as she just opened a tasting room in town. Anna Lancucki runs Final Girl Wines along with her husband Peter. Although she said she was inspired by the Meg Ryan rom-com “French Kiss” to become a winemaker, it’s the couples love of horror movies that brings the winery products their theme.

“We just love the horror movies, and in each one there’s always one girl remaining who fights the bad guy and survives, so we named the company ‘Final Girl,'” said Anna, who was wearing a T-shirt of the movie “Scream.” “It’s just our way to keep it fun; I like to take out the pretentiousness and make it less serious.”

That sense played out at the Final Girl table which included a skull candle and all sorts of other horror memorabilia.

Although, it was a wine festival, there were other kinds of vendors also, like Shaana Rahman, who was selling her Boccabella Olive Oil from her San Miguel farm.

“We visited San Miguel and saw the farm, and I decided we had to move there and buy the farm,” said Rahman, who owns the business with her husband Johnny Jantz. “Making the olive oil is a lot like winemaking. You’re taking things off the vine and making a delicious product out of it.”

Also, at the festival was Mira Honeycutt, the wine columnist from the Santa Ynez Valley Star’s sister publications in Paso Robles. Her and her husband Kirk Honeycutt have authored a book, “Sideways Uncorked,” about the making of the memorable movie that spotlighted the Valley’s wine scene.

Wineries participating in this year’s Garagiste Festival: Southern Exposure included Absolution Cellars, Adorato Wines, Beckerschild Wines, Bocce Ball Wines, Cote of Paint Wine, Decemil Estate Wines, Detente Wines, Diablo Paso, Dusty Nabor Wines, El Vinero Wines, End of the Day Wines, Etnyre Wines, Exprimere Wines, Final Girl Wines, Fuil Wines, Kaleidos Wines, Mastro Scheidt, MCV Wines, Montagne Russe, Pars Fortuna Wine, RF Fine Wines, Sapien Wines, Slouch Hat Wines, Stiekema Wine Co., Sycamore Ranch, Tabalipa Wine Co., Tomi Cellars, Trois Le Fou, Vigo Cellars, Winespread Panic Cellars, and Zanoli Wines.

The Solvang stop is the first for the Garagiste Festival in 2025. Organizers have scheduled events for April (in Sonoma), June (in Los Angeles), and November (in Paso Robles). For more information on the festival, and its 2025 schedule, go to garagistefestival.com.

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Los Alamos resident Ray Williams has been chosen as one of the participants of Butchers of America’s Team USA, joining with five other members to compete in the World Butcher Challenge (WBC) in France at the end of March. For those unfamiliar, the World Butchers Challenge is known to many as “The Olympics of Meat.”

Butchers of America is a team of butchers that was assembled primarily to compete in the WBC, which started approximately 20 years ago, between Australia and New Zealand. Over the years, the competition grew to incorporate teams from many other countries. This year’s challenge will be held in Paris and will have 18 countries participating.

“I became involved in the WBC in 2022 when the competition was held at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento,” said Williams. “I reached out to the team, and they needed help. I assisted with a couple of practices, and I was the floor manager for the WBC.

“Having been given the opportunity to hang carcasses in an NBA arena was an opportunity of a lifetime. I thought I knew a lot about butchery, but with my experience in the ’22 event, I realized there are so many ways other countries do things that it was a great learning experience for me.” 

Williams began his long career in butchery at the age of 14 when he was invited to a local custom-exempt butchery in Lompoc with a bunch of other Future Farmers of America (FFA) kids to help process chickens for the Santa Barbara County Fair. 

“I was the only one who showed up,” he said. “I spent the weekend with the butcher, Steve Greco, and his family, and at the end he liked the way I worked and offered me a job.”

A custom-exempt butchery is an establishment where you take animals you’ve either raised or purchased to be slaughtered and processed.

“I worked for Steve every summer until I was 18, and then I worked for him full-time,” Williams said. “When I was 19, I started working at the Vandenberg Commissary and worked there for 12 years, ending up being the meat manager. From there I went to work at the Federal Correctional Complex in Lompoc. I was a cook foreman for two years and then moved on to be the vocational training instructor, teaching butchery to out-custody inmates, where I still work. I have been there for 10 years.”

Williams has considered the job very rewarding. 

“I consider this a dream job because I have the opportunity to teach inmates a skill they would not normally have the opportunity to acquire. It is a very fulfilling career,” he said. “In my classes I teach slaughter, carcass breakdown, retail cuts, sausages, and further processing like curing hams and bacon. It is the last meat program in the Bureau of Prisons.”

Because of his experience and the fact that a number of the participants in the 2022 challenge weren’t returning for this year’s competition, Williams decided to try out for the team.

“It was a nationwide tryout, and the winners were narrowed down to 40,” he said. “Initially I had to submit a video and a bio, and then there were additional videos and questions to be answered, and the number was whittled down to 10. The last 10 of us had to go to Sacramento and compete on stage in front of an audience at the Farm to Fork Festival. Historically, butchers don’t like to reveal their methodology in public. From those final 10 contestants, they chose five of us to be on Team USA to join the one remaining team member.” 

However, with that position earned comes the responsibility to raise money.

“The final team of six has to raise $10,000 each to cover costs. As the old saying goes, ‘The cutting is the easy part – the fundraising is the hard part,’” Williams said in jest. “The Los Alamos Men’s Club donated to my efforts for fundraising and I was able to reach my goal.

“Brad and Debra Vidro held a fundraiser at Maker’s Son in Los Alamos, and the community came out in full force to support my efforts. My mother, Shirley Williams, has also helped at every turn, along with my wife, Wendy, and our three children, Anna (age 17), Adam (age 16), and Miranda (age 12). And as co-owner of Whisky Bent BBQ, a catering service, I would like to thank the Rice guys for all their help fundraising. The entire community of Los Alamos has really backed me up, and I am most grateful for all their support.”

Butchers of America’s Team USA will be competing on March 30 and 31 with teams from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Iceland, Italy, New Zealand, Romania, and Spain.

“It’s going to be pretty wild,” said Williams. “We have three hours and 30 minutes to break down half a cow, half a pig, a whole lamb, and five chickens. Every item is to be processed and displayed with a detailed recipe on how to cook it. The cuts you see in a grocery store are totally unlike what you will see in this competition because they are very innovative. The final display has to also include visually artistic features in the presentation, which you wouldn’t find in any grocery store.”

Williams said the competitors will be working in front of some watchful eyes.

“During the competition, judges walk around checking for safety, sanitation, teamwork, proper use of the equipment, and final display,” he continued. “The judges then pick one item of each protein from each country, which will be cooked according to the attached recipe by French chefs and ultimately judged.”

Williams said the winning team in the competition will get a trophy and bragging rights, but many more will gain benefits from the event.

“On April 1 everyone will attend a gala dinner put on by the WBC. All the meat from the competition is donated by WBC to be distributed to local food banks,” he said.

“Participating in this event is beyond my wildest dreams; being in Paris, butchering in front of a crowd, I know it will be an amazing experience, one to remember for a lifetime.”

Anyone wishing to donate to the Williams and the team can visit www.butchersofamerica.org to purchase merchandise and knives that are used exclusively in the competition. Just mention in the comments section, “Ray sent me.”

The post Los Alamos resident to compete in World Butcher Challenge in Paris appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

UPDATE: The Santa Ynez High boys basketball and girls soccer teams were eliminated in the second round from their respective CIF Central Section playoffs on Wednesday night, Feb. 19. The boys basketball team lost 61-43 to North High in Bakersfield in Division III. The girls soccer team fell 4-1 at Santa Maria High, also in Division III. In both cases, the SYHS teams lost to the top seeds in the division. The SYHS girls basketball team won their second-round matchup on Tuesday, Feb. 18. For the story on that, go to santaynezvalleystar.com/santa-ynez-girls-basketball-beats-coalinga-moves-into-cif-division-iv-semifinals/

Santa Ynez High winter sports teams had a successful weekend to start the CIF Central Section postseason on Feb. 14 and 15, as the girls basketball, girls soccer and boys basketball squads all earned first-round wins.

Pirates boys hoops gets by Lemoore

After winning the Sunset League with a perfect 8-0 record, the Santa Ynez boys hoopsters earned an eighth seed in Division III and hosted No. 9 Lemoore in its first-round game on Feb. 15.

The Pirates rode a strong fourth period to a 55-52 win over the Tigers for their 11th straight win. The game was a tight one through the first three quarters as SYHS held a 37-36 lead going into the last period. In the fourth, the Pirates rallied to open up as much as a 10-point lead before a late Lemoore run made it close at the end.

Jude Pritchard, the Pirates’ top scorer for the season at 15.9 points per game, put in a team-high 17 points against Lemoore, while Jaydon Mendoza added 11. Lucas Ollenburger, who had a key three-pointer in the fourth period of the playoff game, ended up with 8 points and 7 rebounds, while Ikenna Ofiaeli had 9 points and a team-high 9 rebounds.

“It was a heck of a matchup,” head coach Rod Caughell said about the contest. “I was concerned going in because they’re strengths tend to be our weaknesses, but we were able to break their press, and hit some big 3’s to pull it out.”

The Pirates now get an even bigger test in the second round, facing No. 1 seed Bakersfield North on Wednesday, Feb. 19. The Stars finished 24-6 and placed second in the South Yosemite Mountain League with a 24-6 record. Game time in Bakersfield is 6 p.m. 

Girls hoops handles Pioneer Valley

The Santa Ynez High girls basketball team, after finishing third in the Sunset League with a 5-5 record (15-10 overall), earned the No. 2 seed in the Division IV bracket and in its first-round game on Friday, Feb. 14, defeated nearby No. 15 seed Pioneer Valley 52-33.

The Lady Pirates defeated the Jaguars from Santa Maria with a balanced attack, as Kailani Ladera scored a team-high 11 points, along with 8 rebounds, and Lexi Molera added 10 points and 5 steals. Helina Pecile totaled 9 points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals, while Elena Sleiman pulled down a team-high 14 rebounds.

“The girls came out strong tonight,” said head coach Jennifer Rasmussen, whose team made it to the second round of the postseason for the third straight year.

SYHS will return to the Pirate gym Tuesday, Feb. 18, for its next game, against No. 7 seed Coalinga at 5 p.m. Coalinga, known as the Horned Toads, finished 24-5 with an 8-2 record (second place) in the West Sierra League.

Girls soccer overpowers Sierra Pacific

The Santa Ynez High girls soccer team finished the regular season with a 7-9-2 record and 2-5-1 in the Sunset League, placing third. The Lady Pirates were one of four Sunset team to be placed in the Division III bracket.

In its first-round game, the No. 8 seed Pirates excelled with a 4-0 victory over No. 9 Sierra Pacific of Hanford on Saturday, Feb. 15, at SYHS.

Ella Gotschall, Grace Vazquez, Isabella Rubio, and Hannah Ricci scored for SYHS.

“Everything just came together tonight,” said head coach Rob Cantrell. “We’re good at generating opportunities, but we’ve haven’t finished them in recent games. Tonight, we did.”

The win moves the Lady Pirates to a second-round matchup on Wednesday, Feb. 19, with a familiar opponent — Sunset League rival and No. 1 seed Santa Maria. The Saints won the league with a 7-1 record, and were an impressive 20-2-2 record overall. The Saints have beaten the Pirates twice this season, 5-1 decision in Santa Maria, and 3-1 at Santa Ynez earlier this month.

“They’re going to be tough, and they’re definitely a No. 1, but I don’t worry about seeds, we just play whoever comes against us,” Cantrell said. “They handled us pretty well at their place, but we played them pretty tough in our second match, so you never know.”

Game time Wednesday at Santa Maria High will be 6 p.m.

Boys soccer finishes second in Sunset League

The SYHS boys soccer team ended its season with a 2-1 loss to Lompoc, with Jackson Elliott tallying to lone Pirate goal.

The Pirates finished with a 3-3-2 record in the Sunset League, placing second, and a 5-12-3 record overall. They did not receive a postseason berth.

For the season, Elliott was the top scorer with 7 goals and 14 points. Marcos Rivera tallied 6 goals with an assist for 13 points, and Evan Ellason had 3 goals and a team-high 3 assists for 9 points. In goal, Diego Medina had an 0.863 goals against average.

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There’s a new resident in Solvang, at the corner of Mission Drive (also Highway 246) and 5th Street. She’s rather large and scary looking, but very quiet. She’s in rather cramped quarters, but she’d better get used to it — she’s going to be there at least 10 years.

Her name’s Lulu Hyggelig, and she lives inside the Michele Kuelbs Tower Gallery at the California Nature and Art Museum. She’s the latest wooden trolls created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, who at the end of 2024 had created 154 trolls around the world, all made from recycled materials.

Solvang’s new troll is special in a couple of ways: One, she’s the first permanent one to be located in California and,two, she’s the first one to be built completely indoors.

“I remember when we starting talking to him about building one of his trolls here to Solvang,” said Stacy Otte-Demangate, executive director of the CNAM. “He had done all of this works outdoors, but when he saw our circular room, he liked the challenge of getting one of his trolls to fit inside.”

Dambo likes to give each of his trolls a unique name and backstory, and with CNAM’s new resident, he was inspired by the many bakeries in town, he named her Lulu Hyggelig, and envisioned her as someone who scavenged for the local bakeries’ leftover breads and pastries and eat them back in “her” tower until she got too big to get out.

Dambo and his team arrived in Solvang on Jan. 20, and with the help of almost 50 volunteers during the museum’s temporary closure, Lulu was complete less than two weeks later. The museum reopened on Feb. 2 with Lulu on full display in the tower, portrayed as a whimsical creature trying to get comfortable in her cramped space. Also included on the room’s wall is the poem explaining Lulu’s story (which is also included on this page).

Otte-Demangate was thrilled with the result as museum patrons observed the sculpture and posed for photos in front of it. 

“I thought he did a wonderful job working the characteristics of the city, and especially the bakeries, into the character’s story,” she said. “He was able to get recycled wood from this area and even got some twigs and branches from local nurseries to make up her hair.”

Otte-Demangate said Lulu looks to be a permanent attraction at the museum, and confirms that “it will be here for 10 years at least”

People can observe Lulu and CNAM’s other exhibits during the museum’s regular hours: Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Museum is closed Tuesday and Wednesday).

To learn more about Dambo and see photos of all his trolls, as well as other projects, go to www.thomasdambo.com

Lulu Hyggelig By THOMAS DAMBO

THIS STORY HAS A HISTORY

THAT STARTS BEFORE THE PAST.

A TINY TROLL FROM FAR AWAY,

SHE SWAM THE OCEAN VAST.

SHE FOUND A COZY CITY AND

TOOK SHELTER IN A TOWER.

ON A STREET THAT SMELLED OF

DANISH PASTRIES, YEAST AND FLOUR.

AT NIGHT SHE SEARCHED THROUGH

ALL THE TRASH CANS PATIENTLY FOR 

PASTRY.

AND ATE THE CAKES THEY MADE TOO MUCH,

BEHIND THE LOCAL BAKERY.

THEN SLID BACK THROUGH THE TOWER DOOR,

BEFORE THE NIGHT WAS GONE.

AND SO SHE DID, DAY AFTER DAY,

A HUNDRED YEARS WENT ON.

BUT THEN ONE DAY, HER TUMMY RUMBLED LOUDER THAN A THUNDER.

SHE NO LONGER COULD SQUEEZE IT THROUGH THE DOOR TO FEED HER HUNGER.

TRAPPED INSIDE THE TOWER LULU LIVES A LIFE ALONE.

SO BRING A LITTLE CAKE, IF YOU 

INTEND TO SAVE YOUR OWN.

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SANTA YNEZ — The Santa Ynez Tribal Health Clinic held its fifth annual Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) event on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at the clinic, located on the reservation at 90 Via Juana Lane in Santa Ynez. The event provided children, ages 12 and under, with free dental work, including exams, cleanings, and more.

As one of SYTHC’s biggest events of the year, the clinic’s Dental Department provided dental care for any local child regardless of income or insurance status.  Children received a comprehensive oral examination (including X-rays when appropriate), teeth cleaning, oral health education, and dietary recommendations. Any treatment that was diagnosed during the exams will be completed at follow-up visits throughout 2025. The event was staffed by SYTHC dentists, registered dental assistants and dental hygienists. The event saw 28 children being treated with a total of $7,300 in services as no cost to their families. over $4,200 of dental services were provided to 19 children at no cost to their families. 

 “Our dental clinic looks forward to this event every year, because it gives us an opportunity to shine a light on the importance of pediatric oral health, and to hopefully make a positive and lasting impact on our young patients,” said Dr. Mike Savidan, dental director for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, before the big event.
 
Located on the Santa Ynez Reservation at 90 Via Juana Lane in Santa Ynez, SYTHC accommodates more than 25,000 patient visits per year, has an active patient population of over 8,300 and employs 70 team members. The staff specializes in the highest standards of quality health care through modern medicine and cultural traditions. While the clinic’s comprehensive medical, dental and behavioral health services are available to Chumash Community Members, the clinic also treats non-native patients of diverse ethnic backgrounds with unique needs. The facility accepts Medicare, Medi-Cal and most major insurance plans.
 
The clinic is an unincorporated instrumentality of the tribe and is part of the Indian Health Service (IHS). SYTHC is also a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that receives grant and third-party funding as a mature contractor.  For more information, contact SYTHC at (805) 688-7070 or log on to sythc.org

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SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Community Rowing’s junior racing team enjoyed a strong start to their 2025 spring racing season, finishing with notable wins at the President’s Day Invitational Regatta in Long Beach on Feb. 1.

Diego Stephenson, a Dunn school junior, brought home gold in the Youth Men’s Single, which is a testament to his hard work and focus, said Coach Gracie Barbara.

“He’s picked up a lot of speed this year,” Barbara said. “The youth category is tough and Diego has been putting in extra work outside of our scheduled practice, and it’s great to see it showing in his results. We’re all really happy for him and excited to see what he can do the rest of the season.”

SBCR’s Jacie Dingman, a Santa Ynez High School freshman, came home with gold, winning the U17 Women’s Single.

And then Dingman and her longtime doubles partner, Elsa Loya (homeschooled and Classical Resource Learning Center junior) added another gold medal to the tally for SBCR, winning the Youth Women’s Double. 

Dingman and Loya finished seventh in the nation at the 29th Annual USRowing Youth National Championships in Florida last year, and appear to be on track to reprise another successful racing season this year. 

Equally as exciting was the debut race for SBCRs five new novice rowers, who took silver in Men’s U15 Quad. They include brothers William and Campbell Allen, (Goleta Valley Junior High), John Asher (Laguna Blanca), Finn McCauley (Montecito Academy), and Aidan Chase (Montecito Academy).

As Barbara said, “Their success is noteworthy because this is the first time these kids have raced together in this lineup, and it can be intimidating, especially when their average age is 2 years younger than their competitors. These are 12- and 13-year-olds going up against some 13- and 14-year-olds, which is tough. But they worked together and came away with a terrific result. And I hope it inspires other kids to join their ranks.”

“We are still a small team and we are always looking for more middle and high schoolers,” Barbara continued.”Rowing is still relatively unknown in Santa Barbara County, but it’s a great community; we row on a beautiful lake;and our kids are fast. What more do you need? And a lot of these kids will go on to row in college, so it’ll be fun to see what the future holds for them. 

“There’s a lot of potential here to build a bigger, top-tier junior team, and I’d love to see our program grow to 20 or 30 kids out on the water all together.”

Barbara herself rowed in high school and college and knows that rowers are admired for their discipline, work ethic, and leadership skills.

Santa Barbara Community Rowing is the only rowing organization in Santa Barbara County, based at Cachuma Lake. If you are interested in donating to the club, or learning more about rowing, SBCR offers summer camps for youth ages 11 and over, as well as Learn to Row programs throughout the year for adults and kids. For more information visit rowsbc.org

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The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District recently hosted its annual Fall Academic Recognition ceremony, celebrating the exceptional achievements of its students. The ceremony, held during the Winter Sports Rally, highlighted the district’s commitment to fostering academic excellence, improvement, and consistent attendance among its student body.

A standout moment of the event was the presentation of the Most Improved Student Award to Diana Ortega Campos.Diana demonstrated remarkable dedication, raising her GPA by the highest number of grade points from the spring semester to the fall semester. Beyond academics, Diana’s improved attendance and discipline have made her a role model for perseverance and determination. “Congratulations, Diana, on your hard work and dedication!” said ASB Co-President Grace Velasquez.

Academic excellence was on full display as 171 students were recognized for achieving a GPA of 4.0 or higher. Each of these outstanding students received a Santa Ynez sweatshirt as a token of appreciation for their dedication and success. “Congratulations to all 171 students for your unwavering commitment to academic achievement!” remarked ASB Director Mr. Rob Cantrell.

The district also honored 135 students who earned GPAs between 3.5 and 3.9. These students, celebrated for their hard work and dedication, were awarded long-sleeved Pirate T-shirts. “Your dedication to maintaining strong academic performance is truly commendable,” ASB Co-President Sophia Merz shared during the ceremony.

Attendance is a cornerstone of student success, and 459 students were acknowledged for achieving an impressive 95 percent attendance rate. Each of these students received a Pirate Trucker hat as a reward for their commitment to consistent participation in their education. “Thank you for showing up and making the most of your learning opportunities,” said District Superintendent/SYHS Principal Dr. Kimberly Sheehan.

The Fall Academic Recognition ceremony underscores the district’s dedication to nurturing a culture of excellence and resilience. The event served as a heartfelt tribute to the hard work of students, teachers, and families who contribute to the district’s vibrant learning community. Congratulations to all honorees for their exceptional accomplishments!

Santa Ynez High School Announces 2025 Teacher of the Year: Mrs. Melanie Dickey

Santa Ynez High School is proud to announce Mrs. Melanie Dickey as the 2025 Teacher of the Year, an honor voted on by her peers in recognition of her exceptional contributions to education and her unwavering dedication to her students.

Described by colleagues and former students as “the educator I always aspire to be,” Dickey embodies the qualities of a truly outstanding teacher. Her thoughtfulness and reflective approach to teaching set her apart. She consistently develops meaningful relationships with her students, motivating them to achieve their best in her class and beyond.

One former student and current teacher shared, “If I did not have her in my freshman year of high school, I honestly believe I would not have found confidence in my abilities in English. I probably never would have majored in English or become a teacher. She has always been one of my greatest role models.”

Dickey’s dedication extends far beyond the classroom. She invests countless hours in designing thoughtful and engaging lessons that adapt to meet students where they are. She holds her students to rigorous standards, ensuring they strive for excellence, while providing the support and flexibility they need to succeed.

Her colleagues praise her as a wonderful teammate who is always quick to help, support, and offer advice. One staff member remarked, “She creates a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to thrive. Her passion for English is contagious, inspiring and motivating her students to reach their full potential.”

Congratulations, Mrs. Dickey, on being named the 2025 Santa Ynez High School Teacher of the Year!

Santa Ynez High School Announces 2025 Classified Employee of the Year: Mrs. Maria Garcia

Santa Ynez High School is proud to recognize Mrs. Maria Garcia as the 2025 Classified Employee of the Year. This honor, voted on by her colleagues, highlights her extraordinary contributions and unwavering commitment to the school’s success and the well-being of its students and families.

Garcia is described as the backbone of Santa Ynez High School, seamlessly managing countless responsibilities with grace and dedication. Her ability to keep everything running smoothly while maintaining a deep understanding of each student’s needs makes her an invaluable member of the school community.

One of Garcia’s most significant contributions is her role as a bridge for families who do not speak English. Through her work as a translator and advocate, she ensures that every family feels seen, heard, and supported. Her guidance has made a lasting impact, empowering families to actively participate in their students’ education.

Garcia wears many hats at Santa Ynez High School, from translating and working with families to coordinating substitutes and supporting school events like football games. Her colleagues describe her as a “trooper” who handles every responsibility with kindness and efficiency. Her caring approach to interacting with students and families sets a standard of excellence for all.

Congratulations, Mrs. Garcia, on being named the 2025 Santa Ynez High School Classified Employee of the Year!

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